Caine's voice rang through the church, all eyes glued onto his smiling face. It was all working out so perfectly. These children needed a leader, and he would be happy to fill that position. Of course, that had been his plan all along. To take over Perdido beach and all of the FAYZ. He glanced at Diana. Her face would appear serious to anyone but Caine. He was well aware of the hint of a smile on her face.
Suddenly there was a crash, and screaming. I looked to his side and saw that the cross had fallen on one of the Perdido Beach bullies. The stupid thug was screaming to no end, his shoulder gushing blood all over the ground. The other older boy, Sam, ran quickly up to help.
In the midst of all the commotion, Caine leaned against the altar, and his eyes caught the glance of a girl at the far end of the church. Her eyes were wide, surprised by the events of a few moments ago. But then her eyes narrowed, their pupils turning icy and cold, penetrating Caine's very soul. She shook her head, almost imperceptibly, then got up and strode out the church doors. Through the window he saw her long red hair waving in the wind as the crossed the street.
He knew he should tell Drake to go retrieve her. But there was no telling what the boy would do with her once he had her. And Caine had to earn the trust of the children first, gotten them to accept him as their leader. Letting Drake loose on an innocent girl wouldn't give him good standing with the residents of Perdido Beach. He could find her when he was Mayor. Yes, Caine thought. Yes, I will wait. And if she has powers…. Then—Then I'll hand her over to Drake.
For the first time that day, Caine wondered if his Moral standards were just a little messed up.