Beautifully Unnatural: A Young Adult Paranormal Boxed Set

by Amy Miles

  The first picture, full of the familiar army greens, tree-bark browns, and charcoal gray swirled together into what looked like several creatures fighting. They resembled a cross between a bear and a coyote, with the hunched back of a buffalo.

  The next one showed shades of orange and gold, with silver-lined clouds. Another sunset over an ocean that started out tranquil, but at the bottom, dark colors with claws overtook the white clouds.

  The last one looked like her room. The white wings she had painted before appeared to be wrapped in a cocoon, while a daffodil yellow light shone from the top of the bed.

  All of them were strange, each one evoked a different emotion when she looked at them. Fright. Concern. Peace. Sighing, she slipped them into the leather portfolio her mother had given her just days before she’d died.

  Gabby stood, stretching the kinks from her low back and headed downstairs to get a bottle of water.

  When she looked in on her father, he lay stretched out, asleep on the couch with an empty bottle of whiskey on the floor. He still wore his bloodstained shirt. Two days’ worth of beard growth shadowed his face.

  She froze. Her pulse thundered in her ears as she stood there, staring at him. Sweat dripped down her face as an image flashed back to her.

  The water bottle hit the floor with a thud.

  She raced up the stairs to her room and tore open the old trunk her mother had given her. Papers flew everywhere as she ripped through binders and notebooks until she found it.

  The drawing of her father. The whiskey bottle, bloody shirt, and the position of his body were identical.

  Except she’d painted it eight months ago.

  Chapter Five

  Gabby rubbed her calf free of the charley horse and fell back against the musty chair, her entire body fatigued from the morning cheer workout. Despite all the tossing, turning and worrying about her father that kept her awake last night, energy still flowed through her at the thought of Alexander arriving at any moment.

  She pushed from the chair and glanced in the small mirror hanging in the hall. Dabbing at the bags under her eyes, she noticed the concealer she strategically applied that morning to cover the dark circles had sweated away.

  Two knocks at the front door. No time to do anything about it now. With forced control, she inched the door open and stepped outside until she stood eye to eye with Alexander. His sandy-blond hair, darkened by the rain, fell over his brow, accentuating his bright eyes.

  They stood there a moment in silence, before he cleared his throat and stepped forward. “How was your first private cheer lesson?” he asked, as he swept a loose piece of hair from her face.

  A cool breeze meandered through the front lawn of Gabby’s house, rustling her hair.

  She huffed. “Brutal. Where did happy Sammy, with the cheery disposition, go? She’s more like a-a—”

  “Drill sergeant?”

  “Exactly.”

  “Yeah, she’s serious about her cheering,” he said with a chuckle.

  A raindrop hit her face and he brushed it away with his finger. He was so close to her. Blood rushed to her head and her heart pounded against her chest. Should she lift her head and look at him? She fidgeted with the frayed pieces on her jean shorts.

  His hand touched her chin and raised it up so their eyes met. “You okay?”

  “Uh, yeah. I’m fine.”

  He leaned in closer. “Are you sure?”

  She tried to talk, to breathe, but nothing happened.

  Move. Say something.

  Behind him a steady drizzle was coming down. She pointed to the clouds above his head, breaking the moment between them. “I guess we won’t make it to the boathouse right now.”

  He turned to look up at the sky. “Yeah, might have to wait a bit,” he said.

  Noticing the basket in his hand, she tipped her head toward it. “What’s in there? Motor oil? Wrenches? A sander?” Gabby said with a laugh.

  “No, just a few spark plugs. But I figured we might get hungry and…” He shrugged.

  “Great idea. We can eat lunch while we wait out the storm.”

  Her hands trembled as she opened the front door to the dark-paneled living room. She pushed the scarred coffee table to the side and helped Alexander spread a blanket on the living room floor. Its checkered, soft cloth covered the old shag carpet. A well-defined arm reached in front of her and placed the basket down. When she followed the toned muscles up to their source, he smiled, revealing those amazing dimples.

  If only her mother was still here. It had always been so easy to talk to her mom about anything. Sure Sammy was around, but how were you supposed to discuss your feelings for someone’s brother with their sister? Besides, they’d just met.

  Her mom would’ve known just what to do. She would’ve calmed her down. The last thing she needed was to have a stress-induced panic attack in front of Alexander, and a first kiss would definitely classify as a stressful moment.

  On her sixteenth birthday, she felt like there was something wrong with her. The whole sweet-sixteen-and-never-been-kissed thing was stupid. It wasn’t her fault, though. Living in isolation really cramped one’s dating life. Not to mention having a father with his own personal arsenal.

  Alexander pointed to a picture hanging on the wall. “Is this your mother?”

  “She was my mother. She died in a car accident.” A depressing silence filled the room.

  He reached out and took her hand, his eyes warm and empathetic. “She was beautiful. I’m sorry for your loss.”

  Her heart thundered so loud she worried he could hear it. The way he looked at her made everything painful in the world disappear.

  But too quickly he pulled away. Standing up, he shoved his hands in the pockets of his shorts, and started pacing the floor. “I guess you’ve heard that a million times, but I truly mean it.”

  “Actually, I haven’t. So, thank you.” How could she explain that there was no one around to give condolences when her mother died? A quick burial and they were gone the next morning and in another state by lunch.

  “My mom was a great artist,” she said, fiddling with the hem of the blanket. “I hope to be half as good as her someday. She was teaching me drawing and painting before she died.” She took a sip of water then placed the bottle on the coffee table.

  When she straightened, he was in front of her. Could he feel her body tremble as he took her hand?

  A musky scent invited her to inch closer to him. She stood up and stepped toward him, hating the feel of humidity on her legs, the way her damp clothes clung to her body. She wiped the sweat from her brow, embarrassed as she realized Alexander didn’t have a bead of sweat on him.

  “I’m really sorry that you’re alone,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I know what it’s like.”

  He seemed so vulnerable and sweet. As if he had reached out and pulled her closer to him, her body leaned into his hard chest. Her palms slid over planes of firm muscle.

  “What was her name?” he whispered against her lips.

  “Elaina.” She closed her eyes, and leaned a little closer.

  A moment passed and nothing.

  “I have to go.” He released her and stepped away.

  Choking down a lump in her throat, she opened her eyes, staring down at the food untouched on the blanket.

  She turned to face him but he was gone. Only a small burst of air and empty space remained where he just stood.

  ****

  His wings shook with rage as he took flight. Images of what he could have done to Gabby haunted him. Human emotions tended to dictate action and his body was demanding more than he should take. He could’ve hurt her with his angelic strength, or worse, killed her. Heat coursed through his veins. He dove in and out of trees trying to rid himself of his desire for her. He knew it was dangerous to fly during the day, risking exposure, but it would be worse if he’d stayed. Distance might be the only thing that could save Gabby.

  Grace tried to warn
him. If she was right, and he had the hormones of a teenager, strength of an angel, but the self-control of a child, he was more than dangerous.

  His wing clipped a lamppost, sending sparks into the air behind him. He tried to shield himself, but he couldn’t. Too many feelings, not enough control. Fearing it would draw the attention of hunters, he stretched his wings out further and took off higher into the sky. He longed to fly away from Earth, leaving all his desires, confusion, and sin behind.

  The cool moisture of fluffy clouds soothed his burning rage. As the soft white swept his face, he remembered how Gabby’s skin felt when he ran his fingers down her arm. Her blue eyes resembled the sky around him. Everything in this world reminded him of her.

  There was no other choice. He had to stay away, yet how could he? She was vulnerable. Forras and his demon brethren now wanted her because he’d shown an interest. She would be helpless without his protection.

  Unfortunately, with his level of attraction, it would be impossible to control himself. Every inch of her body cried out to him when he touched her. Even with the distance now between them, he could still smell her hair. He longed to touch her, hold her, but he couldn’t.

  His wings ruffled in disgust.

  There was only one option. He would have to keep a safe distance but stay close enough to protect her.

  How could he not?

  “Eliana.” He repeated the name as guilt overpowered his lust.

  Her lips were inches away. If only he hadn’t asked that question he would’ve tasted Heaven. If Gabby ever learned the truth about her mother’s death, she’d curse him worse than Forras.

  A strange heaviness settled in his chest as he made his resolve. He wouldn’t look into her eyes, or touch her silky skin. He would make excuses, things would come up. But he swore to heaven above, he’d protect her to the last breath of this human body and into the next life.

  Chapter Six

  “Sammy, please, you have to go with her.” Alexander shoved his foot between the bathroom door and the jamb as Sammy tried to shut it on him.

  “If you’re so worried about her, you go,” Sammy said.

  “You know I can’t.”

  “Why?” Sammy flashed him her most devious smile. “I know you like her.”

  “Sammy.” Alexander gritted his teeth. “You said it yourself. Forras has marked her as his. I thought you were her friend. Do you want to leave her unprotected?”

  “No, that’s why you’re going. I have to be at cheerleading practice two hours before Gabby, and I’m not going to risk the other girls because you are ditching your end of the bargain.” She flipped her short hair back and pushed him aside. “So, it’s on you. Maybe it’s time you stop fooling yourself. If you admit that you have feelings for her you won’t be such a pain in the ass all the time. If you keep torturing yourself, you’re only going to do something stupid.” Sammy darted down the stairs, not giving him an opportunity for rebuttal.

  He took a deep breath. The smell of bacon and eggs filled the old Victorian home. Shoulders slumped, he walked downstairs to the kitchen, kissed Grace on the cheek and grabbed a piece of bacon. “Thanks, Grace.”

  “Aren’t you going to sit down and eat?”

  “Can’t. I have to go take care of something.”

  Sammy’s giggles followed him outside. He stood on the white wraparound porch for a minute and looked out over the bright orange-speckled reflection on the ocean. He preferred dusk, with the sun setting over the water.

  He stood on the porch scanning the beach expecting to see the mutt, but he didn’t show. It had been a few days, so Alexander started to worry he’d been hit by a car. Now wasn’t the time to worry about a dog, though, Gabby was alone this morning.

  He needed to protect her, but how far away should he stay? The expanse of the Gulf didn’t seem far enough for him to not want to touch her. So, what kind of distance should he keep then? A few hundred feet? A mile or two? Definitely far enough to stay out of sight but close enough to help.

  He stepped off the porch toward the beach but his feet never touched the soft white sand. It only took a moment to perch himself in the old oak tree outside Gabby’s room.

  The feeling of death and the smell of decay filled the air. He scanned the woods looking for a predator. It felt stronger than a local demon, more like a master level. His pulse sped, but he saw nothing and after a moment, the feeling subsided.

  As he gazed at her second floor window only a few feet away, her father’s deep voice inside the house pierced his soul. It still sounded as tortured as the day of the accident.

  Flashes of that night broke his concentration. Sound of squealing tires. Smell of burning rubber. Bright crimson staining the snow covered field. Then silence, nothingness until the siren of death yanked Elaina’s soul from Earth.

  He gasped and willed the image of the man holding his wife by a mangled car from his mind. But he couldn’t. The guilt of what he had taken from this man made him shudder. The memory of being forced to stay and listen to every cry and moan, though from a distance, had tortured his dreams for over a year.

  His insides contorted at the memory of Elaina’s soul being ripped from her body, the sound of Bruce’s cries and Gabby’s sobs. He expelled the images, forcing his mind to focus on listening to Gabby and her father willing the feeling of souls ripped from the earth away.

  “Gabby, the paperwork’s all on the kitchen table. There’re transcripts, former bills, and a passport with your new name on it. Please be cautious. If you feel at risk in any way, leave.”

  A new name? At risk? How would Bruce know his daughter was at risk? Certainly, he couldn’t suspect there was a demon after her.

  “I will, Dad.”

  “You’re sure you don’t want me to take you to the school?”

  “No, I can register myself.”

  “Remember, if anything doesn’t feel right, you leave immediately. You have my cell number. Call and use our code. I’ll be back later, bye.” Bruce exited the house, closing the door behind him. A moment later, the car started down the drive then stopped.

  Alexander shrunk deeper into the tree, wondering if he should flee. But he couldn’t, not without exposing himself. He felt as if someone were watching him. He stretched his senses, searching through the house and surrounding property. No feelings of stress or fright came from Gabby, so he didn’t think she was in danger.

  Could Forras have found a way in without Alexander noticing? No, he would have heard or smelled something.

  His gaze returned to the car. It sat for several minutes without moving.

  The hair on his arms stood at attention as Alexander’s internal alarms roared, warning of death ahead. If Bruce died, Gabby would be left alone in the world.

  A long thick branch snapped in his bare hand and he looked down at his fingers wrapped around the bark in surprise. He hadn’t realized how tightly he’d grasped the tree. He held the large piece of wood in midair, taking advantage of the extra camouflage.

  Finally, the car slipped into gear and inched down the gravel drive.

  Blackness lingered around his angel aura even as he watched the car disappear from sight. Death was definitely approaching.

  He took a stuttered breath. An electric charge shot through his body, the same as the night of the car accident. The moment before Eliana’s soul was ripped from Earth. Was it time for another soul to be taken?

  With breath held tight in his lungs, he waited.

  No light shimmered from the sky.

  No black shadow came.

  Only silence.

  His insides churned and his human body threatened to expel the contents. He concentrated on calming his emotions.

  A moment later, Gabby darted out the front door of the house holding a large envelope he assumed were documents, and headed straight for the woods. Forras’ playground.

  His wings jerked and pushed at his skin.

  Oh, God. It wasn’t Bruce, but Gabby the archangel of death had co
me for.

  Distracted by the thought of Forras waiting for her, the branch slipped from his grasp and landed with a crash. Gabby instantly turned and looked straight at him.

  A jolt of electric current surged through his body. Did she see him? How could he explain hanging out in a tree next to her bedroom window?

  “Who’s there?” Gabby called in his direction.

  Could he fly away without her seeing him, or should he stay hidden in the tree? Options raced through his brain as she stepped closer. His gaze stayed glued on her long tan legs. His heart thumped in rapid succession.

  “Alexander, is that you?” Gabby asked, her voice cracking. “What are you doing in that tree?”

  Too late, she knew it was him. But how?

  He took a deep breath and climbed down to greet her.

  Relief flashed across her face, her eyes bright and cheerful. “What were you doing up there?”

  “Well,” thoughts flooded in but nothing seemed plausible, “I was walking up to your house to apologize for leaving so abruptly yesterday, when your dad came out the front door. I panicked and hid in the tree. I wasn’t sure if your dad knew anything about me. Kinda silly, huh?”

  Gabby toed the grass. Great, now she thought he was a stalker or something.

  “No. It isn’t as silly as you might think. Actually, it was probably a good idea. My dad’s a little…overprotective.”

  “So, he doesn’t know anything about me?” Alexander was surprised to hear the disappointment in his own voice.

  “No. My dad wouldn’t exactly approve of me hanging out with you.” She raised her hand to halt his next question. “Not just you. Any boy. So, I’m worried about your safety if he finds out about you.”

  “I see.”

  “Do you want to come inside for a few minutes?” Gabby stepped closer.