The sun was a yellow disk in the blue afternoon sky. A warm breeze carried the smell of freshly cut grass and summer blooms. The street was alive with the sounds of people scurrying in and out of shops and the screeching of tires on asphalt.
Kara smiled at three little boys who had their faces squished up against the glass window from a comic book store. Their mothers peeled them away angrily, shouting about oily finger marks on the glass.
“Poor kids,” said Jenny. “I put forehead and finger marks all over the windows on my block, and that was probably why the owners chased me out all the time. I used to think it was because they didn’t like my hair.”
Kara smelled fresh coffee. “I love your hair. It makes you look like a cool fairy.”
“Thanks,” Jenny giggled. She sighed loudly. “I’m so happy Peter and David didn’t get in trouble for their experiment with you. I wish I could have been there—it sounded so cool.”
“Well, I’m never doing that again. It kinda hurt them—and me. But I’m really happy we’re not in too much trouble. To be honest, I wasn’t sure we’d get away with it. We were crazy to do it, you know, but we didn’t really have any alternative. I think the Council is freaked out about the whole Lilith thing.”
Jenny stared at the ground, her face withdrawn. “I hope we don’t bump into that bleached psycho anytime soon.”
Kara clenched her jaw and didn’t answer. The truth was, she felt as though Lilith could pop by for a visit anytime. What’s worse, with her talent for shape shifting, Lilith could disguise herself as anyone. She doubted that her half-sister would use the little girl disguise again.
Kara stared at the faces she passed on the street. Lilith could be any one of them.
Kara frowned. There was no way of telling. She knew that the demon princess still wasn’t finished with her.
“So…what’s the assignment?” asked Jenny a little more cheerfully. “You haven’t told me anything since we jumped. I saw you whispering to David and Peter before we left. What was that about? I saw how they looked at me. What’s going on, Kara? And why are we back in Boston?”
Kara smiled. “You’ll see. We’re almost there. It’s just—”
A long black leather coat appeared and then disappeared in the crowd.
Kara froze. Her hand grazed the handle of her soul blade inside her jacket. She strained to see down the street through the mass of mortals. The coat was gone. Had she imagined it?
Jenny stepped beside Kara and searched her face. “Kara? What is it? Did you see something?”
Kara shook her head gently. “I…I thought I saw something. I’m sure it’s nothing. Don’t worry. It isn’t part of the assignment.”
“Can you at least tell me where we’re going?”
Kara pointed straight ahead. “There. We’re going in there.”
Jenny frowned and put her hands on her hips. “In the coffee shop? There’s a Rift in there? Come on Kara. What’s really going on?”
“Can’t tell you—official CDD business—top secret. Come.”
Kara laughed and ushered Jenny forward. She stopped in front of a red brick shop with a large wooden sign that read, One Stop Café. She wrapped her fingers around the cold iron door handle and pulled.
The aroma of fresh coffee hovered like a pungent mist and rows of freshly baked pastries and breads were displayed on the counters of the little store. A variety of round tables and chairs occupied a small space in the center. Kara studied the people sitting at the tables. Her eyes fell on a handsome young man with dark hair and grey eyes.
Jenny followed her gaze. She gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. “Kara…what is this? What is really going on?”
She turned and looked at her friend, confused.
Kara didn’t answer and only gave her friend a huge smile.
“Wait a minute…I don’t understand.” Jenny leaned closer. “How did you find him? How did you even know? I never told anyone.”
Kara smiled confidently. “I have my sources.” Kara laughed softly again. “Go on—talk to him. He won’t recognize you, but you’ll seem familiar to him. Go and be with him. You have three hours—you can be anyone you want.”
Jenny squeezed Kara in a bear hug. “I don’t know what to say to thank you.” Jenny squeezed her tighter. “You’re the best, Kara. I owe you one.”
Jenny released Kara and scampered through the tables and chairs to stand next to the boy with dark hair. He looked up at her and smiled. Kara noted how white his teeth were. He was even more handsome when he smiled. She watched as Jenny and he conversed for a moment, and then he pulled the chair next to him and invited Jenny to sit.
Jenny settled in the chair. She turned and waved back to Kara, a huge smile plastered on her face.
A lump choked Kara’s throat. This meant the world to her—to see her friend so happy. Jenny deserved the world. She was an amazing girl. If Kara had to lie and sneak out of CDD for a few hours for a friend—it was worth it just to see that smile. In fact, she’d do it again in a minute.
The mortal world was safe for the time being, and Kara was really looking forward to going back home and spending more quality time with David. They still had a movie to catch—
Woof, woof!
A white and tan bulldog stood at her feet. Its big serious brown eyes stared up at her under thick folds of skin. Buckets of drool ran down the sides of his droopy jowls. A red and white polka dot collar was wrapped around his thick neck.
“Thor!” Kara knelt down and patted the dog on the head. She looked over her shoulder to see if anyone was paying attention. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “What are you doing here? How did you find me?”
Thor licked his lips. “I smelled you out.”
“Thanks.” Kara glared at the dog. “It’s nice to see you, too. You don’t smell like flowers either, you know.” She wasn’t sure if she was happy to see the little fellow anymore.
“Never said I did. And you’re welcome.” Thor sat down with a plop. His scrawny little legs protruded from under his giant belly. “Listen—I’m not here to mingle over a latte—you need to come with me. There’s been an attack.”
Kara leaned closer. “What kind of attack?” By the amounts of drool flying out of the dog’s maw, it sounded serious.
“There’s been an attack on the sensitives—a massacre—they’re almost all dead. Only a few have survived.”
“What!” Kara’s voice rose before she could control it. She saw Jenny whirl around, but she dismissed her with a wave of her hand and a fake smile. She lowered her voice. “How can this have happened? Who did it?”
A deep growl formed in Thor’s throat. “The seirs.”
SOUL GUARDIANS
* Book Five *
SEIRS
Marked, Soul Guardians Book 1 Page 84