“Well, I know someone.” His face showed signs of sheepishness.
“And how does that someone tailor a dress for a person without measuring them?”
“I looked at the tags in your clothes to estimate a size, and then—” He looked down, embarrassed. “—since my abilities are more distinct, all my senses work better than before the transformation. I can smell better, hear better, see better, and let’s say I can estimate the dimensions of an object I look at, and I’ve looked at your body a lot the past two days. I got an impression of the proportions that someone needed to know.”
Great—speed, strength, magnified senses, teleporting and wings, and—what next? Would he suddenly turn into a unicorn? I wouldn’t be surprised. All this made me very self-conscious. I looked down at my body, and hoped he liked what his eyes had measured.
“That’s weird,” I stated.
“Yeah—I think so.” He agreed with an awkward smile. He straightened and turned to me. “I’m glad you like it. I really put some effort into it.”
“And so did the tailor,” I mocked. “Yes, I love it.”
Adam came over to where I was standing and pressed a sweet kiss onto my lips. “And I love you.”
“Shall we?” He slipped out of his black woollen coat and offered it to me. I slipped into the too big sleeves and snuggled into it, then took the arm he was holding out for me, and together we walked out the front door. I locked it behind me.
As we walked down the stairs, Adam in his perfect suit leading the way like a gentlemen, I was absolutely sure that he was one of the good guys.
Questions
Adam helped me out of the car at his place. I wondered what he wanted there.
Geoffrey opened the door for us, like he had been waiting for our arrival.
“Good evening Master Adam, Miss Gabriel,” Geoffrey nodded at us.
“You can leave the coat on,” Adam told me. “We’re just changing cars. The others should be here any minute.”
“What others?” I asked impatiently, but before Geoffrey could close the door behind us a shiny black limousine—correction: stretch limousine—came to a halt in front of the Gallagers’ house.
The driver got out and opened the door. Nobody exited, but Adam gently pulled me back out through the front door and towards the car.
“Have a nice evening, Sir,” Geoffrey said as we went past him.
“Thanks, Geoffrey. We’ll be home late.” We walked back over the cold gravel path and Adam gestured for me to get into the limousine.
“This?” I gasped for air.
“Keep calm,” he whispered into my ear. “It’s only a car.”
“Right,” I snorted lowly before I took a step towards the driver and slipped into the backseat. Adam sat down beside me and the driver closed the door behind him.
I was surprised to see Chris and Ben sitting on one of the comfortable benches. “Er, hello.” I waved at them shyly. “How are you?” The car started to move
“Hello Claire,” Chris smiled. “Nice to see you again.”
Ben snorted quietly beside him. I looked at him and saw two blue eyes staring back at me full of contempt and quickly turned back to Adam.
“Where are we going?” I tried again. This time Adam seemed to find it fitting to fill me in on what was going on.
“My mother’s giving one of her rare concerts. It’s a charity thing, but the whole family’s supposed to show up. So, I thought I might bring you.”
“Really, Jenna’s playing?” I had always wanted to hear her play the violin, but until now I hadn’t had any luck. “Great!”
Chris chuckled. “Yes, my wife very seldom gives us the pleasure of letting us hear her play these days. She has better things to do—or so she says.”
Adam grinned at him.
After about five minutes, we arrived at a big building I knew. It was one of Aurora’s oldest event halls. The door was opened for us again and Adam got out, holding out his hand for me to follow. I was still wrapped up in his coat as we walked up the steps to the entrance hall, closely followed by Chris and Ben.
“May I take this?” A man in a uniform pointed at the coat as we walked a few steps into the building. I shrugged out of the coat and handed it to him. Behind me I heard a quick intake of breath. Reflexively, I turned around and caught Ben staring at me with eyes wide and his mouth open. It was an expression of utter surprise. We stared at each other for a second and then his face went back to the hostile mask it usually showed.
I took a step back and felt Adam behind me, his chest catching my stumble. “Come with me,” he whispered into my ear. I turned around again and he led the way into a big hall. Round tables were decorated with white tablecloths and red napkins, heavy silver cutlery lying next to glasses of different size. People were sitting at the tables in small groups of two to six, all of them in suits, tuxedos or, in case of the ladies, beautiful dresses in every color one could imagine.
Jenna was hurrying down the aisle towards us in a night blue dress, her violin in one hand. “You look so pretty,” she said as she hugged me.
“You too—gorgeous. I can’t believe I finally get to hear you play.”
“Adam told me he’d bring you. Very nice of you to join the family for this occasion. It’s pretty boring, and so at least Adam has a little fun.”
“I’m sure it’s going to be great,” I disagreed and we both laughed. “Good luck.”
Adam led me to a table at the front of the hall. We sat down and I watched Jenna gracefully climb the stage at the end of the hall and disappear behind the curtain.
After a few more minutes Ben and Chris joined us at the table. “So what’s the schedule for tonight?” I asked all three of them. They were all looking exceptionally handsome in their suits. Ben’s suit was dark gray which made his eyes look like solid steel in this light.
“First the concert—approximately one hour, and then dinner.” Chris answered.
“Thanks for bringing me here,” I said to Adam, but I smiled at all three of them, earning two smiles and one cold glare in return.
“It’s my pleasure.” Adam indicated a bow and then leaned towards me to kiss me. I laughed and looked back at the stage to see if the concert was about to start. More and more people were streaming into the room and sitting down at the tables around us.
I looked around. Almost every table was occupied. And then my eyes fell on Gregory. He stared right back at me, a hurt expression on his face.
I should have known he would be here. Rich families like the Milton-Davis’s were expected to attend a charity concert. Not knowing what else to do, I quickly evaded his stare by playing with a ribbon on my dress.
“What’s wrong?” Adam asked with a worried face. He leaned closer again and whispered to me, “I perceive your unease and worry, and it’s plain on your face. What’s wrong, Claire.” I looked back up at Gregory to see whether he had turned away, but his eyes were still fixed on me.
The lights dimmed, the room went silent and the sound of footsteps approached the stage. “Later,” I whispered back at him and turned to watch Jenna’s entrance.
Jenna was just sitting down on a chair with her fellow musicians. I couldn’t believe what I heard when the first notes filled the room.
It was Albinoni’s Adagio in G-Minor. One of my favorite pieces of music. One that instantly calmed me no matter what mood I was in. And so it did again tonight. It was only a minute later that I had forgotten about Gregory, who might still be staring at the back of my head, and Ben, whose hostility seemed to come from out of nowhere, and Adam, who was sitting beside me worrying about why I was worried. I drifted to a better place inside my head—a place where nothing could harm me and sorrow wasn’t part of my vocabulary.
The sounds of the violins penetrated the tissues of my body and my mind, leaving nothing but relaxation behind. I didn’t know the other pieces of music they played, but they were almost as beautiful as the Adagio. I closed my eyes for a while and liste
ned to Jenna’s violin solo. She played like a goddess, her fingers moving quickly over the strings of her instrument. I loved the way she played—full of emotion.
I mused into the silence that followed the last notes floating away into the room. Hundreds of hands clapping loudly and without recognizable rhythm brought me back to the moment. My eyes blinked open and I automatically lifted my hands to join the noise.
A gray haired lady in an ugly black dress gave a lengthy speech in which she thanked Jenna and the others for playing tonight. Then she thanked all the audience about a million times for being there and helping the charity foundation.
Then several white dressed cooks entered with different dishes which they artfully placed on the buffet tables, and a minute later the audience was on their feet and heading to the buffet line.
After watching the spectacle for a while, Ben and Adam decided to join the crowd. I shook my head when Adam asked if I would come, too. I needed some time to adapt to the noise and busyness around me. The music was still ringing in my head, wavering in a soft cloud and enveloping my thoughts. I felt sort of separated from what was going on around me.
“Thanks again for bringing me,” I said to Adam before he disappeared towards the buffet. “This evening is anything but normal, and I love it.”
He kissed me briefly and headed off after Ben.
Chris smiled at me with a knowing look. “I know how you feel—I’ve had around twenty years to get used to it, but her music always makes me entirely forget reality.”
I nodded in agreement. “She’s amazing.” I took a deep breath and got to my feet. “I think I’ll get some food.”
Chris chuckled and rose to his feet, too. “Me too. Let’s get going.”
Together we made our way towards the already thinning crowd at the buffet. Chris headed for the fish dishes while I looked for something to drink first.
“Still trying to avoid me.”
I jumped. The voice came from behind me. I didn’t dare turn around, fearing to face Gregory.
“Come one, Claire, you cannot not talk to me for ever.” He walked around and stopped in front of me, looking at me with intense blue eyes.
“I’m—not avoiding you.” I stammered.
“Yes you are.” He planted himself close beside me. “But never mind. He calls—you’re there. Like nothing has changed.”
Gregory’s hurt words took the last bit of relaxation from me instantly. The tragedy crushed down on me with full weight.
“I’m sorry,” was all I could say. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“Hurt?” He mocked. “Why would I be hurt? Because you used me to forget him just to run back to him the moment he decided to look at you again?”
I hated myself for having done this to him. He was my best friend and I loved him for being there for me—for being able to count on him—always.
“It’s not like that.—There is more—” —more, I could never tell him, more, I was bound to carry to the grave, and more, I so badly wanted to talk about to someone, but I couldn’t without endangering the people I loved.
“Any problems over here?” It was Ben who stepped out from behind a column beside us. His face was hostile as always, just this time it seemed to be directed at Gregory instead of me.
“No—” Gregory started.
“—we’re just talking,” I finished. “Nothing special.” I turned to Gregory. “Guess I’ll see you around, Greg.” He understood my hint, nodded coolly and walked away, Ben watching him go with a glare. When Gregory was out of sight he turned back to me, his eyes full of concern.
“Are you alright?” Ben whispered without seeming to notice he was actually speaking.
“Yeah—well, thanks,” I wondered if I was dreaming, but I was sure I wasn’t because the moment he noticed me looking at him the hostile glare returned to his face and he walked away with a sneer.
What was that all about, I asked myself. I didn’t understand what was going on in Ben’s mind, but obviously there was something going on behind his mask of hatred and hostility, and Ben didn’t want me to see it. I couldn’t guess why. I was grateful to him, though, for saving me from Gregory’s accusations. I had enough on my mind without dealing with the two of them.
I stayed where I was until I had regained full control over my feelings and then got some lasagna at the buffet. I carried the plate back carefully and sat down next to Adam who was already eating. Ben wasn’t there.
Jenna joined us after a while with a happy expression on her face and a plate full of cake in her hands.
“It was a really great performance, Jenna,” I said before she had even sat down.
“Thanks, dear.” She gave me one of her motherly smiles.
We chatted a little during dinner and then we prepared to leave. Adam was getting his coat for me when Gregory turned up once more.
“So, he’s taking you home?” He asked, jeering.
“Really none of your business,” I answered coldly.
“Letting him play with your heart is none of my business? Well, I think it is, because when he lets you down you’ll come running straight back to me,” he mocked.
“He won’t …let me down.” I protested.
“And he will.” Gregory defied.
I felt tears fighting their way into my eyes, but I swallowed them back, determined not to show him how much he got to me. The same moment I thought I had pulled myself together, Ben appeared at my left shoulder, seeming to come out of nowhere. Simultaneously, Adam returned with his coat slung over his arm and planted himself at my right shoulder. Both of them looked protective and hostile at the same moment, their piercing eyes directed at Gregory.
“I think I heard your mom calling,” Adam said with a cold voice. It was amazing how much the two brothers looked alike when their faces where set in aversion.
Gregory turned on his heels, looking at me with accusing eyes, and headed off.
I felt Adam relax at my side instantly but Ben held his posture for a few more seconds before he shot Adam an unidentifiable look and walked towards the front doors and down the stairs.
I didn’t like the way things were developing between Gregory and me. I had intended to let some time pass, talk to him, explain and then go back to normal, but the way things had turned out, normal conversation seemed to have become impossible with him. And as if I hadn’t enough to worry about already, Ben added to my headache with his strange behavior.
“Are you okay?” Adam asked. “I saw you going to pieces and came as quickly as possible.” He searched my face for information, but I kept it smooth and expressionless. “What happened?”
I swallowed once more to make sure the tears wouldn’t win before I spoke.
“I’m alright,” I lied and fought the urge to feel bad about it. He eyed me suspiciously and I wondered what he could perceive from me right now. Did the shame of my lie and the embarrassment about how I had treated Gregory radiate from me like I thought they might do? I took the coat from Adam’s arm without looking at him and flitted into it quickly. Then I followed Ben’s lead and hurried out into the cold.
* * *
I hadn’t been alone in a while—Adam wouldn’t let me. He drove me to school and picked me up every day, and he either made me sleep over or he stayed with me at my place. It had been more than a week since the incident with the demons and we hadn’t seen or heard anything of them since; we hadn’t heard from Jaden, either.
Today I had put my foot down and driven myself. It was my day at the library and I was glad to have the afternoon of work, where nobody bothered me except for a few customers. At least there was no one reading my feelings, so all I had to do was put on a bright face when someone entered the library. I wasn’t particularly happy the way things were. Adam and I were back together and I loved him more than ever, but the threat of the shadows that surrounded us continued to give me nightmares.
I tried to find out as much as possible about the demons, reading the old book f
rom the library in as much detail as I could. I had learned they had certain external features by which they could be recognized. For one, they had unnatural movements, described as too fluent, too quick and too silent. Then there were hints at inhuman speed and strength—almost like Adam had told me the angels had. And then there was a chapter on their powers. They seemed to have supernatural powers which could kill a person without touching them. According to the book they were one of the few things that could kill an angel.
The book was more filled with information on demons than on angels. I started wondering again who had put it in this library in the first place. Someone must have expected someone to look for it. I wondered who it might have been, and after having searched the book for information for what seemed to be the hundredth time, I put it back onto the shelf in the library that day.
The more I knew about the whole supernatural stuff the uneasier I slept at nights. It turned out that my fear for Adam grew bigger compared to the fear for myself. Until then, I had believed he was immortal, that nothing could kill him, but it seemed I had been wrong, and I was determined do everything to prevent that from happening.
The door creaking open tore me from my thoughts. A girl of around fifteen years stepped in and strolled toward the shelves.
“Can I help you?” I offered as I watched her approach the first shelf. She was pretty. I knew her face from school—Colina Fernandez. Dark curls framed an olive skinned face, her eyes almost as dark as her hair.
“No, I’m just looking.”
“Tell me if you need something.”
“Thanks, I will,” she answered and disappeared between the rows of books.
I leaned back on the counter and looked at the front door. The sun was hanging low in the west and I watched it creep very slowly towards the ground.
“Do you have the second book of this trilogy?” She asked from the edge of one row, holding up a book.
I quickly looked it up in the computer. “No, sorry. Someone borrowed it. Should be back by next week.”
“Thanks,” she called and disappeared behind the shelves again.
White (The Wings Trilogy Book 1) Page 29