The Angel's Fate

Chapter 5

My heart feels like it’s going to pop like an overblown balloon. I just can’t take this anymore. I pull away from him before I get sucked into his magnetic orbit and never want to leave.

I’ve got a job to do.

“I should get some sleep,” I whisper.

“Yeah,” he says sadly, but never lets go of my hand. I look down at the glowing magic swirling around our fingers and sigh.

I hate leaving him.

“I’ll be leaving early,” I say, “So I don’t bother anyone.”

He scoffs. “Bother?” He says, “You’re never a bother to me.”

I smile up at him with a shrug. What am I supposed to say to that? “Umm... Thank you for your hospitality today,” I say awkwardly. I can’t find the right words now. “I’ll... well... if I don’t see you in the morning...”

I pause for a moment, then lean in and tenderly kiss his cheek. His skin tastes like honeysuckle, and his lips are only inches away. I wish I could kiss them instead.

But I can’t. This silly game has to stop. It’s over. I have to force myself to realize that this is over.

“Goodbye,” I whisper into his ear.

“Goodbye,” he says mournfully.

I open the door, and give him one last forced smile before shutting it behind me.

Why did that goodbye feel so final?

I have to try to get some rest. The leader of the werewolves awaits.

————————————-

That was a horrendous night of sleep, despite the enchanted fairy bed of feathers and flowers.

All I could think about was Robin.

It’s just not healthy. We aren’t even the same species! It’s insane to even entertain feelings for him.

Push it down.

Focus on the friendship.

And for now, focus on setting the world right again.

I get out of the bed and look at myself in the mirror. My tousled curls cascade down my shoulders, hugging the curves of my chest through the delicate Fae fabric.

I run my fingers through my unruly hair, attempting to untangle it a bit.

I definitely look like a wild beast today.

After some whining and moaning, I finally make myself presentable. I pick another gown from the closet, a pink dress with slits up the sides long enough to expose my upper thighs and a plunging neckline that exposes some of the angelic Mark on my chest.

My dad would have a heart attack if he saw me in this. But I have to get the attention of a wolf, and wolves crave flesh.

I pull on the gown and examine myself in the mirror from every angle. It makes me feel powerful, like I might actually pull off this crazy mission.

Mariel, a voice chimes in my head, Are you okay? How is Robin?”

He’s good, Mom, I answer back, I’ll be home soon.

Our angelic ability for telepathy does come in handy sometimes, but good LORD it can be annoying. I never know when my mom is going to check in on me.

It’s especially distracting when I’ve got more pressing things at hand.

I draw my sword and begin to trace yet another transportation sigil into the ground. All of this teleporting is starting to make me dizzy.

I finish the rune with a flourish, and it begins to pulse at my feet.

I look up at the door, silently wishing that Robin would burst through at the last minute and sweep me off my feet.

Yeah, right.

I heave a defeated sigh and look back down.

I bend down and place my hand in the center of the symbol, immediately getting sucked through yet another wormhole. I concentrate all of my energy on the werewolf nest, praying that Robin was right about its location.

When I feel my feet hit solid ground once more, I wait for the blue and black flames to flicker away, narrowing my eyes to get a glimpse of my surroundings and try to blink away the dizziness.

I’ve been transporting too much lately.

When the world finally stops spinning I’m somewhere in the rambling hillsides of France, and in front of me is a majestic castle covered in ivy. It looks to be over a thousand years old, crumbling at the edges but still standing strong.

I take a breath and march toward it with my head held high.

No sign of fear or weakness can show through. This man is ruthless and bloodthirsty by all accounts.

There is a murky moat surrounding the castle, and no sign of life anywhere in sight.

I look around curiously. I don’t want to barge in uninvited...

Now what?

Then I hear the soft padding of paws in the grass nearby.

I turn around quickly, and before me is a giant white wolf with golden eyes.

This eyes look like mine.

It slinks toward me, prowling like an animal on the hunt. My heart slams in my chest as I hear a low growl rumbling in its chest.

But it stops dead in its tracks when it comes within a few feet of me, just like the vampire did.

It’s eyes widen in shock and it rears up on its hind legs.

Then it begins to shift.

I can’t help but smile. I’ve never seen another creature shift the way I do. It’s oddly comforting.

The giant furry paws are replaced by calloused hands and feet. The enormous head is replaced by a human face, but the eyes remain the same.

When the transformation is complete, a ruggedly muscled and very naked man is standing in front of me, his silver hair is clinging to the sweat droplets on his skin.

I’ve never seen a completely naked man before, so my face immediately flushes and I turn away in embarrassment.

So much for being brave.

“Who... what are you?” A deep, gravely voice pants.

I’m awkwardly looking in the distance, trying not to catch a glimpse of his... manliness.

“I’m... well...” I clear my throat.

Damnit, why can’t I find words right now? “I’m... er....”

“You’re not an angel, are you?” He says, eying the Mark on my chest.

His eyes on my bare skin make me want to cower in fear. I cross my arms self-consciously. “I am... well... not really...” I sputter out, then let out an awkward little laugh. I forget myself for a minute, and my eyes automatically get drawn to his perfectly defined chest.

Oh my God.

I tear my eyes away again quickly, hoping he didn’t notice me staring.

I shake my head a little, trying to regain my composure.

“My name is Mariel,” I say, feigning bravery.

“Wait... the Mariel?” He asks in shock. “The one who killed Lucifer?”

I nod and look at the ground. I’m doing a horrible job of appearing confident.

He takes a long stride toward me, and I can smell the scent of a predator on the hunt wafting toward me. I feel like I’ve just swallowed a boulder and it’s lodged in my throat..

Then something in his face changes as he gets closer to me, as if he’s realized something Earth-shattering.

“Hello, Mariel.” He pants “My name is Eric. Alpha of the Royal pack.” He says, and I can tell he’s restraining himself from reaching out to me.

God, this is so uncomfortable!

“I’ve waited an eternity to meet you,” he says breathlessly.