by Megan Linski
Cass bites her lip and nods. “That’s probably true.”
“What happened to you?” I ask quietly. “After your mother died?”
Cass’ expression twists. “I was seven when Mom died. I went into the foster care system right after,” she says. “I had… pretty bad foster families. Isolde was my last, and the best. She’s working to formally adopt me now, even though I’m over the age of eighteen.”
“If you were that old why didn’t you remember me?” I ask. “Or I you?”
“That’s what I’m wondering. It doesn’t make sense. Even if you were a baby when we were separated I still would’ve been at least two.”
She chews her lip again. “But that’s not really old enough to remember.”
“The boys have gotta be wrong,” I insist. “We can’t deny we share blood, but sisters? It’s impossible.”
“If we are sisters there’s only one way to find out, right?” Cassia asks. “We have to talk to your dad.”
I cease up. Cass notices. She reaches out like she wants to put her hand on mine before she withdraws. “I’m sorry. I can’t ask you to do that. It would mess everything up, wouldn’t it?”
“No. I’m tired of being lied to,” I say. “You’re right. We have to ask my dad. It’s the only way to make sure. He’s been keeping something hidden from me, that much is obvious. It’s time to find out what.”
Cassia’s practically gnawing on her lip now. It’s distracting. “Yeah, but how do we get him to agree to it? Let’s assume we are sisters. Mom died, and he never came back for me. He knew about the fire, I’m guessing. He left strangers to take care of me. If that’s the case he probably didn’t want me in the first place. He probably doesn’t want to see me still.”
Cass’ voice wavers. I want to say something to her and comfort her in some way… I grasp her arm lightly.
“Maybe Dad thought being in a foster home was safer than being with him where demons constantly were,” I suggest. “He didn’t know you were a Nephilim. You hadn’t Awakened yet.”
“I guess.” Cassia’s shoulders slump. “But he’d be dead wrong about it being safer.”
What exactly happened to this girl?
“I… I can talk to him,” I say, realizing. “Say that I have to see him, and then bring you guys along. I’ll corner him so he has to admit the truth.”
Cass nods. “All right. Sounds good.”
Her smile returns, though it’s only slight. “So… you and Thames.”
“What about him?” I tilt my head.
“I seriously thought you guys were together.” She throws out a leg from under her and wiggles it. “He hasn’t made a move yet?”
“He’s been really flirty, but he hasn’t kissed me or anything,” I say. “We’ve been on dates, but he hasn’t asked me out officially. He’s been… really protective. He’s saved me from a couple of bad situations. We’ll get really close, but then he’ll run off for a few days and not come back until I need him. He’s kinda broody.”
“That’s Thames.” She rolls her eyes. “I keep hoping he’ll grow out of it, but he never will.”
“I don’t even know if I have a chance with him,” I say quietly. “He won’t tell me how he feels even though it’s obvious. I’m scared I’m going to lose him. Like he’ll just… vanish into thin air.”
Cassia’s expression changes. She sits on her knees and takes my hands in hers. “Look. I know I just met you, and that we’re practically strangers.” She squeezes my hands. “But you seem really nice. And I think you’d be good for Thames. You two seem perfect for each other.”
“Why didn’t you pick Thames?” The embarrassing question pops out of my mouth before I can stop it. I wish I could take it back, but I can’t.
“Because I wasn’t what he needed,” she insists. “Thames needs freedom. He needs excitement, and a challenge, and someone to let him out of his cage.”
Cass is squeezing my hands so tightly, it kind of hurts. “I couldn’t do that. I need stability, and safety after what I went through in the foster care system. Cairo gives that to me.”
She grimaces. “Thames might’ve been able to give that to me, too, but it would’ve been taxing on him. He doesn’t need control or someone to keep him constrained with rules and trigger warnings. I need too much care. Cairo’s the type of guy that naturally gives that to people. Thames… well, you already know he can’t be tied down.”
She gives a light laugh. “He needs a girl that’s just as wild as he is. One that’s tired of being locked up.”
My heart clenches, and her eyes get watery. She pushes past a lump in her throat and squeezes out, “I used to love Thames, but I don’t anymore. It took a long time to let go of that love, but I had to, because I chose Cairo. Or rather, my heart chose him for me.”
She closes her eyes. “But Thames makes it difficult. He dropped out of school because of me. He puts himself in danger by coming back to Michigan when he’s banned from being here. He’s not trying to break me and Cairo up, because he loves us both too much, but the feelings are still there. It’s awkward. I don’t know what to do about it. After all this time… I think you might finally be the answer.”
She lets go of my hand and brushes the hair out of her eyes. “Do you love Thames?”
“Yes,” I respond, immediately and breathlessly. “More than anything.”
“Good. Don’t let him go, then. He’s going to fight you on it.” She laughs again. “He’s scared. But don’t allow his stubborn ass to get away. He can still love again. He doesn’t believe he can, but he will.”
“I… I’ll try.” As if a great weight has been lifted off of me, I smile. I misjudged Cass. She’s actually pretty cool.
We stand up. She folds the blanket and returns it to the locker. “Do you think we should let the guys out of jail now?” She giggles.
“I don’t know.” I check my phone; it’s got ten messages from Thames. Good to know he’s suffering. “I say we let them stew a little longer.”
Cassia laughs as I follow her outside the hangar. She goes to spread her wings, but I throw out an arm to stop her.
“Wait,” I tell her. “Do you smell that?”
Cass sniffs the air. It hits her. “Sulfur,” she realizes. “And fire.”
“Yep. Looks like a demon is here to rain on our little family reunion.” I put my hands on my hips. “You wanna maybe… find this guy and take him down together?”
She grins. “Sure. Let’s kick some demon ass.”
Cassia and I bring our weapons and our wings out. We walk around the airport and search for our target. I notice that Cass carries a spear instead of a sword… another difference that sets her apart from other Nephilim.
After we’ve circled the airport three times and found nothing, both of us are confused. The cat that was in one of the hangars when we got here is still about, but nothing else.
“This is weird,” I say, and I drop my sword to my side. “I know it’s here. I can smell it.”
“Let’s just go. There’s nothing here but this cat.” Cassia points to it with her spear.
I narrow my eyes at the cat, thinking. “Wait…”
Fur explodes everywhere. The cat morphs, growing so that it’s three times the size of Cassia and I. The creature changes, developing a hunched back, a crooked spine and short little legs. The face becomes lumpy and mutated, spines protruding out of its cheeks and behind small ears.
The demon opens its mouth. Ten rows of sharp teeth are displayed. There’s a cavernous pit at the back of its throat that grows red with fire.
“It’s a Bajang! Run!” I shout. Cassia and I turn and flee, and the creature belches out a jet of flame. The flames catch at my ankles as we escape out the hangar, singing my fur boots. The beast follows, smashing a hole in the side of the hangar as it continues its pursuit.
Bajangs aren’t terribly difficult to beat, but they are large, and that makes them more dangerous than your average familiar. The Bajang relea
ses another jet of flame and I have to jump in the air to avoid it. Cassia rolls to the side, tucking her wings under her.
“We need to get it on the runway!” Cassia says, jumping onto her feet. “We’ll have more room to fight there!”
I nod. “Got it!”
We spread our wings and take to the air. The Bajang rises up on its hind legs to bat at us. I swoop around the monster’s arm and jab my sword into the bottom of its clawed paw. The Bajang howls, but continues the pursuit, limping after us as Cassia speeds down the runaway.
When Cassia has enough space, she turns around. She points her spear directly at the Bajang. Then she charges, aiming for the demon’s heart, but as she gets close the Bajang knocks her out of the sky with its bloody paw. She goes carrening through the air and slams onto the ground.
“Cass! You okay?” I ask her.
She stumbles while getting up, but shakes her head. “I’m okay. Watch out!”
I look upward and see that a giant paw is coming directly toward me. I do a loop and fly backward to get out of the way, only to end up in the middle of the demon’s mouth. Cassia screams, but I give my wings a final pump and am able to get out of the way before the Bajang’s massive jaws clamp down completely.
The air flow whooshing out from the monster’s jaws makes it hard for me to keep my balance. I waver and fall out of the sky, right next to Cassia.
The Bajang lets out a roar. I cover my ears. The sound trembles the ground. The demon, slobbering and bleeding, advances toward us at a ferocious speed.
“It’s too strong! We have to beat it together!” Cassia says.
“I’ll distract it!” I say. “You get it from behind.”
Cassia grips her spear and takes to the sky again. I grab my sword and forgo flying, racing instead to the monster’s feet.
“Hey! You!” I start pricking the Bajang’s toes with my sword to irritate it. “Don’t like that, do you?”
The Bajang growls. He picks up his feet and stomps them over and over again in an attempt to trample me. I dodge everytime, though I can’t keep this up… where is Cassia?
The monster gives a shrieking yell, rearing backwards. I give a smile of satisfaction; Cassia’s spear is sticking out its back, the front end poking through the chest, where its heart is.
“Yes!” Cassia clenches her fist, hovering behind the Bajang. The demon turns to ash… black particles float away on the breeze and into the nearby forest as Cassia lands.
She picks up her spear from the collection of ashes on the ground and shakes it off. Her wings disappear. I let go of my weapon and my wings fade as well.
“A total win for us! Good job, Cass!” I give her a high-five.
“Thanks, but it was a lucky throw,” she admits, shrugging. “I’m still learning about this Nephilim thing.”
“It wasn’t luck. You’re good at this,” I tell her. I kick at the pile of ashes. “You would have no idea how many people with cats are actually keeping this thing in their house.”
Cass slips her hands inside her sweater sleeves. “I guess we make a pretty good team, don’t we?”
I’m still breathing pretty hard. “Yeah. We do. It was pretty natural, fighting with you. I didn’t even have to think about it.”
Cassia opens her mouth to say something more, but just then, her phone rings. It cuts off a sweet moment I was hoping to have with her.
Weird, that I feel a connection with her. We aren’t even sure if we’re related yet.
She picks her phone and says, “Hey. Yeah, we’re ready to come back.”
She pops out her hip and says, “Can you guys get some food? I’m pretty hungry, seeing as how we skipped lunch.”
“Yeah! I’m starving!” I take the phone and shout into it for her. “Food sounds great!”
I can hear Thames laughing in the background. It makes me smile.
“What do you want? Pizza?” Cassia asks me.
“Yeah, pizza sounds good—”
“Everything on it,” she finishes for me. My smile widens. She just read my mind. “The usual, Cairo. We’ll meet you at the cabin.”
She hangs up. “You have a usual?” I ask.
“I only eat pizza one way, with every topping imaginable,” she tells me. “Any other way is gross. Even cheese and pepperoni.”
“Hey, me too. Looks like we have more in common than I thought.”
Cassia gives me a genuine smile. “I guess so.”
We fly back, instead of teleporting. I notice she didn’t suggest it. “You don’t like teleporting, either?” I ask.
“I hate it.” She scowls. “I’m so bad at it. I’ll think of one place and end up in another. The last time I tried to get to California, I ended up in Bermuda. I’d rather just fly.”
“Me too. I can do it, but it’s uncomfortable.” I do a loop-de-loop before settling by her side again. “Flying is my thing.”
“I’m in love with flying.” Cassia sighs happily. “Doesn’t matter whether I’m in a plane or using my wings. I just want to be up in the air.”
She does a quick dive before twirling around at my side. “It’s my only way of being free.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.
“I’ve got demons haunting me that you can’t see and that I can’t kill,” she says, very quietly.
She quickly changes the subject and says, “What about you? What do you want to be, besides a badass demon huntress?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” I mumble. “I haven’t really thought about it.”
“You’ll get there,” Cassia promises. “Give yourself time.”
The cabin comes into view. Cassia and I land, then head inside. The boys are already waiting, three boxes of pizza waiting on the coffee table in front of the couch. It smells incredible.
“Finally,” both of us say at once. We look at each other and smile nervously.
“Looks like you two are getting along,” Cairo suggests. Thames says nothing; he’s waiting.
“Yeah. Cassia’s not so bad,” I say, giving her a friendly shove.
“You’re pretty okay yourself.” Cassia heads to the kitchen, and I follow. Both of us start rummaging through the cupboards for something. It makes me chuckle that both of us treat Thames’ place like it’s our own.
I figure she’s just looking for parmesan or whatever, but when I come back with a jar of jelly in my hand, I’m kinda stunned to see that she’s putting peanut butter on her supreme pizza.
She stops what she’s doing and looks down at the jar in my hands. “You put jelly on your pizza?” she asks, incredulous.
“Yep. Grape jelly,” I say. “It’s the only way I’ll eat it.”
“I use peanut butter…” Cassia trails off, and I sit next to her. “I wonder if…”
Cassia takes the jelly from me, and smears it on top of the peanut butter. She then takes another piece of pizza and puts the two sides together, like a sandwich, before taking a bite. Her eyes roll back in her head and she makes a noise. “Oh my gosh. Lena, you have got to try this.”
“Are you kidding me?” Thames asks as I copy Cass. I put peanut butter on one slice and jelly on the other before smushing them together. I chomp into it and find that a delicious array of sweet and savory explodes across my tongue.
“You were right. This is perfect,” I say, stuffing half the pizza in my mouth.
“That’s disgusting,” Cairo says, wrinkling his nose but looking vaguely amused.
“I think I’m gonna puke,” Thames says, pretending to gag. “You guys are nasty.”
“It’s good!” I insist before starting on my next pizza/PB&J concoction. I ate the last one in seconds.
“Looks like we’re the perfect pair,” Cassia says with a giggle. “I’m peanut butter, and Lena’s jelly.”
“We go together,” I agree, nodding.
Cairo and Thames each take a whole pizza for themselves. They try not to watch us eat
“Why can’t you guys just have a regular peanut bu
tter and jelly sandwich?” Thames complains as a glob of jelly slicks out of my pizza and onto the box.
“It’s not the same,” Cassia argues, shaking her head.
“Yeah. Totally different,” I agree.
“If you guys aren’t sisters, I’m not a Nephilim,” Cairo says. He throws his empty pizza box across the room. His pizza was boring, just cheese and pepperoni. Talk about a square.
Unlike his brother. “You’re one to talk, Thames,” I say, pointing at his pizza. “Cheese and anchovies? Gross.”
“I like what I like,” Thames argues. “Anchovies come on a pizza. Not peanut butter and jelly.”
“Hey, Cairo,” Cassia says, cutting off me and Thames’ argument. “I wanted to tell you, Lena and I slayed a demon at the airport.”
“What?” both boys ask at the same time.
“Why didn’t you call us?” Thames growls, mostly in my direction. “We could’ve helped.”
“Relax. We had it handled,” I say, stretching my feet out on the coffee table. Thames glares at me, and I wink at him. “It was just a Bajang.”
“Another created familiar.” Cairo glances at Cassia. She gives him a weird look in return.
“You guys been having trouble with them, too?” I ask.
Cairo shifts, like he’s unwilling to talk about it. He seems like the secretive type.
But Cassia doesn’t dodge. She confronts. “The Nephilim council has been calling us out more and more lately,” Cassia confesses. “We’ve had to eliminate a lot of demons in the past few months. Not real ones, just familiars.”
“No hellhounds either,” Cairo notes. “Someone is making these things and setting them loose, but he’s not letting his dogs out to watch them. He’s staying hidden.”
“Why, though?” I ask. “Created demons are a tool. They exist to lure humans in and make their souls easier for a real demon to catch. Why make a bunch and then let them loose without keeping tabs on them?”
“That’s what we’re concerned about,” Cairo says seriously. “Demons are surfacing more and more lately. Ever since September there have been record numbers.” Cairo puts a hand on his chin.
Cairo and Cassia’s phones both ring at the same time. They glance at each other and wince.
