by Renee Pace
Squatting, his body still racked with tremors, he looked at her. “I made this sacrifice willingly because I am honored to be your chosen one. I love you, Isabella.”
“And I you, Nathanael.” The confession, in the midst of his gripping pain, felt somehow hollow. Slowly, Isabella moved within reach of him. When he attempted to draw her close, it was Izzy who wrapped her arms tenderly, with caution, around him. She cradled his head to hers, offering the healing of her voice. The ancient healing chant eased his sore body, and for that, she offered thanks to the Mistress. When his gray eyes looked at her with gratitude, she felt like her heart and soul saw him for the first time. He is my chosen. There is no other. I am honored to be his.
Another blinding light surrounded them. Izzy looked up. They were in the exact spot they had been when the blessing ceremony started. She looked at Nathanael and he looked at her, clearly surprised. She could tell by his stance his body wasn’t in pain.
How can that be?
“The Almighty is pleased with your willing sacrifice, Nathanael. Isabella, you are Cherub born and warrior ready to the task thou hast been appointed to.”
“But?” asked Nathanael.
“You passed the test, Nathanael, and are Sera now, a true Seraphim warrior angel.”
The Mistress placed a white-gloved hand on Nathanael’s shoulder. A shudder went through his body and then miraculously his beautiful white wings unfurled from a slit at the back of his robe. Shock and awe filled his face.
When the Mistress moved to Isabella hope flared briefly in her.
“Heavenly wings thou hast earned, Isabella, but to take them, you must willingly accept the terms.”
Izzy expected that. “I am honored, Mistress, you find me a mere Cherub worthy of wings, but I will keep to thy terms as agreed.”
“So it is to be.”
The Mistress backed away. “Kneel.”
Izzy dropped to her knees, feeling Nathanael do the same. The scripture words sailed through the room filling Isabella with love.
“Bring me the candle.”
With her head bowed, Izzy wondered who had been appointed to approach the Mistress. Not daring to look up, she forced her curiosity to heel.
“I bring forth light to signify thy darkness purged from your souls. Together, thou walk the righteous path of the light. One thou art until dust do thy make. Celebrate your journey with hearts and soul pure. You have the Almighty’s blessings.”
When she ordered Isabella to stand and bow her head, Izzy expected her to place the necklace around her neck. Instead, Nathanael stood and then moved to cover her head.
“The journey the Almighty has asked of you, Nathanael and Isabella, will test your faith. That thee willingly suffered, sacrificed, shows thee pure of strength. With this blessing, I grant you each a Kita to help purge this realm of darkness. Work with mankind to show them the path of light. Lead the human-born angels, as was foretold.”
A gasp from one of her sisters broke through Izzy’s mind. Foretold? What is she talking about?
The Mistress leaned closer to Nathanael and Izzy.
“For the greater good thee were taught. A foretelling written at the beginning. Teach the human-born angels to be warriors and be our first line of defense against Lucifer’s growing army. When the time comes for thy battle at the heavenly gates, thou all wilt be welcomed home. So thou art blessed.”
With those words, the Mistress left as quietly as she had arrived. Isabella hadn’t realized she had been holding her breath until Nathanael drew her into an embrace. When his lips claimed hers, inside she cried a mix of fear and joy.
Chapter Seventeen
Ash couldn’t believe his eyes. He’d successfully taken hold of Gareth’s mind, but still the human fought him. Crouched by the side of the recreational center, he could easily see what was taking place inside the room: a joining between a Cherub and Seraphim. They didn’t have time for this. The army his father was ready to unleash was almost ready. Did the Mistress not understand the urgency of his message? Surely not. He’d been quite detailed in what he’d conveyed to the Cherub. It felt like a blasted long time for the formal ceremony to end. When it was finally over, he noticed one Cherub in particular glancing out the window and for a second Ash wondered if she could see him. He almost laughed. No, that would be impossible. The power he’d amassed from Shea was a tangible pulse that continued to grow. And the only thing she’d spy if she did would be Gareth’s human form moving to lounge idly against the building. It was then Ash realized why Gareth struggled so much against his hold. He had feelings for this Cherub and did not wish her harmed. With a smile perfectly balanced on his lips, Ash made Gareth walk into the Cherub’s dwelling. This Cherub would be the one to let the demon enter the sacred Cherub domain.
* * *
Meredith waited for the proper time to pass. Silently, she eased her way out of the celebration. Turning down the hallway, she spotted Gareth leaning unsteadily against Shea’s door.
“Are you all right? She advanced into his space. He didn’t acknowledge her until she stood before him.
“Where is Shea?” His smoky voice made Meredith take a step back.
“Gareth, tell me you did not give in?”
He turned, gave her a puzzled look, and stepped away without answering. For a stunned second, Meredith did nothing. When she let the anger take hold of her, she marched after him and in a very un-Cherub-like way, grabbed his sweater.
“It’s not too late. You were doing good.”
A hurtful scoff met her remark. “Good is overrated. Where’s Shea?”
Meredith felt confused. Why is he asking about Shea? She immediately reproached herself. He probably worried for her welfare. I have no claim on Gareth. The reality is we can never be together. Disclosing what she was had unburdened her soul, but it had obviously been the wrong thing for Gareth to tackle.
“Shea is making her way to the recreational center for the celebration.”
“Celebration?”
It was question but it barked like a command she rushed to answer. “The joining. Isabella and Nathanael have completed the x’simcha ceremony and the feast continues with a private party Michael has agreed to hold for us. Would you like to join us?”
“Is the Mistress here?”
“No.” How does he know about the Mistress?
Gareth looked annoyed. His gaze shifted to the floor. “Great. That’s just great.”
Turning, he once again dismissed her to make his way back down the corridor toward the stairs. Meredith tried not to feel hurt and failed.
“Do you require me tonight to ease your pain?” She swallowed, feeling nervous for the first time in the human’s presence. He stopped cold, pivoted, and marched straight back to her. Something dark, feral, and predatory awoke behind his flat green eyes.
“Ease my pain. That has a nice ring to it. Lead the way, Cherub.”
“Why are you acting so strange, Gareth? And, please do not call me that name again.”
“What name?”
She snorted and rolled her eyes. “Cherub.”
His eyes narrowed. “You do not like your name.” He sounded slightly incredulous.
Meredith fought not to grimace. She’d told him exactly what she thought of Cherub tradition the night she’d shown him her wings. “It’s not my name. It’s a designation tattooed in invisible ink for all the other angels to see. I’m Meredith, not just a Cherub.”
He applauded, and the ringing sound of his mocking clap felt like he’d smacked her.
“I’m not sure what has happened to you tonight, but you are not the same.”
“No, I am not, Meredith.” His eyes softened as he moved into her space. “I am not mocking you. Your comeback took me by surprise. It seems there is much that continues to surprise me about you girls.”
“I told you what happened to us.”
“Yes, that is true, but I’d like for you to tell me again.”
“What? Do you mean now?
” She turned her head to look back at the dark candle still flickering away in the common room and wondered if she’d be missed. The thought of watching Izzy and Nathanael act as a happy couple truly wasn’t something she longed to witness. Then again, she probably should set an example for the others.
“Why are you hesitating with your offer? You thought to ease my pain and I find comfort in your voice. Lead the way.”
Meredith looked again to see if any of her fellow sisters poked their heads out to see where she might have wandered to. Guess they’re all too caught up in the celebration to notice that I have left. Selfishly she wished someone needed her. Gareth cleared his throat. He needs me, she thought, turning to face him with a practiced smile.
“I don’t have a lot of time,” she said.
“Then we had best use it wisely,” he said, giving her a friendly wink.
He took her arm, something he had never done before. Meredith waited for the assault of his turbulent emotions. Nothing. A cocoon of blackness that did not overload her senses greeted her. Instantly, she relaxed, knowing something wasn’t quite right but too happy to give him a second chance. After all everyone deserved another chance. She, more than him, understood the need for making a clean slate.
* * *
A tornado of emotions churned inside Izzy. The need to confess rocked her. What did I do? The question, the only one haunting her for the past hours, damned her. She’d smiled, eaten the food at the feast, and acted like all was normal even as Mike, her business partner, pretended to be happy for them all. He wasn’t truly happy and she didn’t need to be empathic to know the reason why. They had rocked the foundation of his beliefs and he still very much sought revenge. How can it ever be the same? We are not the same.
A gentle knock on her sanctuary door brought her upright from the bed. Nathanael, her husband, awaited for her to open the door. This act, significant and symbolic, a part of Cherub tradition, caused her stomach muscles to flutter madly. The meaning of what she was about to set in motion rattled like a wind chime blowing in the wind.
Izzy yanked open her bedroom door. He grinned, his eyes heated with warmth. They turned light gray, almost hazel-like when he was happy. Definitely asphalt-colored when angry.
“Get in here,” she said, turning her back to march over to stand by the bed. She didn’t dare sit on it. The act was significant, and intimate, considering what she thought he hoped to do next. Izzy closed her eyes and wished again she’d changed into jeans and a shirt. Wearing the red robe felt constricting. Wearing nothing underneath it left her body vibrating anxiously. Knowing he wore nothing under his matching robe unsettled her more.
“Isabella, your loving welcome warms my heart.”
He teased her. She wrung her fingers together, trying to figure out how best to explain everything. “Nathanael,” she began.
“Nat.” He gave her a long, searching look. “Please call me Nat.”
A repeat of an earlier conversation. A smile tugged at her lips. “Izzy, please call me Izzy. All my friends do.”
One of his eyebrows rose. “Friends? We are much more than friends. Izzy, I should warn you that if you treat any of your human friends or greet them wearing what I know is underneath your robe…I shall kill them.”
He flirted with her. Izzy found herself tsking him. “Nat, we’re angels. We don’t go around killing people.”
“My only defense is that I am Seraphim born and yes, I will kill any human who dares see you—”
Izzy laughed, cutting him off. “Nat, that’s not going to happen. Come here…I need to explain something to you.”
“If it’s the birds and the bees, save it. We both know I know all about that.” He grinned in glee.
She took his hand in hers. “After what I have to tell you, you might not think that.”
“Will what you tell me involve having my wings cut off again?”
She gave him a puzzled look. “What?”
He brought her hand up to his mouth, kissing her knuckles. “My wings were clipped. Your wings were clipped. That is pain. I am sure I can handle what you have to tell me.”
It took a lot of willpower for Izzy to remove her hand from his, but in the end she had no choice.
“I bargained with the Mistress to let me stay here.”
He gave a slow nod, his eyes searching her face.
“You have to understand I could not leave them. Because of me, my Cherub sisters are in exile. I will not leave them.”
“I understand that, Izzy.”
His tone, quiet and patient, caused her to gulp with dread. “No.” She shook her head. “You don’t understand. She offered me the heavenly realm and I refused.”
“You did what you thought was right.”
Agitated with his soft words, Izzy got up and began to pace the space in her bedroom. “You are not listening, Nat. I had nothing left to bargain, so I bargained…you.”
He stood, stepping into her space, making her still. “Explain what you mean.”
“I wasn’t sure you’d go through with it, but I bargained that you would willingly give up your wings to be with me…”
His eyes clouded over and Izzy rushed the rest of what had to be said out. “I also bargained that you would stay with me in exile, on Earth, and not take a seat on the Seraphim Council.”
His hands grasped her by the arms. “How did you know I would agree?”
“I didn’t. I thought, I thought you’d leave me and then…”
“Then the Mistress would have no choice but to leave you too here, to this realm, which is what you wanted all along. You wouldn’t complete your penance. How could you?”
“What would you have done? This is my burden. I will not leave them to the wild of mankind alone. I will not.”
She watched him struggle. He let go of her, running his hands over the top of his head. She longed to feel the short, bristly ends of his hair.
He looked at the bed and then back at her. Izzy felt her heart trip with fevered excitement and wonder. Why isn’t he bolting for the door?
“Are you sorry?” he asked.
For the first time, Izzy willingly got to her knees before him. Bowing her head low, she crossed her arms across her chest. Speaking angel speak, she said, “I am sorry for the pain I have caused you.”
He reached down and gently scooped her up into his embrace. “I would have done the same. You are a warrior and leader for your Cherub sisters. I willingly admit I wish there had been a less painful way, but I understand your motivation. And now it is my turn to apologize.”
“What?” she asked.
“I claimed you when I knew you were not ready, but my own fear that you would leave me forced my hand. I took your choice away…”
“I give it willingly.”
“Yes and no. We both know that. But come, let us make amends tonight. This is a blessed night and I plan to worship and love all of you until dust do us make.”
“How can you still claim to love me when I’ve forced you to give up the Seraphim Council seat? That’s the only reason you came after me.”
“It appears, Izzy that Seraphim can change.”
“But what about your father?”
A guarded look briefly crossed his face. “We were never close to begin with. I’m not saying what he had to do was easy, but that’s his role. He didn’t flinch when he severed your wings and he was as steady for me. I hope my training will help us with the new Kitas the Mistress gave us because we are going to have to be the ones to train your sisters. And honestly, I don’t need to sit on the Seraphim Council when my heart knows the path we have both been set upon is so important. You and me, working together, is something I would never have thought plausible a few short weeks ago but you, Izzy, you my b’iã, have changed me for the best.”
Izzy hated the tears she could not control. His words, flattery, warmed her heart more than the blessed ceremony they’d just undertaken. Gently, Nat touched her cheeks, wiping away each drop and teari
ng open her heart more with longing and that wouldn’t do.
Looking up at him, she sighed. “You’re going to hate me more.”
“Never say that, Izzy. I could never hate you. You are mine.”
“What if I confessed that I’m not ready for all of this? I know I’m asking a lot of you, but I’d like us to go slow. Let’s date.”
One of Nat’s eyebrows quirked up and damn if Izzy didn’t like how cute it made him look.
“I take it this is another human thing,” said Nat, not sounding as angry as Izzy feared.
Nodding, Izzy rambled on about what dating meant to humans and how it worked. “Let’s get to know each other more and then when it’s right we can…you know,” she said, a blush staining her cheeks.
Nat scooped her up onto his lap. She clutched at the lapels of her robe, causing him to grin.
“For you only, my b’iã, I will do this. This journey we are embarking upon will test us both but I know you are a brave warrior. I must say I find the idea of this dating thing intriguing. Just how long do you think we will undertake this?”
Izzy snuggled closer to him. His scent, leather and cinnamon, enveloped her senses, and Isabella wondered if she’d have a harder time with just dating than him. Still, though it was what she wanted. They might be married and bonded together, but that didn’t mean they knew each other. It didn’t mean they should rush the knowing, either. “I don’t have a definite idea of time, but let’s try a year.”
He laughed, hugging her tight. “Six months. We will do this your way and then I plan to kiss my demands all over your skin and there will be no saying no. Understood?”
Demanding as ever. Izzy hadn’t expected him to acquiesce so easily, so she simply smiled and nodded. In six months, they could try round two of this discussion and see where things went.
Izzy gave into the urge to kiss his neck and loved how he shuddered. She did so very much like to tease him. “I have been thinking of the Mistress’s words and the vision the Dark Angel gave me. We will need more than the nine of us. We need to recruit the Earth-born angels.”
