Ghost Fire (The Ghost Files Book 3)
Page 14
“To manifest change through the journey,” Cody surmised. “It’s not entirely about the destination. Right?”
“Ah, I see that you understand the big picture.”
“I do.” He nodded. “So, as a mortal, am I allowed to her in every way?”
A hint of a smile crossed Haniel’s mouth. “You will be inside a human body with free will. But inside of your new host body, your priority will be as an angel detective, seeking the truth and using it for the good of the people who need to know it. So, keep in mind that you could complicate her life, and yours, with your actions. Use your discernment skills.”
Cody digested this for a moment, then said, “Mariah’s been sending up a prayer storm, hasn’t she?”
“A tsunami.”
“I’m not surprised. How long will I remain inside of a mortal?”
Haniel said, “When the case is solved and life settles down for the ones you have helped, you will be called to exit your mortal host and will immediately be assigned to your next angel detective case.”
“So, my mission isn’t for the life span of the host body?”
“No, Cody. It may be a long-term assignment. Or not. You will be needed to serve again in a similar capacity. But we are compassionate. We will not call you for a new assignment until the timing is right. Until all of the questions have been answered. It could be years.”
He humbly bowed his head for a moment, accepting the terms. “Thank you.”
“I just have a word of caution about that part,” Haniel said. “Should you fail to answer the recall to exit your host body, and further serve Heaven, the Dark Angels will come for you and try to recruit you for the other side.”
“I would never betray Heaven,” he said, appalled.
“We know. But they will tempt you. That’s why we chose you to be the first for this mission. Because you overcame them on your last guardian angel assignment, when your charge crossed over, she became part of Heaven.”
“I would never have let them have her or anyone else under my charge. And you did allow me to use the Terrible Swift Sword against them. May I use it again for this case?”
“No. Unfortunately, if a mortal touches it, he dies instantly,” Haniel replied. “And you will be in a mortal skin and somewhat handicapped without one of our best weapons against the Dark Angels.”
“I see. Hmmm, no Terrible Swift Sword? I’m going to feel about as naked as a mortal woman without her purse. I will have to keep my wits about me at all times.”
“Yes, you will.”
“Are there other angel detectives?” Cody asked.
Haniel replied, “There will be. If you succeed, others will be assigned.” Haniel paused. “We have faith in your judgment and your intelligence. I can see that you still have other questions.”
“I do. What happens to the spirit of the person whose body I inhabit? He’s not just a shell, a vehicle to make all of this possible. What of him?”
“He’s a mortal who is tormented by a tragedy so great that, at first, your spirit will be the primary power. His own separate consciousness will take point as healing progresses. We’re in current danger of losing him to the dark angels, so your assignment is also to change his life path. He’s currently on the Angel of Death contingency list.”
Cody shuddered. “The AOD contingency list? Who is this man?”
“A convicted murderer.”
Cody’s eyes widened. “In?”
“No. On parole.”
Whew! Still, Cody decided the assignment would be challenging. “What else I should know?”
“The council would prefer that you not tell Mariah that that your angelic spirit is inside this man’s body. We caution that telling her could cause her emotional confusion or logistical paradoxes—ones related to your previous mortal life with her.”
He expected that caveat. He nodded. “I’ll strive to go forward with grace in the new host body. And do honor to Heaven on my mission as an angel detective.”
“We know you will. Farewell.”
Cody extended his wings in an angel’s goodbye. “Pax to all, for who you have been, who you are, and who you will be.”
The chimes sounded to end the hearing. Emily disappeared from the hall.
Amid “Godspeeds” expressed to Cody, the Highest entered the gathering. He glided to Cody, all-seeing eyes alight with compassion.
The Highest touched nail-scarred palms to Cody’s wings. With a brief tingle, they disappeared. Cody, now deprived of his lush wings, nearly wept.
The Highest kissed Cody’s forehead and said, “Selah.” Cody knew that selah could mean many things. Among the translations were: forever, lift up, pause and listen, prayer, seal up, even, it goes.
“Selah,” Cody replied.
The light of Heaven faded. Cody blinked at pinpoints of stars in a black velvet void as his journey back began.
He fell from Heaven into his new mortal body.
Just as he was thinking that he would go across the universe for even a single kiss from Mariah, something went wrong. Terribly wrong.
He reached for his Terrible Swift Sword and of course, did not have it on him…
The Man Who Fell From the Sky
is available at:
Amazon Kindle or Amazon UK
About the Author
Eve Paludan now lives on the west side of Los Angeles, California. Her first agent sold her first book, The Romance Writer’s Pink Pages: The Insider’s Guide to Getting Your Romance Novel Published, to Prima (now Random House). The book went on to become a popular series (three editions) and two of the editions became #1 bestsellers for Writer’s Digest Book Club. After stints in the software and technology industries as a content editor/writer for productivity and children’s software, a web designer of commercial sites, an editor of scholarly work at a state university, and a newspaper employee, she has returned to her true passion: novelist. She now writes fiction and edits for bestselling novelists. Her newest books are: Ghost Fire (The Ghost Files #3), The Man Who Fell from the Sky (Angel Detectives Case #1), and Taking Back Tara (Ranch Lovers Romance). She is currently at work on a sexy vampire trilogy and The Man Who Rose from the Sea (Angel Detectives Case #2). Please follow Eve Paludan on Facebook, Twitter, and on her website, www.EvePaludanBooks.com.