Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 95 The Heart of Angels

“A “hello again” after the final goodbye is sometimes harder than just keeping the goodbye as it was.” -Jessiqua

Wittman

Kiy

Diana was an angel incarnate. Sunlight haloed her wings as she glided through the leaves of the canopies, screeching for us to follow. Neron and I tailed behind our bird friend as the pack house came into full view. Diana drew curious glances of some members frolicking on the front lawn, their awes of appreciation muddled into multiple whispers. Her body zipped behind the house, past the pool and Omegas taking out trash and hanging laundry on clotheslines.

Curiosity nibbled at my psyche, at what Diana wanted us to see. Mystery always shrouded her.

When Diana reached her destination, however, my body suddenly froze. I couldn’t move, or rather, I didn’t want to move. The past was in the past, but my body and mind recalled the rule imposed on us regarding this area. I could never enter, no matter the circumstances. A lump in my throat settled like a rock, prohibiting any sort of speech to leave my lips.

Neron was about six feet in front of me when he stopped, jerking his body around to stare at my frozen state. Realization flashed in his eyes and prompted him to walk up to me. All my bravado from earlier had vanished, replaced by unnecessary trepidation. My hands shook at my sides, the flexing of my fingers failing to quell the bubbling anxiety in my belly. Neron placed his hands on my shoulders, my tremors shaking his hands with

1. me.

“Kiya, it’s alright. You’re allowed to come here.

I know I was, but I still felt like I couldn’t. Shamefully, I shook my head, unable to find my voice. Jonathan’s disembodied voice recited the rule in my head like a broken record, growing in volume each time. The tremors in my arms had spread to the rest of my body, provoking the tears burning behind my eyes.

“I forbid a disgrace like you to enter this sacred space. If I catch you near this place, even if you’re a yard away, I’ll teach you a lesson that you’ll never forget!”

“Kiya, the rule Dad imposed on you doesn’t matter now.” Neron reassured, pressing his fingers into my shoulders. “On my honor, nothing will happen to you here. You’re safe.”

I’m safe. Two short words turned into a mantra to combat Jonathan’s dying voice in my ears. I closed my eyes and inhaled an unsteady breath, exhaling my anxieties out. After a couple of minutes, the feeling of approaching doom dissipated into dust and my physical sensations returned. Tears pricked my eyes, but I blinked them back.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

“Don’t apologize, Kiya. I understand.” Neron reassured. He glanced back at the area before turning to me. “Are you up for it?”

“I am.” I answered quickly, nodding my head. “I want to get this damn fear over with.” My lungs took in a shotty breath to feign my confidence, despite my anxiety lingering. “Let’s go.”

Chapter 15 – The Heart of Angela

Neron took my hand into his and led me to the area of Zircon Moon I’ve haven’t stepped in for thirteen years. Silence blanketed the air in unnatural stillness, the scent of dirt tickling my nose. I did my best to hold on le my confidence, but I squeezed Neron’s hand tight as we drew closer to where Diana settled on top of a slats of granite. Those same slabs surrounded me at all angles, some with multicolored flowers resting against them on the ground.

Zircon Moon’s graveyard.

And I stood in front of Nuria and Aunt Celeste’s graves for the first time.

I couldn’t stop the tears from pouring. I never got a chance to mourn over them, nor was I allowed to. I still remember overhearing their funeral from the kitchen window while scrubbing the floors. The sobbing, the pain, the brokenness–it wasn’t seen, but I felt it. I couldn’t cry because I knew I would get beaten If I did, so | cried in my cell that following evening.

I never got a chance to say goodbye.

My knees met dirt. Diana perched on top of Nuria’s headstone. But I couldn’t see her. All I could see was the names etched in the granite, symbolizing the resting beneath the grass. Whoever made their headstones took great care in carving their names and carving a heart and an angel next to their summames, Neron took a seat next to me as I took my time soaking in the fact that I’m here.

“I…” I choked out, sniffling. “… don’t know what to say here.”

say

right thing, but I don’t know what that is.” Should I apologize? Should I speak to them as normal? I was at a loss on what to do. I wish I had a warning before coming here or else I would’ve brought flowers

Nuria would love to hear anything you have to say.” He whispered. I could hear the smile in his voice, but his voice betrayed

H

don’t think about them. How would our lives turn out if they had lived? I miss Nuria’s laughter

seen their faces and I’m terrified that I’ve forgotten them. How would they react to me being Selene’s avatar? Would… would they still love and care for me as they did before? Goddess, this is too

tears with the back of my hand. The past is the past, but the impact still lingered. There would always be a hole in my heart that only they could

‘wish…

see them,

breeze burst into a harsh, howling wind that battered against my arms. The dirt and rass picked up all around Neron and I, rising and twirling into mini tornadoes several

The

the hell is

hope it isn’t more avatar

gusting current. While her body fought, her feathers delineated in glowing white, devouring the entirety of her body like the moon had swallowed her whole. Squawks and hoots rebounded against the tombstones across

of what was coming. What was

rapid spirals before nestling inside the

legs, and everything in between. What was once Diana

faded, and two people emerged

Time had stopped.

inside my body, creating an uncontrollable shock–wave of denial. This couldn’t be real. There was no

Celeste–shone a smile full of bursting warmth, stretched her arms out wide. “MOM!” He shot forward, running into his mother’s arms, melting into her hug. Aunt Celeste’s mellow giggles tickled my eardrums as she allowed her son

She muttered, running

Nuria, standing with her arms crossed, tapping her foot against the ground with a smirk on her face. She… she was Diana! Nuria was with me this

my hug, you know!” Nuria laughed, flipping her long black hair behind her. She hadn’t aged a day over

front of me. This was impossible! Nuria’s grave was

went to clutch my head as a fresh wave of tears spilled over, more powerful than the last set. I didn’t know what to do when Nuria’s hands cradled my own, bringing them down back to my sides. She then curled her hand under my chin, raising

She whispered, poking my nose. “I know this is a little crazy, but this is real. I’m real! We used to play tricks on each other, but I

95 – The Heart of

“I… I…”

deaths were never your fault. I’m sorry that you suffered because of Mom and I, but

That

that broke the camel’s back. The blow that destroyed the dam and flooded everything in its path. Loud, stifling sobs full of the indescribable emotion within me gushed out of my

Nuria doesn’t hate me!

me. Aunt Celeste and Neron joined as I released thirteen years‘ worth of guilt and self–hatred, relieving my soul

I could breathe again.

heart can finally

back. When the women told Neron and me the news, we were flabbergasted. But deep inside, I was beyond thrilled. Not only did it mean that I got part of my old family back, it meant Neron

was happy

a time for celebration if Aunt Celeste didn’t turn into a walking firestorm, shaming anyone and everyone who contributed to my abuse. While she was dignified in her responses–Nuria chewed everyone out with a barrage of colorful language. She spared

mean I won’t call you out!” was what Nuria had said. “You’re lucky that I can’t kick your ass!” I

with a smile. Well, I wouldn’t get in Nuria’s way, that’s for certain. Neron’s grin never left

truly is brightening

passed out from a heart attack. Anthony had to drag him to the couch in the common room for him to catch his breath. Mom must’ve caught on to the news because, courtesy of Phoebe’s teleportation powers, she was here within the hour. She sang her praises in Spanish as she hugged her long–time friend after so long, crying just as I did hours before. Mom spoke of her friendship with

Nuria” they liked to call her for

The Heart