Page 3 of Rejected Darkness

"That is enough, Jack," Mrs. Callie shouts. "One more outburst like that and this conversation is over. Am I clear?"

A chorus of "Yes Ma'ams" answer her. All I can do is sink deeper in my seat and hope that a hole will open beneath me and swallow me whole. I know I’m a disappointment; I don’t need the reminder at school. I already have enough of it at home from my father.

I’m terrified I will be rejected. It's a fear that has hung over my head since I first learned my powers don’t behave in a normal manner for angels. Once the rumors started, it just got worse for me. I can't escape it, the fear, the rejection, the jokes.

The only place I find a semblance of peace is when I'm with my friend Warrick. He's ten years older than me but he's the only person who hasn't judged me and has helped me with mypowers, helped me find workarounds so I can control them. I know the only reason my father is okay with our private lessons is because he doesn't find Warrick to be a threat. My father believes that he has everyone, including Warrick, under his thumb and that no one would ever question his orders. He has know idea that Warrick is my only friend and has been protecting me in his own way from my father’s wrath. If any of them knew I was falling for him though then that would be a disaster.

"Does anyone have any further questions about the ceremony? I know I didn't tell you much but it's something you all just need to experience, it isn't easy to prepare for it. I'm sure all of you are nervous but just trust in the Divine and trust in yourself. Everything will be as it should be," Mrs. Callie refocuses the conversation. I appreciate her trying but it's too late now. The words got to me and now I'm going to be thinking about it for the next two days.

"No questions? Okay, class is dismissed. Go have a relaxing night and enjoy the next two days," Mrs. Callie calls out as she heads around her desk.

My classmates waste no time running out of the room, but I'm slow to follow. Hopefully, the longer I drag my feet, the fewer people will be in the hallway when I leave. I also don't want to go home yet. I'll be asked why I'm home early instead of being in class, and it just means we can have an earlier birthday dinner that I already know probably won’t be about me at all. That is just the icing on the cake for me.

"Happy birthday, Arabella," Mrs. Callie calls out as I pass her desk to exit. She smiles brightly at me and nods goodbye as I exit, not bothering to answer her.

Right. Happy birthday to me. Twenty years old and nothing to show for it. That's what every girl wants to experience. At least the few girlfriends I have promised to go out dancing with metonight after the dinner. Now that is something to look forward to. We booked a VIP booth at our favorite club in the city just for this. It's to celebrate all of our birthdays because we don't know if that's something we'll get to experience together again or not. We don’t get to see each other often, but with Warrick’s help he got my father to agree to let me out for a couple of hours of fun tonight. A small birthday present he called it.

Walking out the school doors, I come to a dead stop when I see Warrick standing at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for me.Fuck!I wasn't expecting an escort today. I was really looking forward to the silent walk home by myself.

"Hey, Little One," Warrick smiles up at me, wearing a pair of black aviators that hide is blue eyes. He's standing there in blue jeans with rips and a white t-shirt that hugs his muscles in all the right places. I can make out the bulk in his biceps from the top of the stairs. His black hair shines in the sunlight making me want to run my hands through it. Even with a couple of stairs between us he is still almost the same height standing at six foot three.

Why must he look so good? Ugh, the Divine must really have it out for me.

"Hey, Warrick." I smile back at him in an effort to hide my true feelings. "Did my parents send you to pick me up?"

"They sure did," he answers. "Your mom told me to take you to pick out a dress for dinner this evening and then get you home. Dinner starts promptly at six, and she doesn't want anyone to be late."

"Okay, I guess she doesn’t like the dress I hung up on my closet door for this evening," I answer, shaking my head in defeat. It’s a really pretty white dress with lace across the bodice that falls down to my knees. I even had gold sandals to wear with it.

"Sorry, she wants something floor-length for this. She's even making me wear a tux," he fake gags like it's the worst thing inthe world. To him, it probably is; he hates getting dressed up. Seeing him in a tux though, is going to do things to me that will torture me all night. "Let's get out of here, Little One."

"Dinner was a disaster," I groan as Warrick escorts me to the club. I couldn't escape dinner fast enough this evening. My father turned it into a business affair, inviting all of the Seraphim and their families to attend. No birthday wishes for me, no cake, just talk of the mating ceremony in two days and the matches everyone was expected to make. They all had high hopes for us. I caught the looks my father tossed my way as a reminder of what was riding on me finding a proper mate.

"I wouldn't call it a disaster," Warrick chuckles. "We all know how your father is. Just take tonight with a grain of salt. You survived dinner, and now you get to go out and celebrate with your friends. That should be worth more to you than your parents not celebrating your birthday."

"Is it though?" I mumble. "For once I just want my parents to recognize me. It seems like the only time they pay attention to me is when I fail at something." I hate feeling like a failure and unwanted. My whole life I’ve tried to be enough and nothing ever is. No one should go through life the way I have. A parent’s job is to love and support us, so why can’t mine?

"That's not true, Arabella." Warrick stops and spins to face me, placing his hands on my shoulders. "Please tell me that isn't true."

"I..." Words fail me as I look at him. I’ve never realized how blue his eyes are. They have a ring of green on the outside that provides more depth to them. I can get lost staring into them if he'd let me.

"Arabella," Warrick shakes me slightly.

"Shit, sorry," I murmur breaking out eye contact. I definitely can't think when looking at him. "It pretty much is true. Rarely does my father speak to me about anything unless it's to remind me of expectations or to scold me for failing something. My mother hardly talks at all. I tried to get her help talking to my dad about the ceremony and she just brushed me off and told me not to fail."

"Why did you never tell me this?" my friend scolds as he stares at me, worry all over his face.

"What good would it do?" I shake my head and try to break away from his hold. He doesn't let me, instead pulling me closer into a hug. "I know you can't stand up to my father. It wouldn't end well and then I would lose you too."

"You could never lose me, Arabella. I will always protect you, whether your father instructs me to or not." He loosens his arms and lets me step back, sensing that I need some space. "I will always look out for you. I wish you had told me what was happening at home though. I would have done something."

"There's nothing you can do we both know that, Warrick," I raise my voice and clench my fists by my side. There's been a line between us for years. When I was younger he was so protective, always watching out for me, assisting me in whatever I needed. As we got older that line became thinner. Heated stares. Long touches. Lingering looks. They happened between both of us or at least I think they have. I may have been misreading the situation but I've watched him before. When guys would come up to speak with me and stand just a smidge too close, Warrick was staring both of us down until the guy walked away. I never called him on it. Maybe I should have but I didn't want to call attention to whatever this is. Just like now. The hug he gave me felt too good like he didn't want to let me go. It was too short for my liking but also too long for anyone who caught us. Warrickis ten years older than me but is under my father's instructions. Nothing can happen, ever.

"I still would have tried," he argues, moving closer to me.

I watch the rise and fall of his chest as he tries to calm himself. I wish I could reach out and calm him the way I want to, but I can't. We can't. It takes all my control to remain in place and remind myself I can’t touch him.

"It would be a death sentence," I shake my head and fight my tears. "I'm fine. Everything is fine. Can we just go to the club, please? The girls are waiting on me."

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