by S S Bazinet
An 18th century style, classic mahogany bed set the tone for the room. Behind the bed, a satin-damask drapery backdrop added extra flair. A palette of blue, moss, and yellow creams, expressed in curtains, bedding and period seating, created a soft, stylish atmosphere. The light blue walls, accented with gold trim, completed the feeling of elegance.
Kevin’s smile widened out into a grin. “Very nice indeed.”
After a brief inspection of the bath and the living area, Carol turned and put her arms around him. “This feels like a honeymoon suite. It’s so luxurious.”
Kevin kissed her lightly on the lips. “Buying a big-ass TV can wait. I wanted this trip to be special. Now, you better get out of these wet clothes. Would you like me to run you a bath?”
She nodded. “I think that would be per—” She sneezed before she could finish the sentence.
“Are you okay?”
“Just a scratchy throat. I’ve had it off and on for a couple of days. A bath will help.”
Kevin frowned. “It’s my fault. I should have made you take it easy before we left.”
“No, it isn’t.”
“Are you sure?”
Carol nodded. Kevin had tried his best to be supportive and help out as they got ready for the trip. Instead of letting him, she’d shooed him away, insisting on doing everything herself. “Yes, I’m sure.”
* * * * *
Kevin was pleased with his choice of accommodations. He found their room to be exactly what he thought Carol would like. He’d been learning more about her preferences. Blue and gold were two of her favorite colors. She also liked a touch of sophistication, and their room definitely expressed that quality. It was only Carol herself that had him worried. She was sneezing a lot, and her nose was getting red. On the upside, maybe it was his opportunity to let her know how much he loved her. He was just getting into bed as she came out of the bathroom. “Did soaking help?” he asked in a hopeful tone.
Carol’s face smoothed out into a serene smile. “It was great. I think I’ll be able to sleep.”
He patted her side of the bed. “Get in here and snuggle up next to me.”
Carol sat down on her side of the bed, but she kept her distance. “I’m feeling better, but I think I’m getting a cold. I don’t want you to catch it too.”
“Honey, this is our honeymoon. The threat of a cold isn’t going to keep me from holding you.”
Carol let out such a heavy sigh that Kevin came to attention. He studied the way Carol sat on the bed with her shoulders hunched over. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No, of course not. You’re being sweet. You’re being the Kevin I fell in love with.”
Kevin let out a sigh of his own. “That’s a relief. I was beginning to wonder if that guy ever existed.”
Carol glanced back at him. As she bit her lip, a tear rolled down her cheek.
Kevin threw back the covers and jumped out of bed. “Something is wrong,” he said as he went over to where Carol sat. He knelt down in front of her. “Please don’t cry. I’m sorry I’ve been a jerk. I’m sorry I didn’t shape up sooner.”
Carol started to tug at his arm. “Kevin, please, get up. It’s not you. It’s me.”
He obeyed reluctantly. “I don’t understand.”
“Neither do I, but I think Arel does.”
“Arel? What’s he got to do with this?”
Carol sniffled back her tears. “I talked to him before we left.”
“You did?” He sat down next to her, contemplating their mutual friend. Arel often acted like their father confessor. “Did you want to talk to him about us?”
“No, not exactly. I went to see him because I was worried about him. He’s been such a hermit lately.”
“So what did he say? Anything that I should know?”
Carol grabbed a tissue off of the nightstand and dabbed at her eyes. “He said he’s out of the advice business. He said he was going to concentrate on working on himself. Maybe I need to do the same thing.”
“I think Arel said that because he’s got himself into a bind.”
“What kind of bind?”
“Seems things didn’t go very well with Person A and Person B.”
Carol’s gaze widened with curiosity. “Who are they?”
“We’re not positive, but Tim and I think Person A is Arel and Person B might be that friend of his in London. Anyway, Arel told us some story that involved a person who was dying and who wanted to die in peace. Person A insisted on saving him anyway.”
“Why do you think Person A is Arel? How could he save a guy in London?”
“You didn’t see Arel when he was telling the story. It was pretty obvious that he was talking about himself. So Tim and I figured his friend had an accident and maybe there were instructions about who to call in case of an iffy situation. Maybe Arel got that call and made a decision that he knew his friend wouldn’t approve. Afterwards, the friend survived but resented Arel for interfering. In fact, I think Arel’s been shunned completely.” Kevin shrugged. “Anyway, we were just guessing.”
“Sure, but it would explain Arel’s attitude. He seemed very unhappy. At one point, his eyes got very intense. Then he said people should forget about other people and trying to help, that they should stick to figuring out their own problems, period.”
Kevin put his hand over Carol’s, stilling her fingers. “I think that’s his excuse for hiding. He can be like a kid who gets roughed up playing ball and goes home to sulk. But if one of us acts like that, he’s all over us.”
Carol smiled and grabbed on to his hand. “You mean like the time you were having trouble with the idea of becoming a father?”
“Exactly. When I pulled back, he was instantly in my grill, insisting that I shape up.” He laughed. “Of course he was right. When I came to my senses, I knew I wanted you and a family no matter what.”
“Do you still feel like that?”
“More than ever!” Kevin realized he blurted out the words in a tone that was a little loud, but he didn’t care. He had to make Carol understand that he was committed. As his face went flush, he saw his chance to take more of Arel’s advice. “Honey, I love you as much as I’m capable of loving anyone or anything in this world. I don’t know if that’s enough, but I hope it is.”
Carol sniffled again. “Well, that makes me feel better about having this cold. Maybe being together is the only thing that really counts.”
“That’s right. Who cares about seeing Paris? Let’s camp out in this bed.” He gave the mattress a couple of bounces. Even with his bulk testing its softness, the mattress remained very firm with very little give. Kevin smiled anyway. “No matter what, it’ll be great.”
Thirteen
WHEN MICHAEL OPENED the front door, Peggy stood waiting with her finger poised, ready to press the bell a third time. She had narrowed brows and a sullen expression on her face. Michael smiled anyway. “Peggy, how nice to see you.”
Peggy’s brows relaxed a little. “Tim’s home watching the babies, and I saw my chance to check on Arel. Can I come in?”
Michael hesitated, but finally stepped back. Arel had been uncompromising about his need for privacy. Ever since he’d interfered with William’s attempt at exiting the world, he was cloistering himself away. “I’m sorry, but Arel said he was going to take a nap. Can I help you?”
Peggy quickly stepped into the foyer. “Arel doesn’t nap unless he’s depressed. What’s going on?”
“I don’t feel comfortable—”
“Michael, it’s me, Peggy. I know when something’s wrong. So please, tell me why Arel is staying away from us. We’re his family.”
“I’m afraid that I’m not at liberty to discuss—”
“Remember when we first met? Arel was in trouble. I could feel it right down to my toes, just like now.”
“I understand, but he’s not well.”
“What do you mean? What’s wrong with him?”
“He’s got a very bad headache.
He needs complete quiet.”
“I’m sorry.” Peggy stepped back and pursed her lips in disappointment. “In that case, tell him that I’m worried about him. I’ve had some strange dreams about someone wanting to harm him. Maybe it’s nothing, but tell him about what I said anyway, please.”
“I will. I promise.”
“I know you will.” Peggy’s tone was unwavering as she turned to leave. As she was about to step out onto the porch, she paused and looked back at Michael. “Arel is very lucky to have you as a friend.”
“I do my best. In the meantime, try not to upset yourself.”
“Besides my Tim, you’re the steadiest person I know, Michael. How do you stay so balanced and unruffled with all the ups and downs that Arel goes through?”
“I always believe in Arel, and that he’ll get through his difficulties.”
“Great attitude,” Peggy laughed. “Maybe I should try it. In the meantime, I notice that you like flowers and gardening.”
Michael smiled. “Yes, I do.”
“I’m thinking about having a little flower or vegetable garden someday. Maybe an interest like that would keep me from worrying so much.”
Michael’s smile broadened. “Working with the earth is an excellent choice when you need a bit of serenity. If you ever want any advice or help, remember I’m next door.”
* * * * *
Arel sat very still in the dim light of a small lamp. He was trying to deal with a pounding headache. After days of cleaning every inch of his home, the dwelling was immaculate. Now he was left with himself again, thinking about his life. No amount of elbow grease was going to clean up the mess he’d made regarding William.
And I don’t know how to make amends, Will.
Recently, Arel had moved back into his windowless, belowground level apartment. The space had once been his retreat when he’d thought of himself as a vampire, unable to tolerate the sun. He’d felt safe there, not only from the blazing orb, but from life and people. Furnished with a mixture of new and old, it had a pleasing quality that was easy on his tender nerves and fragile mindset. Treasured artwork and a few pieces of furniture had been shipped over from England long ago. There were more recent purchases, including a plush, luxury sofa and chairs for the living area. An imposing king-size bed, decked out in soft Egyptian cotton sheets and a matching gold comforter filled a good portion of his bedroom. But Arel no longer needed a space for safety reasons. That part of his life had changed. He sat, anxious and restless, in the semi darkness for a different reason.
Now, I’m the threat!
Arel knew it, and William knew it.
William thinks I’m a monster, and I guess he’s right.
When he tuned into William’s mind, he was bombarded with anger and resentment. That would have been fine. They were often at odds with each other. The new element in William’s makeup was a fear about his safety. It was an emotion that Arel had never felt in William before. Arel had grown up being frightened and nervous. He needed to protect himself from whatever the world might throw at him. William had a different approach. William’s father had also been a brute, but he’d never been able to break his son’s spirit. William had always been tough when it came to facing life. Unlike Arel, William always accepted whatever came his way with an indomitable resilience.
Until now.
William lived through a hellish childhood and still found a way to thrive, to be happy.
It was his last encounter with me that changed all that. I’m the only one who has managed to ever terrify him.
But Arel hadn’t played fair. He’d misused his powers again, and this time he had much more than guilt to deal with. He stared down at his hands. They were trembling as he remembered grabbing hold of William. When he was in his astral form, his body felt real and solid. He’d had no problem using it to hurl William back into the physical world. Or had it really happened that way? He didn’t know for sure. He only remembered one absolute, undeniable fact. He had intended for William to go back to his body no matter how fervently William protested.
And I got my way. I’m able to override another person’s wishes, even in the afterlife.
How was he supposed to deal with such a power? No person should have that kind of control over another person’s fate. It went against everything Arel believed in.
Yet, I wouldn’t change what happened.
That was the final nail in Arel’s coffin. He had loads of guilt, enough to sink an oil tanker before it made it out of port, but another part of him refused to consider letting William die. It was unthinkable.
He put a shaky hand to his head, knowing that his flawed personality was the problem. He was weak. He was an unsuitable candidate that should have never been allowed to partake in angelic blood.
What the hell was Michael thinking that night in the alley? Was he insane? Am I dealing with an angel gone haywire?
A soft knock brought him out of his contemplative mood.
Speak of the devil!
“Come in, Michael,” he growled out. The forceful, three word greeting made Arel’s temples explode in pain. He didn’t care. Michael’s mistake took precedence over everything, and Arel had to express his utter disappointment over the angel’s negligence. “I’m glad you’re here. I want to talk about my situation.”
Michael quietly shut the door behind him. “Peggy stopped by, but I told her you were ill. She’s worried about you—”
“Peggy should be worried!” Arel grabbed his head, hoping to keep it on his shoulders as he continued to voice his outrage. “You should be worried!”
Michael walked over to a chair and sat down. “I see.”
“What do you see, Michael? Do you see an assault rifle sitting here? Or a rocket launcher? Maybe when you look at me, you see a ticking bomb, is that it?”
Michael’s eyes widened, and he shook his head. “No, I don’t see any of those things.”
“Of course you don’t, because those are just toys compared to what I am. If I ever get totally out of control I could be more like an incarnate Satan.”
“I don’t believe in an incarnate—”
“That’s the problem, Michael! Your angel vision is all screwed up. You don’t even realize what a blunder you made choosing to help me. With your halo and your pure thoughts, you’re incapable of understanding the evil in people.”
“Actually, I—”
“Please, I’m sorry to have to take this tone with you, but you need to understand why angels aren’t able to properly deal with defective human beings.” Arel fell back against the sofa where he was sitting and gritted his teeth. Maybe his head wouldn’t explode off his shoulders, but the pain he was in was blinding. He lowered his voice. “Oh god, Michael, what a hell of a mess you’ve gotten me into. I’m a bumbling, cowardly fool, the last person who should be running around with your blood.”
“Arel, if I thought that anything you just said was true, I’d be honest about my feelings, but I don’t.”
“I know that. You always think the best of everyone, and you were trying to help me when you did what you did. You were such a nice guy, one who couldn’t turn down a pathetic loser. I just wish you’d had a little more wisdom in that idealistic head of yours.”
“I think you have the wrong idea about angels—”
“Please, I don’t have time to listen to what you think. I’ve got to figure out how to dispose of myself. I can’t take a chance on hurting someone else.”
“What about William?”
“William?” The name had an instant effect, making Arel more attentive. “Oh yes, Will, my constant victim. After what I did to him this last time, he’s sinking into a very dark place. He was serene when he died, but I wrecked everything.”
“First of all, you don’t have that power in most instances. Think about your friends. You haven’t harmed any of them, but with William, it’s different.”
“What do you mean?” Arel opened his eyes and managed to connect with Michael’s s
teady gaze.
“I think you know what—”
“The only thing I know for sure is that I couldn’t let him die—”Arel wanted to add, “not this time!” However, the words didn’t make any sense to him. There was only a strange knowing deep inside of him, some mystery within that he could feel but not decipher.
Michael nodded. “And how do you want to proceed with William?”
Arel returned a weak smile. “The strangest part about my feelings is that I don’t have to see him again. He can go his way and that’s fine with me.”
“Excellent, now try to be patient with yourself. It takes time and experience to handle your gift properly. You’re still clearing away a lot of your issues.”
Arel’s fingers dug into the arm of the sofa. “I scare the hell out of myself. While I’m learning how to ‘handle my gift,’ I don’t know what’s coming, and I don’t want to do more damage. Can you promise me that William isn’t just the beginning of the carnage I could leave behind?”
“Arel, I know your life seems uncertain at this point, but I believe in you. I see a much different version of who you are than you do.”
“And what about William? He’s got your blood too. How do you feel about that? What if he allows his dark side to take over? What if he starts killing people again?”
“You saved him for a reason. You think it’s only because you’re weak and needy, but I think there’s more to it. I think some part of you believes in him just like I believe in you.”
“I hope your right. If you’re not, we’re both going to have a lot of explaining to do when your boss checks out the mess we’re in.”
“Are you planning to contact William again?”
The question set off a new round of pounding, double-bass pain. “No, in fact I’ve decided to completely cut off any connection I have to him. No more snooping around his mind. He’s sensitive to my energy, just as I’m sensitive to his. Maybe if he feels my complete withdrawal, he’ll go back to being his usual, confident self. Maybe he’ll forget about me and enjoy life.”
Michael got up to leave. “One more item, Peggy said to tell you that she feels that someone is out to hurt you.”