“I’m not fine. This isn’t fine.” I waved my hand around the room, taking in everyone’s injuries. “This shit should be over. But I’m starting to think it’ll never be done.”
“We’re gonna finish it this time. Whatever is going on, whoever he’s sent to hurt you, we’re gonna take them out.” Chay ran a finger down the side of my face. “We need to get you cleaned up before your parents get home. You’ll scare your mother. You’ve already got bruises around your neck.”
“Who is higher than Azazel? Who would supersede his power?” I asked no one in particular.
“I don’t know,” Xavier answered. “But I’ll do some research and find out.”
“Shouldn’t you know these things? You’re an angel; these are your enemies. Shouldn’t you know who they are?” Chay turned and glared at him. “I find it kinda weird that you know so little about who we’re fighting.”
Xavier didn’t answer right away. He rocked back on his heels, clasping his hands behind his back. “Even angels don’t know everything about Hell.”
12
The Mall
Monday and Tuesday, I got a free pass to stay home from school thanks to Jake. The bruising around my neck left no doubt what had happened and rather than get a call from the school’s principal about abuse, my parents opted to let me stay home. I’d missed so much school my senior year that I was worried they wouldn’t let me graduate.
Monday morning, I went downstairs and poured a bowl of cereal. After I splashed some milk on it, I plopped down in front of the television. I was looking forward to watching cheesy soap operas all day. I liked to make fun of them. Secretly, I loved watching them.
“Don’t get too comfortable,” my mom said. She’d taken the days off from work so I wouldn’t be alone. “We are going to do a little spring cleaning while you’re home.”
I groaned. I would’ve rather been at school. We moved every piece of furniture and vacuumed underneath, washed every window and blind, wiped down the baseboards, and the kitchen cabinets. By the time we were done Tuesday evening, every inch of the house had been scrubbed, mopped, and polished.
I’d never wanted to go to school so much in my life.
Wednesday, I was able to cover the bruising with makeup and a turtleneck sweater.
“Hey.” Chay smiled when I walked into Chemistry class that morning. “I didn’t expect to see you here today.”
“Yeah, well, when you don’t call or text for two days, it’s kinda hard to keep up with schedules,” I said, irritation rolling off my tongue.
“I texted you last night.”
“Yeah, after I did you!”
“I’m not arguing with you, Milayna. I’m sorry I didn’t text you every second of my day. Lord knows the sun revolves around you.”
His words stung. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Forget it. I’ll show you what we’re doing today.” Pulling out his book and notes, he told me what homework I missed and what lab we were doing that morning. I tried to listen, but I was too preoccupied by what he’d said to really pay attention.
About midway through class, I felt a kick under my seat. I turned around and saw a white piece of paper teetering on the edge of the table. Grabbing it, I turned in my seat before the teacher spotted me, or God forbid, the note.
Everything okay? Xavier wrote.
Yeah. Just peachy.
I turned, quickly sliding the note across the table toward Xavier. He lifted his hand and caught it before anyone saw. Anyone except Chay.
“Stop passing notes to him,” he whispered between clenched teeth.
“Why? You’re not talking to me.”
“Whatever.”
“Whatever,” I mocked. He was quickly climbing my bitch-o-meter.
I felt a second kick under my seat. I didn’t turn; I just reached behind me and slipped the piece of paper off the table.
Wanna talk about it?
Not really, I answered.
The note passing went back and forth the entire class period. Chay grew more and more irritated with me with each note.
“Are you going to help with this lab or pass notes?” he snapped.
“Both.”
He rolled his eyes.
“What the hell is the matter with you?” I yelled after class.
“Just a bad coupla days,” Chay answered.
“What did I do?”
“Nothing.”
“Then stop taking it out on me and try talking next time.” I turned and walked away.
“Milayna, hold up.”
I stopped in the hallway, my back facing him. He stopped behind me and kissed the hollow behind my ear, sending electrified shivers down my body. “I’m sorry. I acted like a jerk.”
“Yeah, you kinda did.”
“How can I make it up to you?” He walked in front of me, his blue-green eyes sparkling when his gaze met mine. My power decided to kick in, and I felt the electrical current run through my body along my nerve endings. It reached out to Chay and moved over him, but instead of stopping and creating a bridge to his feelings, it kept moving, searching.
That’s weird. That’s only happened once before—when Steven switched sides.