by Laury Falter
“No…no,” he demanded but a fleeting look at Abaddon told him the truth.
The comprehension spreading across Mr. Snowdon’s face was clear just before he released a horrified whimper and ran from the room.
Someone moved then although I couldn’t tell you who and the room became a battleground. My own actions, unrestrained by the limitations of being a human, again were so fast I nearly became a blur. In this body, with its powerful wings and extraordinary abilities, it was hard to see how I could be defeated.
These Fallen Ones, however, helped me understand my susceptibility.
Sarai and I met in midair, colliding with such force that we spun several times before I ended up against the opposite wall.
She grinned wickedly, as if she’d gotten the best of me. That, I was not going to allow happen.
I shoved back from the wall and across the room, barely missing Eran who was expertly inflicting his own harm on Abaddon.
I had Sarai by the shoulders, her wings positioned outward in an attempt to slow her backward thrust. It didn’t help and she collided with the fireplace mantle, crumbling it in to pieces.
Her body shook violently as if it had gone into a spasm and I could hear popping coming from inside her. Her body straightened and I realized that she had just repaired the bones she’d broken against the mantle. She rolled her shoulders then, opened her eyes, and smirked at me from beneath her lashes.
“My turn,” she seethed.
Suddenly I was spinning backwards, hitting the ceiling and then the floor. They came in rotating thumps as she flip flopped me back across the room. Again, I ended up against the wall but this time my right arm dangled awkwardly at my side. I lifted it directly outward, smiled tauntingly at Sarai, and snapped it back in place without feeling any pain whatsoever.
“That felt good,” I told her. “But this will feel better.”
I drew back the same arm, closed my hand in to a fist, and flew forward, propelling my entire being towards her. I connected with her face a second later and watched her slide back through the air, limbs outstretched.
Elam caught her from the side, scooped her up, and fled out the window. Campion followed closely behind until they had disappeared from the room.
What happened next I never saw coming.
My body stiffened, refusing to move. It was as if I’d been placed in cement. As I was realizing this something moved passed me, inches away, and was gone. It twisted at the corner of the room and ducked out the nearest broken window and into the night. Eran stayed close behind it, repeatedly reaching for its feet and narrowly missing it until it was no longer in sight.
Eran floated at the broken window, ensuring that none would return, and then spun around.
His eyes searched for me, landing seconds later at my torso. What I saw in him next shook me to my core.
Terror crossed his face only to swiftly be replaced with rage.
He released a roar that vibrated the room, rattling the fireplace pokers and knocking books against one another.
Then he was at my side, gentle and consoling.
I couldn’t understand his sudden change in behavior until I was overtaken by an incredible, pulsating pain.
It came from my abdomen but, being unable to control my head movement, I had no ability to look down in search of the cause. Instead, I heard Eran talking to me.
“Look at me, Magdalene. Look at me,” he commanded.
I did and found his eyes wide, apprehensive.
“You’ll be fine,” he said, anxiously. “We’ll get you to a doctor…the one in the city…the one you informed about the rats…”
Campion came up behind him with the same dreaded expression. “There isn’t enough time.”
“There is,” Eran snarled.
I wanted to believe Eran but the pain told me that Campion was correct.
“Lay me down,” I murmured, unable to raise my voice, the pain sapping my energy.
My wings retracted and he carried me to the middle of the room that was now in shambles, using one hand to flip a couch right-side up.
“Mr. Snowdon will be shocked at our redecorating,” I commented, hoping to conjure a smile.
Eran simply stared at my torso. I knew he was using his innate ability, one that he had brought with him to earth, to view inside me and assess the damage Abaddon had done. Judging from his expression, it was significant. I could already feel the warmth of my blood covering me, running down my legs.
“He froze my movement,” I whispered, referring to one of the traits Abaddon had brought with him to earth. “He got to me, Eran.”
Eran nodded, frantically moving his eyes along my body in search of an answer to heal me. “I know…I know…”
“You understand what that means,” I stated as tenderly as I could.
He hadn’t considered it. He had been focused on my wound, on the pain I was enduring. He hadn’t yet considered the consequences of what had just happened.
Campion gasped. “Eternal death.”
I gave Eran a wavering smile, gathered my strength and reached for his hand. He took and squeezed it, holding it against his chest in agony.
“No,” he said fiercely. “No, I won’t allow it.”
“It’s not up to you,” I said gently.
In return, Eran trembled, refusing to believe what was happening. He was always in control, could foresee nearly any outcome. This…my impending eternal death…he could not accept.
“I can do something,” he assured. “There must be something…”
Then our eyes met and we came to the same conclusion at once but it was Campion who voiced it.
“You can take her life so she can avoid eternal death at the hands of a Fallen One…” he reflected. “It’s the only way to save her existence…”
“I’m sor-sorry,” I gasped. The abject horror lingering in Eran’s face impacted me far worse than the pain Abaddon had inflicted. There was nothing in the world more sickening.
He released a ragged breath and for the first time since I’d known Eran I saw absolute fear in him. “I just never thought it would come…that I would ever need…” his voice trailed off.
“I’ll understand if you’re…” I cringed against the throbbing, “…if you’re unable-”
His face tightened then and I saw the confident, motivated Eran that I knew so well return. “Campion, your sword,” he ordered.
The weapon landed firmly in Eran’s hand a second later.
Our gaze never broke as he took the handle and raised the sword above my chest, the tip of the blade pointing down.
I wheezed against the blood now filling my lungs, unable to speak my thoughts. Neither was Eran capable of speech. Knowing this, our eyes conveyed our thoughts.
Both shaking, flooded with emotion, we said the very same silent words, “I love you…”
The blade then drove down into my chest, disappearing from my sight. I never felt it enter my body. I was limited only to the pain of witnessing the absolute despair Eran endured taking my life.
Then I was wrenched away, flung down the tunnel, and out of my past life.
CHAPTER ELEVEN: ELSIC
I awoke the next day more tired than when I had gone to sleep, something I attributed to the devastation of watching Eran slay me.
Lying in bed, I realized that while these visits to my past lives had given me a better understanding of what to expect from the Fallen Ones, I was also learning more than I ever thought possible about Eran. I couldn’t calculate all that he had sacrificed for me. It was immeasurable. More than simply being caught here, without access to the familiarity or comforts of the afterlife, Eran had given up his innocence to protect me. Last night, when he had plunged the sword into my chest, told me so.
Beneath the covers, I still quivered at the realization.
“Chilly?” Eran’s voice came to me from across the room. It was coddling and comforting in comparison to the horror of just a few minutes earlier.
&n
bsp; He was already drawing another blanket from the closet, his expression blank, having no idea what I’d just experienced.
As he reached the bed, he paused. “No…you’re not chilly,” he stated apprehensive.
I sat up and sighed heavily.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked sincerely, sitting at the edge of the bed.
I shook my head. Talking about it would mean reliving it in my mind and I was already working on blocking those images. “School today…” I muttered. “We need to get ready.”
He evaluated me without moving, knowing something was wrong and that I was keeping it from him. Yet, I reasoned that there was no sense in recounting the horrific memory to him.
He’d already lived it.
I stood up to begin my morning routine, Eran’s eyes following me around my room until I left to start the shower.
When I returned, he was gone making the room feel vacant. The floorboards squeaked across the hall and I knew he was also getting ready for school.
Without much thought to it, I left my room and pushed open his door. He turned in the middle of the room and I was momentarily distracted. His windblown hair had been brushed now and his clothes were changed. Wearing a tight white t-shirt and blue jeans he looked like a young James Dean, just as wild and unpredictable.
I crossed the floor and lifted my arms around him, pulling myself into him. He welcomed me, the firmness of his body pressing against mine.
I laid my head on his chest and breathed in his fresh, earthy scent. “How can I repay you for all you do for me?”
“Repay me?” he asked bewildered. “Where is this coming from?”
I shrugged against his body, having no answer for him.
Inhaling deeply, he laid his chin lightly on my head. “You feel guilty but I’m not sure why. Everything I’ve done…ever…has been by my decision, by my judgment alone. Don’t take on the burden of my choices, Magdalene. They aren’t for you to resolve.”
He pulled me away from him, grasping me by the shoulders and ducking to view my downturned face.
“I regret nothing, Magdalene. Nothing. Because all of it…every decision I’ve made has led me to you and kept me with you…and that is all that matters to me.” He paused. “Please look up.”
I followed his request, slowly, and noticed he was just as handsome puzzled.
“I don’t think you’re taking in to account what you’ve done for me…”
I frowned. “Run you ragged…test your resolve…leave you frustrated…”
“Yes, all those,” he said joking, his mouth tilting in a half-smile. “You give me life, Magdalene. Every moment I am with you I feel alive. Without you there is no color, no humor, absolutely no joy in existing. Life…is what you give me. Staying…is what you do for me.”
He groaned and pulled me towards him and before I knew it his lips were on mine. It was a hard, passionate kiss and the thrill of it drew me out of my daze. I leaned in, wanting more. Sensing this, his arms fell from my shoulders and slipped around my waist as his kiss deepened.
After what seemed far too short of a time, he drew back and reviewed me as if I were a sculpture. “Yes, I believe that did the trick to shake you out of your mood…”
“Eran,” I hissed. “Don’t tell me that you didn’t enjoy it too…”
“Oh no…I never said that,” he replied with his traditional smirk. “I enjoyed that very much.”
I scowled playfully at him and then spun around and headed back to my room to finish getting ready. I began to smile then, a complete reversal. Somehow, Eran always knew what to say and do to make me feel better. It must be, I deduced, because of all we’d gone through, the wonderful and the horrible.
We met again downstairs in the kitchen where Felix was impressing Campion with his escargot omelets, while Rufus looked on successfully subduing his disgust. Ezra sat behind her newspaper, sipping coffee, and ignoring the scene at the stove.
“You should try these,” Campion suggested, taking a forkful of egg and snails.
His wide, encouraging eyes could not convince us though.
“I think we’re going to treat ourselves to coffee and beignets before school,” Eran informed them. “Café du Monde?” he said to me.
“Great idea,” I replied and then caught sight of Felix’s disappointment. “Although since we’ll be missing out on the omelet…maybe you could save us one in the refrigerator?”
I was already certain it would end up down the sink disposal but the request seemed to appease Felix, who turned back towards the stove to cheerfully start another omelet. Eran and I headed out the back door but not before Eran winked his approval at my approach.
The ride through morning traffic was slow and we had only a few minutes before class started – biochemistry with Ms. Beedinwigg - but that wasn’t what concerned me. As we moved through the streets my hair stood on end and then rested down repeatedly, similar to a static-laden brush nearing and pulling away from the hair on one’s arm, except mine came with searing pain. The reaction, I knew, was towards the hidden Fallen Ones now entering the city.
I tried to hide the fact that I was feeling this way but the moment the bike stopped Eran turned to me. “More of them have arrived, haven’t they?”
“Yes,” I replied, getting off the bike while diligently scanning our surroundings.
“I could feel your responses as we passed them,” said Eran also surveying the area.
I sighed, aggravated. “I’m still working on controlling my reaction.”
“You’ll get there,” he reassured me. “How about we pick up those coffee and beignets and get to school?”
As we stepped into line, I noted that he seemed more relaxed now that he’d planted his army around us for additional protection. One thing hadn’t changed though. He still refused to show any romantic interest in me while in public. This was incredibly dispiriting but I knew it would not change for fear that if the Fallen Ones knew of our feelings for each other they may decide to come after me simply to hurt Eran. Eran had been through more than enough. For this reason alone I fought back the urge to take Eran’s hand and kept some distance from him until we’d eaten and were back on the bike. At that point, I was allowed to touch him or I’d fall off the bike while turning the corners. I was very thankful for the corners.
We reached school and made it into our seats just as the bell rang.
Ms. Beedinwigg was already at the front of the class, dressed in her usual drab dress and combat boots. Her hair was recoiled in a bun and her glasses again hung around her neck. This, I realized, was her camouflage. No one would ever suspect that she was an expert in combat.
She didn’t address Eran or I throughout the class, instead concentrating on her lesson of lipids interaction with the body. There was absolutely no sign that she was part of a family hired to train me in defense.
Bridgette and Ashley, however, paid plenty of attention to us.
While Ashley stared emotionless and with trivial interest, Bridgette held a concentrated stare as if she were working out something in her mind.
Throughout the next hour, Bridgette glanced continually in our direction, irritating me more each time.
If Eran noticed, he didn’t act on it. He kept his focus on Ms. Beedinwigg, never bothering with notes as he already knew it all.
It wasn’t until after class did I learn what it was that bothered her.
At the bell, Ashley stood, slipped her laptop into its bag, and headed for the door. Bridgette, however, crossed the room towards Eran and me.
“Eran,” she called out, smiling like a hunter who’s just caught its prey. “Have you thought any more about participating in the prom?”
“No,” he said flatly. His head was bowed down as he collected his book and notepad but I had the feeling he was avoiding her.
I didn’t bother hiding my grin.
“Well, I’m holding on to hope,” she joked, playfully tapping her finger against his shoulder.
>
“You may be holding on a long time,” he replied plainly. “Magdalene, I’ll be at the door.”
“I’m right behind you,” I said, unable to restrain my grin at this point even if I’d wanted to.
Then I turned and saw Bridgette’s face.
She was my least favorite person out of a student body that hated me. I couldn’t detect a single redeeming quality in her. Now, she was openly flirting with the love of my life. Yet still, after that single glance, I found sympathy for her.
The expression she held while watching Eran stroll away could be described in one word: dejected.
The hunter had turned into a child having been told no.
Then, as quickly as it had developed, my compassion for her dissolved.
As Eran reached the hall, and beyond earshot, she seized my arm.
Stunned, I tilted my head towards her. “Bridgette, release me,” I said calmly.
“I see you leave with him every day…and then you ride up on your Toshiba-”
“Harley,” I corrected her.
“Whatever…You show up with him each morning. You sit together at lunch. He walks you to your classes. What’s going on? Are you two dating or not?”
It wasn’t any of Bridgette’s business, really. She had no right to know about us. Yet, every part of me wanted to tell the truth…that Eran and I had loved each other for centuries, a love that started in mutual respect and friendship and grown into an unconditional, absolute, and profound devotion to one another.
While that was my desire, I had to refrain. Telling her that we were in love would jeopardize our lives since Bridgette would never keep that kind of gossip to herself. The entire school would know by lunchtime and so would the Fallen Ones.
Bridgette waited impatiently for her answer so I gave her one.
“He’s not interested in you,” I said not really caring if she were offended or not. “You’re only making a fool of yourself at this point…Look at the way he just behaved towards you and you’ll see it.”