The Guardian, a Sword, & Stilettos (The Enlighten Series Book 1)

by Kristin D. Van Risseghem

  “Probably. Plus, you’ll need me to referee between lover boy and your bestie!”

  Wasn’t that the truth, I thought with a sigh. My phone pinged with a text from Shay, saying he was at the front door. Trying to dampen the thrill that raced through me, I excused myself and set off to let him in.

  He smiled like the sun. “Hey, Zoe. I brought the orchid.” He handed me the single white flower again, and I rose to my tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.

  “Thanks.” I moved for the stairs. “I’m going to put this in my room. Sidelle is outside if you want to join us out there.”

  “Oh—” He turned me back toward him. “I could wait for you here. Are your ‘rents home?”

  “No, they’re running errands. Why?”

  A smug smile lifted one corner of his mouth. “Because then I’m free to do this.” He pulled me into his arms and lowered his lips to mine, giving me a real kiss. The peck on the cheek hadn’t been enough. I was a little dizzy when I stepped back, then I gave him an apologetic smile and raced upstairs. After I put the flower safely in my room, I returned and found Shay and Sidelle chatting out back. Shay had taken my chair, but when I moved to find another one, he grabbed my arm and patted his lap with his other hand. I snorted then shrugged.

  “Fine,” I said. If he wanted my full weight on his lap for who knows how long, he was going to have it. “No complaining allowed.”

  I leaned into him while he wrapped his arms around me, holding me close despite the electrical shock. When we linked our hands, Sidelle narrowed her eyes and tilted her head, but watched in silence. Her mouth kept twitching, but I wasn’t sure if it was from trying to hide a smile or some smart comment.

  “We were talking about the Marqs from last night,” Shay told me. “I think we need to come up with a schedule for one of us to be with you at all times.”

  “She definitely can’t go off jogging alone anymore.” Sidelle cleared her throat. “It’s way too dangerous now that she has two levels of demons after her.”

  “How’s that going to work when I’m at home and during school nights?” I asked.

  “We’ll think of something,” she replied. “But you can’t be alone. Sam is going to keep sending his minions after you until we can figure out how to stop him and the Marqs.”

  “Have you ever killed one?” I watched her closely. “What can kill them?”

  “Glamour will only hold them off for so long,” she informed me. “I got lucky last night because there were only four. My Glamour on its own can hold off any number of DKs at a time, but during wars we leave them to the nephilim and guardian angels. Some of the Archangels and more experienced nephilim can take on a Marq, maybe even two.”

  “When Knights are killed on Earth, they don’t die,” Shay explained. “Their bodies disintegrate and reappear in Hell. Depending on what sort of bodily damage was inflicted on them during a battle and what they died from. That determines how long it will take their bodies to regenerate and be sent back to Earth to fight again.

  “Knights are the lowest on the totem pole. They are easy to kill since they are most like humans. They’re susceptible to all human ways of being hurt or killed. Marquises, on the other hand, are almost impossible. Very few of us have lived to tell the story, anyway. We’ll have to talk with my dad and the Council to see if there is a way.”

  “I need to learn to fight,” I decided. “I mean, if demons are going to keep coming after me, I should at least know how to defend myself, right? With a sword, I think. You all seem to have one.”

  Shay looked skeptical. “Zoe, I’m not sure about the fighting with swords. Not right away, anyway. It takes years to learn how to wield one correctly, and we don’t have a lot of time right now. But yes, I think you should learn some basic self-defense maneuvers as a precaution. And gradually get into offensive with hand to hand and see how that goes. After that we can maybe advance to fighting with weapons.”

  I heard footsteps on the patio coming toward us, and I craned my neck to greet the visitor.

  “Hey, Kieran!” I said, unaccountably relieved to see him. But my smile faded upon seeing his frown.

  “Your dad let me in and told me to come on back. Am I interrupting?”

  I suddenly saw myself as he saw me: snuggled on Shay’s lap, and I blushed a deep red. He stared at me, clenching his jaw.

  I waved with my free hand, trying to keep my voice light. “Of course not. We’re formulating a strategy against the demons.”

  “I see,” he said. His hard eyes went to Shay.

  “Okay, boys!” Sidelle shouted. “You two need to bash this thing out then let it go. We have way bigger problems than trying to figure out who gets the girl. Sorry, Zoe.”

  “No offense taken.” I shifted, and Shay helped me stand. Hoping to ease some of the tension, I grabbed two more chairs and set them with the others.

  “Good.” Sidelle pointed at Kieran. “Now knock that crap off. Since you weren’t at Cali’s party last night, you wouldn’t know that two more DKs showed up and tried to kill Zoe. They got smart and brought four Marqs along to the par-tay.”

  “Didn’t Shay tell you last night?” I asked.

  Kieran chose not to sit, but his eyes widened at the mention of Marqs. He turned to me, and I almost cried with happiness when he hugged me. “My God, Zoe, are you okay?”

  I reluctantly peeled myself from Kieran’s embrace and nodded. “I’m fine. Sidelle saved us. She’s a fairy! Did you know that?”

  He chuckled and nodded.

  “Zoe also created another protective orb last night,” Shay said. “It was like the one in the warehouse, it was permeable, but it wouldn’t let us out.”

  “Us?” Kieran snapped.

  “Kieran . . .” Sidelle warned.

  She’s so awesome.

  “It was around me, too,” Shay admitted, taking my hand. I saw admiration in his eyes. “We could move, but only a few steps. I tried poking it with my sword, but nothing happened. It basically moved outward with the sword’s movements. Under different circumstances it’d be pretty cool.”

  At Shay’s insistence, I resumed my place on his lap after that, and never let go of his hand during the rest of the conversation. I couldn’t read Kieran’s expression, but he seemed to be dealing with the situation as well as he could. Maybe he was okay with it. Then again, maybe he’d blow a gasket later.

  “So what’s the next step?” Shay asked.

  “I think I should talk to the Council and Michael, and you talk with your dad,” Kieran said. “We need to figure out how to stop or at least slow the Marqs. I’m betting Sam is extremely angry after last night. He’ll send the Prince out soon, since the cage lock hasn’t broken yet, if the Marqs can’t get the job done.” He turned toward Sidelle. “And I think you should go to the Summer King. Advise him of the situation, if you haven’t already.”

  “What can I do while you guys do that?” I asked. “I need to be proactive about this.”

  “Zoe?” Dad yelled from the back door.

  I leaned away from Shay when I heard my name called. Please don’t come out here. I didn’t want to explain why I was sitting on a boy’s lap.

  “Yeah, Dad?”

  “What is that sitting on the street?”

  I was relieved that he stayed in the doorway. “I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about.”

  “I know you do, because it was here last night, too.”

  Oh crap. With pleading eyes, I whispered in Shay’s ear, “My dad wants to look at your car.”

  He laughed. “Oh, is that all?”

  Muttering apologies to my other two friends, I extracted myself from Shay’s lap and led him to the house.

  Shay stood beside me, smiling confidently at my dad while I introduced them.

  “Dad, this is Shay Curator. He’s Kieran’s friend from, um, school. Shay, this is my dad, Kevin.”

  Shay extended his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Jabril.”

  “Where’s Mom
and Stella?” I asked.

  “They dropped me off so they could do more shopping.” Dad answered me, but his smile was all for Shay. “That’s a mighty fine specimen out front. 1957 Chevy Bel Air, am I right?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Please, call me Kevin.”

  “Okay.”

  The three of us walked out to his car, and dad surprised me with how cordial he was around Shay. Not the overprotective father I’d expected at all.

  “When did you buy it?” Dad asked. “All the parts still original?”

  “Mostly,” Shay replied, avoiding his first question. “I changed out the stereo to a CD/iPod player.”

  Dad seemed to agree. “I would, too. Do you drive it to car shows? I don’t think I’ve seen this one at any of them around here.” He glanced up from the car, looking sheepish. “I can’t get the women to go with me when one’s in town, so I usually go alone.”

  “There’s one coming up next weekend at the Minneapolis Convention Center,” Shay said. “Wanna go with me?”

  Oh Shay, you’ll have my dad wrapped around your finger in no time. Dad glanced at me with hopeful eyes. I couldn’t deny him this.

  “I think you should,” I told him.

  Now that he had my permission, Dad walked around the Bel Air, not touching it, but examining it under a microscope. Looking up from the wheels he asked, “What made you pick this model and not some other one?”

  “It was between her and a 1962 Lincoln Continental Convertible with suicide doors.” He shrugged. “I got a better deal on this.”

  “A ‘62 Lincoln. That’s a pretty sweet car, but I’d have to agree. This is better.” He shook Shay’s hand again. “Good choice. Very good choice.” They stood side by side, staring at the car, and I had to work on not laughing.

  “I’ll leave you two alone now,” I said with a grin, then turned back to the house. Just before I reached the front door, I glanced back, still amazed at my dad’s behavior. If I hadn’t turned around, I would have missed it. Dad had leaned over to whisper something in Shay’s ear. Shay nodded and said something back. I was dying to know what they were talking about. Then again, they were probably just talking cars.

  By the time I made it to the front door, Shay had jogged up to stand beside me. “Your dad is way cool!”

  “You’re saying that to butter him up.”

  “No, he is. Kieran says so, too.”

  “What did he whisper to you at the end?” I asked.

  He smiled gently and brushed his fingers over my cheek, tucking back my hair. “He told me to treat you better than I care for the car. He said a car can be replaced, and you can’t be.”

  Now that was nice to hear. “And you said?”

  “I promised I’d protect you with my life.”

  When we returned to the backyard, Kieran and Sidelle sat chatting away as if they were besties, and I felt an unexpected pang of jealousy. Then again, I supposed they had history, too. She’s hard not to like. As we approached, I picked up some of the conversation, and it wasn’t about me this time. They were discussing some ancient war or battle, bringing up words like Heaven, Hell, and Fallen Angels. Kieran said something about “going to the Council soon.”

  Sidelle smiled at Shay as we returned. “How was the car showing?”

  “I’m sure Shay was a smooth talker.” Kieran glanced at our linked hands. “He always has been.”

  “Ho-kay!” Sidelle exclaimed, jumping to her feet. “That’s my cue to scoot. A gal can only take so much testosterone, and this makes my quota for the day! I’m outta here. See ya ‘round, boys.” She gave me a little hug. “Bye, Zoe. I’ll see you tomorrow at school. Keep both of them in line, will you?”

  Her exit left me alone with Shay and Kieran—and a whole lot of awkward silence. That was disappointing. I had been hoping she’d stay to be the referee.

  Kieran glowered in his chair, and a wave of regret passed over me. This wasn’t fair to him—to any of us, but especially to him. I knew we had to talk, sort out everything and move on. I also knew deep down that while Shay was inextricably a part of me now, I still needed Kieran. The four of us would have to work together.

  I faced Shay. “I’m glad you came over, Shay, but now I’m wondering . . .” I swallowed. “Can I . . . I need to talk to Kieran alone.”

  He hesitated only briefly. “I’ll go.”

  “Thanks for understanding. Can you find your way out?”

  He nodded. “If I make a wrong turn, I’m sure your dad will help me.”

  I realized I had just made my choice. No going back. I stood on my tiptoes and quickly kissed Shay on the lips, then I watched him retreat, leaving me alone with Kieran.

  “So. You and Shay.”

  I turned back to Kieran and looked him straight in the eye. “Yeah.” I sat across from him, my expression grim. “Kieran, I don’t know what to say to you to make you feel better. I’m sorry you’re hurting. I’m also sorry I don’t feel the same way you feel for me.” I reached for his hand, but he withdrew. I understood, but couldn’t say the move didn’t hurt. A lot. “I wish I did. I do. I mean, you’ve always been there for me. You always stood by my side. I just . . . I can’t change the way I feel, and I don’t think about you that way. You’re like family.”

  He wouldn’t look at me. “Does he make you happy?”

  “He does. I feel like I’ve known him my whole life—like you, but in a different way.”

  I tried again, reaching for his hand. This time he let me. He also looked up, meeting my eyes.

  “All I ever wanted was for you to be happy, Zoe. So if you think he will make you happy, then . . .” He blew out a long breath. “I’ll just have to deal with it. Am I hurt? Yes.” His shoulders slumped. “But maybe it’s better this way.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “I’m an Eternal. That means that someday I will watch you die—but hopefully not until you are old and gray. In that sense, you and Shay might be a better match, since he’s a nephilim, though he’ll have to watch you die, too . . . but with your ages, both of you guys could die around the same time.” He frowned deeply, then brightened. “Then again, if you are what I think you are, your death won’t ever be an issue for me.”

  “And what am I, exactly?”

  His mouth twisted a bit to the side. “Actually, I don’t know yet. I’ve been asking around, and everyone seems to think you’re an anomaly. You shouldn’t have any abilities, and yet you do.”

  “I heard you say you were going to go to the Council. What’s that?”

  “It’s a governing entity made up of the five highest ranking angels from the three levels.”

  I tried to imagine that and failed. Regardless, I had to keep asking questions or I’d never learn anything. Plus, I needed them to help me plan. “When are you going? And where is it exactly?”

  “I’ll go later tonight. It’s hard to say where they’ll be, because the Council of Angels is always moving. They’re never in the same place for very long. Right now I think they are in the second level of the Void, but if they’ve moved since Thursday night, it may take me a while to locate them.”

  “What’s the second level of the Void? I thought there was only one level.”

  “All Naturals, Eternals, and demons can enter the level one. Like at the warehouse. Only Eternals can get into the level two.”

  “Why the different levels?”

  “We needed to have a place to hide some of what’s going on in the world. Demons destroy, and they don’t care who or what they hurt. We try to protect Ordinaries, so we usually take our fights into the Void. It raises fewer concerns and suspicions.”

  “Is that how we got into the building in the middle of our neighborhood?”

  “Yes. I created that. I made it look like an old, dirty warehouse so you wouldn’t freak out about it. I thought you’d had enough to deal with.”

  I nodded. “How many levels are there?”

  “Three. Only the Seraph Angels, God
’s closest and most celebrated, can get into the level three.”

  “If only Naturals and Eternals can get into the first level, how did I get there?”

  He quirked a half smile. “We’re still trying to figure that out.”

  “We?”

  “Shay and me. We think maybe it worked because I was holding your arm when we ran through.”

  I hesitated. “I have another question, but I don’t want you to get mad.”

  “Ask away.”

  I kept my eyes on my feet until the last second. “How come when Shay and I touch we have this electrical current thing go through us?”

  His eyes popped open. “What?”

  That expression told me he knew exactly what it meant. “Every time Shay and I touch, we get a jolt of electricity through us both. It varies in intensity, depending on . . . well, the situation.”

  His blue eyes narrowed. “When was the first time you noticed it?”

  “Leaving the warehouse.”

  “How many times since?”

  Something strange must have crossed my face because Kieran quickly amended his question. “I’m not trying to pry, Zoe, but I have to know.”

  “It’s every time. When we hold hands or uh . . . when we kiss.”

  He didn’t even blink at the kiss mention. “Does the intensity increase when you have more contact?”

  “Yeah. When we hold hands, it’s just a tingling feeling, and only in the fingers. It’s stronger when we kiss.” I frowned. “Do you know what that means? Shay didn’t.”

  “Huh. I wasn’t expecting that,” he muttered.

  “Kieran?” I sat taller. “Tell me what it means.”

  He sighed and looked as if it was the last thing he wanted to do. “It means he is potentially your soul mate. I didn’t actually think that could happen between a Natural and an Ordinary, but obviously you are not just anyone. Since you haven’t been marked yet, if you will be, you shouldn’t have powers or Void privileges yet.” He shook his head, perplexed. “I totally did not see that one coming.”

  My soul mate.

  He looked a little lost, so I squeezed his hand. “I’m worried about you, Kieran. Is this gonna be too weird for you? I mean, we’re going to have to work together.”