FALLEN: Second Chance

Chapter 6 - Promise

Ariel POV

I opened my eyes, and my back hurt like hell, and that pain was not compared to the one that I was feeling inside my heart. Jaziel, my chosen alma is gone, he sacrificed himself in order to give me and my sisters a chance to run and hide from Raziel´s evil plans.

The scent of my surroundings showed me that I was not in an open space. In the background, I could hear the noise of someone scrubbing dishes, and the smell of food. I felt the soft surface where my body lay, and I knew I was rescued by someone.

Would that someone be ill-intended? Or could they be trusted? It was a huge question that I was afraid to find the answer to. I am too weak to defend myself, the pain of the bond being severed is something I don't wish upon anyone.

I flinched in pain, and then I heard a soft feminine voice say, “It looks like you are coming back…”

I sighed and realized that I was in the house of a good Samaritan and that I should not be afraid. Then I remembered,

***Flashback***

“Oh, come on, Jaz… you know I can fend for myself!” I was annoyed at his attitude.

“Yes, I know… You are a great warrior, here in this realm, but out in other realms, things could be completely different, that is why I need to teach you this…” Jaziel gave me a stern look.

“You know I hate theory… I am all for practice,” I joked “Besides if I go to another realm, I am confident you will be next to me…” I batted my lashes playfully.

“As long as I have air in my lungs, that will be the case… But please, listen to this, it will give me great peace of mind, knowing that you know these techniques…” He pleaded and pouted. Immediately followed by his stupid mesmerizing dimple that I completely adored, and I knew that he had won this argument.

“OK, fire away…” I said defeated and sat crisscrossed in front of him.

“You pay close attention… in the rare case that you end up in a different realm, and you are not sure of your surroundings, it is better to not reveal your true nature and identity,” Jaziel said, warning and fear in his voice.

“OH! Come on, maybe I can plead diplomacy…” I said, confident that my option would be the most efficient.

“Babe, listen to me. Most of the rulers of the other realms lead by fear, not with kindness. They are power-hungry, and nailing the daughter of the angel king will be a treasured price. So please promise me, if you find yourself lost in an unknown realm, hide your wings and pretend you have lost your memories…” He said, and locked eyes with me, hoping that I honestly promised to pretend to be someone else if the occasion arose.

“I promise…” I said solemnly. Then I joked, “From now on, I will be Melissa if we are outside this realm…” Immediately Jaziel flashed me his beautiful smile and ran his hands through my blonde locks.

“Melissa, I love it.” He whispered huskily,

“Any other advice?” I was a little annoyed by this conversation.

“Yes, don't fall into another realm without me…” He joked and I rolled my eyes.

After that, he kissed me and everything around us faded away.

***END OF FLASHBACK***

Tears filled my eyes, with the memory of my alma. I opened up my eyes, and tears ran freely out of my eyes.

“Calm down… You are safe…” The same voice said.

I focused my eyes and saw a middle-aged woman, with kind eyes staring back at me.

“Hi, There… My name is Anya… I am the head cook at King Maximus´s palace… Two days ago I found you unconscious under a thunderstorm…” She briefed me.

“Do you have any family we can contact? They must be worried sick about you…” She softly said, but I shook my head no. I had no idea where I was, or who the f**k is king Maximus, but I am positive that my sisters are away, my dad was certainly killed, while my mom was held captive. There was no family to be called, and the only one that would move earth and sky to find me is gone.

“Are you an orphan?” she asked, and with my heart tightening, I decided to follow Jaz´s advice, and keep my promise to keep myself safe and hidden. I nodded, letting her know that I was indeed an orphan.

“Do you have a name?” She asked.

“Yes, my name is Melissa.” I immediately replied, with tears in my eyes. Oh! my sweet Jaziel, how much I miss you…

“It's OK, were you running away from someone?” She asked, and I decided to go with the half-truth there. Yes, I was running away from someone, I just decided to leave out that, said someone was in a different realm.

“Yes… Please help me…” I pleaded with her, and her eyes softened, she sat next to me and gave me a motherly hug.

“You are safe now…” She softly patted the back of my head.

“Your injuries have healed, and I must say, that is a beautiful tattoo, the one on your back…” She said,

“Thanks…” I said to her, Part of my warrior training included ways to protect ourselves and hide our wings. This is not the first time I have had that tattoo on my back. I practiced many times around Jaz. I knew how my embedded wings looked on my back, a beautiful tattoo of angel wings in silver and steel colors.

“I just got it… a few months ago…” I lied,

“Well, the artist did an outstanding job.” She praised my ´tattoo´ If she only knew, that it was not a tattoo, that those were my real wings.

“So, Melissa… Are you hungry?” She asked.

“Actually, I am starving…” I chuckled.

“Well, let's eat something. Sonia will be here soon. I am sure she is dying to meet you…” The lady that introduced herself as Anya said.

“Sonia?” I asked,

“OH! Silly me!... As I said, my name is Anya, I am 40 years old, and the head cook for the Lycan king, King Maximus. I live with my mate, her name is Sonia, she is 32 years old, and a school teacher.” Anya said with a bright smile. Then she looked up, “Speaking of the devil…” her eyes sparkled.

I turned around and saw a gorgeous lady, with a soft smile and bright blue eyes. She must be Sonia. “Melisa, this is my mate, Sonia…” Anya proudly presented her mate.

“Nice to meet you, Sonia…” I politely replied.

“So, Melissa… I think Anya might have asked these questions, but do you have any family?” Sonia quickly asked.

“Sonny, she is an orphan, and she is running away from someone….” Anya paused,

“You didn't do anything illegal right?” she rushed the question.

I laughed, now she is curious to find out if I am a serial killer. “No, I am running away from a mad ex…” I quickly lied.

“Oh!” She sighed.

“Well, tomorrow I have to get back to work… I don't mind if you stick around, we actually have a spare room you can use…” Anya said, and then Sonia quickly added,

“But you might want to take it easy for a couple of days, and then start looking for a job…” She said,

I gave both of them a curious look, a job? I am good at fighting, but I don't think they have an opening for a warrior like me here.

Sonia chuckled, “No, Honey, we don't want you to pay rent, or supplies here, we have that covered… I mean, you might want to find something to do, feel useful, start getting back control of your life…” She softly corrected the first impression.

I nodded, yes, that is an excellent idea… I honestly have no idea if I could do any kind of job, but for my survival, I have to try.

“How about this? Today is Wednesday, and Saturday and Sunday are my days off… I can give you a tour of the city, so you can start finding your way around the city…” Sonia beamed, and I gave her a soft nod.

Jaz told me that most people in other realms were not nice, and had hidden agendas, but I think I got lucky with my current rescuers.

“And don´t worry, you can stay here for as long as you need.” Anya quickly said.

“Thank you, so much…” I felt overwhelmed by their openness and hospitality, so I jumped and gave them both a hug. Feeling both laid embrace me, made me miss my mate even more.

I promised you, Jaz, that in this situation I will do everything to protect and hide. I promised you that I will survive, and I am going to hold to that promise.

Today was Saturday, and Sonia is going to take me around the city. I have been a good guest, I clean after myself and try to be considerate to everyone around. I hope they don't mind hosting me for a lot longer than expected.

“So, are you ready?” Sonia asked me and I nodded.

“As ready as one can be!” I said enthusiastically.

These women have been really kind to me. Sonia one day arrived with several sets of clothing, while Anya bought toiletries and hygiene products for me. Now, I really want to find a job, so I can somehow contribute and repay them for their kindness. Also, I need a job to get a place of my own until I can get back to my home.

I took a deep breath and walked outside the cabin. The forest that surrounded the city was wonderful, and I only thought of finding a place where I could keep on with my training. I have to stay strong and in shape, I promised Jaziel…

Sonia took an old car out and she drove to the city. “Here, right on this spot, there is a bus that stops and takes you right straight into the main business district. “ She pointed at a bus stop.

“Noted…” I said to her,

We made our way into the city, and the city was vibrant and vivacious. I loved the energy that surrounded it. I think I can hold my ground here…

“Don´t be fooled by its beauty… You have to be always alert while walking around here. There are plenty of thieves and lustful guys that will love to have a cute girl like you.” Sonia burst my bubble with those words.

“Noted, again… Thanks for everything.” I said honestly.

She pointed at the supermarket, and at a shopping center. “I don't know what skill you have, but there are plenty of simple jobs you can do, like waitressing, or sales…” Sonia suggested, and actually, I had thought about what I could be good at, aside from fighting, and I think waitressing could be a good option. Sales, not so much, I am not a people pleaser, and if someone tries a hideous outfit, I will completely tell them the truth… I could see myself having plenty of unhappy customers…

I chuckled and Sonia looked my way. “What's so funny?”

“I kind of suffer from brutal honesty… I can see myself making a lot of unhappy customers if I go into sales…” I joked.

“Oh! Dear… so waitressing would be…” She laughed.

We spent the day walking around and doing some sightseeing. She even took me to the castle for a tour visit. The place was magnificent and impressive. I saw the training grounds behind the palace, and I craved to be out there kicking some ass, but I noticed that there were only males among the trainees.

“Sonia, do they hire women to be warriors?” I asked.

“You sure are not from around!” she softly said,

“Of course, I am not from around…” I gave her a sheepish smile.

“Where have you been living, chica? Under a rock or something?” Sonia joked dryly.

“Every Lycan or She-wolf knows that we are only good for breeding, and minor roles, like cleaning, cooking, and teaching.” She rolled her eyes.

“You know as a lesbian, it has been hard to be accepted by this misogynist society… I wish they had a special force led by women, that will show them.” She said fiercely.

I chuckled… “Indeed, we have been shunned away,” I said with an offended voice.

Sonia laughed, and with that, my aspirations to become a warrior in these lands died altogether.