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

by Kristin D. Van Risseghem

  I watched him answer most, if not all, of their questions, and when a few of them laid their hands on his arms or shoulders, he lightly removed them. He glanced at me, his eyes pleading, but all I could do was smile and shrug.

  Mr. Fischer, the substitute for Mr. Anderson, walked in behind Shay, clearing the girls from his path. Shay breathed a sigh.

  “Ah, we have a new student,” said Mr. Fischer. “Nice to meet you. I’ve heard some of the girls talking about you. You must be Mr. Curator.” He skimmed the room and motioned for the girls to take their seats. “I’m not sure which desks are open, but I think most everyone who should be here is here and seated, ladies, so help yourself.”

  The female students hovering around Shay eventually took Mr. Fischer’s cue and found their chairs. I was curious to see where he would sit, since there were six open spots. All eyes moved with Shay as he approached the empty desk on my right and sat.

  He extended his hand to shake mine. “Hi, name’s Shay.”

  I grinned. “You’re such a dork. I know who you are.”

  “Okay class, I’m sure Mr. Curator has done this in all his other classes so far, but since he’s a new student in this class . . .” He waived an arm. “Mr. Curator? Would you like to say a few words about yourself?”

  Shay looked completely at home standing to address the class. “Name’s Shay. I moved here from California with my mom.” He glanced at his desk, then said, “Oh, and I hear we’re reading A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I’ve been to the Shakespeare Theatre in Paris a few times, and I know the story well.” He sat and smiled at me, pleased with himself.

  “Excellent,” Mr. Fischer replied. “Now let’s get back to reading. Who would like to read as Oberon, Puck, Demetrius, and Hermia today?” He frowned. “No one? No takers?”

  All eyes dropped to the desks. No one liked reading out loud, myself included. I glanced at Shay, who was perusing the room until his eyes stopped at mine. He smiled wickedly, and I smiled back, then my face fell. Oh no, he planned to do something.

  He raised his hand. “I’ll read as Puck, Mr. Fischer.”

  Everyone looked at Shay then Mr. Fischer. No one ever volunteered to read.

  Mr. Fischer’s expression relaxed so quickly it was almost funny. “That’s great. Thank you, Shay,” he said. “Now I need three more. Choose or be chosen, that is the question.” Someone groaned.

  “Mr. Fischer?” Abby asked. “Do the readers have to be the same sex as the characters?”

  “If you’d like to read any part, that’s fine. Tick tock, peoples.”

  “Okay,” she said. “I’ll read for Hermia.”

  “Thank you, Abby. No other takers?”

  Five more hands shot up, all girls, who wanted to read for the two remaining characters’ lines. I knew it had to do with the thrill of reading with Shay, but I was still a little shocked people had actually volunteered to read.

  As Quinn ended her first lines of Oberon’s speech, I caught a devious smile on Shay’s face. As soon as Quinn said her last word, Shay moved seamlessly into Puck’s lines without even glancing at the book. He spoke the lines with a slight English accent which made him even more alluring. I closed my eyes, feeling his voice run through me, imagining no one was there, but him and me. I almost felt as if I floated on a raft in rolling waters. When I peeked at last, I wasn’t surprised to see all the girls’ faces were turned in his direction, softened by dreamy expressions.

  They read the entire act during class, and after the last line had been spoken, the room stayed silent. When the bell rang, the guys headed to lunch, leaving all the girls to stare at Shay as if he’d put them in a trance. He was the last guy in the room and eventually the girls stood. Some lingered, but most made their way out the door, glancing back toward him.

  I sat speechless, and he grinned down at me, waiting.

  “That was awesome!” I managed.

  “Thanks,” Shay said, back to the casual guy I knew. “Do you have lunch now? Wanna go?”

  “Sure.” I grabbed my backpack. “I’m meeting Kieran, too. We should discuss the class schedules with Sidelle.”

  “Shay?” Abby asked from across the room. She stood with a smaller group of girls. “You should sit with us at lunch.”

  “I just made lunch plans. Sorry.”

  She looked disappointed, but only shrugged. “That’s okay. Tomorrow, then.”

  After she and her friends left, Shay stroked the side of my face, igniting the electrical current. “How’s your day going?”

  “Same old crap.” I smiled. “I didn’t know you were going to enroll in school. You never told me!”

  “I wanted it to be a surprise.” He placed his hand in mine. “Sorry I couldn’t text you much, but I had so many people around me, and I didn’t want them to see who I was texting.” With his other hand he reached for my backpack, and we walked out the door. “Plus, now you get to see me in all your classes. I had to complete a mountain of paperwork this morning.”

  “Is that why you weren’t here in the morning?”

  “Yep.”

  In the cafeteria, I located Kieran seated at our usual spots across from Sidelle. Cali and Quinn were already situated on either side of her. I felt everyone’s stare on us as Shay and I joined them, but Shay didn’t seem to notice. I was surprised to discover that it wasn’t just the girls who appeared to like Shay. I would have thought the guys would hate him for turning all the girls’ heads, but they were nice. A few of the seniors introduced themselves and others slapped him on the back in passing, saying hello. Shay had been in the school for only five hours and he’d won everyone over already. As Kieran had said, he was a smooth talker.

  I set my tray down across from Sidelle’s, and Shay took the seat next to mine.

  “So, Shay,” Sidelle said. “How’s it feel to be back in a traditional school?”

  “Not at all like I thought it would be. Technology has advanced so much since I was in school.”

  As we ate, Shay and I discretely compared schedules with Sidelle and Kieran until it was figured out which classes to switch so I’d be covered at all times. At first I’d thought this was overdoing things, but then I remembered those Marquises. I did not want to walk into any of them on my own.

  By the time we finished, most of the kids were done eating. The lunch bell rang and we shuffled out of the cafeteria and to our next class. Letting go of my hand, Shay left for biology, and I walked to Chemistry II with Kieran.

  But after Kieran had gone into the classroom, I stood in the doorway a moment, distinctly aware of the same sensation I’d felt in the morning at the Coffee Grind. Someone was watching me. But I still saw no one.

  I think I’m going crazy.

  Before the last class of the day, I found Shay standing outside the gym lockers, waiting for me.

  “We’re supposed to go outside for gym.” I shooed him toward the boys’ locker room. “Go change, I’ll meet you outside.”

  All the girls gawked when Shay emerged, wearing black shorts and an Under Armour shirt, which fit so snugly I could see every muscle on his washboard abs. His beautifully sculpted arms were also on display, though no one could see the wings of his tattoo without his Angel Light.

  Coach Birk divided us into small groups, explaining that we were going to practice Karate. I liked that idea, since I figured I should be working on my self-defense skills anyway. Disappointing a number of girls, Shay joined the guys. I sauntered over to Quinn, Carisa, and Diana.

  “Are you two dating?” Quinn asked. “I noticed the hand holding at lunch.”

  “Plus he came with you to Cali’s party,” Diana added.

  I nodded.

  “Wow, you’re one lucky girl!”

  “I sure am.” Not bad, I couldn’t help thinking. My very first boyfriend was the one everyone else wanted.

  “Hey. You see that guy over there?” Quinn pointed to the far end of the field. “He’s been standing there since we arrived out here. Should we tell Coac
h Birk?”

  “What a creep!” Carisa exclaimed. “Who hangs out watching a bunch of kids in school?”

  I squinted at the tall figure, slouched against the chain link fence. He watched us as we watched him. I couldn’t stop a reflexive shiver from running down my spine. After everything that had happened, it was impossible for me not to believe he had something to do with the demons.

  “He’s been standing out here the whole time just watching us?” I asked quietly.

  Quinn nodded. “Weird, right?”

  “Just ignore him.” I looked over at Coach Birk, who was giving us the evil eye. “We’d better get to work.”

  When I glanced back toward the fence, the man had disappeared.

  After gym, we headed back to change, and I tried to ignore the constant talk about Kieran and Shay. A few of them mentioned how lucky I was to have them both to myself, and while I knew they were right, I couldn’t help but be uncomfortable. They spoke as if I wasn’t even there.

  When I came out, Kieran and Shay were waiting for me.

  “Did you see that guy standing along the fence?” I asked.

  “No.” Shay frowned.

  “Quinn said he was there when we got to the field. He just stood there and watched us practice. It was sorta creepy.”

  Girls filtered past, openly ogling my two friends. Ignoring them, Shay stepped to my side and picked up my hand while Kieran walked on the other side as we headed to our lockers. I could feel heated stares from the girls behind me.

  “He didn’t say anything?” Kieran asked.

  “Nope. Just stared.”

  “Interesting,” Shay said. “I wish I’d seen him. You should have told me during class.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to get in trouble with the Coach.”

  Kieran patted my back and glared at Shay. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye out for any strangers in the area.”

  By the time we arrived to the student parking lot, a small crowd had gathered around the Bel Air. Shay walked toward them almost like a celebrity, always happy to talk about his car.

  Kieran took in the crowd then looked back at me, exasperated. “Did you want to stay or walk home?”

  “Let’s go to your house. He might be here a while. You know. Boys and their toys.” I waved to Shay, telling him I’d see him later.

  I couldn’t shake the eerie feeling as we walked home, and at one point I spun around, trying to catch whoever it was.

  My action put Kieran on high alert. He scanned the area. “Zoe, what’s wrong? You’ve been jumpy all day.”

  “I’m not sure. I feel like I’m being watched, like we were being followed. You know when your hair raises on the back of your neck? This isn’t the first time I’ve felt this, either. I’m not sure if it’s more demons or if it’s something else. Or maybe I’m just being paranoid.”

  He cocked one eyebrow, still looking around. “I doubt it. You noticed it this morning too, didn’t you?” He turned to look at me. “I don’t sense anything out of the ordinary. If there were demons around, I would know it.”

  I was sure sensing something. “Are you sure? They didn’t find a way to mask themselves?”

  “Pretty sure,” he said, frowning, “but we can do some research on masking, if it makes you feel better.”

  “It would and give me something to do.”

  “We have some old books in the library that may tell us something.”

  I tried to shrug off the feeling, but it clung to me regardless. Maybe changing topics would work. “So today went well with Shay being there, don’t you think?”

  “It wasn’t too bad,” he admitted. “I only have him in one of my classes. With him there, I know you’re protected if I have to be gone for a few days here and there.”

  As we approached Kieran’s house, Shay pulled up alongside, honking the horn. Behind him, Sidelle’s vehicle blasted hip-hop music. They parked and we went into Kieran’s den, the same room where I’d first found out about Enlightens and the prophecy. Only five days ago.

  “Okay, peoples, let’s get to the point,” Sidelle said. “I don’t have all day. Well, okay, I do, but I can think of better places than here with you kids.”

  “I thought we should discuss our progress, if any, on our assignments,” Kieran said, taking the lead. “Has anyone found out anything?”

  Sidelle sat back and crossed her legs, looking incredulous. “Sorry, Kieran, but you don’t know how this works in Fairyland. I can’t just walk up to King Oberon and ask to be seen, you know. There is a proper protocol. I’ve started, but it’s going to take time. Plus I do know of a way, but I’m still looking into it to make sure it’s still a viable option.”

  He shook his head. “Time is something we may not have.” He turned to Shay. “Have you talked with Gabriel yet? Does he know anything?”

  “He’s heard some rumor about a possible way to kill Marquises and one he knows for sure, but before he would tell me anything more he wanted to confirm both. There is no use in him telling me something that might not even work.”

  Kieran nodded. “I talked with Michael, and he wasn’t very forthcoming on information. But he’ll confirm with the Council, just in case.” He looked around the group. “Okay, so it sounds like we’re in a holding pattern for now.”

  “Michael? As in your dad?” I asked. “Why would he know anything?”

  He chuckled lightly. “Zoe, the man you know as my dad is actually the Archangel Michael. He’s my mentor, and he’s on the Council of Angels.”

  The Archangel Michael. I blinked, trying to keep everything straight in my head. “Is that why he’s hardly ever here?”

  “We keep the house as a ruse. We don’t need to live here. Both my ‘parents’ are high in the Second Level Hierarchy, meaning they can watch from the Level One or Two or from the Void. The whole idea of them being my parents is also a ruse. You only see them when you do because they know when you’re here and they appear when needed.”

  I threw back my head, laughing. “That explains so much!”

  Shay was chuckling, too. “You know that statue in the backyard?”

  “Yes,” I said. “What about it?”

  “We communicate through her.”

  I took a minute to remember the features of the statue. Nope, I couldn’t remember any microphones or antennae. Evidently I was about to learn something else that would blow my mind. “How do you mean?”

  “Paschar sees everything that happens in this house,” Kieran said. “She reports to the Council.”

  “But if she can talk directly to the Council, why did you have to go to them the other night?” Bit by bit, I was coming to understand Kieran a little better. How lonely it must be to be him.

  “Some issues are better said in person.”

  Totally understand that. I narrowed my eyes at him. “Do you need to eat or sleep?” Everyone looked at each other then back at me, but I wasn’t dropping the subject. “What? It’s been on my mind, and now I have to know. Do angels and fairies need to eat or sleep?”

  Kieran and Sidelle both shook their heads. Just as I had suspected. I tried to imagine all the things I could get done if I didn’t need to sleep.

  “When you sleep, I tend to other matters for the Council,” Kieran said. “You are my only charge right now, but the other half of the world is awake, and there are other tasks I can do in those eight to ten hours.”

  Sidelle smirked. “I bet you want to know how I spend my nights. Well, you keep guessing, my pet. Curiosity killed the cat, you know.”

  “So Shay is staying here by himself?” I asked, ignoring her.

  “Yes, but I made sure he had everything he needed,” Kieran said. “Mom came down to stock the fridge and pantry, and she made up a room for him.” He nodded, apparently satisfied. “Okay. The next topic I think we should discuss is how Zoe feels like she’s being watched and followed. I don’t sense or see anything, so it can’t be demons. We all need to be diligent, though.”

&
nbsp; Shay leaned in, concerned. “When did you start having this feeling?”

  “I’m not sure. But this morning for sure, when Kieran and I were in Coffee Grind. Then again on our way home this afternoon. Maybe it’s the strange guy from gym class.”

  “Who knows. I guess it could be, and I agree with Kieran. If something or someone is out there, we need to be more watchful.”

  “The last item we need to discuss is the schedule of night watches,” Kieran said. “Shay took first watch last night.”

  Sidelle had remained strangely quiet during the whole conversation, and right now her eyes were almost glazed over, like she wasn’t there.

  “Sidelle?” I said.

  Jerking out of her daze, Sidelle focused her eyes on mine. “Sorry. I was trying to sense who was out there, following you. I can definitely feel something, but I don’t know what it is.”

  I closed my eyes, accepting that. I’d hoped I was wrong.

  “We were just talking about the night schedule,” Kieran informed her.

  “Ah, the night schedule.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “I’m sure Shay wouldn’t mind taking another shift, would you, Shay?”

  Shay opened his mouth, but Kieran interrupted. “We need to alternate.”

  She winked at me. “Whatever. I would love to take watch tonight. We’ll catch up on all the gossip at school.” She set one manicured fingertip on her chin and looked up. “You know,” she mused, “I heard there’s a new guy at school who created a huge stir with all the ladies!”

  Rolling his eyes, Kieran said, “Thanks for volunteering, Sidelle.”

  “What should I tell my parents?” I asked Sidelle, guessing Kieran was pleased that Shay wouldn’t be taking the watch tonight.

  She flapped one hand at me. “Nothing. Go about your business as you normally would. They won’t even see me, I promise. I’ll be over at ten.” She turned to Kieran. “Are we done here?”

  “Yes, unless anyone has anything else to discuss. We should probably have daily meetings, just in case.”