Midnight Fire - Rise of the Dark Angel - Book One (15 page)

             
“Okay, okay, just don’t injure me,” Phoenix said, rubbing her arm. Sadie could really hit
hard
when she wanted information. Phoenix proceeded to tell her eve
ry detail from the moment she’
d met him at the lake until the very final kiss outside her bedroom door. The entire thing took over
an hour to re
-tell
because Sadie kept interrupting, making sure she got every detail out of Phoenix.

             
“Oh
my gosh
,
Phoenix, that’
s about the most romantic t
hing I’ve ever heard. He’
s
absolutely the
cutest
guy
ever
and he has eyes for no one but you. Did you see the way
Jessica was flirting with him
?
H
e just kept brushing her off like she was so
me kind of pesky fly. I could’
ve kissed him for that right there
,
but
apparently you took care of
it
already,” Sadie said with a wicked laugh.

             
“I cou
ld’ve kissed him all night long. I
t was the most amazing fee
ling in the world. Seriously I’
m glad I didn’t know kissing was so great up un
til now
because I would’ve probably turned out like Jessica and tried to kiss everyone. There were these hot tingles going all through my body and it felt like millions of butterflies
were
in my stomach. It was amazing,” Phoenix gushed, as her eyes glazed
over
,
even thinking about her kisses with Jayden.

             
“Okay, you’
re seriously making me jealous
,
now. Honestly
,
are you over Brian?” Sadie asked,
looking into her friend’s eyes
to make sure she was speaking the truth.

             
“It’
s weird
but
I’
m one hundred percent over him,” Phoenix told Sadie.

             
“So would it be
awful
for you if maybe
he
and I dated
,
or something?” Sadie asked nervously. Phoenix thought she saw some sparks between the two of them and the
idea
of them together didn’t bother her.

             
“It wouldn’t
upset
me
in the least
,
Sadie. You two look really good together and if you like him
then go for it. Y
ou have my
complete
blessing,” Phoenix told her.

             
“I’
m so happy to hear that.
I would’ve never thought he’
d like me and I never even thought o
f him that way before
because I knew how much you liked him
but
lately it’s seemed like he’
s
been flirting with me and I really like it
.
I’ve been so
torn
, though because there’
s no way
I’
d ever hurt you,” Sadie said
as
a tear slipped down her cheek.

             
“Oh Sadie, I’
m sorry
you’ve been worried about it. Y
ou are a true friend and I would never ever want to do anything
to
hurt you. Even if Jayden hadn’t
stepped into the picture I’
d be okay with you and Brian together. H
e’s not meant for me so there’
s no way
I’
d stand in the way of you being happy,” Phoenix said, meaning what she said.

             
“I love you so much.
I know even though we have different parents, you really are my sister,” Sadie said and the girls cried together, both of them so happy. They knew
no boy c
ould ever understand their bond and they didn’t care. They li
ked being
sappy girls.
I
t was
just
who they were.

             
The two girls talked long into the night until exhaustion finally overtook them and they fell asleep. They b
oth missed breakfast, which sent
John looking for them, something Phoenix was very used to.

             
Jayden knelt next to a stream and looked up at the stars. It was a clear night and he felt if he searched long enough he’d be able to see all the way
to his previous home
.
He couldn’t seem to stop thinking of the stars since being with Phoenix. He’d thought about his sister from time to time, but would quickly push those
memories
from his mind, knowing there was nothing he could do about it, anyway.

             
He knew he should turn around and head back to the cave before someone discovered he was missing, but he couldn’t seem to leave the light of the full-moon shining down on him. He felt Vyco’s presence moments before the Demon appeared before him. He tensed, not wanting to speak to him.

             
“You’ve done well, Jayden,” Vyco said with a smile.
“I see the humans have readily accepted you. It won’t be difficult for you to lead them to their death,” Vyco continued, his expression never changing.

             
“Yes, they’re very trusting,” Jayden said, using the same deadpan voice.
Vyco laughed in enjoyment at what he perceived victory. Jayden made sure to show none of his disgust with the Demon he’d once followed so loyally.

             
“I won’t stay long. I don’t want Josiah saying I cheat,” he said with another laugh. Of course he was cheating
. He wouldn’t enjoy the game if he didn’t feel he was always one up on his competition.

             
“That would probably be best,” Jayden said, wanting him to leave.

             
“Meet me here when you have information for me,” Vyco said,
then
quickly disappeared in ring of fire. All that remained was a bit of smoke as his laughter faded away. Jayden sighed. He turned to leave. 

             
“
It’s been a long time, Jayden
,” Chastity spoke. He looked up with a mixture of joy
, sorrow and surprise
to see his sister. She was such a beautiful sight
, one he didn’t think he’d ever see again
.
H
er arms
wrapped around
him
before he could stop her. He could almost hear another chunk of ice breaking away
from his cold heart at
just the familiar scent of her. He couldn’t believe how much he’d missed her. He finally pulled away and quickly composed his features.

             
“What are you doing here, Chastity?” he asked, angry he was unable to hide his pleasure in seeing her. He shouldn’t care if she were there or not. He’d let her go the moment he’d fallen.

             
“Most likely the opposite of what you’re doing,” she said with a sad smile.

             
“I’m not doing anything, Chastity. You need to leave,” he commanded. His face was once again a mask but he refused to make eye contact with her.

             
“I
missed you so much, Jayden
. I’ve
never stopped
worry
ing
about you. Josiah wouldn’t give me any information
about where you were. I’
d get stirrings from you and then it would be gone before I could come down,” she said, accusingly.

             
“I was blocking you.
It was better that way for both of us. I made my choices and you’re going to have to deal with that. We’re no longer on the same side,” he said, finally making himself look her in the eyes. He had to make her understand they weren’t the same as they once were. He had to chase her away from him.

             
“You’re wrong, Jayden. I can feel the pain in your heart. You aren’t happy. Why not ask Josiah if you can come home? We could be together again,” she pled with him.

             
“You know that won’t happen, Chastity. For one thing, once you’ve fallen there
isn’t any
turning back. I made my choices and I’m living with them. I’m happy here and don’t want to go back,” he lied. He didn’t know what he really wanted, but he knew he didn’t want to face Josiah after all he’d done over the centuries on earth.

             
“
You know, h
e wept for you unlike anything I’ve seen before,” she said. He felt shame at her words.
He could barely stand all the new emotions coursing through him. He had to get away from her and any talk of the light or his previous home. He had a job to do. He’d get it done, even if it took what little piece of his soul there was left.

             
They stood silently, neither backing down from their convictions. She tried to pull him close again, but he moved away. He couldn’t grow weak. Then, he felt a burning in his chest and looked up in wonder. He hadn’t had that feeling in what seemed like forever
.
He knew Josiah was coming
.
H
e immediately dropped to his knees
knowing he wasn’t
worthy of the visit.
He knew Josiah could be coming to strike him dead. He’d never stand a chance against the all-powerful god.
Josiah
arrived in a spectacular light and stood before Jayden and Chastity, his face drawn with an inner pain.

             
“
Jayden, not all is lost
,” Josiah said
shocking both Jayden and Chastity
.
With a twitch of
his hand
,
a large boulder appeared
for
him
to sit on
.

             
“
I didn’t ask for your visit. I don’t want this
,” Jayden finally spoke.
He had to get away. He couldn’t take the power of light all around him.

             
“Y
ou’ve made your choices, Jayden, but not all is lost. You still have choices to make and they will define who and what you really are
,”
Josiah
said. He wasn’t unkind in his words. He
merely
came
right
to the point.

             
“I don’t regret my choice.
I felt
the humans couldn’t be responsible to make their own decisions and I was right. Look at how they treat one another. They kill each other off without shedding remorse. They leave children to starve in the streets and die of preventable diseases. How can you continue to let them have free will? If you’d let Vyco do what he wanted then none of this would’ve ever happened. When we couldn’t change things
,
we gave up and I lost all respect for your humans. I don’t care anymore if they live or die
,” Jayden
said. He would’ve sworn he felt that way a day ago, but after spending only a short time with the humans he wasn’t convinced he still believed his own words. He wouldn’t admit that to either Chastity or Josiah, though
.

             
“
That’s not how you truly feel
?”
Josiah finally spoke. He knew what was really inside Jayden, even if Jayden didn’t.

             
“You don’t know me, anymore. I’m no longer your servant.” Jayden’s voice rose as he paced the small area. He could think of nothing but escape. He looked around wildly, not wanting to look at either of them.

             
“My heart is breaking for you, Jayden. I can’t stand the torment you’re feeling,” Josiah said with a sadness that was almost Jayden’s undoing.

             
“Don’t waste your tears on me,” he shouted. He didn’t want his sympathy. He couldn’t allow it to crack his black heart.

             
“I watched you with the human today. You felt something with her,” Josiah said, shocking Jayden enough that he stopped pacing and turned toward him with a wary look on his face.

             
“I felt nothing,” he lied, though he knew it wouldn’t do him any good.
             

             
“You’ve connected with a human. It’
s rare
but
it does happen
. One thing you must always remember is
that
your emotions will only grow stronger, they never dim. Whether it is love or
hate, you’ll feel it to the very edges of your soul,” Josiah finished.
Jayden remained silent, hoping he’d go on, but not able to ask the questions he wanted to ask. When Josiah said nothing further, Jayden blew his breath out in frustration. He really would have to figure things out on his own.

             
“I’m just playing with her,” Jayden said. He didn’t know why he felt the need to lie to Josiah when he knew he’d see right through him.

             
“
You must also know t
here’
s no use in fighting
your attraction for her
.
Remember, though she’s very fragile and you’
ll have to b
e on your guard not
to
hurt her. I
f you destroy her, y
ou’
ll be destroying yourself. You
won’t
be able to live through the
pain,” Josiah said. “I’
ve seen that happen to
others
and their pain was beyond
what
you could ever imagine.”

             
“I can leave her at any time,” Jayden said, feeling stronger, thinking he could walk away.

             
“You already know
that’s not true
. She’
s yours now, as much as you are hers. This is one thing
you absolutely can’
t fight,” Josiah told him.

             
“If I’d never met her, would this be happening?” Jayden asked
, finally slipping in front of the man who’d created him
.

             
“You would’ve found her at some point. You were drawn to her, without even realizing it. It’s a force far more powerful than even
I
can understand,” Josiah answered.

             
Jayden hung his head, already feeling the pull to get back to Phoenix. He needed to see her, to know she was okay and
to
be there to
keep her safe
.

             
“
Jayden, you can fight this everlasting darkness
. I’ve known for a very long time you possess more than most,
making you special. I will never give up on you,
” Josiah told him. He was starting to fade and Jayden knew his time was almost up.
What surprised him
was
that he didn’t want him to go.

             
“
I’m
not who you think I am.
” Jayden said, needing Josiah to understand he couldn’t count on him
.

             
“
I’ll be here when you find yourself
,” Josiah said. He slipped away before Jayden could say anything
more
.
Watching Josiah leave
was so much worse than when Jayden had
fallen from the light
. He
felt as if his soul was being ripped out again.

             
“
I’m still here, you know
. Now that I’ve found you, I won’t lose you again
,” Chastity
said
. Jayden groaned, knowing o
nce his sister made up her mind
there was no changing it.

             
“Chastity,
I don’t want you
getting involved,
” he tried.

             
“
Y
ou need me,” she fought him. He bowed his head, knowing it was a battle he
was
lo
sing
.
He looked to the heavens again and knew he wasn’t getting any
more help from
above
.

             
“I’m leaving now. Please, just go home,” Jayden said. He turned and walked away. He was far m
ore confused than when he was
earlier in the day. He needed time to figure it all out.

             
“Please just be safe, Jayden,” she whispered. She then disappeared as Josiah had.
Jayden knelt on the ground once more. He was filled with a mixture of
feelings
and needed to get himself under control.

             
“That will be my last moment of weakness. I’m stronger than you think,” he said
aloud
,
firming
his shoulders. He needed to remember how strong he really was.