Winter's Fall

by Alessandra Jay

  But it’s not their fault they’re so naive. It’s for their own good and protection. Anyway, just like in Eden, every other realm has laws and a council of some sort.

  When shit really hits the fan, the councils of all the realms meet to discuss how to work together in solving the problem. And by the looks of it, a meeting is going to be called soon.” She drinks another two shots in a row. All I can do is stare at her.

  The mortal Charlie would never have taken so many shots in such a short amount of time. Maybe angels have a higher tolerance, because I’ve only taken two and I can already feel my lips turning numb.

  “Are you okay? I pictured you throwing a million questions my way, but you look like a statue.” And there is the sarcasm I have missed so much.

  Before I can really let everything she said sink in, I leap right into her, wrapping my hands around her body. Tears of relief and amazement escape my eyes as I squeeze her tighter. It isn't until I hear her sniffling that I know she’s crying, too.

  “I had a vision of an angel following us, but it was through its eyes, so I didn't know who it was. I’m so sorry, Charlie. I can’t imagine how hard it has been to watch us from afar without being able to do or say anything.” Pulling away, Charlie and I try to wipe our tears away as she sadly nods.

  “Especially seeing Luke so…heartbroken. I can’t wait to see him.”

  I think of how he’s going to react when he sees her and my heart explodes with anticipation to see him happy again. Nodding to agree with her, I decide to face the facts. Taking a deep breath, I reach for a dessert on the table and stuff it into my mouth, dreading the answer to my next question.

  “So another prophecy?” Leaning my head back on a pillow, I close my eyes to just listen.

  “Yeah. It’s pretty intense. But if we do this right, we will prevail. Your Light Coven battling alongside your Angel squad will be the key.” Reaching for my shot glass, I down the liquor and interrupt her.

  “Angel squad?” Chuckling, she nods her head, reaching for a dessert of her own.

  “There’s good news and double bad news to that. The good news is that in the near future three warrior Angels will be sent down to earth to help in battle against the Dark Coven. Part one of the bad news is that if you think today was bad, you need to know that it is going to get much worse. Evan, if I were you, I would take a double shot right about now.” She says, joining him.

  Confused and suspiciously afraid, I take another, too.

  “Part two of the bad news is that one of those warrior Angels is your Pereche. That is the Divine’s way of saying Anima Partem.” I see her look at Evan with a grimace on her face and so I slowly turn to my caster soul mate. My eyes stare at him unblinking.

  “How is that even possible?” I ask, truly baffled.

  “You’re part angel. It makes sense.” Evan answers, putting his hands in his curls and pulling them in frustration. He takes another shot and points to Charlie to continue.

  “He’s right. Because you're part angel and also so critically important in Paradise, it is only normal that you have a Pereche there, too. But you already have Evan, and Theo understands that.” She looks down, not realizing she’s giving away that she’s holding something back.

  “Charlie.” I attempt to get her to spill. With one look into my eyes, she can’t hold it back any longer.

  “Okay. He understands, but his feelings for you are still extremely intense. He can’t exactly help it.” Again I see her peek at Evan, but I'm too afraid to.

  “It’s him you dream walked with, wasn't it?” He asks me, with jealousy dripping from each word.

  “Wait, you’ve met him already?” Charlie asks as confused as I am. Now uncomfortable and feeling terribly guilty, I clear my throat, unable to straighten my back.

  “Maybe. I had a vision about an Angel. He gave me one of his feathers…” I say softly. With eyes wide open, Charlie winces.

  “He should not have done that.” Now alarmed, Evan abruptly stands.

  “What do you mean?” he demands. Charlie reaches for another shot, but Evan throws his hand over her glass, waiting for her to answer.

  “If he was in her vision, he chose to be there. And if he gave her his feather, it was a promise that he would see her again. Although technically that is true, since he is part of her Angel squad. That gesture, though, was more intimate. I haven't spoken with him since I came back, so I can’t tell you why he did that.”

  As Evan slowly lifts his hand off of her glass, Charlie quickly grabs it to take her last shot. Slamming it down on the table, she stands so she can get to eye level with my fiance.

  “I know you, Evan. I know you're not the type to let jealousy affect the mission. And I know you well enough to be certain you would never let someone else win her heart. Why? Because you already have it. Now sit back down. We must fight together, not each other.” I can hear a sense of authority in her tone and I can tell Evan does, too, because he sits down without another word.

  “You know you're the only Anima Partem for me. Always and forever, Evan.” I quickly mind speak him this message and I can see his shoulders slightly sag. Now he looks like a sad puppy, but at least he’s less tense. Sitting back down, Charlie reaches for another dessert.

  “These are delicious, but they are nothing compared to your baking. Man, do I miss your desserts.” She says, trying to change the subject.

  “I’m sure that’s exactly what I’ll be doing every chance I get until this battle is over.” I admit, unsure and reluctant to accept what is to come.

  “Let’s take things one day at a time. Today was hectic between the ambush, me revealing myself, and all of this information. Why don’t we call it a night and tomorrow I can teach you how to control that angel gift of yours and we’ll get together with everyone to discuss our next step.

  If we look too far into the future, we might set ourselves up for failure. A patient and composed mind can accomplish way more than a scattered hot mess. That’s something Callie taught me, and it has more truth to it than you can imagine.” Like a trance, Evan and I agree and get ready for bed without another word being spoken because there are just not enough words that either of us can formulate any longer.

  “I love you, Scarlet.” Is the only thing Evan says before drifting off into a hypnotizing drunken slumber. Before I could answer, my eyes unwillingly close, succumbing me into a deep and much needed sleep.

  Chapter 17

  Don't Panic

  Evan and I wake up at the same time, sitting up abruptly. We notice we’re at the dorms when I’m positive we fell asleep at Evan’s house. Now I’m unsure if what happened yesterday was just a dream.

  With one look into each other’s eyes, we both know. It wasn't a dream, it was real. Scrambling out of bed, we race out of the room and into the living room like kids on Christmas day. And even better than Santa, my very own guardian angel stands before me.

  Charlie looks exactly as she did when she was a mortal, except that her features are even more flawless than when she was my roommate, which seems impossible since she was already so beautiful. Now she glows and looks graceful in everything she does with her heightened senses. Even as she just stands with her back to us, looking out of the window.

  She knows we’re here, of course she does. Stretching her arms high above her head, she arches her back and, with the little sunlight coming in, we can see two scars on her back that match mine. While she slowly brings her arms down, her wings elegantly unfold out of her scars, draping onto the floor and pulsing with a hypnotic beat. Both my Anima Partem and I let out the breath we’ve been holding since entering the room.

  Turning around, Charlie has a smirk plastered on her face, knowing just how much in awe we are.

  “I know, I know. But honestly, Scar, I'm pretty psyched to see what yours are going to look like.”

  Suddenly, as her words sink in, I see her as someone who is finally going to be able to help me. After yesterday, I know I'm going to ne
ed all the support I can get.

  “Now that I can’t wait to see.” Evan says, now looking at me the way he’s been looking at Charlie.

  “Well, I'm really relieved that you're going to be here when it happens. I try not to think about it because I don't know what to expect.” Walking over to the couch, I sit down with questions filling my head.

  Now that I have Charlie, I can work to better my angel half. Coming over, she retracts her wings and takes the seat next to me.

  “Okay, this is why I made you guys go to sleep last night and moved you to the dorms. We’re lucky no one was here. I can already feel the avalanche of questions you both have. But really, we’re going to have to take it one day at a time.” She says this calmly, but I can sense some tension in her words, and I completely understand what that feels like.

  Closing my eyes, I welcome and greet my power. Thinking of nothing but our coffee shop breakfast, it only takes a slight push. With a quick nod to complete the cast, the table in front of the couch fills with coffee, donuts, and croissants.

  “Girl! Yes!” Happily, Charlie grabs her coffee, taking a grateful sip.

  “Now I see why you're the one. It’s simple math. What angels can do plus what casters can do equals the perfect weapon.” Taking her pick of breakfast, she fills her plate and plops back onto her seat.

  “Now all you need is some direction from your angel side and you'll be untouchable.” She says it so confidently that even I believe her.

  Taking a deep breath, I quickly snap my fingers, cleaning my teeth and face before joining Charlie. Evan follows and takes the seat across from us. Charlie picks up her chocolate croissant and points it directly at Evan.

  “And you, I know you have just about the same amount of questions as your girl here, but I'm also going to need you to take it easy on me. We do things at my pace. Also, you are very important, so do not test my patience with ANY jealousy. It’s that simple. When Theo gets here, we do not have time for any of your testosterone-filled battles that absolutely DO NOT need to occur. EVEN if he pushes you.” She shoves some of the croissant in her mouth and places the rest back on her plate.

  Taken aback, Evan only sips his coffee. Neither of us are sure of what to say or do. Charlie seems to be taking the lead, and I think it’s because she’s happy to be out in the open and able to actually speak to us.

  “I know this is surprising, guys, but come on. Stop looking at me like that already. I'm here. And I'm going to help. I mean, think of what I'm going to have to deal with when Luke sees me. Just snap out of it!”

  Whenever she raises her voice or gets a bit angry, she still has such a calmness to her. It’s uncanny. But I do understand where she’s coming from. I get the same stare we’re giving her all the time because of the prophecy and my powers, and it is the most uncomfortable feeling.

  “Sorry, Charlie. You're right. But you do realize this is a lot to take in and it’s just amazing to have you back. Um, is it a bad time to mention that Luke, Derek and Mack are all next door?” Snapping her head in my direction, Charlie stands straight up.

  “What? Well, what in all of the worlds are you waiting for? Go get them!” Now Evan stands straight up.

  “I’ll go. I won’t say why. I’ll just tell them it’s an emergency. Man oh man, are they going to be in for the surprise of their lives!” Sprinting out of the door, he goes to assemble the three people who this may shock even more than it did us. Running in place, Charlie squeals her excitement.

  “I cannot wait for us all to be together again. I’ve missed you guys so much.” Pulling me in for a tight hug, I squeeze her with my angel strength, knowing she can take it.

  “Whoa! Already so strong! Yes!”

  Just as we high five each other, the front door begins to open. Charlie surprisingly hides behind me before anyone can see her. A very tired and cranky Mackenzie stands, looking at me scowling, like I am the one who woke her. Derek looks like he just rolled out of bed also and is still half asleep. And Luke ... Well, he looks like he’s been awake, but his eyes look empty and he appears crushed. Which has been his norm lately.

  “Scarlet Winter, y’all are lucky I don't know how to use my castin’ yet. Why am I awake right now?!” Crossing her arms over her chest, she taps her foot waiting for a reply.

  Clearing my throat, I try to reach behind me. Grabbing hold of Charlie's arm, we wrestle for a minute before I finally pull her out from behind me. Her hair falls in front of her face and, as she slowly flips it back, the look in all of their eyes change from dismay, to surprise, to wonderment.

  Mack screams as if she is in a horror film, and that wakes Derek up enough to realize who is standing in front of them. Lucas is a literal statue. I'm not even sure if he’s still breathing.

  “WHAT THE FREAKIN’ HELL IS GOIN’ ON!” Mack shouts, as she backs away.

  “Is this some kind of caster voodoo that y’all are messin’ with? Uh uh, I am not dealin’ with any franken-zombies.” Clearly freaking out, I run up to Mack to try to calm her.

  “No! What are you even talking about? There are no franken-zombies!” As I say those words to her, I realize I would be thinking the same thing if I were her looking at this preposterous scene.

  “Charlie, why don't you show them?” Without clarifying that it’s her wings I'm talking about, Charlie understands and instantly lets them out. On cue, Mack faints.

  In tune with her situation, Derek comes out of nowhere and catches her before she hits the floor, while still staring at Charlie. Yet, Lucas hasn't moved a muscle. I don't know if he’s trying to process the whole thing or he can’t believe the love of his life is back. I can tell Charlie is beginning to take it to heart. While Derek has Mack, I run over to Lucas, snapping my fingers in front of his face.

  “Hello!! This is the answer to your prayers! Don’t Panic! Can you just snap out of it and embrace the moment so you can understand what has happened!?!”

  The moment the words leave my mouth, I realize what my problem is. I spend so much time freaking out about new situations or issues, that it wastes time and energy that could be used to gather information to potentially help.

  Charlie looks at me with understanding, knowing the realization I just had. With a simple nod to her, I am ready to shut up, wake up, listen, and learn. Backing away, I go over to Evan’s side, making sure not to touch him.

  “It’s going to be a long day.” As he says this, I realize it sounds deflated.

  Something I'm going to have to work on is separating my feelings from others. I’ve been so freaked out about Charlie and the news she brought with her that I haven't had any time to understand how Evan is feeling. He is my other half and this affects him as much as it does me.

  If the tables were turned, my stomach would be inside out thinking of Evan sharing a bond with another woman. Turning around to make eye contact with him, I ball up and send him as much love as my heart holds. I see his eyes brighten, but he looks guarded. Like he doesn't know what he would do if he ever lost me and he’s trying to protect himself a bit. Even though that will never happen.

  Finally, Lucas is mobile again and sprints up to where Charlie’s standing. Slowly, he raises his hands to feel her arms. I guess he’s making sure she’s real and he’s not dreaming. When the realization that she’s actually back hits him, he gently but forcefully pulls her in for an intense kiss.

  We all just stand there, mesmerized by their love. And they couldn't have cared less. We don't blame them. Although, Charlie used to be more of a private person. It seems this new attitude is part of some of the changes she has undergone.

  “We’ll be alone later. I promise.” She whispers this to him, but we can all hear.

  Mackenzie begins to stir and wake from her fainting episode and Charlie quickly retracts her wings, knowing it didn't help having them out. When she becomes lucid enough, she remembers why she passed out and scurries backwards on her butt. She looks afraid. Which is not at all what I expected.

  “But,
but, but… I saw you dead. There was blood everywhere. Your blood! How is this even freakin’ possible?”

  Mack, being the most mortal of us all, is here to put things into a different perspective. She pretty much says what we are all thinking, and I love her for that. But sometimes, like now, it would help if she wasn't so dramatic.

  “I know, Mack. It’s terrible that you had to see that. I’m sorry.” Charlie apologizes, causing both Mack and I to scoff.

  “You should not be apologizin’ to us. You're the one who died. Someone get me my Twizzlers.” Now that Mack is getting more comfortable with the facts, her humor is beginning to come back. And I think that’s exactly what we all need.

  “So…what happened?” Luke asks, changing the mood to completely serious again.

  Taking his hand, she leads him to the couch and pats next to her for him to sit. Mack and Derek take the love seat, ready to get caught up. I listen to Charlie retell her Paradise story and I hold my breath when she brings up Theo. Mackenzie blatantly looks at Evan when she hears about that situation.

  Raising her eyebrows, she returns her attention back to the story. It takes everything in me to not think about Theo and the vision we shared. I know my heart belongs to Evan, but for some reason I can’t get the vision out of my head. Thankfully, Charlie changes the subject.

  “Which reminds me, Scarlet, we seriously have to get that angel gift under control. Callie said that you might get the ability to absorb powers, since your grandmother and great-great-grandmother had it. It skips a generation. So she prepared me to help you through it.

  And I know nothing has been killing you two more than not being able to touch each other. So that is going to be lesson number one.” All business, she stands up, ready to start the training. But Lucas had different plans, as he stands up to block her view of me.

  “What? You want to get into that stuff right now? I just got you back.” Even with his back facing me, I could tell he’s pulling out the sad puppy dog eyes.