The Unshadowed | Book 1 |

Chapter 16 ~ Trouble in Paradise

________________

~ The Rose complex
in Wachstyen Forest

Mondlicht, Germany ~

________________

Valerie sat overlooking the Rose complex from a tree branch in Wachstyen Forest, enjoying the fresh air while thinking over the events of the night she glowed all out.

I have the most abilities of any irangel. I have extreme telekinetic abilities. I can shield myself with a force field, both physical and mental shields. I can make black roses and thorns appear out of nowhere. I turned wood into spikes. I flattened the ground around me. And somehow, I feel I can do much more.

In that moment, Valerie knew she had become someone very powerful, and the power had something to do with her black roses. But it was too much to contemplate, especially since even Demian didn't have answers, and he was supposedly the irangel with all the answers.

Valerie pushed away the thought that resurfaced, not wanting to linger on such thoughts. Her mind began seeking distraction, finding it in the form of ice cream. Shrugging off her concerns, Valerie sought to find where to get a chocolate caramel ice cream cone, trying to remember any ice cream places she had seen in Mondlicht, Germany.

A flutter of wings and tree branches alerted Valerie to the unexpected presence of another irangel. She felt familiar arms wrap around her, her body pressed back against a male irangel, as the tree branches lowered, forcing the two irangels to fall into the shaded grass.

Valerie landed on top of Demian, his wings spread out majestically behind him, as the sun peeked through the trees, positioning illuminating sunrays on the two irangels in a perfect mimic of light and shadow.

"Hey, Valerie," Demian said softly, one hand reaching to touch her cheek. His gaze fell on her face, feeling an overwhelming desire to kiss her, admiring the way Valerie's red hair was outlined by the sunlight filtering through the forest.

The connection fizzed excitedly like bubbles in carbonated water trying to rise to the surface, but Valerie quelled it, forcing the amorous emotions down. She tried to roll off Demian, but Demian held her close and continued to gaze at her, his eyes resting on her lips.

Valerie's heart began beating faster as she realized Demian wanted to kiss her. She swallowed her sadness, the wistfulness she felt, wanting what Demian wanted, but she had made her choice, and she didn't want to lead him on, especially when she wasn't sure whether he was in control of himself, whether his actions were voluntary or involuntary.

"You have no ice cream cone in your hand," Valerie blurted, intentionally confusing Demian. His confusion allowed her to roll off him, standing on her feet and smoothing her wings.

Demian slowly rose, brushing grass off his clothes. He looked like he wasn't quite sure what happened, but he knew one thing: he still wanted Valerie, even though he knew the choice she made.

"Sorry, that was my bad," Demian apologized, one hand nervously running through his hair. He gathered himself and cleared his throat, saying, "I wanted to tell you that Cole found Cydtin's weakness in the form of electricity. So there is a way we can use that against him, if we ever need to."

"We still don't know what he's up to," Valerie said in response, keeping a distance from Demian. "You're a mind reader; you ought to go see what's up with Cydtin."

That's the second person who suggested I go to Armenia, Demian thought, feeling annoyed. All the more reason for me not to go.