Fall from Grace (Book 2: An Angelblood Novel) (34 page)

Phillipe.
His wife had not returned, and his daughters
were
at
the
Godwin Academy.
They
could speak
privately. As they entered the house, Phillipe continued
to stare
at
Natalie. He couldn’t get over
her
resemblance to Yvonne and Yvette. “I doubt she will
be recognized now.”

“I’m sending her to the Academy.
I need you
to speak with your daughters.
Let them know their
cousin will be residing with them there.”

When Aura took the girls to meet Anastasia,
they knew exactly the dresses they wanted. Anastasia
loved to make clothes.
It was her passion.
She never
disappointed them. “It won’t take me more than a day,”
she said.

Tristan went with the other boys to pick out
tuxedos.
Howard knew a tailor in Manhattan that he
often used. Bren and Tracy reminded them; they would
be wearing black tuxes and would coordinate their vests
and ties, with the trim on the girl’s dresses.

Shannon was already feeling like part of the
family. Myra was delighted, when Bren and the other
little ones, decided to call Mahlyssa “Mum” too.
The
two women seemed to get along so well, it was hard to
believe they were separated for forty years.

Aura was surprised they finished their fittings
in under three hours.
She made arrangements to have
the dresses shipped back to the valley.

While the girls were in New York, Paul and the
rest of the Guild decided to make a trip to Jeziels
cottage. When they arrived, as expected, there was no
one home.
Someone had been there recently; there
were two tea cups on the kitchen table.

“Did Aidan say where she was staying?” Adam
asked.
“No and I don’t think it would be fair to put
him in the position of doing our jobs,” Paul said.
“Does he still believe she is innocent?” Joseph
asked.
“Of course he does. He won’t abandon his
friend without concrete proof of her involvement in
Elijah’s death,” Adam remarked.
“He did admit her eyes were still black.
Even
if she has not completely fallen; she is being tempted,”
Martin said.
“She was being tempted while she was in
Natalie’s company,” Adam reminded them.
The two cups of unfinished tea confirmed their
suspicion that she wasn’t alone.
The big question was
who was with her.
“Do you think Natalie may have been here?”
Joseph asked.
“That’s a strong possibility,” Paul said.
“Shouldn’t we be looking for her?” Adam
asked.
“Aura thinks we should wait, and I agree with
her.
Natalie, nor Jeziel, had the capability of starting
that fire. Of course, until we talk to Jeziel, we won’t
know the details of her conversation with Samhael.
If
we remain vigilant, we may be able to find enough
proof to bring them all to justice,” Paul said.
“You’re assuming she’ll tell you the truth,”
Adam said.
“The sooner she comes forward, the more
lenient they will be. Am I the only one who thinks she
has turned away from Heaven?” Joseph asked.
“The longer she stays away, the guiltier she
looks.
It would benefit her, if she would just agree to
meet with the Council,” Adam said.
“Somehow, I don’t think that’s going to
happen,” Paul said. “Let’s hope Aura’s visions will
answer our questions.” The others nodded.
“The trial for Virgil’s death will begin soon.
Unfortunately, if Richard is found not guilty, we will
have
to wait
before
we can try him
on the
other
charges.We can all agree that Richard wasn’t working
alone,” Paul said.
“Is he still intent on killing Henry and taking
over the Utopian colony?” Joseph asked.
“Arthur said there may be some truth to that
rumor.”
“How can we be sure that Richard will even
appear?” Joseph asked.
“If he doesn’t show up, he will live with the
decision of the Council.He doesn’t have many friends
in Utopia. I’m certain Henry won’t support him; even if
Richard is his son,” Adam stated.
‘Perhaps he will try to use the argument he was
acting out of concern for the Utopians,” Joseph said.
“That won’t explain his involvement with the
creatures.
We may need Mahlyssa to testify at the
hearing.
She can confirm it was Richard who brought
Arian to her,” Martin said.
“Richard was obviously in control of the
creatures, but Mahlyssa also eluded that Richard was
working with Samhael. We certainly can’t bring him
before the Council,” Jack said.
“Samhael is still a powerful angel. It would be
helpful if we knew what his intentions were in all of
this,” Paul said. “Unfortunately, we may have to wait
for Aura’s vision to reveal the truth to us.”
“That could take weeks. Do we want to wait
that long? I doubt Richard will remain idle during that
time.I would hate to see us lose another innocent life,”
Adam declared.
“Aura has given us more than enough evidence
to convict Richard and Natalie of murder,” Joseph said.
“Yes, but we still don’t know who his allies
are.What about Meredith or the Devereaux’s? I doubt
they are innocent.We all know Desiree acts as if she’s
married to Richard; not his brother. Perhapsit’s time to
bring Caspian and Axel home,” Paul said.
“I hate to even ask this question, but if we
determine Jeziel has fallen, do you think Aidan will be
tempted to follow her?” Jack asked. “Michael would
be heartbroken if he does.”
“Aidan is more like Avriel, than his father. He
looks for the good in everyone; even when there is no
good.
That may be his downfall.
He may have to be
less trusting of Jeziel,” Joseph said. “Aidan has to
consider Aura and Alannah now.
He could lose those
he cares about most. But this time, he wouldn’t lose
them to death; he would lose them to stupidity.”
The Guild all regarded Aura as a daughter.
They weren’t about to allow Jeziel, or Aidan to hurt
her.
“I spoke to Aidan this morning. He’s
conflicted, but I doubt he would ever defy his father or
Heaven. He feels a certain obligation to Jeziel because
she is alone.
After the war, she was shunned by a
number of angels.He pities her,” Paul said.
“She was shunned because she was Lucifer’s
daughter. Many believed she would have followed her
father, if he had asked. He did not just abandon her; he
abandoned Heaven,” Adam said.
“Perhaps Jeziel was more valuable to Lucifer,
by remaining behind.
She could certainly provide a
wealth of information to him now.Let’s hope no other
lives are lost, while we’re waiting for Aura’s visions.”
They
walked
out
of
the
cottage,
leaving
it
undisturbed.
Aura had asked them to wait.
But Paul
suspected there would be more deaths before Natalie
and Richard were brought to justice. Aura was playing
a dangerous game. Lucifer didn’t play by any rules.
He
hoped she
would be
up to the challenges that
awaited her. War was coming; sooner than later.

After Aura
and the
others
left
the
school,
Andromeda received a call from Phillipe Devereaux.
He would be sending Monica Benet there to attend
classes. With the reported deaths, her mother thought it
best if she received some additional training.

Andromeda thought it odd, that Monica’s
mother hadn’t made the call herself, but she agreed to
the admission.
Phillipe would be sending a car to
pickup his daughters. Since they hadn’t met Monica
before, he wanted to make an introduction.

Andromeda knocked on the dorm room and
poked her head inside.
Both girls were plopped on
their beds, thumbing
through some
magazines. “I
thought you were supposed to be studying?”

Yvonne
tossed the
magazine
on the
floor.
“We’re just taking a break.”
Andromeda
walked
over,
picked
up
the
magazine, and deposited it in the trash can. Looking
around, she sighted heaps of clothing piled haphazardly
around the room.“You may have someone to pick up
after you at home, but I don’t provide maid service
here. The residents are expected to keep their rooms at
least somewhat habitable.
You need to get ready.
Your father is sending a car to pick you up.”
“Is something wrong?” Yvonne asked.
“Your cousin Monica will be attending the
Academy. Your father wants to introduce you first. He
should be here any minute.”
She walked out, closing
the door sharply, before heading back to the classroom
to check on the other students.
Andromeda’s father, August, was giving the
students a history lesson. Most had come from the other
colonies, and used English as a secondary language.
Thankfully, August was proficient in most of their
native tongues, and had no difficulty communicating.
After her husband died, August agreed to leave
Utopia, to assist
Andromeda
with the
school.
His
presence had been a great comfort to her and her nine
year old son, Matthew.
By
the
time
Andromeda
kitchen, Yvonne
and Yvette
were
minutes passed before the driver approached. The girls
hurried into the car, without even saying goodbye.
Andromeda
had come
to expect
their
bad
manners. She would speak to their mother, when Marie
returned from her trip.
It was a waste of time for the
girls
to attend the
Academy,
neither of them
was
interested in learning.
She thought about Caspian. With the deaths in
Utopia, she suspected that trouble would soon find its
way to the other colonies.
Any training the school
could provide would benefit them if war came.
returned to the
waiting.
A few

When they were finished with the dresses, Bren
decided they should stop and grab hotdogs from one of
the street vendors, and later go skating in Central Park.
Since all the Christmas lights were still up, she wanted
Alannah to experience New York; not the crime ridden
boroughs, but the landmarks the city was famous for.

Aura sent a message to her godfather, to meet
them at central park.
The boys arrived shortly after
Aura and the girls.

“I did.
How about you?
Did you find your
tux?” Rita asked.
“I think we found everything we need.”
Bren looked at Aidan. “We’re going ice skating
after lunch.You know how to ice skate don’t you?”
“I will try, but I have never worn skates
before.”
“Don’t worry – it’s easy.
Me and Tracy will
teach you,” Bren snickered.
Aidan got a worried look on his face.
Aura
wondered if the girls wanted to skate, or if they wanted
to watch Aidan struggle on the ice.
Alannah still had
not forgiven him for kissing Jeziel. It would be a long
time before she would trust her father again. As far as
Bren and Tracy were concerned; Alannah was their best
friend. They didn’t like that Aidan was hurting her
feelings.
“Are you going to skate Mum?” Shannon
asked.
“Of course I’ll try,” Mahlyssa laughed.
Myra told her it would be fun.
She wanted to
experience everything with her mother; things they
missed doing together when Myra was a child.
They
made a promise that each day they would try something
new. It would be like reliving Myra’s childhood, but
this time Shannon would be included.
Mahlyssa smiled at her daughter.
This was
more than she deserved. She never dreamed she would
be reunited with Myra. Perhaps Heaven was smiling on
her because she kept her promise.
Regardless of what
happened, she vowed never to use the dark arts to harm
anyone. Mahlyssa hoped this happiness would last, but
she knew Richard would eventually come after her.
Until then, she would enjoy her peace.
“If you don’t mind, we’re going to pass,”
Tristan said. “We still have a lot to do before the
wedding. Howard said you wouldn’t mind if we took
the plane back.”
“No problem, we can portal from the school,”
Aura said.
“Can we fly?” Shannon asked.
“Of course we can. There’s plenty of room in
the observatory.”
A
smile
crossed Shannon face. She
loved
traveling this way.
She was receptive to all the new
experiences she was exposed to since receiving the
angel’s blood, but none more than using her wings.

When Yvonne
and Yvette
arrived at
their
home, they
were
surprised to find Richard there.
Richard had already warned Phillipe that it would be
unwise to tell them of Natalie’s identity.
As far as he
was concerned, she was Monica Benet, their cousin.

Throwing their coats on the sofa, the girls ran
to hug Phillipe. “We need to speak urgently with you
father.I’m afraid it can’t wait,” Yvonne said.

“It’s alright girls.
You can speak freely in front
of Richard and your cousin,” their father said. “This is
Monica.”

The girls both walked over to take a better
look.
Visually, she did bear a resemblance to them,
flaunting the same brown hair and blue eyes. But there
was something off about her.
Maybe it was her cold
stare, but the girls weren’t ready to be best friends with
her yet.

“In light of the recent deaths, it was decided
she needed training to protect herself,” Phillipe said.
Ignoring her cousin, Yvette turned back to her
father. “Arian is back. He came to the Academy with
Will and Joshua.”
“Are you sure it was Arian?” Richard asked.
“We’re positive. Jade was with him too. They
came from Aeden to shop for wedding dresses.”
“Did he say anything about his whereabouts
these last few months?” Richard asked.
“No -he didn’t say a word.”
“Do you know if he’s planning to stay in New
York?”
“I think he might be returning to Aeden with
Jade.Apparently, they only came to shop.”
Richard slammed his
hand on the
table.
“Mahlyssa has betrayed me.
There can be no doubt
now.I wonder if Henry knows of Arian’s return.”
Yvonne and Yvette both jumped. They moved
to stand closer to their father. They knew Richard had
a temper, but they had never witnessed it firsthand.
“I need to return to London, but first I’ll make
a quick stop in Paris,” Richard said. “Perhaps it’s time
to let
Mahlyssa
know
she
has
crossed the
wrong
person.” He looked at Phillipe. “You will do as we
agreed. The sooner we get Monica to the Academy; the
sooner we may learn of their plans.”
The
girls
were
grateful
when
one
of the
servants came into the room to announce that lunch was
ready. They hurried out of the room. “Will you be
joining us Richard?” Phillipe a
sked.
“No -I have other business to attend to.”
He
reached into his pocket and pulled out the pendant. He
opened the clasp and placed it around Natalie’s neck.
“Where did you get this? It’s so beautiful,”
Natalie beamed.
“It’s a little something I picked up.I’m certain
it’s valuable.
I wanted you to have it, so you know
even though I get angry with you; you are still loved
unconditionally.”
Natalie wrapped her arms around her father, “I
love you too.”
“I’ll return as soon as I can. Phillipe will know
how to contact me if there is any trouble.
Remember
that you are Monica Benet.
I doubt Phillipe wants to
endanger the lives of his daughters,” Richard said as a
warning.
He kissed Natalie goodbye and returned to
Paris.
Phillipe stood there wondering what he had
gotten involved with.