“I suppose at the rate I’m going, Bren will be married before me,” Aura said.
“Now that’s a scary thought. I can’t even imagine Bren and Tracy as grownups.” They both laughed. Rita then became serious. “I’m sorry Aura. I thought you and Aidan would be the next to marry. Is he still planning to bring Jeziel to the wedding?”
“Don’t be sorry. Everything has a way of working out. I would expect Jeziel at the dinner this evening” “I’m not worried. With our grandparents there, even Jeziel will be on her best behavior. They may have given her some freedom, but we both know, eventually she will be punished for her crimes.”
“Dareus and Aureus have both agreed to escort me to the wedding. I’m looking forward to dancing with them,” Aura said. “Don’t you think Aidan might be a little jealous of asking someone else?” “I can’t concern myself with what Aidan thinks. After the wedding, I’m going to concentrate on finding a way to bring Alorrah and Alexis out of Hell.”
“Do you think Mortriel will be back any time soon?” “I’m sure he’ll be back. I just don’t know when. I should have taken him down yesterday, when I had the chance. I’ll be ready for him. He’s not going to get away with killing Anastasia.”
“I know it’s not my place to say this, but I’m going to anyway. Do you think it’s fair to judge Aidan, when there are so many things you haven’t told him? I can’t believe he would still have anything to do with Jeziel, if he knew the truth,” Rita said.
Aura knew that she couldn’t t ell Aidan the truth, because he wasn’t Aidan. “Aidan is being tested. I have been warned not to interfere. To influence his choices is forbidden. Aidan may pity Jeziel, but he is allowing his heart to blind him to the truth. We have to let him find his own way,” Aura said.
“Is Michael really worried that Aidan might join the other fallen?” “Michael can only guide him. The rest he has to do on his own.” “What are you going to do, if Aidan does start to change?”
“Aidan has already changed. I have to prote ct Alannah. Knowing that Mortriel can return at any time, I need to stay focused. I’m afraid I don’t have the patience to deal with all of these other distractions right now. Why don’t we just concentrate on the weddings? I’m sure dinner will be fun tonight.”
“Yeah – it will. Why don’t we go show them how to make some real snowballs?” Rita grabbed Aura’s hand and together they chased after the kids. Aura found herself rolling around on the ground and Rita was right beside her. She knew then, that Rita would always be beside her and for that she felt blessed.
After an hour, when the kids were soaked, Aura took them home and put them in a warm bath. The tub would keep them occupied until lunchtime.
Aura changed her wet clothes and then pulled Mahlyssa to the library to speak privately.
“What’s this about? Has something else happened?”Mahlyssa asked. She motioned for Mahlyssa to take a seat on the leather couch and she sat beside her. “I need your assistance, Aura said. “I’ve never told anyone what I’m about to tell you.”
“I’m sure I don’t understand what you mean. I am indebted to you for reuniting me with my daughter. I consider you family and I’ll help you any way I can,” Mahlyssa said.
“You met Bodhi yesterday.”
Mahlyssa nodded.
“He was awakened bec ause I found the second half of his bow. Most of us believed it was lost forever. I know that I was meant to find it. At first I didn’t know what it was, but I was certain the inscription was written in an ancient text. I didn’t understand the markings, but it was so extraordinary that I brought it home and hid it in a chest inside of my closet.”
“It was convenient that it was found by you and not Jeziel or Natalie. But how did you know it was the sacred bow?” “When we went horseback riding with Dareus and Aureus, they had a plaque on their wall with the same symbols. They told me it was a very ancient language, known only to very few. I knew I had seen it before, I just didn’t remember where. Then, I realized the stick had the same markings. So, I took it to their home and we realized the key to restoring the bow wasn’t through any type of incantation; it was my hair.”
“Are you saying that your hair transformed the bow?” Aura nodded. “I know Myra has told you some of us were born beneath the veil.”
“Yes - she tried to explain how, when some of you were born, you received powers from the most gifted angels in Heaven.” “Did she tell you which of us were born under the veil?” “She said Rita, Jessica, Bren, Tracy, Acadia, you and one other were chosen.” “Let’s not forget Shannon. She was blessed with the gift of sight, while she was still mortal. No one really knows how powerful she will become or who’s veil she was born under. Though some of us believe, it may have been my grandmother Alice. Did my mother or Myra tell you which of the angels removed our veils?”
“I know about the others, but they didn’t tell me who removed your veil. I wondered if it was a secret.”
Aura laughed. “They didn’t tell you, because you probably wouldn’t have believed them.”
“I’m sure I don’t understand. Did they not trust me to know the truth?” “They trust you completely, as do I, or I wouldn’t be telling you this now. My veil was removed by God. He came to me on the day I was born. My father said it’s the only time he’s ever left Heaven. He gave me this pendant.” Aura removed the necklace from under her shirt and showed it to Mahlyssa. Made of a blue diamond, a sun, star and moon, sat atop a pair of pristine white angel wings.
“My parents told me never to remove the pendant and never to cut my hair. I can only imagine that this necklace must have some form of protection.” Aura then showed Mahlyssa her ring. It was made in the same image as the charm she wore around her neck.
“I don’t yet understand the powers behind these gifts, but I can tell you that once the ring touched my finger, I could feel the strength of it. I can communicate with my daughter Alorrah, now. You probably know that my daughter and her cousin Alexis have been imprisoned in Hell since Lucifer’s exile.”
“Myra told me about your children. I’m so sorry, Aura.” “Lucifer also ca ptured my greatgrandfather, Fionn. He is Esra’s husband. Because Esra gave him her blood, Lucifer has been able to keep him alive. Fionn is part mortal and he has been beaten regularly for over a hundred and fifty years.” Aura had to take in a breath. She felt the tears slipping down her cheeks, but was helpless to stop them from falling. Sensing her sadness, Mahlyssa reached out and wiped away her tears. She then placed a caring hand on her arm.
“Lucifer wants Alorrah to use her powers to help him to de clare war on Heaven again. But Fionn made her promise never to submit to his demands, regardless of how much he was tortured. Having Alorrah turn her back on Heaven, was a far greater price to pay, than the torture that Lucifer could subject him to.”
“What has this got to do with me?” Mahlyssa asked softly. “We’ve never understood the meaning of the message that God spoke to my parents, until now. When I was with the twins, my hair happened to touch the stick, causing it to transform into the bow before our eyes. I raised it to Heaven and asked our Lord Father to please take it and awaken Bodhi from his sleep. We didn’t know if it worked, but I had a vision and a few hours later Bodhi was here.” “I still don’t understand what I can do to help you.”
“We’ve kept Bodhi’s awakening a secret, for fear that Lucifer would destroy the other sacred gifts and I would never be able to release my family from Hell. As far as Lucifer knows, the bow is still lost.”
“You want to make sure that Aidan doesn’t say anything t o Jeziel or Natalie. Would you have me use a spell to keep your secret? We all realize that Aidan has grown closer to Jeziel. No one will blame you for not trusting him.”
“My visions have confirmed that Natalie and Jeziel are both following Lucifer, and Aidan may be the next to turn his back on his father and Heaven. I’ve asked Dareus and Aureus to make a forgery of the bow. I would like you to place a spell on the forgery, so that w
hen the bow comes in contact with their hair, it will be transformed intoBodhi’s bow. Are you capable of producing such a spell?”
Mahlyssa smiled. “Of course I can. I will need a piece of hair from each of them, and you’ll have to describe in detail what the bow looked like after it was restored.”
“I should be able to cast a projection from my visions. Dareus and his brother are supposed to bring the forgery over this evening before the rehearsal dinner. We can collect a piece of their hair then.”
“Why do you need the forgery? Why can’t you just keep the return of the bow asecret?” “Once the forgery is ready, I intend for Jeziel to see the bow transform into the sacred gift when it interacts with the hair of Dareus and Aureus. Jeziel will notify Samhael, who will notify Lucifer. I plan to leave the forgery where one of Lucifer’s fallen will have access to it.”
“Aura, if Jeziel sees that the hair of your friends transforms the bow, it will put their lives in jeopardy,” Mahlyssa said
apprehensively.
“I know, but it’s a risk they’re willing to take. There is a prophecy which may give them some protection. I can’t tell you about it, because I made a promise, not to discuss it with anyone else.”
“Those young men are certain this is what they want? It could cost them their lives.” “They will do whatever it takes to bring my family home. I would expect you to understand more than anyone else what it’s like to be imprisoned. Your fathers curse held you for forty years. Alorrah and Alexis have been there since Lucifer declared war on Heaven,” she said, as another tear fell down her cheek.
Mahlyssa wiped the tear with her hand and spoke softly. “I will do anything I can to help you.” “Thank you. I plan to leave the bow out in the open to draw Jeziel to it. If all goes well, my daughter will be home soon. When Lucifer realizes that I have played him for a fool, he will want retribution. But I am confident that the Lord Father has given me enough power to protect all of us. Perhaps when this is all said and done, Lucifer will know what it feels like to be a prisoner. I believe in the prophecies of Esra. This one will have a happy ending.”
Mahlyssa hugged Aura once more and the two of them left the library. They had a few hours until they needed to get dressed for the rehearsal dinner.
While she was speaking to Mahlyssa, Phillipe Devereaux came to the house to speak to Paul. “I’m afraid they aren’t home now,” Eve said. “They’re at the other colonies updating the governor’s on the situation. You can use the phone in the den to call Charisse. I’m sure she must be worried about you. You may want to tell your sister, that Jeziel and Natalie know that you’re here. She will want to keep Desiree away from Meredith and Natalie, if she wants to protect her unborn grandson,” Eve warned.
Eve showed Phillipe where the den was and left him to check on the little ones. Given the time change, Charisse and Desiree should be just waking up. When the phone rang, Phillipe was grateful that his sister-inlaw answered it. “Charisse, I trust that you and Desiree are still safe?”
“Phillipe, I’ve been worried sick. I thought you were supposed to call me. It’s been days. Is everything alright?”
“Marie and the girls are safe. How are you and Desiree? Has Meredith or Natalie tried to contact either of you?” “No they don’t even know about this island. I’ve been keeping Desiree busy setting up the nursery for the baby. I think she is further along than we originally thought. She is already showing signs of birth. If she lasts another two days, I’ll be surprised.”
“You can’t let her see Meredit h or Natalie, even after the baby is born. Natalie is so close to Lucifer’s daughter; I’m not even sure that Meredith will be safe now.”
“What do you mean? Natalie would never allow anyone to hurt Meredith. She has been like a mother to the girl.” “Nata lie is even darker than her father. If Jeziel stops trusting Meredith, Natalie won’t dare disagree with her. I was a fool to trust Richard. All this time he was speaking of how life would be better without the Guild. They care about us. They opened their homes and their hearts to us, which was more than we deserved. Marie and the girls are staying here with me, until Jeziel and Natalie are dealt with.”
“Did the Guild make you hold the feather of trust?” “Yes and mercifully I passed their test. I’m sti ll concerned about this baby. If Desiree goes back to them and they have any influence over the child, he will be lost to Heaven, forever. Have you had any luck trying to make Desiree see how dangerous they are?”
“She hasn’t asked about them as much since we came here, but I still think she’s planning to contact Meredith after the child is born.” “You have to tell her they will turn the baby against her and raise him to follow the path to Hell.” “I’m worried about her Phillipe. I would be a fool not to be . She knew what Richard was and she didn’t care. All of this might be for nothing. Desiree still blames the Guild for killing Richard. She won’t forgive them. I’ve tried to talk to her about it, but she refuses to listen. Do you think she will take the child and leave after he’s born?”
“I can’t answer that. If she does leave with the child, I want you to come here. It’s the only way I can guarantee your safety. They will welcome you, just like they welcomed us. If Desiree leaves, we may not be able to save her or the child.”
“She’s my daughter Phillipe. I can’t just turn my back on her.” “If she aligns herself with Natalie and Jeziel, you may not have a choice. Meredith has had her appearance altered. There’s a good chance that Natalie has changed her appearance too. Aura also said that Natalie and Samhael have gotten colder. I don’t have to tell you how dangerous he is.”
“I’ll try again to reason with Desiree. Let’s wait and see what happens after the baby is born. Perhaps then, she will reconsider and will agree to keep them out of her life.”
“Stay in touch. If they should happen to show up there, get out as quickly as you can. Lucifer knows about the child. I don’t have to tell you how he feels about a male heir. He will stop at nothing to protect the infant; even if it means disposing of his mother.”
“How could we have let this happen? I know Desiree didn’t love Caspian, but he would have never strayed from the light. Do you think Desiree is already fallen because of her relationship with Richard?”
“Infidelity is a crime against Heaven. The Guild could make Desiree accountable for her indiscretions, if they were obliged to. They are more than fair, but she would have to show them she was under Richard’s influence. I’m not sure she’s prepared to do that, considering she blames the Guild for his death.”
“The child will be here soon. I’ll know more then. Perhaps we are worrying for nothing,” Charisse said.
“Having a child with Lucifer’s blood, is cause to worry.” “Let’s hope the boy will take the same path as Loralei. There is always hope Phillipe.”
“I’ll be in touch. Stay safe and if you have need of anything, the Guild is always here.”
“Thank you. You’ve always been like a brother to me. I won’t ever forget that,” Charisse said. When Phillipe left the den, he returned to the sanctuary to give Marie an update. “Is Charisse alright? Has Natalie or Meredith been in contact with them at all?”Marie asked.
“No, and I told her she has to do everything she can, to keep Desiree away from them. Her life may depend on it.” “I’m sure they’ll be fine. No one else knows about the island but us and we aren’t going to tell them. Try not to think about it for tonight. Let’s have a nice dinner and tomorrow we will have a wedding to celebrate.”
“I may see if you still remember how to dance,” Phillipe joked. “I’ll have you know, I can dance as well today, as I did when we were married.”
He laughed. “That was a party I will never forget.” Yvonne and Yvette came into the room and plopped down on the bed. “We need to go to New York,” Yvonne said. “How are we supposed to go out in public looking like this?” She pointed to the pair of blue jeans and cable knit sweater she was wearing.
“This isn
’t even cashmere? Please Dad, can’t we just go and collect a few of our own outfits? We can be there and back in an hour. Please can we?” Yvette asked.
The girls sounded so pitiful, that Phillipe eventually gave in. “Alright, I don’t see that an hour will do any harm.”
“Paul said we should take a member of the Guild with us, if we leave Aeden,” Marie warned. “The Guild is busy meeting with the other governors and I’m sure their children are preparing for the rehearsal dinner. We’ll be back in an hour or less,” Phillipe insisted.
“We want to look our best too, Mom. Please - we only want to pick out something nice to wear,” Yvette begged. Marie started laughing. “Fine, but we have to hurry. I know how long it takes you girls to get ready and we aren’t going to be late for dinner.”
Both of the girls hugged her. They all joined hands and in seconds, they were outside their estate in New York.
Chapter 26
As soon as Phillipe and his family arrived they hurried into the house. Snow was on the ground, but a path leading to the front entrance had been shoveled.
Phillipe had given the servants some time off to go somewhere warm for a few weeks. As he led the family into the house, the girls followed Marie to the rooms upstairs.
A few minutes later there was a knock on the door. Phillipe was terrified to see that Jeziel, and someone he didn’t recognize, were standing in front of him.
“Aren’t you going to invite us in?” Jeziel asked. Before he could answer, she shoved him inside the house, and instinctively looked around for any danger.
“Where are your servants?” Natalie asked. Phillipe’s voice was shaky as he looked at the stranger. “They’ve been given some time off. What do you want?”
“You don’t recognize me, do you Phillipe?” Natalie teased. “I know who you are, Natalie. You may have had your identity altered again, but there’s no disguising that voice.”
Smack–Natalie slapped him across the face as hard as she could, leaving a red handprint on his cheek. “Where are your wife and daughter’s,” Jeziel asked, pushing Phillipe until he lost his balance, and landed haphazardly across one of the winged chairs in the living room.
Esra's Prohpecy (Book 3 An Angel-blood Novel) Page 19
