Altered Souls (Witch Avenue Series #2)

by Bolton, Karice

  “The embarrassment you caused me in front of my father, your grandfather, is unforgiveable. He left angrier than I’ve ever seen him. He’s an old man, Triss. Do you realize I might never see him again? And my ignorant daughter chased him off. I saved you from him,” he ranted.

  “You’re making no sense.”

  “I saw you in the woods, but I didn’t let on that you were there and this is how you repay me?”

  I didn’t even know how to reply. My father was insane. Dragging me across the property we finally arrived at the destination he intended.

  “Do you think I got to this place of power by being foolish?” My father accused, shoving me into the shed that once housed Ellsy.

  I clenched my eyes shut as my body slid against the floor, greeting every stone with pain. The anger was doubling inside, but I had to follow the plan. I promised Logan I would no matter what. It wasn’t only my life in jeopardy.

  My flesh burned and stung as air began to touch the open wounds, but I wouldn’t shed a tear, not over this. Not over my father.

  “Not at all,” I replied.

  “Then why are you making me punish you like this?” he barked.

  Images of my mother from the night before haunted me, and I vowed I wouldn’t become like her. I wouldn’t become an Altered Soul.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong,” I said.

  Opening my eyes, I stared at the back of the room. I quickly scanned the bottom of the wall and saw the shackle. Would he shackle his own daughter?

  “You don’t, huh?” He began pacing behind me.

  Shaking my head, I kept my mouth shut as I waited for his reply. I didn’t want to look at him. I swallowed my anger and steadied my voice. I’d come too far to lose control.

  “Do you think I didn’t know you and your little boyfriend snuck up the lake to spy on me?” my father boomed. “I allowed you to leave unharmed.”

  My heart quickened. He knew Logan was going to be here tonight. Oh, God. Please no.

  “How naïve do you think I am, daughter?”

  The grotesque recognition of our status began controlling me. I could no longer control myself. Not with Logan out there alone unknowingly planning his own demise.

  “Daughter?” I snapped, turning to face the man I wanted to kill. “Don’t you dare call me that. You’re a sickening sight, pathetic, and I’m nothing like you.”

  My rage was unstoppable. Logan had no idea that this was a trap. We had been in control of nothing this entire time.

  “Oh, I don’t know about that.” He smiled. “By the way, haven’t you been worried why you can’t get a hold of him? Is your little communication spell not working any longer? The entire point of communicating silently is so you don’t utter the words goodbye for a fool like me to hear.”

  “You’re worthless. You couldn’t stand on your own if you tried,” I yelled.

  “At least you’re feeling the hate. That will be useful.” He turned around, sliding the lock in the door ensuring I went nowhere.

  The angry tears began flooding down my face. There was nothing I could do to warn Logan. What was my father going to do to him? Or did he already have him? I slid down the wall slowly as fear began to paralyze me. The blood was trickling down my palms, pooling at the tips of my fingers and I didn’t care. I felt like time was leaving me behind.

  I rested my head against the wall and stared at the ceiling hoping for some sign, but my lids began getting heavy with anguish.

  “Triss.”

  My eyes blinked open and I attempted to orient the voice when I saw her. Aunt Vieta was staring at me, only a foot away.

  “How did you get in here?” I hissed, glaring at her.

  She ignored my question and knelt down quickly, placing a note in my hand.

  I didn’t understand her. I didn’t understand her actions, and I probably never would.

  “Take care, Triss,” she whispered, turning around and exiting the shed without another word.

  Quickly unrolling the piece of paper, the confusion began spreading through me once more. Was she helping me or nudging me to make the wrong decision again.

  I held in my hand the image that both Logan and I shared, bonding us as one. How would my aunt know about this spell and what was it meant to tell me? My other hand shoved my waistband down an inch allowing me to see the ink on my skin, praying it would tell me something — anything. It did nothing of the sort. It was cold and lifeless. Had my father already hurt Logan?

  I dropped the note on the floor and closed my eyes. Curling my legs into me, I braced myself for an outcome I never wanted to imagine.

  A breeze from the open window began to pick up, and I tightened my legs into my body, gripping my knees even more. I looked up to see if I could even reach the window to close it, and it didn’t look promising. It was up too high. I wondered how many people my father housed in here? My stare dropped back to the floor when I noticed there was something else scrawled on the backside of the note.

  It was Logan’s handwriting. My hands trembled as I reached for the piece of paper that now seemed like the most important document in the world.

  I love you, Triss

  I always have and always will

  Stick to the plan

  I’ll be all right

  Whether it’s in this world or the next

  We’ll be together

  We’ve got to release these souls

  Yours forever,

  Logan

  My heart began beating so fast, my face turned flush with sorrow. He was writing me a goodbye note. Did he always know this was part of the plan? How could he do this to me — to us? I couldn’t stop the panic from spreading throughout me. My breathing was ragged with the anger that began filling me once more.

  I couldn’t stick to the plan. Not now, not if it involves losing him. I folded the piece of paper as tiny as possible and stuck it under my bra strap as close to my heart as I could place it.

  Knowing my father, he was going to make what was coming an example for his followers. Step out of line and you can expect to be punished. If my father’s ego could be counted on then there would be an audience for Logan’s arrival, and I’m certain my father would want me to be part of it.

  I promised Logan I wouldn’t resort to black magic in order to stay protected from the spirits from the underworld, but I couldn’t stand by and watch him die.

  “You’ll have to forgive me, baby,” I whispered for no one other than myself.

  “Triss, stop,” Bakula whispered, scaring me to death.

  “How’d you know I was in here?” I whispered.

  “We were able to see the choice you were about to make,” Bakula said, fluttering to the front door. “It led us here.”

  “Dace, have you unlocked it?” she asked impatient.

  “Just about,” he replied.

  “Logan, he’s in harms way.” My voice panicked.

  “We can’t stop decisions that have already been made,” Dace whispered apologetically.

  The door sprung open, and I ran outside toward the lake with Bakula and Dace flying away. We couldn’t afford to have them seen.

  The property was deathly quiet, scaring me even more as I wondered where everyone was. By the time I got to the lake my heart was pounding.

  I heard a group slowly edging up behind me. A murmur of excited voices met me next.

  “Would you like to see a little better?” my father’s voice boomed.

  He threw a flame and another, creating a bonfire, not unlike the one I saw the first night when Logan and I were on the lake. I turned my attention back out to the water, and my heart fractured as I realized Logan was out there in a boat, and he wasn’t alone. Trevor was with him.

  “Don’t take one more step toward him,” my father ordered.

  I heard whimpering in the direction of the boat and ignoring my father stepped forward to see Ellsy tied up in the bottom of the boat with her mouth taped shut. Her head was pr
opped up on one of the wooden benches, as tears streamed down her face. My heartbeat quickened at the thought of what my father and Trevor planned to do to them. I forced my stare from Ellsy to her son.

  “I love you,” Logan mouthed, his deep blue eyes calm.

  Trevor’s blade was digging into Logan’s flesh, but Logan refused to wince. He stood strong, keeping his eyes on me, barely blinking. The boat bobbed only slightly in the mostly still lake, making the opportunity too perfect for me to miss.

  “Do what he says,” Logan echoed.

  “No. I’m not taking orders from anyone any longer,” I replied, shaking my head. “That includes you.”

  My stomach constricted as I launched my verbal assault. I loved him too much to speak to him like that, but I had no choice.

  Not backing down, I took a few steps closer to the water and heard the crowd of gasps behind me. Makes sense that my father would want an audience for something so atrocious.

  Trevor’s eyes narrowed on me as he tightened his grip around Logan’s neck.

  “Please let him go, Trevor,” I stated, feeling my weapon curl its way around my ankle. Apparently he was a better actor than I realized. The element of surprise had been meant for my father, but I wasn’t going to chance it. The new intended target was Trevor.

  “I don’t think so.” Trevor’s laughter made the boat rock more than he expected causing him to stop abruptly.

  The fury in Logan’s eyes couldn’t be hidden as he realized what I decided to do, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t going to let two people who I loved die in front of me.

  “Don’t defy your father, Triss,” Logan grimaced as Trevor dug the blade against his neck.

  Trevor smirked as he looked beyond me, over my shoulder. I wasn’t sure who in particular he was looking at until I heard his voice.

  “Ooh, this should be fun,” my grandfather replied from the crowd. “Kind of ironic.”

  “Isn’t it though,” I replied acidly, as my weapon slowly slid its way up my body and wrapped around each of my fingers. With the darkness of the night, they wouldn’t see it coming until it was too late. The adrenaline rushing through my blood was taking on a new form. I looked quickly behind me as the dislike for certain individuals turned to pure rage.

  My eyes landed on my mom, whose eyes were now filled with tears. She could no longer stand up and was leaning against the Adirondack chair that held my father. Was she any closer to becoming herself?

  The coldness of the arrowhead pendant against my chest reminded me that time was not on my side.

  I raised my arms up quickly, allowing the snake to turn to the bow before anyone realized what was happening. Taking aim at Trevor’s chest, I released the string; satisfied it would reach its intended target.

  “Fragor Sagitta,” I uttered, watching the sharp point turn to flames as it burrowed its way into Trevor’s body.

  Rather than release Logan when Trevor collapsed, the tip of the knife went into Logan’s flesh as they both fell into the lake.

  Ellsy shot out a mumbled scream as I stood there numb. What had I done? The crowd surrounding my father went still and then erupted with joy. I turned to face them all, letting my bow fall to the ground before turning toward the lake.

  “Triss,” my mother sobbed. She knew my father was going to end me, and so did I.

  My father’s laughter rattled through the air as I dove into the dark waters searching for Logan. The water stung my fresh scrapes with every stroke, while old downed trees and aquatic life harassed me. I couldn’t find him.

  Coming back up for air quickly, I swam back under the area of the small boat searching as fast as I could. He had to be around here. My heart shattered bit by bit with every second that I was unable to locate him. The slipperiness of the lake grass teased my senses with every grasp. Thinking I landed on Logan’s wrist time and time again, only to be let down by the swaying of the underwater weeds ushering me to another place in the darkened waters.

  Shooting my head up for air, the crowd had now converged closer to the lake. Thoughts of Ellsy flickered into my mind, but thoughts of Logan drowning forced her out. Diving back under, I kicked to a new unexplored area when a hand grabbed my arm, tugging me farther under the surface.

  Chapter 23

  I woke up to my body being dragged along the bank, but it was so dark I couldn’t tell by who.

  “Logan?” I whispered.

  “It’s not Logan,” a female whispered.

  “Jenny?” I asked startled. “What’s going on?”

  “I’m getting you to safety.”

  “No. Stop right now. I’ve got to get Logan.”

  She stopped moving me, and I stood up freezing, wet, and muddy. But I didn’t care.

  “Where is he?”

  I heard rustling behind her and my body stiffened.

  “Who’s behind you?”

  “Everyone’s here and ready. He still wants us to follow the plan.”

  “Where is he? Is he okay?” I was completely agitated.

  “He’ll be fine.”

  “He’ll be fine or he is fine?”

  Jenny ignored my question and refused to look at me. She turned around and walked to the wooded area, and I followed behind.

  “What about Ellsy?”

  “Logan flipped the boat and got her to safety while you were underwater.”

  “Where is he?”

  Silence.

  “Well?”

  “He went back.”

  “What?” I screamed as quietly as possible.

  I reached up to my pendant and felt its warmth but heard silence.

  We were still on my father’s property and there was no doubt he knew we were here — that many us were here. We had peppered our presence on the outskirts of the property, each group containing about thirty members, and I needed to ensure everyone still mobilized on our signal. What was he doing?

  “Do you have a lantern?” I asked.

  Jenny began cranking the one tied onto her belt until a dim light displayed the many faces staring back at me. I didn’t see Logan’s mom.

  “Where’s Ellsy?” I asked.

  “I had to sedate her,” My aunt’s voice came from behind.

  My heart began beating so rapidly I became lightheaded. I glanced at Jenny who didn’t seem concerned and neither did anyone else.

  “What are you doing here?” I snapped.

  Aunt Vieta’s expression was solemn as she reached out for my hand, but I wouldn’t extend mine.

  She pressed her lips together and looked to the ground.

  “I don’t have time for this. I’ve gotta check on the antidote, and then I’m going in after Logan and my mother.”

  “Triss, I came here for your mother’s sake. I wanted to keep after her as best I could. I tried to leave you clues.”

  “Save it.” I said, knowing nothing was going to get figured out in this moment.

  There were supposed to be fairies mingled with each group of witches, but I didn’t see any. They were the ones who were supposed to have the antidote we needed to administer.

  I reached up to my pendant, hoping to hear the voices of the fairies, and excused myself to a less inhabited part of the woods.

  “Dace, Bakula,” I whispered, holding onto the arrowhead.

  Silence.

  Something was wrong.

  I ran over to Jenny.

  “Do you know what’s going on with the antidote?” I asked.

  “There was a hiccup, but they are going to be ready with it as soon as we launch the boats,” Jenny replied.

  “And Logan went in without everything in place? Did he stick to the original plan?”

  She nodded.

  “Alright, I’m going in. When you see the fires, bring the boats. We’ll hope that the antidote arrives in time.”

  “Triss, Logan told me to keep you away,” she whispered.

  My mind flashed to the letter he wrote, and I refused to choose that as my destiny. I refused to liv
e with a ghost of a person. I needed the real thing.

  “If he told you to stick to the original plan, I’m part of it,” I said, shaking her hand off mine.

  “Wait for the signal. There’s going to be a lot of souls that need saving tonight.”

  Turning around, I walked back to the water where boats of all kinds were bobbing, waiting for their purpose. I chose the smallest one and hopped in without even thinking.

  The anger inside me was threatening my ability to see clearly. What was this martyr thing Logan had going on? He couldn’t do this alone. His mother was safe. Mine wasn’t. It wasn’t his job to save her.

  I grabbed the oars and began rowing. The breeze off the water combined with my wet clothes was downright icy. That would give me something other than Logan’s actions to worry about.

  “Triss,” a male’s voice whispered.

  The chill of my skin quickly turned to a raw heat of fear. That was not Logan’s whisper.

  I looked behind me, and I was only about twenty feet from the shore. I didn’t see anyone except Jenny.

  “Over here,” he whispered again, this time rattling the tall grass as he spoke.

  My mouth became dry as I saw the eyes looking at me. It was Trevor, but that was impossible.

  “Please, I can help,” Trevor continued.

  I stopped rowing and sat in the boat unable to do anything but stare at him.

  I shot him. I saw the arrow go into his chest. This was a trick. I had to get to the compound. I turned my attention back to the oars and began rowing again.

  “You know how your grandfather was in two places at once?” he was on the verge of yelling.

  I began trembling, but I didn’t know if it was because of the chill from being drenched or my complete inability to understand what was occurring.

  “This was part of Logan’s plan,” he continued. “The one he shielded you from.”

  Why would Logan trust Trevor? Why would I trust Trevor? My mind was spinning with possibilities all of which seemed infeasible.

  “Prove it to me,” I replied, staring at his shadow.

  “You share a nectunt together.” He replied, his voice shaking. “You are forever linked as one. I accept it and respect it.”

  “That’s not proof.”