Revelation (10 page)

“I haven’t been avoiding you.
I was never supposed to have contact with you in the first place,” he states.

“Lady Finella said I need a protector for my ascension
. Is that you?” I ask as if drugged.

Asher
stiffens. “WHAT?” he asks as I collapse.

Warm arms drape around me
, preventing my fall. Asher’s voice is all I hear. “It’s okay. I’ve got you, siren.” He breathes in my ear.

My eyes are heavy and I’m surrounded by blackness. I can’t move
. My body hurts. It feels as though I’ve run a marathon. I start to panic.
Where am I? What’s happening?

“Easy
, Eve. Everything’s okay. You’re all right. Just take it slow.” I hear Abby’s voice break through my foggy state.

M
y eyes open as I gain control over my body. I sit up, gradually realizing I’m in my bed at the dorms.
How did I get back here?

As if sensing my question, Abby answers
in a quiet murmur. “Asher brought you back here. He said you passed out in class and then again outside the building so he carried you home. How are you feeling?” She hands an open bottle of water to me, and motions that I should take a sip.

Just as I finish swallowing the cool liquid
, Asher comes bolting in the room, causing the door to slam into the wall and bounce shut. He looks pissed off.
Wait. Is he pissed off?

As soon as his eyes reach
mine, his face relaxes slightly before hardening again. His jaw clenches as he narrows his eyes at me. His chest is rising and falling with livid breaths as he prowls toward me.

“How long?”
he asks with exasperated annoyance.

Abby stands
in protective mode. “Asher, maybe—” He holds his hand up, stopping Abby’s speech.

He looks around her to
me, his indigo eyes are mere slits. “How long?” he growls and points at me heatedly.

“Um, I’m not sure what you’re asking me
.” I stare at him, wide-eyed and somewhat frightened.

His stance goes
severe, making him even more intimidating as I shrink back into my bed.

“
How. Long. Have. You. Been. Having. These. ‘Dreams,’” he asks, pronouncing each word slowly so I can follow and adds air quotes to the word dreams to make his point.

“My dreams?”
I repeat, trying to understand.

“YES
! YOUR FUCKING DREAMS!” he screams, startling Abby and myself as we jump at the harshness in his booming voice.

I
go to speak but get cut off by McKenna. “That’s enough, Asher,” she says, shooting daggers at him.
Finally, someone else is on the receiving end of the death glare.
I inhale a shaky breath.

He turns to her, anger seeping off him. “Are you ordering me
, Kenna?” he asks, his voice deathly calm. I swallow. I can’t stop watching. It’s like a train wreck.

She stands tall
, looking like a warrior princess. “I’m telling you to leave her be. Let her get herself together before you interrogate her, Ash. She has yet to be enlightened and you barking at her like a fucking animal isn’t going to help her understand.”

Asher rubs his hands up and down his face then thr
ough his hair as he exhales. Once calm, he glares at me and then at McKenna before storming out of the room, slamming the door shut.
Oookay.

My eyes shift to McKenna.
“Thanks,” I say, feeling awkward she of all people stuck up for me.

She huffs in annoyance.
“Don’t thank me yet. You look like hell. Drink your water, get in the shower, and pull your shit together,” she orders in a bitchy tone.
So much for our ten seconds of friendship!

I
take my time getting up. Once I feel I’m steady, I head to the bathroom to shower, as McKenna demanded. “Good talk, Kenna.” With that, I shut the door and turn on the hot water. I could have sworn she smiled at me, proud at my display of gusto.

I let the steam fill up the bathroom
, taking my time in the shower. The hot water runs over me, massaging my achy muscles. Once out, I wrap myself in my fluffy white towel and wipe the condensation from the mirror, looking at myself.

My normally sparkling hazel eyes are starting to dull and look tired. I notice the slight dark circles forming
underneath them. I brush my hair and teeth then notice the pale skin on my narrow face looks washed out from lack of the sunlight it’s used to being exposed to. I throw on some mascara and my vanilla coconut lip gloss, stalling.

I can only imagine what’s waiting for me on the other side of the doorway. Whatever it is, I know it can’t be good. I also know it’s going to change me forever.
I start to feel lightheaded but it quickly passes. I throw on an old pair of skinny jeans, my favorite long sleeve black t-shirt that has holes for my thumbs and covers my palms for warmth, and my knee-high, black leather riding boots. Then I open the door to face whatever awaits me on the other side.

Abby sits on the couch in the lounge
while McKenna is relaxing with her back to the wall near the door, blocking my escape route.
Crap
.

Asher paces in the middle of the room
with anxiety radiating off him. I take a brief moment to watch him, once again obsessed with the beautifulness that is Asher St. Michael. His face taut, he is clenching and unclenching his fists and that stunning cheek muscle is ticking. His indigo eyes are unfocused as he lifts them to focus on mine. He really is breathtaking. He holds my gaze for a moment before motioning to the couch for me to sit down, probably for a lecture.

“Sit,” he orders gruffly.

I roll my eyes, walking over to the couch to sit next to Abby. She pats my hand in an attempt to reassure me Asher won’t be killing me today. From his stern look, I’m unconvinced.

“
Can you tell us what the dreams are about?” she inquires.

I look at the three of them before I begin.
“They’re all different. The first nightmare was unlike today’s dream. It’s the only one I’ve had for at least five straight months. The last time I had it was about a week or so ago. I’m always running in a dark tunnel, something terrifying is chasing me, and then out of the blue, someone, a guy, comes in and saves me.”

“Any details you can offer us other than a generic synopsis?” McKenna says snottily.

I glare at her. “The guy who saves me has blue eyes, and in the dark, they almost look like they’re glowing. He can move fast, has a black granite sword, and he speaks Latin.” I look between both Abby and McKenna. They are eyeing one another. Asher goes still.

“The ‘thing’ that is chasing you, do you recall what it looks like
, Eve?” Abby inquires, biting her bottom lip.

I
nod my head. “Black smoke. He’s made of black smoke and that guy calls him Nero.”

At this, Abby’s eyes widen and McKenna
goes motionless. Asher stalks over to me and crouches in front of me as something flares in his indigo eyes.

“Did you say Nero?” McKenna confirms.

I look over to McKenna. “Yes. And Nero called this guy my protector.” I shift my eyes from McKenna back to Asher, who’s watching me. It’s unnerving.

Silence.

Then Abby stands up and begins to pace in front of me
, still biting her lower lip. It’s a wonder it’s not bleeding; she’s biting it so hard.

“What’
s going on?” I ask Abby, keeping my eyes focused on Asher.

“Do you remember what your dream in class today was about?” Asher asks
with an unnatural gentleness. Relieved he isn’t yelling, I give him a small shake of my head.

“Not really. Something about a forest, a fairy
, and gold pixie dust. I only remember the first one so vividly because it was constant for a few months, but like I said, I haven’t had it for a while,” I answer.

“Asher, we need
to get back to La Gargouille. Keegan and Callan need to know what’s going on,” McKenna states, ignoring me.

“They’re meeting with Michael right now
.” Abby’s eyes drift to me then back to Asher. “Discussing Deacon and Gage,” she says with unease.

“Hello
, ladies. Still here. What’s going on?” I ask again, directing my pointed look to Asher.

McKenna turns to me, her eyes
glaring at me. “Asher?”

I stare at Asher. “Is this another ‘thing’ you can’t disclose to me?” I snarl.

Abby gives me an apologetic look. Asher’s still crouched in front of me. Our knees are touching and it’s causing the heat to start again in my veins. What is that?

Asher looks confused. “What is what?”
Did I say that out loud?

“Nothing
, it’s just.” I pause. “It’s nothing.”
It’s not like he’ll tell me anyway
.

He looks at me for a moment. “I apologize for my behavior earlier. I shouldn’t have yelled at you like that.  I was just taken aback when you realm jumped in class today,” Asher says.

“Realm jumped?” I blow out a breath.
“Look, I’m tired of all the secrets, Asher. I can’t do this anymore. I’m barely hanging on to my sanity as it is. So if you’re not going to tell me what’s going on, then please, stop making statements like I realm jumped,” I say, exhausted at this ping-pong match and lack of information.

He watches
attentively, as if trying to find the answer to something in my eyes. Once he makes his mind up, his face softens. He runs his hand over the top of my head and holds the back still then leans forward to lightly kiss my forehead. “Fair enough,” he says in a low voice.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” I
whisper.

“Yes
,” he answers with sadness present in his voice as my excitement levels rise.

“However, this discussion will happen at
my place. This way Keegan and Callan can be there as well,” he says, waiting for an argument.

“Okay
,” I agree.

“Okay
,” he repeats. “Thanks for not arguing or pushing. It indicates you trust me and that means a great deal to me, siren,” he says with sincerity, looking into my eyes as the butterflies take flight in my stomach.

He gets up, extending his hand for me to take as he helps me off the couch.

We stand there for a moment. He affectionately brushes a loose piece of hair back behind my ear. Just like before, my skin breaks out in a severe case of goose bumps.

Asher smiles sadly at me. “It’s time you learn who you are
, Eve Collins.”

9
Protector

Asher and I pull up to the manor in silence. He cuts the engine to the Aston Martin
and we just sit there. He’s fixated on the front windshield like it holds life’s answers.

“Eve, whatever comes out of today, I want you to know you
’re safe,” Asher says quietly but with authority.

I look at him with trepidation. “Okay
.” It’s all I can manage now that nerves are taking over in my stomach.

Asher turns to me and takes my chin between his fingers, forcing me to look at him.
His eyes grow soft. “Okay.” He nods once then gets out of the car, coming around to open my door and extend his hand to assist me.

I fidget for a moment before placing my small
, delicate hand in his large, strong one. Keeping a firm grip on me, he walks us into the manor and straight to the ‘tension room’ where everyone is already gathered and waiting. Asher’s stance is protective as we walk in.

“Is Michael here?” he asks
, his voice even.

Keegan shakes his head.
“No. He said to let him know if his assistance is needed. Eventually, he’ll come and answer all Eve’s questions but right now, he would like us to only explain who we are and what we do.” Keegan speaks directly to Asher as if conveying some hidden message.

“
Ash, he would like you to be the one to explain things to Eves since you’re her primary protector,” Callan continues.

“My protector?”
I question.

Asher smiles then it fades, his face taking on a serious look.
“Yes, I’m in charge of your protection,” he confirms in an authoritative, business-like tone.

“Okay.” I look around at everyone then back at Asher. “Why do I need your protection? What exactly
are you protecting me from?”

“Those who want to do you harm
,” he answers, plopping down on the couch with me in tow as if answering what flavor milk he prefers.

I
scoff. Frustrated that I have to pull information I assumed he would be freely giving, I release his hand. His face drops.
Is he saddened by the lost connection?

“Why do you think there
are people who want to harm me?” I ask.

“You are very special
, siren.” He looks directly in my eyes. “Do you recall the story of our lineage and how our father’s bloodline is La Gargouille?”

I nod
once.

He smiles
, trying to be reassuring, but it’s just freaking me out. It’s the kind of smile you know is attached to bad news. “You also come from a very important bloodline.” He holds me with his fierce eye contact.

I let out a
snort. “What are you saying? My ancestors come from the bloodline of the dragon as well?”

He doesn’t look amused. “No. You are not one of us.”
Ouch. Okay
.

“So what bloodline do I come from?” I ask with a mocking tone.

McKenna crosses her arms and throws me the old evil eye. “See, I told you she wasn’t ready.” 

Asher shoots her a
warning glare. Keegan walks over to Kenna, whispers something in her ear, and she calms down.
He should bottle that and sell it around campus.

“So, wh
at is my bloodline?” I repeat.

“
Archangel,” Asher answers, returning his focus to me. He seems anxious while waiting for me to respond.

“Come again?” I ask
, unsure if I heard him correctly.

“Yo
ur bloodline is the last pure bloodline of Heaven,” Asher says then pauses, probably waiting for the freak out.

I sit immobile for a moment. Only my eyes shift, looking around at everyone in the room and waiting for a hint of deceit to appear in their facial features. They’re all watching me with serious expressions stamped on their faces.

I turn back to Asher. “The last bloodline of Heaven?” I say again more as a question than statement, disbelief in my voice, uncertain I want to hear his response. I might also internally be questioning his sanity.

“
What you need to know is that The Angelic Council, in an attempt to save Heaven in the event of a war with Hell, allowed a redeemer to be planted within mankind. That redeemer has an archangel’s soul spirit and Heaven’s pure blood running through their veins. A blood so pure nothing could taint it. Not evil, not demon, not even Lucifer himself. By doing so, the council guaranteed this liberator would redeem mankind, allowing Heaven to prevail in the war,” Asher explains in a calm, even manner.

I sit
unmoving, staring quizzically at Asher. Not sure how to process this information and more so, wondering if he’s lost his fucking marbles.

“Are you being serious?” I ask
, dumbfounded.

“Yes,” he responds guardedly
, obviously waiting for me to snap.

“Wait, you think I’m this savior?” I
exhale in disbelief. I break into hysterics. “That’s hilarious.”

The room
is still silent. Everyone’s vigilantly focused on me, not laughing. “You do realize how absolutely fucking ridiculous this sounds?” I look around at all their stoic faces.

“Eve
, I realize this is impractical to comprehend, but we’re being truthful with you. You’re the redeemer. You just don’t know it yet. Since birth, you’ve been protected and hidden within mundane humans. Your bloodline didn’t ascend until you turned eighteen. That’s when you began your ascension,” he continues as if I’m the crazy person.

I shake my head. “You’re wrong. I live
d with my aunt. My parents died when I was a baby. I am uninteresting and normal. I don’t even register on the ordinary chart. And what’s ascension? What are you even talking about?” I ramble because I’m starting to put pieces together in my mind and don’t like the way they’re panning out.

“
That part is really for Michael to explain to you. We’re under certain restrictions per the laws we follow and the oath we’ve taken. We’re only permitted to tell you who we are and why you might be in danger,” Keegan states with a formality to his tone.

I give him a point blank look. “
Who’s Michael?”

He slowly shakes his head from side to side.
“Not yet, Eve. We can’t tell you. I’m sorry.”

I turn back to Asher, beyond
baffled. “You said I have the spirit of an archangel and the blood of Heaven? How is that even possible?” I try to decipher. “Are you trying to say I’m an angel?” I begin to unravel at what they’re alluding to and the lack of information being provided.

“No. You
’re not an angel. You’re human. Michael will better explain who you are and what it is you’re destined to do at another time. I’m only allowed to share why you’re in danger and need our protection,” Asher says in an attempt to pacify me.

I
narrow my eyes at him in astonishment. “You can’t tell me? Are you FUCKING KIDDING ME?” I shout then stand and pace. Callan and Abby come next to me, flanking each side. I’m not sure who they are protecting me or Asher from my wrath.

Asher stands and walks toward me.
“There are many things that will be revealed to you in time. I can’t tell you everything right now. It’s simply not allowed. What I do know is that I, along with my family, will protect you from anything that wishes to cause you harm. I promise you. It’s why we’re here and what we do. We’re protectors.”

“Like the dog you attempted to convince me was rabid, that type of protection?” I spit angrily.

He stares at me, pleading with his eyes for me to calm.

I stop pacing and face him. “Who is Michael?”

Stillness.

It’s Abby who speaks. “Michael the Archangel.”

I snap my head toward her then scoff. “Michael the Archangel? The one from Heaven who banished Adam and Eve? That Michael?” I nod my head like a lunatic. “Oh, okay. That makes sense. Right, of course,” I say in a slightly hysterical tone.

“Abigail
.” Her name is a warning from Keegan.

She shrugs. “She needs this information
. You can’t hide everything from her, oaths or not.”

I look between the two. “
Okay. Well, please call him. Get Michael here to inform me of the situation, because I’m really looking forward to that meeting,” I shriek wildly.

McKenna steps up in front of me.
“Not that I want to encourage the psychotic episode you’re obviously having, even though I’m enjoying it, but Michael doesn’t present himself at your beck and call. He arrives when HE is willing.”

I look at her like she
’s bat-shit crazy, because clearly she is. They all are. They’re all out of their ever-loving minds. I’m not sure what snapped but something did and I lunge for McKenna only to be stopped in mid-air by Callan.

“Easy
, cutie. I know this is a lot to take in, but take a breath and just calm down,” Callan soothes, releasing me.

Callan and I stare hard at one another. I sigh. “Are you saying that the Archangel Michael is not only in contact with you
, but will come down from Heaven to convene with me and answer questions as well as discuss my lineage?” I ask, eerily calm.

Quiet.
They’re obviously scared to set off another episode.

I tu
rn to Asher. “You’re telling me that you, a man who’s standing in front of me, saying he will protect me, won’t answer my questions but an archangel from Heaven can?” I end with a slight inflection.

Asher stills me by grasping my upper arms and locking his eyes on mine. My traitorous body immediately responds to his
, soothed by his touch.
I really need to learn how to control that.

“I said we couldn’t tell you, not that we didn’t want to. There are laws, rules,
and protocol that must be followed.” Asher growls in frustration. 

“What are the consequences of breaking the law and telling me?” I’m irritated.

“Dire,” Keegan says. A chill runs through my veins as I look to Abby. She shrugs like it’s no big deal that she revealed information to me.

“What does this all mean?” I ask the room, but specifically Keegan. For some reason, I know he
’ll get to the point and be honest.

“It means you’re the redeemer that was created to bring salvation to mankind and end the war
between Heaven and Hell and we’re here to protect you,” Keegan says pointedly.

Defeated
, I huff out a breath, sit on the coffee table, and put my head in my hands, letting this conversation sink in. “Okay, let’s say I believe you about my bloodline, the Archangel Michael, and that I’m some weapon fated to end this long standing war.” I look up at Asher. “Who are you and why do I need your protection?”  

“As we mentioned before, we’re in private security. We are protectors and guardians. Our lineage
permits us to watch over people and things we are bound or spiritually connected to. Our clan’s birthright dates back many centuries. Our families have been doing this for a long time, Eve,” Asher states with a proud smirk.

“Are you guardian angels or something? Is that the tie to Michael? You’ve been assigned to be my guardian angels?” I ask in
wonder.

“No,” Asher says tersely. “We are
most certainly not guardian angels or even celestial for that matter.”

“We receive a lot of
divine assignments and charges. Our ancestry is suited to those types of missions. As you may recall, the dragon symbol is a protection against evil spirits and beings,” Callan reminds me.

I stare at the group. “You’re all protectors?
Even Abby and McKenna?”

Keegan answers
, “Yes.”

I turn to McKenna. “Your bedside manner sucks for a sentinel of godly charges.”

This causes Callan to let out a loud, deep laugh and Asher to hide his smile. Abby giggles in a light, warm tone. McKenna just snorts, but I can tell she respects the jab.

“I notice all of you have Celtic cro
ss tattoos. Do they have meaning?” I glance at the tattoo on Asher’s arm, curbing my want to reach out and touch it.

“Yes. It means this
clan has declared its allegiance to, and abides by the laws set through, The Spiritual Assembly of Protectors. They’re a ruling body who oversees a certain sect of our,” Asher pauses, looking for the right word, as if he is still hiding something, “kinship.”

Keegan nods approvingly at Asher’s answer while I turn to Abby and McKenna.

“Do you both have the Celtic cross tattoo? I don’t see them on you,” I accuse.

Abby and McKenna both push up the beaded stone bracelets they always wear and I see smaller identical tattoo
s on their wrists.

Callan sits down on the coffee table next to me.
“You okay, cutie? I know it’s a lot to take in.”

I just sit stationary. I lift my gaze and lock eyes with Asher’s, the strange energy humming between
us again. Even in this moment, all I can think about is how good-looking he is. How can he not be divine?