Note: This is a story called Hellboy: Angels of Wrath that my sister and I collaborated in to write. Neither Mercedes or I own Hellboy or any of its characters. They all belong to Guilermo del Torro and the Dark Horse Company.
"She's leaving today." Myers told Abraham. They were in the doorway to Etain's room, watching as she talked with a small chestnut-haired girl with a sweet round face and big brown eyes. Her wings were twitching as the girl, Cori, opened hers and waved them at her. Etain laughed at Cori, a beautiful sound that warmed the heart. Cori smiled and talked, gesturing animatedly.
"Is she healthy enough to leave?" Abe asked.
"Her heartbeat is regular, her left ventricle has been reinforced, the bruising is gone, and she seems emotionally sound. We have no excuse to keep her here." He smiled when Cori threw her arms around Etain. The older angel hesitated, then wrapped her arms around her. "Cori's become attached to her.
"MAybe you could convince her to stay. For Cori."
There's only one person who can convince her to stay." Myers stared pointedly at Abraham. He turned away, avoiding eye contact.
"She wouldn't listen to me. She has a mind of her own."
"Then you should talk to her. At least to say goodbye." Cori leaped off Etain's lap and ran to Myers.
"Etain said she'd take me with her when I'm older!" She said excitedly. He nodded.
"That sounds like fun." He took her hand and started to walk away. "Talk to her."
Abe glanced into the room. She had a duffle bag full of nondescript blue jeans and standard white T-shirts. She was busy emptying her underthings drawer when he walked in.
"I had hoped you would come by." She said, not looking at him as she stuffed socks into the duffle bag.
"It seems we share an emotional link now. One that won't fade."
"You seem sad about it.
"Not sad, but...puzzled. I...felt something, inside your mind." She turned and faced him.
"I felt your heartache and was sympathetic. Plus, you intrigue me." He stepped closer to her.
"How do I intrigue you?"
"You knew a woman for one day, and in that day you loved each other more than life itself." Her dark hair framed her face, free of its usual severe ponytail, and there was a soft distant look in her eyes. She seemed more human. More vulnerable. She reached out and touched his chest. "I felt your love and your pain. I felt what you've been through, and in that moment I fell in love myself." She looked up at him with those bottomless eyes and Abraham wa certain that it wasn't just their connection.
"Two fell in love that day." He said, wrapping her in his embrace. She smiled up at him, looking radiant. Her wings opened and encircled him in a second embrace. He leaned down and kissed her. Heat burst between them like fireworks. their emotions clashed and mingled at the skin-to-skin contact. It was a perfect whirlwind of thought and feeling. After waht seemed like both an eternity and a second, she pulled away.
"I have to leave." She whispered.
"Stay." He breathed, leaning in to kiss her again. she pulled away from his embrace, folding her wings.
"I have to. Going on crusade to find my faith is important to me. I'm not myself without it." She walked to her bed and zipped up the duffle bag. She lifted it up and threw it over her shoulder. "My sister has agreed to stay here and watch over Cori. Can you stay and watch over her?" He nodded.
"Who is Cori?"
"Someone who needs to be protected." He pulled her back into his arms.
"Primise me you'll be back." She dropped her duffle bag beside her and buried her face into his chest.
"I promise."
THE END
