Aunt Elizabeth sighs. “Eve, that’s not entirely how it happened but, yes, something like that.”
I need a fresh brain to discuss this. “Great. It’s been a long day so I’m just going to get ready for bed. See you all in the morning.” I turn to leave as I hear my aunt’s voice.
“Eve, we’ll talk tomorrow,” she says in her no-nonsense parental tone.
“Goodnight,” I shoot over my shoulder and make my way to my upstairs bedroom.
Opening the door, I notice everything looks the same as when I left for college a few months ago. The warm yellow walls and bright white trim still gleam. Photos of all my friends from high school adorn my corkboard. An entire life memorialized in one room.
I pick up a picture of my aunt and I from my nightstand and collapse on my soft, luscious white comforter. We took this photo last summer. I have a similar one at school. We’re laughing on the beach after a day of paddle boarding and sunbathing. We look so carefree and happy. I sigh as I hear a small knock at my door.
“Come in.”
“Eve, is everything alright?” my aunt asks cautiously.
“Yes.”
She sits next to me on the bed, smiling at the photo. “You were so stubborn that day. We must have been in the water for hours while you learned to paddle board. Instead of taking classes over months, you just had to learn it all in one day. Goodness, we were so tired.” She laughs quietly.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
Her sympathetic eyes meet mine. “Eve, it’s not an easy thing to bring up to a teenage girl. Michael and I contemplated telling you so many times. We were concerned about how you would take it. At the end of the day, I suppose I just wanted you to have a normal childhood.”
I put the photo back on my nightstand and lay on the bed, watching my aunt.
“I know you’re upset with me and rightfully so. I apologize for withholding the information about Katherine and Robert. It was wrong of me to do, but please understand I did it for your safety.”
“Yeah, seems to be a theme going around. People lie then tell me it’s for my own protection.” I sigh.
“We all love you and care for you. Believe it or not, we all want the best for you and to help you through this mess that the world seems to be headed for,” she says softly.
“When Michael showed up with me, did you ever regret it? Taking the word of an angel and becoming my guardian?” I ask, worried that she’s regretting it now.
“Not for a second. There wasn’t ever a second guess as to whether or not I would care for you. I’ve loved you from the moment I saw you and held you for the first time and every instant since. The first time your eyes met mine, I knew you were meant to be with me. Regardless of how upset you are at me, it has been a privilege and an honor to be your guardian over these past eighteen years. No matter what, my love for you will continue every day, unconditionally,” she says in her maternal manner.
I swallow, averting the tears. “Thanks for always taking care of me.”
My aunt pulls me into a fierce hug. “I love you, love bug. Get some sleep. We’ll talk more tomorrow.”
With that, I get ready for bed and close my eyes, comforted by my childhood bed.
My eyes flutter open as the scent of bacon and eggs wafts through the floorboards and into my bedroom. I look over and see Abby and McKenna are still asleep on the makeshift beds we pulled together.
I get up and run to the bathroom to freshen up before I head downstairs for a cup of much needed coffee. I find Callan, Asher, and my aunt in the kitchen, cooking breakfast.
“Good morning, love bug,” my aunt chirps.
“Morning,” I say, reaching for the coffee. “It’s seven in the morning. Why are you baking?” I ask Callan groggily and a little cranky from the hour.
Callan returns my question with a large smile. “It takes hours to get cookies and pies perfect.” He wiggles his eyebrows then washes his hands. “That reminds me, I got you an early Christmas present. Technically, it’s Christmas Eve so you can have it today,” he says, reaching for a box with a large blue ribbon on it then hands it to me.
I smile. “You shouldn’t have.” I untie the ribbon and pull the lid off the box then lift my eyes to Callan. “You got me this?” I half question half laugh.
He smiles. “Yep!”
“What is it, Eve?” my aunt asks curiously.
I pull out the pink ruffle apron that has I believe in gargoyles written on the front. Both Asher and my aunt break into a fit of hysterics.
Callan just smiles then pulls me in for a bear hug. He leans down and whispers in my ear, “Welcome to the family, Eves.”
I return the hug, pouring love into it. “Thanks, Callan.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Since you like my chocolate chip cookies so much, you’re on holiday cookie duty with me today.” He smirks.
I groan. “Seriously?”
“Seriously. Consider it part of your training.” Callan chuckles.
“How is making cookies part of my training?”
“Initiation,” he simply states.
I shift my gaze to Asher who holds his hands up in surrender. “Don’t look at me, siren. I’m looking forward to you flittering around all day in the kitchen in that thing and making cookies.” He grins wickedly.
I throw stink eye at him and continue making my coffee. Hours later, I’m still wearing my apron and peeling potatoes while Asher laughs at me from the living room where he is helping my aunt secure the Christmas tree. Asshat.
“Nice apron,” McKenna snipes as she and Abby walk into the kitchen.
“Thanks,” I mumble as Callan smirks at the ham he’s glazing.
Tired, I turn to Keegan. He’s just standing around, watching me, so I hand him the potato peeler.
“Um, no fucking way. Protectors don’t peel potatoes,” he says with defiance.
“Ah, yes, they do. I’ve seen you peel them before. Here you go, big bad gargoyle,” I muse back, forcing the peeler onto him as I head into the living room to help with the tree. Her smile is warm as she hands me decorations to add. For a brief moment, I look around, truly happy that everyone I love, or have come to love, is under one roof, almost like a real family.
17 Divine Presence
Callan and Abby end up being the only ones left in the kitchen to finish up dinner. The rest of us have congregated in my aunt’s small living room and are decorating the tree. The atmosphere is light and jovial as holidays should be. I pick up an ornament that says Eve’s First Christmas and smile to myself.
My aunt comes up behind me, noticing the ornament in my hand.
“I wish you had told me sooner. I’m upset that you lied to me. I feel like my entire life has been an untruth,” I say in one lengthy breath.
“Oh, Eve, don’t be so dramatic. Everything about your life has been true. Katherine and Robert loved you, as do I. I kept something from you and that was wrong but every moment of every day was real. You had a very happy childhood, a wonderful set of friends, and anamazing educational experience. I will not allow you to think that your entire life was built as a mirage for you. It was not. It was real,” she says in her parental tone.
I sigh in defeat. “So now what?”
She stands taller. “Now you embrace who you must become to fulfill your destiny. We have been and are still doing our part to make sure that you succeed. Is it a heavy burden? Yes, but if anyone on earth can do this, Eve, it’s you. Especially with the help of the gargoyles. They will protect you to the death if you let them. I can see they love you and you love them like family.”
“Even McKenna?”
She smirks. “Especially McKenna. People who fight with us the hardest are the ones who are the most passionate about who we are.”
I look over to the kitchen where my gargoyle family is cooking, and then back to the tree where the rest are laughing and at ease in my home. “I love you, Aunt Elizabeth. No matter what, you are and will always be my family.”
<
br /> She smiles, the tears freely falling now. “Me too, love bug. Me too.” Our moment is interrupted by the doorbell. She wipes her eyes. “That must be Michael.”
“He rings the bell?”
My aunt gives me a pointed look. “Eve, what would you have him do?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. It just seems so normal. I mean, doesn’t he have powers? Can’t he just poof into a room?”
She looks less than thrilled. “I think he and I would have a problem if he just proofed into a room at my home, unannounced.”
I watch her go to the door, but notice her quick glance in the mirror before she opens it. Then I see her entire demeanor light up when Michael turns around and locks eyes with her, in their own private moment. He smiles brightly. I sit down on the couch, entranced with the intimate behavior.
“Libby,” he says with adoration.
“Michael, it’s lovely for you to join us,” she says shyly.
He hands her a gigantic bouquet of daisies, her favorite flower.
Abby plops down next to me on the couch. “I think your aunt has a thing for Michael.”
I look at her and wrinkle my nose. “Ewe. First, that is my aunt and second, it’s Michael.”
She laughs. “Looks like the lovey dovey eyes work both ways,” Abby says as she points to where my aunt and Michael are. It’s looking like they’re flirting with one another. Crap.
“Ewe.”
Michael comes over to us. “Eve, Abigail, good to see you both again.” His eyes roam to my apron and he laughs. “Callan?”
I nod. “Callan.” I forgot I was still wearing it.
“Did I hear my name?” Callan and Asher both come out of the kitchen.
“Yes, I was just showing Michael the lovely gift you got for me,” I say, causing Callan to beam with pride.
Michael turns to my aunt. “If you will forgive me, Libby, I do need to discuss a few things with Keegan, Asher, and Callan before dinner.”
My aunt seems flustered. “O...of course, please, you can use the sitting room. The girls and I will finish up dinner and get things ready in the dining room.”
The angel smiles at her as if in their private world. “Thank you.” And with that, they all head closer to the fireplace. Talking quietly in a circle formation, nothing can be overheard.
“Come on, let’s set the table. It’ll be fun watching Kenna try to figure out where the napkin goes.” Abby drags me out of the living room and into the kitchen.
Twenty minutes later and we’re all sitting around my aunt’s humble dining room table. Five gargoyles, one archangel, one human weapon, and one human are all packed in. There’s nowhere else I would rather be.
My aunt lifts her glass. “Thank you, everyone, for joining Eve and I today and especially to Callan for this wonderful meal. I can’t show my gratitude enough for your protection of her. Eve’s safety is the best gift I could ask for this holiday season. Please enjoy.”
With that, everyone starts to dig in. After dinner, we admire the tree while eating the cookies I slaved over with Callan. Everything feels so...normal.
Michael stayed after dinner and is engaged in quiet conversation with my aunt by the fireplace, where Callan insisted we hang stockings.
“Eve, are there any questions I can answer for you this evening while I’m here?” Michael asks with thoughtfulness.
I stare at him for a moment and then shake my head. “No, not right now. Tonight, I’m just enjoying Christmas with my family.”
The archangel gives me a warm smile while my aunt glows. Asher’s next to me, smiling as he squeezes my knee with pride. We all sit and talk for a few more hours, enjoying just being together.
“If you all will forgive me, I’m being called back,” Michael announces. “Libby, thank you for having me in your home and allowing me to share your holiday with you.” Then he turns to us. “I’ll see you all at training next week. Have a wonderful evening.”
“I’ll walk you out,” my aunt offers.
“Well, we all need to go to sleep so Santa can come,” Callan says like a small child. I laugh.
“Come on, I’ll make sure you brush your teeth and get your pajamas on correctly this time,” Abby teases, holding her hands out to him.
“It’s been a long day. I think we should all get some rest.” My aunt returns and ushers us all upstairs.
I wait patiently for everyone to fall asleep. As soon as I think the coast is clear, I tiptoe downstairs and open the front closet where I stashed the gifts I got for everyone. Placing them under the tree is proving to be a difficult task since there are so many already laid out and the stockings are completely full.
“Looks like someone else got here first,” I mutter to myself. Once I’m done, I turn to run back upstairs only to bump into something solid as I stifle a scream.
Asher’s hand comes over my mouth as he laughs. “Shh. It’s just me, siren.”
My wide eyes become slits as I rip his hand off my mouth. “What the hell, Asher! You gave me a heart attack,” I whisper shout.
He’s still laughing. “Guess we need to work on your awareness and reflexes in training. I’ve been standing here for about ten minutes, watching you work, little elf.”
“What are you doing down here?” I ask, annoyed and attempting to control my heart rate.
“Well, I was filling the stockings because Callan still thinks Santa is real and then I headed into the kitchen for some water until I heard someone rifling around, so I thought I would check it out,” he speaks in a hushed tone.
“Well, next time, announce your presence,” I say slowly.
Asher tilts his head toward the stairway. “Come on. I’ll walk you back upstairs.” He offers his hand. I look at it for a moment before I take it, allowing the warmth of our touch to fill me.
Once upstairs, he stops at the door to my room but doesn’t release my hand. Once again, we’re frozen in each other’s gaze. We just stand in silence for a moment, watching one another.
“Well, goodnight, siren.” His whisper is low, causing my heart to stumble.
“Goodnight, Asher.” I don’t release his hand. Without realizing it, I’ve pulled him closer to me and he’s come without hesitation.
Asher’s body meets mine, pressing it against the door. He lowers his head as he brushes the hair off my shoulder and moves it back before caressing my neck, continuing until he reaches my cheek. My eyes close involuntary at his gentle touch as my stomach twists in eagerness to be close to him.
My breath and his mingle in the small space between our lips. His forehead presses to mine.
“Merry Christmas, siren.” He licks his lips.
“Merry Christmas, pretty boy.” I lift my head to meet his mouth.
Then I’m falling. Literally. One minute I think I’m going to be kissing Asher, the next I’m flat on my back, staring up at McKenna. She looks like she’s ready to stab me to death.
“What the fuck are you two doing? Get in here, Eve, before your aunt hears something,” she scolds while looking down at me.
Asher’s hysterical in the hallway. “By the grace, McKenna. Be careful when you open doors.”
Asher holds out his hand to help me up, but I ignore him since he’s still laughing.
“Goodnight, Asher,” McKenna says as she closes the door tight and locks it.
“What?” I feign innocence.
“Go to bed, Eve,” she says sternly while I crawl into my large bed and close my eyes, willing myself to dream about Asher.
I’m in an industrial loft. The walls are grey concrete and the floor is made of dark bamboo wood. There are oak beamed, two-story ceilings and a large wall made up of floor-to-ceiling glass windows, overlooking what appears to be Paris.
I move closer to the windows. The Eiffel Tower in view confirms it’s Paris. The living room has a modern black leather sofa in an l-shape around a grey granite coffee table. A small fire in the fireplace alerts me that someone is here.
There’s
a spiral staircase leading to the second floor mezzanine though I decide it’s best not to investigate. I turn around and see the kitchen area and a long hallway that leads to what I discover is a bathroom, office, and closet. Where the hell am I?
I walk back to the living room area and freeze. Shit, this can’t be good. How the hell did I end up here?
The tall, lean blond standing in front of the fireplace is wearing only black silk pajama bottoms. A tumbler of golden liquid is in one hand and a cigarette in the other. There is a large lion tattoo completely covering his ribbed back muscles. As he turns, his eyes widen in surprise.
“Eve?” Gage questions, his hair wet like he just showered.
I swallow, trying to regain my composure. “Gage, nice to see you again.” My smile is polite like we ran into one another at the market.
Confusion mars his face. His eyes dart around the room with unease. “What are you doing here?” he asks with irritation.
“Um, where is here exactly?” I ask, my voice small. My eyes focus on his chest. What is it with my hormones and Gage?
He studies me, his brows pulled together. “Here is in my home, in the heart of the Marais area of Paris.” Gage’s tone is almost offended that I didn’t know.
I smile awkwardly and attempt to brush it off. “I see.”
“You see? How did you get into my loft, Eve? Is your protector with you?” His eyes are fixed on me.
I shake my head. “No. I realize this is going to sound crazy but I’m not sure how I got here.”
Gage just looks at me, stunned. Without a word, he turns back to the fire, throwing his lit cigarette into it. It’s obvious he’s trying to ascertain how I got here. Uninvited.
I sit on the couch because honestly, what else am I going to do? If I don’t know how I got here, I certainly don’t know how to get back. Maybe this is a dream? I close my eyes and when they reopen, two sea green eyes are staring at me as I stifle a scream at Gage’s closeness.
REVELATION (THE REVELATION SERIES) Page 18
