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"Alex, stop flipping that thing." 

I looked across to the driver's side at my mother. As soon as she walked in the hospital room with my father and brother on Thursday, everything just came pouring back. It surprised me at how I remembered them so quickly. I was so happy when I saw them, I broke down into tears. 
My mom broke down with me while my brother and dad just rolled their eyes and stared.

"Where did you get that lighter?" She glanced at it.

"It's not mine." I lied.

"Then who's is it?" 

I flipped it closed once more and put it in my grey jeans pocket. "It's... Maryanne's."

"Why have you got it?" 

I shifted in my seat. "She came over on Thursday and left it there."

"You're not lying to me are you?"

I chuckled. "No, not at all. Are we almost home?"

"We are home sweetheart."

I looked out the window as she drove up the drive to quite a large house. 

"Make sure you return that lighter, Alex. And I have a surprise for you! Gabriel came over before we left and I told him to wait-"

I jumped out of the car and walked to the front door. I walked inside the door into the hallway and looked around. The staircase was in front of me, living room to my left, formal dining room to my right and an archway next to the staircase that looked like it led to the kitchen. 

I stopped a moment to locate Gabriel. For the past two days, I'd been concentrating on controlling myself. I thought I was at least getting somewhere. I wasn't as hot anymore but I still had an unusually warm system and unusually warm skin. The nurses still flinched whenever they touched me. But by the end, they could put their hands on me without telling the doctor I was still burning up.

I ran upstairs and turned left. His energy was hard to miss. When I stopped in front of the door a weird feeling passed through me. It felt safe. Calm. 

I opened the door. Gabriel was sitting on what I was assuming was my bed with a book in his hand. 

He was in blue jeans and a grey baggy hoodie. My first instinct was to jump on him but I had to control myself now. I didn't know if I could spontaneously combust. I had to be careful.

He stood up, placed the book on the table and walked toward me. "Alexis," He started. His fingers tips lightly skimmed my cheek. "What has your mother said about your hand?"

"She hasn't. Since I'm 18, I asked for some information to be kept a secret from her. After about a week I'll tell her I got a tattoo without her permission."

He skimmed his fingers back and forth across my cheek and down my neck. My body started to heat up. "She'll be angry."

"I don't care. How else am I supposed to explain it?" 

He sighed and turned around. My eyes were drawn to the two large slits in his baggy grey hoodie. "Why take your shirt off if you have clothes with holes in them?"

He looked over his shoulder. "I don't want to ruin all of my clothes."

I laughed. 

The door opened and my mom walked in with a smile and a bag in hand. "Sorry to interrupt, but I have your dirty laundry here. Want me to wash anything else?"

I shook my head. "No, but thanks."

She nodded and smiled at Gabriel before she left.

"How are you? Have you had anymore flashbacks?" He asked.

"Not since the night you left. I remember speaking to you about who I was and how I was still an important angel even though I sinned."

He smiled. "Yes, it surprised me to hear that you sinned and you were still in that world."

"Yeah," I mumbled. "It's just, I don't quite understand something..."

He grabbed the corner of my shirt and pulled me toward the bed. "What's that?"

"How your feelings toward me could change. I could see the hatred in your eyes, Gabe. I'm still not familiar with my emotions but I could almost feel the anger radiating off you." He pulled me to sit down and chuckled.

"That took years. You were a very interesting creature."

There was a question I was aching to ask him. It was on the tip of my tongue but I was worried about the answer. But I asked him anyway: "Am I the same person, or completely different to the woman you fell in love with?"

He tilted his head but didn't answer. My hands clenched and my body burned with anxiety. 

But then a small soft smile planted on his face. "When you were human you were her. Your personality, the way you smiled, the way you spoke. And yet, there was something different about you. She'd reincarnated a couple of times in the past but this time it's different. You're different."

I stared past him. I didn't know what to expect. I didn't know whether I wanted him to say the same or different. Both answers seemed wrong in a way. 

"But I've fallen even harder for you,"

I turned my attention back to him.

"I didn't think it were even possible. I was in love with you back then but right now I'm madly and truly in love. I know it sounds slightly corny, but Alex, I've fallen harder because of how different you are. So to answer your question, yes you are different to the woman I fell in love with. In a good way."

I could feel my heart swell. That was definitely a good answer. My insides warmed and I suddenly felt relieved.

He lightly kissed my forehead. "We're going to have to keep things simple."

I sighed knowing exactly what he was referring to. "I'm learning to control myself."

He chuckled. "You think you are but you're hardly doing anything. I'm going to have to teach you, otherwise who knows what you could accidentally destroy."

I frowned. "That's not funny."

"It's not meant to be. You're still not used to everything." He leant back and rested his head on my pillow.

"I'm sure it isn't that hard. I'm still getting the hang of my strength and speed."

"That'll take time." He pulled me down with him. "But everything you think you're getting used to? You're not. There's so much more trust me."

I sighed. "I thought so."

We sat there staring at the ceiling for a few moments. The voices in my head were barely there anymore. It sounded like there were only three people. I put my thoughts into words and asked Gabriel what the voices in my head were.

He didn't answer. He just sighed and turned his head toward me. "I'll tell you later-"

"Seriously?" I interrupted. "You're going to use that card on me?"

He chuckled. "Yep. Love you," He pecked my cheek.

I scowled. "You can't keep these things away from me anymore." I smirked. "I'm more powerful than you. I can overpower you."

He lifted himself up to stare down at me. He raised a brow. "You can try,"

"Honey, I could pin you down with my hands tied behind my back." I winked.

He laughed. "Alright, I'll give you a week to learn to control yourself. Then we'll see who can pin who. Deal?"

I grinned. "Deal." I grabbed his hand and shook it. "Are you going to train me?" 

When he began to nod, a ringing sound filled my ears. I jumped up and stared toward the window. Something was telling me to go towards it. Like it was pulling me in... Like someone was calling me.

"Oh no," Gabriel whispered. "Ignore it."

I walked slowly toward the window without even thinking. "But... It's so alluring."

"That's because she's calling you," I opened the window. "Alexis!" 

I don't know what came over me but I jumped out. I landed easily which made me gasp. A flash came in my mind of when Tristan made me jump out the window and I had a heart attack. Weird how I did that without a second thought. I started walking toward the sound. I heard Gabriel land quite far behind me.

"Alex!!"

I looked over my shoulder at him. He was walking toward me with a frown so I started jogging. I was jogging like I was in a full out sprint. I smiled. I could go so much faster.

When I started to move my feet faster I held my breath just like when Tristan told me to. It seemed easier to hold my breath. Like I knew I could do it for longer. Everything became a blur. The trees were blurring past me as I dodged in and out. I could feel someone running behind me. Going on instincts I started to run faster. 

The ringing was getting closer so I started to slow. The person that was obviously Gabriel started to slow with me. 

I stopped running completely and looked around the unfamiliar forest. I started walking toward the ringing when Gabriel came up next to me and grabbed my arm. "Have you lost your damn mind? I know who's calling you but you don't. This could have been a trap for all you know."

"I don't think it's a trap."

"You didn't know that. It could have been."

I tried pulling my arm out of his grip but he tightened it. "Gabe, let go."

He stared at me. "No."

I concentrated on the burning inside me and moved it to my arm. I watched Gabriel pull his hand away fast and watched his face flinch. I frowned. "I'm sorry to do that but I asked you nicely. I didn't hurt you did I?"

"No."

"Good." I walked slightly faster and came into a clearing. I gasped but then scowled at who I saw.

I wasn't expecting to see her. Hell, I didn't even want to see her. There was a smug smile on her face as she her lips moved. I could see her lips form a word. As soon as I got a slight bit closer I could see that she was saying my name.

So that's how it works. They say my name and from afar, it comes out as ringing. 

"Alexis," She whispered when the ringing began to sound like a gentle buzz. 

"What the hell do you want, Maryanne?" I said as I stopped in front of her.

"I didn't actually think you'd come. I didn't know you knew about calling. Who told you?" She looked behind me and smiled. "Oh, my idiot of a brother. He must have explained it to you. Did you Gabriel?"

"Why did you call her?" He snapped as he stood next to me. 

Maryanne turned behind her. Both Gabriel and I looked past her to see Joseph walking towards us without a shirt on. I stared at his mark on the right side of his chest. He smiled at us both as he got closer

"What's going on?" Gabriel demanded.

He completely ignored Gabriel and stared at me. "Alexis... How are you?"

"I'm alright, I suppose."

He took a step forward and grabbed my left hand. He removed the bandage around from my hand and smiled at my mark. "Gorgeous."

"Joseph," Gabriel interrupted angrily. "Why did Mary call her?"

He dropped my hand and looked up at Gabe. "She needs some form of training."

"I was going to train her,"

"Well I am now," Mary stated smugly. "She'll learn more from me anyway." She turned to me. "Have you got your lighter?"

I nodded and took it out my pocket. Gabriel sighed deeply and moved to lay down on the grass. He looked completely pissed off and I knew I was going to have to make it up to him later on. Joseph sat next to him.

I flipped the top back and clicked it on. The flame flickered and waved. Maryanne took it and held it in front of me. "We're going to work on your manipulation. Every angel has the power to manipulate, some more than others like your crazy ass stalker for example. They can control a hell of a lot more than an average angel."

My face screwed up. "Yeah, I remember that."

She nodded. "Put your hand over the flame."

I did as she said.

"Now, close your eyes." I closed them. "And let the fire inside your veins consume you."

"Maryanne," Gabriel warned.

"Shh..." She hushed him. "I want to see how far she can lose herself."

A shiver racked through my bones as I let the heat course through my body. It felt relaxing. I felt... Powerful. I could feel a smile curve my lips.

I opened my eyes. 

The flame on the lighter had risen and was basically touching my hand. I lifted my hand and watched it follow. It was so weird; it was like it was dancing. I brought up my other hand around the flame. I took a step away from the lighter and watched the flame follow me.

A small shocked laugh escaped my lips. 

"Alexis," I heard Gabriel warn.

I ignored him let the flame grow bigger. The fire in my veins was getting hotter. I loved the feeling. I loved how in control I was. And I loved the hot burning liquid in my veins.

I moved my left hand in a circle and the other in a semi-circle. I watched the fire twist and stretch as my hands moved faster.

It seemed easy to manipulate the flame... And it felt good. My eyes clouded over in a haze and I smiled.

A new thought entered my mind such as, how big could I manipulate the flame? Could I throw it? Could I extinguish it?

The heat in my body was like gas to the flame. It was like every time I felt the heat inside me grow larger, so did the flame. I wanted to lose myself. 

"Alex, stop!" 

I blinked a few times and dropped my hands and watched the flame disappear in a black cloud. I gasped and dropped to the floor as a wave of complete weakness started in the middle of my chest and coursed outward.

"Don't touch her," I heard Joseph command. "Her skin is probably the temperature of an open flame."

I took a deep breath and coughed when the smoke and ash hit my nose. I groaned and opened my eyes. There was a large black circle around me. I lifted my head. Maryanne, Gabriel and Joseph were at least twenty yards away from me now. 

Gabriel started walking forward but Maryanne grabbed his arm. "I'm not finished yet."

"Well she is," He growled. "You saw how far she lost herself and it was far enough. Aren't you happy now?"

She ignored him and started walking toward me. A picture flashed across my mind of a dream I had. It was the dream with Genevieve; she was walking toward me. Raleigh was burnt to the ground...

Wait...

Raleigh... I read the letter about that angel... My great-great-great grandfather, Harold Gardiner, was watching her move but she ignored him...

In my dream, a man was watching me but I ignored him...

That was me... The woman Harold thought started the fires was me. Was it me? Did I start both fires? But why?

Another image popped into my head. Genevieve was standing in front of me with disgust on her face. A look I was very familiar with now.

She said something to me... I could only make out three words:

"You're a monster..."

I shook my head and looked up at Maryanne. It wasn't a look of disgust, but for once it was pure sadness.

She crouched down in front of me. "Did that bring back a memory?"

I stood up as quickly as I could. "No." I replied. "I don't know what you're talking about."

She nodded slowly. "I'm sure you'll remember that day soon enough."

She held out the lighter. I grabbed it from her. "I'm not afraid of you anymore, Mary."

She raised a brow. "Hmm... Fine. Just let me say this," She leaned forward. "Your shirt and pants are burnt."

I looked down and gasped. My dark brown long sleeve shirt looked torn and now revealed my stomach and parts of my arms. My jeans had random burn holes and were now beneath the knee. 

I covered myself with my arms. I could feel my face flush.

Maryanne shrugged her jacket off and draped it over my shoulders. I raised a brow at her and she frowned. "I'm a bitch, yes, but I can be nice." She turned her back on me but looked over her shoulder. "To you? Not all the time. But I can be. Later princess. I'll call you." She laughed as she ran off into the trees.

I closed my eyes and worked on my body heat. I heard footsteps coming closer to me but I ignored them. I sighed as the burning feeling inside me subsided. 

When I opened my eyes, Gabriel was standing a few feet away from me with a scowl. Joseph walked forward and smiled at me. "Interesting. You are far more ahead than I realized."

"What do you mean?" I wondered.

"Were you into that?" I nodded. "I didn't think you would have controlled the flame as easy as you did. I thought that maybe it would have taken more time. Perhaps, you are different." Joe took a step back. I ignored the ripping sound of his back and watched him unfurl his wings without any trouble or signs of pain. His wings were the same size as Gabriel's. But they were almost grey but not exactly on the white side either. They looked shiny and smooth just like Gabriel's.

He regarded me carefully as he said, "Be sure not to lose control like you did today. You'll always know when you're losing it. Like a moment ago you had that red hazy feeling, that's a sign before you go super nova."

I watched his legs slightly bend and his wings move slightly. His feet hovered off the ground and continued to go higher. "If you have any questions feel free to call me."

A low annoyed grunt escaped from Gabriel which made me stare at him in shock.

Joe chuckled. "Or call Gabriel, of course."

Joe flew off pushing a gust of wind in my direction. Gabriel and I stayed silent as we walked out of the clearing and into the forest. He started jogging which definitely looked more like a sprint. I followed him.

We got to the house in more time than it took to get to the forest. We stood by my window in silence. I looked up and frowned. How was I supposed to get back up there?

Before I could ask, he grabbed hold of my waist and pulled me to his chest. I looked at him and watched the small smile light up his face. His hands were on my bare skin which made me wonder whether I was controlling myself well, or if he wasn't paying any attention to the heat.

"Bend you legs and jump with me."

I did as he said and squealed as we flew past my window and landed on the roof. The roof wasn't steep thank god but neither was it flat.

He sat down and said, "You wanna know what those voices are?"

I sat next to him. "Yes."

"They're thoughts. You can read minds."

I laughed. "Don't lie to me."

He stared at me with a blank expression.

"Shut up." I whispered. "No! How?!"

"It's a part of you. You've always been able to read minds. That's how you knew how much I hated you when we first met at my trial. You probably heard a lot of voices in the hospital? When you were changing, the voices you could hear were thoughts. I can only describe it as your brain adjusting to its change. And when you died," He frowned. "The change was complete."

"So I die every time I change?"

He nodded.

In a way, everything did make sense. I thought I was going crazy what with all the voices. But still, I found it weird. I could hear three voices... my brother was home and so was my mom. Was Gabriel the third voice?

I shook my head. I didn't want to think about it. It was weird when I could only hear Gabriel's thoughts when I was human and now it was just damn right crazy that I could hear every ones.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I didn't mean to run off toward Maryanne like that."

He waved it away. "You'll get used to calling later on. We have other important stuff to worry about."

"Like what?"

"Your memories, is one thing. And you need to learn to control yourself a little more."

I nodded and sighed. "I guess you're right."

"There's one more thing."

I raised a brow. "What's that then?"

He turned his head away from me and grinned out toward the town. "You're going to have to work on your strength and speed so you're ready for when we have our match."

I grinned and stared out at the town too. It was quite grey today. Rain was threatening the town in the distance while it was still dry up here.

"Alright fine. But I'm working on my self control first. I don't want to accidentally set you alight."

He laughed. "That's fine."

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(edited:2023)