4 Waxing & Waning (20 page)

“I think you should just let us go, Blake,” he said. “You can’t win here.”

“You’re only saying that because you don’t realize what game we’re really playing,” Blake said. “You two have been playing basketball. The rest of us have been playing football.”

Ugh. I hated sports metaphors.

“I’ve actually been playing euchre,” I said. “I think you guys have been playing
Dungeons and Dragons
. I guess we’re all going to be disappointed.”

I didn’t like the small smile on Blake’s face. He was far too happy given what he’d seen so far tonight. “I’d like to test your theory.” He raised his hand in the air and snapped his fingers.

Pfft. What a cliché.

When he did, another cadre of people detached from the shadowy trees and moved forward. I recognized Will and a few of his fraternity brothers right away. Unfortunately, they weren’t alone.

The bound-and-gagged figure they were dragging with them was also familiar.

“Rafael,” I breathed.

Crap. Now what?

“You followed him,” I said. “You couldn’t find me, but you knew he could. So, you followed him to the restaurant and jumped him outside.”

“You catch on quick,” Blake said, laughing. “We were trying to get your roommates, too. I figured they would propel you to take things seriously. Unfortunately, the vampire managed to help them escape before he was overrun.”

“How many wolves did that take?” I met Will’s gaze across the lawn. “It looks like quite a few of them took a beating during the endeavor.”

“We still got him,” Will said. “It’s good to see you again, Zoe.”

“Yeah? I wish you would just die.”

Will frowned. “That’s not a nice thing to say,” he said. “Especially given everything we’ve shared over the years. We had a whole lot of firsts together, didn’t we? A lot of laughs? We loved each other at one time. You can’t deny that.”

“Actually, I can,” I said. “I might have cared about you a long time ago, but it wasn’t love.”

Will’s eyes narrowed. “I think you’re looking at this the wrong way,” he said. “This is a chance for us to start over again. We can join together and run this entire campus as a couple.”

I felt Aric’s muscles tense. “I don’t like this,” he murmured. “Something else is going on here.”

“Yeah, I’m starting to figure that out, too.”

“What are you two whispering about?” Blake asked.

“Oh, it’s nothing,” I said. “I was just telling Aric about the three-stroke maniac’s sexual prowess.”

Blake’s face was blank for a second, and then understanding dawned. “You really are crude.”

“I try.”

“You succeed.”

“What is it that you want?”

“We want the stone,” Blake said.

“And, if I give you the stone, you’re going to let the three of us just walk out of here?” I knew the answer, and yet I still asked the question.

“Not exactly,” Blake said. “I have a task for you to perform first.”

“Really? And what is the task?”

“Well, you see, merely having the stone isn’t enough,” Blake explained. “We need someone with the power to wield it.”

“Shit,” I muttered. We’d been so proud of ourselves when we figured everything out. Of course we’d missed a huge piece of the puzzle.

“They need you to wield the stone,” Aric said.

Rafael couldn’t speak through the gag, but his eyes were trying to send me a message. I took in a deep, steadying breath. He thought I knew the final piece. What was it?

“Why would Zoe ever agree to invoke the stone?” Aric asked, sensing I needed time to process.

“To save you, of course,” Blake said.

“You want me dead,” Aric countered. “Now you’re willing to spare me if she does what you want? That doesn’t sound likely.”

“We need you to control Zoe,” Blake said. “It won’t end well for you. You’ll be subjected to my sister’s whims and … appetite … but at least you’ll be alive.”

Aric laughed, the sound hollow. “I’ll kill myself first.”

“That can be arranged,” Blake warned.

Things clicked into place in my mind. “The resurrection stone you’re trying to acquire is Greek,” I said.

Blake glanced at me. “And?”

“My name is Greek,” I said. “You think that means I can wield the power.”

“You’re also a mage,” Blake said. “You’re the only one I know with the power to wield the stone. I was hoping that joining the Academy would make you see the truth – the importance of what we’re doing.”

“Wiping out the supernatural population? I’m supposed to see some divine truth in that?”

“They’re a scourge.”

“And you’re a dick,” I said.

“At least I’m not a monster.”

“I think that depends on your definition of monster,” I said. “From where I’m standing, you’re the worst kind of monster. You pretend you have right on your side, but you’re doing all of this because you want power.”

“I think you’re mistaken,” Blake said.

“No, I’m not.”

“Well, then I think you’re going to be disappointed,” he tried again. “You are going to do what I ask. If you don’t, we’ll kill the vampire and the wolf and find another way to control you.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled the necklace out, holding it high so he could see it. “And what happens if I destroy the stone?”

“You don’t have the power to do that, Zoe,” Blake said. “Only a witch does. And, unless I’m mistaken, Laura has disappeared. That means you have no one powerful enough around to destroy it.”

I pursed my lips, considering. “And, if I do what you ask, then what?”

“Then we’ll let you live.”

I barked out a laugh. “You’ll let me live?”

“As long as you do our bidding? Yes.”

Blake motioned to Will. “Let the vampire loose. I want to conduct a little … experiment.”

Will looked uncertain. “Are you sure?”

“We need to know that Zoe is going to play nice,” Blake said.

“I can already tell you I’m not going to do what you want,” I said.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure, you flipping asshat.”

Blake inclined his head, sending a silent message to someone behind us. I felt Aric stiffen next to me, causing me to shift my attention to the individual behind him. It was Caitlyn, and she had a gun pointed at the back of Aric’s head.

I knew I should have just killed her when I had the chance.

“Don’t do what they say, Zoe,” Aric said. “You can’t. My life isn’t worth everyone else’s.”

“Shh,” I admonished him. I needed a moment to think. Rafael was on his feet across the way, rubbing his wrists and regarding me with a curious look. We still had one card to play.

“I don’t want to kill him, Zoe,” Caitlyn said. “I have plans for him, after all.” She rubbed her hand, the one not holding the gun, up and down his back in a playful manner. “He’s played hard to get for far too long.”

“Who says I’m playing?” Aric challenged. “I’m impossible for you to get. I don’t care what you do.”

Caitlyn made a face and slashed her claw-like fingernails down Aric’s back, drawing blood. Aric grunted, but he didn’t cry out or move.

I turned my attention back to Blake. “What do you want me to do?”

“I want you to use the stone to control the vampire,” Blake said. “It’s pretty simple.”

“I see. And what do you want me to make him do?”

“I want you to make him kill,” Blake said simply. “He’s already a murderer. It shouldn’t take much of a push to get him to bend to your will.”

I nodded, forcing a defeated look onto my face. I gripped the stone in my right hand tightly, exchanging one last glance with Rafael before focusing on Blake. “Who do you want him to kill?”

Blake shrugged. “It’s lady’s choice tonight,” he said. “Just not me or my sister. I’m not going to tolerate any shenanigans.”

I heard the assembled cadets and wolves murmuring. This was obviously news to them. “Okay.”

“Zoe, no!” Aric tried to reach for me, but Caitlyn pressing the barrel of the gun flush with his neck caused him to still.

“Have faith,” I said, screwing my eyes closed. I pretended I was gathering my power, putting on a good show for everyone watching. I couldn’t see them, but I could sense them. Some of Blake’s soldiers were trying to steal away into the night. None of them wanted to be the chosen victim. “Rafael, I command you to kill … Will.”

Will balked. “Hey! What are you doing?”

Rafael swiveled his shoulders robotically, his eyes zeroing in on his prey. He took a step toward him. Then another.

I was tense as I waited. We only had one shot at this. Rafael took two more steps, causing Will to move away. Everyone was so focused on the tableau playing out on the other side of the lawn that no one was watching me – including Caitlyn.

The energy around us was suddenly crackling as I pooled my magic. This time, when I reached for Caitlyn’s arm, my hands were already glowing. No, that’s not right, they were burning. They were on fire, and I could feel the rage stoking the blaze. Caitlyn seemed surprised when I grabbed her, yanking the hand with the gun away from Aric and forcing her face close to mine.

“Ow!”

Blake jerked his attention in our direction, which gave Rafael the opening he was looking for. He changed his path, suddenly heading straight for Blake instead of Will.

My hands were on fire, except I didn’t feel any pain. There was a tingling, sure. I knew I should feel pain, but all I felt was power. It was consuming me.

Caitlyn was another story. I could see her skin blackening where I touched her. The magic continued to build, and I let it. I closed my eyes as they started to burn.

“Zoe?” Aric sounded unsure.

“It burns,” Caitlyn shrieked. “I’m on fire! Sam, do something.”

I opened my eyes again, and whatever was reflected there caused Aric to take an involuntary step back. I tried not to let the hurt overwhelm me. He was scared of me.

Aric glanced over to Rafael for help, and I followed his gaze. Rafael’s eyes were awash with surprise, his hands wrapped around Blake’s neck as he forced him to the ground.

“Order them to leave,” Rafael ordered. “Order them to leave or I’ll snap your neck.”

“How are you free? She should have been able to control you.”

“They destroyed the stone,” Rafael said. “There’s no power for her to control.”

“I’m not sure about that,” Aric said, looking me up and down worriedly. “Baby, I don’t suppose you could … stop doing whatever it is you’re doing.”

Black was creeping up Caitlyn’s arms and spreading. Part of me wanted to wrench my hand free and release her. Something inside of me was putting up one hell of a fight.

“Order them to go, Blake,” Rafael commanded. “If you don’t, she’ll fry you all.”

“How? I don’t understand.” Blake was a mess, his plan crumbling in front him as his sister’s body literally started turning to ash.

Aric reached out to me, putting a steadying hand on my arm. “Let her go.”

“I can’t,” I said. “I … I’m trying and I can’t.”

Caitlyn had ceased fighting. When I glanced at her face, there was nothing there. It had blackened, and she was gone. The surprise of it was enough to jolt me back to reality, and I yanked my hand away. Caitlyn’s body fell to the ground, breaking into several charred pieces.

My hands were still glowing.

“Is she dead?” Blake choked out. “Is my sister dead? Did you kill her?”

“You killed your sister,” Aric charged. “You did this.” He glanced around. “It’s over, Zoe. They’ve all fled. We’re safe.”

I nodded, shaking my hands to try and douse the green flames. After a second, it worked. I lifted my head and met his curious gaze.

“Does she know her eyes are glowing blue?” Rafael asked.

Aric shot him a dark look.

“What?” I raised my hands to my face. “My eyes are glowing?”

“It’s fine,” Aric said.

“I need to see,” I said. “I need a mirror.”

“I don’t happen to have one on me.”

I ignored him, stalking over to a parked car and bending down so I could look into one of the side mirrors. “Omigod,” I wailed. “I look like a freak.”

Rafael was on his feet, moving toward us. He gave Blake a kick for good measure, and then dismissed him outright. “Let me see.” He knelt down beside. “Hey, there, blue-eyed girl. I don’t suppose you can … I don’t know … poof those away.”

“They’re not going to stay like that, are they?” Aric asked. “That’s going to make taking her out in public a little difficult.”

I burst into tears.

“Oh, hey, it’s going to be all right,” Aric said, moving in behind me and resting his hands on my shoulders. “We’ll get you a pair of sunglasses or something.”

Rafael rolled his eyes. “Yeah, that will work.”

“People will think I’m one of those pretentious posers who wears sunglasses at night,” I complained. I turned on Rafael. “Make this go away.”

“I don’t know how to make it go away.”

“You know, baby, I think if you just relax it will go away on its own,” Aric suggested, forcing his tone to remain calm.

“Relax? Relax! How can I relax. I look like I have glowing blue stars in my eyes!”

“She’s not relaxing,” Rafael said.

“Can’t you glamour her? You know, calm her down?” Aric asked.

Rafael shook his head. “She can’t be glamoured. I tried the night I met her.”

“He was going to feed from me,” I said bitterly.

Aric scowled. “Don’t tell me that. It makes me want to beat his ass, and I kind of need him right now.”

“What are we going to do?”

Aric sighed, reaching down and picking me up. He hoisted me into his arms, cradling me against his chest. “I’m going to take you home and put you to bed. If we’re lucky, when you wake up tomorrow, this … thing … will be gone.”

“What if it’s not?”