Falling (The Soul Collectors Series Book 1) (9 page)

A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act. ~Mahatma Gandhi

Dinner was a fun event. Hannah joined us during her break. It was a nice distraction from my thoughts as we sat around the table at the café having fun and laughing. Declan turned the charm on full blast, regaling us with the adventures of his travels. Whether they were stories made up for the part he was playing or if they were true, they were funny. He was telling us about getting lost in a foreign country, with no real knowledge of the language. After some confusion with the hostel clerk, he was able to procure a bed for the evening. He proceeded to explain that because of the lack of communication, he ended up sharing a bed with a little old lady who thought he was sent as an answer to her prayers, and he had to spend the majority of the night fighting off her advances by hiding in the bathroom of the hostel. We were in tears by the time he finished his story. Hannah had spit water everywhere, and Mr. Whitstock almost fell off his chair. Declan chuckled some at his story, but mostly he looked amused at his ability to make the four of us laugh so hard. We were just calming down when Gray headed our way for his break. Hannah gathered herself and waved bye as she went back to work. Gray took her seat.

“Y’all sound like you’re having a great time.” he said to no one in particular. He then leaned towards me. “I guess this means you’re feeling better than you were earlier?” His forehead wrinkled in concern.

“I am. Thank you for asking.” His smile was kind and warm. Gray was special. This I could tell, yet I still didn’t know why his kindness made him more worthy than other humans to be saved from the fast approaching earthquake.

“You’re welcome. Anytime you need a break from these knuckleheads, you just let me or Hannah know.”

Declan was scowling, but Hadraniel had a look of mischief in his eyes. Mr. Whitstock was grinning.

“I’m sure she will be entirely too busy these next few weeks.” Declan responded before I could. I shot him a look that warned him to not answer for me again.

“Gray, that is a kind offer. I may take you up on that if I get a chance, but unfortunately, Declan is correct. I have a lot of research to get through before school starts, and our parents will be stopping by to check on us. However, Haddy and I were talking about planning a camping trip for the weekend before classes start. We’ve narrowed it down to the valley you showed me earlier, and some mountain nearby called Adam’s Peak. Do you have a suggestion as to which is a better place? Also, do you and Hannah want to join us? So far it’s myself, Declan and Haddy.” Both guys knew enough not to challenge me on the invite.

“Adam’s Peak is not a great place to camp, and it’s a heck of hike to get to, but I’m not sure about the valley either.” He looked leery at the thought of camping in his and his brother’s special location.

“Well the reason we were looking at those two spots, was because there is supposed to be a wicked meteor shower that night, and both of those offer the best viewing.” Declan stated matter-of-factly.

Mr. Whitstock cleared his throat, signaling me to close my mouth at the shock of Declan helping. I was unsure of what this game was that Declan was playing, but I recovered as quickly as possible, praying Gray hadn’t noticed my reaction. I was thankful for this input that I was not aware of, making my camping trip more viable. But I began to wonder why he hadn’t shared with us that there was going to be a meteor shower that evening.

“Sounds like a great idea, let’s do the valley. I’ll see if Hannah’s brother and his girlfriend want to join us. They always come in to visit that weekend.”

“We should meet in the next week or so in order to make concrete plans.” Hadraniel suggested.

“How about this coming Saturday? My parents are having a cookout at our house. We can get the plans settled there, and be able to tell Alex and Megan the plans afterwards.”

“It’s settled then.” I smiled. That went a little too easy for my taste, but I would take it.

We spent the rest of his break taking turns telling Declan, Had and Mr. Whitstock about the valley. Gray explained how it was created after a roof of one of the caving systems collapsed. The ecosystem was completely different than that of the land around it. Because of   the river and the minerals in the earth, the soil was extremely rich. Gray went on to talk about his studies of the earthquake tremor we had yesterday, as well as the signs he had discovered that a possible bigger earthquake might follow. He finished by telling us that according to historical records, the New Madrid was due for a big quake. Had’s eyes widened as he looked between Declan and me. I gave a slight shrug to indicate that as long as we didn’t react like we knew anything, it should be fine. Mr. Whitstock looked amazed that Gray was as adept in his studies without any assistance. He began to ask Gray questions.

“Did you study the outlines of where the earthquake would affect if it did happen?” Mr. Whitstock was appropriately concerned as a citizen of the town and storekeeper. I smiled at how well he played the part.

“Actually, I have a map I’ve drawn here. Would you all like to see?”

I was very interested in comparing it to the map we’d been given, showing where the safe places were for saving Gray when the time came. He pulled out his hand-drawn map, and the details were beautiful. Declan and Had both complimented him on his talent. He gave a sheepish shrug and began pointing out different areas that he felt would be affected. However, the damage he was expecting was nothing compared to what we knew would actually be occurring. Luckily both the places we had indicated for camping we're not going to be affected. The only plus to Adam’s Peak compared to the valley was that it was far enough away that when the quake happened, it would take a while to get back in town, and by then the danger would have passed. Camping in the valley gave us the same protection, but the humans would be aware of the quake, and the destruction would be seen, heard, and felt with little they could do to help as they watched their town, friends and family disappear and die. Because my mission was to save the human life that was Gray, my predecessor was going to be collecting the souls of those who didn’t survive the catastrophic event, and just then, it struck me. If another angel was going to be taking part, then another demon must be collecting as well. My eyes shot up towards Mr. Whitstock. Apparently the color had drained from my face, because before I knew it, Hadraniel was at my side. The last thing I remember was him calmly telling me that he had me. When I woke up, I was on the stage being fanned by Gray and Hannah. Declan, stone-faced, was leaning against the stage wall. Mr. Whitstock was telling everyone to give me space. Hadraniel helped me sit up and handed me a glass of water.

“Are you okay?” Hannah asked so quietly, I felt bad for scaring her.

“Yes, I must have gotten too hot.” I cast my eyes down, praying no one noticed my fib.

“It’s been a busy day for you all. Had, maybe you should take Bayla home to rest?” Mr. Whitstock made the suggestion, but it was more of a command than anything.

I didn’t want to leave yet. I wanted to talk to him about all the things that I had learned today. But I realized that he was letting me know that wasn’t going to happen and that I needed to trust and rely on Hadraniel to help me with this information. With drooping shoulders, I nodded in agreement. Hadraniel helped me stand, and when I was steady enough to walk, I turned to wave goodbye to Hannah, Gray and Declan. Declan continued to stare at me, no emotions at all. Sadness flooded me. Hannah ran over and gave me a hug.

“Oh, Bayla. I’m so glad you’re okay. I know we just met, but I feel like I’ve known you forever.” My heart pulled at her words and the sight of tears unfallen in her eyes. Hannah was so kind and sweet. I could see why she and Gray got along so well. I hugged her back.

“Me too.” I smiled, and she gave one in return, wiping the unshed tears away. “We’ll catch up tomorrow if you want. I think I need a day of relaxation.”

“I’m off, so maybe we can go to the quarry and hang out.”

“Ok.” I glanced back towards Declan one last time, and he was gone. I scanned the café, but he was nowhere to be seen. Mr. Whitstock gave a wave, and Hadraniel and I headed off to the cottage.

On the walk home, I filled Hadraniel in on all the things that were made clear to me throughout the day, from Gray’s brother to the second demon. I kept Father Paul’s secret though. I explained that Declan must have been sent so that Mephistopheles would be available to collect the souls that were lost. I explained how evil Meph could be, and how our mission was going to be harder than expected. Angels followed the rules, and I would be receiving no help, other than from Had. However, Meph could easily decide to help Declan and we would have two very strong demons to face. As I was explaining all this to him, I realized now why Hadraniel was sent with me.

“Oh my Grace!  They sent you as back up. You’re a Blue-In-Training. You’re supposed to save Gray in case I fail. The Elder’s knew! They knew I might fail, and that I might have to face two demons. Granted usually when souls are collected, there isn’t much of a fight. Most souls were already destined for one place or the other. However, with Gray being special, there would be a fight. I can’t win against both. We need to come up with a contingency plan, Had. You must promise me now, this instant, that if it looks like I might lose, you will take Gray and Hannah someplace safe. We must have a successful mission no matter the cost! Promise me!”

Hadraniel looked ghostly white, but he nodded.

“I need to hear you say it, please.” My voice was barely a whisper.

“I promise.” His wasn’t much louder. After a moment’s pause, he spoke again, a little louder and more confident. “I don’t think it will come to that though, Bay. Honestly, I think it will all be okay.”

I appreciated his confidence in me, but it only made me more nervous. Once we got inside the cottage, it took everything I had to make it up the steps to my room. I collapsed into a fitful sleep full of dreams and nightmares of what the next few weeks might hold.

There's no love like the first. ~Nicholas Sparks

The next morning, I was still in bed way past the time I normally woke up. I gathered up my stuff and was heading to the bathroom to shower and get ready for the day when I heard voices from downstairs. I tiptoed to the edge of the steps, knowing whoever was down there couldn’t see me, but it gave me a better vantage point to hear what was being said. I could make out Hadraniel’s voice but wasn’t quite sure to whom he was speaking.

“I’ve never witnessed Bayla like this, ever. I don’t know what to say or do for her. I don’t know how to make it better, to ease her mind.”

My heart ached at the sweetness that Hadraniel had within him. I knew it was a smart thing to make him promise last night to leave me if needed. What I couldn’t say last night to Had was that it wasn’t that I was afraid of Meph, as I’d faced him multiple times. It’s just that we’d never had to fight over souls before. We rarely even interacted. He collected his, I collected mine, and we went on our merry ways. This was the first time since the birth of the Son that an Angel and a demon would have to battle over the soul of a human who, for whatever unknown reason, was so special. I could fight Declan, if it were just him. I have the training. I could even fight Meph if I must. I wasn’t afraid of the fighting..., but I was scared of what could happen if I didn’t win, not just for myself, but for both Gray and Hadraniel.

“Just let her rest the next few days, don’t do any researching. Just have some fun. She seems like someone who needs to learn how to relax. There’s still a few days before Gray’s parents’ cookout when she’ll need a more definite plan. Until then, don’t let her near the bookstore.”

That was clearly Declan’s voice. If I hadn’t heard such sincerity in his voice, I would’ve sworn he was just trying to trick Hadraniel out of learning more about the quake. Declan was full of surprises. Even if the other side’s plan all along was to fool me by sending a newbie. I would have thought they would have sent someone more formidable. Someone that would throw me off my game, but not like this. Someone who could be stone cold and scary one minute, and offering a Blue-In-Training advice how to protect his angel the next?