Til We Fall

Chapter Six

Gabrielle

Gabby slowly blinked her eyes open, taking a deep steadying breath. She re-settled the leather strap of the bag on her right shoulder. Switching was definitely not her favourite mode of transportation, but it certainly was the fastest. Cayden turned to face her, a smirk firmly planted on his face. Gabby narrowed her eyes at him, and Cayden laughed. He stepped closer to her and gingerly reached for her hand. Fighting a rising blush, Gabrielle allowed their fingers to entwine.

Taking a deep breath, she surveyed their surroundings. They had landed in the middle of a park. A giant weeping willow stood atop a hill in the distance, partially distorted by the closer foliage. The grass was bright green and just a little damp. A small patch of calla lilies and tulips grew to their left, surrounded by dark green ferns. Behind them was a medium-sized pond, a small birdbath almost standing on top of the water in the centre of it. Sitting under the large oak tree was a wooden bench, cast in shadow by the tree.

“Where are we?” Cayden asked.

“We’re home.” Gabby replied simply. Cayden raised an eyebrow and Gabby chuckled, “I spent most of my early years here. This park is actually part of the back garden. I used to come here to think sometimes.”

“It’s beautiful.” Cayden said quietly. She smiled at him and quietly pulled him forward by their still linked hands. Soon they fell into step beside each other, a comfortable silence descending over them.

“This place is so familiar; I just can’t figure it out.” Cayden said. Gabby nodded looking around the small grove as they walked towards the trees.

“I know. But we have more pressing matters. The owners of the house are some of the most powerful Divinators on Earth. There is one in particular I want to visit.” Gabby said as they emerged on the other side of the trees in front of a huge manor house.

The windows were gilded, and the walls were painted a startling white. A balcony connected the middle three windows on the second, third and fourth floor. The first floor had a large porch that seamlessly spilled out onto the grass. Giant glass double doors guarded the entrance to the house, with intricate carvings decorating the dark wood.

“Wait, Divinators as in future-tellers?” Cayden asked.

“They’re actually a branch of angels who were given the power of Sight from our Father when we were first created. Their leader was Metatron, before he fell with Lucifer.” Gabrielle said.

“And who is this ‘special’ Divinator you want to see?” Cayden asked.

“Her name is Maria. She’s amazing. She was the one who recommended me above all other angels to be Michael’s apprentice; which is just crazy because there are angels who have been waiting ages longer for a chance like this. And she has this way of speaking that makes you think she knows a lot more than she’s letting on. She is the only one I trust to ask about us, but I’m scared that she’ll reject me, us. She’s like a mother to me, but I don’t want to give this up.

Cayden nodded. He quickly used their still linked hands to pull Gabby against him. He pressed a kiss to the back of her palm, one to her forehead and then one to her lips. He rested his forehead against hers and whispered, “Even if she does reject us, I’m not letting you go either.”

Gabby smiled and moved her hand to tough the ankh hanging from the necklace that was back around Cayden’s neck. Cayden’s fingers caught her wrist and his thumb rubbing over the matching ankh hanging from her bracelet.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.” A voice came out of the trees. Cayden and Gabby jumped apart and turned at the same time to see a middle-aged woman walk out of the trees towards them.