The others cackled, their bodies poised and ready to attack as soon as they got the go ahead from their leader. Their eyes shifted from Leila to the man who had spoken. Jerome watched on, he couldn’t hurt the other humans to protect his own, he had to only act in defense. He would need to wait before he could step in. Despite how much he wanted to flatten them all straight away.
“You better all leave or someone will catch you,” Leila said a little louder. She didn’t really believe anyone would catch them or come to her rescue. She was alone with no way out, her words were all she had. And even they wouldn’t come out right.
“Nobody’s going to save you, little girl,” the leader went on, taking a step closer. “You’ve got nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, you’re all ours. To… do… whatever… we want.”
His snide grin and the way his eyes pored over her body made her shiver with disgust. She could practically read what was on his mind and it was not pleasant. She tore her eyes away from him, looking at the others. Could any of them have a conscience? Would any of the other men defy him and help her? Judging by the hungry looks in their eyes, she didn’t think so.
“There’s no way out of here, little girl, there’s no use even thinking about it.”
“Let me go, I’m warning you,” Leila yelled, using all the courage she could muster.
They all laughed in response. As they each got even closer to her, Leila realized they were done with talking now. Nothing she could say or do would be able to stop them. She was at their mercy and she knew they would show none.
The attack was puzzling to her, she hadn’t seen that kind of menace for almost six months. Just when she had hoped all the danger was over and in the past, it reared its head again. Perhaps the world could never fully be rid of it.
The leader of the pack reached Leila and grabbed her wrists, trying to get her under his control. She struggled with everything she had against him. She didn’t want him to have the upper hand, she didn’t want to relinquish any power. Yet she didn’t have a choice, he was far stronger than she was and he had three helpers. A fight of four against one was never going to put the odds in her favor.
But the others didn’t have a guardian angel on their side. Jerome gripped the man by the shoulders and tore him away, throwing him on the ground. Stunned, the other three watched on, trying to figure out what was happening.
Jerome didn’t let a moment pass, with one almighty roar, he sent the others scampering away. Their allegiance forgotten, their leader lying on the ground, they ran without looking back.
Leila stood there, frozen in place. She couldn’t comprehend what was happening either. She watched as the leader got up and started running with the rest of his group. She had heard the noise too but it didn’t scare her. Instead, it stirred something. She had heard it before.
The memory was like a spider web in her mind, there but impossible to touch. She tried to latch on to it, to spin it into something tangible so she could recall all the finer details. The déjà vu felt so real, Leila knew she couldn’t just be imagining it.
Jerome stood with her, staring into her eyes to see for himself that she was okay. He didn’t think the men had enough time to hurt her, but he knew she was scared. He wouldn’t leave her until he knew she was in a safe place again.
A figure emerged in Leila’s mind. A tall man, one with dark brown hair and blue eyes. He was nice and kind and had dimples when he smiled. He was fuzzy in her mind but she knew he was a real person. She wasn’t making him up, the feeling was too strong.
“Who is with me? Show yourself,” she said to the empty alleyway. “I remember you.”
CHAPTER 7
“You remember me?” Jerome asked, completely taken aback by Leila’s admission. She didn’t respond. “Can you hear me?” Again, there was no indication that she could.
“Why won’t you show me who you are?” Leila said aloud, trying to fight back the tears. She knew something had been lingering around her, she had assumed it was one of her deceased family members but now she wasn’t so sure. The figure in her mind was definitely not a relative. She didn’t know who he was, only who he wasn’t.
“Leila, I’m here, I’m right here.”
“Are you afraid to let me see you?”
Jerome wished that was all it was. “You need to remember me. I can show you who I am if you remember me first. Please, Leila.” He didn’t even know if it was possible for her to recover the memories the council had wiped. As far as he knew, it had never been done in the past.
“It’s okay if you show yourself to me, I’m not going to tell anyone.”
“I know you wouldn’t.”
Leila waited for a reaction that didn’t come. She sighed and started walking, fearing if she lingered the men would come back for a second shot at hurting her.
She hurried along, every slight noise making her jump. At any moment she thought someone was going to jump out at her and attack. Those fears had never fully gone away and she doubted whether they ever would now. If there were still people like that in the world, nobody would ever truly be safe again.
When her home came into sight, Leila fastened her pace, keen to get inside the safe doors. The Sinclairs wouldn’t hurt her, she knew that for sure. They had welcomed her with open arms into their home and placed no conditions on her lodging. They were completely selfless, acting as her adoptive parents.
Once inside, she closed the door behind her, making sure each of the five deadlocks were securely fastened before being able to let her guard down.
“Are you okay?” Toby asked with concern, seeing her even more troubled than normal. “Did something happen?”
“Four men cornered me on the way home.”
Maree gasped as she joined them. “Are you alright? Did they hurt you?” She held her hands, looking for any signs of damage. A faint bruise was forming on her wrists but that was the only injury she sported. It could have been much, much worse.
“I’m fine, I got away.”
“How?” Toby knew she could look after herself, but up against four men?
“I don’t know, I guess someone’s watching over me. I was lucky.”
“I’ll say you were. I’ll make you a cup of tea,” Maree let her go so she could bustle to the kitchen. Leila and Toby followed, taking a seat at the dining room table.
“Maree, Toby, do you remember a tall man that helped us a few months ago?” Leila asked casually, hoping they would recall something. She also hoped they wouldn’t ask why, she didn’t have an answer for them. None that wouldn’t make her sound crazy, anyway.
“I think I remember a man,” Toby responded, trying to think it through. Like Leila, his memory was also fuzzy in certain areas. “He had dark brown hair?”
Leila nodded encouragingly. “He did.”
“And blue eyes?” Maree added.
She nodded again. “You both remember him?”
“I think so. Why, was he someone special?” Toby asked. Leila did have an answer for that one.
“He was, I’m just not sure why. I think he helped out some time. Or I could just be imagining everything, I can’t seem to tell the difference these days.”
Maree placed the steaming hot mugs of tea on the table in front of them. Taking a seat herself, she gave Leila a sympathetic look. “You’ve been through a lot, don’t be so hard on yourself. We all remember this man, we couldn’t all have been imagining him.”
“I hope not,” Leila sighed. “I think he’s special, I just don’t know why. I wish I could remember.”
An involuntary grin swept over Jerome’s face. He was special, she had said it with her own mouth. That perfect, beautiful mouth had spoken the words that made his heart swell with emotion.
A flash of light from the corner of his eye made Jerome turn around. Alexander was walking towards him, his brow furled with worry.
“Hey, I’m glad I found you,” he started, a slight rasping to his breath. “You have to get back to the village.”
“What’s wrong?” Jerome asked, not really wanting to hear the answer. He was too full of Leila and good thoughts of hope, he didn’t want to deal with any drama.
“Benecio is looking for you.”
“So?”
Alexander rolled his eyes in frustration. “He’s a middle councilor, when he says he wants to talk to you, you’ve got to go. You’ve got no choice.”
Jerome waved his words away, Benecio didn’t scare him – as much as he tried to. He changed the subject, hoping for a few more moments on Earth. “Leila has started to remember me.”
“Really?” He looked dubious, wondering if it was just wishful thinking on Jerome’s behalf. He hoped not, for his friend’s sake.
Jerome nodded happily. “It’s starting to come back, I know she’ll remember everything before too long. I know she can do it.”
Alexander patted him on the shoulder. “Be careful, buddy, you don’t know that for sure. I’d hate to see you set yourself up for a fall.”
“I know Leila, she can do this. She’ll remember.”
“The council’s powers are strong, it’s going to be difficult to beat them.”
Jerome wouldn’t let himself be dissuaded. He had faith, it was all he needed to believe. Convincing Alexander, however, was a whole different ballgame. He knew his friend was just looking out for him, and he didn’t understand how remarkable Leila was, but it didn’t make hearing his words any easier.
“So, Benecio, huh? Did he sound angry?” Jerome finally asked, changing the subject back again.
“Doesn’t he always lately?”
“Good point.”
Without further delay, Jerome took one last look at Leila and flashed back to the village with Alexander. He hated leaving her but promised himself he would return again soon. He wanted Leila to remember and he thought she would do better with his presence as near as possible.
Just like Alexander warned, Benecio was waiting at the hostel for him and he wasn’t happy. His usual demeanor was sour so anger was never too far away.
The strange thing was, Jerome couldn’t remember Benecio ever being grumpy before. Like all the angels in the village, he used to be even tempered. He couldn’t put his finger on what had changed, but somehow the war had turned him into something nobody was used to. An openly angry and hostile angel was a rare thing.
“Councilor,” Jerome started respectfully, hoping to win him over with kindness – whatever he was there for. “What brings you to our door today? My apologies for keeping you waiting but I was called to my human for an emergency. She was being attacked, it seemed not all the violence has been resolved on Earth.”
Benecio ignored his words, turning instead to Alexander. “You are not needed. Leave.”
Alexander was affronted with the open hostility and rudeness being thrown his way. He couldn’t keep the annoyance out of his voice as he spoke. “I guess I’ll leave you two alone then.”
They waited, staring at each other, until Alexander left and the door thudded closed behind him. Jerome stood waiting, not really caring what the councilor had to say anymore.
Finally, Benecio started. “I’ve been watching you, angel Jerome. I’ve been keeping a very close eye on you since our little chat. I have to say, I don’t like what I’ve been seeing.”
“I haven’t done anything wrong.” He hoped his guilt didn’t show on his face. He knew organizing the rally for support was a huge wrongdoing but prayed Benecio didn’t know about it. How could he? Unless they had someone show up that reported back to the council afterwards. Jerome gulped, hoping with all his heart it wasn’t the case.
“If you haven’t done anything wrong, then why does every part of your body scream that you have?”
“I guess you make me nervous, councilor.”
Benecio stared him down, his eyes unwavering. “Only those with sins have a reason to be nervous. I think you’re hiding something. Is it about your human?”
“My human is fine.”
He laughed in his face. “Your human is regaining her memory. I’d say that is far from fine.”
Jerome didn’t know whether to be relieved that was the information he held and not that of the secret meeting, or fearful because he knew what was happening to Leila. Either way, he dreaded what was about to come.
“Cat got your tongue?” Benecio sneered at his own joke, thinking it hilarious to see someone squirm under his intense gaze.
Jerome bristled. “No, I just don’t see what my human has to do with you. I would think you have more important matters to deal with.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Your human is special, although I’m sure you already know that, her memory is important to the council. We have to make sure it stays wiped.”
“If she remembers on her own accord, you can’t do anything about it. You can’t make her forget twice.”
“You don’t think so?” Benecio laughed again, holding his belly as he did. “We can do whatever we like. We are the Grand Council of Guardian Angels. Nobody is higher than us.”
Jerome didn’t want to antagonize him and draw out their meeting any longer. He also knew Benecio was right, they could whatever they wanted to. All they would have to claim was that it was for the best of the angels. Nobody would question them – not until they overthrew the council anyway.
“Oh, you make me laugh.” Benecio had to gasp to catch his breath again. “You’re a funny guy, angel Jerome, but you know what is really funny?”
“No, councilor, I don’t.”
“The fact you think your human loves you. You think that when she gets her memory back she will jump into your arms like nothing ever happened.”
Jerome clenched his fists, trying to tell himself the councilor didn’t know what he was talking about. He didn’t know Leila, he didn’t know him. He couldn’t possibly know anything about them.
Benecio continued, unrelenting. “Newsflash, Jerome, humans can’t love angels. It doesn’t work that way. She was just using you for her own survival. She doesn’t love you so you can hope and wish all you want, but it’s never going to happen. The moment her memory comes back, you’ll see. And then in the next moment, we’ll wipe it away again.” He stepped closer to Jerome, making sure his face was right in front of his. “Just like magic.”
“You don’t know that,” Jerome said through gritted teeth. He was using every ounce of his resolve to control himself.
“No, Jerome, you don’t know that. I know everything and it will happen exactly as I say it will. You’ll see.”
Jerome stared at the floor, refusing to meet his gaze any longer. He suddenly didn’t want to be there, he’d rather be anywhere else in the world – even in the depths of Hallows Gallows.
Benecio stepped away. “I’m going to be watching your human very closely, as well as you. Put one step out of line and I swear I will haul you before the council and throw you in the wastelands before your head can stop spinning. Understand?”
“Stay away from Leila.”
“I will do no such thing, not when our entire kind is at risk of being exposed. It’s for the greater good.” He started cackling as he headed for the door. “Goodbye, angel Jerome, I’ll see you again soon.”
He opened the door and left, Alexander stepping through only a moment later. He rushed straight for his friend, seeing the look of despair on his face.
“Jerome, he didn’t mean any of it,” Alexander started, trying to do some damage control. “He was just trying to antagonize you, you must know that.”
“He’s right,” Jerome replied solemnly.
“He’s not right, you don’t know that.”
“No, he is. It was stupid to think Leila really loved me and she’s just forgotten about it. I was being stupid and foolish. It’s time I got back to reality.”
Alexander gripped him by the shoulders, making sure he had his attention. “Benecio is stupid and foolish, not you. You believe in love, you have faith, it’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
Jerome shook his head, refusing to listen anymore. “I’ve got things to do, I need to go.”
Alexander relaxed his grip and let Jerome leave. His crestfallen grey wings were a sad sight as they dragged on the floor behind him. His shoulders slumped, Jerome cut the loneliest figure in the world.
He walked for two hours in the village. There was nowhere else he could go. Every part of the angel world brought memories flooding back to him, both good and bad. There was no way to completely switch his mind off.
Eventually, Jerome had to return to the hostel, unable to handle the reminders anymore. By that time, Alexander had gone to bed and he was more than ready to do the same. With any luck, he could allow the sweet relief of slumber to erase his memory for a few hours.
Yet sunrise came too soon, with it the peeking of the sun through Leila’s windows. She stirred, a smile spreading across her face when she remembered what day it was. Unlike Jerome, she had something to look forward to. He watched her as she moved about and got herself ready. She was dressier than usual, Jerome noticed she took the time to pull her hair back in a relaxed bun.
When Reece knocked on the door and picked her up for their date, Jerome wondered if he could take any more heartache. It was at that point he knew Benecio had been right. It was foolish to think restoring Leila’s memory would change anything. She wouldn’t come running into his arms like he had imagined. She would just see him as a curiosity, perhaps something to fear, just like anyone else.
Still, Jerome was assigned to the protection of the human and so he was forever linked to her. Every emotion she experienced would be his too. There would be nowhere he could run to and escape from them. It was his punishment for exposing the angel’s existence to humans. It was a cross he must bear despite the pain it caused him.
Completely unaware of the effect she was having on the angel, Leila was excited. Things had been going very well with Reece, his slow and gentle approach of getting to know her was working well. She felt safe with him, ready to allow someone into her life whom she might care about. She didn’t dare care about people for fear she would lose them but things were changing. The world was getting better, she figured perhaps it was time to change too.
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