The Girl and The Raven

by Pauline Gruber

  His face blurs. He is oblivious to my tears, my hitching chest. I study our entwined hands, then the palm of my free hand. My wicked palms. Demons throw fireballs. I know that now. How much longer before Marcus views me as the enemy?

  “What you feel, when we make contact…” he says excitedly. “I knew it once I met you at the airport.”

  “Your touch…” I frown at him. “Forget the taser, you could stun people with your hands, and right now there…there’s a crazy chatter in my head…”

  Jude’s eyes grow wide. He opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out.

  “And there’s a buzzing sound in my ears. Like a swarm of bees.” I shake my head. “I don’t like it…any of it.”

  He tightens his grip as I try to pull my hand back. The whispery voices circle inside my head.

  “You have no idea how long I’ve waited,” he breathes. His fingers dig into my arm and I feel the energy coursing between us. He closes his eyes and smiles. The tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as a prickly sensation races down my arms. Creepy.

  I jerk my hand away and force myself up from the couch, crossing the room to the window. Marcus’ warning comes back to me. Keep some distance.

  With my back to Jude, I stare out the window. Katie is across the street, on her front porch with Trevor. I bet he’s asking her to Homecoming. I watch them talk and laugh and I know I’m right. Katie has it so easy. The next time she complains about her life, I’m going to—

  I turn away from the window and nearly bump into Jude. I swallow a shriek. I never heard him leave the couch.

  Evil emanates from Jude’s entire being. It hums between us like the vibration of a guitar string, but I’m sure Marcus is wrong. Gram was wrong. Jude’s hurt people, but he’ll never hurt me.

  Dylan.

  “I need to ask you for something. Please.”

  “Anything.” He doesn’t hesitate.

  “Fix Dylan. Right away.” How much can I ask for? I pause for only a beat. “Renegotiate the deal and leave Dylan out of it.”

  “I’ll consider it.” He shoves his hands into his pockets and tilts his head. “Now I want something from you.”

  I hold my breath, my body still as a stone, afraid of what he’ll ask of me.

  “Tell me about your powers. Aiden relayed information to me from your grandmother.”

  “If Aiden’s been spying for you, then you know about the fireball.”

  “Not just the fireball. You have other powers too.” His gaze burns into me.

  “I don’t have any other powers.”

  He rubs his chin, a gesture that looks practiced, as he stalks around the room. “Think back, Lucy. Have you ever been in a crisis situation, overcome with fear, anxiety or even rage?” The chatter in my brain grows louder and I press my fingers to my temples, willing it to stop. “And then things just happened?”

  I am about to protest again when he holds up his hand. “Think.”

  I take a deep breath as I reflect over the years. All the fights with Momma. Her broken promises. All the times I begged her to let me live with Gram. I recall how angry those fights made me and how hopeless I always felt afterwards. Nothing more than that. Until the night of the fireball.

  “Relax, Lucy. It’ll come to you.” His smooth voice melts my tension away. I finger through my memories like the index cards in Gram’s recipe box, searching.

  Momma partying in the living room with Carl. The music throbbing against my bedroom wall as I tried to read a book for my eighth grade English class. Momma screams. I race out of my bedroom. I see her cowering on the floor, Carl looming over her, about to strike. I try to push him off her, but he flings me away as if I weigh nothing. He goes after her again and that’s when it happened. Terror and rage. A ball of emotion so powerful, so out of control…I couldn’t contain it. With no idea what I was doing, I ran at him again.

  I watch the scene in slow motion. Momma with her hands over her face. I charge Carl. Carl runs toward the door. Carl hits the door as if launched into it. Carl and the door fly outside and slam into the big oak tree. My eyes fuzz over. Blackness.

  I continue to search.

  I can’t find the iPod Gram had given me for Christmas. I tear apart the entire trailer. Momma comes home, dragging a case of beer behind her. There are dark circles under her eyes and familiar white crusties at the corner of her mouth. She lies on the couch, her arm thrown over her eyes and confesses she hocked it for groceries.

  I ask where the groceries are. No response. I look at the case of beer and ask where she’s been all day. No response. I focus on the white crusties. My anger bubbles up from my stomach until it is a fever burning my brain. The case of beer explodes. The foamy, smelly liquid shoots everywhere. Momma jolts, groans and slumps back against the couch.

  When I open my eyes, Jude is regaining his balance halfway across the room, a huge smile on his face. “You just shoved me a good six feet away.”

  I take a clumsy step backward. “I moved you?”

  He nods, that crazy smile still there.

  I don’t want to do this anymore. I gulp down several breaths, trying to ease the pain in my chest. I head for the door. “I have to go.”

  “Lucy.”

  I freeze.

  “If I make Dylan better, you’ll owe me.”

  I peek at him from the corner of my eye.

  “I guess you and Momma aren’t that much different after all.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  I have BIG NEWS! Text me ASAP!

  I grin as I read Katie’s message, then text her to ask if the BIG NEWS has anything to do with a certain guy asking her to Homecoming.

  Within seconds my phone rings.

  “Oh my God! How did you know?” I pull the phone away from my ear as she squeals.

  “Wild guess,” I reply, bringing the phone back to my ear. “Since you talk about him all the time.”

  “You should’ve seen him. He was so nervous at first. I thought he was going to break up with me. He kept starting and stopping, and he wouldn’t look at me. It was torture. I was nearly in tears before he finally asked!”

  “That’s fantastic. I’m so happy for you.” I stare out the window. We’re all supposed to go shopping for dresses, but spending time at the mall with Caroline and Ella is the last thing I want to do today.

  “Oh! I forgot to tell you. Shawn asked Suzy to Homecoming. Actually, she told him she wanted to go and then he asked her. She’s ecstatic,” Katie says. “You were right. They’re a great match.”

  “That’s awesome!”

  “I have a huge favor to ask and I know this will put me in the worst friend ever category, but I’m begging you…”

  “What?”

  “Trevor wants to spend the day together and I know we’re all supposed to go look at dresses, but I’m hoping maybe you and I can go next weekend and we could both skip going today.” She speaks fast and her words all mush together. I cover my mouth to keep from laughing.

  “Seriously?” I ask. “You want me to take the fall with you? Are you nuts? Ella and Caroline will skin us alive.”

  “I know, but I really want to spend the day with Trevor. We barely see each other. Please.”

  “I have a bunch of stuff to do anyway, but you have to call everyone and don’t you dare put the blame on me.” I close my eyes and thank whatever Gods or angels are looking out for me today. “Maybe they’ll all want to reschedule, too.”

  “I doubt it. Ella and Caroline are pretty determined to get dresses this weekend while the selection is still good.”

  My cell beeps indicating another call so I check the screen.

  “Katie, I’ll call you back!” I disconnect her.

  “Hello? Hello?” My heart pounds in my chest as I hold my breath.

  “Tennessee.”

  “Oh my God…”

  “I was hoping you’d be happy to hear from me.” His voice is faint, weak.

  “It’s great to hear your voice
,” I whisper. “When did you wake up?”

  “Yesterday. I don’t remember much. I’m just getting brief flashes of stuff. It isn’t making much sense.”

  I grip my phone. “When can I see you?”

  “They’ll only let my parents in today. How about tomorrow after school?”

  “I’ll be there. Is there anything I can bring you?”

  “No, my dad’s spoiling me rotten. Weird, huh? It takes me getting sick for him to start paying attention to me.”

  “Yeah, that’s pretty weird.” I grimace, wondering how Dylan will feel once his dad tells him the truth about Jude. “If you think of anything, you’ll text me?”

  “I will,” he says, his voice fading. “I should go. I’m pretty tired.”

  I suddenly feel like a selfish jerk for keeping him on the phone. “Sure,” I say quickly. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Dylan is awake. My insides swell until I feel I might burst. Happy tears trickle down my face. Jude fixed him. Now I’m in debt to Jude. My tears dry up and I shiver.

  I jump as my phone rings again. It’s Katie.

  “What the heck?” she huffs.

  “It was Dylan!” I jump out of bed and pace around my room. “He’s awake.”

  “Dylan’s awake?”

  “Yes. I’m going to visit him tomorrow after school.”

  “What a relief.” She sighs. “There’s been a lot of crazy talk at school about him, rumors…you know, like he was going to die.”

  “That’s stupid. He wasn’t going to die!” I feel a rush of anger, followed by a ton of guilt. “Wait…I’m sorry, Katie. I don’t mean to jump on your case. I just really hate gossip.”

  “I get it. Don’t worry about it. I have to go, though. I need to call Trevor and figure out what time we’re getting together.” The excitement is back in her voice. “Hey…I’m really glad Dylan’s better.”

  “Yeah, me, too.” I smile, my anger fading. “But call Ella and everyone else before Trevor. Okay?”

  “Oh yeah, right.” She laughs. “I will. Promise.”

  After we hang up, I go to the kitchen. Bernard and Sheldon are gone for the day, so I have a sandwich and text Marcus to see if we can get together later.

  While I do my chores, I replay the memories that Jude forced me to rediscover. Remembering those incidents was bad enough, but what if there are more? What if I’ve done things so evil I’ve blocked them out? A convulsive shudder sends my dust mop flying.

  By eleven o’clock I’ve finished cleaning the living room, kitchen, both bathrooms and my room and taken a shower. I dump my backpack on the dining room table and tackle my homework.

  I can’t believe Dylan’s awake. He sounded weak. I’m not sure if he’ll be okay or not, but…he’s awake.

  By one o’clock my homework is done so I text Marcus. Fifteen minutes later, he’s at my front door.

  I pull him inside and close the door. “I have the most amazing news. I talked to Dylan today.”

  “Wait…what? He’s awake?”

  “Yeah. Isn’t that great?” Based on the dark look on his face, he doesn’t think so. “What’s the matter?”

  “I have only one objective, and that’s to keep you safe,” Marcus says through clenched teeth. “I promised your grandmother. Or have you forgotten?”

  “Dylan could’ve died,” I snap, rigid with anger. “My objective was to keep him alive.”

  “You don’t know what you’re doing, Lucy. Now that Dylan’s off the hook, that means you’re on the hook. Or didn’t you think about that?”

  A tingly sensation crawls along my skin as I glare at him. It takes effort to unclench my jaw.

  “I understand Jude is evil. We all do. But on the subject of who we don’t like and trust, what about Aiden? I really think he’s on Jude’s side.”

  “Nice change of subject, but let me ask you. Whose side are you on?” Marcus asks, a challenge in his eyes.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You seem to be running to Dylan every chance you get.” He glares at me. “What should I take from that?”

  I fix him with a steely look, my hands on my hips. I’m not the one who needs to explain their actions. I’m so tired of no one telling me anything but expecting me just to go along while innocent people get hurt.

  “You and I live in the same building, but I hardly ever see you. You’re never home. You claim you’re all about protecting me, but you aren’t there when I need you. What should I take from that?”

  “I’m committed to protecting you, Lucy. I have been since the day you moved here.” He sounds convincing, but he dodges the issue of his whereabouts.

  “Protecting me from what? Nobody tells me anything. I should know what I’m being protected from.”

  His eyes glitter. “It’s better than you don’t. Otherwise you’re likely to start spending lots of time with them.”

  I clench my fists and scream in frustration. I want to throw something. Break something. Hurl a fireball…roast something. Marcus and I lock gazes. “Aiden’s a spy for Jude.”

  Marcus refuses to back down. “I told you he serves as a liaison. He has to relay information to Jude from time to time or Jude will get suspicious.”

  “He’s playing you. Persephone and Henry, too,” I snap. “Aiden hates me. Hates that we’re friends.”

  Marcus meets my angry gaze, the corners of his mouth twitching. “Friends? You think of us as friends?”

  I frown. Aren’t we friends?

  “I thought by now, we’re past friendship and onto something else.” His smile breaks through.

  My anger drops to zero in two seconds flat, but I try to hold onto it because I don’t want him to think he can smile and get away with anything. Of course he can, but I don’t want him to know it.

  “Nice try. But don’t change the subject.”

  And that’s when he looks at me—really looks at me. My insides turn squishy, my breathing turns shallow and there is that powerful snap crackling in the air between us.

  “Well, I figured if you’re my girlfriend, then…we could go to your Homecoming dance together.” His voice is soft and smooth, the way I like it best.

  I feel weightless all of a sudden. I slap my hands over my mouth to cover an insane fit of giggles.

  “I mean, if you want to go. Although I have to warn you, I’m not a great dancer. Your toes might be broken by the end of the night.”

  “I don’t care.”

  He frowns at me. “You don’t care about Homecoming?”

  “I don’t care about broken toes.” I beam at him. “I would love to go to Homecoming with you.”

  “Great.” He grins, wiping imaginary sweat from his brow. “I was worried for a minute there.”

  “Kiss me.” My voice is soft and shakes a little.

  He pulls me to him, his mouth descending onto mine, unrushed. I stand on my tippy toes and circle my arms around his neck. We’re going to the dance together. We’re a couple. I can’t imagine ever being with anyone else. I hope he feels the same way.

  His fingers run through my hair and goose bumps erupt all over my arms and legs. I press myself against him and a thrill races through me. Our mouths find their rhythm. Marcus’ hands trail the length of my back, pulling me closer. Our kiss deepens. Every inch of me is on fire.

  Marcus groans. “We have to stop.” He untangles my arms from his neck and I’m relieved to see he’s out of breath, too. “Let’s get out of here.”

  His eyes are dark and full of longing, which excites me even more. I don’t want to stop—not even close. “What do you have in mind?”

  He shoves his hands in his pockets and I wonder if it’s so he can’t reach for me again.

  I glance past Marcus, out the front window. What I see makes me freeze. “What is Mr. Douglas doing here?”

  Chapter Thirty

  “This can’t be good,” I mutter under my breath as Marcus and I approach the Town Car parked at the curb.

 
Marcus pauses as he looks up at the second floor window. “We’re being beckoned.”

  I look up and see Aiden’s imposing figure. “What about Mr. Douglas?”

  “Bring him along.”

  “Seriously?” I glance from Marcus to Aiden, making no effort to hide my dislike for his phony brother.

  The rear window slides down and Mr. Douglas holds up a finger as he finishes his call.

  “Lucy, we need to talk,” he says sharply, sliding his phone into his suit coat pocket. “I’ve been out here for twenty minutes. Did you get any of my messages?”

  So much for hello.

  “Mr. Douglas, do you mind coming inside?”

  “I do mind.”

  Dylan’s out of his coma. Mr. Douglas should be ecstatic. Instead there are deep lines creasing his grayish complexion. “Jude isn’t here if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  Mr. Douglas exhales heavily, then exits the car. He squints in the sunlight, exaggerating his already haggard features. I look at Marcus nervously. Mr. Douglas looks like he’s aged ten years since our meeting at St. Aquinas.

  Aiden waits for us in the second-floor apartment, holding the door open. He and Marcus stare at each other, some silent communication passing between them. Marcus, pressing his lips into a thin line, nods.

  “Mr. Douglas, this is Marcus Turner and his brother, Aiden.”

  “I’m here to speak with Lucy,” Mr. Douglas wheezes, breathless from the one flight of stairs. “This is a private matter.”

  “Not so private, I’m afraid,” Aiden replies, his voice and expression cold.

  Why is he so rude? Marcus told me Aiden has powers, he never told me what those powers are. I don’t understand why he needs to be a part of this.

  Mr. Douglas looks around the apartment. “Lucy mentioned that Jude spends time here. Are you a friend of his?”

  “More like business associates,” Aiden says curtly.

  A traitor and a spy is more like it.

  Something’s happened. It’s time to figure out what it is. “Why are you here, Mr. Douglas?”

  “Jude came to see me at my office.” He starts to pace and his hand reaches into his pocket.