We make it through our run in record time, I think each of us feeling Jackson’s nearly limitless energy flowing through us and grateful for it.“Seriously,” Jesse says, beaming at Jacks. “You should bottle this stuff. Sell it on the black market. Make millions.”“I don’t need millions,” Jackson murm
But my fingers just slip away from it even as I try to turn.What – what!?I gasp in fear and frustration, hauling on the door, trying to turn the lock – but it won’t budge, no matter how much I wrench my wrist -Suddenly arms are around my waist and I scream bloody murder as I’m hauled away from th
I scream as the boys come through the door, as Alvez hauls hard on my arm, pulling me up and spinning me around, clasping me to his chest with one arm while the other shoots out towards Jackson and Luca, who barrel forward.I feel the dark power streaming out of Alvez and heading towards the boys. D
No, they’re tangible things, wrapping hard around Alvez’s neck, his limbs, his body, extensions of Jesse’s will.“Who are you,” Jesse growls, his voice echoing in the room, bizarrely doubled so that it sounds like there are two of him – one his normal voice, one much deeper – a dark purr. “What the
“He cannot kill me,” the God says, laughing darkly as I come closer. Suddenly a hand lashes out, hitting Jesse hard in the chest and sending him sprawling down on the ground next to Rafe. But even as he falls away, Jesse’s shadows stay tight around the god before us, winding around him. “Even if th
Luca gets to me first, pulling me hard against his chest, tucking his head down against my shoulder. But Jackson’s here too, at my side, taking my chin in his hands and turning it towards him.“Ariel,” Jackson whispers, desperate, “are you…all right?”Slowly I nod, staring at him, unable to do more
Rafe doesn’t respond, just looks up at Jesse. “Can you do anything? To…tell if he’s still in there?”“If who’s still in…where…” Alvez murmurs, raising a hand to his forehead and pressing it over his eyes like he has one hell of a headache.I watch, completely still in Jackson’s arms, as Jesse’s shad
Three hours later, everything has changed.We’re still in the room, having sent word to our professors that we’re all…indisposed for the day. But mom is sitting on a cushion on the floor with Rafe’s dark head in her lap, softly stroking her favorite’s hair as he lays on a series of soft blankets tha
“We won’t be here all the time.” A new voice surprises me and I turn, starting to cry in earnest when I see my dad come around one of the houses, Rafe at his side. “We have a country to run, after all.” He grins at me, opening an arm. “Dad,” I croak, shaking my head and tucking myself against his
“Come back here,” Neumann calls, pointing at the ground in front of him. Midnight appears again in the corner, dismissing her shadows, and dashes back over, smiling her delight. “Are you seriously encouraging this?” the Captain murmurs, shaking his head and heaving a big sigh. Neuman doesn’t rep
“If I’m dismissed from the Academy now,” I interrupt, holding up a hand and conjuring up my blue flames, which make him take a step back in surprise. “Then the military of Moon Valley loses the opportunity to train and make use of its most powerful weapon. Which, if you ask me, is far too much of a
“Ut-oh,” Jesse says, turning to grin at me. “Looks like the secrets out.” “You could look less cheerful about it,” I say, glaring at him even as I climb out of bed and move towards the door as Jackson pulls on his shirt. “It’s not your education at stake, after all.” “Nooo, don’t forbid me my gl
Marigold laughs a little but just nods. “Are we doing this?” Jesse says, glancing up at the clock that looms large over the entire station. “We don’t have a ton of time.” Jackson looks at me and arches a brow. I laugh and nod, grinning at our little party. “Let’s go!” The next morning I wake u
Marigold, perched high on Jackson’s arm, looks around the train station with wide eyes as she munches on a cookie. I bite my lip for a moment, watching her, anxious that she’ll be anxious. After all, her life has already involved so much change… “She’s fine,” Jackson murmurs, smirking down at me f
I can’t help it. I just get incredibly jealous. “Tell me,” Jackson urges, feeling the shift in my emotions, tightening his arms around me. “I just want to do that,” I say, laughing a little, shaking my head, feeling petulant. “It sounds so cool, and important, and…vivid. I want to do that work,
I scootch forward on the window seat, making room behind me. Jackson takes a moment to dip low, pressing a kiss to Marigold’s cheek and then to her hair, telling her how much he missed her and how glad he is to see her. The little girl laughs, beaming up at her father, and I can feel both of our hea
“Ariel,” my mom calls after me. “Please, come and talk to us –“ “It’s time for the meeting anyway, Ella,” dad murmurs. “She needs space to think and we don’t have any more time to talk.” As I head into the darkness of the hall Jackson’s voice appears in my mind, soft and apologetic. Do you wan