Sentinel Lost (Mind Sweeper Series Book 5)

by AE Jones

  Chapter 49

  Dalton and I meandered around the lake. Several geese swam in the middle, and a light breeze blew across the water, leaving ripples in its wake.

  “I was surprised to see you here tonight.”

  “Misha’s been keeping me in the loop about what you’re working on. Luckily, my case wrapped up two days ago, so I could get back in time to hear your proposal. You did a good job.”

  “I thought you’d left,” I blurted. Smooth.

  “Nope. Just wanted to let your adoring crowd talk to you first.”

  “Thanks,” I answered, my heart beating triple time.

  We stopped next to a bench and sat down, his close proximity making my nerves sit up like a puppy begging for a treat.

  He cleared his throat. “I want to know what happened last year.”

  I took a deep breath and began. “You were brought in to help with a murder at the Erie Bar. An angel, a demon, and a vampire got into a fight.”

  “Sounds like the beginning of a bad joke.”

  “You could say that.”

  And I spent the next hour talking about the case. He asked all the right questions and stayed pretty calm through the telling. I suspected his cop training took over, and he had checked his emotions for the duration of the discussion.

  We took a break for a moment, the silence enveloping us like a scratchy wool blanket.

  His gaze locked on me. “So we were a couple.”

  It was more of a statement than a question, but I nodded anyway. “It took a while. We argued at first.”

  He scoffed. “I can imagine.”

  “You were overprotective and cop-like, and I was impetuous.”

  He chuckled. “That’s the best word you can come up with to describe yourself?”

  “I think the words you used to describe me were smart-mouth and pig-headed.”

  “Glad to hear I was insightful even back then.”

  The banter was agonizingly familiar, and I looked out over the lake till I could catch my breath. Two geese were floating next to each other like an old married couple. I had read somewhere that geese mated for life. “If I could have found a way to help you without erasing your memories, I would have. I want you to know that.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  I glanced up at him in surprise. “What are you sorry for?”

  “I was so caught up in what happened to me that I didn’t think about what you lost, too.”

  Oh no, we weren’t going there. “I…When do you leave again?”

  “Tomorrow. I’m going to Quantico for two months for some training, and then I start officially for the Feds.”

  “Congrats,” I said automatically. And I was happy for him. If this is what he wanted, then how could I not be?

  My phone rang, and I pulled it out of my pocket, standing up to answer it since I was too nervous to sit. Dalton got up too, so I flipped on the speaker.

  “Hello, Boris.”

  “Kyle. We’ve finished deliberating. You did it, my dear. The Council has voted yes.”

  My mouth opened, but nothing came out.

  “Kyle? Are you there?” Boris asked.

  “Yeah. I’m here. Wow.”

  “That about sums it up. Get a good night’s sleep. Things are going to get busy around here very quickly.”

  I hung up and did a little dance, a cross between a touchdown dance and a jig. Dalton laughed, and I looked at his smiling face, and my knees buckled. I landed on the bench as tears threatened, and I blinked like a wuss, praying they would stay inside my eyes and not embarrass me by running down my cheeks.

  Dalton knelt in front of me, his eyes filled with concern. “Are you okay?”

  I cleared my throat and rubbed my hands along my legs, the rough denim calming me a bit. “Yeah. I’m just overwhelmed. They actually listened to me. We’re going to help demons like Nate and Naya live here on earth.”

  He placed his hands over mine, stilling them. “That’s a very good thing. You did a very good thing.”

  The tears threatened to erupt again at his words. “Thank you for not hating me.”

  He rocked back a little and his eyes flared. “I could never hate you, Kyle. You exasperate me at times, but hate? Nope, not possible. I expect you to send me reports about how it’s going.” He stood and held out his hand. “You okay to walk back now?”

  “Yes.”

  I reached for him, and he pulled me to my feet, his warm hand enveloping mine for a moment longer than was necessary before he released me and we walked side by side back to the community building.

  Chapter 50

  Was there such a thing as controlled chaos? If so, it would describe the new office space for the Bureau of Demon Immigration, or BDI for short. Desks were lined up against the wall, and chairs were piled haphazardly on top of a conference table in the corner. Boxes of supplies littered the space as well. In the center of the room stood Doyle, grinning like a crazy person.

  “What do you think, Kyle?”

  “I…ah…”

  “I know, you’re speechless. I was too when I first saw it.” He spun in a circle. “This is going to be great!”

  “I’m glad you’re a visionary, Doyle.”

  “I know, it’s a mess right now, but the hard part was getting all these supplies, which I got wholesale, I might add.”

  I stepped over a box of copier paper and met him in the middle. “It’s finally coming together.”

  “Yes, ma’am. How does it feel to know you started all of this?”

  I gulped. “The truth? A bit overwhelming.”

  Doyle nodded. “Well you should be proud of yourself. Although you might regret it now that you’re on the board of directors.”

  I shrugged. “I’ve only yelled once, and it was at the first board meeting. Since then I’ve been the model of diplomacy.”

  “I bet. I never thought you and I would be working together.”

  “Me either. How’s Coleen doing?”

  “She’s good. Her mother is doting on her through this pregnancy, and I heard her brag to her friends about her ‘son-in-law’s important job.’”

  “Who’d a thunk it? Both of us becoming upstanding citizens.”

  A voice sounded behind us. “The jury might still be out on that.”

  I turned to find Aleksei standing in the doorway. He nodded at me and then looked around the room.

  “Where are we—”

  Doyle interrupted him. “The furniture and supplies have arrived. I have a group of movers scheduled to be here in an hour to help organize the space.”

  “What about—”

  “The staff interviews are scheduled to start tomorrow morning. I emailed you names and times.”

  Aleksei stood up straighter. “Very good, Doyle. I’ll check in later, while the movers are here.”

  Doyle nodded. “The drawing of the room layout is sitting on the box to your right, if you want to look at it again.”

  “No. As long as it’s the same one we agreed to, then we should be fine. Thank you. Good to see you again, Kyle.” He bobbed his head and left the office.

  I watched him depart in shock. “How?”

  “I used to deal with criminals, remember? Aleksei is all bark and no bite. I merely anticipate his orders.”

  “I was a little worried when I suggested him as head of the Bureau.”

  “No, I think he’s the right demon to front this operation. Don’t tell him I said this, but under his pompous exterior, he’s smart, dedicated, and has a good reputation in the demon community, which will help us with the holdouts.”

  I frowned. “Are we still getting a lot of pushback?”

  “There will always be demons who don’t believe the realm demons should come to earth. But they’ll just have to suck it up. Change is inevitable.”

  I snapped a picture of the space and a smiling Doyle with my phone and sent it to Dalton. We had been texting the last couple of weeks since he’d left for Fed training. I’d bee
n surprised to learn that when he had said keep in touch, he actually meant it.

  I jumped when my phone rang. Dalton was calling me? “Hello?”

  “Just got your picture. Is that an office or the aftermath of a tornado?”

  I laughed. “It’ll be an office once we don’t have to climb over the boxes.”

  “Well, send me another picture once it’s set up. That way I can see the before and after.”

  “Got it.”

  “I’ve got to get back to class. We were on a quick break when I got your text, so I thought I’d give you a ring.”

  “Sure. Ah…thanks for calling.”

  “Kyle.”

  He hesitated for a moment and my heart started beating like a mariachi band. “Yeah?”

  “I just needed to hear your voice…I mean, I haven’t had anyone insult me for weeks.”

  “Well, we can’t have that. I’ll start working on some right away.”

  He chuckled. “Good idea. That way you’ll be prepared next time I call.”

  I hung up and stared at my phone for a second. Next time he called? I just had a conversation with Dalton that didn’t involve gut-wrenching drama or confessions of wrongdoing on my part. Who the hell had I been talking to?

  “Who was that?”

  “What?”

  “Who were you talking to? And don’t tell me it was Misha or Jean Luc.”

  “Why would you say that?”

  “Because of your face. You’re grinning like a high schooler with a crush.”

  “I am not!”

  “Now you’re blushing like a high schooler with a crush!”

  “Cut it out, Doyle.”

  He stopped grinning and stared at me for a moment. “How is it going with Joe?”

  “It’s not going anywhere with Dalton. He’s in DC, and I’m here.”

  “A lot of people make long distance relationships work, Kyle.”

  I shrugged. “A few text messages and a phone call don’t make up for the fact that I manipulated his memory and then lied to him about it, repeatedly. That’s not something you get over.”

  Doyle shrugged. “Don’t underestimate him. He may surprise you.”

  I shoved my phone into my pocket as an excuse to break eye contact. “I’ve had enough surprises in my life, Doyle. I need some predictability instead. Yep. Boring, predictable, Kyle McKinley. That’s my new goal.”

  He smiled. “We’ll see how long it lasts.”

  Chapter 51

  I parked my car in front of the hall and took a deep breath. It had been two months since I’d addressed the supernatural community and hatched the plan to help bring the realm demons to earth. And so far everything was coming together.

  “Hello.”

  I jumped at the voice, my hand slamming to my chest as Marie materialized in the seat next to me. “Jeez, Marie! You almost gave me a heart attack.”

  “Which is why I waited until you parked your car to say anything. I didn’t want you careening into oncoming traffic.”

  “How safety-conscious of you.”

  “I thought so.”

  I took a deep breath to slow down my heart. “I haven’t seen you in months. I was afraid you’d gotten into trouble for helping me when I was…”

  “In ice-cream parlor limbo?” She grinned. “Nah. They didn’t do anything to me. And you’re welcome, sweetie.”

  “Have you been able to spend some time with Dalton?”

  “Yes. My grandson is doing much better, thanks to you.”

  “I don’t know if I did all that much for him.”

  Marie shook her head. “I have a few choice words to say to you on the subject, but we’ll have to talk later.”

  “Wait!” I growled, but Marie faded from the passenger seat.

  A knock sounded on my driver’s side window, and I jumped. It was a good thing my heart was part demon, or I would have expired at some point dealing with all these supes scaring the crap out of me.

  I rolled my window down, and Nicholas leaned in slightly. “Kyle, can I talk to you for a moment?”

  “Sure.” I unlocked the car doors and he went to the other side and climbed into the seat Marie had vacated. “What’s up?”

  “Do you remember the night at the community center you told me you were working to bring the worlds back together again?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, I’ve been thinking about the prophecy. While I think what you’re doing is wonderful, I wonder if allowing the demons to come here is what the prophecy intended when it talked about bringing the worlds back together again.”

  “What else could it mean?”

  “I think when Dalton touched you, he shared a part of his angel essence with you. That’s why your eyes are the color they are now. And if that’s the case, then you are part angel, part demon, and part human. You might be the worlds coming together again.”

  “Good Lord, Nicholas, put a little pressure on me, why don’t you?”

  “That’s not my intention. I just want you to keep it in mind. You’re special, Kyle. There is definitely more to come in your future.”

  My nerves danced along my spinal column. “Did you have another flash about me?”

  “No.”

  “I’m surprised you’ve shared even this much.”

  He shrugged. “Things have changed for all of us. And they’re going to get even more interesting as we bring the realm demons to earth.”

  * * *

  I stood next to Doc and Misha drinking a glass of wine to try and calm down from my earlier talk with Nicholas.

  The hall was packed. Appetizers were heaped across large buffet tables. And it was the primo stuff, too, no mini hotdogs on toothpicks for this crowd. Tony’s restaurant had catered some of the food…stuffed ravioli, meatballs, all my favorites. A bar ran along the back wall serving all types of drinks, and on the dance floor couples swayed to the music.

  “Boris sure knows how to throw a party.”

  “Are you surprised?” Doc asked while she studied the scene as well.

  “No. It was good of him to do it.”

  “Father wanted to thank everyone,” Misha said.

  Doc nodded. “Everyone’s been working so hard to get the new demon immigration process in place it was time to blow off a little steam. I can’t believe the first set of demons will be arriving next week.”

  A lump clogged my throat. “I know. The first group may be small, but it will be a test run before we increase the numbers. Aleksei’s been doing a great job running everything.”

  “I was surprised when you suggested him,” she said.

  “I knew we needed someone who would be able to lead the project and not take no for an answer.”

  “That’s Aleksei,” Misha mumbled.

  Doc squeezed my hand. “You did a good job, Kyle.”

  Her praise made me uncomfortable, so I hunted for a way to change the subject. “I can’t believe you talked me into wearing this dress again.” I frowned down at my burgundy dress and heels.

  Doc smiled. “It’s a special occasion that calls for a special dress.”

  “Well, the trip to the beauty salon certainly wasn’t necessary.”

  “I don’t agree, I think your new hairstyle and the color suit you.”

  I reached up and touched my hair. I’d been growing it out from its pixie cut over the last couple of months. Now it was long enough for the hairdresser to cut it in what she called a “messy style.” I could run my fingers through it and go. Which was good, since it was about all the patience I had for my hair. She’d dyed it black again, with a few burgundy highlights to match the dress.

  I took another sip of wine, my gaze moving to the dancers. Jean Luc and Talia swirled around the floor like they’d been dancing together for years.

  “I should have known Jean Luc would be a good dancer.”

  Doc chuckled. “He’s too sexy not to be.”

  “Don’t let Talia hear you say that.”

  “Be
lieve me, she knows.”

  I glanced over at Doc. “How’s it going with Jason?”

  She frowned. “It isn’t going anywhere with Jason. Even though he’s back on the team, he’s closed himself off to our friendship.”

  “I’m sorry, Sabrina. Maybe it’s just a matter of time. I never thought he would forgive me, but he did.”

  Misha frowned. “Do you want me to talk to him?”

  Doc shook her head quickly. “No, Misha. Please don’t.” She turned to me. “What about you and Dalton?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean how are things going with you two?”

  “We’re just friends. He asked me to let him know how things were going with the demon immigration.”

  Doc crossed her arms “It might be where it started months ago, but you can’t tell me it’s not more than that now. You talk to each other and text all the time.”

  Misha gushed, “Like Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in You’ve Got Mail.”

  “It’s more like being around horny teenagers,” Doc argued.

  Dalton’s messages and talks had become part of my daily life. Every communication helped me understand the man Dalton had become since last year, but I wasn’t ready to tell her that. “We do not act like teenagers.”

  My phone beeped, and Doc and Misha both laughed out loud. I pulled it out of my purse and checked the screen. Of course it was Dalton. I clicked on the message.

  Surprise.

  I read it again, my befuddled brain not processing the word. The phone beeped a second time.

  Turn around.

  I turned slowly. Dalton stood a couple of feet away from me. He wore a dark suit that fit him perfectly. My mouth went dry. Holy crap, my mouth went dry. I didn’t think that happened in real life. We’re just friends. We’re just friends.

  I turned to gauge Doc and Misha’s reactions, but they’d disappeared.

  Dalton strode over to me. “Hello.”

  I smiled. “Hi. What are you doing here?”

  “I was invited. Decided to surprise you.”

  “You did. How did you get away from DC?”

  “I got the weekend off. This is quite the shindig. Do you want to get something to eat or drink?”