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her, stroke her hair and tell her everything would be all right now. None of the things she’d envisioned all her life.
    “Why won’t you say something? Anything? Just tell me why. You talk about compassion but you don’t even know what it is.” Julia’s voice crackled and the tears she had so bravely kept at bay burst forth. Her shoulders sagged and she sobbed into her hands—heavy, honest sobs that carried the tune of a broken heart. On some level she knew he was right about compassion. It was easy for her to put herself in other people’s shoes, mostly because she had already worn them, or at least some version of them. But none of that took her pain away.
    Gabriel stood silently, towering over her in all of his grace, calmly waiting out the storm. Her sobs trailed off, and slowly she lifted her head. She threw back the covers, leapt out of bed, and stood to face him, her shoulders squared, arms stiff at her sides. She wondered if he had any emotions at all.
    “Gabriel,” she scoffed. “My father. I suppose after how God’s own son lived and died, I really shouldn’t be surprised.”
    Still Gabriel said nothing. Her anger swerved off course and into anxiety. She did not understand the feelings boiling through her. Somewhere deep inside she was excited to finally meet her father, but right next to that was fear, and both were smothered by anger. In her mind, he had abandoned her.
    Was she crazy? The idea that this was all a dream passed through her tumultuous thoughts again. Julia clenched her fists to keep her hands from trembling. She needed answers.
    “What did you mean ‘for what you must face’?” Julia asked.
    Gabriel’s head was tilted, as though he were listening to something. A light came on in her eyes as she made a sudden realization.
    “You are reading my thoughts.” His slight nod confirmed this. Pulled between feeling violated and intrigued, she pressed him. “Does this mean I can read minds, too?”
    Gabriel raised an eyebrow. “Words are unnecessary for us to communicate, but it is what you are comfortable with, so that is what we will use.”
    Julia frowned. “Why are you so cryptic? Why did you come here? Why now?”
    “I will have to go soon,” Gabriel said curtly. He shifted his wings every few seconds, making him appear awkward and uncomfortable. “I will save you a little time and answer some of your questions. The dog was no coincidence. You are not immortal, you have been protected—there is a big difference. Yes, the things that you see and feel are because I am your father. No, you aren’t the only one.” He moved back from her, studying her as though she mystified him more than he puzzled her.
    The dog! It was profoundly disturbing to her that he read even the most fleeting thought about her childhood pet, also named Gabriel after the “myth” of the Archangel. She shivered, only able to stare at the angel standing before her, caught between anger and fear. His answers had only served to give her more questions. Before she could ask, he spoke.
    “I must leave you now. It is easiest for me to meet you in your dreams, so that is how I shall contact you next time. You have gotten very skilled walking in that realm.” He nodded with what she thought must be approval, but without any hint of pride. How cold he was. How…inhuman. “Your feet are firmly planted on your path now, Child. Be alert. And know you are not alone.”
    “Wait! Why do you call me ‘Child?’ Why don’t you call me by my name?” Julia asked, her voice trembling. She was frantic that he would leave before he answered her. Who was she kidding? She was frightened he might leave and not return. She did not want him to go, now that she finally knew who he was, even if that knowledge made her feel more than a little insane.
    He smiled. The beauty of it took her breath away.
    She thought she had not ever seen true beauty and grace until that moment. His hand rested upon her shoulder. It was at once