No one else seemed bothered. Maybe they’d gotten used to the stench.
I could’ve kissed the pavement when we unloaded in Indianapolis.
Memphis refused to buy plane tickets. Something about being too easy to track.
Whatever. At this point I was just glad to be off the bus.
Until I got a look at the hotel.
“You really haven’t been out much,” Memphis said as he unloaded Naomi’s and my suitcases onto the pea green bedspread.
“I’ve been out plenty, just never to a dive like this.”
A half-grin tugged at his mouth. Did he enjoy seeing my misery?
“I just don’t understand why we’re staying here.”
“Because it’s the last place the Revens will check. Need any more explanation?”
“You really think they’re after us?”
He looked me straight in the eye. “I know they are.”
Naomi walked out of the bathroom. “The loo checks out. The room seems secure enough.”
“You really think Revens will attack from the bathroom?” I asked.
“Yes,” Naomi and Memphis answered at the same time. They eyed one another.
“I’ll be in the room next door,” Memphis said. “We leave first thing in the morning. Don’t try anything stupid like trying to call someone. The Revens will be on us faster than you can blink.”
He turned to leave.
“Memphis,” I said, halting him. “When will you tell us who we’re rescuing?”
He stood with his back to me. “I’ll tell you when you need to know.”
“I need to know now.”
“The less you know, the safer you’ll be.”
“She’s safe enough,” Naomi answered. “We’d like proper answers, if you don’t mind.”
“You’ve got to tell us sooner or later. Or else I might lose interest in helping you.”
“Two Reven hunters against one Reven—seems the odds are against you,” Naomi added.
He turned. “Is that a threat?”
“If you want it to be.”
He flexed his fingers. His veins bulged beneath his skin. I felt his blood burn hot as he locked his gaze on Naomi.
“I’ve told you everything you need to know,” he said.
“You’ve told us nothing,” Naomi answered.
The tension between these two was thick enough to cut. Naomi’s tactics were getting us nowhere. A few more minutes and they’d be pulling out their knives. I’d spent enough time with Memphis to know that he didn’t respond to threats. Time to try asking nicely.
“Memphis, may I speak with you outside?”
Naomi eyed me.
“I’ll be fine,” I told her. “I need some fresh air.”
She crossed her arms. I took that as an affirmative answer.
I left the room with Memphis. Miraculously, Naomi didn’t stop me.
The motel sat on the edge of town surrounded partially by a thick forest. The setting sun cast the trees’ shadows over the parking lot. We entered the forest. The carpeting of leaves muffled our footsteps. I scanned the area, looking for possible threats. Memphis did the same, his dark eyes focused on every sound, every movement.
I inhaled the scents of the forest. Dead leaves mingled with the scent of new growth. A gentle breeze tugged at the strands of my brunette hair.
We reached the edge of the thicket.
“Memphis,” I said as we reached a chain-link fence, “I know you have your secrets, and I respect that. But how can you expect me to follow you, to fight for you, to help you, if you tell me nothing?”
He rested his elbows on the metal railing. The steady rhythm of his heart filled my ears, calming me. “Because if I tell you, I’m afraid you won’t come.”
That surprised me. “I’m here, aren’t I?”
He nodded. The sun sank deeper, and I watched his form blur with the shadows, as if he were part of them. The murmur in his heart increased, that steady whisper that I found so odd, and somehow, alluring. I’d never heard a murmur like that, almost as if it spoke to me.
I turned away from him and stared at the forest instead.
“We’re not going to Mordock,” he finally said, his voice a whisper.
“Where are we going?”
He tapped his fingers, as if debating whether to tell me or not. “How much do you know about the Revens?”
“Not much. They’re bounty hunters who capture Shines.”
“There’s more to it. The term Reven comes from the French word revenant. It means ghost.”
The gentle wind tossed the leaves, making the eerie stillness feel more penetrating. “Ghost?”
“There’s a legend about a ghost looking for blood so he can become mortal again. It’s said that he’ll find the blood he needs in a young girl with extraordinary abilities. They call him le Tueur Revenant. It means the ghost killer. His followers are known as the Revens.”
I eyed him.
“Most Revens don’t know any of this. They join up for the money and don’t care about the history of where we come from. I didn’t know at first either.”
“How did you find out?”
“I did some research a few years ago. I learned that the Revens appeared before Shines did. It didn’t make sense, so I dug deeper. In the past, Revens were called the Revenants. They tested anyone with unusual abilities. Psychic powers, witnesses to paranormal events, that sort of thing. Of course, they never found anything. When Shines appeared, they focused their attention on them instead. They hired bounty hunters to find the girls for them.
“The Revenants test the blood of Shines, trying to find the right person, the right blood, I suppose. Their facilities operate separately from the government rehabs. They run a few facilities in the US. One is in Arizona. There’s another one off the coast of Prince Edward Island.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Green Wood.”
“Yes.”
“They took my blood while I was there.”
Memphis nodded.
“Is that why they’re still after me? Not for money, but for my blood?”
He leaned forward. “Exactly.”
My stomach sank. The wind picked up, howling with a shrill wail. “You still haven’t told me where we’re going.”
He turned to me, eyes livid in the failing light. “Two years ago, the Revens took someone. I joined the Revens so I could find her. I got some intel about a month ago that she was being kept in a facility in Arizona. The blueprints, and its location, are top secret. Governor Fernandez keeps them in the mansion somewhere. There’s a ball on Friday night.”
“Is that why you need me?”
“You’re a senator’s daughter. I need a way in.”
I mulled over the situation. “You still haven’t told me who we’re rescuing.”
He swallowed. “June, it’s my sister.”
I listened to his heart to see if he was telling the truth. It beat with a steady rhythm. Maybe I could trust him, but he hadn’t explained everything. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“Because she’s a very powerful Shine. The Revens aren’t the only ones after her. You know how dangerous it is to reveal your powers. I’m only telling you now because I’m fairly certain we aren’t being overheard.”
I pondered his words. Some things still didn’t add up. “Let me get this straight—a ghost-man needs a Shine’s blood so he can become human. Your sister was captured by his followers. And you need me to help you find the map to the facility she’s in. It’s a little hard to swallow.”
“I know it’s hard to believe. I think this guy—le Tueur Revenant—is keeping his identity secret. The ghost thing is a cover story.”
“What else do you know about him? Where does he come from? Does he have a weakness?”
“I don’t know much. But I do know this—he’s dangerous. Scarier than shit dangerous. A few of his true followers, the Revenants, still exist. I’ve seen them firsthand. They raided the school
my sister and I went to. They kidnapped her and then they disappeared.”
“And we’re going straight to their lair to get ourselves chainmailed and possibly killed.”
He looked at me with a pained expression. “I warned you it was dangerous.”
I thought of Katelyn. Could I really risk my own life to save a person I’d never met? What would my sister do without me? “Memphis, I don’t know if I can.”
A gentle breeze gusted past. I watched a butterfly float past on silent wings.
Memphis pulled something out of his pocket. He showed me a picture of a young girl. Black hair, bright eyes. Dimples. “This is Alexa,” he said. “If she was your sister, what would you do?”
A gust of wind tugged at the butterfly’s golden-black wings. It fought against the wind, but got caught up in the current. The butterfly struggled until finally it let go and let the wind take it.
I turned to Memphis.
I knew what I would do.
The same thing he did.
CHAPTER FOUR
Naomi frowned when I entered the hotel room.
“Took you long enough,” she said.
I didn’t answer.
“What did he tell you?” she asked.
I eyed her as I pulled my toothbrush out of my bag. That we’re going to a place more dangerous than Mordock. That we probably won’t survive. “Not much.”
She crossed her arms. “You’re lying.”
“If I tell you the truth, will you leave?”
“I’m staying with you as long as you’re following him. I don’t trust him. I don’t see why you do.”
“I don’t. But I gave him my word.” I sat on the bed, my bones weary, my body begging for sleep. But I couldn’t leave Naomi in the dark. I’d have to tell her.
I filled her in on everything Memphis told me—about the ghost-man, le Tueur Revenant, about the history of the Revens, and about the secret facility in the Arizona desert.
“Do you realize what a daft idea this is, June?”
“Yes, I’m aware of it. I’m also aware that a little girl is being kept against her will, that her brother is desperate to find her. If I left now, I’d regret it the rest of my life. We fight Revens because we want to protect Shines. What we’re doing now is no different. If we allow organizations like the Revens to exist, we’ll never defeat them. We’ll fight forever and never win. Now is our chance to stop the people who matter.”
She eyed me. Her frown disappeared. “Blimey,” she whispered. “You should have been a politician like your father.”
I cringed. I wished she wouldn’t have mentioned him. “No thanks.”
“Can you use your Shine to tell if he’s lying?”
I opened my mouth, ready to tell her that I trusted him, but thought better of it. “I trust that he’s telling the truth. I’m not sure about anything else.”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s keeping things from me. I’m positive he hasn’t told me everything.”
“Hmm.” She pulled at her hair, coiling the curls around her finger, uncoiling, over and over again, the way she does when she’s thinking about something. “I can’t help but think he might be leading us into a trap.”
“Why would he do that?”
“He’s a Reven, June.”
“He’s not like the others. He only joined them to find his sister.”
“So he says.”
“You don’t believe him?”
Naomi looked me straight in the face. “It doesn’t matter if I believe him or not. What worries me is you. Why you follow him so blindly, so quickly? Do you like him?”
I sputtered, trying to make an answer. My heart rate shot up. I was glad she couldn’t hear it. “Of course I don’t.”
“You do.”
“I do not.”
“Then why did your cheeks get all rosy?”
“Shut up. I don’t like him, okay? You know how picky I am about guys. And he’s Reven. Plus he’s . . .” I tried to think of another reason why I didn’t like him, but all I could think about were all the reasons I did. “He’s a Reven.”
She raised an eyebrow.
I went to the bathroom and shut the door.
I would never admit it to anyone, but I did like him. I had a huge crush on Memphis Stone and I had no idea why. Maybe it was because he’d saved my life.
Turning on the faucet, I listened to the running water, letting the sound calm my clamoring heart. I splashed water on my face. Naomi had gotten under my skin. All the trauma of the past few days was catching up to me.
I took a shower, changed, and climbed into bed. Naomi slept in the bed next to the window.
“You okay?” she whispered after I’d started to doze.
“Yes, I’m okay.”
“Sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“It’s all right. We’ve had a long day.”
“Tomorrow will be longer.”
“Maybe.”
The room quieted. Except for the occasional a/c blowing and then shutting off, the room remained silent.
Naomi’s steady breathing filled the emptiness. I stared at the clock. I rolled to my side, and then to my other side, and then back again.
I closed my eyes and saw Memphis’s face. He smiled, which he didn’t do often. I saw the tiny dimple on the right side of his cheek. I saw the sadness in his eyes when he talked about his sister.
And then Memphis and I sat on wrought-iron chairs on Katelyn’s balcony. My sister sat with us. We drank raspberry lemonade in plastic cups. I took in the view. The UN, the Chrysler and the Empire State buildings, all lit up against a black sky. Memphis stood and leaned against the ledge. He clasped his hands, drawing attention to his tattoos.
“You’re lucky to have a view like this,” Memphis said as he stared over the railing.
“I guess so.”
“Who is he?” my sister asked.
“That’s the person I told you about. I’m helping him find his sister.”
“Do you like him?” Katelyn asked as she eyed Memphis. Funny, her voice sounded the same way Naomi’s had.
“Yes. I think I do like him.”
My sister bounced up and down in her seat. “Really, really? You like him? You like a boy? You are normal. I knew it. This is totally rock and razor.”
“Do you think he’s nice?” I asked her.
“Absolutely. Don’t you?”
“I’m not sure. Don’t you think he’s hiding something?”
She turned to Memphis, who no longer leaned against the ledge. We searched the balcony, and even looked over the edge to see if he’d jumped. But he’d disappeared.
My heart sank.
His absence made me feel as though I’d ripped off a limb, like a piece of me was missing.
“He’s gone,” Katelyn whispered. “Like he wasn’t even here. Like a ghost.”
Yes, I thought. Like a ghost.
A tapping sound caught my attention.
I woke, only to realize I’d been asleep, and cursed myself for waking up. I stared around the dark room, trying to find the source of the tapping.
It came from the door.
I glanced at the clock. 3:05. Who would knock on the door at three o’clock in the morning?
No one up to any good, I suspected.
I crept out of bed, trying to make as little sound as possible.
I tightened my fists, empty without my knife. I’d have to replace it soon.
The tapping sound again.
Naomi woke up, her eyes focused on the door.
I put a finger to my lips as she turned to me.
“Who is it?” she mouthed.
I shook my head.
She crawled out of bed, her hair a wild mass of curls, her batgirl pajamas looking less than intimidating.
I reached the door and peeked through the peep hole.
Blake flickin’ Hawthorne.
He was the last person I wanted to see. His bleached blond,
spiked hair appeared greenish in the parking lot lights. He wore a scowl, which looked weird on him. I usually saw him with a boyish grin. But I suspected it had all been a show.
He’d tricked me once before. I would be a fool to let him do it again. I peered behind him to see if he’d brought any friends, but the parking lot was empty.
Naomi stood next to me.
“It’s Blake,” I whispered. I stepped aside to let her peer through.
“He’s alone,” she whispered back. “As far as I can tell. The others could be hiding.”
“What do you think he wants?” I asked.
“No idea.”
“June, are you in there?” Blake asked, his voice slightly muffled.
I glanced at Naomi. “What should I do?”
She took a step away from the door, and then pulled out a sleek, silver blade.
I raised an eyebrow. “You sleep with that?” I asked her.
“I have since I was twelve.”
“Some might call you crazy.”
“Better than being dead.” She nodded at the door. “Open it with the chain on. Whatever you do, don’t let him in.”
I nodded, grabbed the doorknob, and opened it a crack.
Blake stared through the opening. “June?”
“What do you want?”
He exhaled. His shoulders tensed. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”
“By yourself?”
“Yes.” His heart rate spiked. Liar.
“Who else is here?”
“No one.”
“You’re lying.”
He tapped his finger on the doorframe. “Can I just come in?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t want you in my room.”
His eyes narrowed. I’d agitated him. “Do you know how worried I’ve been about you? You took off with Memphis—no one knew where. I’ve been trying to call—”
“I tossed my phone.”
“Why?”
“So you wouldn’t call me!”
He pushed on the door. “Just let me in, okay?”
Naomi budged between us, her knife in plain sight. “Hello, Blake,” she said.
His eyes opened wider. “You’re here, too?”
“Couldn’t leave her alone, could I?”
He eyed the knife. “Look, you two have the wrong idea. I’m not the bad guy here. I’m trying to help.”
Shine: Season One (Shine Season Book 1) Page 73