Lost Eden (The Soulkeepers) by G.P. Ching Page A

next to him, facing the dance floor. The music picked up, and the other attendees swarmed the floor, gyrating to the rhythm.
    “I’m going to get something to drink. You guys want something?” Jacob offered.
    Malini nodded. He left for the buffet table.
    “You should have brought Ethan.” Even as Malini said the words, she understood the situation wasn’t as easy as that.
    “I haven’t come out to my parents yet. The last thing I want is for them to find out from the neighbors.”
    “How’s your dad doing, anyway?”
    “Stable. They’ve started him on a new medication. Something experimental. He was able to move his hand a few days ago.”
    “Excellent.”
    “Yeah, another few months and he might be able to come home and completely ruin my life.”
    Malini placed a hand on his. “Think positively, Dane. It’s possible this experience will change his priorities. How is the rest of the family?”
    “Keeping up with the farm, thanks to Ethan and the most hired help we’ve ever used before.”
    “Well, that’s something.”
    He returned to folding the napkin in front of him. Malini smoothed the royal blue waist of her off-the-shoulder dress.
    “How are you holding up?” Dane asked. The napkin he’d been folding, now in the shape of a crane, landed in her lap.
    “Fairly paralyzed with guilt over losing Abigail. Three weeks. Can you imagine what he’s doing to her?”
    Dane scowled. His normally warm composure turned icy and hard. “Yes. I know exactly what Lucifer is doing to her. And so do you. We’ve both been in her place, remember? But I also know Abigail, like you and I, wouldn’t want us to make a hasty but stupid decision to save her. She’d want us to be careful with ourselves, especially now when there’s no telling where or when Lucifer will strike.”
    Malini sighed, then threw her arms around his neck and squeezed. “Thank you, Dane. You’re absolutely right. If our roles were reversed, I’d never want Abigail to compromise the Soulkeepers for me. She’d want us to do exactly what we’re doing.”
    “Exactly. So stop the guilt trip,” Dane said into her cheek.
    “What is going on here?” Jacob asked, setting the drinks on the table.
    Malini plopped back into her chair and lifted a glass of the foamy punch. “You caught us. Our tawdry love affair is exposed.”
    “As long as it’s tawdry. Nothing but the best for my girl.” Jacob leaned over and gave her a peck on the lips.
    “Jacob Lau, I am going to pretend I didn’t see that.” Principal Bailey marched to their table and placed a hand on Dane’s shoulder. “Can I see you for a moment, Mr. Michaels?”
    “Um, sure.” Dane followed the older man through the gym doors.
    “What do you think that was about?” Jacob asked.
    “A problem with the dance? Dane organized it, so he’s in charge. Someone probably flushed streamers down the toilet or something.”
    Jacob took a seat next to Malini and crossed his feet at the ankles. She leaned against his shoulder and rested her head, watching her classmates party on the dance floor.
    “It’s our last homecoming,” Malini said sadly.
    “Of course it’s not,” Jacob insisted. “The whole point of homecoming is to welcome back alumni. We’ll be back.”
    “But it won’t be the same.”
    “The theme might be different.”
    “We might be different.”
    Less than a song later, Dane came back in. “He’s been crying,” Malini said, standing from her chair.
    “I need to leave. Can you tell Erica West she’s in charge? The DJ has already been paid.”
    “Of course, Dane. Are you all right? What happened?” Malini asked.
    Dane searched her eyes, then looked at Jacob. “My dad … he died. He passed away tonight.”

Chapter 8
    The First Gift
     
    T he angel Gabriel looked down from a place of supreme light, warmth, and love, a place humans often called Heaven or Shamayim and other names that meant the same. With wings outstretched and twitching, he watched the