Wounded Wings (Cupid Chronicles)

by Allen, Shauna

  The officer stood still as a statue. No one seemed to breathe. Elijah could do nothing but stare as Michael’s entire body began to pulse with a singular pearlescent aura.

  One he recognized.

  Elijah’s brain immediately drained of all blood and he withered into the closest chair. How could the Sheriff not see that?

  A fresh pain lanced his heart at all he was missing in his work for Father. He glanced up. Michael’s work?

  “. . . I suppose,” he heard the Sheriff say, his expression much less angry.

  He’d missed their conversation, but he knew the angelic intention Michael used. Something lost to him.

  “I’m sure it’s a simple misunderstanding. A paperwork glitch or something,” Michael said with a smile in his voice.

  The Sheriff mumbled a benign agreement, his eyes grazing over Elijah as if he were barely even there. “I didn’t realize you and Eli were old friends.”

  “Oh, sure. Practically brothers. Our fathers are related.” He glanced back and Elijah’s heart tripped over itself at the glimmer he saw in Michael’s eyes. “We just didn’t recognize each other at first when we ran into each other here in New Destiny.” He grinned. “Small world, huh?”

  The Sheriff’s stance relaxed a hair as he seemed to regard him in a new light. “Indeed.”

  “Well.” Michael interrupted his scrutiny, his glow intensifying. “I do believe I saw Miz Delaney down at the diner and she was asking about you.” He waited until he had the Sheriff’s attention again. “Were you going to be joining her for breakfast this morning?” Pause. “I’ll stay here and keep Eli company.”

  They stood eyeball to eyeball, silent. Determination and protectiveness against angelic intention.

  Divine mission won out.

  The Sheriff finally tipped his head. “I believe I will.” He turned to Elijah. “I’ll be watching.”

  In other words: Don’t do anything stupid.

  It may already be too late for that, but Elijah nodded anyway. “Goodbye, Sheriff.”

  They waited, stone silent, as the Sheriff saw himself out.

  Elijah spoke first, his voice shaking. “Do you have a prophecy for me as well, Brother?”

  Michael’s brows dipped slightly, then his shimmer lit the room, making Elijah squint against the light. “I’m no prophet, Elijah. That was my brother, Jophiel’s, mission with the Pastor for both of your healing.” His eyes seemed to delve right into the soul Elijah would swear he no longer had. “It seems to have done the trick.”

  The glow dimmed and Elijah studied the man before him, his mind unclear, his heart swirling with hope. “But . . . Aren’t you . . .?”

  Michael’s eyes didn’t waver. “You know what I am, Brother. But my mission is not of prophecy.” He blinked, pulsing with luminosity.

  “Then what?” Did Father have a message for him? Surely not Crossovers . . . not yet. That would be too merciful.

  Michael studied him as if taking pity on him. “Love, Elijah. Surely you know. It’s always been love.”

  Michael watched Elijah’s face turn as pale as a fresh set of angel’s wings.

  “What . . . what do you mean?” His voice came out as a pained whisper. “How could that be?” He dropped his head into his hands. “I don’t believe you. You must be a Dark One sent to torture me.”

  Michael let the softness of Father’s love fill every atom of his human vessel. He breathed in as the light flooded his body in a pleasantly warm rush.

  Gratitude filled him. This was the moment. Finally.

  “Elijah.”

  No response as tears coursed down the other man’s face. Silent sobs wracked his body.

  Michael yearned to go to him, but the mission was delicate. He needed to tread very carefully. “Elijah,” he repeated, firmer. “Look at me, Brother.”

  “I’m not your brother.” Wounded eyes snapped up.

  Michael felt his life force dip and resurge. He was doing the right thing. “Well, you may no longer be with us at home, but you will always be a brother in my heart. And Father still loves you. Enough that he sent me and the gift of your true love.”

  Elijah blinked, his eyes still holding disbelief. “True love? How is that possible? I’m fallen because of . . .” He choked, looked away. “Because of my love for a human. I broke a commandment.” He fixed his gaze back on Michael, the unspoken entreaty in his eyes to be contradicted shining clearly. “There is no redemption for that. We both know this.”

  Michael allowed his wings to unfurl, their essence lighting up the entire apartment like a strobe light.

  Elijah blinked against the brightness, then his eyes filled with fresh tears. But Michael knew he needed to be reminded of what he’d lost in order to embrace the gift of his future.

  “Elijah, Brother . . .” He held up a hand to stop Elijah’s interruption. “What you’re failing to understand is that you have no need of redemption.” He waited a beat as his words registered.

  “Wha—?”

  “You broke no commandments and Father has never been angry.” He gentled his tone and his light. “You were the only one punishing yourself, Elijah. And you’re the only one who can forgive yourself.”

  A myriad of emotions played across Elijah’s face. Denial. Shock. Fear. Hope. Despair.

  “But . . .”

  “But, what?” Michael asked, hoping against hope that he would understand. That he would accept this gift.

  “Sarah. I loved her. I did break the commandment. Surely—”

  Michael’s heart broke a little at the crushed expression on Elijah’s face. He’d tortured himself all this time for no reason. But he needed to understand. It was meant to be. All of it. “No. You simply saw Sarah’s purity of spirit and loved her like you would a fellow brother or sister, Elijah, because she was so close to crossing over. It wasn’t sexual or romantic.” He studied his eyes, searching for understanding. “Surely you feel the difference now that you have your soulmate.”

  Elijah bolted out of his chair. “My what?” His eyes grew wide, frightened. “Angels don’t have soulmates. What are you saying?” He stopped, ran a hand through his hair. “Wait. What am I talking about? I’m so confused. I’m not . . . I’m no longer an angel.”

  Michael’s angelic heart ached painfully. But he could not lie. He wouldn’t. “No, you’re not. And you were never meant to be, Elijah.”

  Shocked, pained eyes flew to his. “I . . . what?” His words floated out on a coarse whisper.

  Michael bowed his head. How could this be Father’s plan? But he knew he couldn’t question it. It wasn’t his place. He took a breath, steadied his light, and met Elijah’s gaze. “I’m sorry, Brother. But Father always has a perfect plan, and He knew you were meant for this world.” He exhaled. “Not the Heavenlies.”

  “I see.”

  “I’m glad.” Michael smiled.

  Elijah’s face steeled, his eyes full of determination. Father was miraculous, His plan so perfect. He should’ve known— “Well, then, I suppose there’s no more to say.”

  “What . . . what do you mean?” Michael felt his light threatening to choke him.

  Elijah spun on his heel and grabbed his keys, wallet, and the cash Michael had just returned. He shifted to face him again, his gaze crystal clear. “I’ve spent these last months feeling trapped between two worlds. Now I know why. But I think I just don’t really fit into either one.” He snagged his jacket and brushed past to the front door.

  Even Michael felt the hum of electricity as his life force stretched out and enveloped him. But it snapped back as Elijah opened the door and faced him.

  “I appreciate what you’re trying to do here. What Father has tried to do. But I’m just not worthy. I’m afraid I won’t be seeing you again, Brother.” He stepped out
and closed the door without even a goodbye, and Michael’s heart nearly burst with pain.

  Chapter 33

  Three months later . . .

  Delaney plopped cross-legged on Naomi’s bed. “So, you’re really gonna do it? You’re really gonna move all the way to big, bad Californ-i-a?”

  Naomi glanced up from the box she was packing with her delicate knickknacks. She caressed the porcelain dolphin in her hand that Paul had given her the first Christmas she’d lived with them when he found out she loved the ocean. She swallowed and choked back the tears. She’d shed enough. “Yes. And California isn’t that far. It’s time for me to use my nursing degree.”

  Delaney huffed out a breath. “What am I gonna do without you?”

  Naomi rolled her eyes. “Continue to screw my best friend?”

  “Well, who’s gonna commiserate with me when he acts like a jackass?”

  “True.” Naomi placed her last pretty in the box and closed the flaps. “But you are always welcome to visit, and there is such a thing as a cell phone.” She smiled.

  Delaney flopped back. “I still can’t believe you’re going to deal with sick kids every day. Seeing Emma go through that was hard enough.” She rolled over and eyed Naomi. “How’re you gonna do that?”

  Naomi glanced out the window and shrugged. She truly had no idea. She just knew that Emma was the one who had inspired her to apply for the pediatric oncology nursing position in the first place. That, and she needed a fresh start as far from New Destiny as possible, and California seemed as good a place as any. Maybe the fresh air and the surf would be good for her heart and soul. It surely couldn’t hurt.

  She was glad to see Vi so happy now that she’d found Sam. She was. Retirement obviously suited her. If only she could find her own heart’s home.

  “Well,” Delaney continued, oblivious to her tumbling thoughts. “Beau and I want to take you out to dinner before you go. Get you rip-roaring drunk. Who knows? Maybe we can find you a hot guy and get you laid.” She giggled.

  Naomi bowed her head. Shoved the hurt back. “Sounds good. The dinner part anyway.”

  “What? Don’t want any hot monkey sex?”

  She spun slowly. “Uh, no. Thanks.”

  Delaney studied her face. “You still hung up on Eli?” She rose and put an arm around her shoulder. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I wasn’t thinking. But, really, maybe it’s for the best he left town. What did you really know about him?”

  That I loved him.

  “Apparently not enough.”

  “Exactly. Let him go.”

  Unbidden, tears filled her eyes. “I can’t.”

  She sank to the bed and Delaney tucked her into her arms as she sobbed. “God, I’m such an idiot . . .” She sniffled. “Beau told me he’s probably not dangerous, but that he couldn’t find anything about him before two years ago.” She gazed into Delaney’s eyes. “Why would that be?”

  Delaney stroked the damp hair back from her cheek. “Oh, hon, I don’t know. Probably not good.”

  Naomi nodded. “You’re right.” Hiccup. “But I guess it doesn’t matter anyway. He’s gone.”

  “I know, Naomi. I know.” Delaney held her and let her cry it out, as she mentally rewound every touch, every glance, every word they’d shared.

  Why couldn’t she forget?

  Why wasn’t the pain easing?

  I haven’t always been a human.

  She squeezed her eyes shut against the haunting words, denying them.

  Eventually her cries eased down to sniffles and she was limp. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. You needed to get that out. Honestly, I was wondering when you’d get around to it. You’ve been holding it in for a long time now.”

  She nodded and eased away. “Well. Thank you.” She glanced at the bedside clock. “Don’t you have to get to work?”

  Delaney checked her watch, a nice little gold number Beau had given her for her birthday, and hopped up. “Oh, hell’s bells! You’re right. Mrs. Parmer is coming in for her color touch-up.” She grinned mischievously. “Maybe the poor woman will pick a color besides fire-engine red this time. It sure doesn’t suit her.”

  Naomi couldn’t stifle the laugh. “Why don’t you just tell her?”

  “What? And blow my tip? The woman wants red, she gets red. I’m just doing my job.”

  “Remind me of that next time I come in for a haircut.”

  Delaney waved and headed out with a giggle.

  Naomi grabbed a quick turkey sandwich then got back to packing, stifling every single, solitary thought of Eli Smith that tried to worm its way into her brain.

  An hour later, as she was going through her kitchen utensils, the hair on the back of her arms suddenly stood on end as premonition flooded her body. She glanced at the front door.

  Three seconds passed in utter silence.

  Then the knock.

  Her heart tripped over itself as her stomach filled with ice. Adrenalin poured through her system.

  She rose on wobbly legs and felt the world tilt beneath her.

  She didn’t have to look to know who was there. She just knew.

  Chapter 34

  Elijah could hardly believe he was back in New Destiny, Arizona, much less standing at Naomi’s door.

  He’d made it all the way to California, Michael’s words eating a hole in his heart, but like a yo-yo, he’d been snapped back.

  Three months of reflection and he kept circling back to the same place. Time after time, like a merry-go-round . . .

  You were meant for this world . . . Not the Heavenlies.

  Love, Elijah. Surely you know. It’s always been love.

  As much as he hadn’t wanted to accept it, as much as he wanted to punish himself, he couldn’t deny the truth of Michael’s words.

  Every single sun rise on the road, every innocent smile from a child, each beautiful thing in Father’s world, reminded him, in living color, that he was meant for this place. And that was okay. Especially since this world included the thing he loved the very most.

  He faced her, his heart bleeding right into his chest, when the door cracked open, her emerald eyes shimmering uncertainly.

  “Naomi,” he said, his voice a gruff whisper. He swallowed. “Hi.”

  She didn’t budge. “What are you doing here?”

  “Please,” he pleaded when he saw the alarm fill her eyes. “Don’t be scared. I’d never hurt you.” God, please let her believe me.

  “Why are you here, Eli?”

  He breathed in. Out. So thankful she wasn’t slamming the door in his face. “You can call me Elijah. If you want. That’s my full name.”

  Her eyes softened momentarily, then they turned wary again. “Why are you telling me this now?”

  “Because . . .” He longed to reach out, but he tucked his hands in his pockets instead. “I’m sorry I hid so much from you. But I had my reasons. And I’m here to tell you the truth.” He held her gaze. “Everything.”

  She tilted her head. “Everything?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  He took a tiny step forward. Her eyes flicked down then up and he knew she was deciding if she could trust him. He was happy to see her come to the decision that she could. “Because you deserve the truth, Naomi.”

  She hesitated only a couple moments, then she swung open the door. “Don’t make me regret this, Eli . . .” She eyeballed him. “Elijah.” She said his name like she was trying it on for size and he liked how his full angelic name rolled off her tongue.

  He followed her into the living room, swallowing his nerves. He’d come this far, he’d see it through.

  She waved him toward the couch, but he shook his head. H
e was too wired to sit. Apparently she was, too, so they stared at each other from opposite sides of the room like fighters squared off for a bout.

  “So?” she finally said.

  “So . . .” he murmured, now unsure where to start. How do you explain being a fallen angel?

  She arched a delicate brow. “Why don’t you start with why you don’t seem to have existed before two years ago?”

  Oh, Father, here goes nothing . . .

  “Well . . . I did exist. Just not here.”

  “Here, as in Arizona?”

  He tucked his hands back in his pockets. “No. Earth.”

  Her face paled as her mouth fell open. “I . . . You . . .” She turned around, then spun back. “Okay, that’s it. You need to get the hell out. You are crazy.”

  He stepped toward her, but she took a huge leap back, bumping into the coffee table and knocking over a candleholder. “Don’t touch me! Get. Out!”

  “Please, Naomi.” He stopped so he wouldn’t frighten her. “Just listen to me!”

  She stared at him through wide, frightened eyes. “Why should I listen to you?”

  “Because—because I love you more than life itself.” His words were quiet, but they echoed in the room like a thunderclap.

  And with that she absolutely wilted, her body crumpling to the ground in a folded heap, her golden hair hiding her face, sobs wracking her body.

  He knelt down, unsure if he should touch her, but unable to stop himself. He gently stroked her back, running his fingers through the hair that had haunted his dreams for the last three months.

  “Naomi,” he pleaded. “Please.”

  She shook her head. “Just go, Elijah. I can’t do this.”

  His heart caught at her use of his name. “Can’t do what?”

  She lifted her head and peered into his eyes. The pain he was causing her nearly crushed him. “Let you break my heart again.” She swiped at her eyes. “All this talk of not being human . . . it’s crazy!”