This time, he wouldn’t fail, and he certainly wouldn’t ruin anyone’s life.
12
~Adam~
Alisa
Before I left for school, I stood out on the front porch, searching Claire’s purse for her keys, when I noticed a man on the sidewalk, staring at me. It seemed as though he had appeared there like magic, but I couldn’t be sure since my attention had been on the purse.
He looked like a normal guy, probably in his forties, dark hair with graying temples. He smiled kindly, so I smiled back, thinking it must be someone Claire knew.
“I’ve been sent to help you,” he said with a smile. His eyes crinkled at the corners and when he spoke, his voice was soothing, like honey cascading down a sore throat. I was drawn to him immediately.
“You have?” Surely, he thought he was talking to Claire. “Do I know you?” He couldn’t possibly know who was really inside this body.
He chuckled softly and shook his head. “No. You don’t, but I’ve been sent to… get things straightened out and on track.”
Still, I held back. Could he really be speaking to me? My hopes rose just a bit. “So… you know who I am?”
“Of course.” He cocked his head, still smiling.
There was nothing about him that would indicate he was from any sort of celestial location—no aura, no brightness—so I hesitated in assuming he was an angel, but there was something magnetic about him and the whole conversation felt surreal, so I dug deeper. “Okay. So… you do know my name?”
“My, my. Aren’t we a suspicious one… Alisa?”
I gasped, not realizing I had even been holding my breath. Questions rushed from my mouth in a torrent. “Did Raphael send you? Does he know what happened? Is this an accident or a gift? Where is Claire’s spirit?”
He raised his hands and shushed me gently. “One question at a time. Let’s walk.”
He took my arm and draped it through his, just like Raphael used to do, and it completely calmed me. “Let’s address the issue of Claire’s spirit first. She’s still inside you. Pushed down, sleeping, so to speak. You haven’t felt her influence at all?”
Shaking my head, I told him no, so glad to finally get some answers.
“If you feel her, you must tell me. Alright?”
“Okay. How long will I be here… in her body?”
“Until your work is done.” He grinned like this was something that happened every day, that everyone went through it, and wasn’t I silly for not knowing? “We are instigating a new program in Idir Shaol, and you get to be one of the first to try it out. You’ll help us iron out the wrinkles.”
“I will?”
Nodding, he patted my hand. “Yes. We want all guardians to work from inside a human body from now on. Like I said, we’re trying something new.”
We walked in the bright sunshine. A warm breath of freshly cut grass wafted on the breeze, and the scent of roses tickled my senses. I found myself taking deep breaths, soaking it up. It was a perfect morning. A perfect moment. “Why didn’t Raphael tell me this himself?”
“Have you seen him lately?” he asked, his left eyebrow arching.
“No. It’s been a while.”
“Yes. I would suspect it has.” He heaved a heavy sigh, shaking his head. “There’s a lot of work to be done, and he has been called to a higher position. He won’t be around much. I’ve been placed in charge, so you will work with me now.”
I frowned, and he smiled reassuringly. “It will be all right. I promise.”
I tried to figure out what this all meant for me. I felt lost and wasn’t sure what my job here was. Was I still a guardian? If so, whom did I guard? The girl whose body I was stuck in? That didn’t seem right.
Realizing I didn’t even know this man’s name, I stopped walking and turned toward him, frowning. “Um, I forgot to ask—”
“Adam. You may call me Adam,” he said, seeming to have read my mind. “You can consider me your guardian, if you like.” He bowed at the waist and squeezed my hand, appearing regal. Stately. Strong and in charge. So much like Raphael. I wondered why I’d never met him before, but as they said, it was all about delegation.
“Um, I have another question.”
He waited patiently, his expression serene, as if he hadn’t a care in the world. I wished I felt the same way. “Can I visit… um, any old friends while I’m in this body?”
“Oh, hmm. I don’t know. We don’t want to upset the balance of anything.” His eyebrows pulled down with his frown, but then he nodded slowly as though a very interesting thought had just entered his mind. “Was there anyone in particular that you wanted to see?”
“Um… well, yeah… My old boyfriend, Brecken Shaefer? My old charge? I’d planned to spend some time with him.” I held my breath, certain he would say no. I knew Raphael didn’t want me involved in Brecken’s life anymore. He’d told me so himself… more than once, but I hoped Adam would give me a different response since he was in charge now.
For a moment, he seemed genuinely surprised, and then his eyes widened with expectation. “You mean Bretariel, the Undoer?”
It was my turn to frown. I hadn’t heard that name used for Brecken in a long time. Not even Raphael used it. Bretariel was Brecken’s demon name, and he wasn’t a demon anymore. “Well, yeah, but I’d love to see my family too,” I said slowly. “It’s probably against the rules, but—”
“Yes!” he answered quickly, interrupting me. “Of course you may! Feel free to spend as much time with him as you like. In fact, spend every moment of this trial period with him if you feel so inclined.”
“Really?” Relief flooded through me, and all sorts of possibilities filled my mind. It wasn’t until that moment that I realized how desperately I wanted to see Brecken again. “And it’s all right with Raphael?”
Adam gave me an ingratiating grin and shook his head as though I’d asked him the silliest question ever. “Raphael isn’t in charge anymore. I am. And I say it’s fine.”
13
~In Dreams~
Claire
Darkness sheltered her like a soft blanket. Claire felt no emotion and no physical sensation. She was bodiless. Weightless. Motionless. Thoughts drifted through her consciousness like lilting shadows, but they didn’t stay. Nothing mattered but this peaceful, quiet existence…
14
~Taking My Life Into My Own Hands~
Alisa
Before class started, I went to the office, claiming to have lost my schedule printout, and since it was the first week of school, the secretary believed me. Her head bobbed as she smiled and printed me a new one, asking about my summer vacation, as though she knew me. I played along, hoping the printer worked fast.
Throughout the day, I attended Claire’s classes, but I was bored stiff and ached to be with Brecken. I was wasting time, and I couldn’t care less about Claire’s schedule. So what did I do? What any red-blooded teenager would in this predicament.
I ditched school.
Claire’s cute VW Bug puttered softly as I drove across town to Ocean Side High. I waited until I heard a bell ring, and then walked down the hall, waiting to see his beautiful face. I stopped to ask a kid if he knew where Brecken Shaefer’s locker was. He did, and steered me in the right direction.
I waited there, my arms crossed over my chest, until I saw him through the sea of students. He caught my eye and his smile, which had been a scowl before, widened in surprise and delight.
He hurried over and grabbed me around the waist, lifting me, his lips finding mine possessively in front of everyone. Even though I loved the attention, and there was nothing better than Brecken’s mouth on mine, I blushed in embarrassment. I’d never been big on PDAs, but why not enjoy a moment like this? Brecken was mine, and I didn’t mind everyone knowing it. He decided to skip the rest of his classes, and we bounded out of the school, hand in hand.
“We have the whole day free,” he said, his eyes twinkling in amusement. “What do you want to do?�
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I thought for a moment, and then I knew. “Let’s go to the beach. I haven’t been there in ages.”
“The beach it is.”
We hopped in my car—or more accurately, Claire’s car—and headed west a few blocks. Ocean Side High was not far from the beautiful waves that rolled up onto the sand. Brecken spread his jacket out for us to sit on, and we entwined our fingers together. I couldn’t believe I was here… with Brecken! It was a dream come true, and I was determined to enjoy every minute of it.
“So how have you been?” I asked, feeling out of the loop. We hadn’t talked much last night, and I’d been gone a whole year. I had no idea what was going on in his life. “I can’t believe how big your sisters are.”
He nodded and smiled sentimentally. “Yeah, they are.” Turning, he looked deep into my eyes. “But it’s been really hard.”
I drew his face close, brushing his lips with mine. “For me, too.”
When he pulled me closer, I laid my head on his shoulders. He told me that his relationship with his dad had improved and about having to repeat his senior year, which I already knew about. We barely touched on his memories of being Bretariel, the Undoer, and how difficult it was to have this knowledge again, and how he wished he could forget. My heart ached for him, what he’d been through, and what he had to deal with now.
He was so strong to keep going in spite of everything. We reminisced about my time as his guardian and the funny arguments we used to have. He’d never listen or obey, and I’d always nagged him.
“Remember Lamia?” I asked as the sun started to set over the water. The time had flown by in an instant. I couldn’t believe it was already evening.
“How could I forget?” he answered. “She’s a hideous soul.”
I nodded in agreement. “I heard she’s in some prison now. Some place I was never allowed to go.”
“Yeah,” he said. “Probably Gehenna. It’s a horrifying experience that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. Even Lamia.”
I thought about that, not believing Brecken could be so kindhearted after what she’d done to us. In my head, I imagined this Gehenna place was the perfect prison for her, but I didn’t say it out loud. The worst place I’d seen was Soul Prison, and that had been bad enough. I shivered just thinking about it.
When it grew dark over the ocean, and the crashing waves were no longer blue, but black, I drove Brecken home. After we’d pulled into his driveway, he pulled me in close one more time. He brushed his lips against mine, inhaling deeply.
“I’m going to miss you so much.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I answered with a chuckle. “I’m transferring to Ocean Side.”
“What? Seriously?”
Grinning, I nodded. “Yep. See you at school tomorrow.”
With a yelp of happiness, he hugged me again and then hopped out of the car, spinning in a circle, his eyes sparkling and his smile wide. I couldn’t help but laugh at his giddy antics. “I love you, Alisa Callahan! You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me!” He stuck his head back in through the window and kissed me soundly. “See you tomorrow.”
He danced all the way up to his front porch, doing a perfect impression of Fred Astaire. At his front door, he bowed low, his arm across his stomach, and clicked his heels. Happiness bubbled inside me, and I couldn’t have wiped the smile from my face if I’d been paid a million dollars. I drove home in a state of bliss.
15
~A New Plan~
Bas Iblis
Asmoday knelt before Bas Iblis, who itched to hear what news the lesser demon had brought. Bas Iblis threaded his fingers over his stomach and narrowed his eyes. “Well?”
“My Lord! We have followed the guardian as you commanded and just as you predicted, she led us straight to the Undoer. She never even suspected our motives.”
“Did Bretariel?”
“Oh… no, I don’t think so. He didn’t seem to, My Lord.” Asmoday raised his eyes to meet Bas Iblis’ and let a smile grow on his face.
“Well done, my malevolent friend. Well done.”
“What now, My Lord? Should we kill him or bring him here?”
Bas Iblis reclined on his black throne and contemplated. He had so many wonderful ideas for torture, but which one would cause the most damage? “No. Not yet,” he said finally. “Let’s have some fun first and do what we do best.”
“And what exactly is that, My Lord?”
“Wreak havoc, Asmoday. Break hearts and wreak havoc.”
16
~A Rude Awakening~
Alisa
The next morning, I bounded down from my new bedroom, my heart racing in anticipation to see Brecken. I barely grabbed breakfast, which earned me a scowl from Claire’s mom, but I didn’t care.
I drove across town like a madwoman and waited by Brecken’s locker. I didn’t have one here yet, but he would probably let me share with him. I searched the sea of faces for his. When I saw him, my heart skipped a beat, my breath hitched, and I stared, hoping he’d catch my eye. He did, but looked away as though he hadn’t seen me, like I was any old girl in this ocean of students.
He moved closer and my hands tingled, my pulse pounding inside my chest, my adrenaline spiking. I was near screaming with excitement by the time he got to his locker. I was ready to throw myself into his arms when he froze and turned toward me slowly, his eyebrows rising in question. “Uh… yeah?”
I couldn’t help but blurt out, “Brecken!” I threw my arms around his neck, but he stood stock still, his arms at his sides, and then he slowly pushed me away, frowning. Gently, he took my arms from around his neck. “Do I know you?”
“Do you know…?”
He turned back to his locker, which was now open, a blush on his face, and shoved a couple of books onto the top shelf, throwing me a curious glance. “Sorry. I don’t know you.” He slammed the locker closed and smiled, his dimples deep and begging me to kiss them, but he didn’t give me a second glance. Then he was gone, walking away to his next class.
It felt like my heart had dropped to my feet. This was some sort of cruel joke. I jogged after him and grabbed his arm, turning him around to face me. “Wait, Brecken. What’s wrong with you?”
He emitted an impatient sigh. “What did you say your name was?”
“Um, Alisa. Like you don’t know?” I uttered an uncomfortable laugh. This was starting to get really weird.
“Alisa. You’ve got me mixed up with someone else. I really don’t know you.” He glanced down at my hand on his arm. “Do you mind?”
I let go, and he walked away with an amused chuckle. The familiar urge to smack him returned, just like in the old days, but I refused to let this slide. “Brecken, I swear, if you walk away from me…”
He turned, a river of teens between us, parting like salmon swimming upstream. “Look. I’m sorry, but you have me confused with someone else. I’ve never seen you before, and I have no idea who you are. If we made out last year or something, I’m sorry. I don’t remember you.”
He said it like it was nothing. Like he’d had one-night stands with a lot of girls, and I was just one more gumball in the machine. I couldn’t form any words, and I could tell he meant what he said. He didn’t remember me. What had happened?
“It wasn’t a one-night stand!” I yelled after him, not caring that everyone turned to stare. “I was your guardian. That’s a lot more important… and more memorable.”
“Sorry,” he yelled back with a wave. “I could have been drunk. You’re not pregnant, are you?”
“What!” Mortification took over, and I wanted to melt through the floor as students snickered and turned away.
“Good. You had me worried there for a sec.” He laughed and walked off, his hand waving a nonchalant goodbye.
I stood like a marble statue, my mouth gaping. This didn’t make sense. My heart lay on the floor, squished and dying, and the truth of my situation sank in. I had to talk to Adam immediately. He had to fix this.
They couldn’t take Brecken away. Not after only two days!
Marching toward the school’s office, I realized there was no better time to transfer than right now. I filled out the requisite papers, took them back to my old high school, got the required signatures, forged Claire’s mom’s name, and then took them back to Ocean Side High the next morning. If Brecken thought I was going to let him go blissfully on his way with no memory of me, he was greatly mistaken.
17
~Awareness~
Claire
Moments, like tiny starbursts of light, illuminated Claire’s mind. But only long enough to arouse her to the realization that she was sleeping. She didn’t want to awaken, but like the prick of a mosquito bite, the itch irritated. She moved slowly, stretching her consciousness into cognizance.
The effort bordered on painful. Even though little sparks of light peeked through, she wanted to sleep again, but something kept prodding her to life. It wouldn’t let her go back into the black depths of nothingness.
Something wasn’t right. She felt powerless. Pushing against the imprisoning barrier with all her might, she plowed through. With a cry of fury, she thrust her will forward and was blinded by the light of day.
In surprise, she lost her balance and fell to the ground, scraping her hands and knees. She straightened, aching, and turned in a slow circle, taking in the unfamiliar location. She was in a building. One she didn’t remember entering. The paint on the brick walls was faded, and the floor tiles were worn and scuffed. Ugly orange-and-green lockers stood in a row like soldiers.
She was at a school, but not her school. Hill Valley High was only a few years old, with all the modern contraptions and the latest colors and styles available. This one was built by the Crypt Keeper and smelled like sweaty tennis shoes.
She wanted to cry out in dismay. Instead, she scrambled toward the end of the hall where a drinking fountain was hung and gulped down huge mouthfuls of water. Bright light shined through the doors to her right, calling for her to escape, so she pushed through them and out into the sunshine.
The Elementalist Page 4
