Echo of an Earth Angel (The Earth Angel Trilogy: #1)

by Sarah M. Ross

  “How do BLT’s sound? Grab the chips and a couple of Pepsis and we’ll eat on the back porch. It’s a beautiful day.” Andre whistled merrily as she continued to stand and stare. “I hope you don’t mind. I figured we were both hungry and I love to cook, so I took the initiative. Oh, and I grabbed your mail from the box on my way in. It’s on the counter.”

  “I’m sorry, but I need this Crazy Train backed up. There are so many things wrong with this scene and have so many questions I don’t even know where to begin.”

  “I promise all will be discussed over food. Grab that stuff and meet me.” Andre turned and left, giving Tessa no choice but to comply and follow. How did she lose control over this situation? And why did she feel like a stranger in her home?

  Andre wouldn’t allow any questions until at least half of her sandwich were gone, annoying Tessa at first. But as soon as she tasted her first bite of the crisp bacon mingling with the juicy tomato and creamy mayo, she couldn’t stop. She piled a big handful of Doritos onto her plate and finished her entire sandwich before she realized it and was quickly conquering the chips.

  “Now?” she asked in between bites.

  “Alright. Now is good. David and I met about twenty five years ago. We were both volunteering at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, DC. While I was there on official business, David was doing his own thing. It’s funny, I almost turned him in that day. I healed a marine who served two tours in the Gulf War when David first arrived. All the staff thought I was his kid, and because no other family visited and he was unconscious, no one was the wiser. I didn’t know David was rogue at first, but all of a sudden he healed one of the nurses. Not a vet, not any of the guys on my list, but this first year nurse who fumbled around and barely spoke above a whisper. All the other nurses gave her a hard time and since she was the newest, she got all the grunt work. Even me, an angel and supposedly full of compassion ignored her for the most part.”

  Andre shoved an entire sandwich in his overflowing mouth and took a giant swig of Pepsi to wash it all down, which caused her nose to wrinkle in disgust. Boys were so gross. “But David, he walked up to her giving her his biggest smile and introduced himself. The poor girl was so flustered she dropped a whole tray of meds. David knelt down and helped her pick them up, then took her to lunch. It wasn’t romantic, just friendly. The poor girl didn’t have any other friends. Over the next few days, David kept showing up, and I could see when he took her arm or hugged her goodbye he healed her. Turns out, she had undiagnosed case of Huntington’s chorea. With all those doctors and nurses around her, no one noticed the symptoms but David. It’s what caused her to be so clumsy. It was the muscle weakness and involuntary movements that are a side effect of the disease.

  I talked to David about it after our short time there was over. I went to Heaven to inquire about the girl because I was so intrigued by what David did. That’s when I realized she wasn’t supposed to be healed. She was supposed to die in a few short years from the awful disease.”

  “Did she die?” Tessa interrupted.

  “Yes, eventually. It’s a fatal disease. David couldn’t save her from it, but he took away a lot of her early suffering and allowed her to live a few more years pain free before it progressed too far.”

  Tessa beamed hearing how sweet and amazing David was, although she missed him that much more. “And that’s how you two became friends? How did you find out he was a rogue?”

  “Well, when I checked on her in Heaven and discovered she wasn’t supposed to be healed, it became obvious David was rogue. No one else would have helped her.”

  “And you didn’t turn him in?”

  “After we left Walter Reed, he stopped me. He knew what I was, and it didn’t stop him from sticking to his convictions even when he knew it could get him into the worst kind of trouble. I respected him for that. We went to lunch one day and he told me about his work and how he was helping those who needed it most. I heard him out, understanding where he was coming from even though it wasn’t allowed, and told him I wouldn’t turn him in. He wasn’t out there trying to save lives who were supposed to move on, but easing a bit of suffering. How could I fault him? So over the years, we’ve run into each other from time to time and became friends. Or at least the closest thing you can have when you’re on the run.”

  “Well, thank you for not turning him in. If you had, I wouldn’t be here now.”

  “I can see why he saved you, ya know? I think you’re going to make a big splash with the angels.”

  Tessa laughed as she imagined the scene. If she ever made it to Heaven she knew she was in a lot of trouble.

  “Okay, so I know how you and David met, but let’s get down to brass tacks. How are you going to help me get him back? And how are you so familiar with my house?”

  “Let me answer the second part of that question first. It’s funny really—I still can’t believe it myself.”

  “Believe what?” Tessa’s impatience grew and now that she finally found Andre she was anxious to start on Mission: Rescue David.

  “I’ve actually been in Pittsburgh on assignment for the last few months. And while I was here—“ Andre stopped talking when the front door opened. Standing up to see who it was, Tessa smiled widely as she heard a familiar voice.

  “Hey girl, heeyy,” Morgan called in her sassiest voice. “Guess who got sprung a day early?”

  Tessa ran to greet her and hugged her fiercely. This was perfect. Morgan was back and safe, and she found Andre. Everything was falling into place. “Oh I’m so glad your home! How’s your leg? Do you need to sit down and put it up? I’m sure that cast must be heavy.”

  “I sat for the last several days. I need to stand for a bit. Thanks to my dad, he convinced them to put me right into a walking cast so I don’t even need crutches. And he promised to stay the night with me tonight so I could sleep in my own bed. It’s cool with you, right? He’ll take one of the guest rooms.”

  “Of course! I’m just so happy your home. And I have someone I want you to meet.” Tessa turned, but Andre wasn’t there so she led Morgan to the patio gently. “Morgan, this is—“

  “Andre?”

  “You know Andre?”

  “Hey Morgan. I’m so glad you’re feeling better.”

  Both of them were talking at once was making Tessa’s head spin. “Wait, time out. Morgan how do you know Andre?”

  “How do you know him? Did he come here looking for me or something?” She turned to Andre and put her hand on her hip, a sure sign the sass was about to be unleashed. “Maybe if you returned a text or phone call every once in a while you’d know where to find me you jerk!”

  “I think I’m getting a headache. Someone better start making sense,” Tessa grumbled.

  “Tessa, Andre is my boyfriend. Or at least he was until he vanished and didn’t even bother to call when I was almost killed.”

  Andre nodded while Tessa’s jaw dropped to the ground. They all slid into chairs and took a moment to process. Light bulbs went off for Tessa as all the pieces fell into place, but before anyone could get any further the front door opened again.

  “That must be my dad,” Morgan explained, “I’ll send him out to get food so we can talk for a bit.” Instead of getting up, she texted him a pizza order. He called out saying he’d be back and left once more.

  “I made him get Beto’s since it’s a half hour away. Luckily, I’m still getting sympathy for the accident. That gives us a good hour to talk. Andre, you need to start by telling me where you’ve been for the last three days. How could you not come to the hospital when I almost died?”

  Andre scooted over toward Morgan and took her hands, kissing each one gently. “I’m so sorry. I was out of town when it happened, and by the time I heard, I couldn’t get back right away. I know I’ve been a jerk, and I’m sorry. I did call the hospital and checked on your progress every day, and I just got back into town today. I can only apologize for my terrible behavior and don’t expect you to forgi
ve me.”

  “It’s a start, but you have a lot more work to do if you want to get back in my good graces.” Morgan sounded firm and resolved, but Tessa could tell she was melting inside. She never could stay mad at anyone.

  “There’s probably something else I should tell you, especially after everything Tessa told me.” Andre took a deep breath and Morgan glanced between him and Tessa with confusion. “I am not human like you. Though I’m not a Healer, I’m an angel like David and now Tessa. I was away in Heaven on business when you were hurt. That’s why I couldn’t get back. When I met Tessa earlier, I knew what she was, and we’re going to work on getting David back. That’s why I came here today. I didn’t know she was your roommate until we arrived at the house.”

  “You’re still not here to see me?” Morgan asked, deflated.

  “Of course I wanted to see you, but I ran into Tessa first.”

  Morgan gave him the evil eye to let him know his excuse wasn’t flying.

  “I was going to call you today, but I needed to deal with Tessa before she did something so monumentally stupid she would get taken away.” He shot daggers in Tessa’s direction, angry that trying to help save her butt was getting him into hot water. “Babe, you know I wanted to be with you, but a few things came up that took priority over visiting my girlfriend. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you when you needed me. I wanted to be, trust me. I just couldn’t.”

  “I almost died. I was kidnapped. That crazy freak wanted me to be his wife. All of that sucked, but you know what the worst part was? You lied to me. You’ve been lying to me this whole time.” Morgan’s anger was turning to hurt, and her eyes dampened despite her rapid blinking to clear them.

  “It wasn’t something I could start a conversation with. ‘Hey, I’m Andre. I think you’re really pretty. Let’s go out sometime. Oh, and I’m not human.’ And besides, I wasn’t allowed to tell you anyway.”

  “I know that, but you lied. And I hate lying and even worse, being lied to. I understand your reasons, but I don’t like that it happened. Tessa told me as soon as she became a Healer. You don’t see me freaking out about it or running to the National Enquirer, do you?” Morgan used a napkin to wipe her eyes and blow her nose.

  “She broke the rules. She wasn’t supposed to tell anyone, but because of her unique situation she didn’t know any better.”

  Tessa stepped in, hoping to bring them back to the main topic. “Listen, here’s what’s important: figuring out a way to find and get David back. You can argue over the shoulda, woulda, couldas later. David’s in trouble. He could be suffering tremendously right now and we’re talking about pizza and who should’ve called who. Priorities people!”

  And with that, Tessa walked around to the front of the house and sat on the porch swing where she first met David. She needed to think.

  After David surrendered, Nico took out his frustrations on him throughout their journey and ascension to Heaven to face the Ducibus. David began to regret his decision to turn himself in, but it was fleeting. After he left Tessa, Nico insisted on taking the “long way” into Heaven. Unfortunately, this was not a quiet, scenic tour. It included several stops at the favorite hangouts of other angels—Hunters, Healers, Guardians, Enforcers—so Nico could brag about his capture. The others weren’t as cruel, but Nico made up for it. Nico dragged David around by the chains that cut deeply into his neck, arms, and legs for several days. He was deprived of food and water—not that he needed it, but just to be cruel Nico would eat a really great steak or plate of pasta in front of David, letting the aroma tantalize him. He made David sleep on the ground in the coldest spots like Alaska and Siberia. His clothes were torn to shreds, severe frostbite lingered on his fingers, toes, and nose, and even with his advanced healing powers several cuts, bruises, and scrapes remained.

  ***

  When Nico and David arrived at the proverbial pearly gates, David felt no relief. He knew this was when the real torture began. But no matter what Nico or anyone put him though, all of it was worth it if it meant Tessa was free and unharmed. He’d endure it all again to keep her safe. The small area where he waited reminded David of an airport. It was not the serene, calm cloud with a winged St. Peter at the helm like most people assumed. Instead, it was filled with people coming and going to their destinations, sometimes not willingly. Other angels zipped along going about their duties or travelling to and from various assignments. Nico dragged David to a vacant holding area and waited to be called in. They didn’t need to check in with anyone, it was known they’d arrived the moment they set foot across the threshold. Now, they simply waited their turn.

  “I’d really appreciate if you’d stop kicking me. Ouch, and slapping me on the back of the head too. I’m in chains, and I came quietly. You could be nicer.”

  “I could, but where’s the fun in that?” Nico sneered. His mood was especially sour, and David suspected it was something to do with Morgan, but Nico was tightlipped about it and only spoke if it was to brag or scowl. David didn’t work up a sweat worrying about it however; Nico did his duty and David could finally be free of the little prick.

  “Gee, with our vacation over I sure will miss you. Don’t forget to write.” David stepped forward in an attempt to face the Ducibus alone, but Nico yanked him back causing him to be thrown to the ground. When he tried to stand, Nico held him down.

  “We’re not done here, boy. I’m not letting you out of my sight until I’ve turned you over and collected my rewards.”

  “Then let’s get this over with.” The sooner David’s punishment started, the sooner he’d be released to see Tessa again.

  “And after I do I think I’ll go back to see your little girlfriend and tell her all about it. Including the real reason you defected. You know what they say about relationships: honesty is the best policy.”

  “I swear to all that is holy, Nico: you even set foot in the same town as her, and I will have your head.” David’s anger bubbled up as he fought against his restraints.

  “And how do you plan to stop me from purgatory? Curse me to death? Many have already tried. Besides, I have to go back now that my wife is healed. I thank you for bringing her back to me by the way. I thought she’d passed on. Now we can be together as it was destined. Once I find a way to turn her immortal, we’ll never again be apart. Together, we’ll collect more powers than you could ever imagine and be envied and admired by all.”

  “How crazy are you? Seriously, did you fall and hit your head? Stop by Mexico and smoke some peyote or something?” David taunted, awarding him more kicks to his already healing broken ribs. “Kick me all you want, those heal. You can’t fix crazy. And you, sir, are bat shit crazy.”

  Nico picked David up by the neck, threw him back to the ground and unleashed his anger. He pummeled David, who was helpless to defend himself with the chains attached. They were specially blessed for prisoners and prevented him from using any of his enhanced strength or abilities. David dodged the blows the best he could, but Nico was relentless. After a sharp knee to the kidneys, David doubled over in pain. Nico used the position to his advantage and landed an uppercut to the jaw, breaking it.

  “Enough,” a voice bellowed. Another angel emerged from the darkness. Nico stopped his assault. “Nico Berelli, you’re acting like a child. This does very little to award you brownie points to return to our good graces.”

  “My apologies, Ezekiel. The prisoner attempted to escape, and I restrained him. I momentarily forgot myself. It won’t happen again.”

  “In your anger, do not sin.” Ezekiel chided.

  “Don’t quote the Bible to me. I already said I was sorry. It was his fault anyway, he was baiting me.”

  “I’ve known David here for longer than you’ve been alive, and I highly doubt Mr. Allegri was doing anything that would warrant such treatment.” Ezekiel took several long, slow strides toward David and offered a hand to help him up. “It’s good to see you again, old friend, even if it is under these circumstances.”
/>
  David couldn’t speak with a broken jaw, so he tipped his head in acknowledgement. Seeing the injury, Ezekiel brought his hands to David and healed the break within a few moments while Nico looked on, grinding his teeth in frustration.

  “You don’t know what I’ve been through to capture him. He’s no longer the innocent flower you remember. These measures were drastic, but warranted.”

  David was glad Ezekiel was there, if anyone was going to see through Nico’s BS, it was him. “You may leave us, Hunter. Your duty is finished.”

  Nico hemmed and hawed, not wanting to leave before collecting his rewards, but he was outranked. He shuffled off muttering under his breath. David smiled. Ezekiel was his mentor and friend long ago, and he missed his guidance. “And you, my friend. You’re a sight for sore eyes—literally.” David pointed to his blackened, swollen eye and chuckled.

  Ezekiel clapped him on the back. “I wish you’d have come to me before making the choices you did. I could have helped see you through your crisis of faith.” He paused for a second, hung his shoulders, and sighed. “But, alas, the time for wishes and wants has passed and now you must face the consequences.”

  “It wasn’t a crisis of faith. My faith never faltered. It was a difference of opinions. I’ve made mistakes since then, I admit. Sudden free will was overwhelming, and I went too far. But I accept the consequences and will serve my penance. Will you at least put in a good word for leniency?” David wasn’t opposed to serving a full sentence, but he worried about leaving Tessa alone for that long with Nico and other Hunters on the loose.