With relief, he lowered himself to her. His hand cradled her head , and he laced his hands through her hair. Claudia inhaled the smell of him, honeysuckle , so sweet and refine d . His closeness brought warmth to her, but became hot when he brushed his lips gently on hers.
“I ’ve missed you so much, ” he whispered, brush ing his lips from her forehead to her eyes, to her cheeks, to her nose a nd back down to her lips again.
“Oh , stop teasing me, ” Claudia said , pulled him in and kissed him in madness. There was a sharp pa in in her side when she did, but she didn ’t care. She needed to feel his chest on hers, to feel the closeness, but even that wasn ’t enough.
They were interrupted when Davin hollered. “Michael, what are you doing? She ’s gone. You can ’t bring her back. She ’s not Snow White and you ’re not the prince.” Davin ’s eyes were glassy, swelling up with tears.
Michael looked up and chuckled.
“Have you gone mad ?” Davin continued , pacing toward him . “Holy crap ! I mean…Claudia?”
Caleb and Vivian came closer too. The alkins’ eyes wide ned with surprise as tears welled up in their eyes . Michael slipped ba ck to give them room. “Claudia, ” Davin sh oo k from happiness. “You ’re alive ! But you died ! I mean…healing crystal…angel death crystal…I mean…I ’m so happy you ’re alive, but you died and how does this happen? Oh…hell…I should just shut up and give you a hug.”
One by one they held her warmly. Afterward, they sat on the edge of the bed like the old days. Nobody said a word; they just sat there in amazement, taking in this miracle.
“We need to tell Katherine , the Twelve and the guy I don ’t like so much, ” Davin said.
Claudia wondered if Austin cared enough to come to see her , even though he knew she was dead already. “Where is everyone?” Claudia asked timid ly.
“Austin has bee n reassigned as one of the Twel ve. Michael was suppose to take the other spot, his father ’s spot, but he declined, ” Davin informed.
Claudia looked at Michael for an explanation. “I don ’t want it , and I ’m glad I didn ’t accept it . Now that you ’re here, I ’m never letting you go.” Michael turned to Davin. “You can inform the others, but the plan still remains , if Claudia wants to go along with it.”
“What plan?” Claudia asked.
Not sure how to answer, there was no response from the alkins.
“Claudia, for now you ’ll have to stay here until you ’re healed enough to walk. One of us will always be here with you. You ’re not alone. I ’m sure Austin and the venators you ’ve become friends with will be here as well. Meanwhile, don ’t worry about anything else , and just concentrate on getting yourself well. The faster you ’re better the faster you can leave with me, ” Michael said, brushing her cheeks.
“If it means we can be together then I ’m in. We ’ve lost precious time , an d I ’m not letting you go too, ” Claudia smiled.
“Vivian, stay here with Claudia. Davin and Caleb, come with me. We need to attend the meeting they are holding now. I need to talk to Katherine , and you can tell Austin the good news.”
With one lingering kiss on her lips, Michael left with the others .
Chapter 37
Tugging and pushing herself into a sitting position, her legs hung down straight. The pain had lessened a few hours ago, but it was still there. The white gown she suddenly realized she was wearing could almost pass for a wedding dress. It was one of the most beautiful dress es she had ever seen , and she wondered if they were preparing to bury her in it . It was a morbid thought , so she shook it out of her mind. Looking down, she saw how pale her feet looked , and wonder ed if her face was pale too.
Slowly, with small bounces from the bed, she managed to stand up. Sliding her feet one step at a time , as if she were on ice skates , she headed for the closet mirror. She was almost there when she was startled by the door bu r sting open.
“Claudia!” Austin flew through the door and pulled her tightly into his hold. “Is it really you?” He smo th ered his face into her, taking her smel l and all of her in. His hand s ran all over her, still unable to believe she was standing right in front of him.
Vivian had gone to the kitchen to get a cup of water for Claudia. She saw the door wide open and saw Austin , so she headed back to the kitchen to give them space.
“Crazy , huh? I ’m back from the dead, ” she wisecracked . Then it became silent and neither of them knew what to say. “I heard you ’re one of the Twelve. That is fantastic…I think? Is this what you want?”
Austin looked away, then back to her , and he set his eyes on her butterfly necklace. There was only one person that would give her something like that. His face showed his pain for a second , but it was a reminder he had to let her go. “You know what I want, but I can ’t have her. Her heart belongs to someone else .”
“Austin….” Claudia took a deep breath and let out a worried sigh. Her heart split into two and tears pooled in her eyes.
“Claudia….” Austin buried his head into her again. “It ’s okay. You don ’t have to say anything. Please don ’t cry.”
“Perhaps if I had met you first…then…maybe—”
“It ’s okay. I knew this would happen. I ’ve been preparing myself to let you go . When you left this world, I stopped breathing …I died too. Now that you ’ve come back, it ’s much easier. I ’d rather have you here where I can see you and know that you ’re happy , even if it ’s with someone else. Though I wish it was with m e…I can bear it. Having you in the same world with me is more than I can ask for , and I ’ll take it.”
Claudia hated hurting him like this. She cupped his face. He closed his eyes and listened. “Thank you for being my guardian angel and for always being there for me. You will always be a part of me , and I will always love you , my dear friend.”
Austin opened his eyes and gazed into hers as tears stream ed down her face. He wiped her tears and took both of her hands into his. “Island of Eden will always be here for you. This will always be your sanctuary. This will always be your room.”
“Thank you, ” she nodded as more tears fell.
“Say I release you from being my guardian angel.”
“No…I can ’t, ” she said sharply, shaking her head. Something about those words was just too painful to say. It felt as if she would never see him again.
“You must say it to set me free. I need to hear you say it.” His tone was strong and adamant. He wrapped his arms around her with his wings. After today I will never hold her like this again , he told himself.
Claudia shivered, tears welling up again. Never did she realize how difficult this would be. She had to let him go, to set him free from her. He would no longer be her guardian angel. After all, she really didn ’t need his c onstant protection. She was a venator , and she could hold her own. But the words were too difficult to repeat.
Feeling wetness from her tears, his heart broke too. Exhaling a deep sorrowful sigh , he whispered, “Say it, my sheltered one. It will be okay. I ’ll always be there for you. You should know that by now. My eyes may wander, but my heart is with you.”
Claudia let out a short laugh and pulled herself out of his hold. “Yes, your eyes do wander.”
“You do notice, ” he grinned his usual sly grin. He ran his hand down her hair. “I ’m going to mi ss your presence here.” He placed his forehead against hers. “Say it, Claudia , before I do something Michael won ’t like. You r closeness is driving me insane.”
“Okay…, ” she said softly. “I release you from being…my…guardian…, ” Claudia gripped him hard on his shoulders. Austin cringe d from the pain he was surprise d to feel. She was a lot stronger than before, but he didn ’t say a word about it. Her last word was spoken softly , as if saying it had drained the life out of her. “A ngel .”
“There…that wasn ’t so bad, ” he said, releasing his hold on her. “Now…what were you trying to do before I came in ?” His tone and attit
ude was back to the way it was before—the Austin she knew. He carried her to her bed and place d her down gently. “Doctor Austin ’s order…get plenty of rest and stay off your feet. You are one hell of a venator, but you are also human…don ’t you forget that.”
Claudia giggled and smiled .
“Duty calls , my sheltered one. I am one of the Twelve now. I can ’t wait to give Jeremiah some grief. I ’m going to make some changes. They are such old farts. It ’s about time they adapt to the new culture and tim e, don ’t you think?”
Claudia nodded. Though she could smile again and things were almost back to normal, her heart was broken too because she knew she was breaking his. Austin covered a light blanket over her and kissed her on the forehead. “I ’ll catch you later.” He winked .
She watched him open th e double doors as the wind gushed in. The light captured the frame of his body and wings. He glowed beautifully like the morning sunrise. This was Austin, her guardian angel , even though she had set him free.
Austin looked over his shoulder to her one last time, recal ling the younger days when they play ed together at Nubilus City. Lucy visited Katherine because they were good friends. Austin would excitedly wait for the ir visits when Lucy would bring Claudia along. Though at times she stayed behind, he yearned for those days that she visited . They would play hide and go seek, tag and all the games normal human kids would play.
Austin, being the Austin he was , would hold her hand and often steal kisses. They were about ten years old, but he knew he loved her and would do anything for her. Then one day, Lucy stopped bringing her. He was forbidden to see her. Lucy had erased the memories of him and the visit s to Nubilus City. He hated Lucy for doing so, but a part of him understood. Lucy was protecting Claudia because of her special soul , but that never stopped him from watching over her from afar, to make sure she was safe.
There were occasions when he’d almost stepped into her life, but he held back until an opportunity ar ose . Her best friend Patty was dating his friend, Andrew. This time there was no way to turn back. He purposely held a job at her favorite restaurant just to be close to her. And without Katherine ’s or Lucy ’s permission, he stepped into her life, but it was too late. She had already fallen for someone else , so deep ly that even he couldn ’t change her mind. He thought it was f unny how it all turned out , and Claudia ’s word s echoed through his head. Perhaps if I had met you first…then…maybe. He knew her first , that was the irony of all this. She could have been his, but destiny had its own plan. How he hated this version of his destiny.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, but he felt a big hole in his heart. It hurt so much . His body felt so heavy , h e didn ’t know if he could take flight .
“Austin, ” Claudia muttered , her tone slightly shaking. “Do you still think I ’m sheltered?”
“You ’ll always be my sheltered one, ” he winked. Though she didn ’t need him the way she needed him before, in his eyes, she ’d always be the Claudia that once was . With those th oughts in mind, he soared away, leaving Claudia sobbing , feeling like he had just lost h is best friend.
It had been at least a week since Claudia was completely healed. Durin g the week, the Twelve, venators and the alkins visit ed her , but at different times. When Claudia ask ed about Austin, they would tell her he was busy , b ut Claudia knew the true reason for his absence . He was purposely avoiding her. Though it broke her heart that it had to be th at way, she understood.
Avalon was pardoned from siding with Callum and for taking the forbidden apple out of Island of Eden. Ironically, Aliah having the forbidden apple helped them defeat him by Claudia ’s doing. It was presented as such at the tr ia l by Austin and Davin. Their words set Avalon free. She was grateful and swore she knew where she stood the whole time with the angels. She had proven herself, fighting alongside the ve n ators , and that alone was proof enough.
Michael visited frequently and stayed as long as he could. He told Claudia he was doing something special for them , and she just had to wait and see. Waiting and being patient was not one of her virtues , especially when she was pretty much locked up at Island of Eden. Just when she couldn ’t stand it any longer, Vivian appeared.
“Hello, Claudia. You ready to get out of here? Katherine said it would be fine as long as you were okay with it.”
Claudia ran toward the double door where Vivian s tood and hugged her tightly, unaware of her strength. She was ready to leap off the cliff if she had to. “Are you kidding? I ’m all better. I ’m ready to get out of here.”
“Claudia, not too tight, ” she moaned.
“Oh…sorry. I forget sometimes , ” she said , releasing her hold on Viv ian with an apologetic look.
“That ’s okay. It ’s an adjustment for me too , to see you this way. But before we leave, I want to tell you tha t you won ’t need to take anything with you. Michael and I already took care of all that. We went window shopping and had tons of fun…well…I had tons of fun. I can ’t wait for you to see everything we got for you.” Vivian giggled, her eyes beaming with delight. “You have a new home now , if that is where you want to stay. It would be up to you of course.”
“A new home?” Claudia murmured , wondering what Michael was up to. As long as they would be together , it eased her mind.
“Claudia, ” Vivian broke her stare. “Don ’t you want to see what ’s in the box?”
Too excited to see Vivian and knowing that she was t here to take her to see Michael, she hadn’t notice d the box.
“Well…don ’t just stare at it. Open it.” Vivian gestured.
The box was white and long. Around it was a red bow with an envelope attached to it. She detached the note and read it.
My dearest Claudia,
I love you with every fiber of my being. Please wear this dress and join me tonight. You missed your prom because you were saving the world. Allow me to be your date.
In my heart, in my soul—M
After reading the note, she untied the red bow. Wh en she opened it , she saw the most beautiful red scarlet dress she had ever seen. Tuck ed inside the box was a pair of black high heel s . Vivian helped her z ip on the dress, curled her hair lightly , and added a soft touch of makeup.
Sliding her heels on, she looked at the closet door mirror. There she saw the girl she finally recognized . Her red scarlet dress with thin spaghetti straps shaped every curve of her body. Thoug h it wasn ’t skin tight, it lay on her perfectly with a long slit i n the back. With the added sparkle from the butterfly crystal necklace, it was even more perfect. This time, her eyes reflected back with a glow , and she was happy. The girl looked content, fulfilled and not so alone. With a satisfied warm smile, she looked at Vivian , remembering those days when Vivian would help her get ready. It wasn ’t that long ago, yet it seemed years ago. So much had happened, b ut the important part was where they were now—together.
“Can we go now ?” Claudia asked , feeling anxious.
“Not without us, ” Davin said , appearing out of the blue.
Claudia turned to see Davin and Caleb all dressed up in black tuxedo s . Right beside Davin, linking her arm in his, was Avalon. She wore a sky blue strapless dress that formed her upper torso and flared out in a n A-line shape. Her hair was half way tied up with lo o se curls that hung below her shoulders.
“Of course not, ” Claudia said happily. Feeling ecstatic to see them , she turned to Vivian , who had already magically changed to a dress in her favorite color. Made from black velvet, designed like Avalon ’s dress, it was form fitting at the top and flared out slight ly at the bottom.
“Now we ’re ready to take you there, ” Vivian cheered.
“We even have a limo waiting for us, ” Davin said. “It will be a short ride since we ’re not really going anywhere. But I can ’t tell you where because it ’s a surprise. Don ’t worry. I promise not to touch every button I see…well , maybe, ” he winked. “And I ’m not driving. Oh by the way….” Davin ga
ze d down to his feet . “Do you like my shoes?”
“I love them, ” Claudia replied excitedly , gazing at them . They were black and glossy.
“Me too, ” Davin said with a huge giddy grin . “She likes my shoes , ” Davin said to Vivian and Caleb.
“Yippie, ” Vivian said flatly and rolled her eyes playfully. “I already told you Claudia would like it.”
Claudia giggled, thinking how adorable Davin was , and that having them t her e was like the old times she missed so much. Speaking of missing, s he couldn ’t wait to see what Michael had in store for her. If her memories were correct, he always swoon ed her with his magical touch.
When they were ready to leave, Vivi an linked arms with Caleb and Avalon did with Davin, but Davin link ed his other arm with Claudia ’s. Claudia looked over her shoulders to see her room. It suddenly looked empty , and her heart went limp. There were many memories here , and she hoped she could come back someday soon when she and Austin could sit like old friend s a nd hold a normal conversation—w hatever normal was. Then she gazed upon her frie nds she loved so much . She would always be grateful for h ow they had been there for her . She knew she was h eavenly blessed by their love, support and friendship. Never in her wildest dream s wou ld she eve r have fathom ed she’d have friends from beyond. Evidently, love and friendship kn e w no boundaries.
Chapter 38
The night sky was painted with thousands of brilliant stars. They were far away, yet they felt so close , as if Claudia could reach out and touch them. The sudden soft breeze felt soothing to her skin . The draft brushed back her hair and clung to the curve of her body. Vivian and Avalon giggled , watching Claudia gaze in wonderment as if she had never seen the stars before.
Though the stars reminded her of Gamma, sadly they reminded her of Austin , too. He knew so much about them. It was one of the things she admired about him. Looking far into the distance, i t was difficult to see what lay ahead , but she could tell there were vast field s of trees from the scent of evergreens. As the five of them stood on a cliff, Claudia wondered where Michael was.