“How? The two things aren’t related?” I said defensively. I’m not really grumpy in the mornings—okay I’m lying, I am—but I wasn’t prepared for this sort of questioning as soon as I woke up.
“They don’t have to be related to be coincidental, Maximillion. Let’s just call it a hunch—they’re connected,” my dad said. He knocked my feet unceremoniously off the sofa and sat down. “So, where is it?” I didn’t want to look at him when I lied, but the mistake was getting caught in Nikolai’s line of sight.
“Just tell him the truth, Max. You know where it is,” Greed said all too knowingly.
“I mailed it to Melanie,” I mumbled. It was only a couple weeks ago when I wrote a letter to her, somewhat explaining my disappearance and breaking up with her all at once. I’d left her without a trace and dumped my truck in her drive way. For all I know, my baby could be sitting in a junk yard getting ready to be torn down and her parts sold. I needed to send her something and hope she’d understand. I also wasn’t too sure about the ring. I had seen it when I flipped through the Origin of the Nephilim, but I didn’t think much of it. If it stayed with me during my travels, I was sure I’d lose it. But with Melanie, I was almost positive it’d be safe. Her parents are anthropologists for God sake.
“You did what?!”
“Who’s Melanie?”
“I thought you broke up with her?”
“Another girl, Max? I can’t keep up,” Nikolai scoffed and I rolled my eyes at everyone’s stupid comments.
“It’s safer with her than with me! I didn’t know what it was, but Mr. Delaney made a big deal about making sure it was in good hands. What’s better than it being in the hands of an anthropologist’s daughter?” It was a rhetorical question, but it didn’t stop Nikolai from wanting to answer. I ignored him and faced my father. “I promise I’ll go to her house today and ask for it back. It shouldn’t be a problem.”
“It better not be. If the legends are true—and if she’s wearing it—the owner will have a hard time giving it up. The ring starts a bond with its wearer and it is nearly impossible to break it.”
Oh, crap.
23
The drive into town was like driving down memory lane and I was so glad they’d let me go to Melanie’s on my own. Every store or restaurant reminded me of my mom. I had been thinking lately about not coming back to this town and being here sort of makes the decision easier for me. Maybe after all this, moving away wouldn’t be such a bad idea—starting fresh.
I turned off Main Street and onto the Strip and couple blocks down, I was pulling into Melanie’s drive way. Her house was still canary yellow, with sunflowers potted around the home and porch. I didn’t see my truck so she might not be home, or my truck met its fate at a junk yard as I feared. I shuddered at the thought and hoped the big man upstairs interceded that decision and it was sound and safe in the parking lot of wherever she was.
In a pair of raggedy black and white converses, with jeans and a t-shirt, I jogged up to the porch. I nervously ran my hands through my shaggy black hair—I’m in desperate need of a haircut—and knocked on the door. And because I’m dreadfully impatient, I opened my hearing against the plugs and listened to see if anyone was home. I could hear three sets of feet walking around the house. One was a light pitter patter, that I assumed were her little brothers and the other two were more similar in size. Melanie’s voice rang out as she said, “I’ll get it,” and I shut my sensitive hearing off and cleared my throat. The front door swung open and Melanie’s bright, innocent smile fell from her face as she took me in. Her eyes roamed my body from head to toe as if she couldn’t believe I was actually standing before her.
“What are you doing here?” Geez…not even a hello.
“Hey, uh…how’s it going?” I said as I shifted my weight from foot to foot. I couldn’t have this conversation with her if she was pissed at me because, if I’m being honest, this wasn’t really a social call. I needed something from her and if it wasn’t for that, I’d probably never have stopped by. It’s harsh, I know, but after I left, it was better if she had nothing to do with me. I couldn’t live with myself if any harm came her way. This was the best thing for us—for her.
“Max…why are you here?” she asked again, a bit nicer.
“Can I come in?” she looked behind her as if she wasn’t sure and then shook her head. She stepped outside and closed the door, cutting me off from inside her home. Okay, this may not go over so well.
She stood there with her arms crossed in front of her chest and a hip cocked to the side. I hadn’t noticed a couple minutes ago, but she was wearing some really tight jeans and a cropped shirt that bared her mid-drift. In other words, she was wearing an outfit that she wouldn’t be caught dead wearing just a few months ago.
“Um…I like your outfit,” I said with furrowed brows. Small talk is always good—right?
“I’m sure you do,” she said a little snarky. Her voice was still sweet and pure but something was off and I can’t quite put my finger on it. How clueless can I be?
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, do you mind telling me why you’re here?” she cut to the chase and it left me with no other choice but to just be upfront.
“I was wondering if you ever got the letter I sent you.”
“Hmm…let me think…the one where you break up with me? Yeah, I think I may have got it,” she said and it’s confirmed—she’s pissed. With wide eyes, I looked at the girl who didn’t have a mean bone in her body and never wanted to step on anyone’s toes. But this Melanie I was with at that moment, was not her.
“Oh, yeah, okay, well did you get the ring that I put in it? It has a blue sapphire in the middle, with some engraving around it, it’s really import—”
“So you want it back? Is that why you’re here?” She cut me off. I think I’m starting to experience shell shock. Who is this girl in front of me? This is so not Melanie—maybe she’s being possessed by a succubus—okay far-fetched but still, I haven’t been gone that long. Have I?
“Yes, well not just that, I also wanted to say hi and to see how you’re doing—I saw you at the funeral—but yes, I do need the ring,” I said and wanted to punch myself in the face. What the hell am I doing?
Her eyes narrowed. “And what makes you think I still have it?”
Is this a trick question? “Uh…I don’t know if you do—that’s why I came to ask…if you do.”
She smiled, but it wasn’t one I recognized. This smile was mischievous and up to no good. “I have your ring,” she said.
I let out a sigh of relief. “Great, can you get it for me? Maybe we can go to the Coffee Bean and talk—catch up on what’s been going on.”
“It’s not here,” she said and my heart stopped. What is she doing?
“Okay…where is it?” I held my breath.
“Somewhere safe, no worries. How about you come over to Anthony’s tonight and I’ll bring it to you?” She said playfully. Her hand grabbed the end of my shirt and pulled me closer to her. I stumbled forward, with my voice stuck in my throat. She stood on her tip toes and planted a long and lingering kiss on the corner of my mouth. I stood there stupidly as she turned around, went inside her house, and slammed the door shut in my face.
Had I missed something?
Instead of heading straight for the water, I drove around town to kill time. I didn’t want to be seen by anyone just yet—especially if we were going to a party tonight—but I still wanted to take a trip down memory lane. Before I had left for Melanie’s house, Jones returned my cellphone that had been confiscated from me when we went on the run. I called him and told him all about my weird visit with Melanie. Something wasn’t right with her, but I don’t think it has anything to do with angels and demons. Had she given in to peer pressure? Oh God, I sounded like an afterschool special. Whatever the case was, it was not high on my priorities at that moment. And I knew it made me sound like a douchebag but being indifferent with Melanie was the best t
hing for her. She didn’t need someone like me, coming in to shake up her very innocent life. But there was still that little voice in the back of my head that reminded me why I wrote that letter to her and said the things I did. I wasn’t lying, we weren’t meant to be together. While I may have cared for her, I didn’t like her the way I should have. Not like I had felt about Angela at the time. It was almost like I had rebounded from a nonexistent relationship with Angela, to Melanie. Maybe I shouldn’t have been as truthful in the letter—a lie could have been simpler—but boys are stupid that way I guess. Add in that I’m a teenager and well, you have a recipe for disaster. We never realize what we should have done or said until much later when we did or said it. It’s complicated.
Once I killed a good hour’s worth of gas, I headed back toward the warehouse district to Jones’ apartment where he was waiting for me.
“What took you so long?” Jones asked as he kept his eyes trained on the TV where he was playing Call of Duty. So much for him protecting me.
“I drove around a bit. Needed to clear my head. Where is everyone?” I looked around the small apartment and it was vacant besides the two of us.
“Xavier and Angela are back at her place going over the Origin of the Nephilim, and Nikolai said he had some stuff to do,” he droned on mindlessly.
“Stuff to do? Like what? He’s never been here before, the only place he could be is—”
“Damnit, the Lair!” Jones exclaimed as he slammed the Xbox controller on the ground—shattering it to pieces. That super strength sure is something…a reminder to never tick him off.
“You hadn’t thought of it?”
“No! He zoomed out of my place so quick I didn’t get a chance to question him. I’d been wracking my brain ever since,” he said as he ran his hands over his face.
“So…playing video games helps you clear your head?” I said with mild amusement that got me a glare. “Hey,” I raised my hands in surrender. “I’m not knocking your methods, just found them interesting, that’s all.”
“Well either way, Nikolai going to the Lair just smells like trouble.”
“It does, but I think we need to trust that he knows what he’s doing and can handle himself. Aren’t I the one that needs the babysitter?” I said only half-jokingly.
He looked hurt. “Is that what you think? Because I’m not babysitting you, Max. I’m looking out for you and not just as your guardian, but as your friend.”
“I know, I didn’t actually mean it like that. But you know you’ve put the guardian on a little heavy since we left a couple weeks back,” I said and walked toward the empty sofa. I plopped myself down and let out a sigh—gearing up for this impending conversation.
“I think I had I right to,” he scoffed. “You’re used to Jones, the wise-crack and always joking guy. But that was mainly a cover, Max. While I’m still a wise-crack, they’re times when I need to put my A game face on. After Emily was killed, you weren’t the only one in shock or lost.”
“I know,” I whispered.
“No, you don’t,” he sighed. “As guardians, we’re taught to expect death—from anyone. But this assignment is different from the others I’ve had. I cared for them in the past, sure, but I never got attached. Not until you and your family. Emily’s death was such a shock and the complete opposite of how I was supposed to react. It’s supposed to be a shrug of the shoulder and move on, but it’s not. Your life, Max, is so much more delicate now than it was before. And I know you can take care of yourself—in the near future, probably better than I can—but I still worry.”
A ringing interrupted our very intense conversation—not that I’m complaining—and I reached into my front jean pocket to pull out my phone. It was my six pm alarm I’d set up to remind me of the party for tonight. I had learned in the last few months that you could easily get derailed with all the sudden unplanned drama that seemed to always show up.
I waved the screen of my phone to Jones and he nodded. Not that I didn’t want to get all bromanced with him, because only God knows I owe him like a million apologies for acting like a moody teenager—though I think my mother’s death should have explained a lot of it—but I didn’t want to have it right then. When we did, I wanted to be able to tell him everything. All the secrets I had been keeping and explaining the ones that are already out in the open.
After we got ready and played some zombies on the Xbox, we were finally on our way to Anthony’s. We didn’t know what kind of shin ding to expect since it was a Sunday so we kept it casual and prepared for a ragger.
“Do you feel just as excited and nervous to be going to Anthony’s like I do?” I asked as we parked the SUV at the end of the driveway. I twisted my clammy hands together at the prospect of possibly having a normal night. Though I’m not holding my breath.
“Yes, it doesn’t seem real for some reason. Like we’re going back in time to the good ol’ days,” Jones said with a grin. He hasn’t admitted it completely, but I know Jones wished he was human. His life was cut short, back in the late 1800’s as a slave and I could not imagine a day going by that he didn’t wish it were different.
“Yeah,” I said with a snort. “The good ol’ days, when you mind controlled girls into thinking they were banging you.” I laughed as we got out the car and Jones flicked me off. I shook my head and recalled the night when he told me what he was actually doing when he’d go upstairs with his dates. Since he’s a Guardian Angel, they’re rules they have to abide by, and fornicating with humans is strictly forbidden. One day I needed to remember to ask him what he did to kill time in the bedroom while the girls napped off they’re fake sexcapades.
“Laugh all you want, but I was a stud,” he said as he strutted up the driveway with pride. Good Lord.
And as if it were déjà vu; Anthony stood under the frame of his front door with his jaw slacked in astonishment. He looked behind him and waved his open hand back in forth under his chin. I think he was telling someone to cut the music.
“Well, I’ll be damned. If it isn’t the Oreo brothers back in action,” Anthony said but not with as much enthusiasm as normal. “Max, I’m sorry about your mom. Emily was an amazing woman and she didn’t deserve to go.” Now I saw why he wasn’t his go-lucky self…it was me. My smile slipped a little and for a moment, I couldn’t believe I let myself have a sliver of happiness and fun. I can’t come in here with hopes of forgetting all my problems and having a good time. I’m here on business—to get the Ring of Solomon and then get back to reality.
“Thanks, man,” I said and the music stopped. We were now in the foyer of Anthony’s, Tuscan style Mansion and everyone from school turned to stare. I felt like I was in a movie and someone was about to slow clap. It’s a horrible feeling.
Anthony cleared his throat beside us. “Listen up!” he yelled. “Today we party hard because our good friend’s Max and Jones have returned and because there’s no school tomorrow,” he winked at everyone. “So raise your cups, cans, whatever, and let’s toast to a long life and good friends. Salute,” he said and everyone yelled there version of either salute or cheers. The DJ turned the music back on and all of our classmates came up to us with pats on our backs and condolences. I felt like a robot as I maneuvered through the crowd. This is what my father must have felt like after the funeral. Putting on a fake smile and thanking everyone for their kind words. It sucked and I was ready to get out of there.
Jones was pulled in by the football team and his grin was from ear to ear. He felt at home with those guys and I was somewhat guilty for taking that away from him. I was able to escape from them for a while and ducked into the kitchen where I came face to face with a very drunk Melanie. Or at least I think it’s her. Aside from the very revealing outfit she had on, I couldn’t tell if it was her behind the pound of make-up that was caked on her face. What the heck happened when I left?
With caution, I approached her like a rabid animal because I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little intimidated. I rather tak
e on Abbadon any day of the week then have to deal with girls.
“Melanie?” I asked unsurely. She turned around and raised an eyebrow.
“Yes?” This can’t be happening. What does she mean by yes?! She told me to come here tonight!
“Did you bring the ring?” I cut to the chase. I didn’t know what was running through her mind and I didn’t want to find out.
“Yup, follow me,” she slurred and led me out the kitchen and up to the second floor. On my way up the stairs, I looked down to find Jones in the middle of a crowd of football players, when he peeked up and saw me. The smile of a Cheshire cat, spread on his face and he sent me two thumbs up. I shook my head at him like he was crazy and followed Melanie until we were out of sight from the party. She went into the second room on the right and closed the door behind us.
I knew this wasn’t Anthony’s room and his parent’s bedroom was on the other side of the house; so this must be a guest room. A huge four poster bed was in the middle and the balcony doors were open, letting a nice cold breeze to waft in the room. With Melanie behind me, I walked to the bed and sat down—waiting for her to say something. In hindsight, I wish I had more common sense when it came to girls. You would have thought since I was a monk for like six weeks, I would have smartened up, but nope—not even a little.
Melanie leaned against the closed door as she slowly pulled her shirt over her head. I stupidly closed my eyes as my big defense move and counted to ten, hoping this was just another nightmare…or possibly dream. I haven’t figured it out yet.
“Max,” she purred and a shiver that wasn’t very nice, went through me. This was so wrong, on so many levels. “Open your eyes.” Her voice was now right in front of me. I didn’t need to open my hearing feel the wisp of her breath just inches away from me.
Greed (Sins of the Fallen Book 2) Page 13