I can tell he is pissed off at Chris. Chris probably made the jab at me because of Emily's pass. So I still feel like this whole thing is my fault. I give up. I take off my shoes and exit the tent. Sam follows close behind. I turn to him and say, “Don’t.” His face says he’s sorry and confused all at once. “Let her go. Let her cool off. No, I need to apologize to her. I’ve ruined her birthday. But she said not to.” He stops and watches as I continue off, his brows still knit together, torn over whether to listen to me or himself. Best birthday ever. The sand is cold but I don't care. I walk down the beach watching the occasional firework explode in the night sky.
I find Will escorting me when I blink into the red skied world, now a strange aubergine color. The full moon has a plum colored halo cradled around it. It’s beautiful.
“I've made a mess of things. All I said was to follow your heart, something about hopes or dreams, I don't know, but I caused a bunch of drama.”
“Ah, it'll blow over. Just let them figure it out. All you need to know is that your intentions are pure, they always will be, and that is what makes you so special.”
“And as the saying goes, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.””
“You're too hard on yourself. Did you know that no one at your party will drink and drive tonight or ever for that matter?” Will's deep voice carried in the night like a drum. He is wearing a dark slim fitting shirt, though nothing about him is slim. He could be a professional wrestler or something. I guess technically he is.
“I see the skies are clear again, so is the battle over? Am I still a target?”
“The battle is over for now. They will probably asses their options and strike again one day soon.”
“Is this some alternate world or plane?”
“No, this is your world where you live; it just appears differently to you because of your human blood. You can see another dimension that you couldn't see before. But it's always been here.”
“I have so much to learn.”
“You have time and plenty of help. We will see you through it.”
“You have been great Will, thank you.”
“Anytime.” We continue walking and the fireworks dazzle in the sky, raining down streamers like a Willow tree. Screeching bottle rockets and the rapid fire of Black Cats resonate in the distance. Before I know it, we've reached the pier, which is over a mile from my house. Will leaves me to think and I walk to the end and sit on a bench. There are a few couples cuddling on the end and I find myself missing only one person right now, Elijah. I feel guilty for missing him. I do love Sam after all. I sit for a few minutes more just enjoying the quite before I head back home.
The beach is empty as I return; only the gentle lap of waves meeting the shore breaks the silence. I hear the distant fireworks and they seem to be slowing down. The real show is about to begin. I hear the high pitched screech of a bottle rocket and the sound gets louder, I look around as the sound intensifies, it must be close by. It’s not a bottle rocket- is the last thing I think before I blink and see a yellow eyed demon bird twice my size, barreling in on me. Its scream is nerve shattering. Before I can break into sprint, it grabs my arms with its razor sharp talons and hauls me upwards. Its wings beat hard trying to gain as much altitude as possible. It screeches again and I struggle and scream. “Ah let me go!” We climb higher and higher. As I struggle, its talons strike blood. I feel like my arms are going to be severed between its double bladed cigar-cutter like clutches. Fireworks start, exploding a couple yards away from us. The creature swerves to avoid the fire, tearing into my arm from the sudden change in direction. The pain is inconceivable. I scream out. I can barely make out the pier below we must be up half a mile or more.
“Tell me young beauty, what is your destiny? What is it they have you doing that is so important?” The thing's voice oozes like slime.
“Will! Where are you? I need you! Ah!” I scream out as the pain rips through my flesh.
“Tell me now or I’ll drop you, you will hit the ground with enough force to snap every bone in your frail little body.” It releases one arm and I dangle like a broken branch from the other.
“Will, please... help!” My voice is desperate. I can feel the warmth of my own blood soaking my dress and dripping down my toes.
“Fine, have it your way. It's too bad you'll never see another birthday again,” he sneers as he opens his talons.
I scream a blood curdling, “Elijah!” as I fall. I brace myself for the impact. Three... two...one... Arms cradle me. I have been caught. I crank open my eyes and make out Will’s bloodied mangled face, right before I lose consciousness.
Chapter 17 ~ In Between
“Brennen can you hear me?” I am surrounded by bright brilliant light. This is it, I am finally dead. I can't see anything but light. Even with my eyes shut it seems like my lids aren't even enough shade.
“Here put these on her.” I feel a pair of glasses being put on me. I open my eyes again and through amber lenses I see a room full of Keepers. I am on a hospital type of bed. But I don't think I am anywhere near home. They are all staring and smiling at me like curious children. I swallow and try to sit up. My arms are sore and I look down and see they are bandaged.
“Your arms were pretty mangled up and you lost a lot of blood. But you should heal up with only a small scar. I'm Enara by the way,” says a dark skinned woman of slight build. Her short curly hair is pulled back with a scarf. She is quite beautiful, they all are really. I scan the room feeling like a fish in a bowl.
“Where am I?”
“You’re in the In-Between.”
“How long have I been here?”
“About a week, but don't worry time is different here, you have only missed a few hours at home.”
“Where is Will?”
“He is in the infirmary still trying to recover. He was nearly ripped to pieces when he brought you here.”
“What happened?”
“He was ambushed and held by a very powerful dark force.” says one of my audience members.
“How is he now?”
“He's been asking about you. He is on the mend. Would you like to see him?”
“Yes I would.”
“You've been in bed for several days so let’s see if we can get you up. You will be a little weak at first and possibly dizzy.” Enara has me swing my feet off of the bed and holds my fore arm as I stand. I wobble once and the whole room almost rushes in. It is a strange feeling having so many people I have never met; seem to care so much for me. Elijah’s words play in my head, “You are their only hope.” I draw in all of my inner strength to move my feet towards the door. The room is very stark with sky blue walls and my bed is covered in white. A large glassless window offers a view of the In-Between and I have to see what is outside. It is the source of the light in the room and the reason I am wearing amber safety goggles, as my human retinas cannot bear the full strength of the light. I make my way over to it and Enara lets me go.
Vibrant green moss strewn paths, wind their way through lavish gardens which meet up to the edge of a forest. In the distance I see a snow capped mountain. The building I am in, is crescent shaped and made of cedar planked wood. It feels very modern yet blends seamlessly into its environment. Colorful birds fly merrily from tree to tree and make playful swoops around the large Lilly filled pond. A cool gentle breeze blows in a fragrant whiff of honeysuckle.
“Our world exists in harmony with nature. We hope you can have similar results in yours one day.” They really do have the bar set high for me, all the more further for me to fall, I look away resigned.
“Come, we will go and visit your keeper, although he will need a few more weeks here to recover fully.” We walk down a hall that is as sparse as my room and enter another sky blue room not far from mine. Will is lying in bed with his head bandaged, covering one eye. His legs are dressed in casts and his forearms as well. A blanket covers his torso and thighs.
“What are his in
juries?” I ask as I sit in the chair next to his bed. I hold his hand and he manages a weak smile as he opens his good eye just the slightest bit.
“He had deep lacerations to his arms and legs. His eye was removed and his abdomen slit. We believe he was tortured,” Enara says with quiet reserve. Tears fill my eyes and spill over.
“I am so sorry Will.” I squeeze his hand and he pulls his hand up and strokes my hair.
“I'd give both eyes to protect you Brennen.” Wills voice is just a whisper, so different from his usual booming bass.
“Come Brennen we have to get you back home now.” Enara leads me to the hall and we walk to a large room busy with Keepers. I try to make sense of what happens here. They are all going to small circular platforms along the wall and then disappearing and new ones are appearing just as quickly. She takes me over to one and as soon as we are about to step on I see Elijah step off of one. I leap off and run to him.
“Brennen,” Enara calls after me. I don't care, I have to get to him. He doesn't see me, his back is turned.
“Elijah!” I yell out. I lose him in the crowd. I dodge my way through, my arms wince with each body I bump into.
“Brennen,” I hear his voice call to me. A moment later I see him emerge from the crowd. He wraps his arms around my waist, lifting my feet off of the ground and hugs me, desperate to be able to touch me after months of longing to.
“Brennen you have to go home now.” I hear Enara plead. Elijah ignores her too. Oh he smells so good. I have missed him so much I can't stand it.
“I'm not going without him. I need a new keeper anyway,” I say breathlessly before Elijah's spins me around in a joyous hug.
“I have missed you so much.” He breathes out.
“Brennen I am your new keeper, and I don't make the decision.” Enara says with her voice losing conviction as she speaks. I hear gasps around me as the keepers view our very public display of friendship.
“What happened, why is she here? Where is Will?”
“Will was attacked by a dark force and Brennen was captured, but he did save her. He was mostly pure spirit when he brought her here Elijah.” He pulls be back and examines me.
“She was almost killed as well from the looks of her arms,” he spats out. I remember how mad he was when I just had a few bruises. Now he is livid.
“I am going to talk to Nehemiah. She will be under my protection again and only mine.” The three of us leave the hub and wind through a maze of corridors finally landing in a plush office with large glossy mahogany doors. The oval shaped room has a wall of the glassless windows overlooking a rainbow of colored flowers in a lush garden. Elijah walks right through, leading me with my hand still clamped tightly in his. Nehemiah sits behind a desk looking like he has been expecting us all along. His white hair and tan skin are a stark contrast. His face is emotionless and smug all at the same time.
“Nehemiah, I wish to be assigned to protect Brennen again. I will obey any command you give me. But I have to keep her safe.” I can tell he is holding back out of respect for his superior; the tension in his hand has caused me to loose feeling in my fingertips all together. Nehemiah is moving pictures around on a screen built into his desk at a pace too fast for the human eye to perceive.
“Because of your track record in keeping her safe I will allow it. But the relationship between the two needs to remain nonphysical. You have my word, one stolen kiss and he is back here for good.” The last part was directed at me.
“Then I want more time with him here, before we go back. Then it's over. You have my word.” The inner lawyer in me comes out demanding her own negotiations. Nehemiah’s jaw tenses and I see a small smile play at the corner of his lips.
“Agreed, Elijah take her to your home and return her back tomorrow first thing. And Elijah, she had better be pure when she returns.” His comment makes me blush ten shades of crimson. Enara gives a small smile our way as we make a quick pace out of the building. I am wearing a white silky gown and still barefoot. The vibrant green moss pathway is cool and soft under my feet. It feels like crushed velvet. There is no pavement anywhere, no cars no signs or advertisements, just nature. I wish our world was more like this. Once we round the corner, Elijah's wings appear in all their glory and he takes me in his arms and we lift off in flight. I don't feel too sexy in these grandpa-like Blue Blockers but I know I'd be blind without them. Elijah nuzzles my earlobe, our feet are intertwined, and he is holding me so tightly that I feel like we are one body, soaring through the sky. The air skims around my skin and through my hair like this world is trying to get to know me. For miles there is nothing but green trees and streams and waterfalls. The houses blend in to the scene just as the center we were in did. Moss covered rooftops and cedar planked cottages are dotted amongst the landscape. We fly just above the tree line and to be in his arms again is like heaven.
“Oh Bren, I have missed you so much. I can't believe you’re really here.”
“Elijah you have no idea how much I have missed you. Elena said I wouldn't see you again for years.” Elijah lands us in front of a small wooden home with a beautiful garden flanking both sides of the cottage. His wings are gone, silently disappearing as they did before. I turn him around and examine his back for a moment. I find nothing amiss, he smiles curiously as he leads me inside through the round top front door. I am still trying to wrap my brain around how Will got so torn up if they are invincible and immortal.
“Welcome to my home.” His home is dim enough for me to remove my glasses. His windows are covered with thick velvet curtains in a deep blue green shade. His walls are painted a deep chocolaty gray and two of the walls are lined with books. A chess board sits in the corner and a small mushroom colored plush sofa is centered in front of a stone fireplace. A curly long haired wool rug is where Elijah chooses to lead me.
“Your home is so cozy and inviting I could stay here forever.” I lie back on the rug and wind my fingers through its mane. Elijah sits by my shoulder lifting my head onto his lap.
“I would love to have forever to spend with you Brennen.”
“There is something I have to tell you.” Will knew, I wonder if Elijah did too. He didn't know how I was able to read his journal so I don't think he knew.
“My mother was an Angel, and her name was Emmagen.” Elijah’s eyes look distant for a moment as he takes in the revelation.
“It all makes sense now. How could I have not known.” He strokes my hair, careful not to touch my arms.
“Apparently I have gifts now, but I don't know what all of them are yet. So far I can influence people's decisions and I can read their thoughts. I hate it.” Elijah smiles his I-can influence-you-without-any-magical-powers grin. Yes you can I smile back.
“I had no idea. They kept me in the dark about everything for so long. I guess I was the only one who didn't know.” He stares into my eyes for a long while as if he is re-memorizing my features. I can't read his thoughts so I assume it only works on humans. I am glad, because I would really hate to see more naked images of me through Elijah's eyes.
“Today I received a gift from my dad. Inside was a letter he wrote before he died explaining how he and my mother met, there was a note from my mother as well and the missing charm. When I put it on, the charm opened me to my gifts. Will tried to explain a little bit of what I was experiencing. The letter from my dad was so unexpected it was the best gift I could have ever hoped for. Their love sounds a lot like ours. He would have done anything to stay with her.”
“Emma, yes of course, she looks just like you. Except the two of you couldn't be more different if you tried,” He says smiling. Ah, I sigh, I have missed that smile. Here we are we haven't seen each other in months, and we fall right back into conversation like we left it to go make dinner or walk the dog. His silky blue eyes are the moonlight to my tide, he just pulls me right in like gravity.
“What was she like?”
“Let's see, I met Emma while guarding the man you know as your pr
esident today. He was a child visiting family in Pakistan for a few weeks and needed careful watch while there. Your mother was there as well, she was known to work with children on her missions. She loves children. I didn't get to spend too much time with her because of my mission, but she seemed to have that sweet nature and kindness that most Angels have. She was different though, she was downright funny. I can see why your dad fell in love with her.” Elijah gazes at the fireplace and it sparks to life. He turns so that he can lie next to me. He puts his arm under my head where his leg just was. He has light stubble across his face that makes him look even more alluring. He caresses my face looking deeply into the depths of my eyes like there is some magical treasure buried within. He traces my lips with his fingers, I wish it was his lips. I close my eyes wanting to savor it. This may be our last night together for years to come. Tomorrow morning it will be back to reality. But at least I can still be in his presence. I pull him in not caring about my sore arms.
“So where have you been all this time?” I run my fingers through his short hair. It is so soft.
“I have been all around the world, many small missions.”
“There was a whole demonic war going on outside of my house. Sam got hurt, Elena had to staple his head shut. He had to stay at my house all week long.” Elijah sighs as he absorbs the weight of my words.
“Things went to hell since I left then? I'm sorry Bren. I wish things were different. I wish it was just you and me and this cabin in the woods.” It was unclear as to which he was referring went to hell, the demons or Sam’s stay. He has always been jealous of Sam so I am betting he is more upset about Sam.
“Do you love him?” Elijah asks in a quiet voice.
“I do Elijah, but he knows that I love you too. I always knew deep down if you came back I would choose you.”
“But you can’t Bren, we only have tonight and then tomorrow you’re his again. I won’t give in again; I won’t even interfere or give the slightest hint of flirtation.”
My Soul to Keep (The Soul Keeper Series - Young Adult Paranormal Romance) Page 21
