Angel Incarnate: Second Sight

by Linda Creel

  “I thought we were just supposed to take Gracie.”

  “You need to take all of the little ones. If they are left behind, they will be severely punished. I will try to help silence the guards, but you need to hurry before Verah returns with their food.”

  Tracy turned to Bren. “Let’s get this over with so we can beat feet out of here.”

  “Ready when you are.”

  Bren removed the shield to make her and Tracy visible before they slowly approached the guards.

  “Hey – what are you two doing out of the house?” Punk Guy asked.

  Bren and Tracy extended their fingers and called for Gabriel’s weapon. A clear mist shot out of their hands and wrapped itself around the throats of Punk Guy and his friend Elvis. A second later, they were both on the ground gasping for breath.

  One of the dark wings rushed to their side, while another approached Bren and Tracy, who stood defiantly still.

  “Bree and Tercia – it’s not possible – I saw Mortriel kill you both. Angels can’t be resurrected.”

  A pair of fallen tried to run towards the village to notify their friends, but when they hit the shield, it knocked them to the ground. Bren and Tracy watched triumphantly as the dark wings continued to try to break through the barrier, without success.

  Alorrah’s voice re-entered their thoughts.

  “Use your weapons and kill them now. There isn’t much time. My powers can only silence them for so long. Tracy can call for Bodhi’s bow; you will need Gabriel’s sword, Bren.”

  As they envisioned the weapons, the girls extended their fingers and raised them towards the sky. Instantly, a small golden bow and quiver of arrows fell in front of Tracy’s feet. She placed the quiver around her shoulders and notched one of the arrows into the bow.

  Bren tightened her grip around Gabriel’s sword which fell from the sky with a thunderous clap.

  The weapons were magnificent; the light from the sword cast a brilliant shadow over their bearers. Even though they were made for the archangels, Bren and Tracy had no problem handling them.

  Recognizing the sword of Gabriel, the fallen angels struggled to free themselves from Bren’s shield, but their efforts were futile.

  Their faces grew red with rage, and the angrier they became, the more Bren and Tracy provoked them. Though they stood within arm’s length, the dark ones couldn’t touch the small angel-bloods.

  A vision of her angel friends dying and burning flashed before Bren’s eyes. It was time to avenge their deaths.

  “You like hurting little girls?” Bren asked. “We’re not going to hurt you; we’re going to kill you, and then we’re going to watch you burn!”

  Despite his lack of breath, Punk Guy decided to use his last words to offer a threat. He pulled himself to his knees, and then turned to face Bren.

  “Mortriel killed you once; he will enjoy killing you a second time.”

  Bren’s face was expressionless. “Yeah – we’ll see. Now, say goodbye to your friends.”

  Punk Guy and Elvis were the first to die. The girls increased the strength of the vapor until there was no breath left in the dark wing’s bodies, and they lay motionless on the ground.

  The shield was already immobilizing the others, and Bren and Tracy became more determined as the dark wings became desperate to break through the barrier.

  Despite being outnumbered, the girls moved swiftly – Bren beheading her opponents, while Tracy’s arrows took out the rest. Puddles of thick black ichor -- the blood of the fallen -- stained the grass.

  Some of the angel-bloods came to the door to witness the massacre. They didn’t know who these little warriors were, but prayed they were friends.

  When the last dark wing fell, the weapons disappeared, and Bren and Tracy ran up the steps and entered the house.

  Seeing the condition of the children made them want to cry. Many were dressed in clothing that was dirty, ragged and worn. Their hair was uncombed, and they were barefoot. Fresh marks were visible on their arms and legs -- a reminder of the recent beatings they endured.

  Bren and Tracy quickly gathered them together, not asking their names. There would be time for that later. They counted seven, including Gracie; all three and four years of age.

  Alorrah spoke again.

  “Take the lanterns outside and douse the dead with the kerosene. You’ll find matches on one of the tables. When you have finished, let the little ones burn them. Then, have everyone hold hands and take them back to Aeden. Don’t dally – their friends will come when they see the flames. Tell Gracie her sister is with me, and I promise to keep her safe.”

  There were a dozen lanterns on the porch. Bren and Tracy quickly emptied their liquid contents on the fallen angels. Most of the captives insisted on helping. They were shown how to safely strike the matches, and then throw them on the bodies. It didn’t take long before a thick, black cloud of smoke filled the air.

  Bren watched another fallen approach from the village. The shield continued to protect her and the girls, but they were running out of time.

  Staring at her and Tracy, his eyes widened in shock. He recognized them too, but how – these angels both died in the war?

  It wouldn’t be long before the rest of the dark wings arrived. “We have to leave, now,” Bren said. She had them form a circle and hold hands.

  “Hurry, and don’t let go of each other,” she cautioned.

  Chapter 9

  Before Paul announced their presence, Gabriel hurried into the kitchen to see if the girls had returned. He found Aura standing at the stove, stirring a pot of vegetable soup.

  “Where are my little ones?” the archangel asked.

  “They’re probably upstairs in their room,” Aura said.

  Without waiting for her to question his sudden appearance, Gabriel climbed the stairs two at a time until he reached the top landing.

  After finding each of the rooms empty, he called for Bren and Tracy. When they didn’t rush to greet him, he knew they weren’t back from Purgatory. Disappointed, he walked down the steps and returned to the kitchen.

  It wasn’t like Gabriel to be rude. Aura stirred the soup one last time, and turned off the burner. She replaced the lid, and then washed her hands, drying them on her apron.

  “Did you find them?” she asked.

  “No – they weren’t in any of the rooms.”

  “I suppose we should just wait,” Paul said. “I’m sure they’ll be back soon.”

  “Back – back from where?” Aura asked. Bren and Tracy knew never to leave the house without permission.

  “I’m going to have a look around the property,” Adam remarked. “I want to make sure we don’t have any uninvited guests hiding in the park.”

  “That’s not necessary,” Eve said as she entered the kitchen with Adam’s wife Angie. “Aeden is secure.”

  Unlike her best friend Eve, whose deep chestnut tresses touched her waist, Angie’s honey-blonde hair fell just below her shoulders. Both mothers demonstrated kindness in their turquoise eyes.

  Eve placed her hand on Gabriel’s arm. “Bren and Tracy are on their way with the angel-bloods. I suggest we have some tea while we wait for them.”

  The archangel nodded, and then took a seat at the kitchen table while Aura brought a freshly-brewed kettle of tea and some cups.

  Eve placed a cold Pepsi in front of Gabriel who reached for one of the leftover brownies, and waited for Paul to explain Bren and Tracy’s mission.

  “Where are the rest of the girls?” Paul asked his wife.

  “They decided to spend the night in New York and are expected home tomorrow. Should I ask them to come back now?”

  “No -- I don’t think they are in any danger.”

  Befuddled, Aura looked at her parents waiting for an explanation. “Will someone please tell me what’s going on?”

  “We were just informed some of the angel-bloods who live in the outlying areas have been murdered, and their young daughters were taken captiv
e,” Paul said. “According to Esra, this has been going on for some time now. The most recent victim was the wife of Josiah, a member of the Elite Guard. Both his daughters were taken – one to Hell – the other to Purgatory – an island most of the dark wings call home.”

  “What does this have to do with Bren and Tracy?”

  “They have gone on a rescue mission.”

  Aura collapsed in one of the chairs and stared incredulously at her father. She was angry, but more than that, she was scared.

  “How could you let them leave? They’re not even five years old. We’ve known full-grown angels who have died by the hands of the fallen. What if I never see them again?”

  Your sister is much older than five human years, but that is a discussion we will have another time. “Bren and Tracy are fine,” Eve insisted.

  “How did they know where to go? Did someone show them the way?”

  Eve didn’t want Aura to know about Bren’s second sight. She shrugged her shoulders. “When they come home, you can ask your sister. The angel-bloods will be with them, so I hope you won’t make them feel uncomfortable.”

  Hearing the front door slam, Aura ran from the kitchen, with her parents and Gabriel following. Bren and Tracy had returned with the tiny waifs they had rescued.

  Paul had no words for what he saw.

  All of the children were wounded, some worse than others. The exception was a young girl who was trying to help those with the nastiest injuries.

  She must be Josiah’s daughter, Gracie. She is trying to be so brave, putting her own grief aside to help the others.

  The rest of the group couldn’t help staring at the horrific marks on the arms and legs of the little girls. Some of their wounds had begun to heal, while others were still open and raw. They had to be in pain, yet none of the children complained.

  Eve swallowed the lump in her throat; Angie had to turn away, trying to choke back the tears that were streaming quietly down her cheeks.

  Aura wanted to be angry with Bren and Tracy, but after seeing the condition of the children, she understood why her sister needed to rescue them.

  Gabriel pulled Bren and Tracy into a fierce hug, and the dam of flood waters they had been holding back finally broke loose. “We kicked their ass,” Bren said between sobs. Gabriel nodded, and pulled them closer.

  Aura sat on the living room floor and opened her arms, beckoning the children to come closer. At first, they were apprehensive, but then, they slowly nudged towards her. She spoke in a soft voice.

  “This is our family. We’ll take good care of you until we can find your relatives.”

  One of the four year olds started to cry. “What’s wrong?” Aura asked.

  “Mommy and Daddy are gone; I don’t have anybody else.”

  “What if they come for us?” another asked. “I don’t want to go back there again.”

  Eve knelt beside them and forced a weak smile.

  “You’ll stay here with us. None of you have to leave if you don’t want to. We have plenty of room, and our valley is protected, so you don’t have to be afraid. Mortriel will never touch you again.”

  The front door opened.

  Standing before them was Raphael – the healer. Looking more like a mortal, than an angel, he was wearing blue jeans and a white cotton polo shirt; his shoulder-length blonde hair was secured with a leather band.

  He took one look at the girls, and knew he would be busy since some of the burns were made with hell-fire. Regarded as one of the kindest and most fun-loving of all the archangels, he couldn’t help be angered by the treatment of such innocent children.

  “Thank you for coming, Brother,” Gabriel whispered.

  “This is Raphael – he is known as God’s Medicine. He’ll fix you,” Aura said.

  One by one she handed the girls to the archangel. As soon as they were healed, Eve, and Angie, who was finally composed enough to help, led the children upstairs where bubble baths were waiting.

  None of the children were older than four years, and since Aura kept all of her childhood clothes, she was sure they could find something to fit each of them.

  While the children were being bathed, Paul and Adam left to buy cheeseburgers, French fries, and assorted flavored milkshakes. Aura put the vegetable soup in plastic containers. They could heat it up for lunch the next day.

  By the time the children were bathed and dressed, they were taken to the family room. Since they would be eating fast food, Aura thought they would be more comfortable playing video games and watching television as they ate.

  When the last child was healed, Raphael left, but Gabriel stayed behind with Bren and Tracy.

  It didn’t take long for the children to be feel safe in their new surroundings, and Aura almost cried when she heard them laughing.

  Wearing beautiful dresses, their hair was decorated with satin ribbons.

  If she didn’t know better, she would have never known they had been prisoners until a few hours ago. But she did know. She couldn’t imagine the suffering they had endured, and knew others were still there. Eventually, she would find a way to bring them home too, if they were still alive.

  Mortriel wouldn’t hesitate to take out his anger on the children, especially if they were angel-bloods.

  Bren and Tracy fell asleep in Gabriel’s arms after dinner. They offered to show him what happened in Purgatory, but he decided against it. There was no need to remind the little ones of that hellish place again.

  One of the rooms on the lower level of Aura’s house had been converted to a dormitory, which could hold several dozen children.

  Gabriel placed Bren and Tracy in one of the beds, and then kissed them goodnight before he returned to Heaven. Nightlights were situated around the room, and would remain lit.

  The other beds were large enough to sleep three or four comfortably. Paul and Adam pulled them closer together, while Eve and Angie went home to get their nightgowns. They decided to spend the night in case some of the children had nightmares.

  Gracie insisted on sleeping with Bren and Tracy. When she crawled in the bed beside them, all three went to sleep holding hands.

  Aura showered, and put on a cotton camisole and short pajama bottoms before returning to the dorm.

  Angie had two girls in one bed; Eve another pair in bed with her. Aura would sleep with the last two. As she wrapped her arms around them, she hoped they would have sweet dreams.

  She gazed at her sister and Tracy. They were so grown up.

  Rescuing the little girls was something even the most gifted angels wouldn’t have considered. Yet, these young angel-bloods never gave it a second thought. Aura couldn’t have been more proud, but knew there would be repercussions from Lucifer and his son.

  “Please Father -- give us the strength we need to defeat our enemies.”

  She turned out the light and snuggled next to her tiny friends. As soon as her eyes closed, the visions started. Everything that happened to those girls in Purgatory played like a horror movie in her head.

  Aura pulled the girls closer, and cried herself to sleep.

  Chapter 10

  By the time Mortriel arrived in Purgatory, the black smoke had dissipated.

  Stopping at one of the outdoor cafes, he noticed the streets were unusually quiet. He approached a small group of fallen sitting nervously at one of the tables.

  “Bring the new girl to me,” he bellowed to one of them.

  Beads of sweat appeared on the fallen angels lip and forehead. He wiped his brow with a napkin and stared at the ground.

  “My Lord – there has been an attack. The guards are dead, and the angel-bloods have been taken. The child isn’t here.”

  Mortriel slammed his fist into the table shattering the glass top. “How is that possible? This island is impenetrable. Where was my army when this happened?”

  “They are with the ashes, My Lord.” While his friends huddled in silence, the fallen angel cleared his throat, and tried to explain what he had wit
nessed.

  “I saw the flames and went to investigate. When I arrived outside the children’s dormitory, the guards were lying on the ground; some had been beheaded. A barrier prevented me from reaching them. I stood and watched as Bree and Tercia burned the bodies, and then disappeared with the prisoners.”

  The veins in Mortriel’s neck pulsed with fury. He grabbed the fallen angel by the throat and lifted him off the ground. “Bree and Tercia are dead!”

  Knowing his temper was out of control, the other guards tried to flee. With his free hand, Mortriel grabbed another of them, and threw him against a brick building where he landed with a loud thud.

  “Unless you want to join your cowardly friend, you’ll stay where you are,” Mortriel warned the others.

  Hearing the noise and shrill sound of the dark prince’s voice, the remaining angel-bloods ran out of the shops and cowered together in the middle of the square. Mortriel looked in their direction, and turned back to glare at the guard. “You told me they were gone, yet here they stand.”

  Mortriel’s hands were still around his throat, but the fallen angel managed to respond in a raspy voice.

  “Bree and Tercia wouldn’t risk coming into the square; there were too many of us. They only took the youngest. I swear on my life it was them.”

  How could they be alive? I stood over their dead bodies. There are only two angels who can resurrect another with a drop of their blood – Virgil, and my father. Virgil gave up his wings years ago and my father would never bring back an enemy. What game is the Creator playing with me?

  Mortriel loosened his grip, and the guard fell to his knees, holding his neck. While he was still on the ground, Samhael arrived.

  “I know you’re upset with Father, but you don’t have to take it out on our brothers,” he chided. “What did this one do to deserve such a harsh punishment?”

  “This fool swears Bree and Tercia killed our guards and rescued the youngest angel-bloods.”

  Without divulging the secret Lucifer made him promise to keep, Samhael looked at the girls who were still standing in the street. “Don’t be ridiculous – they’re right there.”