Black

by Angelina J. Steffort

  “He’s still unconscious. Moved slightly once, but apart from that, no changes,” I informed Jaden of the development.

  “Thank you,” Jaden acknowledged my report.

  It was a strange conversation, almost professional. I thought of my sister caring for sick people in her hospital far away. I was sure she would never have a case like this. I hoped she never would.

  Jaden bent down to carefully lift Adam from the floor, supporting his torso with both arms. “Chris, take his legs,” he instructed.

  Chris had Adam by the waist at once, gently lifting the lower part.

  Adam’s wings were flowing down beside his ribs to the floor, where they twisted in an unnatural angle.

  Chris and Jaden looked at each other briefly before they disappeared with Adam in their arms.

  “Our turn,” Jenna pulled me to my feet with an outstretched arm.

  Before I could blink, we were gone.

  The next thing I saw was the Gallagers’ living room.

  Chris and Jaden were carefully laying Adam down on his stomach on the couch while Ben was arranging Adam’s wings so they wouldn’t touch the wound, and folded one across the backrest while he let the other one spread on an armchair they had pushed toward the sofa.

  The fear for Adam was like a ghost, hovering among us. Even Jaden, who owed Adam nothing—who had given everything just to make sure I was safe, for whose mission Adam was a constant threat—even he was anxious about his well-being.

  “Will he wake up again?” I asked through clenched teeth, trying to hold back the slowly upcoming panic.

  What if he didn’t wake up again? What if his remembering had destroyed him—no space for good within bad, or whatever someone might call it...

  Ben creased his forehead as he examined Adam’s back.

  “This looks painful,” he said with a voice that let me guess he was imagining his own wings damaging his body the way Adam’s new wings had.

  Jenna left my side for a minute and returned with a bowl of water and two sponges. “I’ll clean the wounds again. Maybe the warmth helps—”

  “Help me?” She handed me a sponge and I was grateful she gave me a task to keep my hands busy and be close to Adam at the same time.

  Some of the tears had reopened a bit and fresh blood was leaking onto his pale skin.

  I dabbed at the injury the way I had observed Jaden do it and reran the events in my head. Jenna was discussing the severity of Adam’s wounds with the others. The common opinion was that we didn’t know enough about them to understand if there would be permanent damage. All they knew was that there was no immediate danger for Adam—and that reassured me.

  Nobody asked what had happened and I was grateful. Knowing that Jaden had already shared with the others, took away the awkward feeling of needing to explain myself. Also it spared me from having to share details with Ben. I didn’t want to hurt him—not if I could help it.

  Long after we were finished, I was staring at the disturbing scarlet pattern on Adam’s back.

  “Maybe Liz knows something,” I suggested absently.

  “That’s a great idea,” Jenna confirmed. “She helped with Chris’ wings, she knew about the Contextus Daemonicus—who knows what theory she’ll come up with for this.”

  “We do need to get more information,” Jaden agreed and turned toward me. “Maybe you should call her.”

  Speculations

  “Thank you for coming on such short notice.” I hugged Liz and pulled her in over the threshold.

  Nothing that had happened since we’d met led me to treat her as anything other than a trusted friend.

  “The traffic was horrible,” she excused herself. “I’d have been here sooner if it wasn’t for that truck that drove like we are having ice and snow. Trust me, I did everything to speed them up—”

  There was a hint of amusement in her voice and I could imagine the woman gesturing at the truck-driver wildly and yelling at him—she was the type.

  “Anyway—” Liz tore out of my hug and eyed me skeptically. “What’s so important that it can’t wait until tomorrow morning? I don’t dump a hot date for just anyone.”

  “I am so sorry, Liz.” I blushed. If I had known she was on a date, I would have waited to call her. But this situation didn’t allow for delays. I shifted from foot to foot, embarrassed that I had disturbed her evening plans.

  She flashed her pearly teeth when she saw my expression.

  “If you hadn’t called, I’d have had to find a different excuse to bolt.” She laughed a hearty laugh that didn’t match with her outfit. “The guy was lame.”

  “Nice house.” She dropped her clutch on the sideboard and walked further in. “Do you live here?”

  It sometimes felt like it.

  “No,” I answered truthfully. “It belongs to Adam’s parents—to his stepmother to be precise.”

  I followed her to the foot of the stairs.

  Liz turned gracefully in her ankle-straps. “So what’s this emergency you called me for?”

  I swallowed. How does one explain what had happened just a few hours earlier?

  “Maybe it’s best if I just show you—” I suggested.

  “Okay,” Liz shrugged. “Show me.”

  The others were waiting in the living room—positioned around Adam, so they could all react in case he woke up—when I pushed my nervous hands against the heavy wooden door.

  Jenna and Chris were standing in front of the couch, blocking Adam from view.

  “Liz, meet the Gallager family.” I gestured at the room. “Everyone, this is Liz.”

  Liz’ face became solemn when she stepped inside. Similar to the first time she had seen Jaden at the library.

  “It’s an honor to meet you,” she bowed her head lightly.

  Jenna’s eyes widened in surprise when she saw Liz’ reaction to the presence of four angels.

  “Please,” she said. “It’s an honor to meet you.”

  Jenna walked toward Liz with an outstretched hand. “You saved my husband. We owe you so much. Please come in, take a seat.”

  “Such a pleasure to meet you, Liz,” Chris greeted her and shook her hand. “My lovely wife is right. We owe you everything. If it wasn’t for you, I would still be flightless.” He chuckled. “Please meet our son, Ben,” he added and gestured Ben to come forward.

  Liz was taken aback by so much kindness and openness. She hesitated for a second, before breaking into a smile. “Well, this is different.”

  “Hi, Liz,” Jaden waved from the back of the room. “Nice to see you again. Thanks for coming.”

  Liz struggled for a moment, not realizing who she was talking to. Jaden had been in his early fifties last time she had seen him. Today he was my age.

  “Nice to see you, too, Jaden,” Liz grinned as she recognized him.

  Then her eyes fell on the black-winged shape in the center of the room. She froze.

  “Who is that?” she asked, her smile wiped from her face.

  I stepped to her side, pausing there for a moment. “That’s the reason I called you,” I admitted. “This—” I said as I continued toward the couch, “—is Adam.”

  Liz’ jaw dropped as she took in the meaning of what I was saying.

  “He’s back.”

  “He is.” It was Jaden. “And we need your help.”

  “What ever it is you need,” Liz stuttered. “I’ll do everything I can to assist you. The code of The Guard demands it and my heart verifies it.”

  She bowed her head again. Deeper this time. “My time to serve is now and I am ready.”

  “And we honestly appreciate your assistance,” Jaden reassured. “But first, let’s sit.”

  Jenna gestured at an armchair near the fireplace and Liz sat down without a word.

  “I’ll get something to drink,” Chris announced and walked out the door—he didn’t teleport, probably not wanting to startle Liz—and reappeared just a minute later with a tray of coffee, milk and sugar, and a bo
wl of cookies.

  “It’s going to be a long night,” Jenna explained, apologetic.

  As if I needed coffee to stay awake. Adam was here, in this very room. He had kissed me—my lips still tingled where his had touched them. He remembered me. And he was unconscious.

  I wouldn’t rest until he was fine again. And Liz was our best hope to unlocking the secret of his coal wings and his wounds.

  My heart twisted at the sight of the crimson lines across his back.

  Chris put the tray down on the table and poured a cup for Liz. “Milk and sugar?” he asked as if this was the most natural thing to do.

  I had never seen him in the position to cater to anyone. After weeks at the Gallagers’ I had become so used to the family butler taking care of everything. Only recently, since he had been sent on vacation—for his own safety—had I seen the Gallagers’ various talents in culinary hospitality.

  It seemed as surreal to Liz as it did to me. Her eyes widened in surprise and she subconsciously shifted in her chair as if she was about to jump to her feet and take Chris’ task from him. It was obvious how uncomfortable it made her, being served by one of those she had bowed to moments ago. One of those she had pledged to serve.

  “Liz?” Chris repeated.

  “Excuse me,” she dove out of her moment. “Just milk.”

  Chris smiled at her bewildered expression. “We are normal people here in Aurora. Please don’t treat us as anything different.”

  “I’ll try,” Liz answered with a face that gave away her reluctance.

  She hadn’t been half as intimidated when Jaden had shown up at the library with me. But then, he had been only one angel. Now there were four—and what ever Adam was.

  I had become so used to the presence of supernatural that I wasn’t disturbed by it at all.

  “It gets easier,” I whispered at her, well-aware that all of them would hear me. All, except for Adam, who still was as motionless as he had been ever since Chris and Jaden had laid him down on the couch.

  Ben grabbed a cookie and watched me while chewing slowly.

  I had no idea what he was thinking. From his indifferent behavior, I assumed he was either hurt that I had turned him down, or that he was giving me space to make up my mind.

  “So,” Liz asked over the rim of her cup. “How can I help?”

  Everyone had sat down in comfortable positions, but for me it was obvious that they were building a protective barrier between Adam, and Liz and me.

  “Well, it’s hard to overlook what happened to Adam.” Jaden pointed at the dark wings that were spread over the furniture, his face mildly forlorn.

  “What happened exactly?” Liz switched into business-mode. Suddenly she was the confident Liz again.

  “It’s best when Claire tells the story,” Jaden suggested. “After Adam knocked me out, she was the only one to witness.”

  All heads turned toward me. Jenna empathic, Chris hopeful, Jaden disgruntled, Liz curious, and Ben—well, Ben.

  I sighed, knowing that I would have to share a precious moment, that I had just experienced, and I wasn’t sure if sharing it would taint the memory. But then, all our safety and Adam’s well-being depended on this, so I didn’t give it another thought. This was what was best for all of us. Even if it would hurt Ben.

  “The quick version—Jaden helped me study at my house. I took a shower before returning here and when I came back to my room, Adam had knocked out Jaden.” I glanced at Jaden and he nodded, encouraging me to continue.

  “Adam wasn’t there to attack me. He asked me the same question he’d asked before. He wanted to know who I am and why there is a connection between us—apparently he kept dreaming about me the same way I did about him.”

  I left out that Adam had used his powers to get me to speak. He had been tearing at my soul, without a doubt.

  “I told him that he marked me when he spread his angel wings... that he hasn’t always been like this, and that part of his soul is still with me... and that I love him.” I added the last words almost inaudibly.

  Ben shifted when my eyes searched his for signs of pain. They were solid steel when they stared back at me without emotion.

  “What happened next?” Liz interrupted my distraction.

  “Then I felt all strange, like I would pass out. At first I thought Adam was doing it to me, but he didn’t. And when it became almost unbearable, it stopped. His eyes glowed and he had his new wings. And he remembered everything.”

  Again I edited out something—the fact that he had kissed me.

  “He remembers everything?” Liz asked incredulously.

  “That’s a good question,” Jaden answered for me. “One we have yet to answer. But it is very likely he does. At least he remembers Claire... or he wouldn’t have kissed her.”

  Ben coughed lowly. I bit my lip, wishing that this could bring back Jaden’s last sentence. By the time my eyes had made it to meet Ben’s, his face was almost back to composed.

  “He has wings,” Liz stated the obvious.

  “He does,” Jaden smiled without humor, “and that’s why we need your help.

  “He has wings. Going by what you told us about the Contextus Daemonicus, Adam is a demon. And demons—”

  “Demons don’t have wings,” Liz interrupted, intrigued by the riddle Jaden was presenting.

  “Exactly,” Jaden took back the word.

  “That’s the first thing we are wondering about,” Chris threw in. “Why does he have wings? Does it mean there is some part of his angel-self alive in there?”

  “Like it was in hibernation—” Ben suggested.

  “And now that he remembers who he is, his body also remembers,” Jenna finished the thought processes.

  It was like the first time I had seen the Gallagers think like this. Like they were one mind rather than separate brains. It was overwhelming. And it made me feel left out.

  “So have you ever heard of anything like this? Or read about it? Even the wildest theory would help,” Jaden closed the circle.

  No one referred to the fact that Adam’s wings were as black as the night.

  “Does it mean anything that his wings are black?” I reminded them that I was still there.

  “Very likely it does,” Ben answered, his eyes on his brother. Jenna and Chris exchanged one of their looks and for once I wished I could read their emotions the way all of them could read mine.

  “I wish I knew,” Liz said, her eyes following Ben’s. “Why is he injured?” she eventually asked the one question that needed an answer the most.

  If we didn’t find out why he was injured, how would we be able to keep it from happening again—if he ever woke up...

  He had been out for too long. It was making me nervous. The only reason the Gallagers were still calm was that they had their extra sense. They knew that Adam was technically fine, even though he was unconscious and wounded.

  If there was the slightest chance he was slipping away, all of them would be on their feet, including my loyal guardian angel.

  “We don’t know exactly,” Jaden answered.

  “He collapsed in pain and then we found the wounds. There was blood everywhere around the roots of his wings,” I made sure Liz had all the information she needed. “His skin was ruptured like the wings just tore through it.” The memory of the blood-pool made my hair stand on end.

  “I healed the wounds as much as I could, but the ruptures won’t seal more than what you can see now.”

  “You tried everything?” Liz asked, piercing Jaden with her dark eyes.

  She didn’t seem surprised by what Jaden could do, but she seemed surprised by the limits of his powers when it came to this particular case.

  “Everything,” Jaden looked her in the eye, and she didn’t question him again.

  “So, can you help?” I asked, before I broke from tension. I needed to know—we all needed to know—what was going on. If we could rely on him waking up and remembering what happened, or if he would be
a danger, if he would wake up at all.

  Liz looked at me for a second before she stared at Adam for one long moment. Then she closed her eyes to browse through her brilliant mind. Everything she had ever read was stored there. A library under her thick, dark, wavy mane.

  The atmosphere in the room became tangible with expectation. Five pairs of eyes—four of them smoldering in the evening light—were fixed on Liz’ mouth, waiting for what ever would escape her lips that would enlighten us.

  “There is nothing about Contextus Daemonicus that I haven’t told you.”

  The disappointing flavor of her answer tasted bitter.

  Before any of us could dwell on it, she continued.

  “Let’s look at the facts.” Liz fashioned a serious expression. “Adam is an angel-demon-human hybrid. We don’t know exactly how strong his demon-lineage is, but apparently his angel-gene was stronger as it catalyzed first.

  “His angel and human parts were destroyed by demons—or so we think,” she added before anyone could object. “But his wings—black as they may be—are living proof that there is something more than a pure demon inside this boy.”

  “Demons don’t have wings,” Jaden repeated in a whisper.

  All our eyes wandered over to Adam’s shoulders. My heart took a tiny leap of joy, that he was still there, and then it sank because he hadn’t moved at all.

  “The wounds, of course, are shocking and deserve all our concern. Personally, I believe this is a good sign. If I think of Adam’s wings as something non-demonic, that would explain the wounds. His body wasn’t prepared for it. When Adam died, his angel powers must have died with him. And when he woke up as a demon, his body must have forgotten that it has the ability to sprout wings,” Liz continued her lecture.

  What she was saying sounded logical to me. Even Jaden was hanging on her words like a child, making sure he wouldn’t miss a thing.

  Jaden was the oldest angel I knew, nevertheless he had limited experience when it came to anomalies. He had spent his entire existence guarding and protecting his fosterlings—not studying details of the history of demons the way Liz had.