Part 11 (1/2)

He rests his fingertips on the edge of my scarred timber coffee table. Even in the soft light of the bedside lamp I can see his fingernails are short and manicured, pink against his ebony skin. 'I've devoted the past century to transcribing the ancient texts from Nathaniel's library-'

'Yeah, I'm well aware of that.'

'So, I've had access to writings from every society and creed known to mankind. And yet there are truths that remain elusive to me and I can't help but think this is intentional, especially when it comes to the Fallen. If I'm right, then, by logic, it means there are other ways for us to glean answers beyond the written word-if we knew where to look for them.'

'And?' I prompt. My mouth is already dry.

'I wonder if the Outcasts have discovered one of those sources.'

'If they had, do you seriously think they'd tell me?'

He gives me a wry smile. 'No, but your brother might. Some things in this world are more important even than quarrelling with your sibling.'

Zeb's so close to the truth, and yet so far. And it burns at me that he's half right: Jude only reconnected with me because of Jason and Dani, and whatever it is she's seen.

'Do you think I'd run off with the Outcasts if they had information we didn't?'

'No, Gabe, of course not-'

'That's what you're suggesting, though, isn't it? Daniel's convinced there's another agenda running, and you think I'm signing on with the Outcasts because they've found something we haven't. Thanks for the vote of confidence, Zeb.'

'Gabe-'

'For the record, as far as I know the Outcasts have no more idea than we do about the Fallen.' It's the truth, but a thread of guilt still tugs at me. 'And if you think I'd sign up for anything that involved Mya-'

'I know that. Of course I know that.' He swallows, folds his hands in his lap. But you still haven't told me what prompted you and Jude to reconnect now.'

'Yeah, I have, you're just not listening.' I stand up. 'You need to leave.'

Zeb looks like he's going to argue, but then he glances at the rack of weapons over my bed and seems to remember whose room he's in.

'I'm sore, I'm tired and I'm not in the mood to be accused of betrayal.'

'Please, Gabe-'

'Tell Daniel the next time he wants to throw around accusations, he should come and do it himself, not drag you out of storage because he doesn't have the b.a.l.l.s to face me.'

Zeb's still apologising when I shut the door on him. I crawl into bed, angry and resentful and unsettled. I haven't lied to anyone, not yet. Not really. And I don't care what this kid Dani has to say, there's no way in h.e.l.l I will ever join the ranks of the Outcasts.

I lie there, stewing, and finally start to sink into sleep when my phone vibrates on the bedside table. I groan, grab it.

It's Jude.

'Jason just called. He's ready to take us to Dani.'

I'm instantly awake. 'When?'

'Now.'

'Like, right now?'

'Yep. He'll meet us under the pier. The marine layer is hanging in again so we should have enough cover. Then we'll go to the kid from there.'

I flick on my lamp and swing my aching leg out of bed. I reach for my jeans. 'Okay, give me five.'

The s.p.a.ce beneath the Santa Monica pier is deserted. The forest of pylons is eerie in the murky light. I can't see the waterline through the fog, but I can hear it breaking calmly onto the sand not too far away, smell the damp sea air. I didn't ask what weather to dress for, so I layered: t-s.h.i.+rt, lightweight hoodie, leather jacket. My boots sink into the soft sand and I have an almost irresistible need to kick them off and run barefoot through the mist. Bad leg and all.

Jude and Jason arrive within seconds of each other, Jude so close to me that I flinch. We smile at each other, and for a second I think he might hug me-a crazy idea because we've never been huggers.

'So where are we going?' I ask Jason.

'Boise, Idaho.'

Jude laughs. 'Where else would an eleven-year-old prophet live?'

Jason shoves his hands in the pockets of his jeans, self-conscious. 'Please don't judge Maria if she comes off a little rude. This isn't easy for her. And be gentle with Dani.' He glances at our swords. 'And try not to look too intimidating.'

Jude and I nod.

'Do you remember how to guide us in the s.h.i.+ft?' Jude asks. He and I taught Jason to s.h.i.+ft back when we were all teenagers but we only practised s.h.i.+fting together once.

'I think so.'

We move closer together.

'Are you limping?' Jude asks me.

I shrug. 'A little.'

'What happened?'

I think about lying, decide on an edited version instead. 'I had a job today. It ended with a run-in with Bel and Leon.'

He sucks in his breath. 'I really hate those two. How bad?'

'I took a blade. It's fine, no permanent damage. It's stiff and sore, that's all.'

'Who was supposed to be watching your back?' His eyes drop to my leg. 'Where was Daniel?'

I sigh. Of course his disdain of the Sanctuary-of Daniel-isn't going to evaporate simply because he and I are talking again. 'It was a surveillance job and we were ambushed. Taya and Malachi had my back and they had their hands full.'

Jude looks like he wants to say more, but Jason clears his throat before he can. 'Maria and Dani are waiting for us.'

I reach for Jason's wrist and after a brief pause Jude does the same. Jason pulls us into the vortex gently; it's like sliding into water. Two seconds later we slip out the other side into a warm kitchen that smells of fresh-baked cookies and gas heating.

A woman with short dark hair stands behind a kitchen bench, her eyes flicking between Jude and me. Her arms are wrapped tight around a child with long blonde curls. They're braced for us, barely breathing.

'You must be Maria,' Jude says and smiles in the way that makes his eyes crinkle.