by SJ West
“I was beginning to think that you weren’t going to make it,” I hear Silas say as I stand up to my full height. I turn around and find him sitting on the top porch step looking back at me over his shoulder.
“I said I would be here,” I reply, walking the few feet needed to reach his side. “I always try to keep my word.”
Silas stands. A lazy, appreciative grin spreads his lips as his eyes take in my short, sleeveless peach dress and knee-high white leather boots.
“Did you forget it’s wintertime down here?” he asks as he immediately takes off his coat and places it around my shoulders before I can protest.
I see that he’s wearing the same clothing as he did yesterday, but I don’t point it out. I have no idea if what he has on is the best he owns, and I would hate to embarrass him if the answer is yes.
“Thank you,” I say, graciously accepting his coat since he at least has a sweater on. “I guess I did forget, but if I had worn something heavier, it might have looked suspicious to my family.”
“That’s true,” he replies. “I don’t care what you’re wearing. I’m just glad you were able to come back.”
“Me too.”
A silence ensues between us, and I begin to feel awkward since neither of us seem to have anything to say to the other. Finally, Silas breaks the tension.
“You missed the wedding,” he informs me. “By about an hour.”
“Oh no!” I say, feeling horrible that I didn’t get to see Jackie walk down the aisle and marry Donovan.
Silas holds out a crooked arm to me, and I just stare at it for a moment because it’s something only my father has ever done for me. With my continued silence and impersonation of a statue, Silas ends up wiggling his arm at me.
“Take it,” he urges me. “I’ll escort you over to the barn. They cleared all the animals out of it so they could use it for a reception hall.”
I loop my right arm through his and follow him down the steps and onto the snow-covered ground toward the barn behind the house.
“Did Jackie notice I wasn’t at the ceremony?” I ask Silas.
“She did, but she also knew you had somewhere else you needed to be today. She’ll just be happy that you’ve made it to the reception. The brooch was a hit, by the way. No one here owns a piece of jewelry like that, so all the women were envious of her.”
“I’m sure that suited Jackie just fine,” I say with a laugh. “She’s never been one to shy away from the attention of others.”
Silas chuckles softly. “I don’t know her really well, but I would have to agree with you on that just from what I do know.”
“How long have you and Donovan been friends?”
“A couple of years. When I moved up here, I got a job in the mine. He and I just naturally hit it off and have been friends ever since.”
“Did your family move here with you?”
“I don’t have any family,” he replies. The grin he was wearing instantly slips from his face, and I begin to regret asking him such a personal question.
“I’m sorry,” I say. “I didn’t mean to pry and bring up any bad memories for you.”
“Not everyone can have a perfect family life,” he replies with a shrug. “How were you to know mine is a touchy subject? So how did you ditch your folks? Will they be looking for you anytime soon?”
“I don’t think so. My friend is having a birthday party on another planet, and I phased while I was in the middle of a large crowd of people who were dancing. Hopefully, they won’t notice I’m missing.”
“Still, you shouldn’t stay here too long,” Silas advises me.
“Why is that?” I have to ask. If anything, I thought he would encourage me to stay for as long as I could. I feel disappointed that he didn’t.
“Because if you were at my party, I would begin to wonder where you are almost immediately,” he replies.
Good save, I thought but didn’t say out loud.
“You’re probably right,” I hate to admit. “I shouldn’t stay here long, but I needed to come back.”
“Needed to come back?” Silas questions, giving a sideways glance that indicates to me he probably understands what I’m insinuating without coming right out and saying it. “Dare I hope this need of yours has something to do with the debonair gentleman escorting you to the barn?”
I play it cool and don’t give anything away with my expression.
“It’s always good to hope for things,” I tell him without cracking a smile.
Silas chuckles. “You’re a little on the sassy side, Princess. I wasn’t expecting that.”
I look over at him and ask, “What exactly were you expecting?”
“Prim and proper.”
“Are you disappointed?”
“Not in the slightest. If anything, I’m encouraged.”
“Encouraged?” I ask. “That seems like an odd thing to say.”
“You’re our future leader. We need someone who thinks for herself and does what she believes is right. I don’t want someone who’s demure and obedient to fill that role. I want someone who will kick people in the ass if she needs to in order to get things done. That’s the kind of leader I can support.”
“Are you telling me you don’t think my parents are like that?”
“I admit that they’re trying, but sometimes I wonder if they really care what happens down here. It seems like they should have put an end to the resistance movement by now.”
I stop walking and yank my arm out of his. Silas stops walking too and turns to face me.
“There are things happening here that you don’t fully understand,” I tell him. “My parents are doing everything within their power to stop the resistance, but it’s kind of hard to get a foothold into an organization when all of the operatives they send out are suicide bombers. You can’t talk to the dead and get information out of them.”
“So even with all their wealth and power, you’re telling me your parents can’t find someone to bribe who will give up the location of the resistance?”
“I’m telling you that they’ve been trying everything they can,” I reply, attempting to temper my emotions and not let them get the better of me in this situation. “And if there’s another thing you should know about me, it’s that I will always stand by my family when someone attacks them.”
“I can see that,” Silas says, looking impressed. “Remind me never to get on your bad side. I’m not sure I would survive for very long.”
“Depends on your definition of survive, I suppose. I wouldn’t kill anyone for disagreeing with me. I would only do that if it meant saving a life.”
Silas holds out his arm to me again. “Come on. I’m freezing out here. I gave my coat to this feisty woman I know, and she has yet to give it back to me.”
I can’t prevent a smile when I see Silas shiver from the cold. I should probably feel bad, but it’s his own fault that we stopped to have our tiny argument. Nevertheless, I have to wonder if there are other people in the down-world who think along the same lines as Silas. Do they believe my parents should be doing more to put an end to the resistance? I know what they’ve done so far, but that’s only because I live with them. Each time a bombing takes place and ends more innocent lives, I see how affected they are by each and every death. They’ve increased security around sites tenfold, but members of the resistance still find ways through. Considering how many cities my parents are trying to upgrade with cloud city technology, in practical terms it’s almost impossible for them to prevent all acts of terrorism when people are willing to die for what they believe in. I feel as though I should tell my parents what I’ve learned from Silas, but that means I would have to tell them about my visits down here, and that’s not something I’m willing to do just yet.
When we reach the barn, Silas opens the door for me so I can precede him inside. I immediately hear a band playing music that the down-worlders like to listen to. I notice the four-man ensemble right away and see that the members are
playing a guitar, a banjo, a cello, and a violin. The tone of the music matches the scene perfectly with its quick, high-pitched notes. I easily spot Jackie dancing in the middle of the barn with Donovan. He’s twirling her around like she’s a ballerina, causing her to laugh with unbridled and contagious joy. All of her guests (at least forty people) are standing around the newlyweds in a large circle, clapping their hands in time with the music and urging Donovan to twirl Jackie even faster. He obliges until she trips over her own feet but lands safely in his arms.
Silas leans down and whispers in my ear, “That’s a small tradition we do down here when a couple gets married.”
“You make the bride so dizzy she falls to the floor?” I ask, finding this a strange custom.
“But she didn’t fall to the floor,” he replies, his warm breath tickling the inside of my ear as he continues to speak. “Her husband caught her.”
“What’s that supposed to signify?” I ask, turning my head to look into Silas’s eyes.
His expression is tender as he meets my gaze and says, “It means that he’ll be there for her whenever she needs him the most, and that he’ll always lift her back up when life tries to push them down.”
I end up breaking my eye contact with Silas because the intensity of his gaze begins to make it hard for me to breathe. I return my attention to Jackie and Donovan as they dance around on the cement floor—so carefree and full of life. When the happy couple passes the spot where I’m standing, Jackie makes Donovan stop dancing and then proceeds to practically throw herself into my arms.
“You made it!” she laughs happily. “I wasn’t sure you would.”
I hug her back and say, “I’m sorry I didn’t get here in time to see the wedding.”
“That doesn’t matter,” she replies. “You’re here now. That’s what counts.”
Jackie pulls back and grabs one of my hands and one of Silas’s. When she puts them together, she drags us both out onto the dance floor.
“Dance with us,” she begs. When she lets our hands go, she turns to the other onlookers. “Everyone! Dance!”
A few more couples join the festivities, making me feel a bit less conspicuous. I quickly discover that Silas is an excellent dancer as he holds me securely in his arms while leading me in a waltz I don’t know.
“Just hold on and follow my lead,” he tells me. “I won’t let you fall.”
I find myself smiling at his choice of words and place my trust in him that he’ll keep me safe. Dancing with Silas feels so natural. It almost feels like we were always meant to meet. I still don’t know what it is I’m feeling for him, but right now, I don’t want to question it because it feels so right. At least it does before I see the disapproving scowl of my brother looking at me from the edge of the crowd.
I immediately stop dancing.
“What’s wrong?” Silas asks, confused by my sudden change of mood.
“I have to go,” I tell him. “I’ve stayed here too long.”
As I begin to walk away, Silas gently captures my arm to prevent me from taking another step.
“Why are you leaving?” he asks, looking adorably confused. “Did I do something wrong?”
I shake my head. “No. My brother is here to take me back. Please, let me go, Silas.”
“Could you come back here later?” he asks me, his eyes pleading for me to say yes. “Please, return this evening when you can find time to get away. I’ll be waiting for you here, in this exact spot.”
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to, but I’ll try,” is the only promise I can make.
Reluctantly, Silas lets go of my arm. I quickly take his coat off and hand it back to him before making my way over to my brother.
“I suppose you’re here to take me back to Laed-i,” I say, using the connection between our minds so those around us can’t hear what we’re talking about.
“Who is that man you were talking to?” Liam asks, eyeing Silas suspiciously. “Is he the one you came here to see?”
“Yes,” I answer, chancing a glance behind me to look at Silas one more time. “That’s him.”
“He looks familiar,” Liam replies, seeming perplexed. “What’s his name?”
“I’m not telling you.”
Liam looks at me in surprise. “Is that because he doesn’t have a name, or are you just being stubborn?”
“Stubborn,” I reply. “I have so few secrets from you. At least let me have this one thing that I can keep to myself.”
“Fine,” Liam agrees a little too readily. “As long as you come back with me now, I won’t bother you about him. I saw the phase trail you left behind on the dance floor was about to flicker out and decided you’d been gone long enough. Besides, Cal’s about to get his present from his folks. I thought you would like to be there when he does.”
“Let’s go over in the corner to phase,” I suggest. “I don’t want to pull any attention away from Jackie. This is her day, not mine.”
Liam follows me to the farthest corner of the barn away from the revelry. Unable to stop myself, I look back and find Silas watching us. I wish I could promise him that I’ll be back later this evening, but I honestly don’t know if I will or not. Perhaps it’s better if I don’t return. I seriously doubt my parents will be okay with me dating a down-worlder. They may say we’re not better than the people who live on the surface, but I’m not sure what they would do if they discovered I was romantically linked to one.
Just before I phase back to Laed-i, I wink at Silas, which makes him smile and light my soul on fire.
Yeah. I’ll find a way to come back tonight. My heart won’t let me do anything less.
Chapter 14
(Cal’s Point of View)
Dancing in a large crowd can be a little awkward for me. I have to fold my wings in so tightly against my back that it becomes uncomfortable and usually leaves tiny scratches all over my skin. Thankfully, I heal pretty fast, so my parents don’t ever see the damage. I’m sure if my mom knew, she wouldn’t have allowed me to have a dance party this year. And I needed it. I wanted to make sure Clarissa had a good time, and everyone at school knows how much she likes to dance.
There’s really only one present I want for my birthday this year: a kiss from Clarissa. I’ve had a secret crush on her since I was thirteen, but every time I get around her, my tongue seizes up like a frozen popsicle and the words that come out of my mouth sound more like gibberish than an actual language. Ultimately, I decided attempting to have a real conversation with her was a hopeless cause, and I contented myself by admiring her from afar. Rayden and Keelan have been badgering me for months now to ask her out on a date, but I have no idea if my tongue-tied affliction will strike again and make me look like a total loser in Clarissa’s eyes.
There are only two reasons why I’m even going to attempt to talk to her today. One, it’s my birthday and people tend to treat you nicer when it’s your one special day out of the year. Two, Rayden heard a rumor that Clarissa told Charlotte, who told Rayden’s sister, that she had a crush on me. Sure, it’s thirdhand knowledge, but one I hope is true. Either way, it’s time for me to face my feelings and throw caution to the wind. If I don’t, I might live to regret never taking a chance to find out if she really does like me, and life is too short not to live it to its fullest. At least that’s what my grandma Evelyn always says, and she’s ancient, so she must be right.
While I’m getting a glass of punch from the large fountain my mom had installed for the party, both Rayden and Keelan walk over to me.
“Well, birthday boy,” Rayden says, “when are you going to ask Clarissa to dance? She keeps eyeing you like she’s expecting you to at least say hello to her.”
“I’ll get around to it,” I say defensively, not wanting to feel like I’m being pressured into doing something before I’m ready. “I’m just waiting for the right moment is all.”
“Come on, Cal,” Keelan says. “You’re sixteen now. You’re practically a man! Act like one and g
o talk to the girl already.”
“Don’t rush me, guys,” I say as I take a sip of my fruit punch. “I’ll do it when the time is right. I’m just not feeling it yet.”
“Cal, stop acting like a wuss.” Rayden pushes on the ball of my right shoulder with his hand. “This party is supposed to be your big chance to talk to her. You can’t back out of it now.”
“I won’t. I’ll do it soon,” I promise them both.
I return my attention to the party and see Clarissa dancing with some of her girlfriends, having a fun time. Even though I’m part angel, she looks like the perfect version of one that an artist would paint if he was looking for true beauty. As I watch the way her perfectly straight, long black hair sways as she effortlessly undulates her curvy figure to the rhythm of the music, I feel my breath catch in my throat the moment she spins around, gracing me with a glimpse of her perfectly symmetrical face and olive-toned skin.
“You might want to put your wings down,” Keelan tells me as he laughs his head off at my now outstretched extra appendages. “I’m glad I wasn’t born with those things. They’d be popping out every time I got close to a cute girl.”
I quickly tuck my wings in close to my back again as a wave of embarrassment washes over me.
“They’re not that hard to control. I just have to remember to pay attention,” I tell him. “My problem is that I seem to lose my ability to think whenever I look at Clarissa. I don’t know how I’m ever going to get a coherent sentence out when I’m face to face with her.”
“You talk to Liana all the time, and she’s super hot!” Rayden says. “What’s the difference?”
“Uh, the fact that kissing Liana would be like kissing my own sister, for one thing,” I point out.
