Finding Alice (Alice Clark Series) (15 page)

I ducked from Jake’s blade as I felt the wind across the top of my hair. I jumped in the air as Paul’s sword glided underneath my feet. I tried to center myself as my feet hit the ground but I was interrupted by Old Gray’s sword swinging in front of my face. I flipped backward, barely landing on my feet. Surrounded, I centered myself and attempted to heighten my senses to focus on those around me. This wasn’t a class; no one was holding back here. If I didn’t respond exactly how I needed to, one of them could easily kill me, or at least lop off one of my limbs. Again, Old Gray swung, then Jake, followed by Paul. Kokabiel swung beside me and I blocked, ducking around him. I could feel Cole’s anxiety kick in as he watched them circle me like predators around their prey. “Enough!” he screamed.

“They will not back off of her just because you demand it,” Paul practically hissed back. Jake swung fiercely in front of me and I felt Cole’s back slam into mine. Our souls danced in anticipation as we defended our ground. I felt his shield wrap around me as we swung our swords rapidly. I knocked Jake down to the ground, pointing my sword to his throat; Cole blocked the blow to my back from his father. I turned and blocked my father from hitting Cole in the side and shoved Cole aside to block my grandfather as well. “Nicely done, both of you,” Paul said, trying to regain his breath.

The surrounding nephilim and Fallen allowed a short applause and cheered before returning to their own training. I wrapped my arms around Cole’s waist and pulled him tightly against me, feeling his heart racing. “That’s enough for today.” Paul smiled proudly.

“I think it’s time to take a shower,” I said through a smile showing all my teeth.

It’s like you are reading my mind.
He smiled as I gave him a playful punch.

I jolted awake, slamming the back of my head into a tree. I barely contained my pain, noticing voices in the distance. I hid behind the lone tree in the golden field, peering around it to see who was talking.
This has to be a dream but where is Cole?
The air was dead still around them, though it felt fierce as it swooped around me, attempting to push me into their view.
The bounty hunter.
I covered my mouth, holding in my gasp. He didn’t notice or maybe he couldn’t actually see me.
Is that possible?
I decided to boldly test the theory by stepping slightly out into the open. I felt myself almost in a trance, directly in eye line with the angel the bounty hunter was talking to. I stood frozen as my eyes raced along his cotton white wings. Again, nothing, as if I wasn’t there at all. I rubbed my throbbing head.
I may not be here but it sure feels like I am.

“She is stronger than you thought,” The bounty hunter said.

“Yes, we know. Do you have anything of use?” The angel’s voice was mesmerizing.

“I’m not able to get close enough. They have begun to gather in Hell, Michigan. That much I am positive.”

“Seems appropriate. And the nephilim?”

“They are here as well.” The angel let a wicked grin escape his mouth, one that seemed too sinister for him to be on the good side of this battle. Their tone lowered, making the words they spoke become unrecognizable. I debated on moving closer but was afraid that if I did, I would suddenly become visible. The angel stopped and stared through me as if he sensed something was there. I ducked back behind the tree in panic.

“You understand what you have to do?” the angel asked.

“Weaken her and you will finish her off. Then I can come home?”

“I will do all I can. Once she is gone, we will destroy the remaining nephilim and this will all soon be over. We will see you in two days’ time.”

Can he even make that sort of deal with the fallen?
My head felt like it was spinning. I watched the angel’s wings flex and as he lifted off of the ground into the air, I felt the surge from his power running through me and I knew he was much stronger than the last angel I had a run-in with. I slid down the tree, trying to remove the spins that were taking me over.

“Alice!” I heard Cole’s voice in the wind.

Cole?
I closed my eyes, reaching out and searching for him. I felt his hands on my arms and I latched onto his forearms. I felt myself lift off of the ground.

“Alice!” His voice was shaken. I opened my eyes to find myself in his arms in the bathroom, a towel draped around me. I rubbed my head, knowing wherever I just was, was as real to my body as it was in my mind. It terrified me but also meant I knew their plan for me.

“I know their plan.” I tried to stand but felt incapable. “I think I need to lie down.” He carried me out to the bedroom, setting me down onto the bed so gently, as if I was light as air itself. I pulled his face into mine and gently kissed him. “Lay with me?” I breathed the words into his mouth.

“Forever,” he said letting go of the terror that was taking over in him moments ago.

I curled into his arms, wrapping my legs into his. I laid my head against his chest, listening to the thump from his heart. We were both terrified of the events that were closing in on us. Yet in the darkness, lying there together, it was as if we were untouchable. It was the little moments like that that healed our wounds and gave us just enough hope we would survive that which strived to end us. As long as we trusted each other and allowed each other to just be, I knew we would make it. That’s the funny thing about hope: If you let it touch you, anything is possible.

Some of the Fallen sneered at us for our human side and human emotions but I thought they were envious. Of course, if I understood correctly, that was partially how this all started in the first place. Two days was too soon but I should not have expected less from them. I would let the fallen know in the morning. This would be the last safe moment we shared before they came for us all. It may have been selfish to want to cherish it, to hold onto it as long as I could, but I didn’t care. I could feel Cole’s heart smile, warming me to my core. I let go completely, accepting our fate, and drifted off into a deep sleep.

TWO DAYS LEFT

I awoke to the sound of blades clashing in the yard. As promised, Cole was lying next to me with his arm around me. I looked up at him; he was staring at the ceiling intensely, as if he was watching a movie. “Good morning,” I said with a morning rasp to my voice.

“Morning, love.” We leaned in, our lips thirsty for each other’s. Kissing him was like swimming in joy. We heard a thump against the door and pulled away inches from each other, breathing heavily and never breaking eye contact. Our smiles faded as reality demanded we return. I was relieved and confused on how I was dressed, though Cole’s t-shirt on me was hardly considered “dressed.” He pulled the blanket up to my waist.

“Yeah?” I shouted. The door opened and Kokabiel stood with our two coffee mugs in his hands. He entered cautiously with them, as if they were some sort of peace offering. Cole released me from his gaze and sat us up. I reached for the mug, thankful and curious as to why Cole was so hesitant with his father.

“We heard Cole yelling last night. I convinced Penemue to let you be unless he asked for help. I wanted to make sure everything was alright.”

“We’re fine,” Cole answered.

“We are fine but there is something you should know. I was going to tell all of you when I woke up. I had what I think was a dream. The bounty hunter and an angel were talking. But it felt so real; I think it may have been.”

“Why didn’t you tell me last night?” Cole said with hurt filling his dry eyes.

“I know it was selfish but after everything I have been through, everything we have been through, I wanted one night where I could just be in your arms. One moment to pretend what is coming isn’t.”

“You collapsed in my arms, Alice. You scared the hell out of me. That’s not like any dream you have ever had,” he said with both understanding and anger in his voice.

“What did they say to you?” Kokabiel asked, concerned.

“They didn’t see me. It was strange. It seemed like they felt something was there but they looked right through me. The angels want the bounty hunter to attack me first, to weaken me. They plan to take me out and then all the nephilim. They said they will be here in two days’ time.”

“Two days? That’s not enough time,” Cole mumbled.

“It will have to be. I am truly sorry we have put you both through this but there is nothing we can do to change it. We should tell the others and make sure all the loose ends and distractions are taken care of. I’ll meet you both in the kitchen,” Kokabiel said as he rested and removed a reassuring hand from my shoulder. The intention was there but it felt like he was just playing human.

He left and I could feel the anger flowing out of Cole. I wanted to apologize but it would be for making him feel that way and not for keeping it from him. He could be angry if he chose but I knew deep inside of him, he needed last night as much as I did, to just be what it was. A human moment between two souls in love and enjoying each other’s company.

I arrived to the bar fully recovered visibly from my last fight but still shaken to the core. The battle growing near was leaving a foul taste in my mouth. I gave Max a playful punch in the arm, interrupting his conversation with Old Gray. All of the Fallen’s main players were scattered throughout the bar, with a few I didn’t know and their children. Max put one arm around me like a proud parent. “Make sure you watch over my kid,” Max said.

“What?” I stuttered.
Did they tell him?

“Don’t worry. I’ll be back in a week. Camille is going to take my shifts and Sariel said he will watch over you two. I would close down for the week but business hasn’t been this good in years.” I stared at Old Gray, searching for the answers I was looking for. He just nodded silently to Max. I looked across the bar at Camille hanging out with a group of Fallen, flirty and obvious as always. I felt my blood pump raw through me and my temperature rise as I watched her hang all over Jake, remembering my father’s apology for damning me and my mother.

“Where are you going?” I asked, bringing my attention back to Max.

“To visit my kids in North Carolina. I’ve been talking to Sariel about it for weeks and I figured while business is up and I can afford it, why not go?”

“That’s great, Max. I’m sure they are all really excited to see you.” I softened, knowing Old Gray talked him into leaving, removing him from the kill zone. Whether or not it was his intention, Old Gray was slowly building my trust in him back.

“Hey, you can’t have me all the time. They say it’s not fair,” he laughed. “Well, I’m taking off. If you need anything, you call me, kiddo.”

“Yes sir,” I said smiling. I watched him gather his things in the office and head to the door. Just before leaving, he turned back and hugged me, planting a kiss on the top of my head. I grabbed on tight, knowing it might be the last time I ever saw him. He was the closest thing to a real father I had ever known. I felt him tearing up as he turned from me and I watched the door shut behind him, leaving me behind. I stood still, staring at the door and almost wishing he would come right back through and take me with him.

I held in my sadness and turned back to the bar, pouring myself a shot of vodka and slamming it. I poured a second one and slammed it as well. The day was almost over and there was only one more left before God’s wrath came down on me. I poured a third one and felt the room get quiet with everyone’s eyes all over me. I chugged it, slamming the glass to the counter and poured a fourth. Cole stood next to me and took the shot from my hand, slowly drinking it with eyes locked onto mine. I started pouring another one blindly and he grabbed the neck of the bottle, forcing me to stop and set it down. I felt my body shake as he took my hand, pulling me into him. My tears drenched his shirt and I felt myself completely lose it with no way to pull it back and rein it in.

It was the first time Cole did not wrap his shield around me, numbing the pain. I was on an emotional rollercoaster and I wanted it to stop but I needed so badly to feel my own crazy emotions for once. I needed to be able to let go and feel something. I needed to let it out, not lock it away until I picked up some charcoal. Cole lifted me off of the ground and walked away from the crowd of gawkers to the back door. I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck, burying my face in his neck, trying to breathe in his cool ocean waves to soothe my heartache.