Darkness in Green & Gold: A contemporary fantasy adventure (Green & Gold, book 3)

by Jo Holloway

  “You okay here, Sandy? Anything else I can do?”

  “No. I’m fine. Go. Please go.” Sandra laughed and shooed them out of her space.

  “I think she’s excited to have people to cook for,” Josh whispered as they entered the living room. “I’m glad your friends are coming over.”

  “Me too. It was a good idea.”

  “That’s what I’m here for, Cara-guay.”

  She shook her head. “Nope. Fail. New low.”

  He shrugged and gestured to the couch where he picked up his laptop and opened it. She sank down beside him.

  “This is what I wanted to show you.”

  She peered at the screen. “The local news?”

  “This story specifically.” He pointed to a headline beneath an article about graffiti tags of bizarre symbols popping up around the city. It was Portland, there was weird art all over, and that article looked more fun than the one he was indicating.

  “Shocking turn in Oregon’s mental health crisis,” Cara read aloud.

  “Uh huh.”

  “Ugh. I’ve been avoiding the news. I hate knowing there’s another Pyx out there taking over more people again. Since he left Lydia, who knows how many innocent lives he’s affected? If he’s out there searching for someone to turn into a new zombie slave, he could have gone through dozens of people by now before finding one who didn’t fight back. If I see specific stories on the news, I’ll always wonder if it’s him.” She swallowed. “I know I should be glad Lydia is safe, but I can’t help thinking that somewhere out there, someone else is going through the same thing now. And it’s my fault.”

  “It’s absolutely not your fault. Not at all.”

  Jenyx didn’t need to verbalize his objections to her statements. She felt his rejection of her words deep in her throat.

  “The worst part is it’s not like he’s the only one. As horrible as it is to say, what’s one more when there are so many of them doing this right now? But we already know all this. We know the surge in suicides and mental health issues is from the outlaws jumping between humans until they find cooperative ones. So why show me?”

  “That’s not what this is. Watch.” Josh clicked the play button on the video.

  A familiar-looking blonde reporter stood outside an impressive building.

  “We’re here outside Locckart Center, where two more long-term patients were released from care today with what doctors are calling miraculous recoveries. Both patients had been diagnosed with undisclosed mental illnesses and had not responded to treatments so far. Both were expected to remain here”—the woman on the screen gestured over her shoulder, and the camera panned in—“under close observation and in the care of physicians. They were deemed unstable and potential threats to themselves, so their incredible recoveries and subsequent discharges are very much unexpected. These two patients bring the total long-term patients released to five for this week alone, a stunning record, according to the spokeswoman for the center.”

  The view switched to a woman in a power suit who stood with her shoulders square to the camera. “Locckart Center is incredibly proud of the work done by our medical and support staff every day. But days like today truly stand apart from the rest. It’s a wonderful feeling to see patients recovering and able to return to their families with appropriate treatment and follow-ups. We absolutely credit our wonderful doctors and nurses for this success.”

  The story returned to the female reporter. “While this is one of the largest mental health facilities in the state, five so-called miraculous recoveries in the span of a week—with several more in the weeks leading up to this—have some experts questioning what Oregon is doing so right. This trend appears to extend across the city of Portland and even around the nearby counties and throughout the state. The same groups who, until recently, could be found criticizing politicians for their lack of action following the dramatic rise in mental health admissions over the past year are now left unsure of how to respond. Some skeptics are even suggesting these recoveries are part of an elaborate cover-up. Pete has that story at eleven.”

  The video ended, and Cara found her uncle gazing expectantly at her. She glanced toward the kitchen door, but her mom was still occupied by her dinner preparations. Even so, she kept her voice down.

  “I don’t get it. What does it mean?”

  “Well, I don’t know anything for sure, obviously. It’s guesswork right now. But suicide rates have normalized too. This isn’t the only story like this, either. There have been a few of them in the last several weeks now that I started looking.”

  “You think the Pyx aren’t hopping around people’s heads anymore?”

  “I think it’s more than that. Skeptics aside, I don’t know how to explain mental health facilities emptying out. Unless . . .”

  “Unless they were people who had Pyx in their minds and now don’t? Is that what you’re thinking?”

  “It had occurred to me.” Josh closed the laptop and set it on the coffee table. “After our conversation the other day—”

  “About choices,” Cara said.

  “Yes, about choices. It got me thinking. Ever since that Pyx”—he stopped with a little shudder and put a hand on her shoulder—“ever since it used you, you’ve been affected by its emotions. You’re still seeing these visions and then experiencing the feelings that went along with them even though the Pyx is long gone. When I came across these news stories, I wondered. What if using your mind also affected the Pyx after it left you? You’re influenced by them. Why couldn’t it have been influenced by you?”

  She blinked and leaned back. “What? That’s crazy. Right, Jenyx?”

  Jenner’s ears flicked back and forth. “I honestly don’t know. Though we have had cases of Pyx occupying human minds before, your situation appears to be something new. Perhaps it is the nature of being a Pyxsee, but more likely it is your additional empath ability. Regardless, I could not say what is or is not possible at this point.”

  “You really think the few minutes in my mind was enough to make this Pyx change his whole plan? Maybe I should take both of you to that facility on the news because that’s insane. I’m telling you, I got a good sense of him. He’s not about to change his mind. Besides, we’d have to be talking about a bunch of them leaving the people they’d taken over if that many patients are recovering.”

  Josh squeezed her shoulder for reassurance before he took his hand away. “Well, I can’t explain why people are suddenly flooding out of mental health hospitals. Like I said before, I think you’re more powerful than you know.”

  She scoffed. “Sheesh. Have you been reading my old fantasy books? Because they’re called fantasy for a reason. I’ll get you some of the crime thrillers I’m into right now. That’ll help you find your way back to the real world. News flash: It’s broken.”

  Josh gave a sad sigh and looked like he might say something about her view of the “real world,” but Sandra emerged from the kitchen. “What are you two whispering about out here?” She put a hand on her hip. “Never mind. Cara, can you set the table, please? Your friends will be here soon. Use the nice silverware.”

  Cara gave her uncle and Jenner one more disbelieving glance and rose. As funny as her mom’s desire to impress Liv with the fancy silverware was, it was nothing compared to the ludicrous suggestion that she could have stopped the Pyx with her mind.

  You’re no Jedi. Honestly. What do they think this is? The Matrix?

  She gave a little laugh. Clearly too many old movies with Wes on weekends. Actually, they should go back to that tradition. One more thing to add to her apology plan.

  LIV TURNED HER CHARM up to a level even Jory couldn’t meet and had Sandra blushing from compliments all evening. While Cara filled Jenner’s food and water dishes after dinner, she watched Liv and Jory clear the dishes from the table.

  When her mom leaned against the counter to chat with Liv like old friends, Jory made his way to the couch where Cara had already found a seat. We
s and Josh stood in the corner. They’d had their heads bent together in serious discussion for the past few minutes.

  “I don’t know what I did to deserve Liv. She’s amazing.” Jory settled beside her, looking as content as she’d ever seen him.

  “Of course you deserve her. You’re lucky I think she’s good enough to deserve you, or I’d have to rethink all that stuff I said last year about just wanting to be friends.” She nudged him with her elbow.

  Jory chuckled. Seeing how adorable they were together made her feel a glowing kind of happy. She could have been jealous of what they had, but somehow it never felt like that with them. They belonged together in a way that didn’t make anyone else feel left out. Even when she’d been mired in the last six weeks of darkness, they’d been a little spot of warm light when she let herself appreciate it. Which hadn’t been enough.

  “I’m really glad Liv’s with us now, and that you had her around to talk to, Jor. I’m sorry I’ve been so distant lately. Thanks for sticking around.”

  His expression turned serious when he faced her. “You know we’re here for you. Whatever you need, Cares. But it’s easier if you ask so we don’t have to guess.”

  “I know. I knew you’d be okay. I did feel bad about Wes, though. He says he’s not mad at me, thank goodness. Have you talked to him about the stuff that happened that night?”

  “He was never mad at you. And yeah, we’ve talked some. But he’s seemed distant lately, too. And I don’t think it’s just because of that night. I’ve been thinking about it since it started bugging me, and now I can’t help feeling it’s been for a lot longer than that.”

  “Well, you’re not kids anymore. It’s natural for your friendship to change a bit over time.”

  “I guess.”

  “You’ve also been busy with Liv. Your dynamic with Wes already shifted when I started hanging out with you two, then she came along. Now you have this serious girlfriend. That’s bound to change things.”

  “Still. It’s more like there’s something he’s not saying. Remember when he decided to get in better shape and took up running without telling us?”

  “How could I forget? For months, I wondered what he was hiding. But it was super obvious that time. Have I really missed that much these past six weeks?” Her shoulders tightened. She tried to replay the limited conversations she’d had with Wes before this week. It wasn’t like she hadn’t seen him. She’d been closed off but not gone entirely. Surely she couldn’t have missed something major.

  “No, you haven’t missed it. It’s way subtler than that. Maybe it’s my imagination. It just feels like he’s holding his breath or something. I don’t know. It sounds stupid when I say it out loud.” Jory picked at a spot on his jeans.

  “Jor, with everything that’s been going on, the only thing I’m surprised about is that we’re not all falling apart. I basically was, but the rest of you are holding it together. I’m glad Harrison came along when he did. At least Wes has had him to talk to when they’re training.”

  Jory’s lip curled back at Harrison’s name. “Yeah, I guess he’s not that bad. I’m still not sure who he thinks he’s fooling with his over-the-top grin all the time. I mean, come on.”

  She laughed and punched him in the shoulder. “Missed you, Sunshine.”

  “You too, Cares.” He leaned close to whisper to her. “Now, speaking of people being good enough to deserve us, what are we doing about you and the Rutabaga?”

  She choked in surprise at his old root-vegetable nickname for Rhys. The first time they’d been in the same room, Rhys had knocked Jory unconscious and left him with a concussion. The next time they met, Jory had punched him in the face and nearly broken Rhys’s nose. All around, it had been a rocky start until Liv came into the picture.

  “I’m really so glad to hear you approve of Rhys now, because I was totally going to ask for your blessing. Seriously, though, we’re not doing anything about it. I’m going to try actually being a normal person and being his friend.”

  “That’s dumb. You guys obviously belong together. Liv’s going to notice soon, too. You should probably tell her before she figures it out.”

  Cara scoffed. “What kind of herbs did you have in your salad, Sunshine? Are you high?”

  “I don’t think so.” He grinned at her. “Come on. You like each other. And yes, he does happen to have my approval now that I apparently earned his. I was worried at first, with how protective he is over Liv, but he came around. He had some pretty big walls built up, but it seems like they’re coming down slowly. Plus, Wes likes him, which is pretty much all I ever need to know about a person. So what’s the hold up? It’s like with me and Liv, and you kept pushing me to do something about it. Why aren’t you doing the same thing?”

  “It’s not the same thing at all. And he doesn’t like me. I mean, maybe he likes me fine . . . as a person. As his sister’s friend or whatever. But not like that. You and Liv were totally different. Everyone could see how you looked at each other. It was obvious to the whole world how you both felt. This isn’t the same. I don’t know where you got that crazy idea, but I promise, no one else sees it that way, least of all him.”

  “Well, maybe the whole world doesn’t see it, but you don’t need them to. Maybe only super-observant people notice it.”

  “Did Wes say something? Because he told me he knew how things were.” She glanced over at her friend. He caught her eye from across the room with a questioning look.

  That night in the van, after they’d left Rhys at Whalton manor, hadn’t Wes said Rhys walked away, not because he didn’t care, but because the similarity to the attack on Liv was too difficult? Or maybe she’d filled in the blank for him. But surely that was what Wes had been about to say.

  Jory’s grin slipped, and his face took on a more serious expression. “Look. Wes has been quiet, but it’s not like we haven’t talked at all. We’ve talked about you and the Pyx stuff. You told him you knew how Rhys felt.”

  “I thought I did. Turns out I was wrong about reminding him of all the bad stuff that happened to Liv. But it doesn’t mean I’m wrong about the rest.” It didn’t, right? Wes couldn’t actually think Rhys had feelings for her. They were talking about the guy who’d told her to stay away from him—twice. Sure, they’d long since moved past that, but he still grew quiet around her all the time.

  Jory shrugged. “If you say so. I wouldn’t bet against Wes, though. He’s not wrong often.”

  “Maybe his superpowers don’t work when it comes to other Pyxsees. Don’t forget he hated me at first.”

  “Misunderstandings.” He waved a hand dismissively.

  “Exactly. It doesn’t matter, anyway. There’s still Emma.”

  “Emma? What does Emma have to do with—?”

  “You know what? Never mind. I’ll talk to Wes about it later. Let’s enjoy the rest of the night.”

  CHAPTER 18

  “WATCH YOUR ANCHOR.” Wes touched Harrison’s hand at his jaw where it drew back the bowstring. “And soften that elbow. Did you forget everything while I was away?”

  “Not everything.” Harrison breathed the words through barely parted lips so he didn’t mess up his position.

  Wes stepped back. “Okay, you’re good.”

  The arrow flew to the target, thudding into the backstop above and to the right of the bullseye. Cara smiled from her seat on the bench off to the side. It was better than his last shot, which had almost missed the rings altogether. She was enjoying watching Wes in this coaching role.

  He stepped closer to Harrison. “Try again.”

  Harrison raised the bow. Cara had made the mistake of asking what kind it was when she’d first arrived at the range. How was she supposed to know? Wes’s dark look at her question said he was not amused, but Harrison had answered.

  “Recurve. Wes convinced me to give it a try. I do like it, but now my release is rubbish. I swear I used to be better at this with a compound bow. Don’t judge, love.” He’d shot her a gri
n while she moved to the bench.

  She was glad she’d listened to his invitation to join them. After the break, she’d returned to school still firming her resolve to be a better friend to everyone. The conversations of that week were behind her, and this week had been all about reconnecting with old Cara and the people she cared about. Sitting in the woods with friends after dinner on a Friday was perfect. She focused on her connection to those old feelings she’d missed out on recently.

  Unfortunately, her brain had a few other ideas. Unlike the visions, she kept revisiting a memory. It was the last thing she’d seen and felt before she hit the cobblestones and blacked out at Whalton manor. The one where she sank through murky waters, drowning. Not a pleasant memory to relive over and over.

  Well, it wasn’t going to be like flipping a switch. She knew that. It was going to take more work to get back in touch with herself after the negative emotions had taken over for so long. Flashes of the old anger and bitterness swept through, and she closed her eyes.

  Deep breath in . . .

  Counting to four, she inhaled the earthy air laced with the freshness of spring leaves.

  And out.

  She was careful to breathe slowly so it didn’t make a noise that could distract Harrison. The black ocean’s depths faded from her mind’s eye, and her throat relaxed so it didn’t feel so much like she was choking anymore.

  Jenner looked up at her from the ground. The gleam crossed his brown eyes, and Jenyx spoke. “Is there something here? I sense Pyx in the area, but we do have several stationed around to keep an eye out. Are you picking up on something?”

  She couldn’t answer with Harrison close by, so she simply gave a tiny shake of her head. It was only the uncomfortable images and the memories of how it felt to choke and drown. She shook her head again, this time to dispel the lingering effects.

  “I would feel better if I checked,” Jenyx said. Jenner stood and trotted off through the ferns along the edge of the trees.