Free Inception (The Reaping Chronicles, 1) by Teal Haviland Page A

for the task of handling His rewards and punishments. Ever since, he made it a personal mission to make sure that Gabrielle not only did her job well but was also happy—knowing the latter could be difficult for The Angel of Karma.
    “No, Amaziah. Of course you don’t need to be concerned about me,” Gabrielle answered, trying to figure out how to explain. “I don’t know why I was thinking of him so much, really. He is someone I’ve had visions of, and I met him today. I suspect I’ll have to help in some way in the future, and that’s why he’s on my mind.” Gabrielle hoped the explanation would appease her superior. She was surprised, and uncomfortable, at her attempt at deception. That was new for her, at least verbally, since she had been keeping Lucas to herself for quite some time.
    That’s deception in its own way, I suppose.
    “I see,” Amaziah said simply. To her relief, he seemed to let it go. He immediately turned his attention back to Sheridan.
    Gabrielle was happy he didn’t push the subject further. Sheridan, on the other hand, seemed to be leery of Gabrielle’s response. Her gaze lingered on Gabrielle for several moments, and her eyes held questions. Sheridan knew her place, however, and Gabrielle was sure she’d get no inquisition from her. At least not in front of anyone.
    Sheridan had been assigned to Gabrielle from the beginning. They’d been through thousands of years of working together, and even though Gabrielle had no proof, she’d always felt that Sheridan didn’t approve of her. It was just an instinct, really. But angels rarely, if ever, doubt their intuition. More often than not, it was accurate—and life-saving.
    Still, Gabrielle had no cause to doubt Sheridan’s loyalty to her directly, and especially no cause to doubt her loyalty to Yahuwah. If she ever went against the orders Gabrielle gave, it would be a transgression against Him. To oppose Yahuwah or his instructions in any way, most often, would mean punishment. Depending on the betrayal, it could even mean being cast out of their home forever.
    Javan had rebelled against Yahuwah. Of course, his actions, the most unforgivable from what she had been told, resulted in him becoming one of the Fallen. Gabrielle’s chest caught as her heart was gripped by the emptiness the loss left. A rush of emotions forced themselves through her human body. For the first time, tears began to pool in her human eyes, and she shut their lids forcefully to try to keep her sorrow contained.
    “I know, Gabrielle,” Amaziah said softly. He was suddenly beside her, placing his hand on hers. “We all miss our fallen friend. You, because he was your eternal companion, most of all.”
    Amaziah had heard her thoughts again. Gabrielle raised her head and looked upon her friend’s face, releasing tears from the corners of her eyes when she did.
    She was sure she saw some in his, as well.

    Gabrielle had excused herself from Amaziah and Sheridan and asked to be left alone on Earth for a while, saying she would meet with them in Heaven when she was ready. She needed some time to let the somber moment pass and clear her mind. When she returned to them a couple of hours later, they were debating a different topic. Both stopped and looked at her with concern. She imagined they both wanted to know the same thing.
    ‘I’m fine.’ That was all Gabrielle trusted herself to tell them. She had never let her sorrow show outwardly and didn’t know if more emotions would burst forth, even now while she was in her true form. She was eager to get her job taken care of so she could return to Earth and have more time to be alone.
    Time …
    She should feel she had a lot, considering she was created to live forever. But she didn’t. She’d learned a long time ago that time wasn’t a guarantee. Everything can be taken away, everything changes, and even angels die. Her human time would be brief. That was something she had no control over. But, at that moment,