GS Chapter 4

 

Chapter Four

Monday, December 10^th

“Dr. Amalfi, I need you to sign off on this invoice. Dr. Amalfi? Ellie, are you okay?”

“What? I’m sorry, Gina. I must have been spacing out.”

Gina studied her friend closely. “Are you sure you’re okay? You’ve been distracted since you came in this morning.”

“Yeah… no. I don’t know.” Ellie took the invoices from her and started back to her office. She looked frustrated and preoccupied.

“Uh-hmm.” Gina cleared her throat to get Ellie’s attention. “Ellie, my invoices?” She hadn’t seen Ellie like this before. She always had a full schedule and worked herself to the bone, but distracted? No, more like hyper-focused and obsessive, but never distracted. That had never been a word she would use to describe her friend… until now.

She had also been sensing Ellie’s unhappiness and discontent lately. She respected Ellie’s need to explore and study what many of the other professors considered pseudo-science. She wanted out of the box, wanting to spread her wings and go into uncharted territory, but they always managed to squash her enthusiasm. Gina wanted to lash out at the snobs. Their heads were stuck so high up their own asses; fart came out of their mouths. Idiots. She would have told them too, but she needed a job, and she wouldn’t dare get fired and risk leaving Ellie alone with the buttheads.

She’d tried to reach out, but Ellie was fiercely private and would often give her excuses. Either that or completely change the subject when things got too personal, smiling it off and acting like everything was okay. Gina didn’t buy it, but left her alone. God, she wished she would open up.

She’d understand, more than anybody. She didn’t have parents either. She was raised by her aunts after her parents passed away. She doesn’t remember much of her parents or her childhood. At times, she would have a flash of a memory, or an instance of a blurry smiling face that was somehow familiar, but that was about it. She could never recall things in great detail and always wondered why her memory was so spotty. If it weren’t for the stories her aunts told her, she would have no connection to her parents and her past.

She missed her aunts, but they lived across the country in Marblehead, Massachusetts. They were eccentric, funny, vivacious women who had the most contagious laugh. She missed not having the traditional set of parents, but she was always thankful for the love and kindness her aunts had bestowed on her.

It had been too long since she visited. Maybe she could plan a trip with Ellie and get her away from San Francisco for a while. She felt some shame creeping up. No, more like guilt for neglecting her aunts. Shoulders slumped as she made a mental note to check on her aunts when she got off work that night. In the meantime, it was time to grill her friend for answers.

****

Ellie sat at her desk, staring at the piles of paper waiting for her attention. She enjoyed what she did, but being surrounded by stodgy scientists talking about weather patterns, plate tectonics, and oceanic chemical trends all day was, at times… dare she say it? Boring.

What if there was more to this life -- more mysteries that needed unlocking? What if she could discover something new?

Like yesterday -- when Isabel told her about a world of angels and demons. That was new and she couldn’t get the thoughts out of her head.

She remembered her time in Greece when her interest in mysteries and legends was further fueled. Seeing that sunken city after everyone had said it was a myth opened her mind and she craved to learn more. She had often tried to start conversations with her colleagues about it, but all she got were warnings not to go chasing after fantasies and things that could damage her reputation as a serious scientist.

Ellie dismissed her colleague’s admonitions and thought about how rogue waves were once thought of. Destructive forces of the sea, long thought to have been folklore, until enough research boats were blasted by them. The fishing tales were suddenly phenomena that had to be studied.

Ellie scoffed.

How could she even think about venturing out?

She leaned back in her chair, feeling the torn vinyl scratch her scalp. Pathetic. That’s how she felt as she stared at the dingy water spot on the ceiling. She could hear Gina’s footsteps coming closer. Here we go. Gina meant well and she loved her for it, but it was just hard to talk.

“Ellie, something’s wrong. Don’t lie to me, either. I know when you’re lying.”

“I’m fine. I just have a lot on my mind.”

“Like what?”

“Do you remember when we were in Greece?”

“Yeah, that was so much fun! I wish we could have stayed longer. Why?”

“Just been thinking about it lately. About the work that was being done mapping out the sunken city. Do you remember our trip into Sparta? When we met that guy who made the weapon replicas?” Ellie brightened as she remembered the moment.

Gina laughed. “Yeah, I do. That guy was pretty intense. Do you remember his eyes?” She smirked at the memory. “They were gorgeous, like a silvery blue.” Gina crinkled her eyebrows. “He took a real interest in you. He asked us to come back. Why didn’t we go back to see him?”

“I did.” Ellie said quietly.

“Huh? And… you’re just telling me now? What happened? When did you go? Where was I?”

Ellie snickered before answering. “You, my friend, were out on a date with Christos.”

“Oh. Yeah.” Gina giggled, remembering her date. “Well, why didn’t you wait till the next morning or something?”

“Because we were scheduled to work on the boat all day. That night was really the only time I had to go talk to that guy.”

“So, how did it go? What did you talk about?”

“Nothing and everything. It was like he just wanted to listen to me talk. I spent a few hours with him. He served me tea and some desserts, then I went home… and you were still out.”

“This isn’t about me. What else? That can’t be it.”

Ellie shrugged. “I don’t know. He just seemed really concerned and wanted to teach me. I guess being a weapons guy…” Ellie remembered her meeting with the weapon maker. He talked to her about being on guard and having her defenses up at all times. At first she thought it was weird, but figured a weapons guy would be into self-defense as well. “We got into a sparring session. He gave me some pointers. Oh, he gave me a gift. I completely forgot to tell you. We were so busy after that.” Ellie started looking around her office. “I think I have them here somewhere.”

She rummaged through her desk drawers and file cabinets. She flipped up stacks of papers, and moved files until she came upon a beautifully wrapped object that had been hidden underneath a small mountain of folders.

“Here it is!”

“What is it?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t opened it. I’d forgotten about it. Well, till now.” Ellie was careful, placing the package gingerly on her desk. She could make out the shape of two tubular rows parallel to each other. It was too long and too heavy to be a scroll, and she didn’t want to take a chance at damaging what was inside. Ellie peeled the soft cloth away, excited to see two gleaming silver rods, each one measuring about twenty-six inches in length and about an inch in diameter.

The sticks were hand forged and hand polished -- the dings and indentions where a hammer hit gave the rods texture, making them easier to handle. The ends were finished off with smooth golden tips, like modern day arrow points. The seams between rod and tip were polished perfectly smooth as if it was all one continuous piece. They were exquisite.

Gina stood next to Ellie to take a closer look. “Wow! Those are amazing, but those aren’t replicas. I can tell you they didn’t use that kind of weaponry in ancient Sparta. Looks like those were made, special for you.” Gina winked at her.

Ellie smiled and lifted the weapons out of the soft velvet cloth. She held one in each hand, and felt the weight completely balanced in her hands. “These feel really good. Solid. Strong… and not too heavy.” She started to spin one in her right hand, allowing the momentum to increase, making the stick blur in the air.

Ellie moved back from her desk, remembering the weapon maker’s lessons, coming back to her. Hold it here. Let it roll in your hand. Feel the energy in it. She could almost hear him talking now. The air was buzzing around her, warming her hands as she executed the defensive blocks flashing in her mind, her heart swelling at seeing the kindly stranger watch her with pride. She had wondered if she would have gotten that same kind of attention from her father.

“Dang, girl! That was incredible! Where did you learn that?” Gina was clapping by the time, Ellie finished her exercise.

“From that guy, except we were using broken spears at the time. These are better.” Her breathing had sped up from the quick work out.

“Well, be careful with those things. You can poke someone’s eye out with those sharp tips.” Gina laughed. “We need to go back there for a real vacation. No work, just fun. Can you imagine?” Gina sighed dreamily and started to twirl on her tiptoes.

Gina’s auburn hair twirled behind her as she flourished around the table, pretending to dance under the sun. “I could dance again with Christos and we could find you a Greek God of your own.” She stopped and flopped herself on a chair near Ellie. “So… what’s really on your mind? Don’t think I can’t tell when you try to distract me. It only works for a little bit.”

Ellie pressed her lips together and shook her head. “I don’t know myself, but I think I want to find out.”

“Find out what?”

“Angels.”

“What?! Talk to me, Ellie. Since when did you have an interest in the celestial? Is this part of your fascination with the weird?”

Ellie sat back down and sighed, replacing the sticks in their velvet cover. She spun herself in her chair, closed her eyes and prayed for an answer. She felt torn, confused, scared.

“Um… you know what Els, why don’t you go ahead and go. It’s late. I’ll finish up here. There’s not much left to do anyway.” It was a genuine offer, despite the raised questioning eyebrow.

“You’re probably right. I need to clear my head.” Normally she would argue, but not right now. She could use the time to think. “I owe you one.” She wrapped her friend in a hug, hoping to cool some of that suspicion.

“You need to give me a raise.” Gina shooed her away.

She rode her bike home in a hurry. She couldn’t pedal fast enough to get back to her apartment.

Caleb had taken her home after her talk with Isabel. He had given her a card, elegantly scripted with a phone number and nothing else -- no name, no address.

She watched the black SUV drive off, thinking that she would never see them again. That she did not want anything to do with them. That she would go back to her normal life after one weird and freaky night. But something had been nagging at her, and she couldn’t focus on anything.

She needed to see Isabel again. She hoped that card was a way to contact her.

She was finally home. She hiked her bike on her shoulder and ran to the elevator, pushing on the ‘Door Close’ button repeatedly. Hurry up.

She felt like an antsy kid as she blew into her apartment and ran to her hallway closet. The card was in her jacket pocket. She remembered stuffing it there after Caleb handed it to her. She grabbed the jacket off of the floor and started patting it down, feeling frantically for the card. She stuck her hand in all the pockets, anxiety rising.

Where the hell could it be?

She started looking around her closet floor, tossing everything aside, when she spied a small white paper corner sticking out from beneath a pile of clothes, set aside for donation. “Please be the card, please be the card.” She was all of a sudden praying to the card gods, almost squealing in glee when her prayer was answered.

She pulled her phone out of her back pocket, clutching the device tightly to her chest. What’s the worst that could happen? Isabel could think I’m the biggest hag and hang up on me.

She exhaled, feeling like hours were passing by as her mind tormented her with what-if scenarios. What if, I ignore my feelings and make the biggest mistake of my life? It was now or never, she thought.

The number connected quickly, the ringing on the other end holding her breath hostage.

“Hello.” Isabel’s elegant tone greeted her.

“Hi, Isabel. It’s Ellie.”

“Hello, Elysa. What can I do for you?”

She was quiet, hesitating.

“Is everything alright, Elysa?”

“Um, yeah, yeah, everything is okay. I’ve just been…” She was stammering. “I apologize for my behavior the other day. If it’s alright, I’d like to come by and talk some more?”

“Of course, Elysa. You’re welcome here anytime. I’ll send a car for you.” Ellie smiled, feeling the sincerity in Isabel’s voice coming through the phone.

“Thank you, Isabel.”

It was an hour later when her apartment intercom buzzed. “Miss Elysa? Isabel sent me.”

She walked out to see a black luxury sedan waiting for her. The lines of the car were classically designed -- sleek, smooth, and clean, the car boasting an understated profile that hid a lot of horsepower underneath the hood. She could feel the motor vibrating through the concrete and up the soles of her feet.

Ellie walked toward the passenger door. She bent down to look through the window and waved. The heavily-tinted window rolled down to reveal a friendly face smiling at her. The driver was a younger man who could have easily been a freshman in one of her biology classes. He had a full smile that made his rum colored eyes squint and twinkle.

“Get in, Miss. Elysa.” He flicked his head to the side, making the curly springs draping down his forehead bounce against an eye.

Ellie got in the passenger seat and stifled a chuckle. Was she sitting in a recliner? Ellie was by no means short. At 5’8”, she felt taller than most women, but the bucket seat was slung so far back that she might as well have been lying down. The soft leather seat was warm and comfortable, and she would probably fall asleep during the drive.

She reached under her seat and around its perimeter, feeling for a lever, a knob, or some other mechanical device to adjust it. She felt nothing but a hard plastic covering blocking the bottom. She studied the multiple buttons on her door panel, but felt like she was looking at hieroglyphs.

“Miss Elysa?”

She looked over her shoulder, her search for the elusive seat control gizmo interrupted. Her face flushed at the chuckle the young man was trying to repress.

She must have looked ridiculous. “Could you help me? Pretty please?”

“Yes, ma'am.” The young man pressed a button on his door.

Ellie felt the smooth whirring of gears underneath her as the seat slid forward and her back rest rose to fluidly meet her spine.

“Is that better, Miss Elysa?”

“Yes, thank you.” She smiled at the young man, relieved that she didn’t have to arrive low-riding in the passenger seat. What an impression that would make. She wanted a second chance with Isabel. She doubted low-riding would do the trick.

The drive from her apartment to The Order’s estate took about forty-five minutes, her attentive companion slowing down to point out a marker designating the start of Anakim lands. “Look there.” He was pointing to a fat eucalyptus tree shedding its outer bark. “That’s where our border starts.”

The car climbed an incline. Giant redwoods, ancient spectators to a host of human angels, stood tall on the sloping hillsides of the property. She looked up at the sweeping height of the trees, amazed at the size of the long-lived conifers. The treetops swayed in the breeze, sending birds squawking out of the highest branches.

The young man stopped at a silver gate sculpted with finest filigreed swirls that reminded Ellie of lace. The gate was opening and she almost felt like she was watching a curtain being pulled back.

The two-story colonial mansion with a sweeping arched entry and large windows all around was a beautiful sight. It was postcard perfect up to the meticulously manicured lawns adjoining a cobblestone driveway, curving gently toward the front of the house.

The mansion was impressive and almost surreal in its perfection. The last time she’d been there, she hadn’t bothered to look at the exterior of the house. She’d been rattled by what Isabel told her and she just wanted to go home.

She didn’t understand why she was affected so deeply. She was a scientist by trade and, by nature, highly curious. She liked to think that she kept an open mind and allowed room for exploration. That’s how things were discovered and new things learned. So why was she having such difficulty with the notion of the Anakim? Did she really have a problem in believing in the divine?

Maybe it was not the Anakim that troubled her thoughts. Maybe what troubled her was that Isabel thought she was one of them. How was that possible? The Anakim seemed to know their destiny. They were born into it. The last thing she felt was a connection to a god. It didn’t make sense. Maybe Isabel was wrong.

Angels, demons, a war?

The cobblestone crunched underneath the tires as it came to a stop. “Here we are, Miss Elysa. By the way, I’m Josh. Hope to see you around.”

Ellie smiled warmly and looked out her window before opening the door. She drew in a long breath to steady her nerves before getting out of the car.

She was hesitating, what am I doing here? She watched Josh drive away until he exited the silver gate. It’s just a conversation. That’s all. There was no need for all the jitters.

She reached for the large silver hinge, surprised the latch pushed down without resistance. The doors were unlocked. She peeked in, the foyer was empty. She stood at the entrance, unsure of how she would find Isabel. Perhaps, the library was the best place to start.

But then, voices trailed down from the second floor -- male voices. Maybe Caleb was up there and could help her. She climbed the wide mahogany staircase, feeling her hip sway side to side as her legs carried her to the next floor.

“Caleb?” She called, though in a hushed tone. She didn’t want to raise her voice and hoped Caleb could hear her.

Everything stopped the moment she stepped foot on the landing -- her breathing, her heart beat, and her mind, as she was captured within a god’s golden net. Escape was impossible in the radiance of what was coming before her. Holy hell.

Tall, shirtless, and regal in his bearing; he walked with the poise of a well-bred man, but underneath the surface, something else was burning. Forces that lit his eyes and made him feel -- lethal and arresting all at once.

She could see the prominent definition of his deltoids. The large muscles, sculpting his broad shoulders like some kind of armor. She hardly noticed the bandages.

Watching him carefully, she had to calm her excitement. She was embarking on a new discovery -- a new species of man, so hot, they were sure to be the ruin of women all over the word. The definition in his lower abs below his innie, angled deep into the muscled ridge of his obliques. The ‘V’ it formed was like the arrow on the treasure map, pointing to the trail that led to both pleasures and dangers.

Dangers she didn’t need.

He was getting closer.

Her heart was pounding wildly.

He stood in front of her, the lure of his skin within an arm’s reach. He was looking at her, heterochromic eyes absorbing her and pulling her into his world. The corners of his mouth were lifting.

She should say something, but she couldn’t breathe, her mind going hazy in his nearness. She wanted to swim in those eyes and get lost in them -- one a deep indigo, the other, a dark emerald green, both with rays of gold bursting out from the center of the pupil. When he tilted his head, the colors looked liquid flowing from one to the other.

“Elysa, there you are.” A cheerful voice came from behind her.

That sounded like Isabel. She felt stuck to the floor, unable to turn.

“Josh told me he got you here safely. I am sorry I wasn’t there to meet you at the entrance.” Isabel was standing next to her, smiling warmly, as she swept delighted looks between Elysa and Jarron. “Elysa, this is Jarron. Jarron, this is Elysa.”

“Please, just call me Ellie. It’s good to meet you.” Heat rose to her cheeks and behind her ears as he bent down like a gentleman to take her hand in a kiss. She didn’t think men did that sort of thing anymore. It was old-fashioned and she’d only seen it done in the movies. Yet, she couldn’t deny the arrow of electricity she felt course through her arm from the feel of his lips on her skin.

He rose, his strength uncurling as he straightened, her hand still gently held in his. He was looking at her again, those eyes melting away her barriers and making her pay attention.

She was paralyzed under his gaze.

“Elysa, I have some things that I need to finish up.”

Isabel? Isabel was talking to her.

“If you would please do me a favor and accompany Jarron back to his room? He needs to rest. Maybe he will listen to you.”

What? Why would he listen to her? Jarron didn’t look like the type that took orders from anyone. He looked like he commanded situations and was the one giving orders. “Uh, yeah, sure?” It was stupid, but it all she had. She wasn’t about to argue with Isabel, even though she really had no idea know what she was supposed to say or do with him.

It wasn’t like Isabel asked her to take a pup out for a walk. This man… left her completely ruffled and she was supposed to take him back to his bedroom? Her mind wandered feverishly at the thought of him taking command of her. Holy hell. The back of her nape felt flushed with heat, making her uncomfortable as thoughts of his commanding skills continued to dance around in her head. This was so inappropriate. The man was injured and all she could think of was what lay beneath those sexy pajamas.

“You can meet me back in the library when you are ready.” Isabel waved, and descended down the stairs. Not giving her a chance to argue.

“You don’t need to take me back to my room.” His voice was labored and weak, the reality of his injuries ringing true in his voice. Standing there, kissing her hand, he had looked so sure and so strong.

Ellie’s heart twinged, her naturally protective nature, waking her into alertness to take care of this injured man. “Let me walk back with you? Make sure you get back to bed.”

He didn’t utter any argument. Instead, she saw fatigue taking over. He bowed graciously and turned away, his movement slower and more guarded than before. She sidled next to him, wanting to hold him and support him as they walked. But, thought better of it.

She cleared her throat, the ‘awkward silence’ getting to her. “How did you get injured?” She wanted to run her fingers over his bandaged chest.

“Had a rough night.” His voice sounded tight, plastered to his throat, even as she felt warmth surrounding her. He smiled at her; his eyes gleaming, though she could clearly see fatigue weighing him down.

They arrived at his door and she let him walk inside without following him in. She told herself that it was to give him space, but in reality, it was so she could calm herself. She felt disoriented. Too many emotions assaulting her the moment this man stepped into her view.

She stood quietly by the door, watching him get back in bed, wanting to help him, but afraid to get too close to him.

A pained moan escaped him, irritation hardening the lines of his face.

Oh god… Her heart dropped to her stomach. It’s him, the man from the club who took her outside. The striking face, the piercing eyes, it came back to her. He saved her. News about the club had been on the news the next day. It had been razed to the ground. Fortunately no one had been seriously injured.

Except one.

“Thank you.” She heard him say before he fell asleep.

Shame kept her from responding. She should be thanking him, not the other way around. Why couldn’t she shake the feeling that his injuries were somehow her fault?

****

Isabel looked up from a large, weathered book, her small rectangular glasses slipping from her nose. She waved for Ellie to come in. “I’d like you to take a look at this.”

She pointed to an open page of the book. The pages were thin, brittle, and had the unmistakable smell of dust and timeworn paper. Ellie fingered the page lightly; afraid it would tear under pressure.

She looked at Isabel, confusion wrinkling her forehead. “What am I looking at?”

“The Anakim bloodlines. Centuries of information are contained within these pages.”

“What does this mean?”

“It means you are Anakim through your mother’s line.”

Ellie could hardly fathom her grandparents and uncle came from angels. The thought was disturbing. They’d always been cold, judgmental, and unforgiving. Even after her mom’s disappearance, they hadn’t bothered to show her any concern. No phone calls, no visits, no holiday cards, nothing. If they had exerted any effort, it was in separating themselves further away from her. She might as well have not existed.

“I don’t understand. This can’t be right.” Ellie shook her head, fighting the urge to cry.

“Read further, Elysa.” Isabel urged gently.

She read on. The lines denoting her mother’s parentage contained two sets of names. Was that a mistake? One line was clearly labeled “biological parents” and the other “adoptive parents.” Ellie was struggling to find an answer, refusing to accept what she was looking at, but the truth was before her. She let the tears fall freely as the fragile shell she’d kept around her began to crack.

Ellie steadied her voice. “What happened to my mom’s biological parents? Are they still around? Can I find them?”

Isabel looked at her, sadness filling her eyes. “They were killed soon after your mother was born. That was how your mother came to be with the Amalfi’s.”

“Did she know about you? My mom… did she know about you?”

“Yes, Elysa, she did.”

“Did my mom know? I mean, about her adoption?”

“Eventually, yes, she did.” Isabel’s voice was gentle, quiet.

Ellie’s mind was buzzing with a million questions, her emotions welling, threatening to flood what little composure she had left. Who were these people? How do they know about my family? Why didn’t my mother say anything to me? Her heart twinged. That was perhaps the biggest hurt of all; that her mother, who she shared everything with, would keep this secret. She felt a sense of betrayal from the one person that she completely trusted.

She didn’t like being left in the dark. She’d always had a need to know, a need to solve. That was partly why she was so eager to investigate, to explore, and to understand. She wanted to find that missing element that would make sense of a mystery. With known quantities, you can plan, prepare, and adjust. That was how she’d been able to maintain some semblance of control in her life. Unknowns had a way of ravaging reality, of paralyzing progress.

Her world was spinning out of control.

Ellie broke down, unable to contain her feelings any longer. Isabel held her as a mother would, care and understanding wrapping around her along with those protective arms.

She had to find answers; she needed to know what this was all about. What more was Isabel going to share with her? Did she want to know? Was she ready? The line of questioning she was rehearsing within her mind calmed her down. It saved her from her heart and she was going to take advantage.

“Isabel, please tell me about my grandparents. My real ones.”

Isabel looked at her and smoothed her hair behind her ears. She took a deep breath and clasped Ellie’s hands in hers.

“Elysa, you are Anakim, as was your mother and your grandfather. You carry within you generations of information that date back to ancient times… to the times of angels upon this earth. Your grandfather was very gifted and served as one of our High Guardians -- like Jarron and Caleb.”

Ellie looked at Isabel, wanting her to continue.

“Your grandfather and I grew up and trained together. He was a dear friend, someone I could always count on. I served in his unit and we fought many battles together. He saved my life more than once. He never let me forget it, either.” Isabel smiled before continuing. “We had been sent on a mission to help one of the Wiccan communities in the city when Raijin, your grandfather, met Thea, your grandmother. It was a fiery meeting… and I don’t mean heat and passion.” She shook her head as her eyes shot up toward the ceiling.

Ellie was holding back a smile as she listened to Isabel speak about her grandparents.

“Your grandmother was incredibly beautiful, highly skilled in her art, and not afraid to stand up to a hulking Anakim Guardian. Your grandfather was trying to save the fair maidens in distress…” Isabel rolled her eyes playfully, “and wanted your grandmother to get out of the way so he could do his job. But your grandmother was not about to be bossed around or, worse yet, be kept from helping her Sisters. The battle with the demons that night intensified. Our side was losing terribly. So many people suffered. Your grandmother, in a last stand, conjured a flame so intense; it engulfed her entire sanctuary and all the demons in it. She would’ve died in that fire… had your grandfather not gone back into the burning building to find her.”

Ellie’s eyes were wide with interest.

“One would think that, after such a trying encounter, they would find an amicable place to agree. Oh no. Your grandparents argued like the dickens, each one trying to out-do the other. Perhaps that’s what happens when you get two leaders together. Until one day, they finally admitted that they were actually in love. Sure took them long enough.” Isabel chuckled. “I must say, you come from a very stubborn line, my dear. The rest is history. They married and later had Sarah, your mother. I’d never seen them happier than when they brought her home.”

Ellie enjoyed the thought that her mother’s and her own stubbornness were inherited from two amazing people. It made her feel connected to a real family.

“Unfortunately, it was shortly after that when the demon attacks increased. At first, it seemed like the attacks were random -- simply to cause confusion and chaos, but it soon became clear that the demons were targeting Anakim families and alliances within the community.” Isabel’s eyes went dark with grief. “We lost so many kin. So much blood was shed.”

Ellie’s smile was fading in anticipation of the sad turn in the story.

“Your grandparents feared for the safety of their child. They wanted her to have a chance at life, whether or not she was with the Anakim. They wanted your mom to live a life, a life of hope and promise. They came to an extremely difficult and painful decision. They gave her up for adoption to hide her identity.” Isabel took a deep breath. “The day they gave her up… perhaps it was because of their broken hearts or maybe they were distracted, or… or…” Isabel slumped heavily. “They were attacked -- murdered. Your grandparents were each powerful in their own right, but together, they were just about unstoppable. They shouldn’t have been approached so easily. To have been so vulnerable… It didn’t make sense.”

“Murdered?” Ellie was stunned.

Isabel wiped a tear streaming down her face. “It didn’t take long before the Amalfis adopted your mother. We continued to watch her from a distance. We could not get close or allow for any signs that would connect her to the Anakim. The Amalfis were a good family and seemed to have given your mother a safe and stable upbringing.”

Ellie had to admit that “safe and stable” certainly described the Amalfis. Her mother was brought up in a well-to-do family and although her mother had all the material wealth she could wish for, she often craved affection from her parents. Her mother often questioned her parents’ love, or perhaps their ability to express it, to express anything… emotional.

“Our numbers, both inside and outside of The Order, had dwindled greatly. The demons’ staged attacks were effective and almost extinguished us. The remaining Anakim families were fearful and hid. It was a critical time and my predecessor made a decision to rally the remaining families together and fight for our very existence.”

“How did she react to all this? My mom.”

“Your mother grew up into an incredible woman. Many years passed before we tried to communicate with her. She was, of course, troubled at first. Upset, much like you are.”

“I’m guessing she turned you down?”

“No, Elysa, she did not. She accepted her heritage. She knew in her heart that it was the truth. Her truth. Your mother helped us immensely.”

“I… never knew.” Ellie felt like she was about to succumb to tears again, but fought it back. “What did she do for you? How? We were always together. When would she have…?”

“Your mother was a Watcher. She studied, was trained, and knew how to identify things that are out of the ordinary. She was a gregarious student, wanted to learn everything -- our history, our abilities, our ways to protect. She was a force of light, as strong as they come. She chose to be a Watcher, but she could have easily been a Guardian.”

Ellie’s composure was crumbling. What else had been kept from her? Why hadn’t her mother trusted her?

“She was able to live her life with you and also work with us, alerting us to strange happenings. Like your grandparents, your mother also wanted you to have a good life; a normal one, one where you were not under constant threat. This was more important to her than anything else. She loved you dearly, Elysa. She often said that you were her life.”

Pain wrenched her heart, what had felt mended, now tore in two again. “Why now? Why talk to me now about all this? Why not just let me live my life?”

“Because you are needed. We do not take this lightly. We understand the dangers that come with this association. That is why it is a choice. Your choice, Elysa. If you want nothing of this world, we will honor your decision; if you would like to join us, there is much to learn.”

“I…” She couldn’t finish. This felt wrong and right all at the same time. Something she should have taken as a joke, felt like she was hearing the truth for the very first time in her life. “I’d like to think about it for a few days.”

Angelic descendants? Her family? Her?!

She walked slowly down the hallway to find Caleb waiting for her. “Isabel said you might need a ride home.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Did you just find out you’re an angel?” Caleb asked.

Ellie was still lost in thought. “I’m no angel.”

Caleb chuckled. “You said it, not me.”

Ellie glared at him. She was still upset and didn’t need a smart-ass remark, but she caught the mischief aglow behind the turquoise eyes. She needed to take the bite out of her current mood. She pressed her lips into a tight smile, as she walked toward him, her arms wrapped around herself.

“Come on. I better take you home before I say anything else that’ll get me in trouble.”