Redemption (8 page)

“What’s going on?” I ask warily and place my
messenger bag on the Adirondack chair.

Gage just points a hard look at the
archangel. “Either you tell her, or I will.”

“Tell me what?” I ask as my aunt joins
us.

“Michael?” she says with a curious tone.

“It’s all right, Libby. I have this under
control,” the divine warrior assures her.

“Tell her,” Gage grits out of his tight
jaw.

“No,” Michael answers in an unwavering
manner.

“Gage?” I ask, my voice barely audible.

His eyes move between Michael and my aunt.
“Christ,” he barks before he puts out his cigarette and rubs his
face. “I was just making sure Michael informed you of the role he
had in Asher’s assignment removal,” he lies.

I’m unsure how I know he’s lying, but it’s
the first time he’s done it, and it actually hurts.

Michael visibly relaxes. “I was reminding
Mr. Gallagher that I had no part in the ruling.”

It’s silent for a moment while everyone
inhales. I know Michael is lying. I’m sick of it.

“I’ve had it.” I turn to the archangel.
“Gage was right. You’ve taken away any and all free will I’ve had
to make my own decisions. You might not have sent Asher away, but
you certainly made it clear that we can’t be together. After YOU
bonded us, without my permission, by the way. So whatever this new
secret is that you’re not willing to share with me, I’m done. You
can’t keep making decisions for me.”

Michael steps forward and begins to glow.
I’m assuming in anger. “Do not accuse me of something I have not
done. I am a soldier of Heaven. Your free will is yours.”

My blood pressure rises and I begin to see
red. “Really? Mine?” I release an emotionless laugh. “That has to
be the funniest thing I’ve heard all evening.”

Aunt Elizabeth moves to Michael’s side and
gently lifts both palms to me in an attempt to calm me. “Eve,
honey, let’s just take a step back and cool off.”

I pin my stare onto Michael. “Am I free to
love Asher? No. It’s against the rules. Rules that were set without
thought of me, just like a bonding that was done without my
consent. I guess I should be grateful though, to have my family.
Oh, no, that’s not true either. My parents are dead and I was taken
away, once again, without my permission. Let’s not even mention the
fact that at some point, you touched my bloodline and put me in the
middle of a centuries old war, then left me to fend for myself
while you constantly question my training and how I’m dealing with
an ascension of which I never asked for. Again, not allowing me to
walk away from this destiny you’ve imposed. I would say you have
ended all my free will.”

I’m on the verge of tears but I can’t stop
my mouth. It’s as if a switch was thrown on and I can’t turn it
off. I feel Gage move closer, but he doesn’t speak. Through my fog,
I’m grateful that he’s giving me the space I need to deal with
this.

“Once you were created, it was decided that
you were destined to restore order. Bring justice and balance to
the world,” Michael says without compassion. “That is your
fate.”

“Exactly. I have duties and
responsibilities. My entire life has been planned out. Tell me,
Michael, how did you pick me? Was it random? Did you just see my
mother and father and say, hey you know what, that baby should be
stripped of humanity and free will so that Heaven can ensure world
domination?”

My aunt gasps. “Eve!”

For the first time, Michael’s eyes flash
with an unreadable emotion as he steps to me, causing Gage to move
in a protective stance between us. “I created you out of love, not
duty and honor.” The archangel shakes with rage.

“Is that what you call it these days?” I
reply.

“STOP!” my aunt yells, startling me. She’s
never raised her voice before.

“Just…please stop.” Her hazel eyes dart to
the angel then me. “Michael and I created you…out of love for one
another. You’re ours,” she whispers in a solemn voice.

“What?” I speak softly.

She pushes her shoulders back and stands
taller as she addresses me. “I am your biological mother. And
Michael…is your biological father. Katherine and Robert Collins
were dear friends of mine who agreed to watch over you.”

My world tilts as I just stare at her. I
must have stood there for a long time, silent and in shock because
I don’t recall Gage turning and taking my face in his palms.
“Love?”

“I need Asher,” I whimper and fist his
shirt. “I need him now. I can’t…I can’t do this anymore…please get
him. You have to get him and bring him here,” I beg
hysterically.

My aunt, no, my mother moves toward me, eyes
watering. “Eve, please, let us finish explaining.” Her voice cracks
as Gage moves us further away from her reach.

I just stare at Gage, whose face is marred
in sympathy.

“Take me home,” I demand, barely
audible.

Gage just nods. “If that’s what you want,
love.”

My aunt moves toward me. “Please,” she begs.
“Allow us the opportunity to explain.”

Michael grabs her waist from behind and
folds her into his embrace as she breaks down.

Gage takes my hand in his. I stare at it
while he squeezes and pulls me to him, extending his wings. Without
a word, he shoots us up into the night sky.

Some homecoming.

6
Divination

My eyes shift from the picturesque windows of
Paris back to the roaring fireplace. Gage flicks the last of his
nicotine stick into the fire then moves fluidly from the hearth’s
warmth to the built-in bar in his loft. I watch him as he pours two
glasses of brandy.

“Have you gotten a hold of Asher yet?” I ask
in a voice I don’t recognize.

“Not yet, love,” he answers solemnly before
walking to my wilted form on the couch. “He is in council meetings.
They are not permitted to leave for any reason.”

“It’s probably for the best. I’d most likely
castrate him.” I laugh without humor.

“I won’t deny that I’d enjoy watching that.”
He hands me a glass of the amber liquid.

“Thanks for getting me out of there so
quickly.”

He smirks sexily. “Going back to get my car
and your bag was fun.”

“You all knew, didn’t you?” My voice is a
mere whisper.
Even Asher? How could he?

His lack of response is my answer. Without
words, he takes a seat across from me, sipping in quiet
contemplation.

“I don’t know who to trust or what’s real
anymore.” My eyes meet his. “Especially Asher, knowing how I craved
a family…” my voice trails off.
God Asher keeps lying.

“Sentiments I understand all too well,
love.” His expression droops.

I pull the blanket tighter around me in an
attempt to console myself. Realization sinks in this is why Gage is
so closed off. He trusts no one, because everyone lies and
betrays.

“I’m going to have to take you back to La
Gargouille at some point. When they return, the clan will most
likely come and break my door down in search of you. It’s
15
^th
century, nonreplicable. I’d hate to have to bill
you for it,” Gage says with a wit I rarely get to see.

“Not tonight. I just can’t,” I plead.
How
can I face a family that keeps things from me?

He watches me for a long time before getting
up and heading to another room. I place the glass on the coffee
table and catch his sly grin as he reappears, holding up a DVD
case.

“What’s that?”

“
The Smurfs,”
he answers then holds
up another in his other hand. “And I’m embarrassed to say,
The
Smurfs 2.
I thought since I blew your mind with the
leprechauns, you could blow mine with little blue beings who live
in mushrooms.
”

At his gesture, the walls that began to form
around my heart crack.

“Do you have popcorn?”

“Of course.”

“Goobers?”

“Do I look new here, love?”

“Yes.”

Gage looks at me in confusion.

“Isn’t that what you are? My new
protector.”

His eyes hold mine for a few moments before
a panty-dropping smirk crosses his lips.

“Yes, love. That is, without doubt, what I
am.”

I nod and watch the only person I fully
trust at the moment before offering a smile.

After we get the snacks and set up the
movie, we snuggle in on the couch. I blankly watch the screen while
thoughts of the past few months run through my mind. My life is so
different, and right now, in this moment, out of everyone who has
entered my life recently, I’m grateful that it’s Gage who is here
with me. There are no pretenses with him.

Inhaling, I move closer to him and curl up
into his side, resting my head on his shoulder. His entire body
goes rigid for a moment. I hold my breath, thinking he’ll ask me to
move. After a bit, he relaxes and sinks into the cuddle, wrapping
his arm around me, protectively.

***

“Seek the scrolls,” a voice whispers softly.
My eyes flutter open and adjust to the dim, buzzing, overhead
fluorescent lights. Stacks of books come into focus as I lift my
head off the hard surface I’m drooling on. I become conscious of
the fact that I’m in the library on campus.
Crap.

Groaning, I stretch my body and check my
cell phone, realizing how late it is. I type off a quick apology
text to Abby since I was supposed to meet her downstairs ten
minutes ago.

Once we returned to Massachusetts, Gage
recommended the London clan back off a little. They’re allowing me
personal space after the newest bombshell was dropped. The St.
Michaels claim they had no knowledge of my biological connection to
my aunt and Michael. The jury is still out on if I believe them or
not.

Asher no showed, but did call and text me
every five seconds. I didn’t answer, I’m still hurt at the idea he
knew they were my parents all along and never once thought to tell
me.

At the thought, I angrily begin to shove my
books and iPad into my bag when a familiar coldness floats over my
skin. At the frigid caress, my body automatically goes on high
alert.

It’s late and the library is empty and
quiet. All I hear is the sound of my heavy breathing as I scan the
floor for signs of danger then quickly make my way to the
elevator.

As soon as I press the down button, the
temperature in the room drops, so much so that my breath comes out
in a solid cloud.
Oh shit. Come on. Come on. Come on.
I will
the elevator to move faster and remind myself that Abby is
downstairs, waiting for me.

“Eve.” My name hangs in the frosty air.

My eyes dart to the right, where the sound
came from. Standing behind a stack of books is the same man I saw
in the quad. Again, he’s leaning on his samurai sword, his dark,
lifeless eyes studying me.

Turning, I fully face the stranger. “Who are
you?”
Brilliant, Eve, bait him.

His lips tilt up in a wicked grin. “Thoren.”
His voice echoes with distain.

“What do you want?” I bristle, proud I sound
stronger than I feel.

“You.”

“You’ll have to take a number,” I come back
with in a smart tone.

“Lucky for you, my number was just called.”
The malice in his voice booms.

“Who sent you?”

He tilts toward me with his sinister eyes.
“Lucifer.”

The elevator dings and the doors open. I
stand there for a moment longer staring at Thoren before a familiar
male voice floats out from the open access.

“Miss Collins, I don’t have all evening.
Will you be joining me or staying on the fifth floor?” Professor
Davidson inquires.

Just as fast as it dropped, the temperature
returns to normal. Thoren has vanished. After a moment of shock, I
release a breath and turn to the architecture lecturer entering the
elevator.

“Everything all right, Miss Collins?”

“Yes. Thank you,” I manage through a shaky
breath.

He fixes his bowtie, the way he did during
class last semester and nods once. “Alright.”

I lift my eyes and watch the numbers as we
descend.
Why on earth is this taking so long?
It’s only
five floors.
I need to calm the fuck down and get myself under
control.

“If I may, you’re very pale. Are you sure
you’re feeling well?”

“Yes. Thank you,” I repeat on autopilot and
force a smile.

“At this late hour, the library tends to
bring out the unease in people.” His voice is gentle.

“I’m fine. Just late to meet my friend.” I
attempt to be pleasant.

“I see,” he responds with a voice lined in
disbelief.

There is awkward silence and tension in the
small space, until we hit the third floor.

“I’m pleased to hear that it wasn’t
Lucifer’s demon that set off your nervous energy, daughter of
Heaven,” the educator offers in a casual tone, as if he’s
discussing the weather.

At the pointed statement, I turn my head and
tilt it toward him. “Excuse me?”

“Thoren.”

“H-How?”

“How do I know about Thoren, Miss Collins?
You’ll forgive my lack of decorum however, I am aware that Mr. St.
Michael is no longer your primary guardian. That, daughter of
Heaven, is the reason higher-level demons, like Thoren, are hunting
you. Regrettably for you, Mr. Gallagher and the rest of the London
clan are not able to feel their presence.”

My mouth is hanging open, yet I can’t figure
out how to shut it. The elevator dings, signifying that we’ve
reached the main floor. The sound snaps me out of my stupor.

“Let’s get you into my office. It’s charmed
for safety. There, I will happily attempt to answer any and all of
the questions running around behind your beautiful eyes.” His smile
is warm.

I exhale roughly. “Um, I need to let Abby
know. She’s waiting outside for me.”