Ariel Rising

by A. J. Sparber

My mind races. What just happened? Can an angel arrest a human? For kissing? I’m confused.

  “What’s going on? Why did you take him away?”

  “We need to interrogate him.”

  “For what?” I ask.

  “He is an angel.”

  “WHAT?” This can’t be true.

  “You did not know?” There is no emotion in Davin’s voice.

  “No.”

  His eyes close for a moment. When he opens them, his gaze is distant. He looks hurt. “Are you in love with him?”

  “No. I was in the process of telling him that I don’t want to see him anymore when you arrived.”

  “Do you always end your relationships with a kiss? I think there are better ways,” he says with a raised brow.

  He saw the kiss. Crap. Crap. Crap. Damn. I’m such an idiot.

  “It’s not what it seems, Davin.”

  “I don’t want to discuss it now.”

  “Davin, please. Let me explain.”

  “Not now.”

  “Is he evil?”

  “He is not Fallen. But there is no record of his existence, which means he is probably bound to Earth.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means he was sent from Paradise to live and work on Earth.”

  “If he’s not Fallen, why are you treating him like a prisoner? I don’t understand.”

  “He should not have approached you without permission. We need to discover his motives.”

  His motives? What could he possibly have wanted? “He never hurt me.”

  “That’s why he’s still alive.”

  A shiver runs down my spine. Am I a target? Will they beat the truth out of Galen? Will he be…

  “Will he be tortured?”

  “No. We do not torture.”

  “I’m sorry Davin. I didn’t—”

  “Not now, Ari.”

  “Why not?”

  “I need to leave. I must be present when Galen is interrogated.”

  “You’re going to Olympus?”

  “Yes.”

  “When will you be back?”

  “Tonight.”

  “Can we talk later?”

  “I will come to your house.”

  “What time?”

  “Between eight and nine.”

  “Okay.”

  I want to apologize, but I think it’ll make things worse, so I bite my tongue.

  He grasps my shoulders and turns me to face him. His expression is fierce. His gaze intense. “You need to be extremely cautious. There are three Warriors still here. They will follow you home. Another team will secure your property. Stay home until I get back. I shouldn’t leave you…”

  “You have your duty. Be careful, Davin,” I say, while choking back a sob.

  He doesn’t respond. He simply turns and jogs across the lawn.

  I fight a powerful urge to run after him, to touch him, to tell him my stupid reason for kissing Galen. “It’s you I want, Davin,” I whisper to myself. “It’s you…”

  “There you are, sweetie.”

  “Oh, hi Ella,” I say mindlessly.

  “Was that Davin I just saw running off?”

  I sigh. “Yeah.”

  She sits beside me on the bench and puts her hand on my shoulder. “Is everything alright? Where’s Galen?”

  “Um, he went home,” I lie.

  “Did you tell him you don’t want to see him anymore?”

  “Yes.”

  “How did he take it?”

  “He looked a little sad. But all things considered, I guess he took it pretty well.”

  Yeah, he took it really well—considering he was being hauled off to an interrogation by two ferocious-looking Warriors.

  “That’s good, sweetie. So what was Davin doing here?”

  “Well, now that’s an interesting little story…”

  Ella groans. “You messed up?”

  “Oh yeah.”

  “How bad?”

  “Really bad. I was about to tell Galen that it was over between us, when he kissed me.”

  “Galen kissed you?”

  “Mm-hmm.”

  “And what did you do when he kissed you?”

  “I–I sort of kissed him back.”

  Ella’s eyes widen and her eyebrows disappear into her bangs. “Please tell me you didn’t do that. Tell me you’re joking.”

  I hide my face in my hands and mumble, “Not joking.”

  “ARE YOU NUTS?” Ella asks, loud enough to be heard in the next county.

  “It gets worse,” I say in a very small voice.

  She gives me a little hand motion, imploring me to continue.

  “Davin walked into the lunchroom.”

  “He saw the kiss?”

  I nod slowly.

  “Oh, Ari. What were you thinking, sweetie?”

  “I guess you could say it was an experiment.”

  “Seriously? An Experiment?”

  “Yeah. I wanted to see how kissing Galen compared with kissing Davin.”

  “That wasn’t very smart. So Davin is pissed off?”

  “I’m not sure. I told him I can explain why I kissed Galen. He’s coming over tonight.”

  “Galen is coming over?” she asks with a little chuckle.

  “Don’t make fun of me. I need to get out of this. Davin is coming over. Do you have any suggestions?”

  “Yeah. Tell him the truth. And do not, under any circumstances, get defensive or unreasonable. And make sure you maintain eye contact. It’s not like you and Davin are engaged. I have a feeling everything will work out.”

  “Thanks,” I say.

  “Yeah, well, just don’t do anything dumb.”

  “I won’t. Do you mind covering for me? I really want to go home.”

  “No problem. Kick back and don’t overthink things. Remember, just tell him the truth. Okay?”

  “Yeah. I got it. The truth.”

  “Call me if you need me, sweetie.”

  “Will do,” I say, as we stand.

  I give Ella a hug and head toward my car, wishing I could have told her everything. I feel so alone, so vulnerable. What else could possibly go wrong?

  The thought makes me shudder.

  Chapter 13

  I pull into my driveway and glance down the street. The Range Rover parks in front of Davin’s. Three guys exit the vehicle and enter the house, their movements graceful and synchronized. My Secret Service detail. My personal Swiss Guard. I roll my eyes.

  I pull into the garage, close the overhead door, and shuffle into the quiet house. Mom is working a late shift and won’t be home until the morning. I kick off my shoes, grab a water bottle from the fridge, and wobble into the family room, feeling emotionally drained.

  Curling up on the sofa, I turn on the TV, which is tuned to TVLand—my never-failing secret sleep sauce. The last thing I remember is the theme song from Bonanza, and then a distant voice calls my name.

  “Ari, are you sleeping?”

  Mom?

  “Not anymore, Mom,” I say, yawning.

  “Sorry, sweetheart.”

  “It’s okay. I needed to wake up. What time is it?”

  “Five-forty.”

  “How long have you been home?”

  “A couple of hours.”

  “Why didn’t you wake me up earlier?”

  “I tried,” she says with a chuckle. “I figured you must have been very tired, and I really needed a hot shower.”

  “Are you going back to the hospital?”

  “Yes,” she says, sighing softly, as she grabs her purse.

  “Nice seeing you,” I tease.

  “Things will be back to normal next week…” She pauses and smiles at me. “So how was your date?”

  I give her a thumbs-up. “We had a good time. A really good time,” I reply, returning her smile.

  “How was the restaurant?”

  “Out of this world.”

  “Thalia called me last night and told m
e she offered you a job. That was very nice of her. And it sounds like a terrific opportunity.”

  “Yes, I’m really excited about it.” And a little terrified.

  Mom pauses in front of the garage door and turns to face me. “Don’t forget to set your alarm. You don’t want to be late for your first day of work.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll be on time. Goodnight, Mom. Love you.”

  “Goodnight, sweetheart. I Love you, too. See you tomorrow,” she says, as she walks out into the garage.

  Tomorrow. What will tomorrow bring? I am beginning to hate tomorrows. Actually, tonight is looking pretty damn scary.

  I step out of the shower, towel off, then stand in front of the mirror, as I wave the blow dryer across my hair. If this is my last chance to be with Davin, I at least want to look good.

  I apply some eyeliner and lip-gloss, then go to work on my hair, which looks more like a tangled mass of fur attached to my head. I look at the comb in my hand. I’m wielding it like a weapon.

  I comb, brush, and beat my hair into submission. Then I twist it into a sloppy bun, as I study my reflection in the mirror. Not too bad.

  I pull on a pair of black jeans and a teal V-neck sweater, slide into black flats, and head downstairs to wait for Davin. It’s nearly seven, so I have at least an hour to kill. I fix myself a grilled cheddar sandwich with a side of sweet potato chips.

  As I eat, my mind drifts to thoughts of Davin. I’ve known him for only five days, yet when I’m with him it feels so natural. It’s as if we belong together. I can talk to him with a level of candor I’ve only been able to manage with Ella and my mom. He makes me smile—inside and out.

  Considering how we met, I should be afraid of him. Intimidated by him. In awe of him. I should still be angry with him over what he did at the Falls. But I’m not. And it hurts me that I may have hurt him.

  What is it that I feel? Am I actually falling for him? When did I let down my guard? When did I let him into my heart? What’s happening to me?

  I clean up the kitchen and head back toward the family room when the doorbell rings, making me jump. I peer through the peephole. It’s Davin. I open the door and he stands there, looking stressed. “Are you alright?” I ask, ushering him inside.

  “I’m fine,” he replies. He is not smiling. He is not happy.

  “Come into the kitchen and I’ll get you something to drink.”

  He nods and follows me.

  “Sit down,” I say. “What would you like?”

  “Water would be fine.”

  I pour him a tall glass of chilled water and sit down across from him. “How did the interrogation go?” I ask apprehensively.

  Davin props his elbows on the table, runs his fingers through his hair, and sighs, deeply.

  “That bad?” I ask.

  “He was sent to seduce you; to persuade you to fall in love with him.”

  “Excuse me?”

  His eyes meet mine. He looks distant.

  “Apparently, there is a small group of Earth-bound angels who believe your existence is based upon a prophecy. By having one of their own bind with you, they hoped to control you, to keep you from the Fallen.”

  “Prophecy?”

  “They believe you are a new kind of angel. The most powerful angel ever born.”

  I stare, incredulously, unable to speak.

  His eyes meet mine and he locks on.

  “Ari, I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”

  “Oh geez. Am I in any danger, Davin?”

  I look down at my hands, which are visibly trembling. I want to be a human girl again. I never asked for this.

  “Don’t be frightened.” Davin looks concerned.

  “I’m terrified.” My voice is shaking, uncontrollably.

  “Does your mom keep any spirits in the house?”

  “Alcohol?”

  “Yes.”

  “Yeah. I think so.” I start to stand.

  “Please, stay there. I’ll get it,” Davin says. “Where?”

  “The louvered door next to the stove.” I point.

  Davin enters the pantry and I hear bottles gently clanging. He emerges, holding a pretty pear-shaped bottle containing a dark amber liquid. “Glasses?”

  “In the cupboard above the sink.”

  Davin fetches a glass and sits back down at the table. “Courvoisier,” he says, as he fills the glass. “Your mom has very good taste.”

  I have no idea what he’s talking about. But if he needs a drink…

  “What is it?”

  “Cognac.”

  “Which is?”

  “Distilled wine.”

  “It smells stronger than wine.”

  “It is.”

  Davin pours about an inch of Cognac into a juice glass, then places the glass in my hand. “Drink it slowly. Little sips. It will relax you.”

  “Are you sure? I’m underage, you know.”

  “You’re an angel; you are not underage,” he says.

  “Yeah, a new kind of angel…” I pause, shaking my head. “What the hell does that even mean? Does Galen know what it means?”

  “He doesn’t. They could be wrong. It could be nothing.”

  “But it could be something,” I argue. “Can you really protect me, Davin?”

  I take a sip of Cognac. It feels really warm going down and it does relax me, once my throat stops burning.

  “I will not allow any harm to come to you.”

  “You sound so confident.”

  “I will never fail you,” he says with a fierceness in his eyes that is frightening, exhilarating, and kind of sexy—all at the same time. Then he reaches across the table and gently grasps my hands.

  His hands are warm, strong, and his touch reassuring.

  “Aren’t you angry with me?” I ask, a little hesitantly, because I’m afraid he is.

  “Why would I be angry with you?”

  “Because you saw me kiss him.”

  “We’ve known each other less than a week, I can hardly claim you as my own.”

  “Don’t you want to know why I kissed him?”

  “I’m not sure. But you’re going to tell me anyway. Aren’t you?”

  “Yes.” I grab the edge of the table and squeeze, trying to compose myself. “My relationship with Galen was not exclusive—at least from my perspective. He was fun to be with, but I didn’t love him. He was more of a friend than a…”

  “Lover?”

  “Yes. But he tried to be more. He tried really hard. But I’m not easily manipulated. And I’m still…” I pause, clearing my throat, because it suddenly feels really dry. “I’m still waiting for the right man.”

  “Did he ever try to force himself on you?”

  “No. Never.”

  “So, why did you kiss him if you were breaking up with him?”

  “He initiated the kiss. It kind of surprised me, actually. But then I wanted to see if he could make me feel the way you make me feel.” I end in a whisper, as I try to keep my composure.

  “I’m not sure I understand.”

  “Things are moving too fast. Sometimes I think I’m losing touch with the girl I used to be. It’s scary, Davin.”

  “You have evolved, Ari. You are no longer a girl. You’re an angel.”

  “Is this what it’s supposed to be like? Did you evolve, too?”

  “It’s been so long, the memories are so distant, but I do remember one thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “It kind of sneaks up on you. I remember my childhood, and you will always remember yours. You are not losing anything. But you are gaining much.”

  “It sure feels like I’m losing a whole lot.”

  “Did you kiss him because you thought he could help you hold on to your humanity?”

  “In a way. I kind of hoped that he could make me feel the same way I felt when I kissed you. And that it would make me feel human. It was stupid, immature, and I wish I could take it back.”

  Davin sh
akes his head slowly, then smiles.

  I smile back. “You’re really not angry. Are you?” I ask.

  “No.”

  “Did I hurt you?”

  “No.”

  “I don’t believe you. You may not be angry, but I know I hurt you.”

  “Ari…”

  “Come with me.” I take him by the hand and pull him into the family room.

  “Sit,” I say, pointing to the sofa.

  He settles into the cushions, and I sit next to him, turning sideways to face him. “I’m fully evolved. Right?” I ask.

  “From an emotional and cognitive perspective, you are. Your training will serve to awaken your physical capabilities.”

  “So my sense of perception is pretty strong?”

  “Very strong.”

  “Then I’m fairly certain that when you walked into the lunchroom, and saw us kissing, you were hurt…”

  “Ari…”

  “Please let me finish,” I say. “I would never intentionally hurt you, Davin. The look on your face has been haunting me all day.”

  “Ari, it’s…”

  “Hush,” I say, as I pull him to me urgently. “I should have known.”

  “What should you have known?”

  “That you are the only man I want to kiss.”

  “Ari…”

  My lips find his and it’s the Fourth of July again. Every kiss I’ve ever had before is immediately forgotten. Gone. Never even happened.

  I don’t end the kiss. I want it to last forever. Davin is the strong one. He gently separates our lips and then rests his forehead against mine.

  “Thank you for putting up with me. I’m usually not so difficult.”

  “Your life has been turned upside down. Things will improve.”

  I let out a long sigh. “I suppose. So, we still have a lot to talk about.”

  “We do,” he says, as he loosens his grip on me.

  I turn so I’m facing him and clear my throat.

  “Will they try again? Will Galen’s friends send more suitors to court me?”

  “It’s unlikely. Since we were able to intercept Galen with relative ease, they will probably not be inclined to have more of their group captured, especially since we now know who they are.”

  “Are other angels frightened of Warriors?”

  “Yes.”

  “How many types of angels are there?” I ask.

  “There are four Orders. Stratóri are the most common. They are the eyes and ears of Paradise. Many are bound to Earth. The Zon belonged to this Order before they fell.”