Rain streamed down the windows as I considered what he said. My life had changed so much in the last month. I wasn’t the same person anymore. My magic wouldn’t harm anyone, but I’d turned my fencing epee in for a sharp sword I might be forced to use. Would I kill someone? I wanted to believe I wouldn’t lose myself, but who knew what fear might cause me to do?
The taxi turned off Massachusetts Avenue and onto Lexington. “We’re almost there.” I scooted to the edge of my seat and watched out the windshield. “It’s that big white house.”
The tires squealed as the driver slammed on the brakes, and I smacked my forehead against the window partition separating the front and back seats. I eyed the driver as I paid him. “They let you get a license, but me they don’t, because I drive too slowly. Jeesh. Really. You could’ve killed us.”
“Step away from the cab, please,” ordered the driver.
I backed up, and he sped off.
Kale and I stood on the sidewalk and surveyed Afton’s house, rain pounding down on us. The front door gaped open, and my stomach plunged to my feet.
Afton, I wanted to scream, but slapped my hands over my mouth.
Chapter Nineteen
Kale lifted his chin in the direction of the door.
My heart hammering, I took measured steps beside him up to the house, alert for danger.
I settled my foot on the first porch step. “This is strange. Their house is usually locked up like Fort Knox, even when they’re home.”
Oh my god. No! Afton!
Kale grabbed my arm as I started to bolt inside. “Hold on. We do them no good rushing in unprepared.”
But I couldn’t stand still, rocking impatiently on my feet as I watched him.
He reached into his trench coat and pulled out a pair of gloves. He slipped them on his hands and wrapped the straps around each of his forearms, then hid his arms in the flaps of his black trench coat.
Right. I had to prepare. Had to start thinking like a warrior instead of a scared little girl. But it was hard to stay calm when I imagined a million different scenarios involving Afton—all of them ending badly. I gulped down my fear, drew my sword from its scabbard, and kept it close to my side. The shield resting on my back under my trench probably made me resemble the Hunchback of Notre Dame.
I trailed him over the threshold with my sword extended. “It’s too quiet,” I whispered.
Kale raised his hands and pushed his middle fingers against his palms. One sharp blade shot out and extended over his knuckles. Then he flipped his left one over and said a charm, forming his purple globe.
“I thought we weren’t supposed to use globes outside the libraries?”
“It’s a stun globe and won’t destroy anything like Arik’s fire or Lei’s lightning ones would. Get behind me,” he muttered.
I let him lead and readied my sword.
“Relax, Gia.”
We circled around the entire first floor. Empty. So not good. Where was everyone on a Sunday?
Then we headed upstairs. The first bedroom was vacant. The next room was Afton’s bedroom. The usual incense smell hung in the air. Clothes hung over the footboard of the bed and shoes covered the floor. Her list of Taylor Swift songs played from the dock on her nightstand. On her vanity, lotions, perfume bottles, and makeup containers crowded the table. Not a thing was out of place.
A loud clang came from the bathroom.
“Afton?” I called out.
“Hey, you’re early. I just got back from babysitting,” she said as she came out of the bathroom. “What the hell?” She looked from me to Kale and then to my sword.
I sheathed it. “Afton, it’s me, the real Gia.” I yanked the collar of my shirt down to reveal my scar. “See? No tattoo.”
Afton came closer to examine it. “Oh, I’ve missed you,” she squealed, throwing her arms around me. I hugged her back hard.
“Why is your front door open?”
“My mom went next door for tea. The lock’s broken. One good wind and it blows open. They’re fixing it sometime today.” She pulled back, worry striking her face. “Why are you here? The other Gia is on her way over.”
“Afton?” A familiar voice came from the door. “What’s going on here?” Pop asked. “The front door is wide—” He dropped his car keys, his gaze shooting from me to Deidre standing behind him.