Smoke & Ash (Wardens Series Book 2)

by Heather D Glidewell

  I didn’t know what had caused his change of heart. Had he seen something that I didn’t? He clutched my hand the entire way to my house, not saying a word, just trying to breathe.

  Chapter 11

  House Guest

  “Mom! Nick!” I didn’t care who answered me as long as someone did.

  “What is it, honey?” my mother asked as she came to the back door and saw Adam’s face. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

  I got Adam sat down in the living room before answering.

  “We got to his house, and it has been broken into. Everything’s a mess. We need to call the police,” I said as my mother felt Adam’s forehead.

  “He’s in shock. I’ll get the phone.”

  She left leaving the room only to return a moment later with the house phone to her ear. When it was answered, she handed it to me.

  “Nine-one-one. What’s your emergency?”

  “I need someone to go to 600 North Oak. The house has been broken into. The place is a disaster,” I said shortly, trying to keep my composure.

  “Are you at the residence?” the operator asked.

  “No, we’re somewhere else. It’s my friend’s house, but he’s unable to speak right now.”

  “Do we need to dispatch an ambulance? Is he hurt?” I knew these were routine questions, but all I wanted was for her to say she was sending an officer to Adam’s house.

  “No, he’s just in shock. Can an officer go to the house and check it out?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Will someone be there?”

  “No, the place is empty. My friend’s father is out of town at the moment.”

  The questions continued for another ten minutes until the operator finally said that an officer was on his way. I hung up and looked at my mother.

  “Do you want to talk to his dad, or do you want me to?”

  “I’ll take care of that. Do you know the number?”

  “It’s in his phone,” I said, looking at Adam.

  Adam handed me his cell without saying anything. I passed it to my mother, and she walked off to the other room.

  “What just happened?” Adam asked me after my mother had left the room.

  “The police are going to go check out your house,” I told him, taking his hand in mine.

  “Oh, okay.” He nodded.

  “It’s going to be alright,” I reassured him.

  “Yeah...” He squeezed my hand. “Did you see it?” He suddenly blurted out.

  “See what?”

  “The blood on the floor.” He transferred his gaze to the wall. “So much blood.”

  I had missed something! And it was vital to the reason for the break-in. Where had it come from? His father hadn’t been there, and Adam had been with me, so it had to belong to someone else. My fingers tingled. Something wasn’t right. I pulled Adam to me, wrapping my arms around him, and holding him close. Then a familiar voice sounded from the door, and I jumped at the unease that flooded through me.

  “I just heard,” said Helen. “Adam, are you okay?”

  Adam looked up, confused, and pulled away from me. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m staying with Dawn and her mother. The church thought it best if I stayed with a member of the staff.” She sat down on the other side of him.

  “Oh, that makes sense,” he said, turning toward her.

  I suddenly felt like I was invisible.

  “I just want you to know that everything is going to be okay,” Helen told him. “The police will figure out who it is.” She touched his leg, and that pang of misgiving went through me again. I wanted to rip her face off. I got up, feeling hostile, and started heading for my room.

  “Dawn?” Adam called after me. “Where are you going?”

  “I’m just going to my room. I need to check my phone and have a lie-down,” I said over my shoulder.

  “Hold up; I’ll come with you.”

  I heard him say something to Helen and then he was behind me as I reached my bedroom door.

  “You want to lie down too?” I asked him once the door was shut.

  I noticed how he was looking around. Adam had been in my room before but only fleetingly. This was his first chance to look at it properly.

  “Yeah, if you don’t mind.”

  He slumped onto the bed, his head on my pillow. I collected my phone from the night-stand and started to go through the messages. I had a couple of missed calls from Aaron and a text message from him as well, all dated from the night before. What caught my eye was a text message from an unknown sender. I opened the message and glanced at Adam, who looked like he was already asleep.

  Unknown: Beware the false prophecies.

  What was that about? The sight of Adam made me feel sleepy too. I yawned. Maybe a little nap wasn’t such a bad idea. I crawled in next to him, turning to face him so I could watch him while he slept. At some point, I must have blacked out myself because I fell into a dreamless sleep.

  ****

  When I opened my eyes, it was dark in my room. Adam was still asleep next to me; his chest was slowly rising and falling. The afternoon had taken a lot out of him. At least he looked peaceful. I got up carefully, trying not to wake him, and padded out of my room and into the kitchen, where my mother was sitting with Nick and Helen.

  “The police stopped by about an hour ago,” my mother said, looking up at me.

  “Oh, why didn’t you wake us?” I asked, rubbing my eyes.

  “There was no need,” she said. “I called Adam’s dad so they could talk to him.”

  “What did they say?”

  “Well, it’s not good. His dad is coming home tonight; he’ll be here in a few hours. I offered for them to stay with us for a few days, but he insisted that they wouldn’t impose on us. I told him it wasn’t an imposition, but his father is so hard-headed. He agreed to Adam staying, but he said he would go and stay with his brother in town. Being around women makes his father uncomfortable. Not that I blame him; he has no idea what to do in a conversation.” She paused. “Anyway, he’s going to stop by when he gets into town for a few minutes.”

  “So is Adam staying?” I asked, glancing back in the direction of my room.

  She nodded. “At least for a few days. Long enough for his dad to set up somewhere for them to stay.”

  “How long till they can go home?” I said, tapping my fingers.

  “No clue. They found quite a bit of blood in Adam’s room, but no body.” She shrugged. “They also found some other items in the house that obviously didn’t belong there, things I haven’t seen since the Dark Ages. It was almost like someone was using the house as a ritualistic voodoo ground.”

  “What do you know about voodoo?” I asked, raising my eyebrow at her.

  “I know quite a bit, thank you very much. The police are treating the house like it’s a murder scene. Locked it up tight.” She stood up.

  “So, what does it mean?” I asked, ignoring the look on Helen’s face.

  “I don’t know, Dawn. It’s not our place to step in. I’m not saying that it wasn’t a vamp or a shifter. It could even have been a demon, but without proof that it was supernatural my hands are tied.” She sighed.

  “You just said that there were items from a ritual? Does that mean that witches exist?” I asked, still tapping my finger on the table.

  “Sounds like it, Dawn. And yes, of course, witches exist.”

  On that note, she left the room.

  “Do you know if someone was trying to frame Adam’s dad?” asked Helen.

  “Why do you say that?” I shot her a quizzical look.

  “Think about it, Dawn. They broke in when Adam was at school so they knew that the police wouldn’t want to question him because he wouldn’t know anything. His father, on the other hand… who’s to say what he knows?”

  I shook my head impatiently. Why would anyone want to frame Adam’s dad?

  Helen looked upset at having her suggestion so peremptorily dismissed. “Listen, I k
now something is going on between you two. Every time I go near him you look like you’re about to rip my head off, and every time I touch him, he moves away. You guys may not know there is something there yet, but I’m really getting tired of being treated like shit because you won’t come to terms with it.”

  I stared at her in bewilderment, trying to understand what she was saying.

  “Th–there’s nothing going on between Adam and me,” I stuttered.

  She crossed her arms. “Really?”

  “Really!”

  “Well, if you say so.” She didn’t sound convinced.

  “He has a girlfriend,” I pointed out. “And that doesn’t matter anyway, because I have Aaron.” I wanted to scream.

  “Yeah, how’s that going? You’re the first demon mix that I have met to actually master the claim.”

  I couldn’t tell if she was still irritated with me or if she was just trying to change the subject.

  “I wouldn’t suggest doing what I did,” I replied quietly. “I mean, I like the boy and all, and I enjoy spending time with him; he makes me laugh... I just don’t see myself falling head over heels in love with him.”

  “Well, what’s done is done,” she said, her expression softening.

  Nick looked up at us both. “Okay, are we better now? Because we have some major issues to discuss. Would have done it last night if someone hadn’t summoned Dawn here to Purgatory.”

  “Yeah, how did that happen?” I asked, feeling a bit calmer now we’d cleared the air somewhat. For some reason, I didn’t feel that Helen was a threat anymore.

  “I don’t know how it happened. I just know that it did happen. Someone has to be extraordinarily strong to be able to summon a demon, and twice as strong to be able to summon an angel. Needless to say, whoever it was that did it has massive power.” He frowned. “Here’s the thing. We have to be careful, with a human in the house. That means no fire and no manipulating the earth.”

  “He’s not as blind to it as you think he is,” said Helen. “When I told him what I was, he took it rather well.”

  “How do you think he’s going to take it when he finds out that it’s not just angel blood that runs in your veins?” Nick reminded her.

  “He may take it rather well,” Helen argued, leaning forward on her elbows.

  “And he may not. You have to understand that the boy is a regular churchgoing Christian. His father is on the board,” Nick added. “He finds out what both of you are and that could mean the downfall of the whole plan. Do you want to be chased out of town for being what you are?”

  “I couldn’t tell him what I am. Not now,” I said, rubbing my forehead.

  “I get what you’re saying,” said Helen, looking defeated.

  “Okay, so we have it established that the boy doesn’t find out?”

  Nick stared fixedly at the two of us. We nodded reluctantly, and he smiled in approval.

  Chapter 12

  So Much for Secrets

  It was after two a.m. when I crawled back into my bed next to Adam. His father had already come and gone, dropping off some clothes for his son that he had purchased at a store on his way to our house. My mother had made tea, and the two of them had talked for a bit about the circumstances that had occurred. I had tried to pay attention, but my eyes had grown heavy, and I had fallen asleep on the couch in the living room. I tried my hardest not to wake Adam as I crawled up from the end of the bed to the side near the wall. He began to move; then his eyes fluttered open.

  “Where have you been?” he asked sleepily.

  “I was talking to my mom and Helen,” I said, lying down and turning on my side so I could look at him. “Your dad showed up. He agreed for you to stay here a few days while he finds a place for you guys to stay until you can go home.”

  “Good.” He yawned. “Is he still here?”

  “No, he said he was going to stay with his brother. We have a pretty full house right now.” I laughed softly as he turned and took my hand in his.

  “Okay.” His eyes closed again.

  “Adam?” I said, touching his face.

  “Mmm?”

  “I promise to make it better.”

  “You already have,” he said softly, and then he was out again.

  ****

  “Dawn, Adam, it’s time to get up,” my mother announced, touching me on the top of my head.

  “I don’t want to go to school!” I groaned, rolling over and away from her.

  “You don’t need to. But I do need to talk to you both, in the living room.”

  She got up and left without saying anything further.

  I felt Adam’s hand on my side. “I wonder what it is.”

  He patted my hip and got out of bed. I grumbled and followed him.

  My mother was standing in the living room, hands on her hips. I saw she was chewing on her bottom lip and there was an anxious look in her eyes. She glanced at the two of us and motioned to the couch. It wasn’t long before Nick and Helen joined us, both with sleep in their eyes.

  “Good, everyone’s here,” she said once the four of us were assembled.

  “What’s this about, Angie?” Nick asked, rubbing his eyes. “I take it you woke all of us up for a reason.”

  “Yes, I did.” My mother closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

  “Well, don’t keep us waiting,” I said, leaning against Adam.

  “Okay. Well, then. I got a call this morning at about six a.m. The school has been closed.” She started pacing.

  “Did the water heater bust again?” Adam asked, frowning.

  “No, Adam. It’s something far worse than that.” She glanced at Nick and bowed her head.

  “Not another body?” Helen whispered, her face flushing.

  “Yes. It was found inside the school.” I noted the look of relief on her face now that someone had delivered the dreadful news for her, and she didn’t have to say it.

  “Who was it, for God’s sake?” I demanded.

  “What have I told you about the Lord’s name, young lady?” she snapped, losing her cool.

  I fell silent.

  Adam cleared his throat. “But who was it, Mrs. Weathers?”

  “I don’t know,” she said quietly. “They haven’t released the name yet. However, they did release the name of the boy they found in the woods yesterday.”

  We all went still, holding our breath.

  “Nathaniel McCormick. Did you know him, Dawn?”

  I shook my head.

  “That’s Noreen’s boyfriend!” Adam exclaimed, jumping up. “What the heck’s going on in this town?” He sounded excited, almost on the verge of hysteria.

  “I don’t know, Adam,” my mother said calmly. “The police have put Midvale under curfew. Classes are being moved to the old elementary school until the high school is cleared.” She looked overwhelmed like she couldn’t quite take it all in herself.

  Adam’s eyes blazed feverishly. “But Midvale is such a quiet town! Everyone knows everyone, we all go to the same churches, shop at the same stores. Yet this year alone we have lost ten in the school attack, and now three to random murders!” He looked wildly at the rest of us. “I don’t know what’s going on here, but I have a feeling you guys know a lot more about it than anyone else.” He stared accusingly at me. “I’ve heard the rumors that spread around you, Dawn. I may not have chosen to believe them at the time, but now I’m starting to think that there may have been something to them. As for your others–”

  I tried to interject. “Adam–”

  He shot me down with a glare. There was a fire in his eyes I hadn’t seen there before.

  “No, Dawn something’s up! Why else would Helen be here? She said that something was coming.” He glanced at her, and she looked away. “I’m your best friend, Dawn. You’re supposed to tell me everything. Well, here’s your chance. Are you like Helen?”

  I looked at my mother, and she nodded, throwing her hands in the air. I looked at Nick, who was so surprised
his eyes hadn’t left Adam. Finally, I looked at Helen. She smiled and glanced back toward my mom. She had already told us he would take it well if we told him the truth. Now we were about to find out.

  “I’m not quite like Helen,” I said softly.

  “Not quite?”

  By way of an answer, I held my hands up in front of me and let the fire fly. Two solid balls appeared, one flaming red, the other blazing white. When Adam’s eyes widened, I willed the fire away. Then I buried my face in my hands, hardly daring to peek out at him through my fingers.

  “How did you do that?” he demanded furiously, grabbing my hands from my face, and turning them over.

  “Adam, maybe you need to sit down,” my mother suggested. “There is a lot that needs to be explained; it would appear.”

  I groaned inwardly. Nothing was going the way we had planned it.

  “So much for not telling the human,” Nick muttered grumpily, crossing his arms over his chest.

  “He’ll take it alright, you’ll see,” said Helen consolingly.

  “Listen, Adam...” my mother paused to gather her thoughts, “…Helen and Dawn are part of a much larger picture. They are two of four chosen ones. What I’m about to tell you could very well change the way that you feel about these two.”

  Adam gave us both an exceedingly long, intense look; then he seemed to come to a decision and sat down, taking my hand in his and squeezing it gently. “There is nothing that could change how I think or feel about the two of them.”

  That seemed to give my mother the confidence to continue. “Okay. I’ll give you the condensed version. I am Puriel. Once I guarded the gates of Heaven and passed judgment on those that came from Earth. I met Vetis, Dawn’s father, through a mutual acquaintance. After several centuries of secret meetings, I became with child. Both of us were banished from our posts and sent to Earth. Before we left, God bestowed upon the unborn child the role of Warden. He never said what she would protect, or the powers she would possess.” She paused and looked at Adam.

  “So, you’re telling me that Dawn is the product of a tryst between an angel and a demon?” Adam asked, looking at me. I half expected him to drop my hand in horror, but instead, he only squeezed it harder.