Atlas (The Atlas Series) (28 page)

Meaning:

In the end, Kala might have to kill Jack after all.

But now that she thought about seeing Owen and Linda, Kala knew she wouldn’t rest until Asmodeus took her to them. “You have me imprisoned, and Jack is on the other side of the country. I think you’re safe on the me-completing-my-mission front.”

“Malaks have the same teleporting power I do. So do Grigori. If Talan or one of his men finds you, you’ll be back on the east coast in seconds.” Asmodeus didn’t mind admitting his weaknesses, Kala realized. She hadn’t really thought about that. As quickly as it took Asmodeus to get her here to L.A., going back to D.C. would be just as easy.

“Look, I accept my death. I accept being your prisoner. I accept not doing my duty as an Atlas. I know you’re supposed to be evil or something, but I know there’s more to you than that. I’ve seen it.” Not really, but Kala would say anything to convince him.

Asmodeus stared at Kala for a few more seconds, then agreed. “Fine. But only for an hour.”

Kala smiled, genuinely happy. “Thank you.” She meant it.

Asmodeus pointed his finger at Kala, trying to be tough, but failing miserably. “Only for an hour.”

Kala nodded emphatically, afraid he would change his mind.

Asmodeus smiled back at Kala as he touched her arm gently.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Kala felt the now-familiar dizziness of teleportation as the scenery around her came into focus.

With Asmodeus by her side, Kala now stood in front of her foster parents’ home in the L.A. suburb of Sherman Oaks. She felt nostalgic at seeing the old place with its blue exterior and white wood-slat shutters. The lawn was perfectly manicured, but the trees were slightly overgrown. The biggest tree was in the center of the grass: a ten-foot peach tree full of ripe peaches, a good portion of which had already fallen to the ground. The other trees were fruit trees as well and they lined the front of the house. Lemons, oranges and avocados, all in abundance, and much larger than Kala remembered.

It made her realize that she hadn’t visited Owen and Linda’s house in years. The only times she’d seen them lately was when they had come to visit her in D.C.

Kala took a deep breath and headed for the front door. Asmodeus followed.

Kala stopped. “You’re not coming in.”

“Relax, just tell them I’m your boyfriend.”

“You wish.” Kala put her hand on Asmodeus’s chest. “No way. I’ve never introduced any guy to them before. They’ll think we’re serious.”

“For someone who’s going to die tomorrow, you certainly care a lot about what people think. Besides, if you’re gone wouldn’t you want them to think that you had a bit of happiness in your life before you died?” Asmodeus caressed the hand Kala had pressed on his chest.

She pulled her hand away. “You suck.” That was Kala’s usual response when she didn’t have an argument. Not mature, but it was all she had.

“I won’t eat them, I swear.” Asmodeus smiled wickedly.

Kala was pretty sure he was kidding, but as he was a Demon she had to ask. “Do you
eat
humans?”

“Only the tasty ones.” Asmodeus gave her a knowing glance.

“So. Gross.” Kala shook her head. Turning her back on the Demon, Kala approached the front door.

She felt nervous as she knocked gently on the wooden surface.

After a few moments, Kala heard footsteps approach from inside. Asmodeus reached down and clasped his hand in hers.

Just as Kala was prying his hand away, the door opened to reveal Linda standing there. When she saw Kala her eyes lit up with such happiness it made Kala’s spirit soar.

“Hi, Linda,” Kala smiled. Though every part of her wanted to call her foster parents
mom
and
dad
, Kala still couldn’t. It was like saying
love
, it wasn’t in her nature.

Linda’s arms were around Kala in an instant, squeezing her so tight she could barely breathe. “We’ve missed you!” Linda spoke in Kala’s ear.

When Linda pulled away, she looked at Asmodeus for the first time. “And who is this?”

Kala was about to say his name then realized how crazy his name sounded. “Frank. This is Frank. He’s my… boyfriend.” The words burned in her mouth.

What burned even worse was the grin that Asmodeus had on his face after she used the “B” word.

Linda was beside herself with glee. She immediately hugged Asmodeus with almost as much fervor as she’d hugged Kala. “So nice to meet you Frank.”

When Linda pulled away, Asmodeus didn’t miss a beat. “I’m so happy to finally meet you, too. Kala has told me so much about you.”

Mock-scolding, Linda eyed Kala. “I wish I could say the same about you, Frank.”

Kala squirmed uncomfortably. “You’re meeting him now. You know I like surprises.”

Linda reached out and squeezed Kala’s hand affectionately. “I’m just kidding you. Now, come on in before we let in the flies.”

“Wouldn’t want to do that,” Asmodeus agreed and re-captured Kala’s hand. Kala wanted to punch Asmodeus in the stomach with the hand he was holding, but her foster mom’s excited grin at the sight of them made her curb her violent thoughts.

The house felt as cozy on the inside as it looked on the outside, with blonde hardwood floors and plush linen furniture. Even the dining table was in the blonde wood family, with chairs to match. Starting in the living room and passing through the dining room, it all led to the heart of the house: the kitchen. Kala noticed that it had been recently remodeled with new black granite countertops and the same blonde wood cupboards as the flooring.

“Did you grow up here?” Asmodeus asked. “It’s lovely.”

Kala wanted to kick him in the shins, knowing full well that the King of Demons could care less about home décor, but she answered anyway. “Owen and Linda took me in at fifteen, remember? I grew up in foster homes before that.”

Asmodeus didn’t miss a beat. “I just meant is this the house you lived in when you met your mom and dad?”

The fact that Asmodeus had now called Owen and Linda
mom
and
dad
before she did made Kala suddenly furious. She was about to say something nasty in true Kala fashion when Linda mouthed to her so only Kala could see, “Gorgeous!”

Kala smiled back, trying to let Linda enjoy the moment she thought she was having: her daughter bringing home her first serious boyfriend. Inside she was screaming: he’s a freaking Demon, Mom, but Kala let it slide. Kala knew her mom was just excited and besides, Asmodeus was gorgeous. That’s what made him so annoying.

“Can I make you something to eat?” Linda asked as they arrived at the kitchen.

Kala and Asmodeus sat down on the stools at the island breakfast bar.

Asmodeus nodded enthusiastically. “I’d love a sandwich.”

Linda picked up on Kala’s annoyance at Asmodeus’s request. “Kala, it’s no fuss, I’ll make you both a sandwich.”

When Linda turned to open the fridge and retrieve the ingredients, Kala turned to Asmodeus and mouthed, “Really?”

He mouthed back, “What?”

Kala ignored him and turned her attention back to Linda. “Where’s Owen?”

Linda started to make three sandwiches, laying everything out on the island in front of them. “He should be back any minute. He just went out to pick up a few things at the grocery store.”

After a few more minutes the sandwiches were made and properly eaten by all parties. Kala had never had a more satisfying meal, probably because she had been starving.

“How long are you in town?” Linda was already clearing off the plates.

“Just this afternoon. We’re on a mission. I just wanted to stop in and see you guys.” Kala found herself welling up with emotion. She tried to hide it as best she could, but she knew Linda could see right through her.

“Kala, what is it? Is it dangerous?” Linda came around the island and put her arm around Kala supportively.

Though Kala wasn’t a touchy person, Linda’s embrace made her feel immediately better and worse at the same time. Asmodeus’s fears were right: seeing Linda like this made Kala terrified that if she didn’t kill Jack her foster parents would die.

Kala wrapped her arms around Linda and held her close. Linda squeezed tighter and Kala heard her mother’s slight choking sound as she held back tears. “Oh Kala, you’re really scaring me.”

Pulling away, Kala forced a smile. “It’s okay. I’ll be fine. Just some jitters, that’s all.”

Linda held Kala’s chin with her hand looking her straight in the eye. “I am so proud of you, Kala. You save the world every day and I just want you to know how amazing I think you are. You’re my little girl and I love you more than anything.”

Normally, Linda’s praise would lift Kala’s spirits beyond measure, but today, it just hurt. She wasn’t saving the world, she was ending it.

“Mom… I…” Kala couldn’t finish. She didn’t know what to say. She was ashamed of herself.

Linda’s eyes filled with tears at Kala calling her ‘mom.’ Kala had been so wrapped up in the emotion, she hadn’t thought about it. Then she realized, she hadn’t thought about it because it
was
natural for her to say, Kala had just been too stubborn to admit it.

“Kala, Linda, step away from that man. NOW!” Owen’s voice sounded from the front door.

Turning to see her dad, Kala saw that he had dropped the four bags of groceries he had been carrying and was staring daggers at Asmodeus’s back.

Asmodeus slowly turned around to see who had spoken. When he saw Owen he smiled maliciously. “Malak.”

“Wait, what?” Kala said in shock.

“Try Grigori, Demon King. Leave now, while you still can.”

“Wait, what?” Kala was even more shocked.

But Asmodeus was downright scared.

Owen turned to Kala. “I mean it, Kala. Step away from
it
. Take your mother and lock yourself in the bedroom.”

Linda was visibly shaken at Owen’s words. “Owen, this is Frank. He’s Kala’s new boyfriend.”

“No, he’s not.” Kala knew now was not the time to lie. If her foster father was a Grigori, then he could potentially kick Asmodeus’s ass. And that was not something Kala wanted to miss.

Linda looked at Kala, rattled. “What do you mean? Who is he?”

Kala took Owen’s advice and started to move Linda away.

Asmodeus turned to Kala, venom in his eyes. “Don’t go anywhere. You’re coming with me.”

Owen stepped forward. “She is
not
going with you. Leave this house before I turn you to dust.”

“I’d like to see you try.” Asmodeus was out of his seat in seconds, facing Owen.

“I don’t have to try.” Owen’s eyes lit up a bright white, like Talan’s had before Asmodeus had teleported Kala away.

Asmodeus leapt at Owen, squeezing his arms around Owen’s body like a vise.

Owen laughed. “You may be King, but you’re still just a Demon.” He barely shrugged his arms and Asmodeus flew off his body like a rubber band that had just snapped. He soared backward across the room, his back hitting the granite-topped kitchen island with a large CRACK!

Kala flinched at the sound, but kept moving her terrified mother backward.

All Asmodeus needed was one touch, then he could take her anywhere.

Asmodeus seemed to realize this, too, as he turned to Kala with a look of determined desperation burning in his eyes. He jumped toward her.

White light streaked across the room, a glowing snake of lightning, hitting Asmodeus before he could touch Kala. He screamed in pain as the light engulfed him. His skin started to disintegrate. Kala knew she should be happy, but a tiny part of her had grown kind of used to the jerk. Seeing him die wasn’t as satisfying as she thought it would be.

Through his screams, Asmodeus saw what must have been concern on Kala’s face. It made him smile. “Don’t worry, I don’t die that easy.”

“Oh you
do
die easy, little King, but not today. Go tell your Elders, the Grigori are back and they should be scared.” Owen turned his hand, which twisted the white light tightly around Asmodeus, causing him to screech in agony. Kala had forgotten how disturbing his screeching was.

Then in a quick bright flash Asmodeus disappeared.

The light popped out.

For a second Kala wasn’t sure if this was a trick — that Asmodeus wasn’t actually gone, but when Owen reached her side he confirmed, “He’s gone.”

Kala realized that she’d been shaking as she and Linda both embraced Owen like he was their lifeline.

After a moment, he pulled away and looked at the two of them. “Are you two okay? He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

“I made him a sandwich,” Linda muttered nervously.

It struck Kala as funny through all this chaos and she laughed. Soon Owen and Linda were laughing as well, breaking the tension of the last five minutes.