Crestfall Valley. It was a creepy name. As they drove through the ashen town Angel thought it was fitting. The vacant eyes of the town's people followed their car. Not once did they stop for directions. She had never stepped foot in this place before, and yet it was like her mother knew the way by heart. Another mystery yet to be uncovered, she thought. Her mother had been very cryptic lately. More than usual. Truth be told she'd been acting differently ever since Dad passed. Grieving was to be expected. But it wasn't the grieving that worried Angel. It was the constant looking over her shoulder. The way she would look off into the distance as if she were listening for something. She suspected it had something to do with Dad's 'accident'. Supposedly it was due to a badly tied line. The line fell and he fell with it.
It was a load of crap. 8 months ago, she said just as much when the men came to inform them of his death. Angel had looked at her mother expecting her to be just as outraged, but she only saw fear. A few days later they were packing. The woman she always knew to be fearless was terrified. She felt it then and she felt it now as her mother stepped out of the car to open the rickety gate leading up to the driveway. Creak. Her mother failed to mention that their new home sat on top of a hill. The house itself looked like something out of the Adams Family. A gust of wind came rolling through the gates as they parted. Goosebumps ran up her arms from the chill. Sitting back, she pulled her flannel closer together, regretting not wearing something warmer. Her mom got back in the car with a sigh.
"Angel honey you've been quiet the whole ride here." said Dalia.
"I'm always quiet." mumbled Angel.
"You know what I mean. It's okay to be upset."
"What is there to be upset about?"
"I don't know maybe moving all of a sudden. Not finishing your senior year in the city? Your…your..."
Dalia couldn't bring herself to mention her late husband. It pained her too much.
Angel sighed. Part of her knew she should be nicer to her mother. After all she just lost her husband.
"Moving isn't the worst thing. Besides my senior pictures would of came out like they always do, terrible."
"They just don't get your good angles."
That makes Angel snort. As far as she was concerned, she didn't have any good angles. The football team at her old school rated her a solid 4.5. Apparently, she had a sweet face, but her figure was too round. At least that's what they wrote in her yearbook last year. In turn she gave them a little scoring of her own. In inches of course. Her lips curved slightly remembering how pissed they were.
"I'm just saying it's fine to be angry. Even angry at me." Her mother's voice brought her back to the present. Angel looked at her calculating, pushing up the glasses on her nose.
"And what reason would I have to be angry with you?"
There wasn't a hint of sarcasm in her voice. It was a serious question. Angel had a feeling her mother has been hiding something big. And she knew it had something to do with her father.
Her mother swallowed hard and faced forward in the driver's seat.
"We can talk about this later. Let's go unpack." With that she started the engine.
Angel sat back and plugged in her earbuds. Fine by her. She hit play on her favorite song, 'Church' by Chase Atlantic. One by one they unloaded boxes from the car to the porch. There weren't a lot. They had left their old apartment in a rush. The moving truck would be by tomorrow to drop off the rest of their belongings. Angel didn't mind moving so abruptly because she knew wherever they were heading would hold the answers to her questions. She wasn't upset. She was downright pissed. Someone cut the lines on her dad's cables, and her mother knew who. She could feel it. Whatever her mother was hiding from her was close. She could tell by the unease in her mother's shoulders. They weren't here for a fresh start.
A low whistle fell from Angel's lips as she looked up at the tall property. Cobwebs connected each stair leading to the front door. Walking up the steps she was careful not to touch the banister knowing her hand would come up in black dust.
"Walk me through again how this death trap belongs to us."
"This death trap has been in your family's name for ages. You could say it's a part of your family's legacy."
"And why haven't we claimed this legacy until now?"
Dalia's brow furrowed.
"Why indeed."
Angel thought it was odd her mother said "your family" instead of "our family" but she kept it to herself. Overthinking was a tendency she was trying to break.
Dalia touched Angel's shoulder and squeezed.
"Tell me you're not the least bit curious about what's inside?"
"Maybe a little."
"Six bedrooms and one of them is yours." Her mother teased.
She dangled the keys in front of Angel's face.
"Why so many?"
"Each room has its own key."
That was enough to get Angel moving. Snatching the keys from her mother's grasp, she rushed to unlock the front door. There were so many keys in the loop she wasn't sure which one to choose. She chose the biggest one and turned it in the keyhole. The door opened with a loud creak that echoed through the house. She was too excited to be creeped out by the sound. There was nothing Angel loved more than a good mystery. The air inside the house was just as cold and stale. It was so quiet; you could hear her Converse's squeak across the tiled floors. The gray light shining in from the windows provided little illumination. She felt along the wall for a switch. Her fingers found a round button and pressed it. Chandeliers on the ceiling flickered to life. There had to be more than 6 rooms in this house. Maybe even more than 10. The twin staircases lead up to the second floor. Bending down she picked up two of her boxes stacked on top of each other. As she walked to the stairs close to her, she heard a throat clear accompanied by footsteps. A man that looked to be in his mid-forties appeared before them.
"Ma, you see the man too, right?" asked Angel.
Her mother chuckled.
"So dramatic. Angel, this is Jax. Jax, this is my daughter…"
"Angelina, yes, I know. You described her perfectly. It's nice to meet you, Angelina." Finished Jax.
Angel flinched at the use of her full name. It had been a while since anyone called her that. His voice was strong with an accent she didn't recognize. There was something stern but welcoming in his eyes. The familiarity made Angel uncomfortable. He seemed to know a bit about her, yet she knew nothing of him.
"It's just Angel. Mom didn't tell me we had a…" She wasn't sure what to call him.
"A friend." He finished.
"A friend huh?" She squinted slightly as she shook his hand. "Right, you're a friend of my mom's?"
"A friend of your families."
"Right, and you're here to help us settle in?"
"He lives here Angel. Jax's family has always looked after this place."
Angel pushed her glasses up on her nose.
"So, like a Housekeeper?"
Jax's eyes narrowed, offended by her question..
"It is my job to protect the house. Not clean it." he said sternly.
"And you do that here alone?"
"No, my son also stays here. I apologize for his absence. Likes to keep to himself that one. Kid's probably off playing somewhere."
"Kids will be kids." Commented Mom.
Angel frowned at that.
"Here let me take one of those boxes." offered Jax.
"It's fine, I got it. You're not a servant."
"No, but I am a gentleman. One that would rather not watch you fall to your death on those stairs." He smiled warmly.
A wave a of sadness threatens to consume her at the words "fall to your death". Before anyone could comment or offer their sympathies, she turned on her heel and climbed the stairs.
"Let her be." she heard her mother whisper to Jax.
At the top of the stairs, she searched for a room that looked promising. Completely ignoring the first 3 rooms. She wanted a room hidden away. A room people were less likely to enter was ideal. Especially since there would be a kid running around. Jax had said the boy preferred solitude but that could change. She didn't dislike children. She just wasn't good company for them. Children tended to be vibrant and energetic. Whereas Angel was often sullen and highly sarcastic. Her jokes were rarely kid friendly. The door off to the left was so secluded she almost missed it. It was perfect, she thought. Putting her boxes down she fiddled with the keys until she found the right one. It unlocked with ease. The interior of the room was stunning.
She would have jumped headfirst onto the large bed if there weren't two boots hanging off its sides. Attached to those boots was an unconscious man. Angel backed away slow. She notices a pill bottle in the guy's dangling hand. A bunch of pills spilled onto the floor. Flight or fight mode kicks in and to Angel's surprise she doesn't run for help. She jumps into action. Rushing to the man's side she checks for a pulse and doesn't feel one. Panic bubbles in her chest. Climbing over his unconscious form, she flipped him over on his back with great effort. "Oof",He was heavy. His porcelain skin was dangerously pale. Angel did her best to recall her CPR lessons. After a few chest compresses, she gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. His lips were still warm which was a good sign. The contact lasted for 2 seconds before Angel was pushed back. The man awoken with a startled gasp. His green eyes pierced through her like a knife.
"What the hell are you doing?" He asked.
"Are you…"
"Mine boggled by your boldness? Quite."
"Boldness? I was trying to save your life!"
"Funny I don't remember almost dying today."
"I saw the pills on the floor, and I couldn't feel your pulse."
"How noble of you to save me from good night sleep." He leaned over the edge of the bed, grabbing the pill bottle so she could read the label. Sleeping pills. Angel blushed. "Why were you in my room in the first place?"
"I was looking for a room."
"This one's taken."
"Yeah, I can see that. Jax said he had a son, but he spoke as if you were a kid."
This man looked like he was in his early 20s.
"Sounds about right. What's your name?"
"It's Angel."
His eyes widen, looking at her up and down before narrowing into slits.
"Your Angelina?" He mumbles something else in a language she doesn't understand.
"It's just Angel."
He's up and out of the bed in seconds. At full height, he's tall, dark, and gorgeous.
"Um what's yours?"
He gets close and the smell of rose and wine fills her nose.
"Get out."
"But…"
"Now."
He presses forward until she's backed into the hallway, slamming his door shut with her on the other side. His anger confused her. Angel was used to people saying her full name was too pretty for such a dull face. But no one
had gotten angry at the mere sound of it. Except her. With a heavy sigh she went off in search of a new room. After 5 minutes of searching, she found one. It wasn't nearly as nice as the other one, but it served its purpose. She placed her boxes down and started unpacking. When she was done, she laid back on the comforter of her new bed. It was decent. Not super comfortable, but not uncomfortable either. The sound of distant voices drew her attention. The sound was coming from a vent just under her bed. Lowering to her knees she poked her head underneath. Surprisingly there wasn't a lot of dust. This close she could see and hear them better.
Her mother, Jax and some other guy in his 20s seemed to be in the middle of a heated debate.
"This will flip her world upside down." Said Dalia.
"How do you suggest we proceed Dalia." Said the mystery man.
"I…I need some time Evander. To explain it to her." Said Dalia.
"Dalia…," Said Evander.
"Time is of the essence Dalia. And you have had plenty of it to tell the girl." The man whose life Angel saved earlier approached the group.
Dalia wasn't pleased to see him in the least. Her worried expression twisted into annoyance.
"Sebastian. I'd say it's good to see you, but you know…your still you."
Angel felt a twinge of pride hearing her mother sass him.
"The feeling is mutual darling." he flashed a devilish grin.
"This is a delicate matter. It has to be broken to her gently."
"Delicate? Gentle? You say that as if the girl is any of those things." He countered.
"You say that as if you know her."
"I met her earlier. Quite courageous that one. Came into my room of her own accord. Was saving my life, she called it." He cackled at the mere thought.
It was Dalia's turn to look proud. They were talking about her, Angel realized.
"Angel's always been courageous, but she hasn't been the same for a while now. You have to understand. Angel has lost so much. Losing her father was the last straw."
Dalia's shoulders shake and Evander places a comforting hand to still them.
"I understand how you feel Dalia. The matter is a delicate one." Said Evander.
Dalia's nerves seemed to calm a bit at the sound of his gentle tone.
"She doesn't need empathy Evander. She needs a wakeup call." Said Sebastian.
"Sebas-"
Sebastian brushes past him to stand in front of Dalia.
"Was your husband's death not a big enough one? The more time we waste the closer she is to ending up like him." He said.
Dalia looked him square in the face, not backing down.
"My daughter. My choice. So backoff, wolfy."
The tension between them is so palpable Angel could feel it through the vent. It makes her squirm. As she does Sebastian's ear twitches in her direction and his eyes land on her. Well, not exactly. He can't see her, but he could sense her presence behind the vent. The devilish grin returns. Angel gets the feeling whatever he's about to say next is going to be really bad.
"Careful Dalia. I'm only sworn to protect the Dracos bloodline. Last I checked you weren't Dracos ,only Angel is, and I don't like you." Said Sebastian.
"Don't you dare tell her before I do. Brian and I may not be her birth parents, but we raised her. Not you!" Hisses Dalia.
A gasp escapes Angel before she can cover her mouth. Everyone casts their eyes to the vent.
"Angel." breathed Dalia.
Sebastian places a hand to his heart.
"Oops you just did."
Dalia glared at him.
"You knew she was by the vent, Sebastian."
He shrugged, "Sebastian? Of course not. But wolfy? Most Definitely."
With one last spiteful look he headed for the kitchen.
"Better hurry and catch her before she breaks her neck. She's climbing out the window." He adds before disappearing behind double doors.
"I'm sorry Dalia." Offered Jax.
She shakes her head.
"No. It's my own fault. I hit a sore spot."
"So did he. He just can't take what he dishes." Said Evander.
"You should go after her Dalia." Said Jax.
"No. I'm the last person she'll want to see. You go, Evander."
"What do you want me to tell her?" Said Evander.
"Everything. Tell her everything I couldn't."
It takes Evander a matter of seconds to locate Angel's room.
"Oh, and Evander."
"Yes?"
"Angel is nothing like the Angelina you knew. She may have her soul, but that's it."
"I know that." His tone is clipped.
He kicks open her door to find it empty and the window left agape. In the distance he can see the girl running down the sidewalk. Climbing onto the roof he perches for a bit, before jumping off. It won't take him long to catch up to her. For now, he would give her a breather before changing her life forever.
Jax turned to Dalia.
"Why did you have to tell him that? Did you really think he could forget?"
Dalia shakes her head.
"It's not him. It's Angel. She really dislikes being compared to…well anyone. That girl will rip the head off of anyone who'd dare tell her who she's supposed to be like. At least that was old Angel."
Jax chuckles softly.
"And how would new Angel react?"
"I don't know. I don't know new Angel." A sob escapes her and Jax wraps an arm around her.
"That's okay. We'll all just have to get to know the new Angel.
"What if she doesn't want to Jax?"
"She won't have a choice. They're coming and only we can save her."
Angel didn't feel her knee hit the pavement as she fell off the second roof. She didn't feel the blood trickle down her shin. She could only hear the wind in her ears as she ran. She ran past the stores, ignoring the pointing fingers and the people attached to them. She ran until her chest hurt and it became hard to breathe. She doubled over with her hands on her upper thighs. It was then that she noticed the scrape. Not that it mattered to her. A little scrape didn't hold a candle to the pain in her heart. So many questions swam in her head and the one person she knew to ask was the last person she wanted to hear from.
"Well, what do we have here. Fresh blood in Crestfall." Said a voice with a sultry twang.