Out of Darkness

by Cheree Alsop

  By the time we reached the Galdoni Center, my mind had cleared enough for me to know I had jumped to conclusions. Perhaps Kale’s emergency had nothing to do with Ava. Maybe whatever pain meds Dr. Ray had given me had messed with my thoughts. Galdoni didn’t do well on any type of medication. Though with the fiery agony that throbbed from my shoulder and side, I wouldn’t have refused a little help. I could tell by the way my clothes stuck to me that both wounds had been reopened by the flight.

  We landed on the ground floor because I couldn’t force my wings to take me any higher. Ava held open the door.

  Bear rose from behind his desk at the sight of us. “Reece, what’s going on? I’ve had a ton of phone calls for you.”

  “Is Kale down here?” I asked, leaning heavily against the desk.

  “He’s holding a meeting in room four.” He paused and took a better look at me. “I’ll go get him.”

  Ava waited silently at my side. Her hand rested on mine; the touch helped to center me.

  “Reece?”

  I looked up at Kale’s voice. He and Saro hurried up the hall behind Bear. Kale glanced from me to Ava. “What’s going on?”

  “What happened?” I demanded.

  Kale looked at Saro. The gold-winged Galdoni answered. “The Galdoni we captured from the school escaped.”

  My hope that whatever had happened didn’t endanger Ava vanished. “He’s our only lead,” I said. “Without him, there’s no way to track down whoever is behind the attacks. We’re vulnerable.”

  Kale nodded. “We’re with Officer Donaldson now working on our next step.”

  “We have to do a broadcast.” The humming sound was returning. I forced my thoughts to focus. “The students at Crosby High are in danger as long as whoever is behind these attacks thinks Ava is there. We have to broadcast that all Galdoni will be pulled from the schools.”

  Kale held up a hand. “Ava is the only female Galdoni that’s gone to school. Crosby High—”

  “Is in danger,” I said, cutting him off. I knew it was rude, but I couldn’t think through the growing hum. “We have to protect the students. They could have been hurt last night.”

  “Three nights ago,” Saro supplied softly.

  I glanced at Ava. “You were asleep for three days,” she said. There was pain to her words; she had been worried about me.

  I took a calming breath to steady myself. I nodded. “We need to make the broadcast. The Galdoni threatened to hurt the students and we know they won’t hesitate to do so. We can continue the Galdoni integration later. It’s not worth the risk.”

  Kale set a hand on my shoulder. “Easy, Reece. We’ll take care of it.”

  “Promise?” I asked. The question sounded pathetic to my ears. Blood pounded in my eardrums in time to the throbbing of my wounds. My grip on the counter loosened.

  “Do you want to make the broadcast?” Kale asked. “You’re quite good at these things.”

  I wanted to laugh, but my grip on the counter slipped the same time the throbbing became so loud I couldn’t hear anything else.

  Kale’s eyes widened. He caught me before I hit the floor.

  ***

  “Dr. Ray asked me to handcuff you to the bed,” Kale said when my eyes opened.

  I glanced down at my wrists. They were free.

  Kale shrugged. “I told him he was being a bit hasty.”

  I closed my eyes and let out a sigh. “I overreacted.”

  Kale’s voice was apologetic when he replied, “I should have had Ava taken out of school after the attack, but she insisted. She said she needed the normalcy of her friends and a real schedule. I couldn’t argue with that.”

  I looked at him. “You’re not used to arguing with female Galdoni.”

  He smiled. “As a rule, I try not to argue with any women. Call it self-preservation. For all we know, the Galdoni females are freakishly strong. She may just tear me apart.”

  We both laughed at the image of sweet Ava taking down the black-winged Galdoni.

  I pushed up gingerly. Kale rose as if to help me, but I shook my head. “You’ve done so much. I wasn’t very grateful.”

  Kale gave a smile that filled his dark eyes. “You were protecting your girl. I would have done the same thing.”

  “She’s not my girl,” I replied, remembering our conversation from the party. At Kale’s look, I conceded, “Well, she is my girl, but nobody owns a Galdoni.”

  He nodded. “I can respect that.”

  I rubbed my eyes. “There’s got to be a way to find the Galdoni so we can end this threat and get back to our normal lives.”

  “You want to go back to school?” Kale asked. At my questioning look, he said, “I know you didn’t like it there. Things have changed?”

  I nodded. “So much has changed it’s not like the same place anymore.”

  “Or you’re not the same person,” Kale pointed out.

  I studied the blanket over my knees. “A bit of both, I think.” I fell silent, thinking through our options. A thought tickled at the back of my mind. I tried to push it away, but it wouldn’t leave. I asked Kale quietly, “Has the broadcast taken place?”

  “It’s scheduled for morning, why?” he asked curiously.

  “I think we should cancel it.” Surprise lit Kale’s face, but he continued to listen. “We know the Galdoni plan to catch Ava when she with the other students, right?”

  “That’s what it sounds like. Why?” Kale asked.

  The thoughts came clearer. “What if we let them?”

  “You mean use Crosby High and Ava as bait?” A touch of displeasure hinted in Kale’s tone. “I don’t think that’s wise.”

  “Hear me out,” I said. “It wouldn’t be bait if everyone knew what was coming. Principal Kelley said he would do anything to keep his students safe. We can talk to him and see how he feels about it. If it means finding Ava’s attackers and putting an end to the threat to both Crosby High and his students, I think Principal Kelley would go for it.”

  Kale was watching me with an expression I couldn’t read. “What do you propose?”

  I thought of the banners that lined the school halls. “Prom. It’s this weekend and it would be the perfect night for the Galdoni to attack. There are signs advertising it all over the city; they can’t have missed them. Dances usually have few chaperones which means less security for the Galdoni to fight. They’d think they were catching us unprepared.”

  “We’d have to make sure nobody could get hurt,” Kale said quietly, thinking it through. “You sure Principal Kelley would do it?”

  “If he gives his permission, we’ll ask the students to vote. That way everyone will be in on the plan and nobody will be caught in a situation they aren’t prepared for.”

  Kale rose. “Let me clear it with Officer Donaldson. I’ll set up a meeting with the principal in the morning if you’re feeling up to it.”

  I nodded. “Thanks, Kale.”

  He paused, then took a seat again by the bed. “You know, I put you in school so you could live a normal life.”

  I cracked a smile. “I think this is as normal as it gets for a Galdoni.” I shifted in the bed and winced.

  He shook his head. Sadness touched his gaze. “I didn’t want this for you. You deserve a chance to grow up not fighting for your life.”

  “I’m not fighting for my life,” I replied. At his searching look, I said, “I’m fighting for the lives of others. Galdoni weren’t created to do that. And that’s what you do, too. We’re going against what Galdoni were made for, and so because of that, we are creating our own lives.”

  He watched me for a minute, his brow creased with thought. When he spoke, it was with a smile. “Maybe I’d better go to that school of yours. It must have some pretty sharp teachers.”

  “I didn’t learn it from them.” At his questioning look, I pointed at the shadow in the doorway behind him. “Saro’s a pretty sharp teacher also.”

  Kale rose with a chuckle. “You’ve been givi
ng Reece life advice?”

  A hint of a smile showed in the darkness. “I didn’t think he’d actually listen.”

  Kale grinned. “Well, it’s sunk in and he’s come up with the best plan we have so far for luring those Galdoni into a trap. If we can get Officer Donaldson and the school on board, we might just be able to make it work.”

  Saro nodded. “Good to hear it. And to think I was all ready with the Molotovs.”

  Kale shook his head and patted Saro’s shoulder on his way out the door. “I thought you’d be over those by now.”

  Saro shrugged. “You know what they say. Once a pyromaniac. . . .”

  Kale chuckled and walked down the hall.

  Saro took a seat by my bed. “How are you feeling?”

  I grimaced. “Like I fought Goliath.”

  He grinned. “I know how that feels.” At my surprised look, he nodded toward me. “About like that.”

  I wanted to laugh, but it hurt too much. I settled for smiling. “Was Kale upset that I jumped to conclusions this morning?”

  “Not at all. We both realized it had been reckless to let Ava go back to school. You did the right thing.” He gave me a sympathetic look. “I just wish you would have asked me to get her instead of flying over there half-dead.”

  I shrugged. “Half-dead, mostly alive. I’m more of a cup half full kind of guy.”

  He chuckled. “Since when?”

  “Since I met Ava,” I said honestly.

  He smiled at that. “I know exactly what you mean. My life started over again when I met Skylar.”

  “Do you worry about losing her?” I couldn’t help it. The Academy had never prepared me for love. We had been trained to shun all relationships, to not even befriend the other Galdoni because they were our enemies. When like wasn’t an option, love was far from plausible.

  Now it filled my every waking moment, and thoughts of Ava chased through my dreams. All I wanted to do was hold her, and the thought of her in danger set me on edge. I couldn’t protect her enough.

  “Of course,” Saro admitted. “It’s my greatest fear. Why do you suppose they never taught us about love at the Academy?”

  “Because love is an attachment,” I replied.

  He nodded. “But it’s so much more than that. Love gives you something to fight for. It focuses your energy and gives you drive. What’s the worst thing that could happen at the Arena? Galdoni who refuse to die.” He nodded at me. “Bleeding to death from wounds like those happened a lot there because we had no reason to keep living.”

  “You did,” I said quietly, remembering the wound on his side.

  He gave a wry smile and nodded. “I did out of spite. I definitely didn’t love Blade.” The thought made him laugh. “But I loved the thought of getting even. Revenge can be almost as strong of a drive, which is why it’s so dangerous.”

  Something about his tone caught my attention. I watched him closely. “Were you driven by revenge after the Arena fell?”

  He nodded, his gaze on the flashing monitor at my side. “I wanted to make the man pay who gave me my scars.” He rubbed his chest. “Sometimes letting go can be as powerful as getting even.”

  “If someone hurt Ava. . . .” My hands clenched into fists at the thought. Adrenaline surged through my veins. I wanted to tear the IV out of my arm and make sure she was alright.

  Saro set a hand on my fist. “She’s alright, Reece. Calm down. Breathe.”

  I closed my eyes and willed myself to listen. The sound of my heartbeat on the monitor slowed. I took a deep breath and let it out. “Sorry,” I said, opening my eyes again. “I think I need to punch something.”

  He chuckled. “I’ll tell Goliath to be ready.”

  “Reece?”

  Everything fell away at the sound of Ava’s voice. She rushed to the bed, her gray wings like graceful shadows in the dim room. “Kale told me you were awake.”

  “Sorry I scared you,” I apologized.

  She gave me a hug, careful not to touch my wounds.

  Saro stood and gave a silent wave. I returned it with a grateful smile. He disappeared through the doorway.

  Ava kissed me, her lips warm against mine. I pulled her onto the bed so she could lie by my side. She pillowed her head on my good shoulder. I turned slightly so I could see her soft features. I tucked a strand of her long black hair gently behind her ear. “You’re so beautiful,” I whispered.

  She smiled. “What kind of drugs is Dr. Ray giving you?”

  “I’m serious,” I replied, smiling down at her. “You are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. And it’s not the drugs talking.” I closed my eyes and took a breath, then forced them open again. “But Dr. Ray must have been serious about keeping me in this bed because these sedatives are really hitting home.”

  She brushed the blond hair back from my forehead, then kissed me gently. “You need your sleep.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t want to miss a minute with you.”

  “I’ll be here when you wake up,” she promised.

  “T-tell Dr. Ray I need to be alert tomorrow. . . to meet with Principal Kelley.”

  “I will,” she said with a fond smile. She kissed me again.

  I fell asleep with the taste of her kiss on my lips and my heart threatening to overflow with love for the girl at my side.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “I can’t tell you how many parents I’ve had calling,” Principal Kelley said when he entered his office. He paused and frowned at me. “Are you sure you should be here, Reece?”

  I sat up straighter despite the pain. “I’m fine. Are they asking for us to be dismissed?”

  The principal’s eyes widened. He looked from me to Kale and Saro who stood behind us, then at Ava who sat at my side. “Are you kidding? They’re all calling to thank you.”

  I glanced back at Kale. “But Bear said he’d been flooded with phone calls.”

  A smile played around the Galdoni’s mouth. “I guess he forget to say what they were about.”

  Principal Kelley leaned against the desk. “I know what went on at that party, but apparently the students edited the truth a bit, telling their parents that the Galdoni crashed the party, but not that they were searching for Ava. They said you protected them. You’re their hero.”

  I sat back. “They tried to save my life.” I remembered the thunder of footsteps on the stairs after I was struck with the knife. The Galdoni would have killed them. “They were the heroes,” I said softly.

  A smile spread across Principal Kelley’s face. He straightened his toupee. “It seems your Galdoni integration program’s worked, Kale.” He met the Galdoni’s gaze.

  Kale nodded. “I would be happier if it didn’t mean your students were in danger.”

  The principal nodded. “That we can agree on.”

  “Reece has a plan that might help us get to the source of the attacks,” Kale told him. “But it involves your school.”

  Principal Kelley took a seat as Kale and Saro explained the plan to him. He listened intently, but worry creased his forehead. “I’m not sure how they’re going to feel about it.”

  I leaned my elbows on my knees. The motion pulled at my side. I gave up trying to find a comfortable position and sat up again. “I think we should let them vote. It may be a way to get everyone out of danger, but it’s risky.”

  Principal Kelley nodded. “We’ll call an assembly this morning.” He gave me a critical look. “Are you up to speaking? We could turn it over to Kale.”

  I shook my head. “I’d like to talk to them. I have some things I need to say.”

  ***

  The applause that started when I stepped onto the platform in the middle of the gymnasium floor filled me with guilt. It was my fault so much fear had occurred there. They shouldn’t be clapping for me. If it wasn’t for Galdoni, they wouldn’t be in the position I needed to ask from them.

  Students stood on their feet. Shouts and cheers heralded from the bleachers. Even the teacher
s were yelling and clapping. I found Seth in the audience. He was standing with Sam. Both of them clapped and Seth grinned at me. Alice and Brian stood nearby. When I met her gaze, Alice mouthed ‘thank you’, her eyes bright with tears.

  I accepted the microphone Principal Kelley held out. The cheers got louder. I didn’t know if I could ask them what I needed to. It wasn’t fair. They deserved to be safe.

  I glanced back at Ava. She sat with Kale and Saro near the edge of the platform. She looked at me with a smile of pride even while tears shone in her eyes. She knew how hard it was going to be. Kale nodded, the words he had told me in the hall still fresh in my ears.

  “Give them a chance. They deserve to know what’s going on and have the opportunity to help if they dare. It’s a lot we ask of them, but they’ve already shown a fearlessness and loyalty toward you and Ava that we never expected. The chance to fix this might be worth it.”

  I took a steeling breath. “Good morning, Crosby High,” I said into the microphone. The cheer doubled. I bit back a smile and held up a hand. “Thank you. It means more than you know.” The audience quieted down. I had rehearsed a little speech with Kale, but it didn’t feel right. I glanced back at the Galdoni and gave a little shrug. He tipped his head with a smile of understanding.

  I turned back. “We’ve gone through a few things together.” Several laughs rose at the understatement. “It hasn’t been easy.” I rubbed my eyes in an attempt to keep my emotions at bay, but seeing all of the students looking at me, hanging onto my words, who had survived the Galdoni with me, was too much. “My start here was bumpy, to say the least.” My voice cracked. “I may not have been a great people-person, and I don’t think you knew what to do with me, either.”

  My shoulder ached where the knife had stabbed it. I rubbed it as I spoke. “But when Ava came here, I saw what integration really meant.” I looked back at her. “She wasn’t afraid, and so neither were you. She smiled, and you accepted her. She became my rock at this school, and you know what I saw?”