When Angels Fall

Chapter 18

I go to change back into my street clothes, but Kuzo stops me.

"Do you want the dress?" he asks, smiling. I hesitate.

"Well, it's a lovely dress, and I like it, but I wouldn't have any occasion to wear it."

Kuzo shrugs. "So? You could wear it around the Nexis." I laugh, shaking my head.

"Alright. You've talked me into it." I joke. Kuzo grins. He's seeming to act more comfortable in the suit, which hugs the muscles of his arms and shoulders. I'm still vaguely worried that his venom wound is causing him pain, but for now it doesn't seem to bother him.

We proceed to the checkout, and the look on the blonde sales clerk's face when Kuzo speaks French is priceless, especially now that she's seen me.

I smile to myself, giving her a friendly wave as she scans the tag on my dress, and the one on Kuzo's suit. As soon as Kuzo pays, he carefully takes the tags off and throws them in the trash, then offers me his arm. I take it with a smile, and we leave the store.

"Anywhere else you'd like to go?" Kuzo asks once we're on the sidewalk. People are looking at us funny, probably because we're dressed so finely.

"I'd like to get something for Amber," I admit, kind of embarrassed. But Kuzo simply nods, looking around the street before pointing to another shoppe.

"Pet stuff is over there, I think," he says. I smile, hugging his arm, and we start across the road. Once inside, I realize this must be doggy heaven. All kinds of treat dispensers everywhere, beds, a spa in the back.

"Holy cow," I exclaim. "This place is bizarre."

Kuzo laughs. "The things people will do for their pets," he comments. I nod, then start going over the shelves, looking for things for Amber. I decide to stay on the cheap side, since Kuzo has already done so much for me, so I simply get a dog bed and a bag of treats.

We're back out onto the sidewalk after ten or so minutes, and I like the way Kuzo stays right by my side. He offered to carry the bags, but I said no, and, frankly, he looks kind of disappointed. I reach up and tossle his hair.

"Why do you do that so much?" he asks, trying to sound annoyed, though not succeeding. I grin.

"Because your hair is soft and fluffy, and you let me," I return. Kuzo sighs, then wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me to his side, dropping his face into my neck.

"Only because you're cute," he mumbles into my hair, making me laugh and blush. He lifts his head and smiles at me, then looks around. "What next?"

I look up and down the street, glancing fleetingly at all the stores, shops, and boutiques, before I turn my gaze back to the store we just left. I almost have a heart attack on the spot.

The cashier who rang us up is staring at me, unblinking, through the window. I gulp and squeeze Kuzo's arm.

"Uh, let's just head back now," I say, trying to sound calm. Kuzo looks down at me and frowns in confusion, but nods and leads me back up the road toward the door we came through. I don't let go of his hand the entire time.

"What's wrong?" he asks as soon as he has the door open. I notice the same flare of light travel through the cracks as he closes the door behind us.

"Some dude was staring at me," I say with a shrug. "It just kind of freaked me out. Sorry."

Kuzo shakes his head quickly. "No, don't be sorry, I need to know those things. It could have been a demon or something." I chuckle dryly.

"More than likely, he was staring at us because we're wearing Dior and buying dog stuff," I mumble. Kuzo smiles slightly and kisses my cheek, taking my hand again.

"Still. People aren't allowed to stare at my girlfriend unless it's because she's so beautiful they can't believe it."

I squeak and blush, hiding my face in his chest. He simply laughs, rubbing my back, before leading me down the corridor to the door into the Nexis.

Azi pounces on us as soon as the door is open.

"What the hell, Kuzo?!" she snarls at him, her eyes glowing slightly. "You can't just up and leave like that! You're injured still, there's death threats out on Paris, and you decide to just take a vacation?!"

I frown. "It was my idea to go to Paris," I say softly. Azi glares at me, and I notice Abel walking up to stand beside her. But Azi isn't done.

"You should know better! You should know it's dangerous!"

"Azi, we're fine," Kuzo says calmly. "We didn't have any run-ins, and I made sure to put up sigils." So that's what those symbols around the hotel room were.

Abel sighs tightly and pats Azi's shoulder. "Relax, sis. The important thing is that they made it back safely," he says. Azi gives Kuzo and I a final glare before "hmph"ing and storming off. I sigh.

"Looks like someone else doesn't like me," I grumble. Kuzo gives my hand a squeeze as Abel shakes his head.

"Don't worry. She gets overprotective about people she cares about. So yeah, she still likes you. Maybe."

I shake my head. "Anyway, how's things?" I ask Abel, trying to raise everyone's spirits. He smiles.

"Things are good," he chuckles. "Amber is in your room, I took her out for a walk. She's a ball of energy." I laugh and nod.

"Oh, don't I know it. She's crazy." Abel smiles once more.

"Hey, do you mind if I steal my brother for a second?" he asks, grabbing Kuzo's shoulder. "Angel stuff." I nod.

"Sure, I don't mind." Kuzo kisses my cheek before following Abel down to the main corridor. I sigh, watching them go, then heading down after on my way to my room.

I've just stepped off the staircase that leads to the magical doors when I hear Abel talking, in the cafeteria. Against my better judgment, I tiptoe closer to listen.

"I don't know what to do!" Abel's saying, sounding almost like he's hyperventilating. I hear Kuzo's voice next.

"Calm down, take a deep breath. And tell me what happened."

Abel is silent for a moment. He must be composing himself. His next words sound choked, like he's trying not to cry.

"She left yesterday morning, and we haven't heard from her since. She hasn't checked in or talked to any of us, and no one has even seen her."

"Okay," Kuzo says gently. "I'll call in some of our siblings, and we'll search for her. We won't stop until we find her. She's family."

As soon as he's done, I run up to my room, kicking my shoes off as soon as I get inside and falling onto my bed. This is my fault, it has to be.

Mara's missing.