Rise From Darkness (25 page)

“I won’t kill you. It isn’t my choice whether you live or die. The sword will be destroyed but you may walk away.”

“You fool. You just sealed your own fate.”
Forras
,
Gremory
, Carson and
Donn
vanished into the night as Boon changed back into human form. The wound healed before their eyes.

“Guess being half demon is good for something.” Boon chuckled.

“Gaby, you okay?” Alexander reached out for Gaby to come to him.

“I’m fine.” She sat up for a moment her head swam with memories of turquoise lights, burning skin, and bone’s cracking. “Why didn’t you end this? You could have saved us all.” Gaby didn’t mean to sound ungrateful but after all the demon had done to her, Alexander, Sammy and her father. Her father?

“I need to find my father. They’re going to kill him. I have to go.” Gaby tried to shove Alexander away but he pulled her in close, tucking her between him and Boon.

Gaby looked up as
Forras
grabbed Alexander’s wings and jerked him back.

A vision flashed. Her mother dressed in all white, wings extended in a brilliant arch. “Gaby, take
Forras
’ horns.”

Squaring her shoulders with determination, she picked up the sword. As if filled with the spirit of a warrior she swung it over her head. Muscles in her back and shoulders flexed as the long metal blade became an extension of her body. With a smooth swing, like the one she used to hit homeruns, the blade sliced through two horns. She spun around and chopped off the remaining two.

Forras
screamed out into the night.

Yellow tar-like substance bubbled from his head and mouth.
Forras
fell to his knees. Guttural cries bellowed between gasps. His eyes turned from fire orange to soft brown. Snaps and pops sounded from his midsection. Ashen skin turned black as his body withered away into the Earth.

Gaby looked up to see Sammy and Grace with Bruce in tow. Her father stumbled from the woods and fell to his knees. She raced to his side and dropped the sword.

“
Eliana
.” He muttered looking out into the graveyard.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Alexander’s skin crawled at Bruce’s demented expression. The battle with the demons was over. But the smell of demon skin decomposing mixed with Bruce’s deep hatred for fallen angels remained.

What would happen with Gaby’s father now?

“
Eliana
,” Bruce whispered as he picked the sword up from the ground and staggered a few steps.

Alexander pushed the rising electric current of fear and let go of his control. If he was slain, he’d return to Heaven and all would be right on Earth, he reminded himself. Swallowing hard, he struggled to steady his trembling body.

Gaby threw herself into Alexander’s arms. He squeezed once and set her aside. Whatever happened, Gaby wouldn’t be hurt. He refused to injure her father, not even to save himself. She’d been through enough because of him.

Dropping the sword, Bruce sank to his knees beside them. “Do you see her?”

Gaby looked at Alexander and they both followed Bruce’s gaze. A low, pulsating, daffodil yellow light approached. The dim glow grew and intensified to a vibrant sun as an outline of a small framed person emerged.

A woman with a halo of golden curls stood a few feet from them, a gentle smile on her face. “Bruce, my love, I’m sorry I never told you, but I couldn’t. I volunteered to watch over and protect you on earth. As an angel, even earthbound, I couldn’t reveal myself.”

Alexander glanced at Gaby. She didn’t seem surprised to see her mother. He looked at Grace and the others. Excluding
Gremory
, they all had knowing smiles plastered on their faces.

As the aura of light faded,
Eliana
moved closer to Bruce. She cupped her hand to his cheek. “I never expected to fall in love with you.”

A tear ran down Bruce’s cheek.

“Someday we’ll be together again. But for now there’s something you need to know. All of you need to know.”
Eliana
gestured to each one, her gaze resting lovingly on Gaby. “Gaby is special. A product of all worlds. Conceived by an angel and hunter but given power by a demon.”

Her gaze once again skimmed over them. “There is a great war coming. A war we almost lost a couple thousand years ago. Lucifer himself recruits from lost souls and plans to ascend a great army to Earth.” She shot
Gremory
a harsh stare.

She turned back to Gaby. A loving smile spread across her face. “Heaven refuses to interfere with freewill, but will provide its own elite and special force to protect the innocent. Gaby is the key to stopping the war before it begins. She’s been granted divine powers only beginning to surface and should be left to develop without interference.”

Smiling,
Eliana
brushed the matted sandy-blond hair from Bruce’s forehead. “You have an important job to do my love. In time, Gaby’s talents will increase. You must train her as a hunter. Grace, Sammy, and Alexander will help develop her angelic gifts, and Boon will help with the special skills gained from demon blood. Each one of you will play a part. Each one of you will fight. Not everyone will survive.”

Gaby wrapped her arms around Alexander and clung to him. He knew she feared losing him as he feared losing her.

“
Eliana
, my sweet angel, please stay. We could fight as a family. The three of us would be unstoppable. I-I can’t do it without you. P-please stay with me.” Bruce clutched her hands and pulled her into him.

“I cannot. But someday we will be reunited and blessed for all we have given.”

The golden sunlight blinded them all for a moment as her aura brightened and hid her human form then it dimmed momentarily. “Bruce, your parents wanted me to tell you they are proud of you, and when the time is right, they will wait to see you again in Heaven.”

Bruce collapsed on the ground, sobbing, as
Eliana
disappeared leaving them all alone in a moonlit graveyard.

Gremory
jerked free of Grace and fled into the woods. His heart twisted with indecision but ultimately Alexander let the demon go, knowing that with
Forras
dead their clan would scatter.

Gaby released Alexander, rushed to Bruce’s side. She dropped to her knees beside him and rested her hand on his shoulder. “Daddy, it’s okay. We’ll fight together. No more secrets.” She lifted her hand and examined it. “Now, I know how mom cured my aches and pains.” She lifted her gaze to Grace’s. “What powers will I possess?”

“I’ve been granted knowledge of many things but you are unique. I don’t know what or how your powers will develop.”

Alexander longed to hold Gaby, but knew that with the power she possessed, the divine gifts blessed upon her from heaven, she’d never want a fallen angel.

He thrust his hands in his pockets and shifted his feet trying to keep himself from whisking her away in his arms. He wanted a moment alone together to hold her and brush his lips against hers. Remembering her sweet cheery taste, the corners of his mouth rose, and then he shook his head to clear it.

Wiping at his tear-streaked face, Bruce stood and, with shaking hands, lifted the sword and walked to Alexander.

“It’s okay son, I’m not
goin
’ to use this. Here, take it. Do with it what you will. Gaby will give you the pistol.”

She placed the pistol in Alexander’s hands, running her fingertips along his thumb as she released the gun. Every nerve in his body stood at attention. How pathetic was that? A simple touch and his body went on alert. He wanted to grab her hand, yet stepped back as she turned toward her father. It was better this way. Bruce could protect and love her now.

He turned and saw Boon at his sister’s side, the love in the guy’s gaze almost brought him to his knees.

Boon pulled Sammy’s tiny frame against him. “I thought we were going to lose you there for a minute.”

“Wow, I thought I’d seen
everythin
’ in my line of work, but this?” Bruce pointed at the happy couple.

If only Alexander had the honor of being an ancient angel who had sacrificed himself for the good of the world, then maybe Gaby would look at him like that. But he had no such claim. He forced a lump down his throat and placed the sword and gun near Boon, knowing he’d have better knowledge of what to do with it, and headed for the path to the beach.

A hand rested on his shoulder. He didn’t need to look; the response of his body told him it was Gaby.

“Alex.” Her voice caressed his ears and danced in his head. “Where are you going?”

He took in a long breath, steadied himself and turned toward her. “Away.”

“But why?” Her voice cracked.

Dear God, could she still care for him? He blinked fearing the water in his eyes would betray him. “I thought … I thought you wouldn’t—”

“My crazy brother’s trying to tell you he doesn’t think he’s good enough for you.” Sammy’s voice rang out loud and obnoxious as always. But she was right.

“Is that true?” Gaby cupped his cheek. Her touch made every hair on his body stand at attention.

“Alex…I-I love you.”

Unable to restrain himself, Alexander wrapped his arms around Gaby. Pressing his body against hers, they kissed. His wings fluttered out as they rose toward the sky. Lost in the wonder of her, he forgot her father, his sister and Boon, and Grace. Wrapping his wings around her body in a feathery cocoon, a dull pulse echoed through him as they left the ground.

His lips caressed hers and she quivered. As their kiss deepened, a wave of heat covered him from the tip of a white wing to the depths of his soul. He forced himself to bring them back to Earth, afraid he’d lose control and be found guilty of behavior unacceptable for even a fallen angel.

When their feet touched ground, they found everyone gone. Holding each other, he took flight to Grace’s house, with the taste of cherry teasing his mouth.

They landed in front of the house. Everyone sat on the front porch.
Patronus
stretched on a stair, snoring, proof no demons remained in Kemp, Florida.

“Nice of you to join us,” Sammy giggled, curled in a white wicker chair.

Grace lifted a crystal pitcher of lemonade from a silver tray and poured their drinks into ice-filled goblets.

Alexander’s insides twisted with guilt. He let go of Gaby’s hand and sat next to Grace. “Mom, I have to tell you something.” He looked into her eyes and could barely face the pain he was about to cause her. She was the woman who took him in when he’d fallen from heaven, guided him through the transition, and kept him from making further grave errors in judgment since being on Earth.

“I-I’m sorry.
Forras
, the young angel you told me about, the one I kept cursing and wanting to send to hell—” His eyes cast down, unable to face the pain and disappointment.

Grace stroked his face and lifted his chin so their eyes met. “It’s all right dear. He’s at peace.”

“How do you know?”

She looked up at the hint of light breaking through the darkness overhead. “I just know dear.”

Bruce looked between them. “I think I played a role in him
becomin
’ a demon. You see, I thought I was protecting the world by hunting earthbound creatures. People I work for will stop at nothing to annihilate all earthbound creatures. There was never a thought that one creature could differ from another.”

Alexander winced. He’d be dealing with these people in the future. Would they come after Bruce or Gaby when they learned Bruce quit?

“I followed orders like a good soldier and when I chased him down he lost control and that’s why the young woman died. It was my fault.”

“Bruce, it was not your fault.” Grace patted his hand. “We each make our own choices in life. Things happen that will help us grow and hopefully prevent future mistakes. Maybe
Forras
, in a way, saved Alexander. All of this has brought us together for a reason. Only Heaven truly understands our purpose. You don’t think it’s coincidence we all ended up in this small town together, do you?” Grace gave a knowing smile.

“I’m so confused.” Bruce pinched the bridge of his nose. “Boon you said
somethin
’ when we were back at the old house.
Somethin
’ about you was once an angel but you didn’t fall?”

“I’ve been on Earth a long time. I was sent to fight a human who had gained so much power he threatened Heaven and Hell. An army of angels was sent, but few survived. Some were cursed to remain in death between two worlds, others cursed to remain on Earth as demons.”

Boon paused, furrows deepened between his eyes. “After all seemed lost, a special angel came to me and helped provide insight. She’s an incredible angel who sees the good in everyone.”

Alexander repeated the words in his head. Good in everyone. That’s how Grace knew
Herak
. No one on Earth or Heaven thought like Grace.

“The fight was lost but a new tactic emerged. I went and reasoned with the human and convinced him to give away his powers. When he agreed, and I placed him in a land under a curse of his own making, Earth was saved. However, some angels remained in death while others lived on Earth as demons, separated from Heaven. Those who knew us back then voluntarily came to Earth to support us. We all pray someday to free the ones stuck in the dark realm of death.” Boon squeezed Sammy’s hand. “The angels that returned to Heaven never forgot us, their love as strong now as before the war.”

Alexander’s heart crushed at the realization of what Boon had been through, how he’d treated him, and Sammy for loving him. How could he remain cursed and not display an ounce of anger toward the man who ruined him?

“But why doesn’t Heaven break the curse, enabling you to return and free the ones in darkness?” Bruce inquired.

“I don’t know.”