“You don’t have to deal with her. You’re her big brother, and she loves you more than life itself. Just be patient with her. I mean she saw Mom get…” Abby shuddered.
Chaz’s expression softened a bit as he took in her words. “Okay, I will.” He hesitated a moment before reaching over and handing Abby a paper towel to wipe her tears. “So, um, looks like you were making dinner.”
“Geez Chaz, why is dinner always my problem?” Abby asked.
He grinned sheepishly. “Cause you’re a girl.”
Abby rolled her eyes. “With that attitude you just set feminism back a hundred years.”
Chaz opened his mouth to say something, but then he snapped it shut. I knew what he was going to say and so did Abby: You sound just like Mom. Chaz shrugged the thought away. “But Dad’s gonna be home with Hannah in fifteen minutes, and he’ll expect us to have something started.”
Before Abby could respond, Atticus whined and scratched at the door. Abby’s eyes met Chaz’s. “Let me guess, you’re incapable of walking Atticus too?” When Chaz didn’t respond, she rolled her eyes. “Fine, I’ll take him out.”
He reached his hand out to stop her. “Wait Abby, I can take him.”
“No, you can start dinner. You know to help feminism take a giant leap forward,” she said, with a small smile.
“Okay.”
Abby grabbed a blue leash off the hook by the door and clipped it to Atticus’s collar. Recognizing he was about to go for a walk, he lunged forward, jerking Abby out the door. I quickly slipped out behind them.
It was a moonless night, and all the stars were covered by clouds. Abby became enveloped in the black darkness, but I easily kept up with her frantic pace. Suddenly, a panic washed over me. My eyes were drawn to the opposite side of the street. In the pitch dark, I made out the familiar amber glow of a demon. Shadows stretched and peeled off the street-lights to swirl into a human form.
Angelic adrenaline pulsed through me when I recognized the demon. It was Lucius. I had been right all along. He was here in Oakdale, and he appeared to be after the Thomas family.
He arched a dark eyebrow at me. “And hello to you too, Elijah. One would think you guardians possessed a few more manners.”
“I don’t care for manners right now.” I pointed to Abby who was still struggling with Atticus. “She’s all I care about. I don’t know what you’re doing here, but you might as well leave.”
Lucius smirked at me. “Aren’t we the protective type?”
I ignored him and kept trailing behind Abby. Lucius kicked at a pebble along the road. “Don’t get all hot and bothered, Elijah. It’s not her I’m after.”
“Excuse me?”
He jerked his head towards Abby. “She not supposed to be the one with the dog. Hannah is the one who always walks the dog, and I have a little unfinished business with her.”
I shuddered in spite of the scorching night. “So you are after some sort of revenge?”
Lucius wrinkled his nose. “Revenge sounds so petty. Let’s just say I don’t like leaving loose ends.”
“Have you forgotten that Sophie is assigned to Hannah? I’d say she was just a bit more powerful than you.”
A hiss rattled in the back of Lucius’s throat while his eyes narrowed at Abby. “Why don’t I give you a little lesson in what I can and can’t do?”
He snapped his fingers. Atticus suddenly came out of his collar. For a split second, he shook his head, like he was dumbfounded by the prospect. “Atticus,” Abby warned. “Come here.” Just as she was about to grab him, his newfound freedom caused him to sprint up the street.
“Atticus no!”
A beam of white light shot from the hilltop, and a car came careening into view. My eyes widened when I realized what Lucius intended. I had to do something or Abby was going to get hurt—or even killed.
Atticus darted into the middle of the road with Abby close on his heels. She had almost grabbed him when the headlights blinded her. As the car slammed on its brakes to avoid her, I pinched my eyes shut. With everything I had in me, I forced the weight of the car to the immediate right. It was too close to send it any other way but straight into Atticus. I would have to sacrifice him for her.
My eyes snapped open as Abby’s scream of agony and Lucius’s snarl of frustration pierced through me as the car hurtled into Atticus.
Chapter Six: ELIJAH
Abby threw herself down beside Atticus, sobbing hysterically. “No, no, NO! God, please no!”
Lucius vanished just like the speeding car that hit Atticus. I transformed, and at the sound of someone behind her, Abby whirled around. Her frantic eyes met mine. “Please help me! My dog’s been hit!”
I knelt down beside her. Pain pierced me like knives because I felt Atticus was dying. His heart had slowed to crawl the moment he’d hit the pavement. I didn’t dare look at Abby. I was too afraid my emotions might betray me.
In a shaky voice, she questioned, “Well, is he okay?”
Conflict raged within me. Even in earthly form, I had the power to heal, but the Dominion frowned upon it. They saw it as an interference, and we were never supposed to interfere in the lives of our assignments or others—we were merely meant to guide. In the end, it was something we were to use only in the direst of situations.
So, I knew I shouldn’t try to heal Atticus. Not only because of the wrath of the Dominion, but it could expose me as something more than human, and that could in turn compromise my mission.
But then the thought flashed before my mind of how I’d sacrificed Atticus to save Abby’s life. If I had known what I was doing, he wouldn’t have gotten hurt. As soon as I dared to look into Abby’s heartbroken eyes, I wasn’t thinking straight anymore.
As I bent over Atticus, Gabriel’s angry face flashed in my mind. I tentatively reached my hand out. My fingers lightly touched Atticus’s fur, and his body convulsed. That which was once broken and bruised was healed.
Abby’s head shot up at the sound of Atticus’s whimpering. She stared at him in disbelief before glancing over at me. “He’s okay?” she whispered.
I nodded. “Yeah, I think he might make it after all.”
She continued peering into my eyes. Suddenly, she threw her arms around my neck. “I can never thank you enough.”
The feel of her caused my throat to constrict. Warmth radiated from her body, and she melted against me. For the first time in all my guardian angel existence, I noted each soft curve of someone else’s—some girl’s body. My mind swam with the different thoughts, not at all angelic, which were filling my mind.
I gulped in several deep breaths before I could respond. “T-There’s no need t-to thank me.” Abby smiled, and warmth flooded through my heart like liquid fire. I could have stayed right there with her in the middle of the street forever, but I realized we needed to get going.
I swallowed a few times, desperately trying to find my voice. “He probably needs to see a vet.”
Abby nodded. “If you’ll help me get him home, my dad and I will take him.”
“Okay,” I answered as I struggled to gather up the ninety pound dog in my arms. Silently, I cursed myself for being such a weakling and not having Rafe’s super-strength and buff body. But then again, I was already was weaker from using my powers to save Atticus. It was only inevitable after performing an intercession and pumping life saving energy into someone, or some dog, that it would drain you. I would need a good night’s sleep to be back in form the next morning—well, a good night’s sleep to recharge me would only have to be a couple of hours.
We started slowly walking back to Abby’s house.
“You’re new here aren’t you?” she asked.
Once again, speaking escaped me, so I could only nod.
“Don’t you live down the street?”
The smell of her perfume filled my nostrils. Being so close to her made my throat clench up more than usual. My reaction to her came from a different source than my usual shyness. Incapable of sp
eaking, I bobbed my head in response.
“Didn’t I see you at church on Sunday?” she asked. She smiled when I only jerked my head again. “Your brother is our new Youth Minister.” Before I could nod, she pressed me with a question which I had to answer. “What’s his name again?”
Silently, I screamed my response in my head. For the life of me, my brain and throat refused to connect. It was like they were on some cosmic conspiracy to make me look like a fool. And deep down, I knew I didn’t need any help.
Finally, I cleared my throat several times of what felt like a wad of sawdust before I could respond. “Gabriel,” I replied.
“And what’s yours?”
“Elijah.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Elijah. I’m Abby Thomas.”
“Nice to meet you, too,” I mumbled.
When we reached the house, Abby held the backdoor open for me. I quickly ushered Atticus inside. In our absence, her father, David, had arrived home with Hannah. He and Chaz looked expectantly at the two of us while Hannah rushed to my side. She glanced up at me, her face etched with worry. I smiled down at her, trying to reassure her.
“What happened?” David asked.
“Atticus got out of his leash, and he was hit by a car,” Abby cried.
David frowned. “We better take him to the Emergency Vet clinic.” He looked at me. “You’re Gabriel’s brother, aren’t you?”
Ducking my head, I mumbled, “Yes sir.”
“Well thank you so much for helping,” David said.
“You’re welcome,” I replied, keeping my eyes on the floor. David brushed against me as he took Atticus into his arms and headed into the garage. Hannah followed close at his side, and Abby and Chaz went behind them.
After Abby got into the SUV and buckled her seatbelt, she waved as the car backed out of the driveway. I waved back and then blushed.
I didn’t go straight home. I already anticipated Gabriel’s fury. It pulsed through me, causing a stinging twinge in my chest. When I finally walked through the door an hour later, Sophie was sitting on the landing of the stairs waiting for me.
“Where have you been? Gabriel is going crazy!”
At the sound of Sophie’s voice, Gabriel whirled out of the living room and into the foyer. “What were you thinking, Elijah!” he growled.
Sophie quickly stepped between us. “How could he not help her, Gabriel? Can you begin to imagine how Hannah would have dealt with Atticus’s death? It would have sent her completely over the edge.”
Gabriel shook his head. “But he’s compromised the mission. Abby knew the dog was probably dying. What if she thinks something isn’t right with what he did? What if she starts thinking Elijah healed the dog? That could mean big problems for all of us.”
“I’m sorry, Gabriel. I really am!” I cried. Unable to meet Gabriel’s furious gaze, I stared down at my hands. “I had to do it. I mean, it was my fault Atticus got hurt. I had to make it right.”
“You’re going back,” Gabriel said.
I jerked my head up. “What?”
“I’ll have the Dominion send someone else.”
Panic crashed over me like an electrical current, tingling from my head to my toes. “But I don’t want to go back! I’ve connected with Abby, and I want to help her!”
Sophie stared at Gabriel. “And would you begin to explain such a thing? The Thomas’s have seen Elijah. What excuse would you give them for his absence?”
“I’ll have the Dominion send someone else in his form. We can’t have someone who might constantly compromise our missions with the Thomas’s!” Gabriel snapped.
No, this couldn’t be happening. I couldn’t leave Abby. I already cared about her too much to let someone else take my place. I grabbed Gabriel by the arm. “Please, please, don’t do this!”
Cassie and Rafe appeared on the landing of the stairs with forlorn expressions.
Out of nowhere, the doorbell rang. Sophie gasped, and we all exchanged frantic looks with each other. Finally, Gabriel walked over and threw the door open.
Abby stood on the front step. “Is Elijah home?”
“Yes, he is.” For a moment, Gabriel’s shock caused him to forget his manners. “Oh, um, would you like to come in?”
Abby nodded and stepped past Gabriel. Her gaze searched the foyer for someone. When she found me, the sweet smile I was growing to love spread across her face. “We just got back from the vet’s. Atticus is going to be okay. He’s got some bruising, but the doctor says he’ll be fine in a couple of days”
“I’m glad to hear that,” I said.
Abby nibbled on her lip and glanced right and left before throwing her arms around my neck. “I’ll never forget this, Elijah.” The touch of her skin against mine sent sparks shooting from my arm all through my body.
“Really, it was nothing.”
Sophie appeared in the doorway. “Hi, I don’t believe we were formally introduced on Sunday. I’m Sophie Christenson.”
Abby’s arms fell from my neck, and then she quickly shook Sophie’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you, too. Daddy would have had you over to introduce himself, but …”
Sophie nodded. “That’s fine. Why don’t you all join us for dinner next week?”
“That sounds good. I’ll have my dad call you.” Abby glanced at the grandfather clock in the hallway. “I guess I better go.”
Sophie nudged me, and I stammered, “W-Why don’t I walk you h-home?”
Abby smiled. “That’s okay. I can make it fine.”
“But you’ve had a pretty rough night. Besides, I don’t mind.”
“All right then.”
The sound of our shoes echoed on the pavement, filling the quiet and deserted street. I wracked my brain for something to talk about. “So you’re a senior?” Inwardly, I groaned. Could I have sounded more ridiculous?
Abby nodded.
Since my mind was still devoid of decent questions, I asked another one I knew the answer to. “Are you and Chaz twins?”
“No, I’m only sixteen. I skipped fifth grade.”
“You must be pretty smart.”
Abby giggled. “Yeah, I guess I kill the whole ‘dumb blonde cheerleader’ stereotype.”
I didn’t understand what she meant, but I nodded anyway. Abby continued talking. “I’ve got an academic and cheerleading scholarship to UGA next year.”
It was only through Rafe’s obsession with football that I knew anything about the University of Georgia. “That’s great.”
“Yeah, I’m excited about it. I’m not sure how well my Dad is going to adjust with both Chaz and I leaving home. I worry about Hannah, too,” Abby said.
“I’m sure they’ll be fine.”
“I hope so.”
When we arrived at her house, Abby turned to me and smiled. “Wanna sit for awhile?” she asked, motioning toward the rockers on the wide front porch.
I stared at them for a minute, unsure what to say or do. The thought of having to wrack my brain for more conversation made me nervous. But at the same time, I didn’t want to leave her.
“Okay,” I finally replied, easing down in a cane rocker.
“So tell me a little about yourself?” Abby asked.
I flushed and stared down at my hands. “There’s nothing really to tell, I guess.”
“Oh come on. Everyone has a story. What’s yours?”
“Well, I’ve got two sisters and two brothers.”
“And,” Abby prodded playfully.
I tried to think of how to piece together the lie—the lie that was our backgrounds. I couldn’t tell her the truth that I was a guardian angel doing my century bound service term. I looked human like her, but I was very different—that actually only our emotions made us anything close to equals.
“Um, well, our parents were missionaries. We’ve lived all over the world.”
Abby leaned forward. “Really? That’s awesome. I’d really love to travel someday.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty
neat.”
Her brows furrowed for a moment. “But where are your parents?”
“Uh, um, they died in a car accident several years back.”
Abby gasped. “Oh, I’m so sorry! I’m so nosy—”
I shook my head. “It’s okay.”
Relief flooded her face. We sat in an uncomfortable silence for a few seconds. Finally, Abby spoke up. “I know how you feel. Gabriel’s probably told you that our mom was killed in May.”
I know because I was there, I thought, but instead, I nodded.
“It’s been so hard,” she began, but then her voice broke. “Daddy feels so guilty, like it’s his fault.”
“Why does he feel that way?”
“Mom was volunteering in this really bad neighborhood.” She shook her head. “They’d argued about it that morning. He told her not to do it anymore, but she just kept saying as a minister’s wife, it was her duty and all. Then as she and Hannah were on their way to the car…” Abby choked up, unable to continue.
Almost instinctively, I reached out and grabbed her hand. She stared up at me in surprise. “You don’t have to talk about it,” I drew in a deep breath. “But if you want to, I’m here.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “I haven’t been able to talk to anyone…”
“I understand.”
After sucking in a ragged breath, she rushed on, “It makes Daddy so sad, and Chaz refuses to talk to any of us about it. And Hannah…she doesn’t talk at all.”
I shook my head. “I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks,” she whispered, squeezing my hand. She smiled weakly. “You know for someone who never says anything, you sure know how to listen.”
A tingle ran up my spine before my cheeks filled with warmth. To hide my embarrassment, I tucked my chin to my chest. “Thanks…I-I’m here for you if you need someone to listen.”
“I appreciate that.”
Before I could say anything else, the front door opened, and David stepped outside. “Abby?”