Waking up that morning refreshed her, but now that she had the afternoon open, she couldn't help wondering about how she really felt. Maybe Jess had some advice. She'd gone through a few boyfriends already. Or maybe Josh had some advice, as a guy.
No. She couldn't tell her friends she might like Elis. The whole school would find out. Then she'd never hear the end of the teasing. How would she break it to Pallin?
Now was a perfect time to call Pallin, again. He hadn't answered earlier. What was he doing? Homework couldn't take all night, or all weekend.
She picked up the phone on her nightstand and dialed the hotel and they transferred her call. Sometimes they didn't put her right through. Guess it depended on the person answering. It rang several times, each time stealing her hope of reaching him. Why didn't he or someone answer?
Raea clicked off the phone with a heavy sigh.
A moment later, she noticed the time. Duh. He was probably out eating.
She should have tried sooner. With luck she could have joined him. He could have called her, though. The phone worked both ways.
She hated this. He always did the same thing. Time to give up.
But he's always happy to see me at school. He's probably busy. He'll call when he's free.
Yeah, probably.
So why did she feel like he didn't care? Probably because he didn't. Or maybe having to stay close to home scared him. Maybe that was it. She needed to get away from parental supervision, so he could relax and they could enjoy their time.
What was right?
She might as well have stuck her head in the washing machine on the spin cycle. Her emotions spun out of her control. She was an alien with wings, not human. Her crystal was more than a crystal, a collective of intelligent beings. She kind of still liked Pallin, but he never called or made any effort to hold her hand at school, and the one time they touched, the Starfire reacted. And in the meantime, she learned about a world that should only exist in her imagination but was real, a homeworld she didn't know. Stranger yet, she was falling for the one guy she never in a million years would have expected to like.
The world is gonna end. That has to be it. What else could there be to explain this? Hell froze over. With as cold as winter gets here, I wouldn't be surprised.
Yeah. That made sense. Sure.
Raea groaned and fell back on her bed. When would the dream end? When would the world return to something like normal?
The ring of her phone startled her. Pallin.
She snatched it up without checking the caller ID. "Hello?"
"Hey, Raea. Doing anything right now?"
Her excitement fizzled out. "Hi, Josh. No."
"Good. I thought we could get together—all of us—and hang out."
"Sounds good." That might get her mind off where her heart belonged.
"Yeah. I have the house to myself."
Oh, she so wanted to tell him. She needed someone to talk to who wasn't involved.
But, no. They couldn't know.
She needed the advice. How was she going to keep it all inside? She was terrible at keeping these kinds of secrets. What had she told Josh? Oh, yeah. Elis was helping her learn about her heritage. Okay. Heritage. Got it. "Cool. Good...um...Can I, like, ask you something? But you have to promise not to tell anyone, not even Jess and Linds. No one else."
"Yeah. Sure. I won't say anything."
She knew he would keep his word. Josh had admitted to knowing about Jess's mother having cancer even before losing her hair in chemotherapy. Jess had trusted him until she was ready to talk. Jess had trusted Josh over her. While it had hurt, it spoke highly of how they could trust him. He wouldn't say anything about this relationship stuff.
"Good, cause I thought I liked Pallin, but, you know, he's not going to be here much longer; and I've been spending time—a lot of time—learning stuff from Elis. I mean, it's like there's this sort of like weird..." Raea huffed away the rest. Just say it! "I think I like Elis. Say anything to anyone, anyone, and you're dead." There. She said it. Her heart raced to escape the inevitable, but she had stuck it out. Or rather, spit out what she needed to say.
Silence.
"Josh?"
"Okay...This is totally unexpected. What do you mean you think you like Elis? Wouldn't you know?"
"Yes. Maybe. But it's not that easy. When I'm with him, I actually kinda want to be closer. But I'm not so sure he likes me," because he leaves the room instead of helping me practice, "so I don't want to look stupid saying something. And I'd feel bad about Pallin, leading him on."
"Hmm...I don't know. This is something Jess is better at."
Great. Now Josh knew but telling him was a waste, because he didn't know what to say.
"What do I do?"
"You're gonna have to say something to them. But Pallin's leaving anyway, so maybe forget about him, let him down easy. I'm not so sure about Elis. He doesn't say much and stays out of the way. I suppose you could see how he reacts to you making a move."
"That is the last thing I want to do." She'd feel like a total moron.
"He probably wouldn't object. He's a guy. You're a pretty girl. Maybe he's just scared. You know we get scared of rejection, too."
Maybe, but it just felt too weird. Elis. This was Elis she was considering. And, while she didn't consider herself ugly, she wasn't particularly beautiful or anything. Thanks, Josh. He knew how to make her feel better. She needed to hear that.
"I'll figure it out, but please, please don't tell anyone?"
"I won't. You'll probably tell me anyway when something happens. Everyone else does," he said. "Why does everyone have to tell me their secrets?"
"Because we know you can keep them."
"Yay. Good for me. Anyway, hurry over. Linds is on her way. She's picking up pizza for lunch."
Her stomach grumbled at the thought of pizza. "I'll be there in five."
"'Kay. See ya."
"Bye."
Awesome. Something to do to get her mind off things. But now Josh knew. Maybe he was right. No matter what, she probably should call it off with Pallin. He wouldn't be around long anyway.
* * *
"This is a waste, Nina."
She expected that attitude. Travis and Jake didn't know what she had discovered, because she couldn't yet be sure. But she was damn well not going to sacrifice what she suspected.
D.C. had other business at the hotel. Too bad. She wouldn't have complained.
"Not if that girl is connected to our angels." Not if the girl was one of the angels. It had to be. The documentation with the images Nolan sent explained some ancient beliefs in higher beings with incredible powers who had flown to the heavens. One could take it literally as a description of angels, and when studying the paintings, she could see the similarity with the marks on Raea Dahlrich's hands. If she sprouted wings and took to the air, Nina wanted to be ready.
The crew had rented an SUV when they arrived to haul their equipment. Raea wouldn't recognize it as she had the white rental car.
"Stay on her." Nina wanted every second on film. Where was the girl going on a nice day with her jacket unzipped? Where was Elis? Where were her wings? Surely she couldn't hide them under that jacket. Nina couldn't be wrong. Maybe the wings only came out at night. Whatever the case, she would make that discovery.
Were they angels? If not, then what? What was their purpose? Raea had grown up here. Her friends had confirmed that, along with the birth records, but they could all be lies and forgeries.
Nina had to know.
"You know, we could be interviewing more witnesses," Jake said from the driver's seat. His shiny bald head contrasted the dark shades he wore.
"No. This is too important." Was Raea walking to Josh's house? It seemed that way. Why?
"Uh, Nina? What about the Dark Angel?" Travis turned from the camera to her, his short hair looking like he just got out of bed, as usual. From the gray hoodie, faded jeans, and black stormtrooper tee, he could have been one of
the kids they watched.
"This is about more than the dark angel. I think she may be one of them."
"One of what?" Travis turned to her.
"Get that camera back on her!" Better. She wanted every moment caught on tape. "One of the angels."
A momentary pause passed between the two men.
"If she's an angel, where's her wings?" Travis asked.
"Hiding."
"Where?"
Travis's question echoed her thoughts. Where, indeed, could the girl hide wings? Her back was as flat as any girl of her stature. In fact, she was too perfect and slim, too human.
"I...It doesn't matter. If she's an angel, she probably has ways of hiding them. Humor me." She met Jake's gaze, or assumed she did, through the shades. He shrugged. 'Atta boy. You've been with me too long. You know I'm usually right.
"You're not seriously going along with this?" Travis looked from her to Jake, who gave a single nod of his head. He had only been on her crew for three months. The rookie had to be broken in the hard way.
Skeptic. You'll see.
"Do it," Jake said.
"All right. As long as I get paid."
The payoff would come when they caught Raea, and hopefully Elis, with wings. They hid among mere humans. Why?
And what had really happened to Raea's mother? There had been a Padina Shartrael married to Scott Dahlrich. She had been on record as pregnant when Scott himself put through her paperwork to enter the country. Debbie hadn't lied about that. How could an angel be born on that world? Didn't they just exist?
Something still didn't quite make sense. Either everyone lied or some detail evaded her.
Too many questions. Nina wanted answers. One way or another, she would find them.
Raea still seemed unaware of them. A rust-spotted white car pulled up in the driveway of the Baum house. Raea waved and jogged over as a girl with a ponytail stepped out—Lindsey, if Nina remembered right—one of Josh's other friends. Didn't the young man hang out with any boys his age? Then again, at his age, hanging out with girls was something most guys wanted. Smart boy. Linds, as the others called her, lifted two pizza boxes aloft.
"Oh, man. Pizza. When do we get to eat?" Travis said.
"Later." Nina hadn't thought about food. Was it lunchtime already? That would mean taking a break, and Raea could slip away. Nina would have to plan better next time.
Raea opened the door of the house for Linds, and they disappeared inside.
"That's it?" Travis lowered the camera. "Can we go get food?"
How long would the girl be inside? What were they doing, besides stuffing their faces with pizza?
"Fine. But we'll be back."
"Why don't we get those last interviews before we track this girl?" Jake started the vehicle. "Next time we'll bring food."
A man after her heart. Jake understood. "All right. Let's do it. We should have time for one interview today." And hopefully the last two tomorrow, and a couple days to watch Raea and Elis.
Golden Demon
Raea stared at the last few pieces of cold pizza. Tempting. But what a pig. She'd eaten three huge slices four hours ago. They all had. She'd had her fill then and shouldn't be hungry again already, but she was.
The laughter and game competition worked up her appetite. Josh had munched all afternoon, and his mom invited them to stay for supper. Raea wouldn't say no to that. She needed the break. Spending a Saturday with her closest friends, joking and laughing, had been what she needed to erase the confusion of her heart.
But her thoughts shifted to Pallin and Elis often, especially when Josh gave her funny looks.
"So, I suppose you want to spend some time with Pallin?" Linds nudged her in the ribs with a suggestive smile.
"Actually, I'm not really into him like I thought."
Jess turned from her racing game against Josh. "What? What do you mean? I thought you two made a cute couple. Everyone at school is jealous."
"Not really. It's like he's too busy, except at school. Besides, he's leaving soon."
"But what about keeping in touch long-distance?" Jess turned back at a "Booyah!" from Josh.
"I don't feel right about that." True, but she couldn't tell them everything. Josh knew the real reason, and he kept quiet. Thank goodness.
"So, you're gonna break it off?"
"Break what off? There's nothing there."
"Well, you should at least make it clear to him."
"I suppose, but he never answers the phone when I call." Without Pallin to occupy her thoughts, she could focus on Elis. But how would she test him? What if he didn't like her the same? Oh, God. Strike me down now. Spare me the pain. She didn't want to think Elis might not like her. And to think a week and a half ago she had been totally against anything to do with him. She blamed the Starfire for everything.
"Then you should do it in person," Jess said. "So he knows you're serious."
Raea cringed. That was the last thing she wanted now. Whatever she saw when he had first appeared fizzled out. She really didn't want to go, but she'd never find the nerve at school with everyone listening. "I just want this over with. It's been bothering me for the last couple days. I'm so sick of worrying about it. Linds, can I beg a ride?"
"Where?"
"The Prairie Rose Inn."
"Sure. Now?"
"You're not going alone." Josh turned from his game. "If he takes it wrong... Maybe I should come too, just in case?"
Josh's support warmed her. She could always count on friends. "I think Linds and I can handle it."
"You're sure?" That look. He knew the details, but that didn't mean she wanted to say what had to be said with a bunch of witnesses. Bad enough to have to say anything to Pallin.
"Thanks." She could always count on her friends. "I think we'll be fine."
"All right. But if you change your mind, I'm ready." He was serious. The fact that he ditched his car in the racing game prove that, especially when he was winning.
Good old Josh. Why couldn't she have fallen for him? Why hadn't anyone else? Because Josh was a friend, not a boyfriend. She had never even considered it. Someday, some girl would snatch him up. But that someday and some girl wasn't her or now.
She didn't want to go through with this. But the others were right. It would only be fair to Pallin, if he was even interested, which was more than the courtesy he gave her. Besides, she could move on without worrying about it.
She and Linds grabbed their jackets and left for the hotel.
By the time they arrived, Raea's stomach somersaulted into a queasy mess, but she exited the car and walked with her friend to the front doors.
"You're sure about this?" Linds stopped with her hand on the lobby door of the hotel.
"Yeah. I have to get it over with."
"You don't look so good."
Ya think? What gave her the first clue, besides that Raea had talked about it the whole ride there? "I'll be fine. Jess is right. At least in person, I can be sure he gets the message. And he can't ignore me like he can a phone. This can't wait until Monday either. I have to do it now." Before she lost her nerve, and so she could sleep.
"Jess would know. She's dumped enough guys the last couple of years."
Definitely. That was why Raea trusted her opinion. This was her first time, though. She should have listened to Debbie. Why did this feel right but make her feel so sick? Why couldn't these things be easy?
They said little through the quiet corridors of the hotel and found his room on the top floor.
"Ready?" Linds asked.
Not really, but it had to be done. Raea took a deep breath and knocked.
After only a couple seconds of silence, Raea calmed. "Okay. He's not here. Let's go."
The opening of the door stopped her mid-turn.
Oh, man. He was so hot.
No. She couldn't think that. That's all he was.
"Raea. I left message with Debbie." His amber eyes flashed to Linds and back to her.
; "You did? I...didn't know. My friends and I hung out at Josh's." Her temperature rose. Now was not a good time for the Starfire to act up. Stay calm. Get it done. Don't linger. She could do this.
"I am glad you came. Come in, and your friend."
"Oh, ah..." She glanced aside. "You remember Linds?"
"Yes, Linds." A shadow passed over his expression for a moment. "You can come in."
Why did he have to smile? It made this so much harder. Raea could hardly stand it. Linds. Don't go in. That just means I have to do this. Damn. She had to follow her friend into the room.
Pallin let the door thump closed behind them. An unopened bottle of wine stood on the table near the window. Where'd he get that? Did his parents let him drink? He slipped past them to retrieve it. "I have special surprise."
"Um...I don't drink." Then again, Debbie wasn't there to police her. What harm could one glass do? She wanted to try it. Debbie always refused to let her, even when her aunt and uncle celebrated with wine at the holidays. It wasn't like she wanted to get drunk. She just wanted a taste.
"I wouldn't mind a little."
Linds? Raea couldn't believe it.
"Mom and dad let me have a little bit when they get a bottle. I know what I can tolerate. Why not?" She grabbed three plastic wrapped hotel cups from the bathroom and started opening them. "Here. Only a third for me."
Pallin opened the bottle, which didn't have the usual cork, a sign of cheapness. Exactly what she'd come to expect from him. "It is good."
"So, why the special occasion?" Linds worked at the plastic around the other cups.
"Um, not staying long and want good memory."
Could he make this any harder for her? All Raea wanted was to tell him that she wanted a clean end and no more pretending to see each other. That's it. No more. But, now this. Her heart sank with the burden of guilt. How could she let him down?
Why did she listen to Jess? She should have followed her instincts and tried calling, or even waited for Monday.
As if she could wait. She wanted to free her mind of Pallin to clear it for Elis.
"So..."
"A drink first." He poured a little in each glass.
Raea took hers. The rosy pink liquid filling only a quarter of the cup couldn't hurt. Maybe it would even loosen her up enough to say what she needed to say. Or at least, from hearing Debbie, it might help.
Starfire Angels (Starfire Angels: Dark Angel Chronicles Book 1) Page 14
