Page 43 of Revelations

Chapter 10 – The Yellow Brick Road

Greylyn opened the door to Sofia’s apartment to a welcomed sight. She nearly knocked Thomas over when she hugged him. “What are you doing here?”

The professor was decked out in his typical attire—jeans, button-down shirt opened at the neck with the sleeves rolled up, sneakers with the laces untied. His gorgeous auburn hair curled at the base of his neck and fell over his dazzling, intelligent hazel eyes.

Thomas had once played semi-professional rugby back in Australia before a knee injury had put him on the sidelines. Afterward, he’d pursued his doctoral degree full time and had been deemed a whiz kid by nearly all his professors. Now, after being kicked out of the more prestigious Ivy League schools in the United States, he made a living teaching parapsychology at a small college in South Carolina. Since Greylyn had saved him from drowning his sorrows in a whiskey bottle, they had become close friends. In return, hehelped her out with her guardian angel cases whenever she needed it… which was often.

“Sparky, you know I’m thrilled to see you, but what are you doing here? In DC? In this particular apartment? Did you put a tracking device on me or something?” Even while grilling him, her lips curved up in a huge smile.

“Well, darling, if you must know… After you contacted me to help with the heist, I made the executive decision to come find out what this was all about. Even Jasper didn’t have a clue. Knowing you wouldn’t breathe a word of what was really going on, I decided it was time for a face-to-face chat. You can lie through your teeth over the phone, but you’ve never been able to lie to me to my face. Luckily, I traced your call to this lovely lady’s apartment.”

He winked in Sofia’s direction. By the slight blush that came to the elderly woman’s sunken cheeks, Thomas had more than made a friend already. Such a flirt!

“So…spill it, Greylyn! Don’t even try to lie, because I know your ticks and tells better than anyone, except maybe Jasper. Breaking into the Smithsonian was above and beyond your typical guardian duties, and”—his eyes flashed with a knowing twinkle—"I know you’ve been less than forthcoming about a lot of things the last three months or so. Ever since that case at the bed and breakfast, you’ve avoided me, and you’ve dodged every question about that incident and what you’re doing.”

When she failed to answer, he continued, “And then there’s the Kael issue.” A long pause followed as the air in the room became more difficult to inhale. “Darling, that ain’t right and you know it.” He attempted a Southern drawl at the end, but the Aussie could not pull it off. “Needless to say, Jasper and I are both extremely worried.”

Sofia shuffled back to her workroom, leaving them alone.

With a sigh, Greylyn pulled him over to the sofa and spilled the whole sordid story. Although she would never tell Jasper the extent of her closeness with Kael, once on a roll, she confessed that to Thomas, as well.

When she finished, he stared at her, thunderstruck. At first, he said nothing. He stood and paced the small space for a few minutes. Several times he stopped, as if ready to speak or ask a question, but resumed his pacing. He whispered, “Damn, I sure could use a drink about now.”

Perhaps unburdening herself so completely had not been the best idea.

Finally, he reconciled the facts in his mind and retook his seat beside her. “Greylyn, I say this with nothing but love.” He paused to clear his throat as if the words were stuck in there. “What the bloody hell?!”

“Which part? The deal with the fallen archangel part? The working to discover a prophecy, which is not even written anywhere just so I will probably die part? The archangels exist and visit people at the National Cathedral part? Or the locking lips with a dark guardian who has been tormenting me for centuries part?”

“All of it!” He blustered. “The entire fiasco, Grey! How could you keep this from me? I had to physically confront you to get an answer. No wonder Jasper was so pissed.”

Heat crept up her cheeks. “Oh, he still doesn’t know quite everything, yet.”

Hazel eyes stared at her in astonishment, as his mouth fell open. “Which part doesn’t he know?”

Swallowing her guilt, she added, “Umm, the full Kael part.”

“Damn it, Greylyn!” His voice rose as he continued pacing.

“It would be insane to tell him,” she reasoned. “He would just fly into a rage and kill Kael.”

“And that would be a good thing, darling.”

Sofia returned to from her workroom to calm them both down, as their voices had grown so loud that one of the workers casting spells and blessings for her clients had complained.

“Both of you, simmer down. You’re interrupting serious work in the back.” Her kind eyes glanced between them. “Remember, you are friends. You love each other. There are many complications here, but Greylyn can only make it through this trial with your help. You need each other now more than ever before. Never forget the friendship and devotion that have already seen you both through so much.”

She was right. Greylyn knew it.

Wrinkled, arthritic hands reached out and drew them toward each other. “Hug it out now,” she commanded.

With such a simple gesture, Sofia had restored calm. Puppy-dog hazel eyes reflected the same remorse that Greylyn felt. Willingly embracing, they both muttered, “I’m so sorry” to each other. She then slumped into his arms, enjoying his warmth and strength.

After a few moments, Thomas cupped Greylyn’s chin in the palm of one of his enormous hands. “I just worry about you. The thought of something bad happening to you shreds me from the inside. I couldn’t stand it if you…” His voice broke off, unable to complete his train of thought.

Greylyn knew what he had left unsaid. She felt the same way about him.

Sofia chimed in, “Well, see?Now that’s better.” As she bustled back to the workroom, she warned them, “Better get to work, then. Your other friend will be back soon, now that he’s calmed down a little. Don’t expect him to be as forgiving as this blessed soul. That dark guardian is in for a world of trouble from that one.”

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