“There. It’s in there.” I rub my finger where the plate shocked me.
A deep moan fills the tomb, echoing off the walls, sounding hollow and sad. I stare at Aidan with wide eyes, the hair standing on my arms. We wait, but the tomb falls silent.
Aidan gently pushes me aside, shifting the rock in his hands, but I grab his arm. I take the rock and step in front of him. “I should do it.”
Aidan moves out of the way. I lift the rock as high as I can over my head, bringing it down with every ounce of my strength and smashing it directly in the center of the name. The plate bends but doesn’t break. Taking a deep breath, I tap into the Capricorn birthstone, summoning everything I can and lift the rock once more, bringing it down with a loud crack.
The rock beneath the nameplate breaks, crumbling into pieces and exposing a small hole. I throw my rock to the side and reach in the space.
A tiny box, just large enough to hold a ring, barely touches my fingertips, but I can’t get a grip on it. I set my feet, bracing my other arm against the wall, and lean in, reaching as far as I can. The box is almost in my hand when the wall crumbles beneath my weight.
I scream as I tumble down the back side of the island, bouncing over rocks and banging against trees. Aidan yells behind me as my world topples end over end, and I grimace with each fresh bruise. I finally roll to a stop, dangerously close to falling over the edge. Breathing heavily, I pull myself to my knees as Aidan slides to a halt next to me.
“Are you okay?” Aidan immediately checks me for bumps and bruises. I grit my teeth as he finds a new sore spot, and gently shrug him off as I stand on wobbly legs. “I think I’m alright. Did you see what happened to the stone?”
I scan the rocks, ignoring the throbbing all over my body. A faint glow catches my eye, just above us and to the right.
“There!” I scamper back up the hill, slipping on the loose rock, and dive to the ground beside the glowing birthstone.
The tiny wooden box broke open as it fell on the rocks, and the jewel lay exposed on the ground. Taurus’s true birthstone is a large golden ring with a sapphire at least an inch long that covers the top of the ring. Diamonds and emeralds surround the blue in an intricate design that mirrors the lake and our surroundings. It hums without me touching it.
I gently pick up the ring, letting it rest in my palm, and study the birthstone. Energy races through my hand and up my arm. The ring’s power is at war with my own energy.
Aidan kneels by my side, pointing silently to the top of the hill where two hulking figures, clothed in black, search the ruins of the tomb.
I grab the box and shove it in my bag, slipping the ring on my finger and squeezing my hand to keep from losing it. We quietly work our way down the hill. I lean into Aidan, whispering, “How did they find us?”
Aidan tucks his arm around me, pushing me forward. “There were only four of us in that room that heard those clues.”
“It had to be Sarah. She disappeared after we dropped her off. She was there telling Taurus where to send his men.” My stomach knots at the thought of trusting her. “I can’t believe she sold us out again.”
“Maybe it wasn’t her,” Aidan says.
I pull myself away from Aidan, staring at him. “Then who could’ve told them?”
Aidan hangs his head. “Maybe it was Jocelyn. They have her, you know.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “Jocelyn wouldn’t betray us like that, and you know it. How could you say such a thing?”
Aidan reaches for my hand, but I yank it away. “I’m sorry. I don’t believe she’d betray us. I just think maybe she didn’t have a choice. She is an Aries, and he’s working with Taurus.”
My shoulder drops, and my anger dissipates as quickly as it began. I push a rock around with the toe of my boot, unable to summon the courage to look him in the eye. “I’m sorry. I never even thought of that. I guess I shouldn’t jump to conclusions.”
We hear a shout from the top of the hill and look up to see one man pointing down at us. We run, my legs still wobbly from my fall. Our feet pound the ground as fast as the uneven ground allows us to move and we hit the edge, climbing over.
I scale the wall, breathing heavily as I concentrate on keeping Taurus’s ring on my finger and my feet on the rocks. Half climbing and half sliding, we make it to the bottom and run around the circular beach of the island.
We round the final bend near where we left our boat, and I slam into the broad-chested Gresham, knocking me square into Aidan and sending both of us crashing to the ground.
I curse as I roll to the side just in time to avoid a massive boot connecting with my chin. Using the force of my roll, I jump to my feet, stepping in behind Aidan, who’s watching Gresham warily.
Gresham sneers, closing the gap between us, and holds out his hand. “Thanks for saving us the trouble. Give it to me, and maybe I’ll kill you quickly for cooperating.”
I slip the hand wearing Taurus’s ring behind my back.
“Not going to happen. Maybe you should’ve been a little bit quicker. Too bad for you that I outsmarted you again.” I shoot a quick glance around Gresham but don’t see our boat.
By the look on his face, I know I pushed a button. Without taking his eyes off me, the sneer disappears, replaced by a cold, hard stare. “Looking for your boat? It’s not even good for firewood now.”
“It doesn’t matter. You’re still not getting the birthstone from me.” I gently place my hand on Aidan’s back, trying to gauge what he’s planning.
“Have it your way.” Gresham lunges for me.
I step to the side and link arms with Aidan, squeezing tightly. With my hand in my bag, I grab the box that holds Capricorn’s birthstone and slam my eyes shut as a brilliant green light engulfs the island. Our assailants shout as they dive for cover.
My arm burns, but I hold on tightly to both the box and Aidan. For a brief second, I’m afraid I’m making a horrible mistake. I feel like my body is ripping in half. The light burns my eyes even though they’re closed and then suddenly everything goes completely dark.
I tumble end over end like a leaf falling from a tree and keep my eyes squeezed tightly shut, waiting for the end. I land hard on top of Aidan next to my Jeep and quickly roll off him, checking to make sure he’s still breathing.
“Holy shit. Are you okay?” Laughter escapes me from both tension and relief as I sit back on my heels.
Aidan pulls himself up to his feet and reaches down to help me stand, studying me carefully. “How did you do that?”
“I don’t know. A little voice told me to connect the stones. So, I did.” I slip Taurus’s ring into my pocket to keep them separate. “I’m just glad it worked.”
“Very good.” Aidan chuckles, joining me in the Jeep. Catching me by surprise, he reaches over and cups my chin, softly kissing me as a tingle washes through me all the way to my toes. Just as quickly he’s back to business, starting the car and pulling onto the highway. Unsure what to say, I sit there silently, thinking about his lips and the fire burning inside me.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Jocelyn’s house is dark. I don’t bother turning on any lights, afraid of drawing any unwanted attention. There’s enough outside light filtering through the windows, and I head straight to the back of her house and into her bedroom, Aidan following closely behind me.
“Do you know where she keeps the necklace?” Aidan stares around Jocelyn’s bedroom, scanning the mint-green walls.
“No, but it has to be in here. Jocelyn keeps everything that means something to her in here.” I scan the room, channeling my inner Jocelyn, and walk to the foot of the bed, turning in a slow circle.
About halfway around my turn, my eyes land on her favorite jewelry box, sitting on top of her dresser. About a foot tall, it’s more like a small cabinet, made of stained wood with tiny velvet-lined drawers on the left half and a small lattice door on the right. She’d had it since she was little.
I check the jewelry box
, opening each drawer, sifting through the pairs of earrings and necklaces inside. After searching all the drawers, there’s no sign of the necklace my mom gave her. I open the latticework door, turning the tiny wheel full of jewelry and still no key. Finally, I pull the small handle to roll down a ring holder, with little rolls of golden velvet to keep the jewelry organized. I’m disappointed to find it empty.
“Do you think it’s over here?” Aidan asks.
I glance over my shoulder to see Aidan standing next to her nightstand, and snicker, imagining Jocelyn’s embarrassment if she knew he’d opened either of those drawers.
“I wouldn’t open that if I were you.” I shake my head at his confused look. “Just trust me. It’s not in there.”
I turn back to the jewelry cabinet to close the ring holder when a sparkle catches my eye behind it. I stuff my fingers in the small space, adjusting the holder to give me more room and only succeed in pinching my finger. The holder rolls back into place, and I curse softly as I let go. “Come over here, will you?”
Aidan steps up behind me. “Did you find it?”
“Maybe.” I step to the side. “I’m going to hold this, and I want you to pull that little holder out. There’s something behind it, and I have a feeling it’s the necklace.”
“Are you sure she’s going to be okay with us breaking her things?” Aidan studies the box, pulling on the handle to test the strength.
“She’ll have to get over it. I need to see what’s behind there.” I pick up the box, holding it tightly against my body to steady it. “Pull.”
Aidan hooks his finger in the small brass handle and pulls. It rolls forward but doesn’t come loose. He leaves it down and yanks until it pops out, forcing him to take a step backward to keep his balance.
I hold my hand under the hole we created, dipping the jewelry box forward until a silver necklace tumbles into my palm with rubies in the shape of a constellation. I quickly stash the jewelry box back on her dresser and admire the necklace as Aidan places the broken ring holder back in its slot. The necklace tucked safely in my bag with Capricorn’s birthstone, we head for the door.
“Aren’t you going to check and see if it’s the key?”
I glance over my shoulder without stopping. “I already know it’s the key.”
It’s dark by the time we enter the abandoned building and slowly climb the stairs. I ignore the sounds of tiny claws scraping against the floor. Neither of us had said a word about the kiss. We stop just outside the door, and Aidan slips his arm around my waist. I lean in close enough to feel his breath hot on my cheek.
The front door flies open, and Aidan sends me stumbling back. My mother stands in the doorway, hands on her hips, looking at us with the disapproval only found in a mother’s stare.
“Mom! What are you doing here?” I rush forward, ignoring the look, and throw my arms around her, hugging her tight. She returns my hug, still scowling at Aidan over my shoulder.
“Come on. Get in here.” She steps back, giving us room to come inside. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”
She places her hand gently on my cheek, frowning as she looks around. “Where’s Jocelyn?”
Tears well up in my tired eyes. “They have her, Mom. They took her, and I don’t know where they’re keeping her.” The elation I’d felt at seeing my mom is gone in that one tiny question.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. She’ll be okay.” Mom grabs a bottle of water from the bags by the wall, pressing it firmly into my hands.
I drain half of the bottle in one long gulp. “I have Capricorn’s birthstone, and I just found the key.” I pause and take another sip, adding, “I also have Taurus’s birthstone.”
“Good. We need to get you cleaned up for the ritual and get back out to Mt. Rose. Tonight is the turn of the Zodiac.” I worry my lip as Mom squeezes my shoulders then slips past me. She returns, rolling a large black suitcase, and lays it down with a loud thump. She raises her eyebrows at Aidan. “I believe the Zodiacs are expecting you.”
Blushing, Aidan dips his head and disappears silently out the door.
“Where’s he going?” I gasp as my mom unzips the suitcase, pulling out a long green dress that shimmers like the stars in the night sky.
“Don’t worry so much about that boy.” Her tone sounds firm, but her eyes twinkle. Mom hands me the dress and returns to the suitcase. “Put that on.”
I admire the elegant garment. The material on the body of the dress is silky beneath my fingertips, with a low neckline and long velvet sleeves.
“If it weren't for that boy, I wouldn’t be alive right now.”
Mom stops digging around the suitcase and stares at me over her shoulder. “You’re right, but it was time he checked in with the Zodiacs. He also has to get ready for the ritual.”
“He’s going to be there?” My mouth turns instantly dry, and the hammering of my heart is deafening in my ears.
“The ritual is normally reserved for the Guardians only, but they think we might need extra security tonight.” She returns to the suitcase and pulls out a small silver makeup bag. “Get dressed.”
I set down the dress, careful not to wrinkle it, and slip out of my jacket, shivering as the cold air hits my body. I wiggle out of the rest of my clothes and pull it on as Mom moves around the back, zipping it closed. It fits perfectly. “Please tell me we’re going to be in a cabin or a cave. As beautiful as this dress is, I’m going to freeze to death in it.”
“There’s a cloak.” Humming quietly to herself, she grabs a brush from the suitcase and gets to work brushing and braiding my long, dark hair.
“Great.” I relax into the rhythmic brushing and the soft sound of my mom’s voice. “Mom? Why Mt. Rose?”
“The number of fault lines running through the area gives it lots of built-up energy. Between that and the combination of all four elements—earth in the mountain, the air above, water to south, and fire within the extinct volcano—in the early days of the planet, there was enough energy to get a portal from Mt. Rose to Polaris, and so the Zodiacs chose it as their home on Earth.” She fastens a hair tie around the braids. “Just a little bit of makeup and it’s time to go.”
Mom hands me the makeup, and I do my best to put it on in the low firelight and only a compact for a mirror. When I’m finished getting ready, I look at my mom. “Well?”
“Hmm.” She slowly circles me, looking me over from head to toe.
“Well?” My nerves are already fried, and her stalling isn’t helping.
Mom smiles broadly, a tear in her eye. “You’re stunning. I’m so sorry I didn’t do this right.”
I look away for fear of crying with her. “Will you tell me what’s going to happen?”
“No.” I open my mouth to protest but she shakes her head, and I close it.
“The ritual is different for all of us, even those of us in the same family. We’ll open with the roll call to make sure that all houses are represented, and then we’ll move straight into the rituals. We have more than one to perform tonight.” A flicker of grief crosses her face as she squares her shoulders.
“You will go first because we’re the tenth house. The house of Capricorn. Then you will help with the others. The only other thing that I can tell you is that a piece of your essence will be removed tonight and merged with the birthstone, allowing you to share powers with the stone. I will be the one to send you on your journey.”
“What? You? Why you? What powers?” A million questions run through my mind as she hands me a pair of beautiful green leather boots with snow-white fur poking out of the top. I slip them on, smoothing the dress over the top.
“I have to pass down the Guardianship. You’ll do it someday for your daughter. The powers we’ll worry about later. I’ll have time to show you that when this is all over.” Mom pulls out a thick pine-green cloak, lined with the same white fur as the boots, and fastens it around my shoulders with a silver clip in the shape of a goat. “Are you ready?”
I take a
deep breath, feeling surprisingly warm with the cloak and boots. “No.”
Mom smiles warmly, pride and fear mixed in her eyes. “Good. Let’s go.”
I slip my bag over my shoulder and Mom links her hand in mine as we walk out the door.
The drive back up to Mt. Rose is bumpy and dark, further aggravating my jangled nerves. My mom had picked up her car before meeting me at our abandoned building, and she slowly drives us up the mountain, the tires crunching over the thick ice.
We’re close to the summit when she pulls off on a side road I didn’t even see. She maneuvers up the narrow path, one I suspect is dirt when it isn’t covered with snow, and weaves in and out between trees and boulders. After driving about a mile up the road, we pull into a small clearing already filled with cars.
Mom stops behind a white SUV, shutting off the engine, as she turns to look at me. “I’m very proud of you. Before we go out there, you need to put on the birthstone.”
With shaking hands, I pull the necklace and the wooden box out of my bag. I run my finger over the engraved goat then flip the box over to insert the key. After a small twist, it unlocks with a faint click. Carefully, I open the lid, awestruck at the beauty of the stone.
Capricorn’s birthstone is a large oval ruby, circled with garnets and turquoise pieces all arranged in a bed of silver. A silver link chain loops through the top, so dainty that it doesn’t look like it can support the jewels. I unfasten the delicate clasp and slip the necklace on, adjusting it against my chest.
Deep, ancient energy seeps into me, radiating from the necklace. It surges through my body, both energizing and calming. For the first time in a long time, I feel whole. My legs are heavy, and my heart pounds as I slip out of the car and follow my mom through the trees and into a small meadow.
In the shape of a perfect circle and ringed with trees, the meadow is covered with snow, marred only by the footprints of the ladies that had arrived first. Someone had cleared out a small hole in the center, and a large fire, surrounded by a ring of stones, dances merrily in the winter wind.
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