“You weren’t supposed to use your powers on school property.” Dad scrubbed a hand over his jaw.

  “What? They never told us that.” My voice squeaked.

  “Regardless, Jo. Someone died. So the school has to involve the Council,” Mr. Rose supplied.

  “Does that mean I go to jail even though I was defending myself?” I tensed. I remembered when Sam spent a couple of nights in jail for getting into fights at school. One of the boys he fought—his dad had pressed charges. Anyway, Sam had told me how creepy and lonely his experience had been.

  “Again, don’t jump to conclusions,” Dad said softly.

  The gentleness of his tone didn’t help calm my nerves.

  “Why don’t you tell me what happened?” The attorney clicked his pen, ready to write.

  I looked to Dad. I didn’t want to go through the specifics of that day.

  Dad nodded. “He needs to know, pumpkin.”

  I let out a breath. “I’d gone to the ladies’ room to freshen up between classes.” I paused, thinking back for a second. “Just before I walked out, my uncle Patrick’s daughter, Jewel, walked in.” I didn’t know we were related at the time. Not that it would have made any difference. The human was trying to kill me. “She threatened me with a dagger. Then Blake Turner barged in, bloody and ready for a fight. A second later my friend Zea came in. Jewel held a dagger to her throat while Blake and I fought. At some point I looked over to check on Zea, and she had her fangs in Jewel. Then Blake and I continued to fight. Before I knew what was happening, Jewel drove the dagger into my leg. Zea was gone, and both Jewel and Blake fell to the floor.” My stomach churned as I recounted the event.

  “Did you know Blake was dead?” Mr. Rose wrote furiously, underlining the last sentence.

  I shook my head.

  “Anything else?” Mr. Rose asked.

  “Gary, I mentioned the incident that happened the day before where Blake attacked a friend of Jo’s and had also pushed Jo down the steps at school,” Dad added.

  Mr. Rose jotted more notes down.

  I didn’t have anything else to add. “May I be excused? Ms. Costner will be here shortly, and I would like to prepare.”

  “We’re through here anyway. Gary, why don’t we walk with Jo to the library, and you can visit with your daughter. She should be working.” Dad pushed to his feet.

  Darcy had been living in the library. My feisty little friend had become quite the bookworm. She enjoyed helping Ms. Simpson and reading to the kids.

  Mr. Rose packed his notepad into his briefcase, and the three of us walked out of Dad’s office.

  The library was quiet when we entered except for Webb’s voice. Off to the right in the children’s reading area, six small children with wide-eyed expressions listened intently as Webb read to them. The breath halted in my lungs. Webb was reading to the kids? Why was I surprised? I’d seen how gentle he’d been with Abbey when we found her.

  Dad and Mr. Rose walked ahead of me, quietly slipping into some empty chairs behind the group. I shuffled closer, hanging outside the circle. I didn’t want to disturb the magical aura Webb had over everyone.

  Darcy nodded at me from her spot on the floor. Like Abbey, Darcy lay on her stomach, with her elbows propped up and her face cradled in her hands. Ms. Simpson leaned against a bookcase, flicking her gaze to me and Dad.

  I lowered myself to my knees and settled in to listen to the vampire I was in love with read from a children’s book.

  “He ran as fast as he could so the bear wouldn’t see him. But his instincts told him to lie down and play dead.” Webb’s inflection elicited a collective gasped from his captive audience.

  “What’s insinck mean?” Jeffery asked.

  “The word is in-stinct,” Webb said. “Two syllables. Sound it out with me.”

  The children repeated the word instinct, or tried. I smiled at how cute they were in their efforts. Abbey’s lisp caught my attention. Her blue eyes sparkled as she repeatedly practiced.

  “Just think of the word stink. When you smell something bad,” Webb said.

  “Like poop.” A curly-haired boy snorted.

  The kids erupted into hysterics.

  “Okay, I’m sure Webb has to get back to work,” Ms. Simpson said, breaking up the fun.

  All of them protested.

  Abbey jumped up and leapt into Webb’s lap. “Don’t go.” Little hands found their way around his neck.

  “I’m sorry, Abbey-doll. I have work to do.”

  She touched his face. “Don’t be sad,” she said to him.

  “I’m not sad,” he replied. “Papa bear is over there.” He pointed to my dad. “Why don’t you go and say hi?”

  She hopped down, and instead of running to my dad, Abbey ran to me. I braced myself as I held my arms out and picked her up.

  “Jo, you came back.” Her nose touched mine.

  “I came to see you before my teacher arrives. I have school.” I tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.

  “What thool? This is a library.”

  “I know. My school is upstairs.” I turned and pointed up to the second level. “You see that door in the far corner? That’s where my classroom is.”

  “In the thecret library?” Spit sprayed my face.

  I glanced over at Dad, who was walking toward me.

  “She’s well beyond her years.” He smiled proudly.

  I wasn’t going to ask how she knew about the vampire library. For all I knew the little girl was reading my mind. At least I didn’t have any visions when she touched me.

  Abbey abandoned me, and Dad lifted her into his arms. Darcy and her father ventured over to a quiet spot away from everyone. Ms. Simpson handed out coloring books and crayons to the kids.

  “So, I’m sorry we haven’t seen each other, Jo,” Webb said, sauntering over to me. “The last-minute details of the mission have taken up all my time.”

  I was sad but glad that we didn’t get to see each other. Every time I saw Webb, I was reminded of my dream. Like now, standing here, with him… All I could see was him in that coffin.

  “What did Abbey mean when she told you not to be sad?” Did she know about Webb’s fate, too? “Did you have a vision when she touched you?”

  “We don’t have visions every time she touches us.”

  She was lying on the floor now, coloring in a book. Dad was talking to Ms. Simpson.

  “I don’t know what she meant. But I am sad I haven’t been able to have you in my arms. Spend time with me tonight.”

  He had on his black cargo uniform. His T-shirt stretched across his broad chest, and his hair hung loose today.

  “I can’t.” I hated to say those two words.

  “Can’t or won’t?” His raised voice drew Dad’s attention.

  I walked away and climbed the steps to the vampire library. When Dad was present, my privacy was non-existent. Regardless, I didn’t leave Webb standing alone because of Dad or my privacy. I still held some animosity over Nicki being in his house in the middle of the night.

  Plus, he refused to take my dream seriously. Dad even sided with Webb. Both agreed the mission was extremely important to rescuing two of the missing soldiers. I didn’t doubt it. Saving anyone’s life had to be important. But wasn’t Webb’s life just as important? Why was I the only one who saw that?

  I tucked myself on the corner bench outside the secret library, waiting for Ms. Costner and Sam. I had only seen my brother in the mornings lately, unless we had our tutoring sessions. Our training sent us in opposite directions during the day.

  A human scent drifted my way, and I lifted my head. Darcy strolled down the carpeted runway, the tips of her fingers sliding along top of the wooden railing.

  “A quarter for your thoughts,” she said as her gold-speckled mascara glinted under the skylight.

  “I think the saying is ‘a penny.’” I gave her a weak smile.

  “I know. But that’s so cliché.” She lowered her tiny frame to sit crisscross, facing me. Her hair was perfectly coiffed. Her makeup was painted on to perfection. The crisp, rich fabric of her clothing spoke of money.

  “Is your dad any closer to settling with his client?” I raised my knees to my chest then wrapped my arms around my legs.

  “He says it depends on your case. I guess your dad is paying him a decent sum of money. The amount should take care of his debt with this other vampire he supposedly defended. So, why the brooding nature?” she asked.

  “I’m not sure you would understand.” I didn’t doubt she would understand about brooding over a boy. She had a few boyfriends since I’d become friends with her. But there was no way she would grasp the nature of vampire powers or dreams.

  “Jo, come on. First, I know it’s about Webb. And I also know you’re in love with him.”

  “And how did you get so psychic on me?” I rested my face on my knees while looking at her.

  She giggled. “It’s not about being psychic. I can see it when you’re around him. Look, not that you’re asking, but I’ll share it with you anyway. My mom always tells me the universe is in constant motion, and so too is our fate, our destiny.”

  What in the world did that mean? I shifted my position and tucked my legs under me as I faced her. “How does all that pertain to Webb and me?”

  “Jo. You told me about your dream. You have these abilities that defy humanity. What’s to say your dream will come true? You said yourself you didn’t give the old man a chance to speak. What if you did? What would he say?” She leaned forward, elbows on her thighs.

  I shook my head. “I can’t dream again. I just can’t. What if I do, and I see Webb’s death while he’s on this mission?”

  “And what if you dream and don’t?”

  Sure, I had a fifty-fifty chance. But did I want to gamble?

  “Don’t what?” Sam’s voice interrupted my thought.

  Darcy and both turned our heads. Sam stalked toward us with a sense of purpose.

  Darcy’s heart beat faster as she swept her gaze over my brother before swallowing hard.

  I slapped her on the arm. “Hey, he’s my brother.”

  “So. He’s also a guy, and eye candy, and—”

  “Ewwww.” I scrunched my nose.

  “Darcy, you and me are not happening.” Sam shook his head, his black hair brushing over his shoulders.

  “Remember our superb hearing,” I reminded her.

  A smile curled her pink lips. “I know. I should go.”

  “Thanks for the girl talk,” I said.

  She giggled as the freshman girls did in high school as she jumped off the bench and brushed by Sam.

  “Not happening, Sis.” Sam sat down.

  “Oh, chill. You should be flattered.” Darcy was pretty. She never had a problem getting boys.

  “Whatever.” He rolled his green eyes.

  “Don’t you think she’s pretty?” I had yet to see my brother with a girlfriend.

  He was about to answer when he suddenly jumped off the bench to help Ms. Costner. She was walking with a stack of books in her arms.

  “Oh, thank you, Sam,” she said as she adjusted the bag over her shoulder then smoothed down the blue silk blouse she was wearing. Then she removed a keycard from her tan capris and held it up to the panel on the wall next to the door. Two beeps and the door to the library opened.

  I hopped up and followed Sam and Ms. Costner inside. Large bookcases stretched along every wall, with ladders placed on each one for ease of reaching the shelves close to the ceiling. I settled into one of the plush oversized chairs while Ms. Costner rummaged through her bag. Sam set the books on the table in front of the sitting area. As Sam sat down in the chair next to me, Ms. Costner spread out her own papers and books.

  For the next three hours, we studied math, science, and English. Once we had the core subjects out of the way for the day, Ms. Costner dove into a few topics on magic. My ears perked up, and I straightened in my chair.

  “For the final hour, I want to explain the basis of magic. I won’t get into everything today, as this topic has many facets and should be studied over the course of a year or two.” She leaned against the table as she did against her desk at the human high school.

  “We’re vampires,” Sam said. “Not magicians.”

  “And you’re an astute vampire, Sam,” Ms. Costner said teasingly.

  I rolled my eyes at my brother.

  “What?” he protested. “It’s not like we’re going to use this. We’re learning the elements, not how to cast spells.”

  “That’s where you’ll find in our world, Sam, alchemy, elements, and magic intertwine,” Ms. Costner said as a matter of fact. “With alchemy or magic, for example, there are three functions—produce, protect, and destroy. Whether you’re manipulating elements or you’re casting a spell, the basis is the same. You must learn how to use your powers to protect, and you must understand how they can destroy. I might be able to teach one magical spell that could protect anyone or anything when all else fails.”

  Sam sat up straighter.

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “Elements can be harsh on your opponent. Encasing them in a block of ice—like you did, Jo—can hurt a person. A human, definitely.” She placed a strand of her blond hair behind her ear.

  “Isn’t that the point of using our powers?” Sam asked.

  “Not always. Sometimes you’ll want to contain or distract your enemy for one reason or another,” she explained. “So, a spell to shield or to mask will ensure one’s safety.”

  “Like you did when you masked the scent of humans at the fundraiser,” Sam and I said at the same time.

  “That’s one way.” Ms. Costner dragged her chair from behind the table and positioned it in front of us. Then she sat down. “Enough about me. I’ll begin with numbers.”

  Sam and I exchanged looks.

  “The ruling forces of magic are numbers. Pythagoras reasoned how the entire universe could be expressed with numbers.”

  “The power of three,” I mumbled.

  When I was in her math class at the human high school, she had lectured on Pythagoras, and he believed the universe was divided into three worlds.

  “Correct. In fact, he’s quoted, ‘The world is built upon the power of numbers.’”

  “Is that how you cast spells?” Sam asked, angling his head.

  “Numbers create a chain reaction.” She rose, circled her chair, and stood behind it then lightly gripped the back of it. “For example, there are certain characteristics of the number one through the number ten. And in any combination, these numbers spark magic.”

  She went on to explain number theory. I guessed I shouldn’t have been surprised that our math teacher was fascinated with numbers or that she developed spells on sequences of numbers and not words. Always emphasizing the power of three, she expounded on the combination of 888, which represented the higher mind, or 666, which spoke to the mortal mind.

  The hour flew by as Sam and I asked questions and took notes. At the end of the hour, my brain hurt.

  “We’ll dive into how numbers correspond to vibrations in our next session.” She returned her chair to its original spot behind the table.

  Sam and I were gathering our notes when the door opened. Webb breezed in, hunky body and delicious scent. I guessed Webb was back to finish our conversation.

  “Your chariot is here, Sis.” Sam tucked his notebook under his arm. “Ms. Costner, see you next week.”

  “I’ll be at the hearing,” she said, slipping folders into her black leather bag.

  “Wait, you’re coming to my hearing?” My jaw hung slightly open. “Why?”

  “Your father asked me, and I want to observe. Will you be there, Webb?” She flicked her gaze toward him.

  “No, ma’am. Duty calls.” He gave her a weak smile.

  My hands began to shake at the thought of him leaving on a mission that might claim his life.

  Webb and the team of sentinels were scheduled to leave out of the base at dawn on the day of my court case. I had no idea where they were headed or what lay ahead, but somehow, my dreams did.

  16

  The fridge sang behind my bedroom wall. A clock ticked loudly in the family room. My heartbeat even rang in my ears as I tried to close my eyes. Hours of tossing and turning ended when I kicked off the blankets and plopped into my clothes-infested chair. I refused to sleep. I didn’t have the courage to dream.

  Even if I did, would it matter? Webb and Dad weren’t canceling the mission.

  I pulled my legs to my chest, rested my chin on my knees, and gazed out at the night. The dark grey building across the way looked ominous beneath the moonlight.

  A branch scraped at the edge of my window. I cleared my mind—or at least tried to, concentrating on the tattering of the branch kissing the glass pane.

  In one hour, the sentinels were scheduled to depart for their mission. I had no idea where. The details were secret to everyone outside the SEAL team.

  A light tap sounded before the door opened and closed softly. Boots scuffed along the wood floor.

  “You shouldn’t be in here,” I whispered, rocking in my seat, not looking behind me.

  Webb had never been in my room, and I was surprised Dad let him come in.

  The bed creaked, and I glanced to my right. Webb was dressed in his black cargo uniform. Knives and daggers were strapped to his legs. His sentinel sword was clipped to his belt, and a gun was tucked in a holster on the other side of his waist.

  “You plan on killing someone today?” I asked, swiveling my attention back to the moonlit night.

  “Normal gear,” he said, low and silky. “Are you still avoiding me?”

  He’d begged me to spend time with him last night and the night before. I refused. I was a brooding, crying, emotional wreck. I figured the more I distanced myself from him, the easier the toll would be on my psyche if he didn’t return. How idiotic was that? Regardless, it was my warped way of protecting myself.

  “Would you at least sit with me?” His sad tone sliced at my heart. “I want to hold you. I don’t want to leave with you—”

  “A basket case?” I stifled a nervous laugh.

 

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