Fall from Grace (Book 2: An Angelblood Novel) (9 page)

“You don’t think she’s in any danger do you?”
Jessica sighed.

“Are you kidding? You’ve seen what Aura can do
to hell-fire. What do you think she would do if anyone tried
to hurt Alannah?”

“Aren’t you even curious about what other gifts
He,” pointing to Heaven,“gave her when he removed her
veil?”

“Yeah, but I’m more concerned about Lucifer
finding out about them. He’s already taken two of the
eternal children. If Aidan’s right, he might come after Aura
and Alannah.”

“Aidan would never let anyone hurt either one of
them,” Jessica insisted.

“Aidan is distracted right now, which is why Aura
needs to stay focused.
At least until after Jeziel is found.
I
think we need to monitor any visitors entering the valley,”
Rita said.

“Your mother’s shield is up. I don’t think we have
to worry.”

 

“Her shield didn’t stop Samhael from coming into
the valley.”
Chapter 9

Aura was waiting at the front door when Rita and
Jessica
arrived.
She
was
still
wearing
her
nightclothes.
Everyone
else
was
still
asleep,
including
Aidan.
She
motioned for the girls to follow her where she had tea and
muffins waiting in the kitchen.

Jessica was nervous.“Does your mother know why
we’re here?”

“She does, but don’t worry, she agrees with you.”
“She does?” Jessica asked.

“Of course, Mom agrees you can disable the
creatures and hopefully gain some vital information.” Aura
looked at her sister. “By the way, I think your plan is
brilliant. It will certainly send a message to Richard.”

“What plan are you talking about?” Jessica asked.
“I’ll tell you after we kill those Hounds bane,” Rita
smiled.

 

“Hounds bane that’s a great name for them, but
whywon’t you tell me now?”

 

“I don’t want to upset you.”

 

Jessica looked from Rita to Aura.
They were both
smiling. “I’m not going to like it am I?”

“You’ll like it fine if it works,” Rita laughed.
“I trust you Rita.”
“When have I ever let you down?”

“Never and I intend to keep it that way.” Rita and
Aura started laughing and soon Jessica was giggling too.

A
few
minutes
later
Aidan
joined
them
in
the
kitchen; already dressed for the day.
Aura passed him a cup
of tea.

He stared at Rita and Jessica. “Why are you both
here so early?”

 

“We wanted to speak to Aura before we left this
morning,” Rita replied.

“It’s
justgirl talk,” Jessica smiled.
“You’re welcome to join us if you like,” Aura said.

“No thank you. I have learned never to interfere
when you girls are talking. I’m sure it’s nothing earth-
shattering.”

While Aura and the girls thought he was making a
joke, he never cracked a smile.

 

Aidan put his cup down and pushed back from the
table.“I think I’ll do some exploring today.”

 

“If that’s what you want to do. We’ll be shopping
for most of the afternoon,” Aura said.

Aidan quickly excused himself.
“Don’t you want any breakfast?” Aura asked.

“No thank you. I’m not hungry. Say goodbye to the
girls for me.”

 

They listened as Aidan opened and closed the front
door.

 

“What the hell was that about?” Rita asked her
sister.

 

“He’s been acting strange the last couple of days,”
Aura said. “I think he’s worried about Jeziel.”

 

“I understand he’s worried, but he was damn cold
towards you,” Rita insisted.

Aura shrugged her shoulders. It was true Aidan had
been distant since Jeziels disappearance. She was confused
by his behavior, but she wasn’t prepared to discuss it with
him.

Aura tried to remain calm.
“Aidan’s entitled to his
own choices. Maybe he was only staying here to be close to
Alannah. It’s not like we’re in a relationship.”

“He gave you a ring,” Jessica said.

“He’s my Guardian and he gave me a promise ring.
He promised to protect me, nothing more. I’ve never asked
him if he wasinvolved with Jeziel and I don’t intend to.
That’s his business, not mine. We’ll talk when he’s ready.”

“You’re certainly more patient than I would be,”
Rita insisted.

“I’ve just recently turned sixteen. I’ve got plenty of
time to decide who I want to spend my future with. As long
as Aidan understands that Alannah is staying with me, there
won’t be any problems. But if he tries to take her away,
that’s when things will get ugly. She may call him daddy,
but she is my daughter and I’m not about to let her anywhere
near Jeziel.

Rita and Jessica stared at Aura.
They thought that
Aura and Aidan were growing closer, but shewasn’t upset at
all by Aidan’s sudden change of heart. They decided to drop
the subject.

When her father and Adam arrived, Rita took them
into the library.
They were surprised when Eve and Jessica
joined them.
Rita made her request to bring Richard before
the Council. “It’s been more than a monthsince Virgil’s
death and we want a ruling in the matter.”

Paul
agreed
to
notify
Arthur
to
gather
the
Commissionfor a hearing. They would address Jayden’s
annulment at the same time.

When Will and Joshua came down for breakfast,
Rita told them of their plan to go to Utopia. “We need to
make a stop first, and then we’ll meet you there.”

No one asked where they were going and they didn’t
volunteer any information.

 

Jane decided to join Acadia and the other girls when
they went shopping.

 

Alannah asked, “Do you need some retail therapy
too?”

 

“I think we are all in need of some retail therapy,”
Jane laughed.

 

She was certainly feeling better. Acadia’s company
was good for her.

After
breakfast,
Aura
and
the
others
left
to
go
shopping. She whispered to her sister and Jessica, “Be
careful.
I know you can handle those creatures, but I still
don’t know where Richard or Natalie are.”

“Don’t worry. I doubt either of them will give us an
excuse to kill them,” Rita said.

 

Jessica laughed.“One could only hope.”

Paul and the others left for Utopia, while Rita and
Jessica prepared for their own mission.
Aura was sure
Aidan was somewhere searching for Jeziel.

She almost felt guilty for not telling him
about
Alorrah’s news. Still, he had seen the same visions showing
Jeziel conversing with Samhael.
He never considered that
she had fallen, despite leaving with the fallen angel.

Aura certainly wasn’t going to trust Aidan until she
was sure about his loyalty.
There was something about his
relationship with Jeziel that she didn’t understand. Her
priority was keeping Alannah safe.
Somehow she thought
finding Jeziel was a bigger priority for Aidan.

She wasn’t about to let him or anyone else interfere
with her plans to bring Alorrah and Alexis home. She would
do it alone if she had
to.
She was just beginning to
understand the powers she held in her hands.

If Aidan chose the path to darkness, it would not be
a path she would take.
She hoped she was wrong, but she
would watch him for any signs he was being tempted;
especially a change in the color of his eyes.
She knew how
close Alannah was to him, but even she was starting to
distrust him.

That made Aura sad because no one had suffered
more than her daughter. She would die to protect her.

She used to think Aidan shared the same feelings,
but not anymore.
Christmas Eve showed her that Jeziel
came before Alannah. Aura would never forget that.

Chapter 10

Richard was outside Mahlyssa’s home thirty
minutes later. He stopped at the front door so his arrival
could be announced.

When Mahlyssa came to the door she looked at
Richard.“I wasn’t expecting you to return so soon. Have
you come for my little guest?”

“No, I’m here about something else entirely. I hope
he hasn’t been causing you any trouble?”

“Of course not, he’s quiet at the moment.”
“He is unharmed?”

“I can assure you he’s fine. I gave him a sleeping
draught, nothing more. He is actually entertaining at times,”
she smiled, as she led him to the study.

Mahlyssa had children in the house and it was for
their sake she kept Richard’s visit discreet. “How long will
my guest be staying?” she asked.

“Not too long, a few weeks at most, but I have other
business I need to discuss with you.”

Mahlyssa was wearing a long dress that covered her
unsightly body.
Her face was hidden behind a scarf which
coveredher head and neck. “I’m listening,” she said, as she
motioned for Richard to take a seat.
“I will be requiring your assistance again.”

“Are you bringing me another guest?” Mahlyssa
smiled.

 

“No, my daughter is in need of a new identity and I
know you’re capable of altering someone’s appearance.”
“Those types of spells are extremely difficult to
perform.”

 

“I am prepared to offer you a substantial reward for
your help.”

“I have more money than I need.”
“Money is not what I was prepared to offer.”

“What could you give me that would make me
attempt such a dangerous task?”

 

“I could give you back your appearance.”

Mahlyssa stood.
Her face reddened and her lips
pursed in rage.“How dare you! My father left me with this
cursed body.
She removed her scarf, revealing a face that
was distorted and hideous. Richard jumped back. He hadn’t
seen what Marcus had done to his own daughter. Mahlyssa’s
skin was scarred as if burned by fire.“This was my reward
for being loyal, she said, dropping the scarf to the ground.”

Richard
recovered
his
composure. “I have the
power to remove your curse and make you the woman you
once were,” Richard insisted.
“Perhaps a small
demonstration will convince you of my sincerity.”

“Lies!” Mahlyssa shouted.

 

“I can assure you it’s the truth; if you would be so
kind as to hold out your hand.”

 

She hesitated for a moment; then did as requested.

Richard used the incantations Samhael taught him.
He knew Mahlyssa would be unfamiliar with the language.
He barely understood it when Samhael told him. Mahlyssa’s
hand changed instantly. “Now do you believe me?”

“Change me now!” She begged. “I have been
trapped in this body for forty years. I’ll do whatever you
ask.”

Richard hated rewarding anyone, but he had no
choice. She was one of the last Enchantors that he had some
control
over
and
while
Samhael
could
undo
spells,
he
couldn’t erase the mark of angel-fire. Mahlyssa would have
the knowledge, but he was sure she would never give up the
secret under any circumstances.

“How do I know you will be loyal to me after I
change you?”

 

“How do you know I will not change your daughter
back?”

 

“It seems we both have something to lose if we
betray each other,” Richard laughed.

He spoke the rest of the incantations and Mahlyssa
changed before his eyes.
She was once more a stunning
blonde with Kelly green eyes. Richard could see why Virgil
fell in love with her. She was as perfect a specimen as he
had ever seen.

“Where is your daughter? I will change her now,”
Mahlyssa said.

“She is not with
me, but I’ll return with her later
today. I trust you’ll be here when I return? I would hate to
reverse the spell again.”

“That won’t be necessary. I have always kept my
word.”

“That’s true. Oh there is one small detail I forgot to
mention.
She has a scar on her left cheek.
It was made by
angelfire. I trust that won’t be a problem?”

Mahlyssa raised her brow.“Angel-fire - was it made
by one of the Archangels?”

 

“It was made by one of their descendants. Will you
be able to disguise my daughter or not?”

Mahlyssa thought for a minute.
“There is a way, but
I’ll need a few hours to gather the supplies. Bring her to me
this afternoon. I’ll be ready then. What does your daughter
look like now?”

“She has long auburn curls and black eyes.”

“If you want to
be convincing, I suggest we make
her hair blonde.
As for her eyes, with the proper mixture I
can change them to blue.”

“I agree blonde hair and blue eyes will be a dramatic
change for her.”

“I can only alter her voice slightly, but it should be
enough.
Also you’ll want to take any jewelry from her that
might be recognized.
I can alter her outward appearance,
but you will have to instruct her not to use
any body
language which might reveal her true identity.”

“Of course,” Richard said. “I’ll take my leave now
and return this afternoon.”

“Excellent. I promise you will not be disappointed.”
She called for one of her servants to show Richard to the
door.

When the young girl looked at Mahlyssa, she almost
cried.“Mum-the curse is broken.”

Richard vowed if Mahlyssa ever betrayed him, she
would not be the only one to suffer.
It was clear she
regarded
her
servants
as
family,
giving
him
a
slight
advantage.
Of course, there was always the news of Myra.
Richard
would
keep
her whereabouts
a secret,
until
he
needed her assistance again.

After Richard left, Mahlyssa returned to the study.
She would honor her agreement with him, but she would
also resume the search for her daughter.

She wondered what Richard’s daughter did to
deserve such a fate.
Angel-fire could only come from a
powerful angel. Virgil taught her that. Though she vowed to
hate him forever, she later realized it was her father who was
to blame for their misfortune.
She wondered what life
would have been like if she hadlistened to Virgil’s warning
about Marcus.
She hoped for the chance to tell him he was
forgiven.
She remained faithful to him all these years, not
because she was hideous, but because she still loved him.