It's a Wonderful Death - Sarah J. Schmitt Page 0,72

decision is reckless and unjust.”

Wow. Remind me to look for Shepard if I ever need an angel backing me up. He might appear serene and pleasant, but he has no problem landing some nice sucker punches.

The room erupts in applause and Shepard looks around with genuine surprise. He smiles at the crowd and then at me. Out of the corner of my eye I see Sal breathe a sigh of relief. Of course this means that everything rests on the decision of Marmaroth. Even now I can’t get a read on him but that’s not a surprise. I think angels tend to play their cards pretty close to the vest. Or robe.

Azbaugh looks expectantly toward the last member of the Tribunal. “What say you, Brother?”

Marmaroth stares at me for a long while. As each second ticks by, I begin to sink farther into the back of my chair. His decision is the only thing standing between me and my life. The better life. The life I actually want to go back to.

Finally, he speaks. “This is a very difficult decision. On one hand, Salathiel has given us a very compelling case. And I must admit RJ’s performance in her test has exceeded my expectations. On the other hand, to mess with time is dangerous. If I were to have it my way, the issue would never have come to this. Perhaps someone else will find the cure for cancer. Perhaps not. As an angel, I do not concern myself with the issues facing the human race.”

I fight back a wave of nausea. This is not going well.

“I am responsible for the passage of time, not what happens in it,” he adds.

Yep, definitely not going well at all.

He continues, “But my opinion on this matter is also irrelevant. It is not for me to force my will on others.” I perk up. “Azrael commanded we listen to this child’s claim of injustice. She has given us ample proof that she is of stronger character than perhaps we first thought. The adaptation to her second timeline and the ease with which she changed the passing of her life gives me hope that greater things are yet to come from her life.”

I resist the urge to high five Sal, who probably wouldn’t know what I was doing anyway. The ping-pong match over my future still is making my head swim, but I think Marmaroth is on my side after all.

“However, the fact that her Akashic Records are sealed is troubling,” he continues.

Maybe not. The match continues.

“If I am going to put my trust in the human child, I wish it were not on blind faith. But then again, is that not why we exist in the first place? Because we have faith to believe there is something more, something greater than ourselves?”

If they send me back, I have to remember never to take a philosophy class. I hear rustling behind me and I know I’m not the only one wishing he would just get it over with already.

“Yes, this is a difficult decision,” Marmaroth says with a click of his tongue.

Azbaugh isn’t looking so confident now. “But a decision you must give,” he leads.

“As I am well aware,” Marmaroth snaps. “You make an excellent point about establishing precedent, but I will not be rushed on this matter.” He looks thoughtfully toward the ceiling. “If only there were some way we could see what her life has in store for her. It’s undoubtedly changing, even as we speak.” He looks at Sal. “Is there no way?”

Sal shakes his head. “I am sorry, but RJ’s records are sealed until the moment she returns to the mortal plane or the time of her natural death.”

“On Azrael’s command, I assume?”

“Of course.”

Wow. For a guy who hardly said two words during the proceedings, he sure has a lot of questions now.

Marmaroth looks over Sal’s head. “Death Himself, I seek your counsel.”

“And you shall have it,” is the reply. My eyes follow Death Himself as he strides toward the dais, stopping in front of Marmaroth. “How may I assist you?”

The formal tone sounds out of place when coming from a man in clothes fit for a luau. But Marmaroth doesn’t seem to care. “This issue before us is a result of an error by one of the Grim Reapers, correct?”

“It is,” Death Himself concedes. “I accept full responsibility and I’m going to great lengths to make sure it does not happen again.”

“Yes, yes,” Marmaroth says, dismissing the humility. “You