The Rest of Forever: A Guardian Angel Paranormal Romance

by Carrie Pulkinen

  He held her in his lap, and her eyes fluttered open.

  She sucked in a pained breath and forced a whisper from her chest. “Damian? Am I dying?”

  He sighed and pursed his lips. “Yes, April. You are.”

  “I thought so.” She smiled weakly and grasped his hand.

  He brushed the hair out of her face and caressed her cheek. The commotion in the room slipped away as he held his Charge in her last moments of life. She coughed, and blood spilled down her chin.

  “I’m so sorry I failed you, April. But, don’t worry. Your next life will start soon.”

  She sucked in a sharp breath, closed her eyes, and slipped away.

  The police and EMS arrived not a minute after April died. They handcuffed the man and hauled him off, and Damian stormed to the door. The heat of anger pulsed through his veins, and with his jaw clenched tight, he focused on the exit. He had to get out of there so he could Jump to the Angelic Realm. He had some explaining to do.

  An officer grabbed him by the arm as he went through the door. “Sir, you need to answer a few questions.”

  Damian’s lip pulled up in a snarl, and he jerked his arm free. “I answer to no one.”

  He turned the corner and Jumped. It didn’t matter that no one would be able to explain his disappearance. He’d never go back there. He had no reason to now.

  CHAPTER SIX

  “How could I have let this happen, Mira? Damn it!” Damian slammed his fist into a white wall, leaving a gaping hole. “I’ve never lost a Charge.” As soon as he removed his hand from the wall, the material liquefied into a thick ooze that filled the puncture, repairing the damage instantly.

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Look around; you’re not the only one.” Mira, the Guardian of the Slumbers, motioned for Damian to notice his surroundings. Beds covered with crisp, linen sheets filled the stark, white room. Five Charges of varying ages lay dormant on the beds, awaiting maturity so they could awaken again. “Many Guardians lose their Charges. It’s nothing to lose your temper over, dear.”

  Damian chuckled at the woman with long, dark hair and lavender eyes. Though they were the same age, he respected Mira as he thought he would an older sister, if he had ever had one. She was the most caring Guardian of them all, motherly, which was why she Guarded the Slumbers, and everyone else for that matter. She was connected to every being in the Angelic Realm, could locate and help them anywhere.

  “You’re right, Mira. You’re always right...but, I don’t lose Charges. I shouldn’t have lost April.” He looked down at his only responsibility for the last thirty years. Her fiery red hair spilled out around her head, a vivid contrast to her pale skin and the bright white sheets she nestled in. Mira had changed April’s clothes with a touch, a talent only she possessed, and a soft, white gown replaced her bloodied shirt and skirt. Even in Slumber she was breathtaking, and Damian marveled at her beauty. Her soft, pink lips curved into a perfect bow. Her delicate nose had a soft sprinkling of freckles, and her porcelain skin was flawless.

  Mira put a hand on his shoulder. “This one’s special to you, isn’t she?”

  He stiffened at the accusation. “No. No more than any other Charge.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and turned away from April, afraid the distraction of her soft lips and perfect skin would give away his true feelings.

  Mira smiled. “You can fool yourself, Damian. But you can’t fool me. Remember that.”

  “You’re crazy, woman. You know me better than that.” Damian laughed and ran a shaky hand through his hair.

  “Better than you know yourself...oh, we’ve got one waking up. What a joyous day!”

  “Joyous. Right.” He let out a cynical chuckle. “Go take care of him. I’ll take care of April.”

  “I know you will.” Mira gave him a knowing smile, turned and hurried across the room to greet the awakening Slumber.

  Damian looked at April, peacefully sleeping, oblivious to the world she just entered. She died today, but the flush of her cheeks and her rose-colored lips made her look more alive than ever. Without thinking, he reached out his hand and gently caressed her cheek. The softness of her skin sent shivers down his spine, and he jerked his hand away. He had no right to touch her like that.

  He wouldn’t do it again.

  He closed his eyes and imagined a stool next to the bed. When he opened them, his creation was there, so he sat down and sighed. Knowing April, she was going to freak out when she woke up. And of course she’d blame him, just like she blamed him for everything else.

  It was his own fault she hated him. He did everything he could to push her away, when he should have been drawing her in. Making her trust him. Even after the last few days, when she was beginning to trust him, he had to mess it up by insulting her teaching skills.

  He screwed up royally with April. He’d made more mistakes with her than he had made in his entire existence. Well, almost.

  He had almost three weeks to think about what he was going to say to her. Three weeks to figure out how to earn her trust. Maybe he could convince Mira to do it. Then he’d be done with her now. He could move on.

  No. April was his responsibility, and he’d stay by her side and see this mission through to the end—to her thirtieth birthday. And thank goodness that was coming soon.

  “Hey, Damian.” A young Guardian with spiky brown hair and light blue eyes approached him. “Paul wants to talk to you.”

  Paul. The leader of the Angelic Realm. He was the closest thing Damian had to a brother, but they rarely saw eye to eye.

  “Tell him he’ll have to come to me. I’m not leaving April alone.”

  “Whatever you say, boss.” The Guardian scampered away, and in a few minutes, Paul returned in his place.

  He looked at the Angel that lay by Damian’s side, and a smile quirked at his lips before he frowned. “You attacked another human. That’s two in as many days.”

  Damian straightened his spine, ready to defend his actions. “He shot her. What was I supposed to do?”

  “Take care of your Charge. It’s not your place to punish.”

  He raised his chin in a defiant gesture. “He deserved it.”

  “You don’t get to judge.” He let out a heavy sigh. “Look, brother. Your anger has gotten out of control. We’ve been looking the other way, letting you fight your demons. But it’s gone too far. You don’t belong out there.”

  Damian clenched his jaw and scowled at Paul. “Yes, I do. I’m the best Guardian you’ve got.” He had to be out there. He would not let Paul take this away from him.

  Paul put his hand on his shoulder. “I know. And that’s why we’ve let it go on this long. It’s time you took your rightful place as leader. We need you.”

  “No, you don’t. You’re doing just fine without me.” He crossed his arms over his chest and widened his stance. He was standing his ground on the issue. No matter what.

  Paul took a deep breath and leaned against April’s bed. “But it would be so much easier if we had your help.”

  “You keep saying we. Is Mira in on this too?”

  “We have discussed it, yes.”

  “That’s funny. Because she hasn’t mentioned a thing to me.”

  “Damian...”

  “No. I don’t belong up here. I need to be out there, helping people. It’s what I was made for.”

  “You were made to lead, just as Mira and I were. You are hurting more than you are helping by not accepting responsibility for your position in the Angelic Realm.

  “You know what? You’re entitled to your opinion. But mine’s the one that counts. As soon as April wakes up, Mira will give me a new Charge, and I’ll be back on Earth doing what I’m supposed to do. I can’t lead, Paul. I don’t have it in me anymore.”

  “April is—”

  “We’re done, Paul.”

  “When are you going to let go, brother? You can’t change the past. Your worries, your fears, your anger. Let them go.”

  “We’re done.�
�� He glared at the man with white hair and ice blue eyes. Paul made a fine leader, and he certainly didn’t need Damian hanging around, screwing things up.

  “Okay. I will leave you be for now. But, this discussion is far from over.”

  “I’ve got nothing left to say.”

  Paul looked at him with a sympathetic gaze and shook his head. “Until tomorrow.” Then, in a flash of shimmering light, he disappeared.

  It was the same conversation every time. He’d do something to tick Paul off, Paul would try to convince him to stay in the Angelic Realm sitting on his butt and telling everyone else what to do.

  It wasn’t in him. He couldn’t sit idly by when there were people out there who needed him. People he could focus all of his attention on and forget about the demons inside him. Because, honestly, he needed his Charges as much as they needed him. But no one else had to know that.

  And if he was honest with himself, he’d admit he was scared. He was terrified of taking on any more responsibility because he’d failed so miserably before. If people depended on him, he’d ruin their lives. And he couldn’t live with that.

  Sitting here for three weeks with an unconscious April would be torture enough. He couldn’t imagine spending his life with no distraction from the anger that burned inside him.

  But sitting here with April was also torturous for another reason. The fire that burned in his soul when he looked at her perfect face. The emotions he felt coming to life in parts of him that had been dormant for so long. He couldn’t let it happen.

  He couldn’t wait to get away, but he didn’t want to leave her side. Life without April would be...unbearable.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Searing pain slashed through April’s chest as she tried to comprehend what happened. The last thing she remembered was the gun pointing at her. The trembling hand that held it. The sound echoing off the walls when the shot was fired.

  She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move. The agony left her paralyzed while she choked on her own blood. Her body throbbed. Her chest burned like it was filled with flaming hot coals. Was the torment ever going to end?

  She tried to scream, but couldn’t find her voice. She was trapped. Panic rushed through her veins, and her blood ran cold. Why couldn’t she move? Was she dead? Was she stuck in this torturous hell forever? Oh, please Lord. Make it stop. I can’t take it anymore.

  Then, as suddenly as the torment began, it slipped away. No pain, no fear. Only peaceful silence. Her body tingled with pleasure.

  She was warm. Safe. Like she was wrapped in a cocoon of security—a sharp contrast to the agony she felt only moments ago. Nothing could hurt her now. In her mind, she drifted through the clouds. A midnight blue sky, sprinkled with glowing stars, stretched above her. Below, a body of water, translucent and serene, reflected the sparkling light from above. A gentle breeze caressed her skin, and the salty scent of the sea tickled her senses.

  She was peaceful. Happy. And when a light began tugging her into consciousness, she fought it. She wasn’t ready to wake up. Wasn’t ready leave the calm of slumber. But the light insisted. And though she tried to resist, it pulled her closer and closer to awareness.

  Her breath caught when she awoke, and she lay there for a moment, fighting the urge to open her eyes. She tried to keep her lids firmly shut, but they fluttered when she felt the small commotion around her. Someone was watching her.

  With one last deep breath, she opened her eyes and tried to focus. The quiet room was devoid of color, yet somehow felt warm and inviting. She sat up and absorbed the surreal surroundings. Three other people in the room were sleeping, just like she had been, and several others watched over them protectively. She’d never been in a hospital like this, but it must’ve been a good one. Her body felt fresh, rejuvenated, despite being shot in the chest a few hours before. She felt her skin where the bullet entered. No pain. No stitches.

  Hmm. Must have been a flesh wound. How long was I out?

  Everyone in the hospital wore simple white outfits, including April. Her designer skirt and silk blouse were nowhere to be seen, but the gown she wore felt like velvet against her skin. She wondered what material it was as she smoothed the light, silky cloth down her legs.

  “Happy birthday, April.”

  She’d recognize that voice anywhere, and she shook her head as Damian came into view.

  “Great. I’ve died and gone to Hell, and the devil sent you to torment me for the rest of my existence.” She rolled her eyes and swung her legs over the side of the bed. “And what happened to my clothes? That was a Versace skirt.”

  “It’s good to see you’ve held on to your charming personality.” Damian leaned against the bed next to her. “You got the death part right, but you’re not in Hell. And I’m not here to torment you for all existence. I’ve been Guarding you all your life.”

  “Right, and I’m a superhero with magical powers...oh, God! Alex. Where’s Alex?”

  “He’s fine. The bad guy’s in jail. You’re the only one who got hurt.”

  “Oh, thank God.” Relief washed over her as that weight lifted from her shoulders. She’d have died if anything happened to Alex.

  “Where am I really, Damian? What hospital is this?”

  The corner of his mouth quirked into a crooked grin. “You’re in the Angelic Realm. It’s a place between Heaven and Earth.”

  “Yeah, right. What...is this like purgatory or something? What am I being punished for?”

  “You’re not being punished.”

  “Really? Then why are you here?” She’d had about enough of this game. She slid off the bed to search for her clothes, but there were no hooks or drawers where they could have been stored. She looked at Damian, who grinned at her with amusement sparkling in his eyes.

  “Is this some kind of joke? Where are my clothes? I want to go home.”

  Damian sighed and pushed off the table. All humor faded from his expression as he approached her and put his hands on her shoulders. His touch sent warm tingles through her body, and she sucked in a sharp breath as she stepped away. That one chaste touch left her wanting more, and she had to fight the urge to slip into his strong embrace.

  Not that he wanted to hold her.

  He wore faded jeans that hung low on his hips, and his tousled toffee hair almost seemed to glow. His white T-shirt stretched across his sculpted muscles as he moved. He’d never looked so scrumptious.

  She chided herself for feeling that way. Jared was still her boyfriend—for now—and she’d never be unfaithful. She just needed to find her clothes, check herself out, and get home before her thoughts drifted any further.

  “April.” He reached out a hand to touch her, but let it drop to his side before making contact. “This isn’t a joke. You really are in the Angelic Realm, and I’m your Guardian Angel.”

  She searched his eyes for a trace of humor, but all she found was compassion. His lips didn’t quirk into his teasing grin, and there was no hint of sarcasm in his voice. Was he telling the truth? Could she really be dead? Oh, please.

  “I...I don’t believe you. This is ridiculous.” Why was he doing this to her? Was it some kind of sick joke? She pushed past him and spotted a door across the room. Adrenaline stung her muscles and she raced to the exit.

  “April, wait.” Damian caught her hand before she could push open the door. “Don’t go out there. Please, let me explain.”

  “I’ve heard about enough from you, mister. Now, leave me alone. I want to go home.”

  He let her hand slip from his grasp as he took a step back. “If you must.”

  She huffed and swung the door open. Sparing one more glance at Damian, she expected to see his devilish grin, but what she saw surprised her. Emotions she thought she’d never see from Damian. Sadness. Worry. Understanding. The look in his eyes was magnetic, drawing her closer to him. She instinctively took a step toward him, her heart racing in her breast.

  He was so serious, she almost stayed. She could feel the concer
n rolling off him, but it was more than that. She felt a connection. Like a cord connecting her heart to his. Did he actually care for her?

  No. He couldn’t. And it didn’t matter if he did.

  “Goodbye, Damian.” She turned around, stepped through the door, and gasped.

  If she thought the hospital room was surreal, this place was downright weird. She was in a fog, though the air was dry. She looked all around, but saw nothing. Nothing but white mist. Where the hell was she? The claustrophobic cacophony of nothingness sent chills down her spine. It was as if the world was closing in on her, though there were no walls—or anything solid for that matter.

  The adrenaline tipped to panic as she sprinted through the haze. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead. There had to be a way out. If she just kept running, she’d end up somewhere. Anywhere but here in this void. She ran. And ran. But no matter where she went, the emptiness followed. It was in front of her. Behind her. Everywhere.

  She was in Hell.

  She could have kept running forever; she wasn’t the least bit winded. But what was the use? She was getting nowhere, and now she couldn’t even find her way back to the hospital.

  She was lost and alone.

  Tears stung her eyes, and she didn’t try to hold them back. She dropped to her knees, and with her head in her hands, she cried. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. This wasn’t how her life was supposed to end. She was supposed to grow old and have lots of grandchildren. She would sit with her husband on their porch and rock while the kids played in the yard. She deserved a good life, damn it!

  She let out a cynical laugh. Damian claimed to be her Guardian Angel. What a crock! God really screwed up on that one if he was.

  But if Damian was her Guardian Angel, he’d be able to find her. She’d just have to call his name, and he would be there. Laughing at herself, she wiped the tears from her face. She must have been insane to even entertain that thought. If Guardian Angels existed, they wouldn’t be flesh and blood and sinew and muscles like Damian. He was definitely all man. Still, he did seem to come out of nowhere when he tackled her in the parking lot. And how’d he get into the bathroom through the locked door?