Wings of Destiny, page 24
He shrugged. “Nothing, actually. That’s straight coffee with a triple shot of espresso. Thought the added sugar and milk might slow ya down, Snow.”
“Gross. Thanks, but next time, I’ll take the damn risk.” I washed the bitter taste down with the water that he’d dropped next to my head.
“Unfortunately, I must agree with Miss Snow. Based solely off of her training session this morning, the added sugar and dairy wouldn’t have slowed her down by much.”
I flipped Josh off and gulped down the remainder of my water. I tossed the empty bottle to Derik and pushed myself to my feet, dagger dangling from my hand. I padded to where my sword and second dagger lay in the grass and picked them up. Humming filled my ears.
“You mustn’t simply toss me on the ground again. That was obscurely rude.”
“What?”
“Surely you must realize how rude it is to simply toss us to the ground, as if we are nothing more than trash. Honestly, given your heritage, one would think you would know better.”
“Heritage? What do you mean? My dad, from what I very recently learned, was an Angel. How was I supposed to know any of that?” I crossed my arms, glaring at my sword. It rang, a slight orange hue surrounded it.
“It is your responsibility to learn,” the orange hue flared. “Now, look alive and not as if you are speaking with your weapons. Sheath myself and hold on to my sisters tightly. Do not allow us to leave your sight. Do you understand?”
I held back my glare, as the sword had a point. I didn’t need Derik or Josh thinking I was a nutcase, or that the training and Nephilim shit was getting to me. “Understood.”
I held my weapons close, snapping my attention back to Josh and Derik, the two of them conversing. Josh seemingly busting my chops once again on my fighting techniques.
“Oh, up yours, Josh. I’m new to this whole fighting with a weapon thing. Cut me some slack.”
“Cutting you slack is what could get you and everyone else here killed. So, no. I will not be ‘cutting you slack,’ Miss Snow,” he looked at Derik. “I believe we shall need to continue this at minimum twice a day for the foreseeable future. Derik will reassess over the next couple of weeks. As will Mr. Draven as his schedule deems fit.”
“And what exactly do you mean by that? Mine and Seth’s schedules are damn near identical with the exception of my job at the library.” I narrowed my eyes on the two of them.
Derik ran his hand through his tousled hair. “Actually, Erin, he has a point. Seth needs to really focus on finding the humans with this whole ‘Key’ business. We were talking last night and he’s not going to be in classes for a while once they resume.”
“What!?” I gripped my daggers and sword closer to my chest and stomped around to the front of the house. I kicked open the door to see Seth and Libby sitting at the kitchen island, nonchalantly chatting over coffee, no doubt with actual sugar in it.
I stomped inside, practically growling. “Seth Draven. What the actual fuck? Why are Derik and Josh saying that you’re leaving me to suffer alone through classes while your ass is off hunting down this Demon and missing human bullshit?” I went to toss my sword and daggers on the couch when the humming and weird vision-slash-inner-monologue replayed. Instead, I carefully set them down on the couch, patting my sword for good measure. I stomped to where Seth and Libby sat, flames building in my stomach.
Seth shot his hands up in front of himself in defense. “Woah, woah, Rin. Easy there, girl.”
Fire erupted at my fingertips.
Nifty.
“You want to try that again, Seth? Do I look like a damn horse to you?”
His eyes flicked down to my hands, flames still ignited. “No. Shit. I’m sorry, Rin, I didn’t mean it like that. I just…I’m taking off a bit to focus on getting this shit figured out so we can find those humans. Who the hell knows what they’re going through right now. And The Key…I want to find out more on that and I can’t do that wasting time at school,” he rushed. “Besides, they’re just repeater classes for me anyway.” He stopped. His eyes widened. “Shit. Erin I didn’t mean—”
“If they’re just ‘repeater classes’ then why the fuck are you taking them? Are you wasting damn money on classes you don’t even need!?” I paused. A conversation from a few weeks ago popped into my head. “Oh, my actual fuck. Are you only taking those classes to keep a fucking eye on me? What the hell is wrong with you? Do you think I’m that incompetent?” Ice lined my voice. My chest vibrated, the hurt rampaged through me. I wanted to scream until my heart burst into the flames that filled me.
Stop keeping shit from me.
I can’t fucking take this anymore.
Seth stammered. Libby swooped in. “Erin. That’s not what Seth is saying, I know it’s hard to believe, but trust me on this. Please. There’s just a lot going on right now, as you know,” she shot me a pointed look. “And if you both miss class it might raise some suspicions if anyone looks too closely.”
“Lib, I get that. I really do. But who the hell would be suspicious of that?”
Sounds like an excuse to me.
I snipped, “If any humans were to get ‘suspicious’ of anything it would be along the lines of two individuals who’ve been absurdly close since practically birth, suddenly not showing up. I don’t know about you, but in my world that screams knocked up or giving up on their dreams. And considering Seth and I aren’t even on that first plane, I’m not about to have our professors think for a minute that he’s a drop out.” I sucked in a steadying breath.
“He’s a great student and highly intelligent. A huge pain in my ass but a great person with a future. Beyond just our jobs as Nephilim.” I panted, fire dwindling as I caught a glimpse of pain in Seth’s eyes.
I drew in a long breath before continuing. “If you’re going to take off and avoid actual in person class, can you at least, please, look through my notes and try to keep up? Go over the material with me. Check in with our pain-in-the-ass professor about switching to online self-guided courses. Something?” I pleaded.
An idea popped in my head. “If you promise me that you’ll do that, then I’ll promise to stay out of the way. I’ll stick to school books, work, and training. And away from the action. I’ll let you do all the protector-of-the-masses crap.”
I know it’s selfish. Just please say yes.
Seth stared at me, minutes passed by.
“Okay.”
“Thank you.”
I offered him a faint smile.
Little did he know, my fingers were crossed.
I don’t know what else you’re keeping from me.
But I need to find out. I need my own answers.
Please forgive me after all of this, Seth.
Chapter thirty-one
Erin
Seth, all but admitting he was in school and not moving forward because he felt the need to be overly baring, continued to taunt me as I changed out of most of my training gear and into black skinny jeans and a hoodie; I left the long sleeve on.
If he doesn’t graduate, it’ll be my fault.
Or if he gets killed. Or Libby. Or Derik. Even Josh.
It would all be my fault.
A stabbing pain flooded my chest, my heart and lungs squeezed. I gasped for breath, pushing the thoughts into a little black box. I panted as I clamped it shut and blinked away the salty tears that were on the verge of erupting.
I flopped onto my bed and stared at the ceiling until my eyelids fluttered shut.
“I see you’re finally taking things more seriously.”
I kept my eyes closed, my hands resting behind my head. “I see you’re still interrupting my sleep. Screw off. Can’t you let me be?”
He disregarded the question. “The swords have found you. I wonder, do they approve?”
I scoffed. “Don’t you mean I found them? Josh had me go into that not-so-little hidden room Seth just so happened to have in his house, another secret he refrained from informing me of.”
“Ah, but you see, the long sword and daggers were not there until recently, Erin.” The mystery man rumbled.
I peaked one eye open in his direction, taking in the dreamscape. We were once again in the mountains. Mist covered the mountain ridges, a hint of rain in the air. “What do you mean?”
“Nephilim blades are specially designed, created. And those made in particular for the strongest of Nephilim, those who may be extraordinary, are not created, rather, they appear. They come to fruition when their wielders come into their power. It is a rarity to which that is already so rare. Not only had yours appeared, but more than one attached itself to you.”
“Great. So, I’m extra special. I can spit fire and lightning out of my fingers, and I get three weapons of the stabbing realm which can talk to me.”
“You can hear them?” His brow furrowed.
“Yes.” I pressed my lips together.
“Hm. Interesting.”
“Tell me about it. I feel like a freaking psycho. At first there was just a hum and then I heard their voices. Well, once voice, from the sword. And it called the daggers its ‘sisters’. Mind cluing me in on that one?”
“The humming, that is rather unusual.”
I huffed and sat up. “Is any of this ‘usual’? Because this whole thing still feels like I’m on some prank show. Josh said there should be a hum. And there was. So, if it’s not usual then why did he say something about it?”
He pondered that for a moment. “I am not sure. However, power attracts power, Miss Snow.”
“That answers absolutely nothing.” My eyes rolled.
“My apologies, Erin.” He faced away. His back to me, hands clasped behind him.
I sighed. “It’s whatever.” I stared at him, the mysterious man who continued to appear in my dreams.
I pulled my legs to my chest and wrapped my arms around them as I rested my chin on top of my knees. “Am I doing the right thing?” I asked, my voice carried on the breeze that flowed through the mountain ridge.
“I know what you are asking, Erin. And unfortunately, that is not for me to decide, nor to disclose, the path which would be most beneficial. That ultimately would be your decision. Whichever path you chose, you must be willing to fight your fears, for that which haunts you may very well be not only your undoing, but the world as you know it.”
My fingers pressed into my skin, my laugh lifeless. “Nothing like some good ole’ ‘world rests on my shoulders’ pressure, huh?”
He nodded and slowly faced me once again. “You are much stronger than you realize, Erin.”
The dream faded away and my eyes fluttered open, a weight sat heavily on my chest. “It sure doesn’t feel like it,” I whispered to myself.
My phone beeped. I groaned as I snatched it off of the nightstand and plugged in my passcode. A text from Seth popped up.
Hey, I’m sorry for not telling you about me skipping out…and that you had to hear it from the guys. Not very bff behavior.
It’s fine.
Want to grab some grub later? On me?
I have a shift at the library.
It wasn’t a total lie.
What about afterwards? I’ll pick you up. Just the two of us.
What about Libby and Derik? Or Josh?
The little typing bubble appeared on the screen.
Nah, Lib and Derik are heading back to their places tonight and Josh said he needed to get some work done. So just us.
My heart pulled a bit.
Alright. But I’m paying.
Uh. How about no, it's on me.
Let me take care of it please. You’ve been letting me live here and it’s the least I can do.
Take it as an apology for my overreacting earlier.
Rin, you weren’t overreacting, you’re fine.
I’m stealing the check so you can’t pay.
Bet. I’m faster than you Snow, and you know it.
Psh, yeah right.
And what was your time on our last run?
Excuse me, Seth, I was half asleep.
Smh, lol
What does that even mean?
A knock sounded at the door. I slowly sat up, not wanting to leave the comfort of my bed and opened it to find a smirking Seth.
“Do you really not know what ‘smh’ means?”
“No? What is it? Smh?” I crossed my arms over my chest, my hip leaned against the door frame.
He belted out a laugh. “Shaking my head.”
“Well, why not just say that? So much easier.” The corner of my mouth lifted.
“It’s texting, Erin. Not a novel,” he chuckled, the ocean blue of his eyes sparkled. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Okay, look. I am not the brightest crayon in the crayon box, Seth. We know this.”
He rolled his eyes. “So, dinner. What time am I picking you up?” He braced himself against the side of the doorway, his forearms supporting his body against the top of the frame. My breath hitched at the close proximity. His plain grey V-neck clung to his chest, accentuating the muscle beneath, wisps of his dark chest hair peeking out.
My eyes nearly bugged out of my skull.
I’m salivating. I’m fucking salivating.
Someone throw a bucket of ice water at me please.
This is getting out of hand.
“I, uh. I’m off at seven. But I can meet you somewhere. You don’t need to drive all the way to campus to pick me up,” I stammered.
“Rin, it’s not a big deal. I’ll pick you up then,” he gave me a quick up down, corners of his mouth twitching. “All black? The classic Erin vibe. Nice choice.” He turned on his heel and headed down the hall towards his room.
I yelled after him, “What does that even mean!?”
He threw his hand in the air, waving back at me. “I’ll see ya later, Erin. Better hurry up before you’re late.”
I stared after him, a thousand questions running through my head.
The main one being: What the hell was that?
I smiled to myself. “Weirdo.”
I checked the time on my phone, it was a quarter after three; Seth was right. If I didn’t leave now, I’d be late. I grabbed my backpack from the closet, ran to the living room, and out the front door, barely taking the time to lock it behind me. I hopped in my car, stuck my key in the ignition, and drove off.
Let this be a quick shift.
Chapter thirty-two
Erin
My shift went by agonizingly slow. I returned cart after cart of books to the stacks, our shelves overflowing. A steady stream of students and professors returned hoards of books throughout the day. Unfortunately for me, among the professors who decided to grace the campus library that day was Mr. Jensin.
“Miss Snow.” His greeting was coarse and oozed annoyance.
So much for being a favorite student of his.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Jensin.” I forced a tight-lipped smile.
“It seems you and Mister Draven have missed a class or two of mine recently. Care to share?”
We missed one prior to those students being mauled by ‘animals.’
And that was when my ass was unconscious.
Bite me.
I fought to keep the fake smile plastered on. “Some personal things have come up. It’s not for me to say, as I’ve been assisting Seth with a few things. I’ll be back in class once they resume next week.”
“And Mister Draven?”
“He should be reaching out to you shortly, Mr. Jensin.”
He clicked his tongue. “You know, Miss Snow, I do see quite the potential in you and would hate to see you throw that away for a mere boy. Man-child if you will.” His mud-colored eyes flicked to my stomach before returning to my face.
I cleared my throat. “I appreciate your concern, Mr. Jensin. I’ll be in class next week. Have a nice day.” I twirled on my heel with his returned books and headed to the staff room.
His voice followed me. “Be sure to have your paper on Lady Leonora submitted by this coming weekend, as it counts for a majority of your final. I’ll see you next week.”
Shit.
“He’s kinda a dick, huh?” I whipped my head to the side, to find my boss, Ashlin. She was short and petite, barely five foot two. Her brown hair was styled into a pixie cut, bangs and all. Her pink-rimmed glasses sat on the bridge of her nose as she peaked over them, her amber eyes looking up at me.
“Little bit. But his class is a bit of a necessity. The semester is almost over, then I’ll be rid of him.” I closed my eyes, praying the next couple of weeks went by as quickly as possible.
Ashlin twirled a pen over her fingers. “Is it though? Last time I checked, we have several history professors here that could get you the credits you need for your degree,” she arched her brow. “What is this Lady Leonora business he has you writing about?”
“Honestly, Ashlin. I don’t even know. We went over it and began studying it almost a month ago and my sleep schedule—among other things—had been a mess so my memory and attention span were trash lately.” I dropped the books on the desk with a thud. Two months ago, I would’ve been winded, even with all the lifting. Now, with the strength of me being Nephilim, the stack of books felt as light as a feather.
“Sounds like you might need to get cracking on that then. Unless…this is really a knight in shining armor issue?” She smirked, and her eyes glinted in the lowlights of the library.
“There is no knight in shining armor, Ash. I’m permanently single.” I deadpanned.
She scoffed at me. “Oh please. That friend of yours, Seth? He follows you around like a lost puppy. I see the way you look at him.”
