Atonement (Heaven Sent Book 1) Read online

  “Oh, I’m interested,” Schlosser quipped.

  Deb had to work hard to control her hammering heart, the Sentinel was Marcus, someone she knew. He was someone she had a lot of dealings with over the past several years, someone who had helped her on more than one occasion. In the time between encounters she’s found herself thinking about him, his dark brown eyes, chiseled face, and muscular frame flustered her. She had to admit, she had unexplained and confusing feelings for him, but that was something she was still trying to figure out, after all, it couldn’t be love. Sentinel or no Sentinel, he was rumored to be from Hell.

  What is he doing here? And how does he know Sophia? Deb wondered.

  “How would you know what my type is, Marcus? It’s not like we’re friends.” Deb heard Schlosser’s tone dripping with sarcasm and wondering how much longer Marcus was going to be patient with him. “It’s not even like we’re allies, in fact, I think we’re more like enemies you and I.” Schlosser’s tone betrayed the anger that Deb sensed was building in the room.

  “None of this is helping,” Marcus replied.

  Deb watched the demon wave his arm in the air knocking one of the picture frames over in the process. “I don’t care about helping you. Why would I help you?”

  “No need to get worked up, I’m just wondering what your business is here. In my line of work, we ask questions, that’s part of the job. Seems your name has been circulating recently and many are curious where you’ve been. Most heard you were sent back to Hell. Care to explain how you managed to get back out?” Marcus turned and faced the kitchen and Deb swore he looked straight at her. She held her breath until he turned back toward Schlosser.

  Does he know I’m here? He couldn’t know, could he? Her thoughts were scattered, she was startled, Marcus’ presence was affecting her more than it should.

  “I don’t have to explain anything to you.” Schlosser practically spit the words at Marcus before stalking off into the bedroom. Marcus followed, Deb behind them both, but at a safe distance.

  “Fine, don’t explain, I’ll just make sure the powers that be know you’re back and you can explain it to them.” Marcus crossed his arms and leaned back against the bedpost while Schlosser picked through Sophia’s drawers.

  “Screw you, Marcus, tell whoever you like, but while you’re at it, explain why your so chummy with that bitch from Heaven. I’ve heard rumors too. Heard you’re getting it on with an Angel.” Schlosser let out a howl of a laugh. “No accounting for taste, I guess.”

  Deb’s heart sunk, was Marcus in love with an Angel? It was possible. She looked at Marcus trying to read his body language, he was shaking his head back and forth, but other than that, she couldn’t tell anything more.

  The swooshing of water spiraling down the toilet broke the silence, then the flow of water as it cascaded down the tile wall echoed from the bathroom, Sophia was about to get in the shower.

  “Thanks for the dating advice, I’ll be sure to ignore it. You’ll need to start with a shower yourself if you’re going to be walking around up here. The aroma of death you’re carrying is more than a little noticeable. If you don’t want to answer my questions that’s fine, but the next thing you encounter from Heaven might not be asking.” Deb watched as Marcus never took his eyes off Schlosser, monitoring him closely as the demon circled the bedroom, coming back around toward the doorway to exit. Deb backed up into the kitchen again.

  “Oh, I’m counting on it! Stop fretting about your little girlfriend. I’m not looking for an Angel, I’m looking for a Guardian, one in particular, and I heard this woman might lead me to her.” Schlosser was feet from Deb’s position, she nearly stopped breathing when he began sniffing the air in her direction.

  “What’s the matter, Schlosser, finally get a whiff of your own stench?” Marcus turned his head toward the bathroom, he clearly seemed pre-occupied with Sophia’s whereabouts.

  “You’d be smart to stay out of my way, Marcus. You interfere with me, I won’t be so talkative.” Schlosser walked toward Deb but dematerialized right as he neared her position.

  The air hung heavy with anticipation, maybe I should talk to him now, while it’s all still fresh, have him walk me through what’s going on, what does this demon want with a Guardian? I’ve never seen him before, he must have the wrong charge, right? Not to mention that I think he’s a Roamer, but with advanced powers that I don’t think belong to him. How he got them wouldn’t have been pretty, a deal with the Devil perhaps? Deb shuddered at the mere thought of Lucifer. She was muddling through all the information when she heard a phone ring, then the shower shut off, and she saw Sophia run across the doorway, wrapped in a towel, her hair still dripping from the shower. Leaning across the bed Sophia scooped up the phone and answered it.

  “Hello.” There was a pause. “Hey, I was just thinking of you guys. How was today?” Deb watched Sophia walk back into the bathroom as she continued the conversation. “Sure, ice cream always sounds good to me. I’m not feeling great, but I’m always good enough for dessert.”

  Deb updated her family. The demon’s gone. She paused and re-cloaked her inner thoughts.

  How much more should I say? Should I tell them about Marcus? Should I tell them Schlosser might be hunting me?

  She hesitated before uncloaking to finish updating her siblings. Sophia is heading out to meet family, I’m going to wait until she leaves before I take off.

  When Deb focused on Sophia, she could hear the other end of the conversation and recognized the voice as Sophia’s cousin, Stella. She was fascinated when she saw what looked like a smile spread across Marcus’ face when Stella quipped about Sophia sustaining life on ice cream alone.

  How can he hear the other end of the call? He shouldn’t be able to. Deb made a mental note to ask Marcus about that ability later.

  She watched Marcus leave the bedroom, walk over and pick up the photo Schlosser had knocked over, he placed it gently back on the mantle.

  Why would he care about that, why would he take the time? He almost seems protective of her, but why? Deb had so many questions, but was now the time for them?

  This is ridiculous, she thought. I’m just going to show myself and confront him, why wait?

  The fatigue of cloaking herself was kicking in; she was out of practice, lately there were so many confrontations that cloaking seemed useless, but now she wished she had continued flexing that muscle. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and felt the warmth of Heaven wash over her. It was like sunshine on a cool morning, or the taste of soup when you aren’t feeling well. It was warmth and comfort wrapped into one, there was no mistaking the presence of Heaven.

  Deb opened her eyes and spotted two forms taking shape within the glow of light that had overwhelmed the room. Two male Angels, both with dark brown wavy hair walked to either side of Marcus, one stared at the Sentinel, while the other let his eyes roam the room. They were unassuming, each with a similar build wearing jeans, sneakers, and a hooded sweatshirt.

  “Marcus, are you sure he’s gone? I mean, really gone?”

  “I’m sure, or I wouldn’t have told you to come, Lucas.” Marcus turned and looked at the Angel on his left.

  “I don’t trust this. We shouldn’t be here. The scent, the power, the chances of us being found by the Guardian watching over her, it’s all too risky.” The second Angel didn’t wait for a response, he walked off into the bathroom toward Sophia who was still chatting on the phone with Stella.

  Deb watched Lucas half turn, helping to project his voice into the next room. “Leo, calm down. Marcus is right, he wouldn’t have called us if it wasn’t safe to do so.”

  “You two need to be careful, it’s not safe around here now.” Marcus had turned and was facing Deb again.

  “How are we supposed to watch over her and make sure she gets better if we can’t come to her home?” Leo continued to talk as he walked back to the doorway. “Marcus, we have to be here, we have to! We cannot let anything happen to her, not after
everything—” Deb heard Leo stop in mid-sentence, but it was Lucas who had her attention, he held his hand up silencing all in the room as he walked precariously close to where she was standing.

  “What is it Lucas?” Deb saw the look of concern form on Marcus’ face and she almost faltered to reveal herself right then.

  I’m not the enemy, and maybe you aren’t either, she thought

  “I think something else was here.” Lucas paused as he pushed both hands out in front of him as if trying to touch her. “Or is here.”

  How do you know? Deb was shocked.

  “What do you mean? Where, who, are they from Hell? What do we do? What do we do?” Deb nearly chuckled, Leo’s voice had lilted upward to that of a pre-pubescent teen.

  Clearly you are not prepared for encounters in this world, Angel. Deb paused examining both Leo and Lucas now that they were facing her direction. Oh my, they’re twins! I’ve never seen that, Angel twins.

  “Did you get any more information on who’s watching over Sophia?” Marcus’ question caused her to look in his direction once more.

  Lucas answered him. “Yes, we know what’s watching over her, but it’s not an Angel.” Deb influenced Lucas to turn back toward Marcus and Leo.

  “It’s not, then what is it?” Marcus was quick to inquire further.

  Lucas answered. “It’s a Guardian.” The room fell silent with the weight of the news.

  This isn’t good, how the heck did they find that out? she wondered. We call their type Gifters, Angels bringing messages of peace and hope to humans, they shouldn’t have such connections; unless they saw me, that would not be good!

  Marcus continued. “Which one?”

  “We don’t know yet, but female, and powerful. Maybe that’s what I’m feeling now, the after affects, but honestly I’m not sure.” Lucas replied.

  “Alright, I’ll take it from here. You two, I brought you here to see what you could sense, but after this I don’t think you should come back here for a while.” Deb smiled as she saw Marcus point over at Leo, there was such care and concern in his tone. “I will take care of it, of Sophia, and we’ll meet elsewhere from now on, changing meeting spots so we don’t get caught. Now go, whatever it is or was, I’ll deal with it.”

  Deb’s curiosity became utter fascination when she watched Lucas put a hand on Marcus’ shoulder. “Be careful, we need you to be safe too.”

  With that the Angels left and the light in the room dissipated, while the chill of ventilated air returned. Deb watched Marcus fade away.

  This is getting messier by the day, she thought to herself.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Gen heard the last of Deb’s update and knew she was safe and heading back home. Gen wanted to be there to greet her, debrief on what happened with Sophia, but that would have to wait. Right now, Gen needed to find Harry, she had hit all the usual spots and couldn’t find him. Earlier she had gone to Harry’s house, but he wasn’t there. She was circling back one more time before escalating the situation and calling her siblings for a meeting.

  Gen and her family hadn’t seen Harry in months, with all the encounters they were facing that was extremely unusual.

  How could he not have been at the fire? Gen thought.

  Harry was their Angel, their confidant, their friend. He ministered to her family, watched out for them, and always gave the best advice; he was the reliable in an unreliable world.

  Gen thought more about the fire. He should have been there, would have been there, except he wasn’t. He didn’t even come for a debrief afterward, there would have to have been something more pressing to keep him away, but what? I scanned the news, there was no supernatural event bigger than the fire that night, at least none that I’ve found so far.

  Gen’s mind sifted through the past several weeks. She was thinking about the work she had done going back through all the television footage she could find leading up to, and including, the night of the fire. Though none of her siblings could understand her gift of sight through photographic evidence, it rarely failed her. Gen was able to look at any camera footage, any photograph, and see the supernatural in it, if it existed. Television and video were the best because it was rolling live action, so the supernatural event would essentially replay itself. Pictures, well, those could be deceiving.

  Pictures do tell a thousand words, but you can’t always rely on them to be factual, Gen thought.

  It was almost noon, and Harry was an early riser. The sun was working hard to burn away the morning chill, but it was still noticeably cooler in the shade. She wasn’t in human view, but she was walking down the streets of Boston right alongside them. Walking helped her think and it saved her the energy she might need to rush off somewhere, which lately she was doing more and more.

  Harry lived in what was currently considered a posh section of the city, a brief walk behind the State House and she’d be in his neighborhood. The Federal-style brick homes situated on these streets were worth millions, and Harry had a corner lot with a small yard he filled with a garden. The plants that grew there were large and abundant. It was one of her favorite places, a rare feature in an overcrowded cement backdrop.

  I just need to see him, make certain he’s alright. Not that Harry can’t take care of himself, obviously he can, Gen thought.

  The cobblestone streets and gas lanterns that adorned this section’s narrow winding neighborhood added a charm that was distinct. The fact that the layout was unchanged from most of its original footprint, which was made for cows and not people, was amusing to Gen. Boston was unapologetic for its grip on the past and simply moved around the monuments and landmarks that founded it.

  The history of this place is Harry’s favorite part. He always calls himself a student of history more so than anything else, Gen mused.

  Years ago, in the big boom of the eighties, developers had turned most of these homes into two and three family condo units. Now, more and more wealthy individuals were buying them up and spending millions to convert them back to single family homes wanting to get more space in the city.

  Still no parking, Gen noted.

  She examined the streets crammed with cars parked one on top of the other, barely a crevasse between them and knew they most likely hadn’t moved in days.

  They move, they lose, Gen quipped.

  She rounded the last turn and spotted a car double parked at the next corner, there was a man sporting a windbreaker and baseball hat hauling large bags of potting soil and mulch out of the trunk.

  Before she could see Harry, she could feel him, the presence of Heaven, right here in this little part of the world was like a beacon in the middle of a gale-force storm. Gen could see his angelic glow warm the sidewalk as he neared the man at the car and overheard part of their conversation.

  “Thank you so much Rafi, you’ve been a tremendous help to me this morning. I truly appreciate it.” The driver shook Harry’s hand, and bowed his head slightly at the tip Harry passed him.

  “Thank you, Harry.” Rafi got in his vehicle and rolled down the window. “Don’t forget to add lime to those hydrangeas this year. You want them nice and colorful come August.”

  “You know I will, Rafi, now get on home to your better half. Seems I’ve got company of my own to entertain now.” Holding onto a bag of potting soil, Harry looked back at Gen and winked. He wore an old fishing hat over his bald head. His dark brown pants were the color of dirt, and his sweatshirt had seen better days.

  How does he do it? He always knows I’m here even before he sees me. Gen smiled; she couldn’t help it. She ducked behind a parked car and changed into human form. Thank God he’s alright, she exhaled and released a heaviness that had been growing with every hour she couldn’t find him.

  She watched the driver wave to Harry as he drove off, then Harry made his way through the side gate to the backyard. Gen followed him, closing the door and hooking the latch behind her.

  The slender walkway that led to the back was boarded by the h
ouse on one side and a tall fence on the other. From the entryway back to where it opened into the yard, the pale colored posts carried the weight of a trail of sprawling Boston ivy. This type of ivy was unique in that its leaves changed colors in fall, bursting into red and orange before they fell. The arrangement complimented the red oak and Japanese maple trees that Harry had planted decades ago.

  The site of the ivy instinctively made Gen grab for the ring that hung around her neck.

  This place is a sanctuary, I wish you were able to see it now, Gabe. Gen pushed the thought away and let go of her wedding band.

  She reached the end of the walkway and paused to take in the sight of Harry dumping mulch into his wheel barrel.

  She spoke first. “Where have you been Harry?”

  Without turning he answered. “Well now that’s a silly question. I’ve been here, where else would I be?” He turned toward her. Pointing just to her right at a small wooden gardening table, her eyes followed. Laying on top were a pair of small gardening gloves. “You might as well make yourself useful, Genevieve. It’s a fine day for gardening. We garden and then we talk.”

  She thought about arguing, but what was the point? He was fine, she could see that, so she might as well relax and enjoy her time with him. At some point she’d bridge the topic again and ask him about the fire.

  “How do you always manage to know I’m here before you see me, Harry?” Gen put the gloves on and walked to the hydrangea plant where Harry had already measured out the lime into a container. She reached down and sprinkled the soil around the hydrangea with fertilizer.

  “I suppose it’s the same way you know I’m nearby. Now, don’t forget to rake that through and be sure the soil is moist, so it will take. Those hydrangeas will be purple and pink this year I think.” Gen followed his instructions and then made her way to a large wrought-iron planter overflowing with petunia flowers and began to deadhead the plant.