Atonement (Heaven Sent Book 1) Read online

  “What do you mean this early, it’s Friday night,” Kelly answered.

  Deb stopped and looked up at the sky, it was dark. “What time is it?”

  Kelly dug a cell phone out of her bag. “It’s like dinner time.”

  “You always think it’s dinner time. I see you didn’t have your cell phone on again huh?” Deb remarked.

  “I always forget” Kelly pressed the button on the phone and lights flashed indicating it still had some battery life. “The stupid thing shuts off when it’s running low.”

  “I’m pretty sure it’s supposed to do that,” Deb commented.

  “There.” Kelly held the phone out to display the time for Deb. “Seven o’clock on the dot.”

  “What? That can’t be right,” Deb told her. “I left the house with Michael at eleven this morning.”

  “Yeah, that’s about right,” Kelly nodded.

  “That fight did not even last an hour,” Deb told her.

  “Do you know what time you got to the church?” Kelly asked.

  “Maybe 1:30, the sun was out, it was really bright on that field. Inside the church the sun was beaming through the stained-glass windows.”

  “Okay, let’s stay calm and walk this through, Deb.”

  “I know we were not there for hours on end.” Deb’s mind was racing

  “Let’s say you’re correct, that the encounter started around 2:00 pm and you think it took how long?” Kelly inquired.

  “Maybe twenty or thirty minutes. It all felt like it was happening really fast, and I was getting my ass kicked left and right, but I would say no more than thirty minutes.”

  “We brought you back to the house just before 6:00 pm,” Kelly said. “So, you were at the church for four hours.”

  “No, no way. That is not true!” Deb shook her head back and forth and put her hand over her mouth.

  “Well, let’s assume you’re right, that you were only there an hour.” Kelly started to pace in front of her. “That would mean, either you were unconscious for three hours or, you lost time.”

  “But it couldn’t just be me that lost time. There is no way Michael, as strong as he is, would be able to fight Gutter Demons for four hours straight,” Deb told her.

  “This is a clue, Deb. They didn’t just cloak that scene, they altered time. That means time inside the cloaking field is different from time outside the perimeter.”

  “Why would they alter time? Better yet, how did they do it?” Deb asked.

  “I’m not sure, but the Gutter Demons, you said they were fast and were able to swarm.” Kelly didn’t wait for an answer. “Maybe the altered time was to accommodate them.”

  Deb felt her forehead crease, either her head was still concussed, or she was lost in this conversation. “I’m not following.”

  “Think about it.” Kelly paused. “We don’t see Gutter Demons on earth for a reason, the essence their bodies thrive on is in the wasteland. If I remember right, they are not an earth-bound species.”

  “So, the green-eyed demons altered or slowed time to ensure the Gutter Demon’s essence didn’t dissolve or die off?” Deb was catching on.

  “Yes, that’s what I think,” Kelly said, “but, I won’t know until I get back to the house with Tom and research it some more.” Come on, dinner is waiting. Deb felt Kelly pull her by the arm across the street.

  “Shouldn’t we go home?” Deb asked. “This seems an important revelation.”

  “I think better on a full stomach. Besides, who’s to say you didn’t have this realization because you were free of the witness stand our brothers just had you on,” Kelly retorted.

  As they walked up to the front of the restaurant, the door opened and standing before them was Marcus.

  “Brilliant and scary that you are here, Marcus.” Kelly’s sarcastic greeting didn’t seem to affect him.

  “We need to talk,” Marcus said to Deb.

  Deb heard Kelly in her head. You want to be alone with him or no?

  Deb turned to Kelly and purposely spoke out loud so Marcus could hear her. “It’s all good Kell, go on inside. The couple at the bar closest to this window are about to leave.”

  “I totally need that power,” Kelly quipped then added. “You two stand right here and don’t go anywhere.” As Kelly passed Marcus to enter the restaurant, she made eye contact with him. “Show up uninvited again to our house and attempt to drag my sister away and I’ll have an Arch Angel rip you in half and feed you to the Hellions in the wasteland.” Kelly flashed a quick smile before turning to speak to the bouncer and enter the bar.

  “She’s delightful,” Marcus said to Deb.

  “She’s probably not kidding,” Deb shot back.

  “I’m sure they’re upset, as are you, but I’ve been out looking for you. I didn’t want to go back to your house, for obvious reasons.” Marcus nodded his head in Kelly’s direction. “How is your brother?”

  Deb saw Kelly hop up on the bar stool just inside. Deb stepped diagonally backward to give Kelly a better view without having to turn in her chair.

  “You saw Michael in that field?” Deb asked him.

  “Yes, I have been looking for you, I wanted to make sure he was safe. I know he can handle himself and all, but the place was overrun—”

  Deb interrupted him. “With Gutter Demons, I know.” Deb paused. “I was there. I saw you come and take those two Gifter Angels out of the yard, but you left Harry and Michael and me behind.” A tear streamed down her face.

  A terrified look of realization came over him. “Deb, I didn’t know you were there, I swear.”

  “Doesn’t matter, you saw my brother there, you left him to die.” She felt anger stir inside her but lashing out at him made her feel worse somehow.

  “You can’t think that. Not after everything we’ve been through this past year.” Marcus pleaded.

  “Why did you take those Angels out of there, who are they to you?” she asked.

  “Deb, what happened to Michael?” As Marcus took a step closer to her, Deb took one full step back. She could tell this was his attempt to change the subject.

  “Answer me, who are they?” Deb felt a well of emotion bubbling up. “Why were they there today? Why are they watching over Sophia? Why would you save them?”

  “You are watching over Sophia, aren’t you?” he asked. “How could you not tell me it’s you!”

  Deb launched forward and hit him square in the chest. “You don’t get to dictate to me. Why were they there today? What were they doing there? Did they see the green-eyed demons or not?” She could feel herself seething, all patience lost to the stress of the day.

  “They only saw the Gutter Demons, Michael, and Harry,” he answered. “They didn’t see any green-eyed demons and they didn’t see you. They would have told me if they did.”

  She went to pull back, but he grabbed both her arms and pulled her in to his chest. “If I had seen you there, I would have come back for you.”

  “Why?” she yelled at him.

  Deb was so close to him that she felt the whisper of his response on her neck. “Because I care about you, because you’ve come to mean a great deal to me.”

  I want to believe that, why can’t I just let go? she asked herself.

  She pulled back slightly. “I don’t have time for this. Someone has taken Michael and Harry and we’re hunting them down,” she declared. “If those Angels have information, they need to send it up the chain of command now.”

  “I’m sorry Deb, I truly am. I will find out what I can and get back to you.” Marcus turned to leave just as Kelly exited the bar with a steaming takeout container.

  “Wait!” Deb yelled. “You still haven’t told me who the Angels are!”

  “They’re Sophia’s brothers. I do what I can to watch over them and her. They’re family. In case you couldn’t tell they aren’t exactly equipped for this world.” His cynical remark landed a blow.

  Kelly walked between them. “Ok, enough for today, Deb and I n
eed to go and so should you, Marcus.”

  Kelly hooked her arm around Deb’s starting to pull them back the way they had come, but something inside Deb broke loose.

  Why is it always so difficult with you Marcus? Why can’t being with you just be easy? she lamented.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Genevieve stood in a grassy meadow, staring at a large gate, one door open, the other held firmly in place with a spike in the ground. The tall ornate doors held the vines of heavy perfumed roses cascading down its spindles. On either side of the gate was a large stone post connected to a wrought iron fence. Behind her, she could see nothing but thickly settled woods leading down into a valley of farmland miles below her position.

  Guess I’m going through the gate, she said to herself.

  Walking through the entrance she saw only one path; it disappeared around a large willow tree encompassing the center of the courtyard. The tree’s limbs were lush with light green leaves that hung down from its bushy top. The gentle breeze swayed the branches just enough to hear the hum of rustling leaves against the grass below. The tree was old, the stump betrayed its age with protruding roots having heaved their way free from the ground below in multiple places. The tree’s long limbs a peaceful, but perfect camouflage for whatever might be waiting for her on the other side.

  She followed the worn dirt path and circled behind the tree. The only way forward was over a narrow rocky footpath, made more claustrophobic by the treelined canopy overhead. As she marched on, a chill brushed over her, the trees above obliterating the warmth of the sun. Fifty yards on, the property opened into a large garden. The thick grass below her feet seemed unaccustomed to being trampled on, so she walked to her left where there was a stone tiled path.

  Strange that the dirt path didn’t lead me to the pavers, she thought.

  As she walked further into the garden the vibrant colors, perfect blooms, and luxurious aroma took her breath away.

  “Amazing,” she whispered.

  There were lilies, lilacs, roses, and hydrangeas. Looking up ahead the garden had a large pond featuring a romantic bridge that could take you from one side to the other. The expansive stairs to the bridge were made of polished white stone, the railing and ends of which were covered in rambling wild ivy.

  Right after Gabriel disappeared Gen would dream of him often. In each dream there was ivy, the same variety that they had etched inside their wedding bands. She was convinced the ivy was a sign that he was trying to reach her.

  What a fool I was, thinking you were talking to me in my dreams, Gen thought.

  Gazing further upon the top of the bridge wall, she recognized crocus, hyacinth, and daffodils all in abundance. Shrubs of azalea and mountain laurel sat at both ends as if inviting you to enter and exit.

  “What is this place?” Gen mumbled.

  As she continued down the pathway toward the bridge, she felt more cold air wrap around her ankles and cover her bare feet. When she made her way to the last tree on her left, she sensed the land was more extensive then she could see. She stepped off the last paving stone and took in her full surroundings. Looking to the right, beyond the bridge were acres of sprawling garden grounds. The dense trees, heavy shrubs, and copious amounts of flowers were luscious and opulent, unlike anything she’d ever seen. At each glance, the eye fell upon a more intriguing plant, flower, or tree. The extravagant nature of the garden coupled with the heavy fragrance of perfumed flowers added to the dream-like quality of the setting. Each planting was perfect in its imperfection; nothing looked manipulated, yet it had to have been tended with the utmost care to be in such immaculate shape. The sun’s rays cascaded throughout, each drop of light shimmering against the pristine beauty of the landscape.

  I must be dreaming, this is just too perfect, Gen thought. Except it doesn’t feel like a dream, it feels real.

  Before moving toward the bridge, she looked left and froze.

  Through a trellised opening, Gen could see darkness envelope the other half of this oasis. The obsidian sky spread like fog blanketing a serene wonder of its own. She walked closer to the wall of shadow taking several minutes for her vision to adjust. The trellis was attached to a worn-out fence that hugged a tree line on either side. Just beyond the entrance was a pergola-covered dirt path that was adorned with short stumpy evergreen shrubs, most of which were gouged with dead spots. The path was sprinkled with the shrubs’ pine needles still fresh enough to be sweet smelling.

  Through the opening she could see an eerily similar setting to the one she was standing in. There were plenty of trees and shrubs, but most were bare. As if in a state of suspended animation, each empty branch seemed to stretch toward a sun that it could no longer reach. In the center of the darkness she could see a large fountain with several carved statues but could not see the detail from this distance. No water flowed from the fountain, but the sheer size of it was magnificent.

  The air was cooler on this side and the wind seemed to crawl across her skin as if trying to figure out who she was and what she was doing here.

  I don’t belong here, it doesn’t want me here. Gen could feel a sense of foreboding wash over her.

  Her body reacted instinctively to her feelings and she took a big step backward. Gen tried taking a calming breath but felt the cool air sting her lungs and she paused to listen.

  No sounds, there are no sounds on either side. She struggled to make sense of the scene. I’m standing on a line between night and day.

  “Well, since I’m convinced this isn’t a dream, that means something’s brought me here.” She pushed the frightening thoughts away, found the courage to walk under the dark wooden trellis, and entered the darkness.

  “You might as well come out and deal with me. You took all this time to put this together, now let’s get this over with, shall we?” Gen said the words, not knowing if there would be a response. Her voice rang along the expanse of the park and softly echoed back to her, but there was no reply. As she took a few more steps inward a strong wind whipped around her.

  Something’s trying to stop me from moving forward, she sensed.

  When the wind died down, she heard the soft footfalls of someone coming up behind her. Turning quickly, she saw the shadow of a large figure coming up the stone path on the light side of the park where she had just come from. She patted down her body, feeling for a weapon.

  Of course I don’t have a weapon, why would I have a weapon? I’m not supposed to be here. Gen’s rambling thoughts came to a crashing halt when she saw the being turn toward her and approach the trellis. Male, wide shoulders, square jaw, with an uneven gate and a mop of unruly hair. He carried no weapon, but his looming physical presence was a weapon unto itself.

  Gen’s hands rushed to cover her mouth, but it was too late. A small gasp escaped her lips. The figure stopped and stared down the path at her still frame just beyond the pergola-covered trail.

  “Genevieve! Why did you enter the dark half?” The familiar voice rang through her head and rocked her body as if someone had physically shaken her. Every emotion she held inside rushed to the surface: relief, anger, fear, disbelief, love. Her body’s physical response to the intensity caused tears to well up in her eyes. Before she could pull herself together, he was upon her, standing just feet from where she stood.

  “It’s me Gen, it’s Gabe.” He paused. “But I assume you know that already.”

  “How? Why now?” Gen could barely form the words.

  “I’m sorry, there is so much I want to tell you. I didn’t—” He was interrupted when she flung herself forward with such force it knocked them to the ground.

  Lying on top of him she felt his hands slip beneath her top and touch her bare skin. His roughness against her softness brought back memories of the morning she last saw him. Images of them making love in almost this exact position swirled around her head. Every ounce of restraint evaporated as his hands clung to the sides of her body. In a moment of surprise, Gen surrendered to the will of her
heart, leaned in and kissed him. Her passion unfurled, and she felt his body respond immediately to the assault of her kiss. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tightly down upon him. Everything warm and familiar, yet surreal at the same time.

  As they struggled for breath, her mind began to clear and with it the pain of his loss crashed down upon her. She slammed her hands into his chest and pushed away, managing to get herself to her feet. Before he could stand, she turned away from him and closed her eyes attempting to pull herself together.

  Oh my God, it’s really him. She felt the crushing weight of her own heartache.

  She could hear him behind her getting to his feet, his racing heart matching the thumps of her own.

  “Gen, please I’m not even supposed to be here, but we need to talk. Please don’t turn away.”

  “Where have you been?!” She demanded. “Where are we right now?!”

  “I will tell you everything, I promise, but I can’t get through it all right now, there isn’t enough time.”

  The idea that he could wait forty years to come to her and then only give her a few minutes both stung and infuriated her.

  “You have some nerve telling me there’s no time!” She could hear the anger in her voice. “I’ve looked for you for forty years! Do you have any idea what I’ve been through, any idea?!”

  “Please, calm down, if you don’t, we can’t stay here, Gen.”

  “Can’t stay where?!” She yelled the words and sent nearby tree limbs swaying. Feeling like she was going to be physically ill she maneuvered around him and stormed off under the trellis back over toward the sunbathed footpath.

  As she neared the first pavers, she felt his hand on her arm swinging her back around to face him. Now she saw him, clear as day under the light of the shining sun. His beautiful blue eyes pleading with her to stay, she fought every fiber of her being not to fall back into him again. His wavy brown hair was longer than when she last saw him. He had some new scars running along his jaw and across his forehead. He wore dark blue jeans and a short sleeve T-shirt with a worn-out sports logo on it. She wondered how she looked to him.