Fall from Grace (Book 2: An Angelblood Novel) (15 page)

“Don’t you trust me?”
“I have learned to trust facts.”

Aidan decided it was better not to say anything else.
He would speak privately with Aura, after breakfast.
“The High Council agrees we should remain close to
home, until we determine why Mortriel was here,” Paul said.
Aidan almost choked on his tea. “Mortriel was here?
When?”

 

“He showed up at the shopping mall yesterday when
we were leaving,” Alannah said.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me Aura?”

“It was nothing. We’re all fine. Perhaps you should
focus on your friend. I’m sure she needs you more than I
do.”

“That’s not fair. Are you telling me you wouldn’t
go after one of your friends?”

“I would go after any one of my friends. The
difference is someone would know how to contact me.
Apparently we don’t see things the same way. I don’t need a
guardian. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself
and my daughter. If you want to stay out all night with your
friend,that’s your business, not mine. Are you finished with
your breakfast?”

Aidan stared at his plate and then
at Aura. “How
could you say such things? I meant only to bring Jeziel back
so she could be questioned by the Guild.”

“Then where is she? I don’t see Jeziel. Does
anyone else see Jeziel?” She looked around the room. “I’m
afraid no one else sees her either.” The sarcasm was as thick
as molasses in Aura’s tone.

Everyone could sense a fight was brewing; one they
didn’t want to see. This was a new side of Aura; one that
they weren’t used to.

“Get your coats girls
.
We’re leaving.” Rita jumped
from the table. She hurried the little ones out the door, with
Jessica, Will and Joshua steady on her heels.

Everyone else made excuses to leave too, and Aura
found herself alone with Aidan.
Chapter 16

Mahlyssa had time to think after Richard left.
“If he
thinks I’m a fool; he will soon realize I’m not.”
If Richard
was capable of casting the cursed spell like her father, he
wouldn’t have hesitated to turn one of her servants into a
monstrous being, to show her he had the upper hand.

She was sure Richard could not cast the spell; which
meant he would not be able to change her back. In order to
guarantee the safety of herself and her family, she placed a
trace on his daughter.

Mahlyssa would know where Natasha was at all
times and if Richard wanted to play hardball, she would be
more than up to the challenge.
She no longer had to hide in
the confines of her home.
Now, she was free to search for
her daughter Myra.

Natalie followed the directions her father gave her.
The cottage was small, but it served her needs.
He wanted
to keep her hidden.
The home was located a short distance
from where she used to live with Jeziel and Jayden.
After
Natalie finished unpacking the few things she brought with
her, she decided to take a walk to Jeziels house.
She was
surprised to find her home.

“Can I help you?” Jeziel asked
, as she opened the
door.
Natalie knew she could trust Jeziel completely; they
were family and Richard didn’t forbid her from contacting
her cousin.

Natalie started laughing.“It’s me Jeziel. Don’t you
recognize me?”

 

Jeziel took a closer look.“Natalie is it you?”
“It is,” Natalie smiled. “My name is Natasha now.
What do you think of my transformation?”

 

“If it hadn’t been for your ring, I never would have
recognized you.”

“I’m not supposed to be wearing it, but since we’re
alone I don’t see the harm. Who was that man you left with?
Is he one of your father’s friends?”

“His name is Samhael and my father regards him as
a son.”

 

“Where did you go?”
“He took me to see my father. I couldn’t stay here
after what happened.”

 

“Why did you come back? You have to know
they’re looking for you?”

“I met with Aidan last night,” Jeziel smiled. “I told
him I left because I was afraid the Guild would punish me
for not protecting Elijah.”

“And he believed you?”

“Of course, I told him I didn’t kill Elijah or Ericah
and I didn’t start the fire. I thought they were dead until I
heard them
screaming.
By then it was too late to do
anything.
So I asked Samhael to burn them.
Technically I
was telling the truth.”

“Why didn’t he take you to the Council?”

“I told him I needed more time. I’ll postpone
meeting them as long as I can. Samhael tells me he’s
working with your father.”

“My father knows Samhael? He never mentioned
that.”

“Perhaps he was fo
rbidden from talking about it.
Something big is going to go down, soon.
What happened
after I left?”

Natalie told her the whole story, including Jasper’s
death and how Jayden had their marriage annulled. “My
grandfather had his marriage annulled too.”

“I thought you were close to your grandfather?”
“Apparently he’s closer to the Guild than he is to
me. They’re planning to convict me for Jasper’s death.”
“Do they know about Ella?”
“No. I didn’t even tell Jayden about her. The only
people who know are my father, my grandmother and you.”
“Well I certainly won’t say anything.”

“Yes and I won’t say anything about the fire and
Elijah’s death. My father is concerned Rita’s sister Aura
may find out eventually through one of her visions. She’s
supposed to beas powerful as Esra.”

“Aura,” Jeziel hissed. “She’s trying to come
between me and Aidan. As if his father would allow him to
marry that half breed. I mean no offense to you.”

“None taken
I have Lucifer’s blood. I’m sure my
heritage counts for something,” she laughed. “Where are
you staying?”

“Not far from here. Samhael found me a nice
cottage. You’re welcome to stay with me if you want.”
“I’d better run that by my father first. He’s still
blaming me for delaying his plans.”

“I’m sure it won’t be
any trouble.
I can have
Samhael speak to him on your behalf. I need to go. I’ll
walk you to the cottage and we can plan to meet there again
later,” Jeziel said.

Natalie smiled.
It was good to have her friend back
and she was looking forward to meeting Samhael. The girls
walked to the cottage which was surprisingly close to Jeziels
home. They were both careful not to go near Elijah’s
property. It was hallowed. “Pity all this land has to be
wasted,” Natalie said.

“Better for the land to be wasted than us,” Jeziel
insisted. The girls both laughed.

Aura debated about staying in the dining room to
finish her conversation with Aidan, but then thought better
of it.
She was so angry she was afraid she might say
something she would later regret.
Instead she decided to go
for a walk.

As she was getting her hat and coat Aidan stopped
her. “Where are you going?”

“I’m taking a walk.”
“You shouldn’t be alone. It’s too dangerous.”

Aura looked at Aidan and laughed. “What makes
today any more dangerous thanyesterday?”

Aidan was not amused by her attitude. “I’m sorry I
wasn’t here Aura. If I had known Mortriel was coming, I
wouldn’t have left you alone.” He was trying to apologize,
but failing miserably.“Is that why you’re so angry?”

“I’m angry because you left Alannah.
Perhaps you
care more about Jeziel than you do her?”

 

“How could you say that? I love Alannah.”

“This is the second night you didn’t come home. I
don’t care about your relationship with Jeziel, but I’m not
going to allow you to hurt Alannah.”

“Can’t we talk about this before you leave?”
Aura put her coat on her lap and sat on the sofa.
“I’m listening.”

“I went to see Jeziel after Rusty’s
wedding. She was
changing.
We could all see it. I thought she would listen to
me because we’ve been friends for so long.
My visit only
made her angrier.
I tried to reason with her, but when I
realized she wasn’t going to listen; I left.”

“After she disappeared I felt responsible. If I hadn’t
talked to her then, she wouldn’t have run away. I was afraid
Rita was right and I thought if there was a chance she could
be saved, I had to try. She’s scared and I’m the only friend
she has.”

“You never answered me Aidan. So I’ll ask you
again. What color are her eyes?”

 

Aidan looked down at the floor. “Her eyes are
black.”

 

Aura stared at him. “What did you say to make her
so angry?”

 

“I told her I loved you. I realized afterwards it was a
mistake, but I couldn’t take it back.”

“Did you tell her that last night when you met her?”
“Yes. I apologized for telling her I loved you.”

Aura got up, put on her coat and raced to the front
door. “You’re wrong Aidan. You can always take it back.”
She ran out the door towards the park, never looking back.

Aidan ran after her screaming “Aura wait. You
misunderstand me, please wait.”

But Aura was nowhere to be found.
She thought
about taking his promise ring off and throwing it into the
woods, but then changed her mind. “It’s a promise ring,
nothing more, nothing less.” He’s free to make his own
choices.
Maybe she should be more like her sister Rita.
It
would be easier to keep a wall around your heart so it
couldn’t break.

Aura continued to walk around the park, until she
came to another group of trees. She looked down and saw a
piece of wood with some strange markings on it.
She tried
to decipher the inscription on it.
The wood was beautiful,
but if the symbols were a language, it was unfamiliar to her.

She tucked it inside her jacket.
She would take it
home and later try to identify the symbols.
She resigned
herself that Aidan would never be anything more than her
guardian. She would be cordial to him for Alannah’s sake,
but nothing more. She walked back to the house, hoping her
family had returned.

When she entered the house, Aura found the little
ones waiting.
Instead of thinking about Aidan, she focused
her attention on bringing her family from Hell.
She knew
the answers were within her grasp. Why would she have
received so many powerful gifts if she wasn’t expected to
use them?

“Where did you go Mommy?” Alannah asked.
“I went for a walk. What shall we do the rest of
today?”

“We could finish our shopping,” Alannah suggested.
“Aunt Rita and Jessica didn’t find anything they liked at the
mall.”

Aura smiled at her. “Rita and Jessica were planning
to shopin New York. Why don’t we go there?”

 

“That sounds good to me,” Rita said.

“We’ll go with you,” Joshua said. “We can stop by
and see Andromeda. Some of the other residents might want
to go with us too. I’m sure they know where the best shops
are.”

“See I told you we were breaking him in right,”
Bren said. Alannah and Tracy both laughed at her.
“Can we go now Mommy?”

“I just need to go to my room for a minute.” Aura
walked in her bedroom and opened the closet. She found an
empty wooden box perfect in size for the stick.
Until she
deciphered the markings, she would keep her find to herself.

While she was there a new vision came to her, a
sickening vision. She now knew why there was a fourth orb
and the body hadn’t been found.

“Are you coming with us Daddy?” Alannah asked,
as she was getting her coat.

“I’m sure Aidan is tired from being up all night.
He’ll probably want to check on his friend again. Perhaps
he can charm her into meeting with the Council.”

Aidan could hear the bite in her tone, but remained
silent.
It would do him little good to argue with her; even
though he was concerned she might run into Mortriel again.

“Are you sure you shouldn’t bring your guardian
with you?” Joshua asked.

“We’ll be fine. I’ve never n
eeded a guardian and
I’m sure Mortriel wouldn’t be foolish enough to make
another appearance so soon,” Aura smiled. She wasn’t sure
if she said it because she knew it was true, or if she wanted
to send a message to Aidan that she didn’t need him. Either
way he wouldn’t be going with them.

Chapter 17

Richard returned to Paris to discover Meredith had
taken his advice and decided to take a vacation. “How much
do they know?” He asked his mother.

“I told them everything; including Henry having the
marriage annulled, forcing us to live in the country.”
“Do they know anything about Natalie?” he
questioned.

“They know the Guild is trying to convict her in that
boy’s death and you have taken the precautions to hide her.
How did your meeting work out by the way? Please tell me
she’s safe,” Meredith pleaded.

“I told you I would handle everything. She’s
completely safe; but unfortunately, you won’t be able to
recognize her.
Her appearance has been altered. Mahlyssa
did a remarkable job. I could barely recognize her myself,”
Richard laughed.

“What do we do now?”

“You’ll do nothing but relax and enjoy your
vacation.
I can only stay here for a day and then I need to
return to Utopia.” Seeing the concern on his mothers’ face
he added, “Everything is going according to plan save a few
minor setbacks.”

“The Guild is planning to hold the hearing in a
week. Will you be ready by then?”

 

“I’ll be ready. I need to get some rest and then I
must leave youagain. I’ll be in touch as soon as I can.”

As he started up the stairs, he asked Desiree to join
him.
He missed her terribly these last few days and he was
looking forward to spending some time alone with her.
As
they left the room together, no one said anything. They were
aware
of
their
relationship.
Meredith
would
speak
to
Richard about having Caspian declared legally dead.

Aura and the rest of the party returned home later in
the afternoon.
Joshua was right; some of the girls knew
where to go.
They all had a great time shopping and Aura
promised she would invite the entire group to the valley
soon.
When they walked in the house, she was surprised to
find Aidan waiting.
Aura knew he wanted to speak to her,
but he would have to wait. He certainly wasn’t in any hurry
last night and she thought she would return the favor.