“Well,” Lana said. “Looks like the humans are the only ones who can.” She plopped down on the bench and looked up at us. “The Councils raised the barrier. Except, it’s not for keeping anyone out.” She paused. “It’s keeping us in.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
REESE AND I TOOK OFF AGAIN on his levibike. We decided to go past the falls, deeper into the woods, to see if we could cross Haven’s border.
Lana had been on her way to the custodian basement when she’d run into us. She’d been trying to contact me so I could join. Knowing Reese would most definitely not be welcomed into our group, I chose to go with him. I also didn’t feel Jace truly wanted me there either, despite how much Lana insisted I come. Jace had told me himself, in his own words, that he wanted nothing to do with me.
Wind whipped my hair as we raced toward the falls. My mind reeled. I couldn’t figure out what the Councils were up to. Why would they put a barrier up that Kythan couldn’t cross but humans could? Unless they were planning something that would make us run. I shivered, trying not to think of what that something could be.
I considered what had recently taken place—the forced bonding between the Narcos and Shythe. Maybe they were being proactive. I was sure that before the year was up, if something hadn’t changed, Lana and Devon would flee. I hated that she had to go through this. And now, she wasn’t even being given the option to run.
But still, why were the humans leaving? And why were the Councils allowing them to? We needed them. We had to serve them in order for our power—our life source—to live on. Mr. Tuner had claimed that after the races were united, we’d mysteriously be set free as guardians. But that couldn’t be for years, possibly a century from now.
I pinched my eyes shut. Thoughts were coming at me too fast to hold onto. My brain couldn’t process anything. I opened my eyes when Reese’s levibike came to a stop in front of the trail.
“Tell me you have some kind of clue as to what’s going on,” I said, climbing the path beside him.
He breathed out heavily. “Dez, I’ve already told you. No. I don’t know what’s going on.” He hopped over a boulder. “Your guess is as good as mine. What do you think?”
“I don’t know. But I’m starting to freak out.” I rounded the first fall behind him. “The only thing I can think of is the Councils are scared we’re going to run because of the arranged bonding.”
Reese nodded. “Yeah, that’s probably it.” Then he frowned. “But why are humans leaving? Why are some just up and walking away from their lives? It doesn’t make sense.”
I didn’t have an answer. We walked in silence for a few minutes longer before we reached the gate marking the town’s border.
Reese glanced at me. “I’m going to climb the fence.”
I waited for a moment, watching him stare at the wire fencing. “Go ahead,” I said. “I’ll wait here for you.”
“I’m trying.” He raised his hand toward the gate.
“What do you mean you’re trying?” I attempted to take a step forward, but something wouldn’t allow me to move. I couldn’t force my body to approach the gate. It was as if something was mentally holding me back.
Reese grunted and lowered his hand. “It’s no use. Lana was right; the barrier spell is blocking us from crossing.”
I moved farther back. “Reese, we have to figure out what’s happening.”
“All right.” He drove his hand through his dark hair. “Let’s head back to the Academy. Find your friends and see if they’ve discovered anything.” He pulled his communicator from his pocket. “I won’t be able to get in touch with you, so we’ll decide on meeting in the courtyard at a specific time.”
“Where are you going to be?” I asked, following behind him as he started back through the woods.
“I’m going to try and talk with one of the Council members.”
My eyes widened. “You can just go talk to them?”
“No,” he said, laughing a little. “But I’m going to try.”
“Don’t you think that’ll be dangerous?” Reese held a branch back as I passed under it. “I mean, aren’t you supposed to be not drawing attention to yourself?”
“Yup.” He stumbled onto the trail. “That’s normally the plan. But I think desperate times and such. I have to do something.”
I grabbed ahold of his arm, halting his hurried steps. “I don’t want you to risk it. We can figure out some other way.”
Reese glanced at the ground, then looked into my eyes. “Dez, I’ll be fine. I promise. I’ve survived a long time.” He smiled. “Trust me.”
I studied him. His features seemed confident. I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to relent. “Okay, but meet me by nine. That should be plenty of time.” I pressed my lips together, hard. I didn’t like this plan at all.
Reese cupped my cheek, lifting my face. “Nine. Just stay with Lana and”—he paused, his eyes flashing red—“Jace, until then.”