Grey (The Romany Outcasts Series, Book 1)

by Christi J. Whitney

  ‘You disobeyed my orders.’

  I gawked at him. ‘You have got to be kidding me, Hugo. I’m not your kid.’

  ‘No,’ he replied. ‘But you’re with us.’

  ‘You know, it’s funny, Hugo,’ I said, fighting against my simmering emotions. I didn’t want to lose control. ‘But I don’t ever remember making that choice.’

  ‘Because it’s not yours to make,’ he said steadily. ‘You belong to this clan. It’s not something you can walk away from. But more importantly, you can’t just go out whenever and wherever you please. You’re a gargoyle, Sebastian. It’s not safe.’

  I ground my fingers into my temples as snippets of Augustine’s conversation jarred my brain. Who was I supposed to believe? I wanted it to be Hugo, but the longer this went on, the less reassured I felt. ‘I thought you said you were going to fix this?’

  ‘I am,’ he replied. ‘But you aren’t helping. Storming out like that tonight was foolish, Sebastian. And dangerous.’

  ‘You were attacked, Hugo. What was I supposed to do?’

  ‘You were supposed to listen to your brother. You don’t have a clue about our world or your place in it.’ His eyes narrowed, and then he sighed. Lines furrowed across his forehead. ‘I’m on your side, Sebastian, I really am. But it’s taking time to get the information I need, and every moment you go out with your own agenda, you’re messing with the process. You’re only hurting yourself, don’t you see that?’

  ‘I know,’ I said, feeling suddenly desperate. ‘But I can’t help it. It’s like I’m fighting this war inside, all the time. Everything’s pulling on me at once…like these instincts that won’t let go, and I try to stop, Hugo, but I just can’t.’

  For the first time since my brother told me what I was, his stoic mask cracked. I saw a struggle inside Hugo I hadn’t seen before, coupled with a strange pity in his gaze. ‘You have to, Sebastian, and not just for the sake of everyone around you.’ He clasped my shoulder. ‘You have to try harder…for your own sake.’

  I backed away, out of his reach, holding my head. I felt wildly uncertain, too many impulses hitting me at once. The thing inside me – with all its fierce urges and instincts – was getting stronger. I could feel it banging on the back of my skull. It wanted out. And I was growing too tired to fight. I needed to be alone.

  ‘I’m going to bed,’ I said.

  Then I tensed, waiting for the Gypsies to block my exit, like they’d done before. But no one moved. I backpedaled slowly to the edge of the room. Then I turned and stormed down the hall, slamming the apartment door behind me.

  My cell phone woke me from a dreamless slumber. I rolled groggily in bed and answered the call.

  ‘Hello?’ My voice was thick.

  A familiar, chipper voice came from the other end. ‘Hey, it’s Katie.’

  ‘Hi, Katie.’

  ‘Where’ve you been?’ she demanded. ‘You haven’t returned any of my calls.’

  I hadn’t? I struggled to remember what day it was. My stiff muscles protested as I sat up and rubbed my eyes. ‘What day is it?’

  ‘It’s Saturday,’ she replied, sounding confused.

  ‘Oh, I…uh…had a late night,’ I replied. ‘Been sleeping it off.’

  ‘Must have been some night.’

  ‘Yeah, you could say that.’

  Katie paused. ‘Did something happen after you took Josephine home?’

  ‘Nope,’ I replied in my calmest voice. ‘Just hung out here with the guys. You know, same old same old.’

  Thankfully, Katie didn’t push me for details.

  ‘So,’ she continued in a tone way too perky for my nagging headache. ‘A bunch of us are going to the movies, and we want you to come. I’ll even swing by and get you.’

  I stumbled out of bed and peeked through the blinds. It was late afternoon, by the looks of things. ‘I don’t know,’ I said noncommittally. ‘Hugo might have some stuff for me to do in the shop.’ I rubbed my shoulders. ‘Besides, I’ve been feeling kind of sick lately.’

  ‘Sebastian Grey, you are coming to this movie,’ Katie ordered. ‘And then, afterwards, it’s back to my house to work on our drama project, which is due Monday and which you’ve barely contributed to in class over the last couple of weeks, just in case you’ve forgotten.’

  I had to appreciate her persistence. I glanced quickly at my reflection in the dresser mirror. Sick was an understatement. I looked like death had had a party all over my face. Still, a little normalcy sounded appealing – something to take my mind off of everything – even if it did involve schoolwork later.

  ‘Okay, Katie,’ I relented. ‘When are you picking me up?’

  Fifteen minutes later, Katie’s red Mini Cooper pulled into the lot. I slipped around the side of the building, careful to avoid the open windows at the front of the shop. I opened the passenger seat, ducked my head, and climbed in before my guilty conscience stopped me. I didn’t like defying Hugo, but I wasn’t going to stay cooped up, either. I wasn’t an animal. I leaned deeper into the seat and tugged on the hood of my jacket, feeling more self-conscious than ever about the way I looked.

  Katie had her music blasting. Her tastes were far edgier than her personality suggested. But the screaming vocals of the Putrid Melons – along with the fluffy pink die hanging from the rearview mirror – put me at ease. This was what I knew. No Gypsies, no stone-faced strangers. Just hanging with friends.

  Like normal people.

  ‘Hey, Sebastian, I’m really glad you’re coming,’ Katie yelled over the music.

  ‘Did I really have a choice?’ I yelled back.

  ‘Of course not.’

  Katie pulled out onto the highway, speeding towards town. I made sure my seat belt was tightly buckled.

  ‘Are we late to the movie?’ I asked, slamming against the door as she took a sharp turn.

  ‘Nope.’

  ‘Ah, so it’s just a death-wish, then?’

  She laughed like a deranged lunatic and made no attempt to slow down. Not that I was surprised. How ironic that, after everything I’d been through the last few weeks, I was going to meet my demise at the hands of a blonde speed demon.

  ‘So when are you going to fix that bad dye job?’ she asked while plowing through an intersection. ‘I mean, the hooded thing’s all tortured and mysterious, and I get it, but honestly.’

  ‘Tortured and mysterious?’

  ‘You know what I mean.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘It’s not my thing, but I guess some girls are into it.’

  Katie Lewis was nothing if not honest. I pondered her statement about girls for a moment, but found myself thinking about Josephine. I growled softly under my breath. I wasn’t going to think about her right now. Okay, maybe that wasn’t possible. But I was determined to distract myself.

  We screeched into the Sixes Six Cinema. Katie squealed into a spot next to Avery’s Jeep. I bolted out of the car, grateful to be alive.

  ‘Katie, let me get your ticket,’ I said as we reached the window. ‘It’s the least I can do, since you drove.’

  She winked at me. ‘Always the gentlemen, aren’t you?’

  I passed the money under the glass. ‘Well, I try.’

  The scent of concessions hit me hard, and my stomach immediately complained. I couldn’t remember how long it’d been since I’d eaten, and I was feeling the effects. I could smell the food with such clarity that it overwhelmed my senses. An urge to leap over the counter and bury my face in a tub of popcorn gripped me so strongly that I had to hold onto a movie display to keep from actually doing it. I sniffed the air eagerly.

  Katie gave me a weird look, her eyes crinkling at the corners. ‘Sebastian, you’re salivating at the concessions guy.’

  ‘I’m a little hungry,’ I confessed. In no time, Katie had me loaded down with boxes of candy and a giant tub of popcorn. ‘Thanks for the invite,’ I said, scarfing down the fluffy kernels. ‘I really needed to get out for a while.’

  ‘Is your brother on your case
again?’

  ‘Something like that.’

  ‘Well, I totally understand. Mom is all over me about my college applications and junk. I’m just so not ready for next year.’

  ‘Me neither,’ I replied, nodding absently. I really needed to get my head back into school. I wasn’t going to let all that had happened the last few weeks derail me, no matter how whacked out things were. We entered the auditorium. A flight of stairs led to rows of stadium seating. I put my foot on the bottom step, but Katie stopped me.

  ‘Sebastian, are you really okay?’ Her blue eyes searched for mine, but I kept my head low. ‘You’re so checked out these days. I miss the old you.’

  I didn’t want to lie to Katie. She was the closest thing I had to a best friend. But what could I say that would even make sense? My new life wasn’t a subject I could just spill my guts about. But I owed her something.

  ‘Hugo’s involved with some things I don’t approve of, and I don’t want to get mixed up in it.’ I sighed. ‘But sometimes, I feel like I don’t really have a choice.’

  Katie let out a slow breath. ‘Sounds pretty serious. Is it anything you can tell me?’

  She wanted to know, but she wasn’t going to pry. If I hadn’t had my hands so full of concessions, I would’ve hugged her. Instead, I shook my head. ‘I can’t right now, Katie. Maybe eventually. There’s a whole lot I still don’t understand myself.’

  ‘Okay, Sebastian. Well, I’m here for you if you need anything, okay?’

  I looked up from the shelter of my hood. ‘Thanks.’

  Katie started up the stairs, fumbling for the railing. ‘Do they seriously have to keep it so dark in here? Avery said he’d save us some seats, but I can’t see a thing.’

  ‘He’s right there,’ I said, pointing to the middle of one row. Avery was sitting next to Mitchell, showing him something on his cell phone. Brandon and Emma sat in front of them, twisted like a piece of licorice, their lips glued together.

  Katie’s brows shot up. ‘You can see him?’

  ‘What? Oh, well yeah,’ I cleared my throat. ‘My eyes adjust pretty quickly, I guess.’

  ‘You lead the way, then,’ Katie said, taking my arm. ‘And don’t you dare let me fall on my face like some uncoordinated idiot.’

  I grinned, ready to slide into my seat and let the movie take me away. Then, my crazy radar went off. I sucked in air through clenched teeth. Josephine was one row above the others, with Quentin at her side. I jerked to a halt, my hand crushing the popcorn tub. Fluffy kernels spewed, and Katie rammed into me, gasping in surprise.

  ‘What are you doing?’ she cried.

  ‘I didn’t know they were going to be here,’ I whispered.

  ‘I said a bunch of us were coming.’

  The blood raced to my head. Josephine’s warmth filtered through me, combined with frigid cold as I stared at Quentin. I braced myself against the stair rail.

  ‘Oh.’

  ‘What’s wrong?’ Katie asked, trying to peer into my hood.

  ‘Nothing.’

  Josephine laughed at something Quentin said and took a sip of his drink. He pulled her close. A strange sound rattled in my throat.

  ‘Whoa there, mad dog,’ Katie said, eyes wide.

  ‘I don’t like him, Katie. I don’t trust him with her.’

  She grabbed a fistful of my jacket, forcing me to face her. ‘Sebastian, I know you like Josie, but you’re going to have to play nice. You know she’s got a boyfriend. Now, just get over it and enjoy the movie with us.’

  My body fought my brain, and I closed my eyes. I was going to get a handle on this. I had to. With each breath, I willed my instincts to settle. Gradually, I felt the threatening emotions slip back into that part of me I didn’t fully understand. I opened my eyes to find Katie still looking at me, her expression frozen in bewildered concern.

  ‘Sorry,’ I replied, chuckling sheepishly and pushing away from the rail. ‘Temporary loss of testosterone control.’ If only it were that simple. ‘Won’t happen again.’

  My answer produced the laugh I was hoping for. Katie relaxed, and patted me on the arm. ‘You’re forgiven. Ugh. Teenaged male hormones.’ She shuddered. ‘Scary stuff.’

  ‘You have no idea.’

  ‘And let’s keep it that way.’

  As we reached our row, Quentin looked up. The smile that crossed his face was almost snake-like. ‘Hey, guys,’ he said casually.

  ‘Hi, Quentin,’ Katie bubbled. ‘Hey Josie.’

  Josephine glanced up quickly, nodded, and then looked away without ever making eye contact with me. The strange eagerness she’d shown the night before appeared to be gone. A splinter of emotion wedged between my ribs. But maybe it was for the best. It would be easier to break my ties with her, knowing she didn’t have any with me.

  Katie plopped next to Mitchell, nudging him playfully. I watched them exchange a round of flirting as I took my seat. Mitchell was a good guy, and Katie deserved a good guy. I dumped the concessions into my lap, trying to lose myself in the smell of popcorn instead of the exotic scent behind me.

  I could feel Quentin’s eyes from the row above me, burning a hole in the back of my skull. I gritted my teeth, tried to concentrate on something else. Not working. I became aware of the shallowness of my own breathing, the dull ache spreading through my shoulders. My hands shifted to the armrests, and I blanched. My claws were back. I curled forward. Calm, down. Calm down. I repeated the mantra frantically as I curled my fingers tightly into my palms. A cell phone rang, and I heard Quentin answer.

  ‘I’m here,’ he said quietly. There was a pause. ‘I’ll take care of it, don’t worry.’ I felt him move into the aisle. ‘I’ll be right back, Jo.’

  He sprinted down the stairs, still on his phone as he exited the auditorium. Gradually, my cramped muscles eased. My fingers relaxed, and the disgusting claws were gone. I clutched a box of chocolates and leaned back, finally able to breathe again. Sort of. There was movement, and Josephine’s scent intensified. The next thing I knew, she had slipped into the empty seat next to me.

  ‘Hey,’ she said softly.

  I nearly dropped my candy.

  ‘Hey back,’ I replied, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice.

  ‘How are you?’

  ‘Good.’

  ‘Good.’

  Josephine glanced at the auditorium doors. When she looked back, I was shaken senseless by the bright glimmer in her eyes. Everything went upside down inside me. I wracked my brain for something to say.

  ‘How’s your family?’

  Her smile was one of curious surprise. ‘They’re okay.’

  ‘Did they come to a decision about the Circe?’ I asked, impressed with how calm I sounded.

  ‘We’re still going to open tomorrow night,’ she replied. Her shoulders lifted briefly. ‘Quentin met with my parents, then they called us together and told the troupe that everything was fine. The issue has been taken care of, whatever that means.’

  I frowned. ‘Sounds kind of strange.’

  ‘Pretty much describes life in a Gypsy family,’ she laughed quietly.

  ‘Tell me about it.’

  ‘Seriously, though, there’s always something, some stupid disagreement or power struggle with another clan.’ She shrugged and played with her earring. ‘When I told you my family is important, I wasn’t kidding. My dad’s the bandoleer of our clan, but more than that, our family sort of rules over the other Outcasts…well, we’re supposed to, anyway. It doesn’t make us very popular, sometimes.’

  I couldn’t help leaning forward. ‘Outcasts have rulers?’

  Josephine nodded and glanced toward the doors again. ‘Your brother never mentioned it?’

  ‘Hugo hasn’t told me much. Things have been a little too…hectic…at home for decent conversation.’ I straightened in my chair. ‘But he did mention your family has enemies. In fact, he’s not been really happy with me lately.’

  She tilted her head. ‘Why?’

  ‘Bec
ause of you,’ I replied, then I rapidly redirected. ‘I mean, because I’ve been hanging with you, you know, like at school and rehearsals and stuff.’ Unbelievable. I was blabbering like an idiot again.

  Josephine looked amused. ‘He has a problem with me?’

  ‘No,’ I said, attempting to backtrack. ‘Not you, personally. He has this thing about your clan, but from what I heard last night, your family’s pretty much the same way. And Quentin doesn’t like us either.’

  ‘Quentin doesn’t like anybody,’ she said, still looking amused, and more beautiful than ever. ‘But that’s his job.’

  ‘So,’ I went on, refusing to think about Quentin. Just his name raked my nerves like a strip of sandpaper. ‘The Circe’s actually going to be ready to open tomorrow night?’

  She made a face. ‘Yeah, it will, and I’ve got a ridiculously long rehearsal waiting for me after the movie, which is kind of a bummer, since everyone’s going out for ice cream.’

  ‘I don’t know how you do it all. Memorizing lines for the school play nearly killed me. I can’t imagine doing that and a circus performance at the same time.’

  ‘It’s no big deal, really,’ she replied, waving her hand dismissively. But I could detect a hint of pleasure in her tone. Josephine propped her elbow against my armrest, smiling one of my favorite smiles: the one that sat crooked on her lips. ‘It’s not raining in here, you know,’ she said.

  ‘What?’

  She pointed to my hood. I shrank into the chair. What was it with everyone tonight? Why couldn’t they just let me be freakishly gray in peace? Josephine’s hand dropped to her neck, and a rippling current shot through my body as the pendant appeared. She toyed absently with the ribbon, and I clenched my hands in my lap, trying to tear my eyes away. Augustine was right about one thing: it was getting harder to resist the draw I felt towards the Gypsy girl.

  But if I wanted any shot at fixing my life, I had to.

  ‘Your boyfriend will be back soon,’ I said.

  Her shoulders drooped. ‘I know.’

  My heart hiccupped, but I immediately brushed the feeling aside. I was just reading into her reaction, I told myself. I forced a smile. ‘And you’re supposed to stay away from me, remember?’