“Yeah, she was really nervous.”
“Seems silly to be nervous about an interview. She has nerves of steel when it comes to fighting an angel,” Kokabiel beamed; he was quite proud of her. Cole laughed, against his will. He was starting to have trouble remembering why he disliked his father so much. “Let me throw some clothes on, and I’ll help you.”
“Okay, thanks. Maybe I will grab something to drink.” Cole’s demeanor relaxed as he went to the kitchen and grabbed a cola. He took a swig and went back to the living room where his boxes were. There weren’t many, less than a dozen, although he was starting to wonder how he was going to fit them into his Challenger.
“What you can’t fit, you can load in the bed of the truck. I don’t mind dropping them off,” Kokabiel said as he entered the room, now dressed in jeans and a T-shirt.
“How did you know that… I didn’t even say that in my head?” Cole glared at him.
“Whoa, calm down. I was thinking about it as I was walking in here. Small car, lots of boxes. I wasn’t in your head. I know how to block, and I wouldn’t invade your privacy.”
Cole wanted to be mad but curiosity won over. “What do you mean block?”
“Please tell me you are kidding? Sariel never taught you two how to block?” Kokabiel sighed in frustration. “We will talk to him about it after we move your things. Basically, you can train to block thoughts you mean only for one person or for select persons. You can also block yourself from hearing other’s thoughts that you do not wish to hear, but blocking another’s thoughts takes a lot longer to learn than protecting your own.”
“I’m sure Alice would like to know how to do that. It drives her crazy.”
“And her father.” They both laughed again. “Okay let’s get this done before you end up being late.”
Cole pulled into the driveway with Kokabiel right behind him. He was relieved that Alice wasn’t home yet, but he could sense her anxiety even from miles away. Their connection to each other was getting stronger with each passing day. He inhaled the cool air around him, searching for her vanilla bean and buttercream scent. It still made him chuckle, her reactions to what he thought her scent smelled like. She said, It sounds like you want to bake a cake with me. Finally, faintly, he could feel a light thump in his chest, a heartbeat not his own, an echo in his chest of Alice’s heartbeat. She was almost home. Sariel had told them that if they concentrated and practiced, eventually no amount of distance would affect their connection. They would be able to speak to one another and feel each other’s emotions while being miles apart. However, they must be cautious and make sure the connection was unbreakable or they could become overwhelmed with the thoughts and emotions of anyone between them. He planned to confront Sariel about the blocking later.
As they brought the last of the boxes in, Alice pulled into the driveway. Cole set the last box down and came outside to find a disheveled Alice.
“Are you okay? Did something happen?” Cole asked as he rushed to her. Hearing the tension in his voice, Kokabiel soon followed.
“I’m fine,” she said sounding agitated.
“Better watch yourself, son; I’m told ‘I’m fine’ is code for ’No, I’m not okay.” Kokabiel snickered at his joke until he saw two very unhappy faces looking back at him. “Okay, well, I’m going to get going. Lovely to see you, Alice. Cole.” He nodded at them and climbed into his truck.
“I’m sorry, I’m just a little frazzled. The interview was, interesting.” Cole arched his eyebrow at her; she instantly relaxed at the gesture. He led her inside, and she continued while he made coffee. “It was more of a tour actually. The Dean said it was only a formality and to expect my acceptance letter soon.”
“That’s great, Alice.”
“This Dean, though… something weird happened. I heard him say something I don’t think I should have heard. I think he’s a Fallen. After a nap, I think I’m going to call Paul.”
He fought to hold his composure and not go ballistic. He seemed to always be fighting it, but he had to be strong for her. She needed him to be strong for her. “That’s probably a good idea.” He gathered her in his arms and kissed her forehead gently. She buried her face into his chest, breathing him in. The electricity they used to feel had now dulled to a warm, buzzing feeling just under the skin. It was almost unnoticeable and yet incredibly intense. She looked up at him and smiled and headed upstairs for a nap.
Alice crawled into bed and pulled her charcoal and blue plaid comforter up around her. She snuggled into it, smiling at Cole’s scent all over it. She remembered when she told him his scent smelled like ocean waves crashing along a sandy beach. He teased her asking, I smell like fish? She grinned at the memory, closing her eyes tightly and letting sleep consume her.
A dreamless, refreshing sleep was not in the cards for her. She opened her eyes to a familiar site; the field of golden grass and the woods leaning towards her, filled with the dammed souls of the mothers and nephilim. Is was a horrifying notion to know that one day this would be her final resting place, though she knew it was far from restful. She stood up and wandered slowly through the field. It was surprisingly quiet. It felt weird to her, being there without Cole. The silence was short lived when the voices from the dark woods began to escalate again. One voice spoke clearly to her.
“Alice, please be careful.”
“What? Hello? Who is that?” She felt ridiculous for asking. Could the dammed even know where they were or who they were? She always imagined that they had all gone mad from whatever torture was bestowed on them. Yet the voice responded,
“Alice, so many are hunting you. Please be careful.”
“Who are you!” She demanded.
“Marie.”
Alice shot out of bed like a bullet. She was covered in sweat and breathing heavily. Cole burst through the door with a look of horror on his face, instantly draping his shield around her. She lifted her hand to silence him just before he spoke, as she attempted to regain her breath. Cole sat down next to her, brushing her hair from her face. She latched onto his hand and pressed her face firmly into it.
“I was in the field. A voice, a voice was calling to me.”
“What did it say?”
“She said, ‘So many are hunting you; please be careful.’” The words chilled her to the core. She was thankful for the calming and numbing effect Cole’s shield had on her.
“Alice, we cannot pretend we didn’t already know that.”
“Cole, I asked who it was. She said… she said Marie. Cole, it was my mother.” That’s all it took to break her. Tears flowed from her, drenching his shirt. She wailed hysterically. She had always wished to meet her mother, but this was so much more haunting.
Alice stood in a battle stance, with her sword drawn, staring into Jake’s eyes. It had been a few weeks since her dream. Ever since that day she had been training harder, training to fight with Jake and training to block with Sariel. She was surprised Cole was so angry about Sariel not telling them that they could block out everyone but those they wanted to speak to. It had always seemed plausible, especially since her grandfather had taught her how to block other’s emotions to help her during their battle that summer. She suspected Cole was angrier about the situation they were permanently in more than something so insignificant.
“Daydreaming, Alice? Pay attention; I don’t want to waste my time,” Jake hissed.
“Little cranky this morning?” She blocked his attack and swung in return.
He rolled out of the way, “Sorry, it’s just - Camille. I really care about her, but I don’t want to damn the girl’s soul. I never really thought about it until…”
“Until I kicked your ass for it?”
“Whoa, little girl; you did not kick my ass.” His words were serious but the smile on his face proved he thought it was funny.
“Whatever you say, Jake.”
“Alright, let’s take a break and grab something to eat. We should probably see where they are with t
his art school debacle.”
“I guess.” They walked toward the house dragging their swords behind them. “Jake?”
“Yeah?”
“Maybe you should tell her the truth, let her choose.”
“Yeah, maybe,” he said with a weak smile. She hated to admit it, but Jake was starting to grow on her.
They entered the house to find the room filled with confrontations. She should have assumed as much with so much testosterone in the room.
“Whoa, guys, settle down. What’s all the ruckus?” Jake asked.
“Big surprise, we are divided again,” Cole spat.
“Okay, I get that you are all concerned with this Fallen taking interest in Alice. But this is a huge opportunity for her. Maybe you should go speak with him and find out what his intentions are,” Jake offered.
“You don’t want me to go to school there?” Alice questioned her father.
“He could be a bounty hunter. This could be a trap.” Paul sighed with frustration. “I suppose we could go speak with him.”
“Thank you,” was all Alice could muster. Truth was, she didn’t know if she was going to go, but she damn well felt it was her decision.
“I’ll go. I think out of us all, I may be the most unbiased with this situation,” Kokabiel said.
“I can handle it just fine, brother,” Paul retorted.
Brother let’s not pretend you haven’t been a little off lately. I will go unless you want to discuss this with the group, Kokabiel said in Paul’s head. Paul nodded in defeat.
“Now that it’s settled, who’s hungry?”
“You know I am,” Jake jumped in.
“Me, too. I swear training makes me feel like I’m starving to death,” Alice said.
Kokabiel got up from the table and opened up the fridge to see what he had to work with. Paul had stopped on his way there to pick up groceries, knowing the meeting would likely last the entire day. He pulled out chicken and rummaged through the vegetable drawer.
“Can I help? Cooking relaxes me,” Cole asked.
“Of course.”
They chatted lightly while Kokabiel finely sliced squash, onions and mushrooms, and Cole seasoned the chicken. The fresh aroma of lemon thyme and rosemary filled the house. Alice set the table, smiling to herself. Kokabiel had grown quite attached to Alice. She could dish out the sarcasm as well as she took it from him. More so, it was that she had opened her heart to him instantly; he truly understood why his son had disregarded their order to watch her from a distance. She was easy to love. A knock at the door unnerved the entire room for a moment.
“Room for one more?” Sariel asked from the doorway.
“Always,” Alice beamed.
They all sat at the table as one big dysfunctional family, talking about mundane things while enjoying Cole’s and Kokabiel’s masterpiece. He missed this, sitting with his brothers. He wished it was under different circumstances but truly didn’t care. He wasn’t quite the white and fluffy sort of guy, but he reveled in human ways.
Kokabiel excused himself after they cleaned up their mess, to head to the Art Institute of Hell. What a ridiculous name for a school, he thought, laughing to himself. Really didn’t help her case with Penemue. “Paul,” he reminded himself. It felt strange to him, his brother being so… human. He had always been so cold, never accepting his human emotions, except when it came to Marie; he truly did love only her. Until now, when it came to Alice, he was incredibly emotional. He knew it had to be killing his brother to feel so out of control. Good thing Sariel is teaching Alice blocking. An angel’s emotions are stronger than a human’s. Paul very well could have been the death of her. Lost in his thoughts, he hadn’t even noticed that he had arrived.
He looked up at the school and smirked at the exterior. This was the sort of place he could live in. It suited him well, and the name suited the school. Art Institute of Hell, I wonder how many Fallen are here? He entered the iron gates and headed toward the Dean’s office.
“Excuse me, sir, may I help you?” A quiet voice asked.
He turned to find a petite woman with long, blazing red hair staring in awe at him. He smiled the wolf smile that was a family trait, knowing it was irresistible.
“Well, yes, beautiful; I hope you can. I am looking for Dean Vassago. I need to speak to him about my… daughter-in-law, who is supposed to attend this school next semester.”
“Oh, of course, right this way.” Theresa began walking towards the office. She hesitated and turned around. “I shouldn’t be saying this but, Dean Vassago isn’t fond of Fallen showing up unannounced.” She blushed at the intensity of Kokabiel’s eyes.
“Well, isn’t that something.” He brushed the hair from her face, noticing her tremble under his hand. “I will apologize for my rudeness. I’m curious on how you know?”
“I’ve worked here long enough to have seen unexplainable things. Also, you are way too stunning to be human. The Dean taught me how to spot your kind.”
He leaned closer to her, his lips hovering near hers. “Not as stunning as you are.” He released her with satisfaction in his eyes. She gathered what was left of her composure and led him to the office.
Theresa knocked on the Dean’s door to announce his visitor. Smiling, she stepped aside for him to enter, shutting the door behind him.
“Kokabiel, it’s been a long time, brother.”
“Yes, it has. Nice place you’ve got here. I have to say I think I am in love with it.”
“It is my most precious asset. I assume this is about the girl?”
“Penemue is concerned for her well being. There are too many out there who want her dead or for their own disgusting purposes.” Kokabiel sat down across from Vassago and put his feet up on his desk.
“Still rude, I see,” he said brushing Kokabiel’s feet from his desk. “My interest is in her art.”
“Cut the bullshit,” Kokabiel hissed.
“Relax, Kokabiel. If I meant her harm, I would have done it when she was alone at the interview. I’m quite fond of my life here; I most certainly am not ready to be thrown into the abyss. This way I get to enjoy her work, she gets to enjoy creating it, and myself and those on our side, brother, can watch her while she is here.”
He thought over what he had been told for a few moments, silently. He reached into Vassago’s mind and found no flaws in his story. “Okay, brother, but if you betray us, I will throw you into the abyss myself.”
“I would expect nothing less.”
“One other thing, we must meet the Fallen you plan to have watch over her for approval, prior to her arrival.”
“That won’t be a problem. You may come back tomorrow around 3:00PM.”
Kokabiel nodded and exited the office. He knew Paul would still disagree, but his daughter was just as stubborn and would choose to go to spite her father for trying to choose for her. He had to at least make sure she was safe; he had, after all, promised his son that he would, and he refused to break another promise to him.
Paul watched his daughter’s training with Sariel from a safe distance, out of view. Sariel was teaching both her and Cole how to block others from their internal conversations. It was past time for that, as it was increasingly difficult to bare their thoughts for each other. The last few weeks away from them had greatly helped him gather his emotions. He had spent the time retraining himself to be more like a Fallen. He felt there was going to come a time when he would have to lay his life on the line for her. He knew without a doubt he would endure death, being sent to the abyss, in order for her to live.
Jake walked up to him with arms folded and sighed, “I have to say, I didn’t give her much credit. Quite the nephilim you created there.”
“That she is. So much like her mother.”
“Don’t kid yourself; she is a lot like you as well.”
“I know; that’s what I’m afraid of.”
“Her battle training is coming along well. Honestly, I think we could use your help. She is too used
to me; she knows every move before I make it. I’m going to take off; the girlfriend is starting to think I’m seeing another girl.”
“Are you going to tell her the truth?”
“Alice thinks I should,” he shrugged.
“Normally I would disagree, but perhaps she’s right. Marie seemed at peace when she passed.” Paul’s eyes saddened at the name of the woman he loved. Jake obviously knew better than to show comfort here. He only nodded and left.
“This should be easier,” Alice said glaring.
“It will be, at least between the two of you. Try again.” Sariel directed.
Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Alice aimed her thoughts at Cole alone. Cole, of course, laughed so loud it echoed.
“Coffee, really, Alice?” Sariel asked. “Maybe you should try something more - intimate. It might give you the motivation to keep it between the two of you.”
“You might regret that Sariel,” Cole said.
I hate this. Okay, I want you to… Sariel flinched in preparation for something he did not want to hear. She paused, took a deep breath, and the world ceased for a moment as she focused in on Cole’s heartbeat. She exhaled and tried again. I want you to kiss me and carry me to our room and make love to me. She watched the look on Cole’s face change from amusement to hunger. Sariel cringed slightly. “Damn it, it didn’t work.” She rubbed her temples in frustration.
“Alice, it did in fact work. I did not hear what you said, and I can assume by the lust in Cole’s eyes that you took my advice.” He laughed at Cole’s awkwardness. “Cole, dare I test you?”
I’m going to kiss every inch of your body until you can no longer stand. She felt her breath catch in her throat. She watched him grin triumphantly when he saw from the corner of his eyes that Sariel had not heard him. He stared deeply into her eyes. She almost blushed from the intensity of the entire thing; he had never spoken to her like that.
Alice's Sacrifice (Alice Clark Series) Page 2