“Like?” I asked curiously.
“How about Ohio?” Xavier said. “Or better yet, Milwaukee.”
I had to giggle. “Okay, we can ditch the place names.”
“Thank you.” When Xavier stifled a yawn and flipped over onto his back, I feigned indignation.
“Did you just yawn? Are your unborn children boring you?”
“No, but they are making me sleepy.”
“All right.” I laughed. “I’ll stop now. Good night.”
“Night, Mrs. Woods.”
That reminded me. I was Mrs. Woods now. Xavier’s wife. I felt an overpowering urge to reach out and wrap myself around him, to absorb his warmth and find comfort in his touch. But I held back, knowing it was too risky. I didn’t want to make things harder than they already were. Instead I turned over and cradled my pillow. We’d made so many sacrifices already. How much longer could we go on living like brother and sister?
Before I closed my eyes, I couldn’t help looking at the midnight sky through the window. A few flashes of lightning illuminated the clouds. I wondered whether a storm was far off. Then I saw a beam of light that didn’t look like lightning. I thought about waking Xavier, but he was finally sleeping so soundly and I knew it wouldn’t be fair.
The beam lingered and moved lazily across the trees, scoping the forest … looking for something.
5
Walking on Water
IN the morning I woke to a chorus of birdsong and the scent of pine. In my half-conscious state I felt around for Xavier in the bed and was startled when I couldn’t find him. The sound of a kettle whistling reassured me that he was already downstairs making breakfast.
Xavier had turned on an old Bakelite radio and tuned it to a classic rock station.
“Good morning,” I said, unable to repress a smile as I watched him whisk eggs to the beat of “Blue Suede Shoes” on the radio. He was wearing boxer shorts and a white T-shirt and his hair was still rumpled from sleep. Living under the same roof with Xavier over the last few days meant I got to see a side of him I’d only ever caught glimpses of before. For as long as I’d known him and before he’d got dragged into our supernatural mess, Xavier’s life had been crammed with more activities than he had time for. I realized now how much of a homebody he was at heart.
“I hope you’re hungry.”
Even in my oversized flannel pajamas I was still shivering. I grabbed a throw from the nearest sofa, wrapped it around my shoulders, and sat huddled in a kitchen chair. Xavier poured me a mug of tea and I wrapped my fingers around the china to warm them.
“How can you not feel cold?”
“It’s time you knew the truth. I’m a werewolf,” he joked, hunching his shoulders and narrowing his eyes.
“A very domestic werewolf,” I teased. “Why didn’t you wake me?”
“Thought you could use the sleep. It’s been a rough couple of days. How are you feeling?”
“Fine.”
Xavier studied me thoughtfully. “You’ll feel better once you have something to eat.”
“I’m not really hungry,” I said, hoping I didn’t sound too unappreciative.
“You’re passing on the famous Woods’ fry-up?” he said. I couldn’t bring myself to deflate his enthusiasm. Besides, it had been awhile since I’d seen this old carefree Xavier and I didn’t want him to disappear just yet.
“I wouldn’t dare.” I grinned. “Can I help with anything?”
Looking around I saw bacon already sizzling in a pan and the table had been set with country-style plates and silverware.
“No, ma’am. Just sit back and enjoy the service.”
“I didn’t know you liked cooking.”
“’Course I do,” he said. “And cooking for your wife is half the fun.”
He cracked an egg and it sizzled as it slid into the pan.
“A good husband wouldn’t make fried eggs when his wife likes them scrambled,” I said playfully, drumming my fingers on the counter.
Xavier glanced up and fixed me with an amused expression. “A good wife would appreciate her husband’s speciality and not complain.”
I smiled and rocked back in my chair, wishing I could throw the windows open and invite the fresh air in. It was getting seriously stuffy in here.
“You called me Mrs. Woods last night,” I said suddenly, recalling the conversation we’d had.
“Yeah?” Xavier looked up. “So?”
“I’m still getting used to it,” I said. “It’s strange to think that’s me now.”
“You don’t have to take my name if you don’t want to,” Xavier said. “It’s completely your decision.”
“Are you kidding?” I said. “Of course I want to. It’s not as if I’ve even been Bethany Church for that long. Besides, I’ve changed so much I don’t even know who she is anymore.”
“Well, I do,” Xavier said. “She’s the girl I married. Even if you lose sight of her, I never will.”
The fire hadn’t managed to chase away the chill in the air, so I moved into the living room to warm up. I didn’t think I could face another day idle on the couch.
“Can we drive into town today?” I called out to Xavier, trying to sound blasé. “I really want to get out of the house.”
Xavier came into the living room, frowning. “Beth, you can’t be serious! It’s too dangerous for us to be seen anywhere in public. You know that.”
“We don’t even have to get out of the car. I’ll wear a blanket over my head if you like.”
“No way. It’s too risky. Besides, Gabriel will blow a fuse when he finds out.”
“Might do him good,” I grumbled, and Xavier’s face lightened.
“True as that may be I don’t think we should push our luck right now. Don’t worry; we’ll find something to do right here.”
“Like what?”
“Why don’t you have a look around while I finish getting breakfast ready?”
I suddenly realized how petulant I must sound. “Okay.”
“That’s my girl.”
It occurred to me that Xavier was much better at staying upbeat than I was. I couldn’t help complaining about being trapped. I shouldn’t even be mourning the loss of “normal” life when it wasn’t supposed to be mine to begin with, but I found the isolation disconcerting. Ever since I’d come to earth, there had always been people around. Milling around in the town square, walking their dogs, eating snow cones on the pier, waving across the street as they mowed their lawns. Now their absence made me uncomfortable. I desperately wanted to hear the hum of human voices in the background or watch people from a distance, even if we couldn’t speak to them. But Gabriel’s instructions had been clear: Stay out of sight.
I hated that after all Xavier and I had been through we still couldn’t be a normal couple, which was all we wanted. But I tried to remind myself that however difficult things were, at least Xavier and I were together. When Gabriel and Ivy had found us in the chapel, I was almost certain we’d be separated. I wouldn’t exactly have been in a position to argue with them and I was relieved it hadn’t come to that. They must have known neither of us would cope well with being apart.
I decided to take Xavier’s advice and find something that would help fill the hours and at least give the illusion of normality. I checked the stack of magazines on the mantel of the stone fireplace but they were mostly dated and on the subject of interior decorating. Then my eyes happened to fall on the old travel chest in the living room that doubled as a coffee table. Up until now we hadn’t thought to open it, but when I lifted the lid I found some DVDs hiding under a stack of old yellowing newspapers. The movies were mainly Disney cartoons, so I figured the family who owned the cabin must have young children. I tried to imagine them sitting in this very room, drinking hot chocolate and watching their favorite films.
“Hey, Xavier, I found something,” I called out. He poked his head around the corner before coming over to examine my find.
“Not bad.”
/>
“I know, right? How can we be bored when we can watch a movie about…” I turned one of the DVDs over expectantly. “Fish?”
“Don’t knock Finding Nemo,” Xavier teased, taking the DVD from my grasp. “It’s a modern classic.”
“Is it seriously about fish?”
“Yeah, but really cool fish.”
“What about this?” I held up a battered copy of Beauty and the Beast. “It sounds romantic.” Xavier wrinkled his nose.
“Disney … I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
“Because if anyone found out, I’d never live it down.”
“I won’t tell if you don’t,” I pleaded, and Xavier shook his head in defeat.
“The things I do for you,” he said with an exaggerated sigh.
After breakfast we finally got the DVD player to work after we found a missing cable. I kept interrupting the movie by asking a lot of questions that Xavier managed to answer with endless patience.
“How old do you think Belle is supposed to be?”
“I don’t know, probably our age.”
“I think the beast is sweet, don’t you?”
“Do I have to answer that?”
“Why does the crockery talk?”
“Because they’re really the prince’s servants that the beggar woman put a spell on.” Xavier frowned suddenly and looked mortified. “I can’t believe I know that.”
Despite being captivated by the magic of the story and having the lyrics of “Be Our Guest” set on permanent replay in my brain, I was restless again as soon as the movie was over.
I got up and began flitting around the room like a caged bird. Just like Belle, I wanted to be out in the world living my life. Even Ivy and Gabriel had failed to make their routine appearance so we couldn’t even get an update on how the negotiations were going. I knew they were working as hard as they could to obtain some sort of reprieve for me. I was grateful for everything they were doing but I just wished I knew what was going to happen, one way or another. At least if I knew what my fate would be I could begin to prepare for it.
“I wish my life was more like a Disney movie,” I said heavily.
“Don’t worry; it is. Didn’t you notice all the crap those two had to go through before they could be together?”
“That’s true.” I smiled. “And there’s always a happy ending, right?”
Xavier fixed me with his brilliant gaze. “Beth, when this is over, we’re going to have so many adventures. I promise.”
“I hope so,” I replied, trying to sound more positive than I felt.
A shaft of sunlight peeked through the curtains like a gold bar falling across the kitchen table. It seemed to be taunting me, trying to lure me out of the house.
“Xavier, look—it’s sunny out,” I began tentatively.
“Uh-huh.” Xavier was noncommittal but I knew he hated seeing me unhappy.
“I really need to get out of here.”
“Beth, we’ve been through this.”
“I only want to go for a walk. It’s such a simple thing.”
“Except that our lives aren’t simple. At least, not right now.”
“This is ridiculous. Can’t we go outside just for a few minutes?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Xavier said. But I could see his resolve wavering. He longed to make a decision and exercise some control over our lives as much as I did.
“Who’s going to see us around here?” I persisted.
“Nobody I guess, but that’s not the point. Gabriel and Ivy were very clear.”
“We’ll go as far as the yard and come straight back,” I said. The idea of freedom, no matter how fleeting, had cheered me up so much that Xavier could hardly say no.
“Fine.” He sighed heavily. “But if we’re going outside you need to cover up to make sure you’re not recognized.”
“By who?” I asked sarcastically. “The paparazzi?”
“Beth…” Xavier said warningly.
“Okay, okay! What did you have in mind?”
Xavier didn’t answer but strode out of the room and I heard him searching through the upstairs closet. When he returned, he was carrying an oversized military jacket and a hunting cap.
“Put these on.” I gave him a skeptical look. “And don’t argue.”
I knew Xavier was just playing it safe, but so far nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Of course there’d been the mysterious lights in the sky, but I’d conveniently neglected to mention that. Xavier was tense enough already and besides, there was every chance it was nothing to worry about. We’d seen no white horses and no surprise visitors had knocked on our door. In fact, the last few days had been so uneventful it was hard to believe we were in any real danger. I even started wondering whether my siblings had somehow got it wrong. Maybe their contacts weren’t as attuned to Heaven’s will as they thought they were.
But I should have known that in our lives any period of calm usually preceded a storm.
* * *
WE made our way around to the tangled yard at the back of the cabin, where we found herbs growing out of a barrel tub and a tire swing hanging from the sturdy limb of a live oak. There was a rickety moss-covered footbridge leading to a lake that cut across the back of the property. I inhaled deeply, feeling my body shiver with sudden energy. We squatted by the clover-covered banks at the lake’s edge and ran our hands through the rippling water. It was icy cold and so clear we could see straight through to the polished pebbles on the bottom. There was the hum of bees in the air and a gentle breeze wafted around us. The sun warmed our faces, and after being locked inside for so long the light was so bright it almost hurt our eyes.
We walked unhurriedly. At that moment it was hard to believe we were being hunted; the idea that I was an angel with a price on her head seemed almost absurd. For a moment we were just a couple in love. We looked around as if we were seeing the world for the first time. Xavier picked up some stones to test how far he could ski them across the lake. I tried to emulate him when he made a stone dance across the water but mine just seemed to hit the surface with a dull splash. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that I would trade my immortality in a blink to have the chance to grow old with Xavier. I hoped Ivy and Gabriel understood that. Of course, I didn’t expect the Sevens to understand. I could never explain it to them. In my mind’s eye I envisioned them as a pack of wolves hungry for the prize. Whichever one succeeded in finding me and delivering me to whatever retribution awaited would no doubt be hailed as a hero in the Kingdom.
Although all angels were created to be without ego, the Sevens were an aberration to this rule. Some said they were driven by their need for recognition. Thinking back on how much Zach had changed just before his promotion just confirmed this theory. I knew how the hierarchies that existed on earth were mirrored in Heaven and what lengths some—human or angel—would go to in pursuit of power. I had fought demons before and won. But demons were fundamentally simplistic beings. Their motives were transparent—manipulate humans and lead them astray. An ambitious rank of angels driven by a thirst for justice might be a lot harder to deal with.
We couldn’t have been walking around for more than ten minutes when I caught Xavier sneaking a glance at his watch. I noticed the sun rose and set early in this part of the world. I too was suddenly conscious of the waning light.
“C’mon, Beth. We better head back.”
“Already?”
“Yes. We’ve been out too long.”
“Okay. I’m coming.”
Although I knew Xavier was waiting just ahead, I allowed myself a few more seconds to enjoy my surroundings before returning to the imprisonment that awaited us in the cabin. The thick woods surrounding us had such a magical quality and I longed to explore them. The sun breaking through the wispy clouds sent shards of light dancing over the water. I took one final look around. Who knew when we’d be able to spend time surrounded by the beauty of nature again? If Gabriel g
ot wind of our escapade he might decide we could never be left unsupervised again.
I turned my back on the idyllic scene and made my way to where Xavier was standing. He reached out his hand to help me climb up a steep part of the embankment. He pulled me toward him and adjusted the cap that was falling over my eyes.
“Do you think it might be safe to lose the hat now?” I asked playfully.
Xavier didn’t reply. At first I thought he objected to my tone but then I saw the color drain from his face and his jaw clench as something on the other side of the embankment fixed his attention. When he spoke, his mouth barely moved.
“Don’t turn around,” he said.
“What? Why?” I gripped his hand more tightly as panic set in.
“There’s someone on the other side of the lake.”
“A local?” I whispered hopefully.
“I don’t think so.”
I dropped to my knees, making a show of retrieving something I’d lost. When I straightened I turned my head a fraction and stole a look across the lake. I shook my head, thinking I must be hallucinating. At some distance from us, tethered between two sturdy trees, was a white horse. Its coat and mane were a silver unearthly color and it pawed at the ground with gilded hooves.
“A white horse.” The words seemed to tumble out of my mouth, now slack with shock.
“Where?” Xavier sounded incredulous as he peered into the surrounding woods.
Xavier hadn’t seen the horse because he’d been so focused on its rider. The immaculately groomed figure was dressed as if he might be going to a funeral. Despite his empty eye sockets, I felt he was looking right at me. I’d never seen one before but I knew the creature staring back at me was a Seven. There was no doubt about it.
This was the moment I’d convinced myself would never come. I was finally face-to-face with a member of the Seventh Order, beings who up until now I’d only known through reputation.
He stood by the water at its broadest point, just as it flowed around the bend. Ivy’s words rang through my head and I knew I should be running from him, but I couldn’t move. I was frozen. I noticed the Seven had very white hands and they were folded calmly as he watched us. Then without warning, he began to approach us. A moment ago he was standing on the other side of the water. Now, he was moving steadily closer, the weight of his feet gently rippling the surface of the lake.