Between (12 page)

“
Well, technically…yes, though it’s more like a garden.”

“
Garden?”

Austin seemed to sense that I was going to ask a lot of questions. He laid his finger on my lips, gently hushing me. “Let me explain. This island is located in the western part of the North Atlantic Ocean; humans cannot see it or find it.

“
Why?”

“
Have you heard of the Bermuda Triangle?”

“
Yes,” I said with anticipation.

“
Island of Eden is located smack in the middle of it.”

“
What!?!?” I couldn’t believe my ears.

Austin continued. “Many have tried to find it only to have their aircraft and surface vessels disappear under mysterious circumstances. Well, don’t mess with Mother Nature–or should I say don’t mess with the Twelve
!
We were told that after the original sin, when God tossed Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden, he was so furious that he wanted to destroy it. The angels begged God not to do so, but instead to place it where they could use it for something good. God granted that wish. He placed the garden in the middle of the ocean and made sure no mortals could ever get near it
;
thus the Bermuda Triangle.

“
Because it was a gift from God, the Twelve promised to use it only for purposes of good, and place a shield, like the one from Halo City. The shield blocks the existence of this place from most angels. Only a select few know of its location. That is the reason why Michael can’t find you.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Austin’s words seemed incomprehensible. But, with everything I’d experienced so far, I guessed anything was possible. I turned my focus to Michael. “But you’re on the same team.”

“
Yes and no. We follow one set of rules, and Phillip and the others at Crossroads follow another. Many times we disagree with what should be, but since we are the ones on Earth, it is our right to set them as we see fit. You can go outside now. Wait for him by the cliff.” Austin’s tone was weary.

I opened the double doors, but before I walked out, I grabbed my boots.
My black overcoat and my scarf were nowhere in sight. I didn’t bother to ask where they were; at that point, I didn’t care
.
I turned back to Austin as I recalled Michelle’s words–‘
Making out in her mind are you?’

“
Don’t ever go inside my mind without my permission,” I said firmly. I was positive that he had; Michael had told me how angels could place themselves in a person’s mind and I could now confirm that Austin had done so. Austin looked genuinely remorseful, as if he felt guilty Then he composed himself, and grinned flirtatiously. “You don’t want to admit it, but I know you enjoyed it.”

“
I don’t know what you are talking about,” I said coldly. “As far as I’m concerned, you poisoned my mind.”

“
I’m toxic. I like the sound of that. At least I know I excite you in a dangerous way,” Austin said.

Irritation crept inside me. I wanted to yell at him for invading my personal space and my mind, but all I could do was glare at him, to tell him that I was not playing his game. I didn’t want to admit it, but there was a part of me that had grown fond of his friendship, because he had been there for me whether I wanted him there or not.

I looked straight ahead, to where the ocean met the sky with a celestial glow, and thought how beautiful and peaceful this place was, but my instinct told me something was wrong. I could feel it to the depth of my being. My heart pounded with apprehension as I turned my back to Austin and walked cautiously out toward the cliff; this time, with my boots on.

Chapter Nine

Anxiously, I walked away from the house to wait for Michael. The cool wind swept my hair back, brushing it against my face. It felt sticky and smelled like salt. Yuck! Not exactly what I wanted to smell like when Michael put his arms around me. As I waited, I marveled at the beauty of this place. It looked like a romantic getaways for honeymooners. The house was white, humongous, modern, and beautifully architecturally designed. And what I hadn’t notice before, because I was too busy trying to escape, were the beautiful statues of angels surrounding the house. Some had their wings open, and others had a bow in their hands with no arrows.

Looking out into the endless ocean, the sun reflected glistening colors of turquoise and violet. I was mesmerized by the beauty that was so inviting that I wanted to jump in, but this time, not from attempting suicide.

As I wondered when Michael would appear, I was greatly startled by the rapid movements of the clouds, turning the white fluffy clouds to dark gray. The clouds tumbled and rolled again, this time leaving a portion of the sky black, preparing for a heavy storm. Then boom! Thunder roared and lightning cracked across the horizon, flashing multiple times. The clouds parted in the center; it looked as if Heaven had split open. The holy rays beamed brightly, penetrating through the clouds, blinding me for a brief second. Chills shocked down my spine, stinging like an electrical current, and my heart stopped.

Out in the distance, I saw ripples of water, causing the waves to be bigger than usual. It looked as if hundreds of dolphins were moving together in a straight line formation. Though I was frightened, my intuition told me I was safe, so I stayed instead of running back to the house.

Was I hallucinating or were my eyes playing tricks on me? Michael appeared first in my vision, gliding in the middle, as if he were water skiing on his feet. Davin was to Michael’s right, Caleb and Vivian were on his left, and there must have been about 20 other alkins. I was completely spellbound by what I was seeing, their power and strength. Glowing with happiness to see them all again, my heart felt full and my stomach fluttered with happiness. My heart pounded faster the closer they approached. Then suddenly, they shot out like a shooting star, blazing towards me, and landed on the cliff. “Michael,” I called and ran toward him.

Instead of being in his arms, I collided into something; I realized it was the invisible shield as I fell flat on my bottom. Feeling extremely embarrassed and in pain, I looked up at him. Michael looked worried and was pounding on the shield, sliding his hands over it, trying to figure out a way to break in. “Claudia,” he cried out. He drew his sword and sliced through it, but it was no use.

Michelle said she had turned off the first shield. Were there two? Austin must have forgotten to shut it down…or not. Immediately, I got up, stumbling with a throbbing ache, and hobbled to Michael. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I looked into his deep irresistible eyes. Separated by the shield, I carefully placed my hand on his as if I could feel his warmth. After what felt like a few seconds, he looked past me, and his eyes filled with fury, as if he had seen his worst enemy. I turned to see Austin standing behind me, gloating.

“
Austin, let them in,” I demanded.

“
Michael needs to promise to keep his hands to himself, like a good little boy,” Austin mocked.

I turned to look at Michael. His body was filled with rage, his muscles tensed, and then finally he relaxed. “Alright,” he confirmed.

Then the shield was gone. Michael ran toward me and held me like he hadn’t seen me in years. He gave me a feather like kiss, but it was enough to make me feel safe. “Claudia, my Claudia. I’m so sorry. I couldn’t find you! I tried everything. You know that, don’t you? Please forgive me.” Michael looked desperate. He had done nothing wrong and yet he felt this was his fault.

“
I know, Michael. Don’t be sorry. It’s not your fault.” I reassured him.

Davin, Vivian, and Caleb gave me a hug, too, then quickly backed away in defense.

“
You had no right to kidnap her. What is the reason for this?” Michael’s tone was hostile.

“
I follow orders from the Divine Elders. I do not need to explain to you. You are out of your jurisdiction. I’m guarding her now,” Austin replied.

I peeled my eyes away from Michael to turn to Austin.
Did he just say he was guarding me?

“
They told you to kidnap Claudia? I don’t think so. What is the reason? I demand to know,” Michael shot back, approaching closer to Austin.

“
Don’t take another step, I’m warning you. Anyway, why do you care? She is safe. Aden is dead. You should follow your Divine Commandments. Thou shall not love mortals; it is forbidden.”

“
That’s a question I do not need to answer. You are outnumbered. Clearly, you can see there are many of us and one of you. I’m taking Claudia back to her home, where she belongs.” Michael grabbed my hand and burst out his wings.

“
I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

“
Watch me,” Michael taunted.

“
Actually, you need to look up there,” Austin pointed behind him. Everybody else was so busy focusing on Michael and Austin arguing that none of us had noticed what was behind us. Standing on the roof and surrounding the house were hundreds of angels. Some had their wings expanded, others held up their weapon–what appeared to be a bow–in defense, and some were standing there with their hands crossed as if to say ‘Don’t mess with us’. It was a mesmerizing site, beautiful and graceful. I knew they existed, but seeing numbers of them together was a whole different story. Then I realized the statues were missing.

“
Oh my God,” I garbled.

Davin took a couple steps toward me and muttered, “No, I think the term here would be, ‘Oh my wings.’”

Davin was right. I had never seen so many angels with wings right in front of me. We were in awe of what we were seeing; even Michael looked intimidated.

“
So, where were we?” Austin mocked. “Count again. How many of us are there now? Claudia stays here under my protection and that is final.”

“
No,” Michael said and the alkins behind him stood in a straight line next to Michael. Their swords were up, ready for battle.

Sensing the alkins move, the guardians did the same, standing in fighting stance in line with Austin.

“
Wait! Stop!” I yelled. I felt so perplexed. Angels don’t fight angels. “Please, Austin, I want to go home. I’m not in danger. You can clearly see that I will be safe with these angels.”

“
I follow the Divine Elder’s order. I’m sorry, but I need to bring you in.”

“
That’s not going to happen. Claudia comes with me,” Michael stated.

“
Think again,” Austin said, and suddenly I found myself gravitating upward.

Michael looked horrified and he grabbed my hand. The force was too strong and I broke free from Michael’s hold. As I floated higher, Michael extended his arm, using his power to pull me toward him. He was succeeding when all of sudden, an alkin leaped into the air, blocking an incoming bolt that looked like lightening. The impact caused a fire of silvery flame that blinded my eyes. It was so bright that it even caused many to look away. That’s when Michael lost his hold on me and they were thrown back. I managed to look up to see a female angel floating in midair with her wings open. She was holding a bow that was half her body length, which she pointed straight towards Michael.

“
Michael,” I managed to shout, but it sounded more like a whisper from all the commotion.

Quickly they got up as the second bolt headed towards him.

“
Michael, watch out!” Davin shouted and raising his sword, blocked the blow, but was thrown a few feet from the impact.

The other alkins were ready to charge forward, but before any of them could react, their hands were bound behind them by what looked like a cuff. The cuff was beaming, glowing like the sun. Michael and the alkins looked stunned and then outraged.

“
We come in peace. What is the meaning of this?” Michael asked angrily.

Austin ignored Michael’s question and gazed his eyes where I floated. “Holly, put her down carefully, and watch her,” Austin commanded. “As for you,” he looked at Michael, “you are now my prisoner.”

Davin let out a nervous chuckle. “In human language, what the heck? Are you nuts? You know we can’t survive here long enough to stand a trial. We’ll become weak and you know the outcome.”

Austin looked at Michael. “Actually, I just need you. As soon as I take you, your friends will be released.”

Davin was fuming with anger. “You’ll kill him. He can’t stay here that long. You know that.”