Chosen at Nightfall (Shadow Falls #5)(4)

"Be quiet," Aunt Francyne ordered.

But in the silence that followed, Kylie heard what wasn't being said by the others. They agreed with Brandon. Because of her, the FRU had discovered their compound.

Guilt crowded Kylie's chest. She had never considered that her coming here could have put anyone in danger. Yet it had, hadn't it?

Her blood fizzed faster; thoughts of her grandfather being hurt-of it being her fault-made her heart race.

Kylie tried to pull her hand free. "No," her aunt said. "You let go, you'll become visible."

"I need to make sure they're okay. And ... I can become invisible myself."

"That's impossible," Brandon snapped. "You can't do that until you're in your twenties. Everyone knows that."

Kylie rolled her eyes. She was tired of his petty jealousy.

Footsteps sounded. Numbers were called out. She recognized her grandfather's voice as well as the other elders.

"They'll search in here," her grandfather said. "Adults, make sure you hold tight to your child's hands.

Go to the south end of the property." The sounds of people making their way out echoed through what, even to Kylie, looked like an empty barn.

Kylie felt her aunt's hold on her wrist, directing her to walk, but then her grandfather spoke again.

"Everyone but Francyne and Kylie. You two go down by the edge of the woods in the back."

Kylie couldn't help but wonder why she and Aunt Francyne were being singled out.

* * *

"Why?" Kylie asked after she heard the last footsteps leave, still finding it so strange to speak when no one could see her.

"When we are in a state of emergency, one never asks questions." Her aunt's voice rang in the emptiness of the barn. Then, still holding Kylie's hand, the woman started moving, and in careful steps, she guided Kylie out of the barn.

She moved with her aunt, but she couldn't remain silent. "What's going on? Why should I be taken to a different place than the others?" Kylie asked as she moved through the barn door. The afternoon light had her pupils adjusting.

"Obviously, it is you they search for," her grandfather answered, his voice sounding close, but his form still invisible.

"But I'm a protector," Kylie insisted. "If someone needs help, I should stay close."

"I can feel you, damn it! Where are you?" a voice, a familiar voice that wasn't her aunt's or grandfather's, called out behind Kylie.

Her breath caught and she looked over her shoulder. About fifty feet away, standing in the tall grass, was someone she cared about."Derek," she called out. Then she remembered that no one, other than another unseen chameleon, could hear her when she was invisible.

"We should go." Her aunt gave Kylie's hand a tug, but she didn't budge. Stiffening, Kylie soaked up Derek's image, hungry for anything that was linked to her life at Shadow Falls.

His light brown hair resting on his brow stirred in the wind, giving him a carefree look, but his green eyes, with flecks of gold, held concern. What was he doing here?

"Where are you, Kylie?" he asked, and the breeze whisked his words away.

She remembered what her grandfather had said about who was here. This wasn't the FRU.

"Go to the creek!" her grandfather demanded. "You should not have told them where you were."

His accusation and his tone put Kylie on the defensive. While she couldn't see her grandfather, she could imagine his expression-stern and uncompromising.

She turned to where she heard his voice. "I didn't tell them, and no, I will not leave. You lied. It's not the FRU." The feeling of betrayal hit.

"When I told you it was the FRU, I was repeating what I was told by those guarding the gate. But even still, it is not a lie. They both work for the FRU."

They? Who else was here? She heard footsteps coming from the house. Her first thought was it could be Lucas. Her heart gripped at the possibility of seeing him. The pain of his disloyalty weighed heavy on her heart and still tasted bitter. Yet as those footsteps grew closer, she could not turn away any more than she could stop breathing.

Looking back she saw Burnett James, one of the camp leaders. Not Lucas. Disappointment swelled in her chest, but she refused to believe it was due to Lucas not being there. She didn't want him to come.

Didn't want to see him, not now and maybe not ever. Even as the thought whisked through her mind, she felt her heart race with the lie.

But she knew that at least some of the disappointment she felt was about Burnett. She hadn't said goodbye because she knew he would have tried to stop her from leaving. Now she wanted to go to him and embrace him. Apologize for neglecting the courtesy of a simple good-bye.

"Kylie." Her aunt spoke again, and gave her hand a slight tug. "Your grandfather knows what is best.

Listen to him. We must go."

Kylie inhaled and tried to not let her emotions control her. But it seemed almost too late. Her head spun as too many feelings swirled inside her. Loneliness, regret, and anger at being lied to. "He knows what is best for him, but maybe not so much for me."

"You must trust him," her aunt said, her grip on Kylie's wrist tightening. "Come, please. We only want to protect you."

"I don't need protecting from Burnett or Derek." She spoke calmly. "And it appears my grandfather needs to trust me, as well. I didn't tell anyone where I was. I gave you my word and I didn't break it." She heard the hurt resonate in her voice.