Angel Incarnate: Second Sight

by Linda Creel

  “I didn’t mean to kill her. We have to tell Samhael what happened. Do you think Lucifer will be angry with me?”

  Stella chuckled. “Your mother provoked you. Hell, even I was angry when she called your son a bastard, and I barely know you. I’ll explain everything to my father; he’ll understand.” She flipped the radio on and started humming along to, “Hit the Road Jack,” by Ray Charles.

  She just killed my father. How can she be so calm?

  Mehri didn’t intend to kill anyone; she just wanted to scare her mother a little. She leaned her head against the glass. When she closed her eyes; she saw the spiteful sneer on Charlotte’s face, and her guilt evaporated.

  Chapter 31

  Paul was standing outside Hespa’ cabin when the archangels arrived with the guardians.

  They had traded their ceremonial robes for blue jeans, loose--fitting shirts and sneakers. Jeziel, who had never been exposed to human attire, kept fidgeting with her shirt collar.

  Breaking free of her father’s grasp, Alannah, so excited to see Paul again, jumped on his back, wrapping her tiny arms around his neck while he spun her around.

  The others smiled at the playfulness of the young angel, except Aidan, who opened his mouth to disapprove, but then snapped it shut.

  Jeziel opened the knapsack, and began searching the contents.

  She’s probably looking for something else to wear. Paul sympathized with her discomfort.

  “It takes some getting used to,” he said. She closed the bag, and dropped it on the ground at her feet. “Hespa regrets not being here to greet you in person, but she was called away on an assignment.”

  “Humph – she probably just didn’t want to be home when Jeziel arrived,” Aidan mumbled.

  Gabriel remained quiet, but Michael gave his son a scathing look.

  “What – everyone knows Hespa doesn’t trust her. She thinks once Lucifer realizes his daughter is in Aeden; she’ll forget her assignment and reunite with him.”

  Jeziel stared at the angel. He was usually quiet and respectful; this was a side of him she hadn’t seen before.

  Why is he questioning my loyalty; he’s supposed to be my friend? Michael is worried about me being tempted by my father; he should worry about his own son. “I won’t forget why I’m here,” Jeziel spat.

  “Ah, here comes Elijah now,” Paul said.

  Everyone turned to the woods behind the yard. Walking towards them was Hespa’s son.

  The boy wasn’t anything like Jeziel imagined.

  Since Hespa was a feared huntress, Jeziel expected her son’s body to be bulging with muscles, but the angel-blood who stood before her was a tall, gangly teen. His russet hair was scruffy; his shirt and jeans were stained with grass.

  Alannah hopped down from Paul’s back, and ran to meet the young man, extending her tiny hand.

  “Hi – I’m Alannah; it’s nice to meet you.”

  “I’m Elijah.”

  He walked over to Jeziel, the only other female in the group. “I assume you are my new guardian?”

  “Yes – my name is Jeziel.”

  “Well, now that we have finished with the introductions, when do we leave?” Aidan asked. “I’d like to arrive in Savannah before lunch. There’s a great seafood restaurant down by the piers.”

  Elijah took in a deep breath in an effort to calm himself. “You didn’t say anything about leaving home. What am I supposed to tell my mother?” he asked Paul.

  Aidan chuckled. “Don’t worry; you’re not going anywhere. You and Jeziel will be staying here. Alannah and I will be staying with the other members of the Guild.”

  Elijah breathed a sigh of relief.

  Mom agreed to the guardian, but she would be upset if I left Aeden with Lucifer’s daughter, especially without telling her.

  He gazed at Jeziel, who was being unnaturally quiet. She seems harmless. I don’t know why Mom doesn’t trust her. Maybe after she gets to know her; she’ll change her mind.

  “My son is right; we have to be on our way,” Michael said.

  While they waited for Alannah to finish with her hugs; Gabriel pulled Paul to the side. “Have you noticed a change in Aidan’s demeanor?”

  “Yes – it might be worth mentioning to Joseph. I would expect this kind of behavior from Dahnael, but not from Aidan. Maybe he’s just nervous about meeting Aura.”

  “I hope you’re right. Give my love to Bren and Tracy; I’ll try to make it to their Halloween party.”

  Paul chuckled. “Eve’s been buying material for their costumes, but the girls keep changing their minds.”

  Gabriel patted his friend on the back, and moved to stand next to Michael.

  “We’ll see you soon,” Alannah said to Jeziel.

  “Keep an eye on your father. He doesn’t seem to be himself,” she whispered.

  “Don’t worry -- Joseph and Jack will keep him straight. Paul thinks we’ll be back in two weeks. I like Elijah; he’ll take care of you.”

  Jeziel expected Aidan to wish her luck, or at least say goodbye, but he stood next to his father, tapping his foot impatiently on the ground. She bent down to hug his daughter. “I’ll miss you; promise to come back soon?”

  Alannah nodded, and then ran to Gabriel. He threw her over his shoulders, and she squealed with delight.

  Jeziel stared after the white vapor left behind when her friends vanished.

  “Let’s get you settled into your new home,” Paul said.

  Gabriel pulled Alannah off his shoulders and watched her eyes widen as she marveled at the grandeur of the old plantation.

  Built in the early 1800’s, the property -- almost fifty acres in size -- reminded her of a favorite meadow in Heaven, where she used to play with her twin. It was just as Esra described.

  The long gravel drive, leading to the massive, two-story structure, was wide enough to allow four horse–drawn carriages to pass. Large columns flanked both sides of the wrap-around porch, but her favorite part of the white house, was the black shutters that framed each of the paned windows.

  As they marched up the wooden steps, Alannah closed her eyes, and envisioned the parties that once took place there. She giggled as she watched Fionn chasing after his daughter, Alice, in the small lake beyond the back yard.

  The house was unoccupied most of the time, but Eve -- who inherited the property from her mother, Alice -- arranged to have it cleaned and dusted weekly.

  Paul had rewired the entire structure, and added some appliances, but most of the old charm remained.

  Once inside, Alannah felt compelled to touch each piece of furniture – the settee, the wing-backed chairs, even the embroidered pillows.

  Stacks of wood and kindling were kept in small bins next to the fireplaces which heated almost every room.

  Murals of the archangels were painted on the cathedral ceilings, and family pictures in gold frames, rested on the end tables.

  Alannah picked up a picture of Aura and hugged it to her chest. She looks just like me.

  Holding on the picture, she wandered from room to room.

  Mommy was born in this house. She took her first step on this floor; ate her first bite at this table; slept on these pillows.

  Aidan took the picture from Alannah and placed it back on the table.

  “If you’re finished with the tour, we need to go,” he said. “The rest of the Guild is waiting, and I know Michael and Gabriel have other business to take care of. I don’t know why you are being to nostalgic; it’s just a house.”

  “It’s not just a house! It’s Mommy’s house,” Alannah cried.

  Gabriel cocked his brow. This is the first time I’ve known Aidan to call his father by his proper name.

  While Michael pulled his son to the side, Gabriel picked up Alannah and carried her to the spiral staircase. As they walked up the steps, the young angel turned to stare at her father.

  “Mommy’s not going to love us if he acts this way when we meet her.”

  “Alannah -- I’ve
spent enough time with your mother to know she will love you unconditionally. Would you like to see where Aura slept?”

  Tightening her grip on his neck, Alannah nodded.

  “Paul and Gabriel have noticed a change in your behavior; even Alannah is questioning some of your comments. What’s gotten in to you?” Michael asked. “I’m beginning to think sending you here was a mistake.”

  “I’m sorry,” Aidan said. “I don’t mean to disappoint you; it’s just a lot to take in. I haven’t seen Avriel since the war, and I don’t know how she is going to respond to me, or Alannah.”

  “Her name is Aura now. Have you forgotten our conversation?”

  “No – I remember everything.”

  “Alannah is just as afraid; she doesn’t know if she’ll ever see Alorrah or Alexis again. I’m depending on you to make these next couple of weeks easy for her.”

  “Please don’t send us back.”

  “I hope it won’t come to that,” Michael sighed.

  Gabriel made his way down the long corridor until he came to the third room on the left. As he opened the door, Alannah climbed off his back and walked inside.

  The room was painted in different shades of lavender. A large white canopy bed with cherub linens was centered against one wall. Adjacent, was a brick fireplace, and above the hearth, hung a picture of three identical little angels.

  Alannah’s eyes lit up, and her lips parted into a wide smile, as she flitted across the room to take a closer look. “That’s Alorrah, Alexis and me. Mommy didn’t forget us; we’re right here.”

  There was a loud knock at the front door and Alannah heard a familiar voice. “Hello – is anyone home?” A male voice called.

  “Joseph,” she whispered.

  Gabriel gave chase as she ran out of the room. “We’re up here!” He swung her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, and then took the stairs two at a time.

  Alannah jumped into Joseph’s arms and scanned the room. “Where is everyone else?” she asked.

  “Willow is in Aeden with Rita, but Tiffany and Logan are next door. Are you ready to meet them?”

  “Ha Ha – I can’t wait.”

  Tiffany was Jack’s daughter; her husband, Logan, was Martin’s son. They were also Reaghans godparents. Even though they had only been married for a few weeks, Alannah knew they would be adding to their family in the spring.

  Angel-bloods were only pregnant for three months, and it was said their births were painless. It wasn’t uncommon for a mother to give birth two or even three times in the same year – hence, the term Irish twins emerged.

  “Good – lunch should be ready when we get there.” Joseph looked back at Michael as he was walking to the door. “Don’t worry – we’ll take good care of them.”

  “Remember what we talked about,” Michael warned Aidan.

  “I won’t forget, Father.” Aidan shook Gabriel’s hand, and then gave Michael a quick hug before running to catch up to his daughter.

  “Joseph will watch over them,” Gabriel said.

  I hope so. Michael nodded, and the two archangels vanished.

  Chapter 32

  Aura left the children at home with Eve and Angie, while she took the leftover wedding food to Ryan.

  Shortly after Paul moved his family from Savannah to Aeden, he sought out a young priest for the angel-bloods. Father Patrick was a perfect choice to offer guidance to his children.

  Since his decision to go to seminary school, Ryan was staying with Father Patrick. He was well informed about the angel-blood’s heritage, but the archangels insisted that Ryan be kept in the dark, despite numerous arguments from Aura.

  When Aura drove into the parking lot, she pulled alongside Father Patrick, who was in the garden with three of the girls from Ryan’s support group. The winter frost was expected soon, and they were gathering the last ripened tomatoes.

  Turning off the ignition, she opened the door and paused to look at the teenagers.

  All three had short--cropped hair; their signature colors -- Katie -- shocking pink, Shanna -- electric blue, and Sophia -- vivid magenta. Wearing what looked like hand-me-downs, their arms were inked with tattoos, and Aura counted no less than five studs in each ear lobe.

  Aura smiled and waved, but the girls -- still wary of strangers – put their heads down. They’re afraid of me. I should have made more of an effort to have a relationship with them before.

  The food was packaged in tins and transported in reusable shopping bags. Ryan came running out of the church just as Aura opened the rear car door.

  “Hey –when did you get here?” he asked, pulling her into a tight embrace.

  “Talk about drop-dead gorgeous; did you see her eyes, they’re purple?” Katie whispered to Sophia.

  “Yeah – they’re probably contact lenses. I should ask her where she got them.”

  “Her hair is so long. Do you think it’s ever been cut?” Shanna asked.

  Father Patrick started chuckling as he listened to the girls. “You’ve heard Ryan speak about his best friend, Aura. You’ll finally have the opportunity to get to know her. Come along; Aura has been kind enough to bring us lunch; the least we can do is help her carry it.”

  Aura stepped back. Ryan still wore blue jeans and a faded Orioles jersey; his shoulder-length, chestnut locks were pulled into a loose ponytail.

  “I’m disappointed; I thought you would be wearing vestments since your ordination.”

  Ryan laughed. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m only required to don the suit when I’m on official church business.”

  “So -- no white collar?” she sighed.

  “You’ll see me in the collar when I deliver my sermon on Sunday.”

  The girls walked over to the car and Father Patrick introduced them.

  After shaking hands, they seemed less apprehensive of Aura. They were even smiling when she handed each a shopping bag, leaving the last two for Ryan.

  As they walked towards the basement of the church, Father Patrick excused himself. “I have to visit some of my friends in the country. They’re getting up in years and can’t always make it to Sunday service.”

  Aura watched as he grabbed a basket of tomatoes and jumped into his car. Without looking, he backed the sedan over one of the concrete curbs. Oblivious, he put the car in gear and continued out of the parking lot.

  “I hope he doesn’t kill anyone on the way,” Katie commented.

  Aura giggled. “Bren swears she and Tracy can drive better than our priest.”

  “Who is Bren? I’ve heard Father Patrick talk about her? He says she is really outspoken, but she has a good heart.”

  “Bren is my little sister. You’ll get to meet her at the Halloween party. I hope you’ll come. We’re celebrating Ryan’s ordination.”

  “I tried to talk her out of the party, but nobody talks Bren out of anything she has her mind set on,” Ryan said. “So, I’ll expect all of you to be there.”

  “It sounds like fun,” Katie said. The other girls nodded.

  When the church building was constructed, Paul and Adam had the insight to include a full kitchen complete with stove, refrigerator and dishwasher in the basement. It was perfect for the kid’s clubs which were sanctioned by the church.

  As soon as they walked down the back stairs and entered the large meeting area, Aura asked where the other kids were.

  “This is all we have left of the team,” Ryan sighed. “Some of the girls went home, and after turning eighteen a few weeks ago, the boys left for Florida. Father Patrick and I bought them a decent used car, gave them enough money to last a few months. They called a few days ago to tell us they’ve settled into a new apartment near the beach, and have decent paying jobs at one of the popular restaurants.”

  “Todd said he’s going to save his money and start college next fall,” Katie said.

  “Yeah – Cory is thinking about taking some classes too,” Sophia added. “Stella is bringing a new girl today; she should be here soon
.”

  They seem to be opening up to me; I wish I could spend more time with them. “I can’t stay,” Aura sighed. “I promised the kids Chinese for lunch.”

  Before hugging Ryan, she pulled some cash out of her purse. “Give this to the girls,” she whispered in his ear. “Please, don’t say it came from me; I don’t want to embarrass them. Say you received a donation, so they could buy new clothes and whatever personal items they need.”

  Ryan tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “This means a lot; I can never thank you and your family enough.”

  “The food needs to be warmed,” she yelled to the girls on her way out. “Enjoy, and I’ll see you at the party, if not before.”

  “Thank you,” they yelled back.

  Aura waved, and then hurried up the stairs. Looking at her watch; it was already eleven thirty.

  After using her cell phone to call the Chinese restaurant, she started the engine and drove away. Looking at the tire marks on the concrete curb, she couldn’t help but laugh.

  Bren may be right; she and Tracy are probably better drivers than Father Patrick. I should talk to Dad about giving him some of the angel’s blood before he hurts himself.

  “Perfect” by Pink was playing on the radio. She turned it up and began to sing along.

  Chapter 33

  By the time Gregory arrived at the Governor’s mansion in Utopia, the clean-up from Caspian’s wedding was well underway. As he watched a pair of young men disassembling the trellis, the vision of Meredith being knocked into the fountain by Eve came to mind, and he couldn’t help but chuckle.

  Pity the archangel showed up; I would have liked to see what powers those little girls have. Richard must have an idea; I’ll speak to him about it.

  He barely grazed the brass knocker, when one of the female servants opened the door.

  “Good morning – I have a wedding gift to deliver to Caspian and his bride.”

  “The family is in the dining room,” she said. “Follow me and I’ll announce you.”