It's a Wonderful Death - Sarah J. Schmitt Page 0,57

in his neck throbbing.

“Look, Azbaugh,” Death Himself’s voice booms behind me. I spin around to find him lounging in a chair next to Angelica. When did he get here? “It’s not that hard,” he continues. “You let a few souls talk, you listen, you decide if a valid case has been made for RJ to return to the land of the living.”

The Angel of Judgment taunts him, “And why would I listen to you? Your position does not award you any power in this chamber. The memories will provide us with all the information we need. Your services are no longer required.”

“Actually,” Death Himself says, rising to his full height, “that’s not true. You see, you may have the memories of the experience RJ had on Earth, but those she obtained while here are not part of her permanent memory and as such Zachriel is unable to access them.”

“This is true,” Zachriel pipes up, and Azbaugh studies him through suspicious eyes.

Azbaugh shakes his head. “And why would these be relevant?”

“I’m glad you ask,” Death Himself says with his familiar cocky grin. “While they will not remain a part of her memory, they may become part of her subconscious.”

“Get to the point,” Azbaugh spits.

“Only those present at the time of the tests can vouch for immediate changes to her character. Combined with Zachriel’s assessment, I believe you will have a full understanding of how RJ has not only met the challenge placed before her by this Tribunal, but has exceeded all expectations.”

There is a murmur of support from the room. I hide a grin behind my hand.

“Enough!” Azbaugh roars. “We do not need to waste time with personal accounts. Let us take a look at her Akashic Records. If she has truly changed her life, all the answers to our questions will be found there.”

“We can’t,” Sal states matter-of-factly.

Azbaugh looks like he could shoot fire from his eyes. “And why is that?”

Sal sits up a little straighter. “They’ve been sealed, pending the outcome of this review.”

“Oh really?” Azbaugh snarls. “By whom?”

The doors of the Hall swing open, crashing into the pillars. I look up, expecting the ceiling to come crashing down as a result of the force. Striding down the aisle, his millions of eyes looking around wildly, is Azrael.

“By me.”

Chapter 23

The entire audience gasps at the same time. I hear a hundred voices whispering his name as he strides by me.

“This Tribunal set a task before the human soul and you will give her a fair chance to stake her claim,” his voice booms.

I want to stand up and cheer, but he turns to me and I can’t move. “You also have a responsibility to determine whether her efforts are worthy of an unprecedented reward. If you grant it, you accept that there may be future claims from others who feel they were unjustly collected.”

The lump in my stomach doubles inside and the urge to celebrate disappears. So that’s what this is about. No one wants to be the first to set precedence. Especially one that involves upheaval in the Afterlife.

His next charge takes aim at Death Himself. “I have a sneaking suspicion this is not the first time an error of this type has happened and I daresay it is unlikely to be the last.”

He doesn’t wait for a response and Death Himself doesn’t attempt to offer one. Instead, Azrael turns back to the Tribunal and adds, “But, my Brothers, do not let that be your guiding motivation in your decision. You are right to say this is not a court of law.” Azbaugh looks smug. “It is much greater. It is one of humanity. Do not discount the testimony of those who have first-hand experience with it.”

And that’s it. Azrael delivers his cryptic warning, then marches down the aisle and out the doors. After what seems like forever, the room erupts as everyone starts talking about the surprise appearance.

“Did that really just happen?” a soul nearby asks.

“Azrael just laid down the law,” another confirms.

My head begins to swirl as the chorus of voices grows louder.

“I’ve never seen anyone talk to Azbaugh like that. It was great.”

“He deserves it. Who is he to bully that girl?”

I plug my ears with the tips of my finger, trying to drown out the noise.

But one voice can be heard over every other. “Silence!” Azbaugh bellows. His face is bright red, and if I thought he was against me before, now it’s not even a question. Sal better figure out a way to