They despised that black hole, but they didnt complain. They loved Aden. They wanted him happy, and they knew these private moments were necessary.
As necessary as letting them go, he thought, guilty again.
Aden sank to the ground, his back sliding against the wall. Yeah, he was going to have to set them free, no matter how much he might want to keep them. First, though, he had to figure out exactly who they had been as humans. Then he had to help them finish whatever was keeping them bound to the earth. To him.
Thats how hed lost Eve. Once hed given her what her human self had wanted mosta day with her daughtershe had disappeared in a snap.
So much to do, he thought. Overwhelming. First up, it seemed, was meeting Victorias family. The sisters hed already seen in that vision. Laurel andno, that wasnt right. He wracked his brain. Their names remained just out of reach.
Is the fairy Mary Ann began.
Yeah. Hes gone. But most likely, Thomas would return the moment Mary Ann left the ranch. What would Aden do then? He couldnt keep her here all day and all night.
Good. Now dont take this the wrong way, okay? She walked to the bed and threw herself on the mattress, bouncing up and down. But you really need a shower.
He glanced down at himself, heat blooming in his cheeks. Streaks of blood decorated his chest, and sweat had dried his boxers to his skin. The bathroom is down the hall. Will you stay here? Ill hurry.
Ill stay, she said with an impish grin. Now, less talking and more showering.
As weak as he was, he had to use the wall to unfold from the floor and stand. And while digging through the closet for clothes, he fought wave after wave of dizziness. Finally, though, he was in the bathroom, having managed to stalk down the hall without running into any of the other boys, hot water streaming down his body, cleaning him inside and out.
His first private shower, he mused. He wondered how far Mary Anns ability stretchedand he wished he could enjoy the solitude more. Yeah, really enjoy it. Instead, he had to hurry as promised.
When he finished, he dressed in a T-shirt and jeans and headed back to his bedroom. Just before he reached the door, the scent of peanut butter sandwiches drew him into the kitchen. There was a tray piled high with them, but no boys in sight. They should be here, studying.
You killed their teacher, remember?
Sad and guilty once again, Aden confiscated two of the sandwiches, eating each in two bites, and searched the rest of the bunkhouse. All the chores were done, so the boys had been here. The wood floors were polished, the oak table and scuffed chairs dusted. The walls were scrubbed clean and smelled of soap.
A few months ago, those walls had been filled with horseshoes and pictures of the ranch as it used to be a hundred or so years ago when it had first been built. But then two of the boys had gotten in a fight, and one of them had used a metal horseshoe to bash up the other. Or so Aden had heard. Dan, the owner of the ranch and the guy in charge of their care, had taken everything down.
There was no sign of the boys anywhere. Were they okay? Where had
Laughter suddenly rang out.
At the far window in the entryway, he brushed the curtains aside and looked out. An overcast sky fashioned a gray canopy over the D and M as the boys played football in the field between the main house and the bunkhouse.
Aden experienced a momentary pang of jealousy. Once, thats all hed craved. Friends, games. Acceptance. Now he finally had it, for the most part, but he also had a little too much on his plate to enjoy it.
Youre gonna get into trouble, he told them, even though they couldnt hear him. Dan wasnt herehis truck was gonebut Meg, his wife, rarely left the main house, and she would report what had gone on.
But no tutor, no studies, Aden supposed, and his guilt increased. Dan was going to have to find a new tutor, having no idea why Mr. Thomas had left as suddenly as hed appeared.
Aden liked Dan. Respected him. A lot. The man was honorable and truly wanted to give the boys here a better life. Yet time and time again, Aden made his life more difficult. Dont think about that now.
Back in his bedroom, Aden found that Mary Ann was still on the bed, though she was propped against the headboard and reading one of Shannons books. The door clicked shut behind himno lock, though, since Dan had removed themand she looked up.
Much better, she said with a nod.
Thanks for staying.
My pleasure. She set the book aside and straightened. How are you feeling?
As good as I smell.
She laughed exactly like he wanted Victoria to laugh. That good, huh?
Sorry you had to stick around.
I didnt mind. I wanted to talk to you about something, anyway.
He sat at the desk, marveling that the room was perfect, nothing out of place. After Riley and Thomas had ravaged the entire building in that other dimensionwhich still freaked him outhed expected some sign of what had happened. Yet there was nothing. Not even a speck of blood.
Are you listening to me? Mary Ann asked with another laugh. I thought the souls were quiet when I was with you.
He grinned sheepishly. Sorry. Im so used to being inside my head, I often get lost in there.
Well, I was saying that you know how to fight.
Yeah. He should. Hed been fighting his entire life. Other mental patients, doctors, other foster kids. Zombies that Julian, the corpse whisperer, raised from eternal slumber.
Well, Mary Ann said, squaring her shoulders. I want you to teach me.
He arched a brow, not sure he understood. You want me to teach you how to kick asuh, how to fight?
How to defend myself and how to attack, yes.
There was a big difference in what people needed to do to defend themselves and what they needed to do to attack someone else. A big, dangerous difference. Riley wont like it.
She shrugged, swirling a finger along the cotton comforter. Hell have to get over it. I need to do this. I dont want to be a liability anymore.
That, Aden understood. Perfectly. Ill teach you.
She clapped as if hed just told her shed won the lottery. Thank you.
My pleasure, he said, mirroring her earlier words. So when do you want to start?
She whipped her cell phone from her back pocket and checked the time. We have a few hours until I have to be home from school. And I cant believe Im saying this, rather than rushing back to class, butwhy not now?
Those sandwiches had given him strength, though he wasnt one hundred percent racer ready. Still. He nodded. This girl had been the first person to accept him for who and what he was; he owed her. Well have to go out back. The boys are in the front, and itll be better if they dont see us.
Sounds good to me.
Outside, the clouds were thicker than theyd been even a few moments ago when hed peeked through the window, the air chilled and laced with dew. A storm was on its way.
He positioned Mary Ann on the grass, then moved in front of her. First up, defense. And to do that, you have to learn how people will strike at you. Which means Ill have to strike at you.
Determined, she nodded. Okay. Im ready.
The next few hours passed quickly, and by the end, they were sweaty, grass-stained and exhausted, but mostly wet and muddy. A fine drizzle had started fifteen minutes ago. Mary Ann was pretty bruised up. Fine, Aden was, too. Hed been jabbed, punched, poked and tripped. And yeah, hed done the same to Mary Ann. Experience was the only way to learn. Because, if she was afraid of pain, she would cower rather than act. So hed had to show her she could withstand anything.
Surprisingly, she had. Better than hed hoped.
So tell me what youve learned so far, he said, standing in front of her again.
Screaming is good. And punching people in the throat is far more effective than punching them in the face or stomach. Plus, throat punching is something anyone can do, even fragile little girls, since it doesnt take much force to do a lot of damage there. This last was said in a mockingly deep voice, mimicking him. She tightened her borrowed jacket around her middle. The only time theyd stopped practicing was when hed gone to fetch her that jacket from his closet. I should use my fists as if theyre hammers, or even hit with my open palm.
Good. What else?
Anything can be used as a weapon. Rocks. Keys. A purse.
He nodded. What else?
I shouldnt use my toes when I kick. Theres not enough power there. I should use the flat part of my foot. Oh, and kneeing my attacker in the groin is acceptable. Even encouraged. So is eye-poking. I shouldnt be afraid to cause this person pain, since their main goal is to hurt me. She spoke as if she were reciting gospel. If my back is to them, I should try and elbow the guyor girlin the face. That causes a lot of pain and stuns them, allowing me to try and get away.
Good. Now lets put some of that information to the test. Im going for your neck this time, he warned her. My plan is to choke you. Do you remember what to do?
She nodded. As quickly as possible, Im to move both my arms between yours and hit your elbows with mine.
And?
And knee you in the groin.
Yeah, but lets just pretend on that last one. And by the way, an attacker wont usually give you a heads-up.
Her lips quirked at the corners. Much as I wish otherwise.
Next time, he wouldnt warn her what he was going to do. Hed just act, and shed have to figure out what to do without forethought. Ready?
Read
Leaves rattled a few yards away, and they both turned.
Aden? Mary Ann? Shannon had just stepped from the forest, a backpack dangling at his side.
Hey, they called in unison.
II wondered where youd gone after lunch, Shannon said to Mary Ann.
Guilt danced in her eyes. I should have told you I was leaving. Im sorry. But if youre home, that means schools out, and I have to leave again now. She closed the distance to Aden and kissed his cheek. Will you be okay? she whispered. Because the fairys going to come back. The moment Im gone, hes going to come back.
I know. And yes, Ill be fine, he lied. He had no idea how to deal with Thomas, or how far Thomas could roam. Still. He gave Mary Ann a gentle push toward the forest. Go home before you get into trouble with your dad.
Im going to call him and tell him Im heading to the library. Which is true. I want to dig around and see if I can find any books on spells, that sort of thing. Ill keep you updated.
Thanks.
Welcome. And thank you for the lessons. Not that my gratitude will save you from my ferocious wrath during our next lesson.
Those are fighting words, girl, he said with a laugh. But maybe you should go home and change before you hit the library. He gazed pointedly at her muddy jeans.
Will do! Laughing herself, Mary Ann took off, stopping only to kiss Shannon on the cheek. When she reached the line of trees, a pair of green eyes and bared white teeth flashed through a thick bush.
Animalhiding. The realization jolted him, and Aden sprinted forward. But then Mary Ann uttered another laugh, the sound just as free and happy.
Riley, he realized, stopping. A pissed Riley, at that. That scowl had been for Adens benefit, he was sure. Had the wolf watched the defense lesson? Or had he witnessed the kiss Mary Ann had bestowed upon his cheek?
Hed find out. Later. First, he knew, Riley would walk Mary Ann home.
Thank God, Julian said. Were back.
What happened while we were gone? Caleb asked. Why are we outside?
Were youfighting? Elijah demanded.
Guys, he muttered. Ill have to explain later.
Shannon reached him, clearly concerned. W-where were you t-today? I told Dan youd already l-left for school this morning, so youre clear on that front.
Thank you. Aden was still amazed that he and Shannon were friends. They hadnt started off that way, but they were pretty tight now. And it was nice. Even so, he couldnt tell Shannon the truth. Boy knew nothing about the real world and the creatures populating it, and that was for the best. Come on. Lets go in, and Ill tell you everything. Yet nothing.
They headed into the bunkhouse, where the others were already washed up and in dry clothes, watching TV in the living room as if theyd just finished up their schoolwork like good little boys.
Aden waved at them, and kept moving. He and Shannon needed to talk, but what he would say, he still didnt know. After that, he needed some time alone to talk to the souls. Where he would go, though, he didnt know.
Well, well, another familiar voice said when he entered his room. Look whos back. Me.
Freaking fantastic, Caleb grumbled.
Not good, Elijah said with a sigh.
Aden didnt have to look around to know that the ghost prince had indeed returned. His hands curled into fists as he wondered if hed ever lead a normal life.
Aden? Shannon said beside him. You okay? The guys asked if y-you wanted to watch Sports Center with them.
At the same time, Thomas said, Tell me what you did to me. Tell me why Im here, why my people cant see or hear me. Why no one but you can. Tell me!
The voices blended together, making the words intelligible. He knew then that he wouldnt be having a conversation with Shannon anytime soon. Nor would he find that private moment with the souls.
Not knowing what else to do, Aden covered his ears and threw himself on his mattress to wait out the storm.
SEVEN
TUCKER HARBOR HUDDLED in the corner of a dim, damp crypt, surrounded by darkness and flat-out creepiness. A spider might have just crawled over his hand, and was that a mouse squeaking? He would have given anything to see.
He hadnt wanted to come here. Hed been lying on a hospital gurney, hooked to all kinds of monitors, drugs pumping straight into his veins, chasing away the pain. Yet the voice had called to him, drifting through his head, and hed found himself unhooking the tethers, rising, walking, finally running, desperate to be wherever the voice wanted him to be.