Revelation (12 page)

I
nod my head, annoyed I’m being put in my place.

Callan leans in to whisper, “
You just got schooled.”

I turn and give him the stink eye as he giggles like a
ten-year-old.

Michael smiles
with warmth. “How much divine history has Elizabeth provided you?”

“Not too much
. She felt spirituality was more important than conformation,” I answer.

Again, he beams brightly
, almost proud. “Well, Elizabeth always did push the boundaries. It is one of my many favorite things about her.” He looks wistful. “I digress.”
Okayyyy.

His focus regained
, he continues. “I will not bore you with the entire story of how things came to be, and this certainly is not meant to be a sermon. However, you need to understand why you were created, Eve. That merits a small amount of historical background.”

I straighten and encourage
him to continue. “I’m listening.”

“
Heaven’s Legion has been at war with Lucifer’s Dark Army for centuries, with countless casualties on all sides. That’s nothing new. After exhausting all avenues, and many attempts at peace, something significant had to be done to secure the safety of future generations. “So, I requested my spirit be placed in another. A human to help redeem mankind. A query that first went unanswered by The Angelic Council. Instead, I was sent to lead our legion into battle against Lucifer and his army. Eventually, The Angelic Council agreed to my proposition, though the implications at the time were unknown.”

Michael
continues his old world accent, hypnotizing me. “Ultimately, we were able to secure a peace treaty that both Heaven and Hell signed. Regrettably for all parties, including mankind, it was set to expire on the twenty-second of May of this year.” He stops, watching me with an eerie stillness.

Realization hits me.
“Wait, my eighteenth birthday?” I look to Asher and then back to Michael.

“Yes, that
’s correct, Eve. In preparation for another spiritual conflict, a war in which human beings would once again be wedged in the middle, The Angelic Council agreed on a divine secret weapon, if you will. You, Eve. It was decided we would create a redeemer who shall liberate mankind, a direct descendant whose soul carries the spirit of an archangel and the pure bloodline of Heaven.” Michael pauses, letting the information he’s just shared sink in.

I take a deep breath, close my eyes
, and sit back on the couch.
Holy shit, it’s real
. I open my eyes and lock them onto Michael’s as he nods gently, letting me know my conclusion is true.

“My parents died when I was a baby
. Were they angels?” I question.

“No. They were humans
. Good, loving people who were granted a daughter. The council decided they were a good fit to raise you. Unfortunately, Lucifer got wind of your existence and found Katherine and Robert Collins, ending their existence before we could protect them. Uriel and I found you in time, but it was too late to save them. They died honorably, protecting you,” he says, sadness tinting his voice.

At the sound of my parents
’ names, my eyes begin to sting. I attempt to blink it away.

“We
brought you to an old friend of mine, Elizabeth, who agreed to shelter and guard you. Over the years, we’ve had Power and Guardian angels watching over both you and Elizabeth, shielding you from Lucifer. Once you turned eighteen, your bloodline would ascend, essentially alerting every demonic and supernatural being within Lucifer’s legion of your existence. Which has happened,” Michael clarifies.

I just sit for a moment in the quiet, allowing this information to sink in.
“Did my parents know what I was?”

“No.”

“How is my bloodline pure if my parent’s were not angels?” I ask.

“At the time of your creation, the bloodline was transferred and your soul touched. That is all I can offer at the moment.” Michael says with a solemn tone.

“So my Aunt Elizabeth isn’t my mother’s sister? She isn’t a blood relative?” I try to make sense of how she is related to me because we all look exactly alike.

“No
, they were not sisters. Make no mistake, Elizabeth loves you as if you were her own child, Eve. That never was false. Everything she did over the years was for you, because in her eyes, you are her daughter. She has loved and protected you and still does to this day. She has given up a lot to make sure you were concealed and safe,” he says, leaving no doubt or room for argument.

“And you know her?” I ask
, kind of freaked out that my aunt hangs out with an archangel.

He gives a small
, solemn smile. “Yes, for a long time. Over the years, I checked in on both of you on several occasions,” he says pensively.

“Why don’t I remember you?”

“Simply because I didn’t want you to.” He shrugs.

I ponder this information, willing
my stopped heart to start beating again.

“If you had Power and Guardian
angels watching over me my entire life, where are they now? Why did you have to hire Asher and his family to protect me?” I ask, my voice just above a whisper.

Michael
leans his elbows on his knees, tilting closer to me. “The Angelic Council agreed your guardian protection would last until your eighteenth birthday, at which time you would ascend, alerting Lucifer and his legion of your existence. If they knew we had created you in our favor to assist mankind, we would be in breach of the treaty, ending centuries of peace and placing the world in great peril. It was assumed once you ascended, you would carry the appropriate capabilities to protect yourself,” he explains.

“Watching you over the years, Elizabeth
and I realized that when you did turn eighteen, you would have no real understanding of who you are or protection skills against the evil world. Knowing this, I went back to The Angelic Council to ask for assistance but they denied my request. In this war, both sides are expected to play fair, though it’s not always the case,” Michael justifies.

“So I was just created and then left to fend for myself against all that is evil? Who does that? Why on earth would your side allow this to happen?” I say on the verge of screaming.

He sighs. “Eve, there is much you do not understand when it comes to ‘my side.’ The social order is built on trust, regulations, checks, and balances. The consequences of breaking those rules hold severe punishment, including falling for some angels,” he says, guarded.

“How is Asher my protec
tor if I’m not supposed to be protected?” I snap.

“We’ve had a long standing relationship with,” he looks up at Asher and Keegan, “the St. Michael
clan. They belong to The Spiritual Assembly of Protectors. We go to them on occasion with assignments. I felt they were the appropriate clan to act as your sentinels. So I hired them to do so,” he finishes casually.

“Isn’t that going against the rules of The Angelic Council?”

He smirks wryly. “Technically, no. They never said I couldn’t hire outside bodyguards for you, just that they would not provide celestial guards.”

“Wait, what about Aunt Elizabeth?
” I panic.

“She is still protected by Power and Guardian angels overseen by myself,” he states.

I stare at him, my mouth partially opened.
An archangel who bends the rules? Go figure.

“Eve, I realize this is a lot to understand
. It was our hope to ease you into the ascension. However, Asher tells me you unknowingly crossed realms to The Kingdom of the Fae and Lady Finella inadvertently awakened your knowledge. Your safety is, our utmost priority and with the increase in demonic presence, we felt it’s time to inform you of who and what you are.”

“I don’t recall realm jumping or Lady Finella. I d
on’t always remember my dreams,” I say.

“I see. First
, let me assure you. What happened was not a dream. As we now know, one of   your gifts, of many we hope, is that you can cross realms. Meaning you’re able to travel across planes from earth to other lands, such as The Kingdom of the Fae. That’s why you thought it was a dream. It’s a very revered skill, one I will teach you to harness and use at will in the event you need help from other spiritual beings,” he assures with excitement.

“Hold on
. Are you saying I will get ‘abilities?’ I can go into different realms, and fairies are real?” This is starting to become too fantasy world for me.

He sighs at my lack of grasp. “Yes on all accounts
. It’s due to your pure bloodline and archangel spirited soul.”

“
Am I going to—poof—turn into an angel or something?” I question with trepidation.

“I don’t know yet what powers and abilities will come of your ascension. Your soul is touched by an archangel. All I can say at the moment is you are a mystery waiting to unfold for all of us to admire. Your capabilities and potential will evolve and present themselves with time,
just as the realm jumping did,” he says with a grin. “However, you are not, nor will you become, an angel. Angels are created of fire and don’t have souls. You are human and have a soul. You’re also not nephilim, as you were not born of the fallen and a human. You are pure. The only one in existence,” he says in awe of me.

The only one in existence
. Great!
“You don’t have a soul?” I ask, bemused.

“No, only humans have souls.
That’s a large part of what the war is all about. Your soul gives you free will to choose your path and destiny.”

“So I could choose not to be a weapon?
The Demonic Legion would have to leave me be, right?” I ask as a spark of hope ignites.

“
Perhaps, though I don’t believe they would leave you be,” Michael offers with hesitation.

“Am I immortal or something?
”

“Right now, you are a human who can be hurt
. You are not immortal. Only time will tell what your ascension brings, Eve,” Michael answers.

“So what’s next?” I ask
, not really wanting to know the answer. “Is there a playbook or something I need to follow to accomplish the redemption of mankind so I can get on with my normal life? What about all the demons chasing me? Are these people,” I motion my hand to everyone in the room, “going to just kill them all?”

“There is no timeline
for when this will come to fruition. It is apparent from the visits of Nero and the Barghest that Lucifer is aware of your existence. He is sending demon warriors to scout. I need to go back to The Angelic Council and regroup on next steps. In the meantime, the St. Michaels will assist in your protection, training, and ascension. I will also help guide you once your abilities and powers manifest,” Michael says.

“That’s it?” I say sarcastically. “Hey
, Eve, you’re a weapon for Heaven and every demon in the world wants you dead, not to worry though, you’re being protected by twenty-somethings and your next steps are to return to class as normal?” I’m hysterical now.

“Eve, we don’t know yet what the fal
lout of this will be. We are assuming a lot of things. Your ascension is in the very beginning stages. We’ll watch it, work with the changes, and prepare for war. In the meantime, yes, life must move on as normal. There are rules and protocols to be followed,” Michael cajoles.

I swallow
, looking around. Everyone is staring at me with sympathy. I need some space so I get off the couch and move toward the door without a word.

“Where are you going
, child?” Michael asks.

“I need a minute
.” With that, I walk out with Asher at my heels.

I turn to look at him,
my eyes wet with my unshed tears. I want to speak but no words come out of my mouth. I’m feeling overwhelmed. I was just told everything I know about my life was a lie. My entire world just turned upside down.

Asher walks to me and captures me in a
strong embrace. Stroking my hair gently, cooing in my ear. “Shh. It’s okay, Eve. I’m here,” he comforts, allowing me to stain his shirt with my tears.

“It’s not
. My life is a lie,” I choke out.

He steps back a bit, takes my head in both his hands
, and looks at me with a stern expression. “It’s not a lie, it was a shield. You are fated for greatness, siren. Everything was done by people who love you and want to keep you safe. Your life was your own. Every decision, every moment, was all you. Do you understand?”

I just stare at him. “Everyone I love has lied to me.”

He holds his stance and his brows pull together in thought as he looks over my face
. Something flickers over him. He looks pained. Asher opens his mouth to say something, but gets interrupted by Michael.

“Eve, I apologize
but I must go. I’m being called back. I will return when I can to finish our discussion and start your instruction. Until then, please trust and listen to the St. Michaels. They are your guardians,” he says with a stern tone.