Fall from Grace (Book 2: An Angelblood Novel) (18 page)

 

“She would never accept it now. She returned my
promise ring. She thinks Jeziel needs me more than her.”

“Aura doesn’t need protection. I’m confident she
can take care of herself.
But Alannah is a different story
entirely. Aura feels her pain. After her run-in with Mortriel
yesterday she’s even more determined to bring Alorrah and
Alexis home. I told her about Fionn.”

“Why would you tell her?”

 

“She would have learned the truth eventually. Soon,
she will see everything Esra does.”

 

“What does this have to do with the ring?”

“The ring will connect her to Alorrah. Knowing
she’s out of harm’s way, may give her some peace of mind;
unless your feelings towards herhave changed?”

”No, I still love her, but I doubt she’ll believe me.
She doesn’t trust me anymore. She thinks I care more about
Jeziel.
Jeziel is a friend; nothing more.
She knows I love
Aura.”

“If that were true why did you apologize to Aura for
telling Jeziel the truth?
I know you believe Aura is Avriel;
we all do. But Aura has mortal blood allowing her free will.
How do you think she will react when her visions show her
the truth? Don’t forget it was her brother who killed Avriel
and took Alorrah and Alexis to Hell.
She may resent your
relationship with Jeziel in time.”

“Aura misunderstood me. I felt responsible for
pushing Jeziel away.”

“You may not choose to hear this, but Jeziel was
already on the dark path, long before you visited her.
I
imagine she felt trapped in Heaven all those years.”

“Do you believe she has chosen the path to
darkness?”

 

“Do you?” Eve asked.
“I don’t want to believe it, but after talking to Aura I
have a lot to consider.”

“Talk to Aura again. She’s upset now. Knowin
g
her as we all do, you can’t imagine the torment she must
have gone through, watching the death of Ericah’s unborn
child.
After
she
puts
the
children
to
bed,
have
a
conversation with her. She might be ready to listen then.”

Eve walked over and kissed Aidan on the forehead
before walking out of the room. “Think about it.”
Chapter 19

Mahlyssa tracked Natalie to the valley, where she
knew there was a colony of angel-bloods.
She wanted to
stay hidden; not wanting Richard to know where she was.
Perhaps her daughter would be there.
Mahlyssa was no
longer
concerned
about
her
appearance. She wasn’t
frightening to look at any longer.

It
was
well
after
dark
anyway,
so
she
doubted
anyone would see her.
Taking Shannon would provide a
good cover in the event she was stopped.
She was curious
why Richard would send his daughter here, after being
wounded
with
angel-fire.
Mahlyssa
heard
rumors
the
children of the Archangels lived in Aeden.
She wondered
what Richard was up to.

“Will we be staying here tonight Mum?” Shannon
asked.

Mahlyssa smiled at her.
“Not tonight. I wanted to
come
and
have a look around.” Shannon lived with
Mahlyssa her whole life.
She was only five years old and
Mahlyssa loved her as her own daughter.
Her parents left
shortly after her birth; leaving the poor child in her care.
Even as grotesque as she once looked, Shannon never feared
her. She kept her away from Richard when he came to visit;
fearing he would make an example of her just to prove his
power.
“Let’s get you back home.
It’s almost bed time,”

Mahlyssa said kindly.
Shannon took her hand and together
they were transported home.

While one of the older girls assisted Shannon with a
bath, Mahlyssa checked on her guest.
She felt sorry for the
young man.
When Richard first brought him to her, he was
in terrible shape.
back to health.
swearing
revenge
on
Richard
and
all
who
aligned
themselves with him.
She spent the first few weeks nursing him
Now he was healed and he was angry;

Mahlyssa did what she could for him. She wasn’t
prepared to go against Richard, especially after he promised
to change her.
Now she would play his game with a
different set of rules.
Mahlyssa was not a bad person.
She
had
a
series
of
unfortunate
events
happen
in
her
life;
including regrets about Virgil.
She imagined sometimes he
would come home and they would be a happy family again.
Since the curse was lifted, perhaps there was still a chance
they might find each other again.

The Guild returned from their meeting with the High
Council later that evening.
The room was still noisy with
conversation about the weddings.
The girls decided they
would go shopping in New York on Monday to pick out
their dresses. Apparently Will and Joshua weren’t
concerned about what they would be wearing.
leave the details to the little ones.

Aura
tried
to
avoid
Aidan
when
They would

she
returned
downstairs after settling the girls.
She went into the kitchen
to fix a cup of tea and was surprised when he followed her.

Aura’s father and the other members of the Guild
told
him
they
needed
desperately
to
speak
with
Jeziel.
“When are you going to see her again?” Paul asked.

“She’s supposed to contact me the next time she
wants to meet. I’m sorry I didn’t bring her with me. I know
you must be disappointed.”

“If we knew where she was, we could resolve this
matter. If she wasn’t involved she may have seen who was,”
Adam said. “Perhaps she could lead us to Samhael. We
know he’s up to no good.”

“No one is accusing Jeziel of anything; except the
fact she left her post. She should have remained with Elijah
or at least notified one of us she was leaving for a vacation.
We are not wardens.
We’re here to guide her,” Joseph
assured him.

“There are more temptations here than she was
exposed to in Heaven.
After witnessing Natalie kill Jasper
and
Ella,
of
course
there
would
be
concerns
regarding
Jeziels friendship with her. Let’s not forget they share the
same blood,” Jack said.

“I’ve already heard this story from Aura. I don’t
need you to repeat it again,” Aidan said.

 

“We’ve had a long day. Why don’t we get some
rest? We’ll see you at service tomorrow Aidan,” Paul said.

Will and Joshua decided to stay at the Allhearts
house.
Bren and Tracy decided to go home too and Aura
couldn’t refuse when Alannah asked if she could go with
them. Unfortunately with everyone else gone, Aura was left
alone again with Aidan.

“Would you like some tea?”

 

“I would like to talk to you Aura. How long are you
going to stay mad at me?”

“I’m not mad at you Aidan. You have a right
to
make your own choices. I just don’t want your choices to
hurt Alannah.”

“I would never hurt Alannah. Don’t you believe
me?”

 

“I’m sure you wouldn’t intentionally hurt anyone,
but sometimes the best of intentions aren’t good enough.”

“A few days ago we were happy; what changed?”
“You don’t want me to answer that.”
“Why did you give me back the ring?”

“You promised to be there for me forever. Do you
remember? I hardly think I need it now.”

 

“I have always been here for you.”
“Except on the one day Mortriel
made
an
appearance,” Aura laughed.

 

“I had no way of knowing he was going to meet
you.”

“It doesn’t matter Aidan. I have other things on my
mind and I can promise you Jeziel isn’t one of them. I mean
her no harm, but perhaps you should be talking to her
instead of me.”

“I don’t know where she is?”

“Well that’s a real pity. Maybe we can find Natalie
and Jeziel will be with her. If I have another vision I’ll be
sure to wake you up; if you’re here.”

“Aura I’m trying to reason with you. Why won’t
you listen to me?”

“I was ready to listen to you three days ago, but you
didn’t have anything to say then. This is the first time
Alannah didn’t want to stay here. Bren and Tracy haven’t
been home since before Thanksgiving and now they don’t
want to be here either.
Am I supposed to be happy about
that?
My great grandfather, my daughter and Alexis are
locked up in Hell’s prison, while I sit here doing nothing.
And you don’t know where your girlfriend is. Why don’t
you reason with that guardian?”

For the first time in her life Aura wanted to cry. But
she turned away and took her tea cup to the sink. She never
remembered being this angry before. She hated it.

As
she
was
washing
her
tea
cup
she
stopped
suddenly.
A black wing was coming.
The smell was
unmistakable.
As
she
happened
to
look
out
the
back
window she saw Jeziel walking towards her yard.
She
slammed the tea cup down, shattering it into a hundred
pieces.

She turned to Aidan. “I have good news for you.
Your girlfriend’s here. I won’t say anything to the Guild that’s your business. I don’t want her in my house, so you
can go wherever you need to with her, butshe’s not coming
here!”

She turned to see if Jeziel was alone before running
up the stairs.
There was no one else.
The smell was
definitely coming from Jeziel.
Aura kept this to herself.
There was no benefit in telling Aidan about her suspicions.
She doubted he would believe her without absolute proof,
despite knowing she was with Lucifer just days ago.

Aidan had no choice but to meet Jeziel in the back
yard. “What are you doing here?” he asked.

“I was walking when I saw the lights on. I decided
to stop and see you. Aren’t you happy to see me?” she ran
up to him and gave him a hug.

Aidan backed away; to Jeziels displeasure. “I wasn’t
expecting to see you so soon.
Have you decided to meet
with the Council?”

“I told you I’m scared. I want to wait a little longer
because I know they’ll punish me,” Jeziel moaned.

“You can’t
just showup in Aura’s back yard and
think the Guild won’t want to talk to you? Wait here and I’ll
get Paul.”

“No Aidan please. If you get Paul he’ll take me to
the Council tonight. I’m begging you please wait.”
“If you’re innocent you have nothing to worry
about. They aren’t as bad as you think.”

“It’s been hard for me lately. I’m all alone now.
Elijah’s gone. Natalie’s gone and you don’t even want to
talk to me,” Jeziel cried.

“I doubt that you’re alone. When were you going to
mention Samhael? I’m trying to help you Jeziel. The Guild
wasn’t happy about our meeting last night. You’re putting
me in an uncomfortable position.”

“Samhael just showed up. I didn’t call for him. I
told him that I didn’t want him to come back again. You
know I would neverdo anything to hurt you Aidan. Can’t
you at least give me a week?”

“What am I supposed to tell the Guild? I can’t lie.
You know I will never lie.”

“I’m not asking you to lie. I don’t care if you tell
them I stopped by. You can say you tried to convince me to
meet with them, but I was still afraid. It’s the truth Aidan;
you know it is. Please just a little longer,” she moved closer
to him.

“I won’t say anything this time, but I don’t want you
to come back here again. You can meet me somewhere else
but not here; not at Aura’s house.”

“Is your little girlfriend jealous?”

 

“Aura has no reason to be jealous, but it seems
disrespectful. I think you need to leave now.”

“Alright Aidan, I’ll go, but you’ll be hearing from
me again soon.” She reached over and kissed him goodbye.
“Until we meet again, I hope you have sweet dreams,” she
laughed as she ran through the yard until he could no longer
see her.

As Aidan walked towards the house, he noticed the
light from Aura’s bedroom was on. He looked to her
window and when he did, the light quickly went out. Aidan
wondered if Aura saw Jeziel kiss him. If she did, it would
push her further away from him.

Aura
didn’t acknowledge the knock on her bedroom
door a few minutes later. She wasn’t in the mood to hear
anything Aidan had to say.
She saw him kissing Jeziel. She
didn’t know what they were saying, but she certainly saw
her kiss him goodbye.

Aidan didn’t pull away as Aura expected him to;
instead he stood there. When he looked up at her window,
she turned off her light and went to bed.
She had no desire
to speak to him tonight.
She was contemplating if she ever
wanted to speak to him again.

Natalie woke up early the next morning.
She was
meeting the Guild and their families at church.
Richard
insisted she attend because he wanted to make sure her
identity
was
fool
proof.
She
picked
out
something
conservative; a white blouse and navy skirt.
Richard called
to make sure she was awake.

“Remember what I told you. You are to avoid
Jayden without appearing to be suspicious.
Call me as soon
as you return home.’

“What if they invite me to breakfast?”
“You’ll have to graciously decline. Tell them you
have to finish unpacking or something.”

 

“I saw Jeziel last night. She told me you knew
Samhael.”

 

“I have had some dealings with him.”
“I thought since she’s alone and so am I would it be
OK for us to hang out together?”

“I don’t see a problem provided you’re discreet. I
don’t have to remind you how careful you need to be. I
won’t be there to protect you if something goes amiss.”

“I promise I’ll be careful Father. Her house is
within walking distance from the cottage.
We can hang out
and share information. She is still close to Aidan.”

“That might be useful. Be sure to keep me in the
loop if anything goeswrong.”

 

“How will I contact you?”

“You can call Desiree or Phillipe. They’ll know
how to get in touch with me.
Phillipe is back from his
vacation, but his wife and daughters are still away.
If
anything happens you go to him immediately.
Do you
understand?”