Nightshade

by Andrea Cremer

  Ren and I exchanged a puzzled glance. I couldn’t imagine what Nev was doing; I’d always thought of him as one of the shyest wolves, with the exception of Cosette, who was so quiet she barely seemed animate.

  “If I were a weal . . . thy . . . man!” Neville bellowed, and then jumped down from the table, collapsed into a chair, and buried his face in his hands. Mason, grinning like the Cheshire cat, leaned over and patted him on the head.

  “What gives? Did Nev finally go off the deep end?” Ren caught the chair Dax slid toward him. He flipped it around, sitting in it backward.

  “He lost a bet,” Mason said. Neville raised his face and glared at him.

  Mason sighed. “It’s so sad to see an indie guitarist do show tunes. What have you been reduced to?”

  Neville brushed off his arms as if to sweep away unpleasant remnants of his performance. “You know it was my personal hell. That’s why you picked it.”

  “A bet?” I raised my eyebrows.

  Mason grinned. “We got into an intense debate on Friday night at Eden. I was right, Nev was wrong.”

  “Your brother has better moves than I thought,” Neville said, tipping his cap at me.

  “What’s this?” Ren popped open a Coke and looked at Neville, who jerked his head toward Ansel.

  I wheeled on my brother and Bryn, who sat close together at the far end of the tables, dreamy expressions locked on their faces. Jealousy tightened my belly. Even if they were taking risks, they’d still been able to choose each other. And with Ren and me as alphas, their romance would probably be safe. Mason and Nev, Dax and Fey, they all had a chance at real love. Ren and I were the only ones who had no choice. Was that the reward for being an alpha?

  Ren looked at the pair for a long moment and then a sharp laugh rolled out of his throat.

  “I said to keep that quiet, you two.” My teeth flashed in warning, knowing that envy as much as irritation made my canines sharpen.

  Bryn cowered, but Ansel came to her rescue. “Of course, from everyone else, but it’s not like we could hide it from our packmates.”

  I sat down in the chair that Fey pushed toward me, banging my forehead on the table. “You guys are killing me. We’re at school. There are too many eyes to see you.”

  I cringed as I looked at Ren. “I’m sorry. I was going to tell you later today, I swear.”

  He just shrugged. “Your brother is right. You can’t hide anything from packmates.”

  The Bane alpha spoke in a lower voice as he turned his eyes back on the new couple.

  “Listen to Calla: keep it quiet outside our circle. Not a word to other Guardians. You don’t want to step on the wrong toes.” Then his lips split in a broad grin at Ansel. “Congrats, little man.”

  My brother beamed and looked at Bryn adoringly. She sighed, twirling her fingers through her ringlets.

  I quickly looked away from her and focused on peeling my orange.

  “Neville, I hope you’re not thinking of leaving us to try to make it on Broadway,” a cold, silky voice murmured from behind me.

  All conversation at the table ceased. Bryn and Ansel jerked away from each other as if a geyser had erupted between them.

  I turned in my chair to see Logan Bane smiling at his future pack.

  “You have a wondrous voice, my friend,” he continued. “My companions and I certainly admire it; you projected all the way to the other side of the cafeteria. Very impressive.”

  “Thanks.” Neville threw him a nervous smile.

  Logan circled the table to where Neville and Mason sat, stopping behind Mason’s chair. The Keeper rested a hand on my packmate’s shoulder. Mason tensed and glanced at Neville, whose face paled.

  Ren began to rise, but Logan stilled him with a nonchalant wave of his hand. “No, please, just relax.”

  The Keeper leaned forward. “As no doubt your alphas have informed you, it has been decided that I will inherit the rule of your new pack come October thirty-first.” He waited until each head bobbed in affirmation before slowly pacing back to Ren’s side. “I’d like you to gather in the commons after school today. I’ll meet you there.”

  “Of course.” Ren inclined his head.

  “Excellent.” The young Keeper pivoted on his heel and walked back to join his companions on the opposite side of the cafeteria.

  The circle of young wolves turned back to their lunches, though the mood at the table had become anxious and sullen. Mason sat very still, staring at nothing in particular. Neville leaned toward him, stretching his fingers toward Mason’s. Mason took his hand, and they hid their clasped fingers beneath the table.

  TWELVE

  MY JAW CLAMPED SO HARD THROUGH THE philosophy seminar I wondered if its dull ache would settle there permanently. The desk next to the classroom’s tall windows sat empty. I hadn’t seen Shay in the cafeteria during lunch, and now his regular seat in our afternoon class remained vacant.

  I scribbled a few more notes and tried to tell myself that it didn’t matter. My eyes traveled to the empty seat once again, my teeth grinding against each other with such force that the ache in my jaw flared into a sharp, searing pain.

  I forced my gaze back onto Mr. Selby, who gesticulated wildly as he described arguments for and against the existence of God. He’d started the class out by showing us a bumper sticker that read: “God is dead—Nietzsche; Nietzsche is dead—God.”

  I tried to follow our teacher’s enthusiastic lecture, but my thoughts were fractured. I glanced around the room. The rest of the class dutifully jotted notes and nodded along with Mr. Selby’s comments. My gaze traveled to Logan. As usual, the young Keeper slouched in his desk, deep in slumber, Dior sunglasses hiding his eyes.

  What will he say when we meet after school?

  As the bell rang, I slowly unwound my wrapped limbs, wincing at my muscles’ reluctant unclenching.

  The three Bane seniors left class together. Sabine and Dax leaned close to Ren, murmuring quietly as they passed through the door. I wandered alone back to my locker, only to find my Nightshades already there. We moved down the hallway to the commons. None of us spoke. I could hear the collective rushed pace of our hearts as we waited.

  Steady, sauntering footfalls along with the scent of cloves and mahogany announced Logan’s arrival. He smiled at our huddled group; his perfectly tousled hair glowed like spun gold in the low, late-afternoon sun that poured in through the room’s floor-to-ceiling windows. The Keeper grabbed a chair and sat on the back, his feet grounded in its seat, so that he stared down at us.

  “Welcome.” His gaze moved slowly over the tense young Guardians. “I realize that this meeting is somewhat unexpected, but things will change quickly now that the union is so close.”

  Logan rested his elbows on his knees. “In order for the alphas to proceed with the Rite of Union, they must be of age. For Ren and Calla that won’t happen until Samhain, the day you both turn eighteen and the date on which the new pack will officially form.”

  He began drumming his fingers on a manila envelope. “In order to ensure a smooth transition, I’ve gathered some materials for you so that you’ll know what the duties of the new pack will be, what the logistics of your new lives entail, and the timeline for the stages of the transition.”

  Logan nodded at Ren, who caught the envelope that sailed toward him.

  Ren pulled open the flap and peered inside. “What’s this?”

  “Specs for the new development,” Logan said. “Where you will live.”

  The young wolves stirred in their seats and exchanged wary glances.

  Logan made a calming gesture. “Like I said, this change will occur in stages. Some of you—Ansel, Cosette—are quite young, and the Keepers understand that. The five houses of the new development are in the midst of construction. Of course, Ren and Calla’s home is finished and they will be able to occupy it as soon as the union takes place.”

  I fought back the rising heat in my chest and neck, glancing at Ren, but his eyes remaine
d locked on Logan.

  “Bryn, as well as Sabine and Dax, will be the next to make the move, since they will also finish their schooling this year.”

  The two named Banes stiffened. Bryn shuffled her feet while Ansel gripped the sides of his chair. Ren cleared his throat. Logan arched an eyebrow at the alpha.

  Ren looked at his packmates and then at the Keeper. “Are you pairing them up? Setting new matches now?”

  Logan smiled slowly. “Would you have an objection to that, Ren?”

  Ren stared at our master but remained silent. Logan’s jaw twitched and then he laughed. “No. I’m not pairing them.”

  Dax and Sabine both relaxed, and Fey expelled a long, relieved breath. Bryn offered my brother a weak smile.

  “The only mated pair as of this time will be Ren and Calla, your alphas,” Logan continued. “You’re free to live in the houses we provide in whatever arrangements you choose. Each house has multiple bedrooms and baths; the five homes are being constructed around a common garden space with a pool and spa. In the same way we’ve provided for your parents, you’ll have a cleaning staff, gardeners, and full-time maintenance specialists so you don’t have to focus on anything other than your duties. I’m sure you will find the living arrangements quite to your liking.”

  Quiet noises of approval sounded from the Nightshades and Banes. A sparkle of optimism lit my heart.

  Logan smiled. “As I said, Ren and Calla will be the first to move. The other seniors will follow. As to the rest of you, until you finish school, you are welcome to continue living with your parents should you prefer to, or you may move into the new development as the houses are completed. No matter where you reside, however, from this point forward you no longer answer to your former packs. You answer to Ren and Calla, and to me.”

  The Keeper stroked his chin. “My father has generously offered to assist with the oversight of the new pack. He seems to think that, as such a young group of Guardians, you might prove unruly.”

  His gaze fell on Sabine. “But I think that if we all show a commitment to our duties, then surely his involvement will not be necessary.”

  Ren glanced at Sabine, who had begun to tremble. “Of course, Logan,” he said. “Whatever you ask.”

  A half smile pulled at Logan’s mouth. “Excellent.”

  He pointed at the envelope once more. “You’ll find in those papers the forms for any requisitions you’ll need. Each of you can request a vehicle of your choice. The purchase orders are there.”

  Dax hooted, and Logan grinned.

  “We’ll also make arrangements for a weekly grocery delivery at your homes. Their location will make running errands into Vail something of an inconvenience.”

  “Where are our new homes?” I asked.

  “At a much higher elevation on the eastern slope of the mountainside. Only one access road has been built for the site. The location of the development coincides with the primary objective of the new pack.”

  “And what will that be?” I leaned forward, interested.

  Logan straightened, his eyes narrowed. “We have reason to believe that the Searchers will move against Haldis Cavern with whatever force they can muster within the next year. While the Nightshades and Banes will continue their patrols of the perimeters, the new pack will offer a second layer of defense at the cavern itself.”

  He broke into a grin once more. “Which brings me to another issue. Normally a pack is named after its Keeper, but a Bane pack already exists. The new pack will be named Haldis, after that site you are sworn to protect.”

  I glanced at my packmates and at the Banes. All their faces lit up.

  “I’m glad the choice pleases you,” Logan said. “While guarding Haldis will be the pack’s key role, there is another matter that requires your immediate attention.”

  He looked from Ren to me. “Your alphas were introduced on Friday evening to a human boy by the name of Shay Doran. He is a senior at the Mountain School; he just arrived last week.”

  I shoved my hands underneath me. I couldn’t afford for Logan to see them shaking.

  “Shay represents a significant interest to the Keepers. His safety is our highest priority; it was this boy who was the target of the Searchers’ attack on Friday.”

  “What do they want with him?” I blurted.

  Several of the wolves gasped.

  I dropped my gaze to the floor. “I’m sorry, Logan. I’ve gotten to know Shay; I was just curious.”

  “That’s quite all right, Calla.” He waved off my apology. “We are indebted to you for preventing his abduction. The truth is that we don’t know what the Searchers want with Shay, only that they believe he is important to their success against us. Therefore we must keep him safe and out of their hands.”

  I kept my eyes averted, nodding.

  “I have also had the opportunity to get acquainted with the human boy. It seems he’s become quite infatuated with you. We need his trust, so I’d like to encourage that. Please befriend him. Think of yourself as something of a de facto bodyguard for the time being.”

  My head snapped up, eyes wide. Ren was glaring at the Keeper, who gazed calmly back.

  “The boy knows nothing of our world, and it stays that way,” Logan said. “The less he knows about the danger he faces from the Searchers, the safer he will be. Protect him, but do so without garnering his attention. He already knows Calla, so her interaction can be more direct.”

  I inclined my head to Logan, while Ren’s face remained livid. The rest of the pack murmured acknowledgment of his orders.

  “Very well, then. I believe that brings you up to date. Should any questions arise, your alphas should bring them to me. Lumine and Efron have agreed on this point.”

  Logan smiled, descending from his perch. The assembled wolves began to stir from their seats, but he snapped his fingers, commanding our attention.

  “There is one last matter to discuss.”

  Ten pairs of eyes focused on their new master.

  “Ren raised the very important question of how you will be paired in the future.”

  Ice-cold fingers wrapped around my throat as I waited for Logan to speak.

  “Guardian mates have always been selected by Keepers so as to ensure the most beneficial outcome for our packs,” he said. “I’m sure you can understand the utility of such a practice.”

  No one spoke. Logan’s casual tone tore at me like barbed wire. “I will, as my ancestors did, seek the counsel of your alphas in such matters when the time arises. You are all very young; I don’t anticipate making such decisions for some time. However, it is clear that you’ve already begun to form strong attachments to each other.”

  His slow smile revealed the gleam of perfect teeth. “This pleases me; it signals a strong pack whose loyalty will aid them in their duties. But I must remind you that the only sanctioned pairing in the Haldis pack is that between Ren and Calla, the alpha mates. Though you might be inclined to form your own matches, I hold the only authority to choose your mates. This law is one of our oldest and most important. Failure to respect it will be dealt with summarily and severely.”

  I couldn’t breathe.

  Logan reached into the pocket of his jeans, pulling out a pack of Djarum Blacks. He tapped the box on the back of the chair, withdrew a cigarette, and placed it between his lips.

  “That will be all.”

  For a moment no one moved. Silence covered the room like heavy fog. Then Ren stood, jerking his head toward the door. The other Banes slowly rose. I hoped my legs wouldn’t give out as I got to my feet. I couldn’t look at my pack; my stomach slammed around inside me like a pinball. I had taken only a few steps when Logan’s silky voice trailed after the departing wolves.

  “Mason, could I have a moment?”

  I froze. Mason stood just behind me, his body locked in place. I looked at Logan; his eyes gleamed in the red haze of the setting sun that filled the room. Smoke spilled from his lips and the scent of cloves wafted around us.
/>
  Mason’s eyes met mine. A thin smile appeared on his lips and he began to turn. I stepped toward him, clasping his wrist.

  “No.” My whisper cut sharply between Mason and me. He tensed and gave an almost-imperceptible shake of his head, twisting out of my grasp.

  “Calla!” Logan’s whip-like exclamation lashed at me. “You have been dismissed.”

  An arm reached around my shoulders and I was pulled toward the door. When I’d been led well away from the commons, I wrenched free of the strong arm that held me, glaring at Ren. Dax and Fey stood nearby, faces grim. Ansel and Bryn disappeared around a corner without looking back.

  “I have to go in there.” I tried to walk away, but Ren grabbed my upper arms, wheeling me around.

  “You can’t.” He glanced down the hall.

  I followed his gaze, watching Sabine lead Neville toward the school’s main entrance. Her arms were around his waist. I could see her lips moving rapidly as she leaned against him. Cosette trailed after them, though she kept a respectful distance.

  “I will not let this happen,” I said. “He is in my pack, Ren. His welfare is my responsibility.”

  “He’s in my pack now too,” Ren murmured. “I’m so sorry, Calla. I wish you didn’t have to go through this. I know how hard it is.”

  Dax made a disapproving sound and Ren threw him a sharp look.

  “Don’t let it eat you, Cal,” Fey said, eyes bright and hard. “You haven’t done anything wrong. This is Mason’s mess.”

  “How can you say that?” I gasped.

  She looked away. “Because it’s true and you have more important things to focus on.”

  “She’s right,” Dax said with a rumbling growl. “We can’t be mixed up with this nonsense. Let it go.”

  A stinging filled my eyes. I looked at the floor, digging my nails into my palms, reopening the wounds there. Ren watched the crimson drops hit the floor. He bared his teeth at Dax and Fey.

  “Get out of here.”

  Dax bristled, but he jerked his head at the school entrance. Fey took his hand and they walked away.