Light of the Moon by David James Read Free Book Online

one swift motion, everyone moved toward the doors.
    “Is it different?” Tyler asked when we stood up. “Or is it just more of the same.”
    My storm: Kate. Dad. “I don’t know.”
    Tyler gripped my shoulder. “Well, hey. Do you want to come over for dinner tonight? No practice today. We can pretend to do that review packet for Brandt’s class.”
    “Eh,” I started. I didn’t want to think about Monday’s quiz, either.
    I knew I needed to think, to try and understand why my heart seemed to live and die with three thoughts: The pain of Dad, the mystery of Kate, the confusion of me. I just couldn’t seem to find a place to start. There was no middle ground, only high and low.
    “C’mon,” Tyler urged. “We have to start sometime. I have practice on Saturday mornings so I can’t tomorrow.”
    “All right. That sounds good.”
    “Good! Meet me at my locker after school and we can just ride to my house together.”
    “Sounds good,” I said, not really paying attention. My eyes were searching the crowd, looking, wondering.
    Is she close?
    She could be anywhere.
    Tyler’s voice in my ear: “She’s not here.”
    I tripped on nothing. “What? Who?” I said as he steadied me. My lips were dry with a taste of the memory of Kate. My tongue ran across them. I needed air.
    “When I was in the office I heard Nurse Anne say that Kate went home sick,” he said. “Must have been right after we saw her in the hall. You don’t have to worry. She’s not here today.”
    “Good,” I said.
    Still, Kate’s voice haunted me, and I couldn’t help thinking about how the freckles on her face reminded me of the stars I once wished upon.
    I gripped my arm, felt the warmth of my skin where my birthmark forever was, and let the wave of students carry me into the hall.
    You don’t have to worry.
    Let them pull me under.
    She’s not here today.
    Let the feelings drift away.
     

 
     
     
    -Kate-
     
     
    “He’s the one. I’m sure of it.”
    A snarl. How do you know?
    I said, “I saw it in his eyes like you warned.”
    If you are sure, he barked , then bring him to us. Tell him what you must to get him to the compound, nothing more and nothing less.
    Even over the phone Marcus’ voice begged me to obey.
    I nodded. “I’ll have him to you in three days.”
    Good. Three days will be enough. We cannot wait any longer than that. Is the binding spell real? Did those treasonous fools speak the truth? The boy knows nothing of what he is?
    “The binding was real,” I said, choking on the words and what they meant to me. What they made me remember. Then the lie came easily: “No. I’ve said nothing to him.”
    He must know what he is , Marcus said. His voice rang in my ear making blood pound in my head. Has he shown any signs of his powers?
    “None that I can see. The binding spell worked.”
    It’s fading too quickly if the Orieno have found him as well. Keep watching. Do what you must. Don’t let them get him. We need him.
    “Yes, Marcus.”
    His voice spilled out in anger. The Orieno grows stronger each day you and the others are out searching.
    “Yes, I know.”
    You know what will happen if we’re too late then.
    I whispered, “Yes.”
    I cannot protect you if you fail. You’ll be no better than them.
    “I won’t fail.”
    No hesitation: Do not come back if you do.
    Silence.
    I heard the phone’s screen crack under my grip.
    Three days , I thought. Three days until I’m free .
    When I was sure Marcus was gone-
    I finally breathed: You are mine Calum Wade .
     

 
     
     
    -Calum-
     
     
    Some blurry class periods later I found myself in the last hour of the day: Newspaper with Mr. Knight. Relief painted the room in light; outside in the courtyard, the sun broke through the dark clouds and fell into the room in three beams of gold.
    Light to dark and back again.
    Even though I felt my thoughts poke and prod in the back of my mind, reminding me of three worries on repeat, I felt the weight of the day