Free The Forsaken by Renee Pace Page B

Meredith.
    “She showed me.”
    Meredith gasped. “She’s certainly going for dramatics tonight.”
    “I should have waited.”
    Meredith blushed. “Things are different here than in the Heavens. We’ve had to adapt. But, Nathanael, without Isabella, we would have been lost.”
    “I have gathered that. I need to leave, Meredith, but please let her know I will be back.”
    “She’s hoping you will leave for good.”
    He scoffed. “I got that. But it will take more than a few scars to send me packing.”
    Meredith looked at him. It was the first time she let her eyes hook onto his and Nathanael knew the effort cost her. If they were in their heavenly homes she’d never dare to make eye-to-eye contact. For some reason, her actions pleased him.
    “I think, Nathanael, you will be a good influence on her.”
    “Good or bad. We have a path to follow, and I will not be swayed.”
    “If you don’t learn to bend, she will be like your sword—full of steel and a weapon you will grow tired of carrying.”
    Nathanael laughed for the first time that night. “You, Meredith are full of surprises but in this I believe you are correct. I will heed more of your insight. Will you help me?”
    Meredith cast her eyes up the stairs. For a full minute she didn’t speak. “I will help you but you must go easy on her. Of all of us that have fallen, she has more burdens than most.”
    “Thank you. You have eased my heart a bit but the time grows late and I need to pray.”
    Meredith bowed her head. “I shall pray for you both.”
    Nathanael nodded and then opened the door to the brownstone, leaving them in peace when he felt anything but.
     

Chapter Six
     
     
    Three quick raps on the common room door informed Meredith that it was Mike who wanted into their sanctuary. He’d taken to the fast knocks to let the others know it was him. Meredith smiled, feeling the tension drain from her. For a human, she liked Mike. He established his own code of working with them after discovering they all locked their doors at all hours of the day and usually didn’t answer.
    “Meredith, is everything all right?” Mike asked when she opened the door.
    Meredith was glad now she’d immediately changed her on-stage costume to her usual old-fashioned chaste look. The minute they all completed their performances, they always shimmed out of the formfitting clothing to their more casual wear. Tonight, a long white gown flowed down to her bare feet.
    “This isn’t a good time, Mike.”
    When a roar broke out from the direction of Isabella’s room, Meredith knew Isabella was having a fit. She also knew from experience it was best to let her friend rant away on her own. Tomorrow, Meredith suspected her room would need a thorough cleaning. Moving quicker than Mike could anticipate, she took hold of his arm to stop him from bolting upstairs. She could tell by his startled eyes that he found her strength a shocker. Meredith wondered if he’d asked questions, but knew in all likelihood he wouldn’t. Isabella had assured them all that Mike would not pry into their past lives and over the years, he’d kept that promise. For a second, Meredith wondered what it would take to make him see them for who they truly were. The range of emotions and vivid images that flashed in Meredith’s mind just from touching Mike caused her to take a step back. She had to let go of him or she’d end up disgracing herself with a dead faint.
    Meredith gave a slight gasp. Mike helped her to the sofa. “Are you okay?”
    Not now. The better question is, are you? Meredith gave a small nod and wisely kept her mouth shut.
    Mike ran into the nearby kitchen. She heard the tap and was ever grateful for the glass of cold water he brought to her.
    “Is everything all right?” asked Mike.
    Meredith knew he wasn’t asking about what was going on. For the past few years they’d lived in this house but away from his radar. Nathanael had changed all that. “This doesn’t concern