Fallen 2. Torment(86)

"What?" It was Shelby. "You guys are just hiding her with us? What about our

safety? What if these Outcasts people just showed up on campus?"

Miles said nothing, just looked with alarm from Luce to Arriane.

"You didn't understand that the Nephilim camouflage you?" Arriane asked.

"Daniel didn't tell you about their--whatever, protective coloration?"

Luce's mind rolled back to the night Daniel dropped her off at Shoreline. "Maybe

he did say something about a shield, but--" There had been so many other things racing

through her mind that night. It had been enough to try to process Daniel's leaving her.

Now she felt a queasy wave of guilt. "I didn't understand. He didn't elaborate, just kept

saying I had to stay on campus. I thought he was being too protective."

"Daniel knows what he's doing." Arriane shrugged. "Most of the time." She poked

her tongue at the corner of her mouth thoughtfully. "Okay, sometimes. Every now and

then."

"So you mean whoever's after her can't see her when she's with a bunch of

Nephilim?" This was Miles, who seemed to have found his tongue again.

"Actually, the Outcasts can't see at all," Arriane said. "They were blinded during

the Revolt. I was getting to that part of the story--it's good! The putting out of eyes and

all that Oedipal jazz." She sighed. "Oh, well. Yeah, the Outcasts. They can see the

burning of your soul--which is a lot more difficult to discern when you're with a bunch of

other Nephilim."

Miles's eyes grew wide. Shelby was chewing nervously on her nails.





"So that's how they mistook Dawn for me."

"It's how meat-cooler boy found you tonight, anyway," Arriane said. "Hell, it's

how I found you too. You're like a candle in a dark cave out here." She grabbed a can of

whipped cream from the counter and shot a squirt into her mouth. "I like a little nondairy

pick-me-up after a brawl." She yawned, which made Luce look up at the green digital

clock on the counter. It was two-thirty in the morning.

"Well, as much as I love kicking asses and taking names, it's way past curfew for

you three." Arriane whistled through her teeth and a thick blob of an Announcer bled out

from the shadows under the prep tables. "I never do this, okay? If anyone asks, I never do

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this. Traveling by Announcers is ver-ry dangerous. Hear that, hero?" She bopped Miles

on his forehead, then flicked her fingers open. The shadow bounced instantly into a

perfect door shape in the middle of the kitchen. "But I'm on the clock here and it's the

fastest way to get you guys home and to safety."

"Nice," Miles said, like he was taking notes.

Arriane shook her head at him. "Don't get any ideas. I'm taking you back to

school, where you will stay"--she made eye contact with each of them--"or you're going

to have to answer to me."

"You're coming with us?" Shelby asked, finally showing just a little glimmer of

awe toward Arriane.

"Looks that way." Arriane winked at Luce. "You've turned into some kind of

firecracker. Someone's gotta keep an eye on you."

Stepping through with Arriane was even smoother than it had been on the way to

Vegas. It felt like coming inside after being out in the sun: The light was a little dimmer

when you walked through the door, but you blinked a few times and got used to it.

Luce was almost disappointed to find herself back in her dorm room after the

flash and excitement of Las Vegas. But then she thought of Dawn, and of Vera.

Almost disappointed. Her eyes settled on all the familiar signs that they were back: two

unmade bunk beds, the clutter of plants on the windowsill, Shelby's yoga mats stacked in

the corner, Steven's copy of Plato's Republic sitting bookmarked on Luce's desk--and one

thing she was not expecting to see.

Daniel, dressed all in black, tending a blazing fire in the hearth.

"Aaaugh!" Shelby screamed, tumbling back into Miles's arms. "You scared the

hell out of me! And in my own place of sanctuary. Not cool, Daniel." She shot Luce a

dirty look, like she'd had something to do with his appearance.

Daniel ignored Shelby, just said calmly to Luce, "Welcome back."

She didn't know whether to run to him or burst into tears. "Daniel--"

" Daniel? " Arriane gasped. Her eyes widened as if she'd seen a ghost.

Daniel froze, clearly not having expected to encounter Arriane, either. "I--I just

need her for a moment. Then I'll go." He sounded guilty, even scared.

"Right," Arriane said, gripping Miles and Shelby by the scruffs of their neck. "We

were just leaving. None of us saw you here." She herded the others before her. "We'll