“It will be great to have you with us, Lil,” Izzy piped in. “We’ll help you adjust, master some of the skills we’ve spent these past two years honing. You’ve been training with your grandfather, right?”
“Just martial arts, with and without weapons.” Thank God for that. At least I wouldn’t be so far behind.
“It’s a big part of our training. Weapons become handy when we can’t use our powers, and the sensei insists martial arts teaches us discipline. Though for some people, I can’t say it is working.” Izzy shot Sykes a sharp glance. “So can you start today?”
I winced at the look of anticipation on their faces, the urge to escape their presence tugging at me. “I need to discuss it with Grampa first,” I fibbed.
They gave a collective groan.
“What?” I asked. No one spoke for a beat. They exchanged looks. Now more than ever I wanted to know what they were hiding. “Tell me.”
Sykes looked at the others and shrugged. “She might as well know. Your grandfather’s famous for thumbing his nose at the rules. He breaks and bends them, and somehow gets away with it. The guy’s my hero. You have to tell him you want to train with us.”
If only they knew he was all for it. I grinned at the idea of Grampa as a renegade and stood. “I’ve got to go.” I took a step away from the table then remembered. “Do you guys know anything about this?” I tugged at the chain around my neck and showed them the amulet.
Izzy and Kim reached under their tops and pulled out theirs. Sykes and Remy had theirs added to broad bracelets. Same six-pointed star, same green hexagonal core. “What are they?”
“Protection amulets,” Sykes said. “The jadeite core is from Xenith. It emits a special light that causes demons excruciating pain. They have to destroy the amulet before they can get close to us.”
Bran had stood close to me without being affected. “So every Guardian wears it?”
“Yes, including Civilians, but theirs is a different shape. The six-pointed star is worn by Cardinals. They were given to us after we got our powers,” Izzy explained.
Yet I had mine since I was a child. Was that Grampa ignoring rules again, and did he know I’d have powers? He also taught me martial arts as far back as I could recall. Could he have been grooming me to be a Cardinal all these years?
My head spinning again, I turned away, throwing the words over my shoulder as I scurried from the cafeteria. “Thanks for the info, guys. See you later.”
***
I was headed for my truck when Kylie called out my name and I turned. She ran down the steps to join me. “Do you know which bus goes to our place?” she asked.
I pointed at Grampa’s blue GM truck. “My grandfather let me borrow it. I can give you a ride if you want.”
She peered at me then at the truck. “Cool. Thanks. So how did you first day go?” she asked as we crossed Grizzly Boulevard.
Crappy. “Good. I’m two weeks behind, and have some catching up to do. I also have to change a few classes.”
“That sucks.”
I glanced at her. “Why?”
“It’ll cost you. They charge, like, twenty bucks now for each class you change. It wasn’t like that last year. Did I tell you I love your outfit?”
I glanced down at my colorful gypsy skirt and lacy top and beamed. “Really?”
“Oh yeah, very original. Where did you get those?” She pointed at my charm bracelets.
I moved my wrists, and the multi-colored vintage beads and stars hanging from the gold chain link jingled. “From a gypsy trader I know.”
“Seriously?”
“Uh-huh. A cousin of Grandmother’s.”
Kylie’s eyes rounded. “So you’re, like, a real gypsy?”
No, I’m a freak from a parallel world called Xenith and my home is the reason ships and planes disappear around the Bermuda Triangle. I gave her a tiny smile. “Yeah, I’m a gypsy.”
“Wow. That’s cool.”
If only she knew. Kylie hurried to open the passenger side of the truck while I got inside the cab and gunned the engine. She grabbed the door and the body of the truck and pulled her tiny body up.
“Need help?”
She stuck her tongue out at me. “Shut-up, Amazonian.”
“Pigmy.”
Kylie laughed. I joined her. She had a wacky sense of humor. I liked that.
During the drive home, I rehearsed the questions I meant to ask Grampa. Kylie kept a steady chatter. As long as she didn’t ask about Kim and my defection to the trainees’ table, she could chew my ears off all she wanted.
“Well?” she asked.
I frowned, realizing she must have asked me a question. “What?”
“Motel 6 allows us to use their pool whenever we want. I’m planning on going for a swim after school. Want to come? Amelia and the guys might be there, too.”
This was what I’d always wanted. Friends. Hanging out. But learning about my powers sucked all my enthusiasm for anything normal. What if I messed up again? “I don’t know. I’ve tons of homework.”
She pouted. “So do I.”
“When do you plan on leaving?”
“Five. My mom won’t let me go anywhere until I’m done with all my homework.”
“Grampa, too.” As we pulled up outside the trailers, my gaze went to the weeping willow, and I couldn’t help wondering where Bran was, what he was doing. Not that it was any of my business. I’d rather concentrate on what I wanted, on doing normal things with normal people, even if it was for an hour. I turned to Kylie. “Okay. I’ll go swimming with you guys.”
“Great. I thought you were going to blow me off like you did at lunch. See you at five. And thanks for the ride.” She jumped down and crossed to her trailer.
Just like that, she reminded me of the trainees, of what I was. I sighed as I stepped down from the truck. There was no point in deluding myself that I could ever be normal.
5. A DEMON SCOUT
Grampa was standing by the sink when I walked in, the sweet aroma of home-cooking heavy in the air. “Hey, sweetheart.”
I dropped my backpack on the floor by the door, walked to his side for a hug. Now that I knew what he did for a living, watching him do something as mundane as cooking seemed so weird. “Hmm, smells good.”
“Roast and potatoes.”
“Yummy. I’m starving.” I picked up one of the cherry tomatoes he was cleaning and popped it in my mouth.
He chuckled. “Aren’t you always?”
My voracious appetite was a family joke, since I could pack it in and never gain an ounce. I wrinkled my nose at Grampa, and we shared an easy smile, like we’d done so many times before this Guardian mess started. All of a sudden, I felt guilty. I wasn’t supposed to let Bran come near me, yet I’d ignored Grampa’s warning and did. Would he be disappointed?
I reached inside the cupboard for a box of Cheerios and a bowl then got a bottle of milk from the fridge. I felt Grampa’s eyes on me. Was he reading me now? I tried to focus on his thoughts but heard nothing.
“How does telepathy work?” I asked as I settled on the kitchenette chair and poured milk in my cereal. “Sometimes I hear you and the others, other times I don’t. What am I doing wrong?”
Grampa finished washing the vegetables, turned off the water. He leaned against the kitchen sink, crossed his arms and studied me. “It’s all about focusing, and that comes with training. The address and the hours of the dojo are on the fridge door. The instructors will teach you how to control and maximize your powers.”
Just as I’d expected, he wasn’t going to let me decide for myself. It wasn’t fair. “Why can’t you train me?”
“Because I’ve got a job to do. Besides, Cardinal Guardians train together. That’s how it is with us, team work.”
Yeah, right. Kim didn’t seem eager to be on a team with me earlier today. Even the thought of her left a weird feeling in my gut. “So I can’t know the big secret until I join the program?”
Grampa shook
his head. “What big secret?”
“I heard the stakes are high in what you do.”
He shrugged as though he had no idea what I was talking about, which meant he did. Fine. I didn’t need to know. “How was your meeting?”
He smiled at my smooth change of topic. “We’re still talking. The Circle, you’ll come to learn, is made up of a bunch of cantankerous old fools. I’m always amazed we accomplish anything when they’re involved.”
The meeting with Bran flashed in my head. Would Grampa be angry I hadn’t listened to him? I’d never disobeyed him before. “Why did you need to consult them anyway?”
He wiped his hands on his jeans and took the seat opposite me. “As much as I don’t trust the boy Bran Llyr, we think his message might have come from one of our own. Coronis took Tariel fifty years ago. He was the Cardinal Water Guardian. If he’s alive, we must save him.” He paused and pinned me with a steady gaze. “If this is not about Tariel, then this boy is a demon scout. Using you to reach me only makes him more suspicious.”
I shook my head. “He’s not a demon, Grampa.”
“You’re new to your powers. How would you know what he is or is not?”
I pulled out my amulet from under my top and dangled it. “The jadeite didn’t work on him.”
If Grampa was surprised I knew about the amulet’s powers, he didn’t show it. “He could have found some way to become immune to it. Demons are crafty.”
I let out my breath in a whoosh, as doubts seeped in. Images of how Bran had looked, all banged up and scruffy-looking, flashed in my head. “He’s scared…terrified of something.”
Grampa scratched his chin, frowning. “A scout would be terrified of being caught, I suppose. How do you know what he feels?”
Something in his voice told me he already knew the truth. I swallowed and forced myself to tell him about our meeting. “When I saw him today, he touched my hand and I felt his emotions. He’s terrified. He also had cut lips, bruises all over his face, a ripped shirt. I think he fought with someone, and then slept in the streets. He smelled awful.” I wrinkled my nose at the memory.
“I see.”
I rolled my eyes. “Is that all you’re going to say? Aren’t you going to yell at me for disobeying you and talking to him?”
“I don’t yell. Finish your cereal.”
I pushed my bowl aside, my appetite gone. “We must help him, Grampa.”
He didn’t respond.
“I didn’t mean to talk to him. It happened so fast. One minute I was opening my locker, the next he was there. But we weren’t alone. There were lots of students around.”
“But he touched you.”
“Accidentally. He showed me a scar on his chest and said he’ll be in the valley if you want to meet with him.”
Grampa stared at me for a few moments without speaking, then sighed.
“Well? Aren’t you going to retrieve the images from my head?” I asked.
“For starters, you shouldn’t have talked to him. I keep telling you, he may be dangerous. Second, you can’t be involved in this investigation anymore.” His eyes drifted past me, dismissing me, and anger surged through me.
“Why not?”
He got up. “You’re not a Cardinal Guardian, Lil. It takes decades to become one. You’re not even a trainee yet. And from what you told me last night, you’re not sure you want to help people.”
My jaw dropped open. “That’s not fair. I didn’t ask for my powers or for Bran to approach me.”
“No, you didn’t.”
“But the fact that he did means I’m involved.”
“Not anymore.” He took a step away from the table.
I grabbed his arm. “But Bran wants me involved. He told me about his family needing help, showed me his scar. It’s shaped just like my amulet, similar to the ones Sykes, Remy, Kim and Izzy wear.” When Grampa frowned, I let go of his hand. “I met them at school today, talked to them. They showed me theirs.”
“Kim and Izzy?”
“Isadora and Pilar. They prefer to be called Izzy and Kim.”
Grampa scowled. “You discussed what Bran told you with them?”
“Of course not. We just talked about when they got their powers and stuff. But from what they said, only Cardinals wear the six-pointed star amulet, which means Bran’s a Guardian trainee. There must be a trainee missing somewhere.”
Grampa laughed, continuing on to his bedroom. “I’d know if one was missing.”
“Grampa!”
“No, Lil. Stay out of this.” His black eyes flashed, his lips pressed in an uncompromising thin line.
I knew that look. It meant he wouldn’t change his mind. “Okay, I’ll stay out of your investigation. But at least take a look at the images in my memory.”
He shook his head. “I already did. You need to make up your mind whether you want to be a trainee or a Civilian. If you don’t want to be either, I’ll send you to live in Xenith.” He stopped by his bedroom door. “Next time Bran contacts you, tell him to talk to Izzy or Kim.”
Those two Barbie dolls? Over my dead body. “Bran chose to ask me for help, not them.”
“And have you asked yourself why?” His bushy eyebrows rose as he stared at me.
I opened my mouth to respond then closed it without speaking. Why hadn’t I asked myself that question?
“He probably knew the others would recognize him for what he is, a demon scout,” he finished.
A heavy silence followed, and I sat back with a defeated sigh, misery constricting my chest. It made perfect sense Bran would choose someone who wasn’t a threat to him. In my ignorance, I assumed we had a special bond. How stupid.
“Look at me, sweetheart.”
I couldn’t.
“Lil?”
He was back at the kitchenette table. I couldn’t meet his gaze so I stared at his chin. “Yes, Grampa?”
“I’m sorry to be so blunt, but it’s a dangerous war we fight and demons play many games. They can’t be trusted. I just don’t want you hurt.”
Too late for that. I nodded.
“Think seriously about what you want.”
“I don’t want to go to Xenith.”
“And I don’t want you to, sweetheart. I don’t mean to push, but the sooner you start training, the better.”
I closed my eyes, so many emotions twisting my insides I felt ill. “Next week…I’ll start next week. Right now I have homework, and then I’m going swimming with Kylie.” There was defiance in my tone, but I didn’t care. I needed my five days of normalcy, of not thinking about being a Guardian or the monsters out there.
Grampa squeezed my arm. “Sounds good.”
I got up and walked to my bedroom, flopped on the bed and stared at the ceiling. I remembered the storm I caused yesterday when I’d felt scared, angry and frantic. I let thoughts of blue skies, soft, fluffy clouds, fresh snow and gentle breezes drift in my head, things that made me happy, calm. They didn’t work.
I got up, dived inside my drawer for my swimsuit, changed and added sweatpants and a hoodie. Sandals replaced sneakers. I grabbed my terry robe and left my bedroom. Grampa’s door was open, and I saw him sitting on his bed.
“Going for a swim,” I called out, grabbed an apple from the kitchen counter and let myself out of the trailer before he answered. The air was dry, and not a single cloud drifted in the sky. Today the weather was warm for fall. Sometimes I forgot Utah was a desert.
Kylie’s mother and a friend, a short and heavy blonde, sat outside their trailer cooing to a chubby baby girl in a playpen. I crossed the street and approached them, envying their simple, uncomplicated existence. Wouldn’t it be nice to go back twenty-four hours, when all I worried about was fitting in and having friends?
“Mrs. Danes?”
Kylie’s mom looked up and smiled. “Oh, Lil. How are you doing, hon?”
“Good. Could you tell Kylie I’ve already left for the pool?”
“Sure, hon.”
I hurried toward the two-story motel, munching on my apple with gusto. As usual, my eyes were drawn to the weeping willow tree. My thoughts drifted to Bran. Where was he? What was he doing right now? Demon or not, I hoped Grampa and the Cardinals would agree to help him.
There were dozens of cars in the parking lot of the motel but no guests in the foyer when I walked through the motel’s double doors.
“May I help you?” the young lady manning the front desk asked, running a critical eye over my attire, the robe on my shoulder.
“My name is Lil Falcon. I was told residents of the RV Park can use your pool.”
“Uh-huh.” She pulled out a key card and pointed at a hallway. “Go on straight then turn left. Bring back the key card when you’re done.”
The medium size pool was empty and perfect for swimming laps. The water reflected the large windows dominating the northern wall and the cedar ceiling. A hot tub sat to my left, and white and green deck chairs were scattered around the deck.
I dropped my robe on a chair, removed the sweatpants and hoodie and dove into the pristine water. I lost count of the number of laps I did before I felt spent enough to switch from freestyle to breaststroke. Even then, I couldn’t stop the thoughts that whirled through my head. Most pressing was what to tell Kylie and the others if they asked me about my defection to Kim’s table. I needed to come up with an excuse before they joined me.
“Hey?” Kylie shouted a little later and pulled me out of my daydream.
“You made it.” My sports watch said it was five-thirty.
She shrugged. “Yeah, I was wrestling with Algebra. Guess who lost? Now I have to wait for my brainiac brother to come home from his chess club and rescue me. It’s so unfair. He’s younger but creams me at math.” She removed her tank top and shorts to reveal a skimpy, hot pink bikini, walked to the edge of the pool and skimmed the surface of the water with her toes. “Hmm, nice and toasty.” She dove into the water and swam to where I was treading water at the deep end. “Mom said you left eons ago. How many laps did you do?”
“Thirty or so.”
Awakened Page 6
