Aurora - Book 1 - The Blessed Ground

4. Boundaries

I get some dinner and nearly sit down with Rave when Eden ushers me to her office instead.

She sits at her desk. "You can use my desk to eat, sweetie. I need to explain some things while you do that."

Tonight's noodles are covered in a red sauce. It reminds me of spaghetti. It also came with some grilled veggies. "Thank you. This is good."

"You seem to be adjusting well."

"I think the angel wings are helping a lot." I feel my chest tighten. "But I don't understand why I was killed. I didn't do anything wrong."

"I will look into it. Maybe the police on Soitera can answer some questions. For now, keep going as best as you can. I know it's difficult."

That doesn't help, but I agree. "I miss my dad and Dante."

"That's what I want to talk to you about. I have been made aware that you went to Soitera with Rave. You two went shopping."

"Was I not supposed to?"

"That's perfectly fine. You are allowed to be on the planet. But I need you to promise me you won't go to Dante, your dad, or anyone else from your old life."

I stop mid-bite. "Why?"

"They will not heal or move on."

"Move on?" I set the fork down.

"I know you and Dante loved each other. Think of it like this. He only gets around eighty years to live. Eighty years to find a partner, have babies, live his life. After his life is over, you will still be immortal. You'll be able to find a partner and do all of that. You can't take that away from him."

Dante flashes through my mind. Holding his hand. Fixing his tie. "I miss him so much."

"I know you do. I promise in time it will get better. But you have to let them live their lives. They have such a short amount of time to find happiness. You have eternity."

I feel like I'm about to be sick. "So, I'm supposed to just disappear?"

"You already have," she says gently. "From their perspective, you're gone. And that grief... it's part of their life continuing."

After a long pause my next question sneaks out. "Will they come here later?"

"Nobody knows. We've had two this year that have joined us from Soitera. It's been five years since the last. Most mortals don't."

"Can I visit heaven?"

The answer is instant. "No." She sighs. "Heaven is a different existence. It is ruled only by Amlio. Even the angels can't visit. I know I would as well. But those souls have moved on, and we have to let them be at peace."

"Do you think they watch over us?"

"I'm sure they do if it's possible. Like we watch over those we love on Soitera."

This hurts so much to hear. "I wish I could have stayed."

"I know. It's hard to say goodbye and find closure for something like this. I promise, I will look into the police findings. We'll try to get some kind of answer for you."

I sit back and hug myself. "I guess that'll have to be good enough."

"I'm sorry it's all I can do. Please remember what I said about letting everyone grieve and move on. That life is gone for you now. They have to move on. I know you want them to find happiness and love during the short time they have on Soitera."

"I do."

She smiles and seems to reset. "The next rule I want to stress is not going to Soitera without a disguise. There would be mass hysteria if they saw angels and demons raining from the skies."

"I understand. Rave explained that. We had us disguised when we went shopping. The wings were gone, and we looked like normal people."

"Very good. Once you understand how to do that on your own, you'll be able to visit Soitera. And as long as you remember everything we've talked about today, I'll never have to step in."

I hug my knees on the chair. "I'll be good." This seems less like freedom and more like a condition now.

"I know you will. I promise it will get easier. Give it some time."

I nod even though I'm not convinced. "I'll do my best."

She smiles and finally lets me leave.

I take my tray back to the cafeteria and Rave is gone.

I roam around the yard for an hour and try to understand what was said. I'll try to stay away from my old life. But I'm at least going to say goodbye once and explain it to them. They deserve a goodbye. They deserve to know I'm ok. I can't just never see them again.

I head to my room feeling better about my decisions and plans.

Rave's sitting on her bed with a couple of guys. She glances at me like this is nothing unusual. "This is Quade and Ryker."

The angel stands up and shakes my hand. He smiles so brightly. "I'm Quade."

The demon winks at me through his long black hair. "I'm Ryker. Want to go have some fun?"

My eyebrows shoot up before I can stop them.

Quade laughs. Then he sits by Ryker and rubs his shoulders. "You're going to scare her. Calm down, sexy."

"It's not like she's ten." He takes Quade's hand and kisses it. "You know I love you. Don't get jealous."

Rave rolls her eyes and flops back on her bed. "They're a couple. And Ryker is... Ryker."

"That's one way to put it," Quade mutters with a smirk.

"I thought angels and demons can't be together?" I slowly sit on my own bed trying to understand.

"You're not wrong." Ryker leans over and kisses Quade's neck.

Quade's expression shifts slightly, like he's deciding how much to explain. "Officially, it's discouraged. The Order of Amlio enforces the no-mixing law."

Ryker rolls his eyes. "It's mostly about control and reproduction rules. Not feelings."

That feels weird. Like I was supposed to understand it already but didn't.

Rave smacks him. "Stop it. You're on my bed. That's weird. But yes, the Order of Amlio has the no mixing law. But that's basically to stop pregnancy. They can't get pregnant. So, most people don't care. They look the other way."

Quade nods. "If anyone from the order shows up, we don't know each other. They will not look the other way."

"I get it." I grab my pillow and hug it.

Ryker studies me for a second, then smirks. "Don't look so shocked. You'll figure out what side you like soon enough."

"I don't even know what that means yet," I say quietly.

Quade gives Ryker a look. "Leave her alone."

Ryker lifts his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine."

He smiles. "Once you pick, angel or demon, you'll want to find someone the same as you to make a life with. You'll be able to have kids that way."

Ryker smirks and grabs Quade's thigh. "Now for the fun part. You can't get pregnant by anyone right now. Angel or demon. Just don't get caught."

Rave slams her ass down between them and shoves them apart. "We also can't get pregnant by mortals."

I blink a few times trying to keep up. This is a lot.

Ryker adjusts himself. "Yeah, we can't get mortals pregnant. They can't get you pregnant. Demons have a lot of fun with that. But it's also against the law, so don't get caught."

Rave smiles at me. "That'll never change. Even after you pick, you'll never be able to get pregnant by a mortal. I think a lot of us use mortals for fun every now and then."

Quade snorts and rolls his eyes. "No. That's a demon thing. It wouldn't be for the greater good to sleep with half the mortals on the planet."

"Let's go have some fun now." Ryker stands up. "And yes, it would be for the greater good if I was in a bad mood."

"How do you figure?" Quade jumps up and crosses his arms.

"Would you rather a few people get tortured, or someone gets a good f**k?"

Quade rolls his eyes. "Damn demons."

Rave giggles and gets up. "He's got you there. That would be for the greater good."

"So, what do you want to be, Aurora?" Quade opens the balcony door for me.

"I don't know. I like the demons' clothes, but I want to do good. I want to help people."

"You can wear whatever you want either way."

Ryker steps out on the balcony with us like he owns all the space. "Yeah, that part don't matter." Then he picks me up and tosses me over the edge.

"AAHHH!" I remember I have wings and save myself from smashing into the ground. I land on my feet and shake out my wings. I glance at them. I don't fully trust them yet. "They are nice."

Quade pats my shoulder and glares at Ryker. "You're alright."

Ryker laughs. "I was doing the greater good. Making sure she's learning how to fly. Someone has to do it."

"COME ON." Rave takes off straight up. Ryker takes off after her.

Quade smiles. "Go on. I'll make sure they don't leave you lost somewhere."

"Thank you."

My wings lift me off the ground with no problem. Then I fly up as fast as I can.

This is amazing. I fly right through a cloud and punch through into what looks like a different world. The only things up here are space and clouds. The clouds are below us now. It's nearing sunset and the sunset colors are reflecting on each of the clouds. Orange and gold. I stop and just stare.

I think this will be my new safe spot.

"Hey. You ok?"

I wipe the tears off my face and try to nod at Quade.

He drifts closer. "It is breathtaking. I know. And it's always here. You can come back whenever you want."

"I've never seen anything so perfect."

"There's still a lot more you haven't seen yet." He winks at me and takes off. "Come on."

Not like I have much choice. I do my best to keep up and not fall out of the air. Learning to fly is different. We fly in silence for a while.

After 15 minutes he slows down. "Can you feel them?"

I glance around and shake my head. "What?"

"Try to feel for angels and demons like you did in class today."

I close my eyes and concentrate. Then I start to sense where they are. I point to where I feel people.

"Good job." He flies down into the clouds.

I take off after him. I really don't want to get left. I fly right into him inside a cloud. "Sorry. I don't want to get lost."

He chuckles. "You won't. Just follow the feeling."

We get below the top layer of clouds.

"Look around. Everything in the clouds is The Blessed Grounds. It's the home of the angels. To be honest, it's set up a lot like Soitera. Our main city is where Tryty University is. That's also where the Order of Amlio meets. They have offices there. It's a big place. But there are other 'towns,' for lack of a better word. I guess this would be what you consider a town. Some angels have built homes here. A few businesses have opened."

My feet touch the ground, and I don't fall on my ass. That's a nice feeling. Seems like I'm making progress. "We're standing on land but still in the clouds."

An angel woman lands beside me. "I think your friends were heading down that path."

"Thank you."

"My pleasure." She smiles and flies away.

Quade puts his hand on my back and leads me to the path. "Angels will always do something if they think it's for the greater good. She was trying to help. She could tell by your wings you're new. She didn't want you to get lost or feel scared."

"She did help." I swallow some tears. I love angels.

"We don't get the title of angel by being assholes. Here we are." He opens a door for me.

I freeze. This is a party of some kind. There are probably 50 angels and demons sitting at tables and a bar.

Rave runs over and puts a drink in my hands. "I thought you got lost."

I glance at Quade and he's drinking. "Is this alcohol?"

"Yes."

"Angels drink?"

"It really doesn't affect the greater good if we have a few drinks. Some choose not to though. Personal preference." He takes a big drink and makes a weird face. "She's making them strong tonight."

I sniff it. It does smell strong. It burns my nose.

"No." Lucifer picks me up. "What are you assholes doing?"

"She can have a drink. Relax."

"She has the funeral tomorrow. No drinking tonight." He carries me out the door and through a portal. We're back in my room. "Bring Xander."

He puts me on my feet in my room. I sip the drink. I managed not to spill it. "That is strong."

He shakes his head and sets it on the desk.

Xander comes in. "What do you need?"

"She needs to sleep before tomorrow." Lucifer spins me towards him and looks in my eyes.

I remember sitting in my garden, reading and eating a cucumber. It's all I can think of for a minute.

His fingers drag over my forehead before the blackness closes in on my vision.