Descent (A Hidden Wings Novella: Prequel)

by Renae, Cameo

  “YEAH!” the guys cheered in unison. They all jumped up and were revving to go.

  “Are you crazy?” Jessica scolded. “That’s the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard! This is Alaine’s party, and she doesn’t want to go to some creepy cemetery to look for stupid ghosts.” She spun on her heel and glared at Alaine. “Right, Alaine?”

  But, Alaine actually thought it was an awesome idea. Things of the paranormal intrigued her ever since she was a small child, and right now, being in a cemetery, on an adventure of sorts, was much better than sitting in a boring house.

  “Right, Alaine?” Jessica grumbled. Her foot tapped loudly, waiting for her answer.

  “I don’t know… it might be kinda fun,” Alaine mumbled, shrugging her shoulders.

  “See, Jessica! Alaine’s much cooler than you! It’s her birthday and she wants to have some fun, and I’m sorry to tell you this, but your party sucks,” Wesley countered.

  Jessica glared at him, crossing both arms over her chest. “Fine. But, I’m not getting out of the car.”

  “Good. You’ll scare the ghosts away, anyway,” Wesley jested.

  By the time everyone loaded in the cars and drove to the cemetery it was nearly 11:00 pm The group had now whittled down to seven members. Four boys and three girls, including Jessica, who technically didn’t count because she was too chicken to leave the car.

  Susan, another classmate of theirs, agreed to tag along. She was a quiet girl who mostly kept to herself, but seemed equally excited about the adventure. Wide coke-bottle glasses covered her pretty blue-gray eyes. Her dull blonde hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail. She was wearing baggy jeans and an oversized forest green sweatshirt with a picture of a cat on the front. She probably owned one, because stray pieces of pet dander clung desperately to her.

  Wesley led the six of them into the cemetery with a single flashlight. The boys treaded loudly together, making ghost sounds and trying to scare each other. Alaine and Susan trailed closely behind.

  This was one of the older cemeteries in the area. The ground was covered with old dried leaves, and a wall of towering Fir and Alder trees surrounded the outer part of the grounds. It seemed like a sad place, which had been long forgotten.

  A quiet eeriness blanketed the area except for the soft wind stirring the leaves on the ground and rustling through the trees. The moon was almost at its fullest and the stars sparkled like bright diamonds. There were a few dark clouds spread out across the midnight sky, which seemed to add to the eeriness, along with a thin layer of mist which covered the earth.

  The breeze was chilled and sent a shiver up my spine, just as much as the creepy, gray tombstones jetting from the earth.

  Wesley led the group to the center of the cemetery, where a large rectangular tombstone rested. Lying over that tomb was a beautiful stone carving of an angel. It was so detailed. Its arms were outstretched, hugging the tomb. Its face was hidden, resting within the nook of its other arm, mourning the loss of whoever had passed inside. Gorgeous wings were folded behind its back. Alaine couldn’t take her eyes off of it. It was the most beautiful, yet sorrowful, thing she’d ever seen.

  The group sat in a circle in the middle of the cemetery, just in front of the tombstone, and Wesley began sharing his ghost stories. Everyone seemed completely captivated. Susan even jumped a few times, and squeezed Alaine’s arm, but Alaine’s thoughts lingered elsewhere. Little did she know that time was slowly ticking toward her transformation.

  It was 11:20pm, when a loud howling echoed from the darkness of trees in the distance, halting Wesley’s next story. Every head shot towards the dark trees. Suddenly, the quiet was filled with the most horrifying growls. Suddenly, four sets of yellow eyes appeared in the darkness.

  Wolves.

  There was talk in town of a pack of rabid wolves running wild in the area, but they hadn’t been caught. They were killing small farm animals and even attacked a few kids.

  One of the boys jumped up and sprinted towards the car, and as he did the wolves bounded out of the woods rushing towards them.

  The rest of the boys jumped up and screamed, darting toward the cars.

  The wolves were massive but very agile as they raced across the grounds.

  Alaine sprang up and bolted for the car, but paused when she heard a high-pitched scream behind her. Susan had fallen and was crawling around on all fours, desperately running her hands over the ground in search of her glasses.

  She had to make a choice. Run for her life, or go back and help her. Alaine chose the second, because there was no way she’d leave Susan, knowing she’d be torn to shreds.

  In an instant, Alaine felt a heat on her chest, and when she looked down her Bloodstone amulet was glowing bright red. A sense of strength rushed through her as she grasped it in her fingers. After a quick exhale, she raced back towards Susan. When she reached her, the wolves were only twenty yards away.

  11:23pm.

  A sudden pain shot through Alaine’s midsection, dropping her to the ground. It echoed through every nerve in her body, incapacitating her. Her limbs felt like she was being poked with hot needles, all at once. Her head was pounding, feeling like it was on the verge of exploding. She writhed in pain, a pain she’d never experienced before.

  “Alaine!” Susan screamed, grabbing hold of her arm. “Alaine!”

  A scorching heat initiated from the top of her head, and surged downwards. But as soon as it hit her feet, it stopped. The pain immediately disappeared, and everything around her started to become fuzzy, like she was looking at the world through ripples of water.

  Susan was hysterical. Screaming and crying and shaking Alaine’s arm.

  Then something happened. Something strange. The wolves stopped dead in their tracks a few yards away and sniffed the air and ground around them, as if they were searching.

  Alaine and Susan froze, bewildered by their sudden pause of movement. She slowly stood and helped a nearly blind Susan to her feet, and pulled her back to the car.

  “My glasses! I need my glasses! I can’t see, and my parents will kill me because they’re expensive,” Susan bawled.

  Alaine sighed and took in a deep breath. They were nearly ten feet from the car.

  “Get back to the car, and I’ll get your glasses,” she said, pushing Susan forward. As soon as she let go of her, Jessica’s wide eyes snapped to Susan.

  “Susan!” she wailed. She reached over and threw the door open. Susan jumped in, and slammed it shut, quickly locking it.

  The wolves ran right past Alaine and bounded after Susan, jumping on the side of the car, making it rock back and forth. Alaine could hear the girls screaming inside.

  Why didn’t the wolves attack her? She was standing right there, out in the open!

  She turned and started running back toward the tombstone. A glimmer of light on the grass led her to Susan’s glasses. She reached down and picked them up, feeling a bit dizzy. She nearly fainted when she heard a voice. It sounded like it was coming from the tombstone.

  “Alaine,” the voice called softly.

  Alaine didn’t know what to think, but the wolves had caught her scent and were heading straight back towards her.

  “Alaine, don’t be afraid. Your father sent me. Hurry!” A pretty girl appeared from behind the statue. She was about Alaine’s age, but had long red hair and green eyes. Alaine ran toward her, and they both ducked behind the stone.

  “Who are you?” Alaine asked.

  “My name is Aurora. Hurry, come,” she said sweetly, motioning Alaine to come. Alaine followed her to the opposite side of the statue, and as she did, Aurora started to blow behind her.

  “What are you doing?” Alaine asked.

  “Removing your scent,” she replied. “How are you feeling?”

  Alaine paused. “Dizzy, and everything is hazy. What’s happening to me?”

  “Your transformation. At the exact time of your birth, Nephilim are given a gift. It is only revealed after the transformation. You,
Alaine, have been given the gift of invisibility.”

  Alaine gawked at Aurora.

  “What the heck is a Nephilim, and what are you talking about?”

  “A Nephilim is a Halfbreed. Half human, half angel. Alaine, your birth mother was a mortal female, but your father is an immortal. He is an Angel.”

  Alaine closed her eyes and shook her head. She figured that this was just a dream and she would wake up in her bed soon.

  “Why do you think the wolves stopped before they reached you? You were invisible to them. The only reason why they couldn’t see your friend was because she was touching you. Didn’t you notice that when you let go of her, your other friend took notice of her?”

  “But how can you see me if I’m invisible?”

  “I have a special gift. One that can see one's aura, even if invisible. That’s why your father sent me, even though he didn’t know what your gift would be. He wanted to make sure, in case no one else could find you, I would still be able to find you by your aura.”

  Alaine was confounded. This all seemed like some crazy, twisted dream.

  “I didn’t think Angels existed.”

  “Oh, but they do, Alaine. I’m an Angel,” Aurora whispered. In a split second, two large white wings expanded behind Aurora’s back. They were the most beautiful things Alaine had ever laid her eyes on. She gasped, and almost fell backward, but Aurora caught her arm.

  “How? What?” Alaine was confounded.

  “You were born at eleven twenty-three in the evening, eighteen years ago. Because of dangerous situations, immediately after your birth you were taken from your birth mother, and delivered to the Gray’s. Understand that it had to be that way. Your birth mother never intended to give you up, but it was necessary for your safety.”

  “A--are th-they still alive?” Alaine stuttered.

  “Yes, and you have a half-sister who is completely human,” Aurora confessed.

  Alaine couldn’t believe it. This news was overwhelming, but suddenly her chest felt heat again.

  “The wolves are coming,” Aurora alerted. “Quick, jump on my back. Your friends are waiting. I’ll take you to them.”

  “Won’t they see you?” Alaine asked.

  “Don’t worry. I’m practiced at remaining hidden to humans,” she giggled.

  Alaine jumped up onto Aurora’s back, and they took off into the sky. She watched the wolves circle the tombstone, snapping and howling. They’d escaped just in time.

  Aurora flew Alaine to a patch of trees on the opposite side of the cemetery. She set her down quietly. She was across the parking lot, and the wolves were still near the center tombstone. All of her friends’ eyes were locked in their direction. The boys, along with Jessica and Susan were frantically calling Alaine’s name.

  “Alaine, keep safe. Your father has also left you another gift. A garment, which has been placed in your closet to protect you if evil should come. If the Bloodstone ever glows, or you feel afraid, put it on. It contains magic,” she said.

  She was just about to take off again when Alaine grabbed her arm. “Wait! What’s his name?”

  “I am not allowed to speak his name, but I will tell you this. Your birth mother’s name was Jane Wilder. She still resides in the area.”

  “In Oregon?”

  Aurora nodded.

  Alaine gasped. She couldn’t believe it. All this time, her birth mother lived in the same state and she had no idea! And, she also had a half-sister that she knew nothing about.

  “You must go,” Aurora urged. Before Alaine could answer, she flapped her wings and shot off into the air. “Quickly, Alaine! Return to your friends,” her voice carried before disappearing into the night.

  “Alaine! Alaine!” Jessica screamed out of a small crack in her window, desperately calling her lost friend.

  Loud howls, growls, and snapping of teeth made the girls heads snap back to the other car. Two wolves had jumped onto the boy’s car, and their horrified screams could be heard loud and clear through the closed windows. Wesley had started the car, but was waiting for the girls to leave first.

  Alaine dashed across the narrow road towards Jessica’s car. She glanced at the reflection in the window, and immediately noticed that she wasn’t there. The street light and trees behind her were, but not her.

  She was invisible!

  Alaine took a few deep breaths and slowly watched her reflection slowly reappear.

  “Jessica!” Alaine screamed, pounding on the window, making both girls inside jump and scream. Susan dove toward her and quickly unlocked the door. Alaine shoved in and slammed the door behind her.

  “Where the hell were you?” Jessica scolded.

  “I went back for Susan’s glasses.”

  “You scared the hell out of us! I was calling you. I thought something horrible had happened,” she yelled. She was visibly upset. Tears streamed from her red eyes, and she was trembling.

  “I’m sorry. I was there. But it’s dark, and I was trying to hide from the wolves. I used the trees as cover.” Alaine tried to make sense of it all, but there was no way of explaining what had happened.

  “Whatever, Alaine! You could have been killed! I told you this was a stupid idea!” Alaine kept quiet as Jessica started the car. Just as she pulled away a wolf jumped in front of them. She slammed on the breaks and pounded the horn. “Damn you, stupid wolf!” she hollered, glaring at it. She punched the gas petal, screeching forward nearly running it over. Wesley and the boys followed close behind.

  Alaine handed Susan her glasses, and she thanked her, sobbing and also shaking.

  The night of Alaine’s eighteenth birthday would be a night they would never forget.

  Alaine had NO answers to what had just happened, but knew that she needed to keep quiet about her encounter with Aurora. She had so many secrets, she wanted to burst. Her body was trembling from a mixture of fear, excitement, and finally getting a few answers.

  Nephilim. The word terrified yet excited Alaine. She glanced back down to the Bloodstone amulet which was no longer glowing or heated, and twisted it in her fingers. Such a strange little stone.

  Jessica dropped Susan off at home first, and on the way to drop Alaine off there was an awkward silence. When they pulled up in front of Alaine’s home, she thanked Jessica for throwing her the party, and then quickly ran into the comfort of her home. She bounced up the stairs to her room, and held her breath before opening her closet door.

  In the middle of her clothes hung a long white bag, which stuck out like a sore thumb amongst her dark color-coordinated area. She yanked it from its spot and laid it on her bed, quickly unzipping it. Her jaw dropped as her eyes fastened onto the garment.

  It was a tight black leather suit, which looked like it was made for some kind of superhero. Like Cat Woman or Bat Girl. She ran her fingers down the material, and as she did she felt electricity run through them. Tingles started from her fingertips, ran up her hand and continued up her arm. She quickly pulled back, confused from the reaction.

  There was a small note attached to the neck.

  If you ever doubt or fear the dark, put this on. It is Vestimentum Angelorum, a garment of the Angels. It has magical powers which will be activated once joined with its wearer, and will help keep you safe when I am unable.

  **********

  Alaine thankfully never had to use the suit until she was older. Questions still remained unanswered, but she now always felt like she was protected. By whom, she never knew, but she always felt a watchful eye over her.

  **********

  There was a deep hatred which continued to grow for the Nephilim. It wasn’t necessarily from the Otherworlds, but from a few Fallen who had gone rogue. Because some of the Halfbreeds possessed greater powers then them, these few had become envious, labeling them as abominations. It was then that the trouble started.

  After Lucian’s subversive parting with Lucifer, he dispatched a small company of five warriors to seek out the Nephilim and bring them back
so he could witness their powers for himself. His closest ally led the hunt. They found one of them, but what they didn’t realize was that this particular Nephilim had been given the gift of superior strength. He never tired, and his skin was like iron.

  Lucian’s band could not hold him, and he fought back, killing four of them. One barely escaped and returned to Lucian. When Lucian was informed of his best friend’s death, a deep hatred took root in his already blackened heart. It quickly grew and spread through his being like an incurable sickness.

  He’d already despised the Nephilim, but now he wanted every last one of them dead. He called for the Darkling, evil pawns used to carry out wicked, malicious orders. The Darkling did the biddings of the Fallen in exchange for immortality. They were sent out into the cover of night with one order… to seek out the Nephilim, and kill them before their transformations. Those that had made it past transformation were handled differently. The Darkling would merely seek them out, and then send the Fallen in to finish the job, which was done while they slept.

  Alaine’s gift allowed her to survive beyond many others. The Darkling could never find that which they could never see. But, she was also well protected without her knowledge. Things happened around her that she was unaware of. Her life was saved many times, and it was because she had favor in high places.

  Chapter Six

  First Encounter

  Samuel:

  The day I met Alaine was as fresh in my mind as the morning dew on a blade of grass. Danyel and I were on break from an ongoing war, and I decided to take a chance and head into the human cities to blend with the mortals. It was something I somewhat enjoyed. Being lost in their world with little care. Just to observe their many ways, and wondering why God chose to create them.

  I don’t know why, but that day I was drawn to the city of Portland, Oregon. I sat outside of a small café, had a cup of coffee, and entertained myself watching the innumerable expressions of the passing crowds. Signs of joy, gloom, grief, hate, tension, weariness, love, and even those who seemed completely emotionless.