“We’re not supposed to see you for a while. Especially Oanen. They took away his phone and have forbidden him from leaving the house for five days. Once they know he can control his urges to see you, they will allow him to leave the house, but he’s done attending the Academy until you receive your mark.”
Here and there, heat caressed me from the inside only to disappear. The Council was taking everything from me. My friends. The only family I had now. Even though I couldn’t feel my anger, I could feel the overwhelming sensation of being alone and trapped.
I tried to stay focused on Eliana as she continued her story.
“The Quills were supposed to take my phone away, but I promised them I wouldn’t text you without permission. When I got your last message, I knew someone needed to tell you what was going on before you lost control completely. I used heavy makeup as a bargaining chip. A week of makeup for an hour to talk to you.”
My hands shook. I lived alone in the house where my mom had abandoned me; yet, my life had never before felt so controlled and managed by others.
“I know you’re angry, Megan. Oanen is too. So am I. We just need to prove to the Council that he and I have nothing to do with the speed of your progress. Honestly, they should know that already. Look at me, right?”
“You’re walking proof that they’re right. Because of me, you’re wearing makeup. Don’t you see? We’re all pawns on a chessboard to them. They move us around to manipulate our actions and reactions to each other. Now, the Council is taking you and Oanen out of the equation. Since we know you two aren’t hindering anything—I mean, look at how fast these new abilities appeared—we have to ask ourselves why. Why are they separating us? Do they want a certain reaction out of one of us? What do they hope to accomplish?”
I took a deep, slow breath and let go of her hand.
“You should go. Let Oanen know I’m thinking of him.”
She stood and gave me another hug.
“I will. I’d tell you to behave but…” She lifted a shoulder and gave me a knowing grin.
“I’ll give ‘em hell when I’m ready.”
She nodded and left.
For the rest of the night, I dwelled on the possible reasons behind the Quills’ and Adira’s decision.
I looked at the phone number and hesitated to answer. Last time an unknown number had contacted me, I’d found a dead body in the alley of the Roost. While discovering that body had, ultimately, helped catch the murderer, I wasn’t up for any super sleuthing today. After waking up to a yard full of snow, I wasn’t in the mood for anything more than a day binge-watching TV.
The phone stopped ringing, but a moment later a text message came through.
We require your assistance. Please meet me at the Quills’ in twenty minutes. Adira.
I tapped out a quick reply.
I thought I wasn’t allowed anywhere near Oanen or Eliana. You wouldn’t want to keep me from reaching my true potential, would you?
Her reply was immediate.
Of course not. That’s why we’ll keep the meeting brief. See you soon.
I growled, turned off the TV, and got ready. In less than five minutes, I was on the road.
“Maybe this is a test,” I told myself. “If I do well, they’ll let me spend time with Oanen and Eliana. If I don’t do well, maybe they’ll kick me out of their crap town.” I grinned at that thought. Outside of Uttira, I’d finally have a chance at gaining the answers I needed.
“So, I either need to play this really cool or lose my shit completely. There can be no middle ground,” I warned myself. And since the likelihood of them kicking me out was low, I knew I’d need to try to play nice.
When I reached the Quills’ house, I parked in the neatly plowed driveway. As usual, Mrs. Quill opened the door well before I reached it.
“Hello, Megan,” she said with a welcoming smile.
“I can’t decide what’s real or not with you,” I said instead of a polite greeting. “I mean, do you honestly like me? It’s hard to say when I’m not welcome in your home unless I can serve some menial purpose. Speaking of...what can I do for you today?”
I couldn’t believe I’d managed to get all those words out while keeping a smile on my face. Oanen’s mother’s smile, however, had faded.
“We never meant for you to feel used or unwelcome. We’re only trying to do what’s best for both of you.”
“Right,” I said. “Because actually giving answers and guidance doesn’t do anyone any good. Got it. Now, what was it I could do for you?”
“We have someone in the study we would like you to meet.”
“Lead the way,” I said, fighting to keep my cheery smile.
I followed her up the stairs to the familiar study where Adira and Mr. Quill already sat with another woman. She was petite, blonde, and only a blip in my wicked radar. She was also much older than any of the other recruits.
“Megan,” Adira said. “I’d like you to meet Uttira’s new liaison officer, Anne Regan.”
I stood there for a moment, unsure what to feel. I hadn’t ever really wanted to be a liaison. Yet, the idea of someone else keeping an eye on the kids I’d okayed to live here felt wrong. Mostly, I felt set up, again. It felt like they were trying to control me in some way. Or maybe my reaction.
“Anne Regan, did the Council tell you what I am?”
“I’m sorry, no.”
“Don’t be sorry. Be aware. I’m a fury. I’ve been told I’m supposed to punish the wicked.”
“You are, Megan,” Adira said.
“And yet, you stopped me, Adira.” I focused on Anne again. “They say they have our best interests at heart. And those of the humans. I can’t say I’ve seen much proof of that, though. Watch those in the Council closely. Stand up for the humans. And, don’t ever let me find out you’re doing otherwise.”
I turned and started out of the room.
“Aren’t you going to ask about Oanen?” Adira said.
“Don’t toy with me, Adira. I’m young and inexperienced now, but I won’t always be.”
I walked out of the study and almost collided with a wide-eyed Eliana. She grabbed my hand and led me down the stairs.
“I heard,” she whispered when we reached the front door. “I’m sorry they took that away from you.”
“It’s no big deal. They said it would be temporary. I better go. I don’t want to get you in trouble.”
She grinned slightly.
“After your parting comment, I don’t think they’re going to do anything to upset you for a while.” She hugged me tightly. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I left the house with a heavier heart than when I’d entered. When I reached my car, I looked back and caught sight of Oanen in a third-floor window. He stood there with his hands in his front pockets as he watched me. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking or feeling in that moment, but I knew what he needed from me.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said.
A hint of a smile curved his lips, and I knew he’d heard me.
Thirteen
“Mr. and Mrs. Quill, I’ve come for your son,” I said to myself, grinning widely as I put on my jacket. “I mean to do right by him and won’t take no for an answer.”
Obviously, I’d been watching too many reruns in the last twenty-four hours.
Last night, I had decided to wait until after lunch today before I returned to the Quills’ home. My decision had been less about the time of day and more about the amount of time I would need to mentally prepare myself for the unannounced visit. All morning, I’d tried to come up with something clever to say when I got there. Something persuasive that might reverse their decision to keep me from Oanen and Eliana. However, I wasn’t any closer to being prepared now than I’d been last night. It didn’t matter. I refused to put off my visit. I needed Oanen.
I locked up the house and got serious as I moved toward the car. Mr. and Mrs. Quill would likely tell me to get lost. However, I hoped my comments to Mrs. Quill yesterday would at least get them to hear me out. It frustrated me that I didn’t even know the real reason they were trying to keep Oanen and me apart.
“Why is honesty such a hard concept for so many people?” I mumbled to myself.
I pulled out onto the road and hoped I wouldn’t come to regret what I was about to do.
Fifteen minutes later, I parked in front of Oanen’s house. He was at the window and watched me get out of the car.