Taking Angels (The Angel Crusades) (10 page)

I walked up to my room and dropped down on my
bed. What a day. Found out I was soulless, witnessed Mr.
Kinsley’s murder, and got threatened by a protective
Eternal. All in one day.

I pulled the blankets over me and thought of
Allister. My stomach churned at the thought of his blue
eyes, filled with regret and concern. Did I have feelings
for him? I enjoyed the kiss in the school parking lot after
he’d defended me. The concept felt so foreign, it didn’t
seem real. How could I feel for him when he made me a
monster? I lay staring at the ceiling, hoping the dreams
wouldn’t return. My eyelids slowly inched closed, sleep
drifting over me as fatigue won out.

The dream did return, but it felt subdued
compared to the previous one. I walked along a street and
then recognized Allister’s house. I stopped outside and
watched as shadows moved in an upstairs window.
Angelina’s window, I thought.

I could make out the outline of Allister and his
sister through the window coverings and, after observing
for a while longer, continued down the street.

I felt a tingling and woke the next morning as the
sun shone through the windows into my eyes. I glanced at
the clock. Nine o’clock.

Taking the cell phone off my nightstand, I read a
text from Trish. Party at Cassie’s today.
I got up, showered and got ready for the day. I had
just slipped on my shirt when Allister appeared in the
bathroom, causing me to jump and bang my head against
the hook on the back of the door with a thud.
“Ouch.”
He smirked.
“My bathroom, really?!” I placed my hands on my
hips frowning at him.
A light knock tapped on the door. “Britt, are you
alright?” Mom asked.
“Yeah, fine. Just slipped and banged my head
against the door.”
“Okay, but be careful.”
I glared at Allister. “Okay, Mom.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, raising a calming hand.
“Give me your phone.” I extended my hand.
He gave me his phone and I punched my number in and
handed it back. “There, make sure you call first from now
on and no more bathroom or bedroom. The pottery shed
only. My Dad would flip if he found you up here.” I
turned to gather my phone from the vanity and tucked it
into my pocket. “I’ll meet you there in a minute.” He
shimmered as I opened the bathroom door to find Mom
standing there.
“Who are you talking to?” she asked, leaning in
past me to look around the small bathroom.
“No one,” I said, looking over my shoulder at the
empty room.
“I swear I heard voices.” Mom frowned,
confused.
“Just talking to myself. I seem to be doing that a
lot lately.” I shrugged and walked past her and down the
stairs without looking back, pausing briefly to grab a coat
on my way out.
I hurried to the pottery shed, closing the door and
peering out to be sure Mom wasn’t following me. I turned
around to find Allister sitting in the recliner.
“We tracked Kendal for a few hours last night.”
“Did you see him?”
“No, he lost us in the woods north of here.
Angelina and I decided to wait until he strikes again and
see if we can get a fresh trail to follow.”
“You’re going to wait until he kills someone else
before you look for him? That is so wrong.”
“What do you expect us to do?”
“I don’t know, get more Eternals to search for him
or, I don’t know, something besides waiting until he kills
another person.”
“He’s very creative and hides his path well. I
think he realizes we are searching for him. He will
continue to be more cautious now he knows we’re aware
of him.”
“But you need to stop him before he kills again.”
“It isn’t like he sends us a note to let us know
where he is going to be next,” Allister argued.
“Are you sure you and Angelina can handle this
by yourselves?”
“We have to,” he sighed.
“Not good enough. You need to stop him before
another person dies. With me connected to him you
should be able to pinpoint where he is. Maybe Angelina
could somehow tap into my dream.”
“I’ll see if Angelina thinks that will work, but if it
doesn’t we have no choice other than tracking him after
he kills again, I’m sorry.”
“There has to be another way. How can we sit
back and let another person die without trying? We need
to step it up here.”
“I understand how you feel, but there is only so
much we can do.”
“That sucks. It drives me crazy to know he’s out
there killing people and we can’t do anything about it.”
“We’ll catch him as quickly as we can. I
promise.”
I stared back at him, realizing my misplaced anger
did nothing but hurt our effort. “I know,” I said sadly.
Then I remembered the dream from last night. “I dreamt
again last night and we were outside your house.”
“Really, what did he do?” Allister sat up abruptly.
“He looked up at Angelina’s window and watched
your shadows for a short time and left.”
“He’s onto us. We have to be more diligent about
watching our backs. Hold on.” He shimmered and was
gone only a minute before he shimmered back. “Angelina
is looking into the possibility of tapping your dreams. I
warned her about Kendal being suspicious of us. She will
circle our house and look for any remnants of his
presence.”
Glancing at the clock, I grabbed a coat to head to
Cassie’s. Slipping it on, I pulled my hair out from under
the collar.
“Where are you going?” Allister asked.
“Over to Cassie’s,” I said and then paused. “Want
to come?”
“Is she the little one?” Allister asked.
“They all will be there, but yeah, Cassie is the
small blonde.”
“I suppose it’s time we come out to your friends.”
“There’s nothing to come out about. There is
nothing going on between us.” Even as I said it, my
stomach did a flip-flop. Was I kidding myself? “Besides,
the three amigos will accept whatever I do, no matter
what.”
“Why do you call them the three amigos?”
“My dad gave them the nickname after watching
that old movie with Steve Martin, Martin Short, and
Chevy Chase,” I laughed. “It stuck.”
“You’re lucky to have them,” he smiled. “Ready
to go?”
“Yeah, I’ll ask Mom if I can borrow her car.”
“I’ll drive,” he said.
I looked at him questioningly.
“My car is around the corner. Wait here until you
hear me at the door. I’ll pick you up in a second.”
“I have to learn that,” I said as he disappeared.
I went back to the house and waited in the
kitchen. It felt like forever before the doorbell rang. I ran
through the living room as Mom opened the door to
Allister.
“Good afternoon Mrs. Anderson, my name is
Allister Parks, I’m here to see Britt,” Allister greeted her
politely.
“Hello,” Mom said, staring at him in shock.
“Britt and I are going to attend a party at one of
her friend’s this afternoon,” he said.
I slid to a stop behind Mom as she turned to look
at me, questioning. “Cassie is having a party today and
Allister and I are going for a while. Is that okay?”
“Have fun,” she said as I walked past her.
“I won’t be too late, but don’t wait supper.” We
walked out the door and down the sidewalk to his jet
black Camaro.
“I could use a car,” I sighed.
“What kind would you like? We kind of get what
we want.” He pressed his lips together and raised his
eyebrows at my amazed look. “It’s one of the perks of
living so long. You can acquire a great deal of wealth
over nearly two hundred years.”
“No, you don’t need to get me a car.” I got into
the front seat as he held the door open. I slid my legs in as
he shut the door. I quickly flipped down the visor to
check my hair in the mirror, pulling the thick mess of
waves away from my face as he got into the driver’s seat.
“You look great,” he smiled, glancing over at me.
“Thanks, but I’m nervous how everyone will
react.”
“Don’t worry. This is a much smaller group. We’ll
see a bigger crowd tomorrow at school.”
“Great,” I sighed. “Now I’m nervous about
tomorrow too.”
“You’re so beautiful.”
“Thanks to you,” I pointed out.
He leaned back, frowning. “Where did you get
that idea?”
“You changed me when you touched me.”
“Britt, I can’t create you or instill beauty on you
any more than I can create a star or change the color of
the moon. The beauty existed inside you before I came
along.” He held my doubtful gaze for a moment and then
started the car with a roar.
I stared at him, contemplating his statement.
“It’s true.” He laughed and punched the gas,
sending us racing down the street.
I turned away, embarrassed, in time to see Mom
staring out the window as the car jumped into motion.
We pulled alongside Cassie’s house on the corner. All
heads turned to watch as the sleek black car eased to a
stop and Allister got out, walked around to my door, and
helped me out.
I looked up hesitantly to see Trish and Elisa
staring. Trish held my gaze and mouthed, OMG, her eyes
open wide. I nodded and a huge smile spread across her
face. Elisa raced over to give me a big hug and then
looked up at Allister.
“Isn’t this a nice surprise?” she smirked.
“Nice to see you again Allister,” Trish said,
coming up behind Elisa.
“Hello.” Allister grinned. “Where is the third
amigo?”
“Oh my God,” someone shouted from the
direction of the house.
We turned to see Cassie, a pile of buns at her feet
as an empty plate tilted in her hands. Her face, a mix of
excitement and shock, she dropped the plate on top of the
buns and raced across the yard. I looked around, shifting
my weight from one foot to another as all eyes locked on
us.
Cassie nearly tackled me, whispering in my ear.
“You have to be kidding me.”
“Maybe we should speak later, your guests are
preoccupied with us and I think Britt would prefer they
weren’t,” Allister pointed out.
“Yeah, right,” Cassie said. “Come on, Elisa. Help
me get the burgers on the grill and the salads on the
table.” She pulled a reluctant Elisa after her, looking back
over her shoulder and grinning at me.
“Sorry about that,” I said with a grimace.
“Nothing to worry about,” he smirked.
We walked with Trish to the deck and found some
Diet Coke to drink. We stood on one side of the deck with
Trish as everyone took turns whispering and staring at us.
“You two are a couple?” Trish asked.
“Uh, no, I don’t know.” I shrugged.
“You always date the girls that accuse you of
being an angel?” Trish pressed.
“We talked it out and it was just a
misunderstanding,” Allister said. “She thought she saw
something that day at the waterfall. I was impressed that
she was brave enough to approach me.”
I bit my lip as Trish looked at me with a raised
eyebrow.
“I saw that she was a real person and liked that
about her. She’s genuine,” Allister told her, smoothing
over my friend’s doubt with ease.
“Yes, yes she is that.” Trish was smiling.
I exhaled, relieved as she looked at me with a
‘you’re so lucky’ expression plastered on her face.
Cassie came over, took me by the hand, and
pulled me with her. “I need to borrow Britt for a
moment.” She looked at Allister as he gave her a nod.
We went into the kitchen, Trish close behind, and
Elisa waiting, leaning against a counter. Once the door
closed behind us, they all began to talk at once.
“When did this happen?” Trish wanted to know.
“Did you kiss him yet, is he a good kisser?” Elisa
asked, of course that would be most important to her.
“Is it serious?” Cassie asked.
“I’m not sure, nothing’s ‘happened’ yet. No, we
didn’t kiss, and I don’t think it’s serious, that way, at
least,” I explained.
All three burst out with questions that I stopped
with a raised hand. “You guys are the best friends ever.” I
smiled, reaching out to pull them into a hug.
“You better believe it,” Trish agreed.
I forced another smile as the guilt of keeping the
truth from them burned inside, threatening to eat away
my soul. Oh, right, I didn’t have to worry about a soul
anymore, thanks to Allister.
My mood turned gloomy after that. The
realization that Allister’s change now forced me to be
dishonest with my best friends grated on me. We went out
to the deck with the rest of the guests where some of the
girls already gathered around Allister. Noticing me
coming, they scattered like a flock of birds on the side of
the road taking flight when a car passed. I felt certain of
the flock’s return if I left him alone again.
I stood beside him, not looking at him, but taking
in the rest of the party. Everyone except my three amigos
now gave Allister and me a wide berth.
After a long time, Allister stepped around in front
of me, looking down at me with concern.
“What?” I looked up at him and then away at the
other guests.
“Something is on your mind,” he said.
“No, I’m fine.” I glanced over, then continued to
look around the yard.
“You’re upset about something,” he pressed.
“Okay, if you want to know,” I whispered. “I hate
having to lie to my best friends. I can’t stand avoiding the
truth or only telling them half-truths. I’ve never lied to
them before and it is killing me.”
“Britt, you know you don’t have any choice,” he
said.
“That’s right, I don’t have a choice. But you did.
You chose to bring me back, like this.” I motioned to my
body with my hands, “Forced me to keep the truth from
the only people I’ve ever trusted.”
“Ah.” Allister nodded. “So that is what this is all
about.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“It’s typical to feel guilt for being what you are
when your friends are not a part of it.”
“You make no sense.” I rolled my eyes.
“Britt, I’m truly sorry for being selfish and
changing you without your consent; forcing you to be
something you did not choose for yourself. Knowledge of
our kind places your friends in grave danger.”
“They wouldn’t tell anyone,” I whispered as two
girls walked by, hopeful expression on their faces, seeing
us fighting.
“It goes beyond us, and even my parents. We have
a duty to all Eternals to keep our secret. The fewer people
who know about us, the less likely the angels will bother
with us.”
“The Eternals would kill my friends if they
knew?” I gasped.
“I can’t say for certain, but are you willing to take
that chance?”
I looked at him with horror, then lowered my
eyes, shaking my head. No, I wouldn’t put my three
amigos in harm’s way like that, ever.
The scent of lilac wafted to my nose and a
shudder surged through my body causing me to stagger
into the deck railing. My head spun, my vision turning
blurry.
Allister wrapped his arms around me, supporting
me as I teetered, trying to regain my balance.
“What is it?” he asked concern in his voice.
“I don’t know, I feel dizzy,” I gasped.
I looked across the back yard, not a lilac bush in
sight. The glows I learned to ignore leapt into my vision.
Why did the glows come back now? The thought didn’t
form completely until I saw him. He stood, talking to
some girls and a guy by the back fence, listening to them,
yet staring right at me. His dark brown hair and dark eyes
shone brightly as his perfect skin failed to glow in the
slightest to my vision.
I gathered my strength, lifting off the rail as
Allister supported me with his hands on my waist. I never
took my eyes from his and he held my gaze, studying me,
tilting his head, looking at me curiously. It took all the
strength and concentration I could gather to push the
dizzying effects of being close to him to the furthest
reaches of my mind.