That doesnt matter, said Trafton, shaking her head. Her life is in danger, and you shouldnt have let her do it!
Like I had a choice, I cried, tears finally p.r.i.c.king the corners of my eyes.
Theres always a choice, said Trafton, who for some reason had decided to dig in his heels on this one.
Stop it, cried Vanni, who had remained quiet through my entire tale, but couldnt stop herself from speaking up now. Charlottes been through enough. You know Lisabelle. Its not like we could ever tell her what to do. She did what she thought was right. She did what she had to do, and if she dies for it then shes the exact sort of friend I always thought she was.
Loyal and unconditional, Rake murmured. Thats definitely Lisabelle.
Trafton slumped. Lough guided him to a chair and pointed to the untouched cookie.
But what if it changes her? Trafton asked quietly.
Of course it will change her, said Vanni, rolling her eyes. She had never liked Lisabelle very much, but to be fair, Lisabelle had called her Fraidy Angel . . . to her face. Now, though, regardless of the past, I was grateful for Vannis support.
Lough scrubbed his face. I dont want to talk about this anymore, he said wearily. I just want to go be by myself and cry.
We all looked at him, a bit stunned.
I can be in touch with my feelings, he huffed. And honest. Excuse me.
He pushed back his stool and quickly left the kitchen. Lough had been to Astra enough times to know he could sleep wherever he wanted. There were lots of bedrooms.
We should get to sleep as well, said Trafton, when no one else spoke up. I dont remember the last time I closed my eyes.
I grabbed a cookie, because I was so hungry I felt hollow, and followed my friends. I was trying very hard not to think, but it wasnt working well.
Try not to dream, Charlotte, Trafton advised as he rolled himself up in his sleeping bag in the hall. They probably wont be pleasant.
Tell me something I dont know.
Chapter Three.
It was one of the things Id been dreading. The part of me Id inherited from my mother, the dream giver part, was likely to go wild tonight. Whenever I closed my eyes I already thought of Sip at the hands of the demons . . . and cringed. I didnt think theyd hurt her, not if they could have Lisabelle, but the thought that she might be tortured was almost too much for me to bear.
I climbed the stairs slowly, so tired I had to force one foot in front of the other. My room was dark and I didnt bother turning on any lights. One of the big windows was open, and the curtains blew gently in the spring breeze. I wondered if Martha had been in there, getting my room ready for my arrival. Not that I expected such things from Paranormal Publics human form, but she had been known to act motherly from time to time.
I tossed my bag on the couch and disappeared into the walk in-closet. I quickly changed into comfy pants and a t-shirt and came back into my bedroom. Normally Id wear shorts to sleep, because Keller always kept me warm, but I didnt want to wear the same clothes without him.
And now I didnt even have my Keller dreams to look forward to.
Took you long enough, said a cold voice. I froze. I was climbing into bed and had even removed my ring. I usually kept it on, but tonight it had felt heavy, and I had thought I was safe at Public, in my own dorm, in my own room, in my own bed.
Very slowly I turned around. Dobrov Validification was standing in my room.
I glared at the hybrid.
I didnt know I had company, I said hotly. And I use the term loosely. What do you want? On another errand for your sister?
Dobrov flinched a little, but didnt argue.
Sorry to barge in, he said. I didnt think you would talk to me otherwise.
Duh, I said. I dont have the energy to pretend youre welcome. Although Id dearly love to know what part your sister played in that little drama we just lived through. Barely.
Im sorry you lost your friends, he said. I couldnt tell if he meant it or not.
I stormed toward him. He didnt move, so I kept going. I lifted my arm, and even without my ring I had the force of my powers and of Astra behind me. I slammed my forearm into his throat and propelled us forward until his back slammed against the nearest wall.
I didnt lose ANY friends. You got that? I said coldly.
He met my eyes, searching my face. It was all I could do not to look away. Dobrov had started to look a little better - still not cute, but at least less like an over-boiled cabbage.
I had to sneak out, he said, his face unreadable.
What part of my facial expression makes you think I care? I demanded. I dont care. You may have noticed I have other problems. You are not in my top ten. In fact, youre probably not in my top hundred.
I just wanted to tell you Im sorry, said Dobrov.
You spent our entire semester not making eye contact and following your crazy darkness sister around, I gritted out. Leave. My. Room.
Dobrov sighed heavily.
Im trying to help, he said. I want to help, but its complicated. Shes my sister.
It doesnt have to be complicated, I said. You are either a member of the Sign of Six or youre my enemy.
Is Caid your enemy? Dobrov asked quietly.
Yes, I cried. He let this happen. I dont care what Dacer said.
Dobrov c.o.c.ked his head. What did Dacer say?
I opened my mouth to answer, then I closed it with a snap. He had barged into my bedroom. He wasnt going to quiz me.
Youre here to get information from me, arent you? Do you know I havent slept yet? Not since Golden Falls.
Dobrovs shoulder slumped. Obviously I shouldnt have come, he said heavily.
What are you doing here, anyway? I demanded. The semester is over, and its not like you and your sister need protecting from your own. You cant possibly be as scared as the paranormals blanketing my entry hall.
Dobrov still didnt move, nor did he say a word.
Why arent you leaving? I said, still glaring at him. My head had started to throb. If I didnt sleep soon I was likely to faint.
Your arm is on my throat, said Dobrov, glancing down.
Whatever, I said, stepping back but not taking my eyes away from him.
Dobrov ma.s.saged his offended windpipe.
Im on your side, Charlotte, he said. I wish youd believe me.
You dont act like it, I said, crossing my arms.
Dobrov nodded. I understand, he said. I do. Ill see what I can do to change your mind.
Before I could answer he turned away and walked out the door. I watched him go, mostly to make sure he was gone. The door closed soundlessly behind him, and I hurried forward and snapped the lock closed.
When I turned around my bed looked exactly the same, but I couldnt get into it yet. Instead, I lit the candles in my room and checked every corner. I also put my dirty ring back on and did Lisabelles spell to check for listeners.
Chapter Four.
Darkness calls to darkness darkness calls to darkness darkness calls to darkness When I closed my eyes I saw black.
Darkness calls to darkness. I was called home. No, Lisabelle was. I wish we were together, the three of us, but well never be together again.
Dont wake up. If you wake up you wont get the answer to the question. If only you knew what the question was.
I kicked my blankets off. I felt stifled and sweaty.
A dream was coming closer, changing the blackness behind my closed eyes.
Just not Malle, I muttered, but it wasnt Malle this time. I was almost relieved to see Lisabelles pale face, her eyes glittering like two black diamonds.
Wheres Sip? Her voice sounded far away.
Lisabelle, I cried, but I knew she couldnt hear me. Her eyes fluttered a little, but she didnt look away from the hooded figure she was talking to.
Are you referring to Ms. Quest? The voice was familiar to me, but I couldnt place it. The sound was distorted so much that there was no way to tell if it was male or female. I quickly did a mental check of all the Nocturns I knew, but I still couldnt place it.
Your uncle is hot on the trail of the objects, the voice continued.
Yes, said Lisabelle without emotion. He usually gets what he wants.
Will he want you back? The voice sounded amused.
Lisabelle raised her eyebrows. She actually looked bored, but I knew that was a front. Her shoulders were pulled back and her lips were pursed. There was tension in every line of her body. The tension would remain until Sip was back at Public.
Yes, Premier, said Lisabelle. He will.
The hood nodded. The darkness premier. Cynthia Malles boss. Thats who Lisabelle was talking to. This was bad. Like, really bad.
Sips voice was going off in my head, yelling at me to find out who it was. I wondered if the premier was a paranormal I knew. Probably not, despite the vague familiarity of the voice. There were still lots of paranormals out there whom I had never even seen. Caids party had been filled with impressive names, for instance, but Lisabelles parents hadnt been there.
Lisabelles parents! Their only daughter.
I forced myself to turn my attention back to the conversation Lisabelle was having. This must be happening now, or very recently.
I want Sip safe before I agree, said Lisabelle. It wont be pretty for any of us if one hair on her fusspot head is harmed.
You speak of her in such affectionate terms, said the dark figure.
Lisabelle shrugged. Weve spent a lot of time together.
And what is it youre agreeing to? The voice was silky now, filled with both interest and malice.
Wear the black ring, said Lisabelle. Her hands were clenched into fists at her sides.
The hooded figure nodded once. Twice.
They were in a room with a black marble floor, but I couldnt make out anything else about the s.p.a.ce. There were no walls or windows. I saw no furniture.
Ms. Quest is fine, said the premier. You can trust me on that.
I dont trust you on anything, said Lisabelle, especially not where my friends are concerned.
Ah, yes, we will have to discuss your friend Charlotte and her . . . future, whatever is left of it.
Lisabelles jaw tightened, but she made no other sign that she was angry. I found myself wondering if she was. At least the premier had confirmed one thing: the black rings meant Nocturns. All of Golden Falls had gone over to darkness. No wonder Nolan had been uncomfortable there and Keller didnt trust him. I had gotten mad at Keller for that.
Ms. Quest is on her way back to Paranormal Public, said the darkness premier. She will arrive there safely if you put the black ring on before she lands. If you do not, then she will be returned here and you will both be chained. You will forgive me, but I would like to check you for any paranormal charms or enchantments that might have been placed on you.
Lisabelle laughed, but she wasnt amused. Go right ahead. Id love to know how you think any of them could put an enchantment on me.
The black shoulders raised in a shrug. Maybe you put it on yourself.
I am here to do what I said I would do, said Lisabelle, showing her first spark of real emotion.
Very well, said the premier. This will only take a moment. I didnt even see anything happen, just a cloud of gray smoke that floated toward Lisabelle. It started at her feet, wrapped itself around her body, and drifted upward.
If you are telling any untruths or if the smoke finds anything it doesnt like, it will turn red, said the premier.