Ash (41 page)

After yesterday, I was in no desire to get to Spectrum any faster than I had to. I slowed my pace, hoping to avoid extra time in the courtyard and another run-in with Dax. Would she tell my,
our,
secret before I had a chance to fix things? How could she not want to? A Purple life was worlds above Ash. I tugged at my Zone bracelets. I’d been lying to myself when I’d said there was nothing wrong with living in Ash. When it came down to it, I wasn’t ready to give up the Purple life. But did that mean I was ready to do more of the Revenant’s bidding?

I still couldn’t believe Dax was helping them. Sure, she claimed she wasn’t involved, but she had to be. I was scared to think what they’d ask for next, but I was going to find out soon. I’d received another anonymous message last night saying that I should stand by for my next assignment.

I looked up at the clock tower. It was only 7:40, and I was already at the wishing tree, just a few minutes from school. I’d be stuck in the courtyard with everyone for at least fifteen minutes. I debated stopping and sitting by the tree for a bit, but I decided against it. I was still the future minister. At least for now. I was going to go to school and be the Madden everyone expected.

“That’s a lovely shade you’re wearing,” a voice called out from behind me. I recognized it instantly. It was Zane. The one I helped break out of jail. “Really brings out your eyes.” I turned around and there he was, leaning against the tree. His dark hair was combed back and he wore a smart green jacket. He looked like any other visitor to the wishing tree, nothing more, nothing less. “Too bad you’ll be outlawed from wearing it soon.”

I felt rooted to the ground. Had he been following me? Part of me wanted to run, part of me wanted to scream out for the PAE, part of me wanted to cry, and part of me just wanted to rip that smug look off of his face. I kept my composure. “Keep your voice down,” I told him. “Someone might come by here any moment.”

“Then you’d better look busy.”

I pretended to study a note the color of amethyst, letting my fingers pass over the edges. Zane was right; if the truth was discovered, this color would be off-limits to me. “What do you want?”

He hung a lime slip of paper on a low branch. “My wish.”

So did I. I wished that none of the events of last month had ever happened. That Aldan Harris never lost the race, that Link didn’t denounce his destiny, that I didn’t investigate my file, that I didn’t tell Dax the truth. But wishes couldn’t change the past, and now I had no future.

“Don’t you want to know what it is?” He flicked the note he hung with his finger.

I didn’t respond, but that didn’t stop him from telling me. “It’s to try new things. Open my horizons. Make some new friends.”

“Great,” I said, the sarcasm practically dripping from my words. “I hope it all works out for you.”

“The problem is,” he continued unfazed, “The friends I’m looking to make are from the Purple ring. I’ll need an introduction. That’s where you come in.”

I scowled at him. “My friends aren’t really your type.”

“Well let’s be honest, if they find out the truth about you, they won’t be
your
type any longer either. But that’s a problem for another day. Assuming you cooperate.”

It took every bit of self-control I possessed to stop myself from smacking the superior grin off of his face.

“You and I aren’t that different, Madden,” he said. “Both being Blanks and all.”

I tried to keep the shock from my face. Zane was a Blank? Now that he’d said it, it made sense. He was what everyone always described Blanks as being—dangerous, unpredictable, insane. He deserved to be locked up. But not all Blanks were like Zane. Then again, it wasn’t like I had ever met one before—other than myself. But I certainly wasn’t like that. Was I?

As if sensing my thoughts, he continued. “It’s not a bad designation, despite what others say. You may not have a place in New City when the truth comes out, but that doesn’t mean you have no options. You’re a diplomat, so I’m sure you understand how this works. Help me, and I’ll help you in return.”

I crossed my arms in front of me. “What do you want, Zane?”

“Delighted you asked,” he said. “To begin with, I’d like to meet a charming young lady. I’m sure you know her. Rather small. Goes by the name of Aya Lee.”

I sucked in my breath. “Aya? She’s just a kid. What do you want with her?”

“None of your concern.”

“It is if you want me involved.” I’d already heard enough to know I wasn’t about to help him, but if he was suddenly interested in Aya, I wanted to know why.

He shrugged a shoulder. “Just a little chat.”

This was ridiculous, there was no way I was a scheduling a meeting. “So you just want me to waltz you on over to her house so you can say hello? It would never work.”

“That’s why you’re going to set up a private meeting, where you’ll bring her—just her—to me. Little Aya and I have much to discuss.”

Of all the things I imagined the Revenants would ask me to do, something like this had never crossed my mind. This wasn’t just stealing some minister’s code. This was about the fate of a little girl. “I’m not bringing Aya to you. I’m not bringing anyone,” I said. “This stops now.”

He leaned toward me, his eyes shining. “Future Minister Sumner, we both know that’s not true.”

His breath was hot on my face, and I flinched back. “Think what you like,” I said. “
Do
what you like. I’m not one of your minions to order around.”

Zane clapped. “A fine performance. Now if you’re done, let’s get down to business.”

An Ash woman approached to hang up a wish. Zane and I pretended we were making our own. I could barely tie the slip of purple paper onto the tree, my hands were shaking so badly. From anger or fear, I wasn’t sure. I used to love standing by the wishing tree. I’d had dozens of photo ops here, meet and greets with the public, speeches about new reforms. It made a beautiful backdrop. It was hopeful, optimistic, a place of possibilities—but not today. Today it was a reminder of the importance of destiny and how not following it could lead to catastrophes. Had I just told the truth, had I accepted my true destiny, Zane wouldn’t have any power over me now. The Ash touched her fingers to her lips and then placed them on the paper, sealing it with a kiss before she left.

I had hoped the interruption would help me come up with a solution to dealing with Zane, but I had nothing. Of all the people the Revenants could have sent, this one seemed the least likely to understand reason. “Why Aya?” I asked. My voice sounded small, and Zane seemed to delight in my discomfort.

“Well, if you must know, I used that code you gave me to unlock the child’s destiny. Between you and me, I don’t care for it. Not one bit.”

Aya’s destiny had always been a mystery. Only a select few were privy to the details. At least that was the case until I handed over Worthington’s code. But from the way Zane was acting, it clearly spelled trouble for him. “What’s her destiny?”

“You just concentrate on getting me the girl,” he said.

“So you can what? Hurt her? Kill her?” My fists were balled up at my side, one hand clutching the amethyst slip of paper. I hadn’t even realized I tore it down. “I won’t be a part of that.”

“I already told you, you are going to do what I say.” The amusement was gone from his eyes. They were cold and staring straight at me. “If you don’t, not only will I expose you, but I will destroy the rest of your world, starting with that Ash you are so fond of. I can see to it that his destiny comes to pass sooner than later. I probably don’t need to remind you, but death can be such a painful affair. From there I’ll move onto Link. Then your father. He’s been a huge inconvenience over the years. And after that, I suppose I’ll simply go down the list and kill anyone you’ve ever known or cared about. Believe me when I say that this is no idle threat.” He smiled. “Stay tuned. I’ll send coordinates for the meet in the next few days. The choice is yours, future minister. But I don’t think you want to disappoint me on this one.”

I
couldn’t sleep all night. All I could think about was the conversation I overheard about Aya Lee. Would the Revenants hurt her? I wanted to believe that they wouldn’t, but I knew the lengths they were willing to go for what they believed in. Would they justify killing one child to save thousands of others? No, I told myself. They’d find another way. Besides Zane had promised to fill me in on the group’s next steps, and it was in his best interests to keep his word. The Revenants needed me. My destiny would be able to further their cause. They wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize that. Yet, as much as I tried to reassure myself that Aya would be fine, something still gnawed at me.

When I woke up I knew what I had to do. I got ready for school like any other day, but instead of heading straight to Spectrum I waited about a block from the main building. Madden would be coming this way. Our last conversation hadn’t ended well, but I knew this was something she’d want to hear about.

She was later than usual, which was good and bad. It meant that no one else was walking in now, but also that we’d have less time. Madden was so lost in thought as she passed me, she didn’t even look in my direction.

“Hey,” I called out softly.

She swirled in my direction, ready to ream someone out until she saw that it was me. I hadn’t expected a welcome committee, but was surprised when I saw her nostrils flare and eyes turn to slits. I had thought she’d be all minister-like and diplomatic, but instead anger shone through. I ignored her look and gestured for her to meet me across the road at the sports facility. She was definitely annoyed but crossed the street and waited for me inside. At this hour it would be empty.

“What now?” She flung the words at me angrily before I even had a chance to step inside the door.

I wanted to tell her to knock it off with the attitude, that she was the one who stole
my
identity. But we only had a few minutes before first period, and I had to make Aya my priority. “Listen,” I said. “I can’t tell you how I know this, but there’s this Purple kid, her name is Aya Lee, I think something might happen to her. Can you maybe see about getting her extra security?”

Madden’s face went through a rainbow of emotions.“You don’t know, do you?” she said.

“Know what?”

“What your
friends
asked me to do?”

As Madden recounted her meeting with Zane, I wanted to scream. He’d promised to keep me in the loop.
On my honor
, he had said.

I covered my face with my hands. Maybe this was just another test. Maybe Zane just wanted to see if Madden would actually try and take Aya to him. I shook my head. I was being naive. He’d threatened Madden’s family. More importantly, he’d threatened Link. He wasn’t playing around. I felt angry, disappointed and even a little foolish.

“What does he want with her?” she asked quietly.

“Her destiny is to expose the Revenants. I guess he’ll do anything to stop that from happening.”

“Maybe,” she bit her lip. “Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea if they were found. It could solve everything. You know where they are—let’s tell the PAE, and Aya doesn’t have to get caught up in the middle of it.”

“I can’t do that. I can’t jeopardize Link’s life.”

“We can have him hide somewhere else,” she tried to reason.

“And what about all the other innocent people down there? I can’t risk them either.”

“And I can’t risk something happening to Aya or all the people I love.”

“There has to be another way to stop him,” I said.

“If you have any ideas, I’m listening.”

“I don’t know,” I said, racking my brain. “What if somehow we set him up? We could make it look like you’re following his orders, and then instead you could…” I trailed off. I had no idea what our counter move would be. I shook my head. “Forget it, it’s a dumb idea. And it would probably still put Aya in danger.”