Seers (31 page)

I was hoping to escape with them, but Grandma started speaking before I could. “Who is this Patrick exactly? A friend of yours?”

“Yeah. He recently moved here from Ireland.” Sort of true—

except for the recent part. “He’s a really nice guy, but he doesn’t

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have a lot of friends. Lee’s kinda crazy about him.”

“Oh.” She seemed to relax a little at that, which is of course why I’d said it in the first place. She changed the subject. “So I thought I heard you talking to Aaron? Is all that figured out?” I suddenly flashed back to Patrick’s kiss. “Yeah, I think so. I’m going to a formal dance with him this weekend.”

“Really? That’ll be nice. I bet he looks great in a suit.”

“He does.” I wondered what Patrick would look like in a suit, and then I realized for the hundredth time that I was thinking about him again, and I ordered myself to stop. But like many things, it was easier said than done.

s

Monday came, and I wondered what it would be like to see Patrick again. I wondered if it would be awkward, or be just like before we’d shared a beautiful kiss together. I couldn’t decide which was more likely, or which one I’d rather have.

I got to American Lit just as the warning bell rang—early, but not too early. Patrick was there, and I knew we’d have a brief moment alone.

He didn’t look up as I moved to take my place beside him, and it wasn’t until I was seated that he glanced up, a smile on his face.

“Good morning. How are you?”

“I’m good.” I noticed the drawing he’d been working on, and I smiled and leaned closer. “The twins? You drew them?” He laughed. “At least you recognized them. It was my project yesterday.” He winced. “I’m afraid I’ve lost a lot of my touch.” I studied the picture. It depicted Josie and Jenna, lying on the floor laughing with the couch behind them. “This is really good,” I told him honestly.

He shook his head. “Not really.”

“You captured the emotion.”

He handed it to me, not commenting on the praise. “Maybe you could give it to them? A peace offering after all the pain I inflicted.”

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I laughed, and carefully tucked it into my bag. When I looked back up I caught him staring at me. But even though our eyes met and held, and we each knew what the other was thinking about, it wasn’t awkward like I’d feared. It was more like . . . we both felt something missing. And though we mourned its absence, there wasn’t anything to say.

And then Aaron came in, and I broke our intimate gaze.

“Kate!” Aaron grinned and came quickly toward me, dropping a quick kiss against my lips that almost hurt—not because he was forceful, but because I knew now that there was so much more out there.

“You seem happy,” I commented, hoping he wouldn’t notice the hint of sadness in my voice.

“Of course I am. I’m with the most beautiful girl on the planet, plus I just found out from coach that I’m definitely competing in the meet this Wednesday! You’re going to be there, right? I’m sure I can sneak you on the bus if you don’t want to drive down there.”

“Um, what time is it?” I could feel Patrick next to me, trying unsuccessfully to look like he wasn’t listening to every word.

“It starts at six or something, but we won’t be up until eight most likely.”

“It’s a two hour drive, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, something like that. What, did you have other plans?”

“Sort of—I was planning a movie night with Lee.” It was almost scary how fast the story came to me. Becoming a good liar had never been one of my goals in life, but unwittingly it had happened.

“Oh.” I could tell from his aura that he was even more disappointed than he sounded—which was pretty impressive, because he wasn’t really trying to hide it. “Could you guys do that another night or something?”

“I don’t know—we’ve been planning it for a while,” I lied. “I’ll talk to her, though.”

“Okay. That would really suck if you couldn’t come.”

“Yeah, it would.”

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Mr. Benson entered the room, and the conversation ended.

But I could tell he was still pretty upset with me. I sighed. If only he could understand; I was trying to stop a group of Demons. It was slightly more important than watching a swim meet.

I wondered if the truth would even help the matter at this point.

It seemed like all I was able to do anymore was disappoint him.

s

Patrick was going to come pick me up at my house, minutes after I dropped the twins off at home. Luckily it was timed perfectly so they were upstairs and didn’t realize he was here—or else we might not have made it back to the elementary school in time to catch their Demon teacher.

As it was, we entered the parking lot just as I spotted a young and beautiful looking woman unlocking her silver car. It was a Toyota Camry. Her black aura seemed strangely in conflict with her good looks and modest brown dress, but I pointed her out to Patrick, and he moved to pull into a spot one away from her.

She looked up as we approached, squinting through the windshield to catch a glimpse of us. Patrick pushed the gearshift to park, and then threw a warning glance at me. “Let me do the talking. If I tell you to get in the car, do it. Okay?” I nodded that I understood, my hand itching to open the door.

He sighed at my eagerness and then switched off the car and opened his door. I waited until he was almost around the car before I opened mine—I knew he would have freaked out if I hadn’t waited, because I was closer to the Demon.

She balanced a large bag on her shoulder, and she watched us with wide, gorgeous eyes. Her brown skin was almost more of an olive color, and she was exceptionally beautiful. Her face was long, and perfectly sculpted. Her skin was flawless, and her lips were full and naturally red. Her figure was also impressive, and I was suddenly more self conscious.

Put succinctly, I understood why Toni had politely asked to

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stay behind. She was the perfect blend of beauty and danger. I was confident that no man would be able to resist her call—especially someone like Toni, who’d been under her spell before.

She watched us carefully, a small smile that didn’t touch her eyes pasted on her face. “Well hello,” she said, glancing between us. “Let me guess.” She pointed a perfect finger at Patrick. “You’re the over-protective Guardian, and you,” she flicked her finger toward me, like I was an unfortunate afterthought. “You’re the helpless Seer. Pathetically easy to guess.” I forgot Patrick’s order to keep quiet. “How’d you know?

About what we are?”

“Well, I figured it was only a matter of time before someone checked on me.” She smiled toward Patrick, and the smile was purely seductive. I hated her already. “You’re either getting old, or lazy. I’ve been here for weeks, Guardian.”

“What’s your name?” Patrick asked, seemingly unaffected by her demure smile.

“Selena Avalos,” she replied, her voice beautifully husky, yet still thinly musical.

I glanced at Patrick, but he was still focused on the task at hand. “What are you doing here?”

“Getting ready to get in my car after a long day of teaching small children. Is that a crime?” His face could have been carved from stone, and his gaze was almost as hard.

She pretended to suddenly understand the question. “Oh! Oh, you mean in the city? Why, I’m doing exactly what you Guardians want every Demon to do—turn over a new leaf. I’ve been reforming myself. I went to school, got my teaching degree, and I’ve been looking for a steady job ever since. I’m only subbing now, but this position may yet turn permanent.”

“What do you know about the disappearance of Ms. Rhodes?” Her smile twisted, and then she laughed and wagged a slim finger at him. “You naughty boy—you know more than you’re 240 K • • •

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letting on!” She shrugged just a little. “I haven’t a clue. I mean, you can’t think that I had anything to do with her disappearance? I’m reformed, remember?”

Once again, I couldn’t be silent—Patrick sent me a quick look, but at least he didn’t stop me. “Why are you here?” I asked.

“What is it you want?”

“Hmm,” she considered me deeply, eyes sweeping over every inch of me—judging, and then grinning when she realized there was no competition between us—on any level. “You must be new to the trade, dear. You’re never supposed to be that direct. You’re a watch dog to us immortals—nothing more. Don’t get uppity.” Patrick took a step toward her, angling his body protectively in front of me as he did so. “Miss Avalos, I think you better start talking before this gets unpleasant.”

“What is there to discuss? I know your rules. Have I attacked you? No. Have I been caught doing anything wrong? Not at all.

Do you have witnesses to some crime? I think not. So, if you’ll excuse me, I have places to be.”

She moved to turn, but I took a quick step toward her, which got her to keep her back from turning. Patrick grabbed my elbow, stopping me from getting too close, but I think my eyes conveyed the right message to her.

“If you touch my sisters,” I growled. “You’re going to regret it.” She stared at me—momentarily shocked—and then smiled demurely. “Ooh, she knows how to issue empty threats. I feel very frightened.” She glanced over my shoulder, meeting Patrick’s narrowed eyes. “You Guardians should learn to keep your Seers on shorter leashes. You might find you can get a word in occasionally.” Patrick stepped up beside me, fingers still wrapped protectively around my arm. He got close to her—close enough that she almost leaned back against her car. “If you know the rules, then you know I need a valid address, or some way to contact you.” She smiled, showing perfect white teeth. “I think the school works, don’t you? Unless you want to spend an evening over the

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weekend with me, of course, then naturally I’ll give you my home address.”

I shouldn’t have felt a wave of jealousy, but I did.

Patrick didn’t waver, though. “Where are you living?”

“How about a number?” She asked instead. “Numbers are great, because then you can call me whenever the moment is right.” She rattled off a phone number, paused, then repeated it.

“I got it the first time,” Patrick assured her thinly.

She grinned. “Yes, you Guardians are pretty quick, aren’t you?

Well! Until we meet again.” She nodded to each of us. “Patrick, Kate—it was good to meet you. Perhaps you’ll have better manners next time, Seer.”

We watched her get into her car, and then she backed up, offering a quick wave to Patrick before driving out of the lot.

“She knew our names,” I stated in the thick silence, fuming.

He sighed. “She knows a lot more than she pretends.”

“Why did we let her go, then?” I demanded, turning on him.

He released my arm and sighed again—more deeply this time.

“Kate, I didn’t want to. But I couldn’t do anything else. We have no evidence that she’s not who she says she is—A reformed Demon.” I snorted. “Yeah, because she played the part so well. What about my sisters?”

“For the time being, I think they’re safe.” He suddenly laid his hand against my arm, trying to offer comfort. “I promise, though, I won’t let anything happen to them. We’ll figure this out.” He pulled back, and his eyes narrowed. “But as for you . . .”

“What?” I asked, my straight face designed to look innocent.

He narrowed his eyes at me, but I knew he wasn’t very upset.

“I thought I made it clear that I would be asking the questions.”

“You weren’t asking them fast enough,” I told him defensively.

He smiled just a little, though it was obvious he was trying to be stern. “I was getting to them.”

“Not the ones I wanted. Besides . . .”

“What?” He prompted, smile still lingering.

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Only slightly embarrassed, I hurried to finish. “I thought maybe her looks and creepy smiles might get to you. I bet most men fall under her spell.”

He laughed aloud, and shook his head at me. “Trust me—you had nothing to worry about.”

“Why not?” I asked, a bit irritated by his reaction. I thought I’d had a fair point.

His lips came together, the smirk still in place. But his eyes were serious, and I hardly believed the words that came out of his mouth. “Because I’m under another spell right now, and it’s a lot more powerful.”

I stared at him until I could see the seriousness begin to enter his eyes. Then I cleared my throat and turned back for the car. It was better if I didn’t comment on that one—for both of us, I knew.

“Um . . . yeah. Anyway, talking with her was a waste of time. We didn’t get anything out of her.”

Patrick was right behind me, jogging a step ahead to get my door before I could. “We got her number. Plus, we know that she’s definitely a part of all this.”

“I guess so.”

He watched me get into the car, but once I was settled he continued to hold the door, until I glanced up at him.

He spoke sincerely, nothing joking in his expression. “Kate, everything’s going to be okay. This is the sort of thing I’ve been doing for over two hundred years now.” And as I stared into his eyes at that moment, I completely believed in his ability to keep me and my family safe.

He closed my door, and then a minute later we were pulling onto the road, headed back to my house.

“Kate, can I make a suggestion?” He asked suddenly.

I watched him warily. “I guess.”

He flashed a quick smile to me, picking up on my cautious tone and finding it humorous. “Maybe you shouldn’t come Wednesday.

Just have a normal night—go to Aaron’s swim meet.”

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I was already shaking my head, turning to look out my window. “Can I ask you something, Patrick?” He paused, and I surreptitiously stole a glance at him. He was watching the road carefully, obviously not wanting to hear my question. “All right,” he finally sighed.

I continued to look out my window, but I could see a hazy reflection of him through the glass. “If I was a Seer with experience, would you take me along?”