A Touch Mortal (4 page)

B
eing Bound had its advantages. First off, faster travel options. Sometimes he pitied Az, having to take the subway when he wanted to get around.

Gabriel materialized in the doorway of a closed shop he’d scouted out earlier, in a quiet neighborhood just down the street from the hotel he and Az had made home. The crowds had thinned. The prospect of a few minutes to himself was more than Gabriel could resist. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket. Az answered on the second ring.

“It’s taken care of,” Gabriel said.

“Already? You on your way back here?”

“No. Think I’m gonna head down to the beach.”

Boots scraped against the asphalt behind him. Gabriel fell silent, concentrating. Someone was there, walking in the road, instead of on the sidewalk. The sound traveled well in the stillness.

“You there?” Az asked. Gabriel didn’t answer. Luke
had worn the same style of boots, all zippers and buckles, long enough for Gabriel to recognize the distinctive sound.

“Is she with you?” Gabriel whispered, trying to keep the urgency from his voice, avoiding Eden’s name in case he was overheard.

“No, I walked her home half an hour ago. Why?”

“Call her. Make sure she’s there. Do not come outside.” He snapped the phone shut without elaborating. “Spectacular,” he muttered.

Luke made no effort to soften his steps. Gabriel did his part in return, slowing enough to allow him to catch up. It was best to get the little tête-à-tête over with.

For a long minute, neither of them spoke, walking side by side. Finally, just before the street merged into the main road, Gabriel gave in, flashing him a glare.

“Gabriel!” Luke cried, bursting into a grin so wide it gouged his cheekbones. “My my my! It’s been ages, hasn’t it? So tell me…” The grin fell away, his eyes reflecting maroon in the diffused glow of the streetlights. “What exactly brings you to the neighborhood?”

Gabriel gave him a once-over. “Vacation.” In a dream world, Luke would have laughed and left it at that, the two of them just passing strangers in the night. Unfortunately, the Fallen were more nightmare than dream. From the look of him, Luke was still playing gigs in dingy bars.
Still partial to the cheesy Jim Morrison look he had when Gabriel had seen him last. He’d even grown his hair out for the part, long black curls dangling below his collar.

“And is this a working vacation?” Luke probed. He leaned against the railing of the boardwalk, his tight leather pants creaking as he adjusted his stance. They’d played the game hundreds of times. Luke would have his questions, knowing the Bound couldn’t lie. He lifted his jaw in the direction of the hotel. “If you have some free time, maybe I’ll stop by.” Gabriel’s heart sank at the satisfied smile. Luke never bluffed.

The question now was how long he’d been onto them. What he had seen.

“Are we done here?” Gabriel turned, heading back toward the hotel, not bothering to conceal his destination.

“I really have been bad about keeping in touch,” Luke called after him. “I owe Az a visit, don’t I?”

“Stay away from Az, Luke. I mean it.”

“Still trying to save your lost little lamb?”

Gabriel paused, turning back toward him. “He might not be ready yet, but one day he will be. He’ll use the wings. He’ll come home.”

“I beg to differ. Which reminds me, tell him I approve of this latest girl. She’s quite pretty, don’t you think?” Luke pushed off the railing, covering the ground Gabriel had put between them in a lazy stroll and moving past. Just before
he turned onto the quiet side street, Luke spun back. “She looks like a fighter. And they’re so much more fun to break.”

Gabriel stumbled back to the hotel, the elevator ride passing in a blur. Az had been strong enough to keep from choosing a side so far, but if Luke got a hold of Eden, tortured her, it would be the catalyst to set off his Fall. Az opened the door before Gabriel could use his key.

“What’s wrong,” he demanded.

“Is she safe? Did you call her?” Gabriel collapsed on the bed.

“She’s fine. What the hell happened?”

“Luke.” His voice broke. “It’s Luke. He knew we were here. Az, he knows about Eden.”

Az’s legs went out, dropping him onto the other bed. “How much?” he whispered.

Gabriel met his eyes. “I don’t think he knows she’ll be a Sider, but he’s going to come after her. I’m sure of it. If he takes her…”

There was no reason to say it, to add details out loud. Az flinched as if he’d been slapped. Luke wouldn’t kill her outright. He’d keep her in pain as long as possible.

Worse, she wouldn’t be the first. Twice before. Violent, drawn out, and painful. Every day had been a battle against the Fall for Az, searching in vain, knowing Luke kept the girls alive. The search only ended when the packages started to arrive. A finger in a jar. A hand wrapped in newspaper.
Gabriel had barely gotten Az through the loss, through the guilt. For weeks after, he’d done his best to pull him out of the depression, didn’t let him out of his sight.

Even now, Az’s breaths came fast, his eyes darkening as thoughts of vengeance no doubt crossed his mind.

Az shook his head, his eyes still glazed. “I told her today. About what we are.”

“You should have waited for me!” Gabriel tried not to look startled. They were going to tell Eden, but he hadn’t expected Az to take it on himself. “You didn’t tell her anything else, did you?”

Az shot him a look. “Of course not.”

“Well, you didn’t call, so I guess she took it well?” He tried not to feel left out.

Az nodded. “Gabriel, with Luke being around…” Gabriel heard the hesitation in his voice. “If he gets to her first, and does to her what he did to the others.” He swallowed, unable to go on.

“We’re not going to let that happen,” Gabriel insisted.

“What happens if Luke cuts her.” His shoulders shook. “Cuts her up,” he went on.

Gabriel ran his fingers through his hair. “If he kills her, she’ll come back when she’s with him. He’ll know what she is. Az, he won’t stop.”

“We can’t let that happen,” Az said.

“Well then, we can’t wait much longer. Luke knows
Kristen’s on our side. And as long as he doesn’t know Eden’s going to be a Sider, he won’t come looking for her. She’ll be safe there.” He dropped his hands to his knees. “As long as she goes Sider before Luke can get to her. Az, we’re running out of time.”

Az rose to his feet, staying silent as he made his way to the balcony door and slid it open.

They hadn’t exactly been looking for a grand view when they’d booked the room. Instead of facing the shore, the balcony provided an aerial glimpse of the homes behind the hotel. Twelve stories down the fog dimmed porch lights to the muted glow of a dozen fireflies. Az squeezed the rusty railing, his knuckles white, his back to Gabriel.

“She’s happy. She’s not going to do it in time.” Az’s voice broke. Gabriel moved to stand beside him, leaning his arms on the railing.

“She has to.” He glanced at Az, met his worried eyes. He did have an idea. It was horrible to even think about, but he had to suggest it. “We could give her a nudge.”

“What do you mean, nudge?”

“Losing you would break her.” He pointed his finger at Az. “She’s happy because she’s with you, Az. If you took that away from her—”

“You’re seriously suggesting this?” Az interrupted, his face full of disbelief. “That I what, dump her so she kills herself? That’s fucked up.”

But Gabriel couldn’t get the image out of his head. What Luke would do if he got to her. “Once she’s settled at Kristen’s, you can explain.”

He leaned over the railing next to Az. Far below, the parking lot was only half full, car hoods wet with moisture from the fog. Az followed his gaze.

“I can’t do that to her. I love her. She knows I do. What am I supposed to do, tell her I changed my mind?”

Gabriel rolled his eyes. “Of course not. Tell her it’s for her own good, that you’re not good for her. It’s a sacrifice you’re going to have to make.”

“A sacrifice,” Az said quietly. His expression turned thoughtful. “Where is everyone? Shouldn’t there be more people?”

“It’s Sunday night. Most people are already headed home.” Gabriel pulled back, leaning against the glass of the open door. “Why?”

Az didn’t answer the question. “Think it’ll be the same tomorrow? Empty like this? I don’t see anyone around.”

“Probably,” Gabriel said. He was losing patience. “Az, breaking up with Eden is the best option. Let’s just hope it’s enough.”

“We can’t risk it.” Az turned, heading back into the hotel room. “Whatever we do, we need to make sure it
is
enough. I have an idea.”

A
z reached forward and tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ear. Eden glanced up, smiling. The hotel comforter was scratchy, but she didn’t mind as she stretched out on the bed. She reached up to pull him closer, her hand sliding over his back, feeling the shape of his wings under the fabric. They were real. Still there and not some figment of her imagination. Az really was an angel.

He flinched and she lowered her hand.

“What time is it?” she asked.

He pulled out his phone. “Almost midnight.”

Eden groaned, taking out her own cell and dialing home. Her mom answered on the second ring. “Hey, it’s me. I’m with Az. Just wanted to check in.” There was silence on the line. “You there?”

“Who is this again?” Her mom sounded confused.

Eden sat up in bed. “It’s your daughter? Eden? Firstborn?” She didn’t know why she bothered anymore.
“What time do you want me home?” she asked, finally.

Instead of an answer, the call disconnected. “God, she can’t even talk to me?” Eden snapped the phone shut, turning to Az. “I haven’t done anything bad all summer and she just gets more and more pissed at me. She acts like I don’t even exist.” Eden forced her mom’s weirdness out of her head. She winked at Az as she ran a finger across his chest, her voice coming out sultry. “I could just stay here all night.”

He didn’t smile like she expected. Instead, he clicked off the television, rolling over and off the bed.

“Where are you going?”

“I need air.” He crossed the room to the balcony, not looking back. He raised his hand to the metal of the handle and left it there, his head drooping. The exit sign behind her buzzed a steady, angry hum.

“Seriously?” She felt her cheeks redden with humiliation, wondering why he’d pulled away.

He flung open the balcony door without an answer, rattling it down the track. Eden jumped as it slammed. When he was outside, he slid it almost closed, leaving only the last inch open. An invitation.

She sat, unbelieving, on the bed.
What the hell is wrong with everyone lately?
The blinds still swung wildly. Slowly she stood and made her way across the room and slid the door open.

“Are you okay?” she asked cautiously.

“No.” He leaned, his hand hanging beyond the railing of the balcony. Her fingers grazed his arm, following down until she caught his hand. She squeezed. His head fell onto her shoulder. His fingers found one of her rings, slipping it gently against her knuckle before he dropped her hand and turned away.

“Az, if something’s wrong you need to tell me.” When he looked up, the sadness in his eyes caught her off guard. “I can handle it. You don’t have to keep secrets from me.”

“Everyone Upstairs gave up on me a long time ago. As long as I keep the wings I’m not technically Fallen, but Gabriel’s the only one who sees it that way.” A sarcastic snarl crept into his voice. “Of course, I’m welcome back the minute I repent for my horrible misdoings.” His anger seemed to burn out as quickly as it came. His voice sounded shattered and small, breaking. “I never told you why I was cast out.”

She’d never considered why he’d been kicked out. She stepped closer to him, her heart hammering as she steeled herself.
I’ll love him no matter what
, she thought, knowing how naïve the promise was even as she made it. “What did you do?”

“I fell in love.”

“Love?” She couldn’t keep the disbelief from her voice. “
That’s
why they kicked you out?” Her fears of something
terrible, horrendous, melted away. “But that makes no sense. I thought Upstairs would be all about love.”

“Exactly. We’re welcome to love angels, but not mortals? It’s delusional! When we were caught, they wanted me to admit I was wrong for loving her. I wouldn’t do it. So they kicked me out.” He pulled his cell phone from his pocket, checked the time before he shoved it back.

Eden moved behind him, closing her arms around his waist. Under his shirt she could feel the wings shift slightly. “Well, that’s stupid.”

“I was supposed to go back,” he said quietly. “I was supposed to repent and run home with my tail between my legs. But I didn’t. I wasn’t wrong. I gave up everything for her.”

She kissed his neck softly. “Romantic, though. A bit like Romeo and Juliet.” Suddenly she stopped.

An awkward silence bloomed between them, the question obvious. She asked. “Az, where is she now?” He swallowed hard.

“Dead. She died a long time ago.”

“Jesus,” Eden whispered. “What happened?” she asked.

“I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you.” A dark shadow seemed to pass over him. He shuddered as if to shake it off. “I’m afraid for you.”

“Afraid for me? Why?”

He swallowed hard. “As long as I’m not full Fallen, I could go back Upstairs. The Fallen will do whatever they can to get to me, make me one of them. They’ll come after you, Eden. Hurt you.” He pulled away from her, hopped up on the railing, his legs wrapped around the spindles for balance.

Panic twisted in her stomach but she forced it down, met his eyes. “Let them fucking try.”

“She said the same thing.” The raw pain seemed to radiate from him. “They’re capable of cruelty you can’t imagine.”

She laid her hand on his knee. “Stop,” she said gently. “Nothing is going to happen to me.” She tried out a smile but Az shook his head. He let go of the railing, dropping his hands onto his knees.

When he looked at her, the sorrow in his eyes made her breath catch. “You’re going to regret me.”

“Regret you! What are you talking about?” She stepped toward him, confused. “You lost me, Az.”

At her back a door slammed. Her stomach dropped as Az’s eyes widened.
The Fallen
, she thought. She spun, ice running down her spine. Her hip smacked against Az as she turned. Gabriel stared at them blankly from the door he’d just closed.

She didn’t have time to register her relief before she heard Az gasp, turned back toward him.

Tipped off balance, his hands flailed through the empty air. There was no sound in the moment before gravity took over, when time froze, when she looked at him, where their eyes met.

He fell.