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  Across from us, Dark Roots shot to his feet and joined his bewildered friends who were trying to cover their private parts. “What happened? Where are our clothes?”

  “Sorry we had to stop your little party, boys?” Izzy mocked them.

  “Next time, you’ll think twice before you attempt to rape a girl,” Kim added.

  “And your clothes are gone,” Izzy continued. “So either you leave this room buff or wait until the dance’s over and sneak out. Either way, you’re walking home naked.”

  Kim lifted her cell phone and pressed a button. “And this should get a million hits by the end of tomorrow. I think the caption should read, ‘Beware Would-be Rapists’.”

  For the moment, the boys froze with comical expressions on their faces.

  “What? Nothing to say now?” Izzy mocked.

  The one who’d lured McKenzie away sneered. “We’ll report you to the police.”

  “Oh, I’d love to hear that,” Kim said. “Three girls stripped you naked because you were trying to rape their friend. That’ll go over well with the cops.”

  “It will be your words against ours,” Dark Root yelled. “My father is a lawyer.”

  “Ooh, scary. Too bad we have other witnesses,” Izzy added.

  As if to prove her right, a loud knock came at the door and Sykes asked, “Are you guys done?”

  “Almost,” I answered. Kim and Izzy were still having fun.

  I helped McKenzie to her feet. She was still staring at the naked jocks with wide eyes. “You okay?”

  She nodded, leaned back and glanced at the other trainees. “How did you guys do this?”

  “Long story,” I said, adjusting her top and fluffing her hair.

  “I don’t know how to thank you,” she whispered.

  “You don’t need to. Girls must watch out for each other,” Izzy said. She looked at the jocks who were still glaring at us, their hands between their legs. “Goodnight boys.” She opened the door and stepped out. Kim took one last shot of the boys and closed her cell phone. She followed Izzy out, grinning.

  McKenzie and I left last. We didn’t close the door, but within seconds, it was slammed shut from inside. We all laughed.

  “Maybe I should enroll at C12 dojo and learn self-defense,” McKenzie whispered as we joined the others.

  Izzy touched her arm. “That’s a nice idea.”

  “And if you need pointers, you know where to find us,” Kim added.

  McKenzie’s eyes widened. “Thank you, guys.”

  Sykes turned to McKenzie and offered her his hand. “How about a dance?”

  Her cheeks turned beet red. She shrunk from his hand and shook her head. “I, uh, just want to go home.”

  “It’s okay,” I whispered to her. “You can trust Sykes and Remy. They’d never hurt you. They kept watch while we took care of the guys inside.”

  McKenzie shook her head, her eyes vulnerable. “I’m sorry. I just want to go home.”

  Remy cocked his elbow. “No need to apologize. We’ll drive you home.”

  She looked at me. “Will you come?”

  “Sure. Let me find Amelia and Kylie and tell them we’re leaving. Wait for me outside the school.”

  McKenzie nodded and walked toward the foyer with the guys. Shoulders hunched, she hugged her arms as though she was cold. Kim, Izzy and I followed.

  “Poor girl,” I said, focusing on McKenzie. My head hurt and I felt sluggish, like I was sleepwalking.

  “She’ll be fine. Humans are resilient,” Kim answered as she put away her cell phone.

  Izzy grabbed my arm. “I want to introduce you to someone. And for the record,” she continued. “I’m going to let it all out because I hate bottling things up. You’ve some crazy, crazy powers, girl. And I’d be lying if I didn’t say it bothers me that they overlap with mine. But,” she shrugged, “I’ll get over it.”

  Her honesty touched me. Since I couldn’t tell her, I did the next best thing. I hugged her.

  She patted my back and laughed. “Okay. Enough. You’re wrinkling my shirt.”

  I laughed, stepped back and caught a defenseless look in Kim’s blue eyes, but she hid it so fast I might have imagined it. She didn’t speak, just shrugged and disappeared in the restroom. Izzy rolled her eyes, and slanted her head toward the dance floor. “There he is.”

  The boy she was with earlier detached himself from a group of guys and walked toward us. He slipped his arms around her shoulders. “Done?”

  “Yeah.”

  “You should have let me watch,” he teased.

  “You know the rules, baby. I don’t make them. Rastiel…Lil,” she introduced us.

  His black eyes twinkled. “I’ve heard quite a bit about you, Lil.”

  Up close, he looked even more handsome, his brown skin smooth and unblemished. “I hope it’s all good.”

  “It’s all good. Hey, Sebastian?” he called over his shoulder. A guy with curly brown hair and features so refined he looked like a doll left the same group of guys and joined us. Unlike Rastiel’s casual attire, Sebastian wore tan pants, dressy shoes and a navy-blue silk shirt. “Meet Lil.”

  “Well, it’s nice to finally meet,” Sebastian said in a distinct British accent. “Everybody’s been talking about you, the new trainee with exceptional powers.”

  I shrugged. “Hardly. I, uh, got to run. My friend’s waiting outside.”

  “We’ll reconnect at the party next week,” Sebastian said.

  I nodded. As I turned to leave, Kim walked to his side and slipped her arms around his waist. I waved to the four of them and circled the crowd, staying close to the wall until I reached where I’d left Amelia. She wasn’t there. Times like this, I wished I had a cell phone to text or call them.

  I headed toward the front entrance, stepped outside and saw Remy talking to McKenzie by one of the trees. Sykes grabbed my arm before I could join them. “Let Remy do his big brother thing.”

  “What happened?”

  “She started to cry when we reached outside. I don’t know what to do with a hysterical girl, but Remy’s had lots of practice. His four sisters can drive anyone insane, except him.”

  I studied Remy as he listened to McKenzie. She was gesturing while he nodded and patted her shoulder. His face was calm and his movements non-threatening.

  “Don’t you have any siblings?” I asked Sykes.

  He shuddered. “No, thank goodness. My parents have room for just one child…me. And I like it that way.”

  “I bet you were a brat.”

  “More like a child genius.” He puffed his chest and smirked. “Plus, I’m the first generation Cardinal in my family. Ah, here comes our unsung hero.” Remy joined us, but McKenzie stayed by the tree. “Is she going to be okay now?”

  Remy nodded. “We’ll drop her off on our way to Lil’s place.”

  “My place? Why are you coming to my place?” I didn’t realize how rude my question was until the guys’ raised their brows. “I mean, it’s late and I have to wake up early tomorrow morning for my session with Mrs. D. Then there’s shopping. I’ve lots and lots of shopping to do.”

  Remy shrugged. “We thought we and the girls could just hang out and keep you company until your grandfather comes home.”

  Kim and Izzy in my home? “I don’t need watch guards, Remy.”

  “Whatever you say. I’ll take McKenzie to the car.” Remy turned and headed back to where McKenzie stood.

  Now I felt like a jerk. What should I have said? It wasn’t that I didn’t like these guys. I did. And I was happy they were concerned about me. The problem was our trailer wasn’t big enough for five more people. I just wanted to go home, so I could try and locate Grampa. He would know what to do about Bran. Even my headache and fatigue weren’t as important as finding him.

  I glanced at Sykes. He wore a frown on his handsome face. “I hurt his feelings.”

  “Remy? Nah. That’s his way of saying you can protest all you want, but we’re coming home with you.”<
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  “That’s ridiculous.”

  “No, that’s Remy.” Sykes pushed his hands in the front pockets of his pants and rocked on his heels. “Look. Gavyn was here despite the tightened security, and Bran’s missing. Either we inform the Council so they can send sentries to your place, or you get us.”

  I threw up my arms. “Sheesh.”

  “Get used to it. Security is everything, especially for the Cardinals.”

  “That’s not it. I wish we didn’t live in that cramped trailer, that’s all. If we had a bigger place—”

  “But you do,” Sykes interrupted me.

  I blinked, shook my head. “What?”

  “Your grandfather has a house on Sagebrush Drive. Maybe it’s time you guys moved in.”

  A feeling I couldn’t identify wrapped around my chest, making it hard to breathe. “Are you saying we have a house here in the valley?”

  “All Guardians do.”

  I heard his words, but my mind had slowed down, filtering and absorbing information at a snail’s pace. I’d wanted to live in a house for so long. With our constant moving, I’d assumed it would never happen. “Does it have a yard?”

  If Sykes thought my question was weird, he didn’t show it. “A big one. Someone mows it in the summers. The Council employs a housecleaning company to take care of the inside, too.”

  I searched his face as though it held all the answers. “What does it look like? Have you been inside? Does it have furniture?”

  “Whoa, slow down. I’ve never been inside, but the outside looks like, uh, all the other houses.”

  Heart thumping with excitement, I reached a decision. “Can we go there tonight? You know, sneak inside.”

  “Sure. Though there’s no need to sneak in. It’s your house.”

  ***

  We found Kylie and confirmed that Cade would drop them home, then we took off. Izzy and Kim stayed behind with their boyfriends. Remy led the way in his black Camry and had McKenzie beside him. I followed in my truck, while Sykes took the rear in a red and black Mustang. We hit Center Street and headed east, retracing the route Bran and I took when we went to Hsia’s house. When Center Street became Mountain Road, Sykes left the rear and shot past us, engine roaring. He grinned as he passed me.

  Show off.

  We turned right on Eastridge, stopped for McKenzie to jump out of Remy’s Camry. She and I hugged, words were unnecessary. Then we waited until she was inside her home before continuing on to the T-junction on Gibbon’s Parkway. A short drive south and we reached the gate at Sagebrush Drive.

  I studied the hulking mansions under the moonlight. The houses on Sagebrush drive were separated from the other homes by a low-lying ridge on one side and a rolling hill on the other. The road wound up toward the mountain and ended in a cul de sac. At the top of the hill was the biggest house of all.

  Remy pulled into a driveway, and I parked beside his Camry. I didn’t see Sykes’ car. My heart pounded hard with anticipation. The house faced the valley floor, the driveway slanting toward the street. Shrubberies lined the footpath leading to the entrance. I visualized myriad colors replacing the green. I didn’t know anything about flowers, but I could learn. I will learn.

  I caught a few of Remy’s words as he explained about the houses. “Council bought the land…built the homes…pay for the furniture…house at the top is the HQ….”

  I ran my fingers along the exterior wall. Brown concrete block finish. Security lights came on, bathing the wood panel front door—beveled glass on top, sides and in the center. Visible through the windows were white blinds. I knew no one was home, but I still reached out and pressed the tiny doorbell.

  I grinned as the hollow ding-dong echoed inside.

  Remy chuckled. I grinned at him.

  I used telekinesis to unlock the door. Hand shaking, I reached for the brass knob and turned. The hinges didn’t even squeak. I crossed the threshold, flipped on the switch.

  My senses soaked in everything—the chandeliers, the sloping ceiling, the egg-white walls, other rooms visible through arched doorways. I inhaled, deep and slow. It smelled of wood and paint, like a new house. Yet a sense of coming home enveloped me like a warm, woolen coat.

  “No furniture,” I stated the obvious.

  “You’re better off furnishing it yourself. The Council does a crappy job.”

  “I’m going to explore.” I took off. From room to room, upstairs, downstairs, I visualized what each could be—my bedroom, Grampa’s, guest rooms, training room. The house had a total of three full bathrooms, four possible bedrooms, lots of cupboards in the kitchen, and a large area in the basement for a family room. Anticipation made me giddy. I had to convince Grampa to move here as soon as possible.

  When I came upstairs, Sykes was waiting for me with Remy.

  “What do you think?” Sykes asked.

  “It’s beautiful.” My gaze lingered on the ceiling and the bare wall, imagining framed photographs.

  Remy interrupted my musing. “I just spoke with Izzy and Kim. They’ll stop by your place in an hour. We’ll all stay with you until your grandfather comes home.” His tone left no room for argument. “Let’s leave our cars and hitch a ride with you. We can teleport home later.” Then he left the house without waiting for my response.

  Stubborn man. I blew out frustration. Sykes grinned at my reaction. “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to His Royal Highhandedness. I’ve learned to ignore him after six months of rooming with him.”

  I locked the door, followed Sykes to our respective rides. Remy’s Camry was already pulling into a driveway two houses down the street. The sound of Sykes’ engine split the air as he took off. I followed and parked outside their house, rolled down my window and watched him park his mustang in their garage. He parked the way he drove.

  Remy scrutinized the rear end of his car then used his sleeve to wipe the area.

  “A scratch?” Sykes teased.

  “You mess with my paint job, and your mustang is junk yard scraps,” Remy warned him.

  “What paint job? Your car is all black, bro. Can you spell bo…ring?”

  They elbowed each other as they left the garage. Remy pressed the remote control on his key chain to close the door. “And so you know, I’m sitting by the window,” Sykes said.

  “In your dreams,” Remy retorted.

  I rolled my eyes. They were so ridiculous, and I was too tired to put up with their senseless bickering. Plus, my head was killing me. I hadn’t had such a terrible headache since my powers first appeared.

  I removed the keys from the ignition. “Hey. You drive.” I threw the keys to Remy, who caught them and grinned.

  “Why him?” Sykes protested.

  “I want to get home in one piece.” I moved to the middle, sharing the passenger seat with Sykes. Remy gunned the engine.

  Sykes criticized his driving as soon as we took off. Shaking my head, I turned up the heat, leaned back and closed my eyes. Tuning out their banter, my mind wandered to my house. My house. I loved the sound of it. If Bran were here, my happiness would be complete. He’d understand how I felt.

  I sighed, sadness creeping in to steal my moment. Bran. Where are you? I hope you’re okay, wherever you are. I hope….

  We hit Highway 89. Sirens filled the air as two fire engines, an ambulance, several cop cars and the fire chief’s car came barreling down the street from behind us. Remy pulled over to let them pass.

  “I hope no one’s injured,” I murmured. The guys didn’t respond.

  Remy pulled back onto the road. In the distance, I could see thick smoke curl up toward the star-speckled sky. My heart dropped, leaving a hollow feeling in my gut. “Oh no,” I whispered.

  “What?” Remy asked.

  “Go faster,” I yelled.

  “What is it?” He stepped on the gas.

  “What’s going on?” Sykes added.

  I leaned forward, pointed. “Look where the smoke is coming from. It’s on the southeast side of Motel 6
, where the RV Park is.”

  Police cars blocked the exit into the park, so Remy pulled up into the parking lot of the motel. He and Sykes jumped down, yelled at me to stay put and raced toward the fire. I tried to follow, but couldn’t move. My legs felt heavy, my body pinned to my seat by fear. Cold air hit the wetness sliding down my face. Through the windshield, I stared with wide eyes at the place where the trailers had once stood. Nothing was left but skeleton frames of RVs, bright orange flames leaping from windows.

  Gavyn. How many were hurt tonight because of that bastard? Because of me?

  His laugh came from the shifting shadows around my truck. Like a brush of frosty air, the evil sound spread goose bumps over my skin. I stiffened, looked around. Nothing but darkness hugging beams from headlights of passing cars. And the laughter echoed into the night. So insane and haunting.

  You can’t be everywhere all the time, Lil.

  19. UNEXPECTED DISAPPEARANCE

  “Wake up, Lil.”

  Sykes’ voice penetrated the fog of terror engulfing my psyche, and I jerked awake. My gaze darted to the windshield, heart still pounding hard. We were parked outside my trailer, but there was no fire. No police cars. No fire engines. The RVs, silhouetted against the night sky, were intact, the glow of electric lights shining through windows. Relief coursed through me, slowing down my frantic heart beat.

  “You zonked out then screamed,” Sykes said, his arm tight around me.

  My body had curled against his, my hands gripping his shirt. Face burning, I let him go and wiped my palms on my pants. “Sorry, bad dream.”

  “Want to talk about it?” Remy asked.

  “No. It was nothing.” I looked at my trailer, detected Grampa’s psi. I needed to tell him about Bran. “Let’s go inside.” The trainees looked at each other but made no move to leave the truck. “What?”

  “Did your dream have anything to do with your powers?” Remy asked.

  “Why do you ask?”

  “I had nightmares when my powers started to show,” he said. “Whenever I touched things, they’d take different forms and shapes so fast it scared me. In my dreams, I could turn people into monsters, even my family.”