Free Shadow Train by J. Gabriel Gates Page B

worry and red, as if she’d been crying.
    He sighed. This wasn’t going to easy; he might as well just be direct. “Don’t get mad,” he began. “I can explain where I was . . .”
    But she stood and rushed eagerly to him. “Oh, ’Nacio! I heard, honey. How is he?” She seemed gravely concerned.
    Nass was confused. “How is who?”
    â€œâ€™Nacio, this is no time for jokes. Myka’s mother said he’s in critical condition!”
    Instantly, Nass’s mind leaped to Raphael. Had they found him while Nass was at the police station? Was he hurt? Sick? Two feelings struck him at the same time—excitement that his friend and leader might be back and dread at what his mother had said: he’s in critical condition.
    She was still talking. “Is it true? She said they added a critical-care unit to the little hospital at Benton and they’re going to keep him there until he stabilizes. You’re such a good friend for spending the whole night with him. Was everyone else there, too?”
    Nass felt numb. His mind wheeled wildly as he tried to process what had happened. “I need the car. I need to go there,” he said.
    â€œYou want to go back to the hospital?” she said. “Oh, dear God—it must be really bad! Of course—go, mijo . Go!”
    Nass grabbed the keys off the hook by the door.
    â€œTell his family we’re praying for them. And drive carefully!” But Nass barely heard her words as he raced out the door and down the steps.
    * * *
    Friday morning, Aimee gazed out the car window at the gray wintery streets of downtown Middleburg as Orias went through his almost daily ritual of convincing her that she had to go back to school.
    â€œYour father wants you there at least four days a week from now on, ” he scolded her sweetly as they drove along Main Street toward Middleburg High.
    She turned and made a little face at him. “Why?” she asked. “I can’t learn anything there that you can’t teach me. Anyway, I’m keeping up—turning everything in on time.”
    â€œHe has laid down the law, it seems,” Orias told her. “I think he’s concerned about your reputation.”
    â€œIf he only knew. I’m safer with you than in a convent.”
    â€œHe does know. He’s worried about what other people think. And he wants you to spend some time at home this weekend.”
    â€œAgain—why?” she asked.
    â€œHe said he has something important to talk to you about—and Monday, he’s having a big dinner party that we’re both invited to. He said he’s going to make some kind of big announcement.”
    Aimee groaned. “I can hardly wait,” she said, her tone touched with sarcasm.
    Orias pulled his Maserati into the student lot and put it in park. “You should probably get a ride with Rick after school and check in at home,” he said.
    â€œNo, pick me up, please. Don’t leave me with my brother—he’s getting creepier by the minute,” she said. “Or I can just slip.”
    â€œWe’ve talked about that, Aimee” he reminded her. “Someone could see you. I’ll pick you up.”
    â€œWon’t you be busy with the contractors over at Elixir?”
    â€œNever too busy for you.” He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. “See you later then. But give your dad a call and let him know, okay? You’ll have to see him sometime.”
    Aimee took a deep breath, as if preparing herself to face an enemy, and got out of the car. Watching her head for the auditorium’s side entrance, Orias hoped she would look back—but he knew she wouldn’t. He wondered if she forgot him as soon as he was out of sight.
    That didn’t matter, as long as she forgot Raphael Kain.
    He didn’t know how much longer he could dose her with the tea. Oberon, his father, had told him once that drinking