Angels & Demons: The Series

by Megan Linski

  “Lena, I want to believe Thames’ soul will be safe with all my heart,” Cairo starts. “But no matter how we feel about it, we don’t really know the rules. And I’m not willing to take the risk when we’re not sure.”

  “Then let it be me,” Lena insists. “I know Roman better than anyone. He’s my dad. I’ll sacrifice myself to stop him.”

  “Like hell you will.” Thames clenches his teeth.

  Cairo and I lock eyes. We don’t need to vocalize what’s on both of our minds. Neither one of us wants to let the other go for a chance to bring down the Perfect Order.

  “It’s clear we’re at a stand-still,” Cairo says. “We’d all volunteer ourselves to be sacrificed, but none of us will let each other do it.”

  “We can’t just do nothing!” Thames shouts, and he throws his arms skyward.

  Cairo taps his fingers against the counter. “We’ll just… we’ll go back to the drawing board. We’ll figure out a way to stop Roman and the Perfect Order without taking him out.”

  “Can we do that?” Lena whispers. “He won’t stop until his goal is achieved.”

  “The only other option is for one of us to kill ourselves along with Roman, and I’m not going to let that happen. Neither is Thames, neither is Cassia, neither are you,” Cairo says firmly to Lena. “What else can we do?”

  Lena bites her lip, and looks down. “I don’t know.”

  “Roman doesn’t have to be killed for his empire to fall,” Cairo says. “We’ll come up with another game plan.”

  I say nothing. There’s a pattering sound on the roof… the sound of rain. I look out the window and stare at the droplets forming on the glass, immersed within my own thoughts.

  They’re secret. And I don’t tell any of them what they are— not even Cairo.

  I’m still watching the rain fall out my window an hour later. I’m curled up on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa, nested under the blanket.

  Thames and Cairo aren’t here. They went for a flight. I can’t imagine what they left to talk about in private, or what they’re doing. Arguing, I suppose.

  The door opens. Lena and Lavonne come running in, both of them soaking wet.

  “Ooh!” Lena says, and she bounces up and down. “It’s quite a storm out there!”

  “I’ll say.” Lavonne shakes off her umbrella. “I only hope that the rain stops before the ball tomorrow night.”

  We told Lavonne about what the page said, and she agrees we made the right decision. The Immortal Legion is on standby. They’re prepared to move at any moment, however, there’s no place for them to go right now. An attack on the Perfect Order will fail until we have a sure strategy to take Roman down.

  “A ball?” Lena asks, curious. I’m barely listening.

  “The Night of Stars,” Lavonne clears up. “It’s the Immortal Legion’s biggest party of the year, to celebrate winter ending and spring beginning. It’s held in the square. There’s music, and dancing, and everyone dresses up. It’s like prom, but way better.”

  “I never got to go to prom,” Lena says mournfully. “I wish I could’ve.”

  “Thames never went to prom either,” I pipe up, forcing myself out of my reverie. “You guys should go. Make up for what you lost.”

  Lena brightens. “Really?”

  “Sure. We can go dress shopping in the morning,” Lavonne suggests. “It’d be a good way to distract you guys from all the heavy stuff you’ve been going through lately.”

  “I’ll only go if Cass comes,” Lena says. “I want my sister there with me.”

  The sentiment is so sweet and kind. My decision is only solidified in my head— better me than Lena.

  I smile. “Okay, Lena. Cairo and I will be there.”

  Lena makes a happy, squealing noise. “This is so exciting! I seriously can’t wait, Lavonne. We have to do my hair, and makeup, and everything.”

  “The whole she-bang,” Lavonne agrees. The two of them launch into a detailed conversation about parties, decorations, and what the night will be like.

  I tune them out. The Night of Stars sounds wonderful. A perfect way to end what would have otherwise been a perfect existence.

  One last night together. Before the end.

  “You look beautiful, Lena,” Lavonne tells me as she puts the finishing touches on my hair. “Thames is gonna flip when he sees you.”

  I smile. I don’t usually wear my hair down, but tonight is time for a change. Lavonne gave me a blowout, then did my makeup. My mascara is winged out at the corners, and my lips are pink.

  My dress is lavender, with a black floral corset. It billows out into a large ballgown that covers my feet. I decided to go shoeless, and painted my nails a light purple to match my dress.

  Lavonne’s dress is white with polka dots. It’s a mermaid-style that hugs every curve of her body. Her hair is piled up on top of her head in an elaborate bun that must’ve taken her hours to fashion.

  Cass comes in from the other room. Her hair is curled, and she’s wearing a gorgeous A-line with a tulle bodice that’s dark green in color.

  “You look great,” I tell her. “The green really brings out the brown in your eyes.”

  She gives a tiny smile. “Thanks, but it can’t match up to my senior prom dress.”

  “Cass’ dress was a navy ball gown with off-the-shoulder sleeves. It was very pretty,” Lavonne tells me.

  “This is your day. I’m not here to take away the spotlight.” Cass tells me. She walks over to the wardrobe. She pulls a tiny black box out of her purse. She opens it. I’m stunned to see a pair of angel wing dangle earrings inside.

  “I got these for you,” she says.

  “You didn’t have to do that,” I say as she fastens the earrings in my ears.

  “I wanted to. It’s a special gift.”

  She reaches back into her purse and hands Lavonne another black box. “I got this for you too, Lavonne.”

  “Cass, thank you!” Lavonne says as she opens it. It’s a golden bangle with the words Best Friend written in cursive upon it. I wonder how much money Cass blew to buy us these gifts.

  “You didn’t get anything for yourself?” I ask curiously as Lavonne slips the bangle on.

  Cass shakes her head. “I don’t need anything.

  Isolde peeks her head in. She’s wearing a pretty peach gown with a fake-fur cover up. Her face lights up. “Oh, you girls look gorgeous.” She slips in and brushes Cass’ hair back over her shoulder.

  Clara shuffles in behind her, using a cane. She’s been released from the hospital, but they think it’s going to take awhile for her to be able to walk again completely unaided.

  She’s still pretty pale, but she smiles when she sees me. “That dress is perfect for you, Faline. It’s a wonderful choice.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Cross,” I tell her politely. I’m not particularly close with Clara, but she approves of me, and that’s good enough for me.

  We head downstairs, where the boys are waiting. I notice Cairo first. He’s all buttoned up and looking stiffy in his tux, waiting for Cassia.

  Then I see Thames. Unlike Cairo, he’s not wearing a tie, and his suit isn’t buttoned. His jacket is open, and the top few buttons on his white dress shirt are left undone, exposing the top part of his pecs and a small flash of chest hair. His hair is messy, and he’s got designer tennis shoes on, instead of loafers.

  It looks like he literally threw himself together for this, and I love it.

  It’s kind of like in the movies, the way Thames looks at me. He freezes. His eyes as he follow me down the staircase, and his tongue licks slowly across his lips.

  When I reach the bottom stair, he snaps out of it. He smiles, and reaches a hand out to me. “You ready, doll?”

  I giggle. My stomach churns nervously. “Of course. I can’t wait.”

  Cass takes Cairo’s arm. Athias is also there, his hair slicked back and looking all the part of a stoic businessman as he offers one arm to Isolde, and the other to Clara. Both wome
n take it. The old man seems to glow.

  “I feel left out,” Lavonne says as we exit the cottage. “Everyone has a date but me.”

  “Don’t worry, Lavonne. We’ll find some dude there for you to hook up with,” I say, laughing.

  There’s a full moon over the village. It provides light on the pathway to the square, where folk music and conversation can be heard. I gasp in delight as we draw close. The Legion has outdone themselves.

  The square is lit up with dozens of strands of white lights that hang from the buildings and over the area like a giant net. Streamers of all colors float through the wind. Paper lanterns create a circle for the dance floor. People are wearing both traditional and formal garb. They dance with each other, casting long shadows as firecrackers go off in the distance.

  “It’s great, isn’t it?” Lavonne grins.

  “Better than great.” I look at Thames. “Thank you so much for taking me.”

  “You don’t have to thank me. I’d do anything for my girl,” he says, and he kisses me on the cheek.

  He grabs my hand and walks me to the center of the square. “May I have this dance?”

  “Yes,” I breathe back, enchanted. “Always.”

  “You guys have fun…” Lavonne says absentmindedly, eyeing a Romani boy who is leaning against the punch table. “I’ll be around.”

  Cass and Cairo don’t join us, I notice. Cass slips off in a different direction. Cairo follows, appearing confused.

  Cass has been acting weird lately. Kind of spacey. I don’t know what’s up with her.

  “You look very pretty tonight,” Thames tells me. He twirls me around, and all thoughts of my sister are forgotten.

  “And you look very handsome.” Thames spins me around again and I find I’m getting dizzy, though not from the dancing. “You’re talented. I didn’t know you could dance.”

  “This body can do a lot of things, doll. Stuff you can’t even imagine.” He winks at me, and my insides shudder with pleasure.

  Thames and I dance to every song, until both of us are tired and we need a drink. Thames hands me my punch, and I swirl it around in the glass.

  Cairo and Cass are finally on the dance floor. They’re holding tightly onto one another as they sway to a slow song, Cass’ head on Cairo’s shoulder, like he’s all she needs in the world.

  “Those two are something else,” Thames says, pointing this glass at the couple. “Though if I were them I wouldn’t be at a dance right now.”

  Cass told me what she and Cairo had to do in order to get out of Purgatory, and I’m guessing Cairo told Thames.

  “I’m happy for them,” I announce. “It’s a good thing.”

  “It is,” Thames agrees. “They got past it together.”

  Lavonne has successfully gone from chatting with the Romani guy to making out with him furiously in a corner.

  “I think we’re the only virgins at this party.” I laugh.

  “At the moment,” Thames says, and he sets his glass down. He takes my glass away and grabs my hands. “I don’t plan for it to be that way for long.”

  If my heart was thudding any harder it’d rip right out of my chest. “Oh, really, Mister Deacon? What exactly do you plan to do with me? Fast and fiery, like your style?”

  “Naw, girl. We’re gonna take it nice and slow. I want you to beg for it.”

  I blush. Hard. Thames chuckles and runs his knuckles over my collarbone. “You’re turning red.”

  “I’m gonna dance with Cass,” I stutter out, and I quickly patter away. Thames’ low laugh follows me back to the dance floor as the song changes.

  I slam into Cass and Cairo, and break them apart. Cairo stumbles backward. “Hey, what happened to you?” he asks.

  “I want to dance with my sis,” I manage to grind out. I grasp Cassia’s wrist and haul her away from her boyfriend, to the other side of the dance floor.

  Cairo shrugs, and saunters over to his brother. Cassia starts to bounce with the music. “So, what’s up?” she asks. “That was kinda weird.”

  “Thames and his dirty mouth,” I mutter. “That’s what. He’s pretty much insinuating we should bang tonight.”

  “Do you think you’re ready?” Cassia sashays to the side.

  “I… I don’t know?” I say, thinking. “Should I?”

  “Don’t do it unless you know for sure,” Cass adds. “Thames will wait.”

  “What was the first time with Cairo like?” I ask. I pick up the tempo; I love this song.

  Something strange happens to Cassia. Her facial expression changes… a veil crosses over it, something peaceful and calm and lovely. Then, as if a giant eraser comes by to ruin it all, her eyes sadden. Like… an eternal sadness has come over it, something that can’t be taken away.

  It’s devastating. And devastatingly beautiful. I’ve never seen my sister look like that.

  “It was blissful,” she whispers. “I didn’t want it to end.”

  She reaches out and fiddles with my hair. I didn’t realize it was a little messy. She fixes it so it lays flat, then takes my hands.

  “You’ll be okay, Lena.” She leans over and gives me a kiss on my cheek. It’s slow and kind… something that my mother might do. “Just take care of Thames. And yourself. You guys are perfect for each other. Okay?”

  “Okay,” I say, kind of bothered.

  “I have to go. See you around,” she says quickly, no explanation.

  She lets go of my hands and takes off. The song changes once again, this time into something pretty and lonesome. She veers to the edge of the party and disappears into the dark.

  Cairo notices. He leaves Thames’ side and goes to follow.

  I chew the inside of my cheek, perplexed. What a weird thing for her to say.

  “What was that all about?” I jump six feet into the air when Thames comes up behind me. His eyes are search for where Cassia went.

  “I don’t know,” I say. “Maybe something happened between her and Cairo.”

  Thames’ concerned expression doesn’t change. “Maybe.”

  Thames takes me into his arms once more. I feel like flying as he sways me back and forth. “So, did you get what you wanted? Are you happy?”

  “Yes, Thames,” I reply. “Tonight’s been perfect. What about you?”

  He takes his thumb and brushes my lips with it slowly. I quiver. “Almost perfect. Except for one thing.”

  Thames and I finish out the slow dance, and spend the rest of the ball tangled in each other’s arms and rocking slowly, no matter what type of song comes on. He’s warm, and soft, and sweet. Best of all, he’s mine.

  This is the best night ever. I’m so happy.

  Nothing can ruin this night. Nothing.

  A soft brook trickles at my feet. It makes a lovely sound as it mixes with the far-off music that plays in the background. The stone bench that I’m sitting on is underneath a lattice valance, interwoven with white roses.

  It’s so beautiful. And peaceful here. Romantic.

  “Cassia?” Cairo rounds the corner. “Are you okay?”

  I hate this part. I’ve said my goodbyes to everyone… Lena, Thames, Lavonne, Isolde.

  But Cairo is the worst, so I saved him for last. “Sure. Come sit down.” I pat the seat beside me.

  I count Cairo’s strides as he ambles to my side. He sits down quietly, with grace. “What’s going on?”

  God, he’s so breathtaking. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do— ever will do. This will be more difficult than facing Roman, than killing him, even harder than giving myself up. “I— I need to tell you something.”

  Cairo straightens. He notices the tone, the look in my eyes. He foresees what’s coming.

  “No,” he says. “No.”

  I keep my mouth straight. If I want Cairo to survive, I need to break his heart. He’s going to be wrecked. Destroyed.

  But destroyed is better than dead. If he thinks I need time to be alone, he won’t figure out where I’m going and c
ome after me.

  He needs a reason to be away. And the only way Cairo will ever leave me alone is if he thinks I don’t want him anymore.

  Thames and Lena won’t figure it out. They’re too wrapped up in each other to notice my absence. By the time the rest of them realize I’m missing, it’ll be too late.

  I take a deep breath. “I’ve been thinking, Cairo. I… I think it’s best if we end our relationship.” It feels like a jagged knife is carving up my throat. “We need to break up.”

  “Why?” His entire body is shaking. “Don’t you love me anymore?”

  I long to hug him, to kiss him and take it back, but the thought of him lying in a coffin, buried six feet under, holds me back. “Love doesn’t have anything to do with it,” I say, because there’s no way I could ever say I don’t love him, even if it’s for this. “I just need some space. A lot has happened lately. I need some time to figure it out. By myself.”

  “Don’t go. We can figure it out together,” he says. He reaches out a hand to grasp mine, but I pull it away.

  It’s like I took a shotgun and blew a hole in his chest. His lip trembles. I struggle not to cry myself.

  “Cairo, this isn’t your fault. I just don’t have— I can’t handle a boyfriend right now,” I say, thinking up wild excuses. “I need to work on myself before I focus on a relationship.”

  “This doesn’t make any sense!” he says, frustrated. “Did I make a mistake? Did I go too far? Please, tell me what I did wrong so I can change!”

  “You didn’t do anything wrong,” I reply. So many clichés, but they’re still true. “This is about me.”

  “I knew I shouldn’t have pushed you.” He puts his head in his hand and bows over his knees. “We went too far.”

  I can’t let him think what happened in Purgatory was a mistake. Especially if this is the last time I’ll ever see him. “I don’t regret what happened between us,” I say firmly. I reach down and cup his cheek in mine, and raise his head. “Not any of it.

  Tears are scattered across his cheeks. “But why?”

  “I just need time, Cairo. To grow.” I pull my hand away, and it’s like cutting my hand off. “This is the only way.”