The Conception (The Descendant Series Book 2)

by L. J. Amodeo

  “I didn’t even see it coming, Beth. The bastard pulled out a gun and shot my father right in the head, in broad daylight, with witnesses everywhere. No one did anything to stop him. They all just stared in stunned silence. When I realized what he did, I struggled free from my mother’s grip and ran toward my father who was on the ground fighting for his life. Before I could reach him, something struck me from behind. I fell paralyzed. All I heard was my mother’s screams as my head hit the ground.” Freddie squeezed his eyes shut, shuddering from the memory. I reached for his hand. “The last thing I saw was my mom being forced to her knees begging for mercy and one of Tanino’s men lifting his gun to her head. That’s when everything turned black and still.” He stared at the floor; jaw twitching.

  Horrified, I quickly cradled Freddie in my arms, whispering, “I wish I’d’ve known. I’ve been a terrible friend to you, crying and complaining about my father all these years. It was selfish of me,” I said caressing his face. Freddie’s lip twitched slightly.

  “Beth, as insensitive as this may sound, I don’t mind. Not many can say they got a second chance at life, and I’ve been blessed to share it with you.” He hung his head in despair. I hugged tighter still.

  “I am so grateful for you, Freddie. In so many ways, you’ve been my savior,” I whispered, resting my head on his shoulder. “How were you able to return after you . . . died?” I gave him a curious glance.

  “Like in life, we also have missions in death, Beth. Mine was to be your eyes and ears; your protector—your guardian,” he said obediently, stifling a shy, but compassionate smile.

  “My eyes and ears, geez, was I really that oblivious?” I tried to humor him.

  “No, not so much as blind, but I was your ears, listening in when you couldn’t,” he winked.

  “Explain. In laymen terms, please,” I gave him a quick smirk.

  “As angels we have what I like to call skills,” he bounced his brows.

  “I see some things haven’t changed.” I rolled my eyes at him.

  “Seriously, as angels we have special abilities,” he continued.

  “Like flying, disappearing in mid-air, reading people’s minds—what?” I asked, intrigued and entertained.

  “For some, yes, but not so much as fly, more like move with the wind, while others have abilities to foresee the future, or hear thoughts, you know,” he said.

  “Are you telling me you heard my thoughts all these years? Freddie how could you!” I shouted, pushing my fists into his chest.

  “Whoa! No, I can’t read your thoughts. Don’t throw a hissy fit!” he laughed.

  “And Michael, can he . . .”

  “Hear your thoughts? Yes. Michael is, and always was, an archangel. His abilities are much greater than mine.”

  “What’s the difference between you and him?” I rested my head on his shoulder, intending to listen to every detail about the angels.

  “Michael’s loyalty is to serve as the Legion’s leader—and to shield you,” he whispered, looking away, pricked by something that abruptly occupied his mind.

  “As an archangel, was it ever possible for Michael to love me, then?” I asked, stroking the back of his hand in a daze.

  “Beth,” Freddie let out a long sigh of despair. “I want to be completely honest with you. You deserve the truth and I won’t hold anything back from you. I promise you,” he admitted. I didn’t utter a word. I only listened with an open mind and an inkling of concern in my gut.

  “It’s nearly impossible to have the kind of relationship you might desire as a human with an archangel. There was one other descendant who fell in love with Michael. However, because of what he is, a manifestation, he couldn’t love her the way she wanted him to, even in his human form. An archangel and a human can never be together––should never be together! She loved him, but was betrothed to another with sangre real.”

  An angel can illuminate the thought and mind of man by strengthening the power of vision.

  ~ St. Thomas Aquinas

  Freddie nervously tossed his cell phone from hand to hand as he spoke of Michael’s past love.

  “What does that mean—sangre real?” I asked, feeling a little sickened.

  “A pure bloodline. Blood that’s unstained by common people; a bloodline like yours that is glorified in the scriptures,” he informed me.

  “Go on,” I shivered, bothered by the thought that Michael was loved by another.

  “He was to protect her, and the destiny chosen for her. She had pledged her love to him, but nothing ever came of it. Michael stood firm as the Legion’s leader. He remained unaffected by her human capability to love—but when he saw you, Beth . . . something was different about him. He changed,” Freddie murmured, looking at me as if he were fighting back emotions.

  “Who was she, Freddie?” I asked breathlessly.

  “She was destined to become the mother of a very sacred woman,” he paused, his eyes flickering with pain as he watched mine fill with tears.

  “Anne—Anne fell in love with Michael?” I stuttered.

  “Yes . . . Yes she certainly did.” Freddie looked into my eyes.

  The thought of Anne loving Michael ran bitterly through my blood. I felt a stab in my heart, releasing a gasp from my throat.

  “Beth, listen to me. They were never together—not the way you and Michael were. It took him a long time to get over the hurt and pain he’d caused her. He couldn’t love her back in that way, in the way she wanted him to. They just couldn’t be,” he paused, watching me fidget with the hem of my top. The pain in my chest was pressing, knowing our love may be hopeless as well. My heart felt heavy and broken.

  “Then, there was never a chance for us, was there?” my voice trembled with agony, not sure I wanted to know the truth.

  “Michael is a divine power, Beth. He and his brothers were created to serve as the Legions’ most high protectors. They were not created to love as we do. He is a supreme being. But you already know that.”

  “I get that, Freddie. But you didn’t answer my question. Do you think, if he ever returns, there’s a possibility for us to be together? A future? You said it yourself . . . he’s changed with me.”

  “A future with an archangel? Our leader of forces? I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Michael was created to wage wars against Satan and his army—to cast his own brother into the Shadow Realm and keep him there for good! Not to reenact a scene from Romeo and Juliet!” Freddie said with a snicker of laughter in his voice.

  “Whoa! What do you mean his brother?” I asked, suddenly clutching my chest and short of words.

  “The angel, Luciel is Mikael’s fallen brother, whom we have come to know as Lucifer . . . or as some call him, Satan. He was once on our side, yet something changed in him. He wanted a soul so he could roam among the living and the dead, to use the portals at his will, but God didn’t heed to Lucifer’s desires. He challenged God, wanting to be a greater force than the Universe. When he defied his Father, as mortals would say, all hell broke loose,” Freddie grinned, trying to lighten my mood. But there was nothing humorous about the revelation.

  “Michael and Satan were brothers! That’s it! I’ve had enough. I can’t even listen to this anymore!”

  “Bethy, I know this is too much for you to process right now. We can talk about this another time,” Freddie said as he lifted himself off the bed to leave.

  “Freddie, wait! You still haven’t answered my question. Do you think Michael ever loved me, I mean . . . loved me more than . . .” I looked down at my hands, fighting the urge to cry.

  “Bethy, I can’t answer for Michael, but I can say I’ve never seen him act the way he does when he’s around you—not with any other descendant, anyway. I mean, you are the chosen one they’ve all been waiting for. He looks at you differently . . . I . . . I don’t know, Beth. All I can say is Michael’s physical form makes him extremely vulnerable, making it easier for him to fall victim to human emotions. Why am I even talking about th
is with you?” He pressed his lips into a hard line.

  “Freddie, why are you getting upset?”

  “Beth, just forget it, it’s never going to work between the two of you, no matter how much he has fallen for you. It’s crazy! It would be impossible. A relationship between archangel and human has never existed before. Lower-ranking angels and humans yes, but not this!” Freddie said bitterly, throwing his fists in the air.

  At that moment, my world suddenly slowed to a complete standstill. The sound of my own heartbeat fluttered, thumped and swooshed loudly beneath my top. Freddie’s mouth slipped the truth, yet he refused to come straight out and tell me. Michael the Archangel, leader of the Legions was in love with me. My heart ached even more, and the ache in the pit of my stomach made me realize . . . I too, was in love with an Archangel—a forbidden love.

  “What do I do now?” I whispered to him.

  “You must stay here,” he responded.

  “How about the women who are here with us, do they know about me?”

  “Yes. They are Guardians. Your secret is safe with them.”

  “I’m afraid of what will happen if Luca finds me.”

  “Beth, be strong. I'm going to help you through this, I promise. This will all end,” he smiled, but beneath, his fear showed.

  “I know it will end, but my fear is how?”

  “Don’t think so much, Beth. Listen, I must leave in the morning, but promise me you’ll never leave these grounds!” he said, his eyes trained on me. I nodded in agreement.

  I wanted so desperately to go wherever Freddie was headed. I didn’t want to stay alone now that I had no one left in my life except him. Losing my mother was devastating; feeling as if I’d been abandoned by Michael pierced my heart. I closed my eyes, biting my lip as apocalyptic thoughts filled my head.

  I know my friend was protecting me. What I didn’t understand was why I continued to be in danger if my predators had already been cast back to darkness. Were there really others still looking for me?

  After analyzing my thoughts, I asked, “Why am I here, Freddie?”

  “I told you Bethy, to protect you.”

  “From whom this time if not Sam or Luca?”

  Freddie’s face turned hard. He made a promise never to keep secrets from me, so I wanted answers.

  “I asked you who or what are you protecting me from, now? You promised—no secrets, remember?” I grimaced.

  Freddie took a deep steadying breath and closed his gray eyes, combing his fingers through his longer-than-usual hair.

  “I’m not sure you would understand, Beth.”

  “Are you kidding me? Look at what I’ve been through in the last year. Do you honestly think I wouldn’t understand? Just tell me!” I glowered.

  “The Blazing Star of Mastema,” he finally said, folding his arms across his chest and waiting for me to process his reply.

  “Mastema? I’ve heard the name before. I vaguely remember my father mentioning them. Are they like the Trinity?”

  “Yes. And no.”

  “Why would they hurt me, then?”

  “They won’t. They’ll want to protect you for a while.”

  “That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

  “Beth, they don’t want to protect you exactly. You have something they need.” He looked at my stomach and quickly looked away. It took me all but a minute to finally put it together. The Key. Now I get it. In order for Luca to subsist, he needed my womb, the key, to incubate his child. My sacred bloodline and Luca’s bloodline together would cause a cataclysmic eruption in the balance of the realms. My womb and the birth of a child was the balance; the key of Heaven and Hell. Despite the chills I felt running down my spine, beads of sweat glistened on my forehead.

  I swallowed deeply, knowing now what the Blazing Star was after. I placed my hands over my abdomen.

  “Freddie, how powerful are they?” I asked as my breathing grew deeper. Freddie gave a suspicious glance.

  “Why?” he said reluctantly. I didn’t respond, yet my expression grew angry. Freddie threw up his hands submissively.

  “They’re just as influential as the Trinity. They call their armies when it is time to go head-to -head with the Blue Legion.”

  “Then who are the White Knights?”

  “Beth, like humans, there are different divisions of protectors or legions in the realms. The White Knights are the first army . . . like the first battalion. Mastema is what the Trinity is to us, but only to the Shadow Realm.” Freddie squinted his eyes. “Understand?”

  “I’d rather die than give myself up to them!” I panted breathlessly.

  Freddie hesitantly wrapped his arms around me. “No one is going to die. Stop talking nonsense!” he reprimanded me.

  The thoughts that rankled my mind left me paralyzed. I had to stay safe from them. If they ever succeeded in finding me, the inevitable, the unthinkable would occur. I felt my senses numbing under my icy skin. If I were able to, I’d plunge a blade through my womb, destroying the one thing that riled the ruthless army.

  “Are they able to track me like Sam and Luca?”

  “Like there are angels, there are also Watchers. They have been enlightened through their prophecies that it is the year of the birth of their prince, and they are uncontrollable. They will scour every corner of this earth to find you, so that Luca can consummate this and bring forth the prophecy to fruition.” Memories of the pale face in Buffalo and the perv at the library suddenly gave me perspective of who the Watchers were.

  “On Earth? How many of them are there?” I asked reluctantly.

  “There are scores of members recruited to the council. They are scattered throughout the world; waiting to be called upon; to fulfill their duty to their dark lord.”

  “Why now, why me?” A pang of grief struck my vocal cords.

  “Their order has waited for centuries, Beth. They have been waiting for you to approach your eighteenth birthday.”

  A thought crossed my mind. “Does the prophecy state that I must be eighteen for Luca to—you know?” I stuttered. Freddie nodded.

  My mind slipped back to visions of the temple, where Luca forced himself onto me, attempting to plant his seed.

  I gulped back a knot lodged in my throat and sputtered. “Beth, you’re pale.”

  “That’s where he took me.” I stared blankly at Freddie, as my breathing gaped.

  “Who took you? What are you talking about?” Freddie’s voice grew concerned.

  “Luca, in one of my visions.” I looked up at him with new pools of tears in my eyes.

  “Would Mastema really come after me on my eighteenth birthday?”

  “Unfortunately, they will try—they’d be the first ones as council for human and demonic offspring. For centuries, they’ve tried to penetrate the sacred bloodline, but haven’t succeeded.” He squeezed his eyes shut, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Beth, I’m exhausted, and I’m sure you are too. I’m gonna turn in. I have a long day ahead. We’ll talk some more when I get back,” he informed me, massaging his forehead above his eyes. The dark circles that formed under his eyes made him appear forever exhausted. Being on watch for the last remaining descendant, I could only imagine, had to be draining.

  Freddie was right. I was tired and the pain continued to beat, slowly but steadily, in my head. The room spun, tauntingly—making me feel a bit queasy. Would I fail humanity? Let down the ones who loved me and counted on me to keep the souls of mortals safe? “Princess, huh!” I spat at my father’s words in my head. I knew this new threat would put Freddie in danger. I loved him too much to allow him to head directly into harm’s way. I couldn’t let him go out alone knowing he may never return.

  “You mustn’t go. I won’t let you leave. This is all my fault. I failed you Freddie; you, Mom, Michael, the Trinity. It was a mistake to make Sam my friend. I should have fought harder, but—”

  “Beth, you couldn’t have fought her or any of them. Don’t you realize the magnitude of the beasts
that possessed you? Armies of warriors are needed to bring those dragons down. You can’t blame yourself. We . . . we failed you.” He looked down, disappointed with himself. I placed my hand against his cheek.

  “Listen to me, this is not your fault! You did all you could to protect me. All of you did. I’m ashamed I didn’t listen to you or Michael. I let Sam into my life. I’m the cause of my mom’s death, the cause of all this, not you.” I said wrapped my arms around him, “I love you, Freddie. I always have,” I whispered, hugging him for several minutes. I heard him gasp, letting out a long afflicted sigh.

  “I’ve got to go,” he whispered standing from the bed and slowly walking to a chest of drawers, pulling open the top drawer. He removed a small package wrapped in brown paper and tied with burlap cording. “Here, your mom wanted to be sure you got this back,” he whispered. My mom left me a gift. I made a lame attempt to smile, but instead, I cupped my hand over my face and wept silently. With all had happened in such a short time, my mind hadn’t realized the magnitude of the situation and that my mom was really gone. I wished at that very moment for my life to be simple again. Wanting desperately to return to the peaceful August morning when I was just a girl of no great importance to anyone but my mom and Freddie. Since that day, my life has never been the same. As Freddie closed the door behind him, I stared at the package wondering when my mom had wrapped it—knowing she had planned to die. The pain burrowed into the depths of my broken heart as I unwrapped my leather-bound journal, clutching it to my chest as I cried miserably.

  Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.

  ~ Unknown

  It was winter when Freddie first rescued me out of the frozen waters of Ontario and rushed me to Lake Louise. The last thing I remembered was leaving Letchworth with Mom as we headed home for the holidays. Weeks had passed so quickly since my arrival to this secluded area of Nowhereland, that I hadn’t kept track of time. Hours turned into days and days turned into weeks. Not only had the mansion lacked any clocks, but in calendars as well. Therefore, time for me had become irrelevant.