Betrayed (20 page)

“Duh,” she retorted.

Gripping her arm, I led her toward the lockers.

“I’m al owed to drool over him.”

“Yeah, whatever. Where’s my first class?” she asked.

“I’m also worried about him,” I continued.

That got her attention. She frowned. “Why?”

“He’s trying to find something but things are not going so wel for him.”

“That might explain why he was gone last night.”

I frowned. “We went flying after your game.”

“No, after you guys came back, he left again.

Alone and without the Cardinals. I know because Aunt Janel e and your Grampa were at home. Are they dating or something?”

“I hope so.” On a different day I would be thril ed to hear anyone reach that conclusion. Now, I was more concerned about Bran. Where had he gone?

“They’re kinda old to be dating,” Celeste said with a giggle.

I snickered, dismissing her words. “They’re perfect together. When did Bran get back?”

“I don’t know. I was asleep, but he seemed okay this morning. A little quiet, but okay. Here it is,” she said, pointing at her new locker.

I pushed the issue of Bran aside for later and tried to stay engaged with Celeste. It was my first day at school al over again except I consulted the map and walked Celeste to her classroom. Kylie had been there for me that first day. I’d hate to lose her as a friend over the stupid frozen bowl.

Outside the classroom, Celeste exhaled sharply and peered inside.

“You’l be fine,” I said, trying to reassure her.

She threw me a disgusted look. “Of course, I wil . I’m having first day jitters. That’s al . Ooh, nice,” she added, her gaze going to a group of guys walking toward us.

We moved out of the way for them to pass.

One sized us up, his gaze lingering on Celeste. He was kind of cute in an artsy sort of way—long hair, scruffy clothes like Sykes’.

“I think I’m going to like this school.” She played eye-tag with her admirer. “I’ve got to go. See you after school.”

That poor guy didn’t stand a chance.

Grinning, I headed to my class. Ahead, a familiar figure in skinny jeans and a body-hugging top weaved her way toward me.

I waved. “McKenzie.”

Suddenly, she whipped around and reversed directions. I tried to catch up with her, but by the time I turned the corner she was gone. Weird. She must have seen me, unless she had avoided me intentional y.

McKenzie and I usual y sat in the back in English Lit class and chatted until the teacher arrived. She walked in late, gave me a tiny wave, and took her seat. Since I didn’t get inside my friends’ heads, I spent the better part of class trying to read her body language. When class ended I walked to her side as she got up.

“Hey,” she said, hugging her books.

Her smiled seemed wary, or maybe my imagination shifted to hyper drive. I lowered my shield and my empathic ability confirmed it.

“I’m throwing Bran a party next Friday and you must come,” I told her, pretending everything was fine.

Her expression grew pensive as though she was thinking it over. “Uh-mm, sure.”

“I should have invites by early next week. It wil be at my house, seven to midnight and beyond.” McKenzie nodded. “Okay. See you later.” Where was her enthusiasm? The McKenzie I knew would have squealed and asked for more details or offered to help with the preparation. Either I was being paranoid or something was bothering her.

Physics was bearable, Mr. Sorenson more Physics was bearable, Mr. Sorenson more forgiving than usual. Stil , I sighed with relief when class finished. I telepathed Bran and told him I’d join him in a few minutes then swung by the cafeteria.

The gang already sat at our table, talking and laughing. Cade saw me first and nodded. The others fol owed his gaze and waved, except McKenzie who was busy texting and Kylie whose smile slipped when our gazes met.

As I drew closer, she took Cade’s iPod and pressed the ear buds in place. Okay, so I spooked her by what happened yesterday, but she was being rude.

“Aren’t you eating?” Nikki asked when I joined them.

I shook my head, smiled at her before I glanced at Kylie. She couldn’t even look at me. “I’m eating lunch with Bran. Just wanted to tel you guys I’m throwing a party for him next Friday, so I expect al of you to come. I’l bring the invitations sometime next week.”

Amelia and Nikki looked at each other and gave me thumbs up signals.

“Can I bring a date?” Nikki added.

I shrugged. “Sure.”

Kylie pretended to search for music.

Cade looked at Kylie and realized she had headphones on. He pul ed one bud out. “Did you get that, babe?”

“What?” she asked in an annoyed voice. The others looked at her.

“Lil invited us to a party,” Cade explained.

Kylie glanced at me then away. “When?”

“Next Friday, seven to whenever,” I said, my voice a little sharp.

She pretended to think about it. “Sorry, I can’t make it. My mom and I wil be visiting my aunt.” Kylie had an aunt in the neighboring town here in the val ey. “The one in Hyrum or L.A.?”

“Hyrum, so I don’t know if I’l make it. She hasn’t been feeling wel . I’l let you know.” Her smile cracked and didn’t reach her eyes. She replaced the ear bud Cade had removed.

For a brief moment, I was tempted to knock the iPod from her hand. How could she be into the supernatural and freak out on me like this?

The others had noticed her standoffish attitude and stared at us with round eyes. Even McKenzie, who no longer fiddled with her cel phone, shot Kylie a surprised look. It wouldn’t be long before they started asking questions. Kylie and I were usual y tight and shared lots of secrets, but I couldn’t tel the others about my background, let alone a stupid lie about gypsy tricks.

I got up to leave, and the cel phones of everyone at my table started to ring and sing.

Phones going off during lunch weren’t unusual. This time was different. The ringing started at my table then the adjacent tables fol owed and the next ones, the sounds increasing and swel ing like a giant wave at a basebal game.

McKenzie looked down at hers and scowled.

Cade cut off the rock ring tone, lifted his and said, “Yeah?”

Kylie, Nikki, and Amelia pul ed out theirs.

Every student with a cel phone was either peering at their LCD screens or putting the instruments to their ears.

“Who’s Lilith?” a boy yel ed.

“How did she get my number?” another demanded.

“Mine too,” a girl cal ed out from across the room.

“Bonehead, this is not Lilith’s phone,” someone snarled.

More cries of annoyance, shock, and insults reached my ears from every angle. Valafar. Only he could do this. A roar fil ed my ears as blood rushed from my head and dizziness washed over me.

Contorted faces of my friends swam before my eyes, and then my gaze connected with Kylie’s.

Her eyes were wide, her face the color of chalk. She said something I didn’t comprehend as hands grabbed my shoulders.

Heart pounding, expecting a mob of angry students, I whipped around. It was Sykes. Behind him stood Remy, Kim, and Izzy, who had a phone glued to her ear. Relief coursed through me. The yel ing by other students grew faint then stopped as though someone threw a switch and turned off the sounds. It was downright eerie.

Then a buzz fil ed the cafeteria as conversation resumed.

“That’s strange…”

“Total y weird…”

“My phone just turned itself off…”

“My phone just turned itself off…”

“Mine wasn’t even on…”

“Dude, I have no history of the hacker’s cal …”

“Told you not to buy that cheap crap…”

“Come on, Red. Remember our lunch date?” Sykes’s words drew the attention of everyone at our table. Before I could react to the blatant lie, he added, “I’m not taking no for an answer. Excuse us.” He gripped my arm and half supported me as we moved away from the table.

I thought I heard Izzy snap, “Just hold on.” Hoping I didn’t fal flat on my face, we left the cafeteria with Kim and Izzy behind us. There was no escaping the outraged students even in the hal ways.

It was like an invasion. Everywhere I looked, angry eyes met mine.

Get her out of here,
Sykes telepathed in an authoritative voice I’d only heard him use during a battle.
Bran is waiting outside. Remy and I will be
right behind you.

We headed toward the front entrance, passing students bitching about their phone or providers. Some resemblance of sanity returned along with a large of dose of anger. Valafar did this to me. He was ruining my life. As for the damage to the medium’s brain, I didn’t dare speculate or I’d be paralyzed by fear.

“I told you she’l talk to you when she’s ready,” Izzy snapped, the phone clenched in her hand and pressed to her ear. “That’s not true…we have to get her out of here first before…look here…you have no right to threaten me, Valafar.”

I extended my hand toward Izzy. “I’l talk to him.”

She shook her head, looked up and down the hal way and whispered, “Here?”

Looking around, I saw an empty class. “In there.”

She exchanged a worried look with Kim then put the cel phone in my hand. “Make sure the room is empty and lock the door.”

Under different circumstances, I would’ve laughed at her for stating the obvious. Now, I just wanted to snap at her for wasting my time. I bit my lower lip. There was no point in taking out my frustration on Izzy. Valafar did this, not her.

Entering the classroom, I locked the door, took a deep breath and brought the cel phone to my ear. “I’m here.”

“Aah, my dearest child—”

“Why are you doing this? What kind of a monster would stoop so low to get his way?” I said through clenched teeth.

“What did I do except try to talk to you?” he asked, sounding puzzled.

“Don’t you dare say you don’t know what I’m talking about!” I yel ed. “You’re using my friend as a medium to reach me. She’s going to die if you don’t stop overloading her system.”

“You’re not supposed to have human friends,” he said with an imperious tone, not bothering to deny my accusations. “They’re nothing but pawns in this game we play with the Guardians. What’s wrong with your grandfather? He al ows you to associate with filthy beings. I asked him to discuss your safety and he sends you off on a hunt. What was so important in Seattle and Las Vegas?”

An odd calmness settled over me, and when I spoke, my voice came out confident. “Humans are not pawns or filthy. We need them just as much as they need us.”

He chuckled. “I choose to disagree, my dear.

They’re the reason our kind split. Their insignificance in the order of things is something your grandfather’s people wil have to come to terms with before we al get destroyed. However, today is not a day for such a debate. Let’s discuss—”

“My friend,” I said through gritted teeth, his arrogance getting to me. Taking a deep breath, I continued in a calmer tone, speaking slowly.

“Please, stop using her as a medium.” He sighed as though my request was unreasonable. “As long as you and I communicate regularly and freely, I’l have no use for her services.” Services? He made it sound like we were discussing his servant. But considering his disregard for humans, it didn’t surprise me. Wanting so much to hate him, I closed my eyes and sought strength from the energies around me. I’d do just about anything to save my friend, even make a deal with the devil’s spawn.

“Okay. I wil try and cal you whenever I can.” If this was a ruse to lure me to his side, it wasn’t going to work. “I don’t have a cel phone right now, but I’l —”

“Buy one,” he said impatiently. “If you need money, I’l send you some. The al owance they give money, I’l send you some. The al owance they give you is mere pittance.”

Another fact his spy guide shared with him.

Presents and letters from him were complications I didn’t need. As soon as I identified the medium and the guide/traitor feeding him information, I’d think of a way to cut him loose. Demons weren’t to be trusted.

“That’s not necessary. I’l get a new phone with my money,” I added in a defiant tone.

“Did you tel your grandfather about my phone cal ? Is he going to discuss your safety with me?” Valafar asked.

Not in his lifetime. “Leave him out of this. If you have something to say, say it to me. If there’s a situation, I wil deal with it.”

“I’m beginning to see that. Solange told me what you did in Seattle. I’m rarely wrong, but you, daughter, have shown me I’m not immune to such a flaw. I thought you were weak, ruined by the Guardians, but you’re a chip off the old block al right.” His tone dripped with pride, which didn’t make sense.

“Of course I am. Grampa raised me,” I said.

“I didn’t mean Falcon,” Valafar scoffed. “He might have reared you but my blood runs through your veins. You inherited my powers, my courage, and the wil to face adversity head on.” The very thought that I could be remotely like the nature-bender, cold and ruthless, made me want to gag. “Then you know I can take care of myself. I don’t need you or my grandfather treating me like a baby. What do you want with Bran and the List?”

“The Llyr boy means nothing to me. I need the List to secure my position as the ruler of the Hermonites and the rest of the demons.” There was no apology in his voice. “Back to your safety. There are demons who think they can use you to seize power. They believe the Kris Dagger can show them the location of the List.”

“Can it?” I asked hopeful y.

“Of course not. Stil , they believe it and wil come after you if they can. Demons with the knowledge of your home have been taken care of.” Warning bel s jingled in my head. “Like who?”

“The Goetz brothers.”

Good. Without the twins tracking Bran to Cache Val ey, Valafar wouldn’t have known of my existence.

“The Llyr family wil be next,” Valafar added.

My heart skipped a beat. “What?”

“Your safety is more important than their existence,” he added with indifference.

Nausea twisted my stomach as I connected the dots. “Did you send Solange to kil them? Is that why she drained Gavyn’s powers?”

“She has a problem fol owing orders, but I’l deal with her.”