A Touch Menacing

by Leah Clifford

  Every corner they came around, Jarrod stopped her and Sullivan, insisting on checking ahead. If the Bound spotted them, no amount of running would help this time.

  “Clear,” he said, keeping a few yards in front of them. They took a side street, then another before heading down the alley. The Sider had told her it hooked right in an L shape. They wouldn’t be bothered. He would meet them there. Halfway down, a single light shone to guide their way. Rats scurried without fear. The patters of their feet against plastic trash bags set Eden’s skin crawling.

  “Let’s hurry,” she said to Jarrod.

  Eden glanced back at Sullivan and noticed her clutching her stomach. When she realized Eden was watching, she dropped her hand and gave her head the slightest shake, a silent plea in her eyes.

  A good twenty feet in front of them, Jarrod looked back as he went around the corner. Eden waited until he was definitely out of earshot before she spun on Sullivan.

  “How long?” Eden demanded. She grabbed Sullivan’s hand and twisted it over, but even in the creases, the palms were free of ashes.

  “It’s just a stomachache. So far.” The note of panic in her voice told Eden otherwise. Sullivan’s skin looked clammy, almost green. She hissed through clenched teeth.

  “What’s it feel like? Stabbing?” Eden asked. She glanced down the alley to be sure Jarrod hadn’t ventured back. “How long, Sullivan?”

  “Yesterday, I promise. That’s it.”

  Eden squeezed her shoulder gently. She knew all too well the agony Sullivan was going through. “It’ll pass. Give it a second.”

  Hugging her stomach, Sullivan doubled over. “I have to tell him,” she whispered. “I just don’t know how.”

  “Don’t panic.” Eden rubbed Sullivan’s palm again. “We’ll tell him after we’re done here. You’ve got at least a few days, though. The pains won’t get much worse unless you’re injured.”

  A crunch of footsteps echoed through the alley. Two figures passed under the dim light ahead of them, but neither was Jarrod.

  Sullivan straightened. “Where is he?”

  “I don’t know,” Eden said. Something was wrong. “Stay calm. We’ve got this.” She spotted a fist-sized chunk of asphalt against the wall. Toeing it, she said Sullivan’s name and drew her attention to it. Eden shuffled forward until the broken asphalt was behind her.

  “Eden?” Sullivan’s whisper was cautious.

  Eden had been alone in the alley at the apartment nearly every day, brought Siders she didn’t know into it for months without feeling any danger. as she stared at the guys creeping toward her, something inside her shifted. They’re not Bound, she thought. But are they Fallen?

  The two guys stopped just in front of Eden and Sullivan. Eden met their steely gazes, and one of them sneered, skin crinkling around predatory eyes. The reaction wasn’t what she was used to. Usually the Siders who found her seemed grateful, or afraid, or desperate. On the phone, his voice had broken.

  She waited, but neither said a word. She fought the urge to avert her eyes, knowing it would make her look weaker.

  One of the guys was tall and reeked of trouble, from his baggy jeans to the tattoos decorating the visible skin of his neck and knuckles. A cliché street thug. The other was younger, and looked naïve enough to seem out of place. Almost timid. And then he opened his mouth. “So you’re the little girl with the good shit? They say you’re picky about who you give it to.”

  Eden froze.

  “You’re not gonna be picky with me, are you?” he asked.

  They weren’t Siders. Or angels. They were junkies, the way Sullivan used to be. Eden curled her hands into fists and shoved them into her pockets, grateful for her gloves. She couldn’t afford to give up any Touch. In her peripheral vision, she saw Sullivan bend down to pick up the asphalt and hide it behind her back.

  Eden shrugged her shoulders, trying to keep the attention on her. “You misled me on the phone.”

  The tattooed one laughed, but the younger one silenced him with a punch to the shoulder.

  “Look, I’m sorry,” she said, trying to keep her voice even and nonchalant. “We’re not selling. It’s not—”

  The younger one leaped at her.

  “Jarrod!” Sullivan screamed.

  Fingers dug into Eden’s cheeks. “Give me the fucking Touch,” he snarled. Droplets of spit dotted her face. “I was told exactly where to find you. I don’t have time for your games, bitch!”

  “I don’t have any to give.” She tasted blood as his grip ground the inside of her cheek against her teeth.

  “Bullshit.” He shoved her against the wall without warning. Her back hit hard, the air rushing out of her. If he’d been a Sider, her exhale would have killed him.

  He didn’t even flinch. Against a mortal, the powers that made other Siders fear her were worthless. He heaved her from the bricks and slammed her against them again. This time Eden didn’t hold back her cry. Where was Jarrod?

  “I have some!” Sullivan screamed suddenly. The tattooed guy turned to her. Sullivan swung toward his temple with the rock. He ducked and caught the blow in the shoulder. His fingers slid across Sullivan’s bare hand as he knocked the rock away. It clattered across the ground to Eden.

  “Give me more,” he said. Sullivan backed away slowly.

  Eden shook her head. “Don’t.”

  The word barely escaped before a punch whipped her head sideways, dropped her. Her vision blurred as she struggled to her hands and knees.

  The tattooed guy grabbed Sullivan by the arm. “Dose me again!” he demanded.

  “She lied. She doesn’t have any more,” Eden ground out. A boot met her stomach in a swift kick. She moaned as she curled reflexively into a ball even as the younger guy ruthlessly pried her limbs apart. His weight crushed low on Eden’s hips. Snagging her wrist, he ripped the glove from her hand, splitting her knuckles open as he grated them against the iced ground. Touch passed from her fingertips.

  Eden felt him change position on top of her, fumbling lower, digging at her thighs. She wanted to fight, to push him away, but he was too strong. “Where is it? I know you’ve got cash.”

  Her stomach clenched hard. She retched, but all that came out was a cloud of ashes. They’re going to kill me, she realized. They’re going to kill me and they don’t even realize it. “Please,” she begged. “Please, you have to stop.”

  To her surprise, the guy on top of her froze.

  Eden raised a hand to her face, wiping cheeks smeared with a mix of blood and ash as she turned her head. Feet away, where no one had been a second ago, stood Gabe. Her mind blanked out, short-circuiting between fear and relief. Something was in his hand, a bat or a crowbar. It glinted viciously in the weak light. “Don’t touch her,” he snarled.

  “You don’t wanna make this your problem,” the one on top of her threatened.

  “Oh, yes I do.” Gabe’s eyes flared red as he disappeared, then he flashed back just in front of them. “Don’t touch her.”

  His thug friend bolted past them. Scuttling off her and to his feet, he took off after.

  The instant they were gone, Gabe dropped down next to her. The last time she’d seen Gabe, he’d given Jarrod a note. Don’t leave Eden alone with me, it’d said. She tried to turn, to claw away from him, but she couldn’t get her limbs to move. Everything felt so heavy. “Jarrod,” she croaked. “Help.”

  “You’re okay,” Gabe said. “Eden, it’s me.” The chunk of broken asphalt dug into her hip. “You’re . . .” His voice lowered, a slow swirl starting in his eyes as he took her in. His breaths came faster, cut off as he curled his hands into fists and dropped them at his sides. “Sullivan,” he called over his shoulder, “you all right?”

  “Bruises,” she answered. “Is she okay?”

  For a split second, Gabe seemed to come back to himself and turned to Sullivan. “Jarrod’s around the corner. He wasn’t moving. Go to him.”

  Eden heard her struggling, but kept glued to Gabe, afr
aid to look away. “Don’t leave me,” she said weakly, but already she heard Sullivan’s footsteps fade.

  “Shhh, I won’t leave you,” Gabe murmured to Eden, his fingers gentle on her cheek. “You’re hurt bad.” His stare blanked out, the words barely a whisper. “I couldn’t let them kill you. I don’t want to. . . .”

  She curled her hand around a rock. She didn’t know if she had the strength to hit him hard enough to get away. I can do it, she thought. His gaze dipped to her side. He knows. With the slightest nod, he leaned forward, tilted at an angle that would give her the best shot. She could feel him trembling.

  “Don’t, Gabriel!” The voice echoed off the buildings.

  It can’t be, Eden thought, stunned. Gabe didn’t turn toward where she’d seen Jarrod disappear. He looked up. Eden followed his lead. She couldn’t make out anything in the darkness, and then suddenly Az’s wings flared wide enough to fill the alley, breaking his dive. His legs swung wildly as he pumped the wings again. Hitting the ground in a crouch, Az used the momentum to shove Gabe and knock him off her.

  Gabe skittered back, staring at Eden in horror. “I didn’t.” He glanced up at Az, his eyes yellowed and wide. “I didn’t do it.”

  She tried to say Az’s name, but nothing would come. He’s here. He’s really here.

  “You’re alive,” he said, almost as if he couldn’t believe it. His thumb stroked her split lip and then broke away to brush her bangs back.

  “Oh my God,” she whispered, covering her face. Her hands shook against skin slick with blood. Az’s arms wrapped around her, pulling her against his chest. She clung to him.

  “Shhh,” Az whispered, cradling her. “I’m here. It’s over.”

  She dropped into the crook of his arm as the horrible taste of ashes and rot filled her mouth. No, she begged. Ten seconds. Just give me ten more seconds with him. But already everything inside her writhed in agony. Eden heard Jarrod and Sullivan coming and moved just enough to see them. As they came closer, she saw how Jarrod limped, leaning heavily on Sullivan. They’re both all right, though, Eden thought.

  Gabe cowered against the brick wall.

  “I know you didn’t do this,” Az said to him. He held out a hand. With a sigh of relief, Gabe took it. “The Bound betrayed you. They set you up to find her hurt and to keep you from—”

  “How did you get here?” Gabe asked. His eyes wavered back to Eden, broke away again.

  “They attacked Kristen’s,” Az said.

  Gabe’s grip tightened. “No. When?” he asked as Eden fought to sit up.

  “Help them,” she wheezed.

  “There was a ball tonight,” Jarrod said from next to them. He clamped one arm to his chest. His wrists had bruises so dark they were black. He’d fought hard. “Everyone went.”

  “Go to Kristen’s, Gabe,” Az said. “I’ve got this.”

  With a pop, the air swirled a tornado of snow, and the space where Gabriel had been was empty. Eden fought to get enough air to speak. “Are they all right?” she asked.

  When Az loosened his grip, Eden’s head drooped back before she could catch it. Her vision blurred, gritty with ashes.

  “I’m here. I’ve got you,” Az whispered, lifting her up again.

  She knew he still held her hand, but things had gone fuzzy. Her lungs felt like they’d been dipped in drying concrete.

  “Oh, Eden, no.” The terror on Az’s face almost broke her, but she wouldn’t let herself look away. “No, I made it on time. You’re okay!” Az juggled her into his arms. “We have to get somewhere safe.”

  Leaning in close to his chest, Eden listened to his thudding heartbeat. It took all her strength, but she got an arm around his neck, felt his skin, cool beneath her feverish fingers.

  “They knew you guys were staying at Zach’s,” Az said. “The Bound are in the Bronx. They won’t expect us to go back to your apartment.” His grip on her tightened as he lurched to his feet.

  She felt a tremor pass through Az’s shoulders as he unfurled his wings. “Sullivan, can you and Jarrod make it there yourselves?” he asked.

  Eden heard Jarrod arguing, but the words seemed to skip and bounce, unrecognizable. Blinking, she tried to focus, but everything blanched to gray.

  For a moment there was nothing, and then Az’s voice pulled her out of the darkness. “Stay with me!”

  It’s too late, Eden thought. She lost her grip on Az, her hands falling away.

  There was a scream. A rush of air when Az launched into the sky.

  And then there was nothing.

  CHAPTER 18

  The orange glow of flames lit the hazy smoke-filled lawn. Half of Kristen’s second floor was engulfed by the fire. I’m too late. Gabriel’s stomach curdled.

  He pictured himself near the door to the back stairs. Cold air rushed through him, and he materialized there with his face nearly pressed against the hot glass. He cupped his hands and stared in between them. The stairwell was pitch-black.

  When he opened the door, smoke swirled out, burning his throat, but Gabe could see no fire on the wooden stairs.

  She’s dead. A terrible thought crossed his mind, that he’d run over what was left of Kristen as he searched the house, grinding the ashes of her into the carpet as he passed. He tucked an arm over his mouth and nose, and started to climb the stairs as he heard distant sirens. He’d check her room and whatever else he could before the firefighters arrived. He rounded the corner, feeling his way in the dark the same as he’d done a dozen times before.

  He kicked something that bounced against the trim with a hollow thunk. When he stooped down to pick it up, he was surprised to find a phone. Light, he thought, pressing the buttons so that the display illuminated in a pale glow. He swept it out in front of him. Just around the turn of the stairs, a heeled shoe hung over the edge of a step. Gabriel jumped toward it. The light found a face, eyes open and staring blindly.

  “Madeline!” he cried out in surprise. He fell to her, swiping curls from her face. The skin under his finger was slick. She didn’t move. Didn’t blink. “Oh no,” he whispered. “Madel—” A choked gasp caught in his throat. The middle of her chest was caved in, a jagged hole where her breastbone had been. Gabriel stared in horror. But she’s not ash.

  “Come on, Madeline. We have to go.” Sliding an arm underneath her neck, he tried to move her, to lift her. Her head lolled. The blood that had pooled in her mouth spilled onto his legs. “Oh no, sweetheart.”

  He tried to wipe her cheek clean, but his own bloody fingers only made things worse. They took her heart out. They took her soul. She couldn’t be alive. But why is her body still here? When Siders ended, they disintegrated. Above him, he could hear the thump of water spraying the roof, the hiss as it hit hot coals.

  He had to go.

  Tucking the phone into his pocket with a shaking hand, Gabriel closed his eyes and pictured Kristen’s room. Madeline’s fingers were still laced in his when he phased out. He came back a second later alone and leaning against Kristen’s bed. “Hello?” he whispered.

  “She’s not here.” The voice startled him. He turned toward the angel behind him. The face he knew so well, had once delighted in seeing, now sent sorrow coiling through him.

  “Were you with them, Michael?” Gabriel collapsed onto the bed. The blood on his hands, Madeline’s blood, smeared onto the comforter. “Did you kill my friends?”

  Michael hissed a warning as he arched his neck toward the closed door. “Careful words, Gabriel. There are others about. You’re being foolish.”

  When Michael took a step toward him, Gabriel bolted off the bed and stumbled against the dresser. “Raphael sent me after Eden. Because you didn’t want me to stop you here!” He wiped his hand across his cheek and nose without thinking. His sticky fingers skipped across the skin. “Madeline risked everything to help me when I was Fallen. She’s the reason I knew everything I told Raphael about Downstairs. You killed her, didn’t you?” Gabriel’s eyes flicked down to Michael’s hands.
They were still covered in blood.

  Michael’s own gaze fell to Gabe’s fingers. “You, too.” A thrill of what seemed like hope trilled in his voice as he asked, “Is the death breather finished?”

  Gabe flexed his hands. The drying maroon near his knuckles cracked, showing clean skin underneath. Outside the door, fire crackled. He had a vision of Kristen in the very room in which they stood, painting her toenails at the vanity, her long dark hair running down her back.

  “I thought I had done you a kindness by not allowing you to participate here. It seems you don’t see it as such,” Michael said, his voice awash in disappointment. “You look at me as a monster for doing pleasing works. For cleansing the Earth of a plague threatening the mortals. The Siders will be driven to extinction, Gabriel. They are not your friends.” Michael shook his head slowly. “Your part ceases with the completion of your task. End Eden. Come home. I can’t shelter you any more than I have.”

  “Shelter me?” Gabe blurted in disgust. Anguish bubbled inside him, threatening to take over. Gone, he thought. Madeline’s gone. Kristen’s gone. How many others? Michael had taken them away, just as he’d tried to take Az away so long ago. “Tell me if Kristen still exists,” he whispered.

  “Shhh.”

  Gabriel stilled. Michael would relish telling him she was gone. So why isn’t he answering?

  Hope tried to burrow in, but Gabe wouldn’t let it, wouldn’t be able to stand it if he was wrong. Please let her be safe. Gabe sent out a thought. Please, tell me where she is. He grabbed Michael by the neck. He smelled the same as he had centuries ago, like a fall breeze. Did you spare her for me?

  “The answer will only cause you pain,” Michael said, leaning in to brush a delicate kiss against Gabe’s cheek.

  I thought you’d help her. I thought you’d do that for me.

  “She did escape, Gabriel.”

  Gabe jerked back.

  “With Lucifer,” Michael finished.