Divinity by Michelle L. Johnson

Her eyes rolled to the sky when she said “they,” though she wasn’t sure exactly to whom she was referring. She shivered again.
    Julia craned her neck up slightly, catching a look at her own shining eyes in the reflection of the rear-view mirror. For the first time in her life, she thought, I have my father’s eyes .
    They were pooling with tears again. She had not reflected on those memories for many years. The pain of the nightly visits from her brother crept back in, overshadowed by the pain of finding out that Natalie had known all along, and that she blamed Julia.
    Julia almost felt sorry for Natalie—unable to ever put that drink down, unable to live with her own guilt. Almost.
    “God knows she had enough to feel guilty for,” she muttered, then caught her breath. God knows. God knew all along, or at least, Gabriel did. And he had let that continue.
    Teeth grinding, Julia refocused on the road ahead, her resolve strengthening. Yes , she thought, it’s time to learn more about my real family .

    “I do not think she is ready for the truths she will find upon that path,” Gabriel said. He stood amidst the clouds, peering down through the opening at his feet. He could see Julia driving along as clearly as though she were beside him. “She should not be reconnected with Maria.”
    “She will do as she wishes, Brother,” Michael said. “They were given free will, remember?”
    “It is too soon after learning of…” Gabriel’s wings shifted uncomfortably, “…me.”
    “What, then? A distraction?” Michael asked, raising an eyebrow.
    “You said you were going to guide her. Perhaps now would be a good time.”
    “Good time for what?” Uriel stepped between Michael and Gabriel, his wings arched high over his shoulders.
    “Uriel,” Gabriel greeted the newcomer with a nod, closing the viewing portal with a wave of his hand. “I thought you had some of the physical plane’s environmental issues to contend with.”
    Uriel shot a dismissive glance toward Gabriel. “I have many issues to contend with, Gabriel. And I do deal with them. Rather unlike you, who sits up here, brooding and spying upon the humans. Who has your interest today?”
    Gabriel shook his head. “As always, Brother, we are discussing the elevation of man’s consciousness.”
    “A confoundedly slow process,” Uriel scoffed. He looked from Michael to Gabriel, pressing his lips into a grimace. “In time, all things come to light.”
    When he was certain Uriel had disappeared, Gabriel turned to Michael. “He need not know about her until such time as she is ready to step into her rightful place.”
    Michael nodded, lifting his head. “I will provide a distraction for her. Perhaps we can satiate her new thirst with knowledge of her paternal birthright.”
    Gabriel let out a breath of relief. “Good. I think she needs time.”
    “She needs to know many things, Brother. Many things.”

VII
    J ULIA parked her car in the driveway, locked it up, and headed for the front door, eager to get inside. She thought she might be able to summon Gabriel somehow. Failing that, she at least wanted to go to sleep. After all, he had said he would speak with her in her dreams next time.
    The hair on the back of Julia’s neck prickled and a shiver ran down the length of her spine. She peeked over her shoulder, half-expecting to see someone watching her. The walkway was empty. She turned, surveying the length of her street. All the usual cars were parked in their spots, the streetlights were on, and her neighbors were inside their homes.
    Frayed nerves , she thought. That was all.
    She turned back to her door, sliding the key in the bolt lock. The harsh smell of a backed-up sewer hit her and her hand shot up, instinctively covering her mouth and nose.
    “Ugh!” Julia hurried in the door, shutting out the nasty stench behind her. The air inside her townhouse refreshed her; the hint of cinnamon immediately soothed her.
    A glance at her watch told her