by Mary Ting
“Thanks,” I said, thinking he was always so thoughtful and concerned about my needs.
Sure enough, he was right. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I took the first bite. I devoured my dinner—salad and spaghetti with meatballs. Afterward, we enjoyed chocolate-covered strawberries and sat there talking and marveling at each other
until it was time to leave.
Chapter Eighteen
Katherine sat on her luxurious, black leather chair behind her desk and gazed out the window at an endless, blue sky. She was daydreaming about the day when she promised Lucy she would assign a guardian to watch over Claudia. Her thoughts were interrupted when there was a soft knock on the door.
“Come in,” she said, knowing who was on the other side.
Austin, Holly, and Patrick walked in.
“You’re late,” Katherine said in monotone, resting her arms on the table. “I expect my son to be here on time.” Her lips twisted with discontent.
“My apologies. We were tracking a demon who was trying to capture a girl name Claudia, but it got away,” Austin said.
“That’s not good news.”
“We do have a lead. We will arrange this with the alkins and follow up on it,” Austin continued.
“Where is this lead taking you?”
“A night club,” he muttered under his breath.
“A night club? Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“Try not to get too distracted.” Katherine’s eye brows furrowed.
“Yes. Of course.” Austin winked at Patrick.
“Have you sent the watchers to guard all the Claudias?”
“Yes, all over the world. But I’ve left some to watch here, Nubilus City, Grand View Hotel, and Island of Eden,” Austin replied.
“Good. I don’t want to hear about any more deaths. These poor girls,” Katherine stated. She stood up and walked toward the front of her desk. “Margaret from Crossroads will be gracing us with her presence. Patrick, could you get the door?”
Patrick nodded. On cue, Margaret appeared. “Welcome, my Lady Margaret,” he greeted, admiring her grand, magnificent wings, and he bowed.
Margaret folded her wings, revealing a turquoise dress that she wore underneath her white cape. The hood of her cape loosely hung over her head. When she glided forward toward them, her cape swept the floor, and everyone acknowledged her with a bow except for Katherine. Katherine walked toward her and gave her a warm hug and a kiss on each cheek.
“It’s good to see you, Margaret,” Katherine said, leading her to the leather sofa.
Margaret pulled the hood of her cape down, revealing her long, silky, lustrous cascade of brown hair. “It’s good to see you too Katherine. Phillip and Agnes send their regards. They would be here as well, but they are keeping an eye on Caleb.”
“Yes, I heard what happened. I hope he will recover quickly.”
“It’s a good thing it was only a puncture wound,” Margaret commented.
“You remember Austin, Holly, and Patrick.”
“Yes,” Margaret said smiling. “It’s nice to see you again. It’s been a long time.”
“Margaret, you asked for this meeting. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Yes, we have a few questions and concerns that cannot wait.” Margaret looked at the venators.
“I completely trust them. It’s okay.” Katherine smiled, reassuring her.
“I’d rather we spoke in private,” Margaret requested.
“Fair enough.” Katherine turned to the venators, but they already knew what to do as they headed out, closing the door behind them.
Margaret continued. “Since the Royal Council has retired, the Divine Elders make decisions regarding matters on Earth. What are your plans concerning Claudia Emerson?”
“Yes, sorry you were the last to find out; however, you already know where I stand with this issue. What I believed a lifetime ago and what I believe now is the same. I still believe angels and humans can co-exist. There was no need to flood the land…poor Noah. And what has that proven? Even after the flood, the nephilim still exist today. I did not believe it was right to take the alkins away from their parents. They are the first generation and the only generation up on Crossroads. It would have worked out, but we will never know.”
“We don’t know what is right from wrong anymore regarding this matter; therefore, we at Crossroads agreed not to intervene with the decision of the Divine Elders,” Margaret said. “We really have no choice since the decision has already been made. Claudia stays here, under your protection. Please know that if you need our help, do not hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you. The alkins have been very helpful, and we appreciate their help. Regardless of our decision, Claudia is the only person that can defeat Aliah, so we really don’t have any choice. Lucy did the right thing by keeping her a secret. The Royal Council would have taken her and that would have left us no assurance of defeat.”
“How is it that she can defeat Aliah? What is it that she must do?” Margaret inquired.
“I don’t know. Only she will know when the time presents the opportunity. All I know is that her soul will guide her. She has no training, whatsoever. We are going to have to guide and teach her self-defense at least. I will arrange this with Austin. Unlike us and the other nephilim, her powers do not work the way ours do. Lucy has sealed her powers for too long. She thinks she is fully human.”
“Then how will she know what to do?”
“I do not know the answer.” Katherine’s heart felt heavy. She desperately wanted to help and guide Claudia, but didn’t know how.
“Does the Royal Council know of Claudia’s existence?”
“Odd as this may sound, yes. They left the decision in our hands. They won’t intervene with humans anymore. Since the Divine Elders are in position to make such decisions, we have agreed that she stays. Everything has a purpose. We’ll just have to let it unfold the way it was meant to.”
“Hmmm…perhaps you’re right. But we are putting our faith in this one child who has no idea what she is doing. Before I forget, I brought you something from Halo City.”
“A gift is not necessary, but I thank you.”
“It belonged to Aden. He never used it, and we took it away when he was against us. We are currently using this on Caleb.” Margaret pulled out a small, golden box that was safely tucked inside the pockets of her cape. She opened it and pulled out a ring, the color of turquoise. It was fourteen carat crystal, rectangular in shape, and facet on white gold band.
“The healing crystal,” Katherine said with exhilaration. “It’s absolutely stunning when it’s on a ring compared to the rock we received!” She laughed out loud. “I don’t know what to say!” Katherine placed it on her middle finger and admired the beauty as it sparkled brilliantly.
“As you already know, this crystal is an antidote. We thought to bring this to you when Caleb was injured. I gave Caleb mine, so we have one less. Since the alkins are down here often, I wanted to make sure you would have an extra one just in case. I hope you’ll never have to use it.”
“Me too,” Katherine agreed. “What about Zachariah’s healing crystal?”
“I’m keeping it for Michael. I believe it is his to keep. When the time is right, I will give it to him.”
“Does Michael know about his past?”
“No. We have held that information from him. We thought it was for the best. It would be too painful to inform him, that while he was fighting alongside Aden, Aden killed his father. How do you think this poor child would feel?”
“I just hope that he never finds out.”
“We are trying our best to keep loose ends closed.” Margaret heaved a heavy sigh. “It’s too bad Michael was not born of this century. He would have made a fine addition to the venator team you have created.”
“True, but I can still use his help. I’m just grateful the Royal Council agreed to allow my son to be here with me on Earth along with the rest of th
e nephilim I found. Holly and Patrick are great examples.”
“Yes,” Margaret nodded in agreement. “Times have changed, and I’m glad the Royal Council realized we need to make changes that are necessary.”
“I’m glad you understand,” Katherine said and changed the subject as she gazed at the ring.” Please do tell me how the crystal works. Since I’ve never had to use mine, I’m curious.”
“It’s simple. You don’t need divine words. Take the crystal out, place it on the wound, and let it perform the miracle it is meant to do.”
“So, it really works,” Katherine said with relief.
“Do you doubt the gift from the Royal Council?”
“No, of course not, but we were all given only one; one to use for our entire life.”
“At least it’s better than none. We have a chance to save any one of us. You can actually think of it as having twelve…I mean eleven now, instead of one, since the twelve of us each received one as a gift.”
“How did you know to use it on Caleb?”
“When we saw the small puncture wound on Caleb that should’ve healed quickly and did not, we concluded that Aliah must have taken the crystal with him.”
Katherine admired the ring once more. “It shall stay with me at all times. I hope there will be no need to use this. I don’t like to imagine one of our own injured…or worse, dead.”
“Yes, I agree. It must be difficult for you, living among humans and trying to overcome human needs and temptations.” Margaret said sympathetically.
“Yes, how I do enjoy the material things.” Katherine gazed at her bracelet that was made of pearls and crystals. Then she let out a guilty sigh. “As you already know, I fell in love with a human once…” Katherine said shamefully as she paused.
“Go on. I will not judge you,” Margaret encouraged.
“We outlive them. It was the most painful experience I have ever known. One thing that gave me the will to go on was our child. To carry a miracle inside you and hold him in your arms is a feeling one can never forget.” Katherine’s eyes shimmered with love and pride.
“I will never know the feeling, but from how you are describing it, it makes me want to have a child of my own. I’ve always wondered what it was like.”
“Giving birth was easy for me, but for humans, it can be quite painful. Regardless of the pain and suffering of morning sickness and giving birth, they do it many times. I don’t know how the humans endure so much pain and suffering; life is not so glamorous for many. I’m glad we are here to help, but many are much stronger than we think. They have hope and endurance.”
“I wouldn’t know, but you are the expert since you live among them. Tell me…I am curious…if human mothers carry their child for nine months, was it the same for you?” Margaret inquired.
“No. The duration of pregnancy is about three months. Austin is my pride and joy and I do not wish him the same fate as mine. I tried to shelter him from human emotions. I told him that his father passed away before he was born so he would not try to seek him and become emotionally attached. I will have to face what I have done one day; however, creating him was the start of the venators. Regardless of what he wants, he is still part angel, a son of one of the Twelve. When the time is right, he shall sit on the throne with the rest of us. After all, we do need to find a replacement for Aden’s and Zachariah’s seats.”
“Keep in mind that we need to make decisions of such sort with the other Divine Elders,” Margaret advised with a quick smile. “Any decisions.” Then she stood up, and Katherine followed. “It was a pleasure to see you,” Margaret’s lips curled into a smile. “The humans are learning the value of life, and there is less violence in this world. We need to thank the watchers, venators, and especially the Earth angels for all their hard work and efforts. It is not easy when dealing with human emotions and at the same time, trying to fight our own demons. We are not God. We are angels with free will to do good deeds or not; however, if Aliah gains his power back, we will all be doomed.”
“Don’t be so pessimistic, Margaret. You are underestimating the power of good,” Katherine said.
“Maybe so…I just like to tell it how it could be. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Anyway, I’m sure you have many things to take care of, and I have already taken enough of your time.” Margaret turned to hug Katherine, pulled up the hood of her cape, and walked out the door.
Claudia fell asleep in Michael’s arms, and he flew her back to her bedroom. As he lay with her, he felt a lump under her blanket. When he pulled it out, he realized it was his T-shirt. Knowing she still had it touched him warmly, and he could not suppress a satisfied grin. He stared at her with admiration while his heart beat with love. He knew he should let her be…let her get her rest. He couldn’t help himself as he gently traced the outline of her nose, eyes, and lips. Feeling electrified, his blood swiftly raced through his veins at the mere touch of her skin.
He wanted her to wake up to have her set her beautiful eyes on his…to have her lay her lips on his. She was so exhausted that she slept through all his touches. Michael swiftly craned his neck as he sensed a presence.
Austin stood by the window, staring down at Michael and Claudia. His heart sank, but he tried not to show it. He knew it would never work. It wasn’t the fact that she loved Michael. He could fight for her, but what was the point? Even if she allowed it, they could never be…it was forbidden. He could break the rules, but his mother was one of the Twelve. He could not disappoint her. He thought if she hated him, it would make it easier for him, but it didn’t. It only felt worse. He now knew that he’d rather have her as a friend than nothing.
“I heard Caleb is doing better?” Austin said, surprising Michael with his concern for Caleb.
Michael slowly removed his left arm, tucked under Claudia’s neck. He stood up carefully, trying not to disturb her.
“I haven’t seen him yet, but I was told he is doing better. Thank you for asking.”
Austin gave Michael a quick smile. “So, I guess it’s my turn to watch.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of her.”
“I’m sure you will,” Michael sneered.
Austin ignored his sarcasm and changed the subject. “You know you’ll end up hurting her at the end.”
“You are talking about something you have no idea about. Do not accuse me of something we both agreed upon. You think that it will have no effect on me once I have to leave her permanently? You think I can just forget about her? I will die the day I have to leave. My heart and soul will be here with her. Until we are united again, I will be at Crossroads without a heart and soul. Do you understand?” Michael’s tone got a bit louder, but it was soft enough not to disturb Claudia’s sleep.
“I can imagine your pain, for I feel it now. I know she loves you. What I don’t understand is that you have broken one of your Divine Commandants, which is the same as the one for the venators: thou shall not love mortals. But you seem fine with it.”
“Yes, you’re right. I don’t care. When it comes to being with Claudia, I’ll break all the Commandants. I can’t explain love to you—nobody can. It’s something you feel and you can’t let go, no matter how hard you try. When you find the one, there isn’t anything you wouldn’t do.”
“If what I feel is love, I don’t like it…especially when it’s not returned.”
“What you are feeling is called rejection,” Michael said and slapped him on the back.
“Well, no wonder. I’ve never been rejected in my lifetime,” Austin muttered. “No mortals can resist me, except for one. We can’t really count her; she is half after all.”
“I should get going. You behave now,” Michael reminded.
“Afraid of a little competition?” Austin teased.
“Nope, afraid of what Claudia will do to you when her power emerges, so you better watch out,” Michael warned. “She is a fighter. You should’ve heard what she did
to Ryan, her ex-boyfriend.”
“I know. I was there.”
“You were? Why didn’t Claudia tell me?” Michael looked puzzled.
“Maybe, she was trying to keep me a secret.”
“Rather, you’re just easy to forget,” Michael scoffed. Then he thought about that night. Claudia was upset with him for not knowing she needed him. “That’s why I didn’t know she was in danger. It was because of you. You were there, and Claudia didn’t know you were an angel. Now it all makes sense.”
Michael engulfed Claudia one last time and turned to Austin. “It would be wise if you knock on the front door next time. The door has a purpose. You may not want to see the things we do when no one’s around.”
He let out a quick smile and disappeared into the night.
Chapter Nineteen
Another week went by and all was calm. Mr. Cain was no longer our substitute. He was replaced by Mrs. Weber, who cancelled our project since it wasn’t her assignment. I wondered what happened to Mr. Cain since Nicholas took over his body and mind. I hadn’t known him that long, but I was greatly worried for him. I wondered if he had a wife or children. Would anyone miss him?
Mom called almost every day apologizing for not being there with me. I told her that I was fine and that she didn’t need to treat me like a child. She also said that the doctor predicted that her friend just had a month left to live. Mom wanted to be there with her for Christmas since her friend was being released from the hospital. She asked me to join her during Christmas vacation, but I fibbed and said that I had asked Mrs. Lee to schedule me in for the whole break. I actually wanted to spend some time with my friends.
Patty had done a wonderful job decorating. She’d hung multi-colored lights and gold streamers behind the register and on the dressing room doors. Colorfully wrapped Christmas boxes were stacked neatly on top of the clothing rack, and she’d even placed a small fake Christmas tree, decorated with red ribbons and various ornaments, by the entrance. As the fragrance of poinsettias and the sounds of Christmas melodies filled the store, it was definitely festive.