Lavender Fields

by Natalina Reis

  The angel half dragging him approached, his step sure and almost cocky, and I saw his face. It was Samael. I swallowed hard and yelled his name. The dark angel locked eyes with me and smiled, a malevolent bloodcurdling stretch of the lips that reached his eyes as pure evil.

  “If it’s not the disobedient angel of death.” His velvety voice scratched my ears as if wrapped in barbed wire. “I brought you some entertainment.”

  With a wide curve of his arm, Samael threw Caleb onto the floor in front of him where he lay still and crumpled like an old blanket. What had Samael done to him?

  “Caleb! Are you all right?” My scream was met with no reaction, and my chest ached with the panic the silence caused.

  The dark angel took a couple steps forward and kneeled before Caleb. “Sweet human.” He was cooing like a mother to an infant child. My stomach heaved. “Sweet little human. You must wake up. I have plans for you, and it’s no fun when you’re asleep.”

  I tried to move but found that my feet were glued to the floor, heavy as if attached to blocks of concrete. “What did you do to me?” I yelled at Samael, angry and frustrated.

  “A simple paralyzing spell. It will wear off once I leave.” There was no such thing as a paralyzing spell. Or was there? I didn’t know anything anymore. Samael kicked Caleb gently at first, then harder when he didn’t move. “Get the fuck up, human shit! I command you.”

  To my surprise and dismay, Caleb began moving and moaning. “Caleb, don’t….” Don’t what? What could Caleb do against the evil angel?

  Samael waited for Caleb to get on his feet and then kicked him, his angelic boot rising up in the air and hitting him straight on the chin. Caleb’s head was thrown backward as if he were a rag doll. I watched as blood flew out of his mouth and arched up in the air before plummeting to the immaculate white floor. Before Caleb could recover enough to fight back, Samael held his shoulders, forced Caleb to bend slightly forward, and then, raising his knee, savagely aimed it at my love’s stomach. I heard the sickening sound of bone meeting flesh and watched helplessly as Caleb vomited blood.

  “You’re going to kill him.” It sounded weak even to my ears, but I stood totally powerless to what was happening. I could only pray it would stop.

  Samael cackled. “Not before I have some fun with this sweet piece of mortal meat. I wonder if he tastes good.” The angel gripped Caleb by the throat and crushed his mouth to his. Caleb struggled against the forced embrace, and I whimpered in pain. When Samael finally released him, the angel’s lips, drenched in blood, stretched in a sinister smile. “I see what attracts you to this human. He is fucking delicious.”

  “Leave him alone. Take me instead. Please.” I was hysterical as I struggled against the invisible force holding me down.

  Samael stepped closer, dragging the now unconscious body of my love behind him. “I will with one condition.” His voice was a whisper and yet it pierced my ears like a scream.

  “What? What do you want from me?” I was yelling and crying, my voice cracking in despair. “I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” I meant it.

  The dark angel dropped Caleb and tilted my chin up with a bloody finger. “I get to turn you to the dark. You’ll be my dark minion for the rest of your angelic life.”

  I dropped to my knees, sobs echoing in my chest. No, not this. Anything but this. But I knew I would do it. For Caleb. I allowed myself to drop even farther until my forehead hit the floor with a heavy thump.

  I woke up drenched in tears and the smell of fear. Nothing had been real. It was only a nightmare. Aware that I should be relieved, anxiety grew within me instead. What if it were a prophetic dream? What if what I’d witnessed in my sleep were a reflection of the future?

  I have to get out of here.

  Time passes very slowly when you have no point of reference. The artificial light inside the blindingly white space didn’t give any clues as to what time of day or night it was. My mind was full of bad things, things that could be happening to Caleb and his sister as I sat there, locked inside that room with my wings clipped. My wings ached under the pressure of the clamp, and my chest ached with each beat of my bleeding heart. I was lost.

  When the telltale clank of the heavy door lock echoed through the small empty space, I flinched as if in pain. They were coming for me already. Should I try to fight them? Is there even any sense in doing that? Where are you, God, when I need you the most? I shuffled my feet and squeezed myself against the wall, hoping some magic door would open behind me and swallow me whole. Instead, I watched with surprise and some level of curiosity as Gabriel himself came through the open door, his finger in front of his lips, tiptoeing like a thief.

  My lips opened in a question, but the archangel shushed me with his finger. Still scared, I stood up and waited for Gabriel to approach me. “Turn around quietly.” His voice was a mere whisper but left no doubt he expected to be obeyed. I did as he told me, and I felt his cold hands on my back followed by an awesome sense of relief as my wings clamp came loose.

  Gabriel released me. Why?

  When I turned back around to face him, he gestured for silence again. “Listen carefully, Sky.” His voice was even quieter. “I did not request Samael, or anyone for that matter, to kill or hurt your human. In fact, until you mentioned it, I had no idea that had happened. All I did was erase his memory of you as per regulations. Something’s wrong here.” He sighed. “I’m freeing you. I gave orders for you to stay in isolation until further notice, so no one should notice your absence.”

  I blinked, not sure whether I was dreaming or this was actually happening. “But Gabriel, where am I supposed to go?”

  Gabriel sighed. “Don’t be an idiot, Sky.” Well, this was no dream. Gabriel was back to being his usual asshole self. “Go to Earth. Hide. I’ll contact you as soon as I can, and we’ll talk. I fear there is something….” He looked for the right words. “Something very bad is happening here, and I need to find out what. You’ll help me.” It wasn’t a request but an order. Though if it were true that he had nothing to do with this terrible mess, then I was very happy to help him find out who was behind it. “Will you do that for me?”

  I nodded. “I will do that for Arcadia, for all of us angels of light.” And for Caleb and Joan, but I didn’t think he wanted to hear that.

  “While on Earth, you must keep an eye on your human and protect him.” Now there was something I could get fully behind. “You cannot allow him to be caught by the other side. He has a good soul. When he dies, he’s expected on our side.”

  “I promise I will do my best.”

  “No! You have to do better than that. Your best is just not enough.” Man, he can be a real douche! “For once, young Sky, you need to excel. Can you do that?”

  With a nod I sealed our deal. Emerging from the isolation chamber, I realized it was the middle of the night. “How long have I been locked here?”

  “Two days. Go to the Edge and fly as fast as you can.” He threw me a glance and frowned. “On second thought, don’t rush. Accidents happen when you rush. Just get down there safely and without being spotted. Understood?”

  Gabriel didn’t wait for my answer before he took off at great speed, flying over the building and into the skies beyond it. I stood alone for a few seconds, trying to process what had happened. Was it true? Gabriel wasn’t the culprit behind Caleb’s attempted murder. Did he really not know anything about it, or was this an elaborate ploy to get Caleb and me into even bigger trouble?

  Whatever the answer, the one thing I was certain of was I was going to see my love again. I ran to the nearest side of the Edge and threw myself off it, gliding down rather than flying for fear the flapping of my wings would be detected.

  Upon my arrival at the hospital, dawn had broken and small tendrils of sunlight shone down on the gray buildings. I found Joan in the waiting room, her ear glued to her phone and her hands punctuating whatever she was saying. Amused, I half hid around the corner and listened in.

&n
bsp; “He is so cute.” Boyfriend talk, apparently. “Curly, golden blond hair, freckles across his nose and cheeks, and the most gorgeous blue eyes you’ve ever seen.” Was she speaking about me? “Cal melts every time he walks in the room. I think my brother is in love.” Aww. My chest swelled with happiness. “I hope he’s coming back. We haven’t seen him in two days.”

  It wouldn’t be right to intrude on her private conversation—a little belatedly—so took a different path to Caleb’s room. Remembering what happened the last time I saw him, anxiety grew inside of me and I sped up my step. Caleb was fast asleep. The doctors had removed his head bandages, and a great big scar left from the surgery was visible on the right side of his forehead. The stitches were still there, making the wound look like the cartoonish mouth of a Halloween scarecrow. His forearms were wrapped in bandages where he had suffered a severe road rash, but he was beginning to look healthy again.

  Quietly, I tiptoed into the room and pulled a chair closer to the bed so I could sit and watch him sleep. He looked so peaceful in his slumber that all the anxiety of the past couple days dissolve. Caleb was doing well, and I was by his side where hopefully he would allow me to stay for a while. All was well with the world and the heavens above.

  ____________

  GOING HOME

  “You could just flap your wings and take us both home in the blink of an eye.” Joan was very stubborn, I was quickly finding out. Her brother was being discharged from the hospital, and she was stressing everybody out.

  “I’ve already explained to you that I can’t use my wings right now.” It was at least the tenth time I’d said it. I lowered my voice and glanced around to make sure no one heard us. “It’s dangerous.”

  It was easy to forget she was almost eighteen when she crossed her arms like a bratty child not getting her way. “We could be safe and sound at home already, and yet here we are still waiting for the fucking taxi.”

  “First, don’t use that language. Your brother would kill you, and me, if he found out I didn’t say anything.” I liked it better when she used my old-fashioned, cleaner expletives. “Second, your brother still can’t remember I’m an angel, and I really don’t want him to freak out on me.” I looked around one more time. “And third, can you please keep your voice down when you talk about my angelic gifts?”

  With a pout and loud puffing, Joan turned around and started walking back inside. “You two deserve each other. Prude and impractical.”

  We had been waiting outside the hospital for the taxi to take us all home, but the cool breeze blowing from the ocean was becoming uncomfortable. I followed her in and placed myself behind the glass windows to keep an eye out. The doctors and nurses were doing their last round of checks and paperwork while we waited for our ride. It had been almost a week since Gabriel had freed me, and I was none the wiser about who or what was behind Caleb’s near demise. Of course, I was so excited about getting to know Caleb better that I hadn’t done much to find out what was going on. I planned to change that now that he was going home and I wasn’t as worried about all the people coming and going.

  “Why don’t you want to tell Caleb your secret?” Joan was like a dog with a bone. “He’d believe you, you know.”

  As scared as I was that Caleb would think I was crazier than a loon under a full moon, that wasn’t why I was resisting coming out to him. If he found out I was an angel, how would I explain to him why I was still around? And why I was in such big trouble? I couldn’t bring myself to tell him the truth, that he was supposed to be dead.

  “Joan, I’m not going to tell him any time soon. Drop it already. What’s it to you, anyway?”

  “It doesn’t seem right that Caleb doesn’t know who you really are.” Well, that bothered me a little too. “You know he believes in angels, like me. You guys could be so good together.”

  I shook my head with a chuckle. “Will you let us make that decision ourselves?” I pointed at the taxi pulling in by the door. “The cab is here. Let’s get your brother.”

  Caleb was ready, sitting in a wheelchair with a big smile on his face. “Ready to go back home,” he said as we walked in. “Sick of this hospital room.” Bubbles of happiness floated up my throat at the sight of his gorgeous eyes. Would I ever get tired of them? “Stop staring at me and wheel me out of this hellhole.” Interesting choice of words, but I got the idea and did as I was told.

  There was such chatter coming from Joan sitting up front that both Caleb and I were content just sitting quietly in the back seat of the cab. It had been a long while since I’d ridden in one of these human contraptions, and I couldn’t help feeling like a fledgling on his first flight. I was used to speed, but flying was a smoother ride; this was a lot bumpier and rougher. The novelty made it thrilling in its own humble way. My lips stretched to the max as I stared out the window at the sights zooming by.

  We had just crossed the small bridge into Wiscasset when Caleb’s hand covered mine on the seat between us. Surprised but delighted, I glanced at it and then up at him. Ever since that kiss to end all kisses in the hospital room a week or so before, nothing had happened to make me think Caleb even remembered it, much less was willing to pursue it further. His fingers told me a different story. Warm and strangely familiar, he caressed my hand as his palm cocooned mine. That simple touch sent little electric shocks up my arm and directly into my heart—and other not-so-sentimental parts of me. A small fire began inside of me and quickly spread to every corner of my body. How very unangelic of me. I had the sudden urge to rip his clothes off and show him exactly how I felt for him right there on the stained seats of that cab.

  Where is this coming from?

  Thankfully the taxi stopped abruptly, and I had to let go of his hand to brace myself against the back of the driver seat.

  Joan turned around to us with a big smile on her face. “We’re home.”

  With both his sister’s and my help, Caleb limped—more like hopped—his way from the car into the house. Joan deposited him gently on the couch as I went back outside to pay for the taxi ride. The house still had that cozy appeal of the first day. It was weird how much at home I felt there, but so it was. Full, unapologetic comfort.

  “Coffee, anyone?” At both our nods, Joan rushed to the kitchen to prepare the brew.

  Awkwardness filled the room. Where a few moments before I had been ready to get very naked with Caleb, I was now inexplicably shy. Not sure how to proceed, I stared at the floor, desperately seeking something to latch on to. Nothing came to me.

  “Come sit by me.” Caleb’s melodious voice soothed my nerves. My muscles relaxed just enough that I could finally look at him without blushing. I sat beside him on the couch and smiled. “You look a little nervous.” That was the understatement of the century. I didn’t know what to say. “Thank you for being here.”

  In spite of my earlier resolve, heat climbed from my neck to my cheeks. Hell and tarnation, what was it about the man that made me so flustered? “I like being here.” Really? Of everything you could’ve said, you pick that? I might as well be Baby from Dirty Dancing with her watermelon comment.

  Caleb’s laugh filled my ears like a song. “Good, because I like having you here.”

  Joan came back carrying a tray with cups and a carafe, her joy in having her brother back splashed across her pretty, young face. “So excited to have my two boys here with me.”

  “Since when did Sky become one of your boys?” Caleb pretended to be annoyed. “I thought I was your only one.”

  Joan stuck her middle finger up at him and poured him a cup of coffee. “You used to be, but now I have my angel as well.”

  My heart fell at my feet. What was she doing, telling him about me? I stared at her with what I hoped was a pointed look.

  She didn’t notice. “My sweet Sky.” She left her coffee accessories behind and threw herself in my arms. “I can’t thank you enough. You’ve been an angel.” The little devil winked at me. She was having fun rattling me. I squeezed a lit
tle harder than necessary and she laughed. “Let me get you a cup of my heavenly brew.”

  I’m going to kill her.

  Twilight immersed everything in a quiet, cozy glimmer of sorts. Caleb insisted on ordering Chinese, and we munched on crunchy noodles and dumplings in pleasant companionship. I found that talking to these two was as easy as if I had known them my whole life, and I didn’t want to give it up. Ever.

  “Where are you staying, Sky? You’ve never told me where you live.” Caleb had dropped a bomb. I had never even considered that. Since angels didn’t need much rest, I had been catching up on sleep curled up in the hospital waiting rooms, never once considering that I didn’t have a place to stay anymore. The hospital had been my home for the past week.

  The elfin girl saved me. “He’s currently looking for a place. Sky moved here recently and was staying at a hotel until your accident.” Okay, I forgive you for the earlier tormenting. “I thought he could stay here until he finds a place.”

  My head snapped up in surprise. “No, I wouldn’t think of imposing on you guys like that. Especially with Caleb still recovering.”

  Caleb waved his hand. “Don’t be silly. You’re very welcome to stay with us for as long as you need.” His lavender-green eyes pierced mine with their intensity. “It’ll be wonderful having you here. Little Miss Muffet here needs to go back to school, and I’ll be very lonely.”

  Was he flirting? It had been a very long time since I had done anything like that, and never with a human. My core contracted in excitement or fear. Maybe both.

  “Are you sure? I really don’t want to put you guys out.” Except now I really wanted to stay. The smoky glance Caleb was throwing my way was all the incentive I needed.

  Joan giggled, her laughter rising into the air and cascading all around us like little crystal bubbles. “Can’t you see my not-so-subtle brother wants you around? Just say yes already and stop playing coy.”

  I must’ve blushed again because the room became very hot all of a sudden. “Yes, I will be very happy to stay. I have nowhere else to go. Thank you.” That earned me another neck-breaking hug from Caleb’s sister.