by A L Williams
“Byeeeee!” Jesus zeroed in on me. I turned away, the sting of a cold chill running up my arm.
What was that? I shook it off.
“Why am I friends with them?” Hayley said. I shrugged.
“That’s not an answer.” She rolled her eyes as I headed for my car, rushing up beside me. “You’re so frustrating,” she wrapped her arms around mine, tugging on my black T-shirt. “You’re lucky I love you.” She squeezed my arm. Whenever she said that, I found myself surprised. You would think, after all this time, I would have gotten used to it, but it felt… I don't know. It was weird.
We entered my dark apartment, and Hayley threw her backpack on my bed. “You should just move in with me and Corbin,” she said, glancing around the room. “This place is too small.” I moved toward my bed and plopped onto it.
“It’s big enough for me.” She shook her head and removed her things from her bag, moving to the bathroom. I walked over to my closet, pulling out one of my black button-up shirts and throwing it on my bed.
She inspected me.“Oh, come on. You have nothing sexier than that?”
I frowned. “I’m not trying to be sexy.”
Hayley pulled off her clothes and I turned away. After the shuffle of fabric stopped, I looked back and found her leaning over the sink with a short leather skirt stretched across her thighs and a halter top so tight that made me wonder how she was able to breathe. She plugged in her curling iron and removed her hair from the high pony, releasing her golden-brown waves. I leaned against the frame of the bathroom as she picked up the hot tool, twisting each lock around it. Then she released them and they tumbled to her shoulders with a bounce. She looked over at me as she continued her task. “Do you think sex on a stick will be there?”
My body tensed. "It doesn't matter."
She pulled makeup from a small bag. “You need to loosen up.” She applied foundation to her face as she spoke. Silence followed as she focused on the drag of her applicator across her eyelid, leaving behind a perfect black wing. Her hair bouncing as she turned towards me. “He looked like he had a nice cock.”
The feel of his erection drifted through my mind. I looked away. “Who knows?”
Hayley glared at me as if she was trying to burn a hole through me. “You want him.” She unplugged her curling iron.
"I'll pass." I glanced down at my carpet.
She shook her head. "Well, if you will not partake, maybe I'll hit him up."
“He's gay,” I said, my fingers tingling.
"How do you know?" She wasn't wrong. I didn’t. Yeah, he had been rock hard against me, but he could be bi or pansexual.
"Do whatever you want." I pushed off the door frame, swallowing again.
“Don't worry. I'll leave him for you,” Hayley walked out of the bathroom, stopping at my bed and dumping her supplies and clothes back into her bag. “We will get your ass laid one of these days. You need it,” she said, a smirk curling her painted lips.
I sighed. “Can we go before I change my mind?”
She jutted her hip to the side. “Let's go and forget tonight.”
~
I stepped outside as a storm consumed the city. Taking a deep breath, I was glad to be away from the loud beat and the enormous crowd. Hayley had spent the night, as usual, bouncing around the club and flirting. I hung out at the bar, sipping on a beer. I didn’t need to get drunk, that had gotten me into trouble last time. Everything was going fine until he showed up. I didn't think he would and was unprepared. Having him next to me was driving me crazy. I wanted to wrap myself around him and bathe in his scent. So I left before I did something stupid. I furrowed my brow.
Rain bounced off the sleek frames of cars as a stampede of dark clouds moved across the sky. Streams flowed along the curb, flooding the shallow gutters. Tightening my jacket, I ran into the alley. Stacks of crates sat against the chipped brick walls. An assortment of trash; paper cups, crumpled wrappers, broken liquor bottles, and cigarette butts littered the wet pavement. Flattened cardboard boxes leaning against the rusty dumpster melted away as they were bombarded with rain. The wind picked up and the stench of rotten garbage filled the air, mixing with the fresh smell of rain. A homeless person was curled against the wall wrapped in an old faded blanket.
I continued through the alley, and the hairs on my arms stood as I felt something move. A man stepped out of the shadows. He stunk like he never showered and swayed toward me, his features hidden in shadow. His clothes hung loose against his dirty skin. I backed away as he shifted closer, ending up against the dingy brick. My stomach churned as he pressed me further into the wall. "I— " I started, darting to the side to escape. Before I cleared him, he yanked me backward by my locks, wrapping his hands around my neck. My fingers began to tingle and I struggled to breathe as he squeezed.
Red-hot flame emerged from me, engulfing us both in an unforgiving fire. He released a blood-curdling scream, loosening his grip. I stumbled back and fell to the ground, gasping as the flames spread down the alley. It ignited everything in a torrid of fury, unaffected by the falling rain. I swallowed gulps of air, my heart hammering in my chest. The dumpsters blazed and smoke rose into the night sky. My vision blurred as the man darted toward me, his body ablaze and his face twisted in agony. Laughter bubbled from him, a bitter sound of pain and emptiness. "The son of the fallen must die," he hissed.
The son of what?
My heart pounded against my chest, blood rushing through my veins as the flames grew in intensity. A gust of wind blew through the alley and the homeless man turned. "Fallen!" I followed his gaze, spotting a figure dipped in shadows. I watched him as he moved closer, a deep frown defining his chiseled jaw with a scruffy yet neat beard framing his chin and lips. His black hair scattered in the wind around his hard ivory eyes—like mine—below a pronounced brow.
The homeless man ran at him, his attack failing. A scream ripped from him, as his body jerked backward and twisted. Breaking bones echoed through the alley as they cracked. I cringed at the sound as he smacked against the wall once again and fell to the pavement in a heap of limbs and blood. I peered at the strange man only feet away. He turned to me, lightning flashing across his face as his eyes gazed at me. They appeared to glow white as if I was looking into heaven. His dark, wild hair swayed as he strolled closer, the flames following him. "Are you well?" he asked, his voice a soft rumble. I wrapped my arms around myself, staring at him, still frozen in place.
“Hands in the air!" I looked towards the alley entrance, spotting the man I had danced with. He gripped his gun, glaring at both of us. "Detective Scott! Put any weapons you have on the ground, now!"
The sound of shuffling grabbed my attention, and I peered at the body, seeing the homeless man pull himself up, an unnatural smile distorting his dirty skin. He lunged and the world slowed as the other man dodged the attack, catching the swinging fists. His eyes burned brighter, the air growing thicker. A loud blast jolted me from the fight. I glanced at the detective, with his gun pointed at the homeless man’s dead body, smoke rising from the barrel. White heavenly light emerged from the lifeless person, illuminating walls.
In the distance, the sound of sirens blared louder. The light faded away, shadows returned, bathing the alley in darkness once again. I peered over at Detective Scott. He stared at the corpse with confusion etched in his features. He turned to us. "You need to come with me.”
The other man looked over at him, narrowing his eyes. "I do not have time for this." He glanced at me. "We will meet again." Feathers, dipped in moonlight, burst from his back. I gawked as the wings spread high above. They curled around him, fading into the dark, taking him with them. I continued to stare at the spot where he had been, my head spinning. What the hell had just happened? Who was that?
The screech of sirens intensified as they neared, rain slowing to a drizzle, the clouds breaking to reveal the starry sky behind. Detective Scott approached and stopped in front of me, still staring at where the man had been. His m
outh opened and then closed.
He turned to me. " Are you okay?" He asked, gazing down with the same eyes that made me yearn. I swallowed, my chest tightening. Several emergency and police vehicles pulled to the curb at the alley entrance, red and blue flashing in every direction around us.
A flurry of paramedics and other officers rushed about as my head continued to spin. Detective Scott’s friend walked into the alley, stopping next to him. They began to talk, glancing over at me every so often.
The rain had stopped as the thick clouds drifted into the east. The paramedics bagged the lifeless body as another group examined me. Once they said I was fine, they jumped into the ambulance's swinging metal doors, pulling away from the scene.
I looked over as the detectives approached. "What's your name, Sir?" Detective Scott said.
"James Miller." I balled my hands into fists on the pavement.
The other detective pulled me to my feet. "Let's go."
Shit.
Chapter Four
Andrew
When I stepped inside Divine, a kaleidoscope of colored lights flashed in my eyes. I peered at Ben as he sauntered over to a guy who looked no older than twenty and started hitting on him. I had to admit it was impressive how he could wrap anyone around his fingers. His charm and charisma were infectious, attracting people to him like ants to sugar. I scanned the room as the smell of alcohol and cologne filled my nose. Stopping at the bar, my pulse thrumming when I caught sight of the man I’d had pressed to me. He leaned against the counter, his locks raining down his back against his dark shirt that hugged him in the most delicious way. He stared off, unaware of my presence.
The other night, I had convinced myself that I was in a haze of arousal, making him more attractive than he was, but seeing him now made my heart stutter and my skin damp. I licked my lips, zigzagging through the crowd. When I approached him, he met my gaze, his brows furrowed. I waited for him to run, but he stood there gawking at me. I stopped in front of him and couldn't help but grin. "Hi, again."
He tensed. "Hi." I inched closer, wanting to be careful not to scare him. His eyes trailed over my torso, white and intense. He may not admit it, but he wanted me. At least his body did.
I leaned against the bar next to him, our arms almost touching. "I'm sorry about leaving like that."
He looked down. "It's okay."
I studied him, his features vague in the dark. "I hope I didn't overstep the other night."
"You didn't." He chewed his lip. I fought the urge to pull it from his teeth's grip.
Continuing to gaze at him, our eyes met when he glanced up. His eyes glazed, a mix of want and confusion. I leaned down, inhaling his scent. His breathing quickened. The loud sounds of the music and the people dancing around us faded into the distance, the world shrinking to just him and me. I reached up, brushing one of his locks from his face and then running my fingers along his cheek. His eyelids fluttered closed as I shifted even closer, our lips only inches apart.
He froze and jerked backward. I pulled away as he looked around.
He turned to me. "I— I have to go." he stuttered, rushing through the crowd.
I leaned against the bar watching him approach his friend, who was dancing with a woman. She nodded and frowned at him, glancing towards me.
Moments later he dashed to the door and doors closed behind him. Sighing, I spotted the girl approaching me. She stopped at my side, waving a bartender down, her tight dress stretching around her body. With her drink in hand, she turned to me. "He's a pain, isn't he?" I didn't respond. She patted me on the shoulder. "Better luck next time." Seconds later, she disappeared without another word. I looked towards the door again, furrowing my brows. He rejected me again. Maybe I should just take the hint. I frowned. I still didn't know his name.
~
I walked into the questioning area to Mr. Miller sitting at a scuffed table with two chairs in a large gray room with stone walls. Pads of paper lay scattered in front of him. A huge one-way window that spanned the wall loomed over us. Ben trailed in behind me.
"I am Detective Skyler," he said, flashing a perfect smile.
I sat down across from Mr. Miller. "Stop flirting with him."
He glanced at me. "Sorry, I forgot he was yours." I glared at him.
"Your witness." Ben corrected, smirking at the other man.
I turned to Mr. Miller who was stiff in his chair, staring down at the table.
"Would you quit looking so intimidating? You're scaring the boy," he walked over and patted me on the head. I glared at him again and leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms in front of my chest. What happened was unsettling and involved this man.
I peered up at Ben, “Can you give us a minute and make sure no one is in the observation room?"
He smirked. "Have fun. Don't push too hard. He's cute." He left, chuckling.
The silence stretched in our stare down. Mr. Miller tightened his jacket around himself. The air grew thick. I watched him as he licked his lips. I caught the bobbing of his Adam's apple as he swallowed.
"Would you stop staring?" He glanced to the side and shifted in his seat.
I leaned forward, picking up the pen in front of me and pressing it to a pad of paper. "How do you know those men?"
He tensed. "I don't."
“Have you ever seen either of them before?” I said.
Mr. Miller glared at me. “Listen, I get that you're doing your job. I was just hanging out with my friend and he attacked me.”
Studying him for a moment, I tapped my pen on the table. "I don't know what that was. I think it's best if we leave the details out of the report."
He furrowed his brows. "What?"
I smirked. "No one would believe us. I'd rather not get put in the hospital."
Mr. Miller looked down again, confusion etched into his features.
I watched him shift in his chair, uncomfortable. "How long have you been in Tucson?"
"Two years," he muttered.
Jotting down another note, I glanced up at him. "Before that?"
He narrowed his eyes."Are you arresting me?"
Leaning back, I placed the pen on the table. "No, I am just verifying the report is correct." I watched him swallow and chew his lip. The air thickened and warmed, wetness gathering on my forehead. I watched Mr. Miller and noticed a slight tremor rack his body. "Are you okay?" What was wrong? People were nervous when dealing with us, but this was different. He nodded, but I could hear the shallowness in his breathing I pulled on my shirt collar as the room grew warmer, the heat coming from him. It was getting hotter by the moment. Was the AC broken?
He leapt from his chair and ran to the door. I followed, knitting my brows together as I grabbed his arm. "Mr. Miller-" A sharp hot pain shot through my hand and I jerked it back. I touched it as red blisters bubbled in my palm. I peered up at him. What was that? Did he have powers? I had only seen that from a magical creature. He backed up, hitting the door, panic rolling off of him. Inching closer, I held up my arms. "Let me drive you home at least." It was obvious he wanted to go, but I couldn't just leave him like this. I could worry about the burn later.
He closed his eyes as he struggled to get his breathing under control, his body still trembling. "Okay." He backed away from the door as I reached behind him to open it. I guided him out, making sure to not touch him. He was already on the verge of breaking down. I wanted to hold him close and protect him from the world, but I didn't want to scare him. We stepped outside and approached my sleek black BMW near the station doors; the air carried a wet chill. I opened the car door, guiding him into the passenger seat. He leaned his head back against the headrest. I got in the driver's side and glanced at him, my brows furrowed. "Are you sure you're okay?"
He looked out the window as the rain began to patter against the glass. "I just want to go home." He whispered the words. I nodded. He gave his address and I drove.
When we reached the complex, the pavement was dark and wet from the stor
m. Lights shone through the windows of every apartment and the courtyard was quiet. I stepped out of my car, following him along the path surrounded by an empty playground and benches.
When we reached his door, I shifted closer. "Give me your keys." He glanced at me and then handed them to me. I pulled my gun from my holster and crept in, looking through the dark apartment. The drip of the kitchen sink was loud against the silence. I studied the barren room that held only a bed and an end table, nothing signifying that someone lived here. Not a single picture or decoration. I turned back to him. "Everything looks fine."
He peered up at me. "Thanks."
"So— " we said in unison.
He moved past me, swaying over to his bed and stopped. "You can go.”
I inched closer, feeling the urge to run my hand along his cheek and banish the pain imprinted on his features. "Stay out of trouble.”
My throat grew dry, and I licked my lips. "I'll be around." What was he doing to me? Even my one-night stands didn't have this kind of effect on me. He turned away. "Goodnight. Get some sleep,” I said.
“Goodnight,” he muttered. He didn’t respond. I exited the apartment and walked to my car and climbed in; the rain slowed to a trickle. What was he? Where did he come from? And who were those men? I had a bunch of questions and somehow I didn't have much time.
~
Several days later, the waning moon blanketed the cliffs of Mt Lemmon, providing only enough light to see the silhouettes of the trees. People danced around the tall trunks, the wind blowing the branches about. The rising beat matched the waving flames of the bonfire, dust kicking up as bodies swayed and twisted. Our Mambo drew symbols in the dirt with cornmeal and others poured rum onto the earth. Women and men thrashed about, some falling to the ground, convulsing until someone helped them up.
The dancing continued as I started to chant, French flowing from my lips. Those around me joined in the chanting, our voices an orchestra in the warm breeze. I sat in the dirt on top of a multi-colored blanket, swaying to the pulse of the drums, dressed in garments of different colors. The energy was strong, and I felt loa surround me. The whispers filled my ears, calling me to join them. I gripped my necklace laying against my chest. I chanted, the cries and hums of the others fading into the distance.