Free Rise From Darkness by Ciara Knight Page A

care so much if I mind heights or not?”
    “Do you?” Alexander’s asked with a cold stare, as if that was a deal breaker on their relationship or something.
    ****
    “Grace, I’m heading to pick up Sammy. Would you mind watching Patronus for a while? Alexander pulled Patronus ’ collar off and rubbed his ears.
    Grace made her way out of the swinging doors from the kitchen. “Certainly. Can I ask you a question though?” She wiped her hands on an old dishtowel and pulled a chair out from the dining room. She gestured for him to sit down next to her.
    “Sure.” Alexander shifted his weight and stared down at Patronus .
    “Where did you get him? The dog I mean?” Grace leaned down and patted him on the head. “And don’t tell me the pound. This dog is special and we both know it.”
    How did Grace do it? She always knew the truth. He could never get anything past her.
    “I guess you could say he adopted me. He followed me home the day I met Gaby the first time. After that I’ve seen him sporadically. Yesterday he wouldn’t leave my side. It might sound strange but I think it was his idea to guard Gaby not mine.” Alexander chuckled.
    “I thought so.” Grace placed a hand on his shoulder. “He chose you for a reason. You did the right thing.”
    “Well I knew a dog would deter Forras from entering her house but this one I have a feeling could do much more.” Alexander took her hand and moved eye to eye with her. “You were right. I had well … um … some sorta … reaction to Gaby.” He cast his gaze to the floor. “I thought Patronus could keep her safe from me too.”
    Grace leaned down and lifted his chin with her finger, meeting his gaze. “You did the right thing, son. In time you will learn more control. Like everything else, time will heal this too.”
    The mantel clock chimed five and he jumped to his feet.
    “I have to go. It’s getting late. Thanks for watching him.”
    Alexander drove to the high school. His insides rolled at the thought of seeing Gaby again. He pulled into the parking lot and parked, then closed his eyes and imagined her in his arms. He longed to hold her, touch her, kiss her. How could he? She didn’t even know who or what he was. Even if he could learn to control his emotions and desire would he be able to lie to her? Or worse, tell her the truth? How would she react to him being a fallen angel? Disgust. That’s how she’d react.
    He opened the car door. Taking a deep breath, he headed for the football field to find the girls.
    The cheerleaders were done with practice. Some were with Sammy chatting while others were over with football players. He choked down a rising burn in his throat as he approached the field. Football players. How could Sammy stand to be around all this? Still, he admired what she did.
    “Girls, get over here. We need to discuss the schedule.” Sammy’s voice rang out as he approached.
    Sammy did her job well. Not only as a cheerleader but as a protector.
    “Sammy, where’s Gaby?” Alexander scanned the girls and a tingle rose up on the back of his neck.
    “She was just here. I—”
    “Her father called. She had a family emergency or somthin ’.” Avery twirled her hair around her fingers and popped her gum.
    Father? Emergency? No something else. Alex closed his eyes and settled himself. Focusing on Gaby. Woods. She was in the woods and heading straight for Forras . His eyes shot open and saw Sammy looking at him with panic.
    “Go Alexander. Go now.” Sammy shoved him as if to jolt him back to reality.
    Alexander’s heart pounded at the thought of what he might find.
    He took off before he could even formulate a plan. All he knew was Gaby was in trouble.

Chapter Seven

    “Hello, Gaby.” Forras swaggered out from behind a tree with a crooked smile.
    She stumbled backward, breath caught in her throat.
    Forras reached out and steadied her. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. We’re having another bonfire tonight. You should