Feather
Holy shizz, Gavriel was hot. Not just literally, though he was sweating and glistening from all the exertion of fighting off a bajillion shadow creatures with only a soul knife. I wondered for a moment where his sword was—but then his eyes met mine, and the room melted away.
His physical beauty left me breathless. He looked thinner than he had before, leaner. His features were sharper, his skin a brighter gold than I’d ever seen it, and his eyes were gold and blue whirlpools that threatened to pull me in and never let me go.
I kind of liked the idea.
Wait. This is Gavriel I’m talking about. Gavriel never looks at me like he wants me. Like he’s as hungry for me as I’ve always secretly been for him. Like he’d actually kiss?—
The whirlpools spiraled faster, and I realized he’d heard all that. Oops.
—kiss my ass,I tried to think at him, but I didn’t have time because suddenly, his arms were around me and his lips were on mine, devouring me. He tasted of rich, dark chocolate, whisky and spices, and every decadent dessert I’d ever dreamed of smearing on someone before licking it off.
The feather in my chest, that had only ever ached, burned, or lay dormant, suddenly blazed to life. It recognized him. Reached for him. I felt my soul try to leap out, practically begging for a quick merge right there in front of everyone. Gavriel kissed me more deeply, his tongue dancing with mine, his lips crushing mine as if even a sliver of space between us was too much.
Sweet Giver of Truffles, he really was my soulmate. He kissed like every dream I’d ever had was coming true all at once. Like all the wild fantasies I’d fabricated in my lonely years on Earth, when I prayed there would be a love sweet enough to balance out all the bitterness.
I knew it was dumb. I’d probably regret it in a half-second, but I opened my mouth wider, letting that taste fill me.
I felt like a popsicle set on a hot stove. I was half melted in less than a heartbeat, and in danger of dripping all over the ground, when suddenly those lips were gone, and he waswhirling, stabbing and slicing at shadow monsters as fast as he could.
“Sing,” he commanded, but he wasn’t talking to me. I shook the lust haze away to take in the scene. My friend Truth and his octet were standing in front of a large group of Protectors, and even some Guides, who were huddled against one wall. Shadows were coming at them from all three sides, but they were singing one of the old songs Rumple had taught me. I added my voice to the tune on a high descant, letting my notes swoop and fly over theirs. Gavriel nodded at me approvingly, just as another shadow darted toward Arabella. He joined in the song, but the shadow heading for her didn’t seem to be as affected by the singing. It was more layered, sharper. Much larger. Gavriel only had a knife, but Arabella had nothing to defend herself.
Come with me,I begged her.
She shook her head.I have to sing a little more. Give Revel enough power to keep him from losing his mind. Losing hope. Gavriel will protect me.
I felt a tiny pang at that. Jealousy? It was something unworthy, either way. But I nodded and ran to join the group, singing my part as clearly as I could over the cacophonous noise.
Truth didn’t stop singing for a second, but he grabbed my hand, and we faced outward from the group. He was covered with small scratches and cuts, as were all of the octet. The air around us felt heavy, full of desperation and fear. Which the shadows loved. They lapped it up and came closer, almost dancing to the music.
That wasn’t right. I took a break to think, feeling a pinch of discomfort coming from the feather on my boob. I was using the energy Righteous had given me too fast.
“I almost didn’t recognize you guys with clothes on,” I shouted when the lower ranges had a solo part.
Truth’s lips trembled in a half-smile. “I almost didn’t recognize you clean. And naked.”
I sang a few more lines and shrugged. I hadn’t even thought about my nakedness once. I had bigger fish to fry. Like cheering up these panicking musicians. “I’m not sure the song is as effective with clothing. I’ve been to the Celestial Realm. You should move there. The music is amazing, and they don’t wear any clothes ever. At all.”
“What?” One of the women in the octet snapped her gaze over to me. “You’ve been there and came back?” We all sang together for a moment, and the shadows scattered like someone had dripped soap into an oily sink.
When we reached the end of the verse, the shadows were far enough away to take a breath, and I looked around, wondering if anyone needed bandages. But everyone was staring at me. The few Guides who hadn’t been lurking in the hallways had their hoods pushed back from their faces, and appeared incredulous. Or like they wanted to vomit up whatever they’d had for breakfast. The octet were all smiling so wide, it made me think of sharks.
I gave a weak laugh. “Who has two thumbs and a Celestial message?” I used my thumbs to point at my chest.
One of the Guides called, “What message?”
Another shouted, “She can’t be a Messenger. She’s ajoke.”
Bassholes.I forced a grin. “The only message that matters. The secret to life, the universe, and everything.”
“We already know that,” the voice who had called me a joke replied. I was almost certain it was Fidelity, the Protector with bad breath who had cheated on an earthly girlfriend. He added, “It’s 42.”
I sneered. “Nah, it’s glitter. Here’s my Celestial Message, so everyone, listen up.” For some reason, my voice got really loud and booming, like I was being amplified from somewhere.“Glitter is the secret, and someday, glitter will save all the realms.” Echoes resounded all around the space, and I stared as everybody’s jaws dropped. If I’d had a microphone, or even Mike, I would’ve dropped it too, for effect.
A few people called out, “How?” but I waved them off.
“I’m not taking questions at this time. Thank you for listening. Tip your waitstaff.”
