Beyond (11 page)

Austin
looked guilty for holding Claudia the way he was.
He could do nothing but stare , and didn ’
t realize the dark shadows were multiplying, coiling up his legs.

Michael
’
s eyes were full of concern as he raced toward them with his sword. Austin tosse d Claudia into Michael ’
s arms , knowing he would catch her, then found himself unable to move. He called out for his bow, but he couldn ’
t stop the shadows without shooting his own legs.

As soon as Claudia was in
his arms, Michael gasped a deep painful breath and held her tightly , savoring th e moment. He breathe d in her scent, lavender and honey—mixed with cigarette s and alcohol—and pressed his face into her. How he had missed her .
E
ven having her in his arm s tormented him .
“
Claudia, ”
he sang her name. It took every ounce of his will power to stop himself from whisking her away. Time stood still as he drank her presence in, unwilling to let go. But his heart pounded out of control and his hand started to tremble , not knowing what he should do, anticipating Claudia ’
s reaction to him.

She looked up, finally realizing he wasn
’
t Austin.
Blinking, she said, “
You…no Auss. Wh…where Auss?
”
Claudia was desperately trying to escape his hold as her body swayed unsteadily , but simply gave up when her efforts were in vain.

Michael
’
s heart dropped. She might as well have stomped on it. He knew she wouldn ’
t recognize him, but the reality hurt so much.

“
You cute, ”
Claudia smiled, raking her hands through his hair, sending shivers down his spine. Michael grinned . Claudia ’
s smile that always touche d Michael ’
s soul —the smile that always melt ed his heart —did neither tonight. She knew not who he was , a nd the only thing he felt was pain beyond words.

“
What ’
s wrong with her?
”
Michael asked, finally shifting his eyes to Austin, seeing him struggle with the dark shadows.

“
Ummm…a little help here would be nice, ”
Austin plead ed .
“
What are you doing here? You shouldn ’
t be here.
”

“
Katherine never told me to stay away. Claudia may not know who I am, but I promised her I would always look after her. It ’
s a good thing I came. What kind of guardian angel are you to bring danger to her?
”

Austin didn
’
t say a word , knowing Michael was right .

“
What ’
s wrong with Claudia ?”
Michael demanded to know.

“
How about you be my guardian angel just for tonight ?”

“
Answer me first. Besides…they ’
re not harmful…unless they travel up to your chest and squeeze you to death…that ’
s all.
”

“
Duh. Did you forget already? You erased her memory.
”

“
Not that. Why is she talking funny?
”

The demons
completely encased his body , like a wrap on a mummy.
“
She ’
s wasted, ”
he replied, guilt overlaying his tone.

“
Wasted? What? You mean like intoxicated?
”

“
If that ’
s the word you want to use…then…ye a h. Hurry up.
”

“
How could you let this happen? Make it go away.
”
Michael was furious.

“
Hey, I ’
m as surprised as you. She eats once a day or sometimes goes without for days. She sleeps a couple of hours. Her speed is just as fast as mine. I didn ’
t think she could get dr u nk. I was trying to cheer her up. Lately, she ’
s been kind of…depressed. Don ’
t worry. She ’
ll be fine in the morning.
”

Michael pulled Claudia
closer , eyes piercing into hers with adoration. He had missed all her changes. He would have loved to see her in action. How proud he was of her.

“
Hello. Stop googling eyes at her and get me out , please.
”
Austin had no choice but to be polite.

Michael
stepped closer to Austin. Claudia had been quiet until now.
“
Ausss…you have the predddy, ”
she giggle d . Claudia extend ed her arm and point ed toward them.
“
Cannn ’
t seeee.
”
Her index fingers lit up, glowing like light bulb s . Michael and Austin looked shocked , and watched her as the dark shadows uncurl ed themselves and back ed down.

“
Nooo…all gone, ”
she pouted.

But the
y were still there, swirling faster and getting thicker and longer.

“
What are they ?
”
Austin asked.

“
Dark shadows, ”
Michael sa id .
“
They only appear in dark places, but they were locked away. I hadn ’
t seen them in ages.
”

“
I guess they ’
re ancient , like you.
”

Michael ignore
d Austin ’s sarcastic remark and t ook out his sword .
“
Lucien .
”
His sword lit up , and h e sliced the shadows in half as they plunged toward him and Claudia. It had no effect on the shadows.

Free at last, Austin summoned his bow
. The impact from the silver flames and Michael ’
s sword together created enough light; the dark shadows disappeared.

“
That was easy. I guess they prefer to stay away from the lights, ”
Austin observed.

“
It was a warning. Wh at ever released them is coming. I need to find more information. You need to warn Katherine.
”

“
Ooo…danceee…fasssst, ”
Claudia mumble d , bending over to wretch.

“
It ’
s alright, Claudia, ”
Michael whisper ed .

“
You, ”
she poke d Michael ’
s chest , “
know me?
”
Then she r an her hand up and down his arms.
“
Nice , like S
uperman…bigger than Auss.
”

Michael hear
d soft chuckles. He knew his friend was watching, but he didn ’
t want to make a big deal of it until now.
“
Come down, Davin. I know you ’
re there.
”

“
What ?
Davin was here the whole time? I knew I smelled something rotten, ”
Austin grunt ed .

Davin jump
ed down from the roof top.
“
Hmmm…must be smelling yourself, goose. What did you do? Take a bath in the trash bin?
”
Davin laughed out loud and then frowned when no one else laughed with him.

Claudia rub
bed her hand up and down Michael ’
s chest and giggle d .
“
I likie…
.”

Davin
squirmed at seeing Claudia in Michael ’
s arm s and the pain on Michael’s face.
As usual , he trie d to lighten the mood.
“
What would humans say ?
‘D
ude, she ’s blasted, wasted, trashed and so high , ’”
Davin laughed .

Michael flashe
d an evil eye and Davin immediately stop ped speaking , lowering his eyes from Michael’s gaze.

“
Claudia, you ’
ll be okay. I promise, ”
Michael sa id .

“
How you know me?
”
s he muttered.

Michael knew better, but he couldn
’
t help himself. Claudia wouldn ’
t remember this conversation, but he didn ’
t care. He wanted to tell her.
Tenderly cupping her face, he gaze d deeply into her eyes, his own eyes subdued and filled with misery.
“
Yes, I know you. I ’
ve always known you. I will always know you…even if you don ’
t know me.
”

She looked at him
, confused, her eyes lighting up brighter than the full moon, then slowly closing. Before they closed completely, he enclose d his wings around them and presse d his lips on hers , giv ing her a kiss she would remember.