by Sadie Hobbes
‘‘It was probably the Masked Avenger,” Noel yelled from the kitchen.
Marcus frowned. “The who?”
Noel walked back in and handed him a glass of water. “The Masked Avenger, Blue Forks’ only security force. He or she has saved dozens of Blue Forks citizens from demons over the last few years. But no one knows who they are.”
“I didn’t think anyone could fight a demon except the Seraph Force.”
Noel shrugged before turning back to the kitchen. “Maybe the Masked Avenger is a member of the Seraph Force. It is one theory.”
She provided the explanation without a hint she was lying. She was really getting too good at this.
I lowered my voice, casting a glance toward the kitchen. It wasn’t very far away, but the sandwiches from Beth had caught the kids’ attention. “I’d rather not talk about the demon attack in front of the kids. They know about them, of course, but I just don’t want to worry them any more than I have to. You’re fine, I’m fine, and that’s really all that matters.”
“Of course, of course. But tomorrow could you tell me how you found me?”
I was saved from answering when Micah reappeared with sandwiches on a tray. “Ham and cheese. My favorite!”
Noel and I exchanged a grin. Micah said that about absolutely everything Beth sent home. The professor smiled at his exuberance, but his gaze drifted back to me. And I had the feeling that while Noel’s lying had improved dramatically, mine had not. My appearance in the alley had the professor wondering. I could practically see the questions circling around in his mind.
I focused on Micah as he handed out the sandwiches, carefully cut into fourths so they’d be easier to split up.
Then I watched the professor, hoping that after a good night’s sleep, all his suspicions would disappear.
And wondering what kind of trouble he could make for me if they didn’t.
Chapter 9
The next morning, Torr slipped out before any of us awoke and came back with some rolls. The kids gave me a strange look when they magically appeared in the kitchen, but I just said that they must have missed them in the bag. They were used to food just appearing in our kitchen overnight.
The professor and I left for the bridge a little earlier than my usual the next morning. I wanted to give us extra time to get there given his weakened state from the night before. I was hoping it had only been because of hunger and dehydration.
As we made our way to the bridge, though, I couldn’t help but think he seemed to be in much better shape this morning. There was more color to his cheeks, and he kept to my pace without seeming to struggle.
He also talked the entire way. He once again thanked me profusely for helping him. And for our hospitality the night before. He spoke more about his work. He’d traveled all over the world researching demons, their attack methods, and victims, looking for patterns.
“Have you found one?” I asked when he paused for breath. “A pattern?”
“Not exactly. The demon attacks started increasing about two years ago. I’m not sure what was special about that time. But something happened that seemed to almost release a steam valve or something.”
My heart rate ticked up a notch. “When exactly two years ago did the attacks begin to increase?”
“In March, as far as I can tell.”
My blood seemed to freeze. March. The same month I washed up on the beach.
I forced myself to breathe normally. It was just a coincidence. Whatever was going on with the demons and the professor’s research had nothing to do with me.
I took a calming breath, even as I felt a little light-headed. It was a coincidence, that was all.
Even knowing nothing about my past, I was almost certain demons had nothing to do with it. It was crazy to even think about. But I couldn't help but recall that when I'd first seen that demon attacking Noel and Micah, an image of demons had flashed through my mind. In the last two years, it was the only trace of a memory I'd ever had.
In all likelihood I had been the victim of a demon attack, which was how I lost my memory. That first attack had just stirred it up. That was the only connection.
It would be nice, though, to actually know about my past. Besides that one flash, I hadn’t remembered a single thing about my life before I washed up on that beach. It was almost as if I just didn’t exist before that moment.
Which was insane, because I had to have existed. There must have been people who cared about me, who missed me, right? Or at the very least who knew me. Yet not once had anyone recognized me. Not a single soul in Blue Forks did a double take at my appearance. So wherever I was from, it wasn’t around here.
The bridge appeared up ahead. I realized that the professor and I would go our separate ways soon. I felt a sense of loss at the idea. There was something incredibly friendly about the man. He was nice to be around, comforting in a weird sort of way.
“Do you know where you’re going once you get over the bridge?”
The professor scanned the neighborhood above the bridge. “I’m looking for Graham Michael. Do you know which house he lives in?”
I pictured Graham from yesterday. Powerful arms, kind eyes. Warmth filtered through my stomach. Still not for me, I reminded myself. “Um, yeah. They’re the second house from the top. His is the white one with the columns. Do you see it?”
The professor’s gaze drifted up the hill until it fell on Graham’s home. “Oh my goodness.”
I smiled. “It’s a bit much, isn’t it?”
The professor nodded, his mouth hanging open. “I mean, he mentioned his family had money, but …”
I knew what he meant. The Michaels’ home was truly immense. There were four balconies, two on either side of the house on the second and third floors. Columns held up the front porch. It had a domed roof, and huge fountains dominated the yard. All the grass was lush and green.
“I didn’t realize how rich they were.” The professor shook his head, almost as if he were disappointed by the news.
I could understand how the professor could make the mistake. Even in my brief interaction with him yesterday, Graham really didn’t give off that serious rich vibe.
“I mean, I knew he was rich but certainly not that kind of rich. He has the confidence of the well-to-do man but none of the arrogance you’d expect from someone with …” He waved his hand toward the hill.
That had also been my impression. It was nice to know it wasn’t entirely my hormones directing the idea. “Well, I’m afraid I don’t know him. But that is definitely where he lives.”
We got in line at the bridge, and luckily Claude wasn’t there, so we quickly crossed. Sheila, however, was there. She caught sight of us when we were halfway across. Her gaze locked on to the professor as soon as he came into view. She reached us just as we passed the archangels, their shadow cast over us. “Are you Professor Jeffries?”
The professor nodded, his voice hesitant as he took in the serious look on Sheila’s face. Then she smiled, her shoulders dropping in relief. “Thank goodness. Commander Graham has been worried about you. He expected you last night.”
“I ran into some trouble, but luckily I also ran into this young woman, who helped me out.”
Sheila raised an eyebrow at me. “Saving people again?”
“All I need is a cape,” I said lightly.
Sheila turned back to the professor. “Commander Graham will be very happy to hear you’re safe. Let me give you a ride up to his home.”
The professor smiled, his relief at not having to face the mountain of the hill obvious. “That would be lovely, thank you. But I have to insist that Ms. Baker join us. After all, she’s the reason I’m here and in one piece.”
Sheila nodded. “I have no problem with that.”
A few minutes later, I got my second ever ride in a car. I had to admit it was nice not having to face that hill today, although watching everyone else walk by made me feel more than a little self-conscious.
; When Sheila pulled into the Uriels’ driveway, I quickly got out of the car, noticing George peering at us from the side door, curiosity written all over his face. “Thanks, Sheila. Good luck with your research, Professor.”
The professor clambered out of the car and offered me his hand. “Thank you, Addie. You are quite literally a lifesaver.”
I smiled at him and headed into the house, feeling a little lighter. The day was definitely off to a good start.
Chapter 10
Graham
This day was not off to a good start. Graham slammed the door closed as he walked into the kitchen. Mary Elise and her husband, Franklin, looked up from their spots at the kitchen table.
“Any luck?” Franklin asked as he got up to grab Graham a plate.
Graham waved him back down. “No. What about the other search parties?”
Franklin poured coffee into a mug from the pot on the table and walked over to Graham, handing it to him. “Donovan and Mitch checked in when they stopped to get a bite to eat, and then they went back out. I haven’t heard from the other two.”
“Dammit,” Graham growled, taking a sip of coffee. The jolt of caffeine was welcome. Marcus should have arrived last night at the latest. Graham been waiting all day for him. As darkness fell, he’d sent out search parties, first through Sterling Peak and then down into Blue Forks. But there’d been no sign of him.
Graham himself had been out since the bridge had closed.
“Any signs of more demon attacks?”
Graham nodded. “I found scorch marks in Blue Forks. Someone tussled with a demon.”
“And won?” Franklin said.
Graham nodded. After each attack, scorch marks stained the ground or walls where a demon died. Their bodies went up in flames and all trace of them disappeared within seconds, only the burn marks being left behind.
“Our Masked Avenger?” Mary asked with a raise of her eyebrows.
Graham inclined his head. “So it appears.”
In Sterling Peak, Graham had been coordinating with Sheila since he’d been made Commander. They had succeeded in at least interrupting several attacks, but it had done nothing to stem the tide.
But someone had been doing the same on the other side of the bridge. Over the last two years, he and his fellow fighters had seen more and more evidence that someone was not only fighting the demons but winning. The victims they had come across had been nothing but effusive. Yet they hadn’t been able to describe their heroine.
Graham had just about lost his mind when the first one suggested it was a slight female. The individual’s face had been covered with a veil that went up to her eyes so that the victims could describe no more of her than her size and the color of her eyes—a bright blue. Every victim since had been adamant that the individual who had defended them from the demon, the individual who had defeated the demon, had been most decidedly female.
Graham wasn’t sure what to do with that information. He had investigated every blue-eyed woman in Sterling Peak. The only blue-eyed women here were either too young, too fat, or too old to possibly be the one they were talking about. So who exactly was the one-woman vigilante team?
He didn’t think he’d find her in in Sterling Peak, though, because that was not the area that she was trying to protect. No, she was on duty in Blue Forks. And she had proven to be much more efficient than Graham’s own security detail. It required two or three Rangers to take down a demon. It was galling.
So last night he was unsurprised to find evidence of yet another demon being taken down. This time, though, he’d been unable to find a victim. It had been too late to knock on doors when he found the scene, but he’d asked around this morning. No one reported seeing or hearing anything. But hopefully by the end of the day he would learn who the victim was.
Of course, that wasn’t getting him any closer to finding the professor.
When he’d met him, Marcus had also been a man searching for answers. His wife had been killed in a demon attack ten years earlier. Together, Marcus and his wife had been researching demons for decades. After Helen died, Marcus had redoubled his efforts. He’d given up his home and his teaching position to search the world for answers. He and Graham had stayed in touch, and Marcus had contacted him just a month ago to say that he’d uncovered something that he thought could change everything.
So Graham had invited him to Sterling Peak. Through his travels, and as the leader of the Seraph Force, Graham had amassed a collection of occult and supernatural tomes and weapons that would surpass any universities. Whatever Marcus had found, it would be best if they staged the next move from here, where Graham had resources at his fingertips.
But Marcus had never shown up. Graham had gotten word that the ship Marcus had sailed on had arrived, and Marcus had disembarked yesterday. Marcus had elected to walk, which was not surprising. It would have taken him most of the day to get to Sterling Peak. He should’ve arrived by nightfall at the latest.
But there’d been no sign of him after the docks. And there was still was no sign of him. That had Graham beyond worried. He had no idea what the organization of the demons was like. But there was a good chance they knew that Marcus was looking for a way to stop them. And if Marcus was right and he was getting close, it wasn’t exactly a stretch to imagine the demons might target him.
Marcus himself had mentioned that he’d barely escaped two previous demon attacks.
And now he was afraid that his friend’s luck had run out.
Graham downed coffee and placed the mug on the counter. “Okay. I’ll do another sweep of Blue Forks, maybe take the road down to the old dock. It’s entirely possible that—”
The doorbell chimed. Graham’s head jerked up, his eyes narrowing before he hastened to the front door. Anyone in the search party would have just come around the side and let themselves in.
But Marcus wouldn’t be comfortable doing that. He’d never been here before. It seemed unlikely, however, that he’d be the one standing at the front door. Nevertheless, Graham’s hopes raised.
He hustled down the long hallway, cursing his family and their extravagant ways. His home was a fifteen-bedroom monstrosity. There were an additional twenty bathrooms and two full kitchens. Plus a pool, tennis court, and even a bowling alley. His father had built it fifty years ago. While people were fighting and dying, his father had made sure that his family lived in the lap of luxury.
Graham curled his lip at the thought of dear old dad. They’d never seen eye to eye. Graham was the second son, the less important one. His father had given all his attention to Brock. But Graham supposed that was a blessing. Mary Elise and Franklin had basically raised him. They’d been his de facto parents. And whereas his own parents had turned Brock into a cruel, arrogant man, Mary Elise and Franklin had emphasized compassion and integrity. In many ways, he’d been the lucky one.
When Brock died, his parents had taken it hard. But perhaps even harder for his father was the idea that one day his beloved legacy would end up in the hands of the son who hated him.
His father had taken off for a tour of Europe with his mother shortly thereafter. They returned every once in a while for a week, sometimes three, before taking off for another travel. Graham liked to think it was his presence that was driving his father away, but he knew it was the ghost of Brock.
It took Graham a full two minutes to reach the front of the house, by which time the doorbell had rung an additional two times. Obviously whoever was behind the door was unfamiliar with how long it took to reach it.
Graham pulled the door open.
Marcus whirled around, his face lighting up. “Graham! It is the right house. I was beginning to worry that—”
Graham pulled him close and hugged him tight. “Marcus.”
Marcus patted him awkwardly on the back. “Good to see you too, son.”
Graham released Marcus, emotion making his voice harsher than he intended. “Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you—”
For the first time, he noticed Sheila standing at the edge of the landing. “Sheila. Thank you for bringing the professor to me.”
Sheila inclined her head. “I can’t really take responsibility for this one. I met him at the gate of the bridge. Addison Baker is responsible for the safe return of your friend here.”
Graham didn’t recognize the name. That was a question for a later time. “Yes, well, thanks to her, then. I’ll be sure to reach out to her.”
“Have a good day, Graham. Nice to meet you, Professor.” She turned and headed back down the drive.
Graham turned to the professor and raised an eyebrow. “What happened?”
The professor grinned in response. “Do I have a story to tell you.”
Graham wanted to demand answers from Marcus immediately, but manners had been instilled in him from birth, so he showed Marcus to a guest room and gave him time to get situated. After Marcus took a shower and filled his belly, he sat at the table with Graham, Mary, Franklin, and Donovan, who’d arrived to find out what had happened.
As Marcus told his story for the second time, Graham wanted to know exactly how hard Marcus had hit his head.
“So you’re saying some tiny slip of a girl took on a demon all by herself?” Donovan leaned back in his chair. He raised the dark sculpted eyebrows that drove the ladies more than a little bonkers in Sterling Peak and anywhere else he went.
Marcus nodded eagerly. “I couldn’t believe it myself. She did it. The demon had his arm out. He was about to run me through, and she got in between us and stopped him.”
“You said she denied it was her,” Graham said.
“Yes, yes. I was confused at first after the attack. But I know what I saw. She was the one who saved me.”
Graham leaned forward. “So how exactly did she stop him? A sword? A club?”
Marcus shook his head. “No. She grabbed his arm. She blocked his arm with her own.”
Donovan sat back, shaking his head. “That’s impossible. A grown man can’t do that. I can’t do that. And you’re telling me some little tiny girl held off a demon on her own with what, a tiny little knife?”