Redemption (17 page)

“You never told me all of that,” Carrie said, sounding hurt.

“Would you have believed it?” Nick asked sardonically. She shrugged and shook her head. “There’s more. In the magazine, I found this.” He held out his wrist, showing them what looked one of those Karma bracelets they sold in stores. The stone was reddish-brown. “I’m not sure what it is, but I knew I was supposed to wear it.”

Miranda recognized it instantly. “Jasper,” she said. The rest looked at her, clearly waiting to hear more. She rolled her eyes. Somehow, she’d become the stone-girl, resident expert for all. They
could
look this stuff up, too. Wasn’t that what Google was for? “From what I’ve read, it allows the wearer, with God’s help, to free those possessed by devils. It also means other things, like loyalty and inner strength.”

“Sounds kind of wacky to me,” Carrie protested.

“Actually, there are a ton of Biblical references to gemstones. It’s not so much about the stone doing anything. They’re symbols for how God is going to use you,” Miranda explained.

Derek put his arm around her. “I didn’t believe it at first, either, Carr. But then I got this.” He held up a ring with a black stone. “Obsidian, in case you’re wondering. And yes, it showed up mysteriously. That is, until I met Feyth. Then it made sense since he has one, too.”

“Feyth?” Carrie asked.

“Derek’s angel,” Miranda answered. “I have this to match mine.” She held up her pendant. “Celestite. Vizuhn has one, too, in a ring.”

“So you’re saying,” Nick began, “that somewhere nearby is an angel, assigned to me, also wearing Jasper?”

“Precisely. I’m sure he was the guy in the store, too,” Miranda said. “They do that, take human form without revealing themselves to us. When the time comes and you need to see him, he’ll appear.”

“And what does this have to do with Bryan and my cousin?” Carrie asked, wanting to get back to where the conversation had started.

“In my dream, Bryan was being pursued by someone or something with black hair, red eyes, very evil. Like what you felt, Nick, I was sure that he was going to be devoured by whatever it was. He was lost, wandering, and it was following him.” Miranda shivered. “It was very creepy.”

“So I’m not crazy,” Nick stated.

“No, you’re not. And now, whatever I saw in my dream just might be coming here. So, Carrie,” Miranda said, turning to face her friend, “that’s what it has to do with your cousin. Nick is right to be fearful, not of Bryan, though. Of whatever is following him.”

“I don’t like this,” Carrie stated firmly. “It’s freaky and way too sci-fi for me.”

“Like it or not, Carr, we’re in it,” Miranda paused. “I have a feeling that Bryan is part of our Circle. Just keep an eye on him and Cassidy. You can feel better knowing that their angels will be near them, too.”

“Yeah, that makes me feel a whole lot better.” Carrie’s voice was doused with sarcasm. Her eyes drifted back to the couple on the dance floor, both smiling, both seemingly unaware of just how bizarre their lives were about to get.

Miranda took a deep breath. Her life and Bryan’s were overlapping again. Only this time, he didn’t want her or even really seem to acknowledge her. Derek was amazing, and leaving him for Bryan wasn’t even a consideration. So, why did she feel so possessive every time she saw Bryan with Cassidy? Was she really so selfish that she still didn’t want him for herself but also wanted him to still pine for her? She quickly downed the remainder of her drink and closed her eyes. She was wrong to feel jealous and even a bit angry. He deserved to be happy and loved. So what if having to watch him falling for another woman wasn’t her ideal? Miranda groaned. She’d agreed to Carrie’s request that they give Cassidy part-time hours at the store which meant that he would also be coming around. Fabulous.

Derek rubbed her back, the touch of his skin on hers making her melt. Every time she looked into his eyes, she remembered all the reasons why she’d been so sure of her love for him.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Sure. Just banishing some old ghosts,” she answered. “Love you.”

He kissed her cheek. “Love you, too.”

B
astion looked to Luscid to see what he thought about the situation. He felt the Sardonyx in his ring pulsating, vibrating with energy. Mara was close. He wondered about what he was witnessing between Bryan and Cassidy. Everything he’d overheard suggested that what appeared to be between them wasn’t real. He couldn’t help but wonder at the wisdom of allowing this charade to continue.

“Have you noticed the room?” he asked. “The situation’s heating up.”

No response. The other angel simply looked royally ticked, which Bastion intuitively knew wasn’t good for anything or anyone that got in his way.

The room seemed charged with supernatural energy. With the number of the angels in the room and the demons that milled about everywhere else, it was a wonder the mortals didn’t all feel it and run screaming, leap into the icy waters, and make a dash for whatever land was nearest the boat. Carrie was spooked; perhaps it was time to reveal themselves to the Circle. Feyth and Vizuhn stood in the corner, deep in conversation. They were most likely thinking the same thing. He flashed over - walking simply took way too much time.

“Well?” he asked. “You heard her.” Bastion pointed to Carrie and Nick. “Where are their angels? We need to reveal ourselves, show them that they’re not alone.”

“Slow down,” Feyth said. “Their angels are outside, guarding the door. Things are shifting quickly, Bastion, and not in a good way.”

“Explain,” he demanded. This was going to be very, very bad. Understatement of the year.

“The others in the Circle are aware. Mara isn’t going to hold back any longer. I don’t know why she hasn’t already acted against Bryan. The mortal has to be angering her.” Feyth looked over his shoulder to where Cassidy and Bryan were still dancing. “She doesn’t do well with competition.”

“You don’t need to tell me that,” Bastion said. “And you’re right. She’s just biding her time. She was at the house the other night, cloaked, of course. It was the lotus that gave her away.” He rolled his eyes. “I have no idea why she insists on being so theatrical.”

“They like her that way,” Vizuhn replied. “Between her beauty and exotic...tastes, they cannot resist her.”

Bastion was struck anew by how truly enormous the angel was. Vizuhn towered over him. Tonight, his blonde hair was pulled back, his multi-colored eyes alert and scanning the room. Vizuhn had once fought beside Michael. This meant he was one seriously dangerous angel. Feyth wasn’t much smaller. His teal eyes glowed, and his auburn hair was cropped close, making him look like someone straight from the mortal military. Miranda and Derek were clearly the leaders in the Circle; they had to be to warrant such powerful Protectors.

“Exotic. Good way to put it.” Bastion nodded in agreement. His concern grew as he thought of Mara’s impending involvement. “Cassidy is in trouble.”

“The demon won’t get near her,” Luscid stated firmly, appearing beside Bastion. “I’ll slice her in two before that happens.”

“Calm down, Brother,” Vizuhn said. “I know how you feel, but you must remain level and in control of your emotions. Don’t allow her to gain the upper hand.”

Luscid scowled and Bastion wondered what happened to the hippie vibe that had flowed around him the first time they’d met. The ferocity of his gaze and the determination in his features had wiped all evidence of it from him. This was why Luscid was a Protector. Bastion was, again, glad they were on the same team.

“We’ll reveal ourselves in time. For now, station yourselves throughout the room. We must cover all points of entry. Mara cannot be allowed to access Bryan. He is the first one she’ll attack,” Feyth barked orders, confirming Bastion’s earlier comparison between the angel and those who commanded the military. Perhaps he had once been assigned to a general or something.

Bastion and Luscid nodded in agreement, and the group fanned out. The room wasn’t large, which was to their advantage. Four doors needed coverage. A small dance floor in the middle was surrounded by tables, a bar, and the DJ’s booth. However, the walls were lined with windows, and there was a great deal of activity tonight. Bryan seemed to be drawing many of the lesser demons, probably due to the residual scent of Mara left in his wake. They were pressed up against the glass, looking for a way in. Before he could go far, Bastion felt Vizuhn’s hand on his arm.

“Bryan cannot be lost. He is your charge, and he is the Breastplate,” Vizuhn said.

“I know,” Bastion replied. “Listen, Vizuhn, I can handle Mara. No one knows her better than I do.”

Vizuhn’s stern gaze pierced him. “We have learned that this is her last chance. Should she fail, it is likely that Lucifer will destroy her. At the very least, she will face severe punishment and exile. Mara will do whatever she must to survive. You need to be prepared to do whatever you must to stop her from succeeding.”

She was no longer his sister, his friend. Bastion steeled his determination. Light leapt in his deep, blue eyes. “As I said, I can handle Mara.”

He watched as, in the midst of the angels preparing for battle, Bryan dipped Cassidy in their dance. Her eye caught Luscid’s expression, and Bastion saw her brow furrow in concern. As she came up to face Bryan, she smiled widely, all traces of her worry fading.

She was good. They would need her.

 

Angels were everywhere. Cassidy had seen two outside, and now more joined Luscid and Bastion. And these two were seriously huge. Something big was brewing, and she wanted to know what it was. The way they kept watching Bryan, she surmised it had to do with him and whatever was trying to hurt him. Six Protectors? This was going to be ugly and probably messy. Luscid would tell her when she needed to know. She’d pray. Surround Bryan with all that Heaven could spare. God was not willing that any should perish, and she was not willing that Bryan would perish. So, it would work.

“What are you thinking?” Bryan asked as their dance came to a close. “You looked very serious.”

“Just thinking about how wonderful this night has been,” Cassidy answered. “And how wonderful you are for making it so much fun.”

His forehead creased. “I’m not that wonderful, Cass. But thank you for saying so.”

“You’re entirely too hard on yourself. Trust me, Bryan, Mara is a very lucky woman.”

Bryan’s expression conveyed his difficulty with accepting what she was saying. He wasn’t wonderful, and hearing the name Mara come from her lips made his heart sink. Telling Cassidy how he truly felt was too risky. He opted for a subject change instead.

“What are you doing tomorrow?” he asked. “I can pick you up early, take you for breakfast. We can do something.”

She smiled to cover her nervousness. “Well, church in the morning,” Cassidy began. “You could pick me up after, or...”

“Or?” He raised his eyebrows.

“Or, you could come with me?” It was a question more than a statement. Cassidy knew Bryan wasn’t a churchgoer, and until she found one of her own, she was going with Carrie and Nick. Which also meant seeing more of Miranda and Derek.

“Go. To church. With you.” A string of fragments fell from his lips. Bryan took a deep breath and grimaced. It’s not like it would kill him, right? After a long pause, he continued, “All right. I’ll go.”

Cassidy’s face lit up. She hadn’t expected him to agree to join her. “We’ll sit in the back, away from the rest of the group.”

“Group?” he asked.
Uh-oh.

“Well,” she began, biting her lip again, “I’m going with Carrie and Nick.”

Everything clicked into place. That meant more time with Miranda and Derek. His heart hitched the tiniest bit, but then...nothing. It wasn’t that he felt numb; he just no longer felt the same searing agony at the thought of being near them. Near Miranda.

“I can handle it,” he said.

“It starts at 11:00. Do you want me to pick you up?”

Bryan thought about the workday he’d spent there with Nick the previous summer. “I’ll get you; I remember the way. What do I wear?”

She shrugged. “Jeans are fine.”

“Just jeans?” he asked, smiling wickedly. “That’s a pretty casual church.”

Cassidy blushed at the thought of a bare-chested Bryan. Entirely too delicious for words. She elbowed him. “Fresh.”

“So it’s settled. I’ll pick you up wearing jeans. Shirt optional. Afterward,” he bent so his lips were a breath away from hers, “you’re all mine.”

Across the room, the remainder of the group observed and listened. As much as Cassidy might wish that Bryan meant all that he was saying, she knew it was only part of the game. She wondered at the wisdom of continuing to play. Each lie only pulled her deeper into the deception and put her heart in greater jeopardy. She took a breath and smiled up at Bryan as he dipped her again, just for fun.

“All yours,” she repeated.