The Guardian, a Sword, & Stilettos (The Enlighten Series Book 1)

by Kristin D. Van Risseghem

  I uncrossed my legs and tucked them under me, very aware of his closeness. I thought that was a little odd, since I’d been flying in his arms moments before. Oh God. I have a boy on my bed!

  “Being half-angel, I’ll live longer than Ordinaries, and Gabriel loved my mom so much he asked God to grant her a longer life, too. That way she could raise and protect me, since he wasn’t able to be like a normal dad. God has sympathy, but didn’t grant his prayer. So, Gabriel gave some of his own Angel Light to her.”

  “So how old are you?” I asked.

  “I’m seventy-six years old.”

  I twisted my body to stare at him and let that sink in. “Holy crap! You look fantastic for your age.”

  “Another angel perk,” he said with a smile. “May I continue?”

  I waved my hand. “Please do.”

  “I grew up and played games any boy my age would do. Mom and I took vacations, and sometimes Dad even joined us.”

  “Was your dad around a lot as you were growing up?”

  “I saw him at least a few days a week, for the most part. He just didn’t live with us. By the time I was elementary school age, I knew I was different from other kids. It’s hard to explain.”

  Shay scooted closer to me so both our backs were against the headboard. His long legs almost extended to the edge of the bed. “One day, right before I entered sixth grade, Dad showed up and took me for a walk along the river. He talked about the difficult choices he’d had to make in his past and said sometimes he was forced to sacrifice for the greater good. Then he told me that when he’d met Mom, it hadn’t been by chance. He’d been watching her for a while, and he’d seen the good in her. He knew she would make the sacrifice needed for me one day.”

  He leaned his head back and closed his eyes for a moment when he opened them again he gave me a vague smile. “Yeah, he knew before they actually met that he would have a relationship with her, and she would have a son. I was a little shocked by this, but then again, I had suspicions he was different, too. Kind of like me. He told me he was an Archangel, he’d asked Mom not to tell me because he thought he should. He apologized, saying he knew he hadn’t been there for me like he’d wanted to be, but that I’d always been in his thoughts and prayers.”

  He looked so sad just then, so I took his hand. It felt like the most natural action in the world.

  “So if he knew your mom would be a good mom to you, does that mean he can see into the future?”

  “Maybe. He hasn’t confirmed either way even when I point blank ask him. Anyway, he explained I was more special than most kids because I was half-angel. By the time I was a teenager, he said I would have enhanced physical attributes that would mark me as a nephilim. I would be taller, stronger, and faster. I would get wings and have heightened human senses. I would grow up and look normal, but live a very long life. When I turned eighteen, I received the Heaven’s Mark.” Releasing my hand, he lifted his sleeve and cupped his palm over his bicep to cast Angel Light on a tattoo: two silver iridescent wings with the golden Triquetra symbol in the center. It was the same design as Kieran’s, but with different colored wings. I wondered if the color of the reflected their real wing color.

  “It’s stunning,” I said. Like you. “Why do your wings glow?”

  “That’s an angel thing. The glow is pretty faint, though, because I am only a half-angel. Kieran’s are a lot brighter, and the glow of an Archangel’s wings is awesome.”

  “What’s the sword I saw you fighting with?”

  “It’s a special gift all nephilim receive. The swords are blessed by God, and they’re a reward for being His servant. And just like our wings can appear and disappear, so does the sword. Each is unique to the individual and plays to his or her strengths.”

  I glanced at my phone, checking the time again, and realized the sun would rise soon. I hadn’t gotten more than a few hours of sleep. How was I going to function at school today? I guessed it would be a two-latte day for me. But it was worth it.

  He smirked, catching my expression. “I should leave so you can get ready for school. Plus I should go before your dad comes in and kills me.”

  I unfolded myself from the bed while he rose and slipped his boots on. He gazed out the window, watching the sunrise. I joined him there. When our hands linked, small shivers ran up my arms.

  “When will I see you again?” I asked.

  He beamed down at me. “Oh, don’t worry. I’m never far away.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’ll see me soon.”

  “Don’t keep me in the dark.”

  “I’ll tell you more later. I promise.” He climbed onto the sill in a crouching position, then he turned back and hesitated. The flicker in his eyes wavered and he pulled back, deflating my hopes to receive my first real kiss. “I’ll see you around,” he said, then dropped down the two stories with no effort at all and walked down the street, leaving me to stare after him.

  I didn’t sleep a wink after that. Floating on clouds, I ran down the stairs and grabbed a chocolate muffin from the counter then dashed out the door. Still giddy after my incredible night, I practically flew to Kieran’s house—even without Shay’s wings around me. I couldn’t stop grinning.

  When I arrived to the end of Kieran’s driveway, he was standing there, waiting for me with raised eyebrows.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Have you even looked at yourself in a mirror?” Kieran asked. “I mean, I’m no fashion expert or anything but . . .”

  I glanced down, jolted back to reality. I’d thrown on the first clothes I could find and ended up with a bright orange and white striped button-down shirt under a green sweater, black leggings and my purple Converses. I looked like a giant walking pumpkin. But we were already running late, so I couldn’t go home and do anything about it. Regardless, I wasn’t about to let my poor choice of clothing dampen my spirits today. I had a skip in my step and a bounce in my heart. The other kids could go ahead and have a good laugh on me.

  “Let’s go,” I said, shrugging.

  It felt a little weird between us as we walked to school in silence. A part of me wanted to tell him all about my evening with Shay. After all, that’s the sort of information best friends shared. I’d never talked with him about boys, so I had no idea how he would handle that kind of conversation.

  But Kieran knew me well enough to know something was up. “Did Shay stop by last night?” he finally asked, breaking the silence.

  Pretty sure my cheeks turned bright pink in that moment, but he was looking at our feet. “Yes,” I squeaked, barely raising my head.

  He hesitated only a second. “Yeah? That’s good. So he elaborated on some matters, I guess. Is there anything else you’d like to know about? I’ll tell you anything. I swear it’ll be the truth this time. No more secrets between us.”

  This time I looked at him. “I have to be honest, Kieran. I don’t like that you lied to me for so long. I’ve never lied to you.” I swallowed, biting back my words. Isn’t this what I am doing to him? It hurt to see the pain in his eyes. “Let’s just get to school.” I need to refocus on creating a list of questions to ask.

  I couldn’t bring myself to tell him about last night, but he knew I held something back. I could see it in his sad expression. His eyes pleaded with mine, asking for more.

  “Now that I’m in the know, what’s the plan?” Kieran didn’t need to know Shay and I had flown—or that we had almost kissed.

  “I’m working on that,” he said.

  Normally we would stop at Coffee Grind on our way to school, and as we grew closer, I felt his inquiring eyes on me. Today I kept walking, trying to ignore the wonderful aromas wafting out the door. I didn’t want to talk to him about anything. I knew it made the situation even weirder between us, but I just couldn’t. Once we entered the school, I darted to my gray locker.

  “See you in math class,” I called over my shoulder.

  He frowned and nodded, then headed t
o his own locker down the hall.

  I dropped my backpack and tried the combination, but it didn’t open. Same result the second time. I’d been meaning to request a new one, since this one never wanted to open, but I liked its location near the cafeteria. Plus, I liked being next to Sidelle, one of the nicest and most popular girls in school.

  But on the other hand, Morgan—a former preschool friend—her locker was on the other side of mine. She wasn’t there most of the time since she’d hang out at her boy toy of the week’s locker. She’s the self-proclaimed leader of a group of real snobs whom I called The Triangle. They ruled the school, dressed in the latest designer clothes and wore their hair and makeup; like movie stars, but I thought they were nothing more than bullies. They were mean to anyone who couldn’t or didn’t live up to their expectations.

  On the third attempt, my locker opened.

  Sidelle watched me with sharp eyes. She wore her usual stiletto heels, along with white capris pants and a white and red striped shirt under a light blue jacket. Sidelle was gorgeous, tall, thin, and dressed beautifully—as usual—making me extremely aware of my pumpkin get up. Her family had moved here from New York or some other place out East when we were in second or third grade. Maybe that was where she’d gotten her fashion sense. Of course, her father’s endless supply of cash helped. Sidelle and I usually attended the same parties, but for some strange reason, I never hung out with her by myself.

  “What in heaven’s name?” Sidelle demanded, her long, manicured finger indicating my outfit. “Zoe, what is that? What are you wearing?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Don’t ask. How’s it going?”

  “You mean, besides you being toted off to jail because you’re wearing that?” She pursed her lips, then shrugged. “Something’s off about you today. You’re not the same jittery self.”

  “I’m glad it’s Friday.”

  Her eyes lit up from her smile. “I think Cali’s parents are out of town this weekend. She says she might have a party tomorrow night. You’re coming if she does, right?”

  My thoughts traveled to Kieran, then to Shay. “Maybe. I’ll have to see.” I wasn’t sure if Kieran would want to go with me. Without him, my parents probably wouldn’t allow me to go. Should I even go with demons chasing me? I needed to get on board with this and we needed to devise a kick-ass plan.

  And should I tell Sidelle about Shay and the almost kiss?

  “Something on your mind?” Sidelle asked, lifting one eyebrow.

  I was dying to tell someone. But what could I say? That I’d met a hot half-angel who saved me from two demons and took me flying? It sounded crazy.

  “You look a little tired today.” She cocked her head to the side. “Are you feeling okay?”

  “I didn’t get much sleep last night. And I need a fix of caffeine.”

  She glanced around, frowning. “How come Kieran isn’t here?”

  “Um . . .”

  “Ha!” she shouted, and her whole face turned into a grin. She leaned toward me and whispered loudly, “Did you guys, you know . . . do the wild thang?”

  I stared vacantly at her, wondering what she was implying. Then it clicked.

  “No!” I yelled back, realizing a little too late that everyone could hear me.

  She hitched one hand on her hip, looking smug. “Let me tell you something, Zoe. I’m not buying what you’re selling. How can you not? I mean, he’s deliciously hot! Who doesn’t want to date Kieran Auduro!”

  I stared at her, speechless, which only encouraged her.

  “Then tell me why he isn’t here. Every day for three years, ever since we started high school, he’s walked you to school then hung out by your locker until the morning bell rings.” Her eyebrows wiggled. “And today, he kept on walking. He didn’t even say anything.”

  Time to change the subject. “Did you get done with the bio reading?”

  “No, and don’t deflect. Tell me why you didn’t sleep last night, and why Kieran and you are acting all weird today.”

  “It’s nothing. I was just busy with . . . uh . . . some things at home. I didn’t even get the homework done.” I knew I was being vague, but what else could I do?

  “Got busy with what exactly?” She narrowed her eyes. Then they widened, and she threw her arms in the air. “Wait. Zoe didn’t do the homework assignment? Did hell freeze over or what?”

  “Jeez, Sidelle. Drama much? I gotta get to class.” I grabbed my history book from my locker and slammed the door shut, needing to escape.

  “This convo is not over, Zoe!” Sidelle called. “Do you hear me? I will get to the bottom of this!”

  The hot gossip around school today would now officially be that Kieran and I had done it. “Way to ruin my day,” I grumbled as I walked down the hall to my first class.

  I’m a good student and not afraid to admit that. And normally I enjoy my classes. But today I needed them to be over. I wanted my life to go back to the way it had been before I knew about demons, angels, and a prophecy.

  Then again, no. I wouldn’t change my meeting Shay for anything. I would have to take the good with the bad. That meant coming to terms with what I was supposedly destined to become.

  When the bell rang, I was one of the first to leave the classroom. I didn’t see Sidelle at the lockers, but Cali walked toward me, her pretty face creased with concern.

  “Oh, poor Zoe! I heard you and Kieran are fighting. Is that true?” She hugged me, and I almost gagged from the strength of her perfume. “Are you okay? I mean, I can’t believe that’s true. I mean, you guys never fight!”

  I frowned. “Um, no, Kieran and I are not fighting. Why?”

  “Oh,” she said, glancing to the side. “It’s just that I heard you guys broke up! I mean, you guys didn’t, did you?” Cali shook her head, her lower lip pushed out in a pout. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “Cali, we were never even going out. How could we have broken up?”

  She shrugged and briefly examined her nails. “I’m just repeating what I heard.”

  What a mess. “I don’t want to talk about it now,” I said with a smile, “but maybe soon, okay? But thanks for asking. If you see Quinn and Rena, please tell them the same.”

  “If you ever want to talk though, just say the word and we’ll be there for you.” She turned to leave, then said over her shoulder, “Oh, I’m having a party tomorrow night. You should come.”

  As I headed to second period, I couldn’t help think about Kieran, now free and “available,” since he and I weren’t “dating” anymore. Was that strange misconception better than everyone thinking we had done it? I wasn’t sure, but a twinge of the green monster filled my stomach. He’s free to do whatever he wants. I couldn’t lay a claim on him.

  My mind drifted back to Shay and remembered the kiss we’d almost shared. I brushed my fingertips over my lips, imagining what the softness of his kiss would be like. No, the feelings I had for Kieran were quite different from those I felt for Shay.

  I was flustered by the time I walked into math class, the only class I shared with Kieran. He was already seated, and I took my usual spot next to him. He glanced at me, but didn’t say anything. I wondered with annoyance if he was giving me the silent treatment. Honestly. I didn’t need any more drama today. I decided to be the bigger person and break the tension.

  “Hey, did you hear the rumor going around? Apparently you and I broke up. Funny thing is that I didn’t even know we were dating.” I grinned, but became uncomfortably aware that he wasn’t smiling. “I wonder how many years we dated? Anyway, based on what I’m hearing, I think you should prepare yourself for being asked out by every girl in the school.”

  He didn’t even blink, and my smile faltered.

  “I heard,” he finally said.

  “What’s wrong?”

  His jaw clenched, but at least he spoke. “Nothing is . . . wrong.”

  But he certainly didn’t look like everything was just fine, either. “Come on, Kieran. Wh
at’s up?”

  He looked almost surprised when he finally, softly asked me his question. “You don’t think of me as anything more than your best friend, do you?”

  My heart started to race. Where was this coming from? “I thought that’s what you wanted. To be my friend.”

  “I do, and I am,” he snapped. “I guess it’s just that with everyone asking about us now, well . . . I have to tell you that I’ve been thinking about this for a while now.” He looked away. “But obviously you haven’t.”

  I was shocked. If only I’d known this a day or so ago. How would I have reacted then?

  But now . . . how could I tell him I didn’t have those feelings for him? I loved him, just not that way. How I hated this small town. I hated small classes even more. We were whispering, but I knew a whole bunch of eyes were looking our way. Everything was everyone’s business.

  “Can we talk about this later?” I asked.

  “Sure,” Kieran muttered.

  I leaned back in my chair, and we listened to the day’s lecture, but kept glancing back toward each other. Life was complicated all of a sudden.

  Third period Political Science came and ended, before which two different girls approached and asked if the rumor about Kieran and me breaking up was true or not.

  The day couldn’t get much worse. I was starved, deprived of my latte, and missing my best friend very badly. And to top it all off, I dreaded my fourth hour class: Advanced Biology. Even though I hated conflict, I planned to confront Sidelle about the rumor I hoped she wasn’t spreading.

  When I got there, she hadn’t arrived yet. I figured she must have known I wanted to chat with her. She bounded into the classroom just as the tardy bell rang, and I glared at her throughout class. When it wrapped up, I managed to snag her sleeve.

  “Why are you spreading lies about me?”