Sacrifice

by Jennifer Quintenz

  Anticipation bubbled all through me—until I remembered the look on Amber’s face. I sat up. I’d need to do some serious damage control today.

  By the time Amber parked her car in front of the Guard’s house, 45 minutes later, I was sitting on my front porch, waiting for her. She got out of her car, pressing her cell phone to her ear, engaged in a heated conversation. I stood up to go meet her—but something in her voice stopped me in my tracks.

  “Seriously? Come on, it’s not like I don’t know the routines backwards and forwards—” Amber stopped abruptly, stung. “I have to! It’s for my job—” Amber winced. “Ally, please. Everything’s so screwed up right now, cheer is the only thing I have left that feels like the old me.” Amber bowed her head, and I saw her reach up to scrub away a tear angrily. “Fine. Do what you have to do.”

  Amber ended the call. She crossed her arms and slumped back against the side of her car. She looked totally devastated. And then her thin frame shook with a ragged sob. I stood there, unsure what to do. But I had to try something.

  I walked forward. After a few steps, Amber noticed me coming. She straightened, wiping her cheeks with a brusque motion.

  “Hey. Sorry if I’m late.” Amber reached back into her car and emerged a few seconds later with her workout bag. She’d managed to compose her features; aside from her red eyes, it would have been hard to tell she’d just been crying.

  “Amber.” I hesitated, then sighed. “Sorry. I couldn’t help but overhear. Ally’s an idiot if she’s trying to kick you off the squad.”

  Amber eyed me with a hint of her old suspicion. “I didn’t think you’d ever seen us perform.”

  “I’ve been to some games.” I crossed my arms, looking her straight in the eye. “Believe it or not, I actually do have a little school pride.”

  After a moment, Amber’s expression softened. She looked more vulnerable than I’d ever seen her. She glanced down at the phone still clutched tightly in her hand. “She’s not wrong. We’ve got this tradition, three cheer camps during the summer—a week of full day practices each. But now, with our daily training sessions, since the Guard is paying for my tuition—” Amber shrugged. “If I can’t make the camps, I can’t cheer. It’s pretty simple.”

  I bit my lip, thinking. “Maybe I can talk to Hale,” I said. Amber’s eyes locked onto my face with a sudden flowering hope. “I’m not making any promises. And we’ve already lost a week thanks to my arm. But maybe we can double up sessions before and after your camp weeks. We’d still get the same number of hours in. And it’s not like you’re going to be chilling at home, sitting on your butt.” I grinned wryly. “Like I said, I’ve seen you guys in action. You’ll be getting plenty of exercise on those weeks off.”

  “Thank you,” Amber breathed.

  “No promises,” I said again.

  “No, I understand.” Amber closed her car door and hefted her workout bag over her shoulder. “Let’s get down there. I want Hale in a good mood when you work your magic on him.”

  Amber bounded toward the Guard’s house ahead of me. I let out a long breath of relief. So far, so good.

  Both Amber and I put in our best effort that day during training. Even Hale noticed.

  “Way to bring the A game, ladies,” he said as we gulped down some water at the end of the session.

  Amber shot me a questioning glance.

  I cleared my throat. “So, Hale, can I talk to you for a second?”

  “Sure. What is it?” Hale let me lead him away from Amber.

  “Amber’s having some trouble fitting our training in around her regularly scheduled life.” I glanced back at Amber. She turned quickly away, pretending not to be interested in whatever we were discussing. “The truth is, she’s worked really hard at this stuff, and if it’s possible, I think maybe we could help her out by altering the training schedule a little bit.”

  Hale frowned. “Altering how?”

  I explained about the cheer camps, and my idea of doubling practice before and after. I also promised to continue my own training while Amber was away. Hale considered this for a moment, then nodded.

  “It’s a deal. And Braedyn?” He met my gaze, smiling warmly. “I’m really proud of how well you’ve worked with Amber. I know you two have had some troubling history. But with your help, Amber’s turning into a very promising fighter.”

  It wasn’t something I’d expected to hear. I felt myself blushing slightly at the praise. “Uh, sure.”

  Hale turned back to Amber. “You have a very convincing advocate over here. I don’t see any problem adjusting your training this summer.”

  Amber’s face lit up and she clasped her hands together. “Thank you!”

  Hale nodded and headed for the stairs. Before he left, he turned back to me. “Enjoy the rest of your day, Braedyn. You’ve earned it.”

  And then he was gone. I glanced at Amber.

  She squealed her excitement. “I’ve got to call Ally!”

  “Sure.” I smiled, packing my training gear up for the day.

  Amber called Ally, making a frustrated sound when the phone went to voice mail. “Ally, it’s Amber. Listen, I worked something out, so I can make the camps after all. Call me back when you get this. Bye.” She ended the call and stuffed her phone into a side pocket of her bag.

  “I’ll bet Ally’s going to be thrilled to have you back,” I said.

  “I wouldn’t be so sure.” Amber frowned. “She’s been really pissy to me ever since—” Amber flashed me an apologetic smile. “She doesn’t like the fact that I’m spending more time with you than I am with her.” Amber shrugged. “Besides, with me gone, she’s the logical choice for captain. So there’s that.”

  I stared at Amber, surprised. “Seriously?”

  Amber gave me a wolfish grin. “What? You don’t think cheerleaders have any ambition?”

  “I guess I just didn’t think it was that big of a—” I stopped, hearing myself a little too late.

  Amber gave me a tight smile. “Well, it is a big deal to Ally.” Amber packed the last of her things away, growing somber. “It used to be a big deal to me, too. Funny how things change.” She shook her head slightly, then gave me a smile a little brighter than necessary. “Enjoy your day off.”

  If I hadn’t been watching her so closely, I might not have seen the sudden flash of concern. She dropped her eyes, trying to conceal the thought. I felt a tightening in my gut.

  “Amber.”

  She looked up, expression neutral once more. “Yeah?”

  I cast my mind about for something to say, when my eyes landed on the clock. It was almost 12:00 PM. “Want to grab lunch?”

  “Now?”

  I shrugged. “Why not? Unless you have somewhere you need to be?”

  Amber slowly hoisted her workout bag over one shoulder, thinking this over. “Sure. I could use a bite to eat.”

  I gave Amber my warmest smile. “I’ll drive.”

  Ten minutes later we were waiting in line at a popular drive-through. Neither Amber nor I wanted to go into a sit-down place looking as sweaty and mussed as we did. Lucky for us, CiCi’s Taquería served amazing food to go. While we waited, Amber gave me a considering look.

  “Yesterday, you and Lucas—?”

  I kept my hands on the wheel, trying not to blush. “Yeah?” I glanced at her, keeping my face neutral.

  Amber studied me for a moment, then shrugged. “Nothing. I guess I—” She twirled her finger around her temple. “Let’s chalk it up to temporary insanity.”

  We sat in awkward silence for a moment.

  “I love him, you know.” My voice trembled, and I cleared my throat, struggling for control. Amber looked at me again, her smile fading. “I would never do anything to hurt him.” As soon as I spoke, I heard Karayan in the back of my mind, speaking those exact words.

  Amber bit the inside of her lip thoughtfully. “I guess I already knew that. I mean, you guys have been together for almost two years now. And the Guard trusts
you.” She gave me another sidelong glance. “So whatever I heard yesterday, I’m sure it’s not what I thought I heard.”

  It took all my self-control to force an even smile.

  Amber studied me for another long moment, then sighed and sat back in the passenger seat. She glared at the truck ahead of us, which had been parked at the pick-up window for a small eternity. “Jeez, how many tacos did those guys order? My stomach is going to start digesting itself.”

  My phone buzzed. I pulled it out of my pocket to check the caller ID. It was Cassie. I hit IGNORE; I’d call her back as soon as I dropped Amber off.

  When we finally got our food, Amber suggested stopping at a local park to eat. We sat down under a sprawling Catalpa tree. Its branches were full of sprays of gorgeous white blossoms, so intricate they looked almost like orchids.

  The little park was nestled up in the foothills with a sprawling view out over Puerto Escondido and into the mountain ranges beyond. As we ate, we talked about training, Hale, the Guard, and the other spotters.

  “So what’s up with Rhea?” Amber licked the last of the juice from her taco off her fingers. “I mean, she really hates you.”

  “What? No, that can’t be. She’s always been so warm and fuzzy.” I feigned shock, and Amber laughed.

  “Right.”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know her story. But most spotters have a pretty fierce hatred for Lilitu.”

  “Gretchen?”

  I snorted. “She scared the living snot out of me when we met.”

  “But she came around?”

  “Well, it helped that I saved Lucas’s life.” I shrugged. “A lot of spotters—the only reason they can spot a Lilitu is because a Lilitu attacked someone they loved.” I glanced at Amber. I didn’t have to point out the obvious; she’d seen me for what I was after her boyfriend, Derek, had been attacked by Karayan. Amber had never learned the whole story about Derek’s death. Karayan had attacked him, turning him into a Thrall. As Dad had explained to me, once someone became a Thrall, they’d never recover. And so the Guard had been forced to kill Derek. Amber believed a Lilitu was responsible for Derek’s death—and in a way, that was true—but she didn’t know it was Karayan, or that the Guard had been the ones to officially end Derek’s life.

  Amber looked down at the remnants of her lunch. “Yeah. I guess that makes sense.”

  “So—what happened to you guys this year? If you don’t mind my asking.”

  Amber glanced up at me again. “What do you mean?”

  “Uh, well, financially.” I blushed hotly, suddenly aware this might be a subject Amber wasn’t keen to discuss. But the question had been lingering in the back of my mind all semester. “You always seemed pretty—well, loaded, actually.”

  Amber looked away over the valley. “Yeah. Well. Dad made some mistakes. The kind they seize your assets and send you to prison for.”

  I stared at Amber, stunned. “Your Dad—are you saying your dad is in prison?”

  “They arrested him just before Christmas.” Amber’s voice wavered. I saw a tear slide down the side of her face. She lifted her hand and wiped it away almost absently.

  “That’s why your stepmom wants you home to help with your little brother.” It wasn’t a question. Suddenly I could see how Amber’s life must have changed dramatically in the last few months. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  Amber smiled ruefully. “You’re asking why I never spilled my guts to you?”

  “Right. I withdraw the question.”

  Amber’s smile softened. She picked at the grass, lost in unhappy thoughts.

  “What about Ally?” I suddenly straightened. “She’s been awful to you all semester—”

  “Ally doesn’t know.” Amber sighed. “I haven’t told anyone at school.” She met my eyes, and I saw an alien vulnerability in her gaze. “You’re the first.”

  I opened my mouth to respond, but I couldn’t think of anything to say. Amber gave me an understanding smile and looked away again. We sat in silence for a while then, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence. It was actually pleasant. The afternoon stretched out in front of us; warm sun, a cool breeze, and nowhere we had to be. It was a perfect summer’s day. I startled myself by feeling a little sad when it was finally time to head home.

  We pulled up outside my house a little before 3:00 pm. Our afternoon had lasted much longer than either of us anticipated. I parked and said goodbye to Amber in front of the Guard’s house. As I turned toward my house, I felt another surge of anticipation. Soon now, I’d be heading off to meet Lucas. Everything we’d been longing for—all our furtive plans—were about to come to fruition.

  I pulled my phone out of my pocket to redial Cassie. That’s when I noticed all the missed calls from earlier in the morning. They must have come through while I was training with Amber and Hale, and I’d somehow missed them when Cassie had last called.

  Uneasy, I hit play on my voicemail as I entered the house.

  Two steps into the foyer, I saw the crowd.

  Thane, Ian, Gretchen, Matt, Hale, and Dad all turned as I entered, their faces drawn.

  “Where have you been?” Thane demanded. Dad put a hand on his arm, warning him with a look.

  I lowered my phone, a sudden fear clamping around my heart. “What’s going on?”

  “Cassie’s at a meeting,” Gretchen said. “But the Guard we sent to keep an eye on her just called. They’re not at the usual clearing.”

  “So where are they?” A spray of goose bumps shot along my arms.

  “Excellent question. Wouldn’t it be handy if we had someone who could answer it for us?” Thane’s lips pulled back in a snarl.

  “Can it, Thane.” Dad turned to me, gesturing me forward. “Honey, let’s not waste any more time.”

  I nodded, letting Dad lead me to the couch. I was dimly aware of my hands shaking, but as I sat down, all I could think about was locating the bright bundle of energy that was my best friend. I closed my eyes, and felt her consciousness at the edge of my perception. Honing in on it, Cassie was suddenly with me, and I with her.

  She was standing in some kind of cave. I gave an involuntary gasp before I realized it was not the Temple I’d seen in Elyia’s dream. I felt Dad squeeze my hand, but shook my head. “False alarm,” I murmured, not opening my eyes.

  Cassie, already wearing her vestments, stood with Emily and Carrie, while Idris and her attendants, including Elyia, lit candles at the edge of the space.

  I’m here, Cass. I urged the thought into her mind, and felt Cassie relax in response. Guilt and fear for Cassie twisted in my stomach, but I pushed them aside. There’d be time for apologies later. Right now we had more pressing concerns. Where are you?

  We’re at the old silver mines on the edge of town, she thought back.

  >What’s going on?

  I don’t know, she answered. But Idris seems pretty excited.

  Okay, hang on. I opened my eyes. Everyone watched me intently. “She’s at the old silver mines,” I said.

  Matt was on his phone in an instant. “It’s Matt. We’ve found her.” As he relayed the information to the Guardsmen, I turned my attention back to Cassie.

  Backup is on the way.

  Something’s happening, she sent back in response.

  I closed my eyes, letting my consciousness slip back into Cassie’s mind. Idris stood before the acolytes, arms upraised.

  “Be joyful, daughters,” she said. “We will see the dawn of a new era tonight.”

  I felt a shiver travelling through my body at her words. “Something’s wrong,” I whispered. “Something’s happening tonight.”

  “Tonight?” Thane’s suddenly sharp voice cut across my thoughts. Instead of answering him, I honed in on Cassie, trying to absorb everything she was seeing and feeling.

  “Girls, I want to introduce you to someone very special. A miracle, actually. The one who set me on this path many years ago. The living grandson of Lilith. And tonight, he will join us in pavi
ng the way for her return.” Idris gestured, and the girls turned as one toward the entrance into this massive cavern.

  I knew who it would be, even before Cassie laid eyes on him. There was nothing I could do to stop it.

  Seth’s benign smile slipped as soon as he caught sight of Cassie. I felt her shoulders knot in sudden fear.

  “Forgive me, Priestess, but I need a little sidebar with this one.” Seth never took his eyes off Cassie’s face.

  Idris followed his gaze, baffled. “I’m sorry?”

  Seth strode forward and caught Cassie by the upper arm. “Come with me, acolyte. We need to have a talk.”

  “No!” My eyes flashed open. I grabbed Dad’s arm, desperate. “Where are the Guardsmen?! They have to get there now! Cassie—Dad, it’s Seth. Seth has Cassie!”

  Dad grabbed me by the shoulders. “They’re on their way, honey. Stay with Cassie. Hang in there.”

  My mind was already flying back to her. Seth was propelling Cassie out of the cavern, gripping her arm with cruel force. His fingers dug into her skin and—through Cassie’s senses—I could feel his claws emerging. Cassie kept her jaw clamped tightly shut, refusing to give voice to her fear.

  “What exactly do you think you’re playing at?” His voice was eerily mild.

  “I—I can explain.” But Cassie’s voice trembled.

  Seth pulled her out of the cavern and spun her around to face him. “You don’t have to.” His lips twisted into a snarl of disgust. “And here I thought Braedyn was your friend. She put you up to this, after all my warnings. That’s downright cold.”

  “Seth.” I felt Cassie struggling to get a grip on her raging fear.

  Seth sighed, looking almost bored. Neither Cassie nor I were prepared when he whipped his fist around, backhanding Cassie so hard she dropped to the dirt at his feet, gasping.

  “No!” The sound tore itself from my throat.

  “Braedyn? Honey? What’s happening?!” Dad gripped my shoulders tighter, but I didn’t open my eyes.

  “Get her out of there,” I gasped. “Get her out of there!”