Bluebonnets in The Spring: Perfectly Stated

In Memory

of

May Dell Lawley

Dedication

Heifer,

To my best friend, the best G-ma in the world, my mama that raised me and was always my number 1 fan till the end.

Thank you for helping me finish this book. I miss you more than you will ever know. I love you!

Heifer, this one's for you!

Acknowledgment

My Squad,

Always a special shoutout to My Squad, Rachel from No Sweat Graphics & Susette from My Write Hand VA for their brilliant and hard work!

My Readers,

Lastly, a huge thank you to my readers. Without you, these books would not be possible.

Prologue: The Fall A close-up of a flower Description automatically generated with low confidence

Faith, just tell them the truth! Rose begged in a hushed whisper.

I stand by my decision, Rose. Anya is the only other Reaper hybrid that is known. I would rather die with the truth than to break my oath and reveal her secret. Sometimes, we are called upon ourselves to sacrifice for the greater good, I argued back while shuffling my feet on my way to be judged.

Rose bit her lip as she fought back tears, but they will kill you. Connor will not let you go that easy no matter what the Tribune decides. They will not risk excommunicating another hybrid. The only reason Anya got off that easy was because she had friends in high places at the time of her exile.

Smiling, I leaned in to hug Rose, You don’t think I have friends in high places? Oh, ye of little faith. No pun intended, I snorted in laughter.

The guard yanked my chain forward, Silence! That’s enough out of you, traitor! Grabbing the shackles with both hands, he yanked me again causing me to fall onto my knees before the Tribune’s thrones. They weren’t actual thrones. The Creator with His Holy Trinity were the only ones who could sit on thrones but these chairs of judgment were as close to the Throne as I would ever get.

I stood before the Tribune with my head held high. The shackles around my wrist were heavy but my heart was light. Even if I were sentenced to death, at least I would go with a clear conscience. I could die with that.

I looked up to see the Tribune taking their seats in their chairs of judgment: Duke the Grimm Reaper, Daniel the Archangel representing Heaven’s judgment, and Uriel the Fallen, representing Hell itself. Against the wall, standing in the shadows were the four Ghostriders. Connor’s eyes held an evil glint with his smirk. He was the leader of the Four Horsemen and now my ex-lover. Seeing him here brought me more discomfort than the punishment that I knew awaited me.

This was the only option. There is no other way, I said to myself. My eyes briefly made contact with Daniel as he tilted his head to the side, raising his eyebrows.

The Grimm Reaper’s voice sounded throughout the room, Faith, the hybrid reaper, you are hereby accused of treason. The crime? Reaping the soul of a fallen angel.

You mean demon... I mumbled under my breath with a smirk.

You dare speak and make jokes when you committed such a heinous crime? Uriel roared from his chair.

I shrugged, Is it really such a terrible loss though? I mean angels and demons kill each other all the time. So am I really breaking any rules here? Your master, Samael was a cruel fallen angel, even for a demon. Uriel, you do not even know the master you served under. There are some lines that should never be crossed but he did and no one would say or do a damn thing about it. I did though and if protecting innocent lives, whether they be human or angel, costs me my life then so be it. I did not  hesitate to strike him down and if he were alive, I would do it over again in front of everyone here. I regret nothing.

Daniel leaned forward. Anyone paying attention could see the haunted pain within his eyes. It has only been a few centuries since his love was condemned to exile for something similar. Anya was the only other hybrid angel like me that still existed as far as we knew.

Maybe it would be wise to hold your tongue, Faith. Your typical comedy is not welcomed here today. These crimes are very serious indeed. While you are part angel, you are also part reaper. When you decided to follow that path upon coming into adulthood rather than one with the angels of Heaven, you chose to follow and abide by their rules and therefore will be punished according to the judgment of the Grimm Reaper, Daniel said without any emotion.

The Grimm Reaper looked pleased by his condemning words. He looked to Uriel and back at Daniel as they exchanged telepathic communication between one another. It must not have been good because Daniel shot out of his chair, knocking it over and stormed out of the room.

In a two to one vote, you will receive twenty lashes before being sent to spend eternity in the Prison of Purgatory, where Uriel will get to choose one form of punishment there but you will not be killed under any circumstances. Do I make myself clear to all who are present? The Grimm announced, looking around the room as everyone nodded and the scribes began writing furiously on the parchment.

A wooden X was brought into the center of the room. The guards pulled me to my feet but hesitated as they shackled my wrists and ankles to the torture device. I rested my chin where the wood made a V in the center and braced myself as my blouse was ripped wide open down the middle of my back, exposing it to everyone.

The Grimm Reaper and Uriel were chatting back and forth about justice being served. The Ghostriders and Uriel’s demon band of fallen were very excited about what was to come in the next moments.

The guard leaned in and whispered in pity, I suggest you put your wings away or there will be nothing left of them by the end.

I remained silent, pretending he said nothing, letting my skin absorb my precious black wispy wings. My hands tightened around the chains and I closed my eyes, bracing for the pain. No matter how painful it was, I would not cry out. They would not get that satisfaction from me.

When I opened my eyes back up, Connor’s eyes were locked in on my pain. With each lash, I bit down harder on my tongue. The taste of blood began seeping into my mouth. He would not get the satisfaction of hearing my screams anymore nor my pain. This was a small price to pay to escape him and his cruelty.

I will always wonder what changed him? How did he go from the compassionate caring angel horseman to a lowly demonized one? When we first began our relationship, I felt like Connor was the only one who understood me. As a hybrid, I was considered almost an outcast, never really fitting in anywhere until I became friends with the brothers Connor, Pesto, Uri, and Rhyfel, the Four Horsemen. They were unique and different from all the other angels. They understood what it was like to be me with their own set of special abilities.

Our relationship seemed so pure but overnight a switch flipped. It started out as little minor differences at first, such as me catching him speaking with some of the fallen at the Ethereal Games but then when we were alone, it wasn’t the gentle man that held me at night anymore. He became aggressive and possessive even, demanding acts between us that were hard limits. The more upset I became, the more it turned him on, like it was a sick game to him.

My breathing became labored pants, trying to keep myself from throwing up everywhere. Never did I break eye contact with Connor, staying locked in a dance of who would break contact first.

The whip’s crack in the air sounded before I felt the stripping pain across my back. I flinched, my back curving as I once again bit down on my tongue even harder to hold the screams within, tasting more of the tang of blood. Even though I made no noise on the outside, the screams shrilled within my head with each lash. Connor and his brothers laughed, enjoying my torture and pain.

Nothing to say now, huh, smartass? Uriel laughed. Connor winked, daring me to do or say anything.

Your mama hits harder than this clown, I quipped with pained laughter.

Silently, I was praying for the end of this torture. I lost count as the cracks of the whip all of a sudden started coming faster and harder.

That’s the best you got? I said smugly. A hit from the butt of the whip struck the back of my head and the room went black.

I awoke on a bed in the infirmary with bandages wrapped around my torso. The slightest movement to sit up forced me to flinch in agonizing pain.

Faith...Faith, can you hear me? Rose gently nudged my shoulders.

My head felt like I had two hammers pounding incessantly on both sides, it was almost worse than the pain across my back. I attempted to moan in protest but nothing came out of my mouth, squinching to open my eyes in an attempt to see the room but my sight was blurry. My hand shakily reached for my throat and my lips parted but strangely no sound came from them. Tears fell from my eyes as my nails raked down my skin in an effort to claw my voice out.

Rose grabbed my hands from my throat, Shh... Faith. It’s okay. I’m here, you’re safe.

For the moment, Daniel interrupted. Faith, I know you are in pain and confused but we need to get you out of here before the Grimm Reaper sends for you and the guards come. I briefly was able to stall them, due to the fact that Uriel slammed the butt of the whip into the back of your head.

Reaching for the back of my head, I could feel the sutures holding my skin back together. My vision began to focus and I tapped my throat while looking at Daniel for answers.

Ahh...yes, your voice. Apparently, Uriel didn’t like your little comeback comments as much as we did; so he ordered that the Grimm remove your voice as part of your punishment.

I opened my mouth and pointed at Daniel then at me, trying to drop a serious hint for him to fix it. With Daniel being an Archangel and all, he held the power to give it back.

Daniel shook his head, I know what you’re thinking and no, I cannot restore your voice. I am already risking everything in an effort to help you escape. Rose, help me get Faith to her feet.

Yes, sir, Rose answered. I threw my head back and opened my mouth screaming in silent pain as they forced me to my feet.

Listen to me, Faith. Rose and I are going to sneak you out through a portal but you can’t tell us where you are going. When the portal opens, we are going to push you through without looking. That way, if we are found out they can’t track you because of us.

Rose and Daniel practically dragged me towards the wall where Daniel began chanting in Enochian, the ancient language of the angels and the portal opened up.

Spread your wings. Release them from their hold and fly, Faith! Daniel ordered.

I shook my head violently in pain. I couldn’t do it. The pain was too much as I squeezed their hands in agony. Down the hall, we heard the spurs of the Ghostriders with each heavy thump of their footsteps.

Ghostriders? Rose asked Daniel but hugged me tightly, Faith, you need to release your wings and fly.

They must really want to secure her to the Prison of Purgatory if they have sent the Ghostriders in, Daniel mused. I’m sorry, Faith, but it’s fly or die, he said as he shoved me through the portal, sealing it shut behind me.

I fell through the clouds in the sky. A storm surged around me as lightning shot through the air and I bobbed and weaved my way in it. Thunder boomed and I began to spiral downward. My wings...I couldn’t release my wings but I bit my tongue, grunting in silence as they ripped through the skin finally. I could practically yank my hair out because the pain was so intense. The muscles screamed at me to stop flexing them as I flapped my wings faster and faster trying to save myself from the death of gravity.

Chapter 1: The Storm A close-up of a flower Description automatically generated with low confidence

Clyde

The smell of rain filled my senses as the sun began to set across the beautiful hues of the Texas sky. Thunder crashed and lightning flashed, darkening the ranch all around. Something was coming but I didn’t know what as the ominous feeling washed over me. Through the driving wind and rain, vaguely I could see lightning striking the ground from the sky. Another crash of thunder sounded and the ground shook violently.

In the barn, the horses were going wild, pulling my attention from the sky. It was probably a flock of birds that didn’t escape the storm. 

Once I had everything squared away, I sat down on the swing, inside the screened-in front porch, with my best friend and trusty pitbull beside me.  We watched the storm brew and worsen by the second.

My loyal dog sat beside me on the swing inside the screened-in porch as we swung slowly back and forth.

Looks like we may be sleeping in the storm shelter tonight, Buddy, I said, ruffling his ears.

Buddy perked up, tilting his head slightly, listening to something far off. There was a wave of intense protectiveness, mixed with anxiety, rolling off of him as he stared out into the darkness. As I watched him, he sat up and growled in the distance and jumped off the swing, standing at the screen door looking out into the field.

Leaning forward and I whispered, What is it? Someone out there?

I squinted my eyes, peering out into the blackened void of darkness but I couldn’t see past the screen until the lightning flashed, striking the ground. Lightning flashed again as something emerged from the fiery crater. Off further in the distance, lightning flashed again as four horsemen emerged out of the darkness, riding after what appeared to be... a woman? Were those...wings?

A flood of emotions hit me like a brick wall. Fear, anxiety mixed with lust for the catch, thrill of the hunt, and a sense of duty.  It took me a moment to figure out which one of us was feeling which emotions. Living out in the middle of nowhere, I shouldn’t ever see another living soul unless two things were happening, they were