“Who are you?” My father asked, “I don’t even recognize you anymore. Look at what you’ve become, Maximillion.” His face fell as he backed away towards Angela. He gently touched her elbow and directed her away from us.
Anger clouded my vision as I watched their retreating figures but couldn’t help but think, what had I become?
20
Jones pushed past me to Nikolai and I could tell he was a man on a mission. His hands slammed into Greed’s shoulders, knocking him a few steps back. “What the hell?! What gave you the right to get involved?! Huh?!” I got in between them and this would have been déjà vu if it didn’t happen just a few minutes ago.
“Jones, relax. He was just helping me,” I said.
“Relax? He told Xavier who he is! You know Xavier didn’t want us looking for the Nephilim. He should have been told by me and at the right time!” He screamed.
“There would have never been a ‘right’ time to tell him. He has a one track mind and you know this.”
He grunted, shaking his head in disbelief. “Whatever,” he mumbled and walked away. I didn’t try to stop him. He needed to cool down and I needed to talk to Greed. I know he was trying to protect me in some way, but he’s also at fault. He knew we needed him to keep a low profile.
“I won’t apologize. He asked who I was and I answered. Jones just has his panties in a twist,” Nikolai said, but I didn’t get a chance to respond.
“That was quite the show. Aren’t you glad to be back home, lad?” The lilt of his accent was a dead giveaway. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. “Although I didn’t see the hatred ya have for Angela coming. That was an utter surprise, boyo. What could have doll face done to get ya so riled up, Maximillion?” Nikolai was still in front of me and his body tensed, all the blood draining from his face. Did they know each other?
“What do you want, Aiden?” I said, turning around to face him. He stood before me in fitted black jeans, boots, and a black long sleeve shirt. His pitch black hair mused like he’d just crawled out of bed.
“Well that’s not the friendly hello I was expecting, mate.” Aiden strolled toward us and he was the last person I thought I’d see today. If anything, I thought he would have followed us during our road trip. He looked like the same smug bastard that he was. Before everything hit the fan, I’d met him at the Battle of the Bands. He was a transfer student from Ireland and that was about the only truthful thing he’d said. Eventually, he told us he came here to protect me. He was the guardian for another Nephilim who was already strong and very old and thought I needed his help. Yeah all the help Aiden was, he hadn’t come to ‘protect’ when Abbadon came to my home.
“And what were you expecting? You tell me you’re a Guardian—or should I say Shomera—for a really old and powerful Nephilim. But you came here because I need protecting and he can take care of himself. But where the hell were you when the Angel of Destruction came into my home and took everything from me! So you tell me, Aiden, what were you expecting?” I raged as I felt my anger double. Seeing Angela, dealing with my father, and now this? This was the day from hell.
Aiden didn’t falter, with an eyebrow raised he stood stock still. “Are ya done, lad? Did ya get it all out?” I cursed and turned around to catch Nikolai giving me a pointed look. Cursing should be the least of his priorities. “Did ya think I sat on me arse and let him kill your mum?”
I was shaking. Maybe Nikolai was right, I needed to find peace because I don’t think I can control this anger anymore.
“No, mate. I went back to me Nephilim and that bastard of Abbadon took the opportunity I wasn’t around, lad. I came back a few days after and found out what happened. I couldn’t find ya, boyo, I tried,” Aiden said and his accent was thicker than I remembered. He seemed sincere, but if I’ve learned anything in the past couple of months, it’s to not trust anyone.
“Well isn’t that convenient,” I smirked and turned away from him. “Just stay out of my way Aiden. I don’t want your help, nor do I need it.” Nikolai was still tense, but he followed me toward our rented SUV.
“If that’s what ya think, mate,” Aiden yelled behind us. “A word of advice, lad. Be careful who ya keep company with.” I looked at him one last time, but his gaze was zeroed in on the back of Greed’s head. Yeah, they definitely know each other.
We drove back to Jones’ apartment in silence, but I was fine with it. I needed the time to get my thoughts together and prioritize. I wanted to question Nikolai about a lot of things, but was it really important at the moment? I didn’t know. I knew I should concentrate on figuring out Abbadon’s next move and possibly finding Jeremiel. With the archangel’s help, we could stand a chance against the Angel of Destruction—especially if Greed train’s me.
“So…” Nikolai started as we walked into the empty apartment. “You never mentioned you know so many, uh…important people.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Does it matter?” Aiden important? Yeah right, the guy almost got me killed by his huge Irish soccer playing friends.
“Why did you come looking for me if you knew Aiden?” he asked as he took off his suit jacket and got comfortable in one of the sofas.
“I didn’t find out about Aiden until a day or so before Abbadon showed up. I never even thought of looking for him to find his Nephilim.” Which was true, when I thought about it. Instead of driving cross country, it would have been easier if I’d just went straight to Aiden.
“So you don’t know what Nephilim he protects?” Nikolai asked and I caught on to what he was trying find out.
“No, I don’t. Do you?” If I ever doubted that he may know more than he leads on, I don’t doubt it anymore. He was holding out on me and I needed to start figuring out what.
“Oh, no, no. I’ve only ever heard of the great Shomera, Ayedan, but he seems real shady. I just thought he was a connection of yours,” he said, with what I imagined was a look of relief.
“Why do I find that so hard to believe,” I said. “But don’t worry, dude, I won’t press you on it—yet.”
The front door burst opened and my father stormed in. I guess he hadn’t calmed down. His face was still bright red with rage and he was wagging a finger at me. Well, at least I thought it was for me. He was really aiming for Nikolai and I had to step in to block him. My father, a fallen angel, after falling in love with my mother and having me. He was stripped of his powers and condemned to live the rest of his days on earth. Which doesn’t sound so bad until you plug in the fact that he’ll live way after my mother gets old. Or at least he would have if she hadn’t been killed.
“Tell me what you want with my son! Tell me now!” My father yelled as he tried to get around me.
“Hello Xavier, it’s nice to finally meet you.” Nikolai paused. “Actually, I’m lying, it really isn’t but my father had nothing but good things to say about you.” I whipped around to face Greed who was smirking.
“Humph, your Mammon’s son, eh? He was a greedy bastard. No wonder you turned out the way you did,” my father said with obvious distaste.
“And he told me you were a pacifist—ironic how your son is Wrath,” Nikolai snarled. This was getting out of hand—again. I hadn’t noticed Jones and Angela in the room and I momentarily forgot about the fight. With a few steps I was in her face. Jones was too into the argument between my dad and Greed to notice, and it was too late for him to stop me. I grabbed Angela’s upper arm, dragged her into the nearest room and slammed the door shut. I locked it once the banging started, but I tuned them out.
Angela sauntered into the room while I leaned against the door. She was still in her funeral attire but no longer wore heels but flip flops. I’d never seen her feet—they were lightly scarred. Okay that was a weird thought. She had loosened her hair from the bun and they fell into perfect waves down her back. While I took her in, she was leaning on the wall across the room and watched me with those menacing green eyes. Whatever she was contemplating on doing, she made up her min
d. She was coming straight for me and I was ready for her. She didn’t have Jones or my father here to protect her like at the funeral. Now she had to answer to me.
“Let’s get one thing straight, Max. If you want to go to blows, that’s fine. Have at it. But don’t you ever accuse me of murdering Emily,” she said, her eyes narrowing to slits. It was music to my ears. I had so much anger built in that I wanted to direct at her and it felt good to let it go.
“Trust me, I wasn’t accusing you—I was stating. Don’t get it twisted,” I said with just as much menace. “And now that you’re here all by your lonesome, what are we going to do?” I enjoyed taunting her as I pushed off the door and slowly circled around her statuesque figure.
“If you think you’re intimidating me, I’d re-examine yourself if I were you,” Angela said.
I stopped behind her and got close enough that her back was leaning against my chest. With a dip of my head, my mouth to her ear, I whispered, “I can smell your fear, Angela. The rigidness of your body, the slight shiver of your shoulders. I can taste it—and it’s delicious.”
She whirled around and pushed me away from her. “You prick, I hope you rot in hell,” she gritted.
“Like my mother?” I quipped. I knew I was baiting her, but I couldn’t resist. I wanted to savor the moment when I finally end her—and avenge my mother’s death.
Her fist came flying toward my jaw, unfortunately I wasn’t the Max she once knew. She underestimated me. I grabbed her fist in mine and shook my head slowly. “Oh, Angela. When will you start looking at the bigger picture?” I said. With her fist still in my hand, I pulled her towards me. My other hand at her waist where I held her in place, “I’m going to end you.”
Before I knew what she was going to do, she was on her tip toes and her lips crashed onto mine. I instinctively closed my eyes and released her fisted hand. My grip on her waist tightened and my nails dug into her skin. She hissed. Her hands reached up and roamed freely through my hair and tugged down. Closer to her.
This wasn’t the kiss we had shared many months ago under the oak tree. This was savage, out of control, and desperate. My tongue forced its way in and she bit down on my lower lip. The pierce so rough, she drew blood. Without a second thought, I pushed her against the door and pressed my whole body onto hers. The banging on the other side of the door stopped. The taste of cherries and summer time was a welcomed feeling and I pinned her hands above her head—our fingers interlocked and her back arched. Her small moans and whimpers penetrated the fog I was in.
With a gasp, I broke away from Angela and stumbled back on my feet. I couldn’t blink, I could barely think. What the hell? I stared at her in horror. This wasn’t right, this wasn’t supposed to happen. I hate her…right?
“What did you do?!” I screamed at her from a safe distance. I wiped the back of my hand across my mouth. What the hell came over me?
Her palms were plastered on the wall on either side of her as she tried to steady herself and catch her breath. Her chest lifted up and down rapidly. She’s quite the actress, there’s no way I would have done that with a clear head.
“You must have done something to me, what did you do?!” I took a tentative step towards her but didn’t want to get too close.
“I didn’t do anything. I’m a Guardian, not a witch, Max,” she rolled her eyes and that only angered me more.
“You must have! You have access to my head, you must’ve done something…acted out some sick fantasy.”
“Oh my God, Max, listen to yourself! You’re reaching, there’s no way I can manipulate your thoughts. That’s Jones’ department, not mine. Instead of freaking out like you’re the victim, why don’t you man up and just take responsibility. Oh wait, you can’t! You haven’t changed!” She yelled and was walking towards me, with her finger aimed at my chest. “You’re still the same loser high school boy who whines and cries when things get too heavy. Let me guess, you’ve been moping around ever since you’ve been gone. Poor Loran, he got stuck babysitting the boy who’s scared of his own damn shadow!” Her finger was now poking my chest and I was furious.
“Shut up!” My hands lit up and her eyes widened. She backed away for a moment but then held her ground. As if she remembered she had to be tough and not show fear. But I saw it. She remembered the time I burned her. A memory she should never forget because she should fear me; I can kill her. The banging on the door started again, but Jones didn’t waste any more time, he broke down the door.
“Go ahead, Maximillion,” she said. “You want to kill me? Be my guest, I won’t cower away like you and take the easy way out. But just know that my blood will be on your hands and we all know how emotionally unstable you really are. So go ahead…I’m waiting.”
Her words hit me in the sorest of spots and my fury was a volcano about to erupt. I’d deal with the repercussions later. The bluish orange fire consumed me from the inside out and I no longer saw straight. Angela swayed in front of me.
“Come on, what are you waiting for?” she yelled, but her voice was coming from all over the room like she was taunting me. I blinked a couple times to clear my vision, but it only made things worse. Images of Angela were now all around me—they circled me and I twirled around to see all of her faces. Some were mad, others happy or sad or laughing. I didn’t know if I was turning around in a circle or they were, but I was getting dizzy and my eyes were drooping. It was like being stuck in a fun house.
Sleep, Maximillion.
I heard Nikolai whisper to me and I did just that. I slept.
21
I was running in the darkness, trying to find a way out, but it was never ending. I’d been running for days and she still followed me. Her voice a reminder of my sins.
Barefoot, I slowed my pace to a jog. The ground was littered with hot coals and I could smell the burn of my flesh but I didn’t feel pain.
“Don’t run from me, Maximillion. I love you,” she said from behind me.
“Stop!” I yelled and covered my ears to block her out.
“I’ll never stop, Maximillion. I’ll always be here because of you,” my mother whispered and I could feel her breath tickle the back of my neck. It made a shiver run down my spine and I could feel her smile.
I started to run again, trying to get away from her. Why is she doing this to me? It wasn’t my fault, I tried!
“No, you didn’t try, because if you did, I wouldn’t be dead.”
I came to a halt and whirled around, as if she’d be there—she wasn’t.
“I did try!” I yelled into the void and stumbled back, startled that I fought back. This is just a dream, I thought and something so basic was now an epiphany to me. She might be in my head, but it’s not real…none of this is real.
“When I wake up, let me be,” I said into the darkness, but she never responded.
I awoke with a start and a cold sweat crawling down my back. There was a fan on full blast facing me and my father sat on the arm chair next to it. He was reading a newspaper, with his leg crossed over the other. His glasses were perched slightly down the bridge of his nose and he looked as I remembered him. Before I learned I was a Nephilim. A smile almost crept on my face before current events came to the forefront.
“Ah, you’re awake, good. Sorry for the fan, you were sweating a lot and Loran didn’t want you to perspire on his sofa,” my father said casually. It confused me because I haven’t been the greatest with him since we arrived. Not that he warrants better, but I definitely didn’t deserve his kindness.
“Sorry dude, but you were sweating bullets. What were you dreaming?” Jones said. I sat up and turned around to find him seated on the love seat with Angela. Nikolai was sitting on the floor, his back against the wall. This was too weird, he’s going to wrinkle his suit.
“Am I still dreaming? This doesn’t seem normal,” I rasped. My father handed me a glass of room temperature water.
“No, you’re awake. We just had plenty of time to talk it out while you got
some much needed rest,” Nikolai said and he seemed sincere.
“And?” I prodded.
“And, instead of fighting, we’re going to temporarily accept this young man’s help,” my father said diplomatically.
“Sure, temporarily,” Nikolai snorted. “But I do have a bone to pick with you, Max.”
“Uh…whatever they said about me is a lie,” I said defensively.
“So you don’t have the Origin of the Nephilim?” he asked and I was struck dumb. I took a sip of the water and it went down my dry throat like syrup. Ugh, gross.
“The book? Yeah I have it, how do you know?” I asked nervously.
He rolled his eyes. “Well, after you went out for nap time, we…discussed your ignorance. And don’t worry kid, it’s not your fault whatsoever. You’re just surrounded by a bunch of imbeciles.”
“Easy, Nikolai. Our momentary truce is fragile, don’t stir things up,” my father cut in.
“Okay, fine. I asked if you knew where you came from and these…lovely helpers, told me you visited the Angel of Prophecies, however, he didn’t tell you much. Which let’s be honest, there’s not much he can tell you, but the man has an arsenal of history at his fingertips. He could have easily told you about your origin. And that was the key word for these lose—,” he stopped and cleared his throat. “For your guardians to remember about the book he gave you. Have you read it, Max?” Damn, I had hoped they’d have forgotten about it.
“No, I haven’t had the chance,” I said and my response sounded stupid. And from the look Nikolai was giving me, he wasn’t too sure if I was telling the truth.
“Well, you might want to make some time. That thing holds a lot of answers that you won’t need to be searching for Nephilim to find,” Nikolai said and then his face fell. “Wait, did it burn down with your home?!”
Greed (Sins of the Fallen Book 2) Page 11