He steps between us, as a barrier. “What Dominic did wasn’t right and you know it. It’s everything we’ve tried to break away from.” He pulls her in for a hug. “I’ll come back. I promise.”

She hesitates, before giving him a small hug back. “Please don’t go. The city is too dangerous. If you get bit or if the wrong person spots you …”

He pulls away and adjusts the handle of the backpack. “Keep an eye on things while I’m gone. And try to keep Dominic and the others out of here.”

“You know they can get in if they really want to,” she says with a heavy-hearted sigh.

He nods. “But try, okay. And if they do get in, just pretend you have no idea where we are.”

We turn to leave and she calls out, “Maybe Dominic’s right though. I mean, it’s creepy, her being able to walk with vampires. It’s unnatural.”

I pop my knuckles, giving Aiden an annoyed look.

“It’s not creepy,” Maci’s voice floats up from behind us. She looks like she’s just woken up, her red hair a mess of tangles, her eyes drooping with exhaustion.

I turn to Aiden. “I need to talk to Maci for just a minute, before we leave.”  I take Maci to the farthest corner, just out of earshot and kneel down in front of her.

“You’re going somewhere,” she says, her pulse a stream of exhilaration. “Somewhere important.”

I’m relieved to be able to hear her pulse again, but frustrated I still can’t find my own. “Can you see where I’m going?” I whisper.

She nods. “To the city—to fix the world.”

“And will I?”

“I can’t see that far yet.” She frowns, disheartened.

“That’s okay. But I need you to do a couple of things for me while I’m gone.”

Her eyes light up with delight. “I will, Kayla. I promise. Just like the Angel told me to do.”

“The Angel told you to listen to me?” I ask and she nods. “Okay, well that’s the first thing I need you to do. I need you not to talk about Angels while I’m gone. And try to keep quiet about the things you sense are going to happen. People around here don’t seem to like people who are different.”

She grins. “Alright, I can do that. That’s easy.”

“Good.” I sneak a knife from out of my pocket and press it the palm of her hand. “And promise me you’ll keep this in your pocket at all times.”

“I promise.” She stuffs it inside her jacket. “I won’t let you down Kayla. I’ll keep all my promises.”

I sure hope so, because they are more for her protection than for mine. I head to leave.