by Julie Reece
“ … you must pollute the silver circles of sight. Only then will you be free, for once blind Pan can seek you no more.”
I massage my stiff neck muscles. “Shut it, witch.”
“What?”
“Nothing. How long was I out?” Talking creates white mist in front of my mouth. It’s colder than I thought. When I touch my torn ear, there’s fresh blood on my fingertips.
“No idea. Woke up just before you did.” He sits up, wrapping his arms around his knees and drawing them in.
I don’t remember blacking out, but I must have done. “We never should have fought like that.”
“Why not? We’re getting stronger. We need to test our abilities.” He grins. “Besides, it was—”
“Stupid?”
“Necessary. In all likelihood, we’ll face Pan soon. We have to know what we’re capable of. Understand the weapons at our disposal.”
“Weapons? Will you listen to yourself? What about Rose and Raven?”
“This is for them.” His voice rises. “I’ll do whatever I have to, anything, everything to protect Rae. You still don’t get it, do you? We have to use our powers to even have a chance of winning.”
I see his point, but it’s not enough. “And what chance do you think Rose and Raven have if we kill each other practicing for a fight? Pan wins them both.” I’m surprised how rational I sound. Although, I guess four years left rotting in The Void will change a bloke.
“Then what do you suggest we do?” There’s defeat in his tone that I don’t recognize.
“I’m not saying don’t practice, just maybe not on each other.” My head falls back, and I stare at the moon. Stars dot the velvet sky, but the constellations are unknown to me. I shiver, rubbing my hands together to ward off the chill.
Gideon snaps his fingers, a small fire flares. With the added light, I note hundreds of fine, red scratches covering his skin. “You look like chickens danced on your face.”
He glances at both arms before sliding a hand down his throat. “Windburn, I think.” He readjusts his weight. “Hurts like a bitch.”
“Sorry?”
“Don’t be. You have no eyebrows.”
“What?” My fingers roam my forehead. The hair over both eyes feels patchy and thin. I palm my jaw searching for the five o’clock shadow I’ve started. It’s barely there, the skin beneath raw and painful. “What the hell, Maddox?”
Humor carves a mean smile in his face. “You’ve been singed, my friend.”
Panicked, my fingers grip my hair. Most of it seems intact. I think. A breath hisses out between my teeth as I glance around. I’ll smash his goolies with the first stick I find. We’ll see if he thinks that’s funny. “Arse.”
“Never knew you were so vain.” His grin fades. “I very much doubt Raven will care.”
“Look, mate, about that.” I pull a few blades of grass and toss them into the fire. “For now, let’s focus on Rose and Raven. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the support—”
“You keep saying Rose and Raven not Raven and Rose.”
“What? So?”
“So, first name implies preference.”
He’s right. Raven is kind and brave, but I’m not in love with her. If I were, I wouldn’t spend all my time thinking of Rose. Not that I’m in love with her either, but I could be. One day. “It’s not going to work between me and Raven. At least, not the way you mean.”
A headshake whips the hair from his eyes. “The witches confused you.”
“No, I know what I’m saying.” I lower my chin and look him square in the eye. “Raven gave me back my life. A life I didn’t appreciate before. It’s like being born all over again to do everything differently. Can you understand?” Maddox watches his fire. “I’ll help her get a start. Anything I have is hers, but—”
“She’d never take your money.”
I smile. “No, probably not, but the offer stands.” I can’t call her sister … or maybe I can now. She’s the sister I never had. The friend I never was to anyone before this place. That’s all changed because of her. “I’ll always be there for her. She’s … well, I don’t need to tell you all she is.”
“No.” The fire changes from orange to blue. “You don’t even know this Rose person. I’m sorry, but she might not survive the extraction.”
I hide my chill behind a weak smile. “Extraction? Is that what we’re calling it now?” He doesn’t answer. “What’s important for this conversation is that I want to know her. When I get home, I’m moving out of my parents’ house. Starting my life over, and this time, I won’t waste it.”
The fire glows hotter. “You’ve got it all figured out, haven’t you?”
“I’m beginning to. I’ll go to university, buy a fast car, maybe I’ll meet a girl—somebody like Raven.”
“But not Raven?” He says it like a statement.
Guilt tightens my chest knowing I brought her to this hell while convincing myself nothing would really happen. If it has, another piece of me will die, but—“I won’t pretend I feel something I don’t. Not even for her. Especially not for her. She deserves more than lies.”
His head jerks as though I punched him, and he’s given himself away.
“That’s it! You lied to her, didn’t you? Mr. Judge and Jury Maddox told a fib.” It isn’t funny but the hypocrisy is unbelievable. “What’d you do, Maddox, cheat, run over her cat?”
He blows me off with a snort.
“Seriously, what? You’re obviously still strung out on her.” It’s all so clear. I suspected something the night they argued, but I wasn’t sure until right now. “You open your mouth for two reasons: to threaten someone, and to talk about her. Did you know that?”
“I’m not doing this with you.”
“Sorry, mate, it’s too late for that.”
“Fine.” The fire blazes higher and I lean away. His laugh is hard and out of place, and I wonder if he’s finally gone off his trolley. I sit silent as a stone, giving him time.
When he finally lifts his gaze, his eyes aren’t angry as I expected. They’re hollow. “The board took control of Maddox Industries, and shut me out. I can’t take care of her, Cole.”
Cole. Not Wynter.
“I thought maybe you could look after her. She’d be safe with you.”
In his way, he’s put her first, and I’ll be dammed if I don’t admire that. “That’s almost noble, Maddox, if it weren’t so misguided. In fact, it’s the most asinine reasoning I’ve ever heard of.” I pause, in case he wants to deck me.
He doesn’t.
“Who else knows about this?”
“Besides you?” His lips meet his knuckles as he considers. “The board. Jennings. Jamis. Dane, which I’m sure means Maggie by now. That’s it.” He finishes like he’s correctly completed the word anthropomorphic at a spelling bee.
“For someone who keeps his business private, that’s quite a few names.” Gideon’s wearing his get-to-the-damn-point face again, so I do. “Tell her, idiot. The worst that happens is she rejects you, but what if she doesn’t?” His features set. “Uh huh. See? That’s what scares you most, isn’t it? The worst scenario for you is if she says yes, because it means you’ll start off with nothing—together on even ground.”
Tiny flames thread his fingers, highlighting half his face, eclipsing the rest. “You still have money, Cole. You can’t understand.”
But I do. “Have you lost your experience, your instincts? Did your brain blow out your arse when they took your company?” The words pour out and in talking to him, I liberate myself. My volume increases with my conviction because I know him.
He’s me.
“You can’t buy her. Your mistake was thinking you ever could. Raven doesn’t need either of us, mate, but she chose you. Use what you’ve learned to your advantage. Sure, you’ll have to earn everything back, be poor, and a Maddox at once. The pair of you will struggle together to build your lives a
nd careers like most people do, but so what?”
The question hangs in the air as the fire burns low. His head drops into his palms.
“Guys like us live in the shadow of our fathers. We think money and power is all we are because of who they are.” I lean back on my elbows. “We don’t have to be like them.”
Gideon straightens and faces me. “So, what do I do?”
He’s asking me? He may regret it, because I don’t hold back. “Swallow your pride, and tell her the truth. Then, don’t tell her what to do about it. I’ve watched you for years, remember? Making corporate decisions, doing whatever the hell you wanted without answering to anybody, manipulating people to do your bidding.” His mouth opens like he’ll argue but he shuts it again. A minor miracle. “Let Rae make up her own mind from now on.”
His cheeks puff with a held breath. “Okay,” he exhales.
Was that as painful for him to admit as I think it was? I can’t say a word; though I’m pretty sure hell just froze over.
“No, you’re right,” he says. Though I don’t know if it’s to convince himself, or in response to the shite look I must have on my face. His mouth crooks on one side. “I’ll talk to her.”
I nod. “First we have to find her, eh?”
“Both of them. So, let’s kick some ass and get our girls.”
I can’t stop my smile though every muscle in my face hurts.
Gideon 2.0.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Cole
This time when I end up in Rose’s bedroom, I don’t hesitate. Once I feel my feet beneath me, I lunge for her, drawing her into my arms.
Her form coalesces with my touch. “Oh, Cole. It’s been so long. I was really worried.” She fidgets like a frightened bird.
“Shh, I’m here. Everyone’s safe,” I lie.
“When the Draugar came, I thought … ” She lowers her voice to a whisper, “Pan says if I leave the tower, they will kill me. It’s my worst nightmare.”
Her admission echoes Pan’s threat.
Since our dearest Rosamond is unwilling to share. Feed us with your fear. Face the terrors deep within your own minds.
He’s using our fears against us? Cheap shot, you dirty bastard.
She holds me tighter. “I’m so happy you’re here. I wish you could bring your friends, next time. I want to meet Gideon and Raven.”
“I know. You’ll meet them soon.” I slide my first finger beneath her chin, remembering the crushing loneliness here. Water gurgles nearby. I briefly wonder if a stream runs under the tower.
“I’ve been so curious about them, you know? And, of course, I need to thank Gideon for all he’s done for me. He must be pretty special.” Her words hit a sour note, which must show on my face because she quickly adds, “Oh, gosh and Raven and you, too, of course. Everyone’s been wonderful.”
Her eyes brighten with a smile so sweet, I forget what I was about to say, and my mind takes a different tack. “I’m going to kiss you now, Rose.”
Her breathing accelerates with her Ooh. The apples of her cheeks pink, but she doesn’t resist.
As my hands slide down her arms, my heart rate surges. It may have been a while, but I definitely remember this part. I lower my head, brushing my lips against her closed mouth. She’s trembling, so I assume this is a first for her.
She leans into me with a sigh and stumbles a little. We smile against each other, all lips and teeth and bumping noses. I pull her body closer and try again. This time, she responds with less awkwardness. I raise my hand to cup her cheek. Her hands encircle my neck. Nudging her lips apart, I slip my tongue inside. The taste cool and rimy with a bite like January.
Suddenly, Rose fists my shirt with both hands, while her tongue plunders my mouth like a pro. My lids fly open, but arousal soon overcomes surprise. I close my eyes, and match her enthusiasm.
I’m aware of everything and nothing at once. The press of her fingers on my shoulder, her soft hair brushing my skin, thundering heartbeats, mixing breaths heating our faces. When I finally break away, we’re both panting.
Rose steps aside, feet disappearing to mist. She raises the back of her hand to her swollen lips. As she looks away, her lashes create a veil over her eyes, as though she’s keeping secrets. “I guess we got carried away.”
“I guess we did.” Either my Rose is a very fast learner, or that wasn’t her first kiss after all. Not that I care.
She glides to her little chair by the window and sits.
The lure of more snogging lodges firmly at the forefront of my mind, but I take the hint and sit several feet away on her bed. “Rose?”
“Hm.” She pulls her attention from the window and smiles. “Yes, Cole?”
“I met someone here who mentioned a connection to Pan and silver circles. Have you ever heard of them?”
“Silver circles? No, I haven’t.”
Her dismissal is so fast, I’m not sure I have her full attention. “Are you sure? It could be important. Does Pan wear glasses, or own any silver jewelry? The smallest thing could—”
“No.” Her eyes sharpen to something hard and immovable. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She’s so agitated that I suspect her, but of what, I can’t say. Immediately, I feel like a prat for thinking the worst. She could be afraid or simply telling the truth, or both.
As always, the room spins without warning. Pieces of me wear away as my tie to her severs. I curse myself for wasting our last moments on Pan. For making her uneasy, but we really need some answers.
Rose slouches in her chair, expression full of longing. I know it so well, the ache of waiting and wanting.
“Hold on,” I tell her. We’ll be together soon.”
Soon …
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Raven
The sun sinks even as the moon rises. Like two sentinels switching places for guard duty, the change signals the coming of night. I hate The Void under any circumstances, but the dark here is a separate, singular terror.
Forest to the south, nothing but open meadow lies ahead to the north. Even though I came from the wood, I’m tempted to return—ride the trees again and rely on their direction to lead me to my friends. I square my shoulders when a willow bough brushes my arm. She caresses my skin with her leaves, and gives me a little push urging me toward the meadow. Assurance and a strong vibe of confidence accompany her entreaty. Without a better plan, I obey. After all, she helped me at the lake. The trees have been nothing but good.
There’s a gentle slope on the hill to the top of the ridge. My muscles tingle as I jog, pulling energy from the grass below to power me forward.
I sense pain, not mine, but emanating from somewhere nearby. A tiny wail stops me. Panicked, I glance over my shoulder and notice patches of yellowed grass on the path I just trod. No! I kneel, placing both palms on the soft ground. A pang of guilt stabs me. Greedy to maintain my stamina, I absorbed too much fuel from the soil and hurt the delicate plants. “Sorry. I’m so sorry.”
Armed with new information, I rise. As bad as I feel, there’s nothing to do but continue, though I carefully adjust my intake of nutrients so the life around me thrives. My green friends are generous, their power so potent my head swims. Stronger than any chemical, vitamin, or adrenaline burst, the earth’s energy buzzes within me.
My confidence soars. I’ve totally got this. We can win. Then I hit the crest of the hill, and my feet stop dead.
The hill below harbors more than a dozen, freestanding doors. Surrounded by air, they’re planted in the ground like brightly painted headstones. Tall, wide, short, narrow, the entryways stand alone and vertical, attached to … nothing.
Who put them here? Why?
Curiosity tugs me like a tractor beam. I shuffle down the steep hill, angling for the closest door. Painted bright red, a masterpiece of ornate millwork adorns the top, while carved, wooden roses cascade down the sides, punctuated with twigs and
ivy. Birds hide within the sculpted edges. On several leaves, tiny tree frogs bunch as though they’ll jump to life. And then one does.
The door swings open. Cold filters from the entrance, swirling gray mist leaks from the deep black beyond. I step back and meet with a solid barrier. One glance up and I know I’ve been punked.
My mother’s voice whispers a reminder.
“Miss Willow will seem a friend and refuge at first, but do not trust her. She is selfish and unhappy, and will betray you if she can.”
If only I’d remembered an hour ago. Willow branches secure my arms and legs. How the heck did a tree get up the hill? They’re rooted to the ground for crying out loud. No less weird than trees that bend and hand me off to one another, I suppose. I didn’t mind the impossible as long as it helped me.
I plead, and when that gets me nowhere, I swear, and finally fight. The willow ignores me, tightening her cable-like branches until I can’t move. Wasn’t that me trekking up the knoll a minute ago all cocky and thinking I had the whole super-power thing down? Dummy.
Once more, I jerk my head and beg the willow to let me go, but she won’t listen. I struggle against my bonds, but it’s hopeless. She’s too strong. There are probably smarter choices than hysteria, but I can’t think of one.
“You must bend them all to your will.”
I try, but my concentration sucks. The only one that’s bending is me as the willow shoves me into the cavernous space on the other side of the yawning doorway.
Once again, I’m free falling. Too dark to see, my arms flail searching for anything to cling to and find only dead space. I slam onto hard ground, elbows cracking against an unyielding surface. I cry out as my body bounces and hits again. Blood fills my mouth where I bit my tongue.
Son of a … I lift my aching head. Shout up the tunnel I fell through, telling the willow exactly what I think of her.
Above, the sun is setting. Here, a cloud slides off the fading moon as the first glimpse of morning light reveals a pretty courtyard. Perfectly manicured hedges run in every direction, dotted in places by shrubbery trained in the shape of objects, a penguin, bear, even an open book. It’s cool, or would be if I saw the botanical creations anywhere else. The courtyard is paved in cobblestones. No wonder my landing hurt.
