Souljacker (14 page)

I scramble to my feet and check the clock.
Crap, he’s right! I throw on a pair of jeans off the floor and grab
a clean shirt out of my drawer, run a brush through my hair, and
call it good. I don’t even bother with my boots, just find a pair
of flats and dart out the door without eating breakfast.

The little girl in my dream… She looked just
like the pictures of Aely on the mantle, delicate with big, blue
eyes. Trusting eyes. I run down the street and around a corner. My
flats flap against my heels and make clapping sounds on the
pavement.

It was just a dream. Aely’s body was never
found. If a Wraith had gotten her, her body would’ve been left
behind. Wraiths only need the spirit, not the shell. My chest
aches.

In ways, I’m kind of like a Wraith…

A shadow looms behind me and I can’t bear to
turn around and see who it is. I feel a tendril of icy air slice
through the humidity and I bite back a scream. I’m running faster
now, arms pumping at my sides. I lose a shoe—it flies off and into
the street and I sail forwards. I go down hard on one knee, feel a
jolt of pain, but I can’t stop. I leave the chill behind as I drag
myself up the stairs to Maelstrom High and bolt through the
door.

And slam right into the chest of Ms. Crowley,
the bitchy assistant principal. Her hair is done up in intricate
ebony knots, braided around her head in a crown, and she wears a
formal pin-striped suit and ugly shoes.

I try and catch my breath and she launches
into a spiel of how I’ll never make it in the world if I can’t even
arrive on time. That I need to start using the Portals, that I only
endanger myself by walking. I tune her out, mostly because of the
rush of blood in my head and the holy-crap-I-just-outran-a-Wraith
thing. I focus on her as she clicks her fingers in front of my
face.

“Excuse me, Miss Swift. Did you hear a thing
I said?”

“Am I getting detention?”

“Absolutely.”

“Then I really didn’t need to hear anything
else.”

I turn away just as her face ignites into a
snarl. “Friday night until eight.”

I look over my shoulder at her, feeling
pretty damn good about myself. I just beat death, without the help
of my cyberhound. My lip threatens to quirk into a smile, but
instead I look at her with a straight face and say, “I’ll probably
be late,” and wave and head down the hall before I realize I’m
still missing a shoe.

Caddie sidles up next to me, her shoulder
bumping mine as we stand in line for lunch. She bubbles with energy
that slides into me, calling to my Need, which seems to perk up its
head. I bite down a groan. Not now.

I don’t touch her, just in case, and she
seems to realize what’s going on because she pulls away from me
with a nod. “Where’d you go last night in such a hurry? I thought
maybe you had to make a bathroom run, but I waited around and you
never came back.” Strangely, she doesn’t seem at all mad at me for
ditching.

I shoot her a look, unable to help my smile.
“I saw him.”

Her dark eyes go round, gleeful. “As in, the
boy, him?”

“Yeah. He was just leaving, so I followed
him. I couldn’t get his attention at first, but…we talked.” Oh, we
did so much more than talking. My heart flip-flops. “He’s not
allowed to date; his dad’s a real strict guy, so we’re gonna have
to sneak around to be together.”

“So it’s official then? Ohmygod, did you two
kiss?”

I’d planned on fibbing a little, but
apparently my blush must give me away because Caddie squealed so
loudly that a preppy girl in the front of the line turns around to
give us a death glare. I hear someone say, “That chick must’ve
finally gotten her period. Hallelujah,” and a chorus of laughter,
but Caddie doesn’t even react. She beams as we step up and get our
trays, piled high with stringy spaghetti in a thick, red sauce. The
garlic bread served with it looks three days old. Gross.

It isn’t until we sit down at the table that
Caddie scoots her chair closer and leans in. “So how was it? Sexy?
Cute? Wet or dry? Details, woman!”

I shake my head. “I’m not exactly a kissing
connoisseur. I don’t judge each kiss by a certain standard. But it
was…nice.”

“Ugh!” Caddie throws up her hands.
“Everything is just ‘nice’ with you,” she rants, but she’s
grinning. “Oh!” She sets my bag down on the table and opens the
flap and Sync hovers beside her. My stomach plummets as the robot
gives me the electronic equivalent of laser-eyes and promptly
ignores me. “I figured you’d want me to take care of her while you
were gone.”

“Thanks, Cad. Really. I owe you one.”

“I would’ve been fine on my own,” Sync
snaps.

I glance between Caddie and Sync, an awkward
silence spawning between us. I’m about to say something, even
though I don’t know what to say, when Caddie blurts, “When do I get
to meet him? Can we like, double date? You and Iofiel, me and Jale?
I think it would be super fun!”

I shrug. “You’ll meet him, I promise. Give me
time. I’m not even sure how this is going to work out yet. Just
that… God, I really want it to work out.” I pick up my fork and
twirl it around in the pasta, taking a hesitant bite. Not bad. I
guess it just looks weird.

We eat for a few minutes, the only sounds
being the chorus of the riotous cafeteria around us and the
crunch-chomp of Caddie munching garlic bread. I reach out to Sync,
determined to make it right. She has a right to feel abandoned. I
shouldn’t have left her to go chasing boys and I feel bad. “Sync,
at least look at me. I’m really sorry.”

“No, Luce. Really you’re not. I’m nothing
more than a cute accessory to you anymore,” Sync says, turning beet
red. “I’m there when it’s convenient for you, but when you have
Caddie? I’m just forgotten! You’d rather go hang around with your
dog
of a boyfriend than give me the time of day!”

I blink at her, too shocked to speak. This is
Sync we’re talking about. Nice, gentle Sync. I never knew she was
capable of such cutting words. I feel my face heat up and I growl
at her before I can stop myself. “Well at least he has a
body
.”

Sync’s antennae flashes and I know I’ve hit
the nail on the head. I feel triumphant for a moment’s time, then I
just feel like shit. I open my mouth to apologize, but she turns
away from me, hiding behind Caddie’s elbow.

“Guys, come on,” Caddie says softly.

“I’m staying with Caddie,” Sync
announces.

“What?”

“You heard me, Luce. I’m staying with Caddie.
You don’t want me around anyway. Why should I be there for you when
you’re never there for me?”

I feel a wave of emotions—hurt, anger,
sadness—roil up inside of me. I clamp my jaws shut and force my
shoulders into a shrug. “Whatever. It’s your life. Maybe I don’t
need you. Maybe you’re right; I’ve outgrown you.”

“Okay, that’s enough of that. Lucy, Sync just
is feeling bad right now. She needs time away, to recoup. Sync,
Lucy’s going through a lot of emotions. You guys just need a break
away from each other, that’s all. I’ll keep Sync with me. She’ll be
safe. Don’t worry.” She touches my hand lightly with her
fingers.

I shrug. I slide my tray away from me, my
appetite gone, replaced with a knot that twists like a snake.
“Whatever.”

“Sooooo…” A pause. “You wanna come over for
dinner tonight? Mom’s making her famous meatloaf. She’s seriously
won contests with this recipe. If you want, I’ll walk with you to
my place.”

Even though I want to go immediately home,
bury my face in my pillow and cry out these raging emotions, I nod.
I need to take a little soul, anyway. I hate the feeling of the
Need resurfacing; it makes me feel like a monster. “Sure. Sounds
cool. Your mom’s cookies were amazing; I can’t wait to try an
actual dinner.”

“Great. I’ll meet you out front after
school.”

The rest of the day drags by, like being
stuck in molasses in the middle of December. I wait out front for
Caddie, my hands stuffed in my pockets. I’ve long since kicked off
my other shoe; I hated those flats anyways.

Caddie hops down the steps, Sync bobbing
along at her side. I don’t even acknowledge her as we head towards
Caddie’s place. “So, question,” I say, cutting my friend a glance.
“Would there be any possible way that I could…recharge?”

Sync snorts, a clunking sound, and I bite
back my growl.

“No prob.” Caddie nods. “I noticed my fire
was burning a little brighter anyway and—” She continues talking,
but I’m in another world; across the street is Iofiel and beside
him, a tall guy with blond curls. My heart picks up speed at the
sight of him.

He glances our way, catching my eye for a
moment’s time. Instead of the beaming smile I want, he frowns and
turns away quickly. The blond cranes his neck to look at me and I
duck my head when I see a similar leather mask hiding the left side
of his face. Cyberhound. Last thing I need is to get Iofiel into
trouble over a simple look.

I watch as they walk away and I feel a
prickle of sadness. I’d hoped for at least a smile.

“Lucy, what the heck is your issue? Did you
hear anything I just told you?”

I offer her a smile, but it feels tight.
“No…sorry. I thought I saw someone.”

“Whatev, let’s go. I’m starved and
apparently, you are too.”

But whatever appetite I had is gone now, just
like him.

Chapter 16:

Iofiel

It’s like the Pack knows I want time alone,
so they’re purposefully keeping me busy, sending me on patrol duty
and assigning Sariel or Raziel along to keep me company. Lylan’s
still suspicious, but I’ve been on my best behavior.

I haven’t seen Lucy in days. Admittedly, I’ve
been avoiding her usual haunts, just so I don’t have to pretend to
ignore her when my instinct is screaming at me to gather her in my
arms and kiss her frown away.

I hunch my shoulders as we head towards the
store for supplies. Raziel’s bitching my ear off as our shoes scuff
the pavement, but I hardly hear him. My eyes are trained on the
familiar form of Lucy in a black tank top and tight jeans, her hair
making waves around her shoulders. She’s got her back to me,
chatting with the blonde girl she’s always hanging around. I’m glad
Lucy has someone at least, even if it’s not me, but I can’t help
feeling like I’m letting her down. When she saw me the other day,
her expression was so hopeful…and I just turned away. What else
could I do?

“Is that your bitch?” Raziel pauses
mid-stride, his dark eyes narrowing. I snap my gaze to his, biting
back the low growl that threatens to tear itself up my throat just
for the title he gave her. He holds my gaze, challenging, but I
don’t back down like I usually do.

“No. I’m over her. She can’t give me what I
need anyway.” The words are bitter, painful. I twist my features
into what I hope is a disdainful look. “What does it matter to
you?”

He smirks. “Just wondered.” He’s fiddling
with something in his pocket and I know it’s the controller to the
Shockchip. The realization that Raziel’s only pretending to be a
friend makes my gut sour.

I shrug one shoulder, shake my head, and keep
walking with a silent apology to Lucy. She doesn’t turn around to
look at me, but I know she knows I’m there. Raziel seems put off by
the fact that I didn’t react the way he’d probably hoped; he
hurries to catch up to me, complaining about the next best
thing.

I tune him out as we shop, until I hear: “I
can’t fuckin’ believe I don’t get to go on the hunt tonight.”

I zero in on him. “Hunt?” Another one?
Curiosity edges around my voice, but I try to sound casual. We
haven’t been on a hunt since we went after Supersonic Scream girl
and the Pack’s been getting edgy with nothing to do.

“Yeah. Supposedly—and I’m just goin’ by rumor
here so don’t quote me on this—there’s been another power surge
near Loren. Only a few miles off where we found the last one.”

The last one—like that little girl was just a
creature, not a person, not someone with her own identity, her own
fears.

“Lylan’s called a hunt later tonight. I don’t
get to go because of my arm. He says I’ll slow them down. So I get
patrol duty. Lucky me.” He rolls his eyes.

I tune him out once more, my mind churning
with possibilities. A hunt means all my brothers will be with
Lylan, out of the city. They’d be preoccupied—to please our queen,
that’s a big thing—so maybe…

Hope rises in my chest. Maybe I’d be able to
duck out tonight. Maybe I could see Lucy. We’d have to avoid
Raziel, but if he’s out patrolling the streets, as long as we
picked some place inside to hang, we shouldn’t get caught.
Immediately, my mind starts making plans. I succeed in stifling my
smile, but can’t stop the bounce in my step.

I’m snapped back to the present by Raziel’s
hand clamped down on my shoulder. “Lucky bastard. Well, I’ve gotta
go. We’ll catch up after the hunt. See ya then, Io.” He bolts out
of the store, leaving me to do the rest of the shopping. Typical
Raziel. He might love his duty, but only when it’s exciting and
worthwhile.

***

I run alongside my brothers for a little
while, slowly pulling back to take up the rear. To my misfortune,
Sariel stays behind with me and we move together, shoulder to
shoulder. He watches me with unhidden curiosity before he puts on
the brakes. I slow down as well, suddenly wary. He’s suspicious.
Damnit. There’s no way I’ll be able to see her now.

The Pack is just a black smudge against the
twilit horizon line. Sariel’s body gives a slight shiver and he
changes. “You’re being foolish, Iofiel.” His voice is soft. I set
my jaw and stare into his eyes, bracing myself for the shock I
deserve.

But it doesn’t come.

Sariel’s lips form a small, sad smile. “Love
isn’t part of our vocabulary, Io. Believe me, I know…” He shakes
his head. “But I had to learn it the hard way and so do you. Go
find your girl; I’ll cover for you. Lylan likes me.”