Finn nods. “It must be nice living with him so you can discuss theories about space and time whenever you want.”
Alexander smiles and squeezes my hand under the table. “He’s looking forward to you taking his class in September.”
We finish our meal and after everyone helps clear the table and load the dishwasher, Liz and I stay back in the kitchen for a moment while Finn and Alexander go out on the deck to look at the stars through Liz’s new telescope, a graduation present.
“So what’s this idea about teaching Finn to cook?” I ask as we sit at the swivel bar stools lined up along the large, marble island in the middle of the expansive chef’s kitchen. “You know he hates it.”
“I thought it would be good for him to learn how to make a couple decent meals. Even a cute genius needs street skills.”
I laugh. “Cooking is a street skill?”
“When the zombie apocalypse happens every skill counts.”
I shake my head. “In that scenario, I think Finn would be one of the scientists working in a lab somewhere on a plan to wipe the zombies out.”
“Maybe, but he’d need to eat while he’s working.”
“He’d be perfectly happy to survive on Cheez-its and peanut butter sandwiches.”
She laughs. “Maybe so, but when all the Cheez-its and peanut butter are gone he needs a backup plan.”
I smile. “Software upgrades, huh?”
“It was actually Finn’s idea. He’s on this self-betterment plan where he’s setting yearly goals for himself.”
“You mean like how he’s learning Japanese?” I ask.
“Yeah, and he also decided he would only eat meat he slaughtered himself—which quickly morphed into becoming a vegetarian because he couldn’t bring himself to kill any animals.”
I smile. How Finn thought he’d be able to harm any living thing is the only surprise there.
“I suggested we also do mini-goals,” Liz continues, “on a monthly basis, but focused on things for each other … which was really more of a ploy to get him to rub my feet after a shift at Jack’s but it turned into a good idea.”
I laugh. “What’s your yearly goal?”
“I’m teaching myself to juggle. Oh, and meditate. Ten minutes a day. So I don’t flip out at all the asshats who come into Jack’s and keep changing their orders.”
“Like Jordan Piner,” we both chant in unison, cracking ourselves up.
“That guy is so stoned all the time,” says Liz. “How did he even graduate?”
“He not only graduated, I heard he completed two years at Cabrina and he’s headed to UCLA in the fall.”
She raises an eyebrow. “Shit, really? Maybe being baked helps him concentrate.” We contemplate that idea as we take a sip of our iced teas. “You guys want to watch a movie?” she asks.
“Thanks, but not tonight. I should probably get home. I haven’t seen my mom in a while.”
“I’m sure she appreciates the alone time.”
“What? Why?”
“So Chief Stephens can go all Willy Wonka in her wonderland,” Liz says with a jaunty smile.
“What the—? Jesus, Liz, that’s the last mental picture I want in my mind … and Willy Wonka? C’mon,” I wail, “I loved that movie!”
Liz laughs out loud. “Did I ever tell you about the time I walked in on my parents? They were here in the kitchen and my mom had these ice cubes and a spatula—”
“Oh my God,” I cry out as I put my hands over my ears, “please stop talking—I’ll never be able to eat in here ever again.”
She throws her head back and laughs uproariously. “If I have to live with it, you do too! Share my pain, sister!”
I smile and shake my head. “You’re seriously traumatizing me.”
She laughs some more, unfazed.
“I’m glad my mom’s finally dating a little,” I say after a moment of thought, “but do you really think they’re—”
“Of course,” Liz says emphatically. “And that’s a good thing. It’s about time for good ol’ Judy Jane.”
I consider this for a moment. Then I promptly discount it. Nah, Liz is wrong. I mean I’m happy for my mom if she is, but I know how conflicted she’s been about even agreeing to a date. I’m also conflicted, if I’m being honest. And, yeesh, the last thing I want to do is think about my mom’s sex life, or Mr. and Mrs. Warner’s—in this kitchen—with a spatula for Christ’s sake. I glance over at Liz and want to simultaneously laugh and burn the image out of my mind forever.
I peer out on the deck to see Alexander and Finn talking animatedly and pointing up at the night sky. “I still think I’ll go home tonight and see my mom,” I say. “I’m volunteering at the shelter in the morning and I want to get up early and run first. Plus, it’ll give you and Finn some time alone.”
I don’t mention that the real reason I’m anxious to leave is because the last time I saw Avestan—before Alexander managed to nearly kill him and help us escape Nusquam—his eyes were trained on me with a malevolent evil so vicious it still haunts me in my sleep.
Now he’s back in San Mar.
And there’s no telling how he’ll seek his revenge.
Chapter Four
“What are we going to do?” I ask as we drive away from Liz’s house.
“We knew he’d be back,” Alexander replies.
“But why would he approach Liz?”
“To frighten you.”
I don’t answer and Alexander reaches over and squeezes my hand. “He knew it would get to you. He’s not going to harm Liz. Or anyone. The guardians won’t let him,” he says as he meets my eyes. “We’ve been expecting this. It’s a good thing, in a way, that he’s finally come out of hiding.”
“A good thing?”
“No more waiting and wondering. Now we can move forward.” He glances over at me. “Please don’t worry.”
“Why shouldn’t I worry?”
He eases over to the side of the street and pulls to a stop in front of a random house in Liz’s neighborhood of nicely appointed estates. Then he turns to me and takes my hands in his and looks into my eyes. “You don’t need to worry because I have a plan.”
“You always have a plan,” I say, holding back a smile, “for everything.”
He smiles crookedly. “I believe in being prepared.”
“Were you a boy scout or something?”
“No,” he chuckles. “I had a paper round, though. Does that count? It took a lot of planning to make my bike route efficient.”
I smile and push his arm. “So what’s the plan?” I ask, getting serious again.
“Well, the first step involves talking.”
“Talking? You mean with your fists?”
“What? No,” he laughs, shaking his head, “I think you’ve been watching too many kung fu movies.”
I try not to smile. Finn and I do watch a lot of kung fu movies. Something about the stupid plots interspersed with cool fight scenes—all that confidence is mesmerizing. But this is serious.
“So you mean actual talking,” I say.
“Yes, with words.”
His manner is so nonchalant it’s disconcerting. If he’s acting this way so he won’t frighten me it’s actually having a paradoxical effect. “So, diplomacy,” I say with obvious skepticism, “with dark angels.”
“Yes. Diplomacy can work—even with dark angels. They wear their human nature like a ball and chain. But that’s not what our conversation will be focused on. I’ll attempt an agreement—it’ll be down to him to accept—but I expect it won’t go anywhere. I’ll be using our talk to extract information.”
“What do you mean?”
“Everyone wants something. And it’s usually not what they think they want. When someone wants something bad enough, it creates an opportunity.”
“But the only thing Avestan wants is to destroy us,” I say.
He shakes his head. “It’s more than that now. This is about me and Avestan.”
�
�I thought he wanted me for my aura?”
“He did. But now that we defeated him, it’s about winning. Against me.”
“What information are you trying to get?” I ask.
“Information that dark guardians are forbidden to reveal.”
“So why would Avestan tell you?”
“Because at their base, dark angels are controlled by human nature.”
“You keep saying that. Do you realize that’s a little insulting to us human mortals? Or near mortals?”
He smiles. “Sorry. I should have said the worst sides of human nature. All I mean is that I’ll use it to my advantage.”
“That’s all you’re going to say?”
“Once it’s sorted I’ll share more. In the meantime, everyone’s protected. I know you’re worried about that, but please don’t be. Finn and Liz and everyone else have had extra guardians around them for months. All of San Mar, in fact.”
“Then how did Avestan get to Liz?”
“Protected doesn’t mean sheltered. Guardians have to let mortals live their lives. And that includes interacting with dark angels. But Avestan knew he was being watched. And you heard Liz, her instincts are good. She kept her distance.”
“I fell under Avestan’s spell once. She could, too.”
“You didn’t believe enough in your instincts then. You’re stronger now. And the way Avestan targeted you was irregular.”
I meet his eyes. “What do you mean?”
“Dark angels don’t usually pursue that way—so fast and direct and willing to reveal themselves.”
“But it was because I was with you, right?”
Alexander meets my eyes. “Maybe.”
I look at him.
“Declan, if I knew more I would tell you,” he says. “But you have to understand that what’s between us is new to me. I’ve never had to protect someone I have such intense feelings for. It scares me and I’m making up the rules as we go along. You’re not even supposed to know we exist. Can you meet me halfway? Let me tell you more when it’s sorted?”
I consider his request, brow furrowed.
“I love you,” he says softly. “And I want to be with you. And, unfortunately, that puts a wrinkle in my plan. More than a wrinkle.”
I search his eyes. “What wrinkle?”
“It’s not important now. If it comes to that, I’ll explain. And I’ll need your help.”
“I don’t think you have a plan. I think you’re making it all up so I won’t worry.”
He smiles. “You know that I do. I promise you, I have several.”
“Then tell me what they are.”
He takes a deep breath. “Let me try Plan A, which is talking, and if I get the information I want, and it’s favorable, this could be done and dusted in no time. So why bother you with Plan B yet or myriad details that may never become necessary?”
“I’m worried about you being near Avestan,” I say. “Even just to talk.”
“The worry should be directed the other way ‘round. If Avestan was smart he wouldn’t come near me.”
“Now you’re just blustering.”
He smiles. “Did I mention I love you?”
My lips form a begrudging smile and he bends to kiss me softly.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you,” he says. “Always.”
Chapter Five
“Liz is covered, I promise,” says Alenna as we sit inside West End Coffee.
I nod. “Thanks.” It’s been two days since we found out Avestan is back in San Mar, and Alexander suggested we all meet to put my mind more at ease. “Did Avestan bring more dark guardians with him?” I ask.
“Unfortunately, yes,” she answers. “Most lost interest and left to darker places while he was recovering, but now that he’s back they’ve come back with him.”
“Evil follows him,” says Alexander.
I nod and swallow. “I know you said everyone is protected, but does that still include Charlie and his family?” The thought of anything ever happening to Charlie again twists my stomach in a knot. And even if Molly Bing is a Queen Bee jerk, she doesn’t deserve Avestan.
“They’re taken care of,” answers Alexander. “And Edwin is covering Finn personally.”
“Why can’t all the guardians just protect everyone all the time?” I’ve asked this before and I know what they’re going to say.
“There aren’t enough of us,” Alenna answers patiently. “We go where we’re most needed. Mortals wouldn’t gain the understanding they need to evolve if we stepped in every time things get messy. It’s a delicate balance.” She glances over at Alexander. “We could tell mortals everything we know but unless they experience it themselves, they tend not to listen. They have to make their own decisions.”
I nod. Initially I had misgivings about how Alenna would feel about me since she and Alexander used to be together, but she welcomed me warmly from the start and she’s always been kind. I have to practically avert my eyes to look at her, though. She’s so beautiful—it’s like staring up at the sun with her towering legs and all that blonde hair and porcelain skin—but I don’t get the insecure pangs that I used to anymore. Well, I don’t get them as much anyway … I’m still a human woman for Pete’s sake.
“So everyone’s just double protected,” I say, “and we should go about our day?” It feels strange to act normal now that Avestan’s back, but it’s not like I can round up everyone I love and insist we all cower inside.
“For now,” Alexander says. “Avestan’s been avoiding me. His message through Liz was meant to frighten you but he’s not ready to engage yet. He may still be recovering or, more likely, he’s enjoying keeping us off balance. It’s down to him now to come out of hiding. Unless I can find him first.”
Alexander’s answer sends prickles of worry up my spine. I don’t want Alexander to find him. Avestan obviously likes to feel as if he’s the one with the upper hand and if Alexander surprises him his reaction will most likely be unpredictable and outsized.
“Can you at least tell me who all the guardians are that will be protecting us?” I know what they’re going to say before I even ask the question, but I can’t resist trying.
“It changes. And we can’t reveal anyone,” Alenna replies. “Mortals have to trust their instincts. But I’m sure you can work it out. You’re good at reading people.”
She’s right in one sense—I have gotten better at protecting against negative energy and reading auras. When I shake someone’s hand or touch their arm I can usually get a feeling about them. But I don’t trust it enough to tell me definitively if someone’s a guardian or a dark angel. They could just be a good person, or someone having an especially horrid day. Dark angels are adept at concealing themselves, and guardians take care not to be revealed either. I think Alenna’s giving me way too much credit here.
“Alenna’s right,” Alexander says, “trust your instincts. After all, they’re what led you to me.” He takes my hand in his and his smile reaches his dark green eyes. For all of his frustrating withholding of information, he still makes my heart skip a beat when he looks at me that way.
Alenna stands up and clears her throat. “I think we have a good plan for now,” she says. “Declan, are we still meeting later for aikido? See you there at six?”
I nod. “Finn’s coming, too.” A few months ago I bought a Groupon for an aikido class on a lark and made Finn come with me. The blurb online described it as redirecting energy so that you blend with an attack rather than meeting it head on, using your opponent’s own energy against them. It sounded interesting, and Finn has anxiety underneath the surface like I do, so I thought it could help us both. We ended up liking it and Liz tried it, too, but she decided she’d rather stick to watching kung fu movies with us instead. Alenna stayed for a class once and now she goes regularly, too. Of course she could kick everyone’s ass if she wanted to, including the instructors, but she says she likes the meditative aspect of it. I like that part, too, but mo
stly I like the fact that if I concentrate hard enough I swear I can react to what my opponent’s going to do before they do it. In those moments I feel like Neo in The Matrix and I truly believe I’m a sprite with powers—someone who can kick ass and take names to protect myself—a feeling I’m particularly craving now because I feel pretty helpless with Avestan back and lurking in parts unknown.
Alexander searches my eyes after Alenna walks away. “Don’t worry,” he says as he plants a tender, reassuring kiss on my lips, “about anything.”
“Because you have a plan,” I say.
“Yes,” he smiles, “because I have a plan. And also because you’re strong. Stronger than you realize. And I have you covered.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about,” I say.
“What is it then?” he asks.
I meet his green eyes as I expose the worry deep in my heart. “Who’s covering you?”
Chapter Six
“This is simultaneously the least demanding and highest-paying job I’ve ever had,” announces Justin, my co-worker at Fields and Morris, L.L.C.
I laugh. “It is pretty mindless.” Burt Fields, my dad’s old partner, hired a crew of college students (and prospective college students, in my case) to do a boatload of scanning and data entry at his firm. All we do, all day long, is retrieve legal documents from large file boxes and scan the pages one by one into the computer, add keywords for each file, and then start on the next piece of paper. When we’re finished with a box we mark it with a giant “X” using a red Sharpie, add it to the “completed” side of the room and then we pull down a fresh file box from the stack of boxes lining the other wall. The rule is, if you start scanning the files in a box you must finish it entirely and at the end of the day we log how many file boxes we completed. Overtime is encouraged and I’ve taken advantage of it as often as possible. It’s a short-term job, just for the summer (or until all file boxes are scanned and logged) but it pays well. The extra income is helping me sock enough away to cover the cost of my books and fees for school. I’m still working at Jack’s, too, but that’s mostly on weekends. And I fit in babysitting for Charlie Bing when I can. I’d do that for free, to be honest. I love that little guy.
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