by Lisa Amowitz
With barely any breath left in my lungs, I dragged myself toward the opening and out of my intended tomb. In the cool moist air of the tunnel, I could breathe a little easier, and I wondered if Vincent had survived this onslaught.
I was too weak to stand, so instead I crawled through the dark tunnels, finding my way more by touch than by sight.
So many times I wanted to stop and just go to sleep, let death finish the job it had started, but something kept me moving. Maybe it was the hope that if I survived, Vincent would make it through this, too.
Finally, I felt the ground slope upward and recognized the familiar ramp that led to the secret library entrance to the tunnels. I wondered what Monica would do with me once she realized I’d escaped.
I clawed my way up the last leg of the tunnel. At the library entrance, a woman’s body sprawled across the dirt floor blocked my way. I rolled the body on its side.
The black hair was unmistakable. Monica.
At my touch, she coughed and looked up at me. In the dimness the rivulet of blood that trickled from her lips looked black. Her eyes were unfocused at first, then widened with shock. Then she began to laugh.
“Amazing,” she cried between hacking coughs. “This is perfectly wonderful. I believe you now. My mistake.”
Monica staggered to her feet and helped me to stand. She drew my arm around her shoulder to steady me. The two of us limped into the library where Monica eased me onto one of the soft couches, then flopped beside me, breathing hard from the exertion.
“This is so much more than I dared hope for. You are a miracle, Bethany Collins.”
I tried to get to my feet to protest, but my arms and legs were made of lead. Instead I closed my eyes and said. “What are you talking about? You tried to kill me.”
Monica laughed. “It was a test. And you passed. You passed with flying colors. Obviously you have no idea where Xavier is.”
“Your test nearly did both of us in.”
“It was worth the risk. And better than the alternative.”
“You should have let me die.”
“That would have been a complete waste of your Talent. And if I let you go on the way you have been, the Guild will be at our doorstep. They regulate all Talent, and they worry about such potent weapons falling into the wrong hands.”
“What are you saying?” I muttered through gritted teeth.
“What I’m saying, Beth, is that, at least according to the Guild doctrines, I am the wrong hands. So what will it be? Take your chances that they’ll try to train you to be one of their KBR assassins and eradicate you when they find they have no idea how to control you? Maybe they won’t bother and will kill you on the spot. Or let me continue to train you how to channel and control your deadly Talent.”
I opened my eyes to find Monica’s face inches away from mine, lips parted to reveal white teeth filmed with blood. She laughed, tears streaming from her eyes. “The Guild doesn’t want to hear about my experiments with Volatiles. Their answer has always been to Recall and Eliminate. Now they will be sorry.”
“Why do you want Xavier so badly?” I muttered. I didn’t want to stay and discuss politics with Monica. I just wanted to go and check in on Vincent to see if he’d survived my attack. But if I stood, I’d only fall over again, so there was no point in trying.
“I’ve been working on this project a very long time,” Monica said gleefully. “Though you are another important part of my plan, Xavier is the key.”
I would have pressed her about what her plan was and why Xavier and I were such an important part of it, but at that moment Andre came barging through the library doors.
“Beth! There you are! Vincent is in the infirmary. He collapsed in the middle of English class. He’s asking for you.”
As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t stand. I was still too weak.
“He’s slipping, Beth,” Andre urged. “The nurses don’t know what to do for him. Even Dawn’s tried to heal him, but it’s not working.”
I swallowed hard, my mouth dry. I closed my eyes, willing myself to get up. If Vincent died, it was because of me.
Monica stood, her strength apparently restored. “Thank you, Andre. I’m afraid Beth will require your able assistance herself. She’s taken a fall during our training and is a bit woozy.”
Andre helped me to my feet, his touch softening my worries over Vincent. But my legs buckled underneath me. Andre caught me before I went down, and heaved me over his shoulder like a sack of flour.
Monica strolled toward me and whispered in my ear. “Make sure you take care of our poor sainted Vincent. He’s not nearly as strong as you. And do keep an eye out for Xavier. I’m sure he’ll surface eventually.”
Halfway to the infirmary I insisted on being set down. My legs were already stronger and, with Andre’s support, we walked through the metal double doors into a bright fluorescent space where nurses in scrubs scurried back and forth.
We encountered Gideon on his way out, looking decidedly healthier than when I’d seen him last. Turning his oversized ring in an almost compulsive manner, he greeted us heartily. The shine was back in his hair and the spring back in his step, though his eyes still looked weary. The smear of shadow that had hovered above him before was gone.
“Ah, Beth. It’s good you came quickly. He’s been asking for you. But you shouldn’t feel responsible. He volunteered for this. He’s a natural-born risk taker.”
A nurse led Andre and me into a room where the lights had been dimmed. There were rows of beds, but only one was occupied. My throat tightened. The last time I’d been in a hospital had been to see my newly disabled brother. That had been my fault.
And now I’d nearly killed Vincent.
I closed my eyes and let Andre lead me to the bedside, dreading what I might find there, dreading the sight of a death shadow hovering hungrily above him.
Vincent’s gold curls fanned out on the pillow. Even in the dim light I could see that his tawny skin had gone ashen, his lips almost blue. His closed eyes were sunken, the dark lashes damp with the sweat that beaded his forehead. A nurse came by and wiped down his brow, then took his blood pressure.
Andre touched me softly on the arm. I found the strength to step closer to the bed to witness the damage I had wrought.
“Vincent,” I whispered.
The dark lashes fluttered. His chest rose and fell in quick breaths. “Beth. You’re okay. I thought maybe this time…”
I took his hand and squeezed. “I almost killed you and you’re worried about me?”
Vincent smiled, his eyes still closed. “Monica warned me not to get involved with you. Not with my medical history.”
“What medical history? What are you talking about?”
Vincent smiled. His eyes snapped open, still their same vivid electric aqua. “It’s a congenital heart defect. Don’t worry. There’s this stuff they shoot me up with to get it beating like it should. They’ve sent someone to a local hospital to get an emergency dose. I’ll be fine.”
I lifted his hand to my lips. “Yeah. You’ll be fine. As long as I don’t kill you next time.”
After I left Vincent, Andre escorted me back to my room, his touch working its magic. With each step I felt better and stronger and more resolved to master my Talent.
I had to, for Vincent’s sake. No wonder I terrified him.
When I opened the door to my room, Andre at my elbow, I found Lila rooting around in my closet. “Oh thank heavens. How is he?”
I must have frowned at her, because Lila laughed, the delicious tinkling sound of it soothing my frayed nerves. “The Reveal is in three hours, or did you forget? Vincent will never forgive you if you miss this on account of him.”
Andre shrugged and eased backward toward the door. “Girl stuff. That’s when I take my leave.”
“So, you’re okay?” Lila asked, studying me carefully. I let her concern lap over me like warm waves. Maybe she’d never find out about the bird.
“What abo
ut you?” I asked.
She smiled sadly. “I miss Pluto. But he’s a bird. The scare with Vincent put things in perspective. My friends are more important. And in our crazy world, they tend to drop like flies.”
She pulled me into a hug, then held me at arm’s length. “No more moping. No way I’m going to ruin the biggest night of your life. Now what on earth are we going to do with that hair?”
We laughed, the worry and strain peeling away. I wasn’t sure if I was still riding high on Andre’s magic touch or not, but I was determined to cling to every delicious feel-good drop.
“It’s time to turn you into a zombie rock goddess.”
It took about an hour for Lila to transform both of us into rock and roll zombies—deadly pallor, torn clothes, and all. As we giggled and admired her artistry in the full-length mirror, we were interrupted by a jaunty knock on the door. It swung open, and Vincent, looking only a little pale beneath his golden mop, stood in the doorway applauding.
“Holy crap!” I ran into his arms. “That was one fast recovery.”
“Miracle drugs and the remarkable Dawn saved the day and regulated my heartbeat. Unfortunately, she’s a little under the weather and will be missing your Reveal. But she’s not much for parties anyway. I, on the other hand, would not miss this for the world. And I already have the costume, since I’ve recently returned from the dead.”
He smiled down at me, and I raked him with my gaze. There was no trace of a shadowy cloud anywhere. “Please don’t joke about that, okay?”
“Amen to that, Saint Vincent! Glad to see you’re still walking among us.” Lila rushed up and gave him a quick kiss, then ducked into the bathroom, leaving us momentarily alone.
Vincent’s smile faded rapidly, replaced by something far more intense. But there was no trace of fear. His velvet voice resonated in the hollow of my chest. “I am fine. I am used to these types of attacks. I have had them my whole life. But this one was worth it. I learned something about our connection today. Something I hope I never have to use.”
“I don’t understand.”
Vincent lowered his head and drew closer. He kissed me tenderly on the lips, the energy fizzing into me through his touch, skittering under my skin and raising shivers up my neck. I gasped, the heat rushing to my cheeks.
“I was going about things totally the wrong way, cherie,” he whispered. “I just needed to let go of my fear. To let you be you.”
Lila emerged from the bathroom just as Vincent took a step back, the smile still flickering across his lips. Confusion and desire warred inside of me. I couldn’t deny how much our link made me want him more than ever. But I feared for him. He looked to be the picture of health, but he was fragile. Breakable goods. And if anything happened to him, I couldn’t live with myself.
Lila stalked up to Vincent and poked a finger at his chest. “You’d better let that ticker of yours get some rest before it cuts out on you for good. If you die, we’ll kill you, ya hear?”
Vincent chuckled, but his glance seared into me as he backed toward the door. A small hope ignited within the cold place inside me. Maybe with his help, I could learn to master and control my dark Talent and still make a life for myself. And maybe there was a place for Vincent in that life.
“Later, ladies,” he said with a wink. “You will knock them dead, zombie princess.”
27
FINALLY, MY COSTUME WAS READY. I GAZED AT myself in the mirror, astounded at the radical transformation. My skin was translucent and glowed a silvery blue; my hair was a shock of fluorescent turquoise with shimmering lapis streaks. The blood that dribbled from my zombie mouth was neon pink. Lila wore a slashed deep purple gown, orange “blood” soaking through. She sported five-inch silver fingernails that threw off trails of iridescent light.
“How the hell did you do this?”
Lila shrugged. “I’m just that good, I guess.”
From under my bed, someone cleared their throat. “Okay,” Lila said, “Caught in the act. C’mon out.”
A willowy blonde with exotic eye makeup and half her face made up like a lizard stood in front of me, hands on bony hips. “Heya. I’m Pam, but call me Psyche. You can thank me for the finishing touches.”
“It was my vision,” Lila huffed.
“Of course.” Psyche waved a hand and the lizard scales on her face became alarmingly real. A forked tongue flicked from her mouth as she turned and exited my room.
Lila shook her head. “Help these days. Wait until you see the decorations. Psyche’s sister Violet is great with inanimate objects. And much less of a diva.”
I rolled my eyes and laughed. “Takes one to know one.”
When we were finally ready, we left my room arm in arm. Heading towards us from the opposite end of the hall was Vincent, dressed simply in a white collared shirt and jeans. The sickly pallor was gone. His skin glowed with radiant health, and his brilliant eyes lit up even brighter at the sight of us.
“Wow. Amazing. You’ve really outdone yourself, Lila. Now step aside, please. I’m the escort for the evening.”
Vincent wedged himself between us and gave the royal nod to Lila.
She arched a brow, then stepped out of the way. “Pushy. So much for those courtly Euro-manners. What are you supposed to be, anyway?”
Vincent chuckled. “Her next victim.”
Others had already started to gather in the main lobby. In their ripped clothing and garish make-up, only a few scattered partygoers really came close to Lila’s and my level of outlandishness. Demetri Prishkin glided through the crowds to greet us. He was done up in jet-black armor, his white hair threaded with metallic copper. His eyes glowed ruby red. Psyche’s mark was on him, clearly a favor from Lila. Demetri flashed a haughty smile, took Lila by the arm, and spirited her away. I smiled, happy for her that he’d finally taken notice, at least for this night, and vowed to break his fingers if he broke her heart.
Vincent nuzzled my cheek. “You smell good, too.”
I stared into his eyes, unable to fathom how someone who had nearly died of heart failure in the afternoon could look so incredible that night.
At that moment, Monica waltzed up to us, a slightly uneasy-looking Gideon on her arm. Her costume was subdued but magnificent. With pomegranate red lips and a demure bloodstain on her white satin gown, her black hair hanging loose and long, she was a study in red, white, and black. “Ah, young love. Isn’t it wonderful? Lila did quite a job on your costume, Beth.”
I forced a polite smile. “Thanks. You look great yourself.”
She nodded her head regally as if that was a given and gestured toward the closed doors of the dining hall. “Wait until you see what we’ve done with the decorations. I wanted this night to be perfect, so I pitched in a little, didn’t I, Vincent?” Monica stared pointedly at Vincent, who looked away.
Gideon cleared his throat and nervously twisted his gaudy ring. “You are a remarkable woman,” he interjected with a quick smile.
Vincent squeezed my arm and warm reassurance coursed through me, emboldening me. “Well, thanks for helping out,” I said breezily.
“I hope you appreciate the flawless quality of my work, Beth. I did it just for you.”
I caught a glimpse of Vincent at the precise moment his gaze went fuzzy and distant. On his next step, he tripped and nearly fell.
“What did you do to him?”
“Please, Beth,” Vincent said, holding on to my arm a bit too tightly. “No one did anything to me. I’m perfectly fine.”
I caught Gideon’s guarded expression. Monica’s lips curled up in a cat smile, eyes glittering. “I’m very good at what I do. Very good. Now don’t overdo it tonight, Vincent. Tomorrow you’re back on bed rest.”
Horrified, I glared at him. “Liar. You said you were fine.”
Vincent shrugged. “I am at the moment. Monica’s glamours go beyond skin deep.”
I was about to chew him out for being a complete idiot for playing fast and loose with his shaky heal
th when Lila grabbed me and dragged me toward the double doors that had been flung open to admit the guests.
The dining hall was set up like an underground nightclub. Flashing colored lights strobed as zombie waiters wove around the room serving trays of snacks fashioned to look like body parts—sushi that looked like severed ears, finger cookies, cheese and olive eyeballs, cupcakes frosted to look like bloody brains. The walls shimmered with falling water backlit by blue, green, and pink lights that matched my costume.
At the far side of the room, a raised stage was set up with a full array of instruments. Andre had already taken his place behind the drums. A kid I didn’t know practiced low booming scales on the bass guitar. My electric guitar gleamed on a stand beside my amp.
I sucked in a breath, pleased and relieved that there was no piano. I didn’t need any reminders of Sam to pop my tiny little bubble of happiness.
Propped up next to a stool was a violin case. I whirled on Vincent. “You’re kidding. Are you really up for playing in your condition?”
Vincent leaned in to tickle my ear with his nose. “Of course, yes. As I have said repeatedly, I am perfectly fine. You very much wanted to hear me play, ma cherie. This is my Reveal gift to you.”
Vincent’s lips pressed to my ear raised goose bumps on the back of my neck. From the corner of my eye, I spotted Monica motioning for me. I cringed, apologetically broke away from Vincent, and trudged over to her. This was not a good time to defy her.
“This is a Reveal, as you may recall. It’s the night where you share your special Talent. And with my help, everyone here tonight will believe you to be a Chameleon, someone who can disappear into their surroundings.”
“Got it.” Suddenly exhausted, I was wilting in the heat of her opal stare. My head pounded. Vincent had leapt onto the stage to tune his violin and I rushed over to join him.
The opportunity to perform with Vincent for this jazzed-up crowd of freaks was making me more insanely happy than I had any right to be. The acoustics in the dining hall were exceptional, thanks to its high ceilings. The audience fell silent as our first chords rang through the space.