“Not if I do it right.”
“And can you compel him to, say, not fight back?” Cord asked. Her eyes were alight with the full possibilities of Cambria’s ability. “To sit there and take it?”
“Um, probably not.” Cambria’s smile fell away. “I mean, that’s a basic Hunter instinct, especially when you’re under direct assault. He’d probably fight out of reflex.”
“Too bad. We’ll make it work regardless,” Cord said.
Once the plan was made, everyone wandered off to do whatever they could to pass the time. We couldn’t leave the roof until Miles called; we needed the cell service to find out the location. Besides, it was the best place to hide out from Kane and the other patrollers until it was time to make our move. I wandered to an empty corner of roof, the one that overlooked the western corner of the woods. Nothing but green treetops were visible as far as I could see but I barely noticed them. I was too preoccupied with mental images of Miles to see anything in front of me.
A hand on my shoulder made me jump. I whirled and Alex stepped back, apologetic.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” he said. He looked wary, like before, when I’d been out of it – like I was a little too unpredictable. It made me defensive.
“No, I’m fine,” I said. “Thinking about Miles. And George.” Alex stepped up so we were shoulder to shoulder and gazed out over the trees.
“You and George, you were a couple?”
“We broke up a while ago but we’re still friends. I’ve known him for a long time.”
Alex didn’t say anything, and we stood there for the next few minutes, wrapped up in our own thoughts and plans. It felt nice, not having to talk but knowing he was there and had my back. We stayed that way until my phone rang.
I pulled it out, and George’s number came up. I braced myself. I still had to act like everything was fine to him.
“Hello?”
“Hey Tay,” George said. The line was crackly, and I knew he didn’t have long before he lost signal. He must be close. “We’re about there. Miles said there’s some cave on the grounds, off one of the smaller trails. He says we can hang there. Do you know it?”
“I think so,” I said. I remembered Miles had found me near the cave that day in the woods.
“Cool. We’ll be there in twenty, so I’ll see you then.”
“I’ll be there.”
“I can’t wait,” he said, his smile evident in his voice.
We disconnected, and I turned to find everyone had crowded back together again, waiting for me to fill them in.
I looked at Cambria. “They’re going to that cave you took me to.”
She nodded. “I can get us there. It’s going to be tricky for me to get a good visual without being seen, though. Not many places to hide, especially if they get there first.”
“Then we need to get there first,” Cord said. “Let’s move.”
No one argued with that. I think we were all sick of standing around, waiting. We moved for the door that led downstairs, but Alex stepped in front of us and put up his hand.
“I’m going down first, alone. If you hear me being stopped, I’ll distract them and you guys slip out another way,” said Alex. “No one can know where we’re going. Cord, turn your earpiece on. Give me three minutes and then head down.”
She flipped a switch and Alex told her what frequency to tune into, so he could let her know when the coast was clear. Then Alex disappeared through the door.
After a few minutes the rest of us headed down the stairs, single file and silent. The hallway and lobby were pretty empty; it was mostly student aides and kids cutting through to the courtyard. The staff didn’t come downstairs much on a Saturday. Except Kane, who always seemed to be on duty, but there was no sign of him. From the doorway, Alex waved us over.
“Here, take these,” he said. He held out a handful of stakes. We all grabbed one and shoved it someplace concealing.
“Where’d you get these?” I whispered, eyes darting around.
“I stopped by my room. They’re mine, not school issued, so no one will miss them.”
I looked closer at the rough stake in my hand. Near the point, the initials A.C. had been carved into the wood. I looked up at Alex.
“I like to claim my kills,” he said. Intensity blazed in his eyes. This was a different Alex; a battle-hungry version with little or no emotion, except the satisfaction of making a kill. It unnerved me, but I told myself it was worth it, if it meant saving George. And stopping Miles.
“Let’s go,” Cord said, breaking the silence and pushing on the door.
We filed out into the courtyard and followed Alex when he took a sharp left, away from the buildings and open spaces in between. It was all I could do not to break into a run. Even though I couldn’t see anyone out who would stop us, I knew that didn’t mean we weren’t being spotted. Plenty of kids were wandering the courtyard; I could hear talking and laughing coming from around the hedge, near the fountain.
As soon as we were well into the cover of the trees, Alex broke into a run. The rest of us were right behind him. I was, for the first time, actually grateful for all the running Alex had made me do. Right now, it was the only chance we had of arriving at the cave first and getting Cambria in a position to save George. I kept up easily with the rest of the group, which said a lot for my progress, considering all of them had been training like this for years.
Alex went first. I crouched behind a tree and watched as he approached the cave cautiously, sticking to the tree cover until he was directly across from the opening. He stepped through and was swallowed up by darkness. I felt a moment’s panic as I imagined him being ambushed inside, but then he reappeared and motioned for us to join him. We moved across the trail, single file, into the darkened mouth of the cave. I blinked until my eyes adjusted enough to make out the damp walls on either side.
Alex motioned for Cambria to take the lead with him. No one spoke as we moved down the pathway. I forced myself to breathe evenly and put one foot in front of the other at a normal pace. My anxiety was working overtime; between the darkness and the danger George was in, the walls felt like they were closing in.
We made it through the tunnel and into the cavern below without incident. My heart pounded as we neared the open area. I could see the trail lightening, and I stepped forward into open, airy space. It was exactly as I remembered. From across the cavern, the sound of rushing water could be heard from the waterfall. High above us, a natural skylight allowed enough sunlight through the cracks to make it bright but not hot. There was too much dampness and shadowed edges to heat the room.
We fanned out, without anyone having to give a single order. We all searched for two things: a concealed enemy and a decent hiding place. Cambria found a spot where the rock split to form a small alcove. She slipped inside and ducked down, watching me from around the corner with a question in her eyes. I angled around to check for visibility, and when I saw that it hid her from sight, I gave her the thumbs-up. She nodded back and sent me a strained smile.
Across the room, Cord handed Logan her earpiece and slipped around a vertical rock formation, to wait. Logan slid the earpiece on and hurried forward, still looking for a spot to hide. I scanned but didn’t see Alex. He must’ve already hidden himself. I kept going, looking for a place to wait, and watched Logan disappear behind the edge of the waterfall. I was alone – or at least appeared to be.
I didn’t bother to hide. I wanted to be visible when Miles showed. I wanted him to know he hadn’t gotten the drop on me; I’d still gotten here first. But I didn’t want my back exposed, either. I ended up leaning against the rock wall as far from the entrance as I could get, arms folded across my chest in a stance that I hoped looked confident and sure.
I didn’t have time to wonder, because there was the sound of shuffling feet on the darkened trail and then George, with Miles behind him, appeared inside the cavern. I forced myself to relax – and smile. Even if it was fake.
“Tara, hey!” George broke into a jog and held his arms out for me, a big smile on his face.
“Hi George.” I stepped forward and allowed him to pull me into his embrace, keeping my eyes fastened on Miles. He hung back, near the entrance, like he didn’t expect to stay long. Or he didn’t trust that I was really alone.
George’s arms tightened around my waist, and I let him hold me for a second longer than friends normally would. It was George. And his life was in danger. I didn’t care if he was a little affectionate right now. In fact, the closer he stayed to me, the safer he was. So I squeezed him back, and when he pulled away, I kept a grip on his arm.
“How are you? You look great. Have you been working out?” George asked.
My eyes flickered to him but stayed mostly on Miles. “Uh, yeah, some,” I said. “They make you do a lot of physical training here.”
George laughed. “I’d love to meet the person who got you to agree to more P.E.”
I almost smiled at that because he’d probably enjoy meeting Alex about as much as he’d enjoyed meeting Wes.
Miles stepped forward, and George noticed my expression change.
“Oh, come say hi, Miles,” he said.
Miles walked very slowly, very deliberately towards me. I couldn’t hold my tension back any longer with him this close. I reached out and took George’s hand firmly in mine and faced Miles squarely. I couldn’t pretend anymore. God, I hoped George didn’t make this too difficult. I didn’t even have time to wonder what he would think of me now.
“Let him go, Miles. That was the deal,” I said.
Miles stopped several yards away, watching me with bright eyes. He looked excited, like a child presented with a new toy that had been kept from him for too long. I resisted the urge to glance towards where Cambria was hidden. I hoped her compulsion would work because the look in Miles’ eyes made me wonder if he’d even heard me, much less had any intention of letting George go.
“Let me go?” George echoed, looking back and forth between us. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see confusion twisting his brows. “Go where? What are you talking about, Tay?”
“I’ll explain, I promise,” I told him, still staring at Miles and holding tightly to George’s hand. “But right now, I need you to trust me. Miles isn’t your friend, or mine. He brought you here as a threat to me.”
George turned to Miles. “Is that true?”
“You make a wonderful insurance policy,” Miles said, his eyes flickering to George. He smiled a little, a polite brush off, and then looked back at me. “Letting George go was your deal, not mine. But I won’t stop him. George, would you like to leave?”
“Uh, no, considering I just got here. What I would like is for someone to explain what’s going on.” George’s voice had risen. Anxiety tinged with confusion. He moved closer to me, angling himself protectively.
“Probably a good choice,” said Miles. “While I wouldn’t stop you, my new friends probably would. They don’t like humans.”
There was movement at the entrance and then, one by one, a group of people streamed into the cavern. They stayed near the wall, their eyes wary and shifting as they took in the three of us. Goose bumps flowed over me, and I realized what they were. A few of them didn’t look any older than I was. I wondered where Miles had recruited such young Werewolves to fight for him.
Somewhere inside the cavern, someone gasped.
“Ah, yes, your friends are here after all,” said Miles. “Good, it means mine will be entertained.” Miles raised his hand and snapped his fingers.
One by one, the people against the wall shimmered and shifted at the edges, and then… they were wolves. Scraps of clothing rained down around them as they changed forms. They sniffed the air and growled. A couple of them broke off from the group and moved along the wall, nose to the rock, searching. A heavy ball formed in my stomach, and I knew this was way worse than any of us had anticipated.
“Tara?” George’s voice was shaky and the confusion I’d heard in it moments ago was replaced by a building panic and sheer disbelief as he stared at the animals. “What the hell is going on?”
“Exactly what it looks like,” I muttered.
“But –”
“I’ll explain later, I promise. Stay with me, okay?” I squeezed his hand in mine, trying to pass enough comfort along that he would accept my answer and not freak out yet.
He nodded slowly, his eyes locked on the wolves. I couldn’t look away from them, either. My breath was caught in my throat. Any second now, my friends would be found, and taking care of Miles would be left up to me. My hand itched to go to my stake but I held still, my mind racing. Miles stood there, calm and collected, and completely himself. Was Cambria’s compulsion even working?
“Miles, I’m taking George and leaving now,” I said.
“Well, that was fast. I have a car waiting not far. I’ll show you. Come.” Miles waved his hand for me to follow him.
“No, not with you. Alone,” I said.
“Oh, I don’t…” He trailed off, and his expression turned blank. “Well, if that’s what you want. Go ahead.” His voice had changed. It sounded far away and child-like.
I took a step forward, watching Miles suspiciously for any sign of sudden movement, but he remained where he was. His eyes were unfocused.
I took another step. And another. George was right next to me, his hand still firmly in mine. We were standing almost in front of Miles now. Maybe this could work. I took another step.
Across the room, a wolf yelped. The faraway look in Miles’ expression dissolved and he blinked, confused. The wolf yelped again, and I saw Cambria slide out of her hiding place before the Werewolf could corner her. The wolf darted forward, teeth bared, but she was already in motion, bringing her fist around hard against its jaw.
“Sorry,” Cambria muttered, and then she sprang into motion again, ready with a second hit as the wolf came at her.
I looked back at Miles. He was frowning.
“That was strange…” He was talking to himself. A growl echoed off the walls from somewhere behind us. It must’ve broken his concentration, and he blinked and focused on George and me. “That was rude. And a mistake.”
I backed up a few paces and watched behind him as a Werewolf found Logan. He jumped free of his hiding place behind the waterfall, getting soaked as he leaped straight through the rushing water, and lunged at the wolf, stake held high. The wolf dodged him, and Logan chased after it. A second Werewolf noticed and went after Logan.
Alex appeared a few feet from where I stood clutching George’s hand and flew past me towards the snarling wolves. He wore a look of intense concentration and didn’t even look at me as he passed.
“Cord!” he yelled.
I followed his gaze. Cord had come out of her hiding place and was already locked in battle with a large, brown Werewolf. She wielded a stake in each hand and was alternating between swinging the pointed end and turning so her first connected with fur-covered flesh.
She whirled at the sound of her name and brought her stake up as another wolf, a burly black one, went for her neck. She managed to leap aside but lost her balance and rolled a few times before getting to her feet again. The black and brown Werewolves were already coming again.
These Werewolves were insanely fast. They reminded me of the pack that had attacked me in the woods near Luray.
I watched the fights raging across the cavern, and I itched to help. My feet shifted, impatient to get moving, to be a part of the violence, but I couldn’t leave George. I knew if I did, Miles would hurt him to get my attention. But I couldn’t watch and remain still any longer. I turned to glare at Miles.
“This wasn’t part of the deal,” I snarled.
“If you’d come alone, it wouldn’t have needed to happen.”
With my free hand, I clenched and unclenched my fist.
“You want to fight, don’t you?” Miles’ lips twisted up at the corners like he was shari
ng some secret with me. “You’re such a little warrior. It’s one of the things I love about you.”
I felt George tense even further. “Okay, this has gone too far,” George said. He stepped forward and pointed a finger at Miles. “You’re crazy, man. And what I’m seeing over there, that’s crazy, too. I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m leaving, and Tara’s coming with me.”
He might’ve been convincing if he’d had a chance of making it happen. But he was the weakest one here, whether he knew it or not.
Miles shook his head. “I don’t think so. I’m in charge of when this meeting’s over.”
Somewhere behind him, a Werewolf yelped and Cambria cried out. I moved, out of instinct, but stopped when George yanked on my hand. I craned my neck but couldn’t make anything out beyond the blur of fur and weapons. Everything was happening too fast, and I wasn’t sure if we were winning.
I took a step towards Miles.
“This ends now,” I said. “George, let go of me and stay against the wall.”
“Tara –”
“George, do it. If not, I’ll have to knock you out. I really don’t want to do that.”
Something in my voice must’ve convinced him. Either that or he knew he was out of his league, because after a final squeeze he let go of my hand and stepped back against the wall. I advanced towards Miles. The mental images of me destroying him were back, replaying in my mind. I used them to stay focused and gave in to the desire to make them come true. The sounds of the fights around me fell away. All I could see was Miles – and all the ways I was going to kill him.
“I thought you would’ve been more impressed with my project,” he said. He hadn’t moved back a single step. He didn’t seem concerned at all as I advanced.
“You’re finally offering to tell me about that?” I shot back. “Why? Because you know I’m about to kill you?” I was only a few steps away now.
“I wanted to wait until I was sure it could be done. Really surprise you,” he said. “They are my best work and proof of my success.” He waved a hand towards the group of Werewolves behind him.
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