Angel Incarnate: Second Sight

by Linda Creel

  “Fine - let’s get this over with. I want to check on Desiree.”

  Mortriel began to laugh. “I’ll never understand why you allowed your mother to persuade you to marry someone else who is completely disinterested in you. Has a wedding date been set?”

  Richard felt a tightness in his chest as his muscles tensed and his pulse quickened. He forced a smile. “No – Renatta has not yet consented to the marriage.”

  Mortriel clapped him on the shoulder.

  “Perhaps we can use the Abyvir to persuade her. If she’s disfigured none of the other men will give her a second look. If you pretend to be sincere, she will agree to marry you. Afterwards, we’ll arrange a little accident, and with your brother gone, you’ll still be able to carry on your affair with Desiree.”

  Richard’s lips parted into a smug smile. “Renatta is close to my sister’s daughter, and they are often in each other’s company. As long as Analie and Jade are the first to die, and the beasts don’t kill Renatta, this could work out better than I expected.”

  “You control Chester and Clarence. They will do exactly as you command, or suffer the consequences. I’m curious to see how they fare against the angel-bloods. By the way, we have to do something about their names. How do you feel about Fenryr and Faelan?”

  “They sound vicious.”

  “Exactly – if they are to instill fear in the angel-bloods, their names should be as frightening as they are. Well, we should be off. I don’t want to risk someone else seeing us. One inconvenience is more than enough.”

  Mortriel picked up Chester, renamed Faelan, and tossed him over his shoulder, while Richard grabbed Clarence, now named Fenryr, and carried him on his back. After wishing Samhael good luck, the four of them disappeared in a puff of black smoke.

  Samhael looked at the stack of dead bodies. There was no need of kerosene or lighter fluid to start the flames. Because of his loyalty, Lucifer had given him the gift of hell-fire. The blaze would destroy everything in its path, and there would be nothing left of the mortals remains.

  He raised his hands, stretching out his fingers as he called for the fire. The current- colored inferno surrounded the bodies instantly, leaving a thick, sable cloud in the air above them.

  Samhael looked around one last time, to make sure he was still alone. Peering at the molten ashes, he knew it was safe to leave.

  Snapping his fingers, he vanished. A few seconds later, he was standing on the porch leading to the cottage. He heard voices coming from inside and smiled.

  Good they’re back. I’m looking forward to hearing about Mehri’s first meeting with Aura’s friend.

  Chapter 38

  The first thing Aura noticed when Father Patrick stepped off the porch was his hands. The tips of his fingers were a sooty black as if he had placed them in an open flame. There also seemed to be some new strands of grey at the temples of the forty-year-old priest’s hair.

  Rushing to greet him, Aura asked, “What happened to you? Was there a fire?”

  The priest stared at the discoloration of his hands. “You should come inside, and I’ll show you.”

  When Bren and Tracy tried to sneak in front of her, Aura pulled them back by the hood of their sweaters. “We agreed you would wait outside.”

  Bren deliberately avoided her sister’s gaze. “I don’t remember saying that,” she said. “Besides, what if whoever killed the Chastains is still hiding somewhere on the property. Do you want to be responsible for letting the girls get hurt?”

  Aura shook her head. “Don’t play that sympathy card with me. I’m trying to protect them and you. I have no idea how the Chastains died and I don’t want to traumatize them.”

  Bren crossed her tiny arms over her chest and stomped her feet. “I don’t need protecting. Me and Tracy took on those dark wings single-handedly. I think we can deal with looking at a couple of human corpses.

  Aura turned back to the little ones who were still holding hands and hovering close to each other. Maybe Bren’s right, we don’t know who killed the Chastains and I don’t want anything to happen to them.

  “Alright, but don’t touch anything.”

  A smug smile crossed Bren’s face. Aura is such a pushover. She knows it won’t do to argue with me, because I would follow her into the house anyway.

  “C’mon kids; we’re going inside. Just stay close to me and Tracy, and don’t step on the dead bodies.”

  The girls huddled closer together, and Bren could see their posture stiffen. I hope it wasn’t a gruesome murder. Maybe I should go in first to check things out, and then bring them inside.

  “Are you sure the little ones should see this?” Father Patrick asked.

  “It’s OK,” Gracie said. “Most of us watched our mothers die, so I don’t think it could be worse than that. The other girls saw a lot of bad things happen in Purgatory. We’re not afraid of death.”

  Each of the girls nodded. Purgatory was hell for them. Nothing could compare to the beatings and torture they endured there.

  Still grasping each other’s hands, Gracie led them up the steps. After Father Patrick and Aura entered the house, they followed, with Bren in the lead, and Tracy bringing up the rear.

  Aura looked at Pierre’s body which was still lying on the floor a few feet away from his wife. Shards of glass from the broken mirror above his head littered the floor. The blood on top of his scalp and around his mouth had dried, but the crimson puddle on the floor was still wet.

  The fireplace is empty and there isn’t any indication of a fire; the furniture seems to be intact and I don’t smell smoke. So how did Father Patrick’s fingers get scorched?

  Her eyes focused on Charlotte. Through the black and blue bruises around her throat, she could clearly detect a pair of handprints. Someone choked her to death. The Chastains were old; who would want to kill them?

  She turned to see a money clip resting on one of the end tables. This was in plain view. Whoever killed them wasn’t after their money.

  “So you were going to tell me how your hands got burned?” Aura said.

  “Come into the kitchen and I’ll show you.”

  Aura and the children followed the priest into the country kitchen. As the girls passed the bodies of Charlotte and Pierre, they made the sign of the cross, asking that they be forgiven for any sins.

  Father Patrick pointed to the bracelet lying on the towel. Bren went to pick it up when he grabbed her hand, a little harder than he intended.

  “I’m sorry if I hurt you, but this is what happens when you touch the jewel.” He held his hands up, so everyone could see his seared fingers.

  “You’re in pain,” Aura said seeing the grimace on his face. “I don’t have the same powers as Joseph or Willow, but I might be able to offer you some relief.”

  I hope this works. Willow’s in New York. I won’t be able to get hold of her until later. I don’t want to wait that long because there could be more damage to his hands. This bracelet reeks of darkness. It’s the same pungent odor I smell when a dark wing is nearby. But why would one of the fallen come here? It makes no sense.

  Aura moved her hands slowly and methodically over Father Patrick’s charred fingers, being careful not to irritate the dead tissue. After a few moments, his fingers were pink and fleshy again.

  “How did you do that?” Bren asked. “You aren’t supposed to have healing powers.”

  Aura stared at her hands. “I don’t know, but I’m glad Father Patrick is better. Now, let’s have a look at this bracelet.”

  Seeing the eye was made with a blue diamond, Aura knew it didn’t belong to the Chastains -- they were mortal. “Where did you find this?” she asked Father Patrick.

  “It was next to Charlotte’s body. There is a strange inscription along the band, but it is written in a language unfamiliar to me. I thought perhaps your father might be able to translate its meaning.”

  He handed Aura the tongs, so she could examine the bracelet more closely. As soon as she prodded the
jewel, the eye changed from cerulean to ebony. Disregarding the warning, she squatted to get a better view.

  “Some of this is written in Latin.” She read the words aloud. “Servo Gero – that means protect the wearer. But protect them from whom? I don’t trust moving the bracelet, but you’re right, my father needs to see it. I’ll take the children home, and then Dad and I will return.”

  “No way,” Bren said. “We can stay here and wait for you and Daddy. Father Patrick isn’t going to leave the bodies. One of the attackers was female. Once she realizes the bracelet is missing, she might decide to come back. Tracy and me will stay and make sure nobody hurts Father Patrick.”

  “We don’t know what we’re dealing with yet. I’ll agree one of the killers is probably female, but based on the odor coming from that bracelet; I know she isn’t mortal,” Aura said.

  “Exactly – that is why someone needs to look out for Father Patrick,” Bren insisted.

  Damn – she always argues with me. I know she has powers, but she isn’t invincible. “Fine, but stay inside the house.”

  “We’ll move the bodies, so the kids don’t have to look at them.”

  “No – leave everything as it is. Dad may see something that we missed.” Aura gave Father Patrick and each of the kids a hug. “Remember don’t leave the house.”

  Bren opened the refrigerator. “There’s a bag of seedless grapes, a quart of strawberries and some oranges in here. Who wants a snack?”

  Aura rolled her eyes. Dear God, sometimes I can’t believe we’re related. It’s as if she isn’t even fazed by the dead bodies.

  “What – it’s not like they’re going to eat them,” Bren said as she handed the fruit to Tracy. She picked the bracelet up by the edges of the towel and moved it to the counter, making room for the kids to sit at the table.

  Aura shook her head and snickered. “I’ll find Dad, and then we’ll be back. Do you know if the Chastains had any family?”

  “No – their son and daughter died years ago,” Father Patrick said.

  “Good – that will make it easier to arrange their funeral.” Aura waved, and then she vanished.

  “I guess watching TV would be out of the question?” Bren asked.

  “I think that might be a bit disrespectful,” the priest replied.

  “Yeah – you’re probably right. I’m going to take the girls outside.”

  “I don’t think your sister wants you in the yard.”

  Bren walked over and placed her hands on Father Patrick’s cheek. “Look – those bodies are going to start stinking soon, and I don’t know about you, but me and the kids haven’t had lunch yet.”

  “Yeah-- they’re going to smell like crap,” Tracy agreed.

  Bren opened the refrigerator and passed out a head of lettuce, some carrots, a slice of watermelon, and a bag of apples to the girls. “Besides, my shield will keep the bad guys away.”

  “Yeah, and if that doesn’t work, we can call for Uncle Gabe’s swords,” Tracy added.

  The girls all nodded. They had seen the sword and bow when Bren and Tracy rescued them from Purgatory. Going outside was a better choice than smelling the decaying bodies.

  Bren led them through the front door and down the steps. Around the side of the farmhouse, they found a group of bunny rabbits and a small family of deer.

  “This is perfect. Everybody grab something, and we’ll feed the animals.”

  A few seconds later, a red-tailed hawk landed on Bren’s shoulder. Some of the girls took a step backward until Bren explained Ghaea was a special guardian who watched over her.

  Gracie’s eye widened. “She came here from Heaven? They must think you’re really important to send one of their birds to protect you.”

  Bren shrugged her shoulders. “Ghaea always shows up just in case there’s trouble. We’ll be safe with her around.”

  “Do you think I could pet her?” Gracie asked.

  “Sure.” Bren held out her hand and the guardian wrapped her claws lightly around the little girl’s fingers. She placed the falcon on Gracie’s shoulder, and watched her face light up.

  “She isn’t afraid of me,” she gushed.

  “Why should she be? You’re an angel-blood and Ghaea knows you’re loyal to Heaven. She’ll protect you too.”

  Sitting cross-legged on the ground, some of the girls formed a circle, passing the fruit and vegetables around to feed the rabbits, while the others approached the deer tentatively. When they saw how friendly the animals were, the little ones relaxed.

  Aura knew her father was meeting with Elijah and his new guardian that morning. When she arrived at the cabin, she knocked on the door, but no one answered.

  They might be in the woods. She walked down the steps and started towards the backyard, when she saw two males and a female exiting a small cottage at the end of the road.

  Recognizing her father and Elijah, she began to walk towards them when she stopped mid-stride. The girl… no -- it can’t be. Why would Nathali be in Aeden?

  She continued to stare at the lithe figure dressed in an off-white, button-up oxford shirt, and blue jeans. It wasn’t until the girl was standing in front of her that Aura realized her eyes weren’t an ebony color; they were honey brown.

  “I was just on my way home,” Paul said. “Since you’re here, I’d like to introduce you to Jeziel, Lucifer’s daughter, and Elijah’s new guardian.”

  Jeziel couldn’t get over the resemblance to Avriel. She shares the same color hair, the same violet eyes, and even the same stature. But she isn’t Avriel; she can’t be.

  Aura was just as dumbfounded. The likeness to Nathali was uncanny. I suppose it makes sense, since they are both related to Lucifer.

  Then she remembered what her mother had said at the wedding. She called Nathali, Lucifer’s daughter. Mom wouldn’t make a mistake like that unless she was sure. Is it possible that Lucifer fathered Richard’s daughter and he doesn’t know it?

  Aura extended her hand, which Jeziel took, reluctantly. I didn’t smell the distinctive odor associated with the dark wings, but there was something in her touch. She is unsure of herself. That won’t bode well if Lucifer is relentless in his pursuit of her.

  She heard her father saying something, but it wasn’t until he shook her shoulder, that Aura came out of her reverie. Embarrassed, she felt her cheeks flush, but tried to laugh it off.

  “Please forgive me. Sometimes I get lost in my thoughts.” She cleared her throat before posing a question to Jeziel. “I don’t mean to be rude, but do you have a twin sister?”

  “Why would you ask me that?”

  “It’s just that you look exactly like someone else we met recently. Her name is Nathali. She is Loralei’s granddaughter.”

  Jeziel’s smile faded. “My mother died in the war and as you know, my father and brother were exiled. Neither gave me a second thought. To my knowledge, I don’t have any other siblings, but it’s possible – no scratch that --it’s probable, Lucifer fathered other children since leaving Heaven.”

  Paul could hear the acrimony in her voice. She’s really bitter about being left behind. I hope she stays angry with her father and doesn’t lose sight of why she’s here.

  “I didn’t mean to offend you,” Aura said apologetically.

  Jeziel shrugged. “I have no reason to be offended. I learned a long time ago, that I can’t control anyone’s actions except my own.”

  Her words say one thing, but her body language says something totally different. She’s as stiff as a board. It must be hard for her –she doesn’t really have anyone. After she gets settled, I’ll invite her and Elijah to the house for dinner. I would give her a hug, but I’m not sure how she would react.

  “Maybe Elijah could bring you to the house in a few days. Then you could meet the rest of the family.”

  “It might take me a while to get used to being here, but I’ll consider your invitation.”

  “Oh, I almost forgot why I’m here. Would you excuse me so I can
speak to my father privately?”

  “Sure – I was just about to show her the house, and then make us some lunch,” Elijah said. He grabbed Jeziel’s arm and walked her up the cabin steps. When they were out of sight, Aura leaned into her father.

  “There have been two more murders,” Aura said.

  “When did this happen?” Paul asked.

  “They weren’t angel-bloods; they were mortals. They died a short time ago. Father Patrick is with the bodies now. And – um – Bren and Tracy are there too, with the little ones. We looked around the property and didn’t see anyone lingering about, but Father Patrick found a bracelet with some strange markings on it. When he picked it up, his fingers were burned. He thought you should see it.”

  Paul tilted his chin and forced a smile. “I’m not happy about you leaving your little sister there, but I know how difficult Bren can be when she doesn’t get her way. Take me to the farm now, and I’ll see if I recognize the jewel.”

  Shea grabbed her father’s sleeve and the portal carried them to the front yard of the farmhouse.

  They could hear children’s laughter coming from the side of the house. Walking in that direction, Aura saw a few of the little ones sitting in a circle on the lawn shredding lettuce and carrots for some wild rabbits. The rest of the girls were hand-feeding watermelon to a family of deer.

  She shrugged her shoulders. “Guess the Chastain’s won’t mind them using the leftover food.”

  Paul shook his head and followed her inside. As he crossed into the living room he saw Pierre and Charlotte’s bodies.

  “We didn’t want to touch anything until you looked at them,” Aura said. She pointed to the broken mirror and the dried blood on Pierre’s head. “They must have thrown him against the wall before they shattered his windpipe.”

  “So you think there was more than one assailant?”

  “Don’t you? I know the Chastains were old, but if there was a single attacker, one of them could have called for help. Look at the telephone cord. It’s still intact. I think the attackers killed both of them at the same time.”

  “Did your visions show you anything?”