Quinn heard his name the instant the whisper past her lips. He groaned in frustration, his tortured eyes pleading with the Archangel for help.
A tiny flicker of Michael’s fingers and the invisible barrier came to life rippling and shimmering with an intense blue glow. A resonating hum followed quickly by a resounding pop signalled the end to the shields power.
With the freedom he desired Quinn wasted no time in claiming the woman he loved more than life. Sweeping Darla into the safety of his arms, he breathed more easily than he had in a long time.
Ironically one of the beings he had hated almost forever had been the one to come through for him in the end, giving him back his life along with Darla’s. Perhaps now he would have the chance he craved, to convince her that not all demons were evil. If she could put all prior ideas and beliefs aside he would make it his mission in life to give her all the love and happiness she deserved.
And if she refused his love? At least he could be happy just knowing that she lived.
Michael silently observed as the couple embraced, hearing their private thoughts as clearly as if they’d spoke them a loud. Surprisingly the warmth of their blossoming love left him feeling an unfamiliar sense of… satisfaction? A rare event indeed to inspire even the slightest of emotions in an angel let alone an Archangel and yet he found that nothing confused and enthralled him more than the concept of love between a male and female. Its complexities and convolutions were a constant source of irrationality that defied all logic- unlike the divine love that he felt for his Lord. But with Quinn and Darla’s damaged and tormented pasts and all their hang ups and paranoia he had to admit the reunited couple would prove more than interesting to watch and observe.
But first to unfinished business.
Turning his attention back to Beelzebub he waved his finger releasing him from the invisible restraint. No longer supported the demon fell to his knees, his head slumped forward in defeat.
“You had no right,” the demon moaned defeated.
Casually dressed in a loose white shirt that lay opened at the neck revealing a strong toned physic to match his imposing height, Michael silently studied the kneeling figure before him. “I had every right, bother mine. You were the one who defied God’s grace. I am simply here to enforce it.”
“Who is he?” Darla whispered directly into Quinn’s ear, not wishing to be overheard.
“Michael.”
“As in ‘the Archangel?” she asked in awe and wonder.
“The very same,” he confirmed.
Not daring to believe and yet knowing undoubtedly it was true Darla now understood the inexplicable wash of emotion that had engulfed her at first sight of the beautiful man. This was one of the most holy of beings next to God and he had chosen to save her. The question was why?
Beelzebub roared in response to Michael’s reply. His face strained and contorted into a visage of evil hell-bent on retribution. His body shook and convulsed veins and muscles swelling to double their size. Raising to his feet his clothes succumbed to his increasing size, tearing from his body to reveal dark red skin beneath.
Small traces of Beelzebub could still be detected in the creature’s prominent features but aside from that the ancient hall was now dwarfed by a demon of biblical proportions, spewed from the depths of hell itself. Producing a deafening roar- that had even the devout Nephilim retreating to the safety of the shadows -the enormous beast clenched his fists, digging long sharp talons into his palms. Two huge skeletal wings unfurled from his back stretching out to form an eerily impressive display of soft taunt skin stretched over a mixture of delicate and strong bones.
Quinn’s heart sank as Darla recoiled in horror at the sight of the demon that now stood towering above Michael’s impressive height. Here was the conformation of everything that would have shaped her ideas of good and evil right from an early age; how could he ever hope to overcome that and still hope that she could love him?
Michael, unfazed by the demons monstrous form, looked as reposed as ever. “Stand down brother.”
“No!” Beelzebub’s voice was deep and guttural with no trace of its former velvety tones.
“I will say it only one more time and I advise you heed me well. Stand. Down.” Michael enunciated each word of the command.
Ignoring the warning Beelzebub swung his attention to Darla, his exotic golden eyes glowing with determination. “I will not stop until the woman is dead; only then can I return home.
Quinn snatched Darla behind him and growled his own warning. His body crouched in readiness to defend her. But before Beelzebub could attack the room filled with intense light.
Blinking to clear her eyes, Darla gasped out loud at the presence of a holy angel. Michael now stood garbed in a short white tunic, overlaid with gold breastplate and matching vambraces and greaves. He could have been mistaken as one of the ancient gods of Olympus had it not been for the wings that arched majestically behind his back. From shoulder to tip the graceful arches must have reached fifteen feet. Coated by layer upon layer of the purest white feathers, their beauty was astonishing to behold.
In his hand Michael wielded a sword that shone with an ethereal light. “I have bested you once brother, do not think that I will not do so again.” Michael’s soft voice filled the room with its power. “You have already fallen; must I clip your wings also?”
The threat penetrated the wall of anger clouding Beelzebub’s judgement. “You wouldn’t.” He hissed taking an involuntary step backwards eyeing the sword with a reasonable degree of fear.
“Wouldn’t I?” Michael replied his face an unreadable mask. “You know me well enough to know that I will do everything within my power to follow Gods command. It has been decreed that this women is to remain unharmed and I will do whatever it takes to see that she does, no matter the cost. So if you wish to try me brother, go right on ahead.”
The dogmatic faith of his words convinced even those that did not know him that he had meant each and every word. Out matched in size to Beelzebub’s demonic form he may have been, but there was not one amongst them that believed the Archangel would lose. Power and strength oozed from every ounce of his being.
Yet still Beelzebub refused to relinquish the fight. “I have a right to do this.”
Michael took a step closer, the glowing sword held firmly poised across one shoulder ready to strike at a moment’s notice. “You have nothing.” He stated firm and clear. “Did you honestly believe that our father would stand by and allow such an atrocity to take place; that he would allow you to desecrate his holy house? Have you learned nothing from your time here? You committed an offense to God and were duly punished. You, along with all the others have always known the way to return home and yet you ignored that, choosing instead a path of less worth in the hope of returning to glory. Whatever made you think you had a right to do this?”
“An unjust sentence gave me that right.” Beelzebub bellowed. “I have always claimed acceptance of the crime we committed against our father, but the punishment…” Beelzebub’s voice broke. “The punishment was too harsh by far.”
“Too harsh?” Michael’s wings snapped open, the only outward display of emotion from the Archangel. “You defied the will of God! The sole purpose of our existence is to serve him unquestioningly. You not only committed a crime against God, you defiled the very essence of who we are.”
The anger and energy seemed to drain out of the demon. “But he asked too much of us, expecting us to kneel to one of these… creatures.” His hand swept in Darla’s direction.
Michael lowered his sword. “Not just any human, it was his son.”
“But a human none-the-less.” Beelzebub sneered. “Their hatred for one another sickens me. They live for endless war, murder and suffering. Life is meaningless to them, wiped out on a simple whim. They are nothing but animals; and he would have us worship one of them.” He spat in contempt.
“You are wrong brother. They are but children, Gods children. Agree
d they are spiteful, cruel and destructive, but they will learn and grow as all children inevitably do.”
“And while we wait for that to happen, I am condemned; forced to live out eternity in a place filled with darkness and misery. Where is the justice in that? Where is God’s mercy?”
“You may return home any time you wish. You know what is required of you.” No longer sensing any threat from the demon, Michael retracted his wings. The beautiful white feathered arc’s folding to nestle majestically against his back. Their feathered tips hovered barely a whisper above the stone floor at his feet.
“Aye, I know well enough. A thousand years of penance spent working amongst the apes in return for forgiveness from an unjust sentence. Is it any wonder only one of the fallen has ever petitioned to return home? And where did that get him?” Beelzebub cast a scathing look in Quinn’s direction. “I would rather rot here than waste one single day serving their kind.”
“Then so be it.” Michael’s sorrow was a tangible presence in the vastness of the room. “I hope one day you find the peace you seek, but until then brother.”
Catching the barely noticeable movement of Michael’s hand, Beelzebub roared with defeat as all but he and his devout Nephilim vanished from the ancient castle in a blinding array of light.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Dizziness and nausea washed over Darla. Her hands instinctively reached out for Quinn, clasping onto him for added support. Blinking rapidly to clear her distorted vision, the sensation passed almost as quickly as it had appeared.
Slowly she surveyed her new surroundings. Barren rock beneath her feet and a soft cooling breeze revealed she was no longer inside the castle but all around them they were shrouded in darkness.
“Where are we?” she whispered to Quinn.
Michael stepped forward from the darkness, Larissa and Gallion at his side. “This is the mountain of light, a place in Redemption for those who wish to summon the angels.” Opening his hand, a light steadily grew from within his palm, spreading out to surround them.
“People can actually do that?” she asked astonished.
Michael cast an undetected glance in Quinn’s direction. “Yes they can, and contrary to belief, if a cause is worth fighting for we will do our utmost to help.”
With great disappointment Darla noted that the angel no longer displayed his wings, or his warrior garb. Instead he wore the soft white shirt and loose fitting slacks that he had first appeared to her in. His feet remained bare on the stony floor as if it were the softest of carpets.
Quinn placed his jacket across her shoulders, reminding her she was still wearing the hideous dress provided by Beelzebub. Grateful of being able to cover up some of her exposed flesh on show from the dangerously low neckline Darla accepted it with a gracious smile loving being surrounded by his familiar scent.
My god, I’m alive!
Stepping up to the Archangel, Darla lifted up on tip-toe and gently placed a kiss on his cheek. “I can never thank you enough for saving me.”
The Archangel looked puzzled. “I believe it is I that should be thanking you.”
“You’re kidding me right?”
Casting the light from his palm into the air above them, Michael took Darla’s hand in his. “Darla Gray,” he began his voice soft, yet commanding. “You have repeatedly proven your worth against unimaginable trials. Suffered at the hands of loss and grief, constantly challenged to repudiate God and after all this you were still prepared to sacrifice all to protect Heaven. Amongst all your pain and anguish you have never once faltered, never once questioned why and for this my father has deigned to bless you with a gift.”
“But I don’t...”
“You penance in Redemption has been satisfied, you have the right to return home. You should realise this is a great honour, you will be able to pick up your old life where you left off with all memory of your time here completely erased.”
Darla felt numb with shock. How could this be? Everything to do with her past life had been so wrong and everything she had found in Redemption just felt so right. In the few days since she had fallen she had finally found the thing that had been missing from her life for so long—a home! Here she had found people whom she had begun to care for and a fierce, stubborn man who given time, could maybe grow to love her as she loved him. To return home to a life filled with emptiness and despair… a life so lonely that death had been more welcoming, how could she possibly bare that?
Michael watched the pay of emotions on her face with breathless anticipation. His Lord expressed she had to choose of her own free will… the one crucial factor that controlled the fate of them all now.
“Michael, may I just have a moment?”
“Of course, you may have as long as you need.”
Worrying at her bottom lip, Darla looked to the circle of friends curiously awaiting her decision. It was only then that she realised that one of them was missing. “Where’s Valmont?”
“He left.” Larissa answered softly.
“Left? Left when?”
Larissa coughed uncomfortably. “Immediately after…..” her voice trailed off finding it unnecessary to remind her of what Valmont had done.
“But why would he leave?”
“Because he blames himself for what almost happened.” Quinn replied.
Darla snorted believing it to be a joke until she noticed the serious expressions of the others. “You’re serious?” she gasped. “But that’s ridiculous. Valmont was no more to blame than what I was. Beelzebub manipulated us all.”
“But what you fail to realise Darla is just how old Valmont really is. We’re not talking years, but centuries. He’ll hold himself to blame for not having the strength to resist your blood. Whether you hold him at fault or not is irrelevant, he blames himself. If Michael had not intervened you would be…dead.” Even now the words were hard for him to speak. How will I survive if she chooses to leave? He wondered starring at her beautiful face.
Yet the truth was undeniable, a future in Redemption would be hard on her. Would she take the easy choice and return to a life she once knew where fallen angels didn’t seek to destroy her and Vampire’s didn’t crave her perfect blood. Where her friends weren’t the creatures of ancient myths and legend and a demon who had long ago given up all hope of happiness now only dreamed of being able to love her.
How will I bare to let her go?
Darla could only wonder at Quinn’s morose stare. If she chose to stay in Redemption whether he wanted to be with her or not at the very least she could repair the damage between him and his friend; and with that in mind her choice was made, not that there had ever really been one.
But one simple question remained. “Michael, you stated that my return to earth was a gift. If so what happens if I choose not to accept it?”
“The gift is yours to do with as you please.”
“And if I chose to give it to another?” she asked, a plan forming in her mind.
“I repeat, the gift is yours to do with as you please.”
Having all the reassurance she needed Darla turned to Maisey. Taking the redheads hands in her own she squeezed them lightly trying to restrain her excitement at her friends bemused stare.
“Maisey, I wish you to have my gift.”
A far cry from her normal elegant composure Maisey’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped open in shock. “Darla no… oh sugar you can’t, this is your chance to go home.”
“Err, I think I can, is that right Michael? You said the gift was mine to do with as I please? Correct?”
Michael fell silent, staring into space while Darla waited patiently for a reply. Focusing back on the two women he nodded in agreement. “My Lord has consented to the arrangement…however, he has become somewhat attached to the female and wishes to make a proposal before she agrees.”
Amazed at how quickly her life had changed, Maisey’s eyes pooled with unshed tears. “I…I…Don’t…”
“Ssshhh. There’s no need to
say anything. The truth is you long for home, and I don’t.”
Darla thought she heard a sigh of relief from somewhere behind her. “What I want is for you to take my place. Go home and learn to live again. Enjoy the life you should have had, no-one deserves it more.”
Her tears finally broke, overflowing her lashes to silently coarse down her flawless cheek. “How can I ever thank you?” Maisey asked.
Darla swept the tear aside her face smiling radiantly. “Simple, just enjoy your second chance.”
The two women fiercely embraced.
As they broke apart Quinn stepped forward gently brushing his hand down Darla’s arm unaware of the tingling sensation that it caused. “Darla. Are you absolutely sure that this is what you want? There’s no going back from this. Once the decision’s made you’ll be stuck in Redemption.”
Starring into his concerned face Darla knew there had never been any other choice for her. How easy it was going to be to convince him of that was anyone’s guess. “I’ve never been more certain of anything in my whole life.” She replied with a smile that that took his breath away.
“Michael can we do this now?” she asked.
“It is already done. Maisey’s departure will be arranged once she has met with my father.”
“So I guess we’re all done here. Then I suppose I need to be thinking about a place to live and a job.”
“We are not quite finished just yet.” Michael added surprising not just the Darla but the others too.
“But the gift has been decided.”
“It has indeed and I promise you the agreement will be honoured. However it was not the real reason for bringing you here. You see, we had to be absolutely certain. It’s a crucial stipulation.”
“What is?” Darla questioned both apprehensive and intrigued.
“Free will of course!”
Both Larissa and Gallion sidled closer curious to hear what Michael had to say.
Quinn stepped up to the Archangel, tilting his head back to look him square in the face. “Hasn’t she done enough already? She almost died to save Heaven, what more could you possibly need from her?”
Redemption - A Darla Gray Novel Page 29