Free Fledgling: Book 1 (Afterlife) by Katrina Cope Page A

probing.  
    I allow it access to where it wants to go. As it begins to progress past the part where I save Louisa, I put up my barriers and begin to direct it to the last moment, when Blue and I take off to come back to base. My diversion begins to work. I am feeling confident, but there is a sudden push from the white light and it penetrates my barrier, exposing all the secrets I want to hide from my judge.  
    I am still looking into the stone blue eyes as I fight to rebuild the wall, but I cannot find the strength to raise it from the ground. Before I know it, everything I want to hide has been seen. Now I know why Blue looked so defeated. I feel the pressure lifting as the probing light is removed. The eyes have turned to an eerie colour of ice.

- Chapter Eight -

    “You have disobeyed me, Fledgling,” Archangel Michael snaps. My eyes fall to the ground as I wait for his judgement. “Not only have you disobeyed me, but also the standing rule of the archangels. And because of your disobedience you have dragged down your fellow fledgling.” He looks at Blue. “But this fledgling is not without fault.”
    I see Blue’s head in my peripheral vision turn to face the ground.  
    “He should not be chasing you and finishing your work for you,” our leader continues.  
    Blue lifts his head and focuses his eyes straight ahead and says. “I felt she was in trouble, Sir. I was making sure she was okay.”  
    “That may be so, but she should be strong enough to complete her own mission.” His head turns in my direction, and the glare is scrutinising. He turns back to Blue.  
    I lift my head and look at Blue. His jaw line ripples as he clenches his teeth. He looks strong again. I wonder if underneath he feels petrified.  
    “You know the rules. You are not to finish another fledgling’s work if they choose to not complete it themselves.” Archangel Michael turns and glares at me again.
    Blue is clenching his fist by his side. I turn my head to look at our leader and wonder if Blue is having second thoughts about helping me.  
    I feel terrible. “Esteemed Archangel,” I say.  
    The cold eyes assess me silently as he stands only centimetres away. After a moment he says, “Speak.”
    “It is my fault. Please punish me as you deem fit. Blu— I mean, he is not to blame.”  
    His eyebrow lifts. “You have named each other?”
    I have put my foot in it again. We both remain silent, and I try swallowing that lump again. I think I can see steam coming out of his ears as he clenches his jaw.
    “You know this is forbidden. You are both clearly breaking the rules even before this incident,” he snaps. “I am taking you to stand in front of the panel of Archangels straight after this meeting. You will remain and follow me when it ceases. Your fate is up to the Archangels.” He turns to his left and continues down the row of fledglings to finish the check up.  
    Riddled with guilt, I sigh and look at Blue. His eyes are so sad when they look at me. He seems disappointed. I mouth the words, “I’m sorry.”
    He shakes his head and says quietly, “It is not your fault. It was my choice to step in. I was—”
    “No talking,” his voice is harsh. Archangel Michael’s finger is pointing at us, but he is looking the other way.  
    With adrenaline exploding through our veins, we fall silent and wait for him to finish and our trial to be over. In what seems like forever, the remaining fledglings are all cleared and given a new mission. I watch them disappear or fly away after they have cast both of us a side glance. I am sure this is not helping to make any new friends. Like Yellow, they have done the correct thing. I hold a tinge of regret I cannot do the same. But I also know if I did not start to question what would happen to our victims, I would not be happy with myself, and my conscience would eat away at me.  
    As we wait silently watching the last fledgling disappear, Archangel Michael turns to us and