A Touch Mortal

by Leah Clifford

  She pointed to Sebastian, who had ushered Eden and Gabe into the foyer. “You. Go!”

  “Kristen,” he started, his eyes venturing among the three of them.

  “Now!” she demanded. He hesitated, backing away slowly as if waiting for her to suddenly change her mind, decide she wanted him there. Finally, he retreated through the door to the kitchen.

  “Hey, Kristen.” Gabe smiled apologetically. “Sorry to just drop by unannounced, but I know how much you’ve missed all your girl time with Eden.”

  “Don’t think I don’t know what you want. You asked for an alliance and I specifically told you no. Did. I. Not.” She drilled her finger closer to Eden with each sentence. Each word twisted into a hook, barbed to yank Eden out of any hope she had of Kristen making this easy.

  “We need you. We need your help,” Eden said. “We need your…”

  “You need my numbers. You need an army and you can’t have mine! Did she tell you the Fallen are able to kill Siders?” she spat, her eyes once again on Gabe. “Or was it the Bound, Gabriel? You knew she needed to be prepared for this. You knew her abilities would bring them out and yet you did nothing! You said we were immortal!”

  “Kristen,” he said, his voice calm, as if there was some chance of talking lucidity into her. “You don’t know what’s…”

  “Oh, go to Hell, Gabriel,” she hissed. “You think I’m so cut off that I don’t hear? The Fallen want her and now you just expect me to jump in and protect her? I did my part. She’s going to get us exterminated.”

  “It wasn’t an angel!” he yelled. “It was a Sider. She has the same talents as Eden. But this one is loyal to the Fallen.”

  Kristen scoffed, trying to cover her alarm. “Another one? Wonderful. You gonna send this one my way too? Though if she’s with the Fallen, maybe you can pass her on to Madeline.”

  “Kristen.” His voice was calm, demanding her attention. “‘Darest thou now O soul,/Walk out with me toward the unknown region/Where neither ground is for the feet, nor any path to follow?’”

  “Whitman? Honestly, Bukowski says it so much better.” Kristen took half a dozen steps back, the eyelets of her antique leather boots squeaking against the laces. “‘Beware of them; for one of their key words is “love” and beware those who only take instructions from their God.’”

  Gabe moved toward her, almost too quick to see. Kristen didn’t flinch at the hand he laid gently on her cheek. “They have Az, Kristen,” he said softly. “They’ve taken Az.”

  A look of surprise washed over her face; Eden actually watched her pale as the anger streamed off, her lips falling closed. She opened them again as if she was going to speak, but no sound came out. Instead, the finger that had jabbed angrily at them now dropped in a slow arc.

  “He Fell,” she said. Eden watched as Gabe ran a hand across Kristen’s forehead, smoothing away her brown hair. She’d never seen anyone touch Kristen. Not like that.

  “Not yet. But there were complications.” He didn’t look at Eden, but she felt shame redden her cheeks. “We need to get him back as quickly as possible, Kristen. We need your help.”

  “Lucifer?” she asked hesitantly. Gabe nodded, and she dropped her head against his shoulder for a second. “Damn him.”

  Gabe pulled her away from his shoulder. “Kristen. Please.” She winced. “Please,” he said again.

  She closed her eyes, drawing a deep breath. “I won’t tolerate your losing Az to the Fallen. Not while I have the chance to steal away that little joy from Luke.” She turned away from Gabe to Eden.

  “We have to find him.” Eden barely recognized her own voice, laced with the dark end that would come to anyone who kept her from Az. She dropped her eyes, couldn’t let Kristen see the telltale shine that would reflect the candlelight.

  “Anything, Gabriel,” Kristen said, finally giving them the answer they’d hoped for. “What do you need to stop Luke?”

  CHAPTER 48

  The fire burned. Logs popped as they dissolved into ash. Eden was studying the room, much as she had been for the past two hours. Nothing had changed since the last time she’d been there, the same trinkets collected from who knew where.

  Kristen lounged in an overstuffed chair, her head resting on one of the armrests, legs hanging over the other. One of her feet pendulumed, the heel drilling into the crushed velvet upholstery, the momentum carrying the toe of her boot en pointe before it fell again.

  Stretched out away from the warmth of the fireplace, Gabe rested his head on his hands.

  “Gabe, there’s something you should know,” Eden said, breaking the silence. “I met with Luke.”

  Gabe shot ramrod straight on the floor. “What do you mean you ‘met with him’?”

  She lowered her head. “Libby convinced Adam and Az to let us have a girls’ night. We were supposed to go to the movies and grab something to eat, but we didn’t. She took me to Aerie and he was playing. He talked to me.”

  Gabe shook his head, unbelieving. “Eden, what were you thinking?”

  “The second time…” she whispered.

  “The second time?” he yelled as he stood, throwing his arms down. “How could you not tell me this?”

  “Like there aren’t things you didn’t tell me!” she yelled back, her cheeks burning. The fire popped, sending a flurry of sparks up the flue. “Luke said you weren’t trying to protect me from him, that you were more worried about the Bound. He said you would be the one to tell the Bound. That if you don’t you’ll be punished.” She’d only intended to find out the truth, but he looked absolutely shattered. Only he wasn’t looking at her. He was staring at Kristen.

  “Gabriel?” Kristen’s legs swung slowly to the floor. “What is she talking about?”

  “I’m the Messenger, Kristen. You know that. It’s my job to go between the worlds, report back.”

  “Exactly. So what the Hell does she mean you haven’t told Upstairs about us?” Kristen said, her voice uncertain. “Az told me you said they’d decided to leave us alone if we behaved, didn’t upset the balance.” She froze. “Az. You had Az lie because you couldn’t.”

  His eyes flashed to Eden, before going back to Kristen. Gabe sat up with a pained smile. “Perhaps we could change the subject, Kristen?”

  “No! I blathered on to Eden about keeping a low profile, staying safe. I thought if she did, they wouldn’t see she was different. But we’ve been in danger of being discovered the whole time? You’ve told me stories of how the Bound can be when they’re crossed! Gabriel, if they find out you knew about the Siders and said nothing.” Kristen looked ready to weep. “And then the new information, what Eden can do. You’ve been resisting this whole time? How?”

  “Resolve.” He smiled. “I’ve had a good teacher.”

  Eden watched, confused at the range of emotions flooding over Kristen’s face. “But if you get wings, can’t you just go back and explain?” Eden asked.

  “It’s not that easy, Eden,” Kristen answered for him. “He could be banned from here.” Gabe climbed off the floor, sat down on the armrest of the chair, and took Kristen’s hand.

  Kristen squeezed. “You did this for me, didn’t you?”

  “You will never get as bad as you were when we met you. I promised you, Kristen. I’m trying so hard to keep it.” Gabe put his fingers to Kristen’s temple.

  Eden opened her mouth just as her phone rang.

  She pulled the phone from her pocket, forcing herself to let her ring tone nearly finish before connecting the call. She racked her brain for something to give her the edge, but finally seethed, “Where is he?”

  “Easy,” Gabe whispered behind her.

  “First things first. Most importantly? Az is still alive and he’s not Fallen,” Libby said.

  Eden closed her eyes, stifling her moan of relief. “Fair enough. If he hasn’t Fallen, I owe you.” She could practically hear Libby’s smile.

  “I’m hoping we can still be friends after this, Eden. I’m really hoping
we’ll be on the same side. Which brings us down to business. We’re going to meet at your place. Luke’s not in the mood for trouble. The easier the exchange is made, the better. You for Az. If he Falls before then, the deal still stands. Two o’clock tomorrow.”

  “Two o’clock,” Eden repeated. Fourteen hours? Her eyes went back to the clock. Why would they want to wait so long? Libby spoke again, breaking her thought.

  “Oh, and Eden? Silence is golden. Understand?”

  A chill ran through her. “I understand,” she said, though the phone had already gone dim in her palm. She didn’t close it as she spun to Gabe and Kristen.

  “Tomorrow?” Gabe asked.

  “Do you think he’ll last that long?” Kristen adjusted in the chair, turning to face them. The phone was at Eden’s hip. She ran her finger down the side, thumbing the Volume button until she was positive it was on silent. Snapping it shut, she slipped it into her pocket.

  “If he makes it through the night,” Gabe answered. “Where do they want to meet?”

  “At the apartment. I’m not sure if they think we’re still there. But that’s going to cut down on how many of yours we can bring,” she said, turning to Kristen.

  They’d hammered out a loose plan by two in the morning, when Kristen insisted Eden and Gabe try to get some sleep. Eden finally looked up at Gabe. What she saw of his eyes between long blinks had faded to pale amber.

  Kristen turned to her. “You can take the room at the top of the stairs. I’d offer your old room, but it’s…occupied at the moment.”

  “Not a chance. I’m taking the couch.” Eden let her come to the conclusion she knew Kristen would, but Eden wasn’t thinking about the Screamers. Or the locked doors lining the upstairs hall. Only of how close the couch was to the front door. “Gabe can have the bedroom.”

  Gabe gave his head a halfhearted shake. “I’m staying with you. I’ll sleep fine on the floor.” Eden opened her mouth to argue but Gabe cut her off. “Don’t. Please?”

  She nodded, hoping he was exhausted enough that he’d sleep like the dead.

  With the lights out, she concentrated on the sound of Gabe’s breathing from the floor until it grew steady. She clutched the warm phone in her fist, under the pillow.

  She was trying to make out the hands on the tiny clock on the mantle when numbed vibration hummed against her ear. Slipping the covers over her head to dull the glow, she flipped the phone open. One new text message. With a shaking hand, she hit the OK button.

  Change in plans. Roof. Just you. 10 minutes.

  A second message popped up. It was an address, not far from the apartment.

  Not at home. She typed out. Be there in 40 minutes.

  She waited for a reply, the soft tick from the clock on the mantel counting off the seconds. When a full two minutes had passed, she decided to go. Either they had gotten the message and accepted, or she was wasting time.

  Eden slid her foot to the hardwood floor, easing across it to keep down the creaks and groans of the boards. Every move seemed to take an eternity. She was almost to the front door when she heard a swish of fabric behind her. She turned.

  Kristen arched an eyebrow as Eden’s shoulders dropped.

  What are you doing? Kristen mouthed. Eden pointed to the door, put a finger to her lips, and stepped out onto the porch. Kristen followed.

  “They want me there now. Don’t tell Gabe?” Eden whispered, casting a glance through the tiny window to the still sleeping form next to the couch.

  “It’s too dangerous, Eden.”

  “They want me alone. We don’t have time to come up with something better.” Kristen closed her eyes. “Kristen, I’m going.”

  “Where are you meeting them?”

  Eden hesitated. “They gave me an address.” She pulled her phone from her pocket, flipped it open, and showed her the text. Kristen stared at the screen until Eden slipped the phone back into her pocket, pivoting to head down the porch stairs.

  She startled as Kristen wrapped her arms around her, twisting her back around and pulling her to her lips.

  Eden’s stomach careened, the Touch Kristen passed into her rocking her onto her toes. She would have fallen if it wasn’t for the grip on her wrist.

  Every movement shimmered with pain. Eden clutched her stomach with her free hand, trying to find her equilibrium again.

  “Focus. Take it in,” Kristen said, her voice trembling as she pulled away. “I’ve been storing, having the Screamers dose me. That’s everything I have.”

  The yard looked sharper, everything different. Eden took a long breath.

  “Better now?”

  Eden nodded slowly, and the world wobbled. Kristen slumped, her knees giving out, caught herself on the doorframe before she fell. Eden moved to help her, but she shook her head, leaning heavily against the wall.

  “Luke doesn’t make deals out of the kindness of his heart, Eden. Do not trust him,” Kristen whispered.

  Eden took a careful step down, still dizzy. “Thank you,” she said.

  Kristen looked over her shoulder, to the floor beside the empty couch. “I’ll have to tell him where you went. The best I can offer you is a head start.”

  Eden turned, ready to head down the darkened street when Kristen’s voice cut through the silence.

  “‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers—/That perches in the soul—/And sings the tune without the words—/And never stops—at all.”

  CHAPTER 49

  Eden’s mind fluttered through the subway ride, up the stairs, guts writhing in agony. She’d never carried so much Touch.

  She flashed back to the rave as her feet dragged across the asphalt, how she’d lost control in the crowd. She’d felt fine before that first brush of skin, and then everything had to spill out. Clutching her hands tighter into her pockets, she whimpered every time someone passed within reach. She repeated Az’s name, a hushed soundtrack to close the world out.

  Her eyes wouldn’t stay down, scrambling across the bare flesh peeking out from behind scarves. Ungloved hands sent a shiver through her. Though it wasn’t yet six, the more popular parts of the city would be bustling. Luckily, Libby hadn’t sent her to Times Square or anything. The weaker her resistance to passing Touch got, the louder his name left her lips. The louder she was, the crazier she seemed to the few passersby. She must have looked more wrecked than she felt if New Yorkers were avoiding her.

  Soon there was no one. The buildings were decrepit shells, windows and doors boarded shut. There weren’t addresses, but she knew she had to be getting close. Her pace slowed. Around her, the silence of dawn had settled in. The lack of noise sent her hackles up. It was never quiet, not even in these parts of the city.

  The streets were clear. Eden peered warily down the spaces between the buildings, each one cluttered with windblown trash.

  Against the rust of a fire escape ladder, a flash of white caught her eye. She took a last look around and stepped closer.

  Scotch taped to the last rung, a row of feathers dangled by their quills. Each one had been chopped, sheared apart. The two largest, almost as long as her arm, had been sliced in half vertically. The tips were shorn off others, leaving the feather shaft a skeletal spine. She lifted her hand, cringing as they etched across her palm. From above came a scream.

  I can’t do this, she thought, but her hands were already grasping the rung, her feet digging into the wall for purchase as she hoisted herself up.

  The scream came again, louder. It was Az. She quickened her climb, the rusting metal flaking onto her fingers. When she reached the roof, she threw herself over the lip and onto the wrinkled tar paper.

  Adam, Jarrod, and Luke were in a line thirty feet away, their eyes already on her. In front of them, Az was tied to a chair, shirtless, head bowed. His back was to her. Libby stood next to him, her hand hidden where he’d doubled over. A moan rose out of him before he fell silent again.

  Eden stumbled forward, fists curled tight as she took him in. Whip marks g
aped where they intersected, weeping down his pale skin. His mangled wings clung tight into the hollow that housed them, the scant traces of the feathers left broken and tattered.

  “Stop,” Luke commanded. “She’s here.”

  Libby pulled away. In her fist, the gardening shears reflected wetly in the first strains of sunrise.

  Az’s shoulders strained, his head bobbing as he struggled to lift it.

  “No,” he moaned. Luke made his way to the chair, rocked it onto its back legs, and turned Az to face her. She couldn’t stop her feet, couldn’t take her eyes from his broken face. Every step brought his wounds into sharper clarity. An eyebrow jutted in a broken line, the cut forcing the eye closed. A distorted patch of dark purple bruised from cheekbone to temple, yellow green at the edges where it had tried to heal. The marks from her own fingernails, where she’d slapped him, stood out unhealed.

  “Az.” Her voice broke on the syllable, cracking in her throat. A single, desperate word slid through his split lips.

  “Run.”

  Never, she thought.

  Libby lifted his head, giving Eden a better view. “She’s not going anywhere,” she said consolingly. “Eden’s here now. We can stop.”

  For the first time Eden’s attention went to the others lined up behind the chair. Only two of them mattered. Jarrod had turned away, but Adam was staring back at her, his eyes full of fire.

  “You came for him,” he said. A shadow crossed his face, a mixture of the hurt and pain he was trying to conceal. “It wasn’t just the eye trick, was it?” Eden felt no pity. Libby left Az’s side and threw an arm around Adam’s shoulders.

  “You fucking traitor,” Eden seethed.

  “Me? I wasn’t making out with my ex behind your back! You…”

  Libby plinked her finger against his nose. Adam turned to her in surprise.