“Ah, well you do have to work for a bit before you qualify for those benefits.”
“Well, you see? I’m screwed.”
“Tell you what. I’ll help you catch up with the assignments, then we can talk about the health fair exhibit coming up.”
She smiled at me. It was rare to see a true smile from Fia. “Ok. But don’t expect much from me, Shephed. Let’s watch Gina bomb her floor routine, first.”
After witnessing said prediction come true, Fia seemed happier. We worked on homework for the next few hours. The studying forced me to focus less on my own issues. Helping Fia bolstered a sense of control over my life, even if that control was only over my perspective. Maybe the ritual was real. Maybe I could help with the ceremony. But I also had responsibilities to my studies. Being human was all I had ever known, and it was something I knew how to do. So I found solace in the routine, cocooning myself in my comfort zone of books and studying.
The hours flew by as we joked and worked. It was nine at night before I left Fia in her room to finish up the rest of her assignments. We arranged to meet up with Gabe on Sunday to continue our project.
In my room, I picked up a brush and started working through my long waves. Staring at myself in the mirror, I tried to look for anything that made me different than regular humans. My eyes looked normal. Then I tried to manipulate the energy around me, and gasped when I saw my eyes swirling. They had never done that before. It looked like chocolate syrup being mixed into green tea. What the hell?
A bird whistling broke my stare off with myself. I peered at the mirror to check the patio door. Nothing stirred, so I rose to open the blinds. Sure enough, there was Dan.
“Hey,” I said with a smile. “You’re not dead.”
The frown remained on his face. He let himself into the room and closed the door behind him.
“May I?” he asked, then took the brush out of my hand. He took my hand and led me back to the vanity, and began brushing my hair.
“Sure, come on in,” I said, trying to laugh. As if he were a robot programmed to do nothing but groom, Dan didn’t take his eyes of my hair. But robots fingers weren’t heated, and heat shouldn’t make me shiver. As the bristles made contact with my scalp pulled through my strands, I closed my eyes. I focused on the repetitive motion, pulling and smoothing. His fingers brushed my ears felt like butterflies, yet they infused me with desire. My stomach flipped.
“I’ve never felt like this before,” he said, minutes later. He continued brushing with one hand, and stroking my hair with his other. I swallowed noisily.
“What do you mean?” I whispered.
As I watched him through the mirror, his knuckles whitened around the brush.
“This, fearfulness. Vulnerability.” He shuddered. “Don’t talk to Vaz anymore.”
I turned around to face him. “Wait, first you say that he’s my teacher, now I’m not supposed to talk to him?” But I was happy to hear this. Vaz made me nervous. My intuition was correct.
“I don’t trust him. Shit, I don’t know who to trust anymore. Honestly, I trust that Kale dude more than my best friend.”
“Funny, Kale is the only one that I trust, too,” I said, standing up.
“Chelsea, you know I’m on your side,” Dan said.
“How am I supposed to know? What’s your relationship with the Pacem? With Michael?” I said.
Dan sighed, sitting back on my bed. I tried to avert my eyes from his muscled arms as he leaned back on them. The tight coffee colored t-shirt that he wore hugged his biceps, complimenting his tanned skin. When had he changed clothes?
“I used to work for him,” Dan said. “He employs people like us. How do you think he went from a dentist to a business tycoon? He hires demons to give him an edge. To do his dirty work.”
“What kind of work?” I asked. It didn’t sound like Michael hired demons to entertain business clients or cook fancy dinners for his lady friends.
“Nothing I’m proud of,” Dan said. “Listen, Chelsea. You can trust me with your life. And…”
He took my hands in his, and he pulled me against his body.
“And?” I asked, breathless. He had a way of making me lose my train of thought.
“And more,” he said, gazing at my mouth, thumb moving over my lips. “I’ll protect you. Just promise me to call Kale from now on, if you can’t get a hold of me?”
“Okay,” I said. My hands reached up to touch his hair. I loved how it was long enough for me to pull my fingers through. Later, I needed to return the brushing favor.
“Can I stay over tonight?” He whispered, lips teasing my ear.
“Absolutely,” I murmured. I started to kiss him, but he gently took my face in his hands.
“I need to snoop around here a bit. I’ll be to bed soon. Tomorrow, we’re going sight seeing, okay?”
I bit my lip. “Yeah, fine. What are you going to look for?”
“Wires, cameras, spells. I need to make sure that the invitation spell is still in place.”
“Oh, I tested that. Vaz didn’t get in this afternoon,” I said.
Dan froze at the door, then turned and smiled. “Nice, SG. You’re pretty smart, you know that?” he gave me a hug and smelled my hair. “And sexy, too,” he said, then kissed me hard. “We’re going to take this on, together, okay? Do you trust me?”
I stared into his amber eyes. “For some reason, I do,” I said. I ran my hands through his hair again, stirring his shampoo that smelled like fresh sea air. “Maybe it’s because I want you in my bed like five seconds ago.”
Dan groaned and released me. “This is why I would have preferred a guardian other than myself. I can’t concentrate when I’m around you. You enchant, me, you make me crazy, silver girl. But I’ve got some work to do. Get some rest.”
Chapter Twenty
Ascension
I SNUGGLED INTO the warmth next to me, sighing with contentedness. We hadn’t made love last night but feeling warm and safe lying next to him created happy feelings in my soul. Affection was something I craved most of my life, without even realizing it. Getting close to Dan was addicting. I wanted more. I nuzzled my face into his back, breathing in deeply. As I left my hypnopompic state and woke up further, the smell of mango and spices hit my nose.
“Aww, Cee, you know you’re my best friend, but I’m not attracted to you that way,” a sleepy accented voice told me.
“Seems!” I cried, jumping out of bed in surprise. I rubbed my face to see if I was dreaming. Dark brown hair, almost black, sprawled across the pillow next to mine. Latte colored arms stretched sideways, and brown eyes blinked open.
“Where did you come from?” I leaped back onto the bed to hug my best friend. She was as warm as Dan.
“Oh, you know, a little place called Heaven,” Seema said, hugging me back.
“Wait a minute, you’re-“
“Shhh, don’t tell the whole building.”
“Are you serious!” I yelled. I jumped backward off the bed and starting pacing. Picking up books and papers, I shuffled them into neat piles on my desk. My mind struggled to catch up with my eyes and ears.
“She’s cleaning already, folks,” Seema said with a snort. She got up and grabbed my hands, pulling me to sit next to her on the bed. My bare arms touched her heated skin.
“Chelsea, it’s too early for this, isn’t it?”
“Oh, I’m just picking up my room. Never too early to clean,” I said in a high voice, avoiding eye contact with her. My mind was over-processed with learning about who I was and who other people were. The one solid foundation I thought I had was my best friend Seema, entirely human, completely normal. I couldn’t handle learning that she was a demon, too, so I decided to dust instead. I pulled my hands from hers and grabbed an old t-shirt, mopping at my bookshelf.
“God, I’ve missed your neuroticism. Listen, just because I’m a demon-“
“You said you were a med student!” I glared at her.
Crossing her le
gs she cocked her head at me. I narrowed my eyes, taking in my best friend. She was wearing fitted denim capris and a black, low cut tank top. “It’s not like I lied. I’m no different than I was before-“
I waved the towel at her. “And you said that your parents were ‘out of town’ a lot. You never had parents at all, did you? What about your engagement, hmm? I’m guessing that was another thread in the flimsy little human story you patched together!”
Seema cocked her head at me. “Okay, maybe I embellished a bit. But you’re the one who didn’t suspect a thing. Quit being so dramatic, you idiot. You’re still my best friend. I had to weave some semblance of a human reality to keep the mission discreet- but our friendship was real.”
“O.M.G. I was your mission!” I yelled, shaking my rag at the ceiling. “A little pity party to help the poor half demon? You were my only friend, and that was your job!”
“On second thought, keep cleaning,” Seema said. “Maybe it’ll stop you from over thinking this. Yes, you were my mission. I was sent to keep you safe. Good thing too, after the assassination attempt-“
“Somebody tried to assassinate me?!” I stopped wiping my desk, and sank into my chair, eyes wide.
“Oops, too much, too soon. Stop inhaling the Pledge, Cee. Can I get you a vacuum or something?”
I slapped her with the lemon scented dusty rag. “Shut up, Seems. I need a drink.”
Stomping out of my room, I searched the living room bar. Seema was quiet while I brewed a pot of coffee and ignored her. My ears probably were steaming like the coffee pot, as I felt pent up anger boil through me. I poured a dash of coffee to my Kahlua, then waved at Seema to sit down at the bar.
“All right, start talking sister. You’re an angel or demon or whatever the hell. But, tell me the truth, are you really a lesbian?”
Seema laughed. “Yeah, I like girls. No, I don’t really have any parents, at least here in the Earthly plane. No, you’re not a mutated freak, you’re my best friend, and it has been and continues to be my honor in providing for your guard.”
“Are you under a contract, too?”
Seema took a deep breath, but before she could say anything, Fia peeked out of her bedroom door, sniffing the air. “Is that Kahlua? Hmm, I guess it is Saturday.”
Fia walked out of her room, rubbing her eyes. Her short locks were clumped together in a spiky mess, but as usual even with bed head, she looked adorable. She stretched, and her bright blue pajama top pulled up to reveal her flat stomach. Seema’s charcoal eyebrows raised and took in Fia’s petite figure, from her face to her legs all the way to her light pink slippers.
Seema glanced quickly at me, “Is she-“
I hit Seema on the shoulder. “No! And anyway, do you know who that is?”
Fia took the Kahlua bottle from me and poured herself a shot. She slammed it back, then stuck out her hand.
“Fia Fox, pleased to meet you,” she said, laying on her southern accent thick. Seema took her hand.
“Seema Jha, you too,” Seema held onto Fia’s hand a few seconds too long. Fia returned Seema’s perusal, checking out Seem’s black fitted sleeveless shirt to her tight red denim capris. She raised her eyebrows and finally Seema let her go.
“Oh, right. You’re Michael’s daughter, aren’t you?” Seema turned to glare at me.
“You know my Dad, too?” Fia raised her eyebrows at me. “What, do ya’ll go to the same conventions or fan clubs or something? Why does everyone that you know also know my Dad?”
I slammed my Kahlua and poured more into my coffee cup, not bothering with the coffee this time.
“Fia, since my friend here is not acting like her usual gracious self, may I please trouble you for a coffee cup?” Seema asked.
Fia smiled at her, her green eyes twinkling. I’d never seen Fia look at someone with anything less than a bored look. I shook my head.
“Of course,” Fia said, reaching over my shoulder to get a coffee cup. “I’ve noticed she has trouble relaxing unless she’s slammed a few shots. Or cleans,” Fia said with a giggle, reaching up to get Seema a coffee mug.
“I know, right. She’s a little high strung,” Seema said.
I glared at both of them.
“Are you kidding me? I’m standing right here, no need to talk about me in the third person,” I said, but they continued talking, ignoring me.
“You’ve got some ripped abs, what are you, a dancer or something?” Seema said to Fia, with no bashfulness.
“Actually, I used to by a gymnast,” Fia said, blinking. She poured a cup of coffee with Kahlua, then handed it to Seema. Sitting next to Seema, Fia angled her legs towards Seema and smiled.
“Really, what events?” asked Seema.
“Beam and vault were my specialties, but I kicked ass in the all-around.”
“Bad ass! How’d you get holed up with this one, then?”
“My Dad said that I needed the whole college experience, made me put up a Craigslist ad for a roomie, and voila. Guess it was fate.” Fia smirked at me.
“Ah, lady fate. Or, would you say fate is a man? Guess it depends on the day.” Seema said, raising her eyebrows. “So, what are we doing today, ladies? I've never visited the Flagstaff area. I’d love to do some sight seeing.”
I watched in amazement as Seema and Fia chatted like old friends. Seema was always a charmer, to both sexes.
Fia groaned. “I wish I could keep partying with ya’ll this mornin’, but I’ve got a couple of papers to write before I get kicked out of school. But we should all go out tonight.”
Seema nodded in earnestness. “Sounds perfect. Any karaoke bars around here?”
My jaw dropped as Fia clapped her hands. Perky Fia, now this was a side I’d never seen before. “Hell yes, I know the perfect place. You girls get all dolled up and ready by nine tonight.”
Fia walked back into her bedroom, and I turned to Seema with my arms crossed. “Seema, are you hitting on my roommate?”
Seema gazed at Fia’s closed door. “Let’s just put it this way. Dating someone like Fia would be as stupid as a dog eating a chocolate cake. It would taste good at first, but after it would probably kill me. Could if I wanted, though. She’s on the fence, that one. She thinks I’m hot.” Seema smirked, fanning herself.
“Ugh, please don’t make my life any more complicated than it already is,” I said. “Besides, she just broke up with her boyfriend. She’s vulnerable. Why would dating Fia give you diarrhea? Is it forbidden to date humans or something?”
“Oh, hell no. If that were the case, none of the angels would have fallen. Sure, the Dominion's frown upon relationships with humans. It takes a lot of cleaning up after having an affair one, that’s for sure. You have to hire an Ikna to erase some memories if the relationship lasts more than a few years because the human starts getting suspicious, etc. Their significant other doesn’t age, and if the demon has any powers, their friend’s begin to notice and start freaking out. Anyway, Ikna charge a crap load to clean up the mess, so most angels don’t bother with relationships. We just keep things on the casual, know what I mean?”
“Ikna. So they make money by brainwashing people?” It didn’t sit well with me that some demons with this power abused their ability to wipe out a human’s memories.
“Yep, my friend. Since you’re a top of the line Ikna, you’ll be rolling in the cash flow. Most Ikna need to be close to the subject, close enough to touch their skin. Others only eye contact. Your ability is rare. Right now, you only have to be near the person that you affect. But with training, your persuasion radius is going to expand.”
I put a hand to my head, to steady the sudden waves of dizziness. “But I want to be a nurse. I don’t want to be like some manipulative consultant that people hire to brainwash human lovers of demons. I want to make people feel better and bring them the peace that they deserve.” With the eclipse looming, there wasn’t much time for any training or money making, anyway.
Seema pulled me down next to her on the c
ouch. “Cee, you would be an amazing nurse. But, as you’ve been learning, time is of the essence. There are other forces at work here, bigger than you and I. You were created to bring peace, bring about another world for humanity. Not just one patient here and there, but to the entire Earthly dimension. You are going to bring about peace to the billions.”
“Apparently, you know about the Hopi prophecy,” I said, shaking my head. “Was anyone ever going to mention it to me?”
Seema nodded. “I work for the Portum. It’s a coalition of humans and demons sympathetic to the Earthly dimension. The time has come for humanity to enter a new world.”
“So do you know Kale?” I asked. I rested my head on her shoulders, feeling woozy, yet relaxed from the alcohol.
“Not on a first name basis, but his family is well represented in our circle. After all, they were supposed to be watching out for the pahana. He almost turned you away, the idiot.”
“Yeah, he was an idiot at first. But now he’s sweet,” I said
“Sweet? That man is lava hot. If I liked men, I’d be in his pants so fast. I mean, that black hair, it’s thick and so long, and his cheekbones…all wasted on a man.”
I nodded with a giggle. “Definitely good looking.”
Seema patted me on the leg. “Chelsea, Dan and I have an agreement. Just so you know. But… he and I don’t work for the same team.”
“You mean, he doesn’t work for the Portum?”
“No, he operates on the opposing team. The Pacem Pomeri.”
“Michael Fox’s organization?”
Seema snorted. “That’s not his organization. He just hijacked it, the selfish effing tycoon. He controls most of the demons on Earth because he has the charisma of a corporate prophet- no pun intended. That’s another story. I’m telling you all of this because I know you and Dan have history. And you don’t understand that history yet, so promise me that you won’t date him. I don’t trust him completely. But for right now I’m working with him since we have a common interest.”
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