Immortal Memory (Book One) by Sylvia Frances

again
if I trust Him?”
    Zach reached his arm around her waist
to pull her closer. His lips were only a breath away.
“Yes.”
    The angel’s warm skin ignited her soul
on fire when he brought her lips to his with a tender kiss. Never
did her heart melt in such a way to an all-consuming kiss. It felt
so true.
    Simra opened her eyes to see a tall
figure of Tristan kissing her and jerked back in response. No, Zach
broke Lucinda's heart. Simra would not allow him to do the same to
her. And she kissed the angel who would collect her grandmother’s
soul! “I can't do this. Mandy and Grandmother will be here any
moment. I need to stop by my house and change into another pair of
clean clothes. Then, we can go to the coffee shop.”
    A soft knock tapped at the door and
drew them more apart. Simra rushed to answer it. Her heart hammered
against her chest from Zach’s unexpected kiss. Simra’s lips still
tingled from the soft caress of his. She could still taste his
kiss, which reminded her of sweet honeysuckle. Falling in love with
an angel of death was a frightening and tragic mistake.
    She opened the door to find her
grandmother with a blanket around her. Mandy stood beside Lucinda
with several bags of luggage. Simra sighed in relief and hugged
them. They were welcomed inside the kitchen. “Come in. Make
yourselves comfortable. Grandmother, welcome back. I’ll make sure
nothing happens to you. This house is still very secure.” She
framed her grandmother’s face in her hands.
    Lucinda studied her surroundings, and a
slight smile slipped across the old woman’s face. Her grandmother’s
hands grazed the furniture as though she belonged there. She seemed
to feel at home.
    The lady mumbled unclear words to Zach,
Mandy, and Simra. Lucinda paced around the house. Simra took her
grandmother’s hand and followed her around the place. She couldn't
help but wonder if Lucinda remembered this house.
    Mandy followed them around the house.
“What are you talking about, Sim? Has Grandma been here
before?”
    Simra sank into the plush couch beside
their grandmother. She explained the story Zach told her.
"Grandmother came from Farmerville, Louisiana to find her father.
He came here years ago and never returned there. She stayed in this
house to be protected from Tristan or Azazel. Azazel is his demon
name. That's why he and Zach have different last names."
    Mandy gazed at their grandmother, who
smiled and mumbled. “She does seem happy to be here, but it's still
difficult for me to believe in ghosts.”
    Zach picked up a pillow on the couch
and tossed it toward Simra’s cousin. Glowering at her, his eyes
ignited into a hot fire. “That should make you believe, and I'm an
angel. Not a ghost.”
    Mandy’s lips parted in surprise, and
she gasped at her cousin. “How? How could it be? Who or what was
that?”
    Simra couldn't control a
slight giggle. “Zach. He's an angel, not a ghost. He wants you to
believe in him and how this is real. He’s here to protect us
against Tristan. My ex-fiancé’ is the one who’ll hurt all of us.
Zach means no harm and saved my life from Quint and Tristan.”
    The words escaped from her lips. She
had no intention of saying such good things about the angel. Simra
still had her doubts about him.
    “What should we do?” Mandy asked in a
hushed tone and took a seat on the other side of their grandmother.
Simra’s cousin placed an arm around Lucinda as though protecting
her.
    Simra exchanged glances with Zach, then
back to Mandy. “Jeff wants to discuss something at Espresso Café
with me. He mentioned something happening today. Can you stay here
with Grandmother and keep the two of you safe? If Zach’s parents
come, tell them to call me.”
    “What if they call the cops on us, Sim?
You said this is their property now.”
    Zach interjected before Simra could
respond. “They’ll understand completely. My mom and dad will
welcome all of you here. Just explain how this house is protected
from the