Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 6

he knelt and bowed his head in respect, raising his fist up to his heart. He knew he would not see God in person. In his human form with his powers removed, he would perish if he were near Him, so he was not surprised when the Spirit entered.
    The Divine Spirit looked like a mixture of floating clouds and a mirage that one might see in a desert, completely opaque, but there nonetheless.
    The mist spoke. "Be at ease my child."
    Sam relaxed his stance and looked up, but remained on his knees. "You summoned me, My Lord?"
    "I did. You have done well."
    "I apologize, forgive my impertinence My Lord, but I do not understand." Samael was so confused.
    The Spirit flowed over his body, offering comfort. "No apology is required. I allowed your denouncement for a purpose. You who have always been faithful and loyal to me, I would never have permitted your removal otherwise."
    The mist moved away and back toward the throne. Sam just kneeled quietly, waiting for what God had to say. "Brandon was in grave peril, not only his body but also his soul. If Gadreel had succeeded, Brandon as you know him would have been destroyed. I could not allow that. The boy needed protection. Who better to see to that, but the one who has had so much grief thrust upon him from the source? Only, if I had disclosed to you that Gadreel's offspring was in need of the help, your animosity toward him would have carried over to Brandon."
    Sam's back went up at the pronouncement that His Lord thought him unable to carry out his duties because of his emotions. He had never before let that hinder him.
    "Now Samael, I am fully aware of that." Sam was chagrined, but the amusement in the Sovereign Voice calmed him.
    "My sincerest apologies, My Lord."
    "No need. Search yourself, my child. Would you have been able to put aside your differences with the father, to do right by the son? Or was it better that you grew to know Brandon with no knowledge of his birth?"
    Would things have been different had he known Bran was Gadreel's son? Probably. He would have done his duty, but no more. He wouldn't have given his Little Raven a chance.
    "I agree. That is why I allowed what I did. He needed you, and you Samael, need him as well. You received your justice, which is why you were given no assistance. You deserved that privilege. Gadreel is where he belongs, and Brandon is safe. Now it is time for you to make a choice."
    Sam looked up at the Spirit, wishing his Lord were with him in flesh so that he could see his face. "A choice, My Lord?"
    "Your assignment has been completed. You have fulfilled your duty and you may be reestablished in the ranks. Of course, you shall receive all your powers and be restored to your station completely. Alternatively, if you should so choose, you may go back to earth and to Brandon. If that is your choice, I would expect you to assist him with his awakening powers. He has prophetic dreams and will be continually coming into more gifts as the years pass. You would be his advisor and teacher, and your lives shall be tied, so that the day he passes, shall be the day you return as well." Yahweh's voice had no inflection, as if he did not care either way. "Make your choice Samael."
    There was no choice to be made. Sam had been alone for millennia. As Death, he had few friends— like Michael and Raphael— that understood him and stood by him. Nearly every other being had looked upon him with revulsion and fear. He found no acceptance, no inclusion, no succor; he was alone. Brandon wanted him.
    Brandon looked at him with affection and approval.
    He needed his Little Raven.
    "That, my dear Samael, was why you needed him as much as he needed you." He could hear the smile in God's voice.
    "If it should please My Lord, I would choose Earth." He was grinning.
    "Granted." God pronounced. More softly, he added, "I approve. You more than most, deserve some happiness. Go now. I shall have Michael escort you home."
    Home . Brandon was his home now.
    Sam bowed once more to his Lord, taping his chest with his fist before rising and starting back toward the door.
    He was almost there when Yahweh stopped him. "Samael?"
    Sam turned. "Yes, My Lord?"
    "You should have trusted my Judgment."
    CHAPTER 9
    Bran stood there gaping at the place where his angel had been. Sam was gone. He'd just disappeared, one minute there, the next… nothing .
    Was he coming back? Brandon remembered what Chris had said to him about the cheating. "For you?" He didn't think so. The guy