The AK tattoo on Alex’s bicep flexed as he pulled a long-sleeved white thermal shirt over his head; he put on a faded red plaid shirt over it, leaving it hanging open. He raised an eyebrow at me as he rolled up the sleeves a few turns. “Go for it. I don’t mind.”

I laughed. “No, I bet you don’t. Nice try.” I put our clothes bag in the motorcycle’s storage compartment, shoving it down so the lid would close. “How much money do we have left?” I asked. Everything had been really cheap, but we’d still spent almost a hundred dollars.

Alex squatted down to fasten the tent under the rear of the seat. “Let’s just say I’m really glad we don’t have to spend money on motels any more.”

I bit my lip. That bad. Part of the reason we were going to Mexico – apart from practically the entire United States being on the lookout for us now – was that it was cheaper. “We should try and save money on food too,” I said as Alex strapped the sleeping bags to the bike. “If we go to grocery stores instead of fast-food places from now on, we can—” I broke off, breathing in sharply.

A flock of gleaming white angels had just glided out from over the top of the strip mall – fifteen or twenty of them. They flew across the street from us at an angle, their great wings stroking the air.

Seeing my face, Alex rose hastily; I sensed his energy shifting. His expression hardened as he spotted the angels. “Get back,” he said, not taking his eyes off them. We pressed against the side of the building, Alex shielding me with his body, trying to hide my aura with his own. He drew his gun out from under his waistband. I heard a faint click as he took the safety off.

The angels continued on their way without noticing us, achingly glorious against the mundane buildings and run-down houses. I stared at them from under Alex’s arm, my emotions in a tumult. That deadly beauty was half me. I wasn’t a predator like they were, but half of me was angel all the same. As the flock grew more distant, they winked in and out of the street lights like stars, finally fading from view.

I felt Alex check out the area around us, and then relax. “It’s okay; it’s clear now.”

We stepped out of the shadows and glanced at each other. My legs felt like cotton. If the angels had seen us, we’d be dead right now. Especially me, after what I had done – and if they still thought I was the one who could destroy them all. I knew Alex was thinking the same thing, but neither of us said it.

“That was a really large flock,” I said at last.