The Elementalists Page 9

  “You know what I always say, honey? The same thing your grandmother always said to me—you can do anything you set your mind to.”

  But when Chloe shut her eyes again, she found only those frightening reptilian eyes staring back from the darkness behind her lids.

  • • •

  Shipwreck’s eyes were wide open, however, as he continued to stare into the murk. They held on the dark figure that stood just beyond the tree line. The cat had been drawn to the presence there, just as the insects and birds that gathered in ever greater numbers from across the woods. They came to offer their voices in reverence, to herald the coming of the lord of beasts.

  Shipwreck was powerless to tear his gaze away from the shadowy form. It was like a man but not, motionless except for the sapphire eyes that followed closely. And the cat could not resist the overpowering will that had slipped into his mind to hold him in this trance. He could tell that something was coming, like the feeling he got before the arrival of a storm or the sense that came to him when Chloe was angry—only this was much, much bigger.

  He was afraid of what waited in the woods and mewed again, long and filled with sorrow. His instincts told him to run, but he was frozen. There was nowhere to escape to and nowhere to hide.

  Chapter 8

  A Day of Firsts

  Chloe was subdued in the aftermath of the headaches, like a mental patient coming off an electroshock marathon. She shuffled around the house in slippers and pajamas and ate large quantities of ice cream. With the lights back on and the pain subsided, thoughts of winged monsters and absurd prophecies began to fade from her mind. On Saturday, it seemed like a bad dream. By Sunday afternoon, it was gone altogether, and she retreated into her normal studies, happy to be distracted from the rapidly growing complexities of her life with books and homework.

  In junior high, she’d been prone to a constant flux of random fascinations, and once again, she found that they could easily be directed toward the creation of reliably Grade-A papers for any number of her classes. On Sunday night, it was a seven-page paper on the aerial hunting techniques of raptors, complete with strike position diagrams and a two-page glossary. On Monday, it was an in-depth analysis of the character and motivations of Simon in The Lord of the Flies.

  Math was her weakest subject, but with a little extra work she could consistently get A’s there, too. A sick part of her was actually looking forward to calculus her junior year. But science was her real passion, and after one month of entry-level “natural science,” she was seriously contemplating an attempt to leapfrog a few classes up to AP Biology as early as next semester. For the basics, she could probably have done a better job of instruction than her teacher, and she already understood the complexities of what Kirin and Cynthia discussed over the lunch table better than they did.

  But the science of interpersonal relationships was a different story. Outside of the classroom, Chloe would give herself a C- in social chemistry. Lunch and homeroom remained the only times she saw Kirin, and her store of witty comments had seemingly dried up around him. Every day after school she was booked until dinner with running, and he had yet to pursue another opportunity for just the two of them to hang out. In The Cave, she was forced to feign indifference to the little glances that passed between the “lab partners.” Despite Sin Decareaux’s casual grace and welcoming demeanor, Chloe found herself resenting the daily sight of her beautiful face.

  It was better just to maintain her schedule from the grounding—pretend that her return to freedom had never happened. It was easier just to remain a bookish, friendless, unattached nerd. The only sticking point was the elevated heart rate and increasing anxiety that overcame her whenever Kirin was nearby and, of course, the persistent and inexplicable attention from Ezra Richardson. True to his declaration, Ezra did indeed keep running and bantering with her during practice on Tuesdays and Fridays for the following two weeks; and for reasons she could not fully grasp and her peers could hardly believe, he went out of his way to talk to her in the hall and genuinely seemed to like her whenever he did.

  Their relationship wasn’t romantic—though Ezra did flirt with her constantly. He flirted with everyone, but with Chloe, his attentions seemed more in line with a big brother taking a youngster under his wing. After their unguarded repartee at the diner, Chloe found it difficult to take people’s opinions and expectations of him too seriously, and he seemed to like that she was in on the joke. He remained obnoxious and incorrigible, but he always gave Chloe the inclusive wink that made her smirk while everyone around her swooned.

  That’s why on the second Friday night of October, after she had commanded her place on the varsity girls’ cross-country team in the first official race of the season, Chloe found herself, against all better judgment, sitting in the bleachers among the sold-out crowd at the first football home game.

  Ezra had made her promise that she would come, but she was more and more seriously considering making a run for it with every passing minute. She sat among a cluster of her teammates, but found that she had little to say to them outside of the runner’s arena. She was a necessary part of the team and universally accepted by all, but as they gossiped about boys they liked and girls they hated, while regaling on the strengths and weaknesses of various products, Chloe remained largely mute and entirely uncomfortable.

  She scanned the throng of spectators for Kirin and the stoners, but caught the miserable stare of Liz from a few rows down instead. Oh, crap! Liz sat on the outskirts of Kendra’s hive of “it girls” as they buzzed at the fringes of a raucous gathering of soccer players. Kendra tossed her hair and placed a playful hand on Paul Markson’s shoulder, and all her little drones laughed with her—all except Liz, who sat a few bodies further removed from her supposed boyfriend.

  Even from the distance, Chloe could tell that Liz had recently been crying. Not knowing what else to do, she gave her a little wave. Liz waved back and then started shuffling past the line of knees to come closer.

  The nights had finally started to get a little chilly, but still Liz was wearing a short skirt and a top with too much skin showing. She looked cold and miserable as she stumbled into the aisle, and her high heels kept getting caught in the slats of the bleacher stairs as she awkwardly climbed up to Chloe’s row.

  “Can I sit for a moment?” she asked meekly, with a mix of shame and desperation worn on her face.

  “Of course,” answered Chloe as she nudged the girl next to her to slide down.

  Liz sat with a pitiful sniffle and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “I bet you think I look like a real idiot.”

  “No, I think you look cold and unhappy,” answered Chloe. “I’m sorry about what I said to you in the parking lot; I know it wasn’t you—”

  “No, you were right,” Liz interrupted. “Right about Kendra.”

  They both glanced over and found the bob of Kendra’s red mane amid the sea of bodies and banners. She was standing with her arms in the air and screaming like a banshee. Below, Ezra ducked a tackle, rolled out, and threw a bullet of a pass for a clean catch halfway down the field.

  In an instant, the crowd roared up around Chloe and Liz as the game disappeared from view behind a wall of people.

  “I think maybe we’re supposed to stand at this part,” yelled Chloe amid the din. Liz laughed with a little stream of snot firing out of her nostril, and that made her laugh harder. This was the Liz that Chloe had been best friends with: a little dorky and unsure of herself, but game for anything and always ready with a laugh.

  Liz got control of herself with a last battery of desperate heaves. “Chloe, I’m really sorry we didn’t hang out over the summer… I just wanted to try—”

  “I understand,” Chloe cut in. “It’s just that all the outfits and makeup aren’t really my thing. I’d look stupid if I even tried,” she admitted. “And I think you’re better than those girls.”

  “Yeah, maybe,” answered Liz with a blank look that went beyond the crowds.
“Believe it or not, Kendra can be really funny sometimes. And when you’re with her, you feel kind of like you’re at the center of the universe.”

  Chloe gave her a skeptical glare.

  “But she’s a serious bitch, too,” Liz added with a shrug. “She was kind of my ticket to the cool crowd, you know?” Liz stared at her feet. “I don’t like what she did to you, but she’s the one who set me up with Paul. And now I really like him.”

  Chloe saw the vulnerability in her old friend’s eyes. “Did you…?”

  Liz nodded and bit her lip, “Yeah, over the summer…”

  Chloe wasn’t sure what to say. That still seemed like light years away to her. The crowd settled back into their seats, and Chloe watched Kendra lean provocatively over Paul to take a handful of popcorn.

  “Let me guess, now Kendra’s decided that she likes him too?”

  “They grew up together and have known each other since they were babies,” Liz added in defeat. “Dr. Markson is the cofounder of Kendra’s dad’s company, and Kendra and Paul were always supposed to get married or something.”

  “That’s kind of creepy,” observed Chloe.

  “Kendra always said that he was like her brother!” Liz was getting worked up again. “I mean, she was the one who set us up and kept urging me to go all the way with him!”

  “That’s even creepier,” Chloe muttered.

  “I thought Paul really liked me. We talk all the time, and he actually listens, you know? But now I don’t have a chance… I mean, look at her,” Liz pointed back at Kendra as she dropped pieces of popcorn into her mouth one by one. “She looks like a porn star, and I can’t even walk straight in these stupid shoes!”

  “She’s a vapid asshole with daddy issues, and you’re smart, cool, and hot,” Chloe cut in. “If Paul Markson doesn’t see that, then forget him and move on.”

  Liz emerged from the pool of self-pity and turned to look at Chloe for the first time. “You’re probably the only real friend I have, and I’ve been treating you like total shit.”

  “It’s okay,” said Chloe as she watched Ezra break from a sack attempt and advance the ball up the field before ducking out of bounds. She turned back to Liz. “I’m still here if you ever need anything.”

  Liz’s face brightened as if with a grand idea. “You’re coming with me to the party tonight!”

  “What?”

  “Paul’s parents are out of town, and he’s having a huge party after the game! Everyone is going! You have to come with me and help me get him back!”

  “What? No, I don’t. That’s not what I meant at all,” Chloe stammered. “That would be a terrible idea for both of us…they hate me!”

  “No, that’s just Kendra. Paul thinks you’re awesome! Whenever you come up, he talks about how fast you are and how cool it is that you don’t give a crap what anyone thinks about you,” offered Liz. “And everyone is talking about how you’re so tight with Ezra Richardson and Cynthia Decareaux. I’m sure they’ll be at the party tonight.”

  The hamsters in Chloe’s mind started fighting over the wheel. People are talking about me? Jocks I’ve never met think I’m cool? Cynthia’s going to be at the party…with Kirin?

  “I can’t let Kendra win without a fight,” Liz declared. “What is it you always used to say to me? You can do anything you set your mind to.” She sat up straighter. “Well, you’ve inspired me. You always see things so clearly. I need to do this tonight, and I need your help.”

  Chloe winced.

  “You said you were going to get Kendra back for what she did to you. Well, if I can get Paul to choose me over her, it’ll get her where it hurts.” Liz thinned her eyes as a smirk crept across her face. “Chloe, you need to help me beat her at her own game.”

  Below, Ezra Richardson rocketed the ball across the field for a leaping catch in the end zone. The crowd shot up from their seats again, blocking Chloe’s view and drowning out the sound of her groan with their cheer.

  Chapter 9

  The Best Night of Your Life?

  I’ve got to be the dumbest person on the planet! And yet Chloe forced herself to open the car door and step out to the edge of the perfectly manicured lawn. Lush grass covered a gentle hill that climbed to the sort of house that might grace the cover of Architectural Digest Magazine. There were kids everywhere, yelling, laughing, drinking beer—totally uninhibited with the multi-acre estate around them that acted as insulation from neighbors and the law.

  Chloe had tried to back out of her part in Liz’s plan after the game, but they’d run into Ezra on his way to the locker room, where he and Liz had met for the first time and immediately ganged up on her. They’d made her promise to go to Paul’s party under threat of kidnapping if she tried to escape.

  Still, she’d thought to test their resolve, demanding to be dropped off at home for a shower and a change before the festivities started. She’d had little intention of leaving her house again, but Ezra didn’t even call before showing up at her door with his victorious smile. He promptly started flirting with her mom, and Chloe relented soon after.

  Despite Audrey’s protests, Chloe left the house still wearing jeans and Chuck Taylors, having only traded her sweatshirt for a grey, military-cut jacket in her grand effort to dress up. When they’d stopped to pick up Liz, she was, by contrast, wearing a skintight miniskirt and a push-up bra, though she’d at least had the sense to trade the awkward high heels for some bejeweled flats.

  Chloe and Ezra had sat in the idling car and observed as Liz approached with a tentative smile.

  “Wow, she looks kind of like a prostitute on her first day,” Ezra had observed.

  “I’m sure you would know,” Chloe mumbled. “But remember, she’s fragile, be nice,” she’d commanded.

  “Don’t get me wrong; it’s a good look,” Ezra had added with a grin before the back door had opened…

  …Now three car doors slammed in quick succession, and the odd trio came together in the middle of the driveway. Bass-heavy music blared from the house, and somewhere a girl screamed her indecipherable approval. Liz looked like she was about to explode with nervous energy. Chloe looked like she was about to throw up.

  Ezra draped a heavy arm over each of their shoulders. “Damn, I’m gonna walk into this party like royalty—two fine sophomore ladies at my side!”

  Liz beamed while Chloe coughed out a laugh. Ezra chuckled with her, but pulled her a little tighter as he nudged the procession toward the house. “Come on, Lightning, if you let down your guard and live a little, this might be the best night of your life.”

  “If this is the best night of my life, then I’m not sure I deserve to go on living.”

  Ezra pointed across to Stan’s orange van parked on the other side of the looping driveway. “I don’t know, I think your boyfriend might be here,” Ezra prodded.

  “What boyfriend? Who’s your boyfriend?” chirped Liz.

  Chloe punched Ezra in the stomach and actually hurt her hand a little bit.

  Ezra chuckled. “She’s sweet on that Asian surfer dude who transferred in.”

  Liz brightened. “For real? That guy is hot!” she trilled. “He’s so quiet and mysterious.” Her brow furrowed. “But isn’t he with Cynthia Decareaux?”

  Chloe was not enjoying this. “I’m not sweet on him; he’s just a friend. And no, he’s not with Cynthia; they’re just lab partners,” Chloe shot back in a feeble attempt to silence them both.

  Ezra kept chuckling. “Riiight.” He marched them up the driveway with a kingly saunter and nodded his head coolly in response to a series of shouted greetings.

  “Good game, Ezra,” offered some girl with batting eyelashes who Chloe had never seen before.

  “I can’t believe these people actually take you seriously,” Chloe whispered.

  “Neither can I; that’s why it’s so damn fun,” he retorted under his breath.

  Liz couldn’t stop grinning, both confused and fascinated by the odd dynamic between her antisocial fr
iend and the legendary star quarterback of the varsity football team. As they got close to the front steps, everyone hanging around out front seemed to be looking at them…and looking at her. More than anything, she prayed that Paul would see her before Ezra took his arm from around her shoulder.

  If Chloe could have lifted Ezra’s other arm, she would have taken off at a dead sprint. A cluster of students was gathered in a backlog at the door, and she could see countless people beyond them. It seemed like the whole school was there as she scanned the sprawling party that filled many of the fifty or so windows that were visible across this side of the massive house. It was quite possibly the finest home she had ever seen. It made her feel inadequate, but the prospect of facing the crowd inside filled her with outright dread.

  Ezra whistled. “You see, I could get used to a place like this.”

  “It’s nice, right?” added Liz just before a group of Ezra’s teammates noticed his approach and started whooping and cheering.

  “Mr. Richardson, arriving in style as always!” one of them called out.

  “Tapping the young talent early this year!” hollered another with a Neanderthal laugh.

  Chloe was too mortified to look up as the crowd parted to make room for Ezra’s approach. He raised his hands to give sporadic high fives as they neared the open door. Paul Markson waited on the other side with a beer in hand. Ezra detached from “his ladies” and shook Paul’s hand.

  “Hey, man, great game tonight! I’m glad you could come.” Paul shot Liz a quizzical look.

  “You’re a lucky man, Mr. Markson. You’ve got yourself a great house and a fine woman here,” said Ezra, nudging Liz forward. “You best keep her happy and close, but let me know if it doesn’t work out.” He actually winked.

  Liz was practically vibrating with excitement. Chloe bit her lip to stifle a cackle.

  “Thanks?” Paul said, temporarily shaken from his ‘cool host’ presentation. “Beer’s in the kitchen and on the back patio, and the liquor’s in the basement,” he recovered. “My house is yours.”