The Angel's Covenant (The Covenant series) (7 page)

Eleven
 

Heather stands in the shower and sighs as she washes all the grime, dirt, and dried blood away. She lets her tears fall, and she sends a prayer of thanks that she survived. Trying not to think about the last ten days, she washes her hair a third time and tries to keep her cast dry. It's hard to believe that her "affliction" as her mother calls it, saved her life. Not sure how to feel about it, she gets out of the tiny hospital shower and dries off quickly. Returning to her room, she lets the nurse help her into some dry clothes that Seth brought her.
Seth, her heart sighs. Just the thought of him makes her smile. He'd been in to see her as often as possible. The look on his face was priceless when she told him where her bag was hidden. "The air cleaner? Of your car?” he had responded with disbelief.

"What? It seemed like a good idea at the time. My Dad made me take an auto-shop class in high school, thank God. It's very simple to remove, ju
st twist the wing nut and  ..."

"Heather, I know how to remove a wing nut!
” he said exasperated. "Why would you put your bag there?"
"It had to be somewhere they wouldn't think to look. Technically the car isn't mine, its Johns but he loaned it to me," She said handing him the long term parking ticket. "Please Seth, no more questions. I will explain everything after you get my bag."

More confused than ever, Seth leans in and says "I want some answers when I get back." Tucking the blankets around her, Heathers breath catches when he leans close wondering how his mouth will feel on hers. With a small smile he kisses her forehead and leaves.
"Uuuugggg." Heather groans covering her face with a pillow when he leaves.

Later in the day d
rying her hair she hears "Is your sweet heart coming back today?" The nurse asks. "Oh, he's not mine, He's a friend."

"He won't be able to recognize you without all of your equipment." Her long chestnut brown hair fell in waves around her shoulder, and her green eyes were a beautiful contrast next to her pale skin. When she smiles two deep dimples dance, drawing the attention of anyone near. They
had removed the IV that morning and cleared her for a shower. He left arm was broken with a cast, and her other shoulder was sewn up. She was taking antibiotics, and had multiple lacerations that been bandaged. She was lucky and exhausted. The nurse helped her get back in bed and tells her to rest.

Settling back in her bed, Heather is soon drifting off, when she hears the door creak slowly open. Her heart begins to race; the sound of paper crinkling
has her jumping up in terror.

"Easy now, sugar, it’s just me" comes a familiar voice. "Seth" she whispers trying to calm her heart as he sits on the bed beside her and takes her hand.
Turning on the bedside lamp he looks at her and whistles slow. "Don't you just take a man’s breath away?" Her beauty stuns him leaving him speechless.

Laughing Heather swats at him, and says "You must be blind; I'm broken, bruised and cut up. What's in
the bag?" she says pointing.

"I think your turning into a brat. I may have brought you a treat, but you have to ea
rn it." His dark eyes sparkle.  "Oh really, I thought you were a gentlemen." Heather asks looking disappointed. Dropping the bag on the bed side table Seth leans close and puts an arm on each side of Heather breathing her in. "Well now I was referring to answering some questions, but I would be happy to oblige you if you’re up to it."

Heart beating fast, Heather leans in and just before her lips touch his, she sighs "finally." Softly at first their lips brush, tongues dance, and then she leans back and the smiles are gone, replaced by hunger.
She traps the back of his head with her good hand and dives in. Grabbing his bottom lip gently with her teeth, sucking on it, growling "More." Seth is about to pull her on top of him when the door is pushed open by nurse busy body.

"Oops, excuse me. I need to check my patient’s vitals. All though I am sure I can
come back," she says laughing.

Blushing bright red, Heather drops her head on Seth's shoulder and tries to hide. "Kill m
e now" comes her muffled reply. "Too easy,” he says “I know multiple ways to kill a human being," he replies looking at his favorite nurse.

"So do I sugar!
” she says in her best southern imitation of him. "I'll be back in five. Let the poor girl breath," she says leaving.

Laughing together she comes out of hiding and he retrieves the bag. "I brought you a couple of things.
” The first thing he gives her is her small black bag. Seeing the fear in her eyes, he sets it on the bedside table. "Thank you, Seth. You have no idea how important that is." Next he reaches in and pulls out a chocolate bar. Her moan has his eyes going dark with desire.  "Oh my God, where did you get that!"

"I have some questions that need answered, are you up to it?" He asks waving the bar at her. Eyeing him warily Heather wonders how much to tell him. "Who says I like chocolate?
” she says. Frowning she grasps the covers with her good hand and looks over at her black bag. He stands up and begins to pace.

"Heather I am leaving in two days, your mission was my last. We don't have much time, and I have a lot of questions. Have they said when they are releasing you?"
turning to look at her, he waits.

"Today, my flight leaves tomorrow night. I am staying with a friend; I will be flying to Germany, then on
to California." Beginning to shake, she gets up from the bed and walks over to him. Taking his hand with her good one, she looks up into his dark eyes and says "I'll never be able to thank you enough Seth," he stops her putting his hand up.

"It's my job; Heather I am glad
we were able to get you out."  Feeling disappointed and slightly hurt she turns away to gather her things. "Will I be able to see Jake before I leave?” she asks turning to Seth.

"He said
he would try to come by today. We are all being debriefed separately. Can you tell me what those creatures were, and what your bag has to do with it?" he asked quietly.

Heather starts to say something when her door swings open and the discharge nurse comes in. "We need to get
your vitals, and go over paperwork before you are released."

"Okay then"
he sees that she is being stubborn, he will have to get his information another way. "I have to be going anyway." Kissing her hard on the mouth, he says "I will talk to you soon" and leaves.

Heather touches her lips and watches as he walks out of her life. He can never know the truth, hell she doesn't even believe it most of the time; how will a man like Seth react to such evil in the world. He has dedicated his life to saving people, how would he look at her if she is the one to show him hell on earth? Wiping tears she makes her decision, and says to the nurse "I
need to get out of here."

Jake walks into the hospital trying to ignore most of the shadows he see
s. There seem to be more than usual, and he can't help but wonder what is going on. He is here to check on Heather, and say goodbye. He was debriefed this morning and his flight leaves the next day. He is ready to go home.

After knocking on the door he walks in and stops, staring at the beautiful young women. Heather smiles flashing her dimples, and walks to Jake. Her bags are packed and she is dressed. "I am waiting on m
y ride and your just I'm time."

"You look amazing, are you f
eeling well?" Jake asks her.  "Good enough to go home, my flight leaves tomorrow night. Jake I can't thank you enough for doing this for me," she says nervously.

"No problem, though I wonder how Seth would feel about this?
” Jake asks her.

"I don't want to involve him unless I have to" she says. "How long will my debriefing take?"
she asks him following him to the door.  "That depends on what you tell them. Stick to the truth as closely as possible, and it should go quickly."

"Is that what you did? You told them we were attacked by bat demons, and they just accepted that?"
Heather jokingly asks.

"No, I told them that we were attacked by a crazed person with a knife. That we think he was on drugs and it was chaotic and dark. We had cleared the room before turning to rescue you and we were attacked from an unexpected source." Jake says angrily punching the
buttons on the elevator for the parking deck level.

"I guess you had no choice, Jake what would they think if you told them the truth
," she sighs getting into the car.  "What is the truth" Jake asks her starting the car and driving out. "Don't you know Jake?" she turns in her seat to look at him, "You are a Keeper after all."

"A what?
What's a Keeper Heather?" he asks turning in his seat. "Don't you know what you are Jake?" she asks quietly.

"I am a soldier Heather, but that is all!
” he says adamantly. They ride in silence for a few minutes heading towards the base commanders office. After they get through security she turns to him and says, "You are much more than that Jake, you are a keeper, and a powerful one from what I've seen," she says stubbornly as they park.

"You have been through a rough ordeal; it wouldn't be surprising for you to be confused. They are waiting for you inside." Cutting the engine he thinks
maybe she is still in shock.

"You can tell yourself I am crazy if you want, but when they return and they will, you will have to believe me then
," she says slamming her way out of his jeep.

Sitting in the briefing room across from the officials, Heather wishes Seth were with her. Rubbing her broken arm, she looks at the men and says for the last time "I wish I could tell you more, but I do not remember much after the initial kidnapping. I am a volunteer with a research team from the United States. We come every year to examine and document the finds at different dig sites. I specialize in 3-D imaging. I am an Engineer, with a firm in Maryland."

"
Is there any reason why they kidnapped you, Ms. Jones?" the General asks.  "No sir, I guess I was in the wrong place at the right time." She smiles tiredly. "I can't thank you enough for rescuing me; I had almost given up hope, when they came in." She whispers with tears in her eyes. "I am so sorry you lost a soldier, General. I will be forever grateful to you all."

Thankfully she accepts some tissues and water, the men give her. "Am I free to go now? I tire easily these days a
nd my flight leaves tomorrow."

"Of course, if you remember anything you will contact the number we gave you
," he reminds her again.
"Yes sir, thank you. Is it possible to get a ride back to my friend’s apartment? Captain Jake was kind enough to drive me from the hospital.”

"Absolutely, get Jake” the General orders “he can make sure Ms. Jones makes it safely." Gently he guides her to the door, whe
re Jake is waiting and fuming.

Dimpling at the General she pulls him down to kiss his weathered cheek and says, "Thank you again, I will never forget the sacrifice you all made for me." Turning with tears in her green eyes she smiles at Jak
e and limps out the door.

Following closely behind her Jake comments "Those things are deadly weapons aren't they?” Gesturing toward her faced. He opens
the door to his jeep for her.

“
Why Captain, I am sure I don't know what you mean?" she asks trying not to laugh when he slams the door. Looking out the window she tries not to look at Seth as they drive past him.

After they are on the way, she says "Really Jake, I am sorry about Craig. I spoke to his wife this morning. Did you know they were expecting a baby, she found out it’s a boy. She was going to tell him when he came home. I will never be able to thank you all for saving me, but I can promise you it
will never be forgotten."

"I did know. He couldn't stop talking about it. He was more brother than friend
," Jake sighs. "I have seen enough death and judging by the look on Seth's face right now I might see more before the days out."
"It's really none of his business. I just need to collect some things and then go home.” Besides he said he was being debriefed this afternoon she thought.

The ride to her friend’s apartment was awkward, and tense. Funny she never felt that way with Seth. Focusing
on the task at hand Heather looks at Jake and says "Aren't you curious why I can see them too?"
"Not really," Jake says quietly.

"I was nine. My Grandfather on my Dads side was dying from Alzheimer's and my parents took us to see him. I don't know what they were thinking taking us in there, but I will never forget it. As the oldest of four girls I was leading the way. Two of my sisters clutched my hand and the youngest hid behind me. They nudged me closer to the hospital bed and he was just a skeleton of a man struggling to breath, someone told him "Look Grampy the girls are here" and he turned to look at me. His eyes were the faded color eyes get before death and as he looked at me
he became excited. The monitors started going off as he reached for my hand and called my name. He grabbed my wrist and that's when I started screaming. There were demons all over him. Some were attached to his arms, some to his legs, one was strangling him. I couldn't do anything; I became so hysterical they had to drag me from the room. They thought I lost my mind, but Grampy knew I was trying to get them off him."