by E. M. Moore
I gasped. A few of the people surrounding me looked back, but they barely registered. In my head, I screamed at myself. The enemies could target Salem! Here I was, currently the only Ley Line Guardian Salem had, and I was only focused on my brother. If the enemy set off one of those bombs in Salem, it would be utter destruction for our magical community. Then, retaliation would be a huge possibility. Grandfather always said that all the magical folk needed was organization and leadership.
With my heart beating like mad, a thunderous voice drew my attention outward. “Screw Command. We have enough forces to protect ourselves. What about the other, less armed targets? They already hit Stonehenge, one of the most powerful spots on the ley line. Intel tells us that our enemies want to turn on the ley lines by destroying them. The major cities on the most powerful ley lines are the ones in trouble. What are we doing about them? Are they aware? Are we sending Elite there to help?”
General Etau took the tongue lashing in stride, rubbing his chin in thought. “Before we end this meeting-” A few gasps and sounds of protests interrupted him. “Before we end this meeting,” he said, firmer this time, “I have taken your words under consideration and will start another taskforce to figure out how to best assist our ley line cities.”
A few random members of the crowd applauded. Probably members of the General Etau fan club.
He stood from his chair and turned to leave the dais. A tall body stood from the middle of the room. “Excuse me, General.”
Holy shit. I knew that tall body. Jake. My heart thundered in my chest. What was he doing?
“Before you leave, can you please tell us any further information on Damen Marston, Salem’s Ley Line Guardian who was captured by the enemy?”
Etau stiffened and turned. He squared his shoulders as he faced Jake. “That is one of the original taskforce’s duties. Until we find out who set the bomb off, we cannot hope to recover the Guardian.”
Jake lifted his chin. “Has the taskforce been able to acquire any more information?”
“The findings of the taskforce are being withheld for now until any major developments. Then we will be happy to communicate any information we feel is pertinent.”
Withheld? Pertinent? All information regarding Damen was pertinent. At least it was to me.
With that, General Etau continued his escape off the dais, leaving the rest of the room to erupt in conversation--some heated.
To my left, a blond head slipped out the door. I wondered if it was Troian. Then again, if it was Troian, I’d be surprised that he managed to keep his mouth shut. That was very un-Troian.
I stood and exited the room. Sanders was there, just opening the doors wide to allow for more people to exit.
I looked both ways down the hall. “Was that…?”
“Yes. He seemed in a hurry.”
“I haven’t spoken to him since he was released.”
“No one has.”
Except Jake, I wanted to say, but a shoulder bumping mine interrupted me. A slip of paper was pushed into my hand. I stepped back in surprise only to see Sasha’s retreating figure.
I looked at Sanders, but he was preoccupied by another Guardian. I was just about to see what was in my palm when a hand grabbed mine and yanked.
Chapter Two
“I knew you’d come.”
My heart skipped a beat before I recognized the voice. “Jesus, Jake. Way to give me a heart attack.” He had a shit-eating grin on his face from ear-to-ear. “What are you so happy about? We don’t have any more information on Damen.”
His smile didn’t falter at all. “I know, but…that was something, wasn’t it?”
My eyebrows furrowed. He pulled me out of the way of the doors as others exited. I slipped the piece of paper into my pocket. “What do you mean?”
“I questioned him. Was it me, or was he pissed? That felt amazing.” I couldn’t help but laugh. His amusement at watching me laugh was off the charts. “I forgot who I was talking to,” he said. “You buck authority all the time.”
“And now you know why. It feels good, doesn’t it?”
He chuckled. “Only because I think it’s good that General Etau is questioned about this. He needs to be held accountable for what’s going on.” He looked around and lowered his voice. “I knew there were a lot of people, Elite included, that thought he was mismanaging this whole thing, but I didn’t realize just how far the dissension went until everyone spoke up. It’s surreal, Cas. This is not how it’s supposed to go down here. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Fear does crazy things to people.”
“No kidding.” His smile faded. “I’m worried about him--Damen. Worried about us, too. I think I was so wrapped up in finding him that I forgot about the other bombs.”
I ran my hands through my hair and stared at the tile flooring. “I know. I felt the same way when that one guy spoke up.”
“That’s Guardian Velo. He’s a shifter, too. Comes from Egypt. Like Stonehenge, Egypt has a lot to lose, magical life, relative safety. I can’t imagine what the world will think if we lose the pyramids.”
It hit me then. I’d been so out of touch this past week I hadn’t even been living in the real world. What was everyone saying about Stonehenge?
What a mess these people had made, threatening exposure. Hurting others. Messing with the ley line. Taking my brother. They needed to be stopped. Now.
“Walk with me?”
I pulled on Jake’s sleeve and led him toward the training rooms like we’d planned. Jake was right. I needed to do something about this and sitting back watching the clip wasn’t helping me, or my brother, or the residents of Salem, or whoever the next target was.
“I see that look,” he said, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. “The likelihood of Salem being the next target is slim. That’s what I think, anyway. I don’t see it being a problem considering how significant some of the other targets could be. Salem is high up there, but it’s not so high as to worry about now, though.”
I nodded. “I think I need to get back anyway.”
His lips thinned. “I figured you’d say that. You’re just like your brother.” He rubbed my shoulder. “Not a bad thing. Just an annoying thing--at times.”
I smiled up at him. “I’m not going back just to make sure Salem is safe.” A group of Elite’s passed us and looked our way questioningly. Jake stiffened, but didn’t release his hold on me. Being the mature Guardian that I was, I shot them back an equally pissy look before leaning in and whispering. “I don’t think we’re going to be able to do anything from here, Jake. Etau has you by the balls no matter how many times you ask him the tough questions. He’s not going to allow you to leave the compound right now without a significant reason and finding Damen I’m sure won’t fly. If I go back to Salem though. That would be natural.”
Jake nodded. “And if I visit you there, that would also be natural given that your brother is missing and that we’re friends. I might even be able to get my superior to give me a free pass to portal to Salem whenever I wanted without having to get permission.”
“Permission?”
“Oh, yeah. The portals are locked down tight even on a regular day, more so for Elite’s like me. I’m a soldier, Cas. I can’t just go where I want when I want.” He took a deep breath and stared down the hall. “But ever since the bombing and the news got out that Damen gave us a warning, there’s been little portaling in or out of here.”
“So, portals for transportation are out if we need to go to another ley line?”
“Afraid so.”
“Where’s the damn fae when you need him?”
“I could’ve sworn I saw—”
“You did,” I said. “Sanders said he wasn’t in the talking mood. I suppose I should track him down. He did save my life. Not to mention…”
“What?”
“Not to mention that he’s been here since the beginning. He’s a big part of why we’ve come this far.”
�
�He’s alright, I guess.”
I elbowed Jake in the stomach playfully.
He feigned pain as his body shook with laughter. “What? I’m just saying. Fae are cunning. They endear themselves to you and then-”
“Then what?” I chuckled.
“Then they, I don’t know, go back to being their true selves. How come he hasn’t tracked us down yet?”
Even though I hated to admit it, it wasn’t Green Eyes’ place to track us down. He’d been the one injured and in a hospital bed. I visited him a few times, but then I became consumed by the clip.
I shook my head. “Don’t you think it should have been the other way around, Jake?”
*****
When we got to the training rooms, Jake decided we would work on knives. He strode to Registration to secure us a knife throwing station as I pulled out the note from Sasha. Have news. Meet at 9pm. Basement.
I bit down on my lip and watched Jake sign a form on a clipboard. He waved me over and I trotted to the station as Jake pulled up a rolling tray. On the tray were dozens of knives. Different blades, handles, no doubt different weight to get proficient at throwing everything. My Damascus on my hip like usual. I was great at throwing that, but in case I ever had to throw something else, training like this was a good idea.
I placed my palm on the tray with the paper underneath it. Jake stared at me a little funny, and then his brows furrowed as I lifted my hand. “Sasha gave me this note.”
“Just now?”
I shook my head. “Right when I walked out of the meeting.”
“Huh. I didn’t see her at the meeting.” He picked up the note and read it. He scratched the back of his head and handed it back. “The basement?”
I shrugged. “Apparently. What’s in the basement?”
“The cells.”
“For…prisoners?”
Jake nodded. “I think she transferred from that department before she got her own unit. She probably still has friends there.” He checked his watch. “Well, we still have time to practice before we head out.”
“We?” I asked, eyebrow raising. I’d intended for him to come, but I liked seeing him get all worked up.
His eyes narrowed. “You know, Cas-”
I couldn’t help it, I broke into a smile, blowing the whole thing. “Please. I wouldn’t have shown you the note if I didn’t want you to come.”
He handed me a knife with a hooked edge. “Funny. Now practice.”
I held the blade in my hand, testing the weight and feel of the handle. It was smaller than my Damascas. The blade was thicker, too. I tried to work out in my head if I needed to throw it harder than my regular blade or softer. Or with more wrist motion or not. After about fifteen seconds, I hadn’t come to a conclusion so I just stepped up to the line and threw it toward the bullseye.
It missed.
It did hit the target though, so I wasn’t completely ashamed. I took a matching blade off the cart and threw it again. This time, it was just off center.
“Good job,” Jake said. “But in real life, there are no second chances.”
He couldn’t sound more like Damen if he tried. “Aren’t we a downer today, Shifty?”
Jake’s fingers clenched together in a fist as he stared me down. “Don’t. Call. Me. That.”
“So tense,” I sniffed. “Here. Throw this. You could stand to let out a little aggression.”
He took the blade from my hand. “I’d rather be throwing at you.”
“Har. Har.“ Before I even finished fake laughing, Jake let the blade loose toward the target. It sank to the hilt right in the center of the bullseye, adequately silencing me. “Not bad,” I said. Obviously, I didn’t know when to shut up. Even though I was outmatched, my mouth wasn’t going to stop saying whatever it wanted to. “Best out of 3?”
Chapter Three
I stood outside Troian’s room, hesitant to make another move toward it. I’d told Jake I wanted to see him before we went to the meeting with Sasha. Troian should come too. If he wanted. He’d been a major part of this from the beginning. Hell, I wouldn’t even know anything was wrong with my brother if Troian hadn’t kept his promise to Damen and find me.
I took a deep breath and knocked. Within a few moments, the door opened and I locked eyes with the blond-haired, green-eyed fae. I didn’t speak for a little while. We just stared at each other.
“Hey,” I said lamely.
He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “What’s up, Shortie?” He held up his hands. “I know. I know. Don’t call you that.”
I looked down at the ground and smiled. “I wasn’t going to say that. Figured since you saved my life more than once I should let you call me whatever you want.”
He moved out of the way to let me in. “Don’t say that. I enjoy your smartassedness.”
“Smartassedness? That’s not a word,” I teased.
“You bet. Figured since I saved your life more than once I can make up my own words.”
Shrugging, I looked around his room. “I’ll give you that, I guess.”
His room was an exact replica the one they’d given me. Everything was sterile and bleak. No colors, no wood. It was so fake. My heart twinged for my own home filled with memories and life. A picture of Troian standing in my kitchen making breakfast popped into my head and I laughed.
“What?” he asked.
“I was just thinking of your cooking skills.”
“What you mean is, you miss the hell out of my cooking skills.”
“Don’t tell me what I mean, fae.”
His shoulders shook as he sat on the bed. He pointed to a chair next to it. “Have a seat, Cas. Tell me what brings you here.”
Nerves overtook my body. I felt awkward, like I was a teenager on the verge of asking someone out. I giggled nervously, and guardians do not giggle. What the hell was wrong with me? I wanted to punch myself in the face.
Troian shot me a weird look. That was it. Maybe if I was a tortoise, I could retreat into my shell. Or, if I was a fae, I could blip myself the hell out of here.
I cleared my throat, deciding to start with a safe topic. “I got a note from Sash-”
He held a hand up. His jaw ticking, features rigid. “Don’t tell me.” He shook his head more to himself than anything. “Don’t tell me anything. Don’t ask me why. In fact, don’t ask me anything either. Don’t tell me or ask me anything.”
“But-”
He glared. “I mean it, Cas. Please don’t ask me to explain it to you either.”
“Okay…”
He looked pained as he watched me trying to sort through what he’d just said. “I want to help you.” He scooped my hand up in his and squeezed. “God, I want to help you.”
I squeezed back. “I should have come here sooner,” I said, changing the subject to something slightly less awkward. “As soon as I heard they released you, I- Actually, I should have visited you more in the infirmary. It’s just…” I propped my elbow on my lap and hid my head in my hand. “This clip Damen sent me. I can’t figure it out. I was sure if I just figured out what he was trying to tell me we’d have this all figured out by now. I’d tell you that the housekeeper did it in the library with the candlestick, but I just can’t figure it out.”
A chuckle escaped Troian’s lips. I stared at him, shocked. Here I was pouring my heart out and the damn fae laughed at me.
“I’m sorry. I know you’re having a moment, but you just said the housekeeper did it with a candlestick.”
I twisted his hand in my grasp to put him in a finger lock. “I’m being serious.” Except, I was already laughing.
“This is serious. I didn’t know you could do it with a candlestick.”
I released my hold and shoved Troian’s shoulders. “Screw you.”
“No, thanks. I think I’ll just go find myself a candlestick.”
I laughed even harder. The kind of laugh where you can’t catch your breath and you start laughing at how hard you’re laughing more than
what made you laugh in the first place. “I hate you, you know that? I hate you.”
“Come here.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me over to sit next to him on the bed, hugging me to his chest. His fingers slipped through my hair. “I know you’re trying to figure things out. Honestly, I don’t know how you could’ve stayed away from me for so long, but I get why you did. I guess.”
I pinched his arm. “You are just…ridiculous.”
“Maybe I am.” His hand stopped at the nape of my neck and he angled his body toward me. I looked up into his eyes. They were searching my own. “Can I…try something?”
His stare darted to my lips and then back up again. My heartbeat took off like a 100-yard sprinter. “W-what?”
He tucked a piece of pink hair behind my ear and smiled. It wasn’t as cunning as his usual fae smile. It was soft, genuine. “Can I kiss you?”
I’d be lying to myself if I said I hadn’t felt things for Troian. At times, I even thought he’d felt things, too. “What will happen?”
His smile widened. “If I kiss you? I’m hoping you-I…we will enjoy it.”
“And if we do?”
His smile faded. “I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I just…I know I’ve been wanting to for a while and it’s not like you have to give up your Guardian card if you kiss a faerie or anything.”
“I wasn’t worried about that.”
“You weren’t?” His eyebrows raised in disbelief. “I thought you hated my kind.”
“I talk too much.”
“I second that. It’s been a whole thirty seconds since I asked if I could kiss you and we’ve just been sitting here talking.”
“Okay,” I said, scooching closer to him on the bed. I lifted my chin and watched as Troian took me in. His gaze seared through me, and then he looked at my cheeks, my nose, my lips, like he was memorizing everything about me. I was dumbstruck into silence. It was as if he put a Jedi mind trick on me. When he finally dipped his head toward me, I was primed for it. I wanted it. My eyelids closed as his lips touched mine for the first time. They were soft, searching.