“Merri already left,” Michael said as he prepared to close the door. “So if you—”
“I know,” Genevieve interrupted in a shaky voice. “I saw her go. Please...I...don’t have anyone else to go to.”
“Cade springs to mind.”
“I don’t trust him to understand. And I don’t...I don’t want anyone to know.”
With a heavy sigh, Michael stepped out of the way so she could pass through the threshold. “Go sit in the kitchen. If you hug me this time, I won’t speak to you
ever again—you’ll have to deal with your own fucking problems.”
She nodded as she walked past him. Michael closed and locked the door behind her.
What the hell am I doing...
He put on the kettle without asking, and tossed the last bag of fair trade
masala chai in a mug, thinking perhaps she might stop shaking with a warm drink. Once the drink was poured and she had the mug cradled in her palms, she gazed up at him.
“I killed someone,” she said in a small voice.
“Was this the other night at the hotel?”
“How did you know about that?”
Shit. He was slipping. Probably ‘cause of the constant hangover.
“Because I had to patch up Sage,” he said.
And pay off a few people to make the police think it was a drug deal gone bad and any evidence of the girls lost...
“Sage was blocking the door and she got knocked out. The woman, Alex Gardner, she—”
“Alex Gardner?” Michael repeated.
“Yeah. You know her?”
“The name sounds vaguely familiar. Continue.”
“She came into the room when we were about to leave. She...she didn’t see me in the bathroom—she went right for Merri, I guess ‘cause she was shooting at her.” Gen took a long sip of her tea, then set it down again and rubbed at her eyes. “Raji has this book. Well, it’s some stuff he got from a listserv that he printed out at Lulu. It’s offensive stuff. Like...
really offensive magic. He thought it was a waste of money ‘cause it didn’t work...”
He sensed she had more to say, but when she didn’t comment further, he prompted her. “It
does work?”
She sighed. “For me. I recognized some of it. Other was instinct, but...I changed a few words and phrases, and it worked.”
“If it’s so offensive and dangerous, how did you know it worked before the other night?
“I...kind of tried it out. At school, on people randomly. Even Cade one time. I just tried little things. People usually thought they were choking a little, and would cough.” She winced a little and avoided his eyes, as if she expected a reprimand.
“And that’s what you did to Gardner?”
Gen nodded. “Only not a little. But...I couldn’t stop. I didn’t even try—I didn’t want to. And that’s not like me. I don’t want to be like this.”
Minutes of silence ticked by between them. She opened her mouth a few times, grasping for words, but apparently failing to find them as she didn’t say more.
A dumb kid in over her head. After all this time, that’s what she was. It wasn’t just a case of not knowing what she was capable of—not anymore. Now she knew. But she still didn’t know what to do with herself.
A rare sliver of empathy slipped into him, though he immediately hardened to it. This wasn’t his problem now...whether she tried to make it his or not.
“And why did you think I could help you?” he asked at last.
“You’ve killed people and you know stuff. I thought...just that maybe you could understand?”
“Let’s rephrase, then: why did you think I
would help you?”
“Because...I know you care about what happens to Sage and Merri. And you don’t want them to get hurt because of me.”
“That’s probably the most intelligent thing you’ve ever said.”
“So...can you help me?”
No. Just get the fuck away from me so I can leave Newhaven and never look back.
She looked up at him. “Please?”
Michael walked around the breakfast bar and slumped onto the stool next to her. “I guess.”
“Thank you. I won’t hug you.”
“Good.”
“So what am I going to do?”
“You have to stop thinking you’re better than everyone.”
“I don’t—”
“Yes, you do. You’re stronger than them, and you think you’re better than them. You used to worry that Sage would kick your ass if you pissed her off. Do you still watch what you say around her?”
“Not really...”
“Why?”
“Because...”
“
Why?”
“Because I can defend myself now. And...”
“And because you
think you’re better than her.”
“I don’t mean to.”
No, he didn’t suppose she did. But that did little to change the fact that it was how she felt now.
“What am I supposed to do?”
Michael sighed. “You need to reconnect with them.”
“Sage and Merri?”
“Everyone. Except for me.”
She seemed to ponder the suggestion for a few minutes. “Raji’s been trying to get me to go to Diwali with him.”
“You should. Because...I don’t know. Might be…hot chicks there.”
She gave a faint smile—just the corners of her lips turning upward—which was what he’d intended. “I have a girlfriend.”
“I’m sure you’ll have many in the years to come.”
“I don’t even know how to talk to the others. Like…’Hey, sorry I briefly became Dark Genevieve, but at least I didn’t destroy the world. Let’s go to the movies.’”
Michael pulled his cell phone from his back pocket, but he didn’t make a call—instead he pressed the buttons to send a text message.
“What are you doing?”
You’ll see, he thought. “I think there’s another cup worth of tea in the pot,” he said instead as he picked up her empty mug.
Genevieve nodded.
“I had another dream,” she said as he turned his back to her.
“About?”
“Like the ones I used to have…there are two me’s in it. One is regular me, the other just looked like me. And she starts talking about all this stuff I don’t understand. That’s where I first heard about The Brethren.”
He remembered vaguely, months ago, when she spoke about a recurring dream. Merri had said something once too, but he tried not to listen much where Genevieve was concerned.
“Michael, she’s…strong. The other me in my dreams. So strong. And confident. You remember when we were sitting here after you got shot and you kept screaming at me when I was supposed to be patching you up?”
That wasn’t quite how he remembered it, but he nodded anyway.
“I was so scared of what I’d become if I did what you told me to. It’s like the power…isn’t mine. When I use it…it’s like I become someone else entirely. Since I’ve lived other lives, I guess it makes sense that maybe I am tapping into something else.”
He handed her a fresh mug of tea. “Or you have some kind of dissociative personality.”
She snapped to attention suddenly. “Huh?”
“You’re associating the magic and other qualities into another personality you’re creating, probably in order to absolve yourself from responsibility from it.”
“I…guess that makes sense.”
“Of course it does.”
“There was another part too. You were there.”
He tensed a little but said nothing.
“We were sitting on the couch. You were painting my toenails and I was making you a friendship bracelet. You said you’d always be there for me.”
He rolled his eyes. “Well, we can take comfort in the fact that none of your dreams are prophetic because
that will never fucking happen.”
“You said I was like you now. That’s what made me think to come here.”
Michael snorted. “Trust me, you have a long ways to go before you’re anything like me.”
“That’s a good thing?”
“I think so.”
“But…but you spent so much time teaching us.” She frowned, as if genuinely confused. “And lecturing us. And yelling at me. I thought you wanted us to be like you.”
He finished his coffee before answering. “I wanted you to be stronger. To take care of yourselves. To
survive. You can do that
without being the kind of person I am.”
“I don’t think you’re that bad.”
“Then you need to start getting more sleep—you’re delusional.”
“What have you done that’s so bad? I mean, besides kill your friend—who kinda deserved it—and throw things at me.”
“That’s something I’m not going to tell you.”
Ever.
“I’m not a kid. I can handle it, Michael.”
No, you can’t. “Not going to happen.”
The front door opened suddenly. Michael headed out of the kitchen to intercept Merri, who was trailed by Sage.
“What the hell do you mean you’re leaving?” Merri shouted, hazel eyes wide. “You can’t just go! Just because—”
He gestured over his shoulder.
Merri paused and took a few more steps. She frowned as she spotted Genevieve in the kitchen. “What’s—”
Gen looked like a deer caught in the headlights, so it was clear she didn’t have anything to do with it.
“You freaked Merri out and made her drag me out of class for
this?” Sage said in a low voice.
Michael directed his gaze to Merri, however, trusting that she’d pick up the hint. Their glance exchanged unspoken words, and Merri sighed heavily. She moved toward Genevieve, though with clear reluctance; her shoulders sagged a little and her step seemed cautious.
“Hey Gen,” Merri said with a sigh.
Michael took several steps away from the kitchen so that he wasn’t eavesdropping. Merri would probably repeat it all to him later anyways.
“Why are you helping her?” Sage said.
“Because neither of you were going to.” He gestured over his shoulder. “Go to them.”
“But—”
“She’s sorry.” He kept his voice barely above a whisper so he could be sure Gen didn’t her.
Grudgingly, Sage nodded and walked to where Merri and Gen stood.
Michael leaned against the wall outside of the kitchen, wishing that they could have done all of this at someone else’s place, or at least outside, rather than his house.
“Michael?”
He turned to see Genevieve. Tears still shone in her eyes, but she smiled.
“Aren’t you going to watch it with us?”
“Watch what?”
“You’re saying you weren’t listening in?” Sage asked with skepticism to her voice.
“We’re going to watch a movie,” Gen said. “Some new horror remake On Demand.”
“Which obviously means you’re skipping school.” He glanced at Merri. “Is that it?”
“Yeah,” Merri spoke up from the kitchen. “I’m making popcorn.” Confirming this was the beep of buttons on the microwave, and seconds later a popping sound. “And you love popcorn.”
He didn’t and he’d never said such a thing.
“Come on,” Sage called. “You might as well.”
Eating popcorn and watching a horror movie with a couple of stupid teenage girls, or going to a bar…what a tough decision.
“You can make fun of Gen while she squeals during the scary scenes.” Sage said.
“I don’t—” Gen began.
Sage shook her head. “Merri said you do.”
“She does,” Merri agreed.
“But—”
Merri came from the kitchen with a bowl of freshly popped popcorn, which she waved in front of his face. “Don’t be a killjoy.”
He glanced at his watch.
Fucking bar isn’t even open yet.
Without bothering the pretence of an argument he would probably lose, he followed them and slumped down on the couch next to Sage to watch the film.
*~*~*
Sage hated the late September winds.
She rarely went shopping, but she’d purchased a simple black pantsuit. She’d picked out the clothes with that day in mind and had gone for a heavier fabric, but it didn’t keep her warm.
“Hey.”
She glanced over at Levi. She’d just seen his family leaving, and didn’t expect him to be sticking around. His gaze was fixed on the headstone, which is what hers returned to.
“Hey,” she said back.
They stared at Hayden’s headstone in silence for awhile.
“I thought Genevieve would be here today,” Sage said.
“Genny’s coming by later,” Levi said. “My parents are splitting up.”
“I’m sorry,” she replied, because she didn’t know what else to say. Her mom had told her something was going on with the Greenes.
“We knew it was coming. Dad’s moving out.”
“So you’ve joined the broken home club?”
“Yeah.” Levi sighed heavily. “I figure I can work my way up to vice president in a few years. It’s good to have goals, or so Genny says.”
“And she’s always right.”
Sage’s parents hadn’t been a couple for so many years that she’d forgotten what it would be like for someone like Levi who’d always had a “complete” family. But a year after his brother’s death, everything was different.
It’ll always be different.
“I’m sorry, Sage.”
“For?”
“Blaming you.”
Tears burned in her eyes. “It was my fault, though.”
“She’s told me all about everything that happened. It’s still a lot to believe, but I know she’s not lying. I know it’s not your fault.”
It’s my fault. It’ll always be my fault. Hell, it wasn’t bad enough that she got him killed in the first place—she’d had the chance to have him back, and she blew that too.
She felt his hand on her shoulder. Absently, she reached up and folded her fingers over his.
“He wouldn’t have wanted me to blame you,” Levi said.
“It’s still hard.”
“Yeah.”
“I still miss him.”
“Me too.”
She blinked away the tears. They had to talk about something else. Don’t remember him in the hospital bed. Don’t remember finding him in his car. Don’t remember sliding the promise ring onto your finger and losing him forever.
Sage released his hand, and his arm dropped to his side.
“Are they doing a one year anniversary thing again?” she asked. She tended to stay out of the loop, but she remembered that at school the year before. “To talk about violence?”
“They might have an assembly. A few people died last year, so I think they don’t know what to do.”
“No more fundraisers?”
“Not that I know of. No one told me. Guess I’m out of having to go to the stupid dance thing.”
“I thought you liked those? Let’s do the time warp again, and all that?”
“Yeah, I think me and Genny are retiring that this year. Everything is different now.”
“Just as long as she doesn’t try to make me go as Riff Raff.”
Levi chuckled. Sage glanced over and genuinely smiled in return.
“She’ll probably do something with Janine,” he said. “So what’s new with you? Nearly get yourself killed lately?”
“Almost. But Gen saved me.”
“That’s weird.”
“Yeah. Never ceases to shock me.”
“At least Michael’s not around. Never trusted that guy.”
I did.
*~*~*
Just as class ended, Thad’s cell phone rang. He wasn’t going to answer until he glanced at the number. Merri.
“Hello darling,” he said with a smile as he answered.
“Hi sweetheart,” came the dry, rather masculine voice on the other end that decidedly didn’t belong to Merri.
Thad’s throat went dry. “Michael. Why are you using Merri’s phone?”
“I figured there was a better chance of you answering. You need to meet me at the Newhaven Castle. One hour.”
That’s a hotel, I think...what the hell? “I’ve got class--”
“You’re going to miss it.”
And just like that, Michael hung up.
Dammit.
What possible reason could Michael have for wanting to meet him?
That’s easy, moron. He knows. Knows about you and Natalya. Knows you’re a spy.
And there seemed little doubt about what Michael would do to him…
He’s going to kill me. Probably slowly.
He swiftly dialled Natalya’s number, but got no answer. He could call Cade, though he was probably busy with the girls.
So. His options were to meet Michael and possibly get killed, or not meet Michael and definitely get killed for pissing him off.
Option A it is.
Dusk descended early in the fall and the roads were dark by the time Thad’s car pulled into the hotel parking lot. He was ten minutes early, and Michael was still there before him. He leaned on the hood of his convertible and waited.
Thad approached, his step slow and cautious. He doesn’t look like he has a weapon...but he probably does.
“So what’s up?” he asked. “Is it a surprise party?”
Michael didn’t even crack a grin. “Follow me.”
At least the hotel is a sort of public place, Thad thought as he walked behind Michael. Surely there would be someone around to hear his screams.
“Let’s have a refresher course on The Brethren,” Michael said. “What do you know?”
“There are lots of them. They want to kill my girlfriend. Is there anything else to know?”
“The girls only really know a simplified version,” Michael said as they walked into the hotel. He nodded at the desk clerk, who nodded back and didn’t stop him from taking the nearest flight up stairs up. “Like any organization that’s been around for a few millennia, there have been changes over time. Disagreements. Alliances. Betrayals. Shifts in ideals. Some even war amongst themselves.”
They came to a room with yellow police tape across the door, which Michael carelessly tore aside, then opened the door and flipped on a light switch. Of the two wall lights on either side of the bed, one turned on.
Something definitely went down in that room—no blood, that Thad could see, but bullet holes, broken furniture, and various things strewn about...
“Did Merri tell you that they were nearly killed the other night?”
Thad stopped in his tracks. “What?”
Michael glanced back at him. “Someone tried to kill Cade, and the girls tracked the woman here. Gen killed her.”
“The Brethren,” Thad managed, his mind reeling. Why hadn’t Merri told him?
“That’s the working theory. The thing about The Brethren, though, is that we don’t know who is counted among their members, and they don’t even know sometimes because they’re split into different groups. But we do know some people who aren’t.” He stopped next to the light that hadn’t turned on and felt around in the sconce. With a cocky smirk, he pulled out a small package with an elastic around it, then screwed in the light bulb. The light came on.
“How’d you know that was there?”
“Why else would the light not be working? Staff would have fixed it, even in a dive like this.” He opened the package and held out a passport for Thad to see.
An unfamiliar woman with short black hair looked back at him from the photo. He read the name next to it. “Rebecca Dobakova?”
“One of her aliases is Alex Gardner, which she stayed here under.”
“She went after Cade? She’s who Gen killed?”
Michael nodded. “She’s a fairly well known hit woman. Not at the top, but not at the bottom either.”
“Well, we already know The Brethren have assassins—”
“What did I tell you about The Brethren a minute ago?”
I almost wish he’d kill me and get it over with. Michael had that look he always used with Gen—the, “Are you an idiot or something?” look, and Thad shifted a little uncomfortably.
“Um...you don’t know who actually is a member of The Brethren?”
“I said that in some circumstances, we can know who isn’t. You, for example. Me. Cade. The girls.” He waved the passport around. “And Dobakova.”
“Well, she is—or was—a hit woman. So maybe they just hired her.”
“She was good, but not good enough. Not for them. They’d want someone invisible. Dobakova wasn’t. She didn’t even use an original alias while staying here. That’s sloppy, at least for The Brethren.”
“Are you saying she wasn’t hire to kill Cade?”
“No, I’m saying this wasn’t the work of The Brethren.”
The pieces fell into place rather quickly and Thad couldn’t believe it took him this long to figure it out. “Uh oh. Wait, was it you?”
Michael rolled his eyes. “Would I really have dragged you here and told you all this if it was?”
“Maybe, if you were going to kill me.”
“I’m not going to kill you.”
Thad felt his heart go back to a normal rate at last. “So why are you telling me all this?”
“Because you and I are going to figure out who hired her and what’s going on.”
“We?”
“You’re going to find out what you can about Cade. His past, his enemies—besides The Brethren—and what possible reason why someone would want him dead.”
“Someone besides you, you mean.”
“Yeah.”
“I thought Natalya told you to stay out of this stuff?”
Michael shrugged. “She said to leave the girls and Cade alone. She said nothing about you doing the same.”
No—in fact, I’m supposed to be spying on everyone.
“You’ll cover Cade,” Michael continued. “I’ll follow leads I can get surrounding Dobakova. Any questions?”
“Yeah—do I have to?”
“Do you want to risk Merri getting killed again?”
Michael had to have known Thad wouldn’t even bother answering that one aloud.