Angel Incarnate: Second Sight (11 page)

“I’ve heard all about
her and her best friend, Rita, from our sister. Did you know they can call for
angel-fire? They say the light is so bright it can blind the fallen.”

Caspian started to
chuckle. “Let’s hope Richard or Mother won’t give them a reason to use their
weapons.”

“I’m sure they’ll be on
their best behavior. Does Mother know the Guild is coming?”

“I have agreed to this
farce with the understanding that my friends will be in attendance. I have no
doubt my future bride will be occupied with our brother for most of the day.
Everyone knows she would rather marry Richard.”

“There is still time to
change your mind. I know Desiree won’t object.”

“I’ve given my word,
and regardless of how miserable I’ll be, I won’t break my bond. I will tell you
that I plan to spend as little time with my wife as I can. I’ve been thinking
of enlisting in the Guard, and plan to speak to Paul and Adam about my decision
tomorrow after the nuptials.”

Joshua hesitated with
his next question. “Do you think Andromeda will come?”

“I’ve heard Gregory has
made arrangements to take her to Australia for the weekend.”

Joshua shook his head.
“She’s been married for ten years, and has a nine-year-old son, but Gregory is
still jealous of her friendship with you.”

Caspian’s voice
quieted. “Do you think he treats her well? She has never been one to complain,
but the last time I saw her, she looked unhappy.”

Joshua couldn’t help
pity his brother. Caspian was away training when he heard news of Andromeda’s
wedding. “Maybe she has regrets about marrying Gregory; I think she cared more
for his parents. His disposition changed when they died.
 
He was never overly friendly, but I’ve heard
rumors that his temper often reduces her to tears.”

“It’s already late
afternoon,” Caspian sighed. “We should get to the tailors and pick up our suits
in case they need alterations.”

He ran his hands
through his shortened blonde hair which barely covered his ears now. Gone were
his long trademark locks; another concession he made to please his mother.

As they made their way
down the staircase towards the door, Meredith called to them. Ignoring her,
they continued down the walk towards the tailor’s shop. Whatever she had to
complain about could wait until they returned.

The brothers walked in
silence, waving occasionally to the well-wishers who were busy with last minute
preparations for the wedding.

Caspian’s eyes scanned
the yard outside his parent’s estate.
 
His gaze fell upon the stone statues and large fountains made in the image
of the archangels. Their wings were expanded as their eyes turned to Heaven.

He shook his head and
started to laugh.
If my mother had her
way, none of you would be here.

In the center of the
courtyard, the trellis where Caspian would stand with Desiree and recite his
vows was woven with vines of fresh flowers. Hundreds of chairs and tables
covered with gold linens were arranged around the lawn.
 

Caspian closed his eyes
and allowed his mind to wander.

 
Adam had kept his promise; the weather was
already unseasonably warm – ideal for the wedding tomorrow.

Ideal weather
;
pity, it won’t be an
ideal marriage.
Desiree doesn’t love
me anymore than I love her. We should never have allowed my mother to persuade
us to go through with this ruse. Is there still time to change our mind? Would
my father forgive me if I called it off? Probably not – he reminded me the
Devereaux’s are one of the richest families in Paris and I could do much
worse.
 
I’m not my brother, Richard; I
care nothing about wealth.
 
I just want… Well, there is no reason to
dwell on her; tomorrow I’ll be a married man.

The tailor seemed more
excited about the wedding than Caspian. His mother had chosen a cutaway and
waistcoat, but Caspian had overruled Meredith’s decision. Instead, he decided
on a basic black silk suit, white cotton shirt, no vest, and an azure tie to
match his eyes. Joshua would be dressed similarly.

Thankfully, no
alterations were needed, so they decided to have lunch at one of the outdoor
cafés. Richard and Desiree didn’t notice Caspian and Joshua until a waiter
seated them at a nearby table.

Joshua glared at his
eldest brother. “You would think they would be more discreet with their
relationship considering your wedding is tomorrow.”

“I doubt their
arrangement will change after we’re married.”

“If you don’t
consummate the marriage, does it still count?”

“I guess we’ll find out
soon enough.”

As soon as she spotted
him, Desiree rose from her chair and walked over to greet Caspian. “I thought
you were still at the tailors. If I had known you’d be finished so soon, I
would have waited to have lunch with you.”

“I’m sure my brother
didn’t mind my absence.”

Richard left some bills
on the table and joined his brothers. “Desiree has some last minute purchases
to make, so I guess we’ll see you at dinner this evening.”

“I’m having dinner with
Joshua and Will this evening. I’m sure Mother will understand.”

“The whole family is
expected to be at the house tonight. She’s gone to a lot of trouble; I don’t
think you should disappoint her.”

“I doubt it will be the
last time I disappoint her.”

Richard began to
chuckle. “As you please; it’s your funeral.”

Desiree gave Caspian a
light peck on the cheek before walking towards one of the dress shops with
Richard.

“I know what you’re
going to say – so please – don’t,” Caspian warned his younger brother.

“I was just going to
ask where we’re having dinner tonight,” Joshua responded.

“I don’t really care,
as long as it’s not with Richard. Maybe Will can talk some sense into me.”

“Nah – if I haven’t
done it, he won’t stand a chance.”

The brothers lifted
their water glasses. “To new beginnings,” Caspian said.

“I hear you, Brother.”

Chapter 16

It was late evening
when Aura’s older sister returned from New York with her best friend, Jessica, and
goddaughter. Willow was Raphael’s granddaughter, and even though she was only
nine years old, she was already a proficient healer.

Looking at her sisters,
Aura couldn’t help seeing how dissimilar they were. Most of the Guild and their
families had blonde hair and blue eyes. The exceptions were Eve and Bren – who
shared dark hair, Rita – whose eyes were the color of emeralds, and long
tresses were a pale strawberry-blonde, and Aura -- whose eyes were violet.

Aura always thought
Rita was the most beautiful of all the angel-bloods, looking identical to their
paternal grandmother, Helena. Of course, Rita didn’t agree – she hated being
different. Maybe that explained why she kept a wall around herself; to protect
her fragile heart. Those who she allowed to get close to her -- saw the caring
and compassionate person she was; others – thought she was cold and sometimes
cruel.

Rita and Jessica were
born on the Fall Equinox, and like Bren and Tracy, had been best friends since
birth. They were past the age of maturity, turning eighteen just a few weeks
ago.

Neither seemed to be in
a hurry to find husbands and start a family. Like Bren, Rita thought of herself
as a protector of mankind, and Jessica shadowed her every move.

After placing the bags
of wedding gifts they had purchased from Tiffany’s on one of the chairs,
Jessica took notice of all the small children playing in the family room.

“We go away for two
days, and Aura has opened an orphanage,” she joked.

Rita, on the other
hand, sensed something wasn’t right with the little ones.
 
They were huddled close to Bren and Tracy as
if they were afraid.
 
Aura explained how
the young angel-bloods came to be in her home.

Rita’s face reddened
and she started shaking her finger in Aura’s face. Some of the girls started to
cry, and they moved to hide behind Bren. “You allowed them to go to a strange
place and face the fallen angels alone?” Rita shouted.

Bren walked over and
calmly pulled her sister’s hand down. “You need to lower your voice; you’re
scaring them.”

Rita stared at the
little ones who were still huddled behind Tracy. Some of them were trembling.
Feeling terrible for making them afraid, her anger dissipated instantly.

“Me and Tracy are the
same age; we were able to blend in,” Bren said.
 

After hearing the rest
of the story, Rita had a whole new respect for her little sister. The
expression on Bren’s face told her she wasn’t happy about killing the fallen
angels, even though it was justified.

Rita smiled and ruffled
Bren’s hair affectionately. When she spoke, it was barely above a whisper.

“I wish I could have
been there. I’m sure you were both amazing. Next time -- Jess and I will go
with you. Not that you can’t handle yourself,” she added. “So, you wielded
Gabriel’s sword; that was no small feat?”

“We did what needed to
be done,” Bren said. “Mortriel won’t be happy about the loss of his
guards.
 
There will be more deaths.”

“What does the Guild
say about this? We can’t allow Mortriel and Samhael to keep killing
angel-bloods without consequences.”

“Gather everyone
together. We have a great deal to discuss,” Paul said as he came through the
front door with Adam.

Eve and Angie came in
from the kitchen. Bren and Tracy sat on the living room floor with the other
little ones, while the rest of the family found seats on the leather sofas and
chairs.

The children looked
apprehensive, until Bren told them it was just a family meeting, and since they
were family now, they needed to be included. This seemed to set their minds at
ease.

“Some of us will be
going to Utopia tomorrow morning for Caspian’s wedding,” Paul said. “Aura and
the children will remain here. We will inform the governor about the deaths of
the angel-bloods, and caution him to keep a closer watch over their
young.”
 

“I don’t think those
children are in any danger. From what I’ve learned, the fallen are going after
the angel-bloods who live with the mortals. Those are the families we have to
warn. I see no reason why we can’t all go to the wedding,” Aura said. “Let them
see first-hand what happened to these little ones.”

“I disagree,” Rita
argued. “The governor’s son, Richard, shares Lucifer’s blood. I don’t trust
him. The children could be in more danger there.”

“Richard wouldn’t be
foolish enough to do anything at his brother’s wedding, especially if the Guild
is there. We’ll have the use of Gideon’s shield and the sacred swords should
there be any problems.”

“We promised Caspian we
would be there,” Paul said. “I’m sure he won’t mind if we bring a few more
guests.”

Paul allowed his mind
to wonder.
 

I need to speak with him, anyway. I hope he won’t mind that
I’ll be interrupting his honeymoon. He may be grateful for the timing of my
request. Aura’s right; we need to start warning the other angel-blood families.
They are so scattered; it will be a full-time job to convince them to come to
the valley
.
Caspian and his brother-in-law, Axel, will
make fine additions to the guard. After the ceremony, I’ll make my proposal to
them
.

Rita slammed her hand
onto the glass table, almost knocking over a vase of flowers, and causing the
little ones to huddle closer together.

“Sorry,” she apologized
with a weak smile.
I have to stop doing
that; they’re all afraid of me.
 
“Dad
– were you listening to me?”
 

Paul smiled
apologetically. “Sorry -- I was daydreaming. What were you saying?”

“Caspian invited all
the members of the Guild. Do you know if the others are planning to attend the
wedding?”

“They have business in
Savannah, but I’ll deliver their regrets to the bride and groom. I suggest we
all get a good night’s rest. We’ll be leaving early in the morning.”

Rita looked at the
young girls; many were orphans now. She gathered the packages. “Who wants to
help wrap these wedding gifts?”

Some of the
four-year-old children followed her and Jessica to one of the spare rooms they
used for gift wrapping; the others stayed with Aura.

They’re still afraid. I have to find a way to convince them I
would never hurt them.
 
I can’t imagine what they’ve endured, but
then, Lucifer and his kind always did enjoy torturing the youngest. I pray I
get to meet Lucifer’s son – I’ll show him what pain is
.”

Aura could hear her
sister’s thoughts, and gave a slight nod of her head.
 
She too wanted the opportunity to hurt
Mortriel too. From what she heard, he was far worse than his father.

One day, there will be a reckoning, and you will pay for your
sins against Heaven -- one day soon -- I swear it
.

Eve and Angie went to
gather dresses for the children; Paul and Adam excused themselves to update the
Council. There was still talk of sending a pair of guardians to Aeden -- one of
them, Lucifer’s daughter.
 

Allowing Jeziel to
leave Heaven would cause concern for a great number of angels. Lucifer’s
daughter may have been loyal since her father’s exile, but not everyone trusted
her. There were too many temptations on earth, and her father wouldn’t hesitate
to influence her.

Still, once the
decision was made, the Guild couldn’t refuse. The memory of those who lost
their lives in the war would remain with them for all eternity. Hopefully, this
would not be another mistake Heaven would later regret.