Winter's Fall

by Alessandra Jay

  Loved, I guess is the new way I see it. I’ve lost so much there already, and everywhere I turn feels like a trap. Now that I know how many demons walk the streets of the city, the foul smells that arise at times makes much more sense. Although, I still feel a strong connection to the state. It’s all I ever really knew, and I'm not ready to give it up to evil and darkness.

  I'm reluctant leaving Mack in the mortal world, but I'm comfortable with knowing she’s there with Evan’s cousins because they are masters in protecting mortals and themselves.

  I have no doubt they would use all of their training to keep her and themselves safe. Maybe now Mack can learn something from them instead of from someone who betrayed us. I make a mental note to ask Derek to train her as best as he can.

  Just as I throw myself onto the couch in my living room, I hear the front door open and close. My spine explodes with an electrical current of love and it makes me quiver. Evan leans over my body with his heart-melting smirk and stares down at me with his large, round eyes.

  “Thought you could hide away, huh?”

  “Just wanted to catch a minute before we throw ourselves into planning this thing.” I sit up and throw my head back so it’s leaning on the back of the couch.

  “I get it, love. But they did send me to hunt you down, so let’s get this over with. I promise we can do something fun later.” He always does follow through on his promises...

  “Fine.” I agree immediately. Even a small date is worth celebrating. With how grim the near future looks, I want to take as many of these small moments as I can.

  Evan helps me off of the couch and leads me towards the door. As I drag my feet behind me, I hear Evan snap his fingers. In both of his hands our skateboards appear and I eagerly snatch mine out of his grasp.

  Instantly I jump on and push towards the meeting hall. I'm glad it’s a little bit away from my wing because skating is exactly what I need right now.

  ***

  “We can’t exactly plan for something we know anything about. All we know is that they're in Italy and who’s going to be fighting with them.” My dad, who has joined the meeting, slams his hand down on the table in frustration.

  “Well, Rick, we’re not planning anything step by step. This is more of a precautionary plan. Like what to do if there’s another ambush or who to call if or when the Fallen decide to attack.” Ava, always so serene, answers my dad with grace and patience.

  “And I think what we have so far is doable.” I try to step in so we can get out of this meeting. It has been non-stop opinion after opinion flying throughout the room. We need a solid agreement so we can move on.

  “I just hate that the plan is to be a sitting duck.” Stubborn as always, dad shakes his head and crosses his arms.

  “Only because of the amount of information that we have. As soon as we know more intel, we can develop a more solid strategy. I'm hoping Charlie comes back with the help we need. If not, we carry on as we have been.”

  Now I can hear the authority in Ava’s voice as she takes her seat at the table. Her back is pin straight as she stares down at my dad.

  “Is that all for now?” She asks the room, and everyone answers with a nod.

  “Good. You may all do as you please. We will meet again when we get word from Lucas about Charlie.” The Light Coven members stand to leave, and Ava raises her hand to signal for Evan and I to stay.

  “Scarlet, I know the timing is terrible, but a few of our residents here in Eden are fearful that you haven't taken your Elder duties seriously. So I think today is the perfect day for you to get started. Evan, you are the best man for the job.

  You know your way around Eden like it’s your own backyard. Nova will show you to your office, where all your duties await you. Have fun. I will mind speak you as soon as we hear from Lucas.” With that, she gracefully exits the room.

  “I have an office?” Is the first thing to come to my mind.

  “It’s more like your own personal hangout room. You can design it however you'd like. We all have one to store our unique items related to our Elder duties and assignments. And you have a lot of stuff that needs somewhere to go.”

  Nova tries to hide her teasing smile. But when I nudge her softly, she can’t hold it back. As Evan and I follow her through another hallway, I try to look at the silver lining. At least I'm here, where it’s safe. I'm glad I have that thought before I see the pile of old parchment papers laid around a tall glass desk.

  “Let’s get started.” I take a deep breath as I dive into the pile of requests and reports. As I get into a nice flow, I look forward to the day when I can do this without wondering when a war is going to begin. For now, I’ll savor what I have.

  Chapter 30

  Dimitri

  Evan

  I always knew I was highly privileged as a child to have been allowed into Eden. The leniency that Ava gave my dad was surprising to all of the Sisters. She made me stay within the estate walls, though. Any and every time I would try to sneak out, she would catch me.

  It was impossible for the casters that live here to catch a glimpse of me, unless they were inside of the estate. I guess it was easier for her to explain my presence that way. Through my eyes, I felt like I was stuck in a cage. But now that I'm older, I can understand why it was so critical for me to follow that rule.

  “Eden really is perfect. So…silent. But buzzing with power all over its boundaries. All of the casters I met today were just so…nice.” Her voice is scratchy from all the talking she did today.

  “You sound surprised.” I tease her, and get a small smile as she nudges my arm.

  “I just didn't expect them to be that nice.” She scrunches up her nose and it makes me want to pull her in for a kiss. But I can tell by the way she is dragging her feet that she is ready to get back home to the estate.

  “You wanna know what the secret is?” I ask as she looks up at me with a smirk on the verge of an eye roll.

  “The no kids rule. That’s what makes it so…serene.”

  I bet she thinks I’m making a joke. But after I spill the secret, she knows I am serious. With eyes wide, she gasps, as if she is offended. Her eye roll follows, just as I thought it would.

  “I don't know. I think my nieces would love it here. And I assure you, they wouldn't wreak havoc all over Eden.” She is taking it personal.

  “Trust me, I know they wouldn't. And it isn't about the chaos that comes with a child. It’s about keeping a healthy balance in a world that has an endless amount of power running through it. Just stepping on the forest ground barefoot would be dangerous for them. Especially if they don't have their power yet.”

  “I didn't think of it that way, I guess. From what I remember the night of my ceremony, having my bare feet on the ground was invigorating. Some things just aren't meant to be changed.” Scar shrugs her shoulders, but curiosity takes over.

  “How were you able to be here, though? The danger rule didn't apply to you or something?”

  “Well, since as far back as I can remember, my parents would practically bathe me in protection casts every morning and night. And with the strictness of my father, it was important for me to follow the rules. Let’s not forget, your dad brought you here when you were a baby too. So you are the youngest child to have ever come to Eden, not me.”

  As the words leave my mouth, I remind myself of that fact. So much has happened that the details seem to have faded into the background. That is not something I want to make a habit of doing.

  “That’s where the Villages come in handy, though. There are a few specific ones that cater to families who want the comfort of raising children in the caster community. But those are rare, immensely secluded, and the locations are highly classified. For the children's safety, of course.”

  Scarlet looks impressed as I teach her something else of our world. It still makes my heart jump when I see the look of surprise in her eyes.

  The view of the gate around the estate comes into view and I
know we are getting closer to having to share each other with everyone else inside. I don't want her to feel like the life we have together has to be routine. Especially when we’re practically destined to always have a team of people around us. Not that I'm complaining. It only makes me cherish our alone time that much more.

  Letting go of her hand, I run up and spin backwards. A smile has spread wide across her lips as she stops walking, and we engage in a fun and sexy stare off with each other. She has to know something is coming, but she’s waiting for me to make my move.

  Being in Eden has amazing benefits, like not having to work as hard on a cast. All it takes is the slightest bit of focus to start it. It works quickly, and I wink at her as I complete it. When I see her mouth open in an amused gasp, I know I went invisible.

  Now that she can’t see me, I place a stealth cast so I can move without making a sound. I wouldn't want to make this easy for her, of course.

  “Catch me if you can.” I turn towards the nearest tree and start climbing up. I hear her giggle, and then a heavy whoosh fills the air.

  Unfamiliar with the sound, I turn to look down the tree, when suddenly a wave of golden light pushes me out of the tree. Falling on my back is enough of a blow to not only take the air out of my lungs, but to also remove the cast of invisibility. Scarlet, who still hasn't moved from where she was standing, shouts her surprise and lifts off of the ground.

  She lands directly over me with her enormous wings out and, as she crouches down to check on me, the fading sunlight behind her leaves a divine glowing silhouette surrounding her body. I am awestruck and paralyzed at the vision before me. It is truly a moment I won’t easily forget.

  “Evan, are you okay? What the heck were you doing in the tree? I thought you were still on the ground!” Scarlet places her hands on my face as she looks me over and, like a rush of electricity, I feel my lungs go back to pumping oxygen into my system.

  I skid back a few inches out of reflex. She healed me immediately, like she wasn't even trying. And it leaves me feeling like I drank an entire keg by myself, drowsy.

  “Evan?” Scarlet whispers with sad eyes. I didn't mean to make her feel like I was trying to get away from her. I just need a minute to assess what just occurred.

  “Weren't you the one who blasted me out of the tree?” I don't want her to feel like I am accusing her, so I get my bearings and brush myself off as I walk back towards her. I'm trying as hard as I can to walk in a straight line and speak coherently. But as I get closer, I feel even more loopy.

  “No. I wouldn't have blasted you out of a tree, jeez. I was going to fly up and try to find you from above. Are you okay?” Her words sound like they are echoing and all I can do is focus on her wings.

  “Scarlet!” In the back, it sounds like a stampede is making its way towards us. But I don't care, I just want to look at her wings.

  “Scarlet!” The voices get closer, but still they sound far away. My eyesight is getting blurry and the voices become mumbled. Then, like another blow to my lungs, her wings disappear.

  As my vision begins to clear and the noises become more distinct, the sorrowful look that Scarlet has fills my view. She looks down at her feet and I can see thick teardrops fall to the ground. This was supposed to be an enjoyable moment.

  It breaks my heart that something like this happened. All I wanted was a break from the madness that’s been happening lately. As everyone catches up to where we are, they stop and stare at Scarlet like she’s crazy.

  “Scarlet, honey, your wings are as magnificent as I imagined they would be. But here in Eden, if something or someone from another realm were to pass through, well it could potentially harm us. It’s the reason Charlie can’t come here.

  When you released your wings, a foreign wave of power knocked us all off our feet. It is a cast that was placed upon our world a very long time ago, a warning perhaps.” Ava is speaking softly and has her hand gently on Scar’s shoulder. I assume it’s to try and avoid a breakdown from her.

  “I'm so sorry. I didn't know.” Is all she says. A river of tears drop to the floor, but there is no other sound. Until Dimitri comes to join us.

  “Scarlet, wow. That was... wow. Those are just…wow.” Dimitri seems to have nothing else to say. Ava shakes her head and clears her throat to try and get him to say something other than wow.

  “Scar, why don’t you and Evan take a walk with me. We can meet everyone else inside afterward.” Finally he snaps out of his stupor.

  Scarlet wipes her eyes dry and hooks her arm into mine, while Dimitri takes her other hand, leading us to the back of the estate. We walk in silence until we reach a gazebo covered from top to bottom in fully bloomed dahlias of every color. They blanket the gazebo to the point of blocking out the darkening purple sky. As we enter, Dimitri snaps his fingers and the dahlias that are inside glow their bright neon colors.

  “Wow.” Scarlet whispers.

  “Ah, so now you know how I felt when I saw your wings.” Dimitri tries to make her laugh, but it only brings out a hesitant snicker.

  “I’ve been coming here since the first time Ava let me…sleep over.” Dimitri looks at Evan and wiggles his eyebrows. That makes Scarlet laugh.

  “I'm glad you haven't changed, pal. I miss you. I miss our life. And mostly I miss your cooking.” Scarlet mumbles this with her head buried in her hands.

  “Scar, yes, things have changed. Yes, some pretty insane and dangerous things have been happening. But come on, you're a Winter. And a freaking angel. Whatever stands in your way of happiness, you need to own it and you need to kick its ass.” He stands and faces Scarlet while lifting up his pant leg to show us his ankle.

  “Lenora did quite a number on my ankle. So much so that it has completely kicked my combat off balance. I have been training every single day for hours to teach myself how to fight like I used to and compensate for my damaged ankle. With your dad’s help, it’s really coming along.

  But you see, I didn't give up because something different made me feel uncomfortable. I took it as a lesson that needed to be learned. Literally.” He takes our hands and leads us back outside. With a single wave of his hand, he summons his sword.

  “Evan, really quickly, try to trip me on my weaker side.” I am hesitant, of course. But this seems to be keeping Scarlet’s attention. And if it’s something she can learn from, I’ll try to support it as much as I can.

  Walking over, I do it immediately. I think if I do it before he tells me to, I can catch him off guard. But he is faster. Dimitri blocks my foot just an inch away from his own and he flips me on my back as he does a full spin. I try to catch my breath when Dimitri claps his hands.

  “See how I took the weight off my foot as I stopped the attack from happening. That isn't something I would have done before. But now it’s an effective move that I can add to my combat repertoire.” His smile is genuine and his positive attitude is contagious as he tries to help his niece.

  As he helps me up from the ground, he pats my back so hard that he almost takes the breath out of me for the second time. It has already happened too many times today. I just hope the rest of the evening will be calm and uneventful.

  “That makes a lot of sense to me, Dimitri. Thanks.” Scarlet gives her uncle a hug and squeezes him with her angel strength. When I see him tap out on her shoulder, my jaw drops to the ground as Scarlet lets him go to catch his breath.

  “That was for what you just did to Evan.” With a playful smirk, Scar takes my hand and faces Dimitri.

  “Oh, you want to play tag now?” He gives us both such a stern look that we unhook hands and run inside without looking back. We don't separate as we smile at the playful moment we just had with Dimitri. I'm also grateful because I can feel the excitement pulsing out of her. To see her like this is something I’ve missed and something I hope to see more often. Who knew all it would take is a visit from her lively uncle.

  “Boo!” Dimitri shouts from behind us. Scarlet screams so loud that tears now lea
ve her eyes from laughter, and her joyful energy is contagious. The more casters we run by with our childish laughter, the more join our game of tag. This…this is what Scarlet needs. This is what we all need.

  Chapter 31

  It’s Not Time

  Every single caster in the estate dropped like flies after the spontaneous game of tag. Even Rick showed up and joined in. When he was tagged, it was actually one of the highlights of the game.

  He growled like an angry bear that rattled the walls. Everyone ran away screaming. It was one of the funniest moments I’ve ever experienced. We ended the game with Ava.

  She was untaggable. No one could get near her. After Dimitri got tagged for the umpteenth time, he figured out her pattern and finally caught her.

  We practically dragged our feet to our rooms and immediately passed out. Now, as I lay awake, it is completely silent and I don't think anyone else is up. Scarlet is in such a deep sleep that I can hear her heavy and steady breathing. It’s calming and I feel deeply grateful that I get to wake up to her every day.

  My phone vibrates on the nightstand and it causes Scarlet to stir. I curse whoever dares to call me so early in the day. Until I turn it over to see that it’s Luke.

  “Everything okay?” I cut straight to the chase, while still trying to keep my voice down.

  “Charlie just got back. Not good news, E. She said all they told her was that it wasn't time yet. They're not sending help until the right time comes.”

  Silence.

  “Thanks for letting us know. I’ll keep in touch. Stay safe.” I try to lay back down without moving too much, but Scarlet’s bright and puffy eyes are staring at me.

  Instantly her eyes pierce my heart. Without hesitation, I lean over for a morning kiss. She moans and smiles under my lips as she pulls away to dig her hands in my hair to play with my curls.

  “Who was that?” Her groggy morning voice is definitely one of my weaknesses. But I hate to be the one to give her the bad news. As I relay the message, her face turns a bright red.