Just then Sidelle sprinted around the house, pursued by two Marqs. I hoped there weren’t any more lingering, because my friends seemed to have their hands full with the last five. Kieran, Shay, Sidelle, and the new man—who I realized was with Sidelle—used distractions and dodging techniques on the Marqs, leaving the actual killing to Vash, who picked them off one by one.
They were fighting these creatures to save me. I wasn’t in any danger right now, but they were risking their lives.
I have to help.
“Stay here,” I told my friends and sister.
They nodded, looking as if they couldn’t agree more. Then my protective shield vanished.
When I approached the doorway, Shay’s eyes found mine, and he shook his head. I knew he didn’t want me coming out there and putting myself in harm’s way, but I couldn’t just stand by and watch them die.
Vash killed another demon who’d gotten cornered by Sidelle and her friend, and that left three. I could see the strain in Vash’s eyes and knew he was tiring. He couldn’t fight forever. We needed to finish this.
Steeling myself, I walked past the door and was relieved to feel my purple orb encase me again. I floated toward Shay, emitting a soft glow like theirs, then I extended my arm toward Shay. My orb swelled outward, merging with Kieran’s white orb and swallowing Shay as well, allowing me to take their hands. We formed a circle in the center of the yard, and the light around us intensified, taking on a slight purplish hue.
I didn’t know what caused me to glow, and I didn’t know how to control it. All I understood was that I had to trust myself and do what felt right. I concentrated on my light, trying to make it as bright as Kieran’s. As soon as the thought passed through my mind, the burn strengthened, deepening to a dark violet that overpowered their white glow. My eyes found Shay’s, then Kieran’s. They seemed to be as mesmerized by the new orb as me.
With my mind, I extended the wall and then retracted it. Someone yelled, bringing me back to the fight and refocusing on my friends.
The orb wavered a second. Then, blew out, like an explosion.
The force of it threw me back and everyone else to the ground—all but Kieran and Shay, who were suspended in the air by their wings and still holding my hands.
Vash recovered the fastest, and he took the opportunity to kill two more Marqs. The last remaining demon paused when he saw Vash in action. He simply gave up the fight, disappearing without a sound. We checked the area, ensuring no others lingered or hid in dark corners, but when we saw no more threats, Sidelle ran to me and helped me up.
She grinned and pulled me into a bear hug. “Aren’t you glad I arrived just in time to save your butts yet again?”
“I’m so glad to see you!” I cried.
She held me out in front of her and shook her head. “Zoe. That was awesome! Who knew you could do that?”
“Who’s your friend?” I looked over her shoulder at the man I’d seen throwing shards of ice.
She flapped a dismissive hand. “Oh, that’s no one. Don’t pay any attention to him. I don’t.”
The man chuckled and walked toward us. Like her, he was tall with black hair, dark blue eyes, and a thin body. “Whatever, Delle. You keep telling yourself that, but at the end of the day you do.” He smiled at me. “You must be Zoe. I’ve heard a lot about you, and fortunately, it all seems to be true.”
Shay took my hand and tugged me back toward the house. “Come on, Zoe. Let’s go inside. We have some damage control to do with your friends.” As he escorted me back into the house he turned back and called to Sidelle. “Can you take care of this before the Ordinaries notice?”
“Sure. No problemo. It’ll be exactly as it was before.”
Shay and Kieran folded in their wings, and when Shay’s black T-shirt materialized, I saw Kieran’s come in white. I’d never seen him as an angel before this, and he absolutely blew me away. So beautiful.
Then I remembered Vash, and turned back to him. He stood in wolf form in the front yard, still panting, his thick coat matted with blood and sweat. I let go of Shay’s hand and ran over to him, running my hand over his wet fur.
“Are you okay?” I asked. “Nod if you can understand me.”
He nodded.
“Are you hurt?”
He shook his head. That was a relief. He had a lot of blood on him, but he seemed okay.
“Can you change back?”
He nodded, again.
“Please tell me if you change back, you’ll be fully dressed? I do not need to see my friends naked.”
He blinked and his chest rumbled, and I wondered if the wolf had just laughed.
“Good. Okay, well, just come back inside when you’re ready.”
As I ran back into the house, I noticed all the damage that had been caused by the elements was gone and all the snow melted. Uprooted trees were upright again, and even the broken house windows had been repaired. Fairy Glamour. Amazing. I sprinted to Quinn, Rena, and Stella, who were huddled and still weeping, near Cali’s body. I knelt and hugged them all at once.
“Stella? Are you okay?” I asked quietly, but she made no response. I moved to hug her, and she withdrew. “It’s okay, Stella,” I said anyway. “I’m here, and it’s over now.”
“Great balls of fire,” Sidelle exclaimed, walking in with the Winter fairy. “What happened in here?”
“A war zone happened,” he replied.
She punched his shoulder. “Thank you, Captain Obvious.” Her eyes met mine, then dropped to Cali’s slumped form. She shook her head. “Oh no!” she breathed softly. “Is that Cali? She’s . . . dead? She can’t be.”
Vash, now in human form and—thankfully—fully dressed again in jeans and a new brown shirt, approached us and crouched by Rena’s side. He didn’t seem able to approach Cali. Not yet.
“Are you okay?” he asked. “Are you hurt?”
She backed away from him, shaking her head madly. Her eyes were huge. “Zoe? What’s going on? What are you? Wha-what were th-those things, and who are these p-people? Wait, are they even human?” Rena blinked at Vash, clearly afraid of him. “He called me his mate’s best friend earlier. Did he mean Cali? What does that even mean, Zoe?”
But I couldn’t speak. I threw myself over Cali’s body and sobbed helplessly.
“Shh. It’ll be okay,” I heard Vash say, and I glanced up to see the pain shining in his eyes when he looked at Cali’s body. “I’ll explain everything to you later. I need to take care of you now. She would want me to.”
Shay bent down to help me stand, and I threw my arms around him, still sobbing. “Why Cali?” I cried. “Why her? Why did she have to die?”
His hand rubbed gentle circles on my back as he tried to soothe me. “Shh, it’ll be okay. Let it all out.”
It was over. We had won tonight’s battle . . . but at a high cost. Moving away from Shay, I looked at Stella, then at each of my friends’ faces. How many of my friends or family would die because of me?
“No, Shay,” I said weakly. “This is not okay. Cali is dead because of me.”
That wasn’t right. I tumbled back to the floor, letting out every emotion I’d been holding back, crying hysterically over the loss of my friend. Rena scooted over and knelt next to me, and Quinn and Stella joined us. Everyone bowed their heads out of respect for our dear, dead friend. But I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.
I leaned over Cali’s body and brushed her hair out of her face, then I rested my hand against her still-warm cheek. Sniffling, I lowered my forehead to her chest.
My whole body began to tingle. It was a different sensation from the electrical current between Shay and me. This new feeling sent warm energy coursing through my mind and into my hand. Surprised at the sensation, I raised my head and opened my eyes. My hand, the one I’d placed against her cheek, glowed purple, and was surrounded by a pulsing light.
Then all sound was gone—everything but one clear, pure voice ringing in my head.
My daughter.
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A woman’s soft voice. Her words weren’t even loud enough to be called a whisper, but I heard them in my head. Was I going crazy?
No, Zoe. You are not crazy. I am speaking to you through your mind.
This internal conversation only added to the craziness I’d heard, witnessed, and experienced over the past week: the warehouse event which had started it all, the angels, demons, fairies, and wolves . . .
And Cali. She’d died.
Who was speaking in my head?
My name is Grace. I am your mother. Zoe, you are special. You are destined to do great things. She paused, then a kind of pyramid of glowing words appeared in my vision. She chanted them, and they sounded so beautiful. Like a soft, sad song.
Glory!
Babe born.
First and last.
Heaven and unto Earth.
Receives the highest in jubilation.
Enlightens will unite, they shall band.
Triumph be if darkness is driven back.
Help found who love, the world will stand.
Yes. Kieran and Shay had told me about the prophecy. I remembered hearing him chant those odd words. But I still didn’t understand what any of it had to do with me.
Zoe, you are that babe. You are the first and only Seraph Angel born on Earth, though you have a twin who was lost. Compassion may be found in an unconventional Eternal. And with the help of your friends, you will stand and unite the Enlightens. Together, you will drive back the darkness. Be prepared, Daughter. Much sorrow and death may come. But out of these ashes you will find happiness. I am only sorry I cannot do any more for you.
This made no sense. I knew my mother, and this voice did not belong to her.
Yes, you were born to Ordinaries, but I passed part of what makes me an angel to you. Zoe, you will always have a choice in everything you do. God has not taken that away, not even from you. We have been waiting many centuries for you, because you will have powers wielded by no other Enlighten. Your heart is pure, your intentions are true. Hold onto those and remember the strength of the Seraphs. We will be with you always.
And then, silence.
An overwhelming calmness settled in my mind and body.
When I blinked, my friends’ faces stared back.
Breathe, Zoe. I shook my head, reminding myself that I had nothing to celebrate. After all, I was kneeling over my dead friend and touching her lifeless body.
I looked down—and Cali’s torso shot straight up. She drew a deep breath, and her eyelids opened, revealing light-brown eyes.
“Cali?” I whispered.
“Zoe?” She looked into our faces, looking entirely confused. “What happened? What’s going on?”
“Oh my God!” Sidelle whispered. “Zoe! You brought her back from death!”
Cali sat up slowly. “I was . . . dead?”
I nodded.
“Cali!” Rena hugged her, and Quinn started sobbing again, this time with happiness.
Kieran, Shay, and Sidelle stared at me, their mouths open. Vash almost flew across the room to gather her into his strong arms when he heard her sweet voice, but stopped short upon seeing our huddled group.
I embraced my friend and found myself searching for the faces I had grown to love over this week’s time: Kieran, Shay, Sidelle, and Vash.
Something changed inside of me. Pieces of a puzzle locked into place. I was More. My angel mom . . . had just confirmed it.
All my life, I’d thought I was ordinary. Not anymore.
Now I knew my life was way beyond average, and I’d be someone special.
I knew what I was destined to do.
A war was coming.
A final battle between good and evil, and only the Redeemer would be able to save the world.
I was the Redeemer. I knew that, from the bottom of my soul. And though I wasn’t yet confident in what I could do, I would learn. I would fulfill the prophecy. I would save the world, because I had the power to do it.
He had given me my powers, my strength, and my friends. He had seen something in me.
I. Am. Special.
I looked at Kieran, Shay, and Sidelle, feeling my whole body become still like the early morning dawn. Their expressions were unsure, as if they waited for me to answer some unspoken question.
I smiled and clenched my fists, sensing the purple glow fill me completely. When I opened my mouth to speak, the words came from my heart.
“Everything will be just fine.”
Acknowledgements
Thank you to my family and friends who supported me in this whirlwind and crazy journey; your encouragements meant the world to me. To my book club peeps and cheering sections; thank you!
A very special thank you to my beta readers: Kris, Linda, and Christa. You read a not so polished draft, but helped me make it shine.
To my high school subject matter experts: Sarah, Lauren and Reegan. Thank you for bringing me back and reminding me of my high school days, even though it’s drastically different today.
To my wonderful friend Angie, who listened to my constant rants, triumphs and complaints. You kept me sane, whether you know it or not.
To the Plymouth, Dakota County, Eagan YA and The Loft Literary YA Writing Group who shared their wisdoms and experiences with me.
To my critique partners, Ann and Maria, for providing insight, telling me how it really goes, and being honest about words/scenes/characters when I didn’t want to listen. Even though I didn’t want to change, you still found the courage to make me understand the “why” things should be deleted or moved. You pointed out areas where I needed to step away, so I could see the bigger picture. We all need someone to tell us: zip it and just write.
To my fantastic editors: Guinevere Graham, Libby Rasmussen and Jen Leigh. You helped me create better sentences, better scenes, and deeper characters. You assisted me in creating a magical world by getting the right words to fly off the pages.
A heartfelt thank you to Marya. You understood what I was thinking and out came a beautiful cover. I couldn’t have asked for anything better!!
Jessica, your eye captured what I was going for. Thanks for making the photo session really fun and entertaining. And who doesn’t want a shoe chair as a prop?
And lastly, to my husband, for picking up the slack in the household chores, for giving me enough alone-time to crank the words, and for adjusting our schedule so I could attend book functions. And for just being you. Without your support in this whole process, none of it would be a reality.
Thank You, ~Kristin
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kristin D. Van Risseghem grew up in a small town along the Mississippi River with her parents and older sister. And after receiving a double Bachelor of Science degree from Winona State University in Paralegal and Corrections, she worked as a Paralegal for various law firms around the Twin Cities for 14 years. Then she left the legal field and is now a Senior Buyer for a technology company.
Currently, Kristin lives in Minnesota with her husband and two Calico cats. She also loves attending book clubs, going shopping, and hanging out with friends. She has come to realize that she absolutely has an addiction to purses and shoes. They are her weakness and probably has way too many of both.
In the summer months, Kristin can usually be found lounging on her boat, drinking an ice cold something. Being an avid reader of YA and Women’s Literature stories, she still finds time to read a ton of books in-between writing. And in the winter months, her main goal is to stay warm from the Minnesota cold!
Kristin’s books are published by Kasian Publishing.
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed The Guardian, a Sword, & Stilettos. I have to tell you, I really love the characters of Zoe and Shay. Though many beta readers and critique partners telling me: “We want more of Sidelle!” Well, stay tuned because her story isn’t over. Sidelle will have her own Novella. How did she become the snarky Summer fairy?
When I wrote The Guardian, a Sword, & Stilet
tos, I received many comments from readers thanking me for sharing Zoe’s journey. Some had an opinion about her and Shay, while others rooted for Kieran. As an author, I love feedback! Candidly you are the reason that I will explore Kieran’s story. So tell me what you liked, what you loved, and even what you hated. I’d love to hear from you. You can write me at [email protected], visit me and sign up for my quarterly newsletter mailing list on the web at www.KristinVanRisseghem.com, follow me on Twitter @KVanRisseghem, and like my Facebook Page: Facebook - Author.
I encourage you to keep at it. Keep going and looking ahead. And remember that you can do it! Find beta readers, critique partners and join writing groups. If some aren’t working out, don’t be afraid to find new ones. I found a slew of writers on Facebook, Twitter and Meetup. These people will help you with your writing because let’s face it, your friends and family who aren’t writers, just won’t get it or comprehend what you’re talking about. Surround yourself with the people who are ‘in the know’ and who will understand what you mean when you say WIP, or MS, or ARC.
Finally, I need to ask a favor. If you’re so inclined I’d love a review of The Guardian, a Sword, & Stilettos. Loved it, hated it – I just enjoy your feedback.
As you may have gleaned from my book, reviews can be tough to come by these days. You, the reader, have the power now to make or break a book. If you have the time, here’s the link to my author page on Amazon. You can find my books here: here.
Thank you so much for reading The Guardian, a Sword, & Stilettos and for spending time with me.
Sincerely,
Kristin D. Van Risseghem, Author
The Guardian, a Sword, & Stilettos (The Enlighten Series Book 1) Page 22