Fall from Grace (Book 2: An Angelblood Novel) (30 page)

“Everything I am doing is for you; never forget
that,” Richard said.

 

“I won’t forget. Can we leave now? I only have a
few hours until Jeziel has to leave.”

 

“I’ll be in touch with you Phillipe. Next stop Paris.”
Richard smiled and they were gone.

When Aura and the others returned, she knew the
little ones would be too excited to go to bed. They were all
talking breathlessly about their new gift.

Rita approached Jayden after they returned and tried
to hand him back the dagger she had given him for his
birthday.“You should take this back. You might need it
now.”

“I don’t want it,” Jayden said. “That was the
weapon Natalie used to kill my brother.
You keep it.
Maybe you can return the favor one day.”

“Then I’ll get you another one,” Rita insisted. “You
should have some form of protection.”

 

“I’ve got all of you. I doubt there is any greater
protection than our family,” Jayden laughed.

 

Rita returned his smile. “I’m getting you another
dagger anyway.”

 

“Alright if that will make you happy,” Jayden
relented.

“Keeping you alive will make me happy.” Rita
winked at him. “You know they’ll come for you. Promise
me you’ll stay close to us Jayden; if not for your sake, than
for your mother and Acadia.”

“What has Acadia got to do with anything?”

“She likes you. There’s no reason for you to put
yourself in danger when you have everything to live for.
I
see a union in your future,” Rita grinned.

Jayden looked at Acadia and then back to Rita. “I
think you’re mistaken. Let’s not forget I was recently
married to Natalie.”

“Your marriage only lasted a week and you heard
what the High Council said.
The marriage never existed.
You’re free to live your life with whomever you choose
now.
Acadia would be perfect for you.
You share a great
many things in common.
Thinkabout it.” She patted him
on the shoulder before she went to find Will.

Jayden
looked
at
Acadia
who
was
having
a
conversation with his mother Jane.
She did seem to fit in
perfectly with his family.
Jane already loved her. He would
consider what Rita said.

It was true all records of the union were completely
erased.
Perhaps he would speak to Acadia about courtship,
even though part of him thought he wasn’t worthy of her.

Rita said it was all in his mind; maybe she was right.
She did after all have the gift of sight; at least to some
degree. He walked over and joined his mother’s
conversation. Soon they were all laughing.

Chapter 30

When Richard and the girls arrived in Paris at the
Devereaux estate, it was late evening. “Nice house,” Jeziel
said.

The
eighteenth
century
estate
was
located
just
outside Paris. It had been in the Devereaux’s family for
years. “The Devereaux’s are one of the wealthiest families
in Paris,” Richard said, as they walked to the front entrance.

Once inside, Jeziel was amazed at the amount of
detail in the décor.
The home boasted period architecture,
featuring high ceilings, stone fireplaces, and parquet flooring
covered by large Sovonnnerie tapestries.

As Richard directed them into the living room,
Meredith was sitting in a winged chair; Desiree and her
mother Charisse, sat beside each other on a settee woven of
brocade.
Desiree stood to greet Richard with a hug, while
introducing Jeziel to the others.

“It is so good to finally meet you,” Meredith gushed.
She couldn’t help noticing that Natalie’s scar had returned.
“What is this Richard? I thought this business was taken
care of.”

“There has been a change in plans,” he said, taking
seat in another chair, next to the settee. “I believe the
Enchantor has betrayed me.”

“She can’t walk around like this. The other angel
-
bloods will recognize her. What about Arian? Did he leave
with the Enchantor?” Meredith asked.

“It would appear so. Mahlyssa may have granted
him his freedom, but I’ll have to deal with him later.”

“If he returns to Utopia and tells the Commission
you were responsible for his imprisonment, they will add
that to the list of charges against you,” Desiree said.

“I can’t think about that now. I have to take care of
this business with Natalie first.
I have friends in London
who may be able to help.”

“Are you sure about this Richard? How can you be
certain these people won’t betray you?” Meredith asked.
She had already begun to pace.

“I can’t prove that Mahlyssa has betrayed me.
Perhaps she was only taking advantage of the new life I gave
to her. If she has deceived me, she will pay dearly.”

“What about the Guild?” Meredith said, wrenching
her hands together.

“I’ll handle the Guild when the time comes. Even
they can’t find fault with me wanting to protect the citizens
of Utopia.”

Meredith stopped and stared furiously at her eldest
son. “Surely you realize they are not to be trusted.
They
will try to kill Natalie.
Have you forgotten what they did to
my father?”

“I forget nothing. You need to calm down Mother.
Everything is moving forward, save a few small bumps in
the road.”

“How can you be so calm when they want to kill
your daughter?”

 

“Natalie will be safe. They won’t find her this time.”
“It was a mistake to send her to Aeden. Has she
learned anything of value concerning the Guild?”

 

“Actually, I have learned a few things while I was
there,” Natalie interjected.

“Don’t worry about Natalie,” Jeziel said. “I still
have a close friend who lives with Aura. Aidan won’t lie to
me. It’s not in his nature to do so, considering he’s
Michael’s son,” she smiled.

“You think you can trust him? I’ve never known a
descendant of the Archangels to disobey their father, or
Heaven,” Meredith retorted.

“He trusts me. I’m certain of that,” Jeziel stated
confidently. “I just need a little more time before he turns
his back on Aura, and Heaven. I’m meeting with him
tonight.”

“Perhaps you can tell us what happened after I left,”
Natalie said hopefully.

 

“I’m sure I can find out something of value. How
should I contact you?”

 

“You can always get a message to her through us,”
Desiree said.

“I really do have to be going. I don’t want to be late
for my date,” Jeziel smiled. She walked over and gave
Natalie a quick hug.

She turned to Richard, before walking towards the
front door. “Remember what I told you. If things don’t
work out, I’ll call Samhael. He’ll be only too happy to
help.” Jeziel said goodbye to the others, and then she
vanished.

“Are you sure you can trust that girl?” Meredith
asked.

“She’s Lucifer’s daughter,” Richard replied. “Now
if you’ll excuse me, I need to make a stop in Utopia before I
go to London.”

“Why would you dare go to Utopia?” Natalie asked.

“I need something from the Enchantors home. You
needn’t worry. It’s not like the residents will be walking
around that part of town after dark,” he laughed. “I’ll return
after I’ve visited London. Don’t wait up. I probably won’t
be back until tomorrow morning.”

He kissed Desiree goodbye. “You need to stop
worrying Mother. It will make you old before your time.”
He laughed, as he walked out the door.

Aura got the girls into their pajamas and took them
downstairs to say goodnight. “Tomorrow’s going to be a
busy day. Are we going to take snacks with us?” Alannah
asked.

“You don’t have to worry about snacks. They sell
hotdogs from carts right on the sidewalks in New York…
you’re gonna love them,” Bren assured her.

“They’re called street vendors,” Tracy added
“We sure are gonna need a lot of dresses,” Alannah
said.

“You don’t have to worry, I got Papa’s credit card.
We can buy anything we want; right Papa?” Bren smiled at
her godfather.

Howard laughed. “The sky’s the limit.”

“Se
e, what did I tell you?
Papa loves it when we
spend his money.” Bren was serious, but the rest of the room
laughed.

Jeziel arrived at her cottage just after dark.
Even
though Aidan had asked her not to come back to Aura’s, she
planned to ignore his request. She knew he would be glad to
see her.

As
she
rummaged
through
her
closet,
she
was
conflicted about how she should dress.
If she was too
provocative, he wouldn’t give her the time of day. But then
again, she didn’t want to dress like a school teacher either.
Finally, she settled on a little black dress.
Certainly

Aidan would notice her if she were wearing this. She would
wait
until
the
brats
were
in
bed
and
then
make
an
appearance.
Aidan would never refuse her.
She knew he
cared about her; regardless of what the others thought.
The
more time they spent together, the more he forgot about
Avriel.
Maybe Aidan was finally beginning to realize that
Aura wasn’t his wife.

When the rest of the family went home, Aura took
the girls back upstairs. After their baths, Aidan asked what
movie the girls wanted to watch.

Bren chose one of her favorites.
She handed it to
Aidan. ‘This is a good one,” she said to the other two.

Aidan looked at the title and read it silently. “What
is this about?” Aura started laughing when she looked at the
selection.

“It’s a comedy,” Tracy said. “Alannah hasn’t seen
this one.”

 

Aura decided to hang around to see Aidan’s reaction
to their movie choice.

A
few
minutes
after
the
video
started,
Aidan
considered taking it out. “Are you sure this is appropriate
for them Aura?”

“They’ve seen it hundreds of times before. It’s one
of their favorites.”

 

Aidan looked worried. “I’m not sure the subject
matter is suitable for little ones to view.”

 

“It’s alright Aidan, they know some of the content is
made for mature audiences, but it really is funny.”
“I don’t agree with this. Why don’t we find a nice
cartoon or something to watch?”

 

“Cartoons are boring. Nobody tells a story like
Buddy,” Bren insisted.

 

“Please don’t turn it off daddy. I want to see it,”
Alannah pleaded.

Realizing he was outnumbered, Aidan reluctantly
allowed them to continue watching the video. “Perhaps you
should watch it with them?” Aura suggested.

“No thank you. I doubt there is anything of value in
this type of entertainment.”

 

“You might be surprised.” Aura laughed as she
walked out of the room.

Aidan was right behind her.
They stood in the hall
for
a
few
minutes
listening
to
the
little
ones
laugh
hysterically.
Aura was sure Bren and Tracy would have to
explain some of the jokes to Alannah, but it would be well
worth the sound of their laughter.

Aura yelled back through
the door. “Don’t choke on
your food.
Bren knows where the funny sections are, so
don’t drink anything when you get to that part.”

Aura and Aidan headed downstairs to have a cup of
tea. They could still hear the girls laughing. “You may not
agree with everything they watch, but I assure you they
know the difference between right and wrong. It’s not like
they would repeat anything,” Aura said.

Aidan shook his head. “I’m still not sure they should
be watching such a thing. The next thing you know they’ll
be watching smut.”

Aura stopped in her tracks. “What did you say?”
“I said they may decide to start watching smut,” he
said honestly.

 

Laughing, Aura asked him, “Where did you hear
that?”

“Logan told me. He said he found Mia watching
smut one day and he nearly fainted.
He had the cable
company put a lockout on the television.
Little girls should
not be allowed to watch such things Aura.”

“You have become quite comfortable here, haven’t
you?
I remember the first day we met.
You were so prim
and proper. I didn’t think you would adapt. I stand
corrected.”

They both stopped talking for a minute as they heard
all three of the girls laughingso hard, they weren’t sure they
could catch their breath.
Aura laughed and shook her head.
“They are definitely enjoying Buddy tonight.”

Aidan missed hearing Alannah laugh.

Although,
he
knew
she
had
more
than
enough
reasons to be sad. He hoped they could finally return to their
peaceful existence. But he also knew Natalie’s freedom
would come at a high cost.

As
Aura
poured
the
tea,
she
stopped
suddenly.
“What’s wrong? Did you see something?” Aidan asked.

She should have known Jeziel would not honor her
wishes not to return.
She smelled her coming.
It was the
same pungent odor she always smelled when a black wing
was close.
She put the teapot on the table and looked at
Aidan. “You’re friend is coming again. She’ll be here any
minute. It won’t do to keep her waiting.”

Before Aidan had a chance to respond, she was
already going up the stairs. He shouted after her. “Aura
wait!” But she never turned around.

He walked out to the back porch and watched as
Jeziel approached. She stopped in front of the orange tree.
“I thought we agreed you wouldn’t return to Aura’s house.”

“I don’t ever recall making that agreement,” Jeziel
smiled seductively.

 

“Have you decided to come before the Council?”
“Are you angry with me Aidan?” She moved closer
to him.

 

“You didn’t answer my question.”
“I need a little more time.” You could almost taste
the sweetness in Jeziel’s voice.

 

“If you’re innocent, I see no reason to wait.”

Jeziel stood in from of him and attempted to caress
his arm. “Why are you so upset with me?” When she
reached to touch him, he backed away.

Aidan could see the rage in her eyes. “I told you
before that I’m in love with Aura.”