Soul Seekers03 - Mystic (16 page)

“What kind of a Mystic are you, anyway?”

“According to you, not a very good one.”

He shifts Dace higher onto his shoulder, and if nothing else, the gentle way in which he handles him tells me he truly does care for his charge. Still, there are too many unanswered questions for me to even think about lowering my guard.

“Why can’t you heal him like you did me?”

“I’m not sure. It’s either because the energy here is too dark and heavy. Or…” He pauses for a moment, before he’s able to continue. “Or I’ve been down here too long and too often, and now it’s influencing me in ways it never has before. Or, I’ve been stripped of my magick as punishment for what I’ve done. This is all new to me. I can’t say for sure.”

“I saw you annihilate that tree. That’s pretty much the opposite of healing energy.”

“Energy never dies, it just transforms. The magick’s still with me, it’s just that it’s so much easier to destroy than create.”

“Do you know what happened to Dace’s soul?”

“I know it’s not here.”

“Does that mean you do know where it is and you won’t tell me?”

He looks away. “Daire, please.”

“Axel—if you’re purposely holding back much-needed information for some messed-up reason, you’re only delaying the inevitable because I will find it!”

“I have no doubt you will.”

“So why not save me the time, and tell me now?”

“Because I don’t know where it is. But I’ve told you enough already, more than I should.”

I scowl, shoot him a dirty look, curse him under my breath, but he’s like Teflon, none of it penetrates.

He just continues to haul Dace through the veils, as I race alongside him. Glancing over his shoulder to say, “I guess you’ll just have to try to trust me—like I once tried to trust you.”

twenty-five

Xotichl

“So where is lover boy Greyson anyway?” Lita taps her square-tipped nails hard against the table, resulting in an incessant clinking that’s magnified by a lull in the music.

“Don’t be nervous. He’ll be here,” I say, trying to keep my rubbernecking in check. I’ve never seen the Rabbit Hole in the way I can now. And though I can’t see it clearly, it’s even spookier than I thought it would be. Still, I need to get it under control, be more discreet. I’m not quite ready for anyone to know I can almost, kinda see.

“Nervous? Over a boy?” Lita’s voice rises in outrage. “Please.” She continues with the nail drumming, as I focus on her energy sparking and flaring—a definite sign of nerves if I’ve ever seen one. “He’s the one who should be nervous. It’s his job to impress me, not the other way around.” Her head bobs, her nails tap, and it’s not long before her leg joins in, swinging back and forth. And I know I need to change the subject before she rockets right off her stool.

“So tell me, what do you see?” I ask, eager to see if it matches the shadowy visions before me.

She ducks her head, takes a sip of her soda, as I watch the swish of her energy, the tilt of her straw. “Okay, well … the band is taking a break, and I hope it’s a long one because they totally blow. I mean, where’s Epitaph when you need them? Especially the drummer?”

“For the last time, he’ll be here.” I groan, wondering what I was thinking when I agreed to set her up on a date. “And, for the record, I already know about the band. I’m blind, not deaf, you know.”

“Oh, right. Sorry. So let’s see … Phyre is still holding court, but she keeps looking over here. Though every time I catch her looking over here she pretends she wasn’t actually looking over here but rather at a spot just slightly to the right of over here.”

“Next time she looks, call her over.”

Lita leans in and lowers her voice to a furious whisper. “You’ve got to be kidding. Daire gave specific instructions to eavesdrop. She never said anything about getting chatty with the enemy.”

“Daire told you to be your normal charming self—and that includes small talk.”

“I don’t think I remember how to be charming. It’s been so long since I tried.”

“I’m not sure you ever knew how.” I raise a grin to soften the blow. “People were mostly afraid of you. But you can use that too. Just, turn it up like you used to.”

Lita grumbles a string of mostly unintelligible words, though it’s not long before she perks up again. Sliding her elbows across the table, she grabs hold of my arm, and squeals, “Oh my gosh—Cade’s here! He just walked up to Phyre and gave her a hug … um, actually, I think it’s more like she’s giving him a hug. She seems a little
lingering
. Like she has no plans to live in a world where she’s not hugging Cade. But, from the looks of it, he’s not all that into her. He extricates more or less gracefully, but not before she runs a finger down the length of his cheek, and looks at him all starstruck and dreamy … Gag. Consider yourself lucky you can’t see this. It’s straight out of the Come Hither playbook. So forced it’s embarrassing to watch. Anyway, better her than me. That’s what I say.”

I peer across the room, seeing far more than I let on. Still, it’s not quite as clear as Lita’s version, so I’m quick to press for more. “What’s Cade doing now? Are you sure he’s not into it? I mean, she is really pretty, right?”

“If you’re into tall, slim, perfectly proportioned, exotic-looking girls with smooth skin, full lips, perfect noses, and cat’s eyes—then yeah, I guess she’s okay,” Lita says, her voice clearly sour.

“You’re not jealous, are you?”

“Please.” She straightens her spine, fluffs her hair so that it falls softly over her shoulders, and tugs on her sweater to put a bit more cleavage on display. “Anyway, Cade’s always been hard to read, but one thing is sure—he loves the attention. He
lives
for attention. But whether his interest is truly reciprocated is anyone’s guess. What about you—are you getting a read on his energy?”

I shake my head and continue to peer toward the far side of the room.

“Okay, so back to Phyre—she’s acting really flirty. Like seriously, seductive and flirty. Her body language alone is like some over-the-top, animalistic, mating dance. But despite the fact that she’s going all-out, they’re mostly just talking, and he seems kind of distant and uninterested … and … oh great … oh crap! He just caught me looking and he just smiled, and now … oh crap, crap, triple crap…” Lita slumps down in her seat and leans toward me. “Pretend I’m not here.”

“How am I supposed to do that when he already saw you?” I say, aware of Cade’s frenetic, dark energy drifting our way.

“I don’t know—I just—what do I do? What do I say?” Her voice is frantic, her energy panicked.

“Just play it cool. And whatever you do,
do not
kill him. Daire gave strict orders to hold off for now.”

I’ve barely uttered the words when a shadowy figure fills the space next to Lita and moves in to hug her, though she’s quick to bat him away.

“Dream on, Richter.” She shoves a hand hard against his chest. “That show’s been canceled, and there’s no scheduled reruns.”

He laughs in a way that’s meant to be intimate, but it comes off as creepy. “I can’t believe you’re saying that when we’ve shared so many good times. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten already?”

“Trust me, I’m drawing a blank.”

“I’d be more than happy to remind you.” He leans toward her again, prompting her to lean so far back she’s about to topple right off her stool.

“Back off, Coyote.” She keeps a firm distance between them. “You smell like smoke, evil, and demons. Must be the scent of your soul.”

Cade throws his head back as a loud, raucous roar fills the space. “Coyote?” He lowers his chin, swipes a hand through his hair. “Where’d you get that?” He switches his focus to me. “Little blind girl telling you stories?” He keeps his tone light, but his energy betrays him. It’s dark, menacing, meant to intimidate.

Lita tips forward, angling her hand as though readying to slap him. “You little—” she starts, her words suddenly stalled when he catches her wrist in his fist.

“I always liked it when you got feisty.” He tightens his grip and pulls her so close I’m not sure if he’s going to kiss her or bite her. “If you’re looking to reminisce, darlin’, I can take you somewhere much more private than this.”

She yanks her wrist free, jerks out of his reach. “Time for you to
vamanos,
” she says in a tone that leaves no doubt she means every word. “You overstayed your visit from halfway across the room. So why don’t you go back to pretending to mourn over your brother?”

“I’m done mourning,” he says. “It’s like the say, life is for the living, right? Besides, no matter how cool you try to play it, I saw you watching me, Lita. I saw the way you looked at me. I figured you were ready to apologize.”

I concentrate hard on her energy, trying to subdue it with mine. Paloma’s only just taught me this trick, but if there was ever a time to use it, it’s now. Cade’s tossing her a hook thick with bait, and Lita can’t afford even a taste.

“I was staring at Phyre, not you.” Lita’s energy settles, stifled by mine.

“Phyre?” Cade’s lips quirk with amusement. “What’s the matter, Lita? Can’t replace me so you thought you’d give girls a try?” He bursts into laughter, acting as though he said something funny. “Or perhaps you’re upset to watch her claim your place so easily?”

Lita responds with a sigh and a groan.

“Your pride is wounded. It’s perfectly understandable. Still, I gotta admit, that was the quickest popularity coup I’ve ever seen. That kind of thing never would’ve happened when you were with me. And I’m afraid you got used to it, took it for granted. Didn’t realize just how good you had it when you were protected by the entire Richter clan. But now, out here on your own, you have no idea just how vulnerable you’ve become.”

His words chill. Just as he intended. And for the first time since he’s joined us, Lita’s guard falls, and I watch as she grows increasingly nervous and twitchy.

Cade notices too, seizing the moment to say, “While I’m willing to forgive your transgressions, don’t take too long to decide. If you insist on keeping this sort of company”—he quirks a brow at me—“well, I’m afraid there won’t be much I can do to protect you.”

“I don’t need your protection!” she snaps, practically spitting the words. But she’s agitated, uncertain, and Cade senses it as clearly as I do.

“Clock’s ticking, Lita. Your days of grace are about to run out.”

“The days of you and me have definitely run out. So why don’t you go hook up with Phyre? I’m sure she’s more than willing to ignore your putrid Coyote breath.”

He grins, tipping a hand to his brow as though to salute her. “As you wish. Just don’t be too upset when you see us together. Remember—it could’ve been you.”

He starts to move away, appearing as a glob of gray making for the other side of the room, when he dramatically smacks his palm against his forehead, makes a hasty U-turn, and decides to rejoin us. A feigned move if I’ve ever seen one.

“Almost forgot, I have something for you.” He reaches into his pocket, and offers Lita something small, dark, and ominous. “It’s a tourmaline,” he says, urging her to take it from him.

“And why would I want a tourmaline from you?” She shifts uncomfortably on her stool, keeps her hands in her lap, unwilling to claim it.

“Because it’s a rare blue stone and it’s extremely valuable. I was meaning to give it to you before you dumped me. Yes, I said it. You dumped me, and you left me completely heartbroken. See how much I’ve grown? I’m able to admit that it was you who walked away and left me devastated by the loss. And while I know you won’t believe it, it’s important for me to remind you that not every moment with me was as bad as you’re determined to believe. I’m hoping this stone, given to you with no strings attached, might help to remind you of that.”

“I know where you got this,” she says.

“I’ve no doubt you do.” He shifts toward me, clucking his tongue against the roof of his mouth. Turning to her with a lowered voice, he says, “Don’t be a fool. Don’t let your pride get in the way of common sense. If nothing else, the stone is extremely valuable. You can sell it if you want. But I hope you’ll decide to keep it. It would really mean a lot to me.”

“All the more reason to flush it,” she says, watching as he places it on the table before her.

“Up to you.” He shrugs. “Though I hope you’ll reconsider.”

He makes to leave as Lita raises her arm, aiming the stone at the back of his head. But I stop her before she can release it, and force her arm back to her side.

“What’re you—crazy? I don’t care how much he claims it’s worth. You think I actually want this thing?”

“No. But Paloma might.” I keep my voice purposely low.

“Why? What do you
see
?” She leans toward me.

“You go first,” I say. “I don’t want to taint your impression with mine. Describe it exactly as you see it.”

She places it back on the table and rolls it from side to side. “It’s surprisingly large. Probably worth a fortune, like he said. It’s shiny, and perfectly polished and cut. It appears to be flawless, but I can’t say for sure. Oh, and the color is a really deep blue. It’s kind of mesmerizing. Or at least it would be if I didn’t know where it came from.”

“Is that all?”

“In a nutshell, yeah. Why—what do you see?”

“To me it looks just the opposite. Like a dark, murky, and ominous blob.”

She jerks backward. “Well, now I really don’t want it!” she says, watching as I scoop it right up. “And I don’t want you to have it either. I think we should ditch it. I don’t think it’s safe.”

“Not to worry,” I tell her. “The Richters can’t touch me. Besides, I don’t plan to keep it. I’m thinking we can drop it by Paloma’s as soon as we’re out of here and see what she makes of it.”

“Well, shouldn’t we go now?”

I shake my head and say, “Not when Greyson just got here.”

twenty-six

Daire

A soon as we reach the vortex, I look at Axel and say, “This is the part where you become less of a solution and more of a problem.”