Silver Mortal (The Gracen Chronicles) by Jenna Kay Page B

onto the table top. “And how do you propose we do that?”
    “We need your protection, Gracen, and you are the only one that can do it.” He pauses, dropping his hands into his lap. “They have soldiers out there looking for us, and their orders are to terminate.”
    Unnerved, not knowing what to say, I stare at him. My mind continues to run the conversation over and over, in the end none of it making any sense. He's not lying to me—my discerning powers tell me that much. Every word he has spoken is the truth. He did, indeed, need help, but why come to me? What possessed him to search my mother and I out for protection? Well, yeah, my mother and I are the closest Silver Mortals around, but why did he think we could help them?
    For a moment I feel compassion toward him, but it doesn't last. Images of Mark being beat up the night before flash in my mind, giving way to anger. My life could only be described as a wreck, floating in a pool of constant turmoil, and it would never be normal. Ever.
    In simpler words, I have enough on my plate to deal with; I have no more room for anyone or anything else. Period.
    “Phoenix, I've heard enough. Your story is very touching, but my mother and I have enough to worry about. Our job as Silver Mortals is to protect the Untouched on this planet and send demons back to Hell. Nothing in our job description states that we are to protect runaway Vipers.” I stand up and pull my jacket on, eager to get away from him and this whole situation. “It's been fun, and I wish you the best of luck, but I'm not the answer to your problems.”
    “But Gracen...” he pleads, also getting to his feet.
    “And a word of advice,” I tell him hastily. “If you're trying to hide from darkness it's best that you and your gang of rebels stay off the radar. You can start by not enrolling in public school.” I turn around to walk away, but he grabs my arm and halts my steps.
    “Please, Gracen. We need your help.” His dark eyes pierce through me, sending shudders down my spine. He looks so sad, so pitiful, like a lost puppy dog. His feelings flow into me, feelings of desperation and apprehension, but I'm too stubborn to be swayed.
    Pushing his hand off my arm, I send him an icy glare. “Like I said—I'm not your answer.”
    Once out of Tony's I breathe in the fresh air and head back to school, leaving behind Phoenix and the talk we'd just shared. Lunchtime had already started, leaving me with yet another problem...
    What to tell Bets about the date, knowing the subject had been formulating questions in her one-track mind. I laugh to myself, thinking she's probably waiting for me outside the door of the cafeteria. My thinking had been right, because as I make my way down the hall she sees me and her face brightens up. Running up to me she slings an arm around my shoulder.
    “Where have you been?” she inquires sternly. “I've been looking all over for you!”
    Grinning and ignoring the whispers being thrown in our direction I reply, “Yeah, sorry about that. I had to run home and get my homework.”
    She chuckles, her black-studded nose ring gleaming under the florescent lights. “Very typical of you. Why, I bet you'd lose your own head if it wasn't attached to your neck!”
    I smile. “You're probably right.”
    “Well, since you're back you can tell Dr. Bets what the crap happened between you and hottie Mark. Maybe together we can figure out what the hell you did wrong.”
    Sighing loudly, I tell her the most believable story I can muster, one that will keep her from finding out the truth. Surprisingly it isn't that hard to conceive and she believes every word, though I'm not sure it's because of my professional lying skills. As soon as my story is out of my mouth she starts talking about how good her new boyfriend is in the sack. So much for her keeping things to herself.
    The rest of the day I try my hardest to concentrate on my subjects, but it's an unreachable goal. The talk between