Angel Of Mercy (Cambions #3) (31 page)

Days passed and nothing had transpired between Flynn and me, not that he hadn’t tried. This deception wasn’t easy for me to do. Luke had left the country again in pursuit of information and we video chatted nightly.

“Flynn tells me you aren’t playing the game.” He sounded like a parent scolding a child.

Biting my lip, I looked away from my surfer boy. “I’m not sure I can do this. And anyway, why is Flynn tattling on me like some kid?”

“He didn’t. I asked,” he said. “Mercy, the sooner you play the sooner this is over.”

Looking back up, I missed him so. His bright blue eyes didn’t look the same on my tiny screen. “When will you be back?”

“I’m not sure,” he said. It was his turn to look away from me.

“What aren’t you telling me?” I asked because he couldn’t meet my eye.

 He looked up and into the camera directly at me. “I might be gone longer that I expected.”

“How long?” I asked panic rising in my throat.

“I promise to be back by Prom.” What did Prom matter if he was in some kind of danger? Conversation dwindled after that. He appeared to have a lot on his mind. Half the time he sounded more distant than he was in reality, even as he’d said the words. Yet something was missing. Defeat was written on his face. Did he think I would leave him for Flynn in the end?

My resolve to ignore Flynn only hardened until the next day at school.  My story became different when I saw his haunted eyes in the hall. Flynn was still dying. I felt like I’d said that a million times and it hadn’t changed the truth of it. It was written on his face like black smears.

I still hadn’t gone back to the elite table even with Luke gone. I was trying to keep my distance. Truthfully, I didn’t want to spoil the memory of what we had in everybody’s eyes by flying into Flynn’s arms so easily. Plus, I was avoiding the farce as long as I could as if it would just go away somehow. Maggie and Brent were laughing at something Tom said. They’d had taken to sitting with me the last few days. But there was a pause.

“What’s that in his pocket?” I heard Maggie say.

“Mercy,” Flynn called out in a not so subtle voice.

Turning, I took him in with a black t-shirt that read FBI in bold white letters. On closer inspection as he drew nearer, it read Female Body Inspector underneath. I rolled my eyes and turned back to my friends. Strong hands turned me in my seat. My chair made nails on the chalk board kind of squeak.

When he bent on one knee, I thought my heart dropped in my stomach. My first thought was Luke and of our wedding day. My second was,
Damn Flynn
.

“Luke left. I’m here. I never thought I be that guy. But you’re that girl and none of the rules seem to apply.” Pulling out something pink from behind his back was reminder of Maggie’s words. Holding up a t-shirt in front of me, it read in black letters,
Be Mine
, surround by a heart.

I couldn’t stop the giggle. It was just too cheesy even for him. “Oh. MY. God.” I heard Maggie say in a voice that made it seem like it was the most romantic thing ever.

He stared up at me as I plucked the shirt from his hand to take if off display. He said, “You know I’m not a hearts and flowers kind of guy.”

Smirking, I retorted, “No you are a one liner and cheesy T-shirts kind of guy.”

“A step up from edible body lotion and lost panties.” He grinned and I tried to scowl. But the smile that failed to leave my face made me not look very convincing.

“What do you want from me Flynn?” I asked. I knew the plan. But damn it, he wasn’t playing fair. Either he was a damn good actor or he was sincere. The latter I couldn’t handle.

“Give me a chance,” he begged.

All around everyone starting chanting “KISS.” I leaned in and I said, “If this is artifice on your part, I will castrate you.”

I sat straight. “There’s my Webster,” he said before he kissed me for the whole lunch room to witness.

“Mr. McAllister,” a stern voice said the same time the cafeteria quieted down. “I hope that you are helping Miss Moore get something out of her eye.”

Flynn pulled back and got to his feet. “Absolutely. I blew dust out of her eye.”

“Through her mouth,” the principal said straight-faced, quirking a brow.

“Yeah, whatever.” He waved a dismissive hand.

“I see. Well, school rules don’t allow…” The principal grasped for words. “What do you teenagers call it?”

Maggie, being entirely too helpful, said, “P.D.A.”

I glanced over my shoulder to give her the stink eye. “Yes, P.D.A. That’s not allowed in school. So I suggest you go about your business.”

Flynn gave her a playful smile and wink. “Sure thing.”

She actually walked away. No detention, nothing, I sat in shock. Only Flynn would get away with blatantly breaking school rules.

Taking the shirt from my hand, he pulled it over my head and helped me shrug into it. I’d been wearing a light blue shirt. This pink one would surely clash with it. Out of nowhere, he pulled out a sharpie. Turning me sideways in my chair, he pulled my hair away from my shoulder, exposing my back. Then he began to write. When he was done, he kissed my cheek before looking up to see if he’d been caught again. Since he was behind me I hadn’t realize his intentions until it was too late. Whispering in my ear, he said “Come over later.”

“No,” I said. No way, that was a trap.

“Fine,” he said hauling me to my feet. “You want this the hard way.”

Dragged along, he had me in the hall by my locker when the bell rang. He kissed me like there was no tomorrow and today didn’t exist. It was just the two of us. It took a while for me to hear the clapping in the halls. When he strode away, I watched and tried to remember my name. He’d taken enough life essence that I was a bit lightheaded.

It took Maggie waving her hand in front of my face to bring me back to my senses. “Earth to Mercy.”

“What?” I said and moved around to dial up my combination to my locker hoping to calm my raving heart. I needed to get a book for my next class.

I wasn’t looking at her.

“I can’t believe you are acting as if this isn’t monumental. Flynn, on his knees, basically begging you to be his girlfriend. Come on. That just doesn’t happen. Everyone is talking about it.”

Looking at every book and folder in my locker one by one, I studiously avoided Maggie’s face. It had been over the top. Flynn made it impossible for me to say no. Maggie was on a roll. “And he wrote
Mine
in sharpie on your back.”

So that’s what it said. I pushed my hair off my shoulder and let it spill over hopefully covering the evidence of my betrayal. Luke may have sanctioned it. But my beating heart was judge and jury. I didn’t want to feel this way about anyone else. I wanted Luke to come back and stop this charade before it got out of hand.

Maggie stopped talking. I closed my locker ready for her scorn but Flynn had come back. “What do you want?” I said watching Maggie walk away giving me knowing looks with her hand in Brent’s being led away.

He held out a hand. I narrowed my eyes at it. Snagging mine, he said, “I’m doing the boyfriend thing.” My narrowed eyes met his. “I’m walking my girlfriend to class.” And in front of my classroom, Flynn gave me another kiss that would be talked about for days.

I was in so much trouble.

After school, I dug for my keys in my bag next to my car when Paul walked up. I’d been the target of several death stares, cat calls and other such ridicule on the way out of school. The girls of course had nothing good to say, which I expected even though Flynn’s past girlfriends had never been treated this way. It was almost like I was special in a new and frustrating way.  And the boys thought I was Flynn’s new slut. If Luke only knew that dating Flynn wasn’t anything good for my reputation.

“Look, I’m not in the mood to talk,” I blurted, opening the car and tossing my bag in the passenger seat.

“Merce, I’m here as a friend. Please.”

Maybe my day had been rough and I needed someone on my side, but I waited to hear him out. “Okay.” I couldn’t find any other words.

“What’s going on? I know you. This has to be some kind of act you are putting on. You and Flynn,” he shook his head. “I don’t see it.”

Relief washed over me. I shouldn’t be excited that my cover was blown. Everything was riding on Nina believing in this. “Does this have anything to do with Luke asking me to look up anything on the Angels of Death?”

“Angels of Death?” I asked confused.

“They were the angels that were sent as a warning to the Pharaoh to free the slaves,” he said as if I should know.

“Okay,” I said. “Why do you bring it up?”

“Some say that later they were sent to kill off the products of Angels and human women.”

Stopping, I sucked in a breath. I could see the train tracks Paul was leading me down and didn’t like the ticket that waited for me. “What specifically did he ask you to research?” I whispered.

His face soured and I knew that he dreaded his next words. He obviously thought I knew that Luke had asked him. “Ways that they could be destroyed.”

It felt like a guillotine had cut off my head. I was pretty sure I’d collapse because I truly believed that I knew what Luke was up to. “What’s up?” Flynn said and pulled me back into his chest. His arms hung over my shoulders. “Are you bothering my girl?”

Paul snorted. “Your girl?” He huffed again for good measure. It was clear he didn’t believe in us as a couple.

Flynn slid his hands down my hips until I slapped his hand away. Then he turned my head to plant a kiss on my face. He pushed the limits until I pushed him away. “My girl,” he answered.

Paul ignored Flynn. “Luke must be in on this but I doubt he would approve of your antics.”

Flynn stood back and folded his arms. Not wanting Flynn to take this forward because we had already started to garner attention, I softly said, “Look, we need everyone to believe.” Giving him a pleading look, I added, “It’s important everyone think this is real. Even Maggie.” I bit my lip hoping Paul would understand.

Pointing a finger at Flynn, Paul said, “You better treat her right in this scheme. She’s not a game.”

Flynn made a move in Paul’s direction. I quickly placed myself between them. Turning to Flynn, I said, “He researched Angels of Death for Luke. What do you know about it?”

There was no doubt that Flynn knew because he didn’t even flinch. “I know enough that Luke didn’t want you to worry.” He spoke to me but looked at Paul.

“He didn’t say for me to keep it from Mercy. How would I’ve known?” Paul asked Flynn defensively.

“Keep it down,” I said moving so I could see them both and if anyone was eavesdropping.

Flynn’s voice came out quieter but clear. “If you such a good researcher, why don’t you research bonding for Cambions?”

Paul’s eyes widened. He looked at me then at Flynn and back to me. “You two?” I didn’t have to say anything. It must have been plastered on my face.

“If you’re so worried about Mercy, find a way for us to get out of this.” Flynn sounded serious. “You must have skills with research if you could figure out how to conjure a demon in order to be with her.”

Unable to come back with anything to say, he accepted Flynn’s challenge. “I did come across something about the bond in the books I found. And I will find something to break it.”  Then he strode away.

“What was that all about?” I asked Flynn who merely smirked.

“He’s not over you.” It was a simple statement. However he wasn’t done. “You want out of this so bad. I’m sure he’ll find a way out for us.”

Underneath the layers of steel, I saw the hurt. “Flynn,” I said reaching out to him. He took my hands by the wrist. With a smile on his face and scorn in his tone, he said, “Don’t. Everyone’s watching.”

For show value, he bent down and kissed me quickly. Then he walked away to his own car, leaving me feeling bad about what I was doing to him.

Getting in my own car, I pulled away from the school. I headed directly home needed to make a call as soon as I got there. I practically ran inside the house. With my bottom parked in my desk chair, I placed a call.

A groggy voice answered. “What’s up?”

Not bothering with niceties, I accused, “Were you ever going to tell me about the Angels of Death?”

I waited. I hadn’t expected him to answer right away. “Mercy,” he said.

“I just need to know if you are putting yourself in danger. Is this what your leaving was all about?”

“Yes, but it was to keep you safe. I need them to believe that I live somewhere far away from you.” We weren’t on video chat so, I couldn’t see his expression.

“Why are you protecting me if they are after you?” I asked.

“Because, you think they are just going to seek me out. These are rogue angels who would love nothing more than to kill demons just as much as do Nephilim. They believe their mandate is from above.”

I exhaled a long breath. “How safe are you?” I asked.

His voice grew quieter. “Safe as anywhere else in that world.”

“What does that even mean?” I threw out.

“It means I need you to trust me. Who told you about this anyway, Flynn?” He sounded irate.

“No, Paul.”

A sigh came out before he spoke. “So you two are talking again.”

“It’s not what you think. He doesn’t buy me and Flynn as a couple, and he asked if it had anything to do with the research you had him do.”

“He had those books that he got off of ebay and Craig’s List. I figured he could obtain what I hadn’t been able to find.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose not knowing what to say. “He’s smart. It was good you asked him to help. I just wish you would have trusted me. I could have helped too.”

“You are helping. You need to convince my father that we aren’t together. You need to save Flynn’s life.”

There it was. “I feel like you are pushing me to be with him,” I confessed in a weak moment. I wanted to take the words back as much as I was relived to say them.

I wasn’t surprised it took him a long time to answer. “I don’t want you with him. But I also know that he’ll die without you.”

“So you are letting me go.”

“No,” he said so soft I barely heard.

“Then what is it then? I can’t do this. I don’t want to do this.”

“You will forever be mine Mercy. But us being together right now puts you in danger as well as Flynn. I’ll lose you both by being selfish.”

“Maybe if I joined you wherever you are, no one would know we are together. Then maybe distance will help Flynn sever this bond.”

“As much as I want you here with me, it’s not safe for you. The fallen will get curious who I’m with. And we don’t need anyone else curious about you.”

When we eventually hung up, I was left wondering if I’d ever see Luke again. He hadn’t given a firm date when he would be home other than to say he’d be back by prom.

My eyes at some point closed and I fell asleep. I only knew this because I woke in now what I recognized as dreamscape.