Few Are Angels - Excerpt

I want to untie you, but I dont want to regret doing so. Can we agree that everyone will behave? I looked at Kale, but all I received was a shrug and another grumble. Jaces blue eyes were glued to Kale. Ella, when I am untied, I will do whatever I can to take you back to the Council. I wont have this creature infect you. Kale straightened up and moved closer to us. Over my dead body. Jaces slow, chilling smile revealed his white teeth. Though it was beautiful, it freaked me out. Then it should be easy, Nosferat, seeing as how your heart no longer beats. Jace looked at Kale as if he would attack the first chance he got. At this rate, I would never be able to get Kale and Jace to work together. Maybe Kale was right. We might be better off fending for ourselves against Laurent. You mistake the fact you are still alive for weakness on my part, but I warn you that as soon she sees you are not a necessary factor for her survival, I will finish what we started years ago, Vesco, Kale spat, with such malice that halfway through his words I turned around to face him, not at all liking what I saw. His face was now plagued by hard lines, and his eyes, though they were always dark, were darkened with loathing. I hardly recognized him. I didn't want to believe Kale would truly kill Jace or anyone for that matter. Stop, Kale, you wouldnt, I whispered. I searched his face for the Kale I knew. I understood the Council and vampires were enemies, but I couldn't see Kale killing Jace. It was probably my naivety that pushed the idea that Kale was harmless. Yes, he would, Ella, Jace said, pulling my attention back to his blue eyes. Its what he isa murderer fashioned only to steal what humans cannot live without and to spread his disease. He was created by the Dark Prince. No matter how long he tries to deny his nature by drinking from rats and squirrels, he will always be a threat to you and all others. Even more so because he can walk in the light. My plan to unite them to help me went right out the window. My body went cold, and I sat there wondering why Id even tried in the first place. Anger started to boil inside me, and I gave in to it. Bullshit! I yelled. This is pure and utter bullshit. I stood so fast that I almost lost my footing.

Kale reached out to me, catching my arm and righting me quickly. I snatched my arm from him and ignored his questioning eyes. I turned back to Jace. I looked him directly in his eyes to get his full attention. You both say you want to protect me, and thats fine. Even though I have no clue of whats going on in the full scheme of things, I am willing to let you both protect me, but understand this. If you two cannot figure out how to get along long enough for us to make a planother than taking me to the CouncilI will do this without either of you! I shouted, as my anger reached a crescendo. Also, I want to know everything, not just what you two think I should know. I gave Kale a pointed look. He looked back at me with emotionless eyes. I hated when he blocked his feelings from me. I gave mine so freely to him. That fueled my anger further, but Jaces calm voice slowly brought me down. What is it you propose we do? Jace asked. I can only assume from your tirade that he has told you a few things about your past. The fact that you are only upset about that also tells me he hasnt told you why the Dark Prince has yet to find you. We both looked at Kale waiting for him to speak. Your silence, Nosferat, confirms that you have not told her the fire at the Ocean Trace facility was your doing. I looked at Kale, confused. I had told him about my time in a facility, but I hadnt told him where it was. I told you I was here to protect you, Ella. I just never told you when that protection started, Kale explained and reached for me. I was tempted to take his hand because it wasnt often that he offered his touch, but I ignored it. Wait, are you saying you knew me before that first night we met? Yes, I knew you in your last past life. Jace scoffed. That is not what she meant, vampire. I couldn't understand why Kale was dancing around my question. Lets go outside, Kale said, turning toward the door before I could answer. She will freeze out there. I am sure she is already cold, especially seeing how the cold sadness of lies and betrayals has found her here tonight.

Though Jaces clever remark didn't seem to affect Kale, it stung me. The words lies and betrayals slapped me in the face, waking me from the stupid dream state I had allowed myself to slip into. Ella, I have watched you for as long as the Council has believed you are the next Arcbefore your parents death until now, Kale said sadly, as the trust that we had developed between us started to fade. I had been nothing but honest with him. Id snuck around to see him, which put a strain on Alexs faith in me. But I couldn't truly blame Kale. Trusting a stranger with my secrets when I had promised myself I would never do that again was my fault. With that in mind, I walked over to Jace and untied his knots. Do not make me regret this. I have enough of those; I dont need any more, I said, looking at them both. We needed to make a plan of action, but we couldn't do that until I was told everything.