I wasn’t sure what I was feeling, but I knew I didn’t feel like laughing. I turned to my friends and said, “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
Ms. Hollander chose that moment to step back into the classroom with the Principal. “There must’ve been a window open or something,” she said in explanation. The classroom was a wreck, with chairs overturned and papers littering the floor. Looking flustered, Ms. Hollander looked at us and said, “Please go into the auditorium with the rest of the school.”
We all looked at each other and nodded in agreement. I made an after you gesture to Devon and he bowed slightly back at me, still smiling. We waited for them to walk out of the classroom and we followed slowly behind. I whispered with Ana and Summer about what had happened with our rings, a little proud that I had not let Dani dominate me with her power.
At lunch that day, I watched Devon and Dani sit beneath a tree, while kids from various groups introduced themselves. Is this normal? I thought as the cheerleading squad energetically tried to recruit Dani to try out that afternoon for the open position on their team. My eyes were glued to Devon who reclined back against the trunk of the tree, talking to a group of boys on the surf team. Every once in awhile our eyes would lock and he’d grin and hold my gaze until I looked away. What was with that guy? I thought to myself as I slowly ate my sandwich.
“That guy gives me the creeps,” Ana said quietly. I nodded slowly because he did make me feel slightly uneasy, but creepy? I didn’t really think he was creepy but I wasn’t sure how I felt yet. We had just finished re-telling Cole and Ben about what had happened in Biology. I looked over at Cole.
“You’ve been training as a Guardian for four years, right?” I asked.
“Yeah.” He answered cautiously.
“Is there anything you can teach me to counteract that hold she had on me?” I was proud that I had managed to break her hold with a shield but wanted a little bit more control.
Summer sat forward, looking towards Cole. “There must be something additional you can teach her,” she said. Ben laid his hand on her back and nodded at Cole.
“Dude, tell her what you told me last night,” Ben said.
Cole nodded. “My Dad doesn’t want to give you any higher level of training, but after today, I think I should start Guardian level training with you. We have already determined what kind of powers you have but after today, I think you need some more control exercises.” He looked around at our group. “Are you all still cool, meeting at her Aunt’s shop after school? I’m going to need your help.”
Everyone nodded, except for Ana who had to decorate the gym for the dance, which was next Friday. We all agreed to meet at four o’clock and Cole and I walked together to our next class. I was amped from what happened earlier and eager to learn something new. When I mentioned that to Cole, he nodded quietly, and repeated that he was going to be teaching me against his father’s wishes. I could tell Cole didn’t like going against the rules so I bumped his shoulder and grinned, trying to tease him out of the funk he was in. Funny, even though Cole had that eyebrow piercing and looked to be a rebel, he really was a good son, following his father’s orders. I remembered my confusion at my own mothers actions half the time and even though I’d do what she wanted, none of it every really made since. I felt myself tense up at the memory. I really missed her even though our relationship was pretty messed up. I was really enjoying being more settled and having a normal life. Well, as normal as I could be in a high school with a bunch of Other kids.
Chapter 13
Devon
Rumor had it that every year Newsome made the Sophomore class pair up and recite scenes from Romeo and Juliet for an assignment. After spending the past few days having Avery avoid me, I needed a good excuse to get to know her a little bit better. Dani was convinced she was a power-hungry bitch, but I was starting to think otherwise. On the surface, she seemed like any normal girl. I mean, you take away the power that she has exhibited, and she seems kind of shy and sweet.
I walked up to the front of the room to hand in my homework before class started, and thought I’d give Newsome a push into pairing up Avery and me.
“Devon, you have exhibited a real grasp of Shakespeare’s language.” Newsome said as he looked up from my paperwork, marking the top with an A+.
“Thanks, sir,” I said. I let my hand rise up slowly to take the papers from him, and waved it slightly, so the lights glinted off the silver initials in my ring. I used stored power I gathered from the sun this morning surfing and sent a push towards him. “You are going to assign the teams for the Romeo and Juliet assignment today.” I made it a statement, sub vocally inserting my demand that Avery be my partner and held Newsome’s gaze until I felt a small click.
“I am going to make the assignment, yes.” Newsome looked through me and shook his head. “What was I saying?”
“It sounded like you said something about an assignment?” I said as I turned grinning and started for my seat. I heard Mr. Newsome’s voice rise behind me.
“Class. As we have finished reading Romeo and Juliet, I have a new assignment to announce.” He announced and the students groaned. He waved a hand in dismissal. “Yes, Yes. Settle down.” He looked down at a piece of paper in front of him and narrowed his eyes in confusion. I watched him scratch off two lines and re-write them.
“The assignment is for you and a partner to pick a scene from Romeo and Juliet and recite it in front of the class. We have permission to use the auditorium on the day of the recitations, so I expect a bit of dramatic skill with your efforts.” When he finished, there were groans from the guys around the room, but some of the girls whispered to each other in excitement.
I glanced over at Avery and her friends and saw they were whispering as well. One of her friends looked anxious, and I noticed her skin changed to match the color of the walls. Well now, that’s interesting, I thought.
“Here are the pairings,” and Newsome started reading off some names. There were squeals and moans when names were mentioned. I waited until I heard mine, then smiled in satisfaction.
“Devon will read with Avery,” Mr. Newsome said. I was looking at Avery when her name was read and saw her gasp. Summer reached over and touched her arm. I glanced at Cole and saw that his teeth grit with anger. Newsome continued, “Cole will read with Ana,”
I saw Cole’s fist clench and then relax.
Ana, the girl whose skin changed color, looked over at him and nodded. He turned in his seat and glared at me.
“You have a week to memorize and practice, so spend the next 25 minutes with your partner to pick your verses.” Newsome said and sat back down in his chair, gazing blankly at the paper in front of him.
I cleared my throat and spoke Avery’s name. I saw her jump slightly, but then turn towards me. “Do you want to come over here? Or me there?” I asked. She glanced at her friends, then reached to pick up her backpack to move over to the desk next to me.
“Uh, hi.” She said glancing over her shoulder at her friends again.
I said hi back, then thought I’d just act normal. I opened up my book and started searching for a section to read. “Do you have any ideas about what part of the book you want to read from?” I asked and looked up and caught her staring at me in bewilderment. “Avery? The assignment?”
“Oh, yeah, the assignment.” She opened up her own book and bent her head towards me slightly. She smelled of lemons and green grass, and I took in a breath.
I opened my book and skimmed through to the part where Romeo finds Juliet on the balcony. I read through it and look at her. “I like the section where Juliet does the Romeo, Romeo wherefore art thou, but a little past that part where they speak of her being a Capulet, and him a Montague. I kind of understand how he feels.” I said this last part under my breath.
I heard a small gasp and I look up to find her giving me a confused look. “What do you mean?” She asked.
I shrug embarrassed that she heard that comment and p
retended like I didn’t hear her. I asked when she’d like to get together to start memorizing this piece.
“Um, I can do it after practice. Do you want to meet in the library?” she asks uncertainly, and I see her glance over towards her friends. I see Cole staring hard in our direction, pretty much ignoring Ana sitting quietly next to him.
“Perfect.” I quickly gather my things and get up from the desk just as the bell rings for next period. “I’ll see you later.” I walk out the door, as if life is normal, and this cute girl I’ve just set a study date with isn’t a possible threat to my world.
I glance impatiently at my watch again. It’s past 4:30, she should’ve finished with soccer practice a half hour ago. In frustration, I start to gather my stuff together to shove into my backpack. I hear the library door whoosh open and look up. Avery is rushing through the doors, looking worried. I sit back down and put my notes back on the table.
“Sorry!” she whispered to me as she slid into the seat across from me. “Practice was, well, I’m sorry I’m late.”
“Cole giving you a hard time?” I grinned at her boldly.
“What? No. I mean, it doesn’t matter, really.” She glanced over her shoulder when the door opened and Summer and Ana strolled in. They sat down at the next table.
“Reinforcements? Really?” I gave her an innocent look and shrug, cracking the book open.
She looked slightly embarrassed, and then smiled. “You’ve just been, well, a little intimidating, that’s all.”
I stopped smiling. Intimidating? I hadn’t meant to be intimidating. I was just trying to figure her out, but of course I couldn’t tell her that. “If it makes you feel better, then I’m all for this,” I said waving my hand at her friends. I saw her look down at my ring, then reach her hand across to her own.
“Do you mind if I ask you a question?” she asked.
I shook my head, in what I hoped was an encouraging manner. “Sure, what about?”
“Well, you and I seem to have the same ring, though mine’s gold and yours is well, silver.” She put her hand on the table and I placed my hand next to hers. My ring started to become warm on my hand and I looked curiously at it.
“Can you feel that?” I whispered to her in shock. I’ve never felt this ring gather heat like it was right now.
“Yeah. When Dani and I shook hands that first time, our rings had a reaction to each other. What do you think it means?” As she looked at me I marveled over how her hazel eyes were turning green in wonder.
“If you want, I can look it up in our library at home. My father gave me this ring when I inherited my powers when I turned twelve. This, and the one Dani wears, has been in the family for ages, so we’re bound to have more information on it.” I reached over and touched my hand to hers. The heat turned into a warm electric hum. Not a jolt like it had given Dani. I slowly withdrew my hand and looked over to her friends who were watching us.
Avery looked at them also and shook her head slightly. “OK, maybe we should start our assignment,” she said.
I nodded in agreement, deciding that there was more to this girl than I was being told and maybe more to why Dani and I were picked to watch her?
We all left the library together, Avery walking between her friends and me. It seemed as though peace had been made between us, for the moment, and I was enjoying it. As we crossed the empty quad towards the exit to the parking lot, something made me look over my shoulder up at the roofline. I stopped, and Avery and her friends stopped with me.
“What the hell?” I turned around quickly and pushed Avery behind me. I heard her grumble something like “I wish they’d stop doing that!” but focused on the rooftop next to us.
Across the top of the building were six men in white button down shirts, black slacks, and sunglasses. Shocked, I realized they were dressed exactly like the men who had been at the meeting with my father. Avery pushed against my back and stepped around me.
“They look just like the man who came into my aunt’s shop!” she said to Summer and Ana. She shrugged out of her backpack and placed it on the ground. Summer and Ana followed suit.
“I think I’ve seen them somewhere before too.” I mentioned quietly setting my own books on the ground to start gathering energy to me in preparation.
“Ana, get back against that wall and disappear!” Avery hissed, pushing Ana behind her. Ana didn’t argue and melted against the wall until I couldn’t see her anymore. Cool trick, I thought, before glancing back at the men.
“Get on the phone for help!” Avery continued to direct her friend, and I could hear soft mumbling from behind me.
“On it,” Ana whispered.
“Sugar, I don’t mean to shock you, but I’m going to get ready for trouble.” Summer pushed her backpack behind her, shrugged out of her jacket, and kicked off her shoes.
I looked at her in shock as hair started to sprout out of her arms, her face started shifting, and her hands and feet developed claws. After fully shifting, she had grown in height by about three inches. She shook out her hair, opened her mouth and hissed, showing off all of her fangs.
I heard a thud in front of me and looked back up to see the men jumping off the second-floor roof to the ground in front of us. I shook my hands out, feeling Avery move up beside me. I reached out my hand to push her back again, but when our rings touched, a loud crack shocked through the air, and the wind started whipping about.
“OK, you’re good where you are.” I dropped her hand and let her step up.
“Six to three. Not bad odds,” Summer spoke up, and hissed again. “I had worse odds at my last family reunion.”
I heard a little giggle from behind us. “Cole’s on the way,” Ana whispered.
“I think he might miss the party,” I said.
“Who are these guys?” Avery’s hair started to whip in the wind she was creating. Her hand was moving in a slow circle, and the sun started to intensify its rays into the path of one of the men. She flung out a hand and the glasses fell off the man’s head, showing eyes that burned like red fire.
I took in a shocked breath. “Daïmonids!” I spoke harshly and took a step forward.
“Devon, you can explain that later.” Summer sank to her haunches, and sprang at one of the Daïmonids, slashing out with her claws. I heard his scream as I rushed forward to help.
“Don’t look them in the eyes, they can blind you!” I yelled. I punched a fist forward and hit a Daïmonid in the face and then swung my hand out towards the water fountain on the wall behind him. With some effort, I pulled water through those pipes with enough force that the top of the fountain exploded, shooting metal shrapnel towards me. I ducked, and heard a man scream. Looking up, I saw a piece of metal sticking out of the top of one of their heads before he exploded in a pop and disappeared. I heard Avery scream next to me and saw her swing her arm up and create a shield, while at the same time ripping up a clod of dirt behind the Daïmonid she was facing and rack him in the back of the head with it, bringing him to his knees. Nice move, I thought.
With my energy, I pushed the water stream towards the Daïmonid, and as it hit him he screamed in agony and fizzled away. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement and was about to swing my arm up when Summer leaped through the air and pushed the Daïmonid to the side. He landed awkwardly but managed to send a laser beam towards Avery that she shielded against.
“Avery!” I yelled at her and swung my hand over towards her as far as I could reach. “Take my hand! I think together, the power in our rings could take them out!” Without hesitation she reached out her hand and grasped mine, and a powerful boom shook the earth. The light bulbs in all the hallways burst, and a lightning bolt hit the earth, melting the remaining Daïmonids into dust.
In the silence that followed, I could hear a car door slam, and running footsteps. Cole ran into the quad to find all of us panting in relief, and Avery and I holding hands. Instinctively I tightened my hold and felt a responding squeeze hard enough to make m
e look away from Cole. He glanced from our joined hands to Avery’s flushed face. Then mine. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement, and noticed my sister on the rooftop, taking a step back so that she couldn’t be seen. What the hell? I was definitely going to find out why my sister was watching her brother fight Daïmonid ass! I looked back at Cole hoping he hadn’t noticed.
“Well, that was fun,” I said sarcastically. “Care to fill us in on what’s going on?” I gave Avery’s hand another quick squeeze and then let go. My sister was going to have to wait.
The girls cancelled their shopping trip and we all went to Gino’s to talk and grab a bite to eat. Summer looked like she could gnaw someone’s arm off, literally. Ben was at Gino’s when we got there and Summer slid into the booth next to him. He murmured in her ear and she responded, “I’m all right, Sugar. But I’d really like to know who those fellas were.” Ana, seated at her side, nodded in agreement, the freckles on her face whirling madly.
Somehow, I ended up in the booth against the wall next to Avery with Cole on the other side of her.
Cozy, I thought and slung my arm across the back of the booth behind Avery shifting forward so I could see Cole. He looked at my arm, raised an eyebrow at me, and spoke to the group. With Ben’s help, they told the story of their own Daïmonid encounter after the soccer game, and what one of them had said.
After the girls gave them a hard time over keeping that secret, I asked Cole, “So, just to clarify, your theory is that the Daïmonid faction thinks Avery is going to banish Avdar? That they’re trying to get rid of her before she can do that?”
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