Feathers (17 page)

             
This was news to me.  Sean had never mentioned speaking to Raziel about all of it before.  “What did he say?” I dared ask.

             
Raziel sighed, running a hand through his hair.  “He came clean.  But it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting.  He admitted that he’d actually liked you for the moment he saw you.  What happened at the school before was partly because of that.  He couldn’t control that other side then.  But now that you’d erased it, he was sure of how he felt.  Guess that’s just grown for him since then too.  He sure as hell wouldn’t have done what he did today if he didn’t feel something strong.” He explained.

             
I felt my cheeks burn slightly.  So it was true.  Sean really did fall in love with me.  I knew Raziel would never lie about such a thing.  Not with his distrust of Sean and knowing that this might make me closer to him.  But I still wasn’t sure. I didn’t get it myself.  Why would someone like Sean like someone like me?  It made as much sense to me as to how in the world I’d ended up with someone like Michael as my father.

             
“You know sis, you do have some major complexes at times, don’t you?” Raziel suddenly said.  He tended to call me sis here and there because we were so close.  There had been a couple of times at school where it had been pretty confusing for others too.  It didn’t help that we could have passed for being brother and sister, possibly even twins.

             
“Did you read my mind?” I had to ask.

             
“No.  But I could feel what you were feeling.  There was a lot of confusion and doubt there.  Seriously, I don’t know why you worry so much about things.  It’s not like you’re really ugly or anything.  Trust me, I’d tell you the truth if you were.” Raziel said, smiling at me.

             
I huffed, looking away again.  “Wow.  Thanks a lot for that one.” I muttered.

             
Raziel just laughed.  “Come on.  I’m kidding.  Besides, you really aren’t ugly, and you’ve never been, no matter what you keep thinking.  And I’m telling you, getting your wings is definitely gonna turn heads when you go back to school.” He said.

             
“What do you mean?” I asked, looking back at him.

             
“Guess you really haven’t taken a good look, huh?  Well, it’s kind of a sutle thing.  At least, that’s how Gabrielle always puts it.  But I noticed it too.  When we get these wings, things about us change a little too.  We look a little better then normal people, and we don’t have any handicaps anymore.  I bet you’ve already noticed that you don’t need your glasses anymore.  You’ll never need them again.” Raziel explained.

             
“Okay.  Now that’s going to feel weird.” I admitted.  But at the mention of Gabrielle’s name, something else suddenly popped into my mind.  Noel Renaldi.  I’d never mentioned her to anyone else.  But I’d been wondering if Raziel knew anything about her.  “Hey Raziel, can I ask you something?”

             
“Okay.  What is it?” Raziel asked, suddenly curious.  Guess I’d caught him off guard.

             
“Have you ever heard of someone named Noel Renaldi?” I asked him.

             
For a moment, he was quiet.  But I had the distinct feeling that he was very surprised.  In fact, it was almost like I felt it from him being right there beside me.  After a few long moments of silence, he finally spoke again.  “Where did you hear that name?” he asked softly.

             
“I didn’t.  But I saw her grave.  When I went to the cemetery a couple months ago and was looking at our grandparents’ graves, I saw this grave near them that looked like it was covered up by leaves and grass.  And it said Noel Renaldi.” I explained.

             
“So she really is buried there?” Raziel muttered, though it seemed more to himself.

             
Now I was certain he knew something.  “Who is she Raziel?  I’ve never heard anything about her before, and she was born on the same day as Gabrielle.  She even died when she was our age.” I continued.

             
Raziel hesitated for a moment before finally speaking again.  “I don’t… know that much about her.  She was part of the family. I only heard her name a couple of years ago, and that was from Gabrielle.  The only reason she mentioned it at all was because we’d been watching something and she decided she wanted to talk a little about it all.  But Dad and Michael don’t talk about her at all, and apparently won’t.”

             
“Something bad happened, didn’t it?” I guessed softly.

             
Raziel nodded.  “Yeah.” He replied.  “I didn’t know she was buried near our grandparents though.  I’ve been there plenty of times, but I never saw that grave.  Guess I wasn’t looking in the right place.  Anyways, Noel was Gabrielle’s twin sister.”

             
“Twin sister?” I said in surprised.

             
“Yep.  They weren’t identical, but they were twins, and the youngest of the four of them.  But when Noel was eight, she got kidnapped.  They found her a week later, and she was alive, but she was never the same.  Gabrielle said that they had a lot of trouble from her.  She turned our grandparents against each other, and my dad against them.  So Gabrielle said that Gramps eventually sent her to live with our great aunt out in Tennessee.  But right after Grandma died, she apparently committed suicide.” Raziel explained.

             
Another suicide.  That was kind of creepy when I really thought about it.  But at the same time, I kind of understood why Michael and Raphael wouldn’t want to talk about her.  Maybe they felt guilt for not being able to help Noel back then. 

             
After a few minutes, I finally forced myself to speak again.  “Do you think that’s why they won’t talk about her?  Because they regret what happened to her?” I asked softly.

             
“I don’t know.  I’ve never really pushed the whole thing.  It kinda creeps me out anyways.” Raziel admitted.  But just as quick, he had an add in.  “But not as much as thinking about that fox as part of the family.”

             
I had to smile.  Of course Raziel would never take it easily that Sean may become part of our family one day.  But far be it for me to disappoint him.  “You know, Sean did score brownie points in saving me back there.  Even you have to admit that.” I said.

             
Raziel sighed, shaking his head.  “I know.  And I’ll admit it.  But really Mia, think about what you might be doing if you go for the fox.  He’s not exactly like us.” he said.

             
“I know.” I admitted.  “But seriously Raziel, I want to be around Sean, and I want to give him a chance.  I like him, and I think you actually could be friends with him if you let yourself.”

             
“I could.  But it’s just gonna take a while.  Just give me some time on that.” Raziel said, giving me a slight smile.

             
Looking over at the side of my bed, I suddenly realized how late it was.  It was nearly one in the morning.  “Are you going to stay now?” I asked.

             
“Nah.  I guess I’ll head back, now that I know you’re okay.  And I’ll be here tomorrow.” Raziel said as he stood up.

             
I won’t say I was completely sure of anything as he flew back out of that window.  The only thing I knew for sure at that point was that my life had changed forever.  I was a full Nephilim now.  And nothing would ever be the same.

Fifteen

              Another week passed before I could learn to pull my wings in and control them.  I had to say, it was kind of a depressing week in the end.  Sean had not come back around, though we’d gotten reassurances from Sara that he was doing fine.  In all honesty, it was very confusing for me.  Sean had to have known that Michael would trust him completely now for what he’d done to save me.  Yet, he hadn’t even attempted to call me.  It was making me wonder if I’d misread things.

             
But I was determined not to say anything to it.  Instead, I ended up passing the next month and a half of summer on my own.  Well, not exactly on my own.  Raziel and Anna were still around.  But even then, I couldn’t help but feel a bit lonely.  Every time we were in town, I found myself looking around in hopes of seeing Sean.  Yet, he was a no show everywhere.  Even Raphael had commented on it after two weeks.  He reasoned that Sean must have went back into the Spirit Realms for whatever reason.  Hearing that only worried me more though.  Was he doing all of this to avoid me and keep me from getting the wrong idea?

             
Eventually, the first day of school arrived, and I found myself pulling into the parking lot.  Sitting in the Mustang, I couldn’t help but frown to myself.  I knew I had a serious problem now.  I couldn’t stop thinking about that fox.  And beings no one had seen a sign of him, we didn’t even know if he’d be coming back to school.  Michael had admitted that one to me the night before.  He’d been a bit concerned, considering he’d seen right through me all summer about this.  “Don’t get your hopes up too much darling.  Sometimes the ones like Sean just end up disappearing.” he’d told me.

             
I knew Michael was trying to help me, but I really didn’t need to hear that one.  Sighing, I put my head on the stirring wheel.  It was still early, so I didn’t have to worry about others seeing.  I was only the third car in the parking lot.  Stupid fox, I couldn’t help but think.  Why’d you have to make me like you?

             
A knock on my window startled me out of all of this though.  Jumping, I looked over and fully expected to ring Raziel out for scaring me.  But it wasn’t Raziel standing there.  Instead, familiar emerald eyes were regarding me with a bit of concern.  I almost couldn’t believe it.  Somehow, I managed to put the window down.

             
“You certainly pick some odd places to rest, don’t you?” Sean said.  One may have thought he was teasing me, but he sounded very serious.

             
“Sean?  You… came back?” I managed to say.

             
“My apologies.  I only got back late last night.  Were you worried?” Sean asked, opening the door for me.

             
“Well, yeah.  You didn’t even tell anybody you were leaving, and you were hurt.” I reasoned as I got out.  I almost forgot to grab my back pack in my shock.

             
“I’m fine now.  And Mom knew. Although I’m not sure she would’ve told Michael or Raphael too quickly.  She wasn’t very happy over what happened.” Sean admitted, though he was looking a bit puzzled over it all.

             
I sighed.  So Sara didn’t talk because she was blaming me.  That sucked.  But before I could say anything, I felt him make me look up.  “Hmm, I knew something looked different.  No glasses now.” he commented.

             
I felt myself blush slightly as I pulled away.  “I don’t need them anymore.  That’s all.” I said.

             
“I see.  Though you were just as pretty with them.  I suppose this will take me some getting used to.” Sean said, smiling slightly.  It was gentle, just like before.

             
“Yeah.  I am too.” I admitted, forcing myself to look back at him. 

             
“Why don’t we go ahead in now?  I’d imagine they have homeroom posted now.” Sean said.

             
It felt a bit funny to be walking beside him again.  Yet, it was nice too.  He was back, and he was talking to me again.  But there was something that was still nagging at me.  Well, two somethings.  “Hey Sean, are you sure you were okay then?  It looked like you were hurt pretty bad.” I said softly.

             
Sean looked back at me with a bit of surprise.  But his eyes softened again just as quickly.  “You really were that worried?” he asked.

             
“Of course I was!  I saw that thing, and I saw what she did to you.  And then you disappeared on me.  Why wouldn’t I be worried?” I retorted.

             
Sean was quiet for a moment.  Then he pulled me close and hugged me.  I internally jumped a little at it.  My back was still a little sensitive from my wings, and even little touches still affected that.  Thankfully I’d learned to completely control them now.  Right after I’d gotten them, it had been hard to make them stay in when my back was touched.  But Sean didn’t seem to notice this. If he did, he didn’t say anything.  Instead, he sounded almost thoughtful.  “I’m sorry, but I honestly wouldn’t have thought you’d worry that much. And I wasn’t trying to run away or anything.  I was just taking care of myself in my own way.” He told me.

             
“What do you mean?” I asked, finally forcing myself to pull back and look at him.

             
“Why don’t we talk about it later?  Right now, it seems we have our first class together.  Let’s go there and find the rest of our schedules.” Sean said.

             
Okay, so he was good at avoiding things when he wanted to.  I’d later learn that he was just as good as Michael at that when he wanted to be.  But I didn’t find it in me to argue with him.  Instead, a sudden realization had hit me.  I had my first class with him.  That meant I would see him for at least an hour every week day.  How lucky was that?

             
As it turned out, I had all but one of my classes with Sean.  It was an interesting turn for me.  Of course, Raziel hadn’t been too happy when he heard it at lunch.  He’d thought it was like some cosmic joke.  Anna was thrilled though.  By then, I was kind of used to her with everything.  She was convinced that the connection Sean and I seemed to share wasn’t a coincidence.  And really, in the end, I wanted to believe that too.

             
Sitting in our last class together, which was English, I couldn’t help but reflect on my luck with this.  I wanted to talk to Michael about it this evening too.  By now, I really was considering testing the waters with Sean Morrison.  He had protected me, and claimed he loved me.  If Michael would agree, maybe I could get him to ask me out.  I’d never been on a real date before, though I supposed that the Prom a few months before could count.  I wouldn’t want too much out of one.  Just maybe seeing a movie and having dinner at some fast food place.  That would’ve made me happy, as long as I could be with him.

             
The feeling of a note being gently pushed under my arm made me snap back to attention.  I looked down to realize that it had been passed from beside me.  I’ll admit Sean could keep a good poker face in class for this.  But I saw him glance over at me with his eyes and smile slightly.  I smiled a little back, and opened the note in my notebook, trying to make it look like I was just doing more work.

             
Don’t worry too much about this getting caught.  Ms. Keen doesn’t care much unless it’s disruptive.  But I’m getting bored now.  How about you?

             
Sounded just like Sean to say something like that.  I’d concede to that thought.  Quietly, I wrote back.  Maybe this would open a door.

             
Very bored.  I’ve read all the Shakespeare stuff before on my own.

             
I quietly slid the paper back to him as Ms. Keen droned on.  I saw him look at it, then write something back.

             
I wanted to ask you something.  Do you think Michael would allow you to do something with me this evening?

             
I almost couldn’t believe my luck, and I had to reread it again.  Here was my chance.  He’d just opened the door.  And I think I knew that Michael wouldn’t object to this now.  Sean had saved my life before.  Michael had admitted then that he would trust him with me for that.  My father tended to be very protective, and when he wasn’t around, it had usually fallen to Raziel to take his place.  Perhaps now the honor was beginning to go to Sean.

             
I quickly wrote back.

             
Sounds fun, and I don’t think he’d mind.  What were you thinking?

             
I saw the slight smile cross Sean’s face as he read this.  After a moment, he wrote back.

             
It’s nothing much.  I thought maybe we’d get some dinner somewhere and stop by a place I know.  You would trust me that I wouldn’t let anything happen, right?

             
To be completely honest, I still felt a bit unsure looking at those words.  After all that had happened, it felt like I tended to put a lot of trust in this fox.  Even before what had happened at St. Andrews.  I should’ve been scared stupid of him after I’d broken him when he’d tried to attack me, but instead, I’d always felt bad whenever I thought of him.  Even when we’d first met, I’d felt some attraction to him.  There was something about Sean that always felt so familiar to me.  I just wished I could understand it.

             
But, be as it may, I knew I had to answer honestly.  And my words back to him were three simple ones.

             
I trust you.

             
I had the distinct feeling that Sean was surprised when he read that.  But he didn’t write back.  Instead, he waited until the class was over to speak to me.  I sat still as he turned a little to face me.  “I’m a little surprised by that last one.  I didn’t think you’d agree so easily.” He admitted quietly.

             
“I know.  But I want to go.  I told you before that I wanted to know you, and this would be a good way to start, wouldn’t it?” I reasoned, giving the best smile I could manage.

             
He smiled back, standing and helping me up.  I felt the eyes on us again.  Really, it had been like this all day now.  No doubt most of the guys there had noticed my looks had changed just slightly.  And if they weren’t looking before, they were definitely looking now.  I’d seen Raziel shoot some looks to some of them, but it hadn’t stopped at least two from catching up to me in the halls and trying to weasel their way in.  Guess not all of them feared Raziel after all.  But they quickly backed off when Sean stepped up.  The second incident with that after lunch had been almost funny, considering the guys actually seemed intimidated by the looks he gave them.  Anna swore up and down in our next class together that Sean had been jealous.  That would be interesting if he really was.  At least, that was my thought of it all.

             
“So where did you want to go?” I asked as we walked to the lockers after our last classes were over.

             
“It’s nothing too special. We could go to Casanova and get something.” Sean said.  He actually sounded rather happy now.  I must have made his afternoon.

             
“Go to Casanova when?” I heard Raziel say.  Oh yeah.  I had forgotten that I probably should tell him what was about to be going on.  But I’d been so happy over finally getting the date with my fox that I’d forgotten.

             
I looked over to see him standing near Sean, giving him his personal tell-me-or-I’ll-maim-you look.  “It’s nothing too special.  I just invited Mia out for the afternoon.  I trust you’re not objecting?” Sean replied in a matter of fact tone.

             
“You know you’re treading thin ice here Morrison.  I said I’d give you a shot, not that I trust you yet.” Raziel said.

             
“I know.  But then, you could let me prove it.  Or did my life not mean enough?” Sean asked.

             
Raziel just stifled a frustrated cough, shaking his head.  Obviously, he wanted to say a lot more then he could there with others around us.  “Look, I don’t have to like this.  And you know what’s going to happen if you let anything happen to her now.  I know you’re not that stupid.” He said.

             
“Of course.  And I won’t allow anything to happen.  Tell Michael that I promise to have her back by dusk, and he can call my cell or hers if he gets worried.” Sean assured him.

             
I looked over at Raziel.  “You said you’d try.” I reminded him.

             
“All right.” Raziel agreed with a sigh.  “But I mean it.  If something happens to her, I’ll personally kill you.”

             
“You don’t have to worry about that.  I know you understand what I mean.” Sean replied, walking over beside me.

             
In all honesty, I was kind of glad to be walking away from this.  But before we left, I decided to reassure Raziel myself.  I met him out by his car.  I had the distinct feeling that he’d been waiting for me too.  No surprise there.  Raziel wasn’t letting this go without getting his two cents in.