Kelley Armstrong - The Darkest Powers Trilogy 02 The Awakening

LUNCH WAS VEGGIE WRAPS, salad, and bottled water. Toris choice apparently. Rae said a polite hello to me, then not another word. At least shed made eye contact, though, which was more than I could say for Tori.

We were finishing up when Dr. Davidoff came in.

I apologize for the interruption, girls, he said, but I need to speak to Chloe.

I rose. Sure. Where?

Heres fine.

He took his time settling into a chair. Sweat trickled down the back of my neck, like a kid singled out in front of the class.

We appreciate the help youve given us to try finding Simon, Chloe. Were very worried, as you girls know.

Sure, Rae said. He needs that medicine. If I had any idea where to find him, Id tell

She stopped and looked at me. Tori did the same, and I understood why I wasnt getting this lecture in private.

I gave you that list of places, I said quickly. Thats all I have.

They werent there, Chloe, Dr. Davidoff said. So weve reconsidered your offer. Wed like to take you along on our search this afternoon.

That crash I heard? The collision of clichs. One: never look a gift horse in the mouth. Two: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Id been lied to and misled often enough in the last few days that I wasnt just questioning this horses dental healthI was examining him from nose to tail.

You want me to go with you

Yes, and, with luck, the boys will see you and come out. Theres just one problem.

Oh, I was sure there were lots of problems with this scenario.

The places youve given us dont seem right, he said. The boys are clever, and their dad taught them well. Theyd either choose a private spot or a very public one, and the possibilities youve provided are neither. We think there might be one you forgot to mention. He paused, meeting my gaze. If there isnt, then we dont see the point of taking you along.

That second crash? The sound of the other shoe dropping. Dr. Davidoff knew why I wanted to go with them, and hed decided to play my game. Did I dare play along?

Come on, Chloe, Rae whispered.

Youd better not think youre protecting them by keeping your mouth shut, Tori said. Simons sick, Chloe. If he dies, I hope he haunts you until

Thats enough, Tori, Dr. Davidoff said.

I might have another idea, I said. Oh God, Id better have another idea. As hard as I thought, though, I needed time to come up with something good, and I wasnt going to get that time. So I stumbled through a lame story about Derek and me running through that factory yard, until we found a hiding spot. Maybe thats where he meant for our rendezvous spot. Only it had been dark, and wed run through so many buildings that I wasnt sure exactly which one wed hidden in, but Id recognize it when I saw it.

Dr. Davidoff smiled, and I braced for him to call me on it, but he just said, Then its a good thing youre coming, isnt it?

And me, Tori said. Ive barely been out of my room since we got here, and I havent been outside since Chloe arrived at Lyle House. I want to go, too.

It isnt a field trip, Rae muttered.

Your help, while appreciated, wont be necessary, Dr. Davidoff said.

You think I want to help? Sure, Ill look around, for Simons sake. But I need to go shopping.

Shopping? Dr. Davidoff stared at her like he must have misheard. We all did.

Do you know how long its been since I got new stuff? Its spring, and everything I have is from last year.

The tragedy. Someone call Amnesty International. Rae looked at Tori. Youll survive. Im sure it all still fits you.

Which is more than we can say for your wardrobe. Like another wrap, Rachelle? Youve only had two so far.

Rae lifted her hand, fingers splayed at Tori. Like third-degree burns, Queen Victoria? Youve only had first-degree so far.

Girls, thats enough. Victoria

And when my mom locked me away at Lyle House, she made me a deal. If I got better, shed buy me a new laptop. Best on the market.

Why? Rae said. So you can IM your friends faster?

No, so I can work on my entrance package for software design camp at MIT.

Rae laughed, and Tori glared. She was serious. Tori the computer geek? I tried to picture it, but even my imagination wasnt that good.

Tori turned to Dr. Davidoff. Obviously I cant get better, and my mother knew it when she made that promise. So she owes me a laptop.

Dr. Davidoff frowned, as if trying to follow her logic. Then he shook his head. All right, Victoria. Well order you

I know what I need and Ill pick it out myself.

Dr. Davidoff stood. As you wish. Tomorrow well

Today. And I want a spring wardrobe, too.

Fine. Ill ask someone to take you

You think Im letting some middle-aged dweeb help me choose clothes? Im going today so Chloe can give me a second opinion.

You want Chloe to help you shop? Rae said.

Well, I sure dont want you, skater girl. Chloe may be a loser, but shes a loser with money, and someone has taught her some small degree of fashion sense.

No, Victoria, Dr. Davidoff said. You are not going

She walked over to him, rose onto her tiptoes, and whispered in his ear. A look passed over his face, one part shock, two parts sheer terror.

I see, he said. Yes, now that I think about it, perhaps you could help us find the boys.

I thought so.

She sauntered back to her chair. Blackmail? Two weeks ago, Id have been horrified. Today, I was impressed.

Its a classic movie moment. Our hero, trapped in a jungle prison, plots and schemes until finally he breaks free to find himself miles from civilization with no idea how to get home. Likewise, my ploy to help find Simon and Derek had paid off, and I had only the faintest notion of how to use the opportunity.

And Dr. Davidoff didnt give me time to plot my next move. He called Sue and told the others to meet us at the front door. I asked for a pit stop at my room, to grab something warmer, but he said theyd do it for me. I had the foresight to specify which sweatshirt I wantedLizs green Gap hoodie.

As Tori and I waited up front with Sue, I felt a now-familiar warm current tickling across the back of my neck.

Leaving without saying good-bye? the demi-demon whispered in my ear. And leaving me trapped here, after all Ive done for you?

There was no menace in her voice, just a teasing lilt.

Im sorry, I said automatically.

An apology? My, my, such a polite child. No need to apologize. I didnt expect you to free me now. Youll be back when youre ready, and when you are, Ill be waiting.

Girls? Dr. Davidoff said, striding toward us. Our car is here.

As we followed him out, that warm breeze ruffled my hair. Good-bye, child. And do be careful, you and your little band of magic makers and monsters. Keep those lovely powers of yours in check. Id hate for the apocalypse to start without me.