Revelation: Trinity Part 1

by Gemma Humphrey

  “You know the story.” Nate shrugged. “Heaven split, we fought, we fell.” He smiled, as if it were nothing. “That’s it.”

  “So, it didn’t change you?” she asked, carefully. “You don’t have… scales under your skin or anything?”

  “Is that what you’re worried about?” he laughed in astonishment, and pointed to himself. “What you see is what you get.” He shot her a sly look, his eyes turning liquid, knowing full well that she liked what she saw.

  Rose blushed, relief flooding her veins. She was oddly glad to know that he wasn’t the creature she’d been imagining. He was just an angel, like Christian, who had picked a different side. The idea caused her to re-assess her opinion of him, wondering if she’d overreacted.

  “What do you want?” she repeated after a moment’s contemplation.

  Nate sought her gaze. “Honestly?” he shrugged, “We want you on our side. That’s why I came here, to this plane. I was supposed to win your trust.”

  Rose raised an eyebrow. “How’s that going for you?” she asked, sarcastically. To her surprise, Nate’s eyes twinkled in amusement.

  “I originally thought it was going quite well.”

  Rose fought the blush that spread across her cheeks as she remembered the time she’d spent with him, their night at the club. She thought of the kisses, the dancing, the way he’d made her feel. She’d enjoyed his company, despite her attraction to Christian, and was sad to realise that it had all just been pretend.

  “Why me?” she asked. “Why would you need me to trust you?”

  “Surely that’s obvious?”

  Rose had no idea. “You really think I’d choose your side?” she asked, instead, hoping he would give her more information.

  “You mean, why would you side with the bad guys? The demons?” he sighed and shook his head. “I told you, I’m not what you think I am – Don’t you understand? There is no good or bad, Rose.”

  He leaned towards her, and she was surprised at the urgency she found in his gaze. “There are only choices,” he continued, “and yours is the most important choice of all.”

  The sudden change in his demeanour confused her, and it must have shown.

  “You don’t know.” Nate leaned back sharply, horror in his eyes. “He hasn’t…How could you not know?” he exclaimed in frustration. “How can you be so sure of what I am and yet have no clue about you? About what it means?” he stared, searching her face for answers she didn’t have. “Has he told you it’s not important?” he asked. “That it doesn’t matter? All this time…?” He took a deep breath, his shoulders slumping. “Has he told you anything?” he asked, eventually.

  “I know who – what – he is,” Rose confirmed, slowly, “And what you are.” She paused, wondering why she wanted to trust him. “Other than that…” She shook her head.

  Nate stared, seeming dumbstruck. “Did you not think to ask?”

  “Of course I did,” Rose snapped, “But…” She sighed, her anger fading as quickly as it had appeared. “Christian told me it wasn’t safe. That I’d be better off not knowing…”

  “And you just accepted that?” Nate was incredulous.

  “I trust him,” Rose countered. “If he tells me it’s in my best interest, then I believe him,” she retorted, knowing full well that she was lying.

  Nate’s face dropped. “Are you serious? He tells you ignorance is bliss and you just accept it?” He seemed stunned. “I thought you were stronger than that.” There was disappointment in his gaze.

  “You don’t know anything about me.”

  “I know more than you it seems,” he said, as she glared.

  “Rose,” he pleaded earnestly, “You have so much potential. So much to learn about who you are. And he’s keeping you from all of that.” He exhaled, his frustration evident. “He’s holding you back, and yet he’s the one you trust?”

  “Of course he’s the one I trust,” Rose exclaimed, irritated that he presumed to understand her. “He’s been there my whole life. Has saved me –proved that he wants what’s best for me.” She looked over at the boy who was no more than a stranger. “Why would I not?”

  Nate’s eyes widened, seeming frozen in surprise at her outburst. He was silent for a moment, before his entire being shifted, relaxing into a posture of defeat.

  “Of course,” he said, almost resignedly. “He’s all you’ve known. Why would you question it?” His eyes glazed over for a moment, as he focussed on his thoughts. “I’m sorry,” he apologised, eventually. “I don’t have any right to judge you for that.”

  Rose stared, trying to make sense of the look in his eyes. His gaze was almost pitying, but there was an underlying frustration, an internal anger that turned them cold. Confused, she stood, needing to get away from him, to work through the barrage of question’s he’d opened in her mind.

  His gaze followed her as she crossed the room. She paused at the door, unsure, and he nodded, his expression unchanging, making no move to stop her from leaving.

  With nothing left to say, she turned and left, pulling the door shut behind her.

  ***

  Rose sat in her room for a long time, her mind whirling with possibilities that she’d never considered. Her first instinct was that Nate was playing with her, forcing her to re-evaluate all she’d come to believe with the hope it would turn her back to him. That he would ‘get her on his side’ – just as he wanted.

  But he’d seemed so honest with her, so confused when he’d realised she didn’t know anything. Was he right, Rose wondered? Was Christian keeping secrets from her for a different reason?

  A knock at the door lifted her from her thoughts.

  “Rose?” Christian called, softly.

  Shaking herself, Rose got up to let him in. He smiled, already stepping towards her, and she leaned into him and he welcomed her into his arms, before pulling back.

  “Are you okay?”

  Rose, breathing in his scent as her body relaxed, nodded against his chest, feeling silly for doubting him.

  “I waited for you at the library,” he said. Rose looked up to find him watching her in concern.

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” she said, realising that was supposed to meet him. “I forgot…”

  Christian contemplated, and Rose imagined she could feel the flicker of his consciousness checking her emotions, before he smiled.

  “It’s not important,” he shrugged.

  They curled up on her bed, cuddling together contentedly. Comfortable silence evolved into small talk as Rose asked Christian about his day, laughing as he explained his run-in with Toni, who seemed determined to take him out for coffee despite his reluctance.

  “And you?” he asked, idly, his fingers sliding through her hair. “How was your day?” Rose tensed at his side, wincing as his shrewd gaze flashed over her. “Rose?” he asked, concerned.

  “I was with Nate,” she admitted, eventually.

  Christian’s hand paused, before resuming its course. “Oh?” He was cautious.

  Rose shrugged against his shoulder, hoping to down-play the situation, but her heart jumped and gave her away. “He just wanted to… talk to me I guess,” she said, uncomfortably. “He knows about us,” she added.

  “What?” he asked, irritation colouring his tone. “How did he find out?”

  Rose shrugged, realising she’d never asked.

  “And what did he have to say for himself?”

  Rose stayed quiet for a long moment. “He was under the impression I knew more than I do about… why you’re here,” she admitted, quietly.

  Christian froze. “What did he tell you?”

  “Nothing,” Rose sighed, irritated that this was his first concern. “As usual,” she couldn’t help mutter.

  “Rose not again,” Christian implored, hearing the ire in her tone. “We’ve been through this.”

  “No, you’ve been through this,” she countered, frustrated. She sat up, pushing him away. “I want to know. Why won’t you tell me?”


  “You know why,” he said, reaching out to take her hand, his eyes apologetic.

  “I only know what you see fit to share,” she retorted, fighting the urge to drop his hand.

  Christian frowned, confused. “Where is this coming from?” He pulled himself upright. “Is this Nate talking?”

  “Of course not,” she exclaimed, crossly.

  The look he shot her was sceptical.

  “He was surprised,” she admitted. “He assumed I knew… whatever it is you’re not telling me.” She sighed, resigned, before glancing up in question. “He didn’t seem to think it would be bad thing.”

  “He’s a Fallen, Rose, of course he doesn’t.” He moved then, letting go of her hand and standing up off the bed. Rose watched him pace before he turned back to face her, meeting her gaze sharply. “You can’t trust him.”

  “Why?” she retorted. “Because you tell me I can’t?” She sat up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. “Has he ever hurt me?” she asked, conscious of the face she was repeating Nate’s words from earlier. “Has he ever done anything to prove he’s the bad guy?”

  “So, what?” Christian glared at her, “Ten minutes with him and he’s turned you against me?” He stared in astonishment. “This is ridiculous.”

  “Against you?” she exclaimed, “Are you serious? You know I trust you,” she reminded, stepping towards him. “But this is more than trust – this is…. This is my life.” She raised her hands up in frustration. “Purpose, Destiny – call it what you like, but it’s mine. What gives you the right to keep it from me? Why do I have to trust you, when you can’t trust me to make the decision that’s best for me? The right choice?”

  “Choice?” Christian exclaimed, and Rose saw fear in his eyes. “You don’t understand. If I tell you, if you know… you can’t take it back – you don’t get a choice with this –”

  “How would I know?” she yelled, losing her temper. “How can I know anything about choice? You never tell me anything, so there’s nothing to choose!”

  She regretted her outburst immediately, as he turn pale. He flinched away from her outstretched arms.

  “I don’t want to fight about this,” he held up his hands, the anger drained out of him. He hesitated, sighing in frustration, before disappearing from sight.

  Rose sat down wearily, irritated that he’d left. Why did he get to decide when the argument was over? Another choice that wasn’t hers.

  She curled up on the bed, letting the tears fall.

  ***

  Ana sighed a contented sigh and snuggled further into the warmth of Ben’s arms, his fingers trailing across her shoulders. She lifted her head, raising up on her arms as she leaned in for a kiss, and felt him smile, shifting his body underneath her to make it easier.

  They’d spent the afternoon curled up in her room, taking advantage of the fact that neither had a class, doing nothing but enjoying the sound of the rain hitting the windows as they idled the dreary day away.

  Ben kissed her slowly, lazily, and Ana let him control it, taking his time as her hands traced light patterns in the warm skin of his chest. There was nothing on earth that could spoil this moment.

  Nothing, that was, except the suddenly raised voices and angry tones coming from Rose’s room next door.

  Ana sat up as she tried to make out the conversation, but the thin wall muffled the sound surprisingly well. She frowned, trying to think of a time she’d heard them fighting before, and coming up blank. Disagreeing sure, even bickering, but fighting?

  It went suddenly quiet and, after a moment’s pause, Ana reached out to where her mobile sat on the night stand. Ben’s hand intercepted it, wrapping his long fingers around hers.

  “It’s not your fight, Ana,” he warned.

  “But –”

  “Would you like it if they started poking into our business when we fought?” he asked, cutting her off.

  “Maybe not,” she allowed, “But I wouldn’t want to be left alone to cry if we had.”

  Ben opened his mouth to speak, before sighing quietly. He let go of Ana’s fingers and tipped his head back against the pillow.

  “There goes our evening,” he muttered, flashing an abashed grin as Ana began to text their friend.

  ***

  Rose reached out for her phone as it buzzed, hoping it was Christian.

  Are you okay in there?

  She winced, embarrassed, as she realised it was from Ana.

  Just a fight.

  She text back, flopping onto her bed. There was a knock at the door a moment later.

  Rose promised she wouldn’t cry, but it was no use. As soon as she opened the door to Ben and Ana, their faces mirrored in identical looks of worry, she broke down and sobbed. Ben immediately reached out for her and steered her over to the bed, letting her cry into his shoulder as he held her tight.

  Ana busied herself, giving the two friends a private moment together, handing them a hot cup of tea as Rose’s tears subsided. “Tea cures everything,” she said, softly, settling into the armchair.

  “I’m sorry,” Rose said with a watery smile, when she’d regained her composure. She reached for the tissues Ana offered, wiping her eyes.

  Ben took her hand. “What happened?” he asked, gently.

  “It was just a fight.” Rose shrugged.

  “Want to talk about it?”

  She shook her head, and all was quiet, until: “He’s just so frustrating sometimes.”

  Ben and Ana smiled. They’d heard that one before.

  “He thinks that he can keep me wrapped up in his little bubble of protection. That, somehow, by me not knowing what this is all about, he can save me from whatever it is I’m supposed to do,” she huffed, beginning to feel angry again. “Shouldn’t I have a say in how my own life goes?”

  Ben and Ana exchanged a confused glance.

  “What’s brought all this up again?” Ana asked. “I thought we’d given up trying to find out through Christian?”

  Rose hesitated, before sighing quietly. “I talked to Nate,” she admitted.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be avoiding him?” Ben’s look was frustrated.

  “I was!” she exclaimed. “But… I was curious,” she said, meeting his gaze. “He didn’t seem to think that what I was – what I would do – would be bad.” She shrugged helplessly.

  “Rose, he’s a demon,” Ana exclaimed, echoing Christian’s point. “Of course he wouldn’t think it was bad.”

  “I know that,” Rose sighed, trying to figure out how to explain the doubt she felt since their conversation. “But some of the things he said?” She gazed at her friend imploringly, “They made sense.”

  Ana sighed and exchanged a pointed look with Ben. Taking his cue, he squeezed Rose’s hand.

  “He’s confused you,” he stated.

  Rose nodded, toying with a frayed corner of her quilt. “It wasn’t what he said, exactly.” She thought it through as her fingers worked. “It was the way he said it.” She glanced at Ana, who was watching her with concern. “He was so different. So honest about what he was. So uncaring. But as soon as he realised I had no idea what was going on, he got mad. He told me that Christian was keeping it from me that… that I should be allowed to achieve my full potential…” She faltered, remembering the way he’d looked. “He told me that he wasn’t the bad guy – that it wasn’t good or bad that was the issue. That it was all about choices.” Rose frowned, trying to figure out what he’d meant. “My choice,” she finally muttered.

  “What choice?” Ben asked.

  “That’s just it!” Rose exclaimed. “I have no idea! Shouldn’t I know?”

  Ben was silent for a moment, rubbing relaxing circles in the back of Rose’s hand as he considered.

  “Okay,” he said, eventually. “Say he’s right,” he ignored the look that Ana shot him. “Say, for arguments sake, that what he’s told you was the truth,” he shrugged. “What would that mean?”

  “It would mean,”
she began, considering it slowly. “That he made a choice, different to Christian’s.”

  Ana opened her mouth to speak but Rose hastily continued.

  “He said there was no good or bad. Well what if there wasn’t?” she asked, frowning as she processed the idea. “What if there were just two sides of an argument – neither right nor wrong?” She exchanged a look with Ben who nodded. “I know that Christian is only trying to protect me, that he doesn’t want me to get hurt,” she said. “But what if he only believes I will because… that’s all he knows?”

  Ana frowned unhappily at Rose’s train of thought. But Ben was considering it, using the advantage of his unbiased opinion to think it through properly.

  “Why do we automatically assume that demons are evil?” he asked.

  “Because they are!” Ana huffed in irritation, crossing her arms defensively in front of her. “They’ve caused havoc on Earth for thousands of years! Surely that’s enough evidence to go on?”

  “Have you ever seen that?” Ben turned to her, earnestly. “Or have you just been told that that’s what they do?”

  “It’s written!” Ana said, glaring at him. “The Bible tells us all about it!”

  Ben considered this for a moment, both Rose and Ana watching him intently. “And who wrote the Bible?” he asked, finally.

  Ana faltered. “Us,” she eventually whispered.

  Ben smiled. “Exactly,” he said. “So of course they’d only give us one side of the story. Their side.”

  “You’re not telling me that you think Christian is wrong?” Ana asked incredulously. “That my father was wrong?”

  Ben held up his hands in defence, letting go of Rose’s hand in the process. “I’m not saying that,” he said gently. “I’m saying, what if it’s not as clear cut as black and white?” He turned to Rose. “What if both sides of the argument believe that theirs is the true story. How can you define good and evil from that?”

  “Well, what if it is as clear cut as that?” Ana exclaimed. “What if Nate is just confusing you, trying to make you doubt what you know, so he can split us up?” she stared. “Are you going to let him?”