Revelation: Trinity Part 1 Read online

  The lights dimmed, turning the courtyard dark, and the movie started, casting flickering shadows across the ground. The face of Orson Wells appeared on screen as a dead Othello, and Rose settled in to enjoy it as Christian re-filled her glass.

  Halfway through, after multiple top-ups, the alcohol was beginning to kick in. She relaxed, un-wrapping her arms from around her knees, watching Christian watch the movie.

  He leaned in to re-fill Ana’s cup, his eyes on the screen, and the scent of him washed over her as he poured the last inch of amber liquid into Rose’s glass. He pondered for a moment, before sitting up.

  “Guess it’s my round,” he whispered, close to her ear, before grabbing the empty bottles. He stepped through the crowd, and Louise scooted over, sitting in Christians spot, a gleam in her eye.

  “How did you do it?” she asked, grinning at Rose. “First Nate, and now the Professor?” she raised her eyebrows. “What’s your secret?”

  “It’s not like that,” Rose frowned. “He just joined us for a drink.”

  “Yeah right,” she tutted, in a whisper. “He’s all over you.”

  Rose pursed her lips, saying nothing.

  “What happened to Nate anyway?” Louise asked.

  Rose shrugged. “It didn’t work out.”

  “It looked like it was working out just fine Sunday night,” Louise scoffed.

  “Things change,” she offered, hoping Louise would leave it at that.

  Christian returned, and Rose shot him a grateful look as Louise crawled back over to her spot, not even bothering to hide her amusement.

  “Everything okay?” he asked, as he sat back down. Rose nodded, wondering if she was imagining the gap between them was significantly smaller.

  Christian popped the lid on the fresh bottle of cider and topped everyone up.

  “You know,” she said, feeling brave as he went to re-fill her glass. “I’m pretty sure getting your students drunk is frowned upon.”

  “Does that mean you don’t want any more?” he teased, unconcerned with her attempt at flirting as he hovered the bottle over her empty cup.

  Rose rolled her eyes, and tipped the bottle up. Christian let it fill to the brim, shooting her an amused look.

  “Can you get drunk?” Rose asked, after watching him raise his own cup to his lips.

  “Of course,” he said, patiently. “It just takes a bit longer than you.”

  “Isn’t it a sin?” she asked, curiously.

  “We’re not quite that old fashioned,” he said, chuckling at her expression. “There’s nothing like it – in Heaven,” he continued, trying to explain. “But it’s something we enjoy on this Plane.” He grinned. “We are basically human here, after all.”

  “How long does it take?” Rose asked, sipping her own drink. “To get you drunk?”

  “I’m hardly going to tell you that now, am I?”

  Rose grinned at his playful expression, filling his glass. “Let’s find out,” she challenged.

  He grinned, unfazed, before tipping back the entire cup, pointedly. She reached out to top them both up again.

  “Go easy,” he suggested, with an indulgent smile. “You don’t want to be hung over tomorrow.”

  Rose frowned, not understanding.

  “I’ve seen your hangovers, remember?” he teased.

  Rose smiled, topping them up anyway. “My last hangover wasn’t so bad,” she mused, thinking of their morning in the park. “But then I had you feeding me bacon rolls and tea. Will you do that again if I’m hungover tomorrow?”

  “It’s not technically part of my job description,” Christian said, an amused gleam in his eye. “But I guess you’ll have to wait and see.”

  His eyes met hers but Rose didn’t look away, knowing full well that he’d feel her pulse stutter under the weight of his gaze. She watched in anticipation as his eyes drifted to her lips, before he turned his head, distracted by the applause as the film ended.

  Rose heard him sigh as he sat up and had to wait until her heart was back under control before she moved, blinking as the lights came on around them.

  Ana was already on her feet, giving her a knowing look as she held out her hand, hauling Rose up with surprising strength. They folded the blanket together and took it, along with the empty bottles and cups, over to the table. The other girls had done the same and were chatting animatedly as they waved goodbye. Rose waved back, before turning to Christian. He stood a few feet away, lost in thought.

  “Christian?” He snapped out of his reverie and smiled as she reached him.

  “Are you ready to go?” he asked, and she nodded.

  They walked back to New Court in the dark, Rose and Ana talking quietly. Christian walked beside them, seeming content to listen. He walked them up to their rooms and stopped at the door.

  “Thank you for allowing me to coerce you into that,” he said, with a smile. “Much appreciated.”

  “It was fun,” Ana grinned as she opened her door. She pulled Rose into a hug. “Goodnight,” she exclaimed cheerfully, before shutting her door behind her, obvious in her attempt to leave them alone.

  “Are you coming in?” Rose asked, fitting her key into the lock. “Or will you disappear on me again?”

  Christian smiled. “How about you take a walk with me?”

  ***

  The campus was still busy, despite the late hour, but Christian didn’t seem to notice. He walked at her side, close but never touching, as they chatted idly.

  It was getting cold, but she didn’t mention it, in case Christian took it as his cue to take her back. He realised anyway, and quickly shrugged out of his jacket, dropping it neatly onto her shoulders.

  “Thanks,” she murmured shyly, breathing in the warm scent of him.

  He caught her gaze as he pulled it tighter around her, and Rose didn’t look away. She wanted him to tell her that she’d not imagined his reaction. That he had wanted to kiss her back in the courtyard. She waited as he drew breath to speak, before he expelled and looked away, letting his hands fall.

  “I should get you back,” he said instead, almost apologetically, and her bubble of anticipation burst.

  Christian seemed to re-consider, and Rose realised he was reacting to her. He knew what she’d hoped.

  “I should probably get on with some homework,” she offered, forcing her tone to sound light as she gave him an out. “Or my Professor will give me hell.”

  He chuckled at that, smiling wistfully as he steered them back in the direction of her block.

  They walked back along the river slowly, passing couples and students.

  “Doesn’t it bother you?” Rose asked, as they stopped to watch the ducks on the bank.

  “Does what bother me?” he asked.

  “Being seen out with a student?” She shrugged, watching another couple stroll along the other side of the river, hand in hand. “That everyone will think we’re dating?”

  “Should it?” he asked, curiously. He moved to sit down on a bench along the path.

  “Probably,” she said, as she took a seat beside him.

  Christian considered this for a moment, watching the rippling reflections of the street lamps in the water. “It would have,” he admitted, finally. “If you didn’t know who I was, it would have been more important that I not be seen so often with you.” He shrugged. “But the only reason for me to take this job was to be near to you. It’s irrelevant now.”

  “You never did tell me what changed,” she said, after a pause. “Why I couldn’t see you before?”

  Christian sighed. “It wasn’t really allowed,” he said. “My job had always been to watch, to protect. Interaction was never part of the deal.”

  “And now?”

  “Now, it is,” he shrugged.

  “Don’t get me wrong,” Rose offered. “I’m glad you’re here. But it sounds like… like that might be a bad thing?” she asked, carefully choosing her words. “If you need to be around me, to protect me more, should I be
worried about what from?”

  Christian held her gaze for a moment, considering. “It was suggested,” he said, eventually, “That something might be coming.”

  “Something?” she asked, frowning at his tone. “That’s all you’ve got?”

  He nodded.

  “Do you mean Nate?” she asked. “Is he the something?”

  Christian shook his head. “Nathaniel is … known to us,” he explained, carefully. “I don’t think my superiors would be quite so vague if he was the … issue.”

  “Then what is?” she asked. “What does it mean?”

  “It means,” Christian nudged her shoulder, “that you’ll be spending a lot more time with me from now on.”

  Rose rolled her eyes, smiling as she accepted his steering the conversation onto lighter things. “That sounds terrible,” she teased.

  Christian chuckled, before standing up. “Come on.” He held out his hand. “Let’s get you back.”

  ***

  Christian sat at his desk, lost in thought. He’d been happy when he’d dropped Rose at her door, had felt buoyant as he’d jumped through the Shroud to his apartment. But now, sitting alone in the dark, he was beginning to re-think his actions.

  Asking Rose to join him in the library, to admit that he wanted to spend time with her, had been a bit of a turning point for Christian. Up until then, he’d been able to convince himself it was curiosity, the desire to get to know his Ward better – an opportunity that he’d never had before. But something about telling Rose the truth about who he was, about sharing that part of himself with her that night on the bridge, had torn a hole in the wall he’d not known was there. Suddenly, it was easy to admit that he enjoyed her company, that he wanted her to get to know him, too – and the realisation was both exhilarating and terrifying.

  Then, when she’d asked him about his past, had shown such interest in who he was as a person, that wall had tumbled into dust.

  Christian had never spoken much about himself before, had never considered there was much to say. How much could a man who stayed on the outskirts of life truly live, after all? But, as Rose had asked him everything from his favourite colour, to his thoughts on historical events, he found he’d enjoyed himself more than he thought he ever would.

  But it was dangerous for Rose to know about the world hidden behind her own, and Christian had spent that entire night holding his breath, fearful of the consequences. But with no sign of anything changing, he had relaxed; had allowed himself to believe that it would all be okay.

  And then the Aura-perception had come, and his whole world had turned upside down.

  Christian sighed, remembering the fear that had seized in his heart as he’d pulled her away from the oncoming bus, had watched her shake with fear and cower away from him.

  It wasn’t coincidence that her sight had kicked in so soon after she discovered the truth about him, nor a harmless side-effect of her new sensitivity to the world around her; it was her Awakening, her Becoming.

  The invitation to the cinema event had been a mistake. He’d meant it as a way of helping her get back to normal, to reassure her that she’d not changed – nor had her life at the college. But, as usual, he’d ended up getting lost in her, and it had turned into something else – something far more dangerous. It had turned into a date.

  It couldn’t happen. As much as he enjoyed spending time with her, he could never allow himself to forget that it was only his protection he could offer – nothing more. Anything else was off limits.

  He thought of the way she reacted around him and smiled, wistfully. There was no denying she had feelings for him. Her emotions were getting stronger and stronger by the day, as if she’d given up trying to hide it. And he, in response, was finding it difficult to keep himself in check. To not act on the times when he caught her eye, and wanted nothing more than to just lean over and kiss her.

  It wasn’t good enough, he lamented, running weary hands through his hair. He was becoming too absorbed in her life, in her – and he couldn’t let himself be distracted. Not if he was to keep her safe.

  He sighed, frustrated. Reaching for the papers on his desk, he forced himself to concentrate, determined to stop thinking about her, for a little while, at least.

  12

  A week later, Rose packed up her bag as everyone spilled out of the lecture hall. Christian went too, throwing a distracted smile in her direction before he left. Rose watched him leave disappointment seeping through her veins.

  He’d had been purely business since the night they’d spoken on the bench. There had been no more nights out, no more chance meetings in the library – despite her constant visits – no sign of the vibrant, thoughtful, man she was slowly falling for.

  Instead, he had gone quiet, returning to the background of her life with surprising ease, no longer treating her like a friend. Instead he tiptoed around her, like she was suddenly fragile. Special.

  The frustrating thing was, she understood. He was her Guardian, she his Ward. Apparently she needed protection from, quite literally, God knew what – and it was up to him to provide it.

  But did he have to do it from so far away?

  Well, not anymore, Rose decided, as she walked across the courtyard to her room. Pulling her phone out of her bag, she typed a message:

  Can I see you?

  She was halfway up the stairs when her phone buzzed with Christian’s reply.

  Is everything OK?

  Rose sighed. It wasn’t a no, at least.

  Everything’s FINE. Where are you? She typed back as she headed into her room.

  My place. Do you want me to come over?

  Rose smiled, realising he’d asked her permission.

  I’ll come to you.

  It was time, she decided, as she pushed send, to take matters into her own hands. She wasn’t waiting for him to make his move anymore, she was sick of waiting. And if Mohamed wouldn’t come to the mountain…

  She thought about what she was planning as she quickly re-applied her makeup, briefly considering changing into something more dressy, before deciding against it. If she took the time to get changed she’d only chicken out – and that wasn’t an option, she reminded herself firmly, as butterflies took flight in her stomach. She fought down the nerves that came with them, not wanting to alert Christian to her plans just yet.

  Since the day Rose had discovered who Christian really was, her imagination had sprung to life, creating wild and increasingly unlikely fantasies of the two of them until she couldn’t bear it any longer.

  She thought back through the times they’d spent together, mentally cataloguing the looks he sent her, the little touches. She knew he liked her – it was obvious, but the stubborn man refused to acknowledge it. Refused to give in to it. Well, she’d soon fix that.

  Rose took a deep breath, and headed out to find him.

  ***

  Christian answered the door immediately, as if he’d been hovering behind it, waiting for her knock.

  “Hi,” she greeted him, shyly.

  “Hello.” His smile was cautious as he pulled the door wide to let her step into his apartment.

  Two large windows filled the place with sunlight, while a fireplace – a real, wood burning one – acted as a focal point to the open plan. A comfy looking sofa and armchair were arranged in front of it. A large bookcase, complete with sliding ladder, took up a whole wall, and a wooden desk was cluttered with papers, an acoustic guitar propped against a leg.

  A tidy kitchen took up the far corner, and a breakfast bar – also covered with books and other very scholarly looking paraphernalia – divided it and the living space. A single step lead up to a bedroom, separated by two opaque, sliding doors, which had been left open. Through them, Rose could see a large bed covered with grey and white sheets, sunlight spilling across them.

  Rose didn’t know what she had been expecting – crosses and rosaries? Even a shrine or something that might have given him away– but there was not
hing that even hinted to a religion, let alone an angel. It felt warm and comfortable, the green tones and wooden furniture giving an organic feel, despite the modern touches.

  Christian had shut the door and was waiting patiently for her to finish her review. Rose turned to him, suddenly feeling awkward and unsure.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked, no doubt responding to the way her heart pounded in her chest.

  “I’m fine,” she said. “I just wanted to talk to you.”

  Christian gestured for her to take a seat and she sank onto the sofa gratefully. He settled down next to her, waiting as she gathered her thoughts.

  Rose hesitated. Now she was here, she had no idea how to go about doing this. She took a deep breath, deciding on the direct route.

  “You’ve been avoiding me.” His eyes flicked to hers and she held his gaze. “And I know why.” She hesitated, but he didn’t react. “You’re worried that we’re spending too much time together.” Rose looked down at her hands. "That you can’t do your job properly if you’re… distracted.”

  “Rose –” Christian was tense, his tone warning, but she wasn’t finished.

  “I’m not imagining it.” She leaned forward, daring him to move away from their close proximity, and feeling a flutter of satisfaction when he didn’t. “I know I’m not.”

  His eyes flicked down to her lips, and she knew he’d feel the butterflies in her stomach take flight. “You feel how I react to you,” she said earnestly, her voice barely a whisper. “You know what you mean to me. Why are you so determined to ignore it?” She reached out, intending to touch him, but Christian grabbed her wrists, stopping her barely an inch away.

  “Please,” he said quietly, his whole body tense as he struggled to keep the distance between them. “Don’t.”

  “Why not?” she breathed, her eyes searching his. His gaze lowered to her mouth again, and he leaned forward before controlling himself, fighting his body as it responded to her nearness. Rose heard his intake of breath as he let go of her wrists and stood, turning his back to her.