François, strolls ahead like he hasn’t a care in the world. I guess he’s happy to be part of this sick inner circle. Wes is stiff and uncommunicative, lost again to his Mother’s magical whispers.
“This way,” Cosmo states. “Hurry up.” He’s faking his usual arrogance.
His impressive act only breaks when he casts a strained glance in my direction. We head into nearby woodland, where a line of waiting cars sit idling on the uneven terrain.
A driver opens the towncar door.
François gives an over the top bow. “Mademoiselle?”
I slide in, exhausted, flopping back onto the leather seats. Wes is next to me but not touching.
As the driver takes us down the forest road, Wes starts bunching his fist then opening it again. It’s almost in a rhythm. I watch the pattern.
Am I imagining it, or is that?
Quick, quick, quick clenches.
Then, slow, slow, slow.
Followed by three more rapid fire fists.
And repeat.
Morse code.
S
O
S
Fuck!
I press my leg against his, the Lumina pulses along with my frantic heartbeat. Come on, you little suckers—multiply!
Wes’s hand stops convulsing and relaxes.
I hold my breath as he blinks, a slight lightness returning to his pupils. Then the car bounces over a rut, and our bodies break contact. Wes straightens his spine and his face blanks out again.
This time when my knee presses against his, there is too much resistance.
At least, too much for my current low sparkle-content.
Ineedto replenish somehow.
Alexis would know what to do.
Shit, the guys!
I start to focus on my telepathy, but it’s as if every mote of Lumina is covered in a dense dark sludge, like seabirds after an oil spill.
Fighting off Janine Hart’s dark hypnotic spell has tapped me out.
"Looks like the guards have been doubled in the last few days,” Cosmo says. After a beat he adds. “Good idea. Keep out any vermin.”
The lights of Validus Vale shine brightly in the cold night.
“Exactement,mon ami,” François replies, yawning slightly. “The peasants are revolting…as they say. Don’t you agree, Théodora?”
