Panic like nothing I’d ever felt before hit me, so hard that my knees went weak and I almost dropped to the ground.
A world I have no idea about…
Oh, he was wrong. So very wrong. I reacted then without another thought.
Dive-rolling forward, I popped up right before him. As I rose, I slammed my fist into his groin and he let out an angry rumble. I continued rising, smashing my fist into his gut with a power hit, and then finally into the side of his head. I was fast; it was my greatest asset, and I knew exactly what angle to use and how hard to hit for maximum impact.
He let out a low groan, dropping to his knees, eyes wide as he cupped himself, blinking at me. The shock on his face was almost laughable; he had definitely not seen that coming.
Never underestimate a woman. You’ll end up on your knees holding your balls.
His eyes, only inches from mine now, locked on to my face and it felt like I’d been the one punched. They were even more beautiful than he was, and that was saying something. The color was an unusual light brown, cinnamon dusted with gold. These gilded circles cut through the deep amber color. They were also framed by ridiculously dark and thick lashes.
Focus, Callie…
I called on my years of training – this was what Mom had been preparing me for. The only reason she allowed me to fight and train was because one day I would have to deal with this other world. One day the Daelighters would come for me.
Looked like today was that day.
And no stunning-eyed musical-voiced angel face was going to stop me from escaping.
I made it past him with ease, sprinting for the door he had left open. I had only the clothes on my back; my cash was still in the bottom of the grocery bags. I’d just have to figure it all out later. For now the immediate danger was far worse than having no money.
Rushing down the stairs, I jumped the final few, landing softly and taking off. I decided that heading back to Jackson Square was my best chance. There were always people there, crowds to lose him in. More than likely he wouldn’t attack in public, which was a double advantage. TheseDaelightersliked to stay under the radar, or so my mom had told me. I was going to have to recall everything she’d ever said in her lectures. I wished I’d paid better attention. Most of the time I’d been internally rolling my eyes and counting dust bunnies. It all seemed so crazy and farfetched. Nothing had happened in the first eighteen years of my life.
But she had been telling me the truth. They really did exist.
My breathing grew harsh, and even though I was fit from all the Muay Thai cardio – I was trained in multiple martial arts disciplines – I was going to tire out quickly. Running in New Orleans’ weather was not advisable, especially with the huge storm brewing on the horizon – those thick, dark clouds were definitely adding the right sort of ominous feel to my afternoon.
After a few minutes, I glanced back and there were no immediate signs of a scary, sex-on-legs guy behind me. Turning back, my breaths coming out in harsh puffs, I berated myself for not guessing immediately that he was one of these aliens. What human dude looked like that? My mom could have added dangerously attractive to her list of things to look out for. All she had told me was that they were taller than average, with a scary aura … but she had missed so much else.
Mom…
What the hell happened to her? In most cities we had a contingency plan. If one of us went missing or was hurt, we generally had a clear course of action to follow. But for some reason neither of us had worked out a strategy for New Orleans. We’d grown complacent. Stupid. So freaking stupid. I’d just have to lie low for a few days, then double back to the condo to see if she had returned. Or maybe left me a note. I hadn’t had a chance to check for anything like that, mostly because I’d been looking for a rapist with a gun, not a note stuck to the fridge.
I almost sobbed as a large group of rowdy people came into sight dressed in full Halloween getup, even though it was still a week until the 31stof October. No doubt they were heading for a witchy tour, maybe toward Lafayette Cemetery. Wherever they were going, they looked excited as they loudly chatted.
“Saw a ghost in my hotel room. It was hovering in the corner…”
“Less than ten bucks to buy a voodoo doll – she swore it would work on my ex.”
Their conversations went on and on, loud even when I was well past their group. The closer I got to Jackson Square, the more I was forced to slow down, weaving in and out of the people that filled the area. I remained on high alert, scanning the early evening crowd, and realized that while I was going to be able to hide in the throng filling the square, he would be hidden, too. I’d have to remain doubly alert.
Café Du Monde came into sight, famous for its chicory coffee – which I’d never tried – and beignets – which I’d had just that one time. It was always open, always full, and way too obvious a place for me to hide in. Not to mention, I didn’t even have a dollar on me. My eyes fell to the line of homeless I could see just outside the square, like they’d been swept to the side in an attempt to keep them out of sight. Would I end up there with them? Right now my situation was looking pretty grim. All of my money and possessions were back at the condo.
Joining the homeless would be better than the alternative. I didn’t fancy being an experiment or play-thing for some supernatural race of beings who secretly controlled Earth.
Damn that stupid Daelighter. What did he want with me? All I knew was that my dad was part of some special sector of humans who knew about these beings. He had made a deal with them long ago, before I was born, and it had affected us for the rest of our lives.
Moving cautiously, I let the street music calm me, still jazz, but unlike earlier today it was mostly upbeat numbers, more swing and less blues. A few couples nearby started to dance, and I edged in close to the crowd, watching them, hiding myself in the masses. The scary dude would be a foot taller than most of this crowd, which would help in spotting him. Since he’d also have a height advantage to spot me, I crouched down. Usually, I liked being tall; the extra reach was very useful with fighting. But right now I’d give anything to be five foot nothing.
Pushing my way forward, I decided to head toward St. Louis Cathedral, which was next to Jackson Square, facing the river. It would be closed at this time of night, but I felt like there were quite a few places for me to hide out in its grounds. I hated this feeling of being out in the open, like prey waiting for the eagle to dive from the sky and snatch me up.
Ducking my head even lower, I stepped away from the main group I’d been hiding in, but before I made it more than a few feet, someone grabbed my arm. The gasp slipped out first, then my instincts took over. I yanked myself free, almost overbalancing and smashing into a nearby light pole.
“Callie?”
The low voice shook me from my panic and I focused enough to see Jason standing before me for the second time that day. With him were four or five guys, all similar in build and clothing. They were clearly heading out for dinner or something like that, dressed nicely.
