Angels of the Knights

by Valerie Zambito

  “Yes.”

  “Well, nice to meet you, Fallon. Thanks for bringing this,” he said, holding up the envelope.

  “My house is actually right next to yours, so I’ll just walk with you if you don’t mind.” Did that really just come out of her mouth?

  “A pretty girl walking me home after a year in jail? Yeah, I can deal with that.”

  She blushed again. Why did she keep doing that?

  In silence, they made their way through Main Street and then turned onto Second Street.

  “Where are you from?” he finally asked.

  “Buffalo.”

  “How old are you?”

  “Nineteen.”

  “You don’t talk much, do you?”

  Now, she grinned. “Not really.”

  He nodded and then turned onto Oak Street. “What number are you?”

  “Forty-seven.”

  Pointing, he said, “It’s the yellow one up on the left. Mine is the white one next door.”

  “Thanks.” She moved to walk past him again, and he grabbed her arm.

  “Hey, my buddies are having a little get together tonight if you’re interested. Grab your roommates and come over.”

  “I don’t have any roommates.”

  “No? Come on over anyway.”

  “I…I can’t, but thanks.”

  “So, you’re going to be stuck up and not hang out with your new neighbors?” he teased.

  “Are you going to let me go?” she asked, glancing pointedly at his hand on her arm.

  “Not unless you agree to come.”

  “Okay, maybe. Can I leave now?”

  He let go of her and stepped aside. “By the way, remember my name, Fallon Angell, because I’m a pretty special guy and I’m going to be the one that brings you back down to earth.”

  Her head whipped around, but he was already moving away, laughing softly.

  CHAPTER 3

  A Friendly Visit

  Fallon pulled out the key provided by Father Tomas and unlocked the door to the next on her long list of temporary housing. The old Victorian opened into a foyer with a narrow staircase, scuffed hard wood floors, and decorative crown molding on the walls. And—just like all of the other places she had lived in the past three years—it was deafeningly quiet.

  She took time to explore the downstairs that consisted of a large old kitchen, living room and formal dining room, and then went up the steep stairs to the second floor. There were four bedrooms, and Fallon chose the smallest for herself. She was not sure how long she would be living here, but the smaller room had a fireplace that would make the room cozy if the weather turned chilly before she moved on.

  She dropped her backpack and fell back onto the oldfashioned canopy bed, her body sinking into its pillowy depths. As always when she entered a new, empty house, her thoughts turned to her family and the night they were all murdered.

  It was thirty-four years ago now and it had been a balmy fall evening, just like today, and the front door was left wide open. It was the seventies. Nobody locked their doors and everybody was welcome to enter. It was not as if there had been less crime, she had come to realize, it was just that the people were more innocent to the evils of the world back then.

  She remembered it like it was yesterday.

  Right before the invasion, her family was gathered in their living room watching a television show called Laverne and Shirley. Fallon was singing the catchy theme song along with her younger brother, Gregory. Something about hasenpfeffer and making dreams come true. Her mother was crocheting an afghan and Fallon could still see her agonized frown when one stitch did not come out the way she wanted. Her father was reading the paper, but his eyes were drooping and he was about to fall asleep.

  Such an innocent scene and all taken away by two Kjin.

  They entered with guns drawn, demanding money from her father. When he did not respond fast enough, one struck him across the temple with the butt of his gun. Her mother screamed out and received a blow to the face for it. Furious, Gregory picked up a lamp and hit one of the assailants. The gun was turned on him first and discharged. Blood sprayed across the room from the hole that was ripped into her brother’s chest, and he went flying back.

  The Kjin who murdered him callously commented that they had to get out of there now and leave no witnesses behind. They shot her father next and then her mother.

  Fallon remembered sitting frozen in fear as the gun turned her way. She did not scream. She did not try to run away. She never moved a muscle as the trigger was pulled. The next thing she remembered was waking up on a gurney at Brown Community Hospital.

  She missed her family so much.

  During her years in Emperica, she rarely saw them but never felt the need with all of the love and light that enveloped her in a constant warm, soothing layer. But now, human again, all of her mortal insecurities, doubts, and an almost painful psychological desire for companionship surged through her. Alone most of the time, she longed for the comfort of home.

  The tears began to streak down her face, and she let them. After three years of the ritual of remembrance and pain, she knew the tide of emotion had to run its natural course.

  Suddenly, her body twitched out of its reverie as the door downstairs banged open. She jumped from her bed noiselessly, removed the Aventi from her pocket, and shrugged free of her hoodie so that her Kur was clear.

  Walking to the door of her bedroom slowly, she paused and listened. No sound. Cautiously, she peered out into the hall. Again, she did not hear anything. Maybe the wind caused the door to open? She shook her head. No, she could sense the presence of someone in the house.

  Besides the Ha’Basin, she did not have much to fear here on earth. Her angelic powers gave her enhanced strength, speed and healing ability. She would recover from almost any internal trauma including broken bones and even a gunshot. But, she would be vulnerable while she healed, so it was best not to find herself in that situation.

  Slowly, she made her way down the old stairs, and she gritted her teeth as the wood creaked under every light step she took. Hugging the wall, she scanned the hall and living room, but there was no one in sight.

  The front door was still open and she looked outside once before walking toward the kitchen.

  Just as she crossed the threshold, two strong hands gripped her by the shoulders. Drawing the Aventi, she touched it to the Kur and the weapon blazed to life.

  “Whoa! Put that thing away, it’s just me!”

  Fallon spun away from the offender with a glare.

  It was Julian.

  She breathed a sigh of relief and extinguished the Aventi. “What are you doing here?”

  “Nice to see you, too.”

  “If you try knocking next time, I’m pretty sure you’ll get a much better reception.”

  “Sorry.” He held his arms out to her. “Come here.”

  She finally smiled and walked into his embrace. At six foot four, he towered over her five foot four inch height. His hair was out of style at shoulder length, but he wore it well. Especially, since the new Thor movie came out and he looked very much like the hot lead actor.

  “It’s good to see you,” she admitted, lifting her head to look up at him. “It’s been way too long.”

  His hand came out and he rubbed a thumb across her cheek. “What’s this?”

  She shook her head. “Nothing.”

  “Fallon, what is it? I’m your friend. If something is bothering you, I want you to tell me.”

  “Honestly, it’s nothing. I just get a little sad when coming to a new house, that’s all.”

  “You miss your family?”

  “Yes.”

  “Me, too. But, once I realize how happy they are, I forget about it.”

  Typical Julian. The life of the party. Mr. Sociable. He never let anything keep him down for long.

  She pulled out of his embrace. “So, what have you been up to?”

  “I feel like I’ve been spinning
my wheels. Do you ever wonder if we’ll ever get a leg up with the Kjin? They seem to be multiplying even though that’s not possible.”

  “It does feel like that some days, but we just have to keep faith that what we do matters.” She walked over to the refrigerator. “Soda? I should have something in here.”

  “Yeah, I’ll take a Dew if you have it.”

  She found the soda, handed him the can and they sat at her kitchen table.

  “When did you get here?” he asked.

  “Just a few minutes ago. How did you find me? Father Tomas?”

  He nodded. “I went to see him first.”

  “So, what brings you out this way besides my charming personality?” Julian lived and worked mostly in the New York City area.

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “Tracking a Kjin this way, but I lost him. Since I was already out this far, I decided to come see you.”

  She smiled. “I’m glad you did. Are you spending the night?”

  “Yeah, if that’s okay. Then, I’ll head back home in the morning.” He got up to rummage through the kitchen cabinets. “So, what’s for dinner?”

  She laughed. “I don’t even know what I have yet.”

  They ended up making a quick dinner of frozen pizza and potato chips and headed into the living room to watch television. After two reality shows, Julian began to prowl. “What is there to do around here?”

  “How would I know? You know I don’t really hang out with people.”

  “You act like you’re fifty years old!”

  “I am fifty years old! Come on, Julian, what can I possibly have in common with teenagers?”

  “You are a teenager, Fallon. Nineteen to be exact.

  The years training in Emperica don’t count here.”

  “I know,” she relented. “I do feel like a teenager still, but really Julian, a Knight that gives in to teenage angst? I don’t think that would work out very well.”

  “Well, we have to do something.”

  For some reason, her heart started racing. “I did get invited to a party next door tonight.”

  “By who?”

  “A guy.”

  Julian straightened and ran his hands through his hair. “How do I look? There’s got to be some hot college chicks at this party, right?”

  “I don’t think they call girls chicks any more. Besides, I didn’t say I was going, I said I was invited.”

  “Oh, we’re going.”

  “Julian…”

  “Do you think your boyfriend would mind if I tagged along?”

  “He’s not my boyfriend! And, from what I know of college parties, they’re pretty much a free-for-all.”

  His gaze roamed her body. “You’re not wearing that, are you?”

  She looked down at her jeans and sneakers. “What’s wrong with this?”

  He waved a hand at her. “It’s lame. Where are your clothes?” He started up the stairs to her bedroom.

  She ran after him. “I don’t have much. I only brought a few things with me from my apartment.”

  He looked in all of the rooms until he came to the one with her bag. Rifling through it, he found a pair of skinny jeans. “Wear these and a pair of flip flops.”

  She ripped the jeans from his hand. “What am I dressing up for?”

  “For your boyfriend.”

  “Say it again and the Aventi comes out,” she growled.

  Julian did keep his mouth closed, but continued to stand there staring at her.

  “Oh, all right! But, this will probably be the last time I’ll ever see the guy. Without a doubt, I’ll say something stupid and he will give me that look I have seen a thousand times, and I will be on my solitary way. End of story.” She paused. “Although, he did say something weird.”

  “What?”

  “He said he was going to be the one to bring me back down to earth.”

  “Ooh. Maybe he is an Intuit and knows you’re an angel.” Intuit was the term they used for clairvoyant people who could sense the presence of paranormal beings.

  “I doubt a college-aged guy has the awareness necessary to be an Intuit.”

  He shrugged. “Hurry up and get dressed. I’m just dying to meet this new boyfriend of yours.”

  She did not hesitate and the room lit up with the glow of her sword.

  CHAPTER 4

  First Kiss

  Clad in her skinny jeans and flip flops, Fallon walked with Julian toward the white house next door to hers. Music drifted through the open windows and she could see the silhouettes of people through the curtains.

  Her stomach clenched. Why did she let Julian talk her into this? There were only two possible outcomes to this evening. Either she would say something idiotic and have to avoid Kade and his roommates for the rest of her time here in Alden or no one would talk to her and she would spend the evening watching Julian flirt with the girls from some isolated corner of the house.

  Fortunately, she did not have too much time to think about it as Julian raced up the steps, opened the door without knocking and stepped inside. Even from behind his considerable bulk, she could see that as soon as they walked in, every female eye in the room turned his way.

  She had to admit. With his large presence, smoky eyes and ready smile, Julian was an attractive guy. Sidling in after him, her eyes quickly roved over the people at the party, searching for Kade. Was Julian right? Could Kade really be an Intuit? Usually she could tell immediately if a human was an Intuit simply by the odd way they looked at her. She did not sense that with Kade, but then again she had only talked to the guy for a few minutes.

  Julian reached back, grabbed her hand, and dragged her through the house to the patio outside. This was where most of the kids were hanging out.

  Including Kade.

  He was standing and laughing with two friends, but turned and looked at them as soon as they walked outside. The laughter fell from his face when he saw her hand intertwined with Julian’s.

  His gaze lifted to her face and when his blue eyes met her green eyes, she felt her face redden and dropped Julian’s hand. But why? Why was she feeling guilty? What did she care what Kade-the-gorgeous-ex-cop-Royce thought of her?

  She knew why.

  She wanted him to like her.

  She longed for another human being to find her a worthy person. To enjoy shared laughter and love. Maybe even a tender touch.

  She spoke to Julian and Nikki a few times a year, but other than that, she did not have any ties in this world. It had been so long since she had someone to share her thoughts with, someone to share life’s experiences.

  Suddenly, she felt dizzy, and the sky seemed to be closing down on her, trying to suffocate her. Her heart pounded in her chest. “Be right back, going to the bathroom,” she mumbled to Julian and then fled from the patio.

  She had to get out of there before she did or said something completely stupid.

  Several more people had joined the party and she pushed through them toward the door. “Excuse me.”

  “Hey!”

  “Sorry.”

  The door was right there, and it was open. She ran for it and ducked outside, greedily gulping in the fresh night air to calm her anxiety.

  A strong hand seized her arm.

  It was him.

  She did not have to turn around to know.

  But, she did turn and watched him push the hair over his forehead back in place. His expression was dark. “So, are you going to just leave your boyfriend here?”

  She shook her head. “He…he’s not my boyfriend.”

  Kade’s eyebrows rose in question. “No? Who is he?”

  “A friend. I have known him for a very long time,” she muttered softly, hoping he did not ask how long because he would never believe the answer. “Nice party, but I have to go.” She turned to walk down the steps, but his hand did not let go of her arm.

  He leaned down over the back of her to whisper in her ear, and she inhaled the scent of him. It was a clean smell. Like
some sort of spicy, masculine soap. “Let me walk you home.”

  “I…I just live next door,” she said hoarsely. “I think I can manage from here.”

  “It’s too crowded in there. I really can’t stand enclosed places any more. Come on.” And, for the second time that evening, a boy grabbed her hand.

  As a Knight, she was used to being in control, but Kade pulled her down the stairs and onto the sidewalk with a commanding stride, and she had no choice but to follow.

  Silently, they made the short walk to her yellow Victorian and up the stairs of the porch. Only then did he turn to face her.

  On the step above her, he towered over her. Realizing his mistake, the air left her body when he walked back down one stair, picked her up by the waist, and swung her up to the stair above him.

  Now, she had no choice but to look him in the eye.

  “I like you, Fallon.”

  She grinned nervously. “I think any girl might look good to you right now.” The minute the words left her mouth, she cringed.

  But, he simply laughed. “No, that’s not it. I promise. I don’t know how to explain it, but I just feel like there is something special about you, and I would like to get to know you better.”

  She shook her head. “There is nothing special about me.”

  “You know that’s not true.”

  An Intuit? She still could not decide. “I guess we can be friends,” she told him, acutely aware that his hands were still holding her by the waist.

  “Can friends do this?” Lifting one hand, he caressed her cheek and pulled her face closer.

  Her breath caught in her throat at the intimate contact. The feeling of his hands on her tapped into an emotional well she thought dried up long ago. Hunger for affection rushed through her and she felt her legs weaken. It had been so long! Could she really do this? Kiss him? Or, would she screw it up like almost everything else connected to humans?

  As his head bent to hers, it suddenly no longer mattered. Softly, his lips met hers. Tenderly at first, but then more insistently as his tongue probed her mouth. He moved the hand around her waist to the small of her back and pulled her in closer against his body. Her own hands came up instinctively to stop him, but of their own free will, snaked around his neck.