Awakening - The Last Science #1

Chapter 14 - What It Means - V

  Once the Reverend left, the remainder of the memorial party quickly dispersed. The Wilsons shot a few more angry glances at Rachel, but did not confront her. Rachel was too stunned by what had just occurred to do much of anything for a few minutes. Will helped her to her seat and stayed with her until the park had emptied itself down to just the two of them, the mayor and the sheriff. As the sun began to fall in the sky, Cinza emerged from the forest to join them. Her jewelry and charms jangled as she crossed the field, echoing over the birdsong that filled the air.

  "That service was much more dramatic than I expected," she commented.

  Jackie shot her a dark look. "Don't joke around about this shit, kid."

  "My apologies," Cinza said sincerely. She bowed her head slightly, and her hair immediately faded back to its normal brown—without the flashy transition that normally accompanied it. She still didn't drop her vocal enchantment, but it seemed lessened somehow at least. "I meant no disrespect."

  "Wilsons're right about one thing though, we need to catch the son of a bitch."

  "Indeed." Cinza looked back out at the forest. "My people have been exploring the forest in shifts, but without so much as a hint of activity. I assume your contact has found nothing either?" she asked, looking back at Rachel. A few moments of silence passed without a response. "Rachel?"

  Rachel was staring at the ground, barely paying attention. Her brain was replaying the conversation endlessly. The venom in Ingrid Wilson's eyes, the pain in Paul's hoarse voice. She couldn't break away from the guilt that was seizing her throat and clamping down hard on her chest. Her heart ached in a way she'd never known before.

  "Rachel," Will said, squeezing her hand.

  She finally looked up. "What?"

  "Cinza was asking if your friend found anything yet on Omega."

  "Oh. I... no. Nothing." Rachel's eyes fell to the ground again, where a tiny yellow dandelion sprouted near her foot.

  "So we've still got nothing to go on," Rowan sighed.

  Jackie shrugged. "Not exactly. We know this guy can't make a move into town directly, and we know his associate—whoever that is—can't use magic himself without popping up all over our mysterious benefactor's radar. And everyone in town's accounted for. We also know he's plannin' to make a move soon, if he blocked off all our escape routes."

  "Aren't we worried that it'll be something drastic? Something massive?"

  "It's not Omega's style," Will replied. "He was always very stringent on making sure the general public was never involved. Way more than the rest of the awakened. He'd never involve people without magic."

  "Unless the rules have changed now that we all know," Rowan said. "Maybe we count as valid targets now."

  "Maybe. Couldn't say. So far, no one has been attacked besides Jenny, and aren't we pretty sure that was accidental?"

  "Accidental?"

  Jackie nodded. "Little girl was down behind the chair and got hit by whatever killed Alex, punched right through everythin'. I don't think they knew she was there."

  "Good God," Rowan murmured. "That just makes this even worse." His phone started buzzing. "That's my cue, I suppose. More concerned citizens. Excuse me."

  Jackie left as well, giving Rachel another sidelong glance. She still hadn't spoken up, letting Will fill in for her in the conversation.

  "I know your secret," Cinza said abruptly.