When he spoke, his voice cracked with everything he was holding back. “And the answer is no way.”
“Gray—”
“No. Fucking. Way.”
“What’d we miss?” Bri whispered to A.J.
“Love, Girlfriend,” A.J. replied. “It’s love.”
Gray took my hand and pulled me to my feet.
“We’ll be back,” I managed as he hauled me out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
As soon as I’d shut the door to our bedroom, Gray pinned me against it.
Anger didn’t come easily to him. I could count on one hand the number of times he’d displayed it toward me. He wasn’t angry now; he was furious.
“Let’s get something very clear,” he said in a low growl. “You disappeared from my life once. You’re not doing that to me…to us…again.”
Emotion clogged my throat. I reached up to touch his face.
“I love you so much,” I managed.
“I’m serious,” Gray told me, bending down until we were at eye level and our breaths mingled.
“If Subject 6 is trying to destroy the potion, that’s a good thing,” I said, trying to bring the conversation back to the important point. “How can we just turn him over?”
“What he’s doing is illegal,” Graysen said. “And it isn’t just about the murders and mind-melding. The public is going to find out about him at some point. When they do, it’s going to strain tensions between Magics and Naturals even more.”
I chewed on my lip. I didn’t want to back down, but there was nothing I could say to refute Gray’s point.
Things were bad enough, and if Super Mags were ever going to be included under the law, we needed to apprehend Subject 6 before he caused any more damage.
“Okay,” I said after a long pause. I had to force out the next words. “You’re right.”
“Promise me,” he said, not backing down.
Lying was a talent Gray and I had needed to hone since we were kids. Between us, we’d told thousands of lies to protect our secret. I could look someone right in the eye and tell them something completely false.
The only people we’d never lied to were each other.
So, when I gave him my word, we both knew I’d keep it.
I let out a heavy sigh. “Do you want to make the call to Pruwist, or should I?”
✽✽✽
“That sonofabitch!” Yutika balled up a piece of paper and chucked it at Smith’s laptop.
We had all woken up from a rejuvenating nap to discover that Pruwist had spent the last few hours far more productively than we had.
We watched in stunned silence—with the exception of periodic curses—as Pruwist addressed the city of Boston. He delivered the update Gray and I had given him a little while ago, in some instances even word for word. He told everyone about Subject 6, his abilities, and the fact that he was responsible for the recent murders.
The only problem was that Pruwist had left out two semi-crucial details.
The first was that he’d omitted any mention of the Magical Reduction Potion. He’d also failed to explain that Subject 6 was only targeting the Board members rather than hunting down Bostonians indiscriminately.
He was also taking credit for all of the work we’d done.
“In conclusion,” Pruwist said, offering the camera a brilliant smile. “I want every Natural and Magic in Boston to know I am working day and night to ensure that this murderer is apprehended.”
“Poppycock,” A.J. said.
“I am collaborating with Boston Magic and Natural police to ensure our citizens are safe,” he continued. “I will not stop fighting to protect our city during these difficult times. I vow to you that, together, we’ll apprehend this criminal. And we’ll be a better, stronger, more united city for it.”
Camera bulbs flashed. The reporters in the room cheered.
“What a sleaze,” Bri said with disgust.
“Meanwhile, his popularity just jumped twelve more points in the polls,” Smith said.
“Maybe we could just let Subject 6 off him,” Yutika grumbled.
“No arguments here,” I muttered. And then, clearing my throat, I said, “We can’t. We need him.”
“Besides,” Graysen added. “None of the other candidates are any better. I looked at their stances on major issues. All of Pruwist’s opponents are either clueless or corrupt.” He paused. “A few of them are both.”
“Is it too much to ask that a good candidate run for the Director position?” A.J. complained.
“Yes,” Smith and I both said.
“Ugh.” I rubbed my head, which was starting to throb. “I wish we could just do it. Might be nice to have leaders who weren’t corrupt for once.”
A.J. chucked. “That I would like to see.”
“Holy shit.” Gray leapt to his feet. “Smith, pull up Section 125, Article 26 of the Alliance’s Report of Laws.”
We all exchanged puzzled looks.
Smith’s laptop stayed closed as a page of crowded text appeared on the wall next to the information about Subject 6. Graysen scanned the dense passage for less than a minute before turning back to us.
“Gray, what?” I demanded.
A small, incredulous smile spread across his lips.
“I think we might just pull this off.”
CHAPTER 31
Co-Directors…you and me?” My voice squeaked a little. I cleared my throat. “Have you lost your mind?”
“No, no, no, this is bloody brilliant,” A.J. said.
The little traitor.
“Bloody brilliant?” Yutika raised an eyebrow. “Are we going British now?”
“It was your idea,” Graysen reminded me.
“I wasn’t serious!” I threw up my hands.
“Given that the Alliance is meant to represent both groups equally,” Graysen said, “it stands to reason that there should be a Magic and a Natural Director…simultaneously.” He tapped a paragraph of text on the wall. “There’s nothing in the language about the position of Director that prohibits two individuals from running on a single ticket.”
“Um….” Yutika said, just about summing up what I was thinking.
“That’s our Level 10 Brainiac,” A.J. said proudly.
“If Kaira and Graysen win,” Michael began.
“When,” A.J. corrected. “When they win, the UnAllied are going to lose the base of their power. With a Mag Director, they’ll have someone who will legally support them. Only the extremists will stick with Valencia.”
“We’re going to need flyers,” Yutika said, snapping her fingers. “And bumper stickers.”
“Ooh, and those signs we can stick in people’s lawns that no one ever pays any attention to,” Bri added.
The others were talking excitedly, but all of my focus was on Gray.
I recognized that look in his eyes. It was pure determination.
“I’m unMarked,” I reminded him, deciding to go with the most obvious counterpoint first.
“Yeah.” Graysen crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall. “That’s why we’re going to campaign on abolishing the second high law.”
“No one’s going to want to elect a high law-breaker,” I said, feeling ridiculous that we even had to have this conversation. I tried to ignore the tiny What if… voice in the back of my head…the one that would do anything to get rid of the second high law.
I shook my head, trying to snap myself back into reality. I was not running for the position of Alliance Director.
“You’re a maverick,” Bri said. “You question the norm and don’t bow to political pressure.”
“In other words, an outlaw,” I pointed out.
“People will appreciate our honesty,” Graysen said. “And the fact that we aren’t afraid to make waves.”
That was one way of putting it.
“Plus you’re both hot,” Yutika said. “That never hurts.”
“Really, Yutika?” Michael shook his head in exasperati
on.
Yutika just gave him a What? look and shrugged.
“Half the city is still calling us baby killers,” I reminded Gray.
I was beginning to feeling like I was grasping at straws. The conversation was slipping through my fingers, and I didn’t even understand how. My friends had lost their minds.
“If we can overturn the second high law in Boston,” Graysen said, “we’ll be able to convince the rest of the country to do it, too.”
I opened and closed my mouth, but no argument came out.
“Come on, babe,” Gray said in a teasing voice. “You know you want to.”
I most certainly didn’t.
Did I?
A vision filled my mind of Gray and I abolishing the second high law…of adding provisions to the Alliance’s Report of Laws that would include the Super Mags…of our children being protected under the law….
Gray raised his eyebrows at me in challenge. Triumph lit his eyes as he sensed me caving.
Sometimes, I really resented how well he could read me.
“Gray, this is absurd,” I murmured.
“No, it isn’t,” he insisted. “Between the two of us, we cover all the interests in the city.”
“Kaira, you have to do it,” Bri said.
“I’ll manage your entire campaign,” A.J. offered. “All you have to do is stand up there and look pretty.”
The rest of the Seven were nodding. Even Sir Zachary was wagging his tail.
“I’m not a politician,” I argued weakly.
“That’s a good thing,” Graysen assured me. “Our only real competition is Pruwist, and we’re going to appeal to all Bostonians who don’t trust that old guard politician type. We’re going to represent the change our city needs.”
Everyone in the room was looking at me, waiting for my decision.
“Um….” I stalled. “I guess? I mean, why not.” I looked at Gray. “Yes.”
“Gonna be awkward if you ever break up,” Smith muttered.
“I wouldn’t worry about that,” Yutika said with a smirk, just as Gray swooped in to kiss me.
“So, how do we go about…announcing our campaign?” I asked, still feeling a little like I was in an alternate reality.
Kaira Hansley, breaker of two high laws and a general pain in the Alliance’s ass, is running for the Director position. Don’t forget to vote!
Who could say no to that?
“Didn’t Pruwist say something about a rally today?” Michael asked.
Smith looked at his screen and nodded. “He’s speaking at the BSMU in an hour.”
“Jeepers,” A.J. said. “Don’t look at me.”
I didn’t think anyone was.
“What do you people take me for,” A.J. persisted, “a fairy godmother?”
“I’m the fairy godmother,” Yutika told him. “Since I presume I’ll be the one making their outfits.”
I sat at the table, feeling like a fish out of water, while the others prepared for our first campaign event.
“Does this mean we’re not going after Subject 6 anymore?” Yutika asked.
“No,” Bri and I said together.
“He knows something about what really happened to my niece and all those other babies,” Bri added.
Graysen nodded. “And regardless of his motives, Subject 6 is still a murderer.”
“Besides,” A.J. chimed in. “We need to figure out what the deal is with the Magical Reduction Potion.”
“I have questions that need answering,” Smith said. “Like how the Board of Peaceful Resolutions is involved with the Magical Reduction Potion, and what’s the connection between the potion and those empty DAMND graves.”
“We’re still going to take Subject 6 down,” Graysen said. “We’re just going to do it on our terms, rather than Pruwist’s.”
“Well, just don’t expect me to go out into public without an illusion until all your fancy promises become law,” Smith said, pointing an accusing finger in my face.
“I haven’t promised anything yet,” I retorted, annoyed.
This was all happening too fast. Gray had commandeered Smith’s laptop and was pulling up law after law so we could prepare. He kept firing off talking points at a rate that made my head spin.
It was even harder to concentrate when Bri started waving a mascara wand in front of my eyes. A hair straightener started working through my hair with no one attached to the handle.
Half an hour later, we were in the van and heading for the BSMU. It occurred to me that I wasn’t going to wake up from this insane dream and laugh about it with Gray…because this was real.
We were running for the position of Director.
I had been working against the Alliance for so long, it should have felt wrong to be trying to become a part of it. But if we managed the impossible and won, we wouldn’t be supporting a system I distrusted. We’d be changing it…making it work for everyone instead of just some.
A warm feeling spread through my insides. It took me a few moments to place the emotion…hope.
“It’s official,” Smith announced. “You’re both registered as contenders for the position of Alliance Director. I also hacked in to the BSMU’s enhanced security system to give our van access to the backstage area. Oh, and I killed all the security cams, so the rest of us can stay under the radar.”
That sounded like a poor way to start out my foray into being a law-abiding, elected official.
CHAPTER 32
By the time we reached the BSMU campus, people were everywhere.
Michael went to talk to the rally organizers. A few minutes later, Gray and I were being escorted onto the makeshift stage in the center of the quad.
Pruwist, surrounded by his escort of Mag and Nat bodyguards, was already positioned behind the podium. He looked from Gray to me. A range of emotions, from shock to indignation, crossed his face in a matter of seconds.
“What are they doing up here?” Pruwist demanded. He snapped his fingers at a man on the side of the stage who was wearing a lanyard and had some official badge clipped to his lapel.
“I—” the man began.
Pruwist rolled his eyes and turned to his security detail. “Get rid of them,” he barked.
One of Pruwist’s Combat Mags, who had been talking to an organizer at the side of the stage, strode over to Pruwist. Leaning down, the Mag whispered in Pruwist’s ear.
The interim Director’s face turned scarlet. He looked at Gray and me with open outrage. I waved at him. Graysen flashed Pruwist an election-winning smile.
“You’re sure our contract with him is ironclad?” I asked Gray out of the corner of my mouth.
There was no way Pruwist was going to play nice with us after this unless he had no other choice.
“Positive,” Graysen replied. “We’re not letting him get out of our agreement no matter who wins the election.”
Pruwist gave us a look that could kill, but that was all he could do. If he wanted to question our presence on this stage, he was going to have to make a scene in front of everyone.
Pruwist gestured to the man with the lanyard on the side of the stage. They had a brief, frantic conversation. Then, the man hurried off the stage.
The smug look Pruwist threw in our direction didn’t bode well.
I turned my attention on the people milling around on the quad. It seemed like the entire school had emptied out for this rally. I looked down into the sea of faces and tried not to pass out.
My fluttering nerves calmed a little when I recognized Gray’s crew teammates sitting in the front row, along with the rest of the Seven. They were all passing out flyers that were zooming off an unmanned copy machine…in the middle of the quad. The machine wasn’t plugged into anything, and yet, it was spitting out posters with mine and Gray’s faces that said Vote for Kaira and Graysen. They’ll get s*** done!
We were so screwed.
I tried to concentrate on holding my friends’ illusions in place while not submitting to
the urge to change my own appearance. All I wanted was to get the hell out of here.
An older woman I assumed was a BSMU professor introduced Pruwist, Graysen, and me. With the flattering introduction she gave Gray and me, as well as the way she kept glancing down at Michael, I knew he’d had a little chat with her.
Another podium appeared from somewhere, and a student fitted a microphone onto it before scampering off the stage.
Gray gave me a look, silently asking if I wanted to speak first. I replied with an Are you out of your mind eye bulge.
Giving me a little smile, Gray took the microphone and began to introduce both of us.
He was made for this. He unhooked the microphone so he could move around as he talked to the audience like we were all a big group of friends.
The giant screens set up on either side of the stage captured his every movement. I was more than a little annoyed at the way the female students in the crowd watched him with what was more than just professional respect.
When Gray finished, Pruwist fixed him with an icy smile. That was when I knew the pleasantries were officially over.
“I’m very glad to see two such accomplished young people strive for the most important position in our city,” Pruwist said into his microphone. “Although, I have to wonder whether Mr. Galder can be trusted to put the needs of his city first, when he’s already proven that he cares more for himself than the Alliance.”
He pointed at the screen closest to him. The man I’d seen talking to Pruwist earlier nodded to one of the tech people working the monitors. Then, the live feed on the screens was replaced by a video.
The moment it began playing, my stomach sank.
It started out with a compilation of news footage from right after we’d broken Gray out of jail. All of the anchors were talking about the fugitive, Graysen Galder, and emphasizing how his escape had thrown the city into chaos.
“As if that wasn’t bad enough,” Pruwist said after the footage had run its course, “Mr. Galder has made it clear that he values his girlfriend more than the good of his city. Leaders cannot put their own needs ahead of their citizens, and as you will see, Graysen Galder does just that.”
Mags & Nats 3-Book Box Set Page 53
