by G. P. Ching
“Not this time, but I hope you can make it.”
Carolyn ripped open the envelope and pulled out the thick card stock inside.
You are cordially invited to attend the wedding of
Dr. Abigail Silva
and
Gideon Newman
On Saturday, July first at twelve o’clock in the afternoon at Sunrise Park.
“Ooooh, I knew it.” Carolyn stomped her foot. “I knew that man was special!” She handed the invitation to John and pulled Abigail into a hug.
“You’re getting married!” John exclaimed, running his finger over the raised letters. “Congratulations.”
“The flowers will be our gift,” Carolyn said, patting her chest. “We wouldn’t miss it for the world!”
“That’s very generous of you, Carolyn. We’d appreciate it.” Abigail pointed her thumb at her house. “Well, Gideon is waiting for me. I better head back.”
“Okay. Congratulations, dear!” Carolyn waved excitedly as Abigail crossed the street for home.
John’s eyes narrowed. “Did she look different to you?”
Carolyn hmmphed in his direction. “That’s what love does to a woman, John. Now that she’s landed her man she can stop starving herself and put some meat on those bones.”
“She looks shorter.”
“No more heels. Poor woman has earned her right to spend a few years in flats.”
“I guess.”
“Don’t you remember how I changed once we were married?” Carolyn asked.
John blinked twice in her direction. “How could I forget?”
* * * * *
On the first of July, when the sun was at its highest point in the sky, Abigail readied herself inside a small white tent in Sunrise Park. Breathless, she checked her dress in the mirror for the three-hundredth time. The gathered silk of her strapless gown crisscrossed her bodice, then draped to the grass in a graceful swag.
Swept up on top of her head, Abigail’s new curls were as novel as the curves that held up her dress. She was still getting used to the new her. She’d applied makeup for the first time that morning in neutral tones that gave her the glow she used to get by illusion.
“You look beautiful,” Malini said from the flap that acted like a door.
“Do you think so? I wonder if it was too much for me to choose white, being a widow and a former demon. Do you think people will talk?” Abigail joked.
“People in this town have been talking about you for years. What’s one more thing?”
They laughed together toward the mirror. Malini’s dark hair and violet dress offset Abigail’s pale silhouette.
“I have something for you,” Malini said, holding out a small box. “It’s from Jacob and me. Since you are technically old but your soul is new, and the setup outside is borrowed, we thought we’d get you something blue.”
Abigail cracked the box. A platinum cross pendent reflected back at her, inlaid with sapphires. “Will you help me put it on, Malini?”
“Of course.”
Small brown hands scooped up the pendant and hooked it around her neck. It rested between her collarbones.
“I love it,” Abigail said. “Tell Jacob it’s perfect.”
She touched it lightly with her fingers, enjoying the cool feel against her skin.
“It’s time, if you’re ready.”
“Oh, I'm ready. I’ve been ready for more than a lifetime.”
Malini smiled and held the flap to the tent open. Abigail lifted her bouquet from the small white table near the mirror. Three orchids formed the focal point. Carolyn said she could only picture Abigail with exotic flowers. There wasn’t a rose or carnation in the entire wedding.
Outside, she took her place behind Malini at the back of the aisle between two blocks of white folding chairs filled with friends and neighbors. The Laudners, the Westcotts, and the Guptas rotated in their seats for a better view, along with a slew of other townspeople Abigail barely knew. The other Soulkeepers were there, too. Dane, who’d gained some weight, sat next to Ethan as if his mere presence warded off evil spirits. Dane’s parents sat separately in the back row.
Flower sprays arched over the aisle and a string quartet played a classical piece. Abigail couldn't enjoy it. She focused on a man who stood in the shadows of a tree behind the six-inch platform that would serve as the altar. His blond curls didn’t move even though a distinct summer breeze blew from the west. His suit was black and his face was grave.
Lucifer.
Malini started down the aisle, blocking the devil from her view, step-together, step-together, until Jacob, in his black tuxedo met her at the front. Frowning, Abigail’s eyes drifted back to the shadowy place where she had seen Lucifer. He was still there but so were two others. Henry and Mara stood between her and the devil, arm in arm in the full light of the sun.
The music changed. The crowd rose to their feet. Lucifer wanted her attention again. She wouldn't give it to him. Not today. Abigail smiled broadly and stepped one foot in front of the other. She walked down the aisle alone. There was no one to give her away. But maybe that was how it should be. She’d earned her own soul.
Gideon waited at the altar. For a moment, she couldn’t move. All she wanted to do was to chisel the sight of him into her memory. His dark hair was combed back and curled against the collar of his black tuxedo. Human as he was, to her he would always be an angel, and today he glowed brighter than ever.
She forced herself forward, to take his hand and pretend that she was paying attention. Gideon’s emerald green eyes captivated her. Time stopped while she repeated the vows the pastor read to her and then slid the platinum band onto Gideon’s finger. He did the same, holding the ring on her finger for seconds too long, as if he still couldn't believe he could touch her. When he kissed her, the world melted away and everything, his embrace, his lips, the sunlight on their faces, the love, made a millennia of waiting, of suffering death, entirely worth it.
Applause. Whistles. The pastor held up their hands and announced them. Gideon ushered her up the aisle and into the reception tent, twirling her into his arms and finding her lips again.
“Well, isn’t that the sweetest thing?” Lucifer’s voice cut through the air.
She turned to face him. Lucifer leaned up against a post on the other side of the dance floor. Despite the silver and ivory place settings, and the bright flower arrangements, dark shadows clung to him. Lucifer brought his own darkness.
“Leave, Lucifer. You have no place here,” Gideon said.
“Don’t get your new human undies in a bunch, Mr. Newman,” Lucifer said. “You are not why I’m here.”
“Then why are you here?” Abigail asked.
“You, Abigail. I thought we had something.” He swaggered forward. “You were mine first. You fell for me, remember?”
“Things change. Free will is a bitch, ain’t it?” Abigail stepped in front of Gideon and squared her shoulders. She was defenseless except for her will, but she refused to allow Lucifer to have the pleasure of seeing her afraid.
“You are my deepest regret. We could have accomplished so much together, you and I. It was a shame what you did. A bloody shame. I don’t deal well with loss.” He shook his head.
“Maybe you can find a support group,” Abigail said.
Lucifer’s eyes blazed. He stepped in closer. Too close. Gideon’s hands gripped her shoulders.
“Enough small talk, Abigail. I’m here to let you know that the damage you’ve done is significant but not impossible to overcome. When I do, you know what they say, payback is hell.” His knuckle brushed against her jawline.
The baby hairs on the back of her neck stood at attention. “Don’t touch me. You can’t do anything to me.” Each word was equal parts hope and prayer.
Lucifer tipped his head. “Maybe not today, but I’ll be back, Abigail. I always come back.” He bared his teeth. “My congratulations to the happy couple. May you have many, many children. Funny thing about
kids these days, they always seem to find their own way. Free will’s a bitch, ain't it?” He turned on his heel and twisted into shadow, leaving nothing but a faint smell of sulfur behind.
“Was that who I think it was?” Jacob asked from the doorway. Malini hugged tight to his side.
“Unfortunately, yes,” Gideon replied.
Jacob pulled a breath spray from his pocket, crossed the dance floor to where Lucifer had been, and spritzed spearmint into the air.
“There. Good as new.” He turned back toward Abigail and Gideon. “Looks like the garbage took itself out. Let’s get this party started.”
Abigail nodded, meeting his eyes. “Thanks, Jacob. Thanks for everything.”
Jacob shook his head. “Do you remember the day we met? You scared the bejeezus out of me.” He laughed.
“I remember.”
“You changed me for the better. I'm so glad you finally got what you wanted.”
The sound of Aunt Carolyn’s heady laugh brought them back to the present. There was a reception to be had, and Abigail was looking forward to cutting her cake, not to mention her first dance with her husband. She wasn’t going to give Lucifer the benefit of even one more minute of her life wasted in worry.
* * * * *
Three weeks later…
The gothic Victorian had never looked better. Abigail had paid a crew to paint it white with light gray trim. She’d redecorated the inside, too, and added a real door to the tower. The interior was now a shrine to neutral tones. Everything about the place screamed cheery rural hideaway. Everything but the stained glass window in her bedroom. She couldn’t bring herself to change it but realistically she knew the new owners would probably replace it.
They were turning it into a bed and breakfast.
“All packed up,” Gideon said, loading the last trunk into her truck. “Ready to go?”
Abigail slid the SOLD sign into the wire frame in the yard.
“I am now.”
“Hold it right there, Abigail Newman.” John Laudner waved at her from across the street. Aunt Carolyn, Jacob, and Katrina exited the cheery yellow home behind him.
“We were going to stop over to say goodbye,” Abigail answered.
“No need. We’ll come to you.” John reached the driveway. “I just wanted to say, we’re going to miss you, Abigail. You’ve been a terrific neighbor.”
“Thanks, John. I feel the same about you.”
Carolyn stepped to her husband’s side. “I can’t believe this house is leaving your family after so many generations. I hope that university you're moving to understands how they’ve changed this town, luring you away.”
“Oh, Carolyn, you’re too kind. I’m sure you and the other ladies will find some other topic to keep you busy.”
Carolyn laughed. “Oh, hush. You know it was all in good fun.”
Katrina stepped forward. “Thanks for everything, both of you.” She shook Abigail’s hand but her eyes lingered on Gideon.
He returned a knowing nod.
Jacob stepped up last. “Dr. Silva, I mean Newman, working for you was one of the most important experiences of my life. You’ve meant a lot to me.” He shot her a private grin.
Abigail smiled. “The feeling’s mutual, Jacob.”
They stood for a moment taking each other in.
“Well, Abigail and I have a long drive ahead of us,” Gideon said.
“We promise, we’ll keep in touch. I plan on visiting Paris often,” Abigail added.
“Make sure you look us up,” Carolyn chimed in. “You’re always welcome.”
Abigail nodded and climbed into the passenger side of the truck. Gideon slid behind the wheel.
They backed out of the driveway and drove toward the setting sun. They didn’t stop until they reached the delivery entrance of Laudner’s Flowers and Gifts.
Lillian had already closed the shop for the night but she let them in the back door. Malini helped load all of their things into the boat in the cavern under the backroom. It took the better part of an hour to move the trunks down the winding staircase.
“Sink it in the lake,” Abigail said, handing Lillian the keys to the truck.
“Will do. I’ll take the plates off first, just in case.”
“Thanks, Lillian.”
“I’ll see you in Eden.”
Gideon nodded. “Classes start next week. I’ll make sure the weapons room is ready for you.”
“Looking forward to it.” Lillian tossed the keys into the air and caught them in the same hand. She gave a little wave goodbye and jogged up the stairs.
Unfolding a pair of sunglasses from her pocket, Malini slid them onto her face and reached for the rope.
“What are those for?” Gideon asked.
Malini shrugged. “Eh, nothing to worry about.”
She hoisted the sail.
After a lifetime of magic and sorcery, Abigail didn’t think anything could surprise her, but the ball of fire that rolled through the cave had her clutching at Gideon. Gathered into his arms, she screamed as the boat propelled forward, passing through the far wall of the cavern before slowing on a crystalline blue river.
“You could’ve warned us,” Abigail said.
Malini smiled. “Sorry.”
She did not sound sorry at all.
Abigail eyed the approaching cherubim, their crossed swords burning. “Are you sure about this, Malini? Are you sure we’ll be allowed in? The cherubim were set in place to keep humans and Watchers out. Only Soulkeepers can enter.”
“I’m sure. You might say you’ve become an honorary Soulkeeper. It’s all been arranged.”
While she heard what Malini was saying, Abigail gripped Gideon’s hand tighter as they approached. She thought back on her life, on all of the choices she’d made, good or evil. If she had to weigh her own soul, she wasn’t sure which side of the scale would rise. She was sure Gideon’s soul would stand up to the test. He’d always been made for good. But if Abigail made it through to the other side, she knew it would be because of grace and mercy.
The moment they passed under the swords the air turned to rubber and the cells of her body felt sifted like sand through a sieve. The boat slowed. For a second, she couldn’t breathe. Her body was forced forward, stretching against some unseen force that pressed on her from all sides.
When she thought she could take no more, that she would suffocate for sure, the boat broke past the membrane and floated forward on pristine waters. Colorful birds sang from the trees, calling out a song of joy. The lush jungle welcomed her to Eden.
Abigail tipped her head against Gideon’s shoulder, lacing her fingers into his. He kissed the top of her head. With her face tipped toward the sun, and the man she loved at her side, she came home to her new life.
Book Club Discussion Questions
1. In Return to Eden, Abigail tries to be something more than she is. Do you believe people can truly change? Or are we born what we are?
2. Have you ever been tempted in a way that you felt was impossible to deny?
3. The immortals in the In Between sometimes break the rules in order to maintain the balance between good and evil. Are there circumstances in real life when the moral choice is to take action that in other circumstances would be considered immoral? Is there such thing as a “white” lie?
4. Mara learns that she can create her own reality in the In Between. If you could create your own reality, what would you change first?
5. With her transition to the In Between, Mara loses her power. Later, she rises to the challenge presented to her. What do you think motivates Mara's character to accept the challenge in spite of her new vulnerability? Would you do the same?
6. In Return to Eden, God appears as the best version of the person viewing him/her. What do you think of this depiction? Do you think we see ourselves in God?
7. During the battle scene, Abigail and Gideon get what they want at the worst possible time. Have you ever received a blessing at a time that makes
it feel like a curse?
8. In many young adult novels, the main character changes from being human to a supernatural being. In Return to Eden, the change is in the opposite direction. How did this make you feel? Do you think becoming human is a worthy goal for a supernatural character?
9. When characters in The Soulkeepers Series use the red stone, they enter a reality that helps them interpret their experiences. Why do you think Gideon's mind chose a 1950s diner?
10. Return to Eden introduces a new Soulkeeper who is openly homosexual. Did this surprise you? Discuss.
Other Books in The Soulkeepers Series
Part Two, Books 4-6
Soul Catcher (Book 4)
Dane Michaels has been to Hell and back and isn’t interested in repeating the experience. But as a human caught up in the Soulkeeper’s world, his life isn’t exactly his own. No one can explain why Dane was allowed through the gates of Eden, but it’s changed everything. Now, the only one who can make him feel safe is Ethan, the telekinetic Soulkeeper with a dark past and a heart of gold.
When Malini asks Dane to be part of a mission to find the last Soulkeeper, Cheveyo, more than one team member thinks she’s tempting Fate. But Malini suspects Fate has had a hand in Dane’s life for some time and that he could be the key to unraveling Lucifer’s latest plan of attack.
Lost Eden (Book 5)
Rules. Balance. Consequences. War.
When Fate gave Dane the water from Eden to drink, she did more than save his life. She changed his destiny. Since the beginning, a covenant between God and Lucifer has maintained a tenuous peace, balancing Soulkeepers and Watchers and the natural order of things. Dane upset that balance the day he became a Soulkeeper. Fate broke the rules.
