19. Arabella

Chapter 19

Arabella

W aking up is rough. My dreams were fraught with nightmares that I tried to fight off all through the night. The second I thought I had fallen into a deep sleep the dream would begin again. It was my own form of torture that I couldn't escape. Some dreams were exactly what happened, finding my room broken into and destroyed. Other dreams had further threats put on the walls of my room from someone stalking me. Even the nightmares from my father beating me over and over again returned.

When my alarm sounds to wake me up it feels like I haven't slept at all. I know that isn't true, my body does feel somewhat rested but I am struggling to just crawl out of bed, preferring for sleep to claim me once more and maybe just be dream-free. That would be the life but I know I can't roll over and go back to sleep. Talia told me I could have some time but I don't want it. She already forced me to take the rest of yesterday off and look what happened? My room and the whole dorm suite were destroyed by someone who broke in. This reminds me I need to find out what Phoenix said to the dorm staff to figure out my next steps. I'm really hoping they have an idea of who did it. I can't keep living with questions over my head and I certainly can't stay in Phoenix's dorm for another night. As for the issues with my father and these classes, well, it appears that Talia is on my side with things so my father shouldn't really be an issue anymore. Hopefully, with him, you never truly know what you are getting. He has a way to get what he wants in every situation.

Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, I roll over and see I'm alone in bed. I know Phoenix said that he would give me his room as he took the couch but I sort of wish he hadn't. When I'm upset I prefer to have someone hold me. Warrick used to always show up in my room to cuddle after I had a bad day or night. He knew I needed his support. God. I wish I could have gone to his place instead or at least told him what was happening. I hate that now he is my teacher and our relationship has to be different while we are here.

Last night Phoenix told me his bathroom was just up the hall from his room which is the first thing I need right after I figure out where he put my items. After getting out of bed and searching all over his room I finally find my bag on the floor in his room. Above the bag is the one clean school uniform I found to wear today. I'll need to remember to check with the administrative staff on how I go about getting new uniforms. I don't think any other survived the ordeal of my room.

It doesn't take me long to gather the few items I need and make my way out of the room and down the bathroom. Luck must be on my side because I don't see either Phoenix or Rhys during my short walk. The shower takes no time at all to heat up and before I know it I've showered, changed into my uniform, and put on some light makeup. I try covering the bruise but it's no use. My healing magic kicked in enough that it doesn't look super ugly anymore but the black and blue mark is still there from being hit. The bags under my eyes still show as well. Oh well, I shrug looking at myself in the mirror. "This is the best you're going to get right now, Arabella," I tell my reflection. Balling my clothes up, I exit the bathroom, rushing back to the room to place the clothes Phoenix gave me to sleep in on the bed. Not wanting to be a slob I make the bed quickly and grab my duffle bag and backpack when I'm done. I'll have to remember to thank Phoenix when I see him for the kindness he showed me.

Shutting the door behind me, I head down the long hallway to the main living area of the suite. I'd really like to know how their suite is even nicer than the one the girls and I were placed in. I know the school doesn't see a difference between the races or anything but still, it seems wrong that they got the nicer dorms. I feel like girls would enjoy this type of room a lot more than any guy would.

"Good morning, Princess," Rhys calls out the second I exit the hallway.

"Ahh!" I scream, jumping and clutching my chest as I look at him. My heart feels like it's about to burst out of my chest as I stare at him and try to get my breathing under control. I hadn't expected anyone to still be in the dorm, or well I hadn't expected Rhys to be here. I figured I would possibly find Phoenix here since he was the nicer of the two brothers. Rhys though, no he's the wild card bad boy who I would have thought would keep as much distance between us as possible for my short staff here.

"Scared much?" he laughs, placing a plate of food on the kitchen counter in front of an empty stool. "Well, eat up. I made this for you after all. It would be rude to refuse a freshly cooked meal wouldn't it?" His eyes sparkle with mischief as he watches me carefully.

The last thing I want to do is eat whatever meal he made me but I also can't help myself when my stomach grumbles from starvation. The last thing I ate was lunch yesterday. I was hungry, there's no denying it. Grabbing the strap of my bags tighter, I hike them further up my shoulder and move toward the front door away from the food he placed on the counter. If I'm quick enough then I should have enough time grab a quick breakfast in the cafeteria.

"Thinking of leaving?" he asks, causing me to freeze in my tracks. "Well, it would be a shame, but I suppose if you don't want to eat anything and rather pass out during combat practice, then that can be arranged."

"Excuse me?" I snarl, turning around to stare at him. It was the wrong move to make. Rhys is leaning against the kitchen counter, his arms crossed in front of his chest as he stares at me. He looks as if he's devouring me and it's doing all sorts of things to me. I'm slightly turned on by it but also disgusted. I never thought the bad boy charm would work on me which is exactly why I know I need to get out of this room right now.

"This note was dropped off for you this morning," he explains, reaching behind him to pull a letter out. "I hope you don't mind, but I peeked at it. You and I both have today off, according to Councilwoman Talia. She wants the two of us to train together. For some reason, she thinks you would benefit from some one-on-one combat training by the top fighter in the Angel class, even if that angel is a Fallen."

"I don't believe you." There is no way she would pair me up with my archenemy. It has to be a joke. Looking around the room I check to see if Phoenix is here but he isn't. Damnit, at least I know he would have been on my side for this.

"Believe it or not, Princess, but it's the truth. So are you going to sit down and eat or are you going to pass out the second I hit you just a touch too hard? It's really your choice." He stares me down waiting for an answer.

Devine, I hate this guy. Rolling my eyes, I accept my fate and walk toward the kitchen counter, knowing the last thing I need is to pass out and have him hold it over my head for eternity. Plus, with the time he is wasting, I'm not sure I could make it to the cafeteria before they close, so at this point, if I want any food, the only option is what he made. Damnit.

"Fine," I huff, dropping my bags on the floor by the seat I take. "What did the famous Chef Rhys make for breakfast?" I watch his eyes flash with anger before he laughs at my comment. Two can play this game.

"An egg omelet with ham, spinach, and cheddar cheese. There are also two pieces of bacon and if you're still hungry I have some cinnamon oatmeal. I need you well-fed for what I have planned," he smiles, pushing the plate just a little bit closer to me. "Water or milk?"

Well-fed? Ha, come on. This guy has got to be kidding me. I can't wait for whatever we're going to do so I can kick his ass. That will teach him to treat me like this. "Water will be fine. Thanks." Before I can make a smart-ass comment and start a fight, I cut into the omelet he made me and take a bite. The flavors explode on my tongue as I chew. I hate to say it but he actually isn't half bad at cooking, not like I'll ever tell him the truth.

By the time he's putting the glass of water in front of me, I've managed to scarf down half the omelet. "Thanks," I mumble grabbing the glass to drink a few gulps. "Can I see the note?" I really want to make sure he's telling the truth and isn't bullshitting me to get me into trouble. I wouldn't put it past him to do something like that at all.

"Sure, Princess," he slides the folded paper across the counter to me. My name is written in an elegant script on the front. I guess he wasn't kidding that it was for me at least. As I take a bite of one of the bacon slices, I flip the letter open to read.

Good morning, Arabella,

I hope this letter finds you well. I heard about what happened to your dorm suite yesterday and I apologize. This school is supposed to be safe and I promise we will get to the bottom of whomever is doing this to you.

Your friend Phoenix came to speak with me and informed me that he and his brother have offered to let you stay with him. I think it's a good idea despite being against allowing guys and girls to room together. For the time being, we will pretend like I know nothing. It can be our little secret.

With that in mind. I'm excusing both you and Rhys from classes today. The Angel training field will be empty so the two of you can have it all day. Let him teach you some new skills. The Fallen bring a unique fighting style that I believe we can all benefit from. Also, be sure to practice your magic with him. It's clear you are a lot more experienced than your father let on. Take this time to thrive and show everyone what you are capable of. Attached you will also find a new copy of your schedule. It's clear to me there are certain classes that you don't need so I took them off your schedule and rearranged a few.

Good luck, Arabella, and remember to come see me if you need anything or have any questions.

-Councilwoman Talia

"Believe me now?" He asks while reaching across the counter to grab my now empty plate.

Rolling my eyes, I finish my glass of water and push it toward him as well. If he is going to do the dishes might as well give him all of them. Ha! "Well, if that's the case, then I'm going to change out of my uniform into something I can work out in easier." Getting up from the stool I grab my bags by my feet and start heading toward the hallway once more.

"Don't forget to take your shit with you while you're at it," he yells to my back.

"It's in my hands now?" I question, slowing to turn and give him a confusing look. I had picked up my bags at the same time I began walking away. This is all I came here with so what shit of mine is he referring to?

"Not all of it," he points to the far side of the living room by the large double window. Following to where he is pointing my eyes widen in realization. There are two trash bags full of stuff sitting under the window. I knew Phoenix was going to go back down to my dorm but I honestly hadn't expected anything to be salvaged. I was thinking of going after classes today to sort through everything and make a list of stuff to replace. The fact that he managed to fill two trash bags halfway surprised me. It's way more than I thought.

"Uh, wow, okay," I mumble heading toward the bag. "Do you know when Phoenix will be back so I can thank him for this?" I owe him a lot more than a thank you but it would at least be a start.

"You're welcome.," he states sarcastically. "Now, I'm not going to wait all day. Go get changed."

Well fine, fuck you too.

Grabbing the two bags I head back to Phoenix's room to place them there safely until I know where I'll be staying next. I'd rather not leave my stuff in the living room where Rhys would have access to them. I already know I need to get back to my room as soon as possible to find the journal I was given. If that fell into the wrong hands I would literally be screwed and not in a good way.

Opening both bags I manage to find some workout clothes that I can trade my uniform form. Hoping that Phoenix won't be back to the room before we are, I leave my uniform on the edge of the bag not wanting to keep Rhys waiting any longer than necessary. I'm sure he is already thinking of ways to make my life hell just because I had to change clothes. It takes me less than three minutes to change and get back to the living room where Rhys is not so patiently waiting leaning against the kitchen counter for me.

"About damn time, Princess. I thought I was going to have to come drag you out of that room. Did you need extra time to look through all my brother's drawers? I can tell you he doesn't keep his secrets in the nightstand, but I'm sure you figured that out already," he jokes, moving to the door and holding it open for me.

"I'm not you, Rhys. I don't need to go snooping into other people's things to learn stuff. I actually have conversations with them and get to know them." Shoving past him through the door, I don't bother to wait before heading toward the stairs. Talia said in her letter that she was letting us use the training arena for today, so I already know where I'm going. I don't need to follow the prick.

"Whatever you say to sleep at night, Princess."

"For the love of the Divine can we please take a break?" I beg from my position down on the mats. For the past hour, we have been doing combat training and for most of it I've ended up on my back on the mats we're using. When we first started I thought I had a chance to beat him just like on our first day of class but I was wrong. Heck, I'm almost positive he was going easy that day if this session is anything to go by. However, instead of actually teaching me any of his moves, he is too busy kicking my ass and showing me every damn way he can do it. I'm not learning anything except that the training the Archangels put all other angels through is horrible. That is the only lesson I am taking from this.

"Again!" he shouts, reaching down to basically lift my deadweight back up.

"NO!" I snarl, fighting his hold. I need a break. I need water.

"I'm the one teaching this lesson. If I say again then I mean again," he roars letting go of me and slipping into an offensive position.

"Fuck you!" Turning my back to him I head to the side of the mat where I placed my water bottle. Divine, I really hope it's still cold and refreshing I could use it right now. The second my fingers wrap around the bottle, Rhys's arms come around my waist pulling me backward before he flips me over his shoulder and slams me into the ground.

"Never turn your back on an opponent."

"Oh, come on," I slam my fist into the mat. The impact of my hit caused the water bottle to slide out of my hand and the top busted open allowing my water to spill all over the place. "You are such a fucking jackass!" I screech, pushing myself to stand rushing him. My fists bang against his hardened chest as I try to get some sort of revenge. My hits are sloppy, and I know any second he is going to shove me off him. When his hands touch my shoulders instead I stop moving, too shocked to continue my assault. He isn't even trying to push me away, no just holding me in place.

"Letting your rage control you will get you killed. You need to learn to control that temper, Princess. Now, if you can knock me off my feet once, then we can take a break for water and I'll actually start teaching you some moves," Rhys explains with his hands still resting on my shoulders.

I swear the man is tainting me going "Look at me I'm standing here in a vulnerable position, do your best." Yeah, no thank you. I refuse to take the cheap shots. If he wants me to knock him on his ass, then fine I'll do exactly that. Shoving his hands off me, I take a step back and let my wings unfurl behind me quickly. At the same time, I bend my knees and push up off the ground. Not far, just enough to get a good height to kick him in the stomach. Luck must be on my side because my kick connects and he doubles over. Using the moment it gives me, I have my wings provide me an extra push and rush closer to him and swipe his legs out from under him as I wrap my arm around his neck and pull him backward dropping is straight down onto his back.

"I fucking win," I snarl over him before kicking him in the side for good measure. This time instead of giving him my back, I continue to keep him in my sights as I grab my previously forgotten water bottle off the ground and walk to the water cooler to refill it. Before the bottle is even full I pull it away to chug half of it. The cold water is refreshing and already my body is begging for more. Ignoring the want, I finish filling the bottle and move back to the main mat in the center of the room where Rhys is standing waiting for me.

"Feel better?" he jokingly questions when I come to a stop in front of him.

"Nah, not really. You didn't even put up a fight," I shrug, settling in front of him to wait for my next instructions.

"You'll never know," he chuckles. "Now, as I'm sure you've started to notice Fallen use their wings to their advantage and we prefer to fight up close and personal. For our first lesson today we are going to focus on using your wings as an extension of your body."

"I already know how to do that. It's taught while we are in primary school," I groan not understanding one bit what he is trying to get at. We know our wings are an extension of us. They can help us put more power behind our strikes, but they also can get in the way of fighting if we aren't careful.

"Your last move is some proof of that," he agrees quickly. "But it isn't enough. Did you notice I knocked you off your feet a couple of times with my wings alone? I bet not. Not only do our wings provide us with power, but they also provide us flexibility. For the next thirty minutes, I only want you to use your wings to fight me off. I'll go easy on you while you adjust to what I'm asking. No arms, no legs, just using wings."

"Fine," I huff. I've never done what he has asked me to do. Heck, I've never heard of it being done. If it wasn't for the fact that I know he believes every word he is saying, I would certainly call him psycho and walk away but it's clear I need him, or well I need the knowledge he has to improve my fighting.

Divine, why would you do this to me?

Four hours of my morning was spent on the combat field with Rhys. He knocked my ass to Hell and back but I actually learned a few things from him that make me feel just a little more confident in my fighting. I'm going to need to practice, like a lot but Councilwoman Talia was right. The fighting style the Fallen have is a lot stronger than the one the Archangels taught us. If anyone ever asks I'll never admit it but the Fallen could probably kick the Angel's asses in a one-on-one fight.

"You did good this morning," Rhys states as he hands me a sandwich. "Here, you need the protein."

Councilwoman Talia had food delivered to the arena for lunch for us. It wasn't anything fancy but it was at least a good amount of food. She must have known that we were going to be burning a ton of calories if the amount of food delivered was anything to go by. I had already inhaled one of the fruit cups before Rhys handed me a sandwich. I'm not sure if it was pure chance or what but the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that were delivered had strawberry jelly on them which is my favorite. I could eat three and be happy, but I'm not going to do that with Rhys here. I don't need him making some smart-ass comment about my appetite and making me feel bad about myself.

Guys never realize how the things they say can affect a female. I watched so many people in my high school practically starve themselves just so they could stay as skinny as others. It's something that I never understood, but then again I never really had any issues dealing with my weight. I was pretty skinny as it was thanks to the abuse I took every day. My body was busy burning calories to heal my wounds, it didn't have time to hold on to calories and allow me to gain a large amount of weight. I got lucky I guess in some ways. It also helped that I had very few friends so I wasn't worried about fitting in with other students in my class, especially the popular kids.

"When you're done eating, we are going to practice some of your psychic magic," Rhys states breaking my train of thought and pulling me back to the present.

"Can we skip that?" The last thing I want to do is magic with him. I remember our first class together and the shit he gave me. I'd rather not have a repeat of that. Like ever again if possible. Especially after the last class when he cornered me accusing me of using a power I don't have.

"Nope, we need to do this," he pops the last piece of watermelon in his mouth before rising to his feet. "Done yet?"

Well, I guess getting to relax isn't going to happen. Maybe if I can get this over with faster, it means I can get away from him sooner. I doubt he will let that happen but right now I'll take anything I can get. So, fine if he wants to practice psychic magic then that is what we will do.

"What do you want to start with?" I ask knowing I'm about to regret this decision.

"Whatever power you want to show me," his eyes sparkle with mischief. Yeah, I highly doubt that's what he wants to see at all. "I wouldn't mind if you showed me that little power you got from Lucifer though."

Yup, there it is. I knew he was going to bring that up. "I have no idea what you're talking about," I snarl. I have an idea of the power, but I have no idea how to use it. I thought it was something else completely. Now, knowing I got that power from Lucifer, and that Rhys is interested in it. I think I'll try to avoid using it as best as possible for now. The less power he has over me the better.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about but if it makes you feel better we can skip it for now." He holds his palms up facing me acting like he is innocent and surrendering on the subject. I don't believe him for one second. "I'm kidding. I really do want to help you. You have the power of prophecy right? I have some ideas that could work."

I look at him skeptically seeing if this is just another of his jokes or not. This time he does look serious which gives me pause. I would like to have more control over my power but at the cost of listening to him? I'm not sure if it's enough.

"Promise," he swears crossing his heart with a finger. "No more bringing up anything about Lucifer for today. Let's just get this done."

"Fine," I groan, rising to stand across from him. "Tell me what to do." I don't want anyone to think I don't care about my education or about learning my powers. I want to have complete control, I just would rather not have to rely on a Fallen, especially one who hates me to help me accomplish anything. Councilwoman Talia is trusting him to teach me and I have a feeling that if I were to go to her and say that he didn't, he would be in trouble. So I guess today it's his neck on the line. I could stoop to his level but that's not me. I don't look out for just myself, no I look out for everyone. So, I supposed practicing psychic magic wouldn't be the death of me.

Or so I hope.