46

      “We’re going to die,” Never whispered.

      “We’re fine,” Omen assured her. “Just act natural.”

      “Jenan knows we know. Is he looking over? He’s looking over here.”

      “He’s looking at the clock.”

      “What does he have in his hand? Is it a knife? Is it a gun?”

      “It’s a pen.”

      “What’s he doing with a pen?”

      “His homework, I think.”

      “Quiet down there,” Mr Chou said, not even looking up from the papers he was marking. The study hall was only half full. Whispers carried.

      Never lowered her head until her forehead was resting on the desk. “Why did you tell me?” she asked quietly. “Why did you even tell me about the anti-Sanctuary and people trying to kill you? I was happy being ignorant. Why did you tell me?”

      “Because you said we shouldn’t keep secrets from each other.”

      “I meant other secrets. Crushes on people, things like that. Regular secrets, Omen. Not actual secrets.”

      “I promise you, you’re not in any danger.”

      She turned her head, glaring at him. “You don’t know that. I might be putting myself in danger just by talking to you right now.”

      “None of the bad guys know who I am.”

      “But they saw you. They saw your face. What if one of them is a sketch artist? And he showed the drawing to Jenan, and Jenan said, yeah, I know that guy, he’s an idiot, but he has a cute friend. Let’s kill them both.”

      “Never,” Mr Chou said, and Never sat up straight. “Omen. You may not think it, but my ears actually work, you know.”

      “Can you make out what we’re saying?” Never asked.

      Mr Chou sighed. “No. Your undoubtedly riveting conversation is lost to me. I will take that regret to my grave. But I can hear your murmurings and I can see your lips move. This is study hall. Either study, do homework, or at least work harder at disguising the fact that you’re doing neither.”

      “Sorry, sir,” said Omen, and made a point of looking like he was studying his textbook. Chou sighed, and went back to marking.

      “There’s so much I have yet to do in this world,” Never whispered. “So much I have yet to experience. I’ve never opened a savings account. I’ve never studied for my driving test.” Her head dropped forward again. “I’ve never filed a tax return.”

      “You’re very strange.”

      “Don’t judge me.”

      “Your life isn’t in danger. I’m pretty sure they’re not going to let me continue doing what I’ve been doing, so you can relax, OK? No one’s going to come looking for us.”

      The door opened, and Miss Gnosis stepped in. “Excuse me, Mr Chou,” she said in that distinctive Scottish accent, “could I borrow Omen and Never, please?”

      Omen frowned while Never paled.

      “Take them,” Chou said, waving a hand. “You have my blessing.”

      Miss Gnosis smiled, and motioned them forward. “Come along,” she said. “And bring your things.”

      Omen hesitated, then slid his textbook into his bag and stood. Taking great care not to even glance in Jenan’s direction, he led Never out of the classroom. When they were in the corridor and walking away, Miss Gnosis lowered her voice.

      “You’re in trouble,” she said.

      “I knew it,” Never whispered.

      Omen’s mouth was dry. “What did we do?”

      Miss Gnosis strode ahead, and it was all Omen and Never could do to keep up. “Don’t play that game with me, Mr Darkly. I’ve had quite an afternoon, hearing about what you’ve been getting up to. And during school hours and everything.”

      “I … I don’t know what you …”

      “You’re turning into as much of an adventurer as your brother, you know that?”

      “Miss Gnosis,” Omen said, choosing his words carefully, “are you going to kill us?”

      She glared. “By the dead, no. What do you think of me, you silly boy?”

      “Just checking, miss.”

      They stopped at their lockers. “Go on,” she said. “Put your bags away. We don’t have long.”

      They did as they were told, and moved on quickly to the science lab. Miss Gnosis nodded to the open door. “In you go,” she said.

      Never frowned. “You’re not coming in with us?”

      “I’m keeping watch,” Miss Gnosis said. “And, before you go in there, remember: you don’t have to agree to anything. No one will think any less of you. Go on now.”

      Puzzled, Omen and Never walked in, and Miss Gnosis shut the door after them. Valkyrie Cain stood up from the teacher’s desk at the head of the room.

      “Omen,” she said. “And you must be Never. It’s very good to meet you.”

      Never froze. Whether Valkyrie noticed or not, Omen didn’t know, but she continued talking anyway.

      “I’m not going to waste your time,” she said. “I need your help. Both of you. It won’t be dangerous – at least, I don’t think it will. I need to go to San Francisco. I need to talk to some people, maybe search a house. Then come right back. Never, Militsa tells me you’re turning out to be a pretty good Teleporter.”

      Omen frowned. “Who?”

      “Miss Gnosis,” Valkyrie said. “Miss Gnosis told me, sorry. Never, are you OK?”

      Omen put his hand on Never’s back. A gesture of solidarity, he hoped. “There’s something you should know,” he said.

      Valkyrie stood there, waiting, but Omen didn’t quite know how to put it.

      “Darquesse killed my brother,” Never said, and Valkyrie’s face went slack. “He wasn’t fighting her, or anything. He was the age I am now. He didn’t have a clue what was happening. A building fell on him.”

      “I’m … I’m sorry,” Valkyrie said softly.

      “Killed him instantly,” Never said. “We’d just moved here. We’d been here a week. My brother was so excited about living in Roarhaven. We all were. We’d always wanted to live where we wouldn’t have to hide who we were.”

      Valkyrie swayed slightly, like she was light-headed. “I’m … Do you mind if I sit?”

      “I’d prefer that you stand, actually,” Never said. “It’s the least you can do, isn’t it, when we’re talking about my brother?”

      “Never …”