Chapters 1-5 (revised and finallized) For Kat Mora who keeps bugging me to post it

This is my final chapter 1-5. I am showing this to my publisher tomorrow and I hope he likes it. Tell me what you guys think!

Prologue    

He never thought he would be here but he had to, he had to keep his secret a secret. He wandered down the dark alleyway hoping that he would be able to find her, the woman who could ruin his life and the one who saved it. He was looking at every door, every passageway, hoping, searching for the woman called Celia. How could he ever let it slip? He hadn’t meant to tell her but alcohol mixed with heartbreak isn’t a good combination. He had pleaded with her not to tell anyone but she hadn’t really said anything but “meet me on Johnson’s alley at 8:10”. It was 8:30 but then again she was always known for her tardiness. He had known her since he was little and had always trusted her. She was like a second mom to him, especially since his parents disowned him at age 5 knowing he wasn’t really theirs. He had wondered the streets as a child, looking for someone to take him in and love him. If he hadn’t been so special, he surely would have died. He had eventually found someone and that someone was Celia. She took him in and he soon realized that she was special just as he was. She sent him off to be trained as the angel he was. He hadn’t seen her since then up until a couple of weeks ago, when she had informed him of her niece’s recent activity. He loved her niece like a sister. They had grown up together and it killed him when he had to leave her for angel training. He finally saw a dark shadow of a woman and he proceeded to her with caution, or at least tried to. He could hear himself from a mile away. She turned around. She was so beautiful, not that he cared she wasn’t really his type. She saw him and started walking towards him, but something was off. Usually when she walked, she had looked like an angel, mostly because she was one, but now? Now she looked as uncoordinated as a drunken hillbilly. He didn’t mind though, this was practically his mom. She kept walking, her heels clicking against the concrete. They met halfway and they smiled at each other.

“Mason!”

She hugged him as she always did when she saw him, the son she had loved since he came to her years ago. She hadn’t really wanted a boy but she felt he was special. She had sent him off when he turned 6 years old to angel training. He had finished it in merely 5 years, while it took the typical angel about 10 to 11 years. Now she could see why, his strong muscles were practically popping out of his shirt. His gorgeous hair was blowing in the wind, making him look like a model. The only bad thing was his glasses, which he only wore for show; because of course angels had perfect vision.

            “Ce- I mean hi mom.”

He didn’t always remember to call her mom. She looked up at him for the first time and knew something was wrong. Angels have specific characteristics such as perfect walks, a gold flower on their cheek, and last but not least green eyes (not your typical green eyes but very light green with an orange rim around). Celia had none of these. The flower was no longer there on her cheek, she walked very clumsy (like a human) and her eyes were light brown like honey. He took a step back.

            “Mom what’s going on?”

She smiled. The smile wasn’t sweet but had an evil twist to it. It was the smile a murderer would give to their next victim.

            “Mason, we should talk. Follow me”

They continued down the alley to a door. A door with a mark that was both unfamiliar and creepy to Mason. Yet, he continued on. They journeyed down a flexuous hallway with many doors. They finally stopped at the end and went in. The room was all red and had only a couple of pieces of furniture in it. They sat on the couch and Celia clapped her hands. A maid that looked more terrified than a mouse in a snake pit came in and asked them if they wanted anything. Celia answered right away.

            “Martini and my son here will have a cherry coke.”

The servant scurried out and shut the door behind her. Celia turned to face Mason.

            “My goodness, son, how you have grown. How old are you now?”

            “Eleven, mom but remember I grow faster than human boys.”

She waved him off.   

            “Of course yet stop aging at what age again? Oh yes, twenty-one, the legal drinking age. I could never forget that.”

They sat in silence for awhile and the maid returned with their drinks then hurried out again. Celia gulped hers down and Mason took one sip then put it down. He wasn’t really in the mood for drinking right now. He had questions and she had a feeling that she had the answers.

            “So I hear Jessie’s parents told her about the angel world.”

            “Oh yes. Well, they were hesitant but I convinced them. I mean someone like her? Someone so special, should know the truth about why she is the way she is. “

            “So they told her everything?”

Celia nodded.

            “Of course. EVERYTHING.  She had a right to know.”

Now was Mason’s chance to ask her.

            “Speaking of Jessie…”

He was hoping that she could figure out the rest. She did because she started to chuckle.

            “Ahh yes your little secret. Don’t worry I won’t tell anyone especially not your very best friend.”

Good. He had started having some doubts, but now he realized that it was foolish of him to ever think that he couldn’t count on Celia.

            “Thanks.”

She smiled.

            “Now onto a more interesting subject, do I seem different to you, son?”

He looked at her again. Something was definitely off.

            “New makeover?”

She laughed.

            “No. I have something to tell you. Look at my eyes.”

He looked at them again and again.

            “They’re brown.”

            “Yes and what color are yours?”

            “Green.”

            “What color are Connor’s?”

            “Green.”

            “What color are every angel’s?”

            “Green.”

He did not understand what she was getting at? Was she a special angel? Did she get contacts and figure out a way for them to stay on?

            “Mason, son, do you understand what I am saying?”

He shook his head.

            “Son, I’m not an angel anymore.”

He look confused. How could it be possible for her not to be an angel anymore?

            “What? Not an angel? How is this possible?”

            “The High Helkers stripped me. I am a Fallen.”

A Fallen? The Fallens where the angels that were meant to be evil. That disobeyed the Laws in the most brutal way. The Laws were lenient, though. The only Law broken that made you a Fallen was the highest one of all: “We are brothers and sisters. We stand together, forever.  Do not abandon your brother or sister in darkness or you shall be condemned to death.”  

            “Is it a mistake? I mean I could get it fixed. Just tell me what happened and...”

He started to stand but she held him back.

            “Son there is no mistake. I asked to become a Fallen.”

She had asked it? Impossible.

            “You what? Mother, no. That is impossible.”

            “Son, no it isn’t. I wanted this. I work for a very powerful demon now and I am as happy as ever. Do you not understand? When have the High Helkers ever done well for me? Or for my brother? They stripped him of being a shape-shifter because he fell in love with a human.”

            “Yes but they told him that no matter what he was still one of them. They provided him wealth and prosperity to take care of his family, to take care of his child.”

            “Son no matter what you say, I do not care. I am a Fallen and I am proud. This is why I called you here today.”

She smiled at him. This smile looked sincere but Mason knew it wasn’t. Fallens couldn’t be sincere. They were evil. All evil.

            “To break my heart? To let me know that the woman who had taken care of me has turned her back on me?”

            “No. To tell you that I want you to join me.”

She moved closer to him.

            “I can give you what you really want.”

She put her hand on his thigh and started rubbing it.

            “Everything you want.”

She moved closer and closer. He tried moving away but she was too strong. She forced herself on him and kissed him. The most vile taste he had ever tasted. He finally managed to push her off and run to the door.

            “Mom what are you doing?”

            “Well as I said before you have grown up and I need companionship.”

            “But you’re my mom.”

            “Not blood wise.”

She looked at him as if he were a piece of meat and she was a lion.  He started walking slowing back.

            “I don’t want you. I’m gay remember?’

            “What about your little secret?”

He stopped cold in his tracks. He had forgotten she knew his secret.

            “You promised.”

She smiled.

            “Well I am Fallen remember?”

What was he supposed to do now? He couldn’t let that secret out but how could he possibly go against everything he believed in?

            “Calm down, Mason. I won’t tell.”

He let out a sigh of relief. He turned and started towards the door again.

            “I can’t join you. I won’t. I’m sorry.”

He opened the door and started exiting the room just when Celia said something. 

            “I could make it happen, you know?”

            “Make what happen?”

            “Your secret. It doesn’t have to be one. I could make it a reality. I will make you a deal. You join me and I will make it my life’s goal to make it happen.”

He stopped and started thinking. Never in a million years had he ever thought of his dirty little secret becoming true. He imagined his life without the secret. Happy, loved, and all around perfect. The only problem was could he truly be happy if he was evil? How was it possible for the secret to become real if he was evil? That’s just it, it wasn’t. He slammed the door behind and ran. He never looked back and all he could do was hope. Hope that he would never again see Celia Luber again.

Chapter 1

“Love is greater than hate. For hate destroys but love creates.”

          -Unknown

“I love you”

His hands shake as he reaches to caress my cheeks. His soft knuckles rubbing against the dimples made by my smile.

            “You have no idea how much I love you.”

He smiles that brilliant smile, his teeth sparkle as he moves closer. Not the twilight I am a vampire smile but a real true smile that shone like the sun. That smile that knocked me off my feet when I first saw it, so many years ago.

            “I wish I could see you in real life. I feel as if everything we do in here is fake.”

He continues to smile and moves even closer.

            “Jess, I love you and everything we do is as real as ever.”

I start to pout.

            “Oh yeah? Like what?”

He smile is on full notch now and he is closer than ever.

“Like this.”

He leans in for a kiss then…….

            “MS. LUBER! MS. LUBER! Can you please answer my question?”

Dazed and confused, I come out of my stupor. Ugh, had I been doing it again? I look forward, trying to concentrate on what we are doing. Looking around the room for Derek to tell me what she asked. He seems as out of it as I am. Frustrated and annoyed, I gave up.

            “I don’t know Ms. Freeman. I wasn’t really paying attention.”

As she rolls her eyes, the bell rings and students rush out. I stay behind to talk to her.

            “Ms. Freeman?”

She looks up through her glasses and scowls at me?

            “What do you want Jessica?”

            “I was just wondering what you asked me.”

            “I asked what your plans were for the summer. It does not matter. I have put up with your shenanigans long enough. Thank goodness I do not have to worry about you another year. Have a good summer Jessica Luber and please don’t visit me next year.”

She dismissed me with her hand. Ms. Freeman was my only teacher that didn’t accept my “zoning out”. I walked out of her class to meet Derek at my locker. He was there as always. He had the worst sense of style and was possibly the biggest nerd in the whole school and also my only friend in school. No one wanted to talk to a girl that could be listening one minute and not the next. He smiled.

            “Hey.”

            “Hey”

            “So summer plans?”

I looked at him.

            “Nope.”

            “Cool.”

Another great thing about Derek, we barely talked. I hears a commotion down the hall and apparently so did he. We turned around. It was Derek’s friend Mike being stuffed in a locker while everyone was cheering. Derek started toward the crowd but then turned around to look at me with questionable eyes. I nodded him forward.

            “Go ahead. I’ll survive.’

He smiled his mouth full of braces.

            “Thanks. See you next year.”

I nodded and just like that I was alone. I rush to open my locker and empty it. In this school full of nerds, jocks, and goths I was so out there it wasn’t even funny. When I was 8 years old my parents told me what they really were. Well really what my father was, an angel. How my father was stripped of his shape-shifting abilities because he chose to marry my mom. I was a third angel a third human and a third something else. When I born my mom was having an affair. Whatever or whoever she had it with was also my father. No one knows who it was or how it is possible or me to have two biological fathers. Yet, when I was DNA tested the results showed something more in my bloodstream, but that’s all they could tell me. Anyway, whoever it was gave me one ability and that was to create another dimension, one I cannot control when I go onto. Unlike daydreams, this dimension included real people and they knew that they were in it. Though for regular people, unaware of the supernatural, they just though that they had a regular dream. As I walk into my apartment, I plop on my bed and look out the window. I am so alone here. My parents sent me here to live on my own when I was 14, to protect me, to help me live a normal life, while they lived on an angel reservation. I suddenly hear a knock at my door. I run to open it and trip over something warm and fluffy, my dog. As I right myself and go to open it again, I realize it is already ajar. My jaw almost falls off as I see who stands in the doorway.

            “Mas…..”

I’m in his arms and he is running but suddenly stops as he realizes I am awake. He put me down.

            “Had fun while you were away?”

He sounds out of breath. He starts towards me, but I jerk away. Even though I know that I control this world I am still the biggest scaredy-cat in the world and am afraid of getting hurt.

            “Something wrong?”

I step back and look at him, my James. I mean really look. How I have not seen his real self in reality baffles me. He has black scruffy hair, jet blue eyes, and the most amazing muscles I have ever seen (not too big and certainly not too small). He smirks, as always when he sees me looking at his perfect body.

            “Like what you see? You know what? Don’t answer that because I already know that the answer is yes.”

            “Shut up.”

I start laughing my butt off. And he joins in.

He smiles and grabs my hand. He leads me back to our little hut. Just as we are about to get comfortable, something comes to mind.

            “James, how come I haven’t seen you in reality? I mean I hate that we only meet here.”

He looks taken aback.

            “Well, because…”

I feel his arm stiffen around me as I hear a rustle in the bushes. Confused, I look at him. He has a look of horror mixed with surprise on his perfect face. All I hear is him whispering “Impossible” when………..

“Heeeelllooo. Earth to Jessie.”

I see a hand waving in my face. No. I want to go back to my James. What’s happening? Knowing that I can’t control my “visions”, I snap back to reality. When I again realize who I am looking at I smile.

            “Massie”

I soon see a gigantic smile swipe across Mason’s face.

            “Oh so you do remember me?”

I throw my arms around him, my lifelong friend Mason. I hadn’t really wanted him to get close when we were little, but once he and everyone else assured me of his liking for men, we became inseparable. He kept his smile until the door closed behind him. He turned away, almost like keeping watch, and then focused his green eyes (one of the perks for being a full angel) on me.

            “Jess, you have to listen to me now. We found your other ‘dad’. He is not at all what we expected him to be.”

His face was serious and full of concern, while all I was thinking was “so what?”  What could he possibly do to me now? My parent and I only communicated in y world, so they were safe. The only way to hurt me would be to hurt Mason and he could definitely take on anything.

            “Stop smiling, Jessica Luber. Jessie, you don’t get it he’s…….”

Black all around, except for a small fire built by the one and only James. I walk over to him and put my hands over his eyes.

            “Guess who?”

I cooed. I was a helpless flirt, especially if the guy was drop dead gorgeous. I felt his skin rise and eager to see his amazing smile, I jumped in front of him. He was looking down at the fire.

            “Leslie, I told you not to come here. My girlfriend could find out about us.”

He smiled and looked up at me.

            “Oh, hey babe. Didn’t see you there.”

            “Nice”

I chuckled and ran into his arms. We both fell over and just stayed like that. I snuggled my head into his arm. I am telling you, it was like a perfect Kodak moment.

            “So what happened?”

His heartbeat went suddenly sped up.

            “Nothing j-j-just som-m-m-me wol-l-lf trying to get our food.”

I wasn’t convinced, especially since when he stuttered, he was lying, but I also didn’t feel like arguing. I had no idea how much time we had before I snapped back to reality. There was something I was curious about though.

            ”James, why are you always here? Most people only come here via dream. They can only be here while they are asleep/”

His face looked blank. Just as I was about to speak, he beat me to it.

            “I am asleep, in real life, I mean. When I was ten I got into a car accident, which ended in a coma. Suddenly, I appeared here. I thought I was awake or dead, but then you cam and explained. I was disappointed and relieved. I fell hard for you and for 7 years I have been here. Once in a while, I’m pulled back to reality, mostly while you are in the real world. When I am its only for two minutes, max and just to let them know to keep me on life support.”

I felt horrible. I got up to go get changed, then…………

My eyes fluttered open, damn. I looked around and remembered that Mason was here. He looked miserable with his head in his hands.

            “Mason?”

His head jerked up. Right away he was by my side.

            “Jessie, oh my Jessie. Are you okay? Did you notice anything different in your world? How’s James? Never mind that. As I was saying before you ‘left’, your dad is well a demon. I mean not like… Jess? JESS?!”

All I saw was black before I passed out. When I woke up, I realized I had not gone into my world rather than just had a normal night’s sleep. Something’s wrong, right? Hadn’t I always been able to access it when I slept? Pain shot through my whole body right to my heart. What is I never saw James again? What if he was gone when I finally ended up going back? Memories and questions soon filled my head and I was soon overwhelmed. All I could do was scream the only name that I could think of.

            “JAMESS!!”

I heard an answer but not from whom I was hoping.

            “Wrong world.”

Mason looked relieved. Seeing him brought back more memories, bad ones.

            “Mase, what you said about my dad. Was it true?”

Mason’s expression of relief turned to anguish.

            “Wanna know the story?”

I must have looked very eager because Mason let out a small chuckle before starting.

            “You see, your angel dad, Matt and I have been feeling something. I know it sounds lame, but like a disturbance in the force. So one day, I was on this really hot guy, I mean really hot. You would not believe how absolutely delicious he looks. Anyway while I was working my magic, figuratively speaking, I suddenly got this sharp pain in my left arm. The only person who I knew could help was Matt. When I went, I saw that your house was destroyed and your mom was crying. Supposedly your other da”………..

I was resting next to James. JAMES!!!! I wanted to wake him up and tell him how much I missed him but he looked so peaceful. So, instead, I went to get more wood for the fire. I could have just made it bigger but I needed the exercise. I got at least a million sticks when I heard a rustle. I went to go investigate.

            “Hello? Anyone there?”

I tried to search through my world, but kept coming up blank. I guess I had just imagined it.

            “Hello”

The voice sent a shiver down my spine.

            “Who are you?”

            “Why don’t you come see?”

Not, I have seen too many horror movies to go searching for the thing that creeps you out.

            “No you come out right now.”

            “Okay if you insist”

The rustling noise got louder and a shadow appeared. The shadow turned to a figure. As soon as the figure became clear all my sticks shattered to the ground.

            “What the”…………..

I smiled as I felt around in my bed. Mason always took care of me when I had my “episodes”. MASON! JAMES! Who was that guy in my world? I didn’t bring him there. Come to think of it he looked a lot like…..

            “Mason, there you are.”

A big smile swept across his face as always when he realized I was okay. As he strode over, I realized that my Mason would make someone very happy one day. He was gorgeous, no doubt. With is gold flower swirled around his cheek, his amazing eyes, blonde hair, amazing body from years of training, and glasses that gave him that smart look he was the full package. When he went to angel training it broke my heart to see him go. The only thing that kept me going was knowing he was coming back. He came back and stayed with my family and me when he was 12 and I was 11. I left 3 years later and I hadn’t seen him since. He sat next to me and held me tight, my “brother” Mason. We sat there for almost half an hour before I was completely calm. Mason got up and dragged a chair over to my bed. He spoke first.

            “You know, it might seem selfish but I actually like it when you go into your other world.”

A smirk started to form on his face while I scowled.

            “Maybe you should knock me out more often in the hopes that I go there then.”

His smirk turned into a full grown smile.

            “No, I mean, it’s just that when you are ‘sleeping’ I can tell you all of my deepest darkest secrets.”

I laughed so hard but Mason didn’t join in.

            “Mase, you can tell me those now.”

This didn’t help at all. He looked at me with sad eyes.

            “No, not these Jess. Oh, Jessie how I wish I could tell you these, but I just can’t. You don’t understand, I promised. I just…”

He exhaled sharply and that big grin showed right on his face again.

            “You will never guess who I saw the other day.”

I smiled. Typical Mason, always finding a discursive topic to talk about. The best I could do was go with it.

            “Who?”

            “Well, other than your mom, I saw Connor.”

I frowned; my heart kept shattering over and over again. Why was Mason telling me this? After what happened between me and Connor, why would he even mention his name? Mason looked confused. Then, I remembered. As far as Mason knew Connor was just another one of my close friends. I smiled.

            “Really? How is he?”

The usual smile lit up his face.

            “Really good. I am thinking of turning him gay, if that’s possible. He was visiting us from the High City. Actually, that was the hot guy I was talking to, the one I was telling you about when I was explaining to you about your parents. OHMYGAWD!”

He slapped is forehead.

            “That reminds m, Jess. Matt is, well, captured by your demon dad. He left your mom alone so she could tell you, but she is so broken up, so she sent me. I am so sorry. This, of course, doesn’t mean anything to you but we figured you should know.”

His smile slightly faded but was still plastered to his face like some mask. I stared out my window. Wow, most kids would be worried about what to do tomorrow or the rest of summer, but me? I was worrying how long I could go without anyone knowing that I was searching for both my fathers, one who, to top it all off, captured the other one. Maybe if I….

            “No.”

            “Excuse me?”

            “Jess, you are not going to do what I think you are thinking of doing.”

Dang it. Why did, actually how did Mason always know what I was thinking?

            “Why not?”

I was going to protest more and try to make him understand but he held up a finger.

            “Because I am not going to have you risk your life when you don’t even know how to walk without falling.”

Hmph. He was such a…

            “At least, not without me.”

That smile was on full notch now and I couldn’t help but smile back.

            “Mason, how is it that you always know what to say before I do?”

            “Well, because I’m gay. I have like a sixth sense about these things.”

I smiled so hard he started laughing, probably because when I smile it looks really awkward.

            “Now where was I? Ah, yes”

What is he talking about? I was about to ask him just that when……

I am stuck in a chair, literally. I didn’t have any glue, ropes, nothing on me. It was like some invisible force field was holding me down. I tried to get out of it. After all, this is my world, but I had no success. I started to panic. What was happening? Where was James? I “looked” through my world but kept coming up empty. Suddenly I heard whispers. My captors. They were arguing? Think. That’s it, thinking. After all, this IS MY world. So as low as I could I whispered “hearing times ten”. Almost like a slap the voices, perfectly clear, came rushing in.

            “LET HER GO NOW.”

I would recognize that voice anywhere, my knight in shining armor, James.

            “You don’t get it, do you? I cannot. He won’t let me. I report to him, no one else, especially not a child like you.”

Oh, ouch. They both came rushing in and I made my ears go back down to normal hearing. As soon as James saw me his eyes flashed with concern, love, and a hint of nervousness.

            “James, what’s going on? Who is this?”

I nodded over to; who I am guessing is my real captor. He look like James’ older doppelganger. James smiled and my heart nearly melted.

            “Jessie, this man is my biological father and he”…..

My eyes fluttered open and I thought of closing them again to shut out the world and think but something, rather someone caught my eye.

            “Hello Jessica.”

Why the world was she here? Ugh, I did not need this right now.

            “Hey”

She smiled that gorgeous smile of hers, ugh. Why was she so pretty? Where she was shaped like a Coca-Cola bottle (the old glass ones) I was shaped like a pencil. Where she was just the right height, I was freakishly tall. Lastly, where as she had light brown hair that shined in the sun, big white teeth, and light honey eyes, I had jet black, big lips that looked like I got punched in the face, and eyes the color of green mold (thanks to me being only a third angel). She was sitting on Mason’s lap, which I am sure Mason dreaded. She got up and walked towards me.

            “Shouldn’t you be happier to see your aunt? I mean really it’s only been five years and you already forgot the manners I tried teaching you?”

            “You…”

I spit.

            “…are not my aunt. You abandoned your family and High Helkers just to work for the darkness of this world.”

I pointed to Mason while still looking daggers at her.

            “And to top it all of you tried seducing him. That’s right, he told me. You idiot, he’s gay.”

Fury blazed in her eyes. Next thing I knew her fingers were wrapped around my throat, leaving deep bruises. I closed my eyes waiting for the slap or punch that never came. When I opened my eyes, I saw Mason holding her fist back.

            “Do not dare touch her. I am stronger than I was 5 years ago, Celia and I promise that if you don’t let her go this very moment, I will kill you in five seconds and leave no trace of you ever having been here. After all, it’s not like you will be missed.”

She loosened her grip and her eyes got wide, then of course she started laughing.

            “Calm yourself, boy. She will not die, at least not today and certainly not by my hands.”

Her once sweet eyes focused back on me as she completely released my neck.

            “You. I have a message from you from your beloved daddy.”

I looked at Mason, confused.

            “I thought you said he was kidnapped.”

Just as he was about to respond, my dear auntie Celia cut him off. Talk about manners.

            “He is. Not that one, the other one. The one that gave you your little gift.”

My heart skipped a beat.

            “He says for you to meet him. He will send a messenger, another one, with the details. If you don’t meet with his exact orders your good daddy, Matt will certainly die a torturous death. Then I will most likely have to kill you because after all, Matt is my brother.”

Silence. That’s all that was in the room. My dad, my real true daddy. He had given up so much for me. Now was my turn to repay him.

            “Well, as much as I would love to stay, I really must be going. It was nice seeing you again, niece.”

            “Wish I could say the same.”

She half smiled and started toward the door. Before she was completely gone, she hollered over her shoulder.

            “Oh and Mason?”

His head jerked up at the sound of his name, but when realizing it was her who called him, he went back to playing with his fingernails. Probably thinking he was being rude, he mumbled a response.

            “What Celia?”

            “That offer I made you some time ago is still on the table. I will never take back my word.”

            “Well then I suggest you don’t hold your breath because I would rather die than join you. Actually, you know what? Hold it; the sooner we rid this Earth of your horrid presence the better.”

She cackled, it sounded so heart shattering that I got goose bumps. She started out again but stopped. Goodness gracious, was she ever going to leave? I was about to ask her just that when she spoke again.

            “Also, Mason? That includes the benefits, as you would say”

Finally, with those mysterious words, she was gone. Confused, I looked over at Mason for some clarification. He was as red a tomato. I was about to laugh but was too confused at Celia’s last words.

            “Mason?”

His head jerked up and he focused his eyes on me. I think I saw a flash of guilt, but as soon as it had appeared, it was gone.

            “Yeah?”

            “What benefits?”

            “Nothing important”

            “Come on, tell me. She wouldn’t have said anything if it wasn’t important.”

He smiled as usual.

            “You really wanna know?”

I nodded so hard my head practically fell off.

            “Okay well.”………

Great, I don’t know how it happened or why it happens but every time Mason is about to tell me something I really want to know, I go into my world. Wait, my world? That means James is here. I open my eyes and come to the realization of my location. I’m in my world, definitely but it’s someplace I haven’t created. I am in a ginormous room that looks like it was made in the 1500’s. I’m lying in a big blue canopy bed that looks like it has gold for the curtains around the bed. While admiring the spectacular room, I hear a knock at the door and a voice I would recognize anywhere, ask.

            “Umm, Jess? Are you decent?”

            “Yeah.”

I sit up as James waltzes in wearing a black Green Day t-shirt matched with swimming trunks and black socks. He is the first to speak.

            “Hungry?”

Is he serious? I have way too many questions to even think about anything but getting them answered.

            “By the look you’re giving me, I’ll take that as a no.”

I rolled my eyes.

            “No, of course I am hungry. I mean why would I want I know why in the world your biological father captured me, and then put me in this amazing room.”

His eyes widened, which I understand, I have never been even remotely mean to him.

            “Sorry.”

His expression changed from hurt to happiness.

            “It’s cool. I get it. I would be the same way, probably even more pissed. I unfortunately don’t have any answers for you though. I know as much as you, most likely even less. I do know someone who can answer your questions. Come on.”

As usual, I followed. The house was even more amazing than the room. It was like the house from Haunted Mansion, minus the ghosts, mixed with an old Victorian house. It was breathtaking. We finally stopped in front of this big black door. James knocked three times hard and one soft. The door shrunk down to about five inches, and then a clear doorway exploded open. James led me through and took me through something that seemed like a maze through another long red door. We finally ended up at a small room with a man who literally looked like James’ 20 year old twin. He looked at me then at James.

            “Well, now that my son has not obeyed my orders to make sure you stay in your room, how can I help you sweet Jessica.”

It took me awhile to process everything bur after I did I got right to the point.

            “Ummmm…….I want to know why you captured me and how come when I look through my world, I can’t see you or anything you make, like this mansion.”

            “Well, well, well you get right to the point, don’t you? Hmm. Let me start off by saying James had nothing to do with this. I promise you were not meant to be harmed or mistreated but well it is just happened. After all, I am just the messenger from your father, Η Αλλαγή (pronounced e-al-a-yee), which translates into The Change. You see, your daddy has a gift which can let him change dreams. That is why he can make potions for me to drink which is why you can’t see me.”

My mind was spinning. He was obviously talking about my demon dad. I really wanted to go back to the real world, but before that.

            “So you’re the messenger my aunt told me about. Well, go ahead tell me what you have to say.”

He turned to James and threw him a thumbs-up. That’s right, a thumbs up, even though I’m  99.9% sure that it was a sarcastic one due to his next comment, it was still weird and creepy and abnormal looking.

            “Wow, son you got yourself a real winner.”

I scowled.

            “You guys can bond when I go back. Get on with the info. my d….da…..The Change gave you.”

            “Okay, well you must agree to terms before you meet with him.”…..

You’re kidding right? I really wish I could learn to control this “gift”. It’s almost like every time someone is about to tell me something important I just snap back to the other world. Ugh might as well enjoy the real world while I’m here and most of all Mason. Speaking of him, where is he? Did he leave without saying goodbye? That’s not like him. I go search the house for him. Just as I am about ready to call the police and file a missing person’s report, I hear the door open. I run to greet Mason.

            “Mason, I thought you left… oh you’re not Mason.”

I look in to Connor’s green eyes and mine start to tear. Connor just stares until my tears stop flowing out.

            “So, Mason’s okay, right?”

Befuddled, I look up daggers at Connor.

            “Excuse me? After everything that’s all you have to say? Whatever, just forget it, what do you want?”

            “I just want to know if Mason is okay. The High Helkers sent me.”

            “Oh I see your still working for them. Having fun?”

He rolled his eyes and just ignored my question.

            “What do the High Helkers care if Mason’s okay? He’s not one of their pets.”

            “Despite how heartless you think the High Helkers are, they do care. Especially when an angel of 17 disappears from his home without even a word for a week who just happens to be the very best friend of a tri-blood. The High Helkers get curious.”

            “Wow, so all Mason is to you is that? After all the times he has been there for you? You know what? He is just dandy now get out.”

            “I’m sorry but I can’t do that. I have been assigned to you.”

            “Excuse me? You have been what?”

            “Assigned to you. Was I not clear enough? Do you need me to spell it out for you? A-S-S-I…..”

            “I know what you meant, you retard. But in case you haven’t heard, I am a third angel; I don’t need your stupid protection.”

            “Ahh but you do. You see, you’re a let’s say liability to the High Helkers, therefore you must be watched after at all times.”

He flashed that amazing smile that used to make me melt but now makes me nauseous. I was about to say something extremely inappropriate when suddenly something he said came to mind.

            “Wait. How did you and the High Helkers know I was a tri-blood? I never told anyone but Mason and neither has my parents”

He was taken aback. I caught him. What did the High Helkers know that I didn’t? I guess it was time to turn on the charm.

            “Connor, the least you could do is tell me what is happening.”

            “More like happened, Jess, as in the past. Even if I did fall for your sad face, and told you, there is nothing you could do.”

Ugh, I forgot we had history, if I were him; I wouldn’t fall for my sad face or charm either. Whatever. Well, if he wasn’t going to answer that question. Maybe he would answer another.

            “Why did the High Helkers assign YOU to me? I thought it was like a law that you weren’t allowed to guard friends or family. Not that we’re either, but they know our past, don’t they? Aren’t you supposed to tell them anything and everything before you join their prestigious presence?”

            “I did and they do know but I asked to guard you.”

He told me these words with a calm exterior, like they didn’t have any impact. While I on the other hand, well I almost melted at those words, but then I remembered who he was and what he did. It helped.

            “Why? You know I despise you after what you did. I could make your life a living hell.”

I looked slits at him and tried to be intimidating. I don’t think it worked though because he let out a small chuckle before talking.

            “1) I have a promise to keep and 2) well two doesn’t really matter.”

            “What promise?”

            “One I made to someone I care a lot about.”

            “Who?”

            “Oh Nunnya.”

            “Nunnya who?”

            “Nunnya business.”

I can’t believe I fell for that. I’m so stupid. I scowled. What a jerk. He of course was smiling.

            “Whatever. So what is reason two?”

            “Can you just stop talking for five minutes?”

            “Actually n..”……………..

Man I wanted to tease Connor more. Maybe if I annoy him enough he would leave. I hear voices and open my eyes. I am lying on a carpet?

            “Wha? Man you know the least you could have done was move me to a chair.”

James is the first to rush by my side and ask if I’m okay. I reassure him I’m fine and have him help me over to a chair.

            “So you were saying James’ dad, before I left to reality.”

He smiled and my heart literally half melted. He was an exact replica of James, eyes and all.

            “Yes. Well, before I start wasting my breath yet again. I need you to drink something.”

With that said he opened a silver box and pulled out a vial of red liquid that had some weird lettering on it.

            “Drink this please, and then we can start talking.”

It was James who talked first.

            “What are we in Alice in Wonderland? Jess, you don’t have to drink it if you don’t want to.”

His eyes pleaded with me. I was about to chuck it across the room when James’ dad’s voice stopped me.

            “Actually if she wants to ensure her good father’s safety, she must.”

He smirked, I scowled, and James looked like he was semi-pouting.

            “What will it do to me?”

            “Nothing. Just keep you in here for about two hours after your intended departure to reality.”

I was skeptical, but what choice did I have? I chugged the whole thing and it tasted surprisingly good. James became enraged but he kept himself in check and of course his dad smiled.

            “Well, then let’s begin.”

 Chapter Two

“Some questions are more important than answers”

          -Nancy Willard

            “Okay, so let me start off by introducing myself. Please, leave your questions until I am done talking. Thank you.”

He walked over to his big leather chair and sat down.

            “Anyway, I am Cornelius, but most ‘people’ call me Neil. As you know I am James’ father, biological of course. I work for your all-powerful father. I am the Messenger. I deliver all news for my master, good and bad. This is why I was sent here, to deliver news to you. Your father, The Change, is willing to discuss the fate of Matt is it? Yes, Matt, but first you have to agree to terms. You must meet with him alone at a location you will receive in reality. You bring one person other than Mason; yes he knows about him too, you will never see Matt alive again. Second, you must not tell your mother. Lastly, you must and I mean must ditch your guardian Connor when you meet with your father. Do you agree?”

            “Give me a second”

I can’t believe that this is happening to me. All those conditions? Wow, I don’t even know what to do, but I do know one thing: I love my true dad, Matt.

            “Okay, I agree.”

Neil smiled.

            “Joy, okay now I have a couple of questions for you.”

            “No”

            “No?” 

            “Yes, No”

            “Wait, so yes or no?”

            “No”

            “I see and why not?”

            “Because Neil I have questions for you too and I had to sit through that speech thing, so now you have to answer my questions.”

I heard James snicker and I scowled.

            “You too, James. Don’t think that you’re off the hook.”

His face turned serious.

            “Again, son I say real winner. Okay, Jessica, ask away.’

I let out a deep breath. Okay Jessie, you got this. I began.

            “So let’s start at the beginning. How is it even possible that I have two fathers and one mother?”

            “Well you see your mother cheated on your father right before they were to be wed. She cheated with my master and was already pregnant, but hadn’t realized it yet. It was Matt’s child, you. You see, when demons lose control they release this type of acid from their body. My master usually was very good at keeping the acid within him but when you, let’s call it procreating. So when my master was procreating with your mother he lost control. To humans the acid is not visible and it is most certainly not lethal. So when my master released the acid it seeped into your mother. Just a drop and that drop penetrated the placenta and seeped into you. Hence, your two fathers and one mother.”

            “So how did my mom not know she was ‘procreating’ with a demon?”

            “Ah, yes, you see one of the greatest things about being a demon is that you can shape-shift into anything. In the beginning it is hard but when you get to be about a hundred it comes easily.”

EW. My demon dad is more than a century old. Blech. Your picked a real winner mom. 

“Oh. I see. So how does he know about me?”

            “Whenever a demon brings life into the world they feel it in the little of a soul they have.”

            “Okay so how does he know what I am and apparently everything about me personal life?”

            “Mostly your aunt. She is a blabber mouth. She came to him a couple of years ago wanting to join him.”

            “Sounds just like Celia. So any who what exactly can The Change do?”

            “He can change or influence any dream, any way he wants. That is why you cannot see me when you look through your world.”

            “So is he like a wizard too? Because he makes potions so I can’t see you.”

            “Nope no wizard. All he does to make the potions is shed a tear into a vial, whisper what it would be doing and voila, you no see me.”

            “Mh-hmm. So I guess that’s it. I have no more questions.”

Neil practically jumps out of his seat.

“Great, so question number one for mm…”

            “For you. I still have a couple for your son.”

Exasperated, Neil sighs and sits. I turn to my James.

            “Hi”

I smile.

            “Hey, Jess”

He smiles.

            “Oh brother. Can we get over the introductions? I am on a strict schedule.”

Our smiles disappear, but Neil does have a point. I get serious.

            “Okay. So how long did you know he was here, James?”

            “Remember when I told you that a stupid wolf was trying to get our food?”

            “Yup”

            “Well, it wasn’t a wolf out for our food. It was well my dad looking for you.”

            “So why did it never seem important to you to tell me?’

            “Well, first of all, I didn’t want to worry you and second of all I didn’t even want to believe it. I haven’t seen my dad since age two. The only reason I knew it was him was because of pictures my mom used to show me.”

            “Wow. I’m sorry but did it ever occur to you to tell me your dad was evil?”

It wasn’t James who answered.

            “He didn’t know.”

I turned to face Neil.

            “I left before he could ever understand what I am. I didn’t want this life for him. I never did.”

Something he said triggered a question I had never thought to ask.

            “Neil are you a demon?”

He laughed.

            “Nope. I’m a warlock. We are usually called witches by everyday people although warlocks are the male versions of witches. But unlike all the others, I’m special.”

            “Why?”

            “Because I cannot perform any magic.”

            “That sucks”

            “Not really. I gave it up, when I decided I wanted a child. As a matter of fact, that is where your dad came in.”

            “What are you talking about?”

            “Well warlocks cannot have children but I wanted a son so badly. Your father found me when I was roaming the streets of Seattle, Washington. He told me he could help me with my problem and I trusted him. He told me that if I gave up my powers to him he could provide me with fertility. At first I was confused because a warlock’s powers cannot be transferred but then your father explained that they would just make him more powerful not in any way magical. I eagerly took the offer but there was a catch. I could only spend two years with my child or something bad would happen. So I relished those two years, but when they were up I left. I went to The Change and pleaded for him to do something, anything. So he did. If I was loyal to him for 15 years, I could see my son again, but even after I was allowed to see him, I would forever be his Messenger.”

            “And now the 15 years are up.”

            “Which is why I am allowed to be here with my son.”

I peered over at James and he looked like he was still trying to figure this out. There was a long silence, but I had to break it. There wasn’t much time left in the potion. I could feel it. Don’t ask me how, I just could.

            “Wow. So, James, can I ask you one last question?”

            “Sure, why not?”

            “Do you still love me?”

            “Jess, are you serious?”

He strode over to me then wrapped his arms around me. He held me there for a good five minutes. He nuzzled his head in my neck. He smelled of soap and simple freshness. He spoke.

            “Of course I do. Nothing will ever change that, I promise you.”

Then with the most intense passion I have ever felt, he kissed me. It was the most amazing kiss I had ever experienced. I felt all his love radiating off his body and I wanted him so bad. I could have stayed kissing him for all of eternity, but his dad cleared his throat.

            “Hate to be a party pooper but dear Jessica, your time is almost up and I have a few questions of my own for you.”

James and I untangled ourselves but kept our fingers interlocked.

            “Okay, ask away.”

            “Right well I am very curious about your little power, Jessica.”

            “Can’t my ‘father’ tell you anything you care to know about it?”

            “Well you father is very secretive about his life. So tell me, what exactly is your power? When can you access it? How do you have real people in here? Do they know they are here when they are? Also, when did you decide to invite my son in here?”

            “Wow that’s a lot of questions.”

            “Yes, well I need a lot of answers.”

            “Okay then. Well, my power is to create a dream world. You see this, where you are? I created all of it. I can make anything happen in here with just one thought. Although, if I speak what I want to happen, it becomes more powerful than when I merely think it. As far as I know I have no control over when or how long I will be in here. It could be minutes, hours, even days. The people that I choose to bring in my world are real. For ‘people’ aware of the supernatural or anything supernatural, they know that they are here because of me, i.e. my parents, and such. For regular humans, they simply think they are dreaming as usual. As for your son, he just kind of showed up one day.”

I smiled over at James. The day he showed up was the best day of my life.

“Anything else?”

Neil smiled that horrid yet beautiful smile of his.

            “Of course. I have many more questions but first I would like a little demonstration.”

            “What do you mean?”

            “Well, you said that you can create and control everything in this world?”

I nodded.

            “As long as it is not in this house. I can’t control, create, or even see (when I look through my world) anything in this house. But you already know that.”

            “Yes, very well then.”

Suddenly, with incredible speed and strength, he grabbed James and dragged him out the back door, to the outside. I ran after them.         

            “WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?”

            “I told you I wanted to see a demonstration.”

He dragged James, kicking, to a cliff.

            “Do not do it, Neil.”

He did it. He kicked James off. He was fast to do it but my mind was faster. All I had to do was picture James lying next to me and there he was. When he was safely beside me, I fell to hold him.

            “Oh, James. Are you okay?”

He squeezed my hand to reassure me he was fine, probably just a little spooked. I held him for a couple of minutes then turned around to confront Neil.

            “WHAT THE HELL, NEIL. ARE YOU SOME TYPE OF IDIOT?”

            “Very impressive, Jessica. And ah-ah-ah, no more questions for me. I still have one last question for you.”

I scowled. I wanted to punch this guy in the face. But a deal is a deal. I walked over to James and started playing with the grass.

            “Fine. Whatever, ask your stupid question.”

            “How did you say people get into your world?”

            “I told you, they need to be invited. Other than you of course, because you have the potion thing my ‘father’ gave you.”

            “So you’re saying there is no possible way for a regular human to get in here other than being invited?”

I rolled my eyes. What was this guy not getting?

            “OMG! Yes, absolutely no other way.”

            “I see. So my final question sweet Jessica is how is my son here?”……………………..

Chapter Three

“Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart”

          - Washington Irving

WHAT THE FUCK?! I am so sorry for the profanity, I don’t usually curse, but this is a good enough occasion as ever. First of all, that stupid thing Neil gave me wore off at the absolutely worst time. Reason two, you want to know? Let me see. OhYeah!!! That dick of a father asked me the worst question possible. “How is my son here?” I was about to tell him that I have no fucking idea, when I came back here. I think he knew. I know that he knew because if he didn’t then well HE JUST KNEW, OKAY???!! Ugh, I am so pissed, I can’t even think about opening my eyes to let Connor or Mason or whoever else is here to know I am awake. But seriously, how did James get in there? Think Jess think. I remember the day he appeared like it was yesterday.

 I was designing my world and adding the waterfall to it. That gorgeous waterfall that I spent so many hours concocting in my mind. It was stunning, as if it was made of a million tiny blue crystals. But back to James. So, I was making the waterfall and thinking about how lonely I was when suddenly, he appeared. That’s it. He appeared. I didn’t invite him, didn’t think of him, nothing. He just appeared.

 I guess I hadn’t thought about it much till now. If you ever had one look at James though, you would totally get where I am coming from. I mean how could I question his presence? I mean, I was lonely and needed a friend. But that doesn’t change anything. Why the heck did Neil have to get me thinking about this? I was happy. But then again is it really happiness when the happiness is filled with lies and deceit? This is all way to complicated. I need to think and, I can’t believe I am saying this, open my eyes and face whatever is there. Well, here is goes. I open them and I can’t even begin to describe the surprise I awaken to. I am on a plane. Yes an actual freaking plane, as if that isn’t weird enough for you I was laying on Connor’s lap. Blech. I sat up right away only to realize that Mason was sleeping on my other side. Connor had that annoying smirk on his face.

            “Stop.”

Man I sounded like an old guy. Attractive, Jess, really. I cleared my throat. He, of course, laughed. That is just it with Connor, when he is annoying you and knows, he laughs. Well, it’s more like a chuckle. A very annoying, horrible, once very cute chuckle.

            “Stop what? What am I doing now, Jess?”

Boys can be so oblivious.

            “Staring at me. It’s weird and you have no right to do it anymore.”

He chuckled again and held up his hands as if to surrender.

            “Soorrryyy. I hadn’t realized it was a crime. I’ll stop.”

He looked away. At what, I have no idea because he was sitting at the aisle seat and I don’t care. I was about to make an “Hmph” sound but I thought that was a little much. I looked over at Mason. I really hope that he wakes up. I have questions but he looks like he is passed out for good. But I really need answers because I am tired of them never being answered when I want. On the other hand, Connor is the only one that I could possibly think of that could answer them at the moment. Speaking to someone I despise or getting what I really wanted?  Despise vs. Wants (needs)? Ugh.

            “Connor?”

He didn’t turn around but I could feel a smirk forming on his face.

            “Oh is your grace talking to me? Your majesty, can I dare to look upon thy face?”

That is it! I punched him in the arm as hard as I could. I gave it my whole strength and wanna know something? It was the worst mistake ever. I guess that angel training actually worked. I think I broke my hand. Connor still hadn’t turned around, though.

            “Did you just poke me?”

            “You douche nozzle! I punched you and now…”

I couldn’t even talk anymore. And now, great, here comes the waterworks. Damn, I hate crying, especially in front of dicks. He finally turned around and grabbed my hand.

            “God, you are a freaking idiot, you know that? What the world were you thinking punching me? You know that I am way strong. These muscles aren’t just for show.”

He grabbed my hand and closed his eyes. I imagined he did some angel mumbo-jumbo because my hand felt 100% better.

            “Thanks”

He was still holding my hand, caressing it. He was so strong. I could tell he was being gentle with me. Wait, this is Connor. I pulled my hand away.  He cleared his throat.

            “Whatever. Just remember next time not to be an idiot and punch an angel.”

I scowled.

            “Well, I forget sometimes.”

            “Forget what? Not to be an idiot? I mean I guess I get that. It’s hard to turn away and not be yourself. Maybe you should see a therapist. ”

            “Shut up! I mean sometimes I forget that you’re an angel. You act like a regular human being. I would know because I have been around them for most of my life.”

            “Yeah well angels have been around for even longer. We learn to adapt. Not the high ones, of course. Like the Helkers, they phewwww, they are amazing.”

I made a retching sound and he rolled his eyes.

            “Whatever.”

He turned away again. Okay, so not my best idea: getting the guy I want answers from mad. I might be able to make it up, if I hurry. I touched his arm and it took all my strength not to hold on to it. Which apparently I need to work out my mental state because I held onto that puppy tighter than a wide receiver would hold onto a football.

            “Connor, wait, I’m sorry. I don’t care about that anymore. You know and I know what you did is in the past.”

I tried to smile but I don’t know if I succeeded. He looked at my hand then turned around and placed it on my lap. He looked at me with the most amazing look ever. I am telling you that if any regular girl had been looked at like that from him, she would have asked him to marry her right then and there.

            “Yeah you do. I know you do and I don’t blame you. I get why you hate the High Helkers, but I am telling you that they are not evil at all. They are pure, all pure.”

He let out a huge sigh. I guess I never gave them a chance but when you look at the track record I have with these guys, it isn’t good. Thank G-D Mason wasn’t chosen to be one of their lesser angels. Their pets, as I call them, because they do all their bidding for them. I mean it’s not like I hate them I just would never become one or work for them, not that they gave me a chance.

            “You can think so, but you can’t change my mind set. Sorry.”

He nodded and started turning back around when I remembered why I had turned him around in the first place. I caught his big, strong, muscular… (what am I saying?) bicep. I let go right away before I forgot who he was and what he did.

            “Wait. I do have a couple of questions you know? It’s not like I started talking to you just to get a reason to punch you, although that was a perk.”

I smiled for real this time because I actually meant it. He laughed and ran his long slender fingers through his dirty blonde hair.

            “Ask away, my queen.”

Ugh, ever since we were little he had always known how to get under my skin.

            “Where the heck are we going?”

            “Easy peasy, Canada.”

            “Canada? As in moose and ‘eh’ Canada?”

            “Yup”

I was so confused.

            “Why?”

            “Again, an easy one. To keep you safe.”

            “Safe from what exactly? And why are you here? Mason can keep me safe all on his own.”

He rolled his gorgeous green eyes. (OHMIGAWD! JESS, STOP! REMEMEMBER WHAT HE DID! REMEMBER WHO HE IS! WHO HE WORKS FOR!)

            “I don’t know. Maybe that evil dad of yours that kidnapped Matt, your good one.”

Sarcasm, as usual.

            “Sarcastic much? That still doesn’t answer the question why you are here.”

I smirked.

            “How many times do I have to tell you that I was assigned to be your guardian?”

Oh yeah. He had told me that before I went into my world. MY WORLD!!! Why hadn’t I gone there? I always go there by now.

            “What time is it?”

He looked at his watch.

            “Two twenty-five.”

I had woken up at 1. Okay so I had enough time to not freak out. I guess I would go there soon enough. But remembering my world, I remembered something else that Neil said. “You must meet with him alone at a location you will receive in reality.” REALITY! That means that he knows where I live, which means that that was where I was supposed to receive the location. What if he can’t find me, gets mad, and takes it out on my dad?

            “We have to go back.”

Connor looked at me like I had finally lost it.

            “Right and I am the king of England.”

            “Good for you, but we really need to hurry back.”

            “That was sarcasm. We are not going back. It’s too dangerous.”

            “We have to. You don’t get it.”

            “Then enlighten me.”

What am I supposed to say? My demon dad is waiting for me there? Oh, I got it.

            “I left my dog.”

He raised an eyebrow.

            “Your dog?”

            “Yup. I love him so much. I can’t possibly leave him behind.”

            “You can’t leave him behind? Okay then good.”

            “Good? So are we going back?”

            “Nope because he is in the cargo part of the plane. GOOD thing I brought him.”

He smiled. Think, Jess, think. LIGHTBULB!

            “I have to pee.”

            “Congratulations.”

He got up to let me through and motioned for me to go.

            “Go ahead. Bathroom is to left at the end, past the curtain.”

I started scooting out then stopped.

            “Just give me my toilet paper.”

            “They have toilet paper.”

I seemed appalled. I stuck my chin up like I had seen all those annoying bitches (again, sorry for cursing, but do YOU have a better word for them?) in movies do.

            “I only use special toilet paper from Norway. It is handcrafted to suit me perfectly. Not too soft, not too hard. Just right. If you don’t have it we have to go back to my apartment and get it. I cannot for the life of me remember the name of it.”

I smiled. He rolled his eyes.

            “They have angel soft. Same difference. Now go, I’m blocking the aisle.”

I crossed my arms and acted like a five year old. I should have become an actress.

            “I refuse to place that filth on my bottom and I will have you know that the saying is ‘same thing’ not ‘same difference’. That doesn’t even make sense.”

He gave up. I scooted back in my seat and he sat down.

            “Fine. Hold it.”

For the next five minutes I was squealing like a little girl, trying to hold in my pee (that really wasn’t there). I think Connor finally got tired of it.

            “Stop squirming. I know you don’t have to pee. I know that you don’t care about your dumb dog and I know for a fact that you don’t have special toilet paper.”

            “Are you calling me a liar? How dare you assume something so vulgar? Do you truly think that low of me?”

I made my best hurt puppy face. He chuckled and rolled his eyes at the same time.

            “I am not assuming anything. Angel remember?”

What did that have to do with anything? He let out a big sigh.

            “I have a built in lie detector.”

Oh yeah. That I forgot.

            “So what’s this really about? Why do you really wanna go back home?”

            “Can’t you read minds too?”

He shook his head as hard as he could.

            “No only the High Helkers can do that and they tend not to because it is very painful for both the mind reader and the person who’s mind is being read.”

You learn something new every day. I might as well tell him because I have nothing better to do.

            “I am expecting something from my ‘bad dad’ and I am not sure that he could find me in Canada.”

            “What are you expecting?”

            “Promise not to tell anyone?”

I looked at his eyes and he seemed torn.

            “I don’t know. When we angels make a promise we have to keep it no matter what. I”

He let out a deep sigh.

            “Okay. What?”

            “He sent a messenger to meet me in my world with some information. I didn’t get specifics but I did get that my ‘bad dad’ wants…”

I felt Mason stir beside me. Connor looked over my shoulder and I turned around. Mason was definitely waking up. When Mason wakes up, you know because he puts on this huge show. First, he stretches for like ten minutes. Then, he wipes his face about twenty times before opening his eyes. When he does he makes one big long yawn and settles back down.

            “Mmmmmmm. Hey Jess.”

Connor excused himself to go get us coffee. Mason looked confused.

            “What did I miss? Or rather what did I intrude on?”

I started to blush. I cannot believe that I was about to tell Connor my plan. Stupid. Mason studied me for awhile and then his eyes got huge.

            “Jess, BFFFFFL, please tell me there is nothing going on with you and Connor.”

            “NOOO! Oh wow no never!”

            “Good because that would be horrendous and he isn’t your type and you aren’t his.”

Oh he could not be more wrong. I just laughed. One of these days I would have to tell Mason about what happened between Connor and me.

            “You just want him all to yourself.”

He looked hurt for a split second then back to happy-go-lucky Mason. He hugged me and boy did I need it. We stayed like that till Connor brought us our coffee. We all drank it in silence. Mason was the first to speak.

            “How long was I out?”

Connor answered him.

            “About 3 hours.”

Mason cracked his neck. Always a nasty habit.

            “I told you to wake me when she came back to us.”

Connor shrugged.

“Oops. Plus, you needed the sleep because you got the next shift. As soon as I’m done with my coffee, I am going to the back to sleep.”

I felt like a child but I didn’t feel like telling them that. We all finished at the same time and Connor left to the back. I turned to Mason.

            “Why didn’t you sleep in the back?”

            “Because that is for stewardesses only.”

            “Then how come he can sleep there?”

Mason smiled.

            “Angel charm.”

I am not sure that is what it’s really called but I didn’t question.

            “Why didn’t you use your angel charm to sleep back there? Beds are way more comfortable than seats. I’m guessing that’s what’s back there.”

            “Yeah beds and they are more comfortable but it feels weird hitting on other women, I mean, women, period.”

He just kept that grin on his face. Unlike Connor’s, his was cute and sweet.

            “Plus, I couldn’t leave your side. What kind of best friend would I be if I did?”

Man, I love Mason.

            “I love you, too, bestie.”

He playfully punched my arm. Wait, huh? Had I said it aloud? Weird. I just laid on his chest and dozed off. I think while I was drifting to sleep, he might have started talking, but I cannot fully remember………..

Chapter Four

“The cruelest lies are often told in silence.”

          -Robert Lois Stevenson

This is the best way to come to my world, calmly and in my sleep. On rare occasions my “gift” lets me have a good moment, where I go into my world and not be cut off or in the middle of a conversation in the real one. I open my eyes and realize that I am back in the room that James’ dad made up for me. I’m wondering if he is still here. I have some beef to pick with him. I get up because I am surprisingly sore. I realize that all my stuff is here from our hut, even my guitar signed by none other than Bon Jovi. I don’t really play guitar but I love Bon Jovi so I called him to my world a while back. I had him sign it then let him continue on with whatever he was dreaming about. It was legendary, yet not the most exciting thing to happen to me in here, but that is for later.  I continue scanning the room and suddenly hear a knock. I hope it isn’t James because I am not prepared to talk to him yet. It isn’t. Instead I see a girl walk in. She doesn’t look more than ten maybe eleven years old. She bows her head at me and starts to talk.

            “Good morning, sleepy head! Is there anything you need?”

She gives me the sweetest smile ever but she has no teeth. That’s right, she is all gums. She looks like a newborn when she smiles due to the fact that she had no teeth. How is she even talking? Who is she anyway?

            “No thanks. I’m sorry, but who are you again?”

She just laughs.

            “Oh I am sorry. I am Lily Tamely Hamtation. I am here to help you in whatever way possible.”

She walked across the room to a wall. She clapped her hands twice and a wardrobe appeared out of it. This house is crazy, it has so many secrets. Good thing that I am not planning on staying here. She picked up a blue dress and laid it on a chest in front of the mirror. Then she picked out a t-shirt that said “Only in America” that had a man yelling at McDonalds with a coffee in his hand and his tongue bright red, and jeans.

            “Take your pick Ms. Luber.”

She turned back to the wardrobe and closed it. It didn’t disappear, rather than just stay there.

            “What’s the occasion?”

She looked at me. She was quite beautiful for such a little girl. She had blonde hair with little streaks of purple and blue eyes that looked a lot like James’, dark and mysterious. I wonder if they are related because I apparently I don’t know anything about my boyfriend of three years.

            “Breakfast, silly and I don’t think you wanna go in that.”

She gestured to me and for the first time since I woke up I looked at myself and realized what I was wearing, nothing. Well, I wasn’t completely naked but if I took off my underwear and bra I would have been. I tried covering up myself with a sheet but she just assured me that it was fine.

            “It’s not like it’s something I have never seen.”

She motioned to herself. I smiled. She was so sweet which made me wonder even more why she was here, in a dream world, MY dream world. She excused herself and I got dressed, obviously picking the jeans and t-shirt. I looked and the mirror. I had no idea what James saw in me. I mean, I wasn’t ugly but I wasn’t the prettiest girl in the world either, maybe it was the fact that I was the only girl in this world. I was extremely tall and had no curves whatsoever. I am pretty sure that even Mason had more hips than me. My mom had told me that it was genetics and I just got the bad part of the gene pool and that an upside was that I could become a model. I looked at my cheek. Due to the fact that I am not a full angel, I didn’t have the full angel mark. It was pretty much a little swirl that looked like a pig’s tail. It wasn’t fully gold either, instead, only the two ends were and the middle was a metallic blue color. I had I finally stopped scrutinizing myself and left the room. I wasn’t sure where to go but I just followed the noise and ended up in a kitchen. There were only two people there: Lily and some guy. He looked like he was about 40 or some years old and had grease all over his shirt. I smiled. Lily rushed to my side. She was so tiny. Like a little pixie, except with long hair.

            “Oh, Ms. Luber, forgive me. I meant to lead you to the dining room but Ravi was telling me a hilarious joke.”

She started to chuckle but then straightened herself out.

            “Of course, that is no excuse.”

She bowed her head and I was so confused. She didn’t do anything wrong. I picked her head up and made her look at me.

            “Don’t sweat it. I’m good.”

She seemed relieved and then turned to Ravi.

            “Ravi, meet Jessica Luber. Ms. Luber, meet Ravi Trontisky, our chef.”

I went to go shake his hand but then thought better of it; they were all greasy and probably dirty from the food. He smiled and I realized that he actually had teeth, not just gums like Lily.

            “Nice to meet you, Jessica.”

            “Ditto.”

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Lily bow her head and shake it.  I looked at her.

            “What?’

She looked at me and realized I had seen her.

            “Oh, excuse my brother, Ms. Luber; he doesn’t know the meaning of manners. Also, he apparently doesn’t know his place in this household.”

She looked daggers at her supposed brother. Funny, they didn’t look anything alike. All he did was shrug and go back to cooking.

            “Why should I call her Ms. Luber when her name is Jessica and she is younger than me? I don’t see her calling me Mr. Trontisky.”

Lily stuck her nose in the air and huffed.

            “Follow me, Ms. Luber; I will take you to the dining room. Maybe the people there will treat you with more respect and dignity.”

She left and I followed.

            “You know he doesn’t have to call me Ms. Luber. I actually prefer Jessica or Jessie.”

She looked at me and stopped.

            “Does that mean that I have offended you by calling you Ms. Luber?”

She looked so hurt; as if I had just told her Santa wasn’t real for the first time.

            “No! Of course not! The point is that you guys can call me whatever you want. Plus, it’s not like I am going to be here for that long.”

She nodded her head and continued walking.

            “Hey Lily?”

She didn’t look at me, but I know she heard me because she answered,

            “Yea?”

            “How is he your brother is you guys have different last names?”

“Different fathers.”

That made total sense. We continued the rest of the way in silence, which was good because it let me think. I don’t know what I am supposed to say to James. I wanted to confront him about what his father said but on the other hand, I didn’t feel like fighting with him, ever. I had butterflies in my stomach the whole time to there. We continued down a hallway that seemed like it took forever and finally stopped. We stopped by a door that had a weird mark on it. It looked like a tree at first but once you got closer, it morphed into a dragon looking thing with big teeth and small hands. I got the chills just looking at it. Lily opened the door to a big dining room with a table in the center. I wondered why it was such a small table for such a big room. Lily led me to the table where Neil was sitting, alone. He looked up from a newspaper and saw me. He looked at Lily and waved her away with his hand. She left us, alone in this big room. I had no idea what to do, so I just sat. There was an amazing spread, so I started with a blueberry bagel with jelly and cream cheese.  I looked up at Neil and realized that he was still reading his stupid newspaper.

            “Dream World Times?”

He looked up and chuckled. He set his newspaper down and took a sip of his orange juice.

            “You failed to create anything entertaining in this world so I had to come up with something. Of course, it only works in this house.”

I grabbed the newspaper and looked at it. It looked like a normal one except it had stories that weren’t even plausible and mostly about none other than Neil, himself. There was one about him being a hero and another about fifty women lining up to meet him. I raised an eyebrow at him.

            “You made this?”

He grabbed it back and set it down on the floor.

            “Is it really any of your business?”

I shrugged.

            “Guess not.”

We continued eating but I couldn’t take it anymore. I couldn’t just ignore the fact that James wasn’t here.

            “Where is James?”

Neil looked at me, confused.

            “Can’t you see in your world?”

I rolled my eyes.

            “Not what’s in this stupid house.”

He chuckled, which sounded so much like James’ it wasn’t even funny.

            “Oh yes well, I forgot. He isn’t here.”

            “Like not in the house?”

He shook his head while taking another sip of his juice.       

            “Like not in this world.”

He answered me like a teenage girl would. At the moment I didn’t care. My stomach dropped. James wasn’t here? Had he finally woken up for good in reality and left me here all alone?

            “What do you mean not here? Where is he?”

            “Where everyone goes when they leave here; reality.”

            “So, is he gone for good?”

I asked this question, dreading the answer. Thank G-D Neil shook his head.

            “I thought he told you that sometimes he gets pulled back in reality, just long enough to let them know to keep him plugged in.”

            “He did but he said that it doesn’t take him that long. He should be back by now.”

Neil just shrugged and went on eating his breakfast but I wasn’t done with the questions.

            “You knew, didn’t you?”

He looked up.

            “Knew what?”

I looked at him and wondered if he was just asking to annoy me or because he actually didn’t know what I was talking about. Either way, I wanted answers and wasn’t in the mood for games.

            “That I was going to leave when I did last time.”

He nodded.

            “I had an idea. I just got lucky but you never did answer my question.”

I looked at him and really pondered the idea of him being James’ dad. I mean they looked a lot alike but were complete opposites. James was sweet and caring while Neil didn’t really care about anything and was a real jerk.

            “That’s because I don’t know the answer.”

He shrugged again.

            “Too bad. I really want to know.”

He looked down at his hands and started playing with them. If I didn’t know him any better, I would have thought he was nervous.

            “So, what’s with Lily and Ravi?”

He looked up and looked genuinely confused. Then, realization swept across his face.

            “Ah, yes the maid and cook. They are employees.”

            “Obviously if they work here but of who?”

            “Me, of course”

            “What are they doing here?”

            “Lily asked me for help and I helped her. If she works for me in here, I have someone pay her in reality. If her brother works here, they get paid double.”

            “How do you know them?”

I realized that I was asking a lot of questions but I wanted a lot of answers. He didn’t seem to notice, though.

            “They are my sister’s children.”

That is why Lily looked so much like James. I guess their genes run strong.

            “Don’t you think it’s kind of cruel to make a little girl work for you? I mean she doesn’t look more than eleven years old.”

He laughed.

            “Wow, you must really think I am evil.”

I shrugged.

            “Just saying it how I see it.”

            “In real life, she is actually about your age. I just changed her in here because her favorite age was ten. She asked me to do it.”

I nodded.  He took a sip of his orange juice and picked up his newspaper.

            “One last question, why doesn’t Lily have teeth?”

He looked up at me.

            “Ah, yes. Well, humans react badly to the whole potion thing that your father makes so that is why.”

Lily was human but how is that possible?

            “I thought you said she was your niece?”

He nodded.

            “Yes, she is but the warlock genes get passed down from the father, so she isn’t one.”

            “That means Ravi’s father is a warlock?”

He nodded again. He seemed like he was getting annoyed with all these questions but he didn’t say anything. I was done anyway. I continued to eat my bagel one bite at a time. I then realized something that he said: Warlock genes are passed on by the father.

            “So does that mean James is a warlock?”

He looked up and laughed and then again went back to playing with his fingernails and eating his cereal little by little. I was done asking questions so I started picking at my bagel. I hear the door open and I look up to see Neil staring at the person behind me. He gets up, making an awful screeching sound with his chair, and walks toward whoever came in.       

            “Speak of the devil.”

I am guessing that it is Lily, so I turn around and…………………………..

            Chapter Five

“He who angers you conquers you.”             

          ~Elizabeth Kenny

One of these days I really need to find out how to control this little “gift” of mine. I open my eyes and realized I am in a bed. I guess I was out longer than I thought. I get up to fast and get a huge headache. I take in my surroundings and realize that I am in some type of cabin. I can see nature outside. I get up and inspect the room. It has two beds, one that I was laying in and another that seems to be made to perfection. There is dresser off to the right side, towards a door that leads outside. There is a nightstand with a small television, that I am positive doesn’t even get good channels, on top. There are pictures hung up, mostly of the ocean and one of a couple, it looks like. The girl is a living breathing Barbie, with big “assets” and an even bigger uhm balloons. She has short blond hair cut to about her shoulder and you can tell she is an angel because of her perfection, eyes, and golden flower on her cheek. When I see her smile and who she is with, I know who she is. She is Lucy, Mason’s sister. Mason is the younger boy in the picture with her. She isn’t his real sister, but he considered her one. They had lost touch because of some big fight years ago. I guess Mason had forgiven her. I decide that I am going to go to the bathroom and head out. This is definitely a cabin. When I walk out I see Mason on the couch, arms crossed, and Connor and Lucy engrossed in an intense conversation. I rush to the bathroom before anyone can see me. I do what I have to do and then wash my face. I look at myself in the mirror and want to scream. Lucy is so much more gorgeous. She has the perfect body like my aunt. My aunt used to be more beautiful when she was an angel but that was long ago. Lucy is absolutely perfect. Connor and her looked like they were getting to know each other better and I don’t blame him. They would make a good couple. They could produce perfect angel babies and live a perfect angel life. I would be happy for them. I look down at what I am wearing and realize that I’m in one of Mason’s ginormous t-shirts and sweatpants. I try to pat down my hair, but it’s useless. I go into the living room and clear my throat. Everyone looks at me and Mason comes towards me and hugs me. Mason’s hugs are what I look forward to every time I see him. I love him like a brother and treat him as such. I had a brother but he was born still born. My mother blamed my evil dad. Ironically, that was the year they sent me off to Virginia to “keep me safe”. He let go and Connor and Lucy waved at me from stools set at the kitchen counter top. I waved back and Lucy went on talking to Connor. He was staring at me and my face started getting red hot. He is so aggravating. I looked away and Mason patted a seat next himself on the sofa. Good, we had a lot of catching up to do, but first I nodded towards Connor.

            “You still trying to turn him gay?”

Mason’s face lit up light like a fat kid in a candy store.

            “Obviously, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

He looked sad for a split second then shrugged. Nothing ever upset Mason; he was literally the happiest person I know. Maybe it was the fact that he was gay or that nothing fazed him. I laughed.

            “I didn’t think it was possible to turn someone gay.”

He shrugged again.    

            “Maybe. But look at him Jess he is perfect. How could I not at least try?”

I looked at Connor and he was talking to Lucy. She was holding onto his strong arm and laughing. He was smiling his perfect smile. Even though all angels looked alike, Connor made it work in a whole new way. I stopped staring before I started think bad things. I looked at Mason, looking at me and shrugged.

            “He looks like every other angel.”

Mason’s smile turned upside down.

            “Does that mean that’s how you think of me? That I look like every other angel?”

I touched Mason’s arm.

            “Of course not, Mason. I love you and you know that. If I was stuck in a room full of angels and they had their backs turned I would pick you out faster than you could say ‘I’m Mason’”

            “You’re just trying to make me feel better.”

I shook my head.

            “No I promise.”

I put my hand over my chest. The truth was that I wasn’t saying it just to make him feel better. Mason was like a part of me and always would be. When Celia brought him over, I was skeptical. I saw from the people around me how easily a guy could break your heart. I was only four, but in angel years that is like 12 and even though I was only a third angel I still had the age part the same. I pushed Mason away until one day I saw him kissing another boy. I was shocked but excited because that meant he could grow close. He had tried denying it but soon he realized that I liked him even better, knowing he was gay. He did look like most angels with his blonde hair and green eyes, but the way he was shaped was different. He looked more approachable than most. He wore glasses to seem more normal but he looked like a model straight from Forbes Hottest Intellects. His flower was even more elaborate than most. Tradition of angels is that you are born with one flower on your cheek. When you do something good the flower expands. For mere angels, the ones that will never be High Helkers, the design stops growing after reaching your eye on the side of the cheek the flower is on from birth. Most designs look like swirls on top of swirls on top of more swirls. Mason’s are different; there are swirls but there is also a symbol, which screams something special, right above his eye. When he opens his eyes, it is barely visible. I stop examining my best friend and get to talking to him. I nod in Lucy and Connor’s direction.

            “So you forgave her for whatever she did?”

He looked at Lucy and I felt pity for him. She was the only “family” he had left. He turned back to me.

            “Did I ever tell you what happened between us?”

I shook my head.

            “You told me that it didn’t matter.”

He pinched his forehead.

            “I didn’t think so. Well, she was the one that got mad at me. I am the one that messed up. It’s my fault.”

            “So does this mean your home free? She’s forgiven you?”

He shakes his head.

            “I called her up because she was the only angel I knew that I could trust. She hung up a couple of times but I finally convinced her to listen. She said because of her duty as an angel that we could stay here. I don’t think she’s happy about it.”

He pointed at her.      

            “They have been like that since we got here. I went in the room for five seconds to change you and put you to sleep but that was enough time for Connor to pounce. She doesn’t seem to mind us being here now.”

I looked around the cabin. It was smaller than most places.

            “Mason?”

He looked at me and gave me the universal nod for “what’s up?”

            “I have something that I need your help with but you can’t tell anyone.”

He nodded.

            “Of course, Jess. Anything.”

I took a deep breath in and let it out. I whispered and got close to Mason. No one could hear what I was about to tell him.

            “Remember how you told me about my dad?”

He nodded.

            “Well, he is definitely trying to contact me because in my world there was a guy.”

I explained to him everything. I told him about James’ dad and how he was the messenger Celia was talking about. I told him about all the things that Neil told me. I even told him about Lily and Ravi. He listened to me rant and rant. When I was done I gave him a couple of minutes to process everything. He looked like he was about to talk when Connor and Lucy waltzed over. Lucy looked me up and down. Connor just stood by her. She offered me her hand.

            “Hey, Jess. I don’t know if you remember me but I’m Mason’s…”

She gulped     

            “…sister.”

She smiled and I smiled back and took her hand. It was an awkward handshake but I didn’t care. If Mason loved her, then so do I.        

            “Yeah I remember. What’s up?”

She looked at Mason and turned her back on him, completely blocking him from my view. It made me wonder what sweet Mason could have done to make her so mad.

            “Well, Connor and I have been talking and we realized you look like a man.”

What?! Did she really just say that? I cannot believe that. I stared at her in disbelief. At least I know that she won’t lie, but then again I knew that anyway: Angels can’t lie. I looked at Connor. He just shrugged.

            “Ummmm thanks?”

She laughed. Her laughed sounded so beautiful. It was as if two birds were singing, in perfect harmony, a love song.

            “It was most def. not a compliment.”

Def? What was she, another blonde bimbo? I crossed my arms.

            “Well, I don’t know what you want me to do about it.”

This time Connor answered.

            “Nothing. I gave Lucy here money and she is going to take you shopping. You are going to be here awhile and you can’t just wear Mason’s clothes.”

I shrugged.

            “I don’t mind. Do you, Mason?”

I think I saw his head shake.

            “No, I don’t mind. We just have to do more laundry and my boxers are off limits. Even I have standards.”

I chuckled and pointed to Mason, still blocked by Lucy.

            “See? No problem.”

I got up to walk away and Connor approached me.

            “Go shopping or else.”

I looked at him. How could I have ever been so stupid to fall for his stupid self?

            “Or else what?”

I know that you aren’t supposed to antagonize as someone as big and strong as Connor but I can’t help it. He took two steps closer which put his face to face with me. If he would just move down a little we would be kissing. My breathing hitched and my heart started beating faster, which I am sure everyone heard. He peered at me.

            “Or else I will have to use what we call angel charm to make you go.”

He touched my shoulder and I swear the world literally stopped. I was looking into his eyes and all I could think of was being with him. All those nights that we used to sneak off together, all those secret kisses, all that love that I thought we shared. No. I have to remember all the secret lust, all the lies of love, everything wrong. I pushed him back with all the strength I had and he staggered back a little. Not much, but enough to get him mad.

            “What’s your problem? Why do you hate me?”

I screamed at him.      

            “YOU KNOW WHY! DON’T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT ANYMORE! YOU LOST THAT CHANCE!”

I advanced toward Connor but Mason got in my way. He looked at me.

            “Jess, just go with Lucy. I don’t know what is going on here but you need to go.”

I listened because he was Mason. I didn’t care what I looked like; I stormed out and slammed the door. I waited outside for 50 minutes while Lucy got ready. When she was finally good, we headed out to the only mall in a 50 mile range, West Edmonton Mall. I looked at her a couple of times but she was focused on the road. We drove in silence. When we got there, she turned to me and smiled. I smiled back. She spoke first.

            “Connor told me a lot about you.”

I rolled my eyes.

            “All good things, I hope.”

She nodded.

            “You have no idea.”

She took the keys out of the ignition and shrugged.

            “Doesn’t matter, though.”

I looked at her with confusion written all over my face.

            “Why not?”

She looked at me and smiled.            

            “Because I already made up my mind about you a long time ago.”

I smiled, I liked this girl. She doesn’t listen to other people’s gossip, rather than make up her own mind about someone. I laughed and asked her, for my own amusement what the verdict on me was. She smiled at me and chuckled.

            “That I hate you.”………………………………