Carly raises her hand.
“Yes, Carly?”
She sits up straighter. “Did anyone ever consider that these villains just wanted to murder Emerald Blaze and Digger because they got in their way? Why does everyone think they had some secret motive?”
Vetito points excitedly at Carly. “That’s a good question!” He scans the rest of the classroom; all eyes are on him. “A lot of people think the villains did plan their murders. Black Mold and Iron Forge did cause some minor trouble near townhall for attention, but right after the murders, one would think they would return to do whatever job they wanted to accomplish. Instead, they immediately disappeared.”
A memory ripples into my mind. “No, Forge, not today. Our job here is done.” Black Mold walks beside Iron Forge, and we stare at each other; his gray eyes look at me coldly. They seem to be bloodshot, but the veins are black instead of red.
These two people brutally murdered two Guardians—two parents—without a second thought. My blood boils. Not only was I too weak to do anything to change this, but it should be known that two people got away with cold-blooded murder. “That was because the job was to murder Emerald Blaze and Digger.”
Billy hits me on the back, and once again, all eyes are on me. Maybe I should’ve kept my mouth shut. I’ll just cause more trouble for myself if I’m not careful.
Vetito stares at me with an eyebrow raised. “Aiden, do you have some information you’d like to share? A theory on the crime, perhaps?”
“Uh …”
“Well, Professor, you’re making such a compelling case about what actually happened,” Billy speaks up, “how can we think otherwise?”
Vetito’s chest puffs out more than normal, and he smirks. “I guess you’re right. Sometimes I forget how good of a teacher I am,” he says with a wink.
I glance at Billy over my shoulder and mouth, Thank you.
He smirks and nods.
“Now, class, I don’t want you to think that is what happened, but, as a future Guardian, you have to judge scenarios with a critical eye and not always accept the easy answer. Some will want to bury the truth, but your job as Guardians is to always bring evil out into the light and to keep our city safe from those who want to use it to fuel their own purpose.”
My stomach drops, and my back tenses. Why do I get the feeling Vetito knows a lot more than he’s letting on? I survey the classroom; no one else seems to be worried about anything, just listening intently to the lecture. Saliva pools in my mouth; my stomach turns over and abruptly feels sour. Maybe not eating anything for lunch was a bad idea.
I raise my hand.
Vetito notices me. “Yes, Aiden?”
“Is it all right if I be excused? I just need to go to the restroom.”
He nods. “Of course. Hurry back.”
I bolt for the door, not looking back at the eyes on me. If I don’t get away from this conversation, who knows what I may end up saying.
Chapter 24
Ember
I collapse on a bench facing the lake on campus, dropping my backpack to the ground. It’s a cloudy day, and a threat of rain hangs in the air. Even so, being here is where I need to be right now. Somewhere on the other side of this lake is my parents’ lake house that has been in the family for generations. Every summer, even after my parents’ death, I go there. I desperately wish I was there now. It’s a nice escape from reality, and I’ve always found the water oddly calming. Though it baffles me how something can be so beautiful and gentle and yet so deadly.
I hold my head in my hands. Thankfully Aiden agreed to hang out later, that should give me a chance to discuss the Defender program with him. I’m not sure if more knowledge will actually help me or not, but it’s the next best thing for me to do. Even after talking with Eliza, I am still so indecisive about my decision.
“Well, well! Is that the Vulterra girl?”
I turn to see a guy approach me, his silver eyes and hair somehow glimmer even with the lack of sunlight. “Is there something I can do for you?”
He sits next to me, and I scoot closer to the edge. “Not really, I just figured I would say hello and introduce myself. My name is Scott, Scott Rogers.” He proffers his hand. “I’m glad I decided to skip class. It’s a pleasure to meet the girl who is the talk of the school! The daughter of the great Digger and Emerald Blaze! What an honor!” He chuckles.
His comments rub me the wrong way, and I stand. “Well, Scott, it’s been a joy, but I think I’m going to go.”
He smirks and puts his hands behind his head. “Oh, sure, just leave. Everyone says you don’t like the attention, but I find that hard to believe. You’re not in the Defender program, you don’t talk to anyone, and Stiles almost died protecting you. You’ve given us plenty to talk about.” He laughs to himself. “Why didn’t you stay hiding in your home on the hills? Everyone had forgotten about you until you decided to come to U.S.—well at least I did.”
I bend to get my backpack. “I really don’t appreciate any of this.”
Scott’s crooked nose matches his smile, causing me to feel even more bothered.
“Did you just want a rise out of me? Is this what this is about? I don’t even know you, but you seem like you have some kind of real problem with me.”
He surveys the lake. “Maybe I do? To be honest, I don’t know why I wanted to talk to you, but I saw you sitting here and just thought, why the hell not? Stiles is interested in you, so there must be something about you. That guy doesn’t want to be bothered by anyone, but he’ll follow you like a lost puppy dog.”
My chest feels tight. “I really don’t know what you’re talking about. We’re friends. That’s all.”
He leans backward and stretches his arms over the tops of the bench. “We all see how you guys ogle each other during your lunch dates, but whatever—just friends. I get it. I think what bothers me the most is who are you really?” His eyes crease with an inkling of humor. “Clearly, you are nothing without your parents’ legacy.”
“Ember, are you okay?” I snap my head and Glinda, the school’s newspaper editor, is heading in my direction. Her short black hair is in a high ponytail on top of her head, and she’s wearing a bright yellow dress with a white daisy pattern. Her third arm rests over her right shoulder. “You look … troubled.”
Scott stands. “Oh, yeah. She’s just fine. We’re just shooting the breeze.”
“Did I ask you?” Glinda snaps. “Oh, that’s right. No, I didn’t. I asked Ember.”
“I’m fine.” I glance at Scott. “I guess some people just like to hear themselves talk, that’s all.”
He shrugs. “Well, it’s bullshit if you ask me, that everyone’s eyes are on you when you haven’t done anything to earn the attention. While people like me have to work our asses off and hardly get a second glance.”
His words shouldn’t affect me. I don’t know this guy nor care about him, but, for some reason, I can’t find any response. I stand like I accidentally glanced into Medusa’s eyes.
“Wow, you’re a real asshole, aren’t you?” Glinda’s third hand flicks something off Scott’s shoulder. “Why don’t you go back to the hole you crawled out of?”
He takes a threatening step toward her. “Or, what? You’ll write a story about it in that joke of a newspaper? You guys don’t report anything. Everyone knows about the Iron Forge attack, but did you guys say a word? Of course not, that would take actual guts.”
Glinda doesn’t flinch and crosses her arms. “It’s not our job to report hearsay.”
“Oh, no. That would be a real newspaper.” Scott throws up his hands in the air. “Hearsay? There were actual witnesses! This university is a joke. The people in power want to act like we know nothing that’s really going on and want to turn a blind eye to all the real problems.”
Glinda’s extra arm removes a tape recorder from her back pocket. “Would you like to give me an interview about how unhappy all the students are on campus? We can start with you. I’m sure
the dean would love reading your story and would maybe offer your spot to someone who may appreciate it.”
Scott clenches his jaw. “You two aren’t worth my time.” His body abruptly turns metallic and, in a second, drops to the ground in a puddle resembling liquid mercury. He shoots toward the buildings on campus.
“So, he’s a scaredy cat asshole. Nice.” Glinda eyes me. “Are you okay? He’s just a bully, so don’t let him get to you.”
I swallow hard and feel a sudden lump in my throat. “I think I would be lying if I said his words didn’t sting some.”
She nods. “They shouldn’t though.”
I lock eyes with her. “It’s not the first time someone has said not the nicest things about who I am.”
“Ember, listen—”
“No. It’s fine. Just, Scott had a point. Who am I without my parents? I’m a nobody.” I take a shaky breath. “I need to figure out where I belong.”
Glinda nods. “It’s not an easy thing to figure out. For anybody.”
A little spot on my head gets wet from a raindrop. “That’s true.”
The silence turns into awkwardness, and Glinda shifts on her feet. “Ember, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so rude to you the first day we met. No wonder why you didn’t want to give me an interview.”
I sigh. “It’s not like I was the warmest person either. I should’ve known that not all people in the press are bad and not have jumped to conclusions so fast. I am sorry about that.” I take a deep breath; it’s refreshing and cool. “Let’s start over. Maybe be friends? I mean, anyone who can put a guy like Scott to shame is okay in my book.”
She smiles. “Sure, that sounds great to me! But can I ask you a question? Off the record?”
I shrug. “Sure.”
“I heard a rumor you were only staying here for one semester. Is that true?”
My eyes widen. “How did you hear about that?”
“Like I said, it’s a rumor among many. I just think it would be a shame to see you go.”
“Why? It’s not like I’ve done anything here other than getting a friend of mine injured.”
Her sly smile reaches the corners of her caramel-colored eyes. “I have a feeling you’ll help a lot of people one day. I’m not sure if it’ll be by being a Guardian or something else, but I can just tell.”
Chills travel down my arms. “You really think so?”
“You may not want to hear this, but there’s no way you couldn’t. It’s in your blood. If you have an ounce of your parents’ compassion, you’ll do amazing things.”
My heart feels lighter than it has in a very long time. “Y’know, maybe someday I’ll give you that interview.”
Excitement tugs on Glinda’s face. “I would love that.”
“Hey, Em!”
From the corner of my eye, I notice Ross wearing a blue baseball cap and mud-covered jeans and shirt.
“I’m surprised to see you out this way.”
I swing my book bag over my shoulders. “I came here just to get a breather after classes, but I do need to get going soon. I’m meeting up with someone in about an hour.”
Even with his mud-speckled glasses, I can see him eye Glinda with a hint of admiration. “Hi there! I’m Ross, and you are …?”
She chuckles. “I’m Glinda.”
“She’s actually the editor of the school’s newspaper,” I add.
Ross nods with approval. “Oh, that’s nifty.”
I step backward, jokingly scrunching my face. “What are you doing here? You look like you went swimming in a mud puddle.” I notice a potent smell of earth, and my nose crinkles. “You smell too.”
He takes my comments in stride and laughs. “Oh, well that would because I have been crawling around in the dirt. I’m actually looking for some insects before it starts raining.”
“Why in the world would you be doing that?”
“Oh, man! We’ve never discussed our majors, have we? I’m a science major with a specialty in entomology.”
“Entomology?”
Glinda steps up with a pep. “Study of insects, right?”
Ross nods. “Yep! I use my ability to help me with it.”
It occurs to me I have no idea what Ross can do. It’s not that we never talk in class, but normally, it’s just about the material we are working on and not about each other. “How’s that?”
“Here, let me show you.” He studies the ground and bends to grab something. He opens his palm to reveal a ladybug. He fixates on it, and the ladybug shakes in his hand then expands to the size of a mouse.
“You can enlarge things? That’s so cool!”
He grins. “Yep. I could make this beauty here even larger if I wanted to, but I didn’t want to freak you guys out too much.”
“What can you enlarge? Can you do it to humans as well?” Glinda asks.
Ross shakes his head. “It takes a lot of focus, and I find it’s easiest to do with small things. I will admit, once when I was little, I tried to see if I could turn myself into a giant, and I focused so hard I almost passed out. I never tried it again.”
I pet the ladybug. “Well, this is really neat!”
“It comes in handy with my studies. I have a lot of sketches and detailed notes about different species I have come across.”
Glinda pets the ladybug as well. “You would get along with my cousin. He’s a biologist but has studied entomology as well. That’s how I knew about it.”
“Well, you guys want to tag along with me for a little bit? Maybe we can discover a new species together and name it Gl-em-oss … yeah! Glemoss!”
I snort. “That’s so lame.”
Ross puts the ladybug up on his shoulder. “Lame is my middle name, but what do you guys say?”
Glinda shrugs. “Sure. I have nothing else to do.”
I look at Glinda and Ross and realize that maybe a lot more people than I first thought are actually pretty okay. “Sure. I can spare a little time.”
Chapter 25
Aiden
I sigh. “I’m sorry, Ember. Hopefully, the rain will pass.”
“I’m not worried about it.” A smile teases her lips. “I guess you’ll just have to come out here with me again.”
Here we sit, under the groves of trees on two stumps, staring across the open pasture where we had our first mock battle. Rain falls in buckets. The thought of using my abilities out there causes me to squirm. “Valentino is working with me on managing my pain tolerance so I can use my abilities in weather like this, but right now, I’m just not up for it. I didn’t sleep too well and … it’s been a day.”
“So, you’re not as invincible as I thought you were.” Ember smirks.
“Ha! No. Not at all. If I contact water while using my abilities, it makes every inch of my body feel like it’s shorting out. The best way to describe it, my nerves feel like they’re frying.”
Ember grimaces. “Yeah. We don’t want that to happen. Maybe it’ll stop in a little bit? Do you mind waiting?”
“Sure, no problem! I have nothing else planned for tonight. I made sure to leave it open for you.”
She brings one of her legs onto the stump and pulls it against her. “Tell me about your day. It sounds like something happened.”
I recall my villains history class, all the information I learned about Black Mold. It would be nice to share some of that with her, but the last thing she needs is to think about her mother’s murderer. “Oh, it was nothing. Just fellow classmates who want to act like they know everything.”
She laughs, but it sounds more like she’s choking on something. “Oh! Did you deal with someone like that today too?”
I chuckle. “It sounds like you need to talk about your day.”
“No. I’m fine. It’s behind me now. I actually had a pretty good day. It seems like I’m actually making friends.” Her mood darkens, like the sky. “I think I finally realized how much I’ve been pushing people away instead of giving them a chance. I guess years of se
lf-isolation will do that to you.”
“Hey.” She looks at me. “Don’t beat yourself up over anything. I think you’ve been doing a great job. It can’t be easy to have a spotlight on you all the time.”
“Trust me, if I could give it to someone else, I would. I haven’t deserved the attention I get.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s not like I’ve done anything grand with my life, but hopefully, I can figure out what I want to do and make a difference.” She eyes me. “Like you. You’re so determined to make your mark. I don’t think you realize how inspiring that is.”
My head hangs low. “Inspiring is one way to put it. Others would say it’s maddening.”
“It is a fine line between obsession and work ethic, isn’t it?”
I nod. “It sure is.”
“Well, tell me. Are you enjoying the Defender program?”
“Sure. Biv Valentino—”
“The Prism?”
“Yeah, that’s her! She’s a great instructor. The history classes are fascinating, but the legal classes are a little draining. They’re necessary though, since Guardians uphold the law. Some students don’t seem to understand that, but I think that’s because they just want to be a Guardian to be famous. Not understanding that is not why you go into this line of work. If you want to be famous, be in a movie, not a protector for the city.”
She grins. “So, the Defender program isn’t just about who can punch the hardest? For some reason, I just picture everyone trying to kill each other the whole time”
I laugh. “Oh, to most it is, but there’s a lot more to it. Some actually drop out after they realize the actual amount of work it takes. That’s why some can test in the spring semester to attend the following fall to fill the open spots.”
“About that … Do you know anything about that process?”
I exhale loudly. “Yeah. There’s a lot. We may be here all night talking about it.”
She laughs. “Well, since tonight is a bust, maybe we can meet up on Saturday?”
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