The Black Coats(28)

“Well, you made mine,” said a strange voice from a few shelves away.

“Go away, Harry,” Drew said, not moving an inch.

The old man peeked up from behind the shelf before shuffling back to his desk. “It’s not often we have people swapping spit in here. Just sayin’. . . .”

Thea closed her eyes. “Annnd there goes the moment.”

Drew laughed. “Well, there’s still the entire second level of this place.” His eyes widened. “We could try it again in front of the stuffed otter upstairs. He’s wearing a fedora and holding a machete.”

“Take me there immediately,” laughed Thea. Holding hands, they headed upstairs, where more oddities awaited them, as well as a few more kisses, each one longer than the last.





Twelve


The rest of the month passed in a blur. Turning five separate girls into one functioning Team Banner made the days bleed together into an insane mix of running, martial arts, and lectures.

Thankfully, it was a Friday, and they were almost done at Mademoiselle Corday.

Nixon poked her head into the classroom. “Team Banner, meet me in the Haunt. Ten minutes.”

The group let out a loud groan. The Haunt meant more physical training, and Thea already felt like her muscles were wiggly noodles.

Nixon shot them a look that could freeze ice. “Anyone want to complain?”

“No, ma’am,” Team Banner echoed back. Mirabelle blew a strand of flaxen hair out of her eyes. “I already sparred with Nixon for an hour today.”

“Did you win?” snapped Casey sarcastically from her normal perch atop a desk.

“Almost,” Mirabelle replied. “But if I have to do it again, I’m just going to run through the greenhouse glass screaming.”

Louise curled her arm underneath Mirabelle’s. “I’ll take her for you.”

Mirabelle rolled her eyes. “Thanks for the help. I give you three seconds before she has your face in the mat.”

“Five seconds, but this time I won’t cry,” said Louise.

Mirabelle grinned. “Deal.” They shook on it as Team Banner began making their way down the long hallways.

Thea watched them with a smile as she hung back, noting the way Bea casually laced her arm through Louise’s, the way Casey yanked on Mirabelle’s ponytail when she wasn’t looking. The tethers of their individuality were fraying, and a quilt of differing abilities was finally coming together. Team Banner was getting there, one day at a time. There is a strange magic to this particular group, thought Thea. We are healing ourselves.

Thea was the last one through the doors of the Haunt, the heavy wood slamming shut behind her. The lights were off, an oddity, and Team Banner froze, immediately sure that something was not right in the swallowing darkness.

“Is Nixon going to jump us?” Bea’s words faded out. Night fell early this time of year, and through the wavy glass of the greenhouse, Thea could make out the bright light of the moon. Dozens of figures melted out of the shadows and made their way toward the girls. Their hands unfolded and lit candles peeked out of the darkness. Thea saw the illuminated figures of young and old women, each clad in a black coat. Team Banner instinctively clustered together. Julie Westing watched them silently, her wolfish face lit by a golden glow.

“I knew it!” hissed Mirabelle, with a tremble of fear in her normally bold voice. “They are going to sacrifice us for our virgin blood.”

“Tell the rest of the world we’ll miss them,” Casey whispered drily.

Nixon stepped into the moonlight, her black coat turned up at the collar and a dripping beeswax candle in her hand. “Team Banner, step forward.”

The girls approached her cautiously, Thea first, and the rest of them following behind her. Nixon held out her hand, bright red lips flickering like wet blood in the candlelight. Their president raised her voice. “Team Banner, over the last few weeks, I believe, has proven themselves worthy of calling themselves Black Coats. They are admirable in their devotion, fierce in their individual training, and noble in their intent to serve the Black Coats with utter loyalty.” An amused cough echoed out from the corner. Nixon’s glance flitted to where Kennedy and Team Emperor watched silently from the wings, their arms folded skeptically over their chests. Nixon’s mouth twisted, but her voice remained steady. “I’ll ask you one time. Are you ladies ready to join the Black Coats?”

“Yes, ma’am,” they replied in unison.

“Good. There is, however, one thing you must do before you are initiated fully into this society.” Thea’s pulse raced as Nixon stepped toward them, her voice echoing across the dark expanse of the Haunt. “What if I told you that one of the members of Team Banner was put on to your team as a test? That she was a plant. You may know her as the one who isn’t essential to your group.”

Thea’s mouth fell open. “What?”

Nixon was in front of her now. “Quickly now, Team Banner. Who is it? All your lessons have been leading up to this, all those psychology lessons, all those criminology studies. I have laid out every possible way to find the wolf in sheep’s clothing among you. Who is your weakest team member?” Only her sharpest features were lit in the wavering flame.

Mirabelle stepped forward, pointing her finger at Casey. “It’s her. It has to be. How much do we need a driver?”