Revelation: Trinity Part 1 Read online

  He reviewed all he knew of the Guardian, and considered Rose’s previous reaction with fresh eyes. He had, at the time, put it down to nerves, as mortals were inclined to such things, but perhaps he was missing something.

  He said nothing as they began packing up, their lunch break over.

  ***

  The next day, Rose decided to take a walk before her late morning lecture. Heading out into the early morning sun, she turned north onto St John’s Street, navigating round the cyclists that passed her on their way to the town centre.

  It was peaceful at this time of the morning. No one seemed to hurry as they opened up their stores and swept the pavement in front of their cafes. They smiled at Rose as she passed, meandering about the quaint little streets, happy to let her feet take her where they pleased.

  Her mind eventually drifted to Nate, smiling at the way he’d taken her hand as they’d walked back from lunch. His skin had been warm against hers, and he’d glanced her way with certain shyness; an air of vulnerability she’d not seen in him before.

  It had surprised her, intrigued her, and she was left to wonder just who was hiding beneath that carefully crafted exterior.

  He was gorgeous of course, there was no denying that, but there was a dark quality to him, oozing confidence and charm. Exactly what her mum would class as a bad boy – and the very thing Rose was drawn to, she knew beyond doubt.

  Now Professor Howard, on the other hand, her mum would love to meet. He was the complete opposite: a summer’s day to Nate’s seductive night.

  But day could be seductive, too. Rose remembered the confines of the library aisles, the way her body reacted around the professor. She was drawn to him, she realised, and not just because of who he represented, but because of who he was.

  She paused to take in her surroundings, finding herself at the edge of a bridge crossing the river. Leaning on the railings, she looked around, watching people drink coffee on little tables by the bank, students lounging on the grass opposite, enjoying the breeze filtering through the trees as they studied.

  She was watching a pair of swans as they wove between the punts docked on the river – one of the tourist traps she had yet to try – when a familiar voice pulled her out of her people-watching.

  “Good morning, Rose.” Professor Howard smiled in greeting as he stopped beside her, his arms coming to rest on the railings. “You’re up early.”

  Rose turned, her heart stuttering in her ribcage, and his smile turned apologetic as he realised he’d spooked her.

  “Hi,” she said, smiling weakly, taking in his jeans and almost-black shirt, sleeves rolled up to the elbow. The low morning sun caught the gold tones in his hair. “What are you doing here?”

  “I was just grabbing some coffee.” He gestured to the cafe on the bank she’d been watching. “I like to head down here when I have time; the coffee is better and the walk does me good.”

  She nodded, turning back to the railing to watch the swans as they paddled under the bridge.

  “Would you like to join me?”

  Rose turned to face him, unsure of whether he was serious. He met her questioning gaze with polite enquiry. “Sure,” she agreed, hesitantly.

  He smiled and stepped away. Rose followed and they walked down to the cafe, side by side.

  He placed the order before carrying the tray over to the condiment stand. He’d picked up the sugar dispenser and was about to pour before he hesitated.

  “Do you take sugar?” he asked, uncertainly.

  Rose nodded. “Just one.”

  He continued to tend to her tea, before picking up the tray and heading over to a table in the sun. Rose noted that he hadn’t added sugar to his own and thought it odd that he’d picked it up so automatically.

  They sat, and Rose took an experimental sip of her tea, finding it perfect. She smiled her thanks to the professor who nodded, his gaze wary.

  “So,” he began, to fill the silence, “how have you been getting on with your assigned reading?” The role of professor seemed firmly in place.

  Rose grimaced as she thought back to the books that were sitting untouched on her desk. “I’ve barely started,” she answered honestly. He chuckled.

  “It is a little bit daunting to begin with.” He sipped his coffee.

  “I’ve not read it before,” she admitted, “which probably puts me at a bit of a disadvantage.”

  “Why would that matter?” he asked, surprise creasing his features. “It’s not the sort of thing you pick up as light reading – I wouldn’t expect many others in the class to have read it before, either.”

  “Nate said he had – I can’t imagine he’s the only one.” She glanced up at him to find him frowning, before he blinked and smiled tightly.

  “It shouldn’t make a difference,” he assured her. “You’re quick. You’ll figure it out in time.”

  They finished their drinks and headed back towards the college, chatting idly.

  The Professor was engaging and well informed, making her laugh with clever anecdotes, feeding her appetite for the little details on a wide variety of subjects. Rose had no doubt that she could talk with him for hours and never get bored, so she was disappointed when they reached the campus and he straightened his shoulders a little, his laughter fading and his grin becoming the easy but formal smile he reserved for his lectures.

  Rose hesitated outside of the door, and Christian turned towards her with an understanding smile.

  “Thank you for the coffee,” she said, a little shyly.

  “My pleasure,” he returned, “and don’t worry too much about the reading.” He pulled the heavy door open as he spoke. “I’m always around if you need me.”

  There was a look in his eyes that Rose couldn’t decipher, but he turned quickly, making his way to his desk.

  Rose was left to walk into the lecture hall, making her way up the stairs, to where Nate had already sat.

  “Hi,” she said, pleased to see him.

  Nate grinned widely, patting the seat next to him. She sat down and began pulling out her laptop, looking up to see him watching her.

  “You look very cheery this morning,” he said.

  “Well, it’s a beautiful day,” she replied, smiling. “Seemed a shame to waste it.”

  “What have you been up to?” he asked, reaching out to tuck a stray curl behind her ear.

  “Took a walk,” she shrugged, “ended up by the river.” Pulling a compact out of her bag, she proceeded to check the rest of her ponytail for escapees.

  “Did you do any of the reading?”

  “Not much,” she admitted. “I was hoping you’d tell me what it means, so I don’t have to.”

  “Were you now?” He raised his eyebrows in amusement and she smiled, snapping the compact shut.

  “Not planning on holding out on me are you?”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it.” He nudged her shoulder, his eyes flashing.

  “Good – because you may be the only one here to have read it, and I hate to let such a good advantage go to waste.”

  “What makes you think that?” he asked, idly.

  “The professor mentioned it,” she shrugged. “He thought it was unusual that you’d read it at all.”

  Nate’s expression hardened as he glanced down to where the professor was setting up. “And when did he tell you that?”

  “I bumped into him this morning.” Nate raised a sceptical eyebrow. “We had coffee and talked about the reading – what’s the problem?” she added, seeing his dark look.

  He didn’t answer, his narrowed eyes focused on the professor as he moved about the floor.

  When he said nothing more, she dismissed him, rolling her eyes in irritation. She leaned forward, intending to open her laptop and bring up the notes from the previous lesson, but Nate’s hand shot out and grabbed her arm. Rose turned to stare at him pointedly.

  “I’m sorry,” he sighed, flicking his hair out of his eyes in frustration. “I didn’t mean…” He
paused, took a breath. “Have coffee with me next time,” he said, quietly. “Not him.” His smile was abashed as his gaze met hers, and Rose felt her exasperation fade.

  “You’re buying,” she informed him haughtily, before softening it with a smile.

  “Obviously,” he grinned. “I might even stretch to cake.”

  “I’ll hold you to that,” she warned.

  The professor called the class to order and she sat forward, ready to work. Nate turned beside her, watching the man below with a calculating glare.

  ***

  Christian absently set up for the day’s lesson, his mind on his morning with Rose.

  He hadn’t meant to follow her. Despite it being his task to protect, he rarely kept tabs on her physical whereabouts, monitoring only her reactions and emotions as he went about other tasks. But the urge to see her, talk to her, had made him reckless – he’d sensed her heading out, and had been honestly curious as to where she was going at that time of the morning.

  Judging her whereabouts, he’d taken a different route and spotted her strolling down the cobblestone path on Bridge Street, lost in thought and oblivious to her surroundings. She’d stopped at the bridge, a wistful smile playing on her features as she’d leaned against the railing, and before he knew it, his feet had propelled him over to where she stood.

  He winced as he recalled the way her heart had stuttered – he was still so unused to human interaction that he’d forgotten to announce his presence. But she’d warmed at the sight of him, hiding her smile as sunlight poured through her veins, and he lit up in the glow of simply knowing she was pleased to see him.

  Inviting her to join him was easy after that.

  He’d faltered as he’d nearly poured sugar in her tea, unable to explain how he’d known, without asking, how she liked it. But Rose had dismissed his mistake and he’d soon relaxed, eager to talk, eager to share their common interests.

  Too eager, the saner part of his mind warned, knowing all too well, the punishment for Guardians who became involved with their Wards.

  Banishment. The thought made him shudder, even as his heart lashed out in defiance, the familiar futile longing washing through him.

  What would it be like, he wondered, to live without the constraints of his reality? To be able to talk to her, get to know her – perhaps even love her – without the fear of retribution?

  Lost in his thoughts, he looked up to find Nathaniel glaring down at him, a look of intense frustration drawn on his face. Christian held his gaze with a small smile, enjoying the idea that, somehow, he was the cause of the Fallen’s irritation, before turning his back to him.

  “Right then,” he greeted the class. “I’ve been reliably informed that the reading I’ve set is a little daunting.” Unable to help himself, he shot a smile at Rose, who grinned appreciatively. “So,” he continued, “Let’s begin…”

  ***

  The Grad’s Café was busy that lunchtime. Groups of people lounged with coffee and sandwiches, filling the air with the sounds of their chatter, or sat quietly, nursing hot drinks and reading books and papers. Others stared out the windows overlooking the river, simply content to enjoy the view.

  Rose, Ben and Ana sat in bright pink armchairs by one of the full length windows, chatting idly as they waited for their order.

  “So you’re saying that if your favourite film of all time had subtitles, that would make it bad?” Ben continued.

  “Yes,” Ana sighed in exasperation. “That is exactly what I’m telling you.”

  Ben raised his eyebrows sceptically.

  “One of the best things about it is the way that it looks,” she insisted. “The composition, the dancing.” She shrugged, playing with her spoon. “Plastering a load of subtitles across it would ruin that.”

  “Let me guess,” Ben mocked, “Dirty Dancing?”

  “I’m not even going to dignify that with a response,” Ana huffed, shooting him a scathing glance.

  Rose smiled and took a sip of her chocolate, watching them bicker. It was a conversation that she’d had with Ben a hundred times before, given his love for old French films.

  Their panini’s arrived, and Rose pulled a plate towards her, noticing that Ben and Ana barely glanced over, so caught up were they in their conversation. They were flirting, Rose realised in astonishment. When had that happened?

  She smiled fondly at the pair as they continued to ‘argue’ and turned her attention to the rest of the room, her heart jumping in her chest as she spotted a familiar figure. Professor Howard was standing in line, waiting to be served.

  Rose watched, fascinated, as he interacted with the waitress, smiling warmly as she handed a shrink wrapped baguette over the counter. He turned to look out of the windows as she moved to prepare his drink, catching Rose staring as he did. He smiled, acknowledging her, as she blushed, before turning his attention back to the waitress. He didn’t look back as he left the cafe.

  Rose picked at her sandwich, eating it slowly. She got up when she was done, thinking of the essay she should be writing.

  “You’re leaving?” Ben asked, turning to face her.

  “I’m surprised you noticed,” she teased, picking her bag off the floor. He shrugged bashfully as she grinned in amusement. “It’s fine,” she said. “I’ve got study and you clearly don’t need me here.” She grinned at Ana who had taken the opportunity to reach for her plate. “Be nice to him.”

  Ana chuckled ruefully as she left them to it, beginning the short stroll back to campus in the sunshine.

  ***

  Rose was in the library, book in hand, when she felt it. That feeling that was so familiar to her. The feeling that Christian – Her Christian, not the professor, was near. She smiled wistfully, remembering.

  She’d never been able to explain this feeling she had. She’d described it to her father once, but he’d dismissed it.

  “Oh that’s normal,” he’d said in his strong, steady way. “Just someone walking over your grave,” he’d added, cheerfully.

  She knew the feeling he had been thinking of. That sudden shiver down your spine, every nerve tingling – reminding you that you were alive for a split second. It was nothing like what she felt now.

  She remembered the first time she’d felt it, warm and safe in the arms of the angel who’d saved her life, somehow knowing that this was where she belonged.

  That feeling was what had started it, why she’d begun imagining him. She’d feel the warmth rush over her and just wish that he would somehow step back into her life and prove that he was out there. But he never did.

  Talking to him had been the next best thing – but never when she couldn’t sense him, understanding, somehow, that he wouldn’t hear her. Instead, she would save it all up, waiting patiently for the feeling to creep back across her shoulders, before telling him everything he’d missed.

  Rose jumped as a stack of papers were placed in front of her, her train of thought scattered.

  “Sorry,” Professor Howard apologised. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  “I didn’t see you.” She smiled at the irony, even as her heart jumped into her throat.

  “Do you mind?” he asked, gesturing to the empty seat in front of her.

  “Help yourself.” She pulled the notes that were spread across the desk towards her, returning to Paradise Lost in Plain English as he sat down, determined to focus.

  After a moment, she looked up to find him watching her.

  “You looked deep in thought,” he said, at her questioning look. “What were you thinking so hard about?” Rose blushed and he smiled. “You don’t have to tell me, I was just curious.” He looked back down to the paper he was reading, allowing her to not answer him should she choose.

  “I was thinking,” Rose began, and he glanced up, “about a friend I had when I was little.” Deciding she might as well be honest, she added, “an imaginary friend.”

  She searched his face for a reaction but, other than a very slight ra
ise of his eyebrows, his expression didn’t change. “I guess, I was just wondering why,” she finished, shrugging her shoulders.

  “Why you had one?” he clarified, patiently.

  Rose nodded.

  “Well,” he began, ever the scholar, “children create imaginary friends to practice verbal skills and boost their confidence.” He leaned forward, clasping his hands on the desk between them. “It’s not unusual for a child to invent someone to help them deal with a traumatic event, an unfulfilled desire – or even just to relieve boredom,” he continued, warming to his subject. “I’ve always considered it a natural way of a child coming to terms with their own developing personality.”

  Rose blinked, surprised. “Did you have one?” she asked. He chuckled.

  “No. Although I know a girl who did.” He smiled, softly. “What made you think of… them?” he asked. “I mean, I assume that you …don’t still have one?”

  Rose grinned as he looked uncertain. “No,” she said, smiling wistfully. “Not for a long time.” Rose considered him, unwilling to explain that he was the reason for her long-forgotten memories. Finally, she said the only thing she could.

  “I sensed him.” She wondered if she sounded as absurd as she felt. “When I was younger, I mean,” she clarified. “I knew when he was… around.”

  “You sensed it?” he asked. A frown creased his features.

  “I know it sounds crazy.” She shook her head. “But that’s what reminded me,” she continued, thinking that she might as well finish what she’d started. “I got the same feeling…” she trailed off.

  “Just now?”

  She nodded, and he was silent for a moment.

  “What does it feel like?” he asked, seeming genuinely curious.

  “Like a… a slow trickle of heat at the back of your neck.” She struggled to explain the feeling that was so familiar. “A kind of warmth? It makes me feel safe,” she finished, leaning back in her chair. “Protected.”