The painted circle and sigils on the floor, the white candles, the incantation: the summoning went perfectly. He appeared with a flourish of wings within a bright light.
“You are the angel Malakhius?” I asked.
“I am. How did you summon me?” His voice was a beautiful melody dripping with honey.
“I replaced unholy symbols with holy ones, changed the curse to a blessing. I though it would be safer to summon an angel than a demon.”
“That is true. What can I do for you?”
“Well, I, wait— Can I ask you something? You must be thousands of years old, at least.”
“Yes, although I do not experience time as you do.”
“Why do bad things happen to good people? Is there a great plan, is it a test?”
“I cannot access that information.” Even his automaton style response was music.
“That sounds like a call centre response. Come on.”
“Angels cannot lie. To protect certain knowledge, we cannot access most of our memories when we leave... leave the place I came here from. I cannot even name or describe it here.”
“Hmm... Makes sense, I guess. Anyway... I want your help with love. See, there’s this woman I really like. Her name’s Kyra, and—”
“I cannot interfere with another’s free will. No love spells.”
“No, no... I didn’t mean that. Just, well, help me be more attractive to her. I’m not good at dating, and I don’t want to mess this up.”
He considered. “Let us start with making you a more considerate person.”
“You can see into Kyra’s heart? She thinks I’m inconsiderate?” I gulped.
He gazed straight into my eyes. “You have not asked me what you pulled me away from when summoning me.”
“Ah.”
