Chapter 16
While Schuyler was getting ready for her big date with Henry; she was replaying his story in her head.
Henry had been around as long as her mother. God had made Henry for Gabrielle to be her guard from Lucifer. When Lucifer had been a heavenly angel, he was making advances to Gabrielle when Michael was not around. God could sense the evil coming into play with Lucifer. God wanted to give Lucifer the benefit of the doubt, but he saw Lucifer's shortcoming. God knew he couldn't protect Gabrielle, but he did want to provide her with some protection from Lucifer.
Henry said that Gabrielle never knew she had a guard, but Michael did. According to Henry, every time Gabrielle was called into cycle so was Henry. Michael always made sure that Henry was always hired as a guard for Gabrielle and she would always insist that she could take care of herself. Michael would then tell her that he need Henry around for his safe of mind; while he is away from her and it would always work.
As Henry and Gabrielle's relationship grew over the centuries and cycles they came to know each other's secrets. Henry's loyalty was always with Gabrielle and he would always lie to Michael on behalf of Gabrielle. So when Henry found out that Gabrielle's interest and love for Michael was fading he spoke not one word to Michael about it. Gabrielle was always hoping that the next cycle that Michael would not be there. She was wanting just one cycle without him to explore the world and herself.
That want is where Schuyler's father came into the picture this cycle When Lawrence called Michael and Gabrielle up in this it was because Lawrence was onto something concerning the Silver Bloods. When Allegra came into her memories she knew that she had to get out of the bond with Michael.
Henry wasn't call into this cycle until Allegra's love affair with Schuyler's father became permanent. On the eve of Allegra's wedding Michael flew to Winchester, England and spoke with Henry's father. Henry to this day still doesn't know what was spoken between the two of them, but he does know that the following day he was called into this cycle.
When Henry came into his memories he tried to find Allegra, but could not sense her. Henry knew that if he was here then she had to be because that was the rule. Henry remembers sitting in his room late one night when his father came to see him.
"Your mother tells me that you have been trying to search for her."
"Yes, but I am coming up empty."
"She is here in this cycle, son, but something has happen to her and now your plans will change."
Henry remembers being confused. How could anything happen to Gabrielle? He was supposed to be her protector.
"Son, Lawrence called Gabrielle and Michael into this cycle. Gabrielle fell for her human conduit and they married. This has caused her to break her bond with Michael. Before he could punish her, Gabrielle's conduit was killed. This caused a shock to her system putting her into a coma for her human shell. Before she went into her coma she gave birth to twins."
By this point Henry's head was spinning. How could Lawrence not call him up when he called them? Why did she fall for her human conduit? What is his purpose now?
"Dad, you said she had twins, so who did she bring into this cycle?"
"Henry, she never called anyone up. The twins are rare we call them half-bloods. They are half human and half vampire. Michael says one of them is showing beyond capable abilities while the other one seems normal."
"I am confused. The twins Gabrielle had are half human. I have never heard nor seen any half-blood. So what does all this mean for me?"
Henry's father then told Henry of Michael's coming and requesting of their services and of Michael's recent call for Henry's services in New York.
Henry remembers the day he arrived in New York. He was ordered to Charles' home office. This is when Henry was told of Schuyler. Charles had greeted him at the front door; which he never does. Charles also made sure that the twins and Schuyler were gone to school for the day. Charles did not want to take any chances with them finding out his plan. Charles led Henry into his office, locking the doors and closing the curtains behind him.
"Please Henry take a sit." Charles instructed as he pointed to the green wing backed chair across from his desk.
"Charles, will you please explain why I had to come at once. I have been informed that Allegra is in a coma. So why am I needed?"
Charles passes a picture of Bliss across his desk and then a picture of Schuyler.
"You are here because of them. They are Allegra's twins."
Henry looked at the pictures of the two girls. They looked nothing a like; one had red hair and green eyes while the other had black hair and blue eyes.
"Their names are Schuyler and Bliss. Schuyler is the one with black hair and Bliss is the other one."
"So what does this mean for me? You know I was created for Gabrielle."
"Yes, that is true, but I think your services can be used for Schuyler. She seems to have inherited some of her mother's traits and abilities. I think it would be best suited for the Blue Blood community if you would watch over Schuyler. She has been attacked already by the Silver blood."
Now Charles had his attention there hadn't been an attack since the 1900s and then they disappeared. Now Charles was telling him that Schuyler had been attacked not once, but at least twice from what Charles knows. For Schuyler to live through one attack is amazing, but two is saying something about her. Now Henry had to meet her, but first there was someone he had to see.
"Ok, Charles what do you want me to do? Henry asked already knowing the answer.
"Schuyler is the one to our salvation and she needs as much protection as we can provide for her."
"I will provide my services, but I have to go talk to Allegra first."
"You know where to find her. I need you to be at the Ball tonight to escort Schuyler."
Henry stood up shook Charles' hand and walked out of the townhouse. He hailed a cab to the hospital where Allegra lay in a coma. Henry knew that in all reality that Allegra was in another realm. Henry closed and locked the door behind him and sat down next to Allegra's body. He reached across, grabbed her hand and closed his eyes. For him to find Gabrielle was not hard for they were connected.
There she was standing on a grassy hill surrounded by Cherry Blossom trees, overlooking a stream. Henry thought to himself," I should have known she would have these trees." The Cherry Blossoms were her favorite smell for it reminded her of a place she could never return to.
"Gabrielle, it is Joel."
She turned around slowly. She always preferred her angelic stat. She had said she felt more at ease in it.
"Hello Joel, I see that Michael called you into this cycle." She said with a smile.
"Yes, he did. For a half-blood named Schuyler." Henry said watching Gabrielle's reaction carefully. For her reaction would tell him all he needed to know.
Gabrielle's eyes flashed full of fear when she heard what Henry had said.
"So it is true. You did marry a human and produce twins with him."
Henry saw the shame in her eyes as he spoke those words. Henry knew Gabrielle had a reason for doing all of this and he would have to trust her.
"Would you like to explain what happen?" Henry asked.
Gabrielle stood quietly for a moment then sat down under a tree. She patted the spot next to her indicting for Joel to sit next to her.
"When I met him I was using him as my human conduit. Then, I realized I could perform the Sacred Kiss on him and that he would be mine. I saw my way out of the bond with Michael. The Sacred Kiss allowed him to love me and I eventually fell for him. We married and everything was blissful until one evening. I told him that I was pregnant and he was overjoyed. It should have been wonderful, but I soon realized something was wrong with Stephen. I couldn't put it together fast enough before Stephen changed into Lucifer. He had killed my husband and taken control over his body to impregnate me. It was then that I killed Stephen's body again and let lose Lucifer.
I moved in with Cordelia and lived there until the twins were born. I saw them that day and received a message from our Master. He told me that with the good come the bad and that in the darkest of dark moments there is always a light.
I realized then that one twin was of good and the other of Lucifer. I told Cordelia of my suspicions and we performed a spell. I conjured up a ball of Angelic light; one twin turned towards the light while the other cried and looked away. I could never hurt one of my children, so I turned Bliss over to Cordelia and she put her in safe keeping and under close watch of a watcher. Schuyler, in return, came home with me."
Henry then found the fact of Allegra going into a coma perfectly fitting. She knew that she would have to defeat one of her own children. So instead of watching they grow and falling more in love with them she just shut herself down to the outside world.
"Tell me Joel, how are they doing?"
"All I know is that I have been called here to protect Schuyler. It seems she has been attacked by a Silver Blood and lived. Charles wants me to be her protector. I informed him that I would do it, but only with your blessing."
Henry could see that she was taking it all in. He could sense her frustration, worry and sadness.
"It is not your fault. He tricked you and you could not sense it."
"If I would have stayed with Michael and gone through with the bonding this would of never happen." Gabrielle said as she was turning around to walk off. The scenery was changing to a snowy winter land.
"I will protect her with all that I have, but I need you permission first."
"Answer me this; why is protecting her so important to you?"
"Apparently, you haven't been keeping track on them. Bliss is not joining in with the Blue Blood Council anymore. Charles thinks she has something to do with Lucifer. Schuyler is being attacked and has no family left besides Charles. Charles thinks she is the key only because of Lawrence. I want to help Schuyler, but I want her to come back with me to England."
"Why do you want her in England?" Gabrielle was getting confused. She didn't understand why he would take her away from here.
"I can only protect her so much here in the states. I would feel better with her in the Europe Coven; I could use my own men to protect her. I have a feeling that this coven is corrupt. I can't tell Charles this, but I feel it is someone close t him."
Henry didn't tell Gabrielle the real reason. That will have to wait till later.
"Joel, you have my permission. I have always trusted you more then Michael. If you feel that is best for Schuyler then I give you my blessing."
With Gabrielle's blessing Henry stood up and left the hospital. He had a lot of work to do and a Ball to attend.
Schuyler knew of Henry wanting to take her to England after the bonding. Right now, she felt that it was the best decision. It would get her away from everything, especially Jack, but it would isolate her with Henry. She didn't know if this was a bad thing or if she was delighted about being alone with him.