With my hand still resting on Chumana’s snout, I swallowed and asked, “Why did You decide to stop Samael?”
“I saw a forsaken Angel, who had been mutilated by the offspring of other Angels, offer up his life for three children he barely knew. A mother and father sacrificed their lives for a newborn, and two young people with strong faith followed My guidance. But for all that, it really came down to the moment that a Demon, fully corrupted by Hell and Samael’s fury, chose to save you. That selfless act changed the course of the universe.”
My chest heaved and more tears fell from my eyes.
“The pain will ease with time—I promise.” He tipped his hat. “I must be going.”
“Wait! Is magic really gone?”
His lips pinched together and His eyes narrowed. “I have cleansed the world from the taint the Angels made when they mingled with women so very long ago. Things will be the same, and yet different when you return.”
“What happened to the Horsemen, and will I see Raphael and Uriel again?”
“The Horsemen have returned to their place in the stars. As far as the Angels are concerned, they are busy with reconstruction. Until the time you pass into the next life, you will not meet them again.”
His face relaxed. “Some partings are a sign of good things to come.”
The sun brightened, obscuring Him in a hazy glow that spread across the tombstones and through the trees.
Chumana stepped heavily past me, entering into the light.
“Will I see you again?” I called after Chumana.
On special nights, when the moon is full and the wind whispers long forgotten stories, I’ll meet you in your dreams. Her wings spread wide and she pushed off.
I shielded my eyes from the brilliance and tucked my chin when a blast of air hit me. The sounds of sirens and voices shouting broke the quiet and I opened my eyes to the lapping waters of the riverside.
I dropped beside Insepth and gave him a gentle shake.
He groaned and opened his eyes. “Are we in Heaven?”
I barked out a short laugh.
The river water was brown and fast moving and filled with bobbing debris. The bridge was still collapsed and pockets of smoke billowed above the city. So many people had died. Sawyer was gone and Cricket was just a horse again. But sunshine warmed my head and Timmy walked toward me with little Faith in his arms.
I had finally talked to God.
Things had turned out better than I thought they would.
CHAPTER 35
EMBER
The breeze through the open car window carried with it the scents of pine needles and dried leaves. We turned the corner and the tangle of nature thinned, revealing the rock wall. The shade lifted and Ila’s long, green valley came into view. Yellow flowers dotted the meadow and the surrounding hills rose up in brilliant autumn splendor. The places that had been burnt were covered with fallen leaves and even the swath of downed trees blended in with the live ones. Like nothing bad had ever happened here.
I leaned farther out the window. The mountain air invigorated my senses. Broken boards were piled high where the barn had once stood and the flock of chickens pecked the ground around it. I spotted several long-eared rabbits in the yard and a cat lounging on the wall.
But it was the barking that made my stomach do a somersault. Before Timmy had the car stopped, I swung the door open and jumped out. I ran the rest of the way up the driveway, not stopping until Angus and I collided. He licked my face and whimpered, and I mumbled silly compliments into his fur.
I heard the vehicles roll to a stop behind me, but didn’t bother to look back. Angus was in my arms, and at the moment, that’s all that mattered.
“Have you been a good boy? I bet you have,” I cooed to him.
Angus’ tail thumped the gravel on the driveway when I stood up. I kept my hand on his head as I faced everyone.
Preston had parked his pickup truck alongside the wall, and was opening the horse trailer door to bring Cricket out. Maddie stood beside the gate, waiting for him. I focused on Timmy and Chloe, who were taking Faith out of the infant car seat. Chloe moved slowly, obviously sore and tired from the apocalyptic birth a few days earlier. Timmy, on the other hand, had a spring to his step as he took the baby from his wife and walked up to me.
Insepth stood back. He glanced at me and then away, seeming distracted and uncomfortable. A tightness formed in my chest as I looked at him. Ever since he’d woken, he’d been strangely quiet. I knew part of the reason was his disconnect with the earth, but I sensed there was something else going on with him.
“Are you sure about this, Ember? We’d love to have you live with us in Ohio,” Timmy said, handing Faith to me when I held out my hands for her.
Faith’s dark blue eyes stared and she shook a tiny, balled fist. I squeezed her hand and clucked to her. The baby was born a couple of months premature, but she was eight pounds and completely healthy. My Gaia had saved her, and now that power was gone forever. I tried to push the thought aside, not wanting to dwell on the loss.
“I’ll visit—I promise. But after everything that has happened, I need some down time.”
Timmy ran his hand through his hair and snorted. “Yeah, I know what you mean. I don’t think I’ll ever really understand what went on back there—it’s kind of a blur now.”
If it wasn’t for Faith’s weight in my arms, I might have pretended it had all been a nightmare myself. I still remembered everything vividly—from people becoming spider-like creatures and eating each other, to the Hell-beasts and hounds pouring into the city. It had been a scene from a horror movie and something no one should ever forget. But people were forgetting—droves of them. Cell phone and cable TV services were back up and running, and at first, news stories showed interviews with people who’d seen monsters rampaging through the city, men with swords flying through the sky, and horses galloping in the storm clouds. Many people had survived and seen the chaos, but as the days passed, fewer of them talked about the supernatural causes of what they’d witnessed, focusing on natural disasters, like the earthquake that shook Los Angeles, and the tornado and floods in Cincinnati. Sure, I knew that these weren’t normal weather phenomena—that the boundaries breaking between earth and Hell had caused all of them. But to everyone else, all the memories of monsters and magical creatures were quickly being forgotten.
I looked up and Timmy had his arm around Chloe and her head rested on his shoulder. Maybe it was for the best for everyone to forget.
“Are you going to be all right living up here alone?” Chloe asked. “I’m not comfortable with you being so isolated and taking care of yourself. You’re barely an adult.”
Her blonde hair was short and spiked and the stud on her nose glistened in the sun. Even though she was in her twenties, she seemed younger than me. But then, she hadn’t seen everything I had over the past few months, and she didn’t know the things I did. She hadn’t battled with otherworldly powers or killed people. In truth, she was innocent compared to me.
“I’ll be fine. I have my dog and my horses to keep me company.”
I shifted my gaze to Insepth. He had the lead rope of a chubby Quarter Horse between his hands. Piper’s mom had gladly given the gelding to me when I’d visited her the day before. She was one of the lucky ones who had survived, but without her daughter, she was filled with a deep sadness that had nearly overwhelmed me when we’d met. It hadn’t been that long ago that my dear friend had been accidently murdered by Insepth and the other Watchers. Even though I’d forgiven him, accepting that he really didn’t know that severing her connection to Eae would bring back the cancer that should have killed her when she’d been a child. It was done and I couldn’t go back, and having her beloved horse here with me lessened the pain slightly that still filled my insides at the loss of my closest friend. Plus Cricket had her best friend back, and that was even more important. For a moment, I wondered if she remembered the love she had shared with the Horseman, and the
n I shook my head. Many of my questions would never be answered now.
Maddie opened the gate, and Preston and Insepth led the horses into the meadow. They unsnapped the halters at the same time. Cricket tossed her head and whinnied before she dug her hooves into the dirt and took off. Rhondo bucked and snorted, chasing after her. The black mare slowed to a prancing strut so Rhondo was able to catch up to. She nipped at him, but he didn’t shy away. When they reached the herd of goats, there was a flurry of rearing and bucking before the pair finally settled down and dropped their heads into the grass.
I exhaled at the sight of the horses and goats grazing. Things would never be the same, but they were good.
“Don’t worry about Ember. She is going to be fine,” Timmy said. He put his arms around me and brought his lips to my ear. “Thank you for saving us.”
I kissed Faith on her forehead and gave her back to my brother, wiping a tear away from the corner of my eye. “Take care of the little munchkin. Next time I see her, she’s getting in the saddle with me.”
Chloe’s eyes rounded, but Timmy chuckled. “I guess with you as her aunt she has no choice but to become an equestrian,” he said.
“That’s for sure,” I replied.
A lump formed in my throat as I followed the little family back to their vehicle and watched them get in.
“We love you, Ember.” Timmy held his hand out the driver’s side window and I took it in both of mine.
“I love you all, too.”
“Don’t be a stranger, and stay out of trouble!” Chloe called out the window.
The silver SUV bounced down the gravel driveway, sending a cloud of dust spraying into the air. When they had turned the corner, out of sight, I finally faced Preston and Maddie.
“I’ll unhitch the trailer and then I better get Maddie home,” Preston said.
I noticed his hand on her back and how she stood close to him. I glanced between them and sensed the beginning of a romance. I couldn’t keep my smile from spreading. Preston must have read my thoughts. His face reddened and he removed his hand and hurried back to the trailer.
“My mom wants Joey, Sarah, and Emily to stay with us until we can locate any living family they might have out west,” Maddie said, shrugging. The corner of her mouth lifted high. “Mom’s really in her element taking care of them.” She snorted softly. “I got the feeling they’re going to be with us for a while. But Preston and I will come back over the weekend to check on you, and perhaps even bring the kids up to see the animals.”
I nodded absently. “That would be nice,” I was unable to stop myself from asking the question I’d been holding in for hours. “Do you remember what actually happened?”
Maddie raised her face to the sun, closing her eyes. “I’m a Scribe of God. I remember everything. When things settle down and Oldport is rebuilt, I’m going to begin writing about it.”
I exhaled in relief. “Everyone else is forgetting. I was a little worried it would happen to you and Preston.”
Maddie looked back at me with clear brown eyes. “I think our Lord wants to help them heal. If they all knew that monsters really existed, there would be fear and chaos. It’s easier if people believe that it was only a plague of natural disasters.”
“But what about the real story you’re writing? No one will believe you.”
Maddie smiled, hugging her sweater tightly around her when the breeze picked up, sending a bunch of leaves dancing all around us. “It’s kind of the same thing with the Bible, isn’t it? Miracles and stories about Heaven and Hell, Angels and Demons, are believed by those who have faith—and that’s who this story will be for.”
I cocked my head. She was right. Perhaps memories were stolen from people so that they wouldn’t remember, and they’d need faith. It was the type of question that would keep me from sleeping, I was sure.
I stepped closer and lowered my voice. “I met Him, Maddie. I talked to God.”
“I know. He told me.”
My brows rose and I shook my head. This beautiful cheerleader was constantly surprising me.
She gave me a tight hug and then wagged a finger at me. “No more trying to save the world. We’ve been given a second chance, and we should all rejoice. Life is sweet.”
“Don’t worry about that. My powers are gone. I’m just an ordinary girl now.”
Maddie left me with a laugh, and said, “It wasn’t those crazy abilities that made you special, Ember. It was just you.”
Insepth joined me and we quietly watched Maddie and Preston head down the driveway. I waved back as hands came out the windows. The act of doing something so normal was comforting.
“It’s time. We have to see what’s happened to our friends,” Insepth said, eyeing me with a serious face.
“I know.” My skin tingled as I started up the dirt path leading to the little log cabin.
CHAPTER 36
EMBER
The frost had killed Ila’s flowers and only wilted stems and dried petals remained. I went ahead of Insepth, passing my red pickup truck and taking the porch steps two at time. Angus inclined his head, looking up when I paused at the door. The stiff breeze made the rocking chairs go back and forth and I shivered. I was nervous and reached for my powers, but of course, they weren’t there.
“You spent most of your life not knowing about the elements or working with their powers, and the loss affects you so. Think how difficult it is for me after nearly three hundred years of touching the Earth’s power.”
Insepth’s blond curls blew around his chiseled face. He looked like he was twenty-five and I often forgot how old he really was. I wondered how he would handle the aging process, but it was his keen ability to read my thoughts that made me stiffen.
“How did you know that’s what I was thinking about?”
The side of his mouth lifted for the first time in days. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed his arrogant smirk until just that moment.
“Nothing magical, I assure you. Over the centuries, I’ve become very adept at reading people—I guess it’s one of the few abilities I still have.”
“It’s hard for you, isn’t it?”
He shrugged. “Of course. We were practically immortal, and now” —he spread his hands wide—“we’re just like everyone else.”
“It’s going to be an adjustment. You’ll be okay,” I offered, not sure I was telling the truth.
“The thing I hate most is not feeling nature. As we drove up the mountain, I longed to reach out to the trees with my senses or to take flight with the majestic hawk in the sky. Those days are gone and I feel completely empty.”
My chest tightened. It had only been a few months ago that I’d first touched Fire and Earth. My time with Water and Air was even shorter, but still, I felt as if I’d lost an organ. I could only imagine how bleak it felt for Insepth.
I grasped his arm and his blue eyes darkened as he leaned in. He stopped just short of my mouth.
“Perhaps I’m feeling a little something after all.” He grinned and I pulled back, swatting his arm.
Butterflies erupted in my belly and my cheeks burned. I pushed the door open, wanting to escape his laughing eyes and pouting lips. Our relationship had never been decided. I wasn’t even sure what I wanted it to be.
Cold wind stirred through the window, lifting the red curtains in the air. I shoved the window down and looked around. Colorful quilts were still draped on the couch and chairs the same as when I’d left. The charred scent of the remnants from a fire in the stone fireplace hung lightly in the room, and late afternoon sun spilled in through the paned glass. The door leading into the bedroom was ajar and the one to the storeroom was closed. The books were still overflowing the shelves. When my eyes paused on the pile of dishes in the sink and the plate on the table with a half-eaten pancake, my heart sped up and my gaze met Insepth’s.
He crossed the room and peeked into the bedroom and storeroom in turn. After shaking his head, I went through the back door and dow
n the steps.
“Where is everyone?” Insepth said, jogging to catch up to me.
I lifted my chin and pointed as we entered the forest. “Over there. I see smoke.”
“I wonder what we’re stumbling into…” Insepth muttered, trailing off when I shot him a stern look. His grin returned. “You can’t shoot fire from your fingertips any longer. Don’t forget that.”
“Yeah, and no one else can, either,” I huffed, lengthening my stride with Angus running beside me.
I ignored the branches that scraped my arms and skipped over exposed roots and rocks on the trail. I’d first taken this path a long time ago. It led to the place I had learned to wield Fire. Ila had been with me, teaching me about the plants and animals of the forest. I shook my head, erasing the images from my mind. It seemed like a hundred years ago that she had guided me through the trees, and so much had happened since then. Ila and Sawyer had died, and without the power of the elements, I’d never see them again in this life. The only conciliation I had was that they were together, wherever they were.
The smell of wood smoke became stronger and I sped up. Angus entered the clearing first, barking. I stopped and Insepth bumped into me.
The sight that greeted us took my breath away.
CHAPTER 37
EMBER
“Finally, you’ve returned from the greatest story,” Horas said, rising from the log he sat on. He held a glass of dark liquid in his hand and he raised it to us.
Ivan jumped off the log he shared with Tamira and ran over. He nearly brought me down when he slammed into me.
There wasn’t the familiar musky scent of wolf clinging to him, and when he leaned back, I saw that his eyes were no longer golden. They were light brown and moist with tears.
For a moment neither of us could speak. When he’d finally sucked in the emotions, he blurted out, “What has happened to us, Ember. I am only human. The wolf is gone.”
Eternity (Wings of War Book 4) Page 21