House Of Legions (The Angel Descendants book 1) novel Chapter 87

Clare walked on the sand, more like stomping it like a kid, toward the ocean. There were American’s everywhere- men surfing, teenagers wearing bikinis and lots of fully breasted older woman, some even wore thongs.

Clare rolled up her pants to the top of her carves and sat by the shore of the ocean.

“Your outburst and lack of appreciation are rather surprising if I must point out,” Nikolai said before he sat next to him, she ignored his remark.

He tilted his head trying to catch her attention, but she just stared into the ocean, with tears nestling in her eyes. He looked at her not saying anything. Finally turning to face him, his face was soft, “Stop staring at me, there is a woman practically naked walking around, look at them.”

He handed her a burger, “I don’t want to stare at other women.”

She took it and opened the burger quickly. Clare was starving, even if she was angry, she was hungry. While she ate, he slowly put his hand under her foot that was injured. She felt the heat surging through her foot. He lowered his face, his voice soft, “Have I cured the pain.”

Her eyes locked in on his, while her teeth bit into the burger. She chewed slowly, and swallowed, it tasted like sticky cardboard, she shook her head, “I’m afraid, my pain might not have a cure.”

The two of them sat there not saying a word to each other. Time passed, the waters hit her feet wetting them. The sun blazed heavily on her head, making her hair hot. Sweat dripped under the t-shirt she wore, but she didn’t care. A week ago she would have cared a lot, about silly stuff, that seemed so important, but now it just made her feel shallow. Because now, nothing really mattered, there was no purpose. Why didn’t her mother (Franchesca) just let her die?

Clare cried silently, the tears rolling down in silent depression. Not wanting him to see her so fragile, so vulnerable, she got up and started running, but this time he ran after her. She paused further down, putting her hands on her knees, out of breath, crying. Nikolai touched her back, she didn’t think he’d follow her. Standing up straight facing her back to him, the water touching their feet. Away from the crowd of people. He spun her around, his hands cupping her shoulders, and bared witness to her tears,

“What taunts your selfless heart, my love?” He asked as they lived in another century, in another world.

He touched her skin, silently wiping the tears falling on her cheek. The heat from his hands was so unreal, mystified with his touch, like a dark calming overcoming her.

“I don’t know who I am,” She snuffled her confession, “I feel like I’m burning in this hell that has no end.” She said wiping her tears, “I mean I have no one who I can trust, there are lies no matter where I turn. I watched my mother die, protecting a daughter who was never hers. I see a brother I do not recognize, with parents I don't remember, and you talk about me being loved. But why is it that I have never felt more alone.”

Grabbing her by the waist, he turned around to see if they were being watched. Then fixated on her, with a weary look, eventually, he smiled, “Hold on!”

She closed her eyes, feeling a sudden lightness, but evil lurking into her veins. She opened it again, to the feel of a strong breeze, blowing at her back.

They stood on the top of a high building- the Eiffel Tower! Clare opened her eyes wider, lost in her own vision, while the strong winds blew her hair back causing her to almost lose her balance. Nikolai grabbed her by the hand, steadying her.