Fall From Grace by Eden Crowne Page B

especially for their needs. His son took up the call of water
rights for the poor – which in a place like Arizona is vital. That
boy became a State Senator. I've got great-great nieces and nephews
all of whom put the good of others before themselves. They've done
wonderful things. What legacy would I have left?”
    She ran her fingers
through his hair, following the dark brown waves with her
fingertips, tucking the strands over one ear. “You never had the
chance to find out.”
    An accented voice
called out from nearby, “Anyone hungry? I'm always starving after
sex.”
    Evie and Trick
scrambled up and out of the sand. Evie grabbed her sword and
scabbard. Trick, moving into a fighter's crouch, gathered up a
large handful of sand. Summoning his power, he shaped it into a
flaming ball that hissed and sputtered like lava.
    There in front of
them stood the elegant Fallen with one gray wing, dressed in a
different yet equally elegant velvet suit. At his side, one of the
black dogs held the handles of a large brown paper bag between its
long teeth. The other two panted just behind. Almost casually the
man signed a complex rune in the air. A symbol flashed out from a
burst of darkness. Instantly Evie and Trick were enclosed within a
ring of black flame that burned deep into the sand.
    Trick threw the
flaming fire ball straight at the Baron. The ball seemed to hit an
invisible barrier and ricocheted off, knocking Trick down and
singeing off part of an eyebrow. Evie drew her sword – which can
cut through anything – except, it seemed, this dark spell. The wall
of flame merely bent around the blade. Putting all her weight
behind it and fanning her wings to increase the pressure, she was
only able to inch forward. No matter how hard she tried, she could
not break through.
    The Baron waited as
they exhausted every spell and power between them. Breathing
heavily they stood side by side, staring at the Fallen.
    “All done now are we?
Good.” Taking the bag from the black dog, he removed a cardboard
carrier with two cups and a smaller bag, all with the familiar
green logo. Reaching through the flames, he set them in the sand.
“There's a branch right across from the Redondo Beach Police
Department that opens at four a.m. Of course you know that already,
don't you Miss Grace? Let's see, an ice espresso is your regular
order. At least that's what the Barista there said."
    Evie
stared. He had tracked her.
    The
Fallen wagged a finger in her direction, "Ah, you see, you are not
the only detective. Your scent, incidentally, is lovely. Like fresh
lavender. And you, Mr. McKitrick. My sentinels criss-crossed the
city looking for yours as well. Then you gave the Voodoo master
your blood. Very careless. Might as well have sent up a flare.” He
made explosive motions with his hands, giving a snort of disdain.
“It has been a rather tiresome two days. Here we are at last. All's
well that ends well." He pointed at the other cup. "A hot latte
with an extra shot, Reaper. Just guessing, I hope it meets your
approval. Oh, I added a few things to snack on. Bon appetit .”
    From the large bag he
removed an oversized plastic cup filled with a frothy green mixture
topped with whipped cream. Taking a deep drink, the Fallen gave a
sigh, “I do like these green tea confections.” He removed a fourth
cup, a clear plastic one, the condensation from the ice beading up
on the side, and set it on the sand nearer the cliff.
    Digging his jeans out
of the sand, Trick gave them a shake and pulled them on. Evie
quickly slipped into her yoga pants and the now very sandy tank
top, slapping the velcro straps together. She picked up the little
bag and looked inside. Choosing a blueberry scone, still warm, she
took a bite.
    Trick gave her an
incredulous look.
    One eyebrow raised,
she looked right back at him. “What? I love blueberry scones. And
he's right, I'm always starving after sex, too.”
    With a resigned shrug
he picked up his cup and took a drink. It was