Warrior Saints - Creator

by Carla Thorne

  I totally snorted out loud. Me? Elected to the homecoming court? I was so new, no one knew me. And even if they did… I snorted again and belly-laughed. “I’ll make this one easy for you, sir. Corey can have the spot.”

  Corey pinched my arm.

  “Ouch!”

  “What are you doing, Ivy? I thought you wanted to sing in the spring show. This would be a great opportunity to put yourself out there.”

  “I like to act more than I like to sing,” I whispered. “We’re only freshman. I’m not going to get a big role anyway. We’ll end up part of the crowd scenes in the chorus.”

  “But I have other things to do that night,” she whisper-snapped back.

  “Don’t tell me. Paige? You have grunt work to do? Errands to run?”

  “It’s not like that.”

  Her expression said it was exactly like that. “You also have a beautiful voice, and the national anthem isn’t that long. Take the spot.”

  Corey chewed her bottom lip and wiggled the pen in her hand until it looked like it would take flight. She glanced at the director. “That’s fine. I’ll take it.”

  Chapter 17

  Ivy

  I stumbled into the hall after the meeting and raced for the door. So help me, if my mom was late, I was going to lose my—

  “Ivy?”

  Crap! Are you freakin’ kidding me right now?

  I turned as Trinity approached. I hardly recognized her in her school uniform. “Hey, Trinity.”

  Her bright smile in the daylight was much more friendly than the stern warning-pretend smile she’d given me at the horror-movie campfire. “Thought that was you.”

  “Yep, it’s me.” I kept walking. “Just finished Drama Club and my mom’s waiting.”

  “Just one sec. Please.”

  I surrendered. “Sure.”

  “Can I be straight with you?”

  “Yeah. What’s up?”

  “Paige is going to ask you to officially join the Arrows. I don’t think that was her original plan, but after you ended up there, she scratched someone else off the list.”

  Everything about her statement made my skin prickle. “Please don’t tell me she cut Corey. For whatever reason that stupid club means everything to her.”

  Trinity bristled at my comment and blinked. Her long, fake lashes brushed her cheeks like butterfly wings.

  “Sorry,” I hurried to explain. “No disrespect. It’s not for me.”

  “That’s actually a good thing. And no, she’s not cutting Corey.”

  Trinity’s mixed signals were about to add a tension headache to my day. “What are you trying to say to me?”

  “If you don’t want to be an Arrow, refuse the invite. Don’t take what she gives you. Say no thanks and walk away. She’ll be pushy, but she won’t pursue you. It’s not her style.”

  “Why are you telling me this? And why did you protect me at the campfire if you don’t like what goes on there either?”

  “Keep your voice down.”

  That prompted us to both look around the empty hallway that led to the fine arts building.

  I had enough on my mind without the added cloak-and-dagger crap. “What the heck are we supposed to be afraid of here, Trinity? Paige?”

  “Look, I’m not afraid of Paige. She won’t mess with me. We’ve been close since first grade. But something’s happened to her. She’s different…”

  “Then why don’t you refuse the invite? You sat in that circle like her queen bee Arrow sidekick.”

  “I’m taking care of what I can. I have a semester and a half of school then I’m off to college, and I won’t ever look back at Paige and the Arrows again.” She moved close to my face. “And I’m giving you some friendly advice. Stay out.”

  “Fine. You know I’m not interested anyway.”

  Trinity headed the opposite direction.

  “Trinity, wait.”

  “Yes?”

  “Thank you. For this and the other night. And keep an eye on Corey.”

  “Like I said, I’m doing what I can.”

  As weird conversations went, I’d had more since coming to Stonehaven than I’d had in my whole life—and I lived with a mentally unhealthy mother with multiple diagnoses who I literally had to feed some days and slide pills into her mouth so she stayed even.

  I wasn’t sure what I’d done to deserve all this unhinged activity, but it was only getting worse with not one, but two groups of schoolmates—not sure I’d call all of them friends—who were gold medalists in the Bizarro Olympics.

  The cherry on top would be to see hot-handed Deacon and the others out front, though I thought they’d all be gone by then.

  And luckily, no one was there when I pushed through the doors into the still-too-humid-for-fall air.

  “Ivy?”

  I twisted toward the voice. What the fresh… “Paige?”

  “Hey, girl. Drama meeting?”

  “Yes. Where’d you come from?” More importantly, what was in the fancy bag? She carried a glittery, deep-purple gift bag that was at least as big as a small suitcase. Tissue paper waved at me from the top, and a silver garland, with dangling hearts, looped around the handle and trailed down the side in a perfect swirl.

  “I was at a meeting too. And this.” She shoved the monstrosity toward me. “Is for you. Along with my personal invitation into membership of the Purpura Saggitus.”

  “The what?” I knew the what but thought I could get more information.

  “The Purple Arrows. Sorry. The Latin is our formal name.”

  “Saggitus. Like Sagittarius. The Archer. Does this group have anything to do with Astrology? I only recently learned I’m really a Sagittarius.”

  She answered with a long, blank stare before she spoke. “Membership in the Purpura Saggitus is a great honor.”

  Trinity’s words, my own good sense, and every alarm on my this is stupid meter screeched in my ears.

  I stepped back. “No thank you, Paige, I’m already in—”

  Move child…

  I spun like a top and waved my hand around at the voice in my head and the sense of touch on my cheek.

  “Ivy? What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. Mosquito or bee or something.”

  “Anyway. As I was saying, this is for you.”

  “I really don’t have time in my schedule for anything else right now.”

  Move child…

  I wanted to cover my ears. I still wasn’t sure of the voice I heard, but even I had to admit it only came when danger was near. Much like Deacon’s fiery palms. Each time I’d heard it I’d been glad I’d moved.

  But this was only Paige and it wasn’t like she was holding a knife to my throat. She offered a gift. Did I want to be closer to her and Trinity? Another thought: Was Trinity’s well-timed lecture simply a scheme to keep me away? Confusion sent my heartrate into full throttle.

  Move child…You are called to be part of the calm, not part of the chaos. Move…

  I screamed inside my head. Where is the danger? What am I supposed to do?

  And then I knew.

  “Thank you for thinking of me,” I said.

  Paige set the gift in my arms. “Welcome to the Purple Arrows.”

  Chapter 18

  Mary

  Each day seemed quieter and more boring than the last since we’d all tried to talk at Scout’s.

  Deacon wanted to know about my startling declaration, and I wanted to explain it to him, but how was I supposed to explain something I didn’t fully understand? And we couldn’t seem to find the time alone to get into it. He was still reeling from the hand discussion anyway, so it faded from the front of our minds as other things crowded in. Like homecoming and mid-term exams.

  Scout glanced up at the cafeteria door each time it opened. “It’s not her,” he announced to us and the rest of the table. “Not her.”

  Poor guy was lost without Ivy who’d been spending all her lunches in the choir room singing the national anthem w
ith her fire friend, Corey.

  “Everything will get back to normal after this homecoming weekend,” I said. “She’s supporting a new friend.”

  Scout’s face sank in like an overripe cantaloupe.

  “Oh, don’t even look like that, Scout. If you wanted to spend more time with her, you should’ve asked her to the dance.”

  “Yeah, Scout.” Deacon piled on. “We could have all gone as a group or something. Except for Mary here. She’s already got a thing happenin’ with Gavin.”

  “I don’t think Ivy’s the homecoming dance type,” Scout said.

  I shot Deacon a frosty side-eye. “Excuse me, Chicken Little? You had weeks to ask Claire Cannon and you didn’t.”

  “Things came up. I… uh…”

  “Exactly. She’ll be getting her photo taken under that flower arch with TJ Graham, and you’ll be home in your boxer shorts binge watching cartoons.”

  “She’ll be back.” He huffed out a conceited snort. “She’s the love of my life.”

  “What-ever.”

  “Oh, look!” Scout waved wildly. “It’s Ivy. And Corey. Over here!”

  “Scout. Dude. Settle down.” Deacon shook his head. “That is not cool.”

  Again, I had to half-laugh half-glare at him. “Really? You think you know what cool is? You gave the love of your life to TJ Graham.”

  “Shut it, Mary. She’ll be back.”

  Ivy and Corey were so late they had to settle for yogurt and fruit. They grabbed spoons from the counter and headed our way.

  And then took a sharp left.

  Scout came off the bench. “Where you goin’? C’mon, I saved a seat. There’s room.”

  Ivy motioned for Corey to go on. “Uh… Hey, guys. I’m going to sit with Corey.”

  Deacon turned to get a good look. “But that’s the freaky Arrows table.”

  “Yes. It is.”

  Scout plopped on his seat. “What is happening right now?”

  My stomach soured with pure dread as the truth sunk in. “Ivy’s joined the Arrows.”

  Deacon’s look of disbelief would be funny if he weren’t so genuinely confused. “What? After everything we’ve seen and talked about…”

  “Look, it’s complicated. I can’t explain right now. You have to trust me.”

  “Why is that?” I asked. “So far, we’ve trusted you with everything, and you’ve given us nothing.”

  “I told you I won’t say anything.”

  I shoved my salad plate away. “Good to know.”

  “I’m not choosing sides here. This is something I need to do.”

  Paige approached and slithered her arm around Ivy’s like a python squeezing its prey. “We’re waiting at our table, Ivy. What is it you need to do?”

  I gave Paige my best I’m not afraid of you look. “Nothin’ going on here. We’re discussing when and where we’re supposed to be for the commendation ceremony Friday night.”

  “Yes. Congratulations to you all, by the way.”

  The guys nodded.

  Ivy’s gaze held uncertainty. She obviously wasn’t convinced her mission was the right choice, but she’d already taken the first bold move. She was securely tucked in the hook of Paige’s talons.

  “And congratulations to you,” I said. “I mean, I knew you and Trinity and Ariel would end up in the finals for homecoming queen, but still, congratulations.” May the best Arrow win.

  “Thank you. And I’m sorry you won’t be part of the court as freshman princess. I saw your name on the ballot.”

  “Oh well,” I said. “Maybe next year.”

  Ivy tried to hide an eyeroll and barely got a look of utter disgust past Paige’s sideways glance.

  Paige tugged her away. “Ciao.”

  “Look at that,” Deacon said as they left. “She’s already telling her not to speak to us anymore.”

  “That’s the way they work. She controls everything.”

  He narrowed his gaze. “You helped Ivy off the hook, Mary. Why?”

  “There’s something else going on.”

  I hated it wasn’t so cut and dried. I didn’t know Ivy well and she’d been far from cooperative, but I did know she didn’t belong with the Arrows. On some level, I knew she belonged with us on whatever supernatural journey we were on. I never wanted information more than I did right then.

  I had no idea who to ask.

  Scout’s fingers twitched until he balled his hands into fists to keep them still. “How does Paige get by with running all over the school? She’s never in class. She’s everywhere.”

  Deacon gathered our trash. “She has a senior blow-off schedule, everyone’s afraid of her, and she’s an office aide for athletics during this whole period. She goes where she wants.”

  “I’m not afraid of her,” Scout said.

  Deacon smirked. “Me neither.”

  “Well, that makes three of us,” I said. “Let’s give Ivy some room until we know what’s going on. Agreed?”

  Scout wilted beneath the idea he’d lost his friend.

  “I know it’s hard, Scout, but you should step back.”

  “Yeah, dude, it’s not like you’ll be able to get an invite to their club anyway. You’re not their type.”

  “No worries.” He stood and grabbed his things. “I’m not considering how I’ll get close to the Arrows. I’m considering how I’ll get Ivy out.”

  Chapter 19

  Ivy

  Aunt Connie practically shoved me out of the car. “Have fun, baby.”

  I tugged the too-fancy-for-me sweater she got at the mall over the vintage sundress I got at the thrift store. “I will.” My wardrobe for the commendation ceremony had been a fight from the start, but we’d bartered down to the sundress and the trendy cardi, and I got to keep the boots.

  I was never without my boots.

  My mom put the car in park, thus stopping traffic, so she could jump out and hug me again. “I’m so proud of you.”

  “I know, Mom. Thank you. I have to go.”

  There was one more embarrassing yell over the top of the car. Something about how she’d be as close as she could get and video everything.

  Oh joy.

  But at least my mom was smiling, and that meant a lot because days like that seemed few and far between.

  Deacon, Mary, and Scout had said their families were going to try and sit together. They insisted my mom and Aunt Connie be there too. As much as I didn’t like the idea of unleashing those two maniacs on my friends and their families, I did like the warm and inviting way it all sounded. My mom was so happy, and Aunt Connie sure loved to meet anyone she could impress or be seen with… But no.

  I’d mentioned the idea to them—as vaguely as possible—and focused instead on finding the meeting place Paige instructed I arrive at.

  On time.

  On time or what?

  I found the coaches’ conference room in the field house where homecoming and other participants set up shop.

  Corey was literally on the floor at Paige’s feet, and appeared to be using a marker to touch up a scuff on the heel of her pricey shoes. It would have been easier for her to have taken them off, but Corey on the dirty concrete in her cute skirt was much more humiliating. The words grunt work came to mind again.

  Corey glanced my way and smiled as Paige tugged on the collar of her tailored lavender suit. As Paige stepped forward, Corey snatched her hand back as though she’d been stepped on. My knees wobbled and a blast of anger shot through me. All I could picture was the image of Corey as the wilting flower I’d hallucinated in the choir room.

  Chatter and activity grew as more people arrived and participants put the finishing touches on their hair and make-up with crudely hung mirrors on the cinderblock wall. A couple of girls I recognized from the circle fought over the last outlet to plug in a curling iron while someone nearby spritzed enough hair spray to gag a dragon.

  Trinity stepped out of what looked like a small bathroom off an exit at the other end. She wor
e an amazing royal blue dress and silver pumps.

  She couldn’t have been more surprised when she spotted me.

  My I can explain look wasn’t nearly as potent as her I told you to stay away glare.

  “Ivy! Over here.” Paige held out a pair of earrings. “Find a damp, soft cloth and clean these. They have dried foundation or something on them that must have leaked in my bag.”

  Right. Soft cloth. Like I’d come with one of those. I’d seen Aunt Connie’s jewelry box. I knew about velvet pouches and polishing cloths. The best I had was a sink in the corner of the room and a few brown paper towels. If Paige didn’t like it, she could kis—

  “Gather around for a quick sec,” Paige shouted from across the table. “If everyone who is not a part of my group could give us the room for a minute, that’d be great.”

  The few people in the room who weren’t Arrows—and coincidentally not on the homecoming court—glanced at each other in disbelief.

  “This is the community green room,” someone said. “We have to help our friends get ready too.”

  “It’ll only take a minute,” she said and looked to the Arrows to dismiss their own assistants.

  And. They. Did.

  They actually sent their helpers packing, and the big queen arrow motioned for someone to latch the door.

  She looked at another freshman recruit and pointed to a bag in the corner. “Get that.”

  Paige was all sugar-smiling like an anchorwoman as she pulled silver boxes from the bag. “These are for you all to wear tonight. We’re a sisterhood, and we’re here to celebrate each other, no matter who wins.”

  A sharp knock stopped her mid-sentence. She didn’t appear to appreciate it as she stalked across the room and swung open the door. “Yes?”

  “Sorry I’m late.” It was another familiar face from the circle. “I had to help my granny get to her seat.” She attempted to step into the room.

  Paige stopped her. “You know the rules. If you’re not on time, you can’t participate.”

  “I told you. My granny has a walker and it took a—”