Revelation: Trinity Part 1

by Gemma Humphrey

  Rose sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose as a headache began to form. “I don’t know what to think,” she sighed helplessly. “Nate is dangerous, I know that. But he has the answers I need. Do I let him tell me? Or do I trust that Christian is right and let it go?”

  “That is your choice.” Ben shrugged. “You have a right to know who you are, but only if you want to.” He reached out and took both girls’ hands in his. “We can talk about it all night – and will if it will help,” he told Rose, squeezing her fingers. “But only you can decide.”

  Ana nodded, agreeing with him on that point at least, as she reached out for Rose’s remaining hand, giving her support.

  Rose took comfort in knowing that they would stand by her – even if, by choosing to know her path, she changed their lives forever. They were together in this – whatever this turned out to be. She took a deep breath, feeling calmer.

  “Thank you,” she said. “I guess I’ve got some thinking to do.”

  Ben stood up, pulling Ana with him. “We’ll leave you to it – if you’re okay?” he asked.

  Rose nodded, her earlier tears forgotten as she focused.

  “Don’t be too hard on Christian,” Ana asked, as she pulled Rose into a hug, “He’s only doing what he thinks is best for you.”

  “I know,” Rose smiled as they moved towards the door. “I guess I owe him an apology…”

  After seeing Ben and Ana out, she leaned against the door, taking deep breaths. She felt better, she decided. Talking it through had helped.

  “Christian?” she called out, not feeling him near her but hoping he’d come anyway. Nothing. She moved to her desk and picked up her mobile, realising she had a text.

  Are you OK?

  Nate. She frowned, deciding to ignore it as she texted Christian.

  I’m Sorry. Will you come back?

  She spotted her crumpled essay from earlier and sat down, deciding to re-write it whilst waiting for him to arrive.

  15

  Rose stood outside the lecture room door, feeling like the first day of term all over again.

  Christian hadn’t come back to her last night, neither had he replied to her text. Rose had finished re-writing her essay and gone to bed feeling more alone than she had in a long while.

  Steeling her nerves, she pushed through the door, pausing as she realised Christian was already at his desk. He knew she was there, even as other students pushed past her, but he refused to meet her eyes.

  Rose drew in a steadying breath before moving forward. She deposited her essay onto his desk on her way past him, stubbornly refusing to comment. She’d made the first move, it was up to him now.

  She headed up the stairs to her seat, noting that Nate was already there, watching her intently. She ignored his low greeting, declining to acknowledge him as she pulled her laptop out of her bag.

  Christian started the lesson, seemingly unfazed, and Rose slid further into her chair, keeping her head down as she began to take notes. It was going to be a long day.

  ***

  Christian had woken that morning wondering whether he’d been wrong in not going back to Rose. He hated knowing that she was upset and alone – it went against his very nature, but her lack of trust, her desperation to know everything regardless of the consequences, had kept him away.

  He’d made his way to class early, needing to occupy his mind, but had ended up sitting at his desk replaying their argument in his head as he’d stared blankly at the empty seats in front of him.

  Rose was right of course, he wasn’t giving her the choice, but he’d only ever wanted her to have a normal life, to be happy. If she knew what she could become that would never be possible, and he could not bring himself to be the catalyst.

  He straightened up as students began filing in, greeting him before taking their seats. He envied them their short, simple lives. He’d spent hundreds of years keeping this secret, knowing what it would change if it was ever revealed.

  He’d never been so desperate to keep it from any of the others, he realised. It had been a job then, an honour. But they’d never shown any doubt that they were anything but ordinary. They’d lived long and happy lives, secure in the world around them, never even knowing he kept watch. It was typical then, that the only girl to cause a fuss was the one who meant the most to him. The one he was most determined to protect.

  A small part of him wished that he could take it back, that he’d not told her the truth that night on the bridge. As much as the past few months had given him more happiness than his years on Earth ever had, as much as every moment he’d spent with Rose had been the greatest gift he’d ever known – he’d give it all up to keep her safe.

  He glared as Nathaniel sauntered into the lecture hall, blaming him for Rose’s confusion. His kind had spent just as long trying to force the Prophecy to come to light as Christian had been trying to protect the secret. Having Rose know just enough to make her curious must be making him ecstatic. He sighed, frustrated at the way the Fallen had managed to get into her head, wondering again, how she could ever consider trusting him.

  He felt her presence, her anxiety, as she hovered behind the door, and was sad, knowing he was the cause of her pain. He didn’t look as she marched into the room, placing paper on his desk as she walked by. Realising it was the essay he’d marked her down on, he picked it up, staring at it, as he remembered their playful bickering over the grade. Was that really only yesterday?

  He glanced up as she took her seat, noticing with a small amount of relief that she didn’t engage the Fallen in conversation. He had been afraid that she would demand answers from him, knowing that Nathaniel would happily tell her.

  He didn’t even blame her for it. She’d been shown a world outside of the only one she’d ever thought existed. His world. How could he not expect her to be curious?

  He couldn’t stop her from asking, he realised. As much as he refused to tell her himself, he would never control her free will. There was nothing he could do to stop her from finding out if she decided to ask Nathaniel, and the knowledge that she was likely to battered his resolve.

  Part of him knew it would be better coming from him – that anything Nathaniel told her would be a twisted version of the truth, and yet, logic defied him, his desire to keep her safe overwhelming all other protest.

  He sighed as the last student took their seat. Vowing to talk to her this evening, to try and explain again, he began the lesson.

  ***

  Rose slid onto a stool at the bar, wondering what she was doing.

  She had originally gone to the library, hoping that Christian would meet her there as usual, but one look at the deserted reading room, feeling the trickle of heat on the back of her neck that gave away his presence, and she’d spun on her heel, driven in a more… proactive direction.

  “Of all the gin joints, in all the world,” Nate said in greeting, sliding a tumbler of whiskey towards her.

  “Sorry?” Rose replied with a furrowed brow.

  Nate smiled. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

  “I didn’t expect you to either,” she said, nodding her thanks. Not entirely the truth, she realised. The Trinity bar was a favourite haunt of Nates, and exactly the reason she’d decided to come.

  “Something wrong?” he asked, carefully.

  “I’m fine.”

  Nate sipped his whiskey, waiting.

  “I wanted to ask you something,” Rose said, eventually.

  “By all means.”

  She thought she felt Christian’s eyes on her back, or maybe it was just her conscience. She took a long sip from her glass, for courage, before continuing.

  “I know that you know,” she checked either side of her as she spoke, “What it is that I’m supposed to do.”

  Nate nodded, his expression unchanging.

  Rose took a breath. “If I wanted to know,” she began, “If I wanted to understand what this was all about, would you tell me?”

  Nate
pondered for a moment, swirling his drink. His eyes searched the bar, and Rose wondered if he had some idea that he was being watched. Finally, his eyes settled on her, earnest in their honesty. “Yes,” he said simply, “I would.”

  Christian’s heat faded abruptly. Her conscience remained ever-present.

  “Is that all?” Nate asked, his nonchalance back in place, as Rose said nothing more. “Because I was in the middle of a game.” He tipped his head towards the pool table, where a group of boys continued to play, and a group of girls glared at Rose.

  “Of course,” Rose nodded, distracted by the sudden chill, “And Nate?”

  Nate was already out of his seat, but Rose touched his arm, making him pause. He turned back to face her.

  “Thank you.” She said, honestly.

  Warmth bloomed in his eyes before he shrugged out of her grip.

  “I’ll see you around,” he said, already stepping away.

  Rose watched him return to his friends, lost in thought as she finished her whiskey. No less confused than before she arrived, she left the bar, heading back to her room.

  Christian was stood under the harsh light of a street lamp outside the entrance to her halls.

  Relief flooded Rose’s veins at the sight of him, before she remembered his absence, and hardened her heart.

  “Of course you show up now,” she muttered, glaring at him as she neared.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, immediately, “I should have come back last night – I didn’t mean to stay away.”

  “But you did,” Rose reminded.

  Christian sighed. “I did,” he said, quietly. “And that was wrong of me – but there are better ways of getting my attention than… him.”

  “Your attention?” Rose scoffed, any relief she’d felt at his apology evaporating into the cool night air between them, “You don’t seriously think that was intention?” She snorted in disgust. “Do you honestly think so little of me?”

  For a moment Christian looked baffled, before horror bloomed in his eyes as he realised her plans. “Rose, no,” he said, “Please, you can’t –”

  “Why not?” Rose interrupted, her blood boiling over, “At least Nate is willing to tell me the truth.”

  “But it won’t be the truth,” Christian snapped, before he stopped, visibly restraining himself as he took a breath, exhaling it slowly as he considered their impasse.

  “You’re not coming in if we can’t talk about this reasonably,” she warned.

  Christian pursed his lips, before nodding tightly. Rose assessed him for a moment, before pushing the door open and making her way to her room. He followed silently, waiting as she unlocked her door and waved him through. He crossed the room, coming to a stop by her chair, his hands absently toying with the blanket thrown over the top.

  Rose closed the door, busying herself to let him think, before she heard him sigh.

  “Please,” he said, turning to face her, “Don’t speak to Nate.”

  Rose read the desolation in his gaze, and wanted to reach out to him. Clenching her fists against the urge she stared. “Why?” she asked, simply.

  “Because it’ll change everything,” Christian breathed. “You don’t understand…” he leaned forward, his palms flat on the back of the chair.

  “So tell me,” she countered, stepping towards him. “Help me understand, Christian.” Her eyes pleaded with him but he dropped his gaze.

  “I can’t,” he whispered. When his eyes lifted, they were resigned. “I won’t.”

  “Stop trying to control me.” Rose snapped, glaring. “I know you think you have to, and that you mean well, but, Christian, I’m not a child,” She said, firmly. “You have to let me decide what’s right for me.”

  His expression cycled through denial, frustration, before eventually settling on resignation. “I wish you’d just forget.” He murmured, despair settling onto his shoulders, eyes closed.

  “How can I?” she asked, quietly. “How can I just turn my back on whatever it is I’m supposed to do? To be?” She took another step towards him as he took a deep breath. “Could you?” For a moment she thought she’d finally made him understand, as he raised his gaze to meet hers.

  “No,” he admitted, eventually.

  “See?” Rose smiled, “And you’re not even half as stubborn as I am.” She moved in closer to him, propping herself against side of the chair, close enough to touch. “It’s a lost cause.” A brief smile lifted his features, before the frown was back in place.

  “I’m trying to protect you,” he murmured, staring at the fabric bunched under his hands. “This is the only way I know to keep you safe.”

  Rose placed her hand over his, hope surging through her as he curled his fingers around hers.

  “How will not knowing who I am keep me safe?” she asked quietly, glad that he seemed willing to talk to her.

  “You can’t become what you don’t know to achieve,” he said. He turned, his hands sliding up to her shoulders. “Please,” he begged, “Think about what I’m telling you. I can’t keep you safe from this if you know.”

  “I understand that. I know that it scares you.” Rose rested her hands on his waist, not dropping his gaze. “But … But what if I choose to know?” she asked. “Would you respect that choice? Would you tell me?”

  Christian regarded her for a moment, turmoil rolling in his gaze. “No,” he said, eventually, his hands dropping from her arms. “You’re all about choices? This is mine.” He shook his head. “I won’t be the one to send you down that path. I don’t want that responsibility.”

  He seemed on the verge of saying something else, but then he leaned forward, kissed her forehead, before vanishing from sight, leaving Rose alone.

  She sank into the chair, head in her hands, her entire future depending on one decision.

  ***

  The next morning, Rose stepped into the lecture hall determinedly.

  She’d not been able to sleep on her return to her room, tossing and turning whilst her mind conjured questions she didn’t even realise she had, forcing her to acknowledge her desire to understand.

  She’d dressed for class woodenly, realising that she wouldn’t ever be able to let go of the idea that she was made for something more. Her life was a waste if she didn’t embrace what was meant for her – if she didn’t become what she was meant to achieve.

  So she’d made her decision. It was time to discover her path.

  She spotted Nate at their usual seat and headed over to him. Seeming to realise something had changed, he glanced up and held her gaze, his eyes questioning as she sat down beside him.

  “I want to know,” she said, not breaking eye contact. “Will you tell me who I am?”

  He sat back in his chair, considering.

  “Rose?” She dropped Nate’s gaze and turned as Christian came up to stand beside her. He held out her essay, now marked with a One. She took it from him, reading the pleading look in his gaze.

  “Thanks,” she said quietly. He let go of the papers, a small sigh of frustration escaping his lips as he bit back the desperate words he wouldn’t say in the crowded room. He hesitated, undecided, before dropping his gaze and walking back to his desk. Rose watched him for a moment, conflicted, before turning back to Nate with a weary sigh.

  “Trouble in Paradise?” Nate asked, shooting her an amused look.

  “Will you tell me or not?” Rose ignored him as she sat down.

  He grinned, pleased. “Come and see me later,” he said. “We’ve got a lot to talk about.”

  ***

  Christian glared up at the black cloud above his head as he made his way across campus. It seemed to reflect his mood, growling angrily as it moved across the landscape, dripping cold, hard rain onto its undeserving victims.

  Reaching the shelter of his building, he stomped up the stairs to his apartment, unlocking the door as he shook off the rain. He shrugged out of his jacket, throwing it in the direction of the coat rack with barely a glance as he s
unk dejectedly into the chair by the empty fire.

  Rose had made her decision.

  He had felt her determination in class, the level of calm that could only come from having made up her mind. Watching the Fallen’s eyes light up with quiet glee as she’d spoken to him had only confirmed it. She had asked to tell her. She was going to find out the truth.

  Christian tipped his head back against the chair, afraid of what this would mean, of what she would set in motion. He considered physically stopping her, briefly acknowledging that it was within his power to do so, before dismissing the idea with a resigned sigh. She was right, he realised. This was her choice. He couldn’t take that away from her.

  Forcing himself to accept that this was happening – that the prophecy would come to light – he considered his options, knowing that he would have to deal with the consequences when they came. To think to the future, to keep her safe from what was to come.

  Knowing that he wouldn’t be able to stop his superiors from discovering his failure, he reached for his phone, dialling a number from memory.

  “It’s me,” his greeted the polite, female voice. “Tell him I need to speak with him, as soon as possible.”

  He sunk back into his chair, only half listening to the details as she booked in an appointment, his mind running through all the possible outcomes of Rose’s discovery.

  “Fine,” his tone was clipped and he ended the call, gripping the phone tightly in his hand for a moment before setting it down on the arm of the chair.

  All he could do now was wait.

  16

  Rose waited nervously, as Nate pulled the door to his room open.

  “You’re keen,” he chuckled as she headed straight over and sat at the end of his bed.

  “Can we get this over with?” she pleaded.

  Nate shrugged. “Tell me what you know.”

  “I know that I have a Guardian angel,” she said slowly.

  Nate waited for her to continue. “That’s it?” he asked, when she didn’t. Rose nodded and his eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Huh.” He perched on the other end of the bed, deliberately keeping his distance. “If that’s all you’ve got, I better start from the beginning.”