by Tiffany King
Haniel was used to my exuberant nature and didn't seem surprised that I had hugged him. I knew that usually Guides and Protectors refrained from hugging him, but I loved him. He was like family to me. I loved his stodgy attitude and his booming voice, and though he rarely showed it, I loved his sense of humor. He was like the brother I never had.
"Hello Jenna, it's nice to see you looking so well after your last assignment," Haniel said stepping into the living room.
"It was a piece of cake," I said, making light out of the volatile situation we had been placed in.
"I'm sure it was," he said dryly, making me giggle.
"Where have you been Haniel? I've missed you."
"I have been busy. It's a tough job keeping all my Guides and Protectors in order. Speaking of which, where is Victor?"
"He had to run some errands, but shouldn't you already know that?" I teased him.
He merely raised his golden eyebrows at me, making me giggle again. I couldn't help teasing him about the fact that I thought he should know everything.
"The Light does not share everything with me Jenna," he said, responding to my light laugh. "Though he did send me here today, but I assumed it was to chat with both you and Victor," he said, sounding unusually mystified.
Apprehension welled up inside me. The Light obviously had picked up on my misgivings and had sent Haniel to counsel me. I felt the stirring of embarrassment blossoming up inside me that I had made a small nothing into a mountain.
I sunk down on the edge of the couch. I kept my head down as I willed the embarrassment back.
I felt the sofa dip down beside me as Haniel settled his massive frame next to me.
"Jenna, it is not unusual for Protectors to struggle after a tough assignment. Though they have their Guides to help protect them from the hostile emotions they come in contact with, some of the negativity is bound to slip by," Haniel said, picking my thoughts from my head.
I cringed that I hadn't blocked my thoughts from him. A few days ago I had been dying to talk to him, but having my misgivings out in the open seemed irrational now.
"Jenna, this is what I was made for. It is my job to give you the support you need. Never hesitate to come to me when you are troubled. It pains me to see a soul as beautiful as yours struggle with doubts."
"He just seems so distant anymore Haniel. I feel like I'm losing him, but that's impossible right? I know Protectors can't leave their guides. I'm just being silly, I know that," I said, standing up to pace back and forth. "I know a protector can't leave his guide, but can he fall out of love with her?" I asked as my heart clenched at just the thought.
"Jenna he hasn't fallen out of love with you, it would be impossible. Your soul is like the heavens opened and filled with life," Haniel said in an oddly choked voice.
Startled, I looked up at him, but his face was as passive as ever with no signs of any other emotion. I shook my head at my imagination. What could Haniel possibly be choked up about, we were merely assignments of his.
"I will be gone for the next few days, but when I return I will counsel with Victor and lend my assistance," Haniel said, breaking into my thoughts that I had thankfully remembered to block from him as he strode toward the door in his normal abrupt manner.
"Thank you Haniel."
"Don't worry Jenna, all will be well," he said, closing the door softly behind him.
***
My talk with Haniel eased my fears and by the time Victor came home, I was happily humming in the kitchen while I finished the last few touches on our dinner. The kids had been fed and were tucked firmly in their beds.
"Hi, honey," I said, greeting him as I set the table.
"You look cheerful," he said, flashing me my favorite smile I hadn’t seen in a while.
"It was a good day," I said, standing on tiptoes to brush a kiss along his hard jaw line.
"Really, why is that?" He asked, pulling me into his arms.
"Oh you know, hanging out with the kids," I said, deciding to keep Haniel's visit quiet until Victor met with him himself. "They're so cute and clever," I added, linking my arms around his neck.
For the first time in weeks, he didn't draw away. Testing the water, I gently nipped on his jaw again and felt his arms tighten around me the way I liked. Smiling against his neck, I worked my way up and nipped his ear next. He pulled away and I prepared to fight back my disappointment when he reached up his hands to cup my face. Sighing with pleasure, I parted my lips as his descended on mine. After weeks of barely any contact, his kiss was like aloe balm on sunburn skin, instantly soothing my soul that belonged to him. I kissed him back with abandon and moaned with delight when he pulled me even closer to him.
"The kids?" He asked, finally breaking the kiss.
"Tucked away in their beds," I said breathlessly, knowing exactly what he was asking.
Smiling slightly, he dragged me back in for another kiss. I gripped his broad shoulders as he scooped me up in his strong arms and carried me back toward our bedroom, all thoughts of dinner forgotten.
Chapter 3
The next morning I awoke confused.
For the first time in my entire life, my sleep had been void of any dreams. Feeling sick from the absence of our shared dreams, I sat up abruptly looking for Victor, but saw that his side of the bed was empty. Something was terribly wrong. I had never heard of a guide or protector not dreaming of each other. It was one of our greatest gifts from The Light. It was what gave us strength and peace. My head whirled as I tried to process what it could mean and I yearned to talk to Haniel.
Settling on the next best thing, I reached for the phone to call Kate, but dropped the receiver when Victor bustled into the room.
"Oh good you're up. Haniel came by and we have a new assignment," he said pulling on a clean polo shirt.
"Really? I thought we were going to have some down time?" I said surprised.
"It's local. Some drug lord has set up shop in some abandoned warehouses on the outskirts of town and is using teens to distribute, which is why they're sending Guides in."
Still a little confused, I pulled on my robe. Usually we had more time to prepare for an assignment. "Is Haniel still here?" I asked, wondering if I would have time to ask him about the dream.
"No, he already headed out. He left all the details with me." Victor said, pulling on his white crew socks.
"Oh," I said, swallowing my disappointment. "Did he say anything else?" I pried, hoping maybe Haniel had at least taken the time to counsel Victor like he had promised.
"No, why would he? We're adults and can handle an assignment without any handholding," he said, sounding annoyed.
"Oh, I know that. I was just curious," I said, trying to pacify him. I approached him from behind sliding my arms around his midriff hoping to reignite the magic from the night before, but he pulled away from me.
"We have to hurry," he said, pecking me on the cheek, sensing my confusion.
"Why the rush?" I asked as I pulled on a pair of dark jeans.
"Haniel wants us to get there before the dealer can hand out the new shipment he got in last night."
"What about the kids?" I asked, wondering if Lacey could make it over on such short notice.
"I called Lacey and she and her friend Sabrina can watch all the kids at Melissa and Daniel's house since they have a bigger playroom."
I swallowed back my surprise, glad that he seemed excited about this assignment. Lately each assignment seemed to drag him down and I was usually left making all the arrangements.
I finished getting ready and headed out to the living room to pack a bag for the kids. Harmony was in her highchair munching on dry cheerios while Mark sat at the counter on a bar stool eating a piece of toast.
"I get to see Krista," He said happily munching his toast.
"I know sweets, are you excited?" I asked, placing juice and snacks in a bag.
"Hi sunshine," I said to Harmony placing a kiss on the soft locks covering her head. She lift
ed her chin and placed her tiny sticky hands on my cheeks to pull me in for a smacking kiss. She loved exuberantly loud kisses. I smacked my lips loudly against hers making her giggle with delight.
Within a half an hour we were in the car on our way to Melissa and Daniel's. I felt flustered from our mad dashing around. Normally we had a few days and an airplane ride to prepare for an assignment. I was really surprised Haniel was throwing us in so quickly. I guess our success rate had moved us up.
I glanced at Victor hoping to get a gage on how he was feeling, and was surprised at the giddy joy that seemed to be flowing through him. It had been ages since I had felt so much happiness in him.
I should have been happy at the change in him, but everything seemed off kilter. He had yet to mention the void of our dreams from the night before, and I was afraid to mention it myself. After this assignment, we were going to have to sit down and discuss things. It was important that we worked on strengthening our bond. Perhaps Haniel could work with us and show us tricks to work it out. Relieved that I had a plan, I settled back in my seat and watched the scenery pass by the window while Mark and Harmony chattered away in the backseat.
Everyone was at Melissa's house when we got there. I was relieved that Sabrina, Lacey's friend was helping her babysit. All the kids were good, but watching eight kids could still be tough.
Before we left, I knelt in front of Harmony to give her a light kiss. "I love you honeysuckle, you be good," I said sternly, making everyone laugh. Harmony was the happiest, most good natured little girl ever. She had a smile for everyone and I could count on one hand the number of times she had cried in the two years since she was born. Everyone loved her and loved being around her. She was like the sun coming out on a dreary day.
Mark was too busy playing to be bothered with goodbyes, so I blew him a kiss from across the room.
I felt the normal pinch in my heart as we headed out. Although the kids were pro's at handling our absences, I always worried leaving them behind.
We piled into the passenger van Chris and Kate had rented on their way over. I climbed toward the third row, sitting next to Kate and Melissa. Rachel, Nick, and Daniel slid into the second row and Victor claimed the passenger seat up front. The ride was loud and boisterous as the guys bragged about being sent into an assignment so quickly.
"I'm telling you, Haniel knows we have crazy mad skills," Daniel said, high-fiving it with Nick.
"Yep, we're the "unbeatable eight," Nick said, full of confidence.
"You ok?" Kate asked me quietly as the guys got louder and more outrageous in front of us.
"Yeah, I'm just trying to work through some issues. Maybe tomorrow we can grab a cup of coffee at the park and talk."
"Sure, sounds good to me. The kids love the park and Krista will be thrilled to spend the day with Mark again." I laughed at her words. The kids all shared bonds, but Krista and Mark's bond was already quite developed.
Our conversation was interrupted when Chris pulled into an empty parking lot riddled with potholes behind a huge industrial warehouse. He pulled the van into a spot near the back of the lot in the shadows of the trees that was encroaching the space. Victor hopped out and opened the door for all of us. I grasped Nick's hand and stepped onto the uneven pavement.
I used my emotional gage to get a read on the building, but was surprised when I couldn’t pick up on a single emotion. With teenagers involved I had been expecting to encounter several different emotions, ranging from animosity to despair.
Puzzled, I turned to my friends to see if they were getting the same kind of reading, but saw all of them were engaged in their pre-assignment rituals. All of us had our own rituals before we entered an assignment. Kate and Chris always shared a passionate kiss as if it was their last. Nick and Rachel would quietly discuss a strategy, while Daniel and Melissa would hold hands and connect their minds. Victor and I used to have our own ritual, but several assignments ago he had expressed that he thought they were silly and we should be focusing on the task at hand.
My feelings were hurt, but I downplayed them so no one else would know.
Finally when everyone was ready, we quietly headed toward the vacant warehouse in front of us. The Protectors walked in front of the Guides shielding us from any threat, but the closer we got to the warehouse, it became obvious that the building in front of us was empty. Maybe Haniel had mixed up the days or maybe Victor had written down the wrong address.
I exchanged looks with my fellow Guides who shrugged their shoulders with as much confusion as I had.
Victor pulled the heavy warped industrial door open. The metal groaned in protest and we all paused cautiously. After several moments, we proceeded into the building cautiously. The interior of the building was dark and smelt like death, the only light source was the narrow dirty windows at the top of the structure; it took several moments for my eyes to adjust. Finally, my eyes adjusted, but the smell was another issue all together. I placed my hand over my nose and mouth trying to block it out.
"It's from the bums that camp out in here," Nick said, seeing my look of disgust.
"It smells like it," I said, my voice coming out muffled behind my cupped hand.
The warehouse broke off in three different directions at the end of the cavernous room.
"I say we split up," Victor said, pointing down the three different hallways. "Jenna and I will stay here as lookouts."
"That sounds good man," Nick said, grabbing onto Rachel's hand and leading her down the hall on the right.
Kate and Chris took the hallway in front of where Victor and I were standing, while Melissa and Daniel headed down the far left. I watched their retreating backs, uneasy about the whole situation. Something just seemed off.
I glanced at Victor to see if he was getting the same vibe. I was surprised to see him studying me intently.
"What's wrong?" I asked confused that he was watching me and not being the lookout as he had suggested.
"I have dreamed about this day for years," he said, sounding gleeful. "Well, the dreaming I do that you don’t monopolize that is," he added sarcastically.
Chapter 4
"What?" I said again as ice cold dread began to fill me. What was he talking about?
"All of this. The end of our bonds and unfair links," he shouted, suddenly sweeping out an arm, pointing to the dark hallways that had engulfed the others. "Can't you feel it? Our bond is broken."
Everything spun out of control as his words began to register. I reached out with my emotions trying to find the loving soul in him that belonged to me, but came up empty.
It was gone.
My emotions snapped back to me and I gasped out loud in pain. This was impossible. We were created to be together. How could our bond be broken?
"Didn't you wonder why our dreams were blissfully empty last night? I'm surprised you abstained from mentioning it this morning. I was all prepared to ward off your questions, and yet not a peep."
"I was waiting until this assignment was over," I said, sinking to my knees as reality crashed in on me. "Is this even an assignment?" I asked brokenly, already knowing the answer.
"It was an assignment for me. It was time I took back what I was never given which was my own freewill. Of course, I had to make a bargain with The Dark One in order to gain my freewill, but it was for the better anyway."
"What bargain did you have to make?" I asked as bile rose up in my throat.
"Our friends of course, though I'm sure given the opportunity, the other Protectors would have gladly joined me. Being tied to an individual is unacceptable. Why should we die because you're too weak to protect yourselves?" He said, all but spitting the words at me.
"What have you done?" I asked choking back a sob.
"Just put it this way, there are no more bonds in this building," he said, flashing an unfamiliar smile my way that turned my blood to ice.
Backing up away from him, I turned and raced down the hallway that had swallowed Kate and Chris, u
sing my god given speed to outrun the monster behind me. Tears blinded my eyes as I finally skidded to a stop at the doorway in front of me. Placing my hand on the knob, I opened the door softly and stepped inside and peered at the horror in front of me.
Swallowing a sob, I knelt at the sides of my friends. By the angle of Kate's head, it was obvious her neck was broken. I collapsed on the ground beside her.
As Victor approached, I could feel a tangible evil that was stronger than I had ever sensed. How had he been able to hide this from me?
"How could you do this?" I asked in a whisper. "Why them?"
"Because, they stood in the way of making my vision a reality. I have plans for future generations and their interference would have hindered it."
"What do you mean future generations?" I asked, rising to my feet on wobbly legs.
"Our children of course. I have high hopes for how they will turn out after my little experiment."
The thought of him harming our children turned my anguish to rage. I used my fist to pummel against his rock hard chest, but my attempts were feeble next to his strength. After all, strength was not my virtue, emotions were. Before I could back away, he placed his hands on my shoulders making my skin crawl as my eyes welled up sending warm tears down my cheeks. I wept for our children. Who would protect them from this monster? What kind of life would they have without us? His hands moved to my throat in a seemingly light caress. I stared into the darkest blood-red eyes of the man who I had loved my entire life, hoping for any sign of grace that wasn't there.
"I love you," I said as his grip tightened around my neck. And then, everything went black…
Epilogue
I broke a commandment by loving the soul that I carried to heaven that day. Her soul belonged to another, and yet I coveted its beauty, breaking my vow. I would later rationalize that I loved her soul because it truly did not belong to The Dark Angel, but in truth I can't help wondering if I was somehow responsible for missing the signs that one of my Protectors had crossed.
