by Tara Lain
Jazz leaned forward and rested his elbows on the coffee table. He glanced up at BeBop, then back at his hands.
BeBop gave a loud sigh. “You’re going back into Arcantaria, aren’t you?”
Carla’s head snapped around. “What? No!”
“I’ve got to.” He picked up a napkin and ripped it in half. “Hell, the gods gave me a way in, you guys. I can’t not go. They could change the spell to get in at any time. They may have changed it already. I’ve got to at least give it a try.”
Carla shook her head. “Not alone. Not without me.”
“I can’t take you with me, fam. I can’t take any of you. Arcantaria’s for mages, and it probably won’t even let a nonmage in. I can’t take that chance. I’ve got to go alone.”
“What if they see you? Catch you?”
“Have to risk it. Besides—” He glanced at Carla. He’d never exactly detailed any of his powers to the society. It was embarrassing. “I remembered when I was following that woman, mage, in Washington Square Park that I know how to turn invisible.”
Fatima’s eyes got bigger. “You do?”
“Uh, yeah. I only ever tried it once before, but I remembered how. I thought maybe I’d only be invisible to humans, but she looked at me and didn’t even blink. She saw right through me—and I mean literally. So my invisibility may not work on every wizard, but it worked on one. I can try it once I get inside.”
Carla scowled. “I hate this.”
Khadija spoke in the soft way that seemed to reverberate. “It’s very frightening, Carla, I agree. However, I’m afraid this issue has grown bigger than Dash being lonely and us being worried about him. I’m afraid there’s something threatening underway that might affect many more than the Superordinary Society.”
Carla and Dij stared at each other and then looked at Fatima. Female intuition bounced off the walls. All of the girls looked scared. Then Carla said in that Carla way, “Right. So the first damn thing we need to do is go pry some data out of this Odan dude.”
BeBop nodded. “Total truth. Because we don’t know if he’s here to recruit us—”
Jazz finished his sentence. “—or kill us.”
JAZZ LEANED on the island in the open kitchen and stared at Carla, who stood at the door of their apartment. She nodded, a muscle in her jaw jumped, then she plastered on a smile so thick it should have been served on ice cream and opened the door. “Hello there. You must be Odan. I’m Carla. Please come in.”
The tall, breathtaking guy walked into the apartment dressed in tight black jeans, a white sweater that set off his golden complexion, and carrying a bottle of wine. “I’m so happy to meet Jazz’s roommate. I know he was looking forward to your arrival.” He flashed a smile that could launch at least a thousand ships, and Carla, bless her, gave him equal and opposite wattage.
“That makes two of us.”
He handed her the wine, then turned the charm on Jazz. “I’m so happy to see you again.”
Jazz exited the kitchen and shook Odan’s hand, being careful to shield his own power down to as close to normal human as he could manage. Might as well confuse Odan. It must have worked because when they first touched, Odan was definitely dampening his energy signature, but when he couldn’t feel Jazz, he slipped. A solid trickle of power filtered through, suggesting that Odan was a mage of high-moderate skills. Not a real leader, but someone it would be good to have in your army—or as your spy. “Make yourself at home. Would you like some of your wine?” He grinned.
Odan laughed. “That’d be great.”
Carla handed Jazz the bottle and sat across from Odan while Jazz popped the cork on the nice red wine and poured one glass. In two other glasses, he added ice and cola for him and Carla. He gave the glass to Odan, then handed the frosty soft drink to Carla. Odan looked surprised.
Carla smiled and fluttered her lashes a little, which almost made Jazz laugh. She said, “We’re technically not old enough to drink.”
“You’re kidding?” Odan looked at Jazz.
Jazz sipped his cola as he sat in the other comfortable chair. “Nope. We’re babies, but we also like cola best.”
Odan shook his head. “I had no idea.”
Carla raised her glass. “We’re very exceptional babies.”
“You must be.”
Jazz cocked his head. “Oh? Why?”
“Oh, uh, I mean here are the two of you in your own apartment, living on your own. These days when most kids live with their parents until they’re thirty, I’d call you two exceptional.”
Jazz chuckled. “Thanks. So how were your travels?”
“Travels?”
“Oh, I thought Mr. Said said you travel a lot.”
“Yes, yes I do, in a way. I sometimes have to stay at another location so I don’t always get home, uh, here to the apartment.”
“What do you do for a living, Odan?” Sugar flowed from Carla’s lips.
“Oh, I’m a, uh, an administrator for a college.”
“Oh really, how exciting. Which one?”
He shrugged and drank a slug of wine. “It’s small and private. You wouldn’t know it.”
Carla glanced at Jazz and he gave her a tiny nod. Don’t put him any more on the spot. She bounded up. “I sure hope you’re hungry.” She bustled into the kitchen.
Odan looked relieved. “Yes, I’m definitely hungry.” He sipped wine. “So, Jazz, you go to school?”
“Yes, I just transferred to NYU.”
“Oh, where from?”
“Yale.”
His dark eyes widened. “No kidding? You like NYU more?”
“Uh, yes. I guess I like being in the city more. I felt isolated.”
Carla called from the kitchen. “Is your college in New York, Odan?”
“Uh, yes. I mean, no.”
Jazz grinned but still looked at Odan quizzically.
Odan’s high cheekbones got a little pink. “Sorry. That must sound weird. The college has a branch in New York. That’s where I interact mostly.”
Carla carted some plates to the dining table, and Jazz jumped up to help her. Each plate contained lasagna and a pile of salad. After the three places were set, Jazz collected Odan’s glass and poured more wine as Carla led Odan to his place at the table.
After Odan had complimented the food and Carla assured him that she would thank the chef of their fave local restaurant for him, they all dug in.
Odan said, “So, you two, what do you plan to do with your lives? Workwise, I mean.”
Carla waved a hand. “Our lives are pretty much laid out for us. I’m expected to enter politics, like my father the governor, so I’m studying law. Jazz, of course, will become CEO or some such in Vanessen Enterprises, so he has to study microeconomics and things like that.” She fanned her face with her hand. “Poor baby.”
Odan chewed. “Is it hard to have your life already planned, or is it a relief?”
Carla sighed. “We both love our families so much, it’s not too tough doing what they want.”
“But they don’t mind you being in New York on your own?”
Jazz said, “It’s probably their way of making up for planning the rest of our lives.” He chuckled. “Our chance to have a little freedom.”
“Even while we’re studying twenty hours a day.” Oh yeah, Carla was laying it on thick.
“It doesn’t sound like you have much time for fun.” Odan glanced at Jazz.
Jazz asked, “What do you do for fun?”
Odan shrugged. “Like you, I spend a lot of time working, so I don’t get much recreation. I do like to dance, however.”
“Really? Me too.” Jazz grinned.
Carla stared like he’d lost his mind. “You do?”
“Yeah. For sure.”
“Why didn’t I know that?” she cocked her head.
He grinned. “’Cause I don’t dance much with girls.”
She raised a finger and nodded.
Odan said softly, “I’m not a girl.”
<
br /> Jazz looked at him, still maintaining the grin. “Right, you’re not.” Would going dancing with Odan give him a chance to really find out what was going on? Maybe. But how do I feel about going out with a guy who isn’t Dash?
Carla jumped up and started clearing the plates.
Odan spoke quietly. “Perhaps you’d like to go dancing? Maybe tomorrow night?”
Carla bustled back with dishes of coconut ice cream drowning in whipped cream. She put one in front of Odan and glanced at Jazz as she did it. She gave him wide eyes.
Oh great. Huge help. Is that “big eyes don’t even think of it,” or “big eyes don’t pass up the chance”?
Jazz took a breath and nodded. “Sure. That’d be great.”
Standing behind Odan holding her own ice cream, Carla dropped her mouth open in shock.
Oh great. I guess I chose wrong.
Chapter Twenty
DASH RACED down the stairs to get to the obstacle course on time for his early morning lesson. He’d overslept, after tossing half the night. Every nerve felt jumpy since he’d somehow landed himself in the middle of a room with Jazz and the Superordinary Society. No matter how he turned it in his brain, he knew he’d been there for real. Jazz knew he was there too.
At the bottom of the stairs, he turned to the right. Hardly anyone was around, classes didn’t start for over an hour, and the few people awake were in the dining room or wandering in the phony gardens. He started trotting. He half didn’t want to be late and half dreaded getting there at all. Teleportation was cool and also creepy. When he’d found himself in that room with his friends, he’d been thrilled and scared. It was like he’d lost himself somewhere.
A man walked by him and turned down the hall that led to the administration offices—offices that weren’t open yet. Dash slowed. The man appeared to be in a hurry, but more, he looked like someone Dash knew. He looks like—Dash cocked his head—me.
The feline of curiosity prowled up Dash’s spine, and he slithered into the hall and trotted on little cat feet in the direction the man had gone. He’d disappeared quickly, so he must be in one of the offices.
Dash slowed and listened. The rumble of voices sounded from, yep, sure enough—Vice Chancellor Warden’s office, but there were more than two voices. Dash softened his steps even more and quieted his breath until it was virtually silent.
Warden was saying, “…but we’re supposed to keep close watch, aren’t we? You’re doing that?”
Another male voice Dash had never heard said, “Yes. That’s exactly what I’m doing, but I was told to report observations to you, so I’m here.” He sounded a little annoyed. “Otherwise I would have slept another hour.” He laughed, but it sounded phony.
“So tell us what you observed. I’m late for an appointment.” That was a third voice and Dash would know it anywhere. Hillebrand. At least Dash wouldn’t keep him waiting.
The unknown voice said, “I spent some time with him and the girl. While it’s true that they both transferred to New York, they seem to be totally occupied with human concerns. They assured me that their lives were all spelled out by their families and that they spend their days studying. Apparently, the move was just a way to be together and have some fun before they wind up taking on their family responsibilities.”
Warden said, “That doesn’t jibe at all with what we’ve been told. The boy’s supposed to have great power.”
The stranger said, “I question that, sir. I purposefully read his power signature. I clearly got the fact that he’s supernatural, but beyond the sort of primitive vibration of a shifter, I picked up little. The girl’s nearly as strong, and I’m told she’s fully human.”
Dash pressed his back against the wall and tried to calm his breath. Jazz and Carla. That’s who he’s talking about. This dude is spying on Jazz and Carla.
Warden was saying, “I don’t see how that’s possible.”
Hillebrand finally spoke. “Remember, we watched them during the summer after the unfortunate incident. All of them behaved as children, going to movies and hanging out together by the pool. I theorized at the time that what appeared to be an orchestrated attack could have simply been an accidental one-off. A group of talented children combined forces, and when they were threatened, a powerful mage jumped in to help. Together they were able to do some damage. But that’s all. It’s no opposition.”
Warden grumbled, “I wish I could be sure of that. What about your boy, Eustace? How’s he coming along?”
“He’s powerful and independent for one so young. He doesn’t like to be told what to do, so he resists authority. But I haven’t gotten any sense of ideology from him. He’s attracted to power, and I can offer him that, so I believe he’ll come along. But we can’t try to shove dogma down his throat. He’s not like some of the others.”
Gods, it’s weird listening to people talk about me.
“We don’t have forever.”
“Yes, well, I don’t have any more time now. I must go meet the boy in question. Keep watching the other one. You’re doing good work.”
“Thanks.” The stranger sounded a little surly.
Shit! Get out of here. Dash raced at full speed to the end of the hall, around it, and into the locker room.
Hillebrand would almost certainly teleport to the obstacle course since that was one of his “places.” Okay, think later. Right now you need an Academy Award.
He plastered on a frown and threw open the door into the obstacle course. Hillebrand stood inside, also frowning.
Dash spread his arms. “I’d about given up on you. I went to see if you were waiting for me in the locker room.”
Hillebrand’s eyebrows rose. “Yes, sorry. I was called unexpectedly to the vice chancellor’s office.”
Dash gave his most adorable snarky smile. “Were you a naughty mage?”
That got the desired reaction. Hillebrand burst out laughing. “As often as possible. Now, let’s get to work, since I’ve reduced our time. How are you feeling after your out-of-body experience yesterday?”
Dash wiped a hand over his neck. “Is that what it was?”
“Of a sort. I think it was astral projection attempting to be teleportation.”
Dash nodded. “In answer to your question, I feel a little shaky, but I’m determined to keep trying.”
“Good for you. But we need to respect your shakiness, so let’s just work on recreating a visual representation of the place you want to go.” He pointed at two chairs sitting in the middle of the imaginary forest. “Sit.”
Dash sat.
“Exactly picturing the place you want to go is very consuming to the mind. It’s like some Buddhist groups who meditate by picturing every minute detail of an elaborate spiritual painting. The recreation allows them to go beyond the mind and achieve higher states of consciousness.”
“Is teleportation a higher state?”
“Of course. You’re moving matter.”
“But my body and my thoughts are made of the same energy.”
Hillebrand gave him a direct gaze. “Knowing that is what makes it likely that you’ll be able to master teleportation. Now focus.”
Dash closed his eyes.
“I believe you said you want to teleport to your room, so that’s a good location to picture. Let’s start with the walls.”
Hillebrand droned on, guiding Dash through the steps of visualization. Dash’s brain refused to cooperate. If he was going someplace, his lonely bedroom in the tower wasn’t on the top of his list. Now that room where his friends were hanging out the previous day? That was someplace he’d like to go back to. Man, he’d love to see them, share a pizza, and most of all hold Jazz in his arms.
Damn! I need to warn him and Carla that some dude is spying on them for—for whom? Is everyone at Arcantaria in some kind of conspiracy? It didn’t seem like it. More like whatever was going on centered on the Olympus Club. Vice Chancellor Warden was involved, and Hillebrand was up to his teleporting earlobes. But the c
hancellor? Nah, the mage might be a master, but he was weak.
Is somebody bypassing the chancellor and using Arcantaria as a training ground for—what?
“Dash, are you concentrating?”
Hillebrand’s voice made Dash jump. He opened his eyes and shook his head. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t sleep very well last night, and I’m having trouble focusing.”
Hillebrand laid a warm hand on Dash’s knee, and Dash tried not to shudder. Hillebrand said, “Perfectly understandable. I’ve been working you pretty hard. Besides, you have class in a few minutes. Why don’t you run and grab yourself some coffee or tea to perk you up? We can resume tomorrow morning at the same time.”
“Thank you. I hate to let you down.”
That hand on Dash’s leg tightened. “Don’t worry. You’re a joy to teach.”
“Thank you. I’ll go get that tea.”
Hillebrand removed his hand, although he seemed to do it reluctantly. “Have a good class, and don’t forget, we have a club meeting this evening.”
“Oh right. How could I forget?” Dash nodded and hurried out of the obstacle course.
In the hall, he paused. Brain? Exploded. He needed to think. Actually, he needed to talk and brainstorm, but he wasn’t sure whom to trust. Even assuming he could totally rely on Kitty and Anastasia, was it fair to drag them into whatever the hell was going on? Of course, being in the Olympus Club meant they were already involved.
He broke into a run and made it to the dining hall in under a minute. Tea sounded so good. He got an English Breakfast, squirted in a pump of vanilla and added milk, then blew on it as he hurried to potions class.
Kitty and Anastasia were at their worktable, and they’d clearly saved a seat. When Dash entered, Kitty pointed to the chair that put him on the opposite side of her from Anastasia. She was the potions expert, so they both watched Kitty.
Anastasia whispered, “How was your training this morning?”
He made a face. “Bad. Hillebrand was late, and I was so distracted I couldn’t concentrate.”
“What about?”
He looked at both of their interested, smart faces. It sure would be nice to compare notes and get their advice. “If you’ve got a few minutes after this, maybe we can talk for a little.”
