Archangel's Fire

Chapter 2

2

A strange voice stopped me a couple of feet from the Sanctuary’s boundary. Craning my neck slowly, I took in the majesty of the poplar trees. The leaves fluttered as the wind blew, carrying Tovah’s warnings.

Do not cross the Sanctuary’s boundary. It’s forbidden.

I should’ve been afraid of Tovah, but for some reason, I wasn’t. To be honest, neither were the others in the Sanctuary. The adults who remembered the war saw Tovah as their savior and understood her reason for allowing Hannah’s punishment. The only ones who didn’t were Lukas’s parents. Although they never said anything against Tovah, they were always cautious when around her and very protective of me. After Hannah died and Sylas left, they let me stay with them when I refused to go home. It wasn’t until I became really sick that Tovah insisted she take me back. It was around that time that the voices started.

It was subtle at first, and I rarely heard them. It took me a few years of looking inside closed cabinets and under the bed to realize the voices I heard were not Big John or the other guardians playing hide and seek. Funny how the voices were always from people I was closest to.

When I turned fourteen, the voices turned to visions. It was like I could see what other people were thinking. The sporadic pictures running in my head seemed to come from outside of me. It was weird, and I still can’t explain it. Even though I hadn’t told anyone, except Lukas, I couldn’t shake the feeling that all the guardians knew about it and were watching me, especially Coretha. I had no clue why, but from the way Coretha’s dark eyes narrowed every time I ran into her, I knew she didn’t like me.

I looked back to make sure no one was around. In the distance, the village’s vegetable gardens were empty. Tendrils of smoke spiraled out from cottage chimneys as the evening meal was prepared. There wasn’t anyone in sight.

If I was going to do this, I’d better make it quick. Tovah always sent Big John to look for me if I was away from the village too long.

Taking a deep breath, I made my way through the knee-high grass. My heart pounded as I inched my way to the trees. The air felt strangely warmer, each step I took making sweat bead on my forehead.

The moment my toes touched the edge of the boundary, I saw the flickering light again. I paused, placing my palm against the tree, and studied it. The light looked impossibly brighter. Something was different.

I turned to the village and studied the sky. Back and forth, I looked from the sky behind me to the one in front of me. My mouth went dry when I realized what it was.

The sky in front of me was brighter. How was that possible?

A strong breeze blasted through the trees, shaking them. Their branches waved as if signaling a warning. I shivered.

“Stop it. You’re being silly.” I chuckled. Lukas had said there was nothing special beyond the boundary. He’d said he walked for miles and all he’d seen were fields, trees, and maybe a few deer.

I can do this. Two more steps and I would officially be over the boundary. From where I stood, there would be nothing to see but tall grass and wildflowers. No biggie.

Placing my hand on my chest, I gripped the leather strap of my crossbow. When I took a step, a scream pierced the still air. In an instant, my crossbow was off my back and aimed in the direction of the noise.

From across the opposite side of the field, a small figure stumbled from a cluster of trees. I hunched down in the grass, keeping my aim as the person ran through the field. I couldn’t tell if it was an angel or a human. Every inch of his body was covered in strange clothing. A charcoal-colored hood hung low over the figure’s head. Dark green bandages were wrapped around his hands and thin arms with only slender fingers peeking out. His clothing was torn in spots and covered in a heavy layer of dust.

It definitely wasn’t anyone from the village. I hunched lower, watching as the figure ran and looked over his shoulder every few seconds. His footing seemed off, as if something was preventing him from running faster.

I inched closer to get a better look when the stranger’s hood came off, chestnut-colored hair tumbling out in waves. It’s a girl!

I gasped at the young girl’s terrified expression. Her pretty face was streaked with dirt and blood. Hair blowing wildly, she kept looking back over her shoulder as if running away from something.

I looked at the cluster of trees where she’d first appeared. There was nothing there.

The girl yelped as she stumbled again and fell, disappearing in the tall grass.

“Hey!” I stood up, frantically searching for a sign of where she was. “Over here!”

The girl popped up and continued to run away from the Sanctuary. Where was she going? She had to have heard me. I could hear her frantic sobs.

“Hey!” I yelled again. This time, the girl looked quickly in my direction. She didn’t even slow down. It was like she didn’t see me.

“I’m right here!” I waved my arms, trying to catch her attention.

I took the last step that took me past the boundary. “I’m over here! I can help y—”

There was a glaring flash of light and a force jerked me back. Suddenly, I was falling forward and my face smashed into the ground.