Read The Guardians: An Urban Fantasy Romance for Free Online

tea. “His name means the Morning Star, and it fit him. He shone brighter than even the sun. His place was one of honor at Father’s side. Over time, he became proud and vain, desiring the power and omniscience possessed by Father alone. He rebelled, taking a large portion of the other angels with him. He wanted a throne above that of God’s.”
    “I think I can guess where this is going, seeing as how Lucifer is also the name of the devil,” Addison interjected.
    Elle nodded. “Father sent Michael, the Archangel, and his warriors to defeat Lucifer and his horde. One-third of Heaven’s angels aligned themselves with him. Their betrayal brought so much pain, as many of those angels were our friends, our brothers and sisters.” She paused, lowering her eyes. Her lips pressed into a thin line and sighed as if reliving the memory. Unshed tears glimmered in her eyes when she raised them. Yet, she remained composed. “Still, Father did what had to be done, and when Michael imprisoned Lucifer and his followers, bringing them to his throne room for judgment, it marked the beginning of a never-ending battle between Good and Evil. Lucifer and all who joined his rebellion were cast out of Heaven, never to return. Lucifer became the Evil One, Satan, The Deceiver. His followers were stripped of their wings and their beauty, cursed and banished to Hell for all eternity.”
    “But that sounds like the end to me,” Addison said. This story grew more fascinating by the second. “I mean, Lucifer rebels, God kicks him out into Hell. Good wins; the end.”
    Elle sighed and shook her head. “Unfortunately, that is not the case. When the Earth and mankind were created, the battle raged on. Lucifer began it with his temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. We have battled the demons for the souls of mankind since the dawn of time as you know it.”
    Addison frowned, shaking her head. “It doesn’t make any sense. If I were God, I would just make all of mankind love me and then Satan wouldn’t have anything to work with. Battle won.”
    Elle smiled. “Then it isn’t actual love, or devotion, is it? Not without free will and the ability to choose. Father has given all men free will, and with that, you may choose to live a good life and love others, or choose a path of hatred and harm. That is why the battle persists, because before the end, only one will win.”
    “So, how does it work? I mean, you’re telling me that angels and demons are fighting for territory here on Earth. Since you’re the first angel I’ve ever met, I’m assuming this is a war being waged where we can’t see it.”
    “In a manner of speaking,” Elle answered. “The battle is happening right before your eyes. If you choose to see it, it becomes very obvious. Angels and demons walk the Earth in human disguise; they are everywhere. However, they are not the only ones involved in the war. The scales are balanced by other beings who also fight on either side.”
    Addison’s pulse began to race at Elle’s words. She’d been expecting angels and demons; the thought of other things that went bump in the night was nerve-wracking. “What other beings?”
    “There are many. On the side of Hell are witches, sorcerers, and the demon-possessed. These are people who have chosen to sell their souls for power. Lucifer has promised them places of power in Hell when the end of the world has passed.”
    Addison snorted. “Yeah, right.”
    Elle shrugged. “He isn’t called The Deceiver for nothing. He is good at making the distasteful look attractive. For the side of Heaven, there are Oracles, and the Guardians. They are a special race of humans created by Father to tip the scales and even things out a bit.”
    “Do these humans know they’re involved in a war? I mean, you say the bad ones choose to serve Hell, and I get that. But it doesn’t sound like the Oracles or Guardians have a choice in the matter if God makes them. What’s special about them,