Soul Crossed (3 page)

I have a weird sense about the boy Ms. Shoemaker calls “Mr. Gaynes.” He’s hot, of course, with his glossy midnight curls and startling blue eyes, his chiseled features and ripped pecks that show right through his tight black T-shirt. He’s the kind of boy that’ll break your heart in a second and move onto the next girl by lunch. But that’s not what throws me off. It’s more like a feeling of familiarity; a tingling along the back of my neck that won’t let me shove him aside. I find it most distracting when all I want to do is get on with this task.

It isn’t that I want to go back to Heaven. I loathed the time I spent in Ms. A’s class. She might mean well, but I’m sick of all the lectures about Lucifer and End Times and all the things that are inappropriate for Angels. The one thing that kept me sane was my downtime, when I could imagine different things and
poof
—there they were. The homecoming dress my mother made me?
Poof
. A new journal?
Poof
. A picture of my mother and me from our girl’s night in June?
Poof
. Too bad I couldn’t conjure people. Not that I’m allowed to even visit my family, and they’re the only thing I really want.

But seeing them again isn’t impossible. During my training, Ms. Alvarez said one thing that stuck out above all others: “When you earn your wings, you can visit any Earth-bound mortals you wish.” I can see my family again. All I have to do is save one measly little soul. How hard can that be? After all, the propensity for evil isn’t the same thing as actual flat out evil, right?

I’ll admit I was worried at first, despite my new abilities: will over others, strength, enhanced senses and emotions. Ms. A made me so afraid I’ll accidentally abuse them. None of them felt right to exercise, even on my subject.

That is, until I saw him in person. When Camden walked through the door I relaxed all over. He reminds me of my brother of about the same age, Noah, who I can easily imagine drawing Manga at his desk. I push those memories away as my hands begin to shake.

This boy seems shy and awkward, not the potential killing machine Ms. Alvarez described with such zealous detail. I wonder if she was confused. Perhaps she meant for me to save the boy behind him. The one who feels…familiar.

Of course, I know that’s ridiculous. This is Michigan. I’m from Seattle. Still, my sixth sense is telling me something, and it could be important. He did come in with Camden. That must be it—he’s somehow involved in this. I’ll have to get to know him, too. It shouldn’t be too hard, the way he keeps looking at me. Still, I try to give my full attention to Camden. He’s the one I’m here to save.

He’s the one who could potentially destroy the world.

I’m in luck—the leggy blonde is in most of my classes. Since she’s inexplicably cuddling up to Cam, even joining us for lunch, I get to know her, too. She’s my usual type—hot. And Lucifer said I could enjoy myself so long as I didn’t get “lost” along the way. He also said someone would be watching me. Could it be her? No way. She’s no minion from Hell. She’s a save-the-planet, sickeningly-cute, probably-loves-puppies girl. And her name is Grace. That’s no name for a Demon. I guess Josh isn’t either, but it’s better than Grace.

Still, I can feel an undeniable magnetism between us. I wonder what my new enhanced senses will do for me in bed.

“How ab-b-bout you, Josh? Want to j-j-join us after school for homework?” Listening to that stutter is like being slowly tortured. I bet Lucifer gave it to him on purpose just to keep me on task.

“Sure. Gotta get it done somehow,” I say, and I can’t help but look at her. Grace smiles. She seems as surprised as I am that he asked me to come on their little date. She also seems pleased. I stretch my leg across the floor, under the lunch table, until my foot bumps into hers. Cam’s to my left and Grace is across from us, but I can still reach her.

“I’ve got to get to class. English Lit with Mr. Baner.” She stands, but announces her next class like she’s hoping we’ll say we’re in it, too.

“You mean Mr. Banal?” I ask. She smiles, clearly impressed that I have a brain and a bod. Yeah, in my dad’s few sober moments he used to tell me I could really be something if I’d only apply myself more. Well, joke’s on him, I guess, because I sure feel like something
now
.

“I have chemistry with Mr. H-H-Holmes.”
No one cares, Cam
.

“Sorry, Grace. I’ve got chem, too.” She seems uncertain, like she’s afraid to leave us alone, but she smiles again and says good-bye.

“So, Cam,” I say, leaning back in the chair with one leg propped on the table. “Tell me more about yourself.” It’s what I’m supposed to say. The Boss says it’s a guaranteed in. People love to talk about themselves.

“M-m-me?” he asks with those suspicious eyes again. I drop my feet to the floor and lean forward to show how interested I am—
not
. “W-w-well, I live with my mom. We just moved here from Chicago.” He takes a bite of his hamburger like that’s the end of the story.

“Wow. That’s a big move. How do you like Michigan so far?”

“It’s OK. I thought it would b-b-be pretty much the same. But p-p-people here seem…n-n-nicer.” He smiles after Grace, who’s long gone by now.

“She is pretty hot, isn’t she?” I say, leaning in. I can feel the lust emanate from him like a beacon. It’s one of those new things I have to get used to. “Strong desires can lead to misdeeds,” or so Lucifer says.

“I g-g-guess you’ll probably ask h-h-her out, huh?” he looks crestfallen. Can’t blame him. He’s no competition for someone like me. But as much as it pains me, I’m not here to get it on with the leggy blonde. Man, why can’t I corrupt
her
soul?

“Naw. Not if you’re interested. Did you see the way she looked at you?” He peers up from beneath his stringy bangs, surprise written all over his face.

“M-m-me?” he asks again.

“Dude, you had to have seen it.” He looks uncertain. “I bet you’ve missed some serious signs from behind that hair of yours.”

He reaches up and hesitantly brushes his hair back from his face. Not bad. It’s something to work with, at least. I smile to encourage him.

“You really think so?” he asks. Man, he’d be easy to crush.

“Yeah. Didn’t you have a girlfriend in Chicago?” I ask.

“N-n-no.” He mashes a fist into his thigh where he thinks I can’t see it. Clearly he’s been burned before by the opposite sex.

I shake my head like I can’t believe it. “Stick with me, and you’ll see the world in a whole new light,” I say, taking a bite out of my apple.

I run my fingers longingly over the cell. My heart aches to call my mother. To tell her not to worry, that it’s really OK. But I’ve been warned. Miss Alvarez said the phone is for “business calls only,” and that any attempt to contact my family or friends will result in the loss of my “opportunity for eternal glory.” I put it in my pocket. I won’t ruin my reunion with a stupid phone call.

“Waiting for a text from someone special?”

I shake my head no.

Two girls have latched onto me since sixth period Lit. They seem nice enough. Shelby asked about the text. She’s tall with frizzy red hair and freckles. Fatmeh is exotic looking, with dark skin and thick black hair. As Ms. A promised, they assumed I’ve been here at North for a while, just in different classes.

They’re both big into theater and think I should try out for
Romeo and Juliet
. I politely decline, and when they continue to hang around, I explain that I have to meet someone after school. They follow along like it’s an invitation. Miss Alvarez did warn me that I’d have a certain enhanced magnetism. I wish I liked being the center of attention.

“Grace!” It’s Josh, waving to me from the doorway. Camden is half-hiding behind his back, though I note with some shock that he’s got his hair tucked back behind his ear. It’s a good look for him.

Shelby and Fatmeh speed up and get to the boys before me. They are a couple of giggling hyenas and are all over Josh. Fatmeh elbows me in the waist, whispering, “Way to go, girl.”

“Camden, Josh, this is Shelby and Fatmeh.” I do the necessary introductions.

“Hi, Josh.” Shelby presses against him, and I’m embarrassed for her.

“What grade are you in?” Fatmeh asks him.

“Same as us,” I say, confused. “You don’t recognize him either?” I’m sure with radar like theirs they would have picked him up years ago. He looks intently at Fatmeh and then Shelby. They seem glued to him somehow.

“Of course we’ve seen him, I just assumed he was older. I mean, look at him.” Fatmeh feels his bicep, and I roll my eyes. Maybe this is good. Maybe I can get Camden to myself for a while.

“Camden and I are going to head over to the library,” I say, taking him by the arm.

“I’m coming, too,” Josh says. He gives them each one more intense look, and they back off.

“Well, we’ll see you tomorrow, then,” Shelby says. She looks surprised at the words that have just come out of her mouth. Josh falls into step with us on the other side of Camden.

“Did you have a good first day?” I ask.

“It’s b-b-been interesting,” Camden agrees, eyes narrowed in thought.

“That’s great! I can’t wait to get some of this homework done. Maybe we can do something after?” I link my arm through his and turn on the charm. He glances quickly at Josh and nods, blushing.

Josh scrutinizes me from behind Camden’s shoulder. His blue eyes are like glaciers for a moment, and I shiver. Maybe it’s my imagination. I lead the way into the library and start setting out my books. As I suspected he would, Josh grimaces at the sight of all that homework. Camden seems resigned, though, and we plunge right into geometry. It’s a no-brainer for me. I should be in calc this semester. But I push that thought aside and try to focus on asking for Camden’s help.

We move on to Ancient History, and Josh keeps looking over at the reference section. When I follow his gaze, I find a striking girl, maybe eighteen years old, with black pixie-cut hair and skin the color of milk chocolate. I get that same tingling feeling when I see her that I get when I look at Josh, and I shift uncomfortably in my seat. What is up with that?

She turns the corner and then hesitates with a come-hither look before disappearing behind a tall shelf. I turn to see if Josh will take the bait. He seems conflicted. I’m surprised that he hasn’t jumped up already, but I focus on my question about Pandora and how her curiosity caused her fall to temptation and open the box, releasing all the horrible things into the world. I’m supposed to compare her to Eve in the Garden of Eden. Frankly, I can’t understand why they were left with such easy access to something they wanted when it was forbidden anyway.

Josh makes an excuse and leaves the table. I have no doubt as to where he’s really going.

We’re finally alone. “So, Camden,” I say. “Tell me about yourself.”

She’s hot, and she’s totally checking me out. I notice the look on Grace’s face when I get up and follow the girl behind the shelf. I consider turning back, but can’t see the benefit to writing about Ancient History when I’m already dead. It’s not like I can corrupt the kid while he’s doing homework anyway, so I might as well have a little fun while I’m here.

I round the last bookcase and find her waiting. She’s petite, but only in height—she’s packed into a tight red miniskirt and low-cut blouse that leaves little to the imagination. Her lips are full and look very soft. I want to suck on them.

Apparently she feels the same, because without a word she pulls me down by the front of my shirt and starts kissing me. She tastes like cinnamon gum, spicy hot but good, and I push her back against the wall with fervor. My hands run through her hair, which is soft and fine, then trail down her arms to her hips, where they linger.

She pushes me away with surprising strength, and I’m confused but totally turned on. She’s smiling at me, her lip curling up in the corner like a snake. I grin back and move forward again, intending to continue what she started, but she shakes a finger at me in warning. The grin slips from my face, and I feel my eyes start to burn.

But before I can look away, I see her own coffee-colored eyes flash red and understanding rushes in.

“You’re a Demon,” I say in a whisper, looking around to be sure no one’s seen.

“Well, aren’t you a clever boy?” she purrs, stalking toward me like a lioness hunting her prey. She runs a hand down my chest, but I don’t move. I know she’s dangerous. Which also somehow makes her more attractive.

“Not bad,” she says after walking around me, full-circle. “Nice ass.” She smacks me there. I clear my throat.

“I’m Josh,” I say.

“I know.”

“And you are?”

“Keira. I’m your mentor. That means whatever you do reflects on me.” She pauses, and her gaze turns to ice. “So don’t screw up.”

“Lucifer said you’d be watching me, not teaching me,” I say. I don’t like her superior attitude, no matter how hot or dangerous she is.

“Let’s get something straight. I’m in charge, and you do
not
question me. Ever.
Comprendez vous
? Now, don’t give me that look, hot stuff. If you’re good, there will be rewards.” She presses her body up against mine and hooks her hands behind my neck. “I know what boys want. I like the same things.”

My mind returns to my earlier thought of whether being a Demon would give me superior powers in the bedroom. As though she can feel my excitement mount, Keira’s hands coil through my hair, and she’s kissing me. Her tongue probes my mouth, and I respond in kind. I can’t help it. This time she is the one pushing me into the wall. She braces my wrists above my head and her hands are like an iron vice. I can barely stand it as she makes her way down my neck with her mouth. Then she is suddenly off me again, straightening her shirt. I’m left against the wall, shaking with desire.

“Are you going to tease me like that all the time?” I croak.