Sacrifice

by Jennifer Quintenz

  Chapter 3

  I picked myself up off the practice mat, winded. Hale, concerned, hurried forward, offering me a hand. I took it gratefully.

  “Good one.” I managed a smile as Hale helped me to my feet. “Guess I let my attention wander for a second.” It was partly true; I’d spent the prior evening convincing Karayan to start training with us in the basement. She’d agreed to come and check it out, but was way beyond lukewarm about the idea of sparring with Hale or any other Guardsman. A small part of me wanted to show off for her, to make sparring more appealing. So it was while I was sneaking a look at Karayan to gauge her reaction that Hale struck. I hadn’t seen the punch coming fast enough to block it. Hale’s fist connected solidly, tagged me hard in the shoulder.

  “Maybe you should sit down for a moment.” Hale studied my face, his brows drawing together.

  “Probably not a bad idea.” I glanced back to the wall, where Karayan stood watching us, arms crossed. I walked over to her, grabbing my water bottle off the table. “So,” I started, forcing a bit too much cheerful enthusiasm into my voice. “What do you think?”

  “I think you’re lucky Hale didn’t take your head off.” Karayan’s eyebrow quirked up. “I’ve found, when you’re in a fight, it’s usually a good idea to keep your eyes on your opponent.”

  “Right.” I took a long drink of water, blushing.

  Hale joined us, blotting at his face with a small towel. “So, Karayan. Interested in starting some training with us?” His voice was measured. Not too friendly, but not too cold, either. He hadn’t made up his mind about her. I glanced at Karayan, and saw an equally reserved expression on her face.

  The basement door opened above us as several newcomers started down the stairs. I heard them talking with each other long before they came into view. I felt a tightening in my chest and battled the urge to cloak myself. Not that it would do any good. The new spotters—the spotters that Hale and Dad had tried so hard to keep me away from—would see through my cloak in an instant. I didn’t want to give them another reason to mistrust me. Being Lilitu was more than enough to put me on their hit list.

  After the Seal had opened and Karayan had joined our side, Hale decided the time had come to introduce us to the spotters. It was a very tense meeting. Gretchen had managed to talk them out of attacking me, but only after they’d verified that none of the Guardsmen were currently in Thrall to me. Not that I’d expected the meeting to be easy, but I’d hoped that once they’d realized I was on their side, they’d warm up to me. They hadn’t. In fact, since that first meeting, none of the new spotters had said word one to me.

  Rhea saw us first. The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. Short and stocky, with pinched eyes and a thin smile, Rhea was the one spotter I had no interest in getting to know better. She was maybe 40 years old, and she carried herself like she believed the world was out to get her. There was something about her, something mean and spiteful. Frizzy, dirty blond hair framed her pale face, while a smattering of freckles dusted her cheeks. In another lifetime, she might have been cute. But whatever was wrong with her inside eclipsed any potential beauty outside. She was the spotter for one of the last units that arrived in Puerto Escondido before the Seal was opened. I hadn’t had too much interaction with her. That being said—what little interaction we’d had was more than enough for one lifetime. She froze, hands automatically moving to the daggers at her side. The other spotters tensed in response.

  Karayan stepped up beside me, offering a united front. The spotters eyed us with open hostility.

  “Nice afternoon for a practice session.” Hale moved forward to greet them, subtly putting himself between the spotters and Karayan and me.

  Rhea’s eyes slid from Hale to me. “We didn’t realize the basement was occupied.”

  “Actually, I usually train Braedyn and Lucas every day after school around this time,” Hale said, keeping his voice warm and open, “but I don’t see any reason why we can’t all train together. There’s more than enough room. If you need more practice mats, you’ll find them over there.” Hale gestured at a line of mats stacked up against the far wall of the basement.

  Rhea hesitated, giving me another beady glare. “Fine.” She turned on her heel, heading for the mats. The other spotters followed suit, more than one taking a moment to gawk at Karayan or me before helping set the mats out.

  Hale turned back to me and I saw his shoulders ease. So he’d been more worried than he’d let on.

  “How’s the shoulder?” Hale moved forward and touched my shoulder. I hissed as his fingers made contact.

  “Sorry. Still a bit sore.” I knew the bruise—if it even formed—would fade quickly. That was one—on a very short list—of the advantages of being a Lilitu. But the initial pain of the injury was just as intense for me as it would be for a regular human girl. I edged the collar of my shirt aside. Sure enough, an angry red welt was blooming across my shoulder.

  “Should we call it for today?” Hale asked.

  I glanced at Karayan and sighed. It had been hard enough to get her to come down here with me. “No, I want to keep going.” Before Hale could argue, I smiled lamely. “I promise to pay more attention this time.”

  Hale shrugged. “If you’re sure.” He walked out onto the mat.

  Before I joined him, I turned to Karayan and dropped my voice. “I know you’re not sure about this, but training is about more than just learning how to fight.”

  “Oh?” Karayan sniffed. “Enlighten me.”

  “It’s about showing them,” I didn’t have to point to the spotters behind me; Karayan’s eyes sought them out, “that you’re one of the good guys. It’s about building trust with the Guard, and earning their trust in return. It’s about becoming part of the family.” I saw my words strike home.

  “Family, huh?” Karayan’s eyes hardened. “Then you might want to turn around. Your bitchy older sister is headed this way.”

  I turned. Rhea walked straight toward me, a neutral little smile on her lips. “So. Brenda, right?”

  “Braedyn.” I said, forcing myself to smile.

  “Braedyn, sure. We’ve got odd numbers, and I noticed you guys have odd numbers, too. So how about you spar with me?”

  I felt a little shock of surprise. “Sure.”

  “Great.” Rhea turned and walked back to an open mat. I followed her, unsettled. From any of the others, I might have taken this as an overture of friendship.

  Rhea planted herself at one end of the mat. I took my place at the other end. Before I’d settled into my stance, Rhea lunged. I swung for her, startled at the attack. Rhea dodged under my swing and stepped into my personal space, smashing a fist into my stomach. I dropped to one knee, breathless. Dimly, I was aware of the other spotters snickering behind me.

  “Easy!” Hale rushed forward. “What the hell was that?” He spun on Rhea, who eyed him levelly.

  “Sorry.” Rhea shrugged, but she didn’t look sorry. “We were taught not to pull our punches when we train.”

  “I’m not asking you to pull your punches.” Hale’s fists were balled tight with fury. “She wasn’t ready for—”

  “You want to fight, spotter? Fight me.” Karayan strode forward, something almost feral in her grin. Alarms blared in my mind. The last thing we needed was open war between the spotters and Karayan.

  “It’s okay.” I pushed myself to my feet, refusing to let the pain of Rhea’s blow register on my face. “She barely got me.” I eyed Hale, urging him to deal with Karayan before things got out of hand.

  “Why don’t you spar with me, Karayan?” Hale asked. Either he’d picked up on my silent plea, or he could see where this was headed the same as I could.

  Karayan looked at me, a question in her eyes. I nodded in encouragement. “Fine,” Karayan sighed. “Show me what you’ve got.” Karayan followed Hale back to his practice mat. I watched them, curious.

  “Well?” Rhea stepped into my line of vision. “Are we doing this
or not?”

  “I’m not sure what you’re doing, Rhea.” I met her gaze, keeping my voice level. “I’m getting a drink of water.” I pushed past Rhea and headed back to the safety of the wall. I heard more snickers behind me, and did my best to ignore them. I picked up my water bottle again and sat on the ground, trying not to strain my tender body any more.

  Rhea turned her back on me, returning to her group. I put her out of my mind, focusing instead on Hale and Karayan.

  Hale was showing Karayan a few basic moves. She looked irritated, and gestured for him to get to it already. Hale shrugged and stepped back. Karayan took a defensive stance. Hale attacked, a simple but powerful charge.

  Karayan twisted to the side, slicing her arm down to block his blow. Hale overshot her but recovered quickly. He spun back to face her, his face a mask of concentration. Karayan watched him with a bland expression. Hale attacked again, this time swinging out with the full force of his arm. Karayan slid past the punch and dropped to the mat, sweeping Hale’s foot out from under him. Startled, Hale dropped to the mat. I couldn’t help but let out a whooo!

  The spotters turned in time to see Karayan offer Hale a hand. He took it and let her help him up.

  Hale eyed her, grinning ruefully. “Nicely done.”

  Karayan crossed her arms, but I could tell she was pleased. “You do realize Thane started me training in hand-to-hand combat around the time I could stand, right?”

  “And look how well that turned out.” Rhea’s voice, though directed to the other spotters, was loud enough to carry.

  It wiped the small gleam of satisfaction out of Karayan’s eyes. Hale turned, irritated.

  “Rhea?”

  “Hmm?” She gave him a flat look, daring him to call her out.

  “Is there a problem here?”

  “Is there a problem?” Rhea gave him a look of pity. “The fact that you can’t see it makes it all the more serious.”

  “If you have something to say, please, go ahead.” Hale was keeping his anger on a tight leash, but I could see the muscle in his jaw jumping. I glanced at Karayan, worried.

  “Look. We’ve been watching that Seal for almost a month, right? And nothing. Then you put her on duty—” without taking her eyes off of Hale, Rhea pointed her finger directly at me, “and a Lilitu comes through. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see what’s going on here.”

  I was on my feet in an instant. “What are you—Are you accusing me of helping them?”

  Rhea shrugged. “I just think it’s interesting timing, that’s all.”

  I charged Rhea, fury drowning out caution. Hale caught me around the chest, keeping me from reaching the smirking spotter. “I’m loyal to the Guard,” I hissed.

  “Right. So, answer a question for us—‘cause we weren’t there, and no one seems willing to tell us—how exactly was the Seal opened? I mean, you were there, right? So what happened that night?”

  An icy splash of fear drove out my anger. Hale, sensing my change, released me. He caught my eye, worried.

  Karayan’s laugh filled the room like the peal of bells.

  Rhea glanced at her, irritated. “Something funny, demon?”

  “You are.” Karayan’s laugh faded, and her eyes glinted. “Braedyn, don’t let them get under your skin. They’re clearly threatened. Not only can we do their job, but we’re faster than they are, stronger than they are, and—” Karayan tossed her glorious hair, playing up every one of her remarkable advantages. Hale had to tear his eyes away from her. “Well. Maybe I should leave it at that. No need to get catty.”

  Rhea’s eyes strained with outrage. “Really? You just saw me drop your little friend with one punch.”

  “Oh, sweetie, no.” Karayan’s voice dropped to a dangerous tone. “She’d take you apart in a fair fight.”

  “Okay, I think that’s enough training for one afternoon.” Hale ushered Karayan and me out of the basement.

  But as I followed them up the stairs, I risked one look back. Rhea’s pinched eyes were still fixed to me, radiating cold hatred. I sighed. Looks like we weren’t going to be planning a girl’s night out any time soon.

  With Rhea and the spotters starting to hang out at Hale’s house, school became more of a haven for me during the week. Sure, there was still Amber and her posse to dodge, but campus was a lot bigger than Hale’s basement, and I had my friends to keep me company.

  At the start of the third week of the semester, I pulled into the parking lot, running late.

  “Hey, look.” Lucas, sitting in the passenger side, pointed. I followed his gesture and saw Royal and Cassie getting out of Royal’s car. Cassie heard our car approaching. She turned, saw me, and gave a small wave before heading into the north hall for first period.

  I traded a glance with Lucas. Cassie had kept her distance since our talk, and—respecting her wishes—I hadn’t approached her. But I missed her, and seeing that little wave sent a surge of hope washing through me.

  “Progress,” Lucas said.

  “Let’s hope this means things will get back to normal soon.”

  “Normal?” Lucas looked at me with a lopsided smile. “You don’t think that ship has sailed?”

  “You know what I mean.” I parked in an empty space and killed the engine. Royal waited as I closed and locked my door. “How is she?”

  “Seems to be doing better,” Royal said. He tried for a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. I hesitated, searching his face.

  “Royal, you don’t look so good.”

  “Compliments, compliments. You’re going to make me blush.” Royal tried to brush me off, but I caught his hand.

  “Seriously. Maybe you should take a sick day.”

  Royal’s face paled to an almost ashen hue. “No.”

  “Are you sure? You look like you could use some rest.”

  “I don’t want to be alone.” His eyes, usually alive with mischief or amusement, seemed hollow, listless. I felt my heart twisting in my chest. This was Seth’s doing. How could I have been so blind?

  “Come on, we’re going to be late for first period.” Royal turned and headed toward the north hall. I caught Lucas’s glance. He looked worried, too. There was a darkness hovering over Royal that hadn’t been there before Seth got to him.

  Morning classes passed, one by one, and when the bell for lunch rang I was one of the first out of my seat in Physics class. Royal and Cassie were still packing up their notes. I hesitated, unsure if I should approach or give Cassie more space.

  “Don’t forget, test on Thursday,” Mr. Harris called after his fleeing students.

  I decided to play it safe. I left, hugging my physics books to my chest. Lucas was waiting by my locker. We walked into the cafeteria together, making our way to our usual table.

  I volunteered to grab the tray of food from the cafeteria. We ate family-style at Coronado Prep, and today it was chicken fajitas with Spanish rice. I loaded my tray up with tortillas, sour cream, diced tomatoes and onions, guacamole, a bowl of steaming chicken and grilled peppers, and a bowl of Spanish rice. It smelled incredible, and I felt my stomach grumble in anticipation of the meal.

  I returned to our table with the tray. Royal took the plate of tortillas, serving himself and passing them to Lucas. We shared the food around until our plates were full. I assembled my fajita, spooning the meat, tomatoes, onions, and guacamole into a warm tortilla, then adding a dollop of sour cream on top. As I was lifting the first fajita to my lips, someone joined our table.

  “Did you save any for me?” Cassie took the empty chair beside Royal.

  “She returns!” Royal grinned at Cassie, and something like his old fire gleamed in his eyes for a moment.

  “Well, fajitas,” Cassie said, as if this explained everything.

  I grinned and pushed the tortillas toward Cassie. “There’s more than enough.”

  Cassie smiled shyly as Royal and Lucas crowded her with the other bowls. As soon as she’d served herself, she sat back.

&n
bsp; “Okay. I’m in.” Cassie caught my gaze and held it. “I’m sorry it took so long for me to work it out, but there was a lot to process.”

  “Yeah.” I felt a lump forming in my throat, and caught Lucas’s hand, giving it a squeeze.

  “So. Tell me everything.” Cassie took a big bite of fajita, watching me with undivided attention.

  “I will,” I promised. I glanced around. Tables were full of kids eating, goofing off, and generally blowing off steam before afternoon classes began. “But not here.”

  “Sophie’s?” Lucas asked.

  “Just like old times.” Cassie looked pleased.

  I smiled at my friend. It was a nice thought. But this was nothing like old times.

  The lunch crowd was long gone, and the dinner crowd wouldn’t be here for hours yet, so Sophie’s was quiet when we arrived. We made our way through the dim restaurant toward the back, finding an empty booth near the wide adobe hearth. A large fire crackled happily, and I felt some of the tension ease out of my shoulders in its glow. As we slid into the booth, I couldn’t help but picture the last time we’d all been here together. It had been my seventeenth birthday. Seth had joined us, and we’d trusted him, thinking he was a friend. Royal eyed the place, and I realized he must be thinking the same thing.

  “Royal?”

  Royal looked at me. Then he glanced around the table. We were all watching him, concerned. “I know,” he said, finally. “I know he was an incubus and I was nothing more than prey to him. But—for me it wasn’t just some fling.” Royal looked down at his hands, struggling for the words. “I thought—I mean, I was—I was in love with him.”

  Cassie reached across the table and took Royal’s hand. He let her squeeze it in silence for a long moment.

  “Do you think Seth will go after Royal again?” Cassie looked at me.

  “No.” They looked up at the vehemence in my voice. Lucas eyed me, concerned. I cleared my throat and continued. “No. We’ll protect him from Seth.”