Cast & Fall (32 page)

Before
I could ask what it was.
“
It’s
our mark…It’s a dagger…and all the signs and
symbols around it, represent who we are as immortals.”

“
Oh.”
I whispered—the only word I can utter in an equal balance of
shock, surprise and admiration. I couldn’t assess the intricate
markings for too long. He faced me
then.
I quickly sprinted upstairs to change, then proceeded to Steve’s
closet to
borrow
a gray shirt and dark pants. It was a little inches shorter, but it
will have to do for now. I came down and handed the clothes to
Tristan. I knew Steve wouldn’t mind. He was the kind of person
that would give whatever he could for anyone in need. He put it on,
filling the shirt snugly. I twisted myself to look away so that he
could put his pants on. I looked back a second later and grabbed
Tristan’s clothes from his hands and headed to the laundry
room, dumped it in the dryer, turned it
on
and went back to the living room to join him.

My
heart felt overwhelmingly heavy. I knew that whatever it was that
Tristan couldn’t tell me, had everything to do with the threat
in my life and somehow it involved the reasons behind the fact that
he was a fallen angel.
I
understood that.

But
still, I hated the fact, that I was left in the dark about my life
again. I also hated the idea that there were secrets between us.
Tristan had promised me that whenever it was safe, that he would tell
me everything…I was going to hold him to that promise.

I
didn’t want to move. There was no place I’d rather be,
than at this moment. I didn’t care what place or what time or
even what universe, as long as I was with Tristan.

His
arms, still wrapped around me exactly the same way, and my body still
curled to his, like a puzzle piece, since the last I remembered,
before I had fallen asleep to the warmth of him and the soothing
sound of his voice.

But
strangely enough, I didn’t feel uncomfortable. I almost felt
guilty for being unable to keep myself awake. But I was glad to have
fallen asleep in
his
arms.

The
night had been long. I tried with great effort to keep my eyes open
for as long as I could. I didn’t want to sleep, not wanting to
be away from him even for a little while. But the past few days had
deprived me of rest, and my eyes just gave in despite my will.

Dawn
broke through the clouds. The calmness of the sea and the soft
blowing wind had resurfaced. The night before had been rough and
cold, but Tristan was enough to keep me warm. I lifted my head up to
look at him. His eyes bored into mine. We both smiled before I
cuddled my head back in the nape of his neck. He softly kissed the
top of my forehead and I extended my arms to wrap around him,
unwilling to leave the moment.

But
before I could truly appreciate the security that embraced me, fear
jostled back into memory. I knew that I couldn’t ask about the
details of where Tristan had gone to and who was trying to kill me
and why, but the thoughts kept circling in my head, buzzing blindly
with nowhere to land.

I
had called Steve the night before to let him know that I was spending
the night at Sam’s. Despite the fact that I hated lying to
Steve, I decided I couldn’t afford to let him know even half
the truth. Tristan and I had spent the whole night at
Amaranthine
,
talking about as much as he was allowed, beside where he had gone to
and the negotiation.

H
e
had tossed a cheerful waitress a twenty dollar bill without meeting
her gaze. He looked at my anxious eyes. He stared in silence for a
moment, somehow possibly trying to read my thoughts. I hoped he
could. Though, I knew it wouldn’t be too hard to guess. They
were the same thoughts from the night before—worried, afraid
and a feeling of anxiety that could only be quenched by answers that
I may possibly never get—at least not right now. I shoved the
feeling aside. I felt helpless but knew at this point, there was
nothing I could do.

“
Thank
You,” I said politely as the waitress wearing an overly
friendly smile, refilled my glass with orange juice. She lingered at
our table more than necessary, staring at
Tristan,
probably hoping he would give her a hint of attention or at least
acknowledge her presence. Finally, Tristan briefly looked at her to
thank her for her overly attentive services. I smiled silently.
Tristan didn’t seem to respond to physical languages as I
thought he would. Tristan had told me that he had become in tuned
with human’s needs and their emotions, but exactly to what
degree, I wasn‘t exactly sure.

She
pulled out another warm smile and stared at him under her big lashes,
before disappearing with her pitcher of juice into the kitchen.

“
You
know that waitress was flirting with you.” Of course, I could
not hold her too responsible for her failed attempts. The waitress
simply couldn’t help herself but be human. Tristan laughed. He
ran his fingers freely through his hair.
Oh
how I knew too well the magnetism he has…it‘s simply
irresistible
.
He tilted his head a little, like he was weighing on something very
trivial.

“
Flirting…such
a human thing to do,” he said with sarcastic enthusiasm.

“
So
did you notice that she was flirting with you?” I was suddenly
very curious to know his thoughts on the subject—trying to
learn as much about the less dangerous things about him.

“
Well…I
have become more aware of human needs and their emotions, but their
attraction to me holds no interest…since I cannot fulfill that
need…I’m more in tuned with the other emotions,”
he said, sounding like a matter of fact—like the whole subject
bored him.

“
What
about my attraction to you?” I suddenly found myself
embarrassed by my own question. My face felt hot. His eyes suddenly
looked brilliant. His lips curled into a smile. “You’re
different,” he said in a seductive smile.

“
So…am
I…an exception to the rule, then?”

“
You
are definitely an exception to the rule
.”
He inflected the words as if that statement was simply obvious. He
grabbed my left hand and kissed it delicately. And of course, I
blushed again.

I
gazed down and opened the to-go box in front of me, I decided to eat
after all, popping the sweet fluffy cake in my mouth faster than I
should.

I
suddenly felt famished. All the days of waiting anxiously for his
return had curved my appetite. I didn’t even realize I was
starving until now. He watched me fascinated.

I
was half done polishing my plate of buttermilk pancakes when he asked
me a question that I knew was a distraction. Despite the fact that he
was back, we both knew too well that something is out to get me, and
that fact was enough to keep me anxious and afraid the rest of every
day.

He
looked at me wide-eyed, probably trying to distract my anxious
thoughts.

“
If
you have a choice of where you could go, where would it be? He was
right that question, definitely distracted me.

“
Are
we talking about earth here or…?” My mind wandered
briefly outside the box.
He
chuckled before I could finish my cosmic thoughts.

“
Yes.
Earth…what’s your favorite place?” he mused.

“
I
know what you’re trying to do…It won’t work.”

“
I’m
not trying to do anything…everything is fine…please
stop worrying. I’m just really curious. I want to know a lot
about you.”

Those
last words did strange things to my insides, I couldn’t fathom
the idea of me being anything, but interesting.

“
Well,
that depends.” I managed to pull out a subdued smile.

“
On
what?” his face, still curious.

“
On
the company, of course.”

“
Okay,
let’s just say, someone you would like to spend time with…or
better yet…someone you love.”

“
Hmm,
that’s really tough…I love many people,” I teased.
His face intrigued, but ignored my teasing.

“
Just
pick one,” his eyes were smoldering. I had a hard time
thinking.

“
I
think, I’ll have to say Greece,” I blurted the first
thing that came to mind. I had so many that I couldn’t think on
a moment’s notice.

“
But,
then again, I like Paris...Venice…Japan…Monte Carlo…”

“
Okay,
I’m sticking with Greece.”

I
slipped on my black, peep toed heeled shoes and touched up on my red
lipstick. Finally, putting on my black mask. I assessed myself in the
full bodied mirror. I smoothed my black, long gown. Even though, I
had always felt anxious about the Charity Ball for the past two
years, tonight was different. Tonight the anxiety didn’t come
from the fact that I had forgotten to follow up with the flower shop
or had miscounted the reminder invites. Tonight, I was going out with
someone, more wonderful than anyone I have ever known; the stranger
that kept me awake at night not too long ago. I could have not
thought of it being like this, even in my wildest dreams. And even
now, I haven’t completely wrapped my mind on everything about
him.

I
quickly kept the wonderful thought in my mind. The Charity Ball is
something near and dear to my heart. The charity that my mother were
always so eager to get involved in—she always supported many
causes. I clasped my heart, remembering always how I felt right
before I left for the ball—my mother—and now, Tristan,
being a part of this night. I smiled again at the wonderful picture.
Tonight will be perfect.

I
decided to meet Tristan at the ball. I was involved with the
preparations and had to be there a little earlier to help with the
set up. Sam was on her way to pick me up. She and I had been
volunteering with the fundraiser and one of the reasons why we had
become the closest of friends.

I
glanced at the mirror and stared at a face that had not been familiar
to me in a long while—her lips curled into a smile, her eyes
hidden and sparkled under a black,
Venetian
,
metallic-lace mask. She wore a black, Grecian-like dress—somehow
she was different—she was completely—happy.

I
heard my cell phone buzzing. “I’m here!!!” It was a
text from Sam. I slowly went
downstairs
and yanked the door open to let her in. “Kat…you look,
great.” I can hear the piercing shriek in her voice.
“
You,
too.” This was the first year we didn’t shop together for
the ball and felt a little guilty for splurging. She was good at
sewing and have been tweaking our outfits to save money. She was a
little irritated with me for having been so preoccupied—mainly
because of Tristan—but knew I would be forgiven by tonight.

Masquerade
Ball

T
he
B
eautiful
S
tranger.

I
waited eagerly for him to come. My heart thumping inside my chest as
I roamed the crowd from a distance. Seeing strange faces, the masks
seem to float in the air while women wore their beautiful gowns, and
men their tuxedos.

The
huge chandelier illuminated the whole house, making everything and
everyone sparkle. Glasses of crystals were everywhere, and the warmth
of the house expanded all the way to the massive open living room
that soared to thirty foot ceiling. The floor seemed to have a glow
of its own, reflecting a cast and rays of light from the black
speckled marble floor. I gazed at the arrangement of flowers at every
table and the linens draped smoothly. Everything was arranged.
Organized. Perfect.

As
I walked to greet Dr. Hancock & his wife, who helped organize the
charity ball, I grabbed a crystal glass. Dr. Hancock is also my
father’s friend and our family doctor. Her arms anchored to
his, Mrs. Hancock, wore a muted shade of mauve gown with intricate
beadings of crystal, and her husband looked amazing in his dark tux.
“Hello, Katheryna…I am so glad to see you again. You
look lovely.” They both gave me a peck on the cheek. “Are
you feeling better?” Dr. Hancock, questioned.