“Yeah, how did that happen?” I asked, feeling a bit calmer now we’d cleared the air somewhat. For some reason, I didn’t feel that Helen was a threat anymore.
“I don’t know how it happened. I just know that it did happen. Someone has to be extraordinarily strong to be able to summon a demon, and twice as strong to be able to summon an angel. Needless to say, whoever it was that did it has massive power.” He frowned. “Here’s the thing. We have to be careful, with a human in the house. That means no fire and no manipulating the earth.”
“He’s not as blind to it as you think he is,” said Helen. “When I told him what I was, he took it rather well.”
“How do you think he’s going to take it when he finds out that it’s not just angel blood that runs in your veins?” Nick reminded her.
“He may take it rather well,” Helen argued, leaning forward on her elbows.
“And he may not. You have to understand that the boy is a regular churchgoing Christian. His father is on the board,” Nick added. “He finds out what both of you are and that could mean the downfall of the whole plan. Do you want to be chased out of town for being what you are?”
“I couldn’t tell him what I am. Not now,” I said, rubbing my forehead.
“I get what you’re saying,” said Helen, looking defeated.
“Okay, so we have it established that the boy doesn’t find out?”
Nick stared fixedly at the two of us. We nodded reluctantly, and he smiled in approval.
Chapter 12
So Much for Secrets
It was after two a.m. when I crawled back into my bed next to Adam. His father had already come and gone, dropping off some clothes for his son that he had purchased at a store on his way to our house. My mother had made tea, and the two of them had talked for a bit about the circumstances that had occurred. I had tried to pay attention, but my eyes had grown heavy, and I had fallen asleep on the couch in the living room. I tried my hardest not to wake Adam as I crawled up from the end of the bed to the side near the wall. He began to move; then his eyes fluttered open.
“Where have you been?” he asked sleepily.
“I was talking to my mom and Helen,” I said, lying down and turning on my side so I could look at him. “Your dad showed up. He agreed for you to stay here a few days while he finds a place for you guys to stay until you can go home.”
“Good.” He yawned. “Is he still here?”
“No, he said he was going to stay with his brother. We have a pretty full house right now.” I laughed softly as he turned and took my hand in his.
“Okay.” His eyes closed again.
“Adam?” I said, touching his face.
“Mmm?”
“I promise to make it better.”
“You already have,” he said softly, and then he was out again.
****
“Dawn, Adam, it’s time to get up,” my mother announced, touching me on the top of my head.
“I don’t want to go to school!” I groaned, rolling over and away from her.
“You don’t need to. But I do need to talk to you both, in the living room.”
She got up and left without saying anything further.
I felt Adam’s hand on my side. “I wonder what it is.”
He patted my hip and got out of bed. I grumbled and followed him.
My mother was standing in the living room, hands on her hips. I saw she was chewing on her bottom lip and there was an anxious look in her eyes. She glanced at the two of us and motioned to the couch. It wasn’t long before Nick and Helen joined us, both with sleep in their eyes.
“Good, everyone’s here,” she said once the four of us were assembled.
“What’s this about, Angie?” Nick asked, rubbing his eyes. “I take it you woke all of us up for a reason.”
“Yes, I did.” My mother closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“Well, don’t keep us waiting,” I said, leaning against Adam.
“Okay. Well, then. I got a call this morning at about six a.m. The school has been closed.” She started pacing.
“Did the water heater bust again?” Adam asked, frowning.
“No, Adam. It’s something far worse than that.” She glanced at Nick and bowed her head.
“Not another body?” Helen whispered, her face flushing.
“Yes. It was found inside the school.” I noted the look of relief on her face now that someone had delivered the dreadful news for her, and she didn’t have to say it.
“Who was it, for God’s sake?” I demanded.
“What have I told you about the Lord’s name, young lady?” she snapped, losing her cool.
I fell silent.
Adam cleared his throat. “But who was it, Mrs. Weathers?”
“I don’t know,” she said quietly. “They haven’t released the name yet. However, they did release the name of the boy they found in the woods yesterday.”
We all went still, holding our breath.
“Nathaniel McCormick. Did you know him, Dawn?”
I shook my head.
“That’s Noreen’s boyfriend!” Adam exclaimed, jumping up. “What the heck’s going on in this town?” He sounded excited, almost on the verge of hysteria.
“I don’t know, Adam,” my mother said calmly. “The police have put Midvale under curfew. Classes are being moved to the old elementary school until the high school is cleared.” She looked overwhelmed like she couldn’t quite take it all in herself.
Adam’s eyes blazed feverishly. “But Midvale is such a quiet town! Everyone knows everyone, we all go to the same churches, shop at the same stores. Yet this year alone we have lost ten in the school attack, and now three to random murders!” He looked wildly at the rest of us. “I don’t know what’s going on here,
