Starfire Angels (Starfire Angels: Dark Angel Chronicles Book 1) by Melanie Nilles

pools and rivers of melting snow did that for
her. Elis didn't seem hindered in the least, or he didn't care
about the water.
    She had almost forgotten about that morning.
Now, she had to know. He walked a stride behind.
    "Is it you?"
    His steps fell quiet. Did he realize she
spoke to him? Would he understand what she meant?
    Raea stopped and turned.
    "What?" He frowned.
    "The one causing such a fuss?" Did she have
to say it? She didn't want to, not in the open. Others might
overhear.
    "I don't know." He walked again and gave her
only a passing glance. "We'll talk about that later."
    Later? As in training her later?
    "We don't make ourselves known here. Our
purpose is to serve, not to gather fame or fortune, or draw
attention to the power we wield. It's too dangerous."
    "So, play the superhero thing and live a
double life?"
    His smile infected her. After all this time
seeing him somber and moody, his smile seemed out of place. She
looked again to be sure it was real.
    ["Not intentionally."]
    "Why do you have to use the other
language?"
    ["So you learn."]
    Right. But she had always known, so it
wasn't really learning. "You mean refresh?"
    ["Better yet."]
    ["I never forgot."]
    ["No. Probably not. Like the crystal shard
you wear, the Starfire inside you records everything. I'm sure you
can recall, with very little effort, any detail of your life."]
    "Just those I want to remember." And most of
what she didn't, despite her attempts to forget.
    "I understand."
    The statement sobered her. He probably did
understand. Like her, he had lost his family because of that
crystal. And the Starfire was a part of him. What good was it if it
only brought trouble? Why should she protect it?
    ["Meet me at sunset."]
    ["Why?"]
    ["Training."]
    "Um…I'm kinda busy tonight."
    The muscles in his jaw tightened. What bit
him?
    Fine. She supposed she could give him some
time. She did not want the Starfire making those wings
appear, especially while she was with Pallin.
    ["All right."] At least with this
"training", she should figure out how to control the Starfire so it
wouldn't interfere with her life. It gave her no other choice.
    He left her for Mrs. Johnson's yellow-sided
house, while she hurried into her aunt's and uncle's house. Now
for Pallin. She let out a little squeal.
    The second she stepped through the door,
Buddy slid into her and barked. "All right. Fine. Go do your
thing."
    At the same instant the dog shoved past her,
a thought hit in regards to the slop outside. Too late. Buddy
splashed in the slush and mud. Stupid dog. Now she'd have to bring
him into the garage to dry off. He could stay there until Mike came
home. It was his dog. Why should she have to clean up the mess for
letting him out? She had to get ready for tonight.
    After rounding up the muddy chocolate lab,
Raea retreated to her bedroom.
    Now, if Debbie would hurry home. Raea needed
the car, or at least a ride.
    * * *
    When they neared the downtown area in the
slanted light of the sinking sun, Debbie broke the silence of their
ride. "Remember to stay here until I come back."
    "Yes. I know. Stay to public places." Better
that she say it than Debbie. Her aunt was nice, but the lectures
Raea could live without. Josh had been bad enough.
    They arrived at George's Diner, the local
place she and her friends had told Pallin about over lunch. She
couldn't believe it. She was going on a date with Pallin. This was
too good to be true.
    But where was he? Through the tall windows,
she saw a few people sitting in the diner, but none of them looked
like Pallin. And she wasn't late.
    Uh, oh. Did Pallin have trouble finding it?
Maybe she should have given him directions from his hotel, not just
a general location. Man, she was no good at this. She was going to
blow it.
    Might as well try. Raea opened the
car door and stepped out.
    "Be careful."
    She smiled at her aunt and closed the door
of the sedan. Here went nothing. Her aunt pulled away as Raea
stepped into the warm diner.
    George's