Angel's Bend

by Dale, Lindy

  Lacey was, frankly, surprised that he was there. She’d asked him to come, of course, but she hadn’t expected he would. Cam didn’t like crowds and technically, they weren’t even friends anymore so, she’d have to ignore him, she supposed. Still, she could watch from the corner of her eye and if he acknowledged her, she could smile back or wave. It would be rude not to.

  Keeping to himself, Cam wandered around the room, studying the artwork in detail. His face was a picture of angelic concentration and Lacey tried to avert her gaze, to stay focussed on the conversation she was meant to be in. But he was so perfect; it was difficult to ignore him, especially when everyone’s eyes were on him, not just hers. That golden hair, that smooth milky skin covering that sculpted body. It went against everything she believed in to pretend she hated him when she clearly didn’t but if that were what it took to get on Zac’s good side, she’d just have to suck it up. For a while, at least.

  Interested to see Cam’s reaction to one particular piece, Lacey stepped sideways from where she’d been talking to Zac, Abbie and Ty. From her new position, she had a good view of Cam’s face and while he was unable to see her, she knew that he would know she was watching him. He would sense it.

  Looking over his shoulder to see what was distracting her, Zac’s face was instantly stony. “What’s he doing here?”

  “Who? Cam?”

  “Who else?”

  “I invited him.”

  “Why?”

  She had to think fast, and sound convincing. Not easy when your head was away with an angel. “Well, A - he is the subject of one of my pieces. I thought he might like to see it, since he was good enough to be my model. And B - I invited him ages ago, when we were on speaking terms. I didn’t think he’d show. Not now.”

  “Beats me why you’d even put his face in a painting.”

  Ignoring Zac’s glacial glare, Lacey continued to watch for Cam’s reaction. Too bad if he didn’t buy her explanation. It was plenty plausible that she’d invited Cam before they parted ways. Nobody else would care.

  At last Cam approached Lacey’s work. There were no names on the students’ pieces but it was obviously hers. Angels jumped out from every corner; an electric energy filled the small space that was hers. She had brought them to life.

  Cam’s eyes scanned her work. He paused. He stepped closer to study things from a different angle. A crinkle of concentration formed between his eyebrows and Lacey couldn’t help but smile. He was trying so hard to look serious. Then he halted in front of the largest painting - his eyes roved up the almost life size picture stopping at the face. His brow drew together in confusion. He looked from side to side, as if wanting to confirm that others had seen what he had, then he looked back to the painting and tilted his head this way and that. His hand ran across the plumpness of his lips. Then abruptly, he turned to look straight at where Lacey stood on the other side of the room, his green eyes searching her out, pulling her towards him like a magnet.

  Lacey walked over. She hoped he wasn’t annoyed with what she’d done but there had to be some way that she could express how she felt about him. She was in love with him and words weren’t adequate.

  “Hey.” She tried to look disinterested but pretending you weren’t friends with someone in a room full of busybodies wasn’t that easy.

  Cam clearly got the hint. His stance was stiff and awkward. “Hey.”

  “Do you like it?”

  Geez, this was so hard.

  Cam gave the hint of a smile and leaned closer, his voice low. “I’d hold your hand if that would help alleviate that confusion you’re feeling but I think Zac might catch on. He’s knifing me in the back as we speak.”

  Lacey stepped to a respectable distance. She hoped that would keep Zac happy.

  “He bought it,” Cam whispered. “He’s thinking about getting you in the sack now.”

  Lacey reddened. That was way too much information.

  Cam turned back, his eyes travelled up her painting. “So, how did you do that?” he asked, indicating the halo of gold and silver around the statue’s head.

  “Gilt paper.”

  “Not the halo, I meant the face. You’ve put my face on Saint Michael.”

  Oh God, he hated it. She should have known it was one step too far.

  “I don’t hate it, I think it’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. Well, I’ve never actually seen how I look in a mirror but it is me, right?”

  Lacey smiled. “It is you. It’s how I see you.”

  “It’s beautiful.”

  Stealthily, Lacey’s hand crept into his and they turned back to the painting, eyes taking in the details. Zac was nowhere in sight and even if he had noticed she wasn’t sure she cared. If she was going to die in a few days, she wanted to do so with Cam fully understanding what she was feeling. That was all that mattered.

  “You’re beautiful, Cam.”

  She felt him tense, as if every muscle in his body were the strings on a harp that had been wound too tight.

  “Don’t do this, Lacey.”

  “What?”

  “You know we can never have a relationship,” he whispered. “My job is to protect you.”

  Lacey’s hand fell away. “What you’re saying is that you can never love me.”

  “I never said that.”

  “What is it then? I know you care about me. I’ve felt it. You can’t almost kiss me and then tell me its because you have to protect me.”

  Cam stepped away. “I do love you, Lacey, but not the way you’d like me to.”

  “You must really be an angel, then,” she said.

  “Why?”

  “Cause you’re a crap liar.”

  *****

  Lacey woke at sunrise the next morning with one determined purpose in mind. She was going to make Cam admit that he loved her. After what had happened on the roof, the almost kiss, their argument at the exhibition - it couldn’t be called anything else - he had to admit he had feelings. She didn’t care if it compromised his work or whatever. He was her angel. God wouldn’t just take him away. She’d rather die with him knowing than not.

  Pulling her body from the bed, she yanked on a pair of skinny jeans and a baby pink fleece jacket, zipping it to her neck. Her sneakers, pink to match her top, were next. No socks, no underwear, no time for it, just the clothes. Sliding the band from her hair, she combed it with her fingers and wove it into a plait that dangled over her shoulder. A quick brush of her teeth and wash of her face and she was off along the Willow Walk to the maze. Cam would be there and he would know she was on the way.

  By the time she reached the maze, the sun was emerging over Angel’s Peak and casting a rosy glow across the lawn. The gravestones looked decidedly cheery as they basked in the sun with the early morning dew decorating their feet. Lacey ran through it at top speed, eager to find Cam and hold him. Eager to hear his voice.

  She reached the middle and looked up the six or so metres of the body of Saint Michael the Archangel. There was Cam, of course, sitting on his shoulder, whispering in his ear like a looney. No wonder the town thought he was weird. Still, she smiled at his oddity. She understood this was his way of talking to his fellow angels.

  “Come down,” Lacey demanded. She didn’t know why he was up there anyway. He could read her mind; he’d have known she was on the way. Unless he was ignoring her?

  Cam looked down. His face was troubled and paler than usual. Without a word, he jumped to the ground, his feet landing silently. He looked back over his shoulder at the sunrise on Saint Michael and then turned to her.

  “It’s a little early for you, isn’t it, Lace?”

  “I couldn’t sleep.”

  Lacey took a step towards him. As usual he wore only his singlet and jeans. Even in the damp of the new day, he didn’t feel the cold. She lifted her finger and ran it along the dagger tattooed along his bicep. His body shivered beneath her touch. She moved a little closer, her steps cautious, until her chest came in contact wit
h his and she felt his warmth surrounding her.

  “I have something to tell you.”

  “I already know.”

  Damn him and his mind reading. “I know you do, but I want to tell you anyway.”

  She took a deep breath and pressed herself closer so that Cam’s back was against the statue. He didn’t stop her. Her heart pounded in her ears. Her extremities felt as if they would explode with the desire to be near to him. Her independent face was suddenly coy, girlish, unsure.

  “Please, don’t do this Lace,” he begged.

  “I love you, Cam. I do. And it’s not because you’re an angel or you’re strong or good-looking. I just love you and I don’t want to be without you.”

  Cam swallowed. Lacey searched his eyes for some indication that he was going to say something in return but he remained still.

  “Well?”

  “It’s not my place to love you.”

  “But you almost kissed me. You have feelings for me, I know you do.”

  Cam slid away and took refuge in the other side of the maze where the walls were thick and resilient. “I’m only a protector, Lacey. I love you as an angel loves all humans and because I have to protect you.”

  Lacey’s lips thinned. “You’re lying.”

  “No. It’s my job.”

  Lacey’s face went pale. Tears pooled in her eyes. Her lip began to tremble. “But I love you.”

  “I know you do. But it can never be.”

  Chapter Twenty Two

  The night of the ‘party’ came around fast. Lacey was glad it did. It gave her something to think about other than the disaster with Cam at the Maze. With only days till her birthday, they had to find a way to release her from the curse and with Cam ominously silent, it looked as if she would have to do the dirty work herself. Not that she could blame Cam for keeping his distance. If she’d been thinking straight, she would never have pounced on him like that. Still, he’d promised to be there tonight. Somewhere. Waiting. All she could do was hope he hadn’t changed his mind because of what she’d done.

  Pulling a bottle of vodka from her backpack, Lacey unscrewed the cap, pouring the clear liquid into two small glasses. Her hand shook a little as she handed a glass to Abbie, who’d come to get dressed at her place. She didn’t want to admit that she was nervous. Well, actually she was shitting herself and at this very point in time not sure if she could actually go through with the whole thing. “Let’s have a drink to loosen us up a bit.”

  Abbie stared at her friend. “What’s up with you? You were so anti-alcohol before, almost to the point of annoying. Now, you’re shoving it down my throat.”

  Lacey knocked back the shot and gave herself a refill. If she were going to do this, she may as well have a little fun. After all Cam wouldn’t care, he was only her protector. If she got trashed, he would come to take her home like her own personal taxi service. Not that he’d tuck her in. It might compromise his job description.

  “Nothing’s up. Now drink.”

  Finishing her first glass, Abbie took her refill and went to the bed where Lacey’s outfit for the evening was laid out ready.

  “This top is cute,” she said, fingering the delicate black fabric.

  Lacey was stripped to her knickers, wriggling into her tights. “Mmm. I’m not one for black usually but, hey, it’s a special night, right? I like the frills around the neck.”

  “I’ve never seen anything like it in town.”

  “I got it online. Dad sent me money for new clothes.”

  Abbie walked to the dresser and poured them two more shots. They clinked glasses and drank them quickly. The familiar burn ran down Lacey’s throat and her head began to feel light. A couple more of these and she’d be safe to stay away from any more at the party. She could use the excuse that she was already drunk.

  “We’re gonna have so much fun tonight,” Abbie giggled.

  “Yeah.”

  Lacey rolled fresh deodorant under her arms. Taking the semi-transparent shirt from Abbie, she slipped it on and did up the buttons. Then, she turned to survey herself in the mirror. Glimpses of her black bra peeked through the fabric. Black skirt, black shoes, black nails. Perfect. She couldn’t believe she was going to do this. But as Cam had so calmly told her, he couldn’t go around slaying just anyone with that dagger of his. God wouldn’t be impressed. Zac had to make the first move.

  As Lacey helped Abbie to zip her dress, she thought about Zac. He was very clever and like all demons, Cam said, he lied constantly to get his way. Of course, nobody ever suspected, being so taken in by his charm and good looks. He could make murder sound reasonable given the opportunity. The hardest thing was that he was able to mask his true thoughts from Cam. Zac had filled his own head with so many lies intended to confuse that it was impossible for Cam to know what was true. To add to the confusion, he’d taught the skill to others who’d been initiated. Getting information from their heads was out of the question. Well, except for Abbie’s apparently. But then, Cam found her head such a jumble it gave him a headache. It wasn’t worth the effort to delve into the workings of her brain at the moment.

  Finally ready, the girls poured one last shot and appraised themselves in the mirror. The sigil lay against Lacey’s chest, easily visible under the shirt, like a rose coloured beacon of her friendship with Cam. She knew he’d told her to keep it on, but seriously, if she wanted to seem authentic, it had to go. Reaching up, Lacey slipped the sigil from her neck and tossed it on the dresser. She didn’t need it anyway, not if Cam was to be outside the door the whole time.

  “That’s better.”

  “Aren’t you wearing it?” Abbie asked.

  “Nah. I don’t like it that much.”

  Abbie picked up the necklace and rested it against her chest. “Can I?”

  “Go for it. It’ll look nice on you.”

  “But I thought you liked it, you know, because of Cam.”

  Lacey shrugged. “Things aren’t always what they seem, Abs. Now, hurry up. The twins’ll be here to get us soon.”

  *****

  Lacey turned off the lamp and walked down the hallway as if to her death. The vodka had done nothing for her mood, other than provide a cover of bravado. She was scared, no matter how she looked at it. Kissing Aunt Beth, she squeezed her tighter than ever and headed for the door. Pulling her close, Aunt Beth handed her a small white flannel bag, fastened with a drawstring.

  “Put this in your pocket,” she said quietly.

  Lacey stared at the bag then quickly did as she was told. “What is it?”

  “Angelica root. It wards off evil.”

  Nodding solemnly, Lacey kissed her aunt again. “Thanks.”

  “Take care, girls,” Aunt Beth murmured. “Keep your phone with you, Lace.”

  “I will.”

  On the verandah, Kat and Lola were waiting to take the girls to the farm where the ritual to ‘join the gang’ would be performed. For all intents and purposes, this was a simple gathering of friends, but they knew different. No one was allowed near the farm. Curious onlookers were not permitted.

  “We’re so pleased you changed your mind, Lacey,” said Kat, or was it Lola?

  “Yes. We know you’ll enjoy being part of the gang. Its not all eyeliner and Emo, you know.” The other girl smiled, her excitement at new blood only thinly veiled by the paleness of her face.

  Linking an arm on either side of Lacey as if to capture her, they smiled as they led the way down the street to the Willow Walk and across the bridge. Below, the white water of the Seraphim River rushed to the falls, spewing between the rocks and crashing onto the boulders. Next to her, Kat and Lola laughed, sharing a joke with Abbie. It made Lacey nervous. She’d never seen their faces crack like that before. A scowl was their usual level of animation.

  The night was particularly dark, and Lacey began to have second thoughts. She hoped that Cam was watching as he’d promised. Her heart was almost in her throat. Good thing she was buzzed from the shots she’d
had earlier. If she hadn’t been, Lacey was positive that she could die of fright before Zac even got to lay a finger on her.

  *****

  The old farmhouse was a ten minute walk from the bridge, along a gravel track that flanked the river and wended its way through a nest of pine trees. It was dark, but the full moon shone brightly on the path, lighting Lacey’s way to her fate. Silent, as the others chattered on, she took in every tree, every twist and turn of that path. If she needed to make a run for it later, she had no intention of getting lost.

  They reached a clearing somewhere in the centre of the pine forest and walked up the gravel driveway to an imposing two storey house. Its wide double veranda matched most of the houses in the district but the ornate columns and detailed fretwork smacked of money. This house had been built by a wealthy landowner, a long time ago and lovingly maintained. As they got closer, Lacey felt her heart begin to pump faster and she took some deep breaths to slow her breathing. Now wasn’t the time to be behaving like a sissy. With a heavy sigh, Lacey followed the others up the path and through the front gate.

  “Here we are,” said Kat.

  “It’s so big,” Lacey replied.

  The others stared at her, surprised that she’d finally spoken. She’d been so quiet on the way, looking for Cam in every bush, behind every rock but she hadn’t felt him near. The others had mistaken her silence for nerves.

  “There’s nothing to worry about,” Abbie giggled, excited. “You went to Ty’s party. This won’t be any different.”

  Maybe not to her.

  The girls stopped at the bottom of the stairs and pulled eyeliner and lipgloss from their pockets, sharing it around. With morbid fascination, Lacey watched as they looked at themselves in Kat’s small compact and complimented each other on their look. If they put any more crap on their eyes they’d never get it off. They looked like creepy Goth clowns as it was.

  “Ready?” said Lola.