Fall from Grace (Book 2: An Angelblood Novel) (23 page)

“So she decided to follow him like many of the
others?”

“Yes. We lost a great many angels to Lucifer and
then to the war. I often wonder if they have regrets for their
actions. Killing a brother or sister is a horrid crime; so many
of the children were lost.”

“Did you have children Iris?”

 

“I had twin sons, beautiful boys.
Of course their
father didn’t think so.”

 

“What happened to them? Did they die in when
Lucifer attacked Heaven?”

“No, the Lord Father saved them both. I think it’s
important for me to start at the beginning.
It will help you
understand.”

“Let’s take a walk in the park. It’s a beautiful day
and I’m sure no one will miss us,” Aura said. Iris nodded in
agreement.
It was like a spring day outside.
She would
enjoy the walk.

“We’ll be back. We’re going for a walk down to the
park,” Aura told the girls.

 

“Do you want me to join you?” Aidan asked.
“No, Iris and I are going to talk. We won’t be long.
Don’t let the girls bore everyone with their stories.”

“I promise I’ll rescue them if I need to.” Aura
smiled as she walked out the door.
Perhaps she should
forgive Aidan, he was trying so hard.
He looked for the
good in everyone. She thought he was even more naive then
she was.
She was sure Jeziel kissed him deliberately to
make her jealous. She wasn’t going to play her game, not
today, not ever.

As they arrived at the park Iris and Aura took a seat
on the bench in front of the Tree of Life.

“I was married to an ange
l named Bael.
He was
Bodhi’s twin brother. Shortly after we were married I gave
birth to twin sons.
They were the most beautiful, perfect
children any mother could hope for, but they were different.
They were born without the anatomy to allow them to
reproduce.
My husband was furious when he saw them.
According to him they were defective and would never have
any value.”

“Bael made it known they should never have been
born and I truly believed their lives were in danger.
Shortly
before their first birthday they were taken from me.
I
thought Bael had finally succeeded in causing their deaths. I
was overwrought with sadness, but I had no time to grieve
because the war had started.”

“Bael was always jealous of the attention Bodhi
received.
When he was given the sacred bow, Bael thought
it should have been given to him instead; the other angels
disagreed.
Even then he was untrustworthy.
Perhaps that
was one of the reasons he decided to follow Lucifer. My
sister Isla chose the path to darkness as well.”

“I always suspected Isla was in love with Bael.
You have to understand even though he followed Lucifer to
Hell, we were still married according to the laws of Heaven.
Bael knew I would never break my vows to him; regardless
of the circumstances.
I expected Isla would have killed me
if the chance presented itself, but Bael forbid her from
causing me harm. It wasn’t because he loved me; it was his
way of making me suffer.
He refused to disavow the
marriage and all these years I have been alone.”

“But surely the High Council could grant you an
annulment under the circumstances?”

“I’m afraid it is beyond even their capabilities. The
only way I can be free is if Bael dies. I have no doubt he no
longer follows the laws of Heaven, but he knows I would
never violate them. I have never married and I have never
had any more children.”

“Many years after the war was over we were
informed our Father created two Angel Priests.
No one
knew their identity, but it was foretold if they were ever
harmed by the hand of darkness; darkness would never again
give birth to another child. A line was drawn that Lucifer
himself wouldn’t dare cross.”

Aura looked sadly at Iris, “Dareus and Aureus; they
are the Angel priests you speak of; they are your sons.”

“Yes. I have no
t seen them in many years.
I
presumed they were dead by their father’s hands, but I was
mistaken.
A
few
years
ago
Esra
told
me
our
Father
concealed them to keep them safe. Bael must never know he
is their father.”
“I will keep your secret Iris; I promise.”

“I know I can trust you child. I would never have
told you if I doubted your loyalty.”

 

“I don’t see any family resemblance to you. That
should help protect them.”

 

“I’m afraid they look like their father, but they do
have my green eyes.”

“I kno
w you must be elated to have them here.
But
why did they come now?
Why would he send them with
everything else that’s happening?”

“I wish I could answer that. Perhaps in time your
visions will provide us with the truth.
The little ones seem
to be comfortable around them.”

“They are aren’t they? I’m sure they will be excited
to go horseback riding with them for the first time. It’s sad
when you think about it.”

“What do you mean?”

 

“We have access to all these wonderful gifts, and yet
we barely take advantage of the simplest things in life.”

“Perhaps that’s because we’re always pre
-occupied
with something else.
One day we may be able to let our
defenses down, but I fear that day is in the distant future.”

“Are you worried Iris?”

“I am never worried, b
ut I have seen too many
deaths and far too much destruction in my life to relax my
defenses.”

“Perhaps one day we will finally put an end to it
all.”

“There is always hope,” Iris squeezed her hand.
“You are so much like Avriel sometimes I have to remind
myself who you are.”

“Are we not one in the same?”
“You have many of her qualities; no one can ever
doubt that, but there is more to you; perhaps because you
share the most powerful blood of Heaven. Never forget you
were born under my Father’s veil. You have many gifts yet
undiscovered. I have no doubt they will appear to you when
the time is right.”

“Let’s hope I won’t have to use them too often.”
Aura hesitated for a moment and then said, “There is
something I need to do today.
I wish I could tell you, but it
might change the outcome. If all goes well we will answer a
great many questions. I’m not sure how my family is going
to respond to what I’m about to do.”

“Your family trusts you completely and so does
Heaven; never doubt that for a second.
Your heart will
always guide you Aura. I’m sure of that.”

“Thank you Iris. Perhaps one day your heart will
guide you too.” Aura smiled as she thought about her
godfather. “He loves you; you know. Don’t ever doubt that
for a second,” Aura hugged Iris and the two of them started
back to the house.

When they arrived, Iris walked over to Howard, who
was having a conversation with Rusty.
Soon she was
laughing with them.
Aura hoped one day Iris would be free
to marry her godfather.
Heaven would certainly approve of
their union.

Natasha arrived around one o’clock. Aura thought
she would be the last of her guests; but she was mistaken.
There was no need to take her coat; the weather remained
warm and sunny.

Aura couldn’t believe it was nearly seventy deg
rees
at the end of December, but she wasn’t about to complain.
She knew the mortals would be enjoying the warmth as
much as they did.
She never minded the winter; it provided
the little ones an opportunity to play in the snow. However,
a warm sunny day was always appreciated.

Natalie (Natasha) saw Father Patrick and decided to
join him. He introduced her to the family who weren’t in
church earlier.
Natasha was surprised to learn the Allgoods
were still in Aeden, as were Renatta and Acadia.

The other servants ventured to the Australian colony
after they left her grandmothers employ. She wished Acadia
had joined them.
It was obvious she was enjoying her time
with
her
husband.
Jane
and
Jayden
both
seemed
comfortable with her.

Natasha was almost shocked to see her grandfather
there with Ambrosia and Jade.
She wondered where Analie
was.
Henry seemed to be perfectly relaxed with his new
freedom and was engaged in a friendly conversation with
Jane.

“Can you please direct me to the bathroom?”
Natasha asked.

“It’s right down the hall, first door on the right,”
Aura said. “Please let me know if you need anything else.
We’re pretty low-key around here.”

“Thank you. I’m sure it won’t take long before I get
to be friends with everyone. You have a lovely home by the
way.”

“Thank you. I have most of the parties here because
I have the biggest kitchen. You know how the boys like to
eat,” Aura replied.

As soon as Natasha got in the bathroom she wanted
to scream. How long was she expected to keep up this little
charade? Jayden making all over that girl, as if they were
never married; it was disgusting to watch. I would love to
teach them both a lesson. She knew she couldn’t let any of
them see how upset she was.
She had to preserve her new
identity. If shedidn’t, her father would be unforgiving. She
stayed there until she was able to control her emotions, then
she returned to the party.

Rita and Jessica avoided the new girl deliberately,
without trying to be rude.
Talk of the wedding provided
them with an excuse.

Father Patrick stayed closed to Natasha; considering
she didn’t know anyone else. Aura was sure he felt
obligated to her.

She encouraged Aidan to talk to Natasha.“Why
don’t you get to know her? I’m sure she feels out of place.”

Aidan looked at the new girl.
“She looks perfectly
fine with Father Patrick. He’s including her in most of the
conversations. Your mother is also spending time with her.”

“It would be good for you to make another friend.”
‘I have more than enough friends already.”

Aura looked at him and laughed.
“You can never
have enough friends. I guess that’s one of the differences
between us. It’s a good thing you don’t plan any of our
parties; we would be stuck with leftovers for a week.”

“I hardly think that’s possible. I h
ave
every
confidence that your brother and his friend would take care
of any leftover food.”

Aura started laughing at Aidan’s attempt to make a
joke.
Soon he was laughing too.
The girls were so excited
that Aura and Aidan were getting along, they high-fived
each other.

Aura’s brother P
.J. had returned home with his best
friend A.J.
Both sported shorter blonde hair, but their soft
blue eyes were unchanged. Since they were finished with
most of their training, they were given some time off to
spend with their family.

Eve and Angie were both glowing.
They had no
idea the boys were coming home, until they arrived that
morning.
The boys had a special bond with the little ones
too.
Bren
and
Tracy
were
almost
as
excited
as
their
mother’s when the boys arrived unexpectedly.

Aura couldn’t help noticing the curious look on
Natasha’s face. When she heard her laughing with Aidan,
her eyes turned black for a split second.
Rita and Jessica
must have noticed too, because they hurried over to Aura
and told her they needed to speak with her privately.
“Girl talk again?” Aidan asked.

“Something like that,” Rita said, trying not to be
rude.

“Then I’ll leave the three of you alone. I think I’ll
try to rescue some of those mushrooms from your brother’s
plate.”

Aura was still laughing when Rita and Jessica pulled
her into the kitchen.

 

“Did you see the new girl?” Rita asked.
“If you’re asking me if I saw Natasha’s eyes; the
answer is yes.”

‘What do you think it means?” Jessica asked.
“You’ll both find out soon enough,” Aura said.
“What aren’t you telling us Aura?”

“Nothing you need to know yet. Trust me; you’ll
have your answers before you know it. Don’t say anything
else to anybody. I don’t want to ruin the surprise.”

Jessica and Rita both looked curiously at each other.
Aura started laughing.“I promise it will be worth the wait.”
When they returned to the other room, there was a
knock on the front door.

 

“I got it!” Mia yelled. “I hope it not Becca Cohen
again,” she mumbled under her breath.

The
entire
room
started
laughing.
Of
course
Jasmine wasn’t laughing. She wasn’t thrilled with the
prospect of Becca making moves on Tristan again.

Jack Donnelly took care of all the legal paperwork
for the Guild. He had a very good business relationship with
Ira Cohen, a mortal who was always available.
Becca was
his only daughter and not one of Mia’s favorite people. She
saw Becca as arrogant and snobbish, but it was her constant
flirting with Tristan that upset her Mia the most. Despite
being engaged to Jasmine, Becca still thought she had a
chance with him.

“I didn’t invite her here,” Tristan was trying to
explain to Jasmine. “Did anybody invite Becca to the
party?” he asked nervously.

“She doesn’t need an invitation. She’s got some
kind of radar or something and just shows up,” Logan
laughed.

Thankfully it was not Becca at the door.
It was the
Archangels of the High Council and their grandparents.
They all came, including Michael. Though each of them was
dressed casually, they all had a soft light enveloping their
bodies. Aura also noticed that all of them had shoulderlength blonde hair.

“We weren’t expecting you today,” Paul said.
“Are we not celebrating our granddaughter’s
engagement?” Uriel asked.

 

Paul smiled at his father.“Of course we are. I’m
glad you came Father.”

 

Aura saw how nervous Natasha became all of a
sudden. “Not as nervous as you’re going to be,” she thought.

Father Patrick was in his element.
He met some of
the Archangels in previous years, but this was his first
meeting with Michael. Aura’s father quickly introduced the
two of them.