Mia sashayed in front of me with grace and fluidity that made me question how I looked next to her.
“I have to make one more stop,” she told me, and made a sharp right turn toward Sephora. “I am almost out of Midnight Run mascara.” Mia and I entered the brightly lit store just as the taste of ash assaulted my tongue, and its scent soon followed. It was the same taste and scent as before at Knope’s Grocery, but why did I smell it here in the mall? I looked over at Mia, who was elbows deep in a bin of eye shadow. I assumed she didn't taste or smell anything because she hadn’t said a word about it, but I wasn’t sure how that was possible; it was so strong. I looked around, and no one else seemed to be bothered by it.
“Hey,” I called to Mia. She looked up, but was so enamored with the sale stand she barely acknowledged me. “I’m gonna see if I can find a food cart close by for a drink. My throat feels funny.”
“Yeah, okay,” Mia said, quickly getting back to her shopping.
I headed out of the store and looked around for the nearest cart. I still didn't see Kale around, but it didn't matter. I was sure he was there somewhere, respecting my wishes and staying out of sight. The smell seemed to be getting stronger, and it took everything in me not to gag. I headed in the direction we’d come from in search of the coffee cart I’d seen tucked away in the corner. I wanted to be out of sight just in case I had a coughing fit because there was nothing more embarrassing than hacking up a lung in public.
The mall was more hustle and bustle on the bottom level. The food court was on the upper level, and everyone was downstairs shopping. I waded through the crowd until I was on the outskirts. The smell of ash hadn’t lessened, but it didn't taste stronger either. It seemed like it was following me, and it was odd that no one around me seemed bothered by it. My head started to ache, and my throat started to burn. I couldn't remember where I’d seen that coffee cart, but I knew it had to be close. I was counting on it because suddenly the smell of ash was so great that I stopped to place my shirt over my face. I’d passed two clothing stores, and I still hadn’t seen the cart. I was starting to think I had imagined it. I leaned up against a wall next to an emergency exit to catch my breath. So far, I had been able to act as if nothing was bothering me, but I noticed people looking in my direction as I slowly slid to the ground. The headache and dizziness had become too much. I noticed a man as he made his way to me. I should have been glad someone had decided to help, but this man worried me. He pushed through the crowd without regard to whom he hit or knocked off balance. He wore a business suit with a blood red button-up shirt halfway buttoned, his chest revealing a tattoo of a dragon eating its own tail. I tried to stand, but as the man came closer, the smell grew strong enough that I gagged.
A clamor beside me pulled my attention from the tattooed man to the door beside me, where Kale emerged. His face was fierce and pale, and I was relieved to see him. I knew it wasn’t a vision because the smell and taste of ash had never been a symptom before, but something was definitely wrong. Kale grabbed my arm and roughly yanked me through the door, pushing me against the wall. I was confused and in pain as it radiated down my spine.
“Did you see him?” Kale asked as he shut the door behind us. “I knew I shouldn’t have let you come here alone. Laurent’s men have found you!”
He grabbed my arm and we moved down the corridor so fast that I tripped over my feet and stumbled to the ground. Kale stopped and lifted me up and over his shoulder. I didn't have time to complain because, as I opened my mouth, I saw the tattooed man’s foot connect with Kale’s back with a ferocious kick. I was knocked off his shoulder, and we both fell to the ground. I landed on my back with a force that knocked the air from my lungs and caused stars to explode behind my eyes. I rolled over to see Kale had recovered from the fall much faster than I had. I moved to the back wall. A florescent light flickered overhead, and I tried to catch my breath as Kale stood between me and the tattooed man.
“So, he was right. There is a half-breed actually protecting her,” the man said in awe.
Who’d told him and why? I backed up against the wall until I could feel the cold cement through my clothes. The taste of ash prevented me from speaking and I retched, hoping that didn't draw attention to me. Kale backed closer to me. I couldn't see his reaction to what the tattooed man had said, but Kale flinched at the man’s word, and I could tell they’d surprised him. I hoped Kale’s bloodlust would break through and aid us in getting away, but he remained lucid and angry as hell.
“Who told you?” Kale demanded, as the tattooed man started to back up.
I thought there was going to be a fight, but the tattooed man had other plans. His smile was chillingly cold as he peeked around Kale and pointed at me. He rotated his hand and held it out as if to help me up. Kale growled and moved forward, a warning that the tattooed man heeded. He moved farther down the hallway.
“Oh, I will be back, brother,” he said to Kale with a sharp, white smile. “And you,” he glanced at me. “I will see you soon, precious.” The tattooed man chuckled maniacally as he finally disappeared.
Kale stood silently, facing the direction the man had exited. When he finally turned to face me, his face was different. I’d never seen that amount of fear and panic in his face. I sat on the floor, fighting the coughing fit that had started to subside. Kale kneeled beside me and pulled me to my feet.
“We have to go, and we have to get Mia. He may have seen you with her, and she could be in danger. Do you remember where she was when you left her?”
I told him where she was and we left the back corridor and went back out into the mall. Luckily, the tattooed man had left quietly, and the patrons at the mall had continued to shop. I led Kale to Sephora to see that Mia was still in there, her hands full of lip gloss, eye shadow, and mascara. When she looked up at us, she looked surprised and annoyed.
“Where have you been, Ella? Hey, Kale.” She dropped her things onto the nearby counter. She placed her hands on her hips and smiled at Kale. “Long time no see. What have you been up to?” Mia looked past Kale and at me and frowned. “Jeez, girl, what happened to you? You look like hell; where did you go?”
Mia placed her hand on my forehead, a motherly gesture I’d never expect from her. She flinched as her hand grazed me. Meanwhile, Kale was vigilant.
“I’m fine,” I said. My vision finally cleared and my head no longer swam. I looked at Kale, wondering what story we were going to go with, but he was silent. “I just feel a little sick, that’s all.” Which was part of the truth. Even though I felt a little better, it was probably a good idea to leave the mall.
“Let’s go,” Kale said, nodding toward the store exit.
“Excuse me?” Mia folded her arms over her chest. “We,” she said, pointing at me, then at herself, “are shopping here. We’ll leave when we are finished.” Mia looked at me expectantly.
“I’m done,” I said quickly.
Kale grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the door. Mia followed us out the door and to the car, grumbling under her voice every step of the way.
“What’s going on with you two? We ran out of there like we were being chased or something,” Mia complained.
Kale was silent the entire time it took us to get to Mia’s car, and it didn't seem like he was going to say anything. Mia looked between the two of us and her suspicions grew. I couldn't be sure if the tattooed man had seen her and me together. I didn't want to take the chance that he had. She could be a target, so Jace would have to watch out for her. As Mia stared at us expectantly, I considered telling her the truth, but Kale spoke first.
Kale apologized for interrupt her shopping trip, but I could tell Mia knew something else was going on as could Kale.
He continued trying to ease her doubts. “I was worried about Ella. She called and told me she was at the mall, but wasn’t feeling well. I thought she was here alone because I didn't give her time to tell me she was with you before I hung up.” Kale was a brilliant liar. “With t
he two girls that have gone missing, I thought it best to get here right away.”
Mia’s shoulders relaxed and her eyebrows lowered. She looked at me and smiled. “Well, it’s nice you have your knight in shining armor here to protect you.” She unlocked her car. “I guess that means we are done for the day since you’re not feeling well.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I guess so. Sorry to end the day so quickly.” I placed my hand on my side. I was feeling better, but some of the aches and pains of being knocked off of Kale’s shoulder were still there.
Mia arched an eyebrow and opened her car door. “Okay. You’re pretty lucky that Kale was able to get here so fast from Cedar.”
I realized she still didn't buy Kale’s story. I took a breath and smiled. I was tired and sore and I just wanted to go home to Virginia Beach, but I knew that wasn’t going to happen.
“Yeah, I am. So, I’ll see you Friday at work?”
Mia shielded her eyes from the sun and nodded.
“Yeah, then we can discuss what we will do when Alex moves back in two weeks,” Mia said, flooring me.
Kale stiffened and Mia grinned.
“Looks like Alex can hang out with me since you have Kale,” she said innocently.
I knew she wanted a reaction, but I wasn’t about to give her one. I cleared my throat, hoping my voice didn't betray me.
“Move back? He is just coming home for Winter Break,” I corrected her.
“Oh shit, he hasn’t told you yet.” Mia seemed surprised.
I wasn’t sure if she hadn’t really known Alex hadn’t told me he was coming back, or if she was rubbing it in that she and Alex would be paired up. “I thought he’d have at least told you that he’d dropped all of his classes but one. Sorry. I’m sure he will call you tonight and tell you.” Mia threw her bag in the car and got in.
I was tempted to say something to her, anything, but what was there to say? I waved goodbye, and Kale and I walked to his car. I got in and placed my hands over my eyes. The headache seemed to be coming back, but for a different reason. How could Alex tell Mia he was coming home before he told me? He knew she and I worked together. Maybe he knew she would bring it up. Kale got in the car and started it. He sat quietly beside me before he shifted into gear and pulled off.
“I can’t believe he didn't tell me,” I said quietly. I really meant for it to be a thought.
I looked at Kale, but he was staring straight ahead, his mind no doubt still on the attack in the mall. That was where my mind should’ve been, but I couldn't get over Alex.
“Maybe Jace should stay close to Mia’s,” I said, finally triggering a reaction from Kale.
“Shit.”
“What?” I looked behind us, hoping we were not being followed, but I didn't see anything out of the ordinary.
Kale looked in the mirror and shook his head. “No one is following us. It’s Jace. When he finds out Laurent’s men have found you, he isn’t going to take well to you staying in Cedar.”
I rolled my eyes, aware of the obvious. “Mia still needs to be watched over,” I reminded him.
“Until Alex comes home,” he added.
I looked over at him, but he stared straight ahead. Kale had to have known that comment cut me a little, but I didn't say anything. I wasn’t prepared to open that can of worms with him.
Chapter 30
* * *
Truth Hurts
* * *
Back at the house, Kale and I debated whether or not to tell Jace about tattooed Chorý. I was all for telling Jace, but Kale was against it, even though it could put Mia in danger. He tried to convince me to have Jace guard me while he continually guarded Mia. I knew that wasn’t going to work because Jace was smarter than Kale wanted to give him credit for; he would know something was up. I told Kale that a guardian couldn't do their job properly if not fully informed of the severity of the situation, and he readily, but unhappily, agreed. I also thought it was time to fill Alex in on what was going on. Kale was convinced it was a bad idea, but I wasn’t so sure. I didn't have to tell Alex about my abilities, but I could tell him I was in danger and that Kale and I would soon leave to protect everyone. I wasn’t sure how he would take it, but at least I didn't have to disappear into thin air. I would get a chance to say goodbye.
No one was home when we arrived, so I made lunch while Kale wandered around outside searching for any signs the tattooed man had been to the house. I ate my soup and sandwich, then went upstairs to wait for Kale. He had methodically checked the entire house while I was locked in the car a mile down the road before I was allowed to go inside. I checked my phone and noticed a missed call from Ocean Trace, but I ignored it. I wasn’t sure what I would be telling Dr. Lithe just yet. Kale entered the room bringing in the smell of burnt leaves and crisp winter air. I’d miss his scent while I was with the Council.
“Everything looks fine out there.” He sat beside me on the bed. “Have you given any thought to what you want to do about Alex?”
I shook my head and leaned against his shoulder to “rest my eyes,” as my father had called it. Kale placed a hand on my knee and we sat in silence until I fell asleep.
I woke to the sounds of rummaging downstairs. I glanced around for Kale, but he was nowhere in sight. I jumped up from the bed and searched the room for a weapon and came up with Alex’s old hockey stick. I tiptoed to the door and placed my ear against it and strained to hear what was happening. I could hear scratching and what sounded like Max coming up the stairs, but I could also hear someone as they tiptoed outside my door. Where had Kale gone? He wouldn’t have just left me here knowing the tattooed man could find me. Suddenly, a knock on the door jarred me and I stumbled backward, tripping over my feet and hitting the floor with a painful oomph. Sarah burst through the door. Her face was wrinkled in concern, which quickly changed to confusion when she saw me on the floor clutching the hockey stick for dear life.
“Jeez, Ella, you scared me!” She held out her hand to help me up.
I took it and got up, feeling the bruise on my side from earlier throb. I rubbed it as I got up and Sarah noticed.
“You okay? What were you doing, and why were you holding that like you were ready to swing it at someone?” She eyed me warily.
I placed the stick in the corner before I answered. “I fell asleep, and when I woke up, I heard some noise downstairs and got nervous.”
Sarah looked at me sideways. “And you didn't think it was Max? I mean, he was scratching his butt off when I came in. He needs to be let out throughout the day, Ella. Try not to forget, okay?” Sarah turned to leave, but before she was out of the door, she stopped. She looked back to gauge my reaction.
I wasn’t sure what it was she saw, but she smiled and headed down stairs. I looked at the clock. I’d been asleep for a couple of hours. Sarah and Lea were downstairs, and I could smell that Sarah had started dinner. My pills were making it easier for me to sleep even when I only wanted to take a thirty-minute nap. I took a shower and braided my hair before I went downstairs. I assumed Kale had left when Sarah and Lea had arrived, and I planned on calling him later so we could talk to Jace. Sarah had made chicken casserole for dinner, and Eric was actually home early enough to sit down and eat with us. No one said anything about Alex’s return, so I didn't mention it either.
Later that night, I called Kale so we could discuss Jace looking after Mia. I felt we had waited too long, so I texted her first to make sure she was okay. After Mia texted me back, I waited for Kale. He climbed up the lattice, once again flooding my senses with his spicy winter scent.
“Where’d you go?” I asked, as he settled in the computer chair.
“Checked on Mia.”
“And?”
“Everything checked out for now, but I know you want to have Jace keep an eye on her.”
Kale pulled his phone from his pocket and called Jace. Kale told him to meet us at the edge of the woods in front of my house, and Jace agreed. It seemed colder that night, as if
the temperature had quickly dropped, and it seemed as if it was going to continue to fall. The Carltons were all asleep in the house when I snuck out. I wondered how they would take to Alex coming home early. I hadn’t talked to Eric or Sarah about it, and I wasn’t sure I was going to at all. I didn’t think it was a subject Eric would want to discuss, and Sarah had been busy with work and preparing for winter break.
Kale stood off to the side of the shed staring at the moon. Things had changed completely. I was going to have to leave sooner rather than later, but I wasn’t sure how I planned to do it. I knew the Council wasn’t a fan of Kale, but they looked like a viable option for protection. If I could convince Jace to allow Kale to come and find a way to break the news to the Carltons without raising suspicions, I would go with Jace. I walked over to Kale and placed my hand on his shoulder. He turned to me just as Jace emerged from the woods, and we walked over to him together, hand in hand.
“What happened?” Jace asked. He glanced at our entwined fingers.
Kale took a deep breath and shook his head. “They found her in the mall today.”
Jace held my stare and cursed. He ran his fingers through his hair and balled them into fists. “Ella,” he started, then stopped.
Kale squeezed my fingers and pulled me in front of him, placing his arms around me.
“Laurent also knows I am with her,” Kale added.
Jace threw his hands in the air and turned to me. “How in the hell do they know that?” Jace growled.
I shushed him. We all looked back at the house to see if he had woken anyone. No lights had come on, and it seemed that everyone was still asleep. Kale motioned for us to head toward the woods, but Jace didn't budge.
“Ella, have you given any thought to what we talked about last night?” Jace inquired.
I turned to Kale to see confusion on his face. I hadn’t had a chance to talk to him about the conversation yet, and I didn’t want to do it in front of Jace. I shook my head and turned back to the woods, hoping they would follow, but this time Kale stood still.
Few Are Angels Page 24
