Star Eater
Chapter Thirty-Six

Mason lingered outside the wing where Joseph’s office was. He was hoping for a moment to talk to Kai, or at least a second to give him a note he’d carefully crafted. There were soft treadfalls behind him and Mason tensed, then relaxed.

“You really are quite good at that,” he said softly. She had taken out the earrings she wore that jingled as she walked. Mason realized how quiet it made her.

“What are you doing?” Ava asked.

“Waiting for your boyfriend,” he said, glancing back at her. “You should be in your room. If Joseph or Cole catch you, we’ll both be in trouble.”

“Kai is not my boyfriend,” Ava said, though the blush rising in her cheeks suggested she wasn’t opposed to the idea. “What is he doing here?”

Mason clamped his mouth shut but from the look she gave him, he knew he couldn't push her off any longer.

“Joseph wants him,” Mason said. “He’s not human, Ava.”

“What is he?” she asked. She didn't seem surprised, but then she’d been raised around supernaturals. “Not daemon.”

Mason shook his head. “No,” he said. “He’s a fhear dorcha. Joseph is going to use him and then force him to join the clan. So maybe you’ll get your wish.” Mason glanced at her. “Maybe you’ll be able to date him.”

“That’s not funny,” Ava said, crossing her arms over her chest. “You promised you would protect him.”

“I didn't promise to protect him,” Mason said. “I promised to protect us. Tomorrow night, I want you to take Mom and leave.”

“No,” Ava said.

“Ava,” Mason hissed. He was angry. No, he was terrified. If Silas came back, things were going to get worse. His father would be murderous, furious looking for the leak that Joseph hadn’t found. And people were going to die. Mason wasn’t exactly high on his father’s list of importance, and Ava was even lower. They needed to be gone.

“I need to know you’re safe,” Mason whispered.

Ava looked into his frightened eyes. “I’m not going without you.” Mason opened his mouth to rage, but Ava cut him off.

“You missed your shot,” she said.

Mason glanced out the window. She was right. Kai was already at the car. Mason swore. He needed to see Kai and he needed to see him before tomorrow night.

Then his sister was tugging his arm. “I have something you might replace useful. Come to my room.”

Mason knew better than to argue with her. Innocent she may look, but Ava had grown up in a daemon household. Underneath those bright colors and silly clothes was a steel will. In her room, she unlocked the bottom desk drawer and pulled out a notepad. On it, taped in place was a shredded note reassembled.

The note was in Joseph’s handwriting and said, “New password: defodau.”

“Where did you get this?” he demanded.

“The servants throw everything in the recycling,” she said sensibly. “I got it from there.”

“This is dangerous,” he hissed.

“Yes,” she agreed. “Which is why I’m going to burn it when you leave.” She returned his angry glare completely unperturbed. She had courage, his sister.

Closing his eyes, Mason recited the eight virtues until he was calm. Then he opened his eyes.

“Please burn it now,” he said, but she was already lighting the edge of the paper. Once it caught, she released it into the metal trashcan. He could see other ashes in there and wondered what else she’d burned.

More than ever, Mason realized he needed to get her out of here. She was going to get herself killed. He turned to go.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“I have to talk with Kai,” he said.

Kai had the goons drop him off at the yogurt shop. It was closed already, but he didn't care, he just didn't want them seeing where he was staying. After the black SUV drove away, the lights around him stayed on and he felt a wave of relief so strong he had to sit down. The signs, the traffic lights, the phones glowing in people’s hands as they walked by—it was all normal. The bio-suit was an uncomfortable win, but it was a win. He could function again. Pretend to fit in, even if he wasn’t normal.

What now? Akuma asked.

It was a good question. Hopefully, this all ended after tomorrow night. Kai thought about going home. He wanted to. He was shocked at how much he wanted to. For all the effort he made to get away from the place, now he felt like all he wanted to do was go back. But going back now meant uncomfortable conversations, probably being grounded, and maybe a standoff with his parents about his health. Because he knew his father was going to play the disorder card.

That’s if he’s noticed you’re gone, Akuma thought.

Kai snorted. Mom knows, Kai thought. If only because she planned on having a ‘talk’ with me.

Though Kai knew he was going to have to deal with all that at some point, right now, he just didn't have the energy. Plus, his parents would watch him like a hawk after he went home. And he had an appointment to keep tomorrow night. So he turned his steps up Ventura Boulevard and headed towards the secret base.

You need a shower, Akuma thought. And food.

Well, Kai thought, taking into account his location. There are several golf courses around here we can break into.

Link lay on his bed, exhausted. Today, he had spent the whole day repainting and fixing up one of the local middle schools. His dad had spent the day reconfiguring the security system so Link couldn't hack it. After he’d picked Link up, he’d dropped him off at home—locking him in of course—and was now off to hang out with his buddies.

“If there is even a hint of you doing something, you’ll be just like your friend Jeff,” his dad warned, “off to military school.”

Link sighed. He was bored and tired and anxious. He hadn’t heard from Homeland or Kai, although his dad had confiscated all his electronics so there was that. The old bastard had even locked up the TV in his weapons locker.

“Do your homework,” he’d said on his way out.

“Fuck me,” Link complained.

From downstairs, Link heard a knock on the front door. He rolled off his bed and looked out the window. No car outside. Link wasn’t sure whether to be happy it wasn’t the police or agents again. The knocking came harder and Link ran out of his room bellowing,

“I’m coming.”

He stopped just in front of the door and realized he couldn't open it.

“Uh, who is it?” he asked.

“Mason,” the voice identified. “Open up.”

“I can’t,” Link sighed. “My dad locked me in. I’m grounded. Sorry man, but you’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”

“I don’t have time to wait until—” Link heard Mason swear and then saw a shadow cross his front windows, heading around back.

Does he think he’s going to break it? Link wondered. He walked around back too and looked out the kitchen window. The yard was empty.

“Are there cameras inside the house?” Mason asked from behind him.

Link jumped and whirled around. The older kid stood in the doorway, oozing stress and tension.

“Well?”

“Uh, no just the perimeter,” Link said. Mason cursed again.

“How far back do they track?” he asked, walking to the kitchen window and glancing out the backyard.

“Twelve feet maybe?” Link said. He felt Mason relax beside him.

“Good,” he said. “I went far enough.”

“How the hell did you get in here without tripping the alarms? You know what? Never mind,” Link swiped his hands. “I don't want to know. You gotta go, man. If my dad replaces out, he’ll kill me.”

“Funny you should say it like that,” Mason said. “Because if I don't replace Kai, my dad will literally kill me and probably my sister too.”

Mason looked at Link, no trace of levity in his grim features, just tired, frightened, and angry determination.

“Why do you think I know where he is?” Link asked to stall. Mason just raised an eyebrow. “I haven’t seen him,” Link said. “I think his phone is still broke cause he didn't return my texts, at least not yesterday after I left him.”

“Where did you leave him?”

“I can’t tell you that.”

“I don’t have time for this,” Mason said. He grabbed Link’s throat and shoved him hard against the kitchen island, bending him painfully backward over the edge. His voice became deeper, more menacing as he said, “I need to speak to Kai. It’s a life or death matter.”

Link was surprised and furious at the sudden attack. “Go fuck yourself, Mason,” he said.

Mason’s eyes transformed into a stark orange with little black dots appearing around the pupils as he glared at Link. Link felt a ripple of instinctual terror run through him. His stomach dropped and he started to sweat. If he wasn’t being held by the throat and struggling to breathe, he’d have run.

“I don't care if I have to tear you to pieces,” Mason whispered. “If I don't talk to Kai, my sister’s life is in danger. So understand me when I say that I will do anything to speak with him. Where is he?”

Link told him. Mason let him go and walked towards the interior of the house. At the door, he stopped.

“I like you, Link,” Mason said over his shoulder. “You’re strong, fast, loyal. Everything I would want in a friend. But you have no idea what’s going on. Please excuse my roughness.”

By the time Link recovered and went into the living room, Mason had disappeared. Link ran up the stairs two at a time to the closet where the security equipment was held. He checked the new auto log system his dad had installed. There was no record of any disruptions or break-ins. It was like Mason had appeared and disappeared into thin air.