Betrayed (33 page)

Careful not to make any noise, I pul ed the door back until it rested on its frame. Even though I couldn’t see them, the words came through loud and clear.

“There’s no excuse for such negligence, not when it comes to those children,” Aunt Janel e said.

“We demand the names of al the Civilians who were there when the link was broken and the live feed turned off.”

“There was a lot of movement at the time, Cardinal,” Mrs. D said, her voice so soft I had to strain my ears to hear her. “But as the head of the Civilian Psi-Team, I take ful responsibility for this mishap. I was in charge and let the Guardians down.”

“I’m not sure it’s right to punish you for using the restroom, Azure,” the chairman said, speaking slowly as though choosing his words careful y. “You worked tirelessly for days to make sure the area was safe and to connect the link when it was broken.

Maybe we should seek the advice of the Circle of Twelve before we proceed.”

“No, we wil deal with the traitor,” Cardinal Seth interjected, his voice cold. “Whoever did this is also the one spying for Valafar.”

“Maybe Lil should stop hunting while we figure out who the traitor is,” the chairman suggested, sounding pained.

“Then we’l play right into Valafar’s hands,” Grampa said, sounding a lot calmer than Aunt Janel e and Cardinal Seth. “That’s exactly what he wants. As long as she has the dagger, she’s a threat to him and the other demons out there no matter how powerful they are. You heard the report from Llyr.

They faced over thirty demons and triumphed, and the others faced even more,” Grampa finished, voice fil ed with pride. “She’s part of a team now, and splitting them wil only damage their morale.”

“I agree with Falcon,” Cardinal Seth added.

“Interfering with the young Cardinals’ field training is counterproductive. We find the traitor and punish the bastard.”

“How?” Cardinal Hsia asked. “We can’t send him or her to Xenith without involving the CT.”

“Not Xenith,” Cardinal Seth snapped.

“Tartarus. The dagger wil do it if ordered. Then we find out where the demons are holding their mortal combat nonsense and level it.”

Who knew Cardinal Seth could be so pissed at the thought of a spy in our midst. I couldn’t believe I thought he might be the one. I’d forgotten he lost his only child during the last raid and had a score to settle with Valafar and his fol owers.

“What if we identify the traitor then make him or her a counteroffer?” Cardinal Moira asked.

“What do you mean?” Aunt Janel e asked.

There was silence, then Grampa said, “Just a minute. Azure and Barbiel, wil you excuse us?” I opened the door a little wider to peek out just when Mrs. D and the chairman teleported from the table. The others leaned forward in their seats the table. The others leaned forward in their seats and spoke in low tones. It became impossible to hear a single word. Maybe if I moved to the living room…

Bran lifted his head and looked straight at me. Placing a finger on my lips, I took a step outside.

He shook his head.

“Why?” I mouthed.

His eyes narrowed, and he shook his head again. I stuck out my tongue at him, stepped back into my room and closed the door. Kil joy.

What offer could they possibly give a traitor? I was with Cardinal Seth on this. Send whoever it was straight to Tartarus. Looking at my clock, I jumped into the shower. Haziel was expecting me at ten.

The sound of a pop tune greeted me when I left the bathroom. Frowning, I gripped my towel and looked around for the source. My computer was off, and my iPod sat on the side table with the ear buds and not on its docking station. The sound grew louder as though someone hiked up the volume. I fol owed it inside my closet to the pocket of my coat and pul ed it out

It came from Izzy’s phone. I had it since Tuesday.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw

“restricted” on the screen. Valafar. He was the only person who blocked his number, and he said he’d cal later in the week. I hated talking to him.

Gripping the towel tighter, I brought it to my ear. “Yes?”

“Good morning, daughter.”

“Morning. Just a sec.” The last thing I needed was someone eavesdropping on my conversation.

Feeling like a traitor, I walked to the door, opened it and checked the dining room. Empty. Good. A psi scan indicated Grampa wasn’t in the house either.

“You disappointed me, Lilith,” Valafar said.

“I guess Dante told you about last night,” I said closing the door.

“That you disobeyed me after I specifical y told you not to, yes. Dante didn’t just stumble on that little scene. He fol owed my orders to watch out for you. Are you okay?” Concern, real or feigned, tinged his words.

“I’m fine.” I walked to the bed and sat.

“No serious injuries from last night’s excursion?” he asked.

“No. The dagger healed me, and Izzy took care of the rest.” Why did I tel him that? He was the devil’s spawn, and I shouldn’t be having a normal conversation with him. Keeping my voice pleasant though wariness zipped through me, I asked, “So what can I do for you?”

“Since it’s obvious you’re determined to act like a typical teenager and go against my wishes, Dante is yours.”

I scrunched my face. “Mine? What do you mean?”

“It’s simple. Every time you go hunting or whatever you young Cardinals do, he’l keep an eye on you.”

“I don’t need a bodyguard,” I said, frowning. “I can take care of myself.”

“Yes, you can. I heard you can retrieve images already and create lightning bolts without lifting a finger. I didn’t do either until I was in my twenties. Dante was very impressed by your fighting skil s. Between us,” he added and chuckled, “I think you scare him a little.”

I scoffed at the idea. “Me? Dante’s built like a tree.”

Valafar chuckled again.

“His wings are massive and…” Once again, I caught myself and put a lid on my enthusiasm. “No, but thanks. I don’t need a bodyguard.”

“Sorry, my dear, but you have no choice in the matter. He offered, and I approved it.” The authoritative attitude I came to expect from him returned, making me grind my teeth.

“Just one more thing. Did you ask Llyr why he took on such a mission when he knew the neighborhood was dangerous?” he added.

Taken aback, I frowned. “Bran didn’t know we would be attacked,” I said sharply. “Someone did something to separate us from the others.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Yes! Even the CP team double checked….” My voice trailed off, remembering who I was talking to. “It wasn’t Bran’s fault.”

“He scouted the place every day for three days straight.
If
he loves you, he shouldn’t gamble with your life like that.”

Speech deserted me. How dare Valafar imply Bran would intentional y put me in harm’s way?

Bran had only gone to that place once. The few Bran had only gone to that place once. The few times he wasn’t around, he took Celeste to visit Gavyn. Or did he? No, I shouldn’t think like that. I couldn’t afford to. Bran’s love and loyalty were the two things I could always count on, and Valafar wasn’t al owed to screw with either.

Taking a deep breath, I spoke calmly in a cool voice. “I need to go now. I have practice.”

“I’m not questioning your friendship with Llyr. I want you to see people realistical y. Everyone has a motive for doing things. It could be power, greed, pleasure, or redemption. We al are guilty of being selfish now and then. For instance, I’ve told you why I’m searching for the List. I haven’t lied about it. I intend to lead my people. Since they believe possession of souls once owned by Coronis is necessary in order to lead them with power and authority, I wil acquire the souls in order to claim the leadership. Has your grandfather told you why the List is so important to him?”

I swal owed, not liking the direction the conversation was going. “Of course he did. He tel s me everything,” I fibbed.

“That’s good. Then I give you my word that when I find it, I’l make sure Llyr gets his contracts and those of his brother’s. Al I ask is for both of you to be careful and to not take chances.” Contracts? What was he talking about? I opened my mouth to ask him and closed it without speaking. No point revealing to him I was in the dark about some things. Confusion churned my insides.

Bran’s refusal to blend our energies, Valafar’s words, what was I to think?

“I have accepted that you made your choice to be with your grandfather and fight for the Guardians,” Valafar added, speaking slowly, “but remember one thing. Everyone has a reason for the things they do. Don’t trust people because it is what you are supposed to do. Trust must be earned.” Anger coiled inside me. “So what’s your reason for having a spy among the Guardians? Why should I trust anything you tel me?” He sighed. “Am I wrong to want to keep an eye on you, my youngest child? If someone offers me information, why should I turn it down? This person approached me, not the other way around.” I had stopped listening. “Youngest child?”

“Hmm?”

“You just cal ed me your youngest child,” I said my voice rising. “I have siblings? A sister…a brother?”

He chuckled. “I consider al my fol owers my children.”

Relief mingled with disappointment coursed through me. Not that I wanted a demonic sibling. “So who is your spy?”

He chuckled. “I can’t tel you that. Shouldn’t you be getting ready for your lessons with your master trainer?”

I real y hated that he knew so much about me.

What did he mean by Bran’s contracts? I didn’t dare ask and listen to another lecture on trust. “Yeah, I’ve got to go. Bye.”

“Not so fast. Don’t forget to buy the cel phone and keep looking for the presents. Your mother loved to make videos. Quite a number of them are of you as a baby. My offer to heal the older Llyr stil stands.

Just remember, I’l always put your interest first. We’l talk again soon.”

The urge to throw the phone across the room stole through me, but it wasn’t mine to destroy.

Besides, without it, Valafar would be forced to use the medium. Putting it on the bedside table, I yanked the pil ow, covered my face, and screamed until my voice hurt.

Bran needed to stop keeping secrets from me. I didn’t care whether they were for my own good, my safety, or whatever. It had to stop now.

17. Down Time.

Bran wasn’t in the val ey by the time I hung up the phone. He must be avoiding me. It was the only logical conclusion. I missed him. No, I missed us—

the things we did together, the way I felt when with him. Last night, he disappeared as soon as we arrived back from L.A. and didn’t stop by to wish me goodnight. Today, he took off right after the meeting with the Cardinals. Celeste was gone too, which meant they went to see Gavyn. Sighing, I got dressed for my Saturday morning practice session with Leather Face.

Master Haziel was grumpier than usual when I found him in the pit. He paced, hands behind his back, and barked orders before I greeted him. “What happened last night?”

I blinked. “Excuse me?”

“I want a report of last night’s events,” he added impatiently.

Frowning, I shook my head. “I don’t report our missions, Master Haziel. That’s Bran and Remy’s job.”

He glowered. “From now on you do. To me.

That way I know exactly what you did from your point of view. Starting now. Go.”

I wanted to resent him, but I couldn’t. Despite the bite in his voice, there was pride and approval in his eyes as I talked. He paced, paused to ask questions, and nodded or humphed.

“So is it true you used your energy powers during a battle and did not even need to raise a finger?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said slowly.

“Did you have to dig from deep inside to create the bolts?”

I shook my head. “No. Bran got hurt and cried out. I was scared and worried, and, uh, lost it.” His onyx wise eyes sharpened. “Lost what?”

“My cool.”

He scowled. “Cool? What kind of expression is this?”

I sighed. “It means I became angry.”

He pursed his lips. “Speak English like it is meant to be spoken, young lady. We need to work on that, starting now.”

“My English?” I asked.

“That too, but I meant unleashing your energy abilities without getting angry or scared or worried. It should be as easy as that.” He snapped his gnarly fingers. “Come on. Warm up.”

We went through regular warm-up exercises then worked on control ing my reflexes when I blended with the dagger. When I first started training with the Kris, it would take a minute or two for my body to adjust to the power surge and the accompanying pain. Now I could cushion the shock and recover in less than twenty seconds.

“What’s going on today?” Haziel asked halfway through our workout session.

“Why? Did I do something wrong?” I wiped sweat from my brow, my breathing even despite the hectic pace he set.

“You seem more focused this morning.” Guess I should have boy issues more often.

“Must be because of last night’s successful hunt,” I said with a grin.

Master Haziel grunted and looked at his stop watch. “It took you fifteen seconds to bond with the dagger. At this pace you wil have it down to ten in no time.”

time.”

If I were to believe him, someday I wouldn’t feel anything but pure, raw energy. Then I’d be the mistress of the Kris Dagger, comparable to the
judan
of Japan, the gold dragon of China, or the ninth degree black belt of Korea. Too bad. By that time, I’d probably be ready to hand over the dagger to the next wielder.

“Do it again,” Haziel ordered.

I did until sweat glistened on my arms and poured down my face. With fifteen minutes left in our lesson, Haziel did something unusual. He projected his image around the room. Twelve of them. It was the coolest thing ever, especial y since they looked solid and acted exactly the same. Usual y, he created only one and it shimmered.

“Which one is the real you? How is this possible?” I turned, studying each image.

“You made it possible,” the projections said at the same time, the words echoing around the pit.

“The light from the Kris Dagger did hit me that day we had a little accident. It enhanced my powers.” Ha, I knew it. No wonder he’d been pushing me at a crazy pace lately and had so much energy. I prodded one of the images. My finger sunk into his chest. He scowled at me, and I stepped back. “Is it normal for the dagger to do that?”