Few Are Angels (33 page)

I was probably going to have to tell Mia more than the lies I’d been using. I was past thinking it was none of her business because her safety was at risk. I told Jace to pick me up at four and that Mia would be with us. She looked at me, wide-eyed.

“I want to tell you what’s going on, Mia.”

She and I headed to the register area. Mia couldn’t stop looking at Jace’s car. I could see the skepticism on her face about getting in the car later, but I knew it was safe. Convincing her of the same thing was difficult, but I did it. I told Mia that Kale knew who the tattooed man was and that he was dangerous. I also told her Alex had booked a flight to come home, and we would be meeting up with him later. I didn’t think Brett needed to know anything. He and I hadn’t been seen together, so I didn’t think he was in any danger. At least, I hoped that was the case.

***

I’d had a hell of a time convincing Jace that I needed to know the truth about myself and where I was going, but I was getting better at convincing people. If only it had worked with Kale. To me, two days was more than enough time to calm down, but Kale seemed to need more time. That was one thing I didn’t have. He wasn’t answering his phone, and he wasn’t at the mausoleum when Jace, Mia, and I went to check. He and I both avoided answering Mia’s questions with the promise of a full explanation once we returned to the house. I had started to get worried, but Jace explained that Kale was tying up loose ends because I would be leaving and he would have no reason to stay in the area. I wasn’t sure what loose ends he had, but I hoped I would get a chance to say ‘until we meet again’ because I was never going to say goodbye to him. It was better that we split up until Laurent was taken care of.

I had another reason to go with Jace to the Council. I had a favor to ask. In return, I would stay with them until Laurent was killed. Alex’s flight would be in at midnight and then there was the thirty minute drive to the house, and I had a while to explain everything to Mia. Jace and I had discussed a plan to get Alex’s cooperation with helping me disappear. I hated saying it like that, but that’s what it was. It was Alex’s job to make sure his family knew I was appreciative of all they’d done, but I needed to leave. On the way to Mia’s from the cemetery, Mia was surprisingly easy to talk to. Her only demand was to be there when Alex arrived. I had told her about Kale believing that the tattooed man was in some way related to the killer and since her parents weren’t home that she shouldn’t stay there. Jace and I took her home to gather some things.

“I can’t believe this, Ella. I mean, I just can’t,” Mia said for the hundredth time. “Why would someone want to kidnap you?” She spoke without a bit of sarcasm. She was truly confused.

“Mia, it’s a long story that I only want to have to tell once, so you can stay with me tonight. When Alex gets here, I will tell you both everything.”

“Fine, but who is this guy?” She pointed at Jace.

He smiled in the rearview mirror as we drove into Elmwood City and reintroduced himself. “I’m Jace Vesco.”

Mia giggled and commenced flirting. “Beautiful accent. Where are you from?”

That was a good question. In fact, any personal question was a good one because I had never asked him about anything other than the Council.

“I’m from Belarus, but I have lived in so many different places that I believe my accent has evolved,” Jace joked, and Mia giggled again.

I could see why she was attracted to Jace. With his blue eyes and shockingly white-blond hair, he was incredibly handsome. His features were exotic and strong, but he didn't hold an air of mystery like Kale. At least not to me.

“My family is part Italian,” Mia said.

I peeked in the rearview mirror, taking in Mia’s blonde hair and pale skin, and was tempted to ask her about it. But hair dye and makeup could drastically change anyone’s looks. Instead of interrupting their banter, I sent Kale a text, but he didn't reply. Meanwhile, Jace and Mia continued to flirt back and forth, and I tried not to let my lousy mood interrupt them.

“It would be great to visit my roots in Italy,” I heard Mia say. “I hate living in a small town. It sucks and most of the women never escape it. If they aren’t pregnant, they’re waitressing with nowhere to go,” she murmured. Shocked once again, I looked in the rearview mirror. Mia’s face was hidden as she looked out of the window. I felt bad for her, she seemed to feel trapped too, but the only problem was that she wasn’t doing anything about it.

“On the contrary,” Jace corrected. “In 1654, Minsk was conquered by troops of Tsar Alexei of Russia. Russians ruled the city for thirteen years and when it was reclaimed by Jan Kasimir at the end of the Polish-Russian war, Minsk had only about 2,000 residents,” Jace informed us.

“Minsk?” Mia repeated.

“The largest city in Belarus,” Jace said.

“Also the capital,” I broke in, and they both turned to look at me.

“Correct, Ella. Minsk is the capital of Belarus, and at one point it had been a small town like this and my mother…” Jace caught himself because he was about to tell his true age, which surprised me because I could have sworn that he was only 150. I looked at him, but he didn't return my stare. I’d have to ask him about that later. “My ancestors helped rebuild and revamp the city and then used those same skills to migrate elsewhere.”

“Okay, but what does that have to do with Elmwood City and Cedar?” Mia asked, totally missing the point.

“It means that not all small towns stay small and that, like Jace’s family, you can leave here and go wherever you want. You just have to want it bad enough and work for it,” I said. If she really wanted to leave, she would be in school getting an education so that she would have more options. Complaining wasn’t going to get her out of Elmwood City. Mia was silent the rest of the way to her house for her clothes. I figured she was thinking about the advice I’d given her. It was late when we arrived at my house, and Mia and I snuck up to my room to wait for Alex to arrive. I continually texted and called Kale as Mia slept on the bed I’d made for her on the floor. Kale finally answered my texts. I wanted to be mad, but I was just relieved he was talking to me again.

Ella: R U OK?

Kale: Yes, you?

Ella: I’m fine just worried about how things will turn out :[ I need you there with me

Kale: You made this choice.

Ella: I know, but you have to trust me. I know what I am doing. I have a PLAN.

Kale: A plan? What is it?

Ella: Not now. Trust me alright?

Kale: DON’T DO ANYTHING THAT WILL PUT YOU IN DANGER!

Ella: I’m already in danger

Kale: Ella I’m serious!

Ella: I know. Will you come see me tonight b4 I go?

Kale: I can’t Ella. I can’t watch you walk away.

Ella: I understand

Kale: Do you?

Ella: No

Kale: I need to tell you something.

Ella: OK

Kale: Not like this.

Ella: Call me?

Kale: Not like that either.

Ella: ???

Kale: When are you leaving?

Ella: After I talk to Alex. In a few hours.

Kale: I’ll be there before you leave. Jace will drive you out of Cedar to Petersburg where they will have a private plan waiting.

Ella: Ok

Kale: I will meet you before you go in Elmwood. Keep Jace with you.

Ella: OK I’ll wait.

Kale: See you then.

Ella: I will be there.

I was excited and nervous because I didn't want to leave without seeing Kale. I wondered what he wanted to tell me. I hoped it wasn’t the same demand not to leave. I was leaving no matter what, and I was going to demand that I be made immortal just like Jace. That was my plan, and if it worked and Laurent was killed, I would have nothing to worry about and Kale and I could be together forever.

Chapter 32

“Here we are at the end of a road I thought never existed.” — Ella Monroe

The news of the Arc’s location maddened and excited him. She had been right under Leif’s nose and he had missed her. Laurent had not been able to locate her through her memories, but through the promise of eternal life—how easy it was to manipulate humans. Judas was what the traitor would be called once he joined his men. Laurent gave each man a name for how they’d joined his ranks. Darke, Leif, and Erinae were among his favorites because they had been forced to join, and the control he had over them was incredible.

Laurent headed toward the car that would take him to the plane to Virginia and his destiny. Kale would be a problem—he was sure of it. The bond that was forged years ago wouldn’t just vanish because of time, nor would it ever truly disappear. Hélène had died for that bond, and he didn't think Ella would be any different. Darke and Hassame loaded the car as Laurent got inside. They were off in a matter of minutes when his phone rang.

“What?”

“Sir, I have more news,” Leif informed him. “There is a Council member with the girl.”

Laurent felt the anger bubble inside of him. “Is that something you think I am unaware of?”

Leif cleared his voice and continued. “No, sir. There is more. He requested a private plane to be here tomorrow, and its destination is classified. Even Judas is unaware of where they are taking her.”

Judas was a human spy who was well aware of the Council’s comings and goings, but it seemed he didn't have the clearance he’d thought.

“Find where this plane is to be and plant Judas there. As for you, I suggest you continue to follow them because if they are to slip through your fingers again you will bear the weight of my wrath— you and you alone. Understood?”

“Yes, my Lord.”

“Good. Find out where their plane is headed. We will be in Virginia in three hours’ time.” Laurent disconnected.

Darke sat quietly in the back, awaiting directions.

“Where was the Council’s Headquarters the last time we found them?” Laurent asked. “Belarus, Egypt, and Spain,” he said, answering his own question.

“Sable Island,” Darke added. “We could allow the girl to board the plane. She would lead us to the Council unknowingly.”

It seemed like a good plan, but Laurent was sure the Council would expect it. Though they weren’t smart enough to create more Immortals, they had recruited some of the best human minds in the world.

“No, she cannot board that plane. Once she is on the plane we will have to restart our search. For some reason Ella’s memories are no longer accessible to me.

“It could that be that she is no longer having them,” Darke suggested. “Could the Council have taught her to suppress them?”

Laurent thought about that possibility. He had yet to encounter an Arc with the ability to do so, but that meant nothing. Hélène had learned to access them without his help. Ella was different. She was the one who could destroy all he’d become, or strengthen it. She was the one he was looking for. He had killed so many Arcs before her to bring her to the surface.

“No, but she may have a natural ability to do so on her own. In the past she has unknowingly been able to avoid me, and I marveled at her ability to do so. I think the Arcs have been growing in power since the last few, and this one will be more powerful than them all.”

Chapter 33

In order to learn the important lessons in life, one must each day surmount a fear. —Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Mia snored lightly in the corner as I lay on my bed, hoping everything went well that night. I was nervous. I closed my eyes and imagined what the Council would say to my request of eternal life. They would do well to grant it because there would be no more Arcs to search for because I would never I grow old and die. I also wouldn’t have a normal life, but I could live with that if Kale were with me. My phone jingled and I searched for it in my pocket. I read Alex’s message that he had arrived at the airport. A calming wave swept over me. Though I was nervous about what was to come, I was also relieved that it was almost over. I was surprised at my pills’ ability to keep my memories at bay, and I wondered how I would get more once I was in Alaska. It was well after two a.m. when I woke Mia up. She looked completely different without makeup. Her face was sweet and innocent. The scowl that it often held was gone and as she rubbed her eyes, I remembered why I was doing this.

“What time is it?” she asked sleepily.

“It’s time to get up. Alex is on his way.” Even though the airport was an hour away, I wanted to be ready when Alex arrived.

Mia yawned and stretched. She got up and headed to my bathroom, shutting the door behind her. I called Jace and to tell him the car would be dropping Alex off in about an hour, and I lay back down. A symphony of emotions played inside me, and I felt as if the room was spinning. I closed my eyes and regulated my breathing using a technique Dr. Lithe had taught me to do when I felt an oncoming panic attack. I counted to ten then backward to zero, which took my mind off of my dizziness, and I took short puffy breaths through my mouth.

“It looks like you’re giving birth,” Mia said. She had emerged from the bathroom and was leaning over me when I opened my eyes.

“Are you okay?” She sounded genuinely concerned.

I sat up, noting that my stomach and head felt better, but there was still a lingering ache in my side. The face of the tattooed man flashed in my head. “Yeah, I’m just a little stressed.” I told her.

“A little? Try majorly stressed. You want to give me a clue as to what is going on here?”

I shook my head. I didn't want to have to go through it twice. “I just really want to wait for Alex and explain it to you both at the same time.”

Mia shook her head. “It must be real serious if you got Alex to come home two weeks early.”

“It is.”

Mia and I sat there for another twenty minutes until her stomach growled embarrassingly loud. I handed her one of my granola bars and a bottle of water I had stashed in my room.