“And you always stomped it out before it could spread.” Derek sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets. He was silent for a moment, but finally looked up at her with a determined expression. “Mom is just…she’s being an asshole.”
Amber’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. Everyone always danced around the issue, talked about how she was grieving. “What?”
“She’s being an asshole. Dad lost a kid too, and we all lost a brother. You lost your other half. I mean, you two were never apart when you were kids,” he said, shaking his head. “She has no right to blame you for what happened, and we’ve all let her get away with it for too long because we didn’t know how to handle it either.”
She gnawed on the inside of her cheek to keep from crying. She hated crying, and she certainly didn’t want to cry at the dinner party for Genevieve’s parents. “I just can’t stop wishing she’d forgive me.”
Derek dragged his hand over his mouth. “I’m sorry. Me too.”
The others could probably hear them even though they were outside, but no one was coming inside to bother them. An unspoken rule had developed that they just didn’t comment on things they overheard. Privacy had become difficult with their enhanced senses, so they tried to just pretend it still existed.
She took a deep breath and opened a cabinet, pulling out some paper plates. “Let’s take the pie out there so we can enjoy it by the fire.”
Derek nodded and came to help her, letting the conversation drop. Sometimes, certain things just couldn’t be fixed, and she didn’t want to wallow in it. Her mother had stolen enough of her happiness. She had a new family now, and her brother was here. They were going to build something together that she was excited about. She wouldn’t let the past keep her from enjoying what she had now. Dylan wouldn’t have wanted that.
They headed outside, their arms full of plates, forks, and desserts. Genevieve’s mom had an arm around Tommy and her dad was helping Ceri start the fire.
Amber smiled. “Ceri, can’t you just do that with magic?”
“No, no,” Levi said, waving his hand at Amber. “We’re going to do this the hard way. It’s more satisfying.”
Ceri shrugged and kept helping him place little twigs in a tee-pee formation. Amber set her pile of things down and went to join them.
Chapter 35
AMBER
Amber pulled on her softest flannel pajama pants and her favorite worn shirt. She’d eaten too much pie and was ready to face plant in her bed. The pack was still wired but the noise wouldn’t keep her up tonight. It was comforting.
She pulled her covers back and slid in between the freshly washed sheets. They were a little cold, but she ran hot these days. With a happy sigh, she tugged the comforter up to her chin and squished the pillow up so that it cradled her head perfectly. Her eyes slipped shut and she felt her entire body relax into the soft mattress.
Genevieve’s shout echoed down the hallway. “Amber, we have a problem!”
A spike of panic shot through the pack bond and she jolted upright, all remnants of sleepiness vanishing immediately. She jumped out of bed and ran out of her room. Her fluffy socks slipped on the hardwood floor as she rounded the corner and she had to grab the wall to keep from falling.
The pack was gathered in the living room, their eyes glued to the television. The first thing she saw was Evangeline’s picture. Bold red text cut across the bottom of the picture, “DEMON THREAT?”. Her heart dropped into her stomach and the demon mark on her chest flared to life.
Genevieve turned up the volume and the reporter’s voice filled the room.
“The areas where magic does not work have been growing. Early this morning, one of those spots was discovered in downtown Portland. Before today, something like this hadn’t been seen outside of rural areas. Mr. Hudson, a representative with ATD, an organization devoted to stamping out black magic, is here with us today claiming he has information on what is causing these spots to pop up,” the reporter turned in her chair and the camera shifted, another face popping up on the television.
Amber recognized him immediately. He’d been there when they rescued Evangeline, but it wasn’t the sorcerer, it was the half-angel. This wasn’t good. The demon materialized next to her, drifting toward the television.
“Thank you for having me, Ms. Laramie,” Mr. Hudson said with a brilliant smile.
The reporter blushed slightly before responding. “Mr. Hudson, you’re claiming that demons are behind the destruction of magic in these areas?”
“I am, however the threat is even more insidious than that,” he said, his flirtatious grin turning serious. He looked directly into the camera, every word intent and clear. “The demons have always been a threat against humanity and the supernatural races. We used to be protected from them because even a summoned demon that has escaped will be banished back to their realm when the sun rises. However, they have found a way to walk among us by creating hybrid demonic abominations through mating with humans, witches, and other supernatural races. These creatures are now using their infernal powers to consume magic, which is part of the very fabric of our world.”
“These are very serious accusations. Do you have any proof?” the reporter asked.
It was absolute crap, but everyone was going to believe it. Evangeline was kind of moody, but she wasn’t doing anything nefarious. She couldn’t use magic at all as far as Amber could tell, much less eat it. Amber had to wonder if Angel would do something like that though. She glanced at him. He looked angry, offended even, but he didn’t look guilty.
“I do. However, I must warn your viewers that what they are about to see is disturbing,” Mr. Hudson said, shaking his head slightly.
A “Viewer Discretion is Advised” warning flashed on the screen before a video started playing. A house was engulfed in flames. A figure burst up into the air, and appeared to be holding someone. Through the smoke you could make out horns and fiery wings, but their face was obscured.
The video ended abruptly and switched back to the reporter, who looked truly alarmed, and Mr. Hudson.
“This was a recent attack by the demon. It has been masquerading as a human teenager named Evangeline Deschamps from a small town less than an hour from Portland, called Timber. As you know, another town recently had an area appear where magic no longer works. We believe this demon fled to Portland, and this morning, another spot appeared. The pattern is clear.”
“Where is this demon hiding in Portland? There haven’t been any sightings of a fiery winged creature flying over the city,” the reporter said, chuckling nervously.
Mr. Hudson’s frown deepened. “My organization believes she is being harbored by a werewolf pack. We’re not sure which pack, but we will find them.”
A picture of Amber in wolf form appeared next to Evangeline.
“Shit,” Amber said.
Genevieve looked at her with wide eyes. “That is an understatement.”
Chapter 36
EVANGELINE
Evangeline stopped at the bottom of the stairs. Her face was on the tv screen. The witch looked back at her with a worried expression that made her want to shrink back into the woodwork.
“Have they found us?” Her question seemed to startle the rest of the pack, who apparently hadn’t noticed her walking down the stairs. That wasn’t a good sign. She tugged the hood of her jacket down a little farther to make sure they couldn’t see her hair. She wouldn’t have even come downstairs after sunset but she’d heard them freaking out and had to know what was going on.
“No,” Amber, the alpha, said. She tried to say it like it was a fact, but Evangeline could hear the not yet that she hadn’t spoken aloud. They had her freaking picture on the news.
“But they’re going to,” she said angrily. The least these people could do was be honest with her. Kadrithan never was –– he wouldn’t even tell her his real name –– but she’d expected better from the pack for some reason.
“Until we track down the sorcerer a
nd this pretentious blond dude you’ll have to stay in the house, but that’s doable,” Amber insisted. Tommy nodded along eagerly, but he always did that when his alpha spoke.
The witch, at least, didn’t look convinced. Evangeline got the impression Ceri hated her, but she’d saved her mother’s life. So, she didn’t hate her enough to hurt her. Maybe just enough to not worry about her feelings.
“They have a picture of you, too,” she said, pointing at the television. “They’re going to look here eventually.” She was half expecting someone to knock on the door right then.
“Can they identify you by a picture of your wolf?” Amber’s brother asked, casting a suspicious glance at her. She wasn’t surprised a human would be wary. They tended to be warier of anyone supernatural that might be a threat.
“I…don’t know,” Amber said with a frown. “I doubt it. It’s not like it’s on file somewhere.”
Genevieve shook her head. “Everyone saw you at the Trials though. Like, every werewolf in a hundred square miles.”
“Freaking out isn’t going to help anything,” Ceri said, finally stepping into the conversation. “They can’t prove it was Amber based off a fuzzy picture.”
She felt the air shift at her back and looked over her shoulder. Her uncle was there, watching the drama, as usual.
“I won’t let them take you,” he said, watching the news play on impassively. He didn’t speak out loud, just in her mind. It was something he didn’t do often because she tended to ignore him when he did it.
This time she didn’t. “You couldn’t stop them when they attacked the house. Why would next time be any different?” she replied silently.
Amber glanced at them, her eyes lingering on Kadrithan before her brother drew her attention again. Other than Eloise, she was the only one that could see him when he showed up like this.
“They revealed their hand and lost their greatest strength. The element of surprise. Now, if you would just accept your heritage and ––”
“SHUT UP,” she shouted mentally, as loud as she could. “I won’t do it.”
He shook his head. “You will, and dragging it out is just a waste of time.”
And that was why she normally just ignored him. It was like talking to a brick wall. Only that brick wall thought it knew everything.
The pack could debate whatever useless plans it wanted, but it was all pointless. She turned away and walked back up the stairs as quietly as she could. No one tried to stop her. Her uncle just drifted down the stairs, probably to go bother Amber again. She should probably just keep walking right out of the house and disappear forever.
She shoved her hands into the pocket of her hoodie and curled them into fists. Her mother wasn’t going to be healed enough to leave anytime soon, but even if she was, as long as she was with her, her mother would be in danger.
At some point she was going to have to really leave. Maybe the pack could fix all this in another couple of days, but if they couldn’t…She had to protect her mother. She wouldn’t let them hurt her again.
Chapter 37
AMBER
Amber stood in front of the pack and tried not to look as nervous as she felt. Her mind was whirring through all the possible catastrophes that might be headed their way. No one knew Evangeline was with them yet, but it was only a matter of time.
Everyone would be looking for her now, and Zachariah knew a werewolf pack and a witch had rescued her. It wouldn't take them long to connect the dots once they started asking around. Word had traveled fast about her odd little pack.
Angel was floating around her brother, but he wasn’t being silly, he was just watching them. The demon’s sense of humor hadn’t returned along with him. Instead, he was everything she had expected a demon to be. Demanding. Mean. Dangerous.
Clearing her throat, she decided to just get this over with. “When I took the mark from Thallan, I didn’t think I would have to pay the debt anytime soon. He’d had it for years. I was just…fed up that day. I’d been fired and evicted, and we were running out of options.” She paused, dragging her hands roughly through her hair. “Anyhow, it was a decision I made without y’all, so, if you want out, I’ll find a way for you to join a different pack. And, of course, I can try to cure you.”
Genevieve immediately stood and put her hands on her hips. “I’m not going anywhere. You risked all of this for us, the least we can do is support you now that you have to deal with the fallout.”
Tommy nodded along. "I'm not leaving. We're in this together."
There was a long silence, and Ceri stayed still, staring at her hands. Amber's heart dropped into her stomach. She could barely breathe at the idea of losing one of her pack, and Ceri was special. She understood Amber better than Tommy and Genevieve did. Amber curled her hand into a fist as she waited for Ceri to say what they all knew she was thinking.
Genevieve looked back at her and broke the silence. "If you're going to bitch out, then just say it and leave."
Amber's eyes grew wide. "Gen, don't say that. She's allowed to leave if she ––"
"I can speak for myself," Ceri interrupted. She rose from the couch and glared at Genevieve. "I'm not sure what we're doing is right."
“So, you don’t want to help this girl?” Genevieve demanded, looking sincerely offended.
“She’s a demon,” Ceri said, exasperated.
“She’s also an angel. And from what I’ve seen, she’s just your average teenage girl who’s done nothing wrong, but people are trying to kill her because she’s different. You lose your shit if someone tries to kill a pixie, but you’ll let them kill her?”
Ceri stiffened. “I’m not saying she should die, but––”
“I don’t want to hear the but,” Genevieve snapped. "She either deserves to die, or she doesn't. There is no caveat."
“Evangeline is scared,” Tommy interjected, finally speaking up. “She’s terrified that someone else is going to get hurt because of her. How could we turn our back on her even if there wasn't a demon mark involved?”
“I want to help Evangeline, I just don’t want to help him,” Ceri said angrily. Her face was flushed with anger. “This demon is using Evangeline somehow, and we’re letting him. Helping him even. We have no idea what the consequences might be.”
Amber looked at the demon. He looked back, his expression neutral. Nothing Ceri said seemed to have bothered him. She had the same concern as Ceri, she just hadn't wanted to think about it too hard.
"Well I'm not willing to let Evangeline die just to keep a demon from possibly carrying out a nefarious plan," Genevieve said, crossing her arms.
Ceri pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. "I'm not either. I just hate this."
"So do I," Amber admitted, shoving her hands in her pockets. "I'm sorry."
Ceri dropped her arms and pushed back her shoulders. "I've waffled enough. After everything you've done for us, there’s no way I’d ever leave. We're in this together, whether it's good or bad. We'll get through this, and then we'll be free from the demon."
Angel drifted behind Ceri, invisible to her and grinned darkly. "You'll never be free of me, Amber. Not if I get my way."
She ground her teeth together and ignored the taunt. "You can always change your mind, any of you."
Genevieve marched over and wrapped Amber in a hug. "Shut up."
She let the warmth of the pack bond soothe her for a moment.
Amber was bone tired. Tommy had passed out on the couch after their conversation. Ceri and Gen were outside on the porch talking about something just quietly enough that she couldn’t hear. She grabbed a blanket and laid it carefully over Tommy. He didn’t stir.
Sleeping like this, he looked so young. He was young. And she’d drug him even deeper into a dangerous world. She dragged a hand down her face as she walked down the hall. Maybe tonight she’d be able to just sleep.
Evangeline was upstairs. She could still hear her heartbeat, so she hadn’t run off. Yet. Eloise was up ther
e with her, sedated once again so she could finish healing. Amber pushed her bedroom door open and caught a whiff of cat.
Her eyes adjusted to the dark room and she saw a fluffy lump on her pillow. She ground her teeth together in irritation. The last thing she needed was a mangy cat sneaking into her room. She must have forgotten to shut her door in her haste to get out to the living room to see what was going on.
She walked over and picked him up, dumping him unceremoniously on the floor. “Shoo,” she said, waving her hands at him before climbing in bed.
“Mrow,” he said irritably.
“I don’t care, get out,” she said, pointing at the door. His tail swished unhappily as he climbed down from the bed.
Her sheets were still cool, but they didn’t have that same super fresh feel and the cat had squished all the fluff out of her pillow. She smacked it a few times to get it back to normal and laid down with an angry huff.
Captain Jack hopped back up on the bed, walked over her legs, and curled up against her knee. Sighing, she scooted farther down in the bed then flipped her pillow over to the clean side and curled up under the covers. Her movements disrupted his position. She felt him circle a few more times before curling up against her back.
Despite herself, the warmth and steady, slow beat of his heart made all the tension bleed out of her shoulders. He was still annoying, but he could stay for the night. As long as he left her alone. Her eyes slipped shut and she fell asleep.
Chapter 38
CERI
The snow was feather soft and freshly fallen. She curled her toes into it, expecting to feel icy cold seeping into her skin, but there was nothing. Neither heat nor cold. Her entire body felt...neutral.
The sparkling powder stretched out in every direction as far as she could see. The wind had blown it into drifts like sand dunes, but there was nothing to break up the endless white. No trees. No people. No life.
Misfit Angel Page 15