THE TRAGIC + DIVINE

by MELODY FELIX-PRIETO

  “Did your momma ground you for the other night?”

  “Surprisingly, no.” My mother hasn’t said anything to me or mentioned the jar. I was beginning to get worried.

  “What. That’s weird. Remember the day I dropped you off after school, and she was waiting for you in the driveway?”

  “I remember. She dragged me into the house when she saw Eddie in the car,” I said slapping Julian’s hand away as he tried to take a chocolate kiss. “Customers only!”

  “Chill, Jane. I’ll participate. How many kisses are in this thing, anyway?” Julian asked as he wrote down his guess on a piece of paper and handed me a dollar bill.

  “You’ll have to find out at the end of the night,” I said looking around to make sure no one was within hearing distance. “You know my mother practices Santeria, right?”

  “Yeah?” he asked leaning in with a look of excitement in his eyes anticipating a good piece of juicy gossip.

  “Well, I found a jar with my name on it.”

  “Shut up!” His bright green contacts lit with surprise. “Like the one she had for Paul?”

  I nodded. “I accidentally broke it and—smoke came out of the water. Isn’t that weird?”

  “Yeah, that is weird. There was probably acid inside the jar.”

  “Acid would’ve burned the paper,” I shook my head. “I’m not sure what it was or why she had my name inside the jar.”

  “You can always ask her,” he suggested.

  “She’ll definitely kill me for sneaking into her room.”

  “Did I hear someone say ‘sneaking into a room’?” Eddie popped in the booth, surprisingly without his crew of jocks.

  “Nope. Want to guess how many kisses are in the jar?”

  Eddie looked at the sign disappointed. “That’s what this is. I thought it was a kissing booth.”

  “Yeah, right,” I sneered. “You actually think the school would allow us to have a kissing booth? Imagine the angry mob of parents. Besides, kissing a complete stranger is disgusting.”

  “That’s a shame,” he said with a flirtatious smile. He grabbed a piece of paper and entered his guess. “Can I talk to you?” Eddie’s eyes drifted to Julian waiting for him to get the hint and leave.

  Julian perked up when he caught the message then said, “I’m gonna go stuff my face with nachos then throw them up on the Ferris wheel.”

  “See you later,” I waved to Julian. “What’s up?” I asked Eddie.

  Eddie took a manila envelope from his letterman jacket then handed it to me.

  “What’s this?” I asked, puzzled.

  “It’s the money to fix your car,” he combed a hand through his hair almost embarrassed, “I made Mason and the guys pay up for what they did.”

  “So I was right,” I said taking the envelope. “I bet they were the ones who spray painted ‘Quill Lover’ on my garage door.”

  Eddie gave me a startled look. “Someone spray painted your garage?”

  “Yep. For the whole neighborhood to see.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said.

  I studied Eddie’s torn expression. I could tell something was weighing heavily on his mind.

  “So,” Eddie began as he drummed his fingers on the booth. “Are you still seeing him?”

  Not this again. “Eddie, I thought we had this conversation already?”

  “It’s not that, I just want you to be careful that’s all.”

  “Well, thanks for the concern but I think I can take care of myself.”

  “They’re not who they say they are,” he said cryptically.

  “And how would you know?”

  “I just—know.”

  And that’s when I saw the Templar cross branded on the inside of his wrist. The same one I’d seen many times all over Atlanta. I took his hand and pushed up his sleeve.

  “What is this?” I demanded.

  He snatched his hand back covering the mark.

  “Are you—part of the Knights Army?”

  The muscles on his face tightened. “There are a lot of things you don’t know about the angels.” His voice was serious.

  “Like what?”

  Eddie held back his words and shook his head. “I can’t tell you.”

  I shook my head. I was tired of everyone around me hiding secrets. The fact that he led me this far made me angry. If Eddie wasn’t going to tell me anything, then I’d have to find out myself.

  “Don’t worry about me,” I said. But what Eddie said next shook me to my core.

  “I just hope you haven’t gone too far, the way Savannah did.”

  Eddie left without saying another word. He knew Savannah was involved with the angels. He probably knew she was part of their cult. What else was Eddie hiding? And why wouldn’t he tell me anything?

  I took a break from my duties to find Julian. On my way to the Ferris wheel, I passed the games section where one of the carnival attendants kept hassling me to play.

  “I can’t,” I told him. “I have to meet a friend.”

  “I’ll pay for your first game,” he offered.

  “I don’t have any money.”

  “It’s on me.”

  Fine, I thought. Maybe shooting something will ease the tension in my body. Grabbing the shotgun, I positioned myself head-on before making my first move. But before I could go any further, strong foreign arms coiled behind me taking hold of the gun.

  “You’re doing it wrong,” a familiar voice whispered. A tingling sensation raced down my neck, I knew without looking who was standing behind me. There was only one person who could make my heart race without touching. When I looked over shoulder, Milo’s face was right next to my ear sending pulsating waves of heat over my body. I had to catch my breath to prevent myself from fainting. I focused back on the game, all smiles.

  “The key to a good beginning is using proper form. Turn your hips so that your back is against me,” Milo instructed. I did as he asked. Milo made sure to keep a healthy distance so that our bodies wouldn’t touch. “Now, position the shotgun closer to your chest. And take aim.”

  I aimed at the center of the tin cans and pulled the trigger causing my arm to jerk back. With one shot, all the cans fell behind the wall.

  “Pick your prize,” the attendant said. But Milo didn’t take his eyes off mine—he’d found his prize.

  “The blue monkey,” I said.

  Milo took the stuffed animal then handed it to me. “Good job.”

  “Thank you,” I replied shyly trying not to blush.

  “Want to go on a ride?”

  “Uh, rides make me sick.”

  “How about the mirror maze?” he said pointing at the neon illuminated building a few steps away from us. It stood alone without a soul nearby.

  I hesitated. My heart was thumping again, only this time I felt it closer to my navel than my ribcage.

  “Sure,” I said walking next to Milo, so close our shoulders almost touched. I timidly glanced over to him for a brief instant. I suddenly had the urge to hold his hand until I remembered I told Milo to keep his hands to himself.

  “What happened to Saturday?” I asked.

  “I decided Saturday was a long time away. I wanted to see you.”

  I turned away covering my face with my hair, so Milo didn’t catch the grin that slowly spread across my lips.

  We stepped into the dark maze where an endless pattern of zigzagged triangles of neon blues and greens danced to music. Milo led the way as we descended further into the labyrinth of mirrors turning corners straight into dead ends and walls of glass. We turned back toward the entrance where Milo took a right. I followed closely behind down a hall where he made a sharp turn and suddenly disappeared. I traced his steps but ran right into a mirror. How did he—where did he go? I heard him laugh. But I couldn’t place the direction of his voice.

  “Jerk!” I screamed out. Stretching my arms out, I carefully touched every glass mirror, so I didn’t smack into glass. “Where are you?”


  “Behind you.” I heard his voice right next to my ear. I spun around, Milo wasn’t there. A shadow zipped to my left, I did a 360, still nothing. I continued straight ahead, when Milo stepped into view. With his finger, he beckoned for me to go to him. Obeying his command, I walked down the stretched hall of triangles in his direction. When I thought I was about to reach him, he quickly slipped out of my sight. My eyes searched the labyrinth of never-ending mirrors and my reflections, desperately seeking him. Where did he go?

  Retracing my steps, I walked back in the direction I’d seen him last. I abruptly stopped when I caught Milo’s reflection in one of the mirrors. The neon colors danced on his face as I moved towards him warily. Was this a trick? Was he planning on slipping away from me again?

  As I moved closer, I reached for him. To my surprise, there was a glass wall between us. Milo pressed his hand against it. I smiled, then pressed mine against his. Even though we were separated by the wall, I felt the warmth of our hands radiating through the glass.

  Our eyes locked, his eyes danced wildly with irresistible charm and an intensity that made my skin vibrate. Then Milo broke contact and took off to my right. Turning around, I found myself alone again. I saw his reflection in the mirror in front of me. He stood behind me, his attention fully concentrated on my face I had to catch my breath.

  I backed away slowly afraid to turn around.

  My body halted when I felt Milo’s presence behind me. No wall dividing us. Just us. Without touching, he slid his hand over mine, pure energy vibrating off his skin. I wanted Milo to touch me so badly. I wanted to feel his arms around me.

  I slowly whirled around without looking at him. I felt Milo brush his lips over my forehead. Startled, I looked up into his dark eyes suddenly wanting more. And I knew Milo wanted it as badly as I did. Milo promised he’d keep his hands off me, but the anticipation of his touch was killing me. Milo’s lips looked inviting. I decided I could no longer resist. So I went in for the kill.

  My lips crushed against his. Milo kissed me back uncontrollably like he’d been dying to kiss me for an eternity. His mouth tasted sweet like honey. His hands slipped down my back stopping at the waist, then he pulled me into his body. I wrapped one arm around his shoulder, with the opposite hand I stroked his neck. His kiss slowed down, warm, soft lips moved with mine, shooting electric waves of fire all the way down to my knee caps turning them into Jell-O. It was a toe-curling, passionate, sparks fly kiss I’d only seen in movies.

  Milo abruptly pulled away at the sound of chaos coming from outside, leaving me dizzy. Milo stormed out of the mirror maze, as I trailed behind. I stopped at the sight of Eli, Trent, and Lee standing in a confrontational pose against Eddie, Mason, Vance. A crowd was starting to gather, cell phones in hand, ready to capture a fight. Jocks versus angels.

  Then the rumbling of a pick-up truck blared in the distance as it approached the group. In the bed of the blue truck, more jocks clutching baseball bats, chains, and broken bottles.

  I broke into a jog towards the angels. Eddie was clearly trying to pick a fight, and as soon as he saw Milo and me, his eyes turned ice cold.

  “What are you doing, Eddie?” I said pushing him back.

  “You’re here to save your boyfriend?” Eddie shot angry.

  “Stop it!” I yelled at him.

  “Get out of the way, Alexis.” Eddie’s eyes were dark and filled with undeniable hatred. He glared at Milo like he wanted to rip his head off. “What are you going to do, pretty boy?” Eddie challenged Milo.

  Milo kept his cool unfazed by Eddie’s words. The jocks yelled obscenities at the angels, and with a loud battle cry, they jumped off the truck.

  “That’s enough!” I loud stern voice shouted behind us. We all turned to see Pastor Hayle standing a few steps away from us holding a white megaphone in his hand. The curious bystanders took their children away shielding them. They were afraid of the angels, afraid they stepped foot in their beloved Dixon.

  Pastor Hayle looked straight into Milo’s eyes. “I think it’s best that you leave.”

  “Didn’t mean to cause any trouble.” Milo raised his hands up.

  “Stay out of Dixon, freak,” Mason shouted. “Or else.”

  Milo took a deep breath, clenching his jaw in anger, he stared right into my eyes then looked away. I was crushed the best moment in my life was destroyed by such a stupid altercation. I didn’t want Milo to leave. I wanted to run after him and tell him to stay, screw Dixon. Eddie stood by my side placing a protective hand over my shoulder, but I jerked away from his touch.

  Eli, Trent, and Lee got onto their motorcycles and revved the engines, white smoke screeching from the tires. Just as they were leaving, Milo stopped a few yards away from me in his motorcycle. His dark gaze settled on mine. He flicked his chin upward then to the back of his motorcycle indicating I get on. I swallowed hard as my heart began to thump loudly inside my chest once again. I was torn between my selfish physical desires and what others might think of me if I left.

  Gazing around at the people of Dixon who waited anxiously for the angels to leave, I was met with nasty glares that made me feel like a complete outsider. All of them silently judging me and watching to see what I’d do next.

  “Don’t do it, Alexis,” Eddie whispered. “Don’t be stupid!”

  I gave Eddie a sharp look.

  Milo waited.

  What did I have to lose, anyway? My reputation? That went down the gutter the moment Milo stepped into my life. I sprinted towards Milo, my long chocolate hair flying in the air, then hopped onto the back of his bike. Wrapping my arms around him, I dug my face deep into Milo’s leather jacket and threw caution to the wind.

  “Alexis no!” I heard Eddie shout.

  Milo peeled out of the streets leaving a stunned Dixon far behind.

  CHAPTER

  18

  Milo weaved through Atlanta traffic as I clung tightly to his body hoping I didn’t end up pancaked on the side of the road. My heart had been racing at the speed Milo rode his motorcycle which was way too fast for comfort. And to make things worse, Mr. Speed Racer kept speeding through red traffic lights making the ride less thrilling. I worried I’d made the wrong decision to leave. My behavior lately had been reckless, no matter how exciting it felt. But despite my voice of reason protesting, this was the perfect opportunity to find Priscilla.

  I dared to glance back where Eli, Trent, and Lee weren’t far behind. They kept close on Milo’s tail. My body flooded with endorphins as he picked up speed revving the engine.

  Relief set in when the monstrous black Gothic church came into view. Thankfully, Milo slowed down because of the heavy traffic. As we cruised by the entrance of Eve’s Paradise Nightclub, I wasn’t surprised by the long line of women waiting for access, only this time there were a few uninvited guests. A group of hardcore religionists stood outside protesting with signs that said QUILL LOVERS: REPENT OR PERISH, ANGEL WORSHIPERS DESERVE HELL, and my favorite CHERUB CHASERS ARE SINFUL HARLOTS.

  “A physical relationship with an angel is a sin,” a woman with a microphone preached. “There is still time to cleanse yourselves of your sins so that the true holy angels may have mercy on your soul when they reveal themselves to us. The angels inside Eve’s Paradise are not who they claim to be. They are the fallen angels described in the Book of Genesis. This is your wake up call. Repent before it’s too late! ”

  What a buzzkill, I thought.

  Milo came to a stop when the traffic light turned red. I glanced over to the protesters and was met by the critical glare of a teenage girl wearing a long jean skirt and white sweater. Her delicate features were obscured by her oversized bangs. She gave me curious once-over before she approached me. I stiffened my hold on Milo’s torso who looked in the direction of the girl. She paused for a moment taken back by his physical beauty, fluttered her eyelashes then quickly looked away ashamed. After she composed herself, she stepped closer to the curb, smiled then handed me a pamphlet.

  I r
eluctantly took it. What Does the Bible Say about Interracial Relationships with Fallen Angels? the pamphlet read. Fallen angels. My Sunday school teacher always told us the angels were fallen. She was a conspiracy theorist who hosted a weekly podcast where she provided evidence written in the bible that stated the angels living here now, were the angels that fell from grace described in the Book of Genesis. I never believed her. Like everyone else, I was in awe of the angels until Priscilla left. That’s when I started to despise them. Lately, my feelings had been quickly shifting, I wasn’t sure anymore.

  “It’s never too late to repent.” She smiled warmly. “Sinners burn in hell.”

  Annoyed by her condescending comment, I said, “I guess I’ll see you there.”

  Milo shot the girl his signature troublemaking grin then cut through traffic even though the light was still red. We drove around the cathedral and stopped briefly in front of an iron gate, the walls around it were made of stone about fifteen feet tall. With one buzz, the gates gave way as we pushed ahead. Milo came to a rolling stop in the parking lot where there was an array of lavish cars I’d only seen in movies; Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Maserati, and Bentley.

  “Whose cars are these?”

  “Party members,” Milo said taking my hand.

  “Wealthy party members?”

  “They’re our kind sponsors,” Eli added as he knocked on a door that looked like it headed down to a basement. A peephole door the size of my palm slid open, and I heard him whisper Non-Serviam to someone on the other side. With that, the door swung open. Music played in the distance mixed with the chatter of voices.

  “Non-serviam,” I repeated. “What does that mean?”

  “It’s the password for the night,” Milo said dismissing my question.

  Non-serviam. I took a mental note to research the phrase later. I combed one hand through my hair to untangle the mess of waves from the ride. Skimming over my outfit, I was definitely not dressed for the club.

  “You look nice,” Milo said giving my hand a reassuring squeeze.

  I stuck my free hand inside the pocket of my coat and felt the camera Julian let me borrow. I clamped my hand around the camera, panic rising in my throat. We reached the guard who got out of the way to let us through, no questions asked. I let out a sigh of relief. We walked together down a long narrow corridor made of stone illuminated in red light. We descended further underground into what seemed like the depths of hell.