Fall from Grace (Book 2: An Angelblood Novel)
Page 31
“I’m sorry Aura. I didn’t make the rules.”
“You knew I couldn’t give it back because it would break my bond to the children. This is by far the cruelest thing you could have ever done to me.I won’t give up my daughter’s, not even for you. I’ll keep the ring, but our relationship will not be changing!”
She walked over to Alannah and the girls. “Why don’t you and the others go play, while I talk to Aidan?”
Bren and Tracy took Alannah’s hands and led her back to the playroom, where she would be out of ear shot of Aura and Aidan. Bren suspected the conversation wouldn’t be a pleasant one and she didn’t want to upset Alannah anymore.
They all witnessed Aidan with Jeziel in the backyard. Neither of the three trusted him anymore.
“At least Aura will be able to communicate with Alorrah now,” Bren said.
“Yes –that’s true. But I don’t want her to marry Aidan. He will never give up on Jeziel and we know how evil she is,” Alannah cried.
“I don’t think you have to worry about that,” Bren said. “Aura won’t be fooled by Jeziel. This is probably just part of the plan. Let’s try not to think about it for awhile. We have a wedding tomorrow.I’m sure the High Council will be there. Jeziel won’t start any crap with them around.”
“Yeah-that’s right,” Alannah said. The girls decided to let the matter go for now. There was no reason to be upset. Aura wouldn’t let Jeziel anywhere near them.
Aura sat in one of the kitchen chairs. “You have put me in an uncomfortable position. I never would have believed you would deceive me like this. What were you thinking?”
“I was hoping the ring would allow you some comfort. You will be able to speak with Alorrah now. Isn’t that what you want?”
“Of course it’s what I want, but you could have told me the rest. my own decision. lose both of my daughter’s. I can’t help thinking this would be a tactic your friend Jeziel would use!”
Aidan was full of regret. “I have never discussed the ring with anyone else, except your mother.I’m sorry you feel that I have deceived you, it was not my intention to do so.”
Aura walked to the playroom, but stopped as she entered. She thought of Alorrah and was shocked when a child’s voice came into her mind. “Mommy; I miss you. I know you’ll come for me soon. Can we pick out another Christmas tree, when I get home?”
Alannah heard the conversation too. “See Mommy, Alorrah says she’s coming home.”
Aura had to excuse herself for a minute. She didn’t want the little ones to see her cry. Aidan followed her into the room and when he saw how upset she was, he tried to cover for her until she regained her composure.
Of course the girls wanted no part of him and kept their distance; acting like he was invisible.
Seeing that he wasn’t wanted, Aidan walked out of the room where he found Aura crying. “Are you alright?” he asked.
“I heard her Aidan. Alorrah spoke to me. She said she missed me and asked when I was coming to bring her home?” Aura said, between sniffles.
“I’m sorry Aura. I never meant to hurt you”
“Do you think she knows?”
“Knows what?”
“Do you think she knows of a way for me to bring her home?”
“She is a powerful seer, like Esra. Perhaps she knows something you have not yet seen. Remember what you told me.There is always hope.”
I should have been allowed to make Now if I give back the ring, I will
“You’re right. I promised myself I would find a way to bring her home and I intend to keep that promise.” Aidan nodded in agreement. Even if Aura refused to accept him, he hoped that she could find a way to bring the girls out of Hell.
The ring was supposed to bring them closer together. Now it had driven a wedge between them; one that he wasn’t sure could ever be removed.
Chapter 46
The little ones made sure the family knew Aura accepted Avriels ring, but she and Aidan weren’t getting married.It wouldn’t hurt for them to know she intended to keep the ring if for no other reason than it allowed her to communicate with Alorrah. Aura was convinced Jeziel would not be happy about the news, but she took her threats to Aidan in stride. She had other things to think about; like rescuing her daughter from Hell.
That afternoon, Aura told Rita she needed to return to the valley with the boys. When they arrived she told them to go to bed early. “You’ll be leaving for Utopia at three in the morning.”
“Why so early?” Jessica moaned.
“Because it will be nine o’clock there and you have to be in Utopia for the hearing,” Aura said. After Rita informed Jessica the reason they needed to be in attendance she stopped complaining. If there was a way to get back at Richard, she would give up her bed for a week.
“Arian will be coming with you. He and Jade will stay at the sanctuary until they are needed at the Hall of Justice,” Aura said.
“Do you think Natalie will show up?”Jessica asked.
“I doubt it. Richard won’t risk her being there for a hearing to have his brother declared dead,” Rita replied.
Jessica sounded disappointed.“Is that what the hearing is about? I thought they were going to try Richard for Virgil’s death.”
“Aura has something else planned. I’ll tell you about it later,” Rita assured her.
Paul already met with Aura and told her the others were ready.
“So now all we have to do is enjoy dinner,” Aura said.
“Alannah was excited about the weddings, but prayed her mother would not consent to marry Aidan. Jeziel was all kinds of bad news and knowing she would be at the wedding was cause for her concern.
Aidan looked down in the dumps. Alannah had never acted so cold towards him before. Part of him blamed Aura for turning his daughter against him. He was so naïve, he had no clue that the girls had witness hisopen display of affection with Jeziel, in Aura’s backyard.
He was no longer optimistic about his relationship with Aura. He knew that she felt that he deceived her by giving her Avriel’s ring, but that wasn’t the case. He wanted to speak to her more about it, but she was too upset after hearing Alorrah’s voice for the first time.
He wondered if Jeziel would make her presence known again tonight. He told her he didn’t want her there, but when did she ever listen to him.
Aura was becoming more relaxed with the ring. Aidan could hear her conversing with Alorrah and trying to describe what was happening.“I can see it too Mommy,” Alorrah reminded her. Aura would laugh. “I forget that you’re a seer too sometimes.”
Aidan asked her what the prison looked like, but she was reluctant to answer him. He knew she was still angry and he wasn’t sure she would ever forgive him. Somehow Aura thought Jeziel had something to do with the timing of his gift to her.
When she finally did tell him, he could hear the hurtin her voice. “It’s a prison Aidan; not one of the bedrooms we have here. From what I saw, there is a small cot and they apparently bring her food. She said there is one girl she almost trusts, but she doesn’t have anything to do with the others.”
“Has she mentioned Alexis or Fionn?”
“Alexis is fine; as fine as anyone in her situation can be and she says she tries to protect Fionn. She knows they hurt him and when they do, she hurts one of Lucifer’s own. That’s how Samhael got burned. He was hurting Fionn and trying to send a message to Alorrah. Even though he was a good distance away, she burned his hand.”
“When Lucifer realized how far her angelfire could travel, he left them alone for a while. She said Mortriel is the worst of all. He pretends to be nice, but she hears him beating the other prisoners.”
“There are more of them?”
“Some of them were deceived into following one of Lucifer’s “children.” Alorrah says they treat them the worst because they were once mortal.”
“I don’t think I want to know anything else,” Aidan said miserably.“I don’t envy your gift.”
“I’m sure you have protections to prevent that from happening.”
They weren’t talking together as they did before, but at least they were talking. she would try for her daughter’s sake. hand, she was determined to show Aidan that he was not forgiven. It would be a long time before he would have that kind of trust from her again.
Keeping his friendship with Jeziel wasn’t going to help matters. They could leave their differences behind, at least until Jasmine was married. Aura didn’t Aura promised On the other want to hurt her feelings, so she agreed to be in the wedding.
At least she didn’t have to cook that night. The rehearsal dinner was held at one of the local hotels. Howard made sure everything was perfect. They would be celebrating another angelblood marriage on New Year’s Eve. That was only one day away. But first she would deal with Richard.
Aura hurried to get the little ones bathed and in bed. Tomorrow would be a busy day.
Paul and Adam finished two of the houses on an adjoining street for the families Mahlyssa brought with her. They would reside next to Alice Malloy and her family, who had just recently accepted the blood of the angels.
The other little ones stayed in their own homes that night, but Rita and Jessica stayed at Aura’s house with Will and Joshua. Arian had been there since he returned with Mahlyssa and of course Jade wasn’t about to leave his side.
“Are you sure this is going to go down the way you saw it?” Rita asked her sister.
“Absolutely just remember to take Jayden’s knife with you,” Aura insisted.
“Why do I need that when I can call for the swords of Heaven?”
“You’ll understand the reason in due time. I can’t explain it yet, but you’re supposed to have that knife.”
“Alright, if you insist.It’s almost one o’clock I think we should try to sleep for a couple of hours.”
“What time are we getting up again?” Jessica asked.
“Oh dark thirty,” Rita laughed.
“That’s what I thought. I’m turning in too. Wake me up if I oversleep.”
“Don’t worry. Aura will make sure we’re awake.She has a built in alarm clock,” Will chuckled.
“Remind me after we get married that I’m going to sleep for a whole day,” Jessica said.
“I’ll remind you, but you might change your mind when you see where I’m taking you on our honeymoon,” Joshua laughed.
“Are the four of you planning to honeymoon together?” Aura asked.
“I think that’s the plan,” Will said.
“You try separating these two girls,” Joshua added.
They all laughed before saying goodnight. Aura knew it was going to be a long day tomorrow. She fixed small snacks for the girls, who were already fast asleep. Aura put them in the refrigerator in case they woke up hungry.
She said goodnight to Aidan who had been in his room while she was confirming her plans with the others. She had no trouble falling asleep that night. Jeziel had not come to visit.
Aura woke around two thirty and went to make sure Rita and Jessica were awake. She was surprised to find the four of them already at the kitchen table eating breakfast.“What’s this about?”
“Trying out our domestic side,” Rita laughed.
“Did you wake up Arian?” Aura asked.
“He’ll be down in a minute,” Will said. “Apparently he doesn’t do mornings.”
“Neither do I, but I’m here,” Jessica scowled.
Joshua put his arm around her. “Relax you’ll probably have time for a nap when we get back.”
“I hope so. I want to look my best for the wedding,” Jessica said.
“You always look your best,” Joshua smiled.
“And there you have it,” Arian said, as he walked into the kitchen. “Some of us need our beauty sleep,” he reminded Joshua.
Aura fixed Arian and Jade a cup of tea. “Would you like some fresh eggs?”
“”Do we have time?”
“It will only take a minute.”
Aidan soon joined the others in the kitchen “Why are you all up so early? Is something happening?”
“Aura can explain everything after we leave,” Rita said.
“Since you’re already up, why don’t you have some breakfast,” Aura said, as she put another platter of eggs on the table.
Aidan looked suspiciously at her, but decided he was hungry so he started fixing a plate for himself.
“I think it’s time for us to go,” Will said.
“Yeah -we don’t want to be late for this party,” Joshua laughed.
“What party are they talking about? Isn’t it a little early in the morning to start celebrating?” Aidan asked.
“It’s not that kind of party,” Aura said.
Jade told Arian she knew where they were going, so they could finish their breakfast.
Aura walked the others to the door. “Remember what I told you. It will happen exactly that way. You can communicate with me if you need to.” She kissed them all goodbye and returned to the kitchen.
By the time she got back, Arian and Jade were ready to go too. “Go to the sanctuary. I’ll tell you exactly when to arrive at the Hall of Justice. Don’t leave before then, it might change the outcome,” she warned them. She then hugged both of them. “I’ll see you all back here in a few hours.”
When she returned to the kitchen Aidan asked, “What was that all about?”
“They have something to take care of in Utopia?”
“What could possibly take them away at this time of the morning?”
“It’s almost nine o’clock in the morning there Aidan.Have you forgotten about the time change?”
“Are you going to tell me what this is about? I know you’re still upset with me Aura, but I think as your guardian I should still be informed about some things.”
Aura sat down and began drinking her tea. “Meredith and Richard have decided to ask the Commission to have Caspian declared legally dead.”
“I didn’t hear about any other deaths.”
“That’s because he’s not dead. He’s been working under cover for the Guard. My father has always known his whereabouts, but he couldn’t tell anyone else. We didn’t know who we could trust and he didn’t want to put his or Axels’ life in danger. This morning Richard thinks he’s going to offer support to Desiree, Caspian’s wife. He doesn’t know we plan to expose him for abducting Arian and killing the angelblood.”
“Wasn’t it Mahlyssa who was actually keeping Arian?”
“She was responsible for saving his life. Arian was half dead from the creatures when Richard brought him to her. He could have died several times, but Mahlyssa kept him alive. She kept Arian there to protect him; not to appease Richard.”
“Couldn’t it be conceived as an act of kindness that Richard took Arian to Mahlyssa’s?”
“He can’t excuse the fact he murdered Will’s parents and the others. When Desiree has concluded with her testimony, the Commission will ask if anyone else has anything to add.That’s when Caspian’s going to walk in. A fight will ensue and Richard will try to kill Caspian.Rita is going to kill Richard.”
“Does she know that?”
“Not yet, but she’ll find out soon enough. I insisted sheuse Jayden’s dagger instead of one of the sacred swords. No one will understand why he has to die by that blade but me. And I am not prepared to tell anyone the reason, because it could prevent me from rescuing my daughter.”
“You know how to bring Alorrah home?”
“I’ll know more in a week; maybe two. I’m trusting you not to repeat any of this to Jeziel. Your slip of the tongue made Richard aware Mahlyssa was here with us.”
“What do you mean Aura? I would never betray your trust.”
“Jeziel has a way of getting information from you without your knowledge. As long as you’re keeping company with her, I won’t be telling you any secrets.”
“I swear I won’t say anything Aura.”
“I’ve probably already said too much. I won’t jeopardize bringing my daughter home, whether it hurts your feelings or not; I’m sorry.”
Aidan stood up and walked in to the living room. He stared at Aura’s Christmas gift to him. He was sitting with Aura; Bren, Tracy, Alorrah, Alannah and Alexis were at their feet. They were all together. Aidan lifted his head to Heaven once more and prayed. “Please father if you could free them from their prison, I swear I will never stray from your path. I don’t ask for myself, but for them and their mother who loves them more than her life.”
Aura heardAidan’s prayer and it touched her heart; at least part of it. She still wasn’t going to trust him, regardless of how many times he prayed to the Almighty Father.
She walked in to the living room and stood beside him. “There is always hope Aidan; never forget that.” She decided to be more pleasant towards him, but he was far from being forgiven. His friendship with Jeziel was a contention she couldn’t overlook.
Aidan knew now how Fionn felt. Even though he did everything he could to make Esra happy, there was always something missing.
Rusty was the first to come downstairs. He went into the living room after pouring a cup of tea. A few minutes later the little ones came down.“What are you two doing?” Bren asked.
“Waiting for you,” Rusty said, as he picked the three of them up and started tickling them.
They were laughing and Aura heard Alannah say, “Stop Rusty, I’m gonna pee.”
“What? You’re gonna pee?”
Alannah was still laughing when she said, “I mean it Rusty. You have to stop or we’re both gonna get wet.” Rusty threw her in the air and said, “I’ve been wet before. Come on, we don’t want to mess up your Mommy’s clean floors.”
He grabbed Bren and Tracy and carried the three of them back to their bedroom so they could “pee.”
Aidan was almost jealous of Rusty. He should have been playing with the little ones; instead he could do nothing but stand and watch. He wondered if the girls were angry with him too. Whenever he tried to get close to Alannah she backed away. Was Aura responsible for turning his daughter against him? He would have another conversation with her later.