Angels Without Hearts

Chapter 13

   "Okay. So, what's the plan now?" Holly asked with her mouth full. We were sitting at the kitchen table. Cody picked up Chinese food and stole a box of the fortune cookies. The man started screaming ghost and was cussing him out in Chinese. Cody munched away on the cookies. James sat there playing with his food. "Well, there's two of them left and three of us. Problem is, David is stronger than all three of us." They silently put their heads down.

I swallowed my chicken. "Can't Leo fight him?"

All three, stared at me like I said a bad word. Holly cleared her throat. "Leo doesn't fight battles like these. He entrusts us to be able to handle them."

I raised my eyebrow. "Like you guys almost dying in the last one?"

Cody had his mouth full. "Leo hasn't fought in any wars for the last thousand years." He started crunching very loudly.

Holly smacked him. Cody started choking on the cookies. "He's not that old! It's only been about 700 years." James grabbed my hand and held it in his. My eyes went to him. "It's up to us." His eyes narrowed to the floor. "You must stay here. If you go out again, God only knows what will happen." I nodded. This time, I would listen to him. I didn't want to lose him again.

Cody cleared his throat. "School is almost over anyway. We've been bringing you your homework and tests. So far, you're not failing."

Holly rolled her eyes at him. "Leo posed as your dad and explained to the school that it's a family situation. They're allowing you to finish the rest of the year at home."

Cody glanced over at her while stuffing his face. "Maddie has been searching every day for you. She sees us and immediately runs away."

Holly smirked. "I've chased after her before, but she vanishes before I can catch her." She shoved more food into her mouth.

James ran his fingers through his hair. "I never wanted it to come this far. But this should be over soon. We need to come up with a strategy." They all nodded.

Holly stood up. "I need to go back home." Cody followed behind her. She glanced back at us. "You need to tell her." They both left the room. Cody snuck back in for his fortune cookies and left again.

    I looked at James. Before I could even speak, James spoke up. "She's talking about the day I rescued you when he slit your throat." I waited. "You almost died, and it took all three of us to save you. If he does manage to turn you... We can't save you." I stood up and walked into the living room. James followed behind me. Slowly sinking to the floor, I didn't know how to feel. If I die, he wins. If they all die, he still wins. Tears formed in my eyes. "I can't let all three of you die for me. I can't lose you again." James bent down next to me. His wings enclosed around me. It was like a feathery dome. Turning around, James was an angel. He smiled at me. His arms wrapped around me. "Whatever happens, I love you. We sacrificed ourselves to keep you safe. That's our job." His hand touched my cheek. "Don't feel guilty. We chose this. This is what happens when you choose to be an angel." My head rested against his chest, sniffling. James grabbed the charm across my neck. "Keep this on, it will keep you safe." He kissed my forehead. He lifted me into his arms. Soon as his wings moved away, Leo stood there with his arms crossed.

My heart dropped. I had a feeling he was going to fight with me about being with James. Leo took a breath. "We need to talk." James set me back down. I went to leave the room. "Not you." Slowly turning my head back, he sat on the couch. My fingers touched the charm. Taking a breath, James turned back into a human and left the room. "Are you going to stay here?" I asked in my mind.

His voice quickly came. "Don't worry Jess. I'll be in the next room. Call me if you need me." Then it disappeared. I sat down on the couch, a seat away from him. Leo's eyes stared at the fireplace. The fire was brightly burning. "Have you thought about it yet?" His voice was calm.