by Holly Vane
“What's this master plan you're cooking up then. I assume you can tell me that.”
“It's a shield. If worked properly. It will keep out anyone who seeks to harm Holly.” Caleb said returning to his chair.
“I've heard about them but never seen one. How is it done?”
Caleb focused on the floor. When he had met Castillo a day ago, his boss had warned him not to tell Dominic a thing. But Dom was laying down his own life to help him protect Holly. If she thought Heaven was bad just wait until Hell got started. Dominic was going against the entire Demon nation. Including his father and elder brother. He deserved to be trusted.
“Only The Seraphim can work one. They make it with their very own essence. That's why it's so powerful. But crafting one for an entire town, and phrasing it correctly so that humans can still come and go, is proving to be tricky.”
“Why didn't they do this in the first place?” Dominic demanded. “It would have saved Holly going through all this.”
“Because it's only to be used as a last resort. It weakens The Seraphim, it takes a lot of energy to cast it and even more to retain it. It's pure energy. The last time they tried to craft one three Angels died. But they don't have a choice any-more. Michael has gone rogue. He no longer takes orders from The Seraphim. He has amassed quite a following.”
“How long will this shield last?” Dominic asked quietly.
They were both distracted by Holly's whimpering voice and thrashing movements wafting through the doors. Caleb sighed. “Relax.” He told Dominic quietly. Who's whole body had tensed ready for battle. “It's the nightmares.”
“She's still getting them?”
“Yes. She will continue to receive them until her birthday.”
Dominic averted his eyes. His body relaxed slightly. “So the shield...How long will it hold?”
“It should buy us weeks at least. Not even Michael will be able to cross it. It should hold until Holly turns eighteen.” Caleb knew there was doubt in his voice.
“And the traitor?”
“I handed her over to Castillo. She won't bother us again.”
Dominic's eyes filled with curiosity. “Who was it?”
Caleb let out a heavy breath. “Miss Mills, Holly's history teacher. She has been placed here from the beginning. She has always sympathized with Michael.”
Holly's high pitched scream drove Caleb to his feet. He was by her bed before Dominic could utter another word.
Her body twisted at odd angles underneath the covers. Her back was arched off the mattress. Her eyes were pale and cloudy. No pupil could be seen. They were open staring upwards, seeing nothing. Holly's blue lips were moving in silent speech.
Caleb knew straight away that this wasn't a nightmare. This was something else. He heard Dominic suck in his breath behind him. “What's happening to her?” His unsteady voice asked Caleb.
Not answering Caleb crossed over to the bed. He couldn't tell what Holly was saying. “This shouldn't be happening yet...” He stammered. “They're early.”
“What is?” Dominic asked him more firmly. Trying to unlock her stiff body without success.
“Her powers...She's receiving her powers...”Caleb whispered looking at him.
“But her birthday...It's not until another three weeks.” Dominic said ducking a limb as Holly's body started to convulse violently.
“I know. I've never heard of anyone coming into them sooner...”
“What can we do?” Dominic asked.
“There's nothing we can do.”
They stood back. Horror fastened on their faces. Both utterly useless to help her.
Outside a storm touched ground.
Chapter Ten
∞
Passion
The window panes rattled in their frames.
Hail pelleted off the almost empty Californian streets. Holly's eyes opened once, twice. She yawned and sat up. Dominic was stretched out across the foot of the bed, sleeping as soundly as a baby. Intrigued, she moved closer. His face was serene, peaceful. She hadn't known Demons slept.
She felt familiar warmth creep across the bed sheets, thawing the goose bumps on her arms. Caleb was sleeping on the other side of the bed. He was on top of the covers and still had his sweater and jeans on. Guess Angels needed their beauty sleep too. Smiling at them passed out. She got up.
The room emitted a grand presence; it had been wallpapered with gold inlaid foil. Covering the walls were depictions of Heaven and Hell, Demons and Angels, Noah and his boat.
The four-poster bed she had slept in was huge, last night she had passed out before Caleb had landed. She never in a million years would have imagined staying in a room like this.
She found the en-suite.
A huge white stand-alone tub took up half the room. She locked the door and filled it up, finding some lavender bubble bath in the cabinet beneath the sink she emptied a quarter of the contents underneath the hot running water. She stripped off the hospital gown and studied her reflection in the full-length, gold framed mirror, that took up half the wall.
Her hair was a mess of frizzy waves. She ran her fingers through it trying to tame it but gave up.
Her body felt alive, her head felt clearer, her skin smooth and unblemished, not a cut in sight. Her ribs had miraculously mended themselves, leaving nothing but a brown-reddish bruise the size of a coin. Caleb's work.
She hoped the owner of the house didn't mind her bathing but she needed to desperately.
She had been stuck in a hospital bed for two days.
She washed her hair with shampoo that was on the rim of the bath, there was even lavender soap.
She didn't know how long she soaked in the water for, but when her skin had shrivelled like a prune's and the water had turned Luke warm, Holly pulled the plug.
She wrapped herself in a towel that just say covered the essentials. Unlocked the door and walked back into the bedroom, expecting to find Caleb and Dominic where she had left them. But to her surprise the bed had been made and Caleb had gone.
Dominic was sitting in the shadows in a plush armchair across from the bed. The early morning light shined on his face.
He looked wrecked.
Black circles had formed underneath his dark eyes.
She was aware of his gaze on her nearly naked body. Holly didn't know what to do with herself.
After a few awkward seconds Dominic walked silently over to the red armoire on the north facing wall. He flung open the doors and passed her a red tank top, black, wool jacket , navy jeans and black pumps.
“Caleb left these for you.” He said without his usual cockiness. He studied her.
“Are you okay?” She asked, instantly regretting the words. Of course he wasn't she had broken his heart. But a part of her hadn't expected him to take it so hard.
“Had a rough night.” He managed a shadow of a smile. “Are you?”
She nodded. “Thanks to Caleb I feel like a new girl. All mended.” Her voice sounded perky and relaxed.
He gave her an odd glance and muttered something under his breath that she couldn't catch. Holly took the offered clothes and gave him – are-you-going-to-give-me-some-privacy-look.
He just grinned. “It's not like I haven't seen it before gorgeous.”
She glared at him, trying not to blush. When he had made it clear he didn't intend on moving. She marched into the bathroom and shoved on the clothes.
They fit like a glove.
Caleb certainly didn't miss anything. She thought with burning cheeks.
“Dominic, where are we?” She asked him when she reappeared, fully clothed.
“LA.” He was still studying her.
A smile broke out on her face. “You're having me on?”
“Go see for yourself.” He pointed towards the balcony. “Just don't fall over the railings.”
Holly ran onto the balcony. Her breath catching in her throat. “I don't believe...We're really....”
She ran back inside and
nearly throttled Dominic when she hugged his neck. “We're in LA!” She shouted barely believing it. She had never left Cherry Falls her entire life, apart from Scotland.
Dominic laughed. “Told you.”
His hands grabbed her waist pulling her closer. “Are you really feeling okay?” He asked her. Their foreheads practically touching.
She swooned in his hands.
But no she couldn't think about him like this any-more. She loved Caleb.
She broke away from him, nodding. “Where's Caleb?”
“Right here.” Caleb's voice rang out.
Holly felt her heart sing at the sight of him. He had changed into a blue pull down and brown slacks. He was leaning against the door frame. For the briefest of seconds Holly thought she saw his eyes darken when they settled on them. Dominic's body was still only inches away from hers.
“Who does this house belong to? It's beautiful.” She spilled out quickly. Trying to lighten the tension.
“It's a safe house for Angels.” Caleb answered never taking his eyes off of Dominic's. His voice was stiff.
“Angels need safe houses?”
Caleb looked at her. The warmth returned in his bright blue eyes. He walked towards her as he talked, “It's really for the human charges we protect. When things get a little heavy. This is where we bring them.” He kissed the crown of her head. “Good morning. Sleep well?”
Now he was closer she could see that he too, like Dominic, looked a little worse for wear. Worry lines streaked his forehead. His normally bronzed skin looked a shade paler.
“Like a log.” She replied with a smile. She caught Caleb share a glance with Dominic over her shoulder. They did that a lot.
Caleb took her hand in his. “I hope you're hungry.” He told her with a grin. Holly's stomach grumbled in reply. Caleb laughed. “Follow me.”
He led her down a regal staircase and out into the fresh LA air.
They walked slowly through the suburban streets. Caleb's arm was wrapped lazily over her shoulders. Dominic followed a few feet behind them. He looked deep in thought. But Holly could only focus on the City around her, gasping and oohing at the sights.
She felt like a kid in a toy store.
Eventually they stopped at a quaint looking café. They grabbed a table outside and scanned the menu.
A dark haired waiter with dull green eyes asked to take their order. “Em...I’ll have the day's special with an extra side of pigs in a blanket please.” Holly told him. “And a strawberry milkshake...oh and waffles too.” When she looked up the three men were looking at her, their eyebrows raised.
“What?” She shrugged defensively. “I'm starving.”
“You must have a fast metabolism.” The waiter said to her. “Because they're ain't a thing wrong with that body.” He winked at her. She felt her herself blushing for the hundredth time that morning.
Dominic glared at him. “Hot chocolate for me.” He said to him slowly. Eyeing him up and down with event-dent disdain. The waiter seemed unaffected by it, a sly smile spread across his thin lips as his eyes swept Holly's face.
“And for you sir?” He asked Caleb.
“I'll have the waffles thanks.” Caleb's face and voice showed none of the contempt that Dominic's did.
“I'll be right back.”
“Dick.” Dominic muttered watching the waiter go. Caleb smiled and quickly turned away. Clearly amused.
“Before I forget Holly.” Caleb passed her her cell. “You're mother wants you to call her. Now would be a good time.”
Holly took the phone. “I'll just be a second.” She headed inside to the ladies room. She leaned against the sink. There was numerous missed calls from her parents, and six texts from Ricky and Jo.
ARE U OK?
WHAT IS IT WITH U AND DANGER!
U SEEM TO ATTRACT IT LIKE A MAGNET LATELY!
TXT ME!”
Holly found herself wishing Jo was here. Part of her wanted to spill everything, but Caleb had warned her against it. The less they knew the better for them. She sighed and typed:
DON'T WORRY I'M FINE.
SEE U WHEN I GET BACK.
REALLY DON'T WORRY!
Holly sent it. She didn't know if Jo knew she had left the hospital but knowing her friend, like she did, it wouldn't be long. She didn't want her to worry. After all Holly strangely wasn't. After being crippled with fear for the past few days, worrying about what all this meant. She found herself feeling foreignly...happy.
She was with Caleb in LA, what was there to worry about. She was safe.
She jumped when the cell rang in her hand.
“Oh thank god! I've been calling you non-stop all night. Are you okay?” Her mother's anxious voice yelled down the line.
“I'm fine mum. I was really tired last night. Sorry.”
“Where are you? How are you feeling?”
“LA. Caleb took me to a safe house, he healed me. Mum really don't worry about me. I'm safe.”
She heard her mother sigh with relief. “I know. I'm sure Caleb's taking good care of you.” She sounded funny. “We shouldn't stay on too long. But promise you'll call me later?”
“I promise. Love you mum.”
“And I love you. Never forget that.”
She hung up.
Standing alone in the girl’s bathroom Holly shivered. Her mother didn't sound right. Especially when she mentioned Caleb. Trying to put it from her mind she went back to her table.
On the way there she passed their waiter. He smiled at her. “I know the guy back there, the one with the rock god complex, is probably your man. But just in case things don't work out here's my number.” He slipped a white bit of paper in her hand. “Call me sometime. I'll promise I'll show you a good time.”
Holly was speechless. She fumbled back to their table.
“Is that dick bothering you?” Dominic asked her when she sat down. His temper flaring.
“What? No.” She said distractedly. Still trying to get over the phone call with her mother. She knew that something was off. Very off.
He slumped back in his chair. “Shame. I'd love to wrap him around a lamp post...”
“Are you okay?” Caleb leaned in. Ignoring Dominic who was still listing the things that he would like to do to their waiter. Holly heard him say something about a pitch fork and testicles.
“Yeah. My mum just sounded...strange.” She told him quietly.
“You know I haven't done a good flaying in ages...”Dominic went on.
“She's just worried about you. That's all.” Caleb told her reassuringly.
Holly nodded. But the food in front of her seemed suddenly unappetising. Caleb was probably right. That was all it was. But she couldn't shake the feeling that it was more than that. Her mother had always liked Caleb. Being that they once were part of God's family. So then why had her mother's voice changed pitch when she said his name?
“Or maybe burned alive would be better...”
“Dom!” Caleb's voice held a warning.
“What? I can't help it. It's my nature.” He looked at Holly. His voice softened. “You not touching you're food princess?”
“I've lost my appetite.”
Dominic jumped to his feet. “I'll settle the bill then.” He said rather too happily. Caleb sighed and got to his feet. “Not so fast. Stay with Holly, and I’ll pay the bill.”
Dominic watched him go with narrowed eyes. “He never lets me have any fun.”
His face softened when he looked at Holly. “Come on princess. This is supposed to be a fun trip. I know you picked the against-fun Angel with a stick up his ass but you could at least try to act like you made the right choice. If only for his sake.” He joked.
Holly tried to smile. “Were you really going to flay that guy just because he hit on me?”
“Nah. Just maybe castrate him.” He said seriously.
Holly knew he meant it.
***
After leaving the café. Dominic made an excuse and left them
alone. She didn't know whether he did this for their sake or if he just had better things to do, then follow them around LA like a third wheel.
Caleb did his best to lighten her mood. He showed her nearly every single landmark the city had. By the time night descended she was dead on her feet, but blissfully happy.
She thought they were heading back to the safe house until he pulled her into some dense foliage beside an abandoned factory.
“What are you doing?” She asked.
He answered her with a tender kiss.
Holly melted into his arms unable to resist. He laid a hand in the small of her back and pushed her closer against him.
Excited by this sudden turn of events her hands groped his hard body.
“Close your eyes.” He whispered.
She did as he asked.
Seconds later his arms held her waist as her feet left the ground, she heard the familiar whoosh as Caleb's wings lifted them higher into the starry sky. Keeping her eyes closed Holly locked her hands behind his neck.
Cold air breezed across her face.
“Open them.” He said gently.
She did slowly, letting out a breath. “Whoa.”
They were suspended in the evening sky. His wings spanned out treading sky keeping them in this position.
She looked down at her feet.
The Golden Gate Bridge was lit up below them. Cars appearing as little dots hurried across it's dark surface.
“It's...Beautiful.” She whispered. Tears of pure joy running down her cheeks. She lay her head on his bare chest.
“I saved the best till last.” He told her. His voice wasn't it's old calm self. She felt his whole body stiffen.
His heart was hammering through his chest. Holly's own heart mirrored it. “I love you Caleb.” She told him, looking up.
Something snapped in his eyes. As they gaze met. The blue aura she had seen around him in Scotland returned.
He scooped her up into his arms. His wings beat furiously as they dashed through the sky. Everything around her blurred. They were moving at break neck speed.