Rise From Darkness (26 page)

“All this time I’ve spent hating fallen angels because I thought they were cast from Heaven to Hell, yet due to a screw-up never made it there. I thought they were a threat to us all. I’ve been so wrong.” Bruce looked at the ground.

“Grace,
Herak’s
the man you sent me to. That’s who cursed Boon right? How did you convince him to help?” Alexander asked.

“I wasn’t sure he would, but I took a chance.” She smiled deviously.

“Grace, why are you on Earth?” He couldn’t comprehend why she’d remain here rather than return home. “Were you cursed by
Herak
?”

“No, son.
Herak
did not harm me. I chose to descend to Earth during the
Herak
War. I don’t know why I’m still here. There’s always the option for me to return if I choose, I think. But I haven’t been called back to Heaven, so maybe my work here isn’t done. For whatever reason, I was meant to stick with all of you.” Grace gestured to everyone on the porch.

Alexander reached out and with his thumbs wiped Gaby’s tears from her cheeks. “What is it?”

“I’m the one that killed
Forras
. I didn’t know he was important to anyone other than demons. Grace, I’m so sorry.” Gaby’s whispered voice broke.

“It’s okay dear. It was his time. You did what you had to do. You’re a special young lady. It was the will of Heaven. You are but a vessel marked as a prophet and a warrior.”

Sammy glanced at Grace. “Prophet? Warrior?”

“Yes, the scar on your knee is a lion’s mane which means Prophet, you can see what has not come. And the mark from
Forras
means demonic warrior.”

Alexander’s head spun with confusion. “What of the symbol on her shoulder?”

Grace set her glass down with a clink. “I’ve not had time to research that one. Boon and I were hoping
Herak
would mention it to you.”

Alexander stood and placed his lemonade back on the trey. “No, he said nothing.”

Gaby took his hand. “Is it okay to go off on our own now? I mean obviously all the other demons left will flee now that
Forras
is gone.”

“Yes, dear.” Grace smiled.

“Boon you want to take a walk on the beach?” Sammy grabbed Boon’s hand and led him away. “See you later,” she called out over her shoulder.

“I’m sorry for hunting you. I never knew… “ Bruce trailed off and glanced at the floor.

Alexander shuffled his feet, “No, please. If anyone understands, it’s me. I’ve spent years hating
Forras
, his friends, Boon, and most of all myself. No apologies necessary.” The air caught in his throat and he choked out, “But I have a favor to ask. Can I take Gaby out on a real date? Our last one was, um, well, interrupted.”

Gaby shifted in her chair. If Bruce knew the truth about their last date, he might not ever give his permission.

“Have her home by midnight. Angel or no angel she’s still my daughter and you’re still a teenage boy.” Bruce slugged him on the shoulder then hugged Gaby.

Bruce released Gaby and sat down next to Grace. “There is one thing. Could I ask for a favor, Grace? Could Gaby stay with you for awhile?”

“Dad, no. Aren’t you through with all that? You’re not going back to—”

“Calm down Gaby. I’m not
gonna
hunt again. I just wanted to know if you could stay with Grace because I’m
gonna
seek professional help for my own demons.”

Gaby released Alexander and clutched her father’s shaking arm. “Your hands? Oh dad, you’re drinking?” Alexander flinched at the disappointment in Gaby’s voice.

“I was forced to drink by
Forras
, but honestly it didn’t take much convincing. I’m
gonna
go through detox again. This time I want to make sure it sticks. Would it be okay, Grace, for Gaby to stay here?”

“Of course, Bruce. Don’t worry about anything. I promise to keep a close eye on these two.” Grace pointed a finger and shook it at them, then grinned at Gaby’s giggle. “I’ll make sure Gaby does her homework every day.”

“Okay, okay, I promise to be good,” Gaby said. “Wow, school.”

“Great, school.” Alexander rolled his eyes but the truth was he looked forward to a normal day of classes and hanging at the beach with Gaby.

“Thanks so much, Grace. I want to be the father my G-Bear deserves. I have a lot to make up for and I want to do it sober.” Bruce hugged Gaby, pulled back a little and stroked her hair.

“Concentrate on getting well so we can be together again.” She kissed his cheek. “Oh, I almost forgot. Alexander and I have a Christmas present for you. We’ll give it to you soon as you get home.”

“Um, Gaby, about that, can I just buy a new one? I
kinda
don’t know anything about fixing boats,” Alexander confessed.

“Boats? What made her ever think you knew how to fix anything?” Grace chuckled.

“It’s a long story.” Alexander grabbed Gaby’s hand and headed to the beach to watch the waves crash in with the morning tide.

****

Gaby lifted Sammy’s birthday cake and carried it to the dining room. Alexander was right. Grace made the most beautiful cakes. Pale pink roses adorned the corners with two matching pompoms in the center. A darker shade of pink swirled along the edge and ‘Happy Birthday Sammy’ written in a smooth script across the bottom. It reminded Gaby of the cakes her mother made for her birthday.

Grace kissed Sammy’s forehead, “Sorry it’s a day late dear but I’ve been a little busy.”

Everyone gave a half chuckle as the birthday girl blew out the candles.

“What did you wish for?” Gaby asked.

“Nothing. I have everything.” Sammy reached over and grasped Boon’s hand with a sparkle dancing in her eyes.

Alexander covered his mouth, “I’m
gonna
be sick.”

Grace hit him upside the head with the spatula before handing it to Gaby.

“I’m just kidding.” Alexander winked at Sammy.

“I see we’re right back to the obnoxious big brother routine.”

Gaby snickered at Sammy’s remark, which quickly turned into a smile.

“Time for cake,” Sammy said, then served everyone a piece.

An hour later, Alexander gave Sammy a small square box wrapped in satin pink ribbons. “Happy Birthday, Sis.”

Sammy tugged the ribbon off the package and squealed as she lifted the lid. Gaby’s skin crawled as a flash of the night the diamond earrings were purchased returned. She ran her hand down her arm just to make sure it wasn’t bubbling. Taking a deep breath, she swallowed and pushed the memory back where it belonged—in the past.

“I know it’s your birthday Sis, but do you mind if I give Gaby something?” Alexander reached into his shorts pocket and pulled a small box out, giving a nod and wink to her father.

Her mind still clouded by her vision she didn’t realize at first what he held, but a moment later her hands started to shake.

“I know you said it was too much, that your father might have issue with you having it, but I talked it over with him. When he saw it he agreed.”

Alexander squatted down in front of Gaby and pulled a gold ribbon from the tiny box.

Gaby’s mouth went dry at the sight of him in front of her, box in hand.

“I know you’re too young for a proposal.”

Her dad coughed from across the table in confirmation.

Alexander smiled at him and took the white top off the box, pulling a small crimson velvet case out. “Instead of a proposal of marriage this is a promise ring.”

She wasn’t sure if she felt relief or disappointment at the clarification. Sure she was too young to get married, but so were many other epic lovers.

Alexander cleared his throat as if to get her attention again. “A promise that no matter what happens I’ll always do the right thing. A promise I’ll remain by your side and never run away. I promise I’ll respect your wishes. But most of all I vow I’ll love you always no matter what happens.”

Gaby tried to say something. But for once, her mouth couldn’t form any words. Her eyes misted and she blinked back tears. Her father sat a few feet away watching but didn’t threaten to kill him. How did Alexander do it?

“I-I don’t know what to say.” She looked down at the ring with a platinum band decorated with small diamonds, surrounding a larger one in the middle.

Her breath caught in her throat. She’d been so nervous on their first date she hadn’t really looked closely at the ring. It didn’t just look like her mother’s wedding ring. It was her mothers. The tears spilled over as she looked at her father then at Alexander.

“I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I sold your mother’s ring when I moved here. I hope you don’t hate me, but I wasn’t in control. There’s no way I would have parted with her ring voluntarily.” Her father cleared his throat. “I know your mother would want you to have it. I wasn’t much older than Alex, well I guess older then you when I fell in love with her. But that doesn’t mean you two should rush into anything,” he added, his tone firm.

Alexander slid the ring from the satin lining. “Do you want to be with me, Gaby Moore?”

He looked so vulnerable squatting on the floor with ring in hand. It might not be a marriage proposal but it was a declaration of love. To her that meant the sun, the moon, the stars.

“Yes, Alexander Lorre, I want you by my side no matter what happens.”

He held her shaking hand as he glided the ring onto her finger.

“
Woot
,
woot
,
woot
,” Sammy shouted, clapping as Boon walked over and punched Alexander on the shoulder.

Her father came over and squeezed her tight. “Just remember, it’s a promise not a proposal.”

“I know, Dad. Don’t worry, I’m in no hurry.” She smiled but knew deep down they would marry someday. They were destined to be together forever.

A while later, Alexander grasped her elbow and said, “We’re
gonna
head out for a swim. We’ll be back in a bit.”

Grinning, they raced from the room before anyone could stop them. They made their way to the beach, the sun bright overhead. He pulled her onto the sand in the same place where he’d rescued her that first morning. So much had happened since that day.

An angel for a mother. Earthbound hunter for a father. Demon blood coursing through her veins.

The demon blood frightened her most. The edgy feeling it created. An intoxicating power that could easily control her.

“Alex, I’m frightened by these powers. How can I be the key to saving all of Earth’s innocent people? It’s crazy.”

“Don’t worry, Gaby. There’ll be plenty of time. From what I understand the gifts will come slowly and you’ll master each before another one is granted.”

How could he still touch her knowing she had
Forras
’ blood in her? She looked out over the ocean to avoid his eyes.

“What is it?” Alexander moved to face her, taking both hands in his.

“The blood.
Forras
’ blood haunts me. What if I can’t control it? W-what if I hurt you?” She sniffed and swiped at her eyes. Blasted tears betrayed her. Some divine gift from heaven. She felt like nothing more than a scared child.

“You won’t. Our love will get us through anything. Heaven brought us together for a reason. I truly believe that. Besides, it’ll be a couple of years before you’re ready to start training. And I plan on enjoying every moment until then.”