Blood Oath (A Gabby Girls Adventure Novel, Book Two)

by T. L. Clarke

  "The Elementi and Eternals are in serious trouble, Akasha. The natural balance of life is swaying off path. Our hands are tied to stop it, and we cannot influence the path. This is your duty, your journey, Akasha. Navigate it wisely, for the decisions you make influence not only your, but the survival of the entire planet," Ananke whispered.

  Great. More pressure.

  "How in the world am I supposed to save the world? What about Grandma Celeste?" I looked at her nervously.

  Ananke touched my arm softly. "Celeste cannot be saved—at least not until all of the pieces have been put into play. Do not try to circumvent the process, Akasha."

  "What pieces?" This was getting crazier by the second.

  Ananke circled me slowly as the air around her whipped into a frenzied storm. "Search for the talismans. Your journey begins with them."

  My thoughts instantly went to the blond guy for some strange reason. I looked at the Makos hesitantly. "After I had that dream with the blond guy, you said something about the talismans and Darealist. What does it mean?"

  They looked at each other slyly. "That was not a dream, but a memory of the beginning."

  "Beginning of what?"

  The Makos lifted into the air, holding hands as they quickly circled me, charging the air with energy. "Go to her. She needs to speak to you, Akasha." They paused, smiling softly. "We will be near. We are always near."

  And with that, I was abruptly pushed back into the reality of the courtyard with Priscilla looking at me with concerned eyes.

  "Gabrielle! I was looking for you." She hugged me tightly.

  I pulled away from her quickly. "What’s wrong with Grandma Celeste?"

  Priscilla shook her head with dismay. "We don’t know. She just suddenly fell ill."

  I looked around frantically. "Where is she? I need to go to her."

  "Follow me."

  We swiftly walked through the castle, ending up at the other side.

  There was a mob of Circles standing in the hallway, looking around with confused expressions.

  A Circle strode up to Priscilla. "There’s trouble, big trouble."

  Priscilla looked at her questioningly. "I know, Celeste is sick. We’re going to see her now."

  The Circle looked at her, puzzled. "Celeste is sick?"

  Priscilla looked around quickly. "What are you talking about? What’s going on?"

  "We just got word that the queens were attacked by the Banished. They found Nemesis alive but injured, and Harmonia is missing and feared dead. The portals are flooded from Eternals streaming in from all over the world, and they’re screaming for revenge."

  Priscilla nudged me toward a door. "Circle Aceso is in there with Celeste. I’ll be right back; I need to figure out what in tarnation is going on."

  I quickly walked in, gasping at Grandma Celeste, who was lying on the bed, totally lifeless. The only way I could tell that she was alive was by her shallow breathing.

  "How’s she doing?"

  Aceso looked at me glumly. "We don’t know. One minute she was perfectly fine and organizing the upcoming voting event, the next she was out cold on the floor." Her hands were frantically sweeping over Grandma Celeste’s forehead as bright sparks of light shot through her fingers like she was trying to pump the life back into her.

  I instinctively grabbed Grandma Celeste’s hand, which was icy cold. Think, Gabrielle, think. I quickly looked over at Aceso. "Can you leave us alone for a minute?"

  She smiled somberly. "Sure, call me when you’re ready." She walked out of the room quickly.

  I sat there quietly, concentrating, sending a message to Veda. Then I waited impatiently. I didn’t have to wait long; Veda burst into the room, clucking like a mother hen when she saw the tears streaming down my face.

  "There’s no time for crying, Neophyte. Celeste needs you right now." Veda pressed her hand against Celeste’s scarlet pendant, then snatched it away like she had been burnt by fire. She looked at her hand with amazement. Strands of dark, pulsating, threadlike light clung to it greedily. She quickly flung it off in the air.

  I looked at her quickly. "What was that?"

  "Remnants of darkness. Someone has cast a very nasty dark spell on her soul. I have never seen such powerful dark energy." Veda brushed her fingers along Celeste’s forehead, shaking her head solemnly. "She’s already trapped between realms, the living and dead. I can feel her thoughts, but they are very faint."

  "So? Get one of the Circles to take it off!" I screamed hysterically.

  "Removing a dark spell is not so simple. The only known remedy that I know of is written in the Book of Eternals."

  "Okay, so let’s get it," I screamed.

  Priscilla walked in, slamming the door. "Gabrielle, you have to calm down. I can hear you all the way down the hall." She ran her fingers through her hair tensely. "Oh, blessed be. It’s total madness out there. We need Celeste, and we need her now!"

  I gave her a pitiful look. "I have to help her; she needs me. I can feel it."

  Veda quickly pressed her hands back and forth from her forehead to Celeste’s. Delicate golden threads flickered as they connected and disconnected.

  "My gifts are strong, but our connection is weak." She quickly grabbed my hand, holding it until a bright spark flickered, then exploded. "But your connection is stronger." She gasped with shock. "You’re a necromancer? That’s impossible; there has never been a necromancer among the Eternals." Her eyes widened. "You have the gift to summon and communicate with the dead. Use it now to communicate with her before she crosses into Hallowed Eternity."

  Priscilla looked at me with sheer panic. "She’s a necromancer? This is not good. She will never be safe. We need to get Celeste back now. "

  Veda looked at me encouragingly. And all I felt like doing was throwing up from sheer panic. This was too much, and way too soon.

  Veda touched my face softly. "Gabrielle, you can talk to her. Just focus your gift and get all the information you can from her. We are going to need to know everything in order to save her life."

  I wiped the tears from my eyes. I was stronger than this. There was no way I was going to let it beat me. Never.

  "Just tell me what to do."

  "You’re going to need to meditate in order to slip between realms. That’s the only way to communicate with her." She looked at me quickly. "One important thing, if you encounter Achlys, the spirit mist of death, do not be afraid. Just steady your courage."

  She instructed me to lie down next to Grandma Celeste, breathing in deeply to clear my mind. My eyes fluttered closed and my body relaxed when I focused my thoughts on the feeling of walking through the lush gardens at Gaia’s sanctuary. I heard a faint sound, and I strained my ears to hear it. I could still feel Veda’s cool fingers pressing lightly against my temples, using all her energy to keep me focused. I heard the sound again, this time a little louder. I felt myself floating, my body and mind light.

  "So, you finally learned to focus on something else besides candy?"

  "Grandma Celeste, where are you?"

  I couldn’t see her; I walked along further into the death mist as it clung to my body painfully.

  "Don’t worry about seeing me. Just listen to me carefully." Her voice faded, then came back strong. "Time is of the essence, and I need you to work quickly."

  I looked around blindly. "Who did this to you?"

  "Gabi, that’s not important right now. What’s important is to make sure that the Book of Eternals is protected. I fear that is what the Underworld is after."

  "But, it’s the only thing that can save you." I sniffled.

  "Gabi, you stop that crying. I’m not important. The Book of Eternals is your primary concern. The Underworld is just using me as a pawn in their game to get to you."

  I wiped my eyes quickly. "Everyone is going crazy down there. The queens were attacked. Queen Harmonia is missing. I just found out I’m some necromancer thing. And I sense that the Eternals might be planning something really major.
Really, how much do you people expect from a sixteen-year-old?" I was so close to really losing it.

  "It’s a war. That’s what the Underworld wants—a war between the Elementi and the Eternals. Gabi, you must stop the war from starting," she said with agitation in her voice.

  I jammed my hands on my hips angrily. "Uh, Grandma Celeste, exactly how am I going to do that? They’re not going to listen to a Neophyte. That’s just not going to happen."

  "You’re the Akasha—the personification of spirit. So act like it!" she responded angrily. "Gabi, just find a way ask Priscilla to contact the Conclave of Noteos. They’ll know what to do. But whatever you do, do it quick. I sense an uprising against the Normals will be next." Her voice faded out, then faded back in. "Do not trust Queen Nemesis. Get the Book of Eternals back. It’s in the Eternals’ chamber."

  Her voice was low, then high. "Divine law."

  "What? You have to give me a little more info than that," I squeaked with panic.

  "It will be concealed in the personification of divine law." Her voice faded out.

  "Grandma Celeste, please don’t go. I’m so lost without you!" I screamed hysterically.

  I woke up feeling a cold, damp cloth touching my forehead. I looked around, dazed.

  Priscilla looked at me urgently. "What did she say?"

  I was shaken to the core. "She said something about hiding the Book of Eternals and stopping the war."

  Veda looked at me glumly. "Well, it’s too late for that. Queen Harmonia is missing and feared dead, and Queen Nemesis is actually rallying the Eternals for some sort of battle against the Elementi and the Banished." She walked over to the window and peered out uneasily. "She actually has everyone convinced that the Elementi are behind the attack. She even went as far as to say the Banished are now working for the Elementi. It’s just pure craziness."

  Priscilla was pacing back and forth anxiously. "That’s hogwash. The Elementi need us. Why would they attack the Queens? They’ve been our allies for centuries. And now, out of the blue, they’re joining forces with the Banished? That I do not believe." She threw her hands in the air. "This is a powder keg waiting to explode. Tons of Eternals are traveling through the portals without the permission of the Elementi, and all of them are heading here like this is some sort of battle station."

  I jumped off the bed and ran over to the window. There was a mob of Eternals ranting and raving in the courtyard. "What can I do to stop this?"

  Priscilla looked at me glumly. "Absolutely nothing. Not while everyone is so riled up. I’m going downstairs to the courtyard to see if I can talk some sense to them yahoos." She strode out of the room like a woman on a mission.

  "Priscilla is going to need help with calming the crowd. I’m going to get some Circles to keep a watch on Celeste." Veda looked me calmly. "Gabrielle, there is nothing that you can do right now. Go back to your room, clear your mind, and come back here later. By then, Priscilla and I will have a plan to get her back." She touched my face, then walked out of the room.

  I felt totally helpless as I watched the crowd argue and scream at each other. I knew that something had been put into motion that would only lead to destruction. My face hardened. No. I’m not helpless. I’m the Akasha, well, whatever that means. Plus, Grandma Celeste would be so disappointed if I gave up right now. I can help, and I know exactly how.

  I walked over to the bed and kissed her lightly on the forehead.

  "Don’t worry. I’m going to protect the Book of Eternals," I whispered with determination in my eyes.

  I walked quickly out of the room, bumping into the two Circles standing outside Grandma Celeste’s room protectively. They both looked at me solemnly, nodding their heads with acknowledgment. I knew that no one was getting in that room while they were on watch.

  I ran down the hallway and stopped at the blocked exit that led to the courtyard. There was no way I would be able to get through that crowd.

  Suddenly, a figure stepped from the shadows. Instinctively, I jumped into Warrior stance, ready to fight.

  "Whoa. First leveler. Relax, it’s me."

  I sagged with relief. It was Justice.

  "What are you doing sneaking around here?" I whispered angrily.

  He looked at me broodingly. "I heard about Celeste, and I wanted to"—he stuck his hands into the pockets of jeans—"you know, help."

  I looked at him angrily. "Why do you even care?"

  Justice stepped in my face seething. "You’re not the only person who cares about her, you know." He ran his hands through his hair agitatedly. "Celeste is my friend. She’s the only one around here who actually talks to me because she likes me, and not because she wants something from me." He blew out calmingly. "I just wanted you to know that if you needed help, I’m here." He looked at me steadily, then turned to walk away.

  "Stop, Justice." I was ashamed for acting so lame. "I’m sorry," I said softly.

  Justice stopped walking and stood with his back toward me, his shoulders tense, with hands hanging tightly by his side.

  "I’m just not used to…" I struggled to get my emotions back in check. "I’m just not used to anyone caring."

  He turned around and walked over to me quickly. "Well, I care." He looked at me pensively. "I care about a lot of things."

  I just stared at him, getting lost in his gray eyes. We stood absolutely still, just looking at each other. I cleared my suddenly parched throat.

  "If you want to help, there’s something you may be able to show me."

  He stepped even closer. "And what’s that?"

  I could now smell the clean, soapy smell wafting from him. It was somehow comforting, drawing me closer to him. Get it together, Gabrielle. Grandma Celeste needs my help, I thought quickly.

  Reluctantly, I stepped back. Justice ran his hands through his hair tensely.

  "Yeah. Umm. How do I sneak into the Eternals’ chamber?" .

  His eyes widened. "Are you kidding? Why do you need to know that?"

  I gave him an annoyed stare. "Do you know how or not?"

  "Yes, I know where it is, but I need to know why you’re asking. I mean, that’s serious Eternals stuff, after all." He laughed huskily.

  Anxious, I looked around. "It’s to help my grandmother. I need to find the Book of Eternals and hide it."

  Justice looked at me steadily to the point of making me squirm. "Do you really believe that this will help her?" His eyes searched my face. "Because if we get caught doing this, it’s major trouble."

  "I know that. That’s why I don’t want you involved, if it means getting you in trouble."

  Justice smiled. "Trouble? ‘Trouble’ is my middle name. But I thought you knew that by now." He wagged his eyebrows playfully.

  "So, if you want to know, I have to go with you. That’s the deal. Take it or leave it." He looked at me coldly.

  I was torn. But I knew that from the hard look on his face that if I didn’t make the deal, then my chances of finding the Book of Eternals was slim to none. "Fine," I responded grudgingly. "But we have to go to the dorms and get my friends first."

  He scoffed. "Are you crazy? You want to take your friends with you to steal the book?"

  I looked at him stubbornly. "Fine, then forget it. I’ll find some other way to get the location of the book." I turned, starting to walk away.

  "Stop" he said angrily. "Fine, we’ll get your friends." He turned and started to walk down the opposite way.

  "Where are you going? It’s this way." I pointed in the direction of the courtyard.

  "I know this place way better than you. We go this way," he said menacingly.

  I looked at him with eyes steeped with determination.

  "Gabrielle, we don’t have all day."

  I stormed up to him. "Fine."

  He smirked, "Doesn’t that make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside to actually agree with me?"

  "Whatever."

  Justice quickly walked up the hall, making a left at a deserted section of the castle.
He opened a very creepy-looking door, beckoning me through into a very large library-like room with windows covered with dusty curtains that looked like they hadn’t been cleaned in ages.

  He looked around the room quickly before striding over to a large bookshelf full of dusty books and knickknacks. He yanked out a very large, dusty book from the shelf, spewing a thick plume of dust in the air. I watched in amazement as two of the bookcases unlocked, opening automatically to reveal a dark passageway.

  He turned and winked at me. "Secret passageway."

  I smirked at him before dusting away all of the dust that was now sprinkled on my face and hair. "At least you’re good for something other than making a lot of trouble," I responded saucily.

  He reached over and lightly brushed a speck of dust from my cheek. "Maybe one day you’ll realize that I’m good for a lot of things."

  There was that awkward silence again, where our eyes were locked. And frankly, I didn’t know whether he was serious or not. But from the very intense gleam in his eyes, I was going with the assumption that he might be very serious.

  I stepped back awkwardly, allowing his hand to drop away for making my move to step over the threshold quickly. I stopped in my tracks when I felt his warm hand on my lower back.

  Looking over my shoulder, I swatted his hand away like a fly. "Uh, hand?"

  He smiled cheekily, holding his hand up in a defensive manner. "What? I’m just making sure you don’t trip over something."

  "Please, that line might work with the other NCs, but not on me." I gave him a mean look. "No touching. Got it?"

  He smiled smugly. "How do you know there are other NCs?"

  "I heard about the NA contest, so please don’t play me. I’m a first leveler, not an idiot."

  "I wouldn’t worry about any of the NCs and me." He paused with a serious gleam in his eyes. "This year, I’m completely focused on one in particular."

  I snapped my head back to stare into the darkness quickly because I was flattered, and yes, a little bit peeved that it was obvious that this year his focus was on me, like I was some sort of game.