by Ciana Stone
"You mean maybe she's one of ours?"
"It is not outside the realm of possibility. There are those of our kind who oppose this treaty."
Gabriel nodded and headed off. Augustus took Nevaeh's arm. "I am going to assure our people that this matter will be resolved. If you see this woman, I want you to make some comment to her."
"What kind of comment."
"Something about how horrible this is."
"Got it."
They started making their way around the room. Nevaeh took a good look at every woman. By the time they'd made their way back to Layla, she was frustrated. "She's not here."
"Or is camouflaged."
"Camouflaged."
"There are Changelings capable of altering their appearance, and the strongest of the Fae can project a façade of sorts."
"So you think one of your people is responsible?"
"I know it. Asha had to have help to make this happen. Only she or I could have accomplished this."
"But why would she do something this horrible?"
Augustus looked at Layla and she reached up to take his hand. Augustus hesitated before answering. "Because she does not want peace."
"But I thought she'd been the one working so hard for it."
"Or she made us think she was." Layla stood.
"Layla, you shouldn't—"
"Augustus, please. You can see for yourself that I'm healed. You know I'm right. Asha could have been working against us all along. You've told me how things were stalled repeatedly. It had to be her."
Augustus cut his eyes away from her for a split second as Gabriel walked over to them.
"She never spoke negatively against the treaty. In every meeting and negotiation she was conciliatory and open to discussion."
"Maybe she had someone doing the negative stuff for her."
"Pardon?"
"Just consider it. She wasn't the only one in those negotiations. There were other Council people present and their aides. What if one of them—"
"No. I cannot believe that."
"Well, it definitely wasn’t Lucan." Gabriel said. "He's dead."
"Are any of the others?" Nevaeh asked.
Augustus and Gabriel looked at one another. There were many bodies on the floor. "We have to check."
"I'll do it."
Nevaeh watched Gabriel hurry off then turned her attention to Augustus. "What can I do to help?"
"At this moment, nothing. You've already done an immeasurable service. Law enforcement will be arriving—"
As if in queue to his words, the sounds of multiple sirens screaming could be heard, drawing nearer by the second.
Nevaeh looked at Layla and Layla leaned over to speak to her. "I'm really sorry, Nevaeh. I would never have asked you to come if I'd had any idea—"
"It's not your fault." Nevaeh didn't hold Layla responsible any more than she did Augustus or Gabriel. She just hoped that whoever was responsible could be found and made to pay.
Chapter Five
I can honestly say that I never imagined the weekend to be anything like this. It's almost dawn and the police just left. What a nightmare. The Fae Council person was killed and there were two from the Wizard clan and one Daemon killed among the Preterhumans.
Apparently the deaths of the Preterhumans proves that the human attacker were working in league with someone of the Seven because normal bullets would not have killed a Daemon and perhaps not a Fae as strong as Lucan.
Six humans were killed, but five of those from gunfire so no Preternatural is being blamed since none of them were armed. The sixth human fatality was from a heart attack.
Many people were taken into custody and thanks to the press being conveniently present; it's already all over the news.
I'm just grateful that Layla is okay. Whatever Augustus did saved her. Oddly, I can sense him every now and then. He's very angry and blames his mother. I'd hate to be her. He's a little scary when he's angry. But if she was responsible then she deserves his anger and more.
I wish I could sleep but I know I won't so I'll sit outside and watch the sky lighten. Maybe my mind will settle down in a bit and I can get some sleep. I doubt there will be a wedding or anything else now. Everyone's focus is on discovering who is responsible.
And as self-centered as it sounds, I'm kind of wondering if this means I won’t be paid. I know that's horrible, but I really need the money.
Nevaeh tucked her feet up Indian-style and pulled the hem of her dress down over her legs. She wished she had on sleeves. It was a little cool in the pre-dawn hour. She supposed she could go inside and find something, but she didn't want to move.
Dawn was her favorite time of day – those few moments when the sun crested the horizon and spilled golden light over the earth, or in this case, the ocean. It always seemed the most spiritual and profound moment of the day – the time of beginnings. The day was fresh and new. It was a time for hope and for thanks at being able to witness such beauty.
"It won't be long."
She turned her head as Gabriel circled around the back of her chair and took a seat beside her.
"Long?"
"Before dawn."
"Oh, yes, I know."
"Are you okay?"
"I am. Thank you. Are you?"
"Yes." He reached over and took her hand. "Why are you sitting here alone?"
"It's my favorite thing to do."
"Sit alone?"
"No, greet the day."
"Ahh, yes. It is quite glorious isn't it? Those first shining rays that illuminate the sky, heralding the arrival of that moment when the sun bathes the world in light and warmth."
"Yes." She gave him a smile. "It's magic. Well, it is to me. Sometimes I wish I could just slow down time so it would last longer."
"Lucky for you, you can."
She gave him a look. "I—I don't know about that. I mean, I know something happened at the dinner, but I was scared and upset and it might have just been a fluke. Or maybe it wasn't even me."
"It was you."
"How do you know?"
"Two of our district governors, Andre and Severin, believe that you are not fully human."
"Why would they think that?"
"They – they sense that kind of thing."
Nevaeh shrugged it away. "I think they're wrong. I'm just an average human."
"Who can stop time."
"No, I can't."
"Yes, you can. And I can prove it. Get up. Come with me."
"Where?"
"Out there." He inclined his head toward the beach.
She let him pull her to her feet and together they ran down the steps, across the lawn and into the sand of the beach. Gabriel got behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "Look. It's almost here."
Nev watched the sky, seeing the first rays steam up from the horizon. Gabriel leaned down and whispered in her ear. "I want you."
She turned to face him. "I want you."
"Then make love to me, Heaven-spelled-backwards. Stop time and greet this day in my arms."
She cut a look around. "But what if someone sees…"
Gabriel raised his hand and the glistening bubble of light appeared. Nev smiled at him as the bubble expanded and within seconds they were encased. Only this time she could see everything outside the bubble.
"I can see everything. Can people see us?"
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Quite."
"Well, in that case." She turned to face him. "Greet this day in my arms Gabriel of the Archangels."
"I thought you'd never ask, Heaven-spelled-backwards."
Nev smiled and went into his arms. His kiss was, at first, soft and gentle, a tender caress of lips and tongues. Nev worked her arms up to tangle her fingers in his hair and his arms tightened around her.
She forgot about everything but the kiss and had no idea how long they stood there, lips joined and bodies melded together. His hands started a slow trek down her back and just
as they cupped her ass to pull her more snugly against him, the bubble around them exploded in a spray of light.
Gabriel jerked away from the kiss, his wings flaring out and body tense. Another Angel stood twenty feet away, this one with wings the color of night and hair to match. His skin appeared almost alabaster against the darkness of hair and wings.
"The Council has convened an emergency session. Your presence is required."
"Anyone ever tell you that you're a buzz kill, Lucien? What do they need of me? You're our rep. By the way, this is Nevaeh Rockwell. Nevaeh, this is Lucien – the Angel representative on the high council."
Neveah nodded to Lucien. "It's an honor."
He returned the nod. "Ms. Rockwell." His attention moved immediately to Gabriel. "Now, Gabriel."
"Okay, okay, I'm coming." He turned to look at Nevaeh. "Rain check?"
She nodded and he smiled and gave her a quick kiss then turned toward Lucien. "Okay, boss, lead the way."
She watched the two of them walk away and then turned to look out over the water. The sun had risen and the water sparkled in the early morning light. She stood there a few minutes and then turned toward the house.
Layla was on the patio when Neveah returned. "Oh, I thought you must be asleep. I knocked and there was no answer."
"I wanted to watch the sunrise. I'm surprised you're still awake."
"Me too, but apparently my … transfusion endowed me with quite a bit of energy."
"Are you okay?" Nevaeh took a seat beside Layla.
"I… yes, I guess I am." Layla looked down at her hands in her lap. "Augustus asked me before – to let him "make me" and I said no."
"Make you? You mean into a Vampire?"
Layla nodded and Nevaeh reached out to put her hand on Layla's arm. "It was the only way to save you."
"I know but …"
"But what? Layla, he loves you. Even someone like me who hasn't known you but a day can see that. And you love him, so … so what makes you not want it? You can be with him for – well for a really long time, I guess."
"Will I? What if he falls out of love with me? What if we don't work out or he meets someone else or –"
Nevaeh gave her arm a squeeze. "Or what if you're one of the lucky ones and you get the happily ever after?"
Layla nodded and looked up. "I hope we are."
"Well, if you want it bad enough you'll do what it takes to make it happen. At least that's what my dad taught me."
Layla smiled. "I do want it."
"Then make it happen – one day at a time."
"How'd you get so smart, Nevaeh?"
Nevaeh chuckled. "I don't know that I am, but I do know that if it's important enough we'll do whatever we have to in order to try and make it happen."
"Thanks, Nev. I think that's exactly what I needed to hear."
"Good. So, what's happening today? Is the event cancelled? Do I need to make travel arrangements?"
"Yes, it's been cancelled and no you don't have to make travel arrangements. Augustus will have his pilot take you back to Florida whenever you're ready. And I have your check ready as well."
Suddenly Nevaeh felt ashamed for worrying about being paid. People had lost their lives and Layla's life had been unalterably changed.
"Oh, I can't take the pay."
"Why not?"
"Because I didn't do anything."
"You gave your time and came all the way up here."
"Still, it doesn’t seem right."
"It is and I insist."
"Well thank you. I'm not going to lie. I could definitely use it."
"I don't want to pry but Ellie told me that your dad is in a home in Florida. Do you have to pay for that?"
"Yes."
"That has to be hard."
"But worth it. I wanted him to be close and I couldn't find work in the Carolinas where we're from, so I scraped enough together to have him moved. It's a nice place and they take good care of him and I can visit with him."
"Does he know you?"
"No. But I know him."
"You're pretty remarkable, Nev. Would you mind terribly if I helped you?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean would you mind if I paid for your dad's care?"
"Why in the world would you do that?"
"Because you're my friend and because I can. Money isn't worth anything if you can't help the people you care about."
Nevaeh didn't know what to say and couldn't have spoken if she'd could. Layla's kindness completely overwhelmed her. So much that she broke down.
She'd been making her way in life since she was twenty, trying to survive and to help provide for her father. There'd never been anyone to turn to, no shoulders to lean on, and certainly no one to offer help. For the longest time she'd felt as if it were her against the world, struggling day in and day out and always one step behind.
There had been times when it had seemed too much, when she wanted to quit. But then she'd visit her father and remember all he'd done for her and how much she loved him and she'd find the strength to take on another part time job or as many as she could find to make sure he was cared for.
Layla leaned over and put her arms around Nevaeh, holding her until the tears faded. "I'm sorry Layla. I didn't mean to – I just – I just never had anyone want to do something this huge for me and – and god, I don't even know how to start saying thank you."
"You don't have to."
"There has to be something I can do. Some way to repay—"
"Your friendship will be more than enough."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously. And maybe one more thing."
"Name it."
"Be careful with Gabriel."
"Oh, the bliss thing. It doesn’t happen to me."
"I know, and that's why I want you to be careful."
"Because you think I'm going to get hurt?"
"No, because I think you might hurt him."
Nevaeh gawked at her as if she'd just lost her mind. "Are you kidding? He's … he's an Angel and – and probably the most perfect man I've ever met. He could have anyone. Anyone."
"Yes, that may be true, but you're the first woman he's met who isn't affected by his touch."
"Oh, I didn't say I wasn't affected."
Layla smiled. "I hear ya. But you know what I mean. And the fact that you're not makes you unique. You're someone he can't Angel charm – someone he has to win all on his own."
"What makes you think he'd even want to win me?"
"Let's just say that I have insight."
"Oh that's right, you can get into people's heads. Gabriel told me."
Layla laughed. "No, I meant I've spent time with him and I understand how intriguing it is for people like him to meet someone who isn't affected. Think about it. If you were him, how would you ever know if a woman truly cared about you or if it was just your – your affect?"
Nevaeh had not considered that, but now she did. There might be something to what Layla said, but that didn't mean that Gabriel was interested in her for more than a weekend fling.
And she wasn't about to get her hopes set on more.
"Well, you might be right, but let's face it, he's … well, he is an Angel and I'm … I'm just a woman trying to keep juggling and hope I can keep all my balls in the air."
"How well I understand that. But I meant what I said. As soon as I get back to our suite I'm going to have Augustus make the arrangements to have the cost of your dad's care taken care of."
"I'm still in shock, Layla and I still want to do something to repay you. Please, there has to be something."
"If I think of something I'll let you know. Right now, I have to go. So you get some rest and just text me when you're functional again and we'll arrange to have the jet available to take you home."
"Thank you." They both rose, embraced and Layla hurried away.
Nevaeh watched her leave and then started for the pool house. Just as she did, she heard something. It sounded
like a woman screaming. She whirled around and headed for the beach.
Sure enough, there was someone flailing around in the water. Nevaeh disregarded the fact she was in a formal dress that probably cost more than she made the entire year. She ran into the water and dove.
It took her only a minute to reach the woman who was beating at the water with her arms, coughing and screaming. Nevaeh tried to get behind the woman to get a hold on her but as soon as she did, the woman quit flailing, turned, and smiled.
"Well hello Nevaeh."
Nevaeh was shocked to see the woman from the ballroom, the one she and Augustus had tried to find. But not nearly as shocked as she was to see the woman's hand emerge from the water with a hypodermic needle. By the time she'd recovered from the surprise, the woman had stabbed the needle into the side of her neck.
Nevaeh kicked, trying to swim away but her body failed her. Her legs felt heavy and refused to move. A moment later, her peripheral vision went dark.
Then all light vanished.
Chapter Six
I will never figure out why we white-winged Angels are treated as if we're some pillar of morality. Even among The Seven, those among us whose wings are white are expected to "set an example" and be of such high moral fiber and honesty that we mimic the beings from the Christian tomes.
Not so for the black-winged Angels. That old tale of Lucifer still holds sway. Ironically, our leader Lucien, is black-winged and yet the most straight-laced, by-the-book, hold-you-to-a-canon-of-ethics Angel I've ever met. Seriously, I wonder if the man has ever let loose and had any fun.
But whatever, that's an old gripe and it serves little purpose to dwell on it. The Council meeting was long, with endless discussion on what happened last night. What was not said rang louder than what was. Everyone present knows that only two people had the means to pull off such a feat. Augustus or Asha.
No one is pointing a finger at Augustus. Physically or mentally. We all know him to be honorable. Of course, no fingers point at Asha, either. But that's primarily because we're all still just a bit scared of her.
Despite the combined power of the Council, no one wants to take on Asha. To say she's formidable is an understatement. Were we to try to remove her as head of the Council by force, she'd rain hell on every one of us, our people, and half of humanity.
