Thrall (Daughters Of Lilith)

by Jennifer Quintenz

  When I got home the phone was ringing. I picked up the living room handset. “Hello?”

  “Braedyn? It’s me.” Cassie’s voice was tight with excitement.

  “Cassie? What’s going on?”

  “It’s Parker. He likes me! He said he thinks about me all the time. He has since we were in geometry together last year.” She giggled, thrilled. “Can you believe it?!”

  “That’s... great, Cassie.” I felt like my thoughts were tripping over themselves. I couldn’t believe it. Parker hadn’t given Cassie the time of day since... ever. The first time he’d shown any interest in her was when he joined us for lunch out of the blue. “What did you say?”

  “At first I didn’t know what to say, but then... I told him everything.” Cassie breathed out a long breath. “It felt so good to tell him.”

  “Everything? Everything like... how much of everything?”

  Cassie laughed at my consternation. “Everything! How I’ve had a crush on him since middle school. How I’ve been to every one of his games, even the one they played in Colorado. How I’ve bought him birthday cards for the last three years but chickened out before I got up the courage to mail them to him. Everything, everything.”

  “Okay,” I said stupidly. I wished Royal were here. He’d know how to handle this.

  “Look,” her voice dropped to a whisper. “Can I say I’m coming over to your place? He invited me to his house, but his parents are out of town and I don’t want my parents to freak out.”

  “Cass, I don’t know if that’s...”

  “Please, Braedyn. I have to go. He’s going to make dinner. They have a grill out back. We’re going to eat and hang out and look for shooting stars.”

  “Isn’t it too cold for grilling?” I asked.

  “I’ll wear a sweater!” When I didn’t answer, Cassie made a little sound, half-longing, half-irritation. “Please, Braedyn. I’d do the same for you if it was Lucas asking.”

  “Um...” It felt wrong, but she sounded so hopeful. “Okay. Don’t do anything crazy.”

  “How about this,” Cassie said impishly. “I won’t do anything with Parker that you wouldn’t do with Lucas. I have to go. He’s waiting downstairs!”

  “Wait, Cass, before you...” but she had already hung up. I set the handset down slowly. Cassie was fun and smart. Maybe I was worrying for nothing. Parker was going to the trouble of cooking for her. Maybe he really did like her.

  I heard a tapping on our new living room window. I turned and saw Lucas peering in.

  “What are you doing?” I asked. I started toward the front door to let him in, but Lucas tapped the window again and gestured for me to meet him in our backyard. I slipped through the house and let myself out through the kitchen door. The yard was dark, but my eyes adjusted quickly; I never had trouble in the gloom anymore. Lucas stumbled blindly around the side of the house.

  “Lucas,” I called quietly. He made his way over to me. I took his hand. He reached for me, burying his face against my neck. My stomach fluttered. I held him tightly.

  “I had to see you,” he said. “Hale’s in there, talking about sending us all out in groups to look for Thrall. I know you’re learning to fight, but don’t... You have to promise me you’ll never go up against one of them. I’ve been in a lot of fights. I... I had some trouble with authority growing up. But I’ve never faced anything like Derek in Thrall. We were lucky,” he breathed. “Luckier than I think we realized...”

  “Lucas.” Thane stood at the fence, watching us. Lucas and I flew apart, startled. Thane didn’t smile. “Gretchen’s going to be looking for you soon.”

  “Promise me,” Lucas whispered with an agonized look. I nodded, and he left.

  “I thought I might find you two together,” Thane said softly. “He’s really taken with you, isn’t he?” Thane didn’t move from his spot at the fence.

  A sick dread washed over me. If he told Gretchen what he’d seen... “We were just talking,” I said. I forced myself to smile, trying to disarm him.

  Thane tilted his head to one side. “It won’t work on me, child.” His eyes were like steel in the night, cold and hard. “Lilitu only hold power over those who desire them, and there is nothing about you that I find attractive. Every one of us can resist you. Hale is young, yes, but if you try to work your wiles on him, he will know it. Murphy sees you as his daughter, not as a woman. And Gretchen...” his smile was dark. “She doesn’t fancy girls.”

  I reeled as his words helped me see something I’d never noticed before. Desire. That explained why boys my age seemed to respond the strongest to me. Girls were mostly unaffected, and teachers... I remembered the day I’d stood on the dining hall table. Fiedler had bent the rules for me, but he never leered at me the way Greg or Parker or Rick had done.

  “That just leaves Lucas,” Thane said. I realized he was still watching me.

  “I haven’t done anything wrong,” I said, faintly.

  “It’s not what you’ve done. It’s what you are.”

  “What I am?” I flashed. “I’m trying as hard as I can to help you!”

  “And yet you still haven’t managed to escape your dream,” Thane murmured. “I wonder how long we will be expected to tolerate you if you don’t prove useful to the cause?”

  “Hale believes in me,” I said hotly.

  “Hale is playing with fire,” Thane answered. “But when your self-control fails, it’s Lucas who will get burned.” Thane studied me impersonally. “The Lilitu in you will win out eventually. It’s just a matter of time.”

  Chapter 13

  Thane’s words haunted me all weekend. I don’t know if he told Gretchen what he’d seen, but nothing seemed to change in her demeanor. I couldn’t get close enough to Lucas to ask if he’d noticed anything different about her. I tried to keep myself busy with schoolwork. I’d gotten an extension on my English paper, but as I tried to write it, I kept catching myself staring absently out the window for a glimpse of Lucas. When I was away from him, I had this constant nagging sensation that I needed to be somewhere else. But when we were together for dinner at the Guard’s house, we had to pretend a distance we didn’t feel. We were close enough to touch, and yet unable to talk beyond asking each other to pass the bread. It took an extraordinary amount of effort and energy, and it left us both short-tempered. The whole weekend was an exercise in frustration. By Sunday afternoon I had a throbbing headache.

  I was still feeling achy and irritable when I woke up on Monday morning after yet another failed attempt to access the dream world.

  I left the house for school, shrugging into a wool jacket. It was Thanksgiving week, so we only had school until Wednesday. Which meant Lucas and I only had three days together this week instead of five. I got the Firebird started and cranked the heat. Cold air blasted me, but as I gunned the engine I felt a hint of warmth. I pulled onto the road.

  Lucas was standing on the corner at the end of our street. I stopped for him, my heart giving a little leap.

  “Can I bum a lift?” he asked, opening the passenger door.

  “Get in,” I said, smiling. He sat down and pulled the door closed. I glanced in the rearview mirror. “What about Gretchen?”

  “Gretchen left early this morning. Marx’s unit needs her. They’re on a Lilitu’s trail but their spotter’s appendix burst. She had to have emergency surgery. Gretchen will be gone for three or four days, at least. Maybe even a week.”

  “Are all spotters girls?” I asked, pulling out onto the street.

  “Most of them, yeah. We don’t officially know why, but...”

  “Thane has a theory?”

  Lucas grinned. “You guessed it. He thinks people share a part of themselves when they have an intimate bond,” Lucas said. “So when a Lilitu attacks a guy, she’s also attacking the girl who loves him. It’s just a theory. But whatever the reason, once you’ve seen one Lilitu, you can see them all.” Lucas turned to me, curious. “You’re kind of rare. A natural, I guess. Gretchen
... well, you know.” Lucas shrugged sadly. He got the same look every time he thought about Eric. “Anyway, I’m glad for Gretchen. She’ll get some quality time with Matt.”

  I noticed a little grin on Lucas’ face. “Who’s this Matt you speak of?” I asked, smiling.

  “He’s in Marx’s unit. Gretchen hasn’t said anything, but it’s pretty clear she’s interested.” Lucas’ smile faded. “She needs some R and R. She was out looking for the Lilitu hunting ground until three or four in the morning both Saturday and Sunday night. No luck.”

  “Hunting ground?” I asked, making the turn into the school parking lot.

  “Lilitu typically stake out one or two places for their hunts,” Lucas said. “They’ll hunt the same spots until they move onto a different city.”

  I had more questions, but as I shut off the engine, Cassie bounded up to us. Her long black hair hung free, except for two tiny ponytails perched on top of her head. She was so excited, she practically floated above the ground.

  “Sorry, Lucas. Can I...?” Cassie pulled me away before Lucas could speak.

  “I take it the date went well?” I asked.

  “The dates.” Cassie said, breathlessly. “I saw him every night this weekend! But last night was...” She squeezed my arm, her eyes gleaming. “It was amazing. We bundled up in sleeping bags and watched the sky for shooting stars until midnight, and then he invited me to stay the night.” Cassie smiled, an inward smile that hinted at more than she was saying. “It was the most romantic night of my life.”

  “Unfortunately, the romance ended this morning when she had to call me to come pick her up.” Royal joined us, his expression cool.

  “He didn’t give you a ride to school?” I asked, angry on Cassie’s behalf.

  “Well, he was already gone when I woke up.” Cassie saw me glance at Royal. “No, it’s cool. I’m sure he had a morning practice or something and he just didn’t want to disturb me.” Doubt entered Cassie’s eyes for the first time. “I thought it was sweet.”

  I draped an arm around Cassie’s shoulders and warned Royal with a look to keep his differing opinion to himself. “Yeah. I’m sure you’re right,” I lied.

  I spent the morning worrying about Cassie. When we got to lunch, Cassie looked around eagerly. I saw her eyes snag on something and her face clouded over with pain. I followed her gaze and spotted Parker sitting between Amber and Missy. I noticed Royal staring at me. He jerked his head at Cassie as if to say, distract her or something, will you?

  I cleared my throat. “So, Cassie, am I ever going to see this mysterious present you keep talking about?”

  “Hm?” Her eyes focused on my face and she forced a smile. “Oh, yeah. Almost done. Believe it or not, I really am putting the finishing touches on it right now.”

  “How’d you learn to sew?” Lucas asked. I felt his hand catch mine under the table. He gave it a brief squeeze and released it. So he had caught on. Which meant he knew something was wrong, too. Cassie launched into the story that Royal and I knew inside and out. We’d lived half of it with her; taking trips to fabric stores, haggling for a better price per yard, sitting through epic fitting sessions...

  While Cassie talked, I took a bite of mashed potatoes and glanced around. Amber’s table was staring in our direction, snickering. It gave me an uneasy feeling. I could tell Royal was burning with the same nervous curiosity I felt.

  We were no closer to unraveling the mystery by the end of gym. It was my turn to stay behind and help Ms. Davies put away the equipment. Afterwards, I hurried to change, hoping I might catch Royal and Cassie before they left for English. They were already gone when I came out, but Lucas was waiting for me outside the doors to the gym.

  “Hey, I know this is kind of short notice,” he said. “But do you want to go to a movie with me after school? I’m only asking because Gretchen’s out of town. You can’t have practice without a sparring partner, right? And who knows when we might get another...”

  “Yes,” I said, laughing. “I would love to go to a movie with you.”

  By the time I got to English, there was only one available seat left. Right in front of Missy and Amber. With a small sigh, I took it. Missy tapped me on the shoulder about five minutes later. I sighed inwardly. Here we go.

  “I was wondering if I could ask you for a favor,” Missy whispered when Mr. Young’s back was turned.

  “What?” I meant, Could you please repeat that, it sounded like you just asked me for a favor. But she interpreted it as, What favor?

  “I’m in charge of organizing this year’s Winter Ball. We’re selling tickets, and the profits are going to diabetes research.” I stared at Missy. Her big sister, Carrie, had been born with diabetes. Carrie had graduated last year but I remembered her. She’d been on the cheer squad, and she was down to earth and funny. The kind of girl I would have liked as a friend. I’d never forget the day she slipped into insulin shock. She’d been studying under a tree and she just seemed to go blank. Someone noticed and ran for the school nurse. They called the paramedics, but while we were waiting for them, the nurse got Carrie to swallow some jam and she slowly came back to herself. By the time the paramedics arrived, she was talking again. I’d heard she was studying at Brown now. “I was thinking we could have the dance at the Raven,” Missy said.

  “Why do you want my help?” I asked bluntly.

  Missy gave me a little half-smile. It was like an admission of guilt. “I know we haven’t exactly been BFFs,” she said. “But I need you. You have... a lot of fans at school. If you help us with the Ball, I know it’ll be successful.” She seemed to be waiting for my answer. When I hesitated, she got worried. “Look, the profits are going to a good cause. My sister...”

  “Okay. I’ll help.” I didn’t want her to use Carrie to try to guilt-trip me. “When is it?”

  Missy grinned. “December twenty-first.” I felt a chill run over my skin.

  “Missy? Braedyn?” Mr. Young said, giving us an irritated glare. “I hope I’m not interrupting your little social hour back there by trying to teach my class.”

  “Sorry, Mr. Young,” Missy said, flashing him a brilliant smile. He frowned and turned back to the blackboard. Missy leaned back to me, keeping her voice low. “I think we should do some kind of Winter Solstice theme, since Winter Ball is actually on the Solstice this year. The good news is, we have three and a half weeks to plan.”

  My mind felt numb. Three and a half weeks. There were only three and a half weeks left to stop Ais before she rekindled an ancient war.

  I was still reeling when Lucas found me after school.

  “What kind of movie do you want to see?” he asked. I blanched, remembering our plans. Lucas saw my expression and hesitated. “Unless you’ve changed your mind...?”

  “No. I just have to call Dad,” I said, covering quickly.

  When I made the call, Dad assumed this was a group experience, and I didn’t correct him. We’d invited Royal and Cassie, but she wanted to get home in case Parker called. So Royal took Cassie home and I drove with Lucas to the movie theater. We got our tickets and Lucas bought a popcorn for us to share. Being an early show on a Monday, the theater was practically empty. We picked a spot near the back and settled in as the trailers rolled onto the screen.

  I glanced at Lucas. He caught the movement and smiled at me. I felt a little thrill. No one was going to walk in on us, we weren’t late to any classes, and we didn’t have any other friends hanging around. This was an honest-to-goodness date. Lucas offered his hand, palm up. I took it, reveling in the touch as his fingers curled around mine with casual familiarity. I was glad for the dark, so he couldn’t see the blush spreading over my cheeks.

  By the time the movie started, I was relaxing into my chair. It was an action movie, and it was so bad it was funny. We started snickering and couldn’t stop. We finally got shushed by a serious-looking guy a few rows in front of us, which just made us shake harder with silent laughter. After we recovered, I found myself watc
hing him, mesmerized, as the flickering light from the movie screen played off his features.

  Lucas leaned forward and kissed me. His touch sent jolts of shivery thrills across my skin. After the aching frustration of the weekend, our kiss became urgent, heated. Lucas lifted a hand to my cheek, letting his thumb trace the edge of my jaw. I reached for him, too, resting one hand on his chest, sliding the other up to his face. I felt the pulse of life in his throat, quickening.

  But then something changed.

  The intense, staccato soundtrack of the movie seemed to fade, slipping into the background of my mind. I was only dimly aware of this. Lucas, and the growing heat of our kiss, filled my head. A strange, surging storm was moving through me, wild and powerful and heedless of whatever stood in its path.

  Lucas’ arm dropped, scattering popcorn on the ground.

  With impossible effort, I pulled back.

  What I saw in Lucas’ face turned my blood cold. His eyes, half-lidded, looked listless and dull. As soon as we broke contact, his eyes closed and he slipped into unconsciousness. The storm with in me subsided do a dull roar, receding slowly. My heart thudded painfully. We’d kissed. That was all. What was happening?

  I shook him gently, but Lucas didn’t stir. His chest was rising and falling with slow, even breaths, but his eyelids didn’t flicker. I shook him harder. In front of us, the credits started to roll. They seemed to drag on for hours as I tried to bring Lucas back to consciousness. Finally I saw some movement beneath his lids. Groggily, and with great effort, he opened his eyes.

  Relief turned my muscles to jelly. I slumped in my seat, watching as he stirred.

  He saw me staring and wiped his eyes, straining to sit up. “Wow, this is embarrassing,” he said. “Please tell me I wasn’t drooling.” He wiped his chin quickly.