I don’t think I can BS her anymore. She’s thirteen going on thirty. Whatever I say must sound real. I want to protect her and leaving her in the dark isn’t the answer. She was there when the demons came knocking at our front door.
“I’m not stupid,” she says.
“I never said you were.”
“You don’t have to tell Mom and Dad, but you owe me the truth.” Her hands fist. “None of your friends knew where you were, so I think you were kidnapped. But I don’t know by whom. Do you?”
“Stella. I want to protect you and Mom and Dad. Some real bad people are coming, and they might try to use you guys to get to me.”
“So tell me so I can watch for them.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Does it have to do with those bad things that came to the house?”
“What do you remember of that night?” Kieran was supposed to Mind Wipe everyone. I’m going to have words with him if he hadn’t.
“Everything.” Tears run down Stella’s face. “I remember everything. Three people came to the house and fought with Kieran and Shay. But I don’t think they were even people. Your friend, Vash, turned into a giant brown wolf and killed those black ghost-like things.” She sniffled. “Sidelle and some boy came and fought in the front yard. You went out there and blew everyone away. Cali died, and you brought her back to life.”
“Okay. Yeah, that’s about what happened.” I turn to face her. “You have to promise me that you won’t tell anyone.”
“As long as it’s the truth. I promise.”
“You’re right. Those three guys who came to the house that night were not people. They weren’t even human. They’re called Knights. Demon Knights. But they look like everyday people.” I hand my sister a tissue. “Those dark, ghost-like forms are Marquises demons and only very powerful beings like Vash can kill them. He’s a werewolf as you might have guessed.”
“Like in Twilight?”
“I suppose so, but there’s no such thing as vampires.”
“So, what are you?”
“I’m a ... an angel.”
“Whoa!”
“But I just became one on my birthday.”
“And Kieran?”
“Also, an angel.”
“Shay?”
“Half-angel. The technical term is called a Nephilim.”
“Awesome. Thank you for trusting me with this.”
“When did you get so old?” I smile.
“I had to grow up fast. My big sister was kidnapped, and I had to keep the family together. So why you?”
“They think I’m the girl who will stop Armageddon.”
“Are you?”
“I’m not sure. The devil was supposed to break out of his prison the day I turned eighteen, but nothing has changed. I haven’t heard about any really bad news these past two days. Have you?”
“No, just the bad weather, but that’s all better now. Do you think I’m an angel, too, like you?”
“Honestly, I don’t know, Stella. Why do you think you’re going to be an angel?” She shrugs. “I didn’t know about myself until a couple of months ago that I might be something other than human.” I shrug. “But I do know that there is a war coming, and I must be ready. My friends are going to help me, and I need you to be safe. I’m going to need to be gone for a bit while I look for something important. It might turn the tide on the war.”
“What is it that you’re looking for?”
“A special item. I’m meeting Kieran and Shay later this morning to go over details.”
“I know you’ll find a Seraph’s Sword, and we’ll win over evil.”
Wait. I never told her what we are looking for. Or had I? “How do you know?”
“Because I’ve seen it.”
“What do you mean, you’ve seen it?”
“It’s just what it means. I’ve seen you with a gold sword that has purple gems on the base. You’re in a field, or on a lake, which is confusing since how is that even possible. You’re there with all your friends and you’re using one.”
My mouth drops open, and I close it like a fish. I process that for a while. Every couple of seconds, I start to say something, but nothing comes out. “You’re coming to the meeting with me.”
Two hours later we are at Kieran’s house. Vash and Cali are already there when I walk into the den.
“Oh, my gosh.” Cali rushes and pulls me into a tight hug. “You’re okay, right? He didn’t hurt you?” She lets me go and looks at my face. “I’m going to chew his wings off—” Cali turns her head and notices my sister.
“It’s okay, go ahead and say it,” I say.
Cali shakes her head.
“Glad to have you back with us again, Zoe,” Vash says as he quickly pats me on the shoulder, leading Cali to the love seat.
After our quick reunion everyone keeps glancing at me, wondering why I brought my sister. Sidelle is still MIA, and I hope she appears soon. I sit between Shay and Stella on the couch but slightly closer to my boyfriend, who takes my hand and squeezes.
“All-righty-O, peoples! Let’s get the party started.” Sidelle poofs into the den. “I heard my name and so I’m here.” She spots my sister on the couch. “Stella. Um, what are you doing here?” It’s the first time I’ve seen Sidelle flustered.
“I brought her with me,” I say. “She knows the basics, but I didn’t tell her about fairies.”
“Hold up! Are my eyes for realz right now? Zoe?” Sidelle flies toward me and pats my head. A bit condescending, but at this point, I’m just so ecstatic to see her I don’t care. She grabs and pulls me into a fierce hug.
“Hello to you, too,” I say.
“Whoa. Sidelle is a fairy?” Stella asks as she turns her head, looking at me for confirmation and awe at Sidelle.
“Yes, but we can talk about that later,” I say. “I brought Stella here because she says that she can see things.”
The room is so quite you can hear only our breathing. Everyone gapes at my little sister, who is sitting there with a small, knowing smile stretched across her lip.
It’s Kieran who speaks first. “A Vate?” he asks.
“I don’t know what that is, but I can see things,” she says sweetly.
“Do you know it’s the future?” Shay prompts.
“Most of the time it is.” She shakes her head. “It sounds crazy. But I guess not, considering who’s all sitting in this room.” She glances expectantly at each of us.
“Kieran.” I stand and place my hand on his arm. “The night of our dress shopping three months ago, did you Mind Wipe everyone?”
“Yes.” He nods. “Why?” His golden aura flickers.
“It didn’t take on me,” Stella says. “I remember everything.”
“Is there a way to test her of being a ... what did you call it?” Shay asks. “A Vate?”
“We haven’t had one in a really long time.” Sidelle’s eyes gloss over. “They are extremely rare and at such a young age to already see things,” she mutters.
“You know about them?” I stand beside my fairy friend.
“Yes.” Her eyes sharpen and focus back on my sister. “Vates are half-fairies. It’s how they draw their visions, by using glamour.”
“How is she a half-fairy? And why didn’t you know about her?”
I notice Kieran and Shay exchange a glance. Both of their auras fade then brighten back to normal.
“That’s not important now,” Kieran says. I’ll have to ask Shay about that look later. “We’ve been so tied up cleaning the mess the demons are causing that we haven’t been able to find a Seraph’s Sword yet. And I’ve confirmed that Hell’s gates are not opened, so Sammael is still imprisoned.”
“He’ll be out soon, though,” Stella says. “I’ve seen it. The weather is hot, the crops are still growing, and fireworks light across the skies in a celebration.”
“Could be Independence Day.” Kieran rakes hand through his hair, so unlike him. “Which is o
nly in a couple of weeks.”
“And I think I know where we can find Zoe a sword.” Stella grins.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Zoe
My sister is a fairy, correction, half-fairy. How in the world did she end up being that? I, of course, know the mechanics of it. And I’m also wondering which of my parents strayed. Is Stella from Winter or Summer?
“Penny for your thoughts?” Shay breaks me out of my wondering as he leads me to his car and opens the door.
“I’m just thinking about my sister. What was that look you and Kieran exchanged? Yeah, I saw it.”
“Crazy isn’t it? You think you know someone, and you find out something like this. But she’s still the sweet, younger girl, who despite everything, has a crush on me.” He winks at me. “We find it interesting that you are an angel and she’s a Vate. Two very unique circumstances in the same family.”
Only he could see the bright side of this. Maybe it’s not so bad. I didn’t want to drag her into all of this. She’s so young and innocent. But she’s already a part of it.
“Where are we headed?” I ask. My eyes stare out of the window, watching the city change into fields.
“Since your sister has soccer practice now, we can’t do anything about the sword. I thought we could go flying and see what else you can do.”
Shay drives to the same location where we had our first-second date. I remember it so well: the tiki lights leading to a blanket, him feeding me strawberries, and taking me on a flight around the city.
Today will be a bit different since I now have my own set of wings, and it’s the middle of the day.
“Can you make yourself invisible like I can?” I ask Shay as we step out of the vehicle. “Don’t you think people will notice a person with wings flying around?”
“I’ve been doing this a long time, Zoe. I know how to blend in. But no, I can’t make myself invisible like you.” He takes my hand and leads me out into the open field. “It’s past planting season, and it’s during the week. We probably won’t run into anyone out here. Okay, let’s see what you’ve got.” His shirt disappears and silver wings flap around him. He lunges and launches himself into the air. “Come and catch me!” he yells. “If you can.”
His body is becoming a faint dot in the bright sky. I won’t let him win. Light surges through me, and instantly my purple wings appear. They take me higher into the air, and I soar on the currents, feeling the wind brush against my face and around my wings. The sensitivity of them makes me shudder.
Shay zooms by, startling me. My body flails, and I lose my balance. The ground comes rushing up to meet me, but I manage to straighten myself out.
Tucking the tips of my wings, I shoot myself across the sky, barreling fast toward him. Tears gather in my eyes, blinding me. I can still see his form and using my Light, I seek his silver Light. It’s a shining, ball floating a few yards from me.
I turn myself invisible and think of quieting my flight. I’m in stealth mode. No sounds escape me.
Shay’s back is facing me. He’s looking around on the ground. He knows that I faltered.
My body tackles him from behind, and the force of it sends us careening toward the ground. The impact makes me reveal myself.
“Gotcha,” I scream as our bodies tangle, trying to right themselves. “And you thought I wouldn’t catch you.”
“Zoe!”
The ground is coming into our view much too fast. We break apart. My heartbeat spikes. This is going to hurt. At the last possible moment, I grab a wind current, flex my wings, and soar back into the sky.
I do not need to clean my face of mud. Pride, yes, but dirt, no.
Shay did not make it out as well. His body is splatted on the soil, face down and not moving. I drop and kneel next to him, my smile wiped from my lips.
“Shay?” I ask. “Are you okay?” Gently, I shake his shoulder. “Oh, God, please be okay. I didn’t mean it. You were supposed to pull up.” I sniffle. “You’re the better flyer.”
There is no one around. I can’t call for help.
Pishh. I don’t need others. I have angel Light. It’s humming under my skin and moves to my fingertips. Warmth spreads through my hands as I lay them on Shay’s body. I send healing thoughts to him.
“You just have to be okay. I can’t do this without you. You’re my protector.” Real tears from sorrow slowly make their way down my cheeks. “You said that you’d always be by my side.”
“I will be if you can move a bit.”
I scrunch my eyes and free them of tears. Lying my body against his, I squeeze. He groans and I back away.
“I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay, Zoe. You’re a bit stronger now.” He turns and sits up but not without some grunting. “I think you knocked the wind right out from me.”
“Shay—”
“Don’t worry about it. I know it’s not your fault. I’m just surprised, that’s all. I didn’t think you’d get all of the Nephilim enhancements. We can add strength to the list now.” He rubs his chest as he stands. “That’s hearing, sight, and strength.”
“And maybe talking through minds.” I tick off on my fingers. “How do you know about the hearing?”
“Remember last night when you heard footsteps coming?” I nod. “You heard them before I did. I noticed them on the middle of the stairs, but you knew earlier, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I heard the couch move, and my dad hit the coffee table. Plus, I could tell by his shuffling.”
“Thinking maybe smell, too?”
“I don’t know. Never tried it.”
“Let’s rest a bit.” I raise a brow at him. “Fine. I need a break. You see how far you can smell something.” He points to his right. “See that farm house?”
“Yes?” I sit yoga-style as Shay rests on his back.
“They must keep animals because of the fences. Use your nose or senses and tell me what they have.”
I feel terrible for hurting him but does as he asks. Inhaling, all I get is a nose full of pollen and sneeze. But in there buried deep are flowers, freshly cut grass clippings ... mud?
It’s like I’m sitting at a pond near the shore and splash the water line, making ripples. My senses are the ripples and as each band gets farther away, I smell more things: corn, hay, and gas. They must have a barn someplace.
My vision narrows; I can see that all around the property are cats. They run to and fro, darting in and out of the lawn ornaments. Fenced in lays an older German Sheppard. The smell of oats, leather, and a faint whiff of iron lingers.
If the residents raised crops only, would they need leather? Maybe gloves, but the smell is stronger than that. Cattle? I think I’d smell more hay and milk, at least cream or something. The squealing sounds of pigs would tip me off, so that’s a no.
“I smell a ton of cats, a dog, and the smell from ...” I inhale. “Horses. I don’t know how many, though.”
“Not bad, Zoe. Not bad at all.”
“Do you know how many?”
“Nope. Just seeing if you did.” He chuckles.
I punch his shoulder, lightly.
“Ow.” He rubs his arm but grins at me. “I think we can safely assume that smell can be added to your list.”
Switching positions, I snuggle against his chest as his legs form a barrier around me. He places his hands over mine. We are content with each other’s silence, listening to the birds and insects fluttering about on this sunny day.
“Are you feeling better?” I ask. “I’m really sorry.”
“I know you are, and don’t worry about it. I’m almost back to normal.” He kisses my check.
“Can I try something with you?” I can feel a smile creep onto his face. “Um. It’s not anything sexual. Get your mind out of the gutter.” I shake my head.
“I’ll always be at your mercy.” He waggles his brows. “You can try anything with me.”
“Shay?” He doesn’t respond in my mind, but I have so much to say to him.
To tell him everything I felt when we were a part. “I love you so much. All the days I was gone, I knew you were looking for me. It’s our connection and your love that carried me forward each day, not giving up.” His eyes gaze into mine, waiting for me to say something. “You would go to the end of the world for me and I for you. We’ll be by each other’s side from this day forward, until your heart stops beating.”
Kieran never returned my mental message to him, but I needed to confirm something. Can I only talk with Aiden? Or is it a soul mate thing? If that’s the case, I should be able to mentally speak with Shay, too.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Zoe
After our flying escapade, I convince Shay that we need a cup of tea. It’s been months since I had a decent mug, and there is only one place to get it, which is what brings us to Coffee Grind. The small mom and pop shop looks the same as it always has. The tall glass windows are so spotless, I can see my reflection. A tiny bell chimes when the door opens, greeting customers.
“Quinn?” I spot her in the far corner of, dragging Shay with me. “Is that you? How have you been feeling?”
The Coffee Grind’s signature cinnamon dessert scent wafts through the air. The original stone hearth is clean of soot, and freshly cut wood lays strategically on the black, metal grate.
“Zoe? You’re back?” Quinn stands and embraces me. “Oh, my gosh. How was Europe? Everyone was so jealous that you got a free eight-week, once-in-a-life-time trip. I mean, you couldn’t pass that up. No one would’ve wanted you to. But to go alone without even Kieran? Any one of us would have taken that opp.” She hugs me again. “I’m so glad you’re back. And hi, Shay.”
“Hello, Quinn,” Shay says.
“Don’t forget to breathe in there, girl.” Man, I missed her. All the excitement that she carries around her, rolled into a tight, fun-sized body. Lowering my voice, I say, “So ... are you feeling better?” I scan the room looking for anyone lingering to overhear our conversation.
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