Nine Lives (The Katran Legacy)

by Karin De Havin

  She didn’t have to ask me twice. I floated over next to Heath. His earthy fragrance lingered in the air. Wow, he was even cuter in person. His chiseled face was accented by a ponytail, the same one he wore in the movie Casanova. Paul Newman wore the pinstriped suit from the movie The Sting.

  Heath glanced at his watch. “So the rumors are true?”

  “And then some.” Paul chuckled. “Marilyn always showed up late on set.”

  “Do you think we should wait for her?” Heath ran his fingers through his thinning hair. “I’m starving.”

  Paul flashed his million-dollar smile. “Me too. Let’s head off to the restaurant. Marilyn can join us after she’s bought her five hundredth diamond necklace.”

  I floated quickly back to Celery. “I know where she is.”

  “Who?”

  “Marilyn. She’s at Tiffany’s.”

  Celery rolled her eyes. “Of course.” Her finger traced the path on the GPS. “We just need to walk two more blocks.”

  “In case you forgot, I don’t have any legs.”

  Celery let out a belly laugh. The cute guy from the TV series My Name is Trouble walked up to her and tugged on her sleeve. “Who are you talking to?”

  Her cheeks flushed when she recognized him. “Ah nobody. I was singing.”

  The guy stuffed his hands in his pockets. “You’re weird.”

  He reacted to Celery the same way people treated me on Earth. How I wished I could take the costume back home. No one could call me a freak if they couldn’t see me.

  Celery’s face grew red. “You should talk. I read you died wind surfing. How weird is that?”

  I whispered, “Watch. I’m going to have some fun.”

  The guy clenched his fist, ready to punch Celery out. I floated over and concentrated on his hoodie jacket. I pulled the hood over his head until it covered his face. We both laughed as he staggered around the street.

  Finally, he managed to wrestle the jacket off. “How did you do that?”

  Celery beamed. “I have an invisible friend.”

  The guy scrunched up his face. “I knew you were crazy.” Then he ran down the street and disappeared around the corner.

  A loud noise interrupted our laughter. The GPS light blinked off and on like mad. “Marilyn is still at the store.” Celery pointed down the street. “Let’s head over.”

  I tagged behind her, making sure she kept moving—no easy feat in a place flooded with stars. In just one block we spotted Johnny Cash talking to Kurt Cobain and Whitney Houston having a sing-off with Amy Winehouse. If I had a body, I’d pinch myself. Ever since I arrived, I’d wondered if celebrities had a special place in Heaven—now I had my answer.

  The Angel City version of Tiffany’s positively glowed. A shining vision of blue and silver glass floating on a cloud. Cherubs flew above the entrance, sprinkling gold dust on the customers. We moved inside and Celery stopped cold. “Wow. This place is awesome.”

  The understatement of all time. The ceiling must have been thirty feet high. The walls shimmered, paneled in gold and etched with scrolling vines. Crystal chandeliers the size of a Mini Cooper hung down from the ceiling, just grazing the heads of the tallest customers. A kaleidoscope of prisms danced around the room.

  A dashing man dressed in a black suit with grey hair walked over to Celery and took her hand. “I know the perfect piece for you. Come with me.”

  Her face turned red. “Ah….”

  He led her to a huge mirrored display case. “We have a wonderful selection of emerald necklaces. I think one would be a perfect complement to your striking hair.”

  It would take a while for Celery to free herself from the salesman’s charms. I floated around the store looking for Marilyn. Didn’t take me long to find her. The whole back section of the store reeked of her favorite fragrance—Channel no. 5. Two handsome men framed a vision in a form-fitting gold lamé gown and a head of elaborately styled platinum blond hair. She stood next to a display case full of beautiful diamond bracelets. Marilyn held out her hand, and in her famous breathy voice said, “Charles, hon, can you put this one on?”

  He let out a sigh. “Don’t you have a luncheon appointment?”

  She waved her hand in the air. “The boys can wait.”

  As much as I wanted to hover near Marilyn, I needed to find Celery. I floated over to the front of the store. She was trying on a massive emerald ring. She held her hand out to the salesman. “I’ll take this one.”

  He nodded. “Excellent choice. Let me wrap that for you.”

  I blew in her ear, and she flicked at the air. “Stop that.”

  “I thought you said you weren’t into jewelry. Time’s ticking down. You’re here to get Marilyn’s signature, not a six carat ring.”

  “I lied.” She waved her hand around like a fly swatter. “Go away. You’re spoiling my fun.”

  A puzzled look crossed the clerk’s face. “Pardon. Did you have a question?

  Celery wiggled in her chair. “Ah…no. Just talking to myself. Will you excuse me a sec?”

  “You’re as bad as Skater Boys.”

  Celery tried to take another swat at me. “Hey. That’s low.”

  I concentrated on her chair and moved it a few inches. “Look, Marilyn’s over there.”

  The camera followed Celery as she reluctantly got up and walked across the floor until she stood just a few feet away from Marilyn. She froze. As a ghost, I didn’t feel intimidated by someone so famous. Celery was another story. If we had any chance of getting more points, I needed to take matters into my own hands. I concentrated on her back and pushed her forward. Celery stumbled into a chair.

  Marilyn extended a perfectly arched brow. “Not another one of those children from the contest. Can’t you see I’m busy?”

  I whispered in Celery’s ear, “Flatter her. Tell her she rocked it in How to Marry a Millionaire.”

  She straightened out her costume and walked up next to her. “Miss Monroe, it’s an honor to meet you. You’re such an icon. I loved your performance in How to Marry A Millionaire. A true inspiration.”

  She sure laid it on thick. Fortunately, Marilyn’s expression changed. She motioned for her boy toys to back away. “Because you’re a fan, I’ll give you my autograph if you answer three questions.”

  Celery’s face turned white. “Okay.”

  “Since you enjoyed Millionaire so much, which costume did you like the best?”

  I moved next to Celery. “The red satin gown. It hugged her every curve.”

  Celery spit out. “The… red satin dress. You rocked it!”

  Marilyn’s standoffish demeanor changed. She put her hands on her famous hips. “I couldn’t agree more.”

  Celery bit her lips.

  “People never thought I could act, but I did win a major film award. Which one?”

  I said in a low voice, “Golden Globe for Some Like it Hot.”

  “Yes, a Golden Globe.”

  “Very good, hon. Last question. How many times have I been married?”

  Celery waved me away before I gave her the answer. “Lots. Like six times.”

  Marilyn’s face froze. She’d only been married three times. What had Celery done? Then she cracked a smile. “It sure felt like that many.”

  She ran her finger down the arm of one of her boys. “Hon, can you hand me a pen?”

  The man pulled a pen out of his jacket and handed it to Marilyn.

  She smiled. “You earned the autograph.”

  Celery positively glowed as she handed her the scavenger list. “Thank you so much.”

  Marilyn signed the paper with a flourish. “Here you go, hon. I hope your team wins. Can you believe those Halloween kids from the other team never heard of Some Like It Hot?”

  ***

  Celery shook the GPS in the air. “This thing is broken. The Seraphim marks are moving all over the grid.”

  I laughed. “Didn’t you tell me they’re the guardians of Heaven? They have a lot of territory
to cover.”

  “Don’t they take lunch breaks?” Several people glared at Celery. She just ignored them.

  I chuckled. “I doubt it. Look, we have to at least try. Where do you see one now?”

  She scanned the GPS. “About three blocks away, but it will probably be gone by the time we get there.”

  I ruffled her hair. “First one to pluck a feather wins.”

  Celery raced down the street like she was trying out for the Olympic track team. The saucer camera could hardly keep up. I floated high, looking for the scariest angel in the sky. Not easy in a city full of winged creatures. Did they have air traffic controllers to keep from having accidents?

  Something very large and white flew toward me. Six pairs of wings covered in eyes—a Seraphim. How could I manage to stop a creature so huge and scary? My answer came quickly as the wake from his wings blew me across the street.

  He turned and flew toward me. I huddled against a brick brownstone. Hundreds of bright blue eyes stared right where I was standing. He could see me!

  A slight smile spread across his angular face. “My child, do not fear me.”

  His sheer size left me speechless.

  “Can I assist you?”

  I gulped down air. “You can…help my friend.” I pointed toward the street. “She’s down there.”

  The eyes swiveled between the feathers. “Not the child with the green hair?”

  I nodded. “Yes. She’s in the contest. She needs two of your foot feathers.”

  His eyes blinked in unison. “I did not want to be involved. My duties are paramount. I have been avoiding this sector all day.”

  “You’re right, sir. I’m sorry I bothered you.”

  I floated next to Celery. Her face grew white as she stared up at the sky. “T…are you here? That Seraphim looks ticked off, and it’s headed straight for me.”

  The angel flew over Celery and almost knocked her down. This wasn’t going to be as easy as I thought.

  I floated up next to the Seraphim. “I apologize for inconveniencing you.”

  He let out a sigh so powerful it blew me across the street again.

  Celery’s head spun around trying to find me. “T, are you okay?” She put up her fists. “If you hurt my friend, I’ll report you.”

  The Seraphim’s laugh boomed from his chest. “I am the most powerful angel in Heaven.”

  I carefully worked my way back to his side. “Sir, I know it’s a huge request, but you would be helping a worthy team.”

  “I must say you are much more respectful than the other children. They received nothing from me.”

  Great news. That was twice we were ahead of the Vaders. “Then you’ll help us?”

  Six pairs of wings beat rhythmically as the Seraphim drifted down next to Celery. He stuck out his foot. “Do what you must.”

  She craned her neck to see his face. Standing on the ground, the angel had to be at least nine feet tall. Celery’s hand shook as she reached toward his foot. “I can’t…”

  “It’s okay. I talked to him. He knows about the contest.”

  Celery shivered like she’d suddenly been hit by an artic wind. “He’s so bi…g.”

  I floated up near his face so he wouldn’t seem as threatening. “Thank you, sir. You’ve been very gracious but my friend…”

  The Seraphim raised his hand out to touch me. “You must do it, my child.”

  “But I’m a ghost.”

  He smiled. “Try.”

  I floated down toward his foot. My transparent hand reached out and touched the feathers.

  Celery gasped. “T, look!”

  My hand and then my whole body slowly turned from a ghostly vision to normal. “I’m back!”

  Celery and I jumped up and down while the Seraphim tapped his foot impatiently. “Child, take the feathers before I change my mind.”

  Still a bit stunned from my miraculous transformation, Celery reached down and gently plucked two feathers and tucked them safely in her pocket. “Thank you, Mr. Seraphim. And thank you for returning my friend to me.”

  He spread his large wings. “You’re welcome, my child. Duty calls.”

  All six of his wings beat hard as he took off into the sky like a rocket. The wake caused a hurricane force wind. We both fell backward on our asses.

  I laughed. “I’ve never been so glad to see my hairy legs.”

  Celery laughed along with me. “I’m happy too. Now, let’s race for the rendezvous spot. We might actually win this thing.”

  Shear joy filled my heart as we ran through the streets of Angel City. I had legs again! The closer we came to the main plaza, the more my hopes of winning faded. I doubted Skater Boys managed to find even one thing on the list after how they goofed around at the Emporium. By the time we made it to the large tiered fountain in the square, my hope had drained away.

  “Cel, I’m so sorry I messed up the contest.”

  She gave me a weak smile. “I know you really want to win so you can go back to your old life. Believe it or not, I’m good here. It’s not so bad.”

  Spoken like a true friend. “I suck. I’m always so clumsy.”

  Celery pointed toward the street corner. “Look, it’s Blaine! Maybe he found the Celestial Medallion.”

  The camera zoomed in as he ran across the street, hurtling his body through a mass of angels. He stopped and tried to catch his breath. “Dudes, how long…have you been here? Did you nab the stuff on the list?”

  Celery’s cheeks flushed. “Are you telling me you didn’t find anything?”

  Blaine nodded.

  I wanted to strangle him. If I was wearing the amulet, it surely would have turned a dark khaki by now. “Unbelievable.”

  “Austin almost got the Celestial Medallion. Then Team Force showed up and took it.”

  Skater Boys couldn’t do anything right. “What? Where is he?”

  “I thought Austin was right behind me.”

  Celery’s face turned bright red like she might burst. “You idiot. The whole team needs to be together.”

  Count on the boys to ruin our chances. They were screwing up. Were they doing it on purpose? “We need to go back and find him. We’ll lose points without Austin.”

  Blaine pointed to his watch. “We better find him quick. We only have five minutes left.”

  Celery held up the GPS. “Where’s the last place you saw him?”

  “Just a block away. He can’t be far. Maybe he stopped to get something awesome.”

  No doubt. Angel City was filled with amazing things any guy would love. Here I thought Austin the more responsible of the two. Then it hit me. “Oh no. Ryan said this might happen.”

  Celery’s brow furrowed. “What does your boyfriend have to do with this?”

  “He told me team members have disappeared before.”

  A look of panic crossed her face. “Blaine, did you see Austin with anyone suspicious?”

  “Yes, at that Mines Jewelry place…he was talking to a couple of guys before we left. I’ve seen one of them before. Had on a weird striped suit and really big hair.”

  Palmer.

  About the Author

  Karin De Havin is a historian, turned writer. Karin writes Young Adult fantasies as well as New Adult contemporary stories from her timber frame home is the Pacific Northwest. She lives with a pair of tuxedo cats that like to help her write by jumping on the keyboard, and her pianist husband who occasionally is known to wear a tuxedo and tinker with the keyboard too.

  Follow the latest news about new releases at:

  Karin De Havin website: http://karindehavin.yolasite.com/

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