by S. J. West
“I’m pretty sure it’s the other way around,” Silas says. “You’re not supposed to swim after you eat for like thirty minutes or so.”
“Well, whichever way.” Kodi grunts as he lugs a large cooler over by the small campfire Silas and I built. Once he sets it down, he uses it as a seat and wipes the sweat off his brow.
“Why didn’t you ask Jered to phase all that down here?” I ask him, standing from the blanket to see what kind of food and drinks he brought for our supper. Silas abandons his sunbathing to follow me over.
“He was taking care of Lilith,” Zoe explains. “He doesn’t want her lifting a finger since the baby is bound to pop out at any minute.”
“He is rather doting,” I admit.
“Like father, like son,” Silas says, coming up behind me to wrap his arms around my waist and kiss me on the neck. I instantly get chills, the good kind, and feel desperate to take Silas somewhere private to have my way with him.
However, I promised Emi today would be all about her. She made me swear Silas and I wouldn’t run off together like we have been ever since the war with Levi ended. From that day on, we’ve found it hard to keep our hands off each other and sneak off to make out every chance we get.
For the last few months, I’ve also been helping Lilith prepare for the baby’s arrival by decorating the nursery and buying all kinds of adorable clothes. When she would let me, I also aided Emi with her rehabilitation. She got so lucky that Olivia’s shot didn’t kill her. I’m not sure what I would have done if it had.
Ethan and Jules still mourn Cal’s death, but they were also somewhat relieved to know that he was reunited with Rose, and that their grandson was given a second lease on life in the Void. I can still see the pain of their loss in their eyes, but knowing that their family will be reunited in Heaven one day keeps them going.
Cal’s biological parents, Helena and Cade, were also devastated when they learned about Cal’s death, but they too understood it would only be a matter of time before all of them would be together again.
The fallout of Cal’s passing ended up landing directly on me. As far as Helena is concerned, I am her daughter, and she hasn’t left me alone since. She keeps showing me wedding stuff. I told her Silas and I haven’t even discussed getting married yet, but she’s all a flutter with making sure I have the most wonderful wedding in the history of weddings. I don’t have the heart to ruin her fun. I know she needs something to distract herself from the heartache of losing Cal, and if I can help her in my small way, I’ll suffer through all the wedding talk.
I was so happy when Anna had her newest addition to the family, baby Rosaline. She is a beautiful distraction after all the death and carnage we witnessed during the war. Her rosy cheeks, easy smile, and bright blue eyes make me wonder if I can one day have a baby of my own. I plan to ask God about it, but having a child is so far in the future, I’m not even going to worry about it right now. Besides, I’ve already asked God for one favor this year. It doesn’t seem right to ask him for another.
My most fervent wish is to grow old with Silas. I asked God to allow me to age and die with the man I love, and he granted me my heart’s desire.
Kodi stands up from the cooler and pops open the lid. When I peer inside it, all I can do is laugh.
“Is that all you brought?” I ask him. “Hotdogs and Spark drinks? I don’t even see any buns.”
“What else do you need in life?” he asks, pulling out a long skewer and sticking a hotdog on the forked tongs. He hands me the handle of the skewer, but Silas snatches it before I can grab a hold of it.
“I’ll cook your meal,” my knight in shining armor declares. He takes one of my hands and walks me over to one of the long logs by the fire.
As he places the hotdog within the flames, I take a deep breath and begin to count my blessings.
I have a man who loves me.
I have friends who adore me.
And I have a soul given to me by one of the bravest people I’ve ever known.
Life is good. Really good, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
(AZRAEL’S POINT OF VIEW)
“Look at how happy she is, Caleb. I don’t think she’s ever looked lovelier. Of course, that yellow bikini doesn’t hurt either.”
Don’t start objectifying her, Az. She’s more than just her outer appearance.
“You don’t have to chastise me. I know that, but you have to admit . . . she does look quite scrumptious in that bathing suit.”
“Caleb?”
I turn to find Jered walking out of his home. I came to say hello to Lora, but when I saw her frolicking on the beach with her friends, I didn’t have the heart to interrupt her fun.
“Azrael,” I correct him. “How goes it Jered? Fatherhood treating you well?”
Jered smiles and walks over to the railing to stand beside me.
“I can’t complain. Silas and I have finally worked through most of our problems, and Lilith is due to give birth to our baby girl any day now. Life has never been more perfect, to tell you the truth.”
“I’m truly happy for you. I mean that.”
He looks confused by my kindness, but that can’t be helped. My brothers have never fully trusted me. I mean, I am death after all. I could snatch their souls out of their bodies on a whim. That tends to dissuade people from becoming your buddy.
“Did you come here to see Lora?” he asks me. “She’s been worried about you.”
“Me or Caleb?”
“Is there a difference now?”
“Touché.” I look back down at the beach and see Lora and Silas walking hand in hand along the water’s edge. I have to squint, but I swear she’s eating a hotdog too. “I did come to see her, but I don’t want to intrude on her time with her friends. Please let her know I was here and that I’ll come visit her another day.”
“Where have you been spending your time?”
Jered’s question sounds innocent, but it’s rather leading.
“I haven’t been going on a killing spree across the universe if that’s what you’re really asking me.”
“I didn’t mean to—”
“Save it,” I say, holding up a hand to stop his words. “I know what you think of me. All I can say is that having Caleb with me has literally changed me for the better. I’m not the hotheaded angel you once knew. I’ve mellowed out, for lack of a better term.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I’m sure our Father is also relieved that you’ve turned over this new leaf. You still didn’t answer my question though. What have you been doing with your time?”
I dare you to tell him.
Caleb laughs at the expense of my new crusade.
“Looking.” I dust off my coat sleeve as a distraction.
“Uh, looking for what?” Jered poses his question gently. Not too demanding but definitely interested in the answer.
“Oh, this and that,” I say with a shrug.
Coward. Tell him you’re looking for your soulmate.
A great deal of laughter from Caleb reverberates in my head, and I completely miss the question Jered just asked me.
“You’ll have to excuse me. I didn’t hear what you asked because of a particularly annoying voice in my head.”
Jered chuckles. “How is Caleb by the way? I’m sure Lora would like to know.”
“As irritating as ever,” I grumble. “But you can tell Lora that I do let him have control over the body every once in a while. He isn’t completely trapped.”
“Really?” Jered looks at me curiously.
“Why does that surprise you?” It’s not like I’m a monster or something.
“I guess because I would have thought coming here is something Caleb would have done, not you.”
“Oh, well, yes, I guess I see why you would think that. Caleb didn’t want to remind Lora of the turmoil she faced during the war. I, on the other hand, thought it was time for us to visit her.”
“Please tell Caleb that he’s welcome here an
ytime.”
That seemed rude. He didn’t say anything about me being welcomed here.
Probably because you’re not.
“Anyway, I must be off. People to see and all that. Take care of yourself, Jered. I hope fatherhood agrees with you this time around.”
Jered looks offended by my well wishes. I have no clue why.
I chance one more glance at the beach and see Lora looking adoringly into Silas’s eyes.
That’s what I’m searching for. Someone who will look at me like she looks at him.
Can the angel of death find love?
I guess we’re going to find out.
The End.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Thank you so much for reading Champion, War Angel Academy, Book 3. If you have enjoyed this book, please take a moment to leave a review.
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S. J. West
NEXT FROM S.J. WEST
Cin d’Rella and the Water of Life,
Circle of the Rose Chronicles, Book 1
She is our Rose. We are her Thorns.
Cin d’Rella has lived in Briardale her whole life, but not by choice. One hundred years ago, Briar Rose was placed under a magical curse of eternal slumber, separating Cin’s beloved city from the rest of the world. Upon her father’s death, she is thrust into the clutches of her wicked stepfamily.
But destiny comes knocking in the unassuming form of a man who whisks her off to Thorn Hill Academy where she will be trained to become a Thorn. Thorns are an elite fighting force trained at an early age to protect Briar Rose and search for a way to break the curse once and for all.
Her mission is clear until a chance encounter with the dashing Coltan Prince turns her world upside down. For decades, his family has been sabotaging the Thorns’ efforts to awaken Briar Rose. Although Cin knows Coltan is the enemy, she is inexplicably charmed by him.
When Coltan goes to the Thorns with information about the whereabouts of the fabled Water of Life, Cin must decide if she can trust a man she has been taught to hate.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Once upon a time, a little girl was born on a cold winter morning in the heart of Seoul, Korea. She was brought to America by her parents and raised in the Deep South where the words ma'am and y'all became an integrated part of her lexicon. She wrote her first novel at the age of eight and continued writing on and off during her teenage years. In college she studied biology and chemistry and finally combined the two by earning a master's degree in biochemistry.
After that she moved to Yankee land where she lived for four years working in a laboratory at Cornell University. Homesickness and snow aversion forced her back South where she lives in the land, which spawned Jim Henson, Elvis Presley, Oprah Winfrey, John Grisham and B.B. King.
After finding her Prince Charming, she gave birth to a wondrous baby girl and they all lived happily ever after.
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