[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

Sykes nodded.
Izzy and Kim took their time before bobbing their heads.
 The Cardinals might think we re inexperienced and keep us out of the loop whenever something big is going down, but we re more than ready for
assignments. If Gavyn comes back, we ll be waiting for him. If Bran needs our help, we ll give it to him. Sykes grinned as though enjoying the
thought of a good fight.
 Thanks. My voice broke.
 So what s the plan? Izzy asked.
Remy pointed at Dark Roots.  Bring him inside and unfreeze everyone, Lil. Let s finish this in private.
I pointed at Dark Roots and dragged him across the floor to the band room. Up the ramp, students were still frozen on the dance floor and in the
hallway. I focused, raised my hand and pressed a palm toward them. Unfreeze.
Using my powers the second time was a little easier but I was beginning to feel lightheaded and fatigued. And my head hurt. The students came to
life, continuing to and from the restrooms as though they hadn t stopped moving. Dancers resumed dancing and adjusted to a different rhythm. If
anyone noticed the change in songs, I hope they d blame the deejays.
 You may want to unlock the doors, too, Sykes reminded me.
I did, smiled at him in gratitude as I joined them inside the room and closed the door.
 And these boneheads? Sykes asked, pointing at the still frozen Dark Roots and his friends in the room with McKenzie.
I shook my head.  I don t know. Can t we beat the crap out of them and teach them a lesson or something?
 Don t you know anything? We can t use our powers to harm humans. It s against the code, Izzy snapped.
I caught her eyes and sighed. Why couldn t she see it wasn t my fault her powers and mine had similar effect? As a Time Guardian, she froze things
by stopping time while I froze things without affecting time. I couldn t even explain how I did it.
I looked away from her and focused on the frozen students.  What if we just humiliate them?
 By doing what? Izzy asked in a belligerent tone.
 What did you have in mind? Remy added in a more calm and reasonable voice.
 Strip them and throw away their clothes? I suggested.
Everyone laughed, except Izzy.
Remy nodded.  Good idea. Sykes and I will stand guard outside. They left the room still laughing.
I went to McKenzie and pried the boys hands from her arms. Izzy and Kim joined me. Once we freed McKenzie, we carried her to a chair. Because
she was stiff, she started sliding off. The others held on to her while I went to work.
A wave of my hand and the clothes ripped off each boy. Jeans, T-shirts and underwear flew to my feet. Even touching their clothes repulsed me. I
wiggled my finger in the air and they formed a bundle, opened the door and sent them outside to where Sykes and Remy stood.  Dump them in a
trash can somewhere.
 I ll burn them, Sykes said and guffawed as I closed the door. I turned to Izzy and Kim.  On a count of three, I ll unfreeze them and McKenzie.
Kim pulled out her cell phone from a small pouch around her waist.  Let them see how they like being humiliated.
 One, two, three. I waved a hand and everything happened at once.
McKenzie s body jerked. She tried to scramble to her feet and at the same time, opened her mouth to scream. No sound came out. It was either
stolen by the scene across from us or our presence and my soothing words.  You re okay, McKenzie& .you passed out& nothing happened& we
got here on time& . I stayed by her side.
Across from us, Dark Roots shot to his feet and joined his bewildered friends who were trying to cover their private parts.  What happened? Where
are our clothes?
 Sorry we had to stop your little party, boys? Izzy mocked them.
 Next time, you ll think twice before you attempt to rape a girl, Kim added.
 And your clothes are gone, Izzy continued.  So either you leave this room buff or wait until the dance s over and sneak out. Either way, you re
walking home naked.
Kim lifted her cell phone and pressed a button.  And this should get a million hits by the end of tomorrow. I think the caption should read,  Beware
Would-be Rapists .
For the moment, the boys froze with comical expressions on their faces.
 What? Nothing to say now? Izzy mocked.
The one who d lured McKenzie away sneered.  We ll report you to the police.
 Oh, I d love to hear that, Kim said.  Three girls stripped you naked because you were trying to rape their friend. That ll go over well with the cops.
 It will be your words against ours, Dark Root yelled.  My father is a lawyer.
 Ooh, scary. Too bad we have other witnesses, Izzy added.
As if to prove her right, a loud knock came at the door and Sykes asked,  Are you guys done?
 Almost, I answered. Kim and Izzy were still having fun.
I helped McKenzie to her feet. She was still staring at the naked jocks with wide eyes.  You okay?
She nodded, leaned back and glanced at the other trainees.  How did you guys do this?
 Long story, I said, adjusting her top and fluffing her hair.
 I don t know how to thank you, she whispered. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]