The Guardian, a Sword, & Stilettos (The Enlighten Series Book 1)

by Kristin D. Van Risseghem

  Kieran decided Zoe could be left for a few minutes at his house. After all, it was only a second in her sense of time, and Shay would protect her if it came to that. Now he stood next to a grand staircase overlooking a small stream, fidgeting with his hands.

  “Ah, Kieran,” came his mentor’s voice. “What brings you to Heaven so soon? You’re not scheduled to bring an update to the Council today. Are matters not well on Earth? Not any worse, I hope.”

  “I have come to seek your guidance.”

  The Archangel Michael appeared, regal as always on the top step. Dressed in a deep-blue, gauzy robe, his feet strapped in golden sandals. He descended the stairs with his magnificent gray wings extended. “I saw you and Zoe in the Void today.”

  Kieran embraced his mentor, avoiding the wings. “I had to take her there,” he admitted, not meeting Michael’s eyes. He was deeply ashamed he had failed to protect Zoe. “Two low-level Knights found her.”

  “Don’t fret. You haven’t let her, or us, down. Considering the sheer numbers Sammael has been unleashing on the world lately, the demons were bound to find her. It’s a miracle you two were able to hide and protect her this long. You have done well on your assignment.” He placed a reassuring hand on Kieran’s shoulder. “No one will fault you. I am proud of you, Kieran. Do you feel she is ready?”

  He shrugged and ran a hand over his face. “The timing could be worse, I suppose. She turns eighteen in a little over two months, and she’ll get the Heaven’s Mark then. I think telling her now will help prepare her. It will give her time to contemplate the situation, which could only improve our position.”

  Michael nodded. “I trust your judgment. I will tell the Council your decision. Anything else?”

  Something about his tone bothered Kieran. He peered closely at Michael. “She will get the Heaven’s Mark, won’t she?”

  Michael’s expression was predictably calm. “Let’s hope we are correct about her. Only He knows for sure.” He gave Kieran a parting smile, then disappeared.

  Kieran looked around Heaven, remembering the last time he had been here. It had been on the day of Zoe’s birth, the day he’d received the assignment to protect her. The Council had assembled and asked for volunteers, and his hand had risen to the request.

  What he’d seen on that day was not necessarily what anyone else saw. To him, Heaven had been like a Greek picture of Mount Olympus, complete with towering white pillars, floating pathways made of stone, all of it surrounded by a thin layer of soft, white light. The assortment of wing colors took Kieran’s breath away. And just like a human fingerprint, no two wing shades were exactly the same. The vibrant hues stood out even more, in contrast against the whiteness, and a calm serenity washed over him.

  But today he saw gentle rolling hills and sharp jagged cliffs, cut by steep waterfalls. Different palettes of blues, greens, and reds splashed the landscape, and he inhaled the fragrances of multi-colored plumeria, gardenias, and jasmine. Angels wandered around, dressed in shorts, T-shirts, and lei necklaces. Somehow his version of Heaven had morphed into how Zoe imagined it.

  Time in Heaven was not measured, since Angels had eternal life. Many were still as youthful as they had been when he had left for Earth, over seventeen years ago. He guessed he hadn’t changed much in that time either.

  Or maybe he had. He’d had to age along with Zoe so she’d never think to question him, but that was only his outer appearance. The truth was he did feel differently in his soul now. Maybe spending his days around humans was helping him understand the depths of their emotions.

  He often missed the serenity and the choir of angels, now that he was living on Earth. He also missed knowing he was closer to the Father. But if he decided to stay in Heaven, he would miss Zoe too much. It would be worse than missing Heaven.

  He’d watched her grow up, and he knew she was special—even if she turned out not to be— He shook his head to clear his mind of that thought. Over time, he’d grown to love her. It wasn’t just one thing about her. It was the sum of all the little details. Like how she included everyone. Zoe had tried to make friends with the new girl, Morgan, even though not all her classmates liked her. Or in fourth grade, when she let Cali have the Virgin Mary role in the Christmas play, even though she wanted to play the part. Or just last year when she’d organized the Student Volunteer Program, coordinated the food bank drive, and raised money for the senior’s home in town. It was all those little factors that made her special. That’s why he loved her.

  And maybe even more because of her flaws. He hadn’t realized he was “in” love with her until today, when Shay had shown up.

  He understood Zoe. He would do anything for her. If it were in his power, he would find a way to be with her always. And if he could take her place in what was to come, he would.

  But that wasn’t what Zoe would want. Kieran gazed at the wandering angels, unable to push away the regret he felt inside whenever he thought about what she’d have to go through. When she eventually discovered what she was prophesied to do, she wouldn’t want him to shoulder her burden. Zoe would never allow others to suffer because of her, and that was what made her Zoe.

  When Kieran walked into the den and handed me my drink, I noticed he’d put on a new button-down shirt in the few seconds he had been in the kitchen. He slouched in the wingback chair in front of the fireplace, leaving Shay to sit next to me on the couch. My skin grew increasingly warm with him so close, and I leaned away, pulling my legs up under me and averting my eyes. I hoped he didn’t notice my flushed cheeks.

  Slightly exasperated, I grabbed the blanket off the back of the couch and formed a barrier between us. Now I was ready for the discussion. Or as ready as could be expected, anyway. I’d been pretty tolerant so far. Seriously. I could have lit into Kieran or had a breakdown at the warehouse, but hadn’t. I’d trusted him. Now it was his turn.

  “So, spill.”

  Shay faced me, draping his left arm over the back of the couch, and when I stole a glimpse in his direction, he smirked.

  Focus, Zoe.

  “Shay has already told you he’s a nephilim,” Kieran said. “Which means he is half-human and half-angel.”

  I nodded, glad for the distraction and much better at watching Kieran than I was ignoring Shay.

  “I told you in the warehouse that I was assigned to watch over you.”

  Finally. I leaned toward him, needing to understand. “Go on.”

  “Okay. The truth is . . .” He hesitated, and his cheeks turned slightly pink. “I’m an angel.”

  My arms flailed. That was unexpected.

  “You now know about Heaven, angels, and demons.”

  I nodded, becoming aware that my jaw hung open. I snapped it shut.

  “And there is a prophecy,” he continued, his eyes slightly glazed, “that has been told over the centuries. It’s so old that I don’t remember its origin, but I think it was from the fairies.”

  I blinked at him, speechless, then grabbed onto the one word with which I could vaguely connect. “Wait a minute. Fairies?”

  “That’s what I think.” Kieran nodded, as if all this were as normal as anything else. “You are familiar with Guardian Angels. Well, I’m yours. I’m a member of the Third Hierarchy of Angels. Archangels are members of the Second Hierarchy of Angels. Seraphs are in the First. Each level has particular gifts.”

  What he described seemed incredible. And yet his face didn’t show any emotion. Shay’s expression hadn’t changed either, so this was nothing new to him.

  “Huh.” I frowned, determined to understand. “If angels are real . . . then the other creatures in the myths are true, too. Right? I mean, Shay said those guys in the warehouse were . . . demons. So you’re suggesting there are other beings besides angels and demons.”

  Kieran stood and started to pace the room. “Yes, but not all myths are true or real. Witches—”

  “—are real,” Shay interrupted. “But mermaids are not.”

  Kieran looke
d sideways at him. “Oh. Those are real.”

  “No, they aren’t.”

  “Yes, they are.” Kieran narrowed his eyes. “I’ve seen them. Have you been in the depths of the ocean? I didn’t know nephilim could hold their breaths for that long.”

  “What about werewolves?” I asked, attempting to diffuse the situation.

  “Real,” Kieran said.

  I frowned. “Come on. You’re talking crazy now.”

  He stopped pacing and glared at me. “Why? Is it so hard to believe that humans are not the only ones inhabiting the earth? Many people believe in angels and demons according to whatever religion they follow.”

  “Of course not. But I’d never considered there might be an entire population of mythical creatures here. Then again, myths must have come from somewhere.”

  Kieran sighed and continued, “There are three Orders of Enlightens: the Eternals, the Naturals, and the Ordinaries.” He held up one finger. “Angels, demons, and fairies make up the Order of Eternals, because they live forever.” Another finger joined the first. “Werewolves and nephilim are in the Order of Naturals, since they live longer lives.” He paced toward the windowsill and then leaned against it, holding up his third finger. “Normal, everyday people are called Ordinaries.”

  I’d give him points for that one. “That makes sense. Who named the Orders?”

  “I’m not certain, but guessing the fairies again. Typically Ordinaries think all angels are good, and all demons are bad,” he continued. “Over the centuries, we have discovered that generalization isn’t true. Within each Order, there may be some good elements and some bad.”

  My expression must have shown something, because Kieran left the window and sat on the arm of the chair across from me. “Evil has always been around, but it’s getting more powerful all the time. More countries are going to war, human tragedies are on the rise, and unexplained natural disasters keep occurring.”

  “Why?” I asked.

  “The King of the Underworld, Sammael, is recruiting forces and unleashing them on the world. So now our side has to recruit as well. We need to get ready for the coming war.” I was surprised when he knelt in front of me. “If evil prevails,” he said earnestly, “the world as we know it will cease to exist. Every creature God has put on this earth—including Ordinaries—will die and their spirit will go somewhere else. Waters will dry up, the desert lands will spread, and the earth’s temperature will rise to scorching degrees. In the end, only demons will run wild. God will not intervene as He still believes in human’s free will and thus he left it to the Council of Angels to deal with it.”

  I breathed a deep sigh. My brain felt like it had been launched into overdrive. “So. You’re saying . . . angels, demons, fairies, and werewolves are all real?”

  He nodded.

  “Okay.” I frowned. “Well, not okay, but whatever. Let’s just say I’m buying all this. I understand who Ordinaries are. Is there a way to tell if someone is an Eternal or a Natural?”

  “They will have a specific mark on their body,” Kieran said. “Angels and demons have wings and a special symbol. Male angels have theirs on their upper arm while female angels get theirs on the undersides of their wrists.” He turned his body slightly away and rolled up his sleeve.

  “Um, I hate to disappoint you, but you don’t have a tattoo, Kieran.”

  He grinned, then cupped his hand over a spot on his bicep. I stared as a small spotlight landed on two gold, iridescent wings, opened around a kind of triangular Celtic knot, also in gold.

  “What . . . Kieran! Is your hand glowing?” I grabbed his arm and twisted it so I could stare at his palm. A soft, white light seemed to pulse from it. I didn’t even bother to shut my mouth this time when I looked up at him. “What . . .?”

  He nodded, unconcerned, and put his hand back over his arm. “That’s called Angel Light. It’s the only way you can see this on an angel.”

  “What’s that?” I asked, touching the triangle. “It looks familiar.”

  “It’s called a Triquetra symbol.”

  “Tri-ket-er-a. It’s pretty.”

  “Thanks.” He grinned. “Fairies have a different kind of mark. They have either a blue or green lily. And werewolves have a paw print.”

  “Why a blue or green flower?” I asked. Even I understood about the werewolf.

  “The winter fairies are blue,” Shay said, “and summer fairies are green.”

  Of course. I blew out a long breath. “So. Angels,” I blurted out. “Angels are real.”

  Shay snickered. “Yes, we are real. Even us halfies.” He gestured toward Kieran with his chin. “Kieran, as an angel, is a protector by nature. If you know what to look for, you’ll see he looks a little different from an Ordinary.” Shay glanced at Kieran, who nodded once, then both of them looked back at me. “What do you see, anything different about him?”

  What did I see? My best friend. The boy I’d always known. “Um, he’s tall, with fair skin, blond hair, and blue eyes. He has a great . . .” I blushed then proceeded. Why not? Things were already pretty strange. “I guess model-like build.”

  “Yes, now look closer at him.”

  So I did, but it felt awkward, staring like that. I mean, I always saw him, I just avoided looking. This time I didn’t notice anything unusual at first, but Kieran just stared back, trying to make it easier on me.

  Then, well, I thought at first it was my imagination. I checked to make sure the lights were working, because while I watched, his body began to glow. It was as if he were bathed in a soft white light. Then all of a sudden he flickered out of sight. Poof.

  A couple of seconds later, he was back. Plain old Kieran.

  I threw off the blanket, thrilled. “Oh my god, K! Did you just disappear? That was amazing! What else can you do? Do you have any other super powers? Are you like a ghost? Do you have wings? Can you fly?”

  Chuckling, Kieran said, “Yes, I have some other ‘super powers,’ and no, I’m not a ghost, but I can make myself transparent like one. And yes. I have wings. So yes, I can fly.”

  He had wings? “Way cool! Can you show me?” He opened his mouth to speak, but I stopped him. “Better yet, will you take me flying?” I turned to Shay. “And what about you? What can you do?”

  Shay grinned. “I don’t have any super powers, but I do have wings. The nephilim are God’s warriors, so I have amplified Ordinaries’ qualities.” His sparkling eyes moved to Kieran, then back to me. “And when the Heaven’s Mark appears on your eighteenth birthday, you’ll get wings, too.”

  I stared at him, not comprehending. “I don’t get it.”

  Kieran’s mouth twisted to the side a bit. If I had to guess, I’d say he looked sheepish. Shay just smiled. “Sure you do,” he said.

  “You’re not saying . . .”

  They both continued to stare at me, waiting.

  My whole body tingled with the possibility. I took a deep breath. “Are you trying to tell me I’m some kind of angel, too?”

  “Yes,” they said in unison.

  “That’s crazy!”

  “Maybe, but it’s true,” Shay told me. “And now with the prophecy—”

  “What does that have to do with me?”

  “I think it’s you,” Kieran stated flat out. “I believe the prophecy is talking about you.”

  I huffed. “You are crazy!” My arms flew into the air, almost knocking Shay in the face.

  He ducked and then grinned. “You think what we can do is amazing, well, you’ll have more super powers than anyone! We’ve been waiting for you, Zoe. To lead us.”

  This was getting out of hand. “No way! Stop it. You can’t just show up one day, fight demons, disappear into thin air, tell me you have wings, inform me that I’m an angel, then say I’m the answer to a prophecy! That’s just wrong!”

  “I know,” Kieran said gently.

  Stunned into silence, I slouched into the couch, then suddenly I shot out from my seat. Both sets of eyes followed me as I
paced around the small den, stopping so I could lean against the mantel. I stared through the large window. The sun dipped toward the horizon, and a breeze tugged at new leaves. The early grass had started to turn green, lit in places by adventurous, young tulips. Winter was over, spring had arrived.

  This is insane! I’m only seventeen. I can’t lead a war.

  Everything I’d just learned threatened to explode in my head. It was too much. I ran out of the den and down the hallway.

  “Zoe . . .” Shay yelled.

  “Let her go. She needs time by herself.”

  I grabbed my shoes on the way out of the mudroom and flung open the back door, trying to put on my shoes as I ran. The coordination required was far beyond me, so I dropped them. My socks were officially ruined as soon as I hit my first puddle, but who cared?

  When I reached the old tire swing, I climbed aboard then kicked off the ground and spun. The world blurred around me and I hung my head back, remembering the days and nights I’d swing with Kieran on one side, me on the other, and our feet in the middle. We’d spent hours talking about our families, school, other kids, or we’d just gaze up at the stars and not say anything at all.

  But I didn’t know Kieran anymore. He was a stranger to me.

  I suddenly felt very small with the weight of this new responsibility. As the tire spun, I dropped my head to my chest, closed my eyes, and visualized a jumbled mess of wings, claws, and demon horns.

  “Hey, Z,” Kieran said, coming up behind me. “You doing okay?”

  I shrugged.

  He climbed onto the swing opposite me. He tapped the tip of my nose and my shoulders slouched.

  “Talk to me, Zoe. You okay?”

  “Yeah, sure,” I lied. “I’m just fine. You’re an angel, I’m an angel, we get to go fight demons . . . just another day, right?”

  He didn’t speak for a moment, just swung gently, letting the swing’s chains chime.

  I didn’t want to look at him. “Tell me about the ones at the warehouse.”

  He scratched his head, and I wondered if he had any idea how insane all this sounded. “Those were Knights, the lowest level of demons. Sam uses them because they can blend in with Ordinaries. They have the most human traits and can be killed like a human can—at least until they regenerate. They must be beheaded before they vanish so when they come back to life, they won’t remember what happened right before they die. They’re not bright, but they adapt quickly to their surroundings. Knights are responsible for causing just about all the so-called ‘man-made’ destruction in the world, like highway pile-ups, cult suicides, acts of terrorism . . .”