Fall from Grace (Book 2: An Angelblood Novel)

by Linda L. Creel

  “They should be back soon.” The two men shook hands and Henry walked back to the Governor’s mansion. By the time he arrived, Richard and Natalie were both gone.

  “Where did they go? Did they leave for Paris?” He demanded of Meredith.

  “What makes you think I know their whereabouts?” she answered coolly.

  “I am not a fool! Your son can barely wipe his nose without you. I never should have trusted you. I should have known Natalie wasn’t estranged from Richard. The three of you were using me.”

  “How can you speak to me this way Henry?”

  “Know this Meredith, if they have gone to Paris and the Guild questions me; I will not lie for any of you. I will no longer participate in your games. I’m giving you notice, I intend to end our marriage. You’ve given me more than enough reasons not to trust you.”

  “ I have been nothing but faithful to you. How can you defend them after what they did to your granddaughter?”

  “You know nothing of loyalty. You and Richard can move to his country home. My family’s heirlooms will remain here to be passed on to Analie and Ambrosia, the decent granddaughter. I’m warning you, if a hair on their head is harmed, I will see you burn!”

  Meredith was too stunned to speak. “The servants can start packing your things. You’ll be leaving first thing in the morning.”

  “Have you already determined Natalie’s guilt? Won’t you hear her side of things before you pronounce sentence on her?” Meredith asked.

  “If she was innocent, she wouldn’t have run away. I’m convinced you know more than you’re telling me. Perhaps the Guild will question you.” He walked out of the room, leaving Meredith to ponder her fate. He needed to go to Aeden and speak with Paul. At least he could see Joshua and tell him of his plans.

  Aura woke up just before five. Aidan was still not at home. She wondered if he found Jeziel or if he was still looking for her. She didn’t bother to dress. It was a tradition they would all stay in their bedclothes until after breakfast.

  She had the coffee and tea brewing, while she waited for the others to arrive. The little ones were still asleep giving her time to put the pastries and breakfast breads on the table. The children wanted fast foods, so they could concentrate on opening their presents.

  Aura looked around the room. There was the fresh smell of pine. Stockings were placed on the mantle for each of the little ones and their guests. She turned the lights on the tree and watched them twinkling against the glass panes in the windows.

  Even though some of them opened gifts at home, the big gifts were always opened at her house. Aura made it a point to get something special for each member of her family and their guests. Of course most of them were beginning to feel like family.

  The most special gift was for Aidan, who was still not at home. It was a picture of Aidan and Aura sitting on a white cloud. Hovering over them with their wings extended, were Alannah, Alorrah, Alexis, Bren and Tracy. On the bottom of the picture,“we can always hope,” was engraved.

  She intended to give him the portrait in front of the family, but because she had no idea where he was, she had Rusty place the painting in Aidan’s bedroom. Aura was still angry that he didn’t consider Alannah’s feelings when he stayed away all night.

  Aidan came home before six, still wearing the same clothes from the day before. Since the little ones were still asleep, they didn’t know that he hadn’t come home all night.

  Aura suggested he take a shower and change before the others arrived. He could sense that Aura was still annoyed with him, so he thought it would be better to wait until she was calm, before he broached the subject of Jeziel.

  A few minutes later, the rest of the family arrived, still dressed in their night clothes, following the family tradition. At first Will and Joshua were uncomfortable, until they realized even the Guild would be wearing red plaid flannel pajamas and robes too.

  While they waited for the little ones to come downstairs, Aura gathered the adults in the kitchen. She hadn’t spoken of the deaths to the rest of the family on Christmas Eve. Some of them were just hearing the news for the first time and Renatta was visibly upset.

  “Poor Jane, I don’t know how she can bear it; first losing Ella and now Jasper too. Does anyone know where Natalie and Jeziel went?”

  “Natalie is in Utopia or at least she was,” Jayden said.

  “No one really knows where Jeziel is.” Aura looked crossly at Aidan.

  “Why wouldn’t she stay here? Surely she knows that as Elijah’s guardian she has a duty to protect him.” “According to Natalie, Jeziel was afraid of being punished by the Guild,” Aura said.

  “Why would the Guild punish her?” Renatta asked.

  “Jeziel was only given permission to leave Heaven to act as Elijah’s guardian. Many of the High Council were opposed to her coming,” Iris said.

  “Do you think she had a part in his death?” “We don’t know anything yet. Hopefully after they question her,we’ll have more answers,” Iris said.

  “If they can find her,” Aura added. “I’m not sure she’ll be back anytime soon.”

  She remembered her conversation with Alannah. She was certain that Jeziel was in Hell with her father. She would wait for a quiet moment to tell her father that news.

  Aidan gave Aura a blistering stare. Surely she didn’t believe Jeziel was responsible for the deaths? He would speak to her privately later. Jeziel may have befriended Natalie, but that didn’t mean she was following her down the path to darkness. Aidan was convinced of her innocence. He needed to explain to Aura that Jeziel would never turn her back on Heaven, regardless of the circumstances.

  “I don’t trust Natalie. I’ve known her all my life and I can tell you she is more like Richard than you know,” Renatta said. “She may have told you Jasper’s death was an accident, but I don’t believe it.”

  Joshua looked at her. “We told them the same thing.”

  Rita and Jessica remained quiet, but listened to every word.

  Will asked hesitantly, “Knowing Natalie as we do is it possible that she killed Ella? Jasper believed she did. By eliminating both of them,there wouldn’t be any witnesses to implicate her.”

  He was trying to be supportive of Rita, but didn’t want to hurt Jayden. He knew what it felt like to lose a brother. He wouldn’t wish that on anyone.

  Jayden never said a word. He knew that Natalie killed Jasper. She had admitted doing so. Of course, she swore it was selfdefense, but he didn’t believe it. Her story had too many holes in it.

  Aura decided she couldn’t remain silent any longer. “I have something to share with you, but I think it’s best to wait until after the memorial service tomorrow.”

  “Did you see who killed Elijah?” Rita asked . “No, but I have seen something else.”

  Rita thought she must have some damning evidence to show them, seeing how upset she was. Being a seer was a thankless job. She was glad that she didn’t have to see all the terrifying visions that Aura saw routinely. In that moment, she almost felt sorry for her sister.

  The little ones came downstairs around seven. Their hair was still in two braids and they were wearing matching red plaid nightgowns, without slippers on their feet. Bren and Tracy helped Alannah tear into the presents. She was laughing as hard as everyone else.

  Will and Joshua stayed close to Rita and Jessica the rest of the day. They intended to leave for New York in a week, but Aura doubted that would happen. Rita didn’t care if they ever left, but when the boys did go, she and Jessica would travel with them.

  Willow would accompany them too. She liked Matthew Godwin and kept company with him each time he visited Aeden. Matthew didn’t have any friends to speak of, save the other children who attended the Academy. Most of them were much older, so he was always grateful for the time he spent with Willow. They were the same age and shared the same interests.

  Papa was as excited as the little ones. He made sure the video cameras were on in every corner of t
he living room. Aura put drinks for the little ones in spill proof cups. They would be eating and drinking in the living room, amidst all the gifts.

  When it came time for Will and Joshua to receive their gift from Papa, he handed each of them a small box. They looked curiously at each other, hoping it wasn’t jewelry.

  When they opened the boxes, they were pleasantly surprised to find a set of car keys. Papa walked them to the door, where two Lexus SUV’s awaited. One was painted gold, the other painted silver.

  A red ribbon adorned each of the hoods. Without realizing they were still in their pajamas and barefooted, the boys invited Rita and Jessica to take a drive with them. The girls didn’t mind. They followed them to the cars.

  Aidan knew Aura was still angry with him. He also knew some of her visions were unsettling. He hoped that she wasn’t going to show them that Jeziel was involved in the deaths. He was optimistic that his friend was innocent and there was an explanation for her running away.

  Alannah walked over and held her mother’s hand. “It’s okay Mommy.”

  Aura picked her up. She couldn’t fathom some of the visions Alannah had seen. She carried her into the kitchen to prepare a hot breakfast. Cooking allowed her to escape her worries, at least temporarily.

  A memorial service for Jasper, Elijah and Ericah was planned for the next day. There would be no bodies, only memories. Aura suspected the day would be hardest for Jane and Jayden, especially after what she was going to show them.

  When they returned to the house, Rita pulled Aura to the side.“What did you say to Jasper?”

  “Say to Jasper when?”

  “After Ella died and you were trying to convince Jasper to go to Australia with Papa, what did you say to him?”

  “I told him he would see Ella again.” “How could you know he would see her?”

  “I saw Ella as an angel. Jasper was standing next to her. He didn’t look any different. I couldn’t see the fire in the background and I had no way of knowing he was dead.”

  Rita shook her head before walking back to the living room with the others.

  Aura made sure they had gifts for Acadia and her sixteen year old friends from Utopia. She asked Ambor and Astor if they would be staying in Aeden.

  “We’re going to the Australian colony. Your father said the governor would meet us here today.”

  “You’ll both love Alistair. He’s a good friend of the family;a kind and caring man,” she smiled.

  Most of the angelblood had blonde hair and blue eyes. These girls were no exception.

  Alistair was a jovial man. Like Papa, his brown hair was peppered with thin strands of grey. When he arrived, Aura invited Alistair to stay for lunch. Paul introduced him to the young girls.

  He greeted them both with a hug and a promise. “You will be treated with the utmost respect there. I have prepared a home for you, not far from my own.”

  “Thank you. We visited Australia with our parents many times before and fell in lovewith the country.” Alistair laughed. “I’m sure you will both fit in nicely.”

  They sat next to each other at the table, talking as if they had known each other forever. Aura knew Alistair would treat them both like daughters.

  Alistair soon excused hims elf. “I should get these girls back so they can get settled in. I left Ethan with the Justice’s. I don’t want him to think I abandoned him on Christmas day. We’ll see each other soon.”

  He stopped to speak with Howard on the way out the door. Aura knew they were making plans to meet again. She hoped he would take Iris with him on his next trip. They seemed to enjoy each other’s company.

  Henry arrived in Aeden around three o’clock in the afternoon.

  “Henry, we weren’t expecting you,” Paul said.

  “I t hought you should know that Richard and Natalie are gone. I suspect they are in Paris, but I don’t know how long they’ll stay there. I’m certain Richard will hide her somewhere else.”

  “We didn’t think they would remain in Utopia. You’re welcome to stay and have dinner with us.”

  “Thank you I can’t really stay. I need to return to Analie and Ambrosia.” He looked at Jane. “I am so sorry for your loss. If I knew that Natalie would have caused so much pain, I would never have asked you to take her in.”

  “I don’t blame you Henry. We all trusted Natalie. At least Jasper and Ella are together,” she said.

  “If there’s anything I can do , please let me know. I really have to get back. I want to make sure the girls are safe.”

  Jane walked him to the door and hugged him. Regardless of what happened, he was still her friend. She knew he felt terrible, but hoped he would be safe too.

  Chapter 4

  After dinner, Aura asked her father to join her in the library. It was time she told him about Jeziel.

  “I think you need to know that Jeziel has been to Hell to visit her father.”

  “How can you know this? Have you had a vision?”

  “Alannah told me that Alorrah met her. She said that Samhael brought her there. She also said that Samhael started the fire that killedElijah and Ericah.”

  “We need to notify the High Council about this immediately. Did you see anything else? Did Jeziel kill them?”

  “I haven’t seen the vision of their death. I can only tell you what Alorrah said. I don’t want you to say anything to Aidan about this. My telling him that Jeziel has chosen the dark path won’t convince him. He’ll have to see for himself.”

  “Aura, do you think it’s fair to withhold that kind of information from him?” her father asked.

  “Something is going on. Aidan is protect ing her for some reason. I don’t know why, but I’m not about to allow him to warn her. For now, we’ll act as if we don’t know anything. I need to see where his loyalties lie. He should have been here with Alannah. Instead, he chose to search for Jeziel. The less we tell him now, the safer it will be for all of us.”

  “We’ll see what the Council says before we make a decision.”

  “I can’t ask for anything more.”

  They walked back out to the living room. Aura didn’t speak to Aidan the rest of the day. Even Alannah kept her distance from him. She wasn’t happy that Aidan was protecting Jeziel either.

  By eight o’clock, everyone started to load up all the gifts to take them home.

  Once again Bren and Tracy decided to stay with Aura. She didn’t care if they ever left. Having them around was good for Alannah.

  She helped the girls carry their gifts to their new bedroom. Her father helped her knock down one of the walls to convert the large space.

  The bed was larger than a California King. There were five closets, and a huge Grecian bath that would easily hold all of them. Aura used all the colors they liked; yellow, pink and purple. They each had their own dressers and coat racks for their robes.

  Inside the closet, the shelves were made so they could easily reach them. There was a sliding door which opened to a massive play room. Judging from their reaction, the girls loved their new space. They all three spoke in unison. “Thank you Aura. This is the best present ever.”

  Despite having their own space, the girls insisted on sleeping with her again. She didn’t argue. In time they would move into their new room. She said a quick goodnight to Aidan, before helping the girls get ready for bed.

  Aidan was beside himself. Why was Aura so angry with him? She would have searched for her friend if she was missing. He would speak to her about it in the morning.

  As he went into his own room, he saw the package resting against the back wall. He hadn’t seen it before. As he removed the paper, he was overwhelmed to see the portrait of the two of them with the little ones.

  He carried it downstairs and Rusty, who was still awake, helped him take the picture that was hanging over the fireplace down. They hung the new picture in its place.

  “You don’t think she’ll mind?” Aidan asked.

  “Not at all - she gave it to you so
that it could be displayed.”

  “Do you think she will forgive me for not being here last night?”

  “This was Alannah’s first Christmas. Paul took everyone flying last night. He made arrangements for Bren and the little ones to see Santa Clause. That was a big deal. I’m sure they would have liked you to be there with them. I don’t think Aura is angry. I think she’s just disappointed. She puts the children before anyone else,” Rusty said honestly.

  “I’ll speak to her in the morning. Perhaps she will be more forgiving then.”

  “They’re having the memorial service tomorrow. You might want to wait before you have any discussions about Jeziel.”

  “You may be right. I’m sure she’ll talk to me when she’s ready.”

  “Renatta and I are going to bed. Do you need anything before we retire?”

  “No I thought I might take a walk.”

  “Just be careful Aidan. Death has already come to our valley. Until the Guild figures out who is behind the deaths, none of us are really safe.”

  Rusty took Renatta and walked up the stairs, leaving Aidan alone. He would search again for Jeziel. He didn’t want her to be alone. He knew she was probably afraid. He needed to prove to Aura that she had nothing to do with the deaths. The only way he could do that, was to find his friend. He walked out the front door, closing it gently behind him.

  When Henry returned to Utopia, Meredith was not at home. Perhaps she already had some of her belongings moved into Richard’s country home. Her servants would remain loyal to her. They had been with her since she was a child.

  He wouldn’t think about her now. He walked back to the sanctuary, where he found his daughter Analie. At least he could salvage the rest of the Christmas holiday with her and Ambrosia.

  The children were in good spirits. Arthur must not have told them about the deaths. There would be time for that tomorrow. Tonight he would be grateful that his family was safe.