Page 35 of Pieces of Halves

“Jacob, it’s always good to see you.” Jona turns to Jacob with a friendly nod.

“You as well.” Jacob laughs, his hand never leaving my waist.

The aura that Jona brings with him is peaceful. I wonder if that is because he is an angel or if that is just the way he is.

“I hear you have some angel in you,” he says, moving his glance back to me, the soft expression still on his face.

“That is what I hear as well,” I respond and chuckle.

“Interesting woman you are. Vampire and angel,” he comments.

Another maid passes by, offering Jona a small smile. He returns the gesture, making the girl blush. There are a lot of female maids out today, I notice.

“Yes. It would be nice if I could use my power,” I respond.

“Don’t worry, we’ll take good care of you.” He grins, his bright expression filling the room.

These people barely know me, yet their kindness is unmatched. They don’t know me, but they offer their help without asking for anything in return.

Jona and I are standing in the middle of the open training ground. It is large and empty, but I assume there is no one here per Jona’s request. The sand sinks around my feet as I look at him, his form tall and magnificent, so I straighten as well. That makes him smile. It’s endearing, so I don’t mind.

“In cases like yours, it’s always about how two different powers work together,” Jona starts and looks directly at me. Normally, a gaze from a man his size would make me look away and feel small, but my confidence has grown over the last few days. “You have a vampire part and anangel part. The balance needs to come from tucking away one while you’re using theother. Otherwise, both will be fighting for control. Balancing them is hard even for those who have been alive for hundreds of years.”

This seems like it’s going to be a lot of work and difficult. I nod anyway. Tengu has already taught me some things. I am not clueless.

“Did you know my mother?” The question comes out of nowhere, but Jona looks so much like her in the paintings I saw in my father’s office – blonde, beautiful, powerful, and kind.

“No.” Jona’s answer is soft. “She was the angel of peace. Her job was to calm. I am a Watching Angel.” His lips twitch up a bit.

“Angels…” He sighs, unsure how to proceed. “We see a lot. Good and bad. We have a tendency to be guarded, but when the shield is dropped, we commit completely. It can be painful,” he explains softly. I can tell that saying those words out loud is hard for him.

My mother was a good woman. She just loved too easily. I wonder if Jona is like the angels he described. Has he fallen in love before and had his heart broken? A man as powerful as him would not let anyone fool him. He seems like the cautious type.

Jona clears his throat, snapping me out of my thoughts, and changes the subject to me. “Tengu mentioned that your wings came out, and you have been hesitant ever since?”

It hurt!I want to say. That would sound whiny, so I stay silent and nod. Next thing I know, Jona’s wings are behind him. They stand a few feet above his head and reach the ground at the tips, their color a magical white. They are beautiful against the bright rays of the sun.

I blink and they are gone. He got them out and tucked them in with such ease that it seems impossible. His facial expressions did not show discomfort as well.

“Do you want me to do it again?” he asks with a small grin.

Yes.The way he moved them with such grace is incredible.

“No, that’s fine.” I laugh at his offer.

“Do you want to give it a go?” he asks with a smirk.

I chew on my cheek for a few seconds and nod. The agreement is hesitant, but if I am to be a strong woman and defend myself, I have to do what is needed.

“Good. No need to feel rushed or force it. Just think about flying. I know the first time, it was a survival instinct, but this time let it just be you and the wind,” Jona says as if he has not a single doubt in me.

It was not survival. I only wanted to save Jacob. But I keep those thoughts to myself.

“Close your eyes if you think it will help,” Jona adds.

Inhaling, I shut my eyes. Pushing away the thought of pain, I focus on the breeze and the sensation of wings.Flying.A tingling surge rushes through my skin and collects between my shoulder blades. I exhale and flutters of wind flow my hair from behind me.

My eyes snap open, and my heart skips excitedly.Did I do it?To make sure they are there, I turn my head. White feathers shine against the sunlight, making me smile. It did not hurt, and I did it on my first attempt.

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