by J. R. King
“Crazy,” Scarlet said. “The two most self-obsessed bachelors turn out to be related. Who would have guessed?”
“I can’t even imagine what he’s going through,” Aria said.
“A mid-life crisis at sixteen. They’ll get over it.”
“I suppose you’re right. There’s not much any of us can do.”
They drifted back into the room and Scarlet began collecting her belongings. She was uncharacteristically silent, and Aria observed her curiously as she went to leave.
“Is there something else?” Ariahna said.
Scarlet stopped near the door, giving the other girl a heavy look. “You might want to avoid Christian for a while.”
“Why’s that?”
Scarlet smirked. “I think he was about to ask you out, which might be difficult to turn down while you’re flitting around in secret with another boy.” She shrugged softly. “Besides that, he’s been acting really strange lately.” She rolled her eyes at Aria’s stern expression. “I don’t mean the incident with Dallas.”
Aria stared at the books in her arms. “What do you mean, then? I haven’t noticed anything peculiar.”
“You haven’t exactly been present lately, either.” Scarlet pressed a hand against the door at her back. “He seems different. Cagey and unpredictable. Just try to keep things friendly between you two. The quicker he loses interest the better.”
Chapter Eighteen
Prevent Me To Fly
The warning bell rang as Kaleb stood beside Rome’s locker, watching him retrieve his schoolbooks. Students passed noisily in the hall, talking and causing trouble on their way to class. The sound of lockers clanking shut permeated the air, accompanied by frantic feet moving through the crowd.
“What are your plans for today?” he asked.
“Besides going to class?” Rome said.
“A waste of daylight…”
Rome glanced at him around the metal door. “Sorry, but some of us do have to attend. You might try it sometime.”
“Not even if they tied me to a chair,” Kaleb said.
Rome laughed, stepping into the throng.
“What are your plans for later?” Kaleb asked. “I could use your assistance with something.”
“You do know what tonight is, right?”
Kaleb shrugged. “No.”
“It’s the one night I can’t help you. But whatever it is, we can do it tomorrow. What did you need, exactly?”
As they walked, Kaleb’s glare was locked on the crowd. He could see over the heads of most of their classmates as they went. Richard was standing near the stairwell, conversing quietly with another teacher and every so often sending sharp looks his way.
“It’s nothing,” he said.
“You should know by now, I have ways to make you talk.” Rome smirked. “Seriously, what’s on your mind?”
“Your girlfriend’s pet gargoyle…”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Rome caught sight of Richard, following the subtle cue Kaleb had given him.
“I couldn’t tell you. He just always seems to be around.”
“Are you trying to say he’s following you?” Rome said.
“He works for the Collective, doesn’t he? That’s reason enough not to trust him. And didn’t you say he threatened you?”
“Yeah, but I’m secretly dating his daughter. Maybe you’re just being paranoid?”
“It’s not paranoia if someone really is watching you.”
Rome stopped outside of Elements class as the bell rang. “We’ll talk more about it later,” he said. “I promise.”
Kaleb nodded. “Be careful tonight. We don’t know how much they know. I doubt I’m the only one on his watch list.”
Through a cluster of kids, Richard was carving a path towards the two of them. His expression was one of consequence, and Rome urged Kaleb to get lost before the guy could reach them. He was left standing alone as the towering man came to a stop in front of him.
“We need to have a discussion.”
Rome grimaced at how pleasant that sounded.
“If you’re here to threaten me again—”
“Threaten?” Richard raised his eyebrows. “I recall giving you valuable information. An accusation like that could really disrupt what you’ve got going here.”
Rome held his gaze. “What do you want?”
Richard’s face was a stone mask, belying nothing. He smoothed a hand down his tie. “I know you were involved in that incident with my daughter. I don’t know what you’ve heard, but it’s my job to cover up sloppy mistakes. Like when suspects start exhibiting symptoms of infection while in police custody.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Rome said.
“Sources say a large dog was the cause of the man’s injuries. We still haven’t found that dog. If we did, we’d have to take care of it. A vicious animal, roaming around our town, attacking civilians… the Collective won’t have it.”
The growl building inside Rome’s chest was nearly suffocating to repress. “Your insinuation is—”
“Spot on,” Richard said. Gray eyes bore softly into the boy’s skull, pulling information from every inch of his face. “Her secrets are now yours, and I know each and every one of them.”
Rome felt his mouth go dry.
“The man died of complications,” Richard said, “if you were at all interested to know.”
“Complications?”
Richard threaded his fingers together tightly. “Make sure it doesn’t happen again.” He escorted Rome into class then, giving Mrs. Crown a nod before taking his leave.
Danny noted the dazed expression on Rome’s face. “What was that about?” he said. “Are you in trouble?”
Rome shook his head. “Worse.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“No.”
“Well, my cousin’s back in town, if you’re still interested? And the good news is that he’s agreed to let you look through his stuff,” Danny said.
Rome glanced at Ariahna from across the room.
“I’m still interested,” he said. “But what’s the catch?”
Danny pursed his lips, trying to figure out how Rome had picked up on that. “You have to bring Aria.”
“I told you, I don’t want to involve her in this.”
“That’s the deal on the table,” Danny said. “My cousin doesn’t negotiate. And for whatever reason, he wants her there.”
Rome glanced at Ms. Crown as she addressed the class. “I’m not going to like your cousin much, am I?”
Danny shrugged at him in response.
“Set it up,” Rome said.
“What are you going to tell Aria?”
“The truth.”
Chapter Nineteen
Deep in the Roots
The distant sound of rustling echoed through the trees on a warm wind. It was drawing Rome further into the forest. He tore across loose dirt, pulling up roots and disturbing plants as he rushed to follow the scent. The moon was full above him, tinged red and nearly vibrating with energy. He’d never seen a night like this before. It was almost as if the world had known what was coming; that the moon had dressed itself up and floated a little closer to enjoy the show.
He slowed to a halt, shaking loose droplets of water from his fur. The night had stilled at his presence; quiet, like nothing he’d ever heard. His eyes scanned the area, two golden gems set amongst the black. The darkness spun through the giant redwoods, leaving only shadows to dominate the spaces between. Rome could usually hear everything within a five-mile radius, even down to the gentlest hum of an insect. Tonight felt like being completely alone.
He traveled deeper into the woods, feeling the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Something was following him, and whatever it was, was a phantom. A howl tore from his throat, the sound carrying beyond the stretch of the trees. His wolf was calling for a reply. One he was afraid it would never receive. Several heartbeats passed
in the trickling quiet – a haunting reminder of his solidarity.
Hours flew by as the moon moved through the sky. The cloud cover had spread evenly above the treetops, sprinkling the ground below with misty rain. He glided quickly over the terrain, claws breaking up wet soil. A rabbit dashed in front of him, and he turned on a dime, giving chase through the trees. Moonlight shone off his shiny black fur, the hare leading him on a wild chase to the bank of a small stream. Thick, tangled roots touched the edge of the water, offering the animal its means of escape. Rome slowed to a trot, huffing into the wind. His presence had disturbed the surface of the water, allowing him time to stare at the distorted image waving back. He’d never seen the reflection of his own beastly form before, and it preyed upon him a little, how morose he looked.
A soft snap brought his head up.
Standing on the other side of the water bank was a dream. A visage painted only in the deep recesses of his mind. It was a wolf, dressed in soft tufts of white. They stood in the night like a perfect pair, the balance of mother nature at her finest. Rome moved slowly across the water, seeing her curiosity matched only by her hesitance. She echoed every step he made, keeping a set distance between them as he reached the other side. If he wasn’t allowed to go to her, then all he could do was try and look as unassuming as possible. He lay down, touching his nose to the dirt. A noise of frustration escaped his throat. No matter what he did, she wouldn’t come any closer. His wolf was growing impatient. It had even more control than usual tonight, and a certain agitation was coiling in its chest. He sat upright, staring her down as she looked back at him.
Rome moved to take another step when an unearthly howl sounded quietly over his shoulder. It was faint, disappearing with swiftness between two distant trees. An impossible absence sat where the noise had emanated from. And when he looked back, he was surprised to see the other wolf hadn’t run. A sharp scrape erupted from a few feet behind them, followed by a muffled: tap-tap-tap.
The white wolf moved then, backing cautiously away from the noise. It seemed frightened by the unseen advance of whatever had been stalking him that evening. Rome had nearly forgotten its presence. He turned on his heel, growling into the wind. Whatever it was, it wasn’t a wolf. It was mimicking him, taunting him. A branch snapped at his side, hanging limply from a tree. There was nothing there – nothing that could explain the unnatural shift.
The other wolf darted into the trees and Rome bolted after her. They were running from a shadow, and the faster they ran, the faster it chased. The sound of their collective footfall washed over the earth. Like two wisps, they moved around and beside one another, dashing and jumping as far as their legs would carry them. Miles now separated them from civilization. Vardel was but a whisper at his back, before him only endless trees. He’d lost both the shade and the friend he’d yet to make. And now he was just lost – a lone wolf, unaccompanied in the woods.
Rome grumbled quietly before stepping onto an old dirt road. The path was covered in leaves and swallowed by arching branches, and the unmistakable still of magic hung in the air. He couldn’t manipulate it, but he could feel it (a soft hum beneath his toes). Daylight was already pushing against the stars. If he was left out in the open after dawn, he’d be as good as dead.
The trail ended in a mass of hanging branches and gnarled roots. It formed a secluded oasis in the wood, offering promises of safety and rest. Rome ventured into its nest, fighting the familiar ache in his bones as the sun started to streak across the sky. He curled up at the base of the giant tree, hiding himself among its thick and twisted trunks.
Half a day would come to pass before he roused. When he did, there was something wet trailing across his cheek, disturbing him as he lay bare in the dirt. Rome squinted against the offending sunlight, a shadow moving across his vision. When he realized where he was, he climbed out from the burrow, covered in mud and bits of forest.
Birds chirped their hello as Rome settled against the chill in the air. A small lake sat partially concealed by the confines of the twisted stock. It was breathtaking, the way the light moved like ribbons across the surface. Looking up was dizzying. He’d never seen a tree quite so massive. It rested like a dried corpse at the center of an orchard.
Rome stepped barefoot into the cold drink, allowing it to alleviate his constant fever. He was waist deep by the time he saw her. The white wolf he’d thought was only an illusion traced along the shore. It was carrying his clothes of all things. Rome took a quick dip as she dropped the garments near the edge, staring back at him with much the same awe.
“You’re real…”
The wolf dashed back through the branches, leaving him to race for the embankment. Rome practically stumbled into his jeans, the grass tickling at his ankles as he went. “Wait!” he called, picking up his shirt and making for the path. He could hear the occasional sound of movement, but she was good at staying out of sight. Rome took to conversing with his guide as he made his way back to Vardel. “We’ve got a long walk ahead of us. Don’t you think we should walk it together?” he said. “We’re practically the same. Don’t you think that makes me at least a little bit trustworthy?”
Rome remembered then the image of his own reflection.
“Maybe I’m something a little less distinguished,” he said.
He continued through the trees, smiling at every glimpse he got of her along the way – quick flashes darting like a mirage through the forest. By the time he reached the grounds though, she was nowhere to be seen. Kaleb, however, was standing at the tree line, annoyance painted on his face.
“What are you doing out here?” Rome said.
“I was worried I’d lost my only meal.”
“Almost…”
“What do you mean?” Kaleb asked.
Rome was hesitant to reply. “Is that actual concern I hear?”
“Tell me,” Kaleb said.
“Something stalked me last night, and it wasn’t Richard.”
There was something unnerving in the air – the sensation of being followed. It hadn’t gone unnoticed by Kaleb. It had been with him ever since that night at the cemetery. When Rome and he had been traipsing through the evening air together, the heaviness of eyes and the quiet whisper of movement had been present. He’d sensed it then, and he sensed it now; rustling and murmuring noises that lingered along the edges of his perception. Kaleb didn’t scare easily, but it was enough to raise the hairs on the back of his neck. They were being watched, and neither of them liked it.
“What do you know?” Rome said.
Kaleb started walking back across the trim grass. Rome, of course, was at his heels, demanding answers he didn’t have. “I don’t know anything,” he said. “But what I’d like to know is who you were talking to out there, because it wasn’t me this time.”
“That’s a secret I’d like to keep for now, if that’s alright.”
“Perhaps, if it was your only secret.”
Rome stopped him near the greenhouses. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means that you’re supposed to be my ally,” he said. “And yet you’re off running around with the daughter of the man who intends to kill me.”
“We don’t know that for sure,” Rome said.
“I heard what he said yesterday. He threatened you again.”
Rome ran his fingers through his hair. “How long has Richard been here, a week? If that man wanted you dead, you would be. And he didn’t threaten me. He kind of… helped me.”
“People like him only help themselves. As soon as he doesn’t have a use for you, can you guess where you’ll be then?”
Rome stifled a growl. He didn’t want Kaleb to be right. Not this time. “There’s only one way to find out the truth.”
“And how’s that?”
Rome stared at the building in morning light, slipping a hand into his pocket. “We break into his office.”
Chapter Twenty
We Find Our Goodbye
Kaleb lingered
conspiratorially in front of Richard’s quarters, listening to movement and the quiet conversation taking place in the teacher’s lounge. When he’d enlisted Rome for help, this hadn’t been what he’d had in mind. “I didn’t think you were serious,” Kaleb said. “I thought you said we would break into his office, anyways.”
“I did, until I realized his room would be better.” Rome crouched in front of the door, much to Kaleb’s apparent dismay. “Why are you so unhappy? I thought you wanted to know what he was up to.”
Kaleb leaned against the wall, adapting an air of nonchalance. “And while I’m eager to find out, I hadn’t planned on being so reckless in doing so. Following him probably would have told us enough.”
“That guy would’ve spotted us in an instant.”
“How do you even intend to get in?” Kaleb watched Rome procure a set of lock picks from his pocket. “And if someone comes along?”
“I have Danny watching the corridor,” he said.
Rome set to work on the lock. The pins were stiff and heavy with age. He tested each one with care, feeling the cylinder jerk and turn as one by one they were set. The lock rotated effortlessly in his fingers, and he pressed the door open, peering quickly into the shaded room. They slipped through the door, latching it gently behind them.
Richard’s apartment was a reasonably sized studio, bare to the naked eye. A modest kitchen occupied one side, a walk in closet and master bath split off on the opposite wall, and behind the small sitting room was Richard’s bed – sheets pulled neatly back and tucked tight at every corner. Kaleb took up residence on the sofa, watching as Rome milled about the room in silence.
“What do you suppose we’re looking for?”
“Something incriminating… and get off the sofa.”
Rome searched in a few cabinets before trailing over to an old desk. The drawers opened with ease, each revealing an empty bottom or an unhelpful collection of pens and stationary. He found a letter addressed to the dean in one, but its content was of little importance. The center drawer however was locked, its fixture suggesting the need for a very particular key. Rome peered through the keyhole, trying to gauge in the dim light what might be inside. “I think there’s something in here…”