by Ciana Stone
She ran through traffic that was stopped dead, around people on sidewalks who were frozen in mid-stride. She ran until her chest heaved and her legs felt like they were going to give out.
She made it halfway home and suddenly time resumed. The sudden blast of sound from traffic and life sent a jolt through her. She slowed and looked behind her. There was no sign of Elysia or the man. Maybe she'd lost them. Thankful for a breather, she slowed to a brisk walk.
The sound of screeching tires and car horns gave her a jolt of alarm. She looked over her shoulder just in time to see the dark sedan jump the curb, barreling straight at her.
Nevaeh cut across the front of an apartment complex, weaving in and out of the parked cars and skirting around the side of a building to the back of the complex. As luck would have it, there was a fence around the perimeter of the property. She thought about doubling back when the sedan slid around the corner, swerved one car, clipped another, and then came at her.
The fence was of chain link and fortunately not topped with wire, which made it possible for her to climb. She was twenty feet on the other side of the fence when the sedan barreled through it.
Nevaeh cut through a neighborhood, certain the sedan would not follow through someone's yard. She thought wrong. She weaved through yards, changing directions to put her more in line with her own small place.
Still the car pursued, heedless of the number of cars it rammed into it, clipped or sideswiped. Surely, someone would call the cops. Nevaeh kept waiting for the sound of sirens but as she emerged from a thick stand of palmettos that bordered the property housing her duplex, there was nothing to indicate the police had been alerted.
She raced for the front door and was halfway across the small yard when the sedan roared toward the building. She was out of time. They'd run her down before she made it inside.
The car screeched to a halt. Two men got out of the front and ran toward her. Elysia climbed out of the back.
Fear inspired desperate measures. Nevaeh raised both hands. If she could stop time she could get away.
She yelped in surprise at a blur of motion. Gabriel swooped down, snatching one of the men off the ground. He ascended like a rocket, disappearing into the clouds. The other man looked up fearfully.
"Get her, you idiot!"
The scream from Elysia had him back in motion, headed toward Nevaeh. She pivoted and ran for the front door. She reached it and fumbled with the keys and felt herself being jerked back, her hair held tight.
She screamed and thrashed, digging at the hand that was tangled in her hair, trying to break the man's grip.
"You bitch!" He slugged her in the side of the head as her nails broke the skin on his hand.
Lights danced in Nevaeh's vision, but she wasn't about to give up. She kicked at the man, thrashing and twisting her body and beating at him with her fists. He was struggling to keep a grip on her.
When he was suddenly ripped away from her, he took a nice handful of her hair with him. She yelled, more in shock than pain.
Gabriel had grabbed the man by the back of the neck and was holding him dangling off the ground. Nevaeh had seen a lot of expressions on Gabriel's face, but never this.
Rage had his mouth drawn back in a snarl, his eyes narrowed and flashing. His wings were outspread and seemed to quiver in time with the tension of the muscles of his chest and arms.
He gave a sound that was growl-like and flung the man. Nevaeh gaped in shock. The man sailed a good thirty feet through the air and crashed into the side of an old oak. He was definitely unconscious when he hit the ground.
Gabriel whirled and when he did, Elysia made a dive for the driver's side of the car. She jumped in, not even bothering to close the door. Tires smoked as the car tore down the drive.
Gabriel watched her leave then turned to Nevaeh. "Are you okay?"
She nodded. "You saved me."
"I told you I was coming."
"But you did. You did. You came to my rescue."
He smiled. "Does that make me your knight in shining armor?"
"Oh much better."
"What's better than that?"
She walked over to him and reached up to smooth tendrils of his hair back from his face. "My guardian Angel."
He smiled but it faded fast. "That's cool. I think. But I'm not sure I want to be just your guardian angel."
"Then how about my hero?"
"Now that I can handle." His smile returned. "And does the hero get a proper thank you?"
"Well, depends on what you mean by proper."
"This."
He took her in his arms and took his time giving her a long, passionate kiss. When he released her, she smiled up at him. "You really are good at that."
"So you've mentioned. Does that mean I should stop practicing?"
"No way. You know what they say about practice, right?"
"No, what?"
"Practice makes perfect."
"Then we'll have to do a lot of practicing because you know I strive for perfection."
Nevaeh chuckled then sobered. She knew he was trying to help her regain a measure of calm and she appreciated it. He'd erased the fear she'd felt for herself, but she couldn't hold back the worry and fear she had for her father.
"My dad's gone, Gabriel."
"I know."
"You – you know?"
"Yes. He's safe Heaven. He and Thelonious stayed at my place in the Keys last night and are meeting us at Ellie's."
"Thelonious? Who's that?"
"Oh sorry. Taighan."
"I'm confused."
"But not for long. Come on, let's go inside and you can get cleaned up and we'll head over to Ellie's."
"My car's at the care facility."
"Who needs wheels when you have wings?"
"You have a point. Okay, come on it. It'll only take me ten minutes."
"I think it may take a little longer."
She looked at him over her shoulder as she unlocked the door. "Why?"
"Well, I did just battle the bad guys and earn my hero badge, so I probably should clean up and you know how important water conservation is so…"
"Showering together just makes sense."
"Exactly."
She opened the door and stepped back. "Then after you, hero."
Nevaeh followed him in and it occurred to her that she'd now had two men in her life who had been heroes. Her father and Gabriel. She hoped she got to have both of them in her lives for a long time.
Chapter Twelve
I know she's nervous despite her protestations to the contrary. I can feel it as I hold her in my arms and we wing our way toward the Marsh ranch. Nevaeh's fear is for her father. She's scared his cure is temporary and she'll lose him to a disease she thought he suffered from.
Or that Elysia and her followers will do something to hurt him, or kill him. She's worried about bringing trouble to her friend Ellie and Ellie's family, and she's worried about putting me in some kind of danger.
In short, she's worried about everyone but herself. Well, she does have a personal concern. She's scared of losing her father. And me.
I can't speak for her father, but for myself, I'm pretty sure she's stuck with me. At least as long as she lives. And I don't know how long that will be. I can't measure my own lifespan. I don't know when I came to be or when I'll cease to be, but I do know that my kind enjoy extreme longevity.
She's part Angel, so perhaps she will as well. Not that longevity would ever be a factor in the way I feel. I hope I can convince her of that when the time comes that she asks.
And she will.
Gabriel alighted in the yard, near the entrance to the patio of Ellie's house. He set Nevaeh down and clasped her hand. He could see the people on the patio. Ellie was holding her child. Her husband Cam sat beside her. Nearby was Cam's brother and his wife, Cliff and Lily.
Eldric was there, as were Layla and Augustus.
"My dad's here." Nevaeh's hand tightened on his.
> "Yes." They started for the door.
"And that guy – the dark haired one with the intense eyes I saw at Asha's estate."
"Severin."
"Yes and the Wizard."
"Andre."
"And who's the older man and woman?"
"Thelonious and Zerena."
"Who are they? Are they related—?"
"Nev!" Ellie spotted them and rose, handing the baby to Cam. "Come in."
She met Nevaeh at the door and hugged her. "Are you okay?"
Nevaeh held her friend for a few extra seconds. "Yes, I'm fine."
"Hey, Gabriel." Ellie smiled up at him. "I guess you know everyone?"
"Yep. But Heav—sorry, Nevaeh doesn't."
Nevaeh's father hurried over to her and she hugged him tight. "I was scared to death when I went to the facility this morning and you weren't there."
"I'm sorry honey. We thought it best that I leave last night and Gabriel was kind enough to put us up."
"We?" She pulled back from the hug and noticed that all eyes were on her.
Gabriel could feel the tension radiating from her. "Nathanial, maybe you and Nevaeh should take a little walk – have a little private time. There are some things I need to tell the others."
He saw the way Nevaeh looked at him and he reached out to give her shoulder a soft squeeze. "They need to know what happened this morning."
She nodded. "Okay."
"So, a walk?" Her father held out his hand.
She took it and he led her out. Once they'd left, Gabriel looked around. "Okay, here's the deal folks. Elysia tried to grab Nevaeh this morning."
"You're sure it was Elysia?"
Gabriel looked at Eldric. "I know you don't want it to be, but yes. It's Elysia. Your sister."
A soft gasp had him looking at Ellie. "I'm sorry, Ellie. No one wants to believe that someone in their family could be evil, and maybe that's the wrong word, but she's definitely responsible for abducting Nevaeh and …"
He looked at Augustus who stood. "And she was involved with Asha in the attack at the estate."
"You're certain?" Eldric asked.
Augustus nodded. "Unfortunately."
"And what does she want with Nevaeh?" The question came from Zerena.
"That we don't know." Augustus looked around at everyone. "And it's why we're all gathered. To find out what Nevaeh knows and plan our course of action."
"You mean a battle plan." Andre spoke up.
"War." Severin added.
"If it comes to that." Augustus looked at Gabriel. "We do everything in our power to protect the innocent and prevent Darkness from eclipsing the Light."
Gabriel nodded. That sounded very much like war to him, the kind that had been going on since before man. And war was a dirty business. No one emerged clean when the taking of life was involved.
Not even Angels.
*****
Nevaeh felt like she'd had the rug of reality jerked out from under her. The last two hours her father had told her things that made her entire life a lie. She didn't know what to think or say, and had reached the point where she couldn't talk with her dad anymore.
"I need to find Gabriel."
"Nevie, I know this is hard honey, and I'm sorry that we didn't tell you but we—"
"Yes, I know you were trying to protect me. I get that, Dad. I do. And no matter what, I love you. But this – him…them…"She gestured toward Thelonious and Zerena. "…it's a lot to process. I just need … I just need a break. I'm sorry."
"Take all the time you need, honey. We're not going anywhere."
Nevaeh gave him a quick hug then hurried back to the house. Gabriel was sitting on the patio with Augustus and Layla.
"Where's everyone?"
"Inside." Gabriel stood. "You okay?"
"Yes. No. I don't know, I guess. Can we talk? In private?"
"Sure. How about a walk?"
"Fine."
Gabriel took her hand and they wandered out into the back yard. For a few minutes they walked in silence. When they reached the edge of the lawn and stepped into the shade created by a grove of old oaks. Gabriel stopped and turned her to face him.
"You're upset about what your father told you?"
"Did you know?"
"Not until recently."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"It wasn't my truth to tell, Heaven. Your father deserved the opportunity to tell you himself."
"This is crazy, Gabriel. Batshit crazy. I can't be … I'm not … I'm just a normal human."
"You're normal by your definition of normal, but you're not human."
Nevaeh pulled her hand free of his and put both her hands over her face. "How can this be real?"
He pulled her hands away from her face. "Do you feel that way about me? I'm not human and yet you accept me for what I am. You even love me."
She couldn't stop the squeak of surprise that slipped out. How could she have forgotten that he had the ability to get inside someone's head? Now he knew.
"I love you, too, Heaven. Human or whatever."
"Whatever seems applicable. What am I? Fae, Daemon, Wizard, Angel?"
"A little of all?"
"Is that possible?"
"Well here you stand so I guess it is."
"But I thought Angels didn't mate with other species."
"We don't normally."
"Why?"
"I guess because we don't know much about our own origins."
"What do you mean?"
Gabriel led her over to one of the old trees and pulled her down on the ground beside him. "No one really knows where we come from. The other species can kind of trace their lineage – at least in the other realm. We can't."
"But you can trace your ancestry, right? I mean you know who your parents were and your grandparents and all that."
"Yes, but that can only be traced back so far and there reaches a point where we – well where we reach a dead end."
"Okay, but why does that keep you from marrying outside your race?"
"Good question. I don't really know. I do know that Gavreel, your mother mated outside our race."
"To a … Fae slash Daemon."
"Yeah."
"Wonder why I didn't get wings?"
"I guess the Fae and Daemon blood was stronger."
She nodded and looked to the side, thinking about what her father had told her. "Did you know that my dad is a lot older than he looks?"
"Yes."
"You did?"
"Well, I guessed. I knew your great-grandfather. A long time ago. Before your father was born. I met him right after Augustus faked his death and left Rome. We traveled to what is now Ireland and Thelonious and Zerena were living there."
"And you became friends?"
"Yes."
"So, Thelonious says that not all Preternaturals are gifted with extreme longevity. He said that the lifespan of the Fae is short compared to Vampires and Daemons and of course, Angels.
"He says I may stop aging at a normal rate before I hit my thirties."
Gabriel shrugged. "I wouldn't know. Your father doesn't look much older than his early forties."
"This is weird."
"I suppose it is. But it's the truth. And now you know all there is to know about your family, and you have your father back, so that's a good thing."
"Yes. It is. It's the best thing ever. I thought I'd lost him, Gabriel and I felt so alone. It was … never mind."
"No, tell me, Heaven."
She looked into his eyes. "It was so lonely. I don't make friends easily. I mean good friends. And I never fell in love so once my dad fell ill – sorry, once he let them do that to him to protect me, I felt like I was just pushing a rock up a hill, day after day, never reaching the top and never having anyone to lean one or even talk to."
He reached over to caress the side of her face. "That had to have been hard. I'm sorry."
"Well, I guess it made me strong. I don't know. But like you said, I have my da
d back and …"
"And?"
"And I know what it feels like to be in love."
"It's a first for both of us."
"It is?"
"Yes, it is."
"Then I guess we have reason to celebrate."
"Yes, we do. And we will. But I'm afraid we may have to postpone that."
"Because of Elysia and Asha?"
"Yes. A plan has been formulated and as much as I am against it, you're part of it."
"What kind of plan?"
"I think it best if Augustus explain."
"Okay, but first I need to tell you something."
"What?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For being here. For caring."
"I'll always be here, Nevie."
"Nevie?"
"Is it okay if I call you that? I heard your father say it and it just seemed to fit."
"I think I'd like that. And I will too, Gabriel. Be here, I mean. As long as I draw breath. I'll always be here for you."
His kiss was sweet and slow, tender and so filled with love and emotion that tears streamed down her face. It was the most powerful thing she'd ever experienced and that feeling seeped right into her bones. She knew she'd never forget it. And she'd never stop wanting or loving the Angel who offered it to her without strings or questions.
"Nev?"
Nevaeh and Gabriel both turned in the direction of the voice. Ellie stood a few yards away. "Everyone wants to talk. If you're up to it."
Nevaeh got to her feet, her hand firm in Gabriel's. "I'm fine."
"You sure?"
Nevaeh cut a look at Gabriel. "Does everyone know?"
He nodded and she returned her gaze to Ellie. "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"How did you feel when you found out you're Fae?"
"Like it wasn't real. I mean, I still feel human, but the others have helped me understand."
"Then help me."
"Oh Nev." Ellie hurried over to her and hugged her tight. "I know this is – well, it's a little scary but it will get better, I promise."
She drew back to arm's length but kept a firm grip on Nev's arms. "No matter who your parents or grandparents were, or what abilities you have, you're always going to feel like you – like Nevaeh. Just like I feel like Ellie. What brand of human we are doesn't change who we are. Do you understand?"
