by L. L Hunter
“But ma’am, shouldn’t we use the element of surprise? It’ll be better if they don’t see us coming.”
“We don’t need to worry about that because we won’t be going anywhere. Abraham has sent his demons to distract them while we do this. and then, who knows,” said Willow, shrugging.
She took the sixth blood bag and walked back out of the makeshift operating theatre and into the next room. This room used to be the staff break room. It had a few beds and a kitchenette—and glamour too. Now it was where Willow would turn herself into an immortal being and eventually become Jazmine.
She placed the sixth bag on the counter beside the other five and lay on the nearest bed.
“Begin transfusion please.”
One of the demons, the woman, walked over to the row of blood bags and began hooking it up to the transfusion machine, while the male demon began prepping Willow. She wondered where Abraham was, but figured he was commanding his demon army or something. Or talking to Jazmine. Whatever he was doing, they had some time before she was ready. And when it was finally time, Abraham would insert Jazmine’s soul into her body.
To kill time, Gabe decided to head to the combat classroom and punch the crap out of something. It was the only thing he could do to stop himself from going stir crazy. He needed to get out of the school and go find Melody. Melody’s angel soul was gone, but her body was still okay. Even if she was Mackenzie now… would he have to call her Mackenzie? The whole thing was weird. He guessed he would find out when he finally saw her.
He found a set of fighting sticks and walked over to one of the plastic dummies and proceeded to beat the crap out of the dummy. He twirled the sticks around like nunchakus, swinging and twisting them around his body. He beat them against the dummy, hitting it hard, and as the sticks hit, he yelled. The release of tension and emotion felt good. This was so much better than releasing energy via his trait. The only person who was getting injured here was the dummy.
As he began twirling the wooden sticks again, he heard the distant clip-clop of heels coming down the hall outside the door. He kept twirling until the owner of the heels appeared at the door. He didn’t expect it to be Beth Blackbell, though.
“Gabe, there you are. Eden told me you might be here.”
“I’m fine if that’s what you’re wondering. Just killing time.” He spun the sticks around his head like a helicopter and brought it down on the dummy’s shoulder. The dummy rocked wildly on its stand.
“I was coming to bring you some news.” He stopped moving and turned toward his uncle’s mother. She was a grandmother in a way and accepted him as a grandson. He looked at her with hopeful eyes and waited. He hoped the news would be about Melody.
“I’m sorry to inform you, Gabe. Melody is… she died.”
His heart flip-flopped. “I… I know. I felt her.”
Beth’s eyes widened in surprise. “You did?”
“Yes. And Ms Abigrine’s book said that if an angel’s soul dies, their host body can survive. I know she’s still alive.”
Beth nodded and came to stand beside him. “She is.” His head snapped to her.
“I spoke to her earlier. She’s at the Sanctuary.”
Gabe dropped the sticks. They clattered the ground and rolled off the mat. He began running to the door. She was alive and in London. He had to get to her.
“Gabe. Wait! The demons. The Academy is surrounded.”
He slowed and turned. “Then can you help me? You’re the president. Can you perhaps get your guards to protect me and help me get past the demons?”
“Don’t worry. I’ve already sent back-up.”
Chapter 15
When Melody arrived at the Sanctuary, she expected she would have to explain herself. But it turned out, she didn’t need to. Beth had already informed the Michalites of her arrival and the need for refuge. The door opened as soon as she set foot on the threshold, and a young Michaelite woman ushered her inside, glancing around looking for threats.
“Hurry, hurry. Come inside.”
“Thank you for this. I need to get to the Academy, but it’s surrounded by demons.”
“No need to explain. My brother already told me everything. I also had a call from President Blackbell herself informing me of your predicament. I’m more than happy to help.”
Melody looked around the spacious and cute foyer. The building’s façade made it appear small, but inside, it was almost as big as the Nephilim Palace. The décor in the foyer was similar to that of Michael Academy, with wrought iron stair rails and marble floors. But it didn’t have a glass dome in the ceiling or a crystal chandelier like the Academy. This place was more like a boutique bed and breakfast.
When Melody was finishing studying her surroundings, she studied the Michaelite woman who had welcomed her. She looked familiar, but she couldn’t place how she knew her.
“Excuse me for asking, but you said your brother warned you of the demons?”
“Yes. He’s currently studying at the Academy.”
“Oh. Is he Michaelite?”
“No. Nephilim.”
“Oh.” She scrunched up her brow in confusion. “I thought you were Michaelite.”
“I am half Michaelite. My brother is actually my half-brother. We have the same father. My brother said you know him. His name is Asher.”
Melody’s eyes widened. “Yes. I know Asher. I was once Gabriel’s guardian. Eden’s cousin.”
The young woman smirked. “I know Eden well. My brother loves her. Anyway, my name is Cecelia. Follow me, and I’ll show you to your room.”
“Thanks, Cecelia.”
Melody followed Cecelia up the main staircase to the second floor. Then, turning right, they walked down a long corridor lined with doors on each side.
“This is the girl’s wing, but there’s currently no one staying here. So, I’ve prepared the biggest room for you.”
“Thank you. Any room will suffice. I don’t know how long I’ll be here.”
They reached the end of the corridor and climbed a couple of carpeted stairs to a small landing. Cecelia opened the door at the top. Inside, Melody saw a spacious room with a double bed and a desk overlooking a gorgeous garden.
“Wow. This is amazing. Thank you. I’ll look forward to waking up to that view and hearing the birds’ song each morning.”
“The garden is our heart and soul here at the Sanctuary and the source of its magic. Being a former guardian angel, you may have heard about the Tree of Fate.”
“Yes. It’s attached to the Angel of Fate. It’s where her power lays.”
“Yes and no,” said Cecelia. “I’ll show you what I mean soon. I’ll let you rest and get refreshed after your ordeal.”
“I would love a shower and some food, actually. I’m famished, and I’ve been in these clothes for who knows how long. But I’m afraid I don’t have anything else to wear. I’ll need to go shopping.”
Cecelia waved her hand and walked over to an antique standalone closet. She opened the doors, and Melody saw the closet was filled with clothes. She saw dresses, jeans, sweaters and jackets. There were even shoes. Melody felt her jaw drop.
“I may have gone overboard with the shopping. They’re mostly from thrift shops and markets, but some of them are new. We also get donations. I keep every closet stocked for people who need our help.”
“This is fantastic. Thank you.” She studied the clothes, but she couldn’t see any underwear.
“Is there any underwear?”
“Oh, yes. I almost forgot.” Cecelia bent down and opened a drawer at the bottom, revealing knickers and bras and socks. “Don’t worry. These are new. Never been worn.” She walked to the door. “I’ll leave you to it. the bathroom is down the hall to the right. There are fresh towels in the cupboard at the bathroom entrance. There are also packets of toiletries in the cupboard. Help yourself.”
“Thank you.”
Cecelia smiled and left. As Melody pondered her clothing options, she thought abo
ut Gabe and wondered how soon she would see him.
Gabe, Eden, Asher, and Max were eating lunch when they heard a commotion in the entry foyer. The dining room was across from the front doors, so if they leaned to the right or peered out of the dining room, they could see the front doors. Eden sat next to Gabe, with Asher and Max opposite them. Gabe felt his cousin tense beside him. Eden brushed against his side as she reached for her dagger.
“What’s going on, Eden?” Gabe asked.
“I don’t know, but the front doors just opened. I’m just getting ready in case there’s a demon attack.”
“The alarms would go off again, wouldn’t they?” asked Max.
“You’d think so,” added Asher. “Maybe it’s just one of the guards or staff.”
“But why would they risk—” Gabe’s words were cut off when a familiar blonde angel strolled into the dining room. Max immediately got to his feet and ran to her.
“Aria!”
Aria laughed and wrapped her arms around Max. He greeted her with a kiss on the cheek.
“I’ve missed you, Aria,” he said.
“I’ve missed you too, Max. I’m sorry I’ve been away this long.”
“It’s okay. I know you had to leave.”
“Who’s this gorgeous specimen of angel?” said an unfamiliar male voice. Max turned to look at him, stepping back as the new man came up beside Aria and wrapped his arm around her waist. Jealousy suddenly raged through Max’s body. It surprised him. He had never felt this emotion before.
“Who’s this, Aria?” Max asked.
“Oh, this is my friend and fellow guardian. Hook, this is Max.” She smiled and then leaned in to whisper in Max’s ear. “Don’t worry. You don’t need to feel jealous, Max. Hook prefers men.”
Instantly, the feeling of jealousy eased and the rage dissipated. He sighed with relief.
He turned and held out his hand to Hook.
“Hello, Hook. My name is Max Blackbell. It’s nice to meet you.”
Hook’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “So, you’re the famous son of Scarlett and Dyston, the new Angel of Death.”
“I prefer the term Angel of Night, but yes. That’s me.”
“Angel of Night. I like it.” Hook’s attention left Max and looked at something behind him. He turned and found Gabe, Asher, and Eden standing behind him.
“Hook, these are my friends and family. My cousins, Gabe and Eden, and Eden’s boyfriend and soul mate, Asher. Guys, this is Hook. He’s a guardian.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Hook,” said Asher as he reached forward to shake his hand.
“Likewise. I already like London a lot. There are so many good-looking guys.”
Eden grinned. “There are,” she replied, winking at Asher.
The clacking sound of heels on marble caught everyone’s attention, and soon, Beth joined them. She smiled at Gabe and the others.
“Your escort awaits.”
Chapter 16
The shower was glorious. Melody stood under the hot spray of water for what felt like hours—long enough for the water to beat away her stress and worries—but she knew it wouldn’t wash away her nightmares of being drained of blood. Those memories would probably haunt her forever. Now she knew what Gabe and Max felt like. When she got out, she towelled herself off and dressed in a comfortable yet practical outfit of jeans and a t-shirt, in case she would have to help the Nephilim fight. But she didn’t know how she was going to fight. She was human now. She still had Melody’s memories, but she no longer had her strength.
She stood in front of the mirror in the bedroom and studied her face. She didn’t look any different. She then remembered what Gabe had said about her and Mackenzie. He’d said that she’d somehow looked like she glowed as Melody. She couldn’t see any physical signs of a ‘glow’. She supposed Gabe was just being nice and giving her a compliment. She heard footsteps out in the hall and looked up in time to see Cecelia’s face as she stepped into the room.
“Are you ready? I’ve prepared something for you to eat. Then I’ll show you around.”
Melody smiled. “Thank you. I’m famished.”
She followed Cecelia down the stairs to a formal dining room. And what awaited her there was enough to give her pause. Covering the entire long table was a feast. She looked to Cecelia in disbelief.
“Are you expecting more guests?”
“Yes. I hope you don’t mind. They’ll be here shortly. Help yourself. You don’t have to wait.”
It was always polite to wait until everyone was seated before eating, but she was absolutely starving. She felt weak from losing so much blood. Her throat was dry, her limbs sore, and she felt fatigued in both body and mind. She pulled out a chair and pulled a plate of steak and Guinness pie toward her. She scooped up a slice and placed it on her plate and poured gravy and mashed peas all over it. Eden, Asher, and Gabe had introduced her to the goodness that was steak and Guinness pie shortly after she’d arrived in London, and she remembered eating it as Mackenzie growing up. When she placed the first forkful in her mouth, she moaned with pleasure.
“Good, huh?”
She paused with her second forkful half way to her mouth and turned. The fork fell out of her hand as she turned, and it clattered to her plate. She didn’t care about the food anymore. He was back. He was here.
“Gabe!”
She was in his arms in less than a second, and he was picking her up and twirling her around. Then her feet were back on the ground—physically—because she thought they’d never hit the ground again. Not while Gabe was here.
“I’ve missed you so much,” he whispered. She looked up at him and saw the sheen of tears in his electric green eyes. A tear escaped her own, and then she was reaching for him and pulling his mouth down to meet hers. They kissed like they hadn’t seen each other in a lifetime. They kissed like she was the first warm breath of summer after a long winter, thawing out the icy landscape of his heart. They kissed like they belonged together. They kissed like soul mates.
And then someone ruined the moment by shouting, “Get a room!”
Gabe ignored Eden and continued staring at Melody, trying to figure out if this was really happening.
“I’m sorry,” she told him, finally catching her breath.
“It’s okay. I understand why you had to leave.”
She bowed her head. “And now I’ve made the situation worse.”
“What do you mean?” he asked, lifting her chin back up.
“I’m now mortal, and Willow has my blood. She’s going to use it to make herself immortal, and then Abraham is going to put Jazmine’s soul in her body.”
“None of this is your fault, okay? It’s all Abraham and Jazmine. They’ve used Willow at her lowest and taken advantage of her.”
“We have to stop them. But, Gabe, I can no longer protect you. I’m human.”
He kissed her again and then rested his forehead against hers. “I don’t care if you’re human or angel. I don’t need protecting. Now I can to protect you.”
“I love you,” she told him, then wrapped her arms around his middle. She could stay this way forever.
Eden joined Asher at the window. She nudged his arm. He was looking out into the garden.
“Brings back memories, doesn’t it?” she said.
“Yeah. This used to be home. Now I feel like it’s a lie.”
Eden studied her boyfriend’s face. She reached out and lifted his chin. His grey-blue eyes met hers. She wanted to reach into them and yank out the sadness that had pooled itself there.
“Oh, Ash. I’m sorry.” She stepped forward and pulled him to her and wrapped her arms around him tight. “I know who you are. I don’t care where you came from.”
“I know. It’s more the fact that my parents lied to me. But that’s all in the past. You are my future, Eden.” He leaned down and kissed her and pushed a strand of her purple-tipped brunette hair behind her ear.
And then he got down on one knee.
&
nbsp; “Uh… Ash. What the heck are you doing?”
“Eden Daylesford, we’ve been through a lot together. Heaven and hell. Life and death. Literally.” He paused, and Eden snickered. “But there’s no one else I’d rather share my life with than you. And I’d really love it if you would do me the honour of becoming my wife. Will you marry me?”
Eden didn’t have words. She stared down at the man she loved and blinked. She couldn’t believe what he was asking. Was this real? But as she looked down at him, kneeling before her on one knee, she knew what she wanted without a doubt. So, she pulled him up and kissed him with everything she had.
And then she whispered, “Yes.” She cleared her throat and added, “But I don’t want a poofy white dress and a big clunky diamond and all that. I’m not like—”
Asher pulled her mouth to his once more. “Shut up. I know what you’re like and what you want, Eden.” He opened up his palm to reveal a black velvet ring box. With curiosity sparkling in her eyes, Eden snatched the box and opened it. What she saw inside caused her breath to rush out of her.
“Oh, my God!”
“Is that to your liking, Princess Eden?” Asher teased.
The ring band was made from black hematite encrusted with one larger amethyst and two black skulls with diamond eyes on either side.
She grinned. “It’s perfect.” She slipped it on as Melody and Gabe came up behind them.
“Oh, my. Is that what I think it is?” said Melody. “Did you guys just get engaged?”
“Yep.” Eden flashed off her ring and cuddled into her new fiancé’s chest.
“Wow. Congrats, guys. That’s awesome,” said Gabe. He then turned to look down at Melody and winked. Melody flushed red and entwined her fingers with his.
“I see you guys have made up,” said Asher.
“Yeah. Something like that.”
Then they heard a commotion near the entrance of the dining hall. They turned from their little circle of happiness to see Beth standing in the doorway wearing a grim expression on her face.