Fall From Grace (8 page)

He stopped by the side of the house and
jumped out, taking two steps at a time up the front porch. “Mom!”
He swung the door open and heard a dish shatter.

“In here.”

Alexander maneuvered around the dining room
table and into the kitchen to find Grace on her hands and knees
cleaning up a broken dish. “Sorry, did I startle you?” Wait, she
should have sensed he was there. “Grace?”

Grace gave a warm smile. “It’s alright, son.
Just a dish.”

“That’s not it. Why didn’t you know I was
here?”

Grace patted his hand. “No worries, this
happens. My human frame will age, and some of my angelic abilities
get a little spotty.”

“But you were so powerful the other day.”
Alexander flashed back to her single handedly putting out the fire
and restoring the Earth. He helped her up from the floor and picked
up the remaining ceramic chards.

“Yes, I’m still gaining strength. It’s just
I have some episodes. Think of it as angel dementia.” She chuckled,
but Alexander didn’t see the humor in it.

“Don’t worry. I’ve still got a few years
left in this body. Trust me, last time I lived into my 90s.” She
sat down on one of the kitchen stools and steepled her fingers.
“Now, tell me what is troubling you.”

He tossed the broken dish in the trashcan
under the sink then leaned over the counter. “Something happened at
school. I think The Prim, I mean Principal Mastema, is a
demon.”

Grace held up a hand. “Wait a minute. That’s
a big accusation. What makes you think that?”

“I overheard her telling Avery to remember
what she had to do to Gaby. I sensed terror from Avery. Something
wasn’t right.”

Grace pressed her lips together. “Hmm, well
that doesn’t mean she is a demon. Did you smell or sense
something?”

“Her perfume was so overpowering I’m
thinking she used it to mask her demon stench. Also, I didn’t sense
anything, nothing. If she was human I’d be able to feel something
from her.”

Grace gave a forced smile. “Alex, she could
just wear strong perfume. As for sensing something, you could have
been distracted. Avery’s terror would have been strong; sometimes
dominant human emotion will block anything else.”

“But even after Avery left, I felt nothing.”
Alexander gripped the countertop to steady himself. All he wanted
to do was march into the high school, grab Gaby, and whisk her away
to safety.

“Naturally your thoughts would have been on
Gaby. We both know when it comes to her, you have some difficulty
filtering your emotions.” Grace reached out and patted his
hand.

“We need to protect her.” Alexander pulled
his hand away and paced the room. “Grace, trust me, she isn’t
human.”

Silence filled the room and Alexander waited
for her argument, but it didn’t come. He finally turned to find
Grace rubbing her forehead, hunched over the counter. “Tell you
what, I’ll pay Principal Mastema a visit later. If you feel that
strongly about it, I think we should be cautious.”

“Won’t that make her suspicious?”

“No, she’s called to express her concerns
about Bruce and his condition. I need to go reassure her that he is
well, or it could be a real problem. She mentioned involving social
services, and the last thing we need is someone investigating and
agitating Gaby.”

Memories of the fire flashed in his mind.
“Mom, how dangerous are Gaby’s powers?”

“If we don’t find a way to keep her calm
until she can control them, Kemp will be an extension of Hell on
Earth.”

Chapter Seven

Gaby fussed with the hem of her rose-colored
shirt, it was Alex’s favorite color on her. A flock of birds
squawked overhead as they descended to their winter home in the
nearby woods. It had been ten minutes since the bell rang, and
everyone hung out in the parking lot, but there was no sign of
Alexander.

“Gaby.” Boon rounded the corner. “I’m sorry.
I walked Sammy to practice but ran into my chem teacher on the way
back. Alexander went home. Something about needing to do
something.”

Gaby wanted Alexander to walk her to cheer
practice, not run off. Of course, that was what she did to him
earlier. “What did he have to do?”

“Don’t know, but I told Alex I’d look after
you.”

Gaby cringed. “You mean make sure I don’t
set fire to the school.”

Boon stepped closer. “Don’t worry, Gaby. I’m
going to train you to fight demons, and Grace is going to work on
helping you maintain control. Alexander and Sammy will help you
figure out your powers and how to use them. Everything is going to
be okay.”

Gaby saw the doubt and fear in his eyes.
Boon had always been apt at hiding his emotions, well, except when
it came to his love for Sammy, but lately he’d been studying her.
Even now, he scanned her face and hands.

“Don’t worry. My fingers haven’t turned
glacial since Saturday. No sign of going freak on everyone.”

Boon shifted between feet. “No one blames
you.”

“Tell that to my Dad.” Gaby cringed at the
memory of him flinching when she touched him. Scared to death he’d
be barbequed before school.

“What?”

“Never mind, just forget it.” Gaby searched
the parking lot one more time, even though she knew Alexander
wouldn’t be there. Boon couldn’t stay away from Sammy, but
Alexander didn’t have a problem being away from her. “Can I ask you
something?”

“Sure.”

She had to know why Sammy and Boon were
always so happy and loving with each other. There was no drama or
tears. “Why do you walk Sammy to practice every day?”

Boon arched a brow. “I don’t know. I guess
after being apart so long, all I want to do is be with her every
second I can.” Boon plastered that goofy boy-in-love grin across
his face.

“I see.” Why didn’t Alexander ever have that
grin? No, instead he was always alert and watching everything
around her. When would she be the only thing he could see? It was
like being around her father back when he was hunting demons. For
once in her life, she wanted to be the center of someone’s
world.

She pulled her cell from her skirt pocket to
check the time then shoved it back in. “Guess I need to head to
practice.”

Boon smiled. “I can walk you.”

Great, a pity walk. No thanks. “I’ll be
fine. It’s just across the field, and Sammy’s waiting for me.”

Boon opened his mouth to protest.

“I promise I won’t go all inferno on the
field.” She tried to sound lighthearted and funny, but her voice
was laced with sarcasm.

“I know.” Boon patted her back. “I’m headed
to do some recon. I’ll see you at the house later, okay?”

“Yeah, sure.” Gaby gave him the warmest
smile she could fake and headed to the locker room to change. At
least Sammy was as easy going as ever. Gaby headed for the field.
She fidgeted with her nails and glanced back one more time in hopes
of catching a glimpse of Alexander but instead plowed into someone.
She stumbled back and discovered The Prim towering over her.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.” Gaby
went to walk around her but Prim held up a hand.

“It’s okay, Ms. Moore. May I walk with you
for a moment?”

Great, what had she done now? “I’m staying
in school—”

“It’s not that.”

Gaby followed her with the old, familiar
electric current of panic nudging at her insides. Newly cut grass
left a spring scent in the air instead of the smell of fall foliage
like she was used to up in Montana.

“Ms. Moore, can I call you Gaby?”

“Yes.” Gaby spoke at a mere whisper.

“I wanted to check and see how you were
after the other night at Homecoming. You were distraught, and I
wanted to see if you needed to talk.”

“I’m fine, really.” Gaby wanted to forget
everything that happened that night and the next day. Heck, she
wanted to forget about everything.

“I know your grades have slipped a little
and you’ve been under some serious stress. You should be proud of
how well you’ve handled some difficult situations.”

Gaby kept her eyes cast at the ground but
could feel Prim analyzing her every move. She stiffened under such
scrutiny and quickened her pace in hopes of escaping to the locker
room.

“Gaby.” Prim touched her shoulder, causing
her to stop. “I know you were concerned about Alexander being
distant and Avery flirting with him.”

“It’s fine.” Gaby snapped.

Tears burned her eyes at the memory of his
rejection. “Principal Mastema, I need to get to practice.”

“Call me Judy.”

“Judy?” Gaby felt strange calling her by her
first name.

Prim brushed Gaby’s arm with a loving
stroke. “If you need anything, I’m here for you.”

Funny how the principal picked up on Avery
coming on to Alexander, but everyone else thought she was
overreacting. Alexander never even looked at her much anymore. His
eyes always transfixed on others in need, like Avery.

The Prim moved closer and placed her hand on
her shoulder. “Being a teen can be tough, trust me, I know. Those
years were difficult for me too. I only wished I had someone to
talk to. Someone outside my family that didn’t judge me for my
feelings. You can talk to me any time about anything.”

“Gaby!” Grace’s voice rang from the parking
lot. The principal backed away from her. What was she doing
here?

“Principal Mastema, I thought I’d come by
for our chat.”

Gaby waved back but had no desire to be
stuck in a room with both of them. “I’ll see you at home.”

“Gaby. You can take control. Don’t let
Alexander see how much Avery affects you, and play a little hard to
get. Trust me. It’ll work.” Judy took two steps toward the parking
lot and paused. “Oh, and Gaby, keep our conversation between us. If
you tell Sammy or Ms. Lorre anything, they’ll just tell Alexander;
then it won’t work.” She winked and headed for the parking lot.

Hard to get?
Would it work? Gaby
trudged across the field to the locker room and found Avery sitting
on the bench in front of Gaby’s locker.

Great, what did she want?

As she approached, Avery stood up and put
her hands on her hips. “We need to talk.”

****

“You saw her with The Prim?” Alexander
tensed at the thought of Boon leaving her there on the field
unprotected.

“Yes, it looked like they were having an
intense conversation before Grace arrived. I stayed in the parking
lot for a bit and watched them.”

“I knew I should’ve been watching over her.
I wanted to do some research, and Grace was there when you left?”
Alexander unclenched his fists, the muscles in his back relaxed,
and his wings no longer pressed for freedom.

“Yes, why? What’s going on?” Boon flopped
down in the wicker chair across from him on the front porch.

Alexander glanced around the beach then
leaned over resting his elbows on his thighs. “I think she’s a
demon.”

Boon chuckled. “Seriously? I’m sure I
would’ve noticed something if the principal of our high school was
a demon. I mean, I’m kinda connected to hell’s minions.”

“Hear me out.” Alexander scooted to the edge
of his seat. If he was right, they were all in grave danger.
“You’ve never been around anything but a local demon; what if she
was a master demon? They’re stronger. I’ve been doing some research
and read about how they can mask their identity better and have
more control.”

“Where did you read this?” Boon’s brow
arched in question.

“Well, on the internet, but—”

“The internet? You think demons are going to
share their secrets with everyone?”

Alexander slapped his palms against his
thighs before he shot up from the chair. “Not just any site, a
hunter site. Bruce told me about it before he left.”

Boon rubbed his jaw and drew a blank stare.
“Hunters? Did you run this information by Bruce?”

Alexander hesitated. “Do you think he’s
strong enough? I mean, I don’t want to put too much on him. It
would destroy Gaby if he started drinking again.”

“Listen, we all need to be able to rely on
each other. If we don’t, this will never work. Stop trying to
protect Gaby, it will only drive her away.”

A car rolled down the drive crunching fallen
limbs from the last good rain, the old engine sputtered, announcing
Grace’s arrival. “I guess you’re right. I’ll talk to Grace about
it. She has a way with keeping Bruce calm.”

A car door slammed, and Grace made her way
to the front porch.

Alexander gave Boon a sideways glance. “Even
if she isn’t demon, something strange is going on with that
principal.”

“I’m afraid I’d have to agree.” Grace
grabbed the railing and hoisted herself up the steps. Alexander and
Boon rose and offered a hand, but she shooed them away. “I’m not
decrepit yet. Actually, I’m feeling a little more limber today.
Guess there won’t be a storm.”

Alexander offered her the seat and relaxed
in the swing. The rhythmic rocking provided comfort when his human
body was on edge. “What happened at school?”

Grace sat on the edge of the chair. Boon
hopped up on the railing facing them both.

“Well, I’m not sure. The conversation was
short and, well, condescending. You were right about one thing, I
didn’t feel anything.”

Grace tapped her finger against the arm of
the chair. . “Alexander, you said master demon. What makes you
think that?”

“Bruce told me about a hunter’s website, and
on there I read about master demons and their ability to hide their
true identity.” A zing of electricity shot through Alexander’s body
at the thought of a master demon being so close to Gaby. If it was
true, they had to get her out of there, but where would they go to
hide?

“I see.” Grace pushed from the chair and
opened the screen door to the house. “Guess I’ll go call Bruce. We
need to discuss a few things.”