Chapter 3
Julian
Rae dropped down beside Devon. He pressed two fingers against the side of her neck and dipped his ear close to her ears and mouth.
“She’s got a pulse. It’s all over the place and her breathing is really shallow.” He shifted and scooped Rae’s friend into his arms. “Get the door and race ahead to the Infirmary. Tell them she’s hurt and unconscious.”
Rae’s heart felt all over the place as well. Scared, she switched to a Cheetah tatù, zoomed over to the Infirmary, and grabbed the first uniform she saw. A nurse. “We just found Maria passed out on the floor.” She gasped to catch her breath. “Devon’s carrying her over here right—”
As she spoke he burst through the front door. Maria still in his arms but semi-conscious. She moaned and dropped her head back.
“Follow me,” the nurse barked and led them to the first room. She pointed to the bed and pulled a plastic red bobble connected to a string. A buzzer went off somewhere in another part of the building.
Devon gently set Maria down and stood close to Rae. “She was out when we found her at the entrance to the Oratory. She started coming around once we were outside.”
A doctor walked in as Devon spoke. He stuck a stethoscope to Maria’s chest and touched her forehead. “She’s warm.”
Maria moved under his hand and her eyes fluttered open. They grew wide with fear and she lurched into a sitting position, only to weakly drop back against the bed. She stared at Rae. “What happened?”
Rae shook her head not sure what to say.
“It appears you fainted,” the doctor said. “Devon and Rae found you. They brought you to the Infirmary. When’s the last time you had something to drink?”
“A bit…maybe this morning. I don’t remember.” Maria rubbed her nose.
“Let’s run a few tests and get your set up with an IV. I believe you’re a tad dehydrated.” He looked at Rae and Devon. “She’s fine. She just needs some liquids and rest. You two can go.”
Relief flooded through Rae. “Do you want me to stay?”
Maria gave her a small smile. “I’m alright. Stupid me for not drinking more water. I’ll call you once I’ve rested.”
“If I don’t hear from you,” Rae said with a grin, “I’m coming back here and camping out till you’re released. And I’ll bring a guitar that I have no idea how to play and sing camp fire songs at the top of my lungs.” Giddy that her friend was okay, she couldn’t help but tease.
Devon chuckled beside her. “I’m not coming back if she’s doing that. Get better and take care of yourself.”
“I will. I promise.” Maria gave a small wave and turned her attention to the waiting doctor.
Satisfied she was okay, Rae and Devon left the Infirmary and headed down the path back to Aumbry House. They entered through the enormous wooden door with its stained glass windows, and went up the marble stairs. Rae led the way to her chosen room, idly thinking how nice it would be to have her own space this year. Chosen for the beautiful view from the oriel windows, the room was directly above the one she had shared with Molly the previous year. The buildings across, the grounds below and surrounding forest seemed picturesque and worth more than any painting she had ever seen. They had been in such a hurry before. Now, she had a chance to take in the view. The room had plenty of space, with a bed, desk, built-in closets and even a leather loveseat. Chocolate and taupe were the décor colors, just as they had been the previous year.
“I’m glad Maria’s okay. That was crazy.” Devon moved one of the suitcases they’d dumped in the room in their rush to get to the Oratory.
“The whole day’s been crazy.” Wanting to forget about Carter’s depressing words and the scare of finding Maria, Rae focused on the room. “Glad to be able to come back to my own room. I love Molly, but I could use a bit of privacy.” She spread her arms wide. “I’ve got space!”
“It’s nice. Probably one of the only times I’ll be up here.” Devon shrugged and grinned. “You know Madame Elpis and her rules.” He switched to a nasal sounding voice. “Doors open if a boy is in here. Better to nip evil in the butt than tempt it.” He winked and sounding normal again added, “It’s also too risky. I don’t want us to get caught and people assume. Then the gossip starts.” Molly. That’s who he’s referring to. His gaze traveled to the windows. “Wait till you see my place on the top floor of Joist.”
Before he could tell her more, she grabbed his elbow and grinned slyly. My turn to impress. “Watch what I learned to do this summer.” She put her fingertips lightly on his temples. “Picture your room in your mind.” Rae closed her eyes to concentrate. She had only tried this a few times and hoped she could pull it off. Exhaling, she zoned in.
An image of his dorm suite flashed into her mind. There were two rooms. He showed her his bedroom, lingering on his bed. Rae felt warmth spreading through her stomach again. He coughed and shifted, then showed her his office with a large desk and a leather chair in front and behind it. Along the wall, across from a couch, were a ton of bookshelves, already three-quarters full.
Rae opened her eyes.
“Strange, I could actually see you seeing it.” Devon stared intently into her eyes.
Rae nodded, suddenly nervous. Did he think her strange now? Having spent the whole summer apart, and coming back to find changes in him and changes in her environment that she had not expected, she suddenly felt nervous about what he would think of her. She held her breath. “I’m pretty sure I can do it without you noticing as well.”
“I’d better not forget that part.” Devon stepped back but kept his hands resting lightly on her hips, as if knowing that she needed that reassuring touch. “I’m impressed. Where’d you pick it up?”
“Shopping on Fifth Ave. I accidentally bumped the clerk’s hand when I went to pay. Got her tatù along with my change. It took me about an hour to figure it out.” Rae shrugged. “I bet she uses it in the shop to get a picture of what customers are looking for. I wasn’t sure until I tried it out on my Aunt Linda’s cat.”
“You tried it on a cat?” Disbelief covered Devon’s handsome face.
“Totally cool, but the vision came out weird. Cats see different than we do, and it took me a bit to figure out. I tried when the cat was sleeping and the first time, she took off under the bed. A bit later, I tried doing it again. This time, she didn’t notice. She dreamt about catching a mouse. I couldn’t believe it.” She touched his arm. “Different vision than ours. All black, white and grey. I got the impression he just wanted me to leave him alone. I finally asked Uncle Argyle if I could try it on him.” She did not add that he had pictured her mother and compared how much she looked and acted like her mom.
“You’re one freaky chick.” Devon grinned, his dimple appearing. “That’s a pretty amazing ability.”
“I’m not a freak!” She jokingly punched his arm. “The girl works at Macy’s. If she was given the opportunity to go to a school like Guilder…who knows what she’d be doing instead.”
“There’s a college in America. I don’t know much about it. She probably didn’t pick up you were tatùed. I mean, she’d have to see your tatù. She might have gone to the US school, who knows. Shoot, she might even know about the infamous Kerrigan family.” He scratched his head. “The US has their own Privy Council. There’s also a Great Royal Council that meets several times a year, kinda like the United Nations.”
Great. Now I’m talked about internationally. “How come I haven’t been taught any of this?”
“You will. Most of the politics are taught during your senior year. The years prior are spent on preparing for your sixteenth birthday.”
“Ohhh…” She sighed, tired of worrying about what she did not know. Most kids in the tatù community started learning about their special place in the world and what their future might hold at a young age, around eleven or twelve. They had a parent sit them down and answer their questions; they had years at Guilder to prepare for their powers. She had not had any of that. She had been unceremoniously thrust into this world the previous year. The constant reminders that she had a lot of catching up to do weighed on her more than she let on. Right now, it was the last thing she wanted to think about. “Do you want to head downstairs? Give me a few minutes to change my clothes and freshen up?” She had just spent ten hours on a plane, a car ride, sweating over what Carter told them, and then the scare with Maria. Quite the first day on my return to Guilder.
Devon bent down to gently run his lips and nose along her neck. “You look and smell awesome. I’m glad you’re back. I’ll go find Julian and meet you in front of Aumbry House in, say, twenty minutes?” He disappeared down the hall, giving her the space she needed. Silly boy…only twenty minutes?
Thirty minutes later, Rae ran down the black and white marble stairs and out the front doors. Devon sat on the steps chatting with Julian. She paused by the door and smiled as she watched the two of them. Julian seemed to have gotten lean the same way Devon had.
He jumped up when he saw her and released a low whistle as he spread his arms wide. “You look awesome. A tan and New York have done you good.”
“How was your summer?” Rae hugged him tight. He had kept his dark hair long and still had a mystical appeal about him, like an artist who had already discovered himself. The difference in his face came from his eyes; they held a mischievous glint that hadn’t been there the last time she had seen him.
“Awesome. I mean, Dev’s my best bud and all, but hanging out with him the entire summer at the PC Academy made it drag a tad.” He sidestepped the playful swing Devon sent his way. “I’ve been asked to do some freelance work for the Privy Council.”
Devon chuckled. “I’m not sure if they want your talent or your artwork.” Though he was still learning how to use his tatù, Julian had the ability to draw pictures of future events.
Rae laughed. “Maybe they own an art gallery and are putting your pieces up under an assumed name, making millions.” She smiled, happy to see Julian again. Another Privy Council worker? Devon and Julian are so young! Sounds like the secret squirrels are in dire need of new recruits.
“You two are real comedians.” Julian shook his head. “So, how’d you survive without him?” He nodded towards Devon. Julian was the only person who knew of their relationship; the only one they had trusted with the knowledge. Although considering his gift, it might have been impossible to hide it from him.
“Just fine, goof.” She rolled her eyes pretending to be all ticked off and also wondering if Julian knew Devon had barely contacted her over the holidays. He must…if they worked together.
Devon stepped over and put his arm around Rae, pausing there a moment longer than a friend would. “Julian, you still up for some training tonight? I got the security password for the Oratory.”
“Hell yeah, but wouldn’t you rather hang out with Rae tonight?” Julian grinned as he stared at the two of them. Rae resisted the urge to send a gust of wind in his direction and knock him, and his silly smirk, off his feet.
“I bet Rae’d be interested in coming along with us,” Devon said.
Me? “Train?” Forgetting about knocking Julian over, she turned so she could see them both at the same time. They had better not be joking. “Does this involve combat with our powers? I’m up for that!” She bounced on the balls of her feet, and then crouched down into a fighting position. “I’m ready. Let’s try it now.”
Julian snorted, pretending to take on a defensive position, and shifting his feet apart. “I’m in, as well, but I think I’ll wait ’til tonight.” He walked down the steps, calling over his shoulder, “Plus, who would want to miss watching Devon get his butt kicked by a girl?”
“I got a feeling Rae’s gonna kick yours first.” The corners of Devon’s mouth twitched. “I think we’ve got a couple of minutes now. If you’d like her to wipe the floor with you.”
Julian turned around and took a step back towards them. “I’d hate to beat a girl in public, but if you’re up for the challenge…”
Flicking her fingers, Rae sent a burst of wind that had Julian stumbling backwards, fighting to catch his balance.
Devon put his hands up between them. “Let’s save it for later then, shall we?” His attempt to keep a straight face broke when he winked at Rae.
Hours later, Rae whispered to Devon and Julian as the three headed to the Oratory after dinner. “So, do you guys train every night?”
“Why are you whispering? There’s no one about.” Julian tied his hair into a ponytail.
“Sorry. It just seems like I should,” Rae continued, still whispering.
“We don’t get to spar every day now, but it’s fun.” Devon opened the door to the Oratory.
He headed across the large room to switch on the lights, but Rae decided to save him the trouble. She summoned Molly’s tatù and flicked her index finger. The room flooded with brightness. Devon paused mid-stride.
Julian chuckled. “You may be able to see in the dark, Dev, but she’s got you beat.” Devon’s fennec fox tatù gave him speed and agility, excellent night vision and an incredible jumping talent to boot.
“She’s got both of us beat, Juls.” Devon winked at her.
“Sorry, just trying to help.” Rae blushed, glad Devon didn’t care if her tatù was more powerful than his.
“Wait till you see the gadgets we get to use.” Julian nudged Rae before walking to the center of the room to face Devon. He stopped about ten paces away from him.
“Why don’t you have a seat by the wall, Rae? Nothing should go flying, but you never know.” Devon’s eyes and body were focused on Julian.
She walked over to the wall. Using the old headmaster Lanford’s tatù of levitation, she effortlessly sat in midair. She swung her feet, enjoying the feeling of sitting weightless. It never got boring, this tatù life.
She crossed her ankles and clasped her hands together. Fascinated to be watching the boys for the first time, she could not wait to see Devon in action. It seems incredibly heroic and so romantic at the same time.
Devon and Julian each dropped into a crouch and began circling each other. Julian took a step towards Devon, who countered.
Devon quickly faked to the right and shifted left. Julian reacted as if he knew exactly where Devon was going to go, and they collided. A split second later, Devon jumped over the top of Julian and pinned his arms behind his back. The boys separated and repeated the drill several more times.
Enthralled, Rae watched. Julian’s learned something new with his tatù. It looked like he didn’t need to draw everything anymore, and where future events used to appear at random, he could predict moves before they occurred. Like he can preread Devon’s moves.
Then they switched to a new exercise. Julian grabbed two long sticks. They reminded Rae of light sabers from Star Wars. The two boys danced around the room battling back and forth. Devon struck a marked hit on Julian. Instead of gloating, he explained to Julian how he beat his defenses.
“I’ve been thinking about how to get around your ability to predict my moves. I figured if I considered a number of possibilities at once, but followed my gut instinct, it might confuse you.”
Devon crouched again, pointed to Julian’s knees and beckoned. Julian moved, protecting his legs. They danced, fighting and shouting as they crashed around the room. Julian jumped when Devon scored a marked hit on his heart.
“How’d you do that?” Julian rubbed his chest.
Devon wiped the sweat dripping from his brow. “I wanted you to think about covering your right side. I kept thinking the same thing but let my instinct aim for your heart.”
“It worked. My vision went blank when your brain wasn’t telling your body what to do. Great tactic and one I’m definitely going to need to be aware of.” Julian wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand and grabbed his water bottle off the floor. “I need to focus on how to get around it.”
“Hey, Rae. Do you want to try this with Julian?”
Rae jumped off her invisible chair. “Sure.” She ran to Devon’s spot and grabbed his saber. Watching the guys for the past forty minutes had given her a good idea of how to mimic their actions and she was dying to try.
“Take it easy on her,” Devon warned.
Julian almost spurted his water out, just managing to swallow it. “You saying that because she’s a girl, or because it’s her first time?”
“Because if you hurt her, I’ll have to kill you.” Rae sensed some seriousness behind Devon’s joking manner.
Cute…but come on, it’s me. “I’ll be fine. These sticks don’t have points on them, and if Julian somehow manages to hurt me, I can heal myself with Charlie’s healing tatù..” She stuck her tongue out at Devon and then pointed the saber at Julian. “Just remember, I can’t use the healing tatù to fix you.”
“Alrighty, sweet-cakes. Your move.” Julian crouched into his ready position.
Hmmm… seems I need a more casual approach. She stood straight, facing right, stick swinging slightly in her hand. She waited for Julian, focusing her thoughts on him coming towards her and nothing else.
He relaxed and stood up. “Hey, are we gonna spa--”
At that exact moment, Rae levitated and flew over to him. She tapped his stick out of his hand. “Gotchya.”
Julian blinked, stared stunned at her and then at his stick. Devon laughed.
“Shall we try that again?” Rae asked sweetly, patting him on the shoulder before walking back to her spot.
“Sneaky little git,” Julian mumbled, picking his stick up and standing in the ready position.
Rae focused on his tatù. She began to understand what he had learned over the summer. She mimicked him, realizing he was doing the same.
“Hey! You can’t copy my tatù. We’ll spend the next ten minutes having you think about me thinking about you, concentrating on me while I concentrate on you. We’ll be running circles all night.”
Leaning against the wall, Devon rubbed his temples. “I’m already chasing circles in my head with what you just said.”
Devon’s interruption cut into Rae’s concentration, and she lost focus on Julian’s train of thought. He must have realized the gap because he came charging towards her. As he aimed to touch her shoulder, she easily leaned back away from his reach. He swung the stick down and she dropped to a lying position, levitating slightly above the ground. Whipping herself around into an upright position, she touched Julian’s back before he could turn to face her.
“That’s two for Rae.” Devon tried coughing to cover his laugh.
“She’s good,” Julian muttered. “Better than you.”
Devon stepped forward with a smirk that showed off the cute dimple Rae loved.
Unable to resist, she levitated over and kissed it. “Sorry, but I gotta sneak those in when I can.”
“You’d better get them in now. After you beat him and his pride to a pulp, he’s not going to let you.” Julian snickered, a twinkle in his eye. “Hey, Dev, why not have a go with the freeze-Tasers?”
“The what?” Rae’s eyebrows shot up. That sounds cool! Bring it on! She threw the stick aside and squinted to see what Julian tossed to Devon.
“These. Are. Awesome.” Devon held it out so she could see.
“It looks like a cordless razor.”
“Yeah, but when you hit the button and touch someone’s skin, it freezes them.”
“Like the game kids play--freeze tag?” Rae could not imagine how they worked or who in the world had invented them.
“Yeah, that’s the idea. It immobilizes you for about sixty seconds. I can zap Juls to show you.” Devon leapt in front of Julian.
“Hey!” Julian shouted, moving out of Devon’s reach.
Taking a taser, Rae stepped back to her position in the middle of the room. Devon stood about ten feet away, facing her. She squinted as she concentrated on his movements but could not seem to find a pattern to his actions. His tatù gave him agility, but his brain worked even faster. He had her tagged within thirty seconds.
“Whoah! You got me…I can’t move.” Rae struggled to move her arms. She screamed at her brain to tell her legs to run. It immobilized everything but her brain, and obviously her heart and whatever else she needed to breathe and stay alive. After getting over the initial panic, she relaxed. “Wow, this is really cool. I’m stuck!” She paused when a thought struck her. “I’m not going to fall over on my face, am I?”
“No, the freezing will wear off in twenty seconds.” Devon stared at his watch, slowly stepping backwards.
Rae counted in her head. One moment there was nothing and then, bam! Everything returned like it had never left. She lurched forward, not sure if her legs might still be frozen. She chuckled when she realized she was walking around with locked knees. Forcing them to act normal, she returned to her spot.
They tried several more goes, Devon freezing her again and again, until she started to see a pattern in his movements. He went on gut instinct but started to get careless and stepped too close. Rae finally froze him before he got his hand around to touch her.
“Got you.” She danced and taunted him as he stood frozen.
The moment the freezing lifted, he lurched forward. However, she anticipated his action and easily sidestepped his reach. She did a full turn and sensed Devon’s taser by her shoulder. She dropped, floating with her face towards the floor. She mimicked Julian’s power to see Devon’s thoughts. She hovered momentarily, sensing Devon staring at the tatù on her back. Her shirt had shifted, and it must have distracted him. Giggling, she took advantage of the opportunity and rolled over to tap him on the leg.
“Got you again.” She jumped up and did a victory dance close in front of him.
“Great shot.” Julian clapped. “Nice move to end on, in my opinion.”
“Sorry. I got preoccupied for a moment.” Devon winked at Rae. “Let’s call it a night. Rae’s gonna need her sleep. Chatter-bug Molly arrives tomorrow.” He leaned in and placed a long, soft kiss on her lips. “Good shot,” he whispered.
They jumped apart when the Oratory’s door slammed opened.