Coyote's Howl (Cape High Series Book 17), page 20
“Ah, actually,” I say, hesitantly, “can it wait until I’ve got at least a dozen animal forms? As much as I love my coyote and mouse, I can’t exactly claim to be the THE Coyote with just those two. Besides, I’m just going to be a back-up cape, right? It’s not that big a deal—”
“Son, I have never once declared that you’d be a back-up cape,” he says. “Yes, I’m going to allow you to work with Vinny when we’ve got forest fires, but that’s not a permanent career. You, my boy, are going to be a headliner. I’ve already got a few capes planning on retiring when your group graduates. You’ve got a lot of shoes to fill. Thankfully, you come with a lot of different feet.”
I feel a blush cross my face and give him a shy smile. “I’ll try my best, then,” I say.
“That’s exactly what I wanted to hear,” he says, placing his hands on my shoulders.
“I want to do your debut!” Skye says, making me jump as she hugs me from behind. “You can fight me and Doris and Ariel! It’ll be epic!”
“I’m not about to take all three of you on!” I protest, but I accept the hug, grinning slightly as she ruffles my hair, as well. I feel like such a little kid right now, it’s not even funny—but it is. I might feel like a kid, but I feel like the FAVORITE kid, which I sort of need after dealing with Coyote and my mom. “I’ll only accept one at a time—and I already promised Rocco that we’d go up against each other sometime.”
“Then you can fight me and turn into something adorable and I’ll be ‘Oh my gosh he’s so cute!’ and then you can catch me off guard and win the fight!” she says, clearly already seeing the dramatic ending.
“You, throwing a fight over cuteness, hmm?” Century says, looking thoughtful. “No, I could actually see that.”
“I should, um, go help clean up Cheval’s place, now,” I say, trying to get out of Skye’s hold. “This is sort of my fault, after all.”
“You do that,” Century says. “I’ll go fill out all the paperwork I need. Skye? Shouldn’t you go check in with the girls?”
“I should!” she says. “It’s pool-o’clock!” She races away before I can ask what she’s talking about, and I shrug at Century.
“Be good, son,” he says, flying off and leaving me there. I turn, heading for the house.
***
“Noni—” Whitney says, only to stop as a teenager walks into the room. She tightens her hold on the broom she’s holding, wondering if this is going to be more trouble. To her surprise, though, her grandmother smiles widely.
“Lance! Are you sticking around, sugar?”
“I wanted to help clean up,” he says, a bit shyly, “if you don’t mind.”
“Of course not!” She saunters back to Whitney, leaning down and whispering, “Not only is he adorable, he’s a super.”
Whitney stares at her. “I. Have. A. Boyfriend,” she hisses under her breath.
“Oh, that’ll last another week, at most,” Cheval says, waving a hand to blow it off.
Whitney dares to glance over at the boy, only to blink and whisper, “Why is he bright red?”
“Oh, you know shifters—they can hear a pin drop in a warehouse full of cotton,” Noni says, cheerfully.
“Noni!” Whitney exclaims with a groan as her grandmother starts to laugh. Lance just keeps sweeping up glass from the broken mirrors, his face, ears, and neck almost glowing, they’re so bright red.
***
The plane lands in front of Central Hall. “Go ahead and take the kids back—” Nico says as he slaps on a mask, only to watch as Jack jumps out, his metal surfboard under his arm.
“I’ll take Aubrey and Sandra,” he says. “Pan, you and Adanna can go on home, if you want.”
“Thank you, Jack,” Pan says as Sandra hesitantly climbs out of the plane. She’s got her illusion watch on, but she still stares warily at the crowd outside of the Hall. They’re staring at them, and she looks at Jack, who dropped his illusion a long time ago.
“C’mon, Sandra,” he says, tossing the board and making it float. “Let’s go.”
“Can we all fit on that?” she asks, looking at Aubrey. “Won’t it fall from the weight?”
“Nah, we’ll be fine,” he says, stepping onto the board and swinging Aubrey up in front of him. He holds out his hand to Sandra, who hesitates for a moment before sighing and climbing on.
“Let’s go home,” she says as he takes to the air, flying away.
“Technico! Technico! Who is that?” someone calls. Nico sighs, seeing Prisma pushing her way through the crowd. “Is that Badmoon? I heard you were out looking for him,” she says, holding a mic in her hand. He looks up, noting that she’s using a drone that HE made to interview him. “Is he the one that tore up your clothing?”
“Yeah,” he says. “Now if you’d excuse me, I need to put him in a safe place until his hearing.”
“Can I come with you? The entire cape society has been waiting to see this,” she says.
He hesitates, looking at the drone again, and then at the crowd surrounding him. If he’s too rude right now, he’ll hear about it from Mastermental. Then again, he thinks with a tiny grin, it’s not his job to play up to the cameras. “Ask Mastermental,” he says. “Dealing with the press isn’t in my contract.”
“Dealing with the press is in EVERY Hall member’s contract,” she says. “You really should read it sometime. It especially covers HTV.”
Nico just stares at her for a moment before heading through the crowd. “Fine, come on. This will take the place of my next interview, though, understand?”
“Totally,” she says with a brilliant smile. “Why does Badmoon look so old?”
“Hit him with a power stripper,” Nico says. “He should be recovering soon, when that happens I’ll toss a collar on him.”
“Is it dangerous, not having a collar on him?” she asks, following him into the Hall and for the elevator. “I don’t have clearance for this—can you get it for me?”
“No,” Nico says, stepping into the elevator and smirking at her as the doors start to close. “Go talk to Mastermental,” he says.
“Don’t think I won’t!” she says. “And I’ll talk to your sister, as well!”
The door closes in her face. “You don’t like free press?” Badmoon asks.
“I’m not paid to ape for a camera,” Nico says as the elevator goes down, “unlike you, so I’ve heard. Maybe all that acting history you’ve got will come in handy during your hearing. You might be able to talk them into letting you keep your powers.”
Badmoon pauses, sniffing the air. “There’s someone here.”
“You’re the master of stating the obvious, still, I see,” Nico says.
“Not your norm lackeys, there’s a cape. I know this smell,” Badmoon says. He’s growing taller with each step, and Nico waves a hand, sending a collar flying from a table they pass. “The girl,” Badmoon announces. “You have the girl, here.”
“I prefer the term ‘woman,’” Star Born says as they reach her special cell. “Well, well, well, they brought the dog. Now I’m truly feeling at home. Everyone should have a pet.”
Badmoon growls, lunging for her, only to get jerked back and a collar snapped around his neck. “You—” he says.
“What’s the matter, doggy?” she says. “Never seen a mad scientist before? At least tell me that they gave you a flea bath before sticking you in the pound this time.”
“You chose to stay behind. You’re an insult to capes everywhere,” Badmoon says coldly. He barely seems to have noticed the collar.
“Down, doggy, you have to admit that you didn’t get much time out there,” she says. “Plus, by not running, I’m going to be the one that DOESN’T lose their powers. Now, on to more important things; I think I have an idea of how to give your shifter boy back his powers. They won’t allow me to do an actual test unless your precious norm scientist is watching. I expect you to arrange that, Technico.”
“Ah, about that,” Nico says. “We don’t need it anymore.”
Star Born’s eyes narrow and she glares at him. “You promised me that I would be able to experiment.”
“I’ll talk to Mastermental about it,” he says. “I’m sure we’ll come up with something we need you for.” He shoves Badmoon into the cell next to hers, bringing up the laser wall. “You’ll be fed at seven, noon, and six. If you cause any problems, you won’t be fed at all,” he says before turning and walking away.
The hall goes silent for a long moment, before Badmoon finally says what’s on his mind. “Do you truly know how to give the boy back his forms?”
“I have a very solid theory,” she says.
“Do you have the stuff to make it, here?”
She goes silent for a long moment, and he almost gives up. “It’ll get you nowhere. They’ll still have you in the Cape Cells.”
“But I’ve heard about you, Star Born,” he says. “Don’t you want to at least know if you can do it? Right under their noses?”
“Only if you swear not to get caught.”
***
“I’m going to have to go shopping,” Cheval says as we pour the last of the glass into the trash. “I would hate to be without my mirrors. It’s a shame that they all wound up as they did.”
“I’m really sorry about that,” I say, for the hundredth time that day.
“Oh, sugar, it’s not your fault. It’s that scraggly dog’s fault,” she says, anger in her voice. “I never have liked him. He had no respect for anyone, especially females.”
“But he’s still my great uncle,” I say. “Not that I plan on claiming him ever again. He really is a jerk.” I turn, looking at the forest that surrounds her house. “My mother is likely to be out there,” I tell her quietly. “If you see a falcon that looks more intelligent than she should be… maybe you could put some leftovers out for her?”
“That isn’t right,” she says. “Your mother should be—”
“It is what it is,” I say. “Do you mind if I come out here once in a while to check and see… if she’s ready to be human again?”
“I would enjoy it,” she says. “Now why don’t I take you home? I know Technico offered to send someone, but it seems a waste of energy, when I’m right here.”
I hesitate, and then shrug. “I’d appreciate it,” I say. Then I look over at Whitney, who’s placing the mirror frames against the outside wall of Cheval’s house. “But shouldn’t you take her home, first?”
“She’ll be fine here—”
My com-bracelet blinks and I hear Nico over it. “Bring her along. We’ll give her a tour of the main branch school.”
“Nico, if you would please pay attention,” I hear Mastermental say.
“Yeah, yeah, I owe Prisma an interview,” Nico says darkly. “Lance, I’ll have Zoe meet you all outside the campus, so head on home.”
“Got it, Nico,” I say. “If you two don’t mind?”
“Century’s been trying to get me into his school for days, now. I would love to see how one operates. Just let me lock up, real quick,” Cheval says, heading back into the house. It gets quiet and extremely awkward as it’s just me and Whitney out here. I glance at her, and then look around, trying to think of something to occupy myself with. A second later, Cheval comes out. “We’ll have to head to the town,” she says. “I don’t have any mirrors left.”
We start walking, and I hesitate to ask about running, because there’s a chance Whitney hasn’t gotten her super speed yet. “Um… so…” I say, exactly as Whitney goes, “You can shape-shift?”
I look at her, grinning since I’m on comfortable territory, now. “I’m the next Coyote,” I brag.
“And… that means what?” she says.
“That means I’m, um, sort of a legend. Well, a part of a very long legend. See, it’s sort of like Santa—Santa passes down his or her title when they get old enough, right? So does Coyote.”
“You still believe in Santa,” she says, flatly, staring at me.
“Well, yeah, we met him just a week ago,” I say, a bit stunned that she DOESN’T. “Carla, Malina and Zoe went up to the North Pole and brought him down to meet everyone. He’s Century’s brother!”
“You’re lying,” Whitney says.
“Time control? Really old? It’s pretty obvious what line he’s from if you think about it—Century doesn’t like him much, though, so I’ve got to take Century’s side,” I admit, “since Century’s my boss.” I look around, seeing a stick as I walk. Automatically I scoop it up, throwing it through the air and shifting to race after it. I jump, twisting to catch the stick, and then run back to them with it in my mouth.
Cheval laughs before grabbing the stick and throwing it again.
“Tell him that Santa ISN’T real, Noni! He’s such a child!” I hear Whitney say in a whisper.
“Santa is real, sweetie, and so is the Easter Bunny,” she says as I come back with the stick. I shift and spit a few splinters out.
“I heard that the Easter Bunny title just got passed down,” I say, “to a girl.”
“How progressive!” Cheval says.
I stop, hearing a rustling sound in the trees. I look up, seeing a very familiar hawk sitting on a limb. “Mom,” I say quietly, stopping and holding out an arm. She flaps her wings, and for a moment I’m positive that she’s going to come down. “You can at least come to Missouri,” I coax. “That way I can come and find you.”
‘I… I will come… soon enough,’ she says quietly. ‘I just wanted to tell you goodbye… for now. I love you.’ I sigh, watching her fly away.
“Give her time,” Cheval says, patting me on the shoulder and taking the stick. She starts to throw it aside, but I grab it and throw it, shifting again, hoping it will clear my mind. A coyote’s mind is much simpler than a human’s, and I really don’t want to think, right now.
Unfortunately, it turns out that even coyotes worry about their family members.
***
“Fine, let’s get this over with,” Nico says, dropping down in a chair in the tiny room where Prisma would be interviewing him. She doesn’t look nearly as nervous as she had the last time she interviewed him.
“My daughter has been enjoying school quite a lot,” she says, making herself comfortable in the other chair. “She went to the mall last weekend with a handful of other girls. She’s never gone out on play dates before!”
“Good to hear,” Nico says. “She’s a good kid.”
“I never thought I’d hear a male teacher say that about her without being brainwashed,” Prisma admits with a laugh. It actually gets a grin out of Nico.
“Oh, she’s definitely a troublemaker, but she’s doing well. I think Blackbird’s been a good influence on her.”
“Absolutely,” Prisma says, tapping on a discreet remote control for the drone. “Now! For the actual interview part of this! Heroes and heroines, we’re here with Technico, after a very important capture! Tell us about how the hunt for the Cape Cell convicts is coming, Technico?”
“Should we be talking about this on television?” Nico asks quietly.
“Ever since you’ve shut down the illegal streaming, we’ve been much more open about what’s going on,” Prisma says. “All of the capes know what happened. Most of them are searching for the capes in question, right now. So we could really use an update.”
“Good point,” Nico says a bit reluctantly. He lets out a sigh and leans back. “We’ve captured everyone except Atlanti, as of today. With the assistance of the Halls, the black suits, and even a few of the kids I’m training, we’ve done extremely well.”
“And today you brought in Badmoon, correct?”
“Yeah, we brought in Badmoon today. His hearing will be soon, we’re just filling out the paperwork right now—well, I say ‘we,’ but they don’t trust me with paperwork,” he says.
“And why would that be?” she asks.
“I honestly have no idea,” he says, looking patently innocent. It startles a laugh out of her.
“I’m sure,” she says. “Now, it’s been rumored that Star Born has been brought to this facility. Can you tell us if that’s true, and why you would do that?”
Nico hesitates, wondering why Mastermental isn’t in here to give him pointed looks about what to talk about. “Star Born has shown herself willing to cooperate with us. She’s an extremely impressive scientist, as well.”
“So you brought her to become part of the Hall?”
“Not exactly,” he says. “But you probably know that while I was in the Cape Cells, Mastermental was capitalizing on my work. It only makes sense. Why waste all that potential?”
“And what did Badmoon provide?” she asks.
“Nothing that I know of,” Nico admits. “I’m talking about the capes that actually create things. Star Born is an excellent example of that. She’s a brilliant scientist, and was one even before she turned herself into a super.”
“But she’s dangerous,” Prisma points out.
“Yes, she is. That’s why her security is top notch. I put it together, myself. I’m also the one that’s rebuilt the Cape Cells.”
“That’s good to hear,” she says. “Now, for the really juicy stuff! When’s the wedding? Who’s doing the dresses? I’m invited, aren’t I?”
“Those are all questions you ask Lady Rose,” he says. “I don’t have a clue.”
“Men,” Prisma says, pulling a face for the camera. “Oh well, thank you for being so cooperative,” she says with a brilliant smile that says she KNOWS he was forced to do this. “This is Prisma with HTV, signing off. Happy hero-ing, everybody!” She flips off the drone’s recording and looks at him. “So when is the next parent’s day at school, hmm?”
He groans. “I think I preferred it when you were terrified of me.”
“Oh, no, honey, not when my daughter comes home daily telling me about the ridiculous t-shirt you wore that day,” she says smugly. “Your students love you. I can’t be scared of a guy that likes children.”
“Who said I like them?” he asks. She just stares at him. “No, seriously, I can’t stand kids.”
