Atonement: Bad Bishop, Prologue-1 Adelle’s Diary

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Saturday, December 2, 2023

Book-2 Begins Now

CGI by Teagan via Imagine

Welcome everyone, and welcome December.  Wow…how did it get here so fast.  Wasn’t it just March?  Just an eye-blink ago wasn’t it September, when I finished Book-1 of the Atonement serial.  Believe it or not, I’ve been thinking about the serial all this time.  I keep changing my mind about the best way to begin Book-2.  Now, I’m thinking I’ll make those false starts, each of which began with a different character, into a prologue.

That said, let’s go ahead and say, Game on!  Adelle Metatron seems to know more than anyone else the big picture of what’s going on in Atonement, Tennessee.  So, she’s going to lead us into the first snippet of the “Prologue.”

Atonement:  Bad Bishop

Adelle’s Diary

Image collage by Teagan
Image collage by Teagan

Atonement’s Beginning

There have always been Metatrons in Atonement, Tennessee.  Long before it was a town, the place was chosen by the first of my family line.  Ever since, it has been a haven for those who were in need of atonement, and for those who were compelled to protect the place and the people, be they human or something else.  Grandpa won’t say for certain that he was the first — the first Metatron.  He hedges the question as if he doesn’t want to tell a lie.  Although, my visions have made me believe he was — impossible though that may seem.

Whether through some intuition of his own, or according to divine guidance, I’ve never been sure, Grandpa knew it was the place to store the treasures, the artifacts he collected.  Enoch Metatron’s attraction to this place was in large part due to the conjunction of ley lines.  The town was (eventually) built on top of them.  Several of these river-like arteries of flowing magical energy crisscross here in Atonement, creating a power nexus.  Occasionally, that energy is echoed in the sky, with aroura borealis lights.

To ensure the powerful and dangerous items he gathered didn’t fall into the wrong hands, Grandpa… Pardon me, since he won’t admit it, I should say — the first Metatron worked with extraordinary entities, and some of the artifacts too, to establish the magical protection barrier around the town.  It keeps out the most dangerous of the supernatural creatures.  It also creates subtle preventive measures so that the nature of the town doesn’t become known to outsiders.  In fact, most of the townspeople are also happily unaware that they share their village with supernaturals of various persuasions.  Ignorance truly is bliss.

The Supernaturals

Bheema image collage by Teagan

Some of the supernaturals come and go, while others spend most of their lives here, even if they finish their “atonement.”  Gwydion, an irrepressible fae got himself thrown out, at least temporarily.  Although, I’m pretty sure that he’s still around, keeping his head down.  Cael Adriel, a fallen angel with kabbalistic connections, won’t finish his atonement until he forgives himself.  He remains as one of the protectors of the town, mostly working unseen at the Gate of the East Winds in the Sunhold cemetery.

Not too long ago, Bheema Parvati arrived in Atonement.  His arrival didn’t appear in any of my tealeaf readings or visions.  Maybe that’s because of all his different names…  Lord Ganapati, Ganesha (and the various spellings of that one), and… Well, I lost count at 108 names for him, but Bheema Parvati is the name he used when he arrived here.

Bheema doesn’t disclose much, particularly about himself.  Ah, but his huge brown eyes give away more than he realizes.  If he won’t tell me things in words, those eyes reveal such a depth of emotion!  Sometimes they glitter with mischievousness, or light up with sudden joy.  At other times, old wounds are clearly there — depthless hurts and sadness.

I suppose that sort of… of profound well of loss is inevitable for someone like him.  I know from experience that it’s hard enough to lose those you love or respect throughout an unusually long life.  However, Bheema Parvati is utterly immortal.  Unkillable.  Yes, if he is “killed” he sort of goes away, somewhere.  I don’t know where.

However, whether it is quickly or it takes decades, he does return.  And he remembers.  If existence held any true kindness, then Bheema would be able to forget.  (I would be able to forget so many things too.)

I can see that Bheema has true feelings for Pepper Riley, and when I look at her, I can tell those feelings would be returned.  However, I don’t believe he will ever act on them.  Who could blame him?  To allow oneself to love someone only to watch them grow old and die… while you live on, with the endless pain of that loss?

CGI by Teagan via Imagine

I know what Bheema has in mind.  He’s my dear friend, but I swear, he’s being a fool.  He’ll make sure Pepper’s attention gets focused on someone other than him.  And I know who he has in mind too.  The man’s a double fool for that.  Honestly, Cadence Nix?  Bheema doesn’t do anything half way.  Nix is irresistible to women and most men too, if he sets his mind to it.  I’m sure Bheema’s plan will work… then he’ll mope around with those big sad eyes, but that’s his own fault.

Metatrons Live Long

CGI by Teagan via Imagine

Admittedly, it’s easy to understand why Bheema would deny those feelings, not allow himself to love.  My family is not immortal.  Although, we Metatrons don’t look our age.  We tend to live quite a long time, longer than almost any of the folks around here.  Unless, of course, something kills us.  Although we don’t die easily.

Grandpa, that’s Enoch Metatron, may or not be an exception to that.  Like I said, he’s not telling.  He looks too young to be a grandfather, let alone a great-grandfather to my twin’s grown sons.  However, he never would answer questions about either of those things.  Actually, he brushes such questions aside as if they’re silly.

Once I heard Salty Riley ask Enoch about his ageless appearance.  Grandpa seemed to be in a somber mood.  His reply to old Salty was the closest to a direct answer I’ve ever heard him make.

“Well, you see, Salty…” Enoch began haltingly.  “This is the easiest way to explain it.  One day, I was out in the desert walking, and I wandered farther than I should have.  These folks, some travelers spotted me, and they…  Well, they picked me up,” he inadvertently glanced heavenward during that vague description.  “I went up and stayed with them for a good while.  And it changed me.”

My teapot is whistling.  I need a cup of chamomile tea.  At any rate, regardless of my visions, and all of my musings, this is mostly Pepper Riley’s tale to tell.

The end.

♣ ♣ ♣

Thanks for reading this rather odd way to begin a serial.  Friendly comments are encouraged.  Hugs.

♣ ♣ ♣

Atonement in Zugzwang, Book 1

Universal Purchase Link
Kindle: relinks.me/B0CHNX2X6T

Paperback  relinks.me/B0CHL7DL6Q

Have a splendid new week.  Hugs!

♣ ♣ ♣

The rest of the Atonement Series

Atonement kindle covers Cat eyes shelf 2023

Atonement, Tennessee

Full series of e-books with one click:  relinks.me/B087JV25JT

Kindle:  rxe.me/HGSVA8A

Paperback: relinks.me/1481826948

Also in Spanish, translated by Olga Núñez Miret! The title for the Spanish-speaking market is Expiación y Magia

Atonement in Bloom

Kindle:  rxe.me/5RRBLH

Paperback:  relinks.me/1726882128

The Glowing Pigs, Snort Stories of Atonement, Tennessee

Kindle   rxe.me/LTBDNH

Paperback   relinks.me/1725891972

♣ ♣ ♣

This is a work of fiction.  Characters, names, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2023 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

All rights reserved. 

No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission.  Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

All images are either the property of the author or used with permission, or from free sources.

62 thoughts on “Atonement: Bad Bishop, Prologue-1 Adelle’s Diary”

  6. A wonderful way to start part 2, Teagan.

    You filled in a lot. You added a lot. Way to go!
    My diary entry is still weeks away, not sure as they require me to finish my next set of drawings.
    Looking forward to next week! Hugs!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Resa. I just finished a little bit, that has us back with Pepper, for this weekend. I never thought it was going to be such difficult storytelling to bring Enoch into the story. He’ll get here eventually though. Hugs winging back to you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  7. You do enjoy dangling a teaser or two don’t you? I would love to know more about these naughty artefacts grandpa has squirreled away. Maybe we will. All said an intriguing and encouraging start.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. The diary is a great way to get some backstory and a deeper introduction to some of the characters. I learned a lot about Bheema, and his interest in Pepper is a fun detail. Those long lives sure do complicate things though. Great start!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Haha. I cringe when I think just how long ago the first one was. I went with a suggestion from several readers (when I was ready to begin a new blog serial) who wanted the story set in Atonement. However, with the serials, I’ve used a new heroine, some other new characters, but some of the townspeople from the old books. So there isn’t that much to catch up on. I’ll eventually start letting “random reader things” drive the serial (as I did with part-1). Thanks for commenting. Hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  15. You are right about time flying, Teagan! I can’t believe the year is almost gone. I have a lot of catching up to do. 🙂 This is an interesting introduction to a new story. I love learning more about the backstory of Atonement.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. You’ve given us a ton of information which will prove helpful and a great way to start. The problem with immortality is very clear. Unless the one you love is also immortal the pain of loss would be too much to carry especially for all time. Well done, Teagan.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  17. I think this is the perfect way to rekindle our interest in this serial, Teagan. I have to highlight two bits that I found delightful. “He hedges the question as if he doesn’t want to tell a lie.” I love that line! That is a description of something that, if we think about it, we’ve all seen.

    I also really like “…won’t finish his atonement until he forgives himself.” How true of many.

    I look forward to learning more about the people of Atonement. I hope you have a great weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I really appreciate this detailed feedback, Dan. When I was working on Wheel of Fortune, Enoch’s character became so real to me. I had a clear image of him dodging his compulsion for honesty. I also have a big dose of Cael’s issue myself. Feeling responsible for all the faults of life if not actual “atonement.”
      We might hear a prologue from Maudie Rocket next time. The backstory of her and Pepper became more detailed while this one from Adelle was circling in the windmills of my mind. Hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Happy December, Robbie. Thanks for coming by. We’ll have to wait and see about Bheema and Pepper. Reader “things” and comments might have a hand in how that plays out. I secretly hope to eventually have readers on “team Bheema” or “team Nix” and maybe someone else. That’s often a fun type of subplot. Hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  19. It may in your mind be an unusual way to start the second book, but I think it’s perfect. From a different perspective, you’ve re-introduced Atonement and its residents and we now know the rest of the book will be from Pepper. You held my interest and I’m certain many others as well. What more could you ask for?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much for this great feedback, GP. I was concerned that readers would lose interest a quarter-way through the post. There might be another part of this prologue, but from Maudie Rocket next time. That was going around in the windmills of my mind too. Big hugs winging back to you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  22. Adelle’s diary has provided us with a lot of insight and information, some we might already have known but not quite as clearly summarised. I think it is a good way to start the second book, Teagan. And I look forward to more. ♥

    Liked by 1 person

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