House of Darken (Secret Keepers #1)(21)
She shot me a look, probably waiting for me to laugh and accuse her of being crazy. I didn’t though, because I was very used to this sort of theory now. The Finnegans had me well prepared. “You think they’re something supernatural,” I whispered, wanting more information. “Like … vampire or werewolf or something?”
Cara blinked a few times, before she expelled a huge breath of air and sank even lower. “Honestly, I know I sound crazy. I know this. And probably the elite are just mafia or something. But if they were vampires it would make so much sense … explain away their oddness.”
I had definitely picked up on that odd vibe. Even the way they garnered so much privilege and respect in Starslight. I mean, football players were treated pretty well in my hometown, but this was an entirely new level.
“Did you know teachers are swapped in and out all the time, sometimes in the middle of the school year,” Cara continued. “I don’t even remember most of their names.”
I wasn’t sure what to think or believe, but I was starting to understand what had brought Michael and Sara here. These elites were definitely bringing attention to themselves. Odd that it was happening now, considering Michael always monitored that sort of thing and he had seen nothing until recently.
Could his original theory be right? Were we lured here for some reason? Was that why they were not home yet? My heart rate was starting to pick up, heat rushing my body as panic and adrenalin warred within me. If my guardians were not home when I got there, I would give them until tonight. Then I would have to do something. Talk with the security. Follow their path.
Sucking in deeply, I breathed through my worry, knowing there was nothing I could do until I saw if they were home or not. Cara was looking at me strangely, so I quickly changed the subject.
“So, will they start giving out more homework?”
Tilting her head to the side, she observed me for a beat longer, shaking her head, blond strands swishing across her shoulders. “No, we never get homework. The teachers don’t like to mark it.”
Third bonus for the week. “You’re always staring at the elite? Why is that?” The tactless question exited from my mouth before I could stop it.
I expected a glare, but she just let out a deep sigh. “Last year, at one of the Friday night parties, before Mitch and I started seeing each other, I hooked up with an Imperial. You haven’t seen them yet, they never come on the first day – actually, the Imperials only come to school when they feel like it. They fight with the other founding families. Lots of tension.”
I flashed back to my history text to those families: Imperial, Royale, Darken, and Leights.
“I don’t even know which Imperial it was,” she continued, “but before anything could really happen we were separated by Daniel Imperial. He’s the leader of his little family group.”
She looked wistfully out the bus window. “Ever since then … I just can’t break my obsession with them. With all of the elites. I hate them, Emma, I really do. And yet I crave to be closer to them.”
Before we could speak further, the bus came to a halt in the main square of Astoria and I had to change buses. “See you tomorrow,” I yelled to Cara as I dashed down the stairs. She was going right to her job at the local diner, so she had no rush to get off. I was running, making the town bus just in time.
I sat right at the front. On the last leg of my journey home I didn’t see the stunning scenery of the beautiful town, a town I was already half in love with. I was lost in thought of everything that had happened today. School. Cara’s weird vibes about the elite. There was so much mystery surrounding everything here, and I was starting to get a Michael and Sara feeling – Astoria had something extraordinarily strange going on.
I was practically bouncing in my seat as I waited for the bus to reach Daelight Crescent. The Finnegans were at the forefront of my mind. I needed to know they were safe. When the bus finally approached my stop, I yanked on the cord and was already waiting at the front when it pulled up.
“Thank you,” I shouted over my shoulder as I hurried down the stairs.
I dashed across the road. By the time I was approaching the gates the sky had darkened and fat drops were landing on my cheek.
“Looks like you’ll make it just in time, Miss Emma.” Ace’s grinning face brought a similar grin to my own. “How was your first day of school?”
I quickly swiped my card, waiting for the gates to open. “It was good. Starslight is amazing and a little intimidating, but I’m enjoying it so far.”
Ace’s grin turned into a chuckle. “Yeah, they treat you right there. Alright now, hurry inside. It’s about to get bad again.”
Sure enough, as he spoke, a crack of lightning rocked the sky above us and the rain got heavier.
“See you tomorrow,” I yelled as I ran.
“Bye, Emma. Stay on your side of the street, you hear.”
The last part he added sounded playful, but it still sent a small flicker of unease through my chest. Reminded me that not all was right in this world. That the elite, who most likely all lived on this street, had far too many secrets for my liking.
My keys were in my hands as I dashed along the rundown side of the street. As my shack came into view I bit back a curse, my heart sinking low. No car in the driveway; the Finnegans weren’t back yet. The worry could not be pushed aside any longer; my hands were shaking as I unlocked the front door. Stepping inside, I still checked every room, just in case Michael had dropped Sara off. Nope. The house had not been touched since I left this morning.