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That afternoon, I'd told Ivy about my predicament and despite my protests, she took on the job of making my dress as well as Bethany's. It was a beautiful magenta color that matched a pair of heels and a purse I already had. It was strapless and had tiny black beads sewn into the bodice, the skirt, in ruffles coming down long on one side. The night of the dance, Bethany and I were getting ready together. Gabriel and Ivy were already.

Gabriel was wearing a traditional tux and had his golden hair combed back. Ivy wore a long emerald gown, with her hair coiled into a loose bun at the nape of her neck. Beth's gown was long and silver, and with Ivy's help, styled her hair into waves with a braid, and tiny pearls woven into it. My own hair was pinned back and my make up, was light, but different than my usual look. I had a black beaded necklace and wore my matching heels. my nails were painted white with black feather designs.

Xavier showed up around seven. We could hear him talking to Gabriel downstairs. At Bethany's request, Ivy and I went downstairs first. Xavier, like Gabriel was in a tux but one of the sleeves was unbuttoned and rolled up to accommodate the cast on his wrist. His eyes lit up with pride when Beth walked down the stairs. He took her hand and helped her down the last few steps.

"What do you think?" She asked, biting her lip.

He opened his mouth but gave her only a wordless smile, making Ivy laugh, "Xavier, you're a man of few words."

"I think it's more that words have failed me... They'd only be an understatement. Beth, you look incredible."

"Thanks...You don't have to say that." A rosy blush came to her cheeks.

"Yes, he does. I'd break his other wrist if he didn't think that."

"Remind me never to get on your bad side, Azrael..." He muttered and gently fastened a corsage of tiny white roses to her wrist. Beth leaned over and gave him a chaste kiss, as a knocking came from the front door.

Gabriel went to answer it, and came back with Jake, standing a little straighter than he had been before. His jaw was firm and Ivy's rain gray eyes were glazed as if she were alarmed. She too, was standing straighter. This reaction further proved that I was right to be worried about him. Jake seemed completely at ease, however, and staying true to form, wasn't in a tux but black pants and a leather aviator jacket.

"Good evening all." He came to stand in front of me, a small smile on his face as he looked me over, "Hello, my dear Azrael, you look absolutely entrancing."

"Thanks, Jake."

He took my hand and like his first day, brought it to his lips in greeting. Xavier stepped over to us, a protective look on his face, "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise. You must be Beth's boyfriend. I've heard a lot about you."

Xavier gave me an inquisitive look and I shrugged. Phantom made no attempt to be civil and sank down growling upon seeing Jake. "Hello boy," Jake leaned down and offered his hand but Phantom sprang up barking and snapping at him. Jake didn't seem alarmed but Ivy was mortified and dragged Phantom out of the room by his collar.

"I'm sorry. He's never like this..." Beth sighed.

"Don't worry about it." He stood up and looked back out me, handing a small box in my hand. "I think corsages are a little passe"

I arched a brow and opened the box. Inside was a pair of black diamond hoop earrings. I'd never been a materialistic girl, but they were absolutely gorgeous and I couldn't keep the delight off of my face. "Oh, Jake, they're beautiful. You shouldn't have."

"It's nothing. I wanted to." He smirked, "Wear them for me?"

I gave him a small smile and went to use the mirror in the half bath to put them in. They hung down to my jaw but were surprisingly light. I came back out to find Jake and Xavier staring each other down. "Ready?"

Jake looked away first, offering his arm to me. I took it and he lead be outside, Xavier and Beth following behind us, to where a limo was waiting for us. It was almost full since we were the last ones to be picked up. Molly's face split into a huge smile when she saw us, while other girls looked us up and down with envy.

"Terrible affliction, jealousy. "Jake whispered into my ear.

"You know you love it." I rolled my eyes, smirking.

"Very true. Their dates are all jealous of me as well. You're the most stunning by a mile. "I'd say prom queen is in the bag."

"Never know."

"I don't have to. All of my money is on you."

The dance was being held at a country club on the edge of town. Iron gates, fountains, balconies, sprawling grounds...It was the best place to host events like this. Jake seemed unimpressed as we pulled up. Dr, Chester, the principal, stood just inside of the foyer, greeting couples as they entered. Other faculty members had placed themselves strategically to prevent students from leaving early to go to after parties. Every entrance would be guarded. When we reached the entrance, Jake played his part perfectly,

"Dr. Chester, my partner, Azrael Estella Church." The principal smiled in approval and we joined out fellow students.

"How do you know my middle name?"

"Shh...I have my sources." We sat down at our table with Bethany and Xavier, Molly and her date, Ryan, and a few other class mates. We sat there, conversing with the others. Even when he was talking to someone else, Jake's gaze rarely left my face. I was actually happy to be here, but I couldn't stop worrying about the reactions my family had had to Jake.
"What's the matter, Princess?"

"Nothing." I shook my head.

"Filthy lies." He laughed, "Shall we play a game?"

"Sure."

"Alright, how would you describe me in one one word."

I though for a moment, "Bored."

"Explain."

"You have play with a person until they've given up or given in to you then you're intolerable toward them and move on to the next, suggesting that you're bored."

"Clever. Now describe yourself in one word. "

"I can't." It was true. I acted so differently in front of different people I couldn't really choose one word.

"Good. I'd never like a girl who could sum herself up in one word. There's no complexity in that. And without complexity, there's no intensity."

"Intensity?"

"Call it emotion if you want. Some girls are just to easy.

"And what about you? You seem like the type to have broken a heart or two."

"Many. But never without good reason."

"Such as?"

"They weren't right for me."

We sat through a long and wasted speech from Dr. Chester about it was our "special night" and how he knew we would all be responsible and not do anything to tarnish, damage, or otherwise ruin the reputation of Bryce Hamilton. He said that he trusted us all to go straight home and not to even consider having an after party since he'd already advised all of the parents against offering their homes as a venue for such an event.

Dinner was followed by speeches and pictures that would either be left in a bedroom when they went of to college or would be but into a box and forgotten about. Most pairs took on the traditional pose, side by side with the girl smiling brightly while the boy had an arm around her waist, terrified of making a mistake and screwing up the picture. As usual, Jake had to do something different. When it was our turn, he took a rose from one of the table decorations and put it between his teeth.

"Smile, Princess." He whispered as the photographer brightened and snapped the picture. This little act further increased the jealousy of our peers, the girls being jealous of me for having such a romantic date and the guys being jealous of Jake for their dates being jealous of me for being Jake's date. And I could tell he was absolutely loving the attention

After pictures was the dessert followed by a short interlude of dancing and then we were called back to our seats for the announcements. The prom committee, which included Beth's friends, Molly and Taylah, climbed up onto the stage. "It is our pleasure to announce this year's award winners. We have put a lot of though and effort into these decisions and before we start, we want you to know that you're all winners inside!"

Jake had to suppress his laughter at that.

"We've added more categories to the list this year in recognition of the effort you've all made tonight. Let's start with the award for best hair." This went on for almost half an hour. By the end, Jake and I shared the same look of dismay. Finally, the minor awards were over. "And this year's King and Queen are...Jake Thorn and Azrael Church!"

My eyes widened and the room burst into applause. Jake escorted me up to the dais, his expression changing from disdain to amusement. Molly put a sparkly tiara on my head and presented me with a sash. We had to lead the crowd in a waltz so I let Jake lead me to the dance floor. I, being an angel, danced with perfect grace, I just hadn't expected Jake to be able to keep up. I let him lead me and soon we were gliding across the floor. Soon, Gabriel and Ivy joined us. People stopped to stare, giving us a wide space.

When my siblings grew tired of being the evening's entertainment, they went back to their seats. Soon the tempo changed and Jake whirled me to the edge of the dance floor. He leaned forward and his lips brushed against my ear, "You're dazzling."

"So are you." I laughed, "I've never danced with anyone who could keep up with me before."

"I've got lots of hidden talents." he mused, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear. "I've never met a girl with a face like yours. Your skin in the color of moonlight; your eyes are fathomless."

"Thank you. Good genetics I suppose."

"I could use some fresh air. What about you?"

"It's kinda hard to get out."

"I've sussed out an escape route. Come on, I'll show you." He took my hand and lead me through and away from the crowd. His escape route was a backdoor that had somehow been over looked. Sure enough though, it took us outside and onto a balcony that wrapped around the entire building. The cold October air chilled my bare arms making me shiver.

"You're cold." It wasn't a question. Jake took off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders.

"Thanks."

"Anytime." It was a clear night so we could see the stars. I almost felt like If I looked far enough I could have seen home, but with human eyes, I knew that was impossible. "So many stars...But none as beautiful as you."

"You really are confident aren't you?"

"Why wouldn't I be? Life's a game and I happen to know how to play."

"Even you must lose sometimes."

"No...I don't like to lose." His emerald eyes bore into mine, "And I always get what I want."

"So right now you have everything you want."

"Not quiet. One thing is missing"

"And what is that?"
"You."

"Jake. We've talked about this." I could sense I was treading on dangerous ground.

"That's irrelevant. I think I deserve a chance to make you happy."

"We're friends. You should value that before asking for more."

"Oh, I do...But it's not enough for me. I want you Azrael."

"'That's irrelevant.'" I threw his words back at him. "I can't be in a relationship right now." I don't know why, but it hurt me slightly to say that.

"Let me show you."

Before I could react he pulled me close to him with one hand around my waist and held me there, using his other hand to guide my face, pressing his lips against mine. Despite my better judgement, my eyes fluttered closed and I melted into his touch. Something flashed in the sky, although there was no sign of rain, and it made me register what I was doing. I broke the kiss and bit my lip.

"Jake...What are you doing."

"Giving us what we both want. I know you, Azrael Church. I've seen the way you look at me, and I've felt the connection."

"What I want doesn't matter. I can't. I wish you could understand. It's a family thing. Bethany was a special case. You and I can only ever be friends. Nothing more...for both of our sakes."

"No thanks." He laughed bitterly, "Not interested. I don't think you understand, Azrael. I know you. We're meant to be together. I've waited for you all of my life. Looking for you for centuries. I'd almost given up hope."

I felt an icy panic set deep in my heart...If he was talking about what I thought he was...We were in big trouble.

He continued, "I knew you were one of them, but I got over it. I don't care anymore. You don't know what it's like to wander the earth looking for someone who could be anywhere. I'm not about to walk away and give up now that I finally found you."

"You're scaring me..."

"Like you scare so many people as they lay dying? I never painted you to be a hypocrite. I'm going to give you one more chance. I don't think you realize this, but you're making a terrible mistake- one that will cost you dearly."

"I don't respond well to ultimatums."

"Very well. It is to be war between us then. Fine." His face clouded over dangerously, stepping away and shuddering with rage. "I'm done making nice with the angels."