The Glass Dagger (Afterlife Chronicles Book 1)
Page 27
“Yeah, well even Gods can die on Earth, asshole!” Then he used the last of his strength to draw in even more, until the General’s grip released him, severing the connection. The General’s knees gave out and he dropped to the floor with a crack. He fell forward and Theo pushed out of the way, watching as his flesh started to wither, turning grey once more.
“It…it isn’t possible…you can’t be…Electus,” the General said but Theo wasn’t listening. Instead he got to his feet and ran over to his friends, knowing now what he must do, even if it left him vulnerable.
“I hope I’m not too late,” he said landing hard, first next to Janie as he skidded to her.
“Here goes nothing,” he said placing the same hand on the side of her face, and doing what he had done with the General, only this time what he hoped was in reverse. He let go of the power and energy he felt nearly overflowing in him and pinpointed the aura he knew was Janie’s. It was like a lingering shadowed essence inside of him that he was trying to give back to her. Her stolen gift returned.
“Come on! Come on Janie!” he shouted down at her when nothing happened, but then after one last push of power she gasped desperately for air and opened her eyes wide, reaching up for him.
“Theo?” Her sweet voice uttered his name and he wished he had the time to comfort her but he didn’t. He had one more friend to save. He had only enough time to grant her a wink before racing over to where Zane’s body lay slumped on the floor.
“Time to wake your ass up, my friend!” Then he slapped a hand to Zane’s face, invoking the stored power inside of him. But this time it was different. Instead of shadowed serpents like Janie’s, it was the light he found. It was bright and blinding and much easier to find. It flowed out of him the same way, but this time it left him feeling almost completely drained.
“I bet you didn’t slap Janie like you did me,” Zane said, before opening his eyes. Theo laughed once and then fell backwards.
“Theo!” Janie shouted and Zane sat up, reaching for his friend.
“What’s happening to him?” Janie asked and Theo could hear the concerned tremble in her voice as though listening from a distance.
“I don’t know but I know who will,” Zane replied nodding to the hallway and at first Janie thought he meant the demon that had done this to them.
“Here they come,” Zane added before they came into view. It was as though Zane had somehow detected their presence. The General looked up and saw it too, coming closer towards him. So, in his desperation and with his last shred of power, he got up and ran back into the cell.
“HE WILL RISE AGAIN! THE BLOOD GOD WILL RISE!”
“Look out!” Zane said, grabbing Janie and pulling her out of the way. She landed on top of him and they both looked sideways to see him run at the wall, disappearing into a cloud of ash the second he hit it.
The two entwined teens then both looked to the door and saw their headmaster, Draven, standing there looking down on all that had happened. Theo managed to open one eye to see the blurred vision of their Supernatural King stood in the doorway.
“And so it’s begun,” Draven said in a sombre voice.
“What has?” Zane asked after Janie scrabbled off him. Takeshi walked into view behind Draven and picked up the fallen dagger. He handed it to Draven over his shoulder and their headmaster’s eyes widened in surprise. He took a moment to look at the dagger in his hands, noting the lack of blood when running a finger down its length.
He then looked down at Theo and just before he passed out, Theo managed to hear Draven’s horrifying answer…
“Blood… of the Infinity War.”
To Be Continued…
Acknowledgements.
We would first like to thank all the fans of The Afterlife Saga who have shown us all their support during this time and continue to do so by spreading the Afterlife Chronicle word.
We can’t thank you enough.
We would also like to thank those closest to us and each have a personal message to give…
From Caroline,
The biggest thank you for me to give easily must go to my wonderful husband, Jamie Brooks. I simply couldn’t be where I am today without all your love, support, tea making, technical wizardry and never-ending belief in me.
I love you x
To my daughter Amber and son Marley, thank you for not treating me like a nutter with all my bookyweird requests from modelling to pulling faces. I know you love it really;)
Thank you to my mum. It all starts somewhere and you taught me how to draw…plus babysitting xxxx
Blake Hudson for being amazing by supporting two nutty gals with a dream and your always honest opinion.
Thank you to Elizabeth and Hazel Pescatore and Ashfield Park Primary School, where the Chronicles all began. Who’da thought young kids love horror!
My legal and marketing team Jo Beattie 1Edwards and Sarah Jane Lomas.
You are just awesome!
…And finally
To my ‘beastie’ Aka Stephanie, you are the most generous, kind, inspiring and brave person I know. Love working with you (Apparently, I have to call it that even though I have far too much fun).
What would I do without you?
From Stephanie,
I would first like to thank my amazing husband, Blake, for not only supporting me but encouraging my crazy imagination and making it bloom into something great. Words will never be enough to describe how much I love you!
To my Mum and Dad, whose support is never-ending and their love is unconditional. And my sister, Cathy and brother in law, James who each offer their support in many ways.
Love you guys!
And a very special mention needs to go to the awesome and beautiful Elizabeth and Hazel Pescatore, who two years ago planted the creative seed in my mind and inspired me to write this first instalment to the next level of the Afterlife saga.
You guys are epic!
I would like to thank all in the Brooks’ household for loaning me their wonderful mother and letting her join in my brand of crazy. Also, a special thanks goes to Mr Brooks himself, Jamie who has been our tech genius throughout this endeavor and been with us every step of the way.
You are a tea making star!
P.S…I don’t have sugar in my tea;)
And last but not least is my partner in crime, Caroline. Quite simply put this would not have been possible without you as no one could have created my vision and plucked Afterlife from my mind quite like you could. Your talent knows no bounds and I consider it a gift being able to call you friend.
To my ‘beastie’, who I love dearly.
We would both like to thank Claire Boyle, for her tireless effort in helping the world see our dream come true the way we always hoped it would. You are a rock star in our eyes!
Once again thank you to all Afterlife fans for spreading the word!
We love you x