Fearless The King Series Book One - By Tawdra Kandle Page 0,116

precious Michael again, before we sacrifice his blood to cleanse our sacred space?

Every cell in my body was poised for flight. I clung to the seat in order to keep myself from bolting out of the classroom and running to find Michael. My heart raced and adrenaline surged—where was he now? English. On the other side of the building. How fast could I get there?

And then Nell resumed her line of thought. Marica has him by now. I could get out of next period, see if I can get out there early. We can take care of him, make sure the clearing is ready for the next part… when she’s our sacrifice.

Before I could react, Nell stood and walked to the front of the classroom. She leaned toward Mr. Frame and whispered something I couldn’t hear, not even in her thoughts. In the teacher’s mind I detected only resigned embarrassment, and he nodded quickly before handing her a pass and waving her away. Nell didn’t even look my way as she moved out the door.

I was stuck. If I tried to leave now, to use an excuse to leave class early after Nell has just done so, Mr. Frame would become suspicious and probably refuse. I’d just have to leave and deal with the consequences later. I was about to slip from my desk when the bell rang.

I jumped as though electrified and pushed through people to get to the door, ignoring the surprised and disgruntled looks. Once in the walkway, I sprinted around crowds and across the patchy grass, all the while glancing desperately from face to face, looking for Michael. Was there still a chance he was here and safe?

The classroom was empty by the time I got there. I turned around immediately and headed toward the parking lot. If what Nell had been thinking was true, Ms. Lacusta had Michael. I knew that by myself I couldn’t save him—not from both Nell and Ms. Lacusta—but I thought I could stall them until help arrived.

But how where would that help come from? Frantically I cast my mind, trying to think of who was where—I didn’t know anyone’s class schedule. I was alone, I didn’t have time to go from room to room looking for someone I trusted—and it would only be a matter of time before a teacher saw me outside without a pass and marched me to the office, where I knew they were less than likely to believe what I had to say.

I have to be calm and think this through, I told myself. There’s an answer, I know. I turned the corner and nearly ran directly into the pay phone.

This phone was something of a school joke, since virtually no one used it. Almost everyone used cell phones, either their own or, if they were like me and didn’t have one, a friend’s. I wasn’t even sure how to use a pay phone. I dug into my change purse, deep in the bottom of my handbag, and found quarters. Isn’t that what they took? I slipped two into the slot, dialed the number of Michael’s cell phone and prayed that he would answer.

But instead of a ring, I heard his voice mail, which meant his phone was turned off. I bit my lip and swallowed hard. Not good. And that had wasted two of my quarters. With every ounce of faith I prayed that I had more—and I breathed a silent prayer of thanks when my fingers closed on two.

This time I punched in the familiar number of the nursery. Marley and Luke, I chanted to myself. Marley and Luke will know what to do.

It was Belinda who answered. She worked in the nursery shop, and I knew her slightly from my visits. I worked hard to keep my voice from shaking as I asked her if Michael was at the nursery.

“No, I haven’t seen him,” she answered. “Marly and Luke are out working on a landscaping job. You know she doesn’t usually go with him, but I guess he talked her into it today—”

I groaned as I interrupted her. “Listen, Belinda. I don’t want to be rude, but it’s very important that I get a message to Marley and Luke. They need to know that Michael is in trouble. Please tell them it’s Nell again, and I’m going over to the clearing, and they have to come fast. I don’t know if they have a phone with them or what, but please—this is an