The Rising (27 page)

“They aren't involved. But someone mentioned Lucas Cortez as a crusader against Cabals. That might be a backup plan, if you know anything about him.”

“I know he's the son of a Cabal CEO. I know he's the supposed heir to the Cortez Cabal. I know he used to be a crusader, until his brothers got murdered and he had to step up in the family business.”

“Oh.”

Ash shrugged. “Some say he's still helping supernaturals. Some say it's a front and he's luring them into the Cabal. Cyril Mitchell believed he was still helping, but there's a reason he never went to him for help. Or to the interracial council that's supposed to help supernaturals. Because they can't fight the Cabals on big things like this. If the Cabals want us, they'll get us. That's the way it works in the world, Maya. The good guys have ideals; the bad guys have cash and firepower. You can guess which one wins in a real battle.”

I could tell he'd worked this through long before now, probably some cold and hungry night when he just couldn't take it anymore. He'd come to the conclusion that this Lucas guy and the council couldn't help. I agreed. The Cabals had massive corporate and supernatural resources. Which was why we had to deal with them or spend our lives running.

“We need to get going,” Ash said, standing. “Can't take a chance they'll find a way to track you.”

We started to walk.

“So, this Rafe,” Ash said. “He's really your boyfriend?”

I looked over sharply. “What does that mean?”

“Nothing. Lot of guys. It gets confusing. Especially when you seem to hug all of them.”

I made a face at him.

A few more steps. Then, “He's a skin-walker, right?”

I nodded.

“That makes sense, I guess.”

This time, I didn't ask what he meant by that, just kept walking.

“Like I said, though, I don't want him following you off to shift. You need to be careful or he'll take advantage. Which he'd better not do while I'm around.”

I could say that I'd been successfully dating so far without a brother to watch out for me. But it was kind of sweet, in a misguided “girls need a guy to look after them” kind of way.

“He doesn't take advantage,” I said. “If he did, I wouldn't have let him come with me. Hell, if he did, I wouldn't be dating him.”

“Good,” Ash grunted. A few more steps. “Is he shifting yet?”

“Nope. Developmentally, the guys are all lagging behind.” I shot him a grin. “As usual.”

He rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath, and we continued on to the campsite.

T
HE KEY THE HALF-DEMONS
had given me was for a gym locker. We were at the gym when it opened that morning, Daniel and Ash sneaking in to retrieve the contents—fake IDs, real passports, tickets, and everything else we needed. Then we were off.

One long plane ride took us across the country. A bus carried us over the border. A second bus deposited us, the next morning, in the small Pennsylvania town near where the Project Genesis subjects were hiding. According to Antone's message, we had a ten-mile walk. That didn't sound too bad to all the Canadian kids, who heard “kilometers” instead. The extra six kilometers were a lot when you were running on junk food and a few hours of sleep.

Daniel suggested we try to get better food from a corner store before we left. When he asked for fruit, the clerk pointed to dusty cans of peaches.

“We're not on the West Coast anymore,” I murmured.

“Thank God,” Ash said, grabbing two chocolate bars in one hand and a Coke in the other.

“There are protein and energy bars over here,” Daniel said. “We'll get that, milk, and some juice.”

Ash stared at him, then at the rest of us as we headed for the milk and juice.

“You guys aren't really teens, are you?” Ash said. “They've brainwashed you into miniature adults, full of responsibility and good eating habits. I'm surprised you haven't bought a—” He noticed the toothbrush in my hand. “Seriously?”

“Haven't used one of those in a while, huh?” Hayley said. “Let me guess. You haven't been dating in a while, either. News-flash: the two are not unconnected.”

He scowled at her. “I have one in my pack.” He pointed to Rafe's toothbrush. “Have they infected you, too?”

“Your sister gave it to me. I think it's a hint. Use it or keep my distance.”

Another scowl. “Better keep your distance anyway. We don't have time for that crap.”

Rafe was about to shoot something back when Daniel waved us to the register. “We're losing daylight, guys. Time to move.”

We were careful on the walk, though Antone had said not to worry about being spotted by the St. Clouds. They were only doing periodic spot checks on their wayward subjects.

As for how they found them, a werewolf bounty hunter had tracked down the group a few months ago. That's when the St. Clouds had decided to let them stay “on the run” for a while. Wear them down until they were tired of hiding. It's not like they were going anywhere. Sure, after a few months in one place, they'd hit the road again, but they kept the same van . . . which now had a tracking device on it.

“What types have we got again?” Ash asked as we hid in the forest behind the Genesis subjects' farmhouse.

“For the kids—werewolf, necromancer, witch, and sorcerer,” I said. “For the adults, a sorcerer and a doctor with necromancer blood, but apparently no powers. I'm guessing the werewolf explains the conveniently located forest.”

Daniel nodded. “He's also the biggest threat.”

Ash snorted. “Your average wolf is about seventy-five pounds. Even Maya could take him on in her cat form.”

“Um, thanks,” I said. “But you weren't paying attention to Antone's message, were you?”

“Considering how long it was, I don't think anyone was. The guy just goes on and on. I see where you get it from.”

I made a face at him. “He said that werewolves in human form have the same extra-sharp senses as skin-walkers, but they get super strength, too.”

Ash shrugged. “And we get agility. Ever seen a boxing match? Speed and agility win over brute strength.”

Daniel cut in, “How about we just avoid spooking them into a confrontation?”

“Where's the fun in that?” Corey said.

Daniel ignored him. “Okay, guys, let's get this rolling. It'll be less threatening if we show up in daylight. Corey, Rafe, and Ash are staying behind. Hayley? You're coming with Maya and me. We could use your help.”

“Oh?” Hayley perked up. “What do you need me to do?”

“Smile and look blond,” Ash said. “Which you're good at.”

She scowled at him.

“Except the smiling part,” he continued. “You have some trouble with that. They want you because you're window dressing. Blond, perky, and completely nonthreatening.”

Daniel shook his head. “Let's go.”

The place was a two-story old farmhouse on a dirt road with no neighbors in sight. It was bordered on either side by fields and backed onto a forest. We went straight to the front door. I knocked. No one answered. I tried again and put my ear to the door, but it was quiet.

Daniel walked out to the barn, which seemed to be used as a garage. “Empty,” he said after peering through the window.

“Seriously?” Hayley said. “What'd they do, go out for pizza?”

“They've been on the run for months,” I said. “They'll be trying to live as normally as possible.”

“Great. Now what?”

“We wait in the forest,” I said.

We didn't dare leave a trail heading straight to the woods. Antone's note warned that the werewolf would be able to track us by smell, so he'd likely know strangers had visited his house. Better to lay a trail heading back to the road, as if we'd been just salespeople at the door.

I'd found a tree earlier with a good sight line to the house. Rafe volunteered to watch with me. Ash insisted on joining us.

When it was almost dark, I climbed down and conferred with Daniel at our temporary campsite. He wanted to give it another hour. We did. Still no sign of anyone.

“It's too late now,” I said when I returned to Daniel. “I say we wait until morning.”

“Agreed. Though it may take all of my special persuasive powers to keep the troops from mutinying.” He tried for a smile, but it was strained.

“Are you getting any sleep at all?” I asked.

“I'm fine.” He caught my look and some of the steel went out of his shoulders. “Yeah, I'm tired. But I can rest soon.”

“Tonight?”

He shrugged and gazed out at the forest.

“How are you doing otherwise?” I asked. “We haven't had much time to talk.”

“We haven't had
any
time to talk.” He paused and managed another wan smile. “Sorry. Obviously we can't expect time alone right now. It's just . . .”

He rolled his shoulders and looked away. He was right, of course. It wasn't the time. But I didn't care. I wanted to be with him. Alone. We hadn't really had that since I'd escaped the Nasts, and I longed for it. Just a few minutes alone with him to talk, to relax. I felt guilty about it. Felt insufferably selfish. But it's what I wanted.

“Let's go talk now,” I said. “Rafe and Ash are standing watch. Corey and Hayley are dozing.” I looked around. “I saw a stream that way. I say we be completely irresponsible and sneak off duty. At least for a few minutes.”

A more genuine smile. “Sounds like a plan.”

We got about five steps when brush crackled behind us. Rafe stepped through.

“Hey,” he said. “Ash is getting antsy. Have we got a plan?”

“Actually, Daniel and I were just . . .”

I trailed off. When I glanced at Rafe, I couldn't think up a good excuse to take off with Daniel, and I felt like we needed one.

“Call Ash down,” I said. “It's conference time.”

N
O ONE WAS HAPPY
about spending another night in the woods. We were on the run, Ash said, so why the hell
wouldn't
we come knocking in the middle of the night? He had a point, but my gut told me it was better to wait for daylight, and Daniel agreed.

We found a place deep in the forest patch and settled in for the night. Before we did, I suggested we take turns patrolling and standing watch—in hopes that that would let Daniel get some rest. Even Hayley agreed. We could see the toll this was taking on Daniel, when he was still recovering from his accident, and we really needed him in top shape for the next step of persuading these people to listen to us.

Part of my plan, too, was to take first round, and that way, if Daniel still wanted to talk, he could slip out with me. Except Rafe offered to share my shift and I couldn't say much about that.

We headed out to patrol so we wouldn't disturb the others. After we'd circled the campsite a few times, Rafe caught my hand and tugged me behind some bushes.

“I think we're supposed to be standing guard,” I said.

“Mmm, maybe, but that sounds like a token protest.”

His hands circled my waist. I hesitated, about to say it wasn't a token protest, that we had to be on guard in case the werewolf—or anyone else—came out here and found strangers sleeping in the forest.

Even as I thought that, though, I felt silly. Paranoid. The forest was silent. There was nothing wrong with a brief break. God knows, a few days ago, I wouldn't even have thought of protesting—just one look in Rafe's eyes and caution be damned. Another sign I was stressed and anxious, I guess.

I kissed him and it only took a moment for me to lose that hesitation. His fingers moved against my bare skin where my shirt had lifted from my jeans. I eased back and looked up at him, smiling lazily, my eyes half-closed, feeling drowsy and happy as his scent washed over me.

“This is when it's perfect,” he murmured. “When we're alone like this, when you kiss me like that, when you look at me this way. I see that and I don't have any doubts that this will work.”