Page 26 of Lightning Angel

“Don’t promise anything when you have no idea what the future holds.” Cassie gave her hand a squeeze before letting go. She sighed. “I guess we’ll stick to the original plan, then.”

* * *

Melissa’s attitude toward Alexa that day at school was astounding and miraculous. True to her word, she had talked her peers into being nice to Daphne and Alexa. Though Melissa wore her happy-Melissa smile every time she and Alexa came face to face, Alexa could see it was strained and exactly for the display. Much to Alexa’s shock, there had been fear in her eyes too.

Melissa made her and Daphne promise not to tell anyone about the incident; not only because of the fact that she had bent her morals and apologized to Alexa, but because ofwhatprompted her into doing so. People would think she was out of her mind, and the queen of the school definitely didn’t want that.

The next day, at Cassie’s word, Alexa requested the Lightning Knight’s note from Melissa so they could compare the handwriting to Tristan’s. But one look at it, she knew it wasn’t his.

Where Tristan’s handwriting was cursive, this one was all caps and blocky letters.

Alexa wasn’t sure whether she was disappointed—to learn it wasn’t him—or smug—to prove Cassie wrong.

She checked in on Melissa in the following nightsafter the incident, to know if the Lightning Knight had returned to haunt her. The answer had been no, and Melissa had her grandmother staying with her until her parents returned from their romantic vacation. Melissa also refused to disclose the incident to anyone else, so her family didn’t know what had happened; only that she suddenly didn’t entertain the idea of staying alone at night.

All Alexa and Cassie and Daphne had to talk about in those days was the Lightning Knight. Who was he? What was he? Even though they were grateful for what he did,whywas he doing this? What were his intentions?

A lot of questions like that.

A day later, Cassie prepared to leave for Orlando. Gracie arrived punctually, just before Brandon did, to take on the role of Alexa’s temporary guardian during her absence. As Gracie waited in the car, Cassie and Brandon argued about where he would sleep. Cassie insisted he use her room, while Brandon initially opted for the couch in the living room.

Alexa rolled her eyes, amused by their banter, until Brandon relented.

Brandon had no idea about the Lightning Knight; Alexa had asked Cassie not to tell him anything about the incident. He would probably think they were all mad; he was not quite the fiction aficionado as John, and they hadn’t even toldhim.

“Take care of my Lexi,” Cassie said to Brandon as they embraced. Alexa could only imagine how many times her sister told him that since he showed up.

“I’m more than capable of taking care of her. She’s in safe hands, babe. You have a good time, worries aside.”Brandon leaned down and kissed her briefly.

Cassie stepped out of his hold and drew Alexa into a tight embrace. “Promise me you’ll stay out of trouble.”

“I will if you promise meyouwill,” Alexa replied cheekily, before adding in a whisper, “Besides, I have my Lightning Knight to handle my bullies and the bad guys. Don’t worry.”

Cassie chuckled and pulled away to look at her. “Say that one more time and I’m canceling this flight and staying.”

Alexa opened her mouth to accept the challenge, but clamped it shut; only two days ago her sister confessed about going all lengths for her, she didn’t want to test it.

“I’ll miss you,” she said instead.

Cassie hugged her again. “I’ll miss you too.”

“Your display is touching, but our flight will take off without us if we’re late!” Gracie called from the car with a grin.

Alexa and Cassie pulled away, laughing. Hugging Brandon once more, Cassie walked to Gracie’s car and got inside.

Alexa waved as they drove away.

A phantom feeling settled in her heart when the car was out of sight. She and Cassie hadn’t been separated in a long while that she had forgotten when the last time was. Three days were going to feel like three weeks without Cassie.

An arm wrapped around her shoulders and Brandon pulled her to his side. “Three days will pass in no time, Lex,” he said, as though reading her mind. “Before you even know it, Cass will be back.”

“I hope so.” Alexa sniffed.

“Come on,” Brandon tugged them inside. “I know what you need; you need distraction. Let’s head to the kitchen.”

“Oh, someone’s eager to get their hands dirty.”

“What can I do? I’m stuck with my favorite chef.”