Pure Redemption (Tainted Legacy)

by Amity Hope

  “What happens if I go back?” she asked in a trembling voice as her eyes continued to flit between the light and the angel. “Will I be able to be with Gabe?”

  “I cannot tell you what your future holds. I can tell you that if I were to escort you back, Gabe is waiting for you. What the two of you make of your future is in your hands. I will tell you it will not be easy. Although Gabe has been granted salvation, while he has been forgiven for the reprehensible choices he made at one time, he is still Nephilim. He is not the same as he was, as you know. He is a Nephilim unlike any other that has ever walked the earth. Angelic blood, now pure and untainted, remains in his veins. His life will never be that of someone simply human,” Grier explained.

  “We thought, perhaps, he was no longer Nephilim.”

  “He is different, true, but what he is cannot be changed. It is only what he does with it that can change. He will always struggle with the choices he makes. More so than someone who is simply human.”

  “Then he needs me there to help him.” With those words, Ava realized that the light behind her began to fade.

  “He will always have mystical abilities that will set him apart.”

  “Why can he see souls? When he couldn’t before?” Ava pointed out.

  “Before, he could read emotions, which made it easy for him to manipulate people. Seeing souls is that ability in a purer form. It simply tells him with a glance what kind of person someone is overall. It doesn’t give him the resources to manipulate them in the moment,” Grier explained. “As for his scars…The scars on his back were symbolic of his old life. The scar over his heart is symbolic of the new life that he chose.”

  Ava nodded, oddly, it made sense to her.

  “I want to go back,” she whispered.

  With that, the light behind her faded completely, she felt it as much as she saw it. She knew that her decision was made and that she had made the right choice. She would still meet her birth mother one day, when the time was right. But that time was not now.

  Still, she felt a shadow of sadness close around her even though she knew her birthmother understood. She more than understood. Ava felt that, too, down to her soul. Her mother wanted her to return to her life, to live it out as happily as she could.

  “He will never get his memory back.” And there it was; the one thing that Ava had wanted the answer to more than anything.

  “Why is that?” she wanted to know.

  Grier looked at her solemnly in the way only Grier could. “It was his choice. His memories tormented him. Over time, they could have eaten away at him, haunted him, worn him down and possibly pulled him back into the life he so desperately wanted to escape. When he was given the chance to return to his old life, I offered to help him return to it with a clean slate. He had been granted pure redemption. It seemed only right that he not suffer the agony of his past demons.”

  “He chose this?” Ava asked, not able to hide her disbelief.

  “He did. He chose it because of you. He wanted to be with you with a clear conscience. You told him once to have faith. He has taken that advice more than once. He followed your lead and had faith that he could cage Azael. He took another leap of faith and trusted that he would find his way back to you. Even without his memory to guide him. It appears to me that he did not fail.”

  “He said that sometimes, he feels like he could remember if he tried hard enough.”

  Grier nodded. “Yes, if he tried hard enough. And yet, there is always something, some part of him that stops that from happening. That will always be the case because that is how it was meant to be.”

  Ava glanced around the church, at the door that was now there, replacing the light. She had made her decision, just as Gabe had made his. “How do I go back?”

  “I will guide you,” Grier said as she took her hand. An emotion flickered across her face. Ava thought it looked suspiciously like a shadow of a smile. “This information was given to you to help you make your decision. Nothing more. It is not yours to keep and you will remember none of it once you leave here. But it has served its purpose and you have made the choice you were always meant to make.”

  ***

  “Oh, Gabriel,” the soft voice beside him sighed. “We have, once again, quite the mess to clean up, do we not?”

  His head snapped up at the sound of Grier’s voice and his breath caught in his throat. Though he didn’t necessarily remember her, he knew exactly who she was. Ava had spoken of her at great length. His breath lodged in his throat when he saw Ava’s ethereal form standing beside this angel. It was Ava; he could see her soul as it glowed brightly around her. Yet, he could see through her.

  She was not looking at him. She was looking at herself. He glanced down at the body in his arms and tried to reconcile what this meant.

  “Go,” he heard Grier urge. She gave Ava’s form a nudge and it exploded into golden sparks that rained down upon her lifeless form. He instantly felt the life that flowed back through her. Her soul was firmly in place—golden, glowing, vibrant—and her eyes fluttered open.

  “Gabe?” she whispered.

  Even with blood smeared across her face, twigs and leaves in her hair, and her eyes glossy and confused, he knew she’d never looked more beautiful. His heart, which had been shattered only moments before surged with love and gratitude and relief.

  “Everything’s okay,” he said as he buried her in a hug.

  “Molly?” she asked. Her voice was stronger now, and quite a bit more frantic. “Grier?!” She bolted upright in Gabe’s arms at the sight of the angel. Her eyes scanned the room and her body stiffened as the last moments played out in her memory. Her gaze rested on the two lifeless bodies and then darted back to the all-too-still form of her friend.

  “I think she’s here to help,” Gabe told her, trying to reassure her of Grier’s presence.

  “I killed your brother,” Ava whispered, wide-eyed.

  “You killed Cam, yes, because he had every intention of killing me. But I don’t consider him my brother. If I did, that would make him my family. And as far as I’m concerned, you’re the only family I’ve ever had,” Gabe told her as he pulled her in closer.

  “And Rafe…” Ava began as her body started to tremble in Gabe’s arms. She curled into his chest and his arms wrapped tightly around her. “He killed me? Was I dead?”

  “Rafe’s gone. You’re here with me,” Gabe said soothingly. “That’s all that matters.”

  They sat back and watched as Grier neared the bodies of his brothers. She held out her hands and the air shimmered as their bodies disappeared.

  Next, she turned to the ring of fire that still blazed.

  “Is Molly…?” Ava sniffled against Gabe’s shoulder.

  “She’s alive,” he assured her. “But just barely.” He could make out only the faintest glow of orange.

  Grier walked through the fire and knelt at Molly’s side. When her hands rested on Molly’s body, it began to glow in a beautiful, breathtaking blend of orange and gold.

  Ava heard Molly’s sharp intake of breath. With it, the fire died out and the gold faded away. Gabe noted only the orange remained, just as it should be.

  “She’s asleep,” Grier announced. “She’ll awaken shortly. She’ll be fine. Furious, I am sure, but fine.” She eyed up the girl who had once tried to befriend her and both Gabe and Ava correctly assumed that it was Grier’s choice that Molly remained asleep for a while longer.

  She strode over to them.

  “I am fully aware that Rafael meant to set Azael free. You both fought to keep that from happening. Rafe is gone but no one will question the reason. I will make sure of it.” She knelt down next to Ava and Gabe. “I am proud of you both,” she said in a very uncharacteristic manner. “Ava, I believe you made the right decision. You will never regret it.”

  With that, she was gone.

  Ava blinked at Gabe in the darkness of the church. Little time had passed on earth and the sun, while low, hadn’t fully
set. Even still, now that the fire had died, the church was quite dark.

  “What choice did I make?” she asked him.

  “I’m not entirely sure,” he admitted.

  “Ava?” Molly’s drowsy voice floated through the chilly gloom. “Please get me out of here.”

  Epilogue

  The last day of August was hot and steamy. It could’ve been utterly miserable if it weren’t for the constantly running air conditioner.

  “I can’t believe he’s never had a birthday party. That’s just so, so sad,” Molly proclaimed as she placed a pitcher of iced tea on the table.

  They were having the party at the St. Clair’s because not only was the cabin too small, it was much too warm.

  “I know. That’s why I wanted to surprise him with this one,” Ava said as she placed a pan of chicken Parmigiana next to the tea. Julia followed with the salad and Leah with a basket of breadsticks.

  “Your dad just let me know they should be here any minute,” Leah warned.

  Molly grabbed Julia and tugged her toward the living room. “Let’s go let the guys know.”

  Oliver had gladly accepted Molly’s tearful apology and they had been spending more time together than ever. Actually, a whole lot of triple-dating had been going on with the group of friends.

  After surviving the terrifying ordeal of being held against her will by a Nephilim, Julia had decided life was too short to worry so much about nonsensical things like germs and toxic substances in foods. She’d begun eating onion rings and deep fried chicken whenever she felt like it.

  Furthermore, when Dawson finally got up the nerve to ask her out, she’d been brave enough to accept with Ava’s complete and very firm blessing. However, after two awkward dates, Julia decided that even with Ava’s blessing, she still felt as though she were violating some unspoken code of friendship and there was no third date.

  When she ran into Mitch Allard in the parking lot of the Gas and Go, she’d decided it was an act of Divine Intervention. And while the romanticism of Divine Intervention left a lot to be desired, she’d taken full advantage of the situation. Now that they had graduated she hadn’t been sure if she’d see him again if she let him walk away. So she’d poured her heart out to Mitch right there in the parking lot, between the gas pumping stations. She had let him know she’d had a crush on him since the day he’d walked into their algebra class as a transfer student sophomore year. She’d told him she regretted never asking him out. Lastly, she admitted that the day he landed on top of her in front of the trophy case was probably a day she would remember until the day she died.

  A very tongue-tied Mitch had agreed to dinner and a movie, because Julia couldn’t think of anything more fun or spontaneous on short notice. Since then, she had quickly decided that kissing was her new favorite thing, germs be damned.

  They all crammed into the crowded hallway: Julia and Mitch, Molly and Oliver, Ava and Leah as they waited for the front door to open.

  When Daniel let the door swing open wide, Gabe feigned surprise as everyone yelled, “Happy Birthday!”

  “You knew,” Ava accused as he swept her up into a hug.

  “I could hear Molly and Julia arguing about how soon to yell before we were even down the sidewalk,” he quietly admitted. But he was grinning, clearly pleased all the same.

  As far as birthday parties went, it was pretty calm and quiet but Ava knew that was exactly how Gabe would want it. After their meal, Ava brought out the cake. Triple layer chocolate adorned with the full twenty candles that were required. Gabe raised his eyebrow at her as she placed it before him.

  “You have to blow out the candles,” Ava whispered. Oliver and Mitch were on the other side of the room, deep in conversation about something. Yet she kept her voice low just in case. She did not want to encourage any unnecessary questions from them. “But first, you need to make a wish.”

  “Wait. Do what?” he asked, looking bemused at such a silly notion.

  “Oh, you poor deprived thing,” Ava teased as she tousled his hair. “Twenty years old and you are finally going to get to make your first birthday wish.” She explained the simple process to him as he looked at her with amusement.

  “Can I wish for anything?” he asked, perplexed.

  “Yes. Better make it a big one,” Molly declared as she gave him a nudge. “The way I see it, you have twenty years of wishes due to you.”

  He stared at Molly for a moment. Then a smirk overtook his face. “Oh, I think I can come up with something big.” He looked slightly too serious for a second, then he drew in a breath and blew out each last candle. When he turned his face up to Ava’s he gave her a smile that sent her heart racing.

  After that, he was given his first-ever birthday presents. Their friends had given him a gift certificate to the local paintball field. Oliver, having no idea what he was in for, had eagerly offered to go with Gabe. Mitch had discreetly stepped behind Julia and pretended to take a great interest in his socks.

  To Ava’s great delight, her parents had gotten Gabe a puppy. During her senior year she had volunteered at the local animal shelter. She stopped by to visit one day while Gabe was with her. He’d become quite attached to a little lab mix during the short time they were there. When she’d mentioned it to her parents, they’d asked her permission to pay the adoption fee so they could give the little guy to Gabe as a gift. They also gifted him with a full tote of every puppy supply imaginable.

  It wasn’t until they were back at their cabin, settled in for the evening that Ava gave Gabe his gift from her. She was sitting on the couch, next to the snoozing black puppy that had finally worn himself out. He had curled up in Gabe’s leather jacket. Gabe was sitting on the floor in front of her because the puppy had taken his usual seat.

  She handed the smallish box to him and he carefully unwrapped the shimmery paper as he relished every second of opening his first gift from Ava. Inside was a thick gold cross on a chain. It was far more masculine than the one she wore.

  “This is perfect,” Gabe said as he let Ava put it on him.

  “I thought you might like one of your own,” she said hopefully.

  “Afraid I’d steal yours?” he teased.

  “Absolutely,” she teased back.

  He was quiet for a moment before he finally took her hand. “Thank you for today. I know I’ve never had another birthday like it. Probably not even anything close to it.”

  Ava nodded and gave him an understanding smile and her heart melted for the millionth time at the sight of him. His piercing blue eyes, his chiseled features but more than anything, it was the way he always looked at her that sent her heart into a fluttery state.

  He may not remember his past but he did know that the household he had grown up in was an enormously miserable place to be. When he told Ava he was grateful, she knew he meant it.

  Grier had been true to her word as far as Gabe and Ava could tell. She had set things right. Rafe was out of their lives. They had heard through a few acquaintances of Daniel’s that the radio station had been bought back by the original owner for a ridiculously small sum. Rumor also had it that the prior owner’s of the Castille estate had settled back into their home. Yet no one had ever come to question Gabe as to Rafe’s whereabouts.

  The rest of the summer had been blissfully quiet and uneventful. Gabe and Ava had spent much of it relaxing on the lake or going out with their friends.

  Ava did not remember even a glimmer of the time she had spent with Grier though Gabe did finally manage to tell Ava that yes, she had died and that he had seen her spirit by Grier’s side. They left it at that. Accepting it for the miracle that it was.

  “I’m glad you had a good birthday,” she finally said.

  “There’s only one thing that could make it more perfect,” he admitted.

  Ava’s breathe caught in her throat at the serious look on his face. “What?” she finally asked. Whatever he wanted, she knew she’d give it to him.

  His free hand, the
one not holding hers, slowly, tentatively lifted a tiny box up to her. He had been carrying it around in his front pocket all day, waiting for a quiet moment.

  “Gabe!” Ava gasped. “It’s your birthday, not mine!” Regardless, she let go of his hand to accept what he was offering.

  “I know,” Gabe said. “But if you say ‘yes,’ that would be the best birthday present ever.”

  Ava slowly let the small hinges of the dainty box creak open.

  “It’s just a promise ring,” Gabe quickly explained, wondering if it was too soon. “A promise that someday, when we’re ready, we’ll take the next step. If you want to.” He could do nothing but watch, heart pounding, as Ava just stared at the ring in the box. He didn’t want to rush her, but he hadn’t thought her answer would take so long. Maybe it had been a bad idea to do it on his birthday. Maybe she didn’t feel the way he thought she did. Or the way he did. Maybe she was taking so long because she was trying to find a polite way to tell him ‘no’ without ruining what had been a perfect day.

  “I know that I love you more than anything. I can’t imagine ever loving anyone else. But maybe you think it’s too soon.” He finally decided to admit his fear. “I know that maybe we haven’t been together as long as we should be before doing something like this. But at the same time, in the past half year we’ve been through more than most people have been through in a lifetime. We both know what it’s like to lose the other and I, for one, couldn’t live through losing you again. I can’t even think about living my life without you in it, for any reason. But there’s no pressure to rush things. We can wait for as long as you want—until we’re out of college even—before moving forward.”

  Leah had been helping Gabe get his necessary paperwork in order, much as she had helped Ava with hers earlier in the year. The likelihood of being accepted to Granville’s university for the spring semester was looking very promising. Meanwhile, Mike had moved Gabe into a fulltime position on the construction crew.

  She finally looked up at him. Her eyes were shiny, her lips rolled in for just a second before she answered. “What if I don’t want to wait that long? What if I’m ready for the next step now?”