“I’m not interested,” I say.
“Ouch.” Stephan places a hand over his chest and pretends to be offended. “Tell me how you really feel, why don’t you?”
“Don’t take it personally, Stephan. My sister would never date an Idol.” Rosie looks meaningfully at me. She’s obviously thinking about Bryce. Good thing she doesn’t know about Rufio.
“It’s okay. It was a long shot anyway.” The guy laughs.
Man, it would be so much easier if I liked someone like him—that is, if he’s being genuine. You never know with Idols. I haven’t met one yet who doesn’t have a secret agenda.
“We’d better go inside,” Toby says.
“Yeah, sure. Dad isn’t in yet, but Soren is around.”
Stephan climbs into Purple Delight and drives away.
“Is he seriously working as a valet?” I ask.
“Yeah, Stephan and Soren, his younger brother, have to work to earn their money,” Toby explains
Once inside the house, Mr. Silverstone’s profession is evident. There are pieces of art everywhere, ranging in styles but displayed in a harmonic way. We don’t linger in the grand foyer though, Toby steering us toward the back of the house where the pool area is.
There are a lot of people there but, oddly, no one our age.
“Uh, Toby?” I say.
“Yeah?”
“Where is the younger crowd?”
“Oh, we’re it.”
I frown, feeling a little out of place. Not that I was hoping to mingle with Idol assholes my age, but my idea of fun isn’t exactly hanging out with adults.
“How old is Stephan?” Rosie asks.
“Twenty. He goes to college in Hawk City.”
And just like that, my blood runs cold. What are the odds?
“Toby. You’re finally here,” a female voice says from behind us.
I turn to see who the newcomer is. Her ginger hair is a dead giveaway. She must be Toby’s mother.
“Hey, Mom,” he greets her. “I had to make a detour and pick up Daisy.”
The woman’s eyebrows arch. “Oh, Rosie’s sister.”
“Yup. That’s me.” I wave, and the sensation that I’m out of place increases.
A man approaches us. He has a mop of curly brown hair and wears thin wired glasses, which is sharply contrasting with the Snoopy T-shirt he has on.
“Dad, you aren’t supposed to show your T-shirt yet,” Toby says.
The man crinkles his forehead and then shrugs. “It was getting hot. Hi, I’m Simon Macintosh. Toby’s dad.”
We shake hands, and then Toby elbows my arm. “Talk to them,” he whispers.
“I’m going to show Rosie the pool,” he says louder for his parents’ benefit, leaving me alone with them.
Great, Toby. Thanks a lot.
I smile tightly at his parents, and my sense of unease grows. I’m not sure why I’m nervous. They’re not even Idols, after all.
“How do you like Gifted Academy, Daisy?” Mr. Macintosh asks.
“It’s intense, but I’m loving the classes.”
“I hope you’re not getting into trouble like Toby did. I never liked the idea of him mingling with those Idol kids,” the mother says.
“Well, Tori, you can’t protect the kid forever,” Mr. Macintosh cuts in. “He will eventually have to deal with the other kind of Idols.”
“It’s not so bad,” I tell them. “Really. The incident with Renata was blown out of proportion. I don’t even think she meant to break Toby’s arm. That girl is not the sharpest tool in the shed, if you know what I mean. She probably didn’t even realize she was hurting Toby.”
Toby’s mom scoffs. “Even worse. Those kids are no better than savages. There’s no discipline in that school. It’s a jungle, and the students with the highest level of power make the rules.”
Damn. Her assessment is spot-on. But I can’t give up on Toby.
“Would you feel any better if I told you I’m under the protection of the four most powerful Idols in school?”
I’m such a little liar.
“No, that doesn’t comfort me. You are protected, not my boy.”
“Toby is my friend, and by extension, he’s also protected.”
“That makes sense,” Mr. Macintosh chimes in. “Tori, I really think you should consider letting Toby stay. You know he wants to attend Prism City University. He can’t get in if he doesn’t graduate from a top institution.”
Her expression becomes less tense. I think we’re making progress.
“Let me think about it. I’d feel better if Principal Fallon also gave me some reassurance,” she hedges.
“Oh, she will,” I say. I’ll make sure she tells Toby’s mother everything she wants to hear. She owes me that much since she couldn’t protect me at all.
The front door opens, but Toby’s parents are blocking my view, so I don’t know who’s coming in. It’s only when Mr. Macintosh turns to greet the man that I get an eyeful of him. Long blond hair, body built like a mountain, and a pair of intense silver eyes which are now riveted on me. My stomach bottoms out, and my heart skips a beat. I know his face, even if I only caught a glimpse of him for a fleeting moment. He’s one of the five Idols who came in and fought with my parents’ killers.
I’m shaking as I stand. I don’t know if he’s a friend or just a different enemy.
“Daisy, this is my boss, Gunther Silverstone,” Mr. Macintosh says.
My tongue feels like lead in my mouth, and I can’t breathe, much less speak.
“Hello, Daisy,” Gunther greets me. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
27
Daisy
“Hello,” I manage to croak out.
“Are you enjoying the party?” he asks in a friendly way.
If I didn’t already know what he’s capable of, I wouldn’t look his way twice. Like his son, he’s also keeping his power contained. But I remember how he came into my childhood home, brandishing a sword made out of fire.
“I-I just got here. I should go look for Toby and Rosie. Excuse me.”
I turn on my heels and bolt out of the house. It’s not difficult to find them. They’re on the other side of the pool, talking to the only other teenager there, a dirty-blond kid with shaggy hair and thick black-framed glasses.
Toby and Rosie glance at me once I join them.
“Daisy, I was just telling Soren about you. He goes to Gifted Academy’s sister school in Hawk City,” Toby says.
“Hi there. Can I borrow Toby and Rosie for a second?” I grab both of them by their forearms and drag them away without waiting for a reply.
I’m being rude and not exactly subtle, but my nerves are getting the better of me. Once we’re out of earshot, I release their arms.
“What’s going on with you? You look as white as a ghost,” Rosie says.
“Toby, what do you know about Mr. Silverstone?” I ask.
“Uh, what I already told you. He’s an art dealer with galleries all over the country.”
“But you never mentioned he was from Hawk City,” I hiss.
“Because he’s not,” Toby replies in the same tone of voice. “What’s the matter with you? You’re acting weird.”
I look over his shoulder and find Mr. Silverstone staring at us. His younger son, Soren, has just joined him at the upper deck. They trade a few words before Soren looks over his shoulder at us and then disappears inside the house.
What was that all about?
“What are you staring at?” Toby begins to turn, but I stop him.
“We need to leave. Now!”
“Why?” Toby’s eyebrows meet his hairline.
“Daisy, you’re freaking me out. Did Mr. Silverstone say anything that upset you?” Rosie asks.
Shit. They won’t leave if I don’t tell them something.
“Rosie, you don’t remember, but the only reason we were able to escape the attack that killed our parents was due to another group of Idols who came in. Mr. Silverston
e was among them.”
“What?” Toby squeaks. “Impossible. He wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
“Well, you don’t know your dad’s boss as well as you thought you did.”
Toby rubs his face, then finally pivots around. Mr. Silverstone is no longer there spying on us, but I’m sure he knows I recognized him.
“He saved you, didn’t he?” Toby finally says.
“I suppose he did, but I don’t know if he was one of the good guys or just another Idol after us.”
“Have you ever stopped to consider that maybe he’s—” Toby pauses and makes sure there’s no one nears us. “—a Knight?” he whispers.
Rosie’s eyes become as round as saucers. My heart continues to beat at a rapid pace, but the fear that struck me earlier lessens.
“To be honest, I never dared to believe Knights were real,” I say.
Toby looks me straight in the eye. “Me neither, but if there’s one Idol that could be part of that rogue group, Mr. Silverstone would be the one.”
I nibble on my lower lip while my mind is racing. Knights are supposed to be the protectors of Norms and low-level Fringes, but if they’re real, they’re criminals in the eyes of the law. Getting embroiled with them, even if by accident, could be lethal to Rosie and me.
It might be too late for that, Daisy. Remember the daggers you were gifted.
“I think we should go,” Rosie says, sporting a fearful expression now.
“Okay. If that’s what you want.” Toby sounds disappointed. He doesn’t understand that the memories Rosie and I have of that horrible night seven years ago have scarred us for life.
We head back to the house, finding the host talking with Toby’s parents. They stop their conversation when we approach.
“We have to go home. Rosie isn’t feeling well,” Toby lies.
To his credit, my sister is looking ill. Poor thing. I wish I could erase some of her memories.
“Oh no. That’s too bad,” Mr. Silverstone says. “I hope it’s nothing serious.”
“It’s probably just a cold,” I say.
“Dude, leaving so soon?” Stephan joins us, no longer wearing his valet uniform. He’s changed into swim trunks and nothing else. Whoa, hello abs.
“Yeah, Rosie is unwell,” I reply.
“Too bad. I was hoping to get know you better.” He grins like I’m some sort of prize he needs to win. In a way, he reminds me of Phoenix, but he’s way less complex than my neighbor, who keeps popping in my head with his erotic visions.
Damn it. Now I’m thinking about the dream.
I snap my fingers with an exaggerated motion of my arm. “Darn it. I guess I shall remain a mystery to you.”
His grin widens to a toothy smile as he walks toward me. He leans closer to my ear and whispers, “I don’t think so.” He continues toward the pool before I can come up with an answer.
My stomach coils tightly. I don’t think his remark was merely innocent flirtation.
“Well, we’d better get going,” Toby says.
He and Rosie walk to the door first. I say goodbye to his parents and thank Mr. Silverstone for inviting us. But just like his son, the Idol feels the need to leave me with a last comment.
“Say hello to Bryce for me, Daisy.”
He walks away as if he hadn’t said anything. Meanwhile, I’m frozen to the spot. It’s not the fact that he mentioned Bryce but the tone of his voice that implies a hidden message.
“Daisy, are you coming?” Toby asks from the front door.
“Yeah.”
***
It’s been twenty minutes since we left the Silverstone mansion, and no one has said a word. Once again, I’m doubting everything I know. Is it a mere coincidence that the Idol who saved Rosie and me employs the father of my closest friend in school? Or is Principal Fallon in cahoots with him, and she assigned Toby to be my guide because of his connection to Mr. Silverstone?
Fuck, I’m tired of being in the dark. I need answers.
“You’re quiet,” Toby says.
At first, I think he’s talking to me, but I catch his glance at Rosie, who’s looking out the window.
“Lots on my mind,” she replies halfheartedly.
“I’m sorry about Mr. Silverstone. I had no idea he could be involved in something as dangerous as the Knights’ organization.”
“We don’t know if he is indeed a Knight,” I say.
“What else could he be, then?” Toby’s worried gaze connects with mine in the rearview mirror.
“Many things,” Rosie grits out, almost as if she’s angry at Toby.
“Are you mad at me?” he asks her.
So he noticed it too.
“Of course Rosie isn’t mad at you,” I butt in. I’d hate for them to fight over something that isn’t their fault.
“I don’t know what I’m feeling. I thought Mr. Silverstone was different than the other Idols. I thought he was… peaceful.”
There’s another moment of silence, and I’m afraid we’re about to go another long stretch of it when Rosie’s phone starts to ring, reminding me that I need to buy a new phone too. Shit. I might have to ask Principal Fallon for an advance on my monthly allowance.
“Hello?” Rosie answers.
“Who is it?” I ask.
She lifts her hand in a sign to shush me, and after a moment, she gives me the phone.
“What?”
“It’s Luigi looking for you.”
With a frown, I take the device from Rosie’s hand. Why would the cook of Poppy’s Joint call Rosie’s cell phone to look for me?
“Hey, Luigi. This is Daisy.”
“Thank heavens I was able to track you down, girl. I’ve been calling your phone for hours.”
“What happened?”
“It’s Felicity. She was attacked last night.”
My heart goes up my throat, only to crash back down like a rock. “What?”
“I don’t have the details, girlie. Will you come to the hospital? She’s at St. Joseph’s.”
“Yes, right away. Is she okay?”
“I don’t know anything. The doctors won’t give me an update because I’m not kin and they’re asshole Fringes.”
“Does Poppy know?”
I bet he could get information in his true identity as Mr. X.
Luigi sighs. “I haven’t been able to reach Poppy either. He hasn’t come by the diner in days.”
Fuck. That can’t be good.
“Hang tight, Luigi. I’ll be right there.”
I end the call and quickly tell Rosie and Toby the little I know.
“We can be at St. Joseph’s in fifteen minutes,” Toby says.
“So Luigi knows nothing?” Rosie asks, her face filled with the same fear I’m feeling.
I shake my head, dropping my chin. Tears prick my eyes while a heavy weight settles on my chest. It seems I can’t catch a break. Felicity is one of my dearest friends, the sweetest woman I know.
“I can’t imagine that someone would try to hurt her,” Rosie echoes my thoughts.
“Me neither,” I whisper.
28
Rufio
I went to the treehouse last night because I couldn’t handle being in the presence of the guys when my head wasn’t right. Daisy, Daisy, Daisy. Constant in my head. I can’t get rid of her or the feelings she evokes in me. I’m disgusted at myself for caring so much about her, for losing my mind when I fear something awful will happen to her. Years of brainwashing are not easy to erase. Norms are vile, worthless. That’s the rhetoric drilled into us since we were babies.
But being in my hiding spot didn’t help. No, she managed to crawl in here too. I shouldn’t have fucked her when she came. Now every nook of the place is impregnated with her memory. No amount of Silver-voltage could make me relax, and forget sleeping.
I thought for one brief moment about going to Unearthly Desires, but I stomped on the idea almost immediately. I didn’t want to see random women strip. I want to see Daisy—with
or without her clothes.
The sun is up, and the birds are chirping, but my mood remains in a dark, starless night. I stare at the lightning-glass dagger in my hand. The weapon that can kill Idols. What makes it so special? Is it poisonous once it breaks skin, or is there something else that grants its deadly nature to us?
Guilt settled in my chest. I should never have kept the dagger. If Daisy had the weapon on her when Drusilla showed up, maybe she wouldn’t have been drugged.
My sentiment is illogical, of course. If Daisy had struck Drusilla with the dagger, she would have been sentenced to death.
If someone is going to kill Drusilla, that someone will be me.
The thought comes to my mind unbidden. Regardless, it’s a truth that can’t be denied. I will condemn myself to save Daisy, the Norm who snuck into my cold heart. Once again, I’m reminded of Morpheus’s ominous words. Funny enough, even he’s willing to sacrifice himself for her now. Why does she have a hold over us like that?
Fury swirls in the pit of my stomach, and as usual the sentiment comes with a surge of my powers. I curl my fingers tighter around the dagger’s handle and the dark veins appear, my fingers tingling. The dagger or at least its handle should have disintegrated, but the object remains intact.
Son of a bitch. This is indeed an Idol-killing weapon.
I drop the dagger to the floor as if it could kill me by a mere touch. It’s a ridiculous notion since I’ve been handling it without protection the whole time.
Fuck. I’m truly losing it.
Maybe it’s best if I return the dagger to its owner. Even knowing it’s dangerous for Daisy to keep it, I can’t bear the thought of letting her wander campus unprotected. We can’t shadow her 24-7.
And it’s all thanks to you, Rufio. You set Drusilla on Daisy, and now you can’t control the bitch.
With a roar, I kick the small table in front of me, sending it flying across the room. It breaks through the wall, leaving a gaping hole behind. Great. The guys will love my newest act of destruction.
Ruthless Idols: A Paranormal High School Bully Romance (Gifted Academy Book 2) Page 15