Текст книги "The Promise"

Автор книги: Jessica Sorensen

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Chapter 8

(Alex)

So Draven wasn’t lying. I’d had my doubts about the Lord of the Afterlife telling the truth. Yet, here it was my mother’s gravestone.

I left the witch, Amelia, back at the iron-barred entrance, wanting to do this alone. The graveyard was secured by a loop of trees, the leaves stained pink and orange. Her gravestone was plain, only the initials A.A. No mentioning of her being a mother, no death date. If I’d just been passing through, I never would have given the stone a second glance.

Her journals said that she worried that my father was going to kill her because she knew things she wasn’t supposed to know. She also worried he’d find out her secret. She’d wrote that if all else failed, she’d give her soul to the Afterlife, so she could one day reunite with her son and put a stop to my father’s evil plan.

She’d known everything. And then she’d died.

I touched the rough headstone, wondering how it happened. Where was she when she breathed her last breath? If I squinted really hard, I could spot the hill that hid the Keepers castle. Anger raged in me as I stormed across the graveyard, kicking up leaves and dust. The wind howled with my anger and I knocked my fist into a tree trunk over and over again, until my knuckles bled.

“Dammit!” I kicked the tree and some of my toes crunched. I rested my head against the trunk, breathing in and out. “Come on. Get it together,” I muttered, trying to calm down.

Leaves surrounded me as I pushed away from the tree and finished the walk in silence.

“Did you find what you were looking for?” Amelia asked as I came barging up to the gate.

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I stopped just short of her. “I need you to take me somewhere else.” The witch’s eyes narrowed. “Nuh uh. Not until you take me to the witch who can remove the mark.”

“Look,” I said with zero tolerance. “I’ll get your daughter’s mark removed, but I need to make a stop first. It’s important.”

She pointed her sharp fingernail at my chest. “Should I remind you about our bargain?” Her nail punctured a hole in my shirt and I smacked her hand away.

“Watch it witch,” I said. “You’re crossing a dangerous line.”

“Am I?” She asked with a nasty grin. “Or do I need to remind you of what happens if you back out on our little bargain.”

Dammit. I wanted to punch the grin off her face. I didn’t have time for this. But I’d taken that stupid pill and I was going to dropped dead the moment I backed out.

“Fine,” I gritted through my teeth. “I’ll take you to her.” When we settled in the living room of Gemma’s house, my stomach dropped. It was strange, but I could sense her nearness, feel her in my veins like liquid fire.

Everything looked normal, chairs upright, TV off, photos still on the wall. They’d boarded up the windows, which was smart. I remembered when I’d heard the news from Aislin that the world had shifted into a Mark of Malefiscus mess. The letter had arrived via her witch powers, which meant a small flaming ball of paper had landed on my head, torching some of my hair. I still had a tiny bald spot.

I’d read the letter, but never wrote back, not wanting the wrong person to find out where I was and coming looking for me. I wanted to protect Gemma in every way possible, which meant keeping her away from me, no matter how crappy I felt. I deserved to feel that way 37

though. After all the hell I’d put her through.

But now I was back in her house, about to blow everything if she found out I was here. It was strangely quiet and my Keeper instincts went on high alert. I drew out my knife, which glinted dangerously in the light of the lamp.

“What are you doing?” Amelia asked, gazing at the room. “And where’s the witch? The one who can remove the mark?”

“Somewhere.” I hoped, but something felt off. “Stay here a minute. I’ll go get her.” Amelia sank down on the sofa, making herself at home. “Don’t worry, I m not going anywhere.” She kicked her feet on the table, mud falling off her boots.

My lip twitched and my knife itched to shut her up, but I turned my back on her and headed for the stairs. Each step creaked louder and I cringed, worried Gemma might hear me. If I worked this right, I could get in and out without her noticing. But when I reached the top of the stairs and saw that her door was cracked open, I couldn’t help it. It was like my legs didn’t belong to me anymore; they belonged to her. By the time I reached her door, my heart was all over the place and I wanted to choke it dead for making me so weak.

I peeked my head inside, blinking against the grayness of the low light. She was inside, I could feel her slight current of static. But there was no noise. She had to be asleep.

I gently pushed the door open, knowing what I was doing was wrong, but doing it anyway. I used to be more cautious about mistakes, think things through first, but that’s what she did to me. She confused my head and I ended up making stupid choices.

When I saw her lying in her bed, fast asleep, I stopped breathing. My hand fell to my side and I walked slowly across the room until I was next to her bed.

She was resting on her side, her cheek pressed against her pillow, hair all over the place, just like it always was. I should have left right then and there. I’d have been a better person if I did.

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But apparently, I was a selfish asshole. I let my fingers touch her hair, brushing it back and tucking it behind her ear.

She breathed deeply soundly not feeling the electric current. Which was strange because it was making me sweat.

I wished I could lean down and kiss her, press my lips against her cheeks. Honestly, I wished I could do a lot of things to her, things that could only be done behind closed doors. But that would never happen. Not if I couldn’t stop the vision from happening the way it was supposed to.

She let out a long sigh, like she sensed I was there. I decided it was time to go. I started to turn as she rolled over on her back. And what I saw made me sick. Her hands were tied, the rope cutting into her wrists. Blood was all over her neck and shirt and it looked like… I swept her hair back. Bite marks.

“What the?” I fell to my knees, placing my hands on her cheeks, my skin burning from her touch. “Gemma. Can you hear me?”

Her eyelids began to flutter open, but she looked like she was struggling. I pressed my hand to her cheek, her forehead, my jaw tightening. God, if he turned her I was going to kill him.

“Alex,” she mumbled, her eyelids flickering open. Then she was looking at me, like she thought she was dead. Her violet eyes wide and glossed over.

“You’re okay,” I said, but I wasn’t so sure.

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Chapter 9

(Gemma)

At first I thought I was dead, that Laylen had drained all my blood and left me to rot away in my bed. That maybe Alex was a ghost, that he’d died and I’d died and we’d joined each other in death.

But then I felt the dizziness, mixed with the sparkle of electricity, and my blood soared with fire.

“You’re here,” I muttered like an idiot. My forever shows up and the first thing I say is “you’re here.” Really Gemma? I sounded like a damsel-in-distress. I moved slowly to sit and he moved back, giving me breathing room.

I raised my tied arms, touching a finger to my neck, and then winced.

“What happened?” he said, urgent and eager, just the same as when he left.

I didn’t want to tell him. I knew if I did he might not think rationally and end up doing something that couldn’t be erased. What Laylen did it wasn’t his fault. He was under the control of another.

“I can’t remember.” I played dumb.

He cut the ropes that bound my wrists and freed me. I rubbed them, trying not to think about how the ropes got there in the first place.

“Gemma,” he began, trying to keep control. “Just tell me what happened.” I thought about lying again, but realized I was probably in danger and needed to get out of the house. I jumped to my feet, surprising him and my head, the room spinning with bright colors 40

and blurry shapes.

“Easy.” He wrapped his arm around my back, crossing a deadly line as he steadied me.

“Did Laylen do this to you?” he asked, like he already knew the answer.

I blinked the dizziness away. “He couldn’t help it… it was the mark.”

“The Mark of Malefiscus.” He ran a hand through his messy dark hair, letting out a long breath.

“How did he get it?” Then his knuckles tightened as he raised his knife, ready to stab whoever walked through the door. “Is he still here? And where’s Aislin and Aleesa?” I frowned, not wanting to be the one to break it to him. “They… umm… they all have the mark.”

He was already shaking his head. “How did that happen? I thought Stephan had to put the mark on them directly. And if he was here, I’m sure you wouldn’t be.” I shrugged. “I have no clue. I mean, one minute the house is quiet and the next,” I gestured at my neck, feeling a lump rise in my throat. “Laylen freaked out and bit me.” His jaw went taut. “Where is he… are they still here?”

I shrugged again. “I don’t know. They tied me up and the house has been quiet ever since.” A boom from downstairs sent me leaping toward him like a skittish cat. “Someone’s here.” He took my hand, holding the knife out as he guided me to the stairs. We peered down, but there was only darkness.

“Stay here,” he whispered, but I was already scooting past him.

“No way,” I whispered. “You don’t just get to show up and take over. I’m going down with 41

you.” Then I headed down the stairs, moving quietly through the dark, cupping my hand over my bleeding neck as my heart drummed in my chest.

But he beat me to the bottom, squeezing by at the very last step, giving my skin a good zap.

Another bang and we tiptoed for the living room. I found myself wishing we hadn’t put praesidium all around the house. Sure, it kept the Foreseers out, but it also kept this Foreseer in.

We were greeted by a woman in the living room doorway. Not just a woman, but a witch, dressed in black and hair to match. I moved to kick her and take her down, but Alex stuck his arm out, holding me back.

“Easy Tiger.” He was trying not to smile. “This is Amelia.” My eyebrows knitted together. “You brought a witch into the house?”

“She s helping me with… something,” he said.

“Is she the witch?” Amelia stared hypnotically at my eyes.

I shook my head, rolling my eyes. “Just because I have violet eyes doesn’t mean I’m a witch.” Her eyes lit up with hunger. “But you have so much power flowing off you. Both of you do.”

“That s because we stuck our finger in a socket,” Alex replied expressionlessly.

“Don’t be cute with me little boy.” Amelia narrowed her eyes, jabbing a finger at his chest.

“Where’s the witch? You promised me the witch that could remove the mark of evil?”

“You did what?” My jaw nearly hit the floor. “Why would you do that?” Alex waved me off. “She just needs Aislin s help taking the mark off her daughter. That’s all.” 42

Amelia laughed harshly. “That’s all. Do I need to remind you again what’s at stake here?” I crossed my arms and waited for Alex to explain. But, like always, he didn’t.

“Look,” he said to Amelia. “Aislin’s gone over to the Malefiscus side. She’s no longer going to be able to help you.”

Her eyes burnt with rage and she lifted her hands above her head, wiggling her fingers until they glistened. “Well then, I guess it’s time for you to die.” My head almost snapped off as I did a double-take at Amelia. “What? You can’t kill him just for that.”

“We can try and find her.” The nervousness in Alex’s voice made my heart skip a beat. “Maybe you could use a Tracker Spell on her or something.”

But Amelia only shook her head. “If that were possible, I’d have done it already. But she’s off the map no one can find her.” Then without another warning, the sparks sizzled.

I let out a breath, reaching for her hands, but Alex collapsed to the floor, hitting it like a bag of bricks.

“You killed him!” I screamed, eyes wide as I stared at Alex. “You stupid witch.” She’d already moved over to the coffee table, a black candle lit, an amethyst clutched in her hand. I stormed toward her, fury sweltering like a wildfire. She must have seen it in my eyes too, because she freaked out, chanting magic words under her breath. Then she plunged the amethyst into the flame, right as I snatched hold of her sleeve. But her magic was too strong and I had to let go or be tugged away with her.

Bumping my knee on the corner of the table, I scurried back to Alex. “Please, don’t be dead.

Please don’t be dead…” But he wasn’t breathing and the electricity was as lifeless as the house.

I sucked back the tears, touching my hand to his chest, feeling for a heartbeat. “You can’t be 43

dead.” Tears started to slip from my eyes. “Nicholas said you couldn’t… not without me.” But only the sound of my own tears.

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Chapter 10

(Alex)

Icould hear her flipping out as she searched for my pulse. Sharp breathes. Humming skin. Part of me wished I was dead and this was all over. She could go on living her life, happy and free.

But then, so could my father.

I forced my eyes open, meeting hers, beautiful and wildly insane. The first thing that came to my mind was to pull her down and kiss her. Which was stupid. But that was what she did to me. She made me crazy and out of control. But after a life controlled by my father, feeling insane and out-of-control was kind of a good thing.

But now wasn’t the time.

“Am I dead?” I joked because it was obvious I wasn’t.

Her face was pale. “No, you’re not dead. You can’t be dead without me.” I sat up, rubbing my head, and it felt like it’d been squeezed by vise grips. “You think that’s how we’re supposed to go? Together?”

She nodded. “But not because of the vision. Nicholas told me something about us.” I pulled a face at the mention of the stupid faerie. I hated Nicholas. Not just because he was obnoxious or a pain in the ass, but because of how he looked at Gemma, like he would rip her clothes off at the first chance he got. Too bad for him he was dead.

“Wait a minute!” I said. “I thought he was dead?”

“He is.” She sighed, raising her hand, showing me the ring her father gave her. “I can see ghosts now. Well, just two ghost Nicholas and my mother.”

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I gave her a funny look. “Your mother… but that would mean…”

“She died,” she breathed it softly and put on a brave face I could easily see through.

I tightened my hands to fists. “My father killed her.”

She shook her head, her dark hair falling in her face. “No, she did it to herself. To protect me.” I reached for her, wanting to comforter her, but she leaned back.

“Is that why you came back here?” she asked. “To find Aislin?” I eyed her over and she squirmed. “Yeah, I needed a witch to travel so I made a bargain. I said I’d get Aislin to help her if she took me where I needed to go.”

“A bargain where you had to die?” She met my eyes. “Well, that was stupid.”

“Yeah, pretty stupid.” My eyebrows dipped down. “But apparently I can’t die? At least according to the faerie.”

“He said we’re a packaged deal.” She pressed her lips together. “If one goes, than the other goes too.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but something crashed into the front door, making the whole house rock. I was on my feet in a matter of seconds, pulling her up like she was air. “We need to go, before the wrong person shows up.”

“What about Laylen?” She tugged back. “And Aislin and Aleesa.”

“They’re on their own now.” I started for the back door, but she didn’t move. She was stronger than she used to be I could feel it through her grip. And I’d be lying if I said it didn’t turn me on a little.

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“But they could do things harm others.”

“I know,” I said. “But what can we do? The only person I know who can remove the mark is Aislin. And if she’s one of them, I don t think she s going to be very into taking off the mark.” She bit at her bottom lip and frowned. “I guess… but my mom and Nicholas are going to be looking for me here.”

“Gemma,” I said, her refusal to move frustrating me. “They’ll have to find us. I mean if we stay here, my father will show up. You know he will, if he’s got to Aislin or Laylen.” She finally nodded. “But we have to find a way to save them, before they end up doing something they’ll regret.”

They probably already had, but I wasn’t going to share that with her. Then she’d want to go on a saving crusade. So we disappeared into the pitch black night, fires burning in the streets, the moon a large orb that reflected against her pale skin.

“Is this far enough away?” I asked as we approached the end of the snowy driveway.

“I think so,” she said and then shut her eyes. “Where should I take us?”

“A safe place.” Then, even though I knew I shouldn’t, I wrapped one arm around her waist pulling her close to me. Her smile murmured through me, but she pressed it back, trying to appear cool.

Then snow spun around us and she took us away.

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Chapter 11

(Gemma)

Ididn’t know what happened. Maybe seeing him threw me off, or maybe it was what he’d said about going somewhere safe that made me think of the place where my dad resided, inside his own head, where he was trapped all alone.

Alex glanced around, confused. “Where are we?”

I pulled a ‘whoops’ face. “I think I accidently took us into my dad’s head.” Alex stared at me blankly. “You took us into your dad’s head?” Things had changed since my last visit. The ocean was there, but the beach was rockier and the air was colder. The sky was full of thunder and flashes of lightening. Ocean waves crashed into the shore with the storm.

“Yeah, this is where my dad lives.” How weird was this? The first time my dad and Alex meet we’re inside my dad’s head? I shook the absurdity away. “I wonder where he is?” I hiked up the beach, sand sneaking into my DC’s. Thunder boomed above and waves threatened to steal us away.

“So this is what you thought of when I said a safe place?” Alex asked, staring at the waves.

“You know me,” I joked, kicking at the sand. “I like to keep you on your toes.” He pressed back a laugh and met my eyes. “So where’s your dad?” I shrugged, puzzled. “I’m not sure. Usually he just shows up.” The corners of his mouth quirked. “Well, it’s his head so he s got to be around.” 48

I nodded, biting my lip, trying to hold back the question I was dying to ask. But it slipped out anyway. “Are you leaving again?” I sputtered.

His adam’s apple bobbed. “I don’t know…” He shut his eyes, breathing in the salty ocean air. “I think I should.”

I wanted to argue, yell at him, beg him not to go. But I understood. I hated it, but knew it was probably the right thing to do. I nodded, voiceless.

His eyes opened, bright green, flashing against the lightening. “I don’t want to.” I was startled by the rawness of his words. “Then don’t.”

We stared each other down, our hearts pounding faster, electricity radiating more energy than the lightning bolts. And the pounding slowed as time drifted away and our lives started to drain.

“Here,” he said breaking the trance we’d fallen in to. He took off his jacket and slipped it on me, zipping it up tight. “Your dad might worry… with all the blood on your neck and shirt.” I tucked my hands into the sleeves, breathing in the scent of him. “So what did you find out on your little excursion?” I asked, trying to distract my thoughts from his scent, not wanting to be a total weirdo.

We headed further down the beach. “Not much. You?”

“What do you know about the Afterlife?”

He hit an abrupt stop. “Why did you ask that?”

“Because…” I replied. “That’s where my mom said I had to go.” The wind blew my hair in my face. “To visit a woman named Helena.”

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He shook his head, his hair stuck up in all kinds of directions. “No way. You can’t go there, it’s the Afterlife for God’s sake, as in the place where a Lost Soul goes after someone dies an unneeded death.”

I shrugged, biting at my nails. “So what? If it can fix everything then it’s worth it?” My answer seemed to make him kind of angry. “So you re okay with that dying. And me too, since we’re supposed to be a package deal.”

I placed my hands on his shoulders and he flinched. “You’re going to be fine. You’re going to bring me back.”

“No freaking way,” he snapped, moving his face closer to mine. “It should be me. You don’t need to die.”

I started to argue, but was cut off by the sound of a familiar voice.

“Gemma.”

Dropping my hands from Alex, I turned to my dad, giving him a small smile. But he looked anything but happy to see me, his violet eyes unwelcoming, his silver robe blowing in the wind. “You need to go, now!”

I jolted my head back, shocked. “What’s —”

A crackle of ice interjected and the rushing water rapidly froze over, the waves chilling in their place. Suddenly blacked-cloaked figures with corpse-like skin marched toward us, stirring up a cloud of sand.

The Death Walkers had returned.

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