“He’d visit a community and take a new body. Most of the time, the bodies he possessed were released to continue their lives. But there was one particular body he stayed in for well over two weeks—and not just once. He seemed to know her well, and she never put up a fight.” He tilts his head at the memory, seeming disturbed by what he witnessed. “Every time he released her, she seemed frazzled, confused—like she didn’t know who or where she was. But she never died. I followed her out of curiosity because she was different.” He frowns. “She has no family, no friends. She just lives in solitude until Erebus needs to use her body.”
His story causes every hair on my body to stand on end. How devastating for the lives he’s stolen. And that poor woman.
“You said there are others who know the secret. How do you know that?” Alec asks.
Johnny reaches into his pants pocket and pulls out a small vial. “This. It’s called seapol juice. If you’ve noticed a decrease of the pollution in the bay, it’s because of this.”
Arabella gasps. “I thought that was just a myth!”
Despite the mood of the night, I can’t help but smile. Clearly, she doesn’t see the irony in her words because she’s focused on the bottle Johnny holds. She lunges for it, and he allows her to snatch it from his hands.
“Keep it,” he says. “I have more. One drop covers a five-mile radius. Overusing it can have disastrous effects on the ocean. It’s like sanitization. If you over-sanitize, you kill the good bacteria. Sea creatures thrive off those bacteria and enzymes, so you just need to use enough to kill the bad stuff.”
Arabella nods, eyes wide. “I get it. Thank you. How did you hear about this?”
“That bottle contains energy from the plants I visited—and a drop of my blood. The plant scientists showed me some of the responsibilities my father held. Creating and distributing seapol juice was one of them.”
He tries to hide it, but I see Alec roll his eyes.
“Why energy from the coastal plants? What’s the difference?” I ask.
Johnny shrugs. “Those were the only ones I visited. They all seemed to be connected, though, because they all knew about seapol juice.”
“They?” Alec implores. I can tell he’s annoyed that Johnny’s returned with limited information. I want to snap at him, to tell him to ease up on Johnny, but that might trigger something else I’m not ready for.
“The scientists there. They were all walking around in white lab coats, like they were part of one giant science experiment. They were all run by Enchanters, which made me wonder something.” He looks around at all of us, and even the air stills to stop and listen. “I think the coastal energy plants signify where the Solstice settlements are.”
I stand up abruptly, feeling the need to pace around like Arabella. Can that all be true? Maybe this is part of the secret Rose has been keeping from me, and maybe Erebus is after this information too. He could be mapping out each location as part of his plan to destroy all of us. And he probably plans to use me to do it.
Trembling, I meet Johnny’s eyes. “You probably shouldn’t tell us any more until Rose can hear it. She knows more about this than anyone, and if she thinks it’s too dangerous for me to have this information, then I trust her.”
Johnny nods. “I’ll come by your house to speak to Rose tomorrow.”
It’s a question, though it’s not vocalized as such. I know what he’s asking. If he comes by my house tomorrow, we’ll have a chance to talk alone. I can feel the heat from Alec’s mood as his face turns beet red. He opens his mouth to say something but stops himself. The silence is just as disturbing.
“Another thing,” Johnny says as if it’s just come to him. “We were in the Florida panhandle before Erebus headed for Apollo Beach. He brought some people with him. I’m certain they were Equinox Followers.”
“Erebus is traveling with Followers?”
He nods. “Six, that I know of. I think everything he’s done since leaving has been with the intention of coming back, as if Apollo Beach is the be-all and end-all of his fate.”
“So… what?” Alec asks. “He’s building a bigger army?”
Johnny nods. “I think so. We don’t know how many stayed here after the night of the carnival. Others traveled with Erebus, and there are probably more coming. He’s most likely lining up hosts to keep his cover.” His eyes land on me, causing a flush to surface on my cheeks. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“No thanks to you,” Alec mutters.
Johnny hears him—we all do—but Johnny’s strength is in his silence. Or maybe he agrees with Alec.
My phone buzzes, and I race to answer it. It’s Rose. “We’re okay,” I say immediately. “We’re in the garden.”
Paul, Rose, and Charlotte fly through the garden entrance a moment later with Isaac and all of Arabella’s sisters. Kaleb and Khloe bring up the rear while staring down at a gray contraption in Kaleb’s hands. I ignore everyone and close the distance to the twins so I can look at the device. There’s something familiar about it.
“I found this by the ice cave entrance,” Kaleb says with his eyes on me. “Do you know what it is?”
I nod and pull it from his hands before swiveling around to find Johnny, who’s already eyeballing the device with wide eyes. “This is yours?” I ask him. “Erebus threw this down before he left that man’s body, told me he’d been on a long journey, and said to ask you where he’s been.”
Johnny takes it from me and pushes buttons, growing angrier by the second. “He knows I followed him. He must have just found this.” Johnny is so close to me, I can feel the heat of his words. “He stopped the GPS signal at 2:50 today.” He shakes his head as if trying to convince himself of something. “I saw too much. There’s no way he knew I was following him before today. I’m sure he’s provoked now, though.”
I can’t read Johnny’s expression. He appears withdrawn, most likely reflecting on his time away. I’m dying to ask him questions, but suddenly, the courtyard is bustling. I’m exhausted and in no mood to answer everyone’s questions. Alec is in deep conversation with Khloe. Arabella is showing her sisters and father the vial of seapol juice under the loving arm of Kaleb.
Then my eyes lock on Johnny’s. I communicate to him with my imploring eyes because it’s the only way I know how among our family and friends. I don’t know why you’re back or why you tried to kiss me on the dance floor, but please don’t leave again. I know he can’t hear my thoughts, but Johnny always had a way of interpreting my emotions.
My dad puts his arm around me and squeezes tightly while he talks to Rose and Charlotte. Johnny looks between us, confusion written on his face. A pang hits my chest when I realize just how much he’s missed.
“Johnny, meet my father, Paul Summer.” I turn to my dad. “This is Johnny Pierce.” I don’t have to explain any more than that.
My dad tilts his gaze, familiarity lighting up his expression. “Mr. Pierce, it’s good to meet you. I hear you’ve had quite the adventure.”
My dad is polite, for which I’m thankful.