Hush hush finale download pdf

La primera era Marcie Millar, mi a veces archienemiga y, como estaba predestinado, mi media hermana por sangre pero no por amor. Tal vez Dante, tal vez Patch. Tal vez Pepper Friberg. Estoy saliendo de El casillero de Pete ahora mismo. No pude terminar. Contra uno, o sea yo. Mis tobillos estaban asegurados por una cadena gruesa similar. Condujimos por un largo tiempo.

Cuarenta y cinco minutos, tal vez. Mi cabeza saltaba en demasiadas direcciones como para recordarlas adecuadamente. Tal vez. Y luego estaba Patch. Dos hombres, una mujer. Mi agudizado sexto sentido los identificaba a los tres como nephilim.

Sostuve su mirada llena de odio, deseando poder lanzarle la verdad a la cara. Y no iba a hacerlo. Lo que sea que hayamos tenido en el pasado. No puedes tener el derecho de llamarte a ti misma nephilim. Cuando te veo, veo a un humano. No tienes orgullo. Hank era un tramposo y un mentiroso. Esta era tu advertencia. Usa este tiempo para considerar tus lealtades. Se fueron hace cinco minutos. Si eso significa que tengo que reducir tu privacidad, lidia con eso.

Y a hacerlos pagar. Los otros dos, un hombre y una mujer, usaban ropa indescriptible. Lo necesitaba. No te voy a perder. Me siento culpable cada vez que estoy cerca de ella. Quiero confesarlo todo. Especialmente algo tan importante como lo nuestro.

Puede respaldar tu historia cuando hable con los nephilim que tienen influencia. Vamos a llevarte a casa. Necesito tomar mi celular, y el buscapersonas que me diste.

Una cosa era segura. A las seis. Lo siento tanto. Odiaba estar forzada a mentirle otra vez. Lo prometo. Una menos, falta una. Sacar tu trasero de la cama y vestirte. Claro que no. Fin de la historia. Tch, tch. Aparentemente, al menos diez millas—. Te escuchas como una estampida de rinocerontes.

De nuevo. Y de nuevo. Me dio una palmada de felicitaciones en la espalda. Las consecuencias de la pelea de esta noche solo tienen que durar un par de semanas, me dije. En momentos secretos y miradas robadas. No hay excepciones. Es una noche de escuela. Dime que no es Marcie Millar coqueteando con mi hombre. Es lo mismo. Ella nos dio su mejor saludo de concurso de belleza. Nadie en este pueblo hace algo significante. Tuve que cerrar los ojos un instante para evitar que rodaran. Sobre ser nephilim, quiero decir.

Cansada y con calambres. En pocas palabras, no pude. Soy un bicho raro. Ni siquiera soy humana. Y no creas que ni por un minuto me he olvidado de que no lo eres tampoco. Estamos en esto juntas. Oh, por Dios. Justo lo que necesitaba. Solidaridad… con Marcie Millar. Voy a enterrarte viva.

Se me estaba acabando la paciencia. Piensa en ello. No es como si pudiera volcar esto en mi psiquiatra. Hank y la vanidad iban juntos como calcetines a juego. Que descanse su alma paz. Yo no iba a caer en una trampa, si eso es lo que era. El dolor nunca desaparece realmente, pero con el tiempo llega a ser soportable. Y de alguna manera, la vida sigue adelante.

Si alguna vez necesitas hablar, supongo que me puedes llamar. Tu lugar es tan bueno como cualquier otro. Bueno, estoy muy contenta de haber tenido esta charla. No, no, no. No puedes instalarte conmigo. Necesitaba un argumento. Tengo que encontrarla. Saca las antenas. En este momento, vamos a salir de esto».

Cualquier cosa que suceda, te amo». No ofrecemos a mujeres desinteresadas, pelirrojas o de otra manera. El camarero se detuvo, sus ojos brillando con malicia. La heredera de la Mano Negra. Apenas puedo comprenderlo. Un gran hombre, que descanse su alma.

Mis respetos a tu familia —se detuvo desconcertado—. Otro sorbo y un trago fuerte. He hecho las paces, mi nuevo novio es Dante Matterazzi, un nephilim al cien por cien. Sus ojos se iluminaron, impresionados. Un gran chico. Todo el mundo conoce a Dante. Por los viejos tiempos. Cuando era humana, no la hubiera reconocido, pero ahora todos mis sentidos estaban intensificados.

Cowboy Hat. Esta dentro justo alrededor de la puerta, vestido con una camisa de franela roja y negra, pantalones y botas de vaquero». Coquetea, roba su cartera, lo que sea.

Una cita doble. Ahora date prisa antes de que lo perdamos en la multitud. No es seguro para nosotros que nos vean juntos». En la furgoneta». Se mezclaba con el fondo de edificios deteriorados. Quiero hablar con ellos». Hasta donde puedo decir, el desodorante aun funciona. Pepper Friberg y… Dabria. Pepper hizo un gesto obsceno a su espalda. No es que tenga algo en contra de la vieja escuela. Vi eso venir desde una milla de distancia.

Mismo cabello largo y rizado. Por este lado. Y date prisa. Darse prisa. Sin hiperventilar. Matt Dillon era sexi antes de que envejeciera. Hinton en Pero siempre queda un destello de esperanza. Te vi entrar y salir de Devil's Handbag. Y entonces, de repente, quieres limpiar el lugar. Si Cowboy Hat y sus amigos en verdad estaban indagando en mi vida personal, tarde o temprano se iban a enterar que Vee era mi mejor amiga. Estoy sin palabras. Yo era una amiga horrible. Pero no creo ni por un minuto la otra historia.

Creo que es tu toque de queda. Probablemente ambas cosas. Nos vemos en el camino de entrada a tu conveniencia. En la oscuridad, sus dientes brillaban en una sonrisa. Voy a exprimirte el cuerpo hasta secarte. Me alegraba ver que al menos uno encontraba esto entretenido.

Goteando desde la nariz hasta la barbilla. No estoy hecha para esto. Ese era el punto. Tengo escuela hoy. Estoy tirando la toalla. Este entrenamiento fue tu idea. Lo has disparado todo, pero este es mi turno. Un punto de referencia de la clase. Referencia esto. No puedes fantasear con otros escenarios. Eres realmente importante. Respira profundamente. Maldito Hank. Esto era por su culpa. Los necesitamos para mantenernos en el poder.

Los he visto a los dos juntos. El reloj sobre mi mesita de noche marcaba las siete menos diez. Primero, Estudios Avanzados de la historia de EE. El momento no era el mejor, pero yo no iba a dejar de encontrarme con Patch.

No me estoy sintiendo bien. La Sra. Pero en cuanto que te sientas mejor, te quiero de vuelta en clases. Hoy iniciaremos nuestra unidad sobre el republicanismo Jeffersoniano. Realmente lo aprecio. Volver a clases sin un permiso firmado por la enfermera iba a requerir nada menos que magia. Si necesitaba una excusa para alejarme de Dante, en quien ya no confiaba, esa era tan buena como cualquier otra.

Patch no estaba. Sus ojos miraron a ambos lados por la pasarela. Patch me dijo que has estado viviendo una doble vida, Pepper. Caramba, eso suena siniestro.

No confiaba en la torpeza ni en los ineptos trucos de Pepper. Una brillante lancha blanca se balanceaba en la superficie del agua. Eso es todo. Inofensivo, de verdad. Piensa en esto, Pepper. Que te has vuelto malvado. No soy malo, pero tengo que tomarme algunas… libertades. No quiero secuestrarte, pero has forzado mi mano. Necesito la ayuda de Patch y la necesito ahora.

Camina hacia el bote, despacio y con cuidado. Estoy saliendo con Dante Matterazzi. Todo el mundo lo ha hecho. Ya veremos si no podemos llegar a un acuerdo. Por tu propio bien, espero que no pierda el tiempo.

Y no solo eso, sino que ahora estaba furioso. Para mi sorpresa, ni siquiera estaba sin aliento. Necesitaba tiempo para pensar. O dejara de chantajearlo. O ambas cosas. Sobretodo el paradero de Patch. Los poderes que me dio fueron surrealistas.

Tampoco nadie demasiado alto, un claro indicativo nephilim. Las luces estaban bajas y una bola de discoteca dispersaba sombras de una brillante y saturada luz por el suelo de madera pulida.

Por los altavoces se escuchaba a la pasada de moda Britney Spears. Eso esperaba. Me di cuenta de que no estaba llevando patines. Las oscuras cejas de Dante se fruncieron. He estado probando la bebida para Blakely y, cuando la tomo, el campo de juego siempre se inclina a mi favor. Mis pensamientos giraron violentamente. Ahora entiendes de lo que estoy hablando. No puedes ser leal a nosotros y a Patch. Esto era todo. Hasta ahora. Me detuve, llevando mis pensamientos a una zambullida inicial al territorio de Cowboy Hat de vuelta para la segunda ronda.

Contuve el aliento, debatiendo la sensatez de correr. Las ruedas violetas son mi debilidad. Te he estado buscando. Le di mis llaves. Patch nos condujo a un precioso complejo de lujosas casas adosadas con vista hacia Casco Bay. Salimos del Volkswagen, subimos un estrecho conjunto de escaleras, atravesamos una puerta y entramos en la nueva cocina de Patch. Eso significa que no tuve la oportunidad de charlar con nuestro amigo nephilim Cowboy Hat.

No es muy listo. Resulta que Blakely, la mano derecha de Hank, ha estado experimentando con devilcraft durante meses y han desarrollado una droga de alto rendimiento para nephilim. Esa es la buena noticia. Le creo, Patch. Una furia helada quemaba en los ojos de Patch. Por supuesto que estaba furioso. Necesitaba jugar mi mano cuidadosamente. Una risa severa. Me dijo sobre el devilcraft para ponerme a prueba.

Somos un equipo. Eso es demasiado reprimido para lo que estoy sintiendo. Puedes tomar tus propias decisiones. Primero, me pones un aparato de rastreo. Luego, amenazas a Dante a mis espaldas. Lo lamento si sientes que estoy subvirtiendo tus deseos. Ve si puedes averiguar cualquier cosa sobre Blakely.

Hizo una pausa en la cima de las escaleras. Estoy feliz de ayudar. Activa la alarma antes de marcharte. Eres bienvenida cuando quieras. Comienza esta noche con la luna creciente. Esta noche el atardecer es tu toque de queda. Las habitaciones eran inmaculadas, careciendo de cualquier toque personal. Masculino, con estilo y con carencia de calidez.

Porque no lo era. Que me viera a la par con los nephilim. De muchas maneras. Lo admiraba. En otras palabras, no estaba ni cerca de una respuesta. Estaba de vuelta nuevamente en la primera casilla, jugando en ambos lados del campo. Yo era igual que Pepper Friberg. Todo esto de tener secretos y mentir, y fingir tener lealtad a dos bandos opuestos me estaba manteniendo despierta por las noches.

Sus cejas se alzaron ligeramente en forma de pregunta, su esperanza visible. Un encogimiento de hombros evasivo. Y ambos fueron cercanos a Hank. Estoy sorprendida de que no mantengas el contacto. Esa es nuestra estrategia. Estuvo lento al responder. Pero no creo que sea bueno. Necesitaba encontrar al mensajero. Especialmente para ti. Es solo como usar la mente para hablar. No soy una aficionada a la historia». Eres viejo». Siguiente paso: Separa los hilos que se forman en los pensamientos de tus oponentes.

Los descompones, los despegas, los despedazas por la mitad, lo que sea que funcione para ti. Los labios exuberantes que se inclinaban en una sonrisa confidente. Y todo este conjunto en contraste con una piel de color crema aceitunada. Besa a Dante. No estaba de humor para seguirle la corriente. Consigue entrar dentro de mi cabeza y romper mis pensamientos. La imagen en mi cabeza no era tan diferente de cortar rebanadas de queso, una delgada cinta tras otra.

Haz olas, Nora. Mueve el bote. Piensa en esto como una emboscada. Tijeras gigantes y brillantes. Con Dante, y conmigo. Era como si yo no existiera. He estado haciendo esto desde hace mucho tiempo, y nunca he visto algo como eso.

Buen trabajo, Nora. El Toyota 4Runner rojo de Marcie Millar estaba estacionado justo delante. Varias cajas de mudanza estaban apiladas junto a la puerta. Me hubiese gustado que me lo hubieras dicho. Ni siquiera te molestaste en dejar una nota. Se supone que debes estar en la cama. Puedes hablarme. Necesitamos un poco de espacio para respirar. Por el momento, creo que es mejor que me mude con ustedes. Somos familia. Por supuesto. Puedes realizar trucos mentales y puedes hablar mentalmente.

Y no hay ninguna manera de que te mudes con nosotras». No me eches la culpa solo porque soy un blanco para tu ira». Algunas de las cajas pueden estar pesadas. Scott es un encanto. Creo que fue la oficina de asistencia. Probablemente fue una llamada de rutina. Y no me molestes. Trabajo en la oficina de enfrente, y ahora y entonces encuentran una manera de llegar a mi bolso. Marcie me dio una mirada condescendiente. No eres divertida. Estaba tratando de ser linda. Si quieres mi ayuda para encontrar a Blakely, necesito que me digas todo.

Blakely tiene un hermano menor. Alex Blakely. Estaba anonadada. Y su hermano era la estrella corredora de la Secundaria Coldwater. Los partidos siempre son los viernes. No hay problema. Acababa de encontrar la correa que desesperadamente necesitaba.

El lecho de Patch. Seguro, estaba usando la chaqueta vaquera hoy. El tono de Patch era cuidadosamente evasivo. Soy tuya —le dije en voz baja—.

Toda tuya. Supongo que eso es lo que estoy haciendo. Y mudarse es una estratagema para espiarme. Solo quiero sentirme cerca de ti otra vez. Voy a agarrarlo y llevarlo a alguna propiedad que tengo cerca de Sebago Lake. Malo para Blakely, bueno para nosotros. Entonces le voy a mantener permanentemente bajo mi mirada. Vivo con ella ahora, Patch. Tengo que mirarla. Tal vez podamos usar esto a nuestro favor. Ella puede tomarlo o dejarlo.

Ahora Patch estaba sonriendo completamente. Cuidado, Marcie. Estaba mordiendo un palillo de dientes. No hay nada con que bromear. Lo vi dirigirse a la carretera y pasar el cruce. Algo no estaba bien. Me estaba volviendo paranoica. Espera a que llegue febrero —le dije al auto.

Estoy entre la gente. Se cuidadosa. Ahora soy la mejor arma para encontrarlo. No me cuestiones. Detalles menores. Solo porque Patch y yo no estemos juntos no quiere decir que no le pueda pedir favores. Tenemos un plan y tenemos que seguirlo. Muchos para mi disgusto, vi al detective Basso en uniforme habitual en lo alto de la fila de las gradas, mirando hacia la alborotada visita con dificultad, con ojos recelosos.

Me di la vuelta a lo largo del camino y Marcie y yo caminamos. Estoy cansada de caminar. Algunos hombres merodeaban en la oscuridad fuera de la alta cerca que rodeaba al estadio, colgando sus dedos en los eslabones de las cadenas. En el medio. Usa vaqueros y una sudadera gris de Razorbill. Solo siento a un nephil, y ese es el mismo Blakely. You want my respect?

Make me give it to you. So I could be like Hank? Hank was a cheat and a liar. He sailed backward into the wall and crumpled on the floor. The other two rushed forward, but my anger had started a fire inside me. A foreign and violent power swelled in me, and I strained against the chains, hearing the metal creak a Kmetnger s the links snapped apart. I pummeled the nearest Nephil in the ribs and gave the female a roundhouse kick. My foot collided with her thigh, and I was amazed by the solid mass of muscle I found there.

Never before in my life had I encountered a woman of such strength and durability. A moment too late, I realized I should have followed through, mercilessly attacking while they were down. Cowboy Hat charged at me, thrusting me backward into the post. The impact knocked all air from my lungs and I doubled over, trying but failing to draw oxygen. This was your warning. I gulped air, taking a few minutes to recover, then staggered to the door.

They were already gone. I braced myself for the return of Cowboy Hat and friends, but it was a Harley Sportster motorcycle that tore into view, carrying a single rider.

He swung off and crossed to me in three quick strides. A mix of relief, worry, and rage blazed in his eyes. How did you find me? If that means I have to cut into your privacy, deal with it. Excuse me? Patch ignored my indignation. Physical descriptions, make and model of the car, anything that will help me track them down. The other two—a male and a female—wore nondescript clothing.

Two of them sat in the back with me, and the door sounded like it slid open sideways when they forced me out. Patch was in my life for a reason. I needed him. We were two halves of the same whole. Patch gathered me against him, holding me with a certain possessive ferocity. This is starting to feel like a witch hunt, and we might be better off making the first move.

My mom? I want to come clean. Especially about something as important as you and me. He can back up your story when he talks with influential Nephilim. I need to pick up my cell phone, and the untraceable one you gave me. I dropped one during the attack, and the other got left behind in my handbag.

They left your possession, and if we assume the worst, your Nephilim abductors put their own tracking or listening devices on them.

Best to get new phones. I needed to learn to fight, and fast. Between dodging Pepper Friberg and advising me on my new role as Nephilim leader, Patch had enough to worry about without needing to rush in from the sidelines every time I got in over my head.

I was immensely grateful for his protection, but it was time I learned to take care of myself. It was full dark by the time I got home. I walked through the door, and my mom hurried out of the kitchen, looking both worried and aggravated.

Where have you been? I called but kept getting your voice mail. At six. I am so sorry. My biological father had been an expert and unrivaled liar. And I was hardly in a position to be critical. I promise. My mother regarded Patch with as much affection as the raccoons that often wreaked havoc on our property. I inhaled, swearing this would be the last lie. If Patch and I were really going through with the staged fight, it was best to start planting seeds now.

I told myself that once I took care of Mom and Vee, everything else would be downhill. We broke up. They were unexpected and not part of the act. I merely remembered the last time Patch and I had broken up for real, and a viselike sensation squeezed me, stealing my breath. The memory would forever haunt me. Patch had taken the best parts of me with him, leaving a lost and hollow girl behind. If you change your mind and want to talk. There, I told myself, trying hard to sound optimistic. One down, one to go.

Honesty was the best policy, most of the time. But sometimes safety trumped all, right? It seemed like a valid argument, but the thought soured in my stomach. There was another worrisome thought scratching at the back of my mind. How long could Patch and I live a lie. I smacked my alarm, cutting it off mid-beep.

Then I rolled over and told myself, Two more minutes. I closed my eyes, let my mind float, saw a new dream start to take shape—and the next thing I knew, I caught a handful of clothes in the face. Get your butt out of bed and get dressed. Might want to break that habit. Hard to control what comes in when you give the world a free pass. My mom might hear you. A guy doing what appears to be the walk of shame out my bedroom door? Of course not.

End of story. I tugged on black leggings and a stretchy microfiber shirt, and slicked my hair into a ponytail. Exactly three minutes later, I met him in the driveway. I looked around, sensing the absence of something important. Tsk, tsk. Apparently, at least ten miles.

In hindsight, I never should have agreed to train alone with him, especially if our training arena was remote. After training. Besides, Dante answered to me now. Allowing myself the luxury of one final thought of blissful sleep, I shrugged off the fantasy and darted into the tree line.

The branches stretched like a canopy overhead, shutting out what little trace of light the early sky might have had to offer. Relying on my heightened Nephilim vision, I ran hard, vaulting over fallen trees, dodging low-hanging branches, and keeping my eyes sharp for sunken rocks and other camouflaged debris. The ground was treacherously uneven, and at the speed I was traveling, one missed step could be disastrous. You sound like a stampeding rhinoceros. I could find and catch you with my eyes closed!

Dante raced ahead, blowing past me with ease. Chasing after him, I marveled at the strength and agility of my new Nephilim body. I was amazed by how clunky, slow, and uncoordinated my human body had been in comparison. He moved like an animal, gaining the momentum of a predator chasing down its next meal. I slowed, straining my ears. A moment later he bounded out of the darkness ahead. And again. Still not right—do it again.

I was about to call it quits—my leg muscles trembled with exhaustion and my lungs felt scraped raw—when Dante circled back. He gave me a congratulatory pat on the back. By lifting boulders? Consider it your cooldown jog. Finally, the bartender scheduled to work the night shift, Patch had learned, was a quick-tempered Nephilim supremacist.

Vital, Patch had assured me, to our plan. I shucked out of my sweats and slipped into a chunky cable-knit sweaterdress, tights, and ankle boots. I twisted my hair into a low bun, shaking a few pieces loose to frame my face. Exhaling, I stared at my reflection in the mirror and manufactured a smile.

Just until this whole Cheshvan mess blows over. In secret moments and stolen glances. Aunt Henny is watching me. I was antsy and nervous but thought it best to act like nothing was out of the ordinary. Vee and I slid into a booth, unloaded our coats and handbags, and ordered Cokes from a waitress who swept past. I wiped them on my thighs, wishing I were a better performer. Wishing I liked drama and attention.

Scott and the other members of Serpentine were onstage warming up for the show, while Marcie propped her elbows prettily on the stage, singling out Scott for conversation. Same difference. She gave us her best beauty pageant wave. On the way over, I worked up a smile. I was just telling Scott how much I love indie music.

Nobody in this town ever amounts to anything. I had to shut my eyes briefly to keep from rolling them. And why was I the one over here playing referee? Tired and crampy. Is this some kind of weird Nephilim menstruation thing? Because I thought I already went through that. Oh boy. Just what I needed. I will bury you alive. And second, who would believe me? Think about it. Big-time denial issues going on there. Hank and vanity went together like matching socks.

And as far as I knew, no one in Coldwater had. It was as if a numbing fog had settled over the commun [er nyone spity, keeping human and Nephilim residents alike from asking the big question of what had happened to him.

Rest his soul. Poor family, ought to ask how I can help. I know it. He deserved what he got. And somehow, life moves on. My mom is driving me crazy, and we both agree I need somewhere else to crash for a while. Your place is as good as any. Well, I for one am so glad we had this talk. I needed an argument. But my brain kept spitting out the same frantic and completely unhelpful thought—No.

I kicked the door, but what I really felt like doing was kicking myself around for an hour or two. I flung open the door and marched inside. I found Vee at our booth. I have to find her. I needed to sort this out before it got wildly out of hand. Putting feelers out. Nothing is set in stone. Besides, my mom had final say in this.

Marcie had her own family. She was short one parent, sure, but I was a living testament that family was about more than numbers. Buoyed by this line of thinking, I felt my breathing start to relax.

The lights dimmed and the lead singer for Serpentine grabbed the mic, pounding his head in a silent cadence. Taking the cue, the drummer hammered out an intro, and Scott and the other guitarist joined in, kicking off the show with a violent and angsty number.

The crowd went wild, head- banging and chanting the lyrics. I gave one last frustrated glance around for Marcie, then dropped it. The start of the show was my signal to meet Patch at the bar, and just like that, my heart was back to lurching in my chest. I made my way over to the bar and took the first bar stool I saw. I sat down a little too hard, losing my balance at the last second. My legs felt like they were made of rubber, and my fingers shook.

An electric-like current vibrated off him, alerting me that he was Nephilim. I shook my head. He always had that effect on me, but unlike usual, tonight the sizzling current made me sick with anxiety. It meant Patch had arrived, and I was out of time. I had to play this smart and factor in my safety, and that of those I loved most dearly.

Patch asked me in the privacy of our thoughts. I nodded. Just like we rehearsed, he spoke calmly to my mind. Whatever happens, I love you. I wanted to say more, those three words pitifully inadequate for the way I felt about him.

And at the same time, so simple and accurate, nothing else would do. No regrets, Angel. None, I returned solemnly. He leaned across the bar, resting his massive forearms on the slab of granite, and stared Patch down. The bartender stopped, eyes glittering with malice. This place is open to humans, too. I just stared at him, disgusted. A great man, rest his soul. My respects to your family. I flicked my eyes to Patch and frowned. His eyes lit up, impressed. Great guy. Everyone knows Dante.

What do you say we get out of here, sugar? Let me take you for a ride. He grabbed Patch by the collar, tearing him off me and sending him flying into the wall. Serpentine had worked up to a fever pitch, drowning out the scuffle, but those in the immediate vicinity parted, forming a semicircle of curious onlookers around the two men. Patch raised his hands level with his shoulders. He flashed a brief, intoxicated smile. The bouncer jerked his head at the doors. You understand?

My foot slipped. I squinted through the darkness, trying to match the rankling laugh to a face. Cowboy Hat. I shouted, unable to see whether he was still within hearing range as the crowd closed around me, filling in the empty spaces now that the fight was over. One of the Nephilim from the cabin. I waited, but there was no response. I tried again, using all the mental power I possessed. Vee appeared at my side.

Did you see any of it? See the guy just inside the doors, in the hick flannel shirt? I need you to find out his name. Flirt, steal his wallet, whatever it takes. A double date. You and your whack-job boyfriend, and me and Scott. Now hurry before we lose him in the crowd. I threaded my way through the crowd, ducking out the back door and jogging to the top of the alley.

I rounded the building, looking both ways for Patch. I cried out to the shadows. Where are you? Across the street. In the van. I looked across the street, and sure enough, there was a rusty brown Chevy van parked at the curb. The windows were tinted, shielding the inner cab from prying eyes. A thick beat of silence. Did he see the fight? Patch asked after a moment. What does he look like? Get him to leave the building.

If the others from the cabin are with him, get them out too. I want to talk to them. Coming from Patch it sounded ominous, but then again, they had it coming. Serpentine was still going strong, rocking out a ballad that had everyone riled up. I yelled. But it was useless.

I rose up on my tiptoes and looked for Vee. She was heading this way. Does this mean our double date is off? Pepper Friberg and. Dabria used to be an angel of death, and dated Patch before both were banished from heaven.

After deciding I was a threat to her plans to rekindle their relationship here on Earth, Dabria had tried to kill me. She was cool, blond, and sophisticated. Now a fallen angel, she made her living swindling victims on the false pretense of having the gift of foresight.

She was one of the most dangerous fallen angels I knew, and I had no doubt I was right at the top of her hate list. I held my breath for five seconds, but neither Pepper nor Dabria seemed to have noticed me. Pepper and Dabria talked a few minutes longer before Dabria turned on her heel and strolled away down the alley.

Pepper made an obscene gesture at her back. Was it just me, or did he look especially disgruntled? I waited until Pepper left too before I stepped out of the shadows. I found Vee at our booth and slid in beside her.

Vee blinked. Will that work? Not that I have anything against old-school. Then again, I was out of options. I also wanted to get the interrogation wrapped up quickly so I could tell Patch about Dabria and Pepper. I lost count of them at ten, with no sign to an end in their numbers. They moved so fast, I saw only blurs of motion. Among the fray, I stared helplessly as two Nephil boys sank to their knees, futilely resisting the fallen angels who stood over them, clearly demanding their oaths of fealty.

Same long, curly hair. She was also about my height and build. He studied her face and growled impatiently. His cold eyes scanned the crowd, and I got the feeling he was hunting for his next victim.

Trouble was, we were fighting at least a hundred other people to the doors. In a matter of seconds, the crowd had turned into a frantic mob, shoving and scrambling to reach an exit. Serpentine had stopped mid-song. There was no time to go back for Scott. Vee stayed on my heels, bumping me from behind so often, I had to wonder if she was trying to shield my body.

Little did she know, I would be trying to protect her if the fallen angels caught up to us. The temptation to turn back and fight ballooned suddenly inside me. Nephilim had rights. I had rights. They had no just cause to possess us. I wanted war, and I wanted freedom, so that I would never, ever have to bend on one knee and swear my body over to anyone else.

But how could I get what I wanted, and appease the archangels? At last Vee and I plunged into the cold night air. The crowd fled into the darkness both ways down the street. Without stopping to catch our breath, we raced toward the Neon. Greasers verses Socs? No hyperventilating. No hysterical hand gestures. No mention of necks snapping. You never read The Outsiders. Matt Dillon was hot before he got old. You were acting funny all night. And then, suddenly, you want to clear out the place.

I gotta tell you, babe. I need an explanation. I wanted to tell Vee the whole truth, but it was also vital to her safety that she believe the lies I was about to tell her. Most important, I wanted her to tell them, without any hesitation, that all my ties to Patch had been severed.

I intended to throw water on this fire before it raged out of hand. He said some stupid things, I refused to leave with him, and he got physical. What do you make of all this? She opened her mouth, saw my expression, and thought better of it. I was an awful friend. Patch said he knew him, and he was trouble.

Tot ks why I asked you to find out his name. I kept catching him watching me, and it made me nervous. What secrets? For all I knew, they were having a conversation right now. I wondered if Patch was asking questions or making threats. Probably both. Leaving a message seemed too risky. I hoped he still planned on coming over tonight.

I knew our messy confrontation had been staged, but I wanted the reassurance that nothing had changed. Tomorrow was Tuesday. Cheshvan began with the rise of the new moon. I awoke to the sound of floorboards creaking. My vision adjusted to the darkness, and I found myself staring at two rather large, muscled legs clad in white tracksuit bottoms.

What time is it? What day is it? Your butt better be outside in T-minus five minutes. A light wind stripped leaves off the trees and creaked their branches. I stretched my legs and jumped up and down to get the blood flowing. So I raced after him, looking for the occasional streak of white that alerted me to his presence.

Each and every time I heard his taunting chuckle of amusement, I jumped back on my feet, determined to shove him off a steep slope the first chance I got. There were plenty of ravines around; I just needed to get close enough to him to do the job.

At last Dante stopped, and by the time I caught up, he was stretched out on a large boulder with his hands clasped loosely behind his neck. I crawled onto the boulder and flopped next to him. Dante rose up on an elbow and smiled down at me. Dawn was just beginning to light the horizon, coloring the sky an icy pink.

Standing side by side on the boulder, we could see for miles. The evergreen trees, spruces and cedars, spread like a towering carpet in every direction, rolling over hills and into the basin of a deep ravine that cut through the scenery. But an hour from now. Other than making it slant slightly, it was a perfect specimen of a thriving tree. To say the tree had won was an understatement. And all the while, Dante had sat perched on his boulder, snorting, laughing, and hollering carping remarks.

Glad one of us found this entertaining. He sauntered over, a slight but very obnoxious smile tugging at his mouth.

He scratched his elbow. My palms were scraped raw, my knees were scuffed, my ankle was sprained, and every muscle in my body cried out in agony. And then I blew my nose in it.

Dante stepped back, palms raised. His expression softened. That was the point. Are you crazy? I have school today. I have a test to study for! And I thought I was giving it up for something worthwhile, but now I find out this was all just to make a point? The first edition of the novel was published in October 19th , and was written by Becca Fitzpatrick. The book was published in multiple languages including English, consists of pages and is available in Hardcover format. The main characters of this young adult, paranormal story are Nora Grey, Patch Cipriano.

Please note that the tricks or techniques listed in this pdf are either fictional or claimed to work by its creator. We do not guarantee that these techniques will work for you. Some of the techniques listed in Crescendo may require a sound knowledge of Hypnosis, users are advised to either leave those sections or must have a basic understanding of the subject before practicing them.

DMCA and Copyright : The book is not hosted on our servers, to remove the file please contact the source url. If you see a Google Drive link instead of source url, means that the file witch you will get after approval is just a summary of original book or the file has been already removed.

Hebrew Transliteration: Eshet chayil mee yimtza Verachok mi'pninim michra Batach ba lev baala Veshalal lo yechsar. Gemelat'hu tov velo ra, Kol yemay chayeha Darsha tzemer ufishtim, Vatas bechefetz kapeha.

Eishes Chayil. Showing all works by author.