Alice stood up and took her father’s arm. “Come on, Dad, let’s go home.” He nodded as sadness cloaked his being. She knew that soon she would have to unbury his demons, but today was not that day. They got into the car and headed back to her home.
PENEMUE/PAUL
PAUL WAS QUIET ON THE drive home. Seeing Elizabeth was only a cruel reminder of what he had done to his Marie. He occasionally glanced over at his daughter, puzzled as to what she may be thinking about as she stared at the large moon hanging in the sky as though she was holding a conversation with it. He wouldn’t put it past her with all of her abilities. She was connected to all of God’s creatures, it seemed. He wondered about her idea to convince Him, if they all deserved salvation, if it was even possible, yet she continued to break through all the horror in her life and find the silver linings in everything. She was a lot like her mother in that aspect. Marie held such joy for life and had pushed him to appreciate even the little things before she died. “Alice?”
“Yeah?” she answered, trying to hold back a yawn.
“Do you believe we deserve salvation?”
“What do you mean, Dad?” She sat up a little startled.
“I don’t know. I was just wondering, what with all we have all done since the fall, do we truly deserve salvation?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” She leaned over and kissed her dad on the cheek. She smiled sweetly before returning her gaze out the window as she watched the road as it winding toward her home. Paul was always wrestling with his inner demons and he had yet to feel worthy of such love or forgiveness. Yet Alice was the light in a darkened space that danced around them all, and he couldn’t help but to be proud of her and captivated by all she had done for them and all she planned to do. “Everyone makes mistakes, no creature was created to be perfect and I honestly don’t believe He is perfect either. All we can do is our best to survive, to fight for every single breath and hold on to the hope that He will find the good in us all. I hope this little venture in everyone’s minds shows Him that. We just have to stand united and believe that what we are doing, what we are searching for, is the right thing and will come to pass.”
“How did you get all grown up? I missed so much,” he said, ashamed.
“I know why you did what you did, why you gave me up. I may not have lived this long if you hadn’t. Besides, you have me now and we have plenty of time to live in the moment and just be with one another.”
Paul leaned over, pulling Alice under his arm and kissing the top of her head. “I love you, Alice.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
ALICE
ALICE CLIMBED HER STAIRS SLUGGISHLY, pulling herself up by the rail. She chuckled at how lazy she had become with all the resting she had been doing. She planned to return to school; art had always been an escape for her. Now all she had to do was convince Cole. She audibly sighed at the thought. Cole did seem to have a jealous streak, but she was much more worried about being away from him after what had just happened to them. The entire ordeal was fresh in their minds, making them both wary about the other’s absence. Just the other day she had panicked when she rolled over at four a.m. and he wasn’t there. She had found him standing on the porch, breathing in the scent of four a.m. air. He had said, “You’re right, it’s smells wonderful.” It was then she realized they had both been memory sharing. Some gift, she thought. She opened the door to find candles lit on all her shelves, desk and nightstand. Cole stood with an expectant smile crawling up his face.
“What is all this?” Alice questioned.
Cole walked over to Alice and took her hand, placing it on his chest. She could feel his heart racing, pulsing against her palm. She could feel it in her own chest as well. “With all we have been through and have to look forward to in a sense, I thought we could use a night away and since that could be dangerous I…” Alice rushed forward, interrupting him as she slammed her lips into his.
“It’s beautiful, thank you.”
“I love you, Alice. I’ve been so afraid of losing you, I underestimated what you are capable of. That won’t happen again. Though we may never get the chance to do this…” Cole walked over to her jewelry box of feathers and pulled something from the box. She noticed sweat beginning to form on his forehead and she suddenly felt extremely anxious. At first she wasn’t sure if it was her own nerves or his as they were so tightly connected. Immediately after the thought, she knew the anxiety she was feeling wasn’t her own, but Cole’s. As he knelt down he opened a small black box. “Alice?”
“Oh, my God,” she said as her own panic added to the anxiety she felt. The two were nearly frozen in fear at such a normal step for a human couple.
“Would you honor me by being my wife?” Cole regained his composure, allowing Alice to calm down as well, momentarily.
Alice stared at the round diamond set with a white gold thin band. She knew her answer before she ever answered, even before he asked but some part of her never thought this moment would happen to her, especially since her destiny was written in stone, but she refused to let that define the life she lived. “Yes! Of course yes!” She lunged forward, knocking him to the ground, kissing him with all the love she held inside of her, all the love she was never given or taught. This moment was everything to them both. He lifted her up, standing with her legs wrapped around his waist. He slipped the ring on her finger and tossed the box aside, allowing her to gaze at it for a moment with her hand held out in front of her. He wiped tears from her eyes.
“Why are you crying, love?”
“I’ve just never felt so happy in my entire life. I love you so much, Cole.”
Cole pulled her into him tightly and kissed her forehead gently, “Mrs. Corvus. I like it.”
“Me, too,” she beamed. Cole set her down on the bed and crawled on top of her, kissing her neck before reaching her mouth and searching again for her tongue. She gave in willing. She pulled his shirt up over his head and threw it to the floor. While he slowly unbuttoned her pants, she removed her shirt. As they threw each layer onto the floor, Cole kissed every inch of her until they both were no longer able to control the need to feel the other become a part of themselves. Just as had happened many times before, black and charcoal gray feathers from her jewelry box began to float around the room, landing softly on their skin. Alice hooked her legs, pushing him onto his back. He leaned up as she wrapped her arms around him and she slid onto him slowly. He gently lifted her again and again. All she could think was, this is love. She never knew that she could feel any closer to him. With a final thrust, Alice and Cole fell into the bed, smiling, breathing heavily. She glanced around at the partly melted candles and back to the ring on her finger, which sparkled flawlessly in the candlelight. I’m getting married.
“Yes you are, love.” He kissed her tenderly before pulling her against him so she could cuddle safely in his arms. She closed her eyes to recover and as she heard him whisper ‘I love you’s’ in her mind, she was lulled to sleep.
COLE
COLE AWOKE FIRST FROM A perfect night. Their future hung over their heads like rain clouds in a bad sitcom, but all he could feel was hope, his own and Alice’s. A smile crept across his face, sharpening his jawline and allowing his dimples to show as Alice’s sleepy mind envisioned her walking down the aisle toward her love on her father’s arm. He couldn’t help but feel extremely lucky even with the impending doom lingering nearby. He kissed the top of her head and whispered he’d return shortly as he hopped out of bed. He washed his face in the bathroom sink and noted he should shave, as his 5 o’clock shadow was looking more lumberjack each day. He went downstairs to make coffee as he wondered what their children may look like, if they would carry his or her features and whose personality would appear in their children’s faces as they grew up. His mind wandered, wondering if Alice would get His forgiveness so that their children wouldn’t be damned the way they were.
Alice entered the open bathroom quietly,
wrapping her arms around Cole’s torso, “What are you thinking about so heavily?”
“What do you mean?” He smiled giving her a peck on the lips.
“You always furrow your brows like a mad scientist when you’re concentrating really hard,” she chuckled.
“Do I really?” he joined in her laughter. The thought had never occurred to him before. He smiled, staring into Alice’s warm eyes as he gently touched her face before tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I was thinking about our future.”
“Pleasant thoughts I hope?”
“Only pleasant thoughts, Love.” He knew there was a darkness following them around like a bad Saturday morning cartoon, but he refused to live in fear any longer. They had both been underestimated and if anyone was to survive the waves crashing toward them, they would. Cole rested his chin on top of Alice’s head as they both inhaled the rich flavor of coffee while the pot finished brewing. “What are your plans today?”
“I was thinking about going up to campus. It’s been quite some time since I’ve been there.” She looked hopeful and as much as it scared him to let her go off on her own after what they’d been through, he knew she could take care of herself.
“Then you should go.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll find something to do.”
She leaned up, kissing his lips gently before heading back upstairs with her cup of coffee to change for school. He watched her glance at the ring on her finger as she grabbed her cup with such joy plastered across her face, all he could do was love her, unconditionally, forever.
Briathos walked quietly and cautiously into the room as he approached Cole. “So what is this coffee you speak of?”
“Really? Here you go,” Cole laughed a bit. He handed him a mug filled with steamy hot coffee with a touch of creamer. “Bottoms up.”
“Huh?” Briathos questioned, puzzled.
“Just drink it.” And so he did. He made some audible mumbles that made Cole laugh under his breath. “Good, right?”
“Oddly so. Thank you. I was thinking about going along with Alice today if she’d allow it. Is that alright with you?”
“Of course. She’s a strong girl; she can take care of herself, but with you along, I know she’ll be safe.”
“Thank you, Cole. I appreciate your trust in me.”
“Of course. You are all mostly good, even if you don’t believe that. Alice sees that in you, and I’m starting to, as well.” Briathos nodded before walking away in the direction where Alice was collecting her art supplies, sipping his hot coffee. Cole assumed he was asking Alice’s permission to go with her. Cole could hear his voice asking to “tag along” on her trip to school. She was warm and compassionate as she agreed. He loved that about her, her ability to allow her empathy to be used for good, to feel what those in her life felt and using that to soothe them rather than using it against them.
ALICE
ALICE WATCHED BRIATHOS TWITCH OUT of the corner of her eye as she barreled down the road towards the AIH. She was thrilled to get back to work and put some of this hell she had been living through into the dust her tires spat out behind her. She had missed a little over a month and a half of class while being Purah’s prisoner and then recovering from the torture he had put her through. She knew she should be careful because a trip down memory lane was too vivid. She could almost feel the cold metal piercing her skin just as if her car seat were the chair covered in spikes. She scratched her skin in response.
“It’ll never go away,” Briathos said. “Some things will just remind you of that place, of the things he did to you. I’m told that time makes it easier to bare. Though it is unfair that you have gone through what you have, I hope you find comfort that you are not alone, even if this journey is yours alone to take.”
Alice was puzzled by his remarks, though she knew he was right. “I suppose that’s true,” was all she mustered as she turned into the parking lot.
“That’s very shiny?” Briathos questioned pointing to the ring on her finger.
“Oh, yeah, it sure is,” she smiled, causing the uptight Fallen to relax. “Cole surprised me when I came home last night. I was shocked, though I suppose I should have seen it coming.”
“How so?”
“With the possibility of the Apocalypse or End of Days, whatever you choose to call it, rearing its ugly head, I should have known he would grasp onto something wonderful, hopeful.”
“You are strange, Alice. I’m not sure what part of you leads you down your path, the angel in you or the human.”
“I suppose it’s both. It’s what makes me see you all so clearly for who and what you really are, something good and full of love and hope, even in the darkest times you’ve been through. Honestly, my family has been here for centuries and they have acquired human emotion, it seems. You’ll see what I mean soon enough.”
“I’d rather not.”
“I think it comes with the territory, my friend,” she said with a reassuring pat on his back. “Alright, let’s go in. I have a feeling you’ll enjoy the company more than you’ll let on,” she smirked. She could feel it in her bones, he was one of them and as much as he fought that feeling, every day he grew to believe it himself.
In the halls, Briathos stiffened up again as students bumped into him as if he were invisible. Alice couldn’t see how he felt invisible; he was beautiful and in a certain light, his blonde hair looked silver, angelic even. Such a sad twist to his story since all he had done was what he felt was right, even if it was against God. But was it?
“Alice, you’re back! So great to see you’re ready to get back to work,” Theresa, her art instructor rattled off excitedly as she hugged her awkwardly. Alice noticed she was stealing glances at her bodyguard for the day.
“Theresa, this is Briathos.” Alice’s core warmed instantly from the reaction inside Briathos as he reached out and gently shook her hand.
“Pleasure.” His smile shone like the sun. It was the second time Alice had seen him truly smile and it was increasingly more breathtaking.
“I take it you are accompanying Alice to class?” She twirled her fire red hair nervously.
“I am.”
“Theresa, why don’t you give him the tour while I get set up? Don’t worry, you two. I’ll be just fine on my own for a few minutes.” Alice wasn’t much of a matchmaker, but she knew chemistry when she saw it.
“After you, ma’am,” Briathos said, holding his arm out for her to grasp. Alice swore she heard her teacher squeak. They walked down the hall and Alice entered class to find James working on a clay sculpture of odd shapes entangled together in a peculiar manner.
“Hey, there,” Alice said, poking his shoulder. “That’s bizarre looking,” she said, poking at his sculpture.
“Hey there, yourself, Miss Thing. You know, I think this piece really is an extension of my weirdness. Where have you been, anyway?”
“That is a very long story. I’m going to go set up, I just wanted to say hey,” she smiled dodging the question.
“Coffee later, details required,” he said before returning to his work.
Alice laughed him off as she had no idea what story to tell him. She certainly couldn’t tell him she had traded herself in place of Cole who was kidnapped by an awful bounty hunter who happened to once be an Angel of God, or that she was tortured in order to break her down so he could trade her over to a cruel Angel in order to secure his place back into heaven. Not that he would believe her if she did. All she knew was that she was beyond glad to return to her station and get lost in her work, as she had so many times before when crisis leeched onto her. Each brush stroke felt soothing, almost as if she was putting the pieces of herself back together by painting. Her work was an echo of herself and she was merely a tool to its desires. When she finally stopped after an hour or so, when she noticed her bodyguard and teacher had returned, Alice suddenly felt uncomfortable from the sudden change in emotion inside her new Fallen. He walked sw
iftly to her, mimicked whispering in her ear while directing his question to her mind.
You did not say there were other Nephilim in this class of yours. His voice sounded angry and she couldn’t figure out why.
“What are you talking about?” Alice asked nervously.
“Him,” he said, pointing to James. James pulled his headphones out and stared, confused, at the two of them.
“What? You’re kidding me!”
“Kidding? What I say is true. I do not lie, Alice. I assumed you knew this about me.”
“James?” Alice asked, staring at her newfound friend.
“Yeah?”
“You’re a nephilim?” she whispered.
“Yeah, I can never tell either unless someone spills the beans,” James said, awkwardly joking.
“I didn’t know, Briathos. I swear.”
“Hey, calm down. I’m on the same side as you. My dad thought it would be safer if no one knew, and I kept an eye on her.”
“What do you mean, your father?” Alice’s blood began to boil. She hated being lied to more than anything. Though her love could save a Fallen’s soul, her anger could wreak havoc.
“Dean Vassago. He’s my dad. Surprise,” he said with fear lacing through his voice.
“Alice, I think we’re overreacting here,” Theresa said.
“No! I do not get kept in the dark on these things! This is my life,” she began to yell.
Briathos reached out and pulled Alice swiftly out the door. “Though I agree with you, this is not the place to exploit who and what we all are. So calm down or we’re leaving.” I need to process all of this information, he thought.
Tell me about it. Alice thought back at him. She ran her hands through her hair, frustrated, and began to take deep, soothing breaths. Everything slowed down to a halt around her, calming and giving her a few seconds to deal with the new information without outside interference. Once again, people in her life were keeping things from her and she had yet to deal with the information of the Horsemen being kept from her. Some days she felt like she was more angel, more rational than all of her Fallen family, while other days she felt quite in tune with her human side of careless emotion. She exhaled and inhaled, allowing everything to return to normal. It was enough time to cool her blood down to a burbling roar underneath her skin. “Alright, I’m okay now, though I think I’m ready to leave, if you are.”
Alice's Insurrection (Alice Clark Series) Page 5