by Alicia Rades
“I thought you said the Originals were immortal,” I pointed out.
Fletcher nodded. “In a sense. They didn’t age, and they had incredible healing abilities, so they didn’t die natural deaths. But that didn’t mean they couldn’t be destroyed. When the Originals sent their essence into their earth, their life force remained intact, which meant all four energies survived. They were only temporarily separated. When the Aedes destroyed their bodies, it severed their life force. Their consciousness ceased to exist, and their essence mixed with that of their ancestors to be recycled by later generations.”
I dropped my head and pressed my fingers to my eyes. This was all too much to take in. How could I possibly have anything to do with this?
I took a deep breath. “So they killed fifteen of the sixteen, which means Grace is the only one left.”
“Yes,” Fletcher confirmed.
“And she needs me to bring her back to life?”
“She’s still alive,” Fletcher said. “Her body is essentially frozen. By awakening her, you can restore her essence, and she can close the portal.”
I glanced around the room in disbelief. Four pairs of eyes stared back at me, but nobody said a thing.
“Even if I was capable of something like this, I’d never know where to find her,” I said. “Anyone else have any clues?”
I didn’t expect an answer.
“Grace was lost over a century ago,” Fletcher said. “Some believe her body was destroyed along with the others. Your power is evidence that she’s still out there somewhere.”
My mouth grew dry. “How—what—?” Why me? “You really think so?”
A smile crept across Fletcher’s face. “Yes. I believe that Grace is somewhere in Eagle Valley.”
I inhaled an audible breath. Even Allie made a noise beside me like this was news to her, too.
“Our town was settled over a hundred and fifty years ago by a group of Davina,” Fletcher said. “It’s very possible that they were part of Praesid. They would’ve brought her here and hidden her during settlement. And since there are so many of us here, she would’ve always been protected by default.”
“But you’re not the only town of Davina, are you?” I asked.
“Of course not,” Allie said.
“No, no,” Fletcher answered at the same time. “It’s not the Davina population that made me think that Grace might be here. It’s the fact that you showed up, Ryn. I think you might’ve been brought here for a reason.”
My jaw dropped. “You’re talking about fate?”
Fletcher shrugged. “In a sense, yes. I think you’re here because Grace led you here.”
I had to sit silent for a moment to let all of this sink in.
“Why didn’t you mention this before?” I asked calmly, though my heart hammered. I guess I never gave him a chance.
“I was afraid it would all be too overwhelming for you,” Fletcher admitted. “I’ve seen how some students react when we throw too much information on them at once.”
He and Marek exchanged a glance, like they both knew exactly which student he was talking about. Neither of them cared to elaborate.
“How do you expect me to find her?” I asked.
Fletcher shifted in his chair. “I’m not sure I have an exact answer. You were chosen by Grace. Her magic will lead you to her.”
Suddenly, Eagle Valley didn’t seem so small anymore. I couldn’t believe what he was asking me to do. Someone like Allie who had been exposed to this her whole life should have the Power of Grace, not me.
“What if I can’t?” I challenged. “I have no idea what I’m doing.”
“We’ll figure it out,” Fletcher assured me. “You’ll be training with Marek, Allie, and Kyle. They’re the best in their class. I’m sure you’ll catch on quickly.”
“And Fletcher is the best mentor in school,” Allie said.
Fletcher shot her a smile. “Ryn, you’re not alone. We’ll teach you how to use your essence. We’ll be here to help in any capacity we can. In the meantime, however, I would like you to train in private. I think it’s best if no one knows you have the Power of Grace. If word gets out, it may not be long before the Aedes find out and realize, as I have, that Grace might be here in town. Then Eagle Valley would really have a war on their hands. Let’s keep this between us five.”
“But what about the demon that’s after me?” I asked. “Doesn’t he realize I’m different? Won’t he tell?”
Fletcher took a long moment to breathe. “The recent incident is personal to him. He’ll want to finish you off himself.”
I didn’t like how casually he said the words finish you off.
“I’ve been in touch with other Davina in town,” Fletcher said. “We have a group of people looking for him. Obviously, we haven’t caught him yet, which is why I want you with one of us at all times. If you stick by us, you won’t have to worry. We’ll take care of him.”
The tension in my head intensified. I pressed my fingers to my temples.
“I can see we’ve overwhelmed you with information once again,” Fletcher said in a regrettable tone.
“No, it’s fine,” I lied, still rubbing my head. “I had to know all of this anyway.”
“Why don’t you return home and think about it?” he suggested.
I nodded, not really looking at him even though my eyes were on his.
“Once you’re ready, we’ll get started on your training.” He smiled. “The first step, after all, is teaching you how to use your powers. I believe as you become more in tune with them, you’ll have a better sense of your connection with Grace. We’ll discuss the next steps once you have a firm grasp on your essence.”
I nodded when all I really wanted to do was shake my head and refuse. I wasn’t equipped to handle all of this.
And I definitely wasn’t interested in being the chosen one Fletcher thought I was.
14
Marek stood. “Come on, Ryn. I’ll drive you home.”
I grabbed the motorcycle helmet from the coffee table and followed behind him. I walked slowly, still trying to make sense of everything Fletcher had told me.
Outside, Allie and Kyle waved goodbye to us and climbed into her car.
Marek swung his leg over the seat of his bike, but I didn’t make a move to climb on. I stared down at the helmet in my hands.
“What’s wrong?” Marek sounded genuinely concerned.
Everything.
“Life is never going to be the same again, is it?” I whispered.
Marek’s shoulders dropped. “No, it’s not.”
“I guess that means I’ll never be normal.” Not that I ever was.
Marek laughed lightly. “Where’s the fun in being normal?”
I shrugged.
Marek quickly became serious. “Is there anything I can do to help? If you get on, I’ll take you home.”
Home. I wondered what that was like. Mom and I moved so much that nowhere ever really felt like home.
“I don’t want to go home,” I heard myself say.
“What do you want?” he asked kindly.
I finally looked at him, but I didn’t answer. The truth was, I didn’t know what I wanted.
A long silence stretched between us.
Finally, a small smile crept across his face. “Get on.”
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“You want to be normal. Let’s forget about all this stuff. Let’s do something normal.” His smile widened.
I couldn’t help but smile back, even though that smile was filled with uncertainty. I placed the helmet on my head and climbed on the bike behind him.
“Do I even dare ask where we’re going?” I shouted as the engine roared to life.
“You mean you don’t like surprises?”
The bike lurched forward before I had a chance to answer.
Lately, surprises had been nothing but bad news, but I could tell by how excited he seemed that this one would be good.
>
Marek pulled into a driveway next to a two-story house. It looked a lot like our rental with the same big front porch, but there were clear differences. The brown vinyl siding made this house look a lot newer than ours, and the two-car garage had a basketball hoop attached to the front.
Marek cut the engine, and we both climbed off the bike.
“Do you play?” I asked, gesturing to the basketball hoop.
“Yeah, whenever Kyle comes over.”
I handed Marek the helmet, and he tucked it under his arm.
Marek headed to the back door and led me inside a mud room. He placed the helmet on a small bench and hung his jacket up on a hook above it.
“James?” a high-pitched voice called from the next room.
I stepped into the kitchen behind Marek. A young girl who looked around eight stood on a chair at the counter and dug through one of the cabinets. She wore a red apron that was far too big on her.
“What is it, Piglet?” Marek playfully tugged at one of the ringlets in her pigtail.
She slapped his fingers away but smiled. “Me and Mom are making cookies.”
“Mom and I,” Marek corrected her.
She stuck her tongue out at him. “Mom and I. Want to help?”
“Not right now.” Marek exchanged a glance with me.
The girl noticed me in the doorway for the first time.
“Ooh,” she teased. “Is she your girlfriend?”
I had to refrain from bursting into laughter.
“No, Bailey,” Marek answered. “She’s just a friend.”
Bailey set a bag of flour on the counter and hopped down from her chair. She eyed me curiously. “What’s your name?”
I smiled at her. She was adorable.
“My name’s Ryn.”
She tilted her head. “That’s an interesting name.”
“It’s short for Kathryn,” I explained.
“I thought Kathy was short for Kathryn.”
“Kathy makes me sound old,” I told her. “I like Ryn better.”
I’d been around Bailey’s age when I chose the nickname for myself. It was the first time Mom and I moved. Mom called it our fresh start, and I took those words to heart. I told everyone at my new school to call me Ryn, and the name had stuck with me ever since.
Bailey looked up at me with bright eyes. “Do you want to make cookies with us?”
Cookies sounded delicious.
“No, Piglet,” Marek answered for me.
“Actually, I love baking,” I said. “Or did you have something else in mind?”
Marek’s gaze shifted between mine and Bailey’s. “Okay, Piglet. What kind are we making?”
Bailey jumped up and down in excitement. “Sugar cookies. You get the cookie cutters out.” Her voice rose to call down the hall. “Mom! James brought his girlfriend over. They’re going to help me make cookies.”
A middle-aged woman entered the kitchen a moment later. She looked exactly like Bailey minus the pigtails. Her eyes brightened curiously when she saw me.
“You didn’t tell me you had a girlfriend,” she said with a smile.
“She’s not my girlfriend,” Marek objected.
At least he didn’t sound offended by it.
The woman crossed the kitchen and stuck her hand out toward me. “Hi, I’m Faith.”
“Ryn,” I introduced, shaking her hand.
“Well, Ryn,” Faith said. “Welcome to our home.”
All I heard her say was welcome home.
Marek and I spent the next several hours in the kitchen with Bailey baking and decorating cookies.
Marek swiped his finger across the inside of the bowl before I added the flour. He stuck his finger in his mouth and sucked the cookie dough from it.
“Get out of here.” I swatted at him with my dirty spatula.
Marek’s eyes widened innocently. “It’s my kitchen.”
I added the flour and started up the mixer. “You’re throwing off the recipe.”
“You’re just going to eat the dough anyway,” he pointed out.
I turned to Bailey, who was putting the flour away for me. “Help a girl out, would ya, Bailey?”
She hopped down from her chair and pushed at Marek. “If you’re not gunna help, get out of the kitchen.”
Marek laughed as she tried to push him out of the room. “I’m helping eat the cookies.”
“You’re ruining them,” she complained.
I turned off the mixer.
Marek skirted around Bailey. “Look, they’re done! I can eat them now.”
Marek was closing in on me fast. I didn’t know what came over me. I made the split second decision to scoop my finger into the bowl and fling a bit of dough at him. It hit him square between the eyes and bounced off his forehead.
He caught it with one hand and stopped a step away from me. His eyebrows rose in my direction.
“Nice shot,” he said before popping the dough in his mouth.
Eventually, Bailey ate so many cookies that she began to complain about a stomach ache.
Marek encouraged her to relax on the couch, and he put a movie in for her.
I noticed it was starting to get dark outside, but I wasn’t prepared to leave yet.
“Your sister’s cute,” I said when he returned to the kitchen. I nibbled on a heart-shaped cookie.
He leaned against the counter. “She’s not my sister. She’s my cousin.”
“Oh,” I said in surprise. “So, Faith isn’t your mom?”
He shook his head and then swallowed a bite of cookie. “My aunt.”
Marek didn’t bother elaborating, and I didn’t want to push him to tell me about his family situation. I had a feeling it wasn’t a fun story.
“What do you do when you aren’t making cookies?” I asked.
Marek shrugged.
“All you do is play basketball and ride your bike?”
“No,” he said defensively. “The bike’s just for transportation, anyway.”
“So you’re not a badass biker dude?” I teased.
He laughed. “I never said I wasn’t badass. As for a biker dude? I only bought the bike because my uncle’s friend was selling it. It was cheaper than buying a car. I’d already been saving up from three summers of bailing hay and even more winters shoveling snow. I was sick of waiting for my own ride.”
Marek motioned for me to follow him. He led me down a flight of stairs, and we entered an unfinished basement with cinderblock walls and a concrete floor. Exercise equipment lined one wall, and a TV stood against the other.
“This is basically what I do outside of school.” He motioned to the exercise equipment.
Weightlifting definitely explained his abs.
I eyed a dumbbell on the floor. Maybe I needed to pick up weightlifting. I’d never understood the appeal before, but if I was stronger, I could defend myself better.
“Is it fun?” I asked.
Marek shrugged. “I don’t do it because it’s fun.”
I sat at the bench press. “Why do you do it, then?”
“Training,” he said simply.
“To become a Protector?” I already knew the answer.
Marek sat beside me on the bench. “Yeah.”
Was I the only Davina who wasn’t interested in fighting?
“Allie told me most Davina become Protectors,” I said.
Marek nodded. “Yeah, but I’d do it even if it weren’t so highly encouraged.”
I looked at him curiously. “Why?”
Marek took a deep breath. “Because there’s enough evil in the world already. If I can help get rid of some of it, then it’ll be worth it.”
He sounded so noble.
I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “You’ll be good at it. The way you protected me earlier… I never said thank you.”
He leaned in closer and spoke softly. “You didn’t have to.”
My breath hitched. He was so close to me. Close enough to kiss.
�
�Yes, I do,” I whispered. “Thank you for everything.”
He leaned even closer. My pulse quickened.
“Everything?” he asked like he didn’t know what I meant.
“For earlier today…” I couldn’t bring myself to talk about it. My skin crawled at the memory. “And for bringing me to meet your family. It made me feel normal. For a few hours, at least.”
He gave a half-hearted smile. “I figured you could use a break.”
And now I had to face reality again.
I dropped my gaze.
“What?” He pulled away slightly.
I shrugged. “There’s just so much information, and there’s still so much I don’t know.”
Marek shifted to straddle the bench facing me. “What do you want to know?”
I didn’t have to think about it. “What are demons capable of? How much can they hurt us?”
“Their essence can stun you, but in case you didn’t notice before, they have other means of hurting us.”
“You mean strangling us to death?”
The image of the demon strangling Marek the night I met him flashed across my vision. My throat began to close up.
“Yeah,” he said quietly. “They’re pure evil.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “That’s horrible.”
“They grow up in a different world than we do, quite literally.”
I went silent for a beat. “Grow up? Like, there are baby demons?”
Marek laughed. “Well, are there baby Davina?”
“Um, yeah…” I said like it was obvious.
“The demons aren’t immortal. The Divinities stole that from them. They have to reproduce the same way we do.”
I’d never thought of that.
“Are they more powerful than we are?” I asked.
Marek shook his head. “The original Davina were a lot more powerful than the demons. But now our powers have been diluted by our human blood. The more time passes, the more magic we lose while theirs stays the same it’s always been through every generation. Now we’re closer to equals.”
“That’s what makes this war so dangerous?”
