-- Title -- Angel Without Wings

-- Author -- Daimon Minerva

-00-- A/N = Wow, I haven't written in such a long time. Had to reboot my computer and lost everything, some of you know how it is when you lose your best work and never want to write again. I'm now back in the writing seat, may be a little rusty, but I'll try and write something enjoyable. I'll get back on track with my other works soon enough when I'm done reading through them. I guess I babbled long enough, enjoy the new story. ^_^

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No one knows exactly how to tell an angel's age, nor how to tell how long they've had their wings. Though, how can you tell an angel's age when you don't exactly see them? How can you know they exist then when you can't see them? Something could be done to finally see the winged people, but would we really want to see them? Can't we just live life without wondering if there's a so-called Guardian Angel hovering near us and watching over us? What if, the angels are not really winged? What if they are just like us, but waiting for their wings and have waited near a hundred years to be granted them. Though for that time, they never recieved them and were cursed to walk our Earth? I wonder....

== Chapter == One

== Title == Introduction

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Smoke billowed out from the chimney of a local baker and geese flew overhead. The tranquil scene allowed few to suspect any wrongdoings and very few carried arms. A few young women giggled and chatted of the local eye candy. The baker's wife shooed the children of the town from sticking their fingers in fresh apple pie that smelled of spice and ripe apples. The dogs of the town slept at their masters' doorsteps and the cats meowed at the fisherman's shop, waiting for scraps. The clouds above floated aimlessly amongst the blue skies and the sun shown bright. In the distance, a black stallion galloped with a young man on his back. The young man had hair of milky white and the eyes of blue gems. A smile was spread on his flawless face and his muscles were tensed to hold onto the stallion's silky main of aubrun. The stallion veered to the left, let out a grunt and reered up onto his hind legs. The young man held on and laughed. Xavier McCloude, nearly eighteen years of age and already out on his own.

He leaped off the stallion and it turned to him. Facing him for a while and Xavier smiled. "Go on back, Dranus. I bet your mares are waiting for your return," he said and winked.

The large stallion snorted and turned, galloping away. Xavier watched for a while before he turned on his heel and walked towards the town. He wore a commoner's outfit, consisting of simple brown slacks and a loose black tunic. He brushed his right hand through his hair as he leaned over near a water spout to get a drink and a shadow came over him. "Xavier McCloude, I presume," a lady's voice said.

Xavier stood up straight and ran the back of his hand across his mouth. His eyes scanning the well-dressed young woman who stood a few feet away and her grey eyes were locked on him. "That's me, what would you like?" He asked.

The young woman folded her arms underneath her chest and eye'd him over. "I saw you riding that black stallion, sir. I'd like to ask if he is yours and if so, how much are you willing to recieve to hand him over to me?"

Xavier smiled slightly. "He's not mine."

He walked around the young woman and she followed him. "If he isn't yours, then he's up for grabs?"

"No, he belongs to the angels, my lady."

The young woman chuckled and Xavier stopped. He turned to her and raised his right eyebrow. "What do you find funny about what I said, miss?" He asked.

"Angels do not exist, my dear fellow. They are but a fable in this world and I'd like that stallion. So, good day to you, sir."

She turned and Xavier caught her elbow. "I advise you not to take that stallion."

"Remove your hand, young man."

Xavier removed his hand and watched as the young woman walked away. Two brawny men joined her and helped her into a carriage. Two horses pulled it and it moved towards the fields. Xavier frowned and ran after the carriage, leaping onto the back of it. Xavier's eyes flashed as the carriage stopped and he waited as dark clouds billowed over head.

"Miss Sophia, a storm is coming. Don't you think we should wait until tomorrow to take the stallion?" An old voice inquired.

"I want that stallion, Marcus, I'd go to the ends of the Earth for the beautiful beast!" The lady from before exclaimed

Xavier scowled and waited in the shadows of the carriage as the young woman and an older man with jet black hair walked towards the fields. The herd stood in the field, watching the two with curious eyes and there was no sign of the black stallion. Xavier dropped off of the carriage and walked around towards the front where two white horses stood. He leaned towards one and closed his eyes. His body tensed up and he locked his jaw. His ears began to grow long and cat-like, but looked crossed with elvish and made a point after they grew to an elvish size. His body grew smaller and smaller until his clothing was too big. His skin went from a tan color to a pitch black as fur began to grow and a tail sprouted from his tailbone. Filtering out into two different tails, one like a jaguar and the other like a reptilian tail. He dropped down on all fours and opened his mouth, revealing fangs of tiger proportion. The horses' eyes widened as his body then grew in size and they were silent as he opened his eyes to flash them a reassuring glare of neon green. In the middle of his forehead, a symbol burned through his fur and flesh. Making a sort of crystal shape and he clenched his teeth as it bulged. The skin split and blood trickled down from his skull as a horn grew. Xavier clawed the earth below him and growled deeply in the back of his throat as pearl white wings exploded from his back. The horses suddenly screamed in fright and Xavier quickly leaped into the carriage.

Sophia turned around and spotted her horses making a ruckus. "Marcus, go see what's wrong. I'll wait here," she said.

"Alright, mistress," Marcus replied, bowed, and walked away towards the carriage.

Sophia turned away just as a blood curdling scream came from the carriage and when she turned around, Marcus's body catapulted through the air. His neck ripped open and his body mangled. Sophia cried out in horror as his corpse landed right in front of her and when she looked up she saw the beast that did it. A pitch black animal with two tails and glowing green eyes. A foot long horn protruded from its' skull and it bared its fangs at her with a menecing snarl. She covered her mouth and backed away, but the beast in front of her started for her in long, muscle-tensed strides. Sophia screamed as the beast leaped forward and started running at her. She turned and ran straight for the horses. The horses already began to run into the forest and Sophia headed quickly followed. She picked up her skirts as she ran and turned her head to see the beast only a few yards away, quickly gaining. A twig caught her cheek and blood trickled down as she entered the forest. She heard a snarl, closer than earlier and she felt the tears burn her eyes when they wouldn't release their hold. Her foot caught on a root and she tripped, the beast leaping over her as he attacked. Sophia scrambled to her feet and spotted a tree. She rushed over, jumped and caught a branch. She bit her lip as she pulled herself up and sat on a branch. The beast turned around just as she had vanished into the leaves and Sophia watched it as it paced the forest floor. Her breathing became shallow as fear struck her as the beast looked up to where she was hidden and her breath caught when he bared his fangs. "I-I don't want to die," Sophia mumbled as the beast walked over to the tree.

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to be continued... Yeah, it was short. Cliffhanger! Bwahahaha. Will Xavier kill this girl who wanted that horse? Hmm..we'll find out.