“Don’t scare the help!” Wyatt shouted. “I can’t read the new girl. She doesn’t seem to like anyone in particular, but ever notice how she avoids Shepherd? His dickish personality doesn’t help either.”
Niko had observed a peculiar flare in her light, the colors indicative of fear or protectiveness. It was hard to read her completely since it took time to learn the nuances of a person’s light. She was acclimating well to her new surroundings and would eventually learn that she was safe here. Niko considered what her life must have been like, secluded with her father in rural Bulgaria. Something significant must have happened to have made her father, a Packmaster, live a life of isolation. If she’d never been around people, then it looked unlikely she’d ever form a relationship with anyone in Keystone, especially with her inability or unwillingness to learn English.
Despite her reticence, Kira was picking up basic words. When the others asked for coffee or a second helping of food, she understood. Maybe there were hand gestures that went along with those things, but Niko suspected otherwise.
Wyatt sipped his coffee. “It’s so nice to finally be alone with you.”
Niko furrowed his brow. “What do you mean? We were alone for two hours this evening.”
Wyatt’s light sparkled. “That’s not exactly true. Look, I wasn’t going to say anything since he was leaving me alone, but you’ve got a freshy following you around.”
Niko’s hair stood on end. “What makes you say that?”
“As long as he leaves me alone, I don’t care. The last tenants used to mess with me because they wanted attention, but not this guy. He just follows you around like a little shadow.”
A sinking feeling came over Niko. “What does he look like?”
Wyatt’s mug tapped against the desk. “Same guy who came running inside, looking for a Gravewalker on the night we found you fighting in the alley outside Flavors. Remember? I figured you two probably go way back. Is he from your village or something? You don’t look alike, but he’s got that Asian flavor.”
It could only be Plato. Niko turned his chair around so Wyatt couldn’t read his expression. Plato was the one presumed dead that night based on everyone’s descriptions. He was every bit as nasty and devious as Cyrus, and the fact he was following Niko in the afterlife made him even more dangerous. It meant he’d chosen not to move on so he could serve Cyrus. What secrets had he uncovered by now?
Niko steadied his voice. “He doesn’t speak to you?”
“Ghosties are unpredictable. It creeps me out, though. He’s always lurking—standing in doorways and watching. Not now. I guess he got lost in the mansion. It happens sometimes. Were you flashing earlier?”
“Briefly. Is it possible to lose him in a public place?”
Wyatt chuckled. “Most definitely. That’s why I could never get the specters out of the house. They were too scared that if they left, they wouldn’t find their way back to me, and I was their only connection to the living world. It’s not easy for them to spot Gravewalkers. They didn’t like tagging along during outings because the ones who went with me never came home. They get distracted by the living. They don’t seem to have a real sense of time, and if they lose you, they rarely ever find their way back. It’s easy for them to forget details. Some are sharp as a tack though, so you never can tell. You want to try to shake him off?”
Wyatt often mentioned how ghosts would forget their life as time went by, but the new ones were still caught up in it. If Plato discovered Niko’s secrets, all he would need to do was find another Gravewalker willing to listen. Not all would, but if he pointed them toward Cyrus to pay their fee, the consequences could be catastrophic.
“Something wrong, buddy?”
Niko reclined his head against the back of the chair. “There’s nothing we can do about his presence. Even if I lose him in public, he’ll find me again.”
“It’s your call. Some get confused about their death right after, but a lot of them are all wrapped up in unfinished business. Strong emotions like anger or love keep them lucid, especially if they have a goal. Maybe he just wants to hear you say you’re sorry for killing him, or maybe he wants to stick around and wait for your death. They’re morbid little boogers.”
“I didn’t kill him. Can nothing be done?”
“I’ll keep ignoring him. Maybe he’ll get bored and take a hike. If you ever want to give him the slip when we’re out somewhere and he’s tagging along, just let me know.”
“I’m more concerned about what he’ll see and learn from us.”
“You can’t keep secrets from the dead.”
How much Plato had already seen or overheard, Niko could only guess. The one thing Plato didn’t know was where to find the book—the one Niko had stolen from Cyrus centuries ago. The one hidden within the walls of Keystone.
Niko wrinkled his nose. “Did you just take off your boots?”
“My feet need to breathe.”
“Your feet need a mint.”
Wyatt’s voice grew sullen. “What if something happened to them? Viktor’s our leader. What happens to us then?”
Niko sighed, no words of wisdom to offer. “It will be the end of Keystone.”
Chapter 31
The water in my hair turned to ice, my skin frozen from the wind blasting against it as I ran across the uneven terrain. Flashing kept me warm, but it also depleted my energy, so I only did it intermittently. We’d passed Viktor’s wolf, but it wouldn’t take him too long to catch up. Christian shadowed up a steep hill ahead of me, and I slowed down for the arduous climb. When I reached the top, twinkling lights came into view below.
Christian crouched down. “Stay quiet while I listen.”
I turned around and shielded my breath inside my coat to muffle the sound and bring heat to my body. As much as I wanted to collapse from exhaustion, I’d never be able to get back up, so I remained standing. The temperatures were unbelievably cold, and it was a wonder I hadn’t died in the water. My core energy continued burning within me, a reminder of my immortality.
“They’ve already loaded her on,” Christian said softly. “The ship’s destined for Greenland.”
I crouched next to him, keeping my voice as quiet as possible. “Temple?”
“Aye, he’s down there, from the chatter I’ve heard. I can only hear the ones who are yelling, so they can’t hear our whispers. Especially with the wind blowing in our favor. No talking when we go down. Stay alongshore—the tide will drown out our footsteps.”
I looked to my right at the black ocean that went on forever. If they took off before we could stop them, this would be the end of the line. “What’s the plan when we get down there?”
He rose to his feet, black coat flapping in the wind. “I don’t get the sense the men running the ship work for him. He probably pads their wallets to haul his special cargo. Right now they’re waiting on a truck delivery with a final load before heading out.” Christian turned to face me, ice coating his short beard. “You find the girl. I’ll take care of Temple.”
“That hardly sounds like fun.”