Until Next Time The Angel Chronicles Book 1 (13 page)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Liz bolted upright in bed. The sudden movement reopened the wounds that now covered her skin, and they started to bleed more profusely as her heart sprang back to life.

Her mouth opened wide as she focused on her friend sitting beside her. A small squeak came from her lips as she expelled the air from her lungs.

“You’ll be fine,” Faith said, quietly. “Just…fine.”

Without noticing, Liz ran her hands haphazardly over her skin, back and forth, pressing her palms against the broken strips of flesh. She smiled at her friend’s pale face. “Don’t worry—you should see the other guy.”

“Is everyone…all right?”

Liz searched through the fog in her brain. “Only the ones who are supposed to be.”

“Good,” Faith stated, as she stared at the bloody sheets. “You look like you’ve given birth, for goodness sake. You know, there’s not enough money in the world to be your maid.”

With her words, the blood-soaked sheets magically transformed back to their normal white sheen and the bruises began to fade from sight. It was almost as if the pain was being wiped away by the strange energy that Liz felt burning inside the pit of her stomach.

As her skin filled with color, she moved her gaze back to her speechless friend. Fear slammed into her chest. “Oh, my God!”

“Relax,” Faith said as she patted her shoulder. “Jason’s not here.”

“He didn’t come get you?” Liz whispered. Her stomach knotted as her feeble brain tried to come up with a believable explanation for her horrible dream.

“No, he was with us. He’d come to wake up Charles before you…started.”

“Charles knows?” Liz panicked.

“No, calm down. Believe me…Charles doesn’t know anything, and Jason never saw a thing.” Faith took a drink of water. “Charles
really
doesn’t know anything,” she repeated.

“What’s wrong? What did Charles do?”

“Nothing.”

“It’s not like you don’t know my darkest secrets.” Liz offered a crooked smile. “What happened?”

“Jason told Charles that he wants to go back to Dublin. He feels like we should all go together.”

“Why would he want to go back there? I thought he and Charles hated the very mention of that place?”

Faith stared at her intently. “He wants to go for you. He says it’s very important for him to show you something there. He thinks that if you see it…you’ll let him love you.”

“Oh…”

Guilt washed over her. Gripping the sheets in her fists, tears sprang into her eyes as she imagined the look of revulsion she’d get if he ever saw what happened to her during the midnight hour.

Daniel’s words still rang inside her head. Jason would never understand the strange things that happened to her and she wished she could explain, but even she didn’t know what went on when she was asleep. “I do love him,” she whispered.

Faith sent the glass of water flying across the room. Hitting the wall, it shattered into a million gleaming pieces. “Then
tell
the man!” she shouted. “Why do you insist on keeping it from him? Jason is offering you everything, yet you stare over his shoulder looking for someone else…someone better. It doesn’t make any sense! You’re his life, you silly little twit. Why are you trying so hard to lose him?”

Sarcasm erupted from Liz’s soul. “Maybe because there isn’t enough money in the world for him to be my maid.”

Faith threw herself off the bed. “Don’t give me that! If there were ever a man who would understand your…ways, it would be the one who truly loves you. He knows you’re hiding something. He’s not stupid. He’s just so deeply in love with you that he doesn’t
demand
an answer!”

“You’re one to talk,” Liz said expelling a rush of air from her aching lungs. “I don’t see you asking for any explanations from
your
husband.”

“Explanations for what?”

“Oh, come on. Dublin can’t possibly be that scary of a place and he certainly can’t be afraid of a couple of rich, demented parents. And there’s no way that he set out to journey to America, or he would’ve sailed by now. That’s all lies and you know it! You just refuse to ask because the answer to your question may not be something you want to hear.”

Liz tossed the sheets off her body and tore across the room. She grabbed Jason’s coat from the hanger. “Just because I bleed at night, doesn’t mean that Charles doesn’t as well. Perhaps he’s fighting something on the inside, and that’s why
his
bruises don’t appear for you to see. Maybe you should look closer and find out what sent this man running across the country to find a wife in the middle of bloody nowhere.”

Faith ducked down, as Liz thrust her arms into the jacket. “You know what’s in Dublin, don’t you? He told you?”

Liz sighed. The sweat was drying in her auburn hair, as she gathered her curls into a ponytail. She walked to the mirror and stared at the fading bruises visible through the thin fabric of her nightgown.

“Tell me,” Faith pleaded. “What do you know about Dublin?”

Liz stared at Faith’s pained reflection behind her. “I don’t have any idea what went on there…I promise. I just have a feeling.”

“Well, what’s your feeling? I’m too close to him to understand what’s going on. I love him so much, I can’t see straight.” Tears of frustration welled up in her eyes. “I know what it’s like to battle yourself, Liz. Charles uses his fast talk and highbrow education to hide what he’s feeling, but I’ve seen the clouds come across his face. There are memories haunting him. Don’t you notice how in his stories—everyone else is to blame for the bad things that happened? Yet, he continually finds fault with himself. His words—
I
should have
, I
could have—it’s like he’s trying to defend his own actions. But what actions?”

Liz stared at Faith’s exasperated face. “Look, I don’t know what it is that Jason wants to show me, and I don’t know what we’ll be walking into, but it’s obviously important. It’s time for them to face whatever there is to face in Dublin, and move on.”

“What if this is the beginning of the end?”

Liz spoke quietly, “Without endings there would be no beginnings.”

“I hate philosophers.”

“Hate’s a strong word. Be careful how you use it.” Liz walked to the window. “You can’t move forward until you deal with the past. Whatever comes will come. We can’t stop that now. Besides, with you and I fighting beside them, whatever demons appear won’t stand a chance.”

Faith whispered, “Hope springs eternal, I suppose.”

A bolt of familiarity shot through Liz’s soul at the strange statement. She yelped in surprise as the door suddenly swung open and Jason appeared on the threshold, a smiling Charles at his heels.

Charles looked over at Liz. “Sorry, he seems to have an aversion to knocking before being invited into a room.”

Jason shrugged and walked over to Liz, completely oblivious to the faint pink welts on her arms. “We’re going.”

“Where?” Liz asked, feigning innocence.

“Dublin.”

She shrugged indifferently and pushed the men toward the door. “Well, we should get packed then. We’re already up, so there’s no time like the present.” She smiled at Charles’ rumpled shirt and the sleepers clogging his eyes. “Then again, maybe
we
should pack and Charles can get some more sleep.”

“Good idea,” Charles said winking at Jason. “This is a very bright girl. It still puzzles me why she’s sharing a room with
you
.” He reached for Faith’s arm. “Come, my wife, back to bed.”

Liz watched them race from her room like children; the idea of sleep was no longer shining in their passion-filled eyes.

Jason reached under the bed for his bag and smiled at the closed door. He turned to her and the look he gave her left her breathless. His gaze was filled with the same desire. She knew that he wanted to experience the same type of love that their two friends were already indulging in across the hall.

Liz choked on her fear, knowing she was walking a very thin line with Jason. Although he’d always been respectful of her, there would come a time when his desire would eventually become too much for him to handle. Of course, she wasn’t against the feelings he brought out in her. Somewhere deep inside, past her fear, her heart begged her to share everything with him. But Faith was right. Something kept her away. Maybe it was the guilt that mysteriously filled her soul with every stolen kiss. She knew her feelings for Jason were great, but after her dreams, confusion always settled over her like a veil of darkness. It was as if she were waiting for a sign; a voice to let her know that she indeed belonged in his arms.

She walked cautiously to the bed. “You should get some sleep. Dublin is a long way away.”

“What about you?”

“I need some air to clear my head. I’ve slept enough.”

“Do you want me to join you?” Jason asked sweetly.

“You don’t clear my head,” Liz said with a smile. Her kiss was quick and light, like a butterfly landing on his soft cheek and then fluttering away.

Jason’s eyes closed and he stretched out on the soft bed. His long body spread out across the tousled sheets. His sculpted chest lifted and fell in a quiet rhythm as he fell into a dreamless sleep.

Liz put on her dress and drew her gaze away from his handsome face. Her heart was heavy as she wrapped herself in his jacket and walked quietly from the room. No matter what, Liz would always know that Jason deserved far more than her troubled soul could ever provide.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Liz walked outside and sat down on the inn’s porch. She took a deep breath of the chilly night air to calm her nerves, but the sudden sound of the door squeaking behind her made her jump.

“Relax,” Charles called out. “I’m fairly safe.” Sitting down beside her, he reached into his pocket to grab a thin, white square of paper and a pouch of tobacco. He meticulously began to assemble the pieces into a long, cylindrical stick. Striking a match, he offered it to Liz.

“Ick,” she said. “No, thanks.”

Charles blew a halo of smoke above their heads and grinned. “Don’t tell Jason. He thinks it’s a disgusting habit too, and I don’t think I can bear another one of his long-winded lectures tonight.”

Liz smiled. “Your secret’s safe with me.”

“Is it?”

“Why aren’t you with your wife? Didn’t you need more…sleep?”

Charles laughed. “Yes, well, Faith has a way of changing my mind.”

“You poor soul.”

“Yes,” he agreed. “Having a beautiful wife who can’t keep her hands off me is difficult. It’s hard being me, I’ll tell you.”

“I may puke soon.”

Charles punched her playfully in the shoulder. “Why aren’t you upstairs packing?”

“It’ll get done. I just needed a breath of fresh air,” she replied as she began to cough from the smoke-filled air.

Charles laughed. “You take entirely
too
many breaths, Liz. Air is always around. You should grab some livelier refreshment once in a while.” He winked. “Might make breathing even easier. I’m sure Jason could help you out with that. God knows that boy needs something besides fresh air too. I’m afraid he’ll die if things keep going so…slowly.”

“Speaking of such intimate matters on a dark porch with a lady, Charles? What will people think?” Liz scolded.

He snorted. “They wish they could think. Maybe that’s the problem with this world—all the drones that can’t come up with one original thought. They’re all sheep.”

“Maybe there are people who think
too
much?” Liz countered.

Charles grinned. “A quick wit you are, luv. Probably the reason why we don’t have these heart-to-hearts more often.”

“I like listening.”

“A little too much, I’m afraid. You seem to figure things out that people really don’t want you to know.”

“Explain,” Liz said defiantly.

“I think you know a great deal more about me than my wife does, but you don’t share your hypotheses with Faith. I wonder, seeing that you two are so close, why you never say anything.” He raised his eyebrows at her. “You do like to listen, but you never listen objectively. It’s like…it’s your way or no way.”

Liz stared into his brilliant green eyes. “We’re a lot alike then. You would cook the rest of us over an open fire, if just one of our thoughts didn’t match your own.”

“Hmmm,” Charles muttered. He inhaled the last drag and threw the dying embers into the street. “Maybe…Faith says that you know a great deal about people, and she’s always right,” he said, with a smile. “Or, so she keeps telling me.”

Liz patted his knee. “You’re a good husband.”

“Yes, I’m well trained.”

“Which means Faith is a good wife,” Liz laughed.

“You seem to be quite smart in many areas for a female so young in age.” He sat back against the column and crossed his arms. “You know a great deal about politics, men, women, horses…nightmares.”

Liz sat up straighter against the post, feeling as if her friend in the throes of wedlock had somehow betrayed her. “Excuse me?”

Charles’ face was unreadable. “Jason says you don’t dream when you sleep. He says you lay there like you’re dead. But Faith has told me countless times that she needs to listen for you because you often have bad dreams and might need her in the night. After seeing your faces tonight, thick as thieves, I’m thinking that this was an evening of…pain?”

Liz shuddered and pulled Jason’s coat tighter around her body, wishing that his musical voice would interrupt this now disturbing conversation.

Charles continued, “Don’t worry. You’re like family now. I’m not going to say anything that would ever harm you, or my friend, in any way. I was just curious, is all.”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

He grinned. “You should be curious too.”

“About what?”

“About why your bad dreams came back tonight—the one night that Jason wasn’t by your side. Did you think about that at all?”

Liz remained silent, but goosebumps broke out across her flesh.

“It seems, considering how calm Jason was when he woke me up, that he was gone when your nightmare began. Did it occur to you that perhaps he’s your protector, and being gone from your side allowed the dreams to return? You’re a very smart woman, so I’m surprised you haven’t realized that if he knew everything, Jason may have the power to make your nightmares go away forever.”

“Or not,” Liz whispered. “Maybe he could die.”

Charles laughed. “I don’t think so. But I do think the alternative—of not living the rest of his life with you—would be much worse for him than a few scary dreams. He may not be able to describe what’s going on—even Faith can’t pinpoint what it is that wrestles inside your soul—but I believe Jason was brought to you for a reason. I am almost certain that it’s him you love, and if you would just tell him…take the chance…then you’ll be giving him exactly what he asked for.”

“Asked for?”

Charles slid closer to her and put his arm around her shoulder. “Everyone asks for something—prays for something—not someone. No person in the world puts an actual face on his or her wish. They can’t. A world without pain, a life filled with love—those are the big ones. Other people pray for money…longevity…freedom.” He shook his head. “But, not him.”

Liz waited for him to continue his thought.

“Jason’s the one and only human being I’ve ever met who waited for years before asking for anything from life…God…whatever you want to call it. He told me once when we were kids that he wanted to get his request just right. He thought—because of the teachings of our corrupt family priest—he could only ask for one thing in life, and he didn’t want to waste it on something he would ultimately not care about. And then, on a dark and rainy night, he found you.” Charles winked. “That’s when he put a name and a face on his prayer and begged for the good Lord to grant him his one wish. Strange for someone who knew absolutely nothing about you, don’t you think?”

“That’s ridiculous.” She shook her head. “Romantic, but ridiculous.”

Charles laughed. “True—but it’s hard for Jason to be ridiculous since a corpse has a better sense of humor. Which, of course, is why he needs me as his friend.”

Liz raised her eyebrows.

“I provide the comic relief.”

“You speak the truth,” Liz sighed. “But he should’ve waited for someone…whole.”

“I agree. I even tried to talk him out of getting involved with you,” Charles admitted with a chuckle.

Liz could feel anger radiate from her eyes as he continued to laugh. But Charles raised his hand in the air. “You and I seem a lot alike, that’s all. And I felt he’d paid enough already by having to deal with me for so long. I wanted him to have some nice, simple girl who would cook for him—not a philosopher.”

“Spoken like a true philosopher.”

Charles chucked her on the shoulder. “Exactly! But these past few months, I’ve come to realize I was wrong. Without you, he’d never pray again. He’d never believe…in anything. But with you, the world is at his feet.”

“But it’s not.” Her voice came out like a haunted whisper. “He’s not getting what he truly wished for.”

“He’s not? Liz, just because you’ve seen bad things, doesn’t mean you’re a bad person. Come on! You are who you are. You tried to live in isolation but you failed, Liz. You made him love you, in spite of your very best efforts to keep him away.”

Charles took a deep breath and continued, “I’m telling you this for your own good. The world is full of saints and sinners, my dear. You fight to be one or the other, but it’s a losing battle. You’re both—just like the rest of us. You have a chance to sleep at night—one chance to let the demons rest by sleeping in the arms of your protector. You’re a strong girl and I understand that, but hiding the person you really are is breaking him, because the person you are is all that he wanted in the first place.”

“You’ve no idea what you’re asking,” she said, quietly. “I know he’s your friend, but you’re asking for something that may be the end of him.”

Charles kissed her on the forehead and rolled another cigarette. “Let him in. I promise you, it might just be the best life that two people ever had together.”

Liz stared at his profile. Charles inhaled and his eyes closed with contentment. A small smile lifted the corners of his mouth, and for a brief moment Liz thought she remembered him from a dream. As the smoke drifted around his face, she suddenly felt like she was sitting with an old friend, enjoying the sweet satisfaction of a quiet moment.

He inhaled sharply, opened his eyes, and stared at his mare across the road; her head was poking out from the stable doors. “What are you staring at, lovely?”

“Are you talking to me, or the horse?”

“Angel, of course. I mean you’re a woman and I’m a charming, handsome man, which means I already know what
you’re
staring at.”

Liz laughed. “You’re so full of yourself. I was actually thinking about what it is that
you
wished for. Knowledge, I understand, but I have a feeling there’s something else. And believe me,” she continued, holding up her hands in defense, “I’m not trying to find out any information before you’re willing to tell me.”

Charles smiled as her reply.

“But I’ll find out anyway,” she mumbled.

He burst into laughter. “You just don’t stop, do you? It’s like a disease.”

“Well, you seem to be dissecting every part of my life, making suggestions on the most intimate details. I think that gives me the right to find out a little more about you.”

His smile faded. “Dublin’s a bad idea. It’s a snake-infested pit that preys on people—especially someone as open hearted as Faith. They would sooner feed you to the wolves, or hang you in the marketplace, than smile at you in friendship. These people are just waiting to sharpen their fangs on your flesh.” His hands balled into fists. “We were hurt there—both of us. I may have started the avalanche of pain that eventually rained down on our heads, but Jason had to run out of town just as fast as I did. He made his choice. He’s my friend, and I don’t want him to go back there.”

Liz covered his hand with hers.

Charles sighed and fell back against the brick column. “There’ll be blood if we go. It won’t end well. It can’t. There are no saviors in that world.”

“Wasn’t it you who just told me that everyone dies eventually? That you must share your secrets with the one person who truly loves you, and wishes to protect you from all of life’s travesties before it’s too late? My nightmares happen while I’m sleeping, Charles, but yours can be faced when you’re awake—with the people who love you standing by your side.”

“You say this based on having no knowledge of my past. If I lost Faith…”

“Faith loves you. That’s why she said, ‘I do.’ But whatever you’re hiding will eventually come between you. You know that. You obviously left something back there that you can’t forget. And weren’t you the one who just told me that if you don’t share everything with the one you love, then you’ll end up hurting them in the end?”

Charles stared at her; his face a mask of worry.

Liz continued, “Don’t underestimate the power of a female in love—we are unbeatable.”

“I don’t want her to get hurt.”

Liz’s smile disappeared and her tone grew deadly serious. Her Irish accent seemed to disappear as strange words tumbled from her lips, “I’ll keep her alive, Charles. I can promise you that. You just keep her happy.”

His eyes filled with tears under her gaze, as her honest words seemed to pierce his heart. Standing up, he pulled her into a hug. “Who’s going to keep you alive?”

Liz willed the tears from her eyes and answered the only way she knew how. “I have faith.”

Charles shuddered and walked to the front door, somehow knowing that when Liz said the word it had nothing to do with his wife’s name. “Time to go in.”