“Lots of things happened,” I said to Brooke. “Which part?” I knew which part, of course, but a part of me, a big part of me, like my entire torso, was hoping she’d blow it off.
“The part where you ripped a guy’s throat out with your nails.”
Nope.
“I didn’t rip a guy’s throat out with my nails.”
“I just didn’t realize your nails were that strong.”
“They’re not.”
“Do you eat a lot of gelatin?”
“No.”
“Do you sharpen your nails with a whetting stone?”
“Not usually.”
“Hey,” Jared said, jogging up to us, the grin on his face causing little quakes to shiver through me. He did human so well.
“Hey.” I offered him my hot chocolate. He took a swig, winking at me from behind the cup, then handed it back just as Cameron tackled him, ramming him into the back wall of our house.
“Cameron, we totally need that wall,” I said, suddenly annoyed. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Cameron was genuinely trying to hurt him.”
“He might be,” Brooke said. She bowed her head. “He was really scared.”
I looked over in surprise. “For Jared?”
“For you. He didn’t think he could do his job without Jared. He was worried he’d fail, and he believes by getting shot he did.”
“He told you that?”
She shook her head. “No, but I’m beginning to read him pretty well now.”
“Like, when his tongue is down your throat?” I asked. “Can you read him pretty well then?”
She gaped at me, appalled, and I laughed the evilest laugh I could. Which wasn’t so much evil as sad. I couldn’t help but notice Glitch turn away. I felt so bad for him, but he would have to face Brooke’s affection for Cameron sooner or later. Fortunately, I had a Plan B, and she was walking up as we spoke. Unfortunately, Glitch chose that exact moment to confront his archnemesis.
He stood and pushed Cameron as he tossed the ball. “She’s too good for you,” he said, matter-of-fact. “She is better than you will ever be.”
Brooke and I hurried over before Cameron could grab him by the throat again. You’d think Glitch would learn.
Cameron turned a humble expression on him. “You think I don’t know that?” he said softly, as though embarrassed. Then he looked over at Ashlee Southern. Who’d just walked up because I’d invited her over. Yep, Glitch just pretty much blew Plan B.
“Oh,” Ashlee said when we all turned in unison to look at her, “I’m sorry. I didn’t know, Glitch.”
“Didn’t know what?” he asked.
“That you … I’m sorry.” She hurried away.
“What was that about?”
“Glitch,” Brooke said, rolling her eyes. “Oh, my gawd, she likes you, you idiot.”
“Really?” He looked at Ash’s retreating form. “Me?”
“Yes, you,” I said. “I’m getting really sick of you pining after our best friend. We’re best friends! It’s like having a crush on your sister.”
Everyone cringed just a little at that thought.
Glitch had yet to take his eyes off Ashlee. She was getting in her car. “So, Ashlee Southern likes me?”
I stepped next to him. “Yes. Dork.”
“Okay, well, I’ll be right back.” He took off as Ashlee was backing out of her parking space. She stopped and rolled down her window.
“Wow,” I said to Brooke, more than a little shocked, “he got over you really fast.”
“He did, didn’t he?”
Cameron and Jared went back to playing football. Or, well, their violent, bloodthirsty version of football. And Brooke and I went back to our parking lot seats.
“Hey, you guys,” Ashlee said as she walked back up with Glitch. “Sorry about that.” She was embarrassed now, but not enough to leave, which boded well for Plan B.
I grinned. “Hey, Ashlee. How’s Isaac?”
“Much better. Thank you so much.”
“Oh, no, I didn’t do a thing.”
She glanced around at Jared, Cameron, Brooke, and then Glitch. “I’m pretty sure you guys did a lot more than you’re letting on.”
Glitch shifted, suddenly uncomfortable. “Lor did all the hard work.”
“I’m glad you’re okay,” she said, looking at me before turning back to Glitch. “All of you.”
“Thanks,” he said. “Want to sit down?”
They sat beside us, and Brooke and I exchanged high-five glances.
Jared called a time-out and plopped down beside me, stealing my hot chocolate in the process. We’d done a lot of talking over the past week. About the attack. About the darkness and where it came from. He remembered everything like it was a dream, overcome by a great and terrible black, a cloud so thick and choking, he felt he could hardly see right from wrong. Like they were tangible things just out of his reach.
Then he explained where it came from. Deep within his core, within his makeup was a darkness of unspeakable cruelty. But the light that surrounded it kept it at bay. Somehow the symbol the descendants had branded on him had blocked the light and let the dark loose.
“That’s what’ll happen to the world if we don’t stop the war,” he’d said. “A darkness that will block the light, that will bring out the evil, and millions will fall victim to its force.”