41.
I returned to my room to retrieve my backpack. As soon as I opened the door, someone said, “Hello, Vi.”
My emotions spiraled up and then down, as first I thought it must be Jag hiding out in my room. Then I saw the auburn-haired ranger, and my heart settled in my hollow stomach.
I folded my arms and cocked my head. “What are you doing here, Jake?”
His grin widened. “Oh, man. Jag was right.”
My frustration resurfaced, and I couldn’t contain it. “Shut up. I don’t want to hear another word about that Baddie. What do you want?”
“Relax,” he said. “I’m on your side here. It’s a good thing too. You look like you could easily kill me right now.” He wasn’t far off, but my murderous thoughts centered on a spiky-haired guy who was gone.
“Look, Jake. Just tell me whatever you’re going to tell me.” I waited. Quite patiently, I thought.
“Okay, I’m an island ranger—”
“Tell me something I don’t know,” I snapped.
He laughed again at my attitude, just like Jag would’ve done. I blinked back the annoying tears and looked away so Jake wouldn’t see.
“My job is to equip the Counselor with the best tech. I know you’ve got some killer stuff in your bag. I’m here to bargain.”
“What do you have that I could possibly want?”
With a knowing smile, he pulled an envelope from his back pocket. Even from across the room, Jag’s handwriting made my heart pound. I took several steps forward, never removing my eyes from the two letters of my name. Jake could have anything he wanted. Kidney, liver, whatever.
“Jag really didn’t want to leave you this way,” Jake said softly. “You’ve got great control over him. I’ve never heard anyone talk about someone the way he talks about you. Not even Gavin with Pace. Choker-speak.” His eyes met mine and he waited, as if I might deny it.
Man, I really wanted to. Let that get back to Jag. But I couldn’t.
“Ah, I see. You feel the same for him.” He smiled and extended the envelope toward me. “Jag wanted to say goodbye in person, but things . . . got complicated. He also said he’s really, really sorry for leaving, and he hopes to see you soon.”
We struck a deal. I kept the weapon phone and one food-generating cube; everything else went to Jake.
“Okay,” I said once I had the envelope in my hand. “I know you know pretty much everything. So tell me what you know about mind rangers.”
Jake glanced at his new tech haul as if he’d rather spend time with gadgets than with me. “They serve the Association as Directors. Gavin was the first ranger I met who doesn’t. Then Jag started coming to visit.”
“How long has Jag been coming here?”
Jake sighed and sat down on my bed. “Maybe three years? Something like that. He came with Pace shortly after he was made a tech ranger in the Badlands. Then every couple of months after that for lessons.” Jake rubbed his hands through his hair. “He spends most of his time with Gavin.”
“What do they do?” I asked.
“Gavin used to stay up nights training Jag to use his mind, at least until they figured out that his weapon was his voice. Then they started studying how to develop it. I like the guy, but I hate talking to him.”
Jag and Ty spent a lot of time together, I thought, not sure how I felt about it.
“But he’s done with training now.” Jake stared out the window. “He finished last Christmas. He came for two weeks, and Gavin didn’t come out of his room once. Then she sent him back to the Goodgrounds to get something she’d had a vision about. Neither one of them knew what he was supposed to find, but he’s been in enemy territory without specific directions before. And Gavin’s never been wrong.” His eyes finally locked on mine. “He left at the beginning of April, and we haven’t heard from him since.”
I looked away. Outside, the wind lashed against the window. Thunder crashed, mimicking the unrest I felt inside.
April. Six weeks in prison.
I swallowed and found my throat too dry. “What did he find?” I asked, but I already knew the answer.
A fierceness entered Jake’s face. “He found you.”