“Zoe, I’m glad your back,” James said, forcing a smile for my benefit. “How is Jenna?”
“Alive.”
James and Aric exchanged a look, something silent passing between them.
“Well, okay,” James said, patting the chair next to him. “Have a seat. We have some things to talk about.”
“I’m fine standing,” I replied.
Aric squeezed my hand and dragged me toward the table. “She’s still feeling ill after throwing up this morning,” he said. “I apologize for her demeanor.”
“Yes, he apologizes for my demeanor,” I intoned, rolling my eyes as I dropped into the chair between Aric and James. I studied the three visitors. “I don’t recognize any of you guys. Who are you?”
“I’m sorry, forgive my manners,” James said. I caught the subtle undertones. He was really apologizing for my manners. “Zoe Lake, this is Stan Winfield, Jeff Torkelson and Mike Donner. They’re all members of the wolf council, and Jeff works in my senatorial office.”
“Charmed, I’m sure,” I said dryly. “Which one of you guys was responsible for keeping an eye on Mark Doyle?”
Stan shifted in his chair. “It’s not that simple, Ms. Lake.”
“I take it that means it was your job,” I said, not missing a beat. “How did he manage to get a job at Covenant College without anyone noticing? Shouldn’t that have been one of the first places you checked?”
“After his incarceration, Mr. Doyle moved back in with his parents in Novi,” Stan replied. “He got a job at a local community college and didn’t once poke his nose into a dangerous arena. We thought he was going back to a quiet life. We thought he learned his lesson and wanted out of the paranormal game.”
I read between the lines and knew what he left out. “In other words, you watched him for a year and then got bored,” I supplied. “Shouldn’t there have been some sort of … I don’t know … trap set to know when he changed jobs?”
“That probably would have been the best way to go,” James conceded. “It seems Mark slipped through the cracks.”
“Well, that’s great,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “Mark slipped through the cracks and blew up my college friend at my engagement party. Woo-hoo! Let’s hear it for our crack team of watchers, shall we? They surely deserve a standing ovation.”
“Zoe, the sarcasm isn’t necessary,” James chided.
“I think it is very necessary,” I argued.
“Aric, can you rein her in?” James asked. “She’s being a pain.”
I hate it when people talk about me as though I’m not in the room – or on the deck, in this scenario.
“She’s not wrong,” Aric said. “I’m not reining her in. That’s not my job. My job is to stand by her, and that’s what I’m doing. She has a bigger stake in this than anyone, including us.”
“I believe I was almost killed in the explosion yesterday, if memory serves,” James challenged.
“Yes, but Mark was aiming for me,” I said. “I’m the one he wants revenge on. I ended the academy. I had all his friends killed. I had him locked up. Speaking of that, does anyone know why he decided to return to Covenant College?”
“What do you mean?’ Stan asked.
I rolled my eyes. “I mean that there has to be a reason for Mark to return to his old stomping grounds,” I said. “Covenant College should be the last place he wants to be, given what happened to him there. Why is he back? What is he doing there? Is he trying to get the Academy up and running again? Hell, is the Academy already back?”
James ran his tongue over his teeth as he considered my questions. “Those are all things we need to answer.”
“Oh, good grief!” My temper flared again and the potted plant at the end of the deck exploded, sending pink flower petals spiraling and ceramic shards flying in every direction. Everyone at the table except for Aric ducked and covered their faces. “You have no idea what’s going on at Covenant College, do you?”
“Did she just blow that plant up?” Jeff asked, staring at the remnants of my lone attempt at summer gardening. “Did she do that with her mind?”
“She has impulse control issues,” James supplied. “We’re … fine.”
“That could’ve been you,” I whispered, internally crowing when the color drained from Jeff’s face. “My impulse control isn’t nearly as bad as James makes it out to be. You should be thankful for that.”
“Knock it off, Zoe,” James chided, picking a pink petal from his hair and studying it. “Is this … was this … a geranium?”
“I have no idea,” I answered. “The lady at the gardening center told me that it was the one plant that was impossible to kill. That’s why I bought it. I guess she was wrong.”
“I don’t think she had mental explosions in mind when she suggested the geranium,” James said dryly. “I’m impressed you managed to focus your anger on the plant instead of us, though. That shows growth.”
“Was that supposed to be a compliment?”
Aric reached over and gathered my hand in his. “It was definitely a compliment,” he said. “I find it convenient that you hated that plant and it’s gone now, but I’ll let that slide because you’ve had a rough twenty-four hours.”
“I didn’t hate that plant,” I protested.
“You told me it was mocking you,” Aric countered. “Of course, that was after you told me the bees were mobilizing to take over the yard, so I’m pretty sure you were exaggerating. You beat the plant, though.”
“I’m going to beat those bees, too.”
“If you kill those bees we’re going to have a big problem,” Aric said. “Forget about the bees. I’m sick of hearing about the bees.”
“I’m sick of listening to this argument,” James interjected. “We have a real problem on our hands. We have to decide how we’re going to handle it.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” I said, pushing myself to a standing position. “We don’t have a problem on our hands. I have a problem, and I’m going to handle it. You’re not part of the equation. If I need your help, I’ll call you.”
“You can’t be serious,” James said. “Are you really considering going back to Covenant College and going after Mark on your own? Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?”
“Do you have any idea how dangerous I am?” I asked. “I’m not messing around. Mark detonated a bomb at my engagement party. He was trying to kill me – and probably Aric, too. He never liked Aric.”
“That’s because he’s a putz,” Aric muttered. “I knew I should’ve beaten his ass when I had the chance.”
“Don’t worry, you’re going to get the chance,” I said, patting his arm. “We’re leaving first thing in the morning for Covenant College. I was going to leave this afternoon, but I have a few other things to check on first.”
“And what happens when you find Mark?” James prodded. “Are you going to take him on and kill him when an entire army of students – and possible new Academy recruits – are looking on?”
“Oh, no,” I said. “I’m going to follow him and kill him when he’s alone. First I’m going to find out whom he’s working for and who is working for him. If you think I’m going to let the Academy get a foothold on that campus again, you’re crazier than the woman who told me that flower was indestructible.”
James made a face. “I think if the Academy was up and running again we would’ve heard about it.”
“I would think that if one of the people who tried to kill us at Covenant College got a job at his old haunted stomping grounds you would’ve heard of that, too,” I argued. “It looks like we’re both wrong.”
“Ms. Lake, I don’t think you understand what you’re taking on here,” Stan said. “What if Mark Doyle has an army?”
“It won’t be the first army I’ve taken down,” I replied. “It won’t even be the second. I’m not messing around. Mark went after my family. He killed my friend. He doesn’t get to live a second time.”
&nbs
p; “Aric, you can’t let her do this,” James said, turning to his son with a pleading expression on his face. “She could draw unnecessary attention to herself – and you by extension. It’s unacceptable.”
“If Zoe’s gut tells her that we need to go to Covenant College, that’s where we’re going,” Aric said, his tone calm and his resolve firm. “She’s never wrong when she feels things this strongly. I trust her.”
The flower petals, which had begun to settle, lifted back up and formed a heart as they danced on the other side of Aric. I didn’t even realize what I was doing until it was already happening.
Aric snickered when he saw the heart. “That’s cute, baby,” he said. “Go in and guzzle some mouthwash. I think we’ve got some making up to do before we pack.”
“This is unbelievable,” James grumbled.
“Well, believe it,” Aric shot back. “We’re not hiding any longer. Zoe is powerful. Mark apparently didn’t get the message the first time. He’ll get it this time.”
“Are you going to attack him with flowers?” Jeff asked, flummoxed.
“Yes,” I said. “Next time I’m going to set the petals on fire and jam them up his … .”
“Okay, Zoe,” Aric said, clamping his hand around my mouth. “I think you’ve said just about enough for the day. Let’s get your mouth cleaned out and pack. We’ve got a long couple of days ahead of us.”
“We’ll continue researching Mark and Covenant College,” James offered. “We might come up with something to help you.”
“I won’t hold my breath,” I said, wrenching my mouth from Aric’s hand. “Don’t worry. I’ve got it from here. Now might be the time for everyone to duck and cover, because I’m not taking prisoners this time.
“Look out Covenant College,” I continued. “Zoe Lake is coming back, and she’s pissed!”
“I hate it when you talk about yourself in the third person,” Aric grumbled. “That always spells trouble.”
I had a feeling this time would be no different.
8
Eight
“Where are we going to stay?” I thoughtfully studied the open duffel bags at the end of our bed later that night. “Are we going to get a hotel room? What if Mark has a way of tracking credit cards at area hotels?”
“We’re going to stay in my old apartment,” Aric said, poking his head out from the bathroom where he was collecting toiletries. “Unless you want to stay in a hotel. I have a way around tracking credit cards.”
I stilled, surprised. “You still have your old apartment?”
Aric nodded. “I have a lot of good memories involving that place,” he explained. “I kept telling myself to let it go because I knew we would never live there again, but … I couldn’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because that was our first home together,” Aric replied, not missing a beat. “When my father bought that apartment for me it was supposed to be my home for two years. It ended up being my home for three and a half years, and the best time there was the months we spent together after you graduated.”
He had a sentimental streak that always managed to knock me for a loop. “That’s a great apartment in a college town,” I pointed out. “You could’ve made a lot of money selling it.”
“I have money,” Aric said. “Once I let that place go … we can’t get it back. I have no idea why I held onto it, although I’m kind of happy I did now. We’ll have a base of operation, and if someone is checking hotel registries they won’t be able to find us. It probably won’t occur to Mark that I still own my apartment.”
It hadn’t occurred to me, so why would it occur to Mark? “I’m sorry I was such a bitch in front of your father’s friends,” I offered, averting my gaze. I hate apologizing. It goes against my very nature. “I was probably out of line.”
Aric didn’t immediately respond, and when I risked a glance in his direction I found him silently laughing and shaking his head.
“What? That was a legitimate apology.”
“You’re terrible at saying you’re sorry,” Aric said. “In this particular case, though, an apology is completely unnecessary. They dropped the ball when they let Mark slip through their fingers.”
“Scott didn’t have to die,” I said. “I’m still angry. I’m partially angry with myself for letting Mark live, but I’m really angry with Mark for ignoring a second chance and murdering innocent people. It’s probably going to take a little while to work through that.”
“How did things go with Jenna?” Aric asked, dropping a razor, shaving cream, a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste in a pile next to his bag and ignoring my admission. “Is she okay?”
“She’s very … pragmatic and put together,” I replied. “She’s grieving Scott’s loss, but she didn’t want to fall apart in front of me. She said that she worried he had a thing for me, but he seemed genuinely happy for us.”
“I know I was mean to the guy,” Aric said, tugging a hand through his hair. “I don’t feel good about it now. He was a good friend to you, though. When I couldn’t be there, he helped you. I won’t forget that.”
“You know Paris and Kelsey are coming, too, right?”
Aric smirked. “I had a feeling that this was going to be a group outing,” he said. “My father is arranging a hotel room for them under one of his friend’s credit cards. The apartment isn’t big enough for the four of us, but they should be safe because Mark won’t be able to tie the credit card to us.”
“Okay.”
“I have a feeling two hours in a car with the three of you is going to drive me crazy tomorrow, but I’m actually glad they’re going with us,” Aric said. “Paris has power and connections. If we need help with certain things … she’ll be a good ally to have.”
“And what about Kelsey?”
“She’s just funny,” Aric answered. “I have a feeling we’re going to need someone funny.”
“She’s really funny when I make her go undercover.”
“Well, we’ll definitely do that,” Aric said, opening his arms so I could step into them and accept his hug. “This is going to be hard on all of us. I never wanted to go back to the college.”
“Not everything that happened there was bad,” I reminded him, resting my cheek against his chest. “That’s where we met.”
“And I thank my lucky stars for that every day,” Aric said. “A lot of bad stuff happened there, too. I didn’t want you to be reminded of that. I thought we could move forward without looking back.”
“I don’t think that’s possible, no matter what happens in life,” I said. “We have to go back. Part of me looks forward to it.”
Aric cocked a dubious eyebrow. “Really? Why?”
“We’ll get to stay in your old apartment again,” I said. “We’ll get to go to the University Center and have coffee. We’ll get to look at the students and remember when we were young and dumb, and make fun of them.”
Aric chuckled. “We’ll also have to deal with Mark.”
“I’m looking forward to that, too,” I said. “I can’t wait to see the look on his face when I wipe that smug grin off his stupid face and stomp my foot into his mouth.”
“I hate to admit it, but I’m kind of looking forward to that, too,” Aric said. “Now, finish packing your stuff and use this when you’re done.” Aric slapped a bottle of mouthwash in my hand. “I have plans for you tonight, and I’m still not convinced you brushed your teeth after throwing up.”
“Your romantic streak shows itself in the oddest ways sometimes.”
“OKAY, does everyone have everything they need?” Aric asked the next morning as we grouped around his Ford Explorer. “We’re not turning around if you forgot anything. Also, if you have to go to the bathroom, go now. I’m not stopping.”
“It’s like going on a road trip with my dad,” I grumbled, earning a stern look from Aric.
“Did you go to the bathroom?” Aric challenged. “You drank three glasses of juice over breakfast. You have a
bladder like an infant. I’m not joking about not stopping. I am very serious, ladies.”
“He’s really stern,” Kelsey muttered, moving back toward the house. “He’s going to be absolutely no fun on a road trip.”
“You have no idea,” I said, shuffling behind her. “He won’t even let me listen to good music.”
“That crap you listen to is not good music,” Aric called to my back. “Hurry up. Don’t dilly-dally in there.”
“Yes, Dad!”
“If you think that bothers me, it doesn’t,” Aric said. “Paris, you go with them and use the bathroom, too. I’m not stopping for a single restroom break.”
I was used to Aric’s bossy nature when it came to road trips. Paris and Kelsey were another story. By the time we got back to the Explorer, Aric was already behind the wheel, his fingers dancing across it as he impatiently waited for us.
“Is everyone set?” he asked as we climbed into the Explorer.
“I think you should let me drive,” I suggested. “You seem a little keyed up.”
Aric made a disgusted face. “The last time you drove one of my vehicles you got it stuck in a ditch because you were arguing with one of those talk radio hosts.”
“That was an accident,” I said, unperturbed by his insinuation. “I still maintain that the driveway moved. I blame the bees.”
“Shut up about the bees,” Aric said.
“You really should leave those bees alone,” Paris interjected, fastening her seatbelt. “If the bees die, we die, too.”
“See,” Aric said, navigating our narrow driveway and heading toward the highway. “Paris knows what she’s talking about.”
“Are we there yet?” I asked.
“Don’t start that,” Aric chided. “It drives me crazy.”
“What’s the first thing we’re going to do when we get there?” Kelsey asked, steering the conversation to a safer topic. “Are we going after Mark first thing?”
“No,” Aric replied. “We’ll get the lay of the land first. You guys will check into your hotel and we’ll stop in at the apartment. Then we’ll go to the campus to look around. We’re not going after Mark until we know what’s going on.”
Dark Covenant (Living Covenant Trilogy Book 2) Page 6
