Angels of the Knights - Fallon (Book One)

  Kade looked divided. He wanted to help the child, but was worried for her.

  “Go!”

  He didn’t need to be told again. He sprinted off.

  Now that the mother was safely back on this side of the wall, Fallon went over. It was a vertical descent, but she had no problem. The real trick was in making it look like she didn’t have otherworldly abilities.

  The guardian angel spoke to Fallon in her mind as she started her descent.

  Hello, Knight.

  Hello, Sentinel. Is the child all right?

  Yes, she will not fall with me by her side.

  What is her name?

  Emma. The angel said the name with pride and love. She is a curious little girl. I can see that I will have my hands very full with this one over the years.

  How is everything in Emperica, Sentinel?

  Fallon glanced over her shoulder.

  Soft vapor undulated around the angel’s head as she smiled. Glorious. How goes your fight here?

  Unending, Fallon said with a sigh.

  Have faith in yourself, Knight, as we all have faith in you.

  Fallon hurried down the last few feet and stepped onto the ledge, a lump forming in her throat at the Sentinel’s words. This beautiful angel floating majestically in front of her was home. She was family. Fallon missed both desperately, but it wasn’t her time yet to return. She still had work to do and all in Emperica were counting on her. Thank you, Sentinel. Your presence here has lifted my spirits.

  “Fallon! Here’s the rope!” shouted Kade. “I have a few guys up here with me, and we’ll pull the child up once you tie it around her waist.” The rope dropped down over the side of the embankment.

  Fallon squatted in front of the girl. “Emma, my name is Fallon, and I don’t want you to be afraid.”

  The little girl nodded.

  “The men at the top are going to hoist you back up to your Mom, okay?”

  Fallon grasped the rope, quickly constructed a sling and had the little girl step into the leg holes she created.

  “Now, Emma, I want you to be a big girl and hang on tight. You’re going to go for a fun ride back up to the top.”

  “Okay.”

  Fallon called up to Kade. “All set! You can pull her up now.”

  She watched as Emma was carefully inched upward back toward her anxious mother.

  I need to follow to make sure she does not fall, the Sentinel told her. It was nice to see you, Knight.

  Goodbye, Sentinel.

  The lovely creature spread her wings wide and floated to the top after her charge.

  A sharp pang of regret for the loss of her own wings tugged at Fallon’s heart. Instinctively she shrugged her shoulders, but instead of the miracle of unfurling wings, it was only the dull twinge of remorse that she felt now.

  As soon as Emma was pulled to safety, Fallon scaled the cliff face.

  Kade leaned over the wall. “Fallon, we’re sending the rope back—”

  Fallon poked her head up in front of him. “Too late!”

  She wanted to laugh at the look on his face.

  “How did you get up so fast? What are you? Some kind of spider?”

  “Just your average superhuman teenager,” she confessed truthfully.

  He took her by the arm to help her over the wall. “Well, I’m pretty impressed with you. Not many people would have done what you just did for that little girl.”

  “I agree,” said the mother, walking over to them. “I can’t thank you enough. You don’t know what you have given back to me. If there is anything I can do to repay you, let me know.”

  Fallon shook her head. “No, the sight of you and Emma together is payment enough.”

  The mother’s eyebrows rose. “How did you know her—?”

  “Gotta go! Take care!” She pulled Kade’s arm and they jogged away as quickly as possible.

  Kade stopped when they were far enough away from the scene of Fallon’s heroics and took her in his arms. “See, I told you there was something special about you.”

  “You’re kind of special, too, Kade Royce.”

  “I am special, aren’t I?”

  She smiled. “And, humble. I hope we can be good friends.”

  “Friends? Is that all?”

  Her heart stopped. “What more would you like?”

  “Everything. All of you. Every thought, every laugh, every hurt.” He shook his head. “I can’t figure it out either, but I’m drawn to you in a way I’ve never experienced with anyone else.”

  Definitely Intuit. It’s the only thing that would explain the pull they felt for each other.

  “My parents will be home tomorrow and they invited me to dinner. You’re coming with me. And, I won’t take no for an answer this time!”

  She shook her head. When did he ever?

  Chapter 7

  An Encounter With Evil

  “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been two days since my last confession.”

  “You are forgiven, child, although I doubt very much you have anything to be forgiven for.”

  “No.”

  “Report, please. Darius is anxious for news.”

  “Not much to report so far, Father. The Professor won’t be at the university until Friday. Do you have a home address for him? Maybe I can track him down that way.” Inwardly she cringed at the idea. Normally she avoided taking the fight to Kjin residences because of the innocent families involved.

  “Unfortunately, no. He moved recently and I do not as of yet have an updated address for him. Anthony is checking on that for me.”

  “Anthony?”

  “My altar boy, but don’t worry. He knows nothing except that I am trying to get the address of a parishioner.”

  “All right. I’ll come back tomorrow.”

  “Remember what I said, Fallon. A Knight has already been killed. You must find a way to catch him unaware.”

  “I will.” She thought of something. “The other day, you said that this Kjin was taunting you. Why?”

  The shoulders on the silhouette behind the screen stiffened. “I don’t know. Perhaps he found out somehow that I am an Emissier.”

  The answer didn’t sit well with her. Unless Father Tomas himself divulged the information to the Kjin, there was no way for the demons to know that Father Tomas was an Emissier—one of ten select clergymen on earth who worked directly with Emperica and had access to the Elders.

  Is he keeping secrets from me?

  “Maybe,” she murmured noncommittally. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Father.”

  “Be careful.”

  Fallon stood and ducked out of the confessional. With her mind mulling over Father Tomas’ words, she almost tripped over the altar boy scrubbing the floor outside of the small compartment.

  The boy reached up to steady her. “Oh, sorry! Are you all right?”

  Fallon straightened. “Yes, I’m fine.”

  Red spots blossomed on the boy’s face. “I didn’t realize anyone was using the confessional.”

  “It’s okay. Really. Are you Anthony?”

  The young boy nodded, but looked at her suspiciously. “How do you know my name?”

  “I’m Fallon, a friend of Father Tomas. He mentioned you to me.”

  “Oh.”

  In the awkward pause that followed, she asked, “How old are you, Anthony?”

  “I just turned eighteen,” he said, glancing around nervously.

  Eighteen? Then, he was really small for his age because he looked quite a bit younger. Not wanting to torment the obviously shy young man any further, she nodded and walked past him. “Well, nice to meet you.”

  “Okay. See you later.”

  Just get me that address, Anthony the altar boy. No one in this town will be safe again, until you get me that address.

  ****

  Ugh! Where is Julian
when I need him! Fallon stood looking at her meager selection of clothes with a scowl. She needed to buy some new clothes. And, soon. Then again, maybe she wouldn’t need them. After Father Tomas gave her Marc Ellis’ home address tomorrow, her stay in Alden could very well be over. The pretense of a college student at an end, she could then return to Buffalo.

  That’s a depressing thought. What would she be going back to? A life of tracking Kjin, TV dinners, and solitude. Yes, that was her life and had been for three years now. So, why does it suddenly seem so unbearable?

  Kade Royce, that’s why.

  Because thinking about leaving him behind made her physically ill. She heard stories about the allure between angels and Intuits, but this was insane!

  She looked at the clock. He would be here any minute. Finally deciding on the same skinny jeans and a blouse, she walked down the stairs just as the doorbell rang.

  Fighting back her nerves, she opened the door and couldn’t help but smile at his dimpled grin. “Hi.”

  “Hey.” He leaned in close to her. “You look nice.”

  She laughed. “Not true, but thanks for saying it.”

  He looked at her quizzically. “Of course it’s true. Don’t you have any mirrors in there?” he asked, straining to look over her shoulder.

  She laughed. “I guess I just don’t see what you see.”

  “You’re right. A mirror only reflects what’s on the outside. As beautiful as that is,” he said, reaching out to stroke the side of her face, “it doesn’t compare to what’s inside. That’s where you truly shine.”

  “Ah, a romantic. How many girls have you said that to?”

  His blue eyes filled with heat. “Counting you? Just one.”

  “Mmm hmm.”

  “Come on.” He held his hand out. “My family is going to love you.”

  She put her hand in his, and Kade led her down the steps to where his Jeep Wrangler was parked on the street. He held open the passenger door for her and as soon as she slid in, she inhaled the scent of Kade. The car reeked of his spicy soap scent, and she found it comforting.

  “Nervous?” he asked when he got into the car.

  She tried to still the butterflies. “A little.”

  “Don’t be.”

  Only two words, but she instantly felt more at ease.

  It was a short ride to his parent’s house, a well-kept brick Tudor. As soon as Kade pulled into the driveway, a brown Chesapeake Retriever loped up beside them with a loud bark.

  “Titus, get back!” Kade yelled harshly out the window, but as soon as he got out of the Jeep, he wrestled with the big dog playfully.

  Kade’s mother waved from the front door, and his father rushed out to meet them.

  The parents. The dog. The house. It was all so…normal.

  Sudden, overwhelming longing settled in the pit of her stomach, and a small tear managed to get by her tightly held defenses. She scrubbed it away irritably and smiled for Kade’s father.

  He enveloped his son in a tight embrace. “It’s so good to see you, son.”

  Kade patted his back. “Good to be home, Dad.”

  The two came apart and Mr. Royce smiled at her. “Welcome, Fallon. If you don’t mind me saying, you are even prettier than Kade described.”

  “Dad!”

  “What? What did I say?” Mr. Royce asked with feigned innocence.

  “Come on,” Kade said with a glower and grabbed her hand. Despite the scowl, it was all in good fun and the love between father and son was obvious.

  “Hi, honey,” Mrs. Royce greeted her son with a big hug.

  “Hi, Mom.” Then, he turned to her. “Fallon, this is my Mom, Judy.”

  “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Royce.”

  “You, too, sweetheart. Come on in and make yourself at home.”

  As soon as Fallon walked into the foyer, a shrill scream came from the top of the stairs to the second floor. A young girl who looked very much like Kade flew down the steps. Fallon made room for Kade as the girl launched herself into his arms.

  “Chels! Relax. You just saw me three weeks ago.”

  The girl pouted. “Well, I haven’t been able to hug you in way too long. I wanted to be there for you when you got out, but Mom and Dad forced me to go to Paris.”

  “Yeah, terrible aren’t they?” Kade responded.

  Chelsea laughed and Mrs. Royce snorted and disappeared into the kitchen.

  Kade set his sister back on the ground and directed her gaze toward Fallon. “This is my friend, Fallon.”

  The feminine version of Kade raised her eyebrows. “Friend or girlfriend?”

  “Give me another day and ask again,” Kade answered with a smirk.”

  Fallon punched him in the arm.

  He laughed and put his hand at the small of her back, guiding her to the stairs. “Come on, I want to show you my old room.”

  Fallon started up the stairs, but halfway she nearly tripped when the Kur on her arm flared in a hot burn. A Kjin? Here?

  She whipped her head around and glanced back down to the foyer. The front door opened and a man stepped in, followed by a woman and four children.

  “Hope we’re not late!”

  “Uncle Marc is here,” Chelsea screamed to all within hearing distance.

  “Marc?” Fallon hissed at Kade.

  “Yeah, Marc Ellis. He’s my uncle.”

  Fallon’s jaw fell open. The Kjin that had killed women and children was Kade’s uncle? According to Father Tomas, he was also the one responsible for setting up Kade on bogus charges that sent him to jail for an entire year.

  It took more resolve than she thought she was capable of to suppress her anger, turn from the Kjin and allow Kade to prod her up the stairs.

  Shaking her head in disgust, only one thought filled her mind.

  Why must she have to continue to kill the people Kade loved?

  Chapter 8

  Caught in the Act

  Distracted, Fallon glanced around at Kade’s old bedroom. It was a typical guy’s room. Bed, laptop, and a fathead of Tony Romo on one wall. Apparently, nothing had changed since he last lived here.

  “I still come and stay a lot,” he said in response to her unspoken thought.

  She turned to him. “Nice room, but—”

  He grabbed her shoulders and pinned her against the door, snaking his knee between her legs to hold her in place.

  “What are you doing?” she croaked out.

  Mesmerizing blue eyes stared down at her. “Looking at you.” He lifted his hand and tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. “Touching you.” Slowly, he leaned in and hovered his mouth over hers. “Kissing you.” Tipping her chin up with his finger, their lips met in a slow, tender kiss.

  It was so wrong, yet she was powerless to stop him. Her mortal enemy stood downstairs at this very moment, and she was losing herself in a kiss.

  Enough! This has to stop.

  But, he was the one to pull away. Shaking his head, he let go of her and sat on the edge of his bed. “What have you done to me, Fallon? If I didn’t know better, I would say that you were a witch.”

  “Not quite,” she murmured.

  “What is it then?”

  “Kade…”

  “Seriously. I can’t stand next to you and not be moved by you. Come on, Fallon, you saved the life of a little girl yesterday with no regard to your own safety. How much more perfect can you be?”

  “Kade…”

  He held a hand out toward her. “Come here and kiss me, Fallon. Kiss me like you mean it.”

  Her legs felt weak as she stumbled over to the bed and dropped to her knees in front of him. He framed her head with both hands and dragged her face to his. When their lips met again, she melted into him with a soft moan. A low ache thudded through her lower body and she had to fight back the urge to cry out.

  Embarrassed by her rea
ction, she pulled away and sat back on her heels.

  When her courage returned, she lifted her head to look at him, and the depth of naked emotion in his eyes floored her. Desire, compassion, and, yes, the start of something deeper. Every feeling displayed in detail across his face was easy to read, because she knew it mirrored her own.

  She got up on her knees, wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled her face into the crook of his throat. They stayed that way for a long time, just holding each other.

  “Kade! Time for dinner!” Chelsea’s shout up the stairs caused her to jump guiltily to her feet.

  “It’s okay,” Kade assured her, hanging on to her hand. He stood and pulled her close to him once again. “Hey, why are you shaking?”

  “It’s nothing.”

  “Are you sure? We’re together now, Fallon. You can tell me anything.”

  We’re together? What does that mean? “Really, I’m fine.”

  He pulled back. “Let’s go then. I want you to meet my Uncle Marc. He’s great, you’ll love him.”

  Reluctantly, she followed behind him, grateful that he didn’t seem to notice her hesitation. How could she explain to him that his uncle was a vile demon? How long he had been so she didn’t know, but he had been killing women for a very long time.

  Animated conversation drifted to her ears as they descended the stairs. Kade’s parents, sister, and relatives were gathered around the television.

  “Shh! Listen,” ordered Mrs. Royce.

  Fallon peered around Kade at the blonde newscaster that filled the television screen. “Police have confirmed that there are still no leads in the disappearance of two local children. Six-year-old Sammy Hutchinson was last seen getting off the school bus three weeks ago, and seven-year-old Carly Cox went missing just last week from her own backyard. If anyone has any information regarding these two children, please contact Crime Control at the number displayed at the bottom of your screen.”

  An image of the children’s crying parents came on next, and their heartfelt pleas were hard to listen to. Mrs. Royce walked over and turned off the television. “What a shame. Right here in Alden! I can’t imagine what those families are going through.” She walked toward the kitchen. “If anybody has an appetite left, please sit down at the table. I’ll be right out with the food.”

  “I’ll help,” said Chelsea.

  Fallon glared at the Kjin. He looked very scholarly in his square glasses, sweater vest, and easy smile, but it wasn’t the outside that mattered—it was what skulked inside.

  As everyone walked to the dining room, Mr. Royce suddenly remembered his new guest. “Oh, wait, you haven’t met Kade’s friend yet.”