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  The sun was high in the clear blue sky, shining down upon a field of yellow grass that stretched on for several dozen feet before ending in a chain-link fence. Beyond that, the back parking lot of James Polk High School stood in the shade of the towering three-story building.

  Lifting a cigarette to his lips, Kevin Harmon closed his eyes and took a puff. “Bad enough I had to waste three days on this stupid project,” he muttered. “Why do I have to be the one to dig the hole?”

  He spun around.

  Amanda Simmons stood in front of him with her hands folded over her belly, her head bowed in respect. She was a pretty girl in a white, short-sleeved sun dress with flowers on the skirt.

  Her face was a perfect oval of pale skin framed by curly dark hair that fell to her shoulders. “Miss Sutherland said it was extra credit,” she mumbled. “She said burying the time capsule was a privilege.”

  Kevin shut his eyes, turning his face up to the morning sun. He felt sweat prickle on his skin. “You want the credit even more than I do,” he muttered. “How 'bout you go dig the damn hole?”

  Of course, the question left her flustered, and she backed away from him to show her discomfort. The answer was pretty straight forward when you took a minute to think about it: Amanda wouldn't be digging the hole because she was a girl. This was a very conservative school in a very conservative neighbourhood. Some things never changed.

  He didn't bother saying as much.

  A tall boy in ripped jeans and a t-shirt that seemed to hang off his body, Kevin was considered good looking by most of the girls at this school. He'd even seen Amanda cast the odd glance in his direction when she thought he wasn't looking. A few days working side by side with her made him realize that he actually enjoyed the attention. Only one problem: he was black, she was white, and this was a very conservative school.

  The day was getting warmer with every passing second, and he very much wanted to get back to the cool, air-conditioned building. Miss Sutherland said that she would be along any moment now, but he saw no reason not to get started. He heaved out a sigh as he picked up the shovel.

  Kevin had been the one to suggest burying the time capsule here. This small field behind the school was a hot spot for social activity. There was always someone sneaking back here for a cigarette or few minutes alone, and come lunch time, this area would be teeming with bodies until some teacher came along to make them all disperse.

  There had even been cases of couples sneaking out here to have sex. Why anybody would do something so stupid was beyond him; this little patch of grass was in full view of anyone who came out the school's back entrance. People just seemed to gravitate to this spot. Even now, with most of the student body in class, he had been forced to chase away a couple preppies who had come out here to make out.

  Digging the trowel of his shovel the ground, he uprooted a chunk of dirt and grass and tossed it aside. Already he could feel sweat on his brow, but he kept digging. If he finished before Miss Sutherland returned, they could skip to the part where she said her little speech and then head back inside.

  Amanda stood just a few feet away with fingers laced behind herself, refusing to look up at him. “We should probably wait,” she said softly. “Miss Sutherland would want to be here for this.”

  Next to her, the large metal box that contained a few non-functioning iPods, some teen magazines and a poster of Holly Bop sat untouched in the grass. He couldn't wait to leave the thing buried under three feet of dirt.

  Wincing hard, Kevin wiped sweat off his brow with his fist. “You could help,” he said with a little more venom than he had intended. “Go back to the Janitor's Room. You should be able to get another shovel.”

  Amanda wilted.

  He shoved the trowel of his shovel into the dirt and deepened the pit by a few more inches. His muscles were starting to ache, but the damn thing was almost large enough to hold the box. Just a few more minutes.

  His shovel hit something squishy.

  Scooping a bit of dirt up with the blade, he flung it aside to reveal…something. It looked like a thin layer of skin with pulsing veins. What in god's name was it? He should have been frightened, but instead, he was curious.

  Dropping to his knees in front of the hole, Kevin let his head hang. “Holy crap,” he said, scrubbing a hand through his short dark hair. “Amanda, go get a teacher. Someone should take a look at this.”

  She turned and ran.

  Kevin touched the sheet of skin with his fingertips, marveling at the soft, smooth texture. He would have expected something rough or slimy, but it wasn't like that at all. On some level that he couldn't understand, it felt like it belonged to him.

  The skin began to rise, curling up on itself until it formed a sphere about the size of a tennis ball. When he picked it up, he realized that it was solid all the way through. This thing was…alive.

  The ball lit up with soft white light, growing brighter and brighter until it seemed as if he held a small star in his palm. It flared once, then went dim again. Something about it tugged at him. This thing was his; he knew it. He had to get it away from here, had to put it someplace safe. He took off at run before anyone could spot him.

  Part 1

  Chapter 1

  Morning sunlight came in through the window along with a breeze that made the curtains billow, leaving a square of radiance at the foot of the bed. The sweet scents of spring filled the room.

  Anna pressed her cheek into the pillow, squeezing her eyes shut. “Not yet,” she grumbled, rubbing her nose with palm of her hand. “I was having the nicest dream I've had in months.”

  Bradley was lying next to her.

  Her boyfriend was a handsome man with dark stubble on his jawline and black hair that he wore cut short. “What were you dreaming about?” he murmured, staring up at the ceiling. “Kicking terrorist ass?”

  Anna sat up.

  Hunching over, she scrubbed both hands over her face and ran fingers through her cherry-red hair. “You, of course,” she said, hoping that he didn't notice her hesitation. “I was dreaming about taking you to Leyria.”

  She got up and stood on the carpeted floor of her bedroom in white shorts and a red tank top. “I wanted to show you the Calassarin Cliffs,” she added, stretching to work out the kink in her back.

  In her mind's eye, she saw him sit up and glance out the window. “So what's on the agenda for today?” he asked. “It's been a few weeks since you've gone on a mission.”

  “I know,” she said. “It's making my skin itch.”

  He got up and made his way to the window in nothing but a pair of old track pants. “Does that mean you're going to be working on that special project of yours?” he asked. “Are you ever gonna tell me what it is?”

  A sigh escaped her when she considered the question. He was talking about their search for the Key. In the last three months, she had been called up to Station Twelve for any number of secret meetings. It was hard for Bradley not to notice. She could sense his curiosity every time he did.

  Anna winced, tossing her head about. “I wish I could,” she said, spinning around to face him. “Sorry, hon, but secrets are a part of the package when you date somebody like me. I'm not trying to keep you in the dark.”

  He turned and stood before the window with hands in his pockets, smiling down at the floor. “No big deal,” he said with a shrug of his shoulders. “Guess you'll be going to the park for your morning workout?”

  “You know me so well.”

  She loved him for that, his unconditional trust. He wanted to know the truth, but he wouldn't push. Very few people were lucky enough to find a partner like this. “Yeah,” she added. “I'm craving a little fresh air. I think I'll see if Jack's up for a little sparring.”

  “Have fun.”

  The jungle gym in the small park behind their apartment complex was a tall metal monstrosity with two towers connected by a bridge. A slide emerged from one, and the other had a slanted roof.

  The air was
warm on this April morning with only a few gray clouds in the bright blue sky. Thankfully, there were no children about – most would be in school at this time – and they could use the equipment freely.

  A sloping hillside ran up to the back of their apartment building, and there were already spectators gathered there to watch the show. These regular sparring sessions had become a source of entertainment to the other tenants.

  Anna stood with fists on her hips in gray track pants and a black tank-top, staring up at the playground equipment. “The game is 'don't touch the ground,' ” she said with a nod. “First one to touch the ground loses.”

  Next to her, Jack wore a similar outfit.

  He smiled, then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “If you insist,” he said, shuffling over to the base of one tower. “But I've gotta warn you I was playing on these things when I was a kid. Ever heard the phrase 'home court advantage?' ”

  “Ever heard the phrase 'cocky boy meets girl's shoe?' ”

  Anna paced through the dirt with her arms crossed, heaving out a sigh. “I'm pretty sure I can keep up,” she said. “You just worry about me scuffing up those pants with my inevitable victory.”

  Anna jumped.

  She somersaulted through the air, then uncurled to land on one of the railings that surrounded the bridge. Perched like a cat, she took a moment to inspect her surroundings. The roofed structure would do nicely.

  She jumped, hopping across to the opposite railing, then leaped again. Flipping in mid-air, she landed on the slanted roof with a loud grunt. In her mind's eye, she saw Jack coming up behind her.

  He sailed right over her head – propelled by a light Bending – and landed crouched at the peak of the roof. “All right, let's do this,” he said, standing up straight. “Those folks came to see a show.”

  He spun around to face her.

  Anna kicked at his stomach.

  Jack flung one hand out to strike her ankle and knock her off balance. He stepped forward, then delivered a mean right-hook to the face. Silver flecks danced in her field of vision. Anna fell backward off the roof.

  Flipping upside-down in mid-air, she grabbed the bridge railing and rose into a handstand. She flipped upright to land on the bridge, and focused on Seth's attempts to heal the damage. With Slade and those who followed him possessing symbionts of their own, she would have to be ready to fight enemies who could match her strength and skill. These sparring sessions were designed to be full-on training. She had insisted that Jack treat it like a real fight, which meant real injuries.

  He landed on the bridge beside her, spinning around to face her with his fists up in a boxer's stance. “You doing all right,” he asked, striding toward her. “I really don't want to hurt you.”

  He threw a punch.

  Anna ducked, allowing the blow to pass right over her. She slipped past him on the left, then flung her elbow into the soft spot over Jack's shoulder blades. That earned her a grunt and made him stumble.

  Spinning around, she seized his shirt in both hands. A light Bending made her skin tingle, but she was able to warp the fabric of space-time around him. Jack flew upwards and sideways, over the bridge railing.

  He changed direction in mid-air, yanked as if by a tether toward the set of monkey bars a few paces away. He landed down on one knee, head bowed as if in prayer. Through her connection with Seth, Anna could sense the Bending he had crafted.

  She hopped up onto the railing.

  Anna leaped and used a Bending of her own to carry herself across the wide gap to the monkey bars. “I'm doing quite well,” she said, landing perched on a metal bar. “How about you?”

  Jack stood on one bar with his feet apart, arms hanging casually at his side. “I'm a little thirsty,” he said, nodding to her. “But I'm thinking it won't be long until I can take a quick breather.”

  He came at her.

  Anna jumped, spinning in mid-air for a hook-kick.

  When her foot hit nothing, she knew was in trouble. She dropped onto the bar just in time to see Jack rise up in front of her. He seized the front of her shirt and gave a hard shove, throwing her off the structure.

  Anna fell backward with a squeak. The only way to save herself at this point was a Bending, and she wasn't of a mind to stress Seth any further. When her ass hit the ground, she let out a groan of pain. Damn him! When exactly had Jack become so good at this? It must have happened while she was away.

  He dropped to the ground in front of her, landing in a crouch with his head down. “Looks like I win,” he said with slight rasp in his voice. “Don't worry, Anna. You're still way ahead by the numbers.”

  Clenching her teeth, Anna winced. “Yes, I am,” she said, turning her face up to the open sky. “But I've got to give you some credit: you're getting really good at this. I guess my training really paid off, huh?”

  “Somehow you still make it about you.”

  “Naturally.”

  Jack stood up with a groan. He shuffled over to her, muttering under his breath the whole way. “Come on,” he said, offering his hand. “Let's go get cleaned up. I think we've both had enough for one day.”

  She let him pull her to her feet.

  Turning away from him, Anna reached up to brush a few strands of hair out of her face. “I have to run a few errands,” she said softly. “You want to meet me this afternoon, and we can go over the research?”

  He shuffled backward with hands shoved into his pockets, clearing his throat with some force. “Sure.” Though she didn't draw attention to it, she knew that Jack felt a little uneasy about the idea of full-contact sparring. It wasn't because she was a woman – he had outgrown such antiquated attitudes – but she was his friend, and punches were reserved for enemies. “I've got to head out to Winnipeg to see my mom anyway.”

  “Cool,” she said. “See you later.”

  “Okay.”

  Anna turned partway, glancing over her shoulder with a warm smile. “Hey, Jack,” she said, eyebrows rising. “Good match.”

  The dark waters of the Ottawa River stretched on before her, flowing underneath a bridge that connected the city with Gatineau. On the shore, a path of black asphalt ran parallel to the river, and joggers kept running past.

  She spotted Gabi sitting on a bench and staring out at the water, her long dark hair falling to the small of her back. The sight of her left Anna feeling a little uneasy. Why did the woman have to choose this spot of all places for their lunch date? Was this the same bench where she and Jack had shared their first kiss?

  Anna approached with hands clasped behind her back, keeping her eyes fixed on the ground. “Hello there,” she said, taking a seat next to her friend. “So you finally came out for a little fresh air.”

  A warm smile bloomed on Gabi's face as she stared out at the water. “The weather has finally become tolerable,” she said with a nod. “Something that a civilized person might actually want to experience.”

  “What's your grievance with winter?”

  “It exists.”

  Tossing her head back, Anna rolled her eyes in frustration. “Well your fear of snow made you miss out on the skating,” she said, slouching down on the bench with her arms crossed. “I think Jack would have liked it if you'd joined us for that.”

  Gabi chuckled, hunching over with elbows on her thighs. She covered her mouth with one hand. “He probably would have,” she admitted. “But I maintain that if a place gets cold enough for water to freeze, humans have no business living there. So how are things with Bradley?”

  “Pretty good.”

  “I see,” Gabi murmured, “and note the lack of detail.”

  Anna closed her eyes, hanging her head in chagrin. She touched two fingers to her forehead. “He's starting to get curious about my work,” she replied. “Things I can't really tell him about.”

  In the distance, a seagull swooped low over the river, then changed direction and took off toward the shoreline with wings flapping. It really was a beautiful day; winte
r could be fun – and she did like to bundle up – but it was nice to go outside without shivering. “How do you handle it?” Anna asked. “You must have had partners who asked about things you can't discuss.”

  “Many times.” Gabi threw her head back to blink up at the sky. “My ex-girlfriend Elana was notorious for her avid curiosity. She was a fashion designer that I met when I was working on Salus.”

  “What did you do?”

  “I find it's best to get creative,” Gabi explained. “The next time he asks a question you can't answer, try casually changing the subject to something that you know he'll find interesting; he'll probably be quite eager to talk about that instead.”

  It made her feel a little odd, thinking that she had to keep things from her partner; she had always imagined a relationship based on total openness, but what could she do? Knowledge of the Key wasn't something she could share with just anyone. Perhaps this was why so few Keepers ever settled down.

  She was about to say as much when her multi-tool beeped. Lifting her forearm, she slid one finger across the screen on her gauntlet, answering the call. Jena's face filled the window. “Get up here now,” she said. “We have a situation.”

  Anna winced, hissing like a cat. “On my way,” she said with a curt nod. “I'm sorry, Gabs. It seems we're going to have to do lunch another time.”

  The other woman glanced over her shoulder with a bright smile, her eyes twinkling in the bright sunlight. “Quite all right,” she said. “Whatever it is…good luck. Sounds like you're going to need it.”

  Chapter 2

  The gray light of an overcast morning came in through the large window above the kitchen sink, leaving a slight sheen on the linoleum floor. Dark cupboards lined all four walls, and the fridge rumbled like it might start coughing up smoke at any moment.

  Dressed in jeans and a black polo shirt, Jack leaned against the cupboards with his arms folded. “So you like the place?” he asked, surveying the little apartment. “Must be weird living like this again after twenty years.”