by Zoe Knights
Eddie looked at her quickly. “Umm…” she wasn’t sure what to tell her. “Yeah.”
Quinn sat up with bleary eyes. “And?”
Eddie bit her lip, her heart picking up at the thought. “Uuh… he thinks he’s not good enough for me,” she muttered vaguely.
Quinn frowned, shoving her covers aside. “Huh?” she mumbled. “So… wait, what?”
Eddie sighed, moving away from the window to get her things for the day. “Yeah…” she muttered. “He… thinks I deserve better. Thinks like you actually, so you know how it goes.”
“…Are you okay, Eddie?” Quinn asked after a moment.
Eddie glanced at her. “Yeah,” she said quickly. “It’s just umm… It’s complicated,” she added vaguely, frowning at her hands as the sound of Neeshka’s growl echoed through her head. “Very complicated…” she muttered.
“Well, what are you going to do?”
Eddie glanced at her friend who’d hopped up to stretch. “I don’t know yet,” she replied honestly. She looked away again, touching her fingers to her necklace before grasping her shower bag. “Anyway – I’m off to the showers. See you at breakfast?”
Quinn nodded, stifling a yawn. “Yeah…” she agreed. “And I want some more goss. You’re being so vague.”
Eddie snorted. “There’s nothing more to tell…” she shrugged, before hurrying from the room.
When Eddie made it to breakfast, her eyes scanned the hall for Sam. But, no sight of his tussled brown hair could be seen. She had to swallow her nerves to manage any food. History was first up – a whole double period to sit beside and talk with Sam.
Elliot distracted her from her thoughts.
“Hey Eddie, I’m so sorry, but I won’t be able to come to the roof today,” he said with a sigh, sitting down at their table. “Our debate group meeting got changed – it’s at lunch now instead of this evening. Blame McLaren – apparently, there was some mix up with his faith group being at the same time.”
“Don’t forget that includes me,” Devna sang from the other side of the table. “I’ll be abandoning Linh for the same reason. So it’s still even.”
Elliot rolled his eyes at her.
Eddie just smiled quickly, having forgotten all about the science assignment. “Oh, that’s fine. Less eyes to copy our work,” she smirked at Devna.
“Hah!” Devna crooned. “Vice versa.”
“Yeesh,” Millie said in between a mouthful of porridge. “Glad I’m not in your guys’ class. You’re all so… competitive.”
“Fifty quid is on the line,” Eddie sighed. “Anyway – I’m done here,” she added restlessly. “I’m going to head to class. See you guys later.”
She picked up her things, swinging her bag over her shoulder and ignoring Quinn’s probing stare before ducking out of the hall.
She almost thought Sam wasn’t going to show, for he was late to history. But, sending her nerves into a frenzy, he slid into the seat beside her silently ten minutes into class.
Their eyes met, and the last time they’d looked at each other sat heavy in the air between them.
“Neeshka…isn’t happy,” Sam murmured finally.
Eddie swallowed. “I gathered that,” she whispered back.
Another moment of silence passed, their gaze unbreakable. “She’s questioning my loyalty… to him.”
Eddie’s heart thumped painfully, her eyes darting between his, but she did not know what to say.
“I…” Sam breathed shakily. “She… thinks the less platonic our relationship gets… the more reason I’d have to betray him,” he murmured, staring at her with swirling dark eyes that searched her for answers neither of them held.
Eddie swallowed, her heart tugging painfully in her chest at Sam’s uncertain, frightened tone. She still could not find words, for what could she possibly say? All of this terrified her beyond belief, yet her heart still yearned for him.
“Mr Finley, Miss Osmond – care to join the rest of the class, or are you going to continue gazing into each other’s eyes?”
Eddie and Sam both jumped as Mr Gregson jibed them from the front of the class. Every student turned to look at them, a series of giggles breaking out.
Eddie flushed furiously, clasping her hands before her on the desk and avoiding anyone’s gaze. Thankfully their history teacher decided that to be punishment enough and continued his lecture.
Eddie heard Sam moving beside her, then the scratching of his pen. He pushed an A4 paper folder over to her.
“I want you to have this,” Sam murmured right in her ear, his breath tickling her neck making her shiver.
Eddie turned to look at him, but he’d already moved back, grasping his things before ducking away and out of the class while Mr Gregson faced the blackboard.
Eddie stared at the doorway he’d disappeared through for a long moment, feeling thoroughly taken-aback by his sudden departure.
Slowly, she turned her eyes back to investigate what he had given her. She opened the folder, and her breath caught as her eyes fell upon her own face; the portrait he’d drawn of her.
It was clear from every stroke of his pencil that he cared for her. Soft shading, pretty lighting. She was smiling just slightly in the picture, a small dimple in her left cheek, her eyes somehow glittering even in black and white on the page. A strand of soft looking curly hair fell out of her braid and around her face, every line drawn with careful and gentle touches, even the few freckles scattered over her nose.
And there was more. A small note lay inside the folder, Sam’s writing scribbled over the page.
I meant what I said last night. I don’t know yet what to do. But, I need you to know I will try. I never had enough motivation to get away from him before.
Now I do.
Her heart tugged in her chest, silly feelings cascading over her and she felt an ache build inside her, making her want to ditch this class and go find Sam. She restrained herself, barely. She knew she couldn’t; Neeshka’s growl all too prominent in her mind. She needed to wait for him.
Part of her knew all of this was crazy. She never thought it possible for her to be able to feel such a way. Her feelings for Sam had gotten away from her. Developing into something she did not understand, into something she could not control.
These thoughts continued to linger in her mind as the morning wore on. By the time lunch came around, Eddie had not seen Sam again, though she held his note safely folded away in her pocket, his drawing she had tucked carefully in her room.
She traipsed to the office, her backpack laden with metals and supplies for her to test their heat absorption abilities.
“Hello, Mrs Edwards,” she smiled at the woman as politely as she could muster. But, at the back of her mind she could not help disliking her for the email she’d sent to her parents.
“Eden, dear. How are you?” the woman asked, peering at Eddie probingly.
“Fine, thanks,” Eddie said dismissively. “I’m here to sign out the key for C block roof? It’s for Mr Hibert’s-”
“Yes, I am aware,” Mrs Edwards said crisply. “Miss Nguyen has already signed it out. You should be able to meet her up there.”
Eddie sighed roughly. Linh had probably snagged the best spot now too.
“Thank you…” she muttered, turning away.
“I’m very glad to see you keeping up with your studies, Miss Osmond,” Mrs Edwards called after her.
Eddie ignored her, heading straight for C block.
She stomped up the stairwell, pulling her gloves on as she went, the metal of the old steps clanging loudly. She reached the top, pushing the heavy door open and squinting at the bright, white sunlight outside.
She glanced around, shielding her eyes with her hand as the crisp, snow coated concrete gleamed in the light, threatening to blind her. She couldn’t see Linh anywhere. But, she must have been up here – the door was unlocked.
She moved forward, following the shovelled path clear of the slippery white substanc
e, the inviting sunlight a cruel ruse as the chilly breeze took away all warmth it might have offered. She shivered, her cheeks stinging from the biting air. Slowly, she placed her bag down near a stone half-wall when a strange sense of foreboding crawled over her skin. A frown began to tug at her brow, and she heard the scuffing sound of a footstep behind her.
She went to turn, her heart jumping to her throat, but before she had the chance to shout someone had grabbed her from behind, nearly yanking her off her feet and began dragging her across the concrete roof.
She tried to scream, but a hand was shoved against her mouth, and she struggled desperately in the stronger persons hold.
It wasn’t till she was thrust right to the slippery snow coated edge of the roof, a five-story drop below her that she was turned to see who had attacked her.
It was Simon.
Eddie stared, her heart constricting her throat and her panicked eyes darted from the fall on one side to the manic boy with a grip too strong for her to escape.
She didn’t think, and instead, bit his hand.
Simon cried out in shock, but his hold merely tightened, his hand moving from her mouth to help the other that was wrapped around her neck.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?!” Eddie hissed now that she finally had control over her words. “Have you lost your mind?!” She continued to struggle, but Simon spun her, pushing her feet right to the edge and her stomach swooped with fear as she swayed over the drop.
“Stop struggling,” Simon hissed in her ear. “You’re not going to get hurt.”
Eddie’s head pounded with blood and adrenaline, her eyes wide and glued to the ground below. She couldn’t speak.
“We’re going to wait for your boyfriend,” Simon continued, his nasty, nasal voice grinding into her ear. “He’s going to save you. And rid us all of his presence in doing so.”
Eddie finally found her voice. “What the hell are you talking about?” she hissed hoarsely.
“I’ve known for ages all I needed to do was have him reveal himself… I’ve been trying all year…” Simon practically crooned making Eddie’s stomach churn sickeningly. “I thought when I bated him into that fight, but no… still no…”
“Why?!” Eddie demanded in the strongest voice she could muster. “How could you even know that?! Where are you getting this from?!”
“The word of God presents itself in different ways…” Simon murmured to her softly. “And then…well, you were the ones to tell me how in the end, weren’t you?” he smiled, his lips making a sticky sound that sent another gross churn through Eddie’s guts. “Ever since I saw that Hell-spawned beast I’ve been trying to work out a way around it and then you gave me the answers. I knew then without a doubt that God wants this of me. This is my purpose.”
Eddie felt panic begin to tighten her chest, her breaths getting harder and faster. “You’re insane,” she gasped, her eyes wide. “Actually insane!”
“All I needed was sun – no shadows, and He has gifted it to me,” Simon continued piously. “Then I needed opportunity. He has gifted it to me. Can you not see? This is all His plan. You won’t be hurt – the Antichrist’s obsession with you won’t allow it. And he was the one to give me that little gem… that all I needed is to force his hand to reveal his wings.”
“He won’t!” Eddie hissed madly. “You’re wrong. We’re not together! Your plan won’t work!”
Simon chuckled lowly. “Your lies will get you nowhere with me…”
Before any more could be said Eddie heard the sound of the large metal door being shoved open by the stairwell and Sam’s furious shout cracked through the biting air.
Simon shoved her around, keeping her right on the edge and her eyes fell on Sam, Linh hovering nervously behind him.
Sam’s dark eyes glinted with fury, but fear too lay within as he stared directly at Eddie held at roof’s edge.
“Sam don’t stay! Go, just go!” Eddie cried, before gasping in a strangled cry as Simon tilted her closer to her looming drop.
“McLaren. Let her go,” Sam growled lowly and furiously through clenched teeth, his whole body visibly shaking. “Have you lost your fucking mind?!”
“Have I got your attention?!” Simon spat in Eddie’s ear, but his glare was aimed at Sam.
“Obviously, you fucking maniac!” Sam growled back, but Eddie could hear the panic in his tone, his voice rising. “Get her away from the edge! Are you wanting to become a murderer?!”
“Here’s what’s going to happen,” Simon shook Eddie again. “Your little girlfriend here is going to take a little dive and you, Antichrist, will be forced to save her.”
Eddie’s stomach dropped to her feet as a cold feeling crawled over her skin. She met Sam’s gaze, and he stared back in horror.
“Don’t do this…” he said lowly, his dark eyes flickering between Simon and Linh. “This isn’t what your precious Lord would want. You’re threatening an innocent human life! You-”
“We are exposing the Antichrist for our Lord!” Linh cried, though Eddie detected uncertainty in her tone. “Eden will come to no harm, as you will use your… your wings to save her.”
“You don’t understand!” Sam hissed in a fury. “You have no idea what you’re doing or who you’re messing with! You won’t just bring angels down you will bring my father! And I’m guessing you’ve figured out who that is!”
Simon smiled slowly. “This is God’s plan. Goodbye – Antichrist,” he finished, his strong arms turning Eddie abruptly and she squirmed and fought, panic overwhelming her.
“No! No! Get off me! Don’t do this!” she cried, but Simon leant her over the edge, and her head swam, a wave of nausea washing violently over her.
“NO!” she heard Sam cry in anguish, but before Eddie could blink or gasp, her whole world dropped away, and she was hurtling toward the empty, paved courtyard below.
Numbing wind twisted her hair and roared in her ears, everything happened too fast for her to make a sound, though she wasn’t sure she couldn’t produce one.
There was a whoosh louder than the wind; something buffeted her and then pure, ethereal white surrounded her.
She spun for a moment, still hurtling painfully fast and then-
She was floating. No… flying! Sam’s warm, ever so familiar scent swarmed her while white wings and dark eyes encapsulated her vision.
Their beauty had her halted for word or breath, momentary awe disabling her.
But then, they were tumbling along the ground, Eddie wrapped firmly and safely in Sam’s divine embrace.
Finally, her senses came back to her as one of Sam’s wings parted, and she vaguely registered snowy white fields surrounding them.
Sam cried out in pain, and he grasped his arm.
Eddie struggled to find her bearings, sitting up and staring as the mark on Sam’s hand burned bright like orange flames, his beautiful white feathers rustling and bristling with his pain.
Eddie’s heart pounded in her throat. “Sam!” she gasped, leaning toward him earnestly. His school shirt was torn completely where his wings had burst through. “What’s happening?! Are you ok?!”
“Run, Eddie!” Sam hissed through his teeth.
But, before Eddie could either refuse or do as he said –
“That won’t be necessary…” the last voice Eddie was expecting spoke. “I mean her no harm. It is you I have been waiting for.”
Eddie spun around, her head spinning, heart pounding. “Devna?!” she couldn’t believe it. She refused to believe it. And yet, there she stood, with huge, stunning silver wings spurting from her back. She no longer wore her school uniform, instead, white gold armour that glowed with divinity. “I don’t… I don’t understand! I-”
“Quiet now, Eden. Your part is done,” Devna crooned. “I did like you, you know – I didn’t expect my silly lackeys to throw you off a roof. I was trying to push upon them the importance of your necklace. But, I must say – very innovative. An angel cannot interfere w
ith the life of a human you see… but another human can.”
“How did you hide for so long?” Sam growled, his voice low and menacing as he pulled himself to his feet, his huge white wings weren’t quite as large as hers, but their beauty was unmatched. Eddie stood up too, though her legs shook and her eyes were wide. “I never once felt you.”
Devna smiled slowly. “I suppose my friends in high places know a little more than you, devil-spawn,” she crooned softly, tilting her head to the side and pointing to the little tattoo Eddie had noticed on her very first day, just visible between a gap in her pauldron.
“How can you do this?!” Eddie hissed, disbelief and fury coating her tone. “You’re supposed to be an angel of God and yet you… you lie and manipulate and put people in danger! And you think Sam is the bad guy?!”
Devna looked at her for a moment, something flickering through her eyes, but she turned away, casting her gaze back to Sam. “That mark I had placed on your hand will stop your father dearest from knowing what is going on. Only I am aware – for now. And this shall be my victory.”
“You… you used demons to aid you?!” Sam spat in disbelief. “How? Why?! Who have you bargained with? Do you have any idea what-”
“Enough!” Eddie had never heard Devna’s voice so sharp. The girl took a step forward, her large wings bristling. “I am not here to answer your questions. Your humanity is no longer your shield. You’re defenceless – and I am finally freed to complete my task. It’s time to end this, Samael.”
She launched forward, but Sam was ready – he grasped Eddie by the waist, and suddenly they were flying again, the wind rushing around them as Sam soared toward the trees and the cover of shadow…
The moment they were within a low, terrifying growl erupted from the darkness and Neeshka emerged, fur spiked and jowls bared.
Devna was close behind, a wild smile on her lips. “I’ve heard of your pet…” she crooned. “Care to be reunited with mine?”
Eddie caught a glimpse of something shining with orange light in her hand… a stone with a rune carved into it glowing like Sam’s mark. Devna threw it upon the leafy ground and shadow rippled and contorted, the smell of brimstone crawling up Eddie’s nostrils.
