by Abra Ebner
“So, only Elle can save it?” Sam reiterated.
“Yes. She is the last, after all.”
Sam’s face grew jealous. “What about Margriete?”
I shrugged. “What about her? She’s dead, remember?”
Sam looked at me with a shocked expression. “What? What tree have you been living under?”
I narrowed my eyes, looking at the house that surrounded me. “Very funny.”
His face remained serious. “Oh true, you were under a tree.” He paused to laugh. “She isn’t dead, Edgar. You remember that white cat, don’t you?”
I thought back, remembering Elle’s ridiculous claims that there was a cat in the meadow. “Yeah, so? Did you finally take it the pound?”
Sam let out a low growl. “No. Of course not! Though at first that’s exactly what I wanted to do.” He shrugged.
I was silent for a moment as I tried to remember the cat. “That was real?” I saw that he wasn’t joking.
Sam’s face was smug. “Perhaps you should learn to trust people. That cat was Margriete. She was locked in that form by the gods as punishment for all that had happened with Matthew. They did it to spite her, and she could only be released if someone cared enough to recognize it was her and say her name.” He laughed. “Clearly, that wasn’t you.”
A feeling of guilt filled my black heart.
“But Elle did see it. You should be ashamed. Margriete was part of the group that came to try to save you. Perhaps you should thank her.” Sam looked down his nose at me.
I looked at him closely, seeing there was something more behind all this. “You have a thing for Margriete, don’t you?”
I sharp breath blew from between his tight lips. “Whatever.” He looked away.
Laughter filled the room as I found myself unable to prevent it. In all my time knowing Sam, I had only seen him love one girl—that pathetic Jill. It was at least nice to see him branching out, but then what of Margriete? In love with a guardian angel? Come on. I never thought I’d see her stoop to that level.
Sam’s eyes burned a hole though mine. “Shut up.”
“I wasn’t speaking.” I choked between laughs.
“You know what I mean.” He pounded the table, but it did little to threaten me.
“I’m sorry, it’s just—” I began to laugh again. “It’s just so pathetic.”
“Anyway.” Sam continued to stare.
I calmed myself. “Anyway. I doubt Margriete would hold the power like Elle does.”
Sam nodded. “No, you’re right. Margriete has lost a lot of the healing power she once had. She’s lost the raven inside her.”
I chuckled. “Yeah—for a cat.” I couldn’t help myself.
Sam glared.
I stopped, losing the humor in the situation. “So, Elle is it? Matthew killed everyone else?”
Sam nodded, still to angry to speak.
“That’s too bad. I was hoping there would be someone to help her.” My face fell, thinking now that she really was The One.
Sam blinked a few times. “You know you can’t help her, right? So don’t think that. You know as well as I that when it comes time, you can’t be there.”
I cringed as he said it. I wanted nothing more than to be there by her side as she fought against the universe, fought to calm the coming destruction, but I couldn’t. The prophecy stated that all those close to her must leave, and recede to where they were born to grant her the strength—myself included. Without me, her powers were stronger, and her heart true.
“I know.” I finally answered.
That’s why preparing her will be an important task. She needs to see the prophecy for herself.
My eyes grew angry as they shot to his. “No. I won’t allow that.”
“But why? She has to see it.”
I felt my heart grow restless and dark. “She cannot see it. She cannot know her own future because it will effect her decisions.
Sam nodded. “Exactly, that’s why she needs to see it. We need her to know how important this all is. She needs to know that she is the only one that can save this world, inside and out. The universe trusts her to know what the right decision is, and if she decides that this world is not worth it, then that is what will be. For whatever reason, she lived a divine life in their eyes. She is the chosen judge of us all.”
“The gods fear her?” I asked, wondering what it was like when they saw them.
“Of course they fear her. They were so shaken with anxiety just knowing she had the dagger, thinking that if they got that back, she would never be able to control them—but they did not understand the power of the prophecy. I think they thought that they could change it, but their powers are useless when it comes to the universe and fate. The knife held little power to Elle. No matter what weapon, or magical spell, she will inevitably lead them. She has the divine right and blessing.”
I will not show her the prophecy.” I stood by my decision, though I knew it was the wrong one. I was stubborn, and if Fate wanted to play, then I was at least going to put up a fight.
Sam shook his head. “Whatever you say, Edgar. You are as naive as the gods. What is meant to happen, will. You can’t change fate.” He was echoing me now.
I stood, walking away from him, tired of hearing his voice. “Leave.” My brows were sewn together.
I heard Sam stand. “Fine, but I’ll see you soon.”
I did not acknowledge his statement, but I knew he already had his answer as I felt him inside my mind.
The branches were more than happy to let him leave. The door opened up, and he walked out, not another word said. As the branches folded up behind him, I felt my whole body relax. I took a few calming breaths, thinking about home and allowing some essence of excitement to return.
The sun began to shine through the hole in the ceiling, falling on my back. Its warmth reminded me of the beauty in the world. This place was worth fighting for, and I knew Elle would see that, prophecy or not. She knew what she had to do, because it was ingrained in her very existence, and in her heart.
HERE COMES THE GROOM
Edgar
I paced across the floor of the cabin, nervous, though I didn’t understand why. For the first time in what felt like decades, Elle was finally independent again. She did not need me like she did before, and I was afraid she would no longer crave the energy of my touch and would finally see me for the horrible man I was.
I straightened my jacket, freshly cleaned in the nearby river and then dried in the sun, making it smell like the lilac it once had—before all the campfires and hunting. My hands were rough, and my eyes tired. What would she think of my wings? Would they repulse her? Would she no longer feel the same because I had moved away from the human I once was, now something ethereal?
I walked toward the wall as the branches opened up for me. I squeezed my wings to my spine, as though it would make a difference, hiding them more effectively then I had before. Outside, the sun still filtered through the trees, giving the Earth one last burst of energy and life. I looked back at the cabin and then the trees.
“Thank you. You can let go now.” It was as though the trees that had formed my cabin let out a tremendous sigh of relief, and the crackling of branches began. I watched as the shape of the cabin dissipated, and the trees reached back toward the sky and the sun. They shook their branches one last time before falling silent, the magic inside them retreating back into the roots.
Where the cabin had been, there was now a bare spot, but it was quickly covered by some anxious vines, all looking for a spot to take root and wait out what was to come. Looking around, I noticed that there were no bugs. I missed their busy presence flying about the woods. They had always reminded me of the life that was now beginning to fade. The rays of sun were nothing but void light, lacking the nourishment they need to survive. I breathed in one last time, already smelling the tinge of death in the air. I nodded to myself, turning and heading toward home.
As I reached the
clearing of the meadow, I hung back, seeing the crowd of people through the trees. What were they doing? I looked toward where the invisible house was and saw Sam standing there in a suit, a white cat at his heels. Confused and mildly put-off, I scanned the rest of the crowd. A girl in a white dress caught my immediate attention. At first I did not recognize her, but as my memory caught up to me I remembered.
“Sarah?” I murmured out loud. She seemed to turn and look in my general direction, as though she had heard me say her name. I ducked behind a nearby huckleberry bush, afraid to let everyone see me.
The anger in me grew. Why had Sam done this to me? Why couldn’t he have told me to come back any other day? It was then that I remembered that he had in fact mentioned a wedding, but the word itself was so sentimental to my own history, that I must have drowned it out, remembering my own wedding instead. I looked back to where Sam had been, seeing him now looking over his shoulder at the spot where I was standing, a delighted smirk on his face.
“I hate you, Sam,” I muttered. He knew I hated weddings, or crowds for that matter.
I saw him shrug, though he was so far away, it could have been a laugh as well.
It was then that she appeared out of nowhere, and my anger faded almost immediately. While the guests were turned, looking at Sarah, Elle had exited the house. My heart stopped, remembering her youth and beauty. It calmed my fleeting emotions. I forgot all about the wedding, and the crowd, now only seeing her.
“Estella,” I whispered, and I saw her stop dead in her tracks, looking around. She was powerful again, able to hear every sound as she once had. She continued forward, shrugging it off and blaming it on her creative mind.
Everyone began to group together, taking their seats as I began to feel nervous. I was likely more nervous than the groom himself, my palms wanting to sweat though they were cold as death. I swallowed hard, conjuring a spirit I had nearly forgotten—that of the raven. As my body struggled to change, I began to wonder how the angel wings would play into this, but as I finally got in the air, I still felt them tucked to my spine like a spare pair.
I flew in circles upward, erupting from the canopy and flying overhead. No one’s attention faltered from the bride, and as Elle came into view, I saw her eyes were closed, dreaming. There was an unmistakable smile on her face, and I knew now that she could feel me.
She still loved me.
As carefully as I could, I circled in behind her, fluttering down onto the seat beside her.
She drew in a sharp breath, and it made my body shudder. I tucked my wings behind me, feeling my heart race in a way it hadn’t since that day she appeared in my class, like a ghost. I watched her exhale slowly, wanting to look, but her mind trying to convince her to give up, telling her I was gone.
I gently snapped my beak, trying to gain her attention. Unable to ignore the noise, she looked at me. I gazed upon her face, my raven eyes wide, drinking in her every feature. Her face did not change, surprise thwarted by the animal before her. I saw her draw her hand up and grasp at something around her neck. A slow smile grew across her face then, and she looked away, as though she still could not believe what she saw.
Shock now laced in with the smile and my heart pumped even harder. Feeling it was time, I changed back into my human form, silent like the wind.
Her hair blew in wisps around her face, her hand never leaving what she held around her neck. I smiled, breathing slowly as I saw Sam look at me and then her, enjoying every moment of this little reunion. I leaned in toward her neck, wanting so badly to kiss her skin, to feel the cool softness against my lips.
I drew close to her ear. “Thank you.”
I let my breath graze her face, and I saw the hairs on her neck stand on end. She turned to face me then, and I felt a fire erupt in my soul. I brought my hands to her face, no longer able to suppress the desire to touch her. Her skin was warm against my frozen palm. I pulled her toward me and pressed my lips to hers, feeling the peace I always did in her presence—the darkness dissipating long enough to allow me asylum in her heart.
She brought her hands to my arms, and grasped onto them. Her touch was gentle and slow, but full of a power I had all but forgotten. It was hard to deny that she was truly The One. She knew how to calm all the fury in the world, to tame whatever creature came across her path. As I pulled back, she refused to look away.
“Edgar, you’re back,” she whispered, a tear forming in her eye.
“I’m back,” I replied. The calm feeling in my heart began to twist as her touch remained, and the familiar darkness and desire to kill replaced what little peace there was left. I pulled my arms away from her, and she let go, the release just as sweet as our first touch. Disappointment grew in my heart. Every time I touched her, I wished I could hold on longer, remain in that calm place with her forever, but it always turned.
She smiled. “Its okay, Edgar. I don’t need it.”
The words stung, feeding the doubts I had in the forest. It was true she did not need me like before, and I hoped the feeling was still strong enough to grant me purpose as her other half. I looked down into my lap, but she brought one hand to my chin and tilted my face upward.
“But that doesn’t mean I don’t want it.” It was as though she knew exactly what I was thinking.
I smiled. “I love you.”
She let a tear finally fall. “I love you, too.”
CATCHING UP
Edgar
The crowd began to stand and filter toward the bride and groom. I watched as some eyed me, likely wondering where I came from, and who I was. Sarah glanced at me and gave me a wink. Scott did the same. I winced, remembering them as students, uncomfortable with this change in our relationship.
Elle laughed. “Edgar, don’t glare.”
I looked at her, her blue eyes so bright they were hard to watch. “Sorry, it’s just…”
She cut me off, rolling her eyes. “I know, sickening, but they’re happy.”
I laughed. “Glad I’m not the only one that thinks that.”
She gave me a playful slap on the arm. “You don’t have to act fake with me, Edgar. Ever.” She continued to stare, still in awe that I was back.
I kept my hands in my pockets, wanting so badly to hold her, but knowing my strength was still unpredictable.
“Where were you?” she asked.
I eyed Sam. “I’m not sure.”
She looked disappointed by my reply.
“Here, follow me.” I drew her away from the crowd and deeper into the field. “Things are going to be different,” I whispered.
She frowned, perplexed. “What do you mean?”
I didn’t know how to say it, how to admit to her that I was different, that things were not necessarily well. Her eyes were still caught up in the beauty of things. I didn’t want to ruin it for her. Not yet.
I saw her look back toward the crowd then, a small smile on her face. Seeing that no one was looking, she lunged toward me, grabbing me around my waist and pushing me through the vortex and into the house. She landed on top of me, and we slid across the black granite of the entry, my head hitting the base of the stairs with a thud.
“Ouch.” I brought my hand to my head, bending my knees as she straddled my stomach. She looked down at me and I let my hands fall to my sides, afraid to touch her. She pulled her long, blonde hair away from her face, breathing hard and laughing.
“Sorry—I just saw an opportunity.” She climbed off and stood, seeing my discomfort and the deep black of my eyes.
I took a minute to regroup as deathly images crossed my mind, images of Elle I never wanted to see. I stood, placing my hand on the stairs for assistance, my feet slipping. Now standing, I straightened my jacket and looked at her. She continued to breathe hard, her face alive. I swallowed, controlling my anger but not my desires. I stepped toward her and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her against my chest and kissing her with fury. She grabbed at my back, allowing me to control the situation and control my
self. I ran my hand through her hair, grasping it hard as I felt the wings on my back release and spread.
She yelped and jumped back, her cheeks reddened and her face confused. “Edgar—”
I was breathing deeply as my chest rose and fell, my mind whirling as the whole room seemed to spin. I was controlling the fury, and it felt good—addicting even. I walked toward her but she took another step back, distancing herself.
“Edgar, what is this?” There was fear in her eyes.
I clenched my fists and pressed back my desires.
“You have wings,” she continued, staring at them with what seemed like fascination, but also uncertainty.
I nodded as I stepped toward her, my teeth clenched in resistance of my desire to hold her and never let go. She stopped backing away from me, allowing me to come closer. I could smell her apprehension, but she was braver now than before. She ran her shaking hand along the length of one wing, walking behind me and drawing the same hand down the other.
“Angel wings. Like Sam’s,” she stated.
I swallowed. “Yes, like Sam’s.”
“So then,” she paused. “You’re a guardian angel?”
I nodded again. “Yes. I died for you.” I felt a sense of pride saying it.
I watched her face, afraid of her reaction, afraid it would change the way she saw me. A smile grew across her cheeks. “Will you be my angel?” The way she said it sounded seductive, and it was hard to hold back.
I swallowed again, my throat now dry. “Sam is your angel.” I felt relief—she did not hate me.
She continued to smile, pressing her body against my chest. “That doesn’t matter,” she whispered in my ear, tracing her lips along my cheek.
She found my current state attractive?
I tried to hold my hands away from her, but as she continued to tease, I lost my control. I pressed my hands against her back, grasping the fabric of her dress as she looked at me, no longer afraid of what I could do to her. Her breath fell across my face as she searched my eyes, loving the danger.