Pure Soul Book 2
8

8. Cassiel

Stars above I need fresh air. The tension in the room is stifling and not just from another failed search for the Astatine. I can feel Ananiel’s anger rolling off her in waves as she glares at me from the opposite side of the dining table. I can feel Baraqiel’s and Zadkiel’s frustration for another day wasted and Daniel’s sadness hits me like a sudden storm. The only one who has no sense of emotion flowing is Turiel. His indifference is almost soothing. And though it is amusing, I dare not laugh and interrupt the silence. Not in the mood to eat the food in front of me, I excuse myself and go up to my room. It’s weird when we first came back this evening I had gone to my room and a unique scent hit me. Sort of masculine with a hint of a fresh rainfall and earthy, essentially what Aza smells like. Which is odd because he hasn’t been here before. But as I come back in, I note that the scent is no longer lingering, which truth be told, saddens me. Walking over to the dresser, I switch out of my comfy clothes and into some running clothes. I thought it’d be a nice change to run while the sun is setting.

Before I leave the room, I do proper stretches this time and then shake my limbs loose. Opening the front door, I step out into the cool evening air pulling the door shut behind me. I happen to glance across the street and see Aza smoking and my heart starts to do backflips. As my eyes continue to assess the porch though, I see there is another body standing near him and a surge of jealousy runs over me shocking me to my core as I’ve never felt jealous of anyone. Realizing Aza is now staring back at me, I make myself move off the porch, down the steps and onto the sidewalk. Choosing to pretend I haven’t noticed him; I begin to jog. There isn’t an ounce of space in my mind as it is drowning in thoughts pertaining to Aza. Letting my feet pound against the cement I try to force my thoughts to flow outward through my feet as they hit the sidewalk. It works, sort of, and I begin to pick up the pace until I’m in a full run.

I go about a half mile before turning back. By the time I reach the front porch darkness has fallen around me. Walking up the steps I jump about a foot as I realize someone is sitting on the swing. I’m shocked even more when I realize it’s Aza. “Um, hello. What are you doing here?” I ask as I cock my head to the side in curiosity. He smiles at me though he looks slightly nervous.

“I saw you leave for your run while I was outside smoking, but you didn’t say hi or wave to me and I thought maybe you felt put off because of my friend being there. Well, she’s not even really a friend, more of a co-worker.” My body relaxes as he says this, and I walk over joining him on the swing.

I didn’t realize I had so much tension in me from wondering about the chick. “Okay, good to know but you didn’t have to tell me or anything, it’s not like you and I are dating.” I try to say casually, at the same time shrugging off the conversation.

“I know but I’d like to, date you that is...”

I turn my eyes wide in surprise, “you, you do?” He grins and leans closer to me whispering ‘yeah’ before leaning even closer and kissing me. I’ve never felt an instant connection with someone when kissing them before. Kissing him though my body alights, I can feel an electric current of sorts flow between us, binding us together. My soul is singing. I’ve never felt so complete as I do at this moment. I think Aza is experiencing the same sensations as me as he turns in more to me, his hands snake up to my face drawing me even closer to him. The kiss is heating up quite quickly and as much as I want to continue, I know it isn’t wise as anyone on my team could step outside at any given moment. So, I break the kiss and move off the swing, standing in front of him breathless. “Okay, well then. I think that might be nice. When would you like to hang out? Go on a date or whatever.”

Aza is just as breathless as me and appears shocked, trying to sort out what he is feeling after this little make out session of ours. “Um, are you free tomorrow night? You could come over to my place and I could cook dinner for you, if you want.” I smile and nod my head agreeing with his suggestion.

“You want me to come over around seven?” He is standing at this point, and he says yes. I nod and stretch up to him kissing him again though this time I make sure it is just a quick one. “See you tomorrow then,” I say as I step away from him and then walk back into the house.

I’m on cloud nine as I walk inside; so, to see a fist come flying at my face is a bit disconcerting. In the nick of time, I duck and block throwing my forearms up. I do a sweep with my foot knocking the body connected to the fist flat on their back. I’m stunned as I stare down into Ana’s eyes. “Stars above Ana! Why were you going to punch me?” I stretch my arm out to hers to help her up, but she swats it away.

She growls out, “you bitch. I knew you were going to break his heart! Daniel is nothing more than a mopping mess right now. He was completely useless out in the field when we were out searching today. And of course, when I finally got him to talk, he confessed that he’s experiencing heart break. You deserve to be punched in the face for hurting him!”

“Oh my gosh! I get that you’re angry, but Dan and I weren’t even dating. And, if I had known he was in love with me before we started to fool around, I never would have started a sexual relationship with him. So, chill out! Besides, if anyone has the right to punch me it’s Daniel and I know he would never do that. Contain your rage and chat with me like a normal angel, okay?” I step back so that she is able to get to her feet and I see her green eyes begin to look calmer, the anger ebbing from her body slightly. However instead of chatting with me she storms by stomping up the steps and then I hear her bedroom door slam shut. Well, I guess that’s better than the tension that was filling the atmosphere earlier. Sighing, I climb the stairs myself and go to my room wanting a shower in hopes of washing the day away, well, most of the day away. I press my fingertips to my lips smiling as I recall the passionate kiss Aza and I had shared.

The next morning, I wake before the alarm goes off once again. I don’t need to take a shower because I took one before hopping into bed last night. I throw on a pair of torn up jeans and pull a form fitting tee shirt over my head. Grabbing my combat boots, I slip into them and then make my way downstairs and into the kitchen which seems to be coming a routine of sorts. I put a pot of coffee on to brew. Drumming my fingers against the counter, I wait for the pot to fill up and then taking the mug I’ve sort of claimed as mine, filling it up with the scalding hot liquid. As though being drawn out, I make my way to the front porch and sit on the porch swing once more.

Surprise is etched upon my face when I hear the front door open and close a couple of minutes later and Daniel takes a seat next to me, a cup of coffee in his hand. “Hey, Cass.”

I respond with a hey and then decide to ask, “are we good Daniel?” I turn my eyes so I can read his expression and then is a rush of words say, “Just because I’m not in love with you doesn’t mean I want us to stop being friends.”

He attempts a smile but fails. “I’m just sad at the moment. I will get over it, I promise, but I just need some time. We will eventually get back to friend level though. That’s why I came out here this morning, just to sit with you and be able to push myself through the emotions because I want to be friends with you too.” Dan leans in and places a quick kiss on my cheek before standing, “I’m going to go back inside but I’ll see you later.” This time when he smiles, it makes it to his lips, I nod happy to see the genuine smile he’s sharing with me, and I smile back at him.

I’m super bummed because I had harbored hope to be able to see Aza this morning but he hasn’t come out and I’ve got to go in so I can see what our agenda is for the day. Sighing, I push myself up from off the swing and bend to pick up the now empty mug. I hazard one last glance as I right myself and my heart trips over itself as it tries to slam against my ribs. With the moonlight still bright in the sky shining down on him making him look like a god, I can’t seem to drag eyes away from his beautiful form. For one thing he’s standing on his porch with just a pair of jeans slung low around his hips, no shoes on his feet and no shirt on (thank the stars) to cover his gloriously sculpted, chiseled chest. I clamp my jaw shut because it has fallen open and then I place my hand against my mouth to make sure I’m not drooling. He flutters his fingers in a wave smiling before mouthing the word hi to me. Something I can only describe as a stupid grin takes hold of me and I mouth the word in return. “What is this guy doing to me,” I mutter to myself before waving to him and turning away, going into the house.

Entering the kitchen so that I can deposit my cup into the sink, I see Turiel, Ananiel, and Daniel all standing about. “Where’s Baraqiel and Zadkiel?” I arch an eyebrow as I wait for one of them to reply.

Turiel is the one to speak, “They’re in the dining room talking about what we should do today. Currently it sounds like we will be cooped up in this house while they meet up with Michael to go over some intel they’ve acquired.”

My eyes light up at the prospect of having the day off. “If we do get the day off, you guys want to go into town with me? I’ve got to pick up some bathroom items, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc.” They all agree, and Ana is even civil to me as she says she will come along. We end up having to wait about another ten minutes before ‘B’ and Zad come in and tell us we are free for the day. With a squeal I head back up the stairs to get some more sleep. I figure what better way to kill time than nap since it’s barely five in the morning and I can guarantee not a single shop in that sleepy town is open yet.