Praefatio: A Novel (32 page)

The blob was getting larger and taller. I clutched the baby closer to me, and he looked up at me and smiled. He was so cute. His smile widened. Freaking kid was reading my thoughts.
Bad, angel nephew
.

“Jenny, Remi. Have you decided on a name?” Mom’s speech was fast—as if the mob was chasing her.

“Jenny, babe. Stay with me. What do you want to name him?” Remi tapped Jenny on the face the way I’ve seen people do in movies to get someone to pay attention. More tears.

“Ni … Nico,” Jenny managed as a single tear slid down her cheek. Her body seemed wasted.

The blob from the corner evolved into a figure, a male person who stood tall. He spread white wings that spanned about eight feet across and a second set of black wings under those. After a quick pan of the room, he cleared the distance between us and bowed.

“I’m here to attend to the death of Jennifer Carolyn Larson. I’m Zane,” the amazing being who’d appeared out of the floor asserted.

Tears dropped quickly down my cheeks as I realized who he was. Zane was there to take Jenny’s soul from this world.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness,” Zane addressed me as a smile lit his entire face from his golden hair to his exquisite chin. In that moment, I understood the light people often recalled in near-death experiences. It was him, Zane. He had come for them, but for some reason, he’d let them stay.

Coconuts.
“Mom, will you take your … grandson for a minute and let me have a moment with Zane?” I asked, handing baby Nico to Vivienne before she could answer.

I noticed her take a snip of his hair. Mom shoved the snippet of baby hair into my jeans pocket and said, “Grace, you are our hope now. Do what your intuition tells you—no matter what the cost.” And with that and a smile, Mom was gone. The last thing I heard was a “coochi-coo” before the door closed, and she took baby Nico to Eden. She hadn’t let Remi or Jenny hold him, and they hadn’t asked.

I turned my attention back to Zane. I was gonna need to wow him with a story the likes he’d never before heard.

“I guess you must hear this kind of thing all the time,” I started as soon as the door closed after Mom, not exactly impressed with my own opening. I shifted my weight from one leg to the other. I needed more time to think.

“Grace, Jenny’s already dead. I can’t bring her back. I’ve only stayed to hear you out because you’re Michael’s daughter and are betrothed to Lucifer’s son. No one wants to be on the receiving end of the wrath of either of those two. Tell me, what is it you want, and I’ll do what I can,” he offered in the sweetest voice, obedient and ready. He tucked his hands into navy boot cut jeans, pushing his black pea coat aside as he did.

I barely heard anything beyond “Lucifer’s son” after I mentally tripped over “Michael’s daughter.” The room was spinning around me. I felt like Neo when he finally realized he was The One. So this was the big not-so-secret secret. A double whammy—Michael’s daughter betrothed to Lucifer’s son. I was the big dork that had been walking around like a complete idiot this entire time, thinking one thing about myself and being only half right. Everyone, even Zane, the freaking Angel of Death, knew, and no one thought to tell me.

I felt like I was spinning, no, standing still, and every conversation I’d had over the last few months was spinning around me. Lies, half-truths, innuendos, miscommunications, smiles, slights, bullshit, and righteous indignation. I closed my eyes and took it all in—the truth of it—my truth.

And then I knew it like butterflies shaking around in my stomach trying to free themselves, flying straight up to my mind whispering into my brain what I should have seen all along.

I got it right then—my purpose—why I had to live on earth as human. The Divine Plan to stop the Great Battle, or at least level the playing field, was born (pun intended) with me. The idea was to make the kids of the players fall head over heels in love and marry—Romeo and Juliet style—only this time, they couldn’t die. Wait until the humans got a load of this.

So basically, I had the power to blow the entire thing out of the water. That’s why people wanted me dead, or they were walking on eggshells so as not to upset me, or they were catering to me, bowing to me, breaking into my room and trying to kill my friends and family.
Claro
.

With Remi a Fallen, my loyalty was even further compromised. Gavin, the son of not just any seraphim but
the
Seraphim—the first Fallen Angel, adored above others by God.

The more I considered all of the possible scenarios, the worse I felt. “A-ha” moments and smacks upside the head along with feelings of betrayal, empowerment, and disgust made for one messed up me. I nearly forgot where I was and what I was supposed to be doing.

“Grace, control this Fallen before I’m forced to end his life!” Zane shouted, his voice echoing in the walls.

Gavin? Oh God, not again.

I snapped back to the reality of what was going on to find Remi choking Zane and screaming, “I’ll kill you. Bring her back, you bastard. She’s not responsible for what I did. Bring her back. You can bring her back. You didn’t have to take her. Bring her back!”

I flew into the air and grabbed Remi, pulled him off Zane, and caught Zane’s arm by accident. In that moment, I sensed the restraint he had exercised for Remi’s sake and sent a very heartfelt
thank you
to his mind. Had he responded by trying to push Remi off of him, Remi, in his weakened state, would likely have been killed by that simple act.

As Remi and I landed in the corner next to Jenny’s bed, I bowed his head between his legs so he wouldn’t have to witness Zane removing Jenny. “Stay here and don’t move.” It was then that I saw the shackles Remi had complained about earlier. They were open, but I closed them as I kissed his head and then moved to stop Zane before he left with Jenny.

“Grace, what will you have me do? I am not the one who can make that decision or perform this particular miracle,” he offered as kindly as he could under the circumstances.

I didn’t need to think too long. I’d known what I would do if this moment came since the stables. “What if I had an Angel in desperate need of a body to inhabit? How would that work?” I asked in a low voice so Remi wouldn’t hear.

“Absolutely not!” Remi shouted as he stood up, stumbling, then bracing himself against the wall as he caught sight of Zane carrying Jenny’s limp body. Her spirit had not yet awakened in his arms. Taking a deep breath he continued, “Grace, please.” Remi was crying again as he struggled to remain standing. “It would be too much for me, Emeria in Jenny’s body. Please, don’t do this,” Remi pleaded, collapsing into a fetal position on the floor.

My heart was breaking. I cleared the air between Zane and me, making my decision as I went.

“Zane,” I offered as I took a deep breath, placed my hand on his arm, and looked Jenny over as he held her. “I want my sister to have Jenny’s body.”

Silence except for Remi’s sniffles.

“If no one knew that Jenny’s spirit was actually freed, we could convince people—her parents—that Jenny was still alive. They wouldn’t have to suffer.” I was doing this for the Larsons as much as I was for Emeria. It was the least I could do considering what Remi and I had done to them. And Remi, he would come to appreciate it in the long run. He just couldn’t see it at the time.

“Yes,” was all Zane said, and I could tell he wanted to say more, to disapprove. It was not his place.

“Then it’s settled,” I decided, and added, “Emeria will have to bind to the body before it turns, though; you know she was bitten.”

Zane looked suspiciously over toward Remi, then back at me. “No, I wasn’t aware of that. I don’t get much info about the circumstances. Just a name, location, and a general description—oh, and a scent,” he added at the last minute.

“I can’t go into details, but the only reason she hadn’t turned was that precious baby inside her—the Archangel part,” I continued as if talking to a school friend about what I had gotten from the mall.

“So you want the body? Are you sure?” He raised an eyebrow, then lowered it.

“I will allow Emeria to be bonded to the body forever, if she agrees to it.” I was thinking out loud, rattling off orders, instructions for everyone who was privy to my mind.

I was following my heart like Vivienne advised, and it felt good. I finally felt like the Archangel everyone said I was: clear, in command, and assured.

“Jennifer will never be able to return to the body she was born in. You know that, right?” Zane was steadfast and barely moved.

“We will deal with that when the time comes—if the time comes.” My voice was a little harsher than I expected, and it seemed he got the message as he began to back away, but I started to speak again and he stopped. “Emeria must agree to live her life as Jenny Larson, the daughter of Victoria and Kenneth Larson, an angel, but stripped of celestial talents. Remi will be her charge, responsible for keeping her in line, and if he agrees, there may be a chance that he can remain—as he is,” I managed as the last part took me by complete surprise.

I hadn’t considered it before, and neither had Zane or Remi. The reason Remi hadn’t Fallen completely became clear to us all. Remi’s son, Nico. There was no way to tell what type of angel he was. Now that he was here, what he ultimately turned out to be—Archangel, Fallen, human, or something entirely different—remained to be seen. And when he did display one heritage over another, we would need to be ready. Remi could stay as he was—half-Fallen—or choose a life that was completely devoid of goodness. I supposed time would tell.

For the time being, Emeria would have a body and would be with Remi as Jenny Larson, and at least on the surface, everyone would be happy.

LJ, please find Emeria. She’ll take this better coming from you. The body will remain here so Remi can be present for the bonding. Arcturus, come. Gabe, alert the Cherubim at the southern gates of Eden to lower their swords and ask Marcus to meet Caius and Arcturus there,
I instructed everyone telepathically.

Everyone seemed receptive except, of course, my sister. Emeria tried to block me at first, but when she heard there was a body for her, she was more amenable. As I scanned her mind, I found that she was excited about the prospect of a baby and a relationship with Remi. I had had no idea.

“Zane, thank you for helping me think this through,” I said as he released Jenny’s spirit from her body by placing his lips on hers and inhaling deeply. He’d taken to the air as he did and was at least two feet off the ground, hovering. I had never seen anyone free a spirit before and wondered if I could do it. It seemed like an immensely sensual kiss between a couple.

He smiled at me when he was done. “You probably could, Archangel Grace Ann Miller. Once you’ve fully ascended, anything’s possible. You’ll see.” There was laughter in his voice, a lightheartedness that made me think there was much more to him than just death, as a shadow passed over his face.

Jenny looked as she had before only lighter, translucent, and floaty, suspended above her own lifeless body. Not wanting her to see, I took the body from Zane’s arms. A body without a spirit is remarkably light, so I flew easily over to the bed, placed her body on it, and covered it with a sheet.

“I’ll take excellent care of her and let you know personally when she’s ready,” Zane offered before disappearing into a bright light in the center of the room.

I held my hand to my chest as I watched Jenny. It was the last time I would see her for some time. I would make a case for her to be granted Divine Repurposing—if she wanted it. Jenny would have the chance to start over, with a new life, born in a new body. Birthing an Archangel would afford her this special right.

For the first time I felt like I knew why I had been chosen. The Larsons would get their daughter back. Remi and Gavin would no longer be at each other’s throats. Best of all, I no longer had to worry about Emeria’s designs on Gavin. She would be living with the Larsons and betrothed to Remi. Everyone won.

Remi slumped in the corner, awaiting Emeria. I knew that no amount of hugs, reassurance, or parting words was going to alter the state he was in. He had to come to terms with his actions, his loss, and the future he had once dreamed of for himself, Nico, and Jenny. He had to accept Emeria into his life as a blessing or a curse, and he had eternity to grapple with the what ifs.

I kissed his buzzed head as I left, letting all the love I felt for him leave my heart and escape through my lips as the kissing sound reached the air. I made a heart shape around Remi with my index and middle fingers on both hands, from his head to his feet, hoping it would be enough.

Praefatio

Book 1, Chapter 72

And his was the brightest of lights then, a time when nothing mattered more than the happiness of his sons and the service of his master. Adored and admired by those who knew him, he was unmatched in talent, intellect, and beauty.

But his days of glory would be short, as the time came when pride took over his being. And when his own sons would not stand with him, he felt the sting of betrayal as he was cast out and away from them forever.

Do They Know it’s Christmas?

No one spoke on the way home. The sound of hoofs on pavement echoed in the air. We took a back, windy road that seemed to twist into forever. Enormous evergreens filled with ominously quiet black birds lined the path. The normally jovial cherubs seemed pensive, almost solemn. An overwhelming sadness enveloped me, there in the silent corridor.

I alone carried the weight of Jenny’s death, Remi’s descent, and the de-winging of angels, however dark. Filled with remorse and contemplating the cost of my negotiations with Zane, the words
a life for a life
pushed their way into my crowded head.

LJ’s voice sliced through the thick silence. “You can’t just go around changing everything. The Order, the way things are. Maybe you’re taking things too far, Grace.”

I started to speak, then stopped. Only hours ago, LJ had seemed to be having fun kicking ass and taking numbers. It had never occurred to me that she’d been in disagreement with my decisions, despite her active participation.