Demon Fire (The Angel Fire Book 3), Marie Johnston [books suggested by bill gates TXT] 📗

story humans loved. Her hat flopped over her head, her pants pooled at the tops of her boots, and the sleeves of Boone’s extra parka bunched around her elbows where she’d shoved them up.

“I look ridiculous.” She laughed. Joy spread through her and for once there was no dark cloud hovering over her head. It didn’t matter if anyone discovered her secret. It didn’t matter anymore. No, that wasn’t true. Her secret was a doozy, something her kind thought was impossible, and her father had kept the secret since her birth. But Sierra didn’t matter to Numen and that gave her unexpected freedom.

Boone’s lips twitched, but he tucked his head down and went to the door. He opened it for her. Did he mean to be a gentleman or was it so ingrained in him that he did it without thinking? He’d done the same when she’d gotten in the vehicle.

A bell dinged as she stepped in. A faint, musty smell wound around her. This building was older and had a basement. Without thinking, she cataloged the exits. Two main-floor doors, the one behind her and one straight through the store, and probably an office window in the back. There were two shoppers and an older woman behind the counter.

Her muscles eased and she turned her attention to the gear hanging on racks. The woman skirted the counter. “Boone, is that correct?”

He gave the woman the closest thing to a smile that Sierra had seen yet. “Yes, ma’am.”

His rumble wound its way through her. He should talk more. She could bottle it up and sell it and wouldn’t have to worry about money for the rest of her long life on Earth.

Her stomach roiled. She hadn’t thought of that. Jameson had fallen decades ago and he hadn’t aged. She faced eternity blending in as a human. Her stomach threatened to heave again. She wished it’d quit doing that. She’d never been this skittish in her old life.

She’d faced and killed demons. She shouldn’t get nervous at the thought of renting an apartment.

Her gaze landed on Boone. He tipped his head toward a rack of coats in various shades of blues, pinks, and some purples. Women’s coats. Somehow she’d repay him. Instead of running and hiding, she’d earn her way through this world. But it started with accepting his charity.

Boone chatted with the woman, talking about weather and local events like sledding days and the kids’ show at the local dance school. The whole town turns out. Would he go?

Would she?

Being out in the world piled on more and more questions about how she’d live. One day at a time. One outfit at a time. She was fortunate enough to have help. She’d earn it and go from there.

She found a coat right away, discreetly peeking at the price tag. A deep gray ZeroXposur jacket that was on clearance. She shrugged out of Boone’s coat and took the new one off the hanger. The whole ordeal shouldn’t have upset her healed torso, but her chest was tender. Those exercises must really be working.

The store had a matching pair of snow pants, also on clearance. She didn’t try those on. The two other shoppers found what they wanted and left, the door dinging on their way out. Sierra found a discounted hat and gloves. Boots were just as easy to find. Apparently, last season’s fashions weren’t as desirable even in the middle of the mountains.

Sierra took her stack to the counter. “Thank you.”

The woman accepted her pile, but Boone scowled at the load. His gaze went to the rack full of coats with blues and reds and purples. “Don’t you want something less . . . plain?”

In Numen, angels wore pristine white robes. The realm was as bright as the souls of its inhabitants. It was rumored that in Daemon, the realm was smoky, dark, and their chosen color clotted blood. Black snow gear was more fitting for someone like her.

“These are fine,” she said. The woman appraised her, her gaze going from the rack of clothes and back to her floppy coat. Sierra pressed her lips into a smile she hoped didn’t look like a grimace. “Boone’s kind enough to replace everything I’ve lost.” She didn’t say how, and Boone didn’t add to her story.

The woman’s face softened. Curiosity lit behind her eyes, but she didn’t ask probing questions. Sierra’s gaze flicked to Boone. He watched her under hooded eyelids. She’d been as truthful as she could with him. He wanted to know more but kept it to himself.

As long as he didn’t insist, she could get through this.

The woman folded the coat, then the pants. She gestured to a rack close to a closet door that must be a fitting room. “I have some women’s clothing, but it’s more along the lines of long johns and warm clothing for under snow gear.”

“I was hoping you’d help us order some.” Boone leaned one arm on the counter, half turned in. It was a small-town gesture if Sierra ever saw one. His body vibrated with tension, but it wasn’t due to any perceived threat. She’d bet he knew where every exit was and exactly who else was in the store.

Former law enforcement?

Like him, she was burning with questions. But things worked best between them when they didn’t ask.

“I sure can.” The woman’s name tag read Bea. She pushed her wire frames farther up her nose and turned her kind gaze toward Sierra. “But seeing as you need something sooner rather than later, I can point you toward the new department store.”

Boone’s brows lifted. “I saw it going up. It’s open already?”

“Just in time for the holidays. Nice addition, even if it does stick out like a box with fluorescent lights on the edge of our cute town. But they have a small selection.”

Boone took a moment to think it over, then nodded. He caught Sierra’s gaze. “Want to choose a few more things and then we’ll head over?”

I’ll pay him back.

She was tired of saying