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

by Kristin D. Van Risseghem

  Every kind of drink known to mankind lined the shelves of the commercial-sized fridge. Cali had filled it to the brim with teas, waters, and even a few cans of energy drinks. I smiled when I spotted the diet strawberry pop. She expected me to show up. The counter was stocked with chips, nachos, candy and other snack foods.

  As we exited the kitchen, a bunch of football players barreled toward us. Someone bumped Shay into me and we landed against the wall. My heart beat so fast and hard with the thrill of the contact, I thought it might explode out of my chest. We stood like that until something changed in his eyes.

  He leaned forward and kissed me.

  My lips tingled, like when a zap of static electricity hits, and I flinched.

  “Hey, Zoe! You made it!” said my friend, Quinn. She wiggled her eyebrows appreciatively at Shay. “Oh, sorry! Am I interrupting—?”

  I broke contact and peeked out from under the protection of Shay’s arms. “Hi, Quinn. No, you’re not interrupting anything. We were pushed.”

  Shay stepped beside me and wrapped his arm around my waist. Quinn reacted with a wicked grin. “Oh, okay. I mean if I did, I can totally come back later.”

  I shook my head.

  “We wondered if you’d come or not,” she said. “I’m glad you’re here. Are you going to introduce us?” She waited with her hand on her hip, but then stuck it out. “Hi, I’m Quinn.”

  “Yeah, sorry.” I shook my head to focus on my friend and not on my first kiss. “Quinn, this is Shay. Shay, Quinn.”

  Her smile was dazzling. “Nice to meet you, Shay. You’re new around here, aren’t you? I haven’t seen you before. Well, look, Zoe is one of my girls, so you be nice to her! If you’re not, you’ll have all of us breathing down your neck. We girls stick together, you know.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he promised, matching her expression as we edged past her. She gave me an enthusiastic thumbs up.

  It seemed most of my grade and half of the senior class was at the party. We made our way to the basement and stopped in the theater room, since I knew Shay would appreciate its state-of-the-art surround-sound system. Besides its hidden speakers in the ceiling and walls, an eighty-inch TV dropped from the ceiling with a push of a button. We scanned all the movies lining the wall in a custom-made, built-in cabinet which spanned from floor to ceiling.

  I nudged his shoulder. “What’s your favorite movie?”

  He looked surprised. “Is there anything better than Star Wars? The original trilogy, of course! And yours?”

  “Don’t laugh.”

  His expression sobered. “I won’t. I promise.”

  “I love Disney’s Tangled. I know it’s a kid movie, but still.”

  “Nothing wrong with that,” he said with a shrug. “We all have a child living within us.”

  “Huh. That’s a great way to look at it.”

  We ambled from the movie room to the crowded party/sports room where a pool table, three more TVs, and a gigantic wet bar stood, surrounded by more students. Loud music blared from the ceiling speakers, rattling the bottles in the wine rack. I could imagine Cali’s reaction if the bottles ended up breaking and spilling a mixture of red and clear liquids all over. From the doorway we could see some kids dancing while others shouted conversations to each other, but as soon as we stepped over the threshold, everyone stopped and stared at us.

  Shay scanned the room as if a threat of some kind might break out at any minute, and I had to think he might just be right. Not demons, though.

  The Triangle.

  Morgan, Abby, and Ashel, along with a few other girls, gawked at him. Some even had the audacity to stare with their mouths open. I tensed, and Shay grabbed my hand, giving a very public gesture which informed all the girls he was taken. I liked that. A lot.

  “Zoe! You brought the mystery guy!” Rena yelled, wriggling through the crowd toward us.

  I grinned. “Rena, you remember Shay?”

  “Of course. How could I forget a face like his?” She smiled. “Shay, is it? I don’t recall you giving me your name at Coffee Grind this afternoon.”

  He watched her carefully, his mouth teasing. “That’s because I didn’t.”

  I almost laughed. Point, set, match.

  Not entirely satisfied, she turned to me. “So is it official? You are no longer with Kieran? You know everyone is talking about it, right?”

  I couldn’t stand another mention of this stupid rumor. “Hang on, Rena.” While she and Shay watched, I climbed onto a bar stool and glared around me.

  “Listen up, everyone. I’m only going to say this once!” I shouted over the music, which someone turned down. “Kieran and I never dated. I’ve known him since kindergarten, just like the rest of you. He and I are best friends. That’s it. He’s free to do what he wants or date anyone. I am not the reason why he hasn’t dated anyone.”

  Okay, so that last part was untrue, but they didn’t need to know that.

  Everyone continued to stare at me, but I had nothing more to say. I climbed down and smiled, hoping they’d move on now. They just kept staring, as if they had nothing better to do. Then someone turned the music back up.

  “Do you want to leave?” Shay said into my ear.

  “No. I’m not going to let this ruin our night out. Let’s just go find someplace else.”

  I noticed Sidelle standing in the back of the group. I couldn’t read her expression, but knew she saw me, too.

  Out in the backyard it was much quieter. Though not silent, because music pulsed through the walls. A few people milled about and talked, some were sprinkled in little alcoves, probably making out. We headed toward a bench swing in the middle of the yard.

  “I’m sorry,” Shay said, squeezing my hand.

  “What for?” I asked. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “Maybe not, but I’m sorry you’re being pestered about Kieran. It clearly bothers you, and it troubles me to know you are upset.” He looked at his feet then back to me. “I . . . I know what Kieran said.”

  That was news. “You do?”

  “I’m not surprised that he finally admitted his feelings for you. I’m not happy with how it all went down, but to be honest, I’m glad he told you. I think he felt he had to say something or he would lose you.” He frowned. “It’s been you and him for so long, and he’s never had to compete with another guy. Change can be hard for some.” His lips rose on one side. “Especially for those who live forever. They kind of get stuck in their ways.”

  “It sounds like you’re defending him.”

  “In a way I am. I could easily be in his position. Would I want to lose you to another guy? Definitely not. But it’s his own fault. He could’ve told you years ago, or at least upped his game so you could have figured it out on your own.” His smile was quiet, thoughtful. “Maybe I’m just being selfish. He had his chance with you in the past, and he blew it. Now I’m here, and I want your future.”

  What does a girl say to that?

  A horrific crash came from the basement, followed by a loud tweak made by the stereo skip, then a tall, skinny girl and a much shorter guy stumbled out the back door, yelling at each other. Man, she looks familiar. A group of bystanders started to surround them and shout encouragements.

  “Who do you think you are?” The girl shoved the guy backward off the patio. “I came here with you and then find you kissing that blonde—”

  “I didn’t do anything.” The guy continued to step backward onto the lawn. “I swear!”

  “That’s not what my eyes told me. You lying two-timing piece of—” She stalked him like prey.

  Shay jumped up and faced me. “We have to get out of here,” he said quickly, his expression grim. “Right now!”

  I glanced at the group of teens, then back at Shay. “Why? It’s just a couple fighting. It happens when people drink.” I tried not to notice the hairs on my arms rising.

  Any humor was gone from his eyes. “No, Zoe. You don’t understand.” He squeezed my hand so tig
ht I was afraid he might break it. “We need to leave now!”

  Before I could say anything, he hauled me to my feet and dragged me toward the edge of the yard. “They’re demon knights,” he muttered. “Like at the warehouse. Now come on!”

  That made me move.

  But it was too late. We were the only ones in the backyard who had walked away from the house at the onset of the fight and it was easy to spot us. The lovers’ quarrel broke apart, and they hauled down the patio stairs to run across the lawn.

  “Go!” Shay screamed.

  Adrenaline coursed through my body, and I started to sprint. Shay threw the car keys at me, and I bobbled them mid-air. Running alongside Shay, I jumped the small wooden fence and ran for the edge of the woods, hoping the trees would slow our pursuers. Unfortunately, we slowed down, too.

  “Zoe, listen to me!” he shouted. “You need to stay hidden!”

  “No! I want to—” I tripped over a branch, then I regained my footing.

  “I’ll fight them off to give you a chance to circle back and get to the car,” he yelled as he helped me keep my balance.

  Tree branches grabbed at my hair. “No! I’m staying with you!”

  He wasn’t listening to me. “Drive directly to Kieran’s house, and go as fast as you can.” He leaped over a fallen stump and kept running. “Do you understand? Do not stop for any reason!”

  I shook my head. My lungs were burning. “I don’t want to leave you! What if you can’t fight them off? What if they kill you?”

  “No! You—”

  “What if there are more of them hiding in the woods?” I shoved a branch out of my way. “I don’t know how to fight! I need to stay with you!”

  Our “talk and dodge” technique slowed our pace, and that hesitation was enough to allow our pursuers to catch us. Now it was too late for plan A, and since we had no plan B, we’d have to make a stand. Or maybe that was plan B.

  All I knew was that my chance of survival was better if I stayed with Shay than if we separated.

  The girl and her two-timing ex-boyfriend crashed through the woods and stopped a few yards away from us, panting hard. Shay stood in front of me, drawing his sword.

  “No Kieran tonight?” the guy asked, lifting his head and sneering. “Oh, that’s right. I heard you two were no longer seeing each other.” He stood and shrugged. “At least that’s the word on the street. What a shame. Tsk. Tsk.”

  For crying out loud. Even demons were talking about it.

  Shay nodded at him. “Trey. I hope you brought more than just you and her.” He bobbed his head toward the girl. “The last time Sam only sent two, I sent both back to Hell in body bags, so to speak.” He chuckled. “By the way, how are Blane and Devin doing?”

  “Oh, don’t worry about that,” the girl scoffed and leaned away from the tree. “After their demise, Sam decided not to underestimate you or Kieran. For newer Enlightens, you shouldn’t have been able to kill them. That was our mistake, and it won’t happen again. This time we brought four Marquises with us. Think you can take on us and four Marqs, Shay?” She looked at her partner in crime and jabbed her chin toward us. “See how sweet, young love is, Trey? They’re holding hands.”

  “Disgusting!” Trey spat. “That’s what it is, Felicity. They actually think they’re going to survive.”

  Leaves rustled and branches snapped, as four figures, all wearing black-hooded cloaks, crashed through the trees beside us. They joined the two Knights and created a circle.

  Six against one and a half. I didn’t like those odds.

  I trusted Shay with my life. I did. But in that moment, I wished Kieran was with us. I had witnessed Shay’s fighting skills, and though he was undoubtedly good, it was dumb luck that Blane had been injured when the shelves had broken apart. That’s what had sent the metal spike into his chest, giving Shay the opportunity to behead him. And sure, he’d chopped off Devin’s head with his sword, but that had been with Kieran’s help.

  Shay wore a furious, but confident expression, as if he was positive he could take them all on at once. Maybe he could. The anger and hatred in his eyes scared even me. I wouldn’t ever want to be on the receiving end of that look.

  Hello, Gabriel? If you’re not too busy, we could use some help.

  Felicity nodded to the four newcomers as they approached. “Glad you could come to the party, my brethren.” Then she turned to face me, wearing a nasty grin. “It’s nothing personal, Zoe.”

  That was their cue, because all at once, the four hooded creatures drew their swords and edged toward us. The square grew smaller with each menacing step.

  This was déjà vu. Demons gunning for me: check. My imminent death: check. Shay standing between me and danger: check. His body was rigid and his sword rose high. I squeezed his free hand, having no idea what to say or do.

  The wind picked up, dark clouds slid along the tree tops, allowing the full moon to lose its silvery glow over everything. As the newcomers advanced, I could see how hideous they were. Long, black hair whipped in the wind from under their hoods, and hollowed spaces instead of eyes stared back at me.

  The wooded terrain began to shake beneath our feet, and Shay squeezed my hand, trying to reassure me. I adjusted my footing as the quaking increased in intensity, and we had to let go of each other so we could use our arms for balance.

  “It’s going to be okay,” Shay shouted over the howling wind.

  My head bobbed mechanically, but my gaze held on the black-cloaked demons.

  It looked as if Felicity and Trey were having problems standing, too, as a couple of smaller trees collapsed around us. Unfortunately, the hooded newcomers stood perfectly still, unaffected. More importantly, though, they had not progressed forward. That was when I noticed their feet did not touch the ground.

  With a deafening crack, the ground split open leaving us on an island, separating us from them. I knew we had to move, but we couldn’t. All at once everything in front of me blurred, and this time I understood it wasn’t my eyes. A milky purple orb had formed around Shay and me, similar to the one in the warehouse. It lifted us off the ground and dimmed the howling winds and booming thunder. Shay stared at me, a small smile playing around his lips.

  The earth rolled like a giant wave, and moments later Felicity and Trey lost their balance. Screaming, they stumbled into each other and fell into the crevice. This time I felt no sympathy at all. Two down, four to go.

  The Marqs still hovered and started their advance again.

  The sides of the orb vibrated with each clap of thunder, as if we were watching a ripple in the water. Rain pelted down—except when I looked up, no clouds were in the sky. Water pooled around us and soaked into the ground, making it soft and squishy. I felt like I was trapped in a snow globe, except the raindrops fell on the outside of the glass.

  In the distance, a glowing dot came toward us, its emerald green glow becoming larger as it neared.

  “What is that?” I yelled at Shay.

  “I don’t know.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, tugging me against his side, and braced himself to attack. But when he lifted his sword and tried to puncture the side of the orb, it only flexed outward.

  The translucent green sphere’s color faded and stopped a short distance away. My eyes widened with shock when I saw that in its place stood a girl about my age—who looked a lot like Sidelle. Very slowly, she raised her arms into the air and her mouth formed words I couldn’t hear.

  Fierce winds swirled leaves, dirt, and other debris. A massive branch broke from a tree. It struck two of the hooded creatures’ heads, and we watched them fall into the crevice. When the limb flew straight at us, it bounced off the orb. The remaining two demons spread out, trying to dodge debris the size of small cars, and clusters of dirt as large as watermelons. Another tidal wave of packed soil rolled and then opened in the shape of a hand, snatching one of the Marqs back into the ground. A horrific screech pierced the air and then was muffled by the earth, leaving only a
small piece of black material waving in the wind.

  White light cascaded across the sky and thunder vibrated the ground, tearing down even the largest of trees until their roots and trunks created a cage around the last creature. Lightning struck again, setting wood on fire and dropping the last remaining demon into the open pit. As soon as the creature had disappeared, the blowing stopped, the rift in the earth slammed shut as easily as if it had been a door, and the orb around Shay and me disappeared. The sky still poured rain to extinguish the smoldering fires.

  Shay grabbed me, pulled me into a tight hug. “God, Zoe!” he said into my ear. I could feel his heart racing against my own. “Are you hurt?”

  “I’m fine,” I assured him, pulling away and plucking a leaf from his hair. “Are you okay?”

  “As long as you are.”

  I glanced back at the spot where the demons had stood moments before. “Are they gone for good?” Then my eyes moved to the girl collapsed on the ground in front of us, and panic rushed through me. She didn’t even appear to be breathing. “Sidelle?” I raced toward her and dropped to my knees by her side. “Shay! What’s happened to Sidelle?”

  He was at her other side, crouched protectively over her. “She’s drained. We’ll have to help her back.”

  I put my hand on her shoulder, shook her gently. “Sidelle?”

  Nothing.

  “Oh my god, Shay! Is she—”

  “I’m okay . . . ’m okay,” Sidelle whispered, then she moaned and squeezed her eyes. “Yeah. Headache.”

  “Sidelle?” I whispered, again.

  Her eyes opened and warmed. “Don’t worry about me, Peanut. I’m ready to party.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “Truth,” she said, but I could see the exhaustion in her cheeky smile. She staggered to her feet and spread her arms out, showing us she could stand on her own. When I stepped away, I saw her wink at Shay.