Chapter XVIII

As Mrs. Kentz’s class continued to drone on, Evan Wright stared blankly up at the ceiling, trying his best to tune her lecture out. She was going on about some book they were supposed to have read and, since he hadn’t even bothered to buy it, he didn’t see any point in paying attention. He would just fail the test, deal with whatever reprimanding he received from her, and then continue on with his life. It was how he dealt with every other class and, since he managed to bullshit his way through enough exams, he wasn’t in danger of failing the year. He didn’t have any intention of going to college so his grades in high school meant little to him. It didn’t matter whether he got C’s and D’s as long as he passed the classes and was able to move on to senior year. Then he could graduate and put the whole school behind him.

Though it’s not like I know what I’ll do once high school is over. But whatever. I’ll figure it out when I get there.

He spared a brief glance at Brad Fischer in the desk two seats ahead and to the right. He was listening intently to what Kentz was saying while constantly jotting things down in his notebook. He looked so focused, like everything the old woman was saying was the most fascinating thing he’d ever heard, and Evan couldn’t help but scowl.

God, that fucker became such a bookworm. What the hell happened to him?

He’d known Brad ever since elementary school and the boy had always been far worse of a student. They often joked about how obnoxious school was and complained about how stupid the homework was and how the tests were unfair. But as they progressed through high school, Brad gradually stopped joining in on the mocking and then, back in the fall, something changed. He started acing tests and even began taking tutoring lessons from Ellie Kaylyn, a girl from the track team. Ever since, Brad had been so focused on school, and his grades improved to the point that he no longer had anything lower than a B.

And now I have to suffer him constantly telling me to pay attention and study. I wish he’d just shut the fuck up and leave me alone. If he’s gonna get so wrapped up in school, then he can go enjoy his little study group by himself. I couldn’t care less.

Evan huffed and turned away from Brad, feeling his anger growing worse just by looking at the guy. Instead, he glanced up at the clock, hoping that first period was almost over, and scowled when he saw that there were still five minutes left.

God damn! It feels like I’ve been in here for ten fucking hours! How is there still five minutes left?!

The boy snorted and was about to go back to staring into space when he noticed somebody looking at him out of the corner of his eye. When he glanced down, he saw Eric Reiner staring back at him from the front row of the class. The moment he noticed, however, Reiner hurriedly turned away.

The fuck was that about? What? Does he think I’m gonna break our deal or something?

Evan rolled his eyes and under normal circumstances, he probably would have confronted Reiner and demanded to know what his problem was. If not for the boy being such an enigma, he would have, but as it stood, Evan knew almost nothing about what he and his clubmates were. All he knew was that they had control over some supernatural powers and that they could steal his body if he did anything to piss them off. Part of him still struggled to accept that it was real, but he knew what happened in the forest that day wasn’t a dream or a hallucination. They had stolen his body and done something to Rina—something that was still a mystery to him. Magic existed and that club of people he considered weak idiots commanded it.

And I probably don’t even know half of what they can do. If it wasn’t so easy for them to ruin my life, I probably would have tried figuring out what other secrets they’ve got hidden.

He’d considered it many times since returning to school. Even he couldn’t say that he wasn’t intrigued by what the existence of their magic could mean. Anybody would want to know what else was out there when their entire perspective on what was real and what was impossible was shattered into a million pieces, yet every time he considered trying to spy on them or even just demanding answers directly, he recalled their threats and quickly decided against it. They considered him their enemy and, while he was interested in what they had, he didn’t want their magic used on him ever again.

After all…I’m still paying for what they did last time. Rina still won’t even look at me, not to mention my dad’s had me on such a tight leash ever since the whole drug incident. And I only tried it one fucking time. It’s not that big of a damn deal.

Feeling uncomfortable as he pondered why Reiner would have been looking back at him, he glanced across the classroom to where the boy’s girlfriend was sitting and, much to his surprise, she was also staring at him. Like Reiner, the moment she realized he had noticed her, she quickly turned back to the front of the class.

Okay…seriously, what the fuck is wrong with them? I haven’t done a damn thing! I’ve stayed away just like they told me to!

The only time he’d even interacted with them since Christmas was on the second day of the festival when Reiner had approached him to ask about his body theft. It had been strange at the time, but Evan had long since pushed Reiner’s strange behavior from his mind. The boy had seemed unsettled, but whatever mess he got himself into wasn’t anything he wanted to be a part of.

Though I can’t help but wonder if that’s related to their weird looks. Or maybe…does he think I had something to do with Mendez’s disappearance or something?

It seemed like an utterly ridiculous possibility, but he couldn’t completely write it off. After all, the only reason the club ever used their magic on him was because he went after Alice Mendez, a girl who had now been missing for over a week.

No…that can’t be it. I obviously didn’t have anything to do with the fucking diner!

As he continued to think about it, the bell finally rang, announcing the end to class. Kentz stopped talking and excused them, something Evan was beyond grateful for. There were still five more classes that day and so, he was ready for English to be over. He stood up from his chair and grabbed his bag, slinging it over his shoulder in the process.

Alright, let’s get the fuck out of here.

He turned to leave and immediately stopped in surprise as Eric Reiner pushed past the departing students, heading in his direction.

Fucking hell! So he does need something from me? What could the bastard even want?!

He tensed up, knowing that no matter how furious and annoyed he may be, he couldn't turn the boy down. If Reiner wanted to talk to him then Evan had no choice but to talk. Off to his right, Evan noticed Brad was also staring at the approaching boy in a mix of confusion and intrigue.

“Hey, Wright,” Reiner began. “I need to ask you for a favor. You, too, Fischer,” he then added, glancing over at Brad.

Evan narrowed his eyes. “A favor? You need a favor from me? Like hell, Reiner. I thought we agreed to stay away from each other!”

“Hey, Evan,” Brad snapped, already making his way over to where the two of them were standing. “Let’s at least hear the guy out.”

He scoffed, finding himself wishing the Magic Club would just disappear so he wouldn’t have to stress about them anymore. He wanted to blow Reiner off and he couldn’t because he didn’t know what would happen to him if he did.

“Look,” Evan growled in warning. “You guys told me not to fuck with you or your friends and I’ve listened. I’m not gonna bother you ever again so please just leave me alone, Reiner. If you need a favor, have Brad help you out. I just want to mind my own damn business.”

He expected that to be enough. After all, whatever he needed Evan for was certainly enough for Brad to take care of, he reasoned. Yet, Reiner was already shaking his head.

“Honestly, Wright, I wish we could have left each other alone,” he muttered. “I would have preferred it that way. But I no longer have an option. I need to talk to you guys, but I don’t have enough time right now so…please, after school, come to the clubroom. Both of you.”

Evan cocked an eyebrow. “What?”

“The clubroom?” Brad parroted. “Reiner, what’s going on? What do you need to talk to us about?”

The other boy quickly shook his head, and Evan realized that he was trembling, as if he were afraid of something, and in that moment, he recalled that Reiner had been in a similar state back during the festival.

Could this possibly be related? he wondered, and despite his desire to ignore him, his curiosity was starting to get the better of him.

“Look, I can’t tell you here,” Reiner whispered. “But it’s not an exaggeration to say that both of your lives are in danger.”

W-what? Our lives? What the everlasting fuck is he going on about?

“What do you mean?” Brad pressed. “Reiner, stop being vague. Why the hell would our lives ever be in danger?”

Evan could see the concern in Brad’s eyes, and even though he asked the question as if he didn’t have a clue what the reason could be, Evan found himself with only one conclusion. It must have been related to their magic. If Eric Reiner wasn’t lying to them, then that was the only thing that made sense.

“Like I said, it’s hard to explain here, but…” Reiner paused, then continued one with more fervor. “Please, just be there after school. I swear I’m not wasting your time nor am I lying. Something…really bad has happened.”

“And if we don’t show?” Evan demanded before Brad could say anything. “What are you gonna do then, huh?”

He didn’t know why, but he wanted Reiner to get angry. He wanted to piss him off and watch as that pained and conflicted look on his face morphed into one of frustration. This was the boy who had caused him so much stress and was now telling him that his life was in danger. It was so ridiculous that he couldn’t help but lash out. For all he knew, Reiner was making it all up in some twisted scheme and he wasn’t about to be manipulated a second time.

But Reiner didn’t react with any sort of rage. Instead, he just lowered his head and stared blankly at the ground, and when he finally spoke, his voice was barely louder than a whisper.

“Then…I’m sorry. I wish I could have done more for you and that’s the honest truth.”

“W-what the fuck does that—? Hey!” Evan hissed, but the boy ignored him, choosing to turn and walk away in the middle of his sentence.

He watched as Reiner headed to the door where his girlfriend was waiting for him before both moved out into the hallway, and couldn’t help but stare after him for a moment, completely baffled. There didn’t seem to be any trickery or ill-intent. Instead, Reiner simply looked scared and genuinely worried, an expression that was beyond rare for the ever-smiling and joking individual.

Could he be telling the truth? Are we in danger? No! There’s not a chance! There’s something else going on! There’s gotta be!

“Come on,” Brad murmured, motioning for them to leave before the passing period ended.

He followed his friend from the classroom and out into the halls, both keeping close to the wall to avoid bumping into the main crowd. The chatter of the passing students was loud, yet Evan still kept his voice down when he spoke.

“What the fuck do you make of that?” he grumbled. “You know Reiner better than me. Is he fucking with us?”

Brad immediately shook his head, completely lacking any hesitation or consideration. “No. I know what Eric Reiner looks like when he’s screwing around or teasing someone and that wasn’t it. He actually looked like he was going to be sick.”

So…Brad noticed it, too.

“So what then? You think he’s telling the truth?”

His friend shrugged. “I…don’t know, honestly. But, something tells me that there’s definitely something going on cause it isn’t just him. All week, Clark, Tao, and especially Lilly have seemed unsettled, and I was starting to consider talking to them again. So for Reiner to reach out to us like that…”

Brad trailed off, but Evan knew what he wanted to say.

“You actually think we should go to that stupid-ass clubroom tonight?” he finished irritably.

Brad nodded. “Yes…I do. I think we should at least see what he has to say. Then we can make a better judgment about it all. I’m at least going. Obviously, I can’t make you do anything but…regardless of your history with them, I do think you should be there.”

“Well, I doubt I have much of a choice,” he muttered bitterly.

Even after so many months had passed, he still hadn’t discussed what went down with Brad. He didn’t know how much the bigger boy was aware of, so he didn’t elaborate on what he meant. However, he had already told him numerous times that the Magic Club had dirt on him and that if he did anything, his life would be ruined. Even if Reiner hadn’t explicitly said it, Evan wasn’t about to take any chances. Whether he wanted to or not, he would be going to that clubroom once sixth period ended.

“Hey, Evan,” Brad murmured.

“Yeah? What?”

His friend glanced sidelong at him, a serious expression on his face. “I don’t know all the details about your history with them and, honestly, I don't want to know. But I just want to say that they aren’t evil people. Unless you go after them, they won’t do anything to you. So…cut Reiner a bit of slack.”

Evan snorted. “Sure…whatever.”

He knew Brad was friends with them and so his opinion meant nothing, yet despite blowing his comment off, the big boy smiled regardless.

“Thanks.”

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

***

“It’s about Alice and Jay. They’re in danger…and you are, too…so please, I’ll explain more so just come to the clubroom later!”

Eric Reiner’s words were still hanging over her as she collected her things from her locker. When he had approached her that afternoon at lunch, Rina hadn’t known what to think. Their relationship was complicated enough that she never really knew what the boy actually thought of her. After how she treated Alice, it would have made sense for him and Harper to despise her, yet every time they talked, they treated her with respect, as if she hadn’t done anything horrible. Then, in recent days, she had noticed him and his club looking paler and more on edge, and she could only assume it was related to Jay and Alice’s disappearance. Naturally, she had chosen to leave them alone. After everything that was happening, she knew they wouldn’t want anything to do with her, and she was content keeping her distance. Yet, out of nowhere, he came to her table in the courtyard at lunch and asked to speak with her.

And…he knows something. The way he talked about Jay and Alice…he said they’re in danger. So does he know where they are? Then he said I could also be in danger so, what does he know? What’s been going on? And could it have to do with magic?

She swallowed nervously. She was already having trouble thinking straight. Jay and Alice were gone and for all she knew, they could be dead. The thought was so terrifying to her that she couldn’t sleep. All she could think about was them and how if they were gone, then the last thing they would remember was how she bullied Alice. She knew Jay had told her that he wanted to move on, but she hadn’t done anything to earn that forgiveness. She wanted him to come back so she could try to make things right and she had been praying that he would wake up.

And now he’s gone. They both are… I…might soon be the last one left.

The possibility that Alice and Jay were dead made her want to scream. They were her childhood friends and she had grown to realize in the aftermath of Jay’s attempted suicide that no matter what she tried to tell herself, she had never stopped caring about them. Audrey’s death had destroyed her, and she pushed them away, finding it too painful to be around them. All she could think about back then was losing Audrey, but with the possibility of losing them, she knew she made a horrible mistake. She had thrown everything away and told herself she didn’t care anymore, but she had simply repressed those feelings, and now, they had broken free again. All of her convincing that they didn’t matter to her had shattered.

Why does everything have to be taken away from me?! Why do I have to lose so much!?

First, she lost her mother and older brother to that car crash, then Audrey passed away, and now, Alice and Jay could be gone, too. If they were then she would be all alone. She had friends and she cared about them, but her relationship with Alice and Jay was something truly special and she had never been able to recreate it, no matter how hard she tried.

“I don’t forgive what you did to Alice. But I can’t hate you. And I can’t accept what I helped do to you so, I’m really, really sorry, Rina. I’m sorry I didn’t stop him. And, if Lilly hasn’t already done so, I’ll get rid of those pictures. I want to put the past behind us, where it belongs.”

Jay had spoken those words to her that day he came to school as Lilly Harper and they had been a lifeline to her. He was willing to put it all behind them and move forward. When he came back, they were going to try again, but now, he may never come back.

But he’s not dead…at least, that’s how Reiner made it sound. And if he’s still alive…if he and Alice are out there somewhere, I need to get them back! I have to make things right!

She reached up and gripped the necklace hanging from her neck. It was Audrey’s wedge of the medallion, something Jay had entrusted to her that day and a treasure she held dear. It meant something to her and so, she knew she had to go to that clubroom. She had to listen to what Reiner had to say and, if there was something she could do, then she would do it.

“Hey, Charlotte,” she began, closing the locker door and glancing left to where her red-headed friend was leaning against the wall, waiting for her. “I’m sorry…but there’s actually something I need to do. Would it be okay if we put off the study group until this weekend?”

She’d been planning to go out to a local coffee shop with Charlotte and Ashley to do some studying for their upcoming test in Biology, but now, she knew she didn’t have an option but to cancel.

Charlotte frowned. “Oh…uh, yeah, sure. Is everything okay, Ri’?”

The girl looked worried and Rina knew it was because of how poorly she had been hiding her feelings in the recent days. Charlotte didn’t know the details about her history with Jay and Alice, but she understood that it was a sore spot for her. So, for the two of them to suddenly vanish like they did, and right after the diner attack, Charlotte must have understood that it was taking a real toll on her.

And passing out that morning didn’t help that.

Rina nodded. “Yeah, I’m okay. It’s just that I need to handle some personal stuff. It’s nothing to worry about but…it is really important.”

“O-okay then,” Charlotte said softly. “Yeah, we can meet up Saturday morning. I’ll send Ash’ a text and let her know.”

“Thanks,” she replied. “That means a lot. And I promise, everything’s okay.”

“Good. And if it ever isn’t, you let me know, Rina,” the other girl insisted. “I want to be there for you if I can be. Don’t forget that.”

“I won’t. Thank you,” she repeated.

With that, she bid her friend goodbye and the two parted ways with Charlotte heading in the direction of the stairs and Rina moving the opposite way. She knew the clubroom for the Magic Club was room 3-5 though she had never actually been there herself. She couldn’t deny that she was anxious about meeting with them. She had never met Damien Clark or Liz Tao, so she only had the rumors to go off of. Clark, especially, had plenty of dangerous rumors about him so she had always avoided him.

Not to mention…for all I know, it was him or Tao that stole Evan’s body that day.

No matter who was behind that, they would be in that room, and that knowledge alone was enough to scare her. Yet, she pressed on regardless, knowing that she had to hear what Reiner wanted to say. Running away wasn’t an option anymore. When she came to the door of the club, she took a deep breath, then knocked a few times against the metal surface.

“Come in,” came a soft call from within.

Rina exhaled softly, then pulled the door open and stepped inside. She had expected to find all four members of the Magic Club present. Reiner had said they would all be there when they spoke earlier. Damien Clark and Liz Tao were standing on the opposite corner, right in front of the teacher’s desk. Lilly Harper was a few feet to the left, leaning against one of the windows, and Eric Reiner was at the front of the class, behind the teacher’s podium. However, to her stunned surprise, they weren’t the only ones present. Standing between the desks just a few yards in front of Reiner, were Bradley Fischer and Evan Wright.

E-Evan?! What the hell is he…?

For a moment, she and the boy just stared at each other, and she realized by his own surprised expression that he hadn’t been expecting her either. Ever since the incident at Christmas, she had been avoiding him. She knew very little about what went down between him and the club, but she knew they stole his body one way or the other. He had been the true mastermind behind what they did to Alice, and she had allowed herself to be strung along by him. When he returned from suspension, she was so scared of facing him again that she had avoided him, and to her relief, he never tried to approach her either. It was almost like they had an unspoken agreement to leave the other alone.

B-but…why is he here? Why would Reiner want to talk to him, too? Could this have anything to do with what happened to Alice? But, Brad’s here, too, so…what’s going on?

A look of relief passed over Reiner’s face as he realized it was her in the doorway. “Thank you for coming, Davens. Thank you…”

All four of the Magic Club members looked like they were about to be sick, which only made all the more anxious for what was to come.

“Yeah, sure,” she muttered back.

Rina cautiously moved into the room, allowing the door to shut behind her, as she made her way to where Evan and Brad were standing. Both boys looked as confused as she was, but neither made a move to greet her. So, she took her place on the other side of Brad and slowly turned to face the club.

“Alright,” Brad began, folding his arms across his broad chest, “is this everybody 'cause you guys are really starting to freak me out. What’s going on, Lilly?”

He addressed Harper directly, seeming to believe she was the one he could trust the most. The girl glanced away as Brad stared at her, her hands clutched tightly in front of her. However, she didn’t speak. Instead, and to no surprise for Rina, it was Reiner who answered Brad’s question.

“I’m sorry about all of this,” he muttered. “I truly am. I wish I could have done something, but at this point, our hands are tied. We’ve been backed up against a wall and there’s nothing we can do to break free.”

Evan scowled. “And what the fuck does that mean?” he demanded. “Stop talking in riddles, Reiner! I don’t have time for your stupid—!”

“Something’s coming after us,” Harper interrupted, her voice sharp and low, her demeanor completely different from the way she had acted the few times Rina had spoken to her. “All of us…everybody in this room.”

Before Evan could snap back at her, Brad quickly placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder to stop him, then responded in a calm tone. “Something? You mean…something magical?”

Rina’s eyes widened in surprise and turned to stare at him. She had never known who else knew of the Magic Club’s powers. She only knew that the club, Alice, Jay, and Evan were aware that magic existed. While she knew Brad and Harper had become close, she had never even considered the possibility that he might know. When she glanced past the big boy and at Evan, his expression gave her the impression that, while he hadn’t known about it, he had at least suspected it.

“W-wait,” Rina began, now fully processing what he had said. “Magical? I don’t…”

“Yes, magical,” Reiner replied. “As all three of you are aware, this club possesses a supernatural power—one that most would consider impossible. Magic is real. All of us know that and all of us have experienced it. What two of you don’t know is that our power of body swapping comes not from us, but from this.”

Without waiting for their reply, Reiner reached into the pocket of his pants and produced a small stone that sparkled orange in his hand. “This…is what enables us to swap bodies,” he explained. “When two people touch this, we’ve assumed it serves as a catalyst and switches consciousnesses into opposite bodies.”

Rina stared at the stone, taking in what the boy was telling them. When her body had been stolen by the club member masquerading as Evan, she hadn’t known how they were able to take her body. She had always assumed that it was some sort of power one of them had, but now she realized that it was more limited than she had known.

“Oh really?” Evan spat, his features contorting in pure fury. “So you fuckers aren’t as powerful as you claimed, huh? It was all a bluff?”

“Yes, it was,” Clark replied firmly. “Because unless you thought we could do anything, you wouldn’t have stopped. So, we lied, simple as that.”

Evan stared furiously at the other boy and once again looked ready to continue arguing, but just like the first time, Brad quickly stepped in to move the conversation along.

“Obviously I already knew about that thing,” he stated. “But why tell them now? What does this have to do with whatever’s supposedly coming after us?”

Reiner grimaced then hung his head. “It wants this. You see, Fischer, I didn’t make this or anything. I just found it in a cave near the beach at the beginning of summer. At the time, I didn’t know what it was, but when Lilly and I both touched it for the first time and swapped bodies, I was fascinated by it. Damien warned me, but I didn’t listen, and so I never thought about its original owner…and now he’s here, in Wilham, to take it back.”

Rina swallowed nervously. There was such terror in Reiner’s eyes that she couldn’t even imagine that he was lying. Unless he was an amazing actor, he was truly and genuinely terrified of whatever was coming after him.

“But then…?” Brad murmured. “What does that have to do with us? Just give it back. Wouldn’t that solve the problem?”

“I wish it did,” Harper replied softly. “I wish that was all we had to do, Brad, but it isn't. For whatever reason, the law of these people dictates that those who know about magic can’t be left alive. They…plan to kill everybody who’s ever touched this stone.”

“K-kill?” Rina almost squeaked.

She can’t be serious! I mean…they don’t look like they’re lying, but this is just ridiculous! Why would they kill us?! I haven’t done anything wrong!”

Evan took a step forward, his eyes narrowing as he glared at the girl. “Excuse me? What the fuck do you mean?”

“Exactly what I said,” Harper whispered. “The man who’s come here to take the stone plans to wipe us all out, and I don’t just mean killing us. They have the power to wipe our very existence from this world…make it as if nobody ever knew us…like we didn’t exist.”

“Wipe our existence?” Evan snarled. “What kind of prank is this?! Do you fuckers think this is funny?! Do you hear how retarded you all sound?! I’m not gonna fall for whatever this is! You can all kiss my ass!”

Brad glared at the boy, but then sighed and turned back to face forward. “While I wouldn’t be as much of an asshole as Evan, I can’t deny how absurd it sounds. I mean, I trust you guys, but I think I’m just having trouble understanding this all.”

“That makes sense,” Reiner said. “And without having experienced it, it probably sounds utterly crazy. But a stone that allows people to swap bodies exists, so why can’t anything else? What really is impossible when magic is real?”

Evan sneered at them. “And do you have proof? You guys are the ones that know everything so you could be making shit up just to screw with us! How can you prove this is real?”

“I can’t,” Reiner admitted. “You only have my word, but I need you to believe me, Wright. You guys are in danger and regardless of what we’ve been through in the past, I don’t want any of you to die!”

“Like hell you—!”

“The diner,” Tao interrupted, speaking for the first time. Her voice trembled as she inserted herself into the argument. “This person attacked the diner and killed everybody in there. He was behind the hospital as well, and they’re the reason that window on the second floor was shattered. They’ve already been making their moves.”

At the girl’s words, Rina suddenly felt her body go cold, and before she realized it, she was speaking. “The diner?” she parroted. “Wait, Tao…you aren’t saying that these people…?”

“Yes, they are the ones behind Jay and Alice’s disappearance<” he answered her unspoken question. “I know because I’ve seen what they’ve done. Currently…Alice Mendez and Jay Brooks are being kept captive to blackmail us, and if we don’t do what this man wants, he is going to kill them both.”

Rina’s eyes widened in horror. “N-no…why would they… No! Stop! Evan’s right! This is ridiculous! Jay and Alice can’t be—!”

“Then where are they?!” Reiner shouted, cutting her off. “What happened to them then, Davens?! Lilly and I saw what they’ve done to Jay! We’ve seen firsthand what they are capable of and they’re more powerful than anything the three of you could possibly comprehend!”

“Hey, don’t you dare shout at her!” Evan snapped back, but Reiner ignored him.

“He doesn’t have our names yet, but he will soon!” he went on, his voice full of desperation. “And he gave us an ultimatum! If we don’t give them our names, he’s going to kill Alice and then Jay and then anybody else he has to in order to get what he wants! He doesn’t give a damn about our lives! He’s already proven that with the massacre at the diner!”

Rina took a step back in fear at his sudden outburst, and she could feel her body shaking. She didn’t want to believe anything he was saying. The thought that Alice and Jay could be at the mercy of some supernatural entity was stupid, yet every time she looked around the room in search of help, each club member appeared defeated. She could tell that it wasn’t a lie and that only made it worse.

“Reiner,” Brad began softly. “Do you have some sort of plan? Assuming I believe you, which is kinda hard given all you’re saying, how are we even supposed to defend ourselves? How do we save Mendez and Brooks?”

“We don’t know yet,” Clark replied before Reiner could. “But we’re telling you guys because you might be able to help. You’re in as much danger as us, and we felt it was your choice whether you want to lay down and die or fight it with us. I know we’ve all had our differences in the past, but none of that matters right now. What we’re fighting is bigger than any of our…disagreements.”

Evan laughed bitterly and eyed Clark with a mocking look. “Oh really? Yeah, and I’m just supposed to believe you fuckers? Brad and Rina can do whatever they want, but I don’t want anything to do with you! After what you guys did to me…I hate you all! And I never want to be anywhere near you ever again!”

“What we did to you?” Harper spat, a sudden edge coming to her tone. “Don’t make me laugh, Wright! You brought everything that happened onto yourself! After what you did to Alice, you’re lucky we went easy on you. There was so much else we could have done.”

Evan smirked in defiance. “Oh yeah? You want to try me again, Harper? You fuckups just revealed all of your little secrets to me! Now I know you aren’t all powerful! So maybe I’ll take that fucking gem for myself and we’ll se how—!”

“Perkari!”

Rina watched in absolute shock as Evan suddenly went hurtling backwards, as if struck by an invisible force. He flew down the aisle between the desks before landing hard on his back on the other side of the room. Rina and Brad stared at him, dumbfounded, before turning back to see Reiner’s hand extended in Evan’s direction.

“Don’t misunderstand,” Reiner breathed, though there was a hint of warning in his tone. “The stone isn’t the only thing I can do, Wright.”

What the hell? Did he just…do that?

She frantically glanced around the clubroom and, even more surprising to her was the fact that Harper was the only one who looked as if what Reiner just did was normal. Both Clark and Tao were looking between Evan and Reiner as if struggling to process what they had just witnessed.

“What the fuck did you just do to me?” Evan grunted as he pulled himself to his feet. “Reiner, you piece of—!”

“Perkari,” he repeated, and once again, Evan flew backwards, this time crashing into the wall at the back of the room.

“How are you—?”

“Condite!”

This time, instead of simply flying backwards, Evan looked as if he had been pulled from the ground by invisible ropes. His body lunged backwards before hitting the wall nearly five feet from the ground. Evan shouted out in fury, struggling against whatever force was holding him there, but it was useless. He was stuck to that wall, unable to get down, suspended in midair and gasping for oxygen, as if the ropes were tightening around his neck.

“Do you see now, Wright?” Reiner demanded. “Do you see how powerless you are? You couldn’t even get close to me and this guy…the person coming after us, could kill me without breaking a sweat! So what can you do?!” He clenched his teeth and tears began to stream down his face. “It’s hopeless! There’s nothing you can do by yourself! There’s…nothing any of us can do!”