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“Apparently, there are many secrets here, Dimitri. Your son has been engaging in inappropriate conversations with this girl. He has all but revealed his identity and put everyone in jeopardy. If she repeats her suspicions, we’ll all be called home and—”

“She won’t say anything!” Michael declared, knowing how ridiculous he sounded—the ranting of an inexperienced guardian who was unaccustomed to humans’ weak constitution. Michael knew better. There was never an excuse to reveal their gifts and abilities, much less their identities. Least of all for the promise of a human. But he trusted Sophia as surely as he trusted the people around this table.

“Uncle Paavo, if you only knew her you’d understand … she is … 
special
. And she is just as confused by what’s happening as I am. As we all are.”

“Milvi tells us that Sophia has been consorting with the Demon Knights. Can you explain why? If she is so special?” Uncle Paavo’s voice rose uncharacteristically.

Michael flushed with shame. He understood his uncle’s concern. As a psychologist, Dr. Paavo Patronus was renowned for his even temperament and good nature. He was also a second-level Messenger for The Council and well aware of the consequences of Michael’s carelessness. Michael had put the entire family in jeopardy. If Sophia decided to tell everyone that Michael had supernatural powers, his family could be reprimanded and years’ worth of his aunt’s and uncle’s work at the clinic would be left unfinished.

Michael owed everyone an answer for his aberrant negligence; unfortunately, he didn’t have one that would satisfy them.

“It’s a valid question, son.” Dimitri gently prompted Michael to offer anything to bolster his case.

“It’s complicated …” Michael began. “She was … easily influenced by … She was confused and—”

Uncle Paavo scoffed with understanding. “And you’ve all been wondering why Dante is here! I should think it’s obvious now. You don’t have three of the most feared Demon Knights together without a very specific reason. I tell you, Sophia St. James was sent here to gain your trust, to throw you off balance so we would be recalled home, leaving countless souls in the hands of the demons. And you’ve been fooled!”

“That’s not true!” Michael said. “Sophia has no ties to Dante! She was hanging around him because she thought I hated her. I was ignoring her and I hurt her feelings. She’s …” His face flushed with energy and he diverted his eyes.

“She’s in love with you,” Milvi finished what Michael couldn’t.

Awareness hit the group like a proverbial light going on. The intense energy level immediately lowered to a soft hum and understanding looks.

“Is this true?” Katarina asked gently.

Michael wanted to smile and nod but Uncle Paavo jumped in. “You must inform The Council at once, Dimitri. This girl may appear to be in love but it does not preclude any involvement with demons. Sophia could be a poorly trained adversary in over her head. Even if she
thinks
she’s in love, human infatuations with guardians are not unheard of and easily discouraged. Of course, we know Michael would never cross
that
line.” He offered a genuine smile of confidence to his nephew. “Especially with the Halos narrowing their selection of candidates.”

Michael’s eyes flitted to Raph and then Gabe. The three shared a look of guilt.

“What do you boys think?” Aunt Sasha tracked Michael’s attention to his brothers. They didn’t answer, so Uriel piped up cheerfully.

“I like Sophia. She smells good, and she’s always nice to me.” Satisfied with his assessment, Uriel moved on to more interesting matters, such as the Pale-headed Brush Finch perched on his shoulder. He offered a finger, letting the bird hop on.

Uriel’s faith in Sophia gave Michael little comfort, although he was grateful. It was his brothers’ answers he wanted to hear, publically, in front of the others.

“Raph?” Michael said. “You’ve been watching Sophia as closely as I have. What do you say?”

Raph stared at his fists resting on the table. He shrugged and mumbled, “Yeah, well, I guess her emotions jump when you’re around. I’ve noticed her adrenaline spike and she kind of struggles to breathe when you look at her.” He sighed heavily and fell back in his chair. “I mean, it’s not like most human girls who get all flustered and flirty when you pay attention to them. Sophia’s emotions knot like a traffic jam and it’s hard to get a read. One thing I would say … I don’t get an evil vibe from her. So, I guess I don’t really believe Sophia is connected to Dante or that she means us any harm.”

“Thank you.” Michael shifted to Gabe, who had been watching him like a case study.

“I’d like to know if that is the
only
reason she is spending time with Dante. You did warn her to stay away from him.… ”

“It’s the only reason,” Michael declared firmly.

“Hmm.” Gabe’s eyes narrowed. “That doesn’t answer why Dante singled her out. Since I don’t know what to make of her, I’ll reserve judgment for now.”

The table fell quiet again.

Michael looked at his father, hoping he would put an end to the painful conversation.

“You didn’t answer my question, son. What does Sophia think now?”

“Well, she knows I can sense people’s emotions, their true nature, and the actions they’re motivated to take. She knows I have saved several people in the short time she’s been here. She also suspected Raph. He didn’t use CPR on Casey James.”

Raph lowered his eyes and mumbled, “Yeah, well, she’s very observant.”

A smile played across Michael’s lips as he remembered Sophia’s accusations, the spirit of her determination, the rapid-fire questions in the courthouse. In a strange way, he had been proud of her.

“Michael?” Katarina noticed his shifting emotions.

Michael scrambled for a safe answer. “Oh, she asked if I could read her mind.”

“Whatever for?”

He shrugged. “It’s a human thing. They like their privacy.”

“Is that all she thinks or suspects?” Dimitri asked.

“I believe so. Obviously, I didn’t explain the depth or details of our lives. She’s very curious but trying to be practical. She said something about kinetic energy.”

Smiles bloomed around the table, and tension broke like sun through clouds. This seemed to assuage their concerns about Sophia, for the moment.

“Very well then.” Dimitri stood up and the adults followed. “We need to discuss this before I see The Council.” They filed through the door and headed to Dimitri’s office down the hall.

Once they were out of earshot, Raph jumped to his feet again. “So this is really happening? You’re willing to risk—”

“It’s not something I can control, Raph!” Michael retaliated as tempers flared.

“Hey, don’t get me wrong, I like Sophia, too, but I would
never
let it go this far. How could you—you’ll lose
everything
you’ve been working for if The Council decides you crossed a line! They’ll diminish your energy, at the very least!”

“It’s not a question of liking her—” Michael stopped abruptly, realizing he couldn’t, under any circumstances, reveal his love for Sophia. He must convince his brothers that he and Sophia were just friends.

“Is it worth losing everything? Is it worth—”

“Sophia is special, Raph. And we are going to be … friends, close friends, so you’d better …” Michael couldn’t finish the lie without losing control, without giving away his true feelings. He walked out before his aura shifted colors and his brothers could see his deceit.

He took the stairs two at a time to the second floor and then climbed the short staircase leading a half-level higher to the third floor. He slammed the bedroom door and jerked his T-shirt over his head. Throwing it aside, he headed to the bathroom. After a
quick shower to calm his nerves and control his energy level, he slid into sweat pants and a fresh white T-shirt. Stretching across the bed, he tucked an arm under his wet head and stared at the slanted ceiling. Several minutes of meditation finally eased his pulse. His eyes drifted shut and visions of Sophia appeared without effort: the room in the courtroom, her brave interrogation of him.

He had liked the sway of her hips when she walked in a circle around him, provoking him with her challenging questions. Too focused on her task, she hadn’t realized how tempting she had looked. So damned sexy! He had been overwhelmed with desire.

Desire
.

His lips twitched into a grin as he remembered the defiance in her eyes. That daring little stunt out the window had nearly sent
him
over the edge, emotionally. After saving her, he’d grabbed her so fiercely he was sure he had crushed her slender body between his arms. But years of training and practiced discipline had helped him. It was the only self-control he had managed.

Michael inhaled to recapture the scent of Sophia’s skin, and his smile widened. He had loved burying himself in her hair, taking in her essence and committing her to memory. It was the first passionate hug and kisses he had ever experienced, and his chest swelled from the memory. She had awakened things he never imagined possible. They
shouldn’t
be possible.

He missed her already.

He knew that saving her would change everything. Maybe he knew that things would change even before he went to the courthouse. He had stood in the shadows, watching her dance with Dante, letting emotions he shouldn’t posses boil inside him like a volcano. He nearly stormed the gazebo when he thought Dante might kiss her. It was unthinkable what he would’ve done in front of the whole town. Uriel was right: Michael was jealous of Dante and didn’t want him anywhere near Sophia.

Jealousy
.

Another impossible emotion, and yet he would no longer deny it. Truth be told, he was consumed with desire and jealousy, and they were equalizing in his blood even now. The change in him seemed as inevitable as the seasons. Unstoppable.

His feelings for Sophia had brought a rush so powerful that it had taken all his concentration to disguise it from his family. Keeping himself under control was essential, especially for Sophia’s sake.

No point in scaring her with his overwhelming emotions. He didn’t have personal experience in this area, but it wasn’t as if he hadn’t seen humans in love. He knew
romantic human relationships had a certain rhythm, and he wanted to discover everything about Sophia, at her pace. He would be patient, kind, and understanding; and if that didn’t work, send lots of flowers.

Michael narrowed his energy force and concentrated, bringing Sophia’s voice back into his head. He craved to hear her laugh, to feel her smile spread across his heart. The urge to go to her was irresistible. It would be so simple to flash into her bedroom in mere moments. Maybe lie next to her, watch her sleeping, and then caress her cheek without waking her. Would she smile? Would she recognize the twin heartbeat in her sleep?

Michael’s need to be with her was growing and building and making him squirm uncomfortably. His hands clenched into fists, and his body was rigid with anticipation. But he took a deep breath and mediated, slowly forcing it down. Once calmed, he eased into a peaceful sleep with a stupid grin on his face.

Less than a minute later Michael’s eyes flew open. He hesitated to verify a disturbance in the spirit realm, and then sprang out of bed. He raced quietly along the landing, not wanting to alarm his brothers. Slipping down the winding staircase, he rushed past the closed office door where the others were cloistered. Out the front door and across the porch, he reached the gate and sensed someone behind him.

“Michael?” Milvi was curled under a plaid throw in the antique rocker. “What is it?”

Michael stopped and looked back. “Stay here,” he ordered.

Milvi unfolded and fetching appeared along her forearms. She swooped over the banister and landed gently on the stony footpath.

“Tell me!” she whispered.

Michael was tense with urgency. He looked over his shoulder toward Haven Hurst. There it was again, an unusual disturbance in the spirit realm. He clenched his teeth, anxiously.

“What is she up to now?” he murmured, and then raced from the yard.

“I’m coming with!” Milvi called, running after him. Two bursts of blue light flashed in the night, and they were gone.

Chapter 30

Double, Double, Toil and … Holy Crap!

It’s eleven-thirty and sleep is dancing around the bed like an annoying sibling taunting,
I’m not touching you. I’m not touching you
.

I roll over against Sundance’s long, golden body splayed across three-fourths of the bed. My mind is an all-night theater with random images flashing on the screen. Michael saving me in the courthouse. Michael’s worried expression coupled with his tender affection. His reaction to my questions, and his reply that,
There are things we simply cannot talk about
.

How could I have agreed so easily? Can I live up to my agreement? My curiosity is like my phone; I never leave home without it.

But Michael was so insistent about his privacy
.

When Mom died, I thought my life of living with her secrets, whatever they were, died, too. But Dad’s bizarre answers to my questions about her death piled on more secrets. Understanding him was impossible so I forgave him instead, if only to have some freedom from it all. How could I have agreed to live a life with secrets all over again?

*  *  *

The moon is ripe and intrusive, washing the ceiling gray and giving my room a tomblike ambiance. The stillness pulls at my eyelids until they finally lower like a curtain, closing down the theater in my mind. I drift into the in-between, that place of one-part sleep, one-part consciousness, where the mind closes up shop but the ears are still at work.

A floorboard squeaks in the hallway. My mind wants to ignore it but my ears disagree. Another creak, and I strain to hear my imagination at work. Waiting … and then … another creak. My eyes pop open to look for the sound. Nerves prick along my skin. Sundance lifts his head.

I sit up, and we both stare at the door.