Turning his head back to me he smiled a wicked smile that was not lovely in the least as he paused our stiff walk.
“You’re such an idiot, but what can one expect from a Skyjump.” He said, his lips curling over the word Skyjump.
My brow shifted and I felt as if someone had hit me upside the head.
“How… how do you know?” I asked almost shaking.
He grinned again, making me feel unsafe and suddenly the glare I had once felt reverberated through my whole body. Feeling stiff, yet with no words, he pulled me into a walk and I pulled against him, suddenly feeling fear rise within me.
“How do you know!” I asked yanking my arm this way and that, I felt my wrist ache beneath his tight grasp.
Somehow, again the sensation felt familiar beyond even when he had held me last night.
Finally, as we neared the shifting wall of the atrium, he stopped and pulled on my wrist to make me move almost close enough to see the deep crimson that mixed in his eyes as they glowed faintly.
“You SkyJump’s are all the same, thinking you are so intelligent when we, the Earthen Brethren are higher in all forums of grandeur than you pathetic weaklings.” He said with spit nearly catching on my cheeks.
My body was held broken. I stood bracing away from him, How could Keten, the boy I thought was so different from any other boy I met be, be…
“Yes, you stupid girl, I’m a Brethren of Earth and you were dumb enough to let me see your true identity at every turn.” He mocked with glee.
My lips quivered and my whole body felt stiff as my lungs could not expand against the blow I felt.
How, in all the world, was Keten one of the people I needed to watch out for? I cried within myself, lying was one thing but this was as if I felt a fatal blow by a sword or bullet as it tore through my heart.
Keten, surmised by the fear and betrayal that glimmered in my eyes. I looked at him, he could gloat just a moment longer as I could not find anything within me to speak or act.
“You practically asked to be caught,” Keten scoffed glaring back at me. “The first time I watched you Skyjump alone with those fools I thought it was strange and then when you came and took a picture of the atrium I thought you might just be dense.” He said and seemed to enjoy the pale hue that fell over me.
“You honestly thought that beating Delphine wasn’t a hint. The best yet, your moment running free in the atrium and then hiding like a fool in that maze?” He said and my eyes widened as all my tiny choices now seemed to hang before my eyes like each fiber in my noose.
He enjoyed the fear and the soft shutter that crossed over me.
“No...” I said softly as if it could change any of it.
He laughed darkly and yanked at my wrist so I nearly fell into him.
“Yes, Equila, accept it all and know that you will be the start of ruin for the coming rise.” He said like a lunatic as he moved his face close to mine.
Frightened, I pulled against him, he held me fast. I moved my free arm back from him and as he pulled at me, holding me close to him I realized I knew how to fight!
Swinging my free arm with all my might Keten noticed my move but was too slow to stop it as I rammed my fist into his cheek close to his ear, he growled at my move. I was about to try and scratch my hand out of his grasp when something cut into my arm and I yelped in pain.
Letting go of his hand and trying to move away from the pain, I suddenly realized that a blade was stuck in my arm and still sinking deeper.
“Try that, or anything else, again and this will land in your chest, you useless Skyjump.” He said as he pried the curved copper blade from my arm.
Wincing as he did through tears, I looked to find blood dripping down my arm. He pulled up on my wrist again and brought me to a stand as my legs wobbled beneath me though his grip held me tunt.
“Come on, we can continue your demise on the way.” He said and with a sharp pull I was started into a walk that made both my arms hurt.
Looking to him as we came to the wall out of the atrium, my mind faulted as to where he could be taking me. I knew anywhere would not be good as blood slipped over my fingers and my hand started to go numb in his grasp.
Something stopped me as he started to walk through the wall before us. He motioned for me to follow-him, his cheek I hat was not bleeding but seemed to crack like dry ground in the desert.
“What are you doing, get out or your wrist is next.” He threatened and with a shove we came out into the hall.
My pulse quickened as he came through. I looked down the hall to see Alissa and Zac just coming around the corner. Fear struck me as to what he would do if they got involved. My mind raced as I moved toward the hall that lead to the front of La’ket.
“Where are you taking me!” I yelled, shaking my wrist and trying to get away.
His back was to Alissa and Zac who froze at my voice and looked up just in time to see a blade cross my cheek.
“Ahh!” I cried and turned my face away too late.
Keten brought me closer to himself with a harsh pull that made my wrist pop and pain hold along my arm.
“I told you, one move and now it’s your throat!” He seethed, his tone was lower than my yell as I sagged below his eye level with the cut on my cheek. “Do it again and I’ll slit you piece by piece until we are out those front doors.” He promised with his cheek close enough I could now see that it was indeed not just cracking but pulling away from his face to reveal skin!
“What are you?” I asked horrified as I looked to his cheek.
Suddenly noticing I was not just meaning how he acted as a smile draped his lips and moving his blade holding hand to his cheek, he pulled at his temple making my stomach turn when suddenly his skin peeled back.
Shuddering as it fell to the ground, I knew at our side stance that Alissa and Zac had to see it as it dropped to the ground and my stomach’s contents, though little, almost going with it as I watched it fall. When a gulp held my stomach in place I looked back up to Keten…
“JACK!” I gasped, looking at the face that was now where Keten’s had been.
I did not know what to think or do as his real voice and face leered in close to mine, though his hair stayed the same as Keten’s which looked even stranger on him.
“Thought I was gone, did you?” He laughed evilly.
Stunned, I had no idea what to think but as I glanced at the side of his shoulder I caught sight of Alissa covering her mouth as Zac pulled her into a run going, I prayed, to find help.
“Absolutely gullible.” Jack sneered as he pulled my arm and started me into a shifting and scuffing walk as my arm and cheek bled.
Looking back to him as he started me moving faster, suddenly realizing a fact that until this moment I had not considered.
“Where’s the real Keten?” I asked, my voice drawn and worn as some light of hope rose within me.
We came to the turn back to the main hall that lead to the front doors as Jack looked around the corner and then glanced to me with a vicious grin.
“Oh, your boyfriend is long gone.” He said and the way he spoke and the brutality he had showed made my heart die all over again.
He started us moving again, “but I wouldn’t worry about him. The moment we catch up with your father you can add him to the list of people you’ve brought into all this.” He said ruthlessly and again, I felt sick.
“How could you!” I said, thrashing against him as we neared the open hall that would easily lead to the front doors where in not too soon I would be taken out.
Jack laughed cruelly,
“Your kiss was pathetic by the way.” He said, not even answering me as suddenly I realized I had kissed him!
All the revolt that was within me jumped in my throat and I gagged thinking I had kissed this horrid boy instead of Keten. Just the name made me wish I had kept my father’s stupid rules that were no longer stupid.
Pulling me harshly as I fought against his restraint I thought of bot
h my father and Keten as we entered the hall. Jack turned the blade on me and pointed it at my neck.
“Try one more…”
“Put the blade down!” The voice was so unexpected both our heads swiveled to find the principal with Jean on one side and Delphine on the other.
My heart beat again and I started to smile when suddenly Jack shifted his stance and the knife came to my throat as it’s hue glistened off the lightly glowing floor.
“Come one step closer and I swear this SkyJump’s blood will be on your heads!” He yelled at them and I saw the look of bewilderment cross all three of the adult’s eyes as they realized I was a Skyjump.
The principal stepped only half a pace forward holding out his hands as I felt Jack push the blade into my neck. His hand quivered lightly as the blade threatened to draw blood.
“Jack you don’t need to do this.” principal Septum stated and never before did I feel so used and useless as in this moment.
Jack, I could feel behind me and leaned slightly to my right side with my arm still pinned behind me.
“Yes, I do.” He said sneering. “This girl is a Skyjump walking among us, trying to be the nobility they think they are.” He growled.
Jean stepped forward this time and I could see the fear for me that crossed her features.
“Why, Jack? Why do you feel so threatened by her?” She asked simply as Delphine gauged the situation.
He shifted and was about to speak when running made all but the principal turn. I looked past the adults to see a sight that made my heart leap! Zac, Alissa and a very worried Keten rushed down the hall to us, but the closer he got, the darker his eyes became as he looked behind me to Jack.
“Quil!” Keten said as he nearly ran though the group of adults and a good part of me wanted him to do so, but Jean grabbed at him and held him back as Alissa and Zac slowed with worry in their eyes.
The blade to my neck tightened its grip as I felt it draw blood. I bit my lips and closed my eyes as pain stung my neck, making the group halt.
“Don’t try any magic or her blood spills.” He threatened as he leaned at my side to look at them and even from the corner of my eye I could see his lips curl. “Because I’m an Earthen Brethren and we will have blood for our time spent away!” He said and suddenly something came to my mind like a torch in a dungeon.
“The height is easy. The climb is hard, the thought is consuming. The jump; is soul.”
My mind sparked as he was about to continue his rant, he leaned at my side, with the group fixed before me, I looked to Keten who looked enraged, yet seeing him made the height of what I was about to do look easy.
“The…” his words were cut as I thrust back at him, knocking him off balance.
The group gasped as I moved seemingly faster than I thought I could. Taking the climb of moving my weak, bleeding arm to elbowing Jack’s hand that held the blade away from coming at me as he yowled.
I had one moment to jump away from him as my mind was consumed seeing the blade starting to come for me, he wanted to end me.
Closing my eyes, I jumped away from him and with a shock of movement some burst of magic passed me as I slid to the grey walls and my shoulder slammed into them. For a good ten seconds, my mind pushed out the sound of the principal rushing after Jack as he escaped through the front doors and the ground shook below us.
My mind froze in that moment when the sound of the principal yelling made me look up as he held Jack from moving and had caught him right as he was about to get away. Delphine and Jean rushed to neutralize him.
Hands gripped at me and fumbling, I came up to find the faces of Zac, Alissa and Keten, all looking at me as suddenly my hearing came back as well as my mind and with a tear brimming smile I brought all three of them into a hug.
“Oh, Quil!” Alissa said and her eyes were filled with tears as we all pulled back.
I smiled at my friends one by one but when I came to Keten I let go of Alissa’s arm and rushed at him alone and threw my arms around his neck even if I could barely reach that far, he caught me and encircled me with his embrace.
“I thought you were dead!” I cried as I put my face to his shoulder and clung only tighter to him, taking in every ounce of this moment.
Pulling back from him, we looked to each other as Alissa grinned delightedly at my side with Zac simply rolling his eyes at her.
Keten wiped my cheek gently and looked to me with the kindest slant to his eyes and cheeks that made my heart numb.
“Don’t worry about that right now. I’m just glad you’re safe!” He said, making his dimple show, I could do nothing but rush back into his arms.
Even if my bleeding arm throbbed, the feeling as he hugged me tight against him made all the fear that had been dwelling within me fade. Needing no words for the impact of the moment to become imprinted on my heart.
Chapter 28
“In conclusion...”
Looking at myself in the mirror, I tilted my head, seeing the receding line of the dagger mark on my cheek.
“Keten said come however I want for a night to make up for the weeks he was gone.” I said to myself as I kept my hair down and envisioned what our outing tonight might be.
Maybe he arranged for the cafeteria, by some stretch of the imagination, to be cleared out for a dinner all to ourselves. Smiling, I knew he was crazy enough and kind enough to do something like it.
Walking from my tiny bathroom into my room, I let out a deep breath as I stood in my casual but slightly more elegant dark grey dress. I had added leggings to make it feel less dressed up considering Keten had been vague on details save I should come as myself.
Turning to my window, the moon rose on the horizon. Standing firm and tall, my heart held within me. It was nearly a week since Jack had dragged me from the atrium, yet for me it felt like I had been waltzing into his trap much longer than that moment once I realized he was not my Keten.
Shifting in my slipper-like shoes I glared out the window with a sigh as my heart still held a worry. After being detained by the principal and Delphine, Jack was put in a locked room to await authorities from Zeppelin arriving later that day who took him. Yet only an hour from the school, he jumped out of the vehicle and the officers lost him after the ground they walked on started to shake asunder...
Taking a deep breath, I had not known how serious I needed to take the Earthen Brethren until being held at knife point. They had always felt like they were behind us with my dad, but until that morning Jack dragged me from the atrium and I felt a blade in my arm and at my neck, I don’t think my mind had understood the danger.
Moving my arms to fold them before me as I thought over these details that still haunted me, a shot of pain arched through my arm and glancing over at the stitches, my lips parted into a smile.
After hugging Keten for enough time that Alissa finally coughed loudly, we came away from one another. Keten took in the severity of my bleeding arm and rushed me off to the medical room as if I was shot through the heart and had moments to live.
Zac had joked as I got stitches in my arm that the only thing Keten didn’t do was pick me up like a hero in a fairy tale and carry me in his arms. We all laughed at the thought, though I did feel slightly dizzy and light headed, I now figured it was from the gravity of everything that happened.
My father was surprisingly calm when I learned from Jean and the principal that they had a number for him that he left in case of extreme emergencies. Considering until that day I had no idea he had a glass phone I was amazed when he picked it up. Though explaining being taken at knife point by a guy you knew, who actually wasn’t that guy and that you were now okay was, shall we say, interesting?
Considering my father was silent for some amount of time until I quickly moved past being stabbed in the arm and cut on the cheek, he took it quite well for over the phone. I knew when it came down to it that when we saw each other again he would not be so calm.
He did get quite upset about the rules of h
is I had broken which, he had the right to. I no longer felt my dumb slip-ups were really that simple and after reviewing what happened I knew the shadow I saw just out of eye sight a few times was Jack before he used the lizard flesh to make me think Keten was a sham.
Even now, walking to pick up my bag and glancing at the picture of Keten and my Dad on my bulletin board, it amazed me when we found out where Keten had been.
The moment Zac and Alissa came to the principal and Jean, she sent them to Keten’s room with a crystal to gain access. Jean told me she had been wary of Keten for the past weeks and when she saw me at the formal, concerned and pale, it was only logical to check while the adults came to my rescue.
Upon going to his room, Alissa took the bathroom while Zac looked around the room for any clue. Alissa opened the door to the bathroom and found Keten tied up to the door with Mage wire that would not let him use his powers to get free.
Thinking now, of how Keten, over the past week told us of how he got food by giving information of how to seem genuine to people-who thought Jack was Keten-made him sick. After nearly a week, he knew it would be better to give some real and fake truths and said he told Jack that staying away from me was a good idea after a kiss, at this, he had smiled at me and said, “I knew you might start doubting the fake me and hoped you wouldn’t hate me because of it.” His dimple showed as he told us that at lunch, which made me feel better about it all as worry about if my friend was a liar was now erased from the picture.
Looking up at my clock, my eyes widened and I moved my hand from rubbing my bracelet as I turned on my heels rushing to the door, I was going to be late!
Leaving my room, I glanced at Lucy’s door. Ever since last week when my eyes were opened to Earthen Brethren being around me I was now, as sure as ever, Lucy was one, considering how close Jack was to her. The fact that the fake Keten had been talking with her now made sense.
Sky Jump Page 36
