Ungifted

by Kelly Oram

  “What are you going to do, Russ? Join the resistance?”

  Russ took a long swig of the ice water in front of him. “If I have to.”

  “If you could even find them,” Duncan said, and he sounded sure that Russ wouldn’t. “You’re a Devereaux. They would never trust you.”

  “I have a lot of information about the council and the Seer and the Chosen One that makes me think otherwise. And if they don’t help me, I’ll go find my father. It’s only a matter of time before he comes looking for me anyway. He’ll help me take down the council if no one else will.”

  Duncan studied Russ for a long moment, and nobody at the table dared breathe. The tension had become very thick when the resistance was brought up, and even though I knew next to nothing about what was going on, I knew that Duncan learning any of them knew about the resistance would be a very bad thing.

  “Be careful, Russ,” Duncan said, breaking the deafening silence. “Don’t forget who you’re talking to. I sympathize with you, but I can’t ignore blatant threats. You’re very close to becoming an enemy to the council.”

  “The council is already my enemy.”

  Duncan sighed again. “Dani has joined the council. Is she to be your enemy, then, too?”

  Russ mindlessly sipped his water again and turned his face to the window. “She’s not Dani anymore.”

  “It would kill her to hear you say that. She still loves you, Russ.”

  That was the one thing Russ couldn’t hear. He smashed his water glass down on the table, shattering it into a hundred pieces. He cut his hand and began to bleed all over, but he hardly even noticed and did nothing to take care of it.

  My heart stopped at the sight of the blood and I glanced quickly at Duncan. In this one vampire book I read, the sight of blood was too much for them and they turned into crazed monsters. But I guess that specific bit of lore was fiction. None of the wolves seemed to think anything of it, and Duncan didn’t appear at all affected.

  “Russ,” he said.

  Russ flinched at his name and I couldn’t stand it anymore. “Please leave him alone,” I said to Duncan. “Can’t you see how much you’re hurting him? He obviously needs time to deal with everything you’ve just told him.”

  Duncan turned his calculating gaze on me. “Curious how much she already cares about you.” He was obviously talking to Russ but hadn’t taken his eyes off me. “Almost as if she doesn’t have a choice.”

  I turned a blazing shade of red. That’s exactly how it felt, but still. The fact that he could tell, and that he was pointing it out to everybody? I wanted to die.

  Duncan’s eyes thankfully flicked to Russ. “And you to her,” he said. “The draw between the two of you is so strong and immediate. Just like you and Dani. I can’t help wondering at the connection between the three of you.”

  “Coincidence,” Russ muttered, but the expression on his face betrayed his doubt.

  “Fascinating,” Duncan breathed, staring at me again. “I’m sure the council would be very interested in meeting—”

  Before he could finish that sentence Russ had pulled me fully into his lap, his arms fastened like steel around me. Ethan, Cynthia, Caleb, and Preston had also scrambled to their feet, pushing Duncan to his as well. They stood in a protective line in front of the booth, blocking Duncan from even being able to see me.

  “You’re not taking her to the consulate,” Ethan warned, his voice hard. “She’s not in violation of any supernatural law. You have no reason to detain her.”

  “Russ,” Duncan said, eyeing Ethan. “Please explain to your new friends that I mean Grace no harm. It was only an invitation. If Grace doesn’t want to meet Dani, I’m not going to force her.”

  That seemed to be enough for my friends, who inexplicably seemed to trust the stranger, but Russ refused to let go of me. Not that I was complaining about that. Having Russ’s arms around me was something I hoped never came to an end. I couldn’t help the way I melted against him. His warmth and security felt like home in a way I didn’t understand. It was as if I’d known him all my life and belonged nowhere else.

  “Russ,” Duncan said, still standing and eyeing my friends warily now. “The resemblance to the Chosen One cannot be coincidence. The council would want to know. Dani would want to know.”

  “Grace is not going anywhere near the council!” Russ hissed. “If you so much as breathe a single word about her to any of them, I’ll kill you, Duncan. I swear I will.”

  “Russ, you’re being unreasonable. She may be important to Dani in ways we can’t imagine. She may be needed.”

  “Like Dani was needed?”

  Duncan’s face fell. “Yes.”

  I expected Russ to lose his temper again, but instead he became desperate. “You saw what they did to her, Duncan! They tortured her for weeks! They brought her so close to death that she was completely broken. They took her from her home and her family, forced her into a marriage she didn’t want, forced her to risk her life for them after they hurt her so badly. They brainwashed her into giving up on everyone she loved!”

  I waited for Duncan to deny Russ’s accusations—to tell him he was exaggerating. Instead Duncan looked slightly ill, which meant everything Russ said was true.

  “At least she’s happy again, Russ. In a way, the council was kinder to her than they were to you. I know you don’t want to hear it, but she truly loves Gabriel. She belongs at the consulate now.”

  “Because the Councilor destroyed her!” Russ spat. “She’s not herself anymore. The Councilor killed Dani and created a puppet. She doesn’t think for herself anymore. The Seer pulls her strings. She’s not Dani.”

  Again, Duncan didn’t deny it.

  I was so shocked I couldn’t breathe. Russ felt me shaking against him and tightened his grip. “Don’t worry,” he murmured against my ear. “I won’t let them do that to you.”

  “Neither will we,” Cynthia growled.

  Duncan looked around the table at all of my friends. He was clearly surprised by the fierce loyalty all of them displayed, and, quite frankly, so was I. Cynthia I could understand—I wouldn’t expect anything less from her—but the rest of them? I didn’t even know Preston or Caleb until two days ago, and Ethan hates me.

  “I am not your enemy,” Duncan said to all of us. “Russ is right about Dani. The council acted rashly in a desperate situation. But that situation has been resolved, and I see no reason to bring Grace to the council’s attention if she does not wish it.”

  “I don’t,” I said quickly.

  “Very well, then. I will keep your secret—unless it becomes necessary. But I do believe there is a connection between you and the Chosen One, and if you’d ever like to meet her, or try to learn more about who and what you are exactly, you would be most welcome. I could even arrange a meeting without the council’s involvement. Russ knows how to contact me.”

  “Th-thank you,” I stammered. I’d been so sure he was evil, but he was letting me go. He had even promised not to tell anyone about me.

  He smiled a friendly smile and then looked specifically at Preston, of all people. “Take very good care of her.” His eyes flickered back to Russ for a brief second and he added, “Of them both.”

  “Yes, sir,” Preston answered quickly.

  “They’re both very special. More special than you know.”

  All of the wolves were bobbing their heads up and down now, blindly promising to protect Russ and me.

  “Thank you, future alpha of the Washington, D.C., pack. As head of the guardians I will hold you to your vow, and in turn your good deed will not be forgotten. I will be in your debt for this service.”

  “Yes, sir. It’s an honor, sir.”

  “As for you, young nephilim.” Duncan eyed Ethan with both a big, fat smirk and a hint of wonder. “I suspect you will do your very best to protect this young lady, whether it is asked of you or not. With your life if needs be, I’d wager.”

  Ethan paled. Had Duncan guessed his sec
ret? Could he somehow know about Ethan’s bond? I knew Ethan was wondering the same thing as well, but he didn’t dare ask. “Y-yes, sir,” he stammered.

  “Then I believe she is in very good hands,” Duncan said kindly. “However, I hope you might show a little of that devotion to Russ as well.” Ethan frowned. “Russ is a good person, and in great need of friends.”

  Russ stiffened at this but instinctively pulled me tighter against him. I doubt he would ever admit it, but Duncan was right. He was alone, and he needed us.

  “He’ll be a powerful ally to you in your quest,” Duncan continued. “There is most definitely a connection between him and Grace. If anyone can help her, I believe it’s him.”

  Ethan, though he clearly wasn’t very happy, nodded. “Yes, sir.”

  “Thank you.”

  Duncan winked at me and then swept his eyes past me to his next target. “And Russ?” he said, grinning again. “Try not to do anything too stupid. I’d hate to have to arrest you again.”

  Russ flipped Duncan the middle finger, but he couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. “You mean try to arrest me again,” he said.

  Duncan broke into a playful laugh. “Always a pleasure to see you, Russ.” He left the restaurant without looking back.

  Once he was gone, things became silent again and everyone sat there staring at Russ and me. Not that I wanted to move, but I met Preston’s curious gaze and blushed until I thought I would die from it.

  “Um, Russ? I think it’s safe now.”

  “Oh!” He shifted me off his lap as if he were only just now noticing I was there. “Sorry.”

  “It’s okay,” I mumbled, unable to look up from my lap.

  Things got awkward again, so I picked up my fork and stuck a bite of pancakes in my mouth. They were cold, but I ate them anyway. It was Caleb who finally broke the silence. “Sounds like you have quite the story to share,” he said to Russ.

  Russ glared at Caleb and began pushing his food around his plate. “I’m sure the guardians have filled your alpha in by now. Get him to tell it.”

  “I’m sorry I hit you, okay? It’s just, we’re all a little protective of Grace.”

  Cynthia snorted and Caleb elbowed her. “Ow!” she grumbled, and then laughed again. “He was just pissed because you were scamming his goods.”

  Russ looked at me, and I found his startled expression very encouraging. “You and him are…?”

  “No,” I promised.

  “Not for his lack of trying.” Cynthia laughed. “But don’t worry, Gracie will never give in to him.”

  Caleb punched her this time and she punched him back. Before it could turn into a full on brawl, Preston said, “Cut it out, you guys. More important things going on here.” He glanced around the restaurant and then lowered his voice. “Would you like to meet our father?” he asked Russ. “He’s the D.C. alpha and very high up in the resistance.”

  “No way,” Caleb said, shaking his head. “Duncan was right about Dad not trusting a Devereaux. We’ll have to be tricky about it.”

  “If the council wants him on their side badly enough to send Duncan Moore after him, then the resistance would be stupid not to accept him. We can make Dad listen.”

  “Save your breath,” Russ said. “I’m not joining the resistance.”

  Preston and Caleb stopped arguing and frowned at Russ. I did too, actually. “But I thought you said—”

  “I only came to talk to them,” Russ reminded me. “I have no desire to join up.”

  “But,” Cynthia said, “you hate the council. You told Duncan you would join us.”

  “I only said that to piss him off. I don’t trust the resistance any more than I trust the council.”

  Everyone at the table besides me seemed to take great offense to that. “Why not?” Caleb asked. “What’s the resistance ever done to you?”

  “Tried to kill me,” Russ said simply. “More than once.”

  Nobody had any response to that.

  “One of your resistance buddies ran me through with a bed post a couple nights ago, and about a month before that the second of the D.C. pack nearly tore me to shreds. That was back before we even knew who or what Dani was. The resistance keeps trying to kidnap Dani and they seem very willing to kill whomever it takes in the process—no matter how innocent they are. The resistance is no different than the council, and I’ll be damned if I join them. I just want information.”

  I was worried Russ was about to get the snot beat out of him, the guys all looked so livid, but Cynthia distracted us all. “Are you sure it was the D.C. second you met?”

  “‘Met’?” Russ scoffed. “He claimed to be his pack’s second, but I suppose he could have been lying. I looked through his wallet before my dad and I burned his corpse. His name was Jackson Ambrose of the District of Columbia. That’s how I knew to come here.”

  Cynthia gasped. She clutched at her chest, subconsciously reaching for the ring she’d thrown in the fire the night before. I finally got it. I wasn’t the only one, either. Caleb threw his arm around his sister, and Preston looked murderous. “What happened to him?”

  “Dani and I were at the lake by our house, minding our own business. Never even heard of the resistance before. Then your boy showed up with some crazy story about Dani being the Chosen One. He tried to kidnap her. I tried to stop him. He tried to kill me, and Dani stopped him before he could.”

  “She killed him?”

  Russ immediately got defensive. “It was self-defense. He was trying to kidnap her, and on top of that, she didn’t even know what had happened. She’d only known about the supernatural world for a couple of days. We always thought she was human. She had no control over her powers—she didn’t even know what they were yet. We didn’t know what had happened until after it was all over. But it served the guy right. If she hadn’t killed him, he would have killed me.”

  “He’s really dead?” Cynthia whispered. Tears began to spill down her cheeks, and Preston added his arm to Caleb’s around his sister’s shoulders.

  “She was engaged to him,” I explained to Russ quietly.

  “I’m sorry for your loss,” Russ mumbled. “But it was self-defense.”

  “I’m not angry,” Cynthia said, breaking into sobs. “I’m free.”

  In an even lower voice I whispered, “The betrothal wasn’t exactly her idea.”

  “Still,” Preston said, “you’re lucky it was us who found this out and no one else. The pack can never know. Jackson was highly favored. Everyone except the three of us have mourned his loss. If they find out your involvement, even if it was innocent and even if you weren’t the one who killed him, they’ll take it out on you. They’ll demand your life for his.”

  “They shouldn’t have been trying to kidnap anyone in the first place!” Cynthia suddenly exploded. “And killing innocent people without caring? Russ is right. The resistance is no better than the council! You know they’re going to try to use Grace even if she refuses to help us. Why do you think I tried to hide her for so long?”

  “Cynthia,” Preston warned, “if the pack hears you say things like this—”

  “Then what?” She thrust an angry hand at Russ. “They’ll kill me, too, just like they tried to kill him? I hate the pack!”

  While Caleb tried to console his sister, Preston stared down Russ. “We have promised to look out for you, and we will honor that promise. We won’t tell the pack about Jackson.”

  “I don’t really care if your pack knows about him or not. If you really want to help me, put me in touch with Simone Laroche. She’s the one I came here to find.”

  “Planning your revenge?” Ethan grumbled.

  “Looking for answers,” Russ clarified, matching Ethan’s hostility. “She knows things about my father and she owes me the truth.”

  Ethan calmed down. “Fine. She’s nearly impossible to approach, but I know Clara pretty well. I’ll see what I can do.”

  “In the meantime, you need to rest,�
�� I said. Russ looked even worse now than he had this morning in my room. “Do you have a place to stay? My dad is leaving town early in the morning for some last minute campaign appearances and won’t be back until the election party on Thursday. My couch is open if you need it.”

  Russ was surprised by the offer. “I’m fine,” he said stiffly.

  I was pretty sure he was lying, and I could only imagine how alone he felt right now. “Russ,” I said, taking his hand again. “I want to help you. We all want to help you.”

  Russ pulled his hand out of mine. “I have to go.”

  I didn’t push the subject anymore because Russ looked upset. I made Ethan scoot out of the booth so that Russ could leave. After Russ stood up, he tried to smile at me and couldn’t quite manage it. “Wear the blue dress tonight, even if it is from your stalker. It looks that good.”

  Even though he was complimenting me, I felt the sudden urge to cry. “Okay,” I whispered.

  “Keep her safe tonight,” Russ told Ethan. To me he said, “I’ll see you later.”

  Then he just left. I don’t know why, but I felt his absence the minute he was out of sight. I wanted to run after him and make sure he was okay. My feet nearly did. But then Ethan took me by the arm and gently pushed me back down into the booth. “Finish your breakfast, Grace,” he said. What he meant was “Let him go.”

  I learned a lot about the supernatural that afternoon. The most surprising thing was probably the fact that hundreds of years ago people—humans, I mean—knew that supernaturals existed. They used to live together peacefully, but then there was a war and the supernaturals were driven nearly to extinction. They were forced to go so deep into hiding that they became nothing more than myths—scary stories told at sleepovers.

  At the end of this war a woman called an Oracle, who could see visions of the future, prophesied that one day there would be another war. The Great and Final Battle, they call it. The Oracle said that there would be one supernatural more powerful than any other supernatural in the world, and without her, the supernaturals would lose that last war. They would all be killed.