by Ting, Mary
“In the front yard, right by the door, in statue forms; out of place, but it sure adds character to your house,” Davin smiled.
Michael turned to Vivian to say a few words and Davin took this moment to ask Claudia a question. “So, did he ask you?”
“Ask me what?” Claudia asked. It took her a few seconds to understand what he was asking. “Oh, yes; to the Valentine’s dance.” She blushed thinking about the way he asked.
“You said no, right?”
“What?” She felt confused. Davin would want me to say yes, she thought.
“I’m just joking. But you have to save me a dance, okay? I’m asking as a friend…you know how much I love to shake it.”
“I’ll save you two dances or more,” I winked.
“Great,” he said out loud and then covered his mouth when the alkins looked at him.
After reassuring Claudia, Michael told Vivian to stay for a little while longer. Michael and Davin went outside to speak to the watchers.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Austin flew to Claudia’s house. He wanted to see for himself that she was healed and back to herself. He knocked weakly on the door. A few seconds later Claudia peered out. “Austin, come in.”
“You’re okay,” he said and dove into her arms.
Claudia continued to hold him in her arms. “Yes, I’m okay.”
Austin broke away when he saw Vivian. “Sorry about Patrick,” Vivian said sincerely.
“Thanks,” Austin replied and cleared his throat.
“I’m assuming you’re on watch so I guess I can leave?” Vivian was uncertain. She didn’t know if he was here to release her or for other reasons.
“Yeah. You can go. I’m here.”
“I can stay longer if you need more time,” Vivian said. “And plus, the watchers are just right outside.”
“No, I’m here.”
With that, Vivian left, leaving Austin and Claudia in the living room.
“Would you like something to drink?” Claudia asked nervously. She didn’t know what to say or how to act around him. Then she realized she’d asked a dumb question. She knew he didn’t drink anything.
Austin let out a short smile and sat on the sofa. “I’m fine Claudia. Sit down. I want to make sure you’re okay.”
Claudia hesitantly sat next to him with her right leg crossing underneath her other leg. He leaned into her, so close she could feel his breath. She swiftly back away. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to kiss you,” Austin said. “Unless you want me to. I just want to smell you to make sure you’re you.”
Claudia’s face turned warm. “What? That doesn’t make sense. Of course it’s me. Who else could it be?”
“I know it sounds bizarre, but who knows what Trinity could have done to you, while you were vulnerable? She could have sent some demon spirits into you.”
Claudia got up, walked toward the refrigerator and poured herself some orange juice. “She can do that?” Claudia asked, feeling flabbergasted. “But I feel fine. I think we need to worry about you.”
“I’m fine. Stop asking me,” he said with a sharp tone.
Claudia angled her brows, surprised by his tone. She took another sip and rested her arms on the counter. “Where is Patrick? I’m mean…where is his body?”
“Island of Eden with Katherine.”
“What happens next?”
“We will bury him. Then I’m going to find Trinity and wring her neck. No…I’m going to painfully pluck every single feather out of her.”
“Austin, you need time to grieve. You just lost your friend, who was more like a brother to you. Please, don’t do anything crazy. Don’t act so tough.”
His eyes flickered at her, remembering the same words he’d said to her several times before. “I told you, I’m fine,” he said, but Claudia refused to believe him.
“How could you be fine? Patrick is dead. He’s gone. You’re never going to see him ever again. Don’t tell me you don’t feel anything. Your heart is as big as your ego, so don’t tell me you’re fine!” Claudia exclaimed.
With a flash, Austin stood in front of her. Claudia drew in her breath and gasped. She had been just about to take another sip, and she jerked back when he startled her. It was a matter of seconds, but she felt the glass slipping away from her fingers. Austin’s fast reflexes reached for it before it hit the ground and backed her against the cabinet all at the same time.
Austin’s eyes pierced hers. “You want the truth? I feel like someone sliced my heart in two. One part of me feels so empty that I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel. The other part feels so much pain that I want to hurt someone. I feel nothing. I feel empty,” his tone softened with his last word and he placed his head against hers. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. I didn’t know it could hurt this much.” His fingers were twisted and lost in her hair. “I didn’t know your pain. If only I’d known. I’m just an ignorant half angel and stupid half human.”
Claudia wrapped her arms around him tightly. She caressed his hair to give him comfort. “It’s okay. I’m sorry too. I feel like it’s my fault.” And tears streamed down her face. They were tears for Austin who could not shed his own tears, tears for Patrick and tears of guilt.
After a brief moment, Austin backed away, setting his eyes compassionately on hers. “You’ve done nothing wrong. You didn’t ask to have a special soul. You didn’t drive the sword into Patrick’s heart. Don’t blame yourself for any of this. Do you hear me?” he asked, wiping her tears with his fingers at first then with his soft kisses.
Claudia was so distracted trying to wipe the tears that flowed too fast, she hadn’t realized Austin was kissing her cheek. Before she knew what was happening, he was tenderly kissing her lips. His hands drew her in closer and his kisses grew more passionate. She felt him tasting her, wanting more of her as he kissed her deeper.
Claudia lost herself in Austin’s arms. When she finally managed to back away, heaving, she was confused as to what had just happened. Austin too looked baffled. “Sorry,” he managed to mutter. “I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”
Claudia regained her control. “Uhhh…It’s okay,” she muttered, unable to make eye contact. “We just got carried away comforting each other.” It was the only thing she could say. “Hmmm…I need to get back to my studies.” She promised herself that it wouldn’t happen again as thoughts of Michael ran through her mind.
Austin raked his hair back with his hands. “Yes. You go upstairs to study and I’ll be right here. Maybe I’ll get myself a cup of…cold water.” Then both of them went their separate direction.
Katherine, Elizabeth, Gloria, Margaret, Agnes, Emmanuel, Jonah, Samuel and Philip sat around the round, oak table in the conference room at Island of Eden. After the greeting took place, everyone took their seats.
“Has anyone contacted Jeremiah?” Jonah asked.
“He knows about the meeting. Let’s move on,” Gloria stated.
Samuel opened up with a short prayer asking God to give them strength and the courage to do the right thing. Katherine was about to open the meeting when Samuel spoke again. “Shall we wait for Jeremiah?”
Katherine stood up. “I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m not waiting. I’ve called this meeting because the situation has gone too far. We don’t know if Trinity has been working for Aliah…” Before she could finish, voices of concern filled the room. “Let me finish,” she continued, sitting down on the leather chair. “I embraced Trinity into my family because she had the power to heal deathly wounds, but we all know that wounds inflicted from the crystal cannot be healed. The only thing that can heal it is the blue crystals that were given to each of us by the Royal Council. The alkins and the venators were not aware of the healing crystal until recently. One was used on Caleb and we were too late to save Patrick. He is no longer with us.”
“Yes, I’m truly sorry for your loss,” Elizabeth said.
“How did Aliah get a hold of the crystals and Aden’s
sword?” Samuel asked, redirecting the subject.
“I suspect there is a traitor among us,” Katherine announced.
The room again filled with voices of confusion and anger. “What do you mean? Who would do such a thing? Surely not one of us in this room. Aden was an exception, but we’ve been loyal for centuries,” Gloria huffed. “This accusation is outrageous!”
“Then who could have done this? We all have access to Halo City,” Katherine rebutted.
The door flew opened and Jeremiah entered. “I can name a few.”
All eyes were on him, waiting for his answer as he arrogantly sauntered to his seat.
“You’re late,” Philip scorned.
“I am, but it couldn’t be helped,” Jeremiah replied without any care. “So…as I was saying.” He looked at Philip. “Michael would be our number one suspect.”
Philip stood up, infuriated. “You have the wrong angel. Michael may have been fallen once, but he is no more. He has proven himself and I do not appreciate your accusation without any proof.”
“Oh…but I do have proof,” Jeremiah said, smothering a grin. “He has given Claudia a beaded crystal butterfly necklace…did he not?”
“And this is your proof?” Philip laughed incredulously.
“You didn’t let me finish,” Jeremiah gritted his teeth in irritation. “If he gave the crystal to Claudia, then who is to say that he didn’t give it to Aliah.”
“Michael would never do such a thing.” Margaret scowled.
“And we thought Aden would never betray us. And he was one of us,” Jeremiah stated.
“Sorry Margaret, I know how much you care for Michael, but I think Jeremiah may be right. I’m not saying that he is, but we have to look at the whole picture. Trinity and Michael had something once and maybe they are rekindling what they had. Perhaps they are both working for Aliah. At this point we need to be cautious,” Gloria said carefully.
“You are pointing your fingers at the wrong angel and he will prove himself to all of you. I have no doubt. He is not a traitor. The traitor will surface in due time and I hope it won’t be too late,” Philip concluded.
“Very well,” Jonah said. “We cannot lock him up without any proof. So what is our next plan?”
“Aliah is still in Between. We do not know where. We know that he is still powerful when he is in Between and he cannot come into our world. We have two of his ex-followers, Michelle and Gracie, searching for demons he has purposely sent to find all females with the name of Claudia Emerson, hoping these demons would lead us to his location. I’ve also sent the watchers as well. We have been unsuccessful,” Katherine explained.
“Have you tried using Claudia as bait?” Samuel inquired, arching his eyebrows as if she should have known.
“Yes, of course we did, but…” Katherine replied.
“You don’t know do you?” Samuel smirked. “Your little angels did not use her as bait, they dressed Holly as Claudia.”
“Why of course I knew,” Katherine lied. She was not going to be made a fool of. “Holly is about the same height and weight as Claudia so it was a perfect match. And how do you know so much? You are not to intervene in my missions.”
“Don’t worry. I didn’t. I have my ways of getting information that I feel is important to us all. If you can’t control them, perhaps I can give you a hand,” Samuel suggested.
“No thank you. I have this perfectly under control.”
“Thus…Patrick,” Samuel muttered.
“That’s enough!” Jeremiah said. “After this is over, we need to wipe Claudia’s memories of her past and ever knowing her soul is special . Her skills are extremely valuable and we shall not let that go to waste. I propose that Austin continues to train her. Their primary goals will be to get rid of these filthy demons that will still be lingering from Aden and Aliah’s doing and find and guide more venators. I’m sure there are more out there. We need to search for them.”
“What do you mean ‘wiping her memory’?” Margaret asked.
“In order for her to train and become a true venator, she must remove herself from the life she has known. Her memories of her mother, the memories of being in Halo City and the memories of the life she is living now must be erased,” Jeremiah said.
“This is insane.” Katherine rebutted, thinking of Gamma.
“We do this all the time. She is no different from anyone else,” Jeremiah expressed.
“Let’s vote on the proposal and move on. We have more important things to take care of. Margaret, Agnes and Philip, do keep an eye on Michael. We have no proof, but since Samuel has a reason to believe he may be against us, we must follow through,” Elizabeth reasoned.
The voting was divided. All voted to have Claudia’s memory erased except for Margaret, Agnes, and Katherine. Katherine sank down in her chair, thinking about what she could do or say to sway votes, but she knew they were right. Claudia’s powers were valuable. With Patrick gone, Claudia would be a great asset to their team. But she understood what this would do to Michael. She would have no memories of him. But at the end, they were angels even though they were half human. They had their duties to fulfill. It was their destiny whether they wanted it or not.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
I slammed my locker shut. When I turned, Ryan ran smack into me and I dropped my books. My blood pressure shot up so fast from the unexpected sight of him that I thought I was going to faint. I wanted to run, but where would I run to? It was too late. “Uhhh…Claudia. I’m so sorry.” He went down on bended knees, picking up my books.
I continued to stand there, frozen. I hadn’t seen Ryan since the incident in Fashion Wear. He was casual as he always was and didn’t say a word about that night.
“There you go,” he said, placing my books in my hands. “Sorry… I didn’t see you there. Actually, I wasn’t looking where I was going,” he chuckled.
Motionless, I just continued to stare without saying a word. My heart was beating with anxiety, wondering if he would apologize for the way he’d behaved or if he would just brush it off as if nothing happened.
“Well, gotta go. I have to walk to the other side of campus.” He gave me an unexpected peck on my cheek. “I haven’t seen you around. It’s good to see you. Bye.” Then he left.
Michael entering his dream really worked, I thought. I was elated that I didn’t have to feel awkward being at school because of Ryan. As I walked down the hall happily with a new found peace, Valentine’s dance posters were hung everywhere. It was only two weeks away. Since Kristina didn’t have a date, I had set her up with my cousin, Davin. Kristina was thrilled to go with Davin since she thought he was cute. And Davin was overly excited about the news and he couldn’t wait to get all dressed up.
I promised to save a dance for him, but I had to burst his bubble and tell him that cousins don’t slow dance together. After I told him that I would save a special dance for him at home, he smiled again. A feeling of euphoria rushed through my mind, reminiscing about the way Michael had asked me and thoughts of how special Michael made me feel. Then guilt settled in, remembering accidently kissing Austin. I told myself again that it was an accident and promised myself that it would never happen again.
Kristina and I had planned to go shopping together. Since we already had dresses, we decided to shop for shoes at the local mall. After I spoke with my mom on the phone, I drove to Kristina’s house and picked her up. It had been awhile since we had been out together, and I was looking forward to our time together, though I really didn’t need to shop for shoes.
“I can’t wait to see your dress,” Kristina said with excitement.
“I have a picture of it on my phone. I’ll show it to you later,” I said, turning into the parking lot. “The mall isn’t closed is it?” I asked hesitantly, scanning the parking lot.
“It’s only 7 p.m. and the mall closes at 9.” Kristina pointed to several parked cars near the tree. “See those cars? I’m sure it’s open. I have shoe shopping to do.
I’ll knock down that door if I have to!” Kristina exclaimed.
I parked the car close to the entry way. The mall was open, as we were able to walk in the double doors. But I suddenly felt cold, the palms of my hands started to tingle and heat flushed through me at the same time. Clenching my fists, I hoped the feeling would disappear. I didn’t think it was a good idea to be there with hardly any people around, but I didn’t have a choice. Breaking a promise with Kristina was not an option, so I just brushed off the nervousness, gazed at my butterfly necklace that was still brilliantly shining and strolled along. Then I remembered the watchers were guarding me so I had nothing to fear–I hoped.
“Let’s go in here.” Kristina walked in first and strutted between the racks of shoes, and headed straight to the back where all the high heels were neatly lined on rows of shelves. It was one of my favorite stores, Brand Name Shoes For Less. As much as I loved to shop here, I was turned off by the size of this place; too many shoes to look at and not enough time. Kristina picked up a bright orange colored one.
“Seriously?” I arched my brows in disapproval.
“I’m just joshing,” Kristina said, placing it down. “I just wanted to see that look on your face,” she giggled.
“Hello ladies,” the sales lady greeted, strolling towards us. “My name is Vickie. Let me know if you need any help.”
“Thanks,” we said in unison and giggled.
“It’s slow today,” I commented.
“Yeah, slow for a Friday night. But it happens. Well, let me know if you need anything,” Vickie said and walked away.
“Joshing?” I asked, redirecting our conversation.
“You know…it means joking,” Kristina explained.
“I know what it means. I can’t believe you used that word.”
“Why? Just because I’m book smart doesn’t mean I don’t like to use those ‘in’ words.” She made quotation marks with her hands and picked up a black high heel with sparkles on top.