Revelation (18 page)

Asher speaks first. “Rule number o
ne, stay away from Gage Gallagher.”

My eyes go wide. “Why?”
I question his motives more than the actual reason.

“Because he isn’t safe,” Asher growls out of a tight jaw.

Keegan exhales his annoyance. “E
ve, we go way back with Gage. Unlike us, he’s not affiliated with The Spiritual Assembly of Protectors. Gage is, however, part of a Secular Set of Protectors, meaning he works for both Heaven and Hell, depending on the day. We know he’s working with another gargoyle clan, the Declan clan. They too are affiliated with the Secular Set and have no loyalty to either side. Deacon Baptise, the leader of the Declan clan, is half-gargoyle and half-demon, meaning his ties with Lucifer run deep. In addition, he and his kin have been positioning for power over our race for a long time. We think Deacon might have made a deal with Lucifer. In exchange for you, Lucifer would help him take control of the gargoyle community.”

“Wait
, I thought gargoyles were sworn to protect mankind. Why would he turn a human over to Lucifer knowing it could potentially hurt people?” I question.

“That’s what we don’t know yet, which is why it is imperative that you stay away from Gage and
the Declan clan. Gage is Deacon’s right hand guy,” Asher says sourly.

“So you think Gage is playing me in
order to get me to go to Deacon,” I state, already knowing the answer.

Asher nods his head in confirmation.

“So staying away from Gage is really about my safety and nothing else?” I look sternly at Asher.

“Yes,” he says with
a final tone.

Ouch. Well, that hurt
. I exhale a slow breath.

I turn to Keegan. “What other rules are there?”

He smiles briefly. “It’s simple really. A protector will be with you at all times, meaning you’ll go nowhere without one of us. Aside from heading to your aunt’s house for the holiday, you’ll be here at the manor for training.”

I nod my agreement as Keegan continues the imprisonment policy.

“Also, until you can get your realm jumping and dream walking controlled, one of us has to be around at night while you’re sleeping. Therefore, after break, you will not be returning to the dorms. You’ll finish out the spring semester here. Abby has set up a guestroom for you.”

I release a short laugh. “So, basically, you’re my babysitters and I’m a hostage?”

“No, we’re your protectors and you’re our guest whom we will keep safe at all costs. Even if you don’t like it,” Asher informs me in a bitter tone. “We’re not asking to protect you.”

I ignore him. “What about Aria? I’m not going to just leave her alone in the dorms.”

“She can stay here. We have plenty of rooms,” he offers.

I snort. “You think she’s just going to
move into this house? Or that her parents would even allow that?”

“Her parents won’t know
. It’ll be temporary and you’ll still keep your on campus housing for pretense purposes. As far as her staying here, well, we have an incentive,” Callan states.

I
’m confused until he tilts his head to Leo.

“Hi
, roomie,” Leo says, acting as if he is excited.

I roll my eyes. “Great. A new house and a dog all in one day! How did I get so lucky?”

Asher sighs. “Eve, it’s just until you’ve been properly trained, can handle your abilities, and we get your safety under control.”

I look around
, seeing I’m not going to win. “I guess I should go pack then,” I say, defeated.

Two hours and twenty bags later
, Aria and I were settling in to our rooms at the manor. She was more than happy to get out of the dorm, especially when she found out Leo would be staying at the manor as well.

I’m sitting on the window bench in my new suite
. It’s so large it’s not really fair to call it a room. While watching the white clouds move over the blue sky, I briefly close my eyes and wonder how I got to this point. A month ago, I was as normal and plain as a girl comes. Now, I’m preparing to fight demons, living with gargoyles, and getting ready to take on a battle that has been fought by angels and demons for the past few centuries.

I turn and see Asher standing in the doorway
, watching me.

“How long have you been there?” I ask.

“Long enough to see the crease forming between your eyebrows.”

“Stalk much?
” I say with a bite. “So is this how it’s going to be? You watch every move I make, confining me to the manor unless chaperoned? Are you going to cut my steak and wipe my ass too?”

“It’s nice to see your sense of humo
r is still intact.” He exhales a tired breath.

I throw him a nasty look before returning
my eyes to the calming clouds.

“What is it you want
, Asher?” I whisper and give him a side-glance.

He gives his sexy smile.
“Just to welcome you home, Eve.”

“Is that where I am
? Home.” I pin him with my stare.

Asher comes over to the bench,
crouching so we’re eye level. “This is your home now. We’re your family. There is nothing to be afraid of. We’ve got this.”

“
I hope you’re right because at this moment, it feels like the world is coming down around me.” My voice is small.

Asher takes my chin and turns my head to face him
. “Hey, when the skies turn black, I will reach you. I will pull you from the darkness and bring you home. Always.” He vows.

I nod at his promise, closing
my eyes, and accepting his words. He will protect me.

16
Gateway to Paradise

I grew up in a small
cozy town located on Martha’s Vineyard, which is a small island located off the shores of Cape Cod. The only way to get to “The Vineyard” is by ferry, usually out of Woods Hole. Hence the reason I’m currently boarding the vessel with five supernatural beings in tow, all heading to my aunt’s house for a very unique Christmas.

I opted for the peace and solitude of the outside deck
seating even though it’s the middle of winter. The air is crisp, coming off the Atlantic Ocean, tinting my cheeks pink and icing my nose. The scent of brine carried in the frigid breeze and the lighthouse lined shoreline provides me with the comforts of home.

The Vineyard is a popular destination during the summer months because of the weather and beaches. It’s known as a place that tourists and locals come to
relax, shop, eat, and get sun. My aunt’s jewelry shop is a local treasure and people come from all over to buy her unique, one-of-a-kind pieces.

Those of us who live here year-round just find
the island special and enchanting. Well, except when the off-seasoners come through on their damn mopeds. Then it’s just congested and totally overpopulated.

I check my cell phone
. The ferry ride is forty minutes and we still have twenty left before we dock in Vineyard Haven and I can firmly plant my feet on the “rock” as natives say.

Grateful to just have a quiet moment to myself, I watch the choppy water as the
waves crash against the rock filled shoreline.

“May I join you?” Asher asks.

“Sure,” I say, pointing to the bench next to me.

He hands me a paper cup. “I figured you’d be cold out here. They only had milk chocolate and no marshmallows but it should still warm you up.”

“Thanks,” I say as he sits. His leg presses against mine, which itself is warming me from the inside out. 
Why do I always feel so warm when he’s near?
I sip my cocoa in contemplation.

Asher’s
deep voice pulls me out of my reverie. “You okay about seeing your aunt with everything that’s going on?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. We have yet to discuss any of this. Most of our calls are superficial latel
y. How’s school, are you eating and sleeping, etcetera. Nothing substantial about the fact that she isn’t my blood relative or that she is my link to the celestial plane.” My voice sounds tired as I recount my insecurities with Asher.

“It’s not an easy situation for either of you. She probably wants to discuss it in person so she can reassure you that no matter what, she loves you,” he offers
.

I shrug through my thick winter coat.
“Maybe.”

“Eve, look at me,” he gives me the quiet order
.

I peel my eyes from the lighthouse
s and meet his glare.

“No matter what, in spite of everything
, she’s still, for all intents and purposes, your guardian. I guarantee you that her love is still a love that comes from her core. A mother’s love doesn’t stem from a bloodline. It comes from all the little moments through the years.” Asher shifts his eyes to the lighthouse in deliberation.

“
Wow, that was profound. Are you secretly a mom and I don’t know it?” I laugh at myself.

His face
is serious. “There are some things you just know. You’re an easy person to love, siren. I’m certain that she fell in love with you the moment she saw you and that she couldn’t imagine a life without you in it,” Asher says with nothing but sincerity.

I exhale
, watching him as he stares forward at the shoreline. With his beautiful jaw clenched, emotions in check, his face gives nothing away.

All of its own accord, my
mitten covered hand reaches over and wraps itself in his larger, stronger one, filling me with warmth.

His eyes slide to mine as I mov
e closer to him like a magnet. “Eve.” It’s a warning.

“I know
.” I close my eyes as the boat’s whistle blows, alerting us we’ll be docking shortly.

He cups my face
, his gloves warm on my icy cheeks. “You’re not alone. I’m here and we’re going to face this together,” he promises me.

“Okay.” I nod my head in agreement.

He smiles with cockiness. “Now let’s go meet your aunt so you can tell her how amazing I am and how sexually attracted you are to me.”

My mouth falls open.
“So cocky.”

Asher raises his eyebrows
. “You really need to think about something other than my body parts, siren.”

I playfully push him. “You’re terrible and gross. Oh
, and don’t talk like that in front of my aunt or she’ll kick your ass to the next island.”

He laughs as the rest of the clan comes out to meet us.

“Ready to get into the car? We’re going to dock soon,” Keegan says.

“
Yep, let’s do this,” I say in an upbeat tone.

“We’re off to meet
Aunt Elizabeth. I’m so excited.” Callan feigns excitement and bounces around like a girl at a boy band concert.

McKenna rolls her eyes
. “Let’s go, idiot,” she says as she drags him by the ear to the carport level.

“Ouch. Abbs
, help me,” Callan whines.

“No, I told you if you pretend to be all ‘fan girl’ again, you get what comes to you,”
Abby attempts to be stern.

He pouts.

“Alright, kids, enough. Let’s hope you all act more civilized around Elizabeth,” Keegan scolds.

The hatch opens and Keegan pulls the black Escalade out onto the main ro
ad toward my Oak Bluffs neighborhood which is located about fifteen minutes away. It was built in the eighteen hundreds and the homes that line the street are considered gingerbread cottages.

Each hom
e is brightly colored and adorned in themed embellishments. The neighbors also like to name their homes after sailboats. There is Sea Shrimp Cottage, Sandy Lane and my aunt’s is the Gateway to Paradise. I’ve always assumed it was named so because my aunt is passionate about her wild flower gardens. Everyone in town comments on how beautiful they are, like paradise. I suppose the name has a new meaning now with my recent realities.

Keegan slows down as we approach the white gingerbread home with black shutters and
a bright blue front door. The yard looks amazing with my aunt’s winter wildflowers strategically placed to appear as if they’re growing naturally around the white picket fence and waiting patiently for the first snow fall.

He pulls in the driveway and
parks behind my aunt’s hybrid just as the front door opens, revealing my aunt’s beaming smile.

I watch her and her easy manner.
She has long, light brown hair that flows in the breeze and her hazel eyes sparkle. She’s biting her bottom lip and rubbing her arms up and down her lean frame.

My aunt
has on one of her flowing long skirts and her favorite white shawl that always reminds me of a blanket instead of a sweater. She looks so much like me it’s impossible to believe she’s not blood.

“You okay?” Asher whispers next to me.

“Yep. Let’s do this.” It seems to be my standard answer these days.

He stares at me thoughtfully
before opening the door to the SUV and allowing us to exit.

All of us make our way through the gate
and up the stone pathway to the front porch where my aunt waits.

She
offers a bright smile to everyone before locking on me. I move in front of her and she clutches me into a tight, warm hug.

“Welcome home
, baby. I’m so happy you’re here.” She squeezes me, releasing only to cup my cheeks and kiss my forehead like she did when I was little and getting ready to sleep for the night.

I force a smile.
“Hi, Aunt Elizabeth.”

“Hi
, love bug.” She uses her nickname for me since childhood.

I clear my dry throat
. “This is everyone. Keegan, McKenna, Abby, Callan and Asher.” I quickly make the introductions. “Everyone, my aunt, Elizabeth.”

“Hello
, everyone. Welcome to the Vineyard. I’m thrilled you were all able to join us for the holidays this year. Please come inside where it’s warmer. I have some hot cocoa waiting with some goodies from a local bakery,” my aunt replies cordially.

We all walk into the comfortable house. My aunt did everything in this house by hand
, even stripping and re-staining the original hardwood floors. Unlike La Gargouille Manor, this house is modest with a living room, kitchen, small dining room, and half bathroom downstairs and three bedrooms with a full bathroom upstairs. That’s it, but it’s always been full of love and warmth. Even now, I feel peaceful and at home.

My aunt motions to Keegan and Asher. “You boys can go ahead and put the bags in the first room at the top
of the stairs.” She smiles with warmth. “I don’t have much space, but I figured you boys can share that room and the girls can stay in Eve’s room with her for the two nights.”

Keegan nods politely.
“Yes, ma’am.”

My aunt scoffs. “And none of that ma’a
m crap. Please call me Elizabeth.”

Callan claps and rubs his hands together. “I’ll escort the ladies to the kitchen for cocoa
. Show me the way, Aunt Lizzy,” he says, putting his arm around my aunt while she laughs and leads us to the kitchen, which you can see from the living room because of the open floor plan.

I lag behind a bit, looking around at the cozy living room
, remembering all the nights my aunt and I curled up on the couch to watch movies and have girl talk, all the Christmas mornings I ran downstairs to see what was under the tree, all the quiet talks and laughs we shared in front of the fire and I’m saddened by the feeling it all stemmed from a lie.

Asher’s scent engulfs me as he presses
his chest to my back, igniting my veins with warmth as he leans down and speaks in a low tone in my ear, “You okay?”

I nod. “Yeah
, I am.” I offer a small smile and make my way to the kitchen.

My aunt’s kitchen is as cheery and
as well designed as the rest of the house. It’s square and has eggshell blue cabinets with modern bronze handles. It’s open to the living area, so you can see the white walls and v-shaped ceiling. There are dark wood beams flanking the ceiling and blue pendant lights hanging over the half-wall, which she made into a breakfast bar with stools. She makes the most out of small spaces. Her designs are always elegant and inviting.

Although, s
he doesn’t have a microwave because she believes ‘nothing good ever comes out of a machine that cooks something in sixty seconds.’ The petite kitchen also has four windows over the sink located to the right, overlooking her gardens, a refrigerator, and a back closet, which she opened up to add more storage space. Just like my aunt, the room is stylish, warm and pleasing.

She busies herself getting the mugs and filling them up as Abby and Kenna sit on the stools
. Callan leans with a casual ease against the cabinets, crossing his legs at his ankles.

Once Asher and Keegan return
, my aunt turns to the group and announces that Michael will be joining us tomorrow. I raise my eyebrows.

“He has time to come celebrate Christmas with us?” I question snippily.

“Eve, he’s coming so we can discuss the events that led up to your entrance into our lives and to make sure we’re all okay with next steps,” my aunt corrects with a gentle reprimand.

“You mean
he has more to say about when I was taken from my dead, adoptive parents and given to you by archangels who bred me as a divine secret weapon to use against Hell and its demon legion?” I say with reproach.
Okay, so maybe I am not as all right as I led Asher to believe.

Aunt Elizabeth sighs. “Eve
, that’s not entirely how it happened but, yes, something like that.”

I need a fresh brain to discuss this.
“Great. It’s been a long day so I’m just going to get ready for bed. See you all in the morning.” I turn to leave as I hear my aunt’s voice.

“Eve, we’ll talk
tomorrow,” she says in her no-nonsense parental tone.

“Goodnight,
” I shoot over my shoulder and make my way to my upstairs bedroom.

Opening the door, I notice everything looks the same as when I left
for college a few months ago. The warm yellow walls and bright white trim still gleam. Photos of all my friends from high school adorn my corkboard. An entire life memorialized in one room.

I pick up
a picture of my aunt and I from my nightstand and collapse on my soft, luscious white comforter. We took this photo last summer. I have a similar one at school. We’re laughing on the beach after a day of paddle boarding and sunbathing. We look so carefree and happy. I sigh as I hear a small knock at my door.