The Faithful

by Wylde, Nora

  “No prob,” Sam replied. “Feel like taking a ride, Abby? I could use the company.”

  She felt his stare before her eyes met his. This is it, she thought. Time to make a stand, either way.

  “I’ll get my jacket,” she said.

  Lee uttered a short laugh and hid his grin behind his coffee cup. Sam’s tight shoulders relaxed.

  Abby stared ahead at the road before them, noting Sam had taken the back roads instead of the direct route to town. She swallowed against her dry throat and stole a glance at him as he drove, trying to think of something sensible to say. Making small talk seemed inappropriate considering what she knew about him. What could she possibly say to an angel that didn’t sound ridiculous?

  “You can say anything you want,” he commented.

  “Stop doing that!” she hissed. The corner of his mouth turned up in a grin.

  “Stop thinking so loud.”

  “I can’t control how loud I think! And it seems like there should be a rule about that. It’s rude that you’re in my head,” she shot back.

  “Yeah, well, there are a lot of rules. But I’m allowed to look into the head of a human when I need to.” He pulled off the road onto an access lane that she recognized. It was the path to the abandoned river park, a place they had frequented as teenagers looking to avoid authority. It had been years since she had seen the place, the nostalgia hitting her when she least expected it.

  “Why did you bring me here?” she asked.

  “To talk. I imagine you have a lot of questions after last night.”

  He pulled the Chevelle up onto the hill and turned the car off. The river was shimmering in view beneath the spot, peaceful in the glimmer of early morning sunshine. The park was empty, leaving them completely alone with only the sounds of surf and scent of salt in the air.

  “Come on. Let’s take a walk,” he suggested. She followed mutely, unwilling to trust her voice to answer him without wavering.

  Watching him walk ahead, she was acutely aware of how normal he looked. Well, perhaps he didn’t look entirely normal. Sam had always been ruggedly good-looking in his own way. Looking back she recalled how he always had an aura, an aloof and proud bearing that set him apart from other boys his age. Now, standing before her was a different creature altogether, one that appeared barely contained by the skin he was in. He had a good foot on her in height, the top of her head barely skimming the level of his shoulder. Although he wore faded, torn jeans and took no special care with his plain cotton tee shirt, his otherworldly physique was something he could not hide. When he ran his hand through his hair she saw tendrils curl up around his ears, framing the outline of a strong jaw and neck. He shoved his hands in his front pockets, the taut muscles of his arms crowded with the gesture. Seeing him walk down the shoreline made her feel like a fool. How could she have ever thought he was normal?

  He turned to face her then, and she knew he had yet again been looking around in her brain. She felt the flush spread over her cheeks as she brushed past and walked away from him.

  “I tried to take your memory. I didn’t want you to feel this way, to be afraid of me,” he said softly.

  She stopped walking, his words behind her sending ripples over her skin. His presence was weighted, heavy, pressing her down until she took a deep breath. Why did she react to him so strongly? She did not know if it was fear or something else, but the very thought of the power he now held over her gripped her tight.

  “I don’t understand,” she replied. He put his hands lightly on her shoulders from behind.

  “Humans cannot see us, not unless we allow it. You shouldn’t have been able to see Daren throw his dart in the bar, and you sure as hell should have stayed inside when I told you to.”

  “So you put some kind of spell on me, is that what you’re saying?” she asked.

  “No. I enthralled you. Humans cannot resist when I enthrall them. I’ve never known one that could,” he replied.

  His fingers pressed gently into her upper arms, urging her around. She turned to face him, taken aback to see the glare of confusion in his eyes.

  “Maybe you didn’t do it right. Try it now. Whatever you have to do, just do it,” she stammered, the words coming out in a bungled rush. If he was so powerful that he could erase her memories, then why wouldn’t he do it? The last thing she needed was to be the keeper of his secrets. With her Dad’s illness a constant threat, she had very little urge to be part of anything bigger. Especially something that made her feel as if her sanity was on hiatus.

  “No,” he said.

  She gripped his tee shirt in her fists.

  “What do you mean, no? You tried to take my memory once, just do it again. Here,” she insisted. “I’m giving you my permission, just take it! I don’t to know any of this – I don’t need to know what you are!”

  “I can’t,” he said, his voice hoarse. “And I don’t want to.”

  She felt the sting of tears as she glared up at him.

  “Look, I didn’t ask to get involved in this. I have enough to worry about with my Dad. I – I can’t take anymore, Sam.”

  She bowed her head, unwilling to see the despair reflected in his gaze. It was clear that her plea stirred him, so she could not understand why he would not just take it all away. For everything she thought she knew about angels he was a complete contradiction. There was very little about him that one might consider heavenly.

  She shuddered at the recollection of his wings. His black wings. Wasn’t it the bad angels that had black wings?

  His fingers tightened on her upper arms again. So he was listening to her thoughts, but would not admit it.

  “I know you heard me,” she whispered.

  His hands slid up to cup her face and he tilted her chin up to meet his gaze.

  “Good and bad are just words, Abby. I told you I wouldn’t hurt you, and I meant it. I can’t take your memory, and I don’t know why it won’t work. But even if I could, I wouldn’t.”

  “Why?” she asked.

  “Because you know me now. You can see me and…and it makes me feel human. It hurts, but it’s like my eyes are opened. I don’t want you to forget me. I’m – I’m sorry.”

  “Does it hurt, being what you are?” she whispered. He smiled, but she glimpsed the sadness behind his eyes.

  “Sometimes. When I reach beyond this human body and use my powers, then yes, it hurts. I cannot use my powers without consequence. It’s part of my punishment.”

  “What did you do wrong?”

  “I broke a vow. So now I must live this mortal life until my task is completed.”

  She felt his fingers tighten in her hair and suddenly the air around them seemed too close.

  “Are you here to watch over my father? Is it because of his cancer?” she asked. It was an honest question, one that she had wanted to ask him since she calmed down and tried to wrap her head around the situation. “Are you a guardian angel or something?”

  “I have been watching over your father,” he said slowly, his eyes darting down away from hers for a split second. “And now I’m watching over you. I said it aloud, and I will keep that promise. I will protect you for all your mortal life.”

  His hands felt warm, the heat of his body radiating through to embrace her. It felt natural to move closer in his arms, to feel his chest rise and fall beneath the touch of her hands.

  “It makes me feel better, knowing you’re watching over him. It eases my mind.”

  He stiffened.

  “Abby –”

  “Is that what The Faithful do? Watch over us?”

  She noticed he swallowed before he answered, the muscles in his neck tense as he spoke.

  “We keep the balance. We eliminate anything that threatens that balance. Right now it’s Zane and his Minions. Tomorrow it will be another Demon.”

  “Is Alex one of you? Is he on your side?” she asked, the words seeming inadequate for the question she posed.

  “He is our leader. Fo
r now,” Sam said softly.

  “For now?”

  “He took my place when I was banished. Part of my punishment is to serve him without question.”

  “Oh,” she whispered. She looked down at her fingers pressed against his chest. “That makes sense.”

  “Does it?”

  “Yeah,” she replied, a tiny smile forming on her lips. “You seem like the take-charge type.”

  She was relieved to see him grin as she glanced upward.

  “Maybe. If I were in charge, Zane and his Minions wouldn’t be an issue right now.”

  “Those monsters – they acted like they knew me –”

  “I’d never let them hurt you.”

  “But they exist. Are they everywhere? Will they come after me?” she asked. Her voice rose a pitch, despite her attempt to stem it. Talking with Sam was one thing; discussing demons was another entirely. Panic seeped in, her pulse pounding in her head.

  He bent his head, his cheek close enough to brush against hers.

  “Can I show you something?” he said, his voice low. She nodded. “Close your eyes.”

  She did as he asked.

  One of his hands traveled downward to settle on her waist and he urged her deeper against him. She kept her eyes tightly closed, trusting him from some place down deep in her heart as a warmth rushed over her. It was like the night before when she had watched his body change and his wings emerge, and as she felt his body shudder she clutched his shirt and rested her head against his chest. A hollow snapping sound pierced the air and the heavy scent of roses fell upon them, wrapping them together as if they were meant to be bound.

  For a moment she lost her breath, and just as she thought her lungs would burst from the effort a calmness washed over her. It flowed through her blood, a thick, warm peacefulness that chased away any lingering slivers of fear inside her.

  She was surrounded by him, smothered but sated, the song of relief and peace carrying her away from her suffering. Nothing could touch her there. If she stayed in his arms, she was sure she would never have cause to feel pain or loss ever again.

  “Is that better?” he asked. His breath was sweet against her skin, and she turned toward it.

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  She felt the flutter of his wings, and suddenly it was as if they had drifted into a cocoon. His embrace gave her peace, her worry and fear draining away with each breath.

  “I can’t take your memories,” he said softly. “But I can make you safe.”

  She saw something move beyond his shoulder and tensed up at the sight. A collie dog ran toward them on the beach, and behind the dog an older man and woman walked toward them holding hands. The reality of what they were doing hit her and she tried to pull away.

  “Someone’s coming,” she said when he refused to release her. Instead his embrace tightened and he settled her firm against him with a grin.

  “They can’t see us. I won’t let them,” he said.

  “Are you sure?”

  He nodded. “Positive.”

  The dog reached them first and Abby was certain their cover was blown. The dog crouched down, wagging his tail, looking up at them with pricked ears. When the couple was close, she heard the man call to the dog.

  “C’mon, Bud! What are you doing? Shoo, let’s go!”

  “Do you believe me now?” Sam asked.

  Abby watched the couple pass by, oblivious to the otherworldly being in their midst.

  “They didn’t see us,” she said, knowing it was impossible, but it was true. “Sam?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Does it hurt now? I mean, you said it hurts to use your—your powers.”

  He opened his mouth to answer, then shut it, his lips tight before he finally responded.

  “No, not this time,” he replied. “I could only feel you.”

  He broke away then and stepped back. The anguish on his face tore at her as their bond broke, his green eyes clouded with something she hoped was not regret. She could see there were things he had yet to tell her, things he might never tell her, but the very fact that he had risked physical pain to ease her suffering was something she held onto.

  He was right. Good and bad were only words. In his arms she felt right, she felt protected. She felt he would take it all and give her only peace. So when she saw him close down and turn away, she grabbed his hand.

  He looked down at their joined hands as she twisted her fingers in his, and when she glanced up at him his frown turned into the hint of a grin.

  Thank you, she thought.

  He smiled.

  Chapter 9

  Sam

  Sam shook his head when she asked him to come inside. He could hear the television blaring from the sitting room and the motions of Lee snoring on the couch, but his mind stayed focused on Abby despite the distraction. It was natural for an angel to be drawn to his Ward, and the fondness he felt for her and Lee was no exception. Having two Wards, however, was something he had never heard of before, and he wondered how long it would take for one of the members of The Faithful to intervene. Daren seemed to accept Sam’s declaration without argument. Others might not be so accommodating, and Sam knew it was only a matter of time before he must present himself to Alex. Better that Abby was not around for that confrontation, considering all the chaos she had been forced to process over the last 24 hours.

  He tossed his keys on the kitchen table, grateful that Daren was not home. The last thing he felt like hearing was Daren bust his balls over Abby.

  Later he would tell himself that she reached out to him, that he had not intruded into her thoughts on a mere whim. Yes, he could look into the minds of mortals when there was a need, but he knew he was crossing the line with her. There was no good reason he should steal a glimpse into her mind, yet after being apart from her for less than twenty minutes, he…missed her.

  Yes. Even when she did not fully trust him, even with the reality of what was standing between them, he missed her. So when he checked in on her it was with the intent of quickly sating his curiosity and then moving on. Since he had been trying his best to honor her request for privacy, he had not been aware that she was not in her house with Lee.

  In fact, when he connected with her, he felt the blood drain down to his toes. She was standing in the doorway of the neighbor’s house across the street talking to an innocent elderly woman with a stack of mail in her hand. The minion’s house. As he watched in horror, the old woman beckoned Abby inside and she stepped over the threshold. The door closed behind her, and suddenly his connection to her abruptly broke off.

  “No,” he groaned, running his hands through his hair. He gripped the back of his neck and looked up toward the heavens, hoping no one took notice of what he meant to do. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and moved.

  When he opened his eyes, Abby recoiled at his sudden appearance beside her. They stood near the entrance together, and he could hear the old woman puttering around in the kitchen. Abby snatched his arm.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” she hissed. “She’ll see you!”

  “We need to leave. It’s not safe here –”

  “I’m just bringing her the mail! What’s so dangerous about that?” she replied, her voice dipping down lower as the old woman entered the foyer.

  Abby took a step forward, holding out one hand to the woman. “I’m sorry, my friend here just barged in. We really should be going,” Abby apologized.

  “Of course, dear, no worries,” the woman insisted, reaching for Abby’s outstretched hand.

  When Sam snatched Abby’s arm back the woman sniffed the air. With her nose raised upward she leaned forward, and a twisted grin spread across her face. Her face flickered, the mask of humanity faltering as the demon caught his scent and before Sam could shift Abby away the minion lashed out. The minion’s fingers twisted around Abby’s wrist.

  “Sam?” Abby whispered.

  The last thing he wished to do was cause more reason to fe
ar him, but as the minion’s disguise fell away Sam could not react any other way. He groaned as his wings burst forth from his spine, spiking through flesh and bone in the midst of his blind fear.

  He was afraid, and he had never been afraid.

  He feared for her life.

  Abby screamed, but even her cries were muffled as he let his Archangel loose. The stench of the minion drove him senseless with rage, his fury rising as a bellow from deep in his chest as he attacked.

  Kill the minion. Protect her.

  He could focus on nothing else as his hands found purchase. His fingers tore at the dead flesh, clumps of the undead thing like acid on his skin. Yes, it burned, but that would not stop him. The minion’s squeals drove him on, the deviant scream pounding like a siren in his head. From the edge of his vision he could see Abby crouched down, covering her ears with both hands, her eyes squeezed tightly shut.

  It was her terror that finally broke his rage. He took the minion’s head in both hands. With a burst of light that tore through his body, he let it flow into the minion, letting out a sigh when the demon dissolved into ash.

  He turned to her, but her choked sobs sliced through him. She stared up at him with one hand still clasped over her own mouth, her eyes wide and reddened from her tears. She had been splashed with minion blood before she was shoved out of the way, yet despite the gore staining her skin it did not seem to burn her. When he kneeled down beside her and lifted a hand to her face she did not recoil, and for that simple gesture, he was grateful. She merely stared boldly back at him, her eyes fixed on his.

  “Come with me,” he said.

  She swallowed, dropping her hand from her mouth. He felt her shaking as she placed her hand in his, but her fingers closed quickly in a tight grip. He was wound too tight to notice the burning pain as he used his power to move them, unwilling to take his focus away from ensuring her safety. It was not until he placed her gently on his sofa and watched her eyes close in exhaustion that he finally let out his breath.

  Whatever she was, wherever she truly came from, she was still part human. And what she had just witnessed was enough to drive any human past the edge of sanity.