Angel Unlocked

Chapter 6

I was standing on the porch of a gorgeous remodeled plantation home in the wilds of New Orleans. Isabelle, who was standing next to me, told me it has been in her family for centuries. They updated it every so often when new innovations came out. Like indoor plumbing, thank the Lord and Lady.

It had several smaller homes on the grounds that were updated as well. Jasper had told me that this was the only plantation that didn’t have slaves. Since the land belonged to elementals, they didn’t need them. They were able to employ other nature sprites and elemental Fae to run the fields. The other homes were for the families they employed. Isabelle had met Luther because of her father’s policies. He didn’t believe that anyone should work in a field just because they were bought and sold like property.

I couldn’t wait to meet their father. He seemed like a great man. Jasper showed me a picture of him and their mother. Isabelle was a spitting image of her mother. Jasper took after her as well but he had inherited his father’s hair and eyes. They looked so happy in their picture. Isabelle said they’d be even happier now that I was a part of their family.

I smiled while watching the van and truck pull into the circular drive. My crew had arrived. I was so excited to have them with me. Jeremy, Jackson, and Jasper flanked me as I waited anxiously for them to get out of the van. Luther stood behind Isabelle with his hand on the small of her back. The excitement I felt was nothing compared to the excitement coming off her. Sara jumped out of the van first and ran straight for me her blonde hair flying behind her. I giggled as she threw herself into my arms. Jeremy laughed as he steadied me from behind.

“Oh Angel. I missed you so much! We were so worried about you. I’m so happy we can be here with you.” I was surprised that her five foot three petite frame could knock me down.

“Sara. I’m glad you’re here too. I’ve missed you all more than you’ll ever know. I hope the guys haven’t been too difficult for you.”

“Alright Sara move. It’s my turn.” Jake was laughing as Sara stepped aside with tears in her blue eyes.

“Hello my brother.” I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes as I fought not to cry. Jake pulled me into his arms and sighed. “I missed you so much Jake.”

“Not more than me. I felt lost without you. L did a great job but we needed you.” I hugged him back.

He held me at arm’s length and searched my face. He was the same as always. My country boy brother with his sandy blonde hair and emerald eyes. I smiled when I heard Brooks yell for Jake. “Hey we all missed her. I want a hug too Jake.”

I laughed, following Jake down the couple stairs. “Jake you better give him a hug before he gets really mad.”

Everyone laughed as Brooks scooped me off my feet and spun us around. I heard a growl from behind me which Brooks ignored. Brooks looked the same except for his hair, it was green at the moment. It complemented his caramel skin. His hazel eyes held laughter and mischief. “Bout time we get to see you boss lady. L was getting sick of us.”

I looked to L who smacked Brooks on the arm. “They are quite a handful. I’m not sure how you put up with them Angel.” The laughter in her voice made my smile widen. I was still shocked at how lovely she was. Her long curly black hair was thrown up into a messy bun and her mocha skin looked prefect as always.

“It’s not easy. Thank you for filling in while I was gone.” I looked into her warm chocolate eyes and smiled.

I didn’t know L as well so we nodded to each other. Olesia was standing next to her smiling at me. Her innocent looking brown eyes were unsure as they looked at me. I noticed her hair was lavender now. I liked it on her. I nodded to her as well and her smile widened. Lee waved from the back of the truck. I waved back and laughed. He wasn’t as touchy as the others so that was as good as a hug for him. He was looking into the bed of the truck scratching his shaved head. I couldn’t see his light brown eyes but I remembered them well.

Jason was next I smiled as he grabbed me. He pulled me as close as he could. I felt heat from behind me and heard a growl. I ignored both as I allowed Jason to hug me. He was crying softly.

“Angel, please don’t leave us again. Jake wasn’t the only one lost without you.”

“Jason.” I rubbed my hand on his back as he clung to me. I tried to soothe him. “It’s alright. Don’t be sad Jason. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.”

He finally loosened his death grip on me to look at me. I saw the relief in his dark brown eyes. He had finally gotten a hair cut so his shaggy brown hair wasn’t blocking them. It had been a little while since I had seen them. Jason straightened and released me as Tony stepped up beside him. Their height difference was even more than Jason and I. Jason was six foot, compared to Tony’s five foot five. He no longer had a mohawk like before. He looked nice with a fade. His brown eyes searched my face before he hugged me as well. I smiled and hugged him back.

“We’ve all missed you Angel. Although I’ve tried to distract Jason, he still thought about you often.” Tony slid his hand into Jason’s and smiled up at him. I could see the love in their eyes.

“I guess I should introduce you to the others since we’ll be all together again.” I turned around to the supernatural’s at my back. “Before you ask, they are a part of the community that Jeremy and I belong to. You all know Jeremy of course.”

“Hey wolf man!” Sara called out to him with a wave.

“So good to see you too princess.” I smiled at the laughter in his voice.

“Beside him is Jackson” I pointed to him to which he bowed.

“Oh yeah, you’re part of the fan club.” I heard Brooks laugh behind me as he joked about my fan club.

“I am her number one fan.” Jackson smiled at me and winked.

“This is Jasper.” Jasper just nodded towards everyone. His blank expression didn’t change.

“That’s Sam and Daisy in the truck and your driver was Roy.” Sam and Roy nodded toward us, while Daisy waved.

“This is our hostess, Isabelle. She is Jasper’s sister and Luther’s wife. She’s been waiting on all of you to arrive.”

“It’s so great to meet all of you!” Isabelle squealed as Luther chuckled. “I can’t wait to get to know all of you. I’m so happy Angel’s family could be here. Now that’s she’s a part of my family, I can’t wait for us to become close.”

Jake touched my arm. I looked at him and he raised his eyebrow. The entire crew were frozen in place. I sighed, “I’ll explain once we get all of you settled. Isabelle has prepared the cottages on the property for all of you. It’s basically a small home inside. Go ahead and put your things in whichever one you want.”

Everyone of them moved then. Brooks, Lee, and Jake unloaded the truck together as the girls began heading toward the cottages dragging Tony with them. I walked over to my mates and wrapped my arms around myself. This was not going to go well.

“Did I say something wrong.” Isabelle sounded on the verge of tears.

“No Isabelle. You did nothing wrong. It’s just they’re human and don’t really understand our world. They only know what Jeremy has shared with them. They know nothing of mates or prophecies. It’s alright. I’ll fill them in with your help, if you wouldn’t mind?”

Isabelle nodded and hooked her arm in mine. “Let’s see what those bears have made for everyone. Although Daryl might have eaten the majority of it.” She laughed at her own joke.

I couldn’t stop the smile either. After Daryl had went back for the rest of the food, he went to the store again. Roy complained the entire time he helped bring in the groceries. To which Daryl just said we don’t want to run out of food. Isabelle, Daisy, and I had sat on the porch laughing as every man helped bring in enough food to feed an entire state. Daryl just smiled at my reaction as he flitted back and forth from the house to the truck.

Isabelle and I walked into the home arm in arm, I smelled something delicious coming from the kitchen. Isabelle had a family of brownies that helped take care of the home, so the guys wouldn’t be cooking anymore. She told me that their family and hers were close, they had been together since the before times. Gretchen was the mother of the family, she and her three daughters cooked the meals. Gwen, Gayle, and Greta were triplets. They were all exceedingly nice and quite happy for visitors. Gretchen said it was about time she got to cook for more than Isabelle and Luther. She had fallen in love with Daryl and his appetite.

Gretchen was mated to Gerald, another brownie. He and their four boys took care of the grounds and the home. Grant, Gage, George, and Gary went in that order according to birth. They were shy but polite. It might have just been with me though. I hadn’t met the girls yet but I was looking forward to it. All of them were shorter than I had thought they would be. I had met a brownie before that was friends with Jeremy. He was shorter than myself but still above five foot. He said at the time he was the tallest brownie ever but I hadn’t believed him.

Gretchen was the smallest at about four foot five. Her daughters had an inch more than her. Her husband and sons were all four foot nine. They all looked like a typical brownie. Brown hair covered their bodies, almost like fur, and long curly hair graced the top of their heads. Their orb like eyes were almost always brown according to Gerald. He claimed his mother had golden eyes but Gretchen laughed at him.

Isabelle and I walked into the kitchen where four beautifully delicate women were bustling about. I smiled at the scene. It would be so lovely to have a family like this. Isabelle had remodeled the kitchen specifically for Gretchen and her daughters. I could tell this is where they thrived. Each girl worked well with their mother. Anticipating what she needed and helping her before she asked. I watched Gwen go to the ovens and pull bread out. It smelled wonderful.

“Don’t worry yourself little witch. We are almost done with the food. The boys have set up the formal dining room for everyone. The Vampires, however, will not a have a place set since they won’t eat my food.” Gretchen glared at Jackson.

“My apologies Miss Gretchen. It all smells so wonderful that this is the first time I wished I did eat food.”

Gretchen smiled at Jackson. He bowed to her. That made her giggle like a school girl. I looked towards Jackson and could see he was trying to charm her. I guess brownies can be mischievous and Jackson didn’t want that directed toward him. I felt his caress in my mind as I smiled.

“You’ll have to be careful with that one little witch. He’s a charmer.”

“I will most certainly be careful Miss Gretchen. These men are a handful as it is.”

She giggled again and went back to cooking. She had taken to calling me little witch. When I had met her, I had crouched down so I could look at her eye to eye. That tickled her. Isabelle said no one ever got down to her level before. I guess since I did she decided to look out for me. I felt honored to have this sweet little woman looking out for me, no matter the reason.

Isabelle pulled me from the kitchen towards the dining room. Daryl was already sitting at the table waiting. Sam and Daisy were trying to stop him from eating the dishes as they were brought out. I giggled at the look of desperation on Daryl’s face.

“Daryl, dude! Just wait.” Sam was flabbergasted. Which made me laugh harder.

“He’s just hungry my love. He can’t help it, right Daryl?” Daisy’s sweet voice attempted to calm both men down.

“Daryl, honey, can you please just wait a few more minutes?” I couldn’t help the laughter in my voice.

“I will for you Angel. But it all smells so good.” Daryl whined.

Roy burst into the room at that moment causing everyone to jump. He looked around the room sniffing the air. “Where is she?” His voice was a gravelly growl as he looked around the room.

We were about to ask who when Gwen walked into the room as if in a daze. She looked at Roy and sighed happily. Roy closed the distance between them and scooped her up against his chest. Gerald and Gretchen came into the room with a smile.

Gwen clung to Roy as he tired to get a hold of his animal side. It looked as if he was going to shift. Jeremy slid his hand to the small of my back. I felt him in my mind trying to calm me down. I had grown tense when I realized Roy might shift.

They’re mates chere. His animal side wants to be around her too so he’s trying to control his shift. She’s helping him remain calm.

That’s so beautiful wolfie. They found each other finally.

Roy buried his nose in Gwen’s hair and inhaled deeply. “Where have you been hiding mate?”

Gwen smiled at him. “I’ve been here, waiting on you.”

Roy smiled and started to walk out of the room. He stopped at the door and looked at Gretchen. “Go. Spend time together. We’ll talk later shifter.” Gwen smiled at her mother as Roy swept her out of the room.

“Well little witch. You bring us more than just good company. I can’t tell you how happy your visit has made me.” Tears welled up in my eyes as she allowed hers to flow freely. “You will do great things for all of us. I can feel it in my bones. You are more special than anyone I’ve met. If you need anything, anything at all, my family and I are at your service.”

I walked over to her getting on my knees in front of her. “Gretchen. Just having you and your family in my life is the most amazing blessing, I couldn’t imagine anything else better than that.”

She threw her arms around me and sobbed into my shoulder. I held her while she composed herself. I ran my hand through her long curly hair and whispered soothing things to her. I didn’t know that what I said would affect her in this way. I only spoke the truth. She pulled back from me and reached in her pocket for a handkerchief. I saw Gerald wrap an arm around her shoulders and kiss her temple.

I hadn’t noticed their other children join us. I looked at each one in turn and smiled. I wasn’t prepared when all of her sons and husband went to one knee in front of me. The girls and Gretchen went to their knees as well. All of them made a fist with their right hand and placed it to their heart. I had no idea what that meant but I was humbled by their kindness. I allowed my tears to fall as I mimicked them. I knew then and there that I would do anything for this little family. They all got up and surrounded me in a group hug. I closed my eyes and savored their hug.

Someone cleared their throat behind us. I looked over my shoulder to see part of my crew had joined us. Sara was crying as she watched me. Jake was smiling as he held Sara. Jason and Tony were watching curiously. Gretchen bustled the entire family into the kitchen to finish bringing everything out.

I stood and turned towards the others. Jasper was smiling at me like the cat that ate the canary. Jeremy was watching me carefully. Jackson looked proud as he nodded. Isabelle was crying while Luther held her to him. I looked towards Daryl and Sam, they looked shocked with their mouths hanging open. Daisy looked pleased and was nodding as well.

“My lady, you have gained their loyalty. Their entire family just pledged themselves to you. Then you did the same when you mimicked them. Your families will be tied together forever.” Daisy smiled.

“I don’t want them to tie themselves to me. I’m just happy to call them friends honestly. I would do anything for them.”

“That’s what you just promised. They did the same. They will do anything for you if you have need.” Isabelle sounded so happy. “They haven’t pledged themselves to anyone in so long. Not even our family. Gerald’s mom had pledged herself to our family and told him she wanted him to take over here when she left with our parents.”

I tried to understand what that meant. I know the confusion was on my face as I tried to think why that was so significant. Jake saw me struggling and spoke up.

“So why is that significant? It was most certainly touching but I don’t understand.”

I smiled at him gratefully as he winked at me. Isabelle wiped her tears and squared her shoulders. “Right. We need to explain everything. I forgot your family is human. Please forgive us. Let’s take a seat and we’ll discuss everything over dinner.”

Daryl’s eyes lit up at that declaration. Sam sighed and took a seat by a giggling Daisy. Jasper motioned for me to sit between him and Jeremy. Jackson took a seat along the wall with a wine glass. He poured himself a glass with the already open bottle. Jasper pushed in my seat while Isabelle occupied the seat next to him. Jake sat across from me after he pulled out Sara’s chair for her. Tony and Jason sat down by Daryl and the others.

“Are we late?” Brooks came walking in with the others in tow.

“Right on time actually.” Jake’s tone was sharp but I couldn’t figure out why.

Brooks and Lee pulled out L and Olesia’s seats and then took their seats. I looked at Jake questioningly. What was I missing. Jake sighed and put his head in his hands. Brooks laughed out right. I looked toward him and noticed that Olesia and L were both blushing. I looked at Lee and he was as well. Then it hit me, my smile spread slowly as I gave them a knowing look.

“Well I see Jake and Sara aren’t the only ones to fall for each other. Brooks, Lee…I love you both dearly but if you hurt Leona or Olesia, I’ll make you suffer.” My declaration caused my entire crew to laugh. Even Jake.