Libby Soren was skipping class with her boyfriend when it happened. They were about to be royally chewed out by Ms. Waters when the bitter, forty-five year old woman disappeared.
Gone.
Just…gone.
An unsettling feeling rooted itself in Libby's stomach. She pushed it far enough down that it was no longer a nuisance.
"Weird." Her boyfriend, Drake Merwin, muttered.
She shrugged, not particularly wanting to think about the odd occurrence. The two of them didn't get alone time very often. She didn't want to waste it on being concerned about some bitter old teacher.
"Come on." She laced her fingers with his and dragged him down the hall quickly. They tucked themselves into a hole in the wall. Libby tucked her hair behind her ears, leaning against the wall. "My birthday's coming up." She reminded him.
He cracked a grin, one of the rare real smiles he produced. She liked to think they were especially for her. "Twelve days." He replied, more than likely bored already by their conversation. "It's also Caine's birthday."
She wrinkled her nose. She loved her brother more than anything, more than anyone. But she absolutely hated sharing a birthday with him. She didn't like sharing, period.
"What'd you get me?" She prodded. They had agreed it would be a surprise, but she was starting to grow bored with not knowing.
He rolled his eyes, pushing his sleeves up. "I'm not telling you. One, I don't want to. And two, if I did, you'd kill me for ruining your big birthday surprise."
He had a point. She smiled up at him, crossing her arms over her chest. "So, it's big?"
Drake sighed. He ran a hand through his sandy hair. "Stop pressing, Lib. You know I'm not going to break."
Her smile fell. Her happy look was replaced by a dark and determined one. Her light eyes were narrowed in an ambitious fashion. She pushed herself off the wall and moved closer to him. "You would. Easily. If I pressed the right buttons." She murmured.
She heard him swallow and she suppressed a pleased smile.
Minutes later, students began to poke out into the hall, curious minds all thinking alike. Her eyes slid over to the hall, surveying her fellow students. There were nervous murmurs, wondering where teachers went, some wondering about students.
The feeling in her stomach returned. She looked at the nearest clock mounted on a wall to check the time. Caine was in Pre-Calculus.
Ten more minutes passed. No teachers showed up. The older students were gone. Libby glanced over at Drake, watching the nervous glances of his eyes.
"You two. Caine is looking for you."
Libby suppressed a groan. Bug was standing in front of them. He was okay, a lackey of her brother's. A little bit creepy, but very useful.
"A lot of people are looking for a lot of people." Libby replied smartly. "I'm sure Diana is just searching all over the school for him." Her tone was light, but snarky.
Drake stifled a snicker as Bug stared back at them. "Caine said to bring you to the cafeteria. He was pretty insistent about it."
Of course he was. Caine liked getting his way. It was one of the many things they had in common. Libby smoothed out her pleated skirt. "Take me to your leader, then."
Fifteen minutes later, they were arriving in the cafeteria. Caine had a small group of students gathered around him, everyone talking quietly. "Took you long enough." She could see the annoyed look on his face from across the room.
"Don't take that tone with me." She said easily.
Not many people could speak to him like that. Caine demanded fear and respect from everyone. To him, the two things were not synonymous; he needed both from everyone.
Everyone except his twin.
The Soren twins should have been identical. They both wore the same bored expression, both having the personality that drew people in and commanded respect. Both twins constantly looked like they had just stepped out of a movie. Caine's ear length dark hair always looked just the right amount of windblown, his dark eyes piercing, stature composed and regal. Libby had the same thick and dark hair, keeping it shoulder length, her light blue eyes always sparkling.
The biggest difference between them (besides their eyes), was the air around them. Being around Caine was knowing that he was in charge, always. Knowing that he may have been handsome, but he was dangerous. People knew just by looking at him, being around him, that not everything was all right in him. Libby was different. Being around her, looking at her, no one would guess how like him she was. She looked sweet and innocent with her simpering smiles and fluttering lashes. Thinking she was innocent and docile was just the same as sticking your hand in a hole and being bitten by a venomous snake. Falling blindly into a trap.
"Is this about the disappearances?" Libby asked her brother as she walked further into the cafeteria, leaving Drake to follow her.
Diana Ladris stood beside Caine, her dark hair falling in soft curls, her face hard with judgement. Diana was as beautiful as she was conniving, which said a lot. Libby and Diana did not get along.
Diana had a thing for Caine and Libby was his twin and his best friend. There was only room for one leading lady in his life and they were competing for the spot.
Caine nodded. "We've come to a conclusion. Everyone over the age of fifteen has disappeared. We don't know why."
The two shared a look.
Powers? She suggested in her head.
He shrugged his shoulders. Maybe they have something to do with it.
"Can the two of you use words?" Diana asked shortly. "Just so us lesser beings know what's going on."
Libby opened her mouth, a smart remark ready. Don't, her brother's voice was resonating in her head. Now isn't the time to fight for my affection.
You love me more anyways. Right?
"Assemble everyone who has powers. I want them all here by the end of the school day." Caine told Bug. Bug hesitated. "Go on, little Bug. Fly off."
It took seconds for Bug to be out of the room.
Where were you and Merwin anyways? Ever the overprotective brother.
She smirked. I'll let your imagination wander on that one.
"Give me your hand." Diana insisted.
Tightly, Libby crossed her arms over her chest, a stern look on her face. "For the last time, no. Now leave me alone, Ladris. Before I make you." Her voice turned cold, her blue eyes darkening.
"I have to get a read on your bars. Caine demanded everyone with powers be read." Diana told her.
He always had to be in control, always had to be all-knowing. "Caine knows the extent of my power. He doesn't need some dumb bar system to tell him how powerful I am."
Her chest bubbled with annoyance and anger. She had a link with Diana. She had established that soon after meeting the girl. She wondered if Diana would ever become a problem, so she made an insurance policy. Just in case she ever had to resolve the potential Diana problem.
Diana jerked forward, trying to grab at Libby's arm. Libby narrowed her eyes, focusing on the girl in front of her. Almost immediately, Diana began screaming, hands clutching her head in pain.
"Stop!" Diana shrieked.
"Libby!" Someone shouted.
Her focus broke.
Diana fell to the ground, her breath labored from pain. Libby turned, facing her brother. "Libby, what the hell?" Caine sighed.
She put her hands on her hips. "Tell your dog to keep her paws off me." She hissed. "Or she'll end up like Ned."
Caine flinched at the mention of their father. "Lib, she's just trying to get a read on your power level."
Libby glanced at the ground and then back at her brother. Did he really need to know her level?
"It would be appreciated. We could work much more quickly if you would cooperate with me." He said gently.
Her shoulders slumped, arms dropping to her side in defeat.
Diana slowly got to her feet. With an uneasy look, she held her hand out towards Libby. Lazily, Libby placed her hand on top of Diana's.
"Four." Diana noted.
Libby's bored expression didn't shift as her hand fell back to her side. Her brother had an impressed look on his face. "See how easy that was?" Caine sighed. "Let's go see how Drake's coming along with our little project."
Caine slung his arm around his sister's shoulders. The three of them walked to the cafeteria. The students of Coates Academy that were left had congregated to the cafeteria over the past few hours.
Diana had gotten successful reads on all of them. Her scale ranged from one to four. One meant someone may have a power, but not important enough to be documented. Two was sort of important. Threes were a possible threat. And fours…so far, the only fours were Caine and Libby.
"How are things coming?" Caine asked Drake as they walked through the cafeteria.
Drake smirked, his mouth forming a dangerous line.
Drake Merwin was dangerous. Well, everyone in Coates could be considered dangerous, but he was a potential threat. He'd been sent to Coates for shooting a kid. He bordered the line.
Libby liked toeing the line. She liked the scary feel of him. And she liked that he was soft around her, melting like putty in her hands.
"Come see." Drake grinned maliciously.
Something dark lingered inside of him. Libby often wondered what would happen if he got the chance to show it.
Eagerly, Caine followed Drake and Diana and Libby followed Caine outside the cafeteria to the wide open grassy area behind the school.
Kids were lined up against the wall, hands covered in plaster. Caine nodded thoughtfully as he surveyed Drake's work.
"What is this?" Libby asked, her nose scrunched in confusion and thought.
Caine looked at her. "An insurance policy." He told her. "I've noticed that most of the powers are based on hand movement. And since our friends here are quite untrustworthy, I suggested that we make sure they don't try to ruin our plans. Drake was happy to comply."
Her eyes widened. "So, you plastered their hands? Caine, how are they supposed to eat?"
He shrugged, saying they would figure it out.
Her stomach felt woozy.
Would you do that to me?
Caine frowned at her. Don't be stupid, Lib. I trust you. More than anything or anyone. You're the only one who understands me.
She closed her mind out.
In order to use her power on someone, she had to have a mental link with them. She could usually establish that by touch.
Caine was different. Their link was stronger, bolder. They could share thoughts, speak to each other mentally.
He put his hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. Her heart clenched as a wave of emotion ran through her: assurance, affection, love. There wasn't a sense of distrust or betrayal to be felt.
Sometimes, only if the emotion was strong enough, a touch meant they could share emotion.
Caine gave her a soft smile. "Better?" She nodded slowly. "Great. Now, let's go get some practice in, shall we?"
She glanced over at the plastered students, unable to feed themselves. "I'll catch up with you later. I'm going to make sure they get some food."
He raised an eyebrow, but said nothing to counter her. "Whatever you wish. I'll see you later." His hand fell from her shoulder. "Diana."
Caine shared an understanding look with Drake. Diana gave Libby a haughty look as Caine began walking from the cafeteria and she trailed after him.
Libby looked at her boyfriend. "Are you going to help me, or just stand there?" She asked witheringly.
"Whatever you want me to do."
She rolled her eyes, turning back to the other students. She knew most people that she went to school with. She didn't know everyone personally, but she knew names and that counted for something.
She wasn't necessarily sure the kids in front of her should have been counted as dangerous, but she knew better than to disagree with her brother. Caine was always right, always.
"You can let us out." Dekka Talent told her.
No one would have ever known, but Libby was uneasy around the girl. Dekka was tall and intimidating, with hard eyes and a harder personality.
"No, I don't think I can." Libby said quietly. There was an unsure expression on her face that quickly faded into a distinct coldness that mirrored the one her brother wore often. "But I can feed you. And as long as you stay quiet, you'll continue to get food. Understood?"
Clamping her mouth shut, Dekka nodded.
"You aren't going to get away with doing this to us." Brianna stated, sitting beside Dekka, in between her and a girl named Taylor.
Libby raised her eyebrows. She glanced around the room for a moment before turning back to Brianna. "I don't see anyone who's going to stop us. Do you?"
The girl swallowed. She shook her head once. "Find them some food. Make sure they all eat." Libby told Drake. She pushed a piece of hair behind her ear and straightened her blazer.
"You're better than him, your brother. You could help us but you're scared of him." Dekka said, voice even and calm.
Wrong. That was wrong.
Libby wasn't afraid of her brother. There was no fear in their relationship. Only respect and trust. Admiration and affection. They didn't fear each other. Together, they feared nothing.
They were staring at her, waiting on her to reply. Words had to be chosen carefully. If she said something wrong, it could make her look bad. Make her brother look bad.
Libby smiled a very small, but gracious smile. "Here, no one is better than anyone. We're all the same." Dekka asked why then, were they plastering kids' hands. "Once we know we can trust you, we'll break your plaster. This is a dangerous new world and we're trying to make it safe. Maybe you can help us."
There were a few moments of tense silence. Libby pressed her lips together in a frown.
Insurance policy, sister. Caine's voice was in her head, protruding her private space. We don't want to have to use it, but it's better safe than sorry. Like you said, we're in a dangerous new world.
As always, he was right. Stay out of my head unless I ask.
She felt him laugh and for a moment, she thought she could even hear it. You asked, whether you knew or not. I heard you first. Just trying to help.
She didn't bother responding to him. She flexed her fingers.
It only took a few short minutes to create a link with all the students who had their hands plastered. Drake stood, arms crossed, watching with dark eyes.
Do you have a link with Merwin? Caine asked. Do you trust him to be completely loyal?
That was a no. A huge no. Drake was a dog, but he was not Diana. He wouldn't stay loyal, not if his interests changed or a better offer came along.
There's something we need to discuss, sister. Quite urgent.
She pushed him out of her mind. "I have to go." She told Drake. She touched his shoulder, giving him an affectionate smile. Once the link was established, she dropped her hand.
"Did you just…?" His voice trailed off, struggling to create the words he needed.
"Don't question me." She warned him. "It won't end in your favor. I promise."
He shut his mouth. After a quiet moment, she heard him sigh. "I'll go find some food."
She nodded, saying that was an excellent thing for him to do.
Caine's legs swung back and forth as he sat on top of the desk. He'd taken up headquarters in the Headmistress's office, making it his own office.
Libby's fingers drummed rhythmically against the hard wood of the desk. She worried her bottom lip between her teeth. "Run through it again." She sighed heavily.
Caine groaned in response. "Do I have to?"
She looked up at him, eyes tired. "Yes." She said. "You want it to sound perfect. The town kids don't trust us. We need to change that. You cannot come off wrong the first time they meet you."
He slid off the desk. "I've got such a smart sister."
She smiled proudly. She stood up, smoothing the wrinkles from her starch white shirt. "Save the flattery for the Perdido kids, though. One more time and we'll leave."
She moved from the desk to the mirror by the door of the office. She stared at herself in the mirror as Caine began the first part of his speech.
"Hold on." She said, interrupting him. He was staring at her through the mirror. She turned to make eye contact. "The night nurse, Constance Temple. Her son goes to Perdido Beach. He's our age. We'll want to make friendly with him."
Caine raised his eyebrows. "Do I need to warn Merwin that heartbreak is coming his way?" He teased.
She rolled her eyes in disgust. "You know what I mean, Caine. When I had the flu, she took care of me. She told me about him. He saved a whole school bus once. He'll be hard to convince. Make him want to like us."
Caine grinned, running a hand through his hair. He was easy to hate, if you were a male. He was anything but easy-going, handsome as a king, charming as a snake. He got easier to hate the more you got to know him. Unless you were his sister.
"I forgot you spent so much time with her." He murmured. "If you think it's important, you know I'll do my best to make it happen."
She smiled widely at him. "Good. I think we should go. I'll have Drake to send for the cars." Her fingers ran through her hair, making sure it looked good enough.
Libby made to leave the room but he grabbed her elbow gently. "Merwin's in love with you. Sometimes I wonder what he would do if you really did break his heart. His mind is a bit fragile, sister."
Her brow furrowed. "What are you saying?"
He shrugged, letting her go. "Nothing. I'm just reminding you to play carefully with your toy. One wrong move and-," he made a motion of slicing his neck, "someone gets hurt."