Page 46 of Lightning Angel

“Why me?” She searched his eyes.

“Because…” His gaze roamed all over her face before gluing back to her eyes. “You’re you.”

“I don’t understand.”

“One day, you will.” The warmth in his eyes was undeniable, almost close to affection and… admiration? Did he admire her? “Now, I want you to go to bed and have a nice sleep. I know the past days have been hard on you, and you went through the hardest of them just a few hours ago. It’s all over now. Go to bed, have a nice sleep.”

He took her hand and pressed something small and metallic into her palm. She looked down and saw it was the spare key, and snapped her eyes back to his in wonder.

“I took it from Brandon,” he explained. “I’ve locked the main door and checked the back one and all the windows too; he has no more access to your house. You can sleep peacefully.”

“I almost thought you were compelling me,” Alexa said with a small, teasing grin. “But since I don’t feel obliged to obey you, I guess you have no such power?”

“Like I said, I’m not a vampire.” He returned her smile.

“Then what are you? I wanna know. I don’t think I can go to sleep without an answer.”

Tristan cocked his head to the side and gave her a knowing look. “If I say I’m your Lightning Knight, will you be able to sleep?”

Alexa shrugged.

He chuckled softly. “For now, all you need to know is that I’m your Lightning Knight. And tomorrow, I’ll answer all your questions. I promise.”

Alexa gave in without a fight; his promise was something she could count on, she realized. He was a man of his word. “Then tomorrow it is.”

“I can drop you off at school, if you’d like.” He offered, almost as hesitant as testing waters.

“Who said I’m going to school when a supernatural human has promised to tell me all about himself?” She widened her eyes incredulously. “You can pick me up when school starts, but we’re going somewhere that’s not school. I don’t want to stay here either, until Cassie is back.”

“Deal. We’ll go to my place then.” Tristan took a step back from her. “Goodnight, Alexa. Don’t hesitate to call if you need me.”

“Goodnight, Tristan.” She nodded with a smile, and kept smiling at the spot where he stood even as he disappeared.

9

Knight Residence

Cassie’s flight was expected to land that evening. As excited as Alexa was to see her sister after three long days, anxiety coiled in her stomach at the thought of telling her of Brandon’s sham.

Though Cassie’s reputation was no longer at stake—wasneverat stake—thinking how she would take Brandon’s deception worried Alexa.Of course,her sister would be heartbroken. Alexa hated Brandon immensely for that. But what would Cassie’s reaction be when she learned Brandon had preferred Alexa over her?

Cassie would never hate her. That was out of the question. Alexa was innocent in this whole scheme. But she dreaded Cassie feeling insecure because of it, that she hadn’t been good enough for her boyfriend so he fellfor her sister.

Alexa’s frustration peaked and she withheld the urge to kick the wall on her way to the foyer. The more she thought about it, the madder she grew. She stepped out of the house, locked the door, and slipped the key into her bag.

Normally they kept the spare key under a certain flowerpot. But since Brandon knew the spot—not that he would come back after theghostattacklast night—it was no longer safe. They’d have to find another place where Brandon wouldn’t suspect even if he dared to come.

Alexa checked her phone to see if she had any messages from Cassie, Daphne, or Tristan—worse, Brandon. Seeing none, she typed a short text to Daphne saying she wouldn’t be at school today. Just then, a movement caught the corner of her eyes.

Alexa looked up from her phone and gasped.

There on the road, stopped in front of her house, was her SUV. HerformerSUV. A mixture of shock, disbelief, and grief overwhelmed her. Her shock only doubled when the driver stepped out, a gorgeous tall man in full black attire who was a vision himself.

Alexa lost her breath.

Tristan closed the door and leaned against it, crossing his arms with a knowing smirk on his lips.

Alexa composed herself and crossed the lawn to him. “Don’t tell me…”