Page 114 of Destined Dawn

“He arrested my sister because she dated a were. They say she could be infected too,” the girl with gum says, her eyes filling with water. “She didn’t even know the dude was a were. We haven’t heard from her since.”

“My best friend is on the wanted list – her entire family are – and they don’t even know why,” another boy pipes up. “They all disappeared last week.”

“I’m sure there was a reason,” Summer says, but others around her are mumbling similar stories.

“So you’re telling us our only hope is Pig Girl?” one of the cheerleaders asks, ignoring the deathly look Summer throws her.

“Don’t call her that,” I growl again.

“I’m saying you can have hope because of her,” Tristan says. “But one girl, one girl and her five fated mates, even if we are from some damn prophecy can’t change things. Thattakes all of us. All of you. If you want to end this reign of terror, if you want to see a better world, you have to help us fight for it.”

“So will you?” I ask, swinging my gaze over every single person in the hall, my eyes landing on Coach last, standing at the back with his hands in his pockets and his whistle hanging from his neck. “Will you fight with us?”

I can’t tell what they’re thinking. I could see this swinging against us just as much as I could see it swinging for us.

“I don’t know,” one of the cheerleaders says. “It all seems so far-fetched.”

“Far-fetched?” the little kid says. “They flew in here on dragons.” That has people talking again. Then that same little kid, the one I terrorized in the corridor, steps forward. “If Tristan and Spencer believe in this girl, believe in this cause, then so do I.” He turns and looks me in the eye. “They took my Gramps, just because …” His gaze falls to the ground.

“I’m sorry, man,” I say, resting my hand on his shoulder. “But this is why we have to put an end to things.”

“Yes,” the boy says, “we do.”

And, stars, I could actually kiss the boy, because now everyone is following suit, nodding, voicing their agreement, until my shoulders sag in relief.

We’ve done it. We’ve actually goddamn done it. Won them over.

“You’re all completely mad,” Summer cries, tossing her head in frustration. “And you’re only going to get yourselves killed.” She turns to her posse. “Come on!”

The posse glance at us and I smile at them. Then they peer back at Summer, her face sour and bitter.

One by one they shake their heads. Summer shrieks and paces away. There are some definite giggles as she goes.

Once she’s gone, the others turn their attention back to us.

“So what’s the plan?” one of my dueling buddies calls out.

“Ahhh,” I say with another of my grins, “Coach, do you think we could borrow your whiteboard?”

39

Rhi

“If Spencerand Tristan can motivate and organize the students to stand with you, I think we stand a chance,” York says once the two boys have left her office.

“Especially with us resistance fighters helping too,” Ellie says.

“As soon as Kennedy arrives,” Winnie says, “Trent can take out his communication channels.”

“And I can release the potion that will disorientate his troops,” Ellie adds.

“Thank you,” I say, but I’m engulfed in unease.

Stone must read that unease in my mind or through our bond because he asks me, “What’s wrong?”

I bite at my thumb considering all the others.

“I can’t help feeling that this is myfight, my moment with destiny, and I shouldn’t be asking all of you to get involved.”