by Danica Rayne
He rubbed my back, saying soothing words and telling me over and over how much he loved me.
“I wish I could come with you,” my muffled voice said.
Dad pulled back to look into my eyes. “There is still a lot you need to accomplish on this Earth. I saw your future, Alivia.” He cupped my cheek. “You’re going to be okay. You’re going to be happy.”
“I won’t,” I said as tears glided down my cheeks. “I can never be truly happy with you and Mom gone.” I reached for her hand.
She placed hers inside. “We want you to be happy.” She lifted our interlocked hands and pressed a kiss to mine. “That’s all we want, honey, for you to be happy.”
“But I can’t.”
“You can,” Dad said. “You’re our brave girl.”
“Open your heart again,” Mom added. “Open it to love. Let yourself be vulnerable.”
I just wept.
“We don’t want you to spend the rest of your life mourning over us,” she continued. “Please promise you’ll try to be happy. Please promise you’ll live a full and healthy life.”
“Mom, Dad,” I choked out.
Mom wrapped her arms around me and Dad put his over the both of us. “Promise us, sweetheart,” he said. “That’s our only wish.”
I wiped my eyes as I looked into my mother’s face and then my father’s. “Okay. I promise I’ll try to be happy.”
We remained in each other’s arms for quite a while, until Dad reluctantly said that it was time for him and Mom to leave.
“Say goodbye to Aunt Bea for me,” Mom said. “Tell her I love her.”
Hands clasped, they blew me a kiss. “Remember that we love you forever,” they said as they started to fade away. “And that we’ll always be there for you. Watching over you.”
I blew them my own kiss as they vanished.
I was back in the real world now, the others no longer faded into the background.
“The pillars are restored!” Callie cried, then high-fived me and the others.
It didn’t seem like I lost any time when I was with my parents. It must have taken place in only seconds. I was in a daze as I looked around the room, as everyone whooped and high-fived each other, my thoughts still lingering on the encounter with my mom and dad.
“Portal’s closed and the pillars are restored, but there are still cracks in the barrier,” Marny said, shooting me a teasing grin. “Still not off the hook, Alivia.”
“The cracks will always be there,” Elisa said, “bringing in supernaturals along with them. As long as they’re here, we’ll be here.”
“But hopefully without a demon lord trying to open another portal,” Manry said with an exhausted huff.
“He threatened he’d be back,” I said. “He said he’d come after me and everyone I loved.”
Callie threw her arm around me. “He was just trying to scare you.”
“He’s not dead,” Marny stressed. “Which is why we should never lower our guard. But it will probably take another few hundred years until he regains his strength. But we have nothing to worry about as long as the pillars stand.”
“As long as no one accidentally weakens them,” I said.
“We’ve forgiven your mom,” Elisa reassured me.
“I know,” I said. “I think that’s another reason why she’s moved on.”
“Moved on?” Aunt Bea asked as she moved closer to me, her eyes searching mine. “You saw her?”
With a hard swallow, I nodded. “I saw her and Dad. He led her to the next world. Or wherever it is dead people go.”
She enveloped me in her arms. “I’m so glad she’s moved on. She’s with your father now.”
I nodded, holding back a new batch of tears.
“Hate to break this up,” Marny said, “but there’s still a lot of supernaturals out there.”
“And that’s not the worst of it,” Callie said as we made our way out of the high school. “We have to deal with the humans now. Not to mention all the damage that battle…” Her voice trailed off as we took in the sight before us.
“What the…?” Liam gasped.
Edgewood wasn’t destroyed. The buildings stood tall and the trees and grass were pure green. It was beautiful and perfect, just as it had been before the portal was opened.
“It must have been the witches,” Elisa said. “They made it all disappear. They made the humans forget.”
“Always having our back,” Marny said with a smile. “That takes care of the human problem.” She looked at all of us with soft eyes. “I think it’s time we head back home.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Call whenever you want,” Callie said as she hugged me. “And not just for slayer stuff.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
She winked.
“You sure you don’t want me to give you a lift?” Liam asked, just as he had asked the other slayers.
“Thanks, hun,” she said. “But you all must be beyond exhausted. I might take you up on your offer another time, though,” she said with a grin. “You’re a badass, Dragon Boy.”
Liam beamed. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
She waved before leaving with the others, either to the airport, bus station, or train station.
Aunt Bea hugged me. “Is it okay if I leave you? I should probably check in with the precinct and see what’s going on.”
“I’ll be fine,” I promised her.
She waved goodbye before walking off to call a cab.
It was just Liam, Kayden, Finn, and me remaining, since Ryker had gone home to shift and get dressed, and Levi was home taking care of his injury.
“You saved the day, Alivia,” Liam said, a large grin eating his face.
“I couldn’t have done it without any of you,” I said as I hugged each one and kissed his cheek. “You, my aunt, your foster dad. The slayers.”
I caught Finn with a troubled look on his face. I slipped my hand into his. “Let’s go see your sister.”
We were about to grab onto Kayden so he could super-speed us to the Caldwell mansion, when I caught sight of Lawrence walking down the street. “I’ll be back in a second,” I said as I made my way over.
He looked surprised when he saw me approaching, his face growing uncomfortable and cautious. “Hey, Larry,” I said. “Is it okay if I call you Larry?”
A nostalgic look passed over his face. “I guess. That’s what my mom…” He swallowed hard. “Never mind.”
“Are you okay?”
His eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Yeah. Why do you ask?”
I studied him. He didn’t remember what happened. The witches must have wiped it from his memory as well.
“Uh, no reason,” I said. “Where are you off to?”
He shrugged. “Nowhere in particular.”
“Maybe you can hang out with me and the guys sometime.”
His eyes lit up for a second, and then his face grew wary. “Why would you want to hang out with me all of a sudden?”
“I know what it’s like to be lonely,” I admitted. “To not have friends.”
He snorted. “Right.”
“You don’t have to be lonely anymore, Larry.” I gestured to the guys. “Sit with us by lunch tomorrow.”
He looked unsure. Then he nodded and walked away.
Liam threw his arm over me. “You’re awesome.”
“Thanks.” I gently pulled away from his heat.
“Crap. After all this, I’m still the same.”
I wasn’t sure about that. I’d seen the way he shot fire at the demon lord. His dragon side was definitely growing stronger.
We grabbed onto Kayden and he sped us to their house. I followed the guys down to the basement, where we heard chains being yanked on. And then the wendigo came into our view, locked behind metal bars. She was growling silently as she whipped her arms around, pulling on the chains so strongly that her wrists and ankles bled.
Dr. Caldwell and Ryker were already there, watching h
er with uncertain expressions in their eyes. I moved closer to get a better look at her. She looked so similar to Finn.
Finn pressed his forehead against the bars as he watched his sister thrash around and growl silently like she was an animal. The pain in his eyes was so strong that my heart hurt. From the way his eyebrows creased as he stared at her, I knew he was trying to communicate with her. But she continued to whack her arms in different directions, her eyes wild with insatiable hunger.
Dr. Caldwell motioned for the four of us to join him on the side as Finn continued to try to break through to her.
“What do you think?” Kayden asked.
He pressed his lips together before saying, “This doesn’t look so good. She’s much older than when I found Finn. I don’t know if I can train her like I did with him.”
“So what’s the other choice?” Ryker asked. “To throw her back out there and let her kill people?”
“Of course not. I’m afraid we’ll have to keep her locked away for the rest of her life.”
I looked at Finn, whose shoulders slumped.
“Are you sure there’s nothing you can do?” I asked.
“I’ll try, but I can’t make any promises.”
I walked over to Finn and slid my hand into his. We watched his sister yank on the chains with all of her strength, until she tired herself out and dropped to the ground.
I’ve always wished to meet someone like me, Finn said in my head. Used to hope and dream. I didn’t want to be alone in the world.
I squeezed his hand.
And then I found someone like me, he continued. My own family. And there’s nothing I can do to help her.
I gathered him in my arms and cradled him against me. His chest heaved. “At least she’s safe and can’t hurt anyone,” I said. “We’re helping her, even if she doesn’t know it.”
I wish she knew I was like her. I can’t get through to her. I don’t even know if she can communicate like me.
Kayden tapped my shoulder. “We need to pay the witch a visit,” he said with a frown.
“I almost forgot.” I gave Finn a quick kiss on his cheek and moved out of his arms. “I owe her a promise.”
“Screw her,” Ryker said. “I’m not going to let her do this to you, Alivia. Let her come and—”
I squeezed his arm. “I signed the agreement. I need to do this, Ryke.”
He folded his arms across his chest and glowered.
“Take a good look at my face,” I joked. “It’s the last time you’ll see it. I wonder how Aunt Bea will react,” I mused. “Maybe I should have warned her.”
“Levi, is there anything we can do?” Ryker asked.
He looked apologetic. “If you made a deal with a witch, you’d better uphold it. You do not want to scorn a witch. You have no idea what they’re capable of.”
The guys glanced at me like they wished they could do something.
I raised my head. “Okay, I’m ready to do this. Do you all want to come with me?”
“Hell yeah, I’m coming,” Ryker said as he pounded his fist into his palm. “I’m going to give that witch a piece of my mind.”
“No.” I caught his fist. “I don’t want you to come if you’ll start trouble.”
“It isn’t fair, Alivia!”
“It isn’t fair that my parents were killed, or that your mom was killed. It isn’t fair that Kayden had to kill his mom and that Finn’s sister can’t be helped. We can’t whine about this. I made a deal with the witch and now I have to pay the price. So can I count on you to be mature about this and not make me feel any worse than I already do?”
He nodded as he hugged me. “Yes. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. Let’s just get this over with.”
***
Agnes’s daughter, Mildred, didn’t seem too pleased to see us, but she ushered us into the back room the moment we stepped into the building.
Agnes grinned when she took me in. “You came back.”
“Did you think I wouldn’t?”
“You are your mother’s daughter.” Her gaze shifted over me. “But you’re different from her. I sensed it the moment I saw you. So yes, I knew you’d return.”
“Then you know why I’m here.” I crossed my arms over my chest at the sudden chill. “Let’s get this over with.”
She motioned for me to move forward, and then an invisible force pushed me over to her. Her eyes danced with joy. “You know the terms of our agreement. In exchange for the Dark Eye you used to shut the portal, you grant me your youth and beauty.”
I tried to ignore the pang in my chest. “Yes,” I said in a low voice.
Ryker stormed forward. “I can’t let you do this to her! What has she done to deserve this? She’s scarified enough as a slayer. She lost her parents, she’s doomed to slay monsters for the rest of her life—”
“Do I need to put a muzzle on you, wolf?” she snapped.
Kayden stepped forward with his head slightly lowered. “I’m begging you to reconsider. Please don’t do this to Alivia. She has her whole life ahead of her. She—”
The witch’s eyes glinted. “Are you saying you won’t love her if she’s ugly?”
“Of course I’ll love her!” he snapped back. “I’ll love her no matter what she looks like.”
“Then I don’t see the problem.” She clapped her hands.
“What do you need to look young and beautiful for?” Liam demanded.
“What was that, dragon?”
Liam stepped forward with a furious expression, his eyes growing a little red. “I asked, why do you need to look young and beautiful? You’re over a thousand years old. You’ve lived your life. You’ve fallen in love and had kids and grandkids. Why take this away from Alivia?”
“Watch it, dragon. This place isn’t fire proof and I don’t have fire insurance.”
I reached for his hand and pulled him backward. “It’s okay, Liam.”
“Does anyone else have anything to add?” the witch said in a bored tone. She pinned her gaze on Finn. “Anything, wendigo? But please not in my mind.”
“He doesn’t have anything to say,” I answered before he could say anything. “This wasn’t their decision. It was mine. I told you I’m ready to do this.”
“No, Alivia,” Ryker pleaded as I moved closer to the witch and nodded.
She shot out her hand and grabbed me by the neck, tugging me so close to her face I felt her breath on my cheek. “My, my, you really are such a lovely creature. Smooth skin.” Her other hand moved over my cheek. “So young. I’m giddy just thinking how beautiful I’ll look.”
“You really are a witch.” Liam’s voice seared with anger. I couldn’t see him because the witch had me in a death grip, but I could feel his heat bouncing off the walls. If he didn’t relax, he could light the whole place on fire.
Her finger continued to trace my cheek, and I closed my eyes, preparing for whatever was to come. I wondered if it would be painful. How much would it hurt to see the guys’ expressions when they saw my new face for the very first time? What if they didn’t want to have anything to do with me? I didn’t think they were that shallow to care about my looks, but it could change everything between us. What if I lost the guys for good? I knew I had agreed to this and needed to accept my fate, but I wanted to take a few seconds to allow myself to mourn.
I didn’t feel any pain, though. Cold lips pressed on my forehead, and then I was gently pushed away. My eyes flew open and I stared at the witch in total confusion.
She waved her hand. “Consider the agreement fulfilled.”
“What?” I asked as my gaze moved between her and the guys, who seemed just as baffled as me.
She shooed me away. “You can go now.”
I pressed my hands to my cheeks as I studied her face, which looked exactly the same. “But my face…”
“Yes, your face is young and beautiful, just like it was when you first came in here. Do you want me to change my mind?”
�
�No, but…” I moved closer to her and placed my hands on the table. “But why?”
Her eyes snapped to mine, and they softened a little. “I gave you a witch’s blessing instead. Any curse that your mother took upon herself when she betrayed me—which she unknowingly passed onto you—has been absolved.”
I just blinked at her. “But why?”
“Because I never intended to take your face, girl. It was just a test. If you were willing to give up something important to you to save others and keep the world safe, then you are the slayer Edgewood needs. I know you’ll continue doing good in the world. And as to why I gave you the witch’s blessing? Because you haven’t walked in your mother’s footsteps. You’ve proven to me that you’re a true slayer, and Edgewood is lucky to have you as its protector.”
I just stood there, frozen, still not sure I fully grasped what had just happened.
“So you’re not going to take her face?” Ryker asked.
“No, wolf. I’m not taking her face.”
He ran over, took hold of my waist, and spun me around. I locked my arms around his neck, pressing my cheek against his. “I didn’t think you’re the shallow type,” I joked.
“No, never. I didn’t want it because of me, but because of you. I didn’t want to see the heartbroken look on your face whenever you looked in the mirror.”
I tightened my arms on him. “I would have been okay.”
“I know you would have,” he whispered. “But you shouldn’t have to sacrifice that much.”
“Enough of this show of emotion,” the witch snapped. “Leave my shop before I vomit.”
I couldn’t help but laugh as I followed the guys out of the room. But my legs came to a halt when Finn just stood there, staring at Agnes.
“Finn?” I asked.
He strode over to the witch and rested his hands on the table, boring his eyes into hers.
“Wait, just wait,” she cried, as she waved her hand over his mouth, once again turning his teeth human. “Yes, what do you want?”
“I thought about asking it for me,” he admitted. “Ever since we got back. I planned it and thought exactly what I was going to say to convince you. But I don’t want it for myself anymore. I want it for someone else.”
She watched him carefully. “You’re referring to the other wendigo. Your sister.”
