Avenge (Malice Book 2)

by Amity Hope

  He blew out a frustrated sigh. “I’m nauseous, exhausted, and I feel incredibly disoriented. I can’t think about what happened for too long because it becomes all jumbled in my head. I can’t make sense of it. I’m glad you’re here. It gives me something to concentrate on. Also, I’m starving.”

  “All of that will go away, right?” I asked Alex.

  He shifted in his seat. “It should.”

  “Here,” Riley said quietly. I felt something bump against my knee. I reached for it, my fingers slipping around a plastic bag.

  “It’s trail mix,” she said. “It’s not much but it might take the edge off the hunger.”

  “Thanks,” Tristan and I said in unison.

  I tore the bag open and handed it to him.

  “We’re almost there!” Caleb called from up front.

  “What are we going to do with the van?” Riley asked.

  “I filled the gas tank and left a hundred dollar bill in the glove compartment. When we get to the drop-off site, I’ll send a note to the owners with the address of where they can pick it up,” Caleb said.

  I had no doubt the note would be magical in nature.

  Tristan was busy devouring the trail mix. I twisted around in my seat and pulled the curtain back. We were in the country. I assumed we were on the gravel road we’d come in on.

  Dozens of thoughts and questions were banging around in my mind. I wondered if Tristan knew about the Striga. I wondered if Caleb had told him anything. I wondered what was going to happen once we were back in Granite Falls. Alex had said Tristan should feel like himself in a week or two.

  He seemed fine to me now. Yet I wondered if it was too soon to tell if there would be some altering of his personality, as there had been with Bree. Would he still consider me his best friend? Once he found out that he wasn’t alone, wasn’t such an anomaly, would he still want to be with me?

  “We’re here!” Caleb called. The van slowed before jerking to a halt. Alex quickly clambered from his seat. Once again he tossed open the back doors of the van, letting the soft glow shine into the gloom.

  He grabbed his bag and hopped out. Riley and Finola grabbed their bags. I waited patiently as Alex helped them down. I spotted my bag—someone had remembered to take it from the motel. I stood, grabbed it, and hoisted it onto my shoulder.

  I felt Tristan rise to his feet behind me. I couldn’t help looking over my shoulder. I felt like I couldn’t get a good enough look at him, or get close enough to him

  As if hearing my thoughts he moved a little closer. His hand rested comfortably on the small of my back. He gave me a gentle nudge and I moved toward the door. Alex reached out a hand to guide me out. I took it and jumped the short distance to the ground. Tristan landed right behind me.

  Alex swung the van door shut. A moment later a soft, silver glow appeared in his palm.

  Somewhere off in the distance an orchestra of crickets serenaded us. The inky sky was speckled with glittering stars. The light Alex held illuminated the grass in the ditch with a silvery sheen. It waved lazily, filling the air with its soft rustle.

  I reached out to Tristan who stood at my side. I slipped my fingers around his. He gave my hand a squeeze.

  Caleb and Daphne rounded the corner as they came from the front of the van.

  “We’re good to go,” Caleb said.

  He held his arm out, his palm flat against the air, as if pressed against a wall. In a matter of seconds a crimson thread appeared as he traced his magic. We would follow that thread back to the portal.

  Tristan’s hand squeezed tightly around mine. He gave me a tug, pulling me a step back from the rest of the group.

  “What…?” He shook his head in confusion but I knew what he was asking. He’d seen the crimson glow of Caleb’s magic.

  “It’s cool, dude,” Caleb assured.

  Tristan looked at Caleb, his expression carefully blank. After a moment he turned to me.

  “It’s okay. I promise. We have a whole lot to tell you,” I admitted.

  “This way,” Caleb said. With his palm still held out he moved forward. Daphne was a step behind him. Finola and Alex gave us a questioning look before setting off as well.

  “I think I want to know now,” Tristan stubbornly said.

  “In a nutshell, you’re not the only Striga,” Riley said with a grin. She raised her hands in the air. Harmless crimson magic sputtered from her fingers in a sparkly, showy burst. She gave Tristan’s shoulder a friendly nudge.

  Tristan pressed his fingers against his temple, as if the thought hurt his head.

  “Let’s get moving people!” Caleb bossed from up ahead.

  A few nonsensical syllables tripped from Tristan’s lips. “I must still be really out of it,” he managed to say. He shook his head as he gave Riley a wary look.

  “Come on.” My voice was firm. I still held his hand in mine. I gave him a tug. He followed, letting me lead the way. Finola stopped to untangle her scarf from the tree. Riley brought up the end of our group.

  The trip through the woods didn’t take long.

  The crimson glow of the portal glowed through the darkness. It beckoned to us from a distance.

  “More dark magic,” Tristan muttered.

  “More Strigan magic,” Riley corrected as she bustled past us. “It’s only dark if you make it dark.”

  “Just how long was I gone?” Tristan demanded. “I mean, what in the hell happened while I was away?”

  I slowed our pace, creating a bit of distance between us and the rest of the group. “I know it must seem overwhelming but trust me. It’s okay. I trust Riley and Caleb with my life. I trusted them with yours. If they hadn’t helped us we would still be back in Granite Falls trying to come up with a plan. Riley’s been helping us every step of the way. She and Caleb created the portal that got us here. None of us had the power to do that. They’re our friends.”

  He shook his head warily. “I feel like I woke up in an alternate universe. Riley and Caleb are both Striga? How is that possible? How can you trust them?”

  “I trust them because they helped us when they had no reason to. Tristan, they’re just like you when it comes down to it. They’ve been labeled by darkness when really, they’re overflowing with goodness. Do you trust me?”

  “Yes, I trust you,” he emphasized.

  “If you trust me, then trust that you can trust Riley and Caleb. I promise you can.”

  He took a moment, as if he had to think that over. He slowly nodded his agreement. “Okay. If you say so.”

  I smiled. “I say so.”

  A surge of crimson flashed through the darkness. Caleb and Riley stood in front of the portal. They were preparing it for our return trip.

  “They created that?” Tristan skeptically asked as we neared the group.

  Caleb shot an offended glance Tristan’s way.

  “They did,” Daphne said as she scooted up next to us. “How are you holding up?”

  The trek through the woods hadn’t been far but it had been filled with roots and vines. The forest floor was covered with fallen and rotted debris. Making our way through that obstacle course in the darkness took a bit of effort.

  “Physically? I’m doing…okay.” He paused. “Mentally? I think my mind is officially blown.” He eyed up Caleb and Riley as he said this.

  Daphne lightly smacked his chest. “You and me, both, nerd-boy. How do you think I felt when I found out you, Mr. Anti-Magic, has enough power to knock us all on our asses?” She cocked her hip out to the side and raised an eyebrow at him. “What, you have nothing to say to that?”

  “How about it was none of your business?”

  I smiled as Tristan and Daphne quickly fell back into their old routine. Bickering was normal for them.

  “Sam, come up here,” Caleb called.

  I moved toward the portal, pulling Tristan with me.

  “I’m going first,” Caleb said. “I think you should go through with Tristan. He’s probably still pretty w
eak.”

  “I’m fine,” Tristan bristled.

  “I think you should go through with Tristan,” Caleb repeated. “Riley?”

  “Yes?” She shifted her bag on her shoulder as she took a step closer.

  “Are you up for this?”

  She flinched almost imperceptibly. Neither she nor Caleb had a chance to rest since our last trip through. They had to be exhausted. Using magic on that scale was draining. Now they’d be using it twice in one day with no time to recharge in between.

  “Of course,” she said as she forced a smile. “You all go. I’ll be fine. I’ll pull it closed when I come through.”

  “I’d go last. But if there’s trouble in Granite Falls, it might be best if I’m the first one through,” he said.

  “Don’t worry about me.” Riley smiled brightly.

  “Let me at least take this.” Alex reached for Riley’s bag. He hefted it onto the shoulder opposite of his own bag. Riley smiled in appreciation. She stepped in front of the portal and held her hands out in front of her. The magic of the portal connected.

  “See you on the other side.” Caleb disappeared into the swirling darkness.

  “I’ve never seen that before,” Tristan muttered.

  “I hadn’t either. Not until earlier today,” I agreed.

  “Are you sure it’s safe?”

  “It got us here. It’ll get us home,” I said as I watched Daphne scramble to go next.

  Finola and Alex followed.

  Riley began to tremble. She pulled in big gasps of air. The shivery waves of magic seemed to tremble along with her. She bit her lip and closed her eyes.

  “Are you going to be okay?” I asked.

  “Just go.” She nodded toward the opening. “The sooner you get through, the sooner I can shut it down.”

  I didn’t need further urging. Neither did Tristan. We moved forward and the blackness sucked us in, swallowing us up.

  Chapter 16

  I ignored the discombobulating atmosphere of the portal and concentrated on Tristan’s body next to mine. He was leaning into me. I could only imagine the stress this caused on his already worn down body.

  In no time we were tripping through the opening. The air glowed with the magic that Caleb held steady. Tristan stumbled but Alex had been expecting it. He stepped in front of him, bracing him.

  “That was…” Tristan faded off as he regained himself.

  “Yeah, it’s crazy,” Alex agreed. “You’re holding up great by the way. Whoa!” He darted forward and caught Riley just inches above the ground. His arms scooped around her. They were the only thing keeping her from crashing to the ground. Her body was limp in his arms.

  Tristan knelt down beside them. “Is she okay?”

  A whistling sound filled the air. The portal flashed in a blinding light before being sucked away into utter darkness.

  “Riley!?” Caleb dropped to his knees beside them.

  I held my hand out, filling it with light. My friends were immediately bathed in a cobalt blue glow.

  Finola looked worriedly on as she magically wrestled with her windblown disaster of curls.

  “I knew that would be too much for her!” Caleb snapped at no one in particular.

  Finola and Daphne sidled over to my side. Riley’s raspy breathing blended in with the other sounds of the darkness. Jumping time zones again had dropped us into the middle of the night. The sky was overcast, blocking out the moon and the stars. The blaze in my hand was the only light to see by. I moved a little closer.

  Tristan glanced up at me. Concern was etched across his face.

  Alex shifted as if he planned to lift her.

  “Wait,” Caleb ordered. “Place her on the ground.”

  “Shouldn’t we get her back to Sam’s?” Alex asked.

  “I think she needs help right now,” Caleb said. “Just lay her on the ground.”

  Alex did as he was told. He didn’t look happy about it. The forest floor was cold and damp.

  “Back up,” Caleb ordered.

  Alex hesitantly moved away.

  Tristan got to his feet and came to stand by me.

  Caleb reached out his hands. This time the magic that poured forth was predominately inky. It was oily and it shimmered. Threads of crimson flared throughout as it wove around Riley’s body.

  Caleb gave his full concentration to Riley. The stench of sulfur assaulted us as we watched from a few steps back.

  Tristan made a sound somewhere between a groan and growl of disgust.

  “Come on, Riley,” Caleb muttered.

  I knew he could feel the drain. Two trips through the portal, while holding it open for all of us, then this.

  “I didn’t know Striga could heal,” Daphne muttered.

  It was a contradiction to what we’d always believed. That Striga were only capable of devastation.

  “We all can to some degree,” Caleb grated out through clenched teeth. “I’ve never been very good at it. Not even on a good day. Today…is not a good day.”

  Riley moaned and stirred.

  Tristan stepped forward when Caleb’s magic began to fade.

  “Can I help?” he asked.

  “You can try,” Caleb said.

  Tristan moved quickly. He knelt down on the opposite side of Riley. He held out his hands. Then he closed his eyes. He spent several long seconds channeling his magic. When it poured from his palms it mirrored the magic Caleb had just used.

  Daphne made a tsk-ing sound. “I knew it,” she said quietly, “but until this moment, when I’m actually seeing it for myself, I still didn’t believe it.”

  If Tristan heard her he didn’t acknowledge her.

  “I don’t know if he should be doing that,” Alex worried. His tone had a warning edge to it. He stepped closer, as if ready to peel Tristan away himself.

  “Stop,” Caleb commanded. He pulled his own hands away. “I think we’re good.”

  Tristan hesitated only a moment before stopping.

  Riley’s eyes fluttered open. “Holy crap, I feel awful,” she moaned.

  “You’re going to feel awful for a while,” Caleb unapologetically pointed out. “At least until you get a few good meals in you and some rest.”

  Alex moved toward her again. “Can you stand?” He didn’t wait for her to answer. He knelt down and scooped her up.

  “I can walk,” Riley argued. “Maybe.”

  “I’ve got you,” Alex said. “It’s the least I can do, considering everything you’ve done for us.”

  “We should get back to The Bella Luna,” Finola urged.

  “I really want to go home,” Tristan said. He glanced longingly at the trail that led to the cottage. “I want to shower and get into my own clothes.” He looked at me. “Will you come with me? You don’t have—”

  “I’ll go. Of course I’ll go,” I said as I hurried to his side. I glanced back at my friends. The three girls had all told their parents they were spending the night at my house. I wouldn’t have guessed that our trip to Crescent City would end quickly enough for that to be true. “Do you mind?” I asked the three of them. “You can stay in whichever suites you want to. All of you. Alex, Caleb, you can stay too. Cecily isn’t there.”

  “Where’s my grandma?” Tristan worriedly demanded.

  “She’s with her sister. She’s okay. She just wanted to get out of Lebeau’s way,” I explained.

  Daphne grinned at me. “You two go on. We’ll be fine. We can reconvene in the morning?”

  Everyone else agreed.

  It was Daphne who led the way this time. Her bundle of emerald green light glowed softly to lead the way down the path to the bed and breakfast.

  The path leading to Tristan’s was overgrown from lack of use. I went first, lighting the path and trying to push some of the foliage to the side. Walking single file wasn’t really conducive to conversation. The distance wasn’t long but I still couldn’t stop myself from constantly peering over my shoulder to make sure that he was still
there.

  A tiny part of me was afraid I was dreaming. Or maybe under the influence of a spell or potion. I didn’t want to wake up like I did the other morning, alone. I didn’t want my time with Tristan to fade into nothing but a blurry memory.

  Before we reached the edge of the woods I could see Cecily’s yard light glowing softly.

  Tristan smiled, as if he’d personally been welcomed home.

  We quickly crossed the yard.

  Once we were inside Tristan let out a sigh.

  “I don’t remember being gone, but it sure feels good to be home.” He wandered into the small house and I followed. He stopped short in front of the mirror in the entry.

  “Am I wearing lipstick?! What did Julene do to me?” He scrubbed at his lips with the back of his hands.

  I grimaced. “The lipstick is probably Daphne’s.”

  He gave me an incredulous look. “Fin’s potion knocked me out cold…and Daphne decides to put lipstick on me? I guess I should be glad she didn’t decide to shave my eyebrows.”

  My grimace deepened. “That’s not exactly how the lipstick got there.”

  “Then how…” His head snapped back in surprise. “What? No.”

  “Yes. But she really didn’t have a choice. I can tell you about it later.”

  He shook his head. “The thought that someone else took over my body…It’s…it’s a horrible thought. Who knows what he was up to? Daphne’s probably the least of my concerns.” He shuddered. “I need a shower. Will you be okay out here?”

  “I’ll be fine. You get showered. I’ll find something for you to eat.”

  “That would be awesome.” He moved forward, as if to kiss my forehead. He scowled as he thought better of it with his lipstick smudged lips. “I’ll make it fast.”

  He moved to the back part of the cottage as I headed into the kitchen. It was the middle of the night. I sent Cecily a text regardless. I knew she would want to know no matter what time it was.

  I began rummaging around the kitchen. It was pretty bare. Cecily apparently hadn’t been spending much time in here while Tristan was missing. I found what I needed to make a ham and cheddar sandwich on rye bread.

  By the time I finished, the shower had shut off.

  I pulled open the fridge to look for some milk.