Fledgling: Book 1 (Afterlife) by Katrina Cope Read Free Book Online

and ahh . . . multicolour.” She squeals and runs forward to give us a hug.  
    I smile. They still haven’t figured out what to call me. It would be a lot easier if the Archangels would allow us to use our human names. They have their rules, and they are to be abided by—even if they are old fashioned. The archangels had been around since the beginning of time and knew best. So no names it is until we earn one.
    “So did you protect the human?” Blue asks stepping back from her embrace.
    Her eyes sparkle. “I sure did. It was so satisfying.” Her eyes fall on Blue’s bare chest. “Didn’t you go to Paris?” She crosses her arms.
    He nods.
    “And you still didn’t grab a shirt?” She cocks an eyebrow while scrutinising him.
    He shrugs. “Hey, I went to work, not to shop.”
    She shakes her head and her blonde hair flicks onto her face, aided by the wind. She retrieves a gold pin from her yellow bodysuit and pins some of it back. “How did your missions go?” She looks at both of us.
    “Like you said — satisfying,” Blue says without a pause.  
    Her eyes turn to me, and I do my best to concentrate on the joy of returning the girls to their families. I look at her and smile. “It was such a wonderful feeling to help the two young girls back to their family.”
    “You had children?” Yellow squeals. “Oh how exciting and rewarding.” She runs forward and throws her arms around me. “And you said two?”
    I finish the hug and step back trying to get some air. “Ah, yes. Well, no. I was to protect one child, and when I was protecting her, I was able to rescue another approximately the same age. It was just luck. You know, at the right place at the right time.” I feel awkward under the friendly interrogation, and I didn’t want to let on about my conscience receiver. I try to change the subject. “So, is Archangel Michael here yet?” I turn away from her to look around and to hide my face. I didn’t want to force the happiness anymore.  
    “I believe he's coming back every afternoon to give out new missions to the returned angels. You have returned just in time. From what the others were saying, he should be here shortly.” She gazes around the immediate island like she was looking for him.  
    “Have you talked to the others who have returned?” I ask.
    “Sure have. Everyone seems happy with how it all went. How did you find the whole transferring of the conscience thing?”
    “Ah,” I say. I don't want to go into the detail.  
    “It was a little strange,” Blue answers for me.  
    She reaches forward and touches Blue on the forearm. “Wasn’t it just? I saw flashes of their life pass by me. It was fascinating seeing someone else’s life flash before your eyes.”
    “Fledglings.” The call sounded behind us. We turn our heads to see Archangel Michael standing not far away.  
    “Jeez! Where did he come from?” Yellow blurts out and giggles placing a hand over her mouth.  
    We turn and all the fledglings are surrounding him. Butterflies fill my stomach and a tightness forms in my throat. He stands still, watching us intensely as we move forward. I stick by Blue. For some reason, he makes me feel safe. It is probably just a comfort thing.  
    When we have moved to our positions, Archangel Michael steps forward to the first being on the left. This fledgling is Orange. He stands straight and tall with the orange tints in his red hair glowing in the sun. His clothes are different shades of orange and unlike Blue he wears a deep orange T-shirt. He waits as the archangel approaches.  
    Archangel Michael looks him in the eye and places a finger on his forehead. A white light shines from the tip and into Orange’s head. It only lasts a couple of seconds, but it makes me feel uneasy. I don't understand what he is doing, but it can’t be good.  
    Once finished with the white light, Archangel Michael steps back and places a hand on Orange’s left shoulder. “Good work fledgling. You