"Well, as all of you can see, I'm safe and sound. I don't even think a hair is out of place," I said, patting my head sarcastically.
"Where did the Soul Trader take you?" Haniel asked with intensity.
"Why?" I asked, wondering why it mattered. The fact that he'd returned me in one piece should have appeased the watch dogs.
Haniel ignored my question, waiting for me to answer.
Sighing at the fact that he was acting like a total drama douche, I finally caved when I realized the inquisition wouldn't end until I answered him.
"Fine, he took me to New York," I snipped out.
"New York?" Krista asked, looking at Haniel questioningly.
Haniel's impassive mask was back on as he studied me, obviously trying to get a gauge on whether I was lying. It bugged the crap out of him that he couldn't see through me.
"What did you guys think? That he dragged me off to the pits of hell?" I sarcastically joked, waiting for their denial. Silence filled the room. "Seriously? That's what you thought?" I asked again in a raised voice. "Why would you come to an asinine conclusion like that?" I said shrilly.
Surprisingly, it was Sam who answered my shrieking questions. "Jordyn, you have to admit, the Soul Trader doesn't look very trustworthy," she said.
"So, we judge on looks now? Well, I guess Lynn and I will be the next victims on your hit list," I said, blatantly eyeing Lynn's short cropped spiky hair and multiple piercings.
"Don't be ridiculous!" Sam said, laughing uncomfortably.
"Why, because you know us? Well, I know Emrys, and there's nothing wrong with him," I said, standing up in a huff. "You'd think a bunch of angels would be a little less judgmental. I like him and that should be all that matters," I added, turning on heel and heading to my room.
I could hear the murmuring of their voices as I firmly closed my bedroom door behind me. Let them stew on my words. Sooner or later they were going to have to understand that I didn't fit in their mold.
I changed out of my clothes slowly, taking care to not let the denim material rub against my sore knees. The day's events crept up on me quickly and I stifled a yawn as I switched off my bedroom lamp. My pillow-topped mattress was calling my name, but a far greater voice urged me toward my patio doors. Standing in the darkness of my room, I could see his shadow clearly on the bluff looking out at the waves. I knew he'd be here. I'd known it the moment I entered my room. My mind may be immune to his bending, but my body seemed to be attuned to his presence. I debated confronting his stalker-like behavior, but I found his presence oddly comforting. Of course, considering how much I'd already pushed my luck tonight, I fought the urge to join him. Instead, I watched him for several moments until a tall shadow joined him. I recognized Haniel's build instantly. Cracking my patio door open, I strained to hear their words, but the crashing waves below made it impossible to hear. Haniel's posture was tense as he earnestly said something to Emrys who responded by throwing his head back and laughing. It was obvious even in the darkness that Haniel was aggravated by Emrys's humor. He continued talking, but now used hand gestures to emphasize his point. His words had obviously hit their mark. Emrys's posture seemed to switch from carefree to tense. After several moments, where Haniel did the majority of the talking, Emrys laughed again, but even from a distance, I could tell this laugh was different. This was a harsh laugh. Without warning, he pivoted his eyes to where I was standing with the door open. He gave me a hard look that I couldn't read, and then gave Haniel a mock salute before disappearing.
I closed my door without acknowledging Haniel. I was pissed that he couldn't let the situation go. Being a mentor was one thing, but he was now a controlling douche.
CHAPTER SIX
My mood was still sour by the time I woke the next morning. I had spent the majority of the night tossing and turning, worried that Emrys would decide that hanging with me wasn't worth dealing with my overbearing Arch Angel.
It sucked living in this gilded cage. I hastily made my bed and then grabbed a clean set of clothes and headed to the bathroom. Even after a shower my mood hadn't improved. I contemplated crawling back under my covers and sleeping the day away. In the end, the smell of coffee from the hallway called my name, enticing me toward the chattering voices within the kitchen.
I was surprised to find the kitchen crowded by the same crew I had left in the living room the night before.
"What did you guys do? Have a slumber party?" I asked.
"Morning, Jordyn," Krista said, ignoring my sarcasm.
"Morning," I mumbled, refusing to feel guilty over my bad mood. "So, what's the deal?" I added, indicating the crowded kitchen.
"We have a mission," Krista said, taking a bite out of a chocolate cupcake.
"Well, goody for you," I snipped as my bad mood returned full force. I knew I should have climbed back in bed.
"And so do you, unless you've changed your mind about accompanying us on a mission," Mark answered in a don't-give-us-your-teenage-attitude voice.
"What?" I asked. I must have heard him wrong. I'd spent the last year begging, pleading, and cajoling them to take me with them. "Is this a bribe or something?" I asked.
Sam flushed at my question. If that was her poker face, she better never step foot in a casino.
"Haniel has assured us that you're ready, but if you'd rather not," Mark said, obviously going for the reverse psychology route.
For a moment I debated calling him on his bluff, but my desire to kick some Daemon ass won out. "Sure, I have nothing better to do," I said, trying to keep the excitement out of my voice.