Beautiful Beings

by Kailin Gow

  “When did it start?”

  I hesitated a moment before divulging the entire story. “Since I went to Shayne’s to try on dresses.”

  He frowned. “That’s interesting. I’ve always had strange sensations when I’m around Shayne. She’s tried to get close to me in the past, hinted at a possible relationship, but something always held me back.”

  “I’m guessing that something isn’t her unbelievable beauty.”

  His lopsided grin told me just how attractive he found her. “Naw, it was more this sense of being preyed upon. I always feel as though she’d devour me if she got her hands on me.”

  Reaching out, he traced his finger along my jaw. “Besides, her beauty never captivated me the way yours did. There’s something cold and planned in her beauty, something that just doesn’t sit right. While you, you are the epitome of warmth, love and caring.”

  “Asher…”

  “Lux,” he whispered as he stepped closer. “I keep dreaming about you. It’s like my life is intertwined with yours. Each dream leaves me feeling closer to you. I know it’s crazy, I know it’s just dreams, but… If only you knew just how selfish I’ve always been. I’ve never cared for anyone other than myself. Then you showed up, in my dreams and in my life. I swear I’ve never cared for another living soul the way I care about you. I’ve tried to deny it and tried to shake it off, but I think of you all the time, worry about you and wonder what you’re up to, if you're all right. I feel the need to protect you, to guard you from what harm, I don’t even know...”

  I jerked my head up to look at him, for the first time seeing him as he truly was. Tall, strong and with a soul that radiated something his gruff demeanor and leather duds couldn’t hide… he was my guardian, the very guardian Lothario had mentioned.

  “You’re…” I started to say, but caught my breath. If I was wrong he’d think I was a lunatic. Yet he matched perfectly with what Lothario had said; my age, someone I could befriend, grow up with. “You were drawing the statue of the angel the other day.”

  “Yeah,” he said, trying to follow my angle.

  “Why? What drew you to draw that statue in particular?”

  His eyes bore through mine, his guard slightly up. “I don’t know really. There’s something strong about them, even if mortals do depict them rather cartoonish at times. They care about mortals and they do what they can to guard them from evil. But a few of them are fallen angels, angels who are no longer loyal to the Creator. For some reason I’ve become fascinated with them lately.”

  “What brought the fascination on?”

  “I told you… strange things have been happening lately… things I can’t explain… things that would make me seem crazy to anyone if I dared tell them.”

  “Things like what, Asher?” I whispered gently, hoping to coax him out of his secret.

  He looked away, gazed down the street then up to the sky. I understood his reluctance. Mortals, for all their talk of God, heaven, angels and demons, seemed forever reluctant to believe when faced with a true angel. I’d had my share of taunts and teasing the few times I’d let slip my encounter with Lothario when younger and too naïve to know better.

  I reached out to cover his hands with mine. “Someone has visited you, haven’t they?”

  A heavy sigh, almost a sob, escaped him. He nodded, his gaze still held to the sky above.

  “A man? Tall? Bright? So large…”

  Bringing his gaze to me, I saw that he was finally ready to open up. “So large he barely fit in my bedroom. I’ve tried to tell myself it was a dream, but it was so real, so clear. He said my destiny was entwined with a girl I would soon meet… you.”

  “He didn’t happen to mention his name, did he?”

  “Yeah.” He bit his lip in concentration. “It was a weird name, Lot something.”

  I closed my eyes, smiled and squeezed his hands. “Lothario.”

  “Yeah, that’s it. How did you know?”

  “You’re the one Lothario sent to me.”

  He chuckled softly, the sound full of skepticism and doubt. “I don’t get it. Sent me for what?”

  “To be my guardian angel, to protect me.” I cocked my head, looking at the undeniable mortal before me. “But you're not an angel. You're a mortal just like me. How are you going to be my guardian angel when you're not even an angel?”

  At this he gave an indignant huff. “What, you think I can’t protect you if I’m not an angel?”

  “Well, it does put you at a disadvantage. I mean the spiritual forces of evil aren’t all that easy to deal with.” I stopped for a moment, trying to gauge just how much I could trust him with. “Look, I think it’s great that Lothario appointed you to be my guardian, but the truth is that I’m not some damsel in distress, not some Bella Swan who is constantly crying out for help. We’re not just talking about minor little demons here.”

  “Okay,” he prompted.

  “Asher, I’m a demon hunter. I go after the big game, the demons who attempt to invade this world, and they’re not too delicate about it. These demons are serious about stealing souls. I’ve the senses to pick them out, to spot them from yards away, and once I do I’m all over them. I’m quick, with reflexes that have never failed me and I can…”

  He pulled me into his arms, a loving little laugh burrowing to my ear as he nuzzled his nose into the crook of my neck. “And you’ve a soul of pure fire, of sheer delight, with lips so full and luscious, no man can resist the temptation, a fact I’m painfully aware of every time I get close to you.”

  His lips pressed against mine, tenderly stoking the flame of tender teenage love to a roaring blaze of passion and longing. I felt his desire, the same intense and unbearable love that riddled my dreams so many times. Could he be the one? The dark shadow that came to me so often only to leave me drained and heartbroken?

  Cupping my cheeks, he leaned his forehead to mine, his eyes reaching deep inside me. “I’ve waited far too long to do that.”

  Until that very moment, I’d not known just how much I’d wanted him to kiss me. My emotions had been so tangled with Moore and Brax, the thought of Asher had remained purely platonic. But now…

  Now I was more confused than ever.

  Chapter 13

  By the time I got to school the following morning, I was back to my usual self. No more dizzy spells or weaknesses. I also could feel an optimistic spring in my step as I headed to my first class.

  Finding out Asher could be my new guardian had been a great revelation. Though he wasn’t an angel, I knew in my heart he was the perfect guy to protect me. And just having someone to share everything I was going through was a great relief.

  The morning snailed its way to the lunch hour, filled with tense classes with Brax and a few fleeting glimpses of Asher in the halls. As I set foot inside the intimate dining room, I noticed Braxton’s expectant gaze. Seated with Shayne and Moore, he waited for me, his eyes questioning why I had so deftly avoided him all morning.

  I pressed a tight smile, ignored how gleeful Moore was in light of Braxton’s obvious dismay and looked away from Shayne’s scrutinizing glare, and turned to find Asher at a corner table at the other end.

  “I see I’ve broken up quite a tradition you had going there,” Asher said, his eyes on the table I usually lunched at.

  “My life isn’t always easy,” I complained as I set my lunch on the table and sat facing my new guardian. “There’s no way I can explain any of this to any of them.”

  “You mean your ability to see demons among us.”

  “Are you laughing at me?” I said with a teasing smile.

  “Never would I dare.” He took a bite of his sandwich, his eyes smiling, his lips deliciously pouty. “Seen any this morning.”

  “No, it’s been rather quiet lately… too quiet.”

  “Do you go after them the same way you went after me that first morning?”

  I laughed, remembering our first encounter. “You could say that.”

 
; “Lucky little devils… that was hot.”

  “And you're impossible.” I pulled out my chicken sandwich and hid my smile behind a huge bite.

  “Maybe we could do a little training session… you know, you chase me, catch me, throw me to the wall. Do what you will with me.”

  “Are you always this bad? If you knew what I did with demons you wouldn’t say that.”

  “Maybe I should switch sides.”

  “Trust me, you don’t want to go there.”

  He leaned over the table and came closer. “I know. The only place I want to be is wherever you are.”

  “Asher…”

  “Are you denying the chemistry that is positively sizzling between us? It’s been simmering since the day I first saw you...”

  “You're cute, and you're a great boost to my ego, but don’t let this chemistry thing get to your head. If you're to be my guardian, you can’t let your attraction become a distraction.”

  “As far as the guardian thing is concerned, nothing’s been confirmed yet. All I know is that I’m a guy who is excruciatingly attracted to a girl, a girl whose hand I want to hold, whose body I want to press to mine and whose lips I want to kiss.”

  I leaned in until our noses were just inches apart. He certainly did make his every touch sound very appealing. He looked good, smelled even better and I wanted to kiss him again since our first kiss yesterday.

  But the moment was broken by the slender yet sensual shadow of Shayne as she came to interrupt the private interlude.

  “Lux, how wonderful to see you standing on your own two feet. You really had us going there. How are you feeling?”

  “Much better, thanks.” I put on my most congenial smile, but knew it probably didn’t hide the fact that her presence wasn’t exactly welcome. Tension rose through my back and pinched at my shoulders.

  “Well, I’m certainly happy to hear that,” Shayne said as she lay her hand on my shoulder.

  Her touch instantly soothed me, relaxing the tension that’d so quickly made its way through my body. She held my gaze with a radiant smile.

  “I’ve missed our little chats these past days, all the gossip about the formal and all. It just wasn’t the same without you. I do hope you’ll stop by to see me at my house again soon. You know, I’m helping out with the St. James Charity Ball. We want to raise funds for a new basketball court. I could sure use a hand.”

  “I don’t know. I still have a lot of homework to catch up on. I didn’t get any work done over the long weekend and I’m swamped.”

  “I’m sure Braxton would be happy to help you again.” She winked and glanced back at the table she’d shared with Moore and Braxton. “He got you out of trouble once. I’m sure he can do it again. Besides, he’s so handsome, studying with him is like no work at all. Better get him while he’s still available.”

  My gaze trailed to Brax, his eyes still questioning, his lips pressed in discomfort. By sharp contrast, Moore’s gaze was steady and filled with confidence, the confidence of the strongest conqueror.

  “Don’t sweat it, Lux,” Asher said, his hand coming to cover mine. “You said no and it should stand. You have work to do.” He glared up at Shayne. “Life’s not always a ball.”

  “This is a charity ball,” Shayne said with a glimmer of venom in her eye. Her charitable grin returned quickly, too practiced and too quickly.

  “Oh, please,” he went on. “You guys could simply write a small check and the deed would be done. Why harass everyone with another one of your dull fundraisers?”

  “Well, maybe you could chip in and help make my dull ball a smash.” Her megawatt smile was priceless as she eyed Asher. Adoration and admiration filled her eyes… she was good. She reached out and took his hand off mine and clasped his between both her hands. “I really would love to have your hand in this. I know you're creative and you have a great imagination. The ball is to be at my house and I could sure use someone insightful like you to help with an inspiring décor.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Come on. You’ve never been to my place. I could give you a grand tour.” She winked provocatively at him. “A private tour.”

  Pulling his hand away, he controlled the grimace that played on his lips. “I’m not really into social events, and decorating isn’t really my thing.”

  She shrugged. “Suit yourself.” Her gaze met mine. “Some of the most important and influential people will be there, even Braxton’s uncle and Miss Bright. As you can imagine, they’ll expect to see the daughter of the new Dean of Antiquities there as well.”

  “I really don’t see why.”

  “Well, we’re planning a prestigious auction… rare pieces, many from Kingsley’s private collection; art, rare books. Your father will authenticate various items.”

  I wanted to protest and argue. My parents had mentioned nothing about this ball, but before I could say anything Moore came up behind me and slid into the chair beside mine. His hand was quick to find my knee and my whole body was quick to respond to his touch.

  “I’ve miss you, Lux,” he whispered directly into my ear.

  Asher instantly stiffened. I could almost see the hairs at the back of his neck rise in alarm.

  “It’s bad enough I had to suffer the evening of the formal without your presence, you can’t leave me to suffer through this evening alone as well. Those stiff antiques can be such a bore. Say you’ll be there, if only for an hour or two.”

  His fingers brushed up my thigh and played under the hem of my skirt.

  Yes was on my lips as I prepared to do anything to keep him close to me, to keep him happy, but a swift motion behind me turned into a loud commotion that pulled Moore’s touch away. I turned to see Braxton holding Moore by the collar.

  “Is this clown bothering you?” Brax said. His eyes, hard with anger and frustration, shifted to Shayne.

  “Relax, Kingsley,” Shayne droned. “Our only purpose here is to invite Lux and Asher to the Charity Ball that we’re holding at our house.”

  “From clear across the cafeteria I heard her say ‘no’. What is it about that answer that you didn’t understand?”

  “What are you griping about anyway? You have to go because of your uncle. You know you’d love to see Lux there just as much as I would. You should be here helping me to convince her, not reprimanding me.”

  “If she comes it should be of her own will, not your insistence.” He turned to look at me, a myriad of emotions playing on his face. His desire to have me there was confronted by his anger towards Moore’s forwardness. “You know I’d love to see you there, but don’t feel you have to just on my account.”

  “I had no idea you’d have to go. Of course I want to be there.”

  “Lux, you don’t have to,” Asher argued.

  “No, I was just smarting a bit because of the formal, but another attempt at a grand night out could be fun.”

  Asher bit on a defeated grimace. “Then I’ll go as well.”

  I looked up to catch Braxton frown, then glimpsed how Shayne and Moore glowed triumphantly.

  “Well, then,” Shayne said. “We’ll leave you two to finish your delectable looking meal.

  The disturbingly beautiful siblings left Asher, Braxton and me in an uncomfortable and tense silence. After a long moment, Braxton cleared his throat and set his hand on my shoulder.

  “Could I talk to you a second, Lux?”

  A quick glance at Asher and I knew how badly he disapproved. Nonetheless, I said, “I’ll catch you after the next class. We can meet at my locker.”

  “Yeah, right, you have your next class with, Braxton, no doubt.”

  “As a matter of fact, yes,” Braxton said.

  “That’s quite a feat, getting so many of your classes with the new girl in town. I wonder how you managed that.” He shoved the rest of his lunch back into his backpack and stood. “Oh, yeah. That’s right, your uncle knows a few important people here.” He winked ironically and left.

  “
Come on,” Braxton said, not wasting a moment. He took a gentle hold of my elbow and urged me up.

  Leaving my lunch behind, I followed him out the French doors into the quiet and sunny courtyard.

  Chapter 14

  “I don’t want to sound possessive, or jealous. I don’t want you to think I’m nuts or anything, but…” He licked his lips nervously and glanced around before bringing his intense gaze back to me. “What are you doing? What’s with Asher?”

  Gripping my shoulders, he pulled me closer, his forehead coming to butt up to mine. His breathing was suddenly heavy and raspy, his eyes narrowed in emotion. “I thought we had something, Lux. I don’t want to push you, but at least be upfront with me. You just walked by as if we’d never met.”

  “I’m sorry, Braxton. I guess I should have said something, but I just can’t sit with Shayne and Moore. Something makes me uncomfortable about them. And as for Asher, he’s a friend… a good friend, and I can sit with him if I want.”

  I can understand your aversion to Moore, but Shayne? She’s been so great to you. Why do you want to avoid her?”

  “Don’t you feel something strange when you're around them? Haven’t you noticed…? I don’t know, something odd, something that doesn’t fit? I’ll admit there’s something completely intoxicating about Moore, and maybe it’s just his good looks, unearthly charm or strong and sexy…”

  Braxton backed away, his gaze hard and displeased. “I get it, Lux, I get it. Moore’s hot. That doesn’t explain your aversion to us.”

  “Actually it’s the way he has of drawing me in that I’ve an aversion to. Whenever I’m around him, I feel as though I have no control over myself. And looked at what happened whenever you kiss me. Moore invades the moment, takes over, and leaves me completely absorbed by his face, his shoulders and…”

  Brax rolled his eyes while his lips pulled up into a grimace.