Shifted, page 28
I startled awake as Brooke shook my arm.
The lights in the room were on, and the curtains were drawn. How long had I been out?
Mrs. Beatty and Alex stood behind her.
I sat up as a pounding pulsed behind my eyelids again.
“Thanks, girls.” Mrs. Beatty smiled at Brooke and Nikki as they walked out. She came over and she sat on the edge of my bed. Alex came nearer, standing in front of Nikki’s bed with his hands behind his back.
“How do you feel?” she asked.
“Slight headache, but it’s bearable.”
She nodded. “We’ll fix that soon.”
“Who was the woman looking for?”
She sighed and looked past me.
“Mavis?” It felt wrong calling her by her name.
She closed her eyes and opened it slowly. “You.”
“What?”
“She was looking for you. From what we gathered, the nine missing children are linked to everything.”
The dream. My heart pounded again as my breaths became rapid.
Mrs. Beatty touched me. “Sophie, calm down.”
The ache in my temple made me clutch my head, and it was so bad that I couldn’t even open my eyes.
The scream tore through me as my head split in two. The images of the dream seeped through again. Cali lit up, and this time fire engulfed her as a scream left her mouth. Next was Nikki. Ivy and creepers crawled on top of her until she drowned in them. A giant water bubble trapped Brooke. She slammed her fists against the walls, but it didn’t budge.
My heart’s beat became so loud that it overpowered the entire scene.
Chase was next. His cat-ears lay flat on his head as the light shot from him. Then the duredina, followed by the drivine, the manticore. I looked at every single one. It was one of every race. That was why they needed me. I was the only Spirit fae apart from Mrs. Beatty. It wasn’t the people I knew that were going to become the stones. It was the nine kids that they already stole. I was the missing piece.
“Sophie, stay with me.” Hank’s voice seeped through and the picture in front of me faded.
The buzzing and the warmth eased the headache, and the pounding of the drums faded.
Yellow light came back as Hank’s face was inches from mine. “Deep breaths.”
“I didn’t ask for this.” I spoke through clenched teeth.
“I know,” he replied. “Calm down. Nobody is going to let you out of their sight.”
The darkness came, and I drifted into a dreamless sleep.
Hank did another observation the next morning.
He went to his desk and took out a black box. I opened it. Inside was the same necklace, but instead of a yellow stone, it was a bright blue one. “Never take it off, you hear?”
I nodded, and he put it on my neck.
“Hide it if you must. It will dampen the headaches until you are open.”
I kept quiet as he pressed his hands everywhere on my body. “Why didn’t you tell anyone that you could see through a Dingle-hopper’s invisibility?”
“Because the book said nobody can.” I gave the same reason I gave Nikki. There was no reason to push Maverick in front of the bus.
“There is a first for everything. Hiding important information like that does not count in your favor.”
“I thought Dingle Hoppers had to grant you their gifts.”
He nodded. “Mavis thinks they are controlling the Dingle Hopper through the crown. She thinks the kids that they took are not random children either. They were handpicked, and whatever their plan, they need you to fulfill it.”
“I don’t want it!”
“I know you are terrified. We won’t fail you. You saw how the team works together. They are the best of the best, and Mavis has a plan. We just need to figure out what it is they want with you.”
I nodded. The dream was about me, it wasn’t about the people I knew. “We need to find them, Hank.”
“If they are still alive.”
“They are.”
He looked at me sternly. “How do you know?”
I didn’t want to tell him about the dream. “You just said it. The kids were not selected randomly. So they need us to fulfill a purpose.”
He looked past my head, and I turned around to look at what he was staring at. There was nothing. “I need to speak to Mavis.”
I grabbed his wrist. “Don’t you dare leave me alone!”
He touched my hand. “You are not alone. Emile and Parvati are outside the infirmary.”
“Can you call them in here, please?”
He nodded and walked to the door.
Parvati was back in her human form, and she came running over to me.
Emile stood at the door.
She flung her arms around me. “For what it’s worth, I think it’s wicked that you can see through a Dingle Hopper’s invisibility, Soph.”
“I feel like a freak.”
“I would give anything to see through a Dingle Hopper’s invisibility. They are amazing creatures.”
My lips quirked. “What is the plan?”
She blew out a breath. “They are still interrogating the woman.”
“Who is she?”
“We don’t know, but she is not afraid of dying.”
I took a deep breath and blew it out slowly, raking my fingers through my hair.
“Hey, we got your back, didn’t we?” Parvati said.
“How did you know?”
“Soph, you looked like you were about to barf. The way you kept staring at something that wasn’t there, it put me on alert. You have a rather unusual bond with Maverick, so I thought maybe you would tell him. I’m glad that you did.”
I shivered just thinking about it. Parvati grabbed my hands. “You are going to be fine. You are a fighter, and I feel sorry for anyone who gets on your bad side. We just need to train you and get you up to speed.”
I wished I had Parvati’s confidence. Both stayed until Mrs. Beatty walked into the infirmary. She came over to me and stroked my arm. “How do you feel?”
“Better, thank you.”
“Parvati, I need you to be with Trudy when the Dingle-hopper wakes up and find out what he knows.”
“She is not talking?” Parvati asked.
“No, the Sterilian Guards are coming later tonight to interrogate her further.”
Parvati nodded, and both of them left.
“Parvati can speak to Dingle-hoppers?”
“Yes, it’s not one of the easiest languages out there, either. She was one of my favorite students here at Earwyn. Smart too. She is a great friend, Sophie.” The door closed behind Emile. “Why do you think they want something from the children?”
“Hank said—”
“Stop lying! I told you, you can trust me.”
My lower lip quivered, and I sniffled as tears rimmed my eyes. “I had a dream.”
“About what?” she whispered.
I wiped the tears from my eyes. “About a Stone Circle, the only difference was they weren’t stones. It was a circle of magical beings. They each had a crown, they looked sickly, and I found myself in the middle of it all. One by one, they lit up, and the beam connected with me. I woke up when I exploded.”
She looked at me sternly. “When did you have this dream?”
“The night we went to Misty Hills and last night.”
“You lied about the bird!”
She wanted to walk away. I reached out and grabbed her arm. “No, I dreamt about the bird.”
She looked at me and sighed. “Flint had a similar dream to what you described. He thinks it’s them that stole the magic from the stones at Misty Hills. It’s why it wasn’t strong enough to open you.”
“It felt strong.”
“It wasn’t.” She sounded tired.
“You see why I say now that Sight is my domain.”
She nodded. “We can talk about that later. We have bigger things on our plate, and our priority is you. You are going to a safe house soon, and you will stay there until it’s over.”
“I don’t—”
“You will train. If you have another dream, tell me, do you hear?” She was stern.
I nodded as my lip wobbled again. “I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you.”
“It’s why I was so sure your domain was Shield,” she said. “You are so guarded. We’ll talk later. Right now, you need to do as I say. Go to your room and stay there until I come and get you.” She pulled me in for a hug. “They won’t stop looking for you, so I’m going to give you to them.”
“What?” I pulled away and stared at her.
“Relax, it won’t be you.”
“How?”
“You will see tonight. But for now, stay inside your room, and pack what you need.”
Emile entered with Jacob, and they took me back to my room. They said nothing as we climbed the stairs up to the third floor.
“Pack only what you need, Soph,” Jacob said before I entered my room.
Brooke got up from her bed and came over to hug me. “What the hell happened?”
“Not now, okay. I need to pack.”
“You’re leaving?”
“Shh. Mavis thinks it’s for the best.”
“Why?” Brooke looked as worried as I was.
“That woman, she was looking for me.”
“What?”
“The story of my life. Everyone is looking for me.”
She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tight as I sobbed.
“It’s going to be okay. Mavis will keep you safe.”
I sniffled into her chest as she stroked my back until I calmed down.
“Where are you going?” Brooke asked.
“I don’t know. She just said I’ll be safe.”
I packed my bag and waited for Mavis to come and fetch me.
30
DRAKE
We all waited for Mavis in her office. Well not all of us. Xander wasn’t there and Emile went missing too. I hadn’t seen Parvati either.
Why was Mavis so secretive? I didn’t like it. I needed to speak to Sophie.
I knew when I entered that a Dingle-hopper had to be involved. The way that everyone was shooting at nothing and Soph guiding them. When she said it was right in front of me, I didn’t hesitate.
The woman wanted me to kill her. The weird part was that I wanted to. Why?
I hoped now she would lead us to the missing nine.
Mav just sat on one of the chairs, balancing it on its hind legs. I had the urge to kick it from underneath him.
I rubbed my face. What was wrong with me? Why was I so on edge?
Lindy and Tim sat in silence on Mavis’ couch.
Finally the door opened and Alex walked in.
Maverick put the chair back on all four legs and got up. “And?”
He shook his head as Mavis finally entered.
“Maverick, I need you and Drake to pack.”
“Why?” I asked.
“I need your help.”
“For how long?” I didn’t like this.
“Drake?”
“How long, Mavis?”
“What does it matter? I need you.” She gave me that look.
I didn’t like the way she said that. So I left it for now.
“What is the plan?” Alex asked.
“I’ll let you all know soon. The two of you.” She looked at Mav and me. “Go pack. You are leaving tonight.”
I really didn’t like this. I left with Maverick.
“What do you think this is about, Mav.”
“Let’s just do what she said, Lad.”
“Do I take Spear Tooth with me?”
“Take him. I’m takin’ Heart String.”
I nodded. “You don’t know anything?”
“Does it look like I ken anythin’.”
I didn’t answer.
Our ways parted and I went to my room, grabbed my duffle bag and packed. I didn’t even know where Sophie was or if it was safe to text her. Nobody could know. I couldn’t lose her now, but I needed to tell her that I was going away. I didn’t even know for how long.
I told Spear Tooth we were going on a mission. I told him my fears. I tell the Trident everything. He felt my anxiety, tried to calm me with buzzing. He knew I loved it. It worked. Then I placed him in his chest. “See you soon, bud.”
I closed the lid and carried on throwing clothes in my duffle bag.
A knock came at the door. Mav was already done and stood in the entry with his bag.
Tim and Jacob came and fetched Spear Tooth’s chest. I zipped up my duffle bag, threw it over my shoulder and followed.
I didn’t like this one bit. I needed to find out why me. Why did Mavis need me?
SOPHIE
“How did she control that Dingle-hopper? I thought it was something that had to come from them,” Nikki said.
I sat on my bed, arms leaning on my thighs. “The crown on their head sort of controls the Dingle-hopper. It’s barbaric, if you ask me.”
“So, the crown is like a charm?” Nikki asked.
“Now you know why I’m taking charms,” Brooke said. “Not for that purpose, but charms can be potent if you do it right.”
“The Sterilian guards are going to have a field day with her that is for sure. King Avery is ruthless with oppressing and enslaving,” Nikki mumbled.
“You know him?”
“No, Cali’s uncle is part of the Sterilian guard. He is some commander or captain. But the way Cali is carrying on, you would think her uncle is the general.”
A chuckle escaped my lips as Brooke sighed.
Nikki looked at Brooke. “Hey, that was supposed to be a joke.”
Brooke smiled and brushed her hands through her hair. “I know. I’m just worried because I don’t know what is going to happen.”
My stomach turned and twisted into knots. At least there was no headache. My hands grabbed my pillow and dumped my head into it. Drake’s smell still lingered on my pillow. I really needed to speak to him.
Around nine, a knock came at the door, and Nikki rushed to open it.
Jacob entered. “Let’s go, Sophie.”
I picked up my bag and hugged Brooke. “Be safe, okay? I’m going to miss you.”
I nodded and hugged Nikki.
“Your phone.” Jacob held out his hand.
“What?”
“No phones allowed on this trip. Mavis is doing everything in her power to keep you safe.”
Tears welled up in my eyes as I knew I would contact no one, not even Drake. I took my phone out of my pocket and switched it off. I put the phone down into Jacob’s awaiting hand.
He put it in his back pocket, and I followed Jacob to Mrs. Beatty’s office. When we neared, a big quarrel was taking place in Mavis’s office.
“I don’t have anyone else with your skills. I’m begging you, please.” Her tone carried a lot of strain. The other person didn’t answer.
“Thank you,” Mrs. Beatty said as Jacob knocked on the frosted glass.
The door unlocked, and Alex stood on the other side.
Jacob entered first, and I followed. Everyone except Emile and Xander were here. Parvati and Lindy stood close to Drake by the window. Seeing him calmed every nerve in my body. Tim rested against the back of the sofa. Maverick stood close to Mrs. Beatty’s desk.
“Did you pack?” she asked, standing behind her desk, and I nodded.
Drake stood with his back to us, his hand rubbing his chin as his other arm hugged his body. He looked over his shoulder and my eyes flickered to his and back at the ground.
“Mavis, what is Sophie doing here?” Maverick asked.
“I’ll explain soon. Come sit, Sophie.” Mavis gave Alex a look, and he locked the door.
She looked at her watch as I took the seat in front of Mrs. Beatty’s desk. Sparks came from the bookshelf, forming the outline of a steel door.
“What are you—”
“Soon, Alex.”
The door opened, and a man walked through. Pepper streaks broke his thick, wavy raven hair. He had some wrinkles and I assumed he was close to Alex’s age, maybe older. He wore a deep purple and dark blue suit with a wine red cape reaching above his knees. Boulder muscles stretched at the seams. At the shoulders, some sort of collar hugged his neck. Purple and dark blue boots came up to his calves. The suit showcased every bulging muscle on his body. He resembled a superhero.
Mrs. Beatty walked to the bookshelf to welcome him.
“Mavis,” the man greeted.
“Dozer.” Mrs. Beatty smiled and grabbed his arm. His fingers curled around her arm, and then they shook once, like some sort of handshake.
Alex walked toward Dozer and touched his arm the same way Mrs. Beatty had. He greeted everyone like that, even Drake.
Next, a woman with red hair, an oval face and hooded eyes stepped through. She was petite and looked like a twelve-year-old girl if it wasn’t for her womanly features. She wore the dark purple and blue uniform with pride.
“Kim,” Mrs. Beatty greeted her the way she greeted Dozer.
Another woman with long blonde hair in a plait like Mrs. Beatty followed. She was tall and had a heart shaped face with bright forest green eyes.
“Skyler,” Mrs. Beatty hugged her. They must be old friends.
“Avery sends his wishes. He is doing everything he can. Sorry that we only arrived now. There were a lot of formalities, as you remember.”
They were Sterilian guards. I looked at Mrs. Beatty and remembered what Brooke had told me. She used to be a Sterilian guard, too.
A woman with short, spiky, dark hair with pools of mud-brown eyes followed her.
“Thank you, Sabine, for coming,” Mrs. Beatty said.
Sabine’s lips curved. “Wish it was sooner. Avery wants these children back in one piece.”
She reminded me of a mom and didn’t look like a guard, well if you could picture her without her uniform.
Her eyes flashed to Drake standing at the window and smiled. “Drake.”
“Sabine,” he answered in his broody tone, standing with arms folded facing us.
“H-e-e-e-y!” a deep voice cheered.
“Fuck,” Drake cussed, and Parvati and Lindy suppressed their laughter.
