The Puppeteer looked bored. “Easy for me to do. You’re dismissed.”
I waved Leo off with and caught a glimpse of black hair in the doorway. When Raven caught my eye, she smiled before giving me the thumbs-up.
“I don’t like her,” the Puppeteer remarked.
I whipped my head around. “What? Raven?”
He shrugged. “She’s not loyal to you.”
“What are you talking about? She’s very loyal to me. Didn’t she follow me here?”
He focused narrowed blue eyes on me. “You are here because of her.”
Now I was outraged. “She has done many wonderful things for me.”
“So you devote your loyalty and all your being to someone who has done a handful of good things for you? I don’t like her.”
I crossed my arms as I fell back against the settee. “I don’t recall anyone asking you.”
A half-smile curled up his lips. “Are you going to pinch me again, Thorn?”
“Attempt,” I huffed. “You really should gain some weight.”
His laughter startled the next interviewee.
The rest of the day dragged on as the Puppeteer asked his questions. I had kicked off my shoes at some point and curled my feet under me. Turning my body toward the Puppeteer instead of the one he was questioning, I propped my elbow on the back of the settee and rested my head in my hand as a yawn overcame me. I was so tired, and his deep voice was lulling me to sleep.
After the Puppeteer dismissed the guy, he looked over at me. “You know you could at least pretend to be interested in what is going on.”
“I’m tired.”
He sighed. “There are only a few more on the list.”
My eyes were almost closed when the last interviewee came forward.
“She is exhausted. You should be ashamed of yourself for flaunting her like this,” came from a voice I recognized.
My eyes popped open as I faced Cal, remembering how he had grabbed me for my first kiss and how my feelings had been all over the place. Suddenly, I felt myself blushing.
Like a hawk who had seen a field mouse from a mile away, the Puppeteer narrowed his gaze on my flaming face. However, I refused to look at him as I focused on Cal, who made me feel less nervous.
“Hey,” I squeaked out.
Cal grinned. “Hey.”
The Puppeteer was deadly quiet before he asked, “Do you wish to have Thorn in the House of Deception?”
“Yes,” Cal answered. “I’m a match for her.”
“So are over half the males here.”
I could tell the Puppeteer didn’t like Cal’s honesty.
“What can you bring to the table?”
“Myself,” Cal answered.
The Puppeteer chuckled, causing Cal to clench his jaw. His hazel eyes did nothing to hide the fury behind them, either.
Looking away from the Puppeteer, he asked me, “What did I tell you earlier back in your room?”
“Hmm?”
“We would make pretty babies.”
I watched in horror as Cal’s index finger popped backward, making a horrible cracking sound. Then he shouted in pain as he cradled his hand.
The Puppeteer winced. “If we were around majors, you could have someone heal that for you. But, since we’re surrounded by minors, there isn’t anyone here, other than Thorn and myself, who can exhibit great power. You’ll have to go see the nurse. Shame, too.”
Cal stood from his chair, and I jumped to my feet. Swinging around, I then faced the Puppeteer, uncontrollable anger coating me.
I heard Cal plop back into his seat, groaning so loud it almost distracted me from my anger. The amused look on the Puppeteer’s face only ramped it up.
“How dare you hurt him. He has done nothing to you.” I waved a hand at the now rocking Cal. “Look at him. He is in unbearable pain.”
The Puppeteer lounged back in his seat. “The pain he’s currently in isn’t coming from me.”
“What? Of course it is.”
He shook his stupid sexy head. “No. Your protector over there can’t stand the anger that is coming from you. It’s eating him up.”
My mouth dropped open in shock. “Oh no.” I dropped to Cal’s feet. My anger completely washed away as mortification filled me. “I’m so sorry.”
Cal had completely forgotten about his finger as he was now gripping the chair. “It’s okay, Thorn. You’ll learn how to control it.”
Tears filled my eyes.
Cal reached a hand out and cupped my face. “It’s okay.” Then he pulled me to my feet and tugged me out of the room.
I didn’t once look back. I didn’t need to, to know the Puppeteer was scowling after the both of us.
After all the planning and manipulation that the Puppeteer had done today, the only thing he truly accomplished was making me mad.
After the complete failure of meeting eligible bachelors from different houses, I stayed in my room for the next three days. I only went out to source for food then carried it back to my room and ate. The Puppeteer left me alone, and Raven only popped in for fresh clothes, since she was now rooming with Leo. She said that they had a secret, but she couldn’t tell me until it was finalized. I didn’t argue, because I didn’t care. I was moody and tired.
Cal came by every day. He didn’t kiss me again, for which I was grateful. He was handsome, strong, and charming, but my erratic thoughts and feelings weren’t because of him. They were because I was having a hard time adjusting. I still looked at him as an unrivaled, and I still thought of me as a human. I didn’t want to be part of their group, yet I didn’t belong with the humans anymore.
Cal had had the nurse use some sort of potion to heal his hand, but every time I thought of the Puppeteer’s little stunt, I grew more and more angry. Thankfully, I had learned how to not let it leak onto others. When I felt as if I was at my boiling point, I would take a few deep breaths and pretend that I was back in Virginia, watching the individual snowflakes fall. After a few seconds, I would grow calm and no one was affected. Unfortunately, I had to test that theory out on Cal. It might be why he hadn’t been by today.
I walked to the window and looked out at all the minors playing or walking in the cold weather. They were all taking the time to get to know one another, to make alliances, and form relationships with the ones who they were most compatible with. They would go home this weekend with matches that would make their houses proud. Minor houses all over Old America would grow stronger, and the ones who couldn’t find a match with anyone in particular would go home to come back next year. I had heard that the cut-off age was twenty-five, which made me wonder if the Puppeteer attended the Major’s Ball. Then I chastised myself for wondering about something that I had no rights wondering about.
A knock on my door sped my heart up with anticipation. The Puppeteer was probably coming to tell me that we had more flaunting to do.
I opened the door to a smiling Cal and waved him in as I questioned why the Puppeteer had been giving me radio silence.
I shook my head in disgust. Why the hell would I care? I didn’t want to see those icy-blue eyes. They haunted enough of my dreams—no, my nightmares.
Cal gathered me in his arms, and I forced myself to relax. “I’ve been thinking about you and me.”
I tilted my head to the side as I peered up at him. “What about you and me?” I felt my palms grow sweaty as I tried to guess what he was about to say.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I have spread it around that you have decided to agree to court me, to see if our compatibility is enough for you to be happy with. I didn’t want you to have to hide in your room any longer, and I thought, this way, you could actually enjoy yourself at the ball tonight.”
Did I mind? No. Actually, I was relieved. I could venture outside again without being bombarded with questions. The Puppeteer would probably have something to say about it, though. I was sure he wouldn’t like it if the major houses thought I was settling with a minor. How would
he bait them then?
“I’m fine with that.”
He gave me a smile. “You want to go for a walk?”
“Sure.” I grabbed a jacket. “Hey, you haven’t seen Raven around, have you? I should probably check on her.”
He shook his head. “She went home with Leo last night. He needed to grab something from the House of Joy, which is just across the border. He said they would be back today.”
Anger and confusion had me squinting. “She didn’t tell me she was leaving.”
Cal shrugged. “Did the Puppeteer tell you that he left?”
Cal was trying to gauge my reaction. So, trying for nonchalant, I said, “No, he did not. He went back to the House of Hybrids?”
“He left two days ago.”
I put my jacket on and stuffed my hands into my pockets. Why did it hurt more that he didn’t tell me that he was leaving than it did with Raven? No, surely hurt wasn’t the right word. Being cooped up in this room had made me lose my mind.
The door to my room was suddenly swung open, and Raven came strolling in with Leo on her heels. She almost looked disappointed to see me in the room that we were supposed to share.
I raised an eyebrow. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, of course,” she said. “I just didn’t know that you were still holed up in here.”
Defensively, I said, “We were just leaving to go on a walk.”
Raven threw her hair behind her shoulder. “Well, we need this room. Those creepy twins are in Leo’s room, and they won’t take a hint and leave.”
Leo reached out and put a hand on Raven’s arm. “Babe, you know I’ve never done this before. Maybe we should have them here to help. You know, in case something goes wrong.”
Raven swiveled her brown eyes from me to her boyfriend. “Hon, Thorn is kind of a goody two-shoes. I don’t know about this.”
I was starting to get pissed. In a matter of seconds, I was going to have to close my eyes and pretend to count snowflakes.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
Raven shut the door to our room with a dramatic sigh, like I was too much to deal with. “So, we went to visit Leo’s parents today, and the head of his house.”
“Why?” I asked.
Leo puffed out his chest. “I wanted my parents to accept Raven as my mate.”
Cal clapped him on the back. “Congrats, man.”
Raven pouted. “Yeah, except they denied him. They think I’m not good enough.”
Leo put a comforting arm around her. “But we’re going to change that.”
A feeling of trepidation came over me as I watched the both of them take a seat on Raven’s bed. For the first time, I noticed Leo was carrying a small silver case in his hands. He laid it in his lap as he kissed Raven’s cheek.
Cal plopped down on my bed. “How?”
“My house stole a bottle of serum a long time ago,” Leo answered. “They have been keeping it hidden for many years. They were hoping that one of us would find our fully compatible mate, and then they could use the serum on their child to take our house to a different ranking. A more powerful ranking.”
I sat down next to Cal. “Guys, that is powerful stuff. Why else would the Puppeteer be after it? I don’t think we should mess with it.”
Raven rolled her eyes. “See? I told you so. Now she is going to run off to the Puppeteer and tell on her friend, the dirty little human.”
Anger coated my words when I told her, “You are the only one who has ever had a problem with your humanity.”
Interrupting our stare down, Cal asked, “What do you plan on doing with it?”
Leo said, “I’m going to inject Raven with the serum, just like the soldiers were.”
My mouth dropped open. “You can’t possibly be serious? More than ninety percent of the human soldiers died with the first round of injections!”
Leo’s forehead wrinkled. “You know, Raven, she’s right. There is a huge possibility that this could kill you.”
I was livid. Had these morons not thought of this before now?
“I don’t care,” Raven said. “If I can’t be with you, I don’t want to live.”
He smiled at her like she hung the moon and stars.
I laughed without mirth. “You both have literally known each other for less than a week, and now you’re willing to die without him and”—I pointed at Leo—“you’re willing to take a chance on something that will most likely kill her?”
Raven crossed her arms. “You don’t understand. You have never been in love.”
“And you have been in love with half our old town!” I covered my mouth with my hands, but it was too late. The damage had been done.
Raven’s bottom lip quivered. “I thought you were my friend, but you’re just jealous. You are jealous because all these guys, who are showing you interest, are only after your power and what you can add to their house.” She jerked her thumb at Leo. “He actually loves me, even though I’m just a silly little human.”
I put my hands up in surrender. “I’m sorry, Raven. I was out of line. I shouldn’t have said that. I just don’t think this is a good idea. And if Leo genuinely cares for you, then he won’t take a gamble on your life.”
I could tell I was getting through to Leo, but I had only infuriated Raven more.
“You think even this one”—she pointed at Cal—“wants you? Like truly wants you?”
“Hey, wait a minute,” Cal said. “I really do like Thorn. I get that you’re upset, Raven, and you and Leo are looking for a way to be together, and I applaud that, but being nasty to Thorn won’t help your situation.”
Her eyes flashed at him. Then she reached for the case.
Leo started tugging it away from her, but with one look glared at him, he released it. I guessed he would rather lose her indefinitely than endure her wrath, even for a moment.
I stood up from my bed as Raven unlocked the case.
“Look, there are three bottles.” Leo sounded surprised.
Ignoring him, she grabbed a needle then pushed it into a bottle of serum before pulling the plunger back until every drop was gone. Before she could inject herself, however, Leo grabbed her hand.
“Let’s think about this for a second. Most humans died from this. And, as far as I know, no minor has ever been injected with it. Before the serum was destroyed, some of the major houses injected their children, and I don’t think any of them survived.” He shook his head.
I didn’t speak up and let them know that, in fact, one child had survived. Several times even.
“Then they found out the reason why the humans died,” Cal said quietly. “Most weren’t strong enough and fought the changes in their bodies. A secondary injection would kill most. The houses that do have serums hidden within their walls are keeping it for the children who are born from one hundred percent compatible parents.”
“I’m strong, and I’m tired of being human,” Raven said angrily. Then she reared the needle back, but before she could pierce her skin, Leo grabbed her wrist. They fought over the needle with Leo half on top of her as she fell back onto the bed.
Cal and I got to our feet, unsure of what to do when there was a grunt.
Raven had accidentally injected Leo.
He pulled the needle out with wide eyes. “It’s okay. It’s okay. Everyone calm down.” He was saying this more to himself than anyone else in the room.
We were all frozen in place as he went to stand, but his knees buckled. Then Cal rushed to grab him before his head hit the ground, and I knelt down beside him as Raven screamed then sobbed.
“If he dies, it will be your fault!” she shouted.
I looked up at her in shock. Surely she wasn’t talking to me?
“Are you crazy?” I snapped. “Raven, if this guy, who you supposedly love, dies, I can promise you that his blood will not be on my hands.” I was hurt and infuriated by her nasty words; at my breaking point with her childlike behavior that seemed to impact everyone around
her.
She stood with clenched fists, glaring at me, but she didn’t respond. It was just as well as I gave all my attention to Leo.
His pale face had accumulated beads of sweat. He was looking at Raven as his body convulsed and he let out a loud groan.
Cal placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder to keep him lying down. “Breathe, buddy.”
I felt helpless as his body began to jerk and twitch more violently. Within seconds, Leo started breathing heavier as his eyes misted over.
When foam started pooling out of his mouth, Cal shouted, “Let’s flip him to his side so he doesn’t choke.”
Cal started to tell his friend to breathe, but we could all see that it was too hard for him to pull oxygen into his lungs. He was wheezing now.
“The Puppeteer,” I said, “he will know what to do.”
I started to get up when I felt a pinch to the back of my neck, and then Cal yelled, “No!”
The last thing I heard before I collapsed almost on top of Leo was, “If he dies, she dies.”
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t pry my eyes open. A warmth was spreading around my ribs, and I briefly wondered what was tickling my side. I needed to sit up, but I couldn’t fight through the fog. Voices were making my raging headache pound. Someone was shouting, and another voice was so frigid that I was almost thankful that I couldn’t open my eyes.
I recognized the frigid voice as the owner gathered me in his arms and my warm side was pressed up against his solid wall of muscle.
His voice washed over me as he said, “I should kill you, but for whatever reason, she finds value in your life, so I will let you live for the moment. If she dies, though, I will kill you slowly.”
There was sobbing, and then a deep voice said something.
“Oh, like you protected her this time?” the frigid voice replied. “Be careful, pup, or I’ll kill you, too.”
The Puppeteer carried me somewhere, but to where, I didn’t know. I did feel the wind hit my cheeks, making me shiver. I felt like I was flying through the mountains of Old Tennessee. Within moments, a cold wetness then fell upon my face. Was I crying?
“Hold on, Little Thorn.”
I tried to speak, but I couldn’t even moan. Was I dying?
House of Deception: The Unrivaled Series Page 18