Darkness Before Dawn by J. A. London

Author:J. A. London [London, J. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harper Collins, Inc.
Published: 2012-05-28T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

When we get to the apartment, Jeff comes in with us. I sink onto the couch and turn on the TV. We’re immediately greeted with the image of Roland Hursch outside the blood site we were just at.

“The Agency is making slaves of us all!” he shouts from a makeshift podium that I swear he carries around with him. A small crowd has gathered beside the raging warmonger. News cameras capture his rant, and flash photography bounces off his sweating, angry face. “Now they’re targeting teenagers, our own children. They are asking them to trade their souls for a party. A party! The Agency isn’t satisfied draining adults. No, they’ve moved on to our kids. This is a tragedy!”

“Wow,” I say, “can you believe it?”

No answer.

I look behind me. Rachel and Jeff are in the kitchen, definitely standing closer than they need to be. I hear them talking quietly and feel like an intruder, or worse yet, some kind of roadblock for this blossoming romance. Muting the TV, I call out, “I’m going to my room. I’ve got some homework to do.”

“Okay,” Rachel says back.

Closing my bedroom door, I’m just as relieved at having a moment of privacy as they are. I tuck my legs beneath me on my bed and start writing a report that I can give to our public relations department about the Teen Initiative. If they can spread the word throughout the city, maybe it’ll generate some excitement at the other schools. It should be a nice counter to that idiot Hursch.

It’s nearly midnight when I have outlined some suggestions for how to promote this event. Satisfied that my work is done, I flop back on my bed and stare at the ceiling. I wonder what Michael and Sin are doing. Since Sin’s arrival, Michael and I have had even less time for each other. Or maybe the fault is mine. Lately, so much of my energy is focused on figuring Victor out.

I roll off my bed, cross the room, open the French doors, and step out onto the balcony. The night is clear, the moon is bright, and the electricity from the Works is strong. The entire city looks like a collection of fireflies.

I sit down in a cushion-covered wrought-iron chair. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath. A familiar scent is in the air, one I spent way too much time inhaling last night.

I open my eyes, unsurprised that Victor is standing at the edge of the balcony. His tall figure leans carelessly against the railing; he’s unafraid of the perilous fall waiting for him if he tips over.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

“I wanted to thank you. I saw the news tonight. Your… Teen Initiative.”

I shrug. “Just doing my job.”

“Were you?”

I don’t want to examine my motives, and I especially don’t want him examining them, so I say, “You probably shouldn’t be here. Jeff is inside.” I think. I didn’t hear him leave.

“I know. I can elude him easily enough if necessary.

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