“The Members didn’t realize what had happened. They simply thought, since we’re twins, that must have caused the interference. Old wives’ tales about twins with conjoined souls, I guess. Anyway, they bought it. It was done. So here I am...hiding in an alley.” I finished the glorious declaration with a loud sigh.
“Your sister has your soul?”
“Yeah. It’s not an exact fit, but close enough.”
“Why did you do it? I mean, I understand the relationship, but how could you do it?”
“She was my best friend.”
“And now she’s not? I’m sorry if I’m asking a bunch of idiot questions, but this... There’s too much to process.”
“It’s okay. Answering your question, yes and no. She’s the only best friend I’ve ever had, and no, we’re not anymore. It’s fun to keep kid secrets. Adult secrets, on the other hand, tend to tear you apart. And lately I don’t know what’s going on.”
“Ell, they can’t find out.” He whispered like the world was listening.
“And my real name’s Myranda.”
That one admission made everything I’d said sink in like the Titanic. “Even your names?”
“I became her and she became me. The Members knew who they wanted—they just don’t know who they got.”
“Your name is Myranda,” he repeated thoughtfully.
“Not anymore. Call me Ell.”
“Sorry. So, how can you get out of this? Do you have a plan?”
“I can’t go home, my sister might be in danger, and our only way out might rock the entire underworld.” Cringing, I added, “But I think I know someone who can help.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“No.” I didn’t mean to sound so rude, but Seth was not part of this equation. “I don’t think he’d take kindly to both of us showing up at his home unannounced.” I blushed before admitting, “And I like you. I don’t want to see anything happen to you.”
“Wow, two confessions in one abandoned alley. I’m starting to perfect this picking-up-girls thing, and it only took fifty years.” He grinned but continued fiddling with the drawstrings of his black cotton hoodie.
“You look pretty good for fifty.”
“I was twenty-five when I was turned. Better than botox.”
“Well, don’t look so happy. I’m trouble for an old man like you.”
“Trouble’s like blood. A little does a body good, but too much might get someone killed.”
“Very perceptive. But remember, that “someone” could be you.”
“You’d better like me more than that. Here.” Our hands brushed as he handed me a scrap of napkin. The way my heart fluttered from the infinitesimal encounter didn’t go unnoticed by either of us. Seth looked as pleased as a person could get without actually smiling. I just managed to make the stepping of my feet from side to side look more awkward while the balled up napkin shifted in my hand.
I unfolded my palm to look at the wayward thing. “Gee, thanks.”
Seth had already started walking away. Without breaking stride or turning around, he shouted over his shoulder, “My number. I think you’re gonna need it.”
I wanted to say something back, but he began whistling a tune. It sounded like he started in the middle, something already playing in his head before he released it.
And it was as unexpectedly brilliant as magnesium burning in a fire. I watched him walk down the street until he disappeared around the corner, leaving me alone to hop into the cab.
I reluctantly pushed the little piece of paper with the scribbled phone number into my jacket pocket. Just in case, right? I guess I did want something from Seth. Nothing I could quite pinpoint, but something. Anything felt better than nothing. For the first time, my routine had been interrupted. I hadn’t spent the evening soaked in self-pity. It was spent talking and laughing and trusting. I felt some relief from myself, but it was short-lived.
Reality swept the hair out of my eyes to see the total picture. This really was happening. My secret—our secret—was out and the monsters were coming for us. I hoped there was a shred of mercy left in the Members’ dusty, ancient remains, but I crossed my fingers that it wouldn’t come to that. I wished under my breath that the Members were ignorant to our deception, could stay so for eternity, and that this whole mess could be shoved under the sofa of the world, even if that meant cramming it in with my own bare hands.
The thing that sucked the most, as it turned out, was that I could only think of one person with enough pull, short of the Members, to help us. But would he?
Chapter Nine
Gabriel lived no more than ten minutes from the business district. Looking out of the cab window, I decided I would throw myself on his mercy, no matter how disturbing that sounded, and employ his help to find and protect my sister. Oh, and if need be, help me convince the Members to trust me to be the Cypher.
Even though I deceived them to get the job.
Finding myself in an up-and-coming neighborhood, I took in the striking three-story residence. It was a bold alabaster colonial home with large front pillars stretching from porch to roof. Not one of the largest homes in the neighborhood, but impressive. It was probably renovated a few years ago. The foundation looked old, but the siding and shutters couldn’t date more than a year or two. The windows were so clean the panes would have been invisible if not for the reflection of trees and the occasional passing car.
I had been here once before, briefly, but not inside. Gabriel had needed something on our way to read a prospect with special circumstances. Prison does have a tendency to make people come to you.
The backyard was equally as impressive. Walking through the gate, I was met by a hoard of perky bushes and petite colorful plants. I felt like I was on a tour of the governor’s house. It was so private I wondered if Gabriel would ever know I was there. Okay, stupid thought. He was a vampire. But I suspected he was the only one in this district.
Strangely, I found my thoughts straying to Seth, wondering if I should have accepted his help instead of seeking Gabriel’s. Seth was, unofficially, my only friend. There was definite chemistry, and it went beyond the physical. I wanted to call, but what would I say? Something like “the bird flies at midnight” seemed appropriate since I was mixed up in a secret agent wannabe lifestyle all of a sudden. But code phrases are meant for partners or good guy/bad guy teams, not for uninvolved bystanders.
Tempted to turn and run straight into Seth’s smile, I visualized my feet grounded by invisible roots. I was doing a smart thing. I could give up Seth’s company to keep him out of the impending bomb blast. He didn’t need the trouble, and I didn’t need to be reminded that I had a friend for a day. It would be a good thought later, cherished even, once I could think about it without feeling like I had missed out on something worth having. Maybe that time would come when I could call it a good memory to warm me through lonely hours.
Mustering my courage in one large breath, I marched up the stone steps, crossed the wide patio, and banged on the back door, listening for footsteps that never came, which made me pause. What if Gabriel had been in my house? What if this whole night had been an ambush? No, I had to believe that the entire world wasn’t one super-sized bear trap.
I needed to forget about Seth and focus on the very near catastrophic future. If Gabriel was my culprit, I would find out when he didn’t open the door.
But he did. The swoosh of the door fanned his cologne straight up my nostrils and momentarily stunned me. I coughed, “Well, that puts the hell into hello.”
Gabriel stood in a gray button-up shirt with hard lines and breast pockets that came across as a touch militant, although the roll of his sleeves hung casually below his elbows. His slacks were dark, possibly the sable pair he frequently wore. It was hard to tell since his frame was backlit by a weak foyer lamp. And though his hair was successfully groomed, his bare feet left the overall look incomplete.
“What?” He looked confused by my repulsion.
“Expensive,” he retorted. “But you’re not here to admire my taste.”
Recovering from the stench, I looked him in the eyes and said, “Yeah, I just dropped in for a cup of sugar.”
“It’s extremely late to have the biggest smart-ass I know standing on my doorstep. Why am I blessed with such company?” He failed to mention the non-meeting, which meant he was probably uber pissed. And his tone hinted that what I was about to say would not come as a surprise.
The rest of my sassy zings vanished, quickly replaced with anxiety. As serious as I’d ever been, I said, “We need to talk.”
He stretched out his right arm, resting his hand on the doorframe next to my left cheek, and leaned forward. In a hushed voice, he asked, “Would this talk involve a confession?” My eyes widened. “You think so little of me, but I seem to know much more than you think.” He almost smiled, but there was a touch of sadness to it. Or maybe it was weariness. “Come in.”
“No.” I backed down the steps to the large expanse of patio. “Outside is fine.”
He shrugged and followed me after shutting the door. This is where I started to ramble.
“My sister was the chosen Cypher, not me. And it’s definitely safe to presume, at this point, that you already know that, right?”
He crooked his neck. “Correct.”
This is where it took all of my backbone to ask, “Do the Members know?”
Without reserve, he nodded his head in one brusque motion. “They know and they are very overwrought.” They knew! I flinched when he demanded, “Why come to me now?”
“Help me protect my sister. Take me to see the Members to explain that nothing has changed. I can do my job. And you’ll earn big points for being the one to bring me in.”
“The approval of the Members is not enough. You would owe me.”
I sat with both legs on one side of the wicker lounger on Gabriel’s patio. We locked gazes until finally, I said, “If I can’t make this right for my sister, the anguish would split my chest open every day and devour my heart... Assuming I’m still alive.” I shut my eyes and counted a full minute before looking to the sky. “I will owe whatever it takes.”
Dead air followed, lingering before he turned his attention on me. I think this was the longest silence ever between us. Neither of us knew what to say, neither willing to give away more information the other might not already know.
At last, Gabriel walked down the stone steps and sat on the second to last one. His legs were so long they scrunched close to his chest. I hadn’t realized how tightly bound the tension had grown until he relaxed, dissipating the unease.
“Why didn’t you meet me earlier?” He almost sounded like a man with a bad case of broken pride. I knew better.
I said, “I was piss drunk,” without hesitation.
His eyebrows rose. “That explains the text. Is this a new hobby?” He was trying to remain calm.
“Maybe. I figured since I have poor interpersonal skills and my reputation sucks anyway, why not just get drunk and sleep around?”
“This is not a time for jokes.”
“You look a little flustered, Gabriel. Do you want to eat before we finish our conversation?” His extra-chalky complexion was a sign he hadn’t eaten this evening. Also, Gabriel was notorious for being a grouch when he skipped a meal.
“Not unless you’re offering.”
Vampires can eat regular food. Their organs digest if prompted by an average human diet. However, it doesn’t replace blood nutrition. Eating food is more for show because, even though their bodies absorb the nutrients, it just isn’t enough. Altering substances, like drugs or alcohol, work on vamps, too, though not as long as they do on humans. More traditional vamps don’t waste time drinking or eating at all. They know what they want and don’t like the idea of straying from the known. Blood leaves them strong to defend themselves. Human foods don’t get the job done, so why change a good thing? I had the impression Gabriel was a traditionalist.
“Are you offering, Peaches?”
“Not to you.”
“Then I’ll refrain until we’re finished.” He changed the subject. “What prompted such a late visit?” Obviously it wasn’t too late to go fishing.
Honesty seemed the best policy. “A break-in.”
He spoke slowly. “You were there when it happened?”
“No. Luckily someone’s vanity was parked in my driveway, and they were too careless to move the blinds back into place.” Wow, without having eaten recently, Gabriel’s completion still managed to change about ten shades of red. He wasn’t yelling, even though I could tell he really wanted to. “Why are you so angry? I’m the one that should be livid.” Watching the rage ignite in his pupils, I shook my head from side to side. He provoked my own temper. “You’re not going to help, are you? I knew better than to ask anything from you.”
“Just because I don’t have the reputation as a nice guy doesn’t mean I am incapable of such things.”
“You’re capable of a lot of things, Gabriel. Right now you’re just making me nervous.”
“I would be nervous, too, if I were you.”
“And you mean what by that?”
A violent tremor erupted from Gabriel’s shoulders. “This could have been so simple!” His voice rose as he stood, but he quickly lowered it when he realized his echo had escaped into normal human society. He chose to move closer and grit his teeth instead. Not an improvement, but sometimes you have to focus on baby steps.
“What are you talking about?”
“I had planned to abduct you first to keep you from being home when they broke in to abduct you. But you were too busy on a bender, which could have gotten you killed.”
I went very still. “Why would you abduct me?”
“For your own good.”
We locked eyes, and I wondered if my little visit was a dreadful idea. I never trusted Gabriel, but I thought I could utilize his skills and status to my advantage. Sadly, it looked like they were going to be used against me.
Gabriel paced in front of the lounger before sitting in the middle of it, forcing me to scoot toward the backrest. I didn’t want to be that close, especially after his proclamation.
He looked as if he had somehow failed. “I should have confronted you at your home, but I didn’t have authorization to interfere directly.”
“I don’t know exactly what’s going on, but if abduction doesn’t count as direct interference, I’m not sure I want to play this game.”
He smiled, but it wasn’t friendly. “You started the game.”
“You know what? I know I came here for help, but I think I can handle it on my own.” The statement was solid, but the part of me that was completely squishy, fragile human was screaming in my head, “Get out! You’re not safe here!”
Gabriel glared like he wasn’t enjoying the conversation as much as me. But his teeth were still gritted when he talked, so I was doing something right.
Sounding absolutely put out he said, “It’s too late for that.”
“You have no faith in me.”
“Of course I do,” he scolded. “I have faith that you will squash everything in your life until your only reality is a wasteland of your own making. For years I’ve stood by while you recede into something far worse than invisible. You have youth, life, and power, yet you take these priceless gifts and turn them to ash. Every decision you make lowers you farther into a snake pit. Only, now you seem to know exactly which snake pit you wish to crawl into.”
He grimaced before continuing. “This entire mess, from that first moment of deceit, was a personal effort to deconstruct everything truthful about yourself. Now you want to salvage something? The Members have your sister. I can’t help her. And you’ve missed your opportunity to confess and beg forgiveness. The orders for your trial have been issued. You are to be brought to them for judgment. I’ll take you
myself to ensure you are not given the chance to destroy your redemption because, whether preordained or self-proclaimed, I believe that you’re the Cypher.”
He had brought such heat, and all I offered in return was a blank stare. I watched as he scrutinized me, waiting for a reaction. He probably thought I was going to yell, deny, reject. Something. I don’t think he expected me to sit there as still as the dead, staring into his eyes. Maybe I didn’t, either. I sure as shit didn’t foresee being micro-analyzed and judged by Gabriel. I had no idea he’d even been paying that much attention.
Shouldn’t I have been doing something? Couldn’t. I wanted to.
I was numb, exposed, like a rock in a garden where nothing else was expected. I was a rock. There was nothing left for me to do. I didn’t need to be ornamental or form a barrier. I was a rock in Gabriel’s backyard and he didn’t expect it.
His overly passionate views on my life, sprinkled on top of the overpowering doom of being found out by the Members, had given me a brain-freeze. The timeout left me oddly calm enough to ask, “Is my sister safe, or was she trying to send a message with her lousy letters?” Screaming would have been nice, but I was just a rock.
“What letters?” His frustration turned to curiosity. He was definitely interested, but there was another emotion I was unable to place. I figured he, of all people, would be having a lot more fun with my dilemma.
More to myself, I muttered, “I didn’t even read them all. No wonder they were so wrong.” She was under duress when she wrote them and I didn’t have a clue. I had been so angry with her for revoking her friendship without stopping to think there could be other reasons making her act so unusual. She was in trouble and I hadn’t pieced it together soon enough to save us from what was about to happen. At the very least, we might be slaughtered. At the most, they would make us pray to be slaughtered.
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