Hale turned back to Karayan. “But you broke your code.”
“Once.”
I stared, stunned. Derek? Derek was the only Thrall she’d ever turned? Doubt rolled through my thoughts. It seemed so incredibly unlikely. Was this just some angle she was playing?
Hale seemed to share my doubts. “So you’re just a little bad, is that what you’re saying?” he asked, almost gently.
Karayan shook her head, meeting Hale’s gaze. “No. What I did to Derek, that was awful. But it’s not the worst thing I’ve done. Just the worst Lilitu thing I’ve done.”
“I don’t understand.”
Karayan sighed. “I know.”
Before Hale could ask what she meant, another Guardsman approached him. “Hale. Time for rounds.”
“Right.” Hale turned and looked up toward the balcony. I jerked back, trying to hide the fact that I’d totally been eavesdropping on them. “Braedyn, why don’t you come down, watch the Seal with Karayan while we do rounds.”
I hurried down the hidden staircase, taking care with my steps. It’d be a nasty fall if I tripped over my feet in the tight spiral. When I reached the bottom of the staircase, Hale and the others were already leaving the mission.
I spotted Karayan, who was staring at the Seal with a faraway look in her eyes.
“What are you doing?” I asked, when I was sure none of the remaining Guardsmen were close enough to hear us.
“What do you mean?”
“You and Hale. What was that, a date?”
Karayan’s cheeks flushed. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Come on,” I said. “You’re going to tell me you two weren’t flirting with each other?”
“What? No.” Karayan shrugged, blowing this off. “We were just talking.”
“Really? ‘Cause from where I was sitting, it sounded more like a Class A over share.”
Karayan faced me, suddenly defensive. “Okay, Little Miss Bit, what exactly are you saying?”
“I just want you to be careful,” I said, trying to soften my tone. “I’m worried. It’s been a long time since you’ve had any real connection with a guy and Hale—” I looked over my shoulder, double checking that we were alone. “I don’t want you to get carried away and hurt him.”
“Wow.” Karayan shook her head, turning back to watch the Seal. “I find it particularly choice that you’re lecturing me, given you’re the one with the boyfriend.”
“Karayan—” I started.
“Seriously? You’ve made your point.”
“No, Karayan, look!” I pointed at the Seal. Something was happening. The twining ribbons of shadow I’d seen the night the Seal opened seemed to shimmer over the Seal, rotating around one another with greater power than before.
“Do you feel that?” Karayan took two steps closer to the Seal.
“Careful!” I grabbed Karayan’s arm as her foot contacted with the Seal. The power of the invisible vortex pulled Karayan’s foot out from under her. If she hadn’t been holding my hand, she might have been swept into the heart of the Seal.
As it was, she clawed onto my arm and screamed bloody murder. Guardsmen came running, weapons at the ready.
Hale and the others burst through the mission’s doors as I dragged Karayan back from the Seal. We stared at the stone, but the twining shadows were already subsiding.
“What the hell was that?!” Karayan stood shakily, eyes glued to the Seal.
“I don’t know. But whatever it was, it looks like it’s over.” I glanced at Karayan. She met my gaze with an expression of fear that was all too familiar.
“Okay.” Hale gestured to groups of Guardsmen. “I want a tighter perimeter around the Seal for the duration of our shift. Weapons at the ready.” The Guardsmen hurried to obey, taking their positions with daggers in hand. Hale glanced at us. “We need our bird’s eye spotter.”
“I’ll go,” Karayan said.
“Oh.” Hale blinked, surprised. “Right. Just, let us know if you see anything.”
“Yeah. This shift can’t end soon enough.” Karayan eyed me coolly and turned for the hidden staircase leading up to the balcony above.
I took her place, drawing my own daggers. Hale risked one more glance after Karayan, not quite managing to hide his disappointment.
I clenched my teeth together. What do you know, I told myself bitterly. Rhea is right. We do need more spotters.
Because leaving Karayan and Hale alone together on another shift would be a recipe for disaster.
Chapter 8
Finally, as March rolled over the town with its rainstorms and temperature swings, we got some news.
“This is it!” Cassie bounded over to my locker, leaning in close. She dropped her voice, grinning. “Missy just told me there’s a cult meeting tonight. I’m going to James Bond the heck out of this thing.”
In an instant, I forgot all about the books I was collecting for first period. “Cass.”
“Oh come on. What’s that look for?” Cassie leaned back against the adjacent locker door, crossing her arms. “I know the rules. I’m going to listen, keep my head down, and if I sense any trouble, I’m going to slip away. Easy peasy.”
I shook my head, frustrated.
“You’re the one who convinced the Guard to let me try it,” Cassie said, exasperated.
“Doesn’t mean I can’t still hate the idea.” I pulled a textbook and my history spiral out of my locker, closing and locking the door.
“You’re a complicated girl. Believe me, I get it.” Cassie gave me a smile, trying to win one in response. “Come on. Don’t you trust me, even just a little bit?”
“You’re not the one I’m worried about.” But, whether or not I liked this idea, Cassie was the best chance we had of getting eyes on the cult. “I just wish you weren’t so excited about walking into the lion’s den, that’s all.”
“Wow. You’re like another mom lately. Come on. We’re going to be late for class.” Cassie looped her elbow through mine. But as we approached the door to first period, I spotted Amber. She was staring into a compact, slicking some lip balm on before class.
I felt for the letter in my pocket—it was still there. Hale had drafted it in five minutes this morning, almost as soon as I’d proposed my plan to him. I’d known the Guard was desperate, but I hadn’t realized the resources they had to work with until I’d asked. And yet, even though I’d set this whole thing in motion, I hesitated. Once I made the offer, there’d be no taking it back. I sighed.
“I’ll meet you inside,” I said. Cassie followed my gaze and saw Amber. She eyed me with uncertainty. “Go on. I just need a minute.”
Cassie shrugged. “Okay. But if she attacks, take off the earrings.” Cassie ducked into class at the same time Amber snapped her compact shut.
I took a deep breath and approached her. Amber looked up, her expression hardening as she saw me.
“What do you want?”
“I want to offer you a job, Amber.” I pulled the letter out of my pocket and handed it to her.
Amber eyed me suspiciously. “What’s that?”
“Just read it.” Hearing the edge to my voice, I tried again. “Please.”
Amber took the letter, searching my face for a long moment before she opened it and started to read. Her expression changed from hostile to surprised. When she finished reading she looked up. “Is this for real?”
“Yes.”
“You’re telling me the Guard will cover my tuition. All of it.”
“Until the day you graduate,” I said.
“If I work for them.”
“That is typically how the whole job thing works,” I said. “Compensation for services rendered.”
“And what exactly would those services be?” Amber’s eyes narrowed, suspicion bleeding through her features once more.
“Train with the spotters. Hone your abilities. Learn how to fight.”
“You mean, learn how to fight demons like you?”
I felt m
y shoulders stiffen, but I didn’t take her bait. “I told them about your schedule limitations. Hale would like you to train for two hours every day after school. That should give you time for cheerleading, and still get you home before your step-mom blows a gasket.”
“You did this?” Amber examined the letter in her hands again. After a long moment, she looked up. “But… you hate me.”
I shrugged, giving her a small smile. “You’re not my favorite person, no.”
“Then why help me?”
“I’m helping the Guard.” I crossed my arms. “So that’s the job. Are you interested or not?”
The bell rang, announcing the official start of school.
Amber glanced at the classroom door behind me. After a moment she met my eyes. “I’ll consider it.”
Amber brushed past me, but before she entered the class she shot me one last, considering look. I let out the breath I’d been holding. Whatever happened now, at least I’d done my part.
Cassie’s excitement grew over the course of the day. At lunch, we filled Lucas and Royal in about the cult meeting scheduled for that night.
Royal glanced at me, uneasy. “And you’re sure you can monitor her thoughts?”
“Well, we haven’t exactly tried it yet,” I bit my lip, “but I think so.”
“Maybe you should do a dry run,” Lucas said.
“Good idea.” Cassie gave me an encouraging smile. “Library? After last period?”
I nodded. Sensing my unease, Lucas caught my hand and gave it a squeeze.
“It’s going to be okay,” he said. “We’ll be as close to the meeting as we can get without being spotted.”
Royal nodded his agreement.
Afternoon classes passed more quickly than usual. Minutes seemed to vanish as if by magic. By the time last bell rang, I was frazzled and on edge. I dumped my books in my locker and hurried to meet the others in the library.
“So what should I do?” Cassie asked, when we’d settled into one of the private study rooms. Royal and Lucas turned to look at me, waiting for my answer.
“Um…” I glanced out the small window in the study room’s door. “Maybe wander around the library. I just want to make sure I can find your mind if I can’t see you.”
“Sure thing.” Cassie popped up and headed out the door. It closed behind her with a click. I took a deep breath, trying to center my thoughts.
Royal glanced at Lucas. “Should we be here for this?” he whispered.
“I don’t know,” Lucas whispered back. “I don’t know what she needs.”
“She needs quiet,” I said, giving them a sharp look.
Royal and Lucas clammed up.
I closed my eyes. As I focused on it, I could sense the dream world in the background of my conscious thought, permeating everything around us. I let my mind venture out, aware of my body still sitting in the quiet study room. My consciousness passed through the door, out onto the library’s main floor. I stared, surprised. Everywhere around me, books shimmered with a buzzing energy. Other objects—the chairs, the tables, the shelves—they had no inner life. But the books… each one seemed to vibrate with its own distinct energy.
I moved closer to a shelf—when a student walked through the space my consciousness was occupying. I caught a swirl of thoughts, something about a girl he liked, and then he was gone. I gave myself a mental shake. Explore later. We don’t have time to waste.
Centering my thoughts once more, I focused on Cassie. I held the picture of her in my mind, embracing all that made Cassie Cassie; her quirky sense of style, her optimism, her genuine spirit. It was as if a beacon lit in my peripheral vision. I felt myself turn toward it and the room started to rush past me—
And I was suddenly in Cassie’s mind, watching her hand as it trailed over a row of books. Through Cassie’s eyes, the books were just books; they’d lost their strange energy. Abruptly, Cassie froze.
“Braedyn? I think I can feel you,” she whispered. She pulled a book off the shelf at random. “Let’s try an experiment.” Cassie lowered her eyes to the book and read a passage. It was a biology textbook, and she’d picked a page about cell division. She read the paragraph twice, and then put the book away.
I rode like a passenger in her mind as Cassie bounded back to the private study room. She opened the door and I saw Lucas and Royal turn. Beyond them, I saw myself—
With a startled gasp, I opened my eyes.
Cassie grinned. “Well?”
“Cell division,” I said. Cassie gave a whoop and pumped her fist in the air. Royal and Lucas looked at us, mystified.
“It totally worked,” Cassie said, answering their unasked questions. “Alright, crazy cultists. Ready or not, here we come!”
We packed up our things and headed for the parking lot. I drove Lucas home in my Firebird, and Royal gave Cassie a lift behind us. I led the way into the Guard’s living room.
Hale was talking to someone as we entered. She turned. Amber.
Hale saw me. His face lit up. “She’s in.” He turned back to Amber and offered his hand. Hesitantly, Amber took it. “You have no idea how much this means to us, Amber.”
“I guess it’s good to be wanted.” Amber shook Hale’s hand, then shot a quick glance in my direction before turning back to him. “So. Next week?”
“I’ll notify the other spotters. They’re extremely eager to meet you.”
Amber nodded, casting her eyes over Hale one last time before walking past us and out the front door.
Hale shook his head, beaming. “You were right, Braedyn. I’ll admit, I didn’t think we’d ever convince her to help, but you did it.” Hale clapped a hand on my shoulder. “This calls for a celebration.”
Lucas, Royal, and Cassie gaped at me, disbelief plain on their faces.
“Yeah, well,” I said, uncomfortable. “You can thank me later. The cult is meeting tonight.”
Hale’s expression changed in an instant. He turned to Cassie. “You’re still up for this?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” she said, but she couldn’t dim the twinkle of anticipation in her eyes.
Hale was all business. “Where’s the meeting?”
“I don’t know,” Cassie said. “I’m catching up with Carrie at the coffee shop and she’s going to drive us there.”
“We’ll let you know as soon as we have a location,” I murmured.
Hale nodded, considering this for a moment. “Alright. I’ll gather the others.” Hale turned to Cassie. “You won’t see us, but we’ll be right around the corner. If you need anything, we’ll come running.”
Cassie nodded. “Okay.”
“Be careful, Cassie.” Hale caught Cassie’s gaze and held it. “Trust your instincts. If you sense any danger, don’t wait. Get out of there.” She nodded again. Hale turned to the rest of us, his eyes lingering on mine last. “And if anyone sees Seth, this mission is over.”
It’s a strange feeling, watching the world through someone else’s eyes.
After Cassie had meet up with Carrie, she’d bundled herself into Carrie’s car, and the two girls set off for their meeting. Carrie fluffed out her cute strawberry-blond bob as she drove.
“Why all the secrecy?” Cassie asked, glancing out as the road flashed past. “It feels so cloak-and-dagger.” I gave her a mental kick, urging caution. If she felt the warning, Cassie didn’t acknowledge it.
“I know, right?” Carrie shook her head, irritated. “But you weren’t at the last meeting. This little snot, Amber Jenkins—” Carrie turned to study Cassie. “She’s a friend of Missy’s. Do you know her?”
“I know of her,” Cassie said. “We’re not exactly compatible, her being a self-absorbed, vain, cheerleader—and me having an actual, you know, soul.”
“Hm.” Carrie smiled grimly and turned back to the road. “My feelings exactly. Anyhow, she crashes our meeting, interrupts Idris just as she’s welcoming everyone, and then starts talking crazy. Seriously, seriously wacko. Like, demons and crap.”
Carrie grimaced sourly. “And then everything went totally nuts. I think she scared off at least two potential new members.” Carrie glanced at Cassie again. “Actually, Braedyn was one of them. I thought you two were tight. Didn’t she tell you about that night?”
“Oh.” Cassie cleared her throat, stalling for time. “Yeah, we’re not as close as we used to be. She didn’t even tell me she was going to that meeting.” Cassie bit her lip, uncomfortable with the lie.
“No?” Carrie’s eyebrows hiked up. “Haven’t you guys been besties for like, forever?”
“We had a falling out.”
“Over?” Carrie glanced at Cassie, curious.
“Uh—over a guy, actually.” I could sense a heat rising in Cassie’s cheeks.
“What guy? Does he go to Coronado Prep?”
“Parker?” Cassie’s voice jumped unnaturally high at the mention of Parker.
Carrie mistook Cassie’s expression. “That sucks, Cassie. Boys—yeah, they can do a number on friendship.”
“Yeah.” Cassie relaxed back into her chair, reeling from the cross-examination. I felt her grasping for a change of subject. “What exactly happened at the last meeting?”
Carrie sighed, but kept her eyes on the road. “There was this fire and I had to help put it out. When that was taken care of, I looked around but Braedyn had already vanished. I so wanted to talk to her, explain that it’s not always like that. But she never called me back.” Carrie sighed. “She seemed really interested, too.”
“Yikes. I guess it’s a good thing I wasn’t there.”
“Yes.” Carrie shot Cassie a quick smile. “Tonight’s going to be amazing. No more crazies, I promise.” After another minute of silence, Carrie turned down a side street. “Here we are.” She pulled over and parked. Cassie glanced around, finally spotting a street sign. It read, Cresta Luna. I could feel Cassie urging me to pay attention, and I tried to give her a mental nudge that I’d seen the sign.
The girls got out of their car and headed down a street.
Back in Royal’s car, I spoke, keeping my eyes closed. “They’re walking toward a building on Cresta Luna, just off of Main.” I focused my mind’s eye. Cassie spotted a street address for me. “The 400 block.”
Sacrifice Page 11
