The Ascended (The Saving Angels 3)

"Why?" I whispered.

"Because, I need to look in your eyes before I kiss you," he murmured.

I pulled my eyes up finally and was lost as he lowered his mouth to mine. I kept my eyes locked on his until the last possible moment. They finally fluttered closed as he kissed me like never before. We had always had our share of passion from the supernatural link we shared, but this made every other kiss feel like child's play as Mark plundered my mouth with his own. I gasped as he nipped on my lip, encouraging me to open completely to him. His mouth was familiar in so many ways and yet I could feel multiple layers that had never been there before.

Mark pulled away and I couldn't help my small moan of disappointment as I latched my mouth back on his.

"Krista, we need to stop for a minute," he said, pulling away, holding my head firmly between his hands.

"Why?" I gasped, working to get oxygen flowing through my foggy kiss-induced state.

"Because, you’re having a hard time breathing sweetheart. You don't have the appropriate energy to kiss the way I want to kiss you. We're on unfamiliar territory here, my kisses no longer replenish your needs."

"Um, yeah they do," I said, still gasping for breath.

He chuckled. "I mean like they used to. We no longer have the power to heal each other."

"I know," I said as grief for what I had destroyed threatened to crash over me.

He tilted my head back and was able to read the grief on my face. "Krista, this is the way it should be," he said gently. "Look at what you can do. Your gifts exceed everything we could ever imagine, tenfold."

He leaned down and lightly kissed the sensitive skin high on my cheekbone, right below my left eye. I closed my eyes, shivering by the sensations his kiss had stirred inside me. I heard him chuckle quietly and knew that even without being able to read my mind, he could read me like an open book. He moved his lips to my eyelids where he placed an equally sensitive enticing kiss on the closed lids. I murmured my pleasure, letting my body relax completely in his arms. I knew I was shirking my new duties, and I was sure my wanton ways would deeply disappoint The Light, and my mentor, Haniel, but I couldn't seem to find an ounce of care in me. I knew I was acting selfish and letting my new gifts go to waste, but as I lay curled up in Mark's arms, I felt I was exactly where I should be. I had lost him once—I would not let that happen again.

"Well, well, well, as sweet as this was to watch from the monitors, I really must break up this happy reunion," Victor said, strolling into the oversized room with a disgruntled Harmony tagging behind him. "Krista, it loathes me to admit it, but you truly are a remarkable being. It's a shame you bought into the Ascended facade though. You would have made a spectacular addition to my following. Harmony shares many of your gifts, yet your ability to transport to another location seems to elude her. Unless, perhaps she's not applying herself appropriately," he continued in a biting tone that contradicted the genial outward appearance he was shooting for.

Harmony muttered something derogatory under her breath. Victor turned on her with lightning-quick reflexes, firmly wrapping his hand around her slender throat. "Don't think for one moment that your newfound relationship with The Dark One will save you from my wrath," he said, tightening his fingers around her neck, making her skin take on a bluish tinge.

I pulled myself to my feet, wanting to do something to stop him, but the electronic cage kept Mark and me at bay. I wondered why Harmony didn't use her gifts to break his hold on her throat.

"She is not insolent like you and Mark," he snarled at me, pulling my thoughts from my overworked brain. I would have tried to block him, but it took all the energy I had to stand. "She knows her rightful place and respects those that have created her," he said, shaking her by the throat to emphasize his point.

Tears of pain leaked down her cheeks and after a moment he released his hold on her. I watched, sickened as Harmony fell to his feet gasping for breath.

"I'm sorry father," she said. "Please forgive me," she begged, pulling on his pant leg much like a toddler would.

"I know you think you're sorry my dear, but you must learn to respect those that give you life," he said, pulling her to her feet.

"I will, I promise," she said. Her relief over his forgiveness was glaringly obvious.

"Now, where were we? Oh yes, we were discussing Krista's ability to do something as a newborn Ascended, that you as a full-fledged Descended have been lazily unable to accomplish," he said to the now remorseful Harmony.

"I don't know how she does it father," Harmony said in a plaintive voice.

"Then perhaps we will have to search for a solution that will give us insight into this gift of yours," he said, directing the statement toward me.

"I would rather cut my tongue out than help you further your sadistic plan," I said, stepping back away from the electric field.

"Once again Krista, your insolence tests my patience. I believe with the right motivation you will be a little more compliant," he said, turning on his heel. "Come my dear, let's go see how our other guests are doing."

My stomach dropped as I watched Harmony and Victor leave the room. His point was clear. For the third time in a handful of months, I was once again at Victor's mercy. Even with Haniel's help, we had somehow allowed Victor to get the upper hand. And I sure didn’t help by transporting into this electric cell rather than help my friends. I couldn't help thinking that maybe The Light just wasn't strong enough to avoid an eclipse by The Dark. Good versus evil had been battling it out for years and we were merely pawns in the whole scheme of things. I sank back down on the ground, no longer having the will or inclination to stand up.

"Krista, it's going to be okay," Mark said, sinking down next to me, rubbing my arm to comfort me.

"How?" I asked. "Our extended family is being held captive somewhere in this labyrinth of a building. I'm scared of what he has done to them, but most of all I'm scared of what he has done to Haniel," I continued quietly.

Mark paused halfway up my arm. "Krista, do you have feelings for Haniel?"

"Of course."