by W. J. May
His biceps bulged. He’s definitely put on muscle this summer. Seems like there have been quite a few changes while I was gone. I like this one… She blinked and forced her attention back to Carter, scolding herself. Focus, Rae…Probably just jet lag.
“I’ve been on the phone with a colleague in Scotland. It seems…It seems…” he appeared to be grasping for the right words, “Rae’s father is reaching out from the grave.”
“What?” Rae froze, the blood pounding in her ears deafening. It took a moment for the words to sink in. She didn’t want to comprehend what Carter meant. She was there when they had buried her parents. Her mother had died protecting her from her father, and her time at Guilder was supposed to be the time when she grew up to be the woman her mother had hoped she would be, without her father’s evil influence. She wanted to scream. Had it all been in vain? She bit hard on the inside of her cheek, the physical pain, and coppery taste of blood pulling her away from the emotional torture.
Carter seemed to sense her distress. “Your father’s dead. That’s for certain.” He reached out, as if to pat Rae’s shoulder, but must have realized he stood too far away because he awkwardly dropped his hand back to his side.
Rae let go of the breath she had not realized she held, and swallowed hard. She dropped back against the chair, mentally running through the anti-anxiety exercises her therapist had taught her as a child, after the terrible tragedy of her parents’ deaths. Breathe, relax, focus. Deep breath…
“The video Lanford played last term when he had you in the tower… do you remember any of it?” Carter’s lips set in a grim line as Rae nodded. “This may sound strange, but did you watch and listen to it at the same time?”
Rae shrugged, not sure where this was going. “Yes. Wait… maybe… when I heard,” she swallowed, “when I recognized my dad’s voice.”
Carter rubbed the back of his neck “There’s more to that video than we first thought. A colleague in Scotland found a similar tape, which he referred to as H.O.C. or the HOC file. His guys have been unable to get an audio feed from it.” He turned his attention to Devon. “Well done on retrieving the video last week. The Privy Council is extremely grateful.”
Devon nodded but remained silent. Rae glanced at him, but his face revealed nothing. What kind of job does the Privy Council have you doing? When Carter began speaking, she turned back to him.
“They thought all might be lost without the audio, but when I sent a copy of what Rae wrote down about her father’s speech, we were able to put it all together.” He interlaced his fingers and moved his hands up and down in emphasis as he spoke. “Your father’s speech is the key, the video the lock. The only recording we have of Simon Kerrigan is an old narrated taping from a class here in the Oratory—some reading of a book. Almost a full chapter, actually. Back when he was a pupil here. Back when they held classes along with tatù sessions here in the Oratory.”
Rae leaned forward and tensed. Whatever Carter was about to say, it made him uncomfortable. He was babbling. He never babbled.
Devon stood, clenching and unclenching his hands.
Carter cleared his throat and pulled at his tie. He stared at the wall behind them. “Using the old tape and computer technology, we made a digital reading of the speech you wrote for us, in your father’s voice.” He looked straight at her. “I’ll ask you again. When you were in the tower, did you directly watch the video and listen?”
Rae stared at the carved ornate scenes along the walls as she thought about that terrible evening at the spring dance -being kidnapped and the shock of hearing her dead father’s voice. She thought back to the video. She had been trying to figure out how not to get killed and then she had discovered something new about her tatù. “No, I don’t think I ever did both. I never watched it. I was too busy trying to figure out how to escape. At the time, I thought I could only mimic a tatù from the last tatùed person I touched. That’s when I figured out I could use any I’d ever mimicked.” Her tongue ran over the rough spot on the inside of her cheek. The tension in the room suddenly ratcheted up. “I still hear his stupid speech all the time. Why?”
“When do you hear it? At night? During the day?” Carter stared intently at her, leaning closer to her. “What happens when you hear it?”
Rae opened and closed her mouth but could not get any words out. What am I supposed to say? I know the speech, it haunts me like there’s a hidden play button inside my brain?
“We emailed a couple of times this summer. She mentioned she would hear it at odd times.” Devon sat down and patted her knee, letting his hand remain.
Encouraged by his strength, she found her voice. “I might’ve dreamt about it this summer a few times but didn’t really pay attention. Sometimes it starts repeating out of the blue. I know it by heart, so I just ignore it.” Rae shrugged, not understanding why Carter acted so oddly. “Why’s it so important?”
Carter straightened. “The technician – our tech -- who watched and listened to the video tried to kill two members of the Privy Council.” His words dropped into the conversation like a bomb. Rae was blasted by waves of disbelief.
“What?” she whispered, wincing when Devon’s fingers painfully squeezed her knee.
“That’s the guy?” Devon choked out.
“Yeah, the skinny computer whiz.” Carter nodded.
“That wasn’t a nerdy computer geek. The guy was lethal.” Devon’s confusion was plainly written on his face.
She looked back and forth between the two of them. What are they talking about? How did Devon know so much?
“We believe the video and audio is a brainwashing device. When you--” Carter pulled his eyes away from Devon and looked at her. “When we captured the man, he told us nothing. We knew he wasn’t a snitch, I’d personally used my tatù on him. He hanged himself before we could question him further.”
“Shit!” Devon pushed himself up and knocked his chair over in the process.
An overwhelming sense of helplessness washed over Rae, making her stomach lurch. “I don’t understand what’s going on. What has Devon got to do with this?” Her eyes bounced back and forth between the two of them. Feeling like she was drowning in water she couldn’t see, she wanted them to clue her in to what was really going on. There’s a bigger picture here that I have no access to. It seemed important to learn all she could. She raised an arm, straightening Devon’s chair with levitation, mentally using the move to reassert her control over her world.
Carter huffed. “Devon’s working for the Privy Council as a tracker.” He turned to Devon. “Explain that to her later. I’m sure the Council won’t mind.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Your father invented a brainwashing technique. It works through the video feed you saw. The Privy Council believes it now has the only copy. Lanford must have planned to destroy the Council, and probably more. No one outside the Privy Council, and now us, knows; other than the computer tech, and he’s out of the picture now.” Carter flashed a wry grin. “We’ve divided the video and audio into four parts. Each has been secretly placed in one of the four corners of Britain.”
Rae froze, saying nothing. What the heck’s the “four corners of Britain?” She didn’t know and at that moment, she did not really care, either. Her father had not been much of a dad, let alone a man, and Carter’s words confirmed it to a degree she had not experienced before. “What’s this got to do with me?” And how could I hear audio when no one else did?
“I’m not completely sure. I just thought—” Carter began but Rae interrupted before he could finish.
“That I might become brainwashed and turn into my father?” She blinked, surprised at her own words. Deep down, she wondered how much more she could accomplish with her tatù than her father. Her parentage was a weighted yoke she wished she could throw off. However, she knew her parentage effected much more than just her in their world. “Sorry, I guess that was uncalled for.”
Carter nodded, as if understanding her inner thoughts or ag
reeing with her. “Not to worry. You appear to be completely yourself.” He gave her a small smile, which failed to reassure her in any way.
“What do we do?” Devon asked the headmaster.
“The Council wanted you to be aware. If something should arise, you’ve been informed. We hope to find a way to disable the brainwashing but, at the moment, we’re not willing to risk any of our men to find a solution.”
“Why hide the information? Why not just burn it?” Rae asked.
“There’s no proof this is the only copy. So we need to find a way to disarm the brainwashing in case another copy ever surfaces. Until we are better prepared, and have more information, we can’t destroy it.”
When he did not continue, Rae rose. She turned, grabbed the chairs and stacked them against the others, keeping her hands busy so she didn’t freak out.
“I’m sorry that this is the news I greet you with on your first day back.” The concern on Carter’s face gave her pause.
Real or part of some act? I didn’t trust you last year and I’m not about to hop on the band wagon, even if Devon already appears to be on board. “I’m glad you told me.” It was shocking, but it didn’t really change anything at the moment. In a weird way, she felt empty. “I don’t like what I’ve heard, but what am I going to do? I don’t get how I wasn’t brainwashed that night, but I’m glad it didn’t happen.” She shoved her hands in her pockets. “You want to know something else? I’m glad Lanford slipped and killed himself. If he had been successful, I would’ve been his pawn. It didn’t happen, so it doesn’t matter.” She shrugged her shoulders. She disliked herself for sounding so cold. It reminded her of her father. She almost wished he was alive. She would burn him the way her mother had. The large room suddenly felt stifling. She wanted fresh air and sunshine.
“If Devon’s available this evening, get together. I know you were only six when your father died, but anything you can remember could help the Council. Sometimes the odd memory pops up…” He sounded hopeful. He straightened his suit jacket and glanced at his watch. “I’ll let Madame Elpis know you’re starting tutoring and may be back a bit late.”
A smile flickered across Devon’s face, then was gone, hopefully before Carter could catch it. “Fine with me.”
“Keep this information between the two of you. If we learn anything else, I’ll let you know.” Carter leaned towards Rae. “Don’t go and be all girlie and tell your best friend, Molly.” He turned and walked down the corridor to his office.
Rae watched him go. “All girlie”? Looks like he may not have changed as much as I thought.
Without a word, she and Devon headed towards the exit. Rae nearly fell when Devon lurched to a sprint beside her and raced to the door. Hard to make out what he was running to, she mimicked Devon’s tatù and gasped when she saw a body lying on the floor.
Maria.
Chapter 3
Julian
Rae dropped down beside Devon. He pressed two fingers against the side of her neck and dipped his ear close to her ears and mouth.
“She’s got a pulse. It’s all over the place and her breathing is really shallow.” He shifted and scooped Rae’s friend into his arms. “Get the door and race ahead to the Infirmary. Tell them she’s hurt and unconscious.”
Rae’s heart felt all over the place as well. Scared, she switched to a Cheetah tatù, zoomed over to the Infirmary, and grabbed the first uniform she saw. A nurse. “We just found Maria passed out on the floor.” She gasped to catch her breath. “Devon’s carrying her over here right—”
As she spoke he burst through the front door. Maria still in his arms but semi-conscious. She moaned and dropped her head back.
“Follow me,” the nurse barked and led them to the first room. She pointed to the bed and pulled a plastic red bobble connected to a string. A buzzer went off somewhere in another part of the building.
Devon gently set Maria down and stood close to Rae. “She was out when we found her at the entrance to the Oratory. She started coming around once we were outside.”
A doctor walked in as Devon spoke. He stuck a stethoscope to Maria’s chest and touched her forehead. “She’s warm.”
Maria moved under his hand and her eyes fluttered open. They grew wide with fear and she lurched into a sitting position, only to weakly drop back against the bed. She stared at Rae. “What happened?”
Rae shook her head not sure what to say.
“It appears you fainted,” the doctor said. “Devon and Rae found you. They brought you to the Infirmary. When’s the last time you had something to drink?”
“A bit…maybe this morning. I don’t remember.” Maria rubbed her nose.
“Let’s run a few tests and get your set up with an IV. I believe you’re a tad dehydrated.” He looked at Rae and Devon. “She’s fine. She just needs some liquids and rest. You two can go.”
Relief flooded through Rae. “Do you want me to stay?”
Maria gave her a small smile. “I’m alright. Stupid me for not drinking more water. I’ll call you once I’ve rested.”
“If I don’t hear from you,” Rae said with a grin, “I’m coming back here and camping out till you’re released. And I’ll bring a guitar that I have no idea how to play and sing camp fire songs at the top of my lungs.” Giddy that her friend was okay, she couldn’t help but tease.
Devon chuckled beside her. “I’m not coming back if she’s doing that. Get better and take care of yourself.”
“I will. I promise.” Maria gave a small wave and turned her attention to the waiting doctor.
Satisfied she was okay, Rae and Devon left the Infirmary and headed down the path back to Aumbry House. They entered through the enormous wooden door with its stained glass windows, and went up the marble stairs. Rae led the way to her chosen room, idly thinking how nice it would be to have her own space this year. Chosen for the beautiful view from the oriel windows, the room was directly above the one she had shared with Molly the previous year. The buildings across, the grounds below and surrounding forest seemed picturesque and worth more than any painting she had ever seen. They had been in such a hurry before. Now, she had a chance to take in the view. The room had plenty of space, with a bed, desk, built-in closets and even a leather loveseat. Chocolate and taupe were the décor colors, just as they had been the previous year.
“I’m glad Maria’s okay. That was crazy.” Devon moved one of the suitcases they’d dumped in the room in their rush to get to the Oratory.
“The whole day’s been crazy.” Wanting to forget about Carter’s depressing words and the scare of finding Maria, Rae focused on the room. “Glad to be able to come back to my own room. I love Molly, but I could use a bit of privacy.” She spread her arms wide. “I’ve got space!”
“It’s nice. Probably one of the only times I’ll be up here.” Devon shrugged and grinned. “You know Madame Elpis and her rules.” He switched to a nasal sounding voice. “Doors open if a boy is in here. Better to nip evil in the butt than tempt it.” He winked and sounding normal again added, “It’s also too risky. I don’t want us to get caught and people assume. Then the gossip starts.” Molly. That’s who he’s referring to. His gaze traveled to the windows. “Wait till you see my place on the top floor of Joist.”
Before he could tell her more, she grabbed his elbow and grinned slyly. My turn to impress. “Watch what I learned to do this summer.” She put her fingertips lightly on his temples. “Picture your room in your mind.” Rae closed her eyes to concentrate. She had only tried this a few times and hoped she could pull it off. Exhaling, she zoned in.
An image of his dorm suite flashed into her mind. There were two rooms. He showed her his bedroom, lingering on his bed. Rae felt warmth spreading through her stomach again. He coughed and shifted, then showed her his office with a large desk and a leather chair in front and behind it. Along the wall, across from a couch, were a ton of bookshelves, already three-quarters full.
Rae opened her eyes.
“Strange, I could actually see you seeing it.” Devon stared intently into her eyes.
Rae nodded, suddenly nervous. Did he think her strange now? Having spent the whole summer apart, and coming back to find changes in him and changes in her environment that she had not expected, she suddenly felt nervous about what he would think of her. She held her breath. “I’m pretty sure I can do it without you noticing as well.”
“I’d better not forget that part.” Devon stepped back but kept his hands resting lightly on her hips, as if knowing that she needed that reassuring touch. “I’m impressed. Where’d you pick it up?”
“Shopping on Fifth Ave. I accidentally bumped the clerk’s hand when I went to pay. Got her tatù along with my change. It took me about an hour to figure it out.” Rae shrugged. “I bet she uses it in the shop to get a picture of what customers are looking for. I wasn’t sure until I tried it out on my Aunt Linda’s cat.”
“You tried it on a cat?” Disbelief covered Devon’s handsome face.
“Totally cool, but the vision came out weird. Cats see different than we do, and it took me a bit to figure out. I tried when the cat was sleeping and the first time, she took off under the bed. A bit later, I tried doing it again. This time, she didn’t notice. She dreamt about catching a mouse. I couldn’t believe it.” She touched his arm. “Different vision than ours. All black, white and grey. I got the impression he just wanted me to leave him alone. I finally asked Uncle Argyle if I could try it on him.” She did not add that he had pictured her mother and compared how much she looked and acted like her mom.
“You’re one freaky chick.” Devon grinned, his dimple appearing. “That’s a pretty amazing ability.”
“I’m not a freak!” She jokingly punched his arm. “The girl works at Macy’s. If she was given the opportunity to go to a school like Guilder…who knows what she’d be doing instead.”
“There’s a college in America. I don’t know much about it. She probably didn’t pick up you were tatùed. I mean, she’d have to see your tatù. She might have gone to the US school, who knows. Shoot, she might even know about the infamous Kerrigan family.” He scratched his head. “The US has their own Privy Council. There’s also a Great Royal Council that meets several times a year, kinda like the United Nations.”