Endeca (The Escapism Series) by Maria Dee Page B

road—exactly what I was afraid of.  He looked… lost .
    “Isn’t that Edric?” Calliope asked.
    “No, I don’t think so. Make a left here,” I said, pulling the steering wheel.
    “It’s him alright, but he looks kinda …broken ,” Marla muttered.
    “Oh, look at that. I think he’s sleep walking,” I sighed, in disguise. “He’s been doing that a lot lately.” I got out of the car and walked toward him.
    “Xenia?” he asked, still transitioning from wherever Sebastian had sent him to. His eye color swirled beautifully into a grey-white mix, slowly settling into a distinct form. “Sebastian came for you and before I could warn you, he seared me far-off.”
    “You’re okay, right? I told them you were sleep-walking.”
    “Smooth. Give me a few more seconds,” he whispered. His pale face revitalized and his grey eyes were solid once more. We walked back to the car facing scrutiny.
    “Good morning, big fella. How was your morning stroll?” Calliope asked, playfully killing the awkwardness.
    “Just fine, thank you. I’ve been taking many of those recently. Must be a side effect from traveling,” he said withholding an ominous grin.
    “Jet lag can really do you over,” Marla reaffirmed, appeased.
    We drove to campus in relative silence, while Edric and I secretly conversed about Sebastian’s plans.
    “He thinks you’re involved with the E-SOM. Viola and Sebastian seared your subconscious thoughts…something must’ve tipped them off.”
    “It’s true what they say. You are your own worst enemy,” I said to myself but forgot to shield my private thoughts.
    “You said it,” he snickered.
    “The extent of my involvement with the E-SOM lies in me being their lab rat. Why would they think otherwise?”
    “You might not recall your time in the dome, but there’s still a hole in your memory and it’s sparked interest in Sebastian and the others.”
    “They can read minds?”
    “No. They can, however, gaze into your subconscious but only if there’s a window of opportunity, like maintaining eye contact for one,” he scolded annoyed.
    “I’ve learned my lesson, trust me.”
    Meanwhile, the girls were in a discussion of their own. “I know why it’s called Blueberry Hill,” Calliope said, actively protruding her abdomen.
    “You? Fat? Please...besides, you could always come ru—”
    “Don’t you say it,” she intercepted, snootily, “I’ve not yet made amends with the idea of that .”
    Marla and I giggled at her obvious aversion to running.
    “Don’t you have a lab at nine?” I asked.
    “I don’t know, do I?” she rebuked. “Do you guys have my schedule memorized or something? Relax, I can always crash another lab, no biggie. How often do I get to have breakfast with my dearest friends?”
    “Almost every other day,” said Marla.
    “Well then, I can’t break tradition for one measly lab, now can I?”
    “I wouldn’t dare ask you to break tradition,” I surrendered. It was easier that way.
    We arrived on campus and parked. It was a gorgeous day and the scenic walk through campus was delightful; it rid me of worrisome thought. A few inches away from the entrance, I felt a familiar shiver travel down my spine. A bad, bad sign.
    “There’s a table on the patio—perfect!” Marla yelped.
    Soon as we sat down, we ordered coffee and an assortment of fruit, pancakes and juice. I discretely looked behind me and there, by the far end of the patio, sat Sebastian.
    But I thought we had an agreement?
    Our eyes never met, but he eerily smiled in acknowledgment. I didn’t like feeling out of control, especially seeing as it was an indirect threat. My friends weren’t safe anywhere.
    “Ladies, be right back.” I stood up without hesitation, heading toward the restroom. I didn’t have to wait very long. He trailed behind like a puppy except he was no puppy—he was like a wolf, ready to attack if provoked.
    “Why are you here? I thought we were crystal clear on the