Timesurfers Page 12

  That was a weird thing to say. Jonah and Rose weren’t together anymore. Why would he care who Rose associated with? Cate lost her train of thought as her eyes fixed on the sexy triangular stomach muscles flashing between Austin’s low-slung school trousers and shirt.

  “Keep your opinions to yourself.” Rose punched Austin as she went by, ruining Cate’s view.

  “You coming, Cate?” Eve trotted after Rose.

  “I might catch up.”

  Eve looked from Cate to Rose.

  “Go.” Cate flapped her hands.

  The classroom had emptied. It wasn’t until Zach scraped his chair that Cate realised he was still there. His blue eyes blazed at Austin. “I don’t like you and your friends. At all.” He jammed his books under his arm and stalked from the classroom.

  “I thought he was going to pop a blood vessel,” Austin said.

  “I need some answers.”

  “Do you have specific questions, or are you making a general request for information?” Austin slid onto the desk, carved with random thoughts on school and the world in general, most rated PG 13 plus. He swung his legs and looked at her expectantly.

  Cate stopped herself from returning his sexy smile. “I have plenty of specific questions.”

  He threw his arms wide. “Ask away.”

  She cleared her suddenly parched throat. A list would be handy right about now.

  “Okay,” Austin said. “I’ll get the ball rolling with a quick recap of the salient points as I see them. On a mission to disarm a bomb, which Jonah had set, I ran into a complication...you.”

  Cate rolled her eyes. This was going to be a very one dimensional and unflattering recount.

  “Actually, I might go back a bit. Around 500 years ago...”

  “Oh, come on! Seriously?”

  “Hush and listen. A very resourceful young warlock, Elias, discovered the magic of time travel.”

  “Jonah mentioned him...”

  Austin held up a hand. “I’ll take questions and comments at the end. Elias learned changing history altered the present. The emperors immediately outlawed the use of magic throughout their lands and captured anyone suspected of sorcery. Most were executed, but the emperors hid and trained a small army to protect their lands against Elias and his growing group of followers. Naitanui was the wizard responsible for training their secret army, which they called Timesurfers.”

  “The Naitanui I saw yesterday?”

  Austin nodded.

  “So he’s a 500 year old wizard?”

  He nodded again.

  “And the Elias guy is now rebuilding his army?”

  “There are unconfirmed reports of that. Mortez overthrew him a few years ago. She’s Jonah’s commander.”

  Cate’s jaw dropped. “Mortez is a woman?”

  Austin’s eyes sparkled. “We’re an equal opportunity organisation.”

  “Why are Mortez and Naitanui at war?”

  “As Naitanui explained yesterday, he’s committed to a history untainted by magic, regardless of whether it’s good or bad. Mortez focuses on a history that gives her maximum control. It’s been a long and bloody dance.”

  “Is Mortez a wizard like Naitanui and Elias?”

  “She’s not a pure blood like them, but she has wizard blood.”

  She folded her arms and contemplated him for a moment. “Do you have wizard blood?”

  “All Timesurfers have magic in their blood. Most of our non-time travel magic has been lost or diluted over the years. Elias and Naitanui are the only pure blood wizards left. There are other pure blood wizards around who aren’t Timesurfers, but they keep well hidden. Elias in particular is always on the lookout for a wizard to corrupt or blackmail. The rest of us are mutant wizards with varying degrees of wizard blood.”

  Cate chuckled. “Mutant wizards. You don’t think that sounds a tiny bit funny?” She shouldn’t laugh. But come on.

  “No.” There was no amusement in his voice or his face.

  “Okay.” Cate fixed a serious look on her face. “So you’re a mutant wizard.”

  “People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. You have magic in your blood. You seeing all the changes and your powers are remnants of magic.”

  Her fingertips turned white as she clutched the edge of the bench. “My powers?”

  “Your awakening of Brittany and ability to compel Rafe are your powers beginning to develop.”

  A migraine threatened behind her left eye again. “Do I know you in the future?”

  Austin screwed up his face. “If you’re who I think, I may have seen you once. You aren’t a big socialiser.”

  Excellent, she was so unmemorable, Austin wasn’t sure if he’d seen her. “Jonah knows me.”

  Austin shrugged. “Or he may want you to think that.”

  “Like reverse psychology?”

  “Exactly like that.”

  “Jonah is with Mortez. So if he does know me it’s highly likely I’m with her in the future. I chose the evil team.” She dragged her hands down her face. That couldn’t possibly be right.

  “I don’t know if evil and good are the right way to look at Mortez and Naitanui. Mortez does break the rules Naitanui holds so dear which sometimes saves lives. Other times not so much. Mortez is also big on using time travel for personal gain and rectifying what she determines to be wrong.”

  The second hand ticked over on the silver and white clock above the door. When it had completed a full revolution, she broke the silence. “Naitanui said he couldn’t confirm who I am because someone was cloaking my identity with powerful magic. It’s more logical Elias the 500 year old wizard would be responsible for that. Not Mortez. I might have chosen him.”

  “That’s an enormous and dare I say it unfounded assumption.”

  “I’m not an evil person. I wouldn’t be with Mortez.”

  “Jonah is the most decent, noble and brave person I know. Choosing Mortez doesn’t mean you’re a bad person.” Austin squeezed her shoulder. “You can go round and round with this stuff for days and get nowhere.”

  “Maybe my destiny is to unite all the Timesurfers. That would save them having for choose between Mortez and Naitanui.”

  “That’s not a destiny. It’s a fantasy.”

  “This is horrible. I’m going to be second guessing every single decision I ever make. I’ll go insane. So unless that is your plan, I need to know what you want me to do so we can all move on.”

  “I can’t say anything more. The magic won’t let me. It’s your birthday tomorrow, right?”

  She blinked at the monumental change of subject. “Yes.”

  He placed his index finger under her chin and tilted her head until their eyes met. The world fell away, and a delicious warmth swirled through her stomach. His warm cheek brushed hers as he whispered close to her ear. “Instead of us getting a coffee this afternoon, let me take you on a real adventure. I’ll pick you up at five tomorrow morning.”

  Wasn’t it dark then?

  “Dress warm.” His thousand watt smile sent her pulse through the roof. He called Naitanui, and disappeared.

  She was hooked. Just like that. She needed Austin in her life more than air, Rose or no Rose.

  ***

  The rest of the day passed uneventfully. After four exhausting periods of her considering hundreds of possible futures, the final bell rang. She ignored Zach calling her and strode to her locker. Wrenching it open, she stopped abruptly. Inside was a miniature hot air balloon with a wicker basket full of rocky road chocolate. A note propped in the wicker basket read, “Can’t wait.” She did a little happy dance as she reread the message. They were going ballooning. Was it possible to explode with happiness or excitement?

  “What’s got you dancing?” Eve peered into the locker.

  Cate slammed the door. “Nothing.” She wanted this to be just between her and Austin.

  Eve shook her head and returned to packing her locker. “How goes it with Austin?”

  �
��What do you mean?” Cate concentrated on pushing the cuticles on her nails back.

  “Don’t insult me,” Eve said. “I see this thing you two have going on.”

  “There’s no thing.” In true best friend tradition, Eve was displaying excellent intuition. “I’m pretty sure he has a girlfriend.”

  “What? No!”

  “I do like him.” Saying it aloud was a relief.

  Eve grinned devilishly. “Likey lots, methinks.”

  “Methinks you likey Rose lots.”

  Eve’s grin disappeared. “Would you be weird with that?”

  Cate laughed. “Absolutely not!”

  “For real?”

  “Of course.” She hugged Eve’s tiny shoulders. Whether Eve dated boys, girls, or both made no difference to Cate. Rose might not be the best choice though. “Are you sure Rose doesn’t have a boyfriend?”

  “I asked her flat out if she was seeing anyone, and she said no.” Eve’s eyes glowed, her delicate facial features animated as she spoke.

  Had Austin actually said he was dating Rose?

  “Oh, look.” Eve closed her locker with a clang. “It’s raining godlike men—I see a weapon of mass seduction headed your way.”

  “What?”

  “Jonah at two o’clock.”

  Chapter 13

  Immortals

  A trail of glazed eyes and slack jaws followed Jonah. The girls, and a few guys, had that dazed I’ve-been-hit-over-the-head look. In a movie this was the perfect moment for a slow motion walk in. He wore a black velvet jacket that reached just above his knees and a grey and black scarf. His athletic build guaranteed he could sweep you effortlessly into his arms without the worry he might stagger under your weight or possibly drop you. While not often required, it made for some awesome fantasies. He exuded sexiness with each confident stride.

  Oblivious to the stares, he slouched against the lockers. “Hey, Catherine.”

  “Hi.” He’d called her Catherine again.

  If Eve noticed the “Catherine” reference, she ignored it. “I have to get straight home. Mum’s waiting to chew out the few bits of my butt I have left after this morning. Can you look after Cate for me, Jonah?”

  “I will happily escort Cate home.” Jonah ran a hand through his perfectly tousled chocolate locks. “We could grab a coffee on the way.”

  “Umm...sure. That would be cool,” Cate stammered. “Nice scarf.”

  Jonah chuckled, and his beautiful face relaxed. “I wore it just for you.”

  “Cate! Wait up!” Zach pushed his way toward them.

  She groaned. “I can’t be held responsible for what I’ll do if he doesn’t leave me alone.”

  Jonah gave her a rueful smile. “He can be trying.”

  Zach’s eyes flickered toward Jonah as he spoke to Cate. “I’ll pick you up at six tonight for the monster trucks.”

  “Give me strength! We are done. Do I need to send you a text? Is that the only form of communication you accept now?”

  “All right.” Jonah’s quiet voice demanded they listen. “Zach, go home.”

  “But...” Zach’s face was pinched and drawn.

  “Do as I say.” Menace shimmered from every word as it left Jonah’s mouth.

  Zach’s mouth moved but no words came out. “Fine!” he said after a few moments. “But you are not the boss of me,” he mumbled and huffed down the corridor.

  “Are you the boss of him?”

  “We both report to Mortez, but I’m directly responsible for Zach. Let me get that.” He took her backpack and waved his arm as if to say “ladies first.”

  She hesitated. “If you ordered Zach to stay away from me, would he have to?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good to know. Monster trucks!” Cate rolled her eyes. “I’d like to run over him with a monster truck.”

  “I would be completely on board with that.” Jonah’s eyes sparkled. They didn’t have the mischief in them Austin’s nearly always had. Jonah was masculine, pretty and angsty.

  She resisted her strange urge to skip alongside Jonah. Just barely.

  “How was your day?” he said.

  She shrugged. “Austin gave me a bit of background on mutant wizards, and I had a mini breakdown because all things point to me joining the evil Mortez in the future.”

  Jonah quirked his eyebrow.

  “No offence.”

  “None taken.”

  She massaged her temples. “I’m so confused.”

  “Don’t be a victim. You’re in control of your future. Own your decisions and live with the consequences.”

  That was easier said than done.

  Everyone was taking advantage of the winter sun, lounging at the alfresco tables that lined the street. They remained oblivious to the two mutant wizards strolling along the path. Either Jonah didn’t see the stares and hear the comments, or he was excellent at ignoring them.

  “Austin wouldn’t tell me why he was back watching me.”

  “That’s because he can’t.”

  “Can you tell me?”

  Jonah gave her a superior sideways look. “I may work for a different person, but we’re bound by the same magic.”

  “That sucks!” Her shoes slapped against the pavement as she slunk along next to Jonah.

  “Want to go and bang some drums?” Jonah pointed to the Neon Posse.

  “I’ve never been there. I’m game if you are?” She hurried across the street and started down the wooden stairs. The steps vibrated under her feet with every drumbeat. A black tunnel lined by ghoulish freckles of glowing, fluorescent paint stretched in front of them.

  Jonah grabbed her hand when she hesitated. “Stay or go?”

  She took the last three steps in one leap. “That’s AC/DC playing. I’m in!” She walked backward, hauling Jonah with both hands. His smile faded the second before her head cracked against something hard.

  “Sorry. Sorry,” a familiar voice muttered.

  “Eve!” Cate exclaimed as she steadied herself.

  Eve stood wide-eyed, like a startled deer paralysed by a spotlight.

  “I thought you were going home. What are you doing here?” Cate asked.

  “I was...I am...” Eve shook her head and pressed her fingers to her temples. “I am going home.” She waved a silver purse in her hand. “I left this here last night.”

  “You were here last night?”

  “I always come here on Thursday night.” Eve elbowed Cate and smiled. “I have to get going or I’ll be chained to my bed until I’m fifty. Have fun.” She hurried away.

  It didn’t matter what altered time line thing was going on, Cate would have known if Eve had ever come to the Neon Posse. She knew everything about Eve. They had no secrets. “Come on.” She marched into the darkness.

  The noise crawled inside her head. A dozen people dressed in paint-splattered overalls bashed at drums on a stage. Fluorescent paint misted every time someone pounded a drum, drops of colour hovering in the air. Some exploded like super slow motion photography. Paint cascaded onto the drums from an overhead dispenser.

  Clusters of people pressed into the dark corners. She couldn’t make out any faces, but there was a definite mind-your-own-business vibe. A brunette in the corner was openly salivating over Jonah.

  “BAR!” Cate pointed toward the far corner.

  Jonah signalled the barman for two drinks. Without discussion, the barman set down two glass pots layered with brown, white, and green. Jonah gave the barman a twenty. “Keep it,” he yelled.

  “You’ve been here before?” Cate eyed the drink. Orange bubbles floated through the layers. A small bead of apprehension lodged in her throat. She was in a strange place, with a virtual stranger and an unknown drink. Those were some serious red flags.

  “First time.” Jonah downed his drink and pointed to a makeshift sign tacked behind the bar.

  Java shots

  Caffeine, wheatgrass, and chocolate.

  Nothing else.

  DO
N’T ASK!

  Cate waved at the barman, who slid two more drinks her way. “No! Come here.” She signalled him to come over.

  He quirked his eyebrow.

  Could everyone do that but her?

  “You beckoned?” His shaved head highlighted the tattoos encircling his neck.

  “My friend was just here, Eve. Do you know her?”

  “Don’t do names,” the barman replied.

  “Long white-blonde hair and the same school uniform as me.”

  “She got kind of an Asian looking face? Little eyes?” he asked.

  “Yes!” Cate clapped her hands. “That would be her.”

  “Don’t know her.” The barman gave her a tight smile and moved away.

  “Want me to beat it out of him?” Jonah said in a good-natured voice.

  “No.” She drew out the vowel sound in resignation. “I’ll ask Eve tonight.”

  “Hey, babe!” The salivating brunette from the the end of the bar now stood on the other side of Jonah. “First day out of detention and I’m looking for some no-strings-attached action. Interested?”

  Jonah grabbed her hand as it disappeared under his coat. “I’m flattered, but no. Close your mouth, Cate.”

  Some people had no shame. Cate was standing right there. She could be Jonah’s girlfriend for all the girl knew.

  “Offer’s open ended,” the brunette said with a coy wink.

  “Move, pretty boy!” A gorilla of a guy knocked the brunette to the floor and attempted to shove past Jonah. The man blinked as he realised Jonah had pinned his arm behind his back and knocked his knees out from under him, leaving him dangling by one arm. Which had to hurt.

  In one fluid movement the brunette was on her feet. Anyone who could do a kip-up like that had martial arts training. A Swiss Army knife glinted in her left hand. “I bought these jeans today. Now you’ve spilled crap all over them.” She heaved a knee into gorilla guy’s groin.

  Dark silhouettes swarmed across the room from one of the dimly lit corners and fenced them in. Jonah pushed Cate behind him and shoved gorilla guy toward his friends, who were all brandishing weapons. There were metal bars, knuckle-dusters, and assorted knives. One guy drew a long sword from over his shoulder and twirled it in a figure eight.