“No, but she’ll be in math class,” Meagan said with a confidence I didn’t feel.
“I really need to talk to her. Do you know where she was going?”
“Relax, Zoë. Maybe it’s a family thing.”
I couldn’t relax.
“What’s going on?” Derek asked. He was suddenly at my side, appearing with that silence that still unnerved me. His eyes twinkled a little when I jumped. I was pretty sure he did it on purpose, just to show off.
Or maybe to remind me that he had special powers, too.
“I smell trouble,” he said when I didn’t immediately answer. “And you’re wearing the necklace I gave you.”
On instinct, I had put on the silver necklace with a sterling hand of Fatima he’d given me for my birthday, and I touched the charm now. “It seemed like a good idea. I had this dream.”
I told him in an undertone about my nightmare. His eyes became brighter than usual, a striking pale blue, and his gaze danced over my features as I spoke. I wondered how much else he sensed.
“Find Jessica,” he said to Meagan, an undercurrent of command in his tone. She nodded and loaded up her books with purpose. She gave me a smile, then headed off to class.
“She’ll find her,” I said, hoping it was true.
Derek watched her go; then he tugged a book out of his pocket. It was warm from being inside his coat. It was called The Histories by Herodotus. I read the title, then looked at Derek with surprise.
He had a secretive little smile. “As good a source as any.” He shrugged. “You asked.”
So this Herodotus guy had said something about the wolf shifters. Huh. I fanned through the book. It was pretty thick, but there was a bookmark in it.
“Any ideas where we can find Kohana?” Derek asked, glancing down the hall. His words recalled me to the moment, and I shoved the book into my pack. When I slung it back over my shoulder and closed my locker, he took my hand in his. I wasn’t expecting that, which maybe was why his touch made my heart skip. I liked the warmth of his grip.
Never mind the steadiness of his gaze. I stared at him, unable to look away.
His fingers entangled with mine, his thumb sliding across my palm very slowly, slowly enough to give me heart failure.
It certainly was slow enough to distract me.
“Because it would be good to confirm that he still has the NightBlade,” he added, as if I needed the strategy explained to me.
I wasn’t, actually, thinking about Kohana in that precise moment, or even the Wyvern’s supposed ability to see past, present, and future simultaneously. I was thinking about Derek, about how steadily he looks into my eyes and how slowly he moves. I was thinking about the warm caress of his thumb, and I was thinking about Friday night’s dance, and I was wondering just what he had planned.
A slow dance?
A slow kiss?
I am the worst dancer in the world, and I’m not sure I’m much of a kisser, either. I have been kissed and I have kissed back some, but that doesn’t exactly make me a pro.
Derek smiled and I wondered whether he could smell what I was thinking.
I blushed. You knew it had to happen.
“I’ve got my dad’s car for Friday,” he murmured, and that small piece of information seemed fraught with expectations.
I was well aware that Derek was watching me closely. It was becoming clear to me that this date wasn’t anything casual. I was, in fact, remembering his words from the fall, about his taking the task in his pack to ensure the alliance with the Wyvern was made. Wolves are not the most subtle intellectuals, in my limited experience. They put more value in action than in words.
What particular action would secure the alliance, as far as Derek was concerned? Going steady? Doing more than sharing a kiss? I stood and felt his thumb caress my hand and had a pretty good idea that he wanted a bigger commitment from me.
Which meant that my dad wasn’t going to like Derek any more than he liked Jared.
Before I could think of anything brilliant to say, the bell for class rang. Derek squeezed my fingers, bolder now, then, to my astonishment, leaned closer and kissed my temple. “Later,” he murmured in a low growl that made my stomach quiver. He gave me an intent look, then turned to lope down the hall.
Leaving me staring after him, my mouth dry.
“SORRY TO INTERRUPT A TENDER moment,” Suzanne drawled from my other side, her tone snarky. “But Trevor wants to talk to you, freak.”
I spun to find her glaring at me. I was as shocked by her words as her presence. Suzanne had never initiated a conversation with me—and Trevor never wanted to talk to me unless he was making trouble.
I had wanted to talk to Trevor. Suddenly, he wanted to talk to me. This was far too easy. Careful what you wish for.
To say that I was suspicious would have been the understatement of the century.
“Me?”
“At least you’re as shocked as I am,” Suzanne said. She jabbed her finger at me. “Do not get any ideas.”
“Ideas?”
She leaned closer to whisper, “You’re not his type. Don’t imagine for one second that you are.”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. The idea of me and Trevor becoming a couple was just that funny. He belonged to a group bent on destroying my kind forever, after all. “Don’t worry. He’s not my type, either.”
She flicked a disparaging glance after Derek. “I guess not.”
My temper flared because she was putting Derek down. “If Trevor wants to talk to me, why doesn’t he?” I challenged. “Are you his minion now?”
Or was he afraid of me? Trevor did know what I was, after all, and we dragons had kicked major Mage butt in the fall.
Suzanne checked that there were other people at the end of the hall, then leaned closer, her eyes flashing. “Never call me that, freak.”
She was always brave when others were around; it was when she and I were alone that her bravado slipped. “Then don’t act like his minion.”
“I am so going to get you,” she muttered. “One of these days, I won’t be the only one to see, and I’ll make sure to take you down.”
I mocked a shudder. “Gosh, I’m afraid.”
She didn’t like that, not one bit. She opened her mouth to say something bitchy, but the hall was empty. I saw my chance and went with it, too mad to care about repercussions.
I let my eye change to a dragon eye just for a heartbeat.
Suzanne paled and retreated quickly.
“What’s the matter?” I asked sweetly, knowing my eye was back to normal.
She looked away, then back at me, then shook a finger. “One of these days, Sorensson.”
I pretended to tremble, then grinned at her. There must have been some dragon in that look, because she stepped back.
Suzanne jerked her thumb toward the parking lot. “Trevor’s in his car.” Then she arched a brow, more confident now that there was distance between us. “Unless you don’t have the nerve to cut class.”
If it had been art class, I might have hesitated. Science meant it was an easy choice. I pushed past Suzanne and headed out of the school, in search of Trevor.
I didn’t have to look far.
Chapter 3
Trevor’s green MG was idling at the closest entry to the parking lot. It’s a convertible, but he had the black ragtop up. I was surprised he was even driving it in February. Snowflakes tumbled out of the pewter clouds that filled the sky, and it was more damp than cold.
I bent down, cautious now, and he unrolled the passenger’s-side window. “We need to talk,” he said grimly.
I have to say that Trevor was looking less than his best. His hair was disheveled and I would have bet that he hadn’t slept the night before. Maybe for a few nights. There were dark circles under his eyes and his skin was pale.
He looked a lot worse than he had in my dream. He is usually the squeaky-clean type, his jeans practically ironed and every hair in place. The contrast was start
ling.
Plus he couldn’t stop fidgeting. His fingers drummed on the steering wheel, his agitation obvious. He kept looking around, scanning the parking lot, as if he expected boogeymen to jump him from every side.
Interesting. Was he really spooked or was it an act? I couldn’t tell.
I actually had a moment when I wished I knew him better, just so I could assess his honesty, then realized how nutty a thought that was.
“So talk,” I said, shoving my hands into my pockets. I would go with the bold Wyvern routine, I decided.
“Not here,” he said. “Get in.”
I laughed.
“Seriously, Zoë.” His eyes were wide and he looked terrified. Again I wondered: Was that the truth or an illusion? It seemed a smidge over the top, especially if my dream hadn’t happened yet. He should still be cocky about their plan, at least the way I figured it. “Look, Adrian’s got this crazy idea and I don’t know how to talk him out of it. I need your help.”
I leaned back against the fence beside the sidewalk, keeping my distance. “That has to be a first.”
He shoved a hand through his hair. “He found this old book, and he thinks he can manage this spell, but I know he’s not skilled enough. I’m worried that it will all go wrong and no one will be able to stop it. He won’t listen to me!”
I straightened at that. “What kind of spell?” When he didn’t answer, I guessed. “The Invocation of Destruction?”
He stared at me in shock. “How do you know that?”
I shrugged. “How can you do it, though, without the NightBlade?”
And how could I stop them from even trying?
Trevor averted his gaze and shoved a hand through his hair. “It’s a special rite. I’ve never seen it done before. Adrian’s sure he can nail it, but I’m afraid.” He did look freaked. I felt a teensy bit sorry for him. “This isn’t a joke, Zoë. You don’t know what he did last night.”
My Wyvern sense was on full alert. “Then why don’t you tell me?”
Trevor looked from side to side, as if there would be anyone stupid enough to stand out here in the snow and eavesdrop on us. His voice dropped to a hiss. “He went out to eat shadows. He said it would build his strength.”
“Whose shadows?” I thought I already knew the answer, but had to ask.
“Just get in. We have to stop him!”
“What makes you think I can change Adrian’s mind?”
“Maybe we should be on the same side, Zoë. Maybe this is important enough.”
Maybe Trevor wasn’t bad to the bone.
“Look, Zoë, there’s no time. The ritual has to be done tonight. If we’re going to stop him, we have to do it now. Who knows what he’s done while I’ve been gone? Just get in!”
“Do you have a plan?”
He nodded. “There’s only one copy of the book, at this library, in the reserves. I want you to incinerate it so everything in it is lost forever.”
“Can’t you destroy it yourself?”
His lips tightened. “I’ve tried. I think it needs dragonfire.” He looked at me. “Shifter power.”
That was news. “Why?”
“Trust me on this. Get in!”
Trust Trevor. That was a stretch.
On the other hand, it sounded like Adrian had been the one who had attacked Mozart—and he might be stalking more shifters. He knew what enough of us looked like in our human skins to find us. I didn’t trust Trevor to have my best interests at heart, but I did trust him to understand Mage lore better than me.
And I wanted to believe that he had some redeeming features.
I pulled out my messenger and sent a message to Meagan that I was going with Trevor and hoping to stop Adrian from attacking more shifters. She’d figure out that I meant Mozart.
“Come on!” Trevor said, revving the engine.
I still hesitated a moment more before I got in.
That was all the time it took for me to check for spell light. There wasn’t any, so I figured that it would take Trevor longer to conjure a spell to trap me than it would take me to spontaneously manifest elsewhere. I had confidence in my dragon abilities—and also feared this might be my own chance to turn the tide and stop the ceremony. That was a risk I was prepared to take.
In hindsight, I can see that my decision was chock-full of assumptions.
TREVOR’S CAR WAS PRETTY PLUSH inside, with leather seats and a dashboard that looked as if it had been carved of wood. (Did they ever really do that?) I felt as if I should be wearing mirrored sunglasses, or a swinging ’60s Mondrian-inspired dress, go-go boots (white ones), or some other throwback fashion item.
Then he reached the main road beyond our school and I forgot about fashion statements. I was too busy hanging on.
Trevor drove like a maniac. Waaaaaaaaaaay too fast. I appreciated that he was worried about finding Adrian sooner rather than later, but wished I was under my own steam. Speeding was one thing, but he didn’t seem to be entirely in control. This did not reassure me. Neither did his white-knuckle grip on the steering wheel.
I took this as a sign that he really was scared.
“You could slow down,” I said, when he took a corner on two (squealing) wheels.
“No time to waste,” he muttered, and, I swear, he drove even faster.
We left the part of the city I know really well, lunging into an area I’d never visited before. The buildings were neither new enough to be sleek nor old enough to have the grace of bygone days. They were all square and practical, made of brick and concrete, so similar that they could have been poured from the same mold. I saw a paved schoolyard with a chain-link fence around it, little kids running back and forth inside their cage, and was glad I didn’t live around here.
Then Trevor took a couple of quick turns and screeched to a halt. He turned off the car engine. He’d parked in front of a building with broad concrete steps and double doors. The sign over the doors said it was a public library.
I still felt that foreboding of doom, but it seemed to me that we couldn’t get into too much trouble in a library.
Shouldn’t hindsight have served me better? I’d assumed myself to be safe before and been wrong.
Misplaced confidence was the first sign of trouble.
“The book is in the reserved collection,” Trevor said in a hushed voice. “They won’t let it leave the building.” He came around the car with purpose. “Come on!”
“You don’t think people will notice if I shift shape and start a fire?”
He was dismissive. “I’ll launch some spellsong. Don’t worry about the details—just fry that book and leave the rest to me!” He leapt out of the car and came around to my side.
I took a good look at the building. What was wrong? I had a very, very bad feeling.
“I’m not sure about this,” I said, just as the passenger’s door was opened. “Maybe it’s not a good idea.”
Trevor smiled as he tugged me out of the car, and I did not trust that smile.
Note sign of trouble number 2.
The street was deserted. Completely empty.
Portent of disaster number 3 present and accounted for.
Or was I just being chicken? Because if there was a book, I wanted to see it. I liked the idea of destroying a Mage tome. Breathe a little fire and terminate the possibility of anyone following those instructions ever again. It also sounded like there was something special about shifter power, something that worried the apprentice Mages, and I definitely wanted to know more about that. I didn’t mind taking a small risk in order to get the job done and change the future for the better.
I knew I couldn’t truly trust Trevor, but I’d beaten him before; even if Adrian was here, I’d thumped him a couple of times, as well. I rationalized that I could always spontaneously manifest elsewhere to get myself out of trouble. Even if I wasn’t entirely accurate in targeting locations when I did that, all I had to do was be anywhere else.
Piece of cake.
?
??The book’s inside,” Trevor said. “Only copy in the world.”
I was curious. You know what they say about curiosity and cats. I was pretty sure that didn’t apply to dragons.
Trevor and I started up the steps; then the building did a very odd thing.
It wavered.
Like a sheet in the wind.
That was when I knew it was a glamour. Whatever it was disguising couldn’t be good.
The book wasn’t here.
It was all a ruse.
A trap.
I spun to run, but Adrian lunged out of the glamour and snatched my other elbow. He’d been waiting there for me, disguised by the spell. Now there were two of them, one on either side of me. Adrian pulled hard to enough to make me stumble, and when I yelled in protest, he laughed.
When I looked up, I saw the orange spell light dancing in his eyes. He could have been filled with it, brimming with it, the spell light boiling up inside of him to fill his eyes.
Oh, shit.
In the heartbeat it took me to process that new data, Trevor kicked my feet out from beneath me. I fell, skinning my hands. I shouted and tried to shift shape, but an orange bolt of spell light slapped me across the face.
I trembled, too stunned by its impact to even respond. The pair of them hauled me up those steps while I was disoriented. They weren’t actually steps at all. They dissolved as we moved forward, disappearing as surely as if they’d never been.
Guess what the glamour was hiding?
You’ve got it. A vacant lot.
Unless I was very much mistaken, this was the same vacant lot where Skuld had brought me. That other kid from my dream was there, singing his Mage chant, holding a gleaming golden orb of spell light captive like a balloon on a string. It was filled to bursting with ShadowEaters, and they pressed against the side closest to me as Trevor and Adrian carried me into the lot.
“It’s not the full moon yet!” I protested.
“Sure it is,” Adrian said. “You just can’t see it in the daylight.”
No! I couldn’t screw up this badly. I couldn’t be the reason their spell succeeded and my dream came true. I had to get out of there ASAP. I called to the shimmer, intent upon being anywhere else on the planet, but I couldn’t find it. Somehow it had been shut down or turned off or blocked. I panicked and felt for it frantically, but no luck. I could only find a hard wall of orange in my thoughts.