Descent (A Hidden Wings Novella: Prequel) (7 page)

Alaine gawk
ed at Aurora.

“What the heck is a Nephilim, and what are you talking about?
”

“A Nephilim is
a Halfbreed. Half human, half angel. Alaine, your birth mother was a mortal female, but your father is an immortal. He is an Angel.”

Alaine closed her eyes and shook her head. She figured that this was just a dream and she would wake up in her bed soon
.

“Why do you think the wolves stopped before
they reached you? You were invisible to them. The only reason why they couldn’t see your friend was because she was touching you. Didn’t you notice that when you let go of her, your other friend took notice of her?”

“But how can you see me if I’m invisible?”

“I have a special gift. One that can see one's aura, even if invisible. That’s why your father sent me, even though he didn’t know what your gift would be. He wanted to make sure, in case no one else could find you, I would still be able to find you by your aura.”

Alaine was confounded. This all seemed like some crazy, twisted dream.

“I didn’t think Angels existed.”

“Oh, but
they do, Alaine. I’m an Angel,” Aurora whispered. In a split second, two large white wings expanded behind Aurora’s back. They were the most beautiful things Alaine had ever laid her eyes on. She gasped, and almost fell backward, but Aurora caught her arm.

“How? What?” Alaine was confounded.

“You were born at
eleven twenty-three in the evening, eighteen years ago. Because of dangerous situations, immediately after your birth you were taken from your birth mother, and delivered to the Gray’s. Understand that it had to be that way. Your birth mother never intended to give you up, but it was necessary for your safety.”

“A
--are th-they still alive?” Alaine stuttered.

“Yes, a
nd you have a half-sister who is completely human,” Aurora confessed.

Alaine couldn’t beli
eve it. This news was overwhelming, but suddenly her chest felt heat again.

“The wolves are coming
,” Aurora alerted. “Quick, jump on my back. Your friends are waiting. I’ll take you to them.”

“Won’t they see you?” Alaine asked.

“Don’t worry. I’m practiced at remaining hidden to humans,” she giggled.

Alaine jumpe
d up onto Aurora’s back, and they took off into the sky. She watched the wolves circle the tombstone, snapping and howling. They’d escaped just in time.

Aurora flew
Alaine to a patch of trees on the opposite side of the cemetery. She set her down quietly. She was across the parking lot, and the wolves were still near the center tombstone. All of her friends’ eyes were locked in their direction. The boys, along with Jessica and Susan were frantically calling Alaine’s name.

“Alaine, keep safe
. Your father has also left you another gift. A garment, which has been placed in your closet to protect you if evil should come. If the Bloodstone ever glows, or you feel afraid, put it on. It contains magic,” she said.

She was just about to take off again when Alaine grabbed her arm. “W
ait! What’s his name?”

“I am not allowed to speak his name
, but I will tell you this. Your birth mother’s name was Jane Wilder. She still resides in the area.”

“In Oregon?”

Aurora nodded.

Alaine
gasped. She couldn’t believe it. All this time, her birth mother lived in the same state and she had no idea! And, she also had a half-sister that she knew nothing about. 

“
You must go,” Aurora urged. Before Alaine could answer, she flapped her wings and shot off into the air. “Quickly, Alaine! Return to your friends,” her voice carried before disappearing into the night. 

“Alaine!
Alaine!” Jessica screamed out of a small crack in her window, desperately calling her lost friend.

Loud howls, growls, and snapping
of teeth made the girls heads snap back to the other car. Two wolves had jumped onto the boy’s car, and their horrified screams could be heard loud and clear through the closed windows. Wesley had started the car, but was waiting for the girls to leave first.

Alaine
dashed across the narrow road towards Jessica’s car. She glanced at the reflection in the window, and immediately noticed that she wasn’t there. The street light and trees behind her were, but not her.

She
was
invisible!

Alaine
took a few deep breaths and slowly watched her reflection slowly reappear.  

“Jessica
!” Alaine screamed, pounding on the window, making both girls inside jump and scream. Susan dove toward her and quickly unlocked the door. Alaine shoved in and slammed the door behind her.

“Where the
hell were you?” Jessica scolded.

“I
went back for Susan’s glasses.”

“You scared the hell out of us
! I was calling you. I thought something horrible had happened,” she yelled. She was visibly upset. Tears streamed from her red eyes, and she was trembling.

“I’m sorry
. I was there. But it’s dark, and I was trying to hide from the wolves. I used the trees as cover.” Alaine tried to make sense of it all, but there was no way of explaining what had happened.

“Whatever, Alaine! You could have been killed!
I told you this was a stupid idea!” Alaine kept quiet as Jessica started the car. Just as she pulled away a wolf jumped in front of them. She slammed on the breaks and pounded the horn. “Damn you, stupid wolf!” she hollered, glaring at it. She punched the gas petal, screeching forward nearly running it over. Wesley and the boys followed close behind.

Alaine handed
Susan her glasses, and she thanked her, sobbing and also shaking.

The
night of Alaine’s eighteenth birthday would be a night they would never forget.  

Alaine
had NO answers to what had just happened, but knew that she needed to keep quiet about her encounter with Aurora. She had so many secrets, she wanted to burst. Her body was trembling from a mixture of fear, excitement, and finally getting a few answers.

Nephilim. The
word terrified yet excited Alaine. She glanced back down to the Bloodstone amulet which was no longer glowing or heated, and twisted it in her fingers. Such a strange little stone.

Jessica dropped Susan off
at home first, and on the way to drop Alaine off there was an awkward silence. When they pulled up in front of Alaine’s home, she thanked Jessica for throwing her the party, and then quickly ran into the comfort of her home. She bounced up the stairs to her room, and held her breath before opening her closet door.

In
the middle of her clothes hung a long white bag, which stuck out like a sore thumb amongst her dark color-coordinated area. She yanked it from its spot and laid it on her bed, quickly unzipping it. Her jaw dropped as her eyes fastened onto the garment.

It was
a tight black leather suit, which looked like it was made for some kind of superhero. Like Cat Woman or Bat Girl. She ran her fingers down the material, and as she did she felt electricity run through them. Tingles started from her fingertips, ran up her hand and continued up her arm. She quickly pulled back, confused from the reaction.

There
was a small note attached to the neck.

If
you ever doubt or fear the dark, put this on. It is Vestimentum Angelorum, a garment of the Angels. It has magical powers which will be activated once joined with its wearer, and will help keep you safe when I am unable.

**********

Alaine thankfully never had to use the suit until she was older. Questions still remained unanswered, but she now always felt like she was protected. By whom, she never knew, but she always felt a watchful eye over her.

**********

There was a deep hatred which continued to grow for the Nephilim. It wasn’t necessarily from the Otherworlds, but from a few Fallen who had gone rogue. Because some of the Halfbreeds possessed greater powers then them, these few had become envious, labeling them as abominations. It was then that the trouble started.

After Lucian’s
subversive parting with Lucifer, he dispatched a small company of five warriors to seek out the Nephilim and bring them back so he could witness their powers for himself. His closest ally led the hunt. They found one of them, but what they didn’t realize was that this particular Nephilim had been given the gift of superior strength. He never tired, and his skin was like iron.

Lucian’s band
could not hold him, and he fought back, killing four of them. One barely escaped and returned to Lucian. When Lucian was informed of his best friend’s death, a deep hatred took root in his already blackened heart. It quickly grew and spread through his being like an incurable sickness.

He’d already despised
the Nephilim, but now he wanted every last one of them dead. He called for the Darkling, evil pawns used to carry out wicked, malicious orders. The Darkling did the biddings of the Fallen in exchange for immortality. They were sent out into the cover of night with one order… to seek out the Nephilim, and kill them before their transformations. Those that had made it past transformation were handled differently. The Darkling would merely seek them out, and then send the Fallen in to finish the job, which was done while they slept.

Alaine’s gift allowed her to survive beyond many others. The Darkling could never
find that which they could never see. But, she was also well protected without her knowledge. Things happened around her that she was unaware of. Her life was saved many times, and it was because she had favor in high places.        

Chapter Six

First Encounter

Samuel:

The day I met Alaine was as fresh in my mind as the morning dew on a blade of grass. Danyel and I were on break from an ongoing war, and I decided to take a chance and head into the human cities to blend with the mortals. It was something I somewhat enjoyed. Being lost in their world with little care. Just to observe their many ways, and wondering why God chose to create them. 

I don’t know why, but that day I was drawn to
the city of Portland, Oregon. I sat outside of a small café, had a cup of coffee, and entertained myself watching the innumerable expressions of the passing crowds. Signs of joy, gloom, grief, hate, tension, weariness, love, and even those who seemed completely emotionless.

I was suddenly captivated by
a couple on the opposite side of the highway. The female had run from one direction, straight into the male’s arms. He swung her around in a tight embrace, and it ended in a passionate kiss. It was then I began to ponder how these mortals found their mates. Was it merely an inkling, or were they drawn to each other?

But, just as these thoughts entered my mind, something
caught me off guard. A sudden sensation which sent my emotions reeling in all directions. Confusion, exhilaration, euphoria. They heated me to my core. My chest tightened, and as I turned, a young female was standing next to me. Her eyes were wide with confusion. I tried, but was unable to strip my eyes from her. This mortal was near perfection.  She was fair and petite. Her dark brown eyes had mesmerized me. I was an immortal. A Fallen Angel under her spell. Bewitched by her beauty.