Carrier 02: Shadow of the Mark (3 page)

“Of course we do!” Will jumped up. “Where is it?”

Fionn left the room for a few minutes. When he got back, he gently placed a box on the table. “As you can imagine, we don’t like having it close, as it interferes with their senses, but I’ve found that keeping it stored in echoed soil dulls its powers.”

The soil around the DeRíses’ house held echoes of the goddess Danu, the original holder of the elements. The soil’s protective properties kept us safe, and now it had another purpose—shielding us from the amulet.

“Really?” Will said, rubbing his hands together. “That’s interesting.” He opened the box and started poking around in the dirt.

“Will, wait!” Fionn said. “Do you want to show him how it affects you, Áine?”

She nodded, then looked over to the window, where a housefly was busy bashing itself against the glass. Suddenly the fly stopped and flew toward Áine, where it hovered for a moment just in front of her face, and then it flew to Adam and landed on his shoulder. Adam scowled and swatted at it as Áine giggled and flicked her hand so the fly jumped to me. I shuddered as his little legs tickled the end of my nose. Just as the fly got to Fionn, Will pulled the amulet from the soil. The fly instantly lost interest and flew erratically, finally landing on the remnants of Fionn’s cheesecake.

“Next time, Áine,” Fionn said, reaching back and grabbing a newspaper from the counter behind him, “pick something more hygienic.” In one lethal swipe, he brought the paper down on the fly.

“That really is amazing,” muttered M.J. as Will brushed the last of the dirt from the amulet. “It’s instantaneous.”

Áine shook her head. “It makes me so uncomfortable.” Of all of our elements, Áine’s earth element was most affected by the presence of the amulet. Unlike for Adam and me, the amulet left her both blind and deaf to her extra senses.

Hugh took the amulet from Will and inspected it closely. “It is imperative that none of you ever wear it, do you hear me?”

Adam mock-gasped. “Oh no! I was planning to wear it next weekend with all my other medallions.”

Will frowned. “This is not a joke, Adam. The last Marked One to put on the amulet was Anú Knox, and you all know how that turned out.”

I swallowed hard as I recalled the story of how the Order had used the amulet to forcibly strip Anú of her element after she went wacko and started killing people. But something wasn’t adding up. “Will, I thought when Anú was stripped of her element, the Order member who completed the ritual was wearing the amulet, to protect him from her power. Wasn’t that how the story went?”

Hugh answered for Will. “The story is told in a certain way so as not to reveal details of the actual process. The important thing to remember is: NEVER put it on.” He smiled reassuringly. “Don’t look so worried, Megan. The Order does these things for your protection.”

The others didn’t bat an eye at the fact that the Order had changed the story. I guessed they were used to it, but I couldn’t help feeling a little put out.
What other things have they misconstrued in the name of protection?

Will’s eyes flicked between me and the amulet for a moment; then he pulled the conversation back. “Adam, does it not affect you like it does Áine?”

Adam shrugged. “It did at first. But I’ve learned how to work around it. I can still use my power when the amulet is out, but the amulet creates a barrier around itself so that my element can’t get through to it. Hugh, put it on for a minute.” Adam put his hand over a glass of water and drew its contents up until the water was hovering above his hand. Once Hugh placed the amulet around his neck, Adam hurled the liquid ball at him. Hugh ducked, but just as the water reached him, it seemed to smash against an invisible wall and sprayed out around either side of him, all over Will and Áine.

“Adam!” Áine screeched.

“And that’s how it works,” Adam muttered, and smiled innocently at Áine.

As they continued talking about the effects of the stone, I watched Hugh. He took out a little metal eyepiece, like the ones jewelers use to inspect diamonds, and he worked his way over the amber, back to front, inspecting every detail like he was looking for something.

“And you, Megan,” Will said over his half-moon glasses, his voice lower than usual, “is your element still bound by it?”

I shook my head. “I can tap into my element around it, but it’s harder to do, and I also can’t get beyond the shield.”

Will glanced at Hugh. “So why does the amulet affect Áine’s element so much more?”

“I think I have the answer to that,” Fionn said. “Áine has become dependent on her element. She uses it all the time, without even thinking about it. So the stone interferes with her entire version of normal. She needs to learn how to separate her regular senses from her elemental ones.”

“Fascinating,” Hugh whispered, his eyes still focused on the amulet. “Fionn, I must take it to the crypt. It would be safer there.”

“Absolutely not! I won’t let it back into the hands of the Order. You three aside, I wouldn’t trust them as far as I could chuck them.”

M.J. blew out his cheeks. “The Order won’t like this, Fionn.”

“I don’t care what the Order likes or doesn’t like. This is my family we are talking about.” It was clear Fionn was putting an end to the conversation. He placed the amulet in the box and left the room with it.

Áine sighed. “Phew! So what’s next on the agenda?”

Hugh, who’d been glaring after Fionn, suddenly turned back to the table and his face lit up. “That would be your intended, Áine. I’ve heard great things, I tell you. Great things.”

“Oh,” Áine muttered, shrinking back onto the bench. “Do you mind if we talk about that later? I don’t think we need to involve everyone in that particular discussion.” She glanced at Adam who had his eyes firmly fixed on the table.

“Is there a problem?” Hugh’s eyes followed Áine’s gaze to Adam.

She shook her head. “Nope, no problem. I’d just prefer to do it later. Anyway, there are more pressing things to talk about, aren’t there? Like the alignment. We’re still aiming for June, right?”

“Of course. Now that Megan has evoked, there is no reason to delay it.” Hugh clapped his hands together.

“I’d prefer to wait,” Adam said. “Megan’s still coming to terms with her new power. She needs more time.”

“I’m not so sure,” Fionn said, walking back into the room. “She is much further along than we realized.” He raised his eyebrows at me, and I blushed. “However,” he continued, “Adam has a point. She needs more time to get mentally prepared for what lies ahead. Let’s see how training goes over the next few weeks before we make any final decisions.”

Will stood firm. “This is one decision you won’t be involved in, Fionn. The Order is already making the arrangements.”

“Unmake them,” Fionn snapped. “We’ll decide when we’re absolutely sure.”

“No. The Marked are ready, and you know that.”

M.J. leaned in to Fionn and lowered his voice. “This is what they were born for. Once it’s done, they can begin to live something resembling a normal life. Don’t deny them that.”

Fionn glared at him. “Stop twisting this,” he said quietly. “The alignment is dangerous. We’ve seen what it can do.” I strained to hear the conversation.

“Only because we never had all four at full strength. This will be different.”

“Enough,” Fionn hissed. “This will not be finalized until we have all the facts and Rían is here to speak for himself.” With that, Fionn walked out of the room.

After what felt like an eternity, Adam finally spoke. “Way to go, pushing Fionn’s most sensitive buttons. You know, you could have just asked us.”

M.J. cleared his throat. “We didn’t mean to upset Fionn, but it is imperative that the alignment happen this summer solstice.”

They were right. Getting the alignment over and done with would be a huge relief, and I was confident I could handle it.

Adam nodded. “We’ll give you our final answer once Rían is here to speak for himself.”

“What’s Rían doing, anyway?” I asked.

“Oh, just helping me out on a little project,” Hugh said. “And no, Megan, I don’t have any answers for you yet.” It was depressing how quickly my one shred of hope could be destroyed.

Áine took one look at my expression and stood up. “Right, who’s for coffee?”

Five sour faces turned toward her.

“Aw, come on, guys, it could be worse. On Friday, you could be meeting the guy you’re being forced to marry!”

A
t school the next morning, Chloe was waiting patiently for us at the front gate. She bounded over and gave me a big hug. I laughed. “Hey, Chloe! How are you?”

“Doing well. I baked some cookies that we can all share at lunch.”

I noticed Caitlin’s eyes narrowing slightly, but she fell into step with Chloe and Áine as they hurried toward the entrance, talking about our English assignment. Adam and I followed more slowly.

“Chloe’s too friendly. She’s trying too hard.” He glared at her back.

“Anyone starting in a new school tries too hard.”

He didn’t look convinced.

“Adam, stop. She’s just trying to fit in.”

“Maybe.”

“Oh, Adam, come on. What do you think she’s doing, spying on us for the Knox? I’m not sensing any danger from her, are you?”

He shrugged, but his eyes remained fixed on Chloe in the distance.

“The last time the Knox got near us, the Sidhe warned us. If Chloe was a threat, he’d have alerted us as soon as she showed up.”

“Some spirit guide he turned out to be. He didn’t warn us early enough.”

“That’s because the Knox had the amulet. We have it now, and they can’t hide from him or us. Not everyone is out to get us, you know.”

“I guess you’re right.” He sounded unsure.

“Adam, can you just give her a chance? For me?”

He finally looked at me, his eyes softening. “Okay. I’ll try to let it go. For you.”

He leaned forward and kissed me, putting one hand on the side of my face. I closed my eyes and kissed him back, reveling in the power whirling around us. Then Adam gently pulled away, his hand dropping like a weight onto my shoulder, before it fell. I opened my eyes in surprise just in time to see him slump on the ground in a heap.

“Adam?” I slid to my knees, cradling his head in my lap. “Adam!” I said a little louder, my voice lost under the pounding of my heart. He was unconscious.

“Áine!” I shouted. She, Chloe, and Caitlin turned and froze at the sight of Adam sprawled on the concrete.

“Adam!” Áine cried, and sprinted toward us. “What happened?”

I looked up at her. “We were talking and he kissed me, and then he . . . collapsed.”

Chloe stood over us, looking around nervously, while Caitlin just stared, her mouth wide open.

“I’m calling Fionn,” Áine said, whipping out her cell.

I leaned over Adam and hugged him tight, willing him awake. My element pulsated, filling my chest, making it hard for me to breathe. I looked around, expecting a vicious wind or something, but only the gentlest of breezes lifted my hair and then ebbed away. Adam’s color returned, and he opened his eyes.

“Adam,” I whispered, pulling away. “Adam, can you hear me?”

“That’s one powerful kiss you have there,” he croaked, sitting up.

My eyes darted from Adam to Áine, and then to Caitlin and Chloe, who turned her back to us as her cell rang. She muttered something and hung up, then faced us again. Her eyes met mine.

“Just my dad,” she mumbled. “I forgot my lunch.” She looked back over to Adam.

Adam laughed and gave us an apologetic smile. “Sorry about that, guys. I’m fine. It’s probably just low blood sugar.” He stood and held his hand down to help me up. I stared in confusion and then realized I was still on the ground. Adam pulled me to my feet. My knees shook, and I grabbed on to Adam for support. What had just happened?

Áine’s face was lined with worry. “Adam, we need to look into this.”

He shot her a glare, effectively making her drop the subject. She sighed and linked her arms through Chloe’s and Caitlin’s. “Come on, let’s get to class.”

Caitlin hesitated. “Is he all right?”

“He’s fine. Megan will look after him.” She waved her hand dismissively and pulled them away.

“Adam, what the hell just happened? You scared the crap out of me.”

Adam ran his hand through his hair. “Let’s skip first class and have a chat.” He took my arm and guided me back to the car. “Get in—you look like you’re going to faint.”

“That’s rich, coming from you,” I said, settling into the car. He shut the door, walked around the other side, and climbed in. “Is something wrong?” I put my hand on his stomach, touching the scar from Lyonis’s gunshot.

He paused and took a deep breath. “You know our weird connection and the energy we emit when we’re together? Well, it’s changing.”

“What do you mean?”

“I told you before, it’s getting harder to control. Recently, I’ve noticed that when we kiss, you’re drawing my energy.”

I couldn’t believe what he was saying. “I am not! I wouldn’t know how to.”

“It’s not you, it’s your element. Mine seems to be seeking yours out. The pull has been getting stronger, probably as you’re getting stronger. I was able to manage it up to now, but clearly I can’t do that anymore.”

I felt the sting of tears building. “We seem doomed, don’t we?”

He shook his head. “I was fine once you gave back the energy.”

“I did? When?”

“I don’t know. I was hoping you might be able to tell me. I definitely felt it return just as I came around.”

I tried to think about what I had done. I remembered hugging him and willing him back to me. Then I recalled the warm ache in my chest and the burst of energy. “Yes! I felt it passing through me.”

“Well, there you go.” He smiled. “You just have to give back what you take!”

“It’s not that simple, Adam. I could have killed you today and not even have known! It’s time to tell someone.”

Adam pulled me into his arms. “Well, we’re going to have to tell Áine. She knows there’s something up.”

“Why does everything with us have to be so difficult?”