Ruffle My Feathers (The Seven - Book 2) (3 page)

Chapter Three

I'm definitely feeling like Alice in Wonderland but instead of rabbits and talking cards, there are Vampires and Fairies – oops – Fae, and Angels and Shifters. It's like all of the paranormal beings from fiction suddenly sprang to life and they're in this house. Make that this mansion. Dear god, I've never seen such a huge place.

I really like Layla and feel like I've already made a friend. She's so… normal. And her husband, the Prince of Vampires, Augustus. O.M.G. I can see why she fell for him. He's oh-so-fine.

But a bit dark and brooding for my taste. Not that he's dour, but he'd not Gabriel. But then no one is like Gabriel. He's …perfection. Seriously, his appearance, his voice, his personality – it's the complete package.

I nearly wet my pants this morning. We were sitting on the patio in one of the pergolas, having breakfast. Layla, Augustus, and I. Gabriel joined and he and Augustus started talking about someone named Lucan being peeved about the room he was placed in. Augustus barked at Gabriel that this wasn't a hotel. Layla froze and I felt like running. Augustus' eyes literally flashed.

It didn't affect Gabriel at all. He just reached out, plucked a fresh biscuit from the basket on the table, and responded with, "Keep your fangs in your gums, big guy. I'm not the concierge. Just letting you know his briefs are in a bunch."

Layla burst out laughing and so did I. After a few seconds Augustus started laughing and then Gabriel. There we were, four adults howling like idiots with tears running down our faces. I had to excuse myself to go to the bathroom.

I never expected them to act like normal people, but they kind of are. I mean they get annoyed, tickled, excited, or angry just like we do. Gabriel seems to find humor in just about everything, and delight as well. I wonder if that's because he's an Angel?

Which begs a bigger and for me, more important question. Is it a sin to have the hots for an Angel?

Nevaeh finished organizing her brushes and supplies on the makeup table. She'd emailed Layla a list of everything she would need and it had been waiting for her when she arrived. Now she had everything ready. There wasn't anything to do but wait.

She'd be doing Layla's make-up for the rehearsal dinner and Augustus, if he would permit. That was taking place at nine in the evening, leaving her virtually the entire day with nothing to do.

A knock at the door had her turning to look. Layla stuck her head in. "Hey. Ellie's brother Eldric and his companion Alex should be here landing around four. Ellie's brother-in-law, Colton and his wife Memory Wells will be arriving with them.

"Memory Wells? Are you serious?"

"You've heard of her?"

"God yes, she's really famous and probably the best photographer ever. They say she has a magic eye."

Layla chuckled. "From what I understand that's true. But yes. So you'll work with her to make sure everything's cool with what she wants to do for the portrait style shots."

"I'll be honored. Nervous but honored. Are they staying here?"

"No, they didn't want to stay here so we rented them a house down the road."

"So you and Augustus are the only ones I do tonight?"

"Actually, I'm think I'll just do it myself and Augustus still hasn't agreed. The press won't be here tonight so I don't have to look perfect."

"Oh, well I don't mind but if you're sure that's fine. I'll see you tomorrow."

"You'll see me tonight, girl. You're coming to the dinner and party afterwards."

"Oh I can't. I only brought one dress and if I wear it tonight—"

"Have you forgotten all those clothes?"Layla pointed in the direction of the door that led to the dressing area.

"I can't just take-"

"Oh hell yes you can. So take your time and pick out something splendid. The rehearsal is over at eight, so meet me on the patio at a quarter past. You can sit with Augustus and me. Gabriel will be sitting with us.

"Are you sure?"

Layla hurried over to her and took her hand. "Nev, I know we just met, but I feel like we're friends already and if you'd gotten a glimpse of who's here, you know friends are in short supply. We're two humans on an estate populated by Preterhumans. I don't know about you, but having another human next to me feels pretty damn good."

"It
is
a little intimidating. Well, except for Gabriel. And Augustus. He's really nice but Gabriel…"

"Is hot as a fourth of July firecracker. I know. And by the way, just in case you're interested, he said he was going to try and round up people for beach volleyball."

"Really?" Nevaeh had gotten a scholarship to college for volleyball. She hadn't graduated and regretted that more than she'd care to admit. She had to drop out to work and help pay for extra help to care for her father before he had to be institutionalized.

"Yeah. Why don't you grab a suit and head down to the beach?"

"Thanks, Layla. I just might."

Layla gave her a hug and turned away. "I'll see you at eight-fifteen sharp. Have fun!"

Nevaeh wandered into the dressing room and flipped through the rack of swimsuits. A white two-piece caught her eye and on impulse, she pulled it from the rack.

Five minutes later, armed with several bottles of water, a towel, sunglasses and flip-flops she'd found in the dressing room she headed out to the beach.

A volleyball net was erected and there were people sitting on beach chairs and on towels spread on the sand watching as two groups of people stood on opposite sides of the net, talking.

It wasn't hard to spot Gabriel although she was shocked that there was no sign of his wings. Even without them he stood out, that tall frame, warm tanned skin, long lean muscles, and blond hair blowing in the wind around his head like a golden halo.

Aside from Gabriel, there were four other people on his side of the net.
Yes!
She grinned and tossed her things down on the sand.

"Got room for one more?" She walked up behind Gabriel.

He turned with a smile and she felt a shiver dance over her skin despite the heat as his gaze raked over her. "Oh yes we do. Ever played?"

"In college."

"Good enough for me."

The teams set up and got the game underway. Nevaeh was shy in a lot of settings but never on the volleyball court. Aside from her, there was one other female on her team and she was worth more as decoration than athlete.

The other team had two women as well but they were fit and from their level of play, serious about competition. Nevaeh loved it. Her team, aside from the decoration, fell into sync pretty quick, led by Gabriel who had amazing moves.

It was hard not to admire him in action. It made the game more exciting and on an entirely different level.

Nevaeh cheered, bumped fists, and hugged teammates when they scored the winning point. Just as a guy, Mike, released her, Gabriel swept her up in his arms and swung her around.

Nevaeh laughed, looped her legs around his torso, and threw her arms out as he spun her around. When he slowed, her hands moved to the top of his shoulders and her gaze lowered to connect with his.

The smile on his face transformed into a look that had her breath catching in her throat. For a few moments they were frozen, her held aloft in his arms, her body plastered to his from navel to groin and eyes locked.

She felt a new heat that had nothing at all to do with the ambient temperature or the sun beating down on them. A smile rose slowly on his face again, this one as sexy as sin.

Nevaeh unwound her legs from around his body. "Good game. Thanks for letting me play."

"Heaven-spelled-backwards, we haven't even started to play yet."

"No?"

"No."

"Well, let me know when we do."

"Oh you'll know. No doubt about it. Say, how do you feel?"

"Fine. Hot and sweaty but fine, why?"

"I can take care of that."

He turned and headed for the water with her still hanging on. Neveah braced herself as he waded out knee deep and then dove. She released her grip on him, stretched her arms up over her head, and dove backwards.

The water was cool and felt glorious. She surfaced, shook her hair back and looked around. There was no sign of Gabriel. Just then, she felt a hand close around her ankle. A split second later she was pulled under.

They wrestled around for a few seconds and then surfaced. Nevaeh made a dive at him just as he was standing but he was fast. He caught her by the waist, lifted her up and sent her sailing, high enough that she had time to turn and dive into the water.

She swam over and came up in front of him, leaping up and planting her hands on his shoulders to try and push him down. "You're going down, big guy."

His arms circled her body, pulling her in tight against him and then letting her slide down his body until she was eye-level with him. "I do hope so."

Nevaeh forgot all about being nervous about what he was, and where they were. In this moment he was just a man, looking at her with desire clear in his eyes and a very impressive erection pressed against her belly.

"Do you now?" She searched his eyes, feeling his breath sweet and warm in her face has he moved closer.

"Oh yeah."

Then he kissed her. Neveah had been kissed before, but she could honestly say she'd never been kissed like this. It was …perfect. So much that all she could think was that she wished time would stop in this moment so that the kiss never ended.

Gabriel was so caught up in the kiss that he almost missed it, but the phenomenon was strong enough to break through the power of the kiss. His senses alerted and curiosity filled his mind, along with a healthy measure of amazement.

Did she realize what was happening or was she oblivious to it? All around them the world had stopped. There was no one moving, or speaking. The waves were frozen in mid-crash, the small fish around their legs motionless.

Time, it seemed, had been paused. Only they were functional and aware. The feel of her lips against his, her tongue caressing his and her lithe body pressed against him as her hand tangled in is wet hair, was the sum of the moment.

It was amazing and he wished he could dismiss that amazement but he couldn't. As much as he wanted her right now, he couldn't turn his mind away from the incredible event that was taking place.

Gabriel pulled back from the kiss and the moment he did, the world restarted. Waves crashed, fish swam, the wind blew, and people resumed their movements and speech.

"I think we should reserve this for a place less – public."

She laughed and released her hold on him. "You have a point."

"So, perhaps later … after the rehearsal dinner? Maybe we could take a late swim, or a walk?"

"Maybe so."

"Then it's a date?"

She smiled at him. "Yeah, it's a date."

He gave her a soft kiss. "Heaven-spelled-backwards, you're a surprising woman."

"And you're nothing like I imagined an Angel to be. Which reminds me. Where are your wings?"

"Attached to my body."

"Then why don't I see them?"

"Because I don't want you to."

"You mean you can hide your wings just by thinking it?"

"Well, yes, I guess that's a good an explanation as any."

She shook her head. "There are so many questions I want to ask you."

"And I'll gladly answer. But for now…" He grinned, picked her up and tossed her.

Gabriel laughed as she squealed and splashed into the water. He definitely wanted to talk to Augustus and maybe even Severin or Andre about what had just happened.

She had not been affected by his touch in the normal way. All humans experienced some measure of pleasure or bliss from the touch of an Angel. All but her. Why was that?

And that thing that happened. Time stopping. That was beyond remarkable. It was an ability every wizard or daemon he knew would love to possess. As much as Gabriel tried to stay out of all things political or strategic, he could not help but consider the worth of such an ability. Just as Augustus had seen how Layla could be beneficial to their cause, Gabriel now saw the same about Neveah.

Severin was right. She could control time. Which made her… what?

That was something he was going to find out.

Chapter Four

Something happened this afternoon, while Gabriel and I were in the water. Well, something more than the kiss. As if that wasn't mind-blowing enough.

But there was something else. It felt like everything went completely silent. I could hear my own heart beating, and the sound of his and the faint whoosh of our breath but I couldn't hear anything else.

If that's any indication of the power of an Angel then making love with him might cause the damn planet to spin off its axis. I don't know that I'll ever forget that kiss, or even have another that will measure up to it.

That's a depressing thought and almost makes me wish I hadn't kissed him. No, that's a lie. I wanted to from the moment I saw him, and I'll never regret it.

I have to remember to tell Layla that she was wrong. I don't feel bliss when he touches me. I feel passion – god do I ever, but I don't feel bliss. Or do I? The world went silent. Is that bliss? It didn't feel like it. Bliss isn't feeling like you could rape a guy and that's definitely how I felt.

I'll tell her later if I have a chance. For now, I'm grateful there were so many beautiful dresses to choose from because tonight I want to look my best.

Nevaeh was waiting on the pool patio for Layla. She'd chosen a halter style dress with a fitted bodice and a fluted hem that brushed the tops of her knees. The colors of it were that of a peacock's tail in an iridescent fabric overlaying a nude lining. Luckily there had been as many shoes to choose from as dresses and she'd found a pair of strappy heels that were perfect.

With the heels on, she was nearly six feet tall, which gave her a moment's concern. Being five foot, ten barefoot, she rarely wore high heels, afraid it made her stand out too much. She'd almost opted for a pair of flats but decided to be bold. The dress made her feel pretty and everyone's eyes would be on Layla and Augustus anyway.

"Oh my god, you look incredible!"

Nevaeh turned at the sound of Layla's voice. Layla and Augustus walked hand-in hard toward her. Behind them was Gabriel.

"Are the heels too much?" She asked Layla when they drew near.

"Not for me." Gabriel answered before Layla had a chance. He stepped around Layla and offered Neveah his arm. "Wanna be my date for dinner, beautiful?"

Neveah gave him a smile and then looked at Layla for confirmation who nodded. "I'd like that. And you all look just beautiful."

"Why yes, we do, don't we?" Gabriel grinned and dodged the soft punch from Layla. "So, let's go get this party started. I'm so hungry I could eat the side of the house."

"You're always hungry." Layla teased as Augustus turned her to head back the way they'd come.

Gabriel chuckled and placed his free hand on top of Nevaeh's as it rested in the crook of his arm. "You do look amazing, Heaven-spelled-backwards."

"Thank you. And are you always going to call me that?"

"Hmmm, no I think I might have a few other phrases I may want to use … later."

That teasing response, coupled with the look he gave her had something hot and hungry sliding through her.

"Oh!" Layla looked over her shoulder. "Eldric and the others will be here any time. We sent cars for them. We've placed them at the adjacent table to us."

"And Lucan Concoran, the Council leader for the Fae, asked to be placed at their table so he could open dialogue with Eldric,"Augustus added.

"I thought this was a party, not a parliament,"Gabriel groused.

Augustus shrugged. "Eldric is more than capable of handling Lucan."

Nevaeh listened to the exchange, finding herself more curious about Ellie's newfound family. Would they be as nice and friendly as she, seeing as how they were part of some royal Fae line?

Half an hour later, she had the answer to that question. Ellie's brother, Eldric was almost as beautiful as Gabriel, a bit reserved but still friendly. Colton Marsh was a man she'd define as protector. Tall and big, he was sexy as holy hell and gave off the air that he'd be the one to run to for protection.

His wife, Memory – well Nev was a little intimidated to meet her but once she had the nervousness vanished. By the time everyone took their seats for the dinner to commence, Nevaeh felt like she'd found new friends.

Her feelings of ease and happiness vanished in a flash when Asha Iltani made her entrance. She was incredibly beautiful but it felt like the temperature dropped ten degrees when she entered the lavish ballroom.

There was no more chatter, no laughter and the entire room felt suffused with an atmosphere of tension.

Asha took her place at the head of the table where the bridal party was seated. She did not sit, but lifted a glass of what appeared to be red wine. Nevaeh found that curious. All other glasses at the table were champagne.

Asha waited, her gaze on the back of the room. Nevaeh followed the direction of her gaze and saw the people filtering in. An area had been cordoned off and was now filling up with reporters and camera crews.

Nevaeh cut a look at Layla and Augustus and if ever a man's expression could be equated to a thundercloud, it was his. She understood. She hadn't done Layla's makeup because they were under the impression that no press would be attending. Gabriel leaned over and whispered in her ear. "And now, on with the show."

She opened her mouth to ask him what he meant but stopped when Asha began to speak. "I would like to welcome you all to the celebration of the marriage of Augustus Thurinus to Layla Summerfield."

She paused for a moment. "We have all witnessed the effects of globalization in economy. This process of international integration arose from the interchange of world views, ideas, products, and other aspects of cultures and produced a new level of interdependence among the citizens of this world. Today, a smartphone ordered in Africa is designed in California and assembled in multiple other countries. This economic integration is evidence we can see and the measure of a new era.

"Just as we have embraced globalization on an economic front, we must also embrace it on a racial front, embracing not only ideas from the cultures of our world, but the genetic differences between the races who call this world home. In doing so, we realize that the commonalities outweigh the differences, that we are all more alike than we realized, and that together we can build a world that is better for all who call it home.

"The upcoming nuptials of Augustus and Layla demonstrate not only that our kind can co-exist but we can find something to love within all of us. They, like several of the couples in attendance tonight, have chosen to step outside the bounds of racial bigotry and see within the person.

"This is a celebration of integration, of the combining of peoples; a bringing together that will forge new strengths and manifest new advancements."

She paused and looked around. When she inclined her head at someone, Nevaeh followed her gaze and noticed a man off to the side. He raised his wrist to his mouth and appeared to speak into his watch.

Asha raised her glass. "Please lift your glass in toast to not only the joining of these two people, but the joining—"

Just then, all hell broke loose. Men spilled from the press gallery, wielding weapons.

"Oh no!" Nevaeh grabbed Gabriel's hand. "Oh no!"

Time paused for a blink then restarted. In the next second, Augustus and several others were on their feet. A big man who reminded her of a lion with his mane of hair literally roared and grabbed one of the assailants.

"Gabriel!" Nevaeh gripped his hand like a lifeline.

Gabriel had time to cut his eyes from one side of the room to the other as time did an abrupt stop and restart. He turned his gaze to Nevaeh. She gasped as Connor lifted the assailant and tossed him a good twenty feet. He roared again but the sound cut off abruptly as his body jerked to one side and blood spurted from his shoulder.

"Oh my god!"

Before the words were out of her mouth, time did another stop and restart. Even amidst the perils unfolding, Gabriel couldn't help but be amazed.

"Gabriel!"

His attention went in the direction of hers. Two shifters had transformed into wolves and leapt onto the man who'd fired the shot. But there were three more attackers coming at the wolves. Gabriel kept hold of Nevaeh's hand and flew into action, plowing through four attackers, his free fist sending them flying through the air to crash into tables.

Had it not been a horror, it would have been comical. Time was stopping and starting like an engine stuttering. People were screaming, trying to flee, and running into one another.

He hurried Nevaeh back to the table, intend upon turning it over and getting her and Layla behind it. Gunfire sounded from the center of the room and Layla was propelled back in her seat.

Nevaeh saw the blood that spurted from Layla's chest and screamed for Augustus.

By the time she'd screamed his name he was already in motion. As servers dropped trays and pulled weapons from beneath their aprons, he plowed through them, his blows sending them careening through the air. He moved impossibly fast, so fast she lost track of him.

  Camera crews suddenly wielded assault weapons rather than cameras and more armed people were pouring in from the service entrance and main entrance to the ballroom. Gunfire and screams mixed with the sound of breaking china and glass as people trying to flee were cut down.

Nevaeh was in shock, looking one way and the other. Eldric and Colton had jumped up and with their family, turned over the table to take cover behind it. Nevaeh saw the Council leader for the Fae get shot, his back exploding in a shower of red.

Gabriel raced back to them, dove across the table, taking her to the floor with him. He gathered Layla in his arms. She saw his right shoulder spurt blood and the man climbing across the top of their table with a gun in his hand about to shoot again. She threw up both hands, palms out at the man coming for them. "No! Stop now!"

The sudden silence was deafening. She looked at Gabriel and he was frozen. Everyone was.

"Oh … oh my god." Nevaeh clamped her hands to either side of her head. Was she having an aneurysm, a stroke, hallucination? Had she been shot and was dying?

This was impossible. Her heartrate kicked up so high she felt like she'd just run a mile in four minutes. "No, no, no … this isn't…" She took off into the room, darting this way and that, feeling like she was suddenly in an alien world. Blood and broken glass hung motionless in the air as did bullets and bodies.

People in the motion of falling were suspended, looking like mannequins. She could even see drops of wine from glasses suspended in motion. No one breathed or blinked. There was a complete lack of sound.

"Oh god, no. No. " She raced back to Gabriel and grabbed his arm to shake him.

He blinked and looked around. "Oh, very cool."

"Cool? What the – " Aside from herself and Gabriel, no one else was moving."Gabriel, what's going on?"

"You tell me, you're doing it."

"No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are."

"No, no. This is …how can this be happening?"

"I don't have a clue. How long will this last?"

"What?"

"How long will time be frozen?"

"How should I know?"

"Well you did it."

"No, I didn't. I told you it's not me."

He frowned. "Okay, no time to argue. We need to get everyone out."

"How?"

He frowned again. "You touched me and now I'm unfrozen. So, let's try this. Touch Augustus and see what happens."

"I don't see how that—"

"Just do it Nev."

Nevaeh thought it was the dumbest idea ever but she didn't argue. She looked up and saw Augustus two feet behind the man who'd shot Layla, his arm stretched out as if to grab the man.

She got to her feet and went to him. When she touched him, Augustus unfroze and continued toward the man, knocking him over. He turned with a snarl. "What's happening?"

"We're under attack."

"That I know. I meant this." He gestured around the room. "And where's Layla?"

Nevaeh pointed in the direction of the table where they'd been sitting. Augustus leapt across the table and dropped to his knees beside Gabriel, taking Layla from Gabriel's arms.

Neveah raced around the table and dropped down to her knees beside them."What do we do?"

Augustus looked at Gabriel. "Why is everything…frozen?"

"I think time is on hold."

"Pardon?"

"We'll figure it out later. For now, let Nev touch Layla."

"Because?"

"Because she can wake Layla like she woke you."

"No. Her wound is severe. We cannot wake her until we're in a position to heal her immediately."

"Can you do that?" Nevaeh looked first at Augustus and then at Gabriel. "Heal her?"

They looked at one another. "She doesn't want to be turned."Gabriel said.

"Do you know another way?"