The bus jolted, waking me up for the dozenth time.
“Close the window, Lucy,” I muttered, reaching for the blanket I’d tossed off sometime in the night. The weather was chaotic. One day it was blazing and I could barely breathe in the stifling bus. The next it was so cold, I couldn’t stop shivering.
“Lucy?”
I listened out, waiting for her grumbling. There was nothing.
My eyes flashed open, and I jolted up. I scanned the dimly lit bus. Hunter slept a couple of seats away, his cowboy hat covering his face. His arms folded across his chest, hands underneath his armpits. His long legs stretched out to the middle of the aisle.
Then I remembered. Lucy was with Blaze. God help him. The handsome, brooding angel was no match for Lucy. She had him wrapped around her little finger.
I let out a breath and settled back into my seat. I pulled out an old mechanical clock I’d found in Aunt Marmie’s things. It didn’t look like it was ten in the morning. There was barely any light out. Would we ever see the sun again?
I gazed out into a sea of depressing gray. It was like we were actors in a black and white disaster movie. The cars along the highway, deserted buildings, even the small patches of grass looked gray.
We were desperate to catch a glimpse of the sun, and everyone was on edge. Thank goodness for Hunter. With a wink and a smile, he set everyone at ease, playing his guitar, making sure everyone on the bus sang along with him. The only person who refused was Tristan.
I sighed. Tristan had been acting strange since the moment we picked up Hunter. I knew I shouldn’t have asked him why he started the Revelationz. I thought he’d be okay with that. But since that day, he and Calder had stayed at the front of the bus, helping Nacho with the driving.
Tossing the blanket aside, I grabbed a few energy drinks and made my way to the front.
“Here, I brought you breakfast.” I tossed a can to Calder and passed the others to Tristan and Nacho.
Tristan waved his hand, his eyes continuing to scan the blanketed sky.
Nacho snatched his drink, taking a quick swig. He grimaced. “Uh, this stuff tastes like piss. Man, what I wouldn’t give for a chorizo and egg breakfast taco.”
My stomach grumbled in agreement. “Where are we?”
“We passed the Los Angeles city limits a while ago,” Tristan said.
My heart sank. With every town we had passed through, hope had thrummed in my chest that it had escaped the wrath of the angels. And each time, I had been wrong.
I swallowed down the sorrow threatening to spill over. The once vibrant metropolis was unrecognizable. Half-demolished buildings filled the skyline. Debris scattered the empty streets. It was like the other countless places we’d passed. Even the City of Angels hadn’t escaped.
“We’re almost there. Thank god.” I couldn’t bear to see it anymore.
Tristan snorted. “Yeah, thank god.” He slumped back into his seat and gazed out the window.
“What’s wrong?” I asked sitting next to him.
“Nothing.”
“Don’t lie. You’ve barely said a word to me in two days.”
“I’m not lying.” He turned to me, his face softening when our eyes met. “We need to talk.”
I sucked in a breath at the ominous tone of his voice. It felt like the other shoe was about to drop. Despite the chaos around us, I was having fun being with Tristan. Now it was changing. I sensed it. He was slipping away.
He reached out, his hand hovering an inch over mine. Then he bit his lip and shoved his hands into his pockets. He closed his eyes, chest lifting as he took a shaky breath.
“Tristan?”
His dark lashes slowly lifted, revealing pained blue eyes.
“It’s been a wild ride, huh?” There was a forced lightness to his voice as he flashed one of his lopsided smiles.
“Yes, it has,” I said, not sure where he was going with this.
“Nacho said that Blaze told him to drive the bus to the port.”
“Why? What’s going to happen there?”
“I’m pretty sure we’re taking a ship to the safe haven. Look.” He pointed to a Los Angeles Cruise terminal sign.
“Wow.”
“When we get there, we might not see each other as much. It’s nothing you did,” he added quickly before I could question him. “Knowing Remi, he’ll put me straight to work. As if I know anything about ships.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he blinked several times. There was something he wasn’t telling me, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted him to.
“You’re going back with the angels?”
He paused, his eyes drifting down. “Yes.”
“Okay, you’ll be busy. I get it. But what about breaks? You promised to teach me Texas hold ’em. You’ll get breaks, right?”
He was silent for a moment. His head tilted slightly, listening, waiting for something. “Maybe.”
“Oh my, look at that. It’s the USS Iowa.” Tristan looked up, appearing relieved at the sound of Aunt Marmie’s voice.
Excitement filled the bus as everyone woke up and looked out. Nacho slowed the bus as he drove down a road lined with palm trees. In the distance, cranes jutted out into the sky. The majestic battleship sat in the harbor, a reminder of a time when the enemy could be defeated with the might of our military. It sat untouched amid all the destruction as if the warrior angels were taunting us. Our military’s might was no threat to them.
“Javi! Neto! Sit down! It’s not safe to be up when the bus is moving,” Jo cried out.
“Look, Nacho! Look at all the buses!” I took hold of Javi and Neto as they ran to the front. They jumped up and down, pointing out the window.
A line of buses, big and small, lined the front of the terminal. Families poured out of the vehicles and made their way toward the building.
“Thank god,” Nacho said under his breath.
As we approached the terminal, there were even more people. Hundreds bunched around the terminal glass doors, patiently waiting to enter.
When Nacho pulled over and opened the door, Tristan was the first to jump out, and he quickly disappeared into the crowd.
“He’s eager to meet up with Remi,” Calder said, looking apologetic. “I have to hurry too. Can you…will you…?” His eyes flicked to Jo, who was trying to move past Dorian to get to Javi and Neto.
“Don’t worry. I’ll watch her.”
He looked at Jo one last time and dashed out of the bus.
“Karenna, over here!” Lucy stood on top of the SUV’s hood, waving.
“Come on.” I grabbed Javi and Neto’s hands, taking them with me, knowing Jo would follow.
“We can’t leave yet, Josette. We still need to get our bags from the back,” Dorian’s silky voice lectured over the noise of the crowd.
“But the boys...wait! Karenna!” Jo cried.
“We should all stay together. There’s no need to rush, Karenna,” Dorian scolded.
“We’ll be right outside,” I snapped. I’d had enough of him.
Taking my cue, Nacho clapped a hand on Dorian’s shoulder. “Dude, we’re here. No one’s going anywhere right now.”
I smiled at Nacho. He gave a simple nod then turned to help the others gather their belongings.
When we finally made it off the bus, Lucy jumped off the hood, reached into the SUV for her skateboard, and skipped to us. “We’re going on a cruise! Can you believe it?”
“Cool! But Neto can’t swim,” Javi said.
“I can’t swim!” Neto sobbed.
“Don’t worry, I’ll teach ya.” Lucy patted his head. “Zach says it’ll take a few days to get to where we’re going. But the ship has electricity and video games, and we can cook food and everything.” Her eyes danced with excitement.
“How did they manage to do that?” How was that even possible? I thought the EMP the warrior angels had attacked us with had rendered anything electrical useless.
“Don’t know. He left before I could ask. They’re going to hook up with some guy named Remi. He said they’ll meet us in the terminal. It’s through there.” She pointed to a large white canopy, sitting adjacent to the terminal building.
“Well, I’ll be,” Hunter drawled as he stepped out of the bus. “So this is the City of Angels. I wonder if any movie stars are still ’round.” He chuckled, winking at Lucy.
She frowned. “Come on, Javi, Neto. Let’s get your backpacks.”
I shook my head. This was so unlike Lucy. She liked everyone. Hunter was only being friendly.
As we made our way through the canopy, lugging our bags and supplies, familiar faces appeared. Guardians, once part of the Revolutionz security, greeted the crowd with smiles. Some of them helped people with their belongings. For a moment, I felt a sense of relief. We’d made it. We were finally safe.
Then I saw the others.
They stood on the outskirts of the crowd. Their wings were spread wide, creating a barrier, as if preventing anyone from trying to escape. Their arms were folded across massive chests, flawless features unmoving like Greek statues. Cold. Inhuman. Yet, they looked familiar…
They all had the same sword tattoo on their forearms, the same buzz cut, the same expression of disdain like…
Ian.
Ian, the Revolutionz security guard had made it clear the first time I met Tristan that I was not welcome. He seemed to be in a position of authority now as he walked the perimeter of gathering survivors. The angels watched him, waiting for his command.
As if sensing my presence, Ian turned in my direction. Icy, pale blue eyes met mine.
“Stay close, Lucy.” I reached into my backpack, feeling for the dagger in case I needed it. These angels were Powers, the warrior angels Tristan had mentioned. They had volunteered to join the Watchers, angels dedicated to protecting humans, and were supposed to be on our side, but it was easy to see they didn’t like being around humans.
“I want to look for Blaze and Zac.”
“I’m sure we’ll see them soon. Where’s Aunt Marmie and Jo?” I turned to make sure Jo was behind me. I didn’t trust Dorian for a second, despite his complaints we should stick together.
“I’m here,” Jo said, touching my back.
I jumped. “Oh my god. You scared me. Where’s Dorian?”
She gestured to the left of her. Dorian stood with Javi a couple of feet behind her. Nacho had Neto on his shoulders. Hunter’s cowboy hat peeked out from behind Nacho.
“Aunt Marmie is with Hunter,” she said. “She has him carrying one of her giant bags.”
“Only one? Hunter must be some smooth talker if she agreed to leave the others behind…oh, wow,” I gasped when we stepped inside the terminal, stunned at the mass of bodies. The crowd was even larger inside.
“I wonder if they’re other Gibbors like you,” Jo whispered.
“Hunter said the Gibbor knew the war was coming. I guess some of them would’ve made their way here.”
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to see any more Gibbor. The Gibbor families on the bus weren’t exactly welcoming toward Lucy and me.
I squeezed Lucy’s hand as we inched our way forward. Everyone seemed to move in groups. Some groups were more obvious, as they all wore the same color clothing. One group had donned t-shirts emblazoned with the words “Sweet Home Alabama.”
I was so busy taking it all in, I hadn’t seen the woman who’d stepped abruptly in front of me.
“Watch where you’re going!” she snapped when I bumped into her.
I blinked, taken off guard by her appearance. She didn’t look like the countless others with their tired faces and wrinkled and dusty clothes. Everything about her screamed wealth and elitism: the Hermes Birkin bag dangling off her arm, the diamond rings decorating manicured hands, sleek strawberry blond hair pulled back into a chignon, and a full face of makeup applied with masterful precision. The woman exuded an air of entitlement, demanding an immediate response to being rudely bumped into.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.”
Even though her cashmere silk sweater and wool-silk slacks were spotless, she brushed them off vigorously.
Several people suddenly appeared, encircling her, voicing their concern.
“What happened, Mrs. Carmichael?”
“Some people are so inconsiderate.”
“We really should’ve been given a private entrance.”
“Are you hurt, Mrs. Carmichael?”
They were young, attractive, and like the woman, noticeably wealthy. They were an elite clique with their pristine designer clothes and rolling Gucci carry-on luggage.
“Are you all right, Mother?” A young man with similar hair coloring pushed his way through the group.
“I will be when we board. This is unbearable, James. They’re steering us through this place like cattle.” She took a handkerchief from her purse and held it over her nose.
“I know it’s been a hardship,” he crooned, comforting her.
“First, riding in that bus and then making us wait in that deserted hotel for days without room service. They could have at least cleared out the penthouse at the Waldorf for us.”
Carmichael’s clique murmured in agreement.
“I know, Mother. It was appalling, but we’re almost at the ship.”
“It’s bad enough we had to travel with the other ones.” She waved her hanky to the right of her.
I balked. She had no right to treat anyone like that. I was about to tell her off when I saw the woman she had pointed to and the two little girls with her.
“Hali?”
Hali turned. Her tired face burst into a wide smile when she saw me. “Karenna! You made it. Excuse me, let me through.”
“Thank you,” I said, hugging her when she reached me. “I don’t know why you gave me the dag—”
Hali jerked back, clutching my arms as she shook her head. “Don’t mention it. Really, it was just something I thought you’d find useful. So, did you find your sister?”
“I…uh, yes.” I gazed at her, puzzled at why she was acting so jumpy. “This is my sister, Lucy.”
“Hey,” Lucy said.
Hali let out a breath of relief and dropped her hands. “It’s nice to meet you, Lucy. These are my girls, Nisha and Hazel.”
The wealthy woman sighed loudly, waving her ridiculous handkerchief again. “James, please do something about these…these…”
“Yes, Mother,” James replied before turning to me. “Look, it’s crowded enough in here, please keep the line—Dorian? Hey, it’s Dorian!”
James and the others of Carmichael’s clique called out with excitement as they spotted Dorian, calling him over.
Dorian hesitated, throwing a glance at Jo. Then, for the first time since we’d left Texas, he willingly left Jo’s side. They welcomed him warmly, enveloping him in their circle of privilege. He didn’t bother calling Jo over to introduce her to his surprising group of friends. It was like she didn’t exist.
Jo raised a perfectly arched eyebrow and shrugged. She was just as bewildered.
I rolled my eyes. Of all the survivors, of course Dorian would know them.
“It looks like Dorian has found his people,” Hunter chuckled. “Lucky for me. Now I can have the pleasure of assisting both of you lovely ladies. Let me help you with those backpacks, Jo, Karenna.”
“We’re not delicate flowers, you know. We’re perfectly capable of carrying our bags,” Jo said, sounding like her old self again.
“I know you can, but my momma would hunt me down from her grave if I didn’t make the offer.”
“You look like you got your hands full,” I said, pointing to the guitar case, duffle, and bag with Aunt Marmie’s name stitched on it.
He laughed. “You’re right. Wanna carry my bag?”
As we moved through the terminal entrance, Dorian kept close to his high-brow buddies, not once attempting to pull Jo over next to him. It was like she didn’t exist.
“Who are they?” I asked Jo.
“Don’t know and don’t care. I feel like it’s been forever since we’ve talked.” She weaved her arm into mine.
We finally made it to the terminal entrance. As the glass doors slid open and we walked through, my jaw dropped at the massive crowd inside.
“Wow, this sure is a sight,” Hunter drawled as he arched his neck taking in the vaulted ceilings inside the terminal. A wall of windows enclosing an upper balcony above the check-in desks were broken, letting in a cool breeze.
“How many people are they bringing?” Jo asked.
“Zac said the ship they have is meant to hold five thousand people,” Lucy said. “I guess they expected more people.”
My chest grew heavy. Although this was the largest crowd I’d seen since the apocalypse started, it was small compared to what the angels had expected to save.
“Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please,” a loud voice boomed.
Remi stood on the balcony above, his majestic wings spread wide. Feathers from his wings flitted as the gentle breeze drifted through broken wall-length windows. He waited patiently for the crowd to quiet. Tristan, Val, and Zac stood on either side of him.
I waved at Tristan. There was a flicker of recognition, but then he quickly looked away, keeping his eyes straight ahead.
“What happened with Tristan? I thought you two were friends?” Jo asked.
“So did I,” I whispered.
A hush swept over the crowd as Ian and the other Powers entered the terminal. Their stoic faces stared ahead as they made their way to the front, ignoring the people who stood in their path. The crowd pressed against each other, making a wide path for them. Terrified parents grabbed their children, who were attempting to touch their wings.
Ian stopped in front of us, standing too close for comfort. Nacho took one look at him and grunted under his breath. I bit my lip, fighting back a laugh. He knew a jerk when he saw one. Still, Nacho moved away from the arrogant angel, making sure Javi and Neto were out of reach.
“I know it’s been a long journey, and we have a long way to go still,” Remi continued. “The ship is equipped with electricity, so you’ll find some basic human comforts as we embark on the last leg of our journey. But please know we are still in danger. We have worked to protect you to the best of our ability, but we are limited. We have recently discovered we can be detected when an angel takes flight. As such, flying is forbidden.”
He paused, looking solemnly at all the angels in the terminal. When his eyes drifted behind the crowd, I turned. Calder stood with the other Guardians in the back.
“All angels will keep their wings closed to prevent temptation. Angels!” At Remi’s command, a loud snap reverberated throughout the terminal as they enclosed their wings in unison.
“We also ask that you follow a few rules for your safety. Val, if you please.”
Clearing her throat, Val stepped forward, taking Remi’s place. “Thank you, Remi. There’s plenty of room on the ship, but for everyone’s safety, we’ve assigned cabins to each of you. The Guardians will provide you with this information as you check in and receive a keycard. You’ll take the escalator up to board on the ship. Obviously, the electricity in the terminal isn’t working, so if you need assistance, the Guardians will—”
She suddenly stopped. Her amber eyes widened for a moment and then narrowed as she looked down directly at Hali.
“You…you,” Val’s voice shook as the tendons along her slender throat visibly tightened and her eyes narrowed in accusation.
“She found out,” Hali said in a choked whispered. She clutched my hand, squeezing it. “I beg you, please watch after my girls.”