Fall from Grace (Book 2: An Angelblood Novel)

by Linda L. Creel

  “I need to have a word with you and the others,” Uriel smiled. “But first let’s put this matter to rest.” He addressed the Committee. “The High Council agrees that the marriage between Jayden Collins and Natalie Fairbourne is hereby annulled,” Uriel said. “All records will be expunged and Jayden is now free to live hislife.”

  Jayden looked at Uriel.“Thank you sir. I promise I‘ll think before I decide to marry again.”

  “I’m sure you will,” Uriel said graciously. “Now I need a word with my son beforeRichard’s trial begins.” Arthur interjected. “We have another matter to discuss before the trial.”

  “What matter are you referring to?” Meredith asked.

  “Since Uriel is already here, perhaps he could remain and give Henry an answer to his own petition for annulment?”

  “I would be more than happy to be of assistance,” Uriel replied.

  “The Co mmission will stand in recess for fifteen minutes before hearing testimony from Henry and Meredith,” Arthur said. Uriel pulled Paul and the rest of the Guild aside to speak to them.

  “Why are you here Father?” Paul asked.

  Uriel smiled at his son.“You’ll understand in a few minutes.”

  “Has something else happened?” Adam asked.

  “Yes, but I assure you it’s nothing to concern yourselves with. You will all be enlightened soon. Why don’t we return to the table? I think I would enjoy a cup of tea.” He whispered something to Paul who was clearly upset by what he heard. Never one to question his father, Paul nodded in agreement.

  As the others returned to their table, Joshua left to bring Uriel’s tea. He felt a bit uneasy being in the presence of someone of such authority. Uriel saw the concern on his face and assured him he was family. His smile seemed to relax Joshua somewhat, but like the Guild he too was questioning his presence.

  At the end of the intermission, Arthur and the rest of the Commission returned to their seats.

  Henry offered testimony first. “How can I remain in a loveless marriage when there is clearly no trust,” he pleaded.

  “Do you have anything to add?” Arthur asked Meredith. Furious, she was about to stand up, when Richard pulled her back.

  “Perhaps its better this way,” he whispered to his mother.

  “You’ve heard his accusations? Am I to say nothing?” she fumed.

  “You’ll have your chance later,” he insisted. Meredith considered Richard’s words, “I have nothing to add,” she said quietly.

  The entire room gasped. They expected Meredith to argue feverishly about the allegations and at least defend herself. Perhaps Uriel’s presence changed her mind.

  “If there is nothing else we are prepared to render our decision,” Arthur said. “It is the opinion of this commission thatHenry Fairbourne’s request to have his marriage annulled to Meredith Wycliffe shall be granted.”

  Joshua stood up to congratulate his father; a gesture thatdidn’t go unnoticed by his mother.

  “It is further ordered Meredith Fairbourne shall receive one thousand dollars a month for the duration of her life. From this day forward, she will resume her maiden name of Wycliffe. She is forbidden from using the title of “First Lady of Utopia” and shall forfeit any and all compensation previously afforded her in same position. Her name shall be removed from all documents associated with the office of the Governor. If there is nothing more to add, we can take a small recess before the next hearing.”

  The entire room went silent. They never expected Meredith to be given such a severe sentence.

  “I concur with the opinion of this commission,” Uriel said. “You are a free man Henry Fairbourne.” “How dare they insult me like this! They will be sorry. I swear it!” Meredith said through gritted teeth.

  Rita and Jessica arrived at the hall a few minutes later. They walked over to the table where Richard and Meredith were sitting. They opened the bags and rolled the creatures heads on the table in front of them. Rita smiled. “Their killing days are over.”

  Meredith screamed and Richard fell out of his chair. The girls walked over and sat next to Uriel, who was grinning from ear to ear.

  Richard was livid as he picked himself up. He didn’t dare go after the girls with Uriel in the room. “Someone clean this up!” he screamed. “What should we do with them?” one of the servants asked nervously.

  “Burn them!” he yelled.

  Richard then condemned the actions of Rita and Jessica. “Are you going to do nothing about this?” he demanded of the Commission.

  Many of the Utopians hid their faces to conceal their laughter. Richard and Meredith were not amused. Paul looked at Will and Joshua.“Are these the same creatures that attacked you?”

  “Yes, that’s them,” Joshua replied.

  “Well, it seems these girls have done us all a great favor today. Wouldn’t you agree Richard?” Paul chuckled. Richard, who was covered in the creature’s blood, said nothing.

  Winifred Whitehall spoke. “It’s true these creatures are no longer a threat to us, but I’m not convinced they were acting alone.” She looked at Richard and Meredith. “I suggest we remain at the sanctuary until the Guild’s investigation is complete. The children are content and no harm can come to them there.”

  One by one the others agreed. “It is our duty to protect our children above all else. We will remain at the sanctuary until the Guild gives us further instructions,” Arthur said.

  Henry addressed the residents. “While I was visiting Aeden it was brought to my attention, the children were included in their meetings. By keeping our children ignorant, we are also keeping them in danger. I would like to propose that our children be allowed to attend the Commissionmeetings.”

  “One day t hey will assume the responsibility for the well being of this colony. During the Great War in Heaven the children were not informed and as a result many lost their lives. I can assure you the little ones are capable of handling information; perhaps better than most of us. They have a voice, we should listen to it.”

  “Most of the other colonies have already adopted this policy. I believe it would be a good practice for us to follow. I’d like to set up a Children’s Council. They can choose who they want to represent them. The children can appoint a Governor, a captain of the Guard, and five other delegates. They should be allowed to bring matters of importance to the meetings, just as we do.”

  “I couldn’t agree more with Henry. The children are the voice of our future and they should be included in all of our decisions,” Arthur said.

  Uriel stood. “It appears you have a great deal of work to do. Therefore, I suggest we postpone the hearing in regards to the Enchantors death for at least one week.”

  Rita was about to argue, but when her grandfather gave her a stern look, she thought better of it. At least Richard knew he would no longer have the aide of the creatures. He also knew the Guild would not tolerate his arrogance any longer. It wasn’t a total wash. Henry and Jayden both had their marriages annulled. That in itself was worth celebrating.

  The Commission adjourned and planned to meet in another week. By then the Children’s Council would be formed.

  Paul said goodbye to his father as the Guild prepared to leave. Jayden would notify Jane of his good news.

  Joshua and Will still intended to go to shopping in New York with Rita and Jessica. But Rita felt Will was upset about something. She thought he would be happy the creatures were dead, but he didn’t act like it. Outside he pulled Rita to the side.

  Will wasn’t just unhappy; he was furious. “What the hell were you thinking going after them without help? You and Jessica could have been killed.”

  “We had to stop them. Do you think they wouldn’t kill again?”

  “You’re not untouchable Rita. You may think you are, but I promise you’re not,” Will ranted.

  “We weren’t in any danger. You should be happy they’re dead.”

  “Did they give you any information?” Will asked. “No,
they weren’t in the talking mood,” Rita laughed.

  “You think this is funny? You didn’t see what they did to my parents,” Will screamed. “Joshua and I were nearly killed. Do you evenunderstand that?”

  “This isn’t about you and Joshua. This is about protecting all of the angelblood.”

  “I suppose we aren’t as strong as you and Jessica?” Will scoffed.

  “It’s not about strength Will. Jess and I have angel - fire at our disposal. No one would ever question your strength or your courage.”

  “Yeah-right,” Will said, as he turned to walk away.

  Rita stood there frozen. Had she somehow hurt Will’s feelings? Then she became angry. She looked at Jessica.“I’ve changed my mind. I’m going home. You can go with them, but I won’t be joining you.” She was almost running when she walked away.

  Jessica looked unhappily at Joshua.“I’m afraid I’ll have to go home too. I’m so sorry.”

  “Will and I were planning to enroll in the Academy after the New Year. He’ll probably want to move in now. Maybe we can get together in a few days,” he said hopefully.

  “Rita won’t break a promise she made to Willow. I’m sure she’ll bring her to see Matthew.”

  “I understand,” Joshua smiled. He waved goodbye and hurried to catch up to Will.

  As soon as Jessica caught up to Rita, the old hag appeared again.

  “What do you want old woman?” Rita yelled. “You are not out of danger little pretty’s. Death is coming. It has followed you.”

  “Don’t you have somewhere to be?” Rita asked.

  The old hag started laughing. She started to sing that same damn dirge again. Neither of the girls could make out the words, but they watched as the old hag turned and limped down the road.

  “I don’t know why she always seems to show up. What do you think she wants?”Rita asked.

  “She lives in one of those old houses where we found Virgil. Maybe she’s an Enchantor too,” Jessica said.

  “I don’t know what she is, but she’s certainly strange enough. I wish she would stay away from us. She gives me the creeps.”

  “Why don’t we go home? I think I’ve had enough of Utopia for one day.”

  The girls held hands and were soon transported back to the valley.

  After they were gone, Richard looked at his mother. “I need to get Natalie now. She’ll wonder what happened.” “I can’t believe they’ve postponed your trial. Will you be prepared in a week?”

  “I doubt I have a choice. I’ll know more after I’ve taken care of this business with Natalie.”

  “How did they find those creatures?” “Perhaps Rita’s gift is stronger than we thought.”

  “Are you sure you can trust that Enchantor, Richard?”

  “She stands to lose a great deal if she betrays me. I’ll be in contact with you in a day or two. You should consider a vacation. No one would blame you, considering your marriage has beenannulled.”

  “The nerve of them granting me a thousand dollars a month for support,” she hissed.

  “Soon you’ll have everything you ever dreamed of Mother.”

  “Right now I am dreaming of their deaths.” “Perhaps you won’t be kept waiting too long,” Richard laughed.

  Meredith kissed her son goodbye and headed outside where a carriage was waiting to take her home. She would inform the servants of her decision to take another trip to Paris.

  Chapter 13

  Aura and the others returned home after their encounter with Mortriel. She decided to wait until her father was back from Utopia before speaking to the Guild. Aidan wasn’t back yet. She wondered how he would respond to the news. Regardless of his distance towards her, he would still remain as her guardian.

  Perhaps he would have some information about Jeziels whereabouts when he came back. Aura suggested the others remain at her house until she had a chance to meet with the Guild. She already notified her mother, who was waiting for them when they came through the door.

  “Where is Aidan?” Eve asked.

  “Looking for Jeziel,” Aura said.

  “He should never have abandoned you. You’re certain it was Lucifer’s son Mortriel?” Angie asked.

  “He didn’t abandon me,” A ura said defensively. “We were planning to shop most of the day. I saw no reason that he shouldn’t look for her. We weren’t expecting to meet Mortriel.”

  “Something is happening.” Angie paced the floor. “I can’t believe Lucifer would send his son here, unless they were planning something big. He would never risk Mortriel’s life.”

  “Perhaps Lucifer thinks he is impervious to any danger here,” Aura said. “Alannah was upset when she saw him. She started to cry and I’m sure Mortriel enjoyed that immensely.”

  “You didn’t do anything to him did you?” her mother asked.

  Aura smiled. “If you’re asking me if I showed him angelfire, the answer is no. He told Bren and Tracy he was sure he killed them. I told him to stay away from them and I used my shield to send him a message. You should have seen how angry he was when the shield knocked him to the ground.”

  Angie was still pacing the floor. Aura had never seen her so upset. What was she worried about? Eve’s shield would keep them safe in the valley. Aura couldn’t help thinking that she was concerned about something or someone else. “But Mortriel is still unaware of your other gifts?” Angie asked.

  “I’m not a fool. I know if Lucifer knew about my gifts he would be relentless in his pursuit of me. Alannah sent a message to Alorrah warning her not to allow any of them to get close to her or Alexis. I swear if he tries to hurt them,I’ll kill him,” Aura said.

  “Are you sure he can’t cause them any harm?” Aura heard fear in her mother’s voice as well. What weren’t they telling her?

  “Alannah told me he can keep them trapped, but he can’t cause them physical pain,” Aura said.

  Angie looked sympathetically at Eve.“I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

  “Who will be fine?” Aura asked.

  Eve looked mournfully at her daughter. “I’m afraid there is someone else that was captured by Lucifer many years ago.”

  “Who else is there? Is it someone we know?”

  Eve sat down at the table. “You remember Aidan told you others have tried to rescue Alorrah and Alexis, but they didn’t know how?”

  “I remember. I assumed there were other angels who tried and Lucifer killed them and returned their souls to Heaven.”

  Eve’s hands were shaking. Angie sat next to her and held them to keep them still. “There was one who tried who was not an angel,” Eve said.

  “Who was it?”

  “Sit down Aura, this is difficult for me to talk about,” her mother said.

  It wasn’t like Eve to be upset. Aura was afraid of what her mother was about to reveal.

  “Your father and I have spoken to you and the other children often about our existence. Your great-grandmother Esra fell deeply in love with an Irishman named Fionn. I never met him, but I’m sure he had a pure heart or the Lord Father would never have agreed to the union. My mother told me countless stories about her father, at least what she remembered of him.”

  Angie poured her friend a cup of tea and took the seat beside her.

  “After Esra and Fionn were married, your father told me she was happy, but something was missing in her life. Being a seer is a merciless job and you yourself know you can’t everfilter the truth.”

  “Esra told me the same thing. What are you trying to tell me Mom?”

  “Fionn listened to Esra speak of the Great War and the losses she suffered. She lost a brother, a sister, and two of the eternal children, whom she loved as her own.”

  “They all suffered losses. Dad told us that already.”

  “It was a dreadful time. Fionn thought their marriage would relieve some of her pain, but Esra was very close to her family. When my mother was born she was happy, but Alice only reminded her how much she missed Avriel and t
he girls. Fionn felt helpless. No matter what he did it wasn’t enough. Don’t get the wrong impression. He loved Esra unconditionally.”

  “One day he decided he wanted to attempt to bring Alorrah and Alexis home. He knew if he could do what the others failed; Esra would finally have peace in her life. He met with Michael and the other Archangels. They told him he would have to summon the demon child, who always traveled with one of Lucifer’s disciples.”

  “They tried to discourage him from his mission, but Fionn had his heart set on it. Even if he was not successful, he felt he could no longer stand by and do nothing. Fionn met with Gideon, your grandfather. He promised to watch over my mother, who was still a child at the time. Many years passed and no one knew what happened to Fionn.”

  “Esra finally told the powers of Heaven her vision confirming that Fionn was taken to Hell. They expected him to die like the others, but when Lucifer learned that he was married to Esra,he kept him alive.”

  Aura gasped.“My great-grandfather is in Hell too?”

  “Yes. Lucifer spared hi s life, hoping he could persuade Alorrah to follow his commands. Fionn would never allow the children to turn away from Heaven; regardless of how much he was tortured. He was a true child of Heaven, even if he had mortal blood.”

  “If Fionn was mortal wouldn’t he be dead now?”

  “Esra’s certain he’s still alive. She gave her blood to Fionn before Alice was born. Lucifer would be able to keep him alive indefinitely, because of his angelblood.”

  “So he has Alorrah and Alexis, and Fionn too?”

  Eve nodded. “Esra knows Fionn would never betray Heaven. But by making him suffer, Lucifer thought he could persuade Alorrah to succumb to him.”

  Aura looked at Alannah.“Is Fionn still alive?” “Yes Mommy, but he doesn’t have the same protection as Alorrah and Alexis.”

  “So Lucifer can hurt him?”

  “Yes Mommy. Alorrah tries to protect him, but they still torture him in front of her and Alexis. Fionn made her promise never to use her powers to help Lucifer no matter what they did to him. Betraying Heaven would hurt him more than anything else Lucifer could ever do. The last time he hurt Fionn, Alorrah burned one of them. She told Lucifer she would burnhim too, if he didn’t stop. She said Lucifer looked at her and laughed. When she called for the fire, he stopped laughing.”