Mags & Nats 3-Book Box Set Page 9

  “What the hell am I doing here?” I asked. “I’m a fugitive. My dad’s being investigated. I need to turn myself in. Once I explain everything—”

  “Sit,” Kaira commanded, putting her hands on my chest and pushing me over to the bed. “Take a breath.”

  I sat on the edge of her bed. My mind was racing.

  “I’m guessing you tried explaining things. They locked you up for it.”

  “But my dad,” I began.

  “I’m not going to read about your execution in the papers,” Kaira said, her voice cracking from emotion. “Do you hear me? I need—” she cut herself off, turning away while she collected herself. When she turned back to face me, she was calm again.

  “We’re going to figure out who’s behind this. Once we have the evidence to prove your innocence, you can go back to the police.”

  I knew she was right. I had tried to explain myself, but no one had listened. I knew no one on the jury would have listened, either. My conviction had been written in stone from the moment this nightmare began.

  “This whole thing has been one big slap of irony,” I said, letting out a humorless laugh.

  “How do you mean?” She sat on the bed next to me and kicked off her shoes.

  I looked at her. “I get arrested for the only high crime I haven’t committed…. I’ve always been against Magics being unMarked, and now, a bunch of unMarked Magics are the only reason I’m still breathing.” I shook my head, still chuckling.

  I had always believed the Alliance’s justice system would serve and protect as it was meant to.

  “Guess I’m going to need to start thinking of career alternatives,” I said, feeling more than a little unhinged.

  “You’re going to get your life back,” Kaira said, her voice all ferocious determination. “We’re not going to rest until you do.”

  I was quickly remembering why I had fallen for Kaira. If I wasn’t careful, I was going to slip right back to where I’d been before everything happened.

  Focus, I ordered myself.

  I raked a hand through my hair. “Whoever did this isn’t just going to leave a trail of breadcrumbs for us to follow.”

  Kaira clenched her fists and pressed them into her eyes. “If I hadn’t taken you away from that party, you would have had an alibi.” She swore.

  In that moment, it all made sense to me. Why Kaira would risk her own life to help me after we’d been less than nothing to each other for years.

  “You’re doing all of this because you feel like you owe me.”

  The second I saw the hurt fill her dark eyes, I wanted to cut out my own tongue.

  “I’m sorry,” I began, but she interrupted me.

  “I feel horrible that I’m the reason you don’t have an alibi, but that isn’t why I came to the prison.”

  “Then why did you come?” I asked, my voice coming out harsher than I meant it to.

  “Because,” she paused, searching for the words. “Because it’s you, Gray. And because, no matter what’s happened between us, I know you would have done the same for me.”

  Would I?

  It wasn’t really a question. I had lied for her when telling the truth—or at least part of the truth—might have saved me. I would have gone to my death without ever regretting what I had done to protect her. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that if our positions were reversed, I would do whatever I could to help her. Just like she’d done for me.

  “I’m sorry,” I said again. “This is just—”

  “I know.” She put a hand on mine, but then pulled it away before her familiar warmth had time to settle into my bones.

  I got up and started to pace. I wanted to fix this…needed to. I just didn’t know how. It was like I was trapped inside my own mind. All burners were firing, but I didn’t have the information I needed to get myself out of this situation. I was a helpless victim, and it was driving me crazy.

  I stopped pacing as another thought occurred to me.

  “What did you tell the others about us?” I asked Kaira.

  She shrugged. “I said we were neighbors growing up, and that I knew you well enough to know you’d never do something like this.”

  I just nodded because I didn’t know what else to say.

  “Let’s get some rest,” Kaira suggested. “You’re no good to anyone if you’re too exhausted to think.”

  I nodded again. The ache in my joints was getting worse, and I knew if I didn’t get at least some sleep, I’d have trouble walking tomorrow.

  Kaira went over to the dresser where the drawers were belching clothes. She opened the bottom drawer and took out a pair of athletic shorts and soccer T-shirt I recognized. As she handed me the clothes—my clothes—I saw her cheeks darken in embarrassment. It was a rare emotion for her.

  “I’m surprised you didn’t throw these out,” I said, my voice coming out rough as I took them from her.

  “Guess I forgot I had them,” she said without meeting my gaze.

  I knew her well enough to know she was lying.

  I took the clothes to the bathroom and closed the door. Kaira had seen me naked plenty, but it didn’t feel right to change in front of her anymore.

  As soon as I put on the T-shirt, I understood why Kaira had been embarrassed. The lettering and image of the soccer ball were unrecognizable from so many washings. The green athletic shorts were faded, too. The clothes smelled like her, and not in a they’ve-been-in-her-room kind of way. The jasmine-scented lotion she always used to put on before bed—and clearly still did—was all over the clothes.

  When we’d been together, Kaira had slept in my T-shirts. I had laughed about how she stole my clothes when she had so many of her own, but I had not-so-secretly loved seeing her in my too-big shirts. I was surprised she’d still done that after we broke up.

  I had tried to lock away my memories of her in a place where they wouldn’t touch me. I didn’t understand why she wouldn’t have done the same.

  Before today, I had known where we stood. I didn’t know why she had to confuse the issue by acting like I mattered to her.

  I turned on the sink and splashed cold water on my face.

  There were too many more important things going on than Kaira and me. Being back in this room, with her, was strange enough. I didn’t want to dredge up memories that were better left in the past.

  When I came back out into the bedroom, she had changed, too. She was wearing a pink tank top and tiny flannel shorts that made it impossible not to notice her miles-long legs. Even though I didn’t want her anymore, I couldn’t ignore the simple fact that she was the hottest woman on the planet.

  “Where’s the air mattress?” I asked, going into the tiny office connected to the bedroom.

  “There isn’t one.” Kaira climbed into bed and raised her eyebrows at me. A challenge. “But I didn’t think you’d appreciate sleeping on the couch downstairs. Yutika got drunk and puked all over it last weekend, and I’m pretty sure it still smells.”

  “Got it,” I muttered.

  “I’ll let us sleep until this afternoon,” Kaira decided as she set an alarm on her cell phone. “That way we’ll get some solid rest without losing the entire day.”

  “Sounds reasonable,” I agreed, still hovering by the foot of the bed.

  Kaira turned off the lamp on her nightstand and snuggled down into the blankets. It was like so many nights we’d spent in high school…back when convincing our parents we were sleeping over at a friend’s was our biggest challenge…back before Kaira ruined everything. We had lived for those nights.

  All it took was a quick recollection of the past twelve hours to remind myself that everything was different now.

  I got into bed, staying on the far edge and facing away from Kaira.

  I didn’t think I’d ever be able to sleep…not with my arrest, the detective’s photos still swimming through my mind, and Kaira lying in the same bed as me. But the sound of her even breathing calmed me. Being this close to her, weari
ng my clothes that smelled like her, felt right in a way I knew it shouldn’t. It was comforting, and I found myself drifting off in spite of everything.

  ✽✽✽

  The next time I opened my eyes, it was to the piercing sound of Kaira’s alarm. I was disoriented, and I tried to sit up to take in my surroundings. Something was keeping me in place, though.

  Not something, I realized. Someone.

  Kaira and I were tangled in each other. For several moments, I thought I was still dreaming. It wouldn’t be the first time I felt the phantom of her in my arms, only to wake and remember I was alone in my dorm.

  But this time was different. She was warm and real. Her chest rose and fell against mine. My arms were wound all the way around her, holding her to me, and our legs were all twisted together.

  It was early afternoon, and light filtered in through the skylight above the bed. I looked down at the woman in my arms and fought back the urge to kiss the top of her head.

  “Kai.”

  “A few more minutes,” she mumbled, snuggling into me.

  This time, I couldn’t stop myself from pressing my lips to her hair. The easy intimacy we’d always had was as natural to me as breathing. I wanted nothing more than to stay like this forever.

  But then I remembered why I was here.

  “Kaira.” I started to move, trying to un-pretzel our limbs.

  I felt her wake up. She lifted her head, realized how we’d been sleeping, and gave a little “Oh,” of surprise.

  I didn’t look at her as we got out of bed. I pulled my suit pants from the night before over my shorts. I didn’t want to wear the same clothes I’d been arrested in, but it was better than trying to explain to Kaira’s housemates why she happened to have clothes that fit me lying around.

  A knock came at the door. Kaira shut the door to the office so no one would be able to see the lack of air mattress inside.

  A few seconds later, A.J. pranced in carrying a stack of clothes.

  “I come bearing presents!” he announced, handing me the clothes. He peered around me into the bedroom and seemed to relax when he caught sight of Kaira. I had the distinct impression A.J.’s real reason for coming by was to make sure Kaira hadn’t been murdered.

  After everything the police and news reporters were saying about me, I couldn’t exactly blame Kaira’s friends for worrying about her.

  “They’re Michael’s, so they’ll be a little big, but we—I mean I—figured you might want some variety,” A.J. chattered. “Once we have some time, I’ll go shopping and get you stuff in your own size. Your body’s too pretty to hide behind baggy clothes.”

  “Thanks,” I said, when A.J. paused to take a breath. “I appreciate it.”

  “Don’t mention it.” A.J. gave me a bright smile and skipped out of the room.

  The rest of the Six were already downstairs. They had congregated around Smith, who was sitting on one of the couches. He had a computer on his lap, two others on the cushion next to him, and about twelve empty grape soda cans littered around.

  “Where we at?” Kaira asked Smith.

  “Same place we were five hours ago,” the Techie replied. “Nat and Mag cops are equally clueless. They’re searching for Graysen and aren’t even considering other suspects. The Dean of the BSMU put out a statement that the school in no way condones his actions and is urging the public to come forward if they see him.”

  “Blah blobbidy blah,” A.J. said with a roll of his eyes.

  “Any luck with tracking down the camera footage from outside the dorms that night?” Kaira asked.

  Smith frowned. “That’s another thing. I hacked into security at the BSMU. Their firewalls are pathetic, by the way. Like, embarrassing. A four-year-old must have set up their systems, because a six-year-old Nat could hack them—”

  “Smith,” at least four voices said at once.

  “Wha’?” he stopped with a can of soda raised to his lips.

  “Focus,” Kaira told him. “What’s the problem with the camera footage?”

  “That’s what I was just saying. It’s gone.”

  “What do you mean, it’s gone?” I asked.

  “I mean, it’s gone. Someone wiped all the cameras between the Dean’s house and your dorm.”

  Kaira and I exchanged a look.

  “Do you think another Techie wiped them?” I asked.

  Smith shrugged. “Could have been anyone. Like I said—”

  “Yeah, the six-year-old,” Bri cut in. “We heard you.”

  I slumped onto the couch. “So, all we know is that someone—likely whoever killed Penelope—deleted the camera footage and then disappeared?”

  “I did come across one interesting tidbit,” Smith said.

  We all leaned forward.

  Smith looked around at the rest of the Six. “Remember that Level 8 Alchemist who got in touch with us a while back about a new identity?”

  “Yeah,” Kaira said slowly. “Bobby something. He said he needed to disappear, and then at the last minute, he changed his mind.”

  “Waste of a week of my life,” Yutika grumbled. “Those were the best fake files I’ve ever made.”

  “Bobby Axelrod,” Smith said. “He put in a call to Mag authorities about an hour before Graysen’s arrest, saying he wanted to report a murder that was about to happen at the BSMU.”

  The room went quiet.

  “And?” Kaira prompted.

  “The line went dead before he could say anything else. This morning, his wife issued a missing person’s report.”

  No one spoke while we digested that information.

  “We need to talk to his wife,” I said. “Maybe she knows something.”

  “Or she can at least point us to someone who does,” Kaira agreed.

  Smith’s eyes roved over the screen. “She works at a Mag club downtown, and she’s listed on the schedule for tonight.”

  I peered over his shoulder, and saw that Smith was shifting windows and opening new tabs without touching the computer. It was amazing.

  “Alright, then we’ll go there tonight,” Kaira said.

  Smith nodded. “She’s a Level 2 Alchemist, so I’m guessing she’s a bartender. He turned his screen around so everyone could see the woman’s image.

  Nancy Axelrod was a plain-looking woman, with light skin, brown eyes, and sandy-blonde hair. She wasn’t thin or fat. I guessed from the picture that she was in her forties.

  “Well, it’s a place to start,” Kaira said.

  “What do we do in the meantime?” A.J. asked.

  Kai pointed to Yutika. “Get the Axelrods’ files out of storage. We might have use for them yet.” To Smith, she said, “See if you can find out where Bobby is now.

  “The rest of you, let’s finish up with the family in the safe house. After them, we’re not taking on anyone else until Gray’s case is solved.”

  “Where are you going?” A.J. asked as Kaira slipped into a pair of heeled ankle boots she’d discarded next to the couch.

  “Gray and I are going to Ma’s,” she replied as she pulled a sweater over her tank top. “She texted me and said Grandma Tashi heard from Penelope.”

  I stood up. Kaira’s grandmother was a Medium. She was a Level 5, which meant that she could only talk to the dead when they sought her out. If Penelope had visited Grandma Tashi, then maybe Kaira’s grandmother knew who the real killer was. The testimony of a Medium was good enough to hold up in court. My heart began to race as my mind swam with possibilities.

  “Are you sure you want me to come?” I asked.

  I had practically grown up in the Hansley house, but after everything the media had been saying about me over the past day, I wasn’t sure I’d be welcome there. Besides, I was a fugitive. Anyone who so much as glimpsed me without calling the police was putting themselves at risk. I couldn’t stand the thought of any of the Hansleys being in danger, especially on my account.

  “I think I’d better stay here,” I decided.

  As mu
ch as I wanted to hear what Grandma Tashi had to say, I knew Kaira would pass on the information as soon as she got back.

  “Ma wants to see you,” Kaira said. “Come on.”

  CHAPTER 13

  We walked the three blocks to the Hansley house in silence. Kaira had illusioned me before we stepped outside, and I caught sight of my reflection in a passing window. I was shorter and thinner, and all of my features were unrecognizable. It was more than a little unsettling whenever Kaira did this. Unlike with her, who I could recognize no matter what illusion she was wearing, I didn’t recognize a single aspect of my own reflection. It was enough to mess with a person’s head.

  Even though it had been years since I’d been to this house or seen any member of the family that affectionately referred to themselves as the Hansley clan, I felt that familiar sense of at-homeness as soon as I stepped inside. Voices were coming from the kitchen, which was where the Hansleys usually congregated.

  I followed as Kaira walked through the narrow hallway between the foyer and the kitchen. As we passed the mirror on the wall, I saw that my illusion was gone, and I looked like myself again.

  I grabbed Kaira’s arm and pulled her back before she reached the kitchen.

  “Are you sure it’s a good idea for me to be here?” I whispered, feeling anxious in a way I never had in her house.

  “G-Baby, you will always be welcome in my house.” Ma Hansley, wiping her hands on a flower-print apron, came out of the kitchen.

  Ma’s real name was Marcy, but she’d always treated me like one of the family, and I’d been calling her Ma since I was a kid.

  Ma squeezed past Kaira and folded me into her plump embrace, surrounding me with a familiar warmth and smell of fresh cooking that made my heart expand.

  Ma stepped back and took my face in both her hands. She was shorter than I remembered—or maybe I was taller. Otherwise, she looked exactly the same. Her chin-length black hair was straightened and flared out at the ends. Where Kaira was tall and thin, and almost too beautiful to be real, Ma looked like someone you could go to when life sucked and you needed comfort. When Ma hugged me, it was like being engulfed by a marshmallow with attitude. Her face was round and didn’t have the sharp definition of Kaira’s, but they had the same eyes. Ma had the I love you, but don’t think I’ll take any of your crap look down pat.