Halo

lips brushed against my ear.

“You’re dazzling.”

“So are you.” I laughed, trying to keep the mood light. “All the girls think so.”

“Do you think so?”

“Well… I think you’re very charming.”

“Charming,” he mused. “I suppose that’ll do for now. You know, I’ve never met a girl with a face like yours. Your skin is the color of moonlight; your eyes are fathomless.”

“Now you’re just overdoing it,” I teased. I could sense him about to launch into one of his tirades and wanted to prevent it at all costs.

“You’re not good at accepting compliments, are you?” he said.

I blushed. “Not really. I never know what to say.”

“How about a simple thank-you?”

“Thanks, Jake.”

“That wasn’t so hard. Now, I could use some fresh air. What about you?”

“It’s a bit hard to get out,” I said, nodding in the direction of the teachers standing guard at the exits.

“I’ve sussed out an escape route. Come on, I’ll show you.”

Jake’s escape route was via a back door that had somehow been overlooked. It was past the restrooms and through a storeroom at the rear of the building. He helped me over the buckets and mops stacked against the walls, and suddenly I found myself alone with him on the balcony that wound around the whole exterior of the pavilion. It was a clear night, the sky was scattered with stars, and the breeze was cool on my skin. Through the windows we could see couples still dancing, the girls a little wilted now and appreciatively allowing their weight to be supported by their partners. At some distance from the others stood Gabriel and Ivy, shimmering as if they’d been sprinkled with stardust.

“So many stars,” Jake murmured, so softly he might have been speaking to himself, “but none as beautiful as you.”

He was so close that I could feel his breath on my cheek. I lowered my eyes, wishing he would stop offering me compliments. I tried deflecting the focus onto him.

“I wish I was as sure of myself as you are. Nothing seems to faze you.”

“Why would it?” he replied. “Life’s a game — and I happen to know how to play.”

“Even you must make mistakes sometimes.”

“That’s exactly the sort of attitude that stops people from winning,” he said.

“Everyone loses at some point; but we can learn from loss.”

“Who told you that?” Jake shook his head, his emerald eyes boring into mine. “I don’t like to lose and I always get what I want.”

“So right now do you have everything you want?”

“Not quite,” he replied. “One thing is missing.”

“And what’s that?” I asked warily. Something told me I was treading on dangerous ground.

“You,” he said simply.

I didn’t know how to respond. I didn’t appreciate the new turn the conversation was taking. “Well, that’s flattering, Jake, but you know I’m not available.”

“That’s irrelevant.”

“Not to me!” I took a step back. “I’m in love with Xavier.”

Jake regarded me coolly. “Isn’t it obvious to you that you’re with the wrong person?”

“No, it’s not,” I retorted. “I suppose you’re arrogant enough to think you’re the right person?”

“I just think I deserve a chance.”

“You promised not to bring this up again,” I said. “You and I are friends, and you ought to value that.”

“Oh, I do, but it’s not enough for me.”

“That’s not for you to decide! I’m not a toy that you can just point your finger at and have.”

“I disagree.”

He sprang lightly forward, grabbing my shoulders, and pulled me toward him. He pressed our bodies together and his lips sought mine. I averted my face in protest, but he brought one hand up to force me to look at him and crushed his lips against mine. Something flashed in the sky, though there’d been no sign of rain. His kiss was hard and forceful, and his hands held my body in an iron grip. I struggled, pushing against his chest, and finally broke the contact between us.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I shouted, my anger fomenting now.

“Giving us what we both want,” he replied.

“I don’t want this,” I cried. “What have I done to make you think I wanted this?”

“I know you, Bethany Church. You’re no mouse,” Jake snarled. “I’ve seen the way you look at me, and I’ve felt the connection between us.”

“There is no connection,” I stressed. “Not with you. I’m sorry if you’ve been misled.”

His eyes flashed dangerously. “Are you honestly turning me down?” he asked.

“I honestly am,” I said. “I’m with Xavier. I’ve been trying to tell you that. It’s not my fault you’ve chosen not to believe me.”

Jake took a step toward me, his face dark with anger. “Are you quite sure you know what you’re doing?”

“I’ve never been more sure about anything,” I said coldly. “You and I can only ever be friends, Jake.”

He let out a throaty laugh. “No, thank you,” he announced. “Not interested.”

“Can’t you at least try to be mature about this?” I said.

“I don’t think you understand, Beth. We’re meant to be together. I’ve waited for you all my life.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve been looking for you for centuries. I’d almost given up hope.”

I felt a strange coldness grip my chest. What was he talking about?

“Never, in my wildest dreams, did I imagine that you would be… one of them. I struggled against it at first, but it was no use — our destiny is written in the stars.”

“You’ve got the wrong idea,” I said. “We have no destiny together.”

“Do you know what it’s like to wander the earth aimlessly in search of someone who could be anywhere? I’m not about to walk away from it now.”

“Well, maybe you don’t have a choice.”

“I’m going to give you one more chance,” he said in a low voice. “I don’t think you realize this, but you’re making a terrible mistake — one that will cost you dearly.”

“I don’t respond to threats,” I said haughtily.

“Very well.” Jake’s whole face clouded over and he took a step away, his body giving a violent shudder as though he was enraged by the very sight of me. “I’m done making nice with the angels.”

27 Playing with Fire

In the next moment Jake spun around and disappeared the way we’d come. I stood fixed to the spot, a chill permeating my body. I wondered if I could have misheard the threat in his parting words. But I knew I hadn’t. I suddenly felt like the night was pressing down on me, suffocating me. There were two things I was now certain of: First, Jake Thorn knew about us; and second, he was dangerous. I realized I had been completely blind not to see it before. I had so badly wanted to see the good in him that I’d ignored the blatant warning signs that screamed at me to retreat. Now those signs were flashing as bright as neon lights.

Someone grabbed my elbow and I gasped. I was relieved to find it was just Molly.

“What’s going on?” she demanded. “We could see you through the window! Are you with Jake now? Did you and Xavier have a fight or something?”

“No,” I spluttered, “I’m not with Jake, of course not! He just… I don’t know what happened… I have to go