Lost Angel (Sapphire Wings Book V)
Lost Angel (Sapphire Wings Book 5)
After surviving so many trials and tribulations, Raphael Renaldi believes that the worst is behind their family, especially now that their Angel, Malakai, has returned to them. However, on a trip to Los Angeles to meet with Joel Hawthorne, the oldest Nephilim of the Emerald clan, Raphael ends up going back to his old home to put to bed distant, haunting memories of his childhood and finds something unexpected. A child is hiding in that home; a frightened young boy who eerily resembles him and his brother as children. Eli is a mystery. Though definitely a Nephilim, he is young and seems to know nothing of his heritage or where he came from. He also shows signs of severe abuse and knows little of the world. But as Raphael and his family begin to uncover the truth about him, it will lead Raphael down a road of all too familiar darkness, and make him face the traumas of the past he so wished to forget...
Lost Angel Excerpt
“Excusez-Moi.” Sky-blue eyes were looking at me as I turned back to the bed. The child seemed calmer now, though still cautious. I had a distinct feeling that he wanted to trust me but feared to. If things were as I was beginning to suspect, then he had every right to feel that way. I slowly sat beside him, “I see you’re awake now. How are you feeling?” I asked him. I used French to make sure that he understood me. “Okay.” the boy answered, sounding a little hesitant. “Can you speak English?” I continued. The boy nodded, “Little, but not that good.” he managed in English. “I see. I won’t force you, but can you understand me now?” I said, using English again. The boy nodded. I admit that it still felt very odd as I looked at him. Why did he remind me so much of myself? Glancing at my phone, I decided to wait on calling anyone. First I would see how he did with me. “Do you have a name?” I asked him. “Aucun. I was not give one.” the boy admitted, his voice remaining soft. “I see. Hmm. I can’t just call you ‘boy’ or ‘kid’.” “But I have no nom.” “Then I can give you one for now. How does that sound?” “Tres Bien.” I took a moment to think about this. I needed something that would fit the child. I was certain that I could figure it out. I had always been good with names. In fact, I had unintentionally picked out Noah’s name when Raziel and his wife were arguing over it and it fit him very well. Looking at the boy, I found that one name, in particular, was sticking out in my mind. “How about Eli?” I suggested. “Eli,” the boy repeated. He pointed to himself, “Me?” “I think it fits you very well,” I took a moment to study him again, “Can you tell me how you ended up in that house?” Eli looked down, holding the blankets at his waist a little tighter. He hesitated but managed to speak. “I run there.” “Were you running from someone?” “Oui.” “Who?” “I not say,” Eli whispered, looking away from me. But as he turned his head, I could see something just under his shirt on his collar bone. It looked like a deep purple bruise. “Hey, are you hurt?” I asked, moving his shirt a little to get a better look. He quickly jerked away from me. His blue eyes were wide, reflecting intense fear. “Ne me touchez pas!” he cried. That was the moment I became certain that something terrible had indeed happened to him. In fact, I realized that this was mirroring the past. Just my luck. But I couldn’t leave him alone knowing this. It only made me want to help him more.
