“Cory are you ok?”

I asked touching the singed skin on his chest where Alex struck him. I thought it was just a black mark but it was a lot worse. He took my hand in his holding me close.

“I’m fine as long as you are”

“Um yeah then you’re not fine”

I laughed but he tensed up taking in my arm for the first time. Dry blood coated my forearm as fresh blood leaked from the bite marks. Gently Cory touched it pulling back when I flinched at his feather light touch. He frowned pulling out his black feather and knife. He cut a line down his palm and held the feather above my arm. Slowly it glowed white and then red flakes of something floated down on my arm. It felt hot not as bad as the hellhounds bite but it was so warm and soothing. I let out a sigh as the pain ceased. Opening my eyes I found the bite marks gone replaced by six shinny half moons. They looked almost like nail marks and they were barely noticeable. I ran my hand across the marks shivering because they still held warmth from Cory’s feather. I chuckled quietly to myself catching Cory’s curious gaze.

“It reminds me of twilight but smaller then a vampire bite”

When I explained to him he laughed along with me flinching when his chest protested. I frowned at him when he tried to brush it off. He was seriously hurt and needed medical attention now. I pulled his arm over my shoulders and hoisted him up walking away from Alex’s motionless body. Selena took Cory from me when he went slack and started dragging me down with him. She cradled him like he was weightless and took off to heaven. I watched them go with a falling heart, Cory was seriously hurt because of me. Alex might have dealt the blow but I was the reason he was fighting Cory. I clenched my fists, I had to get stronger so we can prevent things like this from happening again. I looked back to where Alex’s body laid and felt nausea build in me. Alex was standing with half a wing and a scolded left body.

“So the little mouse is left without a protector”

He sneered at me. I suddenly felt cold as ice looking at his dead blue eyes. He took a staggering step toward me but Henry was in front of me black wings spread out blocking me from Alex. A blue bubble went up around us as fireballs shot out again and again. All that bravery I built up suddenly came back stronger than before. I put my hand on Henry’s shoulder and looked right at Alex. He stopped firing long enough to hear me out.

“Why are you doing this Alex?”

“Why? Because a love affair with a mortal is only a useless distraction Cory should be in Heaven with the rest of the army waiting of the next wave of attack. Instead he tainted his wings like his father and fell for you”

“What do you mean tainted his wings?”

“Angels have white wings unless you kill a human, choose to become mortal again, or leave the army”

I looked at Henry his black wings folded back. Selena had black wings too so what had they done? And was loving me and falling from the army Cory’s only offence? I pushed the thoughts aside it didn’t matter. Alex had a smirk on his face like he just won a prize of some kind.

“And just what is it that you did?”

“Killed a human”

He lost his smirk and sounded almost sorry. What is with him? One minute he’s determined to kill us and then next he’s all sulky. I bet any minute now he’ll be death on wings again.

“And I’m about to make it three”

He regained his composure and lunged after us. He has to be bipolar or something I thought as I stepped back. Henry saw him coming and dodged at the last second pushing him down in a head lock. I backed away not wanting to be any closer to him then I had to. But I had the urge to kick him a few times for killing my mom and hurting Cory. He clawed at Henry’s arms trying to pry him off in a furious waving of his arms. I was so focused on his scrunched up face I didn’t realize I was within grapping distance till he pulled my ankle. I tried to throw it off but he got the leverage he needed. Henry reached over to pull Alex off me and went flying back. I shrieked as Alex stood up pulling me down by my ankle and holding me upside down. I screamed again as he started taking off for the sky, I punched him below the belt.
Instantly he dropped me from half a foot above the ground. I managed to throw out my hands before I landed on my head and broke my neck.

“Good job let’s go”

“How did he ever become an angel?”

“He was born one”

Henry said as he scooped me up and took off for the clouds. A furious Alex followed close behind growling like he was a rabid dog. He was gaining on us faster than I thought he would. I was weighing down Henry I realized that’s why we were so slow. Red hellhounds from either side ran next to us on black fire like an escort service. I looked up to see Selena standing on the clouds glaring at Alex she raised her hand slicking the air with it. The hounds growled slowing down their pace before they turned on Alex. But he was expecting this and beat them off before they even had a chance to turn around fully. I felt Henry tense as Alex reached for his wing and then he bounced of an invisible barrier not far from the clouds edge. He roared so loud and hard his face turned red as he beat on the barrier. If I wasn’t scarred of him before I was now he looked so menacing I flinched away into Henry’s side even thou he couldn’t get to me.

“What’s going on Selena?”

“God heard Alex confess killing Jasmine’s mother and the threat he was going to kill her and Cory. Basically he’s being thrown out of heaven for betraying his brothers”

“Hum it’s about time he was never cut out to be up here anyway. But then what about?”

Henry turned his hazel eyes on me they were full of worry. I looked at Selena she was worried too. My eyes bugged out thinking something were wrong with Cory. He has to be ok after all this he has to be just one more day, just one more day. I gripped a hand full of Henry’s black feather’s releasing my death grip some when he flinched. I gave him an I’m-sorry look.

“Is Cory ok? I want to see him please”

“He’s fine dear healing as we speak but the main concern right now is what to do with you”

“No making sure Cory is ok is the main priority”

I told Selena when she tried to comfort me. I let go of Henry’s wing and shrugged of Selena’s hand stalking off in a direction to find Cory. I heard Selena sigh from behind me or maybe it was Henry I don’t know but I wanted to find Cory. I felt so small and insignificant when I looked around at the vast space of heaven. Angels with black and white wings walked or floated around going into houses, talking to friends, and playing by the trees. I stopped dead in my tracks as a pair of warm arms wrapped around my waist and the same person sighed in my ear.

“Where are you going off to in such a hurry?”

I sunk back against him laying my hands over his on my waist. I closed my eyes turning slightly to him smiling.

“Anywhere I’m looking for someone”

“Who?”

“Oh this hot angel I know”

“Hot angel, hum what’s he look like maybe I know him?”

“Well he’s tall with raven black hair and fiery hazel eyes. And his wings are softer than sink and the darkest black I’ve ever seen. He’s my hot Goth guardian angel”

“Hot Goth guardian angel with black wings? Nope I don’t think I’ve seen him before sorry”

“Shame I’ll just have to steal you”

I laughed turning around opening my eyes to look at his hazel ones. Cory smiled at me before he kissed me sweetly. I ran my fingers through his hair as he wrapped his arms tighter around me pulling me closer. He broke the kiss first smiling mischievously.

“I can live with that feel sorry for the other guy thou”

“Why is that?”

“He’s missing out on a wonderful girl”

He chuckled kissing me again. Someone cleared there throat and I jumped away from Cory feeling embarrassed. Selena was the one who cleared her throat but I was focused on the man standing in front of her. God. He smiled at us nodding once to Cory before approaching me. I felt nervous again maybe kissing like that was wrong in heaven. I was about to apologize when he hugged me. I was shell shocked God was hugging me? Why? As if answering my question he pulled away saying.

“I’m glad you’re safe Jasmine and that you returned to heaven. I’m sure Selena told you Alex is banished from heaven so it is reasonable that you stay here where it’s safe. But”

“I can’t I’m still alive and heaven is for the dead. Sorry”

I apologized for cutting him off yet again. He was so nice he didn’t even give me a mad look just kept on talking.

“Yes that’s the basic reason. The air here is different far below what it is on earth. And maximum time a human can stay is four hours. I’m sure Alex will still be around waiting for the time to end so he could find you. That’s why I’m leaving the choice up to you Jasmine. Stay here in heaven or return to earth after your four hours are up?”

So that’s what happened before when I was suffocation and no one seemed too noticed except Selena. It was a huge dilemma mega huge. Die in heaven from suffocation but be in this wonderful place with Cory or die on earth from Alex and maybe have Cory killed too. I shivered either way I was going to die that much was certain. I looked at Cory’s distorted face he was grimacing and trying to smile at the same time again. I squeezed his hand and looked to Selena and Henry’s faces they were equally troubled. Finally my gaze rested on God ready to tell him I would stay here. But when I looked at him his eyes slightly squinted, he was trying to tell me something silently. I didn’t know what he wanted me to see until Cory wrapped his wing around me and I remembered. My head snapped up looking right at God as he smiled. My future! I was an angel, will be an angel in the future! That‘s why he showed me he knew I would choose to stay and die with Cory.

“I want to stay here”

“No you’ll die were going back down”

Cory jerked my hand to take me back down. I pulled against him breaking free and walking over to stand by God.

“No either way I’ll die it’s going to happen whatever I choose”

“But I’ll protect you”

“Then well both die. There’s a third option. I become an angel”

I turned to God getting a wink from him. Good I was right. He placed his hand on my shoulder as Cory gawked at me wanting to protest. Didn’t he know about the other way whatever it was? He shook his head to clear his thoughts and took my hand.

“You want to die?”

“No silly there are other was to become an angel”

I said quoting God. Cory was about to protest but God took over the conversation.

“There is another way. I haven’t created and angel in sometime but it can be done. I would be proud to have Jasmine as one of my angels”

“It’s the best way and then I can be with you forever”

I told Cory before he opened his mouth to argue. Arguing with God really he was so silly, but hadn’t I done that once before. He sighed hanging his head slightly and nodding it. Why was he so against me being an angel? Was there something he wasn’t telling me? I stepped closer to him hugging his slumped shoulders and bringing my head to his ear.

“What’s so bad about being an angel?”

“You won’t be able to stay on earth for more than a week. If you do you’ll be mortal again”

“That’s why I never saw you after school weekdays?”

“Yeah I headed home to heaven so I could hang with you all weekend or if we made plans. Don’t you see Jasmine you can’t see your friends on earth again not until your wings are strong enough to fly you back and forth. I don’t want you to lose everything just for me”

He said as his voice broke and he held my face in-between his hands. I was so surprised by his response and then he let a single tear fall from his face. Did he really think hanging out with what friends might still be alive after this for a Saturday girls night out was more important them him? He was so silly it was practically a disability. I blinked and softened my face when he let me go and hung his head again. I cupped his chin making him look at me.

“Silly angel if I lose you I lose everything, you are everything to me”

“Jasmine”

“Shh I want this Cory please”

“Ok”

He said glumly taking me in a hug. I hugged him back whispering he was my everything in his ear again. He responded by kissing my neck below my ear and saying ‘you’re my everything too’. He stepped away keeping only my hand as we followed Cory’s parents to a brick house. God had disappeared when I turned back around. We entered the house and before I got a chance to look around Selena shoved me into the first door of the hallway.

“Choose anything you want to wear”

I blinked as she closed the door leaving me alone in a room with a bunch of clothes. I looked down at myself my jacket was ripped up and my clothes tattered and bloody. I did need a change of clothes. I pealed mine off throwing them in the garbage can leaving my bra and underwear on. I walked down the aisles of clothes arranged by color then by garment. I went down the black aisle and walked down to the assortment of shirts. I found a plain long-sleeved black one I liked with a padlock necklace around the hanger. After I found a pair of skinny black jeans I went to the dresser that sat next to the blush round chair.

I dropped my clothes on the chair and went to open the dresser. An assortment of under clothes was stuffed in every drawer by color. I pulled out a black bra a pair of panties and socks. Then put them with my other clothes and went to look at the shoe closet. I picked up the first pair of black skate shoes I saw and dashed back to my new clothes. I stripped off the rest of my old clothes and put on my new ones turning in the mirror to see how I looked. Satisfied I went out to find the others.

“Simple but edgy I like it”

“Thank you Cory. Where are your parents?”

“Outside talking with God, were waiting for you”

“Sorry I took so long”

“It’s ok I know your fashion sense you had to find the good gothic stuff in there somehow”

Cory laughed when I put my hands on my hips giving him a what-is-that-suppose-to-mean look. He grabbed my hand and ran out the door chuckling I couldn’t help but laugh with him. This is my Cory he’s finally back and I love it. God nodded at us and then walked off somewhere with me and Cory following and his parent’s bringing up the rear. Cory tugged me closer so he could drape his wing over me. I ran my hand over his silken feathers to calm my nerves before I chickened out and changed my decision. I looked around and noticed the trees became fewer and fewer till they disappeared with the houses.

We walked up to a white picket fence surrounding a lush garden. God unlatched the gate and walked in. Inside was amazing trees I never seen before growing all over with beautiful flowers growing on them. I walked across the lush grass to a mahogany leafed tree it’s branches looked almost blue and the flowers that grew on it were something else. I ran my hand over a petal it felt warm like if was fire. Its center was turquoise and the petal tips had flame like designs on them alternating red and black.

“Jasmine over here please”

I turned away from the flower to see God, Selena, Henry, and Cory standing by a small pond. It was no bigger than a room in a house and clear as a cloudless sky, but I couldn’t tell how deep it was. My hand twitched when I neared the water’s edge. God was in the center with water up to his arm pits and he was at least a foot and a half taller than me. He motioned me in but I shook my head panicking.

“I don’t know how to swim”

“Don’t fret child you will not drown. This is water from the first rain on earth when I created it. It is the purest water you will ever drink. All you have to do is submerge for a moment while I say a few words and I will bring you back up”

“Ok”

I choked out before I swallowed the panic that ran through me. I went to take off my shoes but God shook his head no. I straightened up looking confused he just smiled and raised his hand slightly. I was going to ask him a question but I started floating over to him, over the water and down into its deep center.

“Don’t panic your safe”

Was all I heard from him before I went under. I started to panic as I sank deeper and deeper. I never hit the bottom but the fact that I was surrounded by water deeper than my head frightened me. I was about to yell help when I saw Cory through the clear water over head. He was hovering right over the water above me watching me closely with a worried expression. His lips were moving “Do you trust me?” is what I think he said. I nodded and let the tension flow out of my body and into the cool water. I let my body float back so I was lying on my back with my arms out and my head tilled back some looking at Cory.

The water started to glow gold then silver then bronze I felt my eye lids drift shut like a deep sleep was coming over me. I wanted to panic fearing I was drowning but Cory said trust him and I did if anything went wrong he’d save me.I felt warmth encircle my body like a snake slithering on me and gather at my back. It heated up to the point I wanted to scream but died off right when I was about to break. I felt an extension of myself flap in the water and then I was lifted out.

I gasped for air as my head broke the surface. I heard others around me gasp. Opening my eyes for the first time I saw Cory flying in front of me smiling broadly, love in his eyes. I felt a small wind beat behind me. I glanced back and saw a small pair of white wings beating fast trying to hold my weight in the air above water. I looked down to the water taking in my new look for the first time. My clothes were bone dry like I never entered the water and my blonde hair looked almost silver now so did my eyes. Droplets of water sparkled around me before they rained down blurring my image. Cory’s arms circled around me then.

“You’re so beautiful”

“And you’re really hot”

I told him stroking his black wings. Why hadn’t mine turned black? Cory slowly took us over to the bank where we landed. I tucked my mini wings behind me. God was standing on the water’s edge smiling at us.

“Why are my wings so small and white?”

“You are innocent and young. They will grow out in time but the only reason they would be black was if you committed a crime”

“Like killing a human, choosing to become mortal again, or leaving the Holey army?”

“Yes but you forgot killing a brother angel. These things, some of these things I do not want angels to commit, others are angels ideas of a crime. The difference between a white and black winged angel isn’t that great. Time on earth is shorter and there powers limited but really it’s just a mark of crimes against their brothers”

“Oh”

Was all I managed to say. God just nodded and disappeared in a glow of golden light. I noticed that Cory’s parents where no were to be found either. I smiled walking up to Cory shyly before I pounced on him giving him a kiss. He returned the kiss pushing my back against a nearby tree. I giggled and the kissed heated up. Suddenly I felt more aware of the fact we were in a special place and I broke of the kiss with him. Blushing madly I smiled wickedly at him.

“Race you to the clouds edge. Last one there is square”

I said jogging out of the garden with him on my heels laughing. I ran faster like I needed a take off to get air born, I probably did since my wings were so small. Cory tapped the top of my head as he flew over and took the lead.

“Cheater I can’t fly that well yet!”

I called after him jumping up and extending my wings. I beat them as fast and hard as I could trying to catch up to him. My hair blew into my face blinding me momentarily. When I whipped it out of my face Cory was far ahead of me. The wind! I touched my feet to the ground and pushed off trying to get higher and find the tail wind that blew my hair around. When my hair did its flailing dance across my face again I knew I found it. I pulled my hair to one side holding it. As I zoomed past Cory I tapped his head laughing.


“Cheater using the wind as an advantage!”

“Short wings member cheater”

I called back to him as I reached the edge of the clouds. My flying skills might have improved some but that didn’t mean I could stop. I tried to land on the clouds edge but the wind still had my wings and it pulled me over the edge. I toppled over falling down past the safe point trying to regain my bearings and fly back. Too bad my wings were so small they couldn’t take the push of the wind flying past my fall; I was forced to tuck them behind me or ruin my feathers. Cory’s hand grabbed mine saving me from a gruesome fall.

“Hello my little chickadee”

Not again. My eyes flew open and locked on to Alex’s hand holding me in the air just past the barrier that banished him. Crap just my luck to fall and get saved by the bad guy when things are suppose to be over. Cory flew out over the clouds yelling out a battle cry as he collided with Alex knocking us all down. Cory and Alex had and an all out brawl while I helplessly fell next to them. I huffed crossing my arms over my chest accepting the fact that I was just going fall to my doom. I looked down to see how much farther we had to go.

“Cory!”

I cried out reaching for him, too late. I was submerged in water panicking as I swallowed a mouth full of it. I started drifting down into the dark cold water. This time it was deep, ocean deep, take no prisoners deep. I fought to get to the surface attempting a weak dog paddle. I think I was actually sinking fast then when I was just letting it happen. Great I’m the world’s worst swimmer. I stretched out my wings using them to propel me through the water. It worked I was going up. The wing stroke I laughed to myself when my head broke the surface. I found a boulder not too far from me and headed for it trying the dog paddle again. I failed epically I started sinking again.

“Jasmine!”

It was Cory who called my name from the sky. He was racing toward me with Alex on his tail. I used the wing stroke to shoot me out of the water and grab his hands. We headed for the boulder I saw before at full speed. I could hear Alex’s annoyed growling growing closer as Cory dropped me off on the rock. He turned around in the air ready to face off with Alex.

“Use your Feather!”

“Can’t it was destroyed in the last battle”

“Then get down here are you suicidal!?”

“Not suicide if I’m protecting someone special”

“It’s not worth losing you stupid why can’t I get that through your head!”

I let my anger lose of him finally. He kept trying to be the lone ranger saving the helpless damsel in distress. Well he wasn’t alone and I was no damsel. I was still angry at him for always putting himself out there like there was nothing to lose. If I lost him I lost everything I wasn’t about to let that happen again. My shoe hit a fist size rock next to it. I smiled picking it up and chucking it at Alex’s head hitting my target. He grunted and fell a few feet from the sky. He glared at me with blood shot eyes grinding his teeth when he stopped falling.I just smiled and waved.

“Over here buddy”

I taunted him motioning him to come closer.

“What are you doing?”

“Helping you what else”

I told Cory but honestly I had no idea what I was doing. I was only egging on an already pissed of monster and we had nothing but rocks to use against it. Cory went after Alex before he got too close to me despite my protest for him to stay. I was still yelling to come back when his fist connected with Alex’s face. I stretched out my wings to fly after them but I was so worn out all I could do was open them and then let them drop to my sides. I had to do something because Alex was shooting at Cory again and he was barley dodging. I threw a rock at Alex making his next shot go wide. He turned on me shooting at the rock I was on.

I dodged it easily taunting him again while Cory wound up for a punch to the side of his face. My diversion worked and Alex went flying to the left. There fighting moved around a lot and I threw rocks when I could but soon I was out of ammo. Not good they were right in front of my now if I reached out I could grab Cory and run for it. But Alex was more cunning he drove Cory back to me and in front of me purposely till he was lined up perfectly. Then he shot a huge shooting star at us but Cory made no move to dodge it. He’s protecting me again dang it.

“Dodge, dodge, dodge, dodge it Cory please! I’m already out of the way, dodge!”

I shouted so loud I went horse. He actually believed me and moved out of the way. I breathed a sigh of relief till I realized I lied about being out of the way. Crap. I booked it to the far side of the rock as fast as I could. Till I realized the shooting star was the size of the rock. Alex knew what I was going to do and that I was grounded. I looked back at Cory horrified because he was flying to me right in front of the star.

“Go away idiot!”

He shook his head no as he yanked me up by the waist out of the way. I thought we were in the clear but the star was just too big. Cory cried out in pain again causing me to nearly jump out of my skin. His left wing and back took a corner of the shooting star. I could smell his burning flesh as we crashed into the water again. It was like my love affair with the floor I just couldn’t stay away from the water. I reacted faster this time forcing my wings to drag me and Cory up to the surface. The burned and went totally numb by the time I made it back to what was left of the rock. I hauled Cory onto it and collapsed next to him trying to catch my breath.

“A wounded raven and a chick that fell out of the nest just waiting for the cat to pounce, so easy”

Alex said hovering next to me. I jerked to my feet feeling worn out and sleepy. Cory was groaning in pain but managed to stay conscious this time. So it’s up to me. This time I’m stronger thou my wings are white and his are black my powers aren’t limited. I smiled at my new found knowledge while my eyes glared daggers at Alex. I was done with this enough was enough. Hurt my boyfriend once you’re going down, hurt my boyfriend twice you’re going down for good. I straighten my shoulders and let my gut take over.

“Love the one who is closest to your heart and protect him, for to him you are everything and to you he is everything, thou he is blessed and strong his strength will waver unlike your love, and love will conquer and heal all”

I quoted God from my first encounter with him. My palms burned as I focused all my anger to them. I lifted my hands positioning them like Goku off Dragon ball does when he uses the kamama wave and shot white fire at Alex. He was so close he never had a chance to dodge as he caught fire and burned alive. I turned my back on him as he screamed and fell into the water still burning, water won’t put out holey fire. I stooped next to Cory touching what was left of his left silken wing. His eyes were wide staring at my wings. I smiled and pulled them close to me feeling there silkiness brush my hands.

“It’s finally over”

I said grabbing the black feather that hovered in front of me. I cut my palm with my nails and let it suck my blood. Slowly it glowed white and then red flakes of something floated down on Cory’s back and wing. He gasped as he stretched out his full wing. We hugged each other brushing our feathers that heal against each other’s black wings.


Be on the look out for the White Feathers Trilogy. A spin off series telling how Alex, Selena, and Henry tainted there feathers black.

Impressum

Texte: cover from Google the rest was my original idea
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 06.07.2011

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