Truth in Legends [Part Three of the Thicker than Blood Series]
Page 3
“Micheael?” Alex asked.
Matt glared at Alex, malice seething from his eyes. “Yes. Our Father put Michael in charge of the archangels.”
“Why did... Michael want me protected?” Was I really having this conversation?
“Because of what your blood contains. Michael told me to watch over you, gain your trust and become your friend.”
“My blood...,” this was so overwhelming. I went back into the living room and the angels followed. I rounded the sofa and sat down. Matt sat in the chair across from me and stared. He spoke when I looked at him.
“I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you, but I was under strict orders.”
“What does my blood contain, Matt?”
Matt glanced at Alex and then back to me. “There was a reason I told you to stay away from him. I should have explained then but I was too angry with myself that he found you.”
I looked at Alex and he shrugged. “What's the reason?”
“The blood that runs in your veins is that of...,” Matt started then paused to look at Alex. “Ilona.”
Alex sat down on the end of the sofa, his eyes as large as saucers. “That's not... possible.”
“Ilona's son, Peter.” Matt responded.
“He lived?”
“Yes.”
Alex stared off. “That's why I am so inexplicably drawn to her.”
I couldn't believe the coincidence, but it explained a lot. Alex's deceased wife's son was a relative of mine. That's why it took Alex smelling me to really notice me that night. He could smell Ilona's blood in me.
“That's why she tasted so...”
Matt sighed. “Azariah, please tell me you didn't drink of her.”
Alex nodded slowly. “I did.”
Matt shook his head and crossed his arms. “Marvelous.”
Things were starting to clear up. I understood Alex's strange behavior, why he couldn't resist me, and why Matt told me that he was leaving.
“You have no idea how confused I was yesterday morning. You... just vanished. I thought I was going crazy when you were gone and your clothes... even your wallet were still there. ”
“What?” Alex, who was deep in thought came back to stare at us. “Why were your clothes...”
Oh shit. I didn't think of what I'd be revealing when I said that. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Alex looking from me to Matt. He bowed his head and laughed. “No way, archangels don't...” Alex said, looking at Matt. When Matt looked to the floor, offering no response, Alex sucked in a breath and held it. When he popped his neck, I knew more yelling was soon to come. Me and my big mouth.
“Jeremiel... did you... lay with her?” Alex stood, standing at the edge of the coffee table with his fists clenched into tight balls, his knuckles white. “Did you LAY with her?!”
Matt stared at Alex, then looked at me. I could see the wheels turning behind the archangel's eyes. Butterflies swirled in a tornado deep in my stomach as I came to the realization that an archangel made love to me. How was I supposed to know? What had I done? Please don't say yes, Matt. Please don't say yes.
When Matt looked back to Alex, his expression was calm. “I have.” Fuck.
Immediately, Alex's eyes went black, he shimmered and his coal-black wings spread out behind him. Rage coursed through ever muscle fiber as he breathed heavily. Alex trembled with fury. If the Ottoman Empire faced him like this, I could understand how the legends started... he was terrifying.
Matt stood, slowly revealing his wings as if to show he wasn't afraid of Alex's aggressive display. “I've taken nothing that belonged to you. If anything, you took from me.”
“She is mine,” Alex growled. “You knew what was in her blood the moment you got down here.... and still...” Alex was fighting a losing battle to contain his rage. “...and still you FUCKED her!” His use of vulgarity was shocking, even in spite of his anger.
“I did NO such thing!” Matt roared. “I love her!”
I wasn't sure they were aware I was in the same room with them as they carried on. Never did I have two men fight over me... but this was a fallen angel and an archangel. It was surreal, to say the least.
Alex jumped nearly ten feet, landing just a foot from Matt. His eyes were narrowed to slits as he brought his face inches from Matt's. “That woman is mine,” Alex hissed, pointing in my direction.
“Now... wait just a damned minute! I don't belong to - “ I started to say, stepping closer to the two when Matt held up his hand, cutting me off without looking at me.
“Kenna...” he warned. “She is free to decide who she wants to be with, Azariah. She's been with us both and -”
“Jeremiel!” Alex screamed in his rage. He could take no more reminding that I had been with Matt and lunged, smashing his fist into the side of Matt's face.
As I stared in fright, watching them struggle to pound the other into submission, I wasn't sure what I should do. Matt shoved Alex into an antique grandfather clock. The wood put up no fight and splintered around Alex's torso. Loose black and white feathers swirled around them as they crashed into more expensive looking items in Alex's living room.
“Knock it off!” I yelled at the top of my lungs, but it did no good. They continued their epic fallen angel vs. archangel brawl, slamming each other into walls and furniture. Could they be hurt? Watching fearfully, I noticed neither had scratches on their skin. Anyone else would be nearly a bloody pulp. Maybe they couldn't be damaged? As I watched them destroy the once beautiful living room, I decided the only one they presented any real danger to was me. It would be best if I go wait outside while they did whatever they needed to feel better. I watched for a few more moments. As I started backing out towards the entry way, I noticed the huge sword Matt brought with him. Why did he have a sword... unless... I cringed. That could cause them harm, right? That's why Matt brought it with him. It was in plain sight! I glanced at the two angels – they were too involved to notice my movements. Slowly, I grabbed it by the hilt. It fell over into my hands and I nearly dropped it onto the floor, surprised by its mass. It had to weigh at least a hundred pounds! I started to drag it and noticed it was making a huge gouge in the wooden floor as I pulled. Dammit! I stood it up on its point and tried to lift it straight up, but ended up dropping it to the floor in the process. The gold and jewel encrusted hilt landed on my toes and I screamed in pain. Dancing around on one foot, I lost my balance and started to fall. Arms caught me and set me down gently.
“What happened?” It was Matt. Alex was already taking off my shoe and sock to inspect the damage.
I could see stars and I knew I needed to lie down on the floor before I fainted. “Matt, lay me down,” I mumbled. I felt the cool floor come into contact with my back and head. My body was trembling with agony. “I was moving your... your sword so...“ Alex made me stop short when he pushed my big toe back into its rightful place. I screamed.
“I'm sorry, love,” Alex said and stood. “I need some gauze. You're lucky it fell flat and not on its side or you'd have no foot left.” He hurried off down the hall.
Matt brushed the hair from my face tenderly. “Why were you moving the sword, Kenna? It's too heavy for you.”
“Because I didn't want you to hurt each other. I figured this sword was the only way you could. After causing so much damage, you both look perfect.”
Matt played with my hair thoughtfully. “I'm sorry you're involved in all of this. I should have told you sooner.”
“So, you told me but compelled me to forget instead,” I retorted.
“Forgive me?” He asked, looking vulnerable and afraid. I was struck by the gravity of it. An archangel... vulnerable and afraid... of losing me.
I sat up slightly to respond to Matt and made the mistake of looking at my foot. It was already purple, red and blue and was bleeding. I saw stars again and laid back down as Alex came back.
As gently as he could, he bandaged up my foot while Matt comforted me. Further in the house, a cell phone rang.
“What, are you kidding? You're a cardiologist, not a nurse for an injured foot.” I smiled at him. “I'll be okay.”
Alex's eyes roamed my face, a small smile turned his lips. “Fine,” he sighed. “Your foot will be fine, but try to stay off of it for a few days. I'll let the hospital know that you won't be there this weekend.” He picked up my hand and kissed it before glaring at Matt. He brought his eyes back to me. “I had a lovely time last night. We'll get together again soon.”
I felt awkward with Matt sitting there and only offered Alex a smile in response.
Alex clinched his jaw and looked at Matt. “Will you take her home?”
“I was planning on it.”
Standing up, Alex looked down on Matt with hatred. “We aren't finished here, old friend.”
“I was planning on that too.”
Alex glared down at Matt a moment longer. “Kenna, I'm sorry. I will call you later,” he said as he walked away.
I sat up with Matt's assistance and looked at my injured foot. It was amazing that a little gauze could make an injury look better. Lucky for me, there had been a doctor in the house.
“I bet you're overwhelmed, huh?” Matt asked.
“That's an understatement.” The thing was, I wasn't overwhelmed with the angel stuff... I was overwhelmed with the knowledge I'd have to pick Alex or Matt. One was a friend that I could certainly see myself with, now. The other was romantic and passionate... and he had the whole bad boy thing going on. Both would happily jump in front of a train to save me, I was sure. This looked to be turning into a huge triangle, exactly what I didn't want or expect.
“I need some air.” I moved to stand, Matt helped me until I was on my feet.
As he guided me past the door he shattered, I marveled at the force it must have taken to shred two-and-a-half thick English Oak door. “Exactly how strong are you?”
Matt chucked. “Strong enough.”
That wasn't an acceptable answer. “Could you lift a car?”
“Kenna. That's not important,” he smiled.
“It's important to me... could you?”
Matt exhaled forcefully and led me to sit on a brick retaining wall. “Yes.”
I smiled. “What is too heavy then?”
He shook his head, laughing. “I don't know.” It amused me that Matt was ever modest, even in light of my knowing his truth.
A black Range Rover appeared around the corner from Alex's house. It slowed as it drew near and the window went down. Alex avoided looking at Matt and smiled at me. He had put on a white button shirt and tie. “How's your foot?”
I looked at it then back to Alex. “It hurts pretty good but not as bad as before. I think I'll live.” I smiled.
Alex grinned. “Good to hear. I will call you when I leave the hospital.”
I nodded and waved at him.
Shooting Matt another glare, Alex rolled up the window and drove away.
I lifted my face to the sun, its warmth washing a calmness over me. “So, you guys were friends, huh?”
Matt ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah... a very long time ago.” He turned, facing me. “Listen, I'm going to go change clothes and I'll come pick you up, okay?”
I laughed. “I guess I got used to this get-up,” I said, motioning to his heavenly armor.
“Yeah, it's a little different from what I normally wear down here,” he chuckled. “I'll be back in less than 10 minutes, okay? Don't go anywhere.”
“What am I going to do, fly?” I chortled.
Matt jogged inside of Alex's home and came back out with the huge sword, carrying it with just one hand... like it was a toy made of plastic. “I'll be right back,” he said and when I blinked, he was gone.
I sighed, leaning back and enjoyed the beautiful day. I would probably need therapy after all of this was over. I didn't know how anyone else would react to the strange happenings, but I was quite sure I was the exception and not the rule.
So, Alex was going to tell the hospital I was injured and wouldn't be in this week... great. That aught to start enough rumors. I smiled. Oh, to see the look on Stephanie's face when she learns Dr. Amante called in for me. She, her fake boobs and her skinny ass could kiss mine. I wondered what Tiffany would say if I told her about all of this. There was no way I could tell her... she'd think I lost it. Was I stuck pretending everything was normal even though I knew it was not. “Awesome,” I said out loud. I could only talk to Matt and Alex... and they hated each other. Maybe Matt would tell me why they didn't get along anymore.
I stared out over the view from Alex's house. I didn't realize that we had come as high. I could see Ashland in the near distance. It was quite a beautiful view. No wonder he bought the house. I glanced to the front and frowned at the giant gaping hole where once stood a front door. Too bad he'd have to do some remodeling.
I let my mind wander while I leaned back on the rock wall. Soon, I heard a vehicle coming up to the house. I looked up and watched Matt turn his truck around the roundabout and stop in front of me. He got out and crossed in front of the Toyota, and sat on the retaining wall too. Matt now looked like himself in a form-fitting t-shirt and cargo shorts that showed off his muscular thighs and calves. This was the Matt I was used to. I smiled and leaned against his shoulder. He put his arm around me and we sat like that for several minutes, not saying anything... just being.
“Are you ready to go? I want to show you a favorite place of mine.”
“Alright,” I said and he helped me into the tall truck. “Where did you go when you disappeared?”
“Just now?” Matt asked, climbing into the Tacoma and putting on his seat belt.
That's right, he had disappeared twice on me. I shook my head and shrugged. “Both times.”
He nodded. “The first time, the place I'm taking you now. I went to think. This last time, I went to heaven to put the sword and armor away.”
Visions of puffy clouds and gold arches came to mind, but I wasn't sure that was correct. “What's it like?”
Matt looked at me for a second and turned back to the road. “What, heaven?”
“Yeah.” I let my eyes roam over the man I knew as an angel now. His big hands gripped the steering wheel, turning it with slight variations in the road.
“Uh,” he paused. “I've never had to describe it to anyone... It would be like trying to describe the sun to someone that can't see.”
I looked at the sun and considered what he said. “Is heaven to us mortals like the sun is to... say... a mole? How could they possibly understand, right?”
Matt smiled. “Sort of. Except you aren't as insignificant as a mole.”
“We aren't?”
“You aren't.” He smiled warmly, love radiating from his eyes.
I blushed and turned to the passenger window. When we turned down Main Street, I wondered where he was taking me. The center of town wasn't exactly what I expected, honestly. I was thinking he'd be taking me to some romantic location and proceed to pouring his heart out. I snickered to myself.
“Okay, close your eyes.”
“Why?”
“Humor me, Kenna.”
“Alright, fine.” I closed my eyes.
“You said that you've never been here so I don't want to ruin the surprise.”
“Oh... kay.” I racked my brain thinking of a possible place that was worth seeing that missed. Nothing came to mind.
The truck came to a stop and Matt helped me out. “I like to come here to relax or just listen to my music and watch people.”
I was having difficulty walking on my one go
od foot, despite Matt's help. “Are we almost there?”
“Yeah, sorry. I know it's a ways, but it's worth it.”
After what seemed like forever, we stopped.
“Open your eyes.”
We were standing at the back of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's Elizabethan Theatre auditorium facing the stage. I'd always believed it was ridiculous and a total nerd thing meant only for the people that liked Renaissance festivals and live action role playing... I was wrong. It was beautiful. The sun was catching the stage perfectly, showing off the ornate details in the wood workings. It was like stepping back into time.