Dark Angel (Anak Trilogy) by Sherry Fortner

born. I guess you could equate the mood that enveloped me to that of an expectant mother who knows her time is near and starts cleaning and preparing for her babe to be born. I was the same way. I was consumed with preparing a place for you both here and at the lake house. I haven’t worked on either since the day you were born.”
    “The day I was born?” I echoed questioningly.
    “Yes, once you were born, I have done nothing but protect you.”
    “Protect me?” I asked again dazed.
    “Yes, the Dark Ones have hunted you from the day of your birth,” Zell answered darkly.
    “How is it that I have never seen you before?”                  
    “Oh, but you h ave Annie,” Zell replied taking
    my face in hi s large hands.
    “I don’t remember ever seeing you before your first day at school. However, I think I have dreamed of you,” I whispered still staring past Zell at the cottage.
    “Come, I want to show you inside.” Zell put his arm around me deciding not to comment on my last remark.
    Reluctantly, I went with him through a massive solid wood door. Of course, it would have to be massive for Zell to fit through.
    “I couldn’t wait any longer to show you our special place.”
    “Wait a minute, Zell. There is no ‘our.’ I have a boyfriend.”
    “P shttt.” Zell sputtered and waved his hand as if dismissing the thought.
    “As I was saying,”
    “Zell, I hate to interrupt you, but it is getting late. I have to get home.”
    “Why, tomorrow is Saturday?”
    “My dad will be worried.”
    “No, he won’t. I’ve already called him.”
    “What do you mean you’ve already called him?”
    “I called him and told him you were staying at a friend’s house tonight.”
    “What friend?” I asked.
    “Your new friend, Starr.”
    “Wait a minute. My dad has never met you. Why would he believe anything you say?”
    “I didn’t say anything. You did.”
    “I did?”
    “Yes, you.”
    “I am totally confused.”
    “Well, I must admit. I did sound like you when I called.”
    “Zell, what did you do?”
    Zell shrugged his shoulders and smiled mischievously.
    “Promise you won’t be mad?” Zell asked.
    “No, I don’t promise anything. ”
    “You have to promise, or I won’t tell you.”
    “Zell!” I yelled, “Spit it out!”
    “Promise me.”
    “No!” I stated emphatically.
    “You’re just going to have to trust me then when I say that your father is not expecting you,” Zell said coolly m oving over to an expansive sofa and sitting down.
    “Zell, take me home now.”
    “No can do,” Zell stretched out resting his massive arms on the back of the sofa.
    “OK, I promise,” I gave up the fight raising my hands in defeat.
    “Oh, Annie, you gave up too easily,” Zell laughed out loud.
    I gave him a dark look. He laughed easily.
    “Fine, fine, but remember you promised you won’t be mad. Remember the day in class when I wrote your report in your handwriting?”
    “Of course, I remember,” I retorted not smiling and not knowing where this was going.
    “I have this gift of being a perfect mimic. Possibly it’s an angelic gift, but perhaps not. I don’t know. I just know that I am an extraordinary mimic. When I called your dad this afternoon, I used your voice while you were still asleep. I couldn’t take you home in that condition. I honestly didn’t know how long it would take you to recover. I didn’t want your dad to worry, or for you to get in trouble. I know it wasn’t right, but it was the only solution that I could think of. This is all different for me too. I have rarely used that particular gift on anyone,” Zell explained acting embarrassed that he had kissed me on the cheek at school and caused this whole dilemma.  “I was trying to protect you. I pretended to be you and asked him if you could stay over at a new friend’s house tonight named Starr. Your dad trusts you completely. He never hesitated to say yes. You have nothing to fear from me. I