by Linda Creel
“It seems to be coming from these ashes,” Will said. As he continued to dig through the remains, his eyes were drawn to a piece of gold metal. “This looks like a piece of jewelry.” He handed the nugget to his brother who examined it before passing it to Henry.
“Whoever started this fire didn’t want us to be able to identify the bodies,” Arian said.
“Why would you think they are bodies? There aren’t any bones. It was probably some of those mortal teenagers having a bit of fun with the wild animals.”
“Animals don’t wear jewelry. If you look closely, this looks like a ring of some sort. My guess is these were men, though I don’t know how many. The question is -- were they human or angel-bloods. I can’t believe they were angel-bloods, because they should have enough powers to thwart any kind of attack.”
“Unless they were drugged,” Will whispered.
Everyone stared at him. If they were angel-bloods, only a powerful fallen angel could have subdued them.
“I’m still not convinced this wasn’t a prank by some mischievous teenage humans,” Henry said.
“I don’t mean to disagree with you, Governor, but I doubt this fire was started by mortals. There is something malicious here, and someone, or more than one someone, went out of their way to cover up any evidence,” Arian said. “No – someone is sending us a message. We’ll have to contact the Guild, and see if they have any ideas.”
“Yes and none of us have ever seen that kind of fire before,” Will added in defense of his brother. “When we first saw the blaze, it was a bright tangerine color; then, there was that putrid odor. We’ve burned hundreds of animals before, and they never left behind a foul odor like this. This was no ordinary fire. The sooner we get the Guild involved; the sooner we may have some answers.”
“I wish Caspian were here,” Henry sighed. “He has a gift for finding out the truth. I’ll send a message to Paul, and then we’ll call a meeting with the assembly. Until we get to the bottom of this, I think we should start patrolling this area, in case the culprits come back. We’ll make the meeting mandatory, and then we can find out if any of the residents are missing. If you’ll excuse me; I need to speak to Arthur. We’ll meet at the hall of justice in two hours.”
Joshua watched his father and the servants exit the woods. “Maybe Rita and Jessica will come with their fathers,” he said to Will.
Will shook his head and laughed. “I think we have more important issues to deal with instead of worrying about those girls.”
A wide grin formed at the corners of Joshua’s mouth. “Yeah -- but you have to admit those girls are drop-dead gorgeous, and they have awesome powers, which I wouldn’t mind seeing. Maybe they can help us with the investigation.”
“Rita is a bit standoffish for my taste. Just because she is related to the archangels, she thinks she’s better than the rest of us.”
“Some people think you’re a bit arrogant too,” Joshua teased. “Besides, I didn’t get that impression. Maybe she’s just shy.”
“I’m going to check on Jade while you two debate the mysteries of the opposite sex. You can find your way home?” Arian asked.
Both of the boys nodded. “Don’t touch anything; Paul may find something we overlooked,” Arian warned. “Where is Richard by the way? I expected him to follow your father here.”
“Humph -- apparently, my brother had a business meeting and hasn’t been seen this early this morning.”
Joshua stared at the ashes. No – there’s no way he could be one of the victims. Still, I’m curious to find out where he’s been all this time.
He and Will followed Arian out of the woods, being careful not to disturb the pile of ashes.
I really wouldn’t mind seeing Jessica again, and regardless of what Will says, I know he likes Rita’s company.
After mounting the ponies, the boys took off at a fast trot towards the country. When the horses were back in their stalls, Arian ran across the dell to find Jade.
Chapter 43
While their husbands left to meet with the High Council, Eve and Angie finished the funeral preparations for Gregory Godwin. When everything was finished, they went to New York to advise Andromeda about the service the next afternoon, and to try to coax her into spending the night in Aeden. Eve knew she would refuse because of the students, but she did allow Matthew to accompany Willow.
Paul and Adam stopped in Savannah first to meet with the other members of the Guild before leaving for the assembly hall. Their meeting was brief. After informing the Council about the recent deaths, Samhael’s visit to the farm, and the pentagon marks burned into the skin of the Chastains, Paul showed them the bracelet.
Uriel didn’t seem surprised to see the relic; he suspected Lucifer took it off Laelah’s person before he was banished. The ebony eyes proved the fallen angel had tampered with the protective spell he placed on the charm.
The Council decided the bracelet should be taken back to Aeden. They were convinced someone was feeding information to Lucifer, and hoped if the jewel was openly displayed at Aura’s home; it might draw out the new owner.
There was always a chance Samhael might make another attempt to retrieve I, but they were confident the girl’s powers would keep them safe.
Paul didn’t like putting his family at risk, but Michael was unyielding, so he had no choice but to consent.
By the time they returned to Aeden, Aura had cleaned up the dining room, and the children were playing in a bubble bath.
Willow and Matthew were already there. Paul took note the nine-year-old boy didn’t seem too broken up about his father’s death. He did, however, ask to accompany the group when they went to Utopia.
At first, Paul was going to object, but after seeing a frown on Eve’s face, he changed his mind.
“We’ll be meeting with the Governor, “Adam said. “It’s important all of you stay together.”
“Don’t worry, we need to talk to Joshua and Will,” Rita said. “Jess and I will keep the kids with us.”
Paul’s brow wrinkled and he placed a firm grip on his daughter’s shoulder. “If this is about Richard, I’ve told you to let that matter drop. We have no proof he was involved with Gregory’s death.”
Rita gave a half-hearted shrug. “I’m not accusing anyone, but it can’t hurt to ask about Richard’s whereabouts this morning. Don’t worry, Dad – I’ll be discreet.”
Willow startled giggling, and even Matthew forced a smile. Rita usually attacked a problem head-on; discreet wasn’t something in her vocabulary.
“What – I know how to be tactful; unless he pushes my buttons.”
“It doesn’t take much to push your buttons,” Jessica mumbled.
“You always have something funny to say. You should have been a comedian. Maybe I’ll let you ask the questions. I’m sure Joshua will tell you everything you want to know.”
“Nah—comedians live out of a suitcase. They couldn’t pay me enough money to do that.”
Jess could detect a hint of sarcasm in Rita’s tone, but she decided to just let it go. Since Matt was Willow’s best friend, they owed it to him to try to find out who poisoned his father; if for no other reason, than to allow Andromeda to forgive herself for wanting Gregory out of the way.
After grabbing jackets for the two kids, Rita threw a wool cloak to Jessica and kept another for herself. Adam had made the temperatures mild for the wedding, but it was nearing the end of October and the weather would be much colder in Europe.
As soon as they were outfitted, Paul and Adam kissed their wives goodbye, and then walked the children outside where the portal took them to Utopia.
Though most of the smoke was gone, there was still a faint odor in the air when they arrived in the village square.
Willow and Matt immediately crinkled their noses. “What is that god-awful smell?” she said, using her shirt sleeve to cover her nose.
Paul’s brow furrowed as his eyes turned towards the woods. Hell-fire…What happened here?
Looking around, he noticed no one was sitting at the outdoor cafes; the streets were empty, and the shops all closed up tight.
He called to a man stepping out of the barbershop. “Where is everyone?”
“There was a fire here this morning. The smoke was so bad, you could barely breathe. Most of us closed our businesses and the governor has called a special summit at the justice hall.
“We’d better follow him and find out what Henry knows,” Adam whispered to Paul. “Did you notice anything familiar about the odor?”
Yes, but I hope we’re wrong. “Alright kids, stay together,” Paul warned. “Until we find out about this mysterious fire, I don’t want you going anywhere without Adam, or myself.”
Willow grabbed Matt’s hand and they walked next to Paul and Adam; Rita and Jessica stayed a few steps behind.
The freestanding edifice stood a few hundred yards past the village on the opposing side of the Governor’s estate. Corinthian-styled stone columns flanked the wide marble steps that led to the twelve foot mahogany entrance doors.
The hall, measuring one hundred feet wide, by two hundred feet in length, could easily accommodate the residents who resided in the European colony.
Inside, white, linen-covered tables seating a dozen men and women were arranged in two rows. In front was a dais with a long table, where the governor and his assembly gathered to address the large group. Along the walls, sideboards were piled with fresh fruit, pastries and assorted drinks.
“It looks like they’re having a party instead of a meeting,” Matt whispered to Willow.
Jessica spotted Will and Joshua at a table on the left. Thankfully, they were not sitting with Meredith. She was in the front, along with Nathali and Desiree, but Richard was noticeably absent.
Joshua nudged Will in the side as soon as he saw the girls. They were wearing blue jeans, plaid shirts and combat boots; a far cry from the gowns they had on at the wedding. He motioned for them to take the empty chairs at their table, unable to mask the huge grin on his face.
“I wonder where Richard is,” Jess whispered to Rita, as she took a seat across from the Governor’s youngest son.
“Let’s listen to what Henry has to say, and then we’ll ask the boys if they’ve seen him.
There was a lot of chattering in the room, and Henry started banging a gavel on the table, trying to calm everyone so the meeting could begin. “Please, take your seats so we can call this summit to order.”
Paul took a seat near Meredith. When she looked up at him, he wiggled his eyebrows as a good-natured gesture.
Refusing to acknowledge him, Meredith’s nostril’s flared and her lips tightened in annoyance. Her chair toppled to the floor as she moved hurriedly to the opposite side of the room, with Nathali and Desiree following behind like well-trained puppets.
Adam, who was laughing out loud at Meredith’s childish behavior, righted the chair, and then sat down, turning once to wink at the Baroness.
Henry cleared his throat once more, trying to ignore his wife’s rudeness, and finally, the room fell into a hushed silence.
“Most of you – no, I’m sure all of you, realize there was a fire in the woods this morning and with the smoke, a sickening stench filled the air. After a lot of discussion, we have concluded that the fire was intended to prevent us from identifying a group of dead bodies. Everyone who resides in Utopia has been accounted for, except my son Richard, who left this morning to take care of some business, and Caspian, and Axel, who are… Well, they are on a mission for the Guild. Paul and Adam are here; perhaps they can shed more light on what happened.”
“Did you hear that?” Jessica whispered to Rita. “Richard has been gone since this morning.”
“Yeah – I wonder if his business involved killing Gregory Godwin,” Rita said.
“Gregory is dead?” Joshua asked. “When did this happen?”
“He collapsed outside the academy just a few hours ago.”
“Does my father know about this?”
“No – we were coming to tell him. That’s when we learned you had a fire here. Have you seen your brother, Richard?” Rita asked.
“No – he supposedly left early for a business meeting. What does he have to do with Gregory?”
“Andromeda said her husband came to Utopia to meet with Richard. Just before he died, he tried to tell me something. All I made out was “rich.” I think he was trying to tell me your brother was involved, but I don’t have any proof. I was hoping to speak with him, but he’s not here. How long do his business meetings usually last?”
“It’s hard to say with him. I try to avoid my brother whenever possible,” Joshua said. Will gave a slight nod of his head as he watched Paul and Adam walk to the front of the room, and turn to face the audience. “Your father is going to speak; we should hear listen to what he has to say.”
“Most of you are aware there have been some angel-blood deaths recently,” Paul said. “Regrettably, another of our friends was killed this morning. Felled by poison, Gregory Godwin died a few hours ago outside the entrance to his school.”
“My son is at the Academy,” one of the women screamed. Several of the other women wanted to know what the Guild was doing to protect their children.
Paul glanced at Adam before speaking to the crowd. “We don’t believe the students are in any danger. The school sits on hallowed ground.”
“Hallowed ground didn’t protect the administrator,” she replied.
She stood to address the other mothers. “We don’t know what we’re dealing with. If the school is so safe, then why is Gregory’s son with them?” She pointed a finger to Matthew.
Sneering at Paul, Meredith decided to add her two cents. “Gregory Godwin was a good and kind man. I certainly hope whoever was responsible for his death will be found and punished severely.”
“He couldn’t have been too good a man if he was Richard’s friend,” Willow mumbled.
“What did you say? Impertinent child -- how dare you talk about my son when he isn’t here to defend himself,” Meredith shouted.
“You leave her alone,” Matt yelled. “You don’t know anything about my father. You think he was so good, maybe you should have seen him belittle my mother until she broke down in tears!”
Willow grabbed Matt’s hands and gave it a gentle squeeze. Rita handed him a napkin to wipe away the tears which were sliding down his reddened cheeks.
“So where is your eldest son?” Willow asked as she walked from table to table. “Maybe I’m blind, but I don’t see Richard in this room. I’m sure it’s no coincidence that Andromeda mentioned Gregory was meeting with him this morning.”
Meredith jerked her head towards her husband. “Henry – are you going to just stand there and allow this brat to insult our son?”
“Who are you calling a brat?” Willow asked, pushing and shoving her way through the audience. Rita tried to grab her goddaughter’s shoulders when she walked by, but Willow twisted her body, breaking free of her grasp, and was soon standing defiantly in front of the governor’s wife.
Matt felt the hair lift on his arms and nape of his neck. “Do you think Meredith will hit her?” he whispered.
“Willow can take care of herself. Maybe Meredith will go for another swim in the fountain,” Rita said, as she glared at Henry’s wife.
Meredith raised her hand with visions of slapping the girl, when someone grabbed her wrist.
Speaking between clenched teeth, Nathali tried to reason with her grandmother. “Don’t be a fool; have you forgotten how powerful she is? Willow is Rita’s goddaughter. What do you think she’ll do if you attack her?”
“I want this- this- child out of here now,” Meredith bellowed to Henry. “We have never allowed children to attend our meetings. Just because she is the daughter of a Guild member, is no reason for her to receive special privileges,” she hissed.
“Unfortunately, you don’t make the rules,” Willow sneered. “I’m here to make sure nothing happens to my f
riend Matt. If you have a problem with that, then I suggest you take it up with my grandfather. You may remember him; he’s Raphael -- one of the archangels. I don’t think he’d be too happy about some wanna- be Baroness bullying his only granddaughter.”
The sound of snickering could be heard coming from Rita. That’s my girl. You don’t have to take crap from that beast.
Meredith’s eyes squinted as she glared at the nine-year-old girl. Despite her anger, she held her tongue. I’m not going to get into a pissing contest with you now. But mark my words, you’ll pay for that.
Willow gave the governor’s wife a dismissive glance before taking her seat next to Matt, who was beaming from ear to ear. “You really stood up to her,” he said.
“Just because Meredith is married to the governor, doesn’t make her anyone special. I promise you – she’s nothing but a royal pain in the butt.”
When Willow winked at Meredith, Rita couldn’t hold it in any longer; she burst out laughing, drawing attention from some of the committee members. She shrugged her shoulders giving a half-hearted apology. I love you, Willow. I swear I do.
“We’re getting off track,” Paul said.
Watching Willow, who didn’t back down an inch from her confrontation with Meredith; there was a subtle twinkle in his eyes. You’re father would be so proud.
“Adam and I are planning to examine the woods. Those of you who want to summon your children from Godwin Academy can do so now. We know Lucifer’s son was behind most of the earlier attacks, so I implore you to stay together, and not travel alone outside the boundaries of the city. We will strengthen the wards today before we return to Aeden.”
He looked at Henry. “Do you have anything to add?”
“We should begin a list of those who are planning to leave Utopia, whether for a few hours, a day or a week. There is no reason to be careless knowing the threat is so close to us.” He leaned in and whispered in Paul’s ear. “Do you think Lucifer’s son was responsible for the fire in the woods?”
