by Ann Aguirre
“I’m truly sorry, Miss Brooks. I’ll personally oversee the investigation and ferret out the responsible culprits. If this was meant as a prank, it is spectacularly unfunny.”
“It’s okay. Jake has fast hands.”
“That’s what she said,” a guy called from behind us.
The principal fixed a stern look on him and then turned back to me. “I’ll be happy to chat with your parents and give them my personal assurance regarding your safety.”
Oh, shit.
“They’re pretty busy,” I mumbled.
“I’m sure they’ll make time when they learn how serious this could’ve been.”
Time for some scare tactics. I lowered my voice. “Actually I wasn’t planning on telling them. Having two attorneys in the family sucks sometimes. They tend to be … litigious.”
The wheels started turning in the principal’s head, and I could see him mentally listing potential lawsuits. “Well, if you think that’s best. But my office door remains open anytime.”
Jake waited until the crowd dispersed somewhat before calling me on my bullshit. “I thought you’d hadn’t seen them in a while.”
To borrow a word from Selena … “Duh. Don’t you need to get to practice?”
“I’ll be late. Coach will make me run twenty laps. Big deal.”
“Are you sure?” If my muscles didn’t feel like cooked spaghetti, I probably would dismiss him. This was getting a little too close to a real relationship.
“Definitely. People would think I was an asshole if I abandoned you that fast.”
Right. And we’re trying to fix his reputation.
Just beyond, the janitor piled broken cement fragments into a rusty wheelbarrow. From his expression, he’d like to go upside the head of whoever created the mess. Since there was no blood, people lost interest and went about their business. Jake wrapped an arm around my shoulders and led me to a bench just inside the front doors.
“Thanks,” I said.
“No problem. Let me get you a coffee from the vending machine. How do you take it?’
“I didn’t know we had one.” I’d seen the soda ones, of course.
“It’s in the teacher’s lounge, but there won’t be anyone in there right now. Teachers are either bugging out for the day or in the clubs they sponsor.”
“Then light and sweet please.” The sugar might help, even if I didn’t taste it.
“Be right back.”
True to his word, he appeared with a small cup of hot liquid that might well be horrible. I drank it all while he sat beside me. I got up and threw it away, enjoying the energy rush. “Seriously, I’m fine now. Go be an athletic star.”
“Okay.” He dropped a casual kiss on my forehead, and while I wasn’t in love with him, it was easy to pretend he actually cared—that this wasn’t part of the show.
“That was crazy,” Kian said.
For maybe the first time ever, I hadn’t noticed him hovering nearby. Does that mean I’m getting over him? Now he stepped away from the wall and came toward me, radiating muted concern. I nodded as we headed to the bus stop together. The universe is officially trying to kill me. Did that mean it wasn’t safe for me to ride public transportation? But that accident would’ve only injured me, so I guessed I didn’t have to worry about massive disasters. That would be like nuking a roach from space.
As we reached the stop, he said, “Word is, there was no construction going on today, so it must’ve been students.”
“How do you know?”
“While you were making Jeffers stand down, I asked around. Did you piss someone off?”
Wryly, I shrugged. “Hard to say, but all signs point to yes.”
“This isn’t funny, Nine. If you know who it is, speak up. You nearly died today.” He scowled until the bus came, refusing to talk to me.
I followed him on board and sat next to him, despite the backpack he put in my way. “Don’t be mad. I really don’t know. Maybe it was people who think dropping rocks off overpasses is fun.”
“Idiots,” he muttered.
There was no way I could tell the truth. Nobody did it. The world is trying to murder me. Just picturing how that conversation would go made me shake my head. Kian caught the movement in his peripheral vision, and he touched my arm, his demeanor softening.
“Sorry. I’m not upset with you. Honestly, I’m pissed that someone tried to hurt you and I can’t do anything about it.”
I leaned my head against his shoulder, friend-style. “It’s enough that you want to.”
“Sure, and Jake gets to be your hero.”
On some level, it seemed like Jake and me bothered him more than Colin had. I wonder why. So I asked.
Kian sighed. “I wish I knew.”
“You don’t like Jake?” That probably wasn’t the reason, but I chose not to encourage any sparks of latent attraction. Obviously, we were good together, but not in this world.
It can’t happen, I told him silently. Sorry. But part of me exulted over the fact that on some level, he sensed that maybe we should be together. That had to be hellaciously confusing.
“It’s not that. Never mind. I’m probably just being sensitive.”
That’s part of what of what I loved about you. Time to change the subject.
“I didn’t see Vonna today. Is she okay?”
“Sore throat. She messaged me this morning. Would it be weird to show up with lozenges and soothing tea?”
Somehow I’d become his relationship coach. I can live with that. Considering, I shook my head. “But text first. I know you want to surprise her, but she might prefer not to see you if she’s feeling puny. People are cranky when they’re sick, so your good intentions might get lost.”
“Good idea,” he said, already typing on his phone. He let me read over his shoulder as the chat happened, and it was incredibly cute.
Kian: Missed U today. Feeling any better?
Vonna: A little. Miss U 2. Will try to make it tmrw.
Kian: Want a care package later?
Vonna: Ur sweet. Y, if U want.
At that point, I stopped reading. Apparently, she was okay seeing him now. Maybe it wasn’t a big deal to her, but it seemed like one to me. This was such a contrast to the time we rode the bus together and listened to his music, sharing his earbuds. Once he finished, he showed me a picture he’d taken of Vonna when she wasn’t looking. The camera on his phone was shitty compared the ones I’d left behind, and selfies weren’t a thing yet.
“Isn’t she pretty?”
“Definitely,” I said.
My stop came along as he got another text, so with a feeling of bittersweet inevitability, I left Kian in Vonna’s capable hands.
GOOD WITCH HUNTING
Morning meditation seemed like a stupid idea at first but it settled me, so I started the day on an even keel. I wrapped up and climbed to my feet to find Selena watching me while she rummaged in my cupboards. She had been here for over a week and showed no sign of vacating anytime soon.
“You don’t have any olives,” she told me.
“I hate them. So no, I don’t.”
“I could eat them by the jar, especially the ones that are a little fishy.” Her disappointment carried a tangible weight.
“I’ll pick some up on the way home.”
“Don’t forget that we’re hunting tonight.”
“I got it.” We had scouted a locale about a mile from here, the biggest park in Cross Point, and after dark, it was ideal for our purposes.
Snagging my lunch, I waved as I went out. Jake and his driver were parked at the curb, one of the perks of our fake relationship. He didn’t take me home in the afternoons since he had a later pickup, but cutting my daily bus time down by half rocked. The ride was quiet as Jake thumbed through a textbook.
“Test?” I asked when he glanced up.
“Did you forget?” He held the book up, and I recognized it from the class we had together.
“Kind of. But I’ll
be fine.”
“I’m torn between admiring your confidence and hoping you fail.”
“That’s not on the list of acceptable boyfriend behavior.”
He smirked and ruffled my hair. Once the driver dropped us off, we made our usual entrance together and then went our separate ways. It was normal that he’d stop walking me to every single class as time went on. Too much hovering sent the message that things were shaky or that somebody was feeling needy.
God, I’m tired of high school.
The two and half months I had left seemed interminable. My life didn’t improve when the counselor flagged me down the period before lunch. I was walking with Devon, and he cocked his head, silently asking what was up. I shrugged slightly and followed Dr. Miller into his office. According to the certificate on his wall, he had a PhD in school psychology from the University of Houston. He indicated the seat on the other side of his desk.
“I just wanted to touch base. It’s been a while since our last chat. How are you doing?”
“Better,” I said, because that was he wanted to hear.
Actually, Doc, I’m falling apart. Literally. I might go poof in your office if I let myself feel sad. Or happy. Or angry. Or … anything at all.
Constantly seeking inner peace might sound like a good thing, but after all, it seemed a lot like going emotionally numb. He wrote something down, and I noticed he had my file open on his desk. Doesn’t he have other students to worry about? I clenched my teeth and tried not get pissed off. If I had an attack in here, God only knew what would happen.
“Are you working on the journal like I asked you to?”
“Yeah. It’s a real relief.”
“Obviously, this is your choice, but I’d be happy to—”
“No, thanks. I mean, the only way I can write what I feel is knowing nobody else will ever read it. It’s so liberating.” I headed that offer off at the pass.
The flattery seemed to ease his disappointment at not getting a peek at my inner workings. “That’s all I wanted. I’m glad you’re making progress. Your teachers say that your work is solid.”
“That’s good to know.” This would probably thrill him. “I was thinking … when I’m done writing, I might collect some things that remind me of my mom and bury them along with my journal, kind of a like a time capsule. Is that dumb?”
He perked up, steepling his hands. “Definitely not. That’s a great step, Chelsea. When you feel stronger, you can examine these emotional artifacts.”
“Yeah, maybe in five years or something.” Time I don’t have.
Minus the journal, I wished I could do this. But I’d have to go to Boston and rob my old house, and that would likely create all kinds of weird ripples. Hell, who knew what the universe would do if I got too close to my double? The Harbinger had said I could steal her future by killing her, but the world might swat me a like a bug first.
“I feel like you’re in a much better place. Let me write you a pass, okay?”
“Thanks.”
The halls were deserted when I stepped out of the guidance office. I hurried toward my next class, already in session, when Wade Tennant sauntered out of the bathroom. He cut a look at the door I’d just come out of and then smirked, folding his arms across a broad chest. Aegis prickled on my arm, an early warning of how bad this could get.
“So a girl really does need to be crazy to turn me down,” he said, evidently thinking that was clever. “Why else would you be with Overman?”
“Leave me alone.” I tried to go around him, but he grabbed my arm, and Aegis sent a shiver-shock from fingertips to elbow.
Let’s kill him, the sword whispered.
Well, that’s new. Was it possible that part of Dwyer’s personality survived the forging and I had what amounted to a sentient weapon? Disturbing. I used a move I’d learned from Raoul, grabbing his hand and twisting Wade’s arm so it could pop out of socket if he resisted. The pain startled him, so he swung at me.
No, you did not. I’m so tired of putting up with shit like this.
Pouncing, I kicked his legs out from under him and activated Aegis with a whisper and a touch. Gold sparks enveloped me as the pain started. Right, anger bad, sword pretty. With a twist of my lips, I touched the tip to his throat. “This is as clear as I can make it, asshole. Don’t mess with me again.”
I didn’t count on him nearly pissing his pants and screaming his head off. Doors banged open as I hid my weapon. The big idiot scrambled away from me, huddling against the wall, and when a teacher popped his head out to see what was up, Wade went off on an incoherent rant. The way he spoke reminded me of Nicole the day she snapped.
Something’s definitely messing with him.
“Nine beat me up,” he babbled. “Then she threatened to kill me and she was glowing all over, and she’s got a sword.”
Dr. Miller came out in time to hear that, and he signaled to the teacher in some professional code that he’d take charge of the situation. “Calm down, Mr. Tennant. I just had a conference with Miss Brooks, and I can assure you she’s unarmed.”
“Damn, he’s seriously tripping,” someone said, peeking through where a teacher had left the door slightly ajar.
“Take your seats,” the counselor ordered.
A series of clicks followed, until it was just the three of us. Miller tried to calm Wade, but he only repeated his outlandish claims. Jaw set, Miller turned to me for a sensible version of the story. Possibly wrong, but I’d enjoy this. I hadn’t entirely lost my taste for revenge.
My gaze dropped to the floor. “He’s been bothering me, off and on, since I started here. Today he was waiting for me to pass by and said some mean stuff about my boyfriend, Jake. When I tried to leave, he grabbed me. I was about to yell for help when he suddenly fell over and started acting weird.”
“That is … bizarre,” Miller said.
“Tell me about it.” With a hesitant smile, I tugged at my hoodie. “I can take this off if you want to check me for a blade.”
As expected, he laughed. “You obviously don’t have a broadsword in your back pocket. Go on to class. I’ll take it from here.”
“Okay. I hope he feels better.”
“That’s generous, if what you said about his prior behavior is true.”
“Don’t take my word for it, ask around.” With that, I headed to class, which should’ve been the end of it, but everyone was riled up, whispering questions as I tried to slip in quietly.
“Did Wade Tennant really freak out?”
“Was it drugs?”
“Is he being suspended?”
“They should send him to rehab.”
The teacher slammed her book on the desk to settle the students. “Enough. Chelsea, please give a quick summary so we can move on.”
I repeated a version of what I’d told Dr. Miller, best to stick with the same story. The whispering finally died down when the period was nearly over. We didn’t cover as much material as planned, and people were still gossiping when the bell rang. During lunch, I hid in the library, partly because I was done talking about Wade, plus I had no desire to pick at my food and pretend to find it delicious. Nobody found me, either, which was the best part of the day.
After school, I avoided both Kian and Jake, who were canvassing the school. After turning off my phone, I went out a side door and sprinted for the bus stop before they realized I’d already gone. My luck held; the bus was starting to pull away, but I bounded up and slapped the glass; the driver stopped and let me on. Wheezing, I fell into a seat and got off six stops up, then transferred, heading downtown. I still shopped at the bodega because I preferred it to the upscale organic market. Plus José and Luisa had been so good to me, they should get my money now that I had some.
This bus reeked of curdled milk, and the driver was surly. I found a seat near the back, and a homeless guy plopped down in front of me. But when he shifted, I recognized his profile. Raoul? Is this the Black Watch starting some new shit with me? The Harb
inger and I had pretty much ransacked one of their outposts, and I hadn’t spotted Raoul watching me, but maybe he’d gotten better at surveillance. Where the hell is Selena? Possibly Raoul didn’t trip her alarm since she was watching for supernatural stalkers, like the bag man.
“Don’t speak, just listen for a moment first.”
I sat quiet, doing as he suggested.
“There’s been a change in leadership. After some heated debate, I have new orders. They’ve decided that the cost of further engagement is too high.”
“What about Kian?” There was no point in feigning ignorance.
“Not my problem anymore. I’ve been assigned elsewhere, so I’m leaving Cross Point tonight. I’ve also been asked to convey our formal apologies and hopes there will be no escalation on your part.”
Is he kidding with this? But maybe they thought I had the guns to go to war, if they still believed the Harbinger had my back. Not to mention, I’d been running with Selena lately too, which meant ties to Dwyer and, by association, Fell. As far as the Black Watch knew, for unfathomable reasons, I could have an immortal death squad at my command.
Pun intended.
Obviously, I quoted Jensen from The Losers. “‘As the ancient Tibetan philosophy states, “Don’t start none, won’t be none!”’”
“That’s not Tibetan philosophy,” Raoul said.
“Never mind. My point is, I have other things to worry about. I accept the truce.”
“I’ll let them know.” At the next stop, he got off the bus.
As the vehicle trundled on, lightness suffused me. I hadn’t realized how many things were weighing on me until one of them disappeared. Now I only had a handful of immortals trying to end me—oh, and the world. Can’t forget that. The Harbinger perched at the edge of my mind, whistling a somber tune. What did you see? What was bad enough to make you leave?
Dark thoughts held me hostage until I reached my old neighborhood. The sunshine cheered up the streets that had seemed so desolate during the winter god’s reign. Under Dwyer’s management, the trees had budded early, and shop owners were scrubbing down their windows until they shone. First I popped into the store to do some work for José; then we chatted a little.