My anxiety spikes. Willow and Duncan will be so isolated.
Dr. Proctor, the potions professor, taps on a test tube to get everyone’s attention. “Clear up, students. Once all the supplies are back in the chemistry closet, you’d better get on with your moves.”
Five minutes later, Duncan, Willow and I are out the door.
19
Istand in Suite 3B of Electus Tower and take a series of deep breaths.
I’ve been living here for forty-eight now, but the shock hasn’t worn off yet.
And I’m not talking about the private marble bathroom, or kingsize bed with a billion-thread-count sheets.
I’m talking about how I’m treated.
With…respect?
I’m not sure if that’s the right word, but at least with moderate courtesy, byallthe Elites. Including Jordan and her gang.
Super fucking weird.
This morning things got weirder when a thick envelope was pushed under my door.
I stare at the contents again. In gold embossed lettering, I’m invited to celebrate the engagement of Jordan Tiffany Singleton-Smith and Cosmo Tyrus Drakeward.
On December the fifth.
Three weeks away. The day before the next Dunamis Pulse, when I’m scheduled to become an ‘energy cache’. Whoopee.
I drop the heavy cardstock onto the teak and brass desk.
We’ve three weeks to come up with a plan.
A knock at the door makes me jump. I quickly drop the card, and go to see who’s come calling so early.
It’s Naomi.
She’s wearing a long silk robe and a sardonic expression. “Did you get one?"
Not waiting for an answer, she steps into my room and looks around until her eyes snap on to my invite.
“Yep, I’m so excited,” I say, deadpan.
Naomi doesn’t know anything about my Lumina, telepathy,orour tiny liberated prisoner. But at least with Naomi, I don’t feel I have to slip into my dazed-Theo persona. I trust her enough not to go running to the authorities just because I act…normal.
She flicks the invitation with one finger. “Did you notice it’s on Krampusnacht?”
“Krampusnacht?”
“Krampus Night! I thought you were from Europe? You don’t know it?”
I shake my head. “No Krampus where I come from, just jolly old Father Christmas.”
“Well, Krampusnacht is when an evil demon crawls from the abyss to do dark deeds, kind of apropos for Cosmo and Jordan, don’t you think?”
“It certainly is,” I agree and she gives a grin.
“Anyway, what shall we get as an engagement gift?” Naomi snickers. “A basket of kittens for them torture? The souls of innocents?”
