Laughing, “You are a complicated mix of a woman. You know that?”
Opening up the door and stepping in Rylan, Aiden and Gabriel stood talking among themselves.
Turning and looking at us, Rylan’s eyebrow went up when his eyes focused on Blane holding my hand. Rylan’s piercing blue eyes always had a way of unnerving me, like he could see straight into your soul. Aiden in his business suit attire made me wonder what and who he protected during the day.
“Blane.” Aiden said nodding his head.
Gabriel stood in the corner with his usual smirk of amusement on his face. Winking at me when I looked in his direction.
“You got the information I needed?” Blane asked getting straight to the point.
Aiden nodded and stepped forward, handing him a piece of paper.
Looking down at it briefly, “Seriously?”
Aiden nodded his head, “We checked an double checked. That is the one.”
“Son of a bitch.” Blane exclaimed, crumpling up the paper and shoving it in his pocket.
“Tsk, tsk Blane. The Council wouldn’t like such language.” Rylan said quite amused with himself.
“Oh Fuck off Rylan. I’ve heard much worse out of your mouth.”
Smirking at us, you could tell Rylan did whatever necessary to get under Blane’s skin.
“I need to talk to you alone Blane.” Aiden said swinging his glance over to me.
“No. I can’t leave her alone. Not for a second.”
Shaking his head, “You can’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Blane stood staring at Aiden, waiting.
“Okay then. I don’t have to tell you who you are going up against. You will need help Blane.”
“You know the rules Aiden. She’s my assignment. I’ve asked to much of you now. You help me with this, the Council will find out.”
“Fine then, contact Alexander then. He will pull some strings, or help you himself.”
“No. Absolutely not. You know involving Alexander in anything is having a direct line up to the Council. That is hardly flying below the radar.”
The information was unsettling and my mind started to run away with me. “Blane. No. You can’t do this. Don’t even think about it.” Now getting panicked.
“Sh, Carma it’s okay.”
Rylan and Aiden were staring at each other dumbfounded.
“See I told you she was different.” Gabriel said now pacing the small room.
“You know it is against the rules Blane.” Aiden said resting his hands in his pockets. Glancing down at our hands still laced together. He had such a superior calmness about him. While Rylan set your nerves on edge, Aiden calmed them.
“Yes Aiden, and we all know that you are about the rules.” Blane quipped back.
“And we all know you are about pushing them.” Aiden countered.
Smiling, “I’ll need you to stay with her while I go under ground.” Blane said to Aiden.
“What? No. I’m not staying with them.” I said starting to panic. Now glancing over at Rylan who wore a mask of indifference.
“Carma, I have to take care of this. And you can’t go with me. This leaves me with little options.” Blane whispered, trying to make me bend to his way.
“I don’t want you to go anyhow Blane.”
“I have to. This is my job.”
All the men were now staring at our argument like we both had grown two heads. “Why can’t Gabriel pull babysitting duty again?”
I could feel his hand squeeze tightly in mine, and his jaw get tight. He didn’t like me volunteering to spend alone time with Gabriel. Mistaking my intentions completely.
“Gabriel is to young and inexperienced with these types of demons.” He said between gritted teeth.
“If you want to see me baby, all you have to do is ask.” Gabriel said breaking his stride.
Blane pushing forward, I put my hand on his chest. “Not helping Gabriel. I just meant that I know him. I don’t know them.” Pointing in Aiden’s and Rylan’s direction.
Pulling me off to the side, and pushing me in the corner he got close to my face. “Carma, I have to do this. With them, I won’t worry about you as much. Do you want me going into hell worrying about your safety instead of concentrating on the task at hand?”
“Oh you’re good Blane.” Smacking him in the chest.
Smiling sweetly down at me. “I do this for you.”
“That’s the part that makes me feel awful.”
Putting his hand up to my face, “What can I do to make you feel better?”
“Don’t go?”
“Impossible.”
Sighing, I was fighting the tears.
“How about I give it a couple of days? I have to prepare anyhow. Give you some time to get used to the idea.”
“I’ll never get used to the idea of it Blane.” He was staring down at me and I knew I wouldn’t win. “Fine. I’ll take the couple days.”
“Deal.” Swiping my cheek with his thumb and turning.
“It happens in 48 hours. I will be in touch.”
“Agreed.” Aiden said nodding his head before disappearing. Rylan gone shortly after.
Gabriel stopped his pacing, winked at me and then disappeared.
“That angel is grinding on my nerves.” Turning to me with a look of anger in his eyes.
“Oh that’s just his personality. He’s harmless.”
“Yeah, sure. Harmless.”
Turning towards the door, pulling me behind his back before opening it. Looking out and in all directions, he slowly stepped out pulling me close on his heels.
“Okay, lets go.”
Walking quickly to the car I had to run just to keep up with his long strides. Pulling open the door he helped me inside, shutting the door and appearing next to me in a flash.
“Another ability I’m jealous of.” Shaking my head, wishing I could trade him a few.
Pulling away from the house, “You were meant for those abilities. Someday you will know the reasons.”
“That’s vague.”
“Life isn’t always black and white angel girl. I deal with shades of gray on a daily basis.”
“Yeah I’m starting to figure that out.”
Watching the countryside roll by, he continued on past the turn off to his house. “Where are we going?” Scared to know the answer.
“I have to go check on Rose.”
Shivering, I turned my attention back to the view.
“What was that about?” He asked questioning my body language.
“Don’t get me wrong she’s a nice lady, but she gives me the creeps.”
Laughing, “She gives you the creeps? How so?”
“She just knows stuff.”
“Go on.”
“I don’t know, like she’s a psychic or something.”
“She’s not psychic. She’s a healer.” Glancing over at me confused. “What did she say that makes you so uncomfortable?”
“Yeah I don’t want to talk about it.” I told him I wouldn’t lie and I didn’t. I really don’t want to talk about it. Like I am going to say, “Oh she told me I was in love with you, and she was right. Hell, she knew before I was sure.”
“Okay, well if you change your mind.”
“Thanks.”
That silence slipped between us, neither knowing what to say.
Pulling up to the nursing home, I waited as usual until he got my door. My constant protector. Walking in together the workers stopped to stare at Blane. Honestly, I don’t blame them. He is after all the ultimate eye candy. If I didn’t think he was trying to kill me when I first met him I would have totally been all over him. Even then.
This time he didn’t have to lead me. I knew where this woman was. Walking past that notorious room of our first kiss and into Rose’s.
This time she was laying in her bed and she looked rather frail. Looking over at Blane with concern. Yeah she creeped me out but I didn’t want anything bad to happen to her. She
was curled up with blankets all around her, pulled up to her chin. Homemade pink afghans laid across the foot of the bed.
Blane was by her bed in a second, “Are you alright Rose?”
“Blane honey. I’m so happy to see you. I’m fine dear. Just down with the flu.” She patted his hand smiling up at him. “I see you brought this beautiful young lady along with you again.” Smiling over at me now.
“Hi Rose.” Pulling the afghan up onto her lap.
“Rose I’m just going to step outside the door and flag down a nurse. I don’t want you using your energy for Carma. I’ll be near.” Blane said walking out, shutting the door softly.
“Oh that Blane.” Smiling.
Sitting down in the chair next to her, “Why don’t you use your healing abilities to make yourself feel better?”
“Well honey. You know how when your empath abilities are triggered, you can feel everyone’s emotions but your own?”
“Yeah?”
“Well, it’s kind of the same thing. I can help everyone else, but myself.”
Trying to wipe off the pissed off face I was wearing, “Are you serious? That’s a rip off!”
Laughing, she started coughing. Handing her a tissue she laid back looking exhausted.
“I’m sorry Rose.”
“Never be sorry for making someone laugh, for you are bringing joy into their life.”
Smiling, the old lady was kinda growing on me now.
“I see you finally realized your feelings for Blane.”
Blushing now, “Since you mentioned that, how did you know? I know you’re a healer, but there is something nagging at me like there is more to it.”
“Observant girl.” Nodding and smiling. “I don’t know why I didn’t see that coming.” Whispering now, “While you have secrets, so do I.” Leaning back again with a satisfied look on her face.
Okay the lady was creeping me out again, “I don’t know what your talking about.” My heart dropping. Surly she didn’t know about my other gift. I will kill Blane myself if he blabbed. Shifting in my chair uncomfortably, I glanced toward the door.
“It’s okay sweetie. I know what you’re thinking and no Blane did not tell me that you have the ability to discern lies.”
My mouth agape, “Then how?” Pushing my lose strands of hair back nervously.
“I guess it’s only fair. I’ll keep your secret if you keep mine, for I have never told anyone myself either. Not even Blane.”
Leaning in closer to the lady, I needed some sort of explanation.
“I am also a medium child. That’s how I knew you were, and still are in love with Blane.”
“Really?” Sitting there stunned. I knew it! “Why do you get all the cool gifts?” Blurting out before I could shut my big mouth.
Laughing again, “You are such a delight child.”
“What kind of medium are you?”
“Some people would call me a modern day fortune teller. I hate the stigma that comes with that. I just prefer, that I can see the future.”
Shifting thoughtfully.
“What is your question for me dear? I warn you, I may not answer it. I cannot do anything that might change how the future unfolds. This is why I have kept my secret for so many years.”
“Is there any chance, or by some miracle that I could be with Blane? I mean as more than him just protecting me, for more than a couple months.” Stammering it out, not sure how I wanted to word it.
“Oh dear, I can answer that without my abilities.” Patting my hand softly, “There is always a chance, never lose hope.”
Sighing, it was supposed to comfort me, although it did little.
“You were hoping for more.”
Shaking my head yes. I couldn’t hide the disappointment.
“I will tell you, that not everything is what it seems.”
Winking at me and I wondered if she knew the previous conversation Blane and I had. “Why did you say that?”
“Take your own advice, that’s all I’m saying.”
“I think you and Blane are too much alike. Both with the evasive answers.” Poking a little fun at her.
Blane walked back in with a grim look on his face. “Did you have a good visit with Carma?”
“Oh yes dear. She is delightful. You will need to bring her again.” Smiling over at me.
“I will Rose. I will be back in a couple of days to make sure you’re still doing alright.”
Giving him a knowing look, she just smiled and shook her head in agreement. Walking around her bed, he grabbed my hand and led me out of the room.
Waiting until the door closed behind us, “What did the nurse say?”
“She has pneumonia.”
Elderly getting pneumonia is never a good thing. My stomach pitched in dread. “Is she going to be alright?”
“I don’t know. She’s a fighter. I want to see her again before I go underground.”
Another sense of dread in my stomach, “Why? because you think you may not come back?”
Without saying a word, he turned and I followed him down the hall with a lump in my throat. Sometimes silence speaks louder than words.
Walking into his house, it was hard getting excited about much of anything. Two days he will go into hell. In which case, I may never see him again. Creepy old lady isn’t as creepy as I thought, turning out to be a psychic. I guess I was thankful that I hadn’t been attacked within the last couple of hours.
Stepping into his bedroom, I just wanted to be alone to think about things. Knowing, that wasn’t about to happen. “You mind if I go out onto the balcony to be alone for a bit?”
“Sure.” Looking at me concerned. “I have a few things to do on my computer anyhow. Just don’t get to close to the edge. Don’t want a demon pulling you over.” He said drawing me in and kissing the top of my head.
Walking up to the doors, I pulled the curtains back and unlocked several locks before stepping out. The air was chilly, taking a deep breath it still felt good. Closing my eyes and turning my head up I let the sun beat down on me. Sliding down to the wood floor I leaned up against the side of the house, just out of eye sight. I loved that man sitting just a few feet away. It no longer mattered to me what he is, rather who he is.
I knew what he was doing, he was preparing just in case he didn’t come back. My heart hitching, my stomach turning. I didn’t even want to think about the possibility. Unfortunately, the possibility is right in my face unable to think about anything else. My mind always coming back to that prospect. The giant elephant in the room when I am near him now. The weight of the guilt crushing me. Racking my brain, trying to figure out a way to convince him not to go. To take help. To stay. Anything other than going by himself to face this powerful demon.
Glancing around the corner, he sat concentrating on whatever task at hand. Massive lean muscle stacked on lean muscle, hunched over his desk. I wanted to run over to him and bury my head in his shoulder. To say, okay always protect me. Turning back around and staring out into the trees. Such thoughts were absurd. He’s a powerful angel, a warrior. He will protect me, and if he survives he will also protect the next person. I’m just an assignment. Rationalizing the current situation to the best of my ability. He told me I wasn’t just any assignment, that I was different. Was I really? Or did he say that to any of the women that hit his fancy? It sure didn’t seem so with the way Rylan and Aiden were looking at us.
Sighing, and gently banging my head on the siding of the house. Looking around the corner again at Blane, hoping just the sight of him would change my mind. I knew I had to leave. Run as far and as fast as I could get. He was a true warrior, he would go to any lengths to save my life, even if it meant his. I wouldn’t want anyone to do that, but most especially him. Just….not him. This time I allowed a tear to slide down my cheek. Brushing it away before the next one made a path down my face again. Is this my karma? Did I do something so bad that I am to pay up now? Finally, I fall in love with this incredible man and I
can’t have him. A man that wipes out my empath abilities and the pain that goes with them. A man that for the first time makes me feel my own feelings. I don’t want to leave that. I don’t want to lose that. Most of all I don’t want him extinct from this existence. That fact trumped all the others. I could withstand any amount of torture if I knew he was still living. Still helping other people, doing what he was meant to do. I desperately wanted to tell him that I love him. My pride kept me from it. How humiliating would it be to confess my feelings for him and not have them be reciprocated? It would kill me. Torture sounded like a much better option. Although I would probably change my mind once, or if that happened.
Switching my train of thought to the important question at hand. How the hell could I manage to get away from him? My mind always going back to the same idea. When he sleeps. It was the only way. It gave me enough time to put some distance between us. Problem number two, he rarely sleeps. I had a hunch he would before he went to hell. He would need all the strength he could get.
“You look like you’re struggling with something. Anything I can help with?” He asked stepping out onto the balcony.
Startling me back into reality. I was scared at that moment he would see right through me. Looking up at him towering above me, he was magnificent. I wondered at that moment how gorgeous he was in heaven, with his wings. He had to have been a spectacular sight. His massive body now knelt down beside me, his long legs still put him quite a bit higher than me. Looking into his eyes, I tried to find my answers. Does he love me? Would he care if I left? Or would he be angrier that he lost his assignment? Part of me wanting to know. The other part of me didn’t. “I’m okay. Crap I said I wouldn’t lie. I’m mediocre at best.” I said flashing the best fake smile I could muster.
Sitting down beside me, his hands slumped on his knees. “I know you don’t want me to go Carma. I will not lie to you either, there is a chance I won’t come back. In that case you will be reassigned to another angel. This is my job. What I do.”
My heart sinking, I knew that. I knew he would do it for anyone. It was that romantic little girl in me that wanted it to be more than what it actually was. The same little girl that imagined picket fences and a big happy house with multiple children. He didn’t have a clue when I gave him my body last night that I gave him everything else along with it. Heart and soul. I didn’t mind giving up the picket fence around that big happy house, even the children I could give up….for him. He was the one I didn’t want to give up. “I know you feel like you have to go. Doesn’t mean I have to like it. Or accept it.” Adding that last part in against my better judgment.
Dimmest Of Night (Dimmest Of Night Series) Page 13
