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but it turns out you really do exist!”
    “ Oh, aliens and Bigfoot exist too,” Sarah said with a snort. She could barely contain a giggle at Jackson’s shocked expression. “Let me explain. Anytime you hear about a strange or otherworldly occurrence in the world, it’s usually an angel or a demon doing something they’re not supposed to be doing. We are only supposed to be seen in our human forms, or not at all.”
    “ So….Bigfoot is….?”
    “ One very big, very hairy demon.”
    “ Aliens?”
    “ Both angels and demons have been mistaken for extraterrestrials.”
    “ Ghosts and fairies? Are they angels and demons too?”
    Sarah nodded. “Ever read any Greek mythology?”
    Jackson shook his head in disbelief. “Unbelievable.”
    “ And yet here I am.”
    His eyes swiveled back to her. “So what are you here for, Sarah? What kind of angel are you?”
    She hesitated, lowering her eyes to the carpet. She knew that she couldn’t lie; angels didn’t have it in them to lie. She also knew that Jackson was not the type of person who would take kindly to her invading his life. Just as she had when she’d bumped into him on the street, she could feel the resistance he had built up around his heart and mind. This was not going to be an easy assignment.
    “ I’m here for you, Jackson.”
    She heard his sharp intake of breath and glanced up to find his narrowed eyes on her in suspicion. “What do you mean, you’re here for me? Are you the death angel? Am I going to die?”
    “ No, I’m not the angel of death. I’m here to give you a message concerning your future.”
    “ My future?”
    “ Yes. I have something to offer you; a great honor bestowed upon you from heaven. Should you choose to accept this commission, your life will change forever.”
    Sarah watched the war of curiosity and disbelief in his eyes. He frowned. “I think you’ve got the wrong guy. I’m nobody special. I’m definitely not worthy of any great, heavenly honor.”
    “ No one can really be worthy, but you’ve been chosen all the same.”
    “ Would you stop talking in circles and just tell me what’s going on?”
    For the first time, Sarah felt impatience gnawing at her. Most people did not argue with or question an angel. And yet, she’d known this assignment would not be an easy one. Jackson was no ordinary human.
    “ Let me explain. There is a hierarchy, one that stretches from heaven into earth. It begins with Father, of course, and trickles down from there. In the realm of angels there are the Seraphim, the highest order of angels, and the Cherubim, a pretty close second.”
    “ Cherubim? You mean those cute little babies with diapers and bows and arrows?”
    Sarah rolled her eyes. “You humans have your own ideas about a lot of things, most of the time you are wrong. Cherubim are fearsome creatures with four faces and several pairs of wings. If you ever saw one in person you’d probably faint.”
    “ And those are supposed to be the good guys?”
    “ They serve a purpose like any other angel, and theirs includes guarding heaven. Have I slaked your curiosity yet? Can we move on?”
    “ Okay, okay,” he huffed. “And here I thought an angel would be patient.”
    Sarah glared at him, but otherwise ignored his comment. They had a lot to discuss and not a lot of time. “After the Cherubim there are the Archangels. They are the most well known; Michael the angel of war, and Gabriel the head messenger are among them. Then there are angels bound to heaven, they are charged with the care of souls that have crossed over into heaven, as well as unborn babies. A select few, like me, are chosen to serve on earth. That’s when the hierarchy crosses over from heaven into earth. The rest of the hierarchy is made up of humans.”
    “ This part of the order is made up of humans chosen by Father. All possess gifts that can be used for good or evil. Like any other human, those selected are free to choose how to use their power. The