Luminosity (Gravity Series #3) (The Gravity Series) Read online

  “It’s getting really bad, isn’t it?” Even I could make out the way none of the shadows in the room were standing still. They hadn’t formed human shapes yet, but the transformation was beginning. Already, I could almost make out arms and legs. I jumped on the couch and turned on both of the table lamps. The shadows withdrew, but still wavered faintly.

  “I keep hearing birds crying out in the distance. The shadows are brushing against me,” Jenna admitted. “I can definitely feel them now when they get close. I don’t think they can hurt me, yet, but I don’t know how long that’s going to last.”

  Of all I’d seen in the last few days, the image that most haunted me was the frightened, utterly human look in Ambrose’s blackened eyes before he disappeared. I felt a strange stab of misplaced compassion that made me uncomfortable. He wasn’t my ally, I’d told him myself…but he had helped me more than anyone in my discovery.

  Feeling like I owed it to her, I told Jenna about what happened to Ambrose. As I was talking to her, I saw a darkness pass over her face.

  “And there’s something else. He asked me to give him a favor. He wanted me to tell you that he loved you.”

  Jenna’s eyes went big and soft, as though invisible tears had formed. She opened and shut her mouth, as if searching and failing to find words.

  I felt the weight of everything pushing down on me, making my aching body hurt worse. I laid down for a nap, wrapping my arms tightly around one of the couch pillows. Shutting my eyes, I could still see the fairy glow of the lights in the alley. I had flashes of the bag being held over my head. I woke up on the couch yowling and sat up, clawing at my cheeks. Tears burst from my eyes, and I felt like I’d never be normal again.

  ###

  Hugh came into the doorway later when I was in the guest room, rapping on the open door with his knuckles. He had blankets under his arm, even though I had a pile of them on top of me already. “How are you feeling?”

  “As well as can be expected, I guess.” I swallowed hard. It still felt like there was a tight band around my throat. The bruises on my face had only just begun to fade. “Where are your tacky Christmas sweaters? It’s only a week away.”

  He tried to smile, but his lips gave up on him. He hadn’t spoken to me much at the hospital, keeping a somber distance like I was too fragile to handle. “I’ll get them out, if you want.”

  “It wouldn’t be the holidays without the ugly sweaters. It’s bad enough we’re not home.” I looked down at the lumps of my toes beneath the blankets so he wouldn’t see the sadness that had suddenly stricken me. I’d never spent a Christmas away from my house before.

  “I’m so glad you’re okay, Ariel,” Hugh said. Out of nowhere, he began weeping. He held his arm over his face, but I could still see the trails on his cheeks. He pressed his hand to his mouth, drying his tears.

  “I am, you know. Okay,” I said gently.

  He wiped his eyes with his sleeve. “Between this and the car accident…. I think we were much better off when we were watching you like hawks.”

  “I don’t know about that.”

  “I was hoping I could talk to you, if you’re feeling up to it.”

  “I guess,” I said, shrugging.

  He came in and set the blankets down, taking up a seat beside me and hugging me. “Do you remember anything about your attacker? The sound of their voice, or anything physical? Hair color, eye color, weight, anything?”

  I shook my head. “I didn’t see anything. I was just standing there, and he put a bag over my head. I didn’t even catch a glimpse of him.”

  “What were you doing in the alley by yourself?”

  “I was following a friend,” I said quickly. “We got separated. The alley was strung up with lights, I was just admiring it. I didn’t think it was dangerous to be alone.”

  There was a knock on the door. Hugh frowned, and I followed him out through the hallway. He checked in the peephole and then opened it. Detective Stauner was standing in the walkway, holding a golf hat in his hands. His clothes were casual, suggesting he’d come during his off time.

  “What’s going on?” I asked. “Did you find out who attacked me?”

  “Possibly,” Stauner said. I stepped back so he could come in. Hugh led him to the couch as he continued to speak. “Our department just received word that Edgar McPherson went missing. Also missing is his daughter, Charlotte Gary. No one has seen either of them in two days.”

  “McPherson has a daughter?” Hugh asked, surprised.

  “I think Ariel already knew about that,” Stauner said, observing my unchanged expression. “We’ve been watching him for some time, on suspicion of fraud in money at the school. But not just that. We caught him on camera a few weeks ago at the local strip mall, following young girls around.”

  The timing made me uncomfortable; I’d been attacked two days ago. McPherson was suddenly a very likely suspect. After all, he had shaken down my locker. I just hadn’t thought about him since he was fired.

  “Who reported them missing?” I inquired, still floored by the news.

  “Charlotte’s mother. She said it isn’t unusual for Charlotte to be gone for long stretches, even overnight. But she always checks in, even the times when she’s run away. She feels an obligation to her younger brother.”

  “So, why do you think he left?” I asked, swallowing with my raw throat.

  “We think that he was a partner in Warwick’s murders, just like you claimed, Ariel. We found some evidence at his place of work that seems to link him. Apparently, he’s been seeing a therapist, though we don’t know for what yet. His coworkers reported a change in personality. An increase in paranoia, like he thinks someone’s out to get him. I think they skipped town because we were closing in. We haven’t found a sign of your necklace, though.”

  “Necklace?” Hugh asked, looking at me.

  “Yes,” Stauner said, consulting his flip-up notebook. “Ariel reported that she was wearing a necklace that the attacker stole. A green stone with a silver chain.”

  Hugh’s eyes widened and he turned to me. “The one Claire gave you for your birthday?”

  “Yes. I was wearing it beneath my coat. Why?”

  Hugh looked panicked and rushed to grab his coat. “We need to leave, detective. There isn’t time to explain.”

  “Hugh, what are you talking about?” I asked, jumping up.

  “There isn’t time,” Hugh repeated. “Ariel, stay here. Don’t answer the door.”

  He ran to the neighbor’s apartment and banged on the door. He spoke with the man quickly and came back to me.

  “Mr. Forester knows that I’m going out. He’ll keep watch over the apartment, if you get scared or you need anything, let him know.”

  “Why? What’s going on, will you tell me already instead of being so cryptic?”

  “I’ll tell you when we get back. Detective?” He nodded in Stauner’s direction. Stauner looked just as confused as I felt.

  He and the detective rushed out and to the police car parked in front of the apartment building. I ran out into the lot, but the car zoomed past me with Stauner behind the wheel.

  I rushed to the phone myself. Obviously my father knew something, and it was bad news if McPherson or anyone else had my necklace. Theo was out of the question. Even if she hadn’t been angry with me, she and her mother had gone back to Chicago for the holidays. I dialed Henry instead.

  After explaining the mess that had just happened, I said, “We need to go check out McPherson’s house.”

  “Why us? Why not just wait for the cops?” Henry reasoned.

  “What are we going to tell them? ‘Hey, there’s this supernatural world that’s invading ours? And the adults are somehow involved?’”

  “Okay,” Henry relented with a sigh. “I’ll get Alex, too. He owes me a favor for paying for that buffalo wing tray from Blind Devil.”

  “Bring your taser. The one your dad bought you.”

  “I told you, it’s always in my glove
compartment.”

  After I’d gotten off of the phone with him, I hesitated, running through my contacts. I had no idea if Madison would be interested, but it was worth the attempt to extend the offer. I figured we could use all the help we could get, even if it was from a prissy girl like Madison.

  “What’s up, Ariel? Long time no speak.”

  “I’ve got to be quick, but we have some information on McPherson that might relate to Thornhill and why he got kicked out of the school. We’re going to do some investigating. Want to come along?”

  “Who’s ‘we?’ Is that weirdo friend of yours gonna be there?” Madison asked hesitantly.

  “She’s not weird, she’s awesome,” I said, annoyed. “And no, she’s not going to be there. It’s just me, Henry Rhodes and Alex Perkins. If you don’t want to, I need to be going.”

  “Is it going to be dangerous?” The hesitation was plain in her voice; I imagined her pacing in what must surely be an all-pink bedroom.

  “I don’t know for sure. But we’re going to take precautions,” I told her.

  “Okay. I’ll come snoop around, I guess. But if things get bad, I bail.”

  I wondered if I could use her as a decoy.

  ###

  The front door of McPherson’s house was open an inch. It didn’t look like the police had been there yet, though; they must not have had a search warrant.

  “I don’t think that’s a good sign,” Madison said grimly, and Henry nodded.

  It was an hour later. My father hadn’t responded to my calls or texts, so we’d proceeded with our shaky plan. The four of us had met up at the park-and-ride near the expressway, Madison and Alex driving their cars and me driving Henry. Madison and Alex had both dressed in black track suits, like ninjas. When they saw each other, they burst out laughing.

  “It looks like we had the same idea,” Madison said. The brightness of her tone made me realize she had no idea of what she was doing here.

  “Or we shopped at the same store. Spies-r-us,” Alex quipped.

  There had been no car in the driveway, no signs of life.

  “McPherson? Edgar?” I called. All the lights were off, and the whole place stank of undiluted bleach. “Principal Psychopath?”

  The four of us split up, looking through the the empty, dark rooms. The incredibly sparse furniture and decor made it appear like no one lived there. The police would probably think that it was because he left, but I knew from my snooping days with Theo that his house always looked like this.

  There was a note on the coffee table. Henry picked it up and scanned over it. Then he handed it to me.

  Concerning you, Phillip, when it reaches you. I have your shiny shiny shiny thing that you want so very much. But your not getting sparkle twinkle KEY back until I get back in on the cut. You said I would be a part of it. Instead I was a hooker. Well I’m going to open this seal without you and then you’ll see how strong I am now and then you’ll have to let me in because I’ll bang down the door and crush you while I steal your crown.

  Kind regards.

  McPherson.

  I’m where the words are. I’ve crept in between the pages.

  “This could have been a page ripped out of Warwick’s notebook,” Henry said. I nodded, putting the note back like it was covered in germs. “We need to find him. Whatever he’s doing, he’s desperate.”

  “He’s where the words are. That means he’s at the library,” I said. I thought about what Jenna had told me. The library had something wrong with it. The next symbol must be below that building.

  Not worrying about covering our tracks, we shut up the house and rushed out. The three of them were running back to Henry’s car, but I stalled in the middle of the driveway and turned back. I could just see McPherson’s garden shed.

  “Why are you just standing there?” Madison asked. “Shouldn’t we go?”

  “Hold on. I want to check something. Come with me.”

  They followed me as I reached the shed. There was still a lock on the handles. Theo and I had discovered it years ago, smelling an awful stink inside. Henry picked up a rock from the ground, and beat the lock with it. The metal bent and broke and it fell to the ground in pieces. We could already smell the nasty, sweet-sour smell emanating from inside, a hundred times stronger than before.

  “I don’t want to look,” Madison said, but her eyes were bulging more than usual.

  Glancing towards me for confirmation, Henry pulled the doors open. The four of us backed away, gagging. Inside the shed, piled almost to the low ceiling, were the bodies of dead animals. Mostly squirrels and cats, by the looks of it, badly decomposing and wrapped in plastic and ropes.

  “Why did he do this?” Madison spat, horrified.

  “He’s been practicing,” I said.

  ###

  We arrived at the library five minutes later, with Henry flooring the gas pedal as hard as he could. I wasn’t having any luck with my dad, and I couldn’t wait for him. Madison and Alex had traveled separately, in case we needed to split up.

  McPherson’s raggedy old Lincoln Towncar was parked alone across from the darkened library. It looked empty, but I couldn’t be too sure because of the tinted windows. The license plate was ringed with heavy rust.

  “How do we know he’s not in there?” I asked Henry in a whisper.

  “We look.” Henry went around to the passenger window, cupping his hands and looking in. His bravery impressed me.

  “Empty,” he declared. He put his phone up to his mouth. “The eagle has landed. What? I mean it’s safe to come out, dummy.” But he smiled and rolled his eyes.

  I let out a silent breath of relief, just for a moment.

  I cupped my hands and peered in the back window. “It does look like there’s something on the seat.”

  “Can you tell what it is?” Henry asked. I pressed my face closer, then shook my head. “Then we need to get in there.”

  “Oh, and how are we going to do that, MacGyver?”

  “What’s a MacGyver?” Alex walked up casually, wrapping his coat around his elbow, and shot it into the window, breaking the glass into shards.

  “Whoa,” Madison said, openly impressed. I felt a shot of irritation at the way she looked at him, but brushed it off with more important concerns.

  Henry smirked and smoothly opened the door.

  “Or there’s that,” Alex groused. “Showoff.”

  I joined Henry by the open car door, peering over my shoulder to make sure we weren’t being watched. Inside was a rope and the green, grungy lump of fabric that was Charlotte’s coat.

  “You might want to pay attention,” Jenna said. I came out and saw her leaning against the car with her arms folded, watching the library. “It’s glowing inside there.”

  A far off scream sounded from the library. Our group stared at each other, stuck to the ground with fear.

  “Okay, now is the time to involve the nice police officers,” Madison said, her teeth chattering. Alex instantly whipped his coat off and put it around her shoulders and she smiled gratefully at him.

  “Yeah, I think you’re right,” I relented. Madison immediately had the phone to her ear. Then, with a bewildered look on her face, she held it out so we could all hear. Heavy static grinded out of the speaker.

  “It’s got to be something from the library interfering with the signal. Not good.” I turned to Alex. “Go get the cops. Tell them we found McPherson.”

  “Ariel, go with them,” Henry said, his face determined. “This is too risky.”

  “Like hell I will,” I told him fiercely. “You’re not going in there by yourself. And we can’t wait or another girl might die.” I addressed Alex again. “Just hurry. Please.”

  Alex nodded, his face somber. Madison tagged along with him and they ran to his car. They drove off and were gone in an instant.

  Another scream, and this time, we didn’t hesitate. Henry and I booked it across the road and up the steep library steps.

  The only l
ight inside was provided by the filmy, gray moon through the shuttered windows. I didn’t see McPherson or any obvious sign of him. Henry and I crept towards Cheryl Rhodes’ display cases, where the glass glowed eerily in the moonlight.

  “Is that glass on the floor?” Henry asked.

  The display case in the middle had been smashed. Spots of blood stained the blue cloth inside, indicating it had been broken by someone’s fist. Jagged shards of glass lay underneath.

  “Something’s missing,” I observed, scanning the case.

  “What?” Henry turned back to me.

  The velvet held the outline of a long, serrated knife. “The ceremonial dagger.”

  A piercing scream echoed through the walls. We ran in that direction, feet stomping on the carpet.

  Henry banged on the door of the library’s record room, jiggling the handle with the other hand. I didn’t get a chance to blink as he swiftly backed up, raised his leg, and slammed it into the wood. He reached his hand through the broken hole and undid the lock.

  “That’s one way in,” I muttered. I was impressed, blushing a little at his strength. Then I realized I was acting like Madison.

  Down a long flight of precarious steps, we ran as fast as we could. “That was a pretty fancy trick,” I told him, swiftly running out of breath.

  “I didn’t think it would work, actually,” Henry said with a wry, uneasy smile.

  The narrow stairs ended abruptly. Henry bumped into me and I had to steady myself from falling. High shelves rose to the ceiling, stacked with dusty banker’s boxes. The room was lit with dull overhead light, what I’d always thought of as basement light, and a few flickering candles.

  Henry and I rushed past the metal shelves. The girl’s cries abruptly cut off, and panic raced in me with every motion. I hoped my father had gotten one of my messages. If we were too late….

  Where the shelves ended was an empty area, and in the center was an almost familiar cement platform with a red symbol scrawled on it. McPherson was there, at the moment oblivious to us. But I recognized him. He was struggling to keep a sagging girl in his arms upright. As we came around, I saw blood running out of the middle of the girl’s abdomen through her shirt. The blue streaked hair and glint of piercings gave her away. Charlotte Gary’s eyes were closed, a thick sputum of blood running from her black, parted lips.