2. Andrea
2
Andrea
B rielle insists time works the same here, but I feel as if it moves faster. Maybe that’s just the perks of not dwelling on a screen all day. It’s like I blinked and two weeks flew by. Most of my time here has been occupied with getting to know my surroundings and the people of this realm.
My parents think I am in Europe with bad cell reception for the month to visit Brielle. It was easy to take off at the pub. Ever since Brielle quit, I have been picking up only a few shifts a week. I spend most of my time applying for fashion internships in New York now that I have a good bit of money saved up.
My dream of owning a small shop in town hasn’t completely faded. But now that Brielle is gone most of the time, I figured I could use this opportunity to travel and learn the world of fashion in a new light. As exciting as that is, I still miss my best friend.
I sometimes go with Brielle while she trains with Torin. Azra insists she does it to keep her from sinking more into herself. The training camp is a land of its own, cottages upon cottages filled with creatures of every kind. Azra told both Brielle and me that it stays in its own corner of the realm because of the heathens that reside there.
He mentioned that as long as the creatures obey his orders, he doesn’t care what they do in their spare time. He also mentioned never venture there alone, something I don’t plan on doing anywhere here.
The main village Brielle visits often is larger than I imagined. We’ve spent days hiking to the tallest hills to sit and take it all in with my best friend. The stories she has shared about her time here are nothing short of magical. A lot of that comes from the love she receives from Azra.
They complete each other in every facet of their lives, and it’s pure joy to see them together and move as one. Nothing is different between us now that we know the powers she possesses, or possessed.
Everyone still isn’t sure of the reason she can’t use her powers, although she and Azra can still speak mind-to-mind. Brielle has explained the connection is common in angels that haven’t fallen from grace and very rare in the ones that are damned to live on earth and below for all of eternity. She told me Celeste was shocked when she found out Azra could hear her thoughts.
Celeste also has been keeping me busy with planning a welcoming ball for Brielle. I think Brielle prefers my time to be spent doing other things than watching, so she allows the party planning.
I can’t help but watch her as she picks up all the shattered pieces of her life, and as Azra helps. Waiting for the moment she may need my help.
On the days Brielle isn’t lost in her mind, we have picnics in the garden, and visit the shops downtown so I can explore the different fabrics offered here. They are similar to fabrics found all over the world but woven together, making them unique.
I love the smile it puts on Brielle’s face when I ramble on about them, even though she has no idea what I’m talking about half the time. Though I am surprised Azra got her out of that worn leather jacket she was always in.
She mostly wears leggings and a handmade sweater she purchased from an older faerie in the village. Brielle only wears jeans and a t-shirt occasionally now, but her fashion is fitting enough even with the different blend of cultures that still flourish here. I’m sure Celeste has helped her put her own spin on her wardrobe. I could never get Brielle to change out of those black jeans and leather jacket so I know she is finally relaxing here.
I know not to ask about it, about the things she is thinking when she falls silent or enters a daze. Her walls will only grow thicker and taller if she isn’t ready to talk about it. That doesn’t mean I don’t let her know I’m here whenever she’s ready.
After sixteen years of friendship, I know when to pry and when to let her talk to me in her own time. My job is to ensure she is loved and safe to open up whenever. I just hope she does talk to someone, anyone, before she loses herself again.
After brushing my teeth and throwing on a pair of jean shorts and a slouchy old band t-shirt, I head down to the kitchen. I, on the other hand, stick out like a sore thumb with the clothes I brought here. Although there are a few pieces I brought with me that I can’t wait to wear.
I find my way to the coffee pot in the candlelight. The sun is about to rise. My normal waking time here, apparently. My dreams wake me more than they ever have before… Since the day he touched me two weeks ago. I feel somewhat lucky he hasn’t been around since, but my questions build more and more with each passing day.
Shaking my head, I try to rid myself of the flashing images of his hand around my throat. Thank God coffee is multi-realm.
“Good morning,” Celeste’s soft voice causes me to jump and spill some of my coffee. “I didn’t mean to startle you.” She quickly counters.
I turn with my hand on my chest at the achingly beautiful female sitting on the window seal with a large knit blanket. Her deep blue eyes crinkled from her perfect smile. Her icy blonde hair is unbound in waves over her shoulders. I’m mesmerized by her smooth pale skin that almost glimmers in the dawn light.
These beings are truly magical. Even without their powers, their beauty is unmatched. Although Brielle has told me about the tragic events Celeste had to go through, losing her wings and most of her grace, I can’t imagine what haunts her.
“It’s okay, couldn’t sleep either, I assume?” I set the mug of coffee on the table beside her and turn to make another cup. She thanks me as she grabs the steaming mug and continues to gaze outside.
“Yes, some nights are harder than others to get through.” Her voice is tinged with sadness for the first time since I’ve been here. She is always exceedingly happy and vibrant that it’s almost unsettling for her to be sad.
“I understand. I have bad dreams sometimes, too.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I want to take them back. I don’t even talk about those dreams with Brielle.
“Are you enjoying your time here?” She beams as she stands from the window, folding her blanket neatly before proceeding to prep breakfast at the island.
It takes me a moment to register the complete change in the topic. I think she isn’t really the sharing type either when it comes to the things that keep her up at night.
I secretly thank her.
“I am. I can’t wait to see Brielle in her gown in a few days. I could never get her to dress up for me.” I chuckle before taking a large sip of my coffee.
A flutter of black catches my attention at the corner of my eye. A single crow rests on a branch at the edge of the large tree in the middle of the garden, staring.
Its small beady eyes never break from mine, almost as if it’s studying me, my features. Its stare begins to make me uncomfortable.
“That stupid bird is back.” I jump from the sudden break in silence and the trance I had fallen into. Celeste rushes out of the back door, shooing the bird away. It stays on the branch for a second longer, never breaking our gaze. It finally flaps away, leaving me with a sense of sadness and longing I don’t know how to explain. “I swear that bird picks my flowers apart just to mess with me!” Celeste brushes the skirt of her beautiful baby pink day dress before moving to the kitchen island filled with food.
“I didn’t even hear you take all of this out.” I stare at the food that could feed Tina’s Pub’s customers for a whole lunch rush.
“My brothers like to complain about how easily I scare them because I’m exceptionally quiet.” She giggles to herself as a perfectly shiny blonde strand falls in front of her sharp cheekbones as she cuts fruit. “You would think they wouldn’t scare easily since they are these highly trained assassins of higher power but,” She smiles to herself as she rolls her eyes.
“Are th-they not scary to you?” It comes out as a stutter before I can clear my throat and regain my composure from that stupid bird and the mention of her brothers. Even though I know it’s only one making me stumble over my words.
Celeste glances up through her long lashes and examines me for a few lingering seconds before looking back down at the fruit.
“He isn’t always like that. Does he have a temper? Yes, but through all of that pain and agony and fornication he puts himself through, there is a beautiful heart. One that beats for only a few,” Celeste admits, startling me with her phrasing of his sex life. Almost as if it’s torture for him.
My cheeks heat as a burning sensation turns my gut at the thought of all the women who have touched him. How must it feel to be touched by him in that way?
I should not be thinking about anyone here like that, especially Azra’s brother.
Shouldn’t I be scared of all of them? Anyone in their right mind would have offered to check Brielle into the asylum when she told me everything. So why am I not scared or surprised?
My feet plant on the ground, the wind swirling around me ceases and the sparring ring becomes clear. Sprawling trees surround us and a large mountain curves before us. This area reminds me of a bowl, but the views here are amazing since we are higher up than the rest of the land.
“I don’t think I will get used to teleporting, but I’m sure as hell glad I don’t puke my guts up anymore.” I clutch my stomach, it only turning slightly now at the magic. The zipper of my workout jacket is cool against my stomach. When Brielle came down and told me we were training today, I went upstairs to change into my army green workout set with matching leggings, a sports bra, and a light jacket.
Torin chuckles as he slides the punching pads on his hands for Brielle. They are worn and stained bloody. Azra usually attends, but he had business in the mortal realm, so it’s just Torin, Brielle and I training today.
“I’ve never been a fan of that word, teleporting ,” He scoffs, his large muscles flexing through his light gray shirt as he hits the pads against each other as if to warm them up. He is the largest out of the fallen angels I have encountered, pure lethal strength oozing from his sculpted body.
If it wasn’t for the huge dark gray wings ruffling in the wind behind him, you would think he was a normal guy in gym attire. His tattoos skate over the chords of muscles on his biceps. He has the least amount of markings out of the brothers.
“Is there another word for it?” Brielle asks, ducking between the ropes around the ring Torin is standing in.
“Yes. Evanescing is the correct term. It’s the term we used in the Heavens.” His deep voice lowered slightly at the mention of where they were from. Brielle doesn’t speak much about how or why they fell and I don’t pry.
“Isn’t that a band?” I quirk a brow. Brielle giggles as she punches her palms to make sure the fingerless padded gloves she slid on are secure.
“Wouldn’t be surprised. Humans ruin everything.” Torin winks at me before shaking his arms out to warm up. His wings are tight behind him. I guess that only pertains to me now.
“Azra never told me that.” My friend’s brows pinch. Brielle begins stretching her arms across her chest.
“Because Azra has no balls when it comes to correcting you.” Torin’s slight roll of his eyes tells me he and Azra have had a conversation about this issue before. I roll my lips to contain my laugh. If I didn’t know Brielle the way that I do, I would be frightened of her resting bitch face alone. So, I understand.
“Ha ha.” She holds her deadpan expression through the first round of punches to the pads.
When Torin isn’t away managing threats against breaching the veil, he is almost always picking on Brielle. I think it’s the only thing he thinks he can offer to keep her sane.
“He thinks it’s the old way of talking. Who would have thought that old bastard would try to keep up with the times?” Torin laughs more to himself, his face full of mischief, knowing damn well he will be teasing Azra about his comment later.
My stomach turns. Fuck, I thought I was past the puking when we evanesce . I can’t even think about that word without a smile threatening my lips. That smile quickly fades as my breakfast rushes up.
“Is there a bathroom somewhere out here?” I manage to get out as I clutch my stomach, praying I can make it somewhere.
“Are you okay?” Brielle stops her punching combos. Torin points to the small cave opening in the side of the mountain with a roll of his eyes. “I can come with you.” Brielle steps to exit the sparring ring.
“No. It’s fine, I don’t want to interrupt. I’ll be fast.” Quickly, I turn and run toward the opening of the mountain.
I managed to make it just in time with the help of my hand holding my mouth shut.
After splashing cool water on my face from the stone sink, I walk out into the dark alley I ran in from. With how quickly I rushed in here, I hadn’t realized how creepy it was in this tunnel of rock.
I’m far enough in that the light from the opening barely illuminates where I’m standing. The candles on the stone walls light only a few feet around them.
Two tiny lights flicker, eerily like glowing eyes, at the opposite end of where I entered. Fear creeps into my already aching stomach.
It’s nothing. It’s probably nothing. Hopefully, it’s nothing…
I chant over and over in my head as they appear closer with each flicker. It is only now that I realize the flickering is blinking and whoever the glowing eyes are attached to is getting close.
My feet, suddenly like cinder blocks, try to move my body away from whatever is approaching. All the self-defense classes I took after my attack a few months ago in the alley are useless at this moment. I am frozen in fear.
“Stay back.” I clear the shake that slipped into my voice. “I’m warning you!”
Finally, my body has caught the memo that we need to get the hell out of here, and I start baking away. Never taking my eyes off the threat. The first thing we learned in self-defense.
“You are new .” A perfectly human voice bounces off the rock surrounding us. “We don’t get new faces around here.” I would have thought maybe this was just another human, regardless of the glowing eyes, when the faint candlelight illuminated part of his face.
Handsome even, but his eerie smile and the mischief that danced in his eyes told me the truth rather than his enticing tone. Brielle told me werewolves’ eyes glow similar to this and if they didn’t, it would be hard to tell they were not human when in their human form.
“I am a guest of your king,” I start, picking up my pace as my feet land each step behind me. His face disappears and reappears with each passing candle, the light front outside becoming closer and closer. “He would be very upset if I were to go missing.”
“He will never know—” He abruptly stops. The werewolf’s eyes disappear from the dark as if he turned the other way. A creeping darkness fills the tunnel. I didn’t even think it was possible to get even darker in here. A chill snakes down my spine.
I can’t see anything or anyone else who may have pulled his attention away from me. I use this to my advantage. Turning, I run only a few feet until the heat of the sun warms my face. My hand flies up to block the brightness from my eyes until they adjust to the darkness of the tunnel.
My heart thumping, I look over at Brielle. Her hands are braced on her knees as she squints up at Torin. He only laughs as her chest moves quickly to fill her starved lungs with air. I glance back once more in the tunnel to find nothing but darkness, no eyes, no one.
I blow out a shaky breath and roll my shoulders back. I decide right then not to tell Brielle about this encounter. The last thing I need is for her to worry more and keep me locked in that castle for my remaining time here. I’m fine. There is nothing to tell, anyway.
Her eyes catch me from the ring, and she shakes her head before straightening and flexing her hands. “Everything okay?” Her words weave themselves through her heavy breaths as I approach.
“Perfect.” I give her a big smile, not entirely fake. I’m happy to see her not stuck in her mind for a moment, but I can’t shake the chill that ran down my spine when those evil eyes disappeared. I force away all the thoughts of what might have happened to cause that thing to look somewhere else. Something must have surprised him.
I don’t want to know what that something was.