Redemption - A Darla Gray Novel

by Tina Marshall

  Her soft spoken words were filled with a longing the others couldn’t fail to recognise. Wasn’t it something they were all guilty of? Shutting themselves off from others because somewhere in their past they had all suffered wounds of betrayal. And had any of their lives actually improved as a result of that detached seclusion?

  “I know none of you have known me very long and I have no right to ask this of you, but hey, what is it that they say about bonding relationships built under extreme circumstances? And you really don’t get much more extreme than saving Heaven,” she laughed. “What I’m trying to say is whatever this great destiny of mine is… I was kinda wondering if just maybe we could all face it together…as friends and allies.”

  Darla waited with baited breath. These amazing people had already done so much for her, none more so than Quinn, but that had been when they had all been working either directly or indirectly for Maisey under the C.A.O.S agency. What she was asking for now was just plain old fashioned friendship. Would they even be interested?

  Gallion was the first to step forward bowing sharply as was his way. “My instincts have never failed me before, and they are telling me now that you have a great spirit inside of you. You are one whom I would feel honoured to call friend. I offer you my service and friendship to call upon should ever the need arise.”

  Darla was blown away. Not known for his love of talking Gallion words had been a veritable feast for her soul. Unable to resist, she hugged him warmly, hiding her smile at the rigidity of his body and his hesitant and slightly awkward pat on her back. Putting him out of his misery she released him and stepped back.

  Larissa was shuffling her feet looking equally uncomfortable. “Well anyway, blah, blah, blah what he just said, you can count me in too.” Darla moved in her direction and Larissa took a couple of steps back making it clear that friendship didn’t extend to hugs.

  Darla hid a smile.

  Whatever it was that haunted Larissa it was clear she wasn’t yet ready to share. But that was okay, because Larissa was someone she would always be grateful to have at her back if there was ever a need, and who knows, given time they could build a solid friendship the likes of which she shared with Valmont.

  Her attention moved next to Michael, standing in the back ground slightly distant from the others.

  “I have been instructed to be of assistance to you whenever the need should arise. You may call whenever you require me. Use your ‘gift’ to come here or call me to your side. Either way I will respond.”

  Her own personal angel! Not just any angel, but Michael. Things don’t get much weirder than this, she thought. Imagining putting that on a C.V!

  Finally her eyes settled on Quinn and her heart fluttered in her chest causing her to look down nervously at her feet. “Quinn?”

  Quinn melted at her unexpected display of nerves. Could she really have no idea of just how much she meant to him? A life without her would be no life at all. He had been relieved that the others had volunteered their reply’s first giving him a chance to take control of his emotions. “I’m surprized you would even bother to ask. You should know by now I’m in this for the long haul.”

  Rewarded with one of her gut wrenching smiles Quinn shifted uncomfortably wanting nothing more than to grab hold of her and blink her directly to the bedroom in his apartment. The whole clothes dissolving problem would be just fine by him and it would feel damn good to finally get her naked and in his arms.

  “Well okay then,” chirped Darla. “I guess this makes us a team- once we retrieve Valmont of course- with the six of us on side I think we could probably face anything. My first hurdle however will be finding somewhere to live.”

  Beneath her lashes Darla eagerly watched Quinn’s jerked response. Shuffling on his feet he nervously licked his lips and hesitantly started to raise his hand, but before he could say a word Maisey quickly chimed in. “My place will be available.”

  Darla’s heart sank as she saw Quinn stuff his hand back into his pocket and looked away. Forcing a smile she gratefully accepted Maisey’s offer.

  “Oh and one other thing,” added the redhead. “There will be seven of us in this new little army of yours. Big G has decided that over the last few years he has come to appreciate the benefits that my computer skills have to offer and has therefore presented me with an opportunity that was too good for me to refuse. On my return to earth I will retain all my memories and knowledge of Redemption in exchange for remaining in his employment as your new inter-realm P.A.”

  Maisey looked exceptionally pleased with herself. Returning to Earth had always been her ultimate goal since arriving in Redemption, but over the years she had unavoidably grown attached to some of its inhabitants. Letting go was never going to be easy for her. But with Big G’s proposal safely in the bag it was no longer something she need worry about.

  “Is it even possible to do that?” Darla asked surprised.

  Maisey shrugged. “I suppose with Big G anything is possible.”

  “No I mean the whole internet thing.”

  “Well you have the means of travel and I have a friendly demon topside who worked out the logistics for hacking into earth’s world-wide web, this is just a case of reversing the process so that I get full access to Redemption.”

  Darla excitedly hugged Maisey. “Then I am thrilled for you. I would have found it hard letting you go. Oh and don’t worry about somewhere to live, my place will be available. The apartments spacious and downstairs could be used as office space.”

  Maisey looked hesitant. “But won’t you find that difficult whenever you need to return? I mean the memories…”

  “Will be with me wherever I go. I promise you, I would be honoured to hand it over to you.”

  This time it was Maisey that hugged Darla. “As long as Big G authorises the locale as being far enough away from my home town I think we have a deal.”

  “Okay. Well my first decision regarding this great destiny of mine is that it’s about time we all head back to Central. I think we’ve all earned a hot bath, a good meal and some r&r.”

  Darla looked expectantly at the Archangel. Michael shook his head and arched a brow at her glyph enhanced arm before vanishing from the mountain. Slightly more nervous than she thought she would be under the watchful stares of the others she sighed heavily before lifting her arm and picturing the outside of Sunny’s. The shimmering white portal appeared in an instant.

  I am never gonna get used to this, she thought.

  Fearlessly, Gallion and Larissa were the first to pass through the portal, followed swiftly by Maisey, leaving just her and Quinn alone. Feeling slightly empowered with her newly acquired skill Darla couldn’t resist a little playful banter with the man she whole-heartedly loved. “So, I guess it’s my time to take you for a ride, that’s if you think you can handle it,” she smiled mischievously.

  Quinn moved with graceful ease towards her, an intense look on his face the likes of which made her body melt and her knees quake.

  Catching one arm around her waist and clasping her jaw firmly in the other, he kissed her with a fierce ferocity that left her breathless and shaken to her core. “Babe, I can handle anything you have to offer. With or without clothes on!” he growled, his voice filled with untold promise.

  Giving her no time to reply he quickly released her and stepped into the portal leaving her alone and shaken. Inhaling deep lungful’s of air Darla fought to compose herself startled at how aroused her body was from one simple kiss. The one thing she now knew for certain was life was never going to be boring living in Redemption.

  Filled with happiness and joy she stepped eagerly into the portal that would carry her to her new home.

  EPILOGUE

  “I have been instructed to be of assistance to you whenever the need should arise.” Michael’s familiar emotionless tone resonated across the heavens.

  The solitary observer stood high on the crest of the rolling hill beside the majestic willow watching the scene as
it unfolded before him.

  “Quinn?” Darla asked, her face a visage of apprehension and uncertainty.

  Quinn’s image was the next to appear, filling the space that lay between heavens ethereal gates, projecting the events that were taking place on the mountain of light.

  “Does she have any idea that it is not friends she is collecting, but an army?” the muscular observer inquired, his dispassionate voice symptomatic to that of his brethren.

  “She does not”, came the reply filling the air around him.

  The observer noticed how the graceful willow swayed almost lovingly in response to the sound of the disconnected voice, displaying a connection to ‘His Lord’ that was unknown even to one as high ranking as he.

  “And you think that is wise.” This was said as a statement of fact rather than in question. “Would she not be better served to be presented with all the facts?” The angel asked.

  Wings of midnight blue arched high above his shoulders falling in folding sweeps to the grass at his heels. His thick muscular frame dressed in black armour plate matching the gladiators of old blended with the deep coal-like depths of his hair making him a most notable sight in the softness of the beauty surrounding him.

  Gods disembodied voice replied. “Let her enjoy the time she has. Too soon the darkness will arrive and with it will come the age of war. If Armageddon is to be avoided those whom she will grow to love and who will grow to love her in return may be called upon to perform the ultimate sacrifice.”

  The angel’s forearms flexed very slightly, his only outward display of emotion, “To lay down their life in the cause of her destiny.”

  With the words spoken aloud silence ensued.

  On the display the group one by one left the Mountain of Light using the portal that Darla had constructed and therefore signalled the end to the angel’s observations. Waving his hand in the direction of the heavenly gates, he dissolved the projected image of the mountains barren landscape.

  In an age old habit he raised his head to the unseen presence of his lord and asked the question that was most on his mind. “When the battle ensues will we angels be called upon to fight?”

  God chuckled softly at the predictability of this Archangel. “Ever the warrior Gabriel.” But it was with a heavy sigh that he continued. “The decision as ever will be down to your brother, he is the one that leads you. I cannot be seen to be involved. I have done all I can.”

  “Then the decision will be no. We all know that even while Michael holds an avid interest in the mortals, he is still a being of cold detached logic.”

  “Unlike you of course,” God replied without condemnation.

  Gabriel resisted the urge to clench his fist; angry at himself for allowing Sinicism to creep into his tone. “What I meant to say was Michael will never again choose to lead the angelic host into a battle that he cannot be absolutely certain he can win. Past losses proved almost too much for him to bear.”

  God fell silent, reflecting on the Archangel’s words. Only those closest to his oldest and wisest Archangel had seen how deeply the vast number of losses suffered on both sides during the War of the Heavens had affected Michael. It had almost been his undoing.

  “You may be right,” he sighed wistfully, “and it may well have been that you would have been more suited to the task of advising the ‘First chosen’. But my wish is not just for Michael to provide good council for Darla; my hope is that with hers being the purest of souls something of her humanity may well rub off on him. Who knows, your brother may even surprise you yet.”

  Gabriel absorbed God’s words. I seriously doubt it!

  With the conversation at an end the Archangel snapped his wings. Midnight blue feathers stretched out wide, reaching their full majestic glory. A simple thought and his body lifted. Leaving the soft grass covered ground beneath him he soared towards the ethereal city at a phenomenal rate of speed.

  Today his task was an unusual one especially for one of his standing and yet it had been asked of him by God himself and therefore would be performed unquestioningly. He was to personally escort a soul from the heavenly city and see it delivered safely to its new host on earth.

  In his silent musings Gabriel couldn’t help but wonder to whom the soul had once belonged to have been granted such an incredible honour.

  The End

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  Thank you

  If you enjoyed this novel, please lookout for book two,

  RETRIBUTION (Quinn’s Story)

  The second Darla Gray novel.

  Taking up the role of “First Chosen”, Darla settles into her new home in Redemption and love grows between her and Quinn. But happiness is not yet theirs, for Quinn has a past and it’s one that’s about to claim him.

  Can Darla save the one she loves?

  To do so, she must travel to the very gates of Hell and confront Lucifer himself. Old friends reunite, new allies emerge and true identities are revealed in the continuing saga of Darla Gray.

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