Gods and Mortals: Fourteen Free Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Novels Featuring Thor, Loki, Greek Gods, Native American Spirits, Vampires, Werewolves, & More (179 page)

Then he focused his attention to Aden. “Aden, now I know why you need the fallen and the demons. Besides having them fight your battles for you, you feed on their evilness. You draw from their energy. You are truly pathetic, and yet you call yourself a leader.”

“Come with me, Michael,” Aden’s voice was deceptively sincere. “Better yet, why don’t all of you come with me?”

“Don’t waste your time. We’re not mindless, like your puppets,” Caleb said.

“Your time is up. Either you surrender, or I will kill you myself,” Michael ordered, slowly closing in on him.

Without a word, Aden started to laugh hysterically, and just as Michael plunged into him, Aden disappeared. His laughter resonated, sending chills prickling down my back. His swift, sudden disappearance had startled me and all I could do was stare at the empty space where he had just stood. Where had he disappeared to? It didn’t matter where, as long he was gone. I knew he would be back, and now I knew for sure the reason why. Even though I was extremely relieved that he was gone, my body started to shiver as my thoughts turned to Michael.

Michael was left standing where Aden had been, his shoulders slumped, empty-handed and anguished. The opportunity to eliminate Aden was in his hands, and just like that, it had vanished. Knowing he would blame Aden’s escape on himself, I needed to reassure him that it was not his fault.

“Michael,” I cried out softly with a raspy voice.

Immediately, he tilted his head and looked at me.

I was also debating whether or not to tell them what Gamma had said, when Michael grabbed me. “Are you all right?” he asked. He caught me as my knees buckled, and stopped me from falling to the floor.

“Yes, now that you are all safe,” I said, feeling relieved. My heartbeat finally steadied, along with the shivers. His hold was all I needed to calm me. I placed my head on his chest and let out a heavy sigh.

“I’m sorry. We would have been here earlier, but we were detained by other demons,” Michael said, apologetically.

“I know,” I said, as he continued to embrace me. “That explains why the demons disappeared while I was running away. I thought they were fallen. These demons, where do they come from?” I asked Michael.

“Demons, also known as evil spirits, were angels, followers of Lucifer, and some are children of fallen angels. They are disembodied spirits. They were sent to a spiritual prison called “Abyss.” Humans call it “Hell.” When they enter your world, these demons must occupy bodies of unbelievers. Their eyes turn black so that we can distinguish them. The only way they could be released is by a gatekeeper or by the Royal Council. How they escaped is unclear, but the answer lies with Aden. I do not know how he did it. The only thing that I could think of is that he must have found a fallen gatekeeper to do his dirty work. What puzzles me is that I can’t think of any fallen who was a gatekeeper.”

“Oh.” It was all I could say.

There was dead silence in the room until Davin spoke. “Well, we’re always happy to get rid of them for you.” Then he pulled me out of Michael’s grip. “Share a little,” he joked, giving me a tight squeeze.

I sucked in my breath from the tightness.

“Sorry,” Davin said, chuckling while releasing me. Then he became serious. “I’m just glad Aden disappeared instead of making us disappear.”

“Well, he didn’t have a chance. It would have been four against one,” Vivian answered back. “Since his powers were weakened, I think we could have taken him out. I believe he knew that as well, so he just disappeared.”

“That’s true. We were lucky that he was getting weaker with the demons out of the way. But what puzzles me is what he could possibly want with you, Claudia.” Davin looked at me with curious eyes.

I didn’t answer.

“There must be something else besides you crossing over to Halo City, because he wouldn’t go to this much trouble bringing the demons to Earth,” Vivian said. Then she turned her attention to Michael. “What do you think?”

“I don’t know. Let me think about this,” he said, brushing the question off as if it wasn’t important. “No more questions,” he demanded. “Claudia has had enough. We’ll talk later.”

The alkins didn’t ask me any more questions after that. Everyone had something to say, except for Caleb. I could tell Caleb’s thoughts were elsewhere. I ran to him and embraced him. He was as stiff as a board. “I…I…thanks,” he said, surprised as he leaned away from me.

I didn’t care, nor was I insulted by his action. He was here to help me, and I was grateful.

“Don’t mind Caleb. He isn’t used to it. I think physical affection was missing in his previous life on Earth,” Vivian spoke as she patted Caleb on the back. Caleb quickly looked down, feeling uncomfortable with Vivian’s words.

“You know nothing about my life on Earth, and none of us remember our past,” Caleb said as he stared into the space where Aden had been. Caleb turned and looked at us. “What made him turn so evil? I could only imagine that he was once a good angel, don’t you think? It must have been hard to avoid such temptations that were forbidden, only allowed for the humans. I think eventually, when you live among humans, you think and become like them. Look at us! We miss being here even though we can’t remember our past, whether it was pleasant or not. It’s the freedom to choose, to love, to live to the fullest, that we all hunger for.”

“Wow, Caleb! That was the most you’ve ever said,” Davin said jokingly, placing his hand on Caleb’s shoulder.

Smiling, Caleb pushed Davin a few feet from where he stood. “Shut up!” he said playfully. “You talk too much. Sometimes I have important things to say. I may not share what I’m thinking, but I think about many things.”

“We all think about “what ifs.” We wonder about our lives on Earth that we have no memories of,” Vivian responded.

Michael wasn’t paying attention to our conversation. He suddenly wrapped his wings around me as he was deep in thought, staring into the same space where Aden had stood. He looked worried. “Aden will be coming back with more fallen and demons. He’s just testing our limits. His army is growing,” Michael said, looking extremely concerned. He tilted his head toward the door, grabbed my hand, and said, “We should get going.”

About halfway out the door, I noticed Caleb standing in the middle of the room with his arms stretched out. The door behind us closed by itself, and Michael whispered into my ears, “He’s putting everything back, cleaning. We call him the sweeper.”

My eyes practically popped out. “I see,” I said, looking behind my shoulders only to hear soft noises. It was incredible to witness their powers: Davin, the gatekeeper, Vivian, the locator, Caleb the sweeper, and Michael, with multiple powers and more I had yet to witness. Michael was amazing just the way he was, and it didn’t matter if he had any powers at all.

W
e stepped inside the elevator
, and all the mixed emotions I stored so tightly inside began to unveil. The adrenaline that pumped through my body as I was running for my life had temporarily pushed aside the loss of Gamma. Now that I was safe, the reality of Gamma’s death settled in. So many overwhelming circumstances had taken place within a short period of time. My body became weak, and I thought I was going to faint. I just had to hold myself together for a little while longer.

“Can we stop by Gamma’s room?” I asked timidly.

“Yes, of course! I’m so sorry. We were so worried about your safety that we didn’t even think about your Gamma. We didn’t mean to be insensitive like that,” Michael said apologetically.

“No. Not insensitive. Very thoughtful,” I quickly replied.

I was just ecstatic that they were here with me again. Davin squeezed in between Michael and me and placed his arms around our shoulders. “Sorry about your Gamma. I don’t know if I ever lost anyone in my human life, but I can only imagine. It must be extremely difficult,” he said.

“Thank you,” I replied.

“Room five twelve?” Davin asked.

“Yes,” I said.

As we approached the room, there was a nurse that I recognized sitting behind her desk, smiling. As soon as she realized we were headed toward the room, she stopped us.

“Excuse me, but that room is off-limits,” she said firmly, blocking the door.

“Nurse…” Michael quickly looked at her name tag. “Sara. Her grandmother just passed away about an hour ago. I would really appreciate it if you would allow us to have some peaceful moments to honor her grandmother’s passing,” Michael said persuasively, giving her his irresistible smile.

The nurse just stared at him. “I don’t know. They have already taken her body.” She smiled back flirtatiously.

“Would it be all right to step inside for a bit?” Michael asked.

The nurse was hesitant. Michael leaned in closer to her. A twinge of jealousy struck me, and I didn’t like the feeling at all.

“Please,” he said with hardly a gap between the two of them.

She whispered, “Okay, but please make it quick. I’m not supposed to let you in there.”

“You won’t even know we were here. We’ll make it quick,” Michael said and winked at her.

Flirting at such a somber moment was inappropriate, and I was jealous, though I knew he was doing it for me. I was grateful that I would be able to pay my last respects. Instead of putting her under a trance-like state, he was able to persuade her without using his angel power.

Nurse Sara motioned her head toward the door without a word and backed away. I walked in first, but I could see through the window that she was smiling and walking sideways back to her desk.

Michael cleared his throat as Caleb walked in. There was no evidence that Gamma had been in here. Her body had been taken away, and only memories and unanswered questions lingered. Feeling hopeless and confused by her final words, I was lost and heartbroken.

I couldn’t stop the tears from falling. I didn’t want to cry in their presence, but I could not control my emotions. Michael wiped my tears and kissed both of my hands. “That’s all right, Claudia, let it all out,” he said tenderly. “I know you’ll miss her, but remember she will always be in your heart. More importantly, you will remember her love and the memories you have created together.”

Immediately I was comforted by his words. I had no right to complain about memories when they couldn’t remember anything. Then I remembered Gamma’s words. She was an Earth angel. I couldn’t wait any longer. “I have something to tell you. Gamma told me…she...” The words would not come out. What was I afraid of? I trusted them completely. “She told me that she was an Earth angel,” I blurted out quickly so that I couldn’t take it back.

Vivian, Caleb, and Davin stared at me in shock.

“Your Gamma was an Earth angel?” Vivian asked as she walked closer to the bed.

“She said many things to me. I don’t remember everything, but yes,” I replied and covered my eyes with my hands, feeling tormented by the fact that I had the Holy Spirit’s soul. Should I tell them now or later? When I tell them, will they look at me differently? Many thoughts ran through my mind and I decided it was best to tell Michael first.

“It’s all right. You don’t have to tell us right now,” Michael said, giving them a hard stare. “Claudia and I will talk after I take her home.”

“Did you text her, Vivian?” Michael asked, changing the subject.

I knew Michael intentionally changed the subject so I wouldn’t have to answer any more of their questions. Texting reminded me of my phone so I tapped my pockets, and sure enough, it was gone.

“Yes, I texted Claudia’s mom to let her know that she was on her way home,” Vivian said, handing me my phone.

“You texted my mom?” I asked in surprise.

“You dropped it upstairs, and Michael asked me to text your mom so she wouldn’t worry. You had several missed calls from her.”

“Thanks,” I said and gave her a quick smile.

“Anytime, it’s quite fun,” she said.

“Thank you,” Michael said quickly. “She’s had enough for one day. Let’s get her home safely.”

They flew alongside Michael as he held me in his arms. When we reached my house, Michael waited for me in my bedroom while the alkins sat on the roof. I ran inside the front door. “Mom!” I called.

Without a word, she embraced me, and tears ran down her face. “Oh, Claudia, I can’t believe she is really gone. Are you all right, honey? I was on my way back to see Gamma when I got a flat tire. I tried to call you. I would have been there with you. Since I couldn’t reach you, I called the hospital, and they told me she’d passed away. I wanted to be there. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there with you. Since you were no longer at the hospital, I came straight here.”

“It’s all right, Mom,” I said, holding her tightly as tears ran down my face.

“Did she wake up at all? Did she say anything?”

“No,” I lied. “She didn’t say anything. She was sleeping peacefully.”

I would have said anything to help ease her pain. Suddenly she had a blank look. “I can’t believe she’s gone. It’s like a dream,” she whispered.

I knew what she meant. Gently I placed my hands on her arms to guide her to the sofa. “Sit down, Mom. I can’t believe it either, but I know she wouldn’t want us to be like this. She would want us to rejoice in her life.” I wasn’t sure what I was saying, but it seemed to work.

“You’re right, honey.” She paused and stroked my hair. She looked at me tenderly.

It didn’t matter whether she was my biological mom or not. She was my mom, the one who had raised me and took care of me when I was sick, the one who loved me, and the one who was here with me now. But knowing all that, a part of me couldn’t help but look at her differently. I wanted this feeling to go away. So I told myself at that instant that even though my life seemed like a lie, it was real because I was living it. I had to put all the secrets aside and continue from where I had left off.

“I don’t know what I would do without you. I can’t believe how much you have grown. You know that she loved you as if you were her own grandchild. She would have done anything for you,” she said.

I nodded, unable to speak, for fear of uncontrollable tears. Mom had no idea how right she was. Gamma had died to protect me.

She changed the subject. “Before I forget, I’ve called the principal, and you don’t have to go to school this week.”

“Oh,” I said in surprise and absolute appreciation. “I can use the rest.”

“Good, that’s what I thought. I know you’re exhausted. Get some rest. I almost forgot…Patty dropped off your duffel bag. I put it in your room.”

“Thank you,” I said and kissed her on the cheek. Then I anxiously headed toward my room. As I quickened my pace, so did my heartbeat, for I knew Michael was waiting for me in my bedroom. He was staring at the moon, head tilted, deep in thought. He turned to look at me, and at that moment all I could do was melt and let the troubles disappear. I didn’t know what came over me. Without hesitation, I embraced him and then let out a heavy sigh.

“I don’t blame you,” he said. “You’ve been through so much!” Safe in his arms, I let my guard down as uncontainable tears ran down my face.

“Sorry,” Michael said. “It must be hard for you. Let it all out. I’m right here.”

“I can’t believe she’s gone,” my voice choked, desperately trying to hold back the tears.

He held my face and gently wiped my tears. He was searching for words. “She’ll always be with you.”

“I know,” I said, thinking that it was a good time as any to let him know what Gamma had said. “Michael, I need to tell you what Gamma told me.”

“Okay, I’m listening.” He looked concerned as he led me to the edge of my bed.

“She told me that my mother’s death was not an accident.”

“Claudia,” he called my name with a perplexed look, knowing my mom was right outside the door.

“It sounds bizarre, but let me finish. Sophia, my birth mom, not my mom out there, had a relationship with an angel, but she didn’t know he was an angel. She died to protect me…and…the soul of the Holy Spirit.” I was rambling so fast out of confusion, and I didn’t know if he understood anything I was trying to tell him.

“I’m trying to follow, but I’m not sure what you are trying to tell me.” Michael looked confused.

Feeling nervous, I got up and paced back and forth, trying to find the right words. Why couldn’t I just say it, plain and simple? I was afraid of what he might say or do because I knew it would change things for better or worse—mostly for worse. Telling him would make it all too real and I wished with everything I had that it wasn’t true.

“To make a long story short, I think,” I said and walked toward the window, “Michael, I have the soul of the Holy Spirit. It’s in me.”

He took a moment to respond. “Not that I don’t believe you, but how could that be? Margaret sounded so sure that they had taken all of Isaiah’s descendants.”

“Gamma told me that my father was one of God’s first angels.”

Michael looked stunned at first, and then he looked terrified. “Royal Council,” he said quietly. “How could that be?” He paused, thinking. His eyes flickered here and there as if he was putting missing pieces together. “Your mother asked Gamma to hide you from Aden. The Royal Council doesn’t know a child exists.” He looked straight at me. “Every hundred years, a group of Royal Council enters your world to determine the fate of humanity. They stay for a short time, living among humans, determining if apocalypse is needed. One of them had a forbidden affair. This is the only explanation. Aden knew all along. He had to have known. He was waiting for you to become an adult so that you could give your soul to him freely. This all started close to your birthday. Aden must have known before or after you were born,” he said, sounding extremely troubled.

Then, without another word, he stood next to me and gently held me in his arms. His wings found their way around me; he seemed to do this when he was in protective mode. I didn’t mind it at all. The warm, secure feeling I felt from it eased my fears; it seemed to have a hypnotic effect.

“Don’t tell anyone. I need to figure out what we need to do. I don’t want Phillip to know. I’m afraid he will do something I will not agree with, like tell the Royal Council. Your life is in great danger, more than I had anticipated. I need to leave for a little while. I’ll ask Davin to watch over you.”

“I don’t want this. I don’t want it to be true. I’m really scared.” I pressed my head deeper into his chest.

“I knew there was something bothering you besides Gamma’s death, but I waited for you to tell me when you were ready. It will be all right, Claudia. I’m here,” he said softly and held me tighter. “Aden killed Gamma because Gamma was an Earth angel who was protecting you. It was Gamma who pulled you back from the Crossroads, wasn’t it?”

“Yes,” I confirmed. “She stopped monitoring my visits because she thought I had stopped going there, but something always pulled me there.”

“Also, Aden wouldn’t have done the things he had been doing for a mere human. Now that I have all the facts, I need to leave for a while. I hate to leave you, but I need answers. I’m asking you to find a way to stay home until I come back.”

“My mom already arranged it so that I don’t have to go to school this week,” I said.

He stood tall, towering over me, looking down into my eyes. “Good! Just stay put. Do you think you can do that for me?” he asked sternly.

“Yes,” I said, smiling into his dazzling eyes. I became lost again. Michael looked embarrassed; I had never seen him blush like that before. He laughed softly and brushed his hair back.

“You’re doing it again,” he said.

“What am I doing?”

“Making me crazy for you,” he said, smiling.

“How crazy?” I asked, surprised by his words. I closed the gap between us as I caressed his hair.

“You know I won’t be able to control myself,” he whispered, his eyes closed.

“Claudia, are you all right?” My mom knocked softly at my door. “Are you talking to yourself, or are you on the phone?”

Startled by Mom’s voice,
Michael disappeared right in front of my eyes, and I fixed myself to look presentable just in case she walked in. I ran to the door. “I’m fine, Mom. I’m just talking on the phone,” I said, hoping she wouldn’t come in for a chat.

“Okay, honey. Get some rest,” she said and walked away.

Feeling extremely relieved, I turned around and jumped, startled by his sudden reappearance. “You scared me,” I whispered softly, placing my hand over my heart as it skipped a beat.

“Sorry, but I don’t like being away from you,” he said, placing his hands over my shoulders, trying to calm my nerves.

I smiled and put my arms around his neck. “Now, where were we?”

“Claudia, please keep my mind at ease and just stay home.”

“Only if you give me a kiss,” I said.

“That’s not fair. You know I can’t give you just one.”

“I know,” I said, giving him a sly smile.

His response was not what I had expected. “Claudia, I’m being serious. Your life is in grave danger, more than I feared. I’m going to send Davin to watch you for now.”