Black Roses 9

I couldn’t think…or even breathe. All I knew is I was screaming in animalistic rage. I felt something in my mouth, saw blood spurt. I felt my jaws snap shut, hearing a loud crunch. I began running, feeling free and so powerful. Suddenly, I felt something slam against the back of my head. I screamed and fell, writhing in pain. It hurt so bad…I turned to see my attacker, and before my jaws reached him, I was knocked cold.

I awoke to a bright blue light in my eyes. I squinted and moaned. My head throbbed and pulsed.

"Will she be ok?" I heard a smooth male voice ask. Jace?

I squirmed against something holding my arms down. I looked at my wrists, which were pinned down and wrapped tightly with leather straps. A tear escaped my eye.

"What’s going on?!" I shouted, feeling terror course through my veins.

I felt like I was in some freak movie…was it a serial killer? I fought against the straps, suddenly one snapped. I heard a gasp. Another one snapped and I broke free, trying to untie the ones holding my legs.

"Wynter! It’s ok…it’s just me!" I heard Jace’s voice.

Peering through the blue light, I caught sight of his lovely face. Peace enveloped me.

I reached out my arms and leaned against his muscular chest, sucking in breaths, trying to hold back my terrified tears.

He rubbed my back in small circles. "It’s ok…" He whispered over and over. I believed him.

"Where are we?" I whispered back.

"The Chicago Underground…" He said with a grin. "We finally got the cure…"

I sighed and rubbed my head, eyeing him warily.

"Sorry about your head." He chuckled. He pulled away slightly and motioned toward someone. A tall dark man came up and smiled, revealing perfect teeth. I couldn’t help but feel self-conscious. He was quite lovely too.

"Hello Wynter." He said with a smooth smile. "Feeling better?"

I nodded quickly, captivated by his chocolate eyes that seemed to glint a strange purple.

"My name is Angelo…" He said, holding out a big hand. I took it and shook it shyly. He and Jace exchanged glances and laughed, which made me blush even deeper.

"How is she?" I heard a soft high voice…it sounded like a little girl’s. I watched as a white clad, small hourglass figure approached. She had waves of gold hair, and small porcelain features.

"She’s fine Aniline." Angelo said with a grin spreading across his handsome features.

I couldn’t tell if he was Spanish or not…but the name sort of gave it away. The girl came up and smiled at me. "Hello." I gasped as I saw something behind her. I cocked my head to see better. She snickered and two large grayish wings spread out behind her. I couldn’t control my jaw as it dropped. I could hear a deep rumble of laughter rise in Jace’s chest.

"I told you to expect some pretty crazy things." He said to me…and I wasn’t really listening.

"Wow…" I whispered.

Ever since Jace had told me about his powers…I didn’t take them real seriously. I mean, I believed people could be psychic and all that jazz, but I never really thought about it. I guessed I had been too enthralled by his good looks and our relationship. But as I sat on the reclining bed, I really began to really realize what I was dealing with. This wasn’t all just something little…these people really were…different. And I almost had been…I looked back up and eyed the soft feathery wings.

"Can I touch them?" I squeaked, feeling awkward. I felt so…normal.

She nodded and turned. The wings were so huge, she had to fold them back, and press them against her small back, which was completely hidden. I reached out and touched the silken wings. They felt like waves of velvet and silk…soft as a cloud. As I removed my hands she turned and smiled.

"Cool huh?" She said.

I nodded. "Yeah…how did you get them…are you a…"

"Dark angel…" She finished, cutting me off. I nodded again and looked at Jace, who looked so comfortable and at home in this drippy place.

I then noticed what it was. It was an underground tunnel. I could hear the water drip from the ceiling, and the rumbling of cars above. Did I block that all out before? I focused and heard thousands of voices…voices of people in the tunnel.

"Are there more people…err…Dark Angels here?" I asked, meeting each face slowly.

Jace and Angelo nodded together.

"Yes, many more as a matter of fact." Angelo said, looking down the tunnel.
I slipped off the bed and ignored the vertigo that suddenly hit me. Jace was behind me, supporting me, holding my arms. I wriggled from his grasp, embarrassed that I couldn’t even stand.

"I can walk…" I huffed.

He put his hands up in surrender and grinned. "Ok, ok…" I heard a small laugh escape Angelo.

I stumbled forward and stood, wiping the sweat from my forehead. It felt like I had wakened from a bad dream…there was so much perspiration. I winced at the grossness. I must have looked horrible.

"Sorry about the trip…"I muttered. I couldn’t help but feel weird. They didn’t talk…just look at me. I looked back and saw Angelo nod at Jace, who looked suddenly very serious.

I marched up. "Are you all talking in mind speech? I’m starting to feel a bit left out here." I faked a pout, facing Jace.

Jace ignored me and began pushing me forward, away from the others.

I squirmed away, feeling irritated.

"What are you doing?" I hissed. "Want me to get out of your convo?"

Jace shook his head and rolled his silver eyes.

"No Wynter…we have to leave. It’s dangerous to stay."

I immediately nodded…with the stuff I had experienced and seen…I would believe anything.

"What is it...?" I asked as I saw the strange look in his eyes.

"I’ll explain…lets get to the car first." He muttered. I was about to ask how the window was…but I decided to do that later.