Restraint (The Revelation Series Book 2) (6 page)

What is his problem?
“Fine.” I hop on the treadmill and begin my punishment, seething at his attitude.

“You haven’
t seen anything yet, sweetheart,” he says with a cocky air.

He
knows I hate it when he calls me sweetheart. He’s goading me and I refuse to give in. Instead, I keep my face forward and run while trying to block him out. I apply what I’ve learned with Michael in my meditation training. I focus all my energy and push the hum of our bond down, locking it away in its own personal compartment of pissed off Eve.

“
Are you planning to ride her all day?” Callan questions Asher.

“
Do you have something to say about it, brother?” Asher asks with his arms crossed.

“Nope. J
ust want to know how today is going to play out. That’s all, man.” Callan backs off.

“
Last night, Eve expressed an interest in focusing on her ascension, so that’s what we’re going to do. Focus!” Asher says pointedly as he burns holes into my back.

I swallow.
Crap
. It’s going to be a long day. After what feels like a lifetime of sprinting, I’m sweating and gasping for air before Asher gives me a reprieve.

“
Hand-to-hand with Callan. Get on the mat,” Asher says, pointing to the blue padded area.

I narrow my eyes. “Are you going to order me around all day?”
I inquire defiantly.

He stands taller. “
Order? No. Help you focus? Yes. On. The. Mat.” Asher waits.

I
sulk and take my position across from Callan. He’s biting his tongue in an attempt to hold back a laugh. Clearly, Asher didn’t take my request for space last night very well. Well, two can play at this game. I school my features.
I will not give in. I will not give in. I will not give in.
I chant in my head, hoping the more I do it, the more I’ll believe it.

“Tough day
, cutie?” Callan questions, amused.

“Suck it
, Callan,” I state, my grumpiness increasing.

“Less talking, more
training,” Asher snaps at the two of us.

Callan’s eyes glint and his jaw tightens.
“Let’s get started.” He charges at me and I spin to my right out of his reach only to have my back slammed onto the mat. Pain shoots through my arm as I lay there stunned.

“What the hell
, Asher?” Callan scowls, looming over me as he helps me up.

A lopsided smile forms on
Asher’s beautiful, pouty lips. “Oh, I’m sorry. You’re fighting both of us today. Was that not made clear? I’d hate to give off mixed signals.” It’s obvious he’s not just talking about training.

“
No mixed signals here. Intentions are clear,” I retort, enraged.

He
grins wickedly. “Wonderful. Again then.” We all return to our stances.

Asher
and Callan come at me simultaneously. I manage to roll my hips and keep my chin down, dodging Callan only to end up getting tackled hard by Asher. I fall the wrong way on my arm, again. This time, I flinch from the pain. Asher’s face falls slightly at my show of hurt but then pulls back into his hardass instructor façade.

I roll over and groan
. “Thanks for the smack down.” I inhale to ease the pain.

“
Your point has been made, Asher.” Callan tries to intervene with a calm tone.

Asher offers me his hand.
“Get up.”

I
stand on my own and throw a nasty smirk at him before getting back into my position.

“Again,” he challenges.

“Ash-” Callan was cut off by Asher’s shout.

“Again!”
He screams so loud I think they might have heard him in the fae realm.

Swallowing hard,
I brace myself for the next hit. But instead of landing on my back, I hear Michael’s voice.
Thank God for archangels.

“It’s nice to finally see you taking training seriously
, Eve,” Michael says proudly.

At his entrance, Asher and Callan both tilt their head in a slight
dip as a show of respect. Oddly, Michael reciprocates only to Asher. The archangel’s jade eyes swing over to mine and he politely bows to me. His dark blond hair falls forward at the tilting movement.

“
I appreciate the focus,” he teases with little humor in his voice as his eyes shift back to Asher in disapproval. Without a doubt, he’s still tweaked about walking in on Asher and I lip locking during our last training session.

I roll my eyes. “Good to see you too
, Michael.” It comes out snarky.

“That arm is bruising
. Perhaps you should put some ice on it,” the angel suggests.

I shoot
a death glare at Asher. “I’ll be fine. Remember, I can heal myself. Must be the archangel spirit in my soul,” I offer with sarcastic wit.

Michael just looks at me thoughtfully for a moment. “Right. Well
then, I think we’ve had enough physical teaching for the day. Let’s go work on your mental control. On the agenda: astral projecting and realm jumping. Lady Finella awaits us in the Kingdom of the Fae to assist with the realm jumping, so we’ll begin there today.”

“S
he isn’t done with her training,” Asher exclaims, irritated.

“Today’s
instruction feels more like punishment rather than an exercise in physical strength, Mr. St. Michael.” The angel’s voice leaves no room for argument.

I watch
the gargoyle and archangel in some bizarre paranormal stare down.
My life is so weird.
I step in and turn to face Asher, locking eyes with him. “It’s okay. I’ll work on the mind control instruction and then we can pick up on the physical training later this afternoon.”

“Fine
,” Asher concedes, grabbing his water bottle and storming out. The sound of the door slamming causes me to jump.

“I’ll go talk to him
, Eves. You start your work with Michael,” Callan suggests.

I nod my appreciation as Callan pats my shoulder
and exits the room.

My eyes trav
el back to Michael as he smiles at me. “Shall we?”

“Let
’s do it.” To be honest, I’m looking forward to seeing Lady Finella again and running away from the Asher drama for a little while.

My eyes open and I’m at peace, thanks in part to the stunning paradise of nature that surrounds me. I inhale a deep breath, enjoying the smell of honeysuckle and lavender. The fragrances signal I have arrived in the Kingdom of the Fae.

“Excellent realm jumping
, Eve. Very proficient control,” Michael comments from my right.

My eyes scan the woodland area and a
sincere grin crosses my lips. I love being in the fae realm. It’s so soothing and peaceful with its emerald forest, crystal blue water, and brightly colored flower clusters that look like patchwork along the green grass.

All around the forest
, the sprites glow in bright blues, ambers and pink hues. The flittering fairies whisper and giggle in a playful and carefree manner.

The warm voice of Lady
Finella, Queen of the Fae wraps around me like a warm blanket. “Welcome warrior and daughter of Heaven. We are honored to receive you both here,” she offers kindly with a slight bow of her head to us.

I walk over to her
and tilt my head before snagging her into a hug. “Hello, your grace. It’s so nice to see you.” Her beautiful red ringlets cascade around me. The silk strands smell like roses.

Michael
saunters over to us, bowing his head in respect at the regal queen. “Lady Finella, as always, it is an honor to see you again. We offer our deepest gratitude to you for allowing us to fine-tune Eve’s realm jumping gifts in the safety of your kingdom.”

The queen turns to the archangel. “The realm is
eternally fortunate to welcome you both.”

“I must
ask for your grace’s forgiveness, once again, at the informal way a daughter of Heaven addresses you,” he apologizes for my casual greeting.

Lady
Finella slides her gaze to me, offering a wink only I’m privy to. “We are very pleased to offer haven to the daughter of Heaven and embraces, if she so wishes,” Lady Finella responds in a light, playful tone and I muffle a giggle.

“I have
quite enjoyed getting to know Eve this past lunar cycle.” Her gold cuffs shine brightly in the realm’s sunshine. The runes that run over her arms and legs slither in rapid movement. “I do hope you will be joining me for a light fare and tea at the castle. I am sure the Duchess of Sprites will be very happy to see you again,” the regal queen extends her invitation.

“
Yes! I can’t wait to see Ainsley,” I say with abnormal excitement, not ready to return to Asher’s brooding.

“
Eve and I are most grateful to accompany you for tea, your highness,” Michael responds properly.

I smile and nod
my agreement, grateful to be away from the earth realm for a bit. Lady Finella encloses our hands in hers and teleports us all to the Emerald Castle.

Each time I’
m here, I’m always in awe of how beautiful the translucent palace is. The see-through walls offer the sensation of being in the forest, while the green tinted glass projects just the right amount of privacy from outside eyes. The openness allows you to feel at one with the realm.

Just as we enter the
rotunda, the Duchess of Sprites, Ainsley, flitters into the room with a tray. Her amber hue glows bright as she curtsies to both Michael and I before placing the silver platter on the table.

I’m
always taken aback at how similar she and Lady Finella look. Both have long, red hair, emerald green eyes and stunning translucent butterfly-like wings. The only difference, aside from their height and dress color, is the gold runes that run through Lady Finella’s beautiful skin. I’ve repeatedly wondered if they’re sisters.

Ainsley
presents us with fresh tea and sandwiches made from the herbs and vegetables grown in the fairies’ gardens. I can’t help but take two, they’re that good. Lady Finella just smiles, amused with me, as a mother would be with her child, before turning her attention to Michael.

“
Warrior of Heaven, as you are aware, it is not in my nature to skip pleasantries. Though today, I must be direct and to the point. I bring news from my assembly with the Royal Supernatural Court,” she states in an authoritative manner before sipping her tea.

Michael nods
and motions for her to continue. “Of course, your grace. Please, we are anxious to hear the information you wish to impart.”

Lady
Finella offers a small smile before placing her cup down and giving Michael a pointed look. “I am afraid it is quite serious intelligence. Priestess Arabella has been plagued with countless visions, many of which sorceress Lunette confirmed to be truth. It is with great distress that I advise you and the protectors that the apparitions are in regard to the Declan clan of gargoyles and also the Dark Army.” She sighs sadly before continuing.

I tense at the mention of Deacon’s clan.

“Lucifer is moving quickly to ensure Eve does not succeed in her ascension. All five of the supernatural kingdoms have vowed to provide assistance to the Angelic Council and the London clan to assure Eve’s well-being and ascension. Sorrowfully, not all supernatural creatures within our realms are loyal so we must be on guard and quite vigilant with whom we entrust Eve’s life,” she states with a stern look.

“I understand
,” Michael responds with a very serious tone.

“
Eve, Arabella is one of The Seven High Priestesses with the gift of future sight. She’s also a member of the Royal Supernatural Court and a very dear friend. The court thought perhaps it might be worthwhile for you to pay her a visit. Now that it appears you have mastered realm jumping, an appointment with her in the Eternal Forest should be quite an easy journey for you, guided by your protector, of course,” Lady Finella explains.

“
I’m happy to meet with the priestess,” I concur, not admitting my unease.

“I’ll discuss it with
the London clan and get word to you once they are able to make the journey,” Michael states authoritatively.

“Wonderful.
I will speak with the priestess and court and let them know right away of your plans,” she states.

“
Lady Finella, it is always an honor when we are in your presence. Your hospitality is most appreciated,” Michael offers with a slight bow and they both stand.

G
uessing our time here has ended, I stand as well and offer my gratitude.

She
turns to me as her face softens. “Batya, it is always a great honor and a most pleasant experience to have you in our kingdom. It is my wish that when your divine task is complete, you enjoy our realm for a longer period of time.”