“So he really does love her?”
“It seems so,” Josslyn said. “But he’s conflicted. It’s like there’s two sides to him, and he’s not sure which side to choose.”
“So, what do we do?”
“We have to get rid of him,” Josslyn said. “It’s the only way, and Talia’s already left. She’s headed for the underworld now.”
“Why?”
“To kill Julie and take her rightful place as queen.”
“What? No! We can’t let her kill her!”
“We won’t,” Josslyn said. “But we need to get to the house. We have a potion to make. Jade, do you think you could give us a lift?”
“Do I think I can do that?” Jade asked, plopping her hands on her hips. “This is me you’re talking about! Of course I can do that. But it’s not going to be easy, and it’s not going to be quick.”
“I think I might have a better idea,” Josslyn said, closing her eyes.
“Through realms of time and space,
Take us from this place of glum.
Replace what was displaced,
And send us back home.”
A loud roar filled their ears, and their eyes snapped open as a portal opened in front of them.
“Well, that’s one way to get home!” Jade cried. “Come on, let’s go!”
“Sky. Wake up.”
“Argh.” Sky groaned, holding a hand to the side of his head, and glancing at the man next to him. “What happened?”
“You were attacked by the vampires. They nearly killed you.”
“The vampires? What about…” Sky trailed off, his eyes widening as he stared at the bodies lying in the water, the blood coating the walls, and reddening the water. “Oh my God! They’re all dead!”
“I tried to get here in time, but I wasn’t quick enough,” the man said, grabbing Sky by the hand and dragging him to his feet. “Come on. We have to go.”
“Going where?”
“To the underworld.”
Sky regarded the man, eyeing his dark clothing, his pale face, and when he smiled he saw fangs just underneath his upper lip. “You’re a vampire!” he cried, stumbling backward. “Why should I trust you?”
“Because I’m the only other person in this world who hates Elijah just as much as you do,” the man said, as they walked down the sewer. “I’m Ashwin. Elijah’s brother.”
“Why would you ever want to help me?”
“Because Elijah needs to pay for what he’s done. To me and my family.”
“What did he do?”
“He’s the reason I’m a vampire, Sky. He sent them to attack our entire family, centuries ago. But instead of killing me, he turned me. Hoping I would rule along side him. Well, that life isn’t for me, so instead I hunt other vampires and demons. I want to help you and the witches, Sky. I want to help restore good to the world.”
“Why?”
“Because I like this world, and the woman I love, is on it.”
“So what exactly is it that we need to do?”
“We need to get to Julie. Make her see reason. She needs to understand, that this is not the path for her. If we can turn her against Elijah, we have a fighting chance of getting rid of him for good.”
“But he loves her, doesn’t he?”
“His good half does. His human half, but his demon half is trying to break free. That’s why the Cloaks chose him. They want to get rid of his good side. His human side. If they succeed, he’ll be impossible to get rid of.”
“So he’s cursed.”
“Yup.”
“It’s like freaking Jekyll and Hyde,” Sky muttered under his breath. “But the Cloaks are dead!”
“And they’ll come back. They always come back.”
“But why come to me? Why not go directly to the girls?”
“Because they wouldn’t trust me if I appeared on their doorstep,” Ashwin said. “At least with you, I had a shot. You’re not like the other angels, Sky. You don’t like to stand idly by while the people around you are in trouble. You break the rules, and I need that right now. Plus, the girls trust you, so hopefully they’ll believe you when you tell them that all I want to do is help.”
Sky stared at him for a moment, then he finally nodded. “Okay. I’ll help you, but just know that if this comes to bite me in the ass, I have no problem putting a stake through your heart.”
“Duly noted.”
“You look just astonishing, my lord,” the sear said, stepping back, and admiring the black cloak covering Elijah’s broad shoulders. “The sorcerer did a lovely job on it.”
“Yes, he did, didn’t he?” Elijah asked, turning, and glancing at his reflection in the mirror. “It’s perfect for the ceremony.”
“As is your wife.” The sear gestured toward the stairs, and Elijah turned, watching as Julie descended the steps. A long, black, lace dress flowing down her body.
“Julie, you look lovely,” he whispered, striding across the room, and taking her hand in his. “Just glowing.”
“Oh, Elijah, you’re too kind,” Julie said, touching a hand to his cheek, and raising up on her tiptoes. She pressed a kiss to his lips. “And you look handsome by the way. Are you ready?”
“As ready as I’ve ever been for anything,” Elijah said. “I’ve wanted this my whole life, Julie. To lead the underworld, and now, I’m so close I can taste it.”
“You know my sisters are going to try to stop you, right?”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less from the chosen ones,” Elijah said, linking his fingers with hers, and walking across the room. “But they’re not strong enough to stop the ceremony. Not without you. They’re weak, without you, my love.”
“And as soon as I’m crowned queen of the underworld?”
“They’ll be gone. Forever.”
Julie felt a twinge at his words, but shoved it to the side, staring up at her husband. It doesn’t matter, she thought to herself. All that matters is this man, and all the good they were going to do in the world. That’s what mattered.
“Then we best get going,” she said, as they followed the sear out of the room. Walking down the hall, and turning into the great room, and up the stairs to stand before the demons standing amongst them.
“Welcome, my family!” The sear shouted, clapping his hands together, and raising his arms high in the air. “Welcome, to the coordination of all those who have reigned before us.” He turned, walking up behind Elijah and Julie. Pulling the black sheet down, revealing the statues of all the previous leaders of the underworld. “And to bring forth a new leader. Elijah.”
Hoots and claps sounded around the room, and Elijah smiled. Gazing at the dozens and dozens of demons standing before them as he stepped forward.
“I thank you for your support,” he said, raising his voice so all could hear him. “I’ve wanted this for so long. To be the leader to all of you. Ever since Satan threw me in the torture chamber of hell all those years ago.”
“He should have never done that!”
“You’re our rightful leader!”
“He was threatened by you!”
“Now, now, let’s not speak ill of the dead,” Elijah said, holding his hand up. “And let’s rejoice as we crown me and my wife as the rightful rulers of the underworld.” He held his hand out, and Julie stepped forward, taking his hand. “And in nine months welcome our son into the world.”
“You’re pregnant!”
The loud shout sounded, and Elijah’s eyes narrowed. Watching as the demons stepped to the side, allowing Talia to pass.
“Talia.” Elijah’s eyes flashed red as he stared at the vampire queen. “I banished you from the underworld!”
“And I found a way back,” Talia said, holding up the vial. “A potion, made from your sister’s blood.”
“Which sister?”
“Josslyn.”
Julie stared at her, images flashing through her mind of her older sister. The days they’d spent laughing. The nights they’d
watched movies together, and the moments they’d spent fighting evil together. “Is she… dead?
“Hopefully.”
“You bitch!”
Julie flung her hand out, a ball of fire spreading from her fingers, and zinging toward Talia.
“So I guess you do still love them,” Talia said, dodging the flames zinging toward her. “But you’ve abandoned them, Julie. They’ll never forgive you. Just like the demons here will never trust you. You’ll be all alone,” she said, grinning from ear to ear as she rose over the crowd. “Or dead!”
She flung toward her at a blinding fast speed, wrapping her arms around Julie, and blasted through the wall behind them.
“Josslyn, I don’t like this!” Jade cried, following close behind her sister as they raced into the house. “We should be getting down to the underworld. Julie could be dead!”
“She’s not.”
“How do you know?”
“Because she has the whole underworld backing her up, not to mention Elijah. He may be a demon, but he does love her.”
“But he’s a demon! We can’t trust that he’ll protect her.”
“Of course we can,” Josslyn said, trotting up the steps, and walking into the attic.
“Josslyn!”
Jade hurried after her sister. “How can you even say that?”
“Because I know him,” Josslyn said, opening the book and flipping through the pages. “Probably better than anyone.”
“And what is it are you looking for?” Jorja asked, plopping her hands on her hips. “I’m with Jade on this one. We need to get to the underworld!”
“Not until we get a potion to restore Julie’s memories, and reverse Talia’s manipulation on her,” Josslyn said, flipping the page again. “Here it is. The page on the vampires. Give me a second. I need to read this.”
“You’ll also need a potion to get rid of Elijah.”
The deep, masculine voice sounded behind them and Jasmine glanced behind her at Sky as he appeared before her. “Sky!”
She raced across the room, flinging herself in his arms. “Oh my God! I am so happy to see you!” She framed his face in her hands. “I thought I would never see you again.”
“As if I would ever let that happen,” Sky whispered, pulling her close, and brushing his lips over hers. “You’re my girl.”
Jasmine blushed, glancing at the man next to him. “Who’s this?”
“Ashwin. Elijah’s brother.”
“You brought a demon into our house?” Jade asked, raising her hand, electricity zinging from her fingers. “Sky!”
“Wait! No! Jade!” Sky held his hands up in surrender. “He’s not evil. He’s actually one of the good ones!”
“I didn’t think good demons existed.”
“First of all, I’m a vampire,” Ashwin said, stepping forward. “My name is Ashwin, and Elijah’s taken everything from me. I want nothing more than to see him burn.”
“Why?” Jorja asked, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “You’re a demon!”
“Because after he was turned into a demon, he sent a herd of vampires after my family. They feasted on us like we were prime rib! And while everyone I loved died, I was turned and Elijah expected me to just join him and the other demons. Instead, I went on a trip and got my soul back and have been fighting the demons, just as you have.”
“You know, he is kind of cute,” Josi said, elbowing Jami.
“Looks can be deceiving,” Jessi muttered. “Remember who our father is.”
“That is true.”
“But he is still your brother,” Jasmine cut in. “And one thing we’ve learned is that family means everything.”
“Except when you’ve betrayed everyone around you,” Ashwin said. “Because of him, I didn’t get to spend my life with the woman I love. I had to watch, while she died of old age, while I’m still as young as the day we met.” He walked forward, grabbing the cauldron off the shelf. “I want to help you. To get things back to normal, and if you betray me…”
“I already told him I’d dive a stake into his heart,” Sky said. “But I trust him, girls. He saved me from a herd of vampires back there in New York. I owe him something.”
“Fine,” Jade finally said. “But I still don’t trust him.”
“We don’t have to trust him,” Josslyn said, scribbling the ingredients on the pad and slamming the book shut. “We just need him to do his part. Distract Elijah while we get to Julie.”
“Josslyn!” Jade’s mouth dropped open. “You want to use him? That sounds nothing like you! What happened to you?”
“I almost died… again,” Josslyn said, her eyes narrowing. “And I am really, really sick of it!”
“Argh! Get off me!” Julie cried, jerking free of Talia’s grip, and rising to her feet. “Jesus, what is wrong with you? I never did anything to you!”
“You never did anything to me?” Talia asked, laughing. “You’ve taken everything from me!”
“There’s no use reasoning with her, Julie,” Elijah said, appearing in a cloud of smoke. “Our best bet is to just kill her. It’s the only way to get rid of her once and for all.”
“Elijah, I don’t know.” Julie said, striding toward him, and placing a hand on his arm. “She was your friend once. Someone you shared everything with. Isn’t she worth a second chance?”
“She’s a demon, Julie,” Jade said, as she, Jasmine, Josslyn, Jorja, Sky, and Ashwin appeared in a reign of electricity in front of them. “Demons don’t get second chances.”
“Josslyn. You’re alive!”
“Yes. I am,” Josslyn said, glancing over at Talia. “Not thanks to her!”
“I did what I had to do,” Talia sneered. “To kill her!” she shouted, stabbing a finger at Julie.
“You’ll never lay a hand on her,” Elijah said, jabbing a finger toward her. A whirl of wind spinning toward her. “Because you’ll be banished… forever!”
“Elijah! No!” Talia screamed, stumbling backward, as the wind hit her full force. “Don’t do this!”
“Ahh!”
Jorja opened her mouth, letting out a loud scream. “Ashwin, now!”
Ashwin jabbed his finger forward, a rush of wind rushing against them, as a portal opened up behind Talia. “To hell you go, vampire queen!”
“No! Elijah, don’t let them do this!” Talia screamed, trying to struggle against the force of Jorja’s scream. “Everything I’ve done… has been for you!”
“You brought this on yourself, Talia,” Elijah said, narrowing his eyes. “And I for one will be happy to see you go.”
“Ahh!”
Talia screamed again, stumbling back. Her body falling backward and falling through the portal. The portal closing almost immediately.
“Where’d she go?” Jade asked, looking at everyone in the room.
“Who knows,” Elijah said, shrugging as he put his arm around Julie. “All that matters is that she’s gone.”
“And now, so are you!” Josslyn shouted, gripping her hand around the potion, and tossing it in front of Julie. The glass shattered across the floor, and a cloud of smoke rose from the vial. “Give me my sister back!”
“What?” Julie glanced down at the potion spilt across the floor, lifting her head to stare at Josslyn. “Joss, what are you doing?”
“Giving you, your memories back.”
“My memories?” Julie grinned, a dark, cold laugh escaping her lips as she stared at her older sister. “Oh, Josslyn! You are a riot!” she cried, in between chuckles. “I’ve known for days the truth about myself, you guys, and everything that’s happened.”
“Y-you have?” Josslyn asked, staring at her in disbelief. “And you still stayed with him? Why?”
“Because he’s my family,” Julie said, as the memories started to fall back into place. “I may not remember exactly what happened to me, to us, or the experiences we faced together, but I do know how I feel. I love him, you guys!”
“Ugh. I think I’m going to
be sick,” Jade said, gagging. “We’re your family too, you know.”
“Of course I know that! You will always be my family, that will never change. But I—” She stopped suddenly, her eyes widening, as the daze disappeared from over her. Everything that had been blocked from her memory the last ten months rushing back at her, and she swung toward Elijah. “Wait! I remember something. The witch on Halloween, she tricked me! Planted memories in my head, so I would cross over to your side. You sent her after us, didn’t you?”
“Uh oh. Looks like Julie’s remembering a few things,” Jade whispered.
“About damned time,” Jorja muttered under her breath.
“So I guess you witches found a way to reverse Talia’s trance, huh?” Elijah asked, his lip curving. “Interesting.”
“You didn’t answer my question,” Julie said, staring up at him. “Did you send that witch after us?”
“Yes.”
“But why? Why would you do that to me? After everything I’ve been through?” Julie asked, tears filling her eyes. “I thought you loved me!”
“I do love you, Julie,” Elijah whispered. “And trust me, it was not in the plan. When I started all of this, I was just another demon who needed power. Who needed a witch. A chosen one, but the more time I spent with you. The more I got to know you, the more I fell for you. It’s something I’ve never felt before, not even with Josslyn, and I am so sorry for betraying you.”
“Don’t listen to him, Julie,” Jasmine whispered, locking eyes with Julie. “You can’t trust him.”
“He’s lied to you once, Julie. Who’s to say he won’t do it again?” Jorja added.
“I… I don’t know…” Julie stared at her sisters, then over at Elijah suddenly unsure of what to do. How could she choose between them? She loved them all!
“He’s just using you, Julie,” the man next to Sky said, lifting the potion in his hand. “Trust me, it’s what he does, and he needs to be eliminated. If he’s coordinated as leader of the underworld, you’ll be fully turned, and you’ll never be able to return to your sisters.”
Shattered Dimensions Page 14
