“I think it has something to with the time he manhandled Val.”
Brown droplets of soda spewed into the air. “What?”
“Oops! I wasn’t supposed to say anything. I promised Raffi.”
I wiped my chin, shocked that Zac would do such a thing. “Maybe manhandle means something different to angels?”
She took the candy out of her mouth, waving it as she spoke. “Nope, he hurt Val. He didn’t mean to, though. Raffi said they were arguing in the angel academy gardens. He couldn’t hear what they were saying. Did you know their angel powers don’t work in Heaven? I didn’t. Anyway, where was I? Oh. So, this was before Zac was going to marry some angel chick named Ana. Val didn’t want him to. She grabbed his arm and tried to stop him. Zac jerked away, trying to shake her off. Nearly tore her arm off.”
“Oh my god!”
“I know, right? He’s that strong! Anyway, he’s been trying to make it up to her ever since. Raffi says Zac hasn’t been the same since then.”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s afraid of hurting anyone else. He holds back his strength.”
I thought back to when Zac held me when we flew out of Nevada. He’d kept asking if he was hurting me even though I could barely feel his grip.
“What else did Raffi tell you?” I asked, hoping that maybe he knew something about what was going on with Tristan.
“Something about Remi turning angels into babysitters. He clammed up right away after he said that, so I don’t know for sure what he was talking about. I’ll get it out of him soon enough.” She curled her fingers and pressed them into her palm, cracking her knuckles.
“Be nice, Lucy.”
“I am! But I need to know if Zac is still holding back his power. He’s supposed to be a fighter. He’ll get hurt.” Lucy gazed at Zac, doe-like eyes watching his every move.
“You like him,” I said in a sing-song voice.
She whirled about, her cheeks pink. “Do not!”
I lifted an eyebrow.
“I mean, he’s cool to hang with, but I don’t like him like that.”
“I wonder who did this for you.” I smiled, tugging one of her double Dutch braids. “Jo and Aunt Marmie don’t know how, and I know for a fact you didn’t do it yourself. I only know one person who braids hair like this. Not to mention, you’ve been wearing them for days. For someone who thinks they’re,” I lifted my fingers into air quotes, “lame, you sure seem to like them suddenly.”
“Well, that’s because…you see…it’s too hot to wear my beanie…and…stop laughing!”
“You’re cute.”
She stuck out her tongue. “I didn’t make fun of you and your face.”
“What’s wrong with my face?”
“You have this ‘Whoa is me’ face.” She placed an arm across her forehead dramatically. “I’m so sad. I can’t find my boyfriend.”
“Tristan’s not my boyfriend.”
“Ha! I didn’t say Tristan.”
I growled. “Okay, I’ll stop teasing, but for your information, Tristan and I are friends. And I’m not sad, I’m worried because I haven’t talked with him since we left the dock.”
She chomped on the Blow Pop, chewing thoughtfully for a moment. “If you’re such good friends, then why don’t you talk to him? I see him in the crew mess all the time.”
“I’ve tried, but …Wait. You’ve been down to the crew mess?”
“Pfft! I’m there every afternoon for lunch with Blaze. Seriously, where have you been? It’s like you’re not even on this ship.”
“How do you get past Ian and the Archangels?”
“I ignore him and keep on walking. He doesn’t scare me.”
My jaw dropped. I was in total awe of my little sister. Maybe I should take her down there with me and sic her on Ian.
“Zac said I had to apologize to you,” Raffi said, sitting down in the seat next to Lucy.
“Yeah, at least you didn’t try to balance yourself with my hair this time,” she snapped.
Zac! That was the answer. Zac could help me get to Tristan.
“Where’s Zac?” I scanned the deck. I didn’t see any angels. They’d all disappeared.
“Remi called for a meeting. Bor-ring! They stand around complaining about how we’re in danger. In danger of boredom, is more like it. Who cares if the ship is moving too slow? Don’t get me started about the early morning training. They won’t even let me hold a sword.”
I sat up, startled. “What’s wrong with the ship?”
His eyes grew wide. “Crap! Don’t tell anyone I told you.”
There was a pause in the music as Hunter hit the wrong cord, making the guitar squeal. The children covered their ears, laughing. He chuckled with them, giving me a wink before continuing to play.
“Nothing’s wrong, really,” Raffi said. “It’s just we should’ve reached the Hawaiian Islands by now.”
“And what about the training?”
“That’s no secret. The angels practice their sword fighting,” Lucy said. “Jo knows about it too. She’s there watching Dorian.”
“Can you believe they let him train with a sword? So not fair!” Raffi huffed.
“No way!” That was it. I had to find Jo. I couldn’t believe she hadn’t told me about any of this.
“Did you enjoy the show?” Hunter suddenly appeared. He gazed down at me with a twinkle in his eyes.
“Did you know about Dorian training with the angels?”
“Sure. Ian and his friends asked for volunteers.”
“And you turned them down,” Lucy snapped.
“I sure did, little lady. I’m a crooner, not a fighter.” He chuckled then turned to me. “Speaking of music, Ms. Marmie and some of the Guardians plan on having a slumber party for the little ones while the adults have a nice dinner and dance. I wanted to ask you if…” he whisked off his cowboy hat, placing it on his chest, “Ms. Karenna, would you do me the honor of being my date?”
13
Tristan
I plunged the mop into the bucket. Dirty water splashed, spilling over the floor and onto my shoes.
“Damn it!”
A chorus of laughter rang through the mess hall. Ian and his Archangel cronies sat at a nearby table, elbowing each other and pointing in my direction. The Powers looked on curiously, refraining from joining in on their taunts, more than likely out of respect for Zac.
“The idea is to clean the floor, not your shoes.” Val stood at the entrance of the mess hall.
The hall quieted at the sound of her voice. Chairs suddenly squealed as everyone in the room immediately came to attention, surprised to see a Throne in the crew’s mess hall. Except for me, the Thrones, Remi, and some select Archangels who were navigating the ship, ate in the officer’s mess. Ian had thrown a big stink about Guardians sitting with higher-ranking angels. If it wasn’t for Remi’s need for efficiency, Ian would’ve had them eating in their cabins.
“No, no. Please, everyone sit. Ian.” She acknowledged the silent Archangel as she passed.
Ian grunted, hunched over his bowl, barely acknowledging her. He hadn’t even bothered to stand with the others, and neither did the other trench coat wearing Archangels at his table. One of the angels stood halfway, probably out of instinct. Ian glared at the Archangel and the angel’s eyes lowered in submission.
I scowled. What was up with them? Over the past few days, more Archangels looked to Ian than Zac or even Remi. When Zac or Val gave instructions, they looked to Ian for permission.
“This isn’t as easy as you think,” I grumbled. “So what brings you down here with the steerage?”
“Just checking in on you,” she said.
“Well, I’m still here doing the same thing I was doing yesterday…and the day before that…and the day before that. Let me give you a demonstration.” I took the mop out of the bucket and slapped it on the floor.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“If you need more proof, I’m sure
Ian can vouch for me since either he or one of the Trenchy Brigade has watched my every move. They write everything down in their little black books. Zero four hundred hours, wakes up. Zero four hundred one, takes a piss. Zero four hundred two—”
She jerked the mop out of my hands. “Will you knock it off?”
Ian’s table chuckled. She glared. A couple of the Archangels stopped, but the others kept snickering. They didn’t even bother looking embarrassed.
She shook her head and turned back to me. Lowering her voice, she said, “Is there somewhere we can go to talk?”
“There’s nothing to talk about.” I snatched the mop out of her hand. “If you don’t mind, I have a lot of work to do. I was given a very important new assignment. Top priority. Scrubbing toilets. Ain’t that right, boss?” I yelled at Ian.
He smirked. “Remi’s orders.”
“I’m sure it was,” I grumbled.
“Lucy, wait! You can’t go in there!” Zac’s voice yelled from outside the mess hall.
Lucy marched through the entrance, her wet braids and swimsuit dripping. She stopped, scanning the room until she spotted me. Narrowing her eyes, she made a beeline right for me, shoes squeaking with each step.
“Do you love my sister?”
“Wh-what?” I blinked, shocked by her question.
Placing her hands on her hips, she took a menacing step forward until the tips of her shoes touched mine. “You heard me.”
The entire mess hall heard her. Dozens of eyes bore down on me as they waited for an answer.
“Lucy, you can’t be in here.” I sighed with relief when Zac finally dashed into the hall.
“Why not?”
“Because this is only for angel dining,” he said.
“I’m not going to eat your crummy food. So what’s the problem?”
“It’s not about the food. Please, let’s find Raffi and we can—”
“Leave. Now!” Ian jumped up, rage coloring his face as he headed for Lucy. Following his lead, the Trenchies rose to their feet, chairs clattering as they fell back.
Zac jerked Lucy behind him. Alarmed, the Powers pushed away from their table and flanked Zac’s side. The Guardians kept to their corner, concern filling their faces as they looked to Val for direction.
“Hold on, Ian. She’s just a child,” Val said, as she held her hand up, gesturing to the Guardians to stay put.
“She poses a security threat,” Ian seethed. “Remi has given me absolute control over anyone I deem putting our journey at risk.”
I balked. Was he lying or was Remi out of his mind when he decided to put Ian in charge of security?
“Dude! You’re not the boss of me!” Lucy cried.
“Lucy, please. Let me handle this,” Zac pleaded, shifting his body as Lucy attempted to move past him to confront Ian.
“Look at that! This is exactly what I’m talking about! When do Thrones take orders from the likes of them?”
Some of the angels who’d been watching the scene suddenly stood. The hall filled with a heated chorus of agreement. A couple of Powers looked from Ian to Zac, conflict washing over their faces. Tension filled the air as I gripped the mop handle, wishing for the first time since the war began that I had a sword. The place was a ticking time bomb, and Lucy was stubbornly in the middle of it.
“Who are you—?”
“Everyone, calm down,” Val said, placing a hand over Lucy’s mouth. “There is way too much angel testosterone in the room. And for what? A child? Now that’s silly. Come on, Lucy. You wouldn’t want to miss the puppet show, would you?”
Lucy scowled, yelling back as Val smoothly rushed her out of the room. “I’m not five! He didn’t answer my question. I need an answer. Hunter’s making the moves on Karenna. Did you hear that, Tristan? You have to stop him!”
My body shook as I picked up toppled chairs and slid them back to their tables. I fought against every cell in my body screaming for me to go after Lucy. I knew Karenna and Hunter were growing closer. The pain of it still stung. But there was something about Lucy’s panicked voice. I had to know what was going on.
You can’t. They’re watching. Act normal.
I grabbed the mop and slowly slid it across the floor. The hall quieted as the angels went back to their food.
“Hey, Tristan, I’m glad I caught you,” Zac said with an unusually bright tone. “There’s been an accident on the bridge. Blaze got queasy and, well, it’s a smelly mess up there. Remi wants you to clean it up. He has supplies waiting for you.”
“That’s a Guardian for you,” a Trenchy scoffed.
“I’ll be right there,” I said, ignoring the insult.
Hiding my eagerness to run after Lucy, I let out a heavy sigh and placed the mop and bucket aside, moving painfully slow. Under my breath, I complained about Remi as I made my way to the door.
“Thanks,” I mouthed to Zac before I stepped out of the hall.
When I was at a safe distance, I ran at full speed down the corridor, my heart racing.
“Lucy! Val!” I called out when I spotted them.
Lucy turned, her face lighting up. “You do love her. I knew it!”
I sank until I was eye level with Lucy. “Is Karenna in trouble?”
Her brow furrowed. “I don’t know. I think so.”
“What do you mean you don’t know? Did he do something to her? To you?”
“No. It’s just…ugh! I don’t know. He gives me the heebie-jeebies.”
“It’s lovely you’re worried for your sister, but I don’t know how Tristan, or any of the angels, can help you based on a feeling,” Val said.
“It’s the way he’s nice to her. It’s weird,” Lucy argued. “He’s asked her out to that stupid dance tonight, and she said yes! Can you believe it?”
I closed my eyes briefly, fighting against the painful tug in my chest. Images of Hunter holding Karenna, touching her, flashed across my mind. When I opened them, Lucy wore a knowing smile. Val’s amber eyes met mine looking…hurt?
“I don’t understand. Why does Hunter taking Karenna to the dance bother you?”
“Because it does. I don’t trust him.”
“Why not? Hunter seems nice,” Val said. “He sings to the children. He volunteers with the elderly guests. He—”
“Yeah, yeah, he’s a Mother Teresa.” I waved Val away, wondering why she was adamantly defending Hunter when he bothered Lucy so much. “Did you tell Karenna your concerns about Hunter?”
“She said the same thing she’s saying.” Lucy swung her thumb up, pointing at Val.
“Karenna’s smart. If she thinks it’s,” I swallowed thickly at the ball of pain rolling its way up my chest, “safe to go out with him, it must be. Why don’t you trust him?”
She rolled her eyes. “He’s friends with Dorian. Isn’t that enough?”
I couldn’t get my mind off Lucy’s warnings. I rotated from trying to sleep to pacing the confines of the minuscule cabin I shared with Calder. Every inch of my body was on high alert, and I didn’t know how to stop it.
I squeezed myself into the bathroom and turned on the faucet.
“It’s none of your business,” I grumbled at the reflection in the mirror. I splashed cold water on my heated face. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about what Lucy had said? Was Karenna really in danger?
Turning off the faucet, I buried my face in the towel, fighting against the urge to rush to the ship’s ballroom and snatch Karenna away from the charming cowboy.
I flopped on the bed, pressing my palms against my eyes, as if doing so would squeeze the image of Hunter holding Karenna against his chest out of my mind.
I was being ridiculous, latching on to a jealous sister’s words. That was it, wasn’t it? It had to be. There wasn’t any other explanation.
I sighed, dropping my hands to my side. I should’ve paid more attention in the human family and relations class I’d had in the academy. We’d covered sibling rivalry. I vaguely remembered something about younger sister
s wanting to be like their older siblings.
Yes, that’s it. There’s nothing to worry about. Lucy was jealous.
Or maybe it’s you who is jealous.
“Shut up,” I groaned. It was true, and I was tired of fighting it.
“Yes! I’m jealous!” I yelled into the empty cabin and immediately felt a weight being lifted.
I was making history here. A Throne jealous of a Gibbor? If my father only knew, it would blow his mind. I snorted.
There was a sharp knock on the door, and it flew open. Val stood in the doorway, gawking at the chaotic room.
“Good grief, Tristan. How do you and Calder sleep in here?”
“Housekeeping services aren’t available to steerage,” I said, sitting up.
“Ha, ha. You’re a comedian now? Seriously, give Calder a break, will you? It wouldn’t kill you to pick up after yourself.” She scooped up the pile of clothes next to my bed and started folding them. “Don’t tell me. That is Calder’s side of the room.” Her head tilted, gesturing to the spotless corner.
“What does Remi want me to do now? You’re not here to do my laundry.”
“Ian and the other Archangels are with Remi tonight.”
“Whoopee.” I twirled my finger in the air. “Thanks for the newsflash.”
“They’ll be in a meeting to go over preparations for docking in Honolulu. It should last several hours.”
I snatched the folded shirts from her and shoved them into a drawer. “So?”
She gave me a blank look. “Do I have to spell it out for you?”
“So Ian and Remi are BFFs now. Big deal.”
“It means only a handful of Guardians and Calder are in the ballroom this evening. Get it? The coast is clear. You can go.”
“Wait.” I froze. My brain slowly churned as I digested what she was implying. “I can go to the dance, and Ian won’t find out?” Hope leaped into my chest.
“If you want to. The Guardians are no friend of Ian’s, so I’m pretty sure you’re safe.”
“How? Karenna’s going to be there, and Ian, or at least one Trenchy, is always with her.”
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