Fall from Grace (Book 2: An Angelblood Novel) (3 page)

“We’ll not punish my daughter for defending
herself.
If using the whip was not warranted, she could
never have called for it.
The whip will only materialize, if
she is faced with great danger.
The weapon stays true to
Heaven,and so does Jessica.”

“No one will ever doubt your daughter’s loyalty
Adam,” Paul said,trying to comfort his friend. “There is
another possibility we are reluctant to speak of.
The Elite
Guard could be involved.
We never learned who they were
searching for. It could have been Hespa.”

“Jeziel wouldn’t go against them, even to defend
Elijah.”

“If what you say is true
, why didn’t she come to us
for help?
No one wants to believe in Jeziel more than I do,
but we need to consider she may have fallen.”

“I agree,” Adam said. “
She was with Samhael. We
can only assume that he took her to visit Lucifer.
If she is
innocent I can find no reasonable explanation for her not
coming to the Guild.”

“We should return home. The little ones will be
awake soon.
There is no reason to ruin their Christmas
celebration. We can discuss this more later.”

They expanded their wings and returned to their
homes.
As expected,
Eve and
Angie were awake and
waiting for them.

Since the girls were spending the night at Aura’s,
Angie decided to stay at Eve’s home until her husband
returned.
Jane and Jayden were there with Acadia.
The
sisters would be introduced to Alistair later in the morning.
Until then, they knew Aura would make them feel at home.

Eve remembered how happy they were a couple of
weeks ago. Everything started to change when Natalie came
to the valley and befriended Jeziel.
They were more than
friends, they were family. Rita didn’t trust either of the
girls, but had no proof of their involvement in the recent
deaths.

She knew that Aura hadn’t seen the deaths of Elijah
and his sister in her visions.
But she was certain her
daughter saw the confrontation with Natalie and Jasper.
Soon the truth would be revealed.

Richard and Natalie arrived in Paris moments after
leavingHenry’s house.

Natalie wasn’t happy about leaving Jasper. She
questioned whether he would have their marriage annulled.
She wasn’t pregnant because she took precautions against it;
a mistake she now regretted.

She couldn’t worry about that. If the Guild
suspected her in Jaspers death, they would come after her.
Meredith
told
her
how
they
killed
her
father.
Natalie
shuddered to think she would suffer the same fate.

They found Desiree dressed in a loose fitting gold
brocade dress, sitting quietly in the parlor when they entered
the house. Her long blonde curls cascaded down her back.

Charisse,
her mother, was going over the menu
plans with the servants. Like the governor’s mansion, there
were very little Christmas decorations displayed.

“Richard,” Desiree exclaimed. “We weren’t
expecting your return so soon. Is everything alright?”
She gasped when she saw Natalie’s scar. “Who did
this to you?”

 

Richard told them the story, from his perspective.
“What of your husband? Didn’t he come with you?”
Desiree asked.

 

“He is in the custody of the Guild,” Natalie huffed.
“We need to keep her here for at least a day, until I
can make other arrangements,” Richard stated bluntly.
“We’ll take good care of her,” Charisse insisted.

Charisse Devereaux w
as one of Meredith’s oldest
friends.
The years had been kinder to her than to Meredith.
Charisse had not lost any of her youthful appearance.
Like
her daughter, she had long blonde curls, but her eyes were a
deeper shade of blue.

Richard
wasn’t in the
habit
of
discussing
his
personal business, but he knew Desiree and her mother
could both be trusted.

“I have no doubt of your loyalty. We are
experiencing some problems with the Guild and I’ll need
some time to sort things out,” Richard smiled.

“Take all the time you need.
No harm will come to
her here.”

 

Natalie was already self conscious of her scar, but
Richard assured her it was temporary.

“This is their fault,” she cried. “I am to wear this
hideous scar for the rest of my life and Jessica isn’t even
questioned. Her attack on me was unwarranted Father. You
know that’s the truth,” she sobbed.

She looked down at her hand and stared at the
wedding ring on her left finger. “They turned Jayden against
me,” she sobbed. “I promise I will make them all pay!
I
swear it!”

Richard was unsympathetic. “Perhaps you should
have considered the consequences when you killed that girl
and Jayden’s brother. Did you think they wouldn’t want
vengeance for their deaths?”

“They deserved to die. I will not feel any rem
orse
for either of them.
Jasper had no right to speak to me like I
was trash. Killing Ella made him suffer.”

“I doubt he is suffering now,” Richard laughed
, but
then became more serious. “If the Guild determines you
were responsible for Ella’s death, it will seal your fate.
No
one will believe you didn’t murder Jasper; regardless of the
circumstances.”

“How can they know? Ella and Jasper are both
dead.”

“You are a fool if you think they’re incapable of
finding the truth.
Rita may not be a practiced seer, but I’ve
heard rumors her sister Aura is as powerful as Esra.
If she
sees what you’ve done, the Guild will order your death.”

“Then you’ll fight them.”

“I may be powerful, but I don’t have the skills to
take on the entire Guild, at least not yet. “Don’t worry; I
have a plan in progress.”

“What am I supposed to do in the meantime?”
Natalie sobbed.

“You’ll do nothing! I will come for you after I’ve
taken care of some business. It’s Christmas day. Nothing is
going to be accomplished today. I’ll leave first thing in the
morning. While I’m gone perhaps Desiree can take you
shopping. You’re in need of some new clothes.”

“No one will bother you here,” Charisse assured her.
“You will be completely safe until your father returns.”

“For now, I suggest
we put this behind us and enjoy
the rest of the holiday.
The Guild will wait until tomorrow
to conduct the memorial service for Jasper.
Until then we
shouldrelax and make the best of things.”

“I’m sure I have something that will fit you,”
Charisse
said. “Why don’t we go upstairs and find
something for you to wear? You’ll feel better after you’ve
had a nice warm bath.”

Normally Desiree would have offered her something
from her own wardrobe, but lately she had gained so much
weight,
she
doubted
anything would have fit Richard’s
daughter.
Her mother was about the same size as Natalie
and no one could ever doubt Charisse’s taste in clothing.
She always kept in style with the latest fashions.

Chapter 3

Henry returned to the sanctuary to find the Utopian
children still opening their Christmas gifts. He had forgotten
to
bring
his
own
presents
for
his
daughter
and
granddaughter. Thankfully, they were not there when he
arrived.

The residents of Utopia already had trust issues with
Meredith
and
Richard.
If
they
knew
that
Natalie
was
involved in Jasper’s death, they would be even more
suspicious. Judging by their jubilance, they hadn’t heard the
news about the deaths in Aeden yet.
Perhaps they could at
least enjoy one more day of peace.

“Henry, I wasn’t expecting to see you this morning.
Are you here to see Analie and Ambrosia?” Arthur asked.
“Is there somewhere we can speak privately?”
“Of course - the library is through the living room. I
assume you’re here to talk about the deaths in Aeden?”

“Yes, among other things.” Once they arrived at the
library Arthur closed the door behind them.
Henry took a
seat on one of the leather couches, while Arthur sat on the
corner of a large cherry desk. “I believe Natalie may be
charged with Jasper’s death.”

“I knew they suspected her, but Paul saidthey didn’t
have enough proof to bring her to trial.”

“
Natalie and Richard played me for a fool. She used
my friendship with Jane, to gain access to the Guild and
their family. I know Meredith knows more than she’s saying.
I don’t trust any of them now,Arthur.”

Running his hand through his hair, Henry informed
him about Paul’s comments. “I fear I could lose the colony
if the Guild recommends that I be removed as governor.
What would I do if they asked me to step down? My father
was the last governor. This is all I’ve ever known.”

Arthur could hear the desperation in Henry’s voice.
“Paul would never blame you for the actions of your
family.”

“What about Analie and Ambrosia?
If the rumors
are true, they could still bein grave danger.”

“I can assure you they’re perfectly safe here. They
just went to pick up a few things from Winnie’s house for
the little ones.”

Henry began to pace.
“I’m losing my ability to keep
the Utopian people safe. I had doubts about Richard and
Meredith, but never imagined Natalie as a murderer. I’m
planning to move Meredith and Richard to his country
estate.”

“You could move to the sanctuary with the rest of
us.”

“How would that look? People woul
d think I was
afraid. I’m staying in my home, but I’ll have them both
gone by tomorrow. If I know Richard, Natalie will be gone
when I return.”

“Doesn’t the Guild want to speak with her?”

“When have you ever known
Richard to care about
the Guild?
He thinksbecause they have Lucifer’s blood,
they’re untouchable,” Henry chuckled.

“I wouldn’t be too concerned. Paul’s words were
more
for
their
benefit
then
yours.
He
has
complete
confidence in you, but he may be trying to force their hand.
We
suspect
Richard
is
planning
to
overthrow
the
government here.”

“You are a good friend Arthur, better than I
deserve.”

 

“Nonsense - we both care deeply for the residents of
Utopia. I’m sure everything will work out.”

 

“Thank you. It means a lot to have your
confidence.”

“You will not be judged by your family’s betrayals
Henry.
The Utopian people still believe in you.
Perhaps
you should start believing in yourself again.”

“I need to see if my house is still standing. Meredith
wasn’t happy that I left. Without the younger servants there,
she’ll have to depend on someone else to cook her Christmas
dinner. Paul suggested she learn to cook for herself.
Please
let Analie and Ambrosia know that I’ll return later with their
gifts.”

“They should be back soon.” The two men shook
hands and Henry walked back to the Governor’s mansion.
By the time he arrived, Richard and Natalie were
both gone.

 

“Where did they go? Did they leave for Paris?” He
demanded of Meredith.

 

“What makes you think I know their whereabouts?”
she answered coolly.

“I am not a fool! Your son can barely wipe his nose
without you. I never should have trusted you.
I should have
known Natalie wasn’t estranged from Richard. The three of
you were using me.”

“How can you speak to me this way Henry?”

“Know this
Meredith, if they have gone to Paris and
the Guild questions me; I will not lie for any of you.
I will
no longer participate in your games. I’m giving you notice, I
intend to end our marriage. You’ve given me more than
enough reasons not to trust you.”

“
I have been nothing but faithful to you.
How can
you
defend
them
after
what
they
did
to
your
granddaughter?”

“You know nothing of loyalty. You and Richard
can move to his country home. My family’s heirlooms will
remain here to be passed on to Analie and Ambrosia, the
decent granddaughter. I’m warning you, if a hair on their
head is harmed, I will see you burn!”

Meredith was too stunned to speak.
“The servants can start packing your things. You’ll
be leaving first thing in the morning.”

“Have you already determined Natalie’s guilt?
Won’t you hear her side of things before you pronounce
sentence on her?” Meredith asked.

“If she was innocent, she wouldn’t have run away.
I’m convinced you know more than you’re telling me.
Perhaps the Guild will question you.” He walked out of the
room, leaving Meredith to ponder her fate. He needed to go
to Aeden and speak with Paul.
At least he could see Joshua
and tell him of his plans.

Aura woke up just before five.
Aidan was still not
at home.
She wondered if he found Jeziel or if he was still
looking for her. She didn’t bother to dress. It was a
tradition they would all stay in their bedclothes until after
breakfast.

She had
the
coffee and
tea brewing,
while she
waited for the others to arrive. The little ones were still
asleep giving her time to put the pastries and breakfast
breads on the table. The children wanted fast foods, so they
could concentrate on opening their presents.

Aura looked around the room.
There was the fresh
smell of pine. Stockings were placed on the mantle for each
of the little ones and their guests. She turned the lights on the
tree and watched them twinkling against the glass panes in
the windows.

Even though some of them opened gifts at home, the
big gifts were always opened at her house. Aura made it a
point to get something special for each member of her
family and their guests.
Of course most of them were
beginning to feel like family.

The most special gift was for Aidan, who was still
not at home. It was a picture of Aidan and Aura sitting on a
white cloud. Hovering over them with their wings extended,
were Alannah, Alorrah, Alexis, Bren and Tracy.
On the
bottom of the picture,“we can always hope,” was engraved.