Sapphyre: Rise of an Angel (Sapphyre Saga Book 3) Read online

  He giggled. “I thought it was!”

  I get a serious face. “You know, that wasn’t fair.”

  “Life isn’t fair Lava… no, I’ll stick with mutt!” Donavon grinned evilly.

  I roll my eyes. He’ll come around eventually.

  “A few words of advice… Never be distracted when tracking. I followed you the whole way and you didn’t even notice. Maybe you would have realized sooner you were walking into an ambush, mutt.” He’s trying to fire me up, but I don’t let it work.

  “Thanks, I’ll remember that next time Donna.” Now I grinned evilly.

  He glares at me squinting his eyes not saying a word.

  “Payback!” I laughed. Before he realizes what I’m doing, I kick his legs out and he falls to the ground. “Come on Donna, can’t you catch a mutt?” I taunted as I ran into the trees heading back home.

  He quickly runs after me as I beat him all the way home laughing.

  Promise

  A week passes as I still try to decide what to do about my parents. I did sneak back one night just to see their faces, to make sure they were okay. Katrina was right, they were basically the walking dead. There was no sign of Bree or Oranda. I haven’t seen Bree once, since I’ve returned home.

  But what am I going to do? How can I tell them the truth about what I am and about the other creatures of my world? By telling them, I will just put them in more danger, and by not telling them I’m alive, it’s just hurting them more. But how can I tell them I’m alive without telling them where I have been?

  I shake my head as I look out my dark bedroom window. I don’t have the answers yet. Maybe I should wait until after the solar eclipse, to make sure I live through it. There really is no point in going home and telling them I’m okay, just to turn around a couple months later and have someone tell them I’m dead. I think that would devastate them more. I can’t do that to them.

  If I let them believe I’m never coming back, it will only be that much easier on them a few months from now if I never return.

  As hard as this will be for me, as bad as I want to run home and hug them, telling them I’m okay and waking up to dad’s corn fritters and moms smiling face, I have to wait it out. Not for me, but for them. To protect them from this world and the pain they may possibly suffer. They deserve better, much better than anything I can ever give them. After all, they are my family, my parents… my home. I hope I can return to them when this is all over, to make them happy and see them smile again…

  I wipe a tear from my cheek.

  Walking closer to the window, I look up to the beautiful full moon. We are only fifteen miles apart, but it feels like worlds.

  I remembered when I was a little girl, dad used to take me out on the roof to watch the stars at night. We would lay on a blanket as he pointed out every constellation in the sky. I can’t remember all of them now, but it was the small things that I did with them, the things I remember and miss already.

  I laugh. I know he did that to help me fall asleep. I always magically woke up in my bed, not remembering how I got there. He told me it was the star fairies, and of course, I believed him then. My parents also used to tell me I was born in a cabbage patch. I believed that too. Maybe it was their way of telling me I was adopted without actually saying it. Either way, I remember and cherish every moment I spent with them. I know I never told them enough, how much I appreciated everything they have done for me, or how much I love them. That is something I wish I would have done…

  I’m making a promise to myself… If… no, when I survive, I will tell them everything and tell them what I should have over the years. They deserve to know.

  I don’t feel much better with this plan, but it will have to do.

  I sigh turning away from the window and walk over to the bed. The house is quiet. Katrina and Donavon went to her house and Thomas is in his room a few rooms away from me. Garcia and Thatch are sleeping and Zach… I don’t know where Zach is. He disappears at night a lot.

  He hasn’t been the same, we haven’t been the same. He avoids me sometimes and I wonder if he hates me for what happened to him. After all, I do hate myself, and I regret everything. It wasn’t meant to be this way. We were meant to be happy and live a happily-ever-after. Weren’t we? There is still a division between us that I don’t understand. It’s hard for me to think we won’t make it, that Zach will never be human again, that we don’t have a future. I imagine it’s the same for him. Maybe my being here reminds him of what he can’t have, that this is all my fault. I don’t even know how to talk to him about it.

  I crawl into bed with a heavy heart. My world is closing in and there isn’t a damn thing I can do about it. Feeling sorry for myself certainly isn’t going to help.

  Closing my eyes, falling into darkness, the horrors of my time in hell comes back to haunt me.

  The ropes restrain me once more as my shoulders pop under my weight. The robed people stand around me waiting for the answers I will never give. The first slash of the spiked chain marks my back spilling my blood.

  The nightmare has only just begun…

  I sit up screaming as I can’t handle the flames that lick at my skin, the pain is too unbearable. I quickly realize where I am and began to sob, clutching my knees tight to my chest.

  Zach is the first to burst into my room coming to my rescue, only to find no one to attack. He quickly jumps onto the bed next to me and I grab him around his neck crying into his fur. It only makes me sob worse that he can’t hug me back and comfort me the way he used to.

  Garcia, Thatch and Thomas all show up in my doorway.

  Garcia comes and sits on my other side, rubbing my back. I flinch slightly as I wait for the pain, but it never comes.

  She asks quietly, “Are you okay sweetheart?”

  I shake my head as I grab Zach tighter. I think I’m on the verge of a mental breakdown at this point. I have no control over anything and that stupid dream sent me over the top.

  “Thatch,” Garcia starts to talk again. “Can you go make her some chamomile tea?”

  I hear him leave the room.

  Thomas crawls up on the bed. I feel him looking at me as I soak Zach’s fur with my tears. He is still a kid and doesn’t know what to do to fix me.

  I can’t stop thinking about what Zach has lost, that Garcia and Thatch lost their only son because of me. Thoughts bounce from Zach to my parents and the hell they must be going through all because of me. Then Bree, who I’d lost as my sister and friend. She hasn’t even come to see me. Then the war…

  I become hysterical.

  Slowly, I feel Thomas’ hand on my wrist. He tries pulling my clutched hand out of Zach’s fur. I’m too busy in all my thoughts, hysteria and hyperventilating that I barely notice.

  “Lexi?” he said gently. “I’m sorry…”

  Everything goes black.

  I start to wake up and have the biggest headache. Not to mention my eyes are on fire. Then I remember my moment of hysteria. Everything came crashing down on me and I couldn’t handle any more. It was all too much to take in at once.

  I turn over onto my side to meet face to face with Zach’s beautiful golden eyes. He’s sitting on my floor watching me.

  “Sorry,” I whisper reaching my hand over to touch the side of his face.

  He shakes his head.

  I can’t help but ask. I have to know. “Do… do you hate me? For what happened to you?” I choke on the words.

  He stumbles back a step with a look of shock. He doesn’t know how to answer.

  “I won’t blame you if you do. It is my fault, I know that.” A tear escapes down my cheek.

  He has the look of anger on his face. Glairing into my eyes, he wills me to understand.

  Something changes when our eyes lock. There is a force behind it. It isn’t like when we bonded before, but as if I’m seeing his soul. A world opens up to me and I’m able to see his thoughts. There is so much going on that I can’t understand it. It’s like a static
radio. Words come in and out making it difficult to make out any one thought.

  Then just as quickly as it had happened, it’s as if a door slams shut. But not before I hear that sweet voice I’ve missed so much. The depth and love held in that one word makes everything seem okay.

  “Lexi,” his voice rang with clarity.

  We both stare at one another for a moment.

  “Zach?” His eyes are just as wide with wonder as mine.

  He looks at me with the same focus as before and I know he is trying to do it again, to open the door. I too, try but nothing happens.

  Minutes pass as we stare at one another. But nothing.

  “That did happen… didn’t it?” I ask him.

  He nods still lost in thought.

  “Am I interrupting something?” a very familiar voice spoke.

  I freeze for a moment before I look. I want to make sure I heard her voice. Zach turns his head and I can see his face change. He’s a little irritated.

  It must be her. I turn my head and there, leaning against my doorway, all smiles is Bree.

  Tears stream down my face. At this point I’m an emotional mess.

  She’s at my side in an instant sitting on my bed hugging me.

  “I’m sorry I haven’t been here for you Lex. I hate myself for it, but I am doing my job. The one Harmony entrust me with. I didn’t want to be away from you this long. Hell, I wanted to be in the front lines to bring you home! You’re the only family I have and I never wanted any of this to happen. I’ve missed out on so much of your training and your growth. But that is what I need to protect, to keep you safe. Do you understand?”

  I look at her. “What about Oranda? Isn’t she your family now?” There is a bit of anger and jealousy in my words.

  Bree laughs. “Oranda is the farthest thing from family I have. She was never a sister to me, nor was she family. You, are my family.”

  “But… why have you been with her all this time?” I’m so confused.

  “I’ve been protecting you. I can’t have her knowing everything, nor can I have her relaying any of that information. I have to stay with her to keep her away from you. She’s not on our side. I knew that from the moment she showed up on our doorstep. She needs to be kept in the dark about you and I’m the only one she trusts and doesn’t expect to deceive her. She thinks I’m on her side. She may be my sister by blood, but she means nothing to me. You are my one and only true sister.” She hugs me tighter. “I’m sorry I haven’t been here for you.”

  I nod. It makes sense and I know I would have done the same for her.

  “Where is she now?” I asked.

  “Don’t worry about her. She will be gone soon enough.” She gives a small smile.

  “Do I want to know what that means?”

  “No, you don’t.”

  “K’ay.” I have an idea, but prefer not to think about it. “How’s… mom and dad.”

  Bree’s face changes. It’s full of pain and sorrow. “To be honest, they are a mess. Since you disappeared… they’ve changed. I have to make them eat and get them to sleep. All they have done is put all their time into looking for you. Dad has been to Arizona looking for you, mom has covered practically the whole state of New York. Neither of them have gone to work since you disappeared, they’ve lost weight and are exhausted. They just want you home…” her voice drifts off.

  “I can’t yet. As much as I want to, I can’t. If I die… they will just lose me all over again,” I whispered.

  “I understand. But you are not going to die. None of us will let that happen.”

  “No one has control over that! Not even me, and I am not putting that on anyone!” I snapped. Then I look her in the eyes. “Promise me you will keep mom and dad safe. They can’t lose both of us and they need you.”

  “Once my promise to Harmony is fulfilled and you are safe, then I will promise you. Until then, you are my top priority.”

  “I was afraid you would say that,” I sigh. “Fine. But promise, you won’t forget about them?”

  “Promise.”

  We pinky swore like we did when we were kids.

  She hugs me tight. “I have to get going or she’s going to wonder where I am. She doesn’t know you’re back and I plan on keeping it that way.”

  I hug her back. “Alright. Just be careful.”

  She leans back and smiles, “Don’t worry about me. Now, you be careful and keep up your training. You have butt to kick!” She laughed lightly.

  I smile but I have one more question for her. “How did you know I was back?”

  She laughed again. “A little birdie told me is all. Now I really need to go. I’ll stop by when I can. I have some things to work out.”

  “Okay,” I moped.

  We stand up and we walk down the stairs together to the front door where we say goodbye. I watch her take off into the trees heading for home.

  After seeing Bree, I feel a little better. I know she didn’t forget me and that she still loves me. She is keeping her promise to Harmony, just as I am keeping my promise to not tell Bree she’s alive. Bree will hate me when she finds out I didn’t tell her, but Harmony is right. Bree would go after her and get herself killed. I’m serving as Bree’s protector as well. Only she doesn’t know it.

  I close the door and notice Zach is looking at me again.

  “Don’t worry, I think I’m done with the breakdowns for a while. Now, shall I ask what happened between us upstairs?”

  He shrugs his shoulders.

  “I don’t know either. But, that is something we will have to work on and see if we can do it again.”

  He nods in agreement. I can tell he’s eager.

  “Is Thomas here?” I asked.

  Zach throws his head toward the stairs.

  “Thomas?” I call.

  No response, and no Thomas.

  “Thomas?” I call louder. I know he heard me the first time.

  He starts to come down the stairs slowly, like he’s in big trouble.

  I scowl my face at him until he’s standing a few feet away. Then I rush in and hug him.

  “Thanks for the help last night. I was getting a little overwhelmed.” I smile at him. I can’t be mad at that sweet face.

  “You’re not mad?” He has a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

  “Not a bit. After that episode, I deserved it. Though I did wake up with a wicked headache.”

  “Oh, here,” he holds my hand again.

  My arm tingles for a brief moment and suddenly I feel a bit stronger, less tired and the rest of my headache is gone. I feel refreshed.

  “What was that?” I ask even though I know.

  “Your energy from last night. Or what’s left of it. It wears off after a while apparently.” He smiled.

  “That’s pretty cool. Thanks for returning what was left. I feel much better now.”

  Thomas laughs.

  “I don’t know about you two, but I’m starving!” I said just as my stomach growled.

  We laugh heading to the kitchen for breakfast.

  Forever

  “How are you child?” Thatch asked.

  “I’m better. Sorry about all that last night.”

  Thatch came over and gives me a hug, “That’s alright child. You have been through a traumatic situation. Moments like that are to be expected.” He squeezed me again and goes back to finish cooking.

  “Yes, don’t you worry about it." Garcia came in and hugged me too.

  Moments like these really make me miss my parents, I feel like crying again, but I’m able to hold my composure. I hug Garcia tightly.

  After breakfast Thomas bounds around the house acting board. Zach lays on the floor next to me in the living room watching Thomas. Garcia and Thatch are busy in Garcia’s secret room. Well, I guess it’s not really a secret. We all know about it now.

  I want some time with Zach. We haven’t been alone since I’ve been home. “Hey Zach?”

  He looks up at me.

 
“Do you wanna go for a walk?” I asked.

  He nods his head and gets up to stretch out.

  I stand up and we head for the door.

  Thomas jumps in our way before we can leave and asks, “Can I come?”

  I look at Zach, then Garcia calls from behind us, “Thomas, why don’t you come help me? I could use your help.”

  “Okay!” Thomas bounds away.

  I turn around and mouth the words ‘Thank you’ to Garcia.

  She smiles and nods her head.

  I love being around Thomas, but I need time alone with Zach right now.

  Zach and I leave and head into the woods. I start walking toward the small pond I was at once before. I found that place peaceful and I thought it would be a good place to talk.

  Things have been somewhat strained between us and its killing me. I don’t know how to fix it, and with Zach not being able to tell me what he wants… it’s going to be a problem. But we will figure it out... somehow.

  We walk side by side through the trees. It’s different this time. The ground has dried up from the spring thaw and the trees are full with their leaves. Weeds and sporadic grasses wiggle themselves between last Fall’s leaves.

  Walking with Zach is quiet, but it’s still a comfortable silence. I remember back to the first time when Zach and I walked through the woods together, when he was taking me to meet his parents. I was terrified that day, but little did I know that they would quickly become family and risk their lives to save me… on multiple occasions.

  Soon, it will be my turn to save them.

  I sigh out loud. I hear Zach stop walking so I look toward him. He’s looking at me with questions in his eyes.

  “There is a lot of things that I don’t have answers for, is all.” I answer him assuming that’s what he wanted to know.

  He walks closer to me and shoves his nose under my hand lifting it up. Zach’s back is as high as my shoulder. I don’t really notice until now how big he had gotten, but I shouldn’t be surprised. After all, his parents are two times the size of their animal forms.

  I lay my hand over his head and rub behind his ear. Without realizing it, I’m treating him like a dog.