The Forsaken (11 page)

“What do you see?” repeated Nat, his voice choked with emotion.

“I see the lovely orange-red sands of my homeland,
Mount Ch’rb.
My heaven. Let me go, Nathanael.”

“You will
live.
” He would resort to commanding her to do such, if forced.

Her eyes fluttered open once more. “But I want to go home, Nathanael. Please…please let me go.”

Nathanael’s heart and soul broke. He was a selfish bastard, having learned that human expression the other night, he now fully understood the phrase. “You would leave your sisters to mankind without you?”

She cursed him in ancient Hebrew and hissed in pain. Her breathing shallowed, her form went limp, and she struggled to keep her eyelids open. A second later she was unconscious.

“I will take all your damning, but you must first live. I beg thee Mistress, with my soul…please let her live.”

Chapter Nine

“What do you mean, you can’t do anything else for her?” asked Nat to one trembling, tear-stained Meredith.

“I’ve done all I can. I made a promise to Izzy never to call a human doctor for her again. I can’t go back on that promise.”

A gasp from Isabella’s sisters made him realize he was acting irrationally. He was Seraphim, and they looked to him now for guidance. “But what if that doctor can help?”

“She would rather die.”

Nathanael knew Meredith spoke the truth but he didn’t know what else to do. “I know you are trying everything. What about if you all sing to her?”

Shea moved forward. Pleased he was learning some of their names—more importantly, their trust—he beckoned her closer. “You have something to say, Shea?”

“Nathanael, we have sung to her most of the night. There is no change. What I am suggesting is not the normal way of things, but maybe
you
should try singing to her.”

Nat fought not to laugh.
Me, sing? Obviously she hasn’t heard me attempt to sing, and that’s a blessing.
“Seraphim do not sing.”

“Actually, some do,” countered Shea, bowing her head, her hands nervously folded together.

“What?”

Keeping her head lowered, Shea rushed on with her words. “Isabella said her father sang to her mother whenever she felt sick. She said it had made her mother feel better.”

Nat noticed the tense of her sentence. He’d had no idea Isabella’s mother was no longer with them and again Nat questioned why he didn’t search out more information about his intended. It was also becoming clear to him that none of the Cherubs felt like they’d ever get the chance to go home again. And without Isabella, they truly would be lost.

“And did it?” asked Meredith, clearly as astonished at Nat.

Shea nodded. “What can it hurt?”

The sum of it had been said. Isabella had lost so much blood, Nathanael knew only a miracle would keep her tethered to them. If that miracle could by chance be his off-key voice, he’d swallow what pride he had, and sing his heart to the rafters.

“I will do it. I ask you all to pray for us,” he said. Muttering under his breath he added, “Cover your blessed ears.”

Meredith smiled sadly and Shea nodded, leading the other sisters to the prayer room. Nathanael removed his dirty shoes and socks, before walking barefoot into Isabella’s bedroom, her sanctuary. A blessed red candle sat in each corner of the bedroom to honor the Heavenly Mistress and to act as a beacon to guide her help. Incense burned in a small gold holder, the smell light and flowery.

Isabella shivered violently in the bed. Nat reached out and touched her sweaty forehead, expecting it to be burning hot. It was the opposite—ice cold—she shivered in the throes of a raging fever. It seemed she fought her inner demons, the ones that dared to take her away from him. Not knowing fully what to do, Nat quickly made a heart-wrenching decision. He crawled under the covers, drew her shivering form, clad in a simple shift, to his and started to sing, hoping his prayer-song worked a miracle. To hold his ordained heavenly wife in his arms was a true blessing, but knowing this could be the one and only time…not so much.

* * *

Meredith felt worn out. The last few days had been dizzy with the rediscovery of her faith and the belief the Mistress would change her mind. Meredith held fast to that, but the worry she’d felt for Isabella, knowing she fought the demons on her own made her mad. Meredith, like Izzy, could easily wield a weapon to slay a demon. They’d both taken up arms after watching demons slay their mothers. Together, they had sneaked from their rooms at night to meet up with the one Seraphim who had said he’d help. A Seraphim Meredith never wanted to see again. He’d treated them like an equal and it had been the first inkling for Meredith that there was more to her preordained Cherub life. And when the battle raged again in the heavens, Meredith hadn’t hesitated to slay demons. The fact she’d enjoyed killing them had made her seek more prayer time, but it hadn’t deterred her.

A soft rasp on her door startled Meredith. She knew instinctively it was Gareth. A nervous flutter started in her stomach and she tried hard to ignore it. Meredith opened the door wide, allowing him to enter her sanctuary. She didn’t want Gareth to see her worry or tear-stained face, so she turned her back to him and moved to sit on the edge of her bed.

Gareth slowly moved closer to the bed. “Meredith, what happened?”

Meredith composed herself and then turned her face so she could look up at him. He was so handsome, so inviting, so needing someone to love, and a part she tried hard to ignore yearned for him. The realization she had a crush on him caused her to falter. She had no right to be involved with him, or any human. She was damaged goods, exiled, and it was best for all for her to remember that. “I know I said I could help you, Gareth, but tonight…”

“Shh, it’s okay. I don’t need your help.”

Meredith knew Gareth lied, and even though her room was dark, she could make out his fidgeting hands.

“What happened?” he asked again, gently.

Meredith noticed how he kept standing, his feet braced apart like a warrior, ready to do battle when the war he waged was one deep within him. Meredith patted the spot on her bed, urging Gareth from his warrior-stance to sit beside her. She didn’t like looking up at him. He reminded her too much of the Seraphim who had taught her how to use morning stars and a sword. Worse, she knew if she asked Gareth to show her how to use his modern-day weapons, he wouldn’t hesitate. For a second, Meredith wondered why Izzy never went that route to fight the demons. Gareth would be delighted to teach her how to use weapons, but not once had Izzy asked. Mentally, Meredith made a note to investigate that.

“Izzy…”

“What about Izzy?” asked Gareth, carefully taking the spot next to her on the bed. Never in her wildest dreams had Meredith ever thought she’d have a human male sitting next to her in such an intimate setting.

Feeling bold, Meredith tentatively touched his arm. She felt the pull of him race through her body and fought for control. He looked at her, long and hard, speaking volumes with his dark brown eyes.

Slowly she took his hand, caressing his thumb in the process. “I’m not sure about Izzy. We tried everything. We sang to her all night—”

“What the Hell, Meredith? What are you saying?”

Meredith smiled. “You shouldn’t swear.”

“Don’t change the subject. Why on Earth would you sing to Izzy? Are you telling me she’s hurt?”

Meredith’s hand tightened on his arm, drawing him closer. For the first time that day, Meredith worried about her appearance. She almost wished she’d taken the time to brush her hair, but she’d been too preoccupied dealing with the crisis to care. Now she did. He, Gareth, made her want to look pretty.

“I tried to show you the other night. I thought it best you know. We are not of this Earth, Gareth. We are angels. Well…we used to be angels. Now we’re all exiled. Isabella got in a fight and Nathanael’s doing his best to save her. He’s her only help.”

Gareth attempted to laugh her off. Meredith turned, sliding her body toward him, feeling the heat of his thigh press against hers.

“I tried to show you the other night, but you ran. I wanted you to understand. You deserve to know after everything you’ve gone through. Would you like to see my wings, again? Or will you once again run away?”

Meredith was careful. She’d stated who she really was but also said it like a challenge, knowing he’d try to laugh it away. But Meredith was dead serious. The other night, she suspected Gareth had boiled down what she’d shown him as a hallucination thanks to his withdrawal symptoms. Tonight, he searched for an excuse, but she needed him to accept the truth.

“You’re not kidding, are you?”

She blinked. “I would be honored to show you my true self.”

“Fine. Show me.” He bit the words out, daring her on.

Meredith slipped out of the bed, moving with the feminine grace of a ballerina, just like her heavenly teacher’s had taught her. Before Gareth could protest, she made her wings appear. Their weight felt delightful on her body, and she sighed with pleasure.

“Meredith, nice parlor trick. Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?”

“Look at me, Gareth. This is no trick of the light or figment of your imagination. I am…well, I was, a Cherub angel. We got kicked out of the heavens for our disobedience.”

Gareth moved his legs, stretching them out to gain composure, but his hands did not budge.

“This can’t be real,” he said, looking at her with a puzzled expression.

“I am real.” She made her wings move and Gareth jumped up off her bed.

“Holy fuck!”

“Now do you believe me?”

He nodded, his eyes wide open. She let him move behind her, even though she felt a little uncomfortable knowing she only wore her simple nightgown. When he lightly touched her wings, he swore a full sentence, causing Meredith to laugh.

“They
are
real,” he said, more to himself. “They’re so soft. I thought they’d be stiff, like feathers, but they’re not.”

“I’m not a bird, Gareth.”

He laughed and it warmed her heart.

“Yeah, well that’s sort of how angels are drawn here, with bird feathers.”

“Again, not related. I was once an angel, just like Izzy and my fellow sisters.”

Gareth moved back to her bed to sit down. “Shit, this is so not what I expected.”

“Gareth, you understand you can’t tell anyone.”

He barked a dry chuckle. “Yeah, like they’d believe me anyway. But if you’re angels, why is Izzy sick?”

“She came into contact with demons.”

He shot up from her bed and raced to the door.

“Gareth, stop. They’re not here.”

Gareth ran an agitated hand through his short hair. “You don’t understand, Meredith. I’ve—”

“Seen demons before. I know. But we must pray for Izzy to heal.”

“You said you couldn’t save Izzy. Surely your God will?” asked Gareth.

“The Almighty and the Mistress work miracles every day. We are only tiny specks of dust in the grand scheme of things. We as Cherubs would never think to plead for one of our own. To do so, well…it would be sacrilegious.”

Meredith moved more toward Gareth but he backed up. She halted her approach, willing him to understand. She shivered as the cool night air seeped into her.

His hard look softened as he came toward her. “I don’t understand half of the things you’re telling me, Meredith, but I believe you. Now, since I’m here, and since I’m planning to stay until I totally understand everything that has happened to you and the rest of your sisters, let’s get you back under the covers.”

“Will you stay with me for a few minutes?” asked Meredith, her voice sounding shaky.

He nodded. Meredith smiled and looked into his eyes as he tucked her under the blankets. He was like an old soul in a young body; he’d seen so much evil already in the world that even if a miracle happened to him, he’d remain skeptical.

Stiffly, he sat against the bed’s hard headboard. “Why would your God—”

“And
your
God,” she chastised him.

“Yeah, okay…why would any God kick you out of your home? Seems like a big punishment.”

“We did something we aren’t allowed to.”

“Like what?”

“Fight,” said Meredith, turning her head, wishing her room had a window so she could see the stars. However her room was modest but it was also the only room on the first floor and while it might not have a window, it suited her purposes.

“Are you kidding me? You got kicked out because you fought.”

She turned and looked at him “It’s much more complicated than that. We are Cherubs, and we’re not supposed to take up arms. I don’t expect you to understand but trust me we all knew we’d get punished but none of us thought this.
I’m sure in the grand scheme of things we will all be okay.”
I certainly hope so.

With a finger, Gareth titled her quivering chin, forcing her to look at him.

“This is all new to me, Meredith. All of it. You, Izzy, the rest of your sisters. I always knew you were all special, but Izzy never even hinted at this.”

“She never would, but you needed to know.”

“Will she be mad at you for telling?”

“Probably, but she’ll understand. My one concern is for her though. She must get through this night. Without her, we are lost.”

“What can I do to help?”

“Will you join me in prayer?” asked Meredith.

He squirmed on her bed. “Ah, yeah, I’m not really good at that.”

“There is no right or wrong way, Gareth. You just need to pray for Izzy to get better and I know in your heart you’re pure.”

“Meredith, that’s not true. You don’t really know me, but I’d really like to change that. Let’s start slow. I’m a fast learner but what you’re asking me to fully believe in isn’t going to be easy for me, especially because I’ve seen evil.”

In a blink, she willed her wings away.

“Now, that’s a nice trick. How do you do that?”

Moving her hair off her shoulder, Meredith said, “I can make them appear at will. Mine were never cut off.”