Absolution (25 page)

I whispered in Weston’s ear, “Mind if I ask him to dance?”

Weston smiled, shook his head and took my drink. I extended my hand to Chase. “Let’s dance.”

Chase whirled around, searching for a place to put his drink. Weston’s hands were full with our drinks, so Chase set his nearly-empty cup on the nearest banquet table.

We went out on the dance floor. The song was slow, and Chase shot glances Weston’s direction, not sure what to do. I held out my hands and he eagerly wrapped around me. “So,” his voice warbled nervously in my ear, “you guys having fun?”

“It’s been a great day, yeah.”

“Weston’s a nice guy.”

I leaned back and smiled at him. “So are you.”

His cheeks bloomed in a bright pink shade. His eyes sparkled, but he appeared speechless.

“I’ve got stuff to tell you,” I said. “Something happened last night you’re going to want to know.”

“Yeah?” His brows arched. “What?”

“Tonight’s not the night, but we can meet next week”

He seemed pleased with that idea, relieved even—like, just because I was with Weston didn’t mean he would never see me again. “Okay.

Starbucks?”

“Starbucks.”

When the song ended, he escorted me back to a waiting Weston.

An awkward tension suddenly zapped the air between us. “I’m going to go to the ladies room.” I kissed Weston’s cheek and started on a search for a breath of fresh air.

Outside the ballroom on the floor were windows lining one side of the wall. The view was incredible, so I stepped out on the balcony and enjoyed watching cars zoom through traffic below. The scent of city air, both dirty and with a bite evergreen carried on the light breeze coming from the canyon, tasted gritty in my mouth and nose.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” That voice.

Albert stood next to me.

Chapter Twenty

____________________

I reached for the balcony ledge and held tight, waiting for dense evil to submerge me. But the air surrounding us remained untainted.

“Don’t be afraid.” His voice had changed. Softer. Not for the sake of seduction, but the delicate tone of respect. Shocked, my mouth opened but I wasn’t sure what to say.

He wore the same gray suit I’d seen him in at The Bungalow. Up close, I noted that the gray threads were actually twined with white. Where was his noose tie? What had happened to him?

“Thank you.” His Matthias-blue gaze held mine in unblinking sincerity.

As shocking as this moment was, the air around us was clear, crisp—like an open conduit to heaven. “I hope someday you can forgive me, Zoe.”

I didn’t know how to respond. Mercy shed a peculiar light on Albert.

Maybe I could forgive him someday.

A layer lifted from his countenance, lightening him yet even more: his skin, his eyes, his suit—from head to toe.

His lips turned up slightly, and a faint aura emanated from him. He turned, facing the city and the noose tie suddenly appeared in his hands. The rope tie of souls writhed, their screams like distant screeching, filling the night air. Albert’s face twisted in grief. He lowered his head for a moment, as if touching the tie brought him unspeakable agony.

I stood spellbound, my hand over my pounding heart. Tears streamed from his closed eyes, down his taut cheeks. He held the noose tie in the palms of his hands as if he held delicate tissue paper, then he lifted the tie heavenward and the white bundle of souls broke free, swirling into the black night, each sinewy thread spinning upward toward the stars until I could see no more.

Slowly, Albert’s hands returned to his sides. His face remained heavenward. Long moments passed. How we were able to remain alone on the balcony was one of God’s gifts to him, I supposed. Enabling him to complete what he needed to.

“Thank you,” he whispered. To me? To God? I wasn’t sure. He remained facing outward, and all I could see was his profile. But relief spread through his back and shoulders.

Laughter startled me. I glanced right. Four couples burst through the glass doors and joined us on the balcony. They looked at me, and I noticed one of the boys pulled a bag of white powder out from the inside of his jacket.

He didn’t bother trying to disguise the coke; in fact, he held the bag out to me and jerked his head in invitation to join them.

My stomach twisted with revulsion. Nothing would compare with what I’d just witnessed—most definitely not some fleeting high.

I shook my head and turned back to face Albert.

He was gone.

Weston came through the door and the kids with the drugs acknowledged him. He gave them an impersonal nod, and his gaze searched the balcony. When his eyes found mine, he strode my way.

“Are you okay?” His hands wrapped around my upper arms. He peered into my face. “Zoe?”

“Um, yeah.” I shook out my head. Had I really just seen Albert? Maybe my hopes and fantasies were getting the best of me. “I just needed some air.

Look at this great view, huh?”

Weston eyed me as if trying to decipher truth. I turned and faced the city. The sparkly lights stretched out in an endless weave, crisscrossing the black fabric of the valley floor. Protecting the valley, the rocky peaks of powerful mountains reached heavenward in leaping black shapes.

Matthias, where are you? Do you know that I saw Albert? Do you know he’s
changed?
I hoped so, for Matthias’ sake.

Weston’s shoulder and arm brushed against mine, his warmth comforting. Real.

“I want to dance with you.” Weston turned toward me. I felt his gaze examining me, and faced him.

The moonlight, partially hidden behind a bank of traveling clouds, cast his face in white. He inched closer and wrapped around me. Behind him, the group of kids laughed and whispered, and I was vaguely aware that they were talking about taking hits.

“Right here?” I asked.

He seemed totally focused on me, but when one of the boys let out a groan, he frowned. “Inside.” Taking me by the hand, he led me through the glass double doors back into the warmth of the 37th floor where couples strolled. Some sat on couches, talking.

Music pounded from speakers, and the dance floor rocked and waved with gyrating bodies moving to the beat. Weston started jumping, so I did too.

We danced through the crowd until we were on the dance floor.

Chase waved from the edge of the bouncing mass. I suppressed a chuckle at his attempts to dance. Each limb moved to its own internal beat, none of which coordinated with the pound blasting from the speakers.

But his grin was huge and he didn’t seem to care.

When the next song filled the air, the whole room slowed. White and gold flashing lights shifted to soft pinks and reds in the shape of hearts, spinning in tandem with the romantic melody.

Weston pulled me close and I locked my arms around his neck. The tips of his hair fell around his face, moist with sweat from dancing, and his spicy cologne filled my head.

He smiled and held me closer.

I rested my head against his chest, enjoying the perfect evening.

Through the crowd I caught Luke and Krissy swaying in each other’s arms.

The sight brought a smile to my face. My gaze continued skipping those around us. Most faces familiar, all caught up in oozy happiness as they danced to the slow tune.

I saw him then—Matthias—a steady pure, white vision in the crowd. I stopped. I was astounded that no one else saw him but me.

Weston stopped, too, and followed my gaze. His grip around me tightened.
Weston sees Matthias?
As amazing as that miracle was, I needed to go to Matthias.

I stepped back. Weston’s grip remained firm. I refused to take my eyes off Matthias for fear he would vanish before I had a chance to speak to him. I squirmed, and broke free of Weston, but he grabbed my arm.

“Zoe.” The desperation in his voice boomed over the music, bringing my eyes to his. His carried fear. “You’re safe with me,” he plead. “I can take care of you.”

“Do you… see him?”

He nodded.

“I have to go to him.”

“Please don’t.” Weston held my gaze for a few tight seconds before freeing me.

I wove through the dancers; some had caught me leaving Weston alone in the middle of the dance floor, and their curious gazes now trailed me. I ignored them.

Matthias’ smile gleamed. His aura was more brilliant, more commanding than it had been before, and the force reached out and brought me to him with such magnetism, my feet nearly floated over the hardwood floor until I stood in front of him. He was dressed in white, but not in his usual casual clothing. A sleek suit of the softest fabric—silken velvet— I reached out to touch it and he extended his arm toward the exit, gesturing for the two of us to go outside.

I glanced over my shoulder at Weston on the fringe of the dance floor, watching us.

Matthias’ gentle gaze remained on me, wholly focused, creating that solid feeling of absolute love deep inside of me. The doors to the ballroom were open, and he and I crossed through them into the lobby of the 37th floor.

I was so happy to see him. He radiated magnificently, I could not take my gaze from him.
You’re so beautiful.

I can say the same about you
. He spotted the glass doors to the balcony, and once again held out his hand in that direction. I smiled at the irony that I’d just been in the same spot with his father.

Matthias held the door open, his blue eyes deepening as I passed him. My heart opened in my chest, the love and admiration I had for him overflowing into my soul with the calm, yet powerful current of an unstoppable tide.

The balcony was empty and we strolled to the iron railing. He never took his eyes from me to even glance at the view. My body flushed with his aura—more thrilling than I’d ever felt. As if my mortal body couldn’t contain the potent sensation, I was ready to burst even without touching him.

“Zoe.” The gentle melody of his voice wove in, filling any final voids.

“You’re the bees knees tonight.”

“Thank you.” The tingling racing through me from head to toe wouldn’t stop. “Where have you been?”

“Let me look at you.” His gaze swept my face, but not casually—this sweep was deep, studying. Memorizing. “Do you know I never went to a school dance?”

“You didn’t? Never got asked? Girls who lived back then were lame.”

He threw his head back in laughter. “You think so?”

“I know so. If I’d been alive, you’d never had a weekend night free and I would have made sure you went every dance.”

Sassy bearcat.

I laughed.

“I could cut a rug back in the day.” His gaze latched on something and I followed it. Weston. He stood inside the glass doors, hands thrust deep in his front pockets, eyes following our every move.

“Weston is not pleased with my cutting into your evening.”

I tried my best to show Weston that I was not planning on ditching him for the rest of the night. I smiled and tilted my head at him. Pleading still hung in his eyes, and his body looked edgy.

“I told him I needed to see you. He was worried I was in danger.”

I watched Matthias’ face for any change of expression. His pleasant grin remained unchanged. “I take it I’m not?”

He shook his head.

“Albert was here earlier.”

No shock, fear or anger passed over Matthias’ face or shone in his eyes.

“He looked different,” I said. “He asked for my forgiveness.”

Matthias’ blue eyes deepened with flecks of sapphire. “Yes, Zoe.”

“You’ve seen him?”

“Last night, I witnessed the change.”

“So I wasn’t imagining it. What… happened?” I asked.

“His heart changed. He wants to be a better soul.”

“Wow. That’s…” Extraordinary. But then I’d seen the difference in Albert myself. I guess I hadn’t really believed someone like him could want to change. I didn’t want Matthias seeing a drop of doubt in my soul about the miracle, so I averted my gaze but that was useless.

“You know as well as I that change can be instantaneous—if you want it bad enough.”

I’d said those exact words to my mother. “It was you, wasn’t it? What you did for me.” Emotion rushed in passionate waves through my yearning cells. “Did he see the…
being
who came for you?”

Yes.
His heart was touched
.
A miracle, Zoe.

“Was that God?”

Matthias’ countenance pulsated with a strobe of blinding light—like his heartbeat was indelibly connected to it. “No.”

You have your own guardian angel, I should have known.

The vibrant pulsing strobe within him melded seamlessly into his own stunning beauty.

“You finally have what you deserve,” I murmured.

“Pop’s on the right path.”

“So, you… haven’t actually… talked to him?”

He shook his head. “A change of heart can happen instantaneously.

The road to refinement… that takes some time. But I look forward to the day when he and I will be reunited.”

That’s wonderful.
I stepped toward him, the need to savor and share joy through an embrace overpowering.

He stepped back.

A thread of panic dangled deep inside of me. His smile slowly vanished.

His eyes held mine, unblinking.

“I can’t touch you?” My voice scraped out. I reached for the cold iron railing to steady myself.

“I’m sorry.”

My head emptied of pleas. My heart plummeted to my feet. I closed my eyes to hold back an onslaught of tears. The news left me blank inside.

“My refinement has placed me in a position that—”

“Don’t.” I held up a hand and forced my gaze to his face, scored with sorrow for the touch we could no longer share.
You deserve whatever has
happened to you. I don’t mean to diminish that.
Still, the longing inside of me only intensified as I looked at him, knowing I would never touch him again.

Not never, Zoe.

I turned, facing the city lights, hoping he wouldn’t see the tears escaping my eyes, streaming down my cheeks. My shoulders buckled once, and I felt his aura press into my side as he moved closer.
I’ll miss you.
The thought washed from my head with tears.