Until Next Time The Angel Chronicles Book 1 (22 page)

“Beth, you don’t understand,” Jason began.

She turned on him. “Are you about to call this sweet young girl, a liar? It’s no use. I can see it in your eyes that what she says is true.”

Jason whispered, “No, she’s not a liar, but Angela doesn’t know the whole story.”

“I told you he would say that,” the young girl said, as she emerged from the pantry.

Charles stared at his sister then examined the faces staring back at him. Angela wore a mask of rage; Martha’s skin was green with nausea; Liz was deathly pale; but Daniel’s eyes glowed with the light of victory.

“You were a child. You had no idea what you saw…or what you wanted,” Jason said.

“I was in love with you!” Angela exclaimed tossing her flaxen hair over her shoulder, her green eyes blazing.

“Your family would never have let me be with you. You know that. They wanted you to marry for money—not the son of servants.”

“You make that sound like a bad thing,” Martha said. “We’re better than those folks out there. Is Liz worthy of your station in life? Is that why you’re with such a lovely peasant girl?”

“No!” Jason barked at her.

“Enough! I’m your mother. You will honor me with that God-given title. You will not treat me the way you treat your father, understand?”

Charles shook from her tone. He was so angry that Angela believed these lies. Everyone seemed to believe them. Charles was amazed that even Martha, Jason’s own mother, seemed to be looking at him in a different light.

Jason’s quiet voice encircled the room. “If I hadn’t done what she asked, Mother, the man you think I hate so much would be dead right now. Maybe you would’ve gotten off easy. Maybe he just would’ve sold you like cattle to some lucky American searching for a piece of the old country to take with him. At least it wouldn’t be a new experience for you. Father already let his whole family be bought like common slaves.”

Martha raised her hand and slapped him across the face. “The Lord said to honor your parents. What happened to you?”

“Happened to
me
?” he yelled back. “I was sold into prostitution, and no one ever said a word. I was told to keep my mouth shut, or lose the life we had. I was threatened that if I didn’t comply, my parents would be killed. I was led to believe that the only friend I’d ever known would never understand, and end up hating me if I ever told him what was going on!”

Charles could feel the pressure weighing heavily in the room. It was so heavy he thought the window panes would burst from their wooden frames sending shards of glass tearing through their bodies. A scream built in his throat. He was done. Slamming his fists on the table, he screamed, “Enough!”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Violent noises filled the air. The screaming of the people, who crowded around her, filled every inch of her brain as they forced her to hear their thoughts. Their souls were begging her to stop the pain.

She heard Jason’s voice in the distance; “I wanted no part of this life! Angela, you looked up to me. You were just a little girl with a crush on your older brother’s best friend. But we’d never promised anything more to each other than friendship. I was a toy in this household—bought and paid for. I was a game for your mother. I was the friend who was supposed to keep your brother out of trouble. I was an object of hatred for your father. He only tolerated me because I kept his wife off his back. I would never have asked for your hand—considering the filth that was hanging over my head.”

Liz finally spoke. “Charles is right…enough.” She turned and took Angela’s hand. “You’re a lovely girl with a terrific brother. I can only tell you what I know. Jason would never hurt you; I don’t believe he would ever willingly hurt anyone. They both want to take care of you and get you out of here—which is the main reason they returned. This house is no place for an innocent soul like you. No matter what your parents have told you, they lied.”

“But…” Daniel muttered turning livid. “I told you everything.”

Her voice came from the depths of her soul. “What you told me is true, but I don’t think you understand. You’re a fighter, Daniel, and look at things with…a warrior’s mind. The only reason you’re unwilling to see the truth is on account of your feelings for…” Liz stopped and stared into his suddenly bright blue eyes. She shook the strange feeling from her mind and continued, “On account of your feelings for…Angela. You’ve been hired to take over Jason’s spot here. But if you marry their daughter and stay here, even your power wouldn’t be strong enough to keep you alive. They’d simply set you up to be destroyed by one scheme or another. You’d be played with until her father became bored with you, or the lady of the manor had no use for you anymore. You need to go home, Daniel…and fast.” Liz touched him on the shoulder, pleading with him to understand.

Daniel jerked away from her; disappointment filling his eyes. “You’re wrong, Liz. I’m highly respected here. I’ll show you, Liz. Trust me, I
know
how to take care of myself.”

Liz hung her head. “If you ever show your power, there will be no place for you to go…no place for you to hide what you are. People won’t understand. They’re not ready for this.” An image flashed by, and Liz caught herself on the chair. “They’re not ready for us. They haven’t come far enough yet to even
begin
to accept what we are. It would be an unforgivable mistake.”

“Unforgivable by whom?”

“God,” she said, staring into his thoughts. Her Irish accent seemed to melt away in the warm kitchen as image upon image flashed behind her eyes. “Souls who lose their faith don’t go any further. Souls who’re bought and paid for accept other people’s ways, even if those ways are wrong. Then they’re simply beaten down by life.” Tears flooded her eyes, as she saw a disturbing memory flash inside her mind. “How can you forget that those souls turn into black puddles at Heaven’s gate?”

She felt a shot of electricity race up Daniel’s spine.

Moving closer to him, she took his hands in hers. His body jerked when the sparks of electricity rushed between their fingertips. “What you’re doing is unforgivable to your friends. And, from the way Angela looks at you, unforgivable to the soul who was set down on this earth just for
you
.”

Daniel broke away from her gaze and turned to the heart-shaped face staring up at him. The look in Angela’s hazel eyes was unmistakable.

“Will you come with us?” Daniel whispered.

Angela hugged him. “Let’s pack!”

Faith laughed. “Your sister sounds just like you, my dear.”

“Yup, she’s smart, that one,” Charles nodded to the room in general. “God…I think everything is going to be okay. We’ve faced the enemy, and we’re going to leave this demonic house in one piece. But my love, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about my sister.”

Faith smiled. “I’m just so happy there’s a female version of you. Maybe she’ll be able to explain some things to me.”

“What things?”

“Well, for starters, how can you possibly be so charming and still get your enormous ego to fit through the door?”

Charles pulled her into his arms. “Let’s get our things and get out of this godforsaken town once and for all.”

The happy couple followed Angela and Daniel up the stairs.

Jason looked at Martha. “I’m sorry.”

She smiled through her tears. “No, you’re right…about everything. But we had no other choice. My son, I’m so sorry for what happened to you, and I just wish you’d told me sooner when I could’ve done something…anything…to help you.”

“Father knew,” Jason said.

“No…I didn’t,” Anthony commented, as he walked into the room. “I had no idea, son.” His eyes glistened with the tears of his past mistakes. “I wanted something better for you and your mother. I thought Dublin could provide a better life than that of a poor farmer. You would be introduced to the best people, go to the best schools, and no one would ever have to know that you were a servant’s son.”

“I wasn’t a servant’s son, old man,” Jason said. “I was my father’s son. Money and power wasn’t what I needed. I just wanted my parents to be happy, and I’m tired of waiting for that to happen. So get your things. You’re coming with us.”

“
We
can’t go,” Anthony replied. “If we leave he’ll find a way to bring us back, or he’ll most certainly kill us.”

“I’ll stop him,” Jason stated.

“No!” Martha cried. “This family will not suffer anymore at the hands of the Faires. You have a chance, Jason. The children we love are leaving. You all have a chance to escape this place and start a new life.” She took Liz’s hand, and smiled. “She’s your family now. Your father and I will be fine. Seeing you happy is the best gift we could ever receive. I’ve lived my life. Despite the pitfalls, you and your father made it all worthwhile. Now please do an old lady a favor, and go out and live your life.”

The pressure built inside Liz’s brain as she felt the pain in Martha’s words. “I agree with your son,” Liz said, aiming her gaze at Anthony. “Life won’t be happy for him if you don’t come with us tonight. Life is never over. It’s never fully complete. There’s always another chance around the bend, and this is yours. You have to take it.”

Anthony opened his mouth to disagree.

But Liz continued, “I have been here before. You have to have faith in me because this is the moment you requested. I know you don’t understand, but you have to trust me. Get your things. We’re leaving—we’re
all
leaving—right now.”

Comprehension filled Anthony’s eyes. He nodded at Liz and grabbed Martha’s arm, pulling her up the staircase. “Let’s get our things together before the party winds down.”

“But…” Martha stuttered. “What?”

“Never mind, I’ll explain later. We have to listen to this girl.” He smiled at Liz. “How our son ever landed her is a mystery.”

Jason laughed. “Gee…thanks, Dad.”

Being addressed by that title, Anthony’s eyes filled with tears knowing he had regained his son’s respect.

“So,” Jason said, looking over at Liz. “Are you ever going to tell me what the hell is going on?”

“Your family’s being saved.” Her voice was dull and listless, “Your life, as well as theirs, is just beginning.”

She pushed him up the stairs behind his parents. Sharp pains, which felt like little needles, were being jabbed into her skin as the familiar blackness crept closer.

When they reached the landing, Jason turned and pulled her into his arms. “You’re not angry with me?”

Guilt crashed over her in waves, and she began to sob. She had failed. “I’m so sorry, Jason. I’m so sorry you ever had to go through such a thing. I could feel the pain in you. It overshadowed everything Daniel was telling me in the garden. I could hear the anguish in your heart—I could see the memories in your head. I’m so sorry for not answering you back then. I tried—you have to believe me.”

“What are you
talking
about? None of this is your fault, Liz. Please, when you cry, it breaks my heart to see you in pain,” Jason said gripping her tightly. “Please, it’s all going to be okay. We’re safe now.”

Her faith seeped from her soul. Liz collapsed in his arms as her two worlds suddenly collided. Her body began to shake and a familiar voice flowed through her ears.
Life is just too hard without Him.

CHAPTER THIRTY

She was caught in the eye of a tornado. The feeling was on her before she knew it. It was time to set things right.

Haunting memories burst behind her eyes like gunfire. Jason as a child, his small face pressed into his pillow as he listened to his father leave his sobbing mother’s side because a ringing bell demanded service. Martha kneeling beside the bed praying for a way out, while her beloved husband drained a bottle and begged for death.

The images spun through Liz’s brain. She saw herself sitting on Jason’s bed. Her robes were wrapped around him as she searched the young boy’s face. She remembered wondering why someone so young had no peace in his soul. Of course, she hadn’t known then that one day he’d inspire her to defy all obstacles in order to save him from the injustices of life.

The memories returned all at once, showing Liz that as Jason had grown into a young man, she’d sat by his side and listened to the footsteps coming down the hall. She’d heard the woman try to enter his room by scaring him with her drunken threats. Once upon a time
, Liz
…no, her brain screamed a different name at her. Once upon a time,
Emily
had protected Jason from the demons that walked the hallways of the grand mansion.

“Beth!” She heard Jason screaming in the distance but she couldn’t pull herself out of her vision as images still suffocated her mind.

She saw a young Charles come down the hall and join Jason in his tears. They talked about faraway places while the angel kept watch over them. She was not allowed to dry their tears because Michael told her that she was simply the bringer of dreams—the muse who would give them the strength to spark their determination. But apparently, young Jason had a power over her even back then. She had spent all her nights hovering over his bed, protecting him from the strangers who tried to force their way in.

“They took me out,” Liz mumbled. “More training was needed…I was too young…too inexperienced to save you. There’d be a next time…and a next…”

She was covered in freezing cold sweat. She heard Jason scream for Charles, Faith—everyone and anyone to come and help him.

Then a soft-spoken voice entered her mind. “Leave her alone. She needs to remember.”

Liz shuddered at the strange words.

“
What
?” Jason was enraged. “Remember what?”

“It already happened to me. I can’t explain it, but soon she’ll know that not all of us are going to leave here.”

Faith shouted, “Stop it! Don’t talk like that, Daniel! We’re all leaving here together! C’mon, Jason, you need to carry Liz out of here now.”

Angela’s terrified voice traveled through the heavy fog. “Will she be all right?”

“She’ll be fine. It’s usually not this easy,” Daniel replied.

“Easy?” Jason yelled at him in disbelief.

“I said it’s difficult to explain.”

“No time for explanations,” Charles bellowed. “Let’s go out the back. Right now!”

Liz let herself sink into the blackness, hoping that she could stay in the forgiving place that she knew waited just beyond the veil of mist.

***

They moved as a group. Martha and Anthony followed close behind as Charles took the lead. He headed for a large stone structure in the back of the mansion. “There’s an old tunnel under this well house that leads to the pub by the church.”

No one made a sound when he opened the wrought iron gate and walked down the damp stone staircase into the dark tunnel below.

“Why not leave by the street?” Faith whispered.

Charles stared at her. “This is worse than I think you realize, luv. My father started mobilizing the minute he sensed something was wrong.”

“What do you mean?”

“Faith, I can’t explain. Something’s about to happen, I can feel it. But, without Liz…” He stared at the comatose body flung over Jason’s shoulder. “Well, frankly, I don’t think we have much of a chance.”

“Without Liz?” Faith’s voice echoed in the small enclosure. “What’s about to happen? Will someone
please
tell me what the hell is going on?”

Daniel snorted behind her. “Darlin’, less noise, more walking.”

“Don’t darlin’ me, Daniel. I’m not moving until someone tells me what the hell is going on!”

Charles bent over and kissed her soundly on the lips. “Please forgive me.”

“Forgive you for
what
?”

Charles reached up and quickly tore a sleeve off her dress. Tightening it around her mouth, he gagged her before throwing her over his shoulder.

Daniel laughed. “You’ll be paying for that for the rest of your life.”

“Tell me about it,” Charles groaned.

They raced under the city streets until the sound of carriages finally gave way to lilting Irish music and drunken voices. Charles pushed against a grate and the old, rusted hinges creaked open. Stepping out of the damp tunnel into the starry night, they found themselves in a field about thirty feet away from the back of the pub. “The horses are around front,” Charles said quietly.

Jason set Liz down on the grass.

Martha turned and looked into Anthony’s eyes. “I love you.”

He smiled back at her. “If we die tonight, on this very spot, at least we’ll die free.”

Jason’s eyes filled with tears, listening to the words of love flowing from his parents.

“Please wake up,” Charles stared down at Liz’s rigid body. “We need you.”

“She’ll be just fine.”

“Why do you keep saying that? You don’t know anything thing about her!” Charles and Jason screamed simultaneously at Daniel.

“I know more about her than you could ever imagine, so let her be! She needs to come back on her own. Rush it, and you could kill the girl you
claim
to love.” His voice grew sad. “The girl who loves you…
this
time.”

Daniel pushed the angry men aside and sat down beside Liz. Closing his eyes, he placed his hands on both sides of her face. Sparks seemed to fly off their skin upon contact. The contours of Liz’s face suddenly began to relax as blood rushed back into her cheeks.

It was time.

***

The cold air of life rushed into her lungs. Liz opened her eyes and saw Daniel staring down at her with a smile. “Faith? It’s so dark. I can’t see. Where are you?” she cried.

“I’m here, love,” Faith replied, rubbing her sore mouth. “We’re behind the pub—right back where we started. We went through an underground tunnel. It was all very exciting. You should’ve smelled the putrid stench that Charles found for us—much like his own.” Faith’s angry eyes looked up at her guilt-ridden husband.

Liz sat up quickly. “Charles, you need to leave
right
now. Get Faith on Angel and get her out of here. Daniel, find horses for you, Angela, Martha and Anthony—steal them if you have to—and meet us down by the city gates. Ride until morning. Don’t stop or look back. And whatever you do, do not come back to Dublin. You’ve all done what you came to do, now forget this place ever existed,” Liz said as she barked out orders.

Daniel studied her face. “You mean?”

“It’s done. Go!”

“This is ridiculous!” Charles yelled. “You’re coming with us.”

“No,” she said, vehemently shaking her head. “I have somewhere else I have to be. Please try to understand.”

“What’re you
talking
about? Your plans are our plans, Liz,” Charles said, gripping her elbows as worry lines marred his handsome face.

She smiled. “I’m afraid those plans have changed Charles—at least for the time being. I need to go somewhere with Jason.”

Faith sighed. “Why didn’t you just say so? You’re as cryptic as a snowstorm in the summertime.” She took her husband’s hand. “Come on. I’ve had enough of high society for one lifetime.”

Charles looked suspiciously at Liz. “You and Jason
will
follow?”

She smiled up at him. “I would never let anything happen to him, you know that. But I think there’s something Jason wants me to see before we leave.”

Charles hugged her hard. “We’ll ride to Nampstadt and wait for you there.”

Liz turned to Daniel. “See that Angela and Jason’s parents get out of here safely.” She added in a whisper, “Ride like there’s an army of warriors behind you.”

“Please don’t do this without me.” His bright blue eyes emerged as Liz glimpsed the man she was truly meant to be with.

“More than anything—no matter what we’ve said to each other—I want you to be happy, and…make it out alive this time. I love you enough to let you go,” Liz whispered. “Please understand why I have to do this. You’re the only one who can.”

“Is this your destiny this time out…
Emily
?” He smiled.

Her real name sounded so comforting coming from his lips. “I’m going to get the one thing I asked for…
Matt
. I finally get to save him.”

“Then I suppose I love you enough to let you go—
this
time.” Her partner sighed and turned away to address the group. “Let’s go. Our friends need some time alone.”

Jason hugged his parents and patted Charles on the back. “We’ll see you soon.” He turned to Liz. “Where are we going?”

She shrugged. “You tell me. You said that while we were here you needed to show me something. I think it’s time that you did.”

“You remembered?” Jason laughed.

“I always keep my promises.”

They walked cautiously around the corner of the pub, and Knight suddenly appeared before them. “We should be there in no time,” Jason said.

“I’m in no hurry.”

Emily was determined to enjoy her remaining hours in the company of the soul she was willing to die for.