“How does it feel to be trapped?” Jeziel was unable tomove, and unable to scream for help; Aura’s wards kept her bound and silent. “You commanded Samhael to use hell -fire to burn Elijah and Ericah. Ericah was pregnant when you beat her unmercifully. Did you know that? Did you even care?!”Aura shouted.
“Th en, you summoned Samhael to use hellfire again to burn the Enchantor and her servants, locking them inside with no means to escape. You burned them alive. How does it feel to burn, Jeziel? You will scream, but no one will hear you. You will cry, but no tears will fall. You will see, but you will not move.”
Aura threw Jeziel away from the mound of bodies, and covered her with one of the cloaks, making sure to keep her eyes uncovered, so she could watch everything.
She saw the agony in her eyes. In that moment, she decided not to kill Jeziel because death was a kindness she didn’t deserve. Instead, Jeziel would watch and suffer in silence. “Keep Dahnael there until Iris returns,” Aura yelled to Bren.
“My father will deal with you,” Dahnael screamed at the little seer.
Bren started laughing. “Yeah – we’ll see.”
Chapter 38
When Iris, and the little ones arrived at the farm, Bael was standing near the bodies of her twin sons; smoking a cigarette. He was obviously waiting for Iris.
“So it’s true, they were our sons?” “They were never your sons, Bael. They were the sons of Heaven!” Iris spat, as she saw that their throats had been cut. “Don’t worry, Iris. You’ll be joining them soon.” He threw the cigarette on the ground. “You know what they say; till death do us part.” Before he could call for the hellfire to burn her, Mia and Joey raised their hands, and called for the angelfire. When the stars appeared, they blasted them into his chest.
As Bael watched the black blood pouring from his heart, a look of disbelief came over his face. He fell to the ground. How could this have happened? He was never supposed to die.
Mia walked toward him. He stared into her eyes, but had no strength to speak. She leaned over his bodyand smiled. “You they say; death us part.” She then used her right foot, and kicked Bael so hard, his body landed on top of the mound of dead guardian’s in Aura’s yard. Lucifer’s second in command was dead. He died by angelfire, and nothing would ever bring him back. Iris was finally free.
Bael landed with a thud. Aura allowed Jeziel to see his dead body before repositioning her again. She wanted to ensure that Jeziel could bear witness to what was about to happen next.
Iris and the little ones watched as Dareus and Aureus ascended. “We’ll see you again, Mother.” It was the last words they spoke. Mia and Joey grabbed Iris’s hands. “We go home now,” Joey said. Iris shook her head, and the three of them found themselves on Aura’s porch with the rest of the family. Alannah and Bren saw what happened, and told everyone else.
Alannah walked over to her little friend. “I’m so proud of you, Mia. When Mommy comes back, we’re going to have chocolate ice cream.”
Mia hugged Alannah, and went to stand next to the windows. As she tried to pull herself up on the ledge, unsuccessfully, Mia shouted to her godfather, “I can’t see, Daddy.” Logan quickly picked her and Joey up and returned to the window. No one knew what was going to happen next, but they knew that Aura wasn’t finished.
Aura stood in the middle of the yard and spread her arms. “Lucifer!” she screamed. “Send the demon child to me if you dare!” Within seconds, Samhael appeared with a child. Aura couldn’t see her face because she was covered in filth. She was wearing what once must have been a beautiful white cotton dress. It was blackened and tattered. Her face was covered in dirt, and the child’s blonde hair was matted. But it was the large snake coiled around her body, binding her, which drew the attention of Aura and her family.
“Who is that?” Rita asked.
“I don’t know,” Iris said.
“Do you think she killed the other angels who tried to rescue Alorrah?” “I assume the child’s purpose was to serve as a distraction. I’m certain Samhael, oranother of his faction killed the angels,” Iris said forlornly, thinking about the brutal deaths of her own sons.
“What happened to her?” Jessica asked.
“I can’t really say. She is obviously a young child, but I can’t tell her identity because of the snake,” Iris said.
“Do you think she may be one of Lucifer’s children?” Rita asked.
“It’s possible. No one knows what happens in Hell.” Samhael looked at the mountain of dead bodies and started laughing. “Did you have a little trouble this morning?” Now, it was Aura’s turn to laugh. “Not as much trouble as your wife. Regrettably, I have to inform you that your precious bride is dead.”
The smile on Samhael’s face quickly turned to rage. “Where is she!?” “You’ll find her ashes in front of a tree outside Jeziel’s cottage. You should have warned Natalie not to kill the angel priests. That was a dreadful mistake. What is it they say about paybacks? I would love to take credit for her death, but I’m afraid it was Jayden who killed her.”
Samhael was so iratehe was shaking. “You will pay for this with your life!”
Aura started laughing hysterically, and turned her back on Samhael, pretending to walk away.
“Eve please! I need to help her,” Paul said.
She took her husband’s hand. “There is nothing you can do. We are not permitted to interfere.” Dahnael continued to try to free himself. “Settle down,” Bren said. “Unless you want me to make you settle down.” She used her gift to squeeze his chest, making it difficult for him to breathe. She released her grip after just a few seconds, but Dahnael got the message. He glared furiously at the little seer, but Bren laughed, and then turned back to the window.
“You would fare better, if you listen to my daughter,” Eve said to him. Dahnael didn’t respond, but he promised himself that Bren would pay for her impudence.
The Guild had no idea if Aura’s skills would protect her from this threat. They knew she was trying to rescue her daughter from Hell, and this was necessary. Every other angel who had tried in the past had failed, and that weighed heavy on their hearts.
A second later, Samhael looked at the child and hissed. “Release the snake! She’ll soon join her daughter in Hell.” Aura had only a split second to react. She took the blade from under her shirt, and while holding her hair with one hand, she cut off the braid with one swift motion. As soon as the blade of the dagger came in contact with her hair, it changed. As she turned to face her enemy, the snake was inching towards her face, preparing to strike.
The family watched in horror. Was Aura going to die, or worse, be captured and taken to Hell? Aura kept a grip on her hair with her right hand. With her left hand, she threw the dagger of Dionese into Samhael’s chest as hard as she could.
Her family and friends watched as Samhael looked first at the knife and then to Aura. Panic had taken hold of him. Before he could say anything more, he dropped to the ground. A pure white light enveloped the dagger, burning Samhael’s body. The light disappeared in a flash taking the dagger with it. All that remained of Samhael was a mass of black ashes.
Aura was still holding her hair, when the snake swallowed her hand. Then something amazing happened. The hair immediately transformed the snake into Kaelariel’s whip. As Aura held the golden handle, the thong glowed with an iridescent light. It was light to the touch, but Aura could feel the power of the gift. All remnants of Lucifer’s curse were removed, and the snake evaporated into a black vapor.
Aura gently brushed the whip over the child, and watched as the bracelet of Cerci, and the diadem of Astinon ascended. Lucifer had placed curses on the relics, and used them to keep the child trapped. The little girl stood in front of her. Aura knew… this poor child was Alexis. She was one of the Eternal children.
Alexis ran to her and quickly threw her arms around her neck. Aura’s tears streaked the child’s face, removing some of the years of dirt.
“Is that Alorr
ah?” Bren asked. “No that’s Alexis,” Alannah sobbed. “Look what they did to her,” she whimpered. Bren and Tracy reached to hold her hands. If this is what Lucifer did to Alexis, they couldn’t imagine the condition Alorrah, or Fionn were in.
“I have to send you back. It’s the only way I can bring Alorrah and Fionn home,” Aura whispered.
“I know,” Alexis said, before managing a weak smile. It broke Aura’s heart to have to say goodbye to her. Despite the years of being enslaved, beneath the dirt, she was identical to Alannah. “We’ll see each other again - I swear it,” Aura cried. “Are you ready?”
Alexis held her one last time, and then Aura kissed her forehead. “I’m ready now,” she said. Aura gently stroked the whip over her meager body. She watched as Alexis ascended, and the whip followed her. The sacred gifts were all returned; all but Avriel’s ring.
Aura fell to her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks. She saw something glistening on the ground in front of her. It must have fallen from Alexis when she ascended. Aura reached and picked up the pendant. The charm dangling from the chain was shaped like a moon. Alannah had the sun. Alexis had the moon. She was certain, Alorrah would have the star.
Each of the Eternal children wore one of the symbols of light; Aura wore all of them. She was still sobbing when she picked herself up from the ground. She looked towards the porch. “Let him go!” she screamed to Bren.
Bren opened the door, and using her shield, she shoved Dahnael outside. He tried to run away, but Aura kept a firm grip on him with an invisible guard. She drew him closer to her, until they were both standing face to face under the orange tree. Aura intended for Jeziel to see what she was about to do.
She stared at Dahnael. “You were given every opportunity to do what was right, but you chose to defy Heaven.” Dahnael attempted to speak, but Aura held up her hand to silence him. “All you ever wanted was the sacred gifts.” She pulled the ring off her finger and dropped it onto his hand, making sure that Jeziel witnessed the act. Then, Aura took her fingernail, and scraped it along his left cheek, leaving a mark made with the fire of the angels. No one would ever mistake him for Aidan again. “Leave here now, and don’t ever come back.”
The family watched as Dahnael disappeared in a cloud of black smoke. Despite the burning scar on his face, he was smiling. He felt a sense of victory because he had Avriel’s ring, but he would soon discover that the ring was a fake. Aura had just laid another trap. Allowing Dahnael and Jeziel to think she had given up Avriel’s ring would be a benefit when war came.
“Why did she give him Avriel’s ring?” Paul asked. “Without it, she can never bring Alorrah and Fionn from Hell.” Eve smiled as she squeezed her husband’s hand. “Not everything is as it seems. The ring was a forgery, just like the bow. There was no need for Dahnael to know what Aura’s about to do.”
As the family watched, Aura walked over to Jeziel. The angelfire left little flesh on the right side of her body. Half her hair was singed and she smelled of smoke.
“Like my Lord Father, I am merciful. I will not kill you on this day.” She moved her hands over Jeziels body, not to heal her, but to take away the physical pain.
Aura stood over Jeziel. She didn’t scream. Instead, she spoke in a soft angelicvoice. “Bael is dead. Samhael is dead. Natalie is dead. But you will not die. I want you to live a long life. Perhaps you and your friend will one day be reunited. I’m certain he won’t mind looking at your hideous face.”
She undid the wards that kept Jeziel immobilized and silent. She could see the agony plainly on Jeziel’s face, and could hear the childlike whimpering. A single tear slid down Aura’s cheek. She then called for the vision of Natalie’s wedding, and showed everyone the burning of the thirteen year old girl. Jeziel had been laughing and cheering with the others. She bent down and stared at Jeziel. “Tell your brother, Mortriel, I’m coming after him. Tell him that Hell’s army isn’t going to stop me. If it’s a war he wants; it’s a war he’ll get. Now say hello to what’s left of your cousin.”
Aura kicked Jeziel as hard as she could. She was careful not to position her on hallowed ground. Instead, she chose to have her land at the base of the tree next to her cousin, Natalie. Keeping Jeziel alive was a greater punishment than death. Aura knew she would see her again, but nothing would erase the scars of Heaven. She would wear them forever.
Jeziel would know what it felt like to be a prisoner. Each time she looked in the mirror, she would be reminded. She would be imprisoned in a grotesque, hideous body, as long as she lived, and Aura hoped she would live for all eternity. She knew that Jeziel would be desperate to remove the marks made with angelfire, but she had killed the only other Enchantor that could have helped her. That was a little of Heaven’s justice.
Dahnael found Jeziel against an oak tree just outside her cottage. Natalie’s body had already turned to ash. He tried desperately to wake his friend. When she finally came to, she saw what was left of her cousin. She scooted away from the ashes, a look of disbelief on her face. She used the cloak to cover herself.
“You need to leave here now,” Dahnael said.
“Are you coming with me?” Jeziel said. “No – I need to tell Caeus that our brother Malakiel is dead. There’s no time to waste. You need to go,” Dahnael said. “I’m sure we’ll see each other again. Aura can’t bring the other child from Hell because I have Avriel’s ring, but the Angel’s of the Tier will awaken. I’m certain they will be here soon, and they may not be as forgiving.”
“Do you think this was forgiving?” Jeziel said, as she held her arm in front of him. “Keep your voice down. There are ways to get rid of the marks. Natalie had her scars removed by an Enchantor. We can’t discuss this now. You were foolish to come after Aura. You have no idea the power that you’re dealing with. Go, and I’ll try to make contact with you again.” Dahnael handed Natalie’s wedding ring and pendant to her cousin. Despite her grotesque appearance, Jeziel was still his friend. He hugged her, and they both left in a cloud of black smoke.
Despite everything that happened, Dahnael still blamed Natalie. She had been in front of Elijah’s, goading Jeziel into a confrontation. He was glad that she was dead.
Was this how Jeziel felt when her father left her behind, and chose her brother Mortriel to follow him? Why did Aura have to hurt her? She could have been turned over to the Council?
Dahnael felt so alone. He looked at Avriel’s ring and smiled. Fools they would never bring Alorrah home now. He couldn’t believe that Aura had returned the gift to him. Didn’t she know that it would break her bond with Alannah, and she would be called back to Heaven? He thought about how Aura had killed Samhael, and the Elite guardians. Avriel would never have been so cruel and calculating. He would return to Caeus in another day or too. For now, he would go to the resort that he visited with Jeziel, and try to blend in with the mortals.
Chapter 39
Aura stood in the middle of the yard and lifted her face to Heaven. As tears streamed down her face, she called to her Lord God.
“Father - I have returned the sacred gifts. I beg you awaken the Angels of the Tier and release Fionn and Alorrah from Hell’s prison.”
A soft voice came from above. “What reward would you ask for this great deed?” Aura bent her head. “I ask for nothing.” “It is done.” Aura lifted her head. “Thank you Father.”
With that, thunder roared and lightning cracked the sky. They all watched as the hand of God broke through the clouds of Heaven. The light was almost blinding, but Aura stood not affected by the beam. He reached down and caressed Aura’s cheek with such tenderness; wiping away her tears. Then he gently tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear and she smiled. There was no doubt, her Father loved her.
He reached and touched the pendant she wore around her neck, adding a fourth charm. This one was a lightning bolt, made like the others, from a blue diamond.
As The Almighty moved his hand away, an immense lightning bolt landed between his fingers. The gro
und shook as he slammed it into the mass of angels who were once his faithful guardians. The earth opened, and the bodies fell through a black hole. The gap then closed, and Aura watched as herFather’s hand returned to Heaven.
Aura fell to her knees. A small voice interrupted her thoughts. “Mommy – Mommy!” She turned to see her daughter running towards her. The child was as dingy and dirty as Alexis had been. She wore a rag of a dress and her hair was knotted and filthy, but to Aura she was a beautiful vision.
Fionn followed slowly behind her, limping and smiling. Aura released her shield and Alannah ran out the door screaming her sister’s name.“Alorrah – Alorrah!” Aura scrambled to meet her daughter, as the tears fell in a steady stream. But these were not tears of sorrow; they were tears of joy. The twins hugged. Their smiles erased all the years of being apart.
The rest of the family gathered in the back yard. Bren and Tracy held hands. They considered going to meet Alorrah, but decided to give the three of them some time alone. Instead, they whispered something to each other and ran towards the house. No one even noticed that they were gone.
It had been a long time since Aura had held her children. But there was someone else missing. She looked at the necklace in her hands and wished they could all be together. As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she heard another voice. “Mommy – Mommy!”
ee Alexis running towards her. “I can stay withAura turned to s
you too,Mommy. I can stay with you forever.”
They were all there now. Aura couldn’t believe she was holding all three of her little girls. She took the necklace out of her hand, and placed it around Alexis’ neck. Aura looked to Heaven and thanked her Father. Even though she asked for nothing, he had given her everything.
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