The Angel

by Blaire Hammond

  She could never regret her past, because then she wouldn’t have been led to Logan, and she couldn’t imagine a life where he wasn’t in it.

  ‘So, future Mrs Walker, shall we go say hello to everyone.’

  Grace shot him a look. ‘Who said I’m taking your last name? What if I make you take mine?’

  Logan paused, then shrugged. ‘Sure, if you want. Crescent. It’s not a bad name. Drew might not like it but…’

  Grace giggled. ‘I’m just teasing. Of course I want to take your last name.’

  Logan bit his lip. ‘Are you sure?’

  Grace nodded, and Logan grinned at her, brown eyes sparkling.

  Grace leaned across and planted a kiss on his lips. Before she could draw away, Logan reached up and pulled her back, deepening the kiss further.

  There was a tap against the window and the two of them tugged away from one another.

  ‘Geeze, can a man and woman in love get any privacy around here?’ Logan grumbled, winding down the window to reveal Mitch staring in at them.

  ‘Really? You guys couldn’t have done that before you came?’ Mitch remarked.

  Logan glared up at him and Mitch shook his head.

  ‘Animals. You coming in or what?’

  Grace giggled at Logan’s face, then leaned across and said sweetly. ‘We’ll be right in. Don’t you dare kiss Gemma or I’ll label you a hypocrite for the rest of your life.’

  Mitch raised a brow at that. ‘I can restrain myself, unlike you two.’

  ‘We’ll see…’ Grace sang out as she wound up the window, turned to Logan, and planted her lips against his.

  She heard Mitch’s scoff through the glass and the two of them laughed, unable to help themselves.

  Grace rested her head against Logan’s shoulder for a moment, then forced a sigh.

  ‘I suppose we better head in if we want to catch Mitch going back on his word.’

  She moved to shift to the other side of the car again, but Logan stopped her.

  ‘Just one more minute. Let’s just stay like this for one more,’ he murmured.

  Grace smiled at the love in his eyes, the love written all over his face in fact. She’d never been so treasured before, so appreciated, and she would never take that for granted, especially after coming so close to losing Logan during the war. It had been a horrific time, a heartbreaking time, thinking of the possibility of actually facing a future where he was no longer there. But thanks to Laura, he had survived, and she would always be grateful to her.

  She nodded and rested her head against his shoulder, simply enjoying being there, with him, alive.

  ~

  Caspian stepped out of the taxi, his bag in hand, and peered up at the manor. It had been six months since he’d last been there, and it hadn’t changed one bit. Except from the people mingling about and the wild decorations of the ceremony set up, of course.

  Caspian smiled to himself as he saw Drew hurry from the Grand Manor doors, a bunch of flowers in hand. He wondered what they were for. Or who?

  Hoisting his bag up onto his shoulder, he started along the drive. He reached the doors to the Grand Manor and had just started to wander inside when he was almost knocked over by three younger children who raced past him.

  ‘Hey! No running!’ Stella shouted after them, about to rush outside in hot pursuit. But she paused, eyes locking on him. ‘Caspian?’

  Caspian placed his bag on the ground and wrapped his arms around Stella in an enormous hug.

  He’d spent the last year living and training with the Mariadies, just as Oscar had done, and as he and Oscar had planned to do together. He’d been staying in Oscar’s old room with Muka and Tahiki, and he’d been training hard, learning the ways of the Mariadies and their fighting techniques.

  He’d also been working closely with Loki, opening the trade routes with the Enchanted and reconnecting the Mariadies with the Spirit World. It had been a huge job, and there was still a way to go, but slowly the Mariadies were allowing the Enchanted a second chance, and the Enchanted were accepting of the Mariadies, respecting them for who they were and the talents they possessed.

  For the most part, he hadn’t seen his friends at the Manor much. He spoke with them weekly through phone calls, texts or emails, but his work was demanding, and he’d only managed to escape once to visit them. Knowing Laura and Gemma had their Ceremony, however, he had ensured he could take the time off to come to that. He wouldn’t miss it for the world.

  Stella pulled back, glancing at his exposed arm.

  ‘Is that a tattoo?!’ She exclaimed, turning his arm over to see the black markings that ringed his arm.

  ‘I already have a Falcon tattoo, Stel,’ Caspian countered.

  ‘I know, I know. What is this one for?’

  Caspian smiled a little, a smile of sadness and happiness. ‘It’s for Oscar. It’s the Mariadie tradition for those who wish to honour the fallen. I already had one for my parents. I thought it only fitting to have one for him, too.’

  Stella met his gaze, a mixed smile of her own on her lips. Caspian knew it was sadness for him and what he’d endured, along with happiness that he was before her again. She didn’t say anything further, though. Only hugged him again.

  ‘Caspian?’ Someone said from behind him.

  Caspian pulled back and peered over his shoulder to see Drew standing there, a grin on his face.

  Caspian laughed, turning and pulling his best friend in for a brotherly hug.

  ‘I missed you man! How long are you back for?’ Drew asked.

  Stella took Caspian’s bag and disappeared, allowing them a moment alone.

  ‘Only a few days,’ Caspian responded as they pulled apart. ‘I’ve, um… we’ll I’ve decided to stay on with them and train to be a full Mariadie Warrior. I love it there. I’ve learned so much. And I think it’s good for me. It makes me feel like I’m really making a difference, you know? And, well, I feel like Oscar would have wanted me to do it.’

  The mention of Oscar brought a small pang of pain to Caspian’s heart, but in a good way. He missed Oscar. He wished all the time he’d had more of a life with him. But he was coming to terms with his loss, and working with the Mariadies was helping that. The pain was less and less each day, allowing him to enjoy the memories he did have with Oscar.

  Drew gave his friend a nod of understanding. ‘I get it. I’m happy for you. I’m happy to see you’ve found your calling.’

  Caspian smiled in appreciation. ‘How about you? How’s Guardian life?’

  Drew had become a Guardian alongside his sister and Logan, the three of them fighting to ensure Elixir remained safe.

  ‘Good. Busy work, but it’s been fulfilling knowing I’m making a difference, like you said. It helps, I think. After all we’ve been through, knowing we’re making our mark on the world. It’s a good feeling.’

  Caspian understood exactly what Drew was saying.

  ‘Come see the others! They’ll be so excited that you’re here,’ Drew insisted, gesturing to him to come outside.

  Caspian followed after his friend, a smile on his face as he saw Laura and Gemma and Grace and everyone else in the distance, waiting for the ceremony to start. They were laughing and talking, and it warmed Caspian’s heart to see.

  Once, the Corin Grand Manor had been a sad place. A place where many struggled to accept the past and live in the present. A place where the future looked bleak.

  All that had changed.

  Caspian knew that, despite all he’d been through, despite the sorrow he felt over Oscar’s death, despite how much he missed his parents, he was content. He was alive and well, and he had a purpose. There were people who loved him, and regardless of all the losses, he still had a family waiting for him, there for him, no matter what.

  ~

  Mitch took his seat, watching on with pride as the ceremony began. Leo and Stella took to the platform to tell everyone about Laura and Gemma, sharing funny stories from their past and talking about all
they’d been through to make it to where they were.

  They spoke about Laura’s strength, her kindness, her consideration. They spoke about Gemma’s resilience, her determination, her loyalty.

  Then, they called Gemma to the stage so the Gods could release her power. She climbed the steps, the leather of her battle gear shining under the sun. She turned, her eyes locking with Mitch’s instantly.

  Mitch smiled, so incredibly proud of her. She’d been through so much. They both had. And they’d come out the other side of it stronger than ever.

  Above, the clouds parted, and a single stream of gold extended from the heavens. It came to land on Gemma, and she closed her eyes, relishing in the warmth that Mitch knew she’d be feeling.

  Slowly, a purple hue formed around her body, indicating she had been marked as a Witch, and the silver identity mark appeared on her wrist.

  Everyone clapped as the gold beam disappeared and Gemma opened her eyes, an enormous grin on her face. Mitch clapped the loudest, so happy to see the excitement reflecting on her face.

  She was officially a Witch, and she’d be coming under his guard at the Corin Force the following year. Life had been busy for him since taking up his new role. Being a leader of a whole city’s force was an enormous job. But he loved every moment of it. He was actually helping people. He was making a difference, and that meant something to him.

  He’d dedicated the achievement to Robin, and there hung a plaque to him in the Force Station, commemorating him for his sacrifice and for his constant support for everyone he knew. Mitch still made the effort to visit his cousin’s grave once a week, sometimes with Gemma, sometimes with family, and sometimes alone.

  He missed Robin, but somehow, visiting him and talking to him eased the loss. He didn’t feel so absent, and for some strange reason, Mitch had become sure of the fact that Robin was above, listening to him babble on, wishing he could tell him to shut up.

  It made him smile to think of his cousin as an Angel, helping others as he’d always wanted as well. He’d always been a lover, not a fighter, and becoming an Angel, whose soul job was to save lives, was probably the perfect role for Robin.

  Gemma stepped down from the platform before them, eyes fixed on Mitch. He couldn’t wait for their future together. She’d be moving in with him in the next week, and together they would continue to make a difference in the Force, doing what they could to construct a better life for the Humans and Enchanted.

  It was what they’d both wanted, and Mitch couldn’t wipe the grin from his face at the knowledge that he would be lucky enough to spend the rest of his life with the woman he loved so dearly by his side. It was a life worth fighting for. A life worth living.

  ~

  Logan smirked to himself while he watched Gemma and Grace talking and giggling together as they tested Gemma’s lightning. He couldn’t help but recall his own ceremony, in which he and Grace had done the same thing with their lightning.

  There was a short break before Laura would undergo her ceremony, and everyone mingled about, taking the opportunity to eat or drink something.

  Logan couldn’t help but sit and watch his future wife, though. He loved her. He loved her with all his heart, and he knew that beyond a shadow of a doubt. It had been a long road for them, but in the end, they’d received their happy future – the one they’d always dreamed of, even before they had met one another.

  They were soulmates, and Logan couldn’t imagine a life without her. After his scare, nearly losing his leg, he’d made a promise to himself to always spend his days enjoying the little things. The feeling of the air against his skin, the smell of food or freshly cut grass, the way Grace’s whole face lit up when she laughed.

  He was and would forever be grateful to Laura for gifting him with a second chance. He’d known that he would have lived even if he had lost his leg, but being so close to seeing life without it had made him so much more appreciative of the fact that he could walk.

  He’d been given a new start, and there was no way he would stuff it up. He would spend his life grasping on to the moments, those moments he perhaps would have once let pass by.

  Grace locked eyes with him, and she smiled, beckoning him over. He gave her a lopsided grin and stood, jogging over to her side, to his friends and families sides.

  No, he would never take the good in his life for granted again. He would accept the love he was given, and he would love in return.

  He would live, in return.

  ~

  Laura bounded up beside Drew, and he grinned down at her. She was adorable when she was excited.

  ‘I have someone I want you to meet. Well, a few someone’s, actually.’

  Drew eyed her suspiciously. ‘Don’t tell me it’s another man.’

  Laura laughed. ‘It is, actually. Two other men, two woman, and two kids!’

  Drew paused. ‘Wait, what are you talking about?’

  Laura turned to look at him, the joy on her face infectious.

  ‘You know that six months ago I hired a detective to see if my mother had any family still alive. When she was exiled from the Enchanted, she had to say goodbye to her family. She could never see them again, which is why I never got to meet them. But…’

  Laura took his hand and began tugging her towards where an elderly couple waited with a woman, man and two little girls.

  ‘The detective found them,’ Laura told Drew over her shoulder.

  ‘Seriously?’ Drew gasped, a smile creeping onto her face. ‘You have other family?’

  Laura nodded. ‘I have other family!’

  Drew couldn’t express in words how happy he was for Laura. Instead, he followed her, allowing her to rejoice in the knowledge that she had more family – actual blood family.

  They came to stop in front of the little group, who were all beaming at Laura.

  ‘Everyone, I want you to meet my boyfriend, Drew. Drew, this is my grandma and grandpa, they said I could call them that. And my aunty Laura.’

  Drew turned to face Laura, and saw the tears welling in her eyes as she smiled at him. ‘Mum must have named me after her. Aunty Laura told me that they had been best friends, the closest of sisters, before mum had to leave. I think this was mum’s way of having her love for her sister carry on. Through me.’

  Drew could see how much it meant to Laura, and glancing at her Aunty, noticing the tears in her own eyes, he could see how much it meant to her, too.

  ‘All this time, I never knew she’d named her little girl after me. I’d never known she even had a daughter, we weren’t allowed to contact her at all,’ Aunty Laura said.

  Laura hugged her aunty, and Drew felt a sense of joy overtake him at seeing how happy it made Laura.

  They pulled away and Laura quickly wiped her eyes, as did her Aunty.

  ‘It’s nice to meet you, Drew. Laura has already told us so much about you. This is my Husband, Grant, and our daughters Alicia and Cress.’

  ‘It’s lovely to meet you, all of you, too,’ Drew said, and before he knew it he was being drawn into hugs with Laura’s grandparents and Aunty.

  The little girls stared shyly up at him, and he waved down at them, mouthing hi. They giggled, then hid behind their father’s legs.

  ‘They’re a little new to this. We don’t really take them out much since… well the war and everything,’ Grant explained.

  Drew shook his head. ‘No need to worry. Its fine, we understand. It’s been a hard year for us all.’

  Grant agreed. ‘It sure has.’

  Drew watched on as Laura chatted happily with her family, jumping in every now and again when she looked to him for confirmation on something. But really, he was just content watching her. Seeing the sparkle in her eyes, the smile on her lips, the dimples in her cheeks, it was enough to grant him a lifetime of happy memories.

  He couldn’t wait to see what their actual future held, though. They were both busy with their jobs, Laura with her training and being Chief of the Casters, and him with h
is position with the Guardians. But through all that, they still found the time to contribute where they could, working with the Lastrala Minor Court’s to continue to better the lives for those who use to be Wicked.

  They did whatever they could to find jobs for the Diviners, as they were called, and continued to integrate them into the Enchanted society. It was satisfying work when the outcome resulted in happy people, but there were still the occasional difficult situations. They were working on it, though. Nothing simply changed overnight.

  Even so, they’d managed to start up the Creshan foundation, in honour of the young man who’d fought for the life the Diviners were receiving, and gave up his own life in return. It was a place where the Diviners could come to meet and talk and seek help on a matter. It was a safe place for them – a place that allowed them the time they required to come to terms with the new world.

  There was a hush from the crowd, and Stella and Leo took to the platform, calling everyone back to their seats. Laura swivelled, grasping Drew’s arm.

  ‘It’s my turn,’ she squeaked.

  Drew pressed a kiss to her forehead. ‘You’ll do great.’

  Laura peered up at him, her large hazel and gold eyes glimmering under the sunlight.

  ‘I love you,’ she said.

  He couldn’t help it. He kissed her on the lips, quick and loving. He’d come so close to losing her, and he never wanted another day to go by where he didn’t show her how much he loved her.

  ‘I love you too, with all my heart,’ he whispered to her.

  She smiled, sucked in a breath, and turned to take her place atop the platform.

  Drew watched, his signature grin on his own lips. Yes, he would have a wonderful life. He just knew it.

  ~

  Laura stood, staring out at the crowd. All her friends; Caspian, Gemma, Mitch, Grace, Logan and Drew sat there, in the front row. Stella and Leo were there too, eyes fixed on her, smiles of encouragement and joy on their faces.

  Further back in the crowd were the rest of the kids from the Grand Manor, Force Members, Guardians, Friends and ex Corin Manor residents. Even a few of her Caster friends had made the journey, along with Obverse and General Lain. She had invited Loki, but she had politely declined, which Laura had respected. Baby steps.