Dominion (Guardian Angels) - By Melody Manful Page 0,58

eyes.” I walked over to sit beside her. “Don’t you feel?” I made sure my words were believable, because I had a secret I wasn’t ready to tell.

And the secret was that I had never hurt Valoel because, to me, she was the only family I had, since my parents were scared of me and couldn’t handle being near me. Valoel was annoying, but she was the sole reason why I came home every day—I knew I’d have someone to talk with.

Saying I couldn’t hurt her because I couldn’t prey on her fears or pain was a lie. Valoel was the only creature I knew who seemed to know what pain really felt like. There was pain in the way she walked, in the way she talked, and in her smile.

Once, when she was little, I came home and she flew over to me, her tiny little wings flitting about. She was just as annoying as a little kid, and when she’d almost pulled my telescope down on her head, I’d caught her and for a second, I loved holding her in my arms. I was happy for one crystal moment, until my father rushed in and begged me not to hurt her.

I couldn’t tell him that I had no intention of hurting my little sister or that I just wanted to play with her; the trick was to let everyone think that I couldn’t feel at all. The trick was to make everyone believe that I was only what they made of me.

Valoel laughed. “I’m not a stone, Gideon. Just because you can’t feel your heart doesn’t mean I can’t feel mine.”

“Then tell me, what is your greatest fear? Have you ever felt any pain?”

“Pain,” Valoel whispered. “I know more than anyone else.” Quickly smiling, she masked the sadness that started to envelop her.

“It doesn’t seem like it.”

Valoel stood up, “I know what you’re doing. You’re trying to distract me so I forget you spent the night with Abigail. I know you love her. You just have to admit it.”

“Not that again.”

“You’re in love with her. And you can deny it all you want, but it won’t make it untrue.”

“Fine, I’ll prove it!” And with a snap, I found myself crouching beside a car in front of Abigail’s house.

Tristan stood invisibly behind Abigail and her parents.

Hello, Gideon. Tristan forced his thoughts into my head when he saw me.

I pretended not to hear him as I tried to come up with a plan to get rid of Abigail.

Abigail was saying, “I know what I said, and I just wanted to apologize for blaming you.”

Her father hugged her. “I am truly sorry, Princess.”

“I know, Dad, and I don’t blame you. I’m happy you had me trained because if you hadn’t, I don’t know what would had happened,” Abigail said, still hugging her father. She sounded sincere.

Her mother joined the hug. “Don’t leave me out,” she said, and they all laughed.

Tristan smiled at the happy family. Abigail was still covered in bandages, and I knew she kept them there so her parents wouldn’t suspect she had healed.

“I can’t breathe,” Abigail whispered in a choking voice. Her parents laughed, but they didn’t let go of her. “I’m serious,” she coughed out. This time they let go of her and laughed some more.

Mr. Cells said, “Come on, let’s go. There’s a bit of a drive before we reach Santa Rosa.” Abigail followed her mother into the car, and as soon as her father pulled away, I followed after them.

I had to prove to Valoel that I wasn’t in love with Abigail. I didn’t care if Tristan was there or not. I’d just have to kill her and get Valoel off my back.

Soon the car was driving across the Golden Gate Bridge, and I still didn’t have a feasible plan to kill Abigail. I blamed Tristan, who flew invisibly behind the car, humming under his breath. I couldn’t concentrate for more than ten seconds with him distracting me.

“Will you just shut up?” I finally shouted at him. He didn’t seem alarmed. He just smiled in appreciation, as if I just gave him an award for annoying me. The carefree expression on his face told me he was used to my outbursts, and they no longer bothered him.

“Gideon!” Abigail shouted from inside the car. I whirled around and saw my own reflection in the rearview mirror. I quickly turned myself invisible.

At the sound of Abigail’s voice, the car jerked. Her scream had taken her father by