She kissed her father on the cheek before leaving the room. “This is far worse than we imagined,” Adam said.
“I don’t know why Michael has forbidden us to help Aidan. Especially if he is being tempted to walk the dark path with Jeziel,” Joseph said.
“Let’s hope he won’t forget who he is and where he comes f rom. Perhaps if he realizes he could lose Aura forever, he might decide to talk to one of us about it,” Martin said.
“Let’s hope Eve can offer him some guidance during these troubled times. I don’t even want to think about the possibility of him turning against his father or Heaven,” Paul said.
“I’m sure the thought has crossed Michael’s mind too,” Adam added. The Guild left the library with no plans for the future. They would watch and listen, but nothing else. They were told not to interfere.
Jayden and Acadia walked into the house, and were planning to have breakfast with the rest of the family. As soon as he saw Jeziel, Jayden took Acadia by the arm, and backed away. “Why don’t we go out for breakfast this morning? It looks like they’re nearly finished, and I know a great place to eat.”
“Hello Jayden how are you? It’s been too long since we last saw each other,” Jeziel said.
Not giving Jeziel the courtesy of a response, Jayden looked at Acadia. “Are you ready?”
“Of course - maybe we could do some shopping afterwards. I’m still undecided what to get Rita and Jessica as a wedding gift.” “I’ll take you to one of their favorite shops after we eat. I’m sure you’ll find something there that they’ll like.” He didn’t bother to say goodbye. Being in Jeziels presence for more than a minute, caused Jayden to remember his marriage to Natalie. After the marriage was annulled, he promised himself he would never think about her again.
“That was pretty rude. He never even acknowledged me,” Jeziel complained.
“Maybe it’s because you remind him of Natalie, and he wants to forget that part of his life,” Aidan said.
Eventually, everyone else at the table made an excuse to do something, leaving Aidan alone with Jeziel.
Jeziel snuggled closer to Aidan. “Isn’t this cozy - just the two of us again?”
“Nothing is the way it used to be,” Aidan said. “It’s not that bad. I’m sure they’re busy making plans for the wedding. Speaking of the wedding do you have a date?” About that time Aura walked into the room.
“Actually, he doesn’t have a date for the wedding; though I’m certain it was just an oversight on his part that he forgot to ask you.” Aidan stared at her incredulously. Though it wasn’t formally discussed, he assumed he would be escorting her to Rita and Jessica’s wedding.
“Well I’m available. I had such fun at the last wedding, but I have to admit you still owe me a dance,” Jeziel teased. Aura tried to remain calm, but her voice came out as cold and bitter. “I’m sure Aidan’s dance card will be wide open. Let me just check with the girls to make sure they have no objections to your coming.”
“Why would they mind? We are all family,” Jeziel insisted. “Yes, and speaking of family, I’m sure most of the Archangels will be in attendance. You won’t have any concerns about being in their company will you?”
Jeziel looked harshly at Aura. “Why would I mind? I’ve known them longer than you, and you don’t have any problems being in their presence, do you?”
Aura wondered if that was a dig, and what Jeziel really meant was that she had known Aidan for so many years, that there was little chance of Aura turning him against her.
Fool, if you only knew the truth, Aura laughed to herself. “Did I say something funny?” Jeziel asked.
Before she could answer, the little ones came downstairs. They were dressed in corduroy pants and bulky sweaters, each of them choosing their favorite colors of pink, yellow and lavender.
“We’re ready whenever you are, Mommy,” Alannah said. “Is everyone else ready too?”
“Yes Mommy, they’re waiting for you. Is Anastasia going to make dresses for us too?” “I’m sure she will. She’s never disappointed us before. I guess I shouldn’t keep the others waiting any longer.” She turned to Aidan. “Feel free to spend the day with your friend. We won’t be home until late in the afternoon. I’m sure you two still have a lot to talk about.”
“Let me help you with your coat,” Aidan said to Alannah. Alannah backed away from him. “No thank you. Mommy can do it.”
Alannah knew that Dahnael was pretending to be her father, but Aura made her, Bren and Tracy promise, not to tell anyone else. Aidan would never have allowed Jeziel to kiss him. Calling Bren a brat, and knocking the three girls to the ground, would have been cause for him to demand that Jeziel be sent back to Heaven. No
–this wasn’t her father. Dahnael looked identical to Aidan, but he was nothing like Aidan.
Unfortunately, as far as everyone else knew, Dahnael was Aidan, so Alannah was forced to play along until her mother could expose him. She knew that Michael’s decision to send Dahnael was to test him, and Jeziel. Right now, both of them were failing miserably.
Jeziel had murdered Elijah and Ericah, after beating them unmercifully. Alannah had seen the unborn child slip from his mother’s womb. She understood that Aura had a plan, but wondered how many other innocent lives would be lost, before Jeziel was punished.
Aura made it a point to let Rita and Jessica know to expect Jeziel at the rehearsal dinner. Judging from the scowl on Rita’s face, Aura knew she wasn’t happy about the news. But Jeziel needed to be there, so her older sister backed off.
After Aura and the others left for New York, Jeziel turned to Aidan. “What should we do today? Would you like to go back to the beach? It really doesn’t matter to me. I’m just glad to be spending time with you. But I do need to stop at my cottage first. Why don’t I meet you back here in an hour? Then we can spend the rest of the day together?”
Aidan was barely listening to her. He was lost in a daydream, preoccupied with Alannah’s coldness towards him. Jeziel tapped her fingernail on the teacup. “Aidan – are you listening? I need to stop at the cottage and change. I’ll meet you back here in an hour.”
“An hour will be fine.” Jeziel reached over, and kissed Aidan on the cheek, just as Eve was entering the dining room. She gave Eve a smug smile, before racing out the front door.
Aidan picked up his plate, and followed Eve to the kitchen. “Do you think it might be possible for us totalk this morning?” he asked. “I always have time to talk to you. Just let me finish with these dishes and then we can chat.”
Aidan sat at the kitchen table, resting his chin in his hand. He appeared to be lost in his thoughts. Eve had seen the same visions as Aura and knew that he was Dahnael. The likeness to his twin brother was remarkable. But Dahnael’s eyes were no longer a pale lavender-grey. They were darkening.
Eve knew that Dahnael was raised with the guardians and was closer to Caius and Malakiel, than he was to his father. Knowing that those Elite Guardians often used unconventional practices and tactics to capture rogue angels was cause for concern. Their blatant disregard for law was justified, by their belief that they were acting for the good of Heaven.
The brothers were dangerous, and Eve knew that Dahnael could be dangerous too. Still, he wasn’t completely lost yet. There might be time to turn him around, although the closer Dahnael grew to Jeziel, the more likely he would turn his back on Heaven.
When Jeziel left Aura’s house, she trenched through the snow until she was clear of the valley, and then she called for Samhael. She would send a message to Aura reminding her that she was Lucifer’s daughter.
No sooner had his name left her lips, Samhael appeared. Jeziel was surprised to see him wearing a pair of faded blue jeans and a pale blue cashmere sweater that matched his cold, ice blue eyes.
“What can I do for you this time?” Samhael asked, as if he was already annoyed with her. Ignoring his attitude, Jeziel approached the fallen angel. “There is an angelblood in New York. Her name is Ana
stasia. I want you to pass a message along to my brother. Tell him that Aura will be visiting the dressmaker this morning.”
Samhael roared with laughter. “You’ve called me here to tell me that Aura is going shopping. You really do have to get a life.” He turned to leave, but Jeziel took hold of his arm. Samhael grabbed her hand and effortlessly cast it aside.
Jeziel frowned. “Just tell my brother about Anastasia. There is one more thing. Phillipe Devereaux and his family were with the Guild this morning. I’m certain they have betrayed us.”
“How do you know they weren’t being interrogated by the Guild?”Samhael asked. “They were having breakfast when I arrived this morning. If Phillipe has betrayed us, Charisse may try to keep Desiree and the baby hidden.”
Samhael ignored the urgency of Jeziel’s demand. “I was thin king about proposing marriage to Natalie. Do you think your cousin will be receptive to my offer?”
“So soon – she just had her last marriage annulled.” “I hardly consider a union with that boy to be a marriage. Don’t say anything to her yet. I want it tobe a surprise.”
“I think you should be more concerned about Desiree and the child,” Jeziel pouted. Samhael glared at her. “Take caution in your tone, little girl; I still have your father’s ear,” he said as warning. He turned to leave. “I’ll consider your request.”
“You will do as I say, or my father will deal with you,” Jeziel shouted. But Samhael was already gone. Jeziel stomped her feet on the snow and returned to her cottage.
The snow had covered the walkway and front steps. She forced the front door open, cursing under her breath. Damn the weather. Where she was going, it would be warm. She pulled a short cotton sundress over her head, and slipped a pair of sandals on her feet. Standing in front of the mirror, she thought about how much progress she had made with Aidan in just a few days. She was getting so close to Avriel’s ring, she could almost feel it on her finger.
Meredith and Natalie weren’t home, so Jeziel left a note on the table. They would deal with Phillipe later. Today, she would enjoy spending another day with Aidan. Rather than trudge through the snow again, she used a portal to return to Aura’s house.
Aura used Papa’s plane to transport everyone to New York. A car drove them through the slush covered streets, to Anastasia’s brownstone. As soon as Aura arrived she sensed something was wrong. The door was ajar, and drops of blood littered the white steps. She could smell a fallen angel, and he was close.
As she forced the front door wide, Aura cautioned the others to wait in the parlor. Anastasia’s home was tastefully decorated with Victorian Era furniture. The little ones sat on a red velvet settee, and watched the blood trail that followed Aura to one of the back rooms. Bren and Alannah had already seen the horror that was waiting there.
As she walked into the sewing room, Aura found Anastasia’s body lying on a long table, with bolts of fancy fabric surrounding her. Her long brown hair was hanging loose, but Anastasia’s lips were curled in a gentle smile. Aura had no doubt who butchered her friend. A note, written in Anastasia’s blood, was pinned to her chest. “Do you remember I said you would pay. It’s payback time.”
Aura crumpled the paper in her hand, and threw it on the floor. She did her best to cover Anastasia’s body with some white lace material that she found draped over a chair in the corner of the room.
Several garment bags were hanging in the closet. Aura unzipped each of the bags, and saw that the dresses were undamaged. She walked out of the room, and handed them to Rita and Jessica.
“I want you to take the plane, and return to the valley with the others,” Aura said. “I’ll see you back there after I have a word with our friend.”
Rita wanted to call for the sacred swords, and take Mortriel out then, and there. But Aura warned her that she had to bring their family home first. Rita and Jessica had seen Anastasia’s body, and wanted to deliver a little of Heaven’s justice. For now, she would let Aura handle him. In time, Lucifer’s son would know the full wrath of her sister.
Myra and Mahlyssa knew something was wrong, but like Rita, they didn’t question Aura’s decision for them to return to the valley. They used a portal to take them back to the plane, leaving Aura with Alannah, Bren and Tracy.
Aura knew that Mortriel would be waiting for her when she walked out of the brownstone. She also knew that Gideon’s shield would keep her and the little ones safe.
When they cleared the steps, Aura saw him. Mortriel was standing across the street, leaning against the brick wall of a vacant home, gloating. Dressed in a long, black leather coat, a black longsleeved t-shirt and blue jeans, Mortriel was blowing smoke rings from his cigarette, looking as smug as ever.
“You won’t get away with this,” Aura said. He flicked the cigarette in her general direction, and walked closer to her. “You should have been friendlier the last time we met. I may not be able to touch you, but as you can see your friends are not exempt from death.”
Aura gritted her teeth. “You aren’t exempt from death either, Mortriel. I swear if you harm anyone else I care about, it will be the last thing you do.”
“Quit gnashing your teeth. Your friend was a hundred and twenty five years old. She was near death anyway,” he said. Aura felt the light trying to escape her hands, and she quickly clasped them together. “You gutted her like a pig! I doubt she would have left in that condition.”
A sly grin formed at the corners of Mortriel’s mouth. “She didn’t even scream. I was quite impressed by the amount of torture she was able to withstand.”
Aura moved closer, until she could feel Mortriel’s breath on her face. “Perhaps we shall see how much torture you can withstand, you coward.”
“Really Aura, you have so much hostility. I’ve heard it isn’t healthy. I can’t have my bride being so distressed.”
“I would bring about my own death; before I let you touch me!” “Have you spoken to your daughter lately? Her uncle was placed in her room, and I forbid anyone from harming him again. Surely I am entitled to somereward for my kindness.”
“Death will be your only reward, and I promise it won’t be a pretty one. Why do you bother to call it a room? It’s a cell. Let’s not kid ourselves about that.”
Mortriel laughed. “You’re still as spirited as ever. I will have youAura; one way or another, you will be mine.” Aura was finding it more difficult to control the light in her hands. She held them so tight, that she could barely feel her fingers. “You will never touch me Mortriel! You should leave now, before you get hurt.”
“I’ll go, but I will be back. Perhaps you’ll be in a better mood the next time we meet. I do hope you’re not waiting for Aidan? You’ll be disappointed to know he’s becoming very close to my sister. I doubt he even remembers that you were once married. Jeziel wants you dead, but I have warned her you are never to be touched. I suppose you could think of me as your guardian angel.”
Aura wanted to smack the haughty expression off of his face, but she remembered Esra’s warning. Instead, she decided to play a little game of her own. “What do you mean? I was never married to Aidan.” Aura knew the truth, but she wasn’t about to let Mortriel know that she knew. It was only I little white lie.
“You mean you didn’t know?” Mortriel started laughing feverishly. “This is too good. Not to worry; my sister will take good care of Aidan. Imagine the four of us together; one big happy family.”
“You will never be family to me. You or that demon bitch you call sister. Tell her I know about her game. Aidan may be her fool, but I can assure you, that I am not.”
“Really Aura, I’m shocked - such language in front of the children.” Mortriel said it as a joke, but Aura wasn’t laughing. She was dead serious.
Mortriel turned to leave and then stopped. “Good luck findin g another seamstress. I heard Anastasia was brilliant. Pity she won’t be alive to make your wedding gown. Until we meet again. You take good care of those little ones, especially that one,” he
pointed to Alannah, “her sister misses her terribly.” Mortriel was still laughing as he disappeared in a puff of black smoke.
Aura was so mad, she could barely speak. Her hands were white, and she had to rub them together to get the circulation moving again. “Are you alright?” she asked the girls.
Alannah was near tears. “Mortriel killed Anastasia, and she was our friend, Mommy. Who will make our dresses now?” she asked, fighting back the tears.
“Let’s not worry about that. Anastasia finished our dresses before she died. I’m sorry you had to see this, Alannah.” “This is Jeziels fault. She called Samhael and told Mortriel we were coming here today,” Alannah sobbed. Aura knelt down on the snow covered ground in front of her daughter. “Are you certain she met with Samhael? When we left the house she was making plans to spend the day with Da– uh - Aidan. I really have to remember to call him Aidan. If anyone else finds out his identity, our plans could be ruined.”
“Jeziel told Aidan she needed to leave for an hour to change her clothes. As soon as she left, she called Samhael. How much longer do we have to wait before Jeziel is punished?” Alannah whimpered.
“I think it’s time to give Jeziel a taste of her own medicine. We may need just a few more days, but I promise she will pay dearly, for her betrayal to Heaven.If Aidan wants to protect her, that’s his business, but we are going ahead with our plans. Can you still project images like me?”
“Yes me and Bren can both project images. We’ve been practicing. Bren is a good seer too, Mommy. She’s more powerful than you know. Jeziel is leading Aidan down the dark path,” she insisted.
“Alannah, there is nothing we can do for him if he chooses to follow the fallen.” “I didn’t know that Dahnael was pretending to be Daddy, until we saw the vision after Richard’s death. You know Daddy would never be fooled by Jeziel.”
Aura put her arms around her. “We can’t let Dahnael know that we’re on to him. As far as he’s concerned, to us he’s still Aidan. We have to be careful not to talk about anything important in front of him. I can’t take the chance with your sister’s life. We’re so close to bringing her home.”
Esra's Prohpecy (Book 3 An Angel-blood Novel) Page 14