“Deal!” Lucifer’s roar shook the house violently.
“See you in sixty years, Brother.” Etta jumped off Vetis’s back, leaving the feather in his chest.
“If not sooner, Sister.” Lucifer’s reply faded as he, Vetis, and the Demons disappeared.
“It’s safe guys.” Etta dropped to my side. “Amy, help him.”
“I’m on it. Okay Ra, this is it. Your last set, so take care of these ones.”
“What do you mean last ones?” Etta shot up.
“His body wasn’t made to handle losing his wings more than once, let alone three times.”
“But he only lost them twice,” Etta argued.
“No. We gave them up when we came down here. This is his third time. Should he lose one again, he’s permanently grounded, or worse,” Gabriel said.
“Why did you do that?” Etta lifted my face to her. Before an answer passed my lips, a surge of electricity burst through my body and everything went black…again.
***
The smell of bacon and eggs tickled my nose. As I sat up, I found myself in Etta’s bed. Remembering what had just happened, I jumped up and ran down the stairs. Relief swept over me as I saw Etta, Amy, Gabriel, and Rene chatting it up at the dining room table.
“Look who’s awake,” Gabriel announced as I rounded the banister. Amy laughed. Etta turned in her chair and giggled as well. A look of sheer horror swept over Rene’s face as she marched toward me.
“You get yourself back upstairs and get dressed. I put fresh clothes on the bed.”
I looked down at myself, panicked, and bolted up to Etta’s room. I had showed up to breakfast in nothing but my boxer briefs. Once I donned more appropriate attire, I returned downstairs and took a seat at the end of the table. John came out of the kitchen with plates full of bacon, scrambled eggs, and buttermilk biscuits that resembled huge, fluffy, golden brown clouds.
“Would you mind saying Grace, babe?” John squeezed Rene’s hand. Following their lead, we all joined hands and bowed our heads.
“Our dear, Heavenly Father, we bow our heads before Thee in thankfulness for this food. We ask that you please bless it so it will be nourishing to our bodies. And please bless Ramen that he will find the right program and support to overcome his addiction to alcohol and drugs. We say these things in your name, Amen.”
“My addiction?” Had I known prayer would turn into a public service announcement for a vice I didn’t have, I would have skipped breakfast all together.
“John told me about your problem and how our cups got switched last night. And with the way you slept, I see it didn’t stop you from getting your fix.”
“Did he now?” I shot John a glare.
“Don’t be mad at him. He’s only looking out for you. Plus, this is a good thing. We can go to meetings together.”
“We can?”
“You have to go to at least one since your magic cup trick lost me my sobriety anniversary chip I was supposed to get today.”
“But—”
“But nothing. Meeting’s at one o’clock.”
I didn’t see the point in arguing with her. I would have to bite the bullet on this one. After we finished our meal, I took it upon myself to help Rene clear the table and do dishes. It seemed to be the least I should do since it somehow became my fault she relapsed. As I dried off the plates, Etta walked to the back door, nodding for me to follow.
“Gabriel told me about the letter and CD sleeve. So I guess you’ll want them,” Etta said with her back turned to me. A hint of sadness echoed in her voice.
“I have no choice. Father wants them destroyed.”
“Yep. Then the veil will close. And you’ll be gone, again,” she said, lowering her gaze.
I turned her to face me. “You’ve saved me twice now. It’s a debt I’ll spend eternity paying back. I’ll always be with you, even if you can’t see me.” I wiped a tear on her cheek with my thumb.
“It’s okay. I’m not crying ’cause you’re leaving. I’m crying ’cause I’m happy.”
“You’re happy I’m leaving?”
“No. You silly goose. You’ll see. Let’s go. You got some letters to deliver.” Etta pulled out the CD sleeve from her pocket. “Gabriel found the letter I wrote you when he cleaned up the house.”
“You guys ready?” Gabriel popped out the back door.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I said as I somberly walked through the side gate.
Etta and I walked hand in hand in silence, as Gabriel and Amy trailed behind us toward the river. Their laughs and giggles sounded as if what we were going do had no bearing on their love. Giving over the notes would close the veil on Etta, but Amy as well. I wondered if Gabriel would be able to handle losing her.
Looking back, I saw my brother whisper something to her. Laughing, Amy swept a curl behind her ear, flashing something shimmering on her ring finger. It would seem he’d finally given her the engagement ring he bought, and she’d accepted. Unfortunately for Amy, it would be a short-lived engagement. Reaching the spot where I first awoke in Quantico, we stopped. At the water’s edge stood the buck, fawn, and owl, awaiting our arrival.
“I guess this is it.” I tried to swallow the lump in my throat.
“It’s only the beginning.” Etta tugged at my fingers until hers intertwined with mine.
“I love you, Etta.”
“I love you too, Ra. Now go. And get it over with.”
Uncertain as to what our future would hold, I didn’t want to let go. Handing over the notes would ensure Etta would forget me, us, and the love we shared. No longer would my visits to her be tolerated, erasing me from her life. Not wanting to lose her again, I squeezed her hand tighter, searching for a sign showing me she didn’t want to lose me either. I waited for a clue telling me to grab her and run, taking the letters with us.
“No, Ra. We do this by the book from now on,” Etta said as if she knew my exact thoughts. Confident I’d be able to plead a convincing case as to why we should run, I tried to speak, but Etta touched her finger to my lips.
“We’d never make it far. This isn’t goodbye. It’s a see you later.” She pulled my forehead down to hers. I knew she was right. How do you hide from a being that sees and hears all? If this would be the last time she saw me as her friend, lover, and husband, I didn’t want her to see me moping to our end. I needed her to see the head strong, confident, fearless Arch she married. Straightening my shoulders, I mustered up all the strength I had. I puffed my chest, released my grip, and walked with Gabriel toward Father. Taking to my knee, I hoped he didn’t sense my body trembling.
“We have the letters, but were unable to capture Vetis,” I stated.
“So I’ve been told. Quite the risk she took for you, Rahovart.”
“Yes, Father, she did. I’m sorry. I should have never put her in that position.”
“Don’t be sorry. You did everything within your power. Keep the letters. I won’t need them.”
“But Father, the veil?”
“What about the veil, my son?”
“It won’t close unless— ”
“Is that what you want?”
“No, but—”
“One would hope it were as simple as the notes. I believe her soul remembers life beyond the veil, not her mind. If I closed it, Etta will simply reopen it. You’re going to be very busy trying to keep her out of trouble, my son.”
“What are you saying, Father?”
“Don’t seem so surprised, Rahovart. You accomplished your part of our bargain, and I’m keeping my end of our deal. You may visit her as long as it doesn’t interfere with your duties.”
The weight of the world lifted from my shoulders. Overwhelmed with excitement, I wanted to run to Etta, scoop her in my arms, and never let go. If not for Father still standing in front me, I would have.
“And what of Amy?” Gabriel interjected.
“She did a fine job.”
“Father, forgive me, but that’s not
what I meant.”
“I know what you meant, Gabriel. I have the feeling Etta’s deal with Lucifer isn’t going to hold for long. She’ll need a friend who will understand and help her.”
“Does that mean I too can visit?” Gabriel nervously twisted his hands in the bottom of his shirt.
“From what I gather, you want to do more than visit with her. Marriage is a very serious thing, especially for an Arch. It’s not until death do you part, but for all time and eternity. I hope you understand that, my son.”
“I do, Father. I can assure you my feelings for her are far greater than lust. I love her.”
“I had the feeling one day you and Charoum would eventually marry. Don’t forget to send me an invitation,” Father said, with a wink before vanishing.
Simultaneously, Gabriel and I released a deep sigh of relief. Though our lives would be far from easy being caught between two worlds, we both knew in the end, as long as we had our girls to come home to, it would all be worthwhile. Before I had a chance to turn back toward Etta, Father’s words resonated in my brain.
“Did I hear him right? Amy is Charoum?” I blurted. What would be the odds of Etta’s best friend and Gabriel’s fiancée on Earth being the same soul as Abihail’s best friend and Gabriel’s suppressed, romantic obsession in Heaven?
“Yeah,” Gabriel scoffed.
“One would think you would be a little less cavalier about finding out your fiancée is the girl you used to stalk. Doesn’t that surprise you?”
“No. I figured that out a while ago. Unlike you, Rahovart, I can see past the end of my nose and what is in front of me. Plus, the heart never forgets whom it has truly loved, no matter the vessel by which it travels.”
“Well then, Gabriel,” I said putting my arm around him. “Looks as though we have a wedding to plan.”
~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~
Heaven started her writing career three years ago after being challenged by a relative. With her ‘Oh, Yes I can!’ attitude, determination and support from her family, she completed her first novel The Demon Side, which released in October 2011 and has been a finalist for best paranormal romance in Romcom Inc.’s 2011 Reader Crown Awards as well as Oklahoma Romance Writers of America 2012 International Digital Awards. When she’s not kissing owies, climbing Mount Dishmore, or obsessing over her Facebook book page, you can find her at the computer revising or editing one of her five works in progress or Saturday evenings as a co-host to KMYC’s 1410AM The Dirt’s with Lori Schulz. Having lived in many states, she has now settled down in California with her husband, her son, and a beta fish named Barry and guinea pig Skunkers.
You can visit with Heaven at www.heaveneldeen.com
The Demon Side by Heaven Liegh Eldeen
Every kid has problems. Every kid has even more problems when they move to a new home. But when a kid with problems moves to a new home that has a Demon living inside it—look out!
Etta’s world is about to spin out of control when she encounters her new roommate—and Rahovart, that ancient trickster, is in for a few surprises too. So don’t mind all the crashing and rumbling; that’s just the normal noise Angels and Demons make when they’re fighting an epic war in the attic.
One thing’s for sure: Etta and Rahovart will have to go through Hell to Heaven and back again before that old Victorian home in Quantico Town finally quiets down… cops don't have a teenage, blood-sucking, non-hero on their team.
Contents
Title page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~
The Human Side (The Demon Side Series) Page 14
