Angel Fire

Page 108

 

  “I still think we should just steal the 4 x 4,” said Sam, passing the box to Kara. “Man, I have travelled in this van. It’s like rolling around in a box of marbles. ”

  “We’ll be all right,” said Alex. He had the 4 x 4’s keys in his pocket; he was going to follow the others over to the Torre Mayor to return it to Sophie.

  The others had drifted out and were standing in the drive. Now that the time was almost here, the mood was a pulsing mix of anticipation, fear, excitement. Everyone looked unusually polished, like a group about to go on job interviews. The girls all had on trousers this time instead of dresses; the need to draw their weapons with a complete lack of fumbling had trumped fashion. Alex himself was wearing grey trousers and a dark blue shirt. He’d considered a tie but decided against it – he’d never worn one in his life and wasn’t going to start now, on what might be his last day ever.

  Wesley was flexing his arm. “Are you sure you’re okay?” asked Alex in an undertone. Though Wesley claimed his injury was healed now, Alex wasn’t convinced.

  “I’m fine,” said Wesley. He glanced sideways at Alex; raised an arched eyebrow with a slight smile. “So don’t go hassling me ’bout it, all right?”

  Alex was painfully aware that Wesley was one of the best shots he had – but if he wasn’t fully functioning yet, no way did he want to send him in there. “Wes, if you’re not sure, you’ve got to tell me now. ”

  Wesley’s brown eyes flashed. “Listen to me. I am sure. Don’t do this to me, man. You know why I’ve got to be there today. You understand better than anyone. ”

  “Yeah, I understand,” said Alex quietly. He felt the same way; what had happened to his own family was half the reason he was doing this. “But if your aim’s off—”

  “Then maybe I die,” broke in Wesley. His voice was low, fierce. “And maybe I don’t care much if I do, and maybe I’d rather be there trying than anything else in my whole sorry life – okay?”

  Alex let out a breath. The harsh truth was that he wasn’t in a position to say no to someone who was willing; even injured, Wesley could be a tremendous asset. And more than that, he didn’t think he really had the right to tell the guy he couldn’t come, when it meant so much to him and he was aware of the risks.

  “Yeah, okay,” he said finally. Relief swept Wesley’s face; he nodded wordlessly.

  Trish cleared her throat. She was standing to one side; from her pained expression Alex could tell she’d heard some of their conversation. “So. . . are we almost ready?”

  Alex glanced at his phone, checking the time. “Almost. I’ll just look through the house again, make sure we haven’t forgotten anything. ”

  “I’m sure we haven’t,” said Kara, clambering out from the van.

  He headed back inside anyway. As he wandered through the vacant rooms, the place felt like a ghost of itself; as if everything that had happened here had happened long ago, to other people. The kitchen table, where they’d talked and squabbled and even laughed occasionally. The firing range, where he’d made his first announcements as the lead and then spent hours training the team – saw them slowly come together, learning how to be actual AKs instead of just angel spotters with guns. I can be proud of that, he thought, gazing at the targets hanging motionless on their chains. No matter what, I can really be proud of that.

  His bedroom.

  Alex stood motionless against the doorway as he took it in. The room was full of Willow. He had a flash of her stealing in one morning: the look in her eyes as she’d slipped into bed with him; the smell of her as he’d brushed his lips against her neck. With a grimace, he shook the memory away. Okay, this had been a bad idea. He pushed himself off the door jamb – and then stopped, looking up at his shelf.

  Willow’s necklace was still there, where he’d tossed it after finding it on the kitchen table. He deliberately hadn’t packed it today. Now he realized with grim certainty that this was what he’d come back for. Somehow, he couldn’t just leave it behind. Feeling more idiotic than ever, he shoved it in his pocket, cursing the memories attached to the thing. The way he felt about Willow seemed like a sickness now. He never wanted to be this in love again – it wasn’t worth it. But the necklace remained in his pocket.

  He went back outside. “We’re ready,” he said tersely.

  Kara nodded and reached for her keys; she was going to drive the van. As everyone started to climb in, Alex cleared his throat. “No, wait a second. Guys, listen. . . no matter what happens, I’m proud of you, okay? The way you’ve trained these last couple of months has just been amazing. You’re all good AKs now – really good. We can do this thing; every one of you has got what it takes. ”

  The group had gone very still as he spoke, varying expressions of shy pride on their faces. From the driver’s seat, Kara’s brown eyes met his. He had the sudden feeling she was thinking of his father, and the back of his neck warmed.

  “Yeah, yeah, enough of the mushy stuff,” said Sam finally. “We love you too, you jerk. Now come on, let’s get the hell out of here and kill some angels. ”

  “Kill all angels,” corrected Liz firmly.

  “Yup – kill ’em all. Yee-haw!” bellowed Sam to the van’s ceiling.

  Suddenly the mood was exuberant. Alex knew it wouldn’t last, but it was good for now; exactly what they all needed. With a grin, he started back towards the 4 x 4. “Okay, I’ll see you there,” he said over his shoulder. “You’ve all got your passes, right? Meet me in the lobby if—” He broke off, shock stiffening his muscles.

  Willow and Seb were running up the drive.

  “Oh, what the hell is this?” muttered Kara, swinging herself quickly out of the van. Sam got out too, scowling. The rest of the team stayed put, watching warily as the two jogged to a stop, both breathing hard. Willow’s eyes went straight to Alex’s as if the others weren’t even present.

  “Alex, the attack can’t go ahead,” she gasped. “It’s a trap – a trap. ”

  “What?” He stared at her in distrust, hating the way his heart had leaped when he saw her.

  “It’s Raziel, he’s using you! He was using all of us – he wants the Council dead, but—” She gulped, struggling to catch her breath.

  “It’s true,” put in Seb. He stood near Willow, though not touching her. “You must listen to her. ”

  “Raziel? The angel in charge of the Church in the US?” Kara’s eyes narrowed. “And why would he want the Council dead, pray tell, when that means all angels will die, including him?”

  Willow’s bright hair moved as she shook her head impatiently. “Because it doesn’t mean that! It might, but it might not! The Council’s going to take his leadership away, and he’s willing to take the chance—”

  “How do you know this?” broke in Alex.

  “Yeah, I’d sorta like to hear that too,” said Sam in his low drawl. He was leaning against the van, one foot propped up behind him.

  “I—” Looking at the other AKs, Willow seemed to really notice them for the first time. She swallowed. “Because I was able to read Raziel’s thoughts,” she said at last. “He’s my father,” she added before Kara could ask.