by A. J. Norris
Elliott held Ian’s hand as they walked around their living space in Redeemer Tower for the eight-hundred and sixtieth time. Around the aquamarine healing pool, past the bedding platform, again and again. Ian loved it and showed no signs of wanting to stop. However, every time they neared the edge of the building’s inner shaft, Amalya’s breath caught in the back of her throat and her heart jackhammered.
“Oh Deus, don’t get so close, he could—”
“Relax, I got him,” Elliott told her.
Ian peeked between his father’s legs and smiled. “It’s okay. I’m not gonna fall.” He glanced up at Elliott. “Right, Dad? I’m not gonna fall, ever.”
“Never, because you know I’ll always have your back.”
Ian giggled. He ran to Amalya, sitting on the end of the bed. She bent down, swooped him up in her arms, and kissed his cheek several times. Her face hurt from smiling.
Elliott smiled too. “You’re so beautiful, sweetheart.”
“And you’re a good dad, so far.”
“Oh, yeah? So far, huh?” He leaned over and kissed her lips then mussed Ian’s dark hair.
“Pater,” their son said, smoothing his hair out with his hands.
“I know, that’s annoying, isn’t it? I don’t like my hair messed with either.” Amalya scrunched her face up at Ian, who did the same and then laughed.
Amalya yawned. She hadn’t slept in hours, maybe days. She struggled with keeping her eyes open, shaking her head and blinking.
“If you’re tired, why don’t you lie down?” Elliott suggested.
“Are you crazy? I don’t want to miss anything.”
“Mater, it’s okay, I’ll still be here when you wake up.”
She put Ian down and he waddled away. His wings had sprouted between his shoulder blades twenty minutes after he was born. The crests of the wings had developed white feathers and blended into the tufts of black downy plumes toward the bottom. Angels with black feathers like hers and Julia’s were unprecedented. No one knew what color his wings would be and they could still change. The short pants he wore shrank and the material grew tighter across his bottom. It took a second before she realized his clothes weren’t smaller, he was bigger.
“How fast is he supposed to grow?” she muttered rhetorically. The prospect frightened her just a little bit. She couldn’t afford a nap.
Despite her fears, Amalya scooted toward the pillows and rested her head, sinking into the velvet covered softness. It was the most fabulous tension easing comfort in the entire universe. If she could rest her eyes for a minute or two…ahhh…that’s better…
Voices murmured over by the sunken pool. Amalya opened her eyes.
Splash!
“Ian?!” She gasped and jumped out of bed.
“Right here.” His voice had a deeper tone, less babyish.
She stopped breathing when the sleepiness left her eyes. How long had she been asleep? Ian was standing in the pool with his hands gripping the lip. The water was three and a half feet deep where he stood. His caramel eyes peeked above the pool’s edge. She guessed Ian’s height at four feet. A sinking feeling that she’d lost more than a few hours weighed her down. Had he been human, years would have passed. What kind of mother would abandon her child for years? Her thoughts went to Brandon, her first task as a Redeemer. His parents had left him at an orphanage. She swallowed hard. Okay, taking a nap wasn’t even close to the same thing and she was being irrational.
“He’s fine,” Joelle said from the other end of the glowing pool. He floated on top of the water with his man junk on display. She’d never get used to all the nakedness up in this mug. Arcadia was so free. Amalya supposed that was a good thing.
“Where’s Dad?” she asked Ian.
“Getting something to eat.”
“Have you not eaten anything?”
“I’ve eaten several times. Are you hungry?”
“I could eat. Yes.”
Wait…several times? Amalya placed her hand over her heart.
“He’s fine.” Joelle moved closer to them, using his arms to stay afloat. She looked at Joelle then at the ceiling. Really? Did he mind or what? Amalya exhaled loudly. He glanced down the length of his body and snorted. “Elliott should be back soon.”
“So what are you guys doing in the pool?”
“My legs were achy, so Jo-Jo was helping me with his light.”
“Growing pains,” Joelle explained.
“Yeah. I could figure that out.”
Joelle put his feet on the bottom of the pool. “Easy, I’m just saying.”
Amalya ignored him and reached her hand down. Ian grabbed her arm and she lifted him out of the pool. His feet kicked, flicking water around. More feathers had grown in. “Look at you, you’re like a prune, and you’re bigger.” Elliott’s wings flapped behind her, interrupting Ian’s giggling.
“It goes quickly, and I think he’s grown since I left.”
Ian looked back and forth between them. “Only a little.”
Elliott set the basket of food down and took a towel out of the bureau. She remembered when he destroyed the previous dresser. Shredded the thing. Her foot had found a splinter and so had another unsuspecting angel’s wing. Her toes curled at the memory of the pain.
Amalya dried Ian off with the towel. Tears welled in her eyes. He lightly touched her cheek.
“Don’t cry, Mater. I love you.”
She sniffled. “I love you too.” Her son was smart and kind. She wondered how she had gotten so lucky, finding love and family after her death. The word family stayed in her mind. Hazel was family too and she’d left her behind. Even as Amalya said goodbye she wondered if it was truly for the last time. Would their paths cross again? She looked at Joelle. She wanted to hate him for the deal he’d made with Deus, but Ian was with them and her heart warmed.
Ian wandered over to Elliott, who knelt next to the wicker basket of food. His father handed him a bowl and spoon. “Are you going to eat with us, Mater?”
“Just a minute, baby,” Amalya replied.
Joelle jumped out of the pool and sat on the edge with his feet in the water. Amalya tossed him a towel. He mopped himself and draped the towel over his lap. Then he undid his long braids, shaking the water out.
“Are you ever going to tell me what deal you made with Deus?” Amalya asked him.
He shrugged. “Does it matter?”
“In the grand scheme of things, no. But I’m curious to know how much I owe you.”
“You don’t owe me anything. I know how important Killian is to both of you. And he’s important to me too.”
“Will you tell me anyway?”
Joelle sighed, tilting his head back. “Gahhh…he wants to talk to me.”
“You made a deal with Deus without knowing the terms? Wow. And, so you’re avoid—”
“I’m avoiding Him, yes.”
“How do you avoid someone who is everywhere?”
“I’m hoping He has more important things to do than talk to me. I figure if it looks like I’m doing important things too, He won’t bother me yet.”
Amalya grinned. “Do you know how stupid that sounds?”
“Do you know how much I don’t care?”
“Whatever. Are you hiding out here?”
“Maybe. Maybe I just want to be a part of little Kill’s life.”
“I’ll buy that. Can you do me another favor?”
Joelle rolled his eyes playfully. “I know what you want. You want me to check on Hazel, don’t you?”
Amalya clasped her hands together in a praying/begging manner. “Will you, please?” She batted her eyelashes like Jessica Rabbit.
“Argh…do it yourself. I can’t. I’m not supposed to spend time on Earth.”
“You know I can’t, and since when has that stopped you? Come on…please? She’s my niece. I want to know if she’s okay. Just this once and then I’ll let it go. Let her go.”
Joelle tapped his forehead with the butt of his pal
m. “Fine. I’ll ask Tanner if he’ll do it.”
“Awesome!”
“Yeah, awesome.”
CHAPTER
FORTY-EIGHT
Joelle
Avoidance was Joelle’s middle name. If Elliott wasn’t his best friend, he would have refused this invitation for Deus to punish him for checking on Hazel. Or being on Earth in general. So far, he’d been able to avoid the deity doling out his end of the deal. Joelle had agreed to do a task of His choosing in exchange for allowing Elliott and Amalya to raise their child. Even after his initial rapid growth into adulthood, Kill would still need their guidance for years to come. They would take him on their assigned tasks, teaching him the trade.
Joelle flew from the Redeemer tower. He reached the portal to Earth and willed the double doors open. He cursed his respect and fear of Amalya’s wrath and stepped into the other realm. The swirling clouds followed him into the angel hangout in the basement of Eternity. Although there were other portals like this one, scattered around Arcadia, this one was closest to Hazel and Tanner the Guardian. It was also his favorite.
Max sat in his usual overstuffed chair and although he didn’t glance at Joelle, he sensed the Healer knew who had come through the portal. Seraphina giggled from the chair opposite her mate at something he said. More than likely something smart-ass.
“You seen Tanner around?” Joelle asked Max.
“Do I look like his keeper?”
“Have you seen him or not?”
Max pointed toward the lobby. “You can probably still catch him. He was just here.”
Joelle flapped his wings and sailed across the brick path. Tanner stepped into the elevator. “Hey, Tanner!” The doors closed and open again.
Tanner stuck his head out. “Yo, what’s up?”
Joelle touched down in front of him. A breeze traveled up his backside and he realized he’d forgotten to put pants on. He shivered.
“I don’t suggest you go anywhere in your birthday suit.”
“You know I wasn’t born, right?” Joelle manifested a pair of red jeans and plugged his legs into them.
Tanner smiled and shook his head. “Interesting choice of color. What do you need, man?”
“A favor. I need you to check on Amalya’s niece. Her name’s Hazel Stev—”
“Hazel Stevens, I know.”
“Can you make sure she’s all right? I promised Amalya I’d look in on her.”
“All right, no problem. But if I freak her out…”
“Just wipe her mind. She doesn’t know about us anyway.”
Tanner stepped back, letting the elevators doors close. Joelle paced the lobby while he waited for the angel’s report. What in the world did one visit to Hazel prove? She could appear fine for that moment then who knew? Why was Amalya so concerned if she had wiped her memory? Unless…Shit! He groaned. Hazel’s mind hadn’t been completely cleaned of all knowledge of angels. Elliott’s mate would be his undoing if Deus found out about this.
The elevator dinged. Joelle stood square to the sliding doors, his mouth a thin line and his arms crossed. He didn’t wait for the doors to open all the way. “What did you see?”
“Nothing. I couldn’t teleport to her.”
“What do you mean?”
“It means I was blocked somehow.”
“Dammit.” Joelle put his hands on his head, squeezing his eyes shut.
This is not good.
He had to check on her himself and wipe her mind properly. He changed places with Tanner on the elevator. In the lift, he manifested more clothes; a black t-shirt and black and white checkered canvas pull-on shoes.
The club was deserted, which meant it was still daytime and no flying was allowed if too many humans were around outside. He meditated on Hazel’s name and poofed. The room he arrived in was dark; the shades had been drawn. A form lay on a bed surrounded by a small white bottle and a half-empty fifth of booze. He rushed to the bed, grabbed the bottle, and shook the thing. Only a couple rattled around inside. In the murky lighting, he saw…
“Ah!” Pain struck Joelle between the eyes. Agony swept through his body, knocking him to the floor. His head banged against what he guessed was a bedside table. “Ow! Shit! Deus…” He struggled to his knees and touched his forehead. Blood ran into his right eye. Another blow of pain deep in his bones flattened him. A force levitated him off the carpet and yanked him by the waist, holding him near the ceiling. He kicked and clawed the air. Everything went black.
Winds engulfed him and the teleportation buzzing rang in his ears.
He landed in a heap on the empty dance floor in Eternity. The dizzying effects from his forced teleportation were made worse by the flashing multi-colored spotlights, strobes, and deafening music. The bass thumped so hard he puked. Strands of his hair dipped into the vomit. After the nausea waves passed, he got up.
Despite the warning he’d just received to stay away, he needed to help Hazel. He jogged to the bar. Leaning over the counter, he hit a few buttons on the cash register and grabbed a couple of twenties from the till when it slid open. With the phone he lifted from behind the bar, he called a taxi service.
Joelle waited out front for the cab. He gave the driver the address Amalya had given him. Three-quarters of the way there, he recognized he should have called 911 instead. Too late now, there was no time. She could already be dead.
The driver slumped over the steering wheel and the car’s engine roared. Joelle’s back pushed into the seat as the cab sped forward. He pounded on the clear plastic divider. “Hey, wake up!” Deus wouldn’t harm a human so the man was asleep. He jiggled the door handle.
Teleporting from the car took too much concentration to achieve. There wasn’t a chance Deus hadn’t accounted for that anyway. He slammed into the door as the car sharply banked left. They stopped and Joelle smashed his face into the divider. Blood smudged the plexiglass. “Sonofa…” Miraculously, the driver remained in the same position. When the light turned green, Joelle was thrown back again, his wings pinned awkwardly behind him. At least they were translucent because of the human cabbie, allowing less room for injury.
Miles later, the cab headed out of the congested city. Joelle sat staring out the side window. He didn’t bother worrying about their destination. Deus wanted to talk. Period.
They stopped beside the road and his door swung open. Joelle blew out a breath and exited the vehicle. Staying in the car sounded great, but he feared the repercussions more. He walked into a field. Gravel crunched underneath the tires and the car rolled back onto the road.
Theatrical much? he thought.
He ran his fingers through his hair, brushing it back. The angel’s heart beat in his throat. His palms sweated.
“Tell me I have your attention now.”
Joelle spun and swallowed hard. Deus’ chosen form stood in front of him, so close that if either of them took a deep breath, their chests would be touching. “Yes. I’m sor—”
“Silence. I didn’t bring you here to listen to your excuses. Bowing now would increase your chances for leniency.”
Joelle sank to one knee. “Forgive me, Deus.” He studied the dirt, unable to even look at His shoes.
“Have you grown bored so quickly of your duties in Arcadia?”
“No. It won’t happen again. My friends needed…me.”
The deity chuckled. “No? Why do you lie?” Deus placed a warm hand on Joelle’s head. “You’ve been brave, self-sacrificing, and self-sabotaging. Do you dislike yourself so much that you would go to such lengths to ensure punishment?”
Dropping his head further, Joelle blinked tears out of his eyes. He stayed quiet.
“So it is true, you seek punishment.”
Joelle looked up. “Penance.”
Deus raised a gray eyebrow. “For what moral shortcoming?”
“Ra’zael the Guardian,” Joelle whispered, aware Deus already knew what he’d done wrong to the other angel.
“Hm…he has forgiven you, no
?”
I don’t know. How could he?
“You don’t know?” Deus moved his hand from Joelle’s head onto his shoulder.
“I dunno. I wouldn’t! He spent years in Netherworld because of me.”
“Not entirely. Another had a part in it as well.”
“She wouldn’t have, if I hadn’t…” A glowing blanket of heat surrounded Joelle. He sagged to the ground. Joelle wasn’t normally a sniffling mess.
What are you doing? Get up.
Deus smiled upon him. “Listen to your inner voice, my son, because I have a task for you.”
Their surroundings changed. Joelle found himself on his feet inside a woman’s kitchen. She stood by the sink washing dishes with her back toward him. Her gray hair was in a single French braid. The dress she wore hugged her slim body. She had the shape of a much younger woman than the color of her hair suggested. A cell phone rang and she turned off the water. She walked toward the table wiping her hands on her dress. Joelle understood that she couldn’t see him. He and Deus were merely observing the scene and were not actually present. He moved out of the way when she neared him. The woman wasn’t old, only had dyed hair. And it was more grayish with hint of light purple undertones than actual gray. Her eye makeup was heavy and dark, making her bright teal-blue eyes pop. They were piercing, startling him into stupidity.
Who is she? He wanted to know.
“Hello?” she answered. “No, I won’t accept the charges.” She tossed the phone onto the table. “I told him never to contact me.” Her chin quivered. As suddenly as the tears fell, she smiled and went back to the dishes. The contrast in her struck Joelle as odd.
“What the hell was that all about?” Joelle asked Deus. “And don’t tell me this is about one of those damn amulets.” A sense of needing to protect her from Abaddon overwhelmed him. The only way for a human to get into Netherworld was in death. He couldn’t let that happen.
“Good, you’re curious. And yes. I love those amulets, don’t you? Such fun.” Deus winked.
“Yeah…uh huh, funny. That’s all you’re going to tell me?”