Diane led us across the lawn to a shady, tree-lined area. I recognized the tree from my dream immediately. The branches were twisted and tangled together. The dead leaves scattered below were a strange, red-orange shade.
“Eleanor used to sit here nearly every day, reading and just spending time,” Diane said, staring at the grass below the tree with fondness. “She said that she had things she needed to get rid of before she left the asylum, and I helped her bury a box below this tree. I’d nearly forgotten about it until you said something.”
I bent down and peered closer at the dirt. The pointy corner of a steel box was poking out among the roots. Using my hands, I began to dig with my nails at the cold ground.
“Ariel, hold on…” Theo said, but I didn’t have to dig far before the metal box was fully exposed. The twisted tree roots had pushed it up with time.
“That’s it,” Diane breathed. “Saints have mercy, I never thought I’d see it again.”
“What’s inside?” Theo asked her as I turned the box over in my dirty hands.
“I don’t know,” the nurse said. “But she told me that someday, she might need to come back and claim it. I think that she had the fear that she’d wind up back here. After she checked out, I never saw her again.” I picked up a faint tone of sadness in her words.
There was no lock. I gently popped the rusty lid. A neat little red diary and a few empty prescription bottles lay inside. The labels were too faded to read. A small copper coin rested below the diary. I flipped through the pages and saw with relief that it was well preserved, with only a little age damage. Eleanor’s crisp cursive handwriting stood out clearly.
“Thank you for your help,” I told Diane as I stood, gripping the box. “I really am sorry for sneaking around.”
Diane smiled, her eyes a little sad, and folded her hands. “The experience of knowing your grandmother has stayed with me. She was something special. I’m sure you are, too.”
I caught something out of the corner of my eye and glanced up, thinking it was a trick of the light. Eleanor stood there, brown bob framing her pale face, and stared at me with black eyes. I blinked and she was gone, but the chill she had inspired remained. A dog howled once in the distance, then silenced.
CHAPTER 8
“How did it go?” Hugh asked anxiously as we came back. He and Lucy tossed the magazines they had been perusing and stood up.
I held up the metal box. “Eleanor buried this beneath a tree in the yard. There’s a diary inside that might give us some answers. The nurse we spoke to was friends with her when she was my age, and she told us a few things.”
We headed out of the hospital and towards the car. Evening was fast approaching, and the smell of snow was on the wind.
“Eleanor saw blackbirds that led her into a hedge maze behind Bernie,” I told him. “She thought they were possessed.”
Hugh raised his eyebrow. “I knew there was something not right with those birds.”
“She also saw a woman in red.” That to me was the most interesting of Diane’s information.
“Claire never said anything about seeing a woman in red,” Hugh said, frowning as we pulled onto the expressway. “I never saw one, either. Have you?”
“I remember seeing red streaks in my vision,” I said, thinking it over. “Feeling like something strange and powerful was drawing near. But I never saw a woman, other than Eleanor and the girls that were sacrificed.”
“Just another piece to add to the puzzle,” Hugh muttered, looking like he was deep in thought.
###
Coming back home after our eventful journey filled me with apprehension. There hadn’t been much time to take everything in since we’d gotten to Georgia. We went back to Lucy’s so we could get our own car. I didn’t even look at our house. Theo and I hugged and said we’d see each other in school the next day. It was good to have her back.
“What now?” I asked Hugh as we dragged our exhausted selves into the apartment. He threw a microwave dinner in and pressed the start button.
“We act as if everything is normal,” he said. “It’s not going to take long for Thornhill to realize that we’re back, but we’ll just act like we didn’t take the threat seriously. If Phillip threatens us again, we’ll move faster.”
I felt like tearing out my hair. “How can I possibly act normal? What if I really am part angel?”
He wrapped me in his arms and stroked my hair, trying to soothe me. “I know it’s scary. I can’t possibly imagine what you’re feeling right now. But you’re strong. We will get through this together.”
I was embarrassed by how much that touched me, and I rested my head on his shoulder, trying to suppress my emotion. I’d never completely understood why my mother viewed her Sight as a curse. But now I felt a surprisingly powerful understanding. Having angel blood in me scared me. I didn’t know if I could be strong enough to live up to it.
“What if he knows about Luminos?” I asked.
“We’ve had people talking to those in Thornhill, and some spying on their activities at the office. Not to mention a few of their outer members have given us information. I’ve never heard a word mentioned about Luminos. It’s all been about Dark. And I don’t think he knows that you have it in you.”
“He said he didn’t want someone with Sight in town,” I recalled.
“I think he realizes it presents a threat to him, but he wants you to be intimidated,” Hugh said. “He was curious about using Claire’s Sight to his advantage, but according to her, he couldn’t figure out a way.”
“When are we going to try the grounding stone again?” I asked. “Then we can see for sure.”
He avoided my eyes, finishing with his dinner. “Soon, but I need to call Callie and plan the best method. You and I need to get settled again. I want her to have all the right equipment to monitor you.”
“I can’t just sneak a peek?”
He suddenly turned serious. “No, you can’t. Promise me you won’t.” His hazel eyes searched mine.
“Fine, I promise,” I muttered, staring at the floor. “How do we even know that the woman was telling the truth? About the angel blood?”
Hugh bit the inside of his cheek. “Faith. I don’t know how to prove any of this. I think our best bet is to go with it.”
“Okay.” Of course, it wasn’t at all okay, but I didn’t want to get into an argument. Not to mention I’d felt the woman’s words were true.
“Good.” The lines in his face softened and he went to the fridge. “Now, the more important issue: do you want sodium-laden spaghetti or freezer burnt fettuccine?”
After dinner, I lay in bed, but there was no way I was sleeping. I sneaked back out to the living room. We’d never taken our small Christmas tree down. I plugged in the white lights and watched them glow peacefully as I sat in my robe. Snow was falling outside again.
I started to take the ornaments off and put them back in the box. I stopped, picking up a brass reindeer with a bell. Claire had bought it for my first birthday.
As I held it in my hands, my eyes filled with tears. I was really never going to see her again. We’d been running so much for the past few weeks that it hadn’t sunk in.
She was gone. Truly gone.
I sank to my knees and sobbed. And I didn’t stop until I fell asleep on the carpet, the ornament still in my hand.
###
Standing at the base of Hawthorne’s stairs, I stared up at its impressive edifice. I took a deep breath, and tore the band-aid off for a second time.
I walked down the hall with Theo beside me. Faces registered shock as people passed me. It was the weirdest event of my whole life, like I’d shaved my head or suddenly grown horns. People I didn’t even think knew me were staring. Shocked eyes followed my steps.
We saw Alex up ahead, and Theo took a deep breath. She’d carefully applied winged eyeliner and purple glitter, and she looked really beautiful.
“Do you want to talk to him?” I asked.
She nod
ded. I gave her a thumbs up and she started striding purposefully towards him. But then Madison appeared.
“Oh my gosh, what is Ariel doing back?” she squealed to Theo. Theo bit her tongue as Madison came in my direction, throwing her arms around me in a hug. I wanted to protest, but Madison was squeezing all the air out of me. The fruity scent of her long blonde hair wasn’t helping.
“Everyone said you and your dad skipped town and were on the lam.” She stepped back, her eyes probing me. I looked around for Theo, but she was gone. Alex joined Madison and me.
“Good to see you made it back in one piece,” Alex said, putting one arm around me and the other hand in his pocket. “My life would be boring without you around to entertain me with your adventures.”
I rolled my eyes. “I missed you too, Alex.”
We passed Lainey Ford and Harlow Briggs, who both stared at me openly. Lainey’s red mouth cracked open and she glared at me like I’d killed someone. I noticed a glimmer on Lainey’s collar. And with a shock I saw she had on a pin with the alchemy symbol for copper, one I’d dreamed about several times. In fact, several people I passed had one pinned on their collars.
“Why are they wearing those pins?” I asked.
“To signify that their family is in Thornhill,” Madison said, scrunching up her nose.
The bell rang and Madison dashed to class. “Bye, Alex,” she said, waving at him and fluttering her eyelashes.
He stood there, grinning after her. A sinking feeling soured my stomach.
“What is going on between you two?” I asked, frowning suspiciously.
Alex shrugged, running one big hand through his sandy hair. “I’m just playing around. She’s cute.”
I wanted to tell him about Theo, but didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes. She would be mad if I went ahead and told him how she felt.
“She’s not that cute,” I said clumsily instead. “Especially when she’s being a brat. Which is all the time. She’s toxic, remember?”
Alex punched me gently in the shoulder. “That’s sweet, looking out for me. ‘Preciate it. I’ll catch you later.” And then he was gone. I rushed to class so as not to be late on my first day back.
My heart stopped and started hard again. Henry was standing by the lockers, talking with another boy. The boy was wearing a pin, too, but Henry’s collar was bare. Though his expression didn’t change, his tawny eyes followed me as I passed, making my skin burn.
###
The atmosphere remained uncomfortable all day. I stopped being so much of a sideshow when people remembered how boring I was. I was behind in my classes and had make-up work. I couldn’t help but observe that all the Thornhill kids were wearing those creepy copper symbols pinned to their collars.
Principal McPherson’s arrest for the murder of Charlotte Gary had rocked the entire school. There was no new principal, just a substitute vice. No one knew what happened to him after the arrest, although the good gossip put money on a mental institution.
I saw Henry a few times, but he didn’t acknowledge me. He had a madding habit of pulling away when things got tough, although it had gotten better over the past year of our relationship. Still, I was glad to know he was well enough to be there. I’d been expecting it I instead focused on my schoolwork. In my normal routine, being part-angel-savior seemed like a laughable fantasy.
That night, while I was finishing my catch up work, Hugh dashed down to Erasmus. He was going to have a sale this week, and Gwen was coming back to work after her maternity leave. He was only going to be gone for twenty minutes, but he really wanted me to go with him.
“Ariel, I don’t like the thought of you being alone,” he insisted. “Not after what happened the last time.”
I’d already changed into my pajamas and wasn’t willing to budge. “I promise that nothing like that is going to happen. I have my phone right here. You said you’re only going to be gone for a little bit.”
He bit his lip, debating his options. Finally, he grabbed his coat and rushed to the door. “Keep it locked. I will be back before this show is over.”
It turned out I hadn’t been missing anything while not watching TV. It was all still crap.
Five minutes after Hugh left, someone knocked on the door. I shut the TV off, heart pounding in my chest. Of course, Phillip was watching our place. He’d probably come to do away with me. The last time someone had visited unannounced, it was Phillip’s lackey, Roger, and he’d brought a gun.
I gripped my phone, went to the peephole, and peered out. I could make out the top of Henry’s forehead and eyes.
My stomach fluttering, I ripped the chain down and yanked the door open. Upon seeing me, Henry’s gloomy face transformed. His eyes lit up and his lips parted. He rushed inside and wrapped his arms around me, kissing me firmly.
“Ariel, you’re here,” he breathed against my lips. He kissed me again with growing passion as he held on to me tightly. Stepping back, he took my hand in his and kissed the knuckles.
“I see you didn’t miss me very much,” I joked softly.
His eyes turned serious and intense, burning into mine. “I missed you like crazy.” Even in cargo pants and a t-shirt, he was the most handsome boy I’d ever seen. His broad shoulders and muscular, thin frame stood out against the pale blue fabric.
“Thanks for the warm welcome,” I said, blushing. “I tried texting your phone, but Roger sent me a photo, instead.”
“Yeah, well, Roger sneaked it away and started deleting your messages. I told him off. My father has apparently taken him on as his temporary assistant, as well.”
I blushed again at the thought of Roger reading my messages, and was happy I didn’t send anything too questionable.
“You know that they threatened us, right?” I asked, taking a step back.
“Yes. I thought my father had scared you out of town,” he said gravely. “The day you must have left, my dad came into the office gloating about it. He said that you and your dad were gone and not coming back. That you’d heeded his warning.”
My annoyance with Mr. Rhodes came back. I walked into the kitchen and got a drink from the fridge to distract myself. “He’s not getting rid of us that easily.”
He reached out for my hand and I let him take it. He rubbed his thumb along the back of my fingers. “Good.”
I looked away from him and at the floor. Being with him wasn’t the relief I’d sought―it seemed too weird and intense.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, peering into my face.
“Nothing,” I said, trying to grin. “How are you doing?”
“I’m recovering fine.” He pulled up his shirt and I blushed at the sight of his tanned skin. Bandages still wrapped his torso from his knife wound. “I have to leave these on for a while and change them every night. It’s a hassle. The doctor said that’ll cut down on the risk of scarring.”
“That’s good.” I tried to keep my hands busy with tidying up the kitchen. It allowed me to avert my eyes in the hopes that he wouldn’t see how flustered I was.
“My dad was super pissed about the injury,” Henry continued. “Kept asking the doctors about healing times. I thought he was going to go find McPherson and kill him himself.”
“What makes you sure he didn’t?” I looked up at him then, studying his reaction. He frowned, sensing the change in the air.
“Where did you two go, anyway?” he asked. “Impromptu vacation? Or are you sworn to secrecy?”
“Not really,” I said, steeling my resolve to tell him. “We went to Georgia to speak with Mr. Golem’s brother. His sister could see ghosts like me. He gave me this grounding stone that lets me see moments from the past.”
“Like, for real?” he quizzed.
I nodded. “This last week has been crazy. I learned all of this new stuff about what I see, and what I am. It’s been a lot to take in.”
“Well, share it with me. Maybe I can take the burden off a little bit.” His gaze intensified as he tilted his head to t
he side, trying to figure me out.
I hesitated, still feeling a lingering nag of distrust. Maybe it was because young Phillip had looked so much like him. The frown returned to his handsome face. My conflicting feelings made me feel dizzy and anxious.
“Does your father know we’re back now?”
“He knows. But―” Henry began, but he was cut off by the door opening. Hugh came in, searching around, and settled on Henry and me standing guiltily in the kitchenette.
“Henry,” he acknowledged coolly. Both of them nodded at each other. Then Hugh turned his attention to me. “We need to speak privately.”
“Okay.” I frowned.
Lines appeared between Henry’s brows. “What did I do?” he asked me softly.
“You didn’t do anything,” I said quickly. But Hugh cut me off.
“I’ve always liked you, Henry. You’re a good kid. But you’re from a bad family. And your father is planning on some really nasty business.”
“I know that,” Henry said. “I make no apologies for my father. I’ve seen his bad side more than anyone. I know that Ariel is psychic, so if that’s what this is about…”
“Like I said, we need to speak privately.” Hugh took off his jacket and sat down at the table.
“Do you want me here?” Henry asked me.
I hesitated again. Of course I wanted him there, but I was suddenly feeling so raw.
“Fine.” Henry went to the door and stormed out, slamming it behind him.
I put my hand on my forehead, taking a deep, shaky breath, and joined Hugh at the table.
“I’m sorry Ariel, but I just can’t trust him. Not enough to justify letting him in on our secrets. And you can’t say he’s never betrayed you.”
“That’s a low blow,” I said in a gravelly voice, glaring at him. “We’ve been over this. Phillip wanted Henry to date Lainey, Henry didn’t want anything to do with it.”
“You didn’t protest him leaving,” Hugh pointed out. “So obviously you agree with me on some level.”
I rested my chin on the back of the chair. I hated to admit he was right.
“What do we need to discuss?” I asked.
Velocity (The Gravity Series) Page 7