by Kirk, A
A few drawers later I found a series of books with titles such as Centrifuge Chillers, Pneumatic Air, and Associated Pumping System. Meaningless. Boring. Until…
The small leather-bound book had no title, but engraved in the bright clasp holding it closed was the double spiral. Inside, crisp pages were covered with an elegant handwritten script, easily read, if I recognized the language. I didn’t.
On second glance, I did recognize three words. Divinicus Nex and Bellator.
“Find something?” Ayden said.
“Not sure.” I put it in the bottom of my tattered backpack that Ayden had left on the floor, then stuffed some of the other books we found on top. “I’ll give these to Jayden.” If there was a Divinicus connection, I was betting he could figure it out.
Three drawers later—
“Elevator manual!” I held it high.
Ayden looked around. “There is no elevator.”
Chapter Fifty-One
Ayden pulled open the metal-latticed doors, then turned the handle of the door behind it and motioned for me to exit the elevator first. I walked out and turned around. Even without the flashlight, I knew where we were.
The high school. Specifically, we’d just stepped into the hallway from the very same alcove which I’d stumbled into when I was trying to hide from Ayden and Blake. The one where the stone walls had transformed into metal, and some buttons had appeared out of nowhere, and the latticed metal had tried to “cage” me in. According to Flint’s maps and diagrams, the tunnels and school were riddled with them.
Ayden chuckled. “This was the creature trying to eat you?”
“How was I supposed to know?” I backhanded Ayden’s arm, but instantly regretted the move when we both winced.
He took my hand as we gimped ourselves outside, through the fog and down the high school driveway, ducks quacking in the distance as the day readied to emerge from its slumber. While Ayden relocked the padlock and chain on the iron gates, I went to grab my bike, the sweet aroma of honeysuckle strong as I pushed aside the heavy vines climbing up the stone wall.
The bike wasn’t there.
I looked around, confused. “Must be searching in the wrong spot.”
I turned to check a different area, but the distinct click of a gun cocking and a flashlight beam flooding me in a spotlight sent me into freeze mode, heart thundering.
Chapter Fifty-Two
An authoritative voice commanded, “Hands up and turn around slowly.”
I did so, then squinted and brought one hand down a little to shield the light directly in my eyes. I couldn’t see much more than a vague silhouette of a man, but there was definitely a handgun. Pointed at me.
Fantastic. Who wanted to kill me now?
A shadow rushed from the side. The flashlight knocked to the ground and the goon was suddenly kissing dirt with Ayden’s knee in his back, the gun pressing against the base of the man’s head.
“Don’t move,” Ayden growled.
There was a beat of silence then the man said, “Ayden?”
Ayden peered to better see the guy’s face. “Walter?”
“Son of a — Yeah, you idiot. Get the hell off me.”
Ayden stood and helped the officer up. Yeah, it was one of Sheriff Payne’s deputies.
“Sorry, man.” Ayden dusted off Deputy Walter’s uniform and handed him back his weapon. “Didn’t realize.”
The deputy holstered the gun and looked at me. “The Lahey girl, right?”
“Yes, sir,” I nodded. The Lahey girl who was going to get seriously grounded when the Lahey parents had to bail her out of jail. And Aunt M. Oh, dear God, I’d never hear the end of this.
Ayden put a hand on the deputy’s shoulder. “Walter, I can explain. This isn’t what it looks like.”
“It never is.” The deputy breathed deep, looking anything but happy. “Did you guys do any damage?”
“Nope. You’d never know we were there.”
A new voice rumbled out of the darkness. “I’ve got this, deputy.”
The deputy’s hand jerked to his holster, then stopped when he saw the man emerge from the shadows.
Spurs jingling on red leather cowboy boots, Rose moseyed out dressed like an old-time sheriff. Long, golden curls draping out from a wide brimmed western hat, he sported a brown leather duster coat, jeans, shirt, and vest, complete with a shiny sheriff star pinned to the chest. The two revolvers holstered at his hips captured most of my attention.
I froze, anticipating a gunfight worthy of the OK Corral, but, taking his hand off his weapon, Deputy Walter stood straighter and nodded respectfully.
“Sheriff Payne,” he said. “Good evening, sir.”
That was…odd. Rose looked nothing like Matthias’s dad. Especially in this get up. I kept my mouth shut and shot Ayden a questioning look. He shrugged, looking as confused as I, and moved in front of me. Rose used a knuckle to tip the front of his hat up, then hooked his thumbs in his belt.
“I’ll take care of these young’uns. You go about your business.” Rose hitched his pants up, “And let’s not speak of this again. Savvy, partner?”
Oh, jeez. This was a bad spaghetti western.
But the deputy just nodded again, said, “You got it, sir,” and headed down the street where, now that light began to dawn, I saw his cruiser parked, my bike sitting next to it.
As the deputy drove off, Rose touched the brim of his hat in acknowledgement.
Watching the deputy salute back, I asked, “What was that?”
“He messed with his head,” Ayden told me over his shoulder, then drenched his voice with suspicion as he tilted his head at Rose. “Since when does a Joat have that kind of Hallucinator power?”
Rose unleashed a smile so dazzling I was sure the sunrise was delaying its appearance, too embarrassed to try to compete with the brilliance.
“You flatter me young hunter.” He bowed slightly. “However, it is the gentleman’s pathetic weakness of mind which allows my meager powers to appear great. But on to more important matters. What did you discover? I await with bated breath.” His hands rested on the butts of the revolvers in the holsters.
Ayden’s arms moved out from his sides and his hands lit on fire. Rose raised his brows, then very slowly, his hands, palms facing out.
“Forgive me,” Rose said solicitously. “I mean no threat.”
“Forgive me, I do,” Ayden countered. Fire licked up his entire arms. “You need to start answering questions.”
“Another time perhaps.” Rose sighed, and in a swirl of pink smoke, he disappeared.
Just poof. In pink.
Ayden and I stared. Crickets chirped. Ducks quacked. Swans honked. And even an owl hooted.
“Uhhh,” I finally mustered after I lifted my jaw off the ground. “Is he supposed to be able to do that?”
Chapter Fifty-Three
“I told you if I don’t come home my parents will freak.” My whisper sounded loud in the morning silence as Ayden and I crouched outside our backyard gate. Despite the arrival of the sun, our breath misted in the cold air as we continued to argue.
“And I told you,” Ayden insisted, “if you show up looking like that your parents will freak even more. Come on, we’ll call from my house, say training went late. You can clean up, and I’ll take you to school.”
He started to turn back toward his car like we’d settled the matter.
“But I wasn’t supposed to be training,” I reminded him. “Aunt M will go on high alert. Plus, if they think training leaves me looking like this,” I gestured over my body, “with all the cuts and bruises, that will be the end of it.”
But what could we do? Sneaking in my bedroom window was out since too many of my family were milling about upstairs. Even if I could slip in and ditch the ripped clothes, tackle the bride of Frankenstein hairstyle, and clean off the overall sewage stench, there was still the matter of multiple injuries. I was a supernaturally fast healer, but not supersonic.
My parents would notice.
And freakage would ensue.
Ayden paused, his expression mirroring my frustration. “We’ll think of something. Here, let me…” He wet the hem of his shirt with his tongue. “You’ve got dirt and —”
When he tried to wipe my face with the spit-soaked fabric, I shied away and gave him a look. “Really? What am I, two?”
“The argument could be made,” he scowled, but dropped the shirt. “Fine. I’m just trying to help. You can’t hide this. And if they think the guys and I are involved,” he made an effort to quell his rising voice, “your parents will never let you spend time with us again. Watch out!” Ayden tugged me down out of sight.
I peeked through the fence. Dad jogged around the side of the house in sweats just back from his morning run.
Ayden was right. I couldn’t hide this and if they thought — wait a minute. Ohhh, yes. He was right. A calculating smile prowled onto my mouth.
Ayden shook his head. “Aurora, whatever you’re thinking, don’t. We can try something else. Anything else.”
I snatched up dirt, leaves, and twigs and littered them all over my hair and clothes. “You’re brilliant.”
“No. I’m really not.”
“I know what I’m doing.”
“Nothing good ever comes after that statement.”
“Have a little faith.” I stood and gathered my bike.
Ayden pawed at me to keep me down. “He’ll see you!”
“Go home.” I spoke through the side of my mouth. “I’ll meet you at school. I’ll be late, but don’t worry.”
Ayden reached for me. “What are you doing?!”
I banged my bike through the backyard gate before he could stop me. From the sounds behind, Ayden’s faith was in crisis, but I ignored him.
“Dad!” I shouted.
“Hey, sweetie.” He waved. “How was the ride?” He took in my appearance and turned the color of glue. “Oh, my God!”
Chapter Fifty-Four
Someone nudged me awake from the kind of dead-to-the-world sleep I hadn’t enjoyed in days. No dreaming, no nightmares. It was glorious.
“Miss Lahey?”
A man’s voice. Didn’t recognize it. Who dared disturb my slumber?
The side of my face still rested on my arm, but my eyes opened, and after a moment, focused on Logan. Since when did he sound so old?
Something cut through my vision, and my second period teacher was leaning over me.
“I understand you were late this morning because of an accident.” His voice seemed far away. “You do look a bit worse for wear. Your parents requested we call if you showed any signs of fatigue. I think this qualifies.”
“No.” My head shot up. Too fast. Ow. I winced. Pain. In my head, arms, shoulders. Oh, heck, pretty much everywhere.
Logan flicked his fingers at his lips. I got the message and wiped a web of drool hanging from the corner of my mouth. That got a hearty snicker from my classmates.
“I’m fine,” I slurped. “Just a little tired. My dad checked me out at the hospital, nothing’s broken, and I have no dizziness or nausea, no signs of concussion. Please don’t call them. I’d like to stay.”
The teacher looked doubtful. “Some might say wanting to stay at school is a sign of concussion.” The class rumbled a collective chuckle. “But fine. If you feel poorly, you’ll let someone know?”
“Absolutely.”
My face was hot. From pain or embarrassment, couldn’t be sure. I felt a cool breeze come out of nowhere and saw Logan’s fingers moving surreptitiously. I smiled my gratitude.
I stayed awake through the rest of the period, mostly due to Logan slicing an artic breeze my way when consciousness faltered. The ending bell was like a razor to my head. I rubbed my temples as my classmates meandered out.
“Sure you’re okay?” Logan put my books in my backpack and led me out. “Ayden told us what happened. He’s kind of…worried. The tunnels are no place to go alone. Especially for…” he lowered his voice, “a Divinicus. You should have called me or Jayden.”
“Divinicus.” I stopped, remembering the book I found with the double spiral on the cover. It was still in my backpack which I snatched from Logan and started rummaging through. I found the mechanical manuals on top and handed them over. “Have Jayden take a look at these.” I kept foraging for the smaller spiral covered one. “And there’s another I’m hoping he can translate…”
If I could find it. I should clean this thing out.
“Hey!” some girl waved sharply as she cut into the room.
Glasses, brunette, eyes dark, big and exotic. I knew her, but there was a monkey wrench lodged in the gears of my brain.
“Crap, what’s her name?” I said.
“Natasha,” Logan said without hesitation.
I raised my brows at him. The little ghost blushed and adjusted his coat.
I smiled. “Well, well, well.”
“Is Matthias taking you to gym today?” Natasha asked.
“I hope not,” I said.
She frowned. “Know where he is?”
“Bet Logan could help you find him.” I clapped the little guy on the shoulder. “Right, Logan?”
Logan gawked with eyes worthy of Bambi staring down a rabid T-rex and lost what little color his cheeks had moments ago. He opened his mouth. And squeaked. Like a field mouse.
It was painful to watch.
“No time,” Natasha said. “I’ve got debate practice through lunch.” She pulled a slip of paper out of her pocket and held it out to Logan. “Can you get this to him?” Without waiting for an answer, she tucked the paper into his breast pocket, patted his head, said, “Thanks!” and left.
He stared after her.
I shook my head. “Explain to me how Jayden was the only one who almost failed his Seduction course.”
“Logan.” Ayden’s voice cut across the room, so harsh in tone, Logan flinched. “I’ve got it from here.”
I turned and smiled, closing my backpack. “Hey.”
Ayden didn’t smile back. He waited in the doorway, seemingly oblivious to the fact that he was blocking most of it. He wouldn’t move. Students had to contort themselves past him, but no one complained since his demeanor suggested he might snap their necks if they dared.
With a hard frown and nostrils flaring, his dark brown eyes flickered over me, assessing, cold. Logan nudged me forward. Silent, Ayden took my backpack, then my elbow, and led me away.
“I’ll come with you,” Logan offered, but one brutal look from Ayden stopped him in his tracks. “Or not,” he muttered then gave me a faltering smile. “I’ll, uh, see you at P.E.”
I tried to smile back, but Ayden already had us weaving through the crowded hallway.
Studying his profile, since he wouldn’t look at me, Ayden looked haggard, the angles beneath those Himalayan cheekbones more pronounced than usual, almost sunken, and dark circles hung beneath his eyes. He may have splashed some water on his face and through his hair, but no shower or shave.
You’d think after a visit with Bancroft and his insta-healing powers Ayden would look better, more caffeine-infused than coffin-ready.
Based on the dirt and some leftover demon body part splatter caked to the denim, the jeans were the same he’d worn last night. Or was it this morning? He’d changed his ripped T-shirt to one that he probably borrowed from Tristan since it was too small, clinging to every muscle of his torso.
He smelled of sweat and leather. Somehow still not unpleasant.
Unlike his mood. He was angry, wound tight, body rigid, as if every movement had to be controlled so he wouldn’t detonate.
“Morning,” I said in a cheery voice, hoping to penetrate the gloom. I hadn’t seen him since the backyard so maybe he didn’t know how well my plan had worked out. “My dad took me to the hospital for a check-up. X-rays, the whole nine yards. You know how he is. But I’m good. Superficial stuff. Except for the puncture on the shoulder.” I tapped a finger near my collarbone and rolled my shoulder. Felt a dul
l pain. “But that only needed a couple of stitches.”
He stared straight ahead, eyes scanning the crowd. A muscle ticked in his jaw. When he finally spoke, it was in a frigid tone. “I know.”
Wow. Two whole syllables. I felt like rolling my eyes, but refrained. In his present grumpy state, it didn’t seem like he’d appreciate the gesture. I plastered on a smile.
“Did you also know that I told my parents that I went bike riding in the mountains and took a terrible tumble off the trail and into the stream?”
“Nope.” His mouth hardly moved.
Uh-oh. Syllable length deteriorating. Not a good sign. This was ridiculous. “Gosh, have I been a bad girl?”
Dark humor settled over him. “Don’t play with me.”
“Funny,” I said coyly, “I thought you liked it when I played with you.”
“Aurora, I’m being incredibly patient,” he ground out.
“‘Incredibly’ may be stretching it,” I said.
His fingers tightened on my arm and heat rippled off his body in waves. The rims of his pupils glowed orange. So I did what any sane individual would do when handling unstable explosives. I yanked him into a utility closet amid a pungent aroma of highly-flammable cleaning supplies and jumped in with him.
“Hey!” Ayden stumbled back, sent a mop clattering to the floor, and finally thumped against the shelving that lined the back wall.
“What’s the big deal?” I shut the door and leaned against it, arms folded. “As far as I can see, it’s all good. My plan was brilliant. Now they want me to always have workout buddies. Like you guys.” I made a face. “Or Dad. But that’s not the end of the world. Lucian and Luna were also offered up as sacrifices, but I can ixnay that.”
“Aurora.” He was fighting for patience.
“What?” I was fighting a growing irritation at the fact that he didn’t appreciate my genius. “Crisis averted. Except for all this brouhaha.” I made a gesture to encompass his attitude. “Jeez, relax.”
“You still don’t get it.” His words were clipped. “Even after last night, our talk in the library and the colossal blunder you nearly walked into on your own—”