Beautifully Unnatural: A Young Adult Paranormal Boxed Set (135 page)

“I don’t know.”

“All this time I’ve spent hating fallen angels because I thought they were cast from Heaven, yet due to a screw-up never made it to Hell. I thought they were a threat to us all.” Bruce shook his head and looked at the ground. “I’ve been so wrong.”

“Grace, how did you convince Herak to help?” Alexander asked.

“I wasn’t sure he would, but I took a chance.” She smiled deviously.

“Were you cursed by Herak, too? Is that why you are on Earth?” Alexander didn’t think that was the case, but he couldn’t think of any other reason why she’d remain here rather than return to Heaven.

“No, son. I chose to descend to Earth during the Herak War and I have been here since. I haven’t been called back to Heaven yet, so maybe my work here isn’t done. For whatever reason, I was meant to stick with all of you.” Grace gestured to everyone on the porch.

Alexander wiped Gabby’s tears from her cheeks with his thumb. “What is it?”

“I’m the one who killed Forras. I didn’t know he was important to anyone other than his clan. Grace, I’m so sorry,” Gabby whispered.

“It’s okay, Dear. It was his time, the will of Heaven. You did what you had to do. You’re a special young lady.” Grace lowered her head. “You are a vessel, marked as a prophet and a warrior.”

Sammy glanced at Grace. “Prophet? Warrior?”

“Yes, the scar on your knee is a lion’s mane, which means
prophet
. You can see what has not yet come to pass. And the mark on your abdomen from Forras means
demonic warrior
.”

Alexander’s head spun with confusion. “What of the symbol on her shoulder?”

Grace set her glass down with a clink. “I’ve not had the time to research that one. Boon and I were hoping Herak would mention it to you.”

Alexander stood and placed his goblet back on the trey. “No, he said nothing.”

Gabby took his hand. “Is it okay to go off on our own now? I mean, all the other demons will flee now that Forras is gone, right?”

“Yes, Dear.” Grace nodded.

“Boon, you want to take a walk on the beach?” Before he could respond, Sammy grabbed Boon’s hand and led him away. “See you later,” she called out over her shoulder.

Alexander shook his head.

“What is it?” Grace asked.

“I can’t believe I’m dating the daughter of a hunter,” he chuckled.

“I’m sorry for hunting you. I never knew…” Bruce trailed off and he glanced at the floor.

Alexander walked over and laid his hand on the man’s slumped shoulders. “No, please. If anyone understands, it’s me. I’ve spent years hating Forras, his friends, Boon, and most of all myself. No apologies necessary.” The air caught in his throat. Why was he so nervous? He’d faced death numerous times today, yet when faced with Gabby’s father, he about lost his nerve. “But I have a favor to ask,” he choked out. “Can I take Gabby out on a real date? Our last one was, um, well, interrupted.”

Gabby shifted in her chair. If Bruce knew the truth about their last date, he might not ever give his permission.

“Have her home by midnight,” Bruce said, climbing to his feet. “Angel or no angel, she’s still my daughter and you’re still a teenage boy.” Bruce slugged him on the shoulder then hugged Gabby. He released his daughter and sat down next to Grace. “There is one thing. Could I ask for a favor, Grace? Could Gabby stay with you for a while?”

“Dad, no.” Gabby took a step forward. “Aren’t you through with all that? You’re not going back to—”

“Calm down, Gabriella. I’m not gonna hunt again. I just wanted to know if you could stay with Grace. I’ve my own demons to battle and well, I need some professional help.”

Gabby clutched her father’s shaking arm. “Your hands? Oh Dad, you’ve been drinking again, haven’t you?” Alexander flinched at the disappointment in her voice.

“I was forced to drink by Forras, but honestly, it didn’t take much convincing. I’m gonna go through detox again. This time, I want to make sure it sticks. So, would it be okay, Grace, for Gabby to stay here?”

“Of course, Bruce. Don’t worry about anything. I promise to keep a close eye on these two.” Grace pointed a finger, shaking it at them, then grinned at Gabby’s giggle. “I’ll make sure she does her homework every day, too.”

“Okay, okay. I promise to be good,” Gabby said then her eyes lit up. “That’s right, school’s starting soon.”

“Great. School.” Alexander rolled his eyes but the truth was he looked forward to a normal day of classes and hanging out at the beach with Gabby. It made him feel more human.

“Thanks so much, Grace,” Bruce said. “I want to be the father my G-Bear deserves. I have a lot to make up for and I want to do it sober.” He gave Gabby another hug. His chest rose and fell before he pulled back and stroked her hair.

“Concentrate on getting well so we can be together again.” She kissed his cheek. “Oh, I almost forgot. Alexander and I have a Christmas present for you. We’ll give it to you as soon as you get home.”

“Um, Gabby, about that,” Alexander muttered. “Can I just buy a new one? I kinda don’t know anything about fixing boats.” He gave her a sheepish look.

“Boats? What made her ever think you knew how to fix anything?” Grace chuckled.

“It’s a long story.” Alexander grabbed Gabby’s hand and tugged her toward the beach to watch the waves come in with the morning tide.

****

Gabby lifted Sammy’s birthday cake and carried it to the dining room. Alexander was right. Grace made the most beautiful cakes. Pale pink roses adorned the corners of the square cake, with two matching pompoms in the center. A darker shade of pink swirled along the edge and
Happy Birthday, Sammy
was written in a smooth script across the bottom. It reminded Gabby of the cakes her mother made for her birthday.

Grace kissed Sammy’s forehead. “Sorry it’s a day late, dear, but I’ve been a little busy.”

Everyone gave a half chuckle as the birthday girl blew out the candles.

“What did you wish for?” Gabby asked.

“Nothing. I already have everything.” Sammy reached over and grasped Boon’s hand, a sparkle dancing in her eyes.

Alexander covered his mouth with a napkin. “I’m gonna be sick.”

Grace hit him upside the head with the spatula before handing it to Gabby.

“I’m just kidding.” Alexander winked at Sammy.

“I see we’re right back to the obnoxious big brother routine.”

Gabby snickered at Sammy’s remark.

“Time for cake,” Sammy said, helping Gabby serve everyone a piece.

An hour later, Alexander gave Sammy a small square box wrapped in satin pink ribbons. “Happy Birthday, Sis.”

Sammy tugged the ribbon off the package and squealed as she lifted the lid. Gabby’s skin crawled as the memory of the night the diamond earrings were purchased flashed through her mind. She ran her hand down her arm just to make sure it wasn’t bubbling. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the memory back where it belonged, in the past.

“I know it’s your birthday, Sis, but do you mind if I give Gabby something?” Alexander reached into his shorts pocket and pulled out another small box, giving a nod and wink to her father.

With her mind still clouded by the memory, she didn’t realize at first what he held, but a moment later her hands started to shake.

“I know you said it was too much, that your father might have an issue with you having it, but I talked it over with him. When he saw it, he agreed.”

Alexander squatted down in front of Gabby and pulled a gold ribbon from the tiny box.

Gabby’s mouth went dry at the sight of him in front of her, box in hand.

“I know you’re too young for a proposal.”

Her dad coughed from across the table in confirmation.

Alexander took the white top off the box, pulling out a small crimson velvet case. “Instead of a proposal of marriage, this is a promise ring.”

She wasn’t sure if she felt relief or disappointment at the clarification. Sure, she was too young to get married, but so were many other epic lovers.

Alexander cleared his throat as if to get her attention again. “A promise that no matter what happens I’ll always do the right thing. A promise I’ll remain by your side. I promise I’ll respect your wishes. But most of all, I vow I’ll love you always, no matter what happens.”

Gabby tried to say something, but for once, her mouth couldn’t form any words. Her father sat a few feet away, watching, but didn’t threaten to kill him. How did Alexander do it?

“I don’t know what to say.” She looked down at the platinum band decorated with small diamonds, surrounding a larger one in the middle. Her breath caught in her throat. She’d been so nervous on their first date she hadn’t really looked closely at the ring. It didn’t just look like her mother’s wedding ring. It was her mother’s. Her eyes misted as she looked between her father and Alexander.

“I’m embarrassed to admit it,” her father said, “but I sold your mother’s ring when we moved here. I hope you don’t hate me, but I wasn’t in control. There’s no way I would’ve parted with her ring voluntarily.” Her father cleared his throat. “I know your mother would want you to have it. I wasn’t much older than Alex…well, I guess older than you, when I fell in love with her. But that doesn’t mean you two should rush into anything,” he added, his tone firm.

Alexander slid the ring from the satin lining. “Do you want to be with me, Gabriella Moore?”

He looked so vulnerable, squatting on the floor with the ring in his hand. It might not be a marriage proposal, but it was a declaration of love. To her, that meant everything. The sun, the moon, and the stars.

“Yes, Alexander Lorre. I want you by my side no matter what happens.”

He held her shaking hand as he glided the ring onto her finger.

“Woot! Woot! Woot,” Sammy shouted, clapping as Boon walked over and punched Alexander on the shoulder.

Her father came over and squeezed her tight. “Just remember, it’s a promise, not a proposal.”

“I know, Dad. Don’t worry, I’m in no hurry.” She reassured him, but knew deep down they would marry someday.

Once everyone had their fill of cake and the plates had been cleared from the table, Alexander grasped her elbow and said, “We’re gonna head out for a swim. We’ll be back in a bit.”

Grinning, they raced from the room before anyone could stop them. They made their way to the beach, the sun bright overhead. He pulled her onto the sand in the same place where he’d rescued her that first morning. So much had happened since that day. She had an angel for a mother, an earthbound hunter for a father, and demon blood coursing through her veins.

The demon blood frightened her most, along with the edgy feeling it created. It was an intoxicating power that could easily control her.

She snuggled into Alexander’s arms. “Alex, I’m frightened by these powers. How can I be the key to saving innocent people? It’s crazy.”

“Don’t worry, Gabby. There’ll be plenty of time. From what I understand, the gifts will come slowly and you’ll master each one before another is granted.”

How could he still touch her knowing she had Forras’ blood flowing through her body? She looked out over the ocean to avoid his eyes.

“What is it?” Alexander moved to face her, taking both her hands in his.

“Forras’ blood haunts me. What if I can’t control it? What if I hurt you?” Some divine gift from Heaven. She felt like nothing more than a scared child.

“You won’t. Our love will get us through anything. Heaven brought us together for a reason. I truly believe that. Besides, it’ll be a couple of years before you’re ready to start training. And I plan on enjoying every moment until then.”

A tingle moved up her arm and across her shoulders into her chest then down her legs. Happiness. It flooded every cell of her body, easing the uncertainty. She leaned in and kissed him, pulling him to the sand with her. Their bodies melted together, her leg curling around his.

When he pulled back, she panted for breath, her heart racing. They lay back on the sand and looked at each other.

“I love you, Gabriella Moore, and I don’t ever want to be without you.”

Finally, the words she’d longed to hear. He loved her and he wouldn’t leave. Ever.

“I love you, too,” Gabby whispered as she leaned in for another kiss.

THE END

Also by
Ciara Knight:

Fall From Grace
(Battle for Souls Book II)

Gaby Moore’s powers emerge years too early due to adolescent hormones, complications with loving a fallen angel, and constant demon attacks. She is forced to deal with the guilt of believing she murdered Alexander’s “mother,” while trying to stop the demonic war before it begins. Only the love and acceptance of friends, family, and her beloved Alexander can save her from turning to her demonic side.

If you’ve enjoyed this story and would like to join Ciara Knight’s street team, Knight Readers, a place to meet other readers and win cool prizes, please visit
Ciara Knight’s Street Team
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Knight Reader Street Team page
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