by Amy Boyles
There was one thing to do—we needed to find this angel and we needed to find her fast.
I said my good-byes and thumbed off the phone.
“Do you have some sort of angel homing device?” I said to Stone.
“No. Why?”
“Because we’ve got to find Star before tomorrow night. That’s when they’ll do the handover.”
He glanced down at his watch. “Are you just now figuring that out?”
“Did you know this?”
We crossed the road. He lightly pressed his fingers into the small of my back. “Halloween is important. How could it not be?”
“You didn’t tell me that.”
He glanced down at me, his silvery eyes shining. “You should’ve known, Huntress.”
I shook my head. “You’re right, I should have, but I didn’t. We need to get into that nightclub and snoop around. If that bartender is hiding information about Charlotte, there’s no telling what else he’s hiding from us.”
Stone held the door for me, and I slipped inside. I beelined straight for Luke, who was at his spot behind the bar.
“Y’all are back,” Luke said. He pulled a toothpick from his mouth and gave me an easy smile.
I didn’t mince words. I didn’t have time for that crap. For goodness’ sake, I had to save the world before tomorrow and still find time to do laundry and give baths. I was one busy single mom.
“You didn’t tell us you were having a relationship with Charlie,” I said.
Luke’s smile faded. “She didn’t want anyone to know.”
“You weren’t the only one she was dating,” Stone said.
Luke blanched. “What makes you say that?”
“Because we found this.” I pulled the snapshot of Justin and Charlotte from my purse. I showed it to him. Luke took it. A flash of pain flared in his eyes.
“I don’t know where she is.”
“You sure about that?” I said.
Luke dropped his head. When he glanced up, he tapped a fist on the bar. “One hundred percent. Look, if I knew, I’d tell you. I haven’t heard from her since she disappeared. I wish I knew where she was, wish I knew what had happened to her, but I don’t.”
Stone nodded. “If you find out anything, call us.”
Luke wiped down the bar. “I will. I promise.”
Stone guided me toward the front entrance. He leaned over and whispered, “We’re going to pretend to leave.”
Nerves jittered in my stomach. “But then we’re going to sneak around back and go check out the basement, right?”
He smiled. “You love this kind of stuff, don’t you?”
I clapped my hands together. “Please, oh please, can I play detective?”
He chuckled. The corners of his eyes crinkled in a way that made me salivate. Long, thick lashes fringed his eyes. They looked like they’d give awesome butterfly kisses.
I kinda wanted to see if that was true.
Stop it. I did not need to get involved with a supernatural being. Even if he was hot. And available.
We left Nightshots and walked down the block until we came to the alley. Our footfalls were the only sound as we reached the back of the building. The rear door was old, with dark wooden panels and a knob that looked like it was from the eighteen hundreds.
“Shouldn’t be hard to break,” Stone said.
I turned the knob and pulled. It opened without a hitch. “Don’t need to,” I said.
“Too bad. I really wanted to show off my brute strength,” Stone murmured in my ear.
We crept inside. Voices from the bar wafted toward us. We stood in a dimly lit hallway that connected to the bathrooms. Mens and womens were on our right. To our left was another door.
Stone tugged on it. “This one is locked.”
“Guess it’s brute strength time,” I said. “Or we could just open it with magic.”
Stone nodded. “Do it.”
I winked at the door. A mist of magic engulfed the wood. Tumblers shifted and moved as it unlocked. “It helps to keep a witch on hand,” I said, grinning.
“Don’t ever leave home without her,” he said.
He turned the knob and pulled. A dark staircase greeted us. I followed him inside and shut the door behind me. Stone flipped a switch just inside the door. A single low-watt bulb flickered to life.
Figured.
Why couldn’t the basement be bright and cheery instead of dark and spooky? What the heck? Am I a magnet for the weird and scary?
Yes. Yes I am.
We crept down the creaking flight of stairs. I wrinkled my nose as the scents of mold and must filled the air.
At the bottom of the staircase lay another hallway and two doors.
Stone smiled. “Which one holds the prize?”
The sound of voices above startled me. Instinctively, I gestured a flipping motion with my finger. The lights flickered off, and the door locked behind us.
“Who’s there?” someone shouted.
I felt Stone grab my hand. We reached one of the doors. He opened it and pulled me inside. The room wasn’t anything more than a closet from the way clutter brushed up against me.
“I know someone’s in there!” the voice shouted again. The lock snicked and booted footsteps stamped down the stairs.
I could feel Stone's breath blowing faintly in my hair. I backed up, but something jammed into the back of my knee. I stumbled. Stone's arms folded around me, and he pulled me into his chest. I glanced up, trying to see him. All I managed to do was brush my lips against a clean-shaven patch of chin.
The world ignited. Like, literally. Fire seared over my mouth and down my throat. Stone dipped his head toward me.
“Who’s here?” the voice said again.
Stone's hand brushed against my hip.
“I guess no one,” the man said. I heard him climbing back up the stairs.
I held my breath as Stone's lips brushed mine when he spoke. “He’s gone.”
His breath tickled my mouth. “How?” I whispered.
Yes, my lips brushed against his, too. The energy in the tiny closet popped and sizzled.
His full lips grazed mine. “My Jedi mind trick.”
“So you weren’t kidding.”
“No.”
I pulled away. I did not need to get kissed. It’s not what I wanted. No way. No how. “Okay. Let’s keep going.”
“Before we go,” Stone whispered.
Yes? My heart pounded and a rush of hormones flooded my body.
The light switched on.
Our eyes met for the briefest of moments. Stone glanced away, taking stock of the utility closet.
“Ammonia and light bulbs,” I gushed. “How awesome. What you expected?”
“From the smell, yes.”
I scoffed. “I’ll have you know I smell like marshmallow fluff.”
“And I’m sure you’re delicious,” he murmured.
“I am.”
I guess. I don’t really know, but it sounded super good. Not exactly classy, but definitely spunky.
I nodded toward the door. “Let’s see what else is down here.”
It opened with a creak that could’ve woken the dead. “Not exactly subtle,” I complained.
Stone placed a hand on the knob across the shallow hall. “Shall we see what’s behind door number two?”
I nodded. “Be my guest.” Stone opened the door. “After you.”
I stepped inside and flipped the light switch. I gasped.
Stevie the janitor lay on the floor. He had two puncture wounds in his neck and a piece of paper clutched between his fingers.
Stone placed a hand on the body. His fingers glowed, and what I can only describe as a heavenly halo washed over him.
Realization hit me like a Mack truck. Dot’s words about the halo came rushing back.
“You’re not a fallen angel at all.”
Stone’s jaw clenched. “No, I’m not. I never fell.”
I narrowed my eyes
. “Which means you lied to me.”
TWENTY
“Not all supernaturals are bad.”
—The Witch’s Handbook
* * *
I backed away from him. “Are you kidding? You lied to me?”
Stone raised his hands. “Let’s hold on now. I have a reason.”
I crossed my arms. “Really? What reason would that have been?”
“It’s difficult to explain.”
“Try me.”
Stone shook his head. He turned away, showing off his profile. “It’s easier to say I’ve fallen than try to explain that I’m here on earth trying to keep the world safe.”
“Seems pretty easy to me.”
Stone frowned. “Listen, let’s grab what we can and get out of here. We need to talk.”
“You can say that again,” I mumbled.
We sneaked out of the basement, but not before I snatched the paper from Stevie’s hand. I shoved it into my pant pocket. I’d read it later.
I stalked back to the SUV. “So you haven’t fallen. You’re someone’s true guardian, but you’re here, like undercover? Is that it?”
“Something like that,” he mumbled.
I stopped. Right there in the middle of the street. I fisted my hands to my hips and tapped one booted foot on the asphalt. “I’m not moving until I get an explanation.”
Truth was, I was falling for him—hard—and he’d lied to me about a huge detail—that he was a currently-in-good-standing angel.
“So you never fell. What else have you lied to me about? When I looked cute?”
Sorry. Couldn’t help myself.
Fire burned in his eyes when he said, “That wasn’t a lie. That’s the truth.”
Stone hit the remote for the SUV. I wedged inside as soon as it blipped.
He started driving. I had no idea where we were headed.
He gazed at me from time to time as he drove. The intensity of his stare made goose bumps crawl over my flesh. “Everything I’ve told you is true. I’ve found people relate to me better when they think I’ve fallen instead of me being a full-fledged angel.”
I shook my head. “I don’t work with anyone I don’t trust.”
“Andie, I’m sorry. I did it because I thought it was the right thing to do.”
I flipped down the visor and checked my makeup in the mirror. “No, you did it because you didn’t think I’d find out.”
Stone shook his head. “You’re right. It was a mistake.”
“It was more than a mistake.” I pushed the visor back in place. “I work alone. That’s how this is going to be.”
Worry filled his gaze. “I need you.”
I rolled my eyes. “What else are you hiding?”
And why did it feel like my heart had been squeezed to bursting? A patchwork of emotions raged inside me—anger, fear, betrayal, love… Love? Okay, maybe not love, but I had feelings for Stone, and to have him lie to me? That wasn’t cool.
He thumbed his chin. “Being an angel makes things more complicated.”
I quirked a brow. “It would have made things more honest.”
He grimaced.
I fished my phone from my purse and dialed Oscar Snare’s number. I explained that there was another dead body in the basement of Nightshots and hung up before he had time to ask me how I knew about it.
“Nightshots is going to have a bad night,” I said. “My guess is they’ll be closing early. So let’s go over what we’ve got—two murder victims, both with a connection to the same girl. One not so fallen angel and one missing angel, plus one rift in the veil that is apparently allowing supernaturals into my city. If we don’t find Star by tomorrow night and fix the rift, then it will literally be hell on earth until eternity.”
“Or the zombie apocalypse,” Stone joked.
“Not funny. I’m sitting beside an angel who thinks it’s okay to lie, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the zombie apocalypse was already upon us.”
“I’m on your side.”
I shook my head. “I didn’t say you weren’t. But right now I don’t trust you.”
Stone pulled off on the side of the road. He opened his door and strode out into an open field.
I got out and followed him through the long grass. It was yellow and dried, crunching beneath my feet.
He turned around. “You’re not supposed to know this.”
I arched a brow. “What? Or will you come up with another lie?”
His jaw clenched. “I’m here for Gabby.”
Every hair stood on my body. I gritted my teeth. “What are you talking about?”
He lowered his head in defeat. “I’m Gabby’s guardian angel.” He glanced up. His gaze pierced my heart. “In case you haven’t figured it out, your daughter is special—very special.”
She was special. Never in my life had I seen a witch with magic like hers.
He took a step toward me. “I’m here to protect her because in the next six months something is going to happen. Normal will be in danger, maybe even the very fabric of the universe will need saving. I don’t know. All I know is that I’ve been sent here to protect her. Because your daughter is going to play a pivotal role in whatever’s going to happen.”
“My daughter’s only two.”
He raised his palms in surrender. “Hey, I don’t make the rules. I only follow them.”
I ran a finger down the side of my mouth. “You should’ve told me earlier.”
“And creeped you out? That would’ve been the wrong play.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Why should I believe you?”
Stone opened his arms wide. “I’m going to make it easy for you,” he shouted. “If you don’t trust me, use your power. Destroy me. If you think I’m hiding something more and that I’ll turn on you, get rid of me. Blast me off the face of the earth. I’ve lied to you.” He lowered his voice. “I’m here to keep your daughter safe. I’ve betrayed you. I pulled you in, and you feel suckered. So get rid of me before I can hurt you any deeper.”
My breath hitched. “I didn’t say that. I never said that.”
His eyes narrowed, and his expression darkened to one way beyond anger. More like a post-apocalyptic stage of rage. “You don’t have to say it. That’s what you think. Don’t bother to consider the fact that I’ve been helping you so we can stop the vampires.”
Fact is, everything he said was right. Those were exactly the churning thoughts zinging around in my brain. “You are one step away from being my enemy.”
Stone stared at the ground. “Only if that’s who you want me to be.”
He leveled his gaze on me. Energy swelled between us. Stone took three long strides, and he stood right in front of me. The clean scent of him drifted up my nose. I pressed my palm to his shirt. The heat from him radiated through the cotton and sank into my skin.
Stone hooked a finger beneath my chin and lifted my face until our eyes met.
“If that’s who I’m supposed to be, then that’s who I’ll be. But I don’t think that’s what you want.”
The air crackled and popped. Fire surged in every vein as we stared down each other. The air was ripe with some sort of tension that made my hair stand on end.
Stone grazed his knuckles over my jaw. “I’m here to help you.”
The nearness of him made me breathless. I tried to push away the sensation that I was falling for the angel, hard, but he was like a flame and I was a moth intent on burning up.
Besides, I felt his goodness. Yes, he had lied to me, but there was a ring of truth to the why of it.
I stepped back. “I won’t send you back to heaven today.”
He nodded, a dark expression etched on his face. “I’m not manipulating you.”
I pulled away and licked the edge of my lip. His gaze trailed my mouth. I shivered. “We should go.”
He swiped a finger down the hollow of my neck. “You’re right.” He took my hand and led me toward the car. “From what I understand, we’ll need Gabby in t
he next six months. I’ll be staying in town until then.”
“Not sure how I feel about my daughter being in danger.”
Stone shook his head. “We’ll keep her safe.” He stopped. “So what’s written on the paper you took off Stevie?”
I twisted my wedding band. “I forgot about it.”
He winked. “I have that effect on women.”
My words came out sharp. “As an ageless angel I’m sure you’ve had lots of experience at that.”
A shadow of hurt crossed his face. “Listen, I know you’re guarded. I know you’ve got issues, but try not to put them on me.”
I cringed. He was right. Why did I have to be such a meany? I turned to him and sighed. “I’m sorry.”
He slid a finger over my cheek. “We’ve all been hurt. It’s the getting over it that’s important.”
I took a deep breath and nodded. “You’re right.” We stared at each other so long I felt like he was looking into my dark, ugly soul, judging me.
Not really.
“Oh! The paper.” I reached in my jeans and pulled out the slip. “It’s an address.”
Stone peered over my shoulder. “Whose?”
I bit my lip. “I think it’s Charlotte’s. I remember seeing it when I looked over her application for the babysitting job. Plus, the handwriting is definitely feminine. Do you think she’s there?”
Stone opened the door for me. “There’s only one way to find out. Let’s ride out and see.”
TWENTY-ONE
“Ultimately, the book won’t stop until it takes everything you have.”
—The Witch’s Handbook
* * *
We reached Charlotte’s house a few minutes later. Since I’d called her dad, Oscar, about the body at Nightshots, I didn’t expect him to be home. I expected him to be at the club declaring another heart condition or whatever. Not that the coroner was trying to cover things up.
Of course not.
Stone braked to a stop in front of an older two-story A-frame. A single bulb lit the wraparound porch.
