“Okay, but what does that have to do with us? We’re Nephilim not angels,” Alice questioned.
“Except you are the only two nephilim that are mostly angel but with human souls. I fear you are burdened with an angel gift that may be a curse to your human souls and hearts, and I do not know what His intention was by giving it to you. I do not understand how this could have happened. Be grateful and careful. We should call your fathers.”
“God gave this to us?” Alice whispered.
“When this started earlier, once Alice realized what was happening, she blocked me out and the pain stopped,” Cole interrupted.
“That’s good. You can use that to protect each other … from each other. We’ll have to step up the training to be safe. If the bounty hunters find this out, they will use it against you two, and worse still, I do not want to think what the angels would do.” Sariel was talking out loud but more to the wall he was facing than the two of them. “I’ll contact your fathers while the two of you get some rest before they get here and start acting like… fathers.”
The way he said it sounded disappointed, but it sent Alice into a loud roar of laughter. Maybe it was the stress of everything, maybe her sense of humor had become twisted, but the look on her grandfather’s face as he attempted to figure out what to call their dads, was priceless. “I’m going to take a shower, I sort of feel like I got the crap kicked out of me and it’s only 10:00 A.M.” She smiled and laughed but it faded when she looked toward Cole to extend an invitation, and he nodded no.
“I think I’m going to go for a walk and clear my head.”
He gave her a pity smile to which she turned and marched up the stairs, not stopping until she was in the bathroom and the water was on. As soon as she felt him leave the house for his walk, she fell to the floor in hysterics. Letting go completely while blocking every Fallen, especially Cole, was painfully difficult.
With determination in his step, he walked the edge of the property line until he reached the first row of pine trees that led back for at least a mile. He paced just outside them. He tried to calm down, but it was taking everything in him not to drop to the ground and completely break down. After a few unsteady steps, he stopped and dropped to his knees. When he was a boy he would have called out to God; praying for those he loved and even himself. Knowing that God existed but did not love him was far worse than the thought that He just didn’t hear him.
Jake? It killed him but he knew Jake was the only Fallen on his side, which may be the wrong side this time.
Cole? What’s going on? His voice had an edge of knowledge to it.
She told you? He wasn’t sure which of the events had broken him, but he knew that this broke his heart, to confide in him. I’m such a hypocrite.
I’m sorry, what? Jake’s concern grew thick, clouding the inside of Cole’s mind.
Alice told you about what’s happening? Cole asked reluctantly.
No, she asked to speak with me later. Said something happened. I told her we could meet tonight. Is something going on? I agreed to the meeting, which I’m thinking is a bad idea.
You’re really going to think that when you find out what’s going on. You ever hear of some gift to angels of an eternal partner?
Sure, there were so many pissed about that. Wasn’t exactly fair, but He isn’t exactly fair when it comes to… Whoa! Wait, no way! You two aren’t even angels!
We are far from happy about this, Cole said with sadness in his voice.
I know, nor would I be. Cole, this plan is too dangerous now for both of you even if you are only in the first few days of the connection. Once it’s completed you two may never be able to block each other again.
Then we must do it now. They will know something is up if I do not show. He sighed, staring up at the house. Alice was staring out at him from their window, and though he could not hear her, he could feel her heart breaking just by looking at him. Jake, hypothetically, if I didn’t make it and the bond didn’t finish forming I guess, she wouldn’t have to walk around with eternal emptiness right? She could, love another. The reason he was asking Jake suddenly became painful.
Technically, yes, I suppose. But Cole, unless that’s what you want, which I know it isn’t, do not make decisions on her behalf. She chose you and continues to choose you. All you need to do is stop pushing her away because you’re afraid of the outcome of this meeting or whatever else holds you back. You’re not protecting her; you’re protecting yourself, and not very well. You are both hurting; we all are.
Cole had forgotten for a moment that he was trusting Jake with his secrets, and so had Alice. In return, Jake asked for nothing. I know you’re right. Keep the meeting; I’ll let you know if I’m going. Please take care of her.
With my life. I’ll be around. Jake severed the connection while Cole continued to sit in the grass, leaning against a tree and thinking about the last few days. Normally he would be concerned about getting relationship advice from a Fallen, especially Jake, but he knew he was right. He felt like the weight of all their lives was on his back. If he cancelled the meeting, Purah would come after him, and if he went and things went wrong, it would hurt Alice emotionally, mentally and it seemed, even physically. He looked back up at the window to see Alice’s head drop in defeat as she disappeared into the bedroom. He instantly mirrored her reaction, feeling the same way, regardless of the fact that they blocked each other out. He lifted himself up reluctantly, and walked back to the house.
Alice? He asked as he knocked gently on the bedroom door.
Back to knocking?
This time he didn’t make a joke; he just pushed the door open to find Alice lying on their bed in nothing but a towel, playing with floating feathers. She had barely dried off with the towel; beads of water formed all over her mostly naked body and it was incredibly distracting. He was sure she could feel the heat from his stare.
“Cole?”
“Yes, Alice.”
“Are you trying to burn a hole through me?” she whispered seductively.
“No, I was coming to apologize for my reaction earlier and my attitude lately,” he said with a shortness of breath. It was true; that was originally the reason he had wanted to come in. He didn’t want to go to this meeting with the distance he had put between them. But right now all he wanted to do was rip the towel off and take her.
“Is that so?” she asked turning towards him slightly. The look in her eyes was all it took for him to launch into the room and on top of her with nothing but his clothing as a barrier between them. She glanced at her towel on the floor. “You’re getting pretty quick,” she said with a grin.
He didn’t usually move so quickly. He hadn’t quite figured out how to turn on the angel in him and override the human, but Alice had that effect on him. “You could say that.” He knew their fathers were on their way and would arrive at any moment. He knew that it was selfish of him to go through with this even if she wanted it as desperately as he did. To him this was goodbye in case he didn’t return. The more he thought about not going, the reminder that the bounty hunter would come after Alice rang true. He had to go, and he had to feel her skin against his own. As the last piece of clothing dropped to floor he looked deep into Alice’s eyes the way he used to. Before Alice could recognize the hesitation in his eyes, he pressed his lips onto hers aggressively but tenderly. She returned the kiss with the same passion, the same love, strong and true. She pulled him into her keeping, her lips locked onto his. They both moaned into each other’s mouths, feeding the hunger they had for one another. With each thrust the guilt, pain and destiny they knew and felt, vanished. Clutching onto each other, one last movement finally brought a euphoric explosion which showered all they felt for one another over them in a way that had never happened before. They collapsed, out of breath, with bursts of laughter and shock, just in time to hear a car pull into the drive.
“That was…” Alice began to say.
“Wow.”
“Yeah.”
<
br /> They both started laughing and finally, for the first time in weeks, Cole felt her love and felt her happiness. He rolled over and brushed her hair from her face. “You’ve got to stop staring at me like that.”
“Like what?” she asked coyly.
“Like you’re hungry,” he joked.
“Maybe I am,” she teased.
He fell back onto his back, dramatically, with a groan. She laughed at him as she rolled over and laid her head on his chest. They stayed in each other’s embrace in silence, listening to each other slowly steady their breathing. It was the cue that the magic was over and it was time to go back to their harsh reality.
Downstairs, a room of angry Fallen sat waiting. Cole opted for a shower so Alice took the walk of shame (in her own home) herself. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she smiled slightly and went to make coffee as if nothing was wrong and nothing had just happened.
“Alice?” Paul asked.
“Did you want some?” she asked, playing dumb and pointing to the coffee.
Paul hit the table in frustration. Kokabiel placed his hand over his brother’s. “Alice, you might want to take it easy with your dear old dad. He’s a little stressed.” He let a laugh slip out which only infuriated Paul.
“This is not a joke! How can you be so nonchalant about all this?” Paul was furious.
“I did not call you two to fight; we have enough of that going on around here,” Sariel interrupted.
“Not anymore, at least not for a little while,” Alice joked.
Kokabiel’s face suddenly shifted into concern. “You didn’t. It didn’t take us that long to get here! You didn’t, did you?”
Alice nodded in a slight panic, as she felt the weight of the room intensify.
“You completed the transition of your gift,” Paul said coldly.
“Well, now there is nothing we can do about it. This changes nothing about this meeting. We still need to figure out how to protect these kids,” Sariel’s voice of reason rang.
“I hate to ask, but can we not tell Cole right away? He’s been so distant and I feel like I just got him back,” she asked.
“Most certainly not,” Paul declared.
“Brother, its temporary and he is my son. Their love is the only thing that can keep them safe from each other.”
“He has the right to know. He would want to know if he could be putting her in danger,” Paul defended.
“He knows to an extent. He will be careful and he will train just as hard either way. He cares deeply for her, Penemue, this wouldn’t be happening if they didn’t,” Sariel offered.
“A vote, brother?” Kokabiel asked.
“No. No need. I know defeat when I see it. I will stay quiet, but note that I do not agree with this.”
“So noted,” Sariel said with his hand on Paul’s shoulder.
Alice took a deep breath and relished Cole’s scent as he came down the stairs. She turned around and poured a cup of coffee, turning to hand it to him just as he stepped in front of her.
“I love it when you read my mind,” he joked.
The room stared inquisitively; Alice just shook her head at their naiveté. Things were not different yet in any aspect, well, except for whatever that was upstairs. That was definitely different. She felt her cheeks warm, embarrassed in present company.
Reminiscing? Cole said inside her head. They both smiled and held back the chuckle that was brewing.
“Well, as fun as this is, shall we get back to whatever it is we are doing here?” Paul asked. His coldness bothered her. It was as if he was back to preparing to lose her.
“We need to work out a schedule to teach them about the history of the gift, train them on how to defend themselves separately and together, and on how to use the gift to their advantage,” Sariel said.
“We also need to start brainstorming on how this happened and what the purpose or end game is. We need to be ready for anything,” Kokabiel interjected.
“We need to keep this to ourselves. Until we, or they, have a better handle on this “gift,” it would be unwise for outsiders, especially our enemies, to find out,” Paul added.
“Sounds like a plan. I hate to cut this short but I have class,” Alice said cautiously.
Paul stood up obviously agitated. “Fine. Sariel, please let me know the schedule and when I am needed. I’m going to go home if I’m not needed at this time.” It was cold, like the old Penemue in him was crawling out and it made Alice sad.
“That’s my cue. You kids be safe. Sariel, I’ll work with them tomorrow and take first shift,” Kokabiel said.
Sariel nodded as he followed suit. “Be safe.” It came out kind but he meant it as an order and she knew it; they both did.
Alice turned to Cole and for the first time in a long while he smiled back at her with a real smile, the kind that used to warm her soul. “I really do have to go to class. It’s the big unveiling. Oh shit! I forgot I told James I would meet him before class!”
“Should I be worried?” he teased.
“Maybe so, he thinks you are way cuter than me,” she countered.
She grabbed her bag and keys and reached up for a kiss. He pulled her in, tightly lifting her into his arms as he pressed her into the door. She loved when he did that.
“Have a good day at school.”
“Uh huh,” was all she managed. He didn’t laugh this time he just stared at her deeply, nodding for her to leave only because she had to.
Alice ran across the parking lot at full speed toward James. His arms were folded and he refused to look at her. She knew he was miffed but thought this was a little dramatic, even for him.
“I know I’m a jerk and I am sorry,” she said nearly knocking him down in her approach.
“A jerk?” he questioned.
“A complete asshole. Forgive me?” She flashed her brilliant brown eyes in an attempt to woo him over.
“Like that is going to work on me. Maybe if you were that cute man of yours,” he laughed, letting his guard down finally. “Alright, forgiven. Let’s go get coffee now if you don’t mind, your majesty.”
“You are such a queen sometimes.” They laughed as they headed toward the cafeteria.
Walking to class, Alice enjoyed James’ company; she had almost forgotten what it was like to enjoy normal human company. The thought made her laugh loudly; James was far from a normal human. She was trying to explain to James why she was laughing or at least a story on why she was laughing, when she ran straight into Dean Vassago.
“I am so sorry!” she blurted out.
“It’s quite alright, Miss Clark. I have been meaning to speak with you anyway.”
“What is it, sir?” she asked nervously.
“I was told there was a great revealing of your work today. I would much enjoy seeing your new work at our facilities, if that would be alright?”
“Yes, I’m on my way now to do that; you are welcome to join.”
“I have a meeting, as I usually do. No rest for the wicked. I will come to see it at my earliest convenience.”
“I would be honored; thank you, sir,” she said, glancing back at the statue she once knew to be James.
“Good day, Miss Clark,” Dean Vassago said with a slight bow before continuing on his path toward his meeting.
“I don’t know what that was but it was slightly terrifying,” James finally spoke. Alice just gave him a slight punch to the shoulder before wrapping her arm in his and pulling him to class.
“What is it?” a slender man in class asked.
“I’m not really sure. I had no intentions when I began creating it,” Alice answered.
“It’s so dark and warning,” a voluptuous woman in a blue and white floral dress said.
The thought of it being a warning startled Alice. The growing concern must have been plastered across her face, because James was right there for the emotional rescue.
“It’s stunning.” And that was all he said and all he needed to say
.
Alice was proud of her piece and she wondered where it had come from, the dark, dingy walls like a basement or cave. Then again, she did often draw about things you would find in the darkness.
“Did you name this piece?” the teacher asked, interrupting her thoughts.
“Sacrifice,” she answered without pause or reason. She covered her piece back up but left it up on the easel. She explained to the teacher that Dean Vassago would be by at some point to view it. With a hug and over the top movie star style kiss goodbye, Alice left James in her wake and headed to Max’s to talk to Jake.
Cole paced outside Alice’s house waiting for Jake to arrive. He had been debating the entire day on what choice to make, even though he knew there was only one way to go.
“You’re starting to make a groove,” Jake said with a laugh.
“Guess so,” he said looking down at the freshly revealed dirt. “Before you even ask, no matter what I tell you I have to go. Purah will come after her if I don’t.”
“No argument here; I know that’s true. So you have time right before this whole gift from God takes hold and becomes more a curse?” Jake sat on the porch steps and kicked his feet up on the beam.
“We didn’t know that… we didn’t know what would speed up the process, but we do now.”
“You didn’t?” Jake asked, baffled. “You two go hot to cold in point five seconds, don’t you?”
Alice's Sacrifice (Alice Clark Series) Page 10
