by Mary Ting
“I could kiss you all day,” he panted, pulling back.
His eyes beamed with happiness, and no doubt mine did too. “I wanted to visit you, but your mother…” I didn’t know how to tell him I didn’t think I would be welcome.
“She’s accepting it,” he said, holding both of my hands as we stood face to face. Then his expression fell. His jaw clenched. “I know you’re leaving after the funeral. Maybe we can spend some time together before then?”
“I would love that.” The lump in my throat felt like a rock going down as I tried not to tear up.
“I’m so sorry, Lucia. For hurting you, for—”
I rested my finger over his lips. “You don’t need to apologize. It wasn’t your fault.”
He kissed my finger, sending thousands of electric jolts down my spine. How he could make me unravel with a simple, innocent kiss was beyond me.
“We have much to talk about.” Eli dangled a key he fished out of his jean pockets. “Your uncle gave me back my motorcycle. Want to go for a ride?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Eli swept me off my feet, carried me to his motorcycle like a true knight, and we rode off into the sunset.
Chapter 36
Lucia
The Snow Queen’s cabin looked more like a castle made of wood. Though not as big as a castle, the shape of it reminded me of one. Their cabin was located in another realm, in a secret location, and one had to be portaled there.
Uncle Davin laid Abel on a makeshift bed of sticks. It reminded me of the one Eli had made for me when I was soaking wet and couldn’t move after I had plunged into the depths of the water, and he had rescued me. Besides the chosen knight gang, Vanessa, Cayden, and Kohl had been invited to the funeral.
Instead of dressing in black, we were instructed by Milani to wear casual clothes and bright colors. We wanted to celebrate life, not mourn his death. After Ikelia anointed Abel with oil infused with special herbs and magic, we listened to Uncle Davin’s prayer.
“If anyone would like to share happy memories, please do it now,” Uncle Davin said at last.
Vanessa stepped forward holding a single white rose and placed it next to Abel’s body. She covered her mouth with her hand and blinked to stop the tears. “Abel, you were a pain in my ass. You got on my nerves like no one else did, but—” She sniffed, wiping her tears. “But I also knew how deeply you cared for me. I know I wasn’t an easy person to get along with, but you still cared about me. You never gave up on me. I will never forget how you stuck up for me when other girls called me nasty names. They stopped because that’s how much everyone respected you. I will miss you.” She wept in Cayden’s arms.
“Hey, man.” Kohl placed his flower on the bed, his hand shaking. “I didn’t think you would leave us so soon. Thank you for taking us in and for helping us through our hard times. I’m not sure what we’re going to do without you.” He backed away, unable to say more.
Cayden placed his rose next, clearing his throat. “I promise you I’ll take care of our friends. I won’t be the role model you were, but I will try to carry on your duty the best I can. You were here for us. I wish we were there when you needed us. Maybe we could have…” He squeezed his eyes and inhaled a deep breath.
Vanessa helped him step aside. Oh my heart. I understood why we didn’t have funerals for fallen Venators. It would be too much to bear—and too often.
After Milani, Brody, Jack, Zach, and I spoke, it was Eli’s turn. With his head down, he began his speech.
“What can I say when you’re gone? It’s too late to take the hurt back or the hurtful words exchanged between us. You’ve been like a brother to me, and I should have held onto that love instead of hating and blaming you and everyone else. I was a stupid fool, Abel, and you tried to reach out to me even when I told you to get the hell away from me. I pushed and pushed, but you tried to…” Eli swiped away his tears and paused. “You should be here, not me. I should have died, not you. It should have been me, Abel. I’m so sorry I couldn’t save you. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.” Eli’s chest shook.
“Eli. He knows. He’s sorry too. He forgave you, as you have forgiven him.” I guided him to his mother, and I went back to my uncle.
“It’s time,” Milani said softly and raised her hands toward Abel. “Abel, you will not be forgotten. May you rest in peace in your glorious eternal home.”
Fire consumed Abel’s bed when Milani lit it with a flick of her fingers. Smoke rose to the sky as we waited in silence. Tears filled our eyes, our hearts drowning in mourning. At last, Kalani began to sing. Sabina, Milani, and Ikelia joined in. We listened to the beautiful melody filling our hearts with peace. Knowing Abel was home, I found comfort and closure. Then Ikelia flung her hands, and edelweiss flowers fluttered all around us, like white butterflies spreading their wings and soaring with the wind to the sky.
Afterward, we went inside Eli’s home and celebrated Abel’s life on Earth. As we enjoyed each other’s company, smiles spread on everyone’s faces. They talked about how they met Abel and shared funny memories.
“You have a beautiful home, Ikelia,” Uncle Davin said, sliding his glass of wine from his left to his right hand. “Much warmer than the other one.”
I almost spit out my drink and fell back on the dining chair. “What he meant was—” I cut in, but Ikelia cut me off.
“I know what he meant,” she purred, shifting in her seat. “I’m going to destroy the ice castle when I get a chance. Bad memories. Who would want to live there anyway? It’s too cold.”
Uncle Davin chuckled. “I have to agree with you there.” He lifted his glass to toast. At first, I didn’t think Ikelia would respond, but she did after a long pause.
“So, you’re leaving tomorrow?” Ikelia asked, stealing a glance at Eli, who was talking to Vanessa, Kohl, and Cayden.
I homed in on their conversation. The boys were munching on cheese and crackers, and Vanessa nibbled on finger sandwiches. Eli was talking about buying an ice cream shop and naming it Abel’s. Every so often he would steal a glance and give me that hottie grin that made me lost only to him.
It was good to see the walls had fallen down between them. I could leave Eli knowing he would have friends who cared about him. Perhaps they would occupy his time, and he wouldn’t miss me so much.
“Yes, we are.” Uncle Davin downed the wine. “Our job is done.”
“Thank you for looking after my son and our people.”
Uncle Davin’s eyes shot wide. Even I couldn’t believe Ikelia’s compliment. Being the Snow Queen and spending years locked up by Cyrus, anyone might build up an attitude.
“You’re welcome.” Uncle Davin bowed. “We are angel warriors, after all. It is our duty to protect. So tell me. How did you hide your identity before you were captured by Cyrus?”
Tracing the rim of her glass, Ikelia said after a pause, “I had a cold heart, Davin.”
“I know. Your heart had turned to ice.”
“I was vicious. I felt nothing,” she continued, her eyes gazing into her past. “I felt no pain when men would find me to proclaim their love for me and fall off the cliff at the hands of demons. They deserved their tragic death. They came only to gain treasures I had been rumored to have. Until one day, that one hunter made me feel again. My spell shouldn’t have been broken, but his love, his true love and devotion, not for the treasure I supposedly had, but for me, broke the spell.”
“I’ve heard. He didn’t survive.”
Ikelia nodded. “I felt pain for the first time, and it nearly killed me. It broke me to pieces. As soon as I found a way, I took my revenge upon the original Elementum. I reunited with my childhood friends, Kalani, Sabina, and Halina, and gave them more powers to help me. You have no idea how good it felt when I first released my wrath. I became a monster. But eventually I hated what I had become with powers I couldn’t control. Lana got lucky. Before I found her, I had sworn I would change. I would give redemption if they asked for it
, and she did. I pushed the past behind, locked my ice power away, and started anew. That was when I met Eligor.” She brushed the crystal pendant on her necklace. “I have to find a way to bring him back.”
“I will do what I can to help you.” Uncle Davin smiled.
Ikelia’s eyebrows lifted. “You would do that for me?”
“Yes. Why not? We are friends, aren’t we? Just because I’m an angel doesn’t mean we can’t work together. In fact, we’ve been helping the children Cyrus turned. They feel they can no longer return home, mostly because they can’t fight the temptation of making their families into a meal. I want to recruit other supernatural beings that have no home, no family to return to. Everyone needs a place to belong.”
Ikelia glanced around at the teens. “I suppose you’re right. Everyone needs a home.”
I wasn’t sure what Uncle Davin meant, but it sounded exciting.
Uncle Davin poured wine in his empty glass. “We’re having an award ceremony in Nubilus City. It’s a place in its own realm, like your home. I assure you it’s safe. Eli will be mentioned, along with Milani, Brody, and Jack. You’re welcome to come and see what we are all about.”
Ikelia curled her lips into a playful smirk, her eyes sparkling like blue diamonds. “I’ll think about it.”
Chapter 37
Lucia
Nubilus City welcomed our guests with style. Venators lined a long path with swords held up to crisscross overhead. Our guests walked down the red carpet until they reached the ballroom. From there, they were led to their assigned tables.
Everyone dressed in their finest, but no one looked as debonair as Eli. When I saw him with his hair slicked back, wearing a bow tie tux, my heart nearly gave out.
“This is beautiful, Lucia.” Milani scooted her chair closer to the round table. She sat across from me, and Jack and Brody sat on either side of her.
“I thought the angels didn’t eat,” Brody said, eyeing the table full of delicious hot meals and desserts.
“We don’t have to eat, but Katherine likes to make it look festive. And it’s really for you, our guests.”
“Do you train here?” Jack asked, adjusting his tie. “There’s so many of you. It’s like an army of demon hunters.”
“Sometimes.” I shrugged. “I love the view.” Nothing but the view of the clouds made me feel like I was floating with them.
Katherine had gone all out, as usual. Ice sculptures were her favorite, a must-have when we had a grand party. Streamers and balloons decorated the walls.
“Did I tell you how beautiful you look? That red dress becomes you and is very tempting.” I jerked a little when Eli whispered in my ear and placed a gentle hand on my thigh.
“Behave,” I whispered back. “Your mother is sitting at the next table.”
Jack’s father came along as well, and so did Brody’s father. Thank God my parents sat with the Elders on the opposite side. Though I did see Ikelia stealing glances at my parents and vice versa.
“I didn’t do anything wrong. If I were to kiss you, really kiss you, like I’ve been wanting to do since I laid eyes on you tonight, then we might have a problem.” He leaned closer, too close, and sneaked a kiss on my cheek. “You smell so good, Lucia.”
I stabbed a finger at his chest. He snatched my finger and kissed it.
“I have a surprise for you.”
“Eli.” I narrowed my eyes at him, but damn him. “What surprise?” Butterflies danced in my stomach, and I would let him do anything to me he wished. I snapped out of my daze when Katherine spoke.
As always, Katherine looked regal, dressed in a blue ball gown. Like Cinderella, her hair up and adorned with pearls.
“Welcome everyone. I would like to welcome our special guests to Nubilus City. After the ceremony, you are welcomed to walk around the outskirts of the castle and venture out to see the rest with a guide. One will be appointed to you, should you wish to take my offer. Now, the reason we are here, to honor the dead and celebrate our victory.
“Many young ones had been through battles, fighting demons in your missions, but never had you faced such a war. I’m proud of your bravery, courage, and devotion to better the future for our beloved humans.”
After Katherine finished her speech, she placed a medallion on Brody, Milani, Eli, and Jack. Zach and I had already gotten our medallions during our ceremony along with our fellow Venators. This moment was for our guests. The gold medallion was in a star shape with many points, similar to a sunburst. As they stood there, the applause sounded like thunder, and the cheers filled the massive room.
Katherine raised her hand to quiet the noise. “We’re very proud of our Chosen Knights. But one knight has fallen.” Katherine held up the last medallion for everyone to see and pinned it on Eli. “Abel will not be forgotten, nor will our fallen Venators. May they rest in peace.”
“May they rest in peace,” everyone echoed.
Silence filled the air.
“I have an announcement to make,” Katherine said. “I’m happy to announce that every member of the Chosen Knights has agreed to join our Venator team. I will be sending them on special assignments. Zach, Lucia, and Davin will be heading the team.”
I exchanged glances with Zach and Uncle Davin. Uncle Davin winked at me, but Zach had no idea either, from the shocked expression he gave me. Then I met Eli’s eyes, and he gave me a broad grin. Jack, Milani, and Brody all grinned knowingly. Apparently, Katherine had spoken to them.
What fantastic news. I had thought about how I could visit Eli and my friends back on Earth. I didn’t need one anymore. After Katherine excused them, I rolled in with my questions to my friends as the party began.
Chapter 38
A Week Later
Lucia
“Lucia. Come outside,” Zach said aloud.
I ran out of my bedroom, heart pounding. Uncle Davin had us come back to our home on Earth to do some remodeling. Once the decision to have the Chosen Knights join our team was made, he wanted to get state-of-the-art, high-tech equipment installed and fix up our home.
“What’s going on?” I rushed through the open door.
I gasped, and my heart flipped inside my chest. Red rose petals painted the front porch and walkway toward the trees. On two adjacent trees, a huge banner was spread across, tied with ribbons.
The banner read: Please go to prom with me tonight.
I had to read it several times. I wondered if the sign was meant for someone else.
“Who put that on our trees?” A dumb question, but being so flabbergasted, my tongue twisted in knots.
“Who do you think?” Zach lightly punched my arm. “Come on. We’re going shopping. You need a dress.”
“Does Uncle Davin know? Did he see this?” I couldn’t take my eyes off the beautiful sign decorated with hearts.
Zach shrugged, but his eyes told me he knew a lot more than he was willing to offer.
Zach and I went to the local mall, but there was no one there. Though the locals were slowly returning back home to rebuild their community, it was still deserted. The Red Cross and other groups came to help when the ashes settled to distribute food and water and other necessary items. After I got what I needed, I left cash in the register and headed back home.
“Lucia. Are you almost ready?” Uncle Davin called, knocking on my bedroom door.
“Just a minute.” I gazed at my reflection in my bathroom mirror. Zach had helped me pick out my dress. The long black dress made me look like a princess. I loved how the material hugged my body, and the long slit up my left leg gave me room to move—sexy and elegant. Instead of keeping my hair straight, I curled it at the bottom. My soft makeup brought out my features and made me feel pretty. No jewels adorned me except for the edelweiss crystal pendant.
I opened the door and blushed when Uncle Davin gave me a wolf whistle. Zach and Uncle Davin sported black tuxes and black bow ties.
“Well, are you going to gawk at me all night, or are we going to the pro
m?” I said, giggling.
Honestly, I never expected to go to a high school prom, especially when school was not in session and prom was at the end of the year. Frankly, I never thought I’d go back to our Earth home. It wasn’t a permanent place, but we would reside there during missions, and we would be on one soon. Being an angel warrior meant life was not quiet.
“I’d rather you come with me.”
My heart skipped a beat. I twirled to see Eli looking so fine wearing a black tux and holding a red hand corsage.
“Eli,” I murmured, butterflies dancing in my stomach.
“You do know I’m your prom date, right?” Every step he took toward me, my heart pounded faster and harder.
“Yes,” I breathed. “You made the sign, right?” Stupid question. I was such a dork.
“Milani helped me. I suck at making posters.”
I snorted.
Eli took my hand and kissed the back of it before he wrapped the corsage around my wrist, and then he kissed my cheek ever so softly and tucked another flower on my left ear. “There. That means you are taken by me. No one can claim you.”
Like a love-struck school girl, all I could mutter was one word. “Oh.”
Eli lifted his arm. “Shall we? Our ride is waiting.”
Linking my arm through Eli’s, I peeked over my shoulder. Uncle Davin and Zach seemed love-struck themselves, giving me melting smiles as if they had witnessed something precious. I wondered if we would all go together, and then Zach said, “I can’t believe we get to ride in a limo.”
“I get to drive it.” Uncle Davin tossed the key up in the air and caught it as it came down.
We arrived just as the sun went down and the stars came up. The hotel was untouched by the volcano, but it was deserted like the whole town. When we went inside, it felt strange without the hustle and bustle. We rode up the elevator to the highest floor. After we got off, we took another elevator to the roof.
White Christmas lights decorated the walls. The tables filled with assorted foods were covered by silver metallic linens, and so were the other surrounding tables. Hawaiian flowers floating in fish bowls sat in the center, and candles glowed every way I turned. To create the utmost ambiance, soft instrumental music filled the air.