by Leyton, Bisi
“You brought the Family to Smythe and put us all at risk. If you don’t get yourself together, I’ll make sure your locked away, before you can cause yourself any more harm.”
“Since you blame me for everything that’s happened, I promise I’ll fix it.”
“Enough Lara.” Coles flung the kitchen door open. “Both of you need to cool off.”
“Fine.” Opening the front door, Wisteria marched out of the house. She wanted to run, but that felt childish. As she left, she heard her mother calling for her, but she’d heard enough. By the time Wisteria got to Amanda’s house, she felt sweaty and out of breath.
“Are you okay?” Garfield opened the door. “You look like hell.”
“I feel like death warmed up.” She staggered forward. “What are you doing here? Are you and Amanda—”
“I came to get the stuff I left here.” He held up his backpack.
Feeling dizzy, Wisteria slumped.
“I got you.” He lifted her off her feet.
“Is she okay?” Amanda came to the door.
“I’m fine.” Wisteria answered softly “I can walk. Put me down.”
Garfield carried her inside and laid her on Amanda’s bed.
“You shouldn’t have gone to see your mum.” Amanda came in with a glass of water. “She gets you so upset.”
“I’ll never learn.” Wisteria wheezed.
“I should go.” Garfield glanced at Amanda.
“Yeah, you should,” Amanda muttered.
“Wait, Garfield, we should—” Wisteria wanted to tell them both what happened, but remembered she couldn’t because Nate Weiss, Amanda’s father was a Thayn. “Let’s talk later.”
He’d been renewed by Coia years ago, but had been renewed again by her son Jason, when they thought Coia was dead to stop him from losing his mind. Jason had assured them Nate would be loyal to him but as a precaution, they never discussed Coia, Bach or the Family in Amanda’s house.
As usual, any argument Wisteria had with her mother ended up being about one of those subjects.
Your moon will reflect in his eyes. Her mother’s words echoed in Wisteria’s mind as she drifted to sleep. She woke up in the middle of the night, sweating in the cool night air. Rising slowly, so she’d not disturb Amanda, who was in bed next to her, she went over to the barred window, drew the curtains and watched the moon. She missed Bach. If there was any person she could talk to about how mad she was— it was him. There’d always been something about being with him that calmed her. She needed to get him back.
“What time is it?” Amanda whispered.
Wisteria picked up the manual alarm clock and held it to the moonlight. “Half two.”
“Don’t over think what happened with your mum. You should get back to bed.”
“I’m going for a walk.” Wisteria picked up her boots.
“Now? No, you almost passed out earlier.”
“I’ve slept, so I’m okay.”
“And it’s after curfew. What if you get picked up?”
“I won’t. Mulberry Orchard isn’t very far from here.”
“You’re going to Mulberry Orchard now?”
“Yeah, to speak to someone who’ll give me answers and I’m going to do it before my mum wakes up.”
“Who?” Amanda whispered.
“Silas Cheung, he knew a lot about what RZC did to me and maybe he’s got some information on my father.”
“He’s refused to talk to you since your mother discovered he told you about Bach. Why do you think he’ll change his mind—because you’re showing up at two in the morning? You could beat it out of him when we get there.”
“We?”
“You’re not going alone. Last thing I need is you passing out on your way there. Garfield would love that.”
Chapter Eight
Cross me and you’ll wish you’d fed yourself to the biters years ago
“Garfield told you about us?” Amanda whispered as they headed toward Mulberry Orchard in the dark.
Wisteria didn’t answer.
Amanda was one of her few friends in Smythe. She didn’t want to lose her friend and after Garfield almost lost it earlier, she wasn’t keen to get into it with Amanda. Plus, seeing David with Zola this afternoon made the whole situation a great big mess.
“I love Garfield. I do with all my heart,” Amanda defended. “I’ve never met a guy as nice or sweet as him.”
Wisteria continued in silence.
“But I’m totally in love with David. When I look at him, I get butterflies.” Amanda pressed her hands to her chest.
“David feels the same?” Wisteria doubted.
If David loved Amanda he wouldn’t have been with Zola. If he cared Amanda’s feelings, he would have not wanted her to find out about him being with another girl, he wouldn’t have brought Zola to the farmhouse where Wisteria could run into them. In fact, Wisteria had no recollection of David having a girl in his room until Zola. Granted, girls came by looking for him, but he kept them out of his space. If anything, this kind of proved Zola was special.
“I feel it. He does love me. Like you and Bach,” Amanda replied.
“Bach and I were bonded—it’s hard to explain.”
“Do you think you’d love him so much if you didn’t have the Mosroc?”
“I don’t love Bach because I’m bonded. I’m bonded to him because I love him.” Wisteria realized within herself as she said it. “I’m not sure David feels the same way.”
“I do. We’ve gone back and forth before, but it was because I wasn’t ready. I am now.”
“Amanda.”
“Yeah?”
“I don’t think my brother is right for you,” Wisteria finally admitted as they reached the walls surrounding Mulberry Orchard.
“We’re here,” she whispered as she gaped up at the eight-foot wall.
“Amanda, David might not be—”
“You sure you want to go in there?”
“Yeah, but about my brother.”
“Didn’t the biters escape from here that one time?” Amanda pointed at the gate.
“But they’ve improved the security since then.” Wisteria wanted to tell Amanda about Zola, but decided to do it once they were back home. Climbing up the wall surrounding the orchard, she peered into the sinister sea of apple trees. Shuddering, she recollecting the time she’d been there when the flesh eaters broke out.
That night she’d also been abducted by Red Phoenix agents who’d tried to force her onto a helicopter to Franklin. She’d almost been infected and she wouldn’t have escaped if not for Bach’s help. Where is he now? This may be the way to find out. Landing on the other side, she waited for Amanda to drop down.
The girls moved through the trees, past a clearing where the Red Phoenix helicopter was once hidden. They kept going until an old nursery school came into sight.
“Hold on.” Wisteria pulled her friend back into the trees.
Men were outside the school. Piers and a short fat guard called Private Emlyn Reece. Reece paced around the front of the facility while Piers stood smoking. Stamping out his cigarette, Piers said something to Reece who threw his gun over his shoulder and walked in the girls’ direction.
Wisteria backed Amanda deeper into the orchard. They hid behind the trees while Reece moved past.
“How do we get past Piers?” Amanda nodded in his direction.
“You could distract him,” Wisteria suggested.
“Distract him? How am I going to do that? He’ll probably shoot me for being out here in the middle of the night.”
“Tell him you’re lost and then draw him into conversation about something. Get him to turn his face away from the door.”
“Wisteria, I can’t flirt with him.”
“Be nice to him that’s all you have to do. You’re Amanda Weiss after all.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“People like you.” Wisteria decided to say, because anything else would sound lik
e she was jealous and if she were honest with herself, she was a little jealous of Amanda at times.
Amanda might be the most beautiful girl on the island and most of the guys on the island would die for a moment of her time.
“I’ll be nice.” Rolling her eyes, Amanda trudged forward and cooed, “Hey, Piers.”
“Amanda? What are you doing out here?” Piers approached her.
“I was restless, so I took a walk.” Moving past him, she led him to the side of the building. “You heard about the fight Wisteria had with her mum?”
“Yeah, everyone head about that. Listen, you can’t be out here.”
“Why?” Amanda pouted. “Wisteria is staying with me. She’s being a real pain because of the fight.”
“And you came here?” He scratched his chin. “Why?”
“I didn’t plan to.” She moved around until she was facing and Piers’ back was in Wisteria’s direction.
Sneaking past him, Wisteria dashed into the main door and slowly closed it.
“What was that?” he asked.
“The wind?” Amanda lied pathetically.
Scanning the former reception of the school, instead of pictures of kids or finger paintings, there were duty rosters and a list of names plastered on the wall.
“Stay here, I need to look inside,” Piers instructed.
When he opened the door, she leapt over the counter and ducked behind it.
The light came on for a moment and then went out.
“Did you see anything?” Amanda asked loudly.
“No, but keep it down. You’re not supposed to be here.”
The door closed.
“So, I heard you and Garfield broke up,” Piers said a few seconds later.
Amanda giggled and soon, she was chatting away with him outside.
Peeking up, Wisteria peered across the hall.
The coast was clear. Quietly, she stole through the corridor to Mr. Chueng’s office. Hearing more footsteps coming, she ducked into his office.
“Wisteria?” Sitting at a desk on his computer was a twenty-something year old Chinese-American and her former mathematics teacher, Silas Cheung. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to see Enric.”
“The Famila?” Shocked, his jaw dropped. “No way.”
“Mr. Chueng, it’ll be for minutes.”
“No.” Emphatically, he shook his head. “You leave now.” He sped around the table and tried to usher her out. “Coles is going to go ape if he catches you here.”
“I have one question. It’ll take seconds.” She struggled to prevent him from throwing her out.
“Tell you what, tell me your question and I’ll ask Enric.” Cheung opened the door.
“I can get him to tell me everything about what’s going on with the Family.”
“In all honesty…” He stopped trying to move her. “We’ve never asked him anything. Jason’s given us more than we need and is working with your mother to figure things out and keep you safe. Why don’t you ask Jason your questions?”
“Enric understands more about what’s going on than Jason does.” And because Jason was having secret meetings with my mother, so I don’t trust him to tell me the whole truth.
“Enric dragged you from Smythe and forced you to help him. Why would you believe anything he says?”
“He’s loyal to Bach and he needs me to help Bach, so he’ll be honest. Besides, he could’ve forced me to leave with him again, but didn’t.”
“He wants you to help him further his agenda and not yours. You’re smarter than that.”
“Cheung, you need to let me—”
“Go home and if you do so without a fuss, I won’t tell your parents you were here.”
“Ah, stop being a baby.” Sabine entered holding a mug of coffee. “What can Enric do to her? I’ve got the green-eyed monster pumped up with so much Bean Vine that little baby Beck could knock him out with one finger.”
“The answer is still going to be no,” he persisted.
“Lucky for me, I don’t report to you. Come on, Wisteria.” Sabine signaled to her.
“Sabine, don’t do this. Speaking with that guy isn’t going to change anything,” Cheung argued.
“Silas, we can at least keep trying.” Sabine laughed.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” he fumed
“He’s my patient and I decide who sees him. Plus, I’m kind of bored of interrogating him alone. Maybe seeing Wisteria might give me some additional leverage to hurt him.”
“You’ve got what you need from Jason, why are you interrogating him?” Wisteria wondered.
“Why not?” Sabine shrugged. “He’s very stubborn so that makes it fun. Come on, let’s wake him up.”
“You’re a doctor. You’re not supposed to enjoy torturing people,” Wisteria left with Sabine.
“That’s rich coming from you, after you conspired to get Sir Charles killed.” Sabine commented.
“That isn’t what happened.”
“Honey, you and Coles drove Charles out to Woolmer and he didn’t come back alive.”
“That’s different.”
“Sure, it’s different when you do the despicable act.” Sabine took Wisteria’s hand. “Don’t worry, it’ll get easier.”
Wisteria followed Sabine down one floor to a level that was underground. Moments later, they came to a cream metal door.
“Sabine Morel.” Sabine banged on the door twice.
The echoes of the knocks rang out, followed by the metallic clanging as the bolt on the other side unlocked.
Then the heavy door opened and a big man with beady eyes peered out. “What is this?” His gaze fixed on Wisteria. “Did you inform the Major that she’s here?”
“This is my facility, so I authorize my own visitors.” Sabine shoved at the door. “If you don’t want me running tests on your family, I recommend you open the door.”
“But I will tell Coles.” He opened the door wider.
“Ah, don’t worry about it. I trust Silas is already on his way to tattle on me.” Sabine walked in.
“Crap,” Wisteria mumbled. She hadn’t thought about Silas reporting this to her mother or Coles.
“Come in.” Sabine gestured to her. “We don’t have much time.”
Cautiously, she stepped into the little room or rather—a cell.
In the center, sat a small metal table and four chairs all hastened down. On the opposite, lay another metal door. That door opened and a man emerged with chains around his ankles and wrists. The tall muscular Famila wore long thin brown hair. His normally bright green eyes were sunken and his once tanned skin looked pale.
“Enric?” Wisteria was stunned at his gauntness.
“Wisteria of the First Pillar, you finally agreed to bring her?” Enric muttered.
“So, you do speak English,” Sabine chortled. “I was actually beginning to think you didn’t understand English.”
“My mother hasn’t spoken to him? She understands the Dialect.” Wisteria assumed Sabine didn’t understand the Dialect, Enric’s native language.
“She wasn’t going to listen to his lies.” Sabine approached him and examined his eyes. “It’s remarkable how human they can make themselves look. I keep hoping if I give him enough drugs he’ll revert back to his true form.”
“This is my true form.” Enric growled.
“Perhaps, perhaps not.” Sabine nodded. “That’s what the scientific process is all about.”
“Qwaynide, you will pay for this.” Enric cursed in his Dialect.
“Shut up.” Sabine tazered him in his ribs.
“D’cara.” He fell to the ground.
“It’s either you speak English or you say nothing.” Sabine kicked his stomach.
“Don’t, he’s not an animal.” Wisteria pulled the woman away.
“You’ve witnessed what his people do when they capture free-minded humans,” Sabine replied. “This is nothing compared to that.”
�
�We’re better than them,” Wisteria implored.
“Oh no, we’re worse.” Sabine swore. “Know that Enric. We’re going to find a way to destroy your race.”
“You are wrong.” Moaning, he struggled to get to his feet. “Humans will never destroy the Family.”
“What did he say?” Sabine turned to Wisteria.
“He said he wants to speak to me alone,” Wisteria answered.
“Nope.” Sabine shook her head.
“You’ve given him so much bean vine that he’s powerless to hurt me,” Wisteria reminded her. “You said my baby brother could even knock him out.”
“You’re a lot smaller than he is. In case he thinks he can try something use this.” She gave Wisteria the tazer.
Nodding, Wisteria never considered herself to be small. Yes, she was short, but not small—well maybe compared to Enric?
Even among the Family, he stood as a big guy. At least six foot eight standing and over 200 pounds of pure muscle, he looked more like he could be thirty rather than twenty.
“Use the tazer if he even glowers at you funny,” Sabine added.
Wisteria didn’t like the fact he’d been poisoned, because it reminded her of the times Bach was almost killed by Red Phoenix. On the other hand, Enric couldn’t hurt her in his current state. “Thanks Sabine, but I won’t torture him.”
“Don’t worry, the tazer won’t kill him and even if by some wonder you did, we don’t need him. Jason’s the key to stopping the Family, so Enric will be no loss. Have fun seeing Enric suffer for what he did to you and for that girl, Piper, whom he sent to her death.”
Enric’s brow flinched for a second at the mention of Piper.
“No.” Wisteria shook her head. “Felip beat Piper and eventually sent her to die. Enric simply didn’t care enough to help her.” She returned the tazer. “I won’t need it.”
Sabine opened the heavy door. “Come on, do it. I can tell, you want to. After all, you are your mother’s daughter.”
“Sabine—” Wisteria started.
“Or I stay in here?” She tossed the tazer at Wisteria and left.
Wisteria sat at the table opposite Enric. “We need to—” she said in the Dialect.
“Why did you not come sooner? Do you think this is a game?” he scolded in the Dialect. “You are—”
