Chapter 20
Imogael
Scott's arms were so warm. I would be happy to just stay in them until oblivion finally took me from him. Instead of the pain growing, though, it was easing. Did that mean I was dying finally? Did death bring the absence of pain?
I opened my eyes. The darkness was no longer on the edge of my vision. Everything was bright and clear, my head no longer felt as if it was floating from me. First I saw Seraniel's face above me, and then Scott to the side. Scott was holding me, crying still. His breath was ragged and fitful.
He lifted my shirt, and as I looked down I saw that the growing bulge of my abdomen was going away. The bruise indicating internal bleeding was fading. The pain was gone, and I somehow felt more alive than ever before.
It had to be some kind of trick. There was no way I could be getting better. Looking up at Seraniel again, I saw peace in his eyes. Had he healed me? An angel, healing a demon? There was no way I was worth the hell he would get for breaking the rules like that.
“Imogael,” he started, a small smile on his black lips. “You will remain with this man, who you have chosen, and you will live out a natural human life. You will one day die, and when that time comes, you will be judged on your deeds during your human life. Your past as a demon has been forgiven. I've seen to that.”
“I don't understand,” I admitted. “How can I be forgiven?”
“I have given you a gift. A human soul. Like any being with a human soul, you have a chance at redemption, a chance to enter heaven.”
Scott gasped and clutched me tight to him. “Are you serious? And she'll be okay?” He asked. He was shaking. I could hear his heart beat.
Seraniel nodded. “Yes. Her wounds are healed, though with a human soul came the loss of her powers. I hope that's agreeable,” he turned to me then. I nodded. If it meant I could stay with Scott, I would have given up anything. Literally anything.
“It's a miracle,” Scott said with wonder.
Seraniel smiled. “Just be good, Imogael. Know that I did love you, but I was not meant for you. I can see, though, that this man was.”
With a flutter of wings and a strong gust of wind, Seraniel was gone. I didn't even get to say goodbye, but something told me I would see him again. Maybe not for a long time, but I would see him.
Turning to Scott, I sat up. It was amazing how much better my body felt. It was like I was powerful, but in a whole new way.
“I believe you now,” he whispered. “About angels and demons.”
I couldn't help but laugh, sliding a hand against his soft cheek. “I bet you do!”
His hand wrapped around the back of my neck, and with a rough movement, he pulled my face closer to his. He kissed me with sweet passion, with abandon, with true love.
Scott
Months later
I had the biggest, stupidest grin on my face as I led Elise into our garage. Our new house was big, and she was still getting used to it. We moved out here to get away from crime, to forget our past, and to forge a new future together.
Our little traditionalist Catholic church was only a block away. We went every Sunday, which Elise was really starting to love. She was baptized in the Spring, and was really showing an interest in the faith.
Aside from that, I had proposed to her. Right in the very garage that I was leading her too, with one of her scarves wrapped around her eyes. We lived further north in Arkansas, in an expensive neighborhood. I finally got a new job at an office, one that would allow us to keep the house forever if we needed to. Coupled with the money I had saved up, we were living comfortably in calm and tranquility.
Some of that money went to a big fucking ring. The diamond glimmered in the sun streaming through the small windows of the garage. Saejima and Antonio were both there, silently and giddily waiting for Elise to see her gift.
“Scott, I know we're in the garage,” she said, laughing. “What are you doing? Why did you bring me in here?”
“Today's the anniversary. The day we met. So, I thought I would get you a gift!”
“Ooh,” she cooed, bouncing a big. “How exciting!”
Unwrapping her blindfold, first she gasped and ran across the room to hug Saejima and Antonio. “I haven't seen you two in so long!”
“Hey, they're not your present!” I grunted, crossing my arms. She turned around and her eyes immediately fell on the big mass in the middle of the garage, covered by a white sheet.
“What is it?” She asked, stepping around it.
“Pick up the sheet and see!” I said. She did, taking it in her small hands and tugging.
Underneath it was a beautiful Harley-Davidson CVO Pro Street Breakout, brand new and pitch black. One it, I had a custom paint job. “Imogael,” she said, touching the side. “Oh, Scott. I love it.” She jumped into my arms and gave me a kiss.
Things weren't easy. She still had things to work through, things about being a human that she didn't understand… but I loved her. And she loved me. That was enough to see us through.