School of Broken Wings

by C. R. Jane

  No one says a word as they are too busy eating them.

  When Braxton drives us down a driveway, the ten packets of shortbread are gone, and Finn is glaring at everyone in the back for eating his collection.

  “I’ll get you more, babe.” I lean forward and stroke his arm.

  He looks back and grins. “Gorgeous, you can eat all my cookies anytime you want.” His eyebrows go up and down comically, like he’s just said something dirty.

  “Gah, that sounds so corny, man,” Dante mocks.

  I love how much they all tease each other, but beneath it all, they’d kill to protect one another. Connor included...I think.

  “This should be the place,” Braxton announces.

  We all peer out the window to a large wooden looking cottage. It’s modern and reminds me of a retreat more than a place I’d expect a professor to recommend for researching angels.

  “You sure this is the right place?” Connor asks, as if reading my thoughts.

  “Unless there are two identical addresses on the Skye of Isle, then this has to be it.”

  It isn’t long before we all scramble out of the SUV and scan the property.

  The air is crisp and carries a chill that settles in my bones. Around us are just mountains and fog in the distance. I am pretty sure I’ve seen places like this in werewolf movies.

  “Let’s head inside and get this done,” Braxton says as the guys all grab our bags from the back of the car.

  Our gang makes the trek from the small parking area up a small dirt path that leads to the wooden veranda out the front.

  I don’t see any signs about what this place is, or any signs of life, for that matter.

  “You think the professor steered us wrong?” Finn asks, but no one answers as we’re all thinking the same thing, I guess.

  “We flew this far...we’re finding the Fairy Pools,” Alexander says sternly, and he takes the lead with Braxton.

  Connor falls in alongside me. “Remember that time we talked about dream places we wanted to visit?”

  I think back to our time at the old school, at the dozens of times Connor and I caught up after school to talk about everything and anything. The conversation slides into my mind clearly.

  I smile widely. “You said you’d always love to visit Scotland. Is it everything you expected?”

  He chuckles, and I soak in the sound. He hasn’t done that very often lately. It reminds me of times when I thought I meant the world to him and I’d be walking on clouds for hours after we spent time together. There has always been something magnetizing about Connor. Now I wonder if all along it had to do with his confidence from being a vampire hunter?

  Once we reach the veranda, Braxton heads to the front wooden door and knocks. The place might easily be someone’s home. There are no other cars in the parking area either.

  The faint squeal of hinges has us all turning around as the front door opens.

  An older woman with long dark hair and beautiful almond eyes appears. There’s no fear behind her eyes at seeing our large group on her doorstep.

  “Welcome, you must be Braxton?” she greets him with a warm smile.

  “Yes, thank you. You received my email for the booking?”

  “Of course. And I have the rooms and all the information you require set up for you. Come in and welcome to Falls Lodge.”

  The woman steps aside as we all enter her home and go straight into a large lounge room that I assume is a communal space. There are two grand cobblestone fireplaces, one at each end of the room. Brown leather couches pepper the room, the walls covered in bookshelves. A soft song plays overhead. I can see myself resting in here after a long day of hiking the Highlands. It’s the perfect place for a trip.

  Braxton goes into a nearby room with the woman and goes behind a counter. I make my way to the fire to warm my hands while the guys are checking out the books or lounging. This place is quaint and so peaceful.

  “This way,” Braxton calls out to us.

  We waste no time in following him and the woman down a long hall where there are several doors open leading to simple bedrooms.

  “Dinner is served in the main dining room between six and nine p.m. Enjoy your stay and I’m here should you have any questions.”

  “Thank you,” Braxton says, and she walks back down the hall.

  We then all pile into one room and shut the door.

  “Okay, apparently the Fairy Pool is about a half hour walk from here. The sun’s not coming down for another five hours, so let’s freshen up and go find them,” Braxton murmurs.

  “Sounds like a plan,” Finn adds and drags one of our bags onto the bed. Everyone starts getting ready, so I do the same. Bathroom break, grab a jacket, and fill up my water bottle.

  Half an hour later, we’re standing behind the lodge with Alexander inspecting the map that shows the trail we need to follow. Apparently, it’s a lesser known tourist destination, but the owner of the lodge recommends it to everyone who comes here for its beauty.

  Me…I’m hoping it holds the answers to my background.

  I button up my coat and we follow the worn track winding across the grassy meadow that leads to a valley between two mountains.

  Finn walks alongside me, and his hand slides into mine, our fingers interlacing.

  “How do we know what we’re looking for once we get there?” I ask, jerking my head up to look at him.

  “Follow our instincts, I guess. Once we see what the Fairy Pools are, we’ll have a better idea of what we’re dealing with.”

  I nod my head as I feel the unease grow in my gut.

  I keep remembering the professor’s words and how Copernicus discussed an urgency to visit the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. How he needed "to complete the ritual before her beauty was lost for good."

  Beauty was lost for good. I don’t think they referred literally to beauty, but to a person and the Fairy Pools were to somehow save this person.

  For most of the trek, I don’t say much. The men are chatting and even laughing while I struggle to settle my nerves.

  The path guides us through a narrow valley that has a loneliness about it that’s tangible. This place is untouched and I doubt it sees very many visitors.

  “This way,” Alexander points to the left, while the worn path sweeps right. We are definitely taking the path less traveled.

  Trees seem more copious on this side of the mountain, the landscape descending. I am convinced we’ve walked for longer than half an hour by the time I hear the familiar sound of splashing water. The rocky mountain sits on our left and dense woodland to the right while we travel down the passage in between.

  “We must be close,” I say, searching the landscape for a river.

  “Bet I’ll find it first,” Dante challenges us, turning to look back at us as if he’s expecting us to give chase.

  Nyx bolts forward and past him. “You’re on,” he tosses over his shoulder.

  “You cheating ass.” Dante darts after him.

  I laugh at them as we all hurry behind them. I’m beyond eager to find the place too.

  Dante and Nyx skid to a stop at least twenty feet ahead of us and stare out to something around the mountain.

  “Guys, you gotta see this!” Dante calls out.

  We’re all running toward them now. Around the corner, I pause and need a few seconds to take in the scene. To catch my breath.

  “Wow,” Alexander murmurs.

  Wow is an understatement.

  The first thing I sense is the power rippling in the air, lifting the hairs on my arms.

  Water tumbles down the mountain from three waterfalls in a semicircle, all cascading into a large pond. Turquoise water glints beneath the sun, as if the location belongs on an island resort not in the middle of Scotland. Smaller pools stream away into three arms of rivers from the main pool.

  A rainbow stretches out between the three waterfalls, glimmering. This must be why it’s called Fairy Pools. The colors fro
m the rainbow give the location an enchanting feel.

  The men all run down the slope and to the water’s edge. I’m right behind them.

  “I feel like swimming,” Finn says. “I’ve never seen water so clear.”

  “I’m in,” Alexander says, shrugging off his shirt.

  Even Braxton is tugging at his shirt.

  When I look into the water, my skin ripples and a need pulses through me to get into the pond. I stumble forward and start kicking off my shoes.

  “The only person going in is Adi,” Connor yells. “The rest of you, get the fuck away from the water’s edge.”

  “Are you sure?” Even as I say the words, I know it’s what I need to do.

  His voice pierces through my focus. I shake my head and look back around to see my vampires half stripped and looking dazed. My head clears, and I’m shocked at how quickly we fell for the Fairy Pools’ charm.

  “What the fuck?” Nyx grumbles.

  “You’re all acting like dying fish needing to get into water,” Connor snarls at them. He’s at my back in seconds, arms around my waist, his mouth on my ear. “If I could come with you, I would. But I feel this is something you need to experience on your own. If shit happens, I’ll dive in right after you, okay?”

  I nod and soften against his solid chest as I clasp onto his strong arms. My mind is torn between the allure of the water and how I’m in Connor’s arms and loving it.

  “Why don’t you feel anything?” Alexander demands, his eyes locked on Connor.

  “Because I’m the only one who’s half human here. I’m guessing this place affects supernaturals differently.”

  Connor releases me, and I glance back to my men ten feet away, watching me. My attention closes in on Braxton. “So, I go into the water, then what?”

  He’s shaking his head. “I’m not too sure, baby. Stay close to the shore, and let’s see what happens. With the way we were all just affected, I’m going to say something will happen once you’re in.”

  I suddenly feel like a guinea pig, but the longer I think about it, the more likely I’ll talk myself out of going into the water. So, I unzip my coat and slide it down my arms.

  Connor is next to me and collects it. I unbutton my shirt, my fingers shaky from the array of emotions pummeling into me.

  I push down my jeans and step out of them. Now, I’m standing in front of them all in my black thong and bra. Their gazes are all devouring my naked skin.

  Dante releases a wolf whistle, and I blush, which is crazy. Even after everything we’ve been through together, I still blush.

  Connor’s gaze traces every inch of my body, and heat climbs through me.

  I turn and head to the shallow part of the pond. Connor is right next to me and holds my hand as I step into the water. It’s colder than I expect, and shivers travel up my legs.

  “Adeline,” he says.

  I turn to him, expecting a reminder that he’s got my back.

  “Hurry back, you hear me? We’ve got unfinished business.” He winks, and fire floods my body at his insinuation.

  “You got it.” I curl my lips into a smile and loosen my grip from his hand. “I won’t be long.”

  I walk deeper into the gorgeous blue water. It’s so clear, and the tiny fish swimming around here are easy to spot. The stone ground is smooth under my bare feet, and with each step, the water rises quicker up my body. Farther ahead, the waterfalls are crashing into the pond, and the closer I move toward them, the louder they roar.

  I hiss as the chilly water laps around my bare waist.

  “Do you feel anything yet?” Braxton calls out.

  I look back over my shoulder. “Only how freaking freezing it is.”

  Suddenly, my feet slip on my next step and I flop down under the icy clutches of the pond.

  I shudder and splash frantically to get myself back up. My skin ripples with goosebumps from the cold.

  Bursting back out of the water, I take a huge breath. The men have stepped forward, staring with concerned faces.

  “I’m fine,” I call out. “It’s just a bit slippery. Not sure what else I’m supposed to be doing though, since I don’t feel anything.”

  “Go to the waterfall,” Connor suggests.

  “Why would you send her there?” Finn snaps. “What if she’s dragged under?”

  The rest of them get into an argument, but maybe Connor has a point. I’ve read somewhere that moving water can generate energy, especially for spirits. Not sure if it’s true, but I make my way toward the gorgeous cascading water. Above me, the glorious rainbow shimmers in various colors. I’m not sure this is even possible or maybe this is the spot where I’ll find the pot of gold. I smirk to myself at my own joke.

  I glide deeper, until I can no longer touch the floor. Waves come crashing into me, and spray hits me in the face.

  A tingle snakes up my body…something electric, reminding me of the power in my body. It’s exactly what I’ve been searching for so I swim closer when something tugs me under the surface by my legs.

  Panic slams into my chest.

  My arms and legs flay in every direction. Air bubbles rush over my face. My head breaks the surface, and I desperately gasp for air. I want to scream for the guys, but I’m barely staying afloat.

  My heart pounds against my ribcage as I twirl on the spot, trying to make sense of what just happened.

  I look over to Connor, but he’s staring in the shallow end of the pool, as if I’m still there and he’s watching me. There’s no panic on his face. Same with the men behind him.

  The waters surges around me once more, pulling me toward the middle waterfall, the largest one.

  Dread collides into me as I picture myself drowning out here.

  I scream for Connor and swim frantically against the tide, kicking my legs, splashing to escape the rising tide in the water dragging me backward.

  The current grows wilder, crashing into me. I’m gasping for air, my head just bobbing above the surface.

  Terror bangs in my chest like a drum counting down to my death.

  Will the guys even know what happened to me?

  The waterfall’s roar deafens me as the coldness laps against me. I stare back at the enormous cascade so close, I’m practically under its clutches. A fine mist of water cloaks over me.

  I beat my legs and arms, swimming for safety. Water sloshes in my face. I inhale and choke while my muscles strain and scream with pain.

  Something clutches to my ankles once more, and I’m yanked backward.

  My screams are stolen by the explosion of icy water pummeling my head and shoulders. The force drives me under the surface, the crushing water suffocating me.

  With strained muscles, I push and fight, needing a way out. With every inch of strength remaining, I fight the deluge.

  My head breaks the surface, and I drag in mouthfuls of oxygen to fill my lungs.

  It takes me a few moments to come to the realization that I’m on the other side of the waterfall. A cave surrounds me. The walls are dark, and there’s a single torch deeper in the cavern.

  Despite my whole body aching, I push myself through the water to the edge and drag myself up. Every inch of me feels incredibly heavy. But I’m relieved to be out of the water as I climb out onto the rocky edge. Behind me is a curtain of water. It somehow looks tranquil now, which is a complete façade because of what I just went through.

  Pulling my hair over my shoulder, I wring the drenched hair of water and walk across the rocky surface. It’s bumpy and sharp under my feet, but I've come this far and I’m not stopping now. The light sits on the wall in a metal bracket, flickering, and its orange glow pulses against the walls. I walk past it and see another light farther ahead. I don’t remember how many I pass until beaming rays of glorious light from outside finds me.

  With quick steps I hurry from the cave. The moment I step outside, I’m ripped from this world…and blackness takes its place.

  Seconds later, I blink open my eyes. I
’m standing near the Fairy Pools. I glance around, thinking I’m back already. Except, there’s no sign of my men.

  Near the pond’s edge stands an older man with his back to me. He’s drenched from his grey hair to his bare feet, as if he just climbed out of the pool. Water drips from his white shirt and black pants.

  Suddenly, his head tilts back, and he’s looking into the air. I look up to a brilliant brightness that hurts my eyes. Squinting, I make out a shadow descending. Feathery wings are stretched outward, beating ever so softly. They are captivating. I am in awe of their beauty as they catch the sun and glisten.

  An angel lands a few feet away from the man, emitting a glow that conceals its face from me. All I can discern is that it is wearing white clothes and has flowing blond hair. But in its presence, I feel a happiness I’ve never imagined. A feeling that surges from deep in my chest.

  The man turns toward the angel. He’s clutching a baby to his chest, holding the child protectively.

  “Nicolaus, it’s time.” The angel’s voice is strong and indistinguishable as to whether the angelic being is male or female but it’s the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.

  I remember the name, Nicolaus Copernicus. The stories the professor had told us about the angel he found by the side of the road—Angelique. How she was pregnant and he took the offspring to the Fairy Pools for a ritual. I think this is the scene playing out before me.

  Nicolaus shakes his head and steps away from the angel, holding the child tighter. A breeze swishes through the little one’s blond hair. “Not yet. She’s just a few days old. Leave her with me a while longer, please.”

  The angel steps after him, hands stretching out, wings mirroring his movements. “It’s time. I need to prepare her for this world if she’s to survive. She can’t remember anything about her past. About who she really is. It’s the only way.”

  “Can you not take her with you?” Nicolaus asks.

  “Her mother was a Nephilim which means that her soul is not whole enough to enter Paradise. The best I can do right now is to protect her on Earth from the demons that hunt her,” the angel explains.

  The man sobs softly as he stares at the infant, like she means the world to him. His tears fall endlessly as he stretches his arms out with the baby in them, obeying the angel’s instructions.