Edge of Thorns - Pt 21

Part 21
Micah's after Avery, not me. I have to stop him!

Before Nathan could think better of it, he ran back, putting himself between Micah and the teen. He crossed his arms in front of him and braced himself for the assault. "I don't care if you're an angel; I'm not going to let you kill him!"

Micah stopped short of his charge, hand still gripped tightly around the hilt of his weapon. "You do not know what you are doing, Nathan," he growled, just barely containing his anger. "If we let him live, his power will flourish. He will be corrupted, more dangerous. More lives will be lost. The sacrifice of one will save many."

"You mean the sacrifice of seven will save a few." Alton had caught up to them and supported himself against the doorframe, his glasses askew. "Please, Michael. His power is a golden touch. As long as he doesn't touch anyone…"

"And if he does?" he countered, turning towards him again. "You remember what happened the last time someone was given this power: he went mad with it, killed his own family, and starved to death."

Alton fixed his glasses and straightened. "You say that like it was my fault. I had nothing to do with that one…"

"Regardless," Micah said, pointing his sword at Avery while Nathan helped the teen to his feet. "He is going to become a monster if he is not exorcised of that Sin, and I cannot in good conscience allow that."

"Then let me exorcise him." Alton walked over to him and placed his hand gently on his arm, looking at him pleadingly as he coaxed him to lower his weapon. "I'm sure it can be done some other way. If death was the only option, wouldn't Gabriel have gotten here by now?"

Micah was silent, and Nathan briefly considered making a run for it again until the angel turned in their direction. Avery was still shaking, muttering a quiet prayer while Micah looked him over, scrutinizing him carefully before he turned back to Alton. "Fair enough. I will let you try to exorcise him first. If you fail, then we will do things my way. Agreed?"

Alton smiled slowly and nodded eagerly. "Give me a month. I'm sure I can get it figured out by then."

But Micah glared at him and pulled away. "You have a week," he said, moving as if to return the sword to an invisible sheath at his side, the weapon vanishing. The smile on the shopkeeper's face faded, and he shook his head.

"I need more time than that."

"Two weeks. No more."

"Micah please…" He placed his hand on his arm again. "At least give me until the end of the month. That's about three weeks, and it's on a Sunday. Please, I won't ask for more."

Micah took a deep breath. Nathan thought it looked like the man was resisting every temptation to grab Alton by the neck and hurl him back down the stairs. Thankfully, he didn't. "The end of the month," he said, glancing back towards the other two. "No more. But mark my words, Lumiel: if he becomes a threat in that time, the bargain is off. I will not suffer a monster -- especially a dangerous one -- to live."

Alton nodded solemnly, taking his hand away and stepping back. "I understand."

Nathan watched as the two men locked eyes and stared at each other, the world around them becoming completely still. Even Avery stopped shaking to watch them. It was that same, unnerving sensation, like the air was thick with the intensity of their emotions, that they had felt when they'd overheard them the day before, and just like before it abruptly dissipated the moment Alton looked away. Micah turned a second later, sending his amber stare in Nathan's direction, giving him a small bow, before he was simply gone.

Avery promptly fainted again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was dark before Avery was awake again. Nathan had carried him back to his apartment after they'd located his backpack of belongings tucked under the steps at the backdoor to the shop, and Alton had gladly helped carry that over. He remained at the apartment while Nathan made a quick grocery run, just in case Avery was up before he returned. He wasn't, and it was almost dinnertime when he finally opened his eyes and sat up on the couch. Rubbing his head, the teen looked around in confusion. "What happened?"

"You fainted again," Alton called from the kitchen, adding the last touches to the dinner he'd stayed to cook for them. "Nathan carried you all the way here."

"Where is he?"

Alton gestured towards the bedroom, covering the skillet in front of him to let it finish cooking. Avery rolled off the couch, got to his feet and shuffled into the bedroom.

Nathan was sitting on the edge of his bed, typing away on his laptop. He'd pulled the nightstand over to serve as a temporary desk, and was so engrossed in his writing that he didn't notice Avery standing there, looking over his shoulder. After a moment, the teen asked, "Whatcha writing?"

"A story," Nathan answered. "Well, actually, just character info right now. I have a few ideas in mind, but no real plan for plot, so I'm trying to get my thoughts pulled together." He looked up at him with a lopsided smile. "How're you feeling?"

Avery shrugged. "Okay, I guess. I mean, it's not like I find out I have a golden touch every day, or that there are angels who want to kill me because of it, but I think I'm good. Alton has until Halloween to get me back to normal, so I guess it's better to just go with it." He smiled. "I get to stay somewhere warm for a while, at least."

"Halloween…" Nathan looked over at his calendar. He had forgotten it was October. The rest of what Avery said clicked in, along with what he'd mentioned earlier: he was homeless.

Maybe I should let him stay, even after this is over. Winter's coming, and after saving his life once, I don't think I'd be comfortable throwing him out again. On the other hand, I don't have a job yet, and barely have enough to last me the next few months in rent, utilities, and other expenses. I don't want to be a jerk, but I really can't afford to house him longer than a few weeks.

What should I do?