The Awakening (23 page)

“When did you know?”

“When I searched for Alison Baxter, I couldn’t find a record of you.” He lowered his arms and stepped closer to me. “Thank you for your honesty.”

“You knew what would happen to her, didn’t you? You tried to warn me.”

“Most of us are clairvoyant.”

A gift I lacked, sadly. “Was she supposed to die?”

He smiled again. “Yes, but you saved her.”

“I wish I felt better about it, but I'm to blame for all this. She would’ve died because of me.”

“Some things are out of your control,” he said. “Some are not. I can help. You have to ask the right questions.”

My ears perked up. “Do you know my real name?”

“No. You were not listed in our records.”

The excitement drained out of me and I lowered my head. If he didn’t know my real name, he couldn’t possibly know who created me. My entire life was an enigma.

I met his gaze again. “Is Boss or Jonas’s life in danger?”

“Yes,” he answered with a tilt of his head. “But you knew that, didn’t you?”

Well, I guess I did. Boss had even told me they were in a dangerous business. Perhaps I was asking the wrong question.

“Are they going to die?”

He pushed his hands in his pockets. “Everyone dies. It is inevitable.”

I let out a deep sigh. “The demons are going to come for me. Someone in the clan posted my picture on their website. Anyone around me is at risk.”

“What are you going to do?” he asked.

“I want to confront the demon responsible. I think Galluzzi is my leverage to get Sal to call off his cronies.”

“Take the vampire with you. He can help.”

Advice from an angel I would definitely heed.

Staring deep into his eyes, I saw my reflection. “If you can see the future, will I find my identity and overcome my obstacles with the demons?”

“One's future is never certain. It can change on a whim.”

His answer offered little hope, yet I refused to give up my pursuit.

Looking up, I studied his youthful glow and serious eyes. He had a wealth of knowledge and I wondered how he came by it. “How old are you?”

“Not quite half as old as your vampire friend.”

Amazing. “You look young.”

His lips curled on one side. “I died when I was twenty.”

“How–”

“Stephanie?” Tabby mumbled.

I shot up from my seat and went to her side. I rested my hand on her arm. “I’m here.”

She opened her eyes half way. They were watery and her pupils were larger than normal. “I knew you’d come.” Her voice was soft and hoarse.

I brushed my fingers down the side of her face. “You’re going to be fine. Get some rest.”

She closed her eyes, and swallowed. “Thank you.”

I glanced up and found the room empty. The angel had vanished.

As I stood over Tabby, I pondered my conversation with Benny. In a way, it gave me a boost. I could conquer my issues, and I could find out my name. As it stood, I suspected Sal was the only one who knew my past, and the one creating my problems. I needed to change the latter fast, and I was getting a good idea how to do it.

Once Tabby drifted off into dreamland, I changed into mist and returned to the bathroom. I considered popping in the waiting room, but I didn’t want to cause a problem if someone else happened to be there. Besides, with the security cameras on in the halls, it looked better for me to stroll out of the restroom I had gone into.

A moment later, I walked out of the bathroom and strode into the waiting room. Jonas and Boss sat across from each other, talking. They stopped talking and looked at me as I approached. Fists clenched at my sides, I looked at Boss.

“Take me to Sal’s house now, or I will disappear and find it myself.”

Chapter 24

Minutes after Boss agreed to my demand, I returned to the bathroom and vanished from there to Boss’s vehicle. I lay on the back seat, trying to steer clear from the windows. The leathery scent of the seats chased out the awful hospital smells. While misting was one mode of invisible transportation for me, my angel ability to pop in and out of places was another. Though neither would’ve helped me prevent Tabby’s injury. The time needed to concentrate and move didn’t compare to a speeding bullet. Still, since I had these great abilities, I needed to damn well start using them to my advantage.

Boss opened the door and dropped into the driver’s seat. He adjusted the mirror down and looked at me. “I dislike your little demon trick.”

“Dislike it all you want. If it helps me get from point A to point B without a demon spotting me, then I’m using it.”

He clenched his jaw as he turned the key in the ignition. The lights on the dashboard lit up and the clock showed past one. We had plenty of time left before sunrise.

I stayed on my side with my head on my arm as Boss drove. Although the windows were tinted, I wasn’t taking a chance of someone catching sight of me.

“Did you see anyone when you came out?” I asked.

He turned the car. “Only a few humans.”

So far, so good. Maybe we'd make it to Sal's place without any trouble. I laughed silently. Trouble followed me everywhere like a shadow.

Boss kept peering at me through the mirror. I wondered what was on his mind. So much had changed since we first met.

“I have something I want to tell you.”

I braced myself for the bad news. “What is it?”

He glanced in the mirror again. “I want to...apologize for last night.”

My heart calmed. Wait. Was he apologizing for the sex or the feeding on my neck?

I licked my lips. “We needed each other. End of story. Don't worry; I'm not in love with you.”

While I enjoyed the sex with him, I did not intend to stay with him any longer than I had to. Someone else loved me, and I loved him back. One day I intended to find him.

“You're a beautiful woman,” he said, staring at me from the mirror. “I don't want you to think I used you for your–”

“Angel blood?” I paused. He rarely said such nice things, so when I heard them, I wanted them burned to my memory. “I know you didn't use me.”

“Just making sure we're clear.”

We had great sex and nothing more. Sure, I understood.

For a few minutes, Boss drove in silence. He acted cautious, glimpsing at each mirror quickly, and sometimes at me. Turning the car again, he said, “I hope you have a decent plan.”

“We’re going to walk up to his front door and have a chat with him.”

“That’s it?”

“Yeah. I’m pretty sure he’ll want to talk.”

“What’s to stop him from killing you on the spot?”

“You,” I replied. “I doubt he will kill me with you around because you work for the council.”

“Assuming I go in with you.”

I lifted my head. “Why wouldn’t you?” I assumed he would meet Sal with me since he wanted answers as much as I did.

His lips tugged to the side. “Of course I will go in with you. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

I grinned as I lowered my head. His attempt at humor could’ve come at a different time.

Several more minutes passed, then Boss stopped the vehicle. He glanced over his shoulder at me. “We are almost there.”

“Have you been to his house before?”

“No, the clan has an office downtown. I typically meet him or his leader there.”

“But you know where Sal lives?”

“Of course. I work for the council. I have access to all records from every clan.”

Boss spun the wheel and I felt the car turn.

“Fuck,” he said. “There’s a police car parked on the street in front of Sal’s house.”

“Keep going. If I have to mist out of here, I will.”

“I don’t like this.”

I didn’t either.

Boss drove slowly. When his head turned to the side, I suspected we were passing the cop car.

“His home is surrounded by a large iron fence,” he said. “Are you sure–?”

“Yes,” I said before he finished. “Get me to the front.”

Boss turned the vehicle and brought it to a stop. As he lowered his window, it took all my willpower not to sit up. I was ready to mist and run if I had to.

He reached out the window and pressed a button. “I’m here to see Salvatore Mancuso,” he said.

“And you are?” asked a woman through a speaker.

“Boss. I work for the council.” He kept his elbow on the door.

My heart pounded while we waited. We'd made it to the enemy's front porch. I wasn't about to turn and run. I came for answers and I intended to get them.

“He’s not taking any visitors,” the woman said.

I slid my legs off the seat. “Tell him I’m with you.”

“Stephanie is with me,” Boss said to the speaker.

After another short pause, I heard the hum of power and clanging metal.

“Go up to the house and come in the front,” the woman said.

Boss raised his window and drove forward. Since I didn't have to hide anymore, I sat up and peered between the front seats.

Four dark and vicious looking hounds with sharp canines barked loudly as they came running toward the car.

“Did you plan for this?” Boss asked as the car crept up the long driveway.

“No.” I watched the beasts jump at Boss’s side. Drool dripped from their snarling mouths. Ugly mutts.

Ahead was a brick home, two story, and big enough to house a large family. Lights in front and along the sides lit up the building and grounds, revealing a manicured lawn. The demonic business must be profitable.

Boss parked the car in the middle of the driveway. Three dogs jumped on his side, growling and barking. We stared at the beasts and waited, neither of us wanting to risk opening the doors. A loud whistle finally captured the dogs’ attention. They took off running and disappeared past the house.

I met Boss’s gaze in the mirror. “Problem solved.”

We climbed out of the car and walked up a brick path to the front of the house. Trimmed bushes and a variety of flowers decorated the sides of the sidewalk leading to the front of the house. A grin spread across my face as I stared at the flowers. I would have thought demons disliked them.

As we reached a small set of steps, the front door opened, revealing a tall woman with long blond hair.

“Please, come in,” she said. Her voice sounded similar to the one Boss spoke to over the intercom.

Stepping inside the home, the smell of ashes invaded my nostrils. Sal stood a few feet away, dressed in black, and with his long hair tied behind him. A large man with a big gut appeared next to him, making Sal appear much thinner than I recalled. The man had a gun holster on his side, giving the appearance of a bodyguard. I stopped off to the side, and they grazed their eyes over me. Boss came to stand at my side as the woman shut the door.

“Check them,” Sal said. “Apparently one of our own, a decorated officer, has gone missing. We can’t be too careful.”

I glared at the demon. Decorated my ass.

The big man approached me. I lifted my arms and he patted me down from armpit to knees. As far as I could tell, he was human, and he needed more deodorant. Reaching my boots, he skipped them and moved over to Boss. Idiot.

He checked Boss in a less gentle manner. Maybe it had something to do with the gun and knife he found.

“They’re clean now,” the burly man said.

Sal walked down the hall to the first room. He turned to face us, then extended his arm toward the open doorway. “Come in, and have a seat.”

Boss followed me into the room. His presence was a comfort to me. If I had shown up alone, I feared Sal would've tried anything to keep me here, maybe kill me. At least with Boss around, I had a chance of walking out alive.

The large room contained two elegant sofas and chairs in the center. A rectangular coffee table with claw feet sat in their midst on a red and gold rug. Large framed oil paintings hung on the walls. A small bar was set up in the corner. I stopped in front of one of the sofas and glanced over my shoulder.

“Would you like something to drink?” Sal asked as he walked around to the chair at the opposite end. “Coffee, tea, brandy?”

Boss sat in the chair next to me. “We’re fine.”

Sal took a seat as far away from us as he could, as if he were afraid, which seemed odd. He had security with weapons, what did he have to fear? Since he reeked of ashes, I wasn’t going to complain about the distance.

I sat on the sofa and crossed my legs. In the chair next to me, Boss appeared calm and composed.

“Clarence,” Sal said as the big guy came in. “Wait outside and shut the door.”

“Yes sir,” the man replied, and turned and walked out.

The moment the door clicked, I shifted my attention to Sal. His legs were crossed and his elbows rested on the armrests. He pressed the tips of his fingers together in a triangle.

“This is a pleasant surprise,
Stephanie
,” he said with a sneer.

“Stephanie is not my name and you know it.”

“Indeed. So what can I do for you?”

I took a deep breath. “Someone stole my memories.”

“I’m sorry.” He drew his brows together and narrowed his eyes. “Did you say someone stole your memories? Impossible. No creature can do such a thing.” He turned to Boss.

“She is telling the truth,” Boss said. “I searched and found nothing.”

“Well. That is unfortunate.”

Blood rushed to my head. Should've known a demon wouldn't care. Jerk.

I glared at him. “I want to know who did it, and I want my name, who created me, and who killed thirty people at the dump. And I want my picture taken off your site.”

He burst into laughter, his cackling voice stirring my anger. I wanted to jump up and slap him, but I held back.

“You have quite a long list of demands,” he said after he exhausted himself. “Are you prepared to declare your soul to me?”

My heart skipped a beat. I turned to Boss.

“Information is not worth the price of her soul,” Boss said. “Besides, the council will soon be exploring what happened. I have spoken with the vampire councilman and he has given me approval to lead the investigation. You can give her the information now, or we’ll find out in the very near future.”

Sal grinned. “I have always liked you Boss.”