Few Are Angels (31 page)

Mia shielded her eyes from the sun and nodded.

“Yeah, then we can discuss what we will do when Alex moves back in two weeks,” Mia said, flooring me.

Kale stiffened and Mia grinned.

“Looks like Alex can hang out with me since you have Kale,” she said innocently.

I knew she wanted a reaction, but I wasn’t about to give her one. I cleared my throat, hoping my voice didn't betray me.

“Move back? He is just coming home for Winter Break,” I corrected her.

“Oh shit, he hasn’t told you yet.” Mia seemed surprised.

I wasn’t sure if she hadn’t really known Alex hadn’t told me he was coming back, or if she was rubbing it in that she and Alex would be paired up. “I thought he’d have at least told you that he’d dropped all of his classes but one. Sorry. I’m sure he will call you tonight and tell you.” Mia threw her bag in the car and got in.

I was tempted to say something to her, anything, but what was there to say? I waved goodbye, and Kale and I walked to his car. I got in and placed my hands over my eyes. The headache seemed to be coming back, but for a different reason. How could Alex tell Mia he was coming home before he told me? He knew she and I worked together. Maybe he knew she would bring it up. Kale got in the car and started it. He sat quietly beside me before he shifted into gear and pulled off.

“I can’t believe he didn't tell me,” I said quietly. I really meant for it to be a thought.

I looked at Kale, but he was staring straight ahead, his mind no doubt still on the attack in the mall. That was where my mind should’ve been, but I couldn't get over Alex.

“Maybe Jace should stay close to Mia’s,” I said, finally triggering a reaction from Kale.

“Shit.”

“What?” I looked behind us, hoping we were not being followed, but I didn't see anything out of the ordinary.

Kale looked in the mirror and shook his head. “No one is following us. It’s Jace. When he finds out Laurent’s men have found you, he isn’t going to take well to you staying in Cedar.”

I rolled my eyes, aware of the obvious. “Mia still needs to be watched over,” I reminded him.

“Until Alex comes home,” he added.

I looked over at him, but he stared straight ahead. Kale had to have known that comment cut me a little, but I didn't say anything. I wasn’t prepared to open that can of worms with him.

Chapter 30

Truth Hurts

Back at the house, Kale and I debated whether or not to tell Jace about tattooed Chorý. I was all for telling Jace, but Kale was against it, even though it could put Mia in danger. He tried to convince me to have Jace guard me while he continually guarded Mia. I knew that wasn’t going to work because Jace was smarter than Kale wanted to give him credit for; he would know something was up. I told Kale that a guardian couldn't do their job properly if not fully informed of the severity of the situation, and he readily, but unhappily, agreed. I also thought it was time to fill Alex in on what was going on. Kale was convinced it was a bad idea, but I wasn’t so sure. I didn't have to tell Alex about my abilities, but I could tell him I was in danger and that Kale and I would soon leave to protect everyone. I wasn’t sure how he would take it, but at least I didn't have to disappear into thin air. I would get a chance to say goodbye.

No one was home when we arrived, so I made lunch while Kale wandered around outside searching for any signs the tattooed man had been to the house. I ate my soup and sandwich, then went upstairs to wait for Kale. He had methodically checked the entire house while I was locked in the car a mile down the road before I was allowed to go inside. I checked my phone and noticed a missed call from Ocean Trace, but I ignored it. I wasn’t sure what I would be telling Dr. Lithe just yet. Kale entered the room bringing in the smell of burnt leaves and crisp winter air. I’d miss his scent while I was with the Council.

“Everything looks fine out there.” He sat beside me on the bed. “Have you given any thought to what you want to do about Alex?”

I shook my head and leaned against his shoulder to “rest my eyes,” as my father had called it. Kale placed a hand on my knee and we sat in silence until I fell asleep.

I woke to the sounds of rummaging downstairs. I glanced around for Kale, but he was nowhere in sight. I jumped up from the bed and searched the room for a weapon and came up with Alex’s old hockey stick. I tiptoed to the door and placed my ear against it and strained to hear what was happening. I could hear scratching and what sounded like Max coming up the stairs, but I could also hear someone as they tiptoed outside my door. Where had Kale gone? He wouldn’t have just left me here knowing the tattooed man could find me. Suddenly, a knock on the door jarred me and I stumbled backward, tripping over my feet and hitting the floor with a painful
oomph
. Sarah burst through the door. Her face was wrinkled in concern, which quickly changed to confusion when she saw me on the floor clutching the hockey stick for dear life.

“Jeez, Ella, you scared me!” She held out her hand to help me up.

I took it and got up, feeling the bruise on my side from earlier throb. I rubbed it as I got up and Sarah noticed.

“You okay? What were you doing, and why were you holding that like you were ready to swing it at someone?” She eyed me warily.

I placed the stick in the corner before I answered. “I fell asleep, and when I woke up, I heard some noise downstairs and got nervous.”

Sarah looked at me sideways. “And you didn't think it was Max? I mean, he was scratching his butt off when I came in. He needs to be let out throughout the day, Ella. Try not to forget, okay?” Sarah turned to leave, but before she was out of the door, she stopped. She looked back to gauge my reaction.

I wasn’t sure what it was she saw, but she smiled and headed down stairs. I looked at the clock. I’d been asleep for a couple of hours. Sarah and Lea were downstairs, and I could smell that Sarah had started dinner. My pills were making it easier for me to sleep even when I only wanted to take a thirty-minute nap. I took a shower and braided my hair before I went downstairs. I assumed Kale had left when Sarah and Lea had arrived, and I planned on calling him later so we could talk to Jace. Sarah had made chicken casserole for dinner, and Eric was actually home early enough to sit down and eat with us. No one said anything about Alex’s return, so I didn't mention it either.

Later that night, I called Kale so we could discuss Jace looking after Mia. I felt we had waited too long, so I texted her first to make sure she was okay. After Mia texted me back, I waited for Kale. He climbed up the lattice, once again flooding my senses with his spicy winter scent.

“Where’d you go?” I asked, as he settled in the computer chair.

“Checked on Mia.”

“And?”

“Everything checked out for now, but I know you want to have Jace keep an eye on her.”

Kale pulled his phone from his pocket and called Jace. Kale told him to meet us at the edge of the woods in front of my house, and Jace agreed. It seemed colder that night, as if the temperature had quickly dropped, and it seemed as if it was going to continue to fall. The Carltons were all asleep in the house when I snuck out. I wondered how they would take to Alex coming home early. I hadn’t talked to Eric or Sarah about it, and I wasn’t sure I was going to at all. I didn’t think it was a subject Eric would want to discuss, and Sarah had been busy with work and preparing for winter break.

Kale stood off to the side of the shed staring at the moon. Things had changed completely. I was going to have to leave sooner rather than later, but I wasn’t sure how I planned to do it. I knew the Council wasn’t a fan of Kale, but they looked like a viable option for protection. If I could convince Jace to allow Kale to come and find a way to break the news to the Carltons without raising suspicions, I would go with Jace. I walked over to Kale and placed my hand on his shoulder. He turned to me just as Jace emerged from the woods, and we walked over to him together, hand in hand.

“What happened?” Jace asked. He glanced at our entwined fingers.

Kale took a deep breath and shook his head. “They found her in the mall today.”

Jace held my stare and cursed. He ran his fingers through his hair and balled them into fists. “Ella,” he started, then stopped.

Kale squeezed my fingers and pulled me in front of him, placing his arms around me.

“Laurent also knows I am with her,” Kale added.

Jace threw his hands in the air and turned to me. “How in the hell do they know that?” Jace growled.

I shushed him. We all looked back at the house to see if he had woken anyone. No lights had come on, and it seemed that everyone was still asleep. Kale motioned for us to head toward the woods, but Jace didn't budge.

“Ella, have you given any thought to what we talked about last night?” Jace inquired.

I turned to Kale to see confusion on his face. I hadn’t had a chance to talk to him about the conversation yet, and I didn’t want to do it in front of Jace. I shook my head and turned back to the woods, hoping they would follow, but this time Kale stood still.

“What’s he talking about, Ella?” Kale asked as he let go of my hand.

I looked away from him, afraid to tell him what Jace and I had talked about, and even more afraid to tell him I had decided to go with Jace so the Council could help us.

“Ella, tell him,” Jace coaxed. “I know you agree with me. You don’t want to put any more of your loved ones at risk.”

He was right, but I wasn’t sure what I was going to do about it yet. Kale hadn’t taken his eyes off of me and I could feel the weight of his stare. “Kale.” I didn't know where to start, and I didn't know where we would end up after this. “I think… I think maybe the Council can help.”

Jace moved closer and held out his hand. “We can leave tonight if you want.”

Kale turned to face him. “No.” He turned back to me. “Do you have no faith in me?”

I didn't know what to say. Had Hélène and he asked the Council for help, their story may have ended differently, but I couldn't say that. It would’ve been a slap in the face to all they’d sacrificed.

“I do have faith in you, Kale, but this time it’s different. I have to worry about the safety of a family that has nothing to do with this and have been nothing but amazing to me. There has to be a way to protect them,” I said, and my voice quavered.

Kale looked betrayed, and I felt guilty. Hélène had been faced with a similar decision and she chose to handle the situation herself. I wasn’t about to make the same mistake, but it looked like it was going to cost me.

Kale nodded and took a step back. “So you are saying you want to leave with him tonight? Is that what you are telling me?”

Jace moved past Kale and stood in front of me. “Hélène had to make hard choices also, Ella. That is part of being an Arc.”

Kale rushed Jace, knocking him off balance, and I had to move so I didn't tumble also.

Jace caught himself before he fell, then turned to Kale and smiled. “Once again you plan to talk her out of allowing the Council to help? How many times do you want to watch her die?”

Kale blanched. It was a low blow, and even I felt it in my gut. Kale deflated. His anger and everything else had left him, and his eyes went black. His face was devoid of all emotion, and I wasn’t sure whether he was going to explode or deflate completely. I stood there stiff as a board, waiting for what would come next. I knew his reaction would be disastrous, but I could never have predicted what it would be —not in a million years.

There were few things in my life I was positive of, but I was positive that if Kale and I could stay together, we would find a way to overcome this obstacle, even though he and Hélène hadn’t. I thought we were different. I didn't want to believe I was giving up because I wasn’t. I just understood things weren’t going to go the way I wanted. Even though Kale was a Chorý and was able to protect me better than a human, we were still at a disadvantage. Laurent knew way more than he should have, and we’d run out of time. It was my fault for not making the right choice to begin with. Jace was right. Hélène and Kale had put their love first, and that’s why Laurent was able to find them. The feelings I had for Kale were more than remnants of the past. It was possible they could get in the way of making the right choice again. As hard as the truth was to admit, it was harder to hear when Kale said it.

“Fine,” Kale whispered. “Take her.” He headed toward the woods and stopped halfway there.

I ran to him, hoping he had changed his mind. I knew it was the best plan for us, but I didn't want to carry it through. I tried to take his hand, but he harshly denied me. He wouldn’t look at me, and it hurt. I wanted to touch him, but I didn't dare.

“Kale, don’t leave it this way.” I didn't want him to think I didn't have faith in him, but I couldn't place everyone at risk anymore. The tattooed man was a real threat. He did not know where I lived, but he knew what I looked like, and it wouldn’t be long before he found me and the Carltons. “Don’t leave me like this. I need you to believe in me the same way you need me to believe in you.”

Kale laughed harshly. It sounded deep and cruel. He looked at me, but not with the usual adoring eyes.

“But you don’t trust me. You trust Vesco. It’s okay, though. Hélène and I may have not been able to flee the Dark Prince, but at least I knew where she stood.”

I backed away from him in shock.

Jace moved beside me. “Ella, we need to plan how we will leave.” He ignored my conversation with Kale.

Kale scoffed and continued toward the woods. I didn't believe for one second I wouldn’t see him again—and soon—so I let him go. He needed to cool off, and I needed to think. I didn't want him to say something we would both regret. I wanted to be with him, on our own, creating a life together. I even had a plan to solve my mortality issues, and the first step was leaving with Jace. I couldn't tell Kale what I planned to do because he wouldn’t agree. But it was our only hope. I’d see Kale again, and then I would explain it to him. Jace and I headed toward the house. I turned to him and made him stop.