Wars & Wings

by Kristin D. Van Risseghem

  “Leave your keys in the car,” Vash says. “Someone will drive it to the parking lot. And don’t worry about anything being stolen. I’m one of their top clients, and they wouldn’t want to lose Bellator Industries. It’ll be here and everything in it as you left.” He grabs his bag from the back seat. “They’ll wash her, too.”

  I toss my bag over my shoulder and step up the stairs into the plane. I’ve never been in a private one. The space is luxurious. Soft, tan leather high back chairs greet me on my left. A couch of matching material is on the right side, with a small conference table dividing the kitchen area. There are no overhead compartments so for once, I can stand tall and spread my arms almost across the full width. In the rear is one bathroom and where the other would be on a normal plane, is a closet. That’s where our bags are kept.

  An older woman stands at the ready for orders.

  “Thank you, Ellison, for working tonight,” Vash says. “I know it was a short notice for you.”

  “It’s not a problem, Mr. Bellator.” She smiles. “Anything you need right away?”

  “Not for me, thank you.” Vash turns to me. “Do you want a drink or food?”

  “No, I’m good for now,” I say. “Thank you.”

  Ellison walks to the kitchen and takes out a folder, checking items as she opens and closes doors.

  The door to the plane airlocks tight, and the captain comes over the loudspeaker. “Good morning, Mr. Bellator. Everything is ready. We are set to go on your orders. Destination is Las Vegas, Nevada, sir.”

  Vash stalks to a high-tech control panel and presses a button. “Let’s take off when you’re ready. Thank you, Captain Rego.”

  I sit in one of the recliners as Vash takes the couch. He sprawls across it. His body fills the length as his feet dangle off the end. He lays an arm over his eyes. I haven’t known Vash very long, and notice he’s a man of few words. But when he does speak, they usually are of great insight and value. Maybe it’s because he’s been groomed to be his pack’s leader, and now at such a young age, he is. Zoe had said that when she came to his house, he was carefree and fun. Now, all I see is a dark seriousness to him. Gone is his youth. Stolen from him.

  The plane taxis down the runway and lifts into the sky. Soft instrumental music is playing through the speakers. It’s peaceful and soothing.

  “Don’t you want to know why we’re going to Vegas?” I explore the compartment for Ellison and find her past the bathroom and closet, sitting in a chair and reading on a device.

  “Everything you say will remain confidential. Ellison won’t repeat anything she hears. She’s been our lead flight attendant for many years.” He doesn’t move from the couch. “I figured you’d tell me when you’re ready. It’s a short flight, so you can either tell me your plans now, or we can come up with something when we get there.”

  “It’s the demon capital of the world.”

  “I know.” Vash rolls onto his side and peers into my eyes.

  “So, I figured that we could shake down a few bars and clubs and see who falls out and can tell us anything about where Zoe is being kept, who has her, and why.”

  “While I think on the surface that is a good plan, what’s to encourage anyone from helping us?”

  “That’s where you come in.” I swivel in the chair, breaking eye contact.

  “I’m the muscle or the money?”

  “Possibly both, but that’s only as a last resort. The demons who congregate on the strip are there for various reasons and don’t mess with the Ordinaries, so the Nephilim and angels leave them alone. As long as they continue to not harm the humans, we let them be. But some may have to be persuaded. I do know of a couple of Knights who may help, if the price is right.”

  “Don’t worry about the money. I’ll cover it.”

  “Sometimes, they seek other forms of payment.”

  “I guess we’ll have to see what they want.”

  “Someone, somewhere has to know something.” I recline to see how far it goes. It almost lies flat.

  “Try to get some rest. However long this trip is, we’ll need our strength.” Vash flips onto his side and is out cold.

  This is the perfect time to reflect on Aiden’s eye color and what it could mean, especially for me. There has to be a reason why he showed me only them. It’s not that I’ve traveled the world and know every human, demon, or angel in it, but the aqua eyes are so unique.

  I know where Nephilim come from: angel and human. Could he be the part of me that comes from the angel? Even if he’s a demon, aren’t fallen angels still created from Him?

  Shaking those awful thoughts, maybe I should get some sleep while we’re in the air. I’ll need my wits once we land. If too many demons decide not to give me any information freely, I need a Plan B.

  Chapter Eleven

  Zoe

  THURSDAY, TWELVE DAYS after prom.

  AFTER I’VE SLEPT A couple of hours, curiosity captures my attention. I can’t stand not knowing what my friends are doing. The mirror hangs on the far side of the room, begging to be looked at. It’s dark and shows nothing on the flat surface. Now to figure out how the blasted thing works. Of course, Aiden didn’t provide instructions or anything. The room’s Light has vanished from our dual.

  Today’s agenda will be to figure out the mirror, exercise, and consider all options on what Aiden is and what’s his dealio.

  I sit cross-legged on the bed, focusing my thoughts on Shay—his blond hair, aqua eyes, the way he always smirks at me like he knows some sort of secret. Each new friend is very near to my heart. I love them so much, even though Shay and Sidelle only recently came into my life.

  Where are they, and have they found anything?

  Maybe after Shay tells Sidelle and Kieran about our Dream Walking, Sidelle will go see her father in Fairyland. Time moves differently in that realm like it does here in this room, and I hope when she goes home a bunch of time isn’t lost.

  I picture the lush green grass, the tall trees, and the double-oak doors that lead into the massive throne room where I met King Oberon and the bright splashes of color throughout the kingdom and Aestas Castle. But nothing of Sidelle or her home appears in the mirror.

  I think of Kieran. How he has always been there like he’s a part of me. The three-story, white house down the street he calls home. It’s really a safe house for all good Enlightens: Angels, Fairies, Werewolves, and Nephilim.

  Still, no picture is shown to me.

  Frustration surges through my body, and I’m about to give up and blow up the building anger when a sparkle catches my eyes. I squint to see if my mind is playing tricks on me. The surface ripples. I want this to work so badly my body shakes, and it’s all I can do to hold back the power that’s coursing through my hands, waiting to be released. But that much Light is bound to shatter the glass. I pull it back to the faintest glow, package it up into a ball, and float it to the screen. Coaxing it to do something. Some sort of magic performs every function in this room. Why wouldn’t the mirror be that way, too?

  As soon as the Light makes contact, the screen switches on like a TV that has locked in on a signal. The purple ball blinks in the right corner.

  My yellow house appears. It’s dark outside. A squad car sits beside the curb, a shadow in the driver’s seat. All the lights in the cul-de-sac are off. The view turns back to my front door, and it morphs into the living room. My parents are sitting on the couch, watching the evening news. My father has his arm wrapped around my mom’s shoulders. A box of tissues lays on her lap. Mom’s eyes are puffy and red. I know she’s been crying. Sadness washes over me, and I wish I could comfort her, tell her that I’m okay, and let her know I’ll be home soon.

  Even if that’s a lie.

  Neither of them speak, but I know what they would say. They’d tell me I’m loved, they are looking for me, and they’ll never stop searching.

  The news shows a major vehicle accident at the high school.

  I briefly wonder when t
hat occurred.

  The reporter goes on to talk about something else about the same accident and the next picture on the screen is of the dance and one of the hospital. No sound projects from the mirror. It’s like I’m watching a black and white silent movie, but this is real. I just don’t know what date it is.

  What I can piece together is that after my abduction from prom, in the haste, multiple students hit each other while leaving the parking lot. A couple of kids are still in the hospital, recovering.

  There was a bit of confusion with the prom attendees not showing up, coming late, or leaving the dance early, so an accurate head count wasn’t confirmed until that following Monday. I am the only person still unaccounted for.

  Of its own doing, the picture leaves the TV and moves up the stairs to the first bedroom on the left, my little sister’s room. I feel like I’m watching the events like a ghost. Could I manipulate what I see?

  The lights are turned off, but I can see a lump on the bed, slightly shaking. She should be asleep by now.

  “Zoe, when are you coming home?” she whispers.

  Can she see me?

  “Stella?” I ask.

  How can there be sound now? Another question to be answered later.

  “I miss you.” She sniffles and doesn’t acknowledge her name. “No one tells me anything about where you are, why you left, or when you’re coming back.”

  My heart breaks for her. My parents can’t tell her anything if they don’t know what’s going on. Kieran must not have said anything to them or her. He can’t tell them the truth anyway. But just being with my family, giving them hope and support has to be enough. For now.

  “Whoever has you, I hope they release you soon.” She sighs. “It’s almost finals week and you’ll be missing them. I know you hate taking tests, but this is your last time being a junior. Your friends have come over to the house every day since you’ve been gone. Everyone is out looking for you. Please don’t give up. Kieran has been here checking in on us. We’re lucky to have him. His presence is soothing. Oh, and your boyfriend has been here a couple of times. He’s still very cute. Well, so is Kieran, but I think you know that already. Anyway. Sidelle and Cali brought all your things from your locker home. I don’t want to think that they have given up, that you won’t be back to school.

  “A couple days ago there was a prayer group for you. The whole town is rallying and coming together. Coffee Grind served your favorite drink to everyone. So we all drank a chai tea latte. Okay, I think that’s all I have to tell you today. Oh, and I love you and hope you’re safe. Good night, Zoe.” She turns over and closes her eyes.

  “Stella!” I scream at the screen as her form fades away. “I’m here, I’m okay.” Fat tears roll down my face.

  The mirror goes back to my reflection.

  The Light stays a solid color and doesn’t turn back on. I know what I saw was days after prom. And now it’s almost the end of the school year. My mind hurts thinking of all their pain, sorrow, and questions about me that I’m sure my friends and town folks are asking.

  Chapter Twelve

  Aiden

  I HADN’T BELIEVED IN fate. But when I saw the girl from my bizarre dream after I pulled into that cul-de-sac in St. Joseph, Minnesota, I became a believer. She wore black leggings, an overly large purple hoodie, and purple shoes. She hadn’t noticed me when I stepped out of one of the smaller moving trucks.

  Before I could go over to introduce himself, my sister Sarah—that’s what she wanted to be called—asked me to help do a few things for her, and then I was free to do whatever. I bolted through the house and told her which room I wanted. I picked the upstairs bedroom on the far left for some reason. It was the one directly across from hers; the walls were a light purple. I guessed it was her favorite color. It’s what sealed my decision. I told Sarah I wanted to stop over to the neighbor’s house and introduce myself.

  When I was done, I marched out the front door and strolled on the sidewalk to her house. My new neighbors had a white picket fence surrounding the two-story yellow house, the exact one from my dream. I approached her, cautiously. She must not have heard me, so I cleared my throat to get her attention. She asked if I needed anything.

  I loved the sound of her voice. That was the only thing missing in the dream: sound.

  The sun was in the high school girl’s eyes, but I could feel them checking me out from head to toe. I noticed her eyes widened when they locked with mine. I told her my name.

  I was shocked again when she arrived and knocked on my bedroom door later that afternoon. Totally catching me off guard, I was nervous around her for some reason and hadn’t expected her to offer to help me unpack. Maybe that’s a Minnesota thing. In retrospect, I shouldn’t have laughed at her. What was I thinking? Yes, it was cute how she got defensive about things, but for me to laugh at her when I hadn’t even known her was unacceptable on my part.

  I thought she had wanted to tell me something, but she held back. I wondered about that, her slight hesitations in her responses. What was she not telling me? I was glad I got to chat with her more that evening. She sure was spunky. I liked that about her. Her personality had not come through the dream, either.

  Oh hells.

  I wasn’t expecting her to be so ... so. I couldn’t even place the words to describe her. She reminded me of someone. An angel, maybe? I knew that I had to get to know her. A sickening feeling caused my wings to droop. If I had a heart left, it, too, would probably sink. She was going to be the death of me.

  My real death.

  MONDAY, NINE DAYS AFTER prom.

  NOW, I’M HAVING SECOND thoughts on my whole plan with Quinn. No, I must continue.

  A few days after I broke the news to her that she’s a Nephilim, I invited her to my house after dinner, giving me enough time to make sure that Kieran and Shay were occupied with Knights and Marqs.

  “The first lesson today is trying to get your wings to appear.” I draw the shades. “It can be tricky since you don’t know how to use them.”

  “I didn’t even know I had wings until the other day.”

  “They’ve always been a part of you since birth.” We sit on the floor in my bedroom. I thought about the larger space in the living room, but I might have to answer a question about my sister. She loves the fact that she gets to boss me around while we’re on Earth. I only let her since she’s supposed to be my older sibling. Otherwise when we’re at home, she’d think twice giving me an order. Quinn doesn’t need to know anything about who I really am. “Relax your mind. Clear it of everything from school, your home life, and me even. Listen to my voice and focus on it and only my tone. Relax. Let it seep into your soul. Loosen your shoulders, down to the tips of your fingers. Think of your chest relaxing, and move that feeling down to your hips and into each of your legs. And finally stopping at your toes.”

  She breathes in and out. Our hands are joined as we sit cross-legged.

  “Close your eyes. Control your breathing and match mine. Breathe in.” I inhale and hold it a few seconds. “Breathe out.” I exhale to the count of four. “In, two, three, four. Out, two, three, four. Yes, that’s it.”

  I watch Quinn’s body unwind almost to the point of a sleep stasis. Her face softens, and her head gradually tilts down to her chest.

  “Breathe in and out.” My voice just clears a whisper. “Now, think about wings growing out from your back, near your shoulder blades. Visualize the feathers. Sense them as a limb like your arms and legs. Believe that you have them.” I inhale and exhale again. “Picture them clearly in your mind. Extend them out of your back.”

  The room begins to glow, a soft tone between orange and yellow. It reminds me of a slow burning fire, ready at any moment to warm and burst into billowing flames.

  “Open your eyes, Quinn.” Each eyelid lifts and meets mine. “Look behind you.”

  She turns her head to view her back. She stiffens. “Oh. My. God.” I flinch at the word but quickly get my body under contr
ol. “They’re beautiful,” she says. “How do I move them?”

  “Think about where you want each one to go, and they’ll obey the command.”

  Gradually, the right one curls in and swings forward enough for her fingers to run across the feathers. The left one extends out and wraps us like a cocoon. Bright, glowing wings shine throughout my room as if it were daylight.

  Nephilim wings are much smaller than mine since they have only half angelic powers.

  I keep my wings tucked tightly behind my back. Quinn hasn’t noticed them yet.

  Her fingers lightly pinch the long, flight feathers. She says nothing, but awe is written across her face. She plucks a down feather from the coverts’ wing area. She recoils and gasps. She’s so enamored with her own wings that she still doesn’t notice my black ones when I extend them out past hers. I watch as she looks around the room to figure out what blocks the light.

  Her mouth forms an “O” as her eyes widen again. “Aiden.” She reaches to touch mime. “Yours are so breathtaking. I don’t even have the words to describe them.” Her eyes flicker to her own wings and back to mine. “They’re different. Why if you’re a Nephililm, too?”

  I blink. I wasn’t prepared for that question. My mind scrambles to give her a response. I fumble. “Everyone has different wings; it’s like a fingerprint.”

  “Oh.” She doesn’t say anything more and accepts my answer, going back to inspecting her own wings again.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Zoe

  SATURDAY, TWENTY-EIGHT days after prom.

  WITH SORROW FILLING my mind, I don’t feel up to doing my workout, but I must if I’m to stay fit.

  Almost a month, that’s how long I’ve been gone.

  Moving the bed, I do four sets of leg lifts and six sets of windmills with my arms, repeating both two more times. After that I run around the room until my legs quiver and threaten to stop working.