18

I never thought that Aunt Farah would ever hurt me, even if she wasn't herself. Yet I knew that Noah was right about the possibility being there. The pattern didn't lie, and I couldn't ignore that Saffron may be running short on time with all of this now that Jade was aware of me.

I braced myself to be ready for anything that night, but nothing ended up happening. I was breathing a sigh of relief as the morning finally came. After getting dressed for school, I slowly opened my door and peeked out, but saw nothing out of the ordinary.

"Aunt Farah?" I called.

There was no answer. I looked around as I stepped into the hall. The cold feeling was still there, but not as bad. I decided to go down the hall to my aunt's room, stopping at the door and hesitating.

"Aunt Farah? Are you okay?" I called softly.

I took my chance and opened the door. She was lying in her bed and opened her eyes as I came over to her. Thankfully, she didn't look as distant as she had in the last few days.

"Oh, Mari." she sighed, looking relieved.

"Are you okay? You're not up like you usually are." I pointed out.

"I'm fine. I had to take the day off because I was overworked, and I'm just very tired right now and need to rest." she reassured me.

"Okay. Well, I'm going to school. Get some rest and I'll see you later, okay?" I said, trying to act normal.

Noah had warned me before he'd left the day before to do so. If Saffron suspected that I knew too much, he might do something more. But for now, it seemed like he'd taken off again. I'd halfway wondered if maybe he was looking for Jade. He was coming there soon enough. Perhaps Saffron was gearing up for a fight.

Aunt Farah just smiled at me, like she'd always done, "Okay. Be careful dear."

I cringed as I walked out. Be careful. Was that supposed to be prophetic now? Considering everything that had been happening recently, I was willing to think so. I even made sure to check the backseat of my car before I got in, just to be safe.

But there wasn't even the feeling of anyone being around now. What was going on? I knew better than to think that Saffron had just given up. He'd been with me for far too long. But what was he planning?

My drive to school was normal enough, and getting out of my car, I noted that all of the kids were gathered around like they always were. I breathed a sigh of relief. Everything was normal here, and I was still not feeling anything dark following me.

The black Camaro also pulled in and parked near me. This made me feel better too. I'd be safer with Noah.

"This is a surprise. He's actually backed down some." Noah commented as he got out with me.

"It seems like it. Aunt Farah was better this morning too, but she said she was very tired." I responded.

"It could be from the control break. We'll just have to keep an eye on it some more." Noah told me.

"So, have you heard any more about the other one?" I asked. I decided it was probably better not to say Jade's name there. No telling if it would invite trouble.

Noah shook his head, "He's still under the radar too. It's strange. Usually, when they want to find where something is, it doesn't take them long to find them. He must be pretty smart."

"I think that he was, and I think that's why Saffron usually moves on before he comes." I said as we went into our first class.

"I'll take it that you're remembering more now." Noah noted.

"Somewhat." I sat with him and opened my sketchbook that I'd brought with me, "This is the Jade from my dreams, and this is Saffron."

Noah studied my drawings, "I see. Looks like you're right on the money too with what they look like."

"You've seen them?"

"Not personally, although I've seen Saffron from a distance a few times. Jade's is more from Cass's memory." Noah explained.

Hearing that, I decided to take my chances. If Noah could communicate with Cass, then maybe he could let Cass answer some things for me.

"Hey Noah, can Cass tell you something now?" I asked.

Noah shrugged, "I guess that it would depend on what it is. He's been a little particular with his information at times since he decided to work with me."

"I get it, but I'm still curious about something. Is Jade really stronger than Saffron?"

Noah was quiet. I had the distinct feeling that he was listening to Cass speaking in his mind.

"Yeah. The answer is definitely. That's why everyone's gone on edge since they learned that he was coming." he finally answered.

The bell rang and class started. The two of us dropped the conversation as the teacher walked to the front of the room, but my mind was still buzzing with the knowledge I'd just gained. So Jade was stronger than Saffron. Maybe that was why Saffron had always killed me before he came. Maybe it was because he knew that he wouldn't win in a real fight.

"You're pretty good at figuring things out, aren't you Dove?"

I almost jumped at the familiar voice that had come into my head. Instinctively, I knew that it was Saffron's. For the first time in this life, he was speaking directly to me as what he was.

Sitting there, I allowed that fact to sink in. I couldn't make a scene now. Not if I wanted him to keep talking. Not if I wanted more information.

"Why are you in my head now?" I asked mentally.

"It's a good time to talk, considering the circumstances. Especially since you've met the other side of this again." Saffron answered.

"Where are you?"

"I'm not telling, but I am close enough to see you. Tell me Dove, how much do you remember now?"

I debated on whether to answer truthfully or not. But decided that perhaps honesty would get me farther.

"More and more every day. You killed me back then, and you changed Jade's contract. Why?" I answered.

"Isn't it obvious?" Saffron responded, "I'm sure that if you think about it, you would understand my actions now."

The room grew darker and the people around me vanished, leaving just me sitting at that table. I looked ahead to see Saffron leaning against the far wall by the blackboard. He looked just like I remembered; incredibly handsome with dark hair and the bluest eyes that I'd ever seen. Dressed in black, he stood with his arms crossed almost casually.

"Where am I?" I managed after a few moments of shock.

"Think of it as a separate reality made of shadows. Tell me, do you recall much of your miserable life before us now Faith?" Saffron asked.

The cold around me made me shiver. This felt dangerous because it felt too real.

"No, and I don't want to know anymore. I want you to leave me alone." I retorted, trying to play brave even though I wasn't.

Saffron smiled as he pushed away from the wall and walked over in front of me. I pushed back in my seat as he leaned his face close to mine.

"I know you're lying, and I know what you're really thinking. You want to see him again, don't you? Do you really think that your evil angel will be able to save you this time?" he asked me.

"I'm not counting on Jade. I'm counting on Noah and his family." I answered.

"Ah yes. The half breeds and their master. This whole Nephilim clan thing is interesting, but I never would've pegged two of them to become attached to our prey. It's rather ironic." Saffron said, actually sounding amused.

"What do you want from me? Why didn't you just let Jade take my soul back then?" I demanded, feeling even more afraid now. I had this creeping sensation of bitter cold moving over my back like a shadow. It was wrapping long fingers around my neck.

Saffron just smiled. It was so friendly looking that it was almost sickening.

"Isn't it obvious? It's because I love your soul very much, and I wanted it for myself. I'm sick of giving everything to Jade only to have him ignore me for the little soul that he decided was special so long ago. If I can keep you for myself, then I can always keep him under foot. So don't fear me so much Dove. After all, didn't you love me more once?"

That was right. As Faith, I had once trusted Saffron more. Saffron was inviting. Saffron felt safe. But then, he'd killed me...

"To kill someone is the ultimate act of love."

I screamed as the fingers clamped tightly around my neck. But within an instant, I realized that I was back in the normal classroom, still in my seat. It was like I'd never left.

Of course, everyone was staring at me too. Our teacher, Mr. Myers, hurried over to me.

"Are you okay Mari?" he asked, looking very concerned.

"I'm fine. I think I fell asleep." I managed to stammer out.

It was that good of an excuse, but I didn't care. My heart was still pounding and my neck actually hurt.

Thankfully, Mr. Myers accepted this, although he did make sure that I didn't want to see the nurse before he went back to teaching our class. I politely declined, apologizing and assuring everyone that I was okay.

But as we all went back to our class discussion, Noah looked over at me.

"We'll talk after this is over." he whispered.

I looked down at my papers as the class droned on. I should've felt embarrassed, but I was way too scared for that. Feeling my neck, I realized that it still felt slightly cold. So that nightmare had been real. Saffron had sucked me into his shadowy world, and he really was planning on killing me soon.

After the class let out, I got up with Noah and followed him outside from one of the side doors.

"I'll take it that something pulled you in back there." he stated as we stood by the wall. We weren't too worried about anyone finding us out there. No one patrolled outside during school hours.

I looked out the ground, not able to face him, "He's going to kill me. He wants to kill me now." I whispered.

I reached up and touched my neck again. It was still sore, and I had the feeling that I may have marks there.

Noah pulled me into a comforting hug, "Hey, it's okay. We're not going to let him hurt you." he promised.

It was comforting to be in that warm embrace. When was the last time that someone had held me like this? Even my aunt hadn't done it in years. She'd been too afraid of me.

As weird as it sounds, it also didn't feel like it was just Noah hugging me either. There was something much bigger, much warmer. It felt like the warmth of the sun on the first real day of Spring. Could this feeling have been coming from Cass?

The sound of clapping brought me back to reality. I pulled back from Noah, following his gaze, and I felt like my heart almost stopped. Saffron was standing a few feet away from us, still sporting the same smile that he'd had in my nightmare.

"Bravo half breed. Looks like you're playing the knight in shining armor." he teased.

"Saffron. Guess I shouldn't be too surprised." Noah said, moving in front of me.

"Of course not. You knew that I'd be following her again soon enough, not to mention the fact that my time is running out. So I suggest that you get out of here before you land yourself in over your head." Saffron warned him.

"I have no reason to fear you just because you happen to be a demon. Besides, you don't seem to know who you're dealing with either. I'm not alone in this." Noah countered.

That same surge of warmth returned as he said that, but it was radiating off of him. Pretty blue wings sprouted from his back, where they'd apparently been hidden, and a different voice spoke from him.

"You and Jade crossed into my territory when you cursed what was put under my care. Did you really think that I would give her up so easily?"

This voice was very soft and beautiful, like a breath of wind off of the sea. But also, it sounded very familiar. That was when it dawned on me. This was Cass. He was now using Noah's body to be there and protect me.

"So it was you that broke my hold back there. You yourself would've fallen for that girl, and you know it. If Jade hadn't taken her when he did, you probably would've been cast out as well." Saffron accused.

"It is true that I love her very much, and I caused myself much trouble in saving her before. But I also know that I am allowed to say that we won't hand her over to you. You were not the originator of the contract, and your changing it has left just enough of a loop hole for us to intervene. You're not as thorough as Jade, and you know it. So now, the end is coming." Cass told him.

I ducked down against the wall as his wings flapped, creating a gust of wind. Now I was praying that no one would walk out there and see this.

But watching this unfold, I was shocked to see Saffron sprout wings too. But his were nothing like Noah's. They were completely black and leathery looking, just as a bat's would be. A part of me recalled that Saffron had told me long before that Fallen Angels cannot keep their beautiful wings. They are turned as black as their hearts become. This must have been what he meant.

"You'd really challenge me in that body? You know if you cause undo harm to this boy, Malakai will more than likely have you thrown out." Saffron warned him.

"I will not cause Noah harm because I don't intend to lose." Cass told him as a flaming sword appeared in his hand.

It's amazing how much power can come from an angel's wings, fallen or not. I stayed ducked down against the wall, praying for it to end and for Saffron to be driven away. I didn't want to die there, and more than that, I didn't want to see Noah get hurt, even if a full angel was now controlling his body.

I probably should've been paying more attention to me though. I barely heard the cracking of the wall beside me. When it finally did register, I looked up and saw large chunks of bricks falling towards me.

There was no time for me to move . All I could do was throw my arms over my head and scream.

But the hit never came. Instead, everything suddenly became extremely dark and quiet. There was the sensation that someone was now leaned over me. I slowly moved my hands, and my fingers brushed against what felt like something leathery.

Then I heard a familiar voice.

"I've finally found you."

That would be the last thing I registered before I blacked out.