Arrows & Angels (Enlighten Series Book 0) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Part One

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Part Two

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Kasian Publishing LLC

  P.O. Box 211205

  Eagan, MN 55121

  www.KristinVanRisseghem.com

  Copyright © 2017 Kristin D. Van Risseghem

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner.

  Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead,

  or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Cover design by Angela Fristoe, Covered Creatively

  www.CoveredCreatively.com

  Author photograph by Jessica Krueger Photography, www.JessicaKruegerPhotograhy.com

  Formatting by Jaye Cox

  Formatting the Affordable Way

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN – 13: 978-1-943207-59-6 (Kindle)

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  Poisons & Princes

  (An Enlighten Series Short Story).

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  Other works by Kristin D. Van Risseghem

  Enlighten Series:

  Swords & Stilettos (Book One)

  Daggers & Dresses (Book Two)

  War & Wings (Book Three)

  Novellas:

  Fires & Fairies

  Arrows & Angels

  Short Story:

  Poisons & Princes

  This book is dedicated to the ones who are no longer with me, wherever you are.

  May you always be watching over me. You are in the best place now; in God’s loving arms.

  As you wait for me to be with you again,

  know that you are in my thoughts.

  May the angels stand by your side

  as you become my guardian angel.

  I will remember the great times spent together,

  the smiles we’ve shared, and the funny stories told. The sound of your laughter rings in my heart.

  Know that I miss you, but I will endure.

  I will survive.

  And until we see each other again,

  Life is Good.

  The Archangel Michael appeared, regal as always, on the top step of the palace balcony overlooking Heaven’s meeting square. He paused, his eyes roaming over the crowd. Dressed in a deep blue, gauzy robe, his feet strapped in golden sandals, he descended the white marble stairs with his magnificent gray wings extended. His hand glided down the solid gold banister, a faint smile on his face.

  “I seek volunteers. The human species and not the dinosaurs will soon rule the Earth. The humans, or Ordinaries as we refer to them need our help.” His smooth voice projected over the assembled guardian angels. “The Council of Angels has requested we disperse to the Earth realm and watch for the birth of an Ordinary child. The fairies have proclaimed that an Ordinary girl will unite us and stop Armageddon. I met with King Oberon of the Summer Fairies’ court to glean any additional information. All he shared was that this human girl will be special. People will flock to her. She will be one with all Enlightens. Her task will be to get them to join her and stop the first fallen angel’s escape from his current prison and bringing Armageddon.”

  I looked around Heaven at those attending the meeting. Most of the Guardian angels had answered Michael’s call. The variation of wing colors took my breath away. Like a snowflake, no two wing shades were the same. The vibrant hues stood out even more against the whiteness surrounding us.

  A calm serenity washed over me as I listened to Michael’s voice. There was a pleading in his tone. Something I never heard before. The moment he said the word “fairy,” a vibration floated across my golden wings.

  “No one?” Michael asked. “It is your duty to watch over and protect the humans. It is what you were created for.” He scanned the crowd. “You’re going to deny your responsibility? I understand your hesitance to volunteer to travel to the Earth realm, when many of you have always guarded humanity from the safety of Heaven, but this is critical to both our and the human’s existence. I ask that you travel to the Earth’s realm and monitor your assigned child so we can avert Armageddon. If nothing arises by the time she turns eighteen, you’ll then be tasked with another. Until such time as she is found.”

  I frowned. The tranquility I felt, and the constant hum from the choir of angels, pushed at me. I couldn’t fathom ever leaving here—or Him—and felt sure the others shared my opinion as no one offered to go. Some of the angels in the crowd bowed their heads, dodging Michael’s probing eyes, while others wrapped their wings around themselves, shielding their bodies from his deep stare. Being an Archangel, he could see through their tactics.

  The vibration I felt in my wings moved into my body. A spark flared in my soul.

  Then, my arm rose. “I’ll go as He wishes.”

  “Thank you, Kieran.” Michael nodded. “Since you’re the first to volunteer, you will be the lead angel and report directly to me.” More hands slowly ascended, until a couple of dozen were held high in the air. “Carver, Trinity, Harper, and Nishan, as area lieutenants, you will convey all information to Kieran. The others, please sort yourselves into four groups for your assignments. Should you find any indication a girl has been born who may be who we’re looking for, let your area lieutenant know. The rest of you are dismissed, for now.”

  Some angels walked from the square, while others simply disappeared. They didn’t want to feel Michael’s disappointment any longer.

  “Each of the two groups will take an area of Earth.” Michael waved the leaders closer to him as he opened his palm. A sphere appeared. “Carver and Trinity, you are assigned to the western region. Harper and Nishan, the east.” He pointed to the land masses. “We don’t have much to go on and I don’t know what century she will be born in. But upon her birth, the gates of Hell will open and unleash masses of demons who will pave the way for Sammael’s escape the day the girl turns eighteen.”

  Michael drew in a breath, even though angels didn’t need to breathe. “He will bring Armageddon. So watch and learn as much as you can. If you prefer to remain unseen while you keep watch of your area, you may. Confirm the baby’s details with your lieutenant immediately, if a potential candidate is found by your angel group.”

  My arm rose again.

  “How, you wonder?” Michael continued without taking my question. “You’ll know. Believe me. You are Guardians and He has created you to protect against evil. As such, when someone is destined to do extraordinary things, you’ll instinctively be compelled to do everything in your power to protect them.”

  When he didn’t elaborate further, I along with the other lieutenants took it as a cue to leave.

  “Kieran, please hold. I want you to go where you think you are needed the most. There’s is nothing else I can share with you to assist with the preparation for this task. But know that I’ll always be here for your questions. The Council has requested I mentor you. They see great talent in you.” He placed his hand on my bicep. His touch soothing at first, then my skin under his palm warmed. When he removed his hand two silver iridescent wings with a golden triangle in the center had appeared on my bicep.

  I ran my fingers along the edge of the Triqu
etra symbol and it disappeared.

  I nodded to Michael and took one last look at my home, searing into my mind the massive building with towering white pillars, floating pathways made of stone and surrounded by a thin layer of soft white light. That was how Heaven looked to me. I didn’t know what picture others had created in their minds. It had never occurred to me to ask anyone before, and now it was too late. I’d be gone for at least eighteen years. Possibly longer as I moved from one potential girl to the next.

  I wondered how He would let us know if the girl was the one foretold. He could have the earth tell us. We could be drawn to her. I guess it really didn’t matter how he let us know in the end.

  “And Kieran?” Michael asked, breaking into my thoughts.

  “Yes?” I held my breath.

  “Demons will be hunting for her, too. Those who want to create chaos and death will work with them. Their numbers are currently low, but I fear as the time progresses and the Ordinaries population grows, so too will their numbers. As long as the demons know this girl exists, evil will attempt to destroy her and stop the prophecy. I don’t know what forms the evil will take, so be diligent and stay safe. Sammael is clever. Even caged, he still wields enormous power. Do not underestimate him.”

  “I won’t.” I drew my wings around me. “How will we know our assigned child?”

  “Their soul will call to you. You’ll have an inner pull that will lead you to them. This is your first time on Earth, yes?”

  I nodded.

  “You’ll need to acclimate to the surroundings before you are assigned a child. So for the first few rotations, you will only observe. When you believe you are ready, return to me. We will discuss what you’ve seen. You will have to learn much, as your time there may be extensive. I didn’t want to discourage the others from the mission, but I feel the girl we seek will not be born for a long time. Centuries even. But I could be wrong.” He placed his arm over my shoulder. “You will not be tasked with a child every cycle. My inner self tells me there is something special about you, Kieran. I believe you will be a great Guardian angel.”

  I drew a deep breath and nodded, absorbing Michael’s soothing aura.

  “I’m glad you volunteered, Kieran. I have made the correct choice in making you the leader. Something tells me you are destined to be the angel to find her. I cannot see your exact future, but I can see things that may impact your future.” He scanned my body. “Your appearance will do you well. I think the humans will find you pleasing to their eyes.”

  Time in Heaven was not measured, as angels had eternal life. Many were still as youthful as they had been since the beginning of creation. Some angels considered me young since my face was like an older teenager, if you counted the ages of humans. While some angels changed their appearance as often as the sun rose, I kept my blond hair and blue eyes. I thought those colors went well with my fair skin and golden wings.

  “Your lieutenants will be able to hear you, and vice versa no matter where you are on Earth,” Michael said. “So if problems arise, you’ll know about it, and then so will I. I’ll help you as much as I can. This task may be lonely at times, but remember He is always with you.” He embraced me, looked me in the eyes, and nodded. “You’ll figure it out.”

  And then, I was dismissed.

  What had I gotten myself into? I’d never left the safety of Heaven. I’d never been away from Him. I’ve never even had the inkling of a need to be anywhere but here. And now I’d be gone for who knows how long.

  I wasn’t sure what had made me raise my hand to volunteer, but something had. Maybe He made me do it , and I was here for a greater purpose. Who was I, a lowly servant, to question Him?

  Fifteen hundred and eighteen

  I knew nothing of Earth or its occupants. Other Guardian angels observed the new species of Homo sapiens when they first walked the Earth, but I had no interest in them. My lieutenants told me stories of cave dwellers, fire and breathtaking landscapes. And that’s what drew my attention. Nature.

  This task had me doing many new things. I still didn’t understand why I had raised my hand. As I floated down from the skies, massive animals and very few humans roamed the lands. Those who did, lived in packs.

  Floating from place to place, figuring out what plants, trees, and lakes were made of helped pass the days. While I had no charge to watch over—there was much to learn—I gained knowledge of time, the changing of seasons, and the concept of night and day. As time passed, the large creatures no longer inhabited the lands, making way for more and more Ordinaries.

  I had taken to heart Michael’s advice. In time, I loved the views: cascading mountains, dry deserts, and vast oceans. It was seeing these different landscapes that drove me to explore the Earth and exactly who and what inhabited it, even though none of the humans saw me. I felt no urge to meander physically on the land. I preferred to remain invisible and float on the breeze. Each of my lieutenants oversaw their areas with little complaint. They checked in and informed me that none of their charges were the one whom we searched for. Girls were born and died, many before the age of eighteen.

  Eventually, I wanted to experience grass under my feet, the sun on my skin, and the wind in my hair, as the Human’s did. When I finally materialized so the humans could see me, the Earth was too loud for my ears. I cringed. Beasts tore each other apart for food. The humans gathered what they needed to survive, traveled the land in search of their next meal, and slept when they could. Their lives never deviated. It was mundane, actually.

  My travels between the extreme hot and cold temperatures didn’t bother me, since I felt neither but I could if I wanted to. What I did enjoy was the wind that would sweep across my face and feathers. It gave me the desire to fly, to feel the jet streams under my wings. And then I heard a voice.

  “Kieran, go to Egypt. You will know of the girl when you near Nile Delta.” Michael’s strong voice sounded in my mind.

  As Michael directed, I floated toward the city. Something pulled at me. Small dots littered the landscape as I approached. They were huts on the sand with dark-skinned people milling about. A mighty river ran across the countryside near the city. It provided the humans with nourishment, food, and other necessities. I needed to understand these new surroundings and learn the ways of this vastly different culture to that of the people I watched who lived in the caves. The language and actions of these humans baffled me. I’d have to study the words they spoke and the symbols they made on walls.

  But there was an evil here, someplace. I could feel it deep in my wings.

  Remaining invisible I landed next to a small child who ran around the banks, near her mother, who was washing rags in the river. The woman scrubbed and then laid the material on a rock to dry in the sun’s heat. Sweet giggles filled the air. The little girl’s smile was infectious and other children flocked to her.

  She was somehow special.

  Days passed and the humans did the same thing every day. The men would go to work on the triangle building. Large boulders would be cut, polished and then hauled into place. It took all the men to move one square-shaped rock. They labored from sun up to sun down.

  The women cooked, cleaned, and did the washing. The children helped their mothers. They sometimes had time to play after helping the women who tended the fields and grew food.

  Once a week, a delivery cart would be pushed down the hill from the temple and distribute one loaf of bread to each family. They lived in harsh conditions, with scorching temperatures during the day, huts that didn’t provide much shelter in the extreme cold night, and ate very little of substance.

  I watched as the self-proclaimed leader of the land lived in a solid stone building, which was much cleaner and grander than his subjects. He called himself a Pharaoh. He had fine clothes, more food, and didn’t work. It was he who ordered a temple to be built and declared himself a god.

  But I knew better. He was no god. My God wouldn’t let his children suffer in a way that broke my heart see
ing them in bare living conditions.

  As months passed, the girl grew older. At twelve she was more well-spoken than those many years her senior. Young and old humans called her charismatic and many stopped to hear her speak. Late night meetings began to take place with her taking the spotlight. Hushed whispers echoed throughout the growing community.

  The people’s poor living environment worsened, but that didn’t break their spirit. A man spoke out against the pharaoh. He refused to worship him as a god and encouraged others to follow his lead and worship a different, more merciful god. The girl listened to the preacher and rallied the t families who were hesitant to join the rebellion.

  To quash the uprising, the pharaoh dictated longer labor hours for the men. He disbanded all gatherings and stopped the distribution of bread. Still the rebellion grew in strength and eventually the people turned on the pharaoh and chose to worship a new God. They were told they were the chosen Israelites and had been wrongfully enslaved.

  I knew that inside the pharaoh’s heart and mind evil resided. Lust, power, and the whispers of the devil drove him to pour his hatred onto the people. He treated them as slaves which wore them down physically, but he never broke the will. Their minds remained strong.

  Weeks passed and the pharaoh’s resentment grew.

  God’s word touched the leader, Moses, and his brother. They proclaimed to be His messengers. They told everyone to trust them and God, as He would lead them out of their life of slavery.

  Over the months, more angels descended upon the land, remaining invisible, keen to watch the battle unfolding between Pharaoh and the leader. Angels hadn’t seen war in eons. Not since the time the angels first fell from the heavens.

  I listened when God spoke to the leader’s brother and foretold the first of ten plagues designed to free the slaves. I prepared myself for the coming destruction, while continuing to hope the humans would survive. Should they place their trust in the man who had God’s ear, they would be fine.