Mortal Read Free Page A

guardians the legion’s ever had.
So it’s not really a surprise that you’re back so soon."
    He leaned over a little
closer and lowered his voice. "Besides, I knew you couldn’t resist
my angelic-charms, my heavenly good looks. The fact is, woman,
I’ve supernaturalized you."
    Kara rolled her eyes and pushed David
playfully. "Oh, please. Get over yourself."
    She shook her head gently. "Do you
even know how this is possible? I mean...I killed a mortal,
remember? I broke the sacred law."
    From the corner of her eye she saw the
old primate lift its ancient head towards her. She forced herself
not to meet his eyes.
    "I wonder why they decided to
reinstate me. It’s not like I had everyone’s vote—I was never a
favorite in the legion. I’m sure most of the GAs despise
me."
    "You’re back because the legion says
you’re back, that’s all there is to it. Just as long as you’re here
with me, that’s all that matters." David searched her face with his
intense blue eyes.
    She remembered his panic when the
crystal timer had run out and she had disappeared. She remembered
his pain. But they were together as GAs once again—all was well for
now.
    "So what did I miss since I’ve been
gone?"
    David took a moment before answering.
"I don’t really know...they shipped me back to my mortal self soon
after you’d left. It’s weird, it’s like they didn’t want me back
either."
    Kara felt a pain in her chest. She
knew how much David loved his job as a guardian. This had something
to do with her, she was certain of that. "That’s impossible, you’re
a great guardian. I’m sure you’re wrong, David."
    "Am I? It doesn’t feel like it."
David’s expression tightened. He pulled out his soul blade and
flicked it between his fingers. "It’s the only thing I’m good
at—fighting demons. There’s nothing for me as a mortal, no real
future. I don’t have any real talent like you. My parents don’t
have money for me for college. Well, maybe that’s a good thing, I
hate school anyway."
    Kara wanted to say that she was there
for him as a mortal, but her words died on her lips when he turned
away from her. It was like being stabbed in the chest. Maybe he was
right. Maybe he felt tainted by association with her. Was there
something else?
    She had to admit, it was great to be
back. She wondered what the other GAs would think. Peter and Jenny
would be on her side; she knew that, but what about the others?
Would they accept her return? The guardian angel legion had been
wary of her ever since they discovered her demon father and her
elemental abilities. Kara was different. She would always be
different. She set her jaw. Whatever happened, she would just have
to wait and see. She pushed her doubts away resolutely.
    She watched David for a moment and
said. "I think something bad is happening to my mom."
    David edged closer to her again. "The
flu virus, yeah I remember. How was she before you
left?"
    Kara lowered her eyes, did her best to
ignore the reproving stare from the operator, and told David about
the mysterious green runes on her mother’s face.
    David fixed his eyes on Kara. "That’s
some seriously freaky stuff. Never heard of glowing green tattoos
on anyone’s face before, what do you think it is?"
    Kara dreaded to think what it might
be. "The more I think about it now, the more it sounds like some
demon virus. I wouldn’t put it passed them, they’ve been very
resourceful in the past."
    "I think you might be right," David
said. "But don’t worry, whatever it is, Ariel will
know."
    Before Kara could answer,
the elevator stopped with a loud ting , the doors slid open and Kara
followed David out into Horizon. She was glad to put some more
distance between herself and the ancient white monkey.
    The Counter Demon Division looked
exactly as she had remembered. Hundreds of guardian angels rushed
up and down metal stairs from second and third floors or busied
their fingers on keyboards as they sat at desks spread out