Betrayed (37 page)

“You’re usual y in his arms right about now making al of us envious. Instead you’re in here …

scowling.”

Plotting was more like it. An idea popped in my head. “I’m waiting for Celeste.”

She chuckled. “Aah, little Llyr. Love that girl. I think things are going to get interesting around here.

I’m so looking forward to talking to her at your party.”

“Don’t encourage her, Izzy. We’re on the same team and should al get along.”

“In Xenith maybe, but this is the real world,” she said in a sing-song tone. “See you later.” Izzy blew hot and cold so often I stil couldn’t figure her out even after seven months. When someone broke one of the Cardinal rules, she bit off someone broke one of the Cardinal rules, she bit off their heads without missing a bite. Yet she often got a kick out of meaningless squabbles. Her fashion style was also diverse. One week she’d wear trendy preppy outfits, the next jeans and tees. And even though her hair was often blown dry and styled, at times she let the curly mane down or had it in single braids, like now.

Could Izzy be the guide? Even as the question crossed my thoughts, I knew it was wrong to think like her and the other trainees. They put that crazy idea in my head during lunch. If the Cardinals were suspect, so was everyone else. Maybe Izzy’s contrary attitude hid something sinister and Kim’s incessant complaints about demons and humans were just a front. Bran’s odd behavior could easily explain everything if he were the spy.

No, I had to stop believing someone close to me would betray me. As it was, I had enough to deal with without alienating my friends on groundless suspicions.

“Were you two gossiping about me? I swear I heard my name mentioned,” Celeste said, stopping beside me.

I sighed. It must be sneak-up-on-Lil day.

“Kinda. Izzy likes that you chal enged Kim, which doesn’t make sense because they’re best friends.

Can you hitch a ride with Remy and Sykes?”

“Why?”

I pointed out the window. “I need time alone with Bran.”

Celeste fol owed my gaze and grinned.

“Consider me gone. And no need to ask the guys. I’l teleport.” A bunch of Civilians walked past and waved. “No, I’l take the bus with the others. Bye. ” I fol owed them, my gaze on Bran. The closer I got to him, the more I liked the plan I hatched.

“Hey,” I said, smiling.

Instead of answering, he extended his hand toward me, gripped my elbow, and pul ed me into his arms. I tried to resist, real y did. Stiffened every muscle in my body and gave myself a pep talk about how we needed to talk first, but my traitorous heart trembled and melted. With a sigh, I sagged against him. His warmth and scent fil ed my senses. For a moment, nothing else mattered but being in his arms.

“I’m so sorry for the way I’ve been acting,” he whispered in my hair.

His regret was sincere. He might lock me out of his mind, but he couldn’t block my empathetic abilities or stop the flow of his emotions to my psyche. Not ready to leave the comfort of his arms, I leaned back and studied his face. The corners of his lips lifted, dimples flashing, but the devastating effect of his gorgeous smile was dimmed by the sunglasses. Just as wel . That lethal smile of his tended to screw with my thought process.

“We need to talk,” I said.

The smile disappeared from his lips. “I know.”

“I understand you’re worried about Gavyn and the List, and I’m with you on those.”
Ask him about
the contracts,
a tiny voice whispered in my head. I ignored it. “Can you tel me what happened on Friday? I heard you and Grampa got into a fight or something.”

He sighed, hands dropping to his side. Cold replaced the warmth, and I shivered.

“What did you fight about?” I pushed.

“Nothing that I didn’t already know.” He turned and opened the door. “Get in.”

“We promised to never keep secrets from each other.”

“I know.” He scowled, his gaze going to the school building.

“If you’re looking for Celeste, she took the school bus home with the other Civilians.” I settled in the passenger seat and hugged my backpack.

Bran frowned. “Why would she do that?”

“Because I asked her to.”

His jaw clenched. He pushed the door shut with exaggerated care, walked around, and settled behind the wheel. Uneasy silence fil ed the car as he took off. A few times he glanced at me, but since I couldn’t see his eyes or read his mind, I stared straight ahead. An apology without an explanation was meaningless. Time for Plan A. Even as I implemented it, guilt fol owed.

“Stay out of my head, Lil,” he warned in a low tone.

“Why?” I griped, trying to find a way around his shield.

“It’s invasive.” His hand flexed on the steering wheel. “I can’t explain everything yet. Just give me time.”

Something close to panic raced through me.

Something close to panic raced through me.

“Time to do what? If you can’t tel me what’s going on, I’l ask Grampa.”

“Don’t,” he snapped.

“Why not?” Frustration bubbled to the surface.

“Because I’m asking you not to. Why can’t you just be patient?” he asked through clenched teeth.

“I would if you weren’t scaring me. You’re not acting like yourself. First you tel me never to link with you and kick me out of your bedroom, which by the way I’l never, ever forget. Second, you refuse to blend our energies to heal. Then you appear in my room in the middle of the night because I had a nightmare and won’t admit it.” I paused to give him a chance to deny it. He didn’t. My anger shot up. “And now you’re asking me to give you time, and I’m supposed to be okay with it?”

His anger peaked and crashed into my psyche. “Yes. Because I love you, and everything I do is to protect you.”

As though he’d said too much, he clammed up, lips pinched.

“Protect me? Is that what you and Grampa fought about? How is not linking with me or blending our energies protecting me?”

“I can’t explain now,” he said through his teeth.

Time for Plan B. My empathic abilities weren’t invasive. With just the two of us, I didn’t even have to worry about sensory overload.

I focused and opened my senses.

At first, al I got from him was frustration. Then something else trickled through. As though he realized my intentions, he floored the gas pedal. The faster he drove, the more I probed and absorbed, my heart pounding with the effort and…guilt.

Muttering something under his breath, Bran brought the jeep to a screeching halt on the curb outside his house. I braced myself against the dashboard to prevent being pitched forward. He jumped out, leaving the engine running, and rounded the hood of the jeep. The sunglasses were clenched in his hand, and his eyes flashed dangerously.

Heart palpitating, I unbuckled my seatbelt, pushed down the button that locked the doors and scooted to the driver’s seat. He tried to open the door, realized what I did and glared at me as though I’d gone mad. His attempt to use his limited psi abilities to unlock the door was fruitless. I was a stronger psi.

He drove his fingers through his hair, a tel -

tale sign of frustration, and yel ed something. I didn’t hear a single word over the droning car engine, or was it the blood roaring past my ears. Then he leaned against the car and started to laugh.

My mouth twitched, but I watched him like a hawk until he stopped. Slowly, I lowered the window a few inches. “I know you’re scared of something, Bran.”

“Open the door, Lil.”

“Not until you talk to me. The only time you were this scared was when Celeste lived on the island and you wanted to rescue her. You were scared for her and of Coronis. Since you claimed your mean behavior is for my protection, are you afraid for me or of me?”

19. An Impasse

“Why would I be afraid of you?” Bran asked in a tone more puzzled than annoyed.

I had no answer for him. Maybe he was scared of Valafar and his influence on me. Maybe it was my resurfacing nature-bender powers. “Does that mean you’re afraid for me? How is it connected with us linking?”

He ignored my question. “Why would I be afraid of you?” he repeated.

“Because of Valafar. It’s hard to know what to believe when everything he says makes sense.” Concern flickered in Bran’s emerald eyes as he studied me. “Like what?”

Let’s see if he liked me keeping things from him. “I’d like to share, but….” I shrugged.

Annoyance crossed his handsome face.

“That’s not funny. I was directed not to say anything yet.”

“Hmm, interesting. I was directed not to trust anyone yet.” I opened my eyes wide and gave him a sweet smile.

“By who? Valafar?” He spat out the name like it was something vile.

I shrugged.

A calculating gleam entered Bran’s eyes.

Then without saying another word, he turned and walked up the driveway.

I gawked. Rol ing down the window, I yel ed,

“Where are you going?”

“Home,” he cal ed back.

“We’re not done talking.”

“Yes, we are. Drop off the keys when you’re done throwing a tantrum.” He disappeared inside the house.

Tantrum? He made me want to scream.

Seriously, there was something wrong with him.

Didn’t he understand the meaning of the word compromise? Meeting halfway. Give and take.

Aunt Janel e was right. He needed to learn how to treat me right. We couldn’t always do things his way.

Let him keep his stupid secret.
We’ll see how
he likes the consequences.
Sighing, I knew I was deluding myself. We had reached an impasse and could either move past it or stay deadlocked.

Through the rearview mirror, I watched the school bus stop outside the gate and students hop down. Several Guardian boys and girls walked by and waved. I nodded, switched off the engine and stepped down just as Celeste and three other girls walked up. I forced myself to calm down and act natural.

Celeste introduced her new friends, but I sucked at names. Faces, on the other hand, were my specialty. It was a good thing the girls were unforgettably beautiful and not carbon copies of each other. That was something I got used to, the startling beauty of the Guardians. I frowned when they refused to meet my gaze. I hoped they weren’t shy. Guardian business had no room for shyness. I should know.

One had long pale hair, fair skin, and a pert nose. It gave her a distinct elfish look. The name Elfin would do for her. The second one, a brunette with big gray eyes like an anime character and freckles across her nose, deserved the name Freckles. And Dimples was the only way to describe the third girl with curly hair, smooth mocha skin, and round dimples.

“Are any of you girls a psi?” I asked.

“Are any of you girls a psi?” I asked.

They al nodded, stil refusing to meet my gaze.

Maybe they found me intimidating, which sucked. “I guess I’l see you in class soon.”

“You’re coming to talk to us?” Freckles asked as she made eye contact and blushed.

She looked even prettier blushing. Whenever I did, my cheeks matched my hair. “I promised Mrs.

D. I would, but I haven’t decided on what to do or the day. But it’l be sometime this week.” As they walked away, one said, “She cal s the teacher Mrs. D., just like us.” They giggled.

Celeste rol ed her eyes. “You could stand in front of the class and do nothing, and they’d stil think you’re amazing. It must be cool to be you,” she teased, bumping me with her elbow.

I elbowed her back. If she only knew. Being me sucked big time.

We used the side door of my house and stopped in the kitchen, where I dumped my backpack and Bran’s keys on the counter.

Celeste picked up the keys. “Were you driving Cardinal Janel e’s jeep?”

“Nope.” I opened the pantry door.

“Then what are you doing with these?” She shook the keys.

“Long story. Do you want something to eat?” I removed a box of chocolate covered granola bars and offered her one.

“Thanks. So how did it go with Bran?”

“I’m working on it. There’re certain things the Cardinals don’t discuss with even us trainees, but I’l get it out of him,” I finished, faking confidence I didn’t feel.

Celeste gave me thumbs up. We finished our snacks and washed them down with milk. When I pul ed out my homework from my backpack, she said, “I’ve got to ask you something, Lil. During lunch you said you were searching for a package your father sent?”

“Valafar,” I corrected in an irritated voice.

“Just because he fathered me doesn’t make him my father.”

She made a face. “Okay. So what’s the package about?”

Her eyes widened as I explained the medium, the missing package, and our plan to use the party on Friday to identify the medium.

“Oh man, I feel like a total jerk now,” she said.

I shook my head. “Why?”

“I had no idea you were going through so much. You always seem so upbeat, everyone’s little princess.”

“Little princess? Please. That doesn’t explain the total jerk comment though.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I was mean to you earlier, you know, yel ing and stuff. I wouldn’t have if I’d known. I mean, you seem to have a lot going on right now. But,” she stood and picked up her backpack, “I’l make it up to you by finding the person hiding your package. Most of my Academy friends live with Civilians, which means they have access to their houses. If they search—”

“Oh no, no.” I shook my head. “You can’t tel anyone about this. In fact, I shouldn’t have told you. If the others find out, they’l kil me.” The doorbel rang. I checked the psi energies of my visitors and groaned. “Kim and Izzy are here. Don’t mention the medium or the package, and please, please, don’t fight with Kim again. She’s a Cardinal Guardian.”

“A Cardinal Guardian trainee,” she corrected.

“Same difference, so show her some respect.

They are also my friends. We might not get along al the time but we watch each other’s backs when it counts.”

Celeste looked like she was about to argue then shrugged and gripped her backpack against her chest. “Fine. I’l play nice. I’l even leave to avoid another fight. But if she says something nasty about me, you tel me. Okay?”