by Elle Scott
“I think it’s wise to have a good supply… just in case,” Aileen cooed. She looked up over her glasses and spotted Leila. Her eyes lit up and she spun around to the coffee machine. “Good morning, sweetheart! Want a coffee?”
“Morning!” Leila beamed at the same time a knock rattled the front door. She swiveled on her heels and called over her shoulder, “It’s Riley.”
As she hurried to the door, she heard Gabby mutter, “it’s always Riley.”
Before Leila reached the door, it opened. Riley appeared sheepish, as he often did, hoping that his presence was welcome. Leila ran to greet him, because that boy was always welcome.
“Good morning, Riley,” Aileen said, walking into the living room. She lifted a mug and blew the steam away, sending the stray curls of her auburn fringe flying. “Would you like a drink?”
Riley smiled politely and his eyes drifted to Leila’s lips then quickly flitted back to Aileen. “I’m fine thanks, Mrs. Belmonte, I had some juice before I left home.”
“Oh, Riley,” Aileen teased, swiping her hand through the air. “Call me by my name, honestly. And kiss your girl, I won’t watch.”
Leila giggled, and grabbed both sides of Riley’s face, planting her lips on his for a peck.
“So sweet,” Aileen said, wandering back to the kitchen.
“My mom loves you more than I do, I think,” Leila said, squeezing his cheeks playfully.
Riley raised his brow and with a wry smile, replied, “I hope not.”
“So do I,” a deep voice vibrated behind them.
Leila spun around to see her dad, Tate, standing at the bottom of the stairwell. His eyes were glistening with amusement. Taking a step toward them, the levity in his demeanor suddenly vanished. “Did you know your brother was married?”
Grimacing, Leila nodded. She opened her mouth to say something, but her dad sighed loudly causing her to lose her train of thought. He curved his hands around the back of the sofa and hunched over, his large frame reminding Leila of Kale’s bear.
Tate sighed again and twisted his gaze to Leila and Riley. “Leila or, well both of you really, Riley you’re here more than I am… part of the family—” His eyes drifted around the living room, resting on nothing in particular. He snapped his eyes back to the couple. “I know you’re almost adults and all you important Guardians have business to discuss, but would you mind telling me your plans? I’d still like to pretend I have adequate knowledge of my daughter’s life.”
Leila’s heart nearly broke in two. She loved her dad. He was all things protective and warm but since she’d turned, he’d also become a little lost. It seemed he didn’t quite know how to deal with the change.
Leila thought showing her parents the shift would reassure them that it wasn’t all that terrible.
Her mom lost it, in the best way. She loved every moment and often asked Leila to shift just to watch. She researched Guardians as much as she could but there was only one folklore scholar in her circles who had an inkling about any of it... and his information was sparse at best.
But her dad? He took it a little different, almost as if she’d taken something away—his little girl all but gone. He didn’t quite know how to treat her. Sometimes staying well away, and sometimes looming in the background, as though hoping to get a better grasp on what she had become.
Leila lurched herself forward and stood in front of Tate. “Of course, Dad. I’ll tell you whatever you want me to. You’re still my dad, you always will be. No matter how strong I am.”
Tate nodded in appeasement, but the sadness in his eyes didn’t convince Leila that he believed her. He glanced at Riley, then pushed himself up straight. Turning to Leila, a slight smile lifted his tanned cheeks. He reached for Leila’s face and pinched a stray hair between his fingers. Tucking it behind her ear, he said, “You’ll always be my little girl.”
Maybe this transition was inevitable. At some stage, she’d stop being a child and become an adult. It just happened a little earlier than they both expected and she felt a little guilty for it. Because the truth was, she didn’t need his strong arms to help her feel safe anymore. Leila nodded and softly said, “I know. But just because I don’t need your protection doesn’t mean I don’t need your love.”
Tate dropped his hand on her shoulder and gave it a quick squeeze. There was something final about the way he did it, like ripping a Band-aid off a not-quite-healed wound. As if right then and there he knew he had to allow their relationship to change. Leila tried not to cry as he took a step back.
Tate pressed his lips together, nodded, and said, “Mom and I will be in the garden. She wants to plant more vervain.” Then, he turned on his heels and left.
Riley cleared his throat, moving close behind Leila. She turned around and gazed into his sympathetic eyes. As she let herself fall into his arms, he said, “That must have been hard for him.”
“Okay!” Kiko boomed, startling Leila out of Riley’s hold. When Kiko noticed the practically empty room, she glanced at the clock. The time read seven fifty-seven. “You told them eight, didn’t you?”
Kale leapt off the stairwell and rushed to his new wife’s side. “Don’t worry, they’ll be here.”
Riley peered around Leila at Kiko. “Have you heard from Ren?”
Kiko’s top lip rolled into itself and her eyes shot to the ceiling. “Don’t worry about my little brother. He tends to disappear when things get complicated and there are actual lives at stake.” With her eyes on the clock again, she asked, “What time did you tell everyone to arrive?”
“Relax, baby.” Kale tugged on her arm as he dragged her toward the sofa. Kiko gave a curt smile but allowed herself to fall onto his lap.
Leila wanted to say congratulations on getting married, but Kiko seemed on edge. Which made her on edge. So instead of saying anything, she plonked herself onto the other end of the sofa, leaving a space for Riley in the middle.
“So,” Kale said, stretching out the word. “Can you do that surge thing on call yet?”
Kiko moved to her feet faster than a cheetah hunting a gazelle. She gave Leila a piercing glare before marching to the window. She rested her hand on the frame and peered outside.
“Sure can.” Riley answered proudly, slipping his hand into Leila’s. He either didn’t notice Kiko’s mood, or really didn’t care.
Kale sighed and threw his hand in Kiko’s direction. “We’ve tried, just can’t get it.”
Was that it? Leila wondered. Was that what Kiko was upset about? Leila looked at her new sister-in-law with anticipation. “Oh, we could help you both! We’ve got some tips from—”
“Finally!” Kiko declared. She jogged to the door, throwing it wide open.
Imogen and Sebastian stood on the front porch, Imogen nervously eying Kiko and Sebastian glancing around the room with a scowl.
Leila felt Riley tense beside her. He leaned over and whispered, “What’s he doing here?”
“Shh,” Leila hushed. “He’s fine, okay.”
Riley simply replied with an, “Mmm.”
Kiko stepped aside and Imogen sauntered in, giving Leila a shy smile. As soon as Imogen had passed, Kiko stepped back, blocking Sebastian between the door and the living room. She tilted her head, frozen, staring at him.
“Uhh, hello?” Sebastian sounded annoyed.
“Sorry,” Kiko said, holding her hand out. “It’s not very often you get to meet an Alpha killer.”
Sebastian frowned, dropping his gaze to her hand and back. Ignoring her hand-shake offer, he pushed past and muttered, “It’s not a badge I wear with pride.”
Kiko watched him as he found himself a seat on the recliner, Imogen quickly finding a spot on the arm rest beside him. Kiko shrugged and took the door handle in her grasp. Before she could close it completely, a hand slammed against the door.
Mr. Robertson pushed through, his dark hair slicked back perfectly, hooded eyes locked on Kiko. They nodded in silence to each other. Then, he shuffled to the back w
all and leaned against it, looking around the room without smiling.
Sadie’s melodic voice resonated from the dining room. Leila swung around in her spot to see Sadie and Gabby wandering through the archway—Sadie completely oblivious to her surroundings.
“And, oh my god,” she sang. “You should have seen his face when he realized it was his sist—” Sadie snapped her mouth shut, darting her gaze from one person to the next. All eyes were on the gossip queen.
From the recliner, Sebastian stifled a laugh. Which was followed quickly by Imogen ramming her elbow into his ribs.
Gabby stood beside Sadie, protectively glaring at anyone who might dare tease her friend. Sadie’s fingers clutched at the hem of her shirt, scrunching the material nervously in her grasp. She hesitated a quick glance in Riley’s direction.
Leila looked at Riley, too, waiting for his reaction. He blinked rapidly, turning his attention to Leila. A smile, quick and small, graced his face.
Leila had always admired that side of Riley. The side that didn’t bite back. Even when Sadie was talking about him… and, even when Sebastian was laughing about it.
Sadie remained in the archway, mouth agape. Leila imagined she would be freaking the heck out about her social error. Not just about the possibility of upsetting Riley but what others might be thinking of her. Leila threw her arm in a circle, waving her friends over. All is well, Leila tried to say telepathically.
“We’ve been waiting for you guys!” Riley cooed gently as though the whole room wasn’t waiting for him to snarl. He added, “Where’s Summer?”
“Here!” Summer appeared from behind Sadie. She weaved around her sister, bumping her as she passed, and made a bee-line for Imogen.
Gabby used the distraction to guide Sadie into the living room. She grabbed her hand and dragged her around the sofa. Avoiding eye-contact with Riley, they both plonked themselves on the floor in front of Leila.
With elbows casually resting on his knees, Sebastian leaned forward, piercing eyes on Sadie. “Hi,” he said softly.
“Is that everyone?” Kiko asked, closing the door. “Is your friend Damien coming?”
Riley glanced over his shoulder and shook his head. “I doubt it.”
“Why not?” Kale’s brow deepened. “He’s a Guardian, too. We’ll need all the hands we can get.”
Sebastian chortled. “He’s not much of a Guardian.”
Leila grimaced. That retort wasn’t far off the truth. No thanks to her.
“He’s not a Guardian at all,” Gabby said, monotone.
“What?” Sadie jerked her head around, staring at Gabby as though she’d declared her hate for donuts.
Gabby let her gaze drift to Sadie. Raising one brow, she shrugged and repeated, “He’s not a Guardian anymore.”
Riley rubbed nape of neck, sheepishly looking around the room. “Yeah, we kinda practiced our surge and… ” he brought his hand out, pressing his fingertips together. As his fingers sprang open, he continued, “Poof. I tried to mark him again, so we’ll see how he feels in the next day or two.”
Kiko stared at Riley, nostrils flaring. She spat, “Well done, rookies. Honestly, I don’t know why you have the special power if you can’t even use it properly.”
The words stung. Leila shifted in her spot, looking to her brother for back up. He gazed her at for a moment, before starting, “Kiko, I don’t think—”
“Sorry,” Kiko blurted, color draining from her face. She rushed behind the sofa and placed her hand over Leila’s shoulder. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean it. I’m just…” She clenched her fists at her sides, then released them. “I’m just scared for you, that’s all.”
Leila nodded. Her living room was crammed with ten people. They were all waiting on Kiko for answers. Before, when Leila had been marked, Kiko was a tower of strength. She held command and control with grace. But now, Leila realized, Kiko was shaken to her core.
“No, I’m sorry,” Leila hurried. “You’re right, we are rookies. That’s why we asked you here. We need your help.”
Kiko inhaled, taking a moment to regain composure. She gave a sad smile, brushed the front of her blouse, and turned to the only humans in the room, Sadie, Summer, and Imogen. “Girls, for some reason you’re targeted by the Fallen. And I’m really sorry about it, because you’re human… but it’s our job to protect you, so you’ll need to follow my every order. Is that okay?”
With arms linked together, Imogen and Summer nodded in unison. Sadie swiveled around, her eyes finding Leila’s as though asking a silent question. Leila nodded, and then, so did Sadie.
“Good,” Kiko sighed the word, visibly relaxing. “The main thing we all need to do is lay low, until we figure out exactly who we’re dealing with.”
“We know who it is,” Riley mumbled, sliding his hand into Leila’s. “It’s Tessa.”
“Tessa? Your sister?” Kiko brought finger to her lips and tapped her nails against her teeth. “It’s worse than I thought.”
“No,” Summer protested. “It wasn’t her that kidnapped us. It was her that saved us.”
Kiko shook her head and gave Summer a sympathetic smile, as if poor Summer, the human teen, didn’t know what she was talking about. “This is how the Fallen work, see? They hurt you, then act like they’re the ones who’ve saved you. We can’t trust them. If Tessa’s Alpha is with them, we need to...” She stopped talking for a moment, frown deepening. Voice shaking, she finished her sentence, “He’s evil. The kind of person who’d give an ice-cream to a child and lace the insides with poison.”
Goosebumps rushed over Leila’s arms. She clutched Riley’s hand tight.
“You think he’s here in Cedar Falls?” Gabby asked, shuffling closer to Sadie.
Kiko threw her hand in Leila and Riley’s direction, then to Kale. “There are four Imprints here. It was only a matter of time before the reckoning came.”
“The reckoning?” Sadie asked, eyes as wide as saucers. She was sitting on the floor in front of Leila, legs crossed like an innocent child. Leila noted how small she seemed. How human she was. A chill ran down her spine.
“I don’t mean to be dramatic,” Kiko said, pulling her long hair off her face. She held it there for a moment, showing her ear-rings lined from lobe to tragus. “But Imprints don’t usually even last this long. The Fallen hate them because they threaten their existence. We need to… leave.”
“Leave?” Sebastian asked, half guffawing. “Cedar Falls?”
“Yes,” Kiko replied, straight faced. “We need to get away from here. At the moment, we are sitting ducks. We’ll be picked off one-by-one. It’s better if we get somewhere secluded, regroup ourselves and plan for an attack.”
Gabby gasped. Leila placed her hand on Gabby’s shoulder. She wanted to comfort her, she wanted to comfort everyone. But the reason they were all in danger was because of her and Riley being Imprints. They put a massive target on Cedar Falls. The fact they had to leave sent guilt waves through her.
“Where will we go?” Riley asked.
Sebastian cleared his throat and said, “My dad has a cabin near the coast. I’m sure he won’t mind us crashing—”
“No offense,” Kale pushed himself off the sofa. “But you’re a Fallen, so I’m not even sure I’m comfortable with you going.”
Sadie’s back straightened. She burst, “Gabby might be, too!” Immediately cringing, she gave Gabby an apologetic frown.
“Wow,” Gabby mouthed.
Kiko whipped her head from Gabby to Leila. “What’s going on? You have Fallen in your clan?”
Leila swallowed. She bent her knees under her and glanced at Sebastian. Sure, he was arrogant and had a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas, but still, there was something good lurking beneath the facade. “Yeah, so Sebastian was turned by a Fallen, but since Cap died… since he saved us from Cap, he’s been trustworthy. And Gabby,” Leila clutched Gabby’s shoulder. “She killed an innocent, who I don’t think was truly innocent, not really. But ever
since, she’s been feeling a little off. I just think that maybe it’s not as clear as someone having bad intentions if they’re Fallen. Like, everyone has some good in them. Right?”
Kiko gave a soft smile. “You’re very sweet, Leila. I hope you’re right. But from my experience with these types of Fallen, it’s clear that they have bad intentions. But…” Her shoulders dropped a little and the tension that had seemed to exude from her disappeared. “If you trust your friends, then they should come, too.”
“I do,” Leila urged, nudging Riley with her elbow. “We do.”
Riley shuffled in his seat. He cleared his throat and muttered, “We do.”
“Okay,” Kiko said, clapping her hands. “Pack lightly, we leave in half an hour.”
Sadie
A convoy of three cars zoomed along route 82. Mr. Robertson drove alone at the front, leading two more carloads alongside the Cascades. Sadie sat in the back of Sebastian’s car with her sister next to her. Imogen had been quick to claim the front. Sadie leaned over and craned her neck to see through the rear vision mirror. Riley’s car trailed behind them. Leila, Gabby, Kale and Kiko were with him.
She regretted blurting out Gabby’s possible Fallen status. But something had stirred within her when Kale had pointed Sebastian out as being a Fallen. The thought of people seeing him as a bad person made her involuntarily stand up for him. She wanted everyone to see the Sebastian she did. If they could trust Gabby, they could trust him, too.
As she stared through the rear-view mirror trying to telepathically tell Gabby she was sorry, Sebastian tilted his head and caught her gaze. He winked and Sadie felt her insides melt into a puddle of goo. She stared back immobile, feeling the warmth of blood as it filled her cheeks.
With a lopsided smirk, he asked, “You okay back there, Shorty?”
“Fine,” Sadie replied. He looked so cocky with that arrogant grin plastered on his face. She remembered what Tessa had said about him being dangerous. Scared by the thought, she quickly turned to Summer, “You okay?”
