Fallen: A Dark Paranormal Romance (Secret Society of Souls, Book 2)

by K. C. RILEY

  “All right, dear. Don’t forget. My place next Thursday at 6:00 p.m. I want to make sure we get good seats.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  Still thinking about what I had gotten myself into, I went and topped off a couple more customers with a fresh pot of coffee.

  Luckily, the Fallen venom was keeping me fairly grounded, even though my mind was rolling a mile a minute.

  I still had no idea what Cassie had up her sleeve to unbind my magic and wished she would hurry it up. Time was running out. And what about Mason? I talked a big game, but how on earth were we supposed to save him?

  I needed to think. The one person I kept coming back to through all of it was Aunt Vye.

  Aunt Vye got skittish anytime we talked magic. It was clear it was a topic she wanted to avoid altogether. And who could blame her? Magic had destroyed our family. Yet, somehow I got the feeling she knew more about The Society, this town, and me than she was letting on. I may not have been able to say a word about The Society, but I could still ask about the binding spell. One had nothing to do with the other.

  It was a busy day at the café and that was a good thing because it kept my mind off of thinking about Jake. Well, for the most part.

  Vye’s wasn’t the same place without him. Nowhere was. Most people had Jake all wrong. Including me. Underneath the hard, guarded look on his face, the smart mouth, and keeping to the shadows, was a warm, sensitive, loving, nurturing guy. One that knew how to laugh, could make me smile, and say just the right thing to weaken my own walls. It was strange how in so many ways Jake could see me better than I could see myself.

  Who you are is more than enough. That was one of the last things he’d said to me. That, and I love you.

  My mind quickly drifted to Jake’s sketchbook, the one I found in his drawer the night I broke into his room. He had drawn a sketch of me in class holding a pen at my lip. The way he captured the light and shadow in my hair and eyes still sent butterflies fluttering up and down my body. Jake didn’t see me as something evil, ugly, or the end of the world. Instead, he saw me as someone and something beautiful.

  “Hey!” a customer yelled.

  I had completely zoned out while pouring water into a customer’s glass. “I am so sorry,” I said, grabbing a bunch of napkins to wipe the table and the customer down.

  I needed to pull it together.

  At some point in time the crowd settled down and I finally had the chance to approach Aunt Vye.

  “Hey, Aunt Vye, you got a sec?”

  “Of course, hun.” Aunt Vye threw a rag over her shoulder. And wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. “What is it?”

  “Can we talk in the back?”

  Her face crinkled with worry. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah. I just wanted to ask you something.”

  “All right.”

  I followed her into the storage room where we could be alone.

  Aunt Vye plopped in a chair and huffed as though she was worn out. “I sure do appreciate you coming in like this. It’s been hard finding good help without you and Jake onboard.” Aunt Vye suddenly paused as though she had said the wrong thing. “Oh, honey, I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay,” I lied.

  “So, what’s on your mind?”

  “Remember how you said that Jedidiah and I had been born with abilities?”

  “Sure, I do.”

  “Well, even though the ascension mark is gone, I still can’t access that magic. I talked to a friend who specializes in these matters and she says that someone bound my powers. Any idea who?”

  Aunt Vye’s face fell from grateful to worried. She sighed deeply before placing her hands on the arms of the chair to push herself up. “Wait, here.”

  I nodded wondering what she was up to and why she hadn’t answered my question. She soon returned with a small black-metal jewelry box and handed it to me. Swirling silver leaves adorned the entire thing. And on top of the lid was the sun.

  “What is it?”

  “Open it,” Aunt Vye said mysteriously.

  “Ewwwww,” I said, almost dropping the box. Inside was a hairy black shriveled paw with three boney fingers. “What is it?” I asked, horrified.

  “You know how I feel about magic. But I also know you’re as stubborn as your mother and your grandfather. It’s a monkey’s paw. It belonged to him.”

  I couldn’t un-scrunch my face. “And I’m supposed to do what with it?”

  “Ezra gave this to me in case I ever needed to talk to him again. Three fingers for three questions. Only one finger can be used at a time to call him from the lake. Of course, it means you’ll have to go back there. However, if someone has bound you, Ezra would be the one to tell you who, and how to remove it.”

  Gross or not, it was the first real lead to anything I’d had in days. I plunged into Aunt Vye with a big bear hug.

  “What’s that for?”

  “Helping me,” I said, close to tears.

  “Oh, sweetheart, I told you, there isn’t anything you can’t tell me or anything I won’t do for you. Ever.” Aunt Vye pulled me off of her with a stern face. “Just promise me one thing. You’ll be careful.”

  “Promise.”

  It didn’t hit me until we were almost upfront, the part where she’d said that I had to go back to the lake.

  The memories of Aunt Norah I had been trying to banish from my head for weeks flooded in. I wanted to ask Aunt Vye if there was any other way or any risk of releasing Aunt Norah in the process of calling up Ezra. But she was already with a customer.

  I can do this. Moreover, Aunt Vye had done enough. There was no point in causing her to worry more than she already was.

  By 6:30 p.m., I had finished the day and was hurrying out the café door when I ran smack dab into someone. And not just anyone. Kai. There was just so much going on, I had completely forgotten I was supposed to meet him at Vye’s to talk.

  “Liz?” Kai asked, peeling me off of him.

  “Hey,” I said, startled. It was déjà vu running into him all over again. Only thing was, this time neither of us knew exactly what to say to the other. “You look good.”

  Considering everything he had gone through, Kai’s crystal-gray eyes were still full of life, sparkle, and soul. He had ditched the prickly five o'clock shadow for a smoother shave, something that gave him a younger look.

  “I don’t know about that.” Kai scratched the back of his head. “But you, you’re radiant.”

  The wind blew my hair in my face as I blushed and tamed the flying strands behind my ear.

  Kai leaned down and whispered in my ear. “So, what’s your secret?”

  If he only knew. “Lots of water and rest,” I said, smiling. “I hate to do this to you. But...”

  “Wait. You’re not standing me up, are you?”

  Like a spider, the guilt inched up my spine. “No,” I quickly lied. “There’s just a thing I’ve got to do.”

  Kai went quiet. The expression on his face—lost like he really wanted to talk. I didn’t want to put him off. But I also couldn’t explain anything about The Society or a funeral for a 400-year-old raven.

  “It’s a private memorial.”

  “Oh. I’m sorry. Was it someone close?”

  “Not exactly.” The more I tried to dodge Kai’s questions the worse I felt about ditching him. “I mean, you could wait in the car I suppose if you’re up for it,” I said, trying to fudge a way to do both. “It shouldn’t be long. The only—”

  “Great, your car or mine?” A smile melted the disappointment on his face.

  “The only thing,” I continued, “...is that it’s at Mrs. Ellington’s estate.”

  “Oh.” Kai paused for a moment, his expression frozen as though caught off guard. But then something changed. “Like I said, your car or mine?”

  After everything that had happened, I never thought he would want to go back there. Hell, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go back there. What choice did I have?
Especially, after killing Thalius. “Are you sure?” I stuttered.

  “I’m a big boy. I can handle Mrs. Ellington. Besides, the ride over will give us a chance to talk. We can grab something to eat afterward.”

  I was already running late and still needed to change. “Sounds good, but I’m driving.”

  “I’m all yours,” Kai said. “Who did you say the memorial was for again?”

  “A very old, dear friend of Mrs. Ellington’s,” I said, walking toward the car. “She requested that some of the alumni and students from school be there. But again, it’s private. So you’ll have to wait outside.”

  “Right. Of course.”

  I only prayed I wasn’t digging a hole I couldn’t get out of.

  Kai and I got in my car. I started her up, and she rumbled and backfired a dark cloud of smoke, again. I had been meaning to get her fixed, but with what money and what time? There was close to nine hundred dollars in my savings account since working part-time for Aunt Vye. Sadly, it wasn’t enough.

  “Come on, girl, just a couple more days. I swear I’ll get you all fixed up.” I tried starting her again. She ignited but then quickly died. And that was before choking to death. Devastated at what else could go wrong, I plopped my head at the top of the steering wheel.

  “It’s okay,” Kai chuckled.

  My voice cracked. “No... it’s not.” It had been one thing after the other. I could hear Kai dialing a number on his phone and asking for a tow. While it was sweet, what was I going to do without a car? And how much was it going to cost? The tow, repairs, all of it? Defeated before even getting started, I refused to lift my head. Every time I would take two steps forward, it was like life was kicking me in the gut five steps back.

  However, Kai’s voice was reassuring. At least, there was that.

  “It’s going to be okay,” he said. “A tow will be here in ten minutes.”

  “Thanks,” I said, lifting my head from the steering wheel.

  “I told him you would leave the keys in the car.” Kai opened the door to get out. “Come on. We’ve still got a memorial to go to.”

  “But—”

  “Trust me. Clyde owns the mechanic shop a few blocks down.”

  “I thought you didn’t know anyone in town aside from me and Mrs. Ellington.”

  “Yeah. That all changed when I bought the old bookstore down the street. I’ve been in town for about a couple of weeks now working out the details. I managed to make a few friends here and there. Besides, Clyde owes me a favor.”

  “Wow,” I said, dumbfounded. “Why would you ever come back here to live?” The words just slipped out.

  Kai’s eyes softened. “Liz, it wasn’t all bad.” A warm confidence oozed from his voice. “After everything that happened...I couldn’t leave you here by yourself.”

  I swallowed, both speechless and warmed.

  “I heard about Jake,” Kai continued, “and I think by now you know how I feel about you. But I also respect how you feel about Jake. I’m just here to help as a friend.”

  That’s what I had been saying all along. We were just friends.

  “All I’m saying is that whatever you need, I’m here,” he continued.

  Someone knocked on the window. The tow guy.

  “So,” Kai said. “Are we going to this funeral or not?”

  The kiss with Kai was just a bad dream. I just had to keep telling myself that.

  12

  Kai said he wanted to talk but hadn’t said a word the entire ride. Neither had I. The whole affair was surreal, us returning to the house of the enemy. I wanted to tell him about the things I had found in Mrs. Ellington’s cellar. How she had conjured Aunt Norah from the dead so she could bring her deceased husband back. Then again, if he remembered everything, he probably already knew that. So, why wasn’t he saying anything? Why wasn’t I?

  Kai slowly pulled up beside several black limos that were parked in front of the mansion.

  I sat Ezra’s jewelry box onto the floor. I then got out of the car and jumped into the back seat where I changed into a black shirt, matching jeans, and a pair of heavy combat boots I had fallen in love with. Another little item I had found at the thrift store. Wearing them made me feel stronger. Braver.

  “Are you sure you want to do that here?” Kai held his face forward as he blushed in the driver’s seat of his car.

  “It’ll only take a sec,” I said struggling with the shirt. I slipped on the jeans and laced up the strings on my boots. “All done.”

  Kai refused to turn around.

  “Are you sure you’re okay with all of this?” I asked.

  “Absolutely,” Kai said, his face still beet red. “I’ll be right here.”

  “I won’t be long,” I said, getting out of the car.

  “Hey,” he called from the window. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  I nodded. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

  There were so many unanswered questions. Mrs. Ellington’s dead husband and the girl stuffed in her closet. For days I had been checking the newspaper for any sign from the police of foul play. What more did they need? I had told them everything. It may have been anonymous, but still.

  How was I supposed to go in there and act as if nothing had happened?

  The weight of my boots grounded me with each step I took toward the porch.

  I pushed open the unlocked door as quietly as I could. The foyer was beautiful as ever. Grand vases of white lilies were everywhere, and the Cinderella staircase was still pristine. Even though I had been as quiet as a mouse, Louise, the maid, must have heard me.

  “Good afternoon, Miss Maverick.” The glint in Louise’s eyes sparkled black and was gone as fast it had revealed itself.

  That or I was crazy. Louise was a witch and on Fallen venom?

  As far as I knew, the only people that were supposed to have access to the venom were The Society. It was either that or she had found a warm Fallen to cozy up to. What if she was in cahoots with Mrs. Ellington?

  “The funeral is this way.” The tone in her voice was darkly confident, like she knew something I didn’t.

  “Thanks,” I said, on edge. The bottom line hadn’t changed. I couldn’t trust anyone in this town or this house. Not even the maid. I followed Louise down the hall to the parlor.

  A wicked smile curled at the corner of her mouth as she opened the door. “You’ll be fine.”

  I had no idea what that meant until everyone’s eyes were all on me as I entered the room. Serves me right for being late. I quickly scanned around for an open seat amongst rows of elegant white chairs, set up as if this were an outdoor wedding.

  All the attendees were exquisitely dressed in all black, a wealthy sea of high-end suits and ties, designer black shoes, handbags, fancy hats, and dresses. I was the only misfit in black jeans, a T-shirt, and combat boots. I looked more like a burglar than someone dressed for a funeral. On a brighter note, at least, I was dressed in the right color.

  Another quick scan of the room revealed Headmaster Wheeler sitting among Sister Clara, Sister Maria, the students, and many other adults I didn’t recognize. So he was a part of The Society. Hmmm.

  I bolted straight to the back, shrinking smaller and smaller with each stare and clunky step. Everyone’s glance finally returned to Mrs. Ellington who stood up front next to a child-sized black and silver casket. Morbid, I know.

  Sniffles, and people blowing their noses, synced perfectly with the organ music that played. I had no idea Thalius had been so well known or loved within The Society, and I was back to being a horrible human being.

  One by one, people got up from their seats to go view the body and pay their respects. By the time they had gotten to the last row, I had almost chickened out. With my eyes glued to the floor the entire time, I got up and went anyway. I completely avoided all eye contact with Mrs. Ellington as I approached the casket.

  There, Thalius laid like he was sleeping, his black feathers—what were left of them anyway—half gl
istening in the light. He seemed peaceful, at rest. At least, he hadn’t suffered. Much.

  “I’m so sorry,” I said, under my breath.

  Mrs. Ellington cleared her throat. Either that, or it was her way of calling me a big lying piece of crap for killing her bird. I quickly paid my respects and darted back to my seat.

  After an operatic solo by one of the students, the organ music stopped and Mrs. Ellington gave the eulogy. I tried to pay attention but I couldn’t stop thinking about the spell books she had used to raise Aunt Norah’s spirit from the dead.

  For whatever stupid reason, the spell books in Alexandria had been placed on hold. And Sister Clara said finding a spell to release my bind and bring Jake back could take weeks. Was she kidding? Jake didn’t have that kind of time. I could feel it.

  My mind rolled back to the spell books in Mrs. Ellington cellar.

  I glanced over at Josie and Cassie who were sitting with Boyd. In spite of the venom, Josie still looked wrecked. Worried. And poor Mason was nowhere in sight. I just hoped he wasn’t suffering.

  Cassie was working on a way to save him but what was The Society doing?

  My thoughts, once again, skipped to the spell books in the cellar. Sure, Cassie was doing her thing with the dark web, but maybe there was a way to speed up the process for everyone involved. Jake. Me. And Mason.

  The image of that poor girl Kai, possessed by my Aunt Nora, had sucked to death and stuffed in Mrs. Ellington’s library closet crawled up my spine. So did the muddy pool, the animal bones, the burnt candles, spells, and photos of Mr. and Mrs. Ellington I had found in her cellar.

  I was off my rocker to even consider going back down there, however, if it meant getting Jake back and maybe even helping Cassie to find a spell that could save Mason…

  I stared at the clock on the wall.

  Mrs. Ellington had been talking for the past twenty minutes when she finally said, “Thank you all for coming. Have a wonderful evening.”

  The organ music started to play while everyone got up and formed a crowd around Mrs. Ellington. Perfect. At least, getting out would be a lot easier than it was getting in.