Synching With the Devil's Son

Chapter 96

Bella's P.O.V.

When the figure steps away from the light Lucien's Grandfather is emitting, I see an outrageously beautiful woman looking around with apprehension. Lucien and his father seemed stunned, unable to form words so I assume she is Lucien's mother. I take a step toward her to ask her if she is, and when she nods, I feel a sense of relief, like an unbearable burden has been lifted. I grab her and bring her into a fierce embrace, so thankful my new burgeoning family is getting it's matriarch back. She smells divine, a subtle floral scent combined with a touch of cinnamon, and she hugs me back with a ferocity I wasn't expecting. "Your husband and son have missed you terribly," I tell her, and can feel her sobbing against my shoulder. I understand immediately their separation was not intentional.

My suspicion is confirmed when Lucien's Grandfather starts speaking. I start to tune them out a little when Lucien's Dad begins to rant, and I turn my attention to the woman crying in my arms. She's the same height as me, her long blonde hair sits loosely over her shoulders. When she's calm enough, she looks into my eyes and brings her palm to my face, caressing my cheek. She looks to be in her early thirties, but I don't understand how that is possible. Her blue eyes are the exact color of Lucien's, and her porcelain skin glows with vitality. "I am indebted to you for befriending my husband and loving my son," she tells me with a beautiful and gentle voice. "I've been watching you this past week and I am so thankful they found you."

Wait, what? She's been watching me? Exactly what does that mean? Has she seen Lucien and I when we...suddenly, I am not as comfortable around her as I just was, and I pull back a little.

She smiles in understanding, her face lighting up with her grin. "I am no peeping Tom, I assure you." Oh, okay. I still don't know what she meant when she said she's been watching me, but I realize there is so much about all this celestial stuff I don't understand. We can hear Samael's voice raising, so she smiles at me, her blue eyes rimmed in red. "I better go to Samael before he looses it," she tells me, letting go of my hands. "You are a beautiful girl, Ms. Bella Parker. I look forward to getting to know you better," she murmurs and walks toward Lucien's father who has morphed into his demon and looks furious.

I watch in disbelief as this gentle woman reaches for the Devil, and with one touch calms him down. He falls to his knees in front of her, crying into her abdomen. I feel tears streaming down my face...what these people have endured, how they've suffered. Wait a minute. Isn't Lucien's mother dead? How was I able to embrace her and she me? I jump when I hear Lucien's father erupt in fury, threatening to destroy somebody. His voice, his vehemence and his rage scare me, and I hear myself whimper. I watch Lucien's Uncles move to stand on either side of their father, perhaps to protect him from the Devil's wrath? Is he more powerful than God?

God starts speaking in his deep, gentle, lilting voice. "You have been wronged, Samael, and I don't blame you for your indignation. You will have to trust that I have taken care of the problem," he says, and his son interrupts him with a scoff.

"Oh really, like you 'took care' of me?" he sneers.

"Basically, yes," God says patiently. "In recompense, I have made Catherine immortal, you will never be separated again, unless she chooses to be," God chuckles slightly at his little dig. "I'm sorry any of this happened, Samael, I truly am."

When God says this, Lucien's father falters, then gazes at his wife. "You're immortal?" he whispers.

I see Catherine nod slowly, and Lucien's father grin widely. He puts his hands around her waist and twirls her in the air, her laughter echos off the trees and rocks in the clearing. Their smiles are carved deeply into their faces, and I'm not sure I've ever seen such tangible happiness before. As I watch them rejoice, I can't help but think that what just transpired in this clearing has left me with more questions than answers.