Chapter 4

I dialed Vee's number once I slid to a stop on the farmhouse's driveway. With Lisa's threat still ringing in my head, I knew I wasn't exactly safe. It was likely she had men following me. I went straight at my house because I had no intention of showing them where Patch lived. I kept Patch's feather in a safe at the townhouse. I wasn't going to let Lisa use it against me for any kind of leverage. But I honestly didn't want to be at the farmhouse right now either. Even though there's really nothing of value there, at least for Lisa's cause, having intruders inside my house really didn't sit well with me. Besides, with her threat hanging over me, being alone seem like the most foolish thing to be right now.

"Yeah, what's up?"

I inhaled sharply before speaking. "You're right. I don't think going to the Devil's Handbag is a bad idea."

She was silent for a few seconds, probably stunned she successfully talked me into doing something I had a strong objection to. But then, she shouldn't be surprised. How many bad ideas have we done just because she talked me into them? "Can you tell me what changed your mind?"

I had practiced what I was going to say to her during my drive here so the lie flowed smoothly out. "I went to Scott's apartment and I realized I wasn't ready to let him go yet. The thing is, I have been avoiding acknowledging he is gone. I was in denial for a long time. I was just not sure how to deal with it. But ignoring how I felt didn't make things any better. I still feel sad. I still feel hurt. Maybe you're right. Maybe the Devil's Handbag might give me some comfort."

"Okay," she said slowly. I knew my lies were being judged for sincerity. I hope the verdict was on my favor. "Fine. I'll pick you up in fifteen."

I stopped myself from sighing. "All right. I'll be ready."

Within the hour, Vee had parked her Neon a few blocks away from the Devil's Handbag. From here, we could already hear the music blaring through the silent streets. It was eerily foggy tonight as if some of the lost souls trapped in my front yard had suddenly found a way to escape and followed me here. We walked in the chilly night and I was grateful for the warmth of Patch's leather jacket.

By the time we got to the entrance, it was almost midnight and the place was already packed. It was a Saturday night so the place was serving booze. I clutched on my fake I.D. while we waited, feeling a flutter in my stomach as I normally did when I know I was doing something wrong. I had to move around a lot so I wouldn't freeze, hopping from one foot to the other. But I knew it wasn't the cold or my nerves that were making me extra fidgety tonight. I had a strong feeling something was going to happen. I wasn't naïve enough to think Lisa wouldn't have some of her men follow me here.

"Would you stop fidgeting? You're making me nervous," Vee hissed beside me.

I glanced at her, biting my lip hesitantly. I haven't told her about Lisa's visit or my suspicions but I knew I have to tell her. A pair of extra eyes wouldn't hurt.

"Lisa Martin visited me today," I began in a hushed voice. This caught her attention. I told her my encounter with Hank's right hand commander and how she had threatened me to find Susanna and Marcie.

"How would you know if something happened to Susanna and Marcie? Didn't she know you're not in good terms with either of them?" Vee asked afterwards.

I tried to shrug but just ended up shivering. "I don't know. Maybe it's because out of all the Nephilim out there, I am the one with the bad blood between them. Besides, I'm the only closest relative they have here in Coldwater."

"Yeah but you've been here in Coldwater for the past few months. If you've chased after them seeking for some kind of vengeance, at least Patch would have noticed."

A new thought dawned on me and I felt my stomach drop on the concrete sidewalk. Patch. Did he have anything to do with this? Was the trial just an excuse for him to hunt Susanna and Marcie Miller down? But then what would be his reason? Marcie had burned Patch's feather the night before the battle. But I don't think that matters any longer. He had found a way out of hell. He found a way to come back to me. Even so, Marcie did chain him into the one place he worked so hard to avoid. Would I put it past Patch to seek revenge, even if he's not going anywhere now?

The questions bounced around my head it started to throb. I tried to convince myself that Patch has no reason to go after Marcie. Everything is done, no harm no foul, really. But if he did hurt her or Susanna, the Nephilim society would want his blood. The only reason they hadn't wanted it earlier is he didn't partake on the fight between the Nephil and the fallen angels. He didn't join the ranks in Dante's army, making sure he didn't drink a drop of devilcraft. But he is the only remaining enemy that remains here on earth. They are still weary and suspicious of him and that suspicion will only grow until Cheshvan next year. Patch could feel now and wouldn't need a Nephil vassal but they didn't know that. That kind of knowledge would evoke anyone who is still against him to use physical pain against him. So for now, all they know is that he is still a threat. Tying Patch to their disappearance would definitely cause chaos.

We had reached the entrance and showed our fake I.D.s. The guard looked at us briefly before letting us in. The music was so loud, it bounced around my head, making it completely impossible to think even if I wanted to. The temperature had suddenly risen up as well, a complete opposite from the chilling wind outside. The air was stuffy with body heat and sweat that I was certain I could almost touch it. Gyrating bodies was bumping in rhythm with David Guetta's "Titanium".

Vee grabbed my hand and dragged me all the way to the center before I could even protest. I was slammed multiple times against sweaty bodies and clutching on to Vee's wrist until my hand hurts was all I could do from screaming in disgust.

Vee had stopped right dead in the center and had began moving her body to the beat. She was completely lost within five seconds. On the other hand, I stood there, looking around the place. It was another bad idea coming here, that was for sure. Everywhere I looked, something reminded me of Scott. I caught a glimpse of a bass guitar and other musical instruments and thought of Scott's gigs here with his band, the Serpentine. I also remembered the time where he had jumped off the stage to avoid getting caught by Hank's men. I glanced over the bar and the memory of Scott accompanying me downstairs to a secret gambling area to fetch Pepper, a crooked archangel, and interrogate him hit me.

Those memories were enough to sting my eyes. I forced the clump in my throat down but it was getting harder to breathe. I shouldn't be thinking. Scott's memories and Patch's absence were getting to me. I turned my attention to Vee again. She was fully immersed in the music. I wanted that escape so I let it carry me. I know I'm not much of a dancer but at least this took me away from dead close friends and missing boyfriends.

I copied her moves, which was getting more and more provocative. She already had garnered a few guys to surround her that it was almost impossible for me to move closer. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and I fished it out. It was my mom calling the home phone. Knowing if I didn't pick up, my voice mail would answer and she would know I connected the home phone to my cell phone, I squeezed myself out of the crowd. I headed out in the back exit, the sudden drop in temperature surprising me skin.

"Hey," I answered, a bit breathless.

"Hey baby, are you sleeping?"

"I'm about to," I lied, feeling a bit guilty. "I was just getting ready to go to bed when the phone rang. Sorry I couldn't pick it up a bit earlier. I was in the bathroom."

"Oh, that's fine. I just wanted to tell you I talked to Dorothea earlier and she said she can look after Lynn for a few months. Of course, we'd have to pay her."

"That's good," I replied out of relief. At least Mrs. Parnell wouldn't be alone if she ever had any suicidal moments. At least if the Lisa gets to her to get to me, she wouldn't be alone. Maybe that would convince the council to punish Lisa and hopefully that would give me some form of peace. Two innocent human deaths are not much but it might be enough to at least get the archangels to keep an eye on them. Hopefully, that would turn the rest of the race against Lisa.

"You're a good friend. It was nice of you to stop by her place to see how she's doing. I really appreciate you looking after Scott's mom like that. She doesn't have much friends and we're really the only ones there for her. I'm sure Scott would appreciate what you're doing wherever he is."

"It's the least I can do," I said sorrowfully. "He was a good friend to me too."

"Anyways, I kind of wanted to talk to you about something else."

"Oh yeah?" I asked her half-distracted. The thought of Lynn not being alone anymore had at least given me some comfort. The Nephilim would have to hurt Dorothea as well to get to Lynn but that would raise a lot more questions.

"I kind of asked Dorothea to look after you as well."

"Mom," I protested. "She doesn't need to. I'm fine. Dorothea needs to focus on Mrs. Parnell."

"Well, just let her check in on you every now and then."

I hesitated for a second, hoping if I asked her, she wouldn't be suspicious of me. "When?"

But like a mother she was, she didn't miss what my question implied. "She should be able to drop in on you any moment of any day whenever she feels like it," she said in a hardened and suspicious voice. "Why shouldn't she?"

I pretended to heave out a frustrated sigh. "Because Vee would sometimes suddenly make plans and I would just go along with them. I would have to make it up to her now that I haven't been hanging out with her lately. So I would probably be out most of the time."

"What about at night?"

"I'd either be asleep or sleeping at her place."

"And Patch?"

"I haven't heard from him, not a single word." I tried to say the words light and carefree but it sounded bitter and hurt. I tried again. "He hasn't contacted me for a month."

"Oh baby-"

I cut her off before she starts saying anything against Patch. I really didn't want to hear it. "Yeah so maybe you can tell Dorothea she could just focus on Mrs. Parnell whose desire to live is as much as a rock's nowadays. I don't need a babysitter. Training for college, remember?"

I heard her sigh in defeat on the other line. "Fine. But I still want you to contact me hourly. And if you need any help, call Dorothea."

"Not a problem," I said hollowly. "Mom, I'm tired. I really need to go sleep."

"Oh, yeah sure. Go ahead baby. Good night. I love you."

"Love you too."

I hung up, letting the cool air enter my lungs and force my heart to a calm. Now that I was outside, the street seemed unnervingly quite. The blasting sounds of the music inside seemed so far away. I had nothing but my thoughts to haunt me. It had been a month ago since I have last seen Patch. I had no reason to think he lied to me when he said the archangels was holding a trial against him. I was past my suspicions of him. I still believed he had nothing to do with Marcie and Susanna's sudden disappearance. He didn't have a reason to. He wouldn't.

"Well what do we have here?" a voice had spoken from behind, dragging me from my thoughts. I froze, my stomach sinking. I slowly turned around and saw a man a few years older than I was leaning against the wall of the Devil's Handbag. I turned back around, intending to flee but I found myself surrounded. Three others, probably members of his gang, had materialized themselves from the darkness. I turned towards the Devil Handbag's entrance but I was blocked.

The men all had short cropped hair and dark, reddish brown skin. Despite the weather, all of them wore a simple black shirt, a pair of low rise jeans, and boots. They all towered over me, the shortest was at least six foot one. Their eyes were gleaming with malice, searching for the fear in my face. I forced myself to look calm. Were they the men that Lisa Martin had sent to get information from me? I could have kicked myself for going in this dark alley alone and letting myself be cornered like this. I cast my net towards the Devil's Handbag, looking for Vee's familiar thoughts.

"VEE!" I screamed in mind-speak but the music was too loud and she was too lost in it to notice. I tried again but she still didn't respond.

The man, I assumed was their leader was saying something but I ignored him, still trying to get Vee's attention. I only noticed him when he was a hair breath away from my face. Immediately, I placed all my defenses up out of instinct. He touched my face and I immediately stepped back.

"Now that got your attention. I was asking for your name," he whispered, stepping close again. I tried to step back but the his crew had circled us. There was really no where for me to run.

"Melanie," I replied and I almost cursed myself for letting my voice sound panicked. "Melanie Stryder."

The man smiled but it was far from friendly. "Pretty name for such a pretty girl."

I glanced at the door again. Now that I had placed my shield up, there was no way I could communicate to Vee without having to put all of my defenses down. I just hope she notices my absence.

"If you don't mind," I told him, glaring at him straight in the eye with all the boldness I could muster. "I really would like to go inside."

I pushed him away from me, feeling the scorching heat coming from his skin through his shirt. But the man caught my wrists and pulled me in closer, his grin widening threateningly.

"How about we go somewhere private?" he asked in my ear. My skin crawled. I tried to push away but his grip was strong.

"I am asking you nicely to let go of me, please."

"And I am telling you, rather threateningly, no. I want to play with you."

I wasn't sure how to engage in a fight and I knew my skills weren't as good as Vee's or Patch's yet. The odds are against me since there are four of them and only one of me. But I needed to defend myself.

"Don't tell me I didn't warn you," I said before I leaned back as far as I could and smashed my forehead against his. The impact did its damage as he staggered back with a surprised face. But my vision was twirling as well.

I felt the movement on my right before the punch could make contact against my right jaw. I avoided it cleanly by stepping back before smashing my elbow against my attacker's stomach. I swerved right again and duck low to get a good angle so I could hit a jaw from down below. My fist made contact against a nose and my foot had kicked a leg down.

But numbers do count. Two pairs of hands grabbed my arms from behind in a lock-tight grip. I thrashed about, trying to get free but I was cornered. Their leader, whose nose I broke, got up and wiped the blood off his mouth. He smiled before smacking me right in the jaw. My head hadn't recovered from my head butt earlier and now my vision swam again, strange lights blinking all over my sight. I wondered about the brain damage but then, it would probably heal. Sure enough, only took a few seconds before my vision became clear again. I glared at the leader who had the same smirk in his face.

"You are a tough little cookie, aren't you? Not a lot of people can do that and not hurt themselves," he told me in a mocking tone.

"I thought we were playing?" I replied, making sure I sounded completely arrogant and provoking. "You can't even handle one little girl. You really had to bring in your whole gang. Can't you just fight me squarely like a normal person?"

That earned me another smack in the jaw and it was harder this time. Okay so maybe I am a little too provoking.

"You'll regret that," the man hissed.

I could hear the others guffawing beside me. "You really shouldn't have said that," said the one who was holding my right arm.

"Yeah, you really shouldn't have made him mad," said the other.

"Paul, that's enough," another voice had said. The others whipped around to see the speaker but I couldn't see him. He was standing on the edge of the alley covered in shadow. But I saw the flash of recognition in the my captors' eyes and I knew this newcomer must be one of them.

"Seth!" the leader, Paul, welcomed him loudly. "And here I was thinking you're not going to come."

"Didn't you hear me? That's enough. Let her go," the voice said and this time, the speaker had stepped into the light. He was tall but young, probably younger than all of my attackers. He wore the same black shirt and low rise jeans paired with the same boots. His skin was also a dark brown with the hint of red. With all the similarities, I knew he was also a member of their gang.

But there was something different in his black eyes. It held innocence and brightness none of the others had. His face wasn't as hardened either and I assumed he's probably a new recruit. This made me nervous for him more than for myself. I didn't care much for these thugs but I was afraid he didn't know the hierarchy of gangs and how they work. His gang members will definitely hold this against him.

The man called Paul stepped around me to meet the new comer. "No can do, squirt. You're not the leader here."

"You're getting angry," the boy named Seth told him seriously. "It's not going to be pretty when you get angry."

He shrugged. "She can handle it. You saw how she fought us. Trained real well. The others might even join in our little fun."

"Four against one, and a girl too?"

"Hey, I actually like those odds."

"Stop it, Paul," he warned again.

Paul smirked. He placed two firm hands against Seth's chest before pushing him hard. "What are you gonna do, squirt?"

I had hoped for this boy's sake, he was going to walk away. Instead, he returned Paul's gesture and shoved him back hard. He staggered back a bit, momentarily losing his balance. Seth took the chance and clipped Paul right in the nose. Paul staggered back further, his hand moving protectively at his nose. He looked down to see blood. I heard his growl before he launched himself against Seth, both colliding with the wall behind them.

"Do you think Paul will get angry enough?" one of my captors said. Their grip was still tight but their focus wasn't on me.

"Nah, he's been controlling it a lot better now," replied the other.

"Five bucks says you're wrong."

"Deal."

"Stop it, the two of you!" someone said in a warning voice just as Seth kicked out of Paul's grip on his neck. Two figures materialized from behind him and stepped into the light. I felt my heart stop.

One of the man looked like he was the oldest. He was probably in his early to mid twenties. He was the tallest and the authority he carried told me he was probably higher in their hierarchy than Paul. He had his arms crossed and the muscles popping out against his skin screamed threatening. But the man who spoke scared me more.

It was Dante.

No, he wasn't. He looked very similar to Dante it was scary but I could definitely see the differences. He was younger than Dante, probably my age. His features were more prominent as well. He had a deeper set of eyes and a straighter nose. His lips were thinner and his cheek bones were considerably higher. He could definitely pass as Dante's brother.

However, knowing he wasn't Dante did not ease my fears. I knew little of Dante. I did not know whether he has family or any relatives that would be looking to avenge his death. All I knew was that he betrayed his Nephilim race, controlled the fallen angels, and wanted to kill me. What if the guy standing in front of me is his younger brother that no one knew about? What if he wanted to finish me off? I searched in panic for any sign of devilcraft in him but I found none. Still, I was not going to assume he means me no harm. I diminished my defenses and casted my nets again towards Vee, making sure I shout her name as loud as I could this time.

His deep set eyes wandered to me. Something flickered across it so quickly I thought I imagined it. He looked away, concentrating on the two who was now standing straight. Dante's look-a-like studied them for a second, his face blank. Paul must have been older than him and Seth, who was incredibly tall, could probably go against him as well. But I noted they both had their heads bent down in remorse.

"You two had already made a bigger mess than necessary. She's not alone. Let her go," he told them authoritatively.

"What do you mean 'I'm not alone'?" I asked, the sudden anger giving me my voice. This meant he knew I was with Vee tonight. I thought of her, worried that this might not be all of his gang. What if they picked up Vee inside as well and harassed her? Dante's look-a-like turned to me. He assessed me again from head to toe but did not answer. I pressed on. "Have you been following me? What do you want from me?"

He was silent for a few seconds, staring at me blankly. But when he spoke, his face was hard and a scowl was etched on his face. "What makes you think we want something from you? Let her go." At this command, my captors released their grip on me and pushed me forward.

Without another word, he turned around and disappeared back into darkness. Paul and my other captors followed him, bumping into Seth as they passed him by. He stood there motionless until we were all alone. I turned around to flee, knowing he was a part of their plans and not wanting to find out if they will come back.

"Hang on," the boy named Seth called out before I could take another step. I froze and turned slowly, assessing if I could take him on alone. But the others were probably not far away enough. They will come back to help him out and I will definitely be in trouble. He was looking at me apprehensively, his arm slightly raised as if he meant to reach out to stop me. He approached me, his eyes searching me.

"Are you all right? Did they hurt you?"

"Stay away from me!" I tried to scream but my voice was horse.

"I'm not going to hurt you," he tried to explain, taking a step towards me. I stepped back, maintaining the distance between us. I quickly glanced around the street in search for any weapon or any way to escape. Besides him blocking the alleyway, the only exit was where Dante's look-a-like and his gang had disappeared to.

He opened his mouth to speak but the door opened again. Vee stumbled out, running towards me. She gave me a once over, worriedly.

"I am so sorry babe! I didn't hear you! Are you all right?" she asked, breathless and worried.

I remained silent, my eyes still focused on the boy in front of me. She followed my gaze and her body tensed in surprise but she quickly hid it. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously and she crouched a bit. "Who are you?"

"I," the boy began, his eyes meeting mine. "…am just about to leave. Take care of your friend there." He turned around and disappeared to the same alley his friends exited to.

After a few seconds, Vee turned around again. "Are you all right, Nora?"

I hadn't realized I was holding my breath. "I'm fine," I lied. "Let's just get out of here before they return."

"Are you sure you're going to be all right?" Vee asked as she parked the car in the farmhouse's driveway thirty minutes later.

"Yes," I said shortly, too shaken up to say anything.

"Look, I think it would be best if I stayed overnight. I'll just get something to change into and we can go to school tomorrow together," she suggested in a definite town. I would have told her to go home so I could lock myself inside Patch's townhouse. But after tonight's events, I knew being alone is the least wisest choice right now.

"Can I just come with you then we can return back here?" I asked, not really wanting to spend a few minutes by myself in a house that seemed a little too big right now.

She stared at me sympathetically before nodding. "Yeah, I think that would be a good idea."

Vee's parents were asleep when we got in. She said she snuck out but when we got inside her house, she wasn't trying to be inconspicuous to avoid detection. I suspected that some brainwashing was used. I waited by her bed as she rummaged through her stuff to get what she needs.

Twenty minutes later, we were climbing out of the car and walking into the house. I threw my mental net in to see if there was any possibility someone was hiding inside the house but I felt no other presence besides Vee. By the time we got into bed, it was almost one in the morning. Vee stood beside my bed for a few seconds before settling down the mattress on the floor.

"Nora?" she called out in the darkness just as my eyes were getting heavier. I was eager to let this day end. The more days passes, the sooner Patch would return to me. Like always, I hope it will be tomorrow.

"Yeah?" I replied absentmindedly as my thoughts return to Patch just to keep me going.

"I'm sorry about a while ago."

"For what?"

"For not being there when you needed me."

I sighed silently. I couldn't get angry at Vee, even when she was too cooped up trying to surround herself with Scott's memories. "It wasn't your fault, Vee."

I entered my AP U.S. History class the following day with just minutes to spare before the bell rang. I slid into my chair, thinking about the chapter I had read a few nights before. I thought hard as I tried to remember one of Franklin Roosevelt's platforms to get the economy out of the depression when I saw a dark figure walk in front of me towards the teacher's desk. I froze as I recognized the reddish-brown skin and the jet black hair.

It was Seth.

With a sinking feeling, I watched him apprehensively as he approached Mr. O'Connor's desk and give him a slip of pink paper. He looked at it for a second before nodding. He turned to his desk and started rummaging through his stuff.

"Take a seat, Mr. Clearwater," he said as he picked up his record sheet and started reciting the class roll. Seth looked around the room for a seat. When his eyes approached my seat, I glanced away, careful not to meet them. The seat beside me was empty and a second later, Seth was occupying it.

"Hi, I didn't get your name last night," he whispered conspiratorially as he hunched closer. I could smell a faint damp scent from him as if he had just gotten out of a forest. Though I didn't want to admit it, the rich, soil scent wasn't bad at all.

I cleared my throat to distract myself. "Not really in the sharing mood."

"Nora Grey?" Mr. O'Connor called out and I almost cursed out loud.

"Here," I replied in a slightly louder voice. I heard Seth's small huff of amusement and I could almost see him smiling.

"Cute name," he said in an amused tone.

I gave him a sarcastic smile. "Really don't care."

"Hostile," he commented.

"Good observation qualities. It'll take you far."

"You're not really making a good impression, you know."

I clenched my jaw to control my anger. I cannot believe how cocky this prick can be. "You really didn't set the bars that high on the impression scale either."

I felt his eyes on me. "Look about last night-" he began but I placed a hand up to silence him.

"I don't really care for your explanations. I just want you to get away from me."

For the rest of the class, I tried hard to ignored him. I fixed my eyes on the board or Mr. O'Connor and listened carefully as he explained World War II. I ignored Seth's attempts at conversation and his blatant stares as well. When the bell rang, I gathered my things, stuffed them on my bag, and was out of the room before he could say anything else.

At the end of the day, I waited for Vee at her car, watching the whole parking lot for her. I saw Seth approach me. Automatically, I looked for a way out. But before I found one, he was already a few feet away. I closed my eyes to pray that Vee would suddenly appear.

"Hey," he greeted me with a small smile. I opened my mouth to say something smart but he placed his hands up. "You gotta listen to me. I didn't want what happened last night to happen to you. Those guys shouldn't have cornered you like that. I told them not to."

"So you know them?" I asked, my anger rising. I waited impatiently for his answer. When he said nothing, my fears were confirmed. "So you followed me here to what, finish what they started last night?"

"No! I don't want that. If you would just let me explain!"

"Hey, what's going on?" Vee's voice floated from behind him. Seth turned around to see my tall, blonde, curvy friend, looking at him fully in the face. At least she looked more intimidating than I am because of her height. She was as tall as Seth. "Is he bothering you, Nora?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. I think we could go now."

"All right," Vee replied, taking out her key from her pocket and pressing the key lock open. I opened my door but was extremely startled when a hand came out of nowhere and slammed it back shut.

"Will you just listen?!" Seth shouted angrily. His face was screwed in a grimace and his breathing was heavy.

I froze, my eyes widening. I could see his face changing. Was it possible his face was growing? He was shaking from head to foot and my instincts were screaming for me to get away.

Seth! I heard someone call out. I whipped around out of reflex to see who was calling him but no one was even looking at us except Vee, who was surprised at his sudden violence as well. I looked at Seth and he seemed to have heard it too. Was someone mind-speaking with him?

That's enough, Seth. Just go, the voice spoke out again. I whipped around and saw Vee's eyes widen. She must have heard it too.

"I have to go," Seth said, suddenly turning around.

Vee and I watched Seth get on his car and drive off with stunned expressions. "Did Seth just completely act like a crazy person or is it just me?" Vee asked a moment later.

"I'm not concerned about that," I muttered back.

"Yeah, my Nephil senses are tingling too."

It wasn't just me who heard it. Vee heard it too. Someone was mind-spoke to Seth.

He and whoever it was that spoke are Nephilim.