A. Rolland: Of Breakable Things

“How did you know that?”

“The Darwins.”

“What?” Chase and Alex exclaimed simultaneously.

Kaleb shook his head and plopped into one of the chairs. “Believe me, I was shocked, too. They found me wandering around wondering where everyone had gone, and I almost told them to shove it, but something about them seemed so genuine it made me stop and listen. They knew what had happened to Gabe, and they said they wanted to warn me about the rest of us.”

“Wait a minute. Do you think that means they were in the league, too?” Alex asked skeptically. “Why else would they know all of that?”

Kaleb shook his head. “They weren’t a part of that. The way they were talking sounded like they were disgusted by the league. You know what I think? I think their family knew, and I think a lot of other people knew what was going on. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I got to the Eskers. I thought it was another prank or something but then I saw them attacking you.”

Chase scooped his hand under Alex’s. “If you think the Patrol or whoever knew what would happen, why weren’t they there? Why wouldn’t they stop it?”

“You’re missing my point. I think they were there.”

“Watching?”

“Maybe.” Kaleb sat back in his chair, crossing his arms angrily. “Waiting to see how bad it would get.”

“How did the fight end?”

“It ended right after Alex fell on top of you.” He laughed humorlessly. “Do you remember screaming like a damn banshee, Al?”

Alex stared into nothing, tasting the moment of hopelessness again. “Kind of,” she whispered. “But I don’t remember anything after that.”

Kaleb tugged at his ear. “That scream was awful. I knew you had a loud mouth, but that was insane. Your damn yelling was so loud that most of the spirits fighting had to stop and cover themselves. That gave me a clear shot at the newburies who were still jabbing at you. I dove into the air and tackled three at once, and I just started wailing on them.”

“Throwing punches?”

“I was so, so angry. I lost my head. I don’t know what I was thinking, because once your scream ended, I was like a deer surrounded by hunters. I blocked some blows, but most were aimed at my head. I was the new target. And they had those stones.”

“What were those?” Alex asked, remembering the stings and flinching.

“Copper. Thankfully, they split the rock into small pieces, the morons. It wasn’t too powerful. And then the Patrol came flying in like a meteor shower. I don’t think you understand how loud you were. Scream isn’t even the right word for it. And they didn’t pin down those newburies until after you stopped.”

“I really don’t remember doing it, so I have no idea if I could ever do it again.”

Kaleb’s hands flew to his ears. “Don’t try it,” he warned her. “I think I have permanent hearing damage. It’s been horrible trying to listen during workshops because it feels like one ear is pressed against the wall.”

He stood. “Brigitta’s been nuts since the fight.” He walked to window, glancing out.

“Everyone knows?” Alex asked in surprise.

“Well the Patrol arrested twenty-five newburies. Someone was bound to notice. People were asking so many questions that some spirits even starting writing gossip columns and positing them electronically in the vestibule. Guess whose picture was on the first copy?”

“Who?”

“Sephi Anovark.”

“No!”

Kaleb nodded. “Cat’s out of the bag. The teachers were pissed, but what could they do? Everyone had already seen it. That first copy really got everyone’s attention. There were all these theories about witchcraft and mind control.”

Alex didn’t miss the knowing glare Chase gave her.

Kaleb leaned back against the windowsill. “I was there when they were questioning the Eskers kids. They took me back to the Dual Tower to report my statement. Every single one of those kids mentioned ink appearing in their law notebooks.”

Alex suddenly felt nauseated. Was that why Duvall had been circumspect when she’d questioned the ink? And Jack had mentioned Eviar. Her thoughts rearranged themselves over and over, searching for a solution.

“The messages told them what to do. Joey admitted to the copper in the fountain. Jack and Calla admitted to luring in the banshees.”

The door creaked open, and Gabe entered with a grin. It made the scar on his cheek look like a half-moon. “Doc is on her way,” he announced. “Dr. Blaise will take good care of you.”

The doctor who had treated Gabe burst through the doorway with her white coat billowing behind her. “Well, you certainly gave us a scare.”

“Why?”

“You went missing! You!” She gawked at Alex. “Almost had to pull the alarm. We’ve had Ardor Service members, teachers, and government officials breathing down our necks for weeks!”

“Government officials?” Chase asked.

The doctor peered over her glasses and nodded. “The case was turned over to the Service.”

“I just went to find Chase. That’s all.”

The doctor attached something to Alex’s temple before moving over to Chase. “Whatever you do, just don’t scream.”

Kaleb screwed up his face and pulled at his ears.

“Not that I was planning on it,” Alex said sardonically, “but why?”

“You started wailing one night about a week or two ago in your sleep. Thankfully no one was in your room at the time, but you broke every piece of glass within a twenty-foot radius. The joke around here is that you’re half banshee. I had no idea you were the girl who survived the scream.” Dr. Blaise tipped her pencil towards Chase. “You started screaming at the same time. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that you both woke up simultaneously. I’ve never seen anything like this. The research staff is going ballistic.”

Chase tightened his grip on Alex. “Does that mean we’re going to be here for a while?”

“We do need to make sure that you’re allowed, er, I mean strong enough to leave. Not to mention that legally, we cannot let you go until the Ardor Service clears it.”

“Why?”

“Because you were found at the scene of a crime, that’s why. They need your statements.” Dr. Blaise turned to Gabe. “I need to run a few tests on these two. Visitors are going to have to leave. And I’m sure you’re sick of being in this building.”

“It’s like home,” Gabe stopped in the doorway. “Do you have an idea of when they may be discharged?”

“You can come back tomorrow. I’ll have more news for you then.”

“Good to see you two conscious,” Kaleb said, smiling faintly. They exited, and he began to whisper heatedly in Gabe’s ear.

Thankfully, Dr. Blaise allowed Alex to remain in Chase’s room. They wouldn’t have been able to sleep even if they’d wanted to. A continuous stream of doctors bustled in and out, interrupting their recounts of what had happened during the battle, and in the middle of the night, they were visited by Ardor Westfall.

“Has Van Hanlin been found?” Alex asked quietly.

Westfall let out a sigh. “He’s neither turned up dead or alive.”

“Jonas said he saw his body.”

“If that's the case, he's still alive. Without a mind, a spirit can't formulate the projection of a body. We can’t exactly question Jonas Lasalle, but, we’ll keep searching. You’ll make us aware if he tries to make contact, I’m sure.” He glanced at them warily. “None of the other newburies we detained claim to have seen Professor Van Hanlin attacked.”

Alex shared a look with Chase. “What will happen to those newburies?”

“They’ll be detained for a while. Questioned. Analyzed. That ink didn’t appear in their notebooks exclusively. The residue of the ink is actually in every single law notebook on campus.”