Part One

The next thing they heard were the solid steps of a very powerful being walking through the school chapel. The steps were slow and far apart. The being was in no hurry to introduce itself or show its true face.

Azazeal moved forward, trying to grab his son while the others were paying no attention. Just as he was about to have Malachi in his arms, a deafening sound came from above and he jumped back.

The footsteps had stopped and an angel hovered behind Ella. Its large wings outstretched and flaming sword in its hand. "Sacrifice the child before it is too late." Its booming voice demanded.

Ella grabbed the knife and began to say the incantation again. The knife was above her head when all of a sudden she froze and was knocked back against the wall behind the altar.

The angel just stared at Ella and then looked toward Azazeal. **There's no way it could have been him. He doesn't have that kind of power anymore.** It thought to itself.

That's when the angel noticed the being half way down the pews. Its own wings were large and outstretched. They were black as midnight and there was no guessing at who it could be now.

Its body was raised into the air in just a flick of a wing.

"Your voice cannot be heard in this matter. This is a war of angel and man. Your power is neutral and cannot be used otherwise."

"That's where you're wrong."

Thelma looked at the beast flying in the air. She had expected its voice to be more like the angel's. Booming and striking of fear. Yet it had been quiet almost in comparison and deceivingly not fearful at all.

At the sound of its voice, Azazeal's head snapped backward, and he finally looked the creature in the eye. A small smile came across his face. He knew not all could be that bad if this being was on his side.

"I have all right to be here. My voice will be heard, and there is nothing that you can do or say to stop it. For if you forget, I have the power to take not only her life," it motioned toward Ella, who was now just rising from the ground. "But yours as well."

The angel gave the being a knowing gaze and calmly said, "You are a neutral power and cannot be used in war between angel and man."

"That's where you are mistaken. My power is my own, and I use it as I see fit. It is my father who is forced to stay neutral by the unnatural laws set upon him." With that the being flew forward. The angel rose high into the air to avoid an attack. The dark being laid a hand on the shoulder Ella Dee and she collapsed to the ground. Dead. "I am Raja N'Kara, the daughter of death itself and have always taken a side in wars between the angels and man. It is only right for the Nephilim to be able to walk on earth as they have been cast out by your kind and your master."

Part Two

There was a silence in the chapel. Nothing spoke or moved in fear of the dark being.

Finally the angel made a move. With its outstretched wings it flew up and disappeared into the ceiling.

Thelma now felt very afraid as she was the only one left that was not on Azazeal's side.

The dark being put its feet on the ground and its wings disappeared almost immediately. It walked over to Thelma, and put out a hand. Thelma just stared; frozen in her spot. "You are already dead. There is nothing that I can do that would hurt you. Please take my hand."

Reluctantly, Thelma put her hand out and allowed herself assistance in rising. "Now Thelma." The creature's voice was that of a normal human's now. Before it had been a 'larger than life' kind of voice, but now…. "I wish you no harm. But I feel the need to warn you, as the sole reason you were in this has just perished before your own eyes." Thelma's eyes looked at the ground where Cassie's body had lain. "Whether you know it or not, an almighty war is about to break out. Now, even though I cannot do any harm to you, that does not mean that there aren't beings out there that can't. As bestowed upon me by my father, my first and foremost task is to protect the dead and those who unrightly walk upon the earth." Thelma's eyes moved back to the being in front of her. "You need to make a decision. Will you align yourself with a side in this war, or will you allow yourself to move on to the next plane, whatever it may be." Thelma tried to speak but nothing came out. "You do not need to answer me now. I will return to you in a couple days time. You can give me your answer then." Raja N'Kara waved her arm before Thelma, and she was gone.

Raja turned to Azazeal. "You must come with me."

"I appreciate your help here, but-" Azazeal began to talk, but was cut off.

"That wasn't a request, Azazeal. If he's sending angels down to rid this world of your son, then that means he won't stop trying, not even if I'm involved."

"I can handle this on my own. I have more power that they think I do."

"But with me on your side, you have a better chance. You need to do what is right for Malachi, not what's right for Azazeal. I can give you shelter now, and I can protect from them…at least for awhile. I won't be able to fend them off forever." Raja said, sympathetically, hoping that Azazeal would allow her to assist him."

"I only need it until I'm ready." Azazeal said, a glint of a smile in his eye.

*****

Thelma found herself lying on Ella Dee's bed. Thelma sat up and pondered for a moment. "Why would she have sent me here?" Thelma stood up and exited the room, heading toward the room she used to share with Cassie.

As Thelma entered the room, the tears began to pour down her face. She almost couldn't bear to be in the room. But she knew that she needed to get a few things before the school noticed that Cassie was missing and emptied out the room of Cassie's belongings.

As Thelma walked around the room, her emotions now under control, she looked at each and every item there. Cassie's mug that still sit half full on the night stand; Cassie's bed that was unmade; and the canary.

Thelma walked over to the canary. Images flashed before her from when Cassie first brought it to the room…when Thelma was still alive. She remember the shocks Cassie used to get when she touched it, and the images that Cassie would describe to her of what she saw. Thelma put her hand on the canary. Nothing. Yet Thelma didn't want this item to perish and be thrown away. There had to be something about the canary that linked to Azazeal and might be able to help in defeating him. "Yeah…like that's gonna happen. Who else is left? There's no one left, willing to fight him."

"That's where you're wrong." A voice from behind Thelma said. A strong voice. Female. Not harsh or ordering, just…there. Thelma turned to see who was behind her.

A young lady stood before her. Looked to be not a day over seventeen. "Who are you?" Thelma asked.

"Help." She replied in a very distinct American accent. "To put it nicely, I want to kick some Nephilim ass. That's what I came here to do, and it is exactly what I plan on doing."

Thelma stood back for a second, then asked again, "But who are you, and what are you doing here?"

"Damn brits, never could listen to us." She said as she dropped a bag Cassie's bed. She then let out a little whistle, and a beast of a dog came galloping into the room.

Part Three

Thelma watched as the dog jumped up onto Cassie's bed and laid down next to the bag put there by its owner.

"Don't confuse this. I'm not like Ella Dee. I'm not ancient, and I'm not here disguised as a student.