Esra's Prohpecy (Book 3 An Angel-blood Novel)

by Linda L. Creel

  “I wish Jeziel never left Heaven. She’s evil, Mommy. After Elijah and Ericah’s death, Samhael took her to meet Lucifer. She can’t ever be good again, Mommy, never ever,” Alannah cried. “Dahnael is turning bad too. Even Alorrah thinks so.”

  “Let’s hope he comes to his senses before it’s too late. I’m sorry we can’t spend more time here, but we have to plan Anastasia’s memorial service.”

  “Will we have the service with Father Patrick?” Bren asked. “Yes, but I have to go see the twins at the farm. There’s something I have to do. You can stay with Rita and Jessica while I’m gone.”

  They walked back into the brownstone, just in time to see Anastasia ascend to Heaven. There was no evidence of the brutal attack she had suffered at the hands of Mortriel. Her long brown hair flowed freely down her back, and a simple white frock covered her body. She didn’t say a word, but they could see a gentle smile on her face.

  “I will avenge your death,” Aura promised. “I swear Mortriel will pay.” After sending a message to her mother, a cleaning crew arrived at the house. Anastasia had no family, but she left all her worldly possessions to Willow who she regarded as a daughter.

  Jack Do nnelly would take care of the paperwork. On Willow’s sixteenth birthday she would inherit Anastasia’s estate. Perhaps by then she and Matthew Godwin would be engaged. Aura hoped that they would have a bright future together, but her visions hadn’t yet confirmed that.

  War was coming - soon. Aura knew there would be more deaths, but in the end, Esra’s prophecy would prevail, and Lucifer would suffer by her own hands.

  Aidan waited patiently for Eve to finish the dishes. Realizing he wanted to speak in private, Angie walked Marie and Phillipe to the park to show them the tree of life.

  When she heard the door close, Eve sat with Aidan at the kitchen table. She poured both of them a cup of tea, and waited for him to talk.

  “Thank you again for speaking with me this morning. I know you have to finish preparing for the wedding.”

  “The wedding plans are made. Why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind?” Eve asked.

  “I thought by giving her Avriels ring to Aura it would bring us closer together, but we have grown distant in the last few days.” “Avriel’s ring isn’t the cause of your problems.”

  “Then you admit we’re having problems?” Nothing was going according to plan. He needed to keep some of the angelbloods on his side if he had any hopes of marrying Aura.

  “How can I help you?” Eve asked. “You know your daughter better than anyone because you’re a seer too. When I think I’m making progress in our relationship, something happens, and I feel like we’re strangers again.”

  “Can’t you see what’s changed in your relationship?” “She’s upset about my friendship with Jeziel, but I promise we’re nothing more than friends.”

  Eve didn’t mean to laugh out loud, but she couldn’t help snickering. “Jeziel thinks you’re much more than that.” Aidan became defensive. “I’ve never given Jeziel any reason to believe I’m more than a friend.”

  “Perhaps you don’t realize your actions speak louder than words.”

  “What do you mean?” “We both agree Jeziel changed, when she befriended Natalie. It was inconsiderate of you not to come home the first time, but not to come home a second time, spoke volumes to Aura and Alannah.”

  “I didn’t mean to stay away so long.” “Aura has never cared more about anyone, than she does those little ones. At Rusty’s wedding, we all witnessed Jeziels hostility towards them. Referring to them as brats, and making derogatory comments about the children doesn’t sit well with Aura. You did nothing to defend Bren yesterday, when Jeziel called her a brat. Jeziel has her own agenda. It is an agenda that could turn you against your family. Jeziel may share the blood of Uriel, but she certainly does not share his heart.”

  “Her heart is as pure as mine,” he insisted.

  “When the horse bit Jeziel, did you even notice that her blood was black?”

  “She was hurt. I was trying to help her.” “Why did you remain silent when Jeziel called my daughter a brat?”

  “I knew Aura was angry, and I wanted to get Jeziel away from her.”

  “You spent the entire day and night with your friend, but did little to comfort Bren, who loves you as a brother?” “It wasn’t like that. I agreed to take Jeziel to lunch, but she asked me to stay for dinner. I had no idea she would take us so far away. When we returned, it was after midnight. I knew Aura would be upset, but it was too late to change anything. So I accompanied Jeziel to Paris for breakfast.”

  Aidan tried to be convincing. “Keeping track of time here is very different than in Heaven. It is one of my shortcomings,” he admitted.

  “What if Aura had done the same thing, and stayed out with Dareusand Aureus all night. Would you have been upset?” Aidan’s eyes turned black at the mention of the twin brothers. “AURA IS MY WIFE!” He slammed his fist into the table, forcing the teacups to shatter on the floor.

  Eve bent down to pick up the broken shards, while silently calling for her father’s shield. She turned to look at Aidan, and found his face full of rage. “Aura may share Avriel’s soul, but she has mortal blood allowing her free will. She is not your wife, and you would do well to remember that!” Eve walked away, leaving Aidan brooding over his fate.

  After a minute, Aidan calmed down, and followed Eve into the kitchen. By then his eyes were a pale shade of grey, but gone was any hint of lavender. Eve knew this wasn’t a good sign.

  “I’m sorry for losing my temper.” “Why is it that you have no problem telling time when you’re with the family? Don’t you think it’s just a little convenient you only lose track of time when you’re with Jeziel?”

  Aidan stared at her incredulously. Was Eve turning against him too? “I said I was sorry.” “Perhaps you and Jeziel would be better together. But know this

  - Aura will keep Alannah away from your friend. After what happened this morning, I have to agree with her.”

  “What happened this morning?” Aidan asked. “Why don’t you ask your friend? Since you are determined that Jeziel is always honest, ask her what happened this morning.” “Are you still angry with me Eve?” “I am disappointed in you. We used to live in a peaceful valley. Our lives changed when Natalie and Jeziel came here. I doubt we will know peace again, until we go to war.”

  “Do you think war is coming?” he asked. “War is already here. I pray to the Almighty we don’t lose any more of our children.” She walked to the front door, slamming it behind her.

  Now Aidan was worried. He had never seen Eve so angry before. If he lost her trust too, then he would be doomed. He shouldn’t have lost his temper, but he did apologize. Aura was turning everyone against him. He had come to the conclusion that she was the problem, and that made him even more livid. “The ring binds you to me,” he shouted. “You will be my wife soon.”

  As he walked past the mirror in the living room, Aidan saw that his eyes had changed color. He tried to calm himself hoping they would change back, but he knew that they would stay grey forever now. Maybe the others wouldn’t notice. He decided then, that the less time he spent with Aura, the better.

  A knock on the front door announced Jeziel’s arrival. “Sorry I’m late, but I needed to findsomething to wear.” Aidan started to laugh. Despite the snow on the ground, Jeziel was wearing a sundress and sandals. “Are we going someplace warm?”

  She slipped her arm through his. “I thought we could go back to the beach. Don’t bother to pack. We can get swimsuits there.” She held on to his arm, and soon they found themselves standing on the beach. It was early morning, and they were alone.

  “Let’s go have some tea. By then the shops will be open, and we can buy swimsuits. She guided him to an outside restaurant only a few blocks away. They sat at one of the tables, and enjoyed the view of the ocean.

  Eve noticed how easily Dahnael’s mood changed at the mention of Dareus
and Aureus. She knew that the twin brothers were priests, but like Aura she vowed to keep Iris’s secret. She hoped that Dahnael wouldn’t be caught in the middle of the war that Natalie and Jeziel were planning. But she could do nothing to interfere. His eyes were already darkening. Would Michael ask his son to return to Heaven? Perhaps he had already passed the point of no return. Either way, her shield would stay ready.

  The Guild decided to inform Alistair, and the governor’s of the five colonies about the recent events. If Natalie and Jeziel were planning to declare war on Utopia, it would only be a matter of time before the rest of the colonies were attacked.

  After the wedding they planned to summon Natalie, and begin her trial. She would atone for the murders of Ella and Jasper. Paul knew when Jayden testified against her he would be targeted, but Rita and Jessica would protect him. “Alistair will be at the wedding. Willow and Matthew will return with him to Australia. Howard and Iris have plans to go with them. Howard has Eve’s blood, so he can call for Gideon’s shield if necessary,” Paul said.

  They hadn’t seen the other governors in a month. The prime ministers would play a pivotal role if war was declared. It was better to gather them for a meeting in Aeden. Paul would speak to his son P.J. and Adam’s son A.J. If they were going to accept the positions of prime ministers, they needed to be involved with the plans now.

  The Guild set the meeting for the third week in January. Rita and Jessica would have returned from their honeymoon by then. The strength of their weapons would be needed for the battle. Little did they know the war would begin sooner than anyone expected.

  The Guild was concerned about Aidan’s role. He and Aura were barely speaking, but they needed to be united if war came. The thought of Aidan walking down the dark path almost sickened Paul. He couldn’t imagine how Michael felt.

  Each member of the Guild visited the other colonies. Paul went to Utopia. Joseph sought out Alistair, in Australia. Adam went to Asia and Martin to Brazil; leaving Jack to notify the African Council of the news.

  They left midmorning, and planned a family meeting in the afternoon. The Guild never kept the little ones ignorant about important matters. They learned from the Great War the children had as much right to know as the rest of them.

  It was all Aura could do to maintain her composure on the way home. How dare Mortriel think he would ever touch her? She regretted not holding him accountable for Anastasia’s death, then.

  Aura hoped when they returned home, Aidan would be gone. She needed to speak to Dareus and Aureus, and then arrange a memorial service for Anastasia later in the afternoon. She sent Eve a message asking her to notify Father Patrick. Though there would be no body, Father Patrick would hold a private memorial service for those closest to Anastasia. It would be a short service, and Aura saw through her visions that Aidan and Jeziel would not be there.

  Aura decided it would be better to have the rehearsal dinner the next evening. Papa already had the arrangements made. She forgot sometimes that he was a seer too.

  Meredith and Natalie arrived at one of her favorite beaches. Natalie rented a beach house, giving them a place to shower and change.

  “So this is where Jayden brought you after his brother’s death?”

  Meredith asked.

  “Yes he thought we needed a vacation. I can’t believe he’s acting like he never knew me,” she said.

  “You did kill his brother,” Meredith reminded her. “It was self defense. Something happened to him after Rita wounded him. Do you think the angelfire cleansed his blood like it did Joshua’s?”

  “I can’t think of any other explanation. I thought he would defend you, but he turned against you after Rita wounded him.” “Well it’s his loss. Now that Samhael is interested, he’ll open doors Jayden never could.”

  “Samhael is one of Lucifer’s most trusted,” Meredith said. Natalie could barely contain her excitement. “You should have seen him start the fire this morning. He held his hands up and the entire house was engulfed in seconds. It was impressive.”

  “There were innocent servants in that house. You may have been betrayed by the Enchantor, but those servants did nothing wrong,” Meredith argued.

  “If they were loyal to the Enchantor, they deserved to die too,” Natalie said with no remorse.

  “What will become of my servants if Jeziel turns against me? Will she kill them too?” “Jeziel would never harm you, Grandmother. You aren’t changing your mind about seeking revenge for my father’s death are you?”

  “I want the Guild to suffer as much as we have, but I don’t want my friends to be casualties in the process.”

  “Francesca and the others are perfectly safe,” Natalie assured her.

  “I hope so. They’re like family to me and we have no one else except Jeziel.”

  “Let’s not forget about Samhael. He’s family too.” “You’re right perhaps I’m still grieving Richard’s death. Why don’t we change, and enjoy this beautiful beach? It really is a wonderful place, isn’t it?”

  Natalie smiled and threw her arms around her grandmother. “I knew you would love it.” Meredith could stand a little relaxation. But in the back of her mind, she was beginning to think their problems were just beginning. Samhael was powerful, but she wondered if he would be a match for the angelfire she knew the daughters of the Guild could call for.

  What concerned her most was Natalie’s heartless attitude. She was so close to Jeziel that Meredith worried about her friends back in Utopia. She doubted that Natalie would ever oppose her cousin and that left her feeling insecure.

  When Aura and the others returned to the house Aidan was already gone. Alannah wasn ’t happy about him spending more time with Jeziel. They had all decided that even though they knew who he was, they would always call him Aidan. Alannah wasn’t happy about that either, but Alorrah made her promise not to take any chances.

  Bren witnessed the conversation Jeziel had with Samhael about Anastasia. She may not have killed their friend, but she was just as responsible as Mortriel.

  Tristan and Jasmine were expected to return from their honeymoon the next day. Aura had no intention of discussing her news in front of Jeziel. She sent a message to Rita and the others to keep her involvement to themselves. She would explain why later. Trusting her sister, Rita agreed.

  Jeziel was guilty, and they could finally force her to go before the High Council. “It’s just for a little while, I promise,” Aura assured her.

  “I trust you, but she needs to be punished for what she did,” Rita said. “She will be punished. Right now, we don’t want to scare her away. If we can be patient for just a little longer, I promise they’ll all know the justice of Heaven.”

  After she gathered the rest of the family, her father asked, “What’s this about Aura?”

  “Anastasia was murdered this morning, by Mortriel,” she said, as calmly as she could.

  “Mortriel came back again?” Adam asked.

  “Yes he sent me a message. Even though he can’t touch me, he can still hurt my friends and family.”

  “Are you certain it was Mortriel?” Joseph asked. “He was waiting for me outside Anastasia’s brownstone. He has some sick notion that he wants me to be his bride. He left me a note written in Anastasia’s blood. He was paying me back for knocking him to the ground.”

  The Guild looked apprehensively at each other. If Mortriel was serious, he would stop at nothing to capture Aura, and take her to Hell.

  “Where was your guardian?” Paul asked. “I have no need of a guardian, but if you must know, he’s with Jeziel. We weren’t expected to return until this afternoon. I saw no reason to make Aidan endure shopping for dresses.”

  “If Mortriel has decided to make you his bride, you will be in constant danger. Your guardian needs to be aware of this development,” Adam said.

  “Mortriel isn’t a new development. He’s nothing more than an inconvenience,” Aura said. “Phillipe, I must insist you and your family move into the s
anctuary as soon as possible. No one should leave the valley without one of my children. Any one of them can call for their grandfather’s shield, and it is the best protection we can give to each of you,” Paul said.

  “What about the weddings?” Joshua asked.

  “The Archangels will be in attendance. Mortriel may be powerful, but he’s no match for the skills of our parents,” Adam said. “We should proceed with our plans. Mortriel sent me a message, but I’ve got a little something planned for him. He wants us to be afraid. I’m not about to live in fear. We have weapons more powerful than you can imagine. I see no reason to postpone the weddings,” Aura said.

  “What about Jeziel? How does she figure into this?” Martin asked. “She’s not innocent, if that’s what you’re asking me. She and Natalie still have plans to declare war on Utopia first and then take over the other colonies, one at a time. Our first priority is to take out Natalie and Jeziel. I have a plan, but I need more time. Rest assured, the outcome will be worth waiting for,” Aura said.

  “Are we to do nothing?” Will asked. “We’re not doing - nothing, Will. My sight will guide us. We just have to be patient. For now, we’ll follow through with our plans, including your weddings. You have to trust me.”

  Aura stopped abruptly, when a new vision came into her mind. “I need to see the twins. Will you keep an eye on the little ones for me while I’m gone, Mom?”

  “Don’t you want to take the girls with you?” Eve asked. “Not this time. I need to speak to the brothers about something, and if I’m right, it could change everything.” She turned to Alannah. “Stay here with Bren and Tracy. The boys can get cheeseburgers and fries for lunch. I won’t be gone long,” she said, as she hugged her daughter.

  “We have milk shakes too?” Mia asked.

  Aura laughed. “I’m sure the boys will bring plenty of milkshakes for everyone.” As the boys left, Aura went to her bedroom. She looked in the closet for the box, where the stick was hidden. “I knew it. It’s the same language,” she whispered to herself. “Dareus and Aureus will surely help me now.” She tucked the stick inside her jacket, and hurried to meet the angel priests.