“Thanks.” Lucas shot one quick smile at me, then slipped quietly into the hall.
I waited until I heard the front door close softly behind him before letting out a long breath of relief. I collapsed back on the bed. How could we have been so stupid? What if we’d been seen? That was one way to ensure we’d never have another moment alone together as long as any member of the Guard was left standing.
“I owe you one, Karayan.”
“Whatever. If we don’t watch each other’s backs, who will, right?”
I propped myself back up on my elbows. Karayan walked to my bedroom door and closed it softly. She turned back to face me, wringing her hands.
I swung my feet over the edge of the bed and sat up again, curious. Karayan joined me, sitting at the foot of my bed.
“You called it.” She bit her lip. “I am—falling in love with him.” She brushed a strand of hair back from her face, and I saw her smile wistfully. “He’s a good man, Braedyn.”
“I know he is,” I said, more sharply than I meant to.
She glanced at me, startled. “Are you angry?”
“Yeah, actually, I am.”
Karayan looked genuinely surprised. “Why?”
“What do you think Hale would do if he knew you were visiting his dreams disguised as his dead wife?”
Karayan’s cheeks flushed pink. “How did—you’ve been spying on me?”
“You’re using his feelings for Sarah to manipulate him.”
“I was trying to comfort him!” Karayan glared at me, her eyes bright with anger. “I can’t even believe we’re having his conversation. You spend almost every night in Lucas’s dreams.”
“With his permission.”
“Hale can’t give me permission, but he—he’s as good as admitted his feelings for me, too. I thought a dream was the safest—” Karayan lurched to her feet, her face ashen. “You know, forget it. I’m not asking a minor for dating advice.” She turned and stumbled toward the door, looking for all the world like a lost child.
I jumped after her, catching her arm. “Wait. Karayan. Look. I—I understand.”
Karayan stopped at the door. “Do you? The Guard actually supports this thing you have with Lucas.”
I couldn’t stop a half-smile from twisting my lips. “I wouldn’t go that far—”
“No? You’ve kissed Lucas. What do you think would happen if I ever kissed Hale in the waking world?” She glanced at me then, eyes full of hurt. I didn’t have to say anything. We both knew the answer. “They make allowances for you that they’ll never make for me. I get it. Fine. I’m just asking you to let us have these dreams.”
“Us?” I shook my head, miserable. “Hale’s not even aware of what you’re doing.”
“I’m not hurting him. I would never hurt him. You have to believe that.”
“I know you’d never do anything to hurt him intentionally.”
Karayan shrugged my hand off her arm. “And you? You think you’re all that different than me?”
“Well, I still have the hope of becoming human one day,” I snapped. I wish I had the words back as soon as I said them.
Karayan jerked as if I’d slapped her. All the fight seemed to drain out of her eyes. “Oh. Right.”
“That—came out wrong.”
“No. I think you said exactly what you meant to say.” Karayan bit her lip, lost in unpleasant thoughts for a long moment. Then she centered those beautiful eyes on me. “So what happens now? Are you going to tell him?”
“Are you going to stop visiting his dreams?”
“No.” Karayan met my gaze. She didn’t flinch. “He looks at me and sees a woman—a friend. I’ve never had this with anyone before, Braedyn. I won’t give it up.”
I shook my head, miserable—but whether I was willing to admit it or not, I couldn’t help but empathize with her. Karayan read my indecision and sighed.
“When you decide what you want to do, let me know. In the meantime, you should probably change your clothes. You’re going to be late for school.” And with that, Karayan turned and walked out of the room.
When I made my way down to the kitchen for breakfast, Karayan was nowhere to be found. Dad was pouring himself a cup of coffee.
“We’re out of eggs, but there are some English muffins in the fridge if you’re hungry.” He passed me on the way to the dining room and planted a kiss on the top of my head.
“You’re in a hurry,” I called over my shoulder. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, just some administrative stuff Hale wants me to take care of for the Guard.” Dad shrugged. “You wouldn’t believe the resources it takes to keep 100 Guardsmen housed, fed, and hidden in plain sight.”
I pulled the English muffins out of the fridge, mulling this over. I knew the majority of the world’s remaining Guard forces were here in Puerto Escondido, but I never saw more than a dozen of them at any one time—either on duty at the mission or hanging out here in their downtime.
“So… how much money does the Guard have?” I asked.
Dad shot me a smile from the dining room where he was finishing his cup of coffee. “Enough.”
“That’s not much of an answer.”
Dad considered me thoughtfully. “Most of the Guard’s income is generated by real estate; lands the Guard has owned under various names for centuries. We’ve been living off one trust for decades, but that’s one trust out of several hundred that I’m aware of.”
“And that’s how we’re paying for Amber’s tuition?” I asked.
“Amber’s tuition, your tuition, this house, our food—” Dad took another swig of coffee. “Like I said. It’s enough.” Dad shrugged into his winter coat. “Okay. I’ll see you after school. Have a good day, honey.” Dad walked to the front door, but when he opened it, Cassie was standing on our front porch. “Cassie.”
“Mr. Murphy.” Cassie looked like she was ready to burst. She strained to look past him until she spotted me.
“What happened, Cass?” I joined them in the doorway, hugging my arms against the cold of the outside world.
“Idris called me this morning. They’re meeting again tonight.” Cassie glanced at Dad. “I figured the Guard would want to know as soon as possible.”
“Yes.” Dad glanced at the house next door. “You say the meeting is tonight?”
Cassie nodded. “I’m supposed to meet Carrie at the coffee shop again at six. She knows where we’re going.”
“Okay. Why don’t you two head to school.”
“School?” I glanced at Dad, stricken. “Shouldn’t we be—I don’t know, fitting Cassie with body armor or something?”
“We should be acting normal,” Dad said. “We don’t know who’s watching Cassie, or what might tip them off.” He put a hand on Cassie’s shoulder. “The best thing is to continue with your normal routine. But I’ll alert the Guard. We’ll be on hand to back you up tonight.”
Cassie nodded. She glanced over her shoulder at Royal, waiting in his car on the curb. Then she looked at me with a small smile. “So… I guess that means I’ll see you at school?”
“Yeah.”
Cassie bounded away from us, slipping back into Royal’s waiting car. They drove off together.
Dad, watching Cassie go, frowned. “Keep an eye on her,” he said.
I nodded. No matter how seriously the rest of us took this stuff, Cassie still seemed to be treating it as the best adventure she’d ever had.
We dropped Cassie off at the edge of the plaza in Old Town at 5:30 that night. We’d taken my car, but as soon as we let Cassie out, I scooted over into the passenger side and Royal took the wheel. The plan was for him to drive while I kept a mental eye on Cassie. Lucas had his cell phone at the ready; we’d be in contact with the Guard as soon as Cassie and Carrie left the coffee shop for the meeting.
We parked across the plaza, with a clear view of the coffee shop door. I kept my eyes focused on the exit, waiting for Cassie to reemerge. Though the early days of Ap
ril had been unseasonably warm, tonight was actually pretty chilly.
“So when she says ‘acolyte,’ what are we thinking that means?” Royal glanced into the rearview mirror, addressing the question to Lucas in the backseat. “Like, lighting some candles? Singing some songs?”
“Hopefully we’ll find out tonight.” Lucas put a hand on my shoulder. “Is that them?”
Two figures emerged from the coffee shop, bundled up against the crisp Spring evening. One of them turned toward us quickly. Cassie.
“This is it.” I caught Lucas’s hand in mine and squeezed it briefly.
Royal started the car. “Where to?”
I closed my eyes, relying now on a different sense to track Cassie. I centered my thoughts on my friend, opening up my mind to the larger dream world. Cassie’s consciousness bobbed at the edge of my vision. It was a simple matter to direct my thoughts to follow her.
And then I was nestled snugly in the back of Cassie’s mind. I felt her smile; she knew I was with her. Carrie was walking briskly to a parked car in one of the lots on the far side of the plaza. I recognized it from Cassie’s last foray. The girls got into the car and Carrie started the engine.
“It’ll warm up in a minute,” she said, giving Cassie a small smile.
“No problem.” Cassie buckled her seat belt and tucked her hands into the crooks of her arms. “So… where are we going?”
Carrie pulled a folded piece of paper out of her coat pocket. “I’m not totally sure. The directions are kind of weird. Do you mind navigating?”
Cassie took the page. The directions indicated they’d be driving out of Puerto Escondido. I felt a little thrill of fear move through Cassie, and for a moment, I thought she might bail on the mission. But she cleared her throat. “So you’re going to start by taking the highway north out of town.
“Okay.” Carrie pulled out of the parking lot.
“North,” I murmured, dimly aware of my own body back in the Firebird. I felt the car start to move, but my attention was still with Cassie. As the girls took the north road out of town, I relayed their directions to Royal, and Lucas passed the information along to the Guard. In 15 minutes, we were leaving the lights of Puerto Escondido behind us, heading deeper into the surrounding foothills. The road carved a path through the mountains. Later, it would meet up with an interstate. But for the next 100 miles or so it was a fairly deserted rural highway.
And that made things complicated for us. We couldn’t follow too closely, as our headlights, cutting through the darkness, would announce our presence on the lonely road. And so we hung back, giving Cassie and Carrie a good 15-minute lead.
About 30 minutes outside of town, Cassie spotted an old sign for a campground. She directed Carrie to turn off the main road. Through her eyes, I recognized the sign. Dad had brought me out here for backpacking as a little kid. We’d hiked up into the mountains, spending four days by a little stream, fishing, hiking, and eating s’mores over the fire every night. We hadn’t seen another living soul the whole time we’d been up there. I guess—if you were planning a super-secret occult ya-ya session—you could pick a worse location.
Carrie steered her car down the access road, slowing considerably when the paved road gave way to gravel.
“You’re sure this is right?” She sounded skeptical, but kept her eyes fastened to the road before them.
“According to this, it should be just ahead.”
Carrie followed the bend in the road, and at the end of it she saw three other cars parked in the darkness. “I guess we’re here?” Her voice sounded unsure, but she pulled up beside the closest car and killed the engine. Cassie and Carrie exchanged a nervous glance. Carrie caught Cassie’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “I’m glad we’re doing this together.”
Cassie nodded, but I felt her growing unease as she and Carrie got out of the car. Ahead in the distance, they could just make out a figure in white, holding a gleaming lantern and beckoning them closer.
Back in the Firebird, Royal had just spotted the turn off.
“Pull over here,” I said. “They’ll hear us if we get any closer.”
As Royal parked, I let my attention move fully to Cassie. The gravel crunched under her and Carrie’s feet with each step, sounding unnaturally loud in the still night. Yet, despite being deep in the mountains, the path was well lit; a full moon shone high in the sky overhead, casting a silvery light onto the earth.
Cassie and Carrie followed the path to the edge of a clearing and stopped.
In the center of the clearing, four women stood, all in white, with their long hair streaming in the gentle breeze. I felt Cassie’s awe; their white gowns caught the light of the moon and reflected it, giving them an almost mystical glow in the darkness.
Idris turned. Her long white hair flowed around her shoulders, blending so seamlessly with the white of her gown that she looked almost angelic.
“Welcome, daughters.”
Cassie studied the others, recognizing Emily immediately. The slender blond stood, clutching the skirt of her white dress self-consciously. She gave Carrie a warm smile, then gave Cassie a tentative wave.
Idris’s eyes softened as she beckoned Cassie and Carrie forward. “Tonight is your initiation. With this ceremony, we welcome you into the inner circle of our family.” Idris gestured, and one of the two other women moved forward, a white gown folded over each arm. She handed one to Cassie and one to Carrie. Idris approached. “The white vestments symbolize a new beginning. If you would oblige me, the dress should be the only thing worn during the ritual.”
Cassie glanced at the gown in her hands, stricken.
Emily gave her a look full of empathy. “My advice? Change quickly. It’s warmer than it looks.”
Carrie and Cassie gave each other a nervous glance. As if reassured by whatever they saw in the other’s expression, they started removing their clothes. Through Cassie’s senses, I felt the shock of the cold night air, conscious—as she was—of the full moon illuminating her nakedness. When she’d stripped to her underwear, Cassie hesitated.
Idris gave her an understanding smile. “Do not be ashamed of your body, child. It is man who has taught us to fear what nature has bestowed upon us. Let this be the first small step you take toward embracing the strength of your feminine power.”
Cassie glanced at Carrie, blushing. But then, taking a deep breath, Cassie shed her under things and slipped the dress over her body as fast as she could.
Emily had been right; shortly after Cassie had shimmied the dress around her thin frame, she started to feel warmer. The texture of the dress was slightly scratchy against Cassie’s skin, but the comfort of the warmth it provided more than made up for that.
Idris beamed as Cassie and Carrie—now barefoot—walked forward to join the others in the center of the clearing. Altogether, they were six. Idris’s attendants placed the girls in a line. The ground was cold as ice, and in moments, the bottoms of Cassie’s feet were throbbing in protest.
“We are undertaking an important mission.” Idris faced each of the acolytes in turn. “I must be sure of your commitment before we go any further. Take this moment to look within yourselves one last time. You must ask yourself if you are truly willing to devote yourself to our work. As acolytes of Lilith, you will be as crucial to our cause as the highest priestess. It is a great honor, but it is also a serious responsibility. We must be sure of each of you.”
The attendant who’d handed out their gowns brought a beautifully carved wooden box to Idris, holding it at the ready. Idris opened the lid. Inside, three small daggers gleamed in the moonlight.
Back in the Firebird I felt my body jerk in response.
“Braedyn? What is it?!” Royal grabbed my arm.
I shook my head, needing to focus on the clearing, afraid to leave Cassie’s mind. I was dimly aware of Lucas, urging Royal to wait. But I couldn’t waste any effort on them, not right now. I poured my full attention back into Cassie.
She was glancing
from the daggers to Idris. The old woman’s usually gentle features were stern, almost severe. Idris took the first dagger out of the box.
“Our blood is our life.” Idris presented the first dagger to Emily, supporting the slender weapon across her open palms.
Emily took it gingerly in one hand.
“As we commit our blood to Lilith, so too, we commit our lives.” Idris pulled the second dagger out and presented it to Carrie.
Carrie took the dagger, turning it in her hands with an almost reverent expression.
“Your blood, as your life, is yours to give as you choose.” Idris presented the final dagger to Cassie. Cassie hesitated, meeting Idris’s eyes. I could feel the conflicting thoughts warring within her mind. Idris watched her. The older woman’s eyes were free of judgment or suspicion. She simply waited for Cassie to make her choice. I held my breath. But then Cassie took the dagger, her hand shaking slightly as it closed about the hilt. Idris gave her a warm smile, then stepped back to face all three acolytes. She held up her left hand. A vivid white scar travelled across her palm.
“We have all made this sacrifice.” Her eyes softened. “The pain is a small price to pay for all we receive in return.” Idris turned her face toward the moon, closing her eyes. Carrie and Emily followed suit. After a moment, feeling acutely self-conscious, Cassie joined them. Her heart was hammering loudly in her ears, but as the minutes stretched out, she found herself growing calmer. And something else happened—time seemed to fade to a dull hum in the background, muting all sensation with it. Even the ache in Cassie’s feet subsided to almost nothing.
Suddenly, Idris was beside her, whispering in her ear. “Make your choice, daughter. Now, while Lilith shields you from the pain.”
Cassie’s eyes snapped open, and she stared at her hands before her. She held her left palm out over the ground, and she’d rested the blade of the dagger across it, hilt gripped tightly in her right hand. When had she moved her hands? Cassie stared at the sight, and I felt a chill raking over my scalp. Cassie made her choice. The dagger slid across her palm, and for a moment I thought she hadn’t pushed hard enough to slice through the skin. But then blood welled up into her palm; the cut was deep.
Sacrifice Page 15
