Rayline. There was a warmth that surrounded me as my mind struggled to figure out what was going on. It was dark. I could barely see. But as the light slowly increased, I could make out the outline of the face above me. It took a while for my vision to clear, but when it did, I could see that it was Cole. He was holding me. My head was pressed up against his chest as he carried me, stepping over large branches and rocks along the way. "Wh-what? What happened..." Before I could finish asking, a voice called out to me. "Ray!" I heard Darren's voice calling in the distance and when I looked out I saw that Cole had carried me back to Taylor's house and Darren was running over to me. "Where the hell are you going?" I could see the worry on his face and he looked at me and Cole as he helped me stand up. I grabbed his shoulder as I struggled to come back to reality, and he held out his hand to make sure I was steady. "She's had too much to drink," he said curtly as he handed me to Darren
Rayline. I entered the lecture hall and rubbed my eyes as I made my way to my desk. I wasn't sure why I was so tired. After all, I was just doing my homework and relaxing because I wasn't allowed to leave the house due to the party incident earlier that night. Maybe it was because my mind was still running a mile a minute no matter how hard I tried. I plopped down in the chair and leaned over the table, resting my chin on my arm as a pillow. I only opened my eyes when I heard someone sitting next to me. I was expecting to see Taylor greeting me with a smile, but instead, it was Cole, and I quickly stood up to straighten up my sitting position. "Hey," he said as he pulled out a notebook. "Uh... Hi," I looked at him strangely. "What?" He raised his eyebrows and I blinked a few times. "Nothing, I just didn't expect you to sit next to me." I then reached into my bag and pulled out my own notebook, and he hummed quietly in response. I began to fiddle with my pencil. Why the hell did
Rayline. Neither of us spoke for a minute until I finally sat down. "So," I said, and he blinked as he clapped his hands together, "I've been doing a little research on the stories of angels, their attributes, and so on." I pulled my laptop and notebook out of my bag. "Me too." He took out his textbook as well. "Good, now we just need to discuss more about demons," I said as I typed on my laptop and started to concentrate. "Okay, I've already highlighted this chapter." He opened the book to the right page and ran his finger along the words. I leaned over to read along, not realizing that my face was hovering next to his. He swallowed slightly uncomfortably and turned the page. "I... um." I turned to him, waiting for what he was going to say. "It says here about their powers and stuff." He pointed to a section and I began to read the notes aloud. "Superhuman strength, speed, intelligence..." I continued reading. "Shapeshifting?" I said, tilting my head towards him. "I didn't know
Rayline. I glanced down at the notebook to see the notes I had scribbled : Hazel = fear, anxiety — Green = envy/ jealousy? Orange = annoyance — Red = lust, anger Pink = ? — Yellow = happy? Blue = sadness. Silver =? Healing? Speed? Strength? I immediately slammed the notebook down and put my hand on it. At the same time, I closed my textbook, which was still open on the chapter about mythical creatures, and pushed all my notes aside as a wave of panic spread through my body. "Wh-what-what, it's just something for another class." I did my best to sound convincing, but when I raised my eyes to look at him, he was still frozen. When his eyes finally lifted to look at me, I could see a flash of hazel behind the contact lenses, fear. "I... um, I have to go." He quickly went back to his things, grabbed everything, and put it in his bag. "Wait, where are you going?" I asked frantically. "I-I have to go home...sorry." He slung his bag over his shoulder. "W-wait, um..." He stopped and
Rayline. I look around my room to see my clean bath towel and quickly grab it before returning to his side to apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding and another curse word comes out of his mouth. "Cole, we should call an ambulance, you're bleeding too much," I said, but he flicked his hand at my wrist while shaking his head frantically. "No! Don't call them," he whined. "I can't - I can't go to the hospital." His eyes met mine, a flicker of hazel flashing across them, and I sighed as my mind began to connect the dots as to why. "All right..." I said, and he let out a sigh of relief before pulling his hand back. "Stay here and try not to make too much noise or my parents will wake up." He nodded and I stood up. I don't know why I felt the need to protect him, but right now he looked so helpless, so desperate, that if the only thing I could do was tend to his wounds, I would. I quietly opened the door, poked my head into the hallway before stepping out, then closed it behi
Rayline. "Ray?" I heard a call, followed by a loud bang that made me jump. I heard it again - the voice was coming from behind my door. "Ray, why is your bedroom door locked?" I heard the doorknob being turned repeatedly and jumped to my feet. As I ran to the door, I saw Cole get up as well and look around before rubbing his eyes. "Sorry Mom, I'm not dressed yet." "All right, can you get the door?" "N-no, I'm still not dressed." I looked at Cole, who also looked worried, and there was a hint of hazel in his eyes. "Okay, but dinner's ready." "All right, I'll see you in a minute." "Okay." I waited until I heard her footsteps disappear down the stairs to breathe a sigh of relief, but then I saw the naked young man on my bed and I panicked again. I looked down at the floor and the medical supplies. Everything on the floor was covered in blood, towels, and his torn clothes. Then I rushed to the mirror, only to find his blood covering my hands and arms, stains on my pajamas, and even
Rayline.I quickly ran across the hall to the bathroom, opened the sink, and grabbed a pair of gloves along with a bucket, sponge, and disinfecting wipes. When I returned with everything in hand, Cole was on the phone."Yeah, I'm sorry... No, I'm fine. I'm sorry for worrying you..." I made sure to lock the door again and put all the cleaning supplies on the floor. "I'll be home soon, I promise... Okay, I love you." He hung up and put the phone down, watching me as I tied up my hair. "That's my mom.""Ahh," I nodded. "Is she worried?""Yes. She's afraid I won't come home.""Well, that's understandable," I said as I knelt down and started piling the blood-stained towels next to his torn clothes. Then I reached over and grabbed his jacket, and when I lifted it, I saw there was a hole in the back, two large cuts down the middle. But he had no injuries on his back. I took the cloth and ran my fingers along the holes."Are you trying to find out?" His voice sounded low and I jumped slightly,
Rayline.I didn't remember Cole ever saying he had siblings, but I didn't remember him ever saying he didn't have siblings either."Please, I know he's here," he pleads, his voice full of concern that makes my eyes soften. Something in my heart told me he was telling the truth."He's in my room," I replied, but didn't move."Can I see him?"I looked him up and down for a few moments, then nodded and stepped aside to let him in. I closed the door behind me and started to lead him into my room, hesitating for a moment before pushing the door open. Cole was still sitting on the bed, but when he saw the door, he immediately stood up."Brother?" His eyes widened with a flash of hazel color, and with that, Chase stepped onto the bed and took a deep breath before pulling himself away from him."What's wrong with you?" he yelled loudly, and Cole's jaw clenched. "Do you have any idea how stressed out Mom is? She has to hear from Taylor that her son is missing!" then I saw a flash of blue in his
Rayline. The meeting went exactly as I had expected it to go. Harvey briefly explained the entire situation and what he knew. Basically, all the causes of the riots and rebellion are related to years ago, and the roots have been resolved and dealt with. However, there would be unresolved loose ends and there were still ropes to be tied. Lilith most likely still has more allies and connections in places they have yet to discover, and they need to be sought out and dealt with. It may take a long time to clear things up, maybe even years, and the impact could be catastrophic. Harvey then asked everyone to share their stories and their connections. Cole spoke in front of us all, sharing everything. He talks about how he was first sent to Earth, and how Lilith gave his mother the disease out of spite and revenge. He spoke about the recent attacks, and how they were done as hatred towards him when they were actually related to the rebellion. He then spoke about me, how we met, how he bec
Rayline. As I lay nestled against his chest, I playfully drew small circles on his chest, the warmth of his skin keeping me wrapped in his arms, his wings spread out around me. The morning light sneaked in through the bedroom curtains while the two of us were still snuggled together on the bed, the sheets tattered messily. He ran his fingers through my hair, fiddling with the strands as I listened to his heartbeat, hearing every breath he took. "Did you fall asleep?" he asked softly, making me smile. "I should be the one asking you that." Spinning around to face him, my hand came to rest under my chin. "You were so busy as soon as we got back, and it doesn't seem like we got any sleep last night... or this morning." His lips curled up mischievously and his hand slid down my bare back, giving me goosebumps. "I'm doing okay. It was all definitely worth it." "Mmm...hmm." I tilted my head cheekily. Right now I was in his room at his father's house. As soon as the chaos died down, h
Rayline. He placed his hand on Cole's chest. There was light... a glowing white light that emanated from the archangel's fingertips, covering Cole's body. The light grew more and more, wrapping everything around him, and I had to squeeze my eyes shut because of the blinding light. I clutched Chase's hand as a wave of power pulsed through the room, shaking everything around me. I could feel my heart beating faster, my breath catching in my throat as the tension continued to rise in my chest. The light was retracted back into Cole's body, clinging to his skin. As I opened my eyes cautiously, I saw the light fading away as the archangel got to his feet and stepped back. Without holding myself back, I jumped forward, rushed to Cole's side, and with trembling hands, placed them on the side of his cold face. A few moments passed without anything happening, waiting. I gently brushed his hair aside. Then all of a sudden, his chest heaved, catching a deep breath that sounded so sharp, and
Rayline. A wave of cool air filled the room as the flames died out, leaving a trail of empty craters. No one moved. No one dared to breathe until the demon himself, Harvey stepped back. All the Nephilim watched his movements in awe, and some of them even bowed their heads in his honor. I leaned over Cole's body, my hands shaking as I brushed his hair, which had fallen to the side. Tears fell again, rolling down my cheeks without stopping. The sound of footsteps coming closer, got louder until they finally stopped right behind me. "Rayline?" I blinked slowly, turned my head towards the source of the voice, and saw Cole's father standing there. His expression changed as his gaze fell on his son who lay motionless in my arms. He swallowed, his gaze filled with such deep pain. "...Is there any other way?" I asked hoarsely. "Is there anything you can do?" He knelt beside me, pain filling his eyes. "I'm sorry," he says hoarsely. I look back down at Cole, and the sobs I have been holdi
Rayline. Seconds. In a mere few seconds, my entire world comes crashing down, shattering into pieces as the heart-wrenching pain rips through my soul. My lungs burned as I let out a horrifying wail, holding onto Cole's chest with all my strength, begging, pleading for him to come back to me. My hands are still clasped tightly in his now cold hands, while my tears are flowing freely. I clutched at his shirt, crying helplessly as if I could bring him back with the despair welling up from within me. Out of the blue, I felt a gentle hand placed on top of mine, and I jumped, before I froze at the sight of Jesse looking up at me, his tattered wings dragging behind him. Tears streamed down his face from pain and sorrow, and his eyes lowered to the motionless Cole. He bites his lip as he looks down, squeezing his eyes shut as more tears fall. A sob that sounded like it was choking his throat before he sucked in a deep breath, and his head lifted. He reached out his trembling hand over to C
Rayline. Chris lifted the sword back up with a solemn look, ready to chop his bones off, and started to swing. But before Chris could swing the sword, Lilith suddenly stepped aside, stopping him in his motion. "Hmm..." Lilith stepped forward, and Chris suddenly stopped in midair. "I think I have seen this before." He said, moving between me and Cole. "You are ready to give up everything, while the ones around you squirm helplessly." She went on, talking about the night Cole would trade himself... to let them kill him so that all of us could leave. Cole's head snapped up to meet her eyes, with a glint of hatred. "But there was something missing, something that happened afterward. What is it now?" She tapped her fingers on her lips, as if in deep thought. "Oh! I remember now!" She let out a maniacal laugh. "You lost the person you loved the most..." Then she lifted a sacred sword, the reflection of its light glistening down on the steel, as her eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a pie
Rayline. To my horror, I watched as the skin of his wings was ripped away from the bones that reached out below, leaving only shredded pieces of flesh. His blood spilled onto the ground, soaking the tiles beneath him. She did not stop. With an expressionless face, Lilith continued to shred her own son's wings... the most precious thing to them. "STOP!" Cole's shout echoed out, filled with pain. Tears flooded his eyes. In a fit of rage, he let loose a blast of power that sent the men flying across the room, crashing to the hard ground. Cole reached out his hand towards Lilith, trying to stop her. Lilith froze in place, while Jesse's screams stopped, his body falling to the ground with a sound that struck my heart. I rushed towards him, my heart sank as I made my way to his side at the sight of the remains of his wings in a pool of blood, and a sick feeling came over me, making me bring my hand to my mouth, trying to hold back the gasps. How could she do this? To her own son. "...H
Rayline. Cole let out a slow breath, as if trying to calm himself down. I hold on to his side, trying to provide support. "But I'm not done with you yet," Lilith continues with a sinister smile. "Cole!" I exclaim as his body abruptly slips out of my arms, throws onto the stairs of the dais, and lands hard on his back. A groan escaped his lips. "To think a half-breed like you could beat me." Lilith walked haughtily towards Cole, her smile full of disdain. "What happened to all those threats, huh?" she asked, her eyes flashing with cruelty as she lifted her hand, making his eyes widen and I could see her power take hold of his throat. "What happened to ripping me apart, hm?" She took a step closer. Cole remained motionless, his blood-red eyes locked on Lilith, full of malice. "What's wrong? Nothing left to say, mutt?" But then, Cole smirked. His blood-stained lips curled up, making Lilith frown, puzzled. Slowly, his hands opened, causing the melted pieces of metal to fall to the gr
Rayline. Chaos broke out in a split second. Before I could even see his movements, Cole was already whizzing over to Lilith. The blazes lining the entire wall burst with the sudden increase in heat, forcing me to lift my arms to protect myself. Screaming and roaring could be heard clearly as Cole furiously swung his claws at her while she quickly dodged out of his reach. Lilith sent a wave of fire that blasted across the room, scorching the air around her, which made Cole lift his wings and throw them off to the side. I ducked down to avoid the lick of flame that shot out when I heard my name being called. As I turned my head, I caught sight of Taylor staring at me, tugging on the enchanted chains that held both him and Jesse, and without thinking, I jumped to my feet and slid towards them. In another corner of the room, Levi and the other demons were too distracted with helping their leader to focus on me, in addition to the battle that was going on inside the room. Once I reache