by Amber Garza
When I looked back at Haley she was surrounded by light. Her face was serene. I smiled at her and flashed her a thumbs-up. If only it were that easy with Mom.
I peered up at Drake, Mom still dangling from his claws. The angel’s voice roared. Its loud rumble shot through me. Drake blew out smoke from his mouth but the angel just snuffed it out, barely lifting a finger. Drake backed up a little.
“Mom!” I hollered, fearful that when the angel won she’d die with Drake. “Please!”
“Kenzie.” Her voice reached me and my heart lifted. Grandma raced to my side, put an arm around me. I could feel the fear radiating from her. Isaac’s hand was still in mine, giving me strength. Tanner and Haley stood nearby, watching.
Then I heard it. A small voice carried softly on the wind. “Jesus. Jesus.”
Tears flooded my vision. She had said it. She had really said it.
“Jesus, I’m sorry….” Mom’s voice trailed off.
A growl so deafening that I had to put my hand over my ears rang out. We all cowered. Smoke filled the air. When I glanced back up, tiny black demons scattered across the sky. Their screeching sounded like a million dying animals. I winced. The angel stood majestic and glowing against the black night sky.
Where was Mom? Frantic, I scoured the yard. She was gone. Grandma noticed my panic and looked around too.
“Mom. Mom. No.” A sob tore from my throat. Had it been too late?
I glanced back at the angel, my eyes pleading. With a smile on his face, he opened his palm and there she was sitting inside. My relief was palpable.
I ran to her and took her in my arms. When she looked at me, her face was soft and full of peace.
It was the first time I’d ever seen her like that. She kissed my wet cheeks, stroking my hair. “Oh Kenzie. I’m sorry. For everything.”
I shook my head. “So am I.”
The angel deposited Mom onto the lawn. While Grandma enveloped her in a hug, Tanner approached me. I cringed at his battered face. Then I remembered the decision to help Isaac and not him, and I knew I had made my choice.
“It’s okay, Kenzie.” He grabbed both of my hands and held them in his. “I see it now. I know he’s the one you love.”
I bit my lip. “I’m sorry, Tanner. I do care about you, though, and I don’t want to lose you as a friend.”
“I know. And you won’t.” He glanced over at Isaac. “And if he ever hurts you, I’ll kill him.”
Smiling, I nodded. “Deal.”
Haley rushed over. “Can you believe this night? Crazy, huh?”
“That’s gotta be the understatement of the year,” I said.
We all chuckled.
I embraced Haley. “I’m so happy for you, Hales.”
“Hey, the choice was easy. You know how much I like to win.” She winked.
I peered over my shoulder and saw Isaac standing alone. “I’ll be right back, okay?”
Haley nodded. “Yeah, I get it. Good luck.”
Isaac grinned when I approached. The wound had stopped bleeding but dried blood caked his skin. Despite that, he still looked amazing.
“Isaac,” I started to say, but he stopped me.
“You don’t need to say anything, Kenzie. I know you made your choice.”
My heart stopped. I hoped he didn’t misunderstand what he just saw between Tanner and I. When I opened my mouth to explain, he stepped forward. Placing both hands on the side of my face, he brought his head down to mine and kissed me lightly.
“I saw the truth tonight. I know how much you love me.” He smiled. Resting his forehead against mine, I finally allowed myself to breathe. “You and I are a great team. There’s nothing we can’t battle together, Kenz.”
Our lips met in a rush of passion and emotion. I knew he was right. With God by our side, we were unstoppable.
I heard sirens in the distance. Glancing over, I saw that Dad and crew were still lying on the grass. It was comforting to know that they would be put away soon.
White light swirled around us as the angels dispersed across the sky. The sound was twinkly and beautiful, unlike the screeching of the demons. The yard was illuminated as bright as the sun despite the fact that it was nighttime.
It was a reminder of the things I no longer had to fear.
Epilogue
Mom and I sat across from each other at the kitchen table eating breakfast. Milk dribbled down my chin and I wiped it off with a napkin. I wore jean cut-off shorts and a purple v-neck shirt. Mom sported a pale pink sundress. Large, soft curls framed her face.
After taking one last bite of her sugary cereal, Mom stood. “Remember, we’re going to Grandma’s for dinner tonight.”
Swallowing a giant bite, I nodded.
Mom dropped her bowl in the sink, turned on the faucet. As she rinsed out her dishes, I looked around at the cheery kitchen with lemon yellow walls. Bright California sun shone in through the large picture windows.
A knock sounded at the door. I shot out of my chair. After setting my bowl and spoon into the sink, I raced to answer it.
“Good morning, beautiful.” Isaac smiled the minute I opened the door. Then he leaned down to kiss me softly.
My heart fluttered in my chest. As I bent down to retrieve my backpack from off the ground, Mom stepped into the room.
“Hey, Isaac.” She waved in his direction.
“Hi, Ms. Smith.”
I flung my backpack over my shoulder.
“Hope your classes go well today.” Mom grinned.
“Thanks. You have fun at the salon.”
“I always do,” Mom trilled as Isaac and I walked outside into the warm morning air. The roses by the side of the house emitted a sweet scent. I loved the little house Mom and I rented. It was so much cleaner and nicer than the one we had in Washington. Not only that, but it was only a few miles from Grandma’s place.
As I hopped into Isaac’s car, I thought about how weird it was that Mom and Grandma didn’t get along for most of my life. Now they were practically inseparable. Of course, a lot changed when Mom became a Christian. Everything was different about her now.
“Ready for your math midterm?” Isaac raised his brows.
I groaned. “Not even a little.”
He reached over and squeezed my hand. “I’m sure you’ll do great.”
“You know me. I’m terrible at math. I was up all night studying.” I threaded my fingers through his, enjoying the feeling of his skin against mine.
As Isaac drove down the street, I unrolled the window and allowed fresh air to spill into the car. My hair whipped around my face.
“You should’ve asked me to come over and help you.” He winked.
I rolled my eyes. “You’d only be a distraction.”
Isaac chuckled. He flicked on his blinker and turned the corner. “Oh, your Grandma is making lasagna tonight.”
“When did she tell you that?”
“She was outside working on her garden when I left the house this morning. She invited me for dinner, too.”
I smiled, not surprised at all. Grandma loved Isaac and she especially loved that Isaac and I were together. My phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out and glanced down to read the text.
Good morning!
“Haley?” Isaac asked.
I nodded while texting back. Hey.
Are you and Isaac on the way to school?
I shot back a response. Yes.
Tanner and I are too. Have a good day!
U 2. I replied.
It was still funny to me that Tanner and Haley were together. I never saw it coming, but it made sense. They spent a lot of time together after Mom and I moved here the summer after graduation. Both of them stayed in Washington and attended the same college and church.
When I first found out I have to admit that I was a little jealous. But then I saw them together and realized that Tanner loved Haley in a way he never did me. Probably because my feelings were always divided. Haley loved Tanner completely
. They were actually super cute together and the relationship had grown on me.
I peered over at Isaac. He threw me a heart-stopping grin. Besides, I knew I made the right choice. Isaac and I were meant to be together. I loved him so much.
Staring out the window, I took in the beautiful Folsom morning full of sunshine and vibrant flowers. People were out in full force, walking their dogs or jogging with friends. Reaching up, I grasped my cross necklace. I still wore it all the time, even though it was starting to rust a little. It gave me peace. Although I wasn’t as frightened anymore. There wasn’t much to be afraid of.
Dad and his accomplices were behind bars. Wesley hardly ever came around anymore. When he did, he never appeared to me in the flesh. He was merely the icy whisper, the doubt, the nudge of temptation I felt sometimes.
I rarely saw angels or demons anymore. I didn’t need to. I knew they were all around me. But I’d claimed victory over the demonic before and I could do it again. I had witnessed God’s incredible power, and I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that He would always win.
Other Titles by Amber Garza
Prowl Trilogy:
Prowl
Entice
Unveil
Engraved
Delaney’s Gift Series
Dazzle (Fall 2012)
Shatter (Early 2013)
Betray (2013)
Awaken (2013)
Questions about God or the spiritual nature of UNVEIL visit: http://ambergarza.wordpress.com/
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Table of Contents
Prologue
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
Chapter Twenty-One
Epilogue
