Part 9 (2/2)

Tristan pauses and turns to me. His wicked smile sends chills racing through my entire body.

”Welcome to Kill Devil Hills.”

Chapter 11. Liora.

My heart skips a beat, then begins to pound. ”What did you say?” I slowly raise my eyes to meet Tristan's amused gaze.

”Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. What, are you telling me you've never heard of this place before?” He arches an eyebrow.

”Can't say that I have,” I say evenly, trying to read his expression. Is he messing with me? Or it this just an unfortunate coincidence?

”But you've heard of the Wright Brothers, haven't you? The first guys to fly an airplane?”

”Of course.”

”Well, their first powered airplane flight happened right here in Kill Devil Hills, Dare County.”

”Huh? I always thought that happened at Kitty Hawk.”

”Common misconception. See those sand dunes over there?” Tristan points over to our left, and I nod. ”That's where they used to do their glider tests.”

”Fascinating,” I respond dryly, still wary. ”Kind of a weird name for a town, don't ya think?” I hope my voice sounds casual.

Tristan lets out a low laugh as he takes my arm and guides me toward a small diner across the street. My stomach is in knots, but I don't know if it's from hunger or nerves. One minute I'm feeling completely relaxed, the next, nervous and panicked.

”It's an interesting story. You see, back in the colonial days, s.h.i.+pwrecks were pretty common 'round here, and most of the boats were carrying barrels of rum. Scavengers would steal the rum as the boats sank, and hide it back in those hills.”

”I don't get how that-”

”Back then, rum was called 'Kill Devil'. Hence, the name 'Kill Devil Hills'.” But then again, some people say it's because pirates once ruled these sh.o.r.es and spent their nights on these hills brewing rum so nasty it could 'kill the devil'. Either way...”

”Ahhh.” I exhale, secretly relieved. For a moment there I'd thought Tristan was hinting at something more sinister...almost like he was mocking me when he said the name of this quaint seaside town.

Glad to know I was just imagining it.

The diner is nearly empty except for an elderly man at the bar, and a bored looking waitress with bad roots. Its cla.s.sic Americana decor seems to have been frozen in the 1950's. Tristan leads us to a booth in the back corner, and we both order some coffee. I'm studying the menu when the door chimes and four figures enter, three guys and a girl. Their covered heads are held low as they slide in beside us, two by two. As they pull back their hoodies, I'm shocked when I recognize the one who sits beside Tristan.

”Oh! Hey, Casandra,” I say, forcing a pained grin as my stomach sinks. What's Tristan's sister doing here?

”Shut up, you disgusting demon b.i.t.c.h,” she replies with a saccharine smile.

Stunned, it's a moment before I feel Tristan's gentle gaze on me. ”It's okay, Liora. She's only joking with you.”

Oh, okay. I return my attention to the menu. ”I think I'll have the blueberry pancakes,” I say. ”With an extra side of bacon.”

”I'll have the same.” Tristan closes his menu and sets it down on top of mine.

I glance at the two guys sitting beside me, but I'm not all that interested in who they are or why they're here. Funny though, they all have scars on their faces as well. Not as many as are on Casandra's arms and hands, and none quite as large as Tristan's, but they are there nonetheless. Perhaps they were all in the same car accident? Must've been some wreck.

But I don't care enough to ask. Instead I just stir my coffee and stare out the dirty window beside me. It's a nice day out. I'm glad we came down here.

The boy next to me speaks. ”So this is her, huh?”

Tristan nods, and Casandra lets out a disgusted snort. ”I swear, this is like the opening line of a really bad joke. 'Five angels and a demon walk into a diner'-”

”Knock it off, Ca.s.s,” Tristan chides her. He looks at the boy beside me. ”Yes, Roan, this is the one I told you about. She can help us-”

”We don't need her help!” Casandra snaps. ”This whole thing is a waste of time!”

The boy next to her speaks up. ”So you've really seen it? She can handle the Boumeaux?”

Tristan looks at him and nods.

”So what, you think she's just gonna open the magical door to her demonic kingdom so we can waltz right in and wipe them out?”

Tristan reaches his hand across the table, covering mine, and gives me a tender smile. ”She'll do whatever I ask her to. She's almost ready now.”

I rub my thumb along his palm as we share an intimate look. It's so nice that he's introducing me to his family, and they're all so cool. Especially Ca.s.sandra. I know she and I will be great friends...maybe like sisters. I've always wanted a sister.

”How'd you even know she was one of them?” the boy named Roan asks. ”I don't feel anything from her.”

Tristan smirks and his azure eyes flash. ”She sees my scars. Not only sees them, but can't stop staring. She said something to me about them the first time she saw me. She always wants to touch them, and even likes kissing them-”

Casandra makes a gagging noise. ”Don't you think you're taking this game just a little too far, big brother?”

The boy beside her cuts her off. ”How do you know she's not one of ours? Being able to see the Markings doesn't necessarily mean she's a Dark One. There are lots of unknown offspring from rogues running around...”

Tristan laughs. ”Well, because she can't see my wing shadows. Pretty sure she would've mentioned seeing those.” He pauses as the waitress returns with our plates of pancakes. He pushes his to the side while I eagerly dig in.

”Besides,” he continues, his voice lower. ”I can taste the blackness deep within her soul. It's hidden, but it's there.”

”You disgust me,” Ca.s.sie says, shaking her head. ”This whole thing is beyond idiotic. Just kill her and be done with it.”

”I have a plan, Ca.s.s. And it will work. You just worry about your job, and let me worry about mine-”

”What job? The boy demon isn't even here! He left her disgusting a.s.s! But now I'm stuck playing high school student and forced to watch you make kissy time with a revolting demon b.i.t.c.h? No thank you!” Her delicate face is contorted with rage, and I half expect her to toss the table aside so she can storm out of here in a huff. I hold the sides of my plate just in case...These pancakes are delicious; I'd hate to see them fall on the floor.

Tristan wraps his arm over her shoulder and gives her a squeeze. ”Casandra,” he says softly. ”We are so close. Don't give up on me now. This will work. Don't you want payback for what those demons did to Nikko and Azriel? This is the only way...”

Casandra lets out a sigh and her face softens. It's so nice to see a brother and sister who are so close and obviously care so much for each other. I relax my grip on my plate and resume eating.

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