Chapter 7

  CONSOLATION OF BROKEN PEOPLE

  They entered the room assigned to Laura, and the silence that followed was heavy, laden with the worry left behind by the conversation with Madame Liona. Without a word, Laura gestured for Max to follow her. She led him to a beautiful courtyard where a majestic tree dominated the center, softly illuminated by lilac-colored flowers blooming from its branches.

  —What a beautiful place —Max said, setting aside the chaos around him for a moment.

  —Yes. It’s the Tree of Sorrows. According to legend, an ancient witch created it with her tears after losing her best friend. It’s said to grant clarity when the heart is overwhelmed by pain. —Laura brushed one of the leaves as she spoke, her voice tinged with melancholy—. I don’t know if it’s true, but I always come here when I need to remember you without it hurting so much.

  A faint smile, heavy with anguish, crossed her face but never reached her eyes. Max, unsure how to respond, simply watched her.

  —It’s a beautiful legend —he said at last—. Even though all of this is… too much. A week—no, two weeks ago, my biggest worries were passing my classes and praying Grant would get hit by a car or move away. —He let out a nervous laugh.

  Laura couldn’t help laughing too.

  —Oh God, Max… —Her laughter echoed through the courtyard, but it soon faded—. A week ago, I could bleed. Now, no matter how deep the cut is, I never bleed. My wounds heal in minutes… and I miss my mom. —Her voice broke at the end.

  —She’s fine —Max said softly, wrapping his arms around her.

  Laura sighed, resting her head on his shoulder.

  —Sometimes I want to run out and look for her, but I’m afraid… afraid of hurting her. Gabriel has helped me control this, but there were times… I hurt him, Max. Nothing serious—the priestess witches healed him quickly—but I felt horrible. —Her voice was barely a whisper—. And the worst part is that, even after that, he stayed. I don’t know if he helped me because he really wanted to, or because… I reminded him of you. —She looked up, searching Max’s eyes.

  He avoided her gaze, uncomfortable.

  —Tory said that someday you’ll control your transformation. Just… focus on that, okay? No one blames you for anything. Everyone wants to help you.

  —I got the hint. Let’s not talk about him. —Laura sighed and quickly changed the subject—. How are Tatiana and Jazmín?

  Max frowned.

  —Honestly? Weird. Without you, the dynamic between the three of us is complicated. You were the glue that held us together. It’s so unfair… I wish everyone could remember you again.

  Laura nodded in silence, anguish etched across her face. Before she could respond, a familiar voice broke the calm.

  —My favorite mortal, how are you? —Melody appeared, holding a milkshake and wearing a mischievous smile.

  —Favorite? Last time you saw me, you didn’t seem to think so. —Max raised an eyebrow.

  —Well, I didn’t turn you into a frog, did I? That already says something. —Melody shot him a mocking look before turning to Laura, her expression growing serious—. Where’s the little angel? I need an angel feather.

  Laura eyed her warily.

  —Gabriel’s in my room. What are you planning to do?

  Melody let out a soft laugh.

  —Wow, since when does the puppy take an interest in magic? —At the nickname, Laura clenched her fists, fighting to keep control. Melody noticed and smiled maliciously—. Careful, mortal. She’s getting angry, and I don’t think she’s eaten yet.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Max shot Melody a glare. She raised her hands in mock innocence.

  —Alright, alright, relax. The arrival of the human made some of them nervous, so they decided to reinforce the Grand Hall’s wards.

  —You should learn when to shut up —Max snapped.

  Melody studied him closely, but something in her expression shifted. She took a step back, nervously touching her hair.

  —What was that?… —she murmured, avoiding Max’s eyes. Without waiting for an answer, she turned on her heel—. I’m leaving. —She hurried away, leaving behind a look of unease she couldn’t hide.

  After a few minutes in the courtyard’s silence, Laura decided it was time to move. With a gesture, she led Max to the cafeteria, where they found Gabriel sitting alone in a corner. His eyes were fixed on an ancient book with worn pages and a cover that felt strangely familiar to Max.

  —Hi… —Max said, breaking the ice awkwardly.

  —Hi. —Gabriel glanced up briefly, took a sip of his coffee, and returned to his reading, as if trying to avoid any interaction beyond the necessary.

  Laura sensed the tension and made an excuse to leave them alone.

  —I’m going to get something to eat. What do you want, Max? —she asked casually.

  —The usual. —Max barely took his eyes off Gabriel.

  When Laura walked away, the silence between them became almost oppressive. Finally, Max spoke.

  —It’s a shame you couldn’t go back to Paradise… —he said, trying to sound casual.

  Gabriel closed the book with a sigh.

  —Yeah, well… on the bright side, I have access to the witches’ books. —His expression lit up—. Many of these texts I’d never read before. They contain fragments of the great puzzle of the past—pieces the angels don’t even know exist. It’s fascinating.

  Max smiled as he watched Gabriel’s passion shine through.

  —I love that glow you get when you talk about something you care about… —he said without thinking. His face immediately flushed—. Oh, sorry… I made it awkward again, didn’t I? —He leaned on the table and hid his face.

  Gabriel let out a small laugh.

  —Honestly, it was already awkward before. —His tone was gentle but sincere—. Max, what I said that night in your room is still true. I know everything’s complicated now, but nothing changes the fact that I have to leave. The Angelic Tribunal will sanction me, and I’ll have to return to my life… trapped among angels who barely tolerate me.

  Max lowered his gaze, feeling the weight of Gabriel’s words.

  —I understand… —he admitted quietly—. But the thought of never seeing you again scares me.

  Suddenly, something about Gabriel’s book caught his eye.

  —“Cupid’s Potions”? —he read aloud suspiciously.

  Gabriel quickly tucked the book into his bag.

  —It’s nothing. Forget it.

  —Gabriel… there’s no mission anymore, so what are you looking for in that book? —Max pressed.

  —Nothing. Just drop it, Max.

  —No. Tell me—what are you trying to do? —Max stood and leaned over the table, staring at him.

  Gabriel pressed his lips together.

  —I’m trying to help you.

  —What?

  —I want to help you. —His voice trembled—. There’s an ancient potion in this book…

  —A potion for what?

  —It removes feelings of love for someone. I was trying to understand how to make it so you wouldn’t suffer… because of what you feel for me. —Tears slid down Gabriel’s cheeks.

  Before Max could respond, Laura returned, just in time to hear the confession.

  —That’s the stupidest plan I’ve ever heard —she said, crossing her arms.

  —I didn’t know what else to do! —Gabriel broke down—. I don’t want him to suffer. I… I don’t know what to do!

  Without thinking, Max wrapped his arms around Gabriel, ignoring Laura’s look.

  —Gabriel, I don’t want the potion. —His voice was firm, full of compassion—. I know you want to fix everything and keep everyone from getting hurt, but magic tricks aren’t the answer. —He lifted Gabriel’s face and kissed his forehead—. Even if it hurts when you leave, I’ll be okay. I always am.

  Gabriel collapsed into sobs, clinging to Max.

  —I’m so sorry…

  The moment was interrupted by a firm voice.

  —Max, I want to speak with you. Alone. —Cristina had appeared, her tone formal and urgent.

  —Yeah. I’ll be right back. —Max pulled away gently and followed her.

  She led him to a room that looked like a laboratory and gestured for him to sit.

  —What’s going on, Cristina? —Max asked, still wary of her.

  —I heard what you said about your parents… and I know you’re dealing with more than just our world. —She paused—. I know we didn’t start off on the right foot, but I want you to trust me. I want to help you.

  —Help me? —Max raised an eyebrow.

  —Yes. Find your parents. —Cristina took a deep breath—. I have contacts who are very good at locating people. I know what it feels like to be separated from those you love. If I had a chance to reunite with my coven, I’d do anything. I can’t stand by while someone suffers like this.

  She extended her hand. After a moment, Max took it.

  —Alright… but keep your friend Melody in check.

  Cristina nodded.

  —I’ll talk to her too.

  She left the room, leaving Max alone with his thoughts.