Avenge

by Sarah M. Ross

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  This was the hardest decision I’d ever been forced to make, but it needed to be done. It was the only way. I thought for hours, but nothing else made sense. The vampires would see through any tricks or deceit. After all, they were the experts on such matters. And they certainly wouldn’t release Max or Jessica without a huge price being paid. It sucked, but I saw no other way. I hoped my team could forgive me.

  I returned to the pool house and grabbed a spare pair of black track pants and a maroon and yellow fitted tee shirt from the locker room storage area and slipped them on over my now dry swimsuit. I traded my flip flops for a conjured pair of steel-toed boots and silver-tipped gloves that I kept in my pocket for now before I made my way back to my hiding spot.

  A few hours passed. I sat on the floor of the storage shed until most of the souls retired to the movie room or to other indoor areas for the night. While I sat there, I put phase one of my plan in action and began hastily scribbling on the dirt floor. I knew I still ran a huge risk of running into another Patronus, but I hadn’t heard a ping announcing an alert to be on the lookout for me, so I shouldn’t have too much trouble. Unless my access was cut off. That could be a problem. I pulled up my screen and flipped through a few apps, but nothing looked out of the ordinary. I sighed in relief. I needed my bracelet to help me more than ever.

  I shook off the doubt. Standing up, I tiptoed out of the storage area, careful to step over my handiwork and not scuff or smear it—it wouldn’t help me much then. I made my way to one of the many realm transfer doors. I stood frozen for a few minutes, hand on the knob as I talked myself into making the jump I hated most. This decision was scary as hell without adding in dreaded realm transfers, but I couldn’t see any other way. I needed to believe that this plan, no matter how crazy, would work. Both Max and Jessica were worth it—they were worth more than I could ever give, and I believed that this would be enough. I hoped I had enough of me still inside somewhere.

  I took a deep breath, opened the door, and plunged myself inside before any other doubts crept in. The impact hit me, and I immediately knew what I’d done wrong. I’d not let go of any of my anxiety, so when I jumped my chest was already tight and my muscles were already strained. This was not the best way to transfer realms. I was only adding pressure to strain, and I knew I’d be in for it when I got to my destination. Luckily, the destination was not too far.

  I was there before I could think any more of it, and when I opened the door to St. Augustine, I fell to my knees and vomited. Twice.

  After spending a few minutes taking slow, deep breaths and regaining my composure, I stood up and looked around. I’d been to St. Augustine several times with my family and on school trips, but looking at it now I was seeing it in a whole new light. I wasn’t sure if it was the fact that Max and other vampires were here somewhere or if it was because it was the oldest city in America (and therefore had a very long history), but I could feel the city. It was almost as if it were alive, like it had a pulse. It hummed through me, making me want to gravitate toward it.

  My feet wandered through the cobblestone streets. I breathed deeply, feeling the thick, moist air around me. I didn’t have a destination; I knew I was getting closer to everything—I was like a magnet being drawn to it. My body was beginning to feel more alive, like when I was human. I wanted to hold on to that feeling forever. It was intoxicating. After what seemed like weeks of my body being tense and nervous, this feeling of being alive was almost overwhelming. I wanted to bathe in it.

  I stopped walking for a second and closed my eyes. Something wasn’t right. Why did I feel all floaty and lulled? If I didn’t know any better, I’d say I was high. Were my eyes all black right now? That thought caused alarm bells to go off in my gut, but before I could think more about it, the euphoria washed over me again and I sighed blissfully. I didn’t want anything to be wrong. I wanted to enjoy this, no matter what it meant. If only Max were here with me.

  I ended up at the Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest fort in North America. It was several hours past closing time, but I easily slipped inside through the drawbridge walls. I somehow knew I needed to be here, but I didn’t know why. I wound my way through the long, narrow corridor, inhaling the musty scent that reminded me of a very old library. I traced my fingers along the coarse stones that adorned the walls, keeping my pace slow and concentrating on the timbre of my heartbeat as it increased with every step I took.

  The building itself made a large square, with an open courtyard in the center. I traced the outer edge of the building and then found a set of steps that led to an underground area. Defying the red rope that warned patrons not to enter, I glided down the stairs. Along the way, several gas lit torches came to life, guiding my path as I walked.

  Somewhere deep inside, I knew that should have been a warning, but with each step I took, I could feel myself coming closer to Max. And I needed that connection. I craved it with every fiber of my being. So I kept walking down the steps, going deeper and deeper into the crypt. My heart sped up—though I couldn’t say if it was due to nerves or anticipation of seeing Max. I forced myself not to walk any faster and attempted to be cautious of my surroundings.

  Finally, I reached the bottom of the stairs and the end of a narrow hallway. It led to an open interior room that was filled with antique guns and ammunition. I assumed that the museum now used the area as storage. In the center of it all was Alastair, surrounded by a group of goons. His arms were folded in front of him and he was smiling, as if I posed no threat and he wasn’t worried in the least about what I might do.

  For a moment, I itched to conjure up a solid silver stake and throw it at his heart. But only for a moment. Before I could think about moving my hand, the urge subsided and I wanted nothing more than to see Max and be with him. I scanned the room, but he wasn’t there. My heart told me he was close, but I couldn’t decipher an exact location.

  “Welcome back, Lucy,” Alastair began. Had he been expecting me? Could Max feel me too? Did he tell them I was coming?

  I didn’t reply; instead I curled my lip and growled. Finally, something I could focus all my anger and hate on. I fisted my hands and took a step toward him, but he held up a finger to me.

  “Uh-uh, little girl. You don’t get to lay a finger on me this time. Not if you want your precious Max left in one piece.” I paused mid-step but kept my hands fisted. “That’s better. Now, let’s get down to business.”

  “Where’s Max?” I interrupted. Yes, I came here to make a deal, but I needed reassurances first.

  “All in due time. I can’t show all my cards if we’ve only made it to the flop, now can I?” The goons behind him snickered at his stupid poker reference. If he were smart, he’d realize that if his hand were good enough, he could show it pre-flop and still win. This told me I had leverage to negotiate and maybe even win. Either that, or he knew nothing about Texas Hold ‘Em.

  “Why exactly do you think I’ve come here today?” I knew I’d come here to make a deal, but how did he know? It bothered me that I might not have the edge I needed. Could Max somehow be reading my thoughts? I couldn’t see how, especially given I couldn’t hear his.

  “There’s only one reason you would’ve come here. You want your man back. Am I right?” I nodded once and let him continue. “There’s no way I’m going to let him go without a hefty price being paid, and I don’t mean cash.”

  “I don’t understand. Why did you keep him a vampire? I thought you wanted him for his blood?” The question plagued me, and now that I had the chance I was going to ask.

  “Because I play chess, my dear, not checkers.” He shook his head like it was the stupidest question ever, and his goons echoed him. He took a few steps backward and found an oversized, old, wooden chair to sit on. The symbolism wasn’t lost on me. His throne may not have been ornate, but it was still a seat of power.

  I smirked at his cryptic response, reminding me of what James said in our meeting all those w
eeks ago. I wished he were here, he’d be so much better at this. I knew Alastair was up to something, but I had no other choice. I needed to keep moving forward.

  “What is it exactly that you want, Alastair?”

  “What is it that you are offering, Lucy?”

  I huffed, hating this stupid game. “I want them back. Both of them.”

  “I already know this. What are you willing to give up for them?”

  “I don’t suppose I could offer myself as a willing sacrifice, could I?”

  He scoffed, leaning forward in his chair. “I’ve already…how do the kids say it? ‘Tapped that,’ so I’m going to pass.”

  My blood boiled as my face flushed red with embarrassment and anger. “You did what?”

  He laughed heartily, clutching his stomach like I told the funniest joke. “Relax. I meant your vein. Trust me, I have no interest in any other part.”

  My cheeks got even warmer at his mocking, and I wanted to punch him. “What exactly is it that you want then?” I bit out.

  He took a few moments to calm down, actually pretending to wipe a tear from his eye before answering. “My spy right now is doing an adequate job, but since that player is left out of your little clique, I don’t have all the information I need.”

  “You want me to spy for you?” I asked incredulously.

  “I want you to feed me information you already know. I don’t plan for you to make it out of this room alive, so it really is your only option. Tell me what I need to know, and I’ll return your boyfriend to you exactly how I found him.”

  “And my sister?”

  “Gee, for that sweet little soul, I may need more. You know the more pure the soul, the more I’m able to manipulate it? That’s why we love the little ones so. And hers, well, she’s been able to do things for us we haven’t done for years.”

  I cringed imagining what exactly they had my sister doing, but I didn’t ask. I didn’t think I could live with those images haunting me. I turned away from him—a risky move considering it left me vulnerable—but I needed a new plan. I paced back and forth for a few minutes, tapping my fingers on my thumbs like I was adding something up in my head. An idea formed, but it was extremely risky and depended solely on a lot of elements falling into place that were out of my control. This whole plan was dependent on a lot of “what ifs,” and I wasn’t sure it was going to work. It was a huge risk, but I needed to try.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  “What about this,” I started as I turned around and faced Alastair. “I already know you plan to kill me, but even if I spill every secret I know, things could change in a week. The information would be useless to you. You need a way to get your spy to be a member of the team.”

  Alastair sat up a little straighter in his chair. “I’m listening. What do you propose?”

  “In order to accept any new member at this point, it’s going to take something big. James and the others don’t trust as easily anymore. What if your spy were to be a hero? Do something so big that the team would be compelled to let him join. Provided the bastard was convincing, that is.”

  “Oh, my spy is very convincing. It’s been this long and you’re no closer to discovering their identity, are you?” He proudly wore a smug smile—one that I promptly wanted to smack right off him.

  “No, we’re not. But there’s no way this person be allowed on the team unless something major happens. I promise you that.”

  “So spit it out already. What exactly do you think should happen?”

  “The spy—for now let’s call him or her ‘Prick’--needs to rescue Jessica. Make it look like Prick had been investigating and getting closer to you, but since Prick wasn’t on the team, Prick didn’t know who to go to and kept it to himself until Prick was sure. Then Prick tried to save me, but it was too late.”

  Alastair scrubbed his jaw. I held my breath waiting to see if he’d go for my plan. “This ‘rescue’ would have to take place before I release Max. I can’t have him having any prior knowledge of the spy, and if I turn him back now, he’ll know.”

  “No, he needs to be released before I agree to anything. Take him somewhere if you must. Have my team out searching for him while your spy goes about this rescue mission. But I will put up a fight like you’ve never seen if you come one step toward me without him being freed.” I pulled out my new power, allowing the liquid silver to engulf my arm only and turned back to Alastair. “Or you and your little cronies will face a hurt like you can’t imagine and still not be able to take me down.”

  “Have you not noticed that since you’ve been here, your thoughts have been rather clear and focused? Or warm and tingly?” I flinched but kept my face even and calm so I didn’t give anything away. I assumed with Max so near I was finally able think clearly again.

  “We figured a few things out since I’ve seen you last, deary. And while we don’t know why, we do know that you seem to be directly and adversely affected by what we do to Max. If we feed him and satisfy him, you’re calmer and happier. If we punish him or withhold nourishment, you tend to get…cranky. Our spy has been keeping an extra close eye on you. And I know that as long as I keep the big guy suckling away at the teat he’s currently enjoying, you’re fine. But if I cut him, if I bleed him and drain him to the brink right this moment, your whole world will turn upside down and you’ll be powerless to fight back against me. I have the power here, not you. Remember that.”

  My jaw stood agape, and I couldn’t believe how quickly the tables turned and I lost any edge or advantage I thought I had. I knew the fogginess I’d been feeling was related to Max, but I didn’t realize Alastair knew that. Or knew how to control it. I clamped my eyes shut. While I’d been sitting in that shed, realization hit. We were half of each other’s soul, so anything that happened to him affected me. And with his soul now corrupted, mine became tainted.

  No choice remained. I would sacrifice myself. At least if my soul was gone, Max couldn’t be affected by it any longer. I only hoped that whenever it came back however many years from now, Max would be able to find it again. I hated that he’d have to wait for it and possibly suffer again, but it was better than the alternative of him remaining a vampire.

  “Listen, Alastair, I’m tired of playing these games with you. Decide. You either free Max’s soul, take it somewhere to be found by my team and accept me as a sacrifice before your spy pretends to rescue my sister, or I alert my team of your location and have this place surrounded by dozens of Patroni before you could stand up.”

  His eye twitched, but that was the only tell that he was nervous. “You’d risk Max and your sister by calling your team? I don’t think so.”

  “If I’m not going to get them back anyway, why bother keeping you alive? At least I’d have the satisfaction of knowing you’re dead and gone.” I smirked, but inside my chest was beating wildly. Please go for this, please, I silently thought.

  Alastair snapped his fingers, and one of his goons went to stand before him. “Retrieve the Patronus from where we left him and put him…” He trailed off and looked over at me, then leaned over to whisper the location.

  “Seriously? Telling secrets like you’re five, Alastair?” I rolled my eyes at him.

  “More like covering all my bases,” he snapped back. “And bring the girl. We need the spy to take her back.”

  I knew it was a long shot, but I made one more plea. “Could I…could I have a minute with her? With my real sister before you take her back. I need to know she’s okay. She’s probably scared out of her mind.”

  Alastair huffed, but waved his hands dismissively. “Fine, two minutes.”

  “Thank you. And I need to hear from Max before I turn myself over to you. I need to know you’ve turned him back. Or everything is off.”

  “You’re pushing it, little girl.” I crossed my arms defiantly until he agreed. “Fine. But nothing else. And before I do you must give me at least one piece of information so I know you’re going to hold up your end of the deal.
”

  I paused for a moment. I wanted him to think I was thinking it over, but really I was stalling for time. “Agreed.”

  Ten minutes later, I burst into tears as my sister walked into the room and stood in front of me.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  She was brought in by two goons, who kept their hands firmly on her shoulders so she couldn’t run up to me. I could see her struggling to get free and it nearly broke my heart. I couldn’t take my eyes off her beautiful face, but needed to be sure. Alastair toyed with my emotions for too long, and he didn’t play fair. This could all be another trick to let my guard down, and I couldn’t fall for it until I knew for sure.

  “Is it really you?”

  Jessica stomped on one of the goon’s feet and slipped out of his grip, running to me at full speed before she threw her arms around me and hugged me fiercely. “Big One! I missed you so much!” She nuzzled her face into my neck, her tiny fingers gripping my arms tightly. She no longer smelled of the No More Tangles shampoo she always used, but instead she smelled like a bar the morning after a big party: stale cigarettes and cheap beer. I fisted my hand in her hair, furious that someone would subject her to that.

  “Who are these people, Lucy? Where are Mommy and Daddy? How did I get here?”

  I could feel her begin to tremble and I wanted to pull her to me and protect her from everything around us. But there were still too many doubts. I pulled her back a few inches to take a good look at her, cupping her face with my hands. “I really want this to be you, but I have to be sure.”

  Jessica shook her head and furrowed her brow. “I don’t understand, Lucy. What are you talking about? Can we go home now?”

  “What’s the last thing you remember, sweetie?”