“Um. I don’t know sir,” said James.
“Let me ask her, one second.” James’s face had turned red and he had hunched his shoulders, as he cradled the phone to his ear. Larry laughed and James glared at him.
“What is your name?” asked James. He covered the phone with his hand.
“Arianna Deeds.” I turned behind me to see Audrey mouthing something to Larry. My eyes narrowed. She and I were going to have to have a heart to heart. Audrey needed to work on her people skills.
Girlfriends don’t embarrass each other.
He uncovered the phone. “It’s her sir. Ok.”
James slid his phone back in his pants pocket. “Cade is on the way, but you can go in now. One of us will be in there, to ensure your safety.”
“You don’t need to go in there with me. He’s chained up, what can he do?”
He shrugged, “Cade’s orders.”
James nodded his head at Larry, and then opened the door. I stepped inside after him and immediately started coughing. The room was dark, despite it being early in the day. There was an overwhelming burnt scent in the room. The room was smoky, and I couldn’t see.
Audrey fanned rapidly in front of her face. “We aren’t allowed to smoke on school grounds. Why is it so smokey in here?”
Something wasn’t right.
I felt along the wall for the light switch and flipped it on. Bright light filled the room. Bethanny had somehow gotten loose and her chain was lying on the floor.
“Stay here,” said James. He stalked forward looking at Nicolo who was still chained in place.
“She’s not here man,” said Nicolo.
Nicolo looked at us. “There are two girls with him.”
I waved my hands concentrating on moving the smoke out of the room. When I had cleared the smoke out, James entered the bathroom. A scream tore from his lips, and a resounding thud hit the floor. Widening my stance, I didn’t move from the door, as I beckoned Bethanny to come out of the bathroom. Nicolo smiled and unwound his hands from the chain. He was free.
This was a very bad idea.
Audrey placed her hand to her lips and waved her hands around herself. She disappeared. One of her powers was she was able to disappear, which was helpful in times like this with a deadly opponent.
Nicolo prowled toward me. “Move and I will make your death quick.”
Bethanny walked out of the bathroom. Her clothes were bloody. She walked up to Nicolo and placed a kiss on his cheek. “Baby, she’s all mine.”
My lips curved. “Oh, I guess you’re still mad that Cade didn’t want you.”
Her face twisted in anger and turned red. “You will be regretting those words, when I rip your tongue out.”
“Promises. Promises. I guess I am wondering how hard up Nicolo must be to date you, when you obviously are still longing for Cade.”
She rushed toward me. When she got close to me, I grabbed her arm and flung her headfirst into the door. Bethanny elbowed me in the face and tossed me in the air. I hit the wall and slid down.
Blood trickled down my face into my eye. Blinking rapidly, I stumbled to my feet and waved my hands toward the ceiling, moving the chain to me. Gripping the chain in my hand, I gut punched her and wrapped it around her neck. Sweeping her feet from under her, I landed on top of her with my elbow in her neck. She squirmed beneath me, but I tightened the chain.
Nicolo’s face lost its color. “You’re killing her!”
He ran toward me, but he was hit with the chain, in the face. He got up and started punching the air.
Wham! Nicolo was on the ground again. This time his feet were wrapped in the chain and he was suspended upside down from the ceiling. Audrey reappeared and turned her back on Nicolo.
“Stay invisible,” I said.
Nicolo roared and broke the chain. His bones snapped and his face started to reshape becoming elongated. His clothes burst at the seams as he fell to his knees transforming.
Audrey backed away from Nicolo. “Girl, we’re about to be in trouble. You got any more ideas? Because I’m going to need your help. Your kung fu is nice but I could use some new tricks that you’ve picked up on your journey.”
Bethanny wasn’t struggling as much now and her face had turned ashy. I kept tightening the chain until my knuckles were white. I thought about how she betrayed us and what she did to Melody.
Nicolo stood to his full height, which looked to be eight feet tall. Audrey let out a high-pitched scream and went invisible as he came to swipe at her with his huge claws. He ran toward me and I rolled off Bethanny, and ran toward the door, running up the wall, to flip over him.
He jumped in the air and clawed my back. I flew across the room hitting the base board. The wind was knocked out of me. Nicolo bent and sniffed Bethanny, and then he bent his head and placed his ear to her chest. Snarling, he opened his mouth, tossed his head back, and howled.
Opening my eyes, I shivered as he stood and ran toward me.
Audrey yanked Nicolo toward the door, but he thrust her invisible body away from him. The door dented and Audrey materialized crumpled on the ground.
Nicolo picked me up and bit into my neck. I started to shake and went cold, as I felt the blood running down my body. I punched him in the chest, and he dropped me. He kicked me back into the baseboard with his feet.
Suddenly the door burst open. Cade, Maximus, and Larry, with more men behind them, entered the room. Cade saw me at Nicolo’s feet and disappeared and reappeared with his hands on Nicolo’s neck.
“Don’t kill him yet,” said Maximus.
Nicolo tried to get Cade’s hands from around his neck but failed. Cade wrapped the chain around his neck and hoisted him back up to the ceiling. Walking to Nicolo he clawed his back. Nicolo clenched his jaw until he was hanging over a pool of blood. He roared.
Cade wasn’t the same. This wasn’t the first time I had noticed the change. Whatever his sister did to him had changed him. It might also be the reason he was alive.
Maximus grabbed Cade. “She needs you. I’ve got him. Don’t worry about Bethanny, she’s dead.”
Cade stopped clawing Nicolo and turned to look at Bethanny’s body lying on the floor. He looked at me, and my eyes closed. Everything was numb, and it was harder and harder to form a complete thought.
I woke to flashing florescent lights. My body was limp and lifeless. Everything hurt and I could feel my heart slowly pounding. I was in a room with all the standard hospital equipment, except for the bed. The bed was a queen size pillowtop, and it felt heavenly on my throbbing back.
To my right the heart machine beeped incessantly and the blood pressure cuff on my arm inflated, cutting off my circulation. My eye twitched so I closed them, ceasing to breathe, waiting for the blood pressure cuff to deflate.
Cade was sitting in a chair next to my bed. He looked rough. There were dark circles underneath his eyes which made him look like a raccoon. He hadn’t noticed that I was awake, and I took the time to study him. He was staring off into space wringing his hands in his lap.
Closing my eyes, I inhaled his scent. He smelled like a clean breeze, and sandalwood. He turned and looked at me.
“You’re going to be alright. Don’t worry. Nicolo will never hurt you again,” said Cade.
I licked my dry lips. “I don’t feel well.
He patted my hand and smiled at me, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “You will be fine.”
“If I don’t make it, promise me, that you will take care of my niece and nephew. They are innocent.”
He shook his head. “Nicolo told us where he thought Trevor and Kyra were staying. When you get well, we can go, by that time we will have a plan.”
I don’t think I’m going to make it.
“Why don’t you go without me?” I grabbed his hand in mine and squeezed his fingers.
He stood. “You are not thinking rationally.”
Standing, he bent and kissed my forehead. I closed my eyes. He smelled so good, and the ten
der kiss on my forehead was too much.
The room seemed to be spinning. My chest was tight, and my heart was beating slower and slower. Closing my eyes, I focused on trying to command my heart to pump my blood, but it didn’t.
My vision blurred and I slumped over.
When I opened my eyes, the snow covered the mountain in the distance. Breathing deep, I jumped to my feet. This place was beautiful, but I wasn’t at the Academy anymore. This couldn’t be Georgia. My feet sank into the fluffy mounds of snow as I walked toward the mountain. My head throbbed as I rubbed my arms vigorously, trying to return some feeling into my cold limbs.
The log cabin had a wraparound porch, and the roof had piles of snow on top of it. There were a bunch of pine trees behind it. It looked like a romantic rustic getaway. I made my way to the steps, hoping there was a fireplace inside and something to eat. I saw something move from the woods.
I hope it’s a dog. Why would a dog be way out here?
Rushing toward the steps, I ran up them. It came into view and under the moonlight I saw it clearly. The grey wolf was huge, and it stalked forward. Bolting up the remaining stairs, I grabbed the doorknob and turned it. It didn’t open. The snarling grew closer.
18
Cade
When you think you can’t screw up, you go and do damage control. I knew Arianna was going to interrogate Nicolo. I was consumed with anger and now she hovers on the verge of death. Lifting my head, I stared at the ceiling. Every moment sitting in there watching her in pain, was like a knife to the gut.
I’m failing everyone in my life. The more I try to do the right thing, the more I end up hurting the people in my life that I care about most.
Walking back to Arianna’s room, I hesitated at the door. I was emotionally drained and needed more time. Praying to Valcrum was all I could do. I had been a faithful and loyal servant to Valcrum, and I hoped he had not called her home.
Everything going on with Liam, and now Arianna, was too much. I’m not strong enough to handle all this.
Turning around, I headed down the hallway. The students were recuperating from the attack and seemed to be hiding away in their rooms, practicing their skills. We all needed to stay on top of our fighting skills. Most of the students were in their rooms, and I was glad. I felt like a caged beast. I’m angry and restless. I checked the doors, as I went. Nicolo didn’t escape, but that didn’t mean he didn’t use his powers to summon our enemies. He was beside himself with rage over Bethanny’s death.
I assumed I would feel more when justice was done, but I feel a deep bone-shattering sorrow. Life was precious and tomorrow was a dream. Any loss of life was heartbreaking. Everyone chose their battles, made their stands, and eventually perished. It’s our legacy and what we did with our lives, that leaves a mark on those left behind.
I’m too much of a hot head, and that is what I worry about. If I mess up my life that is one thing, but to mess up thousands of other people’s lives was another.
Reaching Liam’s office door, I walked inside. Locking the door behind me, I made my way through the office, and down to the secret basement. Flying down there, I fell to my knees when I saw him. Liam was as white as a sheet. His coloring had not improved, and if the sheet hadn’t been moving, I would have thought he was with Valcrum himself.
Valcrum please, I beg of you. Liam has dedicated his life to your cause. Please bless him with more time. I am trying to be everything you created me to be and make you proud. Please be patient with us.
Getting up I walked toward the bed. Flipping the switch, the fireplace came to life. Walking over to the shelf, I grabbed an extra blanket, and wrapped it around him. Picking up his hand, I rubbed my cheek against it. Ignoring the chair, I paced in front of his bed.
“I miss you so much. I’m trying to keep everything together until you get well, but I need you. We need you. I almost killed Nicolo, in a blind rage, and Bethanny is dead.”
I snorted. “Arianna is gravely injured. It’s all my fault. I should have protected her, but I wasn’t there. Nicolo almost killed her. Her back looks like someone played tic tack toe on it.”
Walking over to the fireplace, I stood there for a few minutes placing my hands in front of it. The heat felt wonderful and the warmth was circulating throughout the basement.
“Letoya took Maximus’ side when we were about to fight.” Swallowing hard, I ignored the feeling of my throat closing up. Scrunching up my face, I tried to keep my composure.
My own sister!
“Can you believe it?” I paced back and forth in front of the fireplace.
“He is the love of her life. What did you expect?”
I flew to his side. “How are you feeling?”
He looked at me. “I’m feeling like an old man. When I was a young man and I cared for a young lady, I told her. Why is that so hard for you to do?”
I cleared my throat. “I told her I liked her, but she didn’t tell me how she felt until later.”
Liam rolled his eyes. “You are in love with her. Look at you, there are tears in your eyes.”
He always taught us that we should never show weakness in front of anyone. I feel naked right now. Men don’t cry.
I fiddled with my shirt sleeve avoiding his gaze. “There must be something in the air down here.” I turned away from him, but he grabbed my wrist.
Liam squirmed until he could sit up a little higher. “You are right, there is dust and debris, but neither of those things will cause tears in your eyes.”
My neck, face, and ears feel hot. This is worse than the time he tried to explain sex to me. This conversation is torture. Where is all this coming from?
“I was worried about you.”
“I know. You are my son, and I know you well, but those tears in the corner of your eyes weren’t from me.
“I don’t like talking about emotional stuff.” Bending my head, I let my hair fall in my face shielding me from his view.
“Your mother and I loved each other deeply, and you were conceived out of that love. If you cannot tell a woman that you love her, I have failed you.” He reached up and ran his hands through my hair pulling it out of my face. He smiled at me when I frowned at him.
There was an awkward silence between us. I couldn’t take him staring into my eyes, as if he was searching for something. Looking past him toward the wall, I thought of what to say. “I only told Maximus where you were because I didn’t know who to trust.”
He nodded and leaned back against the pillows. “Maximus has been down here. Every time I opened my eyes, he was at my bedside watching over me.
The basement door opened. I stood in front of Liam’s bed ready to attack. Maximus rounded the corner. “It’s just me. You weren’t answering your phone, so I came here.”
Maximus’ clothes were wrinkled, and he looked sweaty. He looked like he had a hard day. He walked around the bed and shook Liam’s hand and patted him on the back.
Patting my pants, I slid my phone out of my pocket. Sure enough, I had over ten missed calls from Maximus. “What’s going on?”
He knows he shouldn’t give me bad news in front of him.
Maximus rubbed the back of his neck. “We checked out where Nicolo thought Trevor was, and it looks like Trevor’s there now.”
“Let’s go.” I moved toward the steps. My adrenaline surged through my veins and my heart thundered against my rib cage. I might be able to get Arianna’s niece and nephew. It’s the least I could do since she was hurt because of me.
Trevor and his men had reeked enough havoc on Earth; it was time to end this war, once and for all.
“You are needed here at the academy. You can send me with Maximus, but you need to protect the school as if I am not here,” said Liam.
Turning around, I walked to Liam’s bed. I bit my lip and tried not to yell. Liam always had a way of seeing every angle to a situation. It was a talent I didn’t have, and sometimes I was grateful for that. There was a time for analyzing things and a
time to fight. I was ready to fight.
I rubbed my brow, trying to fight the headache I knew was coming. “Taking Trevor and his team down is the threat. This could all end tonight.”
Maximus stood near Liam’s bed with his hand folded behind his back. If he didn’t look so disheveled, I would’ve thought he didn’t have a care in the world.
He shook his head. “You are reckless, and you have a lot to learn,” said Liam.
I opened my mouth then closed it. My temperature rose several degrees, and I clenched my jaw.
Why can’t Liam see that if we destroy the demons the academy will be safer? We cannot take on the demons, DAOs and Nathaniel, all at once.
“We will do everything we can to take him down and get Arianna’s niece and nephew. How is she doing,” asked Maximus.
“She was injured really badly. I left her side to check on Liam.”
“You left her side because you were distraught and falling apart,” said Liam.
Maximus coughed. “I’ll keep you updated.” He squeezed Liam’s hand before heading up the stairs. After a moment the door shut behind him.
Liam smiled at Maximus but when he looked at me his smiled dropped off his face. “You cannot protect the students standing over me, watching me breathe. Go. This would be a great time to attack us, since we would not expect it.”
“Don’t worry. I will protect the school with my life. Get some rest.” Hugging him, I flew up the stairs. Pressing the secret lever, I watched the door seal.
Closing Liam’s office door, I walked down the hallway. There were a few girls standing around gosiping. When they saw me, they hung their heads and hurried around the corner. It was late, and some girls were sneaking into the guys rooms. Shaking my head, I decided not to follow them, after all, they didn’t look like they needed help or witnesses.
There were many students that slept around. I wasn’t one to judge, but that wasn’t me. Thinking of how my sister was treated made me want to shed someone’s blood.
We were taught about respect. I never wanted to treat any person disrespectfully and I didn’t want to disrespect myself. I guess I am an old soul who likes to do things the old fashion way.
The Pact Between Angels and Witches Page 13
