The Forsaken(37)

But tears, those he had not anticipated. She was tired but she fought him every way she could. He didn’t want their relationship to consist always of fight. He wanted more and that surprised him. Maybe his mother’s advice had rubbed more deeply into his wings. She had not voiced the lack of a relationship with his father but he now understood her silence had spoken volumes. More than anything he wanted Isabella to admire him, maybe even like him a bit. Maybe her kissing him meant she did like him. He thought that over and almost tripped on the stairs. If he knew Isabella, the kiss had been a test. He just wasn’t sure if he passed and that feeling didn’t sit well with him.

The thought of any other Seraphim, or human male for that matter, daring to touch her perfection caused a fury of anger to rush through his veins. Isabella was special and in a way he least expected. He even admired the ridged bones of flesh that protruded from her back. She wore her scars with pride, a true warrior. They weren’t Cherub qualities but maybe she was right. Maybe she did deserve more than the life she’d been born into?

“Is everything okay, Nathanael?” asked Meredith when he got to the first floor.

Nathanael looked around. Meredith’s room was at the end of the corridor. He found it odd that of all the Cherubs she was the one who didn’t seem to like heights.

“I’ve put her to bed. She needs to rest. She’s so stubborn.”

“That she is. But, always she means well,” said Meredith.

Out of the corner of his eye, Nathanael caught site of a glint of steel.

“Just where are you going?”

Meredith smiled and moved her Kita in front of her. “I couldn’t sleep. I like to practice. The routine of the ritual helps ease my mind.”

He highly suspected it eased her heart. “You’re not going outside with that, are you?”

She chuckled. “The only place I’m going is to the recreational center. Mike lets me use it when it’s closed.”

Nathanael didn’t like the idea of Meredith—or any of them, for that matter—practicing weapons but he knew that like Izzy, Meredith wouldn’t appreciate his thoughts. And what did it matter? They were already exiled.

“Be safe, Meredith,” said Nathanael.

“And thee,” answered Meredith.

Nathanael slipped from the safety of their makeshift home into the dark of the night, wishing with all his might he could stay with them. Their place was a home. He might be welcome at the Seraphim safe house, but a home it was not.





Chapter Eleven


Mike ran the recreational center efficiently, and just as efficiently, he was avoiding Izzy. Not that she blamed him. He’d hired two local bands that had come in a few months ago showcasing their talents on homemade CDs. The bands helped fill in the gap. For now, everyone assumed Angel Minstrels was on vacation. That suited Izzy fine. With forced time off, she used the opportunity to go over the accounts. That suited her okay too, or so she told herself.

Dreading closing her eyes, she lived on caffeine, catching only a few hours of restless sleep each night. Almost a week had passed since Shea had been brought back to them and seven full days without Nathanael. Shea was on the mend, slowly, and that pleased Izzy.

Noticing how long Nathanael stayed away just made her mood foul. The memory of his lips made her hate herself. What had come over her? She didn’t need his distraction.

“Are we rich yet?”

Meredith’s tone said she, like the rest of her sisters, was still annoyed with her. They thought to baby her and keep her in bed. Izzy had enough of that by day two.

“In another year or so, we’ll have enough money for a place of our own. We are on target.” Izzy didn’t bother to look up from the accounts book.

“Great. That’s truly wonderful.”

Izzy smirked and raised her eyes to Meredith. “Really? You don’t sound great, and it certainly doesn’t sound wonderful to you.”

“No, that’s not what I meant.”

Izzy attempted to stifle a yawn and failed. “Never mind. I’m tired. How is Shea doing today?”

Meredith’s eyes dropped to the floor. “What was done to her was the worst of demon crimes. Her soul was taken.”

What is done is done. And what had Shea been thinking to be out alone so far from the house? “She’s alive, and that’s all that matters.” Izzy’s voice filled with hatred. Every time she thought of what had happened to Shea, to one of her own, one she had been in charge of, her gut twisted and the feeling of bile rose sharp in her throat. What I feel is nothing to how Shea must feel. This should have been my punishment. I failed her.

“I fear there is more being unsaid, but Shea will not speak of it.”

“Meredith, we can’t force her to talk about this. The unholiest of crimes has befallen an innocent sister. We must be patient with her.”

“I am not sure patience is what’s needed,” said Meredith.

What are you trying to tell me, but won’t dare speak? Izzy took a full minute to digest Meredith’s words and to look at her best friend. Righteous anger greeted her. Izzy nodded. We feel the same way. “Will she mend?”

Meredith sighed. “I do not know. She…there is trauma. We have healed her as much as physically possible. The rest is up to her. I-I should warn you.”