Lough and I exchanged glances. As we did, I suddenly realized that we had to talk to Lisabelle. We just had to hear from her. No doubt it was incredibly dangerous for her to contact us, which was why she hadnt, but it was becoming all too clear that if Sip didnt deal with her anger soon, it was going to bury her.
Friends, said Caid, standing up and gazing around the huge room, welcome. He extended his arms wide, and it was only now, with my eyes following his gesture, that I saw who had come to stand on his right. Sip and I saw him at the exact moment, and we both let out surprised gasps. Sips face lit up as if shed just been given a new teakettle.
Risper, she breathed. I knew hed come back.
Lisabelles Uncle Risper, dressed all in black, stood with his hands clasped in front of him. He was not a large man, but his body spoke of power and agility. He had originally become well-known as a bounty hunter and tracker, but that was before he had disappeared at the end of our first year at Public. Although Lisabelle had seen him since, none of the rest of us had. Hed been busy chasing the objects on the Wheel and hadnt taken time out for anything else.
None of us could contain our joy at seeing Lisabelles uncle. Maybe Rispers presence here is a good sign, I whispered. I knew it must have something to do with Lisabelle, but it also might mean he finally knew where the Globe White was.
It was all I could to do keep my attention on Caids speech, but since there was no way to talk with Risper right away, I forced myself to pay attention to the president.
Now is a dark time, he began. His voice was crisp and clear; he had a way of setting those around him at ease. I could only imagine that that skill had played a large role in his election to the presidency, but I wondered if it would work tonight. I knew we were not the only worried paranormals; we couldnt be. Sip might have started the Sign of Six, but with each article in the Tabble her membership grew. She held power of her own now, which was why Golden Falls had given her over to the Nocturns and Lisabelle had been forced to make a deadly choice.
Even as Caid spoke, I kept my eyes mostly on Risper. He had more gray hair than when I had last seen him, but of course that had been several years ago, and who knew what he had been through since then. I wondered if he still had the Map Silver.
We will need all of you, Caid continued, to beat the darkness that is upon us. We tried negotiation, we tried resistance, but the time has come to understand that we are past those forms of problem-solving. We must now go to war.
Murmurs went up among the paranormals in attendance. As I looked around and listened to the murmurs, I saw the woman who had screamed at Sip earlier. Her eyes were bright and she looked eager, almost joyous.
How could anyone be joyful at the prospect of war?
Continuing to observe the crowd as Caid stood quietly and people whispered among themselves, I saw several paranormals I didnt recognize sitting near him, and noticed that Dacer had moved to stand next to Risper. Professor Erikson was seated with Saferous, nodding her head at Caids words. Erikson had never liked me, or the fact that I was so tied to the Power of Five; she probably thought that going to war was a good way to end this once and for all. But what about Keller? If he was with Malle, whom we were about to fight, then what would become of her favorite nephew? She must have felt me looking at her, because she tilted her head slightly and her eyes flicked to mine.
She gave me a small smile before looking back toward Caid. In my confusion, I too turned my focus back to the president. Professor Erikson had never liked my relationship with Keller, but maybe now that wed finally been separated shed be nice to me. It would certainly mark a change as I started senior year at Paranormal Public.
Finally Caid raised his hands, calling for silence and clearing his throat before continuing. Im afraid I must ask each and every one of you to partic.i.p.ate in this battle, he said. War hits close to home. As many of you know, we now have graduates of the Paranormal Police Academy, who have been trained to take a major role in this battle.
Theyre barely trained, someone in the crowd called out. How can we place our lives in the hands of children who have never been tried in battle?
Caid held up his hands for calm as other voices clamored, many echoing what the first one had said.
They have been taught well, he insisted. There is only one way to gain experience in battle, and that is through fighting.
I saw several heads shake, but others, like Mound, were nodding in approval. Risper and Dacer remained impa.s.sive.
Suddenly a body dressed in green robes rushed past me, and I saw Oliva hurry up to the head of the long table and take the empty chair next to Professor Erikson. He looked a little fl.u.s.tered, and I wondered where hed been and why he was so late. It was the first time I noticed that the wind had picked up. I became even more curious when Caid looked at him questioningly. Oliva nodded.
I must say, said Caid, it is wonderful to have all of us here together tonight. I realize that until now we have not fought like we should have, but I am here to prove to you that we can change, that our response to this crisis can change. It must change, and I want to demonstrate how. As many of you have read, the traitor known as Lisabelle Verlans, a member of the last darkness mage family not to go over to the Nocturns, willingly joined the demons last spring.
I watched Risper intently, but his face remained impa.s.sive.
I want you all to know, Caid said, that everything we can possibly do is being done to contain the damage she is capable of creating. I am only sorry that we did not do more sooner.
Now most of the heads were nodding, including Professor Zervoss. My blood boiled with anger and I could tell that my friends felt the same way. Loughs face was becoming redder by the second; I was afraid that if he didnt take a breath soon he might pop.
To that end we also plan on bringing her errant friends to justice, Caid continued, his voice booming across the deck. Now I too stopped breathing. I had noticed that no other paranormals had come to sit near us, and almost everyone had carefully avoided eye contact with us. Those facts hadnt seemed ominous until just this moment.
My eyes locked with Dacers. I tried to take some message out of his expression, but I couldnt read him. I thought he might have given the slightest shake of his head, but I wasnt sure.
President Caid pointed to us. Charlotte Rollins is the last elemental, and with that comes specific obligations. I am here to say that I found her in possession of the Mirror Arcane, taking it out of Astra, of all things.
Now the murmurs grew in number and many faces turned toward us. I shifted uncomfortably. Next to me, Sip was glaring.
As a sign of good faith I returned it to her, with the understanding that it would remain in its rightful place, at Astra House on the Paranormal Public grounds.
My jaw dropped open at the exact same moment Sips did. He was announcing to the entire paranormal world where the last object on the Wheel that we had sure knowledge of: with me. It was unbelievable.
Then there is Lisabelle Verlanss other best friend, Sipythia Quest. SHE is the author of the Sign of Six notes, a subversive activity if ever there was one.
They should be thrown out of Public, yelled the woman who had originally shouted at Sip. She stood up so fast that her chair went flying backward and her husband, who had quieted her earlier, could no longer contain her. Looking resigned, he reached over and started to pick up her seat.
Now, Gussy, said Caid, we cannot be rash. We are dealing with mere children. I want them at Public, because then I know where they are, and I dont have to worry about them doing any more damage than they have already done.
Damage? Sip whispered, incredulous.
Gussy hadnt taken her eyes off Sip. Meanwhile, I saw my friends parents looking shocked and upset halfway down the table. All of Sips brothers were with them, and they too were looking down at their plates. I couldnt tell if they were angry at Caid or ashamed of us.
We have one way to get Ms. Verlans to come out of hiding, said Caid. And we must ensure that she does come out, because we cannot win this war until she is captured or killed.
Sip gave an angry sob. Lough looked lost. I was so stunned I wasnt thinking at all, for the moment.
So long as we have her friends, she will come eventually. If she thinks theyre in danger, we have a chance to win. If she is allowed to remain loose and her friends are allowed to run free, we are lost.
Hear, hear, Gussy cried, and many voices joined her.
Sip was so agitated that she couldnt sit still. She kept shifting in her seat, first staring wide-eyed at Lough and me, then glaring at Caid, then looking back at us as if she couldnt believe what was going on.
They forgot about me, said Lough, looking disgruntled. I wasnt mentioned when he said the bit about keeping Lisabelles best friends under their control. I do wild and crazy things and I need to be controlled too. Humph.
I had no idea this Conclave would be about us, I whispered. I thought it was to decide what course of action to take, but theyve clearly already decided. And what theyve decided is to hang us out to dry. I couldnt believe Dacer hadnt warned me.
Now, said Caid, we have two more orders of business. The first is that the Nocturns are creating hybrids. I discovered this a couple of months ago and have been working on a way to fight it. Obviously the very act itself is highly illegal and unethical, and the consequences can be dire, so we absolutely must address the problem. The second order of business is the dragons. They a.s.sisted Ms. Verlans last semester, and I would argue that any dragons we see should be killed on sight from this day forward. They are with the Nocturns.
You fool, Sip whispered, hot tears of rage streaming down her cheeks. You fool.
Without another word or so much as a glance at us, she shoved her chair back. Everyone looked, and I had the feeling that they were all nervously aware of our presence even when they werent looking directly at us. But now, under the eyes of everyone in that room, Sip stormed out.
Her mother started to rise, but Hyder put his hand on her arm and she sat back in her chair. I glanced at Lough, who shrugged and said, Is there really any reason for us to be here?
I glanced at Caid. He was looking at us with a mix of concern and anger. Well, I didnt feel remotely bad for interrupting him.
Lets get out of here, I said. I threw my napkin down and stood up.
I glared defiantly at Dacer, who still hadnt moved. I wanted to yell at him, to tell him to defend us from his old friend, but I didnt. Instead I silently followed Lough out of the room. I didnt realize what was happening until we were almost back inside the galley, but now I saw that all the water spirits, who had been surrounding the ship throughout Caids speech, were racing to the end of the vessel where I was and forming one solid ball of light. I paused for a split second, admiring the beauty, then I smiled and raised my hand. My ring pulsed and magic swarmed out of me to mix with the still water. The light of the water spirits pulsed brighter and my smile grew.
At least there were some paranormals who still believed in me.
Then, without a backward glance, I disappeared inside.
That was cool, said Lough, waving his hand in the general direction of the water spirits.
I nodded. I had no idea they knew who I was.
All paranormals know who you are, said Lough. Its obvious. Your ring can be sensed, and now there are stories about you fighting for paranormals. There are lots of paranormals who still believe in you.
Then why didnt Dacer help us? I demanded, tears p.r.i.c.king the corners of my eyes. I felt like wed been hung out to dry, and the mentor I trusted most had sat by and let it happen.
You cant blame Dacer for that, said Lough, surprising me. If he openly opposes the wishes of the President of the Paranormals, he could be thrown in jail. The same with Risper.
I dont know about that, I said grimly. Going to jail would at least have been a clear statement of his position. And for that matter, why would Risper come back just to hear Caid declare his niece a ma.s.s murderer?
I dont know, said Lough. I just dont know anymore.
Sip wasnt in the corner of the galley we had claimed as our own, but Lough and I both wrapped ourselves in sleeping bags without going off to look for her; she would come when she was ready. I pulled my bag over my head as much as I could, and it was hours before I stuck it back out again. Many of the other Public students had come down to the galley by then, and most of them, including Trafton and Rake, had arranged their sleeping bags in a protective half circle around Lough and me. Seeing that, I finally smiled a little. Caid might have accused us of getting paranormals killed, but not everyone believed him, and not everyone believed that we were a danger.
The last to enter the galley that night was Bartholem. He had disappeared as soon as Lough let him out of his carrier earlier in the day, but now he came into the galley and wound his way silently around the sleeping bodies. I watched him come, his purple eyes burning brightly.
Hiya, Bartholem, I whispered. The cat crawled into my sleeping bag and promptly curled up against my side. I felt better having him there and having the support of my fellow Public students, despite what I had done to them at the end of last semester to save Sip from the demons.
But I knew it wasnt enough.
Caids judgment was d.a.m.ning, and the loss of Dacers support was worse. My head filled with dark thoughts as I finally fell asleep.
Chapter Twenty.
I was in an inky black tunnel, running. Ahead of me I could see Lisabelle, but she was running faster and faster. There was someone with her, someone I knew. He was a small figure, but no matter how fast I ran I couldnt run fast enough to catch them. Lisabelle! I yelled. Lisabelle! Stop! We need to talk to you. Where are you taking him? Stop! Please stop. She just kept running.
Charlotte!
A hand on my shoulder was shaking me awake. Charlotte, wake up. Youre scaring me.
With a start I came awake. Sip was kneeling next to me, her purple eyes filled with worry. Next to her Bartholem sat on his rump, his eyes unblinking. Lough was looking at me with concern, and as I dragged myself up from a deep sleep and a dark dream, I realized that all the students still left in the galley were doing the same thing.
Sorry, I said, wiping wet hair off my forehead. Was I dreaming?
I guess, said Sip worriedly. You were screaming in your sleep.
I shook my head. Sometimes having dream giver capabilities is not the best.
Tell me about it, said Lough dryly.
I smiled sympathetically at him.
What did you dream? Sip asked curiously.
I frowned as I tried to remember, but all I could see was an inky darkness.
You were dreaming of Lisabelle, Sip asked eagerly. Did she say anything this time?
I shook my head, hating the way Sips face fell.
It felt like I had barely fallen back to sleep when an insistent voice woke me.
Come on, said Lough gruffly. He was already dressed. All paranormals on deck.
Whats it going to be this time? I asked. There was only a little light coming in through the windows; I wondered why we were all up so early.
Loughs face was white. Were under attack. Were trying to outrun demons, and its not working.
I threw my covers off. It took me about thirty seconds to pull on jeans, grab a hoodie, stuff my feet into sneakers, and run after my friends.
Why didnt you wake me up? I demanded.
Weve been trying for about ten minutes, said Sip as we ran. I could now feel the rocking of the ship.
Were going faster than we were last night? I whispered.
Yup, said Lough, thus the running away.
Sip sped up. Theyre fighting, but I dont know how long we can defend ourselves. This ship doesnt go fast enough.
I thought it was the safest place to be, I said breathlessly. My ring was pulsing so strongly on my finger that it was starting to burn. Fear gripped my heart. All the paranormals were on this ship.
Lough opened the door that led onto the deck. As he started to rush through it, he was slammed backward by a deadly wind. It was all Sip and I could do to get out of his way as he stumbled down the stairs and the door slammed shut again.
Lough! Sip cried. We waited for the tumbling sound to stop.
Im fine, came his strangled voice. Dont worry about me.
Sip and I exchanged terrified glances.
That wind! I gasped. Its filled with darkness magic.
Sip rubbed her hands together. Excellent.
Hows that excellent? I demanded. Were under attack, and they shouldnt even have been able to find us.
Sip shrugged. Obviously we have a traitor among us. Given that Professor Zervos and Dobrov are both here, thats not really surprising, is it?
Heavy footsteps sounded from the stairs, and finally Lough reappeared, looking tousled but otherwise unharmed. I hate the wind, he said. No offense, Charlotte. Shall we?