The Ascended (24 page)

Our friends pulled in the lot shortly after us. I hugged Kate, Rachel and Melissa though I had just seen them the day before. Being away from each other wasn't something any of us liked and barely a day would pass where we did not get together for at least a little while. I helped Kate unbuckle Shawn and Krista from their car seats and loaded them up in one of the four oversized wagons we brought to the beach with us. Rachel set Sam in the wagon with Shawn and Mark clambered in next, setting himself next to Krista. Harmony waited patiently in my arms while Chris unloaded the next wagon out of the back of his and Rachel's car. Once he placed it on the ground, I set Harmony in it next to Mason and Lynn and Robert filled in the last two spaces. The last two wagons were loaded down with our beach towels, umbrellas,
sunscreen
and sand toys for the kids.

I grabbed the handle of the wagon with Harmony in it, while Kate took charge of the one with Mark. Melissa and Rachel trailed behind us making sure everyone remained sitting down. The guys brought up the rear with the two remaining wagons and two oversized coolers on wheels.

Having kids had definitely changed our beach trips,
I thought ruefully as we made our way down the slanted path, but we definitely had it down to a science.

"So, how's Victor this morning?" Kate asked quietly beside me.

Though I was close with everyone in our tight-knit group, Kate was my best friend and I had confided my concerns with her during our last assignment.

"He snapped at Mark this morning," I said, quietly glancing behind me to make sure no one could hear.

"What?" She asked, clearly baffled.

"I know. It was so out of the blue and over something completely ridiculous. I just don't know what to do."

"Is he still blocking you from his thoughts?"

I nodded my head miserably.

"I was thinking I would call his sister, but I know her band is on another assignment. The Middle-East mess is keeping all of us on our toes," I said. I really would like to talk to Haniel the most, but he's never around anymore."

"Yeah, it is strange that Haniel is spending so much time away from us. As of right now, we're the youngest active band. I'm surprised The Light has him stationed elsewhere," she said. "Of course, the fact that we kick butt at our assignments might be a small part of it," she added, trying to lighten the mood.

I couldn't help but smile. Not that we were cocky, but she had a point. Our group had exceptional success rates in the field.

"I'm sure it's just the stress of keeping you safe," Kate said quietly as we reached the hard packed sand.

"I hope so," I said as I dragged the wagon across the sand with the help of Rachel pushing it from behind.

"I say this spot's good," Melissa said, panting at the rear of Kate's wagon.

"Sounds good to me," I said, massaging out the sore muscle in my arm.

Within fifteen minutes our beach day camp was set up and the kids were running around squealing in delight. Victor seemed completely normal as he played touch football with his friends and I began to relax. Kate was right. Being a protector was a stressful job and he just needed to recuperate from our last assignment.

After a little down time everything will go back to normal,
I couldn’t help thinking already feeling relieved.

Chapter 2

The next few days were uneventful as we settled into the routine of being back home. As each day passed, Victor lost his odd mix of feelings and seemed almost normal again. He still kept his thoughts blocked from me and kept our intimacy at arm's length, but I didn’t press the issue. I knew he would eventually come around. Intimacy had never been an issue for us and though I craved his warm touch, I gave him his space.

On the third day of our return home, I was sitting on the living room floor folding Harmony's cute little jumpers that had just came out of the dryer, watching the news when a booming knock sounded at our front door.

Squealing in delight, I jumped to my feet knocking the stack of freshly folded clothes over. I would know that knock anywhere. Throwing the door open, I threw myself in the arms of the 7' Archangel standing in front of me.

Haniel was used to my exuberant nature and didn't seem surprised that I had hugged him. I knew that usually Guides and Protectors refrained from hugging him, but I loved him. He was like family to me. I loved his stodgy attitude and his booming voice, and though he rarely showed it, I loved his sense of humor. He was like the brother I never had.

"Hello Jenna, it's nice to see you looking so well after your last assignment," Haniel said stepping into the living room.

"It was a piece of cake," I said, making light out of the volatile situation we had been placed in.

"I'm sure it was," he said dryly, making me giggle.

"Where have you been Haniel? I've missed you."

"I have been busy. It's a tough job keeping all my Guides and Protectors in order. Speaking of which, where is Victor?"

"He had to run some errands, but shouldn't you already know that?" I teased him.

He merely raised his golden eyebrows at me, making me giggle again. I couldn't help teasing him about the fact that I thought he should know everything.

"The Light does not share everything with me Jenna," he said, responding to my light laugh. "Though he did send me here today, but I assumed it was to chat with both you and Victor," he said, sounding unusually mystified.

Apprehension welled up inside me. The Light obviously had picked up on my misgivings and had sent Haniel to counsel me. I felt the stirring of embarrassment blossoming up inside me that I had made a small nothing into a mountain.

I sunk down on the edge of the couch. I kept my head down as I willed the embarrassment back.

I felt the sofa dip down beside me as Haniel settled his massive frame next to me.

"Jenna, it is not unusual for Protectors to struggle after a tough assignment. Though they have their Guides to help protect them from the hostile emotions they come in contact with, some of the negativity is bound to slip by," Haniel said, picking my thoughts from my head.

I cringed that I hadn't blocked my thoughts from him. A few days ago I had been dying to talk to him, but having my misgivings out in the open seemed irrational now.

"Jenna, this is what I was made for. It is my job to give you the support you need. Never hesitate to come to me when you are troubled. It pains me to see a soul as beautiful as yours struggle with doubts."

"He just seems so distant anymore Haniel. I feel like I'm losing him, but that's impossible right? I know Protectors can't leave their guides. I'm just being silly, I know that," I said, standing up to pace back and forth. "I know a protector can't leave his guide, but can he fall out of love with her?" I asked as my heart clenched at just the thought.

"Jenna he hasn't fallen out of love with you, it would be impossible. Your soul is like the heavens opened and filled with life," Haniel said in an oddly choked voice.

Startled, I looked up at him, but his face was as passive as ever with no signs of any other emotion. I shook my head at my imagination. What could Haniel possibly be choked up
about,
we were merely assignments of his.

"I will be gone for the next few days, but when I return I will counsel with Victor and lend my assistance," Haniel said, breaking into my thoughts that I had thankfully remembered to block from him as he strode toward the door in his normal abrupt manner.

"Thank you Haniel."

"Don't worry Jenna, all will be well," he said, closing the door softly behind him.

***

My talk with Haniel eased my fears and by the time Victor came home, I was happily humming in the kitchen while I finished the last few touches on our dinner. The kids had been fed and were tucked firmly in their beds.

"Hi, honey," I said, greeting him as I set the table.

"You look cheerful," he said, flashing me my favorite smile I hadn’t seen in a while.

"It was a good day," I said, standing on tiptoes to brush a kiss along his hard jaw line.

"Really, why is that?" He asked, pulling me into his arms.

"Oh you know, hanging out with the kids," I said, deciding to keep Haniel's visit quiet until Victor met with him himself. "They're so cute and clever," I added, linking my arms around his neck.

For the first time in weeks, he didn't draw away. Testing the water, I gently nipped on his jaw again and felt his arms tighten around me the way I liked. Smiling against his neck, I worked my way up and nipped his ear next. He pulled away and I prepared to fight back my disappointment when he reached up his hands to cup my face. Sighing with pleasure, I parted my lips as his descended on mine. After weeks of barely any contact, his kiss was like aloe balm on sunburn skin, instantly soothing my soul that belonged to him. I kissed him back with abandon and moaned with delight when he pulled me even closer to him.

"The kids?"
He asked, finally breaking the kiss.

"Tucked away in their beds," I said breathlessly, knowing exactly what he was asking.

Smiling slightly, he dragged me back in for another kiss. I gripped his broad shoulders as he scooped me up in his strong arms and carried me back toward our bedroom, all thoughts of dinner forgotten.

Chapter 3

The next morning I awoke confused.

For the first time in my entire life, my sleep had been void of any dreams. Feeling sick from the absence of our shared dreams, I sat up abruptly looking for Victor, but saw that his side of the bed was empty. Something was terribly wrong. I had never heard of a guide or protector not dreaming of each other. It was one of our greatest gifts from The Light. It was what gave us strength and peace. My head whirled as I tried to process what it could mean and I yearned to talk to Haniel.

Settling on the next best thing, I reached for the phone to call Kate, but dropped the receiver when Victor bustled into the room.

"Oh good you're up. Haniel came by and we have a new assignment," he said pulling on a clean polo shirt.

"Really?
I thought we were going to have some down time?" I said surprised.

"It's local. Some drug lord has set up shop in some abandoned warehouses on the outskirts of town and is using teens to distribute, which is why they're sending Guides in."

Still a little confused, I pulled on my robe. Usually we had more time to prepare for an assignment. "Is Haniel still here?" I asked, wondering if I would have time to ask him about the dream.

"No, he already headed out. He left all the details with me." Victor said, pulling on his white crew socks.

"Oh," I said, swallowing my disappointment. "Did he say anything else?" I pried, hoping maybe Haniel had at least taken the time to counsel Victor like he had promised.

"No, why would he? We're adults and can handle an assignment without any handholding," he said, sounding annoyed.

"Oh, I know that. I was just curious," I said, trying to pacify him. I approached him from behind sliding my arms around his midriff hoping to reignite the magic from the night before, but he pulled away from me.

"We have to hurry," he said, pecking me on the cheek, sensing my confusion.

"Why the rush?"
I asked as I pulled on a pair of dark jeans.

"Haniel wants us to get there before the dealer can hand out the new shipment he got in last night."

"What about the kids?" I asked, wondering if Lacey could make it over on such short notice.

"I called Lacey and she and her friend Sabrina can watch all the kids at Melissa and Daniel's house since they have a bigger playroom."