AN: Okay, I'm finally back. I was a little tired after finishing Blaze, so I took a much needed break. But, I got inspired to write, so I started up this story again. Also, for those of you that mentioned that it reminded you of Charmed, I'm not going to deny that I was re-watching Charmed on Netflix when I thought up this story. It's not what inspired the story, but I did take some of the terms because I like how neutral they are. Hopefully as the story continues, it won't be so Charmed-y, it should be pretty different. Anyway, I hope I haven't lost everyone with the wait, and I can't thank you guys enough for the support you gave me after the first chapter! Almost 30 reviews! It was awesome. So, here's the next chapter, have a great day!
The warm grass tickled my arms that lay folded under my head and filled my nostrils with the sweet smell of spring. My lean body rested on the lush lawn, completely relaxed and eagerly soaking up the heat of the dazzling sun. I gently opened my eyes, squinting into the brightness, willingly adjusting to witness the pure blue sky. Seattle doesn't get too many days like this, warm, dry, fresh. It feels wonderful to a lost angel, similar to home.
It's a little ironic, though. Humans always feel blessed and happy on sunny days, the combination of warmth and vitamin D revitalizing their fragile bodies. It's these days, however, that angels are the busiest. If the sky unexpectedly clears, it's not a miracle or a good omen, it's the OverWorld clearing their view. Like working on something very intricate and tedious, that's when the most light and purest vision is needed. Same idea. These are the days that the most angels are deployed on Earth, when the most humans need help. The days when the most people are suffering. Sunny days are our busiest. Well, then again, maybe that's why people feel lucky on startling sunny days, angels are surrounding them, soothing souls and supporting dreams.
Finally giving in to the burning in my eyes, I let my lids flutter closed and am immediately assaulted with the image of russet orbs boring into my mind. That's how it's been for nearly two weeks. I close my eyes and see her. I open my eyes and think I see her. For two weeks I've been searching every face for her, never to find those unique and magnificent set of features. She's all I've been able to think about. I should be focusing on healing myself, but instead, I'm thinking about ways to come into contact with her again. Although, on the flip side, the rage inside of me quieted since I saw her. Maybe she can heal me, maybe I was supposed to meet her. Maybe I'm just letting her distract from my bigger problems.
I sighed heavily, resigning to my fate of eternal musing about a woman of which I only got a glimpse. Shifting one hand from under my head to rest lightly on my stomach, I licked my lips as images continued to flash through my restless mind. My mind's eye filled with soft curves, shimmering raven hair, and deep soul searching eyes. I profoundly wish to see her again. Just to learn her name would help to ease the intense desire to know her. The perfect mystery surrounding her brought the level of my interest to such high and inconsolable levels that no hope for moving on existed. The hand previously laying idle on my abdomen began tracing light designs along the strip of exposed flesh above my fitted jeans. The gentle sensation heightened my awareness of her effect on me, despite her physical absence.
As my inner eyes recalled the graceful curve of her ample cleavage, my skin suddenly went ice cold. Without hesitation, I sprung to my feet and swept my eyes through the surrounding area. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and my nerves tingled. They were here. I could feel them. Seeing nothing after my first, hasty search, I slowed my eyes and started to back out of the field, keeping every muscle and sense in my body on full alert. As I approached the edge of the clearing, I finally spotted one of them squatting in a stocky Fern. Turning to allow the best view of the spot, I heard movement to my right. Swiveling my head, I caught sight of another crouching next to a Blackberry Bush. Sucking in a harsh breath, I again, adjusted my position. Crap. Two bounty hunters against a fallen angel. Not good odds. My powers were much weaker than they had been, and even then, going against two of them would be rough. A soft and haunting chuckle floated to my ears, causing me to spin around. A third stood against a thick tree trunk, his arms crossed causally over his chest and a sneer twisting his thin mouth. Not good.
Having no other choice, I began backing back into the clearing. I cleared my throat and nodded curtly, "O'Malley." O'Malley held high rank in the UnderWorld as one of the best bounty hunters. His job consisted of finding forces of good, usually angels, and either killing them or bringing them to the UnderWorld for conversion or torture. He was then rewarded with supplementary power or rank.
"Arizona. I told you I'd see you again." We'd met before, several times. Twice he had tried to take a case from me, and twice he had tried to take me. So far he had been unsuccessful. He began stalking toward me, gesturing to the others to move in as well.
I swallowed, "You brought back up this time. Smart."
O'Malley shrugged, his green eyes flashing and his long black coat brushing the taller grass, "Not that I need it…you're much weaker than last time. I could do this myself."
I glanced around at the other two, dark, smug smiles aimed at me, the loud crunching of their heavy boots adding menace to the already intimidating situation. "Then, why not give it a shot. Hold off the goons." I stalled, trying to formulate a game plan. I could possibly take O'Malley, then the other two. But, no way could I handle more than one at a time.
He shook his head, his oddly soft curls dancing on his head, "Nah, no mistakes this time. I'm not letting you get away again. Do you have any idea the value of the bounty on your head?"
Looking to gain any sliver of time possible, I shrugged, "I have no clue. How valuable am I?"
He let out a hallow and mirthless laugh, "Very. How often do you think we frame a mortal to catch an angel?"
I cringed in pain, he was talking about Timothy. Anger began to claw at my insides, heat boiling in my stomach and threatening to overrun my body. "I don't know."
"Never. You're special. You're powers are stronger than most other angels. The Triad have offered great rewards for your capture." He snickered, "We would have had you if the Elders hadn't interfered with our trap on Timothy."
I clenched my jaw and came to a halt as I felt the others close in behind me, "Don't talk about him."
O'Malley shrugged, "Fine. But, just so you know," His voice lowered, "He was dead before you even got wind his was in danger. You. Never. Had. A. Chance." His last words were punctuated with arrogant snarls.
Unable to quell the potent rage any longer, I let the coiled power spring to life. I quickly lashed my arm out, telepathically sending him flying several yards into a small shrub. Feeling the others make their move, I ducked and flung out a leg, dropping one and grabbing the wrist of the other. Twirling the arm firmly, I slammed his body down and took off toward the cover of the trees. I only made it a short distance before O'Malley appeared in front of me, instantly shooting a flaming ball toward me. I tried to dodge it, but it caught my shoulder and knocked me to the ground.
My shoulder stung, and my breath caught violently. I scrambled, attempting to right myself. As I managed to stand again, my body suddenly pitched backward, depositing me cruelly into the ground several feet away. Gasping, I barely pulled myself upright again and faced my opponents. They were closing in. Holding my arm tight to my stomach, I struggled to control my breathing. There was no way for me to win this.
Refusing to give them the satisfaction, I stubbornly stood my ground, and awaited my fate. I planned to fight to the end. Perhaps if I could get in some good shots, I stood a chance of taking one or two down. Flexing my fingers and tensing and relaxing my other muscles, I mentally prepared myself for the next moves. Suddenly, a warm air swirled around my body, soft lights briefly illuminated the area and causing a relieved breath to leave my mouth. Thank heavens. Out of the corners of my eyes, I glimpsed two tall figures flank me and begin to pace my movements forward. "Nice of you to show up."
"Like you didn't know we would." Karev muttered.
Karev and Avery were part of the Elite. They're basically the army of the OverWorld. All angels are taught to protect themselves from soldiers of the UnderWorld, but the Elite are the ones that are taught to fight. War is not something we seek, but is sometimes unavoidable. Elite also protects angels in minor battles, such as this one. Locking eyes with O'Malley, I raised my voice, "Looks like it's a fair fight now. Want to back out?"
He scowled in disgust and frustration at the appearance of my reinforcements. Barely pausing, he signaled to the others. Instantly, all three began their attack. Avery went flying off to the right, while Karev and I shirked the blows directed at us and returned fire. O'Malley thumped hard into a tree, while Percy crashed into a boulder. I darted to the left and deflected the ball of energy Sloan haphazardly sent toward me. Avery leapt to his feet and held up his hand, using psychic energy to constrain Sloan to a tree trunk. Glancing back, I noticed Karev kick Percy forcefully in the stomach then deliver a traumatizing blow to his head.
Without hesitation, I approached O'Malley in a clear attack position. Fury bubbled up from deep within me. I could feel fire burn up from my heart to my eyes. Visions of my brother flashed through my mind, causing the pain and hate to intensify. This evil being is the reason my brother is dead. My nostrils flared and every nerve rang with anger. I was going to make him pay. He deserved anguish and a merciless death. My advance was slow, precise and determined. O'Malley darted his eyes around, taking in my expression, stance and the immobilization of his team. Defeat and hatred flickered across his features, "You can't hold out forever. Your powers will be gone soon. I can clearly see the rage swelling inside of you. You'd kill me right now, if I gave you that chance. I'll wait for you, Arizona. Soon, we'll get you and I'll make you wish for death." With one last sneer, he disappeared. Percy and Sloan followed immediately, leaving Karev, Avery and I standing in the meadow.
Drawing in a deep breath, I desperately struggled to calm my raging emotions. He wasn't wrong. I would have killed him. I wanted to kill him. This feeling of violence is why I can't move toward earning my wings. Shaking my head, I turned to face my saviors. "Thanks for the help."
Avery nodded, "We have your back, Arizona… How are you?" Concern overtook his face, letting me know that my venture into wrath did not go unnoticed.
Forcing a shaky smile, "I'm doing ok. Trying to adjust to Earth."
Karev studied me for a moment, noticing my favored arm, "And your arm?"
Experimenting, I rotated the arm slowly. It burned, but the pain was fading as my angelic healing powers began their work. "It hurts, but it'll be fine."
He nodded, then glanced around, "You should probably get out of here. I doubt they'd try something right now, but to be safe…"
Offering a grateful smile, I closed my eyes and pulled a long breath in through my nose and let it trickle out my lips. When I opened my eyes again, I saw a large crowd of strangers streaming by me. Briefly, I wondered when I would lose the power to transport like that. Taking in my surroundings, I recognized that I was just around the corner from the café that I frequented. Jamming my hands in my pockets, I start an aimless amble down the sidewalk, mindlessly weaving through the oblivious throng of business men and women.
That wasn't fun at all. It was one thing to dodge bounty hunters when an active angel, but as a fallen angel, it was even worse. Not only were my powers not as strong, but I was emotionally and mentally distracted. I needed to focus, today proved that. If O'Malley found me before I healed, he could fairly easily beat me. I couldn't let that happen. For the first time, I began to fear that I wouldn't achieve virtue again. I may end up on Earth forever, or for a mortal life. If I became human again, O'Malley would still hunt me. Fallen angels were still worth rewards in the UnderWorld.
An unknown amount of time passed as I immersed myself in thought. Eventually, something urged me to look to the right. Stopping to scan the crowd across the street I saw what I needed to see. Well, who I needed to see. Charcoal waves of silky hair fanned out behind her as she walked along the curb. Her body moved in fluid motions as if moving weightlessly. Her sleeveless shirt allowed an astounding view of her toned and tanned arms as they swung at her sides. My eyes tracked her as she turned and entered a small store. Not bothering to think through my actions, I crossed the street and let my feet lead me to the blue door separating me from the woman. Enough was enough. I had been thinking about her for almost two weeks, non-stop. It's time for me to find out who she is and why I can't shake her from my mind.
AN: So, yes, I know that it was short, but I got tired and really wanted to post. Good news is, that they will meet next chapter! If you got the time, I got the place for reviews, so how 'bout it?