by RG Stancu
My tears had long dried on my cheeks. Stopping, I inhaled and scrunched up my nose. I focused on my latent abilities waiting to be released soon and turned my head, smelling all directions. The bad odour seemed to come from up in the trees. Peering at the dark canopy above my head, I squinted. For the fragment of a second, I thought I saw a shadow in the distance, jumping from one branch to the next. I took a step forward to get a better look. Nothing stirred, but a twig snapped, the sudden sound cut through the silence like a knife. Someone was out there. Maybe a dying bird or one of Dad's demons. Only too late did I remember Dallas had been chased in those same woods just half an hour ago.
The creature charging me came out of nowhere. One moment I was staring at the trees towering over me, and the next something knocked me to the ground. I raised my arms to protect my head as my back hit a large branch. Throbbing pain rippled through me, making me choke on my startled yelp. Groaning, I turned to the creature leaning over me. A long mane of hair encircled a tiny, shrivelled face with yellow eyes floating in their hollow sockets. Her loose skin looked as though it had been put through a shredder, hanging from her in chunks. Her long nails pierced the skin on my throat, probably ready to stab me if I moved.
I opened my mouth to speak when she fletched her teeth, and for a moment I thought she'd bury her long fangs into me like a dog into a bone. Whatever this thing was, I knew I should be worried, but all I could think about was the burned smell that wafted from her and that made my stomach clench, ready to puke. The blood bond between Dad and me kept me from contacting him, but my mental abilities could reach out to the others. Focusing, I called out to Ginny and communicated where I was so he could raise alarm. There was no answer, but I knew help would arrive in a heartbeat. This was Hell, where nothing ever happened. An event like this wouldn't go unnoticed for long.
My mind searched the creature's, probing forward through foggy layers of conscious thoughts until I reached what I wanted to know.
She had come for me, but she wasn't alone. My mind penetrated further. I flinched at the memory of leaping flames and the onset of unbearable pain. As the creature's body seemed to catch fire, my whole body began to burn. I forced my awareness away from her mind and the pain stopped. There were so many things I needed to know, but I figured I'd find out soon enough.
"Get up," she hissed. Her voice sounded like a long screech. I had difficulties understanding her because much of the flesh around her mouth was eaten away, revealing the white bone beneath. If I could only reach for my phone, I'd be able to punch in a code and knock her out or beam myself onto another plane. But her scary eyes watched me like a hawk. Maybe if I played along she'd become careless.
Pushing up on my elbows, I did as she ordered, sweat trickling down my spine as her odour hit my nostrils again. My heart hammered hard in my chest, but my mind remained clear. I was an immortal, I had nothing to fear, and yet I wasn't comfortable turning my back on the creature to walk up the path back to the house. My footsteps thudded across the dry earth, but the sound couldn’t mask the creatures whistling breathing. I wondered why I didn't hear it before.
Dad's mansion came finally into sight. I frowned and shot the creature a look over my shoulder. "In there?"
She didn’t answer, just gave me a push forward. I squeezed my hand inside my pocket.
"Don't," the creature hissed. I pulled my hand out again, realising she knew about my phone. Either she had watched me, which couldn't be since I would've noticed the smell, or someone had told her about it. But who?
We reached the gate. I scanned the darkness stretching over the back garden. Nothing stirred. The gargoyles didn't move.
Concentrating on the little demons, I sent my thoughts out to them, ordering them to pierce the creature's eardrums with their wailing, but the statues didn’t move.
Out of the darkness stepped two figures dressed in black with hoods covering their heads and faces. The first one's hand was clasped around a dagger he held to Dallas's throat. My heart sank in my chest as I lunged forward, ready to defend him with my life. The creature's claws wrapped around my arms and pulled me back. I fought against her tight grip and the sudden wave of pain invading my arm where the thing bit me. Kicking her in the gut with a strength I didn't know I possessed, I sent her flying a few feet away. She scrambled up to her feet quickly, fletching her teeth, but before she could charge me again the second hooded figure pulled out a sword and held it to my throat whispering, "Move back, Rebecca."
I stared in awe at him. Rebecca. The vampire who had turned Aidan and his vampire clique, Kieran and Clare, a few hundred years ago, way before I was born. The one who had almost killed Amber.
The one after whom I had sent Dad's reapers. Why didn't I recognise the hair or see the connection?
My hand wandered to my pocket again, eager to use my tiny device and get Dallas and me the hell out of this mess.
"Don’t dare take out your phone or your boyfriend's dead, and you with him," the first hooded guy said. I blinked at the next surprise of the day. I wouldn't mistake this voice in a million years.
Chapter 28 – Et tu, Brute?
Seriously, what was it with me and my inability to make anyone actually like me? As I peered from Dallas's face to the one hiding behind the hood, seemingly satisfied in his belief it kept him anonymous, I couldn't believe the irony of the situation. I had told Dallas Hell was the safest place on earth, and yet one of the craziest hunters had forced her way in together with the one group of immortals I thought were my friends. Thinking back to Dad's warning and staring at the sword cutting into the fragile skin of my neck, I figured I was lucky if the Shadow didn't spill my blood for one of their grotesque rituals.
Where the heck was Dad anyway? Surely he couldn't be sleeping like a stone and miss all the drama of his only daughter being slaughtered on his doorstep in a freaky attempt at voodoo, or whatever these people practiced. Even the gargoyles seemed engrossed in their slumber, slacking off in their job, or why else wouldn't they raise? If I could only get nearer and kick them out of their dreams. I took a tiny step toward them. The blade pressed harder into my skin. Something hot and sticky trickled down my neck, and I almost fainted from the smell of blood. Behind me, Rebecca screeched hungrily.
"Cass, no!" Dallas yelled. I shot him a tentative smile, my heart bleeding at the worry I saw in his eyes. For a mortal, he was surprisingly calm. Then again, I wasn't surprised given that he had been gifted an immortal mate. Well, a soon-to-be immortal with the powers of Heaven and Hell if I only made it alive to my eighteenth birthday. Either way, Fate had chosen him wisely.
I raised my gaze to the hooded guy holding the blade against Dallas's throat. "You know the timing couldn't suck more. My life's in ruins already, but you surely added to the fire. How did you even get in here?"
"You underestimate everyone," Connor said. "Your kind always does." Heard that one before, but I couldn't remember where.
"Where's the book?" the other Shadow asked. My head turned sharply toward him. Devon. He was the one who helped Amber retrieve the book from the Otherworld.
I groaned. "Et tu, Brute?"
He kept silent, but I knew he understood Latin and my insinuation at him being like Brutus, Caesar's best friend and the one who betrayed him.
"The book belongs to us," Connor said.
"That book should've never been written so, from that perspective, it belongs to no one. You want it so you can take control of the whole immortal world." I shook my head. "Fat chance, mate. I'd rather die."
"What about your boyfriend?" Connor asked. "Would you rather see him dead?" Connor's robe shifted as his hand clenched tighter around the dagger in his hand. My heart started racing a million miles an hour. It was nothing but an empty threat. He couldn't mean it because the Shadows didn't kill mortals. Or did they? The blade cut into Dallas's skin. I peered at his widening eyes and the blood trickling onto the white of his shirt, almost black in the darkness. My mouth turned dry, my tongue stuck to the
back of my throat. All reasoning stopped. I jumped forward, forgetting the sword cutting into my own skin, but Rebecca's grip held me back, snarling and spitting, probably crazed by the scent of Dallas's blood. Why didn't anyone hear us?
Seriously, it seemed like nothing could interrupt Dad's rejuvenating sleep.
"Get the book and he'll live. You have two minutes," Devon whispered. "If you try anything funny, he's dead. Now hand over the phone."
Groaning, I fished it out of my pocket and tossed it across the ground to the guy's boot. "Don't worry. I'll be right back," I whispered to Dallas, then headed down the path into Dad's mansion.
"One minute and fifty seconds," Connor hissed. I didn't hurry my step because I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing me follow their orders. Whatever they were, I was a hundred times stronger, or so I'd be…soon. I groaned. Soon wasn't good enough, I needed my powers now. Or a kick-ass plan. If only Pinky and Kinky were here, but it was all my fault. I wanted to be rid of them before turning eighteen so I could spend alone time with Dallas. That hadn't turned out so great either.
Counting the seconds, I thudded through the hall into the living room where I had dropped the book onto the floor just a few minutes ago when I hurried out to help Dallas. The house was quiet like usual, but something wasn't right. Ginny hadn't replied to my message. I focused my mind on Thrain and Octavius but received no answer. Had my meagre abilities somehow deserted me? Halting to listen, I scanned the room.
The grandfather clock had stopped ticking; the lamplight cast dark shadows on the walls. I averted my gaze, then turned back. The shades on the walls seemed to shift with me, just like the gargoyles outside, but less obvious. I inched closer and reached out. A thin layer of fog covered the wall. My fingers disappeared inside an inch before I touched the hard surface. I pulled back, then tapped it slightly. The fog gathered around my finger and enveloped my hand. I had never seen anything like this before. Magic maybe? I figured I could wonder later. Time was running out. Connor had said two minutes. I had to hasten my pace to get back. For some stupid reason, I actually believed since they were my friends they'd let us go once I handed over what they wanted.
I grabbed the book and took off down the hall and out the house, stopping in front of a gargoyle near the door. The little stone demon's eyes were closed. I squeezed its shoulder, then gave it a shove, but he didn't move.
"Ten seconds." Connor's voice jolted me out of my thoughts. I sprinted down the path to the waiting Shadows.
"Now let go of him." I tossed the book at Devon's feet and crossed my arms over my chest. Connor picked it up and opened it, then nodded. Holding my breath, I peered at Dallas. Our gazes connected. He didn't speak, but I could feel he was trying to say something—mentally. I raised my brows, signalling I didn't understand a word. You'd think a bond would actually gift one the ability to hear the other person's thoughts, which might come in handy in a deadly situation, or when the guy's harbouring dirty thoughts about the pretty neighbour. But as usual, Fate had messed up big time.
Dallas dropped his shoulders slightly. I squinted, still not getting what he wanted. Was he about to feign unconsciousness? Did he need to visit the bathroom? His gaze wandered past me to the woods and then back to me, and then I understood, or so I hoped. Someone was coming. What were they waiting for? A sloppy handshake and an invitation to dinner? Time to get this over and done with myself.
"You got the book. Now, go away." I pointed at the bundle on the ground. Rebecca hissed greedily but I paid her no heed. Ignoring me, Connor retrieved the book and flicked through it, then stacked it under his baggy robe. How they could even walk with that thing around their ankles was beyond me. "You know what should feature on your priorities list? Developing a fashion sense. That thing you're wearing looks like an ox could hide in there and no one would find it for a week."
Dallas laughed. I peered at him from under mascaraed lashes, my heart bursting with happiness. The man of my dreams had just laughed at one of my jokes. Maybe he didn't hate me after all.
"You used it," Connor said, pointing at the book. "What have you done?"
I blinked. How did the guy know? Did I somehow spill my coffee, leaving a stain behind? That happened all the time. "Nope. Don't think so."
His black, liquid eyes regarded me intently. I returned his stare, my mind penetrating his to find out what he thought. There was nothing there, just glaring emptiness. Either the guy knew to keep me out, or he was a big dummy who just liked to switch off the big computer every now and then. Eventually, he turned away without another word. I shrugged, wondering why no one had arrived yet.
"You're going with her." Devon pushed Dallas forward until he bumped into Rebecca. My heart skipped a beat. That's what he had been trying to say. He knew Rebecca would take him with her.
"No." I shook my head. "You said you'd let him go."
Connor nodded gravely. "Yes, and we'll keep our part of the bargain. However, she never agreed to it."
My gaze wandered from him to the scary vampire. He was right.
How could I be so sloppy in my bargaining? My blood turned to ice as I saw the hungry look in her eyes. "Don't you dare touch him," I hissed.
A guttural sound escaped her throat. It took me a moment to realise it was laughter. I lunged forward when something hit me hard in the back and I stumbled to my knees, for a moment unable to breathe. The pang of pain brought tears to my eyes. Through the wet haze, I noticed blood spreading across the ground around me, the dry earth sucking it up greedily. It was just a bit of blood that would heal quickly. I might not be endowed with supernatural strength or speed, or any other fancy ability, but at least my body could heal itself.
"Cass!" Dallas's voice rang through the silence of the night, reaching me a moment before I raised my head and watched Rebecca disappear with him in the distance. Ignoring the pain, I stumbled to my feet and took off after him.
My legs seemed to move of their own accord. I had never run so fast in my entire life, ignoring my burning lungs and the branches grazing my arms and face as I pushed through the dry thicket. Blinded by darkness, I switched off my brain and just followed my intuition and that tiny silver thread that would pull me to my mate no matter where I was.
Rebecca's red mane appeared in the distance, then disappeared again an instant later. Her abilities included teleporting. I could only hope she was too weak to move from one place to another in an instant because in that case I might lose her tracks. I wished I had retrieved my phone from the ground where I had dropped it, but it was too late to return for it now.
My breathing came in ragged heaps as I felt my legs slow down, ready to buckle under me any minute. My brain screamed to keep on going, yet I knew if I didn't stop I might just pass out. Telling myself it'd only be a short break, I leaned my back against a tree trunk and scanned the area. I was deep inside the woods now with trees all around me. A soft wind howled through the air, swaying the dry leaves hanging from narrow branches, its whistling sound making me shiver.
The moon had hid behind a curtain of dark clouds. Rebecca was a hunter, used to tracking and sprinting after her prey. Even if I wasn't completely out of shape since I stopped frequenting a gym two years ago, without any abilities and my high-tech phone I couldn't take down a blood-crazed vampire. But I figured she was on my territory, so I still had one major advantage: she might've found a way into Hell, but no one ever left this place without Dad's consent.
The Shadows must've spun their magic around this place, or why else would no one answer my calls? But I wouldn't give up without a fight. Closing my eyes, I focused my mind and descended into the lowest fractions of myself, like Dad always told me to. I could feel the dark walls closing in on me, the ones that usually made me run for a mile because I was so scared of what might be lurking down there, but this time I didn't hesitate. Something snapped inside me and darkness rose, a freezing sensation enveloping my body and soul. I realised my fallen angel nature was about to take over. Just one m
ore tiny step into that dark abyss of my soul. Taking a deep breath, I faltered and then plunged right in.
The Shadows' magic broke and the bond with the others returned. Hundreds of thoughts invaded my head, cries and laughter, commands and defiance. The instant I sent out my order, the world in my head fell silent. And then all Hell broke loose.
Chapter 29 – Heirloom
I don’t remember what happened between summoning Dad's demons and someone yanking at my arm, imploring me to return from that dark abyss that seemed to keep me hostage. Confused, I peered from the spot on the ground to the tiny demon cowering next to me, his tusks shimmering in the pitch black.
"Ginny?" My voice came so low I wasn't sure I had even spoken.
"You raised alarm. Everyone's now looking for the intruder." His eyes were filled with terror as he helped me to my feet.
"Where's Dad?"
"The guards said he left earlier this evening." Avoiding my gaze, he seemed uncomfortable talking about it, so I didn't press him for details, but I wondered where Dad could possibly have gone. However, finding out wasn't my priority.
"We need to find Dallas. Do you still have the phone I gave you?"
Ginny nodded and reached inside his pocket to retrieve it.
Through the haze in my mind, I noticed he was wearing new clothes and boots, which gave him a confident flair. I opened my mouth to compliment him when he pressed the silver cell into my outstretched hand. Whispering a thank you, I punched in the numbers and letters that would lead me straight to Dallas, then grabbed Ginny's hand to take him with me through the portal.
