Guardian Page 3

  Finally, Nikki chanced a look at Raven. He was staring right at her. She pulled back and sank beside the post, pressing her shoulder into the wood. But his face, his eyes, even the almost vulnerable expression were still there. In the dark, safe place behind her tightly closed lids, his image stayed fixed. And without even watching him, she knew his gaze had searched the ship for her while the others talked.

  He always searched her out.

  They’d been on the boat for only a few minutes, and already she felt emotionally stripped. Nikki judged the distance to the stairwell leading to the safety of her room. Could she make it without them noticing?

  Will joined the group of boys, creating a sort of giant angel wall between her and the gathered crowd. Escaping might be possible. But when she heard the conversation, her feet froze and her body snapped to attention.

  “Do you think they will find us?” Will said, concern in his voice.

  “No. We turned the crew over to the Coast Guard five hundred miles from here. But Will—” Ocean’s words were thick with apprehension. “The last time we sank one of their ships, they retaliated.”

  “How?”

  “They bombed a hotel in Southern France.”

  “Why there?”

  “To send a message. Our operation is based out of France. I have no idea how they found out, but we’ve avoided sinking other transports since. We certainly didn’t mean to sink this last one.”

  “But since it happened, you think we should expect the same sort of retaliation.”

  “Afraid so.”

  “And now we’re on the ship with you,” Will said. “Interesting that the Throne would choose to send us. As well as a Seer.”

  Her? He must mean her, but she was of little use to anyone. That had been clearly established. Nikki bit her bottom lip. Sometimes she forgot that the world of men and angels—the world of evil and good—was as real as the disaster that was her life. Guilt for being so consumed with her own personal problems sifted through her system. If they—whoever they were— chose to retaliate, people’s lives were at stake. And Ocean, with his wise manner, felt responsible for those lives.

  It was time to stop playing the helpless victim. It wasn’t like she could sit behind her post the entire voyage. She would cooperate with what Will wanted her to do—learn about her gifts—so this trip would end and Ocean and his crew could return to hunting bad guys or terrorists who make wingcuffs or whatever. All she needed to do was set her mutilated emotions aside. Nikki straightened her spine and stepped out.

  Raven’s midnight-blue gaze hit her, and a smile tilted one side of his face like he knew exactly what she intended to do. And without warning, she was trapped. It felt as if a cold, thick blanket pinned her.

  Raven’s smile widened ever so slowly while the other Halflings turned to see what he was looking at.

  Why couldn’t she move? Even her eyes felt pasted to him. She tried to open her mouth, but no words came out. What words did she have anyway? I’m glued to the deck and can’t even move my eyes? Oh, she was a brave one.

  To the right of Raven, Mace stood statue-still. There was a sound from him, something between a sigh and a cough of disgust. But for once her gaze wouldn’t go there, even when she willed it to shift.

  From the corner of her eye, she saw Mace look to Raven then to her, then back to Raven.

  No, no, no, she wanted to scream. If only this force field would release her. She didn’t even want to imagine what Mace thought of her behavior—her staring at Raven, him smiling back at her. Her mind worked; why couldn’t her body obey? It’s not what you think. I’m not staring because of him, I’m just … Just what?

  When Mace spun from the group and headed toward the front of the ship, the spell finally broke. Her gaze traveled around the boys. Sky and Dash looked confused. Will wasn’t making eye contact with her, but there was a distinct hint of disapproval, and Ocean and Vine both had pitiful little smiles of condolence—almost worse than the disapproval. Raven grinned victoriously. That burned her stomach. In a fury, she turned from the group and ran to the stairwell.

  “Is this it?” Vegan asked her.

  Nikki was stretched out on her bunk with hands locked behind her head, wondering if she could stay in the cabin for the entire “several day” journey. That was another thing Will had been sketchy on. He’d never answered her with specifics, just said, “Oh, several days.”

  To avoid Vegan’s face, she glanced over and located the bow and quiver full of arrows standing in the corner of the cabin. She mentally traced the outline of smooth wood and once again wondered why the weapon was there.

  Vegan rested a hand on Nikki’s bunk. “Nikki, did you hear me?”

  “I’m sorry. What?”

  “Are these all the clothes you brought?”

  They weren’t just all the clothes she’d brought—they were all the clothes she owned. Her godfather, Damon Vessler, had emptied her house right after her parents' death The very thought of his lackeys rifling through her parents’ things, going through her stuff—from her artwork to her underwear—tossing it all into boxes, and hauling it away …

  She’d never forgive Damon. And yet he’d been calling her constantly to tell her all her belongings were safe and sound in the big basement of his house. That he’d moved it all to help her. And he wanted her to come back. Come home, he kept saying in the pleading, pathetic messages he left. Home. Ha. There was no home anymore.

  “You need more things to wear,” Vegan said, her braceletclad wrist flying into the air as if that decided things.

  “Why?”

  On cue, Winter and Glimmer entered the room.

  Vegan reached into the trunk she’d slid from under Nikki’s bunk and scooped up an armful of clothing. “This is all she has.”

  Glimmer, who usually reserved only dirty looks for Nikki, first gasped as if she’d witnessed something horrible then jumped up and down. “Yay, shopping! I’ve wanted to hit the mall since we got here. Plus, I already heard Ocean say we can’t leave until morning, and there is no way I’m staying on this boat longer than I have to.” Her short, golden-brown curls bobbed as she plucked a few clothing pieces from Vegan. She squinted as she scrutinized them. “Normally I’d say let’s add to her summer collection. But, uh, I think we might just want to start from scratch.”

  Nikki leaned up on her elbows. Was there no sense of privacy here? Oh yeah, she’d already established that. At the same time, if anyone could help her wardrobe, it was these three. They always looked magazine perfect. But not like her best friend Krissy, a fashion princess whose clothing recommendations were uncomfortable and hard to move in. The Halflings looked great but still seemed like they could maintain a range of motion. Sort of important when your vocation includes handto-hand combat with demons and hell hounds.

  “What style do you like, Nikki?” These were the most—and the friendliest—words Glimmer had ever spoken to her.

  Who’d have thought she and Glimmer would bond over clothing? Nikki straightened. “Uh …”

  Three sets of golden eyes waited.

  Style of clothing? She didn’t know. Now that she thought of it, Vegan, Winter, and Glimmer did seem to have their own styles. Glimmer wore a set of white shorts, a stretchy top with some gold rhinestones on it, a gold-trimmed cotton hoodie, and wedge sandals that made her legs go on forever.

  Vegan wore faded jeans that were frayed at the bottom and a heathered forest-green long-sleeve T. Gold hoop earrings complimented the look.

  Winter had on a black shirt and skinny capri jeans. Very classy and elegant, almost like she could breeze into a country club and fit right in. And all three of the girls had those goldand-silver bracelets that looked like sheets of thin metal twisted together. She’d not seen anything like them.

  When she didn’t answer, Winter spoke up. “Something comfortable, but cool.”

  Vegan dropped the clothes and turned her full attention to Nikki. The bundle fell to the floor and the bed, and a
few garments even landed on the tiny end table separating her bed from Vegan’s.

  Before she could protest, Nikki was being dragged from her bunk. Winter made a little twirl with her finger in midair, and Nikki obliged by spinning in a slow circle, arms outstretched.

  “Will’s going to undoubtedly be working on her martial arts skills, so she needs to be able to move easily.” Vegan’s eyes were scrunched in thought.

  So much concentration over textiles.

  Winter nodded and swiped her dark hair over one shoulder. “Exactly. Definitely pants with a little spandex in them.”

  “Jeans,” Glimmer said in a harsh tone that could end all conversation. “Nikki is a jeans girl. She won’t wear anything else. We have to find stretchy jeans, probably skinny, because she has those great legs. And we can give her some real style by choosing gorgeous tops and shoes.”

  Nikki blinked her surprise and left her arms out, though the scrutiny was over. She was overwhelmed. First, that they were that interested in helping her determine a personal look, and second, by Glimmer’s admission of great legs and the whole jeans girl thing.

  Glimmer put her hands on her hips. “And no more flipflops! You need proper sandals.”

  Winter lowered Nikki’s arms with the gentle touch of her ice-cold hands. Nikki tried not to react, but goose bumps spread over her upper body.

  Winter turned to the other girls. “Glimmer, we’re on a boat. She’s going to need flip-flops.”

  Glimmer brushed a hand through the air like a queen dismissing her lackluster court. “Fine, but only one pair and they aren’t to wear every day. Got it?” She pointed a gold-polished fingernail at Nikki.

  “Got it,” she mumbled.

  And with that, they were off to the mall to reinvent Nikki Youngblood.

  Chapter 4

  I’m still a little unclear about the whole money thing,” Nikki said as they left the mall. Her arms were aching after lugging heavy shopping bags from store to store.

  “We have what we need, Nikki.”

  She raised her arms, bags dangling on each side. “I need these?”

  “Desperately,” Glimmer said.

  Winter slid a couple of bags from one of Nikki’s arms. “We serve the Throne. The Throne is hardly broke.”

  Nikki stopped in the middle of the parking lot. “It’s just weird, you know? Think about it. You serve the Creator of everything, and he makes sure to give you shopping money. Doesn’t that sound a little strange?”

  Each girl shrugged.

  “No,” Vegan said. “Sounds like normal life.”

  “There’s nothing normal about the life you all lead.”

  Winter slipped a couple more bags off Nikki’s arm and handed them to a reluctant Glimmer. “The Creator chose to take us in. And though we don’t know our eternal fate, we do know he’s given us all the tools we need to live victoriously now.”

  “But you don’t know your future? How can you stand it? I mean, for most humans the whole idea of eternity—eternal life—is pretty abstract. But for you …”

  “You have to know the nature of the one you serve. We have no promise of tomorrow. But we know the character of the One. Our ability to do what we do is rooted in our faith in him.”

  Nikki looked down. Strappy sandals encased her feet. She wiggled her toes. “I’ve never had faith in anything except what is tangible. I doubt I ever will.”

  Vegan took the last of Nikki’s purchases, leaving her hands free to rub the creases on her arms. “You will.”

  “I don’t think the Throne will have much tolerance for me. I’ve made a huge mess of things so far.”

  Awkward silence. They all knew she was referring to Mace and Raven.

  Glimmer pointed across the parking lot. “Let’s go bowling.”

  Vegan turned to her. “Did you just say bowling? That was random.”

  “We can’t, Glimmer.” Winter looked at her watch. “Will is expecting us.”

  “Not for another hour or so. Come on. This is our last night on solid ground for who knows how long.”

  Vegan smiled, nodded, and waited for Winter to decide. After a long pause, Winter headed toward the bowling alley. “Fine,” she sighed. “Do you think we should let Will know?”

  “No,” Glimmer replied. “He already told us to keep Nikki close. We’re doing that.”

  He’d also reminded them that because she was a Seer, evil was drawn to her. Just what she needed to feel comfortable and safe.

  Five minutes later, they were standing at the counter inside the bowling alley. “I’ve got two lanes available at the far end,” the attendant said, pointing to one side. “Men’s league takes most of the other lanes.” He motioned behind him. Yep, the place was brimming with guys.

  Winter pulled out her money and paid for their shoes. All three of the Halfling girls chose sixteen-pound balls. Glimmer was frustrated because all of the heavier ones had large holes to match. “What is with this? Does everyone have fingers this fat?”

  “You can use my ball,” Vegan said, picking up a brightly colored green, brown, and neon orange globe.

  “Uh, no thanks. It’s ugly.”

  Vegan feigned shock and cradled the ball against her chest. “It’s not ugly. It unique.”

  “Uniquely ugly,” Glimmer said.

  As soon as they started playing, Nikki noticed the amount of attention the Halfings had drawn from the men’s league. In all honesty, Nikki’d never seen a girl lob a bowling ball the way these three could either. A few of the men made comments as they passed to go to the restroom. Without so much as a word, the girls deliberately—Nikki was sure it was deliberate—started getting fewer and fewer strikes.

  Nikki thought back to the bow and arrows resting in the corner of their cabin. “Glimmer, while we were shopping, Winter told me the bow and arrow is yours.”

  “Yes?”

  “I just … I’ve never seen it before. Is it new?”

  Glimmer’s chin dropped a degree. “Uh, no. It’s not new. I’ve had it with me all along.”

  “What?”

  Winter leaned over and dropped her voice to a whisper. “Nikki, Glimmer had them on her back when you first met us at the guys’ Victorian house.”

  Nikki was sure she would have remembered that. “I didn’t see anything.”

  Winter smiled. “But you saw it in our cabin? That’s good.”

  “Or crazy,” Nikki said.

  Glimmer reached over her shoulder as if pulling something from a backpack. “Hold out your hands.”

  Nikki obeyed and watched as Glimmer’s fingers clasped around nothing but air. She rested her hands over Nikki’s, then released the grip, and Nikki felt something drop into her grasp. Shocked, Nikki stared down at the arrow. “Where’d it come from?”

  Glimmer’s warm fingers brushed hers as she took the arrow back and rested it on her shoulder. “They’re a spiritual gift. Like our wings, so they aren’t visible unless you look through the eyes of your spirit. Oops, my turn.” Glimmer hopped up and headed to the lane to get her ball.

  Nikki pulled in a breath and looked hard; crisscrossing Glimmer’s back was the bow and a quiver full of arrows.

  She was the only Halfling who carried a weapon—at least as far as Nikki knew. Glimmer lined up to throw her bowling ball—a plain gray one she’d found on the last rack of choices. Arms locked in place, eyes zeroed in on the target. Nikki’d never seen Glimmer shoot her bow, but sensed she must be a deadly force.

  A shiver ran the length of Nikki’s spine. Just before releasing the ball, Glimmer glanced to her left toward the men’s league and all those eyes watching her with interest. She huffed out a sigh and tossed the ball half-heartedly at the pins.

  Thwack. Two pins remained.

  She dropped onto the seat beside Winter. “I’m bored with this. Let’s go home.”

  “We’re in the middle of a game, Glimmer. Besides, bowling was your idea.”

  Glimmer rolled her large, golden eyes. “We’re not
in the middle of a game. We’re just trying not to draw attention.”

  “At least I have a shot at winning now,” Nikki added. Huh. Being pinned by three female stares was pretty unpleasant. Okay then. She faked a yawn. “Actually, I’m kind of tired myself. I wouldn’t mind leaving.”

  Glimmer flashed a quick, appreciative smile. It was slight, barely a quirking of the cheeks, but it was nice to get that look rather than the nasty ones she was used to.

  Vegan shrugged. “Fine with me.”

  Winter nodded. “Okay, let’s go back and torture Nikki. We’ll make her try on all her outfits.”

  A few minutes later, they were making their way to the marina with packages in tow. No talking, no chatter. It seemed the bowling alley—or, specifically, having to stop the real competition so they’d seem “normal”—had stolen the night’s joy. Which Nikki hated, because she’d actually had a good time at the mall, being ordered around by three girls determined to turn her into Cool and Comfortable Barbie instead of the Overdressed and Awkward version Krissy always seemed to create.

  They rounded the corner and entered the marina parking lot. Lights twinkled on the water, where boats of varying size rose and fell with the gentle swells. The sound of waves breaking against wood filled her ears. Nikki paused. Beyond the marina a dark, rippled world stretched forever. A new world, one she’d never experienced. “Wow,” she mumbled.

  Her companions stopped and glanced back at her. “What’s wrong?” Winter said.

  Nikki brushed a hand through the air. “It’s beautiful. I’ll fall asleep tonight being rocked by the ocean.”

  “A bit overwhelmed, are we?” Winter smiled. The others remained silent, taking in the marina and the variety of motorand sailboats.