My roommate pulled a neatly folded paper from her jacket pocket.
“Hey, you finally got that syllabus you’ve been wanting.” My attempt at humor fell flat, so I just I leaned in to study her schedule. It was a weird one.
SCI 101
Intro to Phenomena
TTh 9–12
Tracer Judge
IND
Independent Study in Combat
MWF 9–12
Watcher Angel
IND
Independent Study in Fitness
TTh 2–5
Tracer Ronan
IND
Independent Study in Advanced Musicianship
MWF 3–6
Master Dagursson
“Ohhkayyy.” I shared a quick glance with Emma. This was Mei-Ling’s first term, and already she had three independent studies? “Well, Phenomena is cool.”
“Watcher Angel is her combat teacher?” Yasuo piped up, clued out as usual. “That’s the girl with the arms, right? Isn’t her nickname the Angel of Death?”
Watcher Angel had some seriously cut biceps. But Mei-Ling didn’t need to hear that right now. I narrowed my eyes, giving him my best STFU look. “Not helping.”
“Advanced Musicianship?” he went on, ignoring me. “What do you play?”
Something flickered in Mei’s eyes—it was an enviable mix of pride and self-knowledge. I imagined it was the thing that’d given her strength to get her this far. “Violin…or at least I did play the violin. I can manage most string instruments.” She shrugged. “Woodwinds, too.”
Yas grinned. “Tiger Mom?”
Mei-Ling’s eyes went flat with disdain. “What, you think you know the Chinese girl? You assume because I play the violin that I have a Tiger Mother and my sister is good at math? You just perpetuate your own clichés.”
I braced, wondering how Yas would handle it. Instead of getting upset, though, he just smirked. “Hey, you don’t give us much to work with.”
“Fine,” Mei said, sounding more clinical than angry. “I play the violin because it’s a beautiful instrument. I also play bass guitar in a garage band. My mom is awesome. She makes killer handmade dumplings, but she also volunteers at the soup kitchen and can rock a pair of skinny jeans. I work hard because I like to.” She gave him a teasing half smile. “You should try it.”
I wasn’t sure if this was still a charged moment or not—Mei wasn’t the easiest person to read—but I chimed in, hoping to ease the tension if there was any. “Handmade dumplings, huh? All I ever got to try were those gummy pot sticker things they have at Panda Express.”
Yas moaned. “I’d kill for their sweet-and-sour chicken.”
I rolled my eyes. “You say that about everything. You’d kill for an extra pat of butter. For a soy latte. For a Snickers bar. You’re losing your cred.”
Emma nodded sagely in agreement. “It’s true.”
I smiled and looked over to catch Mei’s eye, but instead of being cheered by our chatter, she sat silently, swirling a spoon in her congealed soup. Thinking about those handmade dumplings, no doubt. A thick silence followed.
Finally it was Emma who broke the ice and brought us back on topic. She peered at Mei’s schedule and cleared her throat. “They certainly gave you a lot of independents,” she said, stating the obvious in a neutral tone.
“What’s up with that?” Yas said, already back to his usual self.
He snatched the paper out of Mei’s hands for a better look. She allowed it, though, and even leaned closer to look at the paper in his hands. Apparently, the weird conversation had relieved the strain between her and the rest of us.
“What is up with that?” I agreed, though I had a feeling I knew. They wanted to protect her. “Maybe they’re worried about her hands.” I’d said it jokingly, but there was a kernel of truth there. The vampires had kidnapped her and wanted to preserve her.
And somehow I played a part.
“Oh,” Emma chirped. “Let’s ask Ronan.”
I looked up, and there he was. I braced instantly, trying to put up shields I knew would be no match for those green eyes.
“Ronan,” I said under my breath. “Speak of the devil.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Ronan made a beeline for the table. There were many of us he taught, but a small part of me hoped that I was the one he was coming to see.
I checked that emotion. If anyone would be able to sense my bond with Carden, it’d be Ronan. If anything, I should be avoiding him. Besides, the vampire wouldn’t take kindly to the quasi-friendship we shared. I had enough complications in my life without testing that theory.
I realized I was glaring at him when he glared at me back. I had to say something now. “Good evening to you, too, Ronan.”
Sure enough, he stopped by my chair. “Will you be ready to work tomorrow morning?”
Why would he even ask me that? And why did I feel like his gaze could pierce right through me? I forced myself not to squirm under the scrutiny. “Do I have a choice?”
Then I saw it—the briefest smile flickered across his features and was gone just as fast. He’d told me once how I reminded him of his sister who’d been killed in Watcher training. What else did he see when he looked at me?
He glanced at my tray. “Are you finished here?”
Mei-Ling was eating quietly. I didn’t want to leave her alone. I glanced at my friends, an unasked question in my eyes. Emma nodded. She’d keep an eye out for my mysterious roommate.
“Yeah, I’m done.” I stood and gathered my tray.
“Walk with me.”
“I need to get back soon.” Curfew was coming, and it was time for all good girls to be nestled safe in their beds. “We Acari aren’t allowed to roam like you guys.” I chafed my arms, feeling as bitter as the wind that pummeled me even through the thick wool of my coat.
“I’ll drop you at the dorm,” he said.
It was September and the end of the dimming, which meant the sun was dipping low on the horizon. Full darkness was back—thank God. I thought I’d never see it again. And I thought I’d never want to. But the body craves darkness. There was a metaphor in there somewhere that I didn’t want to spend too much time analyzing.
My mind went to Carden. Would I see him one more time today? I told myself it didn’t matter.
“How are you?” Something about Ronan’s tone was stilted.
Why did he want to know? Had he already guessed about my bond with Carden?
Impossible. I was imagining things. Interactions with me were always stilted. If he sounded weird, it was just more of my own social ineptitude. So why the inane question?
“I know you better than that, Ronan.” I attempted a smile over my chattering teeth. “I don’t think you pulled me from the dining hall just to ask how I was doing.”
The strained look on his face told me I was right. “I wanted to ask you what it is you think you’re doing.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, instantly on the defensive.
His expression softened. “You’re in danger, Annelise.”
“I heard about the killer. I know…I’ll be careful.”
“It’s not the killer that concerns me. It’s Carden McCloud.”
My every sense went on alert. “Why would you say that?”
He cut a look at me. “Do not pretend naïveté. I see how he favors you. The other vampires have noticed it, too. Your name has been on many a vampire tongue, and it’s a concern.”
Something deep inside me deflated. A secret part of me had hoped maybe Ronan was having a guy’s reaction to Carden—that maybe he was jealous. Instead, it was just a concerned-teacher reaction.
Ronan was one of my primary instructors, not to mention the Tracer who’d brought me in. If my bond with Carden was discovered, would Ronan get in trouble as well? He’d warned me not to trust Alcántara. Given time, I’m sure he’d warn me against Carden McCloud, too. And if he ever found out I’d bonded with McCloud? Fellow Scotsman be damn
ed, Ronan’s head would probably explode.
“Just keeping an eye out for me?” I asked.
My tone had been cynical, but Ronan’s reply was serious. Heartfelt, even. “I am looking out for you. Is that such a surprise?”
I just shook my head, needing a moment to rid my throat of this tight feeling. I spent so much time armored against my solitude. To be reminded that there might’ve actually been some people out there who cared…it sideswiped me with emotions I couldn’t afford.
“You must be careful,” he continued, slowing his pace. He lowered his voice and looked around to make sure we were alone. “Vampires have their own agenda. You must always be wary. And if you ever need help, you can come to me. Don’t wait until it’s too late.”
I swallowed hard, the ache in my throat too thick. I’d already ignored careful and had flown right past too late. “Thanks,” I said, mustering a weak smile. “But there’s nothing to worry about between me and Carden.”
Guilt crushed my chest. I’d assumed the worst of Ronan, and now, by underplaying my relationship with Carden, I was lying to him, too. “I’ve been staying away from him these days anyway,” I added, consoled that at least that part was true.
Then I thought of a problem I could bring to Ronan. If anyone could give me insight as to why the vampires had abducted Mei-Ling, it’d be him.
“There is something I do need help with,” I said. “My roommate. I don’t get why she’s here. They took her, you know.”
“I know,” he said, his voice tight.
“I thought only girls who’d hit rock bottom ended up here. Your hoodoo-juju powers aside, it was me who walked up the steps into that plane.”
“What you say is true.”
“So now they’re kidnapping girls for their little Watcher army?”
“Mei-Ling is the only one,” he said.
“But she’s just a kid from Long Island. What can she do for a bunch of vampires?”
“She’s not entirely helpless.”
I stared hard at him. “You sure are being mysterious.”
After a moment, he conceded, “She tried to fight back.”
I pictured Mei-Ling. Slim. Young. With a name meaning beautiful, delicate. The image of her fighting back made me ill. She’d had some fancy school and parents who loved her. She shouldn’t have had to learn to fight back.
I flashed back to those times I’d tried to fight back at fifteen—and I’d only ever faced off against my father. Mei had been up against Tracer Otto.
I made a mental note to kick his ass someday. Him and so many others…It was getting to be one long list.
“How’d she possibly fight back against Adolph?” I sneered, using my pet name for the detested Tracer Otto.
“Caution, Annelise.” Ronan cut me a look, then glanced around to make certain no one was close enough to overhear. “Otto came for her after school. As I understand it, she stabbed him in the throat with her violin bow.”
I chuckled, surprised and more than a little amused. “Go, Mei, go. Maybe she’ll last more than a week after all.”
Ronan smirked. I got the impression he wasn’t the biggest Otto fan. “She caught him by surprise.”
“Fighting spirit or not, she’s just a regular kid. She’s not saying much, but I’m sure she must be terrified. How’s she even going to make it through the week? Once the other Acari get wind of her, they’ll chew her up and spit her out.”
“I believe her placement with you was intentional,” Ronan said evenly.
I stopped short. “What?”
“You are how she’s going to make it through the week. I believe that’s why she was placed with you.”
“Wait, you’re saying they put her with me on purpose? Why me?”
Ronan shook his head, frowning like I was a puzzle to be muddled out. “Have you heard how you’ve been speaking? Have you heard your own outrage? All you have said to me is true. Other Acari would’ve met a younger girl, sensed weakness, and struck. But not you. Look how you’ve reacted.”
He was right. The moment I saw how young and scared she was, I went into protective mode. Apparently I had some shreds of humanity left inside. I guess that was heartening. Heartening and stupid. “Are you saying the vampires hoped I’d bring her under my wing? Why would they care whether or not she’s safe?”
“I don’t know for certain,” he said quietly. “What I do know is, it would probably serve both of you well should you use your best efforts to help keep her alive.”
“As in, if something happens to her, I’m toast?” As if I didn’t have enough on my mind. He’d paused but began walking again, and I did a little jog to catch up.
We reached the dorm, and I bobbed up and down on my toes as we stood there. I was chilled, and it wasn’t entirely due to the weather. “So, tomorrow. Did you have to make our class at seven in the morning?”
“I have many students.”
“Couldn’t you have made them get up at dawn? What are we doing that can’t wait till, I don’t know, nine a.m.?”
“It’s time to bring your swimming to the next level.”
Not this again. “What else is there? You already taught me how to swim in the sea.”
“Now we’ll acclimate you to its rips and undertows. Ejya has a low-tide break. And tomorrow, low tide is at seven fifteen. Meet me here. I’ll drive us.”
“Wait, wait, wait.” I put up my hand. “What do you mean, a low-tide break?”
“Tomorrow, we surf.”
Gooseflesh shivered up my arms. I dreaded the water, but I told myself surfing was cool. I tried not to whine or moan, and my voice sounded strained with the effort. “What on earth will surfing teach me?”
“Surfing has many lessons to teach.”
“You’re talking like Yoda again.”
He surprised me by laughing. “Try it, Annelise. You’ll learn about balance. Fear. Patience. Inconsistency. Unpredictability.”
A feeling seized me out of the blue, a shiver rippling across my body. I sucked in a breath.
Ronan’s gaze strayed over my shoulder, focusing hard on a spot behind me, and a muscle in his jaw pulsed. “And it will teach you trust,” he added, his voice heavy.
I knew who I’d find when I turned. I’d felt him coming even before Ronan had seen him. Carden.
I braced. But I could do all the loin-girding in the world and I’d never be prepared to face my blood-bonded vampire.
Yes, my vampire.
I tried to be cool as I peeked over my shoulder, but what I really wanted to do was fling myself into him.
Carden’s eyes were pinned on me, but his words were for Ronan. “Tell me, Tracer. How is it that every time I see you, you are with our Acari Drew?”
“I’m her teacher,” Ronan said tightly.
“Yet she always seems so distressed in your presence. Odd, that.” He stepped closer, close enough to cast me in shadow.
Easy on the testosterone, guys. I glanced at Carden to give him a quelling look, but what I saw stole my breath.
Like a peacock spreading his wings, Carden had plumbed some serious vampire mojo. It wasn’t that he’d changed his appearance in any way, but suddenly he radiated power. He seemed about ten feet tall, all broad-shouldered, fierce Vampire.
Carden reached toward me, and I fought to stand upright. It felt as though there was an invisible cord connecting me with the vampire. I felt its pulse low in my belly. I fought not to sink into him.
I inhaled with a hard sniff, gathering myself. It was the blood bond. What I felt for Carden wasn’t true attraction.
Right?
He brought a gentle fingertip to tilt up my chin. Carden was big, and my eyes had a long trip up that buff body to his face. He studied me, and it felt like a caress. “What lessons have you to teach this gifted creature?”
Gifted creature. He’d meant me. My mouth went dry.
Ronan’s response was brisk. “I teach her fitness. Ann—Acari Drew,” he quickly corrected, “did n
ot know how to swim when she arrived. We have been spending a lot of time in the water.”
Carden’s lips curled into a smile. “I’d like to see that.”
I’d rather die.
I almost said it—I would have said it if Ronan hadn’t been standing there. But something told me I couldn’t let him see how informal I’d gotten with Carden.
“You are welcome to join us anytime, Master McCloud.”
That cleared the fog from my brain. I jerked my head to look at Ronan, dragging my chin from Carden’s grasp in the process. Wow. He had to call Carden by his formal title, Master McCloud.
I could tell by the furrow in his brow that Ronan had noticed me noticing. “Curfew is soon,” the Tracer told me. “Be careful. Until we learn who killed Trinity, there is a killer on the loose.”
There was an unspoken challenge in the words, but Carden didn’t rise to the bait. Instead, he gave Ronan a jaunty smile. “If you’re done here…?” He waited for Ronan to get the hint.
Ronan gave a curt nod. “Of course. Tomorrow at seven, then, Acari Drew.” And then he left me alone with my vampire.
CHAPTER SIX
I felt a peculiar twinge in my chest as I watched Ronan walk away. He was one of the few people on this island who cared about me, and I wasn’t entirely sure why. Would those feelings change if he discovered I’d bonded with a vampire?
It was a wonder he hadn’t figured it out already. Carden’s posturing wasn’t exactly subtle. “Way to keep our bond secret,” I chided him. “Maybe you should just brand me.”
Carden scoffed at that. “He’s but a boy. He doesn’t see what’s right in front of his face.” The way he traced his finger down my cheek implied that I’d been what was in front of Ronan’s face only to be ignored.
The notion stung. I lashed out. “He behaves better than you do.” I bit my tongue, regretting the words at once. I’d seen how angry these vampires could get.
But Carden shocked me with a rollicking laugh. “You’re pretty when you’re peevish, little one.” With a glance right and left, he tugged my hand. “Come, eilean mo chridhe, let me feed you. It will ease your mind.”
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