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Shay has asked me to marry him. It isn’t a huge ordeal because I know that we would be married someday, and his proposal was still romantic.
We flew to Minnehaha Creek in St. Paul, near where he grew up. There was a waterfall in the city park that many locals knew about that’s surrounded by trails. It’s always busy on warm, summer evenings, so we had to go after the park closed. Tiki torches lit an area next to the falls. When we came upon it, my mind immediately went back to my second date with him. That was five months ago already.
Twinkling lights sparkle in the trees, but after closer inspection, the flickering spheres were lightening bugs. They danced around us as we landed. The water glowed with angelic Light. Soft instrumental music played.
I hadn’t expected a proposal that night. Shay took my hands in his, gave me his trademark smirk, and bent down on one knee. My heart leapt from my chest, beating rapidly.
He produced a small, blue box and lifted it toward me. The box itself also lit when he opened it. Inside sat the most beautiful three-stone diamond ring I could ever dreamed up. Smaller purple stones surrounded the center ones.
“Each diamond represents the past, present, and our future,” Shay said. “And I know you must have purple. I promise to love you until my dying breath.” For a split second, the moment made me sad. I knew he wasn’t going to live forever like me. Someday, my soul mate would die, and I’d be the one to carry his soul to the heavens. I dismissed those unhappy thoughts, hoping that his death would be years away.
Of course, I said yes, but only after I graduate college. We have a huge list of places I want to see before I settle down.
I am still raw about finding out about being a Seraph Angel, having Light, and that my friends have stopped Sammael from destroying the world. I still grieve for everyone who died during the battle, over all the evil in the world, and how I couldn’t save all of them.
Apparently, Quinn had died sometime when she was taken to the hospital. The Archangels covered it up before Aiden’s first visit. The angels knew something wasn’t as it appeared to be with him, so they kept a watch over her. By Aiden’s third visit, they were convinced that he was up to something and decided to have Gabriel disguise himself as Quinn. Which was the reason why Shay never had any contact with his father in person.
Now that I knew the truth about Quinn, Morgan, and Aiden, my heart flitters from all my grief. Kieran finds me curled into a ball on my bed since I stopped taking texts from him and Shay. Both try to understand what I am upset about. I think they know, but they also give me space to sort everything in my head and heart.
After the battle, there had been days when I locked myself in my room, refusing to see anyone.
My sister consoled me as much as she could. Sometimes, she would sit on my bed and touch my shoulder, not saying anything. Other times, she’d tell me about her day, how soccer practice went, how camp was, and on rare occasions, how it isn’t healthy to be so withdrawn. She’d never had a single vision since Sammael has been locked back in Hell.
After a couple more weeks of that behavior, Kieran couldn’t take it any longer. He relented and told me about an accident that happened when I was a toddler. A vehicle had broad-sided the minivan my parents drove on our way to the cabin. My real parents died right in front of Coffee Grind. Both were dead upon impact. Since I had been born, I had shown great potential at being more than an Ordinary. It was because of that budding possibility, Kieran decided to take drastic measures. He summoned help from Finn, who owed Kieran a favor.
They performed a spell and replaced my parents with changelings. Finn warned Kieran that it was a risk to use changelings for adults. Their odd behavior started to surface when I became a teenager. They didn’t know how to deal with all my raging hormones. Neither one of them ever could have guessed or prepared for their child being kidnapped. There wasn’t a script for them to follow. But their love for their child was true.
Looking back at all the times my mom and dad said strange things, I always thought they were weird and out of touch. They have always been a bit odd in their thinking. And now I know why. So what about Stella? If my parents were swapped out and changelings were in their place ... the answer is fairies. Stella’s a Vate because of them. She’s half-fairy and half-human.
My real parents’ deaths add to my mound of grief.
No more secrets between us. Everything is laid out on the table between Kieran and me.
My “parents” are throwing Shay and I a small engagement party. Today is a supposed to be a joyous moment, so I can’t dwell on sadness too long.
I’ll finally get to meet Shay’s mom, Lindy. I had hoped to meet her sooner, but things didn’t work out. I was too busy stopping Armageddon. And she was grieving from her own loss—Shay’s father.
Shay asked that she meet us early in my backyard for introductions and for some privacy before she meets my folks. We sit on the patio chairs in my backyard; it’s still an hour before the guests will arrive to our engagement party.
“Stop bouncing.” Shay places a hand on my knee. “She’s going to love you.”
“I hope so,” I say. “What if she doesn’t, though?”
“She will. I’ve never brought a girl home to meet her, so she knows you’re already special in my heart.”
I fidget with my hair until Shay entwines his fingers through mine. It instantly calms me.
The creak of the back gate opens and in walks a petite woman with light brown hair. Her eyes sparkle, and her smile is infectious.
We stand when she approaches.
“Hi, Mom,” Shay says and gives her a squeeze. “Did you find the house okay?”
“Yes, I did. Thank you, Shay, for asking.” She addresses me. “You must be Zoe. Shay has told me a lot about you.”
“Hello, Mrs. Curator.” I extend my hand, but instead of shaking it, she pulls me into an embrace.
“No daughter-in-law of mine is going to call me Mrs. Curator. Please, call me Lindy.” She steps back. “Now, let me look at you to see why my son can’t stop talking about you.”
Her blue eyes glow with Light as she scans me from head to toe. Something passes behind her eyes, and she frowns for a split second. She places her hand on my cheek.
That’s unusual.
Her palm also lights up, and my face warms a bit.
She nods, as if finding resolution for something.
“I’m glad Shay has found his soul mate in such a sweet girl.” Lindy hugs me again. “I know everything that you’ve gone through to get where you are now. Shay told me of the battle you fought and the friends you lost. I’m sorry.”
“I’m working through it.”
“Mom?” Shay asks. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong. Everything is right. Or ... it will be.” She frowns again. “Would it be okay if I give the happy couple your engagement and wedding gift now?”
“Mom, you don’t need to get us anything.”
“That’s right,” I say. “Knowing that you’ll be there on our special day is enough.”
“That’s the thing, though, kids. I won’t be here for your wedding day.”
“What? Why?” Shay exclaims.
“Son, I think you know why. Please let me do this for you.”
“Shay?” I turn to him. “What is she talking about?”
“Are you sure, Mom?”
Tears swell in her eyes as she nods.
I still don’t understand. What does she want to give us that makes her cry? I look at Shay with pleading eyes. I recall that first night Shay took me flying. He told me how his mom had met Shay’s dad. Shay told me his father picked her because he knew she would be able to make a sacrifice one day.
That day has arrived.
“You don’t have to do this,” I plead. “We can find another way.”
“Hush now, kids. It’s my choice. I’ve lived a long life, and the only thing any parent wants to see is their child happy. Now, I can go knowing that Shay has found his partner in you.” Lindy holds up her hands even before either of us can speak. “I’ve taken the liberty of praying to your father. He should be on his way. So while we wait for him to arrive, I’d love to get to know you more. Tell me about your hopes and dreams.”
“Um, wow, you don’t beat around the bush, do you?” I ask.
“I always have done the direct approach.”
“Well, I’ll be a senior next year and after I graduate, I’m planning to attend the University of Minnesota. It’s where my parents also attended.”
“And so did I,” Shay reminds me.
“Yes, you, too,” I agree.
“What do you plan to study?” Lindy asks.
“I want to be a veterinarian. I love animals. Always have ever since I could remember. And the Spiritus Pack isn’t too far away; maybe I could be their Pack vet.”
“That’s a great idea. I know everything will work out.”
“It will be how it’s supposed to be.” An intense light flashes and Gabriel appears in his angelic form. “Good evening.”
“Dad?” Shay asks. Tears form in his eyes. He hasn’t seen in dad in months and never got to say goodbye. “How can you be here now?”
“Hello, Son.” He drapes an arm around his shoulders. It doesn’t really touch since he’s ghost-like. “Hi, Love.” He kisses Lindy on her cheek. “Are you sure?” he asks her.
“Yes.” She looks at me, nodding. “Positive.”
“Mom—”
“Shay, please don’t talk me out of it. My mind is set. I’ll be with your father soon. He’s come to shepherd my soul.”
My eyes burn as I feel the tears coming. I must be strong, though.
“Maybe I can come visit you?” Shay asks.
“Can I bring him?” I ask Gabriel.
“I don’t know if you can. It’s worth trying. But you should say your goodbyes now in case.”
“Shay, I’ll let you have some time alone with your family.” I take a few steps toward the house.
“No.” Shay latches onto my hands. “You are my family, too. I need you here with me.”
“Okay.” I smile. “I’ll stay.” I squeeze his hands. We turn back to his parents.
“I love you, Mom,” Shay says. “Thank you for—”
“I know, Shay, I love you, too. Be safe, be smart, and I wish you both a long and happy life.”
He lets go of me to hold his mom.
I remain silent.
Eventually, Shay steps back. His aqua eyes water like a storm. I wish I could take his pain away.
“I love you, too, Dad.” Shay hugs the only father he’s known. He steps back.
“Son, before I go, I think I should tell you something, too. You know that I’ll always love you. You are the son I never had. I watched you grow into a wonderful young man. I’d like to think you thought of me as your father.”
“I did and still do.”
“I met your mom after she was pregnant. I am not your biological dad. Another angel is.”
He knows. Has he always known?
“Who is it?” Shay asks.
“The thing about angels is that we pass on some of our angelic Light to others, offspring if you will.” Shay nods. “Yours came from Aiden. It’s why you share the aqua eyes. I should have told you sooner. For that, I’m sorry and you someday can forgive me.”
“I’m ... I think somehow I’ve always known that he and I were similar. While he may be the one who gave me my Light, you, Gabe, will always remain as my dad. There is nothing to forgive. You can leave here knowing that your son still loves you.”
Shay and Gabriel embrace as well as a ghost form can. I see sparks of Light flutter about all around them. They step away from each other and stare, then to Lindy.
I know that Shay will need to work through what Gabriel has told him. And I’ll be there every step of the way. I can tell Shay about the good I saw in Aiden, especially the sacrifice he made for all of us.
Aiden and I will meet again. That I’m sure of.
“I’m ready.” Lindy nods to Gabriel.
“Press your hand to Shay’s chest,” he says. “Call for your Light, all of it. Think about it. Let it surround you. Pour it from your soul into Shay’s. Let it flow.” The backyard lights up with swirling indigo, cobalt, and cyan. Gabriel nods his approval. “Yes, that’s it.”
Sapphire blue Light once again illuminates beneath Lindy’s skin and seeps outward as if it’s an outer shell. It darkens as she continues to pull it from within her body. It becomes faint and changes to white. The Light creates a funnel as it makes its way into Shay’s chest.
His silver Light brightens with Lindy’s.
Gabriel is at the ready. He gently lays her body to the ground as her spirit is stripped. Her hand loses contact from Shay. He stumbles back. I’m ready to catch him if he falls but he doesn’t.
Shay kneels on the cement next to his mother. His head is bowed. “Be at peace, Mom.”
A tiny piece of Lindy’s blue Light remains outside her body. It lengthens to match the same height as Lindy. Her form materializes like a ghost. She smiles that infectious smile at us. Her gaze is intense, and I feel it in my soul.
I look at Shay and Gabriel. They both are staring at Lindy’s floating soul.
As if the wind knows it’s supposed to carry her to another place, Lindy’s spirit fades. She’s shaking her head, not wanting to leave quite yet.
Gabriel’s hand extends and his wings appear. He takes Lindy’s hand and carries them both to the skies.
Shay and I are left with Lindy’s human body on the ground but not for long. It, too, disappears.
I wasn’t surprised that I loved Lindy instantly; she is one of those people who radiate kindness. I know why Gabriel chose her and her love for Shay shows.
Which is why when she found out who I was and what I had done to save the world, she knew it was her time; her time to guide and watch over Shay was completed. She gave up her life, the part which made her have a longer than normal life, to Shay. She made the ultimate sacrifice for her son.
Now, Shay would be by my side for all eternity.
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The End of the Enlighten Series
Dear Reader,
If you’ve enjoyed the Enlighten Series, I ask that you leave a review on Amazon.
Kieran’s job of being a guardian angel is straightforward: observe and learn—and don’t intervene in their lives. But then he watches as his first charge dies at the hands of evil while he does nothing to help.
Overcome with grief and doubt, Kieran flees back to the safety of heaven. With guidance from his mentor, he learns all he can about the Battle of the Fallen and the creation of evil itself. With renewed determination, he vows he will save the Ordinaries in his care.
The rules of being a guardian angel have not changed, but Kieran has. Returning to earth, only Kieran knows how essential it is to find and protect one 17-year-old girl. The girl who can thwart the Devil’s escape from his prison and the start of Armageddon.
Continue the journey!!
ARROWS & ANGELS: An Enlighten Series Novella.