Fall from Grace (Book 2: An Angelblood Novel) (24 page)

Joshua and Will both stood to greet the Archangels.
When Helena came to him, Will did a double take.
He
looked at Rita and then back at Helena. “My word you look
exactly alike,” he said. It was true Helena’s strawberry
blonde hair and green eyes looked exactly like Rita’s.
Helena smiled at him and when he offered his hand she
hugged him instead. “So you are the young man who is
going to marry my Rita,” she raised her brow.

“Yes ma’am, I hope to.”
“Well I couldn’t be happier for the two of you. I’m
guessing you’re responsible for that smile on her face?”
Helena said.

Will smiled, but he didn’t know what to say.
Helena laughed.“You’ll both be fine.”

“Thank you!” Will finally found his voice again.
Helena hugged him again and soon he felt more comfortable
in her presence.

After
they
were
introduced,
Michael
and
Uriel
pulled Aura to the side. “I understand you have some
information you are going to share this afternoon?” her
grandfather looked at her and smiled.

Aura’s
expression
changed
from
confidant
to
worried.“Do you think I should wait?”

 

“Not at all, we are here to offer our support; though
I doubt you will need it,” Michael said.

 

“We want you to let her go after you expose her,”
Uriel said.

‘What? She killed Jasp
er and Ella.
How can you
ask me to let her walk away? Don’t you think she deserves
to be punished?”

“She will atone for her sins.
Murder is
unforgiveable.
But if you let her go, she will return to her
father.
There are others far more dangerous than Natalie,”
Michael declared.

“Richard has aligned himself with Samhael. We are
not exactly sure what they are planning yet, but I assure you
it can’t be anything good,” Uriel added.

“It was Samhael who sent Mortriel here wasn’t it?”
Aura asked.

 

“I’m afraid
so,
but
you
have
nothing
to
worry
about,” Uriel said.

 

Michael laughed.“I rather enjoyed watching him
pick himself up after she used her shield.”

 

“I don’t think the others will understand your
decision to allow Natalie to go free,” Aura said.

 

“You leave that conversation to us.
We can be
persuasive when we need to be,” Michael assured her.

“I have no doubt. I know you can’t tell me anything
else with regards to Jeziel, but answer me this question.
Will my visions eventually show me the truth?”

“Your visions will never lie to you Aura,” Michael
said. “You have to trust them completely. They will never
misguide you,even in the most difficult situation.”

“Thank you. Will you be here later when I bring
Mahlyssa here to meet Myra?”

“I’m afraid we can’t
stay very long.
We have other
tasks that require our attention. I’m sure we’ll meet her
another time.
You were correct in assuming she is still a
child of Heaven.
Mahlyssa may have practiced the art of
Enchantment, but she is nothing like her father,” Michael
assured her.

“Does that mean she won’t have to appear before the
Council?”

“I see no reason to make her appear. If she were not
innocent she would have burned after walking on hallowed
ground.
Heaven will continue to support her as long as she
stays loyal to us,” Uriel said.

“Thank you both. I know she’ll be relieved to hear
that. I guess I should get this over with,” Aura laughed.
“There is something else I need to mention, but I haven’t
told anyone else.”

Michael and Uriel both looked at her curiously.
“What might that be?”

“Last night Jeziel came to visit Aidan. I knew a
dark wing was coming because I can smell them.
They
smell different to me.”

Seeing the odd looks on their faces she said, “Please
don’t ask me to explain; they just do. I didn’t see anyone
else with her. It’s possible someone else was there and
remained hidden, but I don’t think so. I don’t want to make
any false accusations until I have proof.
I realize what it
would mean if Jeziel has fallen; not only to my family, but to
Heaven as well.”

“Why didn’t Aidan bring her before the Council?”
Michael asked.

“He intended to, but she was afraid of being
punished for leaving Elijah alone.
According to Aidan she
plans to meet with them soon, but she isn’t ready yet.
Perhapsshe’s afraid she’ll be sent back to Heaven because
of her mistake.”

“It’s true Elijah’s death was unfortunate, but if she
wasn’t responsible she could give testimony that could erase
any suspicions,” Uriel said.

“Do you think she is innocent?” Michael asked her.

Aura looked at the two Archangels. “I try not to
cloud my judgment until I know the facts.
I would never
falsely accuse anyone of a crime.
I do know after she
befriended Natalie her eyes changed from brown to black.
Aidan said even if someone is being tempted by darkness
there is a chance they can redeem themselves. But if Natalie
was truly out of the picture, why wouldn’t Jeziel want the
support of her family?”

“Jeziel has never been close to anyone. Many
thought she would follow her father,” Uriel said. “She may
be Laelah’s daughter, but she never reached out to any of us
after the war; except Aidan.
He always trusted her and felt
terrible the other angels shunned her.”

“If she wasn’t trusted why would they send her
here?
Surely they knew she would be exposed to darkness.
I’m sure you know about Samhael’s visits. Do you believe
he didn’t contact her again after the fire? I keep thinking if
she spoke to him, she may have also been in the company of
her brother Mortriel.”

“We may learn the a
nswers to those questions after
Natalie is exposed.
She will certainly run to her father, but
she may also seek refuge with Jeziel.
I understand the two
girls are close. Let’s not forget they both share Lucifer’s
blood,” Uriel added.

“We need to be vigilant, but patient,” Michael said.
“I have no doubt your visions will eventually lead us to the
truth.”

When the three of them returned to the party, Aidan
looked oddly at Aura.
He wondered about the conversation
she had with his father and Uriel. He wished she trusted him
enough to include him.
Perhaps she would discuss it with
him later.
Aidan missed their evening teas.
Maybe tonight
they would return to the way things were before the fire. He
could only hope.

Chapter 23

Aura and the others returned to the living room,
where they were still engaged in loud conversation.
She
would have to choose the exact moment, before following
through
with
her
plan.
She
was
more
confident
after
speaking to Michael and Uriel.

She waited for Natalie to be standing alone with
Father Patrick before she confronted her. She didn’t have to
wait
long
after
sending
her
mother
and
sister
a
silent
message.

Bren and
the little ones
were standing close to
Natalie, but for some reason they scurried away from her.
Was
it
possible
Bren
had
the
gift
too?
Aura
never
considered it before now.
As soon as she saw them
standing alone, Aura approached Natasha.

“Father Patrick tells us you’re from London? How
long did you live there?”

 

“I was there most of my life, but the last couple of
years I traveled a lot with my parents.”

“What were their names? Your parent’s; what were
their names?
Perhaps they were known to some of our
family. They travel a lot too.”

Natasha (Natalie) took a defensive stand.
Aura
knew she would have to allow the others to witness her eyes
changing color, so she continued to be aggressive with her
questioning.

Natasha hesitated before answering. Richard didn’t
prepare her for this.
She would have to make up some
names.

“Were they Julia and Jason Justice?”
“Yes, did you know my parents? I don’t recall them
ever bringing me here.”

Excellent, she caught Natasha in her first lie.
She
hoped her father and the other members of the Guild were
paying attention.
How could Natasha have been so foolish?
Angel-bloods never used the same surname unless they were
related.

Obviously Natasha didn’t know Julia and Jason
Justice resided in the Australian colony with their daughter
Amelia.
When
Alistair
accepted
the
position
as
Prime
Minister, it was his intention to have Jason named the new
Governor.

Aura was sure Henry knew them too, but he was
warned by Uriel to remain silent.
Henry looked oddly at
Uriel, but wouldn’t dare defy him. Something was about to
happen. The rest of the family looked at each other and then
at Aura.
They wondered why she was almost attacking this
poor girl.

“So you say your parents Jason and Julia died
recently? How did they die?”

Natasha was becoming nervous.
She should have
discussed this with Richard. How could he have thrown her
to the wolves like this?

Father Patrick came to her rescue. “Perhaps she’s
uncomfortable talking about that Aura.
Not all of us grieve
the same way.
The poor child has been left without parents
or other relatives.
Whydon’t we give her some time to get
to know the family first?”

Natasha was grateful for the intervention and sighed
with relief when she didn’t have to answer.

Aura looked at the ring Natasha wore around her
neck.
It was meant to be hidden, but Aura saw it clearly.
She knew it was the same ring Jayden gave her when they
were married.
She had to continue with her pursuit of the
truth.

“Actually, Julia and Jason Justice are alive and
doing extremely well,” Aura laughed derisively. “You’re a
liar! They do have a daughter, but her name is Amelia. I
don’t know why you came here, but you are certainly not
who you say you are.”

“Aura please; why would you say such a thing to
her?” Father Patrick asked.

 

“I don’t know Father, maybe because it’s the truth.”
Natasha looked around the room. “I should leave.
It’s apparent someone doesn’t want me here.”

 

“Oh, I’m sure there are a whole lot of someone’s
who don’t want you here.”

 

“I don’t know what this about. But I can assure you,
there has been some mistake,” Natasha insisted.

 

“You are the one who is mistaken. Did you think
you could come here and no one would know who you are?”
“Aura that’s enough!” Aidan yelled. “The poor girl
hasn’t done anything wrong.”

Aidan walked over to stand next to Natasha.
Aura
knew she would have to move him out of the way before she
could grab her, but that was a chance she would have to
take. She didn’t back down; instead she moved closer to
Natasha.

“Let me tell you what I think, shall I?”

“Aura please, this isn’t like you. Why
are you
acting this way? Can’t you leave the poor girlalone?”
Aidan pleaded.

Michael looked at his son and said quietly, “Step
aside Aidan.”

 

Aidan looked curiously at his father, but didn’t dare
argue; instead he moved away obediently.

Finally Aura got the reaction she was waiting for.
Natasha’s eyes turned black. Aura walked over to her and
said, “I think your game is up, Natalie!”

Aura reached under her blouse and pulled the ring
out in the open. “Perhaps you should have listened to your
father and kept this hidden.” Aura ripped the chain off her
neck, leaving a red welt in its place.

Natalie tried to escape, but Aura’s shield held her in
place. A light appeared in Aura’s left hand. As she walked
her fingers down Natalie’s cheek, the scar made from
Jessica’s whip was revealed. Her hair changed back to an
auburn color and once again her eyes were black; revealing
her true identity.

Jayden stood and attempted to reach for her, but
Paul reminded him of the promise he made not to interfere.
“She’s right here. Why can’t we have her trial now?
She killed Ella and Jasper. She deserves to die!” he fumed.

Uriel walked over to him.
In a calm voice he said,
“Aura knows what she’s doing. There are other things that
need to be considered. I must ask you to be patient.”

Jayden would never disobey a command from one
of the Archangels, so he moved to stand next to Acadia and
Jane.

“I’m in a good mood today; so I won’t kill you yet.”
She took her hand and removed the invisible guard.
She
expected Natalie to leave as soon as the shield was down.
Instead, she grabbed a knife off the table and held it to
Father Patrick’s throat.

“I’ll kill him if you don’t let me go; I swear it!”

The
angelfire in Aura’s left hand grew more
brilliant and quickly surrounded the knife.
Natalie had no
choice, but to drop the weapon to the floor.

“If you ever come near my family again, that little
scratch Jessica left on you will look like a beauty mark
compared to the mark that I will leave.
Run away Natalie,
but remember my words. Soon you will know the justice of
Heaven. Tell your friend I’m coming. I’m coming and
Hell’s army is not going to stop me! Now leave, before I
change my mind!” Aura glared at Natalie, who promptly
disappeared.

Aura took the ring from the chain and returned it to
Jayden. “I believe this is yours.”

Jayden looked from the ring, back to Aura.
“How
could you let her go?
She killed my brother and sister.
We
could have sent her soul to Hell today.”

“I know you want revenge Jayden, but Richard has
been responsible for more deaths than you know.
Natalie
can lead us to him and they will both atone for their sins.”

“Are you saying Richard was behind the attacks that
killed our parent’s?” Thomas asked.

“I’m telling you Richard was not only responsible
for their deaths, but many others including Will’s parents,
Acadia’s parents, his wife Genevieve and countless others.
Richard has aligned himself with one of Lucifer’s most
powerful disciples. If we’re patient, we can expose all of
them. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you I knew Natasha was
Natalie. I had to make sure she could escape after I exposed
her. I have no doubt she will return to her father.”