"Everything all right?" Daniel asked.
I smiled up at him. "We should hurry back and talk to them, and hope the others stay sleeping for a while."
"Rafe's looking after that."
I looked up.
"I saw him while you were shifting back. We talked. He agreed to make sure the others stay put if they wake up. You and I will handle this first encounter. He seemed cool with that."
No, he probably wasn't cool with it at all. I didn't care. Well, yes, I did, but I didn't want to. Even if Rafe hadn't ruined my friendship with Daniel, he'd sure as hell tried. He was supposed to care about me. That wasn't something you did to someone you cared about.
"You guys had a fight?" Daniel asked.
I nodded. "Lousy timing, I know. Sorry."
"I'm sure the timing has a lot to do with it. Everyone's on edge. Whatever it was, he seemed sorry."
"He always is," I muttered before I could stop myself. I shook my head. "We'll deal with it. At a much more suitable time."
"He really does like you, Maya. He fell from a helicopter for you." His voice dropped, his tone almost . . . wistful. I looked up to see his expression, then quickly yanked my gaze away. Don't analyze. Do not analyze. I won't do this. Damn you, Rafe.
"We'd better go," I said. "Before they get tired of waiting."
I instinctively knew where we'd left Chloe and Derek. When we drew close, I could hear Chloe talking just above a whisper.
"How many?" she asked.
She paused, as if waiting for a reply. I didn't hear Derek's response, but then she said, "And they're all teens? No adults?"
Still no answer, but again she responded as if there'd been one. We stepped past a clump of bushes and I saw them ahead, sitting at the foot of a huge oak. Chloe had her knees pulled up, one arm wrapped around them. Her other hand was entwined with Derek's. He leaned back against the tree. Slumping, as if it was holding him up. His face glowed with sweat and his eyes were closed.
When I'd seen Derek in wolf form, I figured werewolves grew when they shifted, like the ones in movies. They didn't. He was really that big. Even slumped, he was more than a head taller than Chloe. A huge football player of a guy.
Beside me, Daniel whispered, "I was going to tell him off for bullying you. But I'm having second thoughts."
I smiled at him. "I don't blame you."
Despite his size, Derek was obviously no older than us. His cheeks were dotted with mild acne and I could see the ghosts of fading pocks, as if it had been much worse not too long ago. Dark hair tumbled into his eyes as he rested with his head bent forward.
"Anything else?" Chloe whispered.
I realized she wasn't talking to Derek. She was looking up. But there was no one there.
"Ghost," Daniel murmured.
I tried not to shiver. I cleared my throat so we wouldn't surprise them. Chloe still jumped a little, but Derek's head only lifted, eyes snapping open, hand tightening around Chloe's. He got to his feet, inadvertently tugging her up with him. She murmured something and he let go of her hand but stepped in front of her. She sighed, pushed him aside, and came forward with her hand extended. When she saw me step into the moonlit clearing, she hesitated, but found her smile quickly and reached for my hand.
"Maya, is it?" she said.
I shook it. "It is. And this is Daniel."
Daniel shook her hand. Derek just stood there, until Chloe prodded him and he shook our hands--not without a grumble, though, a low one, almost like a growl.
"I'm sorry I startled you," I said. The startling had definitely gone both ways, but from the look on Derek's face, I figured the apology was a good idea. "Like Daniel said, we went to the house earlier, and when you weren't there, we decided to wait out here until morning."
"It's not just you two," Derek said. "There are others. We know that."
"A ghost told Chloe, right?" I said.
She hesitated, then nodded. "A friend of ours. Liz."
"Liz?" Cold fingers touched the back of my neck, as if I was feeling the ghost herself. "Elizabeth Delaney?" Derek stiffened and I hurried on. "I saw her name in some papers the Edison Group had. I noticed because we have the same last name. I'm Maya Delaney."
Chloe looked sharply to the side, as if the ghost was still there and had said something.
"There's no relation," I said. "I'm adopted, for one thing, and it seemed to just be a coincidence, but I noticed the name and they said she was dead, so . . ."
I trailed off. Chloe was still looking to the side. Looking at her friend. Her dead friend. The Edison Group had murdered this girl and now I was going to suggest everyone just try to get along? Negotiate with the Cabals? My gut sank.
Daniel took over. "There are four more of us. We're all Project Phoenix subjects. They're in a clearing over there." He pointed. "Three of them are sleeping and don't know what's going on, but the fourth--Rafe--is standing guard to make sure they don't interrupt while we're talking. Is that okay?"
Chloe seemed ready to say it was fine, but Derek cut in, "What are their powers?"
"A lot of skin-walkers," Daniel said. "Maya's brother is one and so is Rafe. Neither has shifted yet. Corey's a seleni. Hayley's a xana. I'm a benandanti."
Derek shook his head. "None of that means anything to me."
"Not surprising, considering we're resurrected extinct supernatural types. That's what Project Phoenix is. But if you're uncomfortable talking here, we could go inside, where you guys have the advantage of numbers."
Derek bristled, as if Daniel had just announced plans for an invasion. "No. We talk here. Chloe--"
"Don't even suggest I go inside," she said, lowering herself to the ground. "Everyone sit. Let's talk."
We told them about Salmon Creek and how we'd been raised. Then I explained about Serena and how that led to the whole cover-up unraveling.
"But they didn't kill her," I said. "I know that happened in your experiment, but it didn't in ours."
"Yet," Derek said. "Just wait until things start going wrong."
"They have gone wrong. But I think whatever happened to you guys was different. Different people were involved, for one thing."
Derek snorted--he wasn't buying that--but I was relieved to see that Chloe seemed to be considering it.
"Do you know who the Nasts are?" I asked.
"It's a Cabal," Chloe said. "Like the St. Clouds, only bigger. And, well, nastier." A small smile at the play on words.
"They kidnapped my dad," Derek said. "Held him captive for months, leaving my brother and me on our own, which is how our problems started."
So they hated the Nasts. With very good reason. Great.
I continued with our story--the fire, the kidnapping, the long trip home, our "deaths." The more I talked, the more I really understood how ridiculous our solution was going to seem. Negotiate with the people who'd done all this to us? How could we even consider it? Yet given the alternative, how could we not consider it?
When I faltered, Daniel would reach over and squeeze my hand. Just a reassuring gesture. But Chloe and Derek noticed and it was as if I could hear them mentally processing the information, drawing the same conclusion that Ash had, that Daniel was my boyfriend. Did it really look that way?
I mentally cursed Rafe some more before pushing on with my story.
"So my biological father helped us escape and sent us here, to you guys," I said as I concluded.
Derek peered at me, brow furrowed. "How the hell did he know we were here?"
"That's what we came to warn you about. He got the information from someone who works for the St. Clouds. They know exactly where you are."
Derek scrambled up so fast his legs tangled and he nearly went down again. "What?"
Chloe was on her feet, too, eyes bright with alarm. "They know?"
We rose and Daniel put out his hands. "It's okay. Well, not really okay, obviously, but it's nothing new. They've known for a few months."
"And you sat there, chatting away, wit
hout saying anything?" Derek stepped toward Daniel, looming over him.
Daniel stood his ground. "Like I said, it's not an emergency. If you run in the middle of the night, it might be . . . considering they've got a tracking device on your van."
Derek didn't seem to hear him, just peered into the forest, braced for attack.
"Where are your friends?" he said.
"Over--" Daniel began, pointing.
"Take us to them. Now."
We ran to the others--it was clear Derek wasn't accepting a leisurely stroll. I took the lead so this huge guy wouldn't come barreling down on them. That wasn't the way anyone needed to wake up. It was still chaos. Derek barked orders. Chloe tried to calm him. When he didn't listen, I snapped that he wasn't helping matters. He snapped back. Ash jumped to my defense, snarling like an alley cat. Daniel intervened to mediate. Derek turned on him. Corey rushed to Daniel's side, fists ready. Rafe braced to join in if a fight broke out.
It was fun.
Eventually Chloe, Daniel, and I got everyone calmed down enough to grab our stuff and head to the house.
FORTY
DEREK BANGED THROUGH THE side door, leaving us on the porch.
"Dad!" he shouted, loud enough to make my ears ring. "Dad! You need to get down here!"
Chloe held open the door and whispered to me, "I could say he's not always like this, but I'd be lying."
She ushered us all in. I heard footsteps on the stairs and looked up to see a man in jeans, pulling on a T-shirt as he hurried down. He was about my dad's age, Daniel's height, and slender. Kit Bae, Derek's adoptive father. Kit's son was coming down behind him. He looked like his father, except for his light brown hair. Simon Bae.
"Hey, bro," Simon called sleepily. "What's--?"
He stopped. His gaze traveled over the kids crowding into his hall and he gave a sharp shake of his head.
"Apparently, we have visitors," he said. "I gotta hear this one."
A woman appeared at the top of the stairs. A petite blonde, pulling her robe tight. Lauren Fellows. Chloe's aunt. The doctor who'd worked with the Edison Group.
A girl pushed past her. Taller than Dr. Fellows, with short dark hair and piercing dark eyes. Kit's daughter. Simon's half sister. Victoria Enright. Antone's message said she was related to the Nasts' witch, but distantly, which explained the different spelling of the surname. I was just really glad Antone had given us all the details--and that I'd listened to his message about a half-dozen times on our trip--or I'd never keep all the relationships straight. I suppose they were about to have the same problem with us.
"We need to go," Derek said. "Everyone, back upstairs, pack your things."
"Wh-what?" Simon said.
"Slow down," Kit said as he reached the landing.
Derek towered over him, but moved back so he wasn't looming. "They know where we are. The St. Clouds. They've found us."
Kit's gaze swung to us, and I stepped forward to explain, but his gaze moved to Chloe and she took over.
"These kids are from Project Phoenix. They escaped. Maya and her brother"--she pointed at me and Ash--"their father told them to come here."
"Doesn't matter," Derek cut in. "The St. Clouds know where we are. Which means we need to leave. Now."
"Hold on," Kit said, raising his hand.
"Didn't you hear me?"
"Yes, Derek, I did, but--"
"Derek?" Dr. Fellows called as she descended the stairs. "Why don't you go upstairs while we talk. I think that would be best for everyone."
From her tone, you'd think she was talking to a misbehaving puppy.
Chloe shot her a look. "That isn't necessary. We all just need to give Maya and Daniel a minute to explain." She glanced at Derek. "Please."
Derek looked from Chloe to his father, then nodded. Simon brushed past Kit. He gave us a smile, friendly but cautious, and went to stand by his brother and Chloe.
"You are explaining, right?" a voice said.
I looked up. It was Victoria, still on the steps, staring at me.
"Waiting for that explanation," she said.
I lifted my brows and turned to Kit. "The St. Clouds know where you are. They've known for months. They're just wearing you down, waiting until something goes wrong or you get tired of running, then they'll pounce."
"How did they find--?" Kit began.
"Not important right now," Derek cut in. "She's explained it to us; we'll explain it on the road. The point is that our cover has been blown."
Kit moved quickly to the window. "They're watching us now?"
I shook my head. "They have someone doing spot checks, but since you've only got one means of escape--your van--that's what they're monitoring. With a tracking device."
"So now can we leave?" Derek said.
"How?" Victoria said, walking down the rest of the steps. "Set off on a midnight hike to town? Like that's not going to be noticed."
"Tori's right," Kit said. "If they've been monitoring us for months, there's no need to rush off in a panic. Tomorrow we'll look for the tracking device. If we can't find it, I'll get to town and rent us another van. Then we'll leave."
Derek clearly did not like this idea. Neither did Ash--his scowl had deepened more than usual. Daniel looked uncomfortable, which is pretty much how I felt. I might not have been in Derek's mad rush to leave, but I didn't think we should hang around. I looked at Daniel. He glanced at Kit, then shrugged, leaned over, and murmured to me, "It'll be morning soon enough."
"Let's go into the living room," Kit said. "I'm sure we have a lot to talk about."
I let Daniel tell the story this time. I was too anxious, as I realized how foolish our mission was. These people were never going to negotiate with a Cabal. They might even think we were using them to get what we wanted. Were we doing that? We needed Dr. Fellows and, more importantly, Kit Bae to handle negotiations. They'd both worked for the Edison Group and Mr. Bae was a lawyer. But it was true that our position was stronger if we brought the Genesis subjects along to sweeten the deal.
Daniel didn't mention any of that. Not yet. Instead he stressed that we'd come here for help. We were on our own, separated from our parents. Not helpless--Ash was quick to make that clear--but not naive enough to think we could handle the Cabals on our own. That was what he said--"handle" them. For now, everyone could interpret that as they liked.
After that, Kit said we should get some sleep. Anyone who was hungry could help themselves to the kitchen. Otherwise, grab a couch or bunk up with the other kids, and we'd reconvene in the morning.
As the others went to look around, I ducked away and waited in the back hall until the last figure left the living room.
"Mr. Bae?" I said, stepping out.
He turned, saw me, and smiled. "It's Kit."
"Can I talk to you for a minute? Outside?"
He followed me out the back door to the stoop. I held out the mini recorder.
"Calvin Antone gave me this. He's my . . . Well, Daniel explained that. Anyway, this is what he gave me when we escaped. It was instructions and information and . . . a suggestion. A really detailed suggestion, actually. About how we might all get out of this mess. I added my own ideas at the end." I swallowed. "I don't think you're going to like any of it, and obviously it's totally up to you, but I'm hoping even if you don't agree with what he suggests, you'll help us do it."
He looked at the recorder. "We could just talk about it."
I shook my head. "Just listen tonight. Please, we can talk in the morning."
"All right." He took the recorder. When I turned to leave, he stopped me. "We will help you, Maya. However we can. Lauren and I were part of all this. The experiments. We take responsibility for that. We'll make sure you're safe now."
I thanked him and went back inside.
They'd put Chloe in Victoria's room, and Hayley and I were supposed to sleep there, too, leaving Chloe's bedroom for the guys. Chloe wasn't in Victoria's room, though. She was off with Derek, I guessed.
That left me with Hayley and Victoria--Tori, as everyone called her. She sat cross-legged on her bed, watching us like we were stray cats someone had stuck in her room--strays that were liable to pee on her ankle boots and shed all over her designer jeans. Hayley was anxious, and when I tried to calm her down she snapped at me, and Tori made some snarky comment and I decided they'd do just fine if I left them together. I couldn't possibly sleep anyway.
When I went downstairs, I'll admit I was looking for Daniel. I shouldn't feel guilty about that. But after what Rafe had said, now even something so simple felt electric with subtext. But all I heard was Kit and Dr. Fellows, talking in lowered voices in the living room.
I went into the dining room, opened the curtains, and peered out. I dimly heard the back door open and shut, then soft footsteps, but I paid little attention until a voice said, "Do you see something?"
I turned to find Chloe hesitating in the doorway.
"Just thinking," I said.
"Worried?"
"Just thinking of my parents. Home." I thought of a segue from there. Broaching the topic that would eventually need to be broached. "Is this your home now? On the run, I mean."
"I hope not."
"Where do you plan to go from here?" I paused, then hurried on. "I don't mean your next destination. I'm not fishing. I just mean . . . what do you do? Keep running?"
She walked in, voice low. "I don't know. I spent most of my life moving around. My dad and I had just settled in one place when all this happened. I . . ." She shrugged. "I guess I'm hoping it doesn't last much longer. I want a home." She glanced over her shoulder. "I know you do, too, even if you don't like to admit it."
I thought she was talking to me. Then Derek stepped into the doorway.
"He wasn't eavesdropping," she said to me. "He just doesn't like me being alone with strangers in the house." She aimed a pointed look his way. "Even if I end up rescuing him from danger as often as he rescues me."
Chloe waved him over. As she did, someone else poked his head in. Rafe.
"Maya?" He looked at the other two, then me. "Can we talk?"
"Rather not."
He lowered his voice. "Please?"
"Later," I said. "Just not tonight. Okay?"
He nodded and retreated.
"Sorry about that," I said when he was gone. "Inconveniently timed relationship angst."