Marking Time (The Immortal Descendants)

by April White

  A couple of small study groups were working there, but no one I knew, so I went back to the genealogy books I’d found earlier and settled into a relatively empty corner of the room to read.

  I pulled out the Shifter Family tree and realized what I’d missed the first time I saw it. Connor and Logan Edwards shared their father with Alexandra Rowen, it just looked like separate branches of the tree. Connor’s mom was a cousin by marriage to Mr. Shaw.

  Someone blocked out my light and my head jolted up to see Adam standing over me. “What are you looking at?”

  “Shifters. I met this kid, Connor Edwards, today.” I pointed to his name, then slid my finger across the page to Alexandra’s name. “You must have known his half-sister when she was here, right?”

  Adam slammed the book shut and threw it onto the pile of other books. “Come on. Ava and I are leaving and we need to talk first.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “The parentals suddenly decided we needed a family weekend. They’re already on their way from London - we leave in an hour.”

  He started heading for the door without a backward glance for me. I was annoyed, but I followed him out. He led me out a side door that put us near the conservatory. I got outside and immediately started running. Adam gave a shout and came after me, but I had enough of a head start to stay in the lead.

  The old apple tree was one field over, so I ran up the stone wall and across the top like I was part cat. Adam swore under his breath behind me as he tried to keep up.

  I finally got to the tree, plucked an apple off a branch, and dropped down to sit on the wall. Adam skidded to a halt beside me. “I hate it when you do that.” He really was mad but that only made me defiant.

  “Yeah? Well I hate being ordered around by a surly Seer in a bad mood.”

  Imagine my shock when he actually apologized. “Sorry. I don’t know why my parents suddenly felt the need to yank us from school and I really don’t want to go. I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”

  “Why so agro when I asked about Alexandra Rowen?”

  Adam looked me directly in the eyes and spoke very clearly, as if making sure I heard every word. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  Wow. Major touchiness, which of course meant I wanted to know everything I could about her. But I somehow managed to bite my tongue and change the subject instead.

  “Your note said you wanted to meet out here?” That caught him off guard. “Your note. In your stash?”

  His eyes narrowed. “Damn. You found it?”

  “Of course I did, you amazingly arrogant piece of work. I told you over-confident people don’t hide things well. Right outside the Seer tower? Seriously?”

  He finally cracked a smile. “And here I thought I was being really crafty. I guess that means I don’t get the kiss?”

  “Not a chance in hell, big guy. But it does mean you tell me whatever you’ve seen about me.”

  “What if you don’t like it.”

  “It’s not for you to decide. We had a deal.”

  He grinned. “Okay fine, I’ve seen you naked in my bed.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. “You are such a liar.”

  “Like or don’t like?”

  I bopped him on the head with my apple. “The truth. That’s the deal.”

  He laughed. “What makes you so sure that’s not the truth?”

  “Because I have no intention of ever ending up in your bed, naked or otherwise.”

  “Ow, that hurts.”

  “Deal with it.”

  He was still chuckling and I had to admit it made him pretty cute. But every fiber of my being knew better than to ever fall for a guy like Adam. “I’m waiting.”

  His expression got serious. “It’s really not a good idea for us to tell what we see.”

  “I’m a big girl, Adam. I can take it.”

  He took a deep breath and studied me for a moment. It wasn’t the kind of look a guy gives to a girl he likes. It was the kind someone gives when they’re about to reveal bad news.

  “I saw you in London, somewhere by the London Bridge.”

  Interesting. “What was I doing?”

  “Looking for someplace to hide.”

  “From who?”

  He shook his head. “I never saw who. But I saw someone step out of the shadows and follow you. Someone else.”

  That could be anyone. Archer maybe? Or Slick? “That’s it?”

  “You went underground, or in a tunnel or something.”

  I nodded. This could be useful. “Can you describe the entrance or anything around that I could identify?”

  “It was definitely under the bridge because there were pillars nearby. I think it was near some steps or something like that.”

  “Cool. Thanks.”

  “Thanks? Why?”

  I took a bite of the apple I’d been absently polishing on my jeans. “Saves me having to look in the wrong spot.”

  “You want to go there?”

  I shrugged. “I’ve been looking for my own stash. Someplace hidden that’s been around for a couple hundred years.”

  “You mean for when you go back? But how can you leave something there for yourself?”

  “I haven’t figured that out yet, but maybe it’s just as simple as finding a good hiding spot and dropping some things off that I might need later.”

  “Like what?”

  “I don’t know, food, medicine, weapons…” I shrugged my shoulders because I truly didn’t know what I might need in the past. I just hated feeling unprepared.

  Adam shook his head. “You’re so… not a girl.”

  I rolled my eyes. “First you’re talking smack about me naked in your bed, and now you say I’m not a girl? You’re a very confused boy, Adam Arman.”

  He laughed. “I mean you’re not like any girl I know. You’re… fearless. And smart, and way faster than me.” The twelve-year-old boy was back. It was my favorite way for Adam to be because he lost the cool arrogance that put me on edge around him.

  I shrugged. “I do what I have to do to survive. I’ve done it my whole life.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  I bit back the clever retort and took a deep breath. “Yeah, me too. I look at you and Ava and think you guys are so lucky you have each other, and two parents who love you.” I grinned as he rolled his eyes.

  “They’re going to be here any minute and Ava wants them to meet you. Come on.” He stood up on the wall and held his hand out to help me up. I tossed my apple core down and took his hand. When Adam pulled me up he shocked me by kissing my forehead. “You’ve got me and Ava, whether you want us or not.” He took off across the wall at speed, and I was so surprised I didn’t catch him the whole way back to the school.

  The Armans were in the main entry hall chatting with Miss Simpson when we arrived. Ava was already downstairs with an overnight bag and she grabbed my hand. “Thanks.”

  I was surprised. “For what?”

  “For meeting them.”

  She nodded at Adam who slipped quietly up the stairs before their parents could say anything. There was a pause in the adults’ conversation and Ava stepped forward. “Mum, Daddy, I’d like you to meet our friend, Saira. Saira, these are my parents.”

  Mr. Arman was tall and looked like the grown-up, conservative version of his son in a cashmere sweater and slacks. Mrs. Arman was exquisitely elegant in that way rich women are. From her simple pearl earrings down to pointy-toed boots under dark jeans, she made me feel like a total slob in her presence. I had to work my confidence up just to shake her hand. “It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Arman.”

  When Mrs. Arman took my hand her eyes widened and her friendly smile faltered for the barest fraction of a second. Then suddenly her smile grew warmer and she clasped my hand in hers. “It’s so nice to finally meet you, Saira.”

  Ava and her father both had slightly odd looks on their faces as Mrs. Arman kept my hand in hers. “Will you walk with me?” Mrs.
Arman’s voice sounded musical.

  “Sure.” How anyone could refuse this woman anything was beyond me. She looked back at her husband. “Richard, please ask Adam to bring his leather bag. The canvas one he’s packing is disgusting.”

  Adam was clearly nowhere in sight but she must be able to ‘see’ what he’d be bringing. It was disconcerting to hear her speak so directly about being able to see the future.

  Mrs. Arman kept my hand in hers as she led me down the front steps. There was a new black Mercedes Maybach with a driver waiting. It’s the kind of luxury car that comes with optional bullet-proof glass, and I realized these people had serious money.

  “Thank you for walking with me, Saira. I don’t want Ava to overhear us.” As shocked as I was at her directness, I appreciated it too. It’s pretty rare to meet adults who ever speak to kids in a straight way. She stopped and faced me. We were almost the same height, but her pointy-toed boots were on three-inch heels. I suddenly wasn’t quite so intimidated by her.

  “My son will get over his crush on you soon enough to make a useful ally. Unfortunately he learned the first time how vulnerable he is, but the walls he has in place are good for you both.” She was knocking the wind out of me with each word and I was scrambling to keep up. She barely noticed.

  “Don’t let him follow you into the tunnels. He’ll want to protect you but he can’t. Not yet. Not until he accepts there’s someone else.” The blood rushed to my face and I was about to protest, but Mrs. Arman’s eyes went unfocused again and then she gasped. “Oh! You can trust Tom, but his mother never told-- Oh dear! I’m sorry, I have to talk to my husband.”

  Mrs. Arman let go of my hand and started back toward the door. Right before she went inside she turned. “I look forward to getting to know you, Saira. And we’ll all figure out how to be there for you in the end.”

  She rushed inside and left me alone on the path. The Maybach driver studiously ignored me as I reeled from Mrs. Arman’s visions. Until Mrs. Arman spoke to me I would have denied with every last breath that there could ever be something between Adam and me. And now, suddenly, I was sad that it would apparently never be anything at all.

  The thing that had made Mrs. Arman go all nervous and flustery was the vision about Tom and his mother. I guessed she meant Tom Landers? And since Adam and his mom both saw me in the tunnels, I better be prepared for the London Bridge Catacombs.

  Ava came outside to find me. “Hey. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah. I’m just processing.”

  She looked concerned. “Anything you want to talk about?”

  Whatever I said to her would get back to Adam, so I sidestepped. “Adam once mentioned that he dated a ballerina. Was that Alexandra Rowen by any chance?”

  Clearly I’d hit something raw with that question. “I can’t talk about that. That’s Adam’s story to tell.” Okay, even his own sister wouldn’t spill on that one.

  The front door to the school opened and the driver exited with Ava and Adam’s bags over his shoulder. I noticed Adam’s was a leather bag, so his mother had won that round. Ava whispered fiercely. “Please don’t mention Alex to him. It isn’t fair.”

  I searched her eyes for some clue to what she meant but there was only pleading in them. “I won’t say anything.”

  She gave my hand a squeeze and palmed my coin to show me she had it. “If we go to Chelsea, I’ll try to change your money.” Then she raced off to join her family at the car.

  Adam was watching me curiously while his parents loaded into the fancy vehicle. I tried to smile at him but none came, so I just waved instead.

  “Good bye, Saira. Bring your sweater to London this weekend, it’s going to rain.” Mrs. Arman’s voice rang out clearly, yet with a genuine friendliness. Adam looked sharply at his mother, then back at me with a question in his eyes. I suddenly got defiant. No Seer was going to determine my fate. That job was mine, and mine alone.

  So I blew Adam a kiss, watched just long enough to watch shocked expressions land on three faces (Mr. Arman was too busy talking to the driver), and went inside. I laughed when the door shut behind me, more from nerves than humor.

  Miss Simpson stepped out of the library. “That was interesting.”

  I don’t know what astonished me more, that she’d been spying or that she admitted it. “Which part?”

  “Well, I didn’t hear what Camille said to you, of course, but I imagine it had to do with her son.”

  “Why does everyone think there’s something between me and Adam?”

  “Maybe because it’s there for him?”

  I shook my head. “It’s not though. At least, it’s not about me.”

  She sighed. “You remember the history I told you? About Jera and Goran?” I nodded, suddenly acutely aware that I was speaking to the headmistress of the school. “Do you also remember that the Immortals declared there could never be another mix of Families? That declaration has come with the threat of death, to be meted out by the Descendants of War.”

  I stared at Miss Simpson in horror. “They kill mixed kids?”

  Miss Simpson met my eyes levelly. “They don’t allow mixed kids to be born. Family Descendants are watched closely, and whenever there’s been the slightest possibility of a relationship developing across Family lines, it is broken up in no uncertain terms.”

  “That’s barbaric!”

  “Undoubtedly. Yet, no one has risen to stand against it.”

  “Hasn’t anyone tried?”

  Miss Simpson looked grim. “I believe there was once a council in the mid-nineteenth Century who made strides toward desegregation of the Families…”

  I finished her sentence, feeling sick to my stomach. “But they were murdered.”

  Miss Simpson looked sharply at me. I didn’t want to bust Mr. Shaw so I changed the subject. “But Mrs. Arman wasn’t bothered that Adam might like me. Doesn’t that seem like things might be changing?”

  “Well, as I can’t begin to wonder at her motives for saying such a thing, I’ll merely leave you with this. The Armans are powerful allies to have. They are also playing their own game of Family politics, and as such, have their own best interests at heart.”

  “So how much weight should I give what she said then?”

  Miss Simpson smiled. “If Camille offered insight or assistance, take it. If she offered advice, take it with a grain of salt.”

  I nodded. “Okay.”

  “I’m still working on a class schedule for you, dear. But I understand you’ve been sitting in with Mr. Shaw.” I nodded. “Please continue to do that. I believe you’ll find him to be most instructional.” I was relieved. I’d been half-afraid I’d be banned from talking to the Bear. Especially if anyone realized what we were talking about. “Thank you.”

  “You can thank Mr. Shaw. It was his request.” She turned to head back into the library.

  “Miss Simpson?”

  “Yes?”

  “What happens if descendants from different Families do get together?”

  She looked at me for a long moment. “It doesn’t happen.”

  “But what if it did?”

  “Their families would shun them, they’d be cast out and they’d be prevented from having children.”

  “Prevented? How?”

  “It hasn’t happened in years.”

  “How would they be prevented from having kids?”

  She looked me straight in the eyes. “It used to be death. Now there’s a medical procedure...”

  I was horrified. “That’s insane!”

  Her eyes didn’t leave mine. “Until a precedent has been set and the laws can be changed, the threat of barbarism seems to be enough.”

  “What are they so afraid of?”

  Miss Simpson sighed. “The medical excuse is blood, since Family branches can’t transfuse blood into other branches. The thought is that mixed-blood children would be aberrations. But in reality, everything in this world comes down to power. Who has it and how it’s used. The day
when love is stronger than fear is the day we’ll begin to discover our true power.”

  The bell rang and she left me with her words still ringing in my ears. The front hall was suddenly swarming with students and I found myself being carried along with the tide toward the dining hall. Of course I was starving. My meals lately had been so erratic that I either ate like a pig when it was in front of me or I dealt with a growling stomach all the time.

  I saw Olivia sitting at the far side of the hall and I loaded up a plate with some sort of meat and vegetable pie and slid onto the bench next to her. Olivia looked around. “So where’s your handsome prince?”

  I scowled at her. “If you’re talking about Adam I’m leaving. There’s nothing going on.” She laughed at my expression and took a huge bite of her food. It was disconcerting to see so much food go into such a tiny human. “You better chew that really well. I can’t believe you can actually fit all that food in your mouth.”

  Olivia’s eyes twinkled and she swallowed. “I’m growing.”

  I smirked. “About time.”

  She stuck her tongue out at me and we both cracked up.

  “Okay, I’m sorry about the handsome prince comment. I’m sure he’s really a frog in disguise.”

  “Most good-looking guys are. Didn’t you get the memo?”

  Olivia laughed again. “You seriously aren’t into him?”

  I shook my head and it kind of felt like a betrayal. “Adam’s a friend. Actually, you and the twins are my only friends here.”

  A voice popped up at my shoulder and made me almost drop my fork. “Not true. You just don’t know me well enough yet.” Connor dropped into a seat across from us and grinned. “Hi.”

  The look on his face was so mischievous he reminded me of Ringo and it made me laugh. “Do you guys know each other?”

  Connor immediately stuck out his hand. “Hi Olivia, I’m Connor.”

  She looked startled. “How do you know my name?”

  “I was just waiting for the right time to meet you. And since you’re sitting with my friend Saira, I figured now’s the time.”

  Olivia looked from me to Connor. “You guys are friends?”