Chapter 22
Demi-Frére
Rae sprinted across the school grounds, back towards her dorm. Whatever happened to Devon would be her fault, through her own doing or her family’s, and she wouldn’t stand for it. She vowed to fix this, whatever the cost. Too angry with the dean to think straight, she barged past someone on the sidewalk and then realized after she had passed him, who it was. She stopped and called out. “Julian!”
“You okay?” The concern on his face appeared genuine.
“The dean told me Devon’s missing. Does the Privy Council really think he’s been kidnapped?”
Julian nodded. “I was on my way to find you. At the moment, it looks that way. Or he’s gone AWOL with the journal.” The last part came out mumbled but Rae didn’t miss it. He paused and dug his hand into the pocket of his jeans. “I’ve been with the Privy Council all day. I came back to shower and grab a few things and got summoned back. I’m going to head over to the Privy Council’s main office.” He looked around to see if anyone was watching. “I can’t take you, but I know we’ll be looking for Devon. Why don’t I leave you my keys? I’ll text you if we find anything and…maybe, just by chance, you’re in the same area.” He winked, pressing the metal into her hand.
Rae took the keys. “Won’t you need the car to get there?” She glanced down at the weight in her hand, realizing Devon’s keys were also attached to Julian’s. The Swiss Army Knife she had bought him for Christmas lay in her palm. A lump formed in her throat and her eyes turned glossy. She held her breath, terrified the tears would fall. Rae quickly shoved the key chain in her pocket.
“I’m…uh…getting a lift.” Julian rubbed his neck.
Rae glanced around the empty sidewalk. She understood his urge to do what was required of him, and appreciated his need to help her. She loved him for that. He also knew more than the Privy Council how much help she would actually be to them. She checked the empty fields around them and noticed the quiet of the early evening. “The grounds are deserted.”
“It’s Friday. I think everyone’s headed into town to catch a movie or go out for dinner.” Julian checked his watch. “Will you be alright?”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll wait for your text…maybe go for a drive.” She shrugged and turned to go.
“We’ll find him. Hey, Rae?” The worry in Julian’s voice stopped her. He tugged his hair into a ponytail. “This isn’t your fault.”
She stared at the worn rubber on the front of her sneaker. “It sure feels like it. The dean seems to think so, too. It’s either because of me or my father.”
“Don’t blame yourself.” Julian shifted his weight. “I’m gonna pass on some information the president of the Privy Council taught me. We were talking about the future and the past with my drawings. He explained how the past can be a tricky thing.” He paused and rubbed his chin. “In your case, your dad left quite a destructive wave. You may always have to deal with it in your life, but that doesn’t make it your fault.” He came over and pulled her into a tight hug. “Dev’s strong and very smart. He can look after himself.”
Silent, Rae squeezed Julian firmly, wishing she could believe him, trying to take comfort from his stalwart support and presence. With startling clarity, she realized Julian was the one person she had trusted without reservation, ever since her arrival at Guilder. The realization made her feel guilty that she couldn’t really say that about Devon, even if it wasn’t important now.
“Uh—Ra-Rae—That’s too tight—” Julian huffed.
“Oh, sorry.” She dropped her arms to her sides. “I kinda forget about my tatù when my emotions run high.”
Julian rubbed his side. “No worries. I like bruised ribcages.” A small smile touched his lips, but then he turned serious. “I really need to get going. You sure you’re okay walking to your dorm?”
“I’ll be fine. It’s not like anybody’s going to magically appear and grab me. I’ll just hug and crush ’em.” She smiled, not even attempting to laugh at her own bad joke. “Get going and let me know the minute you hear anything.”
Julian nodded and jogged away. Rae slowly walked towards Aumbry House. The early night seemed even more quiet now. The dark clouds hanging heavy with rain made it seem darker than normal. Her hands deep in her pockets and her head down, she made her way up the path. She concentrated on taking two steps between the cement squares on the sidewalk avoiding the cracks, anything to avoid reality. The more she tried not to think, the harder she thought, the faster her heartbeat and the more her soul tugged her in the direction she really wanted to go. “Screw this,” she finally mumbled, breaking into a run. She would figure out a way to find Devon herself, no waiting.
Using the levitation tatù, she flew up the stairs to her room, glad no one was around to talk to her or slow her down.
She froze when she got to her bedroom door. Unlocked and slightly ajar, she heard rustling and a desk door slamming shut. Her first reaction was to scream, but she held back when she thought Devon might be inside. She shoved the door open and ran in, wildly glancing around. Her heart almost stopped when Nic, sitting in her chair, leaned back and dropped his feet onto her desk.
“I’ve been waiting for you.” He smiled; a menacing shadow crossed his face.
“You can’t break into my room,” Rae shook her head. She never expected this. “Nic, I don’t know what’s up with you but you need to get out. I’m kinda busy.”
He interlaced his fingers behind his head. “I’ve got time. Tell me about it.”
“No!” she shouted, the rage inside of her boiling over. “Get out of my freakin’ room, a*shole!”
His jaw dropped. “Wow. Guilder’s most sacred daughter has a potty-mouth.”
“Just get out of my room before I make you leave.” Then a thought struck her. The idea of him possibly going through her personal belongings sparked more anger. Has he been here before? Did HE take the journal? He couldn’t have, how would he know about it? Her hand still on the doorknob, she didn’t realize she had broken it off until she glanced down and saw it in her palm. “So help me, Nic, if you’re pulling a Lanford.”
His eyebrows went up. “Pulling a Lanford?”
“You know, pretending to be the good guy, pretending to be my friend.”
“I came here to see if you needed my help. My skills. What’s with the bad mood?” He put a hand to his face in mock horror. “Whatever could be the problem? A fight with your boyfriend?”
This was totally not Nicholas. Something about the way he moved, and his facial expressions didn’t seem like his own. He looked like Nic but—Oh no! It can’t be. Could it? Camouflage could be done in many different forms. “What’s with you?”
“I’m pissed off. And I’m tired off all the bull-shit,” He punched the top of the desk.
You’re tired of the bull-shit? Get in line buddy. “Why don’t you go and find your new girlfriend? Lay your problems on her.”
“Nah.” He laughed, leaning the chair back so it rested on its rear legs. “So you know it’s me?” Nicholas’ body seemed to shiver and shake so fast he looked blurry. Mere seconds later, Kraigan sat in the exact same spot. He grabbed an apple Rae had left on the desk. He tossed it into the air. “She’s probably with your boyfriend.”
“Screw off.” I can’t freakin’ believe this. My life is one bloody nightmare.
“How’d you know it was me?” He didn’t even wait for her reply. “I just picked that up the other day. It’s wacked.” Kraigan grinned and bit into the apple. “You know what they say—”
Rae forced air through her nose and willed herself to stay calm. “Look. I’m sorry for the other day. I don’t know what ticked you off—”
He tutted loudly and cut her off. “They say: keep your friends close—and your enemies closer.” His eyes narrowed as he stared at her.
When did I become your enemy? I’m the only one around here whose been helping you. She checked her watch. She needed to get out of here and start figuring out where to find Devon.
Tempted to use a wind tatù and send him flying backwards, Rae hesitated when she pictured him going through the window to his death. That wouldn’t be good. My emotions are too messed to try anything without thinking I’ll screw them up. She clenched her jaw tight and hissed. “I’ll try to remember that. Now get out.” She gestured to the door.
“Now—now, is that any way to treat family?” Kraigan grinned darkly, while Rae’s mind spun, trying to make sense of the words.
“We’re not family, dickhead. Get out!”
Kraigan stared at her intently. “Look closely. Don’t you see it? Don’t you feel the connection?”
This—this is madness. It has to be. Yet, Rae’s gut told her that this, finally, was truth. Where she had been denying her gut instincts all year, finally, she knew this was truth, even as her brain struggled to find a way to refute it.
He jumped up and stepped towards her. On instinct, she moved back, bumping into the wall. “Haven’t you clued into anything, yet?” Kraigan snapped. “Or are you really that stupid?”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Rae glanced behind his shoulder. She had allowed him to block the doorway. Dumb move, Kerrigan.
“You’re a bit dense, but I never took you for a full-fledged idiot.” He shook his head and threw his hands in the air. “I guess I need to spell this out for you.! Look at me! I’m your brother! Half-brother—and not the stupid half.”
“What?” Blood rushed to her ears, deafening her for a moment. She sank back against the wall, thankful it was there to support her as everything clicked into place. “I don’t have a brother.”
Staring at him and taking in the familiar hair and other characteristics that suddenly seemed so blatantly obvious, she saw it. He looks like Dad. She smiled, despite the disgusting truth of the situation. He had been using her, like everybody else. Everything had been a game to him, just a move to get into the right position. She was oddly relieved. Her constant war with her conscience and her gut now made sense. She had instinctively known that he was out to screw her over. Well, screw you too. “Shame he left you in an orphanage. Seems he cared less for you than me.”
Kraigan barked a harsh laugh, which sounded like her father’s. How had she missed it? How had everyone else? “Nah, that’s just my cover. I had to spend two an’ a half freakin’ years in that hell-hole, pretending I had no idea about tatùs. Then I had to come here, to this crappy place.”
“You’ve always known?” she whispered, not wanting to believe the truth standing right in front of her. Why hadn’t he told her sooner?
“That you’re my half-sister?” He nodded and let out a loud breath. “It’s so annoying. Dad never meant to have a daughter, but when your mom refused to have more kids, he took matters into his own hands. He figured out how to guarantee tatùs and lineage.” Kraigan pointed his tatù, hidden under his sleeve. “My mother’s tatùed as well. It guaranteed I’d get a crossbred tatù, the stronger tatù being the dominant carrier. He’d been planning it all since his days here at Guilder. That is, until your bloody mother screwed everything up and went off and killed him.” His voice rose with his anger.
“He knew about you?” This is unbelievable!
“Hell, yeah. I’m willing to bet there are more of us out there.” He sneered. “You were his only mistake, though. I was like five when he got murdered, but I can still remember him telling me as a kid what a blunder you were. I vowed I’d make him proud.”
Rae stood staring at the younger image of her father. She knew she had to do something. Thoughts tumbled around like clothes in a dryer. Why didn’t I see it sooner? Why didn’t I guess? What the heck’s his tatù? I should’ve listened to Julian.
“I’ll give you credit for one thing, at least you have a bit of Dad in you,” Kraigan said. “You’re willing to go against Guilder and Privy Council rules to date a fellow tatù-ee.” He crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes mocking her. “Why so surprised? You didn’t think anyone could figure it out? It’s so obvious, it’s disgusting. But what I wanna know is; why choose a useless, weak tatù? I don’t get it. Your little fennec fox boy has become annoying.” He rolled his eyes and leaned against the doorframe. “Someone had to remove him from the equation. Him and his little right-hand fortune teller. Ponytail-boy is next.”
He’s got Devon? So help me, I’ll fight to death to protect him. Rae snapped out of her frozen state and glared at him. “So help me, if you hurt Dev-”
“What?” he sneered and then laughed. “You’re going to get me?” He wobbled his knees against each other and waved his arms in front of her. “I’m shaking in my boots, big sis.”
“You used your tatù to trick me, my friends--”
“Your friends?” He snorted. “The gas was meant for you, not Maria. And the same goes for the rigged doorframe. Both excellent plans, both blundered by idiots. It seems I have to do everything myself if I want it done right.”
“Wait. What?” He’s responsible for hurting my friends? She scowled at him. “I trusted you. You are scum! You are nothing! A boy who barely knows how to use his tatù!” Even Rae flinched at the venom in her voice. “Where is Devon?”
“Like I’m going to simply stand here and tell you…or even let you know if he’s alive,” he said but stopped mocking her and straightened, legs spread shoulder width apart.
Rae searched thru her tatùs, searching for a specific gift. She found the hum she needed and grabbed his wrist in a vice like grip so he couldn’t break free. Staring at Kraigan’s shocked expression, she focused on finding Devon’s location through his thoughts, like she had done to Devon at the beginning of the year to see his room. “If you think Dad had powers,” she hissed. “You don’t even know the half of it. Whatever he had, I have his strength tenfold and I don’t need to retouch a freakin’ person to use their ability.” She tapped her forehead with her index finger. “It’s all in here for me to call on.” She dug deeper into Kraigan’s thoughts and found Devon.
He was still alive, but it appeared barely. Beaten, blindfolded, and tied to a chair in a crappy motel about ten miles from Guilder. Using all her strength, Rae shoved Kraigan back and sent a gust of wind to knock him through her door and onto the hallway floor. His head bonked hard against the banister and he slumped to the floor.
She took off running past him. Did I knock him out? He groaned, but strangely he didn’t pursue her.