“Maybe we should find somewhere else,” I said.
“I agree,” Beth jumped in.
“I’ll get the tab,” Jared said.
Claire rolled her eyes. “You guys are babies.”
Beth and I left Claire and Ryan sitting at the table, walking together toward the door. Just a few feet away, we waited for Chad and Jared to pay the bill. Chad was laughing at something Jared had said. I smiled. There was something so satisfying about Jared socializing with someone other than our inner circle. It made him more…human.
Spending time with people who didn’t know our secrets was relaxing for me, and it seemed to be that way for Jared, too. In that moment, I accepted my choice to keep the truth from Beth. Not only was it for her own safety, but I could rationalize that it was for my own sanity as well.
“You’ve really popped!” Beth said, gesturing to my stomach.
Instinctively I put my hand on my rounded belly. “Crazy, isn’t it? It seems like it happened overnight.”
Just then another fight broke out. People were punching and shoving, their bodies bouncing against each other like pinballs. I desperately tried to find Jared in the chaos, but when a line of sight finally opened up, he was no longer beside the bar.
Knowing the safest place for us was outside, I hurriedly opened the door and pushed Beth into the night air. The fighting spilled out onto the sidewalk, forcing Beth and me farther away. I tried to keep her out of harm’s way, tugging on her until we found ourselves in the alley.
“Oddly enough, I feel safer in the dark,” Beth whispered.
Yelling and breaking glass sounded just around the corner, and I decided to stay put. We waited for Jared and Chad, but the minutes passed, and I fought away feeling of panic. I imagined they were fighting their way out of the pub in that moment, and at any second they would come around the corner.
The small space between the two buildings didn’t allow for much light. I felt a chill down my spine, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. From each end of the alleyway, whispers floated from the shadows.
I squeezed Beth’s hand. “We should see what’s taking so long.”
Beth nodded. We took a step, and then froze. A large man that I recognized from the pub stood in the way, his eyes bulging black spheres. His mouth moved, but he spoke in a different language. Something I’d never heard before.
Beth let out a small gasp, and she took a step back, pulling me with her. A dark, metal side door opened, and the bartender stepped out. Her expressionless face and dark eyes signaled that she had shelled as well.
“Oooooooh sh—” Beth began, but I pushed her against the brick wall, right beside a dumpster.
“It’s okay. Jared and Chad will be here any minute,” I said. I turned, holding up my hands in a defensive pose.
The two shells approached me, the woman with a frightening smile, and knife in her hands.
“Chad!” Beth yelled. “We’re in the alley!”
“Help!” I called. I could still hear yelling from the sidewalk fight. It would be difficult for anyone to hear; not that any of them would come to our aid. I deduced that Jared was dealing with Shells of his own, or he would already have reached us. The Shells came closer, and I braced myself.
“Crap,” I said.
The woman lunged at me, and I dodged. I kicked, buckling her knee. Her head hit the brick cement wall just a few feet from Beth’s feet. Beth covered her mouth and let out a yelp. The bartender regained her feet, blood dripping from her hairline, and took a step toward Beth. I picked up a branch beside the dumpster and swung with both hands. The woman fell to the ground. The knife clanged against the asphalt.
Beth leaned over, picked up the knife, and held it in front of her, shaking. “Don’t go near her!” she said. “She’s pregnant!”
The man smiled, and spoke something inaudible once again. He ran at me, and I jumped over him, letting him careen at full speed into the brick wall. He stumbled back, and I attacked. My hands balled into fists, and I punched his face over and over, and then grabbed his leather jacket with both hands and threw him to the ground. He grabbed my ankle and yanked, knocking me off my feet, but within seconds, I was standing, my hands out and ready.
My senses were heightened again, signaling that more additional danger was coming, but it was too late. Someone burst out of the shadows and hooked an arm around my neck.
“Leave her alone!” Beth said, running at us with the knife.
I held out my hand, palm out. “Stay against the wall, Beth!”
She stopped mid-step, confused, and then I jerked my head back, hitting my assailant in the nose with my skull. I turned to see another man, this one skinnier and lanky, on the ground. Blood was spattered on his cheeks and forehead.
The larger man came at me with the branch. I used my forearm to hit it out of his hand, and then shoved the heel of my hand into his throat. In Claire-like fashion, I spun around, kicking him in the head. He fell to his knees. I reared back my hand and punched him with my fist in the jaw, knocking him out cold.
The skinny man kicked my back, and I fell to the ground, but caught myself before I fell flat.
“No! Nina!” Beth screamed.
I turned around, and threw every one of my limbs at him, kicking and punching. We were half way down the alley before he finally swung and punched me in the face. Half-surprised that he had landed a punch, half-amazed that it didn’t hurt, I paused. Taking advantage, the skinny man lunged at my middle. My motherly instincts kicked in, and rage welled up inside of me. I moved to the side, and his fist landed against the brick.
Seeing that he’d left his side open attack, I reacted, shoving my elbow into his throat, and then with one hand, I picked him up, and with all of my strength, I cried out, simultaneously throwing him against the opposite wall.
He rolled to the ground, and didn’t get up again.
Beth ran to my side and threw her arms around me. I could hear her heart thumping against her chest, and she could barely catch her breath.
Jared and Chad rounded the corner, both disheveled. Jared’s terrified expression melted into relief, and his shoulders fell.
Chad’s eyes were wide, his breath labored. “Beth!” he cried, jumping over the bodies in his way.
Beth released me and ran into Chad’s arms, immediately breaking into loud sobs. It was then that Chad noticed the limp bodies on the ground, and his eyes met mine. “What the hell happened?”
Beth held up her hand, palm out. “Don’t say it,” she said, sniffing. She wiped her nose and took a step toward me. “I love you, but please don’t tell me how you did all of that. I honestly don’t want to know.”
“Well, I do,” Chad said.
“It’s better that you don’t,” Jared said, shouldering past Chad. He reached for me, and I fell into him. “Every last one of them shelled. It took forever to get out the door.”
“It’s a shame, but we’re not going to that pub again,” Chad said, shaking his head. “It’s been taken over by misfits and criminals.”
“Where’s Claire and Ryan?” I asked.
Chad rolled his eyes. “Cleaning up. I think they’re enjoying themselves.”
We walked around the corner to find Claire standing alone, her arms crossed. Ryan grabbed a man twice his size and head-butted him.
“The PD will be here any minute,” Jared said.
“I know,” Claire said. “But I find him strangely attractive right now.”
Jared rolled his eyes and led me to the street, and Beth and Chad followed. When we reached the parking lot, Chad took a deep breath. His hands were trembling, as were Beth’s. I felt so sorry for them. They didn’t deserve to be dragged into our mess.
“Beth,” I said. I licked the blood from my bottom lip. “We’re going away.”
Her eyes shot up. “Again? But, you just got back.”
“I need you to cover for me at Titan. Work under Grant. We’ll be gone for the summer.”
Be
th left Chad and wrapped her arms around my neck, squeezing me tight. “I just need to know one thing: Are you going to be okay?”
I smiled. “Yes.”
She nodded, taking a deep, cleansing breath, and straightened her shoulders. “I’ll take care of it.”
“I know you will.”
Chapter Sixteen
Direct Flight to Hell
My hands shook. The seat belt clanged as I tried to buckle it for the forth time. Claire was two feet away, stuffing her carry on in the overhead bin. Jared was outside, directing baggage and making doubly sure the preflight check had been carried out at least three times. Bex’s deep voice hummed from the back as he joked with Ryan. His nervous energy was evident in his tone, and even though he was trying to play it off, it was there.
The sun had set, and because of an earlier light summer rain, the tarmac glistened. Jared was pointing in every direction, answering questions, his expression severe. I was glad that he was able to burn off some of his anxiety by choreographing our departure.
“Oh, for Pete’s sake, Nina. Here,” Claire said, snapping my seat belt closed.
I sighed, and nodded in thanks, and she left me for Bex and Ryan. I rested my head against the seat and took a deep breath. My nerves seemed to take a back seat when I watched Jared work outside, so I tried to keep my concentration on the window.
A dark figure approached Jared. Kim. She was unhappy, and when I realized she would ride with us for the duration of the trip to Jerusalem, my anxiety level doubled. We had all abandoned her. She was left to fight alone, even after she was promised for some relief. She had helped us, and we turned a blind eye while she lost sleep and her uncle. I was afraid of what she would have to say to me. And she had plenty of time to either let me squirm, or call me out.
She held out her hand. With the abilities Bean had given me, I could hear her dry voice.
“The book.”
Jared put the Naissance de Demoniac in her grasp. “I know you don’t believe me, but I am sorry.”
“I believe you.” Her voice was tired. Any sign of the Kim we once knew was as nonexistent as our former life. She took the book and held it to her chest, and then pulled a cell phone from her pocket. As she walked to the steps of the plane, I heard her sigh.
“Dad. I have it. We depart in ten minutes.” She clicked the phone shut.
I wiped my moist brow.
“What’s your deal?” Bex said, tapping my shoulder. “You sick? You look sick.”
“I don’t feel well.”
His eyebrows turned in, deepening the same line that gave away Jared. Bex sat in Jared’s seat, and patted my hand. “You have Kim, the human demon repellant, three hybrids, and a cop/ex-special forces guy on this plane. Not to mention you’re kind of a badass yourself these days.”
“Bex,” I warned.
“Sorry. Don’t tell Mom.”
Kim boarded the plane. Her clothes were stained and wrinkled, hanging from her gaunt body. The dark circles under her once-soft brown eyes appeared like purple bruises on her ashen skin. She only carried the book in her hand, and the phone in her pocket. No luggage, no carry-on. She had one mission, and one mission only. Nothing else mattered.
Her eyes met mine, and she froze. Ryan passed my seat, and approached her. They traded glances, but no words were spoken. Ryan kissed her bony cheek, and she let her body weight lean against him. He supported her weight for a moment, and then squeezed her tight before letting go. She used the seats to support her weight as she approached me.
“Hi,” she rasped.
My eyes filled with tears. Nothing I would say would be adequate. I didn’t deserve to talk to her.
Bex stood, and then helped Kim into the seat he occupied. She turned to face me, and her chin lowered. “I don’t blame you.”
I pressed my lips together in a hard line. An apology seemed insulting; I could barely look her in the eye.
“I don’t. I just wanted you to know that, you know…in case we crash and burn in a few minutes.”
I stared at her in disbelief, and then the corners of her mouth turned up, and she winked and left.
Settling back into my seat, I took a deep, not-so-relaxing breath. The small crowd loading the plane had dissipated, and Jared made one last sweep of the plane before boarding.
“This is it,” Jared said to us all. “From the moment we depart until we land, it’s out of our hands.”
I reached out to him, and he grabbed my hand, sitting in the seat beside me. He kissed my fingers, and closed his eyes. I waited for several moments, but he stayed still and silent. I turned to see Bex and Claire, eyes closed. Bex’s lips moved in prayer.
Guilt washed over me. They didn’t need to be on the plane. Bex didn’t, either. If Hell pulled a fast one and the plane went down, we were helpless to stop it. I knew they didn’t question their presence, though, but that only made me feel worse. It was all of us, or none of us, and the display of the lengths our mismatched family would go to for each other brought tears to my eyes.
Jared wiped the tear that raced down my cheek. “Ready?”
I nodded, forcing a smile. “I was born for this, right?”
“We all were.”
The engines whined, and the plane wheels began to roll. The wing lights blinked against the fuselage, casting a red glare at half the time of my heartbeat.
“Try to relax,” Jared whispered. His voice held no conviction. He knew they were just words.
We all waited for our impending death, knowing our chances plummeted the second the plane was in the air. The flight to Jerusalem was long — too long to cope with constant fear that every jostle or noise would signal our fall from the sky.
I turned to look at my family. Claire and Ryan were in deep, quiet conversation. Bex sat next to Kim, chewing his pinky nail, and Kim stared blankly ahead. The engines whined as the wheels rolled forward. The pilot taxied on the runway, and after a short pause, the plane surged forward. The sudden acceleration of the aircraft pressed my back into the seat. I closed my eyes, trying not to feel every flaw in the runway, or the wind resistance against the wings. My new abilities were exciting, and at times had saved my life, but for the first time, I wished for the aptitude to turn them off.
As we raced faster and farther down the runway, I imagine the tiny wheels, and how on earth at that speed the plane didn’t veer off into the grass, or a building. At that point, everything that could possibly go wrong before we even got off the ground flashed through my mind, and my heart pounded so hard against my chest wall that I thought I would die of a heart attack before we left Providence.
“Nina,” Jared said in smooth tone. He leaned into my ear, and his lips brushed against my skin. He pulled my arm across him, and kissed my neck. I gripped his shirt, my knuckles white. I was relieved to be in the arms of my husband, but for all the wrong reasons.
“I’m afraid,” I said, stuttering.
“I know.” He gently held my jaw with both of his hands, and lowered his chin. His dark blue eyes met mine. “We’re going to make it. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Don’t start making promises you can’t keep, now.”
He kissed me, hard and purposeful. Once, I could have become lost in a kiss like that, but the wheels were leaving the ground, and we were now a large and easy target.
“Nina, you have to have faith.”
My eyebrows pulled together. “Someone is going to have to give me a reason. I’m all out of faith.” The plane dipped a bit before making a sharp turn.
“Look at how far we’ve come,” he said, smiling. He meant to be comforting, but I could see the fear behind his eyes.
I buried my face in the crook of his neck, and squeezed him to me. My eyes shut tight, trying to push away the overwhelming feeling that we had been deceived, corralled into this deathtrap — the one place Jared couldn’t control.
The plane righted itself, and then climbed effortlessly into the night sky. The lights below appear
ed to shrink, until they seemed like glowing clusters of fireflies. Everything else on the ground was black and ominous.
Jared was unfolding a map of the old city, sprawling it across his lap. He used his finger to trace different routes to the Sepulchre, then sighed. “I wish we’d had enough time to send someone ahead. To shape the battle space.”
I touched his free hand. “I don’t know what that means, but we’ll figure it out.”
He paused. “I apologize for the military jargon. I’m just in that mode at the moment.”
“I understand,” I said. The stress he suffered was nearly visible. The pressure was crushing him.
His eyes slowly fell on where my fingers touched his skin, and then closed. He took a deep, faltering breath, and exhaled. “I am terrified of losing you. The routes, the possibility of last minute change of plan, everything that could possibly go wrong has ran through my mind so many times, I doubt I’ll ever forget. I love you so much, Nina. I love our child. The fear of failing you weighs so heavy on my mind, I feel like I’m going crazy.”
I turned in my seat to face him. My eyes bore into his, filling with tears fueled by every emotion. “If I’ve ever believed in you, Jared, it’s now. Whatever happens, whatever crosses our path, I know you’ll make the right choice.” I pulled his hand to my round belly. “We both believe in you.”
“Claire has spent quite a bit of time there.” He turned and gestured at her to join them.
“We’re setting down in Ben-Gurion airport,” he said, pointing to the map.
Claire nodded. “It’s about forty-one kilometers from the center of Jerusalem. We head west here, toward Nesher, and then take this right, here, to Route Forty-five-oh-three.”
With his finger, Jared followed the road, and shook his head. “But this is a main road. Shouldn’t we try some back roads?”
Claire shrugged. “I say get there, Jared. We’re going to get the shit kicked out of us on any road we take.”
I frowned. “That doesn’t make me feel better.”
Claire raised her brows. “Nina, you should prepare yourself. Think of every war movie you’ve ever seen on TV. Loud noises, yelling, guns, and things blowing up around us. We’re going to be shot at, chased, and running for our lives the second we touch the tarmac. You’re going to have to listen, stay focused, and follow orders, or we’re not going to make it. Get it?”
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