"Who's in danger, Angel?" Charlotte asked, her eyes worried.
Shutting the door, Angel grabbed his vest from the bed and slipped it on. "A twelve-year-old child has gone missing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park."
"A missing child?" she asked, then clarified, "But not kidnapped? That doesn't make me feel any better."
Adjusting the vest, he offered her a reassuring smile. "I know, but the silver lining is how soon he was reported missing, so there's a good chance they'll find the boy before we arrive. It's about a five-hour drive from here. I told my source to send every news report she hears, and I turn nothing down. Just throw everything into the bags; we can sort it out later."
She nodded and helped pack the equipment. It took about five minutes to store everything in the van. As she fastened her seat belt, he settled into the driver's seat, started the engine, and quickly reversed out of the parking space. Turning the wheel until the van was at a ninety-degree angle, he shifted into drive and pressed the gas pedal. Gravel flew up behind them as the rear tires struggled for traction before gaining purchase, and they were on their way.
As they pulled onto the road, Charlotte wondered, "What can I do to help? This isn't like last night. There's no one to frighten."
"By the time we get there, it will be dark. With your enhanced eyesight and speed, you can quickly clear the zones they've designated, allowing me to search elsewhere."
"Smell, too," she added.
Angel glanced at her. "Smell?"
Giving him an apologetic look, she explained, "When I cornered the one man in the bathroom, I could smell his fear; it was… sweet and strong. I realized that, in my demon form, it's not just my sight that's heightened; it's all my senses. I could hear you outside when you darted him as well."
"You didn't tell me."
"I know." Charlotte sounded distant. "I was so caught up in the moment and then focused on the girls on the way to the hospital, and then…"
"No. It's okay. Things happened so fast, and we were exhausted." Comforting her, he added with an impressed tone, "But it's good to know you have these abilities. Do you think you could track him more easily if you had something of his to smell?"
Slightly embarrassed, she fidgeted in her seat. "I think so, yes. When I first changed in front of you last night, I caught a powerful scent of fear, and like with the man, it tasted sweet. It made my insides flutter with hunger."
"Fear excites you," Angel observed.
"Sort of? With you, I felt shame and worry about being rejected, but I relished the terror I put into those men last night. It was exhilarating and—" She paused, searching for the right word. "Arousing?" Cheeks flushing warmer, she scoffed in frustration and slumped in her seat. "I don't understand myself."
"Don't let it get to you, Charlotte, okay? We'll figure it out in time." He gave her a quick, encouraging look. "But right now, let's focus on finding the kid."
"Right! I'll do my best," she promised.
Momentarily silent as he decelerated while approaching an intersection, she took a deep breath. "You said it's a few hours to the site?"
"About five, yes."
"Then," tentatively broaching the interrupted topic, "will you tell me about yourself?"
As they made the long trek south, she paid close attention to every detail he shared. He talked about his loves, such as good music and favorite authors, as well as fears, particularly of bats and snakes. He described his upbringing, vacation spots, and preferred foods, which led her to question if any involved animals. Choosing honesty, he confirmed her suspicions, prompting a low, sinister growl in response.
He shared his favorite sports and movies, promising to introduce her to many more, especially in the horror genre, to inspire her creativity for future missions. He mentioned that his sister, Cassie, who is two years older, moved out at seventeen because of their strict Catholic parents. She later joined the military as a communications officer. Now, Cassie owns a witchcraft shop in New Orleans, a passion she developed from her long-standing fascination with the supernatural. Angel had often joked about her interests, never taking them seriously—until now, that is.
He revealed that Cassie was his informant, providing intelligence and guidance whenever a case arose. He explained that after leaving the army, when he shared his plans with her, she expressed her desire to assist him, leveraging her connections to provide help. He admitted that she played a significant role in his achievements.
"She sounds wonderful."
"She is," he nodded. "And she kept me sane after I left the service."
What Angel once again avoided was the reason he had left the army. Charlotte was starting to sense that it was incredibly tragic, but avoided pestering him about it. She also wondered if Cassie, with her interest in witchcraft, might have a way to help her remember who she truly was.
Another, more intense concern occurred to her: Did she really want to know? Did she want to risk discovering that her demon side was the dominant part of her nature? And what about Angel? If she regained her true self, would he abandon her? Or might she end up back in Hell? She didn't like either of those options.
To distract from her growing concerns, Charlotte needed to shift the conversation, and there was one question that had been burning in her mind. "Do you have a girlfriend?"
It was such an unexpected question that Angel stuttered, "Uh, not since before the military. I dated in high school like anyone else, but there was only one woman I was serious about."
Curious about his taste in women, she probed, "What was she like?"
"Strong-willed, stubborn, sensitive, intelligent, and bold. Traits that I loved at the time but annoy the hell out of me today."
"Why?"
"One thing I haven't explained about what I do is that, while I am on the right side of the law, I sometimes push it to extremes. Most people would get thrown into jail or have their bounty hunter license revoked. So you could say I've been lucky to have someone who has my back and gives me more leeway than I sometimes deserve. Someone who knows me better than anyone else."
"Your ex?"
"FBI Special Agent Amanda Sims," Angel announced. "A frustratingly brilliant woman."
"But you're not together anymore?" Charlotte cringed at her obvious interest.
If he noticed her obvious curiosity, he didn't show it. "Not anymore. We had different goals. She went into the academy with the sole desire to work in the bureau, and I wanted to serve my country. Amanda was dedicated and skillful, and I'm glad she realized her dreams. She's a very special lady, but we drifted apart."
She sensed a hint of regret, which made her relief feel selfish. Charlotte bit her lip and looked out the window again, needing to reconcile her conflicted emotions—sad that he was lonely and happy that he was single.
Fuck, what a way to feel. Human emotions suck, she decided.
The van fell silent afterward, both lost in their own thoughts. The scenery zoomed by as they neared the campsite. About thirty minutes out, Angel's phone rang.
Pulling over, he shifted the van into park and answered. "Hey, Cassie. News?"
Her ears perked up, and she could make out both sides of the conversation as if his sister were in the van with them. She found the woman's voice gentle, soothing, yet also commanding, and took an immediate liking to her.
"I just received word from all the camp setups," Cassie's voice carried. "They've covered a few grids around the campsite with no luck. They're deploying choppers and tracking dogs while expanding the perimeter. How far out are you?"
"About thirty minutes. I'm coming in from the northeast."
"Which route are you taking?"
"I-40—we just left Newport, heading south."
"Okay, I have Google Maps up." He could hear the clacking of a keyboard and waited. After a moment, Cassie continued, "I see roughly where you are. The frequencies indicate a group gathering at a new location along your route. They're planning to search the area north of the child's campsite. I'll text you the coordinates."
"Appreciated."
"And Kevin?" Cassie sounded worried.
"Yes?"
"It's treacherous terrain—rivers, sharp inclines, and drop-offs. It's suggested for experienced hikers only—" Cassie trailed off.
"Understood. I'm on my way." Hanging up, Angel's frustration was clear as he cursed, "Shit! If he got lost in that kind of terrain—" He cast a worried look at Charlotte.
Her eyes pulsed, their crimson orbs glowing in the dark. She growled in response, "Get me there."
Nodding gravely, he shifted the van into gear and accelerated past the recommended speed limit for safely navigating the winding road ahead.
Time was running out.