The Guardian's Mark

The dinner ended on a lighter note and I’d actually managed to build a bit of rapport with some of the angels. A few had acted distant like Cassiel, minus the berating, and some were too busy to even worry about my presence though they’d been friendly. By the time Gavin and I were walking out, I was ready to sprint for the car. Being in the presence of so many angels made me feel esteemed but also...dirty. To them I was a human who sinned, despite my current role. I wasn’t an equal and I got the feeling some of them were holding a grudge against the human race. At least that was all I could think of to explain Cassiel’s behavior.

“So...” Gavin closed the car door and started up the engine, maneuvering out of the driveway. “What did you think?”

“Umm, they were all really nice.” Some... “And Natalia was sweet. Is she the usual trainer?”

“Yes, and she’s great at what she does. The best in my opinion. Now go ahead and ask what I know you want to.”

Are you guys together? “I don’t have anything to ask.” My voice had gone up an octave, a tell tale sign I was lying.

Gavin switched his eyes to me, a knowing smirk gracing his features. “Nothing...?”

“Well...okay fine, I do have a question. And if you cant tell me the truth I understand-”

“I’d have to no matter what.”

“Tell me the truth? Why?”

“A fellow can never lie to the guarded. Anything you ask me I have to answer truthfully.”

I contemplated that for a moment, glad he was required to be truthful however it seemed it could be used against a guardian. This question though I needed an answer to whether or not he wanted to give it. “Oh...Was Amos my guardian before you?”

He paused, making a turn that took us to the main street. “He was.”

“I thought so. Did you know him?”

“Not well. I only met him a few times before he disappeared.”

“What did you think of him?”

“I didn’t know him well enough to form an opinion.” Gavin’s voice was flat, denoting no emotion. It was hard to tell whether it was an act or not.

“That doesn’t tell me what you thought of him.”

He paused, seemingly off in his own head. “He was-...is trustworthy. Proud of who he is and those who served him. He’s a leader. Even though I didn’t really know him, I looked up to him. I definitely don’t think he did what he’s been accused of.”

“So why do you think he left?”

Gavin sighed lightly. It was clear he had more thoughts on the matter but didn’t want to give them. “I don’t know. I have a feeling the truth will come out though. It always does.”

My fear toward my previous guardian had diffused a bit hearing Gavin’s testament. I had no other opinion to base my own on so his was all I had.

“What happened earlier by the way?”

I knew what he was referring to but feigned ignorance, keeping my eyes trained on the passing trees outside my window. “What do you mean?”

“You were upset after talking to Elyon.”

“Oh...” How was I going to get out of this one? It felt wrong, contemplating lying to him but I couldn’t exactly tell the truth. “Nothing. He was actually really sweet. It was Cassiel. He’s a little rough around the edges and something he said kind of bothered me.”

“What did he say?” His tone was calm but it was obvious he was eager to find out what had happened.

“As much as I want to tell you, I need to sort through it in my head first before I do if that’s okay?” Before I tell you how much I’m falling for you.

“That’s fine, you don’t need my permission. Just don’t be afraid to tell me if someone is making you uncomfortable. Fellow or not, I’ll set them straight.”

I nodded, smiling inside. “I will.”

“Ava...I know I can’t begin to understand what you’re going through but I do know the feeling of being alone and feeling as if you can’t trust anyone, even those you love. But know that my only concern right now is keeping you safe.”

And once it’s over? Then what?

“I know.” I looked over at him, wishing there was some way to control the way my heart skipped every time I got a glimpse of those green eyes and auburn hair. “I do trust you. It’s just going to take me a while to really accept what’s happening. But I do trust you.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

We arrived at the street that led to his place a while later and I was able to fight down questions about him and Natalia. Instead of pulling onto his street though, he kept driving past it.

“We’re not going to your place?”

“I want to take you somewhere first. You’ve had a stressful day. It will help you unwind.”

If this place had wine, I was so in.

A few streets later we parked and walked into a quaint little jazz bar. I assumed he already knew of my love for jazz so the fact that he’d brought me here made it even more special.

And they had wine.

The bar was all dark wood, red leather seats, and dim lighting. It wasnt a busy night so there were plenty of empty tables. A band was set up on the stage at the back; a drummer, trumpet player, and bassist. Their music was heaven to my ears. This was just what I needed.

We snatched a booth off to the side of the stage and ordered drinks. I was surprised when Gavin said “Make that two” to my request for Cabernet.

“Are you allowed to drink?”

“I’m an angel, not a recovering alcoholic. I can bend the rules a bit in my human form. Besides, I haven’t had a drink in years. Let me live a little.”

“Your tolerance is going to be shit.” I almost regretted the last word as soon as it left my mouth but he took it in stride.

He laughed, smiling almost as wide as he’d done with Natalia. “Maybe we’ll get a taxi back just to be safe.”

“Mmm-hmmm, don’t worry I trust you.” I didn’t realize that statement had a dual meaning until I said it. Gavin merely smiled and turned his attention to the trumpet player onstage.

I tried to get lost in the music but my mind was elsewhere. On Gavin and the close proximity of which we were sitting. His knee was inches from mine, his hand resting atop it. I secretly wanted that hand on my own knee. Perhaps it was the fact that I wanted what I couldn’t have but my attraction toward him was growing rather than diminishing. It didn’t help that he was so aesthetically pleasing. He’d changed earlier into a light black V-neck sweater with a white collared shirt underneath and dark grey pants which looked great against his ivory skin tone and dark red hair. His facial hair was one of the best parts, expertly trimmed and giving him this sophisticated mature look only few could pull off. Carter, for example, was one of those people that looked great either way but he looked exceptionally good clean shaven so you could see his bone structure.

Speaking of which, I hadn’t checked my phone all day and he might have called. I wanted to enjoy myself anyway, sans the distraction of Carter and his incessant worrying.

“Alright, you have to tell me what’s on your mind. I know everything about you except what you’re thinking.”

I came out of my trance pretty quickly and turned to smile lightly at Gavin, my heart racing as my eyes connected with his green ones. “Nothing exciting. Just daydreaming.” About you.

The corner of his mouth lifted in amusement. “They must be good daydreams.”

“They are. What about you?”

“I’m just concerned about you. You haven’t really said anything about the task you’ve been given.”

Task was putting it lightly. More like life changing mission. “I’m still tossing the idea around in my head. I honestly cant even understand why I was chosen. There’s got to be millions of other people who are much more qualified.”

He nodded, leaning closer so he wouldn’t have to raise his voice. “That’s exactly why though. You’re humble. And kind. You embrace qualities that others resent. Vulnerability is strength, not weakness. And you have no idea of how strong you are.”

“I couldn’t even fight that demon that attacked me.” I fidgeted, uncomfortable with this conversation. I didn’t want to seem weak in front of him; perhaps mostly because of the confidence he exuded. It wasn’t exactly intimidating but it made me want to fake my own self-assurance, even if I wasn’t feeling it.

“Because he caught you off guard and you weren’t prepared to handle his strength. You’ll learn to be.”

“I’m not a fighter.”

“You’ve got fast reflexes and an unbreakable spirit. You can learn to be a fighter.”

The waitress appeared with our drinks then, silencing us until she was gone. I sipped my wine and turned my attention to the stage, taking a moment to absorb his words. I knew I was a stubborn person but was I a fighter? “So what happens if I manage to close the gates and I live?”

"When you live, your life will go back to normal. But you’ll be a hero.”

“And what about you? What happens to you?” Cassiel’s words came rushing to the front of my mind as I said it. They’d been bothering me but I wouldn’t believe them until Gavin said it himself.

“I’d go back to being your guardian in my angelic form.”

I looked over at him, hoping my eyes wouldn’t betray what I was thinking. “Would I still be able to see you?”

His eyes flickered but revealed nothing. “No.”

That word hurt my heart so much I almost wanted to pretend I hadn’t heard him. I’d never see him again? I’d been avoiding that prospective reality but now it’s potential was confirmed.

“Oh...” I sipped my wine and looked away, a sadness filling my chest. The wine was tasteless now and the music was gloomy, no longer calming. I knew Gavin could sense my discomfort and I could see him watching me out of the corner of my eye but I couldn’t find the nerve to look at him. I just wanted to shrivel away and cry.

A couple in their fifties had stepped onto the small dance floor before us, probably regulars. The man was fit for his age, dressed up in a black suit and top hat. It was clear he’d been a heart breaker in his younger years. His date was equally attractive in a dark red dress, swaying her hips to the music as if she were twenty-one again. Their love for each other was obvious but what was special was their connection. It was as if they had the place to themselves and the outside world mattered not. They were just enjoying the moment.

Gavin stirred next to me before slowly standing. For a moment I thought he might be going to the rest room but instead he turned toward me and held out his hand.

I blushed and set my wine down, looking up at him.

He just smiled lightly and waited, his green eyes kind in the crimson light.

Well this wasn’t going to help my crush much.

I took his hand and felt that slight electricity as the warmth traveled into my palm and up my arm, shivering it’s way through my body. I let him lead me to the floor and felt my face turn hot as he pulled me toward him and wrapped his arm around my waist. I was gentle to lay my hand on his shoulder, my other hand still in his as we swayed, taking small steps to the music. I saw the trumpet player smile at us out of the corner of my eye and smiled in response.

“You have a great smile.”

I looked up into my dance partner’s eyes. “Thank you.”

“It’s nice to see it. You haven’t smiled much lately. A real smile.”

“I’ve just been in my head a lot.”

“Well for the rest of the night, you’re required to enjoy yourself and forget about everything going on.”

I was listening to what he was saying but then again I wasn’t. I really wanted him to kiss me. We were so close, our bodies moving as one, and everything in this moment was perfect. The music. The mood. The atmosphere. I was relaxed yet tense in anticipation of what could happen. “I think I can do that.”

“Good.”

I rested my chin on his shoulder and let the music carry me, tranquil in the moment. Slowly every muscle, from my head to my toes, began to loosen. I had a feeling Gavin was using his touch to do this but I didn’t mind. I wanted to be comfortable and calm in his arms, forgetting everything and just living in the moment.

“Gavin...” My voice came out much softer than intended, a whisper in his ear.

“Yeah.” His voice was gruff, present but distracted.

“I don’t want you to leave when this is all over.” My hand was now on the back of his neck, threading the shorter hair at the bottom.

He was silent, and for a moment I thought he might be ignoring me. “Neither do I.” His hand released mine and went under my chin, lightly tilting my head back to face him. His eyes were swimming with emotion but his hand was still.

And then he leaned down and kissed me.

I was surprised and froze for a moment, the electricity I usually felt at touching his hand multiplying tenfold when his lips touched mine. Kissing someone had never felt like this. Ever. Not even with Carter. His kiss was soft yet earnest, as if he was holding back. As if he wanted it so badly and yet didn’t want to give in completely. And I was terrified this moment either was going to end too soon or would be the only time it happened.

I let my fingers slide further through his hair, holding him close as our lips moved together, light and tender. His arm tightened around my waist, giving me no room to pull back. Our kiss was perfect in every way. It was gentle but the passion surged between us and traveled throughout my body with a rapid quickness. I turned my head to the side, opening my mouth for more access but unfortunately found that was the wrong move.

Gavin hesitated then broke the kiss, his body tense as he avoided my eyes and pulled back. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine-”

“No, it’s not. I shouldn’t have. We should go.”

I felt the electricity fizzle out as quickly as it had come. The moment had been so magical and was now ruined.

He slowly released me and turned to head off the floor, his aura drowning in guilt.

I paused, hoping no one had noticed, before lowering my head slightly and following him.

What would happen for breaking this rule? Crap, had I been too selfish? He’d kissed me but only because I’d given him the opportunity. What would happen now? No one had witnessed it but who knew. Maybe there were still angels I couldn’t see. Was the punishment so drastic that it wasn’t worth it?

The drive back was as awkward as it could possibly be. Filled with complete silence and tense, neither of us making a sound and each of us stiff in our seats. I wanted to say something but I didn’t know where to start. I’m sorry you kissed me and I enjoyed it? Or maybe: I want to apologize but I’m not even sure what for? Confusion was beginning to crowd my life more than I was comfortable with. I just wanted some clarity.

Not a word was spoken as we parked and entered the brownstone duplex. Gavin may have been tense but I was ready to explode. I wanted everything out in the open and I wouldn’t be able to sleep until it was. I was only able to stay silent for a few moments as he turned on the lights and kicked off his shoes. I’d had it and I wasn’t willing to avoid the topic anymore.

“Can I say something?”

I thought he would be mad or annoyed but instead his voice was soft as he answered. “Of course.” He stopped a few feet away and faced me, his chest held high as it always was.

I wanted to avoid his gorgeous emerald eyes but I couldn’t. They pulled me in and I was locked on to them as I spoke, my nerves igniting. “I know that there are certain rules for...what’s appropriate between guardians and the guarded. But I want you to be honest with me.” I stepped toward him, hoping he wouldn’t move away. I was anxious as heck and my hands felt shaky but I was going to say my peace no matter what.

He watched me with bated breath, his expression guarded but his eyes giving away everything. He cared.

“If you don’t feel the same way, that’s fine. But if you do and you’re pretending you don’t because of the rules, I need to know why.” I took a deep breath as I closed the distance between us, my steps slow and uncertain. “I like you. And I know it’s wrong but I don’t understand why so I have no reason not to. So please tell me how you feel...and whether or not you like me too.”

Gavin was quiet, watching me. He looked as if he was searching for the right words and struggling to get them out. “Ava, you have to understand something. My life is devoted to the Lord and His will.” He shuffled his feet, pausing before his next statement. “I have to be selfless and take my personal wants out of what I do. It’s not the punishment that scares me. It’s the feeling of guilt from disappointing Him. I’ve felt that once and I never want to again.”

That familiar weight on my chest had appeared, this time from sympathy for a man who carried such a heavy burden. “Why would He be disappointed by your happiness?”

Gavin smiled lightly. “That is exactly why you were chosen. You always see the good in any situation.” He reached for my hand, lacing our fingers together. Surprisingly, there was no hesitation in this action.

I, of course, felt that usual spark and smiled, my cheeks ablaze. “Someone has to I guess.”

“I like you too.”

My heart jumped at that, the weight on my chest lifting and fluttering away as butterflies danced happily in it’s place.

He felt the same way.

I bit my lip, closing my hand tighter around his. “You do?”

“Yes...” He nodded and reached up with his other hand to cup my face, the warmth traveling from his palm into my skin and filling my body. “As much as I want to pretend I don’t feel this way, I do. I don’t know what it means and to be honest, it scares me. I don’t want to lose you either. And when this ends I’m not sure if I’ll be able to move on. But I care about you. And I’m tired of trying to hold back when every moment all I’m thinking about is kissing you.”

I smiled, a mixture of joy and sorrow battling it out in my chest. I didn’t want him to leave once this was all over. I liked him so much it hurt to even consider that possibility. But right now all I wanted was to do the one thing I couldn’t stop thinking about either. I just wanted to kiss him.

And so I did.

I tilted my head up and leaned forward, catching his lips in a passionate kiss before he could say any more. This time, neither of us held back, perhaps because we didn’t have an audience but I had a sneaking suspicion it was because we’d finally confessed how we truly felt.

Gavin moved his hand to my neck and pulled me closer, his body towering over mine in a sexy commanding way as he tipped my head back for better access.

I moaned lightly and reached up to snake my arms around his neck, pressing myself against him. He responded by wrapping his other arm around my waist to hold me in place. He broke the kiss to move his lips to my neck and then my collarbone, eliciting more small moans from me.

We were so lost in the kiss that we didn’t hear the first knock. By the second knock, I was beginning to come out of my daze. The third was a rough pounding on the door that caused us to jump apart, breathing deeply as if we’d just finished a marathon.

Our tongues had anyway.

“Are you expecting company?” I said as he stepped back, hair tousled from my fingers.

“No, are you?”

“Ava! I know you’re in there! Open the door!”

Holy shit. Carter?

I looked up at Gavin, shocked but mainly embarrassed. How the heck had he found me? “I’m sorry. I don’t know what he’s doing here. I haven’t even talked to him.”

“Maybe that’s the problem.” Gavin ran a hand through his hair a few times in an attempt to calm the waves but it was still a mess. It was going to be obvious that we’d been fooling around and Carter was going to be pissed.

“I’ll answer it. I feel terrible. I should have at least responded to his texts.”

“It’s not your fault. I didn’t think the situation through. I should have given you different advice.”

Perhaps. But I was smart enough to know better than to treat Carter that way. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll go talk to him.” I straightened my posture and headed for the door, my heart hammering in my chest.

There was another knock on the front door, this time with more ferocity. “Goddammit! Ava!”

I reached for the door handle and took a deep breath before stepping back and pulling it with me.

Carter had his fist up, ready for the next bang on the door. He hesitated then dropped his hand, his eyes widening at the sight of me. He looked tired, as if he hadn’t slept the night before. His appearance was still immaculate though, slacks and white collared shirt freshly ironed as usual.

“Carter, what are you doing here?” I rested my hand on the door frame, hoping I looked much more confident than I felt.

That was the wrong question to ask apparently. Carter’s eyes moved past me and as soon as they landed on Gavin, his gaze narrowed. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

“Carter!” I was shocked by his outburst. I knew what things looked like to him but he had no right to be as rude as he was.

“Ava, you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into. He’s a liar. He’s not who you think he is.” Carter was fuming in a way I’d never seen before, his fists clenched and his gaze as deadly as a fresh blade.

I heard Gavin approaching but I didn’t look back at him. I wanted to know what the hell my ex was talking about. “Okay, and who is he? There’s nothing going on.”

“Carter...“Gavin began. He stopped beside me, his presence enough to calm my ignited nerves. “I’m here to protect her-”

“You stay away from her you son of a bitch!” Carter lunged before I could scold him for his etiquette, surprising me as I was pushed out of the way. He’d never been a violent person and this was not the reaction I expected. Had jealousy really caused this excessive hatred?

Gavin stepped back as Carter reached out for him and pressed his arm up against his neck, turning and slamming him back into the wall. I knew Gavin was stronger but he seemed to be holding back, perhaps to save Carter’s dignity. He only stood there as Carter closed the space between their faces. “Carter, don’t be irrational. If I wanted to hurt her, I would have by now. She came with me willingly. I haven’t forced her to do anything.”

I didn’t want to get in the middle of their feud and I knew Gavin could handle himself but I also didn’t want to stand by and do nothing. “Carter stop it!”

My ex ignored me, keeping his arm firmly in place on Gavin’s neck. “You’re a liar and you’re not fooling me! He’s brainwashing you, Ava. Can’t you see that?”

“Carter? What’s going on?”

Oh hell no.

The new voice had come from the doorway and I didn’t even have to see her to know who it was.

Carter turned to look at me, momentarily distracted.

I narrowed my eyes at him before facing the doorway. Olivia stood there and I had to take a few deep breaths to avoid lashing out at her. Did I have the right to be mad? Maybe not. But I was pissed that she was here and even more pissed wondering if she’d been with Carter more than once over the last few days. Regardless of their interaction, I considered her to be a threat and her presence alone was enough to set me off.

“I told you to wait in the car,” Carter said, begrudgingly letting go of Gavin.

I heard nothing from Gavin but didn’t dare turn away from Olivia just yet. “Carter, why is she here?”

Olivia looked sick and exhausted, quite the change from her normal appearance. There were dark circles under her eyes and her flawless skin was pale. She was also dressed head to toe in black which was normal for her sense of fashion but a turtleneck was a bit much for the late summer weather. “I’m here to help,” she said, narrowing her eyes at me. “Since you decided to disappear without telling anyone where you were going.”

I opened my mouth to lash out at her but Carter beat me to it as usual.

“Olivia go to the car and wait for me. I’ve got this.”

“Doesn’t seem like it,” she responded, putting a hand in the pocket of her slacks, her eyes glinting at me.

It was creepy how focused she seemed on me which threw me off. I already didn’t want her around but I wondered even more so her intentions for being here. I turned to look back at Carter, my patience running thin. I no longer felt guilty for not contacting him. “You both need to go. Now.”

Carter was still angry and unprepared to back down. His focus was on me now, his anger at Gavin temporarily forgotten. “I’m not leaving until you come with me.”

I wanted to laugh in his face. The fact that he thought he had any sort of control over me was hysterical. “Excuse me? I’m not going anywhere with you. You have no idea of what’s going on.”

“I know that I don’t trust him and neither should you.” He stepped toward me, his expression earnest. “You can’t be this blind Ava.”

“The only thing I’ve been blind to is your involvement in all of this. You already knew what was going on before I did, didn’t you?” My hands were clenched in fists in order to get a hold on my anger. I don’t know why I hadn’t seen it before. Carter knew what Gavin was. And he hadn’t said a word.

He hesitated, the unmistakable guilt flooding his expression. “Ava...I didn’t want to say anything until I knew what his intentions were.”

His words caused an immediate sadness in me. A disappointment I knew shone in my eyes. Carter had lied to me before, yes, but I hadn’t expected it this time. I could see Gavin was distracted watching Olivia beside me and I felt my disappointment boil over to anger. I wanted both of these traitors as far away from me as possible. “You need to go. I’m serious this time.”

Carter looked worried, clearly losing any emotional hold he had on me. “Ava-”

“Watch out!” Gavin had shouted, startling us both out of our argument, and raised his hand. I felt the wave of power rush past me like a gust of wind and heard Olivia cry out in anger.

Only it wasn’t Olivia’s voice I heard.

It was someone else’s.

I whipped around and almost fell as I stumbled back, shocked by the sight before me. Olivia’s eyes were blood red and locked on me, terrifyingly evil. Her arm was outstretched and in it was a dagger with the same sinister markings as the one the other demon had used when attacking me. The tip of the weapon was only inches from where I’d stood before backing up and it was clear she’d been attempting to stab me. She was frozen in place though as if by an invisible force. I knew it was Gavin. He’d mentioned how he had some sort of power in controlling the physicality of people...only I didn’t think Olivia was purely human anymore. The furious scream she’d emitted had been dark and guttural, unrecognizable and other-worldly. I almost didn’t want to believe it but...she was possessed.

I backed up a few more steps and Gavin stepped in front of me, his hands now at his sides but his eyes unwavering from his target. Olivia was frozen in place and livid that her plans had been thwarted.

“What’s wrong with her?” Carter asked, taking a few hesitant steps forward.

“She’s been possessed by a demon.” Gavin was having a staring contest with his new enemy who was now snarling at him.

“What? That’s impossible. She was fine all day.” Carter didn’t sound surprised by the mention of demons. He was only surprised by the fact that his ex was possessed by one. Once again, his lie was growing.

“You’re not going to succeed you know.” The voice that came out was sinister and slightly jumbled. It was definitely more masculine and there was no way it was Olivia. “He’s always watching and he knows everything. It’s only a matter of time.”

Gavin raised his hand again and this time Olivia cringed and began to choke.

“You’ll never touch her,” Gavin gritted out.

Carter looked panicked, his eyes going back and forth between Gavin and Olivia. “Wait...”

Gavin appeared to either not have heard him or was ignoring him intentionally. He was watching Olivia, rage in his eyes as she continued to choke, her eyes rolling to the back of her head.

“Stop! Please help her!” Carter didn’t move to touch either of them, aware of his powerlessness.

My heart was racing and my hands were shaking but my head was clear. It always was in a distressing situation. I knew Gavin wasn’t going to kill her just yet but I needed to intervene. He wouldn’t listen to Carter but he would listen to me.

I placed my hand on his arm. Immediately I felt the usual shock but I brushed it off. “Gavin, stop.”

My guardian seemed to snap out of his trance and relax, releasing his telekinetic hold on Olivia’s neck. He looked over at me as she coughed, a disgusting grating sound.

“If you can help her, you have to try. If she’s still alive...?”

Carter looked sick at the mention of her potentially dead status but still grateful the torture had stopped.

Gavin paused, at war with himself over what to do. Olivia was a threat and who knew whether or not she’d spread the word of our whereabouts. “Fine. There’s pull ties in the cabinet below the sink. Carter, I’m going to need your help.”

A few minutes later Olivia was strapped to a chair in the middle of the living room floor and even more pissed off than before. She was muttering in an indecipherable language and spitting as she did so, her eyes switching back and forth between each of us, each time lingering on me longer than the others. Carter and I stood on either side of Gavin, anxiously waiting as he prepped himself for this exorcism. His sleeves were rolled up and his tattoo was glowing as he made gestures with his hands, his eyes closed in prayer. When he opened them, Olivia froze and went silent, her red eyes wide in fear.

Gavin took a step forward and placed his hand on her forehead, muttering to himself. His tattoo glowed a bright blue, a strong contrast to the wild red of Olivia’s alien irises. His words weren’t in English or intelligible but they were affecting Olivia. She was growling and hissing, her beautiful features mangled and almost unrecognizable.

Carter glanced over at me and our eyes met, temporarily distracted from Olivia’s cries. The hurt was prominent in his blue eyes. He clearly felt betrayed and didn’t care to hide it as he usually did. But he also looked guilty, and I was torn on whether I wanted to argue with him after all of this was over. I knew I’d betrayed him by ignoring him and running off with Gavin after all that had happened. But I also had a valid reason. So what was his for lying?

Carter was the first to break the gaze, an abrupt scream from Olivia awakening the fear in us both once again.

Gavin had backed up a few steps and was speaking louder now. His voice was strong and unwavering despite protests from the spirit within Olivia.

“You can get rid of me but more will come for her! They’re probably already here!”

Her words sent chills down my spine. Regardless of their validity, they were terrifying. One demon we could handle. But more? I had no clue of how to fight them.

Her evil eyes had been wavering but they were focused on me now. “She’s going to die you know.” Olivia smirked, still twitching from the internal struggle of the separation. “And you won’t be able to stop it. It doesn’t matter what you do. Or how you feel about her. We will get her. He always gets what he wants. And he wants her soul.”

The constriction in my chest this time was strong but I didn’t let my turmoil show. I knew Gavin and Carter were already worried and I didn’t want to worsen that burden. Olivia’s demon could have been lying for all I knew.

Gavin paused in the words he’d been chanting, his body tense as if it was taking everything he had not to strangle her. “When you see him, you let him know that he’s as good as extinct if he shows up here. And each and every last one of you is going to be sent back to where you came from.”

For a moment she looked scared but it was short lived, her mouth pulling up into a sinister smirk. “We’ll see, blind spirit. You can’t be everywhere at once.”

Gavin held Olivia’s gaze for a few more seconds, never wavering, then placed his hand on her forehead and shouted out his next words. “Fight fire by fire, water by water. With power and authority, I banish you unclean spirit back from which you came!”

Olivia screamed and tipped her head back, her red eyes lighting up. The floor shook, Carter falling to his knees from the rumbling.

I tensed my stance to avoid falling, afraid to watch but unable to look away. It was terrifying and yet fascinating.

It was over as quickly as it had begun. The room was silent and then we heard Olivia’s voice, confused and timid, a tone that didn’t come natural to her. “What’s going on?”

Carter was on his feet as quickly as he’d dropped and rushed over to her, untying the ropes that bound her feet as Gavin untied her wrists. “Is she going to be okay?”

“She just needs to hydrate and rest.” Gavin stepped back as Carter helped Olivia to her feet, her limbs practically useless. “We should probably leave. Neither of you are safe now. I have a place you can stay.”

I was concerned for Olivia’s well-being but the idea of our duo turning into a quartet made me uncomfortable. I was already conflicted as it was and I still didn’t understand why Carter had gotten her involved instead of Malachi.

“And where is this safe haven? I still don’t trust you.”

Gavin didn’t seem bothered by Carter’s rudeness but I was. He instead responded calmly and firmly. “It’s just upstate, about an hour drive. We can take my car-”

“I’ll follow you.” Carter’s response was clipped as well as undeniably rude. He seemed to not have any patience for the man who’d just saved his ex’s life.

My blood was boiling but I didn’t speak on it. My ex’s jealousy issues aside, the only one that deserved to be angry was me. He’d lied and kept a massive life changing secret to himself. And on top of that he’d brought his ex along on his search for me and had the nerve to be a jerk to the one person responsible for keeping us all alive.

I was going to chew him out the moment we had a second alone.

“Let’s go then,” I said, giving Olivia a look of sympathy before turning away and heading for the door, snatching my purse up along the way. I needed to get away from Carter before I exploded on him.

It wasn’t until a few minutes into the drive that Gavin spoke, breaking the silence. “Are you okay?”

I’d been staring out the window, distracted by my own thoughts, so his question took a moment to register. “Um...yeah, I am...”

“You can talk to me Ava.”

I sighed, pulling myself away from the window and glancing down at my hands. “It’s just so many things.”

“Like the fact that he brought Olivia?”

“Not just that.” Although he was spot on. “I’m worried that they were able to find us so easily and that I wasn’t prepared once again to deal with it. And now they’re possessing people I know?”

“They want to get to you. Scare you. No one you love will be hurt.”

“But how do you know? I’m not saying I don’t think the other guardians can’t handle it but how do you know? They got to Olivia so easily. I thought every person had their own guardian?”

“They do. Which makes me think something happened to hers.”

“Like what?”

“Like maybe they weren’t working with the purest of intentions.”

“You mean they could have been with Lucifer?”

“Possibly.”

I knew I had nothing to worry about with Gavin. I hadn’t realized it until earlier when he’d stopped Olivia from attacking me but I trusted him completely. I couldn’t say the same for the guardians protecting my friends and family. What if they weren’t trustworthy?”

“I feel like there’s something else bothering you.” Gavin’s tone was gentle and unobtrusive, making it all too easy for me to want to tell him my deepest darkest secrets.

“There is. I just don’t like talking about things before I’ve had time to process my feelings.”

“Like your feelings for Carter?” He said it casually but it was obvious he wasn’t as comfortable talking about it as he would have been before recent events.

“Not necessarily my feelings for him. More so my feelings about how he acted. He had no right to talk to you like that. You saved Olivia’s life and he acts like you killed her.”

“I know it’s hard to see it but he’s jealous.”

Was it that obvious? “Jealous and immature. All you’ve done is help.”

“People tend to throw common sense out the window when they care deeply for someone. They also look for someone to blame when things don’t go the way they want. Carter is using me as a distraction from the truth.”

The truth that maybe I was ready to move on?

I looked over at Gavin again, studying the features I was so attracted to and dependent on. “It still doesn’t make it right.” I wanted to reach over and take his hand but I wasn’t sure if it would be appropriate all things considered. So I forced my hands to stay in my lap.

“It doesn’t. But being the bigger person is necessary in times like this. I know you want to lash out at him but try to be understanding. See his side.”

“I’ll try.” Try not to strangle him in his sleep...