Redemption - A Darla Gray Novel

by Tina Marshall

  Darla noticed that when the others moved to join them Valmont stayed where he was. “Valmont aren’t you coming?”

  “Forgive me ma chère but I choose to remain out here. Mama Grace has a distasteful liking for cats.” Valmont grimaced at Darla’s questioning stare. “Suffice to say those loathsome creatures and I do not mix well in polite surroundings. I will eagerly await your return in this...idyllic, feline free environment.

  A vampire scared of cats. Go figure!

  Quinn guided her through the gate and along the path towards the four long steps that led up onto a balcony that ran the length of the house. An identical balcony surrounded the upper level with French doors opening onto the bedrooms. The house was topped off beautifully with a side gabled roof.

  Close to the front door was a large swing seat suspended from the floor of the balcony above. Stepping inside the house her senses were immediately assaulted by the delicious smell of freshly baked bread. Allowing Quinn to guide her through the living area Darla soon picked up the sound of muffled voices.

  A swing door led them into a large family kitchen where they found not only the source of the delectable smell but also Larissa and Gallion warmly engaged in a friendly conversation with a very delicate and young looking female.

  No more than seventeen, eighteen at most, her long golden hair hung loose in beautiful soft waves to the centre of her back. A pretty, delicate face with soft green eyes and a row of perfect white teeth when lit in a smile all highlighted her youthful age.

  Noticing Quinn and Darla standing just inside the doorway the young female hastily covered the distance separating them. Clasping both of Quinn’s hands she greeted him warmly placing a fleeting kiss on each cheek.

  “It’s so good to you see you old friend, how are you?” Her voice had a young and melodic tone.

  “I’m good. I like what you’ve done to the place.” Quinn said looking around the large family sized kitchen. Decorated in New England colours with loads of natural wood features, the room looked decidedly homely.

  “Your seventies revival theme never did do the place justice.” He added.

  Darla was intrigued by the interaction between Quinn and the young woman. His relaxed and friendly manner was a complete contrast to his usual gruff surliness.

  “I must confess I do like the new décor, yet I just can’t seem to part with my old style clothing of clothing.” The young woman replied indicating her bohemian attire which admittedly would have been much better suited for a 70’s revival festival than the fresh cool surroundings of the tranquil kitchen.

  “But enough of us are you going to stand there all day admiring my decorating skills or are you going to introduce me to this ravishing beauty at your side?

  “I thought you would already know who she was what with you being a seer.” His mischievous banter blindsided Darla.

  The young female tsked, hitting him playfully in the stomach obviously used to this strange and new side to his character.

  Rubbing his stomach in an over exaggerated manor he turned to introduce Darla. “Grace I would like to introduce you to Darla Gray. Darla, this is Mama Grace, the all Knowing…or maybe not,” he added, playfully winking at the waif-like young woman.

  Darla was sure her mouth must be hanging open in shock, be it from Quinn’s uncharacteristic behaviour or from the unexpected revelation that this young almost childlike female was the elusive Mama Grace.

  A light whimsical chuckle escaped the young woman. “Don’t worry, I often have that effect on people. Trust me I’m a lot older than I look.” Stepping forward she hugged Darla in a warm and friendly greeting. “Come, I’ve prepared food. Let’s go eat and catch up properly.”

  Sitting around a large white washed wooden table Darla and the others tucked in to the small banquet that Mama Grace had prepared. Laughter and conversation filled the air in the idyllic relaxed surroundings.

  Caught up in the most normal atmosphere she had encountered since first arriving in Redemption Darla jumped as something brushed against her foot – still bare from her earlier frolic with the moss. Peering beneath the table she was met by a set of shining yellow eyes followed by a soft mewl of acknowledgement.

  “That’s Darcy, he’s just saying hello.” Mama Grace explained.

  “I was told you had cats. How many exactly?” Darla enquired reaching a hand under the table to stroke the affectionate felines head.

  “Too many I’m afraid. Oh dear, is poor Valmont left outside again?” Her genuine concern was clearly heartfelt.

  “I find it quite amusing that a big strong man like Valmont has a cat phobia.” Darla laughed.

  “Well it’s a little more than that I’m afraid.” Mama Grace explained, all humour set aside. “Should Valmont enter my home my babies would automatically attack without cause or provocation and they wouldn’t stop until the skin was stripped from his body.”

  Darla blanched at the vision it evoked.

  “You see cats are the guardians of the underworld. Valmont defies nature. Dead, yet still living. Confusion clouds their judgement and therefore they attack. And yet I still find it impossible to part with them. Babies, where are you?” Mama Grace called out loudly

  Within seconds the room started filling as one by one cat’s of all sizes came flooding in. There had to be at least forty of them as they gradually surrounded the table. With so many cats in such a small area Darla could easily understand her vampire friends’ trepidation.

  “Now Quinn, I think it’s high time we got down to business.” Mama Grace contentedly stroked Darcy who had leapt on to her lap at the arrival of the others. “As much as I enjoy the company I assume you have come here for something other than my excellent hospitality.”

  “You could say that.”

  All eyes turned to the figure filling the doorway.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “Maisey!” Quinn leapt to his feet and strode across to greet her. “What the hell are you doing here? You were supposed to be meeting with Big G,” he hissed lowering his voice so only she could hear.

  “I did but…” She nervously looked over his shoulders at the others. “Can I speak to you alone?”

  He glanced briefly at Darla before nodding sharply and holding open the door leading into the sitting room. “Well?” he asked already sensing that whatever it was she had to say, he wasn’t going to like it.

  Maisey checked that no-one had followed before speaking. “I met with Big G yesterday as arranged, explained the events regarding Darla and then…”

  Growing impatient Quinn balled his fists on his hips and arched his brow impatient for her to continue.

  Edging closer she lowered her voice until it was barely above a whisper. “None of this was new to him, which of course figure’s… right? I mean he is God after all.”

  Quinn shrugged impatiently as she continued.

  “But something about him just wasn’t right; I mean it was weird…” Maisey struggled to explain what she had seen. “I’ve had a lot of contact with Big G over the years but I have never seen him act as he did. It was like…oh I don’t know it was like whatever’s happening here needs to happen. Whatever purposes that woman is here to serve it’s not only important but essential that it happens.” Maisey rubbed her temples clearly strained from the events of the day. “I don’t know Quinn,” she sighed heavily, “I just got the distinct impression that Big G wants this to play out to the end, ‘cause he sure as hell wasn’t giving anything away, at least not to me.”

  The only outward sign of Quinn’s frustration was the pulsating nerve, furiously ticking in his jaw. Exhaling deeply he dragged his hand through his tousled hair. “I just wish I could figure out what’s so damn important about one human female. Why would someone want to put such a large bounty on her? I’ve spent the last three days in her company and alright I have to admit she’s beautiful, resilient, strong, loyal, open-minded…” Realising Maisey was staring strangely at him he abruptly broke off. “Hell, regardles
s of any good qualities she may possess, at the end of the day she is still just a Goddamn breather.”

  Maisey arched a brow, reminding him that she too was human.

  “No offence,” he quickly offered only just realising he had unintentionally insulted her.

  Maisey shrugged brushing the comment aside, she had known Quinn long enough to know the reason behind his hated of humans and with all due respect he was well within his rights to feel as he did. If the truth was known, she felt quite humbled that he liked her well enough not to place her in the category of his most hated species.

  “Well there’s got to be something we’re missing about the seemingly innocent Miss Gray, but what exactly?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m damned sure I’m not quitting till I find out,” he growled. “She’s gonna need to get some rest if Mama Grace is gonna get an accurate reading off of her.” Towering above the petite redhead, he rubbed at the tension building at the base of his neck. “I suggest we postpone things until dusk. It’ll give her the time she needs and the rest of us could use the opportunity to clean up.” Quinn noted her usual impeccable appearance. “Those of us that need it of course.”

  Maisey chuckled mischievously. “What can I say? You don’t refuse a chance at traveling under divine intervention.” With a sexy little sashay she headed back through to the kitchen leaving Quinn shaking his head. Six years he’d known her, ever since the day his previous liaison officer at the bureau had thrown up her hands and quit amid a flood of tears after one too many of his numerous ball busting strip-downs.

  When the previous head of C.A.O.S had asked for a volunteer to take over as Quinn’s new contact at the bureau, Maisey had been the only one that had raised her hand. One year later she was running the entire operation. To Quinn’s knowledge no-one could explain her relationship with Big G the only thing anyone knew for sure was that outside of his army of Angels no-one had ever got closer to the head guy than what Maisey had. If she couldn’t find out what was going on with Darla, he had to wonder what chance the rest of them had.

  Feeling extremely tired all of a sudden Quinn followed the redhead back into the kitchen. Returning to his seat beside Darla he idly draped a protective arm around the back of her chair, feeling much more relaxed just for being near her.

  “Mama Grace, it sure is good to see you again sugar.” Maisey’s kissed the young host on her cheek.

  “It’s been way too long Maisey, but I have to say you look divine as always.”

  The bohemian blonde voiced aloud just exactly what Darla had been thinking. The stunning redheaded boss of C.A.O.S looked as remarkable as when they had previously met. Beautifully tailored black trousers and matching long sleeved polo jumper was accompanied by a pair of sling backs with delicate kitten heels. Her immaculate mass of titan curls contrasted dramatically against the black ensemble igniting the colour as if it was ablaze. The elegant redhead belonged on a Parisian catwalk instead of in a homely kitchen surrounded by travel soiled friends. Just then remembering that she was one of those travel stained people Darla longed for the pleasure of a long hot shower.

  “You don’t scrub up so bad yourself for someone who’s as old as time,” Maisey chuckled, still holding Mama Grace’s hands.

  “Please join us.” Mama Grace graciously swept her hand out indicating the empty seat to her left. “Should I assume from your impromptu arrival that you travelled here by divine courier?”

  “Oh you know me; I always do prefer to travel first class.”

  Mama Grace gently stroked the cat nestling in her lap and was rewarded with a contented purr. “So, how is the old man?” She asked.

  “By ‘old man’ I presume you’re referring to Big G?”

  “Well there aren’t any older?”

  “Good point. I guess not.” Maisey pondered for a minute. “He’s well… how exactly do you sum up a deity? I suppose you could say he’s as he always is.”

  Mama Grace chortled. “Yeah I see what you mean.”

  Maisey wondered at the brief flash of sadness Mama Grace tried quickly to hide. The unexpected expression caused her to wonder more about the mystery surrounding the seer.

  It was a matter of general knowledge among the residence of Redemption that Mama Grace was a creature of remarkable power and considerable age, regardless of her deceptively nubile appearance. But as to the origins of her birth and unanswered questions of her species, there was very little known.

  According to the dossier stored in Centrals mainframe, Mama Grace had first approached the agency in 1840. Offering the services of her relatively rare and extremely accurate talent as a seer, she had provided the agency with the most reliable ‘drop through’ co-ordinates to date; not to mention several other useful titbits of information, making her an invaluable asset to the bureau.

  Her residence was officially listed as unknown due to its temporal distortion, a feat still not completely understood even by some of the agency’s best theologians.

  All other relevant information was slight at best. She loved her cats of which there were many and her appearance changed as often as the interior of her house. But the one piece of information that Maisey did find intriguing was the tenuous hint at some previous alliance between the seer and Big G. A connection that after all her years as head of the agency- not to mention her close personal relationship with Big G himself- Maisey was still unable to substantiate.

  No matter how many questions pertaining to Mama Grace she had put to the big guy, they had always been politely but firmly deflected. And finally after a very thorough investigation under-taken by the best investigator that Central had; namely herself- she had conceded that anything and everything relating to any past connection between the two of them had either been lost in Redemptions colourful history or deliberately erased. Something she found more than frustrating. If there was one thing Maisey hated most, it was a puzzle she couldn’t solve, much like the situation she now found herself in.

  “Mama Grace I wish to thank you for your kind hospitality, you do of course realise that the agency will reimburse you with any costs towards your generosity.” Maisey indicated the remains of the feast before her.

  Mama Grace dismissed the offer with a casual wave. “I wouldn’t hear of it. Besides it makes a pleasant change to have company.”

  Graciously excepting her hospitality, Maisey nodded her acceptance. “If its company you miss, I could always find time for an afternoon’s tea. We could compare notes on how we both met Big G.”

  Their young hosts’ forced smile told Maisey that that was something that would never happen. Slightly defeated but unperturbed none the less she turned her mind to the events at hand. “However in the meantime I feel we must impose on your hospitality further still. Darla’s ordeal over the past few days has been trying to say the least. Perhaps while we take some time to reacquaint ourselves you might permit her the use of one of your rooms to freshen up and rest a little.”

  “Of course.” Mama Grace offered, apologetically turning to Darla. “I should have thought of it sooner. What must you think of me? Take the first room on the left at the top of the stairs.”

  Too tired to argue Darla rose wearily from her seat. “I’m extremely grateful to you.” She smiled weighed down by the dust and sweat that coated her hair and skin.

  Mama Grace tsked lightly, shooing them on their way. “It’s nothing, and please help yourself to the towels and toiletries. There should be something in the dresser for you to rest in,” she added as the pair disappeared through the swing door.

  Maisey accompanied Darla through the house to the elegant curved stairwell. Collecting a large holdall from the base of the steps Maisey led the way to the assigned room allowing Darla to enter first.

  Decorated with a large four poster bed made of dark solid oak, dressed tastefully in golden silk drapes and linen, the room looked more than enticing to the bone weary Darla.

  Having spent the previous night lying on the forest floor the idea
of slipping between the cool fresh sheets and sleeping until her body was fully recovered from all the physical exertion was pure unadulterated indulgence. Realistically however a hot shower and an hour’s nap would most likely be the best she could hope for and as weary and grimy as she felt there was no way she was turning it down. That was once she’d cleared up something that was bugging her immensely.

  “Maisey, this isn’t just a ploy for you all to discuss what’s going on while I’m not around is it? Because I assure you I can handle anything you have to say.”

  “Hell no sugar. At this point in time we’re no further forward than we were when we last met.” Maisey dropped the large holdall onto the bed. “Our best hope of putting an end to this mystery is a reading from Mama Grace. Readings tend to be more accurate at night with the subject present - namely you.” Unpacking some of the bags contents Maisey piled them neatly onto the bed. “We need you there tonight Darla if we’re ever gonna get to the bottom of this.”

  Maisey disappeared through a doorway adjoining another room. “Oh my lord! Mama Grace sure knows how to spoil a girl.”

  Following her through Darla couldn’t help but agree. A deep sunken corner tub adorned with numerous bottles in an array of shapes and sizes was a much needed sight for sore eyes.

  The two women stood silently appreciating the sight as only a female could. Maisey sighed heavily before returning to the bedroom. “I took the liberty of calling into Carson’s on my way here.” She nodded towards the pile of clothes on the bottom of the bed. “Quinn’s purchase showed up on my records,” she explained. “I picked you up a duplicate set of your clothes. Leave your others in the laundry basket. Mama Grace will have them cleaned and returned to central.” Maisey lifted the holdall and headed towards the door. “I suggest you get some rest while you can.”

  “No wait, please, before you go I just wanted to ask you something?”

  Maisey smiled poised with her hand on the open door.