Few Are Angels

by Inger Iversen

  I looked away from her, disappointed by her answer. I hadn’t expected much, but I’d thought I would get more than a simple no.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone like that in my life,” she added. “Someone I couldn't let go of. I know that makes me seem like a major brat, but that’s just the way it is.”

  I asked the obvious question. “What about your parents?”

  “Please, Ella. What about my parents? I told them about Anna and Janice in the Elmwoods, and you want to know what they told me? They said that any kid who goes into the woods alone like that deserves what she gets, and then my dad turns to me and says ‘let that be a lesson to you and the stupid things you and your friends do.’”

  “Yeah,” she said in response to my shocked reaction. “What would your parents have said?”

  “Definitely not that,” I murmured, but I got her point. “What about Brett?”

  Mia shrugged and blanked, looking for something clever to say but coming up with nothing. “Brett is great, but I could leave him here if the opportunity came up. I’m stuck in Elmwood City for now.” She got up and sat on the bed beside me. “Just go with your gut. That’s the best advice I can give you.” Mia patted my back.

  The hour was up, and all that was left was to wait for the car Jace had rented for Alex. I texted Kale and filled him in on the waiting game we were in. Mia paced the room, and I ate another granola bar and sipped my water until I saw the headlights flash in my window. I took a deep breath and looked out to see Jace confirming it was Alex. Mia and I put our coats on and headed downstairs. I was amazed at how easy it had become to come and go so late. Eric and Sarah weren’t as concerned about me since I’d made friends and started school. Maybe they thought my life’s stresses had finally started to calm.

  Outside, Alex and Jace stood side by side—Jace ever vigilant, Alex solemn and confused. The second I saw Alex my heart melted and I felt my blood warm. It didn't matter why he was there or if he’d even believe me after I left, there was something about him that seemed warm and familiar. Alex smiled and waved a short, simple, shaky wave. His nerves had gotten the best of him. I could see it in his eyes. As Mia and I walked closer to them I could see Alex looked fatigued. It was only a two-hour trip. Though he’d taken a late flight, he still should have gotten some sleep. I hated to believe I was such a stress in his life that I could stop him from sleeping.

  “Hey,” I whispered.

  A small smile played across his lips. Mia was oddly quiet when I looked over at her bundled up in her coat. She looked like a pale little doll being walked to her death, and I wondered why I hadn’t realized how hard it would be for Mia and Alex. I wanted the truth when Kale and I were together, and at times the stress had kept me from sleeping, so I should have known. Mia and Alex exchanged hellos while Jace and I discussed how much time we had until we had to leave.

  “What are you feeling right now?” Jace asked.

  I watched Mia and Alex whisper to each other. They were no doubt exchanging information to see what the other knew.

  “Fear,” I said honestly. I didn't fear Laurent as I should have, but I feared the consequences of my choices if my plan failed. “I fear I am making the right choice, the one Hélène and Kale couldn't make—the one that would have separated them forever.” I knew the reason Kale and Hélène hadn't asked the Council for help was because they knew they would most likely never see each other again. Neither Kale nor Jace had shown me that memory. It just seemed embedded in my mind as the truth. He and I could very well never see each other again.

  “In order to learn the important lessons in life, one must each day surmount to fear,” Jace said. “Ralph Waldo Emerson.”

  “So you’re saying I’m learning what, to sacrifice?” I asked, a bit annoyed with his enigmatic attitude.

  Jace shook his head. “I’m not trying to be what you would call ‘a smart ass’, Ella. I am just telling you that facing and overcoming your fears is something everyone has to do. Some will do it and prosper, while others will drown in all that life offers.”

  I was still confused. I shook my head, finished with the conversation, and headed over to Alex and Mia. “You guys ready?” Jace and I had decided the woods were the best place to take Mia and Alex. After, we would drop them off and be on our way.

  Jace cocked his eyebrow and motioned toward the woods, an invitation for us to follow. Mia started forward, but Alex put his arm around her, stopping her from moving. My insides tightened. I wondered if Alex didn't trust Jace or if he didn't trust me.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked him.

  “Who is this guy, and why are we headed into the woods where two women were killed not too long ago?” His eyes were watering, either from the cold or because his emotions had started to bleed through.

  Mia eyed me guardedly, and I felt as if I was losing control because just a little while earlier she’d been close to me, ready to learn all of my secrets.

  “You can trust Jace. He’s who I’m leaving with.”

  Alex shook his head in disbelief. “You weren’t kidding, were you?” He asked astonished.

  I thought the fact he’d shown up was proof he believed I wasn’t staying.

  “You’re really leaving?” Alex let go of Mia and walked over to me. Mia stood off to the side like a guest at a family dinner turned family war.

  I fought the burn of hot tears forming behind my eyes and took a deep breath before I spoke. “Yeah, I have to.” My voice broke and I cleared my throat, hoping to steel my nerves.

  Alex reached for my hand and squeezed it. He’d either forgotten to put on gloves or chose not to, but his hands were warm and damp. He pulled me closer to him until we were in each other’s arms. His parka smelled new and unfamiliar, but Alex’s embrace was all the familiarity I needed.

  I melted into his arms, which allowed the truth to flow out of me. “There’s a man named Laurent,” I began. I could hear the snow crunching as Mia and Jace moved closer to us, so I continued. Alex’s warmth gave me the strength to continue. “He’s been looking for me for a while and now he’s found me. He was the voice I’d been hearing and the reason I was seeing things,”

  “Ella,” Alex interrupted. “I think you should call Dr. Lithe and tell him you’re seeing and hearing things again.”

  I tried to pull away to look him in his eyes when I told him that wasn’t a good idea, but he held on, not allowing me to move.

  “Seeing and hearing things?” Mia asked as she shuffled over from the side lines. “What stuff do you hear?”

  I could hear the concern in her voice. Though I couldn't see her, I knew she was worried about what she’d gotten herself into.

  “She hears a voice and sees things that scare her,” Alex explained for me, but he missed the truth.

  The voice was real, and the visions were about me.

  “So, you’re saying Ella isn’t all there,” Mia said, trying to understand what Alex was telling her.

  Jace cleared his throat and stepped forward. Understanding that the conversation was headed in the opposite direction, Jace tried to bring it back to why we were all there. “No, she isn’t crazy, Mia, and everything she has told you is the truth. Her life is in danger, and so is your family, Alex, if she doesn’t leave here. Mia, the man who was looking through your window was the man who attacked her in the mall.”

  Mia gasped and covered her mouth, her face pale. I worried that she would be sick.

  “What!” Alex exclaimed, pulling my attention back to him. “What the hell, Ella. Why didn't you call me, or at least the police?” He lightly pushed me away from him to look at me. “This is my fault. I pushed you away and made it so you couldn’t talk me.” Alex touched my face. His hands no longer held the warmth they had before, and they were shaking.

  “It’s not your fault, Alex,” I said. “Had I been honest with you from the beginning, it wouldn’t have gotten this far. Had I been honest with myself, all of this could have been avoided. Hélène a
nd Kale needed the Council’s help then and we need it now.” I looked around.

  Mia stood farther away, and I could tell she was wary of the situation. Jace stood beside Alex and I, his face full of concern. Alex stood in front of me expectantly. My head was full and my stomach hurt. I owed him so much more than an hour to explain and a quick goodbye. Alex should’ve hated me for my inability to trust him, but he was willing to take all of the blame. I wasn’t sure if I could make it up to him.

  “Come with me,” I blurted.

  I could hear Jace move behind me before he spoke. Cold air whipped around us. Alex was silent, and Mia looked shocked.

  “Where are you going?” Mia asked. “You still haven’t told us that.” Her and Jace began talking, but I ignored them both and waited to Alex to respond.

  “No, this is not how it works, Ella,” Jace said. He moved into my line of sight. His face was stern and unyielding, but it meant nothing to me.

  I looked back to Alex and knew from the look in his eyes that he wasn’t sure any of what we’d said was true, but he also felt guilty for pushing me away for the past few weeks. But he wasn’t the only one to blame.

  “Just come with me,” I said again. I didn't think of anything other than having Alex with me when I arrived at the Council. I wouldn’t be alone, and he wouldn’t have to wonder if he’d ever see me again.

  Jace pulled me away from Alex. “Ella, this is not how it works. You let go of the things you want to keep safe. Hélène made the wrong choices, and I thought you were headed in the right direction when you decided to let Kale go.”

  I snatched my hand away from Jace, annoyed at him for reminding me of what I had to let go. If Kale couldn't come just because he was a Chorý, what was the reason that Alex couldn't come?

  “It’s my decision, Jace, and like it or not, Alex’s invitation stands. If he chooses to go then I won’t go without him.” My gut tugged from guilt because I knew Alex would most likely feel obligated to go with me, but I couldn't stop myself from turning to him and asking again.

  He was concerned about his family, but I told him it wouldn’t be for forever, and the Council would be here to protect them. Jace said he could make seem as if Alex was still in New York. He was completely against the idea, but he would do whatever it took to get me to go to Alaska with him. The last problem to solve before leaving was Mia.

  “This is completely nuts. Ella sees and hears things, there is a man after her who knows where I live, and the both of you are leaving me here to deal with it all alone.”

  “No, the Council is going to set it up so someone looks out for you too,” I told her.

  “Who is this Council, Ella, and why should I trust them?” she shouted.

  I shushed her and looked at Jace for help.

  He smiled and explained to Mia why she could trust the Council. “I will be here personally, Mia, and as Ella said, you can trust me.”

  Mia’s icy demeanor melted a bit. Jace slowly chipped away at the rest of the ice that laced Mia by making promises I prayed he’d keep. I knew that once Jace got me to the Council his job was done and he would be coming back to Cedar, but I hadn’t known he was to keep an eye on Mia.

  Alex and I loaded my things and the few items he’d brought from New York into Jace’s car while Mia talked to Jace about a knight in white armor. I pulled my phone from my pocket and called Kale. I heard the ring of his phone over in the brush, and when I looked up he appeared. He was a sight for sore eyes, tall and gorgeous. His hair partially covered his eyes, and light from the moon reflected off the snow, shining directly on him like a spotlight. I headed in his direction determined not to cry because this wasn’t goodbye. Kale met me halfway and greeted me with a hug. His tender side was unexpected and soothing, so I held him close and tight.

  “How are you?” he asked in my hair.

  I could feel his breath on my head, warm and soothing. “Lonely,” I admitted against my better judgment. I didn't want Kale to worry about me while I was gone, and I didn't want to make tonight any harder than it already was.

  Kale tsked and kissed the top of my head. Somewhere in the back of my mind there was a worry about what Alex thought of Kale and my embrace, but as Kale and I stood there his grip got tighter until he suddenly released me. I saw that his eyes were the black pools of oil I’d only seen when there was some sort of danger. I started to speak, but was cut off by Mia’s scream. I turned around to see what was going on, but Kale grabbed me and pulled me into the woods faster than I could take my next breath. I fought the urge to panic, but quickly fell apart when I heard Alex call my name, sheer panic in his voice. Kale held my face in his hands and smiled. His face was strained and his voice was so quiet I could barely hear him above my hearts beating.

  “I need you run, Ella.” He held me so tight that I couldn’t shake my head no.

  I wasn’t going to run anywhere until I found out what had happened to Mia and Alex. I could hear the taunts and jeers of voices coming from the direction Kale and I had just come from, but they weren’t familiar. Kale shook me to get my attention back on to him.

  “Ella,” Kale’s voice shook, and I knew that it was because Laurent’s men had found us.

  My stomach ached and my hands shook as I fought the urge to puke. “We have to go back, Kale!” I cried. All the strength I thought I’d had quickly vanished.

  Kale shook his head and roughly pushed me farther into the woods. More voices and shouts came from the distance, but I didn't hear Mia or Alex.

  “Run, Ella. I will get them out of the way, but those men are looking for you.” He continued to move me backward.

  Suddenly my feet were no longer on the ground, and the air felt sharp as teeth as it whipped against my face. Kale had picked me up and run me into the middle of the woods, where he placed me down. I knew we had travelled far because I could barely hear the shouts from the men I thought were the Chorý that Laurent had sent for me. I pushed Kale away and tried to make my way back to the house, but we had come so far out into the woods that I didn't know which direction would lead me back.

  “Kale, what are we doing? Take me back.”

  Kale roughly pushed his hands through his hair and moved away from me.

  I couldn't tell what he was doing, but as he picked up speed I realized he was leaving me there. “Wait!” I called out, but it was too late.

  He’d disappeared into the woods. I was there alone, praying the people I loved were safe although I knew that was far from the truth.

  Epilogue

  Kale

  * * *

  She stands there and looks at me as if I am a ghost—something impossible or unrecognizable as I leave her in the middle of the woods without protection or even an explanation. Her face is pale and sweet and her lips are turning blue, so I know she has little time. I wouldn’t be able to protect her and fight them. I know they are stronger than I, and there is no use denying it. She made a choice that would change everything, and tonight I am forced to do the same. She believes it is for the best and I am inclined to agree, but for reasons much different than her own. She believes we will meet again, but I realize this is not the case. She believes things will be different, but I know the truth. Our history will repeat itself. I know what her plan is because it wasn’t the first time I was confronted with it. Hélène tried the same thing, and I had no problem convincing her of its futility. She trusted me without any doubt. That is where Hélène and Ella differ. I would not be able to stop Ella from sacrificing the life she so desperately wants by asking for eternal life. She and Hélène were both been willing to sacrifice so much, but what had I sacrificed?

  I head back to the house with speed that defies my knowledge of my own abilities. Once I arrive at the house, I see the Council members that stayed hidden in the shadows have joined the standoff against the Chorý. They will only see me as a threat if I join, so I scan the area in search of Mia and Alex. A light is on in the house. I haven’t been gone long, so I can only assum
e we have a few minutes before the police arrive and there are more humans at risk. I scan the area again, searching for a familiar face, but the one I find is of the Chorý that attacked Ella in the mall. I hope to have a chance tonight to show him how I feel about his actions that day. All I can do now is find Jace and stand beside him.

  I hear Jace before I see him. His grunting and snarling leads my sight directly to him fighting two Chorý; one is smaller than him while the other is at least twice his size. His melee attacks are swift and precise, but speed is not one of his main powers; it’s his dead-on accuracy that is often a challenge for Chorý. A Chorý can move faster than a younger immortal, and that is why when the second member comes from behind with his sword, it is no surprise the head of the offending Chorý falls to the ground. The teamwork within the Council is what has kept them from being completely eradicated by Laurent’s men. Laurent’s men may be skilled fighters, but I have yet to see them work as a team. The defensive tactics of those who do will be tested tonight. The Council has perfected the art of fighting in pairs and their camaraderie has yet to be rivaled. I fight my way through to Jace, dodging a fist intended for a female Council member. Her tattoos cover at least half of her body, and her arms are larger than mine. She fights with a passion that reminds me of why I stay clear of them. Dedication and thirst for the spilt blood of Chorý is how they are bred. I use my strength and speed to clear a path to Jace. The Council members do not try to keep their hits designated to just Laurent’s men, but I am able to get to Jace without incident. He looks alarmed that I am here and without Ella because it was on his cue that I grabbed her and ran. She didn't see it coming, and I highly doubt that anyone else did.

  “You have ten minutes,” I tell him, though I worry she may have less time than that.

  She wasn’t dressed for the trek in the snow she was no doubt making, and her anger may be lessening her good judgment. I look around and notice something is wrong. For a battle, it is very quiet, and only a select few of Laurent’s men are fighting while the others stand facing us with their backs to the woods. They are waiting for something, but what? What could be so important that would keep Laurent’s men out of the fray, vigilant and patient?