Penitence (2010) (30 page)

mustnt let anger canker your soul. Okay, okay. Just... I wont be responsible for my actions if that loser shows up again. He makes me so mad. Just what he wants. You must never give into him, Zoe. I wouldnt. Ever. My anger is my own. I grinned. He tossed back his head in a heartwarming chuckle. I love you, he said. Hold me. Gladly. His gentle embrace sealed his words in a tender expression of certainty. Matthias eased back his thumb sliding over my chin. Know this, Zoe, truth never changes. His words settled me. Still, I was haunted by his past and bugged about Albert. Does refinement take all the pain away? I mean, youre so... amazing. Everything I wanted to be someday. I see lifes events in a broader perspective. In my heart, I have forgiven my father. His fingertips tightened on my shoulders, and a beam of gravity rang through my limbs. What? He remained silent. I wrapped my hands around his and squeezed. Tell me. One day, our memories will be our judge. There will be no denying, no excuses, nothing to hide behind. The truth of his words sunk deep. My grip tightened around his hands. So revenge will be sweet thenfor you. He shook his head, a flash of sorrow in his eyes. Unless my fathers heart changes, that will be the most heartbreaking day for us both. I marveled that, after everythingincluding his fathers attempts to steal my soulMatthias still loved him. How can you love him still? Zoe, it wouldnt matter what you did, Id love you. I dont think I could love someone like your father, especially after everything hes done. His blue eyes skimmed my face. What does your heart tell you? That I want you to hold me again. He chuckled. About forgiveness. I allowed my relaxed state of mind to journey to my peaceful center. Serenity. Forgiving brings peace. Yes. You forgave the truck driver and Weston and Brady. But Albert... hurting you... I cant take the thought. Because you love me, and I thank you for that. The comforting aura surrounding him submerged my troubled thoughts of Albert for the time being. How much longer do you think it will be? I asked. I dont know. Dont dwell on it. Enjoy mortality. Do everything you have dreamed of doing. But everything pales in comparison to being with you. Well be together. Someday. Youre already where I want to be, while Im stuck. I hardly think your gift of life qualifies as being stuck. He traced my face. Maybe my presence makes it too hard for you. No. No. Forget I said that. I wrapped my arms around him. Youre a feisty sheba who can kick the blithers out of any piker. If I have to, yes. Its settled then, youre with me forever. With a few untimely exceptions. Matthias kissed the top of my head and withdrew, holding my hands as he stood back. Now? He nodded. What if I refuse to let you go? Ill keep hold of your hands. His teeth glittered in a grin. I linked our fingers and gripped hard, laughing. His contagious laugh joined mine. Light beamed down through the ceiling, as if Heaven reached out for him. He disappeared before my eyes, but his laugh echoed off the walls of my empty room. I stared up at the ceiling in awe, my arms extended as though I still held his. How long I stood wondering, wishing, waiting for him to return, I dont know. But when I finally realized the drywall was not going to give way and life was my own to livejust like hed saidI let out a sigh. I dressed in jeans and my red hoodie. I could use a night out. A Starbucks. My horrid day had ended with a glorious visit from the one I loved. I didnt need to hang with anyone, not tonight. Matthias was tucked in my heart and that was enough. My cell phone vibrated as I grabbed my purse and walked out my bedroom door. Chase. krissy texted me and? shes in trouble can u meet me at her house in 10? My heart tripped. b right there. Sneak Peek for Book Three: Absolution My lungs burned with the frigid air. My mind raced with images of Matthias suffering. Paying for being with me. Punished for loving me. I couldnt bear the unfairness. Heaven was cruel. God was unjust. I kept running. Harder. Faster. The trees grew thicker. More dense, becoming fuzzy, dark spindles towering over me. Spines scratched, tearing the fabric of my tee shirt. Through the padding of my booted slippers, the soles of my feet hit rocks, sending sharp pain up my calves. Unable to suck in air fast enough, I slowed. Gasping. I stopped. Fell to the forest floor. And wept uncontrollably. My sobs filled silent air. I rolled onto my stomach, fallen pine needles sticking to my tear-ravaged face. Im so sorry, so sorry Matthias. You cant outrun me, Zoe. Albert. I opened my eyes. Could barely catch my breath. I sat up and futilely backed away on my hands, the sharp pine needles slivering into my cold hands but the close distance between Albert and me was unbreachable. Give yourself to me. About the Author Jennifer Laurens is the mother of six children, one of whom has autism. She lives in Utah with her family, at the base of the Wasatch Mountains. Other Titles: Falling for Romeo Magic Hands Nailed Heavenly Visit the website: www.heavenlythebook.com Seeing good and evil spirits is a gift Zoe guards with her life. Despite her guardian angels disappearance, Zoe forces herself to accept that she still has a purposebut how does she carry the weight of her brothers drug abuse, the hardship of living with an autistic sister, and a best friend whos obsessed with a guy who only wants Zoe? Shes never felt more alone. When a mysterious spirit appears, Zoe thinks she has a new guardian an- gel. Instead, her brothers addiction worsens, her parents are on the brink of separation, and her best friend tries to kill her. The spirit she thinks is her new guardian isnt there to protect her: hes out to destroy her family and seize Zoes soul. . . for Hell.

Will Matthias return mean that hes Zoes guardian angel again? Or is their love the reason the jaws of Hell now gape open?