by Kristie Cook
“Was Astrid the Seer you saw, the one who told you about me?”
“No. It would’ve been a conflict of interest having her view me.” His cell phone goes off, prompting all of us to go silent. “It’s not Giules,” he reassures us. Then he stands up and kisses me on the head. “I’ll be right back.”
Of course, the moment he steps away is the moment Kellan enters the cafeteria with some pretty girl I don’t know too well. She’s flirting like crazy, her hand resting far too long on his arm or her hair brushing against his shoulder too often when she leans in to say something. I watch them in blatant perverse fascination until she touches his hair. The white-hot urge to tear her own shiny hair out by the roots rips through me like a wildfire. Kellan disentangles himself from the girl. He does not look in my direction.
You realize he felt that, the little voice grumbles. Might as well have stood up and waved a red flag.
Kellan excuses himself and then heads my direction. I hold my breath, wondering just what I can say to even explain that completely irrational moment just now, but he passes right by me without a single glance and exits the glass doors facing the courtyard. He goes directly to Jonah, who shoves his phone into his pocket.
“What happened this morning?” Lizzie demands.
I continue watching the twins as I answer her. “They stood staring at each other in silence for nearly five minutes. It was bizarre.”
“Just staring?” Lizzie asks. “No talking?”
Jonah and Kellan are talking now, standing so close I can tell no one outside can hear a word they’re saying. They appear to be simply having a normal conversation until Jonah raises a finger and points it at his brother. Kellan shrugs and stuffs his hands in his pockets. Jonah jabs the finger at Kellan a few more times, not speaking anymore, either. And then he takes three steps towards the cafeteria, stops, and turns back to Kellan. And then they just stare at each other for a long moment.
“I think I see what you mean about the no-talking thing,” Lizzie says. “Graham? Is this normal male behavior?”
Startled to be lumped into the grouping, he asks, “What?”
“Never mind,” she mutters.
The moment Jonah gets back to the table, his phone goes off again. “Oh, for the love of …” he swears softly under his breath. But once he sees the Caller ID, his entire expression changes. “It’s Giuliana,” he says, and we are all instantly alert.
“Hey, Giules—what? Was her mother there? How can she have no idea …?” Jonah pauses, listening intently. “No, we’re all fine. Yes, Kellan is still here …” He pauses again, and when a fleeting look of concern races across his face, the panic in me doubles.
“Strategically, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Jonah says. “I think our chances are better here at school. I can’t see them attacking us with such a huge crowd. It doesn’t fit their profile.”
Attacking? Oh. My. Gods. He’s talking about the Elders.
“They went after you on the road,” Lizzie whispers, obviously thinking the same thing I am. “There were cars and witnesses everywhere.”
Kellan appears at our table, his hand stretched out. Jonah surprises me by placing the phone in it, no questions asked.
Okay, how did Kellan know about the phone call … ?
“What was the last time Cora was seen?” he asks Jonah before putting the phone to his ear.
“Seven,” Jonah answers.
Kellan covers the phone and says flatly to his brother, “I don’t give a shit if the sky is falling, next time you tell me right away.”
Jonah levels a long, pointed look at Kellan.
“That’s not an excuse,” Kellan continues. “And you know it. May I point out how ballistic you would’ve been if it’d been me who neglected to tell you?”
“Just talk to her already,” Jonah says, motioning toward the phone.
“What was that?” I ask Jonah while Kellan grills Giules. “Do you two speak in twin code?”
“Twin code?” Jonah repeats, eyes on his brother.
“You know,” Lizzie interrupts. “Studies say some identical twins have their own languages.”
“Uh, sure,” Jonah says. Then he says to Graham, “Will you go and get Meg and Alex? They’re in the library right now.”
“How do you know this?” I ask as Graham bounds away.
“Alex is in Kellan’s math class,” Jonah says, as if this answers the question. “Honey, I’m sorry—but let me concentrate on the phone call right now.”
Lizzie and I exchange a confused glance as Kellan is basically just mm-hmming now.
As soon as Kellan hangs up the phone, Jonah says, “I disagree.”
Kellan sighs. “It’s the best plan, and you know it.”
Jonah shakes his head slowly, looking at his brother the entire time.
“It’s you or me,” Kellan says after a long moment. “And I’m assuming you’d rather let hell freeze over before letting me do it. But hey, I’m happy to—”
“You know that’s not the issue,” Jonah says tightly.
Kellan cracks a tiny smile. “Shall I remind you that you’re also under an order of protection, too?”
“Oh, for gods’ sakes,” Jonah mutters. “Are you serious?”
Kellan merely looks at his brother for a long moment.
“Fine,” Jonah grinds out.
“Hold on,” I say, forcing myself in between the two of them. “I have no idea what you two are talking about, but can one of you fill me in on what’s happening with Cora?”
“What she said,” Lizzie seconds. Graham reappears with Alex and Meg.
“Chloe and Jonah are going to Annar as soon as Karl gets here,” Kellan says.
I turn to Jonah. “Why?”
He tells me, “It’s the safest place for you to be right now.”
This is not good. “What are you not telling us?”
“Cora is officially missing,” Kellan supplies. “She hasn’t been seen since this morning when she left for school. Since there’s also been an Elder sighting called in within the last three hours—”
“Why haven’t we heard about this sooner?” Alex demands.
“Because,” Kellan says, annoyed, “orders came down that it might be safer to keep Chloe inside the school.”
“So what changed?” Alex presses. “Why the trip to Annar now?”
“Cora’s missing,” Jonah answers. “Keep up here, Alex.”
“Are you going, too?” Meg asks Kellan. “Are you leaving us?”
“No,” Kellan tells her. “I’m staying behind to make sure the rest of you stay safe here at school.”
Meg sags in relief. Alex, on the other hand, looks put out by her lack of faith in his protective abilities.
“Raul is coming in,” Kellan continues, more to the rest than to me. “He and Giules will start searching for Cora immediately. Karl and I will join up as soon as we can.”
“Wouldn’t it be smarter to use us to search for Cora, too?” I ask.
Apparently, I am the only one who thinks this a good idea, because every single person, including Graham—who, it ought to be pointed out, has no idea what’s really going on—looks at me like I’m speaking in tongues.
“Chloe,” Jonah says, “it’s important you stay safe this time.”
I try to argue, but Kellan cuts me off. “Don’t think we don’t remember what happened last time you tried to help.”
“I did help,” I snap. “I saved all of your asses and you know it!”
This doesn’t sway Kellan or Jonah, who both argue how ridiculous it is for me to risk myself needlessly. Karl arrives during this verbal beatdown, thankfully saving me from the Cousins joining in the fray.
“We’re leaving now.” Karl waves two pieces of paper. “I’ve already signed you two out, thanks to your parents calling in before I arrived.” Then, to Kellan, “I want the population locked down.”
“Fine,” Kellan tells Karl, but his eyes are on me.
“
Maybe the rest of us ought to be looking, too,” Lizzie says hesitantly. “School seems irrelevant if Cora’s missing …”
“School,” Karl says firmly, “is the safest place for you to be.” He looks at me and Jonah. “Let’s go.”
Kellan reaches out and grabs Jonah’s arm. They stand there silently for a moment before Jonah says quietly, “I will.”
And then, before I can ask what that meant, Jonah puts his arm around my shoulders and leads me out of the cafeteria.
chapter 37
The Guard have a number of safe houses all throughout Annar for a variety of reasons, including, I suppose, hiding a Creator in a plane that has never been breached by Elders. The one we’re taken to by Iolani, who took over for Karl when we reached the Transit Station, is in an ornate building which houses the main branch of Annar’s bank. Which, to me, is pretty conspicuous, but Iolani insists it’s one of the safest buildings in the city-state.
Outside the apartment, on the third floor, is a Goblin dressed entirely in black talking on his cell phone. He’s quite tall and well built, with pale, matte pea-green skin; salt-and-peppered, closely cropped hair; a Romanesque nose; and piercing black eyes. The moment he sees us, he barks out an order on his phone and then hangs up. Just when I’m afraid he’s going to start yelling at someone, his eyes crinkle at the corners and he smiles. “Jonah,” he says in a low, gravelly voice with just the hint of an exotic accent. “It’s good to see you, despite the circumstances.”
Am I the only person who doesn’t know anyone in this town?
“Zthane,” Jonah says, “I don’t think you’ve met Chloe in person yet. Chloe, this is Zthane Nightstorm—he’s one of the best Guards we have.”
“Please,” Zthane grins. “Flattery will get you everywhere.” To me, he extends a hand. His grip is strong and brief. “It’s good to finally meet you, Chloe.”
I find myself instinctively liking this guy. “You, too. Karl’s said a lot of good things about you.”
Zthane bursts out laughing. “I find that hard to believe.” To Jonah, he says, “Once you get settled, call me, because we need to talk.”
Jonah agrees, as if this is expected.
“I’ve decided to have your brother bring the …”—he looks down at his cell phone, scrolling through some notes he’s made—“three additional teenage Magicals here to Annar for the night. Just in case.”
“Just in case of what?” I ask.
“He’s got the school done,” Jonah says, ignoring my question. “He figures he’ll have the rest of the city done in the next half-hour. He’s been a bit distracted, as Megan Blueton has been …”—Jonah looks at me sympathetically—“somewhat hysterical and a bit difficult to deal with. She literally wasn’t willing to let go of him.”
Zthane nods, perusing his notes some more. “Joy, correct?”
“Yes,” I answer for Jonah. “What does that mean? Is she freaking out?”
“Not anymore,” Jonah assures me. “Kellan has her sedated with Alex back in the library.”
Okay, wait a minute. “How do you know this?”
“All the more reason to bring them here,” Zthane says, both of them ignoring another of my questions. “A panicky Joy does no one any good. You boys would have your work cut out for you if she began wreaking havoc on that school. What about the others? How are they dealing with the possibility of being targets?”
My stomach hits the floor as it sinks in that Cora is missing … because of me. My other Cousins are targets … because of me.
“Elizabeth Pinkston also had to be sedated,” Jonah continues, “yet Alexander Himura is fine. But then, he’s an Intellectual, so that’s no shock.”
“Lizzie panicked?” I whisper, horrified at the thought of my normally stalwart friend flying off the handle.
“Nothing like Meg,” Jonah assures me.
“Good, good.” Zthane’s fingers are flying over the phone’s keyboard. “Glad to hear it.” He pauses, then says, “You clear on everything, Jonah?”
Jonah simply sighs, exasperated.
The Goblin lays a hand on his shoulder. “You boys should stop expecting me to change.”
“You’re an ancient rock,” Iolani grins. “Who never changes despite the weathering of storms.”
“If thirty is ancient,” Jonah says, “I’d hate to think what he’ll be like at forty.”
“Decrepit,” Zthane says with a straight face. “Anyway, once Kellan rolls in, expect a meeting to go over some new intel we’ve acquired.”
“I won’t be leaving the apartment,” Jonah tells him.
“This is fine,” Zthane says, unbothered. He pats Jonah’s shoulder a couple times before telling Iolani the apartment has already been checked. “No one except the list I’ve sent is allowed in or out,” he adds. And then he walks away, phone back at his ear.
Iolani opens the door. “You heard the boss. Inside you go.”
“Why such scrutiny?” I ask once we’re inside and the door is locked. “I thought Annar is safe. Everyone’s acting like there are assassins outside the building with sniper guns trained on me.”
“It’s not too far from the truth,” she says before Jonah gives what appears to be a warning, to stop talking.
Asking them for clarification does no good. So I ask Jonah instead how well he knows Zthane. Iolani is surprised at the question, which irks me. Clearly she has no idea how much I don’t actually know.
“We’ve known him most of our lives,” Jonah tells me.
“I swear,” Iolani laughs, “he thinks the sun rises and sets on your brother.”
Jonah laughs, too. “I’m glad I don’t have to deal with all of the Guard expectations Kel is under.”
“C’mon,” she wheedles, “you must admit that the Council ones are just as bad.”
“Maybe I’ve just learned to tune them out.”
“Maybe,” Iolani grins, “it’s because Council members tend to have sticks up their asses and don’t know how to have fun. They’re easy to tune out with all their moaning and droning. The Guard, though …”
“Yeah,” Jonah concedes, smiling, “you guys are awful. Like a pack of sixth graders.” He sits on the couch and stretches his legs out.
Iolani appears to view this as a compliment. She bows to us with a grand flourish, grins, and then excuses herself to go make some phone calls.
I spend the next hour vacillating between specific panic over Cora and general panic over the rest of my friends. I’m also acutely uncomfortable knowing Kellan is out there, risking himself along with the rest of the Guard, while I’m stuck in some cushy, safe apartment on a completely different plane.
These feelings are only exacerbated when I learn about a rash of attacks on the other planes over the last month. There have been three deaths, all powerful Magicals, and five injuries. Talking about it only makes me more anxious, so Jonah suggests we table the subject until we have more concrete information to go on. “Good idea,” I say, pacing restlessly through the living room as he flips through a newspaper. And then, I remember to ask, “Who called you earlier today while we were at lunch?”
The paper in his hand stills.
“Today at lunch. Before Giules called with the news about Cora. Who were you talking to on the phone? I mean, you got into a fight with Kellan over it.”
The guarded look on his face melts into his typically even one. “It was nothing.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not an idiot, you know.”
He sighs and sets the paper down. “It was Callie.”
I stop pacing. “Ex-girlfriend Callie?”
A nod proceeds, “It’s really nothing for you to worry about.”
Oh, hell no. He is not going to get away with these sorts of answers. I mean, my boyfriend, no, my Connection’s ex-girlfriend of three stinking years called him and got him upset enough to argue with his brother? Which, pardon me, doesn’t make sense? Yeah, he’s going to tell me about it starting right now. “Why was she calling, Jonah?”
“Chloe—”
“Look, I was honest with you about what happened between me and Kellan at the airport. I told you even though I knew it’d upset you, because I figured you have a right to know. So are you telling me I don’t have a right to know why your ex-girlfriend is calling and upsetting you?”
He captures my waving arms and pulls me closer. “Of course you do. I just didn’t want to upset you over a petty play at revenge my brother is enacting.”
Again, this doesn’t make sense. “Why’d she call?”
“Apparently she and Kellan had a long talk last night after he left you at the airport.”
Wait a minute here. “Why would your brother and ex-girlfriend be talking?”
He sighs. “They’re still really close.”
“That’s funny, because in the two months I dated him, he never mentioned her name once,” I say flatly.
“I don’t know what to tell you,” Jonah says, “other than I happen to know they’re still close.”
This irrationally pisses me off. “Really.”
“Well, yeah. The three of us did a lot together, considering we’ve known Callie most of our lives, so—”
“Most of your lives?”
Now he looks irritated, too. “Yes.”
“How long?”
“Since second grade,” he says.
The jealousy I’d felt the night before is nothing compared to the wicked flashes streaking through me now. Not only did Jonah date this chick for three years, but he’s known her most of his life. Not quite as long as I’ve known him, but long enough to give her a genuine place to stake a claim in his life.
I’ve never met her, but I really think I hate her.
“Whoa,” Jonah says, startled. “I don’t know what you’re thinking here, but … I thought we covered this last night. Things with Callie are over, Chloe.”
“She’s aware of this?”
“Yes.” He looks oddly tired.
“So why’d she call?”
He meets my eyes right on. “Kellan told her the truth—that you were his girlfriend and while he was back East, I stole you away. How you and I have known each other our whole lives, and that I’d, for all intents and purposes,” and here he sighs deeply, “used her during the time we were together as a replacement or holding place for you. Something along those lines. She was upset after hearing this. I don’t like hurting her more than I already have, Chloe. She doesn’t deserve that.”