Free Angelic Avenger by Kaye Chambers Page B

pose a question like that to present company. I might as well take advantage of it.
    “Because you’re afraid of it even as much as you crave it.”
    “So what do I do about that?”
    “You give up and jump off the fence. Either live the life you’ve built for yourself down there or walk away from it and join your fellows up here.”
    He smiled at me with the peaceful smile that said it was all so simple and for him, it probably was. It was a black and white issue. I hadn’t realized that I was walking on the fence until he had pointed it out. I was living in fear. I didn’t want the status quo of my position in death, but I was afraid of the life I’d created on the mortal plane, too.
    “Why does it have to be so complicated?”
    “It isn’t.”
    I blinked as he leaned in and kissed my forehead. Magic flowed through me, causing me to repress a shiver that went all the way down to my toes. Being kissed by an angel was a blessing that wasn’t to be taken lightly. Being kissed by an archangel was something that should be treated with the reverence it deserved in its rarity, especially the archangel in question.
    “Go home.” He smiled as he waved his hand and the beam of light popped into the room. “Take a shower and go down to see those sweet halflings play.”
    “It’s Wednesday,” I corrected automatically. “They’re not on until tomorrow night.”
    “They’re playing. All you have to do is follow the magic to wherever they practice. Things like that should be appreciated.”
    We shared a smile as I stepped away and found myself standing in my living room. I still felt the cold flicker of the tortured soul and decided maybe I should be looking for a little bit of Angelic Melodies to warm up that shiver where my soul should be.
    I grabbed the keys off the table by the door on the way out.
    I didn’t exactly follow the magic. In truth, I didn’t know how. That somehow got left out of my Grim Reaper starter course. Maybe I should think to ask about that next time I had a face-to-face conference with my boss. Instead, I headed to the one place where I knew where to find one of them. Kennesaw Nursery.
    I found them standing around, waiting for Honora to close up for the night. Not all of them, but the trumpet player from the night before whose name I either hadn’t gotten or had forgotten, the piano player and my archenemy leaning against a sleek red Lexus. Somehow, I had envisioned him to be an SUV type, but I had to admit, the car suited him.
    “Well, there’s the woman of the hour,” the trumpeter greeted me rather too warmly for my taste as he jogged over to sweep me in a hug as I got out of my Camry.
    “Hey, hey,” I objected and pushed him off me with a frown that he took for a jest as he tried to lead me back to the others with an arm around my shoulders. “No touching. I’m not nearly drunk enough. I don’t even remember your name.”
    That earned a laugh from the pianist but Gray arched a brow in question. I didn’t even bother to clarify. Let the man wonder whatever he wanted. I didn’t care.
    Oh, who was I kidding? It sounded good, anyway.
    Honora came out of the greenhouse and locked the door behind her. I knew when she saw me as she turned and a smile split her face open with joy. It was enough to stun even me who dealt with angels on a daily basis. She strode across the gravel with a long limbed dance that broadcasted her excitement.
    “I can’t believe it,” she gushed as she hugged me. “We’ve waited so long that it seems like a dream. Thank you.”
    Lord, was I wearing a
hug me
sign on my forehead or something? What was it with these people, all of a sudden?
    “I take it my assistant called today?”
    “He did better. He came to see me to give me the details. We’re meeting at the studio next Wednesday night to make the test track. He’s certainly an interesting man.”
    If she only knew.
    “I’m glad it worked out.” I smiled at her and waved my hand to her