Chapter Two – Two Weeks later
Nathaniel
Nathaniel dived from his cloud and shot down through the sky, descending lower and lower over the South Pacific Ocean until he was only a mile above the sea. As he glided across the sun-drenched beaches, he wondered why he’d been summoned to the birth of Madeline O’Connor’s baby. Though he prayed there wasn’t a problem with the delivery, he was looking forward to seeing Devlin again.
When he reached Creed Valley Hospital, he swooped down and coasted around the maternity wing, peering through the third-floor windows in search of Madeline’s room. Seeing her guardian in one of the private rooms, he flew through the open balcony door and furled his wings behind his back. “Ramiel, you wanted to see me?”
Looking over his shoulder, the angel smiled. “Oh, Nathaniel, yes, I did. Thank you for coming so promptly.”
Nathaniel glanced at the young woman in the bed, then peered out the door into the corridor. “So where’s Devlin?”
Ramiel heaved a weary sigh. “I’ve no idea, but I thought you might. Madeline’s been in labour for twenty-four hours now, yet Devlin’s still not here.”
“Really?” Nathaniel folded his arms. “It’s strange he’s not here yet, but when I last saw him, he mentioned that Madeline was due to have her baby this week, so I’m sure he’ll turn up.”
“I doubt it,” said Ramiel, flicking his long blond hair from his face. “When Madeline went into early labour, I sent for him. He didn’t turn up or contact me, so I asked Archangel Michael for help. He sent his messengers out to search for him, but when they couldn’t find him, he told me to send for you.”
“I see.” Nathaniel rubbed his chin. “This isn’t like Devlin. I’ve never known him to be late for a birth before, plus he seemed really excited about guarding this child. I hope nothing’s happened to him.”
“Well, there’s no time to worry about him just now. This baby needs a guardian and Michael’s chosen you.”
Nathaniel’s jaw dropped. “You mean temporarily, right?”
Ramiel shook his head. “No. You’ll be the child’s guardian for the rest of her life.”
Holding his forehead, Nathaniel frowned. “I can’t do that. Jeez, Devlin would never forgive me.” He stared at Ramiel. “Did you know he actually begged Michael for this child?”
“Well, he obviously isn’t that keen or he’d be here,” said Ramiel. “Anyway, this isn’t about Devlin. We can’t just let the infant come into the world without a guardian.”
“I realise that, but why can’t you take his place? You’re already guarding the baby’s mother, so it shouldn’t be too much of a burden.”
“Sorry, Nate, I can’t. I’ve just been assigned two more wards.”
Nathaniel raised his brows. “That doesn’t make sense. I’m still waiting for a ward, so why weren’t they assigned to me?”
Ramiel shrugged. “I don’t know, but two more angels have fallen, so there’s a shortage of guardians. Anyway, Michael insisted that you take over as this child’s guardian and he won’t change his mind.”
Raking his hands through his curls, Nathaniel looked at Madeline. Her face was contorted with obvious pain and from the guttural groans she was making it looked like she was already in the second stage of labour. Pacing the room, he glanced out the balcony door, but there was no sign of Devlin. Betraying his best friend was unthinkable, but it seemed Michael was giving him no choice.
“There’s no point looking out there,” said Ramiel. “Devlin’s obviously not coming.”
Nathaniel walked back to the bed. “Listen, I have an idea. If I take over your new charges, you could take Devlin’s place and have both your wards under the same roof. I’m sure Michael would agree to that. What do you think?”
“It sounds good, but like I told you, Michael specifically wants you to be this baby’s guardian, and he won’t discuss it with you.”
Nathaniel sighed. “Okay, but when Devlin turns up, I’m going to ask Michael if he can switch the guardianship back to him.”
Shaking his head, Ramiel glanced at the clock. “Look, right now, I have more urgent matters then Devlin’s feelings. Madeline’s in trouble, so I’m going to prompt her to call for help. Look at her. The poor woman’s been in labour since yesterday and there’s still no sign of the infant’s head. I’m beginning to think the baby’s having difficulty.”
“I agree, but why on Earth isn’t there a midwife with her, especially at this stage of her labour?”
Ramiel jerked his head towards the door. “The nurse just popped out. I think she went to get the doctor.”
“That’s good,” said Nathaniel. “But I think it’s time to intervene. The baby must be extremely distressed by now.”
“You’re right,” said Ramiel. “I’ll send Madeline a message.” Closing his eyes, he pressed his fingers to his temples and entered her thoughts, a second later, Madeline let out an ear-piercing scream and slammed her hand on the buzzer.
“Where’s my doctor?” she yelled.
A nurse rushed into the room and shook her head. “Mrs O’Connor, I’ve only just examined you, and like I said, your baby’s not ready yet.” After grabbing a damp cloth, she began wiping Madeline’s brow. “Just keep pushing and breathing.”
Madeline elbowed her away. “Get off me! Just go and find my doctor. I’ve been in labour since yesterday morning, and I’m telling you, something’s wrong.”
With a forced smile, the nurse began fluffing Madeline’s pillows. “Look, dear, this is your first baby, so don’t worry. Some births just take longer than others. You’ll be fine.”
Anger blazed in Madeline’s eyes as she grabbed the nurse’s wrist. “I won’t be fine and neither will my baby if you don’t get me some help. Something is drastically wrong. I can feel it and I demand to see my doctor!”
The nurse held her hands up. “All right, calm down. I’ll see if I can find him.”
“Just hurry,” yelled Madeline. Grimacing, she gripped her stomach with another contraction.
Blowing out a sigh, the nurse strode towards the door. “I’ll be back in a minute. Just press the buzzer if anything changes.”
Madeline grabbed the soggy wash cloth and flung it at her, hitting her on the back of the head.
The nurse glanced over her shoulder and frowned, then grumbling under her breath, she scurried down the corridor.
Nathaniel looked at Ramiel and smirked. “Did you make Madeline do that?”
He grinned. “I might have instigated it, but Madeline’s a feisty woman at the best of times. Hopefully, now she’ll get some help.”
A strong gust of wind blew the floral curtains across a bedside cupboard, knocking a box of tissues onto the floor. Nathaniel turned around to see if it was Devlin, but there was no one there.
Ramiel’s eyes darted about as if he was anxious about something.
“Did you cause that breeze?” said Nathaniel.
Shaking his head, Ramiel stared out the window. “No, but it seems odd because the air outside is so still.”
Nathaniel sighed. “I thought it was Devlin arriving.”
“There’s no chance of that,” said Ramiel.
Cocking his head to one side, Nathaniel squinted at him. “You seem determined that he won’t make it. Is there something you’re not telling me?”
Ramiel avoided his gaze. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Come on. I can tell you’re keeping something from me. What’s going on with Devlin?”
Ramiel stared at him. “Surely you’ve noticed he’s been acting a bit odd lately?”
Nathaniel felt suddenly uneasy. “Why, what’s he done? He’s always been a bit eccentric, but I can’t say he’s changed.”
“Well, Michael thinks he has and he’s worried about him.”
“Oh, why’s that?”
“He thinks Devlin’s become too obsessed with fallen angels because he keeps talking about them and asking questions.”
“Oh, t
hat.” Nathan grinned. “That’s nothing to worry about. He’s always been curious about fallen angels. Don’t worry. He’s not going to fall.”
“I’m afraid Michael thinks it’s something to worry about. He wants Devlin to go into rehab for a while. He’s fed up with angels falling and leaving wards unattended. So are some of the other guardians because they end up with extra work.”
Nathaniel’s jaw dropped. “But Devlin wouldn’t do anything like that. Admittedly, he enjoys looking at human girls sometimes, but no way would he want to be cast down to Earth.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” said Ramiel. “From the day Devlin found out Madeline was pregnant, he pestered Michael to let him be the baby’s guardian. He was so relentless, Michael finally gave in, yet he hasn’t even turned up for the birth.”
“Look, I know Devlin really wanted to guide the O’Connor’s baby, but that was because he wanted to stay in this area. You know how much he loves soaring over the Pacific Ocean at night when his wards are asleep. I’ve gone on those flights with him many times. He loves flying so much, there’s no way he’d risk losing his wings.”
Ramiel raised a brow. “Hmm, so Devlin hasn’t told you about the baby’s grandfather?”
“Told me what?”
“That he’s a fallen angel.”
“What?” Nathaniel’s eyes widened. “Are you saying this baby is related to a fallen angel?”
“Yes, her paternal grandfather is one, and from the moment Devlin found out, he became obsessed about being her guardian.”
Nathaniel waved his hand in the air. “Maybe he just wanted to study her grandfather. Like I told you, he’s always been interested in why angels fall.”
Ramiel lifted his eyes to the ceiling. “Oh, so you think Devlin just wants to study the baby’s grandfather? Well, if that’s the case, why hasn’t he turned up for her birth?”
Holding his head, Nathaniel tried to think. “I don’t know. I guess it doesn’t make sense.”
“Well, I don’t know either,” said Ramiel. “But I pray he hasn’t done something stupid.”
“What are you talking about? If he’d been banished to Earth, we’d have already heard about it.”
Ramiel looked Nathaniel up and down and smiled. “I see you still wear stretch pants instead of a gown.”
Nathaniel adjusted his sword. “I like to be prepared for action, but what’s that got to do with Devlin?”
Before Ramiel could answer, Madeline’s face twisted with another contraction and she squeezed hard on the buzzer.
“I think it’s time?” said Ramiel.
Resigning himself to be the child’s guardian, Nathaniel moved closer to the bed, then he glanced out the window. The sun was dropping behind the hills in the west, but there was still no sign of his friend. With a pang of guilt in his soul, he reached for the crucifix on a chain around his neck and prayed that Michael would let Devlin take over when he returned. If not, there’d be no chance of Devlin ever forgiving him. He looked down at Madeline and sighed. There was no time to dwell on it. He had a baby to attend to.
Ramiel patted his hand. “Don’t look so worried, Nathaniel. Everything will work out.”
Nathaniel closed his eyes for a moment. It was alright for him to say. He obviously didn’t know Devlin. The door suddenly opened and he looked up with hope, but it wasn’t his friend, it was one of the doctors.
Following behind him, a nurse marched over to the bed. “Doctor Green is here now, Mrs O’Connor, so don’t worry.”
Madeline stared up at the physician. “Oh, Doctor, thank goodness you came, I think there’s something wrong with my baby, and my back is killing me.”
“Try to relax, Mrs O’Connor. I need to examine you.” After he’d finished, he frowned. “Yes, there is a slight problem, but it can be solved. I’m afraid your baby has turned. Instead of face down, she’s face up, and sometimes that can slow the delivery or pushing phase. That’s why your back is hurting so much.”
Tears filled Madeline’s eyes. “Can you help her?”
“Of course, so there’s no need to panic.” He ripped his rubber gloves off and threw them in the bin. “I can assist the birth with forceps if necessary, but you’ll have to push a while longer first. Of course, there are risks with this procedure, but you’re young and healthy, so I’m sure they won’t affect you.”
Ramiel whispered in the doctor’s ear. “Don’t forget to tell her she has a great guardian angel and it’s not her time to die yet.”
Shivering as if he’d heard the angel speak, Doctor Green glanced over his shoulder.
Nathaniel chuckled. “He’d have a heart attack if he knew two angels were standing behind him.”
“Will a forceps delivery affect my baby?” asked Madeline.
The doctor patted her hand. “I’ve done many deliveries, Mrs O’Connor, and I haven’t lost a baby during a forceps delivery yet.”
“All right. I guess I have no choice.”
He glanced around. “I see your husband’s not here yet?”
Madeline looked at the clock. “He had to go out of town with work, but he’s on his way back now.”
“Well, hopefully he’ll arrive in time. Okay, the nurse will attend to you while I go scrub up.”
After the doctor left, Madeline scowled at the nurse. “See, I told you there was a problem.”
“Not to worry, you’ll be pain free shortly,” she said. “Now, I have to get some supplies. Just use the buzzer if you need help.”
As the nurse disappeared down the corridor, a middle-aged priest wearing a black robe wandered into the room. Nathaniel stared at him. There was something quite odd about him, and as he strolled towards the bed, a familiar repugnant odour filled the air.
Madeline’s face turned bright red as she covered herself with a sheet. “Who the hell are you?” she snapped, pushing her damp, blonde hair from her face.
The priest held his hand out and smiled. “Hello, Mrs O’Connor. I’m Father Luke.”
She glared at him. “Well, you’re not my priest and it’s not an appropriate time for a hospital visit. Can’t you see I’m about to give birth?”
“But that’s why I’m here—to say prayers with you.”
“GET OUT!” demanded Ramiel.
Ignoring him, the priest smirked.
Confused, Nathaniel looked from the priest to Ramiel. What was going on? Could the priest see angels?
Ramiel whispered something into Madeline’s ear. A moment later, she grabbed the bible from the bedside cupboard and threw it at the priest. “Go away! I’m not about to die, and neither is my baby, and if you’ve come to give us our last rights, you can rack off!” Lying back on her pillow, she seemed to slip into a deep sleep.
The priest grinned at Ramiel, but when he turned to Nathaniel, his eyes darkened.
“What’s wrong?” said Ramiel, moving towards the priest. “Were you expecting a different guardian?”
The priest’s eyes flashed, but before he could answer, Nathaniel whipped his sword from his sheath and held it against the priest’s neck. “The stench of a demon is unmistakable.”
“So, you think I’m a demon?” he scoffed.
“Oh, I know what you are,” said Nathaniel, pushing the blade hard against his throat.
“Really?” Clicking his fingers, the priest vanished, then he materialised at the other side of the room.
Hoping to catch him off guard, Nathaniel summersaulted over a chair, then as he landed in front of him, he pinning him against the wall. “Your magic won’t help this,” he said, ripping his crucifix from his chain and pressing it against the priest’s chest.
The demon’s face twisted with rage as his gown began to smoulder. “You’ll never conquer me, Nathaniel. I have powers you can only dream of.”
“So, where are they? Come on, show me your card, you coward!”
In a puff of red smoke, the priest disappeared again, but the stench in the room was so vile, Nathaniel knew he was still nearby
. Holding his sword out in front of him, he scanned the room.
“He’s over by the door,” yelled Ramiel, running at him with a dagger.
Spinning through the air, the demon landed in front of Nathaniel, his cold black eyes gleaming with menace. “Stay away from this child,” he hissed. “Or she will pay the price.” Then he smiled sardonically. “Of course if you were to sell me your soul, you could have the riches and powers of a king and your choice of the most beautiful women on the Earth.”
“Oh, so that’s why you’re here, to tempt and corrupt me.” Holding his weapon, Nathaniel pointed it at him. “Your offer is totally wasted on me, and if you come anywhere near this woman or her baby again, you’ll feel my wrath.” He gritted his teeth. “Believe me, I’m warning you!”
The demon threw his head back and laughed. “You don’t scare me, Nathaniel—Angel of Fire.” He glanced at Ramiel. “And neither does your long-haired lover boy.”
Nathaniel spun his sword, then in a blaze of white light, he held it upside-down and thrust the handle at the demon. “Come on, try me!”
Holding his hands up, the priest stepped backwards as he stared wide-eyed at the Figure of Christ on the crucifix-shaped handle.
“Well?” said Nathaniel, shoving it at him. “You’re not laughing now, are you?”
Emitting the stench of a sewer, the priest hissed, “You’re messing with the wrong demon, my boy, and you will regret it.” Then in a puff of black smoke, he vanished.
Nathaniel sniffed the air to check its purity, then slipped his sword back in its sheath. “Jesus Christ, why on Earth is that demon so interested in this child?”
Ramiel frowned. “Is that a prayer or blasphemy, Nathaniel?”
“Don’t worry, it was a prayer, but I don’t understand it all.”
“Like I told you,” said Ramiel. “The child is a descendant of a fallen angel and Lucifer would love nothing better than to have control over her, but he can’t unless her guardian angel sells him his soul.”
“I see,” said Nathaniel. “But there are plenty of evil humans about, so why go after this child just because of her ancestors?”
“Because when her grandfather fell to earth, he chose to live as a good and peaceful human instead of becoming one of Lucifer’s demons. Lucifer tried all sorts of bribery with him, but he wasn’t interested in money or wealth. He just wanted to have a life on Earth with the girl he fell in love with.”
“Oh, so now Lucifer is after the granddaughter for revenge?”
“Yes, and it’s my guess, he’ll tempt Devlin because he’s an easy target.”
Nathaniel bit his lip. He had the feeling Ramiel was right, especially with Devlin’s obsession with fallen angels. He shook his head. “Well, it’s a good job Devlin didn’t turn up then, although I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t sell his soul.”
“Yes, but we’ll never know now because he’s not going to be the child’s guardian, you are, though I wouldn’t be surprised if I heard that Devlin has already fallen to Earth.”
“Maybe, but like you said about the grandfather, not all fallen angels are evil. Some just yearn for physical pleasure and purposely get their wings burned off so they can live on Earth as a human. Maybe that’s all Devlin is interested in. I honestly don’t believe he would sell his soul to The Devil.”
“Ah, but if he does decide to fall, Lucifer will never stop trying to corrupt him. Anyway, I knew you’d stand up to Lucifer. That’s why I wanted you here.”
Nathaniel’s jaw dropped. “Are you telling me, you knew that demon would turn up?”
Ramiel stared at him for a long moment. “Oh, that wasn’t just a demon. It was Lucifer.”
“That priest was Lucifer? How come I didn’t recognise him?” Nathaniel balled his hands into fists and stormed to the window. “How could Devlin just leave the child to be born without a guardian, and vulnerable to Lucifer, especially if he knew about the child’s grandfather?”
Ramiel shrugged. “I guess he’s just irresponsible, but at least the child has you now, Nathaniel.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be there for her.” As he gazed up at the sky, a horrible thought crossed his mind. What if Devlin had already done a deal with Lucifer? He turned to Ramiel. “You don’t really believe Devlin has already fallen, do you?”
Ramiel shrugged. “I don’t know, but it would explain his disappearance.”
Holding his crucifix, Nathaniel closed his eyes and crossed himself. “Jesus, please don’t let Devlin sell his soul to Lucifer.”