“Goodnight,” he whispers, his breath soft against my cheek. “I love you.”
I tuck my head under his chin and lie motionless. Hours tick by. I don’t move. I wait until everyone’s fast asleep. Then I reach down my throat and pull out a black widow wedged in it. I place it on the floor and it runs under the bed. I sneak out of bed and tiptoe over to Laylen. His arm’s flopped over the edge and he takes up most of the bed. I inch my hand for his mouth, closer, closer. His eyes snap open and he twists my arm in an awkward position that tears at my muscles. I flip my arm around quickly, freeing myself, and coil his until it hurts. I grab his hair roughly with my other hand, yank him out of bed, and drag him into the small bathroom. I shut the door and he starts to laugh.
“I knew you liked it rough,” he says impishly.
I tap my fingers on the counter. “Well played. I’m pretty sure neither of them expected anything.”
“Of course they don’t.” He places his hands on my hips and slowly guides me toward him. “I can’t believe they actually thought that would work. It takes a heck of lot more to bring someone like you down.”
“Only one person actually. Annabella.” I peer in the mirror. “But she’s trapped inside me and I’ll never let her go.” I smooth down my hair. “I’m out of her body for one minute and look what she does to herself.”
“We’ll get you some stuff to make you beautiful again,” Laylen promises.
“Or maybe I’ll just get a new body.”
“You know you can’t do that. You know how hard it was to find a girl who’s fey, a Keeper, a Foreseer, and who’s connected with the soul of another. If she wasn’t bonded to the doofus out there, her soul would probably be too weak to carry your power—she’d probably die.”
“We need the doofus.” I rub the pads of my fingers along the lines of my jaw, my narrow cheekbones, around my violet eyes. “And Gemma will die anyway. Once I’m out of her body.”
He swallows hard and his blue eyes simmer with hot tears.
“Shut it down. You’re letting him seep through the cracks,” I demand, repulsed. He sucks back the tears. I pull a face at his weakness and then at my hideous reflection. “I need to get to the City of Crystal.”
“What for?” Laylen’s thumbs massage circles on my hips.
“Because she’s not strong enough to get into the Room of Forbidden on her own.” I motion at my leggy body.
Laylen cocks his head to the side. “Why don’t we use a Foreseer who’s here in the Human World? I hate going to that creepy place.”
“Quit being a baby.” I shake my head exasperatedly. “Besides, I don’t want just any Foreseer. I want Dyvinius.”
Laylen’s fingers try to sneak up the back of my shirt. “Why? What’s so special about the old man?”
I shove him away, not wanting to get caught up in anything other than my plan. “Because at the moment, he’s the most powerful Foreseer I know. And because after this is all done, and the vision is altered that will change my past, I can kill Dyvinius and then all the Foreseers’ power will be gone.” I make a poofing motion with my hand. “And then no one will be able to change the vision back. Ever. Besides, he can give me the Serpent mark. How fun would that be?”
Laylen’s lips creep into a smile. “Your mind is truly amazing.”
I cup his chin with my hand and cut his skin with my thumbnail. “You better not screw with me this time. If you try anything with my sisters, I’ll kill you. It’s because of you that I am stuck in that wretched place. Your betrayal caused my mother to sentence me to The Afterlife. She thought I was weak.”
“I’m sorry, my love.” He flinches and wipes the blood from his chin. “I had needs, though. And my family had expectations.”
“Well, your bloodline is almost dead.” I gesture at the door. “Except for those two out there and that’s an easy fix.” I back away, slipping the Cornu Lepore around my neck. “The more power I have, the better… I wonder if my Lost Souls have found their bodies yet. It’s important they find good ones—ones that have high reign in the world.”
“If they don’t pick the right ones, we’re screwed. And Luna’s out now, so that’s a problem.”
“Luna doesn’t scare me.” I slink out the door. Alex and Aislin are snoring softly from the beds. We sneak out the door and to the parking lot. I feel guilty for leaving them, but only momentarily. I turn off my emotions, just like I used to. A new me settles in. I scratch a cut across the star on my wrist, whispering good-bye forever.
I take Laylen’s hand and seal my eyes shut. “Let’s go rain some hell down on the world.” I blink us away, out of the night, knowing no one can stop me.
Chapter 31
“Wow, that’s truly amazing,” Laylen observes when I land us in the City of Crystal. We are standing in front of a set of tall, silver doors, with curved handles shaped like a Foreseer mark. I dither my next step. Barge in? Sneak? I’m way to powerful for that. I rip open the door and toss my head back with exhilaration.
Shiny cutouts of silver and blue porcelain create a path through the green gemstones, mimicking blades of grass. The blue sky diamonds above and clouds image across it. I advance down the path like I own the place, looking straight ahead at the silver throne perched on the sapphire dais.
“Dyvinius. Dyvinius. Come out. Come out. Wherever you are,” I singsong, reaching the brim of the dais.
“He’s not going to come out,” Laylen says over my shoulder. “He’s not that stupid…” He trails off as Dyvinius emerges. “Okay, I guess I have to retract my statement. He is that stupid.”
The tall, old man walks out, his hair and eyes matching his sliver, floor-length robe. “Gemma, what are you doing here?” he asks unhappily. “And how did you even get here? You don’t have your power anymore.”
I pace the floor in front of the dais. “You know, the last time I saw you, you were just an ordinary Foreseer with no authority.” I cast a glace around. “And now look at you, reigning over the Foreseers. Impressive. Of course, I know how you got the position. It’s not based on your power, but more on your sick ability to cheat your way to the top.”
He stumbles over his robe and his silver eyes amplify. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I didn’t cheat. I earned this.”
I hold up my hands. “Hey, no judgment here. I can respect a man who can lock away another man, just to get what he wants.”
He falters to his throne. “Who are you?”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk.” I wave my finger at him. “I’ll be the one asking the questions.”
He shivers. “I’m not sure what you want, but I can tell you right now, I won’t give it to you.”
I step on the dais, place my hands on the armrests of the throne, and dip my head close. “You’ll give me whatever I want. Because death always wins.”
Realization strikes him like a lightning bolt to the chest. “I don’t… how did you… Helena?”
A smile teases my lips. “I’m glad to see you haven’t forgotten me. Although, I am very memorable.”
“Yes, you are,” Laylen muses from behind me.
My grin broadens. “Now, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way.”
“W-what do you want?” he stammers, hovering back.
I lean away slightly. “Well, to start with, I want the Serpent mark.”
He shakes his head swiftly. “I’ll never give it to you.”
“So the hard way, then.” I sigh, inspecting my chipped fingernails. “I was actually hoping for the easy way. Normally I don’t mind a challenge, but being human is rather tiring—all this emotion bustling through me. I’m having a hard time dealing with it.”
“Helena,” Dyvinius pleads, eyes squinting, wrinkles creasing his pale skin. “I know what you’re up to and I beg you not to do it. Changing visions doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get exactly what you want.”
I unhinge my jaw and spit a Black Widow on his lap. He screams and tries to jump up, but I whip my hand out and hol
d him down as the spider climbs up his arm and sinks its venomous fangs into its neck. His body slumps to the side, arms draped lifeless over the armrests.
“Silly Dyvinius,” I say. “I always get what I want.”
Laylen steps up beside me and runs his fingers through his hair. “You didn’t kill him, did you? Because he’s useless to us if he’s dead.”
I pat him on the head and let my finger trace a line down his pale cheek to the neckline of his black shirt. I grip the fabric and tug him closer.
“Of course he’s not dead,” I breathe. “Don’t ever second guess me.”
He nods and I release him, exhaling loudly. “I need a place… somewhere that he can’t use his Foreseer power.” I stare at the stubborn old man. “I have a feeling it’s going to take some torture to get what I want and I can’t have him going off and disappearing with the blink of an eye.”
Laylen nods agreeably. “We could go to the castle. The place is covered with praesidium.”
I pat his head. “Good boy. And as long as Luna’s not there—”
He cuts me off. “I’m sure she won’t be. She’s got her own things to worry about, like getting her power back.”
“Well, she better not succeed,” I say. “Otherwise, it’s going to be tricky getting what I want. Not impossible, but tricky.” I sigh and grab one of Dyvinius’ comatose hands. “Alright, let’s go to the castle.”
“The outskirts though. If you try to get inside, it’s going to hurt.”
I shut my eyes, picturing the lake and take the three of us away.
***
“You know, it'd be much easier if you’d just tell me.” I pace the floor of the library, my hands covered in blood, my body aching. The more I exert myself, the more the good side of me slips through. I hate it and it makes me feel weak.
Dyvinius is bound to a leather sofa, covered in cuts and bruises that I’ve inflicted on him. “I won’t do it. Hurt me all you want, but I won’t.”
Laylen sits in the opposing sofa, boots kicked up on the table, and the Foreseer book opened in his lap. “Did you know that the Foreseers are one of the oldest breeds around? You’d think they’d be more powerful.”
“Stop telling me useless things,” I bark, frustration bursting through me. Things aren’t going my way and I don’t like it. “I want to know something helpful, like a trick that will help me get what I want from this man.” My eyes dart to Dyvinius and he sweats bullets.
Laylen turns the page. “Hmmm… here’s something.” His finger skims the page. “Did you know that some Foreseers can take other Foreseer’s power away?”
“Of course I knew that,” I enrage. “Why do you think I had to work so hard to get it back?”
Laylen thrums his fingers on the page. “But maybe you can do it.”
I watch Dyvinius’ reaction. “What do you think? Do I have it in me?” His trembling body answers.
“Place your hands on his head and test it,” Laylen instructs, reading the page. “Eventually you don’t have to make a direct connection, but in the beginning it’s much easier.”
I crunch my knuckles and loosen my shoulders. My fingers move eagerly for Dyvinius’ head.
“If you take it away, then I can’t help you!” he shouts out, jerking his arms, trying to break the ropes. “My power will be gone!”
I shrug half-heartedly. “I guess I’ll have to find another Foreseer then. No biggie.”
My fingertips brush his temples. His skin is loose under my touch. “I wonder if it’ll hurt. It hurt when it happened to me.”
“Wait!” he cries, tears slipping from his eyes. “I’ll give you the mark. I’ll give you whatever you want. Please don’t take my power away!”
I pull back, smiling like a spoiled brat. “It sucks, doesn’t it—the thought of losing your power. Now give me the Serpent mark.”
His shoulders shudder as he nods. “Animum liberos. Quid tibi vis,” he mumbles with regret.
A tingling sensation snakes up my spine, inking my skin and forever branding me with the power to invade minds. I’m invigorated by the energy surging through my blood and I let out a pleased chuckle, stretching my arms in front of me.
Laylen snaps the book shut. “Well, there’s one thing we can…” His eyebrows knit together as his gaze travels to the doorway. “Who the hell are you?”
I turn around. A lanky guy, probably about my age, leans against the doorway, arms crossed, eyes a deep blue. He is dressed in black, a chain dangling from his pocket. His arms are tracked with tattoos and leather bands. His hair is like a shadow, flowing down and slightly curling up below his ears.
“Gemma Lucas,” he muses thoughtfully. “I never thought I’d see you again.”
My eyes never waver from him, but confusion hordes my head. “And you are…”
He moves from the doorway, his long legs striding toward me. “Nalina sent me here. You have a lot of people worried about you. They think you’re possessed by some evil witch.”
“I’m not a witch,” I seethe, offended. “I’m a queen. And that still doesn’t explain who you are.”
He gives me a small smile and sighs sadly. “Let’s just say I’m an old friend.” His arm zips forward and his hand strangles my neck.
“Let me go!” I screech.
His grip only tightens, his strength pounding through his fingertips. “Sorry sweetheart, but I can’t do that.” His eyes blaze.
My body inflames. Laylen shouts something and charges. The stranger holds up his free hand in Laylen’s direction and I hear a loud thump. His glowing eyes pierce into me until I can’t breathe. My vision spots, my boiling blood suffocates me.
I black out.
Chapter 32
I wake up in my bedroom at the castle. My arms and legs are strapped to the bars on the head and footboard. Both the Cornu Lepore and my locket are missing from my neck. The room is silent, but voices stream from somewhere inside the house. The curtain obstructs the sunlight.
I writhe and buck my body, trying to get free. But the chains are too tight and only slice at my skin. I shut my eyes, trying to use my new power to breach someone’s mind and summon them to release me.
“Try all you want,” an unfamiliar voice says. “But this place is on lockdown. No Foreseer can use their power anywhere inside it.”
My eyes slowly open and I give the stranger from earlier a dirty look. “Who are you?” A faint memory tugs at my mind. My mind, not Helena’s. Alex and I run playfully through a field while a dark haired boy chases after us, his hands and eyes lit up with fire. “What are you?”
He sits on the edge of the bed, unafraid, and rubs his jawline. “You’re full of a lot of questions.” He watches me closely, like he’s trying to figure something out. “But are those questions yours,” he pauses and prods his finger against my head, “Or hers?”
“Whose?” I bat my eyelashes innocently.
The bedroom door opens and Alex slips inside. My heart flutters, but Helena silences it.
Worry masks his face and his dark hair is all over the place, a stress tick. “How’s she doing, Evan?”
Evan steps back from the bed, the chain attached to his belt loop and pocket clinking with his movements. “I’m not sure. She’s obviously possessed, but there’s still some of her in there.”
I hiss and both guys flinch. “Where’s Laylen?”
Alex shakes his head, aggravated. “Tied up just like you. Neither one of you are going anywhere until we know for sure that Helena’s gone.”
“And Aislin?” I smirk because I already know the answer.
He glares with hatred. “You think you’re so clever, sending her to the Faerie Realm, knowing she’ll be trapped there now that Luna’s gone.”
We stare each other down, his expression torn between loathing and want.
“This is going to be hard,” Evan interrupts, examining me over. “The Queen of The Afterlife is nothing like a ghost.”
“Oh my God,” I laugh hysterically. �
��Not another exorcism. Didn’t you learn your lesson the last time? I’m not going anywhere.”
Alex rubs his face exhaustedly and drops down on the bed, a cold look icing his face. “Tell me Helena, have you ever heard of a little thing called an Omnia?”
I frown as Helena whispers what it is.
“By the look on your face, I think you have,” Alex says. “But I’ll explain anyway, since I don’t think Gemma knows… well, that she can remember. Omnia is a term for everything. So imagine someone who has every power; pyrokinesis, telekinesis, mind bending, the death touch, Foreseer power. And all the crap is mixed into one person. An Omnia. Now imagine what that person could do.”
Helena isn’t happy. I frown, anger burning in my chest.
“What’s the matter, sweetheart?” Evan asks. “Does it scare you?”
I sputter a laugh. “You think I’m afraid of you?” I shake my head, a laugh tickling my lips. “Man, humans are stupid. You think you can stop me. You think you can win.” I lower my voice so they have to lean closer. “If you really do kick me out of her, she’ll die. She’s now a part of me and there’s no going back.”
“You’re lying,” Alex says in horror. “Gemma can’t die. She’s a Protected One.”
“Loopholes,” I singsong. “They always exist.”
Evan concentrates on my eyes. “I think she’s telling the truth.”
I laugh evilly and a dark cloud covers the room. I’m not lying. There’s only one loophole that can save me from Helena. Annabella. But they don’t know that. And with Annabella locked inside me, they won’t find out.
My laughter fills the air, unsettling them so much that they have to leave the room. Time slips by, but that’s okay. I have all the time in the world.
Because I’m not going anywhere.
Jessica Sorensen lives with her husband and three kids in the snowy mountains of Wyoming, where she spends most of her time reading, writing, and hanging out with her family.
The Lost Soul (Fallen Soul Series, Book 1) Page 20
