by Susan Illene
Glad to know she’d had so much faith in me.
“So I take it you have a better plan?”
“We do.” She inclined her head.
“One that Lucas can’t know about?”
“I have confidence he’d have no objections to aiding us if we told him, but for now we must guide his actions from afar without raising suspicion,” Ariel answered. “He is watched too closely to do otherwise.”
“Remiel?” I lifted a brow.
“Yes. All nephilim have guardian angels and Remiel is his. It is our duty to watch over those assigned to us and ensure they do not jeopardize the human race.”
That actually made a lot of sense, looking back on it. The way Remiel had behaved around Lucas had made me think he had some sort of permanent role to play, though neither had explained it to me. He just seemed a little too invested for it to be a part-time job. Now I was finding out the same held true for other nephilim.
“So who is Micah’s guardian angel?”
“I am,” Ariel said. “Though it is in a somewhat different role than my job with you. Those who are born mortal have more freedom of choice than those who aren’t.”
I tried to let it all sink in, but it was going to take some time to process. When I’d first learned I had a guardian angel, that had been weird enough. Finding out I shared her with Micah—and possibly others—was even more illuminating. Heaven had a lot more going on than I’d ever guessed.
“So this plan with the nerou. Remiel must be against it or you wouldn’t be going through this much trouble to keep him from finding out.” And manipulating Lucas and me in the process.
Ariel’s lips thinned. “Remiel is against any plan that changes the way things have always been done.”
He did seem rather uptight the few times I’d met him.
“Who was watching Zoe during her crazy escapades a few months ago and why wasn’t she stopped sooner?” Lucas couldn’t twitch wrong without Remiel stepping in, but somehow Zoe got away with all sorts of mayhem.
“Zadkiel.” She sighed. “Zoe has him wrapped around her little finger. It doesn’t help that we are overworked. More and more supernaturals are getting into trouble with the rise of technology and there aren’t enough of us to watch them all.”
“Let me get this straight. Despite having enough duties already, some of you are hatching this plan to free the nerou and doing it behind the back of some of your brethren.” I lifted my brow. “Do you think you can actually pull it off?”
“Some of the angels and I have been working in secret for centuries to find a way out for them that could not be thwarted, but only recently have things come together where it might be possible. This is in part thanks to the leader you will meet in New Orleans and partly as a result of your actions.”
“Me?” I pointed at myself. “How?”
“There is no time to explain. The guardian is getting restless and you must get back to him. But Melena…” She paused. “We need you for this plan to work. Please do not let us down.”
“And Kerbasi? How do I keep him out of the loop?” I asked.
“Good question.” She reached into the pocket of her robe and pulled out a vial. “Put this in his drink the night you arrive in New Orleans. Within half an hour it will render him unconscious through to the morning when you’ll have your meeting.”
I stared at the vial, debating whether or not to take it. She was asking a lot and telling me very little. How could they expect me to keep something this big from Lucas? And what was going to happen when he found out I’d been working with his “missing” brother behind his back?
We were still trying to get our relationship on even footing. I hated the idea of keeping this from him. Yet I’d seen the way he acted around the nerou. If he could free them himself he would. I’d have to hope he would forgive me for what I was about to do.
“Fine.” I took the vial from her and stuffed it into my purse. “I’ll go along with this, but your plan better be good.”
“It is, assuming everyone does their part.” Ariel gave me a meaningful look.
Micah pulled me into a hug and whispered in my ear. “If it is any consolation, Lucas is going to hate me for this even more than you.”
“Yeah, thanks,” I groused. “That’ll help me sleep at night.”
He let go and they flashed away, leaving me with a whole lot of unanswered questions. I’d dreaded going to New Orleans before, but now I was thinking next weekend couldn’t come fast enough. Whoever this leader was he had better be ready to talk.
I left the bathroom and headed back to the waiting area. Kerbasi had ditched the iPad and was pacing around the waiting area. The moment I got close to him he looked up.
“Your time in the bathroom was exceedingly long. Did you get food without me?” He gave me an accusing look.
Flying might make him green, but he hated missing an opportunity to eat now that he’d gotten accustomed to human food—unless it was my cooking.
I guided him over to the chairs and pushed the iPad into his hands. “I promise. You’ll get a nice meal when we get home.”
“Was it the toilets then? I find them rather disturbing, but I should think you’d be used to them.”
“No, it wasn’t the toilets. Just watch your movie,” I ordered.
Chapter Six
As soon as we returned to Fairbanks I dumped my bags in the house and headed out back. Daylight spilled through the trees, lighting up the rough path I took through the woods. Houses in my area were spread far apart. It didn’t take much effort to avoid seeing any of my neighbors.
I trekked along with no particular destination in mind, allowing my mind to wander. Micah was okay. He’d gotten out of the place Zoe had stashed him—and they were planning something. Something to do with the nerou. And I couldn’t tell Lucas.
He was out there right now searching for his twin brother and I—the woman who was supposed to love and support him—couldn’t tell him the truth. How was I supposed to look him in the eye the next time we saw each other? Had I betrayed him by making the vow?
I stepped over a log and kept walking, pushing aside brush as I went. What kind of plans did Micah and Ariel have that could get the nerou out of Purgatory and keep them from being sent back? Why did I have to meet someone else to find out more?
A small stream lay up ahead. One of my favorite places to draw when I had my sketch pad with me. I settled down next to a tree and leaned against it. Birds chirped and small animals rustled in the brush. Their life was simple, mine was in turmoil.
The nerou.
An entire race of people who’d never tasted ice cream, watched a movie, or even seen flowers. Purgatory was a desolate place devoid of color or life and that’s all they’d ever been allowed to know. What was it about them that made them such a threat? I’d only seen them once for about five minutes and hadn’t had the chance to find out much. One thing was certain—if Lucas and I ever had children, they'd be sent there, too. Unless we did something about it.
The instigators of this plot to free them weren’t stupid. They could make me keep any knowledge of Micah a secret through the vow, but they couldn’t force me to cooperate with their grand plan. No, they were counting on me doing it because of what was at stake. I could end up with a child being sent there one day—even if I’d die first trying to stop it.
I buried my face in my hands, letting my long hair fall forward over my face. Ever since Lucas had returned I’d had my moments of doubt. Not that I’d let him or anyone else see them. It was just that we’d fought each other for so long we still didn’t know how to handle being a couple. A lot of tension remained between us.
It hung there whenever he refused to answer my questions and every time he left without saying where he was going or what he was doing. Then there was his past. Every time I tried to get him to talk about it he put a solid wall between us. He loved me—I knew that. He'd gone to Purgatory for breaking the rules to save me. But he didn't trust me.
Now I was giving him a good reason not to.
A twig snapped and I looked up. Kerbasi. I’d been so wrapped up in myself that I hadn’t noticed him getting closer. He was always nearby. Sometimes it was easier to pretend he wasn’t there at all.
The guardian had changed his clothes. He now wore a dark gray t-shirt and jeans with a new pair of hiking boots I’d bought him last week. His long black hair billowed in the breeze and his silver eyes swirled lazily.
I hated letting him see me having a weak moment, but it wasn’t like I could get rid of him. He was like an annoying bee buzzing around that wouldn’t go away.
“Is this one of those times where I’m supposed to be sensitive to your feelings and not bother you?” he asked, cocking his head to the side.
I leaned my back against the tree. “Would you?”
He didn’t answer right away. Just stared at me.
“No, I don’t think I will.” He took a few steps closer. “You’ve been quiet since that unusually long trip to the bathroom at the airport. I admit using a toilet leaves me unsettled, but it shouldn’t have been difficult for you.”
“Go away, Kerbasi. I’m in no mood to deal with you right now.”
I turned my head and stared at the stream. It moved slowly. Unlike my life, which seemed to move with the turbulent force of Niagara Falls.
“Is it your nephilim lover?” He moved around to block my view. “I must admit I cannot understand the attraction. You fight more than you agree and he doesn’t seem inclined to be near you for long. If you ask me, the two of you are doomed to fail.”
My body tensed.
He was voicing my fears. Kerbasi had an uncanny instinct for homing in on them. It was probably what had made him good at torturing his prisoners. But that didn’t mean what he said was true. He had no concept of love, relationships, or what made them work.
I rose to my feet. “You know what, Kerbasi?”
“What?” He lifted a brow.
“You might want to take a hard look at your own life. Name one time in your miserable existence that you’ve ever done something truly meaningful. Something good. I bet you can’t think of anything. So before you judge my life, try finding something worthwhile in your own.”
I turned on my heels and walked away. Within a minute, I sensed him following me. Halfway to the house, Sable came loping toward me. The shape-shifter cat was in her usual form as a lynx and ran until she reached my feet.
Kneeling down, I stroked her fur and listened to her heavy purr. As soon as I stood she scampered off—straight toward Emily. The scantily-dressed teenager was ambling along through the woods until she saw me, then she ran the rest of the way with Sable at her heels. Felisha—who’d been watching them while I was gone—must have dropped them off while I was out on my walk. I’d been past the half-mile range and didn’t sense their arrival.
“Did you find out anything about Micah?” she asked, almost out of breath.
Emily’s mother might have become a vampire a few years ago, but before that she’d produced a daughter who was a sensor like me. I couldn’t lie to her without her knowing.
“If Micah was in Spokane, he isn’t there now,” I said, choosing my words with care. “But Lucas is going to keep looking.”
“Good. I miss Micah.”
She tucked her hair behind her ears. One section was shorter than the rest. The brown locks had been shaved off for surgery back in the spring, but if we kept trimming the rest to shoulder length it would be even in a few more months.
You almost wouldn’t know she’d had brain damage except for the changes in her personality. She used to be sweet and easygoing. Now she was falling in line with the moody and rebellious types of teenagers. The change had been so swift I had a hard time dealing with it.
“What are you wearing?” I narrowed my eyes. She’d cut the length of her tank-top in half and her shorts were bordering dangerously close to Daisy Dukes.
She glanced down before giving a shrug. “It was hot outside.”
“I can see your stomach.” I grabbed her shoulders and turned her around. “And if your shorts were any shorter I’d be able to see your ass cheeks.”
“Mel!” She jerked away from me.
“Go put some clothes on,” I ordered, pointing at the house.
God, I was becoming such a parent.
“Yes, please,” Kerbasi said. He’d turned his back on us and had his face covered with his hands. “She looks like one of those ladies of the night who seduces virtuous men and damns their souls.”
“There is no such thing as a virtuous man.” I grabbed a pinecone and tossed it at his head. It was the only weapon I could find on short notice.
“Hey!” he shouted, spinning around. As soon as he got a good look at Emily his face turned red and he covered his eyes again.
It was actually kind of funny considering he’d kept his prisoners naked—which included Zoe—but he couldn’t handle seeing a young girl in a skimpy outfit. Still, I was glad he wasn’t interested in looking at her that way. Kerbasi was determined to keep his body pure. At least, that’s the story he’d stuck to so far.
“Let’s get inside.” I guided the teenager back the way she’d come.
“Fine,” she groused.
“So, how was your weekend?” I asked as we came into the clearing where the house sat.
Emily huffed out a breath. “It was okay. Felisha did a lot of cooking—I mean a lot—but it tasted really good. Hunter came over and hung out for awhile last night. That was about it.”
Felisha was a fairy and my boss at the herb shop where I worked. She’d just returned a few weeks ago from an extended stay at the fae city. Things had been difficult for her after discovering her fiancé—of the arranged variety—was behind a massive explosion that rocked the region and killed a lot of people. Then she’d had to face the fact that the man she really cared about had taken up with an old flame. Coming back here hadn’t been easy for her.
“How is she doing?” I glanced at Emily.
“The same. She kinda deals with her problems the way you do. I was getting headaches from watching her clean, cook, and make flower arrangements.”
“Hey! I don’t do flower arrangements,” I said, shuddering.
“True.” Emily kicked at a twig. “And she can cook edible meals.”
I decided to let that one pass.
“So what do you want to do for dinner?”
“I vote for pizza.” Kerbasi called from a short distance back. “I’ve found the less contact you’ve had with the food the better it tastes.”
“This isn’t a democracy,” I called back. “Anyway, I was thinking of making spaghetti. That usually comes out fine.”
The guardian started making choking noises. Emily’s face screwed up.
“Um, actually, I promised Hunter I’d go over to his house and study tonight. He said his dad was going to grill some steaks and, uh, you know steak tops spaghetti any day.”
It was Sunday—a school night—but she meant it when she said she wanted to study. She’d just started her junior year and Hunter was a senior. They’d made a pact to get high enough grades that they could go to college together somewhere far from here. He’d promised to work and save money until she finished. I wasn’t sure whether to be happy about her goals for higher education or upset she wanted to leave town right after graduation.
“You’re sure his father is going to be at his house? The whole time?”
Hunter’s father might be a werewolf, but he was a responsible parent. He’d keep an eye on his son and Emily. The two teenagers might start with good intentions, but that didn’t meant they wouldn’t get other ideas later.
“Yep, he said he would be.” Emily spoke the truth.
“Then you can go, but be back by nine.” I gave her a warning look before glancing back at the guardian. “It’ll just have to be Kerbasi and me for spaghetti.”
He grunted. “I’m not sure even my immortality can p
rotect me from your idea of tomato sauce.”
“Don’t you have a report you should be writing about the movie?” I asked as we came up to the house. “I think we should extend it to five pages instead of three.”
“Oooh, did I just hear that whip crack?” Emily gave the guardian a sly grin.
He narrowed his eyes at her. “You impertinent little…”
I grabbed his arm and turned him toward his home—a shed behind the house. It sounded crude, but it was a nice one with a window. He had a bed, a desk, and a dresser in there, as well as a lamp for lighting. I might keep him in the so called “dog house” but it was more than I was required to give him. Lucas had wanted to give him a tent.
“To your room.” I gave Kerbasi a helpful shove. “I’ll let you know when dinner is ready and if you eat all of it you might get desert.”
He stumbled forward one step, shot me a malicious look, and walked away.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” The teenager snapped her fingers. “Nik wants you to come by when you get a chance. He said he has something important to talk to you about.”
“Yeah, I’m sure he does,” I said, guiding her through the back door of our house. “But you’re changing your clothes before Hunter comes to get you.”
Chapter Seven
A female werewolf with shoulder-length blond hair guarded the entrance to Nik’s home. It would be a few more hours before a vamp would take over for the night shift. The exchange worked well for both races. Werewolves handled the daylight jobs and vampires helped them with compulsion if they got into a bind with humans.
This was especially useful if they landed in jail. Masters of territories regularly sent out a team of vamps just before full moons to ensure no one was in prison who might turn furry. Preventing human discovery was one of their biggest duties. If any supernatural revealed themselves to humans—with some minor exceptions—they had to cover it up fast if they didn’t want the archangels stepping in. Their clean-up jobs often involved sweeping up the violators along with the mess.
