Claire looked back over her shoulder. Myrnin was wrapping his torn vest around his hand to pull the knife out.
She plunged through and willed the network to lock down the entrance. She did it just in time; she felt the shock of Myrnin trying to drag it away from her, but shed had practice at this now, and he was in pain.
His attempts to break through to the Glass House finally stopped.
Claire backed up until she bumped into the sofa, still staring at the blank wall. Hey, house? she called. We have to keep Myrnin out. Its important.
The Glass House had a weird kind of sentience to itnothing she could name, exactly, but sometimes she asked it to help, and sometimes it even listened. Just now, she felt a rush of warmth, a kind of energy flow that moved through her and toward the portal, overlaying it.
A psychic lock, done better than she could have done it herself.
Thanks, she said. She wanted to collapse, but instead she looked around for Michael and Shane.
Shane was lying on the couch. Michael was still standing, but his shirt was shredded, and she saw the faint lines of injuries still healing up.
Shane had a cut on his head, and he still looked woozy.
Right, he mumbled. Hope somebody remembered the ladder. That was a good ladder.
Claires knees wobbled, and she had to sit down, quickly. It was funny, and not funny at all. It was terrifying.
What had Hannah said about the vampire from the diner recovering? She didnt. Best we can tell, she never will. And Oliver had been forced to kill another vampire who went nuts, just last night.
Myrnin was the old Myrnin. The crazy Myrnin, the one hed been when hed been at his worst, before hed killed Ada and put her brain into the machine. Hed been cruel. And hed been insane.
He wasnt at all the man she knew. And now he knew what they were after.
We have to get him back, Claire said aloud, feeling sick and horrified. We have to.
Because she cared about him . . . but also because Myrnin was the only one who knew the password to shut down the machine.
She tried calling Amelie, but got voice mail. She left a message to send someone to detain Myrninmore than one someone, preferably heavily armed. Claire promised to try to shut down the machine in the morning, when the lab was Myrnin free. If she couldnt crack his password, shed do exactly what Shane suggested: shed pull the plug. Better to destroy it all than to risk this continuing.
Getting Shanes head examined at the hospital was a little crazy, because of the number of strange incidents and injuries that were going on. Turned out he didnt have a concussion, but he did need stitches at his hairline. Again.
He wasnt too upset. Girls love interesting scars, he said. Right? Girls? Are you with me? Eve held up her hand. So did Claire. Michael and Shane high-fived, but not very hard, because Shane winced. At least whatevers going on hasnt hit any of us four. Thats good.
Claire looked at Michael, but he didnt seem to know why she was staring his way. He didnt remember. Or if he did, hed chalked it up to dreams, the way so many people probably had.
Eve suddenly turned her head and watched someone walk by behind Claire. Wow, she said. Cant even come here to get away from the bad elements. Monica on your six, CB.
Claire looked. It was definitely Monica, heading straight for them. She was trailed by Gina, but not Jenniferboth dressed as if they expected a party to break out any moment, but in oddly out-of-date dresses. There was something strange about the way Monica moved, though. It looked less graceful than Claire was used to, almost awkward.
Monica went right past Claire without a glance, glared at Eve, smiled at Michael, and focused on Shane. Oh, my God, youre here, too! I was wondering where you were. Didnt you get my texts?
Shane looked at her, winced, and shut his eyes. Please make the bad thing go away. He groaned. Ive already got a headache.
Monicas bright smile faltered, and Claire could have sworn she saw hurt flare briefly across her expression. Then the smile just got brighter. Oh, she said. I guess you didnt get them. I e-mailed you, too. Ill send everything again.
Lets not, Shane said. Are you kidding me? What are we, friends?
Monica frowned at him. Quit being a little prick, Shane. Of course were friends. She giggled. Giggled. Well, you know. Kissing friends.
Shane opened his eyes and stared at her. He opened his mouth, then closed it and looked at Michael, who was staring at Monica with exactly the same WTF look.
Not that we couldnt be more, Monica said, and winked at him. Remember that makeout session in the closet at school? That was hot, right?
Shane actually blushed. Little red spots high on his cheeks. Claire stared at them, fascinated, and thought, This is like watching one of those reality-show train wrecks. It was almost . . . entertaining. Shut up, Shane said. He sounded like he was choking on something.
Oh, relax. Its not like we did it or anything. Yet.
Seriously. Shut. Up.
Monica must have finally gotten the idea that Shane was really not joking, because she looked a little thrown, then hurried on to another topic. So what happened to you? Oh, were here because Jennifer got into her moms gin or something and forgot how to drive, even though she just learned. So funny! She totally destroyed her moms carat least, I think it was her moms car. Some kind of red convertible. Tacky! So shes a couple of rooms over. You?
Just do me a favor and leave, Monica. I dont need the aggravation right now. When Shane wanted to be, he could be blunt and kind of mean, and Claire actually felt a twinge of sympathy for the way Monicas smile collapsed.
Jeez, I was just trying to be nice, Collins, Monica said. You dont have to be such a toe rag all the time. Youre not that cute, you know. I can do better. Lots better.
She flounced off. Literally flounced, with her hair bouncing. So odd.
Shane said, finally, Did that remind anybody else of something?
Yes, Eve said, tapping her lower lip with a bloodred fingernail. How much I need to shave her head while shes sleeping.
Thats not what I meant. Mike?
School, Michael said instantly. Thats what she was like in school when she was coming on to you.
Speaking of school . . . Eve said. What the hell was this about the closet makeout session?
Nothing.
Did you seriously tongue-wrestle Monica in the
Eve, shut up.
No, seriously, I have to know this. Were you high? Because that is honestly the only excuse I can think of.
It wasnt my fault. She grabbed me and pulled me in. Shane got that flush in his cheeks again. Once. It was once. And I told her to fuck off the next day. Shanes eyes widened, and Claire saw his expression change. The next day. That was the day she . . . the day she told me shed make me sorry.
Oh, man, Michael said. It was only a couple of weeks before
Shane shut his eyes again. Dont want to talk about it.
Even Eve let that one go, because what was going unsaid was that two weeks later, the fire had started at Shanes house, and Monica had been to blame. Maybe.
And Shanes sister had died.
She didnt even look at me, Claire said. She always looks at me.
What? Michael asked, distracted.
Monica. She never lets a chance go by to say something rude to me. But she didnt. It was like she didnt even know I existed.
That was why Monica had ignored her, Claire realized. She wasnt her enemy. She didnt even know her. Monica was mentally back in . . . What had it been, tenth grade? Before Shanes house had burned, and his family had left town.
Monica thought they were all still in high school.
Creepy, Claire said.
Shane swallowed. You have no idea. Monica used to follow me everywhere. Send me porn notes and texts. She told people she was my girlfriend. She beat up any girl I talked to. It was miserable.
Wow. Monica had been Shanes stalker. That put a whole different light on things. How long did that go on?
I guess about three months, maybe. Michael?
Yeah, that sounds right. It was after she decided I was off-limits. He shook his head when Claire opened her mouth. Dont ask. She was a serial stalker. Worked her way through most of the jocks, but I dont know why she picked on the two of us.
Well, how about youre adorably cute and talented? Eve said. I crushed all over you, too. Not you, Collins. You, Glass.
The doctor came in around then, and expelled them while Shane got stitches. Claire was happy enough to miss that part. Stitches were painful; she knew that from experience.
Monica and Gina were sipping cans of cola from straws and giggling while they checked out the butts on the interns and doctors. It was so . . . not them. And yet, it was, at the same time. Monica kept looking toward the curtain that hid Shane from view with hungry, fascinated eyes, and that made Claire feel hot and furious and filthy.
Monica still thought Shane was interested in her. All evidence to the contrary.
This isnt right, Michael said, looking around. It just doesnt feel right. You know? Its like everythings just . . . out of tune. I dont know if you feel it the way I do. Vampires sense things differently.
That may be why some get violent, Claire said. We have to fix it. Somehow. It can only get worse.
Well, you cant go back to Myrnin. Not after
Michael, I have to! This thing comes and goes, right? People snap out of it. Hell come back, and when he does I have to be there and find out what to do. She took a deep breath. Or, like Shane said, we have to pull the plug. Thats the only other solution.
Nuke the site from orbit, Eve said. Its the only way to be sure.
Do not quote Aliens at me; Im freaked-out enough already!
Sorry. But its always good advice.
It actually is good advice, Michael said. I can go pull the plug. Myrnin wont come after me
He would, Claire said. Myrnin used to bite other vamps, too, in case you forgot. You cant assume just being in the blood club is going to get you through. And hes strong, and really fast. Dont. Make Amelie go, or Oliver. I dont think hed bite them.
You dont think?
She shrugged unhappily. I dont know him anymore when hes like this. I dont know what hes going to do.
We are so screwed, Eve said. What about Amelie? Whats she doing?
That opened up a whole can of worms that wriggled unpleasantly in the pit of Claires stomach. She was absolutely sure that Amelie and Oliver wouldnt want her telling anybody about what shed seen earlier, not evenor maybe especiallyEve and Michael. She decided to hedge. I dont know. Oliver told me to take care of it, but . . . Claire was forced to shrug again. Maybe by now theyve both got it, too.
Well, that would be bad. Epically bad.
It would, Claire thought. I should check in with them and see what they want to do. Its weird nobodys called me back, she said. Michael, could you stay and wait for Shane
It turned out, as the curtain whipped aside, that there was no need to wait. Shane joined them, moving slowly. The stitches were in, but he had a white bandage taped over them. Claire took his hand, and he smiled. He looked a little pale. Im good to go. What are we doing?
Taking you home, Claire said.
Not if you guys are going somewhere else.
Youre walking wounded, Michael said. Im pretty sure this isnt optional.
Oh, yeah? You want to try to stop me, tough guy? Shane said, and grinned. I know you better. You wouldnt hit a guy whos down.
Eve held up a hand for a high five with him. Give it up for Shane Collins, master manipulator!
He smacked it, and winced a little again. Yeah, well, you dont grow up with my dad without knowing a few things. So where are we going?
To Amelie, Claire said. She can go with us to the lab and keep Myrnin pinned down while we pull the plug, if hes not . . . you know, better.
Define better with that guy.
Not all fangs and raaaaar.
Oh. Okay. Quick stop at the house. I want to load up on the good stuff.
If Shane expected an argument, he didnt get one. Claire was thinking the same thing.
When you were going into a war zone, you didnt go unarmed.
ELEVEN
Eve had ordered something special off the Internet, which had arrived by mail, Claire discovered. Shed gotten three of them, and Claire put hers on with a whoop of delight.
Getting two-inch silver chain chokers around the neck of a guy, especially Shane, proved to be more of a problem.
Shane held the jewelry at arms length, dangling it like a dead rat. No way in hell am I caught dead or alive wearing that.
Oh, come on, just this once, Eve said. Protects your neck. As in your arteries and veins? Thats kind of crucial, right?
Thanks for the thought, but it doesnt go with my shoes.
Youre seriously going to worry about what people think right now?
No, Im worrying about people taking pictures and putting them on Facebook. That crap never dies. Kind of like you, Mikey.
Michael, straight-faced, said, Hes got a point, because I would definitely take pictures. So would you.
Eve had to grin. Yeah, I would. Okay, then. But youd look glam. I could fix you up with silver eye shadow to match.
Tell you what: you can be Glammera the vampire hunter. Ill stick with being manly and heavily armed.
Michael snorted and picked up some woodeni.e., mostly nonlethalstakes, which he stuffed in his jacket. You guys ready?
Guess so. Shane gave his small crossbow another once-over, then put it in the carry bag. Eve had packed a (for her) huge purse full of stuff. The purse, of course, had a shiny yellow happy face on itwith fangs. Claire stuck with her unfashionable but useful backpack. Shed emptied out all of her books and left them stacked on the table. She had no idea when shed actually get back to school, but it certainly wouldnt be today.
Shane dropped the silver choker to the table, shuddered, and led the way out of the Glass House to the car. Michael locked up behind them, and Claire thought about how natural it was for them now to watch one anothers backs. There wasnt even any discussion. Shane went first, keys to Eves hearse in hand; Eve had, of course, called shotgun, so she was heading straight for the passenger side. Claire was checking shadows and heading for the back of the long black coach, and Michael zipped down fast and joined her as she opened the back. He was the last one in, and smacked the roof to signal Shane as he and Claire sat down on the long bench seats in the back.
Eve had added some kind of color-changing strips along the inside of the roof. Whats with the disco lights? Michael said, rolling down the window between the drivers compartment and the back.
Eve turned around, and her face brightened. You like it? I thought it looked really cool. I saw it in a movie, you know, in a limo.
Its cool, Michael said, and smiled at her. She smiled back. Cant wait to lie here and watch it with you.
Claire said, You dont have to wait; its working now. LookOh. Never mind. She blushed, feeling stupid that she hadnt gotten that one in the first second. Eve winked at her.
Shouldnt you be calling Amelie and getting us some kind of parking permit? Eve asked. Claire nodded, glad to be off the hook, and made the call. It rang to voice mail, and Claire left her a message. She was just hanging up when she spotted a parked police car out of the window.
Hannah Moses was standing alongside it. Just . . . standing. Looking around.
Wait, Claire said, and leaned over to grab Shanes shoulder. Stop. She can get us in; shes got permission to go to Founders Square anytime she wants.
Shane pulled in behind Hannahs cruiser, and Claire got out to talk to her. She moved fast, because this wasnt a well-lit area, and everything seemed really dark tonight anyway. Even with the hearses headlights shining, it felt shadowed.
Hannah! she said. We need some help. Can you get us in to see Amelie?
Hannah turned to look at her, and there was something odd in her body language. She seemed tense and ready to react. She kept her hand near the gun in her holster. Who are you? she asked. Name.
Oh, crap, Claire said. Youve got it, too.
Name! Hannah snapped. Now!
Uh, okay, Im Claire. Claire Danvers. You know me.
Hannah shook her head. This is Morganville, she said. I cant be in Morganville. I was in . . . I was in Kandahar. I was just there. She looked down at her police uniform and shook her head again. I wasnt wearing this. Im not a cop. Im a marine. This cant be happening.
Hannah, youre having a . . . a flashback, thats all. Youre not a marine; youre not in Afghanistan. Youre here, in Morganville. Youre the chief of police, remember?
Hannah just looked at her as if Claire were crazy.
Look at what youre wearing, Claire said. Police uniform. Why would somebody kidnap you, bring you here, and change your clothes? What sense does that make?
It doesnt, Hannah admitted. None of this makes any sense. I need to call in.
Call in where?
To my commanding officer.
Hannah, youre not in the marines now! You dont have a commanding officer!
Hannah didnt seem to hear her this time. Theyll think Im AWOL. I need to tell them what happened. Then she looked around again, and the look in her face was a little desperate. Except I dont know what happened.
I just told you! Flashback!
This isnt a combat flashback!
No, its . . . Lying, Claire figured, was now the only way to go. Youve been drugged. You have to believe me. You live here, in Morganville. Youre the chief of police.
Hannah was shaking her headnot as if she didnt believe it, but as if she didnt want to believe it. Im not going back to Morganville. No way in hell am I signing up for that.
But you did, Claire started to say, then held it back. She didnt know why Hannah had changed her mind; maybe something had happened to her while she was in Afghanistan, or since she came back from there. But whatever it was, in Hannahs mind, it hadnt happened yet.
I know this is hard, Claire said. But we need your help. Really. All you have to do is call in permission for us to go into Founders Square. Would you do that?
I dont know you people, Hannah said. And youre driving around in a damn hearse. It doesnt exactly make me want to trust you. . . . Her voice trailed off, and she blinked as the hearses doors opened, and Michael and Eve got out. Youre . . . youre the Glass kid. The guitar player. I remember you. And Hannah did an absolute double take, the most surprised Claire had ever seen her. Eve? What the hell did you do to yourself? Have your parents seen how you look?
Claire exchanged a mute second of stares with her friends, and Eve finally said, Ah, yeah, theyve seen it. Ive been dressing like this for about three years; dont you remember?
No, Hannah said, and suddenly sat down on the sidewalk. Just . . . sat. She put her head in her hands. No, I dont remember that. I remember . . . you were in school with my brother Reggie, before he . . . I saw you at the funeral. . . .
Eve crouched down next to her and put a hand on her shoulder. I know, she said. But then you went to Afghanistan, and then you came back, and now youre the head police chick. You have to remember that!
I dont, Hannah said, and Claire realized with a shock that she was crying silently, tears running down her face. I dont remember that at all. She pulled in a deep breath, wiped her face, and let Eve help her to her feet. All right. Lets say all thats true, even if I dont believe it. What do you want?
Just . . . we need you to call in to the guard post at Founders Square and give us a pass to see Amelie, Claire said. Please. Ive tried phoning. Shes not answering. And Claire found that she was really, truly worried. Not that Amelie was a friend, exactly, but the idea of a Morganville without her was . . . unthinkable. She couldnt get the image of Amelie lying limp on the floor in Olivers arms out of her head.
Hannah stared at her like she was even crazier than before. We dont ever call the Founder by name.
We do now, Claire said. I do. We all do. You have to believe methings around here are different now. Please, Hannah. We really need this if were going to help people.
Hannah took another look around at the town, at them, and finally nodded. All right, she said. You tell me what to do and Ill do it. Anything to make this all . . . stop.
Claire got into the police car and found Hannahs cell phone. Sure enough, it had all kinds of numbers plugged in, and one of them was to the guard station at the entrance to Founders Square. She dialed it for Hannah and held out the phone.
Guard post? Hannah said, and here, at least, she seemed to be on familiar ground. Marine training did that for you, Claire guessed. This is LieutThis is Hannah Moses. Ive got four kids in a hearse who are cleared for admittance to Founders Square. She covered the phone receiver and looked at Claire. Anything else?
Um . . . they should let us in to see Amelie.
Hannah took in a deep breath and nodded as she uncovered the receiver. Yeah, and theyll need unescorted access to the Founders office. She listened, and her eyes widened a little. Great. Thank you. She passed the phone back to Claire, who hung it up and put it back in the car. They said theyd put you on the list. Just like that.
Thanks, Hannah. On impulse, Claire hugged her. Hannah was a solid block of muscle, but then she softened a little and hugged her back. Go home. Dont go out again until things stop feeling weird, okay?
Home? Hannah echoed, and looked haunted again. Ive got no home here.
Well, she probably did, but Claire didnt know where it was. She thought for a second, then said, Go to Gramma Days house. You used to live with her, right?
When I was a kid, yeah.
Shell help you, Claire said. Tell her I said hello.
Shes a tough old lady, Hannah said, but it sounded fond. Yeah, Ill go there. But you owe me explanations, Claire. Real ones.
If this goes right, I wont owe them anymore, Claire said. Be careful, okay?
Hannah smiled faintly. Im from Morganville, she said. Im always careful.
They left her behind, still standing beside her patrol car, and headed for Founders Square.
The guards looked inside the car, but didnt search; Claire supposed they had no real reason to, with Hannah approving their visit. Eve looked nervous, but not too nervous, and having Michael with them guaranteed that the vamps would keep their hands off, anyway. The guards waved them on, and Eve, now driving, guided the big car down the ramp and into the underground parking area. Damn, she said. I hope I can park this thing in here.
In the end, she wedged it sideways in two spots, but since the garage was mostly deserted, Claire supposed nobody was going to complain. Okay, were here, Shane said. What now?
Lets do this smart, Michael said. Shane, you and Eve stay here with the weapons. Ill go up with Claire. If we dont come back in ten minutes, load up and come running.
Youre taking weapons, Shane said.
Just what we can conceal, Michael said. If we go in there with crossbows, Amelie will kill us all just for doing it. Shell overlook personal defense. Not armed assault.
Claire lifted her backpack. People were so used to seeing it on her that it didnt matter what she carried inside. She knew Michael had stakes on him. It would have to be enough. Ill call you if its okay, Claire promised, and kissed Shane quickly. He grabbed her hand when she tried to leave the car, and pulled her back for another kiss, a longer one. He didnt want to let go, and neither did she, but he finally sighed and nodded, and she opened the back door.
Hey, Mikey? You get her hurt and Ill end you.
You let anything happen to Eve and Ill do the same, Michael said. Hed just finished kissing Eve, too. While youre at it, dont get yourself killed, either, bro.
Ditto. And dont kiss me.
Claire cocked her head at him, exasperated. Seriously, Shane? Ditto? Thats the best you can do?
Shane and Michael exchanged identical looks and shrugs. Guys.
Let me show you idiots how its done, Eve said, and hugged Claire fiercely. She kissed her on the cheek. I love you, CB. Please take care of yourself, okay?
I love you, too, Claire said, and suddenly her throat felt tight and her eyes burned with tears. I really do.
Shane and Michael watched them with identical expressions of blank bemusement, and finally Shane said, So basically, its what I said. Ditto.
Michael grinned and headed for the elevator that would take them up to the Elders Council level. Coming?
Claire picked up her heavy backpack and ran to join him.
The elevator was empty and cool, the metal gleaming as if someone had just finished polishing it. Michael pressed the button and looked down at her. You okay?
Fine.
Your hearts beating really fast.
Gee, thanks. Thats very comforting that you can hear it.
He smiled, and it was the old Michael, the one shed first met before all the vamp stuff. Yeah, I know it is. Sorry. Just stay behind me if theres trouble.
You sound like Shane.
Well, he did say hed kill me if I got you hurt. Im just looking after my own neck.
Liar.
He ruffled her hair, like an annoying big brother, and stepped in front of her as the elevator dinged to a stop, and the doors slid open. She couldnt see anything, but evidently the coast was clear, because Michael stepped out and walked down the hallway.
Theres usually a guard there, Claire said, peeking around him at the double doors of the council chamber.
When theyre meeting, Michael agreed. No reason to guard an empty room. Its this way.
He turned at a T intersection and went right down another identical hallway, all paneling and marble floors and steadily burning dim lights. It still reminded Claire of a funeral home. No sounds in the building except for the muted sighing of central air. The air was cool, verging on cold. All the doors were unmarked, at least to human eyes.
Up there, Michael said. Claire nodded. She could see a vampire guard in black stationed outside of one of the doorsthe woman whod been one of the guards at the council chambers. She was sitting in a chair reading a magazine, but as Michael and Claire approached, she stood up and assumed her usual at-rest position.
Michael Glass and Claire Danvers for Amelie, Michael said.
You dont have an appointment.
No, Claire said. But its important. We need to see her.
My instructions are that she isnt to be disturbed, the guard said.
But its an emergency!
I have my orders.
Amelie will want to see us, Michael said.
The other vampire raised her eyebrows, just ever so slightly. It doesnt matter whether she would, she said. Amelie no longer gives the orders. Oliver does, and his orders are that she should rest undisturbed. Now go or Ill have you removed.
Maybe we should see Oliver, Claire said doubtfully.
That made the vampire guard smile, with the tips of fangs showing. An excellent idea, but again, you have no appointment. Oliver sees no human without an appointment.
What about me? Michael said. They got into a staring match.
Im afraid Oliver is not available to anyone at the present time, she finally said. Orders.
Then well just see Amelie, Michael said, and reached for the doorknob. The guards hand flashed out and closed white and hard around his wrist, stopping him an inch from the metal. Really? Youre sure you want to do it this way?
The guard smiled, with vamp teeth showing fully now. Youre the one pushing the issue, New Guy. I told you: go away. Theres no more discussion Her expression suddenly altered, and even Claire felt some kind of force sweep past them, a kind of pressure wave that made both vampires turn toward the Founders closed door.