by Elara Skye
She rolled her eyes. “You’re one to talk. You would too if you participated—you’re the one who wanted admin work.”
“I’d hardly call my business admin work.” At his phrasing, Finn caught the twinge of tension in Seraphina’s lip. “But anyway, that’s not why I called. There’s something urgent I need to discuss with you.”
“I figured. What’s got you all desperate?”
“You might’ve heard how I got an assignment some time ago.”
“The guardianship assignment?”
He nodded.
“Yeah, I heard about that. Had a good laugh about it, too.”
“Well, I—wait, you laughed at me?”
“Wouldn’t you?” She smirked. “It’s like an unplanned pregnancy.”
Amusing as it was, Finn still grimaced at the comparison. “That’s hardly an accurate depiction of the relationship.”
“Because you’d know all about relationships with their kind?” When he didn’t respond, Seraphina’s smile dwindled a bit. “What’s that look on your face?”
He pressed his lips together. “It’s a bit of a tangent…”
“What is?”
“What you just said.”
She chuckled. “What, you going to tell me you banged your human?” Finn cringed subtly, and Seraphina’s smile fell in response. “Oh, my god, you banged your human?”
“It’s a bit more complicated than that.”
“Complicated?” She sat back. “Do you remember the last time things got ‘complicated’ between a human and an angel? Just ask Alaric.”
Tension rippled through his jaw. “I don’t need to ask him. I’m the one who saved Madeline’s life.”
“Right. And then she never saw him again.”
“Madeline was different. he wasn’t his human. But I digress…” Finn sighed. “That’s not why you’re here. I called you because I need help. When my bond was instated, something happened, and I was led to believe that a supernatural creature was stalking Amelia.”
“Okay, what creature was that?”
“I still don’t have that answer; therein lies my problem. I only know that it doesn’t have a face.”
“Doesn’t have a face?”
“That’s right.” He nodded. “At first, I thought it was following me. But then the thing went and tore apart her home.”
“How do you mean?”
“Literally,” he said. “I tried to investigate the matter myself at first, but there was nothing to be found. Even the Shadow People didn’t have a name for—”
“Wait, what?” Seraphina narrowed her eyes. “Sorry, you went to the Shadow People?”
“I—” He paused. “Yes.”
“…before coming to me?”
“I thought it was the best option at the time.”
She scoffed. “Well, the bond does live up to its reputation. If she wasn’t on their radar before, I guarantee she is now. I never thought you’d do something so stupid.”
“No matter,” Finn ground out. “All they told me was that this being seeks a ‘drop of water from the tar.’”
Seraphina nodded knowingly. “Helpful as anticipated.”
He furrowed a brow, wondering if she could have warned him about that as well. “I also learned that this creature’s gotten closer to Amelia than I knew, likely causing some nightmares she’s been having lately.”
“Alright, so what’ve you ruled out so far?”
“Almost nothing,” he said. “I’ve grown to suspect that the demons have something to do with it, but I have no leads.”
“Why the demons?”
“She was approached by one last New Year’s Eve, and the same one found her again later on. The visit nearly cost her job, which would have devastated her.”
“And if it devastated her, it would’ve weakened her, too.” Seraphina shrugged. “Could’ve been an attempt to take her soul, same goes for the break-in. The nightmares, too. I don’t need to tell you that inflicting pain is a classic tactic to weaken a human.”
“No, there’s more to this than Amelia’s soul...”
“I’ll bet,” she said. “I think it might have more to do with you than her.”
“With me?”
“Oh, come on. You and I both know what you’ve been up to all these years. How you’ve been working with demons, of all people. If someone was going to cross paths with some freaky-deeky monster, I’m not surprised that it’s you.”
Finn pressed his lips together. He didn’t like the idea of Seraphina seeming to know as much as she did—as far as Finn was aware, they’d done an excellent job of keeping it under wraps. If that wasn’t the case, that begged the question of what else was common knowledge among the angels.
He sighed. “Regardless of my affairs, why would all of this be happening to her in tandem? The timing doesn’t make sense.”
Seraphina shrugged. “There’s a reason we’re supposed to keep our distance from them, Finn. Even if we’re their guardians, we’re still angels. Bad things tend to hang around us.”
“And the rest of it? Why would the bond be instated now, of all times?”
“Well, is there anything going on in her life that would’ve happened without you? Something you might’ve just shadowed her through, instead of getting directly involved?”
His mouth opened and closed again, and he was at a loss for words. Seraphina wasn’t wrong. Ruben’s death set off a chain of events that derailed Amelia’s entire life—again. He played no role in that.
Seraphina went on, “Where’d you get that description, anyway? Did you see the monster yourself?”
“No. But I’ve been in the same room with it without even knowing. I heard about it first from a spirit, and then the Shadow People confirmed it.”
“I see.” Seraphina looked away. “That’s tricky...”
Finn sighed. “Either way, I need to do something sooner rather than later. Amelia doesn’t deserve any of this to happen.”
Her expression softened as she looked at him. “All angels make sentiments like that about their humans, Finn. No one’s innocent. You’re not the first, and you won’t be the last to think she’s goodness incarnate.”
“You’d have to meet her to understand. The choices she makes for the sake of others—”
“—probably pale in comparison to what other humans have done throughout history. Vasili Arkhipov? Harriet Tubman? Otherwise, more of us would know about her.”
“You’d evaluate Amelia’s life against the direst moments in human history?”
“I’m just trying to disillusion you about your human—it’d be your first move too, if this was reversed,” she said. “You’d tell me leading with your emotions in any capacity won’t help anyone.”
Silence.
“What would you have me do, then?” he asked.
“For one thing, put some distance between you two. Take some time off. The more, the better.”
“You’d want me to leave her alone at a time like this?”
“Yes. And you should do it before other things start happening to her—other bad things that happen when angels get involved with humans.”
Finn pressed his lips together. “What if it’s too late?”
“Are you saying it is?”
“It might be.”
“Finn,” she leaned forward. “What did you do?”
He looked at her. “I didn’t know what would come of my relationship with her. She was different from Madeleine; Amelia wasn’t born with the power of perception. She has it now, though.”
“You’re saying she sees the Ether? Has she seen the creature, too?”
“I don’t think so. I haven’t asked, nor have I mentioned any of this to her.”
“Of course not,” Seraphina went on, “But is she aware of what she’s seeing? Does she know that they’re spirits?”
“She’s well past awareness. A demon attacked Amelia in the middle of the city. I barely got there in time to stop it, and she saw
me too.”
Seraphina’s eyes widened. “Wait. That first bit’s impossible.”
“I thought so too, but she did it.”
“And, now...she knows about you?” He nodded, and her expression turned grave. “Oh, my god, Finn. How could you let that happen?”
“I didn’t know. In the very beginning, I thought that if I got to know Amelia—figured out what she needed from a guardian—I could’ve gotten it over with. I didn’t know she would learn to see the Ether, moreover that she would discover me one day.”
She scoffed. “Seriously? That first half? That’s not how these things work.”
“Well, how was I to know?”
“By calling someone. You call and talk to your friends, your family—you could’ve called me.” Seraphina sighed as she sat back. “Do you have any idea how many rules you’ve broken?”
“I’ve got an inkling.”
“Where is she now?” Seraphina asked.
“She’s with her attorney, discussing her father’s will.”
“His will?”
“Yes, he passed away recently.”
“Alright.” She rose from her chair. “I’m going to leave, and you’re going to call her.”
“Why?”
“Since there are no more secrets between you two, she should know what’s happening.”
“I thought you said I had no reason to tell her?” Finn asked. “If there’s nothing she can do, this will only panic her.”
“Is that another shot you called on your own? Do you not talk to her, either?” Seraphina quipped. “Tell her so she can start paying attention to her surroundings.”
“Is that supposed to help?”
“For now, yes.” She rolled her eyes. “In the meantime, I’ll see what I can find out about your little monster problem—oh, and bring her to meet me tomorrow.”
“What?” He looked at her. “Why?”
“Because you asked for my help, and because I say you’re not allowed to handle this alone anymore,” Seraphina answered tersely. “Now, pick up the phone and call her right now.”
Finn blinked at her, reaching for his cell. “Alright, fine. I forgot how pushy you get when you want something…”
“Only way to fry big fish—and dumbass best friends popping up with girlfriend problems from a thousand years ago,” she said, pulling the glass door open. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Chapter twenty-three
The last time Amelia saw Finn in person was when they flew back home, exactly three days ago. Conversations were sparse as well, and far in between. While his initial attempt at keeping a neutral demeanor was impressive, it was hardly foolproof, and Amelia sensed that something was wrong. She had her suspicions, but nothing was definite, and Finn didn’t let on to anything. She planned to ask him about it tonight.
Upon returning from their trip, Amelia learned that there were already several offers made for her shares—each more superfluous than the last—and even Raymer was planning to fly out to discuss it over the next few days. It was bound to be another painfully exhausting affair, but Amelia figured it was time to start getting used to those. Her inclination to accept the inheritance was apparent, even with the uncertainty still lingering the air.
The attorney’s office was on the border of suburbia and the city—next to a local park—which she found rather mollifying under the circumstances. A fog had settled in the area when she arrived and hadn’t abated by the time she left, teeming with fury as she stalked to her car. Despite her vehement refusal to sell without due thought, the attorney pressed her to be more inclusive of Daniel in their discussions—regardless of their personal history. If there was one thing she knew for certain, it was that she’d never sell to him. But it was infuriating to think that even the attorney doubted she could handle the pressure of the company’s responsibility. Had they all forgotten where she was heading in the first place? That she had worked for her father long before any of this happened?
Amelia cursed as she threw the documents down on the passenger’s seat, cocking her head back against the headrest.
She was tired. So very, very tired. Anything and everything seemed to be wearing her down these days. Life whirled in different directions all around her, daring her to try and keep up. With a heavy breath, she looked back down and fished for the car keys in the passenger seat. Before they touched the ignition, Amelia paused, noticing a figure standing in front of her car. She looked up as a car drove by, throwing its headlights at it.
A cold sweat broke out across her skin, while pieces of the woman’s face came together before her.
The green eyes.
The light brown locks.
The angular jaw.
“M-Mom?” Amelia’s heartbeat drowned out every other noise around her. Her hands trembled, blanching with coldness.
Somewhere in the depth of her bag, Amelia’s phone began to buzz. She neither knew nor cared who was calling at that moment. She merely flinched as the apparition turned, strolling around the side of the car. A nearby streetlight shone down on its face, and Amelia bit back the sobs that rose with her growing certainty—it was undoubtedly her.
Amelia watched as her mother came around the side of the car, holding eye contact through the window. The moment she passed, Amelia latched onto the door handle and pulled, careening out of the vehicle.
“Mom!?”
The street blurred from the tears in her eyes, appearing wispy as she looked around for the apparition. Amelia called out for her again and again, hearing nothing but the sound of her own voice.
“So,” a voice echoed from somewhere nearby. “You’re the one that everyone’s been talking about?”
It sent shivers up her spine, and Amelia blinked—realizing that the wispiness of the street was not from her tears. She looked to her left and right, unable to pin the source of the voice.
“Over here,” it came again. Amelia whirled around, faced by a tall, lanky figure with a twisted grin.
“W-Who are you?” Her breath came out in shallow bursts. “Where’s my mom?”
“Your mom?” He narrowed his eyes. “Oh, you mean this little lady?”
The man stepped out of the way, revealing the apparition standing just behind him. It was a perfect copy of her mother’s face, down to the minute details of her loving expression—loving, but sad.
“Mom?” Amelia whispered, stepping toward her.
At first, the apparition stared back, smiling warmly. But the moment Amelia got close enough to see it clearly—see the fine lines and detailed colors of her eyes—it threw back its head, a scream erupting brutally from its throat. Amelia jumped back as it fell to the ground in a series of twisting, scratching, writhing movements. Amelia fell to the ground beside her car simultaneously, mouth agape, terror precluding her from doing much else.
“W-What’s happening?” she cried.
The spirit arched its back against the ground, its perfect image rotting before her eyes. Its smooth skin thinned and bled, leaving sores and a putrid moistness in its wake, translucent enough to reveal branches of veins just under the surface. Amelia slammed back against the car, her heart racing from the horror, but she couldn’t look away.
“Oh, wow, you are a tough one, aren’t you? I’m surprised you haven’t passed out yet.” The man kneeled in front of her. “Well, you know what they say. If you want something done right, you’ve got to ask a master. Julian just didn’t have the right touch—wrecking your place, getting you fired. All he did was piss you off. Now, look at you,” the man grinned, “you’re like a broken toy.”
The apparition melted away into the ground, finally disappearing. It took an effort for Amelia to tear her eyes away from the spot, jumping to the man’s face instead. “W-Who are you?” her voice was shaky.
“Alastair.” His hand snapped to her bare neck. “Not that it matters. But I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”
There was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide from the fingers that tigh
tened around her throat. Amelia didn’t have time to try before he reared back, plunging a fist into her abdomen. A heavy pressure coiled inside her, tugging her organs into one focal point. The impact forced her against the car door, driving the air from her lungs, and she feared her insides would tear from the minutest movement.
Amelia’s hair curtained her face, while Alastair sneered at the memories that suddenly rose—Christmases, birthdays, recitals. Relief plumed with every pleasant thought, decimated by whatever putrid energy pulled them together at her center. They tightened in her chest, just above Alastair’s fist, it seemed. He twisted, and Amelia’s body clenched from the pain that followed. Only when her vision began to fade did the pressure subside with a resounding pop. In its wake, there was emptiness.
“What a lovely soul, you have…” Alastair crooned, and she could barely make out a film of light surrounding his hand and forearm. “Shame I can’t keep it.”
Amelia fell over to the ground, seeing Alastair through her swaths of hair, fumbling around for something in his pocket.
“Oh—will you look at that?” A phone screen appeared in front of her, and she could vaguely make out the caller ID: Patrick Raymer. “He’s come such a long way. I’ll be sure to let him know you said hello—unless you’d like to join us at Zeracane Tower tomorrow night. I’m sure we’ll have so much to discuss together.”
“D-Don’t...” her voice tapered off, vision fading to blackness as he stood.
“It was a pleasure meeting you, Ms. Var Hart.”
***
Amelia’s body settled against the asphalt like a comfortable bed. What felt like hours turned out to be minutes, and she came to fairly quickly after passing out, alone on the street. The wet concrete stained her pants as she crawled—drained and exhausted—clawing at the leather car seats as she rose to an upright position. Her phone had stopped ringing, but there was a voicemail from Finn:
“Hey, it’s Finn, give me a call when you’re out of the meeting. I love you.”
What happened?
Amelia looked over her shoulder, flashed in her thoughts—her mother, whom she also loved—and she dropped the phone across the car, spearing her hands through her hair, consumed with insatiable anxiety.
