Chapter 27Lucian drove at break neck speed on the narrow dirt road. His mind was not totally on the road but Lucas and Jack didn’t seem to mind. The boy wanted to get to his mom as fast as Lucian did. Lucian’s mind turned back to the trip He and Jack took into the middle range of the Rocky Mountains.“Lucian, if you can’t keep up, say so. I can always pitch a tent for you, build a fire and leave you. I don’t need you slowing us up.” Jack was frustrated. What should have been a day to get there and a day back had already turned into a day and a half.Lucian shook his head. He struggled the last twenty minutes and couldn’t blame Jack for getting irritated with him. He was irritated with himself. He considered himself fit and in good shape but these mountains were proving to him that he had no idea what fit really was. There was no way he would let Jack leave him behind though. His need to find Arabella out shone his exhaustion. With renewed determination, Lucan picked up his pace and s
Chapter 28He never believed he could fall in love. It never happened before, so how was it that it happened now? Gabriel loved before, many times from the time the earth was new and before. It was his nature; up until today, he didn’t fight against his nature.“Gabriel!” Mother demanded, “Are you listening to me?” Gabriels head jerked up at the sound of Mother’s voice.“Yes, Mother, of course I am listening.” Gabriel gave Mother his best ‘I’m innocent’ look.Mother wasn’t fooled, she was never fooled. She only let Gabriel get away with most of his foolishness because he was one of her favorites. “I asked you a question, Gabriel. Why did you have a cone of silence surrounding your cabin?” Mother looked sternly at Gabriel.“I did it to keep Sybil away. That brat shows up where ever she pleases. The cone helped to keep her from finding me. When you send me away like that, I prefer my privacy.” Gabriel was good at coming up with things on the spot, He could only hope Mother bought it.Mo
Chapter 29Lucian, Lucas and Jack stood in the middle of the small cave. The fire in the pit was cold; it was obvious that it had not been lit in a while. Where could Arabella have gone? The only way out was through the front of the cave and the three men were camped out there; they would have seen her.A stir of air floated across Lucian’s face. He recognized that feeling. Lucian turned toward where the air was coming from. Facing the back of the cave, Lucian watched as Arabella stepped out of the shadows.Lucian was cautious as he walked toward Arabella. He did not know what mood would possess her and did not want to startle her. Arabella’s eyes lit on Lucas and Jack first. She smiled at them, a smile that lit her whole face. Lucian watched, fascinated as the emotions rose in her face. He did not believe he had ever seen her look as beautiful as she looked now. Her eyes finally come to rest on Lucian. She did not frown at him as she usually did when she saw him.Arabella was so happ
Chapter 30‘To understand a God, one must be a God.’ Gabriel repeated the mantra over and over as he guarded the gates between the heavens and Paradise. Only a few tried him today. On a good day, at least two dozen fought for entrance.Most who ended up in Paradise realized that it was only a staging area before they went on to worlds they earned, or were condemned to, while on earth. Maybe it was because they could look over the edge and see Hell clearly was what caused the poor souls so much distress. Gabriel shook his head but gladly rose to the challenge when another such patron decided to try his patience. Everyone was afraid of Hell.The hours here were endless. Time ceased to have meaning on this plane of existence. It could have been hours or weeks that he saw Arabella last. His whole being cried out for the beautiful and alluring woman. Never in all his life times had such a creature captured his imagination so throughly. Here he stood, guarding one of the most important port
Chapter 31Adora ended up spending a week with Arabella. In some ways, she, Arabella seemed to be lonely and enjoyed the company. As for Adora, she was only too happy to stay with Arabella. It could not have worked out better. Adora wanted to know who this woman was that she could capture the thoughts of her man. Gabriel didn’t know he was her man, but after meeting him centuries past, she had eyes for no one but him. Her stay with Arabella was an eye opener.Arabella, for her part, was happy to have another woman to bond with. She had a few friends, but none were close enough to confide in. She found it easier to talk to a stranger than to someone who knew her.Adora was a strange woman to be sure. She had strange mannerisms that reminded Arabella of old movies she had watched where the women were chaste. Adora did not seem like a chaste woman to Arabella. Still, Arabella enjoyed Adora’s company. It would seem that Adora had traveled over time but had not done so recently. This was he
Chapter 32Adora’s head spun as the alcohol hit her system hard. She grinned at Lucian as Arabella grabbed her arm and led her to a bar stool. Almost sliding off, Adora grabbed Lucian’s arm to steady herself. Giggling, she slapped the bar and ordered a refill.Arabella watched helplessly as Adora took the drink the bartender placed in front of her and swallowed it in one gulp. Arabella never saw someone down a full drink in one gulp before. She was amazed Adora was still up right.As the two women interacted, Lucian watched Arabella closely. That she did not send him on his way right away was a good sign. Arabella did not talk to him again after he left the cabin when they brought her home. He always had high hopes that she would forgive him for whatever trespass he may have caused against her. He was still unsure what that might be.Adora looked at Lucian with bleary eyes and thought to herself, ‘He is almost as beautiful as Gabriel.’ Giggling, she hiccuped and started to slid off he
Chapter 33Gabriel stood in front of Fate. He was not afraid of her, exactly; call it more like he was leary of all the women in the realm. “Do you know where Mother is? I would like an audience with her.”Fate stared at Gabriel making Gabriel wonder if she was even going to answer him. Finally, “It is not for you to wonder where she is. If it’s important, I can help you. Otherwise, you will have to wait on Mother and I don’t know when she will be back.”Fate’s voice sounded like bells ringing on a wind chime; sweet on the ears for the first little while but quickly becomes annoying. Right now, for Gabriel, it was annoying. Adora was missing, had been for about three weeks and Gabriel was becoming concerned. He wasn’t sure he wanted to trust Fate. That woman could be vicious if she thought you were wasting time.“Adora of Lost Paradise is missing. I am starting to worry that a demon may have gotten her which leaves her gate open. It would cause a big stir if the gate is left open.” Ga
Chapter 34“Hey, Adora. Where have you been? I’ve looked all over for you.” Gabriel rushed to catch up with Adora as she passed his gate.Adora smiled faintly as she looked down at Gabriel’s hands. “You gonna whack me with that, Gabriel?”Gabriel’s gaze followed Adora’s. In his hands, he still held the Sword of Truth. He forgot to put it down when Adora walked by. He rushed back to the gate after raising one finger to tell Adora to wait for him. She did not. Adora continued walking to her quarters. Gabriel had to rush just to keep up with the woman.Adora sighed when Gabriel caught up. She did not want to lie to him, but Mother forbade her to tell anyone. For all of It’s purity, jealously was one emotion that The Realm had in common with earth. For centuries Mother tried to weed it out, but it was stubborn and would not go. There were a few that was jealous of Mother’s affection for Arabella. All Adora could do was tell Gabriel a partial truth.“I’ve been busy doing Mother’s bidding. Y