Betrayed (44 page)

Although after hearing that vamps and werewolves are real, nothing can be
that
important.”

“Nosferatus and Werenephils,” I corrected her then added, “Forget it. There’s a reason why you are able to hear my conversation with Valafar.” Her eyes narrowed. “No angelic dust or glamour?”

“No. You’re a medium.”

She made a face. “A what?”

“Someone who channels spirits or the supernatural,” I explained. The smile left her face as I explained about mediums and guides. By the time I finished, she was scowling. “Grampa is a powerful psi and wil take care of you if you let him.” For a moment she didn’t speak. I could tel that she was thinking things through. “I don’t know if I want him to do that,” she said slowly. “You hunt demons, and that’s big. Why can’t I help? I mean, I’m not part angel or anything or even a Guardian, but there must be something a medium can do.” I sighed. “Actual y, there is. We need to identify the guide Valafar is using. I’l explain everything later. The only problem is humans are not supposed to know about us, so the others won’t be happy I told you.”

“I bet they won’t, but I’l definitely look at their gorgeous faces differently from now on. Part angels.

Go figure.” She rol ed her eyes.

I picked up the book on mediums, a bit worried about her unconcerned attitude. “This book explains what could happen if you continue to use your ability. I don’t want you to get hurt because of me, Kylie. So please, think careful y about what you want to do next.”

She shrugged, took the book from me, and turned it over to see the cover. “My family is a blend of Scottish, Irish, and English, nothing extraordinary.

Having this ability makes me, I don’t know, special.

Just like you.” She flipped through the pages. “You read Latin?”

I was not going to go into our ability to master languages, even though I cheated and acquired most of mine when I bonded with the Kris Dagger.

most of mine when I bonded with the Kris Dagger.

“Yes, and if you like, I can translate some of the pages, so you know what you’re getting into.” She showed me a picture of a person holding his head, blood dripping from his nose. Another picture depicted a woman screaming while holding her head. “So this is why you asked us about headaches and nosebleeds.”

“Yes.” I studied her face. She seemed grossed out by the pictures. Maybe she’d change her mind. “Have you ever heard other voices before last week?”

She shook her head, putting the book down.

“Just your father’s voice.”

“Don’t cal him that,” I snapped.

Her eyes widened. “Okay. I won’t.” Her cel phone vibrated. She glanced at it and grimaced. “I, uh, better go. Cade is here.” She jumped up and hugged me before adding, “Cal me tonight.” As soon as the door closed behind her, I changed, grabbed the dagger, and teleported to HQ.

I ran al the way to the pit, but I stil got there late.

Haziel was in a forgiving mood. He didn’t gril me again about the dagger, which I was sure he knew I’d taken home, but had plenty to say about Bran and the others while chuckling.

“I would not condone such actions, but at times an extreme situation cal s for extreme measures. The CP is scrambling to locate them, you know.” More pacing and nods. “I hope they do not stop until they find the List and help the young Cardinal.”

My jaw dropped. “I thought you hated anyone with demon blood,” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

“Oh, I do. The bad ones.” He squinted at me as knives floated out of his weapons bag. “You’re a half demon. You don’t see me hating you now, do you?”

Blinking, I stared at him with round eyes. “You knew?”

“About your father? Of course.” He sounded insulted. “What do you think I am? Senile?” At eight hundred years old, yeah. Crabby too.

“But you never have anything nice to say about Bran,” I added.

His forehead furrowed. “I misjudged the boy, that’s al . Warm up time.”

Smiling, I walked to the middle of the floor.

***

Grampa and Janel e were in the house when I returned. I tried to stay in my room but they must have known the moment I teleported in and came knocking. My heart pounding, I opened the door and stepped back. Grampa’s lips were pressed in a thin line as he glared down at me.

“That was quite a performance you gave earlier, young lady,” he said coldly from the doorway.

Lifting my chin and hoping he wouldn’t pick up on my unease, I shrugged. “I meant everything I said, Grampa.”

“I’m sure you did. But you can’t throw a tantrum and hold the Cardinals hostage whenever it suits you,” he snapped.

For a moment words failed me. My mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water before I found my voice. “I don’t consider watching out for someone I care about throwing a tantrum. Do you remember when you were kidnapped by Valafar?

We came to your rescue because I—”

“Threw a tantrum,” he finished in the same frosty voice. “You must stop being impulsive. As the Chosen One, you must think things through before you act or speak.”

Anger replaced the shock. He was supposed to be on my side, and I hated fighting with him. I swal owed past a lump in my throat. “Does that mean helping the Specials is out?”

“No. We already had a conference with Darius and the Brotherhood, and they agreed to help. Your suggestion was logical. However, this business with Bran—”

“Jethro and his friends?” I interrupted rudely.

Grampa’s eyes narrowed. He crossed his arms. I knew that gesture. He was done talking.

“We haven’t reached a consensus, but we’re working on it,” Aunt Janel e answered.

I ignored her, my gaze steady on Grampa.

“What about Jethro and his friends, Grampa?”

“Janel e already answered you.?”

“Why is it okay to help them
and
the Specials but not Bran?” I yel ed.

“Because we’re doing everything we can,” Grampa said firmly. “He can’t stay here if we fail.

Linking with him wil contaminate your psi and affect how you control the dagger. It’s already started.” how you control the dagger. It’s already started.” Tears fil ed my eyes. “Then let someone else be the wielder of the dagger. I didn’t ask it to choose me.”

Grampa straightened to his ful height. “Young lady, you’re grounded. No hunting for the next month.

No—”

Aunt Janel e gripped his arm and shook her head.

“Fine. You talk to her. She’s become impossible.” He turned and stomped away.

A tear escaped. I swiped at it, so angry I could scream.

“May I come in?” Aunt Janel e asked.

I crossed my arms and didn’t respond or move an inch.

She smiled. “You look just like your grandfather when you do that. Every day, you act more like him, which means you two wil be butting heads more often.”

“I’m nothing like him.” I turned and marched to my bed, blinking hard to stop more tears from fal ing.

“He’s bossy and overbearing and treats me like a child.” I sat and glared at Aunt Janel e.

She leaned against the door frame and studied me. “Ares was right, you know. Linking with Bran as he becomes demonic wil affect how you wield the dagger.”

I didn’t care. Let them find another wielder.

Instead of responding, I reached for my backpack and removed my homework. Why was I bothering with homework anyway? If Bran left, I’d leave, too.

“Last week, you hurt Haziel during training,” Aunt Janel e continued.

I glared at her. “So? Maybe it’s not because Bran contaminated my psi energy. Maybe it’s because my father is a nature-bender and my destiny is to be one too.”

“Sweetheart…,” she started.

“Why did he have to run to you guys and report?” I griped.

“He needed someone to fix the hole the dagger created. He made me swear not to tel anyone except the Cardinals. Months ago, when we noticed the feathers missing from Bran’s wings, we asked Haziel for answers. He’s been around long enough to know what to do in most situations. He told us to find the contracts but warned us about the consequences of the two of you linking once Bran’s psi energy starts to change. It wouldn’t be so bad if Bran were just any other Guardian. Your matched energies present a unique case.”

“You know about that?” I whispered.

“Of course. Ares noticed it right away, which is why he fought hard to help Bran and continues to do so now. He knows you’l always find each other no matter what.” She sighed, her eyes fil ed with concern. “We’ve been searching for the List a lot longer than your team, Lil. We waited until the very last minute before we told Bran how dangerous it was for the two of you to link.”

Guilt and despair slammed into me. I hated fighting with Grampa and knowing I couldn’t help Bran. The strain between me and Aunt Janel e made it impossible for me to open up and confess how al this hurt. She could have enveloped me in her arms and made me feel better instead of standing by the door. The boulder in my throat made it impossible to speak.

“We al want to protect you, sweetheart,” she added softly, her eyes just a little bright. “Bran understands. That’s why he stopped linking with you when we told him to stop.”

“And he’l leave if you tel him to,” I added, my heart crumbling.

She nodded. “Yes.”

The word was like the executioner’s gong, but I refused to give up. Not by a long shot.

Aunt Janel e angled her head as though listening. “Your friends have arrived home. They might have dealt Damien a blow tonight, but they disobeyed the direct order not to leave the val ey without alerting security.” She stepped back, paused, and added, “Remember, you can always come to me and talk about whatever is bothering you.”

She paused as if giving me the opportunity to say something. As long as they kept secrets and doled them out like precious goods, I wasn’t tel ing her anything.

Sighing, she walked away.

I swiped at the tears on my cheeks, took a deep breath, and pinged Bran.

See you in a few,
he said.
The Cardinals
want to see us in the conference room. Are you
okay?

okay?

Yeah. I’m coming too.
I teleported to HQ. The place buzzed with activity as usual. I turned a corner and bumped into Mrs. D. After our encounter earlier, I wasn’t sure what to expect. “Uh, sorry.”

“Are you going to the conference too?” she asked, looking puzzled.

I nodded.

“Why? You didn’t leave the val ey with them.

Those kids have no regard for rules. They think they’re invincible.” She looked up and down the hal way then whispered, “I’m sorry for the way I reacted earlier, Lil. Can we talk?”

“Uh, sure.” I real y wanted to be with the others, but she looked contrite and she’d always been nice to me. She took my arm and led me down the hal way toward the Academy.

“In here,” she said and pushed open a door.

The lights flickered on.

It was a medium-sized office. Her jacket and colorful scarves hung on pegs to our left. An indoor plant sat at a corner and watercolors covered the wal .

She pul ed out a chair. “Sit here. I’l be right back.”

I wanted to remind her about the meeting in the conference room, but she left before I could speak. Sighing, I sat on the edge of the chair, tapped my foot, and waited. Minutes passed. Just when I decided to leave, the door opened. Instead of Mrs. D, in walked my former martial art instructor, Kenta.

“
Daisensei
Kenta,” I said with a broad grin and jumped to my feet.

“Don’t cal me that, Lil.” He smiled benignly, closing the gap between us to give me a hug. He leaned back and studied me. “I’m not your teacher anymore, young lady. I left that daunting task to the Great Master Haziel. Sit and visit while we wait for Azure to come back.”

Once again, I wanted to bring up the meeting I was missing, but Kenta seemed excited to see me.

He also looked different, yet I couldn’t pinpoint the reason. He dressed the same, jeans and a polo shirt. He crossed his arms and sat on the edge of the desk. It was his hair, I decided, studying him. It was longer.

“How are the new students?” I asked, reluctantly sitting down again.

“Keeping me busy,” he said. “How’s your training?

I shrugged. “Fine. Hard.”

“Haziel can be a task master at times.” Kenta laughed self-consciously. “I was one of his students for a while. He reduced us to tears, pushed us until we wanted to quit.”

I’d those moments, too, but I didn’t dare complain. Besides, Leather Face had grown on me.

“He’s not so bad.”

Kenta’s slanted eyes sharpened. “Real y?”

“I mean, it was tough at first. You al owed us to train together. He likes one-on-one sessions, which can be very stressful.” I shrugged. “But, I’m becoming a better hunter and that’s what counts, right?”

Kenta made a face. “I knew students back home who complained to the High Council about him.” He laughed again. “He was forced to retire.

Your grandfather pul ed him out of retirement and brought him here to train you.”

I had no idea where Kenta was headed with this, but if there was a power play going on, I didn’t want to be involved. I jumped to my feet. “I didn’t know, but I real y need to go. Where’s Mrs. D?” Kenta straightened his body, too, which dwarfed mine by several inches. “She should be back any minute. Wait for her.”

I shuffled back, apprehension crawling up my spine although I couldn’t explain why. “No, I can’t. The others are waiting.”

He indicated the door. “Of course. If you’re unhappy with Master Haziel, make sure you tel your grandfather.”

“I’l do that.” I hurried to the door, but he was already there, opening it. Something about his smile was off.

“It was nice talking to you again,
daisensei
Kenta,” I said, walking past him.

“We should do this again. Just ask Azure to contact me.” He glanced over my shoulder and his eyes flashed. “Master Haziel.”

I whipped around to find the old man walking toward us from the main office, his face a mask of disapproval. “Lil, you should be with your friends.” His eyes shifted to my former trainer. “Kenta. Stil sneaking around causing trouble?”