Chapter 85“I asked Lauren to marry me.” Lucas’s words bounced around Arabella’s head for a moment. It took all of her effort to try and act natural for Lucas sake. She smiled at her son and hugged him. Her baby had grown up without her realizing when it happened. Marriage though? She wanted to say he was too young, but she had been a lot younger when she fell in love with Lucian.“If you are sure that is what you want, then you know I will support you. We already love Lauren as our own.” It was all Arabella could say that was positive.Lucas didn’t notice the hesitation in Arabella’s words. He was too busy thinking about Lauren.“Have you told your father yet?” Arabella asked.“No mom, you are the first one to know. Lauren doesn’t have any relatives, just a few ‘brothers and sisters’ from the group homes she lived in. She hasn’t kept in touch with anyone or gotten close because she knew that without warning, she would be moved to a different home.”Arabella’s heart ached for the orpha
Chapter 86Mother couldn’t understand how Ella could have made such a mess in so short of a time. It took a while to get the Realm back to it’s former glory, but Mother succeeded in doing so.The Arch’s were happy so Mother was also.“Hello Mother.” Sybil was happy that she could pop in again at will. Ella had stopped her from preforming even small tasks for the Realm.“Where have you been, Sybil? I sent for you ages ago.”“I’m sorry, Mother. I was with Arabella on the most beautiful island in the world.”“You were where? Why didn’t you tell me you found her? I have been worried sick since her light went out. Quickly, tell me how she is.”“Physically she seems okay; mentally? Not so great. Somehow, Ari had lost her ability to twist the shadows as well as anything else that has to do with this side of existence.” Sybil almost did a spin on the floor in front of Mother as she spoke.Mother was horrified. How was it even possible to lose something like that when they were a God’s given gi
Chapter 87The day came when it was time to leave the island. Selene returned to the Realm to question Ella.“Gabriel, bring Ella to me.” Selene ordered the Arch angel, “I will get to the bottom of this one way or another.”Gabriel bowed, “As you wish, Mother.” He turned and left Selene’s presence. It wasn’t long before he returned with Ella.Selene looked Ella over as she walked toward her. The woman looked as though she had been through the wringer. Her hair was matted and wild on her head and her clothes were torn and soiled.“What fresh hell are you going to rain above my head now, Mother?” Ella spat the words out of her cracked, dry lips.‘I did not bring you here to torture you Ella,” Selene replied, “I want information from you. If you refuse, or try to lie, I will send you to hell so fast you won’t know what hit you. Do you understand me, Ella?”Ella looked at Selene smugly. “So, Mother, you found out about Arabella?” Ella started to laugh until she saw the look on Selene’s fac
Chapter 88Ella grinned to herself as she stood at the cave opening. ‘Selene should have seen it coming.’ Ella whispered to herself. ‘Really Selene, did you think I would not take the first chance I got to get away from the Realm?’Ella felt a warm, fragrant breeze caress her cheek. At last, she had Arabella. In doing this, she did not break the oath Mother forced her to take. Ella wasn’t harming Arabella; just detaining her really.“Why am I in the cave” Arabella said out loud. It was then that she realized she was not alone. Someone else stood by with a wicked grin on their face.“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Arabella Brennan in the flesh. Misus a pound of course.” Laughter echoed around the cave as Ella taunted Arabella.“Why am I here Ella?” Arabella demanded of Ella.“You see Arabella, your Mother made me take an oath to not harm you and I haven’t. There you stand, not a hair on your head have I hurt.”Arabella felt anger rise up but tried to repress it. She knew she would get n
Chapter 89Selene and Lucian stood on the black lava that made up the beach. Neither one knew what to do. Arabella grabbed the shadows and was gone. It had been over an hour ago that she left.“Where is she Selene? Why hasn’t she come back?” Lucian was getting nervous. “She would have come right back; something has happened to her.”“Let’s wait a little longer, Lucian. If she isn’t back soon, I’ll go to the Realm and try to find her that way. I will send out all the free Arch-Angels to search. Don’t worry, we will find her.” Selene didn’t let on to Lucian that she was worried too. Where was Arabella?Arabella lay on the sleeping bag she kept at the cave. Ella had been gone for quite a while and Arabella wondered when she would be back; if she would be back. Everything happened so fast, and she knew that Selene and Lucian must be going out of their minds about now wondering where she was. At least Ella didn’t make her get lost in-between. That would have been a disaster for Arabella.“W
Chapter 90“I can’t get you out Ari. This whole place is a trap. Once you enter you cannot leave. Now we are both stuck here.”Arabella looked at Sybil in horror. If Sybil couldn’t get them out, then it was hopeless. There had to be a way, there just had to be.“Ari, there is only two ways out; one, Ella releases you and two, Lucian finds us.” Sybil continued her musings. “I don’t understand, Sybil. How can Lucian save us?”“He’s human, the trap is only for us from the Realm and you as a half-breed. Lucian is all human, is he not?” Sybil asked patiently. “Any human could walk in here and it would break the spell.”If they had to count on Lucian, they were in deep trouble. Lucian didn’t know where to look. She felt anger boil up inside. It grew stronger the more she thought of what Ella had done to her and now Sybil."The only human around is Jack and he would not think of coming here. Why should he?”Jack looked around the cabin to see if anything had been disturbed. Everything was as
Chapter 91Ella laughed, “You have no idea, Arabella, no idea at all. For you, time is running out.” With those words, Ella was gone.Arabella stared at the place where Ella stood. “Well, Sybil, what do we do now? She is determined to physically harm you.”“Why me? I haven’t done anything to Ella. Matter of fact, I stayed out her way in the Realm. She seem to always be in a bad mood. I saw her kicking an imp once and she glared at me like she wanted to kick me too.” Sybil started to ramble.“Focus, Sybil!! We have to do something. I can’’t just sit here, waiting for the moment when Ella decides to do us in.” Arabella was frustrated, she couldn’t help but think there was something she was overlooking. Something that would free them.Arabella picked a rock up from the fireplace and tossed it up and down in her hand. Turning suddenly, she tossed it toward the entrance of the cave. Arabella and Sybil both cringed when it reached the mouth of the cave; nothing happened. The rock passed the
Chapter 92A dark figure jumped through the entrance making Sybil scream and cover her head with her wings. ‘This is it,’ she thought, ‘I’m going to die in a cave and no one will know where to find me.’Sybil trembled inside of her wings, waiting for something to happen. Nothing happened. Slowly Sybil lowered her wings. Arabella stood right in front of her causing Sybil to jump backward slamming into the wall behind her. Wide-eyed, Sybil looked around the cave. There was only her and Arabella there.“Wow, Ari, I thought you were dead.” Sybil’s nerves were shot. All of it was catching up to her causing Sybil to cry. A lone tear rolled down her cheek onto her wing. “Don’t ever do that again Ari. You almost gave me a heart attack. What did you think you were doing? You could have been killed and I would be all alone here to face Ella. How would I explain that one?”"It would mean that Ella broke her oath, Sib. The heavens would have roared at that one and Ella would not be able to harm y
Chapter 101Arabella never called.Arabella lifted her head to the rising sun. She couldn’t remember how many nights she stayed up with one grieving person or another. At times, she wondered if she even helped these people. The Borders people were using her in may ways. One of them being this, midwife. Until now, she had never delivered before. She lost count of how many she had delivered. They were constantly on the move from one village to another.“You look like shit, Ari. Go, get some rest, I’ll clean up here.” Mac had been with Borders for many years and in that time he had been many things. Throwing Ari into it without her realizing the extent of their needs. It didn’t set well with Mac. Arabella was a nice and gentle woman and had a way of putting the patients at ease. Her help was greater than she realized.“It’s okay, Mac. If we both do it we can both get some rest. Don’t think I haven’t noticed you driving yourself half to death.” Arabella replied. “You push yourself too har
Chapter 100Arabella sat in front of the cave one last time before she had to leave for the airport. She felt a great sadness when she gazed at the rubble that was once her place of peace. So much over the years was soaked into the rocks and ground. It was a place where she felt close to her mother and father. She felt a touch of loneliness when her thoughts turned toward Lucian. Too much time was lost to them. The years separated them. Adrian separated them. Arabella stood up and started the hike back to the cabin. It was time to leave.Arabella didn’t rush home. Thorn walked with her and she savored his presence. “I don’t know when I’ll be back. Jack promised to take care of the place and check up on you once in a while.” Thorn cocked his head to the side as he listened to Arabella. He understood more than people knew. He had his own large pack to take care of but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t miss the walks and talking she did with him. Over the years his pack grew to the size it wa
Chapter 99The sound of the rock slide echoed down the canyon until it lost strength and force. Arabella stood in shock as her beloved cave was no more. In the distance she could hear the forlorn howl of Thorn and his pack. The forest itself became silent as though it were waiting for something more than it had already received, Arabella felt as though the world had stopped.The sound of a living forest returned slowly and Thorn’s pack could no longer be heard. Arabella knew it would be a shock to her system but after Ella blocked her abilities before, it showed Arabella that she could handle it. The mental agony could not be avoided but that too would fade as time went on.After the dust settled, Arabella looked around the forest and clearing where the cave once stood. Somehow, it all looked brand new. It was as though she had entered a new world. The shape and color of the leaves and pine needles on the trees took on a whole new meaning to her minds eye. They were sharper and the col
Chapter 98The dog days of summer were upon them. One hundred degrees and more were now the normal. Forest fires were springing up with little chance of rain helping to put them out. Lucian and Arabella kept their days full. Lucian would not reopen his practice until after he had won Arabella’s heart back. He took it on as a full time job to try and romance her and felt Arabella’s heart was finally starting to soften toward him.Lucas and Lauren were back from their honeymoon and ready to open their own practice together. The pair decided to make Boulder their permanent home. Lucas grew up there and was delighted to show Lauren all of the entertainment and fun there was in Colorado. Everyone but Arabella settled down to the rhythm of their lives.“Do you fully understand what you are asking for Arabella?” Selene asked her for what seemed like the hundredth time. “Once done, it cannot be undone.” Frustration was evident in Selene’s voice as she glared at Arabella. “You were given a few
Chapter 97During the wedding set up and the wedding itself, Arabella ran on pure adrenaline. Now that it was finally over, Arabella had nothing else to give. Exhausted, she lay down on one of the benches that lined the pavilion. After much searching, that was where Lucian found her, sound asleep. Gently, Lucian picked up Arabella in his arms to carry her to her room.Arabella stirred slightly but did not awaken as Lucian strode toward the cabin. It felt so good to have her in his arms again, even if it was when she was sleeping. He orginally planned to propose to Arabella that evening, after the wedding. But decided that it was not the right time. This day belonged to Lucas and Lauren alone, Besides, he wanted to make it all special for the woman he loved, for his sweet Bella.Arabella awoke the next morning, still in her wedding outfit and laying on top of her bed with no memory of how she got there. The sun was peeking over the mountain tops as she made her way to the kitchen in se
Chapter 96Life slowly moved forward to normality. Lucian and Arabella’s relationship was put on hold as they prepared for Lucas and Lauren’s wedding. The young ones decided that they did not want to be married on the Island but at home on the mountain side.The wedding itself would take place on the west lawn that was large enough to hold around a thousand people, various tents full of food and drink.One tent would hold a memory lane of Lucas and Lauren as they grew from toddlers to graduate students. Thorn kept his distance as the wedding plans ramped up.Lucian worked with the wedding planner. They mapped out on paper where everything would be placed on the west lawn. There was more than enough room for them to be extravagant. Lucian mapped where he wanted the pavilion for dancing to stand. It backed up to the rose garden near the north side. The smell of the blooms would help create the romantic atmosphere he was aiming for. Lucian wanted to plan it beautifully for it would be the
Chapter 95Mother, Fate and Karma were Ella’s judge and jury. She stood before them in silver chains, insolent, uncaring. Ella lifted her head in arrogance as Mother read out her crimes. The top crime being her kidnapping of a human. One of the biggest no no’s were harming a human in any way to which Ella qualified for by her actions. Arabella stood to one side of the Dias; she was to give evidence against Ella.Arabella was uncomfortable to be in the presence of three such powerful women. She shuffled her feet so much she caught a warning look from Karma. Arabella stood stock still so as to not bring more attention on herself.The proceeding was similar as on earth except Ella was not allowed to defend herself. All of her misdeeds were playing out o the walls surrounding the proceedings. Ella was not the least bit repentant. She did not believe Mother would actually send her to be absorbed. It just was not done anymore. With that thought in mind, a small smile played out on her lips.
Chapter 94Lucian walked back to the veranda to be close to Arabella while she slept. He was not surprised to find Thorn asleep on the porch beside the lounger where Arabella lay. Smiling to himself, Lucian sat down to wait on Arabella.Arabella’s sleep was long and uneventful. Echaustion keep the nightmares away. Slowly, Arabella started to wake up. She groaned a little at the pain from sleeping in one position for a long period of time. Arabella found herself alone on the veranda and started to panic. Just as she was ready to lose it, Lucian walked onto the veranda with hot coffee and finger sandwiches.“Ah, finally, you are awake?” Lucian said with a smile in his voice. “I was hoping you would soon. You must be starving by now.” Lucian set the tray with the coffee and food on the small table in front of Arabella.“Lucian, you’re here,” Arabella breathed whispered before she could stop herself. “Where is Selene? Oh, by the Gods, where is Ella?”Arabella tried to jump up from her cha
Chapter 93Suddenly, Ella realized it was not Arabella, but Selene that stood before her. Quickly, she reached for the shadows, but nothing happened. Running to the mouth of the cave, Ella stopped short. Outdide stood Michael, his sword of rightness was drawn. Ella’s shoulders slumped in defeat.“How did you find her?” Ella was curious as to why her spell didn’t work.“Silly woman,” replied Selene, “You forgot one important element.”Ella was getting impatient and almost stomped her foot in anger. “No need to draw this out Selene.”“Please Ella,” Selene smiled, “Let me finish. You forgot she was half human. That rather voided your magic. Why did you do this, Ella? What did Arabella ever do to you?”“Do to me? You want to know what she ever did to me? She exists, Selene. Do you understand that? She exists. I have spent my life having Arabella shoved down my throat. So much so that I never felt good enough for you. What better way to reach than through your ‘daughter’. Your precious Ara