by Riley London
“Good.” I winced, as the pain shot its way down my arm. “I’m glad you were hurt.”
“Why are you letting yourself go on like that?” Benjamin bent down towards me, our eyes soon making direct contact. “Just pray. Heal yourself. We should go again, until you’re better with your hands.”
“You think praying is going to heal my wrist? Dude, you need to take me to the hospital!”
Benjamin’s eyes went wide, and I heard him suck in a small breath. “What happened to you, Celeste? Do you really have no idea what you are?”
He then reached his hand out towards my broken wrist, and he closed his eyes.
“Sana eam.” Benjamin whispered.
And just like that, my wrist felt brand new again.
“Whoa. What the hell?” I was the one who whispered this time around. “How did you do that?”
“I didn’t do anything. I simply asked for a favor, and the angels above us were kind enough to grant it to me. Fighters on the ground, healers up above. Heaven was designed that way.” Benjamin opened his eyes, before he rose back up to his feet.
“So...all this talk about...angels...” My hands shook so badly that I hid them behind my back, not wanting Benjamin to see how freaked out I really was. “Are you trying to tell me that angels are...real?”
“Of course angels are real. You’re an angel. Do you not believe in yourself?” Benjamin seemed amused at the concept.
“And...my wings. You kept talking about seeing my wings—”
“Yes. It appears they only come out of you depending on your mood. I believe the phrase pissed off would be the colloquial term.”
“But you don’t have wings.”
“Yes, I do. You just can’t see them.” Benjamin let out another sigh. “Which is why you so desperately need to be trained.”
“Trained for what, exactly?”
“Fighting for something bigger than yourself. Protecting the innocent. How does that sound?”
“Sounds noble.” I shrugged. “But noble isn’t really my thing. I’ve got one too many bills to pay to devote myself to whatever, uh, cause you’ve got going on here.”
“You don’t have a choice. You were born for it.”
“Hmm. No. The only thing I was born for was fish tacos.” I brought myself to my feet, too, as I looked back at Benjamin. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to head home now. It was nice talking to you about all of this angel stuff, but I’m just not interested, okay?”
“You don’t understand, Celeste. Your fate isn’t up to you anymore. Not when you’re enrolled at the academy. Not when you’ve found your calling.”
“Well, the good news is that I’m not enrolled at any academy.” I patted Benjamin on the shoulder, as I sidestepped him to leave the room. “Besides, college has never been my thing, anyway. A bunch of stuffy people trying to get me to read books by another bunch of dead, stuffy people? Who needs it?”
“Celeste—”
“I’ll see you around, Benjamin.” My hand reached for the white doorknob, and I hastily turned it to the right.
I needed to get the hell out of here.
Even if what Benjamin was saying was true, I didn’t have time to be a part of it.
Angels? Fighting angels? Bullets not working on people?
Who the hell had time for any of that?
I had an early shift at the bar tomorrow, and I needed to get to bed.
But as soon as my fingers were solidly on the doorknob, I felt a jolt of something that I’d never felt before.
Whoa.
It was electric.
And...shiny?
I couldn’t put it into any words that I had in my vocabulary.
It felt like my veins were coming alive, in the best possible way.
I smiled, as the feeling made its way through me.
It felt so right.
And it felt so good.
“What was that?” I asked Benjamin, as I turned to look back at him. “That...electricity?”
“Angelic energy. It’s all around the academy. You know, since there are a lot of angels hanging around.” Benjamin replied. “It didn’t hurt you, did it? I should’ve told you beforehand, but if you’re only part angel, the energy might be like touching a hot stove, until you get used to it—”
“No. Not a hot stove.” I shook my head. “It felt like...it felt like—”
“Heaven?” Benjamin suggested.
“...Heaven.” I followed the word with a quiet, contented sigh. “Oh my God. This is real, isn’t it? Everything you’ve been saying?”
“Yes.”
“So, if it’s all real, what happens if I leave?”
“When it’s time to start your training, we’ll find you.”
“Find me? How? You don’t even know where I live—”
There it was again, that same glowing object in Benjamin’s hands.
And again, my world went dark.
Chapter 2
“Spaghetti squash or eggplant lasagna?” Charlie called out from the kitchen. “I’m thinking squash, but you’ve never had that before and if you don’t like it, then I know you won’t eat it, and then you’ll end up all sad and hungry for a week.”
I woke up on my living room couch, with my head feeling like absolute hell.
“Charlie?” My words came out weak and were followed by a loud groan. “Shit. Charlie. Is that you?”
“Uh, who else would it be, Celeste? Do you have other guys over here when I’m at work or something?” Charlie laughed.
“No, it’s just...” I shook my head, which was an immediate mistake. The motion only made my headache even worse. “I think I had a really weird dream last night.”
“What kind of dream?” Charlie made his way over to the couch, before he took a seat down by my feet. “What’s the rating? G? PG-13? NC-17?”
I looked up and down at his faux chef’s outfit, complete with a long, white coat and silly, lopsided white hat that hid the majority of his brown hair.
And then I caught a glimpse of his crooked smile, with his brown eyes beaming back at me, too.
Holding hands, kissing underneath a waterfall....
I once again shook my head, causing myself more pain.
Good.
Hopefully the pain would be enough to get those thoughts out of my goddamn head.
Why was I even thinking about Charlie like that again? I thought I’d gotten all of that out of my system by now.
“Uh, PG-13.” I thought over Charlie’s proposed rating system. “Well, maybe rated R. I shot a guy.”
“You shot a guy? Did he die?”
“No. He didn’t die, and then he broke my wrist.”
“He broke your wrist?” Charlie frowned, before he took my left wrist into one of his palms. He then looked down at it, giving it a good once-over. “Hmm. Your wrist seems fine to me.”
Electricity.
Shiny electricity.
I abruptly pulled my hand away from Charlie, as a familiar sensation made its way through my veins. “Yeah, of course it’s fine. It was just a stupid dream.”
“Well, what else happened in the stupid dream?” Charlie asked. “You seem like you’re still on edge.”
“Just other stupid stuff. The guy who broke my wrist told me that I’m some kind of angel warrior, meant to be a fighter on Earth. He said that I’d been lost to the angels, something like that, and I’d need to start my training soon? Whatever. It’s stupid, I told you.”
“Hmm. So, you’re the chosen one.” Charlie chuckled. “You know, I heard that having dreams where you’re suddenly the most important person in the universe usually just means that you think you deserve a promotion at work.”
“I do deserve a promotion at work! I’m the only one who gets in early enough to open and stays late enough to close.”
“Yeah, you should probably stop doing that, honestly. Closing. At least until we can save up enough for a car or something. It’s dangerous walking home that late.�
��
“You worried about my safety, Charlie?”
“No.” Charlie scoffed. “I’m worried about other people’s safety. I’ve seen what you do to guys who are a little too pushy about asking for your number at the bar. And now you’re dreaming about shooting people? You’re a menace to society, Celeste Venoix.”
Charlie laughed at his own joke, and I laughed right along with him.
He then rose away from the couch, before he quickly snapped his fingers. “So, which is it? Eggplant lasagna? Spaghetti squash? What sounds good for the week?”
“If you try to feed me spaghetti squash, I’m moving. Seriously, I’ll find somewhere else to live by Friday. I can promise you that.”
“Oh, come on. Have you ever even tried it?”
“Isn’t squash just another word for pumpkin?”
“No. Well. Yes. In a way—”
“And how do I feel about pumpkins, Charlie?”
“Only during the holidays, and only in pie.” Charlie mumbled through his response.
“Perfect. So happy we’re on the same page.” I smirked. “Eggplant lasagna sounds super yummy, though. Put me down for some of that, please.”
“You got it.” Charlie nodded, as he walked back towards the stove. “Did you want me to make you something for breakfast? Something brunch-y? I went grocery shopping yesterday, so I can whip up a mean strawberries-and-waffles situation—”
The doorbell rang throughout the apartment, interrupting Charlie’s offer of breakfast.
“I’ll get it. You just focus on breakfast. Brunch. Whatever.” I hopped up from the couch. “It’s going to be delicious, whatever you make.”
“Aww. You flatter me.” Charlie smiled, as he pulled a pot down from the kitchen cabinet.
Before I opened the door, I speedily ran my fingers through my hair. I wanted to look presentable, just in case it was the apartment manager or someone from maintenance.
And more importantly, I didn’t want to look as flustered as I felt.
But when the door opened to reveal who was standing behind it, I tried to close it right in Benjamin’s face.
No.
This could not be happening to me right now.
None of what happened last night was real, was it?
Of course not.
There was no such thing as angels or angel warriors or people who didn’t die from bullets.
As I tried to talk myself down, Benjamin pushed the door open and made his way into the apartment.
Fuck.
Why was he so strong?
“Oh. Hello.” Benjamin greeted Charlie, who was still standing in front of the stove. “Are you Celeste’s significant other?”
“No...?” Charlie looked over at me, as if he was waiting for me to give him some kind of signal. “Unless the answer is supposed to be...yes?”
“He’s not my boyfriend.” I answered for Charlie, as I moved away from the door. “And what the hell are you doing here? How do you know where I live?”
“Angels have eyes and ears everywhere.” Benjamin replied. “Sorry to interrupt your morning, but it appears that the council has decided to fast-track your application to the academy. You’re in.”
“Fast-track my—I didn’t apply to be at the academy. Also, what the hell is the academy?”
“The Angel Academy. Not the most creative name, I know, but angels aren’t necessarily known for their contributions to the arts. That’s much more of a human thing.” Benjamin smiled.
“Did you just say Angel Academy?” The question came from Charlie, as he turned towards Benjamin. “Sounds private. Sounds expensive.”
“Oh, no. It comes at no expense.” Benjamin explained. “And in return for your completion of your studies, you are given a life of purpose, of service.”
“Not interested.” I replied. “You can go now, Benjamin.”
“Wait. So, all that talk about angels? That was real?” Charlie dropped a pot towards the floor below. “Holy shit! Celeste! Chosen one! You’re the chosen one!”
“Please. I realize that this must be very exciting for you, but in the future, do not speak so loudly about angelic affairs.” A look of irritation flashed across Benjamin’s features. “We must practice discretion.”
“Don’t worry. I can keep a secret. Remember that time you keyed that guy’s car in the parking lot, Celeste? Because he’d made that girl cry? The one in the bathroom? I didn’t tell a soul about any of that.”
“You just told me. Right now.” Benjamin’s irritation only grew worse.
But then, his features shifted into something that seemed calm.
“Hold on.” Benjamin took a step closer to Charlie. “What’s your name?”
“Charlie Collins. What’s yours?”
“Benjamin Nash...” Benjamin’s words trailed off, as he eyed Charlie, hard. “And you, Charlie Collins, are not a human, are you?”
“What?” Charlie laughed. “Uh, no, dude. I’m definitely a person.”
“I didn’t say that you weren’t a person. I said that you weren’t a human.”
“Nope. All human here.” Charlie laughed again, but this time it sounded like it was laced with nerves. “Unless you’re about to tell me that I’m a vampire or something like that?”
“Don’t be preposterous. Vampires aren’t real.” Benjamin answered. “Turn around. Lift up your shirt.”
“Uh, Celeste?” Charlie directed the question towards me.
But I just shrugged in response. “Hey, man. Just do whatever this guy tells you to do. If my dream was real, he’s impervious to bullets, so, what are we supposed to do?”
“Okay.” Charlie nodded, before he turned around and lifted his chef’s coat and white undershirt.
His bare back was soon exposed, and Benjamin bent towards it to get a closer look.
“Hmm. No wings. But...your energy...” Benjamin then moved away from Charlie’s back. “How interesting. How confusing. Maybe you are novus. Half or newly born, somehow.”
“Half what, exactly? Half angel?” Charlie asked.
“I’m afraid I do not know.” Benjamin answered. “But if you’d like to join us as we head back to the academy, maybe someone there could figure you out.”
“Oh. I don’t want to go with you—”
“He’d be happy to go with us, Benjamin.” I narrowed my eyes over at Charlie. “Of course, he would. It’s not like my best friend would leave me in the lurch with a complete and total stranger who may or may not be out of his freakin’ mind.”
“I mean, I was definitely going to do that, but I won’t do that now. Not if you’re going to make me feel bad about it.” Charlie grumbled.
“Then, it’s settled. We’re ready to go.”
“Really? You’re not going to put up a fight?” Benjamin smiled.
“Nah. I already know how fighting you turns out. And besides, if I go with you to this academy place or whatever, I can just tell the principal that I’m not interested in being one of their students. And then, if there’s enough time, I can still make my opening shift at the bar.”
“She’s not a principal. She’s a dean. It’s an academy, not a high school.”
“I actually think academy can be used to apply to a high school, too—You know what, though? Never mind. It doesn’t matter.” Charlie backtracked his sentence, before he’d even finished the full thought. “We should get going, though. I kinda’ need to finish up some stuff for work, too.”
“Charlie’s a software engineer.” I explained to Benjamin. “Finished first in his class and everything.”
“That doesn’t surprise me, seeing as you’re not fully human. Although, that’s not exactly fair to the humans, is it? Shouldn’t you be given a harder test?” Benjamin asked.
“The first rule of not being fully human? Never tell anyone that you’re not fully human. Including yourself, apparently.” Charlie chuckled, but it soon turned into a groan. “What the hell? How am I not fully human? Am I going to turn into a werewol
f or something?”
“Werewolves aren’t real, either. You are both quite ignorant of the ways of the world.” Benjamin spoke, before he turned to leave by the front door. “It’s embarrassing, really, and it might be best if you two didn’t speak until you have a better grasp on reality.”
“A better grasp on reality...” I huffed, as I followed Benjamin out the door.
“Right? Coming from the guy who’s talking about angels and shit.” Charlie huffed, too, as he closed the door behind us all.
In absentia lucis, Tenebrae vincunt.
I had no idea what that meant, but it was plastered all over the front door of the academy building. It’d been carved there, with what must’ve been a huge knife or something, with the letters making their way across the door’s wooden frame and onto the heavy marble itself.
I silently stared at the letters, my brain attempting to solve them as if they were a thousand-piece puzzle.
In...absence?
But what the fuck did lucis mean?
“In the absence of light, darkness prevails.” Benjamin translated the phrase for me, as he came to stand by my side. “It’s our motto, a stark reminder that the work we do here is important. Not just for us, but for the world, too.”
“Darkness prevails? Like Satan and stuff?” I tried to fill in the blanks of my own knowledge, as I continued to look over the letters.
“Demonic energy. Deadly sins. Not so much Satan, more like his disciples.”
“Oh.” I replied, as if what Benjamin had just said made total sense to me.
“While I’m glad that our motto has caught your eye, you should really take note of the entire building. You’ll be here for a while, but it’s best to get yourself acquainted with it, sooner rather than later.”
“Shit. This building is gorgeous.” Charlie whistled, as he hopped up the steps towards the academy’s front door. “When was this place built? The 1800s?”
“I dunno. Don’t think I’ve ever noticed it before.”
“Yeah, well, it’s practically hidden with it being so far away from the road.” Charlie grinned. “Still a beautiful building, though.”
