by KC Bellinger
The water rose a little higher now, but I didn’t feel a bit scared, even when it lapped at my calves. I could still breathe. I couldn’t believe I’d let this thing control me as it had. It brought back memories of Dustyn and how Ateil, the demon minion that killed my mother, tried to destroy her with a vision. It would have worked, too, if Tresian wasn’t there to save her. We had both been saved by angels, and finally, I felt the loss of my mother’s best friend, my best friend, before I ever thought I’d be an orphan.
Chapter 21
By the time we reached the catacombs, I was pissed. Mainly at myself for so many reasons. How could I have been so stupid? I should have been closer to the only human who understood me? I did nothing but push Dustyn away. I made friends with Jaiten to spite her. I know what he did to her and to Tresian but still, I put him before anybody else in my life. He was evil. He is evil. I still hurt from the wounds he caused me.
I reached up to feel my mother’s locket around my neck, and out of habit, I pulled on the cold chain. I knew it wasn’t loose and it will never be because this was the same chain that had bound Penn and Azu. I should have had Rhys destroy it when he freed his siblings. Jaiten had the rope relic the entire time I knew him. It was all a ploy to get me to trust him, so he could turn me over to the Strongs. And for what? What in the world would he be given if he could use me? Was I bait or a victory token for being the last of the Night Hours?
The tunnel opened into the cavern of tombs, which meant the mausoleum was above us now. Someone reached over to touch me, but I jumped away. I shook the memories from my head and turned around to see Penn, looking hurt. “I am sorry, Penn; I was lost in a bad memory.”
“I could tell.”
This time, when he reached for me, I threw my arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.
“Wow. What was that for?”
“Thank you—I never thanked you.”
“Anytime you want to thank me, feel free to do so.” Penn arched his eyebrows playfully. “It’s not very often I’m the one being thanked.”
“I think you are misunderstood and overlooked,” I offered.
“I think you are right,” he said triumphantly. “Come on, we have lives to save.” His smile dropped into a fierce grimace, but he turned to me and winked.
I don’t think that angel has a serious bone in his body.
***
The mausoleum was destroyed. Glass from broken vases and votive holders littered the floor. The singed silk petals suggested a small fire had started but was smothered by the foot of snow that gathered into the splintered door frame. The door was gone, ripped away like it was a piece of paper from an old magazine. The three of us looked into the face of the storm, it seemed peaceful compared to what lay behind the doors of the church.
I’ve never felt evil before, not like this, and it tumbled out of the church’s chimneys. Swirls of maroon and silver penetrated the sky like a small tornado of bloody smoke hovering above us.
Penn took a step away from us and pointed to a small hole in the clouds. A beam of light flashed down like a sign from God. Penn took another step further away. The wind tousled his hair around his face and guided him closer to the beam. For a moment, I thought the sun might burn off the dirty inversion. The golden stretch in the sky seemed to tear at the clouds violently. Penn walked quickly, hypnotically toward the light. Something didn’t feel right. Inside the beam, small currents zapped through the torn clouds, sending brilliant white shocks behind the storm. They grew bigger as the sky ripped apart. Another round of electricity shattered the sky and Penn kept walking toward it.
“What’s he doing?” I whispered to Julia.
She shrugged.
The storm yanked at the trees, pulling at the small, budding branches. Small rocks and debris rose and circled the church, clanking against the brick and stone walls.
A tiny figure stood on a stone step outside the oak door. Tiny hands aimed heavenward, orchestrating the storm.
Camille.
Her fingers twitched in time with the lightning. I guess she broke through my protection spell, but since she was technically a human, it wouldn’t have affected her anyway.
“Penn, what’s happening?”
He didn’t answer.
“Penn, stop!” I screamed, but he didn’t acknowledge me. I turned to Camille. I needed to stop her but my feet were immobile. If I attacked her I’d be too late to help Penn. I jumped and screamed like a frightened child.
Azu appeared by my side and nodded to her brother. “He is walking into the face of evil. Call him back.”
“He can’t hear me,” I said, relieved I had somebody who could help. “When did you get here? Is Rhys with you?” Rhys would know what to do. “Camille is controlling the storm. How do I stop her?”
“Call him back!” Azu demanded, ignoring my questions.
“How?” I pleaded.
Her eyes went manic as she pointed at the cloak that still hung off my shoulder.
“Do you want to wear it?” I asked Azu since she was the rightful owner and I had no idea what I needed to do.
“No, Neetah has chosen you. Now put her on and call him back!”
A bolt of white lightning struck a nearby tree. I struggled with the cloak, unable to take my focus from Penn.
“Hurry, Hour, my brother is in danger.”
The wind pulled at the cloak, trying to steal it out of my hands. Azu waved her hands frantically at the element, stirring it away from me. Another bolt touched the earth in a shimmer of fiery blue. The earth shook beneath us, breaking up the earth.
“Penn, turn back,” I called over the wind, but my voice was lost.
“Whitney, call him back!”
Another bolt of lightning, this time thick and red as blood, pierced the skies and missed Penn by mere centimeters.
“Please, Penn, turn back.”
“Not with your outer voice, Whitney.” Azu’s voice softened, “Call him with your heart.” She linked her arm through mine and chanted Penn’s name till it sounded like a lullaby.
“Penn, Penn,” I called frantically from inside my head. “Penn, please, I need you.”
Still, there was no answer from the angel, and the storm over our heads dropped electrical beams frighteningly close. Azu guided my hands out from my body and her sing-song voice turned into a howl. She dropped my hands and spun around in a ritual dance.
I saw it coming. Mentally, I reached for Penn and felt him. I traced a finger down his spine where I knew his wings would erupt if he were to die and return home. “Penn,” I cooed, “don’t leave me like this. Not now.” I wrapped my arms around his bare hips and pulled.
He didn’t budge.
My gaze returned to the killer skies. Out of instinct, I reached for the bolt meant to destroy him.
Penn stopped and turned to look at me. His eyes were thick with a disturbing need. A jolt of needle-like pain penetrated my spine and spread throughout me. I was on fire. Numbness tickled the tips of my fingers and spread quickly, then the pain hit.
I fell to my knees from the crippling ache. I couldn’t tell what hurt more, the burning of my insides or the thought of losing Penn.
“Whitney?” Penn called over the boom of thunder.
“Please, Penn, get away from the beam,” I mumbled; even my voice seemed thick with fire. It singed my lips and the roof of my mouth burned.
I could hear his breath as he ran for me, but I could no longer see him. I plunged my face deep into the snow, trying to cool down. A sort of sleep claimed my body and my tired mind searched for the recent recurring dream of Rhys. But it wasn’t Rhys that entered my trance-like state. Mom? She lathered my face with feathery snow. I closed my eyes and relived the time she had applied green aloe to my face, and if I could sit here and let it soak into my sunburnt skin, I would heal. There would be no scabs to pick when it healed, just like Mom said when I was young.
Every time it snowed, she would call me outside with the giddiness of a you
ng girl. There was beauty in the snow today, and I wondered why I never played in it when I was a child. It had a voice all its own, it sang and danced like a mysterious angel. The snow seemed to bend and form into a familiar shape: an angel with iridescent blue wings and a voice as smooth as butter. The angel looked familiar.
Azu was glowing in her white deerskin dress. Beaded fringe dangled between her bronzed legs, her hair was the color of night, when the moon went missing. She spoke in my mother’s voice, “Whitney, come outside, it’s snowing. Do you remember what I’d sing to you every time it snowed?”
I nodded, but I knew I was only dreaming. My mother was dead.
“Snowbird, no bird, don’t fly away. Snowbird, know bird, here I must stay.”
I sat in the snow with Azu singing Mom’s favorite song and a strange peace filled my heart. I didn’t want to leave, but Azu was fading and Mom’s voice grew weak.
“Don’t leave me yet, mom. I need you.”
Through Azu’s lips, I heard my mother’s reply, “Little girl, I love you, and I’ll be waiting for you. But first, you have a world to save.” Her voice seemed sad. “Please find Dustyn and bring her home. I know she’s waiting.”
“Mom, Dustyn doesn’t want to leave. She’ll lose her angel.” Azu cradled me against her chest the way Mom did when I was sad. “Ask the angels. Send them both home.”
***
Someone stroked my face, trying to wake me. I had to hold on to the dream.
“A few minutes longer,” I pleaded, but Mom was fading and her words were lost to the surrounding voices.
The melted snow felt like dried tears on my face. A warm hand wiped them away. I struggled to breathe, fighting the hand at my throat. It was hot like an ember sizzling my esophagus.
“Don’t breathe, she’ll breathe for you,” the voice connected to the hand said as it cupped my ear.
Somewhere inside, the instinct to flee or fight woke up. I pushed away from the warm hand and panted like a dog trapped in a car. There was no air.
“Please, Whitney, don’t breathe. Do you trust me?”
Strangely, I did. I leaned against the hand and held my breath like I was about to dive underwater. I closed my eyes. Heat surged through me. A different kind of heat pried at my mouth, coaxing it open. Still not breathing, I cracked open my lips to feel something smooth and jolting electrify through me. It wasn’t frightening or pain-filled. On instinct, I took in the force and twisted my tongue around it. My chest rose as it pulled past my teeth and away from me. Panic struck me—I may never feel that life force again and frantically, with my eyes still closed, I searched for it.
“Whitney, breathe now.”
I heard it, but I couldn’t believe I’d ever survived without the smooth swell that grazed mine.
“No.” I found my voice, but I didn’t know who heard it. Did anybody?
A dry laugh filled the air. I could breathe again, but I didn’t want to. What just kissed me? Better yet, who just kissed me? I still had my eyes closed tightly. If it wasn’t Rhys, who could it be? The better of me slipped away as the warm hand cupped my mouth and chin.
“Please, just one more?” I begged, as my body moaned to feel it again.
I licked my lips, but my tongue was replaced by another, then the soft touch of the returning lips bumped mine. I took the upper lip and tugged at it, begging for it to open and accept me. It did as I commanded and my mouth was inside of his. I felt the jealousy pulse through my body. It wanted more. More than any kiss could give. My eyes opened to search for the prince taking away my pain. Slowly his lids lifted to meet my gaze. I’d kissed an angel, but not my Rhys. These eyes were soft and mischievous, and I could feel them turn any negative feelings into something wondrous and fun. This angel, whose mouth was fixed to mine, pulled me close to his bare chest.
I pulled away panting. “Penn?”
“Good morning, sweet Hour.” Penn nuzzled my ear playfully. “I’m glad you rejoined us.”
“What happened?” Reluctantly, I pulled away.
“You asked me to kiss you.” Penn wiggled his eyebrows at me. “Being the gentleman, I obliged.”
“Enough,” boomed Azu as she tugged at me, trying to free me from Penn’s embrace, but he wouldn’t let go, like the stubborn child he was. “You were hit by lightning aimed at Penn. In all my life I’ve seen Hours call and redirect the elements, but I’ve never seen one summon and digest it. Essentially, you saved my brother,” she said, giving one more useless pull on my arm.
Regardless of whether it was right or wrong, I wasn’t ready to let go. “What do you mean?” I asked.
“I saw the sky open and I thought I heard my name being called.” Penn pulled me close like a favorite teddy bear. “I thought I was being called home, but no, vengeful angels are never called home, are they?” His body stiffened under mine, but his touch was still soothing. “Then I heard you call for me, Whitney. You broke the curse. A bolt of lightning streaked the sky and I ran for you. I ran as fast as I could. I promise I did. It skimmed my shoulder, but I couldn’t stop it.” His eyes were thick with tears. “It hit you straight in the chest and then it was gone.” His hand grazed over my breast and pressed hard against my beating heart.
I could feel my pulse quicken, and I raised a hand to find his. Had the bolt of lightning changed me? Did it destroy my love for Rhys because all I wanted; all I needed at that moment was Penn? Would this feeling ever subside? “Penn …” I was prepared to leave my whole heart on the table, as I usually did, but something stopped me.
“Don’t, Whitney, I know what you are about to say but I don’t think I can take your rejection. I know you love my brother. If it was as simple as destroying him to have you, he would be dead.”
Flabbergasted, my eyes widened but my head, still heavy with exhaustion, fell upon his chest. His arms cradled me and he sneered at Azu.
She ran ahead, but not before she shot us both a look of warning.
“I know you belong to Rhys, but I am forever yours,” he purred into my ear. Penn couldn’t bring me any closer to him without removing the cloak and my clothes.
My lips rested on the smooth curve of his neck. My mouth watering at his sweet scent. I focused on not tasting him. I was sure he’d taste like vanilla tea with a spoonful of honey. It was the mention of Rhys that stopped me. If he knew, I’m sure he’d never mention his brother’s name ever again. If I had told him my desires, he would kill Rhys.
“Get up!” Azu squealed.
I stood and Penn followed. I wiped at his cheeks, wishing I could kiss away his pain, kiss away my pain. The grueling agony of no longer touching him filled me with a wave of passionate anger. I’d felt this before, and I held onto that memory of Rhys.
“I want to die right here.” Penn held my hand to his face. “I no longer need to exist.”
“I need you now, Penn, to be strong,” I said in a not-so-strong voice. “I need you to help me save them.”
“Does it matter? Once we let go, there will be no more us.” He moved my fingers over his lips and kissed them.
“Come on. Don’t you see, this is what they want! To tear you away from the task at hand and destroy the bond you have with your brother. Penn, stop listening to your heart and hear what’s happening now!” Azu screamed over the newly falling snow, red as if the sky was bleeding.
Don’t let go, I mouthed, but Penn didn’t see. His eyes were fixed to the church up ahead. He placed me gently on the ground, his fingers lingered on my face, traced the curve of my ear, and then he broke our connection.
“We will see who is responsible for this and destroy them.” Penn repositioned his stance. He no longer looked like a lovesick puppy, but a warrior. As he tensed, his wings pierced from his skin, unraveling Egyptian-blue wings. They reached the ground and disappeared into the sky.
“Penn,” I called, “please be careful.”
“What does it matter?” Penn said, unwilling to meet my eyes.
“You matter to me.”
Penn slashed his head around. Black hair hung over his eyes. His mouth drooped. “There is nothing more to say.” An unseen wind ruffled his wings.
“You don’t know that Penn.”
He didn’t hear me as he took off into the sky, circling the chimney like a death omen.
“Now, Whitney, your breaking heart will have to wait!” Azu called, then her warrior cry filled the air, pushing away the dense red sky.
Chapter 22
I tried to follow Azu through the maze of graves and headstones but I was so tired. I opened my mind, hoping the bear I carried could rejuvenate me. Neetah wasn’t there or she couldn’t reach me. My eyes searched the sky, looking for my angel, one of my angels. There wasn’t a sign of wings or copper skin anywhere in the storm.
I collapsed, hugging my knees to my chest in the middle of the graveyard. I leaned against a headstone. The statue was seven feet of chiseled concrete and at his feet was written: Do not be afraid. Angels are watching over us. Then the tears came. I didn’t have the strength to help anyone, and now that my heart was torn in two, I didn’t think it mattered. I was only human, with a few special skills, but nothing more. In the end, they’d both be gone as Julia foretold.
“Are you planning on getting up soon?” Julia said, popping out from behind the stone angel. “I saw Justin inside the church. They have most of the windows covered but I found one they forgot.”
“Where did you go?” I sat up but then slumped back down against the cold concrete of a headstone. I had forgotten all about her after Penn ventured into the beam of light.
“When we found the demolished mausoleum, I ran ahead while the sky mesmerized Penn and you redirected the lightning, about thirty minutes ago. Don’t tell me you haven’t moved from this spot.”
“No, I can’t,” even my voice sounded weak. “It hurts too bad.”
“What hurts?” Julia asked tenderly.
“My chest.” I put my hand over my heart. It seemed to have a slow, sporadic beat. “I feel sick.”
“Oh my God. Is it from the lightning?”
“I don’t know.” I shuddered and tried to bury myself further into the cloak. My feet were left exposed to the snow. “It hurts so bad, Julia. It feels like my heart is breaking. I don’t think I can survive this. I don’t think I want to.”