Even Angels Need Miracles

By AC Moore

A shocking tragedy has occurred. A guardian angel is accused of murdering the human he’s assigned to protect. Fear and doubt grip the other angels and the devil loves every minute of it. While hope fades for the angel in question, a daring messenger travels to Earth to do the unthinkable – seek help from a human.

Erin Crawford is an impressive attorney with a calling to represent the interests of the honest and less fortunate. Her perfect winning record makes her constantly sought after, not only by individuals who need legal help, but also by powerful firms looking to add the brightest lawyers to their teams. Though she believes her service is appreciated, her friends and family often warn her that depriving herself of high paying clients will only hurt her in the end.

When Erin is approached by a strange homeless woman claiming to be an angel and needing her help, it’s enough to make her reconsider her values. How can this messenger angel convince Erin to take on what might be her highest profile case ever? Does she even have what it takes to win against the most cunning debater of all time – Satan himself?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AC Moore
• Release date: Apr 3, 2011
• ISBN: 9780974406015

AC Moore

New to the world of fiction, acclaimed writer and communications professional A.C. Moore brings unique, exciting and tasteful stories to reading lovers.A.C. likes to describe his writing style as fresh storytelling with a keen ability of building intimacy and interaction between his readers and his characters. As a Christian, husband, and father, he prides himself on including plenty of detail, yet keeping his stories free from obscenities and unnecessary pursuits.Growing up and now working in the Baltimore / Washington DC Metropolitan area, A.C. discovered his dream of becoming an author early in his childhood. A fan of creative writing courses and assignments, he flourished in school and began to apply his talent in the workforce.Countless published writings and awards followed him throughout his education and career. A.C. graduated from Morgan State University in Baltimore and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications. He has since worked in several writing, public relations and marketing environments.Currently, A.C. is pursuing a Master’s degree in Communications from Johns Hopkins University.

Book preview

Prologue

Nothing sounds more like death than the zip of a body bag. Ask anyone who’s watched a corpse being taken away and they’ll tell you the zip of a body bag has a different sound than that of luggage preparing for vacation or a warm down-filled coat to fend against the cold. A body bag zip is deep. It’s hollow.

And no matter how fast it’s zipped, it’s always slow and dragging. When they zipped the bag to a close, Aalon recognized the finality of the situation. The paramedics wheeled the body out of the door and loaded it onto the van. The now ex-girlfriend understandably suffered shock from the sudden death of Sean Logan. Though only moments ago she screamed for someone to stop him, and to help her, she didn’t want it to end like this. The ambulance carted her away to the hospital only minutes ago. She was still puzzled how, with no warning at all, Sean tripped in his rage and fell four stories over the banister to his death.

Aalon struggled to do all he could to keep Sean from dying and after his efforts failed, he did all he could to try to bring him back. There was not a lot of time to respond and there were far more people around than he would have liked. Certainly, this interrupted divine order. Why did this happen? On his knees he sat limp like a wilted flower. His head hung partly in guilt, partly in exhaustion. To say he did everything in his power was an understatement.

Unlike ever before, questions, thoughts, doubt; they all kept pestering his mind.

The luminous aura that surrounded him with what looked like wings of light began to fade into a shadowy covering, casting what appeared to be a darkened cape behind him. Though Aalon had not completely lost hope, he certainly lost some assurance that all was in control.

Mistake, he thought to himself. Certainly not done intentionally, but can something of this magnitude be a mistake? Aalon predicted an impact beyond measure from this first-time happening. He knew he needed to tell the council of angels, though it wouldn’t surprise him if they already knew. They tend to know everything—especially things he and others wished they didn’t.

As he looked at his shaking hands, he replayed the event over again in his mind. His nervous breathing and wandering thoughts made it hard for him to see clearly. He couldn’t determine where he went wrong or what he could have possibly done differently. He did everything he should have done. Or so it seemed.

He tried to kill her, he quietly said to himself as if to calm his own inner convictor.

There wasn’t anything else he could say to give him even a distant sense of relief. The truth of the matter is this is a terrible thing—a thing so terrible, it could most certainly wipe out the faith of all mankind.

In the past, Aalon did admit to being angry, even furious with his human assignment Sean. He, from time to time, did share his frustration with other angels and through his prayers, but he did not wish for him to die. Sean was traveling on a fast path to destruction for quite some time. His risky behavior and violent antics kept his life in danger. His girlfriend of three years, tried to influence him to do better, but nothing she did seemed to have any lasting impact.

When she decided to leave him to his own vices, he became drunk with rage and decided to teach her a lesson—the permanent kind. With gun in hand, he aimed and was intent on squeezing the trigger. Aalon tried to discourage him. He tried to slow him. He wanted to stop him. Though Aalon thought he barely nudged Sean during his sinful rampage, apparently that nudge had more force behind it then he thought. He didn’t expect him to go sailing over the banister. He could still hear his scream as he fell twisting through the narrow eye of the apartment spiraling stair case. The fractured skull and broken neck that came from the impact of falling four floor levels gave death an easy win—only minor twitches and then permanent stillness. Aalon wanted to soar down and catch him, but with so many witnesses, there was no way to save him inconspicuously. Sean landed on the side of his head and then his back. The eyes and facial expression, though no longer containing life, showed total surprise — and sadness. As Aalon reflected in silence, a cold stillness fell over the room.

Murder Aalon? Iblis, the Prince of Darkness rose out of the shadow cast by the grandfather clock in the foyer and whispered with a rasp. He could see Aalon kneeling over. He couldn’t tell if he was praying or crying. Whatever the case, he took pleasure in knowing he would soon interrupt his private moment.

Iblis took a few small steps and quietly knelt beside Aalon. Not wanting to startle Aalon and ruin the beautiful masterpiece of a saddened angel before him, he hesitated to reach out to him and then as if he were a father consoling his son, he extended his arm and slender, almost bony fingers to softly comb through Aalon’s hair. He said, as compassionately as possible, There’s nothing you can do now. He’s gone. You’re welcome to stay with me.

Aalon neither cried nor prayed. Instead he silently sat in a meditative state—almost dazed—still pondering the untimely death, when the evil Iblis’ presence finally registered.

Leave, Aalon said faintly. While on his knees at the site of the fall, his stare still focused on the spot where Sean landed. Iblis ignored the request. He wasn’t quite sure if Aalon was talking to him or suggesting to himself what he should do next.

LEAVE! he yelled again, as he flung Iblis’ hand off and stood up in a fury ready to charge. His tightly held fists shook for violence. He took one step, and then hesitated to take another. His fists released their tense state. He realized he might be making another mistake—this time in anger. Iblis threw his hands up in a cowering fashion as if to show fear. He so wanted Aalon to take the bait.

Only a few seconds transpired between their stares, then in a soundless flicker Aalon sprung into the air making his way to the rooftop, where he screamed to the heavens in anger, Why! He fell to this knees again and sobbed. Not wanting to pass up the opportunity to rub salt in Aalon’s wounds, Iblis leaped high into the ceiling and joined Aalon on the roof. Aalon turned around and before Iblis could say anything, he took off once more. Iblis gave chase and soon the current and fallen angels hovered over the house, then higher over the neighborhood, beyond the trees, the city skyline and into the clouds. A flurry of wind and bursts of light surrounded the two as they climbed higher and faster than humanly possible. Though they were in a spiritual state, the intense speed caused both hair and clothing to flutter in the wind.

You’re not welcome there, Iblis said grabbing Aalon’s ankle. He tried to slow him down but couldn’t. You’re a fool to go to heaven. They’ve no tolerance for imperfection and you and I certainly know you are far from that—especially now.

I will face my judgment, Aalon turned and said proudly. That’s the difference between me and you! He gritted his teeth as he kicked his ankle free to climb faster and higher, beyond the blackness and silence of space. As Aalon’s breathing grew more into gasping, he continued to sprint his way to heaven to deliver the news in person. He traveled faster still to get away from Iblis. He hated hearing his laughter and taunts. Iblis stopped his own ascension just above the Earth’s atmosphere. His laughter and screaming echoed in Aalon’s mind.

"There’s no difference between us! You’ve done the unthinkable! Not only have you hand delivered a soul to me, you’ve done what even I couldn’t imagine.

This news brings the leverage I’ve always sought. It changes everything—everything! His laughter grew more intense, interrupting all of Aalon’s thoughts. A guardian angel murders the one he’s assigned to protect! Thank you, Aalon. You’ve just handed me the battle and given me victory!"

Those words penetrated Aalon’s ears, and more tears began to well. He paused outside the gates of heaven hoping for entry. Please open, he thought to himself. Albeit, it took a moment, the gate slowly swung open. With tears, a sigh and some reluctance, he walked through.

Chapter 1

Athyna left the angelic council abruptly. Her respect for their authority evaporated almost as quickly as she left. She could not stand the tone or direction of the conversation. Could it be that they actually seemed frightened by Iblis and prepared to side with is reasoning? She could not stand there and listen to his spewed lies and twisted truth as if he really intended to have honest dialogue.

She hoped they were still picking up the scattered scrolls and other remnants that fell to the floor after she flipped the table over in a wrath and stormed out of the hall. Despite their warnings of her getting involved, she was determined to make good on her promise and get Aalon the help he needed, since they obviously were too afraid. They sickened her. Her several outbursts not only embarrassed the council in front of The Dark One, but also and mostly Jericho, an advisor and the one angel that convinced the council to allow her to attend the discussion. Though he suspected this gathering would be tough for her, she pleaded for permission to attend and knowing her closeness to Aalon, he sided against his own better judgment. He was the only one to follow her back to her sanctuary.

Have you lost your mind Athyna? Jericho roared as he slammed the door behind him with an almost paralyzing force. Look at me! I can’t support this abomination -this illicit personal pursuit! Never mind the council, do not overstep HIS grace! You will unleash more harm than help.

Athyna’s mind overflowed with certainty. While the determined side of her thought process wanted her to get away from Jericho, the common sense portion was glad he followed. Though in total opposition to her, he truly did represent the last chance for practical thinking. She knew that the outcome of this behind-the-door, away from the angelic council discussion, would either aid her with comfort in the continuation of her plan, or convince her that this idea qualified as demented.

With all the internal confusion, anxiety, frustration and fear beginning to build, something inside her called for Jericho to convince her to abandon this unauthorized and certainly uncharted mission. She desperately wanted an easier option.

Athyna barely looked toward Jericho’s direction. She started to speak—her voice, accompanied by her small feminine frame came out as a weak, tearful whisper.

When I asked you of this possibility, you said it has never happened. You called it uncertain. She walked over to her window to bask in the brilliant, constant light, but unlike all other times in the past, she found no peace in the warm radiance. Sensing her discomfort, Jericho stepped closely behind her and gently placed his hand on her shoulder. He could feel her shoulders release a good portion of tension and that she took comfort in knowing he was nearby.

Yes, I said those things, but—

Well, I think we need a little uncertainty now, she interrupted. Because the one certain thing we do know is Aalon will fall at the hands of The Dark One if we do nothing! So maybe, we should seek the unthinkable. Perhaps this time we should exercise some faith.

Though he could see the desperation in her eyes, Jericho wrestled with the notion of supporting her decision. He struggled to say something, but could not find comforting words. For the second time in his existence, he felt what humans described as fear and he hated it. Something strange and distressing existed in not knowing. He often considered those in the flesh world who managed to act on hope and faith as remarkable. Athyna’s comments were awkward and surprising. As an angel, what did she know about faith? Knowledge eclipsed any need for faith in an angel’s world—and from knowledge came obedience.

While angels didn’t know everything, the fact that their orders from on high were loud and clear, resulting in knowledge rather than just a strong internal belief that humans relied on, always made up for any feelings of uncertainty.

Every angel in heaven dreaded the recent news of Aalon, a guardian angel accused of allowing, some say causing an ‘untimely death’ to happen during his watch. The Dark One chose to use the word murder in his description.

Earlier, Jericho addressed the members of the angelic council, and encouraged them to give Aalon the benefit and fairness of a hearing. A myriad of questions floated about the death, and the fate of Aalon, not to mention all of humanity.

The possible chain of events that could result already started forming in the imagination of many. Not one angel wanted to see Aalon as a fallen or an outcast, yet none took it upon themselves to do anything, which bothered Athyna to her core. She