Elixxir (The Brethren Series) by Deena Remiel Page B

slightly. Humans were lucky sometimes not have the ultra-keen senses of the immortals.
    Taking a visual sweep of the open area, he noticed a lull in activity. It was known to be a busy hub, but only a few people were in line at the ticket counter in front of them. A few others were seated on worn, plastic chairs, luggage tightly gripped in hand. A group of teenagers stood off to the side, huddled in a corner, looking over their shoulders. Probably a drug exchange going down. Not his problem at the moment. He spotted a wall of lockers to his right, floor to near-ceiling, rusty and deteriorated.
    “Over there. The lockers.” He pointed to them for Callie.
    “I see. Well, guess we should go take a peek and then, I don’t know how many showers it’s gonna take for me to feel clean again.”
    “I agree. Come on.”
    They hurried over and scanned the numbers on the locker doors until they found the B section and locker 34, sitting innocuously in between 33 and 35. Did he really expect it would be painted bright red with neon arrow signs pointing to it? She glanced at him, nibbled her lower lip, and slowly took the key from around her neck.
    “I don’t mind saying I’m scared.”
    “Want me to open it for you?”
    “No, no. I’ll do it. I just have no idea what we’re going to find.” She extended a trembling hand and tried her key in the lock. It shook so much she took her other hand to steady herself. “Damn it,” she muttered.
    “Here, no sense in going crazy. Let me.” He gentled the key from her hand, pushed it in the lock, and turned. It clicked open.
    The hinges whined mercilessly as he opened the door. “God, that’s dreadful!” She put her fingers in her ears.
    “What have we here?”
    “What is it? She leaned against him, trying to get a peek as he reached in and retrieved a manila envelope.
    He turned it over in his hands, checking it out. His angel warrior senses sought out any lingering traces of intent or motive from the last person who held it. No matter how long it’d been around, there could still be a thread or two he could exploit to their benefit. “Look. It says, In case of emergency .”
    “Well. I’d say this is one heck of an emergency. Wouldn’t you?”
    “Yeah. Come on.” Senses told him a male had left this envelope. Sadness and trepidation were the last emotions exuded by him. Her father perhaps? More than likely. He closed the locker door, took her hand once again, and proceeded to walk out the exit. “Let’s get outta here and back to the safety of our room.”
    “No argument from me.” He stopped short and turned to her.
    “Really? That’s a first. Thank you.” He laughed and continued on.
    She swatted his arm playfully. “Oh, shut up.”
    “Crap,” he muttered.
    “What?” Alarm sounded in her voice.
    “We got company at the bike. Damn it.” He knew it had been too good to be true. Their trip had gone far too smoothly up to this point. He didn’t want to make another scene in front of her. She already suspected something from the last scuffle. But these guys weren’t admiring the bike. His supernatural hearing picked up midway through their conversation. They were discussing prices for parts.
    “Maybe they’re simply talking about its finer qualities, showing some appreciation for its beauty. They’ll move on when we get close.”
    “Doubt it. All right, do exactly as I say.” He nudged her forward, adrenaline seeping into his bloodstream, hoping his sheer size would be intimidating enough to shoo them away. “Hey, gentlemen. Excuse us, but we’ve gotta be going.”
    All four men turned, and in unison their eyes flashed a brilliant red. Damn it all ! They would have to be some of Satan’s minions . He hoped Callie hadn’t seen it, but her immediate death grip on his arm told him otherwise.
    One of the delinquents stepped forward, moving his shirttail aside like a curtain to display a gun in his waistband. “Gonna have to take the bus home, asshole.