A vision races through my mind—me with wings, a horse beside me. I’m holding a shield with a marked crack down the center. I see Logan and Gage fighting a war, muddied and tired, as sopping wet clothes cling to their bodies. Logan throws me a long black gun and I dip down to my knees from the heft of it.
Marshall pulls away and leaves me breathless.
“What was that?” I pant.
“Some kiss,” he muses with his eyes half closed.
“I saw something.” I scrutinize him in his lust-filled glory. “What was it?”
“The future.”
“My future?” I’m perplexed. It’s only then I realize we’re no longer in his home—we’re outside somewhere underneath the fat belly of a lavender moon standing on a cobblestone street. “Where are we?”
“Just this side of heaven. Don’t worry, you’re allowed. I thought I’d give you a taste of my world. Do you like it?”
“Is this some kind of alternate plane?” I try to keep up with him as he moves toward a small shop with tables and chairs set out on the sidewalk.
We take a seat, and a young man appears with two steaming cups of coffee.
“What’s going to happen when I drink this?”
“You’re going to shrink, and a giant fluffy bunny will begin to chase you,” he muses before taking a careful sip. There’s a certain charm about Marshall that pulls me in, keeps me interested just enough to keep from strangling him.
“What kind of future was that? I saw Logan and Gage. We were in some kind of war.”
“It was the heat of battle. Did you forget you’re in the midst of faction upheaval?”
“No.” Sort of.
“Are you aware of the fact you’ve procured a spiritual appendage?”
“A what?”
“You have a ghost, Skyla, lingering by your side. He wants revenge.” He motions to my left.
“Crap!” I let out a little scream and bounce my seat closer to Marshall. I see him clear as velum—looks a lot like Pierce, with the exception that his throat is gouged out.
“Relax, he has no dominion here. He’s spatial. It’s an earth thing. You can bet he’s going to manipulate your world, but say the word, and I’ll bind him for you.”
“It’s him.” I don’t dare say Holden’s name. “I’ve killed him, and now he’s going to haunt me.”
“That might be the case, but I don’t want him ruining our date.” Marshall points in his direction and he vanishes. “He says he’ll meet you in your bedroom.”
I straighten in my seat. “He drove Gage’s truck didn’t he? He’s the reason we crashed.”
“You’re a bright girl.”
“How do I get you to bind him? No wait—don’t tell me. If I choose to become a part of your childbearing harem, you call off the haunting?”
“You’re much sharper at logic than you are math.” He gives a crooked grin.
“There’s no logic here.” Chloe’s face blinks through my mind. I’m going to give blood tomorrow. I’m going to bring her back and she’ll fall hard for Marshall. Then he’ll owe me. It feels more like a question than a fact at this point. “So when I kissed you and saw the future, was that a fluke?” I’ve kissed Marshall before and don’t remember having any kind of vision.
“It’s my gift to you. Anytime you wish to sneak a peek, it’s my pleasure.” His eyes widen with delight.
“How do I know it’s not some fake future you’re implanting in my brain to manipulate me?”
“Let’s test this theory, shall we? I’ll give you a glimpse of something guaranteed to happen within the next twenty-four hours, and when it does, you’ll know the power I’ve laid before you.”
How do I know he’s not manipulating reality as well? He’s a Sector. I don’t even get what he’s capable of.
“Maybe.”
“Here.” He helps me to my feet, and we begin to make our way down the street. “I’ll show you something of interest while you weigh your options.”
That tuning fork feeling, that good vibration that sends my toes curling, jettisons through me, only this time it’s not through the hand that Marshall is holding, it feels like it’s coming from…the atmosphere?
“This feels so good. What is it?”
“Fruit of the spirit in concentrate. Amazing isn’t it? I’ve let go of it just once to see what it’s truly like to inhabit the earth, feels like a car wreck every waking minute.”
“I guess it would. Is Gage really in hell?” I squeeze his hand as if to threaten him into telling the truth.
“He’s in a holding tank. I’ll send him home bright and early in the morning. He won’t be happy. I’d stay away.”
“I’m sure you’d like me to stay away in general.” I’m not going to. I’ll never stay away from either Logan or Gage, not for Marshall, Tad or anyone.
He pauses in front of a large cave-like structure. A group of men at least nine feet tall stand outside the mouth looking over me with curious stares. A pale like sheath moves behind them and I notice one of them has wings.
“He—” I pant the word out.
“Yes, Skyla, let’s not cause a scene.”
“That is so weird.” And amazingly hot. “Hey, why aren’t there any women here?” I pull in closer to Marshall. I don’t like to be the center of attention or leered at like a novelty.
“Pure angels are male. We can breed with women, but it’s heavily frowned upon. The practice was nixed just after a few of my brothers took up with the daughters of men. Old news—happened ages past. Still does now and again.” He brushes his hand in the air. “Transport tunnels.” He slaps the outside of the cave. “Made of pure Jasper, carved from one solid block.” The inside looks black from this perspective. “You know what’s marvelous about the dark?” He pauses gazing inside with a lost vegetative stare. “The way it allows the light to magnify itself.”
I peer in closer and see light in the form of translucent people.
“Fascinating.” I run my finger over the soft red wall. “So then, who are you supposed to be with?” Obviously Sectors have a sexual nature, unless of course Marshall is some sort of defect.
“The deceased.” He points inside the cave. Two disembodied women appear, both with startled expressions. The man in the cave lets them know they’ll be carried upwards momentarily. “Or the Caelestis,” Marshall says, flicking a finger skyward as though I should know what he’s talking about.
“What’s a Caelestis?”
“Angels are men who serve in the divine armed forces, and Caelestis…” He squints into the moon as though trying to figure out the best way to describe them. “They’re on the decision council. They make suggestions and assist in the mapping out of peoples lives.”
“So the men fight wars and the women decide what to do? How original.”
“They decide what should to be done,” he corrects. “When dealing with humans, always lower expectation, then lower it some more.”
“Gee thanks.” I roll my eyes at the thought. “So are they beautiful?”
“They are, but you my love, are stunning.” Marshall takes me in and swallows hard. “Anyway,” he says tapping the side of the rock wall. “Transport duty is grueling,” he whispers looking back inside the cave.
Another group of disembodied people appear. Two of them go down, the rest go up.
“They’re dying?” I’m fascinated by this.
“Dead.” Marshall turns to face me, brushes my hair back with his fingers. “I’ve made arrangements to be on transport duty the day you arrive in that tunnel. I’m going to be the one to bring you safe to your final destination, Skyla.” His eyes circle around my face, in a soft sad manner.
Something warms inside me. The thought of death scares me, but knowing Marshall will be there somehow makes it feel all right—safe.
“Thank you.”
“Would you like that kiss now?” The words purr out of him. The pale moonlight glides across his face and smoothes away any malfeasance.
“Yes.”
Marshall gently cups my cheeks and indulges in a greedy lust-soaked kiss.
In my mind, I see Logan speaking to me. He looks intent on something—sad. I see myself turn away and start to cry. He tries to comfort me, but I shake my head, bring my hands to my eyes and cover my face.
I pull back and stare into Marshall. “What does it mean?” I say out of breath.
“It means you’re one step closer to being my wife.”
25
This Kiss
All night I ruminate over Gage in hell, and that vision Marshall gave me, until my sanity begins to erode.
In the morning, I beg Drake to drive me over to the Oliver’s house. I tell Mom and Tad it’s mandatory cheer practice, and that afterwards, I’m starting my new job at the bowling alley.
I ring the bell impatiently as Drake backs sloppily out of the driveway taking out an entire row of purple flowers that, moments ago, happily dotted the periphery.
A storm is rolling in. The dark sky looms overhead heavy as a battleship. There’s something about the lavender afterglow inside the clouds that reminds me of that kiss from Marshall. A shiver runs through me. I don’t dare advertise the fact to either Logan or Gage that I let him near me for a hypothetical glimpse into the future.
The door opens slowly. Dr. Oliver’s face brightens as he extends his hand for me to come inside.
“Here to give another pint?”
“Sure. Mostly I’m here to see Gage.” I leave out the part about him going to hell.
“He’s having a late start today, still in bed. If you want I can take it now. I’m leaving in a few minutes for a meeting.”
“OK.” I follow Dr. Oliver in the kitchen where he pulls his equipment out from a side pantry and begins to drain my blood into a soft plastic bag. “So this is number five or six?” I’m starting to lose count.
“I believe it’s five. Are you feeling alright?” He presses the back of his hand to my forehead. “You look ghastly pale.”
“I feel fine.” Truth is I’m beyond exhausted. Last night was more than my body could handle.
“There.” He removes the needle and quickly replaces it with a band-aid. “Let’s remove the stitches shall we?”
“Please.” I pluck off my scarf and roll it into a pile next to me.
“What’s this?” He gently turns my head to the side and groans. “Which one of my boys assaulted you this way?”
I’m assuming he’s looking at the purple hickey the size of Mount Rushmore just below my cut.
“Actually…” God, how do I say neither? “It was an accident.”
He rubs his finger gently against my neck and sighs before removing the stitches.
“Skyla, tell the truth, what happened?” His eyes rove over my face deep with concern.
“I thought it was Gage. It was some guy, he…it felt like—”
“You have a puncture wound—several actually, right over your jugular.”
“Are you saying I was bit…” I don’t believe in vampires, so I stop the thought midflight.
“I’m saying someone, most likely someone who knows you’re a Celestra, punctured your neck. Did it feel like they were suckling blood from you?”
I wince when he says the word suckling. Dr. Oliver reminds me of my own dad and it just sounds wrong even if it is in a quasi-medical context.
“Yes.”
“I thought you looked pale. I wish I had known—I would never have taken more blood. Do you feel faint?”
“No, I’m fine.” Suddenly I feel like shit, but I chalk it up to the thought of someone actually drinking my blood. “You mind if I go up and see Gage?”
“Go right ahead.”
I make my way toward the stairwell.
“Skyla?”
I turn around.
“Whoever did this will undoubtedly be back. Prepare to defend yourself.”
“I will.”
I’m so weak it takes all my strength to make it up the stairs.
***
I knock gently on his door before entering.
“Morning,” Gage says, groggy, pulling a shirt from his dresser. His hair is slicked back, shiny and wet from the shower. He’s got on a pair of grey sweats with a small hole near his hip. I’m trying to remember whether or not I’ve seen Gage shirtless before because I’m perplexed by the hard outline of his abdominals. He tosses the shirt over his shoulder and groans. “I feel horrible.” He walks over to his bed and falls back against the pillow, covering his eyes with the back of his arm.
I make my way over and lie beside him.
“What happened?” I pull his arm off his face, and he drapes it over my shoulders instead.
“I was just standing out front, and the next thing I knew I was in this dirt pit at least ten feet under. It felt like I fell in an oven. I kept thinking I was going to combust.” He grips his hair. “And there was all this moaning and screaming…anyway, there was this iron grate up over me and I couldn’t get out. I woke up in my bed this morning. When I looked out the window, sure enough my mom’s car was in the driveway.”
“I bet Marshall wants you to think it was a dream. Remember, he’s not a Sector to you, he’s just your Algebra Two teacher,” I pause. “I’m so sorry. Did you try teleporting yourself out of there?”
“All night. It was useless. Don’t worry it’s not your fault.” He surprises me with a sudden burst of energy and pulls me over on top of him. “You know what I thought of?” There’s a seductive quality to his voice. His eyes look a deep indigo in this dull morning light as they warm over me.
“What?” My breathing grows erratic. Something about Gage, something powerfully attractive about the way he seduces me with those barely there dimples, with that hidden beneath the surface smile he refuses to give so freely.
“What you said the other day. That you loved me.”
Everything in me clinches. It’s true I had said it and I meant it—still do.
I dip down and kiss him ever so slightly. His chest beats under mine in a series of merciless thumps.
“Do you love me, Skyla?”
“Yes,” it comes out an inaudible whisper.
His hand pushes in softly against the back of my neck. Gage gives a deep heated kiss that accentuates our feelings. I may be afraid to say it, hesitant to repeat those words, but I feel it, and I know with everything in me that it’s true. I really do love Gage.
We lose ourselves in a series of lingering kisses. Gage runs his hands through my hair, down my back, over my jeans. I pull my lips down along his neck and across his chest. He lets out a soft groan and pulls me up until we’re sitting. The room spins slightly, and he stops me from falling backward.
“You OK?”
“Yeah.” I pull him into another explosive kiss. I’m more than OK.
26
Prophesy
Gage and me arrive at the bowling alley where, evidently, Logan is busy creating a dust cloud with a dust mop.
It’s strange to be here so early. The lanes are lit up, and music echoes throughout the establishment, but there’s not a patron in sight.
“Morning.” I go over and give him a brief hug. I feel so damn guilty about what just happened, I can’t look him in the eye. It’s like my feelings for Gage just took over. I’d love to blame it on the fact I was worried sick that Marshall had him roasting on a spit, but I’m not sure I could. I’m not sure about anything anymore.
“I’ve got something for you.” Logan gives a soft smile and plucks a nametag off his clipboard. “Ready to work?” Something about Logan feels different this morning. He’s melancholy—the spark in his eyes has dissipated.
“Yes! Is the pay decent?” I’d work here for free if wanted.
“Minimum wage.” He presses right into me with those expressive amber eyes, reaches in and wrenches me with a look of infinite sadness.
“Minimum wage is totally fine.” I’m just glad to be out of the house. I pick up the gold
embossed tag that reads Skyla Messenger. “It feels official,” I say pinning it up on my shirt.
“What are you still doing here?” His voice hardens over at Gage.
Gage doesn’t say anything, just keeps his hands folded tight across his chest.
“Pick you up at seven?” Gage comes over and drops a kiss on the top of my head.
Everything in me freezes. I can’t have Gage kissing me in front of Logan. I can’t be kissing Gage behind Logan’s back. Suddenly, I feel like a giant bag of crap because apparently I am one.
“I’ll bring her home.” There’s a marked aggression in Logan’s tone and it racks up the tension in the room immeasurably.
The two of them stand there, staring one another down like they’re about to have some high noon showdown, until Gage says goodbye and leaves.
“That was awkward,” I whisper.
“Yeah.” Logan motions for me to take a seat at the table with him. “Things are getting a bit awkward.” He pulls a face.
“So you guys aren’t really getting along.” As evidenced by every single time they’re together.
He shakes his head. “No, but that’s not important. I got off the phone with my uncle a few minutes ago.” Logan wears a sobering expression. He looks lonely and distant and it badly makes me want to touch him. “He told me about your neck.” He presses out a sad smile. “Any idea who it could have been?”
“So I’m guessing, it wasn’t you,” I say, in a lame attempt to put a cute spin on it.
“My uncle thought maybe a Fem.”
“A Fem?” I’m almost amused. “What does that mean?”
“Counts still want them tormenting you—us.” He reaches over and brushes his hand over mine for a moment. “What happened to you last night? Michelle said she hurt you.”
“She thought it’d be entertaining if she made me eat worms.” I can just picture her running around telling everybody she kicked my ass. If she wasn’t with child, I would have beat the crap out of her.