Descent (A Hidden Wings Novella: Prequel) Read online

  I was suddenly captivated by a couple on the opposite side of the highway. The female had run from one direction, straight into the male’s arms. He swung her around in a tight embrace, and it ended in a passionate kiss. It was then I began to ponder how these mortals found their mates. Was it merely an inkling, or were they drawn to each other?

  But, just as these thoughts entered my mind, something caught me off guard. A sudden sensation which sent my emotions reeling in all directions. Confusion, exhilaration, euphoria. They heated me to my core. My chest tightened, and as I turned, a young female was standing next to me. Her eyes were wide with confusion. I tried, but was unable to strip my eyes from her. This mortal was near perfection. She was fair and petite. Her dark brown eyes had mesmerized me. I was an immortal. A Fallen Angel under her spell. Bewitched by her beauty.

  “Hello,” I whispered.

  She did not utter a word, but another mortal female tugged at her arm.

  “Alaine. Let’s go,” she whispered. She took her arm and tugged her away from me, through the doors of the café. As the distance between us grew larger, the immense feelings began to dissipate.

  Alaine. The enchantress had a name. A name which echoed through my entire being, secretly calling out to her. I wanted to be near her. Wanted to know every detail about her.

  But one question pressed on my mind. Was she truly mortal?

  I’d never before experienced such erratic emotions, but had heard countless stories of them. Through the centuries, when a Pureblood found their mate, an instant awareness and connection was made between the kindred spirits.

  With a touch, a strong connection and mutual bond was formed, linking the two together…forever. This binding was so strong that whenever they were apart, each heart ached for the other, longing to be joined once again.

  I wanted to follow after her, but instead I stayed put and battled my emotions, waiting and hoping she would return. Had she experienced the same feelings I had? Her wide eyes told me that we had shared something.

  But those things left unexplained would haunt me. I couldn’t let her disappear without first discovering who she really was. If she were mortal, I would be crushed. But how could feelings so strong lead to someone who was so forbidden? She had to be more. Maybe she was a Pureblood, like me. Maybe she was also on assignment. Maybe she was a Guardian.

  I would stay until I found out.

  Alaine:

  I’d recently celebrated my 22nd birthday, and was on break from college, studying to become a nurse. Both of my parents were battling their own separate medical illnesses, and I wanted to learn how to better care for them, and give back a little for all the years they helped me.

  A colleague of mine, Krystal Kross, wanted to take me to a fairly new café that she’d heard about. They supposedly served some killer coffee and sandwiches, so I was game.

  As we walked toward the entrance I noticed a young man sitting by himself at one of the two tables outside, observing the people passing by. He had slightly wavy, dark-brown hair which was a bit shorter on the sides than it was on top, and was all drawn back. From the side, his features were strong and masculine, and his skin was slightly tanned. Muscles were well defined on his arms, and I could only think they were equally proportioned throughout his tall, lean frame. He was definitely a beautiful specimen.

  A light smirk formed his face as he watched a couple embrace across the street. He had a cup of coffee set in front of him which steam was still escaping from.

  As we walked closer to him I suddenly felt a heat flash throughout my body. My world became a blur, and tingles pricked my skin. I felt strange. Like every part of my being was being drawn towards this stranger, and before I knew it, I was standing a few feet away from him. Staring, but I couldn’t seem to pull myself away.

  I watched the expression on his face change as his head turned, and the most beautiful, big-brown eyes met mine. His eyes showed a look of confoundment; mimicking the look I felt I’d had.

  I was completely entranced by him. He felt so familiar, but yet was completely unfamiliar. His face seemed to be glowing with an unearthly beauty, and the area around him seemed to have a strong gravitational force, almost magnetic, beckoning me, pulling me closer.

  Krystal squeezed my arm, snapping me from my reverie.

  “Alaine. Let’s go,” she urged, giving me a crazy look.

  I had to will myself to leave. Fight to keep my head straight, but my feet were anchored, not wanting to move from its current place of bliss.

  But my mind finally won, and as we departed from his presence, my body began to unbend, and feel a little more at ease.

  What the hell was happening to me?

  **********

  That first encounter left both Samuel and Alaine disconcerted. Samuel wrestled with the decision to stay and see if he could find out more about Alaine, or just leave and forget about her, although he doubted leaving would be so easy.

  Alaine, on the other hand, fought her inner turmoil to return to the stranger outside. She’d never experienced such impulsive internal cravings, and it all happened without a touch, and without an inkling of who he was. It was as if her body longed to be near him.

  The inside of café started to feel small, suffocating, almost like it was closing in on her. Her mind was lost in a cloud, and her thoughts were floating. Everything around her seemed dull and faded, and her mind was fixed on one thing. Him. The stranger who was sitting outside. Alone.

  Her thoughts made her insides twist with excitement and apprehension. Should she go to him? Alaine was desperate to find answers. She needed to know who he was, so despite her normal behavior, she excused her friend and started toward him.

  As she neared the exit, her stomach twisted with a million butterflies. Heat rushed through her and her legs became weak and shaky. She took in another deep breath and continued. Her hand touched the door, the only obstruction between them, and as soon as she pushed it open, tingles immediately pricked her skin.

  The air around them was humming with electricity. The closer she drew to him, the vibrations became stronger. Like a silent yet beautiful song, entrancing and luring one heart towards the other.

  His head snapped back to her, and his beautiful brown eyes flashed with a bit of excitement, pleasure, and confusion. She paused at the doorway. Their eyes steeled on one another.

  He lifted his hand out to her, and without hesitation, she took it. Instantly… time froze, and the world around them faded away. Now, only they remained. Two left in their own existence, sharing one unfamiliar connection. The attraction was undeniable. It was magical. One string tugging on two hearts, magically binding them together…forever.

  Chapter Seven

  Passion

  Samuel:

  After our first encounter, my mind would not allow me to stray from Alaine for too long. I was unfocused, even in battle, and became thankful and indebted to Danyel, who managed to save me from more than a few near death situations.

  I was completely spellbound. Everything about Alaine possessed, captivated, and seduced me. Her presence, her smell, her touch. It was like a drug. She was a substance of which my body craved, and I experienced withdrawals whenever there was distance between us.

  But my worst fears were realized when I learned that Alaine was not a Pureblood. She was a Nephilim, a Halfbreed, which made our relationship completely forbidden within the laws of the Otherworlds. The worlds above and below which held every single Pureblood accountable. A law which was clear and precise. Purebloods were only allowed to mate with Purebloods. Any breeding among the mortals was considered immoral and highly forbidden. If caught, both mortal and immortal were immediately sought after and executed, along with any illegitimate children. The Nephilim.

  We were damned from the start, and our hearts were the ones that had led us astray. But how could feelings so strong, so sure, and so mutual, be so forbidden?

  It was confounding, the fact that she was only a Halfbreed, bu
t we shared a connection which should have been given exclusively to immortal Purebloods, who were destined to live out the rest of their lives together. A bond transcending all time. A bond which could not be broken, unless one was killed. But even in death, a part of them would remain forever imbedded in the heart of their mate.

  If Alaine and I consummated our bond we would be breaking the law, and this law had one consequence. Death.

  I was shocked to learn that she was a Nephilim, because it was rare to see one survive in these dark days, especially past their transformation. That was because they were now being hunted and killed by Lucian and his murderous buffoons.

  But it was Alaine’s gift of invisibility which kept her alive through the years when evil was sent to kill her. With her amulet she was able to recognize when evil was near, and mastered her gift to escape death countless times.

  Angels have a distinct fragrance, sweet and perfumed, and also have a heightened sense of smell that they use to identify each other.

  The Fallen have a very similar aroma, but it became tainted the day of The Fall. That peculiar smoky aroma set them apart from their Heavenly counterparts, making them easier to identify.

  Everything was seemingly perfect in my life, despite the fact it all had to be kept secret, but there was also Danyel, my best friend and companion, who I had to contend with. He continually asked me questions about my disappearances, and I hated the fact I had to conceal so many truths from him.

  I did confess that I had met someone, but I never revealed her name. This way, if he were ever questioned, he would remain innocent. He instantly knew she wasn’t a Pureblood, because if she was, he would have already been introduced to her.

  I kept Alaine completely secret, being careful and sure of her safety.

  Danyel was completely opposed to our relationship, because he knew that if it continued, it would eventually end in death. But he also noticed a change in me. A positive change that happened the moment I touched her. I was not my own anymore. Alaine had possessed a part of me, and I, a part of her.

  The day I laid eyes on her I noticed she radiated a beautiful aura, which since transferred to me. Danyel said he could see it in my eyes, how complete and content I had become. She changed me, and for the better.

  Danyel admitted he was a bit jealous, and longed to find his mate and the same happiness I had gained with Alaine. I hoped, for his sake, that he would too.

  But, from now on I would be fighting a completely different battle. A battle to keep Alaine safe. It would be a most difficult task, but one that I was ready for.

  Alaine:

  The day I laid eyes on Samuel, my life changed forever. Something strange happened that day at the café. Some kind of universal connection, which couldn’t be explained. Samuel said it was a type of bonding which only happens between Purebloods, but I wasn’t a pureblood, and thus, the bonding completely baffled us.

  I learned a lot about Samuel from all the time we spent together. He told me about Angels, about the Fall, and about his enduring existence. I was entirely captivated by his wondrous stories and the fact that he was a Fallen Angel and experienced warrior.

  But now, this beautiful, magical being, was with me. There was something so enchanting about him. He was affectionate and warm, not anything I expected one of the Fallen to be. I treasured his friendship, his devotion, and his passion.

  I shared the stories of my youth, about my parents, even the note left by my birth father, and the visitation of the angel that night in the cemetery. They weren’t nearly as fascinating as his, but he seemed absorbed and attentive to every detail.

  I told him about the mark on the back of my neck, and that I was told never to reveal it to anyone. He completely understood and never questioned me about it, allowing me to keep it secret. This simple act made my trust and love for him grow even more.

  But, Samuel was still under the hand of Lucifer, and needed to leave me for lengths at a time, to go back to his Fallen world and missions. He didn’t want to leave, but he had to, as not to draw attention. While he was gone my thoughts remained with him, hoping and wishing he would keep safe. At night my dreams were filled with his face, and his smile. His scent always lingered around me, comforting, filling me with warmth until his return.

  Samuel was deeply concerned for my safety, but I was just as deeply concerned for his. We took our relationship very slow, but our friendship grew and blossomed into something beautiful. Something strong. Something the two of us could not deny or anyone could ever destroy.

  I wanted to be with him, and even though the stakes were high, I was willing to risk it all. How could you deny someone love, when that love is so real, so pure, and so absolute. I had found my soul mate. The one I wanted to spend the rest of my existence with, no matter what the cost.

  **********

  Despite the law, which forbade them to be together, Samuel and Alaine continued their relationship. Being in each other’s presence was not only something they wanted, it was something they needed.

  One night under a full moon and a twinkling diamond sky, Samuel and Alaine cuddled under a large willow tree, discussing his recent battle and her nursing classes. Alaine was wrapped tightly in the circle of his arms, and electricity buzzed all around them.

  Samuel paused and gazed into Alaine’s eyes. His gaze was alluring.

  “I love you,” he whispered. He leaned over and pressed his lips to her forehead.

  She smiled and breathed him in. Her chocolate eyes sparkled. “I love you too.”

  He softly brushed his fingers down her cheek, and then slowly raised her chin, pressing his full lips against hers. His kiss was soft, tender, but then deepened the more he tasted.

  His taste was also sweet, enticing her, luring her deeper into his paradise.

  In an instant they were lost. Lost in an eternal ecstasy which made them weak. Carnal desires roared within them, yearning, thirsting for more.

  The seduction of the bond could not be held back any longer.

  Covered only by the dark sky, emotions took over all reason. Their bodies blazed with a fiery passion as two bodies became one. Each tangled in the other’s web of ecstasy.

  At their eclipse, Samuel unfolded the most beautiful black wings from his back, and wrapped Alaine protectively in the warmth of his embrace. While she slept, he carefully studied every detail of her face. He knew at that moment that there was no one he could ever love more, and it was her love in return which gave purpose to his existence.

  Chapter Eight

  The Gift

  One night of passion led to a most unexpected gift.

  Alaine was pregnant.

  Alaine:

  I started to feel sick the day after Samuel and I spent the night out under the stars, but it was much too soon for symptoms of morning sickness so I didn’t even give it a thought. After a few more days of feeling nauseous and throwing up, I decided to head down to the local drugstore and buy a test… just to humor myself. I was completely caught by surprise when the results came in. It was something I never expected.

  POSITIVE!

  Oh, that’s when my world began spinning. I was completely terrified, but also delighted because I was carrying Samuel’s child. I couldn’t wait for him to return from his mission so I could share the news, but I wondered what he would think about it. I knew he would be very distressed, knowing the situation we were already in.

  He was troubled a lot lately, and very careful of where we traveled, especially together. I know he wanted to keep me safe, but I hated that our relationship had to remain so secret, and was so forbidden. If other immortals found out that we were together and now having a child, we would be a huge target. I knew this fact was going to weigh heavy on his heart.

  Samuel:

  I came back from war, and was given the news that Alaine was with child. I was happy because Alaine was glowing and seemed to be happy, but disconcerted because this child she was carrying would not be able to remain in our c
are.

  We were bringing an innocent child into our world, filled with death and despair.

  What was even more troublesome was an age old prophecy of the Fallen. This prophecy foretold the birth of a child, a child born of a Pureblood and a Halfbreed, who would bring change to the Otherworlds.

  I realized that this prophecy was of our unborn child. If any of the Fallen discovered the child, it would mean inescapable danger and death for all of us. If the child survived, it would eventually have to learn to fight, or risk capture and become a slave to the evil of immoral hearts.

  My heart ached knowing I had to tell Alaine she wouldn’t be able to keep the child. To ensure its survival it needed to be hidden away with a good mortal family. A couple who would raise the child as their own until the day of transformation.

  The maturation of an immortal child within the womb was much more rapid than those of the mortals. Alaine and I needed to discuss arrangements for this child soon, and I knew it was going to be a dreadful task.

  **********

  That evening, Samuel took Alaine to their secret place under the willow tree. He carefully explained to her that she would not be able to keep the child, and needed to find someone suitable to raise the child immediately after birth.

  Samuel’s heart ached as he listened to the uncontrollable sobs of his love. Alaine was completely heartbroken, but already had a knowing deep inside that if their child had any chance of living a normal life, it would have to be away from them.

  She finally gathered herself so she could think straight, and then it hit her. Alaine knew exactly who she wanted to raise their child. There was only one choice. ONE ALONE. And she prayed that this couple would say yes.

  Those many years back… the night of Alaine’s eighteenth birthday when the Angel told her that her birth mother was still alive and living in her area, Alaine started to do some research on her own.