The Forsaken(8)

“A little over two years now,” she said. Izzy turned the moment she reached the top step of the well-worn wooden stairs. When she had enough money, she’d add fresh paint to the hall and walls and get her business partner to strip the wood off the stairs.

“Something is wrong,” said the Seraphim.

“What?”

“In the heavens you’ve been gone for over a decade, but here…on Earth, it’s only been a few years.”

Izzy laughed. “Who cares? Trust me, living months on Earth felt like years. This life hasn’t been easy for us but let me set the record straight. This is our life. Our new life and we’re doing just fine. We don’t need you here to mess things up.”

“Thanks for the sound advice.”

“It wasn’t meant to please you. I gave all that stuff up when I got kicked out of the heavens. Things on Earth might be bloody hard and yes we might have to sing for our supper, but we are nothing but resourceful and we answer to ourselves, no one else. Get it?”

“You don’t sound very remorseful for your actions.”

Izzy sputtered. Her entire body shook with anger. “My actions. I took up arms for self-defense and to help. Don’t give me that. We could have saved a lot more angels if others followed me.”

“It’s forbidden,” he stated the obvious.

“No kidding. But that doesn’t make it wrong. And I’m done explaining things to you. I owe you nothing.”

Izzy turned and dismissed him, enjoying the sound of her clicking heels as she marched to her private bedroom. Unlocking the door she walked through, leaving her sisters to entertain their new guest. She, on the other hand, made straight for the large bathroom. A hot bath with the soothing scents of jasmine oil had her name stamped right on it. No way could she look into that Seraphim’s eyes one more time. Hearing him call her his b’i?, had resurrected something foreign and what she had thought long-dead within her—the need to be a dutiful Cherub. Serving the Seraphim would end her penance but steal her away from her sisters. She knew what becoming a b’i? meant—preordained destinies tied to one heart, one heavenly soul and Izzy wanted desperately to escape it all. She’d always thought she was too young to get mated and since landing on Earth, she knew that more than ever to be true. At seventeen she didn’t even know what she wanted out of this life, let alone be responsible for anyone else. She silently chuckled. For over two years now she’d been the one looking after her fallen sisters and that responsibility was more than enough. Gaining a husband, no thank you!

Izzy couldn’t wait to get out of the damn boots and stupid shirt she’d worn. She felt slightly nauseous with tonight’s turn of events. She had things to do, like once again go over the accounts, but her mind kept drifting back to what that damn Seraphim had said. She had to find a way to get rid of Nathanael soon or risk everything she’d fought for: independence, free will, and a life other than the preordained Cherub path she’d been born into. Life on Earth wasn’t anything like living in the heavenly realm, but at least here Izzy got to think for herself. Ascending again didn’t matter to her. Or so she told herself.

Shit! The Mistress sent Nathanael knowing he offered salvation—the way to serve her penance accordingly. Honor her Cherub teachings and culture, and allow this Seraphim to breed with her. That might delight her teachers but it wasn’t for Izzy. Not in my lifetime. Tempted to curse her frustration aloud, she decided a cooler head was warranted. Turning on the cold water, she ran her head under the stream until the ice cold shocked her, a brutal but necessary reminder. While the pleasure of a hot bath might be desirable, in the heavenly realm, sacrifices ruled.





Chapter Three


Nathanael watched Isabella leave. She was the obvious leader of the group of Cherubs, and knowing she was also the same girl who rescued him left him feeling unmanned. It wasn’t a feeling he liked. She was trouble and just his luck, his supposed mate. He watched as the cluster of other girls spoke amongst themselves, but none went after Isabella. In this realm, she was the ruler, and her unspoken desire for privacy overrode their curiosity.

“Where did she go?” Nathanael asked the Cherub who had forced Isabella to remove the knife from his throat.

The Cherub immediately looked down at the floor, as was the norm for a Cherub when addressed by a Seraphim, and quietly spoke. Nathanael moved slightly forward to better hear her words over the pounding sounds of the DJ’s music.

“We’re honored that you’ve found us, Nathanael. I’m Meredith.”

Nathanael waited a heartbeat for her to continue with the full litany of her formal name, but none came forward. It dawned on him then what the true meaning of their exile meant. They had given up their family names as a sign of respect to not disgrace their heavenly sisters.

“Isabella needs some time to adjust, Nathanael. Things on Earth have not been easy.”

Nathanael wanted specifics, but at that moment, the other Cherubs moved closer, and he immediately noticed how Meredith clenched her jaw and tensed. He got the distinct impression she would not say anything more about their exile while the others were present.

“Take me to her,” he demanded.

Meredith moved slightly out of reach. “Certainly, but…”

He waited, raising his eyebrow as the time stretched on.