Their Wings

Chapter 4: Shadows

I have never been more confused in my life. After that single smile he had disappeared, I mean his aura literally vanished. After he turned his back I was left feeling lonely and cold.

The entire rest of the day was spent with me in a kind of trance. I couldn't concentrate during class and my eyes searched for him in the corridors. It was as if a spell had been placed on me and the only thing I could think about was him.

As I was walking home he invaded my thoughts. I purposely shook my head trying to clear them from my mind. Of course I was unsuccessful. I was taking care of the twins that afternoon because Alice was at work. They were probably already waiting for me at home so I quickened my pace. As I entered the front door I was ambushed by twin tornadoes with red hair and matching t-shirts. Freddie and Frankie were on a permanent sugar high 24/7. Other than their red hair and aquiline noses, they were obviously Alice's kids. I dumped my jacket and bag on the kitchen counter and set about making sandwiches for the boys who had retreated to the den. After giving them their chicken and mayo I took my bag and headed upstairs intent on studying my biology textbook.

After settling on my bed and opening my book I found I couldn't concentrate. The closed door created a sudden silence and I found myself unwillingly thinking of Luke. The golden feather hanging from the dream catcher caused me to start listing the similarities between him and my angel. They were too big for me to miss. Eventually I felt my eyes drooping, but I fought the temptation of sleep. Soon the battle grew too much and I succumbed to sleep.

                                                                                   ~O~O~

I was standing in a forest clearing. I was surrounded by a wall of foliage. Soon I realised I was not actually alone. The shadows under and around the trees started moving. They emanated an aura of darkness and evil and I immediately wanted to run away. Soon they formed a black shapeless mass in front of me. I was frozen in terror. Suddenly one pounced and I closed my eyes.

The resulting golden flash was so bright I was able to see it from behind my eyelids. I slowly opened my eyes and saw Luke standing in front of me, shielding me from the shadows. except this wasn't just Luke. The golden wings erupting from his back told me this was my angel as well.I almost smiled, but then the shadows spoke.

"She belongs to us." they hissed. My eyes widened. What?

Luke responded by taking a step towards them and growled, "She belongs to no one. She's not even of age yet. There is no way to see whether she will choose you or not." The shadows bristled slightly at that.

"Then you shall vouch for her Angelus?" they hissed. Luke nodded without hesitation. I immediately stiffened. What were they talking about?

Luke stalked forward and said in his velvet voice, "I vouch for her innocence. She knows nothing of this, so let me make a deal on her behalf. None shall try to sway her before her time, neither Demonate or Angelus. We may only instruct her without bias. Once she comes of age she will choose of her own free will to whom she joins."

"Are you willing to make an oath of blood?" they whispered and he nodded firmly.

Suddenly the mass started changing form. Out of the shapeless heap a body came into form until a woman stood dressed in Grecian dress. She was made of pitch black smoke and the only colour on her were her crimson eyes.In her right hand was a gleaming dagger, about a foot long. It sparkled and shone in the moonlight, contrasting with it's onyx handle. She walked right up to Luke until they were almost nose to nose. Then she spoke in a voice that seemed older than time itself.

"Angelus, do you promise to not bias the Undetermined before her time. Do you lay your blood down for her?" the smoke-woman whispered.

"I do." said Luke, looking her straight in the eyes. The smoke-woman nodded slowly and then lifted the dagger. Luke held out his forearm confidently The smoke-woman dragged the blade down his arm, cutting a thin but deep line through the shining skin. His blood started dripping ou of the cut and down his arm to the grass. The shadow placed her palm under the droplets and collected the blood. When she had enough she tipped her head back and gulped down the blood. The she threw her arms out and proclaimed to the starry sky, "The blood has been given. So let the bond be fufilled and the terms completed!" The air crackled with invisible energy and the wind picked up.

Suddenly her hair flopped forward again as if her strings were cut. Slowly she lifted her head and the clearing fell silent again. The shadow lifted Luke's arm and ran her tongue along the length of the cut, which immediately closed and knitted together. She smirked at him.

"It is done." said Luke as he tore his arm away from her grip.

"Not quite Angelus." she replied. Then she disappeared from sight, only to reappear right in front of me.

"NO!" shouted Luke, making to rush toward me.

"Too late Angelus. she replied. She smiled at me and I immediately grew cold. There was something about that smile that scared me more than anything else. Gently she pushed my long hair from my shoulder and pushed down the sleeve of my shirt using the blade. She stared at my exposed collarbone for a long minute before meeting my eyes.

Her scarlet irises bore into my grey ones. I swallowed slowly.

"You have to learn." she whispered. Then she leaned forward and ran the blade down my neck. And my world exploded in pain.