by Amy C. Blake
Levi blew out a breath. “Okay, fine.” This was not going to work, but what could he do? Without Trevor . . . without his roommates . . . he was totally alone with way too much weirdness. “Guys?” Levi moved over and sat on the edge of Tommy’s bed. “Trevor . . . I mean, I was wondering if you’d noticed anything . . . odd about camp.”
Tommy shrugged. “You mean about the island being bigger than we thought? And the weather and stuff?” His eyebrows bunched. “Didn’t we figure that out already?”
Steve nodded. “Yep, we settled it.”
“No. I mean, yeah.” Levi sighed. “That’s all part of it, but there’s more. This place is a lot . . . stranger than we thought.”
Tommy and Steve exchanged confused glances. Trevor’s index finger tapped a constant rhythm against the footboard.
Albert froze with his eyes on Levi. “What do you know about it?”
Levi tried for a confident expression. “I know a lot, Albert. I’ve talked to Mr. Dominic.”
Albert’s eyebrows shot up.
Levi nodded. “About Terracaelum. And Deceptor.”
Albert’s pimples stood out against his pale skin.
“Terra what?” Steve crinkled his face at Tommy. Tommy shrugged.
“We need your help,” Levi told Albert. He glanced at the other two boys. “All three of you.”
Trevor’s finger-tapping started grating on Levi’s nerves.
“We know there’s a threat to one of the girls.” Levi’s eyes riveted on Albert. “We know who’s after her. He’s inside the castle right now.”
“What!” Albert nearly fell off the bed, sending cards fluttering to the floor.
Tommy shook his head, hands spread. “What’re you guys talking about?”
Levi kept his focus on Albert. “You know. Take off your hat.” His heartbeat thrummed in his throat. Trevor’s tapping ceased. This was it. If Albert didn’t prove Levi right . . .
Albert pressed his lips tight for a long moment. Then he plucked the hat from his head, pulled back his shaggy hair, and showed his ears.
The boys and Albert stayed up late into the night discussing Terracaelum, Deceptor, and Hunter, all with Trevor making it sound like he’d never doubted for an instant. Though Tommy and Steve didn’t want to believe they were anywhere than an island in the Great Lakes, Albert’s confirmation—especially his ears—finally convinced them of the facts.
“Albert’s a fairy,” Levi told Tommy and Steve.
Albert’s eyes blazed. “Ain’t! I’m a pixie, thank you very much.”
“Oh, sorry.” Levi bit his lip to hide a smile.
Albert glared at him another second then said flatly, “No way a camper’s Deceptor. The Dominics wouldn’t allow for that.”
“That’s what I told him.” Trevor said. So much for loyalty. Why had Trevor pushed Levi to enlist help from these guys if he was gonna bail on him so quickly?
“It has to be Hunter.” Levi smacked a hand against his thigh. “Why else would he be so evil?” Why couldn’t they trust him on this one? He’d been the brunt of Hunter’s nastiness enough times to know.
Albert just shook his head.
“Besides,” Levi said, deciding on a different tactic, “the girl Deceptor’s after needs guarding no matter what. Even if I’m wrong, you can’t argue that Hunter’s plenty mean enough to be worth watching.”
“That’s true,” Steve said.
“Do you know which girl Deceptor’s after?” Levi asked Albert.
“Nope.” Albert scrubbed short fingers through his scraggly hair, his eyes distant. “A girl used to live in the castle. A human girl. Don’t know if she was the Dominics’ kid or niece or what. Never saw her. I never set foot in the place before camp, but that Sylvester woman—not the mother, the daughter—she was the girl’s nurse. Took care of her and all.”
A girl? The Dominics’ niece? Or even daughter? But they were so old. Maybe she was a granddaughter or something.
At midnight, a sharp rap at the door brought an end to their meeting. Mr. Sylvester poked his head in. With a chiding look at Albert, he told them to get to sleep.
Levi’s whisper followed Albert from the room. “Watch out for Hunter and the girls.”
Later that week, Levi and his roommates decided to take advantage of a free hour before fencing practice with the girls to spy on Hunter. While playing a half-hearted game of Frisbee in the field, they kept an eye on Greg and Martin’s wrestling match as Hunter, Suzanne, and Jacqueline watched from outside the makeshift ring. After twenty-five minutes, Greg pinned Martin, and the five suddenly took off in different directions.
Steve fumbled the Frisbee. “Whoa, where’re they going?”
Levi shook his head. “I don’t know, but I’m going after Hunter.” He cocked his head toward Hunter’s friends. “You guys follow the others.”
Without waiting for a response, Levi jogged toward the castle, which Hunter had just entered. Inside, Levi peered around. No Hunter. The sound of running feet echoed down the hallway. Levi ran that direction on tiptoe. He glanced into the kitchen and dining hall as he flew past. Still no Hunter.
When Levi reached the entrance to the south foyer, he hesitated. Hugging the wall, he peered around the room. His eyes snagged on Hunter’s black-shirted back next to the outside door. What was he up to now? At that moment, Hunter opened the south door then turned with a smirk and crooked a beckoning finger at Levi. Hunter stepped through.
Levi froze. Should he follow?
Don’t go, his mind screamed. He ignored it and went.
Levi stepped out into the sunlight. Before his eyes could adjust, something smashed into his nose. Sharp pain shot across his forehead and through his cheekbones. He squeezed his eyes shut, hands cupped over his nose. Something hot oozed from his nostrils and squished between his fingers. His mouth flew open for air. Metallic-tasting blood flowed in. He gagged.
Someone cackled behind Levi. Then came a loud bang. Levi threw out his hands in self-protection. Nothing happened. Twisting around, he forced open his eyes and caught a blurry glimpse of the closed south door.
Levi stumbled forward and grappled with the doorknob. It didn’t budge. He was locked outside of the castle.
And Terracaelum.
Chapter 25
Locked Out
Levi’s heart thumped frantically against his ribcage. How could he get back inside? What was happening to the other boys? They’d obviously been separated for a reason—a sinister reason. What was Hunter doing now? If he really was Deceptor—and the blood gushing from Levi’s nose made him even more certain he was—then he had free run of the castle. Why hadn’t Levi told Mr. Dominic his suspicions sooner? Then at least he’d know to watch out for Hunter. Now who would watch over the girls?
Levi lurched out from the castle door and crossed the drawbridge, hoping to catch the attention of someone at a south-facing window. By the time he turned and looked up, the castle disappeared in a flash of light. He was on the edge of a cliff. Lake water splashed cheerfully far below.
“No!” Levi stomped his foot then instantly wished he hadn’t as blood gushed down his t-shirt. Why hadn’t he stayed on the doorstep? Now he couldn’t even see the castle.
After staring for what seemed an eternity at the space he knew held an invisible castle, he sat on the ground under a huge tree. He prayed, harder than he’d prayed in a long time. God, please get me back into Terracaelum.
He sat for another eon with no change except for the receding light, his rising hunger and thirst, and the growing pain in his nose. Tears stung his eyes, but the knowledge that Hunter and his buddies probably watched from the south-facing library window made him keep his bloody pulp of a face firm.
As the sun cast red streaks across the western sky, Levi stood. He couldn’t sit on the edge of a precipice all night long. He’d hike down to the cabins and try to find an unlocked door or window. At least he’d have shelter and hopefully something to eat and drink. What he wouldn’t give for so
me Tylenol.
Levi stepped into the shadowy woods. His balloon nose and swollen eyes made it hard to see where to place his feet. He tripped on something and landed hard on both bare knees. With a groan, he pushed back to sitting. Hot blood oozed from his cuts. His throat ached. He should just give up and sit out the night in the woods. Maybe something would eat him. At least then he’d be out of his misery.
A breeze touched his cheeks. He breathed in, breathed out. Come on, Levi. Don’t give up. He shoved to his feet. Blood trickled down his shins. Full darkness smothered the forest. He shuffled along what he hoped was the path, both hands outstretched, body hunched against another fall.
A branch cracked on his left. He drew up short, eyes straining into the darkness. All was silent.
It’s nothing, Levi. Just the wind. Chill.
Another crack shook Levi into motion. He lurched headlong down the path. Something big crashed through the trees not far behind him. He didn’t look back. God, help!
Several panicked moments later, Levi blundered into the camp clearing. He flew to the dining hall, scrambled around the building. Yanked doorknobs. Tugged windows. Please, God, let something be unlocked. A panther-like scream dragged Levi’s eyes to the woods. In the brush not six feet away twin yellow eyes flashed. Terror spurted through his veins.
I’m gonna die! I’m gonna die!
Shoulders tensed against claws he knew would strike any moment, Levi swiped at the kitchen window.
It opened.
Levi froze for a shocked second. Another scream propelled him through the window. He fell onto the kitchen countertop, slammed and bolted the window. He dropped to the tile floor, crouched with arms over his head, and waited for the monster to crash through the glass and gobble him up.
After several long minutes, he dared peek at the window, half-expecting to see some hideous face. He saw nothing but tree branches waving against the star-strewn sky. He melted into a quivering heap. Thank God.
When his breathing settled into rhythmic puffs, he stumbled around the kitchen, running into things in the unfamiliar room. When he finally found the light switch, the room flooded with welcome light.
In a bathroom he washed up and discovered a first aid kit mounted on the wall. Staring at his battered face in the mirror, he applied antiseptic cream to the cut on his fat nose, but he couldn’t do anything for his purpling eyes. After bandaging his bloody knees, he grabbed a packet of Tylenol and left the bathroom in search of food.
With frequent glances at the window in case the creature returned, he downed a glass of water, scarfed a can of tuna and some stale saltines, then swallowed the two pain relievers. Should he borrow a flashlight and try getting into one of the cabins to sleep? No way. That monster was probably waiting for him.
Hang on, could that thing be Deceptor, or should he say, Hunter? He glanced toward the window. Still nothing there, but a shiver swirled up his spine. A wild animal was bad, but Hunter/Deceptor with his opposable thumbs was worse. What if he broke in while Levi slept?
Levi double-checked all the locks.
Once the building was as secure as he could make it, he made a bed from a relatively soft chair in the telephone room, a jacket someone had left on the coat rack, and a small pile of kitchen towels. He blockaded the door with another chair then curled up with his eyes on the phone. Should he call his parents? He really wanted to. He wanted his own safe bed at home and his little brothers’ quiet breathing as they slept.
“You can’t call,” he said aloud. His parents would yank him home faster than he could say Terracaelum. And then what would become of his friends?
Ears pricked for sounds of danger, he fell asleep praying help would come in the morning.
Help came in the morning all right—furious, blazing-eyed help. Levi had the misfortune of being found by Dr. Baldwin and Mr. Austin, the two most irritable males among the camp staff.
When Levi told them Hunter had hit him and locked him out of the castle, Mr. Austin snapped at him, “What kind of blamed-fool notion made you follow that boy anyway?”
Levi turned to Dr. Baldwin, half-hoping the pity factor for his bruised face would make the doctor take his side.
“Don’t look at me like that, boy,” he said, smashing Levi’s hopes. “You of all the campers ought to have known you couldn’t get back inside without the Dominics there to open the door.”
Their scolding didn’t make his sore nose and pounding head feel any better, so Levi trudged up the hill to the castle telling himself he should’ve called his mom to come get him. At least she’d have felt sorry for him. Even babied him a little.
Mrs. Dominic helped when she let them in the castle. She patted his back and asked how he felt.
“Miserable,” he said.
She brushed back his hair with a sweet smile. “I’m so sorry.”
Then she turned to Dr. Baldwin, her tender smile long gone. “Take him straight up to the infirmary and do something to help the poor child feel better. I’ll go tell my husband where he is.”
With a quick nod, Dr. Baldwin hustled Levi toward the stairs while Mr. Austin mumbled something about telling the others to call off the search party.
“Second time this week you’ve disappeared and made us all drop everything and go looking for you.” Dr. Baldwin’s cheeks were a deep red as he stomped up the steps beside Levi. “Of course I can’t be blamed for not coddling you right off.”
Levi followed him into the dark infirmary. Even though the pain in his face made him feel wretched, he couldn’t help but ask, “Why’s it so dark in here?” He pointed at the drawn drapes.
Grunting, the doctor whipped open the curtains. “Only keep them open for the humans.”
“Don’t dwarves like sunlight?”
“It’s not the light we don’t like, it’s the height.” He turned back from the treetops visible through the glass, his face green. “Now, sit. Let me see that nose.”
Levi sat. “Why do you live upstairs?” He winced as the doctor manipulated his nose.
“Because there isn’t room on the ground floor for the infirmary.” Dr. Baldwin glared at him over his reading glasses. “And I don’t think you’d much enjoy visiting the cellar when you’re sick or hurt.”
Levi opened his mouth to ask another question but shut it at the grumpy expression of the creature handling his sore nose. The doctor cleaned his cut, stuffed his nostrils with cotton gauze, and taped his nose tight. Levi gritted his teeth against the pain. When the doctor finished, Levi slumped into the same bed he’d slept in a few days before, exhausted and miserable.
“I’ll give you something to take the edge off, but not until after you talk to Mr. Dominic. I don’t want you too groggy to explain yourself.” Though Dr. Baldwin’s tone remained gruff, his expression had softened.
With a nod that made his entire face throb, Levi closed his eyes, thankful the doctor had closed the curtains once more.
“Levi.” Mr. Dominic stood over him with both hands on his hips. “What happened to you, boy? Dr. Baldwin says they found you down at camp. What were you doing there?”
“Deceptor attacked me,” Levi said without meaning to.
Mr. Dominic stiffened. Dr. Baldwin sucked in a breath, fingers fumbling the gauze he was rerolling.
“At least, I think it was him.”
“I was told you said Hunter did this.” The director shot a questioning glance at the doctor.
“Oh, he did,” Dr. Baldwin said quickly. “Didn’t say a word about Deceptor.”
Mr. Dominic frowned at Levi. “Explain.”
“I think Hunter is Deceptor.”
Mr. Dominic’s right eyebrow shot up. Dr. Baldwin snorted.
Levi’s ears heated. “You said Deceptor could take different forms, and that he can’t enter the castle without invitation, right? So he took the form of a kid and you invited him in.”
The director shook his head. Levi couldn’t tell whether the headshake indicated disbelief or that he thought Lev
i was a complete idiot. “Why Hunter, may I ask?”
“Because he’s evil. He’s done nothing but torment me since I got here and none of the teachers seem to realize it because he’s such a con artist.”
“And you’ve been following him, this boy you think is a shape-shifting demon?” Something like admiration flittered through Mr. Dominic’s eyes and was instantly replaced by stern disapproval. “Levi, simply because someone isn’t nice to you doesn’t make him Deceptor.”
“I know.” Levi was starting to feel foolish but rushed ahead anyway. “The first day of camp he snatched my letter and saw my name and acted like he knew me. It was weird. I mean, how would he know anything about me?”
“I don’t know, son,” Mr. Dominic perched on the edge of the bed, “but don’t you think Mrs. Dominic and I considered Deceptor might try the very trick you’re suggesting? Don’t you think we guarded against it before we invited all these people into the castle?”
Dr. Baldwin mumbled, “Upstart kid thinks he knows more than our rulers.”
Levi stared at his dirty fingernails. “Sorry.”
Mr. Dominic nodded. “I can assure you, while Hunter may not be a very kind young man, he is most certainly not a demon.”
“Then why’d he hit me?”
“Good question.” Mr. Dominic leaned forward and inspected Levi’s swollen nose and purple eyes. “He claims he never touched you. Says he saw you walk through the foyer and out the door but didn’t pay much attention because he was on his way upstairs.”
“He’s lying!” Levi popped upright, shooting pain through his skull.
The director nudged Levi back against the pillow. “That may be, but there are no witnesses on either side.” He raised both palms in a shrug. “I can’t take disciplinary measures without proof.”
“What about Trevor and the other guys?” Levi’s voice came out a croak. “They followed some of Hunter’s thugs.” He stopped at the disapproving look in the director’s eyes. “I mean, Hunter’s friends.”