Fractured Truth (5 page)

“I believe so. It seems strange to me that Llona faced Cyrus and the supposed formidable Shadow and was left alive.”

I dug my nails into my palms and tried hard to keep my voice even. “Cyrus said he wanted me to choose.”

“Choose what?”

“What side I’m on.”

She laughed. “Why would he give you a choice? You are an Aura.”

I glanced at Dr. Han. Do I tell them I was bitten by a Vyken?

As if reading my mind, Dr. Han shook his head a fraction of an inch. Only a few people knew I was half Vyken, and even though Auras no longer took Cyrus’s vitamins that shut off their Vyken senses, no one suspected me. Sometimes I’d get a strange look, as if they felt something was off, but because I was so obviously Auran, they never said anything.

“Cyrus said he made a promise to someone,” I said. “About me. I don’t know what he meant, but I can only assume my life was spared because of it.”

“Have you seen the Shadow since?” Nora asked.

“No.”

“And why do you think that is?”

“I don’t know.”

The Council was silent for a few tense seconds. Bartholomew spoke first. “Is it possible that Sophie could’ve killed the Shadow?”

My voice lowered. “But that would mean she’s dead.” I’d learned early on that the only way for the Shadow to be destroyed is if an Aura used all of her Light to kill it, which meant the Aura also died.

No one said anything else, and I looked around the room. Is that what they all thought? “She’s not dead! Cyrus wanted her alive, and if he did kill her, he’d want us to know, not keep it a secret.”

“Lower your voice, young Aura,” Nora said. “We don’t mean
to cause you pain, but the reality of the situation is that no one has heard anything about Cyrus’s location for months. And no one has heard anything about Sophie or seen the Shadow. It is entirely possible that when Cyrus took Sophie, at one point she could’ve fought back and killed the Shadow. With both gone, Cyrus fled.”

“That’s what you guys would like, isn’t it? An easy fix?”

“Excuse me?”

I bit my tongue to keep from saying more. Better try a different approach. I took a deep breath. “Your theory could not have happened.”

Nora snaked her fingers together. “Please explain.”

“Sophie wouldn’t have fought because she hasn’t been taught to think like that.”

They were silent. Again.

“Am I wrong?” I glanced over at Liam. He was motioning with his hand to tone it down.

“Regardless of what you think, Llona,” Nora said. “We need proof. Something that justifies using extra manpower to substantiate the Shadow’s existence besides the word of a girl who’s only been at Lucent a short time.”

I tried my very best not to take my shoe off and throw it at her. It was clear that in her mind, because I hadn’t grown up with other Auran girls, my word held little value.

After I counted to three, I said through my teeth, “And I will get you the proof once we get Jackson to talk.”

“Then we will allow you more time,” Dr. Han said, his voice as sharp as mine. “I think it is time to discuss security at Lucent Academy. Don’t you agree, Nora?”

Nora pursed her lips together as if trying to decide whether or not to keep questioning me. I doubt she’d ever admit it, but I could tell she liked to argue.

“I’d like to discuss this too,” Mrs. Crawford said. Her first words spoken within the powerful circle. All heads turned toward her. “We only have a fraction of the Guardians we
normally do, and with the threat of Lucent being attacked again, we need better protection.”

“Has this threat been confirmed?” Nora asked.

“Really?” I said, unable to hold back anymore, despite the death glare from Dr. Han. “All of you recently learned that we were drugged by a Vyken for decades. Decades! And in all that time, no one, specifically Council members, explored why Auras couldn’t sense Vykens anymore. They just accepted it, but why? Because Cyrus told you things you liked to hear? That fighting was wrong? Or how about this one? That Auras are
so
much better than everyone else that we need Guardians to sacrifice their lives for us? They are meant to work with us, not die for us.”

Nora’s face was as red as her blazer. “Ms. Reese, you are—”

“I’m not finished. None of you have even mentioned the other Auran girls who were kidnapped. Did you forget about them? And what about our blood supply that was replaced with Vyken blood? Do you really think Cyrus is just going to give up after years and years of grooming us, making us believe we are too special to fight? No way! He’s going to attack while we are weak. We need to be training Auras to fight, to use their Light as weap—”

“You are out of line!” Nora shouted, her red hair bouncing high.

I stood up. “No. You are out of line. This Council is supposed to help protect Auras, but all you seem to care about is if we’re eating too much sugar! And now Auras are dead and missing, all because you fear change!”

It was Nora’s turn to stand. “Get out!” She pointed toward the door, the tip of her finger flickering with Light. I bet if she wanted to, she could throw a wicked Light ball. But it would take a miracle for that to happen.

I didn’t look at Dr. Han or Liam as I left, already knowing what they were thinking, but I did happen to catch Mrs. Crawford’s eye. She gave me a small, encouraging smile.

I pushed open the door, none too gently either, and headed straight to Dr. Han’s office to wait for the meeting to end. It took a long time for me to finally calm down. About an hour later, Liam came into the room. I looked beyond him. “Where’s everyone else?”

He dropped into a chair next to me. “I was kicked out when I didn’t agree with how they wanted to handle security here.”

I laughed. “What happened to keeping your cool?”

He slumped further into the seat and let out an exaggerated sigh. “I don’t understand your kind. They drive me crazy.”

“What happened?”

He slowly sat up. “They want to use Lycans for security.”

“Lycans? As in werewolves?”

“Two different species. Lycans have more wolf in them, giving them more strength and the ability to change at will. They’re also a lot smarter.”

I leaned back. “So they exist.”

“Lots of creatures exist. You just don’t know it yet.”

“Nor do I want to. One monster at a time. So what’s wrong with Lycans guarding the school, at least until I can get Auras to protect themselves?”

Liam worked his jaw a moment before answering. “Lycans can’t be trusted. They’re horrible scoundrels who only protect their own kind. Oh, and they’re liars and thieves.”

“They sound wonderful.” I laughed, but it was uncomfortable. I rarely saw Liam this upset. “If Lycans are so bad, why would the Council employ them?”

“Because they’re being duped again.”

“No, we’re not, Liam,” a voice said.

Both Liam and I turned around. Dr. Han, though small in stature, seemed to fill the doorway. Behind him, several students and faculty walked by. The meeting must have been over.

“You know they can’t be trusted,” Liam said. “I can’t even believe you would support such a move.”

Dr. Han moved into the room and closed the door behind
him. “It was a sound decision. The Lycans have proved themselves over the years.”

“Just because they haven’t killed anyone for a while doesn’t make them trustworthy.”

Dr. Han walked around his desk and sat down. He was slow going into the chair, making me wonder if he was much older than the seventy years he looked.

“It wasn’t just the Council who made this decision,” he said. “I spoke with Charlie at the Deific, and he felt it was a good idea too.”

“I don’t believe it. Not after everything Lycans have done.”

“What have they done?” I asked, really wanting to know the reason for Liam’s hatred, something I rarely saw.

“That was a long time ago,” Dr. Han said. “You must find peace with this decision, Liam, because it’s happening. The Lycans arrive next week.”

Liam stood up. “Then you are as much a fool as the rest of them.” Before we could say anything, he spun around and left the room.

I stared after him, shocked. Liam had never disrespected Dr. Han before. He was one of the few people Liam truly cared about since they’d worked at the Deific together for decades. I looked back at Dr. Han. “What was that all about?”

He shook his head and frowned. “You should probably go after him before he does something he’ll regret.”

“He’s really that mad?” I stood up, suddenly worried. Being half Vyken just like Liam, I knew the consequences of getting too angry.

Dr. Han nodded. “Lycans and him have a troubled past. Go.”

I hurried out the door and into the hallway, barely managing to catch a glimpse of Liam as he rounded a corner up ahead. I sprinted after him. “Hold the door!” I called as the elevator door was closing with Liam inside. He hesitated, but at the last second he stuck out his arm, blocking the door from closing.

“Thanks,” I said and slipped inside. We were the only ones in the elevator. “What’s going on?”

He didn’t say anything but hit the button going up to the floor that led to the secret stairwell.

“So you’re not talking to me now?” I waited a few seconds, noting his tense posture. He was looking for a fight. “Look, Liam, I’m on your side. If you say Lycans are bad, then let’s find a way to keep them from coming here.”

“That’s what I’m doing right now. I’m going to get Jackson to talk with or without the Council’s help; then we can rescue Sophie and the others and kill Cyrus.” He pressed the number four button again as if he could somehow get the elevator to move faster.

“And what if you can’t get Jackson to talk?”

“Believe me. I will.”

I didn’t like the dark tone in his voice. “Look at me, Liam.” He remained face forward. I raised my hand and pressed it to his cheek. His eyes closed at my touch. “Please look at me.”

He slowly turned and opened his eyes while inhaling deeply.

I lowered my hand and said, “Whatever happened between you and the Lycans, let it go. This anger isn’t good, and you know it.”

He was staring right through me, and I wondered if he’d even heard, but then he blinked and shook his head.

“I’m okay,” he said and looked away.

I took hold of his hand. “Are you sure?”

He glanced back at me, his eyes burning into mine for just a second before they dropped to my lips. I’d seen that look before, but never in Liam. I dropped his hand and stepped back, my legs suddenly weak, and my stomach doing things it hadn’t done in a long time.

The elevator doors opened, and I hurried out. This was the first time I’d felt uncomfortable around Liam, and it scared me. We were friends—very good friends—and that was all.

I walked into Cyrus’s old office, pushing all thoughts of
Liam from my head. “We’ll get Jackson to talk and then end this once and for all.”

“Yes, and then we can actually start living,” Liam said, stepping by into the secret door.

What does he mean by that?
I wondered and hurried after him.

Our footsteps echoed as we made our way down the metal circular staircase. I was almost to the bottom when Liam stuck his arm out, making me run into it.

“What—?” But then I sensed it too. Vykens had been here only moments before. I bolted forward.

“Oh no, please no,” I said, but when I got to Jackson’s cell, the door was wide open, and he was gone.

I slammed the door hard.
“What happened?”

Liam rushed by me toward the rear entrance. “We just missed them. Grab the twins, whoever, and meet me out front with a car!”

Before I could respond, he twisted into wind and was gone.

“But it’s daytime!” I called after him. Liam had never drunk an Aura’s blood, which meant the sun could hurt him. I hoped he knew what he was doing.

I turned and raced back upstairs. While I was running, I removed my cell phone from my pocket and called May. She answered on the first ring.

“Where are you?” she asked. “I wanted—”

“Listen, May. I need you to meet Liam and me out front. Do you know where the twins are?”

She paused before saying, “I saw them talking to Dr. Han just before I came to my room. That was about three minutes ago. What’s this about?”

I clutched the phone tight. “Jackson’s gone.”

“I’ll be right there.”

I took the stairs to the first floor, practically sliding down them in my haste. A couple of girls jeered at me when I flung open the door, knocking one of them in the shoulder. “Sorry!” I called over my shoulder.

The twins were standing in the hallway talking to Chase and Alex, two Guardians. They all turned in my direction as I skidded to a halt. “Out front,” I panted. “Liam’s waiting for us. Jackson’s gone. Hurry.”

“Do you want us all to go?” Chase asked.

I nodded and said, “Let’s go.”

I liked Chase. He was an older Guardian, probably in his mid twenties, who oversaw Waverly Hall where the Guardians lived. He had been instrumental in stopping many of the Guardians from following after Jackson when Jackson promised them riches and power if they joined with Cyrus.

The twins and Guardians followed me out the front doors, the sound of their heavy footsteps echoing behind. “Start it,” I said, pointing to the nearest van in a driveway off to the side of the main road. It was one of Lucent’s vehicles meant for small outings with students.

Chase and Alex climbed in back. Arik jumped in next; his large body barely fit inside the passenger seat. Aaron too looked like he was having a difficult time squeezing into the backseat. Arik reached over and brought the engine to life.

Spinning around, I scanned the tree line for Liam, searching for any unusual bursts of wind, but the wind was already blowing from an approaching storm. I looked up. The sky was gray and full. Any second now it would rain. Liam would be protected. Inadvertently, my eyes moved to the side of the building. Christian had died on a day much like this.

“Llona!”

I jumped. May was running out the front doors.

“Get in the car,” I said. “I’ll explain everything in a second.”

May slid into the backseat with Aaron.