by W. J. May
She nudged him with her elbow. “Don’t try diverting the subject.” She had to admit, she liked that he didn’t care about her tatù. She couldn’t imagine herself in the future, married to someone who didn’t know the ink on her back gave her a unique ability. An image of Devon appeared in her head. She tried to push it away. While Luke wasn’t Devon, he was nice.
“I just think you would enjoy working for the Xavier Knights.” He bent down to give the patiently waiting Sandy a good rub. “You don’t seem happy… I mean, you are happy, I just think you’re guarded and protected about everything. It shouldn’t have to be that way.”
“You don’t know anything about me.”
From his kneeling position, he raised his head and looked her straight in the eye. “I’d like to.”
Rae held her breath. That was a loaded statement and she had no idea what to respond to it with.
Luke seemed unphased by her lack of response. “I’ve read the reports about your father. I’ve heard all the stories, but always kind of figured they were just tales. Your father may have started the Xavier Knights but he sure didn’t finish it. His vision was nothing of what we are today.”
“What?” Her sharp response startled Sandy.
Luke straightened. “I don’t believe his intentions for the Xavier—”
“My father started the company?”
“Yes. It’s no secret.”
Rae shook her head. Would her father ever stop surprising her?
“I’m sorry. I assumed you knew.”
“I didn’t.”
“See? I told you the PCs were backwards in their thinking!”
The wheels in her brain started churning fast. If her father started XK then she was willing to bet Kraigan was involved with them. Luke might be her way in. He might hold the key to the door that could trap Kraigan. “It’s not the PCs fault. I haven’t mentioned you to them.”
“So you’re keeping secrets from them?” He grinned, his eyes twinkling.
“No! Well, I guess, maybe. I don’t know.” She threw her hands in the air. “I didn’t realize you were a threat! There was no reason to mention you!”
“I’m no threat. I promise you that.” He tossed the tennis ball one more time. “I have to admit I’m a little disappointed you haven’t run a background check on me.”
“I never said I didn’t.” She didn’t plan on telling him she hadn’t. “Did you do one on me?”
“I didn’t have to. I knew who you were.”
A warning went off in her head. Rae took a step back and let her tatù find the right protection she needed. “You knew that day in the café? The day you gave me your number?” Why hadn’t she seen that with Carter’s tatù?
Luke seemed confused a moment, then his eyes went wide. “No! No, no no. I had no idea that day. It wasn’t until the Twisted Cork. I didn’t know before. And I don’t care. Why does it matter what your name is?”
Rae hesitated, unsure if he was telling the truth or trying to cover his tracks. “I don’t know, Luke. I’m not sure I should trust you now.” She felt a twinge of guilt. He seemed pretty sincere, but here she was, planning on using him. She needed him to get into the Xavier Knights, but if she gave in too easily, he would wonder what was up. “I think… I think I’m going to head back. I need some time to think this over.”
“I’m sorry, Rae. I should have called you over the weekend or right after the club. It just took me a couple of days to figure it out. I can’t imagine how it seems on your end.”
She absorbed his kind words, not sure what to think about them. “Thanks.” She gave Sandy a good scratch behind her ears and turned to go. Part of her prepared to fight, the other half surprised to hear Luke throw the ball again and tell Sandy to get it. He had no intention of coming after her.
Rae walked back to Julian’s car in a haze of confusion. Should she trust Luke’s answers? What would happen if she used him to get inside the Xavier Knights or find Kraigan? What would Carter do if he knew she was consorting with the XKs? What would Devon think? Did she care about any of the answers to these questions?
Chapter 19
Loyalty
She sat in Julian’s car for a long time after she had parked it at Guilder, running through the past few days over and over again in her head. Rae began questioning her own loyalty.
Did the Privy Council have her best interests at heart, or were they only after self-gain? That question had stood since her first year at Guilder. Three years later, she was no closer to an answer. The motives of the Xavier Knights were a new question she didn’t expect to get an answer for without infiltrating them first; at least, not an answer she could trust.
Luke… He was normal, but he worked for the Xavier Knights. Immediate marks in both the pro and con columns. He knew who her father was and he didn’t seem scared of her, which was very attractive to her. She couldn’t decide if that was a pro or just information without weight in the argument.
Nobody would think twice if she started dating someone without a tatù. However, what would the Privy Council say if they knew he worked for the Xavier Knights? What would the Xavier Knights think? Could she effectively infiltrate both organizations, get the information she needed to answer questions about herself and her family, and get out in one piece? Did she trust one side more than the other?
She forced herself to move and got out of Julian’s car. “I have no idea what the answers are to any of those stupid questions,” she muttered as she slammed the car door. With determination she stomped to Aumbry House. It sure seemed like the days were getting longer. Was that possible?
Her pace slowed and quieted when she reached Aumbry’s front entrance. She cringed as she opened the door, terrified it would creak, bringing Madame Elpis rushing out. Rae glanced across the room, letting out a quiet sigh of relief when the door didn’t creak. She hurried to the library, trying to appear casual in case someone was watching. Her hearing tuned with Devon’s tatù. A light tap, tap, tapping could scarcely be heard above the sound of the fans and lights above. Rae barely noticed, except the noise was inconsistent.
She arched her neck and tried to get a clearer view between the rows of books. Nothing. She slipped between the bookcases toward the sound and paused when she reached the row where she had hidden her father’s journal. She slipped down the aisle and pulled the large dictionary of WXYZ down.
“Rae?” A voice hissed.
She dropped the leather bound dictionary but caught it just before it hit the floor. From her crouched position Rae’s eyes followed the knee-high leather boots up to the tight leather cat suit. There was no mistaking who it could be. “What are you doing here, Jennifer?” She straightened, trying to appear natural, knowing full well Jennifer would hear her heart hammering away inside of her chest. She slipped the dictionary volume under her arm and pretended to clutch it to her chest. “You totally scared me.”
A pair of eyebrows rose. “You didn’t hear me typing?” Jennifer wasn’t buying it.
“I heard the clicks on the computer but figured I would see who it was after I grabbed the book—books I needed.” She glanced at the other large leather-bound volumes and pulled the UVW off the shelf. “Weird English assignment, don’t ask.”
Jennifer didn’t. Thank goodness. “I came by your dorm, but your friend Molly didn’t know where you’d gone.”
“I went out for an ice cream.” Do I mention Luke? “Just needed a break. Clear my head.”
Jennifer nodded. She leaned against the end of the bookcases and crossed her arms over her chest. “Everything alright?”
“It’s fine. I just figured if Kraigan’s released tomorrow, I won’t be doing much stuff off campus that isn’t Privy Council related.”
“If he comes after you, you’ll be ready. We all will.”
“You don’t know him.”
“I knew his father—”
“That’s not enough.”
She held a hand up. “You didn’t let me finish. I also
knew his mother.”
Rae felt her jaw drop. She didn’t think she could handle any more surprises today. “Hi-Hi-His mother? Did my mom know her?”
Jennifer checked the manicure on her hands. “No. She didn’t. At least not personally. They may have met but she wouldn’t have known who she was. The girl was a couple years older than your mom. Nothing like your mom – in looks or stature. She had some kind of cloaking tatù.”
“Like camouflage?” That makes sense. I couldn’t figure out Kraigan’s tatù until our fight.
“Something like that. She was sneaky. Now she’s just dead.”
Rae blinked in surprise. “You killed her?”
Jennifer straightened in surprise. “No! But I wouldn’t be surprised if your father set the hit on her. When he took the kid, she came to us for help. Well, that’s what she said. Some of us think it was all a plan… some kind of ruse.” She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter anymore.” She glanced toward the main doors at the same time Rae heard the click of the doorknob and a grunt as someone pushed it open. Jennifer’s tone changed. “If you’re good then I’m going to head out. Have fun doing your assignment.” With her boot, she pushed herself off the antique wooden bookcase and headed around the other side of the row Rae stood in.
Rae didn’t hear or see her Botcher leave because Molly came into her field of vision and squealed in delight. “Here you are! I met your trainer. She was looking for you earlier. I didn’t know where you had gone because I thought you were actually training with her. Man, she’s the image of empowerment. I bet she doesn’t take nothing from nobody. You are so lucky! Anyways, she came by and like I said, I thought you were supposed to be training with her so I didn’t know if you were playing hooky or what had happened. Luckily, I didn’t have to play dumb because I had no clue where you were. Where were you?”
As Molly continued on and on, not giving her a chance to respond, Rae wondered for the millionth time how Molly didn’t need to pause for breath. She finally just cut Molls off, “I did train. Then went out for ice cream with Luke.”
Molly’s mouth dropped – for a mere millisecond. “You did? Oh, that’s so cute! He seems really nice and totally into you. Did you guys kiss? I mean, I know you aren’t the first date kind of girl, but he is easy on the eyes. Did I tell you I’m single again? I think Luke and you would be perfect together. He seems kinda slow like you, so you guys would be perfect.”
Rae held her hand up. “Hold on!”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean you or him are slow. You’re just not in a rush to get to third base… or first base or even up to bat for that matter.”
Rae fought the urge to burst out laughing. It would only draw Madame Elpis into the library to tell them to be quiet. “Molls, I know what you mean. When did you break up with –”
“About a week ago. I know I should have told you. I just figured, meh, you had enough on your plate. It’s no big deal. The whole distance thing stunk big time. I was bummed for about an hour.” She smiled, her eyes sparkling, almost like a bolt of electricity ran through them. “Honest. I figured if you’re okay with being single, I can be too. Plus the Privy Council is interested in me joining on after graduation!” She stomped her feet and squealed. Then quickly stopped and glanced at the library door. In a lower tone she said, “Imagine us working together? Out in the field. You and I might be partners!”
Rae couldn’t imagine the Privy Council letting them work together, nor could she imagine Molly out in the field. However, she was no expert, so she kept the thoughts to herself.
Molly pointed to the dictionaries hanging heavy under Rae’s arm. “What’re those for?”
Rae glanced down. “Assignment.”
Molly winked and nodded at her knowingly. “I getchya. Of the Privy kind?” she whispered. “That why your trainer was looking for you? Do you want me to help?”
“Thanks, but this is one I have to do on my own.”
“No problem. Do you want me to guard the door for you?”
Rae pressed her lips tight to stop the smile trying to push through. “That’d be great.”
Molly gave her a thumb’s up and raced down the hall. She stood, feet spread shoulder width apart and her arms crossed guarding the closed library doors.
Rae quickly pulled the journal from inside the one dictionary and rolled it slightly. She stuffed it against her back under her shirt and returned the large books. She walked back to Molly. “I got what I need. Want to head upstairs together?”
“I’ll act as your bodyguard. It’ll be good practice for me. It’ll help show the Privy Council a spectrum of things I’m capable of doing.” She pulled open the door and dramatically glanced around the hall. She was being more obvious than Rae would have been on her own, but Rae would never say so. It would only hurt Molly’s feelings. She turned and beckoned Rae to follow. “The coast is clear. By the way, you never answered my question.”
Rae stepped through the doorframe and double-checked the room and stairwell. From her hearing tatù, a few younger girls were chatting in the hallway on the floor above them but would pay no attention to the two of them. “Which one?”
“Which one what?” Molly climbed the stairs beside Rae, still glancing behind them and all around.
Rae chuckled. “Which question didn’t I answer?”
Molly paused a moment on the stairs, then quickly resumed her pace. “I asked if you and Luke kissed. Did you?”
They passed the group of girls camped out on the hallway floor pouring over textbooks. Exam time. Rae made a mental note, she had several of those coming up in the next two weeks, and needed to carve out time to study. “We didn’t.” She thought of the Xavier Knights and Luke. Then she thought about what it felt like when Devon brushed his lips against hers. She sighed.
Molly nudged Rae with her elbow. “Ahhh, you want him to. Maybe you need to make the first move.”
Rae shook her head. “We’ll see. Things are, uh, pretty complicated at the moment.” She wished she could tell Molly about Kraigan, or Devon, or anything. It sucked having a best friend that she couldn’t talk to. Maybe one day… just not today.
They reached their floor, but not before Molly held her arm out and made Rae wait while she checked both ways of the hall to see if anyone was about. Once she was sure the coast was clear, she turned to Rae. “Go get your work done. Want to meet for breakfast tomorrow?” she asked.
By breakfast time tomorrow, would Kraigan be racing here to kill her, or maybe running as far away as he could? Either way, could she afford to break cover? No. Not yet. “Sure. Breakfast sounds good. Seven-thirty?”
Molly groaned. “How about eight?”
Rae laughed. Molly had never been an early riser. “I’ll come knock on your door.”
“Sounds good. Sometimes I miss rooming with you.” Guilt washed through Rae like a tidal wave. In all the stress, and questions and mysteries she had uncovered in the last two and half years of her life, Molly had been her stalwart supporter through every second of it. Yet she’d never really been able to share her thoughts and feelings. She didn’t deserve such a loyal friend.
“Maybe next year we can get a flat together or something.”
Molly snapped her fingers. “Great idea! We can drive in to work together and everything! I might just skip studying and google what’s available in the area. I mean, if the Privy Council is around here. Are you allowed to tell me that? Or am I even allowed to ask? Crap! What if they have little itty-bitty microphones set up all around here and are listening in to all our conversations?” Molly ended in a whisper and held her finger up in front of her lips in the universal sign for silence, making Rae giggle.
“Goodnight, Molls.” Rae unlocked her dorm room and closed the door firmly behind her. She kicked her shoes off as she listened to Molly head back down the hall to her room. Dropping on the bed, she sat up immediately, remembering that she had the journal tucked in at her back. Rae pulled her father’s journal out from behind her back. She
stared at the old worn leather.
How long had the Privy Council been searching for this book? All along, it had been with her uncle, who had never realized its importance. She flipped through the pages randomly. There wasn’t much. The first part had been written by her uncle. Then her dad had started writing a few things, but they were the ramblings of a group of boys. Her dad had not been much older than 18 when he had written the other parts. What was so special about it?
She held the book up by the outer cover and back flap and shook it, wondering if anything might slip out. The copies of the strange page she had found in her mother’s old Wade cabinet fell out. They floated to the bed like a feather, except they were upside down.
The angle of light, or the thin paper, or who knows what, triggered something in Rae’s memory. She saw it but couldn’t quite grasp it. “Come on!” she growled to herself. She stood and began pacing, trying to force the hidden connection out.
She stared at the cabinet of Wades. Why had her mother hidden the paper in the back?
Backwards! That’s what was on the tip of her tongue. “But why?” she said out loud. Her eyes shot left to right like a pendulum clock as she struggled to remember something without knowing what it was she was looking for. She walked to the miniature cabinet and carefully slid the paper out of the back.
She unfolded it and turned it upside down. Nothing. She turned it over. Blank. A strange thought struck her. Slowly, she turned the page back upside down and on the backside. With shaking hands, she held the thin paper up against the light and gasped.
Somehow her six-year-old brain had processed what she stared at. The strange markings were symbols for words. Her mother had taught her to read them when she had been little. Every day, she had taught Rae the symbols, like learning the alphabet. When they went to the beach, her mom would draw them in the sand, and then quickly erase them.
Rae stared at the wall. How could she have forgotten? She focused on the page again, slowly making out some of the words. Her heart thundered in her chest. The discovery excited her, but she was still frustrated that she did not know what it all meant.