What if she had lost everything? Connor. Her wings. Her heavenly home.
Eventually, she heaved herself to her feet and walked back to the cafeteria.
I am so sick of crying. She wiped her face. She felt old. And tired. And human.
She let herself back into the cafeteria.
Everyone was talking about the new problem. Someone had turned on the television, and a news station was reporting on the video. A ticker ran across the bottom of the screen. Vampires are proven real!
Sean Whelan strode into the cafeteria. Quiet! This is no time to panic.
The room grew silent.
Sean glared at the television. What a stupid mess. Ill get ahold of my contacts in the government and get them to declare this whole thing a hoax.
Will they do that? Roman asked.
Sean snorted. Theyll do anything for a price. I may have to let a few key people know that vampires are real, but Ill make it to their advantage to keep the secret.
Anguss eyes narrowed. Why would ye help us, Whelan?
He glowered at Angus, then at Roman. Because Im one of you now. He turned and marched toward the exit. Ill start negotiations immediately.
Were coming with you. Angus and Emma dashed after him.
Everyone started talking again, but this time there was a hint of hope in the air.
Marielle sighed. If only Connor had stayed.
The next night, Marielle wandered through the garden at Romatech. Her eyes felt dry as sand from too much crying. Her heart thudded with a constant throb of pain.
For the first time in her existence, she understood the pain of mourning. Before, she took souls to heaven, and it was a time of joy and reunion.
Now she felt the separation. Sharp and severe. Father Andrew was truly gone from this world.
And where was Connor? Was he alone and suffering? Had he retreated into his black pit of despair and remorse?
She walked through the rose garden, plucking a rose here and there. The other Vamps and shifters had gone on to their homes. She had spent the night at Romatech. Shanna had given her a room in the basement, for she had nowhere else to go.
She found a cement bench beneath a tree and sat. Her heart ached for all her new friends who were grieving. Her heart ached for Connor. Why didnt he contact her? Didnt he know she loved him, and he didnt need to suffer alone?
How are you? Shanna asked as she approached.
Marielle sighed. Tired of crying.
I know how you feel. Shanna collapsed beside her on the bench. Its Saturday night, and theres no Mass. What will we do without Father Andrew?
I picked these flowers for him. Marielle lifted the bouquet.
Theyre lovely. Well put them in a vase in the chapel.
She lowered the bouquet, and her shoulders slumped. Theyre still alive. They didnt turn brown and die.
Shanna regarded her curiously. Were you expecting them to?
Marielle nodded. Thats what used to happen when I was a Deliverer.
Youre no longer an angel of death?
Tears stung her eyes. Not again. I dont think Im an angel at all.
Shanna drew in a sharp breath, then rested a hand on Marielles back. Im so sorry.
Marielle wiped a tear away.
Is it so terrible to be human? Shanna asked.
Its . . . hard.
I know, sweetie. Shanna rubbed her back. You dont think you can go back to heaven?
Marielle sighed. Zackriel said it was possible.
Well, there, you see! Shanna smiled. You mustnt give up hope.
I had thought that helping to defeat Casimir would get me back to heaven, but I was wrong. Zackriel said I could go back if I really wanted to, but I dont know how.
Shannas eyes narrowed. If you really want to. Maybe thats the problem. She gave Marielle a pointed look. Do you really want to?
A chill skittered down her spine, and her skin pebbled with gooseflesh. Good heavens. Was it doubt that was keeping her earthbound? No, not doubt.
Love. Love for Connor.
Sunday night, shortly after sunset, Marielle woke to a banging on her bedroom door at Romatech. She peered outside and found Angus and Emma.
Connor just called, Angus told her. He wants me to take you to him.
Oh. Her heart lurched.
Dress quickly, Emma said. You need to leave right away.
Yes! Yes, of course. She shut the door and ran to the bathroom. Connor wanted to see her! She washed her face, brushed her teeth and hair, and tossed on some clean clothes that Shanna had given her. She stuffed her feet into shoes, grabbed her jacket, and ran into the hallway.
Good. Angus grabbed her around the waist. I have to teleport you there.
Good luck, Emma said with a worried look.
Is something wrong? Marielle asked.
Angus sighed. He dinna sound good on the phone. Hold on to me, lass.
She grabbed his shoulders. Where are we going?
Connors home in Scotland, Angus replied, then everything went black.
Chapter Twenty-six
Marielle ran across a pasture in the moonlight. Angus had dropped her off by a large house of gray stone. Then he had pointed north.
Connor said he would be at the henge. That way, over the hill. Angus gave her a worried look. Ill come back tomorrow night to make sure yere all right. He vanished.
Marielle was gasping for air by the time she reached the hill. It was chilly here in Scotland, but the run had warmed her up. She climbed the hill, wading through heather that reached her knees. The blossoms opened and filled her nostrils with a sweet scent. She reached the top of the hill and stopped.
It was beautiful. A green meadow stretched out below her, surrounded by mountains. Stars sparkled overhead. In the middle of the meadow, a circle of gray stones stood. She spotted a lone figure in the middle.
Connor!
He turned toward her. He smiled, although his face looked pale and tense.
She ran down the hill to the henge. The stones were ancient and beautiful, and she rested a hand against one while she caught her breath.
A surge of warmth swept up her arm. It was the stone, recognizing her as another ancient entity. She leaned against it, and it loaned her some strength. Beneath her hand, a small patch of brown withered lichen turned green.
She blinked. Were her healing powers back?
Are ye all right, lass? Connor asked.
Ahyes. She pushed away from the stone. Ive been worried about you.
I had some matters to take care of. He squared his shoulders and lifted his chin as if he were going into battle. Marielle. It has been a week since I found you, but the love I have for you will last forever.
She walked slowly toward him. I love you, too. A frisson of alarm crept up her spine. Something was wrong.
I made a promise to you, and I found a way to keep it. He smiled, but the pain in his eyes made her stop.
What have you done, Connor?
He motioned behind him.
Darafer stepped around a stone and into the circle, his green eyes gleaming with victory.
She gasped. No.
I discovered if I called them by name, they would come. Connor motioned to his right.
Zackriel and Buniel moved into the stone circle.
Connor, she whispered. What are you doing?
Im making things right. Darafer said he had the power to erase all the news about vampires. Twill make the world safe again for my friends.
She trembled. Dont believe him.
And it dinna really cost me anything. His back stiffened with determination. I was on the list for hell, anyway.
She shook her head. Tears crowded her eyes. Dont do it. Im begging you. Dont go with him.
Connors eyes filled with tears. Im sorry. Tis the only way.
Darafer stepped forward and his black wings unfurled. He stretched a hand out to Connor. Come with me now.
No! Marielle screamed.
Connor turned to the demon. There is one condition. Ye will never attempt to take Marielle to hell again. He looked at the angels. And if I go to hell, ye have to take her back to heaven with you.
Darafer cursed and slammed a fist against one of the stones. His wings folded in with a snap.
Zackriel smiled.
Buniel chuckled. Youll never get to hell that way, Connor.
Zackriel nodded. Theres only one condition where a demon is not allowed to take a willing soul to hellwhen that soul is sacrificing himself to save another.
But Connor stepped toward the angels. Ye have to take her back.
A blinding white light filled the henge, and Marielle squeezed her eyes shut.
When the light softened, she opened her eyes and saw an Archangel floating down to the ground.
Gabriel, she whispered.
Connor moved close to her, a stunned look on his face. Isis he here to take you back to heaven?
I dont know. She bowed her head to honor the Archangel.
Connor noticed her doing it and bowed, too.
Gabriel inclined his head toward Marielle. Dear angel, our Father loves you greatly. He smiled. You were never abandoned. He has been with you always.