Morgan snorted. “I like how bringing Ris here is somehow going to jeopardize us all, but having Kellen here is totally safe.” Without waiting for a response, she turned and headed toward her room.
Morgan walked back down the hall quickly. Not bothering to turn on the light, she closed the door behind her and crossed to her bed. With her abilities, she Felt the others as they made their ways back to their rooms. She wondered vaguely how many of them would actually fall back asleep.
She lay down and pulled the blankets up around her shoulders. A sense of betrayal crept into her mind. She couldn’t believe they had shot her down so quickly. Weren’t they supposed to trust each other? Then why not trust her? How was she to lead when even those closest to her wouldn’t follow her?
Wanting to keep these feelings to herself, Morgan walled up her emotions. The last thing she wanted now was pity from the others. That would sting even worse. After building the wall, she attempted to quiet her mind. If she fell asleep, she reasoned, she might have another Knower dream that would clarify the first.
The bedroom door clicked open. Morgan ignored it. She had no interest in talking to Joss, so she pretended to be asleep.
A few moments later, a weight settled upon Morgan’s mattress. She did her best not to react. But when a hand settled upon her arm, she had to turn: the hand didn’t belong to Joss.
“Lucas?” she asked, rolling over.
“Look, I know how you’re feeling.” He reached out to touch her cheek.
Morgan pushed his hand away. “Can’t I ever have a private thought?”
Even in the dark, Morgan could tell he was hurt. He recovered quickly. “I’m not reading you. I just know how you’re feeling because it’s how I’d be feeling in your situation. I just wanted to come and say that I still believe in you.”
Morgan snorted. “Right.”
“I do. Whatever it is you’re supposed to do as the One, I know you’ll do it. You’re strong, Morgan—stronger than you think. And you’ll be a great leader—”
“How?” She sat up and faced him. In the ambient light, she could make out his features and see his eyes. “How can I lead when even you won’t follow me? If we really are what you say we’re supposed to be to each other, you should be supporting me now, not questioning me!”
“I do support you—”
“You’ve got a funny way of showing it. You basically said I had no idea what I was talking about.”
Lucas looked at the floor. “That’s not fair.”
“No. It’s not.” Morgan crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t care if you believe me or not. I need Ris. She’s important.”
For a moment, Lucas said nothing. He shifted on the bed and Morgan thought he was going to get up and leave, but he turned to face her once more. “You’re not gonna like what I’m about to say, but I need you to hear it, even if you think I’m dead wrong.” He paused. When Morgan didn’t say anything, he continued. “It’s no secret you miss her. I get it. I miss my family, Morgan—I miss them terribly. Even my brothers, and they drive me nuts. But I think maybe because you miss her, you’re making up a reason to need her.”
Morgan opened her mouth, but Lucas talked over her.
“Maybe I’m wrong. It’s entirely possible. But what if you’re wrong? Corbin’s right—she’s safer if she’s not caught up in all this. So, for the time being, maybe it’s a good idea to wait and see. Things usually clear up all on their own if you give them some time.” He shifted again. “Joss is coming up the hall. I should go.” His lips twitched. “Can I kiss you, or you gonna hit me if I try?”
She considered this for a moment before tapping her cheek. With a grin, Lucas leaned forward and kissed where she’d indicated, pausing to kiss her forehead as he stood up.
As he made his way to the door, Morgan snuggled back down under her covers and turned toward the wall. She had to admit that part of what he said made sense. After all, she did miss Ris. But she also knew that she wasn’t imagining a reason to involve her in this war. Ris had a part to play. She understood where Corbin was coming from in his concern; the last thing Morgan wanted was for Ris to be in undue danger. But for a reason she couldn’t explain, she felt that the part Ris had to play was one that would not bring her into harm’s way.
She also knew that unless someone else shared her vision, there was no way the Watchers would involve Ris in their fight. However, it was not her intention to involve her friend in anything specifically regarding her war. She just knew that Ris was an element to the Prophecy, her destiny. And she knew that despite what anyone else thought, she needed to communicate that fact to her friend.
It wouldn’t be the first time Morgan pressed out with her abilities to locate someone, but it would be the first time she would attempt to communicate with someone so far away. However, she was confident she could handle it. Centering herself, Morgan made sure her mental safeguards were up and focused her energy like a laser beam on a single thought: Ris.
Chapter Twenty-One
Morgan barely slept the rest of the night, alternating between guilt for blatantly disregarding all of the protective measures the Watchers had in place to keep them all safe and overwhelmingly excited about the prospect of communicating with someone on the outside.
But whether or not she actually contacted Ris was the question. After building the strongest wall around her abilities that she had ever attempted, she was able to find her friend’s energy rather easily. Ris had been asleep and Morgan pushed thoughts and images into her friend’s mind. While she was doing so, she’d realized the folly of her attempt: for one, Morgan had no inclination of the location of the safe house, so she couldn’t exactly direct Ris to come to her; two, if Ris did in fact receive the impressions Morgan shared with her, wasn’t she likely to just write them off as a strange dream?
She finally gave up on sleep and, after a quick shower, headed toward the kitchen.
Kellen, seated at the table, glanced up from the book he was reading as Morgan entered the common area. “What’s up, buttercup? You seem a little less than perky this morning.”
Morgan paused, taken aback by his presence. “What’re you doing up this early?”
“Oh, I dunno. For some reason I couldn’t get back to sleep last night after your super-secret meeting with the Watcher committee.” He pushed back in his usual chair at the head of the table, balancing on just the back legs for an instant before settling down on all four once more. “What was that all about, anyway?”
Morgan snorted as she continued into the kitchen. “Still none of your business.” She poked around in the cupboards, disappointed by the cereal choices. After a few moments, she decided on a glass of orange juice—from concentrate, of course. When she settled down at the table, Kellen’s eyes were still on her. “Can I help you?”
He regarded her for a moment more. “Now, correct me if I’m wrong—and I may be, given my current pitiable state—but, you don’t exactly seem happy. Last night you had a certain energy, but now you just seem… deflated.”
Morgan pursed her lips. Not for the first time, she wondered whether his abilities were as diminished as he claimed—as everyone claimed. But, she reasoned, it would be just like Kellen to play her. She considered his angle carefully before responding. “I think everything’s shaking out the way it’s supposed to. Nothing for you to worry about, in any event.”
Kellen sipped from his cup. “You’re ready, then?”
She glanced at him, confused. “For what?”
“You know what.” He looked at her meaningfully. “What we talked about before. How to beat Orrick.”
Morgan’s mind flashed back to his assertion that she would have to kill Orrick. She suppressed a shiver.
A wry smile stretched across Kellen’s lips. “That’s what I figured.”
“What?”
“Nothing,” he insisted, shaking his head slightly. “It’s just…” He snorted. “I knew this would happen.”
Now Mor
gan was really curious. “What? What’re you talking about?”
Kellen shrugged. “When I decided to leave the Veneret, I knew there was a chance you wouldn’t have the stones to do what needed to be done. Part of me hoped you’d be able to, but, let’s face it: the messy stuff isn’t really your forte.” He shook his head again. “I just hoped…”
Morgan stared at him, unsure how to respond. After a moment, her thoughts fell into a semblance of order. “Why do you want him dead? I thought he was like a father to you?”
“That’s the difference between us.” The corner of his mouth upturned briefly. “Everything you think, everything you decide, is grounded in emotion somewhere. Not me. In the battle between feelings and logic, logic always wins. Like I said, I’m backing you. And if I want you to win, I want Orrick to lose. And the only way to defeat him is killing him.” He gazed at her steadily. “That is, of course, if you want to defeat him.”
For a moment, Morgan wasn’t sure she’d heard him correctly. Brow furrowed, she cocked her head to the side and looked at him. “Of course I want that.” Her voice was quiet, intent.
Kellen held his hands up, nodding. “Of course. Forget I said anything.”
Morgan pursed her lips, wanting to do just that. But a nagging sensation bit at her insides. She bit the words back for as long as she could before finally they tumbled out. “Why did you say that? What are you getting at?”
He closed his eyes briefly rubbing a hand over his face. “I’m sorry. Old habits, and all.” He stood up and started toward his hallway.
“No you don’t,” Morgan said, standing and following him. “Stop. Kellen, stop. Tell me what you mean.”
He stopped but didn’t turn to her. “Morgan, look, I’m sorry—”
“Don’t even try to change the subject. I’m not looking for an apology. I want an explanation.” She positioned herself less than a foot from where he stood—close enough to touch. “Tell me.”
He took a breath. Seconds ticked by, and just when Morgan became convinced that Kellen wouldn’t speak, he opened his mouth. “It’s just… You’re not a killer Morgan. And I…” He paused, taking a breath and glancing over his shoulder at her. “I…” A smile graced his lips briefly. “Orrick doesn’t want to die. I mean, who does, right? But… All these things he’s doing now? The disasters, the violence? He’ll stop them if you join him. I know he will. He doesn’t really want for any of this stuff to happen. He’s just hoping to appeal to your… nature. He’s trying to make you see that fighting him won’t work. It can’t work. He’s too strong.”
“No. No way. There’s no possible way I’ll join him!”
Kellen turned to her fully and reached out, placing a hand on her upper arm. “I know. Morgan, I know. I’m sorry I even brought it up. It’s just… It’s the way I’ve always lived, you know? Pushing just the right buttons at just the right time. But—” He slid his fingers down her arm and took hold of her hand. “—I don’t want to push your buttons. I don’t want to manipulate you. I’m trying, you know. I’m trying to be different. But you’ve got to be patient with me. It’s going to take a little bit.”
She glanced down at their hands, and a shiver coursed through her body. Extricating her hand from his, she took a step back. “Kellen…”
He fixed his eyes on the floor between them. “Yeah. You and Boy Wonder. I know.” He looked up, his lips curling just slightly at the edges. “You can’t blame me for hoping, though. I mean, maybe he’s not the last great love in your life. And if he’s not…”
Morgan stared at him, his eyes as open and earnest as she’d ever seen them. She allowed herself the luxury of a brief peek into what he was feeling, reeling back immediately when she sensed within him a true affection, a love—something that had blossomed within him recently, during his time with them at the cabin. She took a step back, not wanting to sense more.
“I appreciate your concern. I’m not a killer,” she said quietly. “But if that’s the only way to make sure Orrick can’t ever hurt and manipulate people again… I’m prepared for that possibility.”
Kellen took a step backward, holding up his hands innocently. “My mistake.” After watching her for another moment, he turned and headed down the hallway.
Morgan watched him go. When he was no longer in sight, she went back to the table and took another sip of orange juice; however, it was sour in her mouth. Curling her lip, she stood up and took the glass over to the sink.
For the millionth time, she wondered if Kellen was on the level, or if his well-placed contrition for attempted manipulation was in itself a manipulation. She smiled, knowing what the others would say for considering trusting Kellen even a little. In fact, Kellen would probably have the same reaction. She knew he didn’t deserve trust: his moments of selflessness on her behalf were just that—moments.
Still, there was a feeling that Morgan couldn’t shake. It took a moment for her mind to even settle on the source of her unease, and when it did, it pressed the breath from her lungs. Lucas’s visions. Was there really a possibility—even a remote one—that she would end up allied with Kellen? More than allied—partnered. And, if that were the case, it would mean that Lucas was—
Morgan couldn’t think the word. It couldn’t happen. She wouldn’t let it happen. The future wasn’t written—not entirely. That was clear even in Lucas’s Knower visions. And if fate wasn’t fully set, then there had to be a place for free will. Closing her eyes and taking a breath, Morgan resolved that if it came down to it her choice would be Lucas, that no matter what, she would never willfully choose Kellen.
She opened her eyes, unsure if she had somehow shifted the course of events that would occur, but feeling more optimistic nonetheless.
As she turned on the faucet to rinse her glass, she Felt an energy approaching the room. A smile touched her lips. Lucas.
He walked into the kitchen and came up behind Morgan, placing his hands on her hips. She leaned back, pressing her back against his chest. “Everything okay?” he asked.
She put her hands atop his and squeezed. “Nothing. Just… Kellen.”
“Say no more.” He spun her so she faced him. “Look, about last night—”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
From the look on Lucas’s face, it was clear he wanted to say more. “Okay.”
Morgan eased closer and snuggled against his chest, pushing back any residual unease from moments ago. Lucas was fine—safe, in perfect health. There was no need for her to focus on a possible future that had little potential of actually occurring. She sighed as Lucas’s arms encircled her waist, trying for the moment to forget about Kellen, about last night’s disappointment, about the fact they were at war at all.
Lucas began to shiver against her. She stepped back, confused, only to find a similarly bewildered expression on his face. It was then she realized the trembling had continued, independent of her contact with Lucas’s body. As the motion became steadily stronger, understanding came to Morgan.
“Earthquake,” she said, eyes wide, as the ground began to lurch in earnest.
As if to punctuate her proclamation, a dish crashed to the kitchen floor.
Lucas grabbed her hand. “This way!” He pulled her toward the hallway, stopping her at its mouth.
A scream sounded down the hallway and Morgan recognized her cousin’s voice. “Joss!” She made to go to her, but Lucas kept her firmly in place beside him.
“It’s not safe,” he said, apology clear in his eyes. “Joss!” he yelled. “Get to the doorway if you can!”
The sounds of things hitting the floor filled the cabin: the sharp clash of plates and glasses echoed throughout the open common area. As the shaking continued, Morgan held tight to Lucas, wishing it would stop. Just when she was sure that it was going to continue forever, the earth stilled.
Her first thought was her cousin. Staggering a little, she made her way to their shared bedroom and pushed open the door. The room was ba
rely recognizable with books, clothes, and furniture littering the floor. Morgan scanned the area for Joss, not finding her until the second sweep because she was mostly hidden beneath her comforter and bedside table.
She approached Joss as quickly as she could without tripping over the assorted detritus between them. But all sense of precaution left her when she saw the blood.
“No! Joss!” In an instant, Morgan was at her side, clearing debris off her cousin as carefully as she could. Shards of glass—likely from the one Joss kept on her bedside table—peppered her face, which was sticky, red, and oozing. There was so much blood that Morgan wasn’t sure where it was coming from. She nudged her cousin’s shoulder. “Joss? Joss?”
“What’s wrong?”
Morgan didn’t turn as Wen entered the room, instead directing all of her energy to Joss. Though she hadn’t the faintest conception how to go about Healing someone, she figured now was the time to try. Centering her energy, she focused her mind on an image of Joss’s unmarred face.
She opened her eyes as Wen settled beside her, but Joss looked the same. Heavy panic settled in the pit of her stomach as a thought impressed itself upon her: Maybe it wasn’t working because Joss was too far gone.
“What’s wrong with her?” Wen’s fingers pressed against Joss’s neck as he spoke. “Pulse is steady,” he murmured. “Must’ve been knocked unconscious…”
His words snapped Morgan to reality. “She’s… alive?”
Wen ignored her. “Lucas!” he called over his shoulder. “Get your ass in here! Joss is hurt!”
“She’s not the only one.” Greg entered the room slowly, his arm around Ellie, who was cradling her left arm with her right.
Wen’s eyes assessed his sister’s condition before straying back to Joss. A spasm coursed through his body, as if he couldn’t decide to stay where he was or go to Ellie.
“I’m okay, Wen; it’s just a break,” Ellie said, her voice tight with pain. “Greg’s got me. You stay where you are.” Her eyes squeezed shut, her lips pressing themselves into a tight line. “What’s taking Lucas so long?”
The Naturals Trilogy Page 59
