Guardian Angel Read Online Free PDF Page B

world.
     
     
    ***
     
     
      Jasmine’s return journey had taken longer than expected, delayed by an unknown presence causing discord in the symphony. Time flowed differently in heaven, but, had all gone smoothly, she would have been away no longer than four hours. However, the delay meant she was away for more than double that time. What was happening to her charge?  Something felt wrong.
    She eventually reached the Earth, curling and flapping her wings gently to slow her descent. She formed the portal and returned through the ring of light into Michael's room. He was still in bed and seemed to be asleep, but over him stood a dark figure. Danger and evil emanated from it.
    Jasmine landed gently on the hospital floor, her wings folding back in and the circle of light closing above her. The figure ignored her for a moment, perhaps distracted by its labours, but must have sensed her presence eventually and turned. It was a man, clothed in a dark suit. To Jasmine, his features seemed twisted, warped into something altogether unnatural. A grin stretched all the way up to his cheekbones, and two small protrusions grew from his forehead.
      The man was an imp. A lesser infernal creature, Jasmine remembered from her lessons. Imps were recruited from the very lowest fallen of human souls, those whom the pit saw as having true taint and potential. Hell removed them from the plains of suffering to live again in the mortal realm in exchange for their services. Imps sowed the seeds of doubt in mortals, bringing anxiety, fear and distrust in their subtle whisperings. They inspired temptation and always sought to drag mortals down, little by little, in petty ways.
      Imps were not especially powerful, as their only direct ability was to influence humans in a minor manner. They could cause harm in other ways, though. There was nothing stopping them from using a gun or a knife to cause serious harm to an angel’s charge, or even an angel, if they found a special form of metal.
    “ Hello, angel, come to interrupt my ministrations?” The imp hissed through its clenched teeth and wide grin.
    “ Be-gone, lesser spawn!" Jasmine said in a commanding voice. "You are not welcome here, and you will not harm my charge.” She couldn't show any signs of doubt or weakness.
    “ Pfft, do not try to command me. I take no orders from the likes of you.” The imp chucked to itself.
      Jasmine grew concerned for Michael. She had to stop whatever the imp had been doing. It was too much of a coincidence that an imp just happened to be in Michael’s room so soon after the accident. She took a confident step forward, raised her hands above her head and closed her eyes to sing.
     
    “O light on high. O song of beauty.
      Shine down now, sing in purity.
      Bring brightness, bring melody
      Banish darkness, banish malady.”
     
    Jasmine’s voice lifted up to the symphony, and a small part of its power broke off to touch the earth. As a bright light enveloped the room, the imp recoiled and shrieked. It ran out of the room, hissing in pain, not even turning to make more veiled threats or smart remarks. Jasmine ceased her song and the room returned to normal. She felt drained after her transition from heaven and use of her powers.
    Michael stirred in his bed, and Jasmine went to him, nearly knocking over a small food trolley in her haste. She looked Michael over. No serious harm seemed to have come to him, and he was much as he had when she had left. Jasmine breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed.
     
     
    ***
     
     
    When Michael opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a bright light. He blinked a few times to clear his vision, and Jasmine was standing over with a concerned look on her face. For a moment, it felt like when he had first awoken after his accident. He examined Jasmine’s face and looked into her eyes. She really was quite cute. The thought brought back the more pleasant part of his dream, and he shook his head quickly to clear