Veda.
He memorizes every angle, bruise, and cut—down to her busted lip—and scours the file for more details. Not about the case but abouther. All pertinent information appears to be redacted, including her last name. Hiram shuts the file and leaves before Gabriel returns.
As Hiram approaches the front entrance of Weston Academy from the parking lot, a teenager on a skateboard barrels past, slapping a hand on Hiram’s chest as he flies by. Disoriented, Hiram stumbles back, but when he turns around to yell at the kid, he’s gone.
A coin is stuck to his shirt. Hiram pulls it off and frowns at the Standing Liberty etched in gold. He drops it, and it jumps back into his hand. He hurls it into the grass, and it flies straight back into his palm.
Shit—it’s spelled. Meant for him. Irritated, Hiram walks inside and manages to charm his way into Peter’s office without an appointment, only to find his best friend expecting him.
“You Saw me coming, did you?”
Peter’s smile is maddeningly familiar. “A few weeks ago. I told Simran she didn’t need to pick him up today because I’m taking him to the used book fair after school. He doesn’t have a tutoring session. I’ll bring him home if you grab dinner after your errands. Khadijah has a lot of patients and won’t be home until late. We’ll watch the game.”
Hiram’s brow raises. “Errands?”
“You’re picking out an office desk, right?” Peter hands him a card. “This place is downtown off Main Street. They do great work. I told them you were coming today.”
Hiram frowns at the card. “I wasn’t planning to get a desk yet.”
“It’ll be ready when you need it.”
Hiram squints at his friend. “You’re having multiple visions about me again, aren’t you?”
Peter gives a tight smile. “It’s annoying.”
To Seers, multiple visions mean a shift in the Cosmos, but the shift isn’t always overt. The last time this happened was around Peter’s graduation, and Hiram can’t think of anything major changing now.
Peter’s eyes slide to his hand. “Are you going to tell me about the coin, or ...”
“I’d give it to you, but it’s liable to take out my eye.”
“The Standing Liberty symbolizes a readiness for battle, and a desire for peace,” Peter rattles off, then mutters, “Of course they’d give it to you when I’m going to be busy that night.”
“What does that mean?”
“Your return to town has been noticed by everyone, especially Seers. That coin gets you into our monthly town hall meeting.”
“Why would they invite me? I’m an Ellis, one of the only self-aware ones who can say that my family members are some of the worst anti-Seers in the country. That hasn’t changed, and it’s not going to. There isn’t a Seer alive who should want me anywhere near them.”
Peter waves. “Excuse you, I’m right here.”
Hiram laughs. “You know what I mean. Everyone gives you shit for being my friend.”
“Itisa thankless job.”
“Khadijah ready to forbid you from seeing me?”
“We’ve argued about you four times since you returned, and she’s only called you a danger to me once.”
“A record low,” he says. “Although I agree with her sometimes. You teeter too close to the line. My mother might begrudgingly like you, but—”
“I’m careful.” Peter gets up to make them peppermint tea. “Might need a lawyer down the road, if you’re up to it.”
Hiram doesn’t think twice. “I’ll start the process.”
“Good. As for the coin, my advice is either figure out why you were invited or keep getting accosted with more enchanted coins.”
“Fantastic.” Hiram rolls his eyes.
