Where Angels Go to Die (Book One of The Silver Society) OLD EDITION!

Chapter Seven

CHAPTER SEVEN

Jade could hardly believe what had happened the day before.  To her own surprise, however, it did not make her pack up and leave Salem. She had taken Beth home, and then found a place to spend the night again. If this one was haunted, it was quiet about it. She had fallen asleep with Bastet curled up on her stomach. Now, she was standing outside of Beth's house. She had decided to make sure that Beth made it to school without a problem.

     "Morning," Beth greeted her. She did not seem at all surprised to see Jade standing before her. "Did you eat?"

     "Yeah," Jade lied.

     "You did not. Here, take this," Beth said, and she handed her a plain bagel with cream cheese.

     "How did you know I didn't eat?"

     "I can feel how hungry you are. Eat. We have time."

     Jade gratefully consumed the bagel before she and Beth began walking toward Bishop High School. "Thanks," she said.

     "It's the least I can do for my bodyguard. I never thought I'd need one, but it's kind of nice to have one. You want to come over tonight? My mom's making meatloaf."

     "I can't. I don't want to intrude."

     "My parents wouldn't mind."

     "Look, Beth, parents don't like me," Jade said bluntly.

     "Well, I like you, so they'll deal."

     "You don't strike me as being especially rebellious."

     "I'm not, but I don't let my parents tell me who I may and may not be friends with."

     "I still don't understand why you're so determined to be my friend."

     "You seem lonely, and you saved my butt more than once already."

     "I don't get lonely."

     "Sell that to someone who can't feel your emotions. You feel all alone in the world, but you're not, Jade. You have me now."

     Jade sighed. "I guess it couldn't hurt to have a friend." Bastet meowed. "Another friend, I mean. Sorry, Bastet."

     "Aw, don't be jealous, Bastet. I know you're Jade's best friend and I'll have to settle for second place," Beth said with a grin. She scratched Bastet behind her ears and the kitten purred contently.

     "I'll pick you up after school. If there's a problem before then... I'll know. I feel it."

     "Okay, cool. Thanks, Jade. It makes me feel a lot safer to have you around."

     "No problem. I might as well do something while I'm here."

     Jade left Beth at Bishop High before setting off on her own. This time, her peaceful mood was short-lived however, because a police car pulled over next to her.

     "Jade Collins?" One of the officers asked.

     Jade didn't stop to think. She ran as fast as her legs would carry her. She didn't know where she was going, but that didn't matter. She ran until her legs felt as if they would fall off and she couldn't breathe. She didn't stop running until she bumped into a tall man with short brown hair and large brown eyes who gently touched her shoulder. He was wearing casual clothing, but Jade knew immediately that he was a cop.

     "Don't be scared, Jade," the man said. "You're not in trouble. We just want to ask you a couple of questions concerning a double homicide that took place a few days ago."