by Lisa Hughey
Nora murmured, “With your history, your choice was forgone.”
Zach ignored the pain of her statement. Jamaica was his greatest failure. Every moment since that fateful day was filtered through his need to atone for his misdeeds so long ago.
Dammit. He wanted off that topic of conversation right now. Besides, there were bigger things at stake than his regrets.
“Doesn’t anyone think it’s strange that Remiel imprisoned Uri and then tried to recruit me?” Zach asked. “There’s a larger plan at play here.”
Gabriel narrowed his gaze on Zach as if he could see to the depths of his soul. “Why do you say that?”
“What if all this is a distraction?”
“Elaborate,” Thomas, the Cherubim, bit out.
“A distraction for what purpose?” Sam asked. “They are already harming humans.”
“During the eclipse, we foiled their plans for Earth but maybe they weren’t just targeting the humans and their internet.” Jed raised his eyebrows as he tried to expand on Zach’s theory.
“What is their plan then?”
“A much bigger target,” Gabriel rubbed his palms together, then tapped on the mahogany tabletop. “They don’t want the Earth. They’re trying to misdirect us. Keep us in the dark about their real goal.”
“What do you think they want then?” Michael wasn’t arguing which was a point in Zach’s favor.
Gabe was constantly in motion until he finally blurted out, “They want the Realm.”
Around the table, the Angels’ faces reflected a dawning horror. “If we’re too busy defending the humans, the Earth, we won’t be protecting the Realm.”
Then Sam rolled his eyes. “A little far-fetched, even for you Gabriel.”
“But smart.” Jed said, “They know our purpose is to guard over the Earth. So if they continue to stage attacks on the humans, we’ll be preoccupied with protecting them and leave our own Realm vulnerable to attack.”
“Damn the Cosmos,” Michael snarled. “You may be right.”
“Even Zara showing up might be part of their distraction plan.” Sam raised an eyebrow at Michael.
Michael said reluctantly, “She may be another diversion to get us to split our energies. Along with trying to divide the Realm Council by recruiting our members.”
“Except Zach was too smart for them.” Jed smirked. “Way to go on resisting the dark side.”
“Yeah, good thing I like the Rebel Alliance better.” Zach grinned.
Everyone stopped again.
“Who are you and what did you do with our resident surly asshole?” Gabriel snickered.
Zach ignored the taunt.
Gabe jumped up, paced around the table, rubbed his hands together, paused, cocked his head to the left, shook his brain as if to clear it, then began to pace again. “We’re on the right track. They want to take over the Realm. But how would that be possible?”
“We need everyone on this,” Michael said starkly.
“The energy was similar to what happened in Jamaica. Do you think they are related?” Shasa piped up.
The entire room stilled. Even Gabe who was always in motion stopped mid-pace.
“What do you know about Jamaica?” Michael asked softly, but he was glaring at Zach.
Zach held up his hands, palms out. “I didn’t say a word.”
“I remember things.” She shot a look at Zach. “People.”
Sam stalked over to Shasa, peered intently at her. “You remember Zach?” he asked incredulously.
Shasa flushed. “Um, yeah.”
Sam glanced between the two of them. “Remarkable.”
“Humans shouldn’t remember anything when their soul transfers to a new vessel,” Thomas said.
Sam continued to glance between them as if they were some particularly rare breed of animal.
“Knock it off,” Zach growled.
“Soulmates,” Sam whispered in a voice filled with awe. His wonder hit Zach in the solar plexus. His breath stopped, jammed in his body until he thought he would explode. They couldn’t be soulmates. Could they?
Nineteen
“Isn’t that extremely rare?” Gabe asked. “As in billion to one odds?”
Zach countered. “When we first met in Jamaica, her soul was pure. She was one of the main reasons I argued against the destruction of the island.”
Shasa’s heart filled with joy. Zach had tried to save the island because of her? Warmth and unexpected happiness welled through her. He hadn’t just left her. She remembered what Remiel had intimated, that Zach had been unable to stop what happened. Even in her dream he had tried to save her but she hadn’t listened, had gone to find her Maman.
Victor said, “Unfortunately, the depravity outweighed the few pure souls.”
A palpable rage poured from Zach at the Angel’s callous words. “Nearly four hundred years later and her soul is still pure. That is likely why she remembers.”
The Archangel Sam, who she’d called Cupid, shook his head, still staring at them both. “If your soul remembers his, transcending centuries, that is the purest form of magic.” A huge smile broke out over his face. “The purest form of love.”
And she had loved him. With all her heart.
Maybe that’s why she could never connect with other men. Could never make any kind of commitment. Because Zach was her soulmate.
A curious sense of rightness spread through her. As if that missing piece of her finally slotted into place and she was whole. But when she turned to Zach, he was glowering at Sam and the angry, surly guy who had appeared in her mother’s living room had returned.
“This is neither here nor there. Their past association has no impact on our fight with the Grigori.” The fussy one, Victor, interrupted before Zach could eviscerate her with his words.
Michael nodded. “We need to form plans of attack on two fronts. One to continue to keep the Earth safe from the coming Grigori attacks. And two, figure out how the Grigori plan to infiltrate the Angelic Realm.”
Grim faces stared at Michael from around the table and Shasa wondered what she was still doing here. She didn’t belong. It was clear Zach didn’t want her here. And as soon as she was alone, she’d attempt to staunch the invisible wounds from his very clear rejection.
“Nora, how is Uri?” Gabriel asked, “Does he remember anything?”
A slight flush colored the stunning Angel’s cheeks. “He still has no memory of who he is and believes himself to be human.”
There was something very deliberate in her statement that had Shasa wondering what she left out. But oddly, no one asked any more questions.
“I will continue to stay with him.”
“Where is our Healer Rafe?” Victor asked.
“He is on Earth tending Angelina as she heals the injured and stricken from the earthquake and tsunami,” Michael answered. “We’re fortunate that she was transitioned before this disaster. He will continue to stay there and keep his ears open for any intel on the Grigori.”
Victor sniffed.
“Jed. What have you got? Have you found any indication in The Book of Angelus that the Grigori plan to attack the Angelic Realm?”
Shasa knew from Zach that The Book of Angelus held predictions about the Angelic Realm from an ancient Irish philosopher, sort of like a Nostradamus for angels.
“I haven’t found anything specific about the Grigori attacking the Realm but we aren’t to the end yet. We’re about two thirds of the way through the translation. As I said previously, they seem to be following the plagues of Egypt.”
Victor said, “How very unoriginal.”
“From what we’ve got so far, the next wave of attacks will be performed by Nephilim all over the globe, small cells will perpetrate harm on the other humans.” Jed frowned. “But Luci and I haven’t been able to glean exactly what the attacks will be. The information is vague and inconclusive.”
“You seem to be working faster.” Gabe drummed his fingers on the tabletop.
Jed answered Gabe, “Luci and I have gotten in to a rhythm and the work is going far more quickly.” His smile was incandescent as he droned on about their methods.
“Who is Luci?” Shasa asked Zach without thinking. Would he even talk to her?
“Jed’s human,” Zach replied softly.
She wondered why it was okay for Jed to have a human. Based on the smile that lit up the Jed’s entire face, he was ecstatic that he had one.
Zach gestured between Shasa and himself. “That’s what happened with us as well,” he admitted reluctantly.
“How did your human help?” Victor brushed an imaginary speck of lint from his lapel.
“I don’t know exactly. But when we combined our energies, my abilities intensified.” Zach looked as if he’d swallowed a bitter pill. “I wouldn’t have been able to hold back the water as effectively if Shasa hadn’t been with me.”
“So you’re saying without her…?”
“She…amplifies my power,” he finally admitted. “And I would have failed.”
“This is most unusual.” Victor studied them like bugs under a microscope.
Chatter broke out among the Angels in the room as they discussed various reasons for the increase in Zach and Jed’s abilities.
“That’s because the relationship is symbiotic,” Thomas rumbled from his spot at the other end of the table. “You feed off each other and become stronger than you would individually.”
Sam was nearly bouncing in his chair with excitement. “That’s what happens when human souls meld. Their energy actually combines and shifts into a higher state of being. Is it possible that the same is true of Angel and human?”
Thomas inclined his head. “The Universe finds a way to take care of itself. When that bond exists, it is a gift.”
A growing buzz spread through the room. “Rafe and Angelina have the same type of connection,” Nora exclaimed.
Everyone was nodding enthusiastically.
“In order to triumph against the Grigori we must use every tool at our disposal,” Thomas said authoritatively.
Sam stared at Shasa. “I think there is more beneath the surface of these new bonds between Archangel and human.”
Too bad Zach wanted nothing to do with their bond. Shasa’s stomach dropped.
Even though she’d been pissed when she first remembered what happened in Jamaica, she also knew instinctively that their love had been epic. She had just found Zach again, but being forced to work with him when he wanted nothing to do with her would be torture.
“Agreed,” Thomas replied.
A distracted smile broke over Michael’s face. “We cannot continue to keep the same tenets that have been in place for years.”
“Are you saying that the reason the Grigori were banned was wrong?” Zach asked roughly. “Because that’s what Remiel believes. That the Fallen were unfairly persecuted. That they have been wronged by the Realm.”
“That may be true. However we cannot go back and change the past.” Victor shook his head.
“Can we make amends?” Zach displayed his compassion and his purpose in the Realm with his quiet question.
“Their current actions are not conducive to the path to forgiveness,” Thomas replied.
Sam said, “The Universe is in a state of flux. Things are changing. And I believe that the change relates to the current climate as we open our hearts and minds to unions that were previously forbidden.”
Thomas appeared to be thinking about the ramifications of what they were discussing.
“Are you…saying what I think you’re saying?” The hope in Jed’s voice was almost painful. He swallowed tightly. “That it is possible for humans and Angels from the Realm…to have relationships?”
“Something must change. Lately the influx of humans in the Realm and the symbiotic nature of their attraction is the catalyst for a new level of power.”
“This is highly irregular,” Victor disputed.
Nora glowed with an ethereal light. “It’s wonderful.”
Michael seemed only marginally interested in the conversation. His focus clearly far away. He finally said, “Do we need to take a vote?”
“Don’t you think this is too fast?” Victor interrupted the energy that had infused the room.
“Not at all,” Thomas replied. “This has been building since the first attack on humans months ago. As a Realm we have been stagnant for centuries.”
“I still think we need more time to assess the long term ramifications.” Victor was becoming more agitated.
“The Cherubim and Seraphim have been considering the possibility of new blood in the Realm,” Thomas said evenly. “Why do you think I’m attending this meeting?”
That shut Victor up.
“I’m all for a vote, obvi.” Jed nodded enthusiastically. “But what about Rafe?”
“I have his proxy for any Realm votes,” Michael replied. “All in favor.”
The room was silent as the entire Council acknowledged the momentous nature of what they were about to do.
“Aye,” All said except for one dissenting, “Nay,” from Victor.
Michael nodded. “And so it will be done.”
Jed laughed. “Got to go.” And in a blink he disappeared.
Even Shasa got that this was an historic decision. When she analyzed what it meant she realized that they had just paved the way for her and Zach to reconnect. To be accepted, not forbidden. Except Zach didn’t appear to be thrilled. Instead, he appeared emotionless, his face a stoic mask.
“If that’s settled, it’s time for Shasa to return to Earth,” Zach said abruptly.
Alone was implied, and her heart shattered all over again.
“Not without you.” Michael finally came out of his daze and began to command.
“What?” Zach’s displeasure was an elephant in the room.
“We just discussed that your powers amplify each other,” Michael said patiently. “I need you on the ground, together, with Shasa dowsing so you can find the Grigori. We know they are somehow masking their presence beneath ley lines. In order to find Remiel and Zara,” Michael stumbled over the sister’s name, “We need Shasa and we need you to assist her. Her purpose in this fight is clear.”
Zach pressed his lips together, making his thoughts on that order very distinct. “I don’t like it.” Just in case she didn’t get the message that he had no interest in working with her.
And if he didn’t want to work with her, he sure didn’t want her for anything else either. It was as if he taken Michael’s sword from its scabbard and run it through her heart.
“I don’t care,” Michael rebutted.
And Zach disappeared.
Zach’s antagonistic demeanor seemed to shake Michael out of his funk. “Sam, find him and take Shasa with you.” Like a stray dog that needed to be returned to its owner.
“I’ve got a few things to clear up with him anyway,” Sam said grimly. He grabbed Shasa’s hand and she was falling, even as her heart broke.
***
Zach translocated to the Realm pool. Away from the Council, away from the edicts forced upon him by Michael, away from her. His greatest regret and his true happiness in one tempting package.
He hacked through the water like a dull blade through paper, rough, clumsy, and without purpose. His lungs burned as he tried to outswim his demons.
His clawed through the water, executed an awkward flip against the stone wall, powering through the motions, trying to shut down the yearning in his heart. His muscles trembled from the pain in his soul as he tried to outswim his new memories, his new regrets, and his bleak future.
He and Shasa were not meant to be. She hated him, as she should.
Besides which he refused to pu
t her in danger again. Because he would never recover if anything happened to her. Being around her, working with her, was going to be torture, that he deserved no doubt, but that would smash his heart into pieces. He would do anything to keep her safe, even protect her from himself.
Nora shimmered into the room, the glow from her presence lingered at the edge of his peripheral vision.
Damn the Cosmos, could an Archangel get no peace?
But he knew she wouldn’t leave until he spoke to her. It was best to just get this over with. So when he got to the end of the pool, he pushed out of the water and sat on the edge of the pool, taunting her with his nakedness. Waited for the inevitable lecture.
She floated closer while Zach waited for her to speak.
“You still wear the burden of your guilt.” She placed her hand on his shoulder infusing him with peace. “Allow yourself to be happy.”
Zach snorted. “Like you’re happy?”
She paled at his abrasive words.
“My situation is different, as you well know.” But that was all she would admit. “Your love is a gift.”
“A curse for her,” Zach gutted out. He didn’t deserve happiness. “She is better off without me.”
“I will not judge you,” Nora replied softly.
He wanted to lash out at her, misdirect her attention. The need to get in another dig, to ask more pointed questions about Uri, to wound her so she would leave him alone was on the tip of his tongue. But he’d hurt her immeasurably with that first one, so he swallowed the urge and kept his silence.
“You have served your penance admirably for the last three hundred years. Zach, please be at peace.” Her plea was a whisper that floated on the mist in the air. “Your happiness would give me hope.”
“Answer a question.”
She nodded.
“The Council knew about my…relationship with Shasa.”
“Yes.”
“But there were no consequences to my actions.”
“Of course there were,” Nora contradicted. “You created your own consequences. Think about it, Zachariel.”
Her response stunned him. Had he? When he’d left her alone at the beach, he’d created the conditions for her death. But he couldn’t have ignored his responsibilities to the rest of the island just for her. He unconsciously set up his own punishment.