Eden Read Online Free PDF Page A

Bex,”
he said.
    “ What do you mean? Where
are you going?” I said. He took a step toward the double doors of
the chapel. With my free hand, I grabbed at the fabric of his
jacket. “Jared,” I whispered. His demeanor terrified me.
    The double doors opened, and Eli stood
in the entrance, his expression blank. “I'm sorry, Jared. This
can't wait.”
    Jared nodded, and then tilted his head
to the side, speaking under his breath. “Don't speak, Nina. Let me
handle this.”
    I agreed without words. Jared led me
through the doors, to the top of the chapel steps. The sky was
black, the darkness filtering down to surround our chapel. Several
dark forms stood in formation at the bottom of the stairs. Jared
continued. With each step closer to the unknown, my heart seemed to
be punching through my chest. Finally, I was face to face with
Jared’s accusers, but they remained a mystery. Their faces were
obscured by the hoods of black cloaks. If they were angels, they
were much more frightening than any I’d encountered.
    Eli stood on the other side of Jared,
waiting patiently for something, but I knew better than to ask.
After a few moments the black forms parted, and two figures,
differing dramatically in size, walked forward. Eli made a subtle
motion with his hand, and the air around the small assemblage
created its own light, leaving a muted glow. I glanced at him from
the corner of my eye, and he winked at me. I was the only one
unable to see clearly through the darkness. Eli lit the
surroundings solely for my human eyes.
    His consideration set me
somewhat at ease. He won’t let anything
happen to us , I thought.
    Any feeling of comfort offered by
Eli’s small gesture didn’t last long. The two forms were now
recognizable, and a lump formed in my throat at Claire's nervous
expression as she walked alongside Samuel.
    “ What are you doing here?
Where’s Ryan?” I asked.
    Jared squeezed my hand, and I
remembered too late his rule of silence. A man at the front of the
opposing group ripped away his hood, revealing his enraged eyes.
“You are not allowed to speak here!” he said. His body shook as he
spoke.
    Samuel and Claire took a defensive
stance in front of Jared and me. Jared squeezed my hand again, this
time in comfort. He brought my fingers to his lips and kissed them.
An overwhelming urge to cry overcame me, and although I begged
myself not to, my eyes filled with salty tears and dribbled down my
cheeks.
    Eli casually pushed Samuel and Claire
to the side to approach me. “Look what you've done,” Eli said,
lifting my chin. He used his thumbs to wipe the twin lines of
tears. “Upsetting the bride on her wedding day.” He turned to the
man. “Apologize, Michael, and then mind your manners for the
remainder of our time here.”
    Michael stood tall. “Forgive me,” he
said, his body rigid with subdued rage.
    I nodded once, cowering against
Jared.
    Samuel took a spot next to Jared, and
Claire stood next to me. Eli returned to his position, but this
time he stood more central between the two groups. He lowered his
head and closed his eyes. The Ryel siblings, along with Samuel and
the cloaked men, did the same. I followed suit, wondering if I
looked ridiculous, or if it was expected. Jared didn’t offer a
suggestion either way, so the safe option was to imitate the
others.
    After a short time, Eli began to speak
in his usual soft, matter-of-fact tone. “All praise to the Most
High, as this is His court and His kingdom. I will use the common
tongue for our Nina, so that she may understand. I, Eliath, angel
of the Divine Plan, will act on the Lord Almighty’s behalf. My
decision is final.” He glanced at both Jared and Michael.
“Aggression will not be tolerated.”
    Jared and Michael nodded.
    Eli looked to me, and his eyes
softened. “Michael has made a claim against Jared for the death of
his earthen son, Isaac.”
    My first inclination was to open my
mouth, but after my public reprimand from Michael, I