by Amy Lignor
Practically hopping to her side, Daniel leaned down and kissed her cheek. “We could make our own fire, Liz the Lovely—with enough light to illuminate all of Achill Sound.”
“Ah, there’s that imagination I love,” Liz laughed. “You should be writing poetry, boy, not harvesting crops. Even though I’m sure the romantic candlelight from our kiss would burn through the night, I’m more of the roaring inferno type,” Liz said as she sent him a wink before heading back to serve and greet her patrons.
Faith, who was chatting with the regulars, tossed her long brown hair over her shoulder sending a smile in Daniel’s direction. “Candlelight’s just fine with me, luv. Maybe we can make a spark later on.”
Daniel’s sudden blush made Liz laugh out loud. “Stop badgering the customers, Faith. Your job is to feed our hard-working neighbors—not fondle them.”
Faith raised an eyebrow. “My fault, gentlemen, so sorry for the wait. Can I get anyone anything? The drinks are on Liz!” She smiled, as she moved on to the next young man waiting patiently for her attention.
Daniel raced to the bar, propelled himself up with one arm and kissed Faith’s cheek. “If Liz is buying, I say keep them coming.”
Laughing, Faith pushed him down on the stool. She leaned toward him and began telling him about her long, hard day.
Liz heard her best friend’s tone and tried not to roll her eyes. This was a familiar tale filled with drama and hope, as if Faith was just waiting for one of her many gallant suitors to rise up and offer her a way out of her daily grind.
As the customers received their food and spirits, they settled back to relax for a few hours. Goodness knows the people of Achill never received much time to relax working from dawn until dusk.
Sitting down in her favorite rocking chair by the fire, Liz watched the room and listened happily to her extended family. She saw Daniel’s smile grow wide, as Faith continued her endless story of hardship. For as long as Liz could remember, Daniel had been like a brother to them. Well…maybe his attentions weren’t quite that innocent. Liz knew Daniel held hope inside his heart for her. She’d seen the strange need in his eyes that got darker with each passing year, and Liz knew he was biding his time waiting for her. With Achill being so small, maybe he thought that one day he could convince his friend to become his loving wife.
She hoped that he would get his dream—perhaps instead with Faith. But Liz knew that Daniel could never win her heart, and it was better that way. With all the darkness that haunted her, Liz certainly didn’t want Daniel to be stuck inside her nightmares. She’d much rather secure his lifelong friendship, than have her sickness come between them.
Liz turned her thoughts to Faith. She was actually surprised that her friend had not fallen for Daniel’s many charms. She knew they would do well together as a married couple. After all, Faith had a way of making everyone feel alive, and Daniel desperately needed to feel that way.
“Liz, wake up! Fill my cup!” A jolly man with pink cheeks shouted at her as she rocked away by the fire.
Liz shook the thoughts from her head and smiled at her old, weathered friend. “It seems your cup runneth over already, Thomas.” Picking up his mug, she placed it back on the bar, brushing Daniel’s arm in the process. She rolled her eyes at Faith and turned back to Thomas. “Get home and make nice with the bride who loves you.”
The laugh that came from his lips was loud in the small room. “More likely to make nice with the crockery as she brings it down on me ‘ead.” He stood up, attempting to steady himself, as he placed a peck on Liz’s cheek.
Hugging Thomas, Liz pushed the old man out the door. “Be careful,” she said looking up at the heavy storm clouds rolling over the cliffs. “Looks like Mother Nature’s going to cry her eyes out tonight.”
“I will, lass. You take care,” he said as he shouted goodbye to his friends in the bar.
Liz secured the rickety door, shutting out the wind now racing across the moor.
“We should close early, I think,” Faith said, staring through the window at the threatening sky.
“It’ll be fine. Just a fall storm, is all,” Liz replied, smiling at Faith’s worried face. “Get back to work.”
Rolling her eyes at her younger employer, Faith punched her playfully on the arm. “Yes, o’ great one.” Her eyes sparkled, as she once again began to talk with her crop of gentlemen callers.
The faint rumble of thunder in the distance made Liz shudder, as she stared into the bleak night. It’s fine, just as long as everyone is safe.
CHAPTER FOUR
Daniel smiled at the only two women he ever truly loved. Yet once again his thoughts turned to Liz. The night was odd, as odd as the day had been. He felt different, Liz looked different…it was as if a strange type of peace had settled on Achill that night.
Daniel sighed, as he stared at Liz standing by the window. She seemed lighter—happier, almost—and it’d been a long time since he’d seen those beautiful black eyes of hers sparkle. Ever since she lost her parents, Liz had seemed so tired, but not tonight.
Thoughts churned through his brain. Daniel wondered about the new feeling that was growing inside of his own soul. It was like all the bad stuff had mysteriously disappeared, and he felt rejuvenated—like suddenly he had a whole different life to live.
Taking a deep breath, he filled his lungs with the lavender scent that always seemed to hover around Liz. Perhaps she is the reason for my rejuvenation. After all, it would make sense, considering that everything changed since the night Liz entered my life. And, oh, what a night…
But it was another evening from long ago that entered Daniel’s mind. It was the usual scene—his father at the table taking his mother’s abuse. But on this night, Daniel finally found the nerve to question his father.
“Why do you put up with this?” he asked.
His father had simply sighed. The dark green eyes that were once lit with hope had turned gray over time. “Son, your mother needs fine things. She deserves that—every woman does. You make a promise when you marry to provide a better life, and I’ve failed. I deserve her anger. Perhaps you should work in the fields—more work and less books. After all, you’ll have to provide for a wife one day.”
“If having a wife means having that…thing, I’ll stick with my books!” Daniel shouted at his father.
He could still feel the painful sting of his father’s hand across his cheek. “You will never speak of your mother that way again, boy!”
The night was freezing cold when Daniel had raced out the door. The rain was literally pounding from the sky, as if every single angel in Heaven had gotten together to weep. But he didn’t feel a thing. All of his childhood illusions had disappeared in that one slap. His father had never hit him before; he’d always been his friend. Daniel blamed the hideous cow that claimed to be his mother for that moment—when the bond with his father was broken. The hatred he felt for her ran deep. Daniel had a front row seat as he’d watched her break his father down over time, but he’d promised himself that night that she would never break him.
His mother’s actions created a hatred for women that raged inside of him. Ironically, when his fury was at its highest point was the moment Liz appeared in his life. He still thought it was a dream. She’d come out of that horrific night like a beacon of warmth in a storm. Flashes of lightning in all different colors had appeared around her body, looking as if a magician was close by waving his colorful wands across the sky.
She’d reached down, taken his hand and led him quietly up the hill to the warmth of her small cabin. It was empty since her parents had passed away only five days before.
She’d led him to the rocking chair by the blazing fire offering him her place. “Tell me everything,” she had whispered.
He poured his heart out to her that night, and every night since. The fights at home continued, but Liz became his savior, and Daniel thanked God for her every night. With each passing year their friendship had grown, until Liz became
the center of his dreams.
Daniel’s skin grew warm as the memories of that fateful evening disappeared, and a new fantasy entered his mind. From across the room, he watched Liz’s beautiful face lit by the soft firelight. He envisioned her skin appearing like silk under his hands as he leaned in to kiss her beautiful lips. The joy he felt when he imagined her whispering his name made his muscles tighten and his heart race inside his chest…
“Stare too long and she disappears,” Faith said jarring him back to reality.
Daniel felt hot blood flood his cheeks. He couldn’t even look at Faith; it was as if she had trespassed on his deepest thoughts.
A young man Daniel knew spoke up from the table in front of him. “If he worked in the field as hard as he daydreams, the whole county would be rich and fat…living like the King, himself.”
“Billy, have a heart,” Faith said as she playfully hooked her arms around the brash boy’s neck. “Daniel’s in love.”
“Love? Please,” Billy snorted. “Lust is more like it. He’s a man now!”
Faith punched Billy in the arm, and stared into Daniel’s eyes. “Don’t listen to these drunks, luv. Billy will never be half the man you are.”
Billy growled and pulled Faith roughly against him. “I’ll show ya’ a whole man.”
Realizing that Billy was far drunker than she thought him to be, Faith squealed with disgust and tried to jump from his grip. Her voice was cut off as Billy’s large hands grabbed the back of her neck pulling her head forward as he pushed her lips against his.
“That’s enough, William,” Liz shouted from across the room. “I don’t pay Faith enough to endure this horrible treatment.”
“I’ll pay her for it,” he laughed.
“Good night, Billy,” Liz’s voice grew deep and threatening. “Be careful of the storm. You want to get home safely now.”
Standing up quickly, Billy dropped Faith to the floor and glared at the curvy redhead before him. “You may own this place, lass, but you’re still just a wench like the rest of them. Now either join the fun, or disappear,” he continued, licking his lips at the thought.
He reached out for Liz, but Daniel caught his arm. “Leave her alone.”
The drunken lad sneered. “Bar’s practically cleared out, boy. Who’s gonna stop me?”
“I said…leave her alone!” Daniel shouted. A burning ember suddenly shot from the fireplace landing in Billy’s unwashed beard.
Billy arched his back and grunted in surprise. Reaching for his mug, he quickly poured the remains on his smoldering stubble. Billy stumbled to the door with smoke rising from his chin. “I’ll be looking for you, Daniel, you little shit! I’d watch yourself if I were you.”
The threat came from his lips, and lived in his gaze as Billy turned, slamming the door behind him.
Faith stared at her young champion. “Thank you,” she said to Daniel before turning to Liz. “I’m going to sleep. I’ve had enough.”
“Are you okay?”
She sighed. “Aren’t there any gentlemen left in the world?”
Liz smiled, aiming her finger at the one who’d proven his worth. “Daniel.”
“Someone who’s not already in love with my best friend?” With the words out, Faith said a clipped good night and walked up the ladder to the loft.
Liz turned to Daniel, not wanting to address Faith’s comment. She stared into his cold, hard eyes. He looked like a warrior about to reach for his sword. Liz shuddered a bit, as she reached out and touched his cheek. “There’s a fire raging in you, Daniel. If you’re not careful, it could end up hurting you instead of the bad guys.”
His eyes grew wide, as if a picture had suddenly appeared inside his mind. “He’s going to find a girl in town and…hurt her.”
Liz nodded, as if she were watching the same horrid scene. As if a foreign voice simply came from the depths of her soul, she whispered, “You won’t let him.”
“You have a lot of faith in me.” He wrapped his arms around her waist. “Will you help me?”
“Always.”
Daniel stared into the beautiful black eyes. A part of him felt odd, as if he and Liz were eavesdropping on two strangers carrying on a foreign conversation. He shook the feeling from his mind. Daniel longed for a spark to come from those mysterious black eyes—an invitation to become the man of her dreams. But no such light appeared.
His heart fell, as Liz backed away and led him to the door. Her face seemed to change before his eyes. The color drained from her cheeks and she winced, as if suddenly overcome by a terrible headache.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded. “Just be careful. The night is angry.”
“That’s okay,” Daniel whispered. “So am I.”
“God…please protect him.”
Daniel heard her whispered prayer, as he walked across the field to stop a monster.
***
Liz locked the door and staggered to the rocking chair. Her head throbbed. She knew it was coming. The tightness in her chest began, and the cold made her body numb in seconds. She could no longer feel the heat from the fireplace. It was as if she were leaving this world.
Feeling the last beat of a troubled heart, her human shell shut down, releasing the soul of an angel into the frightening night.
CHAPTER FIVE
Home
The mist cleared from Emily’s mind and the disapproving faces of Gabriel and Michael appeared directly in front of her.
Emily lurched backwards and slammed against the white marble wall. “Wow! Objects in the mirror are definitely closer than they appear.”
Michael rolled his eyes. “What exactly do you think you’re doing?”
“Doing?” Emily shook the fog from her brain, remembering the life being played out down below. Her anger suddenly flared. “What do you mean, what am I doing? Why…out of everyone down there…would you give me that?”
Michael recoiled. “She was leaving, Emily. Liz could not deal with the hurt and pain anymore. That soul wanted to be with her parents, but she had so much more to do.”
“Then why did you take her? Why not keep her down there to live out her life? God, her past is horrible! What am I supposed to do with her?”
Gabriel stepped forward. “You know that we have no control over a human’s wish to leave, we can only help them through the hard times. Some souls simply don’t have the strength or the desire to go on, and they shut their shell down.”
“This girl is messed up! Why would anyone create a mass of these people?”
A bell echoed through the hall.
Gabriel leaned toward Michael and whispered in his ear, “The other one has arrived.”
Michael nodded. “Go see what he’s decided to do.”
“What?” Emily looked back and forth, trying to understand the strange exchange.
Gabriel turned, walked up the hallway of clouds, and vanished.
Michael’s brilliant blue eyes stared right through her. He looked as if he was already jotting down notes of what Emily’s mind had registered in her short time down below.
“Em,” he began. “The girl isn’t messed up. Not anymore. She’s quite happy here reunited with her family. Now you’re the one who’s messed up, so to speak. It’s you down there, Emily, not her. Her body is just the shell we’ve placed you in.”
“Good call,” Emily countered. Questions spun inside her mind. “Why not a baby? Why wasn’t I born? I know that’s how it’s done.”
Michael sighed. “As I said, she wasn’t finished. That body—her shell—had a future that still needed to be played out. There were people she needed to help.”
“What people?”
Michael bowed his head and ran a hand over his crystal clean robes. “You know I can’t tell you that, Emily. Her future is yours now. You can do whatever you wish with the life we’ve given you. Remember, you have the ability to really help. That’s what most people need.”
Emily mumbled, “I thought all they needed wa
s a miracle. That’s all they ever seem to ask for.”
Michael’s voice grew stronger, echoing in the enclosed space. “For most humans a miracle is simply having someone who’ll listen to them. Miracles don’t have to be an act of God, Emily. Most of the time miracles are simply a godly act.”
“Gabriel always said that we have the power to help and the power to hurt. What if I screw this all up? What if my decisions hurt others? What if…?”
Michael raised his hand. “One, I thought you had no fear. Two, you’ve been trained to death, if you’ll excuse the pun. You wanted this chance at a real life. Three, you specifically requested the angelic side. You are the bearer of knowledge…the information seeker…the gatherer who’ll help us understand more about the future. We want them to believe in us again, as we believe in them. Maybe this is the first step to stopping some of the horrible things you were shown during your training.”
Emily stiffened. “Those pictures were just meant to scare us. Those weren’t real. No one would ever do those things to the people they loved.”
“Wasn’t it you who just said that these people were messed up?”
Emily waved her hand over the floor and sat down on an overstuffed chair that appeared. Pain and fear made her stomach churn. Her knees began to shake as if the violent winds of Ireland were freezing the shell she’d left behind.
Michael’s voice was quiet. “Your thoughts make you wise, your heart makes you strong, but your soul is who you are. Go back down, be yourself, and everything will be fine.”
“Why can’t I remember all this when I go down there? Wouldn’t that help? Then I could always make the right call.”
The archangel shook his head. “You must live the way everyone else does, or this won’t work. You must run on human emotions—not angelic memories—down there. But even without the knowledge of who you are and where you come from, the power you have will always be a part of you.”
“How will I know?” Emily begged.
