39.
Ty-Gavin-Whatever stormed up the steps calling Jag’s name. I could barely keep up with my mad-as-hell sister. At the last door on the right, Ty didn’t stop to knock, she simply barged in, bellowing for Jag. “Get out here and explain yourself!”
His room was clean and unused, with a bay window that opened onto a balcony. The ocean breeze ruffled the curtains amidst Ty’s foul language.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“He’s gone,” she said.
Her words punched me in the gut, eliminating my ability to breathe. Ty banged open closet doors and metal drawers, like Jag might be hiding in one of them.
“Gone?” My voice sounded much too high. That wasn’t true. Jag wouldn’t leave me. Not again.
“Yes, Vi. Gone.” Ty’s eyes flashed dangerously. She moved onto the balcony and yelled obscenities toward the water. “See?” She turned, holding a metallic rope in her hands. “Gone.” She flung the evidence away.
Jag had left me for, like, the fourth time. I felt lost without him. Numb. Empty.
I left Ty cursing on Jag’s balcony and shuffled down the hall, down the stairs, down to the lobby. Outside, the sun shone guilty rays on my bare skin. My feet carried me toward the beach. I dropped to my knees and closed my eyes as a hole opened in my soul.
Then a voice entered my mind, familiar and fatherly. Violet. You have the power to change the world.
Dad’s words echoed in my mind over the crashing surf.
I can help you remove the sticker. Zenn is desperate to see you.
A response formed, but I didn’t allow it to leave my mind. Dad knew my weaknesses. Just because he’d been gone for seven years didn’t mean he was stupid.
The Association needs you, Vi. Tyson has chosen a different path, but that doesn’t mean you must follow her. We need Jag, too. You can help him see reason. You can be together.
I opened my eyes and blinked in the bright daylight. Dad was right. I could control Jag.
I realized that’s what Dad wanted. I remembered the way he’d watched me in the tech facility. With interest. Like I could do something for him. And I could: get Jag to join the Association with me.
No way in hell, I thought. Jag will not make your transmissions. Not as long as I’m alive.
Dad’s disappointment stole through me. Your death would be tragic . . . Think of what that would do to me, V. I’ve lost you once, will you make me go through it again?
The threat hung there, floating in the enraged space in my mind. I don’t know if I blocked my dad out or he left, but I didn’t hear him again. My shallow breathing washed in and out with the waves. The weight of my unmade choices pressed down on me until I felt like I couldn’t stand up.
How does anyone ever figure out what to do with their life?
“Vi.”
I looked up at the familiar voice. Right into Zenn’s beautiful face. Tears stained my cheeks. “Zenn,” I choked out.
He gripped me in a fierce hug before placing both hands on the sides of my face. “Shh, beautiful. Go to sleep now.”
His voice spread thick honey over my senses. My eyelids drooped, no matter how hard I tried to keep them open. “Zenn,” I murmured.
“Trust me, Vi. Go to sleep.”
Problem: I didn’t trust him. But I couldn’t fight his voice, and the calming darkness swallowed me.
Everything moved. Strong arms held me close. It wasn’t Jag, I would know his scent anywhere.
This person smelled like the wind, fresh and free and full of salt. My head bounced on a muscled shoulder. No color. No light.
“Put her down and get out.” Ty’s words carried a vein of fury.
“I’m here to help,” Zenn said, sincerity written in every syllable.
“I don’t believe that.”
“And I don’t care what you believe. If I hadn’t taken her from the beach, Thane would have her right now.”
Ty made a noise of disapproval in her throat.
“Besides,” Zenn continued, “I’m the only one who can remove that sticker.”
“That’s not true,” Ty argued. “Anyone with enough control can remove it.”
“It’s a new security feature. Only the one who put the sticker on can take it off. Thane reconfigured Vi’s ring while she was at the tech facility. He didn’t want her to be able to remove it herself.” Zenn slid his hand into mine, and it felt familiar and safe. “I gave her the clue to get her here, hoping Jake could help her, but—”
“She made it here, didn’t she?” Ty traced her fingertips along my eyebrows.
“I stalled Thane as long as I could, but she still almost didn’t get out in time.”
“She’s fine, Zenn.” Ty sounded exhausted. “Let’s get this done. Vi?”
I wanted to move, speak, something. I couldn’t.
“You put her to sleep.” Ty sounded hysterical. “Wake her up. Right now.”
“Let’s get her unstuck first,” Zenn said.
When I tried to open my eyes, I couldn’t. Something thick lay across my face, creating a fierce blackness. I struggled against the binding.
“Lie still, Vi.”
I obeyed. Anyone would obey his voice. “We’ve got to get your sticker off, and then we’ll talk.” Zenn laid me on a couch and set a pillow under my head.
“Sure, okay.” My words slurred together.
“Go back to sleep.” His words flowed into feathery ribbons, urging me to drift into blissful slumber.
I wanted to. But cool hands moved down both my arms.
Then pain.
More hurt than anyone should ever have to endure. My right hand felt like it had been sliced off with a roto-blade.
Voices murmured around me. An intense orange light pulsed through the darkness. Two pressure points throbbed as someone pressed on my shoulders.
Someone close by was screaming. I wanted to make them stop. Help them. Anything so they would shut up.
Finally, the blinding pain in my hand receded. The screaming stopped.
“She has control issues,” Ty whispered.
“Who doesn’t when they first learn what they can do? She has more talent than anyone I’ve met. She’ll be fine.” Zenn’s voice filled a void in my heart reserved just for him. “Her feelings for Jag are powerful.”
“Jag has let his feelings cloud his judgment. He knows what I’ve seen. He won’t—”
“Don’t worry about Jag,” Zenn interrupted. “He’ll do what he thinks is right. He always does.”
“That’s exactly what I’m worried about.”
A long silence followed. I almost wished for the physical pain. Anything to drown out this emotional burden swirling around me.
“I’m not sure we should remove the sticker,” Ty whispered. “If she’s stuck, she can’t find Jag. He’ll think he’s finally pushed her too far. Then he’ll do what he needs to do. And she’ll be safe.”
“That’s up to Vi,” Zenn replied. “We can’t help her without her control. Let’s try again.”
I wasn’t ready for the consuming pain this time either. The screaming started again as fire moved from my wrist down my hand, which was somehow still attached to my body. Bolts of hot pain tingled in the tips of my fingers. The light surrounding me turned redder. The glare became brighter.
And then a white light shone in the distance. On instinct, I reached toward it, called it closer so I could share in its glory. As it neared, I saw Zenn standing within the light. I wasn’t sure if I should cry tears of joy or punch him in his traitorous mouth.
“Settle, Vi,” he said. “You’ve got to help me.” He took my hand and the pain faded. His eyes were the brightest blue I’d ever seen. No clouds. Only my sweet, wonderful Zenn, in complete control of himself.
“Zenn,” I breathed out. “How come you never told me? I would’ve helped you in the Resistance.” Tears slid down my cheeks. Lonely, heartbroken tears.
Zenn traced one finger down my face. “You mean that here.” He touched my lips lightly. “But not here.” He placed his hand over his heart.
“I would’ve helped you,” I insisted.
“I know. That’s why I didn’t tell you.” He smiled, a gesture full of love and longing and sadness.
“Zenn, about Jag—”
He shook his head. “Don’t.” He cupped my cheek in his palm. His touch felt so light. “You don’t have to explain.”
He whipped his head around at a loud sound. “My time is gone.” He faded from my sight, but his voice lingered in soul. “Good-bye, my lovely Violet. Ty?”
“Go,” she said from somewhere beside me. “And Zenn . . . thanks.”
“Tell her I miss her. And I love her.”
“I’ll tell her.”
“No!” I reached for him, but Zenn was already gone.