White Wings

by Aimee Jessica Russ

  “Where are we?” Millie asked, regaining her balance.

  “Texas, baby,” Teal said in a Texan accent. He laughed but stopped when Lexi punched him in the shoulder.

  “Texas? Really?” Millie asked, looking around.

  They had landed in a huge grassy area. It was a ranch. The grass was lusciously green. She saw a huge, light brown house in the distance.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Mace said, kissing her on the cheek.

  They all made their way up to the house. There were stables along the way, but there were no animals in them. They had to manoeuvre through a mini plant maze to get to the back door. The plants were tall and luscious.

  As they walked inside, Millie twirled around to admire the room. It was old but beautiful. There were old paintings hung all around the room. Millie walked around the house. There was a huge, more modern staircase leading up to the second floor. The walls were a pale green colour, and the windows were draped with thick, red curtains. She walked up the grey-and-white marble stairs to a large corridor with many doors. At the end of the corridor, there was a large window. She looked outside and saw the front yard. Her mouth dropped. It was full of every flower you could imagine. A few seats were placed evenly throughout the garden. There were birdbaths and a long pebble pathway to the front of the house. Millie was amazed by what she saw.

  “Do you like it?” Mace asked, coming up behind her and hugging her.

  “I love it. It’s so beautiful,” Millie said, holding onto his hands.

  “I’m glad you like it,” he said, kissing her head.

  “I suppose we can’t stay here long?” Millie asked.

  “Sorry, we can’t. It will take the Fallen two days tops to find us if they are on our trail. We have to keep moving,” he said, holding her tighter.

  “I understand,” she said in a dull voice.

  “Maybe we can come back here one day,” Mace said lovingly.

  “I hope so.”

  “Come on. We need to have a meeting with the others.” He grabbed her hand.

  “What’s the plan?” Lexi asked, sitting on a long grey couch in the living room.

  Lilly sat next to her, looking calm. Teal was perched on a smaller, grey couch across from the fireplace. Lexi offered to start a fire, but Millie refused. She felt overheated and dehydrated. She sat in Mace’s arms across from Lexi and Lilly.

  “We can’t stay in one place for too long,” Teal said. “We have to keep moving.”

  “For the moment, it should be every day. They find you too quickly,” Lilly said, looking at Millie.

  “But we have to keep in mind that we can’t all protect Millie. You have your own charges to look after,” Mace said worriedly.

  “It will be hard taking care of Millie, but with all of us, we will make time. If it comes down to it, we will take turns looking after her with you, Mace,” Lilly offered.

  “Thank you all for helping protect me,” Millie said with a smile. “It means a lot to me . . . and Mace.”

  “We are glad to help, Millie,” Lilly said with a smile. “You’re basically part of the family.”

  “Plus, it’s good knowing a celebrity in the Angel world,” Lexi said with a cheeky smile.

  Millie smiled. She couldn’t believe these Angels were helping to protect her. They all knew Mace was breaking the rules of Heaven, but they ignored it. Millie didn’t understand how they cared so much about her when they hardly knew her.

  “Thank you all for helping out,” Mace said.

  “Unlike that bitchy bitch Autumn,” Lexi said, rolling her eyes.

  “Lexi, don’t start,” Lilly said.

  “Oh, whatever.” Lexi crossed her arms.

  “I’m sorry, but I have to go,” Teal said, standing up. “One of my charges is in trouble. I will be back as soon as I can.”

  “See you later,” Mace said, nodding at him.

  Teal nodded back and walked away.

  “We better make our way to bed. We need to rest up,” Mace said to the group.

  Lexi and Lilly nodded. Mace and Millie stood up.

  “Night, Millie,” Lexi said.

  “Sweet dreams,” Lilly said, standing up and hugging her.

  Lilly felt perfectly warm. Her hair smelt sweet. Everything about her was perfect.

  Millie and Mace walked up the stairs. They made their way down the hallway until Mace opened a door. Inside was the biggest bed she had ever seen. The bed itself was dark brown, and the duvet was cream with a pink-and-green floral pattern all over it. A white see-through material was draped around the bed. In one corner of the room was a small old TV, whilst the other wall had a deep red-coloured desk with a couple of books neatly stacked to one side. Mace pulled apart the white drapes. Millie climbed into bed and he followed her. They lay completely spread out, but they weren’t even touching.

  “This bed is huge. It’s way too big,” Millie said, making her way over to Mace.

  She lay in his warm muscular arms as he held her tightly to his body. Millie placed her leg over his hips, and her hand gently traced his chest.

  “I love you,” Mace said softly.

  “I love you,” Millie said without hesitation.

  Millie now traced his neck and his cheeks gently. His skin was smooth and even. She longed for his skin. Millie hated getting pimples and her uneven skin tone. She traced his perfectly pink coloured lips; they felt delicate. His lips were so striking any girl would die to kiss him. She sat up slightly, placing her hand on her head. Her elbow dug into the bed, and her other hand gently pushed his cheek towards her face. Mace looked into Millie’s eyes. Her face slowly reached his and their lips touched. The kiss was long and sweet. Their lips pulled apart and their eyes met. Mace tucked a strand of hair behind Millie’s ear.

  “You’re so beautiful,” Mace said.

  He placed his hand on her back and pushed her closer to his body, planting a line of kisses on her neck. The kisses were moist and short. Millie closed her eyes in enjoyment. Her hand clenched his hair. Mace held her chin and pulled her in for a kiss. The kiss was hard and loving. She climbed on top of him, her body pressed hard against his. The kisses became more intense and longer. Mace rubbed his hands up and down her back. His hand pressed harder and harder. He wanted more. He wanted Millie to be closer to him. His hands went underneath her shirt and slowly pulled it off.

  Millie sat on his waist. Their eyes locked on to each other. Her hands went behind her back and undid her bra. The straps gradually came down her arms, and her hand dropped the bra on the floor. Mace never looked away from her eyes. Her body gently pushed against his. His hands traced her naked back gently until he grasped her hips and rolled her over. Millie clutched either side of his shirt and pulled it off. Her leg leant against his body as his hand firmly pressed against her legs. Bit by bit, his hand made its way up her legs to her hips.

  He traced her stomach and chest, his fingertips pressing ever so gently along her neck and face. It felt soothing and calming. He gently pressed his body against Millie’s. Their lips met. Millie held onto his back and she wrapped her legs around his body. Their lips pressed forcefully. Millie pushed Mace against her body as hard as she could. The kisses tasted so good. They were hard but caring. It was full of love. Millie desperately wanted to be closer to Mace. Her hand reached to pull down her pants but Mace grabbed her hands.

  “I want to be closer to you,” Millie said, breathing heavily.

  “Not tonight,” Mace said, placing his forehead on hers.

  “I’m in love with you. I want to experience everything with you.”

  “I do as well, but not tonight,” Mace repeated. He then kissed her lips and slid next to her.

  “I thought you wanted to,” Millie said, entwining her body with his.

  “Believe me, I do, but tonight is not right. I want it to be perfect for you,” Mace said, twirling her hair.

  “You’re right. I’m sorry,” Millie said, laying her head on his naked chest.

  �
��Don’t be sorry.” He kissed the top of her head. “You should try and go to sleep. You need your rest,” he said, rubbing her arm.

  “I’m not tired, though.”

  “Try for me?” Mace asked sweetly.

  “Just for you, I will try.” Millie closed her eyes and rubbed her face against his chest. “Good night.”

  “Good night, my love,” Mace whispered lovingly.

  * * * * *

  Millie's sleep was restless. She kept thinking about her vision. It haunted her. What if I had never had it? I could be in Hell right now or dead. Her eyes kept on opening to check if everything seemed okay in the room. Her eyes eventually grew tired, but her body wouldn’t settle down. She tossed and turned. Millie felt Mace’s hand stroke her back countless times. It calmed her down for a while, and she went to sleep here and there, but she kept waking up. Soon enough, her eyes opened and saw the first light of the morning showing through the window. It was dawn. The birds chirped as the sun was about to rise. Millie huffed in annoyance and rolled over to face Mace. Mace rapidly sat up straight. Millie was startled and she jumped.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Someone’s here,” Mace said bluntly.

  “What?” Millie said, widening her eyes. “Who’s here?”

  “A Fallen is here,” Mace said, standing up. “Stay here,” he ordered loudly. He ran out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Lilly opened her bedroom door and ran after him.

  “You sense it, too?” Lilly said, running down the staircase.

  “Yes. Evil is here,” he said, slamming open the back door.

  Millie kicked off the sheets that were still on her. She grabbed her T-shirt off the floor and quickly put it on. Drawing the curtains away from the window, she saw a man walking towards the house. Her eyes squinted to see who it was. She recognised him. It was Zeke.

  She ran out of the bedroom barefoot. As quickly as possible, she tore down the stairs and into the backyard. She was scared that Mace was going to hurt him. Zeke was kind to her, and Mace did not understand it. Her feet ran as fast as she could through the garden. She smelt moisture in the air and heard birds chirping in the distance. She saw that Mace and Lilly had reached Zeke and their bodies were ready to attack him. Lilly turned around and saw Millie running towards them. Lilly hastily ran to her and grabbed her shoulders. Millie was knocked back and nearly fell over.

  “Go back inside now,” Lilly ordered.

  “No, it’s Zeke,” Millie insisted.

  “Zeke?” Lilly said, confused.

  “I know him.”

  Lilly let go of her shoulders and Millie continued running towards Mace and Zeke. She did not want them to be alone together--things could go very wrong. Lilly followed Millie close behind. Lilly had seen something in Millie’s eyes that she could not explain—something towards Zeke. Her hands had let Millie go unintentionally. Millie seemed to know Zeke, and Lilly trusted her. Lilly caught up with Millie and stayed close behind her.

  “What are you doing here?” Millie said, standing in between Mace and Zeke so they could not hurt each other.

  “Millie, I told you to stay inside,” Mace said crossly. He put his hands on her shoulders and dragged her closer to him.

  “I trust Zeke,” Millie quickly said, turning to face Mace.

  Mace’s face dropped. He was angry at her, but he knew Zeke had saved her and he was grateful for that. However, deep down inside, Mace did not trust Zeke. He wondered if Zeke had a motive to befriend Millie. Mace nodded and held on to Millie’s hand. She turned around to face Zeke.

  “Why are you here?” she asked.

  “I’m here to warn you. They will be here soon,” Zeke said, standing strongly. He was wearing tight, black pants with a dark grey shirt. His muscles were flexed just in case Lilly or Mace wanted a fight.

  “Who will be here?” Lilly said, confused about the situation. She took a step forward to stand next to Millie.

  “Two Fallen are coming here--the two who fought you the other night,” Zeke said, narrowing his eyes. He was outnumbered. Lilly and Mace could pounce on him at any moment.

  “What?” Millie said, scared.

  “The taller one is Cillian and the other is Mischa. They are very dangerous and powerful. They fell together and they have practically never left each other’s side. They know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”

  “Why are you telling us?” Lilly asked, confused.

  “So you can protect Millie,” Zeke said, staring at Millie. “They’re finding Millie sooner now. You have to move faster,” he continued, looking straight at Lilly and Mace.

  “Isn’t this dangerous for you? Telling us information?” Millie asked, concerned.

  “Yes, it is. I need to be going or they will sense me here. You have only fifteen minutes before they will be here,” Zeke said bluntly.

  “Thank you,” Millie smiled.

  Zeke slightly smiled back at Millie and then took off the ground in an instant. Millie looked up at the sky and saw him disappear.

  Mace grabbed Millie’s arm and picked her up. He promptly ran inside the house. Lilly ran upstairs and immediately came back down with a backpack in her hands. Lilly gave Millie the backpack to hold onto, and they both ran out the front door. Millie looked back at the house she had fallen in love with. She hadn’t even had the chance to explore the whole house. Mace saw her looking and said, “I will bring you back here when it’s safe.”

  “Really?” Millie asked, cheering up.

  “I promise,” he said with a thin smile.

  Millie clenched the backpack as Mace left the ground. Lilly flew closely next to them in the sky. The sun was rising and the first sunlight spread across the land. Millie closed her eyes, as the rays were bright. She thought about Zeke. He didn’t seem himself. He was on guard and seemed nervous about being outnumbered. Everything he said was blunt, with no feelings. Millie was glad that he had warned them. Zeke had saved her life—again.

  Millie opened her eyes to see the rays reflecting on Mace’s face. He looked beautiful in the sunlight, and his wings looked whiter as they slowly glided up and down behind him. His face looked calmer whenever he was flying. She smiled as she studied his cheekbones, his lips, and his eyes. She couldn’t believe an Angel had fallen in love with her. He cared about her and would do anything for her. She was in love with him, but another feeling started to grow deep down inside of her that belonged to Zeke.

  Millie became fidgety. This was the longest she had ever flown. Her hands were becoming sore from gripping the backpack so hard. She was scared it was going to slip from her grip and fall towards the earth. She looked up at Mace, and he smiled back. His arms were warm on her back and comfortable. Her head slowly leant against his chest and the warm sparks went through her body.

  Her eyes closed for a split second, and her heart felt like it left her body for a moment. She opened her eyes and saw they were descending back down to the ground. She closed her eyes for the impact. With a slight bump, Millie could hear Mace’s legs moving on the ground. Her eyes opened to see Lilly walking in front of her in a rural street. There were houses all around them.

  “Couldn’t someone have seen us?” Millie asked.

  “No one saw us. Trust me,” Mace said, not letting go of Millie. He was scared that if he let her go, a Fallen would take her.

  Lilly opened a small, white, picket fence gate. The gate closed immediately behind them. The house was small and painted white. There was a small, brown, rocking chair next to the door. Lilly opened up the door and walked in.

  “You know you can put me down now,” Millie said to Mace as they walked inside.

  “I don’t want to let you go,” he said, holding her tighter.

  “I promise you can hold me as much as you want all day long, but I really have to go to the toilet,” she said with a cheeky smile.

  “Oh, of course,” Mace said, putting her down gently.

  Millie stood there for a few seconds before walking aro
und the house to find the bathroom. She dropped the backpack on the floor, freeing her hands. The house was small and bland. It was painted all white. Millie found the bathroom and ran in. The shower was small, and there was no bathtub. The sink was also small and looked rusted.

  When she was through, Millie looked around the rest of the house. There wasn’t much to see. There was only one bathroom, one bedroom, and the living room, dining room, and kitchen were all in one larger room.

  “Well, this is nice,” Millie said, sitting next to Mace on a green, flower-patterned couch. “It’s very cosy.” She kissed his cheek.

  “I know it’s not the best safe house, but it will do,” Mace replied.

  “Where are we?” Millie asked, curious.

  “Lakewood,” Lilly said, handing Millie a glass of water. “Ohio.”

  “Wow. You’re like my personal aeroplane,” Millie said, chuckling to Mace.

  “When it’s safe, I will take you anywhere you would like,” Mace said, gripping her hand tightly.

  “Thank you.” Millie again kissed his cheek.

  “Are you guys hungry?” Lilly asked, standing in the kitchen.

  “A little bit,” Millie said, clutching her stomach.

  “I will whip you guys up some breakfast,” Lilly said, poking around.

  With all the fuss that happened this morning, Millie just then noticed someone was missing.

  “Where’s Lexi?” Millie asked.

  “She had to go watch over some of her charges.” Mace said.

  “Is Teal still doing the same thing?” Millie asked.

  “Yes, he is,” Mace replied.

  “Will they be able to find us?” Millie asked, concerned.

  “Don’t worry, Millie. They will find us.”

  “Okay,” Millie said. She was worried that the Angels who were protecting her would get hurt. She was scared.