THE TRAGIC + DIVINE, Book 1 Read online

  I aimed at the center of the tin cans and pulled the trigger causing my arm to jerk back. With one shot, all the cans fell behind the wall.

  “Pick your prize,” the attendant said. But Milo didn’t take his eyes off mine—he’d found his prize.

  “The blue monkey,” I said.

  Milo took the stuffed animal then handed it to me.

  “Good job.”

  “Thank you,” I replied shyly trying not to blush.

  “Want to go on a ride?”

  “Uh, rides make me sick.”

  “How about the mirror maze?” he said pointing at the neon illuminated building a few steps away from us. It stood alone without a soul nearby.

  I hesitated. My heart was thumping again, only this time I felt it closer to my navel than my ribcage.

  “Sure,” I said walking next to Milo, so close our shoulders almost touched. I timidly glanced over to him for a brief instant. I suddenly had the urge to hold his hand until I remembered I told Milo to keep his hands to himself.

  “What happened to Saturday?” I asked.

  “I decided Saturday was a long time away. I wanted to see you.”

  I turned away covering my face with my hair, so Milo didn’t catch the grin that slowly spread across my lips.

  We stepped into the dark maze where an endless pattern of zigzagged triangles of neon blues and greens danced to music. Milo led the way as we descended further into the labyrinth of mirrors turning corners straight into dead ends and walls of glass. We turned back toward the entrance where Milo took a right. I followed closely behind down a hall where he made a sharp turn and suddenly disappeared. I traced his steps but ran right into a mirror. How did he—where did he go? I heard him laugh. But I couldn’t place the direction of his voice.

  “Jerk!” I screamed out. Stretching my arms out, I carefully touched every glass mirror, so I didn’t smack into glass. “Where are you?”

  “Behind you.” I heard his voice right next to my ear. I spun around; Milo wasn’t there. A shadow zipped to my left, I did a 360, still nothing. I continued straight ahead, when Milo stepped into view. With his finger, he beckoned for me to go to him. Obeying his command, I walked down the stretched hall of triangles in his direction. When I thought I was about to reach him, he quickly slipped out of my sight. My eyes searched the labyrinth of never-ending mirrors and my reflections, desperately seeking him. Where did he go?

  Retracing my steps, I walked back in the direction I’d seen him last. I abruptly stopped when I caught Milo’s reflection in one of the mirrors. The neon colors danced on his face as I moved towards him warily. Was this a trick? Was he planning on slipping away from me again?

  As I moved closer, I reached for him. To my surprise, there was a glass wall between us. Milo pressed his hand against it. I smiled, then pressed mine against his. Even though we were separated by the wall, I felt the warmth of our hands radiating through the glass.

  Our eyes locked, his eyes danced wildly with irresistible charm and an intensity that made my skin vibrate. Then Milo broke contact and took off to my right. Turning around, I found myself alone again. I saw his reflection in the mirror in front of me. He stood behind me; his attention fully concentrated on my face I had to catch my breath.

  I backed away slowly afraid to turn around.

  My body halted when I felt goosebumps on my neck, and I knew Milo was standing behind me. Without touching, he slid his hand over mine, pure energy vibrating off his skin. I wanted Milo to touch me so badly. I wanted to feel his arms around me.

  I slowly whirled around without looking at him. I felt Milo brush his lips over my forehead. Startled, I looked up into his dark eyes suddenly wanting more. And I knew Milo wanted it as badly as I did. Milo promised he’d keep his hands off me, but the anticipation of his touch was killing me. Milo’s lips looked inviting. I decided I could no longer resist. So, I went in for the kill.

  My lips crushed against his. Milo kissed me back uncontrollably like he’d been dying to kiss me for an eternity. His mouth tasted sweet like honey. His hands slipped down my back stopping at the waist, then he pulled me into his body. I wrapped one arm around his shoulder, with the opposite hand I stroked his neck. His kiss slowed down, warm, soft lips moved with mine, shooting electric waves of fire all the way down to my kneecaps turning them into Jell-O. It was a toe-curling, passionate, sparks fly kiss I’d only seen in movies.

  Milo abruptly pulled away at the sound of chaos coming from outside, leaving me dizzy. Milo stormed out of the mirror maze, as I trailed behind. I stopped at the sight of Eli, Trent, and Lee standing in a confrontational pose against Eddie, Mason, Vance. A crowd was starting to gather, cell phones in hand, ready to capture a fight.

  Jocks versus angels.

  Then the rumbling of a pick-up truck blared in the distance as it approached the group. In the bed of the blue truck, more jocks clutching baseball bats, chains, and broken bottles.

  I broke into a jog towards the angels. Eddie was clearly trying to pick a fight, and as soon as he saw Milo and me, his eyes turned ice cold.

  “What are you doing, Eddie?” I pushed him back.

  “You’re here to save your boyfriend?” Eddie said, angry.

  “Stop it!” I yelled at him.

  “Get out of the way, Alexis.” Eddie’s eyes were dark and filled with undeniable hatred. He glared at Milo like he wanted to rip his head off. “What are you going to do, pretty boy?” Eddie challenged Milo.

  Milo kept his cool unfazed by Eddie’s words. The jocks yelled obscenities at the angels, and with a loud battle cry, they jumped off the truck.

  “That’s enough!” A loud stern voice shouted behind us. We all turned to see Pastor Hayle standing a few steps away from us holding a white megaphone in his hand. The curious bystanders took their children away shielding them. They were afraid of the angels, afraid they stepped foot in their beloved Dixon.

  Pastor Hayle looked straight into Milo’s eyes. “You need to leave, now.”

  “Didn’t mean to cause any trouble.” Milo raised his hands up.

  “Stay out of Dixon, freak,” Mason shouted. “Or else.”

  Milo took a deep breath, clenching his jaw in anger. He stared right into my eyes then ripped his gaze away. I didn’t want Milo to leave. I wanted to run after him and tell him to stay—screw Dixon.

  Eddie stood next to me and placed a protective hand over my shoulder, but I jerked away from his touch.

  Eli, Trent, and Lee got onto their motorcycles and revved the engines, white smoke screeching from the tires. Just as they were leaving, Milo stopped a few yards away from me in his motorcycle. His dark gaze settled on mine. He flicked his chin upward then to the back of his motorcycle indicating I get on. I swallowed hard as my heart began to thump loudly inside my chest once again. I was torn between my selfish physical desires and what others might think of me if I left.

  Gazing around at the people of Dixon who waited anxiously for the angels to leave, I was met with nasty glares that made me feel like a complete outsider. All of them silently judging me and watching to see what I’d do next.

  “Don’t do it, Alexis,” Eddie whispered. “Don’t be stupid!”

  I shot Eddie a sharp look.

  Milo waited.

  What did I have to lose, anyway? My reputation? That went down the gutter the moment Milo stepped into my life. I sprinted towards Milo, my long chocolate hair flying in the air, then hopped onto the back of his bike. Wrapping my arms around him, I dug my face deep into Milo’s leather jacket and threw caution to the wind.

  “Alexis no!” I heard Eddie shout.

  Milo peeled out of the streets leaving a stunned Dixon far behind.

  CHAPTER

  18

  Milo weaved through Atlanta traffic as I clung tightly to his body hoping I didn’t end up pancaked on the side of the road. My heart had been racing at the speed Milo rode his motorcycle which was way too fast for comfort. And to make things worse, Mr. Speed Racer k
ept speeding through red traffic lights making the ride less thrilling. I worried I’d made the wrong decision to leave. My behavior lately had been reckless, no matter how exciting it felt. But despite my voice of reason protesting, this was the perfect opportunity to find Priscilla.

  I dared to glance back where Eli, Trent, and Lee weren’t far behind. They kept close on Milo’s tail. My body flooded with endorphins as he picked up speed revving the engine.

  Relief set in when the monstrous black Gothic church came into view. Thankfully, Milo slowed down because of the heavy traffic. As we cruised by the entrance of Eve’s Paradise Nightclub, I wasn’t surprised by the long line of women waiting for access, only this time there were a few uninvited guests. A group of hardcore religionists stood outside protesting with signs that said:

  QUILL LOVERS: REPENT OR PERISH, ANGEL WORSHIPERS DESERVE HELL, and my favorite CHERUB CHASERS ARE SINFUL HARLOTS.

  “A physical relationship with an angel is a sin,” a woman with a microphone preached. “There is still time to cleanse yourselves of your sins so that the true holy angels may have mercy on your soul when they reveal themselves to us. The angels inside Eve’s Paradise are not who they claim to be. They are the fallen angels described in the Book of Genesis. This is your wake-up call. Repent before it’s too late!”

  What a buzzkill, I thought.

  Milo came to a stop when the traffic light turned red. I glanced over to the protesters and was met by the critical glare of a teenage girl wearing a long jean skirt and white sweater. Her delicate features were obscured by her oversized bangs. She gave me curious once-over before she approached me. I stiffened my hold on Milo’s torso who looked in the direction of the girl. She paused for a moment taken aback by his physical beauty, fluttered her eyelashes then quickly looked away ashamed. After she composed herself, she stepped closer to the curb, smiled then handed me a pamphlet.

  I reluctantly took it. What Does the Bible Say about Interracial Relationships with Fallen Angels? the pamphlet read. Fallen angels. My Sunday school teacher always told us the angels were fallen. She was a conspiracy theorist who hosted a weekly podcast where she provided evidence written in the bible that stated the angels living here now, were the angels that fell from grace described in the Book of Genesis. I never believed her. Like everyone else, I was in awe of the angels until Priscilla left. That’s when I started to despise them. Lately, my feelings had been quickly shifting, I wasn’t sure anymore.

  “It’s never too late to repent.” She smiled warmly. “Sinners burn in hell.”

  Annoyed by her condescending comment, I said, “I guess I’ll see you there.”

  Milo shot the girl his signature troublemaking grin then cut through traffic even though the light was still red. We drove around the cathedral and stopped briefly in front of an iron gate, the walls around it were made of stone about fifteen feet tall. With one buzz, the gates gave way as we pushed ahead. Milo came to a rolling stop in the parking lot where there was an array of lavish cars I’d only seen in movies; Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Maserati, and Bentley.

  “Whose cars are these?”

  “Party members,” Milo said taking my hand.

  “Wealthy party members?”

  “They’re our kind sponsors,” Eli added as he knocked on a door that looked like it headed down to a basement. A peephole door the size of my palm slid open, and I heard him whisper Non-Serviam to someone on the other side. With that, the door swung open. Music played in the distance mixed with the chatter of voices.

  “Non-serviam,” I repeated. “What does that mean?”

  “It’s the password for the night,” Milo said dismissing my question.

  Non-serviam. I took a mental note to research the phrase later. I combed one hand through my hair to untangle the mess of waves from the ride. Skimming over my outfit, I was definitely not dressed for the club.

  “You look nice,” Milo said giving my hand a reassuring squeeze.

  I stuck my free hand inside the pocket of my coat and felt the camera Julian let me borrow. I clamped my hand around the camera, panic rising in my throat. We reached the guard who got out of the way to let us through, no questions asked. I let out a sigh of relief. We walked together down a long narrow corridor made of stone illuminated in red light. We descended further underground into what seemed like the depths of hell.

  “Where are we going?” I whispered to Milo.

  “To a party, where only a select few have entered. Are you nervous?” he asked with a mischievous smile.

  “Should I be?”

  The corridor led into a massive underground cave with arched stone pillars where a full house of equal amounts of humans and angels mingled. Some of the human men were dressed in fancy tuxedos and wore masks to hide their identity, but I could tell they were old enough to be my dad.

  We were standing in the middle of a large room with large vintage loveseats—all occupied by busy couples. An enormous gold chandelier that provided ambient light hung right in the middle. A large bar stood to the farthest wall where servers poured drinks and placed them on their trays. Although the lights were dim, I could see many of the girls wore horned animal masks, devil ears, and many were dressed as demons in tiny little dresses, others wore only lingerie. The few brave ones walked around topless.

  My mouth fell open. I’d landed someplace foreign where clothing was optional.

  “They’re naked,” I shrieked.

  “It’s only skin,” Eli laughed taking off to the bar.

  The temperature inside my body rose way above one hundred degrees. What was up with this party? Was there a minimum to no clothing policy on the invitation? It seemed the deeper I went into the world of the angels, the less clothing the girls wore. I grew up in a conservative home where nudity was shameful. To this day, I wasn’t allowed to wear a two-piece bikini because of the wrong attention I might attract. ‘It’s better to be modest than leave little to the imagination,’ my mother would always tell Priscilla and me. Now I was in the middle of a big fat Playboy party with slow, seductive music playing in the background arousing the guests even more. I just hope they don’t break out into an orgy.

  “After a while it becomes normal,” Milo whispered into my ear.

  “You call this normal?” I asked glancing around through my lashes trying not to stare. “And what’s up with the horned animal heads?”

  “Zane takes Dante’s Inferno a little too seriously,” Milo answered.

  “Zane?” I asked. He was probably the Hugh Hefner of the party.

  “Zane is our leader,” Lee said through a red lollipop in his mouth. I looked at Lee and Trent who had barely spoken a word to me since I met them. Lee wore a black jacket with subtle red sequins that shined under the chandelier, and Trent wore a black long-sleeve with a Ouija board picture on the front. They never seemed interested in me or in any other girls or boys, they always looked at me like I was some kind of parasite.

  Eli came back holding a black tray full of shot glasses.

  “Let the bad choices begin,” he said handing a shot to each of us. I took mine, hesitant, I didn’t want to drink, but for some strange reason, I had an innate desire to fit in to show these guys I could hang even though I knew I was such a wimp. Eli raised the shot glass, the rest of us followed. “Cheers!”

  Glasses clinked and we all shot back the amber liquid.

  It burned going down my throat.

  Eli snapped his fingers at one of the servers who was wearing a loincloth to cover her private parts. Her tan body was covered in glitter, and her face was caked with pounds of shimmering pastel make-up. “Bring me another round of these, and uh”—he pointed at me— “what’s your poison?”

  “No poison. Just water,” I replied then immediately realized my mistake. They all looked at me like I was a nun who’d just entered a convent. Eli raised an inquisitive eyebrow at me.

  “A beer?” I asked unsure still reeling from the shot I’d taken. The few parties I’d gone to in my l
ife only had cheap beer and wine coolers, so my knowledge in the alcohol department was lacking.

  “Cranberry vodka for m’lady,” Eli told the waitress.

  No one said anything as we took our seats at one of the VIP style lounges. I noticed there were dark corridors that led in every direction and wondered what was hiding behind closed doors. Before I knew it, the server was back with more drinks. I took a deep breath. If I kept this up, I was afraid I’d end up blacking out before the night was over.

  “You don’t have to drink if you don’t want to,” Milo whispered out of earshot.

  I should have nodded in agreement, but instead, I stupidly said, “I can handle it.”

  As the rest took their shots, so did I. This time the shot went down a little smoother, but now I was getting even dizzier. Milo smiled and sat back defeated. He stared at me blankly like he no longer recognized me. Hell, I didn’t recognize myself. I was trying to keep up with his lifestyle, trying to fit in his world, but I was failing miserably. I was making a fool of myself, but after two shots I no longer cared.

  Sticking my hands back into my pockets, I felt the camera. I’d forgotten about my mission. I excused myself to the ladies’ room.

  “Here, take another before you go,” Eli said. This guy was really trying to get me drunk. Cracking a half smile to hide my torment, I swallowed the shot of liquid courage in one gulp then wandered towards one of the corridors. Once I was at a safe distance, I glanced back and found Milo and Eli in a heated argument. I wondered what they were fighting about.

  Stumbling down the hallway, I hid inside one of the rooms. The walls were covered in a luxurious red damask embossed wallpaper, a French Provincial sleigh bed took up most of the room. The bedspread was made of a shiny material, probably silk. I laid on the bed belly down to ease off the dizziness. Rubbing my face into the cold sheets. I concluded they were definitely silk. My body buzzed with the rhythm of my heartbeat. I've only been here for a few minutes, and I was already drunk out of my mind. I sat up taking the camera out of my pocket and pushed the shutter release button, a bright flash of light blinded me.