the earthy, spring smell. In the nearby bushes, birds scurry about.
“I’d like to walk.”
Annalise purses her lips. We’re standing inside the clear barrier the State claims protects students from Sensitive attacks. A trail skirts alongside it, leading back toward the south entrance where Mother’s house is located. It’s an area I know well because Beck and I used to play here as children.
I stare blankly at the Bay while Kyra and Annalise discuss the issue.
“I’m sending Oliver when he’s finished with an errand,” Annalise says sharply. “In the meantime, stay vigilant, Kyra. Is that understood?”
“Of course.”
Annalise darts her eyes between the two of us. “Go. Before I change my mind.”
I don’t need to be told twice and hurry up the dirt trail. When I glance over my shoulder, Annalise is gone and Kyra is a few feet behind me. I pause to wait for her to catch up.
“I’m on probation after the whole night-club-freeing-of–the-Sensitives thing, by the way.”
My stomach knots. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get you in trouble.” I had hoped, with the agreement I made with Mother, that Kyra wouldn’t be punished. So much for that.
She shrugs. “They waited until today to tell me. It’s not too bad. I have to work extra shifts, which means I spend more time with you.” She wrinkles her nose playfully. “And the monitoring of my wristlet has increased. Basically…” She starts walking. “I’m under constant observation.”
“I know how that feels,” I mumble.
“The best part?” she asks sarcastically. “I have to keep your human pet until Malin agrees to give her to you.” We walk along an old, well-traveled dirt path. “That’s a little bit unfair if you ask me.”
Leave it to Kyra to turn my attempt at solitude into the Kyra Show. All I wanted was some time alone. To reflect on what’s happening. And instead I get Kyra acting bratty because she can’t use magic at home.
At the fork, I veer sharply to the left and begin climbing the hill. Kyra can’t keep up with me and I don’t bother to wait for her.
“Are you nervous about tomorrow? Maz says Ryker is looking forward to it,” she shouts from the bottom of the incline.
My foot hovers above the ground. I step forward and slowly pivot so that I’m staring down at her. “Are you serious? Maz actually said that? He’s such a liar.”
Before I can blink, Kyra transports next to me. Her hand is clamped over her wristlet. “What did I just tell you?” she whispers as she covers mine with her other hand. “We’re both under constant monitoring.”
I should be more discreet. The wristlets are always there and sometimes I forget.
I should never forget.
We enter the last standing grove of redwood trees in the Presidio. It occurs to me, for the first time, that these should have died off years ago, like the rest of them. Redwoods can’t survive in this climate. Perhaps someone is using magic to keep them alive.
I run my hand over the rough bark. This grove must be hundreds, if not thousands, of years old. The world has changed so much around it and yet it keeps growing, stretching for the sun. Surviving.
A twig snaps just beyond the tree line and Kyra throws her arm in front of me. Even though I pull up short, I still collide with her. My senses go into overdrive as Kyra places her finger against her lips, signaling me to stay silent. Her body is tense, prepared for a fight.
“Someone’s on the other side of the grove,” she whispers. “It could be Oliver, but my wristlet isn’t picking him up.”
The memory of Beck and I trapped by Sensitives flashes through my mind. The situation is too eerily similar. Like that day with Beck, Kyra and I are alone in the Presidio.
Me and my stupid ideas.
“Kyra,” I say, pointing toward the trees. She spins around, hands raised, and I copy her movements.
My pulse hammers in my ears. If we’re caught by the Splinter group, we won’t stand a chance. Not even with Mother and Dawson’s intensive lessons. I saw what they did to Eloise and Henry. And they had Beck, who’s stronger and more experienced than me.
“Halt!” Kyra shouts, as a flash of light cracks into a tree twenty feet away from us. The tree groans and sways. I watch in horror as it topples onto the one nearest it.
“Kyra, it’s just me,” Ryker yells from behind us. “And Lena.” Before me, a terrified Lena emerges from behind the