Now that I knew I could operate the slingshot, I just had to learn how to do it better.
chapter twenty-nine
Several hours later, I flopped back against the couch, letting the remote control slide from my fingers. The cabin wed been staying in boasted a wood-burning fireplace, but the cable channel lineup sucked.
For the fifth time in the past thirty minutes, I glanced at Costas suitcase. Tonight was our last night in this cozy, remote hideout, and Costa, ever prepared, had already packed. He even had his suitcase by the door, leaving out just the items hed need to get ready in the morning.
I hadnt meant to spy on him while he packed. Id been flipping through channels, and his room happened to be to the left of the TV set. His door also happened to be cracked, and it just so happened that I saw what he slipped into his suitcase before he hauled it to the door and left with Adrian to get dinner. See? Total accident.
Besides, I reminded myself as I gave into temptation and slinked over to Costas suitcase, he hadnt told me I wasnt allowed to use his laptop. He just hadnt mentioned it, much like I intended not to mention taking advantage of the cabins Wi-Fi connection. Okay, if I got caught, the guys wouldnt be happy, but yesterday, Costa had eaten my bag of Fritos without asking permission and I didnt flip out. Why? Because friends shared. Everyone knew that.
I unzipped his suitcase and felt around through the pile of clothes until I came across something hard and flat. Then I slid the laptop out as gingerly as if it were booby-trapped with alarms. Once it was free, I almost ran to the desk where the cabin owners had the Wi-Fi information. As I turned the computer on, I found myself holding my breath. When the screen lit up and I saw that I didnt need a password, I let out a whoop. No security? It was like Costa wanted me to use it!
I did follow Adrians warning not to log in to any of my accounts or contact any of my friends. I desperately wished I could message my roommate to tell her I was okay, but minions could still be scoping out Delia or my other friends. Instead, I Googled Beth and Thomas Jenkins to see if my parents funeral had still taken place, even though I hadnt been there to attend. Not being able to officially say goodbye to them had been tearing at my heart for weeks, but I hoped theyd had a proper burial, at least
I did follow Adrians warning not to log in to any of my accounts or contact any of my friends. I desperately wished I could message my roommate to tell her I was okay, but minions could still be scoping out Delia or my other friends. Instead, I Googled Beth and Thomas Jenkins to see if my parents funeral had still taken place, even though I hadnt been there to attend. Not being able to officially say goodbye to them had been tearing at my heart for weeks, but I hoped theyd had a proper burial, at least
I froze over a headline that had my name along with three words Id never expected to see: Wanted For Murder. With trembling fingers, I clicked the article beneath.
...Ivy Jenkins, daughter of recently deceased Beth and Thomas Jenkins, has still not been found. Jenkins fled the town of Bennington after murdering Lionel Kroger, the detective assigned to her sisters case. Jenkins has a history of abnormal psychosis and should be considered armed and dangerous....
I heard a car pull up, but I couldnt stop reading. The article went on to detail how I was also a person of interest in Jasmines disappearance. Worse, it implied that the brakes on my parents car might have been tampered with, and noted that I was the only other person with access to their vehicle.
In short, it accused me of being a mass murderer.
What are you doing?
Under other circumstances, Adrians harsh tone wouldve made me flinch. Right now, I was too numb from shock.
Finding out that Im a wanted criminal, I said with as much calmness as I could manage. Then I swung around to face him. But you already knew that, didnt you?
Adrian set down the bag hed been holding, and I ignored the delicious aromas coming from it. Costa shut the cabin door and went straight for the food. He couldnt understand what Id asked Adrian anyway. Thanks again, Hound disguise.
I knew, Adrian said, giving me a measuring look. What did you think the police were going to say? That you went into hiding with the last descendant of Judas because the detective assigned to your sisters case tried to deliver you to his demon master? They had to explain Krogers death somehow.
I waved an impatient hand. Fine, but why claim that I murdered him? Or make me a suspect in Jasmines disappearance, let alone my parents deaths? Arent the demons begging for unwanted attention with this?
Adrian sighed. Bennington isnt the first police force theyve infiltrated. Theyre everywhere, and with their connections, they made sure your picture was plastered all over the news and internet, turning everyone who sees you into a potential informant for them.
But they know Im disguised! I protested.
And now theyve made sure you have to stay that way or theyll catch you, was his inexorable response. Same as me.
I opened my mouthand nothing came out except a short, sharp sound, like a last gasp before dying. Adrian stared at me, his expression filled with a hard sort of empathy.
I told you before, Ivy, we dont win this war. Archons or demons do, but either way, there is no going back for us.
I looked away, staring at the online article that had shattered the last of my hopeful illusions. This whole time, Id kept telling myself that if I found the weapon and saved Jasmine, I could go back to some semblance of my old life. I might not have had the greatest one, what with pretending more than actually living, but it had been my life to screw up or improve. Sure, once I was back, Id have to avoid mirrors and move Jasmine and me from the WMU dorms to hallowed ground, but I could handle that. Eventually, Id make new friends, maybe finish college online, get a decent job, and
And what? Go back to pretending that the dark, icy places Id glimpsed were figments of my imagination? Hope that every new person I met wasnt a minion in disguise? Even if demons hadnt been behind the warrants for my arrest, what did I really think was going to happen if I saved Jasmine by decimating one of their realms? That the demons would call a truce and let my sister and me live in peace? No. Wed have to hide for the rest of our lives, and to do that, wed have to leave everything and everyone wed ever known behind.
My head dropped into my hands. Adrian was right. Even if I won, I didnt really win. The Archons did, but Jasmine and I were still screwed.
Is that what you really look like?
I picked my head up to see Costa staring at my computer, a half-eaten burger still in his hand. I glanced back at the article. My Facebook user pic was next to the part that talked about my abnormal psychosis.
Was I still the smiling girl staring back at me? Right now, I felt decades older, but that wasnt what Costa meant. I nodded, which needed no translation despite my Hound disguise.
Costa let out a wry snort as he glanced at Adrian. No wonder youve been having such a hard time, bro.
Was that a compliment? I looked at my picture again, trying to see it through the viewpoint of the handsome Greek. Okay, so I probably wasnt as hot as Id been with my blonde disguise, but my brown hair was thick enough not to need mousse, my eyes were a nice hazel shade and my mouth had a pouty kind of fullness. A guy Id briefly dated had even called it lush.
Then I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the screen. My hair looked like it had been styled by drunk witches, raccoons would be jealous of the dark circles under my eyes, and if my skin was any oilier, the shine would light up the room. I needed a hairbrush, concealer and lots of pressed powder, stat!
Of course, that wasnt possible. Even if it was, Costa would only laugh at the image of a Hound trying to primp. As for Adrian...the best makeover in the world couldnt fix our issues. Only a broken destiny could, and while I still believed that was possible, Adrian didnt. Not now and maybe not ever.
I need to see my sister.
Costa didnt react to my statement, but Adrian froze in the middle of picking up a burger.
Ivy, he began.
I so dont want to hear it. The words came out as a sigh despite my screaming on the inside. You want me to embrace the suck? Fine, but Im also finished with guessing if Im weapon-hunting for Jasmine, or for you.
He dropped the burger and stalked over. What do you mean?
I met his gaze without flinching. You dont want me entering the Bennington realm without the weapon, but is that because youre worried about extra demon security? Or because youre afraid that if I find out my sisters already dead, Ill stop looking for it and youll lose your chance at killing Demetrius?
Anger suffused his face, flushing his cheeks and turning his eyes into burning gems. Is that what you think?
Costa glanced between us. You two fighting?
Whats the only thing you told me I could trust about you, Adrian? My voice was flat from the weight of my desolate future bearing down on me. Your hatred of demons. So Im supposed to believe you wouldnt string me along about my sisters survival to keep me looking for the one weapon that can kill them?
Adrians hands closed into fists while he stared at me. The last time hed done that, hed grabbed me and kissed me, but something darker than passion seethed in him now.
Get your stuff, he said in a voice that vibrated from barely controlled rage. Were leaving for Bennington tonight.
Get your stuff, he said in a voice that vibrated from barely controlled rage. Were leaving for Bennington tonight.
chapter thirty
This is a bad idea, Costa said for the eleventh time.
Adrian and I responded the same way we had to his other ten warningswith stony silence. We were too busy playing our high-stakes version of chicken to let Costa deter us. Adrian was counting on me changing my mind about entering the worlds most dangerous demon realm, and I was betting hed refuse to pull me through the gateway when the time came.