Awry

14

Gabriel waited in the alleyway as he fiddled with a twig. It was mid-afternoon, but the tall village shops on both his left and his right shadowed the alley, making the narrow corridor dark and cool.

From around a corner came a dark figure with gray eyes. Gabriel smiled and tossed the twig aside. “I feared you would not make it.” Raven Fletcher’s face slowly came into view as she walked through the shadows. Her long, black hair slid around her shoulders and her hips swayed with every step.

“And miss seeing you?” She walked up to his body and lifted her chin so her lips were just beneath his jaw. “Never,” she whispered, her hot breath tickling his skin.

Gabriel gave her a crooked smile. “How many lies did you tell to get here today?”

“Enough to send me to Hell. You?” She smiled.

“Oh, I don’t lie. I simply don’t obey.”

Raven ran a finger down his chest, stopping at his waist. “And that’s why we are perfect together. I lie…and you defy.” She kissed him quickly before pulling away with a smile. “I have something to show you. Come.”

Raven took his hand and led him down the dark alley, across an abandoned village street, and into the tall trees beyond until they were very, very alone.

“What it is you wish to show me?” Gabriel watched her hair shine in the patches of light that fell through the trees.

She stopped walking and turned around, her eyes bright. “Magic.”

Gabriel tried not to roll his eyes. “You mean your tricks?”

“No.” Raven picked a handful of leaves up off the ground and piled them on a nearby rock. “I mean magic. Watch.”

Stepping away from the rock, she took Gabriel’s hand in hers. Chanting something indiscernible, she closed her eyes and held out her free hand to the leaves.

A spark, a flame, and the leaves caught fire. Burning in a controlled and unnatural way, they withered and curled under orange licks of heat.

Raven laughed. “See?” She looked at Gabriel with big eyes. “I can do it!” She squeezed his hand.

“How did you do that?” He took a step back.

Raven smiled at him. “I’ve been practicing spells.”

Gabriel frowned. “Spells are dark magic.”

“Yes. And I was born to a family of dark magic.” Raven’s gray eyes narrowed at him. “What is your point?”

Gabriel was concerned. “It is dangerous.”

Raven dropped his hand and scoffed. “Only if I do it wrong. Which I won’t.”

“People will say you are a witch.”

“But I’m not a witch.” She smiled and pouted her lower lip. “I am just a girl who likes to play with magic.” She put her hands on his chest and ran them down the length of his torso. “And I…want to share…my magic…with you….” She looked up at him with a smile and Gabriel forgot what he’d been worried about.

Raven continued. “They are harmless spells. Just for fun.”

“Harmless spells?” Gabriel asked.

She nodded, her hands skimming his waist.

Gabriel could live with that.