Beyond (16 page)

“
You were nephilim —half human, half angel?
”
Benjamin interrupted .

“
Was and still am. It ’
s not something you outgrow.
”
Michael chuckled to himself, amused by his question.

“
Sorry. Of course not. I ’
m just a little confused by this new life of mine .
”
Benjamin blushed and tuck ed his long blond locks behind his ears.

“
I understand. I don ’
t remember my life on Earth, but I have seen the transition with others and know the difficulties involved. I won ’
t be staying long today.
”

“
Thank you for coming. I hope you will stay longer next time. We could learn from each other, ”
Caspian invite d .

“
I will stay as long as I can, but when I do leave, know with assurance that I will return again.
”
Michael nod ded and urgently strut ted out the door.

The P
ierce family was satisfied with Michael ’
s answers. They ’d gain ed trust in him. Though they could see the pain written all over his face, they could feel his genuine good heart, that he was someone you could count on.
It wasn’t just his pain they could sense …
his eyes betrayed the rest . He was lost. But lost to what was the question that remain ed to be answered .

Chapter
8

The
A lpha team landed in Paradisus. Claudia couldn ’
t help but marvel at the surroundings , but no one else seemed to care. The trees , majestic and fruitful, towered over them.
Tightly placed side by side, l ight seeped through the leaves and branches , creating a light show with the sun’s rays.

The shrubs and bushes were unique in shape and color. Everything about this place reminded her of the garden in Nubilus, only grander. Her newfound keen sense of smell overwhelmed her as she inhale d the aroma of her surroundings.
The bouquet of scents calmed her jagged nerves . She tried not to show it, but she was scared out of her mind. Even with the numerous one on one training sessions with Austin and some quick refresh er training right before they left Nubilus , she was sure she wasn ’
t ready to be out in the field.

They
walked forward in a tight circle along a pebbled path with their bow s ready by their side s . Claudia, Davin and Austin led the way and everybody else followed .

“
Are we almost there?
”
Michelle whined to Holly in a whisper.

Holly narrowed her eyes at her.
“
What are you, a child?
”

“
And what are we looking for?
”
Gracie asked, her tone sounding slightly irritated.

“
Weren ’
t you listening to Austin ’
s pep talk?
”
Holly chided .

Gracie giggled.
“
I was too busy looking at his body.
”
Michelle giggled alongside her .

Holly rolled her eyes and shook her head.
“
Great.
”

Elissa pivoted to them.
“
Quiet, ”
she whispered .
Holly glared back at Elissa with a “
don ’
t be talking to me like that ”
expression.
Elissa gave an apologetic shrug and sheepishly turned back. Her words were meant for Michele and Gracie, but when Holly spoke Elissa didn ’
t bother to explain.

“
So, what ’
s up with Claudia and Austin ?”
Delilah blurted to Holly .

“
None of your business , that ’
s what ’
s up. Don ’
t think about it , and don ’
t even ask, ”
Holly replied, giving her a serious look, the kind of look that sa id, “
I ’
m going to say this just once so hear me now.
”
Thinking of Austin, she knew he would be the one left with a broken heart at the end. Austin was like a brother to her , more so since Patrick was gone. She didn ’
t want to think about Patrick. It was the only way to push away the torment that left a big hole in her heart.
E
very time she went there, the hole and the pain only got bigger. Keeping herself occupied was the only way she could make it from day to day without missing him, without falling apart.

The others were too busy listening, observing and
reacting to any sound they heard so they stayed quiet .
They had walked more than a mile through a valley and nothing unusual was detected. As they got closer to the hills, Austin let out a sigh of relief , and hoped that it was a false alarm. And if Katherine was right about some type of energy, he hoped it was a friendly one.

“
I don ’
t think there ’
s anything here. I mean…we ’
ve been walking for…ever, ”
Michelle complained again , dragging out her last word.

“
Girl, I ’
ll pluck every single feather off your wings if you don ’
t stop whining like a child, ”
Holly huffed.

Michelle scoffed.
“
I ’
m just saying. Can ’
t a girl express her feelings?
”

“
Not in front of me.
”
Holly , too caught up in arguing with Michelle to notice the team had stopped, plowed into Davin.

“
Hey, don ’
t touch my precious behind, ”
Davin chuckled, placing his hands behind him , making her blush.

“
Shut up. You wish.
”
Holly pushed him playfully.
“
You ’
re just lucky I didn ’
t accidently hurt your precious somewhere else.
”
She gave a wicked smile.

Wanting to lighten up the mood, Davin shout ed , “
Holly touched my butt and she ’
s gonna touch somewhere else!
”
Everyone laughed.
They needed something to laugh about, something to distract them from the stressful environment.
E
mbarrassed, Holly flushed with warmth, but she couldn ’
t help laughing too.
T
hey looked toward Austin for further instruction.

The
hills prevented them from moving forward, and Austin had to make a decision .
Should they move ahead or should they go back home? Austin was just about to tell his team they were going home when the ground started to shake, causing them to lose their balance.

The land continued to vibrate
, and it grew stronger by the second.
A funnel of black appeared , its origin unclear . It first spiraled upward, getting thicker and darker. Then it circled around them so fast, it took them a second to register what was happening.

“
What the heck is it?
”
Davin yelled.
“
Is it friendly?
”

“
I don ’
t know.
I don ’
t want to find out. Let ’
s get out of here. Everyone retreat, ”
Austin ordered.

Just as Austin
’
s spoke his last word the ground underneath them collapsed , and they were f alling, falling, falling. The venators whip ped out their wings, breaking their fall .
Without wings, Claudia continue d to plunge , out of control , terrified . Austin d ove speedily to catch her.
Safe in his arms once again , she placed her arms arou nd him and looked up.

From
below , the venators’ wings looked like one massive, white umbrella gracefully floating about. They didn ’
t soar back up; instead , they followed Austin, heading down to the darkness.

“
I need to get me some, ” Claudia said, referring to his wings.

“
I would give you mine if I could.
”
Austin swirled down into a dark pit .

The
cut of the terrain landed first with a loud thump , causing a dust storm. A huge gush of cool air flooded them when they landed on the ground. I t was difficult to see what lay ahead .
With a command, their bows and Davin ’
s sword lit up.
The light from their weapons illuminated their way .

“
We ’
re not walking through this dark tunnel , are we?
”
Michelle asked as she st ood next to Gracie.

“
Are you not a venator?
”
Holly sneered.
“
We go where Davin, Austin and Claudia go. We go as a team.
”

“
I don ’
t think it ’
s a good idea, ”
Gracie said.

“
Fine. Do whatever you want. Stay here by yourselves. I don ’
t care. Just stop complaining.
”
Holly saunter ed and ca ught up with the group.
Michelle and Gracie decided it wasn ’
t safe with just the two of them , so they quickly caught up with the rest of the group.

The team gathered tightly, observing and listening for any paranormal activities.