Beyond (13 page)

I know. I’ve asked too much
.

“
You would do the same for us . That ’
s what friends are for .
”

Thanks
.

“
You can give me a hug next time.
”
Davin laughed out loud.
“
Before I forget, what are the dark shadows?
”

Before our time, the first group of Earth angels massively procreated with the humans to create an army. Their intentions were to bring down the Twelve and take over Crossroads. Though these Earth angels are not as powerful, they had help. Somehow , they summoned one of God ’
s first angels that had fallen. When the Royal Council found out, the Earth Angels ’
s ouls were stripped , along with those of their children. T
heir physical entities were turned into shadows, cast away into the Abyss. They are harmless to angels because they can ’
t take our souls, but they can take human souls and inject themselves into their bodies. If that happens then we have a problem. This also means the dark shadows were summoned by a powerful angel.

“
So…you knew all that time the shadows would not harm Austin.
”

Y
eah…I was playing him.

Davin laughed out loud.
“
You do have a sense of humor…sometimes. That was way cool what you did to Austin, making him think he was in danger. Come back and visit soon. I miss bothering you.
”

Michael chuckle
d .
You know I will. Peace out dude!

Davin laugh
ed so hard , it echoed loudly through the alley , starling a couple of stray cats.

Chapter
6

My heart thumps faster and I feel tingles down my spine, the kind of tingle that tells you that you’re in love, or that you have a crush. I can’t see his face, only a figure, like an illuminated shadow. My instinct tells me that I know him , but I haven’t the slightest clue who he is, or why he is here. Who is this person that has me completely enthralled? I want to know so I move closer, but the closer I get the further he is away from me, and the light around him dims.

“I’m here,” he says. “I’ll always be here.” He starts to fade, leaving my world.

“No. Come back. Who are you?” It was too late. He was gone.

Now it’s pitch black and darkness engulfs me. I feel a sense of tranquility, but the feeling disappears when I hear another voice. “I’m coming for you,” it says with a low wicked whisper.

The tone not only disturbed my sleep, it freaked me out , sending icy chills down my spine , because I knew from the depth s of my soul it was something malic ious . I tossed and turned, tangled inside the sheets, trying to calm my nerve s and trying to wake up from the nightmare. Who was calling me? I couldn ’
t recognize the voice. My eyes were tightly shut, unable to open even though I desperately wanted them to. Then suddenly, without any reason, I was bound by some magic and I couldn ’
t move.

It was coming for me. Even with my eyes closed, I could feel the evil presence as I panic ked to wake myself up.
Needing to escape, I tried to move, but no matter how hard I t ri ed, I couldn ’
t move a muscle. It was like my mind and body had disconnected. Then my eyes popped open from some force of energy I couldn ’
t explain. My view was clear now, but I just couldn ’
t move. There , below my feet , was what I had feared, but it wasn ’
t a person. It looked like a shadow of something. It started crawling up my legs, covering me like a black blanket, slowly making its way up.

It was getting closer to my chest by the second and terror emanated from every inch of me. Scared out of my wits, I screamed from the top of my lungs, but my voice wouldn ’
t carry. Now I was covered from head to toe and I felt short of air , h eaving , p anting.
I knew I was dreaming, but I couldn ’
t make myself wake up. In complete darkness, unable to move and unable to breathe, I did the only thing I could do.

My bedroom door burst open
, and t he blanket flew off me. I felt Austin scoop me off the bed in one swift motion .
My arms were tightly wrapped around his neck like a scared little girl, quivering.

“
Claudia, what ’
s wrong? Why can ’
t you move?
”
He seemed worried and mystified.

From Austin
’
s rescue, my body and mind began to relax , and slowly I could feel myself regain control.
The dream vanished like it had never happened.
“
I…I…don ’
t know. I think I was dreaming or something.
”
I ’d dreamt this dream several times before , and every time it was the same. His voice was distingu ished and soothing .
I would never forget that voice, nor would I ever forget the way it made me feel . But the latter part of the dream was new.

“
I heard your voice in my mind. At first I thought I was hearing things until you said , ‘H
elp me Austin. I ’
m going to die.
’
That is when I realized you were speaking into my mind. You ’
re safe. No evil can enter here. It must have been a nightmare.
”

Feeling excited that I spoke into his mind, I asked , still unbelieving, needing to hear it again.
“
You heard me?
”

“
Yes. Now you can add that to your list of things you can do. It ’
s too bad you can ’
t hear m y thoughts .
”

“
D
on ’
t worry. I think I ’d rather not, ”
I smiled teasingly, still in his hold.

Austin grin
ned .
“
So , what do you remember about last night?
”

As I considered his question,
I realized I was still in the dress I ’d wor n last night. This t old me I had most likely passed out.
“
I remember going to the nightclub and you ordered a drink for me. Hey , why is it every time I drink what you give me, I end up passing out ?”
I recalled when I thought he ’d drugged me with hot cocoa , but it was his angelic powers affecting me instead.

“
I ’
m not guilty. I did no such thing , and I can ’
t help that you faint from excitement in my presence.
”

I giggled for two reasons
; from Austin ’
s comments , and from the fact that it was my first real alcohol ic drink …
but that would be a secret I wo uld n ’
t share.
“
You can put me down please. I ’
m much better.
”
I gestured toward the bed.

Austin laid me down and propped a pillow behind my back so I could settle myself in a sitting position.
“
But seriously…are you okay ?
A nd what do you remember about last night?
”
He sat on the edge of the bed and his eyes were open wide with curiosity.

“
I don ’
t remember much. I remember the drink and sort of dancing. Did we dance?
”

Austin lift
ed his brows while his eyes beamed with amusement, like he had a story to tell.
“
In ways you don ’
t want to know.
”

“
Ahhhhh…I ’
m sure I embarrassed myself.
”
I buried my head on the pillow.

“
Don ’
t worry. You didn ’
t do anything crazy. You only tr ied to take advantage of me, but that ’
s all.
”

Feeling utterly embarrassed
, my face felt extremely hot. I looked at him and gave him the “
are you serious ?”
look. He just flashe d his unreadable smile. I couldn ’
t tell if he was joking or telling me the truth.

Austin chuckle
d again.
“
Don ’
t worry , I won ’
t tell anyone.”

I brushed the tip of my lips with my index finger when a sudden rush of a tingly sensation course d through me, as if I was reliving th e moment that gave me th e feeling. Something had happened. Did I really kiss Austin?

“
Claudia? Claudia?
”
Austin waved his hand and broke my thought.

I must have tuned out when I felt the sudden rush and became deep in thought.
“
Sorry, ”
I smiled.
“
I ’
m listening.
”

“
You need to get ready. My dear mother, Katherine , is expecting us at Nubilus City. I ’
ll give you a tour. If you think Island of Eden is breathtaking, wait till you see the outskirts of Nubilus.
”

“
Give me some time to freshen up, ”
I said.

When I slid off the bed, my eyes were fixed on Austin ’
s T-shirt, recalling Patrick having the same one. It read, ‘
I fly with angels, ’
which was center ed with white wings expand ing from both sides.

Austin noted what I was doing.
“
Patrick had one too, ”
he said wearily.
“
I…I was thinking of him. I guess , in a way , it keeps me connected to him.
”

“
You don ’
t have to explain, ”
I said softly, placing my hand on his shoulder.
“
He was like a brother to you.
”

Austin rested
h is hand on mine and gingerly slid my fingers off. He kissed the back of my hand and said, “
I ’
m okay. You ’
re a big distraction, especially when you dance.
”
He winked.

“
Ahhh!
”
I pushed him playfully.
“
You need to leave so I can get ready.
”

“
I do? I can sit here and watch if you like , or I can help you get ready.
”

“
Out, Austin, ”
I said and laughed inwardly, unable to stop myself from smiling.

He walked toward the door, turned and eyed me from head to toe.
“
I can help you undress.
”

“
Austin!
”
I threw a pillow at him.
O
f course he dodged it, gave me sly smile , and closed the door , laughing out loud.