Heaven's Amethyst Eyes

Chapter Three: Good or Evil?

Justin paced back and forth in irritation. That girl was more stubborn than she let on. He stood before a full length mirror, staring at his ragged reflection. The strife of not being accepted was tiring him out faster and affecting him more than he wanted it to. His wings drooped to the floor as he sighed in frustration. She was supposed to fall for him the moment she laid eyes on him.

"It's not that easy Justin," a voice warned from deep with the shadows.

He whipped around to face the speaker. Knowing who it was, he went to one knee before the older
angel by the sound of his voice. "Rafael?"

"Get up young one," the older angel ordered. "There is no need for formalities here."

Justin slowly rose to his feet, his head still bowed in respect. The angel standing before him was draped in liquid shadows, never appearing quite human or angelic.

"What do you mean it's not going to be easy?" Justin asked softly.

"She maybe a Half-ling but her emotions are human," Rafael explained patiently, the shadows swirling as he spoke. "That means her emotions are more intense. Her trust is not going to be easily won due to the truth of her existence, and she knows it. Not to mention the hurt in her human existence as well."

"I noticed it in the way she reacts and when her aura shifts," Justin mused, analyzing his superiors’ words.

"Just to warn you, every demon, and available angel is after her," Rafael said in a bored tone. "The other angel's are expecting you to fail and in turn leave her open to their advances. She is the key after all."

"I'll defend her no matter what the cost is to me," Justin vowed. "So I will handle this."

"When you do handle this does it require you falling for her?"

"I am an angel I cannot love." Justin turned to pace. Wasn't it impossible? It had to be.

"See that's where you’re wrong," Rafael laughed, the shadow dancing with mirth. "Whether or not you realize it, her emotions are changing you."

"I want the other angel's to be called back. I can take care of her."

The two angels locked gazes. Neither willing to loose or gain ground.

"Are you afraid of what might happen to her if she chooses anyone but you?" Rafael demanded, the shadow stilling.

Justin hung his head at the truth in Rafael's words. "Yes. I read up on this. If the one who captures her heart doesn't care about her in return, she'll become an emotionless tool."

"You don't want that for her do you?"

"No," Justin began sadly. "Not for her she's umm..." He stopped, unsure of how to describe the way he felt.

"Spirited, untamed?" Rafael provided. "The qualities that made you love her? The biggest question for you, Justin, is 'Are you willing to be banished to Earth for her?'"

Justin went to his knees. So much flooded through his mind as he tried to comprehend what was going on there.

"I'll give you some time to choose." With that Rafael and the shadow left him to brood over the hardest
decision of his existence.

Elsewhere...

Hailey slept peacefully, finally in her own bed once again, while dreams of deep eyes and a soothing voice glided across her consciousness. When she woke their was a
sense of peace that washed over her. A quiet presence made her lips curve up in a slight smile in the shadows.
"Justin?" she asked quietly.

"Yes?" he answered with out hesitation.

"I thought it was you," she told him. "Though for a second I was worried it was something else."

"I'll protect you from them."

She noticed his head was downcast and immediately her smile faded. "Justin?" she asked, concern edging into her voice.

"Hm?"

"What's wrong?" She propped herself on an elbow and gazed at his winged back.

"The others won't care if you get hurt in this venture," he stated blandly.

"And you do?" she asked sarcastically as she pushed herself into a full sitting position.

His head jerked up at her sarcastic and steely edged tone. Anger raced through him. He leapt up and pinned her down to her bed. He straddled her waist her pinned her hands above her head. "Yes as a matter of fact I do, and I hate every minute of it. When I sent to do this I thought it would be easy to gain control of you," he growled, sweat starting to run down his brow.

"This matter to me how?" she asked blandly, oddly calm despite the danger of her position.

His wings fanned out to look threatening and anger pulsed through his veins. He hated that she could remain so calm, so calloused. "If they get control of you, you'll become nothing but a mindless drone for battle." He leaned forward as he spoke until their faces were almost nose to nose.

"At least I won't feel anymore," she said calmly.

"Is that what you want?" he demanded. "To be emotionless?"

"If it keeps me from loosing what I love then I'll do anything," she said vehemently.

"Then love me," he told her. "They won't be harmed if you just love me."

"You think that I can just fall in love like that?" She never thought anyone could be so stupid. "It's not that simple pretty boy."

"Then try harder to fall in love," he persisted.

"I've gone through one sided loves and I won't do it again," she swore, glaring at him.

"Curse it all, Hailey!" he shouted as he pressed he forehead to hers. "It won't be one sided." Shaking his head in frustration, he got up, letting the girl go. He went to the darkest corner of the room.

Hailey's senses were failing her at the moment and she was being driven into slight madness. Could he possibly truly love me? she asked herself.

Her thoughts racing, her body moved on it's own accord as she got up and went to his side. His head was hung down in dejection and gently, she lifted his head and placed a light kiss on his lips. "Don't fall for me Justin," she warned softly.

"It's too late," he groaned.

"I meant don't fall from grace for me Justin." A small smile touched his lips as her hand traced the features of his face, memorizing every line and mark. Tears formed in her eyes making them glisten like emeralds.

"Don't cry Hailey," he begged as he wiped a tear away with his thumb.

Her wandering hands kept going lower over his chest and he suddenly grabbed her hands. "Don't," he said quietly. "We can't do this."

"I understand," she admitted though she couldn't help but feel a little hurt. She smiled weakly and backed away.

He stopped her by putting a hand on her shoulder. "I don't think you do," he murmured as he turned her to face him.

"I know what it is to not be wanted," she told him, another tear sliding down her cheek.

"It's not like that Hailey. I want you so much that it hurts, but if we complete this bond I will..." He stopped mid sentence and turned suddenly, pushing her behind him.

"Justin?" she asked, a flash of fear sending a shiver down her back.

"Stay behind me," he commanded. "Show yourselves demons!" His face was hardened into a glare as he sought out the demons.

Three demons appeared in the shadow. They varied in size, shape, and color. The tallest had blood red skin and almost looked like a dragon mixed with human. His eyes were deep gold, and it's tail flicked back and forth maliciously. The middle sized one looked like a scorched corpse, the skin was blackened, and his bat wings fanned out. His beady black eyes darted back and forth warily as though he expected someone to jump at him from the shadows. The shortest looked very much like the first, but his skin actually had green scales. His eyes were an unnerving silver that seemed to capture your soul.

"Hand over the girl, Angel," one spat, "and we'll spare your pathetic existence."

"I'll send you back to Hell before I turn her over to your miserable darkness," Justin growled as he pressed a protective hand to her side.

"The bond isn't completed yet," one demon hissed.

"We still have time," another gloated through clenched teeth.

"What do you mean the bond isn't completed yet?" Justin asked, honestly perplexed.

"He was not told how to control the key."

"Control the Key?" Justin asked clearly confused. His eyebrow arched as his eyes swam with confusion.

Hailey became quiet as thoughts fly through her mind. She knew what it was that completed a bond of love. "The Key must loose the human's purity," she whispered.

It hit Justin like a ton of bricks. They intended to rape her just to control her power. Pure white hot rage washed over him. The demons hissed at the radiating holy magic. They backed away slowly, moans of agony escaping their lips as they retreated.

"We'll come back another day, angel," one vowed. "Be ready Key." The three vanished in a puff of black smoke, leaving behind the stench of brimstone.

Justin turned to see her downcast look and felt sympathy for her invade his heart. "Hailey..." he whispered as he gently grasped her shoulders.

"Don't worry about it. I knew what had to be done to unlock my power."

"Then why didn't you..."

"Because my existence is meaningless to the higher beings once this is over," she said, cutting him off as she turned away from him and stepped away.

"You'll always have a place with me," he promised her.

"Angels should stick with angels, Justin. As much as I want it to be otherwise I am nothing in the eyes of others."

"You're everything in mine."

A slow smile graced her features. They both headed towards her room knowing what they had to do. There was nothing stopping them this time. It was pure love that guided the actions. Two being made themselves one in each other.