Page 11 of Crimson Promises
“I can confirm with certainty that I abhor these unfortunate rendezvous. Alas, they are required to ensure you do not fall back into your old habits. A task of this magnitude merits consistent evaluations.” He flexed his fingers out and back into a fist several times.
“You wound me, sir.” I clutch my chest in mock devastation.
“You overestimate my patience, Bennett. I do not have the time to dawdle here with you.”
“Tough crowd,” I chortled.
Michael took a step towards me.Alright, I better get to it.
“Nothing of particular note has happened with one exception,” I paused. “While Aurora was on her way home from studying late last night. All she does is study. She barely has had an entire conversation with other students. The only people she talks to are the doorman, Victor, and his wife. She is rather odd and?—“
“The point, Bennett. Next time, I will not ask so nicely.” His sword thrummed beside him withaurum, the manifestation of angelic power.
Growing up, I had dreamed of wielding Michael’s blade. Sitting alongside the other archangels on The Council, making decisions to serve and protect my home. How naive I had been. I cleared my throat.
“Right, well, on her way back to her loft from study hall. Instead of taking her car, why would this girl make the sensible decision? I could never tell you. A creepy male approached her. He tried to use physical force to get her to go with him. But I intervened, as you advised, should this situation ever present itself.”
He nodded. Something rustled under his cape but calmed after a few seconds.
“She thought she could defend herself with a can of pepper spray. Ridiculous.”
“Is that all?”
“One more thing.”
He gestured his hand in a small circle as if to say get on with it.
“The creep ripped off the necklace she always wore that belonged to her mother. She wasn’t wearing it after the attack. It was the only thing missing, other than a good yank on her hair, the guy didn’t have a chance to take anything further.”
At that, Michael’s spine went rigid. “Do you know for sure she lost it?”
“No. Too many things were happening simultaneously. My priority was getting Aurora out of there.”
“Fine. Guarantee you find out before our next conversation.”
“Alright. But she could always get another necklace.”
Michael had turned to emerge into the nightfall from where he had come. He paused and turned over his shoulder. “Some things are not so easily replaced, Bennett. You should know that.”
ChapterThree
Aurora
“I’m on the highway to hell,
No stop signs,
Speed limit,
Nobody’s gonna slow me down.”
The sound of ACDC drowned out the pounding of my footsteps on the pavement. I put it on repeat. Since I ran into that creeper a few days ago, I altered my running route to ensure I traveled through densely populated areas. The last thing I needed was to tempt fate twice. I was never much of a risk-taker, and I wasn’t going to start now.
The colorful branches danced in the wind at the center of the quad. From a distance, they looked like vibrant red and yellow torches. Groups of students with their pumpkin-spiced drinks blurred around me as I focused straight ahead. One more mile.
Stone and brick buildings were in my rear as I approached my destination. Settled in a quaint courtyard enclosed with a wrought iron fence, the pink castle-esque building came into view. Its turrets could be seen from across campus. I slowed to a jog and then a brisk walk as I approached the barrier. Reaching my hand over the arrowheads lining the top of the fence, I slid back the lock, letting myself in. Various wildflowers dotted the perimeter of the courtyard. A large oak tree sat slightly to the right, its twisted arms extended across the green, offering shade from the hot fall sun.
I headed for the bench and set down my belt bag. Lifting the hem of my lycra shirt, I wiped away the sweat that had gathered above my brow. I raised my leg onto the bench and flexed my foot. Sweet, sweet relief. I was cursed with Dad’s tight calves. Lucky for him, he opted to forgo running as a hobby.
