paused,
began to settle, and curled a smile …“Your hair looks pretty
though.”
“Forget about my hair! Why would you—”
“She has to learn to deal with the
nightmares. They’ll get much worse if she doesn’t learn how to
cope. She’s grown now. It was time.”
“They’re creating an angel army,” I said into
Mom’s chest. “We’re going to war with the hunters and dreks.”
“What? Why would you want to go to war again?
This isn’t another brainless football game, Phillip , this
is—”
“I know what this is, Celeste . While
you were off getting your hair done, we were saving the world. So
don’t tell me what I know and don’t know. Before you get all
frazzled, why don’t you come over here and we’ll explain.”
Mom caressed my back, silent. I straightened
up and gazed into her gleaming eyes; those comforting sapphire-blue
eyes I so adore. She gave me a sweet look. “It’s okay now, Ellie.
I’m here for you.” And there was that soothing smile that always
melted my heart and seemed to guarantee that everything would be fine. I returned the closest thing I had to a smile
as she said, “Okay, let’s go see what these stupid boys are talking
about.”
With a palm on my back, she ushered me across
the room with her. While we stepped, my hand drifted over her
wings. The salon must’ve used that feather gloss stuff, so
smooth.
At the table, as Dad explained to Mom, I went
over and stood with Vyn. He wrapped an arm around me. I leaned into
him, tilted my head to his shoulder and placed a soft palm on his
chest, rubbed my thoughts into his heart; I love you, Vyn, so
much .
Angie sat in her chair, picked up her salad
bowl and began to munch away again. Jaydenn stood above the table,
his hands pointing to specific points on the map whenever
needed.
We listened to Dad’s explanation.
“The drekavacs are multiplying at an alarming
rate these days, which means the hunters are doing the same. More
angels are disappearing and it’s only going to get worse, unless we
do something. It’s either this, or we cower away like scared
animals while the hunters build an army. War is inevitable,
Celeste, you know that. We need to stop this before it turns in
their favor. We’ll wait for the right time, of course. We need to
prepare first.”
Darkness set in my mind. Why does the world
have to be so mean? Dad voiced his strategy pep talk like a coach.
But my childhood nightmares—impending doom, like rolling thunder in
a billowed hunter storm cloud.
The hail would come … eventually.
CHAPTER 8
Almost a half hour later, after Dad mentioned
the plans for the new home, Mom said, “Well, that’s just wonderful,
girls. You deserve a new home. I’m so happy for you two. And Vyn,
let’s get that new lab built.” She hiked over and hugged Vyn and I
together. Then turned to the seated Angie and said, “My lovely,
Angelica.” She beamed at the sight of her daughter, before stepping
over and crouching down at Angie’s feet. Mom’s dress stretched over
her knees, two-inch heels propping up her recently moisturized
calves as she placed a gentle palm on Angie’s crossed leg. “I
missed you, honey. Is Jaydenn taking care of you?” She reached up,
tucked a loose strand of hair behind Angie’s ear. “My pretty angel
girl.”
Angie held a polite look, a hint of
uncomfortable while Mom studied her. Angie rolled her eyes up to
Jaydenn and lifted a sly little grin. “He’s keeping up with me,
Mom, so far.”
Mom clicked her tongue with a little scolding
sound as she narrowed her eyes and stood up. “ Angie , I know what you’re talking about, young lady.”
“I’m sure you do, Celeste,” Dad
commented.
Mom swung her eyes on Dad. “Phillip!”
Jaydenn stayed out of it, but I could tell by
the forced look at the map, the way his hands floated over the
paper in no particular direction, that he knew. Angie looked up at
Mom with a clever smile, a confident batting of eyelashes,
Frankie Blue
john thompson
Alaina Stanford
Alexandra Ivy, Laura Wright
C.W. Gortner
Helena Newbury
Jessica Jarman
Shanna Clayton
Barbara Elsborg
James Howard Kunstler