Dark Nebula (The Chronicles of Kerrigan) by W.J. May Page B

Wardell?”
    “Whatever .” They reached the path that led to the Oratory. Devon held out his arm to let Rae go first .
    She stepped in front and said over her shoulder, “This path easily fits two people side by side, you know.”
    “I know. I just spent a summer not seeing you and then another five days away . I’d like to take in the entire view. I’ve missed that cute bum of yours.”
    Rae stopped and spun around. “Devon Wardell, what’ s gotten into you?” She pretended to scold him, but his blunt honesty made her tingle.
    Devon opened his mouth, only to have someone cut him off.
    “Rae . Devon ,” Carter said. “ I’m glad to see the both of you . Come into the Oratory.” He beckoned , then disappeared b ack inside the building.
    She turned to follow but stopped when she realized Devon was not behind her. She turned to see him standing frozen in his spot, his large eyes darting everywhere, terror written all over his face.
    Rae ran the few steps back to him. “ W hat’s wrong?” She sense d his panic as she reached for him. Then, nothing. No spark, no buzz, no current from his gift. She jerked back from him, breaking contact, her body instinctively not wanting a physical connection with something that felt so incredibly wrong.
    “I…can’t…” Devon ’s breath came out sharp and rapid. “It’s gone…My tatù…”
    “I mpossible ! Stay here . L et me get Carter .” Rae was so scared she felt sick . She turned to run to the Oratory. I couldn’t feel his power. This is bad. Really bad. What the heck’s going on?
    “ Wait .” Devon ’s voice resounded with relief. “It’s back.”
    Confused, Rae turned back. S lowly she walked over to him and reached for his fingers . The spark immediately shot through her -- like it had never left.
    Huh? “I don’t understand. ” S he shook her head, afraid to let go of his hand.
    Devon shrugged. “I don’t know. I did some pretty crazy training stuff this weekend and then out on a mission. Maybe it just buzzed my tatù down for a moment.” He appeared completely confident and relaxed again. “That was weird, like I tuned out of all my senses … like I couldn’t feel anything.” He shrugged.
    Rae’s brows creased together. “I felt it, I mean, I didn’t feel it . When I touched you. I didn’t get anything. I usually get an instant spark from a tatù. Your s definitely wasn’t there. It was really creepy. Like you were gone. ”
    “No, I’m sure i t ’s fine . ” He stood quiet for a moment. “We do some pretty crazy training and ops. S tuff I’ve never done before. I think … it just went low, like a battery needing to be charged . I have about a zillion hours of sleep to catch up on .” He pulled her towards the Oratory . “ Come on. L et’s go see what Carter wants .”
    S he said nothing , but followed. Maybe s he didn’t kn ow much about tatù s , but she sensed what had just happened wasn’t normal. Should I tell Carter? Maybe that’s a bad idea. Last year I didn’t trust him once. Everything about him was off. Now this year I’m supposed to put all my cards in his hand and act like everything’s hunky-dory ? For all I know, he was working with Lanford , and now he’s just covering his tracks till the right moment. Who am I supposed to trust? Devon, Molly , and Julian for sure. They would never lie or hide anything from me. Everyone else is on the naughty list till — till when ? She ground the heel of her palm against her forehead, not sure what to think or do. She walked beside Devon and headed inside the large double doors of the Oratory.
    It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dimly lit grand room. Rae’s breath caught the moment she stepped in . The room ’s charismatic charm and Tudor archi tecture ensnared her attention for a moment. As always, the hundred- foot ceiling drew her gaze upwards. The detail in the carved walls told a story from the distant past . S he wished the carvings could talk . She