The Leader

The Leader: Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten: Maya

When I wake in the morning, my head is on Andy's chest, and his rests on my pillow. I'm sprawled on top of him, and his fingers are intertwined with mine on one hand. He wakes when I move, and he uses one hand to brush my hair from my face so he can look into my eyes.

"Good morning, beautiful."

"Hey. What time is it?" I ask, yawning. He looks to his right and turns back to me.

"Seven am. Time to get up. Do you mind if I quickly have a shower? You girls take forever in there."

"How many girls have you witnessed having a shower?" I immediately stop. "Oops. I didn't mean it like that."

"Too many," he says, turning away. "I can't believe I was so stupid. Now it's not even special. It's routine. It's my bloody parents' fault. So they ditch me when I'm a baby, but they raise my brothers perfectly."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't've said that." He shakes his head and stands, then stretches. He gets onto his hands and knees and begins stretching like a bloody cat.

"Andy? Uh..."

"Oh! Sorry. Habit." He jumps up and then disappears into the bathroom. I hear the water turn on, and then turn off again thirty seconds later. He comes out without a shirt on, his hair soaking wet. I, of course, cannot help staring at him. He has so much muscle, and he just looks so perfect standing there. If I were to picture an angel, he'd be it right now.

"Do you have wings?" I ask suddenly.

"Huh?" he says, confused.

"You know how we're like half angel or whatever? Do you have wings?"

"Everyone who is Initiated knows how to produce their wings. It's an instinct."

"Can I see them?" I ask, feeling stupid.

"They're really private, but yeah. Sure. I don't really mind that much. I'm going to turn into my original form, so don't freak, okay?" I nod, and he closes his eyes. He starts to emit a faint golden glow, and it slowly grows brighter and brighter, until I have to close my eyes. I see the light fade past my closed lids, and then I open my eyes. He's radiant at the moment. His skin is golden, and he's grinning. His hair is pure gold, and his eyes are the kind of endless blue only found in the sky. Out of his bare back are sprouted two pure white wings. They aren't quite made of feathers like the angels in stories, yet they look similar to fur. He takes in my awed expression and catches my eye. He places his hands on mine, and then pulls my arms around his waist, then he hugs me tight to his chest. I feel a slight breeze, and then we're outside. I close my eyes and rest my head on his warm chest, hearing his heart beat. I suddenly feel my heart lurch, and I look up to see him studying me.

"Just look at me and you'll be fine," he says. Immediately, I look down, and I see the ground falling away beneath us. We're already at least one hundred metres in the air, and rising rapidly. I clutch at him and pull myself tighter, panicking.

"Get me down! Get me down!" I squeal. I look up and see an amused smile on his face. He makes no move to land, but instead we rise faster. I start to sob, and I can't focus on anything except the ground beneath us.

"Maya, don't you trust me?" he asks, and I look back to his now solemn expression.

"Andy, of course I do. I just can't do this. I can't..." I sob again, and he pulls me closer. He rests his head on top of mine, and the feel of him so close takes away most of my fear.

"I would never let you go, Maya. I will always be here to save you. I promise." I look into his eyes, and in that moment I know that I'm falling in love, slowly but surely.