Kindled

  Her fingers twitched on her sleeves, she hugged herself tighter. “You would know also,” Annabelle said softly.

  Cassie shook her head, trying hard not to shed the tears swimming in her eyes. “We don’t have that kind of connection,” she whispered.

  Annabelle frowned as she shook back her bouncing curls. “No, yours is even deeper. You would know Cassie, believe me.”

  Cassie managed a small nod, but she didn’t feel reassured. She felt completely empty. The door opened again as Luther stepped onto the porch. His eyes were bloodshot and weary, his hair a disheveled mess. “Break time?” Melissa asked softly.

  Luther nodded as he pulled off his glasses and cleaned them on the edge of his shirt. “Have you heard from Devon?”

  Cassie frowned thoughtfully; a small surge of hope flipped her heart over. “Yes, why have you learned something?”

  Luther shook his head as he slipped his glasses back on. “No. I was simply wondering if The Commission may have appeared in town yet.”

  “He hasn’t said anything about them, but then again, he hasn’t really seen anyone. Not even Julian.”

  Luther stared thoughtfully into the distance, his eyebrows furrowed. “I’m going to need to go back tomorrow to gather some more books.”

  Cassie’s heart lurched in excitement, her pulse picked rapidly up. “I’ll go with you,” she blurted, the thought of seeing Devon easing some of the torment in her body.

  Luther shook his head no, his eyes caring but hard as they met hers. “Absolutely not Cassie,” he said firmly.

  “But you’ll need help!”

  “Melissa can come with me.”

  Cassie glanced wildly between them, anger and frustration boiled through her. “I can go!” she retorted fiercely.

  Luther shook his head firmly. “No Cassie, if The Commission happens to show up I don’t want them to see you. As of now they may know of you, but they have no idea what you look like.”

  “But they aren’t there!” she protested vehemently, not willing to lose her chance to see Devon.

  “We don’t know that Cassie, they could be hiding. They could also arrive at any time. You need to stay hidden.”

  Cassie opened her mouth to protest and then snapped it closed. It would be pointless; he wouldn’t allow her to go. If she insisted upon it, he would stay here and they needed more books. No matter how useless the books seemed right now, it was the only source of hope she had in these lonely mountains. They were one of the few things keeping her from going completely insane.

  Her heart lurched as tears burned her eyes again. “Ok,” she reluctantly agreed. “Will you see Devon?”

  “Yes.”

  Despite her best intentions a tear slid free. She wiped it hastily away, knowing that if she wasn’t careful she would turn into a sobbing mess. She wanted to see him desperately, to touch him, to know that he was safe. Her phone vibrated again, she pulled it swiftly out to find Devon’s reassuring message that he was still safe and everything was well. More tears slid free.

  “Cassie.” She looked up as Melissa wrapped her arm around her shoulder, enfolding her in the blanket. “It will be over soon.”

  “I know.”

  “Come on let’s go inside, it’s getting chilly out here. Plus, I think we need a distraction, maybe a game of cards or Scrabble,” Annabelle said, a false cheeriness in her voice.

  Chris snorted as he launched to his feet. “Or how about I just kick all your asses on Wii?”

  Cassie couldn’t help but grin at him as he strolled by, nudging her shoulder lightly. “Dream on,” she retorted.

  ***

  Devon watched as the Caddy pulled into the driveway. Though he hoped that Cassie was not with them, he couldn’t suppress the small glimmer of hope that filled him. Melissa and Luther climbed out of the vehicle, stretching their legs and backs. He turned away from the window, his spirits crashing when he realized that Luther had listened to him and not brought Cassie along.

  He opened the door for them as they reached the porch. They both offered him tired smiles as they trudged inside. “How was the drive?” he asked softly, closing the door behind them.

  “Fine, long, but it was fine,” Luther answered. “How are things going here?”

  “Long also,” he answered on a sigh. “I’m beginning to wonder if Julian’s even still in the area. Maybe Cassie killing Isla scared him off, instead of making him even more determined.”

  Luther lifted an eyebrow questioningly. “Do you really believe that?”

  “I don’t know what to believe,” he admitted. “I haven’t felt his presence in a long time; there was only one new murder, the night after you left. I think he suspected that there was something off with Cassie, something different. He stopped me from helping her that night…”

  “He did what?” Luther interrupted sharply.

  Devon paced anxiously, running his hand through his hair as he told Luther what Julian had done, and the words he had said. Luther stared at him, his eyes as wide as an owl’s behind his glasses. Melissa’s mouth was pinched tight, but she showed no other reaction as she stood rigidly by the door. “What does that mean?” Melissa asked when Devon was done speaking.

  “I don’t know,” Devon answered. “I don’t know if it means that he took off after seeing what she had done to Isla, but I doubt it. I think he would have been even more intrigued; think that he would have wanted to test her boundaries as much as possible to see what she was capable of. Or at least the Julian that I have always known would have, and I’m not inclined to think that he has changed any.”

  Luther pulled his glasses off, cleaning them as he stared at the floor. “You don’t think he followed us?”

  “I wouldn’t still be here if I did. No, he didn’t follow her. I would have known if he had, and Annabelle would have sensed him by now. He is strong, but not strong enough to keep himself cloaked from her and Chris for that long. Besides, there was that one other murder the night after you left. However, where he has gone since then, I don’t know.”

  They stared at him for a long moment, shifting uneasily as they glanced toward the door. “Maybe he is laying low in the hopes that Cassie will return to town.”

  Though Melissa said the words, he could tell that she did not believe him. “Maybe,” he agreed, though he didn’t believe it either. However there was no other explanation for Julian’s sudden disappearance, or at least not a better one than Melissa had offered. Besides, there was something he was more concerned about at the moment. “How is Cassie doing?”

  “As well as can be expected, I guess,” Luther mumbled.

  Melissa frowned slightly as she folded her arms, her gaze moved slowly over the house. Devon had given up his apartment, preferring to take up residence in Cassie’s home in order to keep an eye on Chris’s mom. He also felt closer to Cassie in her home, he could still smell her here, still touch the things that had meant so much to her. “Melissa?” he inquired softly.

  Her onyx eyes met his, her mouth pressed tight in a compressed line. “She’s miserable,” she admitted softly. “I know Cassie, and she can take a lot, but she’s had more shoved at her in the past month then anyone should ever have to handle. She’s lost, she’s confused, and she needs you.”

  Devon blinked in surprise, startled to hear Melissa speak so openly about Cassie’s emotions and what she was going through. He was also wounded by the truth and pain that resonated behind her words. “Melissa,” Luther said reproachfully.

  Melissa waved a slender hand looking slightly aggravated. “I know this is what has to be done. It just sucks,” she muttered.

  Devon thought that summed it up perfectly. “But she’ll be ok, right?” he asked nervously, wishing that he could be there with her, hating the fact that she was in pain, lost, and confused.

  “Yes,” Melissa said softly. “She wanted me to give you this.”

  Melissa pulled a letter from her pocket, and handed it over to him. Devon took it, catching the lin
gering scent of Cassie upon it as he fingered the white envelope a moment before slipping it into his pocket. He wished that it was her he was holding, but until this mess was cleared up that was not to be. “Thank you. Did you get more books?”

  Luther nodded, but he didn’t look happy. “There’s slim hope of them telling us anything Devon.”

  Devon sighed softly as he ran a hand through his disordered hair. “I know, the one’s I have here are useless, but there is still some hope.”

  “I suppose so.”

  The sound of Liam’s footsteps turned their heads to the stairs. He offered up a small smile as he stepped off the stairs, his hair was tussled and still damp from his shower. “How is Annabelle?” he inquired softly.

  “Annabelle is doing well,” Luther answered. “Think everyone else is starting to go a little stir crazy though.”

  Liam grinned. “Yeah, I imagine so.”

  “You staying the night?” Devon asked.

  Luther nodded, glancing briefly at Melissa. “Neither of us is ready for another seven hours in the car.”

  “Don’t blame you. Want some dinner?”

  “Sounds good.”

  Devon turned to move into the kitchen when he noticed that Melissa had frozen. She was as stiff as a block of ice, her face slack, and her eyes distant and unseeing. A chill of apprehension raced down his spine, the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. He reached for her, but Luther seized hold of his arm, stopping him.

  Luther’s face was tight, his eyes hard as he shook his head at Devon. “Cassie,” Devon whispered in terror.

  Melissa gasped suddenly; staggering back, she hit the wall before she fell to the floor. Her wide eyes met his, the horror in them confirming his worst fear.

  ***

  Cassie glanced up from her book, staring out across the silent clearing. The sun filtering through the bare branches cast dancing shadows across the snow covered ground. She didn’t know what had caught her attention until she realized that the woods had gone completely silent. The squirrels no longer moved about in the trees, the birds had all stopped singing.

  A chill began to make its way through her. A chill that had nothing to do with the cold day. Slowly, afraid that any sudden movement might draw an attack, Cassie placed the book down. She studied the woods, her eyes darting rapidly over the thick trees. Nothing moved amongst the shadowy interior.

  The creak of the door caught her attention as Dani came onto the porch. “What are you doing?” she asked quietly.

  “I was reading, but…”

  “But what?” Dani inquired when Cassie broke off.

  “But something’s not right,” she said softly. “We need to go back inside. Where are Chris and Annabelle?”

  Dani glanced swiftly around the woods, fear flashed across her face. “Chris is playing a video game and I think Annabelle is still asleep.”

  Cassie stood slowly, managing a wan smile as she edged slowly toward Dani. “Are you sure something is out there Cassie? It is daylight.”

  “Not all of our enemy’s are the undead. Go on Dani, get inside.”

  Cassie edged toward the door, nudging Dani lightly as she moved. In her pocket she felt her phone begin to vibrate. Keeping her eyes on the woods, she pulled it out of her pocket, relieved to see Devon’s name on the screen. She pulled it out, flipping it open. “Hello,” she said softly.

  “Where are you?” the growled demand made her skin crawl.

  “I’m at the cabin, of course,” she said lightly, trying hard to keep her fear from him as she focused on the silent forest.

  “You need to get Chris and Annabelle, and get out of there now. Right now.”

  Cassie shivered in fear. Melissa must be with him, she must have had a vision, and if Melissa had a vision…

  Cassie shuddered again, her hand tightened around the phone. If Melissa had received a vision, then it was probably already too late. Cassie tried hard not to panic; Melissa’s visions had been thwarted before, it was possible this one could be stopped too.

  “Devon,” she whispered terror choking her voice as his words completely sank in. Or, actually, his lack thereof. A sudden blooming knowledge dawned over her, encompassing her, leaving her hollow and shaken. She realized now that there was one name he hadn’t mentioned. Closing her eyes she took a deep, calming breath. “I love you.”

  “Cassie…”

  His words were cut off as she spun suddenly, launching at Dani. She realized only to late her mistake. She should have gone the other way, should have tried to get off the porch instead of confronting Dani head on. For Dani had been prepared for Cassie, whereas Cassie had not been prepared for her.

  The jolt from the taser gun slammed into her shoulder, knocking her back a good five feet before she fell into the wall. Her body jerked with spasms as bolts of electricity pounded into her. Pain exploded through her, blood filled her mouth as she bit down hard on her tongue.

  The jolts suddenly stopped. Cassie slumped to the ground, unable to move as her body went limp with relief. Her fingers clawed at the wood of the porch, she tried to form a coherent word, tried to get her body to move again, but her limbs simply didn’t want to cooperate with her frazzled mind. She couldn’t even gather her wits enough to feel the outrage she knew she should feel.

  She could not summon the fierce sense of anger and betrayal that should be directed at Dani. An anger and hurt that would give her the power, and ability, to get up and moving again if she experienced enough rage. She didn’t even have the strength to wonder what the hell was going on, or how Dani was even remotely involved with this.

  No, she could only sit helpless in her tortured, frazzled body.

  Her eyes rolled as movement caught her attention. Figures began to emerge from the woods. Her head lulled to the side as four men reached the porch, climbing swiftly up the stairs. Dani handed the taser gun over to the first man, who gave her a brisk nod.

  “Good job. The others?”

  “They’ve been taken care of.”

  Cassie uttered a garbled moan of pain as her heart constricted. Taken care of? What did that mean? Taken care of how? Fear for her friend’s safety gave her a new strength. She lurched forward, trying to regain her footing in a desperate attempt to break free. She had barely moved a foot before a fresh bolt of electricity slammed her backward.

  Her legs kicked spasmodically, blood from her wounded tongue spurted from her mouth as a choked cry escaped her. “You were right, she is tougher than we’d thought,” another man said softly. “Two taser shots and she’s still trying to get up. Tranquilize her.”

  Another cry escaped as they came at her, a syringe in hand. Cassie tried to get the strength to move, but her limp legs and arms refused to cooperate with her. Hands seized hold of her, pinning her against the wall. A shrill, unintelligible noise escaped her as the needle jabbed into her arm, and the plunger was pushed.

  CHAPTER 14

  Chris woke to the feel of tiny hands scrambling over him, then tugging at something. He groaned as he cracked an eyelid, surprised to find Annabelle kneeling before him, her delicate eyebrows drawn tightly together in frustration. He blinked in surprise, trying to figure out what was going on, and just what the hell she was tugging at.

  His throat was unnaturally dry, painful. His tongue felt funny, and was that burnt hair that he smelled? He swallowed heavily, trying to wet his parched throat in order to find words. What had happened? His gaze darted to the video game he had been playing. The screen was still on, his car was crashed into a wall; a prompter asked if he wished to continue. The only thing he wished to do was figure out what the hell was going on.

  Annabelle grunted in frustration and then jerked hard on something. Chris’s hand went with her. He glanced sharply down, surprised to see a rope falling away from his wrist. “What…” the word came out as a croak. He swallowed heavily as Annabelle’s sea colored eyes came up to his. The terror in her gaze was almost enough to make him lose his voice again. “What happ
ened?”

  Annabelle sighed heavily as she tugged at his other hand, freeing the last rope that had kept his arm in place. Annabelle sat back on her heels, studying him worriedly. “Dani happened.”

  “Excuse me?” he choked out.

  Annabelle nodded as she rose swiftly to her feet. She kept her hand on Chris’s arm as she reached around him, grabbing a can of soda from the table. She thrust it at him, studying him worriedly as he took a small sip. “How are you feeling?”

  Chris shook his head, grateful for the drink. His mind was rapidly clearing but he was beginning to realize that he was going to wish that it hadn’t. “Where’s Cassie?”

  Annabelle shook her head, her eyes growing dark with concern and fear. “She’s gone.”

  “Gone? Gone where?” he demanded sharply, nearing spilling his soda as he lurched forward.

  “I don’t know,” she whispered. “We’ve been out for hours Chris. They could have taken her anywhere by now.”

  Chris’s heart jumped in his chest, pounding against his ribs with the force of a jackhammer. He stumbled to his feet, nearly tripping over the video game controller that had fallen at his feet. Annabelle steadied him before he could take a header through the flat screen. Panic tore through him, causing his temples to throb painfully with the rush of his blood.

  “We have to find her!” he gasped. Cassie was his best friend, he was supposed to have kept her safe, and he had lost her. And he had lost her to God only knew who. “What the hell happened!?” he nearly bellowed.

  “Chris calm down,” Annabelle said softly. “Please, just calm down, we need to think. We have to figure out who came here, who took her. And we have to be rational to do it.”

  “I don’t even know what happened, one minute I was playing a game, and the next you were untying me from this damn chair!”

  His voice reverberated loudly around the room, it echoed in his ears. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself but failing miserably. Cassie was gone; someone, or something, had taken her. He cursed viciously slamming his fist down on the table. His soda rattled, some of it splashed over the side, but everything remained standing.