“I guess I asked for that one, but no I’m not. A better guess though. Great improvement from the whole ninja thing.” She was enjoying this. If only I was too. I was more confused than ever. She looked me in the eyes, turning the conversation in a more serious direction. I could hear my heart beating against my chest and I swore she could hear it too.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Silence.
“The first time I told you what I am, was just over a year ago. You were at some concert out by the warehouses and you stumbled over to the pier where I was…where I was supposed to be watching over you. You caught me off guard which is normally hard to do. As a result, I used my ‘ninja skills’ and scared you half to death. You weren’t terribly injured or stupid either. You sensed I wasn’t normal and began to piece certain things together. Like how I always seem to be where you are. I thought it was the perfect time to tell you who I was. That I’m your Guardian Angel.” In that moment, it all came together. I should have been freaked out or going nuts but I felt relief, like I knew this already. I probably did, I just couldn’t remember.
“Do my parents and Jones know?” Because if they didn’t, I didn’t know if I would be able to keep this a secret.
“Jones is also you’re Guardian Angel and the one who erased your memory of what I told you last year. As for your dad…um…I don’t really know how to explain.” I should have known Jones was one too. It was the perfect cover up. But she wasn’t stopping there. They’d been lying to me.
“Try,” I said.
“Xavier is a fallen angel. But before he fell he was an Original Angel—made, not born—older than me and Jones combined. So yeah, he knows. And before you ask any other questions, just know that he is your real father, so don’t ever doubt that.”
“What about my mom? What is she?” Dread was bubbling in my stomach. I was feeling angry, I didn’t want to but I couldn’t help it. I understood why they didn’t tell me, but it didn’t dissolve the feeling of betrayal.
“Emily is human. She knows what’s going on and I know you feel betrayed, and lied to, but you need to get over it, Max. This isn’t the time for self-pity. Everything we did, Xavier did, was for your well-being. He might have gone overboard on some things, but it was all for your safety.”
I couldn’t believe she was lecturing me on safety. They were the ones who lost me to some demon prostitute that was going to suck me dry. I was the only idiot left in the dark.
“I don’t need your recommendation on how I should be taking this information. Everybody has been lying to me and the only person who was upfront with me was that damn succubus chick. Save that crap for someone else.” I stood up and started pacing. This had to be a bad dream.
Angela cocked her head to the side.
“What are you looking at?” I was so upset that not even the crush I’ve had on her for so long could change my attitude.
“What do you mean she was upfront with you? What did she say?”
“I don’t know. Just stuff.” I ran my hand through my hair and I could feel the energy draining from me. I didn’t even know what day it was.
“Max, right now is not the time to hide information. We don’t have a clue why she came after you.” Under those stern eyes, I think she was worried. I just didn’t know if she was worried for me or what I was going to say. Did it even matter?
“I was half asleep when this all happened so I might have heard wrong. She just said that my dad could have avoided all this but that they wouldn’t hurt me anyways because they needed me.”
“So you were a target. Hm.” She mumbled under her breath. If only I understood, I could be brainstorming with her, but no, I’m silently freaking out.
“What day is it?” I felt so disoriented that I just wanted to pull out my hair.
“It’s Monday night. You’ve been out for a while.”
“You don’t say,” I whispered and I’m pretty sure she heard me.
Her face turned to stone and we sat in silence for what felt like at least an hour before she spoke again but she didn’t give anything away. Once again she went back to being emotionless.
“Come on; let’s get you home to rest.” We walked back to the Jeep and I was too tired to argue or continue the conversation.
6
One thing I was grateful for was school. Rumors were circling around the disappearance of the Anderson Twins. Some said they left to work at a strip club in South Beach, others suggested I impregnated her and she ran off with our love child and her sister. I doubt our make-out session last Friday counted as an affair but after everything I’d learned, I wouldn’t be surprised if I did get her pregnant just by sneezing on her. If only they knew she was some psycho succubus duplicator thing that wanted to take my energy or whatever and leave me for dead. Just thinking about it gave me the chills. Either way, I was glad to get a piece of normal back, even if it was by myself. Aside from the twins, Jones and Angela hadn’t returned to school. I didn’t know since their cover was blown that they even needed to, but then again they haven’t bothered to talk to me. I thought if anyone had my back it would be Jones.
I got out of school after sixth period for work but after all the excitement of this past weekend, my mom thought it would be best if I took the rest of the week off from Tina’s. Since Jones wasn’t giving me a ride anymore, I was stuck driving my parent’s Corolla to and from school.
Thank God it wasn’t a minivan.
While driving down Main Street, I saw Brit standing on the side of the road in the red dress and I thought how great this day was ending… until I saw a royal blue BMW parked at the restaurant next door. If anything was going to get me fired up it was that. After the night at the pier with Angela, it seemed like no one would speak to me (and I didn’t mind at the moment since I needed the space to think) but after calling Jones for the past two days without a call back, things just didn’t seem right. I cut off the car to my right and zoomed up the hill of the parking lot for ‘La Piccola Italia’ restaurant. I pulled into the parking spot next to the Beamer and knew Jones was here. Not that I’m a stalker or anything but his football jacket was in the backseat. This town was too small and he was the only one with a flashy car other than Anthony.
I noticed I might not have been properly dressed for the occasion, but I was already here. No sense in turning back now.
Once I entered the bistro, a freckled faced girl was standing at the hostess podium. She was petite but I could tell she wasn’t in high school, maybe college. She eyed me suspiciously as she scanned over my black t-shirt, fitted jeans and running shoes. Great— the day I decide to dress like a bum is the day that mattered the most. I could tell she wasn’t even going to let me use the bathroom.
“Can I help you sir?” She gave me a fake smile and I knew I was doomed.
“Um…yes. My friend is inside having lunch and I have to give him something. May I just go in really quickly? It’s sort of an emergency,” I wasn’t convincing enough. The choke in my voice gave me away.
“Please, he has severe asthma and I have his inhaler. He might die.” I gave her my best acting chops, plus the puppy face. This had to work. Asthma was a serious thing. Unfortunately I didn’t have an inhaler with me but I was hoping she didn’t ask to see one.
“What’s his name? Lunch time guests are only by reservation so he has to be on the list.” Great, this was easy.
“Loran Jones. And it’s spelled, L-O-R-A-N.” She looked at me like I was insulting her intelligence but he had a complicated name, she’d better be grateful I spelled it out.
“I’m sorry, we don’t have anyone by that name.” Now she gave me a true smile as she showed me towards the door.
“What? No, he’s in here. His car’s outside. I have to give him his inhaler!” If she thought she could block me from the entrance to the dining room, she was dumb as a rock.
I skimmed past her and hopped over the red rope. I scanned the room and couldn’t f
ind him. How hard could this be? I heard the hostess call for security and I knew I had to move fast. People noticed my intrusion and tried to grab me as I weaved around the tables. A door by the kitchen caught my attention with a placard at the top which read, “Private Dining.” That had to be it. I glimpsed two huge security officers behind me and I sprinted towards the door.
The first day I met Jones was in the eighth grade. We were sitting on opposite sides of the lunch table and Betty “Big Boobs” McPherson was talking to me. There wasn’t a guy at school who didn’t wish to get a feel for her rack and she was offering me that chance. In exchange, I had to pretend to be her boyfriend so her mom wouldn’t find out she was dating this high school dropout who was sixteen years old. And I would have done it, if my conscious didn’t intervene. Damn those gut feelings. So I turned her down.
“I can’t, sorry. I don’t want to get in trouble.” She looked at me like I was an insolent.
“Max, maybe I didn’t make myself clear. My mom loves you and is always raving about what a good kid you are. You’d be the perfect cover up for me and you’ll get a cheap feel out of the deal. It’s a win-win.”
During our conversation, Jones came by and took a seat in front of me. As if to show me what an amazing opportunity this was, she offered the same deal to Jones, but she didn’t expect his response.
“Nah, those boobies aren’t even all that.” Everyone in the cafeteria looked our way since he pretty much yelled it. She was so embarrassed, I was surprised she didn’t leave in tears.
Jones was new to school but was already part of the popular crowd. I had never spoken to him before but I couldn’t help it.
“Dude, her boobs are amazing,” I whispered.
He looked up from his lunch tray at what I said and started to laugh, “I know man; I would have given anything to get a feel for them. But it didn’t seem right.” And as cheesy as it may be, we’d been best friends since.
The doors burst open and I couldn’t quite get my bearings together. Because for the first time since that day in eighth grade, I didn’t feel like he was my friend anymore. The small and intimate dining room was filled with lit candles and rose petals all over the floor as the lights were dimmed. A table for two was in the center and seated around it were the last two people I could imagine sharing a romantic meal together: Jones and Angela.
“What the—?” Before I could finish, the two security officers had me on each side, lifting me off the ground. At this point, I didn’t care anymore.
“Gentlemen, please set him down. He’s a friend. If you would actually bring in another chair as Mr. Taylor will be joining us for lunch.” The two giants set me down as Jones motioned for them to go. I was too stunned to speak. I looked back and forth from Jones to Angela until one of the waiters brought me a chair, but I couldn’t even sit.
I had never seen him so dressed up before, in slacks and a tie but looking at Angela, she was stunning in her dress that I had to shake my head to get myself together.
“Will that be all Mr. and Mrs. Lorenzo?”
Oh no.
“That’s all.” Jones brushed him off and the door closed behind me. Now I was frozen in place.
“You liked my posh accent? I’m quite good at it. Maybe I should think of becoming an actor. What do you think, Max?” He was talking to me but I wasn’t listening. He was joking around and for some reason I had a feeling he was laughing at me.
“What the hell Jones! Is this some twisted joke?” I couldn’t even bear to look at Angela. If she didn’t know I liked her, she’d know now.
“Dude relax, you knew she was out of your league anyway and we’re both Guardians, so it’s not like you could date her.”
At that I had to look over at her. She was clenching onto the table like she had been holding onto my sofa the day she rescued me. This didn’t make any sense.
“I thought we were friends? This is some jacked up stuff,” I mumbled and he kept eating like I was some song playing in the background.
“Max, we can stop pretending. You know the truth about us and now we don’t have to pretend to be friends anymore.”
I slammed my hands onto the table and all the silverware jumped up from the force. I was so mad, I felt my insides burn like fire.
“What kind of bull is that, man?” I had never felt this kind of anger before.
Jones pushed off his chair and leaned in towards my face.
“I wouldn’t push your luck, Max. You’re the human and I can really hurt you.” He gave me a light head bump and that was the last straw. The smirk on his face egged me on and I felt my hands shake in anger.
I heard Angela say something but the burning sensation coursing through my body made me pay her no mind. I could feel the heat radiating off of me. Jones eyes grew wide and I finally heard what Angela was saying.
“Max stop! Your hands are on fire!” I looked down and she was partially right. My hands were on fire but the flames weren’t red and orange. They were blue and white with just a tint of yellow. I couldn’t believe what was going on and if I wasn’t so angry I’d probably be more shocked, and maybe even scared.
Jones seemed as if he were getting over his initial surprise and a grin spread across his face.
“Now things have gotten a lot more interesting.” He popped his knuckles and jumped up about five feet in the air and slammed his right fist into the ground towards me. The force created a ripple effect as one by one the tile cracked and the mini earthquake sent me flying towards the wall. This time, it didn’t knock me out. Whether I was pumped up with adrenaline or not, all I knew was nothing could calm me down. I flexed my hands and two balls of fire had emerged. Instinctively knowing what to do, I hurled the first one in his direction; missing him by just a hair. Subconsciously, I didn’t want to hurt him but my body had a mind of its own. Everything that had been going on was feeding into my anger. The lies and cover ups and now the betrayals—it was all too much. Before I could send the second fireball his way, Jones froze—with that smirk splayed across his face. I jerked my hand back and waited as he stood there without blinking. What the heck? I looked over at Angela and she didn’t hide her frustration. Her hands were out in front of her as if she were pushing air away that was too heavy—in Jones direction. My heart rate was slowing down as I pieced everything together—she was the one who had frozen him.
Now that was cool.
“Max, I don’t know how you’re doing it, but you better put that fire out NOW.” With my hands still on fire, I didn’t know how to get rid of them. They simmered down a little but weren’t completely out. Shaking my hands, I tried to get them to smoke out but nothing. Not wanting to go near Angela in case I hurt her, I looked over at the wall where a table with a pitcher of ice and water was and I dipped my hands in them. They sizzled as the fire went out and my insides calmed down. My hands felt light and airy as I shook away the water droplets.
She dropped her hands and he unfroze. Before anyone could get a word in, Angela was dragging me out the door of the restaurant; again.
Pienza, Italy
1506
7
He laid still with only the movement of his chest as he took slow and deep breaths. The feel of his skin was scorching hot and moist, but he shivered. I moved closer to him, hoping to feed him some of my warmth; but there was no use. He was slowly dying and there was nothing I could do for him. The illness came so quick he didn’t have a chance. The physician said he had the “sweating sickness” and there was no cure for it. I cursed God for giving him this fate: a slow and painful death that a man like him didn’t deserve. His life was coming to an end, and so was mine. Without my father, I was alone. He protected and cared for me in a way that my mother never had, a way my mother refused to. My mother treated me like a leper ever since I could remember. She wouldn’t touch me or even look me in the eyes. According to her, she had one daughter, and I wasn’t her. My little sister was forbidden from speaking to me.
No smiles or sof
t words of comfort was I ever given by that woman who supposedly gave birth to me. Yet, there she stood in the doorway to my father’s sleeping quarters, a few feet away as if I would contaminate her—staring at us in disgust.
Slowly, his eyes began to flutter. He looked at everyone in the room, including the youngest that stood behind our mother by the door. But all he cared for was the one by his side.
The one he made.
Me.
“Father, do not wake. Go back to sleep,” I murmured under my breath in relief that he was still alive. His face grew ashen once the illness came and he’d aged at an alarming rate. What once were midnight black waves of hair were now streaked with grey and white.
Ignoring my wishes, he sat up, taking a hold of my hand. They were strong and manly though delicate, well-manicured and soft as silk. He turned his head toward my direction and just stared. His eyes a dark green that shimmered under the light. Before I could protest his movements, he spoke over me. His voice wasn’t the same. It was low and raspy, when normally his voice was loud and demanding.
With all that struggle and difficulty he was having, he still mustered up the strength to speak.
“Listen to me,” he choked out, heaving as the words came out. “My daughter, don’t pity me. I am sick and have lived a fruitful life. My time has come.”
It broke my heart hearing him speak. I knew it was time; he was saying his farewells. I couldn’t stop the tears rolling down my cheeks. My mother and sister behind me couldn’t wait until he was gone. They feared the man in this bed and seeing him like this was their relief.
I concentrated on my last moments with him.
“Hush my angel, there is very little time. Come closer to me, as this cannot fall on anyone’s ears but yours.”
I thought he was becoming delirious. He was probably running a temperature. I reached for the rag I kept in water; squeezed it out and placed it on his head.
Sins of the Fallen Page 4
