Angelfire

  "No."

  "Do you know a lot of people here?"

  "Only one," he responded. "Your Wil ."

  I blinked in confusion, suddenly sober. "My--?"

  In that moment Wil appeared beside Cadan, the back of his fist flying and slamming into the boy's jaw. The Phantom mask sailed off and shattered on the floor as if it were made of porcelain.

  Okay, that wasn't quite the move I had wanted Wil to make a few seconds before.

  "Will!" I screamed, grabbing his shoulder and yanking him back. "What the hel is the matter with you?"

  He said nothing but only stared at Cadan. Wil 's eyes glowed bright green, and even in the dark hal I could see his power humming furiously around him. Cadan rose to his feet, cupping his jaw-- laughing. I would have bet everything I owned that Wil 's punch should have crushed every bone in Cadan's face. How was he even alive?

  Unless he wasn't human.

  "What are you doing here?" Wil demanded, his voice subzero cold, frightening even me.

  "I only wanted to meet her," Cadan said. "I had to get a look at the girl who's been rustling everyone's feathers so much lately. She seems to be the object of Ragnuk's obsession, not to mention Bastian's. Can you blame my curiosity?"

  Nausea clawed through my abdomen, and my body went stiff with fear. "Reaper?"

  "He's one of Bastian's vir," Wil growled, not looking at me.

  Cadan leered knowingly at Wil . He reached a hand out to me, but before I could react, Wil 's sword swung through the air, and the tip pricked the beautiful demonic vir's throat.

  "Don't you dare touch her," Wil warned, pressing the blade a fraction of a mil imeter deeper. Blood peeked at the tip. I glanced around, praying no one would notice.

  "She's a lovely thing," Cadan said, stil as stone, his chin up, his eyes locked on Wil 's. "I see why you keep her so close. You wouldn't want anyone like me sweeping her off her feet, would you?"

  "Leave!" Wil demanded. "Or we'l take this outside and finish it."

  Cadan licked his lips as if the prospect were delicious. "I can arrange that."

  In my horror, my voice dropped to a harsh whisper. "I can't fight dressed like a sexy nurse!"

  "My dear," Cadan said, his voice as sensuous like wine, "I don't intend to harm you. Your Guardian, here, is another story. We have unfinished business."

  "We aren't carrying our quarrel into the world of humans,"

  Wil said. "It can wait."

  I couldn't be sure if Cadan's face was disappointed or not. "Another time, then?" he asked.

  "Agreed," Wil snarled.

  Suddenly Cadan vanished. Wil stabbed forward in shock and anger, his blade punching through the wal . I felt warm lips on my neck and I screeched, wheeling away. Cadan grabbed me closer to him. As Wil shot toward us, Cadan whispered into my ear, "'We'l meet again soon.'"

  Then he was gone again. This time for good. Was that Shakespeare he'd just quoted to me?

  Wil cried out in rage and pounded his knuckles into the wal . A pair of girls came around the archway and stared at us for a brief moment before giggling and moving on. I grabbed his arm. "Calm down! I can't believe you just punched a hole through Josie's wal !" I looked around us, my heart pounding. "We should walk away. . . ."

  I led him away and down a quieter hal before turning back to face him. Despite my mild annoyance with him, his version of defending my honor was stil sexy. With his angry face on, he looked amazingly gorgeous and just as dangerous.

  "Wil , who was that?" I asked, my senses returning to me, final y able to feel how unnerved I truly was.

  "Cadan," he growled. "He's one of Bastian's thugs. I don't understand why he was here tonight. I'm surprised he would try to attack you."

  I was doubtful. "I don't think he was looking to fight. He had plenty of chances. Don't you think he would have used the opportunity?"

  "Don't think he isn't dangerous because he didn't kil you on sight." His voice was uneasy, worried. "You don't understand how destructive he can be."

  I leaned back against the wal with a sharp pain in my stomach. I didn't feel threatened by Cadan at al , but I had to trust Wil 's word. He knew these creatures better than I did. He was one of them.

  Wil frowned and touched my arm gently. "You should get back to your party. Kate might be wondering where you are."

  "I don't think I feel like partying anymore," I said. A soft smile formed on his face. "How wil you get home?

  You didn't drive here."

  "Oh, right," I grumbled. "I guess I don't have a choice."

  His apprehension seemed to wash away, and once again he became that familiar tower of security and comfort. He took my hand. "Come on."

  I fol owed him back out into the hal , where Kate happened to hop in front of us, the sequins on her devil outfit making her glitter like a disco bal . One hand rested on her hip and the other held a Tootsie Pop propped in the inside of her cheek. She looked us both up and down.

  "Where were you guys?" she asked with a suggestive flick of her eyebrows. "Makin' out, huh?"

  I rol ed my eyes, pul ing away from Wil self-consciously.

  "No," I grumbled. "Some guy was giving me a hard time." I thought it was wise to mention Cadan in case anyone had seen me with him.

  "Not that hot guy, was it?" She frowned.

  I nodded. "He wasn't as cool as he seemed."

  "Creepers happen," Kate said with an indifferent shrug.

  "Wel , it's midnight and they're about to judge the costume contest!" Ful of enthusiasm now, she locked an arm around mine and danced her way into the middle of the hal , dragging me along with her. Wil fol owed silently. The DJ had turned the music down and his microphone up so everyone could hear him. Cheers rang out as began to announce the winners. The scariest costume went not to Landon but to another zombie, resulting in a very pissed-off Landon. Chris actual y won for funniest costume. I decided I'd have to watch Super Troopers now. The sexiest costume category was won by a girl dressed as Eve. Her much-tootanned body was covered by a leaf over each breast and a very skimpy leaf bikini bottom. Unsurprisingly, the overal best costume honor went to Josie.

  Kate leaned close to me and said with a quick nod, "She paid somebody off for that award." I nodded in agreement. When one a.m. rol ed around, the party was cooling off. I was in a better mood, final y able to shake off my memory of Cadan. As we prepared to leave, we stood by our cars and discussed the next phase of the night's celebrations.

  "Is the after party stil at my house?" Kate asked excitedly.

  "I'm down," Landon said.

  Rachel was clinging heavily to Evan's arm, resting her head on his shoulder. Her face was flushed and she was missing her witch's hat. "I'm ready to just go home, actual y."

  "That's fine," Evan said. "I can take you home. I'm feeling a little tired too."

  "I have vodka," Kate said, waggling her fingers, trying to convince them to join. "Shots, shots, shots!"

  As Rachel started to get excited, Evan guided her to his car. "She doesn't need any more."

  "See you guys later!" Rachel cal ed. Her eyes were squeezed shut and her smile was outrageously huge. "I had so much fun!" Her face bulged suddenly and she dived around the back of the car and retched. Evan rushed to her side and pul ed her hair over her shoulders. He rubbed her back gently until she was through, and they climbed into his car. My face scrunched when I smel ed the puke.

  "Ten bucks says they bang," Kate mused as they drove off.

  I gaped at her in disgust. "She just threw up!"

  Kate shrugged. "She can brush her teeth."

  I frowned at her. "You couldn't be more blunt if you tried."

  "Oh, I could," she said. "I could be far more blunt, but I don't want to damage your pretty little virgin ears."

  I shoved her shoulder away as she laughed, and I turned to Wil . "Are you coming with us?"

  He looked down at me, his eyes a cool mint green. He seemed to have calmed down since Cadan left. "If you wish."

  "I wo
uld feel better if you were close," I whispered. "Cadan freaked me out."

  "Then of course," he said. "I'l fol ow you anywhere."

  I felt instant relief when I knew Wil would stay with me al night. Part of me was afraid Cadan or even Ragnuk would attack tonight. I'd give anything to keep that from happening when my friends were around, but that wasn't exactly something I could control.

  UNCORRECTED E-PROOF--NOT FOR SALE

  HarperCollins Children's Books

  ..................................................................... 24

  WE FINISHED THE NIGHT OFF IN KATE'S BASEMENT by watching the original Halloween movie, but we just made fun of it the entire time, so it never got too gory for me. It was funny how many real horrors I faced every night, yet I stil couldn't handle a stupid scary movie. Landon was sprawled across the sofa chair, and I sat on the couch with Kate and Chris while Wil sat silently at my feet. The warmth of his body against my legs was comforting and I felt perfectly safe. I couldn't tel if he was enjoying the movie, but he sat stil as a statue against me, his eyes on the TV.

  I started to nod off, so I checked my cel . It was nearly three, and I knew I was going to crash any minute. I was pleased to see that everyone else seemed to be feeling the same way. Chris was already passed out with his head propped on the back of the sofa and his mouth gaping open as he snored. He stil hadn't taken off his ridiculous mustache. Kate and Landon seemed to be in their own little world of giggles and clinking glasses. As soon as the movie finished, Kate wished us good night and left the den. Landon chose one of the two bedrooms, and Chris didn't seem like he'd be leaving the couch for a while. I left Wil by the TV to go change in the unclaimed bedroom. With my overnight bag plopped on the bed, I unzipped it and pul ed out my pajamas. I let my hair down and shook out the big curls.

  I walked to the bathroom near the little kitchen to brush my teeth. As soon as I opened the door, I froze in my tracks. Kate and Landon leaped apart from each other and Kate yanked a towel off the rack to cover her bra. Landon bumped into the sink and knocked over a few things. Both their faces were twisted in shock. I looked from Kate to Landon to Kate's shirt lying on the floor.

  "Oh, man," I said in a smal voice. I promptly spun on my heels and headed back toward my room, letting the bathroom door shut behind me. I didn't need to brush my teeth that badly.

  Looked like Landon was over me.

  "El ie, wait!" Kate cal ed out in a hushed voice. I stopped and turned back to her as she tugged her shirt over her head and raced down the hal toward me. Her expression was mortified. "Oh God, El ie, I am so sorry. It just happened! Do you hate me? I swear we didn't do anything. We just made out."

  "That's fine," I said honestly. "It's cool. I don't care. I'm not into Landon, remember?"

  She slumped. "I know, but I didn't want it to get weird. I'm kind of drunk and I'm in a real y good mood and he was just there and he's cuter than Chris. I don't know what I'm thinking."

  Landon left the bathroom, said nothing, and disappeared into the bedroom he'd chosen, shutting the door behind him.

  "Kate, it's cool," I assured her. "He's al yours."

  "You sure?" She looked worried but happy, if that was even possible. Maybe she was faking the worried face.

  "Definitely," I said with a firm nod. "'Night." I turned briskly, without learning if she went into that room with Landon or back to her own bedroom. I didn't want to know. I closed the door and sat on the bed. Wel , that was a shocker. Maybe if Landon got preoccupied with Kate, he'd get over me for good. Then again, if they started going out, I could never hang out with them. I'd be like a third wheel. I certainly didn't want to watch them make out al the time. Oh God, please just let this be a fling.

  A soft knock came at the door. "Come in," I said. Wil entered. "I'm going to go out and keep watch."

  "Okay," I said. "Do you real y think someone might attack the house?"

  "It's always a possibility," he noted. "Good night." He smiled and turned to leave.

  "Wait--Wil ?"

  He turned back. "Yeah."

  "Stay with me?" I asked. "Please? Just until I fal asleep."

  "As you wish," he said. He stood motionlessly.

  I climbed into the bed. The quilts were cool at first, but they warmed up quickly. Wil walked over and sat down on the floor with his back against the bed. I inched closer to him so that I could lay my head down by his face. He stil smel ed wonderful despite having been at the party al night. I assumed I hadn't fared as wel .

  He let out a long, low breath and rested his head against the edge of the bed.

  "Thank you," I whispered. "For staying."

  "I wil do anything you ask of me," he said.

  I giggled. "Better not say that. I might ask you to do some pretty wild stuff."

  "It's not like you haven't in the past."

  I was intrigued enough to almost forget the thought of Landon and Kate hooking up on the other side of the wal . Almost. I had to think of something else before I lost my mind.

  "Distract me."

  "What?"

  "I'm desperate. Distract me."

  "How?"

  "What's the craziest thing I've ever asked you to do?"

  He thought a moment. "This may not be the craziest, but once we chased a reaper and he jumped off a bridge. You asked me to go in after him while you ran downriver."

  I laughed. "No way. I asked you to jump off a bridge?"

  "We were pretty desperate for that one," he said.

  "Wil you tel me the story?"

  "Because you asked, I wil . It was in the eighteen eighties, Texas. A reaper had been terrorizing a smal town. He had a taste for children."

  My stomach churned. "That's awful."

  He nodded. "The locals thought it was just coyotes dragging the kids off in the night, or the nearby Kiowa tribe stealing them for slaves or some other nonsense, but we knew better when we picked up the lead. The first night we arrived in town, you decided to use yourself as bait. I tried to talk you out of it, but you were determined to catch him before he hurt any more children. You dressed in a little girl's dress and waited at the edge of the town, pretending to play with a dol . It was one of the darkest nights I can remember. It was the dark of the moon and the town didn't have electricity yet, so we only had a handful of stars to see our way with."

  As he spoke, I found myself picturing the scene in my mind, as if I were right there. Was I remembering? I fought harder to remember as he told me the story, and flashes of images streaked across my mind. I knew they had to be real.

  "The reaper didn't take long to show himself and attack you. He got real y close, and I remember being horribly scared for you, but you acted like he wasn't even there. I'd never seen you act so cool before. By the time he realized you were the Preliator, I was running from my hiding spot, swinging my sword. I didn't land a solid blow before he took off into the darkness. We gave chase, fol owing him through the forest at the end of a field. He was a lupine reaper, so he was fast and more agile than we were. When he got to the river beyond the trees, he ran out onto the bridge and jumped. He let the river take him. I guess he thought he could lose us in the water. You yel ed for me to jump in too, and you ran alongside the river in case he climbed out. I swam as fast as I could, and when I final y caught up to him, he fought back hard. He tore me open, but he was fighting so hard, he stopped paying attention to you, and that's when you jumped into the river. We got him that night."

  "Wow" was al I could say.

  "It was quite a night," he said. "You were amazing."

  "Sounds like you were amazing."

  He shook his head. "You've always astounded me. Your strength has kept me with you and it's why I fol ow you."

  I smiled. "I wish I remembered."

  "You wil ," he insisted. "I keep tel ing you that, because it's true. There are many things I wish you would never remember, but they al make you who you are. I've never known anyone else who's seen such unspeakable tragedy in their lives
, and stil you're more human than the entire rest of the world."

  "You sound so sad," I noted.

  "I am." He didn't elaborate.

  My fingers wove through his hair, and he leaned back into my hand, turning his face so that his eyes met mine. "Don't be. I'm sorry."

  "There's nothing for you to apologize for," he said. "No matter how many times I tel you how sorry I am, it'l never make up for al the times I've failed you and let you die."

  "Wil . . ."

  He looked fiercely into my eyes. "I meant it when I told you I've never broken a promise to you. You wil survive Bastian, I swear it."

  "I believe you."

  He sat motionless and silent for some time. I laid my head back down and watched him. He seemed deeply lost in his thoughts, and it broke my heart to see him so tormented.

  "I have a question about the Grigori," I said, struggling to think of something to take his mind off whatever was bothering him. "Didn't some of them have children with humans?"

  He nodded. "The Grigori weren't truly wicked like the Fal en were when they rebel ed against Heaven, but somehow being bound to Earth as punishment caused them to develop mortal desires and emotions. Instead of silently watching over the human world as they were supposed to, they slept with mortal women and fathered powerful halfhuman, half-angel creatures cal ed the Nephilim."

  "Could that be what I am?" I asked. "I'm mortal, but I use the power of angelfire."

  "No," he said gently. "The Nephilim were monsters. They were born out of fal en spirit, and nothing good came from them. They were enormous and violent, more monster than the most frightening of reapers. God flooded the Earth to destroy them, and then He made the Grigori infertile so that no more abominations would be created. A handful of the Nephilim may have survived, but I've never seen one. It's not possible that you are one of them. You'd be ten feet tal and looking for a fight left and right."

  "They sound nasty."

  "They were," he said. "Nasty enough for God to flood the world to kil them al off. He's only ever done that once, and you know of al the horrible things out there now. He was pretty desperate."

  I couldn't imagine monsters more terrible than the reapers I'd seen. It made me wonder what the Fal en were like and about the truth behind Lucifer, Sammael, and Lilith. "Why did Lucifer rebel? Why would he risk something like a war against Heaven?"