“You’ll be gone all night?”
“I’ll stay at the seminary tonight,” I say with a cajoling smile. “We plan to get back late and there’s always that transition from Sheol to Earth that I go through. It’s better if I just stay with the fellas until I’m over it.” He knows what I’m talking about. It’s hard for me to relate to anyone or anything upon my initial return from Sheol. There’s always a period of adjustment, but I’m working through it. I see concern in his eyes. “It will be okay.”
“I know you will,” he says, but I know he’ll worry about me until I return tomorrow. He can’t guard me when I’m in Sheol and it bothers him.
The doorbell rings. “I love you,” I say, pulling on my jacket. I give him a quick kiss goodbye, and turn away to get the door, but Reed hauls me back to him.
“He can wait,” Reed murmurs and he leans down and kisses me until I’m breathless and wanting more.
The doorbell rings again. “I have to go,” I whisper.
“I love you, Evie,” Reed says against my lips.
“I know.” I smile at him and go to the door. Opening it, I grin at Brennus. “Hi.”
“Ye look grand, Genevieve,” Brennus says. “Are ye ready?”
“Yes,” I say, and then hesitate. “Wait. I forgot! I bought the fellas some paczki. They’re in the kitchen. Can you wait while I get them?”
“I’ll wait for ye,” Brennus replies.
“Come in for a second.” I hold open the door. He steps into the foyer.
Seeing Reed, he nods his head in a stiff greeting, “Aingeal.”
“Faerie,” Reed replies.
I rush to the kitchen and retrieve the boxes of paczki. When I near the foyer, I pause and listen.
“How long do ye tink dis arrangement of ours will last?” Brennus asks.
“As long as it takes for her to realize that you’re still evil.”
“She knows I’m na. But I do worry about ye, aingeal. Ye have a much more dangerous job dan we do. Ye guard da key ta Paradise. Dere are many who would give anyting ta possess such a priceless commodity as dat.”
“I have a team in place, just as you have.”
“Ye’ll need more dan a few aingeals. Na many demons are aching ta get inta Sheol, like dey are Paradise.”
“I control two armies—Tau’s and Xavier’s.”
“Ye’ll need dem. Ye put Genevieve in danger jus by her being around ye and dat key.”
“I’ll protect her. She’s agreed to be my aspire again.”
“Have I ever told ye da story of da Faerie queen, Reed?”
“I’m not sure, Brennus. You’ve told me a lot of stories.”
“Did ye know dat once upon a time, dere was a faerie queen? She was da heart of her realm until one day when an aingeal came ta her world from Paradise. He warned her dat her world was destined ta be destroyed—dat a time would come when da Faerie realm would be overrun by its enemies and dere would be no peace.
Da queen, caring only for da welfare of her subjects, begged da aingeal for mercy for dem. Da aingeal relented, tellin’ her dere was only one way for her subjects ta be reborn after its destruction. Da aingeal told her dat if she agreed ta be human, she could one day save da human world from da evil dat is jus a thin veneer away. She listened ta him when he said she would face terrible danger and suffer greatly, but one day, a Faerie king would return from da grave ta save her. He said dat once da queen was finished wi’ her mission ta help da humans, she would again be da queen of da faeries and da savior of her race. Have ye heard of dis tale, Reed?”
“No, I haven’t heard that bit of fiction.”
“Och, maybe ye should look inta it.”
“Maybe it’s a story for another day.”
“I hope ta tell da whole ting ta ye soon, aingeal.”
I rush back into the foyer. Giving Reed a quick kiss on the cheek, I turn to Brennus. “I’m ready,” I murmur.
“So am I, mo chroí.”
God, all things are possible through You. Thank you for Your infinite blessings and for allowing me to do what I love: write.
To my readers and bloggers: Thank you! The outpouring of love that I receive from all of you is incredible. Your generosity toward me is humbling. You make me want to write a thousand books.
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Max and Jack Bartol, I count myself as the most fortunate person in the world to have you both in my life. Thank you for knowing when to let me write and when to rescue me from my computer.
Tamar Rydzinski, one of the best days of my life was when you agreed to be my agent. Thank you for always having my back.
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