by Amber Garza
For the thousandth time I stare at the two empty chairs a couple of rows up. Where are Delaney and Micah?
My mind replays the events of the night before. I distinctly remember the sting of rejection when Delaney sped off after I’d asked her out. Then those guys showed up and I thought for sure I was a goner.
“Hey,” the bigger one said after grabbing me by the shoulders. He wore a black beanie that fell just above his eyebrows, black pants and a long sleeved black shirt, but I could see the outline of his burgeoning muscles underneath. His hands were large and meaty. “I heard you struck a deal with Craven.”
I swallowed hard and nodded my head. “Yeah, so?”
The big guy circled his arm around my neck and stood behind me, pulling me tight. I had a sense of déjà vu. Wasn’t I in the same predicament at the pool hall? What was with these guys? The skinny guy stood in front of me, his face so close I could feel the heat from his breath on my face. He looked quite a bit older than the other man and had hair so blond it was almost white and it fell in a wave over his forehead. His eyes were dark, his mouth a thin, squiggly line. My heart sped up. The street was quiet, but in my mind I begged a car to drive by. Not many came down this road. I silently cursed my dad for buying this shop out in the middle of nowhere.
“Don’t get smart with us,” The skinny guy spat. Anger flashed in his eyes, and for a minute I thought he might hit me.
“Killian,” The big guy spoke from behind me, his voice harsh like a warning.
“You think Craven and Brone are scary?” Killian backed off a little, rolling his shoulders.
“No, I don’t, actually.”
The burly man tightened his hold on my neck, and I gagged.
“Well, Kaine and I are much more powerful than Craven and Brone. They’re just kids, much like you are. You don’t want to mess around with us. You understand?”
Terror snaked down my spine. “Yes.”
“So what is this girl’s name? The one you think has special powers?”
“Delaney.” I decided that straight-forward, one-word answers were probably best.
“Great.” Killian smiled and looked up at Kaine. “Different girl than the one we were originally after, but that’s perfect. That one will come to us on her own anyway. Right, Kaine?” He winked.
Kaine guffawed, his chest rubbing up against my back with each movement. I was seriously confused, but I just kept my mouth shut for once in my life.
Killian narrowed his eyes at me. “So, you really want to be one of us, huh?”
At that moment his hair shifted on his forehead and I saw the flames painted above his right eyebrow. It was the symbol of fire, and I recognized it instantly. My heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t wait until I had one of those too.
“Yes, I do. Very much.”
“Great. Then get us some information and get it soon. We’ll be watching you.”
Now as I look back up at Delaney’s empty desk I groan in frustration. Since I struck a deal with the Sarafites, I need to get Delaney to say yes to a date with me. If not, I shudder to think of what punishment they’ll dole out. I don’t have much time to deliver Delaney’s secrets to them.
It’s time to get her to trust me.
After school I drive to the shop, feeling depressed. It’s been a total waste of a day. Not only did I miss the chance to ask Delaney out, I also flunked my math test. I didn’t know any of the answers. Dad’s going to kill me. Again. The last thing I want to do is work on cars all afternoon, but I don’t have a choice. I know better than to play hooky. My dad is difficult enough to be around when he’s not completely pissed at me.
At a stoplight I press my face against the glass window and heave a sigh. That’s when I see a splash of red like a bright kite trailing by. My head snaps up. It’s Delaney. She’s heading into the grocery store. What are the chances? The minute the light turns green I cut over all the lanes of traffic while ignoring the cars that honk at me, and then turn into the parking lot of the store. After cutting the engine, I race out of the truck and into the store.
I step inside and I’m assaulted by the bright colors and rows and rows of aisles. Walking to the soundtrack of jazz music blaring from above, I scour the store. Finally, I spot her in the junk food aisle. I turn down the aisle and pretend to be shopping. When I get up close, I look up at her in mock surprise.
“Delaney?”
Her eyes bug out and she drops the bag of chips in her hand.
I bend to retrieve it. “You’ve got to stop dropping things like that.” I smile as I hand the bag back.
She furrows her brows. “Are you stalking me?”
Man this chick has a really big ego.
“No, I just stopped by to pick up some snacks on my way to work.” I snatch a bag of pretzels off the shelf. “How come you weren’t at school today?”
She bites her lip. “Oh, I’m not feeling so good.” Her cheeks flush and she lowers her gaze.
I almost laugh at what a bad liar she is. “I’m sorry to hear that.” I use my most sympathetic tone.
Delaney fakes a cough and then looks up at me. “It’s okay. I’m sure I’ll be better by tomorrow.”
I point to the chips she holds. “Is this your medicine?”
Her cheeks redden again. For a superhero she sure blushes easily.
“No. I-I-well, they’re for my…dad.”
“That’s kind of mean to send you to the store when you’re sick, isn’t it?”
She fidgets with the bag in her hand. “I better go.”
Before she can walk away, I step forward. “No, wait.” I reach out and graze her cheek with the back of my hand.
She shivers and steps backward. “What are you doing?”
“Your cheeks were red. I was just checking to see if you had a fever.”
“Oh.” She stares at me with a puzzled look. “Well, thanks but I think I’m alright. I’m feeling much better than I did earlier.”
“I’m glad. I missed you at school today.”
The skepticism returns. “That’s funny since you never even talk to me at school.”
She is not going to make this easy for me.
“I thought I explained that last night.” I fake a pained expression. “Are you going to make me pay for it forever?” I mean, come on. Does she just want me to tell her that I have a crush on her again? If so, that’s not gonna happen. It was painful enough to say the first time.
“I can’t figure you out, Sam.”
I wink at her. “Maybe you should spend some time with me. Maybe then you’ll be able to.”
For a moment I think I see the walls crumbling. A flower of excitement begins to open inside of me, but then she gives me a stern look. “I’m not like Bree or any of those other girls, you know?”
“I know. That’s what makes you special. And that’s why I won’t give up until you promise to go out with me.”
Chapter 12
Micah
“DELANEY’S NOT HOME.” Ariel stands in the doorway of the Scotts’ house, blocking my way in.
“That’s fine. I can wait for her.” Afraid she’ll make me wait outside I add, “Can I come in, please?” I think this may be the first time in my life I’ve had to ask for entry inside. The Scotts’ home has always been my home too.
Without a word Ariel steps back, allowing me to enter.
“Where did she go?” I ask as Ariel closes the door behind me. I smell a foreign scent, like vanilla or something, and realize it must be Ariel. I’ve gotten so used to the scent of apples that seems to cling to everything Delaney touches that I hadn’t been expecting anything different. Something about the unfamiliarity of it causes my heart to stir.
“To the store. She got really upset when she woke up and saw that my brother had eaten most of the chips.”
A laugh jumps from my throat. “Yeah, Delaney’s a little weird about her salty snacks. She could care less about ice cream or chocolate, but she loves chips.”
Ariel drops
down onto the leather couch in the middle of Delaney’s family room and tucks her legs up under her body. Our houses mirror each other, but the furniture and decorations differ a lot. Mom refers to herself as a collector, although Dad affectionately calls her a hoarder. Our house is full of knick-knacks and eccentricities, and has a homey, country feel about it. Delaney’s house is decorated much more modern and simple. I sit next to Ariel, trying to ignore how she purposely moves farther away from me. The sleek black coffee table is littered with cups and snacks, which is unusual. Clearly Ariel and her brother aren’t as clean as the members of the Scott family.
“So, how long have you and Delaney been together?”
“We’re not. We’re just friends.”
“Oh, I just assumed.”
“Nah, we’ve grown up together. She’s more like a sister to me, I guess.” I inwardly cringe at my choice of words. It’s not really how I feel, and I don’t know why I said it. Something about Ariel gets me flustered and makes me act in ways I normally don’t. “Did the Scotts take your mom to the police station?”
After we brought Ariel and her family back last night the police came over. Apparently the intruders never showed up, which made them suspicious. Maybe they were tipped off that the cops were there. Delaney’s visions are never wrong, so the police don’t want the Starlings going back to their house right now. They’re going to decide what to do today.
Ariel nods. “I hope they say we can go back home.”
I try not to feel hurt at her words. Of course she wishes to leave. No one wants to be forced into hiding and have to stay at a stranger’s house. However, I want her to stay. I want to get to know her better and find out who’s after her. “I doubt they will.”
Her eyes flash. “Why?”
“Because it’s not safe for you until whoever is after you is caught.”
A noise from the back of the house catches my attention. My muscles tense.
Ariel turns her head slightly. “It sounds like Asa is up from his nap.”
My shoulders soften at her words. Sure enough, the little boy comes bounding down the hallway. His long brown hair is a mess of tangles, and lines from his pillow are indented on his cheek. He jumps into his sister’s lap and she smiles. It’s the first time I’ve seen her smile like that and my heart swells. Her face is so beautiful and radiant. I will do everything in my power to get her to smile at me like that someday.
“Did you have a good nap?” She asks Asa, and he nods.
“I’m hungry,” he says.
Ariel runs a hand through her short hair. “Okay, let’s see what we can find.” She glances over at me as she pushes her brother off her lap. “I’m guessing if we stick to fruits and veggies the princess won’t get mad?”
“I think it’s a safe bet.”
Her lip curls upward slightly. It’s not quite the smile I’m hoping for, but it’s a start.
As they walk past me to get to the kitchen, a tattoo on Asa’s lower arm catches my attention. It’s the only image he has so far, and it’s the face of a man who looks like an older version of the little boy. My stomach clenches. Pointing to it, I ask, “Is that your dad?”
The little boy nods.
“Where is he now?”
Ariel shoots daggers at me with her eyes.
Asa looks up at me and says in a very matter-of-fact way, “He’s dead.”
The air goes out of me. “I’m so sorry.”
“Ari, can we eat now?” Asa cranes his neck to peer up at his sister.
Now I wish I hadn’t asked the question. The look on Ariel’s face tells me it was a grave mistake. Any leeway I made with her earlier is completely ruined. The minute they disappear into the kitchen Delaney bursts into the house, a grocery bag in her right hand.
Her eyebrows shoot up in surprise when she sees me. “What are you doing here?” She sets the bag down on the ground and kicks off her sandals.
I stand. “Waiting for you.”
She narrows her eyes and peers down the hall. “Where are they?”
“Getting a snack. Don’t worry. They’re sticking to fruits and veggies this time so there’s no need to get upset.”
Delaney scowls. “Oh, I suppose Ariel made me out to be the total bad guy, huh?”
I move closer to her, lowering my voice. “Lighten up on them, Laney.”
“I’m surprised that this is coming from you. They’re keeping something from us, Micah. They could be our enemies.”
“If they had sided with our enemies their markings would disappear. You know that.”
She sighs. “Still, I’m sure that Ariel is keeping secrets. She knows more than she’s saying, and if you would look past her pretty face for one minute, you’d see that.”
A smile tugs at my lips. Is Delaney jealous? Is that what this is all about? I close the distance between us and grab both of her hands. “I get it, okay? I know you’re right and that’s why I’m trying to learn what I can about them. You and I are a team. We always have been and always will be.”
I let go of her hands and wrap my arms around her body, enfolding her in a tight hug. She leans in and rests her head on my shoulder. When I look up, I see Ariel watching from the doorway to the kitchen.
Chapter 13
Delaney
“SERIOUSLY, MOM. WHY does she have to stay in my room?” I place my hands on my hips and glower down at Mom who is resting her back against the tile counter in the kitchen.
Her gaze moves warily toward the hallway, clearly hoping nobody else can hear us. “The guest room is too small for all three of them.”
“It worked fine last night.”
“That was one night. Now that we know they will be staying longer, this is the best arrangement.” She pushes herself off the counter and walks toward me. “Think of it as one long sleepover. You’ve never had one of those before.” Her hand reaches up and she fingers a lock of my hair.
She’s right. Ever since I was a little girl I’ve wanted to have a sleepover so bad. Before my gift manifested I did have a couple of girlfriends at school, and a few times they came over to our house to play. But once the visions started Mom put a stop to that. She was afraid I might have one in front of someone and they’d find out my secret. So I was only allowed to play with Micah from then on.
She even discouraged me from playing with the girls at school. Since I was afraid she’d pull me out of school if I didn’t listen, I obeyed her. When I was ten, Maddie Thompson invited me to her slumber party. I was so excited because I never got invited to anything. When Mom told me I couldn’t go, I felt like my heart had been broken in a million pieces. It killed me to say no. Even though Mom and Dad took Micah and me to a movie the night of the sleepover, I was still angry. I would’ve given anything to be a part of that slumber party.
However, no matter how much Mom sugarcoats this it is no sleepover, and I’m not going to pretend it is.
I cross my arms over my chest. “How long will they be staying here?”
“Until the police say that it’s safe for them to leave.”
I groan. “That could take forever.”
Mom drops my hair and gives me a stern look. “Delaney, it isn’t safe for them to go home. Ariel is vulnerable right now, and the guys who are after her know where she lives. She won’t be able to save herself or her family in this state. So stop acting like a spoiled brat.”
“Am I the only one who sees the danger in this? By staying here our family is in jeopardy.” Tears prick the corners of my eyes.
Mom’s face softens. “Oh, honey, is that what you’re worried about? Zerach’s men are right outside.” She takes a couple of steps forward and opens the curtain, giving me a glimpse of the dark night sky. Sure enough, standing right out in front of our house are several men wearing uniforms that bear the mark of Zerach. “They’ll keep us safe.”
My tension dissipates a tiny bit at her words. Only, I still don’t trust Ariel. That girl knows more than she’s saying, and that makes me susp
icious.
“Why can’t they watch over them at their own house?” I ask.
“C’mon, Delaney. You know better than that. The men that are after Ariel know where she lives. Besides, she’s safer with you and Micah than with a couple of guards.”
I nod, because even though I hate to admit it, I know Mom’s right. Footsteps sound behind us. I whirl around to see Ariel’s Mom, Camille, enter the kitchen. Her blonde hair brushes against her shoulders, and she wears a pair of flannel pajamas. I’m relieved to see that she doesn’t wear a nightgown to bed like her daughter does.
Camille smiles, and the simple act makes her tired face look bright again. “I can’t thank you enough for letting us stay here. It’s been such a terrifying time for our family.”
Mom swoops in and hugs the other woman. “It’s no problem at all.”
Speak for yourself.
As if reading my thoughts, Camille turns to me. “And I want to thank you for being so gracious with my Ariel. I know she can be difficult, but things haven’t been the same since her dad died. And now with these strange men after her it’s just more than she can take, I think.”
Guilt nags at me. Maybe I should try to be nicer to Ariel. I mean, clearly she has been through a rough ordeal. The most I can do is try to be friendly. I enter my room to find Ariel wearing that darn nightgown again and sitting cross-legged on the air mattress Mom set up for her. She has a book open in her lap.
I clear my throat and plop down on my bed. “So, watcha reading?”
She doesn’t bother looking up. “I’m studying.”
“I’ve never seen you at Edenly High. Do you attend Gardenbrook?”
She shakes her head, keeping her eyes glued to the pages. “Not anymore. Now I’m homeschooled. Mom thinks it’s safer that way.”
“Don’t you hate that word – safe?”
Ariel finally looks up from her book and eyes me curiously.
“I mean, don’t you ever wonder what life would be like if we were born normal?”