Angel Incarnate: Second Sight (34 page)

Chapter 55

As
they approached the entrance to the woods, Rita looked around to make sure they
weren’t being followed before she addressed the small group. “I’ve been doing a
little reading in Aura’s library.”

“You
read?” Jessica asked before Rita jabbed her in the ribs. She was just trying to
lighten the mood. They had no idea if they would find Arian’s body -- and if
they did -- what condition it would be in.
 
“Sorry, I’ll let you finish.”

The
others moved in closer. “A long time ago Lucifer made some beasts using the
blood of hellhounds,” Rita said. “Not many survived, but those who did, were
vicious monsters. I think that’s why my father didn’t want to say anything
until he spoke to the High Council.”

Jade’s
eyes widened. She lowered her voice to a whisper; afraid the creatures might
still be out there and would hear them. “Why would they come to Utopia?”

“According
to the book, it says the Abyvir stay close to the person who made them. It also
says they look similar to wolves, except they have massive heads with sleek
black fur, long, sharp teeth, and lethal claws. They also walk like men, and
with practice, can change back to a human at will.”

“The
what -- what kind of book is this, a fairy tale?” Joshua asked.

Jessica
gave him a scathing look. “Aura’s library is full of ancient texts. She doesn’t
read fairy tales to the children. They need to be educated to all sorts of
dangers.”

He
chuckled. “Yeah – I don’t really see Bren and Tracy being the fairy tale type
either.”

“Shh!
I want to hear Rita, not you two!” Jade said. “That must be how the rumors about
werewolves started.”

“It
would make sense; the Abyvir lived almost a thousand years ago,” Rita said, as
she stopped suddenly. They had already passed the ashes from the fire, but the
same horrible odor she smelled on the Crestwell’s bodies was becoming more
obvious.

Joshua
jumped as he heard something skittering in the woods.

“Relax
it’s just a squirrel.” Rita smiled and pointed to the fuzzy little magpie
climbing one of the oak trees.

“Sorry
– I guess I’m just a little nervous. Why did you stop?”

Jade knew
why Rita stopped. The odor was getting stronger. “Can’t you smell that?” she
asked.

Joshua
shrugged his shoulders, but Will recognized the scent and gave her a knowing
nod.

“The
farther we go, the worse it’s getting,” Jade said. She wasn’t watching where
she was walking and tripped over something on the ground.

Will
walked over and stared at the broken lantern. “This belonged to Arian; my
brother was here.”

The
group started searching the woods frantically, looking for any signs of Arian, but
there were none. Rita looked at the sky and saw the shadow of night just beyond
the horizon. “We need to get back.”

At
first, Will was reluctant to leave, but Joshua finally convinced him that under
the current conditions, they weren’t going to find Arian.

As
the teens came to the edge of the woods, Eve came running towards them. Her
long, ebony hair was blowing in the wind, but it was the ominous expression on
her face which alarmed them.

A
knot formed in Rita’s stomach. Eve wasn’t one to show emotion -- well – unless
you considered her little tirade with Meredith at the wedding. But that had
been justified. The old bat slapped Reaghan.

 
“What’s wrong? Has something else happened?”
Rita asked.

“There
has been another death. Your sister needs you. Quickly, we must find your
father and return to Aeden.”

“I—I
think he’s still at the houses,” Jade said. “Follow me and I’ll show you.”

They
ran towards the country, and saw Paul and Adam leaving the Crestwell’s home.
Seeing his wife, Paul knew something terrible had happened.

Paul
tried to persuade Will to remain in Utopia, but Will wasn’t having any part of
it. If Joshua was going to Aeden, he was going too. There was nothing to be
done. His parents had already ascended to Heaven.

Jade
called to her mother, and told Analie she would be going with the others. Paul
didn’t want to waste time arguing, so he and Adam instructed them to join
hands, and then transported them back to Auras house.

Richard
thought no one saw him hiding in the shadows, but Eve locked eyes with him just
before she disappeared.
Does she know
that I ordered the attack? Why hasn’t she said anything to her husband?

Rather
than go back to his father’s mansion, Richard planned to stay at the estate he
inherited from his deceased wife, Guinevere. Though her untimely death had been
ruled an accident, Richard knew he had a hand in her demise.

“I
think you should come home,” Henry said. “It’s not safe here, and your mother
would never forgive me if anything happened to you.”

“I
would rather stay close to Renatta in case she needs anything,” Richard argued.
He turned and walked away.

Desiree
had been running towards them, but after listening to Richard speak about
staying close to Renatta, she stopped in her tracks.

Henry
spotted his daughter-in-law and began to chastise her. “You shouldn’t be here.”

Desiree
was so upset about Richard’s decision to remain in the country; she could
barely find her voice. “You’re right of course. I just wanted to make sure
everyone was safe.”

She
turned to walk back to the governor’s mansion, when Henry caught up to her.
“I’ll walk with you. It’s been a horrific night and I don’t want you out here
alone.”

She
nodded and tears began to flow down her face.

Are you
crying
for the Crestwells, or someone else?
Henry offered his arm and the two of
them walked past the village square until they arrived at the house. Desiree
walked up the stairs and closed her bedroom door. Sliding off her slippers, she
stretched across the bed.

How could I have been such a fool?
Richard doesn’t care about me; he is just using me as one of his little toys. I
could have had a good life with Caspian, until I threw it all away for him. I
hope it’s not too late to make things right with my husband.

Pulling
a pillow over her head to muffle the sound of her tears, Desiree cried herself
to sleep.

After
making sure the locks were secure, Henry went to his own room, where he found
Meredith snoring.
God, that woman could
sleep through anything, but I’m not ready to deal with her now. I’ll speak with
her in the morning.

Peeling
off his robe and slippers, he slid into the bed, being careful not to awaken
the sleeping monster.

Chapter 56

There was nothing wrong
with Stella’s car, but she needed an excuse to draw Father Ryan away from Aura and
her family.

She already knew about
Bren and Tracy’s powers, and didn’t need a confrontation with them before she
completed the task her father, Samhael, had given to her.

On one side of the dirt
road, where Stella left the black sedan, was a pasture owned by a farmer which
he used for grazing his cows. On the opposite side was the entrance to the
park. Ryan had suggested they meet there since Aura’s house was only a few
minutes away.

Stella reached into her
pocket and allowed her fingers to wrap around the two pens Samhael had given
her. Each of the tiny weapons held a lethal dose of Witches Bane – the same
poison used to kill Gregory Godwin.

Samhael had also given
his daughter a small, jewel-encrusted dagger, in case Father Ryan fought back.
Stella had no trouble overcoming Mehri’s father, but Samhael reminded her that
he was one hundred and four years old.

She slipped the knife
into the pocket of her costume. While everyone else decided to adopt a
Renaissance theme, Stella dressed like the Wicked Witch from the Wizard of Oz,
going so far as to even paint her skin green.

Relying on a lone
street light and a pair of metal flashlights to pave their way, the two women
began their walk towards the park.
 

Mehri was busy
chattering about her new best friend, Shanna. She was looking forward to the
party and finally having the opportunity to meet Aura.

Stella did her best to
tune out Lucifer’s wife. She had other things to worry about, like hoping none
of the Guild’s children accompanied Father Ryan.

If it were up to
Stella, she would have captured Aura and delivered her to Samhael who would
have sent her to Purgatory. But Lucifer demanded that the young seer not be
touched.

Apparently, he was
waiting for some old relic to be returned to the angel-blood, and if they
captured Aura before the ring was back in her possession; he would never have
another opportunity to acquire the second sight.

Lucifer was convinced
the ring would allow him to win the next war, so convinced, he was willing to
be patient. He waited this long; a few more months wouldn’t make any
difference, especially if the end justified the means.

As they were
approaching the rear access to the angel-blood’s playground, Stella laughed
when she saw statues of Uriel and Gabriel, standing guard at the entrance.
 
Are
they supposed to ward off fallen angels?
 
My father goes where he pleases.

She spotted Father
Ryan, but unfortunately, he wasn’t alone; Shanna was with him.

When Mehri saw the
runaway friend, she shouted her name. Both girls were dressed like tavern
wenches, but Shanna’s skirt was electric blue, like her hair, and Mehri’s was a
deep crimson color. Stella’s gaze was ping-ponging between Ryan and
Shanna.
 
I’ll have to take care of the girl first.

“Where’s your car?”
Ryan asked. Stella pointed to the black sedan parked a hundred feet away. “Well
– I’m no mechanic, but I can take a quick peek, if you’d like?”

Shanna grasped Mehri’s
hand as they followed Stella and Ryan to the car. She was telling her about
Aura’s Halloween food. She especially loved the hotdogs which looked like dead
fingers. Both girls started cackling.

After popping the hood
and handing Ryan the keys, Stella walked back and opened the trunk. When she
was sure no one could see her, she uncapped one of the pens.

The girls were holding
their flashlights as Ryan checked methodically for loose wires. Stella came
back and squeezed between the girls.

“Ouch,” Shanna cried.
“I think something bit me in the back of my arm.”

Mehri aimed the
flashlight at her friend’s sleeve. She saw a small puncture hole and a drop of
blood. Her eyes met Stella’s and a shiver ran down the back of her legs.
What have you done?

Shanna stumbled
backward. “I don’t feel very well. Whatever bit me
is
making me sick.”

Ryan rapped his head on
the hood of the car, as he turned to see Shanna collapse in Mehri’s arms.

Stella came up behind
him and jammed the tip of the pen into his hand. When he looked down, he saw a
speck of blood.
 

“What the…”

“RUN!” Mehri yelled.
She picked up Shanna and grabbed Ryan by the sleeve of his tunic. “I’ll find
someone to help you,” Mehri promised.

Before they could make
the entrance, Stella was standing in front of them. Her eyes had darkened and
she was laughing -- a throaty, guttural laugh that made the hairs stand up on
Mehri’s arms.

“Even if you did make
it back to Aura’s house, you’ll be dead from the poison in a matter of
minutes,” Stella sneered.

“This was not part of
the plan!” Mehri screamed.

Stella shrugged. “What
can I say – plans change? Lucifer no longer has a need for the priest. As far
as your friend – I have nothing against her. She just happened to be in the
wrong place at the wrong time.”

Shanna started coughing
so hard, it was difficult for her to catch her breath. Her lips and nail-beds
were turning blue. “Please, put me down,” she whispered.

The tears streamed down
Mehri’s face as she cradled her best friend. The poison hadn’t affected Ryan
yet. His eyes widened at the mention of Lucifer’s name. “Who are you?”

“She is Lucifer’s
wife,” Stella answered, “And I am Nephylim,” she said proudly. “My father,
Samhael, is a fallen angel and Lucifer’s right hand.”

“They really do exist?”
Shanna asked.
 

Mehri felt so guilty,
she could barely look into her friend’s eyes. She turned away and nodded. That
was when she saw the shadow of a man coming towards them – Samhael.

“Well – it seems to be
your lucky day,” Stella said to Ryan. “This is my father…Samhael.”

Shanna’s breathing had
all but stopped, but she did manage to take a quick peek at the fallen angel.
His hair was meticulous, his clothes expensive and tailored. He carried himself
like royalty.

“I’d love to stay and
chat, but Aura is on her way,” Samhael warned. “Come Stella, it isn’t safe for
you to stay here any longer. We’re going to Purgatory.”

“What about Mehri?”

“Leave her for the
Guild. Lucifer no longer cares what happens to her.”

“Shouldn’t we kill her?
She could tell the Guild about our plans?” Stella argued.

Samhael considered what
his daughter was saying, but then he saw Aura running through the trees. “There
isn’t time; we have to leave now.” He grabbed her hand, and they vanished in a
cloud of black smoke, but not before Aura caught a glimpse of them.

Aura hastened her pace
as a familiar odor filled her nostrils. It was the same pungent stench she
smelled at Caspian’s wedding.

Because of the dim
lighting, and the fact he didn’t turn around, Aura couldn’t identify the man.
Still, she suspected he was the same dark wing who was seen leaving the
Enchantor’s village.

The dark wings hand was
clasped tightly around Stella’ arm.
Why
would he take Stella instead of killing her?

The sound of Mehri’s
sobs filled the air. No, she wasn’t sobbing, she was wailing. It sounded much
like Reaghan if there was no chocolate syrup in the house to start her morning.

Seeing Ryan choking and
gasping for breath, Aura thought back to what Rita said about Gregory Godwin.
He had died the same way. Her sister suspected Richard of Gregory’s death, but
Aura knew he was in Utopia. Could Rita have been wrong about the governor’s
son?

Lying on the ground
between Ryan and Shanna, were what looked like two ballpoint pens.
This must be the weapons they used t
o
deliver the poison.

Aura didn’t see
Shanna’s chest rise and fall, and assumed she was already dead, but Ryan was still
thrashing around on the ground. She looked to Heaven. “Raphael, please -- he’s
alive, and I could really use your help.”

As Aura clutched Ryan
in her arms, tears dripped in a slow, steady stream down her cheeks.
 
She called again for the archangel; if anyone
could heal her best friend, it would be Raphael.

Eve and Paul showed up
on the dirt road with all the rest of their Utopian friends. Richard and Analie
were absent. Adam had been sent to Aura’s house to check on the little ones.

When the group approached,
Mehri’s sobs grew louder as she rocked Shanna back and forth.
 
“Why did you have to die? I loved you.”

“I’m a fraid she can’t
hear you,” Eve said softly.

A loud crack parted the
sky. With their brilliant white wings extended, the angel-bloods watched
Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael descend. They were wearing white ceremonial robes
trimmed in gold.

Another angel, who no
one recognized, was with them. He wore blue jeans and a white, short-sleeved
pullover which amplified his toned biceps.

“Please – can you help
him?” Aura begged Raphael.

The healer walked over
to the priest and knelt down beside him. Ryan’s hands were clutched tightly
around the wooden cross hanging from the girdle of his costume. He was barely
alive. His breaths were slow and shallow, and his face was twisted in pain.
Aura sensed he was suffering.

Ryan’s eyes were still
open, but he grimaced every few seconds. “Who did this to you?” she asked
between sobs.

Before he could reply,
Mehri answered. “It was Stella,” she whimpered.

Jessica, who had been
standing silently with Rita and their Utopian friends, gasped when she heard
the name. “Why would Stella want to hurt Ryan or Shanna?”

Ryan had stopped
moving; he felt like ice against Aura’s bare chest. His pale skin, lips and
fingertips turned a dusky blue color. When he closed his eyes, Aura moved
closer, allowing her left ear to graze the corners of his mouth. He was trying
to tell her something, but his voice was so weak, she couldn’t make out the
words.

Eve knew the answer,
but she was bound by a covenant which prevented her from interfering. Even
though she wanted to ease her daughter’s pain, she would never break her vows.
She stood quietly, knowing Aura would soon lose her best friend.

Raphael looked at Paul
and shook his head. “I’m sorry – there is nothing I can do. The poison has
already taken its toll.”

Aura began to shake
Ryan, hoping he would open his eyes. His face was still distorted with pain,
while Shanna’s looked so peaceful.
Why
did you have to suffer? You have always been faithful to Heaven.
 

Still wrapping her arms
around him, Aura fell backwards, allowing Ryan’s head to rest against her
chest. She stared at the stars, trying to digest Raphael’s bad news.

Bren, Tracy and the
rest of the party guests appeared out of nowhere. Sophia and Katie had to
shield their eyes from the bright light radiating from the archangels. Aura was
cradling Ryan against her chest, and Shanna…

Dropping the pumpkin
flashlights on the ground, Katie and Sophia ran to their friend, who was lying
motionless on the ground.
 
Mehri’s arms
had a vice-like grip around her dead friend, and she had no intention of
letting go.
 

The color of Shanna’s
skin was almost the same as her electric blue hair. Her eyes were closed, but
there appeared to be a faint smile at the corners of her mouth. She looked so
peaceful, as if she was having a pleasant dream. But this was no dream – Shanna
was dead.

“Why did you bring them
here?” Paul asked as he pointed to the mortal girls.

“Shanna was their
friend. They have a right to know what happened to her,” Bren said.

Before Paul could
respond, the unidentified angel bent down to look at the girl in Mehri’s arms.
“May I?” he asked.

Mehri tightened her
grip until Eve patted her on the shoulder. “It’s alright; this is Shanna’s father,
Stuart. He’s come to take her home.”

Glancing from Stuart to
Shanna, Mehri could see the family resemblance. They shared the same blue eyes,
and Mehri suspected Shanna once had chestnut hair like her father.
 
He was a young man, looking no older than
thirty years.
 

Katie and Sophia were
at a loss for words. As the angel moved closer, they took a step backwards,
unsure about what was going to happen next.

Stuart extended his
hand, which Shanna accepted. She pulled herself up and wrapped her arms around
his neck, “Papa?” she whispered.

“Yes – sweetheart;
everything will be fine now because we’re together.”

“Will somebody tell me
what’s happening?” Katie cried. “I’m freaking out over here. If Shanna is dead,
how can she walk and talk?”