Fall from Grace (Book 2: An Angelblood Novel) (6 page)

 

She looked at him with empathy.
He would heal.
Aura was sure of it.

 

Paul and Adam left to meet with the High Council.

Natalie would stand trial and if found guilty, Paul
and one other would execute her.
It was not one of the
duties he enjoyed, but it was a necessary part of their way of
life. First she would be given an opportunity to atone for her
sins.

Her testimony would determine the method in which
she would die. The execution would be done in private, with
only two other witnesses from the Guild.
Rarely did they
allow a family member to be present.

The
girls
decided
they
wanted
to
watch
home
movies.

 

“Do you have an idea what you want to see?”

“We want to watch the ones about Mia and Joey.
They’re funny,” Bren told Alannah. “We can watch them in
the family room. Then everybody can see them.”

Aura
walked
them
into
the
family
room.
The
movies would keep them entertained until lunch was served.
Within minutes the room was filled with laughter.

Aura watched Acadia, who seemed to enjoy the
closeness of the families here.
She knew she would never
want to leave. If her vision was right, she wouldn’t have to.

An hour later Paul and Adam returned from their
meeting.
Aura
sensed
her
father
was
distressed
about
something. He pulled up a chair and sat down close to Bren,
Tracy and Alannah, who were still laughing hysterically at
Mia’s antics.

Such was their way of life.
One minute they were
crying and the next they were laughing. Angelbloods didn’t
mourn death the same way as mortals; perhaps because they
knew life didn’t end. Usually after a day or two, they would
return to their familiar routines.

The next b
ig event would be their New Year’s
celebration. One thing was certain; Natalie and Jeziel would
not be invited.

Aidan looked worried. Aura questioned whether it
was because Jeziel abandoned her post, or if she participated
in the deaths.

Sooner or later he would have to accept the truth.
They all saw Jeziel speaking to Samhael.
Aidan had to
suspect that she had been to see her father.

Aura had no doubt she was walking the dark path,
but
convincing
Aidan
of
that
would
be
another
matter
entirely.
He was still protecting her. Even if she didn’t kill
Elijah or Ericah, running away with Samhael wasn’t helping
her defense.

Chapter 6

When Richard left the creatures, he went to meet
Samhael.
He walked to a secluded location, outside Utopia.
He called Samhael’s name and he instantly appeared.

Richard needed his assistance to convince Mahlyssa
to help him.

Samhael was still dressed like he just stepped out of
a magazine.
His shoulder-length blonde hair was neatly
styled and his black designer suit was tailored to fit his wellsculpted body.“Why the sudden change of heart?” Samhael
asked.

Not wanting to be evasive in any way, Richard said,
“My daughter killed her husband’s brother.”

 

“Did she?” Samhael smiled.

 

“It was clearly in self defense, but I doubt the Guild
will see it that way. I need your assistance to hide her.”
Samhael looked at him curiously.“How do you
propose we do that?”

 

“I need you to teach me how to break the
Enchantor’s spell Marcus placed on his daughterMahlyssa.”
“How would that benefit me?” Samhael was at least
intrigued by the proposition.

“Hiding her amongst the Guild’s family
would be
beneficial to both of us,” Richard insisted. “She could
obtain valuable information that might help us realize our
plans.”

“What will you do when Mahlyssa realizes you
killed her husband?” Samhael asked.

 

“I have significant knowledge that she will find
invaluable.”

“What
informationmight that be?”
“I know the whereabouts of her daughter.”
“Myra is alive? How do you know this to be fact?”

“She lives in Aeden. Unfortunately, she is married
toMetatron’s son Martin.

 

“How did she arrive in Aeden?”

“
My father told me she was brought to live with
Seraphon, shortly after her third birthday.
Myra grew up
withSeraphon’s daughter Angela, and Esra’s granddaughter
Eve. I understand the girls are like sisters.”

“So the Enchantors daughter is alive. The time
frame would certainly be correct. You don’t plan to tell her
the whereabouts of her daughter do you?”

“I’m not a fool. I need more time until I’m ready to
follow through with our plan. The Guild is making my life
difficult, but you needn’t be concerned. If my daughter is
living amongst them, she can keep us apprised of their
plans.”

Samhael smiled. “I did tel
l you I would assist you if
the need arose. Very well; I’ll agree to teach you what you
ask. I trust you will remain loyal to my father?”

“I have always been loyal to Lucifer. Surely you
don’t doubt my allegiance?”

 

“I wouldn’t be helping you if I did,”
Samhael
grinned.

 

He proceeded to teach Richard the spell that would
remove the curse.

“I’ll be speaking to you again soon. You’ll keep me
informed of any information Natalie receives, on a regular
basis.”

“I’ll need a day or two until I can give her an
identity that will be convincing.”

“There is one more thing. Perhaps you should spend
some time to improve your appearance before you meet with
Mahlyssa.”

“What’s wrong with my appearance?” Richard was
offended by Samhael’s remark.

“You obviously have gr
eat taste in clothing, but you
may want to do something about your hair. Appearances are
after all, everything. You need to command respect. I doubt
anyone will take you seriously with that greasy mop of black
hair.
Just a little suggestion between friends,” Samhael
smirked.

Perhaps Samhael was right.
As Richard looked at
the fallen angel, he felt intimidated.
Samhael was still
beautiful. Even Richard had to admit that he looked angelic.
His eyes were still blue and he carried himself in a noble
manner.

“I will consider your suggestion.”
“Until we meet again,” Samhael said, before he
vanished.

Only a few members of the Guild knew how Virgil
came to practice the art of Enchantment.
As an angel, he
came to earth, fell in love with and married a young girl
named Mahlyssa. Mahlyssa’s father Marcus was thrilled
with the union.

Marcus was an old and powerful Enchantor; one of
the first.
In the beginning, he was able to convince Virgil
the spells he cast were harmless.
Before long, Virgil saw a
precarious side of him.
He decided to speak to Mahlyssa
about leaving, when she informed him they were having a
daughter.
After Myra was born, Virgil tried to limit the
amount of time she spent with her grandfather.

By the time Myra was three years old, Virgil could
barely stand her being in Marcus’ company. She was an
angel-blood and needed protection from the temptations of
darkness. When he spoke to Mahlyssa about his concerns,
she turned a deaf ear to him. Virgil was left with no choice,
but to hide Myra.

He took her to his friend Seraphon.
At the time she
was living in Savannah, Georgia.
She agreed to care for
Myra as a daughter.
Virgil promised he would come back
when it was safe.
It was Alice, Esra’s daughter, who told
Seraphon
that
Virgil
would
not
be
returning.
Like
her
mother, she too was a seer.

It was the most heartbreaking decision Virgil ever
had to make. Alice promised to use her husbandGideon’s
shield, to protect Myra as long as she remained in their
custody. Herdaughter Eve and Seraphon’s daughter Angela
were the same age and best friends.
They would welcome
Myra as a sister.

When
Marcus
realized
Virgil
took
his
granddaughter, he was furious.
As part of his revenge, he
cast a spell on his daughter Mahlyssa, turning her into a
hideous creature.

When Virgil returned to Ireland and saw his wife, he
too was enraged.
Marcus vowed he would remove the spell
and allow them to live in peace, if Virgil would give up his
wings.

Mahlyssa begged him to grant her father’s request.
Virgil loved her enough, that even though he knew it was
wrong, he reluctantly agreed.

Marcus
severed
the
wings
from
his
back
and
watched as Virgil’s golden blood dripped from them.
Seconds after they touched his hands, the wings turned to
ash. Marcus became even more incensed.

He knew Virgil was in no physical condition to fend
off his attack, so he cast a similar curse, turning him into a
monstrous creature.

As he lay on the ground writhing in pain, Virgil
begged the Lord Father for forgiveness.

Mahlyssa screamed, “What have you done? Why
did you deceive him?
He will never release me from this
spell now.
I will hate youfor all eternity.” She ran away,
leaving Virgil alone with her father.

Virgil
begged
Marcus
to
kill
him,
but
he
only
laughed.

 

“I wouldn’t dream of it. I want you to suffer as long
as you live,and you will live a very long time.”

 

“I have given up my divinity.
I
will
not
live
forever,” Virgil hissed at Marcus.

 

“You may have lost your wings, but I assure you
thatspell will last for eternity and so shall you.”

After
Virgil
gathered
his
strength,
he
tried
desperately to find Mahlyssa. If he could speak to her,
perhaps she would listen to the truth.
After trying for years,
he finally gave up his search.

When the High Council learned what happened,
they sent Paul and Adam to dispose of Marcus.

Virgil disappeared and made his way outside the
city of Utopia. He practiced the Enchantor’s spells, but
vowed he would never use them to cause harm to anyone.
Even though he willingly gave up his wings, he remained
true to Heaven.

He
thought
being
close
to
the
angel-bloods
in
Utopia, might grant him some peace; it never did. The only
saving grace was knowing that his daughter Myra was safe.
Virgil heard a rumor that his daughter married Martin.
He
couldn’t have been happier. Martin was one of his closest
childhood friends. He knew Myra would be well cared for.
Pity - Virgil never saw his daughter again.

When lunch was ready, Bren and the others retreated
to the dining room.
Everybody seemed to be in better
spirits. The words the girls spoke at the memorial service
even provided some comfort to Jane and Jayden.

Aura wondered how Acadia was adapting to life in
Aeden.
Though she only arrived two days ago, she seemed
to fit in perfectly. Rita was right in assuming her life hadn’t
been
easy.
Meredith
and
Natalie
were
beyond
cruel,
especially to the orphans.

Aidan wasn’t the only one who was quiet. Will was
also keeping to himself.
They presumed he was thinking
about his brother Arian, who was still missing.
At least
Jayden had closure.

Aura hoped one day Will would enjoy the same
peace, though she prayed they would find Arian alive.
She
never met his brother, but Joshua said they were very close.

They were surprised that Jade came to the service.
Perhaps it was to deliver some news from Utopia. “Analie
and Ambrosia stayed behind to help Henry.
He has moved
Meredith to Richard’s country home.”

“My brother will love that,” Joshua said
sarcastically.

 

“Your father is seeking an annulment to his
marriage.”

 

Jades words got the attention of the Guild. “Perhaps
we should pay Henry another visit,” Paul said.

 

“It probably wouldn’t hurt,” Jade said. “He knows
Natalie lied to him about being estranged from her father.”
“No surprise there,” Jayden said. “Natalie wouldn’t
know the truth if it bit her in the ass.”

 

The little ones started laughing. Jayden became redfaced and quickly apologized.

 

“That’s OK Jayden. It’s the truth,” Bren giggled.
Ritahad noticed that Jayden wasn’t limping. “Not to
change the subject, but how did your leg heal?”

 

Still not wanting to break his promise Jayden joked,
“I guess I’m special.”

 

“Actually it was because of me,” Acadia looked at
him and smiled.

 

“You can heal angel-fire? How is that possible?”
Rita asked.

“Jayden thinks I was born beneath the veil.”
Everyone in the room looked at her. “I was visited by
Raphael on the day I was born,” she explained.

Rita gazed at Jessica. “We were also born beneath
the veil.”

 

“Me and Tracy were born beneath the veil,” Bren
chimed in.

 

“Mommy was born beneath the veil too,” Alannah
said.

Before she could tell Acadia
about Aura’s veil, Eve
interrupted. “Now we know who six of the seven are. We
only need to identify the last one,” she smiled at Acadia.

Acadia looked confused.“I don’t understand.”

“There were a total of seven born beneath the veil.
Five of them live here.
You are the sixth.
There is one
more,” Eve said, as she patted her hand.

Adam looked at Acadia. “You’ve been given a
very
special gift. To my knowledge Raphael is the only one who
could heal a wound made with angel-fire.
You must have a
pure heart.”

Acadia was humbled.“I’m not sure I’m worthy of
such a gift, but thank you for your kind words.”

 

“Never doubt your worthiness,” Adam said. “Gifts
like yours are only received if you are deserving of them.”

Acadia started to sob. “I haven’t had a family in so
long. But you have all opened up your hearts and your home
to me. I promise Iwill never take any of you for granted.”

“Of course you won’t.” Jane put her arms around
her.

 

“Thank you for making me feel at home,” Acadia
whimpered.