by Allie Burton
Not that she mattered. She couldn’t matter. He’d get the Knot and assign one of the other warriors to secure her safety. He was done with Cleopatra. All Cleopatras.
Shooting her a fake-encouraging smile, he swaggered toward the fence and spotted a hole in the chain link. The perfect way to sneak inside without arousing suspicions. Picking his way across the garbage laying on the ground, he went to the side of the building. He gave Cleopatra one last glance before hurrying around the back.
Instead of leaving the package by the back door, he bounded over the fifteen-foot concrete wall between this building and the next. He wasn’t about to leave the Knot of Uset in unknown hands. Using his warrior powers, he jumped again by the front entrance of the run-down hospital.
Ash waited for him with a disgruntled expression. “I don’t understand why you can’t abandon the chick here.”
The other warrior resembled him in appearance, with the dark hair and green eyes, yet his attitude was completely different.
“This isn’t a good neighborhood. I don’t want Cleopatra getting hurt.” Antony didn’t feel guilty for lying and stealing, but he wouldn’t abandon her.
“It’s not as if she cares what happens to you.” Ash’s angry tone was a constant. He was angry about this new life and missed someone from his past. While Antony enjoyed the revival of his soul. “You could’ve left with the package once she gave it to you. Not text me to meet you. I wouldn’t have to be involved.”
“Sorry to call you out of your lonely-hearts moping.” Antony knew Ash’s lost forever-love had changed him. Another good reason Antony had learned not to give his emotions to anyone. Especially anyone named Cleopatra. “Take the package back to the professor’s house, and I’ll be there as soon as Cleopatra’s safely home.”
He’d discuss with the Soul Warriors’ leaders about providing protection for Cleopatra for a few days.
“Doesn’t it bother you? Working for a woman named Cleopatra again?”
Antony ripped into the box, trying to ignore the deliberate taunt. “I’m not working for her. I’m working for our cause.” He opened the box and yanked out the object in the middle.
A gold metal crown with a cobra on top. Crude etchings and fake jewels finished off the Queen Cleopatra-inspired adornment. A stupid souvenir, and not even a good one.
Every muscle in his body screamed in protest. His heart pumped blood like it was anger pulsing through his veins. He tossed the crown onto the littered ground. “What’s this?”
The tin crown clinked on the asphalt.
“Where’s the magical Knot of Uset?” Ash’s face had actually gone ashen.
The pounding grew louder, moving to Antony’s head, as he realized he’d been scammed. Duped. Fooled. “Cleopatra tricked me.”
Chapter Five
Cleo
Knotting and unknotting the golden rope tied around my waist, I tapped my foot on the cracked concrete. Had I made a mistake in trusting Antony?
I peered past the chain-link fence, hoping to catch a glimpse. It shouldn’t take him long to go around the warehouse and come back. What if something happened to him?
The neighborhood was sketchy. The building resembled something out of a horror movie. A movie where the fashionably-clad heroine was shot, and blood ruined her designer coat. I didn’t want to be that girl.
Antony had said he could defend himself, and I believed him. With his security-guard build, his strong, capable hands and brave manner, plus his deep voice, he’d persuaded me to trust him.
Or maybe I just didn’t want to go behind the building. Wiggling my shoulders, I tried to shake loose the afraid sensation. Although standing on this sidewalk didn’t help. Or sitting.
The disgustingly dirty pavement had dried blood and other substances staining the surface. The sick and injured must’ve had to stumble to the nearby hospital for help. Which didn’t surprise me in this neighborhood.
Sirens whirled constantly. My glance swiveled between the hospital down the street and the building Antony had disappeared behind. The side street where I waited wasn’t busy. Lots of parked cars. Litter. Gross smells.
My stomach wobbled and I covered my nose. I paced back and forth, holding in the sickness. If I waited much longer, I might end up in the hospital from illness or injury. I might die there.
My phone vibrated and I pulled it from my coat pocket. “Hi, Demetri.”
“Where have you been, CC? I haven’t seen you since Saturday.” My designer friend sounded concerned.
Because of my interest in fashion design, I visited with him every couple of days. “Sorry. I’ve been busy.”
Busy worrying about my aunt, and now Antony. Pacing toward the chain-link fence, I peered at the side of the building. This place wasn’t big. How long could it take to drop off a box? He’d been such a gentleman, wanting to come with me, offering to hold the box several times. Because I’d been scared, I’d let him finish my task.
“School?” Demetri knew the deal I’d made with my parents.
“Not really.”
My worry pressed into something else. Doubt built upon doubt. Question upon question. What if Antony had stolen the crown? Taken the package and disappeared? Had his niceness been a ruse to steal?
An ambulance flew by, its sirens wailing. The speeding tires kicked up loose papers and dirt. My boots would need a buffing after this trip.
“What was that noise? Where are you?” Demetri’s tone rose with his questions. “Are you hurt?”
“No, no. I’m fine.”
I squashed my insecurities. Antony seemed like a loyal guy.
“I heard a siren. Are you at the hospital? Which one?” Demetri’s concern touched me. I had a friend, even if he wasn’t my age. He enjoyed my company, mentored me, and let me hang out in the world of fashion.
“I’m not at the hospital.” Not yet, anyhow. “I’m running an errand.”
“Where?”
“It’s not important.” I didn’t enjoy lying to him, but I didn’t want him to worry. “I’m with a friend.”
I think.
“Who is this friend? Have you told me about him before?” His questions got a little too personal.
I’d confided in Demetri about my past mistakes, my parents, and not fitting in at Exeter Academy. He encouraged me to be patient and to do my best at school.
“No.” I peered toward the building again. “I need to go. I’ll call or visit soon.”
Clicking off, I shoved the phone back in my pocket and paced back to the chain-link fence. I didn’t believe Antony had stolen the crown. He was my hero. The strong, silent type.
When his deep-timbre voice spoke, pleasant shivers slid down my spine. He hadn’t asked too many questions about my strange errand, as if knowing I couldn’t confide. He’d noticed me like no one else.
Not my parents. Or my friends at my old school. Or even the kids here.
The kids my age paid attention to me because of my money, my society connections, and the hijinks I played at my old school. My parents had a legal obligation to take care of me. My aunt was the only one who loved me.
I peered toward the building for the millionth time. Doubts piled in my midsection again. Worry wove between my ribs. Where was Antony? And what if I was wrong? I could’ve given the object to a thief and be unable to help my aunt.
A large, black shape jumped over the concrete wall between this building and the next. I jutted my chin out, trying to see. Must’ve been a large crow flying low. Lots of garbage to pick through in this neighborhood.
Another ambulance raced by on the street heading to the hospital. A car idling on the other side of the street puffed heavy gray smoke into the air. Maybe I should’ve gone with Antony. Whoever wanted the crown had expected me, and that way I guaranteed the package was delivered.
Pacing back to the curb, indecision sliced through me. Stay and wait, or go search for him, or head back to school? The third option was the smartest. Except Antony was cute and nice
and had gone out of his way to help.
A van screeched to a stop next to me. The door flew open. A man dressed in mismatching black jumped out.
My body stiffened, jolted and buzzed. Panic had my mind running, not my legs.
The man appeared similar to the guys from Saturday morning. The ones who’d evaporated the delivery guy.
I scanned the area. No one else was near. Not a hospital employee, a worker, or even a homeless person.
Not Antony.
My chest heaved. The worry weaving inside me pulled taut on my lungs, constricting oxygen flow. I couldn’t believe this was happening. I’d sent Antony to the building so nothing would happen to me, and standing on the sidewalk I was in danger.
“We’ve got the Egyptian package.” The man’s tone squeaked with glee. He grabbed my arm, and his fleshy fingers dug into my cashmere coat.
Finally, my muscles got the fight-or-flight message from my buzzing brain. My body jerked and I yanked my arm. I couldn’t get free. Twisting, I struggled. Terror razored through me, hacking my hope in two.
I stomped my spiked heel on his foot. “I don’t have the package! It’s been delivered!”
The man didn’t let go. He dragged me closer to the open van door.
“Antony!” I screamed, with a last hope he might hear.
The man was going to kidnap me, and since I didn’t have the crown they’d ask my parents for ransom. Would Mother even pay?
Maybe they’d be happy I was no longer their problem.
The pain in my chest increased. I was going to die, and my heart had to know, because the organ pounded and ached and squeezed. I had to fight for myself.
I struggled harder. Kicked and punched and tried to bite.
The man kept pushing me toward the open door of the van. Close enough to see inside.
The driver of the van whirled, holding a weird weapon I’d seen before. A weapon that had evaporated the delivery guy.
Panic and terror had my gaze reeling, and turning the scene into a kaleidoscope. Blurry images of the run-down building behind the chain link fence. A black figure, bigger than the crow I’d seen earlier, flying toward me, resembling an avenging dark angel.
The angel flew through the air, getting closer and closer. Larger and larger. The angel wore black jeans and a black sweater, like Antony. My vision must be darkening. I was blacking out. The only explanation. Or I was going crazy.
I squeezed my eyes tight for a second, trying to clear my vision. The man’s grip loosened. His fingers lost muscle control.
I opened my eyes to see the man slumped on the pavement. I was free, but for how long? I tossed a quick glance at the driver. His startled expression showed he didn’t understand what had happened, either.
Needing to take advantage of his confusion, I ran toward the hole in the chain-link fence. I had to get away, find Antony. Stumbling, I tripped and skinned my knee. The sharp pain stopped my forward momentum and I looked behind to see…
The kaleidoscope revolved again, making me dizzy. Making me see impossible things. I shook my head. My vision still must be messed up. I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them again. And gaped.
Antony stood on the street behind the van. There was no angel. His intense expression revealed the sharp lines and angles of his face. He resembled a warrior from ancient times.
My scare must’ve knocked the sense out of me. I fell to the concrete on my butt. My breathing came in shallow spurts.
Antony reached under the back bumper of the van and grasped the metal. He lifted—lifted—the vehicle off the ground.
My tortured lungs whooshed a breath. My eyes widened to the size of the back wheels now hanging in the air. I saw the road beneath, and the space between the ground and the tires.
The driver floored the gas and smoke puffed from the exhaust. The gray cloud covered Antony, and yet I could see…could see everything.
Antony was as strong as a… I didn’t know what. Super strong.
“Antony?” My voice scraped out of my throat.
His concentration on the van broke, and he glanced at me. His gaze swung from me to the vehicle and back to me. He released the bumper. The van’s tires hit the ground and bounced. The van shot away, leaving black stains on the road.
I scrutinized Antony. He stood stiffly by the curb, his gaze never leaving mine. He opened his mouth and snapped it shut. Peering around, he appeared to be deciding what to say, what to do.
Do to me. He was the avenging angel flying through the sky. He had super powers. He wanted something from me.
My muscles tensed. The fight-or-flight instinct sizzled from my mind to my nerve endings. An instinct I’d never experienced before the other day. My skin shivered with waves of heat followed by icy tremors.
Oh, my Chanel.
I scrambled backward, away from him. “Who are you? What are you?”
Chapter Six
Cleo
Antony held his hands up in a mean-no-harm gesture. “It’s me. Antony.”
Fearful confusion multiplied and stumbled through my brain. “But…but you flew in the air and picked up the car.”
Even as I spoke the words rang untrue. How could he do those things?
“Fly? No.” He approached me as if I were an injured animal, slowly and carefully. “I jumped out to surprise the man.”
He must be an awfully good jumper. It sure appeared that he was flying. He should try out for the track team.
“And adrenaline. You’ve heard those stories about normal people doing incredible things because of adrenaline.” He sounded so reasonable and sane.
While my bewilderment ramped up with every word. He was gone, and then he was there. Like the bell bottom trend. I’d seen the dark shape flying. Could it have been a jump? Lifting a car was impossible, though. And yet, I’d heard stories about adrenaline coursing through people. To save others.
To save me.
He took hold of my hands, pulling me to my feet. “Are you okay?”
I didn’t need to catalog body parts. I knew I was okay. Because of him. My tense muscles relaxed. My mixed-up emotions calmed. The spike of nerves sparked into attraction at the contact of our hands. Antony saved me. Saved my life.
I buried my head against his chest and heard the beating of his heart. It wasn’t fast or slow, just normal. And yet, what I’d seen hadn’t been normal. Had it?
Jumbled thoughts warred in my head. What had I seen Antony do, and what had I imagined? What did I feel toward him? The instant attraction, the companionship, the faith I’d placed in him. And then the doubts. But he’d come back. He hadn’t stolen the crown. He’d delivered the package. The danger for me and my aunt was over.
I tilted back to study his sharp emerald eyes. Tiny black flecks swam in the deep green. The edges of his pupils softened as he stared back, as if he was attracted to me, too. I moved my gaze past his aquiline nose to his mouth. An open mouth with strong lips and white teeth. The front tooth had a small chip, making him look adorable.
My own heart beat a little faster. My skin heated with the rush of blood through my veins. I wanted to taste him. His clean and crisp scent. I wanted to keep his arms around me, and to feel safe and protected and cherished.
Leaning toward him, zeroing in on his lips, I closed my eyelids, expecting his kiss.
His arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me in tighter. His broad and muscular pecs slid against mine.
My lips tingled. Anticipation slid across my skin.
Jerking back, his arms snaked from around my waist to holding my upper arms in a tight grip. “What the Tut?” He shook me.
Hurt cascaded through me, brushing my skin similar to leather fringe. My eyes flew open. Gone was the tender expression and concern. In its place was anger and annoyance and distrust.
Had I imagined the attraction? The sparks when we touched?
My attraction to Antony messed with rational thought. I couldn’t decide if I trusted him or not, yet I knew I wanted to. “Wh
-what do you mean, what the Tut?”
Really? That was my most important question?
“What happened?” His fingers dug into my upper arms, emphasizing his question.
“I don’t know what happened.” I twisted my arm and broke free from his grip, annoyed he could go from almost kissing to almost killing. Okay, not really killing, but definitely intimidating. “I was waiting for you, and the van pulled up…” I recognized the van.
“What?”
“Nothing.” Something.
Should I tell him I thought it was the same van with the two men from Saturday morning, and they’d evaporated the delivery guy? He’d never believe me. And even if he did, he couldn’t help. The police wouldn’t even help.
“What are you thinking?” Antony seemed as if he could read my mind. “Do you know anything about the van?”
I scowled. He might be able to read my mind, but I’d met him yesterday, which was the day after this trouble started. Misgivings swirled in my stomach. Sometimes stripes were really horizontal lines, making you appear fatter. “Did you drop off the package?”
“Yes.”
I might not trust Antony fully, but he was here for me now. He didn’t have the package on him, so he must’ve left it by the warehouse. From what I could tell there was no other way out.
He’d saved me. We’d almost kissed. I had to put a little faith in him. At least, enough faith to get me safely back to Henderson Hall.
I studied the man lying by the curb. His mismatched black still bothered me. Even more troublesome was his attempted kidnapping. The crown must have something to do with this attack and the one on the delivery man. “Maybe…maybe this man didn’t realize I no longer had the crown, and that’s what he was after.”
“The crown?” Antony let go of my arms. His eyebrows arched.
