Silver Smoke (#1 of Seven Halos Series)

by Monica O'Brien

  "Oh, you know. Them."

  Kennedy wasn't making any sense. "Do you mean the writer of the book?"

  "Writer, or writers." Kennedy waved her hands dismissively. "Or whoever stopped the feud in the first place."

  Pilot nodded thoughtfully. "Do you really believe in this stuff?" he asked, gesturing to the book.

  She trapped him again with her eyes. "Sure," she said. "Do you?"

  "Not really." He was determined not to break her stare this time.

  "Why not?"

  "It's all for fun, right? Fairy tales, legends, urban myths... they're all imaginary."

  "And are God and Hell imaginary, too?" she asked.

  "Those are different," he said, looking away. Damn it, he thought. She got him again.

  "What makes them different?"

  "I don't know. They just are." Pilot wasn't sure how he'd gone from ancient, mythological feuds to philosophical religious questions with this girl he'd just met.

  Kennedy tapped her fingers against the table, eating another Mentos. "All the stories of gods and myths have been woven together throughout history. How do we separate myth from truth?"

  "I don't know." The look she gave him was smoldering; it made it hard for him to remember what they were talking about. "Maybe I don't believe in God then, either."

  Her expression turned sultry, a wicked smile spreading across her face. "You have to believe in something, Pilot."

  He liked the way she said his name.

  "So this is what, like a religion to some people?" he asked, gesturing to Hawaiian Myths and Legends.

  "Of course it is," she said, "to some people. To me, it's just a hobby. I like things that go bump in the night."

  She gave him a playful, teasing look. Pilot bit his tongue; he couldn't tell if she meant something more.

  The bell rang; it was time for him to go to lunch. Kennedy stood up and grabbed her purse.

  Pilot felt a burning heat rising up out of his chest. "Are you leaving?"

  Kennedy glanced past Pilot's head. Around them, people were packing their bags. She leaned in close to him. "I'm not supposed to be here," she murmured. "I don't go to this school, remember?" She brushed her lips against his cheek. "I'll find you again, I promise."

  "Kennedy, wait," he said grabbing her hand. He took a deep breath. "Can I take you out? On a date?"

  "Maybe," she said. She leaned in, licking the bottom of his lip lightly. She pressed her lips to his mouth. Just as he began to kiss her back, she pulled away.

  "Can you handle a date with me?" she asked, laughing.

  "I can try," Pilot said, taking in the way her silky blouse hung from her shoulders.

  She bit her upper lip with those perfect white teeth. "Okay then," she said mischievously. "But I should warn you; it will be a first date you'll never forget."

  *****

  Just do it. Brie was at her wits' end with the mission Sirena had given her. She had tried to retrieve the pendant from Rykken several times, but nothing had worked so far. On Tuesday, she skipped her first class and snuck into the boys' locker room during the morning water polo practice. She dug through all of Rykken's locker things, including about a dozen pairs of clean socks. But she couldn't find the pendant, even though she knew he would never wear it to practice. By Wednesday, Brie was trying to use her powers during English class; she could sense the pendant on Rykken's chest and could see the chain around his neck, but nothing she tried even made the pendant move, much less fly off of Rykken's neck and into her purse without him noticing.

  Sirena was right. Magical objects really did have to be given, not taken. It was Friday now, and Brie knew she had no choice if she wanted to learn more about the pendant. She had to talk to Rykken and convince him to let her borrow it. No matter how much he hated her, he was the only person who could give it to her.

  Right before lunch, Brie walked purposefully toward Rykken's locker to catch him alone.

  About ten feet away, Brie noticed a problem in her plan. Rykken was there, leaning against the light gray lockers embedded into the off-white walls of the hallway, but he wasn't alone. A few of the water polo guys were with him, and one of them, a dark brown guy with curly, unruly hair, punched Rykken's arm playfully.

  "Bro, come on. I need an in." Brie overheard him saying. "You know Pilot will never help me talk to his sister." They were talking about her. She tried to blend in to the crowd of students as she moved closer to hear them.

  "Why are you so fixated on her?" Rykken asked. Brie's heart sank at his tone.

  "She's my type," the guy replied simply. "Plus I need a date to Homecoming."

  "And you think she'll go with you?" Rykken mused.

  "She wants to go with someone, I'm sure." He was cute, if not cocky. He reminded her of a guy she had dated back home in Manhattan.

  "Trust me, stay away from her," Rykken said. "She did this, remember?" He pointed to his face. "I think she's bipolar." Brie could hardly believe her ears. Was this really Rykken saying these things?

  The guy scoffed. "Maybe she doesn't like you." The other guys around him laughed. "Or maybe you're jealous? If you want to go with her instead, just tell me."

  "Not a chance I would take her to Homecoming." Rykken replied quickly, slamming his locker shut. He turned and finally noticed Brie, standing on the fringes of the crowd in the hallway.

  Rykken seemed surprised, but he focused on a point straight ahead as he walked past her, his body language daring her to stop to him.

  "I need to talk to you," she said, stepping out in front of him and meeting him head on.

  "Stay the hell away from me," he said calmly.

  Brie felt like he had punched her in the gut. "Where is this coming from?"

  Rykken gave her a hard look, his jaw laced with anger. "Do you have any idea how hard you slapped me? It left a red mark the size of a hand." Brie looked at his eye and noticed there was still a bruise.

  Had she really hit him that hard?

  Brie shook her head, flustered. "I'm sorry."

  His lips quivered. "You honestly think that a half-hearted apology almost a week after the fact is going to change things?"

  "I had no idea I hit you that hard."

  Rykken glared at her, sending chills up Brie's spine. "You sit next to me in English class. You didn't see the bruise? The guys have been giving me shit for it all week."

  Brie said nothing, which seemed to only make Rykken angrier with her. A large vein at the juncture of his neck and jawline pulsed visibly. "That's the problem with you," he said, to no one in particular.

  "You don't notice. You don't see anyone or anything but yourself."

  "That's not fair," Brie protested, finally reclaiming her nerves.

  "It's fair because it's true. You do whatever you want. You spent months in your room, ignoring your brother when he needed you most. You scared him, Brie. You have no idea how much you scared him. Then, you got defensive with your dad when he was trying to help. Now you never go home? You make Annie worry about you." Brie was too surprised by his words and deep insider knowledge of her life to say anything.

  "You hurt people. And you don't care, do you?" he asked. He was only a few inches from Brie's face.

  She stared at him defiantly, though she had no counter-argument. It wasn't like she could explain anything or justify her actions without explaining the Hallows and giving away the precarious situation she was in.

  Rykken shook his head. "You're the most selfish person I've ever met." Brie swallowed hard, fighting to keep her composure. It was only then that she noticed all the other students in the hallway, eagerly watching them like they were an episode of reality TV. They had caused a scene.

  Rykken looked around, coming to the same realization at the same time. "Like I said, stay out of my life." He pushed past her, his broad shoulder shoving her slightly into the gray lockers, though not enough to hurt.

  Brie leaned against the lockers for support, fresh tears brimming to the surface. Ever
yone was staring at her. And worse, Rykken was right. She had been so focused on getting the pendant that she hadn't even thought to apologize to Rykken. She had been so focused on Sirena and the Hallows and all her own problems, she hadn't thought of what Pilot and Annie would think. She was selfish, and not even remotely worthy of her family's love or Rykken's kindness. The thought brought her a sadness she hadn't experienced in weeks.

  The water polo guy with the fluffy hair rushed over and put his arm around her, holding her steady.

  "Are you okay?" he asked. He had a soft scent about him, a distinct mixture of musky cologne and Old Spice Sport.

  Not trusting her voice, she didn't answer. "Ry's being a jerk. He gets like that sometimes," he said soothingly. "I'm Justin, by the way." He smiled at her encouragingly.

  Brie grabbed his arm tentatively, happy the tears had decided not to spill at the moment. She could save the crying for later. "Thanks," she said, steadying herself. She let go of Justin, but Justin didn't drop his arm from her waist. "I'm Brie," she said awkwardly. It felt strange to be embraced by someone she had only seen a couple times in passing.

  At that moment, Pilot appeared out of nowhere, bringing Brie a fresh wave of guilt. Brie hadn't had a serious conversation with Pilot in weeks. What was the point in trying to keep people safe if you never took the time to talk with them?

  Justin saw Pilot and dropped his arm from Brie's waist quickly. "Hey guy," he said. "Where were you?

  You missed the big show."

  Pilot looked at Brie and Justin standing next to each other and his entire face twitched. "Did it involve a drastic reduction of square footage in the hallways? Because you're standing awfully close to my sister right now."

  Brie's eyes spiraled with annoyance, and Justin had the nerve to laugh in Pilot's face.

  "Even better," he said. "Rykken just flew off his handle about—"

  "Nothing," Brie burst out, cutting Justin off. Pilot's skeptical eyes flitted in her direction. "It was nothing," she repeated, sending Justin a meaningful look. Brie didn't want to cause a fight between her brother and his best friend. She had a feeling that the things Rykken accused her of had been said in confidence. She wasn't supposed to know, and if anything, she wanted Pilot to confront her himself.

  Pilot glanced back and forth between Justin and Brie, sharp concern lining his forehead.

  "I have to go," Brie said. "I'm meeting Sirena for lunch." Turning to Justin, she added, "Nice to meet you again."

  He grinned sheepishly. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow night?"

  "You're coming to our party?" she asked. James was throwing a welcome home party for himself, and Brie and Pilot were supposed to invite their friends so James could "get to know" them. Naturally, half of the sophomore, junior, and senior classes were coming, since everyone wanted to meet someone famous.

  Brie had been dreading the event the whole week.

  But Justin didn't know that. He smiled, and said, "Sure, I'll be there. I'm looking forward to seeing you again." He winked at her.

  Brie couldn't help but smile a little. Justin was cute, and it was nice to interact with a boy who didn't hate her. As Brie walked away, she felt Justin's eyes follow her. She heard a whop on the back of someone's head as Pilot said, "Dude, she's my sister. Have some respect."

  *****

  Pilot sat quietly at their usual lunch table in the quad, tracing the outline of the gem imprint on the cover of Hawaiian Myths and Legends. Rykken sat next to him, disturbingly engrossed in a homework assignment. The other guys had left to play basketball, as usual. "You look like your head is about to implode," Pilot noted.

  Rykken shrugged. "I'm trying to get this assignment done."

  Pilot sensed something a little off in Rykken's tone. He remembered Justin's earlier words. Rykken just flew off his handle... "Did something major happen—"

  "No," Rykken said immediately.

  "I didn't finish my sentence," Pilot pointed out.

  "I already knew what you were going to ask." Rykken hesitated, biting hard on the end of his pen.

  "Justin is asking Brie to Homecoming. So there's that."

  "I thought that was weird," Pilot said, shaking his head. "They were a little too close when I got there." Pilot propped his head in his palm, letting his elbow rest on the table.

  Rykken glanced up, his forehead creased. "I guess Justin finally asked her."

  "Bastard. He better not even think about taking advantage of her."

  Rykken said nothing and turned back to his assignment, scribbling furiously in a notepad.

  "Dude, you're going to break that pen." Pilot remembered another detail from the scene earlier, and something clicked in his mind. "Brie was shaken up when I saw her. Did you get in another fight with her?"

  Rykken continued scribbling. "Yeah, a small one," he said, without looking up.

  Pilot frowned. "I thought things were getting better between you two."

  "They were. They're worse again."

  "Dude, just try to be civil."

  Pilot heard a violent crack of plastic. Rykken had practically crushed his pen into the notepad he was using.

  "Look, I get it," he said, tossing the pen into a trash can several yards away. "She's your sister, you love her, blah blah blah. I can't deal with her though. She's got this infuriating air about her. Her mood swings are all over the place, and she ignores me until the minute she needs something." Rykken flipped the pages of his notepad to the beginning, placing it back on the table slightly too hard.

  "Actually, I'm convinced she ignores everyone until she needs something."

  Pilot narrowed his eyes, staring off into space. Rykken's hatred for Brie was so strong. He didn't understand how he could be close to two people who hated each other so much.

  Rykken sighed loudly. "Why does it matter anyway?"

  Pilot shrugged his shoulders. "You two are the only people in the world I really care about. When Brie hurts, I hurt. And I don't want to choose between you."

  Rykken looked up again. "I'm assuming you would choose her."

  "If it came down to it, she's my sister. But it won't come to that. Why would it?"

  Rykken pursed his lips. "Look. I'll do what I can."

  Pilot smiled, absentmindedly tracing the outline of the jewel imprint again. He didn't want to let Brie and Rykken's issues ruin his good mood. The shape of the gem imprint looked so familiar to him, yet he couldn't figure out where he recognized it from.

  "You're still messing with that book, huh?" Rykken gestured to Hawaiian Myths and Legends. "Find anything interesting in it for your paper?"

  "Sort of," Pilot said, grinning. The sexy image of the real, flesh and blood girl who surprised him in the library lingered in his mind. He wasn't sure what she had in mind for their first date, but he knew he wanted to find out. "Do you see this?" he asked Rykken, pointing to the empty imprint. "There's a gem that goes here. It's missing though—a complete mystery."

  Rykken looked grumpy. "Maybe a ghost stole it."

  "This stuff seriously doesn't interest you?" Pilot asked. He found the dark myths fascinating. They made the island seem less quaint, more sinister—like something fascinating could be lurking under the surface.

  "No. But I can pretend I care if you want." Rykken pulled the book toward him, looking at the gem imprint closer. His eyes widened to the size of ping pong balls.

  Pilot furled his eyebrows. "Do you recognize it?"

  "Not really." Rykken pushed the book back in Pilot's direction, flipping through his notepad again.

  Pilot put his hand on Rykken's notepad, silencing the shuffling of papers. "You're lying." Rykken said nothing, and Pilot folded his arms defiantly. "Come on dude. I know I've seen a shape like this before, but I can't remember where. If you think you know something about it, you should tell me."

  Rykken leaned in; he seemed a little freaked out. "Remember that pendant I found?" he asked.

  "No," Pilot said.

  Rykken's face twisted wi
th exasperation. "The necklace," he said, making quotation marks in the air with his fingers. "The one that you and Justin made fun of me for." Rykken pulled the book over to him again. "See this part of the imprint?" he asked. He pointed to a dip in the imprint, worn so deeply it was almost indistinguishable from the rest. "Does it look like a... a crescent moon to you?"

  Pilot hovered over the book, letting his fingers feel the space. "A little, maybe. I'm not really sure." He looked closely; it did look a bit like an imprint of that necklace Rykken found.

  "I think you're right." Pilot smiled at Rykken, though Rykken didn't return his enthusiasm for solving the puzzle. "You found the necklace on the beach, right? It must be a museum souvenir or something. I just need to figure out where this book is from then. They're probably a set."

  "I don't think the pendant is a silly souvenir."

  "Of course it is." Pilot looked at the imprint again. "Are you sure they go together though?"

  "No. This imprint doesn't match up to the pendant's shape closely enough." Rykken was still staring at the book, wide-eyed. "But they're similar."

  "So uh, where's the necklace then?" Pilot asked. "I want to see if it fits."

  "I don't have it with me."

  "Where is it?"

  "I got rid of it this morning. I threw it in a fire." Rykken shuddered.

  "You did what? I thought you said it was valuable." Pilot scratched his head. "Why didn't you sell it?"

  "I couldn't," Rykken said. His tone cast a shadow over his face. "The pendant might not be gone for good though."

  "Okay, you're seriously freaking me out. What do you mean?"

  Rykken gave Pilot a nervous look. "Well, I tried to throw it in the ocean yesterday." He gulped down a massive amount of air. "But this morning, I woke up with it around my neck."

  *****

  "Concentrate Brie." "I am concentrating."

  "You can't concentrate if you're talking."

  "I can't concentrate with you around!"

  "Clara, please."

  "Fine." Clara snatched her bag from the bench with vehemence. "I'm going to the library." She glared at Brie as she stalked off down the steps of the gazebo.