Charade (Heven & Hell)

by Cambria Hebert

  “Go!” I yelled.

  Gemma ran forward, with Cole firmly in her arms, but Kimber stepped in her path. Gemma tried to fight, but once again was blocked by the invisible shield that seemed to surround Kimber.

  “Kimmie,” Cole groaned.

  Kimber paused and looked at Cole.

  “Please,” he said. “Don’t do this.”

  Kimber stepped aside and Gemma ran out, taking my brother to safety. I breathed a deep sigh of relief. Cole had gotten through to Kimber. Maybe together we could take down Hecate. Beside me, Sam stiffened and I felt him try to shift again. He made a sound deep in his throat in frustration, but squared his shoulders. I looked up.

  I had been wrong.

  Kimber had spared Cole, but she was coming directly at us. I lifted the dagger, preparing to stab my used-to-be best friend if I had to.

  Just as she was about to attack, Hecate stopped her. “Come!” she yelled. We all turned to see Hecate standing in triumph near the hole. The bronze scroll was gripped in her hands.

  “No!” I screamed and ran forward. Hecate flung her hand and I was tossed against the stone wall. The dagger flew from my grasp and hit the ground with a loud clatter. I slid to the ground in pain. Sam ran to my side.

  Hecate laughed and jumped into the hole. Kimber went to the hole and looked down. She turned back and looked at me.

  “Why would you do this?” I whispered, my voice cracking with hurt.

  “You betrayed me,” Kimber spat.

  “I never betrayed you, not like this.” I couldn’t keep the tear from rolling down my cheek.

  I thought I saw a flash of the Kimber I knew somewhere in her eyes, but then it was gone. Kimber turned her back on us and jumped, disappearing from sight.

  Pain wracked my body, but failure weighed me down. How could I leave this crypt, knowing that I allowed the scroll to fall into the wrong hands?

  So close. We had been so close.

  Up, sweetheart, Sam said, lifting me from the ground.

  We failed Sam.

  I’m sorry.

  I felt the weight of his apology, the regret. He felt responsible for the way things turned out. I turned to him. “This was not your fault.”

  “It wasn’t yours either.”

  “No,” I agreed. It still didn’t lessen the fact that we failed.

  I lifted my hand, letting it pass into the white light. It was still warm. It was still brilliant and filled the alcove. Didn’t it know we failed? I asked myself.

  Would it still wrap my fingers in warmth if it knew it wasn’t getting what belonged here?

  “Let’s go,” Sam said, his voice exhausted.

  “Are you hurt?” I turned to him, searching his body for injuries.

  “I’m fine.”

  “I didn’t know she had that amulet.” It must have been what she was hiding in that box. If only I had known, everything might have been different.

  “I know, sweetheart. This isn’t your fault.” He kissed my palm before stepping away to replace the stone in the wall, covering up the last of the brilliant light. The room was plunged back into darkness. It seemed even darker than before.

  “Watch your step,” Sam cautioned as we began to leave. The hole in the floor sealed back up as soon as Kimber jumped in. The demons and bugs disappeared as well, but it didn’t mean that something couldn’t jump out at any moment.

  Before the alcove disappeared from sight, I turned back once more and shone my flashlight over the words written above the archway.

  Here lies hope.

  A sob caught in my throat as Sam led me away.

  Not anymore.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Sam

  I failed.

  It was a thought that pounded through me stronger than my heart beat.

  I failed.

  I failed to get that scroll back to where it belonged. I failed Heven. I failed Airis. I failed God himself. Hell, I even failed Cole, who seemed to take the brunt of the fighting. I should have held my ground and refused to tell him our secrets. I should have refused to let him train with us because deep down hadn’t I known that he wouldn’t be strong enough?

  Yes. I’d known.

  But I had also known that Cole would be one more person between Heven and harm if things went bad.

  And they had gone bad. They went from this might go all right to someone’s going to be really pissed.

  That someone was Airis and I prayed she didn’t take her anger out on Heven. What would her reaction be? Would she take away the life that she gave back to Heven when she died? Would she offer my life in exchange for Heven’s again?

  Thoughts of Logan speared my brain. What would happen to him if I gave up my life for Heven? Who would watch out for him? Who would figure out a way to help him?

  Beside me, Heven squeezed my hand. Her thoughts of failure mirrored my own. She was scared, nervous and confused and I couldn’t blame her. I couldn’t offer her any comfort either, because there wasn’t any to give. All we could do now is face the consequences of losing that scroll.

  I would bear as many of those consequences as I could. I would bear them all if Airis allowed it.

  We knew something wasn’t right when we got back to the bus. My first thought was that someone realized we weren’t where we were supposed to be. When we got closer to the group, one of the girls came rushing over, wide eyes on Heven.

  “What’s going on?” Heven asked, her voice surprisingly light.

  The girls eyes widened, clearly thrilled to be telling the gossip to someone who didn’t yet know. “Ms. Merriweather had a family emergency and had to leave.”

  Heven exhaled a breath. “That’s it?”

  The girl looked at me and I shrugged, relieved this wasn’t about us. She seemed disappointed that we weren’t impressed by the latest gossip. “Mrs. Britt is freaking out because she has to handle all of us now by herself.”

  That would explain why she was yelling for everyone to get on the bus. I pulled Heven along and we slid past her and into our seat.

  Do you see Cole anywhere? Heven asked.

  No. No sign of Gemma, either. I hoped they got out safely and that they would meet us at the hotel. I was worried about Cole. He took quite a beating, and if he was seriously injured, it would be hard to explain and Heven would be upset.

  Or Kimber. Where do you think she went?

  I don’t know. No where good. I had no idea she was involved in this. Something else I failed at. I should have kept a closer watch on her these past couple of weeks. I knew she was upset with Heven and I knew why, but that bit of drama didn’t seem important in the grand scheme of things.

  Lesson learned.

  Heven lowered her head, a guilty look marring her features. If I had explained better and tried harder to be friends, then maybe she wouldn’t be working with Hecate.

  I wouldn’t let her blame herself for something she had nothing to do with. Heven, did you know Kimber was involved?

  No. I knew something was going on with her. She’s been able to do stuff…

  Stuff? What else had I missed along the way?

  Heven nodded and looked out the window of the bus. Like slam doors when she’s angry and I think she’s responsible for the wind that knocked over those demons, you know, in the Colosseum. And the other night, that demon with the mist… she kept it from surrounding us.

  You think she’s a witch? That would certainly explain things, and at this point, I wouldn’t be surprised.

  She’s been working with Hecate. What else could she be? Besides, her aura is black, just like Hecate’s and black is a color I haven’t seen in an aura until now. That has to be it.

  She’s in trouble, Heven said after a few moments of us just sitting in silence, and I felt her misery like it was my own. In fact, it was. It was our misery and it was—well, miserable. We didn’t speak the rest of the way back to the hotel. Thankfully, we were spared from making a bunch of excuses for our roommates’ absence because Mrs
. Britt hadn’t taken attendance.

  When the bus stopped, Heven didn’t seem to notice and I nudged her. We exited quickly before someone could stop us and ask too many questions. Once again, we took advantage of Mrs. Britt’s distraction and hurried down my hallway. I had the keycard in my hand ready to use when the door popped open and Gemma looked at us through a small crack.

  “Thank Goodness!” Heven said as we hurried into the room. “Cole?” she said before the door was even shut.

  “He’s in the shower,” Gemma said quietly, pacing across the room. She looked tired and paler than usual.

  “How is he?” Heven asked, staring at the bathroom door.

  “He’ll be fine.”

  “Thanks for coming today,” I said, sinking down onto the corner of my bed. If she hadn’t shown up to help me fight off that swarm of demons, who knows what might have happened.

  Gemma nodded. “I figured things would get messy.”

  “Have you been here this whole time?” Heven asked.

  She nodded again.

  “Why wouldn’t you say something?” Heven blurted and her eyes met Gemma’s. Something passed between the two and they seemed to come to some unspoken agreement.

  What’s going on? I asked.

  Gemma is just fighting her feelings for Cole and is trying to keep distance between them, but now she can’t.

  Girl stuff. That wasn’t my department. “Hecate took the scroll,” I told Gemma, changing the subject far away from girl stuff.

  She nodded. “The odds were stacked against you.”

  Gloom settled over the room and we all lapsed into silence. Soon, the bathroom door opened and Cole came out. He was wearing a pair of gym shorts and a pair of socks. No shirt. But judging from the bruises and marks all over his chest, it was no wonder he didn’t want to wear a shirt. It probably hurt too much. Heven rushed over, stopping short of throwing her arms around him after she quickly took notice of his appearance.

  His arms and chest were covered in swollen, angry-looking bite marks and scratches. The bite marks were red with some sort of black substance oozing from the wounds. He had a split lip and more scratches on his neck. One of his knees was swollen with another bite and his skin was unnaturally pale. His lips were cracked like he was dehydrated, and when he breathed, he took shallow breaths like it hurt.

  “How bad are you hurt?” she asked timidly.

  He gave her a smile and my respect rose for him a notch. Clearly, he was not okay, but he cared enough about her not to make her feel any worse. “I’m good. You okay?”

  The back of her head bobbed up and down with her nod. “I’m so sorry.” Her voice was hoarse and I hated to hear it so full of pain.

  Cole made a noise in the back of his throat. “Don’t be sorry. I knew what I was getting into.”

  “Kimber…” Heven’s voice trailed away.

  His eyes darkened. “I didn’t know she had it in her.”

  Heven sniffled and shifted from one foot to the other and Cole held out his arms. Heven hugged him carefully, and over her shoulder, Cole winced.

  Gemma shot up from the chair she was perched on and began pacing the room once again.

  “Scroll’s gone?” He mouthed to me.

  I nodded.

  Heven pulled out of his arms. “I’m glad you’re okay,” she said, but looked down at one of the worst-looking bites, which was also next to one of the worst looking scratches. I frowned.

  Gemma cleared her throat. Cole forgot about Heven and looked at her.

  “I have something for you to put on those bites. The sooner the better.” Her voice bordered on a whisper and she avoided looking at Cole. For a warrior she sure seemed squeamish about his injuries.

  “I’ll be fine.”

  Her eyes snapped to him. “Those bites are going to start burning and the poison in the saliva is going to make you sick. You need this.” She held up a small silver jar. Suddenly, I recognized the look in her eyes. If I looked in the mirror right now, I would probably see the same look. It wasn’t his injuries that bothered her. It was Cole’s pain. She was upset because she felt she failed the person she cared most about.

  He nodded grimly. “They’re already burning.” He turned toward his nightstand to switch on the light. I caught the swear in my throat. He had a huge bite on his back; the skin was practically hanging from his body.

  Gemma made a sound and Heven stumbled back. I reached out and pulled her toward the bed, pressing her down to sit.

  “I’ll help you,” Gemma said, unscrewing the lid of the cream she brought.

  “Yeah, okay,” he said, swaying a little on his feet. Heven jumped up, but I beat her to his side and helped him sit on his bed. “I hope that stuff works,” he mumbled.

  Heven was white and a little green. I knew she wanted to be here for her brother, but I thought she might need a breather before being faced with Cole’s downward spiral into pain. “You should probably get upstairs. Mrs. Britt didn’t take attendance on the bus. She will probably be coming around to our rooms.”

  I turned to look at Gemma. “I’m going to walk her upstairs. Will you stay with him?”

  “Sure.”

  “I don’t think you should be around Kimber,” Cole said to Heven, a fine sheen of sweat was breaking out on his forehead.

  “I’m sure she won’t be there. She disappeared with Hecate.”

  I went to the door, opened it and looked out into the hall. It was clear. Once Heven said her good-byes to Cole and made Gemma swear to watch over him, I ushered her out into the hall and into the elevator.

  “He looks really bad,” Heven said, leaning against the wall.

  “He’s tough. He’ll be okay.” My thoughts flashed to those scratches all over his body. They somehow seemed familiar.

  Heven brushed away a stray tear and straightened as the elevator doors opened. I went out first, making sure nothing or no one was in the hall. Someone was at the far end, but they let themselves in their room and then there was no one.

  Sam? What will happen now that the Treasure Map is gone? Will people on the list start dying?

  I wished I could say no. I wished that I could deny her fear, but I couldn’t. Because I really didn’t know. I hope not.

  All those innocent people. All slaughtered because…

  I failed.

  Heven stopped and turned to face me. You didn’t fail. You’re the reason we all lived. You and Gemma. Yes, the scroll is gone, but this isn’t your fault. I guess that means it isn’t my fault, either.

  I dropped my forehead to rest on hers. We’ll make it right. Somehow.

  I know we will. But first let’s take care of my brother and get home.

  I don’t want to leave you here alone.

  It’s only for an hour. Then I’ll meet you downstairs for dinner. She pulled away and used her keycard to open her room. I pushed past her to search the room, making sure it was clear.

  Heven waited patiently by the door and then wrapped her arms around my neck when I came back.

  I’m fine. She isn’t here. Try to relax.

  Kimber was the least of my worries. The people she seemed to align herself with are another story.

  I’ll see you at dinner.

  I pressed a kiss to her lips, lingering longer than I should have, but it felt so good and I couldn’t make myself back away. Finally, I did and I waited until I heard the lock on her door before I went to check on Cole.

  Now that Heven wasn’t in the room, I would find out just how much he had been faking and how hurt he really was.

  * * *

  Before I even got to the room, I heard him retching. When I opened the door and stepped inside, I was greeted (if you could call it a greeting) by an awful stench that made me want to gag.

  “What the hell is that stuff you put all over him?” I asked Gemma, who was busy rushing to the bathroom to empty Cole’s puke bucket.

  She stopped in front of me to glare. “It’s not the salve. It’s what the
salve is pulling out of him. It’s the poison from the demon’s saliva. He was bitten almost twenty times.”

  She was more rattled than I had ever seen her as she hurried away.

  “You search Hev’s room?” Cole asked, his voice hoarse as he turned to face me. How he was sitting up at all amazed me—he looked like death.

  “Of course. Shouldn’t you lay down?”

  He grunted then looked toward the bathroom where the water was running. “It hurts too much to lay down.”

  I bet it did. That bite on his back was nasty. All of them seemed more swollen than before and I said as much as I walked across the room.

  “It’s that crap she smeared all over me. She says it’s supposed to do that.”

  I sat down on the side of my bed, facing him. “You fought hard today. You did good.”

  He looked up at me, dark circles ringing his red-rimmed eyes. “You’re a bad-ass fighter. I’m sorry I ever doubted your ability to protect my sister.”

  Gemma came back to Cole’s side with a clean bucket and a few wash rags. She leaned back and looked at his back. “It’s definitely working. I’m going to clean it again.”

  Cole winced, but steeled himself. “Do it.”

  Gemma climbed on the bed on her knees behind Cole. She looked at me briefly before turning to Cole’s back and placing one of the cloths over the bite wound. Cole’s jaw flexed, but he said nothing as she gently wiped away black ooze.

  “So are we calling a truce?” I asked Cole and stuck out my hand. He looked up at me. “I figure any guy who can manage to get a fallen angel in bed with him is a guy I can respect.”

  He laughed out loud. Gemma took a final wipe to his back, and his breath hissed between his teeth. Then abruptly, he lurched forward and I shoved the bucket under him as he retched again. Gemma was biting her bottom lip, jar of salve in her hand.

  Cole looked up, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “You guys don’t need to be here for this.”

  “I’ve seen worse—no worries,” I said.

  “I need to get this on you,” Gemma said quietly.

  Cole nodded and she smoothed a thick layer on his back. He didn’t seem to mind that and I thought maybe the stuff made him feel better. When Gemma was done, she climbed off the bed and glanced at me.