The two brothers stared at me expectantly. I had been in love with Jacob for years, and we had been through so much together. I could never forget that.
But Adrian . . . Adrian was another story. He was so strangely tempting, and I was intrigued by his mystique. He was so inviting, and resistance to his charm was futile.
I loved Jacob and Adrian for different reasons. I didn't want to have to choose between the two of them. It was like choosing between eating and breathing.
"Well?" they said simultaneously.
"I don't know," I admitted quietly.
Nobody spoke. Everyone watched me like I was about to make a decision that would affect all of them.
"I don't think," said the boy I didn't know (and had just spoken in my presence for the first time), "that this is the time or place to make this choice."
"I suppose you're right, Jason," Jake sighed. "We should give Liz some time to think about this. We shouldn't force her to make her decision on the spot."
"Actually, I think you need to be more concerned about Grace right now."
We turned to see what was going on. She had been out cold by the time I got to her in Greenland, but I had figured that she'd be fine. Jason sat by Grace and held her gently. She was still unconscious.
I walked to him. "What's wrong?"
"Her heart isn't pure."
"So? That saved us before, didn't it?"
"If her heart isn't pure, she can't have a Guardian. Once Angel HQ finds out, they'll have to put her on trial. If she loses the case, you'll be out of a job."
I didn't want to lose Grace. She was a very bright girl, and I enjoyed spending time with her, even if she didn't know I was there. The logical part of me knew that we couldn't win that case. I had violated a couple rules in taking care of her.
"What can we do?" I asked him.
"Nothing much," he answered. "All we can do for the time being is wait and think of ways to swing the court in our favor."
We all sat down and tried to think about what to say. I thought that if we all put our heads together, we could think of something to do. Sadly, nothing came to mind.
After a while, a single angel appeared. He signaled for us to follow him, and we did. He led us down the mountain and into the forest that was a small ways away. Jason picked up Grace and carried her the whole way there.
We stopped in a small clearing where there was a courtroom, except without the ceiling, walls, and floor. Jacob and I sat together on one of the benches in the front, while the other angels took seats on the other ones. Adrian lingered near the back.
The case started and was done quickly. All the evidence was there, and I couldn't find the words to say to defend Grace. It didn't matter if she deserved a Guardian or not, anyways. Her heart was not pure and therefore she could not have a Guardian.
None of us were surprised when the verdict came. Jake held my hand all the same. I saw Jason cradling Grace in his arms for a while. He held on to her for as long as he could and had obvious sorrow in his eyes when the angels took her away. I realized then that Jason loved Grace. He'd never be able to see her again . . . or at least not for a long time. Jason was in so much dismay that he simply walked away without saying a single word.
Even though I wouldn't be around, I knew that Grace would still grow up to be a strong, smart, and beautiful woman. I was positive that she'd live a wonderful life because she wouldn't live it alone.
Attention once again turned to the front of the court after Grace was gone.
"You don't belong here," the judge bellowed as he pointed at Adrian. "This is angel territory. Why are you here?"
"I'm here for them," Adrian answered plainly.
The judge took his response the wrong way. He shouted angrily, "Well that simply won't be happening! I'm sure you know the Land of Below and the creatures that dwell there like quite well. If I understand correctly, the book that contains all the information on those subjects was destroyed. You must re-write it."
More angels appeared and dragged him away to what I found out later was an immense study in some desolate location.
"Now that we're finished here, the court is dismissed."
The judge and jury disbanded and the other angels started to leave, too.
"We should probably go," Daniel said, speaking for Bruce, Lance, and himself.
"Yeah, I have to find my mom," Charlotte sighed.
When everyone was gone, Jake turned to me. He looked me in the eyes and asked, "Do you love me?"
"Of course," I replied with a soft smile. "I can't believe I ever questioned my devotion to you in the first place. I could never love anyone else as much as I love you."
"Then . . ." he paused. I could tell he was building up courage. He rose from the bench and got down on one knee. He summoned a small red box and opened it, revealing a glittering diamond ring. "Will you marry me?"
My jaw dropped and I stared at him in disbelief. "Can we even do that?"
"Yes," Jacob answered. "I asked about it before I came down to Earth. It hasn't been done for thousands of years, but we still could."
"I . . . I don't know what to say . . ."
Every thought in my head drained. I could barely breathe.
"A 'yes' would do," Jake said with a warm smile.
"Then yes!"
I felt tears in my eyes as he put the gorgeous ring on my finger. As he kissed me, there was no doubt in my mind that there was no one I'd rather be with. Jake and I had been through so much and we shared a special bond. Nobody could stop me from being with him. Nobody.
The rest of the night felt like a blur. All I remember was that I was with Jacob, and that was all I cared about.
