House of Ravens (The Nightfall Chronicles Book 2) (18 page)

He kisses my forehead and walks away, and I feel like the worst human being ever for lying to such good people. For lying to my friends.

***

I meet Zorin at Times Square, and we sit together on a bench. He wears a long black coat. We both stare at the city. I stopped two executions here, and the place looks alive as ever. Sounds of chatter and cars and music fill the air, eScreens light up the sky, and hundreds of people shuffle by, lost in their bubbles of media.

"So," I ask, "what is so urgent I had to leave my friends?"

He pulls Nox out of his coat. "Nox misses you."

What? I cross my arms, frowning. "You sure it's only Nox?"

He grins. "I didn't ask anyone else."

I groan, petting the cat. "Why do some people never admit how they feel, Nox?"

He purrs in response.

"Yeah, you have no trouble sharing how you feel, don't you, my kitty? I'm glad the big bad Nephilim didn't eat you in your sleep."

Zorin joins me in petting the cat, and our hands touch for a moment. "How was your day?" he asks.

"Great. I'm trying to pick a Halloween costume for the ball."

"You can go as Lilith, the first Nephilim to be turned."

"Right, Lilith at Castle V. I might as well dress as Nightfall." We both chuckle, though Zorin sounds half-hearted.

"Are you going with anyone?" he asks.

His tone is serious. Is he… jealous? No, he doesn't see me that way… does he? "I am," I say, deciding the direct approach is best. "With Kai."

He raises an eyebrow. "The Prince of Ravens?"

"He's a good person."

"He's the enemy."

I lower my voice, but I can't hide my frustration. "My goal is to tear down the Orders, not kill everyone affiliated with them."

"And what is Kai's goal? Corrine's? Wytt's? Will they stand by idly as you destroy the Orders?"

I shiver, trying not to imagine the future as he does. "Maybe they'll join me."

"They are Varian's children."

"But they are not him."

Zorin sighs. "Believe me when I say, it's easy to fight an enemy. It's much harder to fight a friend."

I'm tired of his opposition. "Is there anything else you need to say?"

He frowns at my response. "Yes…" He pauses. "The Nephilim."

I wonder if he asks just to irritate me. "We're not creating more."

"You will need them to win this war."

I snap at him. "Because they won the first time?"

He freezes. His eyes are sad. "You want to know how I feel, Scarlett? When Danika died, I dedicated myself to protecting those prosecuted by the Inquisition. Zeniths, Nephilim, humans who made enemies. And now, the Nephilim are nearly gone, the Zeniths are treated as less than people. I failed, Scarlett. I don't want you to fail as well." He squeezes the bench railing, bending the steel. "I can't have you fail."

The night of the Halloween Ball, the Castle is abuzz with madness of the fun kind. Everyone's getting into the spirit, including the resident Knights and faculty. And our dorm room looks like an evil seamstress cursed us to be buried alive in fabric.

I sit on my bed to pull on the silver boots for my costume and feel a prick of pain on my thigh. I dig and find a stray sewing needle. Holding it up to Corinne, I raise an eyebrow.

She grins sheepishly and takes it from me. "Sorry. I know it's a bit… insane in here. I'll get it all cleaned up this weekend, I promise."

I finishing lacing my boots and stand to look at myself in the full-length mirror. "It's okay. Thanks for making my costume. You did an incredible job."

My velvet red skirt falls to the ground, and thin mesh metal armor clings to my torso. Corinne can't resist making a few last-minute adjustments as I stand there. Finally she straightens up and smiles. "Perfect. But, I still wish you and Kai could have gone as something matching."

"I know we've destroyed all your dreams," I say as I twirl to look at the back of my costume.

"You have. I'll never recover. But Joan of Arc suits you, somehow. And, well, I'm not surprised my brother chose who he did."

I admire the final look. The crimson cross hand-painted onto my thin breastplate and the fake sword hanging from my hip complete the look. The sword is impressive in its detail, and looks authentic at a glance, but it would break in a duel. I still haven't found my own sword or, as Kai would say, my sword hasn't found me. Until it does, I'm stuck using the chipped swords from Combat class.

There's a knock at the door and Corinne squeals. "They're here!"

She's splendid in blue silk she painted herself, with Eden Fashionable star flowers sewn into the fabric. They shimmer silver and blossom into star patterns that glow. She wears her hair long and white with streaks of blue, and horns stick delicately out of her forehead. Her ears are long and pointed and a beautiful crown of flowers sits on her head. She's an Elf Queen straight from fantasy books.

And as she opens the door, she greets her Elf King. Jaden looks devastatingly handsome and exotic with his pointed ears and horns and long white hair. They both shimmer with silver body paint and daring eye makeup that transforms them into something magical.

I smile at them both. "You two are definitely winning the costume contest tonight."

When Kai comes into the room I burst out laughing. "You look perfect," I tell him as he pulls me into a hug.

He bows, his eyes twinkling in mischief. "The dashing and dangerous pirate Blackbeard at your service."

His eye patch gives him a wicked look, and the black beard he wears transforms him into someone I almost don't recognize.

He holds out an arm and I take it. "Shall we?"

Corinne takes Jaden's arm and looks around. "Where are Wytt and Lana?"

"Meeting us at the party," Kai says.

As we walk through the halls of the Castle toward the Grand Ballroom, other groups and couples dressed in every imaginable costume press through to attend the ball.

And what a ball. Already the ballroom is filled with people dancing as fog drifts over the floor, transformed by lights into something eerie and beautiful. A live band entertains the crowd from the stage, with their own backup dancers of walking skeletons.

Round tables draped in dark purple, with black chairs padded by red velvet cushions, line the outskirts of the dance floor. At the center of each table are candelabras encased in intricate spider web designs that sparkle like diamonds. Toward the back of the ballroom is a long table piled high with food and drink, all recreated in the Halloween theme. "This is amazing," I say, as we scan the crowd for Wytt.

He raises his hand from across the room. "Over here!"

We join Wytt and Lana at the table they saved for us, sinking into the plush velvet seats.

"You two make an excellent Lancelot and Guinevere," I tell them. I turn to Corinne. "I can't believe you had time to design everyone's costumes in addition to studying."

She smiles, blushing a little under the praise. "I love doing it. It's just another kind of art: a kind women were creating for centuries without getting the kind of recognition they deserved."

"I'm surprised there's such a big ball in the middle of the quarter," I say.

Wytt smiles. "It's the last hurrah before we all buckle down and get serious about the Trials and winning a Boon from an Order."

Corinne smiles. "Especially with the death last year, everyone's extra motivated."

"The party before the war, then?" I ask.

Jaden nods. "Basically."

Kai stands and offers me a hand. "Would the lady like to dance before she leads an army to battle?"

The words are closer to the truth than he knows, but I smile and accept his hand. "Yes, please."

As we dance, his arms wrapped around me, I enjoy the feel of this, of being normal and having fun for one night. He kisses the top of my head. "You've worked really hard this quarter," he says. "You've improved so much. I don't know if you see how much stronger, faster, and more focused you are now."

I look up at him and laugh. "And here I was just thinking it was nice to have a night off work and school and training."

"Fair enough," he says. "No training talk tonight. Can I at least tell you how beautiful you are?"

A warmth spreads through me. "Thank you."

I watch others dancing around us and am surprised to see my grandfather dancing with Kira.

Lana and Wytt dance and then leave to get drinks for everyone. We join them back at our table, and I nibble on a severed finger—some kind of pastry with a strawberry filling—when my grandfather walks over and holds out his hand. "Might I have a dance with my granddaughter?"

I look to Kai who smiles, and I join the Chancellor on the dance floor.

"I regret we haven't had more time to spend together since you've been here," he says. "It's been a few weeks since you last came for tea and stories about your mother."

"I know, I'm sorry. It's a lot of work, being here and keeping up."

He nods. "I understand, dear. Just know you are always welcome. You have an ally here."

"Thank you." The Seeker and Ragathon talk near the punch bowl and I nod my head at them. "I noticed you dancing with Kira earlier. I didn't realize you two were close."

His eyes drift to her. "She's been here her whole life. We are the only family she's ever known."

I feel a twinge of sadness for her. She may have known my grandfather and my best friend in ways I didn't, but she never had parents, family.

My grandfather looks over at Kai, who's watching us. "Are you getting serious with the Prince of Ravens?"

I think about my answer. "I don't know. We are kind of stuck between friends and something more, because of me. But I might be ready for that something more now."

"He's a good man," he says. "From a good family."

As the song ends, he escorts me back to my table and kisses my hand. "Enjoy your evening."

I settle into my seat, and Kai puts an arm over the back of my chair. "We were just talking about going through the Haunted House. What do you think?"

"There's a haunted house?" I love haunted houses, and every Halloween my dad would take me on a tour of them throughout our city. My mom couldn't stand them, so it was just us. I follow my friends eagerly and wait in line until our turn arrives.

Inside everything is black, dark, crazy. The spaces are tight, and we crowd in, so many people squished into the lines. There's screaming and laughing and silly, scary shocks. I love every minute of it.

When we reach a maze of mirrors, we each take a different path to see who can get to the end first. I'm just about to find my way out when someone from the shadows grabs me. I scream, but the sound is lost in all the other noises, so I turn to fight when a familiar face smiles at me.

"Jax?"

He puts a finger to his lips and pulls me outside. "I'm not supposed to be here."

I hug him, all of my frustrations lost in the joy of seeing him again and knowing he's okay. "Where have you been?"

"I can't tell you," he says, his voice sad. "But I missed you, Star. I needed to see you."

He leans in to kiss me, and I pull away reflexively, my heart breaking just a little. I was just emotionally preparing to tell Kai I'm ready to officially date him, and Jax shows up trying to kiss me? This is ridiculous. "Things aren't that simple anymore, Jax. You left. You told me we couldn't be together. You can't just come back and pretend that we're a couple."

He clenches his jaw. "Is there someone else?"

As if on cue, Kai comes out of the maze and sees us. He walks over and puts an arm around my shoulders. "Jax, we weren't expecting you here tonight."

Jax steps back. "I'm not really here." He looks at me with sad eyes. "Take care of yourself, Star. I'm glad you found someone good for you. Someone who won't have to keep secrets."

He walks into the shadows as my eGlass buzzes and Evie speaks. "Scarlett, Zorin needs you at the Cathedral right away. The Sons of Eden are holding Curatio Domus hostage and they need Nightfall."

Kai touches my shoulder. "Are you okay?"

I shake my head. "No. I'm sorry. I have to go."

I hug him, leaning my head on his chest before I turn and walk away.

***

I join Trix, TR and Zorin at our meeting room—now deemed the War Room. We gather around a large wooden table—the War Table—and discuss the hostage situation.

"The Sons of Eden are demanding the Knights Hospitaller be dismantled," says Trix.

TR scowls. "That will never happen."

"If it doesn't, then Adam blows up the entire hospital at midnight," Trix says.

I project my eGlass feed of the event on to the table. Officers surround the building. This looks too familiar. "Are we sure it's not another trap?"

Trix shakes her head. "It's unlikely, since the Sons are involved."

I nod. "What's blocking our entry?"

"Nothing," says Trix. "But if anyone is seen leaving or entering the building, Adam will set off the explosives."

I rub my chin. "We have discreet ways of entering buildings."

Trix grins. "You thinking sewers again, N?"

I pause. Varian saw that move in advance. Will Adam?

Zorin points at the exits on my projection. "What if someone leaves the building?"

"What do you mean?" I ask.

He shrugs. "There are hundreds of people in that hospital. What if one of them breaks and runs?"

"Then they'll kill everyone," says Trix.

"Is Adam in the building?" asks Zorin.

Trix nods, pointing to the center of the hospital. "He's on the roof, preaching. He says one of the detonators is attached to his heart and will go off if he dies. He's acting invulnerable."

Pieces of a plan click together in my mind. "He thinks he'll win this. He doesn't expect to die." And so he's not concerned with his opponents. He's nothing compared to Varian.

TR raises an eyebrow. "You think he's bluffing?"

"I think he's so confident in his abilities, he can't imagine losing."

TR nods. "He did seem to have a superiority complex at the meeting."

"So what's the plan, N?" asks Trix.

"Your military training cover disabling bombs?" I ask.

"Sure did," she says.

"Good." I tap the projection. "I'll speak with Adam. While I do, you three will enter the building through the sewers, find the explosives, and diffuse them."

TR studies the image of the hospital. "I estimate three bombs, maybe four. What if they're defended?"

"I'll deal with any guards," says Zorin.

Everyone nods. We've all seen Zorin kill faster than someone can pull a trigger.

We work out the details. As we're about to leave, TR frowns. "You realize if we do this, we're publicly fighting another major rebel group. The Orders will use this to discredit us."

I clasp his shoulder, meeting his eyes. "If we do this, we're publicly saving hundreds of people. They'll remember what we've done."

"If our plan succeeds, the Sons of Eden will be captured," TR says.

"That's why I'll meet with Adam. Hopefully, I can convince him to change his methods and join the Dark Templars." I grab the hilt of my sword. "But if I can't, I rather he be executed than allowed to threaten others again."

***

Whatever happens tonight, I won't threaten Adam. Nightfall must be a symbol for more than just threats and violence. The people need to see that the Dark Templars can negotiate a peaceful resolution.