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  “He sounds like a jerk.”

  “But that’s the problem. He isn’t. He’s quite charming and funny.” She paused and looked off into the distance. “He’s also one of my best friends.”

  “Would you, you know, like him, if he were more—singular?” I asked.

  She perched her head onto her linked hands. “I can’t even entertain the possibility. You know, with each of us named as the possible Soul Mate to the Lost One. I think that might be the reason Markus hops around from each relationship. One can get lonely.”

  “Yeah, I can see how it would.” I grabbed her hand.

  “I’m okay. I’ve adjusted. Hey, maybe you’ll end up being the Lost One with Markus as your Soul Mate.” She grinned. “If that’s the case, you’ll need to straighten him out.”

  “It sounds like a major overhaul.” I laughed.

  “It would be nice, though. Even if it signaled the war, at least there’d be resolution.” Her eyes met mine. “I’d hoped it was you and Devon, probably because I already feel like you’re my sister.”

  “Aw. I feel the same way. Aren’t you worried about the war though?”

  “Yeah. Devon doesn’t think we’re ready yet. But the Elders have come up with a few possible strategies that might just work. So, while I’m worried, I’m still confident.” She squeezed my hand. “Can you imagine? Human beings could go back to their natural instincts for love and creativity. Without the Jacks, harmony would be restored.”

  “What about the Readers who’ve committed murder?”

  “In three thousand years, there’ve been seventeen, all occurring after the Seers died.”

  “Oh. That is a low percentage.”

  “I also think a lot had to do with our confinement. We get out when we need to, but sometimes people forget and become a little antsy. It’s happened to me on occasion. Once the Jacks are gone, we can go back to living in complete freedom.”

  “Aren’t some Readers disturbed living on the outside? I know I didn’t like reading thoughts. That woman in the store called me a bimbo!” I said, fisting my hands in anger.

  “You’re still angry about that?” She laughed and patted my arm. “We’re still evolving and learning new skills. We’re trying to learn how to switch our ability on and off when needed. For instance, we try to keep our minds quiet and not read unless we want to eavesdrop. I can do it about half the time.”

  “After the war, would you want to live outside Samara?”

  “Yes, I think all of us would. I love it here, but I hope this place can be more for reunions or weddings. I enjoy meeting new people and making friends. A life without the Jacks would make that possible.” She put her hand on her heart. “Everything would be possible.”

  People gathered at the entry, and an excited buzz went through the room. “What’s going on?” I asked Lucy.

  “I don’t know.” She stood on her tiptoes and tried to look over the heads gathered by the entry.

  I stood, but couldn’t see. The crowd parted a little, and Devon, Archer and, holy wow, another man was with them.

  “Who is that?” I asked.

  “Markus is early.” She smiled and waved at him, trying to get his attention while his fan club surrounded him.

  “You didn’t tell me he was so . . . so . . .”

  “Gorgeous? Handsome?” She laughed. “What did you expect?”

  I didn’t expect to be drawn to him like I was. It wasn’t just his looks. He exuded something I couldn’t put my finger on. But it made me want to get close to him to figure out what it was. No, it made me want to get away. Ugh. Already one groupie, I didn’t want to add another to my list. I eyed the doorway, planning a quick exit.

  About to make my move, my eyes glanced back and locked on Markus. Wavy, brown hair, electric-blue eyes, high cheekbones, rugged jaw, and a playful smile. I tried to look away, but couldn’t.

  He put his hand on his chest and mouthed the word ‘Wow’ in my direction. I tore my eyes away to look behind me. Nope. No one there.

  He walked toward me at a quick pace, brushing past the hands trying to hold him back. I eyed my exit again and took a calming breath. Nope. Didn’t work. My heart pounded, and I thought I was shaking, but I couldn’t feel my body, so I wasn’t sure.

  “Uh oh,” Lucy whispered.

  “What? What?” My voice came out raspy.

  Markus stopped directly in front of me and said, “I think I’m in love.”

  My mind froze. Before I could respond, Markus put his arm around my waist, pulled me close, and pressed his lips to mine. Oh, how he kissed me. I closed my eyes for a second, enjoying the sensation.

  I pulled back. Wait. What was I doing?

  He groaned and pulled me closer. “I take it back. I know I’m in love. Did you feel that?” he asked. His lips were about to make contact again, but a large hand ripped him away. Devon. He reared back and punched Markus in the face, knocking him to the floor.

  Get your playboy hands off her. She’s mine.

  Markus yelled, “Don’t interfere with this, Devon. She’s the one. I felt it this time. Do you hear me? She’s the Lost One, and I’m her Soul Mate. Back off.”

  Lucy yanked my arm. “Let’s get out of here before it gets ugly.”

  “Before?”

  “Okay. Uglier. Move it.” She pulled harder.

  “Ouch. Quit tugging at me. I’ll go. But shouldn’t we make sure they’ve quit fighting first?” A large group surrounded Markus and Devon. Angry words were still being tossed around, but the voices in the crowd made it impossible to hear them clearly.

  “You being here guarantees the fight will continue. The best thing we can do is leave. Come on.”

  We made it out into the quiet corridor, and it hit me. I heard Devon. I couldn’t hide my smile.

  “I’d be smiling, too. Markus. I can’t believe it!” Lucy wound her arms around my neck in a tight hug.

  “No, no. That’s not why I’m smiling. You’re strangling me again.” I attempted to unwrap her death grip.

  “Strangling, oh, sorry.” She moved back a little and tilted her head. “Why the smile?”

  “Because. Well, because Devon got so . . . protective.”

  Her face went blank. “Oh. Devon. He must have had feelings for you all along. He has to be so . . .” Her chin trembled. “You’ll let him down easy, won’t you?”

  “Yes. I mean, no.” What to say? “I’m confused right now. Can we talk about this later?”

  “Sure. I’m happy for you, really.” She waved her hand in front of her face while blinking back tears. “Devon will be fine.” She lost the battle and burst out crying.

  “Aw, Lucy. It’s going to be okay, I promise. Everything will work out as it should.” I rubbed her back. I didn’t want to spill everything until I had things figured out.

  “Sorry for getting all teary-eyed. I’m probably making you feel horrible.” She took the sleeve of her shirt and wiped her nose. It reminded me of something a five-year-old would do, and I laughed.

  “Come on. Let’s get you some tissues.”

  Lucy calmed down a little, and, after making sure she was tucked in her room with a big box of tissues, I headed back to my room.

  I rounded the last turn and stopped. Susie stood right in front of my door, body rigid, arms crossed.

  “Susie.” I already suspected why she was there.

  “You are one stupid girl.” All pretense of niceness gone. “I warned you what would happen. Now you can live with the consequences.” And with her signature flip of hair, she stomped off.

  Great. What was she up to now? I had a feeling it’d be worse than the radio broadcast.

  Tea. That would help. I threw a few logs into the fireplace, fixed myself a cup of tea, and sat down on the sofa, prepared to figure everything out.

  I’m floating . . . floating above the compound. The scenery beneath me is breathtaking, with blossom-covered trees and a gentle river snaking its way through the forest. A bird flies by, a bl
ue jay, I think. A sense of peace and love for my home fills me.

  Something glows right in the center of the compound. A light? Orange and red, it grows larger and larger and turns to blue flames.

  Oh, no.

  My home bursts apart at the seams. Smoke and fire, steam and debris, shoot straight up and out. Devon’s Jeep, melted, sails past me. The people I love all gone in an instant from the fiery explosion.

  I sucked in a huge breath, almost as if I’d been underwater. I sat on the couch with the same cup of tea trembling in my hand. The lights low, a fire still burning. I must have dozed off. Had that been a dream or a vision?

  A shadow a few feet away startled me, making me spill the lukewarm liquid. My hands fisted in preparation for a fight.

  “It’s me.”

  “Devon?”

  “Yes, sorry to wake you.” He stepped into the light and took a seat next to me. “I had to come.”

  “I’m not sure if I was asleep, but . . . Devon, I saw something horrible. I think it might have been a vision.”

  “A vision?”

  “It was here . . . Samara. It blew up right before my eyes. Do you think the war’s about to begin?”

  “It depends. That’s why I’m here.” He hesitated and his eyes cast down. “When the Soul Mates connect, it will signal the beginning of the war. Markus has declared you to be his match.”

  “Yes, I heard.”

  He sat next to me on the sofa. “Did you feel it? With him?” he whispered.

  So much emotion came from those few words. His voice wrapped around me, wanting and hopeful.

  “I felt . . . shocked. I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel.”

  “I want to touch you,” he said.

  “Why now? You’ve been avoiding me for months. Are you doing this because you’re jealous? Is it just because of Markus?”

  “I’m ready to know the truth. And yes, I’m jealous. Profoundly.” He scooted closer. “Can you tell me? Did you have a connection with Markus?”

  “I honestly don’t know. Won’t it take time?”

  “Let’s see.” He picked up my hand and intertwined our fingers.

  A warmth started from my fingers and worked its way up my arm. I closed my eyes and let the sensation pulse through my body, spreading into every cell.

  Euphoria. Happiness.

  Love.

  My soul opened up, beckoning him, and we joined almost like our clasped hands. The warm tingles turned into sparks, firing through me, uncontrolled.

  He took my face in his hands, and our eyes connected, the heat within so intense, it was almost unbearable. Out of breath, I shook my head, knowing I was on the edge. The emotions were too strong, too powerful, I couldn’t contain them.

  “Too much,” I said.

  “I know. I didn’t know it would be like this . . . so intense.” His eyes closed, and he rested his head against my forehead, running his hands through my hair. “Don’t be afraid.”

  He moved back a little and looked at my lips. “Ready?”

  Was I? It didn’t matter because there was nothing that would stop me. I gripped his t-shirt and pulled him to me. He smiled a little and grazed his lips over mine, once, twice. My hands glided through his wavy hair, and I sighed. His light kiss turned passionate as his hands gripped me, pulling me to him. Our bodies pressed closer, as if we were trying to melt into each other. We broke apart for a moment, out of breath.

  He held my shoulders. “Oh God, Ann, what have we done?”

  I smoothed my hand over the stubble on his cheek. “What do you—”

  Loud alarms began to ring.

  “The Jacks. The war’s begun.”

  The doors burst open and Archer’s dad, Mr. Gallagher, entered my room, followed by three other Elders and two armed guards.

  Devon jumped up from the couch. “Have the Jacks breached security?”

  Mr. Gallagher connected eyes with me then turned to address Devon. “No. No signs of any Jacks yet. We have to ask you to come with us, Devon.”

  “Why?” I asked.

  “There’s been an incident we need to discuss with Devon, Miss Baker.”

  Why was he so formal with me? A pit formed in my stomach.

  “What kind of incident?” Devon asked Archer’s dad. The two security men lifted their guns and pointed them at Devon.

  “Why are you pointing guns at him? What’s going on?” My mouth went dry, and I began to shake.

  “Yeah. I’d like to know that, as well.” Devon glanced around at each man.

  “Your fingerprints were on the knife, Devon.” Mr. Gallagher said.

  Devon’s brow furrowed. “What knife? What are you talking about?”

  Lucy stormed into the room. “Tell me it isn’t true! Markus can’t be dead!”

  I gasped. “Wha . . . Markus?” No! Oh, dear God, no.

  Devon’s jaw dropped, and his face drained of color. “It can’t be,” he whispered.

  Lucy stood in front of Devon and faced the men. “Put those guns down. He didn’t do it, and you know it.”

  “We have evidence that suggests otherwise. Markus was killed with a single knife wound between the third and fourth rib, left side, killing him within moments. There are very few people who know this technique.” Mr. Gallagher shook his head. “We’ve run the prints from the knife and they’re a match with Devon.” His eyes turned to Devon again, his expression conflicted. “We can’t take the chance.”

  “Devon wouldn’t do that. This is a set-up!” I yelled. “Susie was here earlier, threatening something like this. She’s trying to get back at Devon for not choosing her.”

  Mr. Gallagher turned back to me. “It will all come out in the tribunal.”

  Archer burst into the room. “Dad.” He looked at the men, the guns. His eyes were red and swollen. “I was with Devon the entire night. He couldn’t have done it. I want to find whoever did this to Markus.” He stopped and collected himself. “But it wasn’t Devon.”

  His father’s eyes narrowed. “Archer, don’t lie to protect him.”

  “I’m not lying.” He glared at his father.

  “I saw you go into the men’s bathroom at seven . . . by yourself,” he said.

  “I left Devon for three minutes—five at the most.” Archer’s face turned red, and he wiped his forehead.

  “You know that’s more than enough time for Devon to pull this off. He’s a master at four different styles of martial arts.” He shook his head.

  “That’s right. And you know he’s way too smart to leave fingerprints on a knife!” Lucy shouted.

  “We don’t think this was planned out. A crime of passion.” Mr. Gallagher turned his accusing eyes toward me.

  They thought this was my fault. “You think he killed him because of me?”

  “Yes,” one of the Elders answered.

  “Well, there would be no reason. I didn’t feel anything with Markus.”

  Mr. Gallagher eyed me. “He said you bonded, that you were his Soul Mate.”

  “He was wrong. Hasn’t this happened before? Where one feels something, but not the other?”

  “Not with Markus, or with any of the other Chosen Readers. The false positives have always been with the new Readers. It doesn’t matter anyway, if Devon believed you were matched with Markus, it might’ve driven him to this. We’d have to be blind not to notice the chemistry between you two.”

  “Exactly. Devon is my match. We bonded, or whatever you call it, tonight. There wouldn’t be a reason for him to kill Markus.” My pulse hammered in a sporadic rhythm.

  Lucy grabbed my hand and whispered, “Keep going. Try to talk them out of this.”

  “Why do you think I can hear his thoughts? No other Reader can hear him.”

  That stopped them for a minute. The guns lowered a little.

  “Keep those guns on him. We’ll be forced to shoot if he tries to escape,” one of the Elders said.

  Devon stood in the middle of the room with arms crossed and a da
zed look, appearing too stunned to move.

  “Even if that’s true, it doesn’t mean he knew it,” Mr. Gallagher said. He motioned to the security men. “Let’s go. We can address this at the tribunal.”

  Lucy ran to Devon and threw her arms around him. “No, you can’t take him.” Her panicked eyes pleaded with Archer. “Can’t you do anything?”

  “Dad. Please?” he asked.

  “I’m sorry, son. He needs to go through the process just like everyone else.”

  Devon finally looked at me. I mouthed, “What do I do?” and he raised his shoulders. His sad eyes, those beautiful eyes I’d come to love, seemed to stare into my soul like it was the last time he’d see me.

  “No!” I screamed. “I told you, Susie has something to do with this. Why won’t you listen?”

  “Enough,” said another Elder. “We need to go into lockdown. Lucy, Archer, you’re to go back to your rooms. We’ll call for you to appear tomorrow.”

  “I won’t go.” Lucy stood next to her brother. “You can’t make me.”

  “Please, Lucy. Don’t make this worse,” Devon said. “Go. We’ll work this out later.”

  Oh, Devon. So calm and brave.

  Tears streamed down my face. I hadn’t even noticed until I tasted the saltiness on my lips.

  “Can I stay with Ann?” Lucy asked.

  Archer’s dad raised an eyebrow. “No. We don’t want you to compare stories.” He turned to a guard. “You’ll need to stay here to protect Ann. I think the events tonight will trigger the war. We’ll go into lockdown until we sort through all this.”

  I never told Lucy about my feelings. What would she tell them?

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” Devon said, looking at each of us. His eyes stopped when they met mine. “I’ll come back to you. I promise.”

  “Okay. Okay,” I repeated, not sure who I was trying to convince.

  They left the room, all except for the armed security guard.

  I shouted to Archer’s dad, “I’m not going to leave. I’m going to stay right here and prove Devon had nothing to do with this.” My body stood rigidly, hands clenched in determination.