Inception (The Reaping Chronicles, 1) (8 page)

“I know, Gabrielle,” Amaziah said softly. He was suddenly beside her, placing his hand on hers. “We all miss our fallen friend. You, because he was your eternal companion, most of all.”

Amaziah had heard her thoughts again. Gabrielle raised her head and looked upon her friend’s face, releasing tears from the corners of her eyes when she did.

She was sure she saw some in his, as well.

Gabrielle had excused herself from Amaziah and Sheridan and asked to be left alone on Earth for a while, saying she would meet with them in Heaven when she was ready. She needed some time to let the somber moment pass and clear her mind. When she returned to them a couple of hours later, they were debating a different topic. Both stopped and looked at her with concern. She imagined they both wanted to know the same thing.

‘I’m fine.’
That was all Gabrielle trusted herself to tell them. She had never let her sorrow show outwardly and didn’t know if more emotions would burst forth, even now while she was in her true form. She was eager to get her job taken care of so she could return to Earth and have more time to be alone.

Time …

She should feel she had a lot, considering she was created to live forever. But she didn’t. She’d learned a long time ago that time wasn’t a guarantee. Everything can be taken away, everything changes, and even angels die. Her human time would be brief. That was something she had no control over. But, at that moment, she was in ‘angel time’, so it didn’t really matter.

When she was living as she was meant to, as an angel, time passed in a much different way than when she lived as a human. What she did in her job as The Angel of Karma would seem like minutes to mortals, but to her as an angel, it ticked quite a bit of time off the clock.

Now, she could take care of her work without losing valuable time as a human. Then, she could step back to her Earthly life. She wouldn’t lose a second that she needed to use for figuring out what compels humans, finding out what Lucas had to do with her being here and how she was supposed to help him, and figuring out what the book was that the demon spoke of.

The realization that she had not put near as much effort as she needed into discovering what the story was with that book hit her, and she decided it would have more importance from that point on. Amaziah didn’t seem to take it too seriously when they spoke of it initially, but something told her it was important.

Very important.

Once her lots’ karma was decided upon, and the appropriate orders were assigned to her troops or other ‘helpers’, she could relax. At least as much as she could while concerned about the battle between the Light and Darkness.

All of the tactics she’d used in the past didn’t seem to have much effect anymore, and people were progressively lacking in morality. Humanity was losing its humanity. Gabrielle wasn’t going to allow Darkness to dominate Light, though. Not while she could still turn the tides and guide people’s hearts back toward Yahuwah.

There were many who tried to get in her way—legions. But Yahuwah had bestowed her with many powers to fight them. In addition to the abilities all angels share—telepathy, moving between realms at will, interaction with humans either in angelic or human form, and of course flight—Gabrielle enjoyed a host of others. For obvious reasons, her most utilized ability while incarnated was pausing mortal time. But she also enjoyed having dominion over creatures humans consider to be fantastical—Shifters, the Gentry, and the Qalal. Gabrielle reserved using the last two for the most reprehensible humans; those who truly deserved the kind of suffering they could inflict.

The thing she liked the least about her job was seeing people doubt Yahuwah because His justice seemed to be ill-timed or unfair. People tell each other so frequently that He does things in His own time and not theirs, or that He has a plan for all He does whether they understand it when it happens or not. The truth was, they were right. The problem was, so few truly have faith in the words they speak or hear. Gabrielle wanted desperately to remove their skepticism, to help people see there’s a reason to believe, to have hope.

Amaziah and Sheridan were now discussing the final battle of the war. It was coming. No one was sure when. How well their side would do depended largely on Gabrielle. Sometimes she believed she could feel the heaviness of that burden so intensely that she thought it would push her down into the Underworld where Darkness would hold her forever.

Gabrielle captured Sheridan’s attention and handed her the last of her instructions. Sheridan could now leave and give them to the appropriate troops. The task was out of Gabrielle’s hands and in the care of the thousands of angels assigned to assist her in her duties.

“Gabrielle.” Amaziah broke through her thoughts after they left Sheridan and returned to Gabrielle’s Earthly home. “Are you okay? Is there something you want to talk with me about?”

Gabrielle didn’t know where she could even start. She couldn’t tell him about her worries or the human feelings she felt about Lucas. He worried over her so much already, and she didn’t want to add to his concerns.

“No, Amaziah. Thank you for asking, but I’m really fine. Just a little worn out from my first day of
school
.” Gabrielle gave the most convincing smile she felt she had in her and reached for his hand. It was very warm, warmer than any human’s would be. His seemed to be warmer than any incarnated angel she’d touched—considerably so. And his light, when in his true form, was brighter than any angels’ she’d ever seen. It was almost blinding. He looked at her for a moment, then smiled and gave her hand a firm, loving squeeze.

“You know, Gabrielle, Yahuwah doesn’t expect this of you, and I’m sure He would be happy to have you solely in Heaven once again. If you ever decide this isn’t still in the best interest of His Divine purpose, it would not be looked upon by Him, or any of your brethren, as a failure. No other before you has ever taken on such a heavy responsibility without being commanded to do so. You have earned a great deal of respect with your actions.”

Gabrielle said a quick prayer of thanks to Yahuwah for giving her such a supportive and loving ally. “This isn’t about earning the respect of my peers. You know that.” He nodded in acknowledgement. “It’s the need to understand why the tactics I’ve always used are no longer making an impact. If I don’t figure out new ways of creating the desire in the hearts of people to do,
and be
, good … Darkness
will
take over their minds—this world. I can’t allow that to happen. I
can’t
continue to just watch the battle for human souls being lost while our Asarers fall along with them.”

Gabrielle felt the need for rest begin to take over her human form. Her mind hurt, eyes burned, and the little perk her afternoon shower seemed to give her had waned. She needed to sleep. As an angel, she had no need for rest, but she had been trying to remain in her human body as much as she could to get in touch with what people deal with on a daily basis.

Amaziah, as usual, knew exactly what she needed.

“Gabrielle,” He stood up and lovingly cupped her face with his hands, “I didn’t mean for you to feel you had to convince me all over again. I just wanted you to know that there is still another choice, and that you aren’t stuck with this decision. It doesn’t need to be discussed further. I can see you need sleep. Give your human body a little extra time to rest this evening. I would like to know how your day went and what you may have learned, but it can wait.”

With that, he smiled and disappeared like fog being shooed away by a stiff breeze.

Gabrielle went upstairs to her bedroom and climbed into bed. The last image she saw in her mind before she fell into a deep, but restless sleep was Lucas.

Chapter Eight

Javan ~ An Angel

Javan had just finished pouring a shot of whiskey when Mara walked into his loft. Liquor was the only thing he had to numb the emotions the human body inundated him with. Human emotions were a nuisance he hadn’t bargained for. He downed the shot and grabbed a second glass as Mara made her way to him, filling them almost to overflowing.

“Mara. I wasn’t expecting you. Why are you bothering me?”

A smile barely showed as she grabbed her glass, downing its contents.

“I can leave,” she said and turned to make her way back to the door. “I just thought you’d want to know there’s a pretty little angel posing as a student at school. But I can see now it wouldn’t concern you, so I’ll see you later.”

“Wait.”

Mara continued to the door. He hated when she tried to be flippant. It irritated him. He was in front of her so fast that it startled her, and the indifferent expression rearranged back to the one of servitude he wanted. He grabbed her face with one hand and moved close enough that their noses touched.

“Don’t play with me, Mara,” he said through clenched teeth. “You know I don’t have the patience for it.”

She nodded as much as she could in his grip, and he let her go.

“Come have another drink. Tell me about this angel.”

She sat on the stool across the counter from him. He slid her a glass and waited.

Mara took several sips.

“I don’t know that much. She was with that guy that I was messing with a couple of months ago. I decided to see if I could mess with him some more. I’m bored. That’s the only reason I go to that place … to screw with humans.”

The look he gave her didn’t inspire more needless information.

“I didn’t notice she was an angel at first,” Mara continued, “because … well,
at first,
I didn’t give a damn. But when Lucas gave me the cold shoulder and I finally looked at her, there was no mistaking she was a Yahuwah lover.”

“Why couldn’t you tell right away?”

“I don’t know. Some kind of veil. I bet if she didn’t have it, though, she’d be glowing like a Christmas tree. That human body of hers might hide the Divine light from a human, but I could see its shimmer. It wasn’t constant, more like a faint pulse under her skin and in her eyes.”

“That would be a pretty powerful veil, and a very powerful angel. Why would an angel pose as a high school student?”

“You got me, but that’s all I know. I thought it was odd, too. So … here I am.”

“Hmm …”

“I do know one more thing.”

“I’m waiting.”

“Where she
lives
. I followed her.”

“You’re telling me this angel actually has a place she stays in on Earth?”

“Yep. Curious, huh?”

“Yeah.”

Javan sipped his drink as he considered the possibilities. How was he going to deal with an angel taking up residence so close to him? It might not pose a problem, but he couldn’t be sure.

“So,” Mara said, “what do you want me to do?”

Javan finished his drink and placed the glass on the counter, then made his way around to her. He touched her face, but this time, he caressed it. He wanted to take care of other things at that moment. The alcohol hadn’t numbed his feelings enough.

“Eventually, I want you to show me where this angel lives.” He took her hand and started walking her to his room. “Right now, I want you in my bed.”

Chapter Nine

Gabrielle ~ Second Impressions

Gabrielle woke to rays of sunlight barely beginning to sneak through her bedroom window to prod her awake and welcome her into the day. She tried to remember what she’d been dreaming of, but all she could recall was that Lucas was in it and whatever had happened left her feeling distressed. She couldn’t revive the memory any more than that. It felt prophetic, though. Like one of her Knowings. But they happened when she was awake.

She wondered if there wasn’t more to how deeply she was sleeping, if maybe Amaziah had been doing something to cause it. She knew he wanted her to rest, as did she, but she didn’t like being unable to recall the images her mind created while she slept. It worried her that there was information she may need, knowledge she now wouldn’t have.

Gabrielle looked at the glowing numbers of her digital clock—five forty-five.

Time for another day as a seventeen-year-old.

She found herself looking forward to her day, especially the parts that would have Lucas woven into them. After taking a shower, Gabrielle dressed and ran downstairs. She still hadn’t branched out much when it came to food, so she made a piece of toast and topped it with peanut butter and honey—heavy on the honey. She took a bite of her breakfast and then chased it with chocolate milk, managing to somehow miss her mouth.

She laughed at her clumsiness and went back upstairs to change clothes. While she did, she pondered how much she’d already fretted that morning over what she should wear, laughing at herself for all the time she had spent considering whether or not Lucas would like her better in the blue or red shirt. She ended up choosing the blue one because she thought it would bring out the indigo that circled the green in her eyes. She pulled on the red shirt now—hoping that she could learn to eat more gracefully and not have to change again—checked her face and hair, and descended the stairs to finish eating.

Two months ago, Gabrielle was amused by the way the teenage girls were acting about boys. Now, she was one of them. The way she thought about things had changed so much since coming here, and she wondered what other changes awaited her in the time she had left.

Gabrielle looked at the time again—six thirty-five.

Time to go.

There was no need to wait around.

She maneuvered her car through the morning congestion as though she’d been driving for years. This was one thing she always allowed her angelic abilities to take over and control. There’s no reason to risk an accident because of her lack of driving experience.

The closer she came to the school, the more unsettled Gabrielle became, feeling unwanted company was present on campus. She’d only seen Mara, but she only realized she was a demon once she saw her eyes. Gabrielle sensed the Fallen were there even more when she pulled into the school’s parking lot, feeling the heaviness associated with them settling on her. Her discernment was terribly off. More than she counted on even though Amaziah had warned her, which concerned her more than she wanted to admit. She had to pay more attention today. The thought had crossed her mind that she may need to lift the Aegis Veil, but Amaziah would know immediately and yank her back to Heaven. Then, she had another idea and scolded herself for not thinking of it sooner.

Phalen.

Phalen would be more than happy to help her, and Gabrielle would love to have her company. Phalen would be able to see how many demons were in and near the school since her Divine discernment wouldn’t be hindered the way hers was. Her presence wasn’t nearly as attractive to the Fallen; they weren’t gunning for Phalen’s death like they were Gabrielle’s.

I’ll request Phalen’s assistance when I see Amaziah today.

Gabrielle picked pretty much the same spot as the day before, put the car in park, lowered the windows, and turned the engine off. The morning wasn’t as warm as yesterday. Swollen clouds, full of rain, hung low and ominous in the sky. She heard a rumble of thunder in the distance and felt something that made her heart jump. The same fluttery feeling in her stomach she’d had the day before returned.

Gabrielle closed her eyes and concentrated, releasing the Veil just a little, worried if she let it drop completely the Fallen would recognize her. She was beginning to feel like they would be around every corner she turned, behind every face she looked into.

Just as I thought … Lucas.

She smiled, knowing he was approaching her car and she would soon see him. Gabrielle replaced the Veil and opened her eyes.

He was there.

“Good morning, sunshine!” Gabrielle said to Lucas as he took the last couple of steps to her passenger door.

“Good morning back.” Lucas leaned down, resting his forearms on the door and smiling that amazing smile. “I thought it would be safer to approach your car from the passenger side from now on. Less opportunity for you to execute my demise.”

“If I wanted to put you on a path for certain death, Lucas, I would find a much more creative way of doing it, I assure you.” Gabrielle smiled and hoped she didn’t sound too convincing. Just as she was about to try to say something witty, the clouds gave up their attempt to harness the rain, unleashing them in a sudden torrent.

“
Whoa!
” Lucas yelled and laughed.

“Get in, Lucas!”

Gabrielle turned the engine on and raised her windows as Lucas scrambled to get in the car.

Once his door was closed and he was settled, he cut his eyes at her playfully. “So, did you decide drowning me would be more fun today?” Lucas shot her a huge smile, running his hand through his now dampened hair. His eyes glistened from his burst of laughter, and Gabrielle thought it made them look even more brilliantly blue.

“Oh, just thinking back to how you told me you don’t take a shower before you come to school because of first period gym class.”

He smiled at her shyly.

There was a moment of quiet between them.

“Gabby,” Lucas began, “I don’t really know how to say this to you, I mean … without you thinking I’m strange, but I feel like I know you somehow. Like I need to be around you for some reason.
Crap!
I even sound strange to myself.” Lucas paused. “Look. I know you don’t know me, and I don’t know you, and I promise I’m not some nut job. All I know is what I felt the moment I met you yesterday. And I know that pretty much every second of the day, and night, you were all I thought about. So, if that totally freaks you out, I get it. To be honest with you, it freaks me out. And now I’m rambling because I feel like a complete idiot spilling my guts to the most beautiful and intriguing girl I’ve ever met. So, I think I’ll shut up, get out of the car, and go home and play sick. Just so I don’t have to face you the rest of the day.”

Instead, Lucas closed his eyes and let his head drop back onto the headrest.

Gabrielle’s heart was beating so fast as she repeated his words to herself that she thought it was going to punch through her chest.

Gabrielle, what are you doing? You could be cast out if this goes too far.

Lucas opened his eyes when he felt Gabrielle put her hand on his. His gaze fell on their entwined fingers resting on his leg. His lips curved slightly with a smile.

“I’d like you to stay right where you are.” Gabrielle said as he searched her eyes. In an attempt to reassure him further, she squeezed his hand even as she continued a mental war with herself about her decision. “I don’t know why you feel what you do. I do know I feel …
something
. So, if you’re a nut, maybe I am, too.”

I’ve entered a human body and almost instantly lost my mind. That must be why people don’t make any sense to us … they’re all crazy.

Gabrielle watched Lucas relax and his smile fully return, but he lowered his eyes, clearly still embarrassed.

“Look,” Gabrielle said, “this isn’t something we are going to figure out right now. I’m just glad to know I’m not alone. Let’s forget the whys and concentrate on the whos. I’d like to know more about you.”

“Sounds good to me,” Lucas responded, “I know I have at least a thousand questions for you.”