Star Eater
Chapter Eleven

The bell finally rang, freeing Kai from science and the awkwardness of sitting next to Ava after being let down. He went to his locker in a foul mood.

“Hey,” Link bounded up. Kai turned around and his bad mood evaporated like water in the desert. He was momentarily stunned by his body’s reaction. Link smiled and it was a little crooked. Damn, Kai thought. It was also utterly adorable.

That’s why, Akuma thought.

Kai cleared his throat, trying to work moisture back into his mouth. “Hey,” he replied, hoping to sound normal. “How’s, uh, how’s it going?”

“Not bad,” Link said, glancing at the crowd of kids streaming around them. “This place is… well,” he struggled with words, “not at all what I’m used to.”

“I imagine the East Coast is pretty different,” Kai said, his mind racing. “All that snow.” Why was he talking about snow? They did have snow over there right? He probably sounded like an idiot.

Link nodded though. “That’s the least of it. Listen, I was sorta hoping you would show me around? Maybe show me where you got that delicious bear claw?”

His expression was so hopeful that Kai found himself agreeing without thought.

Didn’t Mrs. Sumner assign someone to show him around? Akuma asked. He, at least, was thinking clearly.

“Didn’t they assign someone to you?” Kai asked.

Link’s mouth turned. “Yeah, he ditched me immediately. So I’ve been getting lost and arriving late to every class.”

Kai focused on that. He wondered if Mrs. Sumner had done it on purpose, and then realized she wasn’t that mean. Although, he was grateful. What better excuse to hang around with Link than this?

And mate with him, Akuma added. Kai tried not to blush at that and failed. And then Ava walked up. She totally saw him blush. Kai shifted, wanting desperately to bolt while he felt his ears go hot.

“Hey, Kai,” she said, glancing at Link shyly. “I got the notes from yesterday, and made you a copy.” She shoved a stack of paper at him.

“Thanks,” he said, surprised. She nodded but didn’t make eye contact before hurrying away.

Did I just ruin that? he thought, frowning.

She’ll forgive you, Akuma said. Ask Link for his schedule so you can help him. 

“Schedule,” Kai demanded, holding out his hand.

Link was watching Ava walk away, but snapped his attention back.

“Is that your girlfriend?” Link asked.

“What?” Kai asked, startled. “Uh, no she’s… she’s in a few of my classes.”

“She’s cute,” Link said, and his eyes swiveled back to Ava’s retreating form.

Kai forgot about the schedule long enough to stare at Link, staring at Ava. Was this really happening to him? His new crush was talking about his other crush in a way that meant he might be interested. This could not be happening. Kai grimaced. Things were moving way too quickly.

Link didn't seem to notice Kai’s staring or his grimace. He dug around in his pocket and produced the class schedule. Kai took it with mixed feelings as he glanced at it. Then he gave Link directions on how to get to his next class.

“I just got a new phone, so let me give you my number,” Link said. He pulled out his mobile.

Why a new one? Akuma wondered. Kai hadn’t caught the comment. He was too dizzy from the fact that Link was just volunteering his number. Link tapped impatiently at the screen.

“Sorry, it’s a new number and I haven’t mesmerized it yet.”

“Here,” Kai said, taking Link’s phone from him. He dialed his own number and hit ‘send.’ He could feel his cell vibrate in his pocket. He ended the call. “There’s my number. I’ll text you back at yours if you want.”

Link smiled that goofy smile. The warning bell saved Kai from being sucked in.

“You gotta go,” he said to Link.

You gotta go to the bathroom, Akuma said.

“Thanks,” Link said, holding up his mobile. Kai nodded and closed his locker, then leaned against it. He was in so much trouble. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the FɪndNøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Joseph read through the information his men had collected on the FBI team so far. There wasn’t much there. The FBI had closed ranks. None of the organization’s usual informants had yielded any information of note. The lawyers had come back saying the authorities had DNA evidence and fingerprints connecting Silas with a murder weapon. The murder in question had happened a few days ago, right after the Sharpes had announced their new business venture.

Joseph remembered the incident. The announcement had put Silas in a foul mood. The victim, a border guard, had been called up from San Ysidro to tell Silas why he was late in getting weapons passed through security into Mexico. The guard had been a good agent, just cautious. And that caution had earned him a striking ten bullets in the chest.

Joseph supposed Silas would have used his claws, as he was wont to do, if he’d had the time. But they’d had tickets to a show that night. Apparently, Silas’s impatience had sealed his fate. One of the few times he’d used a gun and the FBI had pounced. But how? And who? Joseph went through a list of everyone there that night. Someone had talked and he was determined to find out who.

In the meantime, Joseph ordered a lockdown of all holdings. He couldn’t very well move their caches of weapons now, but he could better secure them. He also sent out to all the captains, scheduling a meeting for tonight. If there was an informant, to the FBI or the Sharpes—and Joseph suspected it was the Sharpes—he wanted them found.

“Boss,” Cole said, bowing his way in.

Joseph turned to his second, frowning. The clock on the wall said there would be another twenty minutes before they were to leave.

“One of the minorlings just reported they saw Mason’s car drive by the crime scene last night,” Cole said.

“Are you sure?” Joseph asked. Cole nodded. “Call him,” Joseph said, his voice flat.

Ten minutes later, Mason appeared.

Joseph studied his nephew. He was good-looking, like his father, with his mother’s light gray eyes and blonde hair. Physically speaking, he was impressive. The boy kept himself in excellent shape, his muscles showing against his loose clothing. And he had some presence that commanded attention. Perhaps there was something there that could be shaped, developed. But Mason was untried. He lacked the love of violence and mayhem that marked Wright males. There was a sheen of innocence about him that Joseph detested.

“What were you doing last night driving passed the Guided Way shop?” Joseph demanded.

Mason glanced with annoyance at Cole then back to Joseph. “We didn’t know—”

“We?” Joseph interrupted.

Mason set his jaw. He cursed himself for revealing too much. “Ava and I. We didn’t know that is where…” Mason didn't finish. “We were just going to pick up some flowers from the flower shop next door while we were out doing errands. Once I saw what was going on, I didn't stop.”

“Well, you were noticeable enough,” Joseph snapped. “We are under attack. More than likely from the Sharpes.” Joseph walked up and glared into Mason’s face. “Your father wants you to start working in our organization. I think you’re a liability. But right now, I don’t have time to deal with you so stay out of my way unless I call. Do you understand?”

Mason nodded, his face neutral.

“You will be driven where you need to go when you need to go. Both of you,” Joseph said, including Ava.

At this, emotion moved him and Mason protested. Joseph cut him off with a sharp punch, sending his nephew stumbling back.

“You’re lucky I have an important meeting with the captains or else I would take my time teaching you your place,” Joseph said, straightening his tie.

Cole opened the door as an indication it was time to leave. Mason retreated into the hallway, his mind racing. They thought there was a leak. There was no other explanation for why Joseph would call the captains together at a time like this. And if Joseph was calling the captains, there was a possibility the case might be at that meeting.

What better way to sniff out a traitor than to use a weapon that caused daemons utter terror? Mason had to get to that meeting. For now, he retreated to his room to try and figure out how.

Turning towards the window, Joseph toyed with the folder in his hands. It detailed all of the captains and their connections. He hadn’t found any indication that one of them could be the leak; the financials had come back clean. But one of them had to be. From up here, he could see the courtyard below and some of the press core still hanging out outside the gates. How he hated the press. And that spoiled look on Mason’s face. Joseph’s thoughts danced from his nephew to the boy he’d seen on the roof the day before.

He turned to Cole, who’d been waiting silently. “I want you to pull surveillance from the yogurt shop on Ventura near where we were yesterday.”

Cole knew better than to question his superior, but it seemed a strange request.

“Am I looking for something in particular?” he asked.

“Yesterday’s feed. About the same time we were dining with our informant.”

“You think someone is tailing us?” Cole asked. It wasn’t unlikely the way the FBI had been dogging them. They had gotten their big fish.

“I think there’s a new player in the game,” Joseph said. “Get me the footage, specifically look at the rooftops.” 

Cole’s eyes narrowed, revealing his surprise, but he simply bowed. Joseph turned back to the window, tapping his lower lip, but didn't enjoy the view. Instead, he thought back to the dark shape beside the boy.

“Maybe it’s time to take a play out of the Sharpes’s playbook,” he said. “Maybe it’s time to use some magic.”

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