Destined for Eternity

by Susan Illene

  “Oh, my God. That’s terrible!” Cori said, hurrying toward the pixie. “Are you okay?”

  Ginny’s hands shook as she glanced at her arm. “They threw broken glass bottles at me as I got the girls loaded into the van. I only got the one cut. It could have been worse, but I was more worried about them.”

  “We can get that taken care of.” Cori gave her a concerned look. “But are the girls okay?”

  The pixie nodded. “They’re fine.”

  “Let’s get them inside,” Joy said, pulling open the van door without hesitation. “The poor dears are probably frightened to death.”

  Ginny arched her brows at Cori. “Who is this?”

  “Oh, right.” She’d forgotten the pixie hadn’t met her mom. “This is my mother, Joy.”

  The two women nodded at each other. After that, they hurried to get the girls inside. Aislin and Dinara were much quieter than usual and had dried tears on their faces. Joy sat them at the kitchen table and gave them juice.

  “The stew will be ready in a little bit, and then you can have some of that,” her mother said, smiling sweetly at them.

  “Thank you both so much.” Ginny rubbed her face. “I didn’t know what to do, but I figured your house would be safer for us than anywhere else.”

  Joy grunted. “First demons, and now humans causing trouble. When will it ever end?”

  “Did you call Derrick and let him know?” Cori asked the pixie. Derrick was a powerful werewolf and the supernatural leader for the Fairbanks area.

  Ginny nodded. “He said we could go there to stay, but with so many vampires and werewolves at his house already, I didn’t want to bring my girls into that.”

  Cori couldn’t blame her. “I’m glad you came here.”

  “You can take the guest bedroom.” Joy headed out of the kitchen. “There’s a spare cot I can set up in the downstairs office.”

  Her mother couldn’t help organizing the sleeping arrangements right away. “Don’t mind my mom. She has a way of taking over your life before you even have a chance to stop her.”

  “You’re lucky.” Ginny smiled. “I wish I had my mom with me right now.”

  One thing Cori had learned, no matter how strong a woman might be, was that it was tough when her kids were in danger. Ginny had a few relatives in Tulsa, but her parents had passed away in an accident years ago, and she wasn’t very close to her other family.

  “She’ll be happy to take care of you and the girls if you let her.”

  The pixie sunk into one of the kitchen chairs. “This is so frustrating. I left Tulsa to avoid this problem, and now it’s happening again.”

  “Yeah, but this time you’ve got better allies.” Cori picked up her cell phone. “We’ll figure this out, and you can stay here as long as you need.”

  “Thanks. You have no idea how much I appreciate it.”

  “I’m gonna call Micah over to take a look at that arm.” Pixies didn’t heal as fast as some supernaturals, and it could get infected. “He’ll get you fixed up.”

  “He’s a nephilim, right?” Ginny asked.

  Cori nodded.

  She shifted from foot to foot, reluctance in her gaze. “Do you think he could flash into my house and get some things for me and the girls? I keep a spare set of clothes for us in the van, but we didn’t have time to pack anything else.”

  “Sure. No problem.” Cori could understand hating to ask for favors. It sucked when a normally strong person found themselves vulnerable and forced to ask for help. If not for her girls, Ginny probably would have just slept in her car out in the bush. “Anything you need.”

  Relief filled her features. “Thanks. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

  Chapter 21

  Cori

  Two days had passed, and things were getting worse in Fairbanks. Cori, her mother, and Ginny watched the riots on the news, but they didn’t dare go into town. From what they’d heard, almost all the sups who lived there had fled. Some of their homes and businesses had been burned down, and many who didn’t leave fast enough were injured.

  Derrick’s headquarters and home could house many sups, but even he’d begun to overflow. Melena had to take in the vampire doctor, Paula, after a group of humans showed up and started shooting at her house. Thankfully, Lucas and his brother arrived fast enough to compel them to leave before any major damage happened. The clinic was unharmed, being in the basement, but Paula couldn’t see her patients there for now. All her most important supplies were transferred to the basement in the sensor’s home.

  Despite all the disturbances, Cori had a graduation to attend. She couldn’t bring her house guests with her since invitations were exclusive to those who had relationships with the nerou, but Melena came to pick her up.

  “You ready?” the sensor asked as Cori waddled her way down the stairs.

  She rubbed her stomach. “As well as I’ll ever be.”

  Cori had hardly slept the night before because she couldn’t get comfortable. She’d had to force herself out of bed around seven since the graduation was at nine in the morning, and she truly wanted to be there for it. But for the last few days, she’d been getting Braxton Hicks contractions off and on, making her extra miserable. They seemed to have calmed for the moment, so at least she’d probably get through the graduation alright.

  She headed for the side table next to the stairs. “Let me just grab my purse and cell phone.”

  Joy watched her closely as she got her stuff together, a frown forming on her face. “Maybe you shouldn’t go.”

  “I’ll be fine. It’ll only be for a couple of hours,” she replied.

  “But the doctor said you should take it easy.”

  She was going to pull her hair out if her mother nagged her much more. “And she also said I should be fine to go to the graduation.”

  Her mother sniffed. “Should being the key word there.”

  “I’ll take care of her,” Melena promised.

  “You better.” Joy gave her a pointed look. “Or I’ll hold you responsible.”

  The sensor nodded. “I understand.”

  Squeals and giggles came from upstairs. Ginny had her girls in the guest bedroom, keeping them occupied with games. Aislin and Dinara had begun to relax over the last two days. It had been fun with them around, and it had been good practice for Cori to help care for them and give Ginny breaks. Sure, they were five years old, but there were so many things she’d forgotten about taking care of small children. They could be a lot of fun and loved to help with washing dishes. Of course, it also brought back memories of Cori’s daughter, who’d passed at the same age, but she tried not to let that get to her. These were totally different girls, and they needed brightness and happiness after all they’d been through.

  “Let’s go,” Cori said, waving at her mom.

  Joy rushed toward her and hugged her. “Be careful.”

  “I will,” she promised.

  They hurried out of the house and got into Melena’s Jeep. Cori strapped on her seatbelt, working it under her large belly. As much as she worried about having the baby, she couldn’t wait for the pregnancy to be over.

  Melena took it easy on the drive over. Usually, she could drive a little recklessly, but she kept to the speed limit and went extra slow when they had to go on unpaved roads. The nerou compound was definitely off the beaten path. Cori had to breathe through it as they hit rut after rut on the final part of the drive. As added protection, the facility overseers allowed the road to be overgrown and bumpy to discourage even the most determined visitors.

  “What are you going to do when you see Bartol?” Melena asked just before they reached the gate.

  Cori wrinkled her nose. “Ignore him.”

  “Have you told your mother what happened yet?”

  “No. She suspects something is off, but I’ve been able to use the excuse that he’s been busy with the demons and nerou. That would be true regardless, which is why she hasn’t caught on so far.” Co
ri dreaded having to explain, but the distraction of Ginny and her girls helped keep her mother occupied. Though the circumstances weren’t the best, she was glad the pixie had come to stay when she did.

  “Maybe you should use this opportunity to talk to him without your mother around,” Melena suggested.

  Cori shook her head. “Nope. He has to come to me.”

  “I suppose I’d do the same thing in your shoes if Lucas had been an ass like Bartol and I was pregnant.” Two guards at the gate checked them out before opening it. “I can’t believe how he’s being with you.”

  “He left a box of chocolate on my doorstep yesterday,” Cori admitted, rubbing her face. “As if that’s going to make up for everything—or the fact he hasn’t shown his face since the fight.”

  “Was the chocolate good?” Melena asked.

  Cori licked her lips in remembrance. “Very good, but that doesn’t let him off the hook.”

  “Of course, not.”

  Melena parked the Jeep and they got out, heading for the main field. Rows of white chairs had been set up, as well as a center stage. The nerou were already seated in the front, and other guests milled toward the back. They still had about ten minutes until the ceremony started.

  “Check your one o’clock,” Melena whispered.

  Through their bond, Cori could sense Bartol in that direction and resisted the urge to look. “What is he doing?”

  “Talking to his father.”

  “Let’s go find our seats,” she said, wanting to avoid a confrontation if possible.

  They’d just settled in their chairs when Bartol appeared before her. “We need to talk.”

  Cori didn’t meet his gaze. “I’m busy.”

  “Please.”

  “The graduation is going to start soon.” She kept her voice even, trying not to show the hurt she felt at being near him. “Can we do this later?”

  “I thought you hate later,” he said, amusement in his tone.

  She stared at the seat in front of her. “It’s my turn to say it.”

  Bartol settled in the empty seat next to her and leaned close. “I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you like I should, but I plan to make up for it if you’ll allow it.”

  “You’re not ready. I get it,” she said, glancing at him. His expression was so sincere that it almost melted her heart. “Don’t feel you have to do this.”

  “Yes, I do,” he said, taking her clenched hands and grasping them gently. “These past days, I’ve missed you.”

  She lifted her head, fighting tears—stupid hormones. “Then why haven’t you come over?”

  “Jeriel has hardly given me a break between getting the nerou ready for graduation and eradicating demons all over. Sending you notes and the other things was the best I could do.” Bartol reached up and smoothed a thumb over her cheek. It felt good. He so very rarely touched her that she couldn’t help enjoying it a little. “But he assured me his men were watching over you when I couldn’t, and I did check on you from afar at least a few times a day.”

  Cori had wondered if he’d been monitoring her somehow, but she’d had no way to figure it out. “My mother has been asking about you.”

  “I saw she arrived the other day.” He grimaced. “I’ll visit tonight to prevent her wondering any further about my absence.”

  “Are you certain you want to do that?” she asked, her voice cracking a little.

  His golden gaze held hers. “Yes.”

  Jeriel moved onto the stage, wearing his traditional white robe rather than a cowboy hat, and spoke into the microphone, “Please take your seats.”

  “I’ve got to go.” Bartol gave her a regretful look. “But I’ll talk to you again afterward.”

  “Okay,” she agreed.

  The archangel welcomed everyone in attendance and introduced himself, though pretty much everyone there knew him. Cori noted several other archangels present, including Remiel. Of all of them, he’d been in their lives the most. Remiel had been the one to watch over Lucas and catch him whenever he did something against their laws. He’d been there to tell Cori they would allow her to become immortal. He was annoying and stiff, but he occasionally proved useful. The jury was still out on what she thought of Jeriel since he’d be the one dictating supernatural lives from here on out.

  “The nerou before you have worked hard for the past year,” the archangel said, his voice steady and strong. “Along with battle skills and tracking, they’ve also learned science, history, agriculture, and many other topics to allow them to blend into human society.”

  The nerou had been sequestered in Purgatory, which was a barren, mountainous island in a separate dimension. Growing up, they’d been taught languages and math, been given ancient books to study, and taught the basics of right and wrong, but they’d never seen cars or televisions or any kind of technology before arriving on Earth. In approximately fourteen months, they’d had to learn a lot, as well as how to become enforcers.

  Jeriel continued, “I am proud of the men and women before me, who have shown diligence and dedication in their studies. Every one of them has proven themselves trustworthy and capable.”

  He said that, but everyone knew Tormod would still be on restriction. From what Melena had said, the demon-nerou had to go through a series of tests just to be given that much allowance. He’d have a nephilim Cori never met before watching him when he went to his duty assignment in Anchorage. Quite ironic that the supernatural leader there didn’t like other races coming in, but she could hardly stop the angels.

  “And now I ask that all the nerou stand,” Jeriel said as he wrapped up his speech. He waited for all fifty of them to rise to their feet. They wore golden robes and laurels on their heads. “Each of you should come forward as I call your name.”

  Behind the archangel on the platform, all the nephilim instructors stood behind a table with scrolls organized on it. It wasn’t too different from a high school or college graduation, but perhaps they’d done that on purpose. It wasn’t like the nerou had ever gotten to attend any human educational institutions. This was their one chance to have a similar experience.

  Jeriel began calling them by their first names in alphabetical order since none of them had surnames. In fact, they hadn’t even received any proper names until coming to Earth. Cori had felt terrible for them when she’d heard about that. At least once they left the compound soon to go to their assignments, they would get identity documents that would fix that problem. They’d get to pick the names they wished to go by as well.

  She watched one by one as each nerou came forward, and a tear entered her eye as Olivia stepped up on the stage. She shook the hands of her nephilim instructors, but her father, Micah, pulled her into a hard hug. For centuries, they hadn’t been able to be together, but during the last year they’d grown close. Cori could only imagine how the two felt now that Olivia would be going out into the world on her own. Her assignment was Seattle. Not too far away, but far enough.

  A couple of students later, Tormod was called forward. Cori was surprised to see a slight grin on his face. He still didn’t walk with the carefree attitude he had before, but at least he wasn’t as dark or scary. The nerou shook the hands of his instructors and Jeriel before moving off the stage and meeting his father, who stood next to it. Yerik was a man unlike any other. As a half demon and half angel, serious power clung to him. His aura was burnished gold and almost hurt Cori’s eyes to look at him. But once she got past that, she spotted the kilt he always wore. Usually, he was barefoot and shirtless, but he’d donned a pair of black boots for the occasion. She could still see his thick chest hair, though.

  In the row in front of her and off to the right, she heard Tormod’s mother sniffle. Lorna was a sweet woman. It had to have been difficult for her to see her son change so drastically after London, but there was pride in her eyes now. She sat with her back straight and a huge smile on her face. The sensor was mortal and had originally appeared in her seventies when she first ar
rived in Fairbanks from Scotland, but she’d been allowed to ingest some of Melena’s blood so she could live a little longer and be there for her son. That had given her a younger appearance, so most would think she was in her forties now. Tormod needed her around if he was to stay grounded, which was why Remiel had allowed it.

  The last nerou was called up and received his scroll. Jeriel called for everyone to stand and congratulate them. Cori pulled herself to her feet and clapped. She was proud of them all for what they’d accomplished and only wished they had a choice about becoming enforcers. It reminded her that her child would follow in their footsteps one day.

  “Now, please take your seats,” Jeriel said, smiling. “There is one more order of business I ask that you witness.”

  Bartol came forward and took the microphone. There was a nervous look in his eyes as his gaze ran across the audience until it touched on her. “Cori, could you please come up here?”

  She stiffened. “Oh, God. What is he up to?”

  “Better go find out.” Melena nudged her. “The man looks ready to bolt, so you better hurry.”

  The people sitting next to her got up so she could get past them. It was embarrassing having to waddle her way to the front. Her heart was in her throat, and she couldn’t imagine what Bartol intended with all this.

  She reached the stage. Lucas met her at the steps and took her hand as she climbed them. Great. Everyone thought she was an invalid. She stopped in front of Bartol, whose hands shook as stood in front of her.

  “What is this about?” she hissed.

  He cleared his throat, casting an anxious glance at the audience before focusing on her. A myriad of emotions crossed his eyes—love, regret, and hope being the strongest. “Cori, I know I haven’t been the best mate you could have hoped for, or even close to it. But I want you to know that you mean the world to me. You have my heart and soul, and there’s no other woman I’d want to spend the rest of my life with.”