The very last chapter before Epilogue! It's almost bittersweet, but I'm so excited to do Torment with you all.

Love Never Dies,

Bella

Chapter 18

x

Daybreak

Daniel was stilled baffled by the past hours events. Luce had finally been able to see not only his own wings but Arriane and Gabbe's as well, and he still wasn't quite sure how to stomach it. But, now there was this new found ease that Luce could finally be his - With that, a remembrance of the incredible risk that she could die and never come back hanging over their heads. He'd have to fight harder now, to not only protect her - But to save what was to come, whether that was their curse finally breaking, or something that Daniel didn't exactly know yet.

While Luce had been changing, he had talked to Gabbe and Arriane. They - Or, well, he - had to settle the truce officially with Cam still. He had already sent Cam a notice stating to meet him at the island Luce would be at so he could see her once more and recognize why exactly why he was settling this truce.

He had promised Luce that he'd lay Penn to rest in a proper burial as soon as things settled, but for now - Her body was at the altar, wiped clean and her wounds closed. He could still see the sadness that lingered on Luce as they walked to find Penn's to-be final resting place. It killed him that he couldn't do anything for her at this point, but only to tell her that Luce would be with her, that she'd be safe in Heaven.

As they marched on from the gymnasium, their hands knocked together and though Luce's eyes strayed, Daniel's stayed locked on her. She wore a simple black tank top over black pants now, her hair untamed but somehow still decent - But Daniel didn't mind, in fact, he found it nearly cute. He didn't tend to ever linger on Luce's look as much, since before they had ever officially met, Daniel had recognized Luce by her soul rather than her appearance. There had always been that light that caught his attention, it's own personal beam that sometimes startled Daniel.

Daniel's hand finally slipped into her's at one point as they made their way over campus and to the cemetery. The students and much of the staff wore skeptical looks yet somewhat frighten - Certainly they had heard the fight last night. He squeezed Luce's hand and leaned into her ear and softly whispered, "Don't worry. Just imitate any of the baffle looks on their faces. No one will give us a second thought."

He could already see the police cars positioned outside of the cemetery. Randy shouted into her bluetooth, but every now and then she threw a glance at the cemetery - As if she couldn't believe the sight. Ah, Daniel thought, right - The Dust.

"I should warn you," Daniel began, his hand tugging her from the cops and Randy and towards the woods so they could get in another way. "It will look strange to you down 's style of warfare is messier than ours. It's not gory, just. . . different." Daniel explains, leading her along the fenced cemetery until they came across a bent opening in the fence.

"We can enter there without being seen. We'll have to be quick about it." Daniel says and steps through the bent wrought iron fence into the cemetery. He could see Luce's baffled face as she looks around, coughing slightly and pitching the air, trying to understand what exactly the gray that had not settled yet was. Dust, Daniel knew that. Or 'Pixie Dust' as someone had once called it.

"Is this-"

"Dust." Daniel finishes her cemetery and takes her hand, walking with her through the dreary cemetery. "In wars, angels don't die." Sadly, enough - Not without the proper weapons. "But their battles leave this thick carpet of dust in their wake."

"What happens to it?" Luce asks and Daniel shrugs. "Not much, besides the fact that it baffles mortals. It will settle eventually, and then they'll come out to study it by carload. There's a crazy scientist in Pasadena who thinks it comes from UFOs." Daniel's lips twitch slightly but looks ahead, allowing Luce to lead him to the burial spot.

"Penn's father was buried up here," Luce tells him, and Daniel nods, following her up the hill before he stops when she kneels on top of the plot. He watches her wipe away the stone and tremble a little as she read the words engraved in. Daniel couldn't read them from where he was, but could sense that whatever it was - It touched Luce's heart. She stood back up and stomps on the empty plot beside the grave, as if she were angry that this is how her friendship had to end. Daniel then thought back to Prussia, but rid of the thought before Luce looks at him, tears in her eyes. Daniel frowns and his brows furrow a little, his hand rubbing her arm up and down to comfort.

"I'll take care of her, Luce." Daniel promises. "I know it's not the way you wanted, but we'll do that best we can." Luce broke down into sobs, sniffling and her body trembling as she hugs herself - Making Daniel feel a bit guilty. He knew he couldn't do too much to help her with this situation. He wipes her tears away and lifts her chin up so he could see her face.

"I can't leave her, Daniel. How can I?"

"What happened to Penn is terrible. A huge mistake. But when you walk away today, you won't be leaving her. She's with you," Daniel places his hand on her heart. While it wasn't exactly true - It somewhat was. He remembers how some of the souls that came to Heaven had typically asked an angel to see one from their life before.

"Still, I can't-" But Daniel cut her off. "You can, Luce." He said firmly, his eyes locked on her's. She had done so much and was capable of so much. She had been the bravest person he had ever known - Even if she didn't know that. "Believe me. You have no idea how many strong and impossible things you are capable of." Daniel glances away, turning towards the trees as if he expected something to come out, but only memories flooding forward. "If there's any good left in this world, you'll know soon."

The blip of a cop car siren startles them both and then a cop shout out to someone, making Daniel grab Luce's hand and quickly say, "Let's go."

They exit once again through the opening in the wrought iron fence and duck into the forest, "Hurry," Daniel instructs as he sees the Announcers rearing upside down on the trees, but not exactly worry for them at this particular moment - He just wanted to spend his last hour with her, alone. Daniel's hand reaches to his neck and toys with his locket before slowly unclasping it and dropping it into his pocket before Luce could notice.

"Now where?" Luce asks as they get to a small clearing and Daniel releases her hand and turns to her. "Close your eyes."

As soon as Luce closes her eyes, Daniel's arms slip around her waist, pulling her to his. His wings gracefully extend from the chutes of his back and slowly, he raises them off the ground. They go forward before finally flying over the treetops. His nose buries in her hair, breathing her in while gazing in front of them. Daniel wanted badly to just dance with her above the treetops, to take her into the clouds and seclude them to their own little world - But for now, the lake would have to do. As they finally settle on the ground, Daniel's lip brush along her ear before uttering quietly, "You can open your eyes now."

Daniel spun Luce around and held her close, smiling now down at her. "I wanted to bring you here because this one place - One of many places - where I've really wanted to kiss you these past few weeks. I almost lost it that day when you dove right into the water." Daniel shyly admits, but not too much - Since he knew now that he could trust her, he'd always been able too. Luce smiles and stood on her toes, her head tilting back for a kiss. Daniel couldn't help but eagerly push his lips against her's.

He had been waiting all night to finally kiss her, it was as if he was in the raptures. Rolling in the meadows, Daniel pulls her body against him, leaving no space between them as he dips her a little, his lips somewhat ravenous against her's. There was nothing else that he wanted to do at this very moment, he was almost tempted to just take him fully for himself instead of having her sent away. The remembrance that in only less than an hour, he wouldn't be able to see her for some time. Daniel hesitantly retreats from her, the saddest look burying into his eyes.

"There's another reason I brought you here. This rock leads to the path we'll need to take to move you somewhere safe."

Luce blinks and looks down. "Oh."

"This isn't goodbye for good, Luce. I hope it's not even goodbye for long. We'll just have to see how things. . . develop." Daniel kisses her hair and runs his palm over her tousled hair, smoothing it. "Please don't worry. I will always come for you. I won't let you go until you understand that."

"Then I refuse to understand."

Daniel chuckles softly under his breath and smiles at her before gesturing to the field where Mr. Cole had set the plane. "See that clearing over there?"

"That's for me?" Luce asks, "Where am I going? What's going to happen to this place? And what am I going to tell me parents?"

Daniel sighs, shaking his head. So many questions, so little time. "For now, try not to worry. As soon as you're safe, we'll tackle everything else we need to. Mr. Cole can call your parents."

"Mr. Cole?"

"He's on our side, Luce. You can trust him." Daniel assures and watches as Luce's hazel eyes stare up at up with question that are never spoken. He continues, "There's a path that follows the water. We can pick it up down there. . . Or, we could swim." Daniel suggests, pulling her back to him and smiling.

They now stood at the high rock, their shoes kicked off under the magnolia tree and their hands locked together as they look down at the water as Daniel slowly counted down, "One. . . Two. . . Three!" But instead of diving, his wings sprout behind him and he lifts Luce into his arms and high above once again. He listens to Luce gasp as they fly gracefully up. A warm smile slips over Daniel's lips.

"Are you ready?" Daniel asks, holding her back to his chest. Luce nods, "I'm ready." He then took her fingers and pulls his wings back in as they fell and broke through the water together. Laughter erupts from them both as their heads pop from the water. Their hands found each other's and Daniel places subtle kisses along her cheeks before tugging her toward the rock As much as Daniel wanted to stay with Luce, she had to leave soon and he still had to see Cam. Daniel climbs up onto the rock before pulling her up and laying on the moss on their sides, propping their heads up with their elbows. Daniel lays his hand on Luce's hip, giving her a warm smile and staring longingly into her hazel eyes.

"Mr. Cole will be waiting when we reach the plane." Daniel says. "This is our last chance to be alone. I thought we might say our real goodbye here." He sits up and reaches into his pocket, pulling out the locket. "I'm going to give you something," Daniel takes her hand and places the locket in her palm, giving her a small smile - but a hesitant look flickering in his violet eyes. "It used to belong to you," Daniel explains, his hand pulling away and watching her closely. "A very long time ago."

Daniel still remembered picking the locket from her ashes with tears raining down from his eyes. They had been in Florence after he tried to flee from her in Milan, but had failed when he saw her again in Florence and nearly fell to his knees when he saw her. Daniel shakes his head now, however, and rids of the memories - He wanted to be happy at this moment, to enjoy his time with Luce before she left his side.

"When was this taken?" Luce asks, holding the locket up so Daniel could see - Though he had seen it more times than he could remember. "Where are we?" It was obvious Luce was eager to learn more, but they didn't have enough time today.

"I'll tell you the next time I see you," Daniel promises and lifts the necklace over her head and slips it around her neck, smiling it as it shines against her pale skin. Luce reaches for the locket, running her fingers over the chain.

"I love it."

"I know Cam gave you that gold necklace, too," Daniel blurts, but soon as it came out, he immediately regrets it as a pained look flashes across Luce's face.

"He put it on me, I didn't-" Daniel's own guilt eats at him and he cuts her off. "I know. Whatever happened between you and Cam, it wasn't your fault. Somehow he held on to a lot of his angelic charm when he fell. It's very deceptive."

"I hope I never see him again." She whispers, shuddering slightly.

"I'm afraid you might." Daniel says, sadly. "And there are more like Cam out there. You'll just have to trust your gut. I don't know how long it will take to catch you up on everything that's happened in our past. But in the meantime, if you feel an instinct, even about something you think you don't know, you should trust it. You'll probably be right."

"So, trust myself even when I can't trust those around me?"

"I'll try to be there to help you," Daniel tells her. "and I'll send word as much as I can when I'm away. Luce, you possess your past lives' memories. . . Even if you can't unlock them yet." Daniel sighs a little. "If something feels wrong to you, stay away." Daniel couldn't rid of this feeling ever since she figured out that he was an angel, that she could after-all unlock it all herself.

"Where are you going?" Luce asks after a small pause. Daniel looks toward the sky and shrugs a bit. "To find Cam. We have a few more things to take care of."

"But you'll come back to me, after that? Do you promise?" Luce nearly sounds like she was holding back her tears, staring at Daniel with the most hopeful eyes. Daniel frowns and takes her hands.

"I-I can't live without you, Luce. I love you. It matters not just to me, but. . ." Daniel stops, shaking his head. She must unlock it on her own. "Don't about any of that now. Only know that I will come for you."

They both reluctantly dove back into the water, swimming to the shore and standing at the shore as he watches Luce play a little - Obviously not ready to leave. Daniel chuckles, and like she were a child, Daniel pulls Luce from the water. His lips dance along her neck as he holds her close to his body for another embrace, his arms locking tightly around her small waist.

Almost too soon, Daniel could already hear the roar of the plane's engine and releases Luce from his arms, but slides his hand onto her lower back, letting her head rest upon his shoulder. As they approach the plane, Daniel spots Mr. Cole jumping down from the plane.

"A little angel told me you might need this." Mr. Cole offers up a large white towel, which Luce quickly takes and wraps around herself.

"Who are you calling little?" Arriane and Gabbe emerge from the trees, holding a bag and Daniel's book in hand.

"We came to say bon voyage." Gabbe says, a sad smile on her face. "Take this," Gabbe hands the book to Luce, who tucks it under her arm. Gabbe then pulls a thermos from her backpack and hands it to Luce, who then opens it and smell it, smiling slightly but it quickly fading as some realization hit her. She snuggles into Daniel's shoulder. Daniel kisses her head softly but watches Gabbe and Arriane.

"We'll see you soon, okay?"

"Don't do anything stupid, like turning into a pile of ash." Arriane's eyes dart away and leans back and forth on both legs. "We need you."

"You need me?" Luce asks, a bit astonished. More than you know, Luce - Daniel thought - More than you could imagine. Gabbe and Arriane weakly hold smiles and never answer her before shuffling back into the forest. Luce then turns to Daniel, her eyes locking with his. Daniel glances up toward Mr Cole, as if to suggest to give them a moment.

"I'll give you two a moment alone," Mr. Cole says, nodding slowly toward Daniel. "Luce, from the time I start the engine up, it's three minutes to takeoff. I'll meet you in the cockpit." One Mr. Cole disappears into the plane, Daniel's arms loop under her butt and sweeps her up, making sure her belongings wouldn't spill so holding her against his chest. Their lips found each other and move in a passionate rhythm, his tongue moving stealthily into mouth and tasting her for one last time - At least for a while. Daniel wasn't ready to have her leave him just yet, but he had too tonight - At least for a small while. As they broke for air, Daniel's hands smooth over her hair and he places one last peck on her lips.

"This is it," Daniel whispers. "Be careful. Let Mr. Cole guide you until I come." He urges and a rumble from the plane's engine, alerting them that they had to hurry now. "Try to remember what I said." Daniel nearly chokes out, but remains firm and strong for her - He didn't need to upset her now.

"Which part?" Luce asks.

"As much as you can - But mostly, that I love you." He murmurs and his arms fall, Luce sniffling and nodding before rushing to the plane. She threw one final glance to him and then disappears behind the metal door and tinted window.

Daniel's wings extend behind him and he jets for the sky before flying off, leaving behind Sword & Cross, and beginning the next era of the curse that bounds him. The horizon glows purple and orange, Daniel spinning like a torpedo before he finally settles high enough that he could see Luce's plane fly off into the dusk, and it wasn't long before it was a spec in the sky.

He felt a slight uneasiness now that she was so far from him, his once violet eyes sinking to their dull gray and his wings shudder a little. Daniel sighs but a small smile twitches at his lips as he realizes not only was she finally safe and more than likely officially his,

They had somehow found a possible loophole, but Daniel had a feeling that that this most certainly wasn't the end to their fight for love.