Dark Deceit

by Imani L Hawkins

  Even now, as she made her way to the woman who lied on the ground, her limbs twisted into positions that made them look as if they didn't actually belong to her, Myleah couldn't help but stare. She'd maintained that same luminescent appearance, though her features were contorted into a look that read anguish.

  "Isha." Myleah spoke her name in but a whisper but Isha heard her. She raised her head, the strain of the action evidenced by her grimace. "What do we do?"

  Isha lowered her head back to the ground, her eyes locked on the sky above them. For but a moment, Myleah thought herself silly asking the question. The poor woman was in pain. Her wounds hadn't even begun to heal, letting Myleah know she hadn't been one of the first to fall as she had.

  She lowered herself to the ground beside Isha, allowing her hands to push her magic into the angel. She couldn't heal her but she hoped the cold would at least relieve her of some of her pain. Isha groaned appreciately, closing her eyes. When she opened them again, they shone a bright green. The sound of cracking bones hit Myleah's ears and she watched as the woman before her began to heal. Moments later, Isha was on her feet, the same ethereal woman Myleah had met so long ago.

  Isha looked down at Myleah, a slight smile tugging the corners of her lips. "Thank you," she said, before her gaze wandered over their surroundings. Worry creased her brow as she looked upon the destruction laid before her. Grabbing Myleah's hand, she tugged her back toward the field. "We must hurry. They need our help."

  Myleah followed along as Isha went from angel to angel, laying a hand upon them with her other hand holding onto Myleah's. She could feel the gentle tug of Isha drawing upon her powers to mix her own in an effort to heal the angels around them. The sensation felt odd, unnatural, but Myleah didn't protest. As angel upon angel saw themselves to their feet, she was grateful she could provide something to help them out.

  "Where are we?" a masculine voice asked.

  "Earth."

  "Why are we here?" another voice, this one female, rang out.

  Isha ignored the question as she continued to jump from angel to angel, healing them.

  A barrage of questions filled the air but Isha refused to respond, her attention focused on the wounded. Myleah admired the dedication Isha showed as she ventured from one person to the next, her focus singular. Even after everything they'd just been through, the woman carried herself a queen among men, her drive to free the others of their pain pushing her forward until the night sky fell and every single one of them were able to care for themselves.

  They all waited, seemingly patient, as she walked with purpose toward the end of the field. Reaching her destination, she looked about the crowd of people gathered before her. Myleah stood at her side, watching as Isha's family shoved through the throng of angels to stand with her. Laurence, her husband, stood on her side, opposite Myleah, while both of her children, Tyrin and Aria, stood at her back. Each laid a hand on her shoulder, offering strength and support as she spoke to the crowd.

  "I understand you're scared," she began, her voice deep and powerful. "I understand most of you have never set foot on this planet and have no idea how to survive here. I understand some of you may have lost hope and resigned yourselves to this fate. I implore you, keep your faith. The task at hand will not be easy, nor will it enjoyable, but I assure you of its necessity. This test, both a blessing and a curse, will not break us. Together, we will learn to survive and we will persevere. We will see our home again."

  Twenty-Four

  Three years had passed before everyone was comfortable in their duties. They'd learned to hunt, plant crops, and work together to ensure their survival. Huts were built of branches, limbs, and leaves to protect them from the elements, each large enough to carry up to four angels.

  Myleah sat in her hut, shivering as the chill in the air seeped into her skin. Her daily tasks were easy to get used to, but she was certain she'd never grow accustom to the change of weather that occurred every few months. She tugged at the animal fur at her ankle before tossing it behind her and covering her shoulders with it. She held the two end pieces together at her chest with shaky hands.

  Three long years of torment laid behind her and an undetermined amount laid ahead of her. Still, she felt as if they'd just fallen the day before. Her limbs were sore from the work she'd performed that day - the weaving, cropping, disposing of waste, and everything else Isha had charged her with. She wanted to curse the woman her cruelty, spit in her face every time she was given a task so menial a child could do it, but she held her tongue. Isha and Laurence had been more than generous, taking her under their wings and teaching her how to survive on her own. For that, she was grateful.

  Her teeth clattered as she opened her mouth to take in a deep breath. She could feel the cold of it rushing passed her lips and into her lungs, spreading its chill wherever it touched. With her power of ice, she'd thought herself immune to the cold but she'd been quite the opposite. She laid her head against the wall, closing her eyes. Jasper was fast asleep, pressed against the opposite wall in an attempt to keep himself far from her. She radiated cold, her powers intensifying the chill in the air and he feared he'd find no comfort near her. Either that, or he was worried he'd awaken with a nasty case of frostbite.

  Whatever the reason, Myleah was all too happy with the distance he'd created. In heaven, she'd been content to dwell alone, rarely wanting the company of others. On Earth, the close proximity between all of them had been nearly unbearable but she'd managed to keep her distance, if only in her mind. While physically she was forced to live within the confines of what they affectionately called their village, mentally she'd escape back home where she could carry out her day without being bothered by the people around her. She'd imagine perfect weather, free of cold or extreme heat, a light sky above her that seemed to give off the perfect amount of light without having the rely on a fiery ball of gas. She could be in a library full of scrolls, losing herself in tales of old. She could sit by a lake, dipping her feet in crystal clear water while she practiced her magic in peace.

  Her heart sank as loss consumed her. Isha and Laurence were convinced their circumstances temporary, but as the years passed, she wasn't certain she believed it. The angels that had rebelled before them were permanently banned from heaven, forced into the fiery pits of hell and she found herself wondering if the same would happen to them. Were they banished to Earth only to be later thrown into hell after they'd suffered enough?

  The question lingered on her mind until a head peaked its into the hut.

  "Is everything okay here?"

  She looked up into green eyes with a faint glow, seated above a sharp nose and full lips. His ebony skin glowed where the light of the moon touched it. Concern marred his brow when his eyes landed on Myleah.

  "You're freezing," he stated in a rich baritone.

  He pushed into the hut, his chest bare except for the shadowy tattoo that swirled across it. The mark of the Fallen, a tattoo made of fine wispy lines of shadow that slid over their skin in intricate patterns only they understood, was carried by them all from the moment they fell. Isha liked to think of them as placeholders for the souls they'd lost, but Myleah thought them far more cynical. Tyrin's lit up and danced across his chest as he called upon his powers of fire. The air around them began to warm up from the heat he'd created until she was so hot she began to sweat.

  "I'm fine, now. Thank you." Myleah gave him a dismissive nod, hoping he'd leave as quickly as he'd come.

  Tyrin gave her a smile that mirrored his mother's. He looked just like her with the exception of masculine features Myleah had a difficult time ignoring. A strong body, full of rippling muscle that was neither lean or bulky. It was that perfect blend of the two that had Myleah itching to touch him. He moved with a feline grace, his muscles tensing and relaxing, ready to pounce on anyone who ventured too close.

  She returned his smile, instantly regretting it when he claimed a seat next to her. She could feel the heat pouring from him in
waves that knocked against her. Where at first she'd been grateful for it, she now wished for the cold to return.

  "How are you feeling?" Tyrin asked.

  "Hot." It was the only thing she could think of as the heat rose to almost unbearable degree.

  Tyrin issued her an apologetic smile and his glow began to dissipate, taking the heat with it. A cool breeze pushed through the opening Tyrin created when he entered the hut, cooling her further.

  "I always forget each person requires a different amount of heat." He crossed his legs before him, leaning back against the wall.

  Myleah didn't respond, instead closing her eyes. It had always been hard for her, being around other people but she found her proximity to Tyrin all the more difficult. There was something about him that made her uneasy, made her second guess every word she wanted to say and every gesture she wanted to make. She'd thought it was the fact he was the son of the only person she trusted with her life, but she knew it was something more.

  "Would you like me to leave?" Tyrin asked, perhaps sensing her discomfort.

  "Please." It was all she could say. And, though, she hated the thought of hurting his feelings, she hated the awkwardness she felt even more. He'd always stirred that feeling from her when he was around. She'd found herself consistently second guessing herself, worried she'd say the wrong thing at the wrong time.

  He pushed himself from the wall. "If you need anything else, just call out to me."

  He left without another word.

  Twenty-Five

  "Myleah!"

  Myleah winced as Aria came rushing toward her, her long braids swaying with every step. Unlike her brother, she'd inherited her father's eyes, hazel with a white ring outlining the iris.

  Gemma followed close behind, her head lowered. The expression on her face gave away her discomfort as they approached. When they came to a stop before Myleah, Gemma glanced up for but a moment before she returned her gaze toward the ground, kicking at the dirt in front of her.

  "We're going to build a fire by the lake this evening. Would you like to come?"

  Myleah cut Aria with a look of exasperation. The girl was relentless in her attempts to force Myleah and Gemma into more sociable situations and it was beginning to wear on her. Scooping her hair into a ponytail, she tied it up into a knot before shaking her head. Gesturing toward the ground, she responded, "You see how much work I need to do?"

  Aria, never one to give up, flashed one those mischievous smiles that made the white ring around her irises glow an intense red. It had taken Myleah some time to discover what the colors meant, but when she did, she knew how to combat anything Aria threw at her. This time, however, Aria wouldn't budge.

  "Last I asked, you were busy. The time before that, you were too tired. Now, again, you're busy. Are you really the only one able to tend to the tomatoes today?"

  Myleah looked around. "I don't see anyone else volunteering."

  Aria rolled her eyes before pushing two fingers between her lips. A sharp whistle escaped her and a man came rushing forward. "Damien, this is Myleah and she needs a break. Would you mind harvesting the tomatoes today?"

  Damien's eyes lit up at the request. He bowed his agreement, stepping between Myleah and the crops.

  "I could do this myself," Myleah grumbled, but it was no use. The man was all too eager to honor Aria's request. He scooped up her basket, filling it with as many tomatoes that would fit into it before trudging off with it.

  Gemma pulled a hand to her lips to hide her smile. Aria gave no such courtesy. Her smile was wide, showing rows of perfectly white teeth. "I'll give you a couple hours to nap and fix yourself up. I'll send Tyrin to collect you."

  She bounced off with Gemma following close behind her.

  Two hours had come and gone, and Myleah hoped Aria had forgotten about her. Luck wouldn't be so kind. Tyrin ducked into her hut, not bothering to announce himself, his hand stretched toward her. She swatted it away, pushing herself from the ground.

  "Aria tells me you'll be hanging out with us this evening," Tyrin said, pulling back the curtain at the entrance of the hut and ushering her outside.

  She shuffled past him into the cool night air. The moon hang high in the sky, shedding its silvery rays on them as they pushed through the cluster of trees separating their village from the lake. The lake was an hours walk away and Myleah was growing increasingly uncomfortable the closer they got.

  The cold air wrapped around her like an icy blanket, causing goosebumps to rise on her arms. She rubbed her arms with her hands and shivered.

  "For someone with an affinity for ice, you sure have a hard time handling the cold." Tyrin chuckled beside her, the sound of it filling the air.

  She ceased her steps, turning to glare at him. "What good would it do me to summon more cold?"

  Tyrin laughed as if she'd made a joke. When she cocked her head to the side, his laughter grew. She stared at him, missing the joke completely.

  "I wasn't referring to you summoning ice. I was just wondering why you never thought to control the ice around you?"

  Her brows creased as she considered it. She'd always known her ability to summon ice made her sensitive to the cold around her, but she'd never thought about controlling it. She closed her eyes, focusing on the cold air that wrapped around her and imagining herself pushing it away. Just as she'd imagined, it shifted away from her, leaving her much warmer than she'd been before.

  "I didn't realize I could do that," she said, amazed.

  "You'd be surprised what you can do. I can show you how to control your powers if you'd like."

  She laughed at that. "You control fire. From my understanding, your powers are completely different from mine and a lot stronger."

  "Myleah," he began, rolling his eyes. "You'd be surprised just how much we have in common. Our natures are both healing and destructive, fire and ice. You've just never given yours the opportunity to mature."

  It made sense. Being able to summon ice never felt like something useful outside of helping out with food storage or creating blocks of ice for those harsh summer days. It never occurred to her she'd be able to use her powers for much else.

  Tyrin grabbed her hand and tugged her toward him. His hand heated against hers. She could feel the heat growing to an almost unbearable degree.

  "You're hurting me," she warned.

  He didn't stop. It was as if her words spurred him forward, causing him to summon enough heat it began to blister her skin. Searing hot pain shot up her arm, threatening to consume her until something happened within her. She could feel her powers awakening, though she'd never called on them. Tendrils of cold ice shot out from her shoulders, slinking their way down her arm. The ice soothed every place the heat touched, extinguishing the fire around her arm until it connected with the fire coming from Tyrin's hand. Between their hands formed torrent of fire and ice, each fighting to extinguish the other. Myleah should have been afraid but she was mesmerized by the glow of blue and red light that seemed to wrap themselves around each other until they shined a radiant purple glow.

  She looked up at Tyrin who appeared just as surprised as she was when their powers no longer battled against each other.

  "Do you feel that?" he asked. "That's never happened before."

  "Magnets." There was no other way she could describe the pull she felt from him as their powers mingled between their hands as if drawn to one another. Polar opposites attracted to each other. "What do you think that means?"

  Tyrin shrugged before jerking his hand back, severing the connection. "I'm not sure."

  Her icy tendrils retreated, almost hesitantly.

  "We need to go. They're waiting on us and Aria will kill me if you don't show."

  Another fifteen minute walk saw them right where they needed to be. Myleah could hear the sounds of laughter mingled with splashing water and the crackling of firewood as they approached the others. Stepping from the shadows of the trees, Myleah was met with a sight that made her want to
turn around and run back toward the village. Aria, Jasper, Lydian and Daniel were splashing around in the lake with Gemma seated at the edge alone.

  She stepped back, wanting to distance herself from them. She'd always hated social gatherings, preferring to be alone, and she was certain this time would be no different. Tyrin caught her hand before she could run.

  "Aria would be extremely disappointed if you left."

  Myleah wondered why it should matter to her if Aria was disappointed, but the look Tyrin gave her told her everything she needed to know. Not only would she be disappointed in Myleah, but she'd be disappointed in her brother as well, something Tyrin didn't want to deal with. She took in a deep breath and allowed Tyrin to walk her toward the lake.

  "Myleah! You came!" Aria beamed, shoving away from Jasper and exiting the lake. She shook the water from her wings before tucking them away. "I wasn't sure you'd make it."

  Tyrin cleared his throat.

  "Hi brother," she mumbled, lacking all the enthusiasm she'd given Myleah.

  Myleah put a hand to her mouth to stifle her laughter.

  "You do realize if I let go of her hand, she'd run off back to the village, right? I didn't have to drag her along."

  "Whatever you say, brother." Aria flashed him a smile that was all teeth with dimples forming on her cheeks. She, then, turned to Myleah. "I'm sorry I had to send this brute after you, I was just afraid you wouldn't come on your own."

  "She wouldn't have," Tyrin responded with a grin. "Isn't that right?"

  Myleah's eyes darted between the both of them and she couldn't help the smile that spread her lips. She never would have ventured out were it not for Aria sending Tyrin her way, but for the moment, she was happy she had. The way the two interacted with each other tugged at an empty place within her and she found herself wishing she had someone she could depend on as much as Aria depended on her brother. Maybe making friends wasn't such a bad idea.