Barbara C. Doyle

If there was one thing I knew, it was that our demons were what shaped who we were. The things we do, the way we act, are all driven by the things we want locked away forever.

So the peasants are used as targets in war?_ I doubted. __oes the Overhead feel that is necessary to kill off one of their own? Peasants are being placed as diversions on the front line like they mean nothing__ __ould you rather save the strong, or spare the weak?_ Mother questioned me. __hy can we not do both?_ I returned. __ecause Heaven has its reasons, Anastasia,_ Mother chimed quietly. __t is Heavens way to balance those who are strong and those who are weak. It cannot be changed.

Mother knocked once on my door and walked in my room to see me on my bed with the book tight in my grasp. She looked at my night dress and smiled. __xpecting company?_ She asked. I flushed. __t was a gift from Aunt Rose. It is only fair that I wear it considering I do not see her that often anymore._ My voice was firm as I looked down at my night dress. The fabric was silky, and the color was minty-green. It made my skin tone much more noticeable and it made my hair stand out from the rest of me. __re you sure you are not expecting Alexander?_ She asked me sitting at the edge of my bed with a smile not only on her face, but in her eyes. __hy do you insist I dress for him?_ I returned. __ did not insist that,_ Mother answered softly. __ was simply curious as to why you were wearing it. Plus,_ Mother flashed me a bright smile. __ saw Alexander walking around the corridor a few minutes ago._ My heart raced. Mother could see my reaction to that and looked back at my night dress. __t is a very pretty dress; I just wish you were to get it in a year or two from now. It seems so_._ __rown up?_ I offered. __ suppose it does, yes,_ Mother agreed quietly. She ran her hand on the lace that covered the bottom rim of the dress and said, __owever the word I was going to say was_suggestive.

The Overhead bears the most powerful Healers in Heaven,_ Mother began softly. __he Healers__r Guardian Angels, as we were once known as__re given the most power from the sun. Our powers to heal others come from the light and good of the earth__t is what enables us to wake in the morning.

The Guardians of the Overhead hold the most power in Heaven. They have the power to not only heal, but project. They can influence other Healers around them to make sure that Healer makes better judgment choices in life. Following them is the royal family that rules Heavens dynasty__ __he Caspian family,_ I cut in happy that I knew the answer. To know that my family was the second most powerful family in Heaven__ dynasty suddenly made me feel powerful, even though my powers have not come in yet. __es,_ Mother agreed with friendlies to her voice. __lthough we are better known as the Nobles of Heaven. We have the ability to heal others, as well as control ones emotions. As you have noticed, your father and I are most powerful in the day time. That is when our power shines brightest. As the Nobles of Heaven, your father has the ability to control how a Healer acts. If one misbehaves, it is a Nobles job to straighten them up for the good of Heaven. Just by a single command, your father can change that Healers action. For if one Healer acts out, it is a chain reaction. Without consequence, Lumen will be unbalanced.

His lips were practically grazing my nose. His gray eyes were so intense I could feel them reach my soul__f that were possible, anyways. With a smile so devious on his face and in his eyes Xavier whispered, "I can tell that every part of you wants to give in to what I am. The feeling that you feel right now is consuming. I__e been there before, Ava. You can__ deny everything much longer." Closing my eyes, and swallowing back every temptation I felt, I backed away from his warmth. I opened my eyes to see his eyes searching my face in pure awe. "Watch me," I challenged.