Bladed Wings (37 page)

              Seth shook his head, “They’re not friends.”

              “You hang out a lot.”

              “Those two are bodyguards.”

              “You’re kidding.”

              “No. They’re protection.  They know guns, pretty much every kind of martial arts, and I know they’d die to protect me.” As an afterthought, he added, “It’s not by choice.”

              “They’re young.”

              “They’ve been with me for a long time. We practiced together.” Kayla peeked over and saw his muscles pressed tight against his shirt. He wasn’t built like a wrestler or football player, more like one of the guys from the swim or baseball teams. It wasn’t hard to think of Seth like some panther, sleek and fast, but still strong enough to take down any prey.

              “Why?”

              “We’d be worth a lot of money to the government or pretty much any corporation on the planet. They would kill to get their hands on us. And we’d disappear into their files. We have no protections beyond those we create. You proved that yourself at the party.” Before he stopped, Seth glanced away, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that the wrong way.”

              “No, it’s okay.” Kayla never thought she could feel that comfortable on a cafeteria bench. “You think that’s true?”

              “The world is a very big and very dangerous place. Billions, probably more, would be at stake if someone grabbed one of us.” Seth shook his head, his lips tight, “If it helps, I’ll do my best to protect you.” He sounded like a knight until he added, “If they catch one of us, they’ll probably figure out there are more.” Kayla hoped she didn’t look deflated.

              “Right.” They were quiet again. The cafeteria felt a lot bigger when they were alone. It usually felt small, crammed with teenagers and a few adults, everyone jostled and shouted for position. Seth had his eyes on his hands like he wanted to get out of there.

              Kayla was about to tell him that she was fine. He could leave if he wanted, but he spoke first, “I wanted to say I’m sorry.”

              “For what?”

              “Yesterday. I wasn’t very nice about your problems with your friends. I wanted to apologize.” He sounded stiff and formal, but he managed to look guilty when he peered at her. Maybe he was afraid she’d rip his head off or start crying. Sometimes guys couldn’t tell which would be worse.

              “You don’t have to do that.”

              “You’re an ally. I don’t want to hurt you.”

              “An ally,” she said.

              “We’re not really friends.”

              “Why not?” Kayla turned to him, too hurt by everything else to be scared of this. Seth didn’t scoot away, get up, or stutter a retreat. “I’m helping you. You helped me. Why aren’t we friends?”

              “Friends are healthy, sane, normal, happy people.”

              “And that’s not you.” Kayla grinned at him, “Or are you trying to say something about me?”

              “I didn’t want to get close to anyone. I couldn’t trust they wouldn’t figure something out,” Seth told her. “I guess that’s not true about you. You already know, and you’d be just as messed up if anyone found out.” He said it like a surprise.

              “Pretty much.” She held out her hand, “Friends?”

              He took her hand, his grip firmer than she would’ve expected. “Sure.” He watched her and Kayla thought she saw something else there. It made her stomach feel lighter, like she could trust this boy. He’d be there for her, because that meant something to him. Everyone else could say friends and they might’ve been talking about that guy they saw online that one time or the girl they sat next to for a quarter back in sophomore year. Seth meant it, she thought. He’d be there if she was ever in trouble or hurt.

              Warmth tingled through their hands like she sensed something more.

              Their school’s electronic bells pinged to announce the start of third period. Kayla’s teacher didn’t feel like doing his job so he passed out a bunch of distorted photocopies and told them to get to work. As long as no one screamed, shouted, or stabbed anyone else, they were good. Their teacher sat at his computer, clicking away. He probably hoped they thought he was working on grading or some specialized paperwork that only a professional would understand. Kayla figured it was Tetris or poker.

              She didn’t mind too much. Sure, the class work was boring but easy. It felt a lot like digging a hole. She opened the book, flipped the pages, found the right definition, and copied it down. Nothing hard, nothing stressful. She lost herself to the lead scratch marks on the page when someone else knocked at the door and called her name. The teacher motioned for her to go.

              Pulling her backpack over one shoulder, Kayla wondered who it would be this time. Part of her guessed Cyrus. Part of her hoped Seth. Instead it was one of the actual office aides. He nodded for her to follow, the pink office note in hand.

              At the front desk in the main office, Kayla saw her mom sitting in one of the plastic chairs. She hugged Kayla and said that they should go get something to eat. It was almost lunch, and real food sounded better than the squished sandwich Kayla made that morning, yet she still felt the trepidation of knowing something bad was about to happen.

              Neither of them spoke on the drive to the hamburger place a couple blocks from her school. Kayla only found her voice when they sat down.  “You wanted to talk about something,” Kayla said, ready to get this over with.

              “Yes.” Kayla could guess, but she didn’t want to, because then she might be right and she’d get this from both sides.

              “It’s about custody of you, Everett, and Skyler. I trust your father spoke to you about this,” she said that second part like the worst profanity. Kayla nodded. She didn’t sound happy about it, but her mom still aimed for diplomacy, “That’s good. And he said that the judge in our case will want to know what you think?”

              “He did.”

              “Good. Good, that’s good.” Just like her dad, Kayla’s mom took a breath like she was about to dive into some really cold water or get into a really nasty fight. “So you know how important it is for you to talk to your brother and sister about this.”

              “I do. I guess.”

              “They’re going to look to you for guidance. I know things at home have been—tense.” Yeah, listening to one parent shout about how the other ruined his life got tense. It was tense the same way nuclear bombs caused a little bit of damage. “But I know this is the kind of decision you can handle. You’ve always been very mature and rational. Now will be no exception. I can trust you, right?”

              “Right.” Kayla mumbled and didn’t care.

              “So what are you going to say?”

              “I don’t know.”

              “That’s fine. Take your time with this kind of decision. It’s just important that you remember your father’s not around very much. You have to ask what kind of influence he’d be on Everett and Skyler. They’re both very young. They need a parent around.”

              “Because your hours are better?”

              “I can make myself available.”

              “Dad probably says the same thing.”

              Kayla’s mom inhaled to say something sharp and fast, but she stopped herself, licked her lips to stay calm, and said, “Your father is a good man, but he has issues with expressing himself. He also has issues with priorities. We’ve seen that a lot over the last couple years, and I don’t want to see you kids neglected in anyway.”

              “He wouldn’t neglect us.”

              “Not on purpose, of course not. He loves you very much, but he just can’t be there for you, just like he couldn’t be there for me. He wants to be a good man, but it’s just not in him. He doesn’t have the maturity to do what’s right and take care of the people he supposedly loves.” That came out faster and sharper.

              “I don’t know what I’m going to say.”

              “Do you love me?” Kayla’s mom asked.

              “Of course.”

              “Then I know you’ll make the right choice.”

              Kayla didn’t look up from the table. She just said, “Yeah,” because she couldn’t commit. For a long time after that, she wished Seth would appear again. She wished for some chocolate milk and the boy who called her his only friend.

Chapter 5: Hopeful Prayer

              After school, Kayla walked home again. She didn’t drive that morning. Asking for anything from her parents made her feel sick and slimy. She knew some other kids milked those fights for everything they could get. There were a couple new cars in the student lots that came from jagged divorces. That wasn’t her, and it wouldn’t be.

              Halfway home, she came to the last turn and almost walked into the five people sitting on the wooden fence or leaning against the stop sign. Of the five, there was just one woman. She leaned against the fence, her legs crossed over each other. Her long and lustrous blond hair caught the light. She would’ve been beautiful. The other guys all looked young, attractive enough, but generic except for the way they stood. Like soldiers, each ready to pounce even if they looked relaxed.

Another young guy took the front spot in front of his group. He could’ve been in high school but college would’ve made just as much sense. He wore black clothes like his comrades, everything nice and silk and expensive looking.

              Kayla would have crossed the street to get around them when the leader called her name, “Kayla Knack. We’d like to speak with you.” He smiled at her. His face was pale. If he wasn’t in college, he could’ve had a nice career as an actor. He would’ve made a good vampire.

              Kayla stopped and reached for that spot of fear and acidic emotion that channeled her ability. She felt the air around them, and she knew she could knock a couple of them down. That’d probably give her enough time to get away. All she had to do was find someone else. She guessed these guys wouldn’t want witnesses.

              “About what?” she asked.

              “You’re a nascent,” he said. “Don’t bother denying it. We spoke to Cyrus. It took some convincing, but he told us that you appeared on his radar within the last few days.” They started to move like wolves or sharks. Kayla watched them, careful not to let any too close.

              “I did something. I don’t know how to explain it.”

              “You knocked a high school student into a wall.”

              “Something like that.” She didn’t want to admit anything. “Who are you?”

              “My name is Vigo. I’m a member of a group called the Alliance.” He smiled like a lawyer or a cell phone salesman. “We’re a very special group dedicated to protecting the world from—certain threats.”

Kayla put on a smile, hoping it might hide every ounce of fear. She watched these guys and remembered everything Seth said. “Threats?” she tried to sound innocent.

“Yes, threats. The world is a dangerous place. Members of the Alliance try to ensure our world’s safety. Born of the Spanish Inquisition, we’re a group of individuals across nations dedicated to the protection of humanity. We watch the world for other people with—unique talents. We make sure that they don’t hurt the people around them.”

              “I’m not going to hurt anyone.”

              “You have already,” Vigo said, “And if it weren’t in self-defense, this would be a very different conversation.” He smiled, “But don’t worry. We’re not after you.”

              This felt like her chance for some more information, so she knew she had to take it. It wasn’t on purpose, but she thought of Seth anyway. He wanted to know what they were. This chance would mean a lot to him. Kayla didn’t want to let him down. “You called me a nascent. What does that mean?”

              “It means that you’re a different kind of human.” Vigo held out his fist to show her the back of his hand. A circle with an X with sharpened tips was tattooed to his skin. “This is the symbol of our Alliance. For a very long time, we’ve hunted them. We fought when demons ran amok. You see, demons are real. But you believed that already, didn’t you?”

              “I believe in evil.”

              “Good enough,” he said with s curt nod, “Nascents are humans who’ve been chosen or created to evolve into demons and angels. Their abilities manifest when they’re human, but as they age, they begin to shift. Their abilities develop.”

              “Develop how?”

              “Nascents evolve differently. They learn to heal and control their bodies. Their talents get stronger as well. A fully grown demon could wipe a city from the map with a few thoughts or swings of his talons.” Vigo stepped closer. Stiff, Kayla let him approach. She refused to blink because she wouldn’t let him intimidate her. “That’s why we hunt them. They’re killers and monsters. They need to be eradicated.”

              “Are you going to hurt me?” Kayla balled her fists, ready to knock Vigo to the ground, trip his allies, and run as fast as she could. She reminded herself to drop her backpack. Homework wouldn’t help if they sprinted after her through backyards and down the street.

“From what Cyrus has told us, you are no demon. But to be sure.” With an assassin’s speed he yanked a strand of her hair. Kayla didn’t get the chance to let out a squeak of pain. “We’ll test this.”

“Test it for what?”

“There are certain markers we can use. It’ll indicate who’ll become a demon.”

“Science? What? Some kind of genetic test?”

“Yes.”

“So it’s not a matter of choice?”

“Not at all,” Vigo promised. “You are what you are. There’s no free will in this particular instance. Yes, angels might make their own decisions, but devils are brutally insane. They kill. They butcher. There’s no redemption for them.” He snuck now, close enough for her to feel his breath against the tip of her nose.

Kayla didn’t blink or hesitate. “Is that everything?”

“No,” he said with a diplomatic purr. “Just one more thing. Do you know this boy?” He pulled a folded up picture from his pocket. “We’ve hunted him for a long time, but he’s always been able to evade us. Considering that he’s probably about your age now, I hoped that perhaps you’ve seen him.” Kayla stared at the image. Old and distorted, it looked like something recoded from a decade ago. The folds and smudges didn’t help the low resolution.

Locked between her fingers, Kayla held the picture of a little boy with sandy brown hair. His cheeks shined wet with tears and his face crumpled down in the kind of pain a child shouldn’t ever have to feel. Blue uniforms surrounded him, and it looked like he sat in a police station. Yet Kayla couldn’t figure out what a little boy could do to get into that kind of trouble. She exhaled a long breath, “No. I don’t him.”

“He’d be a lot older.”

“Sorry, I don’t think so. I don’t know him. I’ve never seen him.” She sounded sincere. She really sounded like she didn’t recognize Seth’s picture.

When she got home, Kayla had decided. She pulled out her phone, typed the message, got a response a few seconds later, and headed back out into the cold afternoon. Getting out felt easy because she didn’t need to hear her parents shout about money or lawyers. Everett and Skyler were off with friends, so they didn’t have to hear the storm. They knew to stay away too.

It was cold, but Kayla so didn’t care. The clouds and winds felt gentle compared to the  sickened chill every time her parents fought, every time they wanted her to take sides. Shaking her head, she couldn’t believe that. They raised her and taught her morals. She tried to think of it from their sides, but she never thought family would fight like this.

For the most part, Kayla blocked out the sounds of constant combat. Someone emptied some checking account. Someone threw away someone’s favorite shirt. Someone never liked his brother. Someone never liked her mother. Round and round, it turned to the kinds of jagged white noise which kept her awake.

Rubbing her hands together for a second of heat, Kayla thanked the universe she had somewhere to go. Besides, when she was alone, even with the cars on the road and the winds flipping through her hair, focus came a lot easier. Walking meant not thinking.

Can you trust me?
she asked without moving her lips because He’d hear it anyway.
Can I trust myself? Seriously, I meet someone who says that Seth is a demon. A demon. What does that mean exactly?
Kayla pulled her hands to her mouth and exhaled a little warmth against her skin, not sure what made her colder, winter’s touch or the idea that Seth was right.
He’s my friend. I care about him. I want him to be safe.
They would have killed him, so yeah, I made the right choice.

Kayla stopped when at the edge of the park. A wide field of grass spread out in front of her. In Spring or Fall, this would’ve been one bright spot of verdant green. Those same blades still felt alive and thriving, yet the colors looked muted and watered against the gray of the sky. Sitting at the one bench between the grass and the sidewalk, Seth had his back straight. Sensing someone there, he looked up and put his phone away.

“You wanted to talk?”

Kayla saw him, heard his voice, and knew she made the right choice. Maybe something happened. Maybe he made some mistake, but she trusted herself. Kayla trusted her instincts and intuition. She didn’t know how or why, but she trusted him. She trusted him the same way she trusted buildings not to collapse, bridges not to fall, the sun to come up every morning. She wouldn’t turn him in to a bunch of thugs she didn’t know.

Seth started walking with one sweeping glance around the park and down the street. Kayla figured he didn’t like to be in the same spot for very long. “I need you to teach me,” she said.

“What do you want to learn?”

“About what we can do. I want you to teach me everything you know.”

“Afraid you might get upset and rip someone’s head off?” he said, half-joking. He even laughed a little, but not enough for her to miss the fear clouded around his eyes. “C’mon. You’re going to stay away from everything remotely dangerous, so there won’t be any problems. It’s not like you’re going to attract attention. You’re in Key Club, one of the good kids, remember?”

She licked her lips, “Do you know someone named Vigo?” Seth stopped. He didn’t look scared. It wasn’t like his face went white or he ran screaming for his house. He just stared at her like he wanted to figure something out. He said he couldn’t read her mind, but it looked like he was still trying really hard. “He came to me today.”

“So you want to know if he’s telling the truth?”

“Our abilities, they could be miracles. What if he’s wrong? What if we have these abilities for a reason? We’re different. It doesn’t mean that was an accident.”

“A reason?” he smirked. “What reason? What possible reason could someone or something or anything have for giving us these abilities?”

Kayla looked down, her ears hot despite the cold, “You protected me.”

Seth puffed a breath of sigh, but he didn’t say anything for a few steps, “These abilities are dangerous, Kayla. I don’t think they’re a miracle.”

“But think about what we could do with them. Nothing just happens. There’s a reason. There’s always a reason.” Kayla peeked at him and wished he’d look back at her, because he needed to understand that. It wasn’t like the universe just ran blind. There was a reason goodness existed, and sure, it sounded corny, but it was true. She believed it. She had to believe it.

“I have thought about what we could do with these abilities. You know how dangerous we could be?” Seth asked. “Go watch a movie. Spend five minutes in front of a TV and you can see what kind of havoc we could cause. Give me eye contact with a crowd and they become puppets. Let me see the President and I control a country. I can know too much. I can do too much.” His voice shrunk, “There’s already too much pain in the world.”

“You think you’d hurt someone?”

“I know that I can. Look, I know it wouldn’t happen with you. You’re too in control, and I don’t think you could ever really want to hurt someone, but that’s not true for me. I’m not like you. I’m just not.” Kayla heard something else. Seth wanted to say something else, but the words didn’t get out.

“Vigo said you were a demon.”

“Do you think he’s right?” Kayla stopped for a second and waited for him. “Do you think you’re a demon?” Demons fought God. They disobeyed and defied their creator, their Heavenly Father. That couldn’t be Seth. “No. You helped me. You’re not a demon.”

              Kayla wanted to say something about faith and belief and the promise those things offered, yet she stopped herself. She tried something else for the boy who protected her, “What would’ve happened if you weren’t there on Sunday?” Seth didn’t answer. He looked annoyed like someone who had an answer and didn’t like it. “Tristan wouldn’t have hurt me. He wouldn’t have gotten what he wanted, but he would’ve called the police, I would’ve been arrested, and someone would’ve figured out what I could do. Everything you say about secret agents finding me would’ve happened.” Kayla pressed herself a little closer, one hand on his shoulder, the other on his chest, right over his heart. “You helped me. I still have my life because of you. You’re a good person. You used your abilities to help someone. That is a miracle.”

              Seth’s eyes had that same warmth and trace of sadness that made her want to protect him. “I will protect you. I will always be there to do everything I can, but you need to understand. I’m not a good person. Nothing can change that. Not hope, not faith, not religion.”

              “Why not?”