From the Journal of Hazel Okada
Things to ask Oaklyn:
Are you a witch?
What do you know about magic and chimeras?
Kiss me?
Chapter 10
Post-Calamity Stress Eating
RainpattersagainstNatalie’swindshield as we sit parked behind a burger joint. The dreary weather matches my mood as I slouch in the passenger seat, shoving fries into my mouth. We’re famished after that ordeal—even Natalie, who usually maintains more dignity than this, is about to finish her burger in three bites.
“I wish I could’ve seen it.” Hazel leans forward from the back seat, speaking around a mouthful. “One minute, you’re facing off with a freaking elephant, and the next, the elephant is gone, you both look like hell, the beach is in shambles, and some scary-ass woman is making a getaway.”
“Madsens,” I explain, dabbing a spot of ketchup on my fake uniform. “She tried to take the netandthe chimera.”
“And our lives,” Natalie says. She’s cleaned up the cuts on her face, but she still looks like a wreck.
“Failed, though,” Hazel says brightly.
“That doesn’t mean we won.” I shove another fistful of fries in my mouth like that’ll dull the pain. “She’s powerful, Natalie. No offense, but she nearly took you down.”
Natalie’s expression darkens, a muscle jumping in her jaw. “She’s been practicing. Must’ve had time to perfect her magic while keeping my dad locked up.”
My heart aches at the torment in her voice. I touch her forearm, her skin warm and soft beneath my fingertips. “You couldn’t have known he was kidnapped.”
“I should have.” She looks away out the rain-streaked window. “Sky and I thought he was processing Mom’s death. Throwing himself into work. Meanwhile, he was being tortured.”
I squeeze gently. “Natalie, they tricked you. It wasn’t your fault.”
She falls quiet. The silence fills with crumpling wrappers, chewing, and slurping straws.
I take a breath, steeling myself for the confession I have to make. I need to talk about why I fumbled—and to find out her theories about what happened.
“I heard whispers.” The words tumble out in a rush. As the others freeze, I force myself to keep talking. “At first, I thought it was like a hiss that came with being near magic—like static in my brain. But on the pier…there were words.”
Natalie and Hazel exchange a look in the rearview mirror. The sort of concerned look I’d expect two people to exchange when they learn their friend is hearing voices.
“What words?” Hazel asks.
“Trying to warn me away.Turn back.That kind of thing.”
Hazel perks up. “Maybe the chimera was talking to you.”
