meeting shakyra
Chapter 1
Shakyra sits among her friends at the table it was lunch time, she smiled as her black hair blew in the wind and trees rustled pleasantly someone cracked a joke they were all on a tour with their college professor in medical science she had told them that she believed that they would benefit by learning about other cultures and their past medical practices as well as their achievements and methods and so they were taking a trip through an old Chinese monastery known in the past for the monks who resided here who often took the time to care for sick and injured travelers many came from far and wide to get help from these monks to cure their ailments and to get remedies for simple maladies they were even known for curing royalty at sometime or another
Shakyra suddenly sneezed something was upsetting sinuses hey don't you guys smell smoke or something someone nearby said shakyra looked around something was wrong her cup on the table began to vibrate and suddenly there was a loud earth shattering explosion and it was very close by suddenly the eating area was in chaos the folding tables skinned over chairs tossed aside as people ran in a mad panic to get away screams filled the air her classmate abandoned her she ran into her professor breathless and frightened by the chaos around her where are the others she shouted above the din I don't know they just ran she responded okay there's an emergency exit close by go that way she pointed as smoke was beginning to fill the air people were coughing now and covering their faces she nodded to her teacher and ran in the direction she had pointed she ran down hall way many people followed pushing and shoving and suddenly she found herself pushed down another hallway way she fought to get out of the panicking crowd but someone hit her and she fell to floor hitting her head when she awoke there was fire all around her and smoke so thick she could hardly breathe
The heat was causing her to sweat profusely and she was quickly becoming dehydrated she could tell by her chapped lips her throat burned she tried to move and found that she could she saw a somewhat clear path way through the flames so she took it her clothing getting singed someone was shouting for help it sounded like a young child where are you she cried I'm here the voice cried in relief please help me shakyra found her then a girl about twelve years old in what was supposed to be some sort of sitting room she was trapped beneath a piece of charred wood that fallen from the burning ceiling above them she hauled it off her the fire had followed her in and was now burning closer than ever her heart rate accelerated but she knew she had to keep a clear head the building which had stood tall and regal when they had first arrived was now being reduced to ashes and rubble around them
She spoke to her in a calm a voice as she could manage keeping a constant eye on the fire drawing ever closer what's your name she asked the girl Alex she replied ok Alex we have to get out of here right now okay Alex nodded tears coming feeling relived she wasn't alone at least shakyra helped her to her feet she winced her leg was broken shakyra was going to have to carry her she prayed they would make it out alive she couldn't go back the way the way she had come in the fire had engulfed it the ceiling above them burned and the heat was incredibly intense it was like being put into oven and cooked alive or maybe even hotter than that she looked around not seeing anyway out a part of ceiling gave way and more flame came crashing in on them Alex screamed and shakyra began to scream for help hoping that maybe someone would hear them
Shakyra finally stopped throat too hoarse and dry to continue she went as far back into the room as she could take them away from the fire she held Alex huddled in her arms Alex was crying her tears drying on cheeks immediately the moisture eaten up the intense heat the fire was soon upon now and shakyra could feel the heat coming through the wall at her back there was no way they could escape the smoke was killing them now they lay curled up on the floor knowing that oxygen existed beneath the smoke their breathing became shallow as their heart rates slowed Alex was the first to pass out but shakyra hung onto her and just as she closed her eyes one final time she saw an angel reach out to her
When she awoke she was in the hospital and her classmates were standing all around her bed concerned looks on their faces are you okay her professor asked her where's Alex she asked hoarsely she licked her lips she's in the other room alive and the doctors says shell recover it was very brave what you did trying to save her like that its a good thing that fire fighter found you when he did shakyra looked puzzled what firefighter there was no firefighter her teacher shook her head he saved you both they told him not to go in but he did and he found you and brought you out shakyra turned her head and looked at the wall for a moment and then looked back them I saw an angel he had wings and everything he was beautiful did I die for moment her teacher shook her head not that I know of her classmates silent all this time now bombarded her with questions she held up her hands and shook her head she was tired she wanted to rest please ill tell you all about the angel or whatever when my throat isn't so dry and hoarse and I'm not in a hospital they laughed and exited the room chattering relived that she was okay her teacher smiled seeing an angel is common misconception when in that kind of situation don't worry about it okay she patted her leg and exited the room quietly shakyra drifted off back to sleep her dreams filled with the mysterious angel who had saved her
Alex awoke in the next room vaun sat in the window quietly brooding he heard the sheets rustle as she moved and he watched as she slowly opened her eyes what happened she cried her throat dry and hoarse she coughed vaun brought her glass of water from the table nearby table she drank and then she sighed and lay back on the pillows she closed her eyes briefly and then it all came back to her the fire the girl who tried to rescue her and then nothing is she all right she asked quietly vaun nodded she's next door you just passed out before she did it's a good thing I got there in time Alex breathed a sigh of relief thank you she whispered and drifted off to sleep again
shakyra awoke again it was the middle of the night and she needed a drink of water badly she pressed the button on her finger to summon the nurse but none came a young man came in the room he was pushing a bed with Alex on it shakyra smiled he placed the bed next hers she reached out to touch Alex's hand Alex reached out too and the two girls smiled shakyra coughed vaun Alex said inclining her head slightly vaun got some water for shakyra and their eyes met as he handed her the water she almost dropped the glass in surprise he was very good looking he had all the dark brooding good looks of a hero from one of her romance novels she often read but his eyes were what shocked her they were silver she had never seen eyes like his before shed heard of gray eyes but his weren't gray they were actually silver and they shined with a sharpness that reminded her of a sharp sword shining in the sunlight and with a coldness that seemed colder than the coldest ice
her skin prickled and she felt a sudden flash of fear of this man he smiled encouragingly at her to drink the water he offered which she had suddenly forgotten her moment of fear forgotten for the time being as the dryness of her throat reminded her why she was here she drank thirstily the cool water sliding painfully down her throat putting out the dry scratchy burning feeling she had tried to drink slowly but her dehydrated body had reacted differently causing her to drink much to quickly she pushed the glass away and sighed as she lay back on the pillows thank you vaun she said softly he didn't reply he just sat in the window watching the street below
Shakyra and Alex talked quietly for sometime before going back to sleep again van sat sleepless keeping watch he wondered about the girl their eyes met for a briefest moment and already he felt her blue eyes had seen into him somehow she was beautiful in an unusual way she had hair so black it shined blue in the light she had a pert nose and perfectly pouted lips and blue eyes that made him think of electricity blue lightning that crackled and sparked when angered and shined and sparkled when she smiled she seemed smart and intelligent he remembered the brief moment fear he had seen in her eyes and realized she had picked up the underlying current of danger that often surrounded him shakyra moaned in her sleep she was dreaming probably about the fire she awoke with a gasp vaun she whispered his name had barely left her lips but he heard it loud and clear it was you that saved us you're the angel he pretended he didn't hear her and didn't reply she lay there staring up the ceiling she didn't think he had heard her he would probably think she was crazy thinking he was an angel she probably dreamed up the wings or hallucinated due to the smoke inhalation he was probably was just a regular guy Alex hadn't told her anything about him other than his name she drifted off black to sleep
the next morning dawned with chaos the nurses fretted about their patients leaving their rooms in the middle of the night the doctors checked them and shakyra said goodbye to vaun and Alex she wondered where they were going to stay from now on but Alex seemed cheerful they were wheeled down to the front entrance in wheel chairs and then allowed to get into cabs shakyra hugged Alex feeling tearful vaun stood off to the side his eyes hooded his hands in the pockets of his jeans he waited by the door of the taxi shakyra walked over to him and pecked him on the cheek he jumped in surprise at the gesture his eyes snapping up to meet hers for a moment he looked surprised and confused before he withdrew into himself again thank you she said softly and turned away she got into her taxi and left
Well that was unexpected Alex teased after settling in for the ride she feels grateful I saved her life it wasn't much of surprise he responded oh don't be such a grump I know you find her fascinating her lightning blue eyes and all vaun folded his hands across his chest and stared out the window they were traveling through the city at moderate pace Alex sighed jeez even the monks at the temple were a heck of a lot more friendly than you're being right now van harrumphed but remained silent they soon reached their destination vaun's home he shared with his father gabe vaun paid the cab driver and sent him on his way and took alex up to her room
Shakyra arrived home she was tired and soar all over and wondered how come the teacher or none of her friends had come to the hospital to see her off she turned the key in the door and pushed it open
Surprise!! A chorus of voices shouted welcome home shocked she could only blink and stare them all and then she laughed tears streaming down her face someone held her up and helped her sit regained her composure and thanked everyone for coming and then party swung into full swing and it didn't end until it was very late
The last guest had finally left and shakyra fell exhausted into her bed vaun landed on the roof top quietly he had found her by pure scent alone he flew down to her window and was about to knock when he realized she was sleeping soundly he watched her for a moment and then he left as long as she was okay he thought
Shakyra stayed in bed for the next three days mostly just drinking due to sore throat the doctor had recommended some protein drinks and home blended fruit juices she hadn't been to class as she got special leave she was felling good enough to go shopping so she got up and got dressed and went to the market she was on her way back when she was suddenly pushed hard into a wall oh my god I'm being robbed she thought she looked over her shoulder but no one was there and yet she feel someone their elbow was pushing her against the back of her head pinning her to the wall she struggled and she heard something growl viciously and something tore her dress to shreds from behind panic set in she screamed and fought her heart pounding fiercely her hands was free finally and she lashed out with the grocery bag she'd been carrying the invisible assailant howled a terrifying sound that sent shudders down her spine she screamed and tried to wrench herself away the front of her dress was torn down like if a wild animal had done it with claws leaving her exposed she clutched at her clothing and ran but she didn't get far something sent her flying to the ground pinning her beneath it snarled and spat and tore the rest of her dress away leaving her in her bare panties and bra she screamed and suddenly knew she was about to die she closed her eyes and screamed again covering her face and curling into a defensive position
suddenly their was a fierce wind and the beast that was upon her was gone she heard the vicious sound of snapping and breaking bones and a terrifying yelp and the thud of a body falling to the ground and then deafly silence she opened her eyes slowly vaun was kneeling next to her his silver eyes checking he almost naked body for any serious injuries she gasped he had wings big black ones dappled with gray in some parts they looked soft and feathery and yet strong at the same time and they were the most magnificent things shed ever seen her nakedness forgotten she sat up you're an angel she cried amazement a real life angel I thought I was dreaming but you are he didn't reply he just studied her curiously she just attacked by a demon and barely survived and she didn't seem to affected by it anyway listen to me you were just attacked by a demon I've been keeping an eye on you for a last few days but I told my self that you were going to be okay after I saw three days went by and nothing happened I'm really sorry about this but you cant go home right now
she stared at him shocked a demon is that why it was invisible and it tore my clothes to shreds but why would want me of all people she cupped her hands up around her knees he sighed look I can explain all this to you later but I have to take you somewhere safe okay he drew off his coat here put this on she slipped her hands into it the coat covered her completely okay good were leaving now he scooped her up and took to the air she rested her head on his chest her black hair blowing in the wind she smelled sweet he thought like flowers freshly opened in the spring and she was warm and soft in his arms he shook his head and wondered why his thought suddenly wandered in such a direction they were flying for several hours when they finally seemed to be descending are we going to be stopping here she asked quietly he nodded this is my home we need to stop here first Alex is here and so is my father but you need to get cleaned up and organized before we do anything else I have a plan that will ensure your safety for a while nothing can hurt you or find you for that matter
they landed and Alex came running out of the house an older gentleman followed did you get to her in time he asked quietly I almost didn't vaun replied the demon tore her clothes to shreds and was about to kill her when I got there it could have been worse almost was too vaun placed shakyra on her feet and her knees buckled he caught her I'm sorry she apologized I'm not usually this way she suddenly felt cold and shivered all though he sun was blazing hot outside vaun's eyes widened we have to get her inside she's having a delayed reaction gabe get me some warm blankets and Alex some hot water bottles he shouted shakyra felt dizzy and faint vaun took her upstairs and into a bed room he placed her gently on the bed and gabe covered her with her blankets Alex stuffed the hot water bottles under the sheets I should have known from the moment she didn't fall apart at the scene that this would happen vaun murmured it was so strange the way she seem unaffected by it any normal person would have been hysterical but she wasn't gabe nodded everyone is different vaun you couldn't have known he clapped his hands not too loudly everyone let the young lady get some rest
I'm staying vaun replied there's no need for you to gabe answered a frown on his face I know but I wan to its my fault she's in this mess I got lazy told myself they wasn't looking for her after only three days let my guard down gabe nodded very well then gabe and alex left vaun sat in the arm chair next to the bed shakyra slept exhausted but peaceful vaun dozed lightly she was back in the alley again the invisible assailant upon her again ripping and tearing at her she screamed and fought but she couldn't get away no one was coming to help her vaun's head shot up the girl was having a nightmare she was screaming frantically fighting with the bed sheets she was drenched in sweat vaun grabbed her hands shakyra he called her name several times while shaking her awake her eyes flew open and she saw vaun she threw her arms around his neck crying in relief
gabe rushed into room the girl was weeping on vaun's shoulder nightmare he asked quietly vaun nodded ill go make some tea I think that would be best gabe went downstairs to prepare the tea shakyra and vaun joined him soon afterward she sat at the table she was wearing a robe borrowed from gabe and vaun's furry slippers she sat with her legs curled under her and she sipped the hot soothing tea slowly her nerves settled down vaun studied her silently from the corner of the room his chair tipped back against the wall his own mug of tea steaming in his hands gabe sat at the table across from her she was halfway through her tea when she asked the question who are you people vaun raised an eyebrow my name is vaun and this is my father gabe and you already know alex were just trying to protect you she sighed I know that but who are you people and why did that thing attack me he set his chair down all four feet and replied someone sent it to get you because they think that you knew where alex was
shakyra looked mystified but I knew nothing about alex until I met her in fire at the temple how would I know where she is I don't even know her know her last name he shook his head they don't know that which is why they came after you who came after me she cried in frustration vaun sighed demons came after you most likely sent by Lucifer himself if not one of his generals shakyra gasped Lucifer you mean like the devil vaun nodded he was aware that his story sounded ludicrous but there was no helping it was the truth she took it surprisingly well I guess since they are angels there can only obviously be demons gabe's eyebrows shot up and eyed vaun he hadn't bothered to tell her he wasn't exactly what she thought he was but he supposed he had a good reason not to yeah something like that vaun replied and got up and left the room
shakyra went to bed knowing she would get no more answers tonight gabe found vaun sitting in a tree what's wrong vaun he shook his head and rubbed the back of his neck tiredly I don't know gabe something isn't right here why wait three days to get her and that demon could have easily ripped her head off but it didn't or it couldn't gabe added what vaun cried I read her spiritual aura its strange she has something lying dormant within her I doubt she even knows but it seems very familiar to me but I cant put my finger on it but what ever it is prevented the demon from being able to actually do anything more than rip her clothes off so she special some how vaun remarked quietly gabe nodded keep any eye on things here will ya ill be back where are you going gabe asked to her apartment ill bring some of her clothes back and ill probably find out more by checking her place out maybe its something passed on from her parents gabe nodded and vaun took off
He returned the next morning carrying a large duffle bag that looked very familiar hey you went back to get my stuff for me shakyra cried happily yeah I also got you these he tossed a haversack at her my books she cried in surprise thank you she ran upstairs to her room gabe smiled she seems happy vaun nodded she needs her books she's studying to be doctor at the university she could be useful to us so what did you find out vaun shook his head nothing she has no pictures of her parents anywhere no phone numbers or addresses either I heard her telling alex she's an only child so that rules out any possible brothers or sisters that could mean no ones looking for her vaun sighed at least that makes our job easier so when are we going to the netherworld gabe asked hopefully never maybe they've already lost interest and aren't looking for her anymore vaun replied or maybe don't want her because of her connection to alex maybe they want her for whatever power she has gabe added I thought you said it was dormant vaun replied it is but maybe the other side knows what we don't and have a way of bringing it to the surface vaun sighed the unknown possibilities were endless she was virtually a stranger just a girl who happened to have saved Alex's life and was now in grave danger well go tomorrow he answered finally and sort out the details later right now she needs protection dormant power or not gabe nodded ill let her know not to unpack vaun nodded
alex came into room are we leaving? she asked vaun nodded I'm sorry about this alex she hugged him its okay I like the netherworld its peaceful there and don't worry about the girl she isn't going to turn out to have evil powers van grabbed her shoulders and looked her straight in the eye what do you know alex they don't call you the record keeper for nothing alex smiled I know nothing of her herself but I know of her parents they are both dead they were both powerful beings who prevented the holy wars from overflowing into other worlds many centuries ago but is unknown that they had a child until now so why is her power dormant alex I need to know vaun insisted she never knew her parents they died when she was born why how he cried they sacrificed themselves to bring balance to the two sides and stem the tide of the war it would have completely destroyed the earth and all who lived there including their new born child is that why her aura seems so familiar to gabe he asked she shook her head it is something else you will discover it soon it has to do with you and with that alex collapsed
gabe vaun shouted its alex I need some help gabe came running what happened she used her power to tell me some things about shakyra afterward she collapsed gabe nodded and got the medicine out alex recovered quickly afterward so what did she tell you gabe asked him afterward the girls real parents were the legendary protectors however she never knew them they died shortly after she was born I guess she was then given to human parents to raise gabe whistled the daughter of the legendary protectors that explains a lot yeah at least now we know why the demons want her so badly vaun replied if they could get hold of that kind of power back in my day the protectors were the ones even angels kept away from they prevented anything spiritual from being able to walk the earth and single handedly stopped the war if she has that kind of power there's no telling what will happen if is awakened again gabe added alex said she also has something to with me but she didn't get to finish gabe looked surprised something to do with you yeah she said I would soon discover it ,it has to do with her aura she said he aura has nothing to do with the dormant power it has to do with me gabe shook his head I wish that alex would just tell you point blank what she means sometimes you're telling me sometimes I think she talks that way just to drive us crazy with her riddles gabe smiled shaking his head and headed off to his room he had some things to pack for tomorrow
The next morning shakyra was awakened by Alex at dawn get up we have to leave where we are going shakyra cried as she grabbed her duffle bag and haversack gabe had told her not to get unpacked that they were leaving from the night before were going to the netherworld alex cried happily running by her and heading down the stairs it's the safest place in the whole wide world were going to have lots of fun there we have a lake and everything but why do we have to go so early because its time that the gate is opened gabe responded he himself was hauling a duffle bag of his own don't worry its going to be okay vaun was waiting for them all outside they all stood in a small group holding hands vaun said some kind of incantation in a language shakyra couldn't understand there was a flash bright light and when she opened her eyes they were standing in front of a large open gate surrounded by white nothingness that seemed to go all the way up to the sky they walked through it and on the other side was a beautiful world that looked just like normal except there weren't any busy cities or honking cars just trees and grass and flowers and forest that went on for miles birds twittered and butterflies flew by shakyra stood and stared welcome to my sanctuary vaun said softly