“Right behind you,” Michael said. “Let’s get this over with,” he muttered under his breath.
Michael, Davin, Vivian, and Caleb entered the meeting room. Phillip, Margaret, and Agnes were already seated along with the two other alkin officers, Ruth and Paul. After they exchanged greetings, they found their seats at the round table. It was silent until Phillip spoke.
“Michael, why don’t you start by debriefing us about Aden’s death? And then we will ask questions if needed.”
“Yes,” Michael said, clearing his throat. His words had to be precise and clear, to the point. He couldn’t lead Phillip to think he might not be telling the truth, for Claudia’s sake or for his own. “To make a long story short, Aden thought Claudia had the soul of the Holy Spirit.”
There was a hushed commotion among them, until Margaret cleared her throat and spoke. “That cannot be. All of Isaiah’s descendants are with the Royal Council. We do not make mistakes,” she said proudly.
Michael continued. “I think Aden was so caught up with revenge that after Claudia entered our world, he thought she had the soul of the Holy Spirit. He first sent Julia, and since Julia couldn’t help him, he gathered the fallen. Not only that, he killed Lucy Reed, one of the Earth angels. So we had no choice but to take his life when he tried to take ours.”
“It must have been difficult for you,” Margaret consoled. “Even though he was lost in his ways, you did care for him a great deal once.”
“Yes, but I had to do it to keep us safe. I only feel bad that I had to kill our own, someone who was once my superior,” Michael replied.
“Then Claudia is safe?” Phillip asked.
“For now. But I’m afraid that the other fallen or the demons may be after her,” Michael said carefully.
“Demons?” Phillip raised his voice. “What do you mean?”
“Somehow the demons escaped by Aden’s doing. We were not successful at eliminating all of them. I don’t know how he got them out,” Michael said, thinking of Alexa Rose. He couldn’t let her take this fall. He could blame it on Aden. “I’m afraid that there may be fallen and demons seeking revenge for Aden’s death. She may still be in grave danger.”
“Maybe you’re right,” Phillip said. “But what puzzles me is what possessed Aden to think that she had the soul of the Holy Spirit, besides her crossing over? He must have other explanations. Do we need to investigate this further? Do I need to bring this up with the Royal Council?”
“I think revenge was all that was on Aden’s mind,” Michael answered.
“I see,” Phillip said. “Let me know if you need more assistance. If you are outnumbered by too many fallen and demons, you need to let us know. We may have to take matters into our own hands. When this is all over, we need to erase Claudia’s memory of all this so she may go back to her normal life.”
“Yes,” Michael said. Whether or not he would follow Phillip’s order, the decision would be made when the time came.
“Is there anything else you need to tell me?” Phillip asked.
“No,” Michael replied. “I’ve told you everything I know.”
“Very well. This meeting is adjourned. We are sad to see one of our brothers leave our world without a soul. It will be as if he never existed, but you had to do what was in the best interest for all. I know how hard it must have been for all of you. Be safe. Hopefully this will be the end of it.”
They all stood up. As soon as they left, Davin grinned hugely. “Glad that was short.”
Michael felt relieved beyond words. The tension in his muscles relaxed, and his heart beat steadily now. He knew this was the right thing to do. He felt it in every part of him. But he had withheld information, and for this, guilt set in. The Royal Council didn’t know, so he too, would pretend he didn’t know that Claudia had the soul of the Holy Spirit.
“Do you think Phillip was convinced?” Davin asked Michael.
“I hope so,” Michael replied, hoping he had said enough to satisfy Phillip and the others.
“Speaking of unprotected, Claudia doesn’t have any powers,” Davin reminded them. “Are you sure she has the soul of the Holy Spirit?”
“Yes,” Michael said. “I saw her birthmark, and Gamma wouldn’t have protected her the way she did if she wasn’t sure.”
“But she can’t do anything,” Caleb said quickly.
Michael shot him a “don’t say anything negative about her” look.
“I meant, she doesn’t have any powers like us.”
“I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and see. Her powers will come when she is ready. Don’t discuss this with her. She’s gone through enough. She doesn’t need to worry about not having powers.”
“When do we get to see Claudia?” Vivian asked.
“She needs some time to grieve. She needs some time to be with her mom, her friends, and to leave all this behind her. We’ll give her some space for now. I’ll let you know when the time is right,” Michael said. “I need to check up on Alexa Rose.”
“As you wish,” Davin said. “We’ll go with you.”
They headed out the door side by side. Their friendship was not just bonded by who they were, but also by having the need to protect Claudia. In their eyes, Claudia was just human because she had no powers to defend herself. Until her powers emerged, whatever they might be, she was still vulnerable. She was also a friend they had grown fond of. After all, they could relate; she was half human and half angel.
Peeks to the next book
I closed my eyes and took in deep breaths. It was so peaceful just doing nothing and relaxing in the tub. All I wanted to do was think of nothing. Suddenly. . .
I reached my right hand for it, catching it before it fell. I felt a tingling sensation on my hand that I had never felt before . . .
He wrapped his muscular arms around me. I smiled, thinking it was Michael. “It’s okay. It’s me,” he said quickly. It wasn’t Michael. It was . . .
“But before I go,” he said, cupping my cheeks, “One to remember me by, until we meet again.” His lips were warm and soft. They molded perfectly with mine. I could tell he wanted more. His kisses ran down my neck. As he tugged my nightgown, he slowly . . .
Mary Ting resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing Crossroads was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother. It was inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl.
Visit her website www.marytingcrossroads.com
http://www.facebook.com/CrossroadsBook
Follow Mary on Goodreads.
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Epilogue
Mary Ting, Crossroads
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