Capítulo 6: Promise

The neighborhood Luc led me into what seemed to be one of the many slums that littered the edge of the city. Not a place I would have expected the girl to go, but given her disdain for her parents, perhaps she found solace and companionship with the suppressed. Luc continued up to one of the better-looking homes, pausing on the sidewalk in front of it.

"She came here." He sighed, turning to me as he waited for me to knock on the door. I took a deep breath as I passed the vampire, unable to help my slight annoyance with vampire limitations. Vampires couldn't even request to be let in: in every way, they had to be invited and despite being part demon, Luc was still bound to all the rules of a vampire. As I knocked against the wood, I hoped whoever answered would be willing to help us.

"Who the- oh." The young girl who opened the door seemed agitated, but immediately upon seeing me, the annoyance faded. Her eyes danced up and down my body, before glancing to Luc behind me. "Are you… the one who Falls into the Dark?"

"That would be me." I admitted, smiling as reassuringly as I could. Just by looking at the kid, I knew they were barely a teenager, and my curiosity grew as I wondered why Sammy came here. "May we come in? I'd like to find Sammy and my friend."

"Sure, yeah." The girl shrugged, opening the door as Luc and I stepped in. The interior was as dismal as the exterior, and the girl sat on what attempted to be a couch. I sat on the ragged chair across from her and it seemed Luc chose to stand, almost blending into the shadows around us.

"So…?"

"Katie."

"Katie, do you know why Sammy came here?" I tried to keep my voice light, using some of my interrogation training as I watched the teen. She kept her eyes on me, although she did her best to avoid my eyes, and I noticed that she played with her fingers as she spoke.

"Sammy, she… hated her parents. A lot. I don't know the details, but she pretty much lived here with me. I live with my dad, but he's… out right now." Katie glanced up at my face before quickly dropping her gaze again. "She was pretty mad."

"I'm aware. She possessed my friend's body, saying 'They deserve to pay'." I agreed and Katie nodded.

"Yeah… yeah." Katie's voice trailed off for a moment, the teen twisting her fingers even more now. "She… came, to warn me."

"Warn you?"

"To not tell them about the journal, or she… she would…" Katie's voice trailed off and I could imagine what Sammy had threatened. Jinx wasn't weak, and now a vengeful zombie had that power at her fingertips. Whatever secret that journal held, it was apparently worth killing over.

"Do you know what the journal says?" Luc's voice finally came from the corner and the girl glanced at him. His red eyes were piercing from his darkness and the girl hesitated to answer him, clearly unnerved. I gave the vampire a look and Luc shrugged as he met my gaze. He didn't know any other way to be.

"N-no, she never let me read it. Just told me to hide it and that once she died, to keep its location a secret." Katie finally whispered. "Honestly, I'm not sure why."

"Because it proves her parents didn't kill her and without it, they will take the blame." I shrugged, leaning forward as Katie turned her attention back to me. "I'm not a cop, so I don't care about who takes the fall, but I can't let her run around in my friend's body."

"Yeah, I… get that." Katie agreed, looking to the door as someone walked by. A knock never came, and the girl seemed to calm down. "She, uh, probably took your friend to the journal, to guard it."

"Which is?"

"Um, are you sure you're not… working for her parents or the police?" Katie asked nervously, glancing back to Luc in his corner. I sighed, clearing my throat to get the teen's attention.

"Look, I'm a fallen angel, and he's the son of the Demon King. I can promise you I'm not with LPD." I insisted, seeing the surprise in the girl's face as she finally understood the code phrase she had asked me at the door. No doubt that was Jinx managing to break through Sammy's control, as only the witch called me the "the one who Falls into the Dark". "Like I said, I only want my friend back."

"The journal, it's… I hid it at school."

"Which is?"

"Storm Coast High." Katie said quietly and I waited for her to continue. She seemed reluctant again, now starting to pick at her skin. "It's in the non-fiction section of the library. Sorry, I don't want to-"

"It's enough." Luc insisted, causing the girl to jump and turn to face him again. He finally moved from his corner, staring out into the night. I chanced a glance at the clock and saw the reason for his movement. We had been in her home for almost an hour and if he hit that hour mark without being told he could stay, he would be forced outside. "If she is guarding the journal, then I should be able to feel her once we are in the library."

"O… okay." Katie whispered, finally pulling her knees onto the couch, refusing to look at either of us. I felt my heart ache slightly and I sighed heavily as I stood.

"Thank you, Katie, and… I'll make sure you and your family stay safe." I promised and she glanced up at me as I smiled.

"How?"

"I'll cast a simple enchantment that will only allow you and your father to be aware of your house. Even if her parents realize you hid the journal, they won't be able to find you." I insisted, seeing the relief wash across the girl's face. I walked toward the door, Luc behind me as we stepped out. I watched as Katie appeared in the doorway and removing my jacket, I closed my eyes as I spread my wings. My sickly gold yellow magic dripped from my hand as I drew a simple lock in the air, concentrating as I created the enchantment.

"Hmmm." I heard Luc's sound behind me as I opened my eyes, smiling as Katie watched the lock fade from view. "We need to go."

"I know, I know." I agreed, replacing my jacket and waving to the girl as we walked away. Once we were out of view, I took a chance to glance at the vampire. Despite his general gloomy look, I could tell his thirst was starting to get the better of him and I cleared my throat to get his attention. "Should we call it a night?"

"I can-"

"I doubt you wanna be stuck in a high school when the sun rises." I insisted and I watched the conflict on his face. My words had hit a cord and I continued pushing. "I told you we could deal with your thirst after we figured out where she went, and we have a pretty solid idea. Also, I'd rather have more info on what she is before we try to face her."

"... Fine." Luc agreed, turning toward the direction of my house. My heart pounded as we walked side by side, unable to help the excitement and expectation that grew as we walked through the darkness.

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