Beautifully Unnatural: A Young Adult Paranormal Boxed Set (112 page)

“It never gets cold here. It might get down to the fifties during the middle of winter, but sometimes we go swimming on Christmas Day here. Although on a few occasions, we’ve had below freezing temps.”

Alexander got up and brushed the dirt off his shorts. “Thanks for your help. What else did you used to work on with your father?” He popped another grape into his mouth and she couldn’t help but stare. His lips were full but strong. She longed to feel them against her own again, but didn’t have the courage to make a move.

“My dad. I used to help him work on cars. Your ‘67 Mustang is one of his favorites.”

He knelt down and reached under the engine to collect his tools. “Yeah, it’s pretty—”

A loud crack echoed through the boathouse as the wood planks snapped and the motor crashed down on his hand. A flash of light blinded her. In the light, she swore she could see a vision of wings exploding as a feeling of great joy and sadness mixed together enveloped her.

Patronus barked wildly, but it sounded far off. Her heart raced, but her body relaxed into a blissful lull. The smell of fresh rain filled the air and she closed her eyes to welcome the comforting embrace of love.

The moment her vision cleared, she dove to the floor by his side pushing a still snarling Patronus out of the way. “Alex!” Gabby’s body went cold despite the heat. She jumped up and tried to pull the motor off of him, but it wouldn’t budge. She grabbed a plank, trying to use it as leverage. But before she could manage, Alexander pulled his arm free and sat up on his knees.

“Oh my God! We have to get you to a hospital. Can you walk?” Gabby tugged at his elbow, trying to lift him from the floor.

“No. It’s okay, I’m fine.” Alexander hid his hand in his shirt and turned away from her.

Patronus whined and settled a few feet away with his head resting on his paws.

“Let me see.” Images of all the broken bones and stitches she’d experienced tending to her father over the years came flooding through her mind.

“You don’t need to, really.”

Gabby pulled at his arm with shaking hands, the feeling of dread nearly consuming her. “I’m used to dealing with injuries. I can handle it.”

Reluctantly, Alexander’s arm pulled free to reveal no damage.

Her pulse continued to drum against her neck with a furious beat. “I-I don’t understand. Your hand should’ve been crushed or at least bruised or cut.” Gabby rotated, bent, and pulled on his hand, but nothing seemed to be wrong.

“It didn’t fall that far. My hand didn’t get hurt. The engine hit the ground and startled me but I wasn’t trapped,” he said, his voice smooth and calm.

“No-no, I saw it fall. Your hand was smashed.” Her mind reeled. The sounds…her vision…the blinding light. She stumbled back from him and doubled over, bracing her hands to her knees, trying to catch her breath. The tickle in her brain returned. No, she wouldn’t have an episode, not now.

“No, really. I’m fine.” He shuffled closer and took her hand in his, brushing his lips across her palm. “See, it works perfect.”

The tickle in her brain slowly subsided and her pulse returned to normal. She wanted to tell him what she saw. Was it the same angel that had saved her from whatever happened in the ocean? Could there be some sort of guardian angel, her mother, watching out for her? Did her mom approve of Alex? Her mind churned with questions.

“Come on, we need to get you to cheerleading practice on time or Sammy will ground us both.” Alexander squeezed her hand and her mind cleared.

He took Patronus’ leash in one hand and slid his fingers between hers as they left the boathouse and meandered through the woods toward the school.

She didn’t know why all these crazy things had been happening to her. Heck, she’d probably be stuck in an institution by winter, but for now, this guy by her side made her feel…happy, less lost and somehow whole, in a strange way. If nothing else, he was better than mind-numbing pills. She stopped walking and Alexander turned to her.

“What is it?” He released Patronus’ lead, letting him run around in circles, chasing leaves and sticks.

“I’m glad you’re okay.” Gabby swallowed hard. “I don’t know you that well or anything, but I enjoy hanging out with you.”

He slipped his hand to her side, tugging her closer. His eyes reflected the sun overhead, peeking through the tree branches. “I like being around you, too.”

Gabby mustered all the courage she had and cupped his face with her hand. Her heart swelled, the way it did when he’d touched her before. She brushed her lips against his and thought her heart would leap from her chest.

He leaned away, snapping his fingers for Patronus to return, but in the next breath, his hand slid up her back and he snuggled her into him. His fingers ran through her hair, brushing it from her face. “This is wrong,” he whispered, but before she could ask why he nudged her lips back to his.

Warm, strong lips pressed to hers and a high, like no drug she’d ever taken before, soared through her mind and body. His tongue parted the seam of her lips, and she thought she’d lose herself forever in a fog of euphoria.

The world around them disappeared and she swore they floated off the ground in a cocoon of pleasure. She didn’t even care if she flew to the heavens, the height didn’t scare her for the moment. Were all kisses like this? A connection with someone, deeper than any she’d ever experienced?

Patronous snarled and barked, breaking their connection. He pulled away panting, but rested his forehead against hers.

“Wow,” he mumbled.

That one word was all she needed to hear to know he felt the same connection she had. Dare she hope life could be getting better? “I agree,” she sighed more than said.

Patronus erupted in a frenzy of barking and snarling, his attention focused on a tree up ahead. They both turned to see what troubled him.

As Alexander released her and marched to retrieve Patronus, a cold shiver shot through Gabby’s body.

“What is it, boy?” Alexander called out.

“Patronus, come here.” Gabby patted her legs and whistled for him. “What if it’s a snake or something? I don’t want him to get hurt.” She looked at Alexander with pleading eyes.

“No need to concern yourselves. It’s just me.” Forras walked out from behind the tree, but didn’t approach them. “I guess your new friend here doesn’t like me.”

Gabby ran up and held Patronus back by his collar.

“He has good taste,” Alexander quipped.

“I was coming by to see if Gabby needed a ride to cheerleading practice. Since she’s cheering for our team and all.”

“What do you mean by that?” Gabby bit her tongue, wishing she hadn’t asked.

“I started thinking about your little fainting spell yesterday. You didn’t faint from the heat, did you? Or was it that you don’t like being at the top of the pyramid?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I just got dizzy, most likely from the heat and not hydrating enough.” She refused to admit she was scared of heights, not to Forras. Not only could she sense he would tease her mercilessly if he knew, she just didn’t like him.

“You’re scared of heights, aren’t you? Did you hear that, Alexander? Your girlfriend’s scared of heights. I assume you’re scared of flying, too.”

She gasped, how would he know that? Her skin crawled at the way he articulated each word. “I’m not scared of anything. If you don’t mind, I need to get to practice and I’m not going to be able to hold Patronus back much longer.”

“See you later.” Forras chuckled as he meandered away. “Scared of flying, that’s an interesting twist. Isn’t it, Alex?”

Tempted to release Patronus, to let him rip the jerk to shreds, she kept her grip on his collar, not wanting the dog harmed. “Why does he care so much if I mind heights or not?”

“Do you?” Alexander asked with a cold stare.

****

“Grace, I’m heading out to pick up Sammy. Would you mind watching Patronus for a while?” Alexander pulled Patronus’ collar off and rubbed his ears.

Grace came out of the kitchen through the set of swinging doors. “Certainly. Can I ask you a question though?” She wiped her hands on an old dishtowel and pulled a chair from the dining room table, gesturing for him to sit down next to her.

“Sure.” Alexander shifted his weight, staring down at Patronus before taking the offered chair.

“Where did you get him? The dog, I mean.” Grace leaned down, patting Patronus on the head. “And don’t tell me the pound. This dog is special and we both know it.”

How does she do that? Grace always knew the truth. He could never get anything past her.

“I guess you could say he adopted me. He followed me home the day I first met Gabby. After that, I’ve seen him around sporadically. Yesterday, he refused to leave my side. It might sound strange but I think it was his idea to guard Gabby, not mine.” Alexander chuckled.

“I thought so.” Grace placed a hand on Alexander’s shoulder. “He chose you for a reason. This dog is an angelic creature. I think you’re receiving a little heavenly assistance.”

“Do you really think so? I knew dogs hated demons, so I thought he would deter Forras from entering her house but I have a feeling this one could do much more. I hope you’re right.” Alexander took her hand and moved closer, until he was eye to eye with her. “You were right. I had, well…um…some sorta…reaction to Gabby.” He cast his gaze to the floor. “I thought Patronus could keep her safe from me, too.”

Grace leaned over and lifted his chin with her finger, meeting his gaze. “You did the right thing, son. In time, you’ll learn more control. Like everything else, time will heal this, too, but for now you could cause a great deal of harm to you both” She gave him a sad sort of smile. “If you’re not careful we could all suffer.”

The clock on the mantel chimed five and he jumped to his feet, ignoring the nagging feeling he should heed her warning. “I have to go. It’s getting late. Thanks for keeping him. I knew Gabby wouldn’t want to leave him at her house.”

As Alexander drove to the high school, his insides rolled at the thought of seeing Gabby again. He pulled into the parking lot and parked, then closed his eyes and imagined her in his arms. He longed to hold her, touch her, kiss her. But how could he? She didn’t even know who or what he was. Not to mention the chance of causing them all to be at the mercy of hell if he was to lose control and give Forras and his minions free reign of Kemp. Even if he could learn to control his emotions and desire, would he be able to lie to her? Or worse, tell her the truth? How would she react when she learned he was a fallen angel? Disgusted, that was how she’d react.

He opened the car door. Taking a deep breath, he headed for the football field to find the girls.

The cheerleaders were done with practice. Some were with Sammy, chatting, while others were crowded around the football players. He choked down a rising burn in his throat as he approached the field. Demons disguised as football players. How could Sammy stand to be around all this? Still, he admired her for it.

“Girls, get over here. We need to discuss the schedule.” Sammy’s voice rang out as he approached.

Sammy did her job well, not only as a cheerleader but also as a protector.

As Alexander scanned the girls, a tingle rose up on the back of his neck. “Sammy, where’s Gabby?”

“She was just here. I—”

“Her father called,” Avery said. “She had a family emergency or somthin’.” The cheerleader twirled her hair around her fingers, popping her gum as she spoke.

Father? Emergency? No, something else.

Alex closed his eyes, forcing himself to settle his rising emotions.

Focus on Gabby.

Woods.

She was in the woods and heading straight for Forras. His eyes shot open and he looked at Sammy.

She stared back at him with wide eyes. “Go, Alexander. Go now.” Sammy shoved him, as if to jolt him back to reality.

Alexander’s heart pounded at the thought of what he might find. He took off running before he’d even formulated a plan.
Gabby’s in trouble.

Chapter Eight

“Hello, Gabby.” Forras swaggered out from behind a tree, his large frame blocking her way.

She stumbled backward, her breath catching in her throat.

Forras reached out and steadied her. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. We’re having another bonfire tonight. You should come.”

“Not tonight.” Gabby stepped away and attempted to skirt around him. The hair on her arms stood at attention. Why did this guy creep her out so much?

“I won’t take no for an answer,” he said, his voice smooth and forceful.

Nervous energy pulsed through her body. She felt a tug, as if a lasso had surrounded her core and was pulling her toward him. Feeling compelled to comply, she shook her head, trying to clear it.
What’s wrong with me?

“At least let me walk you home. You know some people are frightened of these woods. They say they’re possessed with all sorts of demonic creatures.”

Before she could stop herself she glanced around nervously, half expecting to see the monsters from her worst nightmares come crashing through the trees.
No, they aren’t real.
He’s just trying to scare me.