ANGEL'S KISS (A Dark Angel's Novel) (31 page)

I had to hold it. A shudder of need and physical compulsion shook me. I reached for the tool again. This time I was ready for it. It still shook me, but I didn’t drop it. The energy rolled through my body like a wave.

Ben stood several feet away, looking worried and frustrated. He was trying to get past Zeke, who stood in front of him blocking his path. If a dog can look satisfied, that dog was Zeke. He had gotten through to me, but why? What was so important about this old tool? It was just an old dobber.

Another wave of energy washed through me, and the tool sparked like two pieces of flint hitting each other. My vision rolled as if I were looking at the dobber through a wave. I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand, struggling to see clearly, as another jolt of energy brought me to my knees.

Instead of trying to block that flow, I imagined floating with the wave just like at the beach. My vision cleared as my body learned to accommodate the waves washing through me.

Another spark from the dobber caught my attention, and I sighed, awestruck, as the old garden tool transformed into a sharp, long-bladed dagger with a golden glow. The T-shaped handle was topped with a thick oval that gracefully held the long blade. The blade had uneven edges, as if it was forged by hand, and jewels were set into the T bar of the handle with intricate carvings wrapping around each stone. It was too dark to see what type of stones they were, but they sparkled like a Tiffany diamond in the moon light.

When I wrapped my fingers around the handle, it seemed to conform to my hand, like it was made just for me, a natural extension of my arm. If I opened my hand now, it wouldn’t fall to the ground, but be glued to my palm. Then I realized that the dagger was burning brighter, lighting the night sky with its golden glow.

Fearing it would give us away, I tucked it under my arm to try to cut the gleam. I noticed then that Ben was down on his hands and knees, bowing his head.

“What are you doing?” I tried to make him get up, but he just stared at the dagger. “What?”

“That’s a Dagger of Punishment. Where did you get it?” He seemed overwhelmed and in awe, like he’d just seen the Holy Grail.

“I found it in our sun room after the fire with a bunch of other garden tools. It didn’t look like this, though. It was dull and the end looked more rounded.” I ran my fingers along the intricate details of the beautiful dagger.

“Ouch!” I cut my finger. “Damn it.” I sucked on my finger to stop the bleeding. “I thought it was a dobber,” I said around my cut finger. “You know—an old tool to plant bulbs. Now I’m not sure that it’s the same tool.”

I took my finger out of my mouth and spit; the taste of my blood was awful. “I don’t know how it got in the bag.”

Ben looked freaked out. Zeke snorted and shook his head at me like I was an idiot.

Ben stood up and grabbed my hand, being careful not to touch the dagger. “It’s a weapon that only a Dark Angel is supposed to be able to use or call to its true form. Let’s just be thankful we’ve got it to use. We can worry later about how you acquired it. Okay? Now, let’s go.”

We took off moving as fast as we could toward the house while staying low to the ground. As we approached, I tucked the dagger under my belt at my back. It physically hurt when it left my palm, but I was comforted by the electrical charge I felt against my back. The tingling ants were storming through my blood and weaving together the waves of energy from the dagger.

We crept up to look in the front picture window. A woman sat on a sofa with her back to us. She had a big red bow in her long, coarse, auburn hair. The texture of the woman’s hair was familiar; it somehow reminded me of Beatrix’s wavy locks, but the color was wrong. The woman shifted and I didn’t want to give our position away, so I slumped down from the window. Zeke came to sit beside me as Ben continued to survey the room.

I took a deep breath to focus and try to settle the waves of energy. I was humming with energy. My hand reached for Zeke and the calm he brought me.

The woman was talking; I focused so that I could hear her through the open window. “Sniff, sniff, hmm… I can taste you on the night air.” She emphasized each word and I was fascinated by the sweet honey of her voice.

“Shit!” Ben mouthed to me as he slunk down the wall below the window. Then he motioned for me to stay low as he crawled toward the corner of the house.

Before I could shake the sound of her voice out of my head Zeke butted me on the shoulder and took off around the other side of the house. Great! I wrung my hands as sweat broke out on my forehead.

“You have a powerful scent,
Alexandria
.” I heard the sofa scratch against the floor and then her footsteps. “I’ve always known you were special. I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long. Come to me,
Alexandria
.”

Every fiber in my body wanted to go to her. I longed to be wrapped in her voice. I was a puppet and she was the master, pulling on every string to make my muscles move of her will and not my own.

I was on my knees moving toward her when a jolt of energy from the forgotten dagger stopped me. I struggled, every muscle constricting. I envisioned cutting each string that pulled me to her. The imagery helped me put my ass back on the ground. But my body still quivered and ached to go to her.

“Shit, who is she?” I whispered to myself with my head in my hands. I shook my head to clear it. And how did she know me? My body twitched toward the door again and I had to stop myself.

No freaking way! I’d come here prepared to fight some scary immortal beings, not to play more mind games.

Anger boiled inside me, as I wondered if she’d used that voice to lure Ottie and Maloran. Thinking of them helped me focus a little. I leaned out to scan the dark front yard, searching for any sign of movement. Damn, nothing, not even the sound of Zeke slinking around. So much for sticking together.

What, what, what to do next? I had to think. I had to be cautious. I had to wait for a sign from the guys. The last thing I should do is rush in unprepared.

That decided, I tried to plan some sort of action but… then she spoke again. Her voice was closer and louder this time.

“
Alexandria
, I know you’re here.” I could feel her at the window just above my head. “Ohh… you’re bleeding.” She sniffed the air again. “Not a lot of blood, a tiny wound. Are you all right, dear?” Did I hear worry in her voice?

What was she talking about? How could she have smelled me? Then the little throb in my finger reminded me of the cut from the dagger. Shit. I mentally cursed myself for being clumsy.

“Your blood sings of power, as I knew it would,
Alexandria
.” She sounded smug. “Come to me.”

I gripped my knees, trying desperately not to move, but the voice wove around me, and it was so familiar and felt so comforting. Then she started to hum, and the murmur flowed into a song.

“Care is heavy, therefore sleep,

While I over you watch do keep:

Sleep, pretty darling, do not cry,

And I will sing you a lullaby.”

She paused as her words rang in my ears. “Do you remember,
Alexandria
? It’s true, you know. I’ve always watched over you.”

“Shit, Alex, no!” Ben scrambled back from the far corner of the house in time to see me squirm. He grabbed my arm, but it was too late. I was drawn to her. I had to see.

I stood and looked at her through the glass. Ben still held my arm, and out of the corner of my eye I saw that his face was stretched with anger and fear. Her smile drew my focus back. Her skin reminded me of a soft white calla lily, and her eyes were as deep and blue as the ocean at night. No amount of makeup could have improved her natural ruddy cheeks, lightly dotted with freckles, and the coral color of her lips. The old-fashioned, steel-blue dress she wore had a square neckline and an empire waist. Her pearl and leather choker necklace somehow enhanced her wavy auburn hair.

She smiled at me, and it caused physical pain. A hole inside my soul pulled my breath away. I almost doubled over with longing. I had no choice but to go to her.

My new strength helped me pull away from Ben. As I walked toward the door, I was vaguely aware of the dagger burning like a warm security blanket on my back.

The door was unlocked. Afraid to look at her, I kept my eyes down as I entered the house. Her voice had been so hypnotic when I looked at her through the window, I hadn’t even noticed the bold zebra print that covered the room. Now I tried to focus on the absurdity of the zebra rug on the floor. Anything to help keep my wits about me.

Ottie’s advice from that first visit to this house came back to me. Take all this shit and push it down, he’d said. Hold it together; you’re here to do a job.

Between that memory, the dagger burning against my skin, and my birthmark itching, I managed—just barely—not to run to her. I closed the door, leaving Ben and Zeke outside.

“I don’t think we’ve met,” I said. “Although you somehow know my name, I don’t know yours.”

“Most people call me ‘Lina’ these days, but my given name is Angelina.”

Angelina. I lifted my head to look at her. It couldn’t be.

“
Alexandria
.” She tilted her head, waiting for me to speak.

“Angelina. But…” I looked at her again. My body understood what my mind rejected, and I stepped forward, although I wanted to flee. She was so beautiful and familiar. She crooned to me.

“Golden slumbers kiss your eyes,

Smiles awake you when you rise;

Sleep pretty darling, do not cry,

And I will sing a lullaby”

She smiled. “I can see you struggle, but don’t think about it. Your soul knows who I am.”

Her posture changed and her hands rose. “Hello, my pretty baby,” she smiled. “I’ve missed you.”

My mother opened her arms and welcomed me.

Family Reunions Suck

It couldn’t be. I shook my head. This woman looked so young! Her eyes looked like mine, and I recognized the shape of her face from the pictures I’d seen in the old albums of my mother and B.

But still. This woman couldn’t be my mother.

“NO! My mother is dead.” I stupidly closed my eyes and refused to believe.

“NO!” I covered my face with my hands and slumped to the floor. She pulled my hands away from my face.

“You have been deceived, and I have been robbed of your love. Look at me! I will not be denied this reunion.”

I felt her cold breath on my skin and opened my eyes. Her beautiful face was just inches away. She scooped me up and cradled me in her arms as if I were still a child. I immediately hugged her back, just like the desperate five-year-old I’d been when she was taken away. How many times had I prayed for her return? How many bargains had I made with God if he would just bring her back to me? How many times had I cursed him for taking her?

I broke down and melted into her, shaking with tears. My heart seemed to open and drink in the comfort she offered. Every muscle welcomed and strained for her love and consolation. My entire being—with every sense open—recognized her as my mother.

She moved us to the couch with me still in her arms and rocked me gently.

“This can’t be true,” I whimpered, more to myself than to anyone else. I had longed to see her face and mourned her loss my whole life. How could this be true? I must be dreaming.

“Ellasar,” I whispered. “If this is you, I’ll kill you.”

“Shhh, shhh,” she pushed my hair out of my face. “I’m sorry to have shocked you, but it’s true. This is no trick. I’m alive.” She gently caressed my cheek and hugged me closer. “I have ached to hold you for so many years; I didn’t think the hole inside me could be healed. One touch, one caress, and I am whole again.” She held me tighter. “
Alexandria
,
Alexandria
,” she crooned as she rocked.

The tears rolling down my face reminded me of all the nights I’d cried myself to sleep, praying that her death was just a bad dream. Dad was wrong, I’d prayed, she wouldn’t leave me. More than twenty years had gone by, but I still yearned for her warmth and love, the safe place within her arms, the smell of her skin.

“Are you real?” I managed to sniffle out.

“Yes, I’m real.” She stroked my hand. “Oh, you cannot imagine the incredible loss I’ve felt.” She nuzzled me against her and smelled my hair as if she could drink me in, too.

“Why did you leave us? How could you?” Why had I suffered so long when she was still alive? I tried to gain control over my flood of tears. I needed some answers.

“I’ve missed you so much. What a strong and beautiful woman you’ve become. I knew how special you were from the moment you were born. When the nurse handed you to me at the hospital and I saw that little Angel’s Kiss on your forehead, I broke out in tears. Hah! That silly woman thought I was sad because you had a birthmark. She tried to comfort me! I was overjoyed. I knew what you’d become. I’ve missed you, my baby.”

“I…I can’t breathe.” I wasn’t lying; this was too much for me to absorb. How could my mother be alive?