Crossings: A Sovereign Guardians Novel

Home > Other > Crossings: A Sovereign Guardians Novel > Page 25
Crossings: A Sovereign Guardians Novel Page 25

by Susan Collins


  Once all the tears were gone, for the first time in forever, I felt at peace with myself.

  The sound of a phone ringing caught me by surprise. On the nightstand was a phone that obviously still worked. I had never realized there was a second phone in the house, but it didn't surprise me that my father would have had a line placed in his room.

  Picking up the receiver, I expected it to be Keller. I was surprised when the voice on the other end was Faith's.

  "Pagan, is that you?" Faith's voice came across the line and into the room.

  "Faith?" I couldn't stop the surprise in my voice. "I thought you were off on a cruise with your parents."

  "Well, I was supposed to be, but something's happened."

  Coming out of my own sadness, I realized Faith's voice didn't sound right. "Faith, are you okay? You sound like you've been crying."

  "I could say the same thing about you," she sniffled.

  I sat up straighter, worried now about my friend who was never anything but upbeat and happy. "I'm fine. Really. It's you I'm worried about. Want to tell me what's wrong?"

  "I'm parked outside your house," Faith said. "Could I just come inside, please. I really need to talk to you. It's about my parents. We cancelled our trip because they're getting a divorce."

  My heart ached for her, especially now that I understood what it was like to have a parent's love.

  "Of course you can come inside. Give me a second, and I'll be right down to unlock the door."

  I knew I'd want to show Keller my father's room later, so I didn't even bother to shut off the lights. My feet took the steps running, and I managed to get to the door and open it at the same time Faith arrived on the other side.

  She stood there on the front porch, no doubt surprised by my own tearstained face.

  "Oh Faith!" I grabbed her arm and tried to pull her through the door, but she hesitated. "Come on inside so we can talk, Faith. I'm so sorry about your parents, but I'm so glad to see you."

  I shut the door behind her and turned the lock, remembering my promise to Keller to stay safe. Faith and I faced each other and then we shared a tight hug as though we hadn't seen one another for weeks instead of simply days. So much had happened since school had ended, that it felt like forever since we'd talked. If only I could tell her everything. It would be so good to be able to confide in her. Of course, I couldn't tell her about Keller and Granger, but I could share with her some of what I now knew about my father. Faith knew I believed he'd never loved me. If I showed her his room, she'd probably be a little freaked out at first, but she'd be happy for me. But that could wait until later. She needed me right now.

  "Come on into the kitchen, and let me get you something to drink. Sorry I don't have any birthday cake ice cream this early in the morning," I tried teasing her. "I know it's your favorite for breakfast."

  I was relieved to hear Faith laugh at my joke. Maybe just talking would be enough to help pull her out of her depression. I'd really never seen her look quite so frazzled. For someone who was always so put together, it had taken me aback to see her so unkempt when I'd opened the door.

  Her hair was in a messy ponytail with small pieces escaping on both sides. Her normally perfect polish was chipped on her hands. The shirt she was wearing was neat and ironed, but her shorts were wrinkled and didn't match the rest of her outfit. I had simply never seen Faith look this way, and I was definitely worried.

  Her eyes roamed the kitchen and spotted the large bowl of batter I'd mixed up.

  "About to cook something?" she asked me, raising one eyebrow and motioning toward the bowl with her head.

  "Uhm, well, I was," I stammered, not sure how to answer.

  "Looks like a lot of batter for one person. I heard Ms. Ellie was out of town."

  I wondered where she'd heard that, but then again in a small town, it didn't really surprise me that she knew.

  "I was making some pancakes for Keller and Granger," I said casually, not wanting her to read anything into it. "They're both doing some work this morning on the farm, so I told them I'd cook up some food for when they got back."

  "Have they been gone long?" Faith asked casually.

  "Uhm, not really," I hedged, wanting to turn the conversation away from my guardians and suddenly wondering how mad Keller would be that I let Faith into the house. I didn't know why, but I was suddenly feeling very nervous. It might be dangerous for Faith to be here. Even though she wanted to talk to me, the best thing I could have done as a friend was to keep her out to keep her safe.

  Sweat starting breaking out on my back, and I felt a huge sense of foreboding. Surely I was overreacting. If something was really wrong, Keller or Granger would have returned by now. Maybe I should dial Keller just to make sure everything was okay.

  Walking toward the refrigerator to check Keller's number, I was surprised to see Faith standing there with the paper in her hand.

  One eyebrow was cocked up as she looked at the number and name written on it.

  "Keller Jones? And I assume this is his number? And let me see, breakfast in your house while Gran's out of town. Are you holding out on me, Pagan?"

  Faith's voice wasn't the friendly tone I was used to. Her words were filled with venom, and I watched, dumbfounded as she threw the paper down the garbage disposal and turned on the switch.

  "Ask my mother about men, Pagan. She'll tell you they are nothing but trouble. I've broken up with my boyfriend, and I suggest you do the same. My father cheated on my mother after all their years together."

  She advanced on me, poking her finger at my chest. "Do you think you love him? You were about to call him, weren't you? What's the matter, can't stand to go for even a few minutes without hearing his voice?"

  My head shook back and forth, trying to understand what was going on. "Faith, you need to calm down. I know you're upset about your parents, but yelling at me isn't going to change that."

  Faith's hands flew to her face, and then she looked at the sink where she'd destroyed the paper. "Oh my gosh, Pagan. I'm so sorry!" She sounded like my friend again, when she ran over and hugged me. "I don't know why I did that. I'm so sorry!"

  "It's okay, Faith. I know you're under a lot of stress right now. I wish I could tell you everything is going to be okay soon, but I don't know how long it will take. I do know I'm here for you, for however long it does."

  Faith smiled at me, and I was reminded of the girl I'd met the first day at school, who'd saved me from a cafeteria of people I didn't know. Everybody had a right to freak out, especially when they had the kind of news Faith had received. Look at me; I'd had quite a few freak out moments over the past few days. I was a little nervous she'd torn up Keller's number, but I would get him to write it down again for me once he came back.

  An idea hit me and I asked, "I don't suppose you have Keller or Granger's number do you?"

  "Oh, Pagan, I'm sorry. I do, but the numbers are in my cell phone, and I left it at my house. I'm sick to death of my father trying to call me and apologize for the mess he's made of our lives. I'm just not ready to talk to him right now."

  "Why don't you sit down at the table, and I'll start working again on my pancakes. You're welcome to join us for breakfast, if you'd like."

  Faith smiled at me. Her real smile, and I was glad to see it. "You're sweet, Pagan, but I shouldn't stay. I just came by on a whim, feeling like you'd be here, knowing if I could talk to you for only a minute, you'd help fix everything. I can't stay away from home forever. There's a lot my family is going to have to work out before we can move forward, and I guess we can't do that if I keep avoiding them."

  I nodded in understanding. If there was one thing I could relate to, it was messed up families.

  "Would you mind if I used your restroom before I left? I'd like to see if I can repair some of the damage to how I look before I go home."

  "Of course. Let me go with you upstairs, and you can use some of the makeup I have in my room if you want."

  I turned to
go up the back staircase and Faith followed, close at my heels. The sensation that something was wrong grew even stronger. I was starting to panic. There was something evil moving in. Of course I was scared for myself, but if I'd put Faith in danger, I didn't know what I'd do. She was an innocent in this crazy thing I called my life.

  Swallowing the fear I felt, I pointed to my bedroom and as calmly as I could showed Faith where my bathroom was. Maybe if I could get her to go into my room and shut the door, I'd be able to keep her away from whatever was wrong.

  Once she disappeared inside, I struggled with what I should do. If only I could call Keller.

  My eyes scanned the hall, and I saw the light shining from my father's room. My father was no longer around to protect me, but maybe I could gain some strength from being near his things. The muscles in my stomach were in knots, and I moved down the hall as if in a trance.

  By the time I reached the door to his bedroom, I'd made a decision. I might not be able to save myself, but I had to get Faith out of the house. There was no reason for her to be caught in the middle of anything that might happen. I walked into the room and was reaching to turn off the lamp, when a voice stopped me.

  "Your father's room?"

  Faith was standing in the doorframe, staring at all the pictures on the wall.

  "Yes."

  She moved silently into the room, her eyes scanning the walls, taking in all the pictures before they landed on the one of my mother and father. She leaned over and picked up the frame. Her hand was trembling as she held it. She turned her head and looked at me, and when she did it suddenly all became clear.

  The evil was here.

  Faith's voice changed, and the look on her face was terrifying as she ran her fingers over the picture.

  "Mommy and daddy all happy and in love."

  In one swift motion, she flung the frame at the door. The inhuman force behind the glass frame slammed the door shut as the glass shattered. With a flick of her wrist, I heard the door's lock snap into place.

  I backed as far away from her as I could. My heart was beating out of control. I couldn't believe this was happening. How could it have been Faith all along? And if it was her, then why now? Why wait until today?

  I had never been so terrified in all my life. There was no one here but me to stop her, and without my mother's love, or the power of my guardians, how could I ever win against a demon?

  Faith closed the distance between us with lightening speed; her feet seemed to never touch the ground. She leaned in close, and I saw red rimming the dark pools in her eyes. Her tongue was forked and it slithered in and out of her mouth. She breathed in and sighed as though my scent brought her great pleasure right before she slid her demon tongue down the side of my face.

  I shivered in revulsion, trying not to be sick as she hissed, "Mmmm...heavenly."

  I rubbed my cheek against my shoulder, repulsed by the demon who no longer resembled my friend. My voice trembled as I tried to form my words.

  "Why? Why do you want my soul?"

  "You should have been mine all along," she hissed. "You were promised to me the night you were born, but your precious guardians interfered. I've let you live because I like to play games, and I've had the time to wait. It's been amusing watching them both fall all over themselves, fighting like humans for your attention, watching you string each one of them along, breaking their hearts."

  I shook my head from side to side, still unable to believe the person I thought was my best friend wasn't even a person.

  "You, you, want my youth. I know you feed off young souls. You might like the game, but you could have had my soul years ago, yet you didn't take it. Why? At least explain that to me."

  Faith's long fingers reached out, and her nails which had grown inhumanly long, ran down the side of my face. I reached up and batted them away. I guess I should have learned more about demon etiquette before I faced one, because I quickly learned trying to evade a demon's touch was not a good move.

  Faith reached out with one, strong arm and punched me in the stomach. I doubled over as I fell to my knees. I blinked my eyes rapidly, trying not to pass out from the pain.

  "Don't you ever touch me!" she screamed. "I have had to endure your insipid remarks and your vile human world for weeks. I will carry you to the underworld this night, and reap your soul. I am sick of you and everything about this place."

  Breathing hard, I rose up onto my knees, and then finally stood back up to my full height. I may not be able to fight a demon, but I would not go with her groveling and begging.

  "Then what have you been waiting for? If you wanted so badly for this to end, why not kill me before now?"

  Faith looked at me as if I were stupid. Maybe I was. But I wanted to know why.

  "Didn't you ever wonder if you could always feel me watching you, then why didn't I simply take you? You and your guardians are clueless if you can't even figure out why I was waiting. At least your father, poor suffering soul that he was, had enough sense to realize you shouldn't ever come home."

  The gasp I made was loud in the room.

  "So, he was right? The curse on my soul is connected to Fairvue."

  Faith shook her head, causing the rest of her blonde hair to fall down around her shoulders. The girl I had once thought so beautiful looked nothing but evil now.

  She reached out and grabbed me by the hair and starting dragging me around the room. I screamed in pain as she pulled my hair harder.

  "It had to happen here, you stupid girl. Don't you get it now? You had to invite me here to the place it all started, just like your father invited me all those years ago, and tonight you finally invited me in."

  I jerked away from her touch, and surprisingly, she let me go. My gaze flew around the room.

  "It was here? This was the room where I was born."

  "Bingo!" Faith hollered. "Give the girl a prize."

  The pieces were all staring to fall into place. The evil had stayed close to me, had even tried to kill me, but it had finally realized it had to happen where it had all begun.

  No wonder my father had kept the door locked to this room. No wonder he'd extracted a promise from my grandmother for me to never come in here. How could I have been so stupid? This time, I caused this. Just like my father, I had invited the demon into our home.

  Then another terrible thought came to me. If we were both here, then why wasn't I dead yet?

  Unless she wanted something else, too.

  "This isn't just about me anymore, is it?"

  Faith's wicked grin cut me to the core. "Oh, little Pagan is all grown up and catching on fast."

  I shook my head, denying what I knew she wanted. "You want revenge on everyone for that night. You aren't just here to hurt me. You want to hurt Keller, too."

  Hysterical laughter rang from Faith's throat and bounced off the walls of the room. I pressed my hands over my ears to block out the unearthly noise.

  There was a loud bang, as the front door to Fairvue burst open, and then the sound of feet rushing up the stairs brought me out of my stupor.

  "No, Keller! Get back; it's a trap!"

  "I told you not to interfere again!" Faith's arm reached out, and she slapped me across the face. My body flew across the room, and by some miracle I landed on the bed, breaking my fall.

  My face was on fire, but I pulled myself up and tried to rush to the door to shout another warning. Too late, the door swung open and there were my guardians. I cried out at the sight, knowing that because of me something horrible was about to happen to them both.

  Keller's eyes traveled over me, seeing the red mark on my face, taking in everything in an instant. The muscle in his jaw moved furiously as he turned his deadly gaze upon Faith.

  "It's time for you to die, demon."

  "Oh, I think not, guardian."

  Faith's arm reached out and grabbed me before I had a chance to move. She had the strength of a thousand men, and there was no way I could break free.

&
nbsp; "If you come any closer, I will snap your precious love in two and her guts will be all over this room. But then again, maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing. I'm sure you've told her you love her for what's on the inside just as much as you do for what's on the outside. It'd give us a chance to find out if that's true."

  Granger put a restraining hand on Keller's arm, warning him not to make any sudden moves, despite how infuriated he was by the demon's threats.

  "She's trying to get you to do something crazy, Keller. You know she wants to take Pagan's soul with her. She won't have time to harvest her essence if she carries out her threat. She's bluffing, and we all know it.

  Faith's eyes swung to Granger, and she laughed hysterically. "Yummy, yummy for my tummy! Oh, how I'd love to eat you all up, Granger. Always such the know it all. Always so sure of yourself. Maybe you're right now, but can you really chance it? After all, we all know you both love her. There's nothing quite so romantic or so pathetic as a love triangle. It's been the only part of my time here that I've enjoyed. Watching the three of you has been like watching one of those soap operas humans love so much. Only I've had front row seats."

  Keller's eyes kept glancing at me and I wanted to give him some sign that I was okay, but I didn't know what to do. I needed to talk to him, but I wasn't sure how much Faith would let me say.

  It was worth the risk to try.

  "You two need to leave. We all know my time is over." I was so angry that more tears were forming in my eyes. Hadn't I cried enough for one day?

  "She's already told me she wants to hurt you. Just leave and let me go." I turned to Faith then, squirming under her hold. I was surprised when she loosened her grip, but she didn't let me go.

  "Please, please," I begged her. "Take me now, but let them go."

  Faith's head slanted toward me, and for a moment she looked like my old friend. "You love them?"

  "Yes," I cried. "I love them." My eyes reached for Keller's, hoping he understood, knowing the love I felt for him was different than what I felt for Granger. Knowing I would rather die than have anything happen to him, to either of them. Before the demon killed me, I needed him to know how much I loved him.

 

‹ Prev