The Gates of Gabriel

by Marie-France Leger

  Chapter 30

  Kleaton’s Gate, Present Night

  “So… you’re an angel…”

  I had finally calmed down after crying for what felt like hours. Beau was patient with me, hovering near just in case I needed him, but gave me enough space to process, well, everything. I could tell that he was searching for a way to comfort me, a way to help me understand better, but there wasn’t much he could do. What could anyone do?

  “I’m a Nuntius, if you want to get technical,” Beau chuckled. His smile was gentle. “But yes, I’m an angel.”

  I swallowed hard, shaking my head. “You know… I’ve read so many books. So much fiction about things that I never thought existed. I’ve read about angels, about you. I can’t believe it’s all true.”

  “Not all of it.” Beau leaned back on the mattress. “The devil doesn’t have horns.”

  For the first time in forever, a small laugh escaped my throat.

  Beau smiled. “Haven’t seen that in a while.”

  Blood rushed to my cheeks, causing me to blush. I fiddled with my fingers, looking down.

  “I checked on you, once.” He began, swallowing hard. “To see if you were okay.”

  I glanced up at him, scrunching my eyebrows in confusion. “When? You… I didn’t see you?”

  “Gabriel would have given me hell if you had,” he laughed.

  “Is defying orders not a sin?”

  “It is,” he flashed a half grin. “But I couldn’t find it in me to stay away.”

  Butterflies fluttered in my stomach. I thought about the countless nights I laid awake in bed, thinking of Beau. And he thought of me too.

  Amidst all the unbelievable turmoil I endured these past couple of months, I took in this moment. Honestly, it was the only thing that felt real to me. Beau was leaning back on his arms, his dark hair messy over his grey eyes. They beamed into mine with intensity, never losing focus.

  Beau got under my skin more times than I could count on two hands. He was obnoxious, aggravating and proud. And though it pained me to confess, there was absolutely no denying Beau’s undeniable appeal. Everything about him seemed to be carved by angels… literally. I faced him, cross-legged with my fingers in my lap.

  “What?” Beau chuckled, flashing a grin.

  His teeth were white and perfect like polished pearls. His lips… plump and rosy, waiting to be kissed. Don’t kid yourself, you’ve wanted to for a while.

  His smile softened as he pressed his lips together. He knew what I wanted before I could admit it to myself. Him.

  In a tentative motion, he slowly rose up from the mattress and slid his hand up my calf, resting it on my knee. My heart exploded in my chest, rattling sporadically. He leaned in closer, gripping my leg tighter. I could almost taste his breath against my mouth, spiced and warm. His lips parted and he shut his eyes, closing the distance between us. Oh my God… this is happening. Beau Gabriel is going to kiss me. He’s right in front of my face… close your eyes damnit!

  “Your name means handsome in French!” I blurted, placing my hands firmly on his chest. My cheeks reddened with heightening embarrassment. Are you – What the hell is wrong with you! Stupid, stupid, stupid.

  Beau squinted his eyes, chortling. He squeezed my thigh, patting it gently before standing up. He scratched his head and glanced quickly around the room before returning his attention back to me. “I’m sorry, I didn’t –”

  Holy saints, are you serious? “No, no, you didn’t. It was me.”

  “I’m –” he chuckled again, softly. “Are you hungry?” He pointed out the door to the kitchen.

  Great, perfect, food! Something has got to save me from my own self-sabotage. “Absolutely.”

  ◆◆◆

  Beau cooked a steaming pot of bacon carbonara which was surprisingly delicious. I tried to control my thoughts as he kept his back turned to me, wiping the countertop. I’m human, what can I say.

  “I didn’t realize angels could cook.” I jested, sitting on the barstool.

  Beau stood across from me, cleaning our dishes. “Sometimes I forget that I’m an angel. I’ve lived on Earth for so long now, Heaven feels like a dream.” He paused, turning the water off. “And then Gabriel pays me an unwanted visit, reminding me that I am still in fact, me.”

  I shyly smiled, still trying to wrap my brain around the fact that Beau was an angel from Heaven, standing before me… cooking. Is this what all angels looked like? Did they all have perfect, sandy skin? Grey eyes? A ridiculous body… tattoos.

  “Can I ask you a question?”

  Beau stopped cleaning and crossed his arms, leaning against the counter. “Shoot.”

  My eyes trailed the length of his arm. “What does your tattoo mean? I’ve always wanted to ask, but –”

  He flashed a small grin. “I wasn’t lying when I said it’s a cover up.” He stretched out his arm, flexing it subtly. “When I fell, Gabriel transferred his grace to me, enough of it at least. Hurt like hell, Jesus.”

  We laughed together.

  “His grace left some pretty nasty scars and I hated it. So, a few decades later, I walked my ass into the first tattoo shop I saw and got all the white covered.” He glanced up at me, his eyes poking with affection. “Stupid, or smart?”

  I narrowed my gaze, tapping my cheek with a sarcastic finger. “Stupid and smart.”

  He smiled, pushing his body off the counter. “I like the sound of that.”

  I pressed my lips together, glancing around the room. My eyes caught sight of the broken shards of glass in the corner. “You know, you may know how to cook, but you’re not the best housekeeper are you?” I teased.

  Beau fell silent.

  When I held Gabriel’s feather, I caught a quick glimpse of Beau punching the mirror, scratching at his scars. I knew he had them, but I didn’t understand why it angered him so much. Did they hurt? Did someone do that to him?

  “Can I see them?” I asked, warily.

  Beau clenched his jaw and gripped the countertop. He didn’t say anything, only stared past me to the shards of glass on the ground.

  “You don’t need to show me, I was just –”

  “I’ll show you.” He said, cutting me off.

  With noticeable hesitation, he turned around, carefully pulling his shirt over his head. His back muscles flexed underneath the two dark slivers trailing down his back. Black veins coiled underneath his skin, pulsing in beats. Some veins spiked out like thorns, darker than others. Almost his entire spine was bruised and violet.

  What the… I was stupefied, unable to contain my shock. What is… What are those… My jaw dropped as I stared, unconsciously reaching out to touch his skin.

  “That,” Beau turned around quickly, grabbing my wrist. “I can’t allow you to do.”

  I slowly eased back into reality, swallowing hard. “I’m sorry.” I shook my head, completely lost for words. “What… happened?”

  He sighed, his jaw twitching. “Let’s just say, an angel doesn’t always act like an angel.”

  A thousand questions plagued my brain, all of which I didn’t know how to ask. I sensed the visible discomfort he was feeling, hell, I wouldn’t even know how to live with that burden on my back… literally. But as much as I wanted to know why, pushing Beau’s limits was the last thing I wanted to do. And after everything I just found out, I think pushing myself would be even worse.

  My phone startled me, vibrating in my pocket. The caller ID read: DAD.

  Oh shit. I completely lost track of time. I glanced at the oven clock which read: 1:02am.

  I cleared my throat quickly, praying I wouldn’t hear a yell on the other line. “Dad, I’m sorry. I’ll explain later, I’ll be home –”

  “Maya, it’s Mags! I left my phone at my place, I need – I need you, now! I’m at your place, please get here!”

  I stared at the empty nothingness that hid behind my eyelids. My stomach dropped entirely. The familiar tone of Mags’ sweet voice rendered me with an influ
x of conflicting emotions.

  “M – Mags?” I trembled, my brain trying to comprehend the possibility that my best friend could really be at my house. Is that really you?

  An eruption of sobbing bled through the other line, and without a conscious thought, I knew this was Mags. This is her. She needs me… My Mags is back.

  I put her on speaker and gathered my things in a hurry, scrambling for the door. “Mags, Mags! I’m coming. You’re at my place?”

  “Let me drive you.” Beau suggested.

  I shook my head, grabbing my keys. “Come with me.”

  ◆◆◆

  I hadn’t been paying much attention to the speed limit on my drive home.

  “So this is why you didn’t want to take my car.” Beau gasped, holding on to the dashboard.

  I kept a straight face as I pushed harder on the pedal. I glanced at him once and shrugged. “You drive like an angel.”

  We made it to my place in under twenty minutes. I barely pulled into the house when Mags ran out frantically, flailing her arms. Her hair was wet and she was wearing striped pyjama shorts and a pink tank top.

  “Maya!” Mags jumped into my arms and squeezed tightly. “Maya, Maya, get inside! Who are…” she looked to Beau, then back to me. “Fuck, I don’t have time for this.” She yanked Beau and me by our hands and locked the door behind us.

  Mags huffed, ducking from my hallway window. Her hug was the same as I remember; the comforting hugs she always used to give me. Even through her feral panic, I embraced the familiarity. The good kind.

  “Mags, what’s going on?” I asked, pulling the blinds shut.

  She looked Beau up and down and crossed her arms. “Is this who I think it is?”

  I nodded with a smile, observing Mags’ twitching brow, her overprotective stature and frayed blonde locks. My best friend is here.

  “Beau… Garbally?” Mags questioned with intent to annoy.

  Beau laughed. “Close enough.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “You know, I may be running away from a potential serial killer but if you ever hurt Maya, Beau I swear to you –”

  Beau’s eyes grew wide. “Siles?”

  Mags interlocked our fingers and hugged my arm, pulling me away from Beau. “How do you know him?” She began to spaz. “Oh my God, you’re not going to lock me in a cellar too? Maya, get away from him!”

  “Cellar?” I wrinkled my face in confusion.

  Beau whipped away from Mags and I, marching towards the door. “I’m going to fucking kill him. Is he with you? Where is he?”

  I grabbed his arm and pulled him to my side. “You’re not going anywhere right now.”

  He stared at me for a few moments, his tense shoulders slowly easing at my touch. The corner of his lip upturned slightly and he took his place by my side without further protest.

  After double checking my locks, I led Mags to the couch, wrapping a throw blanket around her shoulders. “Here, Mags. I’ll make you some tea.”

  I poured some water into a pot and turned the stove to high, returning back to the living room. “Okay, what the hell happened?”

  Mags was eyeing Beau with discontent.

  “He’s fine, Mags. Seriously.” I reassured her.

  She rolled her eyes. “Fine.” She huffed. “I don’t remember anything, Maya. I’m serious. It’s like the past two months of my life were just erased from my brain. But – ” she stuttered. “I do remember… I was locked in this cellar. And… and… Braum was there covered in blood…”

  My stomach twisted. “Braum?” I asked, swallowing hard. Tommy.

  “Yes, oh my God. Siles and Marina tied us to these fucking chairs and went all crazy! I don’t even know what happened… they’re on drugs I think.” Her small hands shook ceaselessly. “I saw these black veins under their eyes and then… they said some word. They said a word and I couldn’t talk anymore. Braum and I, we couldn’t speak.” She was silent for a few moments, then slapped her thighs with frustration. “And what the hell happened to my hair!”

  Ha, I was waiting for that.

  Heavy footsteps came stomping down the stairs, and my dad appeared in his navy housecoat and slippers.

  “A party of four,” he yawned. “I let Mags in, she said she needed to see you.” He looked to Beau in confusion, raising his eyebrows. “Hi there.”

  Beau ran his fingers through his messy hair and extended a hand out to my dad. “Beau Gabriel.” He smiled.

  My dad leaned back on his heel and shook his hand sternly. “You the boy my daughter’s been crying about?”

  This is my worst nightmare.

  Beau glanced at me quickly and scratched his temple, chuckling. Shit, I forgot he could hear my thoughts.

  “No sir, I hope not.” Beau responded.

  My dad tapped his shoulder and sluggishly walked towards the kitchen. “Good man.” He then called out to me. “Maya, water’s done boiling.”

  I jogged over and plopped a teabag into a white mug, waiting for my dad to go upstairs.

  “Night kiddo. Don’t make too much noise.” He smiled, kissing the top of my head.

  When he finally left, I sat down next to Mags and handed her the cup.

  “Your dad’s nice.” Beau smirked.

  I waved him off and turned my attention to Mags. “You said you couldn’t speak… why? What did you do?”

  Mags stared at me suspiciously. “How are you so calm right now? I got abducted!”

  I swallowed hard, looking to Beau. He was leaning on the doorframe with arms crossed, avoiding eye contact. You’re on your own, is what his demeanour read.

  I wasn’t calm, nor was I downplaying anything that happened to her. I wanted to know, I wanted to hear it all. But my brain was still registering everything that’d happened to me, and the initial shock definitely hadn’t settled in yet. More than anything, all that I cared about was having the real Mags back.

  “Mags,” I took in a breath. “I’m going to sound completely crazy right now and I know you’re already freaked out as is, but I need you safe. Okay?” I held her hand tightly.

  She nodded her head slowly, staring at me with wide blue eyes.

  God, now I understand how Beau felt when he was trying to tell me everything.

  “Wasn’t easy.” Beau shrugged, looking in my direction.

  “Stop that.” I said, flatly.

  Mags threw her hands in the air in exasperation “Stop what? What are you two doing? What is fucking happening!”

  Beau walked over to us, pulling out Gabriel’s feather from his pocket and handed it to me. It felt like silk in my fingers, glimmering with light.

  Mags eyed it intently and set aside her tea. “What is that?”

  “A feather.” Beau answered drily.

  She shot him a look. “I know what it is, moron. What are you doing with it?”

  I had to be careful with my words. I knew that if I told Mags everything, she wouldn’t believe me. I had to show her. That was the only way that I believed. Here goes nothing.

  “Do you trust me?” I asked, wrapping her fingers around the feather.

  She opened her mouth to protest but I interrupted her.

  “Mags, do you trust me?” I demanded once more.

  She pressed her lips together and nodded.

  “Repeat with me… To the archangel Gabriel, I pray.”

  Mags raised her eyebrows and shook her head. “Maya, what –”

  I pleaded, desperate. “Please, just do it Mags.”

  She swallowed and released a breath, shutting her eyes. “To the archangel Gabriel, I pray…”

  Within seconds, Mags’ head flew up and her sitting posture was pulled erect. Her pupils melted into a milky white orb as she stared blankly at the wall across the room. An ivory hue radiated from the feather, coiling itself around Mags’ entire arm. Holy saints… Did I look like that too?

  I glanced to Beau with concern, squeezing her fingers tightly. “Is she okay? Is it working?”

  He n
odded once, observing her with cautiousness.

  After a few minutes of anxious waiting, Mags shook her head and opened her beaming ocean eyes. She took one look at me and Beau, stumbling onto my carpet in panic.

  “What the – what the fuck! What the fuck!” Mags yelled, scurrying for the front door. She bolted outside and tripped on her feet, plummeting onto my lawn.

  Beau rolled his eyes. “Well this got dramatic fast.”

  I shoved past Beau and chased after her, pinning her to the grass. She flailed her arms in a crazed frenzy, sobbing uncontrollably.

  “This isn’t real, you drugged me! This isn’t real! What the fuck kind of hallucinogens are you on, Maya!” she screamed. “Help!”

  “Mags, calm down!”

  Her eyes grew wide, bloodshot and feral.. “You expect me – to be fucking calm? What… Beau… He’s – He had wings and you! You’re some kind of… All because I touched a feather! I touched…” her speech began to slur. “I touched a…” Her limp body fell light, and she passed out.

  I sat on my lawn, huffing with breath. Mags lay in the grass, her body plastered in sweat. I honestly didn’t know what reaction to expect, so I thought her response was quite fair. The way I dealt with Beau’s news was hibernating for weeks, and I hadn’t even seen everything at that point. Once again, her reaction was completely justified. All I could hope for was a calmer Mags when she woke up. That’s a long shot.

  “Beau, help me carry her inside.” I waved him over.

  I dimmed the lights and placed a blanket over Mags, letting her rest on the living room couch.

  “We have to find Siles and Marina.” I shook my head, grabbing a red bull out of the fridge. “Tommy told me Marina killed Braum’s dad, or made him do it, I don’t know. Regardless, he was an innocent person.” Not the best person, but he didn’t deserve death.

  “They’re impossible to track. Not even Gabriel could and he’s watching from Heaven. Lucifer must’ve cloaked them.” Beau responded.

  I still couldn’t wrap my head around this life… My life. Lucifer sent two demons to Earth to try and kill me, Lucifer, Satan himself… This is going to take some time to get used to.