Angel Incarnate: Second Sight (9 page)

Chapter 12

Esra and the Archangels
were still assembled when Gabriel returned to the meeting hall.

While the others were
dressed in long, white ceremonial robes with purple trim around the sleeves and
neckline, Gabriel remained attired in blue jeans and a white pullover.

Suspecting Mortriel
would search for the angel-bloods who were rescued, Gabriel promised to watch
the activity of Lucifer’s son, ensuring he didn’t go to Aeden, and threaten
Bren, or Tracy.

“Things went well?”
Michael asked.

“Bren and Tracy were
able to rescue seven of the angel-bloods, but the other six girls were too far
away in the village. They had to kill several of Mortriel’s guards. I know my
little ones are warriors at heart, but the reminder of taking another’s life,
even though justified, will be embedded in their minds forever. I hope they
will forgive themselves. Sometimes we forget how young they are,” Gabriel
sighed.

“They may be young, but
they have your strength and tenacity. The torture those angel-blood children
endured by Mortriel, and his followers, was unforgivable.
 
Bren and Tracy will remember that above
everything else.”

Gabriel shrugged his
shoulders. After spending so much time with them, he was beginning to mimic
some of the behaviors of Bren and Tracy.

“Since your departure,
we have been discussing which two guardians should be selected to go to Aeden.
It has been decided Alannah will accompany my son, who will be assigned to
watch over Aura. Jeziel will be assigned to guard Hespa’s son, Elijah,” Michael
said.

Gabriel’s jaw dropped.

“Jeziel – do you believe
Hespa will allow Lucifer’s daughter anywhere near her son?
 
With Lucifer threatening a second war, the
last person we should consider is his daughter.”

“Hespa is a huntress.
Her son is often left to fend for himself. Jeziel has been faithful since her
father was banished. I’m afraid this comes from a higher power; we cannot
disobey Father.”

“Jeziel has been
faithful because we have monitored her closely,” Gabriel argued. “She will be
ill-prepared for the temptations of the mortal world, especially when Lucifer
discovers she is in Aeden.
 
We should
speak to Father and make him aware of our concerns. There must be someone else
who can go.”

“It has already been
decided,” Esra said. “Since Michael is sending his son, he can keep an eye on
Jeziel. If there is any indication that she is turning towards the dark path,
she will be summoned back to Heaven.”

“Humph -- if she
follows her father’s path, there will be little chance of her answering that
summons,” Gabriel scoffed. “I look forward to that conversation with Hespa. She
has made no secret of her distrust for Lucifer’s daughter. What will you do if
she refuses the guardian?”

“We will speak with the
huntress after I inform Aidan and Dahnael of our decision. Hespa will not defy
a direct command from Father. I’m sure he has his own reasons for allowing
Jeziel to leave Heaven. Perhaps he is planning to test her loyalty.”

 
“We’ll see – but I intend to watch her too. If
she even thinks about threatening Bren or Tracy, Jeziel will deal with me,” Gabriel
vowed. “I mean no offense, Brother, but are you certain we can trust Dahnael.
His bond to Caeus and his brother, Malakiel, is strong. In lieu of the rumors
we’ve heard, I don’t think we should tell them our plans.”

“Dahnael may have been
raised by Caeus, but he is still my son,” Michael said.
 
“Since he is already on earth, there
shouldn’t be a problem with him keeping us informed of any problems. As far as
Jeziel is concerned, she may be Lucifer’s daughter, but I doubt her strengths
can compete with those of our children. If Bren and Tracy could take out six of
Mortriel’s best guards, they won’t have any problem controlling her. This
doesn’t have to be a permanent situation, but we need to know we can trust her
in the event Lucifer threatens to eliminate the angel-bloods.”

All of a sudden the
room began to shake violently, and a loud rumbling sound was heard.

Michael chuckled.
“Mount Etna is erupting; I suppose Lucifer has just found out about the rescue
mission. Soon, the mountain will be covered in molten lava.
 
I hope the tourists take appropriate
measures, and no one ventures too close.”

“What of the other
angel-bloods who were captured. Are we to leave them in Purgatory?” Gabriel
asked.

“They will be freed
very soon,” Esra said.
 
“Mortriel has moved
them into the village, where they can be guarded at all times. I’m afraid we
can’t risk a second rescue attempt yet; it would be far too dangerous.
 
Bren and Tracy were fortunate the youngest
were in their dormitory. Battling with a few guards was no problem, but taking
on a thousand may be more than they could handle.”

“What will happen to
those left behind?” Gabriel asked.

“For now they are
safe,” Esra replied. “It is nearing winter. During the next few weeks
circumstances will change, and then Aura will free the children.”

“You are sending Aura
instead of Bren and Tracy? She knows nothing about her past life. Surely you
won’t risk having her captured. That will play right into Lucifer’s plans,”
Gabriel said.

Esra laughed. “Before
she goes to Purgatory, her memory will return and she will begin to use some of
the powers which have been dormant since her birth.
 
There will be a series of tragedies, and Aura
will want to send Mortriel a personal message. Regrettably, I am forbidden from
giving you the details, but suffice it to say, she will succeed.”

The other archangels
listened, but remained silent.

“If there is nothing
else to discuss, Michael needs to meet with his sons and inform them of our
plans,” Esra said.

“What does Paul think
about sending Aidan to guard Aura? She won’t know him, or Alannah. It will be
painful for them to be so close, and not be able to discuss their
relationship,” Gabriel sighed.

“Paul would never
refuse a second set of eyes on his children. As to Aura’s memory, I have been
blocking most of her visions. I think it’s time to allow her second sight to
develop, so she can learn the truth.
 
As
soon as her visions mature, she will be able to call upon the other weapons
Father gave her when he removed her veil. I know you want to remain close to
Bren and Tracy, but Father has warned us to keep our distance. The children
have to handle Mortriel and Samhael using their own powers.”

“Mortriel is worse than
his father, and will want to avenge the deaths of his disciples. I’m not as concerned
about our children, but they have mortal friends who will be in extreme
danger,” Uriel said.

 
“There is little we can do for them. Father
has refused to give permission for the angel-bloods to exchange blood with
their mortal friends, especially Aura. She is already bound to Aidan and their
children,” Esra replied.
 

“Father allowed Howard
and Rusty to receive the blood,” Gabriel stated.

“Those were special
circumstances. Both were loyal and trusting. Father may change his mind, but I
wouldn’t count on it. With any war, there will be casualties, but we are
forbidden from altering fate,” Esra reminded him.
 
“For now, we will trust our sons to watch
over their children, and mortal friends, and hope there will not be another
bloodbath.”

“So, you do believe
Lucifer is planning a second war?”

“Yes – but he will
first try to exterminate most of the angel-bloods, and then use the special
powers of those who survive.”

“None of our
descendants would give him the satisfaction of using their gifts against
Heaven; they would die before they helped him.”

Michael patted Gabriel
on the shoulder.
 
“Let’s pray it doesn’t
come to that.”

While Esra and the
other archangels dispersed and headed home, Gabriel exited the hall, but
remained on the mountain top. He couldn’t get Bren and Tracy out of his mind.
He lifted his head, and his eyes searched the sky.

Please Father; don’t take them from me again. They have
already sacrificed their lives once and deserve to live. If war is coming,
their powers will be needed to defeat Lucifer’s minions
.

He then turned, and disappeared,
leaving a clear glittery mist in his stead.

Chapter 13

When Aura awoke the
next morning, she noticed her mother and Angie weren’t in the room. As she stretched
her arms, four little eyes stared back at her and smiled.

“Would you like to help
me fix breakfast?” she whispered.

The girls nodded. Aura
slid out of the bed being careful not to disturb the other children who were
still sleeping. .

The little refugees
clung to her as she tip-toed down the stairs and made her way into the kitchen.
Aura sat them on wooden stools next to the counter.

The granite island was
fifteen feet in length and four feet wide with double sinks on both sides.
Cabinets beneath the sink, on the side closest to the stove, held an array of
pots and pans. On the opposite side – six wicker stools were arranged.

The glass-top stove had
six burners; a double oven allowed for cooking large casseroles or roasts.
 
An electric griddle could be used for French
toast and pancakes.

While she started
making pancakes and French toast, the girls started kneading the biscuit dough,
laughing, as they covered each other in flour.

“Don’t worry – we can
give you another bath after breakfast,” Aura said.

Just as she was pulling
a pan of biscuits out of the oven, the front door opened and closed.
 

Angie and Eve walked
into the kitchen carrying dozens of packages which contained new clothing for
the children.
 
They also remembered three
gallons of milk and several bottles of chocolate syrup.

“What’s all this?” Aura
asked.

“The children needed
some clothing and toys,” Eve admitted.

“We thought they would
enjoy chocolate milk with their breakfast,” Angie said. “Heaven knows what they
were fed in Purgatory.”

The women carried the
bags into the family room to be handed out after breakfast.

Aura wasn’t concerned
about protecting the children, but she was worried about her mortal friends,
especially her best friend Ryan. Only the High Council could give permission
for a mortal to receive the blood of the angels, and the last time Aura asked,
her request was denied.

As soon as the biscuits
were browned, Bren, Tracy and the other girls came skipping down the
stairs.
 

“Why don’t you take
them into the dining room,” Aura suggested. “I’ll bring cups of milk, and you
can show them how to add the chocolate. Breakfast is almost ready.”

Bren didn’t question
her sister. She paraded the little ones to the dining room table.
 
“We’re going to need some booster seats,” she
yelled to Aura.

Eve and Angie hustled
to a walk-in closet just beyond the dining room. When they returned, each of
them was carrying three wooden booster seats.

 
As soon as the children were settled, Eve and
Angie brought out the cups of milk and three bottles of chocolate syrup.

“Watch me and Tracy,
and then you can try it,” Bren instructed them.

The girls waited
patiently for their turn to hold the bottle, some knowing how to make the
chocolate drink. Aura laughed as one of the three year olds licked her fingers
when some of the syrup dripped onto them.

“Don’t worry – if we
make a mess – Mommy will clean it up,” Bren insisted.

Half way through the
meal, Gracie asked about her sister. “Are you going to bring Hope home too?”

“Your sister was taken
to Hell,” Eve said, “but she is safe.”

Eve told the girls the
story of the Great War, including the capture of Alorrah and Alexis, and theft
of the whip and dagger. Though they were young, keeping important news from
them was never an option.

Her husband Paul still
believed if they had warned the youngest angels before Lucifer’s attack, some
of them may have survived. He vowed never to make that mistake again. So, even
when the news was terrible, he always shared it with the children.

“Hope is with Alorrah
and Alexis. No one can touch her. You’ll see her again – I swear it. Now, let’s
finish breakfast so you can have another bubble bath, and then we’ll get you
dressed. You won’t be able to leave the valley, but Mortriel can’t hurt you
here,” Eve promised.

“We can still play in
the yard,” Bren insisted. “The dark wings won’t dare come that close.”

Tracy nodded. She
always agreed with Bren.

“Why should we have to
change our way of life to accommodate the fallen angels?” Aura demanded. “If we
hide in fear, they will have succeeded in making us afraid. I’m not saying we
should put the children in danger, but there is no reason to keep them locked
away either. They have already been imprisoned and abused. If Bren’s shield
could protect them in Purgatory, surely it will shelter them in Aeden.”

“I agree the children
should have some freedom, but we want to exercise caution too,” Eve said.
“Lucifer was able to penetrate the shield. I’m certain if Mortriel wanted to
come to the valley, there is little we could do to keep him away.”

“I’m not afraid of
Lucifer’s son,” Aura said.

“You should be – he was
responsible for a great many deaths. He may not be able to touch you, but what
about Ryan, or his sister, Ella? They are mortal. Even though Ella lives with
Jane and her sons, their powers can’t compete to those of Lucifer or his
disciples,” Eve warned.

“You saw what he did to
these children, Aura. What will happen if he gets his hands on your friends –
they do not have the protection of the angel’s blood?” Angie asked.

She’s right; Ryan knows nothing about us. How am I going to
protect him from the dark wings
?
Maybe the Council
will change their mind and allow me to exchange blood with him.”

“Mortriel has already
captured a bunch of mortals,” Bren said. “He has them working in some of the
shops. They have been tortured and wear the scars to prove it.”

“Bren thinks they went
to Purgatory willingly,” Tracy added.

“Mortriel is bad,” one
of the four year olds said. “When he hurt us, he laughed.”

“Samhael is bad too,”
another added. “He said no one would come for us and we would live there
forever. What will happen to our sisters? Can you rescue them from Purgatory?”

“We need time to make a
plan, but I swear you’ll see them again,” Aura promised. “Finish your
breakfast, and then we’ll go play in the park.”

As soon as breakfast
was over, Eve and Angie led the girls into the living room and began to hand
out the packages. Some of the little ones teared up when they opened the bags
to find several sets of clothes, shoes and even dolls with accessories.

“This should last a few
days, and then we’ll get some more things,” Eve said before turning to
Aura.
 
“Should we assign rooms for them,
or do you think it might be better to leave them in the dormitory?”

“We’ll see what they
want to do. Until they feel safe, it might be better to allow them to stay
together. Once they’re comfortable, I’ll put them in some of the spare rooms
next to mine. Do you think there is any chance we can find some of their
relatives?”

“Most of their parents
were killed. If they’ve kept their heritage a secret, they may have broken all
ties with their family. Don’t worry -- if you don’t want them to stay here,
Angie and I can take them home with us.”

“I don’t have a problem
keeping them with me. I just don’t want to shuffle them from one house to the
next and make them feel unwanted. For now, they’ll stay here.”

“I expected as much,
but if it becomes too much of a burden, Angie and I will help.”

Aura started to laugh.
“Taking care of the little ones has never been a burden to me, Mom. The more,
the merrier. I’ll keep them safe until we can figure out what to do with them.”

“I spoke to your father
and he suggested we send some of the girls to the institute in New York. Of
course, we don’t have to make that decision yet. Let’s see how things play out.
Mortriel will likely seek retribution against your sister.”

Eve turned to the
children. “Who wants to help me put your things away?”

The girls gathered as
much as they could carry and followed Eve to their dormitory. There were a
dozen large armoires to hang the dresses in, and another dozen chests of
drawers arranged around the large room.

The girls didn’t mind
sharing. This was the most space any of them had since being captured. Most of
them weren’t even given a spare change of clothes.

Sometimes, even the most basic human
needs were denied while they were in Purgatory, but as long as they were under
Aura’s roof, they would never feel hungry or do without. She would treat them
like family, because now, most of them were.