Liz groaned out loud as her alarm clock shrilled in her right ear at 9:45 the next morning. Rubbing her eyes and sitting up she sighed and instantly regretted mixing her alcohol. Her world felt topsy-turvy as she got out of bed and trudged to the bathroom. Taking one look at herself in the mirror she cringed.

“I look almost as bad as I feel” she said to her reflection.

Stripping down she got into the shower as if trying to wash away the horrible feeling in her stomach. As she washed her hair the painful realization of seeing Shane last night hit her forcefully. I can’t believe I agreed to meet him…fuck! Now! She thought, quickly rinsing the shampoo out of her hair and grabbing a towel to dry herself.

Rummaging through her closet, Elizabeth pulled on a pair of boyfriend jeans and a loose fitting button up top that had a cute print on the back. Slicking some hair polisher through her long hair while she sipped on her favorite purple pumps, applied some mascara and lip gloss and threw them into her shoulder bag.

She opened the door to her bedroom and ran straight into her room-mate on his way to the kitchen.

“Sorry Zacky” she said rubbing her nose, which had connected with his shoulder.

Zacky laughed and shrugged. “Hot date at this hour Lizzy?”

Elizabeth stuck her tongue out at him and smacked his shoulder playfully.

“Not a date. I’m meeting up with Shane Night” she said offhandedly, trying to move past him.

He blocked her way and crossed his tattooed arms over his muscular chest. He played with one of the snakebites on his lower lip and his jade colored eyes held worry deep within them.

“Shane Night?” he began with a hint of annoyance in his voice mixed with concern. “That douche-bag from high school that fucked you up every chance he got and then disappeared when we graduated?”

Elizabeth knew that this would be Zacky’s reaction when he found out. Of course he would be upset. He was there to hold her when she cried and to help her vent when she was frustrated. But most of all he was there to quell her fears when the nightmares got really bad. Sometimes he would talk to her on the phone for hours on end until she fell asleep. High school was terrible for her and it was only made worse by Shane.

Zacky was always protective of Elizabeth. She was his younger cousin by 2 months, but because they were so close in age they were inseparable from the age of 5. Zacky knew that she couldn’t stand up for herself having the type of bully for a father that she did. He could understand why she would retract into her own little world and escape into music. Perhaps the bully gene ran in the family because Zacky’s father was exactly the same; but instead of being weak, Zacky learned to harden himself from a young age. One of them had to be strong. Zacky tried his best not to let anyone take advantage of his cousin but he couldn’t fight all her battles for her. Elizabeth had to learn, and in time she did.

Elizabeth and Zacky decided to move from Sacramento to New York for university as they were both accepted to NYU to do Fashion Designing and Music respectively. They had begun to save from the age of 14 so they could make the move. Their mothers of course helped them without the knowledge of either of their fathers. It worked well enough and by the 3rd week of august the two of them had set foot into their very own apartment.

Zacky believed with everything he had that Elizabeth was able to finally come into her own when she left Sacramento. She was no longer living in fear and was free to be herself. He watched her grow and learn to be confident and self-reliant. Zacky was proud of his cousin and the progress she had made. But as he looked down at her now, he couldn’t help but be apprehensive of her meeting Shane.

“Don’t worry Zacky, I’ll be fine” said Elizabeth reassuringly, patting his cheek lovingly.

Zacky grumbled something Elizabeth couldn’t quite understand and she watched him trudge towards their tiny kitchen, mumbling all the way. She shook her head and headed to the front door, ready to take on Shane and whatever he threw at her.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

As soon as Zacky heard the front door close he pulled out his cell phone from his pocket. Worry coursed through his veins for his cousin. He knew exactly what Shane was, or at least thought he did. Nevertheless, he had to warn her. But how?

He pulled down the jar of coffee and spooned 2 heaps into his coffee mug How the fuck to I tell her what he is without her thinking I’m crazy? He walked to the fridge and grabbed the milk, slamming the door closed. She’s going to fucking have me committed. Taking the kettle off the stove he poured the boiling water into mug and began to vigorously stir, the contents sloshing around noisily. I know what I am but does she really have any clue who she is? What she is? My guess is no. He sigh heavily and took a sip of coffee.

Taking a seat at their small table he dialed his best friend’s number.

“Z, you better have a fucking good reason to be calling me before 12.” Said the voice on the other end sounding both sleepy and annoyed.

“Samael is back” Zacky said quickly into the phone.

“Don’t fuck around Zacky. Are you sure?” said his best friend

“I’m not fucking around Matt. Liz is going to meet him now.” Zacky answered warily.

Zacky knew that his best friend was totally awake and had probably just bolted upright. He could hear Matt moving around and he distinctly heard something crash to the floor, followed by a soft “dammit pookie you infernal beast!”

“I’m coming over Z. In the meantime, call the others. We need to figure out what to do about Samael.” Matt instructed, throwing a toothbrush into his mouth by the sound of the incoherent mumbo-jumbo that followed, “Be there in 10”

Zacky hung up and followed Matt’s orders and called the rest of the group. At the end of the day he was the most powerful of their Nephilim group which naturally meant that he was their leader. It was only mere 4 years ago that Zacky had learnt what he really was, who his father really was. It had freaked him out in the beginning but it seemed as if Matt had appeared out of nowhere to help him through it all. Most Nephilim fully come into their own and Ascend at 18 allowing them full access of their divine gifts.

For Zacky it completely shocked him to find that one morning he had the ability to listen to the thoughts of others as well as gain superior strength and agility over night. When that shock wore off he was greeted with another which came in the form of wings that began as a deep grey at his shoulder blades and extended outward and fading in color. His wings however were something that he could control and would only use if absolutely necessary. Matt had helped him cope and taught him all that he knew, which in Zacky’s opinion was never-ending. All that Zacky had been brought up to believe held so much more meaning and still confused him at times.

Zacky Baker was a Nephilim; half angel, half human and right now, all he wanted to do was protect his baby cousin from the evil that followed her. It didn’t matter to him at that moment what had to be done. All that mattered was her safety.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Elizabeth pulled her headphones out of her ears as she approached The Brew House at 10:09. Scanning the small crowd she saw Shane waving at her from one of the tables in the furthest corner of the quaint little shop.

She smile in his direction and weaved through the clusters of people at the various tables. Taking a seat opposite she strapped her bag around the back of the chair.

“Sorry I’m late” she said to him, flashing him a dazzling smile.

On her walk to the coffee house she had made up her mind to not be sucked in by Shane. She reminded herself that he was practically the author of demise in highschool.

Shane smiled back at her and handed her his menu “I’m glad you still made it Liz”

Scanning the menu quickly she settled on a chai tea and a blueberry muffin. She wasn’t much of a coffee person. She couldn’t understand how Zacky drank it like water. It tasted disgusting to her and made her stomach feel queasy.

“So what have you been doing with yourself Shane?” asked Elizabeth, striking up their conversation.

Shane gave her an appreciative look and then smiled again. “oh you know, a little of this and a little of that.” He waved his hand carelessly, then ran his fingers through his hair. “what about you?”

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows and shook her head “Not really much of an answer but alright then.”

She looked around for the waiter to place her order. “I’m finishing up my degree in Fashion Design at NYU”

Shane leaned forward and touched Elizabeth’s hand which was resting on the table. “That’s fantastic” he said earnestly.

Elizabeth blushed and slowly retracted her hand from under his, placing it on her lap. The physical contact felt as though electricity was passing through his hand to hers, and that feeling made her uncomfortable.

“Why did you want to meet up with me after so long Shane? Why me?” blurted out Elizabeth, immediately y regretting her outburst.

Shane’s eyes widened and he smirked. “I know I was horrible to you in high school. I really don’t even deserve your time.” He said, motioning for the waiter who approached the table. “A coffee, black 2 sugars and a cheese croissant for me and a chai tea and blueberry muffin for the lady”
Elizabeth’s eyebrows shot right up. Shane gave her a knowing smile. KInda creepy but I’ll let that one slide she thought I have bigger fish to fry than how he knew what I wanted.

“Im really grateful that you decided to meet up with me today Liz.” He said sincerely
Elizabeth loved how her nickname rolled smoothly off his tongue. She also hated it at the same time because he made it sound so dirty, like a curse.

“Shane, no offense or anything, but only family and my friends call me Liz, and you are neither” she said sternly, deciding that she hated more than loved how he used her nickname.

Shane chuckled softly and looked at her intently, as if daring her to look into his eyes to see that she had wounded him. Elizabeth of course didn’t do any such thing. She avoided those eyes at all costs.
They lapsed into a lull of silence that was only broken when the waiter returned with their order. Stirring her chai tea idly, she raised her eyes to meet Shane’s gaze.

“So tell me, Shane, because curiosity is truly eating at me. Why after all this time and all you put me through in high school you wanted to link up today?” said Elizabeth, breaking the eye contact with Shane.

Shane sighed and lifted his coffee to his lips and took a small sip.

“Honestly Elizabeth, I don’t know myself. And that’s the truth. When I saw you last night I was amazed at home much you changed. You really had a spell over me. I think you still do right down to the second” Shane said sweetly, making Elizabeth’s cheeks flush. “I really wanted to try and see if we could put the past behind us and start over. I really am sorry for being such a jerk so long ago.”
Elizabeth choked on her tea and coughed. “Excuse me what?” she gasped, her eyes watering. She knew she probably looked ridiculous.

“I really want to start over. Maybe we could start off being friends” suggested Shane, handing Elizabeth a napkin overlooking her sputtering.

Elizabeth was clearly taken aback at Shane’s words. She couldn’t believe that he was even serious about what he was saying but the look in his deep green eyes showed her that what he was saying was what he really felt.

“I’ll be honest with you Shane, I’m not so sure that that is such a good idea.” said Elizabeth resolutely.

“You were a part of my past and I would really like it to remain that way.”

Shane looked stunned by Elizabeth’s honesty. He had never once been turned away by something or someone he wanted. This conversation had taken a swift turn for the worse and the tables were turned. He expected Elizabeth to at least consider forming a friendship with him but she wouldn’t even do that. The past really did dictate his future with her. If he didn’t say something to sway her now, his chance to gain his freedom would be squashed and that was something he was unwilling to give up.

“Listen Elizabeth, I really wish that you would reconsider. I know that you want to move on with your life, but don’t you think it was fate that brought us together? Doesn’t that count for something?” said Shane, a hint of desperation creeping into his silky voice.

he used the fate card, which always worked. It made women reconsider their choice. Humans were so trivial.

“Fate?” asked Elizabeth sounding incredulous. “You think Fate brought us together?”

Shane nodded, running his hand through his hair for about the fifth time.

“I don’t think it was Fate Shane.” she said with finality.

Running out of options. He needed to gain her trust. He needed her to accept him. She was the answer.

“Elizabeth, I know I’m in no position to ask anything of you.” He began, taking a stab in the dark, totally out of his element. “Give me one day. One day out of your life and let me show you that I’m not the jerk you remember. Everyone changes. We all grow up at some point.”

He met Elizabeth’s hypnotic gaze and crossed his fingers that he had swayed her. He looked at her intently and saw the emotions flash through her eyes. He picked up on her hesitation and smiled inwardly. Hesitation was good; it meant she was contemplating her options.

“Fine. One day. Don’t make me regret it.” She warned, getting up, scooping up the muffin that was on the saucer in front of her. “Saturday, at the amusement park in Brooklyn, 9pm”

Shane beamed at her and stood up as well. “I promise you Elizabeth, you won’t regret it”

He watched her as she walked off in the direction of the Upper East Side, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. He needed to play his cards just right to make sure she would see him differently. Everything had to be planned. At least he had four days to do just that.

Walking in the opposite direction to which Elizabeth had gone, Shane headed back to his apartment.
A malicious feeling stabbed though his chest. He turned and saw Caym standing less than a foot away from him.

“Morning Caym” said Shane dismissively. He had no time for Caym and whatever irritating antic he had up his sleeve.

“Loose cannon that one.” Hissed Caym, smirking at Shane who continued to walk as if he had heard nothing. “She’s a lot prettier than you let on”

Shane grabbed Caym by the scruff of his neck. Caym still had a twisted smile hanging from his lips and seemed oblivious to his superior’s rage

“You will mind your own business and stay far away from her” growled Shane.

“I’m just saying maybe you should use some of the weapons in your arsenal seeing as how you seem to be losing your touch is all” he grinned.

Shane threw Caym harshly against a nearby pole and walked off. He wasn’t going to let that malicious bird interfere with his plans. Giving into Caym’s taunts just made him as bad as him.

Caym watched his general walk off and his twisted smile crept back onto his face. He never liked Samael, and now he had his own weapon to use against him that would lead to Samael’s inevitable demise that Caym desperately wanted to bear witness to.