He stayed by her side, watching everyone around her and making sure they behaved. Part of her was still afraid that he only wanted to hang out with her because she calmed him as she calmed Aden and Tucker. Who was a demon. A freaking demon. And shed kissed him. Did she have demon germs now?
Not that she was complaining about Rileys attention, but she hoped and prayed tranquilizationneutralizationwasnt her only draw. Did he find her attractive? He had called her beautiful, but what if hed said it only to be nice?
He could have anyone he wanted, she was sure. Like Penny, if shed been here. Mary Ann hadnt seen her all day. He could even have Christy Hayes, head cheerleader, who was currently blowing him kisses as she sashayed by.
You can go talk to her if you want, Mary Ann told him. Was that harsh tone really hers? Theres time. The third period bell wont ring for another, she glanced at the wall clock, four minutes and our class is just down the hall.
His brow furrowed, his step never faltering. He shifted the books he heldboth his and hersfrom one arm to the other. Talk with who?
O-kay. He hadnt even noticed the perky and beautiful Christy. Pleasure zoomed through her. Never mind. So how are you handling the day so far?
Fine. Weve attended school before. Of course, the students and teachers were just like us, but school is school. You go, you learn, and you kill anyone who gets in your way.
All the heat drained from her face. You cant just go around killing people. There are rules, laws that must be obeyed or
His husky laugh silenced her. I was only teasing, Mary Ann. I would not harm your friends.
Oh. Her apprehension faded, and she growled. Dont scare me like that!
Your enemies, however he muttered.
She shook her head at him, unsure whether to believe him this time.
They entered the classroom together. Mary Ann took her seat in the far right row, closest to the teachers desk. Kyle Matthews had the one next to her and he was already seated. As Riley had done in their first two classes, he stood in front of his desired spot and stared. Stared until Kyle was shifting uncomfortably. Stared until Kyle picked up his books and found another seat.
There was such an intensity about Riley, an intensity no other boy possessed. The wicked gleam in his eyes didnt help, either. Ill do anything necessary to get my way, that gleam said. Except, he never turned that gleam her way. With her, he was gentle and protective.
He watched her as he placed her books on her desk. Once again your aura is a mix of colors. What are you thinking about?
You. She leaned toward him, whispering, Do you have a girlfriend waiting for you at home? Im just curious, you understand. No, Im a moron. But she had to know.
His features softened. No. There is no one. Actually, Victoria is my only friend.
The gorgeous Victoria. Fabulous. Mary Ann hated herself for wishing the vampire princess had flaws beneath that perfect exterior. Anything to even the playing field a little. Not that Mary Ann was going to try for something with Riley. Right?
Im your friend, arent I? she asked. Hed said so before but could have changed his mind.
A moment passed, his gaze searching hers, before he nodded. Yes. And I am yours. I will protect you, Mary Ann. You have my word.
The bell rang, and the teacher, already standing in front of the class, began his lecture. She didnt hear a word of it. Oh, she peered straight ahead and pretended to study the board and take notes, but her mind was focused solely on Riley.
Sadly, thats how the rest of the day progressed, as well. She found herself wondering what he thought of the school, the kids. If he was bored and wanted to be anywhere else. If he liked being with her as much as she liked being with him.
At lunch, they sat together at the back of the cafeteria, and Aden and Victoria joined them. Everyone else stared. Even leaned closer to hear what they were saying. Riley ate from a tray of his own, as well as Mary Anns and Victorias. Victoria, Mary Ann noticed, didnt even pretend to eat.
Well, we wont be discussing anything here, Aden muttered. Though I will tell you that John, the real John, his gaze became pointed, spoke to me again.
Had hedid he meanA ghost? she mouthed.
He nodded.
First a demon, then a ghost. What would pop up next? Her hand trembled as she spooned a bite of her chocolate pudding. What did he want?
For me to hook him up with Chloe Howard.
Mary Ann pictured the shy girl who rarely spoke up and liked to wear hoodies. Are you going to do it? Just how did someone go about hooking up a dead person with the living?
He swallowed a mouthful of soda. I dont know. What if I screw it up and he gets mad? What if I do it and he sends others my way. And I know there are others. Ive seen a few. Didnt know what they were at the time, but in hindsight thats all they could be. Anyway, new subject.
We can go to my house after school, she said, pushing her tray aside. No way would she be able to wait until tomorrow morning to talk to him again. And maybe, just maybe, her mother was still inside that house. Maybe Aden would see her. Maybe they could talk.
Victoria and Riley nodded, though their expressions were confused. They hadnt followed the thread of conversation. Ill explain later, she told Riley, and he nodded again.
I cant. Aden withdrew a sandwich from his lunch bag and peeled back the plastic. I have a four oclock curfew at the ranch.
What about a study group? She propped her elbows on the table. Would Dan let you come to my house for a study group?
First he looked hopeful, then doubtful, then resigned. Ill ask, but I can guess the answer and its not a yes.
Only one way to find out. She withdrew her cell phone from her pocket and turned it on. This was a big no-no, totally against school policy, but she didnt care. She dialed her dads number. Daddy, she said when he answered, would it be all right if I have a few friends over after school to study?
Wait. Is this my little girl? His gruff voice filled the line. Cant be. She never invites anyone over, even when her dear old dad begs her to do so.
Dad. Be serious.
Sure, invite them over. But is that really why youre calling? You almost gave me a heart attack, using this line. Is everything okay?
Everythings fine. She was only to call his private work number, the one that interrupted his sessions, for emergencies. Shed never called it before. I swear. Its just really important that we study. Not a lie. They needed to study each other, the other creatures, figure out what was going on and what needed to be done.
She could just imagine him grinning, nodding his head in satisfaction. Want me to work late? Wouldnt want my lame self to get in the way.
He really did want her to socialize more, she realized, even if it meant studying. Maybe she had been working too hard. That would be great.
Then Ill see you aroundnine?
Perfect. Thanks!
I love you, baby.
Love you, too. Mary Ann disconnected and handed the phone to Aden. She grinned. Your turn.
I CANT BELIEVE Im here, Aden said, gazing around Mary Anns house. Dan had actually said yes. Granted, Victoria had gotten on the line and had told him to agree, but still. Aden was here.
He and Victoria walked around the living room; Riley, whod already been there, remained beside Mary Ann in the entryway. It was spacious, with soft red couches, a blue-and-green rug, and several tables with orange-and-pink marble tops. Tying it all together was multicolored fringe that dangled from the lampshades.
My mom decorated the place and my dad just didnt have the heart to change anything after she died, Mary Ann said, and he could hear the affection she still harbored for the woman.
I love it. It had character and warmth. Livability.
One foster family hed stayed with had had leather furniture and glass tables. A single smudge had sent the wife into a cleaning frenzy. Another foster family had filled their home with only white and beige furnishings, just like every institution hed ever been committed to, and though theyd never acted as if they minded, hed been afraid to even step on the carpet. His favorite foster family hadnt been able to afford anything but mismatched, threadbare stuff and hed felt most comfortable there.
He would have lived with them forever, if possible, but Eve had transported him back in time and hed changed the future. When hed returned to the present, it had been as though hed never stayed with that wonderful family.
Riley tried to describe this place to me, Victoria said, but I didnt believe him. Who could have guessed? She sighed with longing and joined Aden at the unlit fireplace. Her gaze skidded over his neck, then returned and stayed. More and more, as the day had worn on, her focus had been lingering on his pulse. Our home is very dark. Colorless. Now her voice was thick, almost slurred.
Was she hungry? Her skin appeared paler than usual, no color in her cheeks. Where is your home, by the way? If he had to, he would drag her outside and demand she drink from him. I know youre from Romania, but where have you been staying?
A large group of us traveled here, so we had to buy the biggest home we could find. Its far enough away to give us the illusion of privacy, but close enough that we can run into town at a moments notice. Her gaze never lifted from his neck.
He leaned his head to the side, widening the expanse of skin she could see. Her breath hitched. Oh, yes. She was hungry.
You can drink from me, you know? From the corner of his eye, he saw a framed photograph on the mantle and lifted it.
No, she croaked out.
You sure? The photo was of a man, a woman and a little girl. Obviously Mary Ann was the little girl and the adults were her parents. She looked just like her mother. Same dark hair and eyes. Same lean face.
So, Adendo you see any ghosts here? Mary Ann asked hesitantly.
Before he could answer, his companions began chattering frantically.
That man, Eve said on a gasp. I know him.
He is familiar, isnt he? Julian said.
Aden drew the picture closer. The man had a clean-shaven face, blue eyes, and was a little boyish, like hundreds of people hed seen over the years. Its Mary Anns dad, Aden said, frowning. We cant know him.
Yes, yes, we can, Eve replied excitedly. Weve seen him before. In person. Remember? Just add a beard and glasses and youllnever mind. Ill take you to him.
No, everyone shouted in his head at once.
Aden? Victoria asked. Her hand cupped his shoulder, hot, a brand. Whats wrong?
No, Eve, no! Aden roared, focused only on one thing: survival. Please dont do this to
But it was too late. His entire world faded to black. He was falling downdownspinning and screaming and flailing for an anchoran anchor that constantly danced out of reach. His stomach churned and sharp pains tore through him, burning, scorching.
His body began to melt, skin pouring away, muscle disintegrating, bone crumbling until he lost his hold on reality, losing himself completely.
CHAPTER 14
Are you still hearing voices, Aden?
The question jerked Aden from a long, dark tunnel, slamming him into something solid. A brick wall perhaps. His mind was not as quick to reach the wall as his body, so his awareness was gradual. Where was he?
He blinked, the world coming into focus little by little. He sat in a plush leather chair. All around him were bookshelves overflowing with books. In front of him was a desk cluttered with files and papers. To his left was another leather chair, this one occupied by a man with blue eyes, a beard and glasses.
Whats going on? Aden asked, the words garbled. Was he tanked? He didnt remember drinking.
Were in my office, having our session. The man smiled indulgently. Have you forgotten already?
Office? Session? He drew in a deep breath, slowly released it. As the air left him, his memory seeped into center stage. Hed been at Mary Anns house. Victoria had been looking at his neck with hunger. Hed spied a photo, picked it up. Eve had recognized the man.
Ill take you to him, shed said.
Eve.
His molars ground together. Obviously shed tossed him back in time just as shed threatened. But to when? Where?
He surveyed himself. Ugh. He wore a plain T-shirt, his scrawny, needle-ridden arms poking out of it. There was a sharp, persistent pain in his side. His pants had holes in the knees.
Aden, is something wrong? the man asked him.
No, no, he said, because it seemed like the safest answer. He probed his side, wincing. Were thosestitches? Im fine.
Youre still healing, was the gentle reply. And if you want to keep healing, you have to leave the wound alone.
He forced his hands to settle in his lap.
Were here, Eve exclaimed happily. Youre eleven. Do you remember this office? The doctor?
Eleven. The year hed been forked by one of the other patients at the institution where hed been staying. Dread sprouted wings and flew through him. The doctor he said.
Yes, Aden?
His cheeks heated at having been caught talking to himself. The doctor. Dr. He couldnt remember the mans name. He was youngish, even though he had a beardwhich was probably meant to make him look older. Tall, on the lean side.
Its Gray. A patient sigh filled the void between them. Dr. Gray.
He stiffened. Dr. Gray. Mary Ann Gray. Mary Annsfather? He pulled the photograph to the front of his mind and compared it to the man beside him. Take away the beard and the glasses and the two men were an exact match.
He could have freaked out. He wanted to. But he remained where he was, as if rocks held him down, trying to absorb the shock of what hed just learned. All those years ago, hed had a connection to Mary Ann, albeit indirectly, and he hadnt known.
I tried to tell you we knew her, Eve said.
Well, what dyou know, Caleb said.
I know who you are, Aden told the doctor, more emotion than hed intended in his tone.
Dr. Gray only smiled. I should hope so, Aden. Now lets get down to business, shall we? He propped his elbow on the armrest of his chair and peered over at Aden, expectant.
Iyes, he said, though he wanted to shout No! A thousand questions rushed through his mind, but he couldnt ask them. He had to be careful to appear eleven years old, to answer as he had the first time this meeting had happened.
Losing his favorite foster family the last time Eve had done this wasnt the worst thing to have happened. Hed woken up from that trip in a home he hadnt recognized, with people hed never seen. That memory loss had earned him another stay in another mental hospital. Everything you do earns you a stay in an institution.
Sometimes it did seem that way. Upon his return, Eve had promised never to transport him again. Of course, shed promised that before. Her exuberance always outweighed her qualms, he supposed.
Unlike those other times, though, he couldnt work up a good anger. To see eleven-year-old Mary Ann, to know if she dulled his powers, even as a child, might be worth any price.
Where was she now?
Did Dr. Gray know she was able to mute other peoples unnatural abilities? Would he freak if Aden asked? Probably. How much would Adens future change if he did? Would he ever meet Mary Ann?
Ah. There was his anger. White-hot, bubbling. If this session changed his future so much that he hadnt moved to Crossroads, hadnt met Mary Ann or Victoria
I sense the direction of your thoughts, Elijah said. I wish I could reassure you, but
Great. He was going to have to do his best to remember every little thing hed said and exactly how hed said it. Did eleven-year-olds talk like babies or grown-ups?
Aden?
Hed lost the thread of the conversation already; hed have to be a lot more careful. Yes?
I asked you a question.
Im sorry. Will you repeat it, please?
I will, but I expect you to pay attention for the rest of our time together. All right? Only after he nodded did Dr. Gray continue. There have been reports that youve been arguing loudly with people no one else can hear. So I ask again, are you still hearing voices?
II How had he answered this? Uh, no. He wouldnt have told the truth. Would he?
Are you sure?
Aden focused on the University of Oklahoma Department of Psychology diploma framed proudly between the bookshelves. More calmly, he said, Yes, Im sure.
Dr. Gray frowned over at him. Weve had several sessions together, but you always keep me at a distance, telling me nothing more than what can be found within your file. This is a safe space, Aden, where the truth will never be used against you. I hope Ive proven that to you.
You have. The memories of this day, hazy though they were, finally began to flood him. Dr. Gray had been unbelievably nice to him, and for once, hed been eager to please. I justII hate this place. I want to leave. There. Now they were on the right track.
Where would you go? Im not asking to be cruel, but to make a point. No foster family will have you right now. Everyone thinks youre dangerous, so you cant be allowed to play freely with other children.
Normal children, he meant. There were kids here, but they were all supposedly crazy like him.
Has someone hurt you? the doctor persisted. Is that why you want to leave? Did you have another argument with a patient?
Silent, he kicked out his stained tennis shoes.
I brought you here for a reason, Eve said. I dont care what the others say. Ask him what youre dying to know.
I just want to go back to the ranch, he said, ignoring Eve. Then he blanched. For a moment hed forgotten to stick to only what hed said the first time he was here.
Ranch? Dr. Gray sighed again. To my knowledge, youve never lived at a ranch. For now, this is your home. Im sorry, but thats just the way it has to be.
Ask him about Mary Ann, Eve insisted.
Dont do it, Ad, Julian said. Im happy with the way things are and dont want them to change.
I mean, were close to having a girlfriend, Caleb added.
Aden?
Dr. Gray. He had to backtrack to remember the direction of their conversation. Had he argued with any of the other patients, was what hed been asked. Uh, no. Everyone stays away from me now.
Oh, really? The doctor tsked under his tongue. I know a few of the patients cornered you yesterday. I know they threatened you, someone hit you and you retaliated. If the orderlies hadnt stopped youListen, its okay, whatever youve done, whatevers going on, he said softly. You can tell me anything. I wont judge you, son. I only want to help you. Let me help you. Please.
I
Ask him, ask him, ask him! I wont shut up until you do. Eve, proving stubborn.
For Gods sake, what if he wakes up in another state, no Mary Ann, no Victoria, Elijah said, angry. I hate what Mary Ann does to us, but hes finally out of the hospitals and off the drugs they used to feed him.
Youre the psychic, Caleb said. Tell us what will happen if he questions the doctor about the girl.
I told you, IElijah stopped abruptly, and everyone held their breath, waiting for him to continue, knowing hed just gotten something. Several minutes passed, an eternity in which Aden once again lost track of what the doctor was saying. During that time, Elijah gasped, groaned.
What? he finally asked, and as Dr. Gray repeated whatever hed been saying, Elijah said, You know I usually only predict death but lately Ive known, well, more. And right now I know that if you mention Mary Ann, one of two things will happen. Dr. Gray will flip and leave you sooner rather than later. Youll never meet Mary Ann. Or Dr. Gray will flip, still leave as planned, but take an interest in what youve told him. If the second happens, youll indeed meet Mary Annand one of us will be freed.
Eve gasped. One of us will be freed? Who? And how?
I dont know. I wish I did, butIm sorry.
If one could be freed, that had to mean they all could be freed. He would have everything hed ever wanted. Peace, a happily ever after for his companions. A normal life with his new friends. Of course, that normal life wouldnt last long, since his death was steadily approaching, but a mere glimpse of such a life would be better than never knowing it at all.
But, if the other alternative happened, he would have none of that. He wouldnt even have Mary Anns friendship. Would he even go to Crossroads, Oklahoma? Would he ever meet Victoria? he couldnt help but wonder again.
He wanted to take some time, figure out the best course of action, maybe sleep on it and weigh the pros versus the cons. That wasnt how this worked, however. He would return to the present the moment this session ended. He didnt have the luxury of time.
If only Eve could control how long they stayed. But she couldnt, not really. When the scene shed imagined played out, so did his time there. He had to choose now. A chance at getting everything hed ever wanted or the loss of everything hed ever wanted.
Whatever he decided, he had to act
Do you have a daughter? The question slipped from him before he could stop it. For a moment, he experienced panic. Absolute, blind panic. Hed done it. Hed decided: hed asked.
All four souls gasped. In astonishment, horror or excitement, he didnt know.
What he did know? There was no going back now.
The good doctors head tilted to the side, his lips curling in another of those frowns. I do, yes. How did you know? No flip out yet.
His heart drummed in his ears, his breathing fast and shallow, as he searched for an answer that wouldnt get him tossed out of the office this very moment. Then he spotted it. A framed picture of a little girl with black-as-night hair, hazel eyes and bronzed skin.
The, uh, photo on your desk. Shes pretty.
Oh. Thank you. Thats my Mary Ann. Shes your age. Looks just like her mom. Dr. Gray shook his head, as though he couldnt believe what hed just admitted. Normal people didnt like to talk about their loved ones with dangerous crazies, Aden knew, no matter how young those dangerous crazies were. Or appeared to be. Lets get back on track. I need you to talk to me, Aden. Thats the only way I can help you.
For the doctors sake, he said, You asked me if I was still hearing voices. The answer is yes. Embarrassment he didnt have to force dripped from the undercurrents of his tone. His fingers twisted the fabric of his shirt, wrinkles branching in every direction. Hed bring them back to Mary Ann in a bit. Hopefully Dr. Gray would be more willing to chat once business was out of the way. All the time.
Come on. Were not that bad. Julian.
Stab me in the back, why dont you. Caleb.
Sorry guys, he wanted to say, but he kept quiet.
No progress, then. Dr. Gray planted his left ankle atop his right knee. We can talk to your psychiatrist about changing your medication again.
All right, he said, even though he suddenly recalled how the new drugs had affected him. Stomach cramps, vomiting. Dehydration and a week hooked to an IV.
Dr. Gray anchored his glasses on his nose. Lets switch gears for a while. Since youre still hearing voices, Id like to know what they want from you.
All kinds of stuff.
Like?
What had he told him, all those years ago? Likecontrol of the body. Yes, hed mentioned that. He hadnt usually been so open with his doctors, but something about Dr. Gray had put him at ease.
If only youd consider it, Eve said.
Really, giving up the captains hat once in a while isnt unreasonable, Caleb said. You used to let us take over for a bit and we always gave back control. I never understood why you stopped.
Youd want control, too, if you were powerless, Elijah said.
Great. They were ganging up on him. You arent powerless, he gritted out. He was here, in the past, wasnt he?
Excuse me? Dr. Gray said.
Oh, uh, nothing. Just giving myself a pep talk.
Youre well on your way to that flip-out, Elijah said with a sigh.
Frowning, the doctor made a notation in his notebook. Now, you called it the body. Lets explore that a moment. If the voices have to ask for control of yourthe body, that means they cant take it on their own. You get to decide. Thats a good thing, yes? Your being in control?
His companions might not be able to take over his body without his permission, but they could cause untold damage without it. Yeah. Sure.
The pen flew over the notebook as the doctor made another notation. Since you have control, do you ever force the voices to leave you?
Me force them? No. But sometimes they do leave. Because of his daughter.
And what happens to you when theyre gone?
Aden smiled, though it was laced with guilt. Peace.
Oh, Aden. Dr. Gray placed a hand over his heart, expression softening. Thats wonderful.
Bet he feels like a proud papa. Eve actually sounded softer, as though she was warming to the doctor.
That hadnt happened last time. Which meant peace wasnt something hed admitted to last time. Of course not. Peace wasnt something hed known about back then. His smile faded. Im just kidding. They arent allowed to leave. They stay with me always.
Dr. Gray rested his hand on the side of his face, the pen poking out between his fingers. How can I help you if I have to wade through half-truths and lies?
He glanced down at his feet, hoping he appeared properly shamed. I wont do it again.
See that you dont. But why did you do it this time?
He shrugged, no answer jumping out at him.
All right. Well, why dont you tell me why you let the voices return to you once theyre out? Because I know you were telling the truth about the voices leaving, not about it being a joke. Youre in control, remember?
No way out of this one. He had to cop to the truth. At least some of it. Theyre bound to me like His head tilted to the side as he considered his next words. Like pets on a leash. I cant keep them out.
That earned him an Ouch from Julian and an Ill make you pay for calling us pets. I hope you know that from Caleb.
Oh, he knew hed pay, but now wasnt the time to worry about that. See, theyre people, like you and me, only they werent given bodies of their own. They were somehow sucked into mine, forcing me to share my head with them.
Dr. Gray took the admission in stride, surprisingly unfazed. A few days ago, you mentioned that there are four different voices. Or rather, people. Still only four?
Yes.
And they are The doctor flipped a page in the notebook. Your age? All of them?
No. I dont know how old they are.
I see, he muttered and Aden didnt think he knew hed spoken aloud. Tell me about them. What theyre like.
And while youre at it, Eve said, ask about his daughter.
Soon. He didnt want the doctor to have a reason to change the subject back to therapy again. Theyre nice. For the most part, he added for their benefit.
That earned him several snorts and another threat from Caleb.
And do they have names? Dr. Gray asked.
Aden rattled them off.
His eyes lit with interest at the mention of Eve. Eve is a female, Im guessing.
Yeah. A girl. There was enough disgust in his voice to make the doctor fight a grin.
Oh, hush, Eve said. Youre the luckiest boy on the planet, to have my guidance.
Im most curious about her, the doctor said.
Of course he is, Caleb said, clearly offended. What am I, dog food? Why doesnt he want to know about me?
Aden. I lost you again.
Aden jerked to attention, his head clearing, Caleb and Eves voices fading as he refocused. Im sorry. What?
I had asked you a question. Frowning, the doctor eased back in his chair. What was going on inside your head just then?