The Wanderer's Children Read online

  Published by Collins-Young Publishing at Smashwords

  Copyright 2014 L.G. O’Connor

  Smashwords Edition, License Notes

  Thank you for downloading this eBook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to purchase their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This book is also available in print wherever fine books are sold.

  Cover Design: Derek Murphy, Creativindie

  Contents

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Excerpt: Book of Human Angels

  Glossary

  Prelude

  Chapter 1: Brett

  Chapter 2: Brett

  Chapter 3: Brett

  Chapter 4: Achanelech

  Chapter 5: Cara

  Chapter 6: Irene

  Chapter 7: Michael

  Chapter 8: Cara

  Chapter 9: Kai

  Chapter 10: Cara

  Chapter 11: Brett

  Chapter 12: Cara

  Chapter 13: Cara

  Chapter 14: Cara

  Chapter 15: Cara

  Chapter 16: Cara

  Chapter 17: Brett

  Chapter 18: Michael

  Chapter 19: Achanelech

  Chapter 20: Cara

  Chapter 21: Cara

  Chapter 22: Cara

  Chapter 23: Irene

  Chapter 24: Cara

  Chapter 25: Irene

  Chapter 26: Achanelech

  Chapter 27: Michael

  Chapter 28: Michael

  Chapter 29: Brett

  Chapter 30: Cara

  Chapter 31: Brett

  Chapter 32: Brett

  Chapter 33: Cara

  Chapter 34: Michael

  Chapter 35: Michael

  Chapter 36: Irene

  Chapter 37: Michael

  Chapter 38: Cara

  Chapter 39: Irene

  Chapter 40: Irene

  Chapter 41: Cara

  Chapter 42: Achanelech

  Chapter 43: Irene

  Chapter 44: Cara

  Chapter 45: Cara

  Chapter 46: Cara

  Chapter 47: Cara

  Chapter 48: Kai

  Chapter 49: Cara

  Chapter 50: Escher

  Chapter 51: Irene

  Chapter 52: Sienna

  Chapter 53: Cara

  Chapter 54: Michael

  Chapter 55: Michael

  Chapter 56: Sienna

  Chapter 57: Cara

  Chapter 58: Brett

  Chapter 59: Cara

  Chapter 60: Michael

  Chapter 61: Brett

  Chapter 62: Kai

  Chapter 63: Cara

  Chapter 64: Cara

  Chapter 65: Kai

  Chapter 66: Jessa

  Chapter 67: Cara

  Chapter 68: Cara

  Chapter 69: Michael

  Chapter 70: Michael

  Chapter 71: Sienna

  Chapter 72: Michael

  Chapter 73: Michael

  Chapter 74: Michael

  Chapter 75: Michael

  Chapter 76: Sienna

  Chapter 77: Constantina

  Endnotes: Character List

  Endnotes: Angelorum Hierarchy

  Endnotes: Holy Twelve Revealed in Prior Books

  Endnotes: Dark Ones Hierarchy

  About the Author / Connect with her

  Books by LG O’Connor

  Dedication

  To my husband Leo, for all of his support.

  To my writer whippets, Chloe and Nevada…and to all my readers who

  enjoy the world of the Angelorum as much as I do.

  Journey forth in peace and love.

  Acknowledgments

  I want to say thank you to my tremendous team for all your love and support. Without you, the final book wouldn’t have been what it is today. Thank you to my critique partner, Joan Sorensen; the “cross-stitch” beta reading crew (Marilyn Keyes, Pat Campbell, Lesley Aman, and Eileen Higgins); my new beta reader, Wendy Rossi, the New Providence Writers Group; my developmental muse, young adult author, Trisha Leaver. Without them, this book wouldn’t have been nearly as good.

  Excerpt from the Book Of Human Angels—5 Enoch (Hidden) Translation: Essenes Aramaic papyrus text scribed second century BC

  “As it was so spoken, and then written, much time has passed since Michael bound the Watchers, led by Semyaza, to the confines of darkness. Wrath has been meted upon the Nephilim spawn. Their bodies and souls ripped from their being, leaving them shades of darkness to wander the corridors between Hell and Earth without peace.”

  . . .

  “A new breed of Watcher has come, three hundred strong, to live among and as man to understand their strife and to empathize with their pain. Protected now by the children of Uriel, these Watchers will balance the Fallen who have been cast down from Heaven.”

  . . .

  “The forces of darkness unite to battle for their freedom, to reach the key that will deliver them from Judgment Day and remain forever free. To acquire their promised reward, the forces of both darkness and light must abide by the laws of balance under the ever vigilant eyes of justice, or be forever vanquished by their enemy.”

  . . .

  “It is with the birth of the First of Holy Twelve that the prophecy begins, it is with the battle that the prophecy ends.”

  Glossary of Terms and Proper Nouns

  (See Endnotes for full Character List, Angelorum, Holy Twelve, and Dark Ones Hierarchy)

  (the) Angelorum (pr. n.) All members of the protectorate, consisting of the three hundred descended angels that make up the next generation of Watchers, the Nephilim Guardianship, the human Messenger families, and the human Soul Seekers.

  (the) Angelorum Sanctuary (pr. n.) The central headquarters of the three hundred Angelorum Watchers and the Nephilim Guardianship located at an undisclosed underground location in the French countryside.

  (the) Angelorum Twelve (pr. n.) The twelve souls who will lead the Angelorum into the final battle against Lucifer, the Morning Star, and his fallen minions, the Dark Ones.

  (the) Angelorum Watchers (pr. n.) A group of three hundred angels who approached God after the Great War in Heaven and requested to be sent down to earth after Lucifer and his fallen minions to provide a protectorate to oversee the balance of good and evil as the next generation of Watchers. The request was granted provided the angels incarnated as humans. However, they were allowed to remain “awakened,” which would allow them to always retain their original angelic identity, their memories of Heaven, and their past lives with each incarnation. They are physically marked by the lack of a vertical indentation above their lip (philtrum). Also known as the Sanctus Angelorum protectorate or Defensores Contra Malum.

  Calling (n.) Official request by the Angelorum for acceptance into the Angelorum. For a Soul Seeker within a Trinity, it’s the time during which the Center Stone of the trinity is revealed and the full powers of the Soul Seeker are activated.

  Center Stone (n.) Physically, the Center Stone is held in the middle of each Trinity Stone, representing the soul in which the Trinity is tied and in which the mission is centered.

  Cloaking (v.) Nephilim power. Hiding behind the veil of invisibility. To hide someone under the veil requires physical contact. Those c
onnected under the veil can see and hear one another but cannot be seen or heard by anyone outside the veil.

  Dark Ones (pr. n.) Angels who were cast out of Heaven with Lucifer (the Morning Star) after the Great War in Heaven. Their wings were torn from their bodies so they could never return.

  Defensores Contra Malum (pr. n.) Another Latin name for the Sanctus Angelorum protectorate. Translates to the Protectors from Evil and contained in the hidden scripture, the Book of Human Angels.

  Demon (n.) Disembodied spirits of Nephilim spawned by Semyaza and the first Watchers. Used as Hunters for the Dark Ones. Show up as a black inky haze before manifesting into physical form of demonic satyr. Members of the Angelorum can feel the demon presence through the onset of a sudden migraine-like headache, and through the taste of tar on the tongue. When they die they turn to black ash.

  Divine Visitation (n.) An interlude between an angel of the Powers and a descended human angel of the Angelorum, resulting in the conception of a Nephilim child.

  Enoch (pr. n.) Appears in Genesis, the seventh of the pre-Deluge Patriarchs. Great-grandfather to Noah. Believed to have been taken from Earth to become the angel Metatron. The apocryphal Books of Enoch attributed to him. Semyaza and the angelic Watchers inhabited Earth during his lifetime, and he bore witness to their sins.

  Fallen (pr. n.) See Dark Ones.

  (the) Flow (n.) The electromagnetic field surrounding Earth used by the Angelorum for communication and healing energy.

  Guardian (n.) Nephilim warrior. May or may not be actively assigned to a current Trinity. As part of a Trinity, they have an oath to protect the members of their Trinity.

  (the) Guardianship (pr. n.) The Nephilim warriors who provide protection for the Angelorum. Guardians can be assigned to a Trinity to protect a Messenger and a Soul Seeker as they pursue their mission.

  Hunter (n.) Trackers working for the Dark Ones who hunt and destroy Soul Seekers and other Angelorum members. Can be either disembodied entities or physical human soulless.

  Irin (pr. n.) Angels assigned to watching the Watchers and recording human history on Earth. Also known as the Archivists. They are the librarians for the Flow.

  Libre Homo Angelorum (n.) Translated from Latin as the Book of Human Angels. The hidden scripture not contained in the Bible that tells the story of the Angelorum Watchers.

  Messenger (n.) A human who has the ability to communicate directly to the Angelorum Watchers. Messengers have telepathic abilities that are awakened when they are Called to become part of a Trinity. They provide communication and guidance to the Trinity. Messenger traits are inherited through the bloodline of their fathers.

  Nephilim (n.) Being that is conceived by one of the Angelorum-descended angels in partnership with an angel of the Powers through divine visitation. Child is half human and half angel. Angelic characteristics include hidden wings and the ability to fly; telepathic communication with other Nephilim and their Trinity; ability to use the angelic prayers (an example would be the ability to hide behind a veil of invisibility when needed); and ability to use the angelic language (an example would be the ability to speak with other beings or former beings of Heaven). In addition, the Nephilim are born without the ability to procreate and can live for up to five hundred years. Much improved version from the evil Nephilim of Genesis who were created by Semyaza and the disobedient angelic Watchers.

  Nephilim class (n.) Every century of Nephilim has a class number. Once a Nephilim turns one hundred years old, they enter the One Hundred Class and with each subsequent century they enter the next class. The last class is the Four Hundred Class, when they turn four hundred years old, and their lifespan ends prior to turning five hundred years old.

  Powers (pr. n.) The 9th Order of Angels in Heaven. The great warrior angels considered the last defense of Heaven.

  The Prophecy (n.) The prediction that a final battle would occur between the Angelorum and the Dark Ones, led by twelve souls who have the power to overcome evil and banish the Fallen into the prison where they belong for the rest of eternity.

  Semyaza (pr. n.) Fallen angel of apocryphal Jewish and Christian tradition. Believed to be the leader of the angelic Watchers sent to Earth to watch over man.

  Sentinel (n.) One who keeps watch and identifies members of the Angelorum and the Fallen.

  Soul Seeker (n.) A human who is bound to the soul of another. When the time is right, the Seeker will be Called to partake in an event of the bound soul (Center Stone) which has significance in the balance of good vs. evil. The Seeker is the part of the Trinity, partnered with a Messenger and a Guardian, with the farthest link to the Angelorum Watchers for the protection of both parties. Seekers can have healing and/or other abilities.

  Soul Separator (n.) The angelic sword used to cast out a demon that is in possession of a live human.

  Soulless (n.) Human who relinquishes their soul as food for the Dark Ones. The aura of a soulless human is black and cloudy, the same as a demon. When killed they turn to black sand.

  Sphinx (n.) Ice minions controlled by Emanelech. Creatures who stand guard at the entrance into the first circle of Hell. Conjured in the form of twins, Chaos and Destruction. They have the ability to block the Nephilim and Trinity telepathic communication. A force more powerful than Nephilim, yet few in number.

  Transporter (n.) Suborder of the Powers, the 9th Order of Angels. Type of angel who transports souls to their final resting ground, be it Heaven or Hell. Another name for a Reaper.

  Trinity Pool (n.) A pool of white sand containing the Trinity Stones which represent each Trinity assigned to a current or future event that could tip the balance of good vs. evil. The Trinity Pool is located in the inner sanctum of the Angelorum Sanctuary. The stones in the pool are alive and continually change as free will decisions are made by the individuals, which could impact the outcome of events. They pulse with colorful light and can speak to those who can hear them. They are the link between Heaven and Earth.

  Trinity Stone (n.) A smooth triangular stones with rounded edges and sectioned into three parts—representing each member of the Trinity—which surround a Center Stone embedded in the middle—representing the soul in which the Soul Seeker is connected and who will be part of an event that will tip the balance of good vs. evil. As free will decisions are made that lock in destinies, secrets are revealed.

  Trinity (n.) Three parties joined together by a Center Stone: a Soul Seeker, a Messenger, and a Guardian.

  Uriel (pr. n) Archangel and leader of the Powers.

  Watchers (pr. n.) Also known as Grigori. Fallen angels who broke their covenant with God by fornicating with human woman to create evil half-breed Nephilim and sharing the mysteries they were prohibited from teaching humans. Created Nephilim spawn who were destroyed in the Great Flood referenced in Genesis. The Archangel Michael has bound them for seventy generations in the valleys of Earth until Judgment Day.

  Prelude

  Los Angeles, California. County Hospital

  KATHY KING GAZED DOWN, her eyes filled with love at the newborn nursing at her breast. Her fingertips glided over the tiny arms poking out of the swaddling, drinking in the silkiness of his skin. Ten perfect fingers and ten perfect toes. Blond fuzz topped his head, and his eyes held the promise of the same blue as his father. She didn’t think she was being biased; he was truly the most beautiful baby she’d ever laid eyes on. Big and pink, bypassing the tight squeeze of the birth canal, he’d entered the world wearing the healthy glow of a caesarian baby.

  She smiled, placed a kiss on his tiny forehead, and deeply inhaled his sweet baby scent. You had it pretty easy, little man. May you always be blessed with good fortune.

  A wave of fatigue reminded her that she had asked the nurse to return soon to take him back to the nursery. Until then, she wanted to savor every moment with her beautiful baby boy.

  Sensing she and the baby were no longer alone, her eyes shifted up.

  “Hi, Kathy,” he said from the open doorway.

 
The air left her lungs. “Scott. What are you doing here?” she asked, breathless.

  Pushing off of the jamb, he smiled sheepishly. “Not the greeting I hoped for, but one I can understand.”

  A mixture of apprehension and desire churned up into the center of her chest. Dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, his tawny-blond hair was tousled from wearing the motorcycle helmet he held in his hand. His arms were tanned and toned to Californian perfection like the fine rippled abs she knew lay hidden underneath his clothes. Although she hadn’t seen him in almost eight months, he still made her heart flutter.

  She let out a silent sigh. He was more handsome than anyone deserved to be. Not to mention way too intelligent to be hanging around Hollywood working as a bartender waiting for an acting career that would most likely never come.

  He held her gaze with glowing blue eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I stayed away… like you asked. Mind if I come in?”

  “Of course not,” she said, forcing some of the tension from her shoulders and waving him in. Done nursing, she readjusted her gown to fully cover herself.

  Under different circumstances, she would’ve enjoyed the sense of comfort and the overwhelming attraction she usually felt when Scott was around. Instead, her nerves ignited. If she hadn’t been lying in this hospital bed, she would’ve been dressed in her nurse’s uniform and working on the cardiac floor. Worry etched into her brow. She hoped no one she knew saw them together. The last thing she needed was pesky questions about why a sexy, younger man—who wasn’t her husband—was visiting her in the maternity ward.

  Part of her still wondered how it had all happened. Ten months ago, when they’d struck up a friendship at the bar where he worked, she never envisioned herself ending up here. But stopping for a beer on Tuesday nights after her shift soon took on a life of its own, and it wasn’t long before the desire burning in Scott’s eyes matched hers. Then it happened. Only twice. Two nights filled with the most magical lovemaking of her life. No one had ever made her feel as beautiful or as desired, pleasing her in ways she never thought possible.

  Funny, her Tuesday night drinking ritual had started when she’d suspected her husband was having an affair. Frequenting The Boca where Scott worked was her one act of passive defiance. The irony of her situation struck her many times over the past nine months.