“The angels aren’t prepared to fight forty demons. Are you sure they’re here already?” said Liam.
“That isn’t the bad part. These are shape-shifting demons that take the shape of humans to blend in. Fred said they were thrown out of Xundar for fighting Valcrum.”
Liam’s mouth flopped open. He opened his mouth again and shut it. “If that’s true they are the same demons that broke the thousand-year treaty in Xundar. I had hoped to be dead before anything like that ever happened.”
“What is the thousand-year treaty and what does that mean for us?” I wish I had paid more attention to our history and to the teaching of Valcrum but the multiple laws were endless. I still have the laws of Valcrum book deep in my closet. This sounds like a great time to pull it out.
“We cannot worry about that right now. We have to focus on the things we can change.”
“I found Trinity’s journal. I thought we could get her help since she wants to fight the demons and we do too, maybe we can team up.” I handed Liam Trinity’s journal. Things were bad. Leo now had the vampire virus and we still didn’t have a clue how to prevent or cure it. I’m hoping that the genetic code is the key to finding a cure. What if it isn’t?
“You can’t tell anyone that the demons are here. That would cause widespread panic.”
I nodded. Looking at my best friend I wanted to cry. “Have there been any developments in a cure for the vampire virus?”
“Maximus stopped tailing Derrick and started patrolling within ten miles of the school so that no angels were disappearing.”
“Why didn’t he put someone else over the patrol? The school is safe. No one would dare to come on school grounds and fight us.”
“Five new students are missing. We can’t train enough angels to battle the demons, and they are being killed before their training starts,” said Liam.
“Who were the five students?” Valcrum please spare Melody. What if she was still waiting for me in the enchanted gardens? She wouldn’t have waited for me that long. Would she?
“Zack, Steve, and three females.” Liam slammed his hands on his desk. He stood and paced in front of the window.
“We haven’t been attacked in over three hundred years, and now when all this crap is happening someone is attacking us. Who attacked us?” There haven’t been many times I’ve seen Liam lose his temper. To attack the angel academy on our turf was a bold move. How much bolder would they get?
“Leonardo said there were several guys with the girl that attacked him last night. This girl must have shown the demons where the school was. Now that the demons have these creatures fighting with them, they feel they have the advantage.”
“Are you sure the students aren’t sneaking off school grounds? The students often crave adventure and sometimes leave school grounds.”
“I held a meeting with all the students this morning. After the vicious attack on school grounds last night, I do not think anyone will leave the grounds willingly. Whoever leaves the school grounds will be on their own. I will not risk any more people.”
Maximus could find a needle in a haystack. We need him to find Claire Sands not patrolling and protecting the angels. We can all fight and watch each other’s back here. If they poison all the blood available to us the vampires will go extinct in a month’s time. “What are we doing to get everyone’s training up to speed?”
“We are teaching everyone hand-to-hand combat and sword fighting. It is not fair to make them rely on their powers when they have not had time to learn their powers.”
“I’m exhausted. It’s been a long night. I’m going to turn in.” I headed for the door. I’m more exhausted than I’ve ever been in a hundred years, but I really want to stop by Melody’s room and make sure she’s all right. My hand was on the doorknob when Liam touched my shoulder.
“There’s something else I need to tell you.”
A chill ran up my spine. He sounded as he did when he told me Letoya was dead. Something else was wrong. “What?”
“I know you have a crush on Melody Ackerman.” Liam was staring in my eyes. I could feel him probing my mind reading my thoughts. Just this once I wanted a moment for myself. I didn’t get my moment and I couldn’t prevent the senseless attack on my best friend. He lay in agonizing pain because I failed.
“I don’t have a crush on her. I love her. Stop reading my mind.” I walked to the door. Liam knows I hate when he reads my thoughts. It’s such an invasion of privacy.
“You just met her. You haven’t had time to fall in love with her. Thank Valcrum,” mumbled Liam. “Melody Ackerman is dead.” Liam hugged me.
“No, she texted me earlier. We had a date tonight. She isn’t dead and she would never leave school grounds.” I felt myself stiffen in his arms. My blood turned cold.
“She didn’t leave school grounds. Her body was found near the rose bushes.”
Tears of blood ran down my cheeks. “She would never go back there.”
“I’m sorry. Somehow during the attack most of the cameras were destroyed.”
Chapter Fifteen
Arianna
“Hello. Kyra.”
The phone line was dead. I clutched the phone like it was a lifeline. I breathed deep then hit redial. She didn’t answer. This was a new low even for Kyra. I couldn’t believe she didn’t care about my life. Twins are supposed to be some of the closest siblings in the world; at least that’s what scientists have always said. I guess they lied about that as well.
Jamming my phone into my pocket I sank to my knees. Kyra’s betrayal felt like a knife was embedded in my chest. Identical twins aren’t supposed to treat each other like that. She doesn’t care if I live or die, and death is imminent on the streets of Atlanta.
“Are you referring to Angel Academy of Eastwick,” asked Maximus.
“Yes. Do you always eavesdrop on people’s conversation?” Wiping my nose, I walk down the street toward the street sign. I have no intentions of dying tonight. If I can get home, I can figure out my next move.
“Sometimes. Your screaming into the phone made your conversation heard by anyone in a three-block radius,” said Maximus. He smiled.
Standing here freezing to death with captain handsome isn’t my idea of dying either. The only thing I know is this place isn’t safe and the vampires own this part of town. Let’s hope they aren’t on the streets tonight.
“You’re going the wrong way,” said Akio.
“How do you know? Do you know where I live?” I turned around with my hands on my hips. This was the worst night of my life. I didn’t need any more witnesses to the nervous breakdown I’m sure I’ll have in the next two minutes.
“Nope. I thought you wanted to go to that stuffy academy,” said Akio. She hunched her shoulders and turned and walked away.
“Come on, we’ll take you to your school. It’s obvious that Kyra, whoever she is, isn’t going to help you, so I will,” said Maximus. He held out his hand to me.
What do I have to lose? I’m sure venturing off in vampire territory is certain death and I’m lost without a weapon. Maximus is the lesser of the two evils here. If he isn’t well, I’ll deal with that when the time comes. If he isn’t a crazy killer and he does know where the academy is, I’m going to kill Kyra. I need to get to the academy and right now, he’s the only one that knows where the school’s located.
“Are you serious? You know where the Angel Academy of Eastwick is? Are you a teacher there?”
Dropping my fingers in the palm of his hand, I allowed him to lead me in the opposite direction than I had walked in.
“Did she fall on her head while she was out here,” asked Akio. She laughed as she waited for us to follow her.
“Let’s just say, the headmaster and I have an understanding,” said Maximus. He cut through the woods and my steps faltered.
Besides the sound of the crickets I couldn’t hear anything else. I couldn’t see a thing. Maximus’s dark skin blended into the night. I gripped his finge
rs harder. Akio wasn’t talking and I couldn’t see her at all, but she obviously wasn’t scared. Normally, I don’t like to admit fear or weakness, but this was the perfect spot for werewolves to eat us.
“I appreciate you saving me and taking me to the school. It has been a difficult day for me.”
“Is that why you have a death grip on my fingers?”
“I was wondering why we deviated from the street. This is the perfect place for werewolves to eat us and leave our dead bodies mutilated in these woods.”
Maximus stopped walking. His fingers grazed my chin. “I’ll make you a promise. There won’t be any werewolves eating and killing you tonight.”
“You two just kiss already. I’m throwing up in my mouth,” said Akio.
I felt my face heat. I was glad that it was dark and he couldn’t see me. Akio’s boldness would’ve been refreshing if it hadn’t been directed toward me. Maximus was hot. He wasn’t the type of guy that would go for me. Would he? Oddly enough, I liked Akio, and I didn’t want a guy to come in between us.
“Is he your boyfriend? I don’t mean to step on your toes.” I started swinging our joined hands to quell the butterflies in my stomach.
Akio made gagging noises. “Gross. He’s my brother. Gee thanks for giving me nightmares. I don’t know if I’ll ever sleep again. You can have him.”
“Ladies, I’m not a piece of meat.” He stopped walking and lifted my chin. “I told you my name now is a great time for you to tell me yours.”
“Arianna Deeds.”
“Arianna, you and I are going to get to know each other really well.” He bent his head and his lips brushed mine. His hand moved from my jawline into my hair. When he lifted his head, I was gasping for air.
I’m not an expert on kissing, but a guy sticking his tongue down your throat means you’re a good kisser. He didn’t stick his tongue in my mouth. Breathing deep I leaned trying to smell my breath. Everything smelled ok to me. Am I a terrible kisser? He probably kisses many girls but I’m not them.
“I don’t kiss guys who aren’t my boyfriend.” Jerking my hand free from his I walked off toward Akio’s laughter. I’d kick her too if I could see her.
“I have a feeling; I’m going to be the exception to a lot of your rules Arianna.” He jerked me back to him and wrapped his hand around mine.
One thing was for certain, Maximus isn’t an angel. If he isn’t an angel, then he’s off-limits to me. I ignored the sliver of disappointment that ran up my spine. Boys are the last thing I need to focus on.
An hour later we left the woods and walked toward a bright pink bookstore. It was the only building on this street. There were pink and yellow roses in the front, which made the building look quirky.
“Why are we heading to a bookstore?” I looked at Aiko who giggled as she leaned up against the door.
“Try to stay alive. Any girl that doesn’t fall at Maximus’s feet is a friend of mine,” said Akio.
“You have a smart mouth. It’s about time you’ve been put in your place. You deliberately escalated the confrontation with Dennis rather than appease him,” said Maximus.
“You know Dennis wasn’t going to give her up. I didn’t do anything you didn’t do.”
“You dropped your sword forcing him to fight you.”
“I can handle Dennis; besides you dropped your sword too. I can take Dennis.”
“That is not your decision to make. Are you the alpha?”
“Let’s talk about this later,” said Akio.
“There won’t be a later. Orion was right and I’ve been blinded. Your fate is up to him and he’ll decide what to do with you.”
“Maximus please. Orion doesn’t understand me, and I can’t tolerate him. If I ever meant anything to you at all, please don’t do this.”
“I won’t lose you like Isabella. I’ve made up my mind. You will speak no more on this.”
“I’d rather you sacrifice me to Dennis. I hate you!” Akio burst into tears and ran into the woods.
Maximus dismissed Akio.
He smiled and walked to the door. “This is it. Don’t worry about getting lost the moment you step through the door you’ll be surrounded by everyone.”
“Please don’t be upset with her. She was only trying to help.” I wrapped my arms around my middle section and shifted from one foot to the other. I expected him to come in and explain what happen but I guess that isn’t happening.
“You plead for her and you’ve just met her. You don’t know either of us well.”
I stepped closer to him. “I know that she means well, and you make it sound like Orion will hurt her.”
“Orion will hurt her, but she’ll be alive. Her recklessness must be tamed.”
“Is a wild horse less beautiful because it is wild?”
“Nope. Akio Hayashi isn’t a horse. This is real life and life has actions and consequences.”
“You make it sound like women are a man’s property. Akio did nothing wrong tonight and she saved my life. How can you reward her with punishment? Please don’t hand her over to Orion. Sometimes when a woman is broken inside it can’t be fixed. Don’t break Akio. No woman deserves that.
Maximus’s eyes turned a stormy gray. He didn’t look happy with me or Akio. Oh well, I feel he’s wrong. Why punish her like that. She said she would rather die than deal with Orion. A woman doesn’t feel that strongly for nothing.
I wrapped my hand around the doorknob. Maximus seemed heartless. He’s almost unfeeling and I can’t ignore that it pisses me off.
“You’re upset with me. What would you have me do?” asked Maximus.
I snorted. “If you must ask you weren’t listening. Besides, we both know you’re going to do what you want to do. Just go.” This isn’t how I pictured ending the night. I’ve been debating giving him my number for the last thirty minutes and now I can’t foresee ever speaking to him again. Aiko is out there in the woods and werewolves are probably going to eat her alive.
“I’m not the typical guy you’re used to. I’m different and I’m listening.” Maximus rubbed my hand. He opened his mouth to say something, but I placed my finger on his lips. His eye widened at my boldness.
“If I don’t see you around be safe. Aiko is out there alone right now. The least you could do is make sure she gets home safe before you send her to slaughter.”
“Arianna, you’ll see me again. I promise you,” said Maximus.
Crossing the threshold, I paused my steps. There are so many emotions going through me. I need a moment before anyone converges on me. Running my hands through my hair I walk forward. The corridor is dark and there is no one out here but me. Thus far I have not seen anything that makes this school look impressive or different.
At the end of the cobblestone walkway there is a door. After waiting a minute, I open the door and fall through. Falling in the darkness I hear nothing as my heart slams against my chest.
When I finally opened my eyes, I was in a forest. This forest looks like nothing that I have ever seen. The flowers are all different colors and have faces. They are talking or singing to be exact. I’m no longer standing anywhere near a door and a bookstore. Scrambling to my feet, I walk through the talking flowers. I feel like Dorothy in Oz and suddenly I want to go home.
“Excuse me. Where am I?” I leaned close to the red rose. She was talking the loudest among all the flowers. It smelled so sweet and I inhaled lightly enjoying the fragrance. The thorny roses were spread out and there were thousands of them. I hope the door wasn’t through there. The sun shined bright.
“Why you’re at the Angels Academy of Eastwick.” The ruby rose petals moved as it spoke.
“Is this the front door near here?” I pointed toward the right where there weren’t thousands of flowers and the road was paved with gold bricks.
“Baby, are you slow? You have already fallen through the door. The academy is a school without walls,” said the yellow rose.
What? How do you have a school without w
alls? I must be losing my mind. I’m asking the roses for directions. Walking past them; I headed right following the paved bricks until I saw him. My breath caught in my chest and my mouth dropped open. His tan skin glistened in the light and his jet-black curly hair was slicked to the back.
He sat down and turned toward the water fountain. The water dropped down the sides of the brick and evaporated into mist. Squatting, he picked up several squiggly looking trees. The light reflected off the trimming shears in his hands
He turned to me.
“You must be new here. My name is Cade Cohen.” He held out his hand to me.
“Arianna Deeds.” I shook his hand. When he turned around, I quickly fixed my hair. Sliding my hands in my pocket I sat down next to him listening to the waterfall.
The ticking of the water calmed me down. All night, I’ve been in reaction mode and I hadn’t had time to process everything that happened tonight. Closing my eyes, I prayed.
“I think I met your sister, Kyra.” He picked up a rock and tossed it into the side of the water.
“Yes, my identical twin.” I smiled. Kyra wasn’t expecting me. She wouldn’t escape my wrath. I hope she met with the headmaster and he sent her home.
“I can tell you two apart.” He smiled and opened the door.
“We’re identical twins most people can’t tell us apart.” I stepped through the threshold holding my breath. I exhaled when I didn’t fall through a black hole of nothingness. A strong eucalyptus aroma drifted to my nose and calmed me down. There were huge paintings of angels on the wall. Each painting showed a different era in history for the angels. I was in awe at all the warrior angels that hung on the wall.
The lights came on as I followed him down the hall. He strolled past a conference room where the hearth had a blazing fire.
“The fire is unattended?” The warm glow of the fire made the room feel cozy. The coffered ceiling and built-in bookshelves looked amazing. There were so many books I’d never leave this room if I had my way.
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