The Angel's Curse

Chapter Seven

-Veronica's POV-

It had been hours since Lily had shared the news with me. There had been a group of wolves that had separated her from Ember. She didn't want to leave her as she had, but Ember wouldn't let her stay. By the time she had made it home, the poor child had been so terrified that I couldn’t begin to fathom how to soothe her. Her eyes were nothing more than rivers of tears that had no end. Especially since I was in the same state of worry as she was. My beloved sister was in the woods being chased by a pack of wolves. I didn’t know what they wanted or why they had chosen her to toy with, but worse of all, I couldn’t help her. My only hope right now was that Trey would bring her back to us in one piece. I didn’t care if she had a few cuts or bruises on her so long as she was alive.

Even now I was praying for her safe return. Sitting in the living room desperately trying to distract Lily and I, with anything that came to mind. Going down a shortlist of mundane tasks, starting with her school work. Bouncing incoherently from subject to subject until there was nothing left for her to do. Granted, it had taken us at most two hours to complete everything, but it had failed to fulfill its purpose. Lily was now on the final bit of math for the night, her eyes constantly glancing towards the entryway in hopes the door would open. When it didn’t, it was like another chunk of hope had been ripped from her heart. It killed me seeing her like this.

“She’ll be home soon, I promise,” I told her, slipping down from the couch to the open spot behind her. Resting my chin on her little shoulder, I pulled her back into my arms in an attempt to comfort her. Just as I had suspected, she had been holding back unseen tears.

“H-How do you know?” Her voice quivered, her hand reaching up to lightly rub her eyes. She was playing strong, just as I was. We were both plagued with worry about Ember, neither of us knowing the state that she would be in when entering those doors. Or if she would enter at all.

“Your Aunt is the bravest, most ridiculously lucky, person, I know. “ I remarked, feeling my lips gently curl into a soft smile. “ There is no way she would let those big bad wolves take her out easily. Plus, Trey is on his way to help her.” I was hopeful that Trey would make it to her before she got hurt. I couldn’t explain why I trusted this total stranger, but my heart wanted to believe he was here to help us. That if I just trusted him like I do Ember, he would pull through in the end.

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes when Lily leaned back into my chest. The two bumps on her shoulder blades pressing into my collar, causing me to wince in pain. Though, I didn’t dare let her see me do it.

“ Momma, do you think Mr. Trey will get to her?” Lily asked, shifting onto my lap, she draped her skinny legs over my left thigh. Resting her head on my shoulder this time. I could see that she had run herself ragged. It was written all over her face. My biggest clue was the way her eyes fluttered, fighting to close, only to be sprung right back open when she caught herself. My poor baby. Resting my head against hers, I gently began to rock her from side to side.

“I know he will, Princess. “ I assured her, keeping my voice at a low whisper. I wanted her to fall asleep here in my arms, where she knows she is safe and sound. In the morning she could see Ember again. But this amount of pain was not good for her, I should know. This wasn’t the first time I’ve felt this way, and it won’t be the last.

“He’ll bring her home,” I whispered, placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head. As her eyes were closing, her chest began to rise and fall into a gentle, even rhythm. Running my fingertips along her arm, I kept rocking her, smiling when I felt the little goosebumps threatening to form. She would be asleep in no time, for that I was grateful. If I couldn’t leave to get Ember, at least I can soothe my daughter to sleep. Sure, that left me alone to pace the house in wait, and I couldn't care less. I didn’t want her seeing the state of her aunt upon her return. Hell, I barely wanted to picture it myself. Closing my eyes, I could only pray that Trey had found her and that they were making their way back home.

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It hadn't taken long for Lily to drift off to sleep. The poor child had been so worked up from the day's events. It's no wonder the sandman had taken her so easily. Between school and the attack, I couldn't begin to know how she had lasted as long as she had. If it was me, I probably would have called it quits hours ago once the adrenaline wore off. Lily, on the other hand, was more like her aunt than I knew.

"My strong baby girl" I hummed, gingerly laying her down on the couch, I grabbed the throw blanket and tucked her in. The sound of her breathing blended into the silence, making the home feel…empty. Normally, Ember was here to help hide the loneliness, filling what free time I had with moments of fun and laughter. But now…it was just me. Poor, sad and worried me, left to pace and pray to the gods above that my best friend would return. Catching myself time and time again, standing in front of the closed door, trying to will her to appear before me. Already picturing her chestnut locks falling around her face, returning as if she had taken an extra long run. She would laugh and tell me how silly I was being for worrying as I was…or stop the silent tears that fell.

"Oh Em…" I breathed, taking a deep breath in an attempt to choke out the grief. She wasn't dead, and I had full faith Trey would find her. I didn't care how he did as long as he did.

"Veronica! Open the door!" His voice called out, much to my surprise. Someone must have heard me for him to have shown up when I was thinking of him. Shaking my head, I pushed away all thoughts of confusion. Quickly pulling open the door and coming face to face with Trey and Ember.

"O-Oh my god…" I gasped at the sight of her. Dirt and blood stained her ripped clothing, nothing sitting the way it should. I was certain her wrist was broken as it hung limp, with bone protruding where it shouldn’t have been. Whatever had happened to her must've been brutal for her to come back in such a state. Trey kept her balanced, of course, but Ember was still very awake. Limping with each step she took, Trey had to help her move to avoid further damage. When she got to the top step though, I couldn't help but reach out to her.

"You look like you fought through Hell!" I exclaimed, trying to keep my voice down so Lily didn't hear me. I certainly didn't want her to wake up in the middle of this mess. The last thing I wanted her to see was her Aunt looking like she had been pummeled by rocks.

"Oh it was hell alright, but I did more falling than fighting." Ember gave a tired laugh, trying to make light of her injuries. I glared at her, resisting the urge to slap her. How was it she could joke in this state? I mean she was bleeding for christ sake! Guiding her into the kitchen, we sat her down at the table.

"That's not funny, Ember! You're seriously hurt! " I scolded, grabbing the first aid kit from under the sink along with some paper towels. Tossing the softer object for Trey to hold, so I could start cleaning my sister's wounds.

"Ow! That stings!" Ember cried the second the peroxide touched the first of many cuts.

"No s**t it hurts! Were you expecting it to be soft and fluffy?" I remarked, failing at hiding how I felt right at that moment. I had been worrying for hours about her…and she was joking. My baby sister was sitting bloody, cut and bruised in my kitchen. Of course, I wouldn’t be happy. Hell, I AM upset. So much so that my hands shook the more cuts I cleaned. There was so much dirt and debris coating the open wounds, not to mention the splinters that protruded within them. Infection was definitely going to be a concern.

"Veronica…stop. Let the doctor treat her." Trey spoke up, his large hands firmly taking hold of my trembling arms, pulling me away. Alerting me then to the strangers within my home. I hadn't even noticed them enter or when they had come to stand in my mess of a kitchen. Standing in the doorway was a shorter, heavier man, much older than either of us. He took a few steps towards us, nodding in greeting. From what I could tell, in my current state, his salt and pepper hair was well-kept and short, bright green eyes harboring a warmth within them.

"I'm Dr. Gabriel Johnson. Trey had requested I come treat your sister right away. " He explained, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder in passing. He gazed over Ember’s injuries without so much as a word. He didn’t let on to what was going through his head, or the extent of her injuries.

"My, my, you've gotten yourself into quite a bit of trouble. " He unexpectedly chuckled, motioning with his hand for an equally older woman to follow him in with his bag. She placed it down beside him then turned to us with a warm yet stern smile.

"I'm sorry Miss, but you and Trey will need to wait elsewhere. We don't want to risk any potential infections on the patient."

"B-but this is my sister you're treating! What if something else happens?!" I didn't want to leave Ember alone with them. They may have been doctors, but we didn't know them. How could I trust they had her best interest at heart?

"I'll be alright, Ro…” Ember interjected, giving me her best fearless smile. Though I knew better, she was scared, but trusted them more than I could. Why was I like this? They hadn't done anything to hurt us and yet it felt as if they had. Was I so scared of other people that actual kindness escaped me?

"Veronica…" Trey breathed, pulling me into his chest, comforting me the only way he could. Looking up at him, I didn't like what I saw. Those once beautiful blue eyes reflected the image of a broken woman looking back at me. One who was so scared of being hurt that she would even foolishly move her family into an area with wolves. I should've known better than to think all would be well now. That we could be happy and carefree. But…but why was it always us to be hurt? To always be me…suffering alone in a world everyone else was comfortable in?

Flinching, I felt something soft and warm press against my forehead, allowing me to focus. Looking at my hands, I could see I had begun to shake. Tears were falling onto my flesh as well as Trey's shirt. Tilting my head upwards, I caught the glimpse of a soft, caring smile playing up on his lips as they pulled away. " She'll be alright. “

"M-Momma?" Lily's soft voice called from the living room, causing me to falter once more. Staring at Trey, I looked back towards the living room, needing to keep her from seeing this. Taking a step out of his grasp, we didn't have to say anything to know what to do. Both of us moved as one down the hall just in time to stop the sleepy child from venturing towards the kitchen.

"Hey baby girl. " I spoke softly, kneeling down in front of her, lovingly stroking the side of her cheek.

"Did Aunt Em come home?" She asked mid-yawn. Her eyes were still so very tired and just as concerned as before.

"U-um…w-well.." I didn't know how to explain it to her. Yes, she was here, but let's not talk about it? No, she's not and then lie? Knowing well enough, she would ask about why Trey was here with me? Or do I just risk telling her the truth? I felt my heart tightening, uncertainty clouding my judgment and my current emotions not making anything any easier.

"Actually, Lily. I took Ember to a friend of mine's house. He and his wife are going to make sure your Aunty didn't get hurt by those wolves. Right, Veronica?" Trey told Lily, glancing at me with a smile. He was quicker on his feet than I had thought. Plus, his willingness to help me even with Lily was…well…a turn on from a mother's standpoint. She was nothing to him and yet here he was helping me comfort her. Looking over his face, he gave me comfort in knowing a little lie wouldn't hurt her. Especially one that would keep her from seeing Ember as banged up as she was.

"Yeah, she said she'd be home tomorrow afternoon, so you'll be able to see her after school." I said, carefully standing up, motioning her towards the stairs." So how about we go to bed? The sooner you go to sleep, the sooner you wake up. The sooner you wake up, the sooner you get to school and then get home and then get to see Em. " I thus rambled on. Thankfully, Lily was too young to catch on. It also helped that she was still very tired, and it would be easy to get back to bed.

Trey chuckled softly and lifted her up off her feet. Sweeping his right arm under her legs, he cradled her against his chest. My heart melted at the sight of him treating her with such love and care. He was attentive and kind, a man that longed for a child perhaps? Nevertheless, I knew I needed to be careful with him. It wasn't just my life that would be affected should I let him into our family.

Taking each step carefully, I led him up to where Lily's room was. Holding open the door with my foot, I slid my hand across the wall searching for the switch to the standing light. But Trey seemed to know right where to go even without the light. Brushing past me, he made his way over to the twin bed. There was no sign of him struggling to step nor worry that he might trip on the rug in his path. In fact, he was confident enough to glance over his shoulder at me and smile.

"Care to get the blankets?" He asked in a whisper. His voice had a bit of a deeper tone to it when it reached my ears. My heart beat kicked up, and my legs grew weak. Stepping towards him, I knew my body was all too aware of him. My face even heated up when I felt him brushing against me once more to lay my sleeping girl down. Carefully, I covered her, tucking her in like I did every night. Except on this night, I was getting help putting her back to sleep and must admit…it was nice. Granted, I still wasn’t too pleased with the situation that led to this, but I guess I could let it slide.

Looking up at him, I could faintly make out Trey’s smile and the way his beautiful blues seemed to shimmer in the dim light. God…what has gotten into me? Biting my bottom lip, I fought back the heat that rose in my face. Lightly touching his chest, I moved past him to create some distance between us. His hand took hold of mine before I got too far from him. His steps matched mine until we stepped out of Lily’s room. Neither of us spoke a word until we heard the click of the door.

“Veronica…” He whispered, his warm breath grazing my neck, warning me of how close he stood behind me. Turning my head, I was face to face with my newest distraction. This Tempter, enchanting me with a simple glance. Threatening to steal each breath from my lungs just from how close his face was to mine. But the question was… did I let him? Do I take a page from Ember’s book and let my own desires throw caution to the wind? Or do I remain closed off and possibly lose this man that had done so much in the hours I’ve known him? No…of course I couldn’t. I had Lily to think about and this time…I want someone that I know won’t hurt us. Someone that I could trust with every fiber of my being and not fear the unknown or the danger that came with them. As much as it pained me, I needed to be the adult I knew I was.

“Thank you…for everything, Trey. It’s very kind for you to help a family you’ve just met…” I remarked, doing my best to keep my emotions in check. As much as I wanted to melt under his touch or tempt fate, I didn’t want to be hurt.

“But… You’re weary of me? Right?” He stated, his voice gentle and sweet. Could he possibly understand?

“H-How did…” He chuckled softly, reaching out and brushing his fingers against my cheek. It was a light touch that sent tiny sparks through my skin. How could the simple act of moving hair from my face create such a feeling of longing?

“You’re not too hard to read… Your eyes show both want and fear when you see me… And your heart races when our eyes meet… The question is, do you know why?”

Did I know why? His question confused me possibly more than I would have liked. Of course, I didn’t know why I had been struck with this sense of yearning when I met him. Let alone why, even now, I struggled to reject him before things could become more difficult. Holding myself tightly, I started biting the tip of my thumb. Trey tilted his head, watching my every move. His blue eyes flashed gold before my eyes, answering his question for me.

“N-No…y-you mean..” I gasped, feeling his arms slipping around my waist, pulling me into his chest. His body felt warm against mine, an arm firmly set at the small of my back. Before I could utter another word, his free hand lifted my chin to make me meet his gaze. His mouth moved, and his final words sealed my fate.

“You are my Mate.”