I stopped. “I haven’t found the crown piece yet.” Did he intend to take Cole and leave me?
“We’ll get it, Jazz. Don’t worry.” He winked and I smiled. I’d really missed his confidence.
“Where are they?” I whispered, looking around for Cole and Rayne.
“Not too much farther.” They moved and we tracked them, peeking around the corner. It felt like we were spies from a mystery novel, and I loved that I was with Troy. Doing anything with him would be fun.
Rayne and Cole were facing a solid rock wall. She touched certain spots on it like she was typing in a code on an invisible keypad. When she finished, she stepped back and the wall rose, revealing the most beautiful garden.
She peered around and we quickly jumped back, dodging her gaze just in time. After several seconds, we looked back around and saw that they’d gone inside and the wall was closing behind them.
“Let’s go.” Troy pulled me forward. “Slide,” he said, taking my hand. Like two baseball players, we made it under the wall just before it closed.
“What the goddess are you two doing here?” Rayne pressed a hand against her chest, breathing heavily. “I knew someone was following us.”
“Troy, man, you’re all right,” Cole said, taking Troy’s forearm and helping his brother up. “Jasmine?” He helped me to my feet too.
“I’m here to rescue Cole and Jasmine likes shiny things,” Troy said, answering Rayne’s question. Then he pulled me against him, kissing me below the ear.
I batted his hand and blushed. “You’re the dragon.” Cole and Rayne looked at each other like they understood exactly what Troy and I were feeling. “I overheard you two talking about the gardens and wanted to see them,” I admitted, sheepishly.
Rayne tried to smile. “It’s just that no one is supposed to be in here.” She started shaking. I’d never seen her so afraid. “If Graves discovers that I’ve let a non-gargoyle in here, let alone two … I’m not even supposed to know where this place is.”
“He won’t find out.” I patted her back, an unexpected burst of affection bubbling up within me.
She didn’t seem convinced, but said no more. The four of us were too captivated by our surroundings. It was truly a paradise. Waterfalls rumbled all around us making the air heavy with moisture. Colorful flowers in every shape and size bloomed in all directions, including the crevices next to the waterfall, along the top, and the floor. Pathways made of gold cut into the flowers and culminated in the center of the garden. A heady scent reminiscent of lilacs and poppies overwhelmed me. “What’s in the center?” I headed down the path.
Rayne followed, pushing past me. “I don’t know.”
“Let’s find out,” Cole said, scooting past us both.
Troy took my hand. “You’re the most beautiful thing in this place, by far.”
I snuggled into him, feeling tingles run throughout my body.
We arrived in the center of the garden and stopped. In front of us gaped a large, round hole.
“Whoa. What the hell?” Troy said.
I knelt beside it and peered over the edge.
“What are you?” Rayne knelt beside me and stared into the dark abyss.
I thought the question an odd one, but held my tongue.
Instantly, the swirling darkness began to spin clockwise, then turned to glass. Troy sat beside me and rested his hands on my shoulders. Cole knelt beside Rayne.
An image appeared. He had the face of a man, but the body and ears of a cat. Long fur covered most of his face and it was the color of a dark blue sky. His eyes fluttered open. Their color surprised me, though it shouldn’t have. They were deep yellow with flecks of blue and black along the edges. “I am Obin, Keeper of the Shades, and who might you be?”
“I am Rayne.” She patted a hand on her chest as she spoke.
“Ah, yes. Rayne. I can sense your essence. Tell me why you’ve come.”
Rayne leaned back, unsure about how to respond. None of us had come for any reason other than curiosity. “To say hello,” was all Rayne uttered.
Obin’s eyes widened. “You do not come seeking knowledge?”
“No, I—” She paused and took Cole’s hand. “What can you tell me of my mother?”
My heart clenched with worry.
Obin took notice and glanced at me before returning his focus to Rayne. “She loved the sea, was beautiful, and fiercely loyal. She loved you, of that there is no doubt.”
Rayne leaned forward, excited. “Where is she?”
“Oh, youngling. Your mother is dead.”
Rayne gasped, falling back onto her butt. Tears fell onto her cheeks.
My insides constricted with agony as I thought of her pain and it mingled with my own.
“But that can’t be true. I just saw her,” Rayne sobbed.
Cole scooted beside her, wrapping his arms around her, whispering softly. He would hate me once Obin revealed the truth. They both would. My pain turned to dread and I wanted to run away. Troy held me fast, his hand grasping hold of my braid. But if Obin knew things, if he had knowledge about this place and others, maybe he’d know where the piece of the crown was. I couldn’t afford to waste this opportunity.
Obin looked at me again. “Original vampire, why have you not told Rayne the truth about her mother? You have all the answers.”
Rayne and Cole both looked at me, accusation and curiosity mingling in their gazes. I tried to stand, nausea and fear gripping me. I lost my balance and nearly fell into the void, but Troy grabbed hold of me and pulled me into his arms.
Cole finally spoke. “You know about Rayne’s mom?”
“I only found out who her mom was in the cave last night.” I pressed myself against Troy’s chest, desperate to protect myself from the onslaught of anger that would surely come. “And I couldn’t be sure.”
“You are sure, Jasmine, Princess of Sharra. Tell the girl the truth,” Odin’s voice was demanding.
“Fine.” I pushed away from Troy, but he kept hold of my waist with one hand. “Your mother was Ariel, my grandmother.” I blurted the words out all at once so that they tripped over each other.
“She’s your grandmother?” Rayne was shocked, but a flicker of hope sparked in her eyes. “Really?”
“Yes. I didn’t know her well, but she was as Odin said: beautiful and fierce and amazing.”
“But you said ‘was’. She’s dead?” The hope in her eyes vanished and Rayne buried her face in Cole’s shoulder. It shook as sobs racked her body.
“Yes,” I whispered, wishing it weren’t true. “She died not that long ago.”
“How did she die?” Cole asked. I could tell he hoped it was from natural causes, and my heart broke that I was responsible for destroying his hope too.
“A sorceress named Maleficent killed her,” I said, looking away. “She did it to hurt me.” I started to back away, unable to stand the pain I was causing.
“But without your magic, your wings, she never would’ve been able to,” Obin added.
I was really starting to hate that guy.
“Why would you give such an evil woman your magic and your wings?” Rayne stood as well, sniffling and looking confused.
I’d reached the wall. Nowhere left to go. Troy remained beside me, a source of comfort. I rested my head on the cool rock and banged my fists against it. “I had no choice,” I whispered, knowing I would do it all again despite the consequences.
“There’s always a choice.” Rayne pushed my shoulder, making me face her.
Troy stood in front of me, shielding me from Rayne’s accusatory glare, but I stepped aside. I was tired of being a coward. It was time to face the consequences of the choices I’d made.
“You’re right.” I held Rayne’s gaze as I spoke. “It was either let a friend die or give Maleficent my wings. I chose to keep my friend alive.”
Thirty-Three
“Let’s get out of here.” Rayne said, turning away from me and toward the entrance. “I can’t
stay here anymore.” She touched the wall and it began to rise.
I glanced sideways, hoping to get Cole’s attention, but he wouldn’t look at me either. Troy still held me fast. “It’s okay,” he whispered.
I didn’t know if it would be. I crossed my arms and waited as the wall retreated into the ceiling. On the other side, Rave and Scotch were waiting for us. My neck prickled. Something about them looked off.
“The Mistress will see you now,” Scotch said. His voice was entirely void of character and his brilliant orange wings had faded to dull umber. Worse, he’d mentioned the Mistress. I realized who he meant. Maleficent! Rave and Scotch had become Akuma, soulless demon creatures.
Rave took hold of Cole, but Cole forced himself from the gargoyle’s grasp. “Let me go.”
Scotch tried to grab me, but I scooted out of the way as Troy half shifted and ripped off the gargoyle’s arm. He didn’t even flinch. “Cole, take Rayne and get out of here. Now,” I shouted.
“What’s wrong with them?” Rayne asked. I understood her confusion. She’d never seen an Akuma and neither had Cole. I had to warn them, these beings weren’t to be trifled with.
“It’s the pestilence and the darkness. The reason my grandmother was killed. They’ve been turned into Akuma. Maleficent has taken their souls.” Troy and I blocked Cole and Rayne as the gargoyles fought us. “They’re here for me. So go. Hurry. Tell Edge the castle is no longer safe.”
“We can’t tell him that. We’re kids. He’d never believe us.” Rayne stood her ground, glaring at me angrily.
“Gah, just do as I say,” I yelled, clenching my hands into fists.
Troy seemed torn. He didn’t want to let Cole out of his sight. But he also didn’t want to leave me behind.
“No,” Rayne returned, dodging Scotch’s outstretched hands.
I fought to stay out of Rave’s way, all the while begging them with my eyes to go. “Tell them, Troy,” I said, hoping he’d help me out.
“Jaz—” Troy began, but was interrupted.
“Hey, hey, hey. What’s going on?” Graves came down the stairs cautiously, his golden robes brushing along the floor, his eyes flicking between all of us. “Is everything all right?” When he noticed Troy, his eyes glinted. “I don’t know you.”
“Take the wizard,” Scotch shouted, reaching for him. “The Mistress wants him as well. He will be a great asset to the cause.”
Rave came at Graves.
Acting quickly, the wizard said something, and his body became surrounded by lightning. When Rave tried to put her hands on him, the one-armed male burst into flames and exploded. Chunks of flesh, hair, wings, and more flew everywhere. I ducked as the disembodied head came at me.
“Gross,” Rayne said, pressing her face into Cole’s neck.
Scotch screamed, going after Graves, but he exploded as well. Once both Akuma had been destroyed, the electricity around Graves vanished. “Does someone want to tell me what the goddess is going on?”
“Ask her. She seems to know a whole lot.” Rayne pointed at me, accusation covering her features.
My shoulders slumped.
“Well, do you know why Rave and Scotch attacked me?” Graves came to stand directly in front of me, stepping over dismantled body parts. Troy straightened and pulled me against him, refusing to allow the wizard to intimidate him. I took comfort in his nearness. It was nice to have someone on my side.
“She has an idea, but why don’t you hear it from me?” Maleficent appeared in to the side of Graves—and with my wings on her fracking back!—looking striking and cunning and evil. She gave me a wicked scowl. “Hello, Jasmine. It’s lovely to see you again.” My wings beat and fluttered and I thought my insides would break. “Your wings suit me so much better than they did you, don’t you think?”
Troy released me, lunging for her. She took a step back, surprised, but recovered and using her staff, flung him back against the wall.
“Troy,” I shouted, but didn’t dare move or turn my back to Maleficent.
“Who might you be?” Graves took a step forward, his body once again covered with electricity. I noticed that his protections only extended to cover his person. The selfish jerk didn’t bother to protect his own daughter.
“Go. Get out of here,” I mouthed to Cole and Rayne.
Cole shook his head and mouthed back. “I won’t leave you.”
Maleficent and Graves sized each other up, each of their expressions reflected in the other. First one step, then another, they turned in a circle like two lions preparing for battle.
“I can sense your power is great, wizard. Why don’t you join me?” Maleficent’s gaze turned predatory.
Graves gasped. “I would never join with you. I don’t even know who you are.”
“I can explain it to you. I think with little persuasion you would come over to my way of thinking.” She smirked, but there wasn’t any humor in it.
“Absolutely not.” Graves seemed to grow a foot as he spoke, standing tall.
“Very well. I gave you a chance.” Maleficent pointed her staff at Graves. Green fire shot from its end, directly into the gargoyle’s chest. He writhed and screamed as the emerald flames burned away the electricity and penetrated him; like lava from a volcano, they burned through his chest.
“I’ve changed my mind,” he said, panting and falling to one knee. “I will work with you.” The green lava climbed his neck, burned the cape from his body and moved into his thighs and wings.
“It’s too late, wizard. Your death is now a matter of principle. How dare you even think your wretched gargoyle powers could defeat me?” She stepped forward as the green fire grew stronger, and by the time she reached him, Graves was nothing, not even ash. He was completely gone.
“Graves,” Rayne said, reaching out for him. Her voice broke, but she didn’t cry. Theirs hadn’t been a close relationship.
“Now, it’s high time you were blotted out of existence.” She aimed her staff at me. Green light came shot from it, but it didn’t reach me.
From thin air, Laeddin appeared, taking the full brunt of the blow.
“Meddling genie. It’s time you were put in your—”
Before she could finish, Cole and Rayne tackled her to the ground. Shrieking with fury, Maleficent vanished beneath them in a cloud of eerie green-black smoke.
“She’s gone,” Cole said, helping Rayne up.
I took the opportunity to wrap my arms around Laeddin and hug him tight. He’d fallen on top of me, his body heavy against mine. Alarm shot through me when he didn’t respond.
“Laeddin? Laeddin, speak to me,” I said, gently scooting out from under him.
A pause, then he said, “I’m fine,” though it was apparent by the tone of his voice that wasn’t true.
His light green shirt was already stained with a large amount of blood. I watched, horrified, as it continued to grow right before my eyes. “You aren’t fine. Use some of that great cosmic power you possess to heal yourself!”
Troy came to my side and I felt horrible I hadn’t gone to check on him first thing. He patted my back and I knew he understood.
Laeddin coughed. “Haven’t you learned by now that all magic comes with a price?”
Fury suddenly filled all the sad places within me. Why was he always so stubborn? “I don’t care about the damn consequences. You can’t die. I won’t let you!”
He closed his eyes. “You’re so bossy, princess. But it is what it is.”
I knew what I had to do and I knew Laeddin wouldn’t like it, but I didn’t care. I closed my eyes, focusing on how I wanted to phrase the sentence so that I would get exactly what I wanted. When I was ready, I opened my eyes and said, “I wish you freed from your duties as a genie and command you to heal yourself.”
“No,” Laeddin whispered, shaking his head. But it didn’t matter. I’d made my wish and the results were instantaneous. The tattoos on Laeddin’s wrists lit up and then disappeared completely.
“There,�
�� I said. “You are no longer beholden to me. Now heal yourself so that you can live life as a free man.”
Laeddin coughed, his eyes rolling up into his head. Blood leaked out of the side of his mouth. I held my breath, forcing myself not to smell it. “Laeddin? Talk to me.” I leaned over him, placing a hand on either side of his head so that we were nose-to-nose.
Slowly, his eyes rolled open and his dim gaze found mine. Tears filled his eyes, causing them to be extra shiny. “You are an amazing person, Jasmine of Sharra. Never forget that.”
“That sounds like goodbye, Laeddin, and you aren’t allowed to say goodbye.”
He smiled. “Actually, thanks to you, princess, I’m allowed to do anything I like.” He raised up and kissed me on the mouth. It was soft, sweet, and full of tenderness. Troy stiffened next to me, but I couldn’t worry about what he might be feeling at this moment. Not with Laeddin dying right in front of me.
“Isn’t that sweet?” Maleficent’s voice cut through the kiss, freezing me in place. I watched helplessly as she used her staff to lift the genie off the ground and out from under me. “Too bad you have nothing left to give, Jasmine.” With that she was gone, taking Laeddin with her.
“Laeddin,” I cried, standing.
“She took him, Jazz. He’s no longer here,” Troy said from behind me.
I turned and fell against his chest. “Then it was all for nothing. Everything I’ve done.” Pain rocketed through me, filling every void and crevice, pushing out all the new love and happiness I’d felt kissing Troy. Eradicating everything good, like a virus, it swept through my body, destroying anything that wasn’t darkness.
Someone spoke. I heard the voice say my name, but it was far away. I was lost within the garden of pain, unable to find my way out. Utter desolation surrounded me in every direction.
Laeddin is gone. My parents are gone.
You will fail. Give up.
There’s no point continuing.
Thirty-Four
I walked and walked for what felt like days or months. Dark sky hung above without a moon or stars to guide me. The sand beneath me sank with every step, burying my bare feet, scorching my skin regardless of the missing sunlight. I climbed hill after sandy hill, trying to find my way out, but it was endless. I crested each summit, hope filling my breast, only to have it dashed when I reached the top and saw a dozen more hills stretched out in every direction.
Vampire Nights (Vampire Wishes Book 3) Page 15
