Until Next Time The Angel Chronicles Book 1 Read Online Free PDF Page A

members of the Council awaited their historic journey. She could barely breathe as they were led to the stage. Emily searched the familiar faces. As her friends and teachers met her gaze, a mixture of sadness and loss filled the quiet room.
    “Bow your heads and close your eyes,” Michael ordered quietly.
    Emily took one last look at Matt, her best friend, and felt powerful sparks of energy flow through their clasped hands.
    Matt’s words were determined and strong. “I’ll always know you. There’s no need to worry about that.” He smiled before closing his eyes.
    Emily’s brain knew what he said was true. She could never forget Matt. If nothing else, she would surely remember his cerulean blue eyes. They were the color of the thin line that separated the ocean from the sky. His gaze was that brilliant horizon that kept her steady so she never got lost in the wide majesty of the stars, or the treacherous depths of the ocean. Their souls were one, keeping each other on the right course, oblivious to the rest of the world.
    “Wait!”
    Emily heard a familiar voice cry out. She opened her eyes to see Saint Francis rush into the room. His long white hair flew out behind him like a crown of feathers as he ran towards her, clutching a small black and white bundle in his arms.
    All the eyes in the room seemed amused, as they watched the old man scurry forward under Michael’s impatient gaze. “I’m so sorry to interrupt, but I forgot to give something to Emily,” Francis sputtered, as he held a furry object out to her.
    She glanced up at Michael’s towering figure.
    “Do I even want to know who this is?” Michael sighed, as he stared down at the squirming ball of fur.
    Francis tilted his head to the side, placing the creature into Emily’s outstretched arms. “ Who ? It’s not a who, Michael. It’s an it .”
    “Okay, what is it ?” Michael asked, continuing to scan the small ball of fur for any sign of trickery.
    “Oh, for His sake, Mike, it’s only a cat.” Francis laughed, patting both Emily and the cat on the head before rushing back down the aisle.
    Michael rolled his eyes. “Okay, let’s try this again.”
    The chiming of bells filled the room, making Emily’s ears hum. She knew it was happening. Matt’s hand disappeared from hers, and she hugged the agitated cat closer, feeling the sudden power of two strong arms enveloping her soul. They held her softly as they raised her into the air. She felt…peaceful. Like she was floating through a lovely summer sky. Colors illuminated the backs of her eyelids as an emerald green landscape appeared with a small, brown cabin resting on top of a hill. A beautiful blue river wound its way across the moors toward dark cliffs that towered over an angry looking ocean.
    Two young women came into view. They were sitting outside the door of a small cabin. One was lying down; her red hair was spread out across the grass like a fan of fire. Her eyes were closed and her face looked deathly pale. The other young woman hovered over the lifeless body; her mouth wide open as if she were screaming.
    Suddenly Emily felt the warm arms release her as she began to drop closer and closer to the sleeping body. A rush of cold air entered her lungs and hot blood flowed through her veins. As Emily struggled to open her eyes, a bucket of icy cold water was thrown in her face.

CHAPTER THREE
    Ireland, 1810
    Liz sat up and gasped for air, letting the cold water bring her back to the land of the living.
    Above her, Faith screamed; her face was a mask of panic and fear. “Are you all right?” she shouted. “Elizabeth, speak to me!”
    Liz blinked against the brightness of the setting sun. “Stop screaming. You’ll have the whole blasted county up here.”
    Faith dropped to her knees.
    “What happened?” Liz spoke softly. Her head was pounding; her brain was completely fuzzy.
    “You blacked out again. I told you I would get the food ready. Why don’t you just rest once in a