The Seer's Lover (The Seven Archangels Series) by Kat de Falla

energy left over to paint the barn. She made her way toward them, sturdy in her stride and stunning in her confidence. Her dark hair was tied neatly back in a low bun, and the kitchen apron looked as though she may have been filleting the fish herself.
    She held her hands on her hips. “So, you must be the great surfer my nephew talked about.”
    Calise stifled a laugh. “I highly doubt I’ll try my hand at surfing ever again. Had it not been for your nephew, I probably wouldn’t be alive.”
    “I’ll be right back, ladies.” Ron excused himself.
    Leaning in close, Carmen spoke in a hoarse voice. “Lucas says you might be seeing things around here, is that true?”
    Calise cleared her throat and folded her hands in her lap. Here goes nothing. “Juan Torres sent me to find you. He’s dead. I think he was killed for exposing himself to something evil and I think Anna is a—could be a—demon.” She looked at her placemat and continued. “I’m sure you think I’m a lunatic, but—”
    “Shh,” Carmen hushed her. “Keep your damn voice down and don’t talk to anyone else. Go back to your room, keep to yourself, and come back here after I’m closed.”
    Thrilled, Calise couldn’t believe the woman’s words. She never said “crazy” or “nuts” or anything. “So you don’t think I’m—” Looking up, she saw Carmen walking briskly back to the kitchen. Carmen gave Lucas a quick nod. He looked in her direction briefly then made a hasty retreat behind the restaurant.
    Ron reappeared and spread the napkin in his lap. “I think the fish tacos sound great. What are you getting?”
    “I have no idea.”
    ****
    Lucas saddled Gotzone and rushed to Cabo Blanco in utter confusion. If Calise was a seer, he wanted to know everything about her. But that would have to wait.
    He hadn’t been to Cabo Blanco. Or had he? Somewhere a memory clicked in place. He’d been there with his parents as a kid. He dismounted, paid the entrance fee, and began the nearly five-kilometer hike to Playa Cabo Blanco.
    Did his parents know Alejandro? And why would an angel protect them?
    The Sueco trail passed small rivers and rose up to a steep point before dropping down to the beach. Lucas collapsed in the sand from exhaustion. When he opened his eyes and sat up, the angel, Alejandro, was coming out of the water toward him.
    “Ah, Lucas. Good to see you again. It seems su tía has finally sent you to see me, no?”
    He sighed. Who is this guy?
    “Don’t you remember me from when you were here with your father? Come, let’s walk.” Alejandro serene voice was hypnotizing.
    Lucas sensed resistance was useless. He brushed himself off, took off his shirt, and followed, casting his mind back to any memory of this park.
    “You met Gustaf here with your father,” Alejandro said. “Gustaf was an angel, as was his wife, Susann. They established this park in the ’60s. I have protected what is hidden in this location for a long time.”
    Lucas remembered running back and forth in the surf. His dad had said, “This is a special place Lucas, a place where Gustaf will keep everything safe.” He stopped walking. “What’s hidden here?”
    “There are artifacts, or ‘charms.’ Your family passed them down from generation to generation. More powerful even than that which you wear around your neck. Your father knew every accessible footpath and tree from growing up in Mal Pais. He and Gustaf hid most of your family’s belongings here—I protect them. No demon can enter this reserve while I am present. It is consecrated ground. I make sure its location remains as hidden from the demons as possible.”
    A pod of humpback whales emerged in the distance. Aliens of the deep, Lucas imagined he could hear the song that each male sang the world over. Spouts of water blew in the air before the backs crested and disappeared. Something about their appearance calmed him.
    “Why are you here protecting them and why hasn’t Carmen ever told me