Few Are Angels (30 page)

I knew it was, but it would be nice to have a day where I didn't have a bodyguard or have to think about the hard choices to come. It would be nice to have time away from who I was, even if it was only for a few hours.

“And it’s in Elmwood City,” he said. His eyes were dark and held a trace of warmth and a bit of worry.

I hated to make him worry, but I really didn't think it would be so bad to spend an hour in the mall. “I haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary, and there hasn’t been another murder.” I was still worried about going to the mall alone, but I didn't want to deal with Mia’s Q&A about Kale or Jace.

“True, but I still don’t think it’s safe.” Kale tugged at a strand of hair that had fallen free of my ponytail and tucked it behind my ear. “What if I just shadowed you and Mia? That way I could keep an eye on you, and you could have a normal day at the mall, shopping for whatever it is girls shop for these days.”

I saw no reason to object. But normal was not what I would have called it. “Don’t talk like that.” I leaned in a bit closer, taking in Kale’s features. Sharp and fierce, his pale skin was smooth, and I missed seeing it glow in the moonlight.

“Like what?” he asked with a smile.

“Like some old guy who’s out of touch with today’s youth!” I gently tapped his shoulder.

He laughed. “But I am an old man who is out of touch with today’s youth.”

I shivered as his lip grazed my ear. “I could teach you.”

“Could you?” His voice took on a suggestive tone. His smile promised more than his words, and I felt the blush creep up my face.

Kale placed his hand on my shoulder, breaking our stare. “When are we leaving?”

I tamped down my disappointment and glanced at the clock on the wall. “Soon.”

Kale moved his hand and walked away. I sat on the sofa where Kale had sat when he’d arrived. Mia pulled in at ten thirty, minutes after Kale had left. We headed to the Westwind Mall in Elmwood City. Kale had said he would tail us, but I didn't see him when I peeked in the rearview mirror.

“What color are you switching to?” Mia asked.

“Black.” I wasn’t planning on doing anything crazy. I just wanted my regular hair color.

Mia looked disappointed. “I just thought that you might do something different. You know, since the killer seems to be killing people that look a bit like you.”

I rolled my eyes. I was sure that wasn’t why she wanted to dye my hair, but she would never admit to it. “I’m not going blonde,” I said, knowing where she was headed.

“Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. What about copper highlights?”

I couldn't return her eagerness. I wasn’t sure I was willing to take the chance with Mia putting chemicals anywhere near my body.

“I don’t know, Mia. That sounds complicated. I just want to do something with my roots and get a little trim, that’s all.”

Mia huffed and continued to explain why it would be easier if I were to agree with her and get it over with. I actually started to consider it when she explained that some dyes came in easy-to-use foam that took about ten to twenty minutes to set. I eventually agreed to the copper highlights and a trim. Mia’s hair was beautiful, and taking her suggestions wouldn’t hurt.

The mall was busier than normal. The Christmas season was already in full swing, and stores had up their Christmas lights and decorations. I hadn’t even been able to mentally prepare for season greetings, and the Westwind Mall threw it at me in the form of green and red lights, tinsel, and stuffed Santa and reindeer. This would be my first Christmas without my parents, so I wasn’t in much of a jolly mood. Mia, on the other hand, couldn't stop talking about what she wanted from her “crappy ass” parents for Christmas.

“I’d prefer a new car, but I think my deadbeat dad is planning on going the cheap route and handing me a wad of cash.”

I wasn’t sure who she was trying to impress because things like that didn't matter to me. I looked around to see if I could spot Kale in the crowd, but he was doing a great job of staying out of sight.

“I haven’t even started my Christmas shopping,” I stated. I actually planned on buying my entire list of gifts from Amazon; it was quick and required little effort on my part. Mia and I headed down the escalators and into a hair salon where we were greeted by a male with a fauxhawk. Mia headed straight to the back and grabbed a dye called Copper Collision.

“Uh, Copper Collision sounds pretty noticeable. I thought you said that the change would be subtle,” I said to Mia as she handed the clerk her credit card.

“I didn't say that a person wouldn’t be able to notice you’d changed your hair, Ella. I find understated to be overrated. Besides, you won’t have blonde hair, just some highlights and lowlights.” She took the bag from the clerk and headed toward the door.

I’d had a bad feeling about allowing Mia to dye my hair from the start, and that feeling settled in my stomach like a heavy weight. I wasn’t sure if it was the fear of what Mia was going to do to my hair, or if it were something else completely. My nerves started to dance under my skin, and I got the odd sensation something strange was going on. It couldn't have been about hair dye, could it?

Mia sashayed in front of me with grace and fluidity that made me question how I looked next to her.

“I have to make one more stop,” she told me, and made a sharp right turn toward Sephora. “I am almost out of Midnight Run mascara.” Mia and I entered the brightly lit store just as the taste of ash assaulted my tongue, and its scent soon followed. It was the same taste and scent as before at Knope’s Grocery, but why did I smell it here in the mall? I looked over at Mia, who was elbows deep in a bin of eye shadow. I assumed she didn't taste or smell anything because she hadn’t said a word about it, but I wasn’t sure how that was possible; it was so strong. I looked around, and no one else seemed to be bothered by it.

“Hey,” I called to Mia. She looked up, but was so enamored with the sale stand she barely acknowledged me. “I’m gonna see if I can find a food cart close by for a drink. My throat feels funny.”

“Yeah, okay,” Mia said, quickly getting back to her shopping.

I headed out of the store and looked around for the nearest cart. I still didn't see Kale around, but it didn't matter. I was sure he was there somewhere, respecting my wishes and staying out of sight. The smell seemed to be getting stronger, and it took everything in me not to gag. I headed in the direction we’d come from in search of the coffee cart I’d seen tucked away in the corner. I wanted to be out of sight just in case I had a coughing fit because there was nothing more embarrassing than hacking up a lung in public.

The mall was more hustle and bustle on the bottom level. The food court was on the upper level, and everyone was downstairs shopping. I waded through the crowd until I was on the outskirts. The smell of ash hadn’t lessened, but it didn't taste stronger either. It seemed like it was following me, and it was odd that no one around me seemed bothered by it. My head started to ache, and my throat started to burn. I couldn't remember where I’d seen that coffee cart, but I knew it had to be close. I was counting on it because suddenly the smell of ash was so great that I stopped to place my shirt over my face. I’d passed two clothing stores, and I still hadn’t seen the cart. I was starting to think I had imagined it. I leaned up against a wall next to an emergency exit to catch my breath. So far, I had been able to act as if nothing was bothering me, but I noticed people looking in my direction as I slowly slid to the ground. The headache and dizziness had become too much. I noticed a man as he made his way to me. I should have been glad someone had decided to help, but this man worried me. He pushed through the crowd without regard to whom he hit or knocked off balance. He wore a business suit with a blood red button-up shirt halfway buttoned, his chest revealing a tattoo of a dragon eating its own tail. I tried to stand, but as the man came closer, the smell grew strong enough that I gagged.

A clamor beside me pulled my attention from the tattooed man to the door beside me, where Kale emerged. His face was fierce and pale, and I was relieved to see him. I knew it wasn’t a vision because the smell and taste of ash had never been a symptom before, but something was definitely wrong. Kale grabbed my arm and roughly yanked me through the door, pushing me against the wall. I was confused and in pain as it radiated down my spine.

“Did you see him?” Kale asked as he shut the door behind us. “I knew I shouldn’t have let you come here alone. Laurent’s men have found you!”

He grabbed my arm and we moved down the corridor so fast that I tripped over my feet and stumbled to the ground. Kale stopped and lifted me up and over his shoulder. I didn't have time to complain because, as I opened my mouth, I saw the tattooed man’s foot connect with Kale’s back with a ferocious kick. I was knocked off his shoulder, and we both fell to the ground. I landed on my back with a force that knocked the air from my lungs and caused stars to explode behind my eyes. I rolled over to see Kale had recovered from the fall much faster than I had. I moved to the back wall. A florescent light flickered overhead, and I tried to catch my breath as Kale stood between me and the tattooed man.

“So, he was right. There is a half-breed actually protecting her,” the man said in awe.

Who’d told him and why? I backed up against the wall until I could feel the cold cement through my clothes. The taste of ash prevented me from speaking and I retched, hoping that didn't draw attention to me. Kale backed closer to me. I couldn't see his reaction to what the tattooed man had said, but Kale flinched at the man’s word, and I could tell they’d surprised him. I hoped Kale’s bloodlust would break through and aid us in getting away, but he remained lucid and angry as hell.

“Who told you?” Kale demanded, as the tattooed man started to back up.

I thought there was going to be a fight, but the tattooed man had other plans. His smile was chillingly cold as he peeked around Kale and pointed at me. He rotated his hand and held it out as if to help me up. Kale growled and moved forward, a warning that the tattooed man heeded. He moved farther down the hallway.

“Oh, I will be back, brother,” he said to Kale with a sharp, white smile. “And you,” he glanced at me. “I will see you soon, precious.” The tattooed man chuckled maniacally as he finally disappeared.

Kale stood silently, facing the direction the man had exited. When he finally turned to face me, his face was different. I’d never seen that amount of fear and panic in his face. I sat on the floor, fighting the coughing fit that had started to subside. Kale kneeled beside me and pulled me to my feet.

“We have to go, and we have to get Mia. He may have seen you with her, and she could be in danger. Do you remember where she was when you left her?”

I told him where she was and we left the back corridor and went back out into the mall. Luckily, the tattooed man had left quietly, and the patrons at the mall had continued to shop. I led Kale to Sephora to see that Mia was still in there, her hands full of lip gloss, eye shadow, and mascara. When she looked up at us, she looked surprised and annoyed.

“Where have you been, Ella? Hey, Kale.” She dropped her things onto the nearby counter. She placed her hands on her hips and smiled at Kale. “Long time no see. What have you been up to?” Mia looked past Kale and at me and frowned. “Jeez, girl, what happened to you? You look like hell; where did you go?”

Mia placed her hand on my forehead, a motherly gesture I’d never expect from her. She flinched as her hand grazed me. Meanwhile, Kale was vigilant.

“I’m fine,” I said. My vision finally cleared and my head no longer swam. I looked at Kale, wondering what story we were going to go with, but he was silent. “I just feel a little sick, that’s all.” Which was part of the truth. Even though I felt a little better, it was probably a good idea to leave the mall.

“Let’s go,” Kale said, nodding toward the store exit.

“Excuse me?” Mia folded her arms over her chest. “We,” she said, pointing at me, then at herself, “are shopping here. We’ll leave when we are finished.” Mia looked at me expectantly.

“I’m done,” I said quickly.

Kale grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the door. Mia followed us out the door and to the car, grumbling under her voice every step of the way.

“What’s going on with you two? We ran out of there like we were being chased or something,” Mia complained.

Kale was silent the entire time it took us to get to Mia’s car, and it didn't seem like he was going to say anything. Mia looked between the two of us and her suspicions grew. I couldn't be sure if the tattooed man had seen her and me together. I didn't want to take the chance that he had. She could be a target, so Jace would have to watch out for her. As Mia stared at us expectantly, I considered telling her the truth, but Kale spoke first.

Kale apologized for interrupt her shopping trip, but I could tell Mia knew something else was going on as could Kale.

He continued trying to ease her doubts. “I was worried about Ella. She called and told me she was at the mall, but wasn’t feeling well. I thought she was here alone because I didn't give her time to tell me she was with you before I hung up.” Kale was a brilliant liar. “With the two girls that have gone missing, I thought it best to get here right away.”

Mia’s shoulders relaxed and her eyebrows lowered. She looked at me and smiled. “Well, it’s nice you have your knight in shining armor here to protect you.” She unlocked her car. “I guess that means we are done for the day since you’re not feeling well.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I guess so. Sorry to end the day so quickly.” I placed my hand on my side. I was feeling better, but some of the aches and pains of being knocked off of Kale’s shoulder were still there.

Mia arched an eyebrow and opened her car door. “Okay. You’re pretty lucky that Kale was able to get here so fast from Cedar.”

I realized she still didn't buy Kale’s story. I took a breath and smiled. I was tired and sore and I just wanted to go home to Virginia Beach, but I knew that wasn’t going to happen.

“Yeah, I am. So, I’ll see you Friday at work?”