Susan Ee

When a man in purple and screaming pink stares at you, you know it's time to change your appearance.

They always always understimate women

Who will guard us against the guardians?

So that__ your sister?_ asks Dee in a quiet voice.__eah.___he one you risked your life for?___eah.__he twins nod politely in that automatic way that people do when they don__ want to say something insulting.__our family any better?_ I ask.Dee and Dum look at each other, assessing.__ah,_ says Dee.__ot really,_ says Dum at the same time.

My mother hasn__ asked the questions that a normal person would ask, and I__ grateful for it. It__ like the world has become so crazy that it makes sense to her now. I turn on the engine and drive us out. __hanks, Mom. For coming to rescue me._ My voice comes out reedy and a little wobbly. I clear my throat. __ot every mom would do that in a world like this.

He is the one pocket of warmth in a sea of ice.

The feedback from the speakers changes and begins blasting death metal music so loudly into the sky that I swear the bridge suspensions are vibrating.The twins were in charge of the music selection.I catch sight of them on the side of the bridge, each with an arm raised, holding up their forefingers and pinkies in a devil sign, head-banging to the beat. They__e mouthing the words to the garbled voice screaming over the intense electric guitar and drums blasting out of the speakers. They might look pretty badass if it weren__ for their hobo clown outfits.It__ the loudest party the Bay Area has ever heard.

His pupils dilate when he sees me. His lips part as he momentarily forgets to marshal his expression, and I could swear he stops breathing for several heartbeats.

Was that you, Pooky Bear?

I__ fine, Mom. Thanks for asking._...__f course you__e fine._ She keeps walking. __ou__e the devil__ bride and these are his creatures._...____ not the devil__ bride._ __e carried you out of the fire and is letting you visit us from the dead. Who else would have those privileges except his bride?

In the long second before everyone absorbs what just happened, I see the angel rolling his eyes heavenward, like a teenager in the presence of overwhelming lameness. Some people just have no sense of gratitude.

I look up to say something but he puts his finger to my lips and whispers, __on__ talk. You__l just spoil my fantasy of rescuing an innocent damsel in distress as soon as you open your mouth.

Sometimes, as we're stumbling along in the dark, we hit something good.

If the only one who can kill an angel can__ do it, then who can?_ It__ a good question, one that takes me a minute to come up with an answer. __badiah West can. Him and his freedom fighters. I__ just a teenager.___istory is filled with teenagers who lead the fight. Joan of Arc. Okita Soji, the samurai. Alexander the Great. They were all teenagers when they began leading their armies. I think we__e back to those times again, kid.

I'll be sure not to let anyone but you carry me in her arms." He turns and leaves the kitchen before I can figure out what to make of his comment. A sense of humor is one more thing I don't think angels should have. The fact that his sense of humor is corny makes it even more wrong.

Big words from a guy who's trussed up like a turkey. What are you going to do, wobble over here like an upside- down turtle to snap me in half?""The logistics of breaking you are easy. The only question is when.

Of course she__ right. How bad are things when your clinically insane mother is more rational than you are?

Raffe arches his brow at me. __ou should be with a nice human boy. One who takes your orders and puts up with your demands. Someone who dedicates his life to keeping you safe and well fed. Someone who can make you happy. Someone you can be proud of._ He waves his hand at the Watchers. __here__ nobody like that in this lot._ I glare at him. ____l be sure to pass him by you first before I___ settle for__ __hoose him._ __ou do that. I__l let him know what__ expected of him._ __ssuming he survives your interrogation,_ says Howler. __ig assumption,_ says Cyclone. ____ like to be there to watch,_ says Hawk. __hould be interesting.