by Layna Snow
Seth stood too, and let out his breath. “Go join him. We will talk more in the morning.” With that he left, going into his own room before shutting the door. She wondered if it was to keep somebody out, or if the closed entrance was just a message. But a message to whom?
She couldn’t think of that now, she would contemplate it when she was more rested, when she did not have many things on her mind.
Melody slowly walked to Caleb’s room, the room she had slept in since she got here. Opening the door, she could see his sleeping figure on the left side of the bed—his side, he had told her. She hoped that Seth was right, that he wouldn’t be angry that she was there.
She crept inside and towards the bed before climbing in beside Cay. Her weight must have disturbed him because he rolled towards her and slung an arm around her, pulling her close. She could feel his breath along her neck, his heartbeat even against her shoulder and his warmth, wrapping around her. She was happy, he accepted her.
Now if only she could ignore the coolness of her other side, the emptiness there, she could go to sleep with a smile on her face.
14
A man stood silently in the dirty room. Nothing seemed to be the original colour and so he tried his best not to touch anything.
He could have been at Headquarters with his team, but instead he came to find out more about the girl.
If she was a Fallen, she would be invaluable. Many people would want to get control of her, but he would get to her first. There had been more Angels falling in the last few years than ever before. There was a reason, and that seemed like information that he should have.
It hadn’t taken very much effort in order to insinuate himself into this small town. There were always people in need of money, and he had the perfect offer. His group certainly helped him find the right person.
He looked through the window at the man who he had bribed. Staying here hadn’t been his first choice, but the bartender had the space, and it helped to keep things secret. Jimmy had thin hair and a pallor of skin that showed he worked nights. He would have shined in the moonlight if he had been cleaner.
It wasn’t just his apartment that was ill kept. The bartender himself didn’t care much for appearances.
Jimmy’s account was slowly moving back into the green, but the he hadn’t provided much information.
Nothing that his team hadn’t uncovered on their own.
He refused to use his name, to let anyone know who he was. So he simply went by the name Mr. Winters. He couldn’t reveal himself, not until the time was right.
Seth and Caleb would make a mistake soon, then the plan would come to a conclusion.
“I don’t know what to tell you. I’m not selling anymore.” Jimmy whispered, but the tall man inside the apartment could still hear.
Whoever came calling was not as discrete. “Why not? You can’t just change things without telling me! What else am I supposed to do?” The female’s voice called.
He could see a flash of blonde hair as the person turned and then Jimmy spoke once more. “You’re friends with that vet and his bud, ask them for something. I’m sure animal meds can get you high. But my supplier cut me off. Couldn’t pay. And well, now I’m clean.”
This girl knew Seth de Cruce and Caleb Price? Those were the men who had the Fallen! She might have some information.
The man smiled to himself and let the ratty curtain fall back into place, obscuring his view of the two arguing people. Jimmy lived on the ground level, which allowed them to come and go as they wished, but it also meant less privacy.
The bartender’s guest didn’t want too many people to know that he was here.
The wrong people could find out. Then he wouldn’t be able to get to the Angel.
“You don’t understand!” The girl shrieked outside. “I can’t ask them! They can’t know about this.”
“What, I knew you were close to that handsome one, but you sweet on him?” Jimmy chuckled.
The tall man stayed by the window to hear the rest. It might be useful. Any information could be.
“No! We’re just friends. But he’s interested in that girl. They both are! And you know, she doesn’t deserve them! She’s weird. She doesn’t understand the world, and when she got her ears pierced, something weird happened. She’s not normal! She’s nice and all, but they deserve normal.” She ranted.
She reacted to silver? That was an irritant to the Fallen.
It might not just be a rumour. It could be true.
This was the first good lead that the strange man had.
He shouldn’t be here. Someone else should have taken this job. It was beneath him. But he needed to do something. Something was changing, something was coming and he had to make sure that it turned out how he wanted.
“That’s great. I don’t care. I have to get back to…well something. People need to stop coming here! I can’t deal with all your shit!” the bartender sighed.
“My shit? I have a good job, good friends, and a guy. You sell drugs to people and dig yourself into a hole of crap and debt. You literally sell people drugs, and I’m as into alcohol as the next girl, but damn. You’re a lowlife. Just give me what I need, or tell me where I can get it.” The girl went on a longwinded rant that the man wished that he could ignore.
“I don’t have nuttin’. You have two options. You can go to town like a good girl or you can go see a doctor and get something prescribed.” Jimmy yelled.
“A doctor?” The girl asked.
The unknown man did not understand why people did drugs. It messed with their perception of life. It made it impossible to fight.
“Yeah. I heard that there is a doctor in town. Maybe you can get something from him, you won’t get anything from me.” Jimmy laughed.
“Oh… well, that’s actually a good idea, sugar. Maybe he could help me with something else.” She sounded thoughtful.
The newcomer would need to keep an eye on that doctor. He might be on the wrong side. Any side that went against the tall man’s group was the wrong one.
He did not like that there were new people in town. There were too many new people as it was.
“I don’t think he will accept what you have to trade.” The bartender said crudely.
“I’m not going to trade my body! You are really a creep, you know! I have other things of value. Besides, I’m saving all this for someone else.” She hissed.
“Like you haven’t already given it away. You’re no prude!” Jimmy chuckled.
The man inside the apartment saw another flash of blonde hair as the girl ran away.
He watched as his host came back inside. The bartender was thin, yet looked surprisingly strong. He must work out, although he was no match for his guest.
“I like those guys as much as the next person in town, but they sure do collect women. They haven’t been here that long and they’ve charmed the pants off most of the eligible gals. Between Brooklyn their receptionist, Sophie her sister, and Emily, Cay’s best friend… I just don’t get it.” Jimmy shook his head.
This man wasn’t close enough to the Fallen.
The mysterious man would need to see some of these women. Maybe he could make a deal with one.
“I’m going out.” He growled.
“Alrighty, Mr. Winters.” The man sat in an old creaky chair. “Or should I call you Agent? You are undercover, though.”
Hmm. The man named Winters was enjoying this. Maybe I will go undercover more often. People certainly gave him more respect than his team normally did.
15
“Oh, so you are in town to spend time with me?” Seth asked, knowing that doubt seeped through the phone connection. It was true that he hadn’t seen Tim in quite a few years but he hadn’t expected him to show up.
“Yeah, didn’t you get my email? I don’t do research into healing anymore. I decided to go into a different sector. I work for a private company now. But I had a conference in Toronto and decided to come look you up. You did say t
hat you had a new clinic. How is that going?”
Tim sounded like himself, and Seth couldn’t detect even a hint of deceit in his voice. He had mentioned in his email about getting together soon.
“The Cold Wood clinic has many clients already. The number will surely go up. People in this community love their pets and have been neglecting them because of the long drive into Barrie. They were excited about the clinic and have been very nice. A number of residents brought food to the workers as the building was being constructed. Everyone is very gracious.”
“Oh, I can guess how they showed their gratitude! There are some hot women in this town, old and young alike. Like an untapped goldmine. The men here sure don’t watch over their women.”
That always disturbed Seth. Tim could be very suave and charming, but he always bragged about his conquests as if he needed the recognition. He talked about people, women in particular, like a commodity. That was what separated him and Caleb. Cay was respectful to his girlfriends.
“I wouldn’t know.” He responded simply.
“No, of course you wouldn’t. I heard about you and Lucy. But being with one woman forever? You’re lucky that you got out. Oh, and I am really sorry about not being able to help with that healing issue. I have some friends that might know something though, if you want me to get you in touch with them.” The offer sounded sincere, but Seth no longer had any desire to test and explain Melody. Her blood and body’s ability could save many people, but she would have to go through harsh examinations.
“I made a mistake. I thought that a dog we had rescued had healed quickly, however after another surgery, he died. His body didn’t respond at all. I figure that it was a last push to survive before death.” He gave an explanation that would be sure to stand up to any investigation. The theory was sound, having been presented in many lectures, and the Gellarman dog had died.
“Ahh, so the great Seth de Cruce got something wrong. Well that sucks, buddy. I know how much you wanted to discover something great. I’m sure you still have time to do that. In fact, there is still room on my research team if you want to join. I know you just opened the clinic, but the job’s always open. You were always the smartest in all your classes. We’d do well with your help.”
Seth made a sound of assent, knowing that there was no point in explaining his need to stay with Caleb. They had been apart one summer and neither were happy. Caleb almost got arrested and Seth worked himself into exhaustion.
“Since you’re in town, Tim, you might as well come over later. We’re having a football game. I think the teams are uneven as it is.” And it would be best to talk to him more, to figure out what he had heard about Melody. It wouldn’t do to let him take information to his friends.
“Sure. Just let me know where and when. I have a date later but I could come before that.”
Seth looked at the clock in the office, it was 10 am and he had things to do before the game. Nate would already be here and said that he would play and Seth had heard Melody call Emily and ask if she would like to come out as well. She seemed hesitant and he briefly wondered why she wasn’t sure of Emily’s assent. However it appeared that she had agreed. “How about at 1?” he asked before giving Tim directions.
He could use to burn off some of this extra energy and frustration. He hadn’t been able to work out at nights very often, Melody was a light sleeper and had entered the basement gym way too often. Her bedraggled appearance only heightened his yearning. It made her look like she just had sex, and he kept picturing him making her look like that, or him and Caleb—which added to his annoyance and horniness all at once.
***
Melody watched the game anxiously. She didn’t comprehend the point of the game. The men ran back and forth across the field, trying to stop each other and get the ball. Why did they have to keep tackling one another? And what did these points add up to?
Hiding her face from the sun, she turned to look at Emily. The other woman was stretched own in a lawn chair that matched Mel’s. Her legs were up on a cooler and her body was placed in a position of relaxation. The girl looked happy as she watched the men play.
“Why do you like watching this game?” she asked, feeling absolutely no enjoyment. The sun was harsh, beating against her pale, sunblock covered skin, and seemed to get around her borrowed sunglasses. It was also so warm that her shirt stuck uncomfortably to her skin.
“Look, Mel. I know you’re new to the real world but even you must be able to appreciate a hot guy. We have four of them running around, shirtless. Watch. Their muscles are flexing and their practically shining. Hot! It’s definitely worth a little discomfort!”
“Oh come on! That’s just gross! Do you have to talk about them like I’m not here?” Ian groused from the other side of Em, as he sat with a pout on another lawn chair.
Melody ignored him as Emily laughed, choosing instead to look back to the impromptu field. She watched each man. They were very attractive. They were all created perfectly, their muscles reminding her of sculptures she had once seen. They all had hard powerful legs, hard abdominals and muscular chests. Their arms, though some more muscular than others, all showed off to perfection. Their hair, while varying colours, lengths and textures, were all slicked back with water and sweat and slightly tousled.
They did look good, and she appreciated looking at them. Her eyes focused in on Seth, able to run faster than the others, however Tim was close, tackling him. Seth fell down hard, his body lost as Nate piled on top. It looked horrible, painful and Melody pushed herself up, a gasp falling from her mouth.
Before she could rush out to Seth’s aid, Emily grabbed her arm, all the while laughing. “Wait, he’s fine. That’s the point of football. Believe me, this is normal.”
Just like that, the boys stood, brushed themselves off and then Caleb, who had run over, helped Seth up, patting him on the back and laughing too.
Mel did not like this game. Why did they want to be hurt? Why did they think this was fun? She sat back down, looking to Em for answers.
“Besides, if someone gets hurt, maybe I can play! Damn Jimmy for being sick anyways. You don’t understand, Mel. Us guys like the team work, the competition. We like to use energy in a physical way. We don’t like just sitting around doing nothing! We like testing ourselves and each other.” Ian said as Em cheered when Nate got a touchdown.
She smiled to Mel and raised her water bottle. “And I like watching for some eye candy.”
Nate did a touchdown dance, which made Em burst into laughter again. “Isn’t he great?”
Mel shrugged—a new demonstration of emotion that she learned recently—and looked over the field. “Caleb told me today that you have been seen a lot with Nate. Have you had intimate relations with him?” she asked.
Ian spit out some water, his shocked face bright red. “You can’t ask that!”
When Emily saw, she laughed again. “Oh, Mel. You cut right to the chase! No, not yet. But we kissed a few times. He is a great kisser! Oh, I really like him. He is really nice, romantic and well… most importantly, he’s hot!”
He was charming, but not as much as Caleb. Nate was intelligent but not as smart as Seth. He was nice but he did not take her in and shelter her. He was attractive but did not compete with the desire she felt when looking at her two men. She supposed that he was alright, but she felt bad for Emily, who had to be happy with second best. The poor girl had to settle.
“And what’s with that Tim guy? He flirted with me twice! I hear he’s a doctor, and with his body, whew! But I saw him go home with Marsha last night! Everyone knows she’s easy. Low standards!”
“Maybe I should just go home, or sit with some of the other girls. I see Phil Jordanski’s latest girlfriend over there, Felicity Fernicelli. Maybe I’ll talk to her. She brought her bunny in for a check-up the other day…” Ian said as he got up and moved towards some of the other bystanders. There were quite a few men playing today.
Melody agreed, well to what she c
ould follow. Tim did seem to be very nice, however he had kissed her fingers when they were introduced. That seemed very strange. He did not show her as much attention as he did Emily, so she did not think he was ‘flirting’ with her. But she knew that Emily was in a relationship with Nate, and she learned from movies that one did not ‘hit on’ those with significant others.
“He is Seth’s friend from collage. He seems nice.” She had not talked to him much, and so didn’t know if he was a good person or not. She didn’t want to be rude to one of Seth’s friends. “Why isn’t Ian playing?” Mel changed the subject, looking over at the other man who looked smitten by the woman in the pantsuit, Felicity.
Emily sighed and shrugged. “They say that Jimmy is sick, but I think it might be his drug problem. I heard he was buying again. I think that is why his brother-in-law is in town. I’ve seen the man. He’s quite in shape! I wouldn’t do anything to get on his bad side. Hopefully he can get Jimmy off the pills. The guy was so cool, it’s kind of sad to see him dependant on something like that.”
Mel didn’t really understand. What pills? “Drugs like in the clinic?” She asked.
Emily laughed. “No! Like… illegal drugs. Those are medication for animals!” As if that cleared anything up! Did this mean that what the boys were doing wasn’t illegal? What about the pain medication Cay took the morning after he drank the firewater? Was he going to get in trouble? She was about to ask Emily when the males came rushing back, all grousing about thirst.
While everyone found a place to stand, or sit, Cay sidled up next to her and gave her a short, sweet, delicious kiss. She wanted the kiss to go on, but the whistling from around the group seemed to embarrass Caleb, for he quickly broke the kiss and told those around him to ‘shut it’. Mel didn’t understand why he was so upset. Oh! But then he laughed. She didn’t comprehend boys!
Everyone had grabbed water bottles from the cooler, Emily winking at Nate as she passed him his. Melody smiled at Caleb again, only to find him already chugging his water. His skin was misted with sweat, little beads running from his temples and teasing her. She wanted to lick them off his skin, wondered what they’d taste like. She watched them trail lower, over his jaw and along the thick column of his throat, which worked as he swallowed his water. She could see that curious bump move up and down, and she wanted to kiss it.
