Beyond (18 page)

The shadows
’
swift, smooth movement s w ere almost like dance s as they gracefully moved from side to side, confusing the venators . Sometimes the shadows would mov e behind them , forming a perfect shadow of their body, making the m think it was their own shadow .
Others pa c ed up and down the inner walls. W
hen the shadows seemed to have had enough of their fun, they charged forward and coiled up the venators’
legs, twisting and winding and stopping at the waist. The venators never saw it coming.

“
What the heck!
”
Michelle groaned .

“
Not ag ain. Stay still, ”
Austin directed .

“
Great!
”
Davin hissed, observing Michael inching his way to Claudia , and sighed wi t h relief knowing Michael wasn ’
t tangled up like the rest of them.
“
You brought your clingy friends, ”
Davin said to Austin.
“
Wherever you go, they follow.
”

Austin rolled his eyes.
“
They didn ’
t wrap enough of you. They missed your mouth.
”

“
What would humans say ?
U
p yours, ”
Davin spat.

Austin scoffed with a humorous grin.
“
Do you even know what you ’
re saying?
”

“
Nope…but it sounded good saying it , and it sounded right to say it.
”

“
They should have wrapped my ears .”
Austin rolled his eyes again , looking extremely annoyed that Michael was there with Claudia while he was here all tied up , having an irritating conversation with Davin.

Everyone was held h
ostage except for Claudia , and nobody saw Michael ex cept for Davin and Austin.
So far, the shadows seemed harmless , and they all waited with anticipation and wondered how they were going t o get out of this situation . Claudia stumbled back in shock, unsure of what to do.
The shadows from her dream w ere no longer a drea m.
T
hey were right in front of her. Terrified, re membering how she felt as they tried to cover he r, she started to panic and lost her breath.

Needing to help her friends, she shook the
terror out of her mind .
If she use d her bow, she would pierce right through them.
As she frantically tried to figure out what to do, the ground started to rumble and shake once again .
She positioned her hand against the wall for suppor t , but t he part o f the wall her hand touched shif ted and turned. Like a secret wall, it turned 180 degree s , taking her with it . But just before the walls closed completely, Michael darted in , pulled Claudia tight ly into the safety of his arms , and held her from behind.

They stood in darkness, but Michael
’
s sword and Claudia ’
s bow provided just enough light to see a part of their surroundings.
Their silhouette reflected on the wall, almost looking like a sideways heart shape.
Claudia didn ’
t know whether to trust the person holding her, but she didn ’
t want to find out. She desperately tried to release her bow and herself from his unyielding hold, pushing and shoving, but to no a vail .

“
Don ’
t move. I ’
m here to save you .”
H
is tone was low, sounding nervous. During the last encounter, she was unaware of him, but this time the situation was different. Michael ’
s heart was pounding out of his chest, matching the rhythmic pattern of Claudia ’
s. He fought back the urge to hold all of her tenderly in his arms. This was the second time he had c o me to her rescue. It was just as difficult, if not even more so .
Her proximity was overwhelming. His heart fluttered with happiness, yet the pain of leaving her again torment ed him , ripping through his heart.

“
Then why are you holding me hostage?
”
Her tone was tolerant, though she should be angered at the person holding her.
S
omething about the sound of his voice gave her comfort. She ’d heard his voice before, but when and where?

“
I ’
m not holding you hostage.
”

“
Hmmm…let ’
s see. You have your arms around me and won ’
t let me move…so I guess you have another definition of what a hostage is then?
”
she answered back with a sassy tone.

Michael smiled and laughed inwardly. He loved her spunky side.
“
I guess you ’
re right.
”

“
Let me go. I can take care of myself.
”

“
Just stay still. It ’
s dark. You never know what can appear.
”

“
Hmmm…so I ’
m your shield? What kind of hero are you?
”

Michael grin
ned , trying not to laugh.
“
No. You are not my shield. And you ’
re right. I ’
m no hero.
”
But I used to be. Open up your heart, let me in and remember me. I want to be your hero again.

Claudia felt a sudden sadness in his tone so she decided to ease up.
“
Do I know you? Have we met?
”

It was a simple
question, but it put him in a state of confusion, leaving him speechless. He wanted to face her and tell her the truth. He had no choice but to l ie.
“
No. Stop asking questions, ”
he demanded with a harsh tone, not meaning to, but it was the only way he could remain strong and not fall apart.

Claudia was determine
d to see the man who se voice gave her tingly , pleasant chills.
“
Fine. If you ’
re here to save me , then show your face. I won ’
t fight you then, ”
she said , trying to be brave, needing to know why his voice sounded familiar , even if his tone sounded cold all of a sudden.

Michael knew he shouldn
’
t, but he couldn ’
t r esist her request. He wanted Claudia to see him, to remember him , thoug h he knew she couldn ’
t.
His muscles began to relax , and he wondered if he would regret his decision. J
ust as he was about to release her and try to f i nd a way out, a light appeared. First it was dim and then it grew brighter . T
hey had to look away and close their eyes from the light’s intensity. The light finally formed into a figure.

“
You have somet hing I want, ”
the stranger said calmly.

“
What…my sword?
”
Michael snickered.

“
Give her to me and I ’
ll let you free.
”

Michael was in a state of confusion. It too
k him a second to realize who this stranger was.
He should have known.
Para disus had once been resided in by Earth angels , and only Curators could place a hold on this place . It was t he reason he couldn ’
t use his unique power and the reason why he couldn ’
t just take Claudia out of this place.
“
Callum, you ’
re an Earth angel. Why do you need her?
”

“
Half breeds like her are the reason why there is divinity among the angels. There are angels looking for special kind s like her. Some want to wipe them off the face of the Earth, but I want to help them.
”

“
The Twelve are handling it. Your help is not needed.
”

“
That is where you ’
re wrong , and Katherine won ’
t listen.
”

“
I ’
ll listen.
How can you help?
”

“
I can hide her until we ’
ve capture d all the Earth angels that have turned against us.
”

“
Why should I trust you ? S
o far everything you ’
ve done has given me every reason to doubt you .
Why go to all the trouble of freeing the dark shadows? And why go to such length s to bring them here?
”

“
I didn ’
t release them.
I followed them here. They lured you here because they want her.
The shadows are harmless unless they take over the souls of humans , which you already know.
No need to be afraid of them. Your friends will be released soon enough . You know you are underground , don ’
t you?
”

“
I know where I am. Don ’
t mock me.
And you haven ’
t answered my question.
”

“
Uh…yes. I heard about you. Too bad…
.
”

“
Th at ’
s enough!
”
Michael roar ed . He didn ’
t want to confuse Claudia, but then again, why should he stop him ?
It would give Claudia something to think about.

“
Not only are you di srespectful, you are rude. D
on ’
t waste any more of my time. Give her to me.
”
Callum started to approach closer.

“
Stop where you are, ”
Michael demanded. He raised his sword and placed it across Claudia ’
s neck. It was only an act, but he felt uncomfortable knowing Claudia would think he would do her harm.
“
I ’
ll kill her, do you understand ?”

Claudia gasped and panicked
, surprised by Michael ’
s sudden threatening gesture. She held tightly to her bow, ready to use it. She was not going to die in the hands of this person who seemed quite complicated.