Fall from Grace (Book 2: An Angelblood Novel) (17 page)

“Rita showed her very little courtesy.”

“Rita had great reason not to trust her. I doubt she
gave any of us a chance. Did you not see the changes in her
after she befriended Natalie? They say blood calls to blood;
perhaps it is Lucifer’s blood that calls to her.”

“That’s unfair Aura. She hasn’t done anything
wrong.”

 

“She left Elijah alone to die. What excuse did she
give you for that?”

“The house was already engulfed in flames when
she arrived.
It would have been futile to rescue him at that
point.”

“According to Jayden; Natalie and Jeziel went to
Elijah’s home together. If the house was already burning,
why didn’t Jayden see it?”

“She has sworn to me she did not kill Elijah and his
sister; nor did she start the fire.”

“I’m sure you and J
eziel
have
enjoyed
a
close
relationship. That’s none of my business. My main concern
now is the safety of my family, especially Alannah.”

“Do you think I care nothing for them?”

“I think you care enough about Jeziel that you were
unavailable yesterday.
You should concentrate on your
friends well being.” She looked down at the ring on her hand
and thought about removing it. “Perhaps you’re guarding the
wrong girl.
I can speak to my father and ask to release you
from your contract.”

“Contract, is that what I am to you?”

 

“You are my guardian. I didn’t ask for you and I
don’t need you.”

 

Aidan was stunned. “Jealousy doesn’t suit you
Aura.”

 

“Jealousy - do you honestlybelieve I’m jealous of
Jeziel?”

 

“I said I was sorry, what more do you expect of
me?”

“
I expect nothing of you. I have learned if you
expect nothing; you won’t be disappointed when you get
nothing.
You should consider there is a little girl whose sun
rises and sets on you.
Perhaps you might consider her
feelings.
She waited for you and you never came!
This
wasn’t the first time.”

Aura continued her rant.
“I don’t give a damn about
your relationship with Jeziel, but I won’t let you hurt
Alannah. She’s been hurt enough already. I wasn’t going to
tell you this before I met with the Guild, but you have a right
to know. Since you were so concerned that Jeziel was in the
house, I have identified the fourthlight.”

“Was it anyone we know?”
“No,” Aura said heatedly. “The fourth light came
from Ericah’s unborn child. When I see the rest of the
vision I will know who killed them.
I hope for your sake,
your girlfriend wasn’t involved. But know this, if she was, I
will personally hunt her down and deliver the justice of
Heaven myself!”

“Jeziel didn’t kill Elijah or Ericah. I would know if
she was lying.”

“I have no doubt you believe she’s telling the truth,
but perhaps you failed to ask the right questions.
Did you
bother to ask if she was inside the house? Did you ask if she
wounded Elijah and his sister? Did you ask her if she knows
who started the fire? Perhaps she’s protecting Samhael. Do
I need to remind you that Avriel trusted him and as a result
Alorrah and Alexis are rotting in Hell?”

“No Aidan, you didn’t even begi
n to ask the right
questions.
How
is
it
Mortriel
happened
to
show
up
yesterday? Perhaps the next time you meet Jeziel, you might
ask her some of those questions; then you’ll see how truthful
she is.”

Aidan stared at Aura.
He knew this conversation
was headed in the wrong direction and that was not his
intention.
He could see the hurt all over her face and in her
voice. “I’m sorry Aura. Apparently I can’t say that enough.
I doubt you would believe me, but it’s the truth. I have no
right to ask this, but I would appreciate it if you would allow
me to accompany you when you leave the house.
Mortriel
cannot be trusted and we can both agree he is here for a
reason.”

“I know why he’s here. But he better bring Hell’s
army with him, if he thinks he will touch me or Alannah.”
“I am still your guardian Aura; even if I am nothing
else. I hope you will allow me to do my job.”

Aura
laughed. “I do not fear Mortriel, but he
damned well better fear me.
I have no doubt he was angry
after he left yesterday.”

“You didn’t use angel
-fire did you?”
“Of course not, but I did introduce him to my shield.
It was rather amusing watching him pick himself up off the
ground.”

“Aura you need to be careful. Mortriel is Lucifer’s
flesh and blood. He’s one of the most dangerous of the
fallen.”

“I can take care of myself. Why doesn’t anyone
believe me?”

 

“Mortriel is not to be trusted. I don’t have to remind
you he killed Avriel, Bree and Tercia.

Aura looked at him and shrugged her shoulders
almost uncaringly. “We all make choices Aidan; some
good, some bad. I hope you won’t regret the choices you’re
making.
I need to find a way to bring Alorrah and Alexis
home. She looked at the ring on her hand. She pulled it off
her finger and placed it in Aidan’s palm. “I’m sure Jeziel
willneed your protection more than I do.”

Aidan sat down on the chair in shock.
Aura had
returned his ring. Did she not understand his meaning when
he gave it to her?

“We’re celebrating my sisters’ engagements. I hope
you have the good sense to keep Jezielaway.”

Aidan knew Jeziel was being honest with him, but
Aura was right; perhaps he didn’t ask the right questions.
She said nothing of Samhael’s visit. He wanted to go to her
then, but knew Aura would never forgive him if he did.

If he lost Aura and it came to pass she was right
about Jeziel, he would regret it for the rest of his life.
He
thought everything was working out. He hoped her memory
would return and she would remember the close bond they
used
to share.
Now he was worried she would
never
remember him.

He collected himself and walked out to be with the
rest of the family.
Perhaps he would speak to Eve later.
She knew her daughter better than anyone else.
She could
guide him.

Chapter 18

Jeziel and Natalie stopped by the house Richard
rented first.
Natalie could easily walk to Jeziels house,
knowing that if she got in trouble, her cousin would come to
her rescue. Not that she planned on getting into any trouble
after her father’s warning.

As
they
approached
Jeziels
home,
Natalie
was
impressed at how thoughtful Samhael was, making sure she
had everything she could want or need. “This is nice,” she
commented.

“I told you Samhael had connections. It’s better
than the cottage the Guild had mestaying in.”

 

“I doubt they gave any consideration to your
comfort,” Natalie said.“Do you have any regrets?”
“Do I have regrets about Elijah?
NoI can’t say I
do. I didn’t know the girl was his sister though.”

 

“Would that have made a difference?”

“Pr
obably not - I was getting tired of having to
answer to the Guild.
After the wedding Aidan was cold
towards me. He told me he was in love with Aura.
Do you
believe that?
As if that half-breed is deserving of someone
like him. I can’t believe Michael would allow their union.”

“Well you did say he came to you last night. I’d bet
money Aura was livid about that.”

“I don’t give a damn what Aura thinks. I have every
intention of taking Aidan for myself.
Once I convince him
the Guild only protects theirown, it won’t take long before
he starts to see them and his precious Aura in a different
light.”

“I don’t mean to upset you, but he did give her a
ring.”

“It was a promise ring
, nothing more. He only gave
it to her so she wouldn’t feel bad. He has another ring that
belonged to Avriel and I’m going to make sure he gives it to
me. It’s rumored the ring holds great powers.”

“What kind of powers?”

“I don’t know, but I’m sure it can connect me to
those brats my father is holding prisoner. I don’t know why
hedidn’t kill them, but he says they’re more valuable alive.
I met them.
One of them can call for angel-fire with her
hands.
If anyone gets close to her, she torches them.
She
burned Samhael and he said the wound has never healed.”

“Perhaps he should se
e Mahlyssa, the Enchantor.
She was able to remove my scar and it was made with angelfire.”

“You had a scar made with angel-fire?”
“Yes, but when she changed my appearance, the
scar disappeared.”

 

“That sounds like a powerful gift.”

“I guess that’s why my
father has aligned himself
with her. Changing someone’s appearance can be helpful.
If they find out you killed Elijah and his sister, maybe she
could alter your appearance too.”

“I’m not sure it will work on full
-blooded angels.
I’d certainly like to try. Wouldn’t it be hilarious if she could
change me to look like Aura?
Think of the information I
could give to my father.”

“It’s worth considering. I’ll talk to my father about
it.”

 

“Are you sure you can trust this woman?”

“My father must be holding s
omething over her
head. He swears she’ll never betray him. She worked a
miracle on me,” Natalie laughed.

“You look amazing. If you hadn’t told me who you
were;I never would have believed it”

 

“Let’s hope I can fool the others.”

 

“I’m sure you won’t have any problems.” The girls
talked for hours, until Natalie had to leave.

 

“I have to attend church services in the morning.
Can you believe my father is making me go to church?”

“He wants to test your new identity. Think of the
information you could learn, if they think you’re someone
else. Do you think Jayden will be there?”

“I’d bet on it. I can be cordial, but I have been
warned to keep my distance from him.” Natalie stared at her
wedding ring. She would have to remove it and place it on a
chain before she left in the morning.

“I’m so glad I ran into you. I hope we can spend
more time together.”

 

‘I don’t see why hanging out would be a problem,
but I need to ask my father when he calls.”

“I’ll contact Samhael. I doubt your father would
argue withhim, if he approves.” The girls hugged each
other and said goodnight.

“Hopefully I’ll see you in the morning after
services,” Natalie said.

Aura pulled her father aside and told him she had
some disturbing news he needed to hear.
Paul gathered the
others into the library where they held all their meetings.

Aura looked grimly at her father.
“I can identify the
fourth light. Ericah was pregnant. The last light belonged to
her unborn child.”

“So it is as we suspected,” Joseph said.
“Did you see who attacked them?”Paul asked.

“My vision only showed Ericah. I know she was
pregnant because I saw the fetus fall from her womb.”

“Whoever did this will die!” Jack said. “There is no
greater sin than to take the life of an unborn angel-blood; it’s
unforgiveable.”

Paul was sympathetic to his daughter. “I’m sorry
you had to witness such a dreadful act Aura.”

“I can’t filter my visions. I have to take the good
with the bad.
What will happen when Hespa learns the
truth?”

“Let’s hope her time in Heaven will s
often her. We
should notify the High Council.
It might be wise to keep
Hespa away,” Adam said.

“I doubt it will matter when she hears the news. I
think we should keep this information to ourselves for now.
Have you told anyone else?” Jack asked.

“Only
Aidan
and
I
warned
him
if
Jeziel
was
responsible I would kill her myself.”

 

“Do you believe Jeziel was involved?” Joseph
asked.

“Something isn’t making sense to me. Jayden said
Natalie and Jeziel left together to tell Elijah they were home.
Why would Jeziel leave Natalie alone?
I think she knows
about the deaths, although Aidan swears she’s telling the
truth about the murders and the fire.”

“Then
, there was her meeting with Samhael.
She
certainly wasn’t forthcoming with information about him. I
have
seen
at
least
three
meetings.
You
all
saw
them
together.
Regardless of what Aidan thinks, she was pretty
friendly with him. She’s hiding something. I just wish my
visions would show me what happened before the fire.”

“When I asked Aidan what color her e
yes were, he
told me they were black. He can’t use the excuse it’s
because of Lucifer’s blood, because when she first arrived
her eyes were brown.”

The Guild needed to speak amongst themselves, so
Aura excused herself.

 

As she was preparing the little ones bath, Aidan
volunteered to help as he always did.

 

“That’s not necessary,” Aura smiled. “I was
thinking about joining them.”

They could see her smile was forced, but Aura was
determined not to let her fight with Aidan upset Rita and
Jessica.
Aura felt bad for keeping Aidan from the girls, but
as long as he was keeping company with Jeziel, she had no
choice.

After their bath they headed downstairs to watch a
movie in the family room. The rest of the family was busy
talking about the wedding plans. She didn’t notice when her
mother pulled Aidan into the library to speak with him.

“I thought you might want to talk,” Eve said.“I can
see Aura is still upset with you.”

 

“I apologized repeatedly, but she won’t listen to
me.”

 

“You hurt her feelings.”
“Why would she be so angry, when she would have
done the same thing?”

“Perhaps, she wouldn’t have done the same thing.
You have been almost inseparable these last few weeks.
Aura depended on you to be there for her.
She may argue
she doesn’t need a guardian, but you’re her friend. Do you
remember the conversation we had before her birthday?”
Eve asked.

“I wanted to give her Avriel’s ring and you asked
me to wait.”

 

“I think the time has come for you to give her the
ring.”