.
Madeline stared at the empty room where she stood along with the Salvette Moretm that didn't move from its place. It hadn't let go of the bloody axe that it held in its hand for many seconds, and when it did, Madeline came to know that Michael had disappeared from this mansion.
She found it rather strange that an angel would use underhand methods when it came to taking her to Heaven, and this persistently. Something felt very off and odd about it. Since she was a child, she had heard nothing but good things about angels of how one had to only pray and the angels would look after the person, but the current situation was far from it.
The Salvette Mortem walked towards the room's balcony, its boney hands pushing the door and it stepped outside, while not bothering to interact with her, not that she would understand a word if it would speak to her.
When the door knob turned, Madeline's head snapped around, and she saw Beth push the door open,
"What are you doing here?" questioned Beth, taking a step inside the room. In time she caught sight of the black robes of the Salvette Mortem that had stepped into the balcony.
"Michael was here," informed Madeline and Beth frowned.
"Did he come here to persuade you?" asked Beth and Madeline nodded her head. "How did he even know? He must have been following us during the entire journey."
Madeline pursed her lips, "I don't know. He told mama about Calhoun being the Devil's grandson. He must have tried to get into her head about how Calhoun and I should not be together and must separate."
Hearing this, Beth frowned, "That doesn't sound like an angel's work."
Madeline's brown eyes looked at Beth's green eyes, "It doesn't, does it. It feels more like a demon's work," she whispered.
It was because an angel never whispered things into the ears of the living creatures. Things like those were a demon's work, to sway and convince the naive people of the living world. She could sense something was amiss, but she couldn't point out what it was.
"What did mama say?" inquired Beth.
"I tried to convince and tell her that Calhoun would never harm her or anyone whom I care for. She seems to be behaving normally, but I hope the angel would not come and meddle with her thoughts again," stated Madeline before something dawned on her, "Beth, do you know how an angel and a demon's relationship work? I mean there are protocols. But are angels allowed to indulge themselves with demons? No matter how good natured they are?"
"Why do you ask that?" asked Beth, wondering if Madeline was speaking about her and Calhoun.
"I need to speak to Paschar," informed Madeline to Beth.
"Now?"
Madeline nodded her head, "There is something we have been overlooking, and we didn't notice it."
"The church," whispered Madeline and she turned to Beth, "I will go to the church. It is the place where God resides where you will find the angels."
"Let me come with you," Beth offered, but Madeline was quick to refuse her sister's offer.
"No, I will be fine by myself. I will also feel better knowing there's someone to take care of mama and papa," said Madeline. It was only a few minutes ago since Michael had disappeared from here. She didn't want him to influence her parents by feeding more things into their ears. Not to forget, the last time when Beth had come out with Madeline for her work, things had taken a bad turn. "If Calhoun returns, let him know that I have gone to visit the church."
"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" asked Beth, understanding Madeline's reasoning even though it wasn't spoken out loud. Both Heaven and Hell wanted Madeline's soul, which only put Madeline as a target.
"I will be okay. I will be back soon. I just need to contact Paschar," replied Madeline, and she quickly left the room.
Madeline took the carriage, asking the coachman to take her to the nearest church. When they reached the place, the coachman opened the carriage door for her, and Madeline stepped down and saw a whitewashed church that had turned dull. On one side of the church stood the bell, and on the either sides of the church at the top, she caught sight of the statues of archangels sitting with their wings. The door to the church was open.
"Stay here. I will return soon," Madeline informed the coachman who was from the royal palace, and he bowed his head.
Just as she entered the church, she heard the church bells ring loudly, and it brought peace to her mind.
For a moment, Madeline closed her eyes, feeling a wave of tranquillity pass through her body when she heard the sound of the bell resonate throughout the nearby houses and buildings. She wondered how something so simple could have such a profound effect.
Her eyes took in the church's architecture, noticing the ceilings that were tall with paintings that covered it. The benches had been pushed to the sides as if people barely visited this place. Noticing the lit candles that were placed at the front, Madeline walked down and found a woman, who just stepped out of the confession box. From the other side of the confession box came the priest of the church.
Placing both her hands together, she prayed in hope that she could see Paschar right now. She wanted to speak to him. After seconds passed, she opened her eyes, but he didn't arrive.
"I don't think I have ever seen you here, milady. You must be new to the town," said the priest.
Madeline turned her head to meet the priest's eyes, bowing her head in greeting, "I am, father. I thought I would speak to an angel."