Free Betrayed by Ednah Walters Page B

and Sykes. I guess I should feel sorry for the girls, but they never seem to mind, and the guys did buy them some cool stuff.
    I pressed my hand against Remy’s car door and unlocked it. Settling in the front passenger seat, I sat back and faced the one thing I’d avoided thinking about since our little trip to Seattle. Valafar was up to something and it involved a List, Bran, and destroying the Guardians. If he cal ed again, I should ask him what he wanted, maybe reason with him.
    Reaching inside my pocket for my cel , I groaned. My banged up phone was stil in the pocket of my coat. I peered through the window and debated my next move. Students poured out of the school building and hurried to the buses and their cars. The thought of hunting down my friends to see which one of them took my stuff from the cafeteria was beyond impossible. Sinking back into my seat, I smothered a curse.
    “What’s wrong?”
    I blinked at Remy. The guy moved so quietly he hardly ever made a sound. “Can I borrow your cel ?”
    “Sure.” He pul ed it from his pocket and handed it to me.
    I punched in Kylie’s number and brought the phone to my ear. She answered after a few rings. “I forgot my coat in the cafeteria when I left with Celeste. Did you—?”
    “Got it.”
    Relief coursed through me. “Where are you?”
    “We just left. Cade’s taking me home, then to the bookstore for some comics, lattes and Wi-fi. I’l drop it off later.”
    I groaned. “When later? Remember, I have practice today.”
    “I’l cal first…oh my God, you won’t believe
    “I’l cal first…oh my God, you won’t believe this,” she screeched. “Your phone kept ringing while we were in the cafeteria and when I answered it, it was broken up and wet and the battery was missing.
    It was so weird. Cade wants to know if it’s the latest…just a sec, Lil.” Cade’s deeper voice filtered through from the background though I didn’t catch his words. Then Kylie returned to the phone. “Latest thing and whether it has an extra battery or power source.”
    Why me? Why was everything that could possibly screw up my life happening to me today?
    “Yes, it’s pretty new, but I don’t know anything about an extra power source.” Except a demonic one and that wasn’t open for discussion. “Just drop them off whenever. If I’m not home, use the side door.”
    “Okay. See ya.”
    I gave Remy back his cel phone. “Thanks.”
    “You okay?” he asked.
    Nodding, I stared out the window. I didn’t want to talk or answer questions. Remy eased out of the parking lot, waved to Sykes, who was entering Christie’s car, and basical y left me alone. Winter in the val ey was just as breathtaking as the fal , yet the passing scenery bugged me. I wanted things to go back to normal with me not hunting, just training. No Valafar. No medium. No hot demoness after my boyfriend. No List, whatever was on it.
    We entered Center Street, cut through residential areas on the Island, the lowest floor in the val ey, then started uphil toward the eastern bench.
    The drone of snow blowers permeated the air when we reached the mansions at the top of the hil . After sixteen years of living in a trailer and moving from place to place with Grampa, I was stil getting used to living in a real house and having neighbors who cleared their driveways and sidewalks.
    Once we reached the homes along
    Sagebrush Drive, tucked between low-lying ridges and the gate that separated the Guardian homes from our neighbors, the absence of snow removers became glaringly noticeable. Not surprising. Snow on the footpaths and driveways were usual y cleared telekinetical y, while snow on the street was left for the city plows to keep up appearances.
    “Thanks for the ride.” I got out.
    “Hey,” he cal ed before I closed the car door.
    I leaned in and raised my brow.
    “Are you worried about Gavyn or is something else bothering you?” the ever perceptive Remy asked. Good thing I already decided to