Winter's Fall

by Alessandra Jay

  Mine are so black that they glimmer against the light. As if I was thinking of my wings too much, they come out by themselves, pushing Evan’s hand out of mine. Immediately I tuck them back and, with my now sweaty hand, I take Evan’s hand back.

  I simply and embarrassingly gawk at his presence as he lifts his hand to shake both of ours. He is slightly taller than Evan and just as built. He’s a few shades lighter and his eyes are a dark brown, whereas Evan’s are so hazel they sometimes shine yellow.

  Theo looks like he is straight out of the military. The sides of his hair are buzzed short and the soft top stands straight up in a messy but hot look. He shines his bright smile full of perfect pearly white teeth as he takes another cream puff.

  “I'm Theo. These are great. Your aunt would be proud.” Finally putting his wings away, he leans against the counter next to where Sage sat.

  I feel paralyzed and think this is what people must feel when they meet their favorite celebrity. I can't think of anything coherent to say, afraid that I might embarrass myself. They are all just so literally flawless. I feel out of place and starstruck. So I do exactly what I shouldn't do, I shove an entire cream puff into my mouth and put two thumbs up, totally embarrassing myself.

  Sage laughs at my obvious fumble and slaps her legs. “You, I like.” Practically choking, I try to swallow without killing myself. Letting go of Evan’s hand, I flick my wrist for a glass of water.

  “Sorcery has always been a favorite of mine.” Finn says, matter-of-factly. Usually I would have gotten my own glass of water, but I am clearly having a mental breakdown.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you all and you are a welcome addition in our fight against the Dark Coven. I'm Evan, a member of the Light Coven.”

  Evan now takes a cream puff and eats it, still with a slightly glum look on his face. Finally I clear my mouth as I finish my water just on time because there’s a knock at the door. Charlie stands to open it as I take a moment to formally introduce myself.

  “I'm Scarlet, Scar for short. Newest Elder of the Caster’s Council and head of the Light Coven. Evan’s Anima Partem, too.” I hope that by adding the last part it will cheer Evan up. But because of the loud noise coming from our group of friends, I don't get to check his reaction.

  Mack and Hunter run into the kitchen and take an entire tray just for themselves. Victoria and Chloe stand by my side as they pick off their own dessert. Luke and Derek stand with Charlie next to Evan. And Owen and Oliver are next to Finn, not being subtle about staring at his large body.

  “Before we start, Ava already went through the necessary steps for you three to enter the Village. Just stick with the same rule we gave Charlie about keeping your wings inside. I’m Hunter, by the way, one of the Sisters.” She extravagantly bows and stuffs another puff into her mouth.

  As everyone goes around introducing themselves, we eat through the dessert answering and asking tons of questions that are flying from everyone’s mouths. When we are down to the last tray, I finally feel normal enough and less inhibited. I should have known that my friends would be the best distraction a girl could need. I spin around to get more napkins when I almost fall on my face.

  Theo's arms wrap around my body, which is only a few inches from the floor. He lifts me to my feet and I catch my breath. I know I should back away, but I can’t move my feet. I know Evan isn't going to like this. And yet, I'm stuck. Theo clears his throat as he slowly removes his hands from my arms and, as soon as he does, my world dissipates.

  Shivering from the cold, I spin full circle to see that I'm outside in Times Square. The sky is pitch black with absolutely no stars showing. It’s snowing so fiercely it has to be the beginning of a blizzard. I look around for shelter because I can’t see a thing.

  Finally, when I find an empty bus stop with a semi-enclosed covering, I run over to the shelter to escape the snow. In a panic, while my heart is beating heavily against my chest, I desperately look around for any clue that can help me leave this vision.

  Shielding my eyes from the fierce wind and snow, I try to make out anything that might be familiar or anything out of the ordinary. But everything is just a blur. Suddenly two angels land with such force that the glass from the bus stop shelter shatters to pieces by my feet.

  I think they're in danger because of the sudden crash landing. But as they both rise from their crouch, they’re laughing, and confusion surrounds me. The angels tuck their wings away and run towards the bus stop I’m using as a shelter.

  Now from the closeness, I can tell that it’s Theo…and me.

  “I definitely beat you this time.” He looks a lot more comfortable around me than when we just met. Or is it me who’s feeling more comfortable?

  I watch myself nudge him and my stomach turns because I shouldn't be having this moment with Theo when I'm with Evan. Can this be a vision of the future or is this some kind of fantasy my mind is playing on me. Either way, it hurts to watch. And yet, I can’t pull my eyes away from what’s going on.

  “I don't think so. I got here just a second before.” I am flirting and it infuriates me.

  “Whatever, we’ll have a rematch after our recon. Where’s our mark?” He’s still smiling as he looks over the paper that is crumbled from being shoved in his pocket. Even in this vision, I can feel the attraction between us…them.

  “Up there.”

  I point up to one of the tallest buildings in the city, and all it takes is a single look. I know the race is on without a word being said. As he runs and extracts his wings, I watch mine come out in a mirroring effect.

  My wings react to his and I don't understand what it means. Although there’s a feeling. Maybe it’s the angels’ way, just like the Collegati for the casters.

  Theo takes my hand in his and we disappear up the building, to whatever mark we were supposed to go to. I can feel the shivering sensation his touch has on me in the vision and it makes me so uncomfortable that I wake up.

  I wake up coughing like I’m drowning and somebody is pumping life back into my body. Only, I actually feel like I’m suffocating on the information that the vision just gave to me. Evan’s face slowly comes into focus as my vision returns to normal and I see that his glum face has been replaced by worry. Theo stands tall behind him, appearing confident that I am alright.

  “Are you okay, love?” Evan asks me as he tries to help me sit up.

  I can still feel that cold New York night in my bones and it makes me shiver. Evan snaps his fingers and a blanket appears across my body. It is the softest blanket I have ever felt, and all I want to do is hold on to it and sleep.

  “So what was the vision about?” Charlie asks, still picking off cream puffs. I knew someone was going to ask about my vision before I could put everything that I foresaw into perspective, but I didn't expect it to be her.

  “Nothing good.” Is all I can think to say.

  “So a bad vision? Are any of us in danger?” Chloe is always quick to ask so we can make a plan. She always likes to know all of the details.

  “Um. A different kind of bad, I guess. No, we’re okay…I think. I don't know. Never mind.”

  I can already feel my cheeks heat up and I don't want anyone to dig my grave deeper than I already have for myself. Evan looks away and I can tell he knows and feels deep inside what I'm trying to avoid saying. The last thing he wants to hear are the details of the personal vision I had with Theo.

  “I'm glad you're okay.” Evan helps me to my feet and walks me to one of the couches. Everyone takes their seat and Sage leans forward.

  “So catch us up on the events from today and then we can begin formulating a plan on how we can defeat this Dark Coven.”

  Sage crosses her feet underneath her and gets comfortable. Chloe flicks her wrist to summon her pen and pad and it makes me want to hug her. She’s always so interested in what we can do to excel as individuals and as members of the Light Coven.

  While the group explains that I took over the fight, I sink deepe
r and deeper into my seat. I cling to Evan’s side as they continue the story and I stay that way until it’s him that has to get up for space. I want nothing more than to crawl into our bed, hide under the sheets, and fall asleep not worrying about what’s to come. Even though I know that’s just a dream.

  Chapter 36

  Theo Thunder

  Getting back to the Village late at night was exhausting but a good choice because we all can’t fit in the basement of my dad’s gym. The angels stayed there themselves and even then it was crowded. Still, they swore to be around us at all times which feels slightly unnerving for me.

  Usually it’s Evan that’s the first to wake up. As hard as he tries not to stir in the bed, he always does. He gravitates towards me and I feel my entire body sink into the bed.

  But today, when I woke up I knew he was still asleep. His body was far away from mine, completely on the other side of the bed. I know Theo’s presence makes him uneasy, but he has to trust that I would never hurt him.

  I keep trying to put myself in his shoes. If he had another soulmate from another realm…I would be broken and insecure. Especially if she was unbelievably beautiful. Which is what Theo is.

  Thoughts of his melt-worthy smile or the way his hair sticks up just slightly more to the right pop into my head. I have to shake myself out of the unfortunate daydream that I just floated to. I pray to the Gods and Goddesses to help me get through this difficult time without crushing on someone who isn't my fiance.

  I must have shaken my head a little too roughly to get rid of my thoughts because Evan stirs and stretches as he sleepily opens his eyes. His curls are everywhere and it makes me want to tangle my hands in them. A smile forms on my face as I continue to check him out. He squints at me through his thick eyelashes and displays a smile that matches mine.

  “Scarlet Winter, are you watching me while I sleep?” I wasn't.

  But he’s so hot that I regret that I didn't. I feel my cheeks heat up and it’s the perfect answer to his question. He snickers and wraps his burly arms around me, pulling me into his warm chest.

  He breathes in the smell of my hair and moans so deeply that I feel it vibrate through my entire body. I shiver as he softly runs his fingers on my arms, causing goosebumps to rise along the surface. When he feels it, he moans again and it practically sets me off.

  Something else takes over my body and I willingly let it. My angel strength and speed take over as I flip him onto his back, straddle my legs over his body, and sit on his rock-hard abs. I feel dizzy with desire.

  All of the things I want to do to him flood my mind and it makes me wild and ravenous. I squeeze my legs to try and calm myself down. But instead, it does the exact opposite. Evan gasps as he pushes against me and his eyes roll to the back of his head in rapture.

  Breathing heavily, Evan sits up, holding me tight. “No, love. We can’t. We’re almost there. Only a few more days.”

  I can tell it’s just as hard for him to say it as it is for me to hear it. I can feel how fast his heart is beating, as is mine. It’s like we ran a marathon. I still feel like I’m on an adrenaline rush and I need to chill myself out. My angel side, at least. It’s odd to know that I have all these different sides of myself now.

  Clumsily getting off of him, I quickly decide that I don't want to shower to make any of this even more awkward. So as I find my power, I flick my wrist and clean my body in record time. Without a look back, I scurry out of the room.

  “Scar, please don't. Don't push me away.”

  I know he’s on the other side of the door, contemplating whether he should chase me or not. If I give him a response, he would. But I don't. I picture the door to the staircase that leads to the roof and I let my angel speed take me there.

  When my hand touches the door knob, a slight pang of guilt runs through me. Going to the roof alone, especially without him, feels weird. I’m sure I’ll be safe, but a small part of me wants to go back and get him so he can come with me.

  I need to cool down though. And I can’t do that when my hormones are mixing with my angelic ability to magnify everything I feel. As much as I hate the idea, I need space from Evan and everyone else right now.

  I finally pull the door open and disappear through it. If it wasn't for my angel speed, it would take me forever to get up all of the flights of stairs. Instead, I get to the top almost instantly and push through to the outside.

  Cool droplets of rain sprinkle on my face and I feel instant relief. So much so that my wings come out by themselves. I thought it felt refreshing before, when the rain touched my face. But now, as the raindrops drip down the soft velvet of my feathers, it feels as if they are electrified, leaving a soft tingle as the droplets of rain hit the floor. I shiver because the sensation fills my entire body and it leaves me feeling sensitive to the touch.

  “Are you okay?” A deep voice rumbles from behind me.

  I practically jump out of my skin as I fall back onto the floor. My butt lands directly in a puddle and soaks my bottom completely. Grunting in annoyance, I wipe my face to see who it is that scared me so.

  First I see his hand reaching towards me, offering assistance in getting back up. Before I accept his help, I glance at who it is and my heart does a somersault. Of course it has to be Theo.

  I take his hand and an electrical spark hits our palms simultaneously. As I get to my feet, I retract my hand away from his as fast as possible, regaining my balance just as quickly.

  “Um, yeah. Thanks. Been out here a while?”

  It feels awkward, but I don't want him to think I'm weak or that I can be easily manipulated. Trying to use anything as a distraction, I focus on the dirty, wet mess that is the bottom half of my body and begin to swat at myself to clean it as much as I can.

  Theo's raspy laugh vibrates through my soul as he watches me make a fool out of myself. I mean, why should I care that I'm wet? It’s raining.

  “Yes a few hours. I love to watch the rain. I know the perfect way to get dry.” His voice feels so soothing and comforting. Like I know I can put all of my trust in him. But it also feels kind of weird.

  “Oh?” If I keep my responses short, then maybe he’ll lose any interest he has to keep the dialogue going. I don't want to be mean, but I also definitely don't want to give him any impression that I'm interested in him.

  “Oh, yes.” Theo moves his hand to my side for me to grab, and my hand instinctively reaches for his. The moment our feet leave the ground, the guilt that fills my body is almost paralyzing.

  Then we quickly reach the clouds that are casting their shadows on the ground below. We fly above them and break into the amazing warmth of the sun. Theo stops flying and so do I. Immediately I let go of his hand.

  He spins like a figure skater on the ice. When he stops, his body is clear of any water. So as I copy his move, I smile when my body dries up. With our wings pulsing to a matching rhythm, I am relieved when he spins around and heads down towards the thundering clouds.

  I went outside for a distraction and instead got myself in a tangle. If this were Evan with another girl, I would be torn to pieces. But then again, I'm not doing anything deceitful.

  “Hey, come here!” He shouts up, snapping me out of my guilt trip.

  I slowly urge my wings to stop beating so I can fall to his level. But as I reach him, I tumble, unable to catch my balance. Just before my face is about to fall through the cloud, Theo catches my hand and saves me. As he holds me in place while I regain my composure, the guilty pang strikes again and I spin out of his grasp.

  Closing my eyes, I picture myself on my board, because getting my balance on that seems easier than what’s happening right now. It works immediately. When I open my eyes, the smirk on Theo's face almost gives me the same feeling as when Evan makes my heart melt with his smile. Clearing my throat, I try to distract him from my fumbling, and myself from my own thoughts.

  “So I called you here to try this. It’s my favorite thing to do when I'm out flying alone.�
�

  Great, he’s showing me something private. The guilty pang strikes again, but I don't want to be rude. I’ve already come this far and now I'm curious.

  Theo levels his feet to the very top of the rain cloud that’s directly underneath us. Before he explains, he reaches for my hand. But I don't give it to him, I just copy his position. Again he flashes his smirk. Immediately I can feel my cheeks heat up and almost begin to panic.

  “Okay, close your eyes. Listen to the sounds that this cloud is releasing. When you feel the electrical pulse from the lightning, the rumble of thunder follows.

  It’s quite a rush when you feel it all on the bottoms of your feet. Just remember to keep your wings moving because falling through the clouds and getting zapped by lightning is a lot more painful than you can ever imagine.”

  Following him, I close my eyes and use my angel hearing to listen in on the cloud’s chaos. I can hear the rain getting heavier as it hits the ceilings and rooftops below. I can hear the rush of the wind that meets the rain with a force.

  Then, ouch! The zap surprises me and smacks me right out of my trance, enough to open my eyes. Theo giggles as manly as an angel can. Then, when I'm about to fly up, he gently grabs my hand and pulls me back down.

  “No, wait. I promise this is the best part.” He says softly.

  Taking my stance again, the rumble of thunder comes immediately. I feel it vibrate through my entire body. Like skating on rocks without bailing. My teeth are chattering and my brain feels wobbly, but it’s as fun as riding a roller coaster.

  I can’t hold back and shout with excitement. When it’s over, I feel sad because I want to ride it again. I turn my wide eyes towards Theo, who is sharing the same wide grin. And if I wasn't so entranced in the thunder rumble, I would have guiltily gushed over how cute he looks.

  Closing my eyes, I tap into the caster in me and focus on my power and the cloud beneath our feet. With a clap of my hands, I lock the cloud in its place. Opening my eyes, Theo's eyes are squinting in confusion. But without saying a word, I let my wings stop as my feet step on top of the cloud.