Rage of Vendetta (The Vendetta Series #2)

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

A full day and some has passed since we arrived at the safe house.

I pace up and down the new room they moved me in to: one closer to my family on the third floor. My shoes must be wearing the carpet thin.

Despite how hard I dig for information, so far I have achieved approximately nothing. After I had finished explaining everything, Mom said she was going to speak to the others at Ocultus Center and see if they could reach the Council. She told me I didn’t have to worry anymore. They could get to the Council easily. 

It’s not like I disagree they have this handled, but sitting around is causing me mental pain. This place is very safe. In fact, it’s so safe it’s boring. 

No one will tell me what is happening with the war. No one will tell me if the clone—if the mindless Cambions—have attacked more Nephilum bases. No one will tell me how close we are to the Nephilum declaring a full-out war and stabbing any Cambion walking on the street. 

(Who am I kidding, they do that on a normal basis anyway.)

In fact, the last time I saw the others was a five-minute conversation after they finished the tour from security. Sasha had asked around, and no one knew a woman fitting her mom’s description. She had gone searching, just in case her mom had changed her appearance like mine did (still not sure why, now that I think about it), but nothing. 

Just an hour ago, I’d looked for them briefly again: Sasha, Jesse, Eric, Courtney, Vee. Anyone. Yet no luck.

It feels weird to be without the others. I’ve gotten used to their five voices as if they were my own. 

I need to find them.

“Enough is enough is enough,” I mutter, flinging my door open. If I sit around any longer, I am going to scream. 

I go to the next door over, knocking hard. Dad opens it, clad in thick, ratty pajamas. I raise my eyebrows, choosing not to comment.

“Air,” he yawns. “It’s eleven at night, what are you doing?”

I start. “It’s eleven? How do you know?”

“I have a thing in here called a clock?” he says, rubbing his forehead. 

“Well, anyway.” I put my hands on my hips, peering in. “Where’s Mom?”

Dad returns into the room, and I follow. “Your mother said something about Amanel. I don’t know, sweetie. Why?”

I try ignore the cold spell that hits every time I hear the name.

“I’m trying to find my friends. The ones I came with."

“Oh, yeah, those. The blond boy is funny.” 

Is he, Dad? Is he really? “When did you talk to Eric?” I say, distracted momentarily. I shake my head. “Doesn’t matter. Have you seen them recently?"

"Define recent."

"Dad!'

He puts his hands up in mock surrender. “I saw the dark-haired boy in the kitchen earlier asking for you. I told him to find you in your room.”

I frown. “He didn’t show up.”

Dad yawns again, louder. He rubs his face again, which I know he always does when he’s trying to keep his eyes open. “I don’t know, honey. He looked kind of anxious too.” Dad peeks between two of his fingers. “Ariel?”

“Hmm?” I’m thinking about what Jesse would have to be anxious about.

“You’re not dating the boy, are you?”