Michael was at the same time a blazing presence that hurt Kyriel's young angel eyes and a warm, comforting and loving friend.
"I'm going to miss Tabra. He was definitely an individual, did things his own way, but a loyalist down to the bone marrow."
"His memories of you were among the most precious of his existence."
"Losing his own existence to protect others was so characteristic. How many angels would be that bold?"
Kyriel had no answer.
"But" Michael went on "Tabra couldn't quite control the product of his merger with your other parent. Tabra was a warrior through and through, but are you?"
"I'm not really sure."
"Tabra, he was sure. Never thought of himself as anything other than a warrior." Michael paused. "I have something I'd like you to try."
"What is it?"
"One of the toughest things for a lot of people who were transformed, is going to be pregnancy and giving birth. We have people who were born male, we have people in animal forms, we have people who are going to be giving birth to litters. There's a group of angels, have been ever since the garden, who comfort and aid women in pregnancy and giving birth. They don't necessarily make themselves known to the people they help , but they're there, comforting them in their pain, helping them deal with depression, overseeing the creation of the bond with their children, who now might be of a different species. There's going to be a lot more demand for these angels. Are you ready for a really tough job?"
"Well, sir, I think I am."
"Good." responded Michael. "We'll give you some training, of course, and for the first few cases you'll work under supervision. You can begin with a woman in London named 'Charlene'."