Scooting himself across the dank, dusty stone floor, Will wrapped two hands around the bars. “I was supposed to protect you, and now look what’s happened. I can’t even do that.”
With those words, the shadows rolled in, hissing softly. So quiet I could barely hear them. They curled around Will’s body. He shivered and hunched his knees to his chest.
Long wraith-tendrils of black mist wrapped around his neck, slithering up to his ears. Harsh whispers in another language sliced through the air between us. He covered his ears as if to block out the evil lullaby of strange voices.
And I couldn’t take it anymore. I sat on the stone floor next to him, a chill seeping through my jeans.
“Don’t listen to them.” My head throbbed as I crawled across the floor and took his face in my hands. “It’s not your fault. This is all my fault.”
He barely glanced up, the shadows coiling around him tighter and tighter. “Look where we are. Where I’ve led you.”
Tears sprang to my eyes. “You’re not the one who brought Shanda and Tony into this. Who knows what Nexis is doing to them right now? I can’t even think about it.”
As soon as I said those words, the wraiths of darkness swarmed me, too. First, the stench wafted to my nose, then came the screeches. The ghoulish howls crescendoed louder and louder. Almost as loud as a reckoning. But this time the shrieks formed into words, phrases I’d told myself over and over again all my life.
You’re not good enough. You’ll never be the Seer. Why don’t you just go back to your normal life? The last punch really hit home. My whole life I’d just wanted to fade into the background, be a normal girl. But I couldn’t do that anymore. If I stayed in the shadows and did nothing, people were going to get hurt.
I needed to stop running for my destiny. With one hand, I reached for the ceiling—calling out to the only one who could help me.
“Angel, where are you? I need you now.” Hot tears dribbled down my face. “I’m sorry I did this without you. Will you come and show me the way out?”
Crrraaackkk. A clap of thunder echoed in the Nexis dungeon, then a bolt of purple lightning sizzled through the air. Moments later, Angel materialized in front of me in all his shimmering white light.
Warm, golden eyes appeared in the white glow. Eyes that were trained on me. “It’s about time you called for me.”
Will’s eyes went wide as he glanced from me to Angel and back again. “How am I seeing this in real time?”
“I don’t know,” I whispered back. “Just go with it.”
The brightness expanded to fill the whole dungeon, stamping out the last of the shadows into dying embers. “The Seer and the Interpreter together at last. I will help you both.”
Tiny rays of golden light reached out in opposite directions. The golden light touched my temple first, then Will’s. The light grazed my face like a finger. The moment it touched me, a comforting warmth seeped like honey from my head down to my toes. I inhaled a deep breath that smelled like sunshine itself, finally feeling free of all the doubts and fears that had just assaulted me. Standing up straight, I basked in the white and gold light. Happy memories from my childhood floated across my mind until at last I felt like me again.
I glanced over at Will to see the same earmarks of joy washing over his chiseled features.
“Feel better?” Angel’s voice boomed from the center of the white orb.
I nodded. “Thank you, Angel.”
The fingers of gold faded away, and the white orb radiated sparkling shards of prismed rainbows. “You’re welcome, little Seer.”
The instant the angel-warmth left me, my heart sank into my chest. “I feel so stupid. I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you first. We could’ve come up with a plan together.”
“I know little one.” Pieces of whiteness formed into hands that reached out for me. “You know what you must do. I will help you.”
Suddenly, a glowing ruby appeared in Angel’s hands. Shadows swirled around it, but they were self-contained in a dark orb. Thump, thump, thump. The red and black sphere grew bigger and brighter in time to my ever-quickening heartbeats.
Eeeoww, eeeoww, eeeowww. The ear-splitting shrieks slammed back, full-force as the shadows rolled in. Inch by inch, they eclipsed Angel’s white glow.
Somewhere far away, in the midst of the shadows, Angel’s voice reached my ears. “You know what you must do. I will help you.”
Angel’s golden eyes appeared above the ruby and I nodded, extending my arm toward him.
The ruby erupted in a great red flash, hurtling fiery sparks in every direction. Every shadow vanished in a puff of smoke. The white light faded, too.
You will know when the time is right. In a shower of twinkling stars, Angel shot through the ceiling. Leaving me and Will alone in the dark dungeon once again.
I blinked and rubbed my eyes, hoping the dungeon would fade away, too. But we were still stuck in Nexis purgatory, waiting for our sentence.
Will gulped, his face ashen. “So that’s your mission? Destroy the Nexis ruby?”
I froze as fear settled in. “How in the world are we going to do that?” I whispered.
He rested his forehead on the bars between us. “More importantly, it’ll earn us both a death sentence even my mother can’t stop.”
Inhaling a deep breath, I peered up at him, ready to lay all my cards on the table. “All I know is, every time I try to do things on my own I end up in a craphole. Maybe this is my destiny.” My words dropped like a truth bomb.
Silence filled the dungeon, as something flickered across Will’s face.
Through the bars, Will grabbed my hand and squeezed. “Well, if it’s your destiny, it’s my destiny, too.”
The outer door creaked open. Footsteps clomped slowly toward us.
“Better keep quiet. The guards are coming,” I hissed at Will as a familiar figure emerged from the shadows.
“I should’ve known they’d send you to do their dirty work.” Will practically growled beside me.
“I didn’t have a choice.” Kevin hung his head as he slid the key into the lock. “Looks like you two lovebirds are cozy down here.”
“There’s always a choice.” Will laced his fingers through mine as we turned to face Kevin the Traitor together.
“Not this time, I’m afraid.” Kevin opened the door and stepped into my cell. He reached for my hands, grabbing them roughly. “C’mon, Lucy. Don’t make this harder than it is.”
He pushed through the door and clanked shut it behind him. I froze, panic icing up my veins.
“What’re you doing? Where you taking her?” Will’s voice rose.
“I’ve got orders, man. Sorry.” Kevin reached for Will’s cell door and unlocked it. “Don’t worry. You’re coming, too.”
Chapter 26
Kevin had a vice-grip on my hand as he dragged me and Will down the dark hall to our doom.
A strange sight greeted us as we made our way to the courtyard. Two black-cloaked figures flanked each pillar of the four arches. More dark cloaks shifted in the shadowy depths of the mezzanine overlooking the courtyard. I could practically feel their eyes roaming the captive audience.
Bile burned my throat, and my heart lurched in my chest. I reached for Will, but in seconds, two black-robed guards wedged between us, one yanking my elbow and the other grabbing his arm. The infamous Nexis goons dragged us past a gawking Kevin and escorted us through the archway into the one place I hadn’t already seen on my Nexis Chamber tour—the Grand Council Chamber.
Ominous chanting reached my ears as I stepped through the entrance and gasped. The underground lair was enormous, with dozens of bleacher-like stone landings that descended into what could only be described as an arena. Hundreds of black-hooded figures stood staring toward the arena landing in the center, as if waiting for the main event. All of Nexis must be here tonight. My stomach twisted into a thousand knots.
“What is this place?” I whispered to Will, as all hoods turned toward us.
�
��It’s the Grand Council arena. Only used for special occasions.” He yanked and pulled against the guards as they forced us down the wide steps toward the center.
The chanting muted as the guards forced us down step after step through the middle of the crowd. I scanned the hooded faces, looking for any sign of someone I recognized, but they were all covered in shadows. Must mean something sinister lay in store for us.
After what felt like forever, we finally reached our destination. The guards shoved us into the middle of the arena, where three strange objects stood front and center. Ornately carved pedestals were place equidistant from each other. Stranger and stranger. A chill crawled up my spine as my eyes fixed on the center pillar. Goon number one pulled a chain out of his cloak and started wrapping it around my wrists. I kicked and screamed into the cavern full of Nexis members, but the guard only squeezed tighter until I was chained to the stone pedestal. I could only watch as they chained Will to the pillar on my left.
A hot tear trickled down my cheek as I stared into the face of the boy I loved. We were helpless. There was nothing we could do. After tonight, nothing would ever be the same again.
A horde of black-robed guards appeared in the distance, marching in formation straight toward us with torches. They created a circle of fire in the middle landing. A familiar picture that made my heart beat faster. Suddenly, applause broke out amongst the hooded crowd as a lone figure stepped toward us.
“Finally, the little Seer-in-training is ready to join us.” An almost-familiar woman’s voice assaulted my ears. A roar erupted from the secret onlookers.
Everything inside me clenched at her words. “I’ll never join you.” I practically spat out the words.
“I’m sure you think that now.” She reached her long bony fingers out far enough to pat me on the head. “But I have ways of changing your mind.”
My whole body shuddered. “What ways?”
“I’m glad you asked.” She snapped her fingers, and two black-robed guards appeared at her side. “Where is the little traitor? Bring her here.”
“Mom, stop this now. Before someone gets hurt,” Will hissed through clenched teeth.
I snapped my head to look at him. “Did you just say, Mom?”
He leaned close and whispered in my ear. “I’d know that voice anywhere.”
But we didn’t have time to chit-chat as the guard finally decided to reappear, dragging a dark figure between them. My heart seized in my chest. Shanda. She writhed in their clutches, kicking and screaming. Clawing and biting. Was that spittle? Yep, she just spat on the unlucky guard closest to her. It took four grown men to bring my best friend to Rosalyn Stanton’s side.
“You okay?” I whispered, straining against my chains.
“Been better,” she hissed back.
“Where’s Tony?” I mouthed the last word.
Shanda lifted her head slightly, her eyes flicking up to the ceiling. For the first time in hours, a glimmer of hope bloomed in my chest.
“Now that the charade is up, it’s time to get to work.” Rosalyn flipped back her hood back and her blonde hair fell loose as she sneered at me. Rage, ahem, and age had etched a few extra lines in her features since I met her at James’ graduation three years ago.
“Wha,” my voice cracked as the question I dared not ask came tumbling out of my mouth. “What kind of work exactly?”
Firelight flickered in Rosalyn’s gray eyes. “This is the Summoning Ritual. Something I’ve been waiting a very long time to share with you.”
“No, Mom.” Fear laced the edges of Will’s words. “It’s too soon for this. You don’t even know what her gifts are yet.”
She took two steps closer to her son, shaking her head. “You have so much to learn about the ways of Nexis. The age of the Nephilim is upon us. The journey begins tonight.”
“Oh, great,” Shanda huffed under her breath. “Get ready for crazy.”
I glanced at Shanda and snickered, even as my stomach curled in on itself.
“Guards!” Rosalyn’s hand shot out like a pistol. “Silence the traitor.”
A guard reached out and clamped a hand over Shanda’s mouth.
“Hey.” I lunged at the crazy lady. “Leave her alone.”
Rosalyn sunk her claws into my skin and yanked me back. I winced, just as Shanda bit into the guard’s hand.
“Yeow!” he yelped, jumping back.
A satisfied smile spread across her face. I felt my lips curl up too.
“Enough!” Rosalyn bellowed. “Let the ceremony begin.” She pulled the black hood back over her head.
Three Black Robes stepped away from the crowd and marched into the circle, facing us.
“Thank you, my loyal Nexilim.” She bowed her head and they bowed back.
They each held an object in their hands, shrouded in more black cloth. All three figures thrust their objects forward.
A chill slithered down my spine. The Black Robes were close enough to the torches that I recognized two of their faces in the firelight. Kevin stood in the middle across from Will’s mom, but it was the face on the end that struck fear into my heart.
“What is Jake doing here?” I whispered to Will.
“Jake’s here?” He hissed, eye darting among the Black Robes. “Where?”
I closed my eyes and pointed. “On the end, next to Kevin.” Acid churned in my stomach, rising with every second that ticked by. If Jake was involved, this couldn’t be good.
Rosalyn carefully removed the cloth from each object, revealing three rocks of similar size.
“The sacred stones.” I sucked in a breath, as a collective gasp rippled through the rows of onlookers. Shadows billowed down the steps toward us, so I looked to the ceiling. Do you see this, Angel? Where are you?
Pinpricks of white light sparkled across the ceiling above me. Don’t worry, little Seer. I will get help.
A cold wind howled in his wake, making me feel more alone.
Rosalyn reached for the middle stone and placed it on the stone pedestal in front of me. She snapped her fingers, and two more black-cloaked figures appeared, carrying what looked like long, golden trumpets.
“Great. Let’s announce our presence to the neighborhood,” Shanda whispered.
The men in black flanked the stone pedestal in front of me, and set down the golden trumpet. Except they weren’t trumpets. They were pillars.
My heart seized. Were these the two golden lampstands from Zechariah’s vision? Except they weren’t lampstands. They were sacred stone holders.
Every muscle in my body clenched as I watched the whole scene unfold before me. Black-clad freaks placed the Guardian Amethyst on the pillar to my right, and the Watcher’s Sapphire on the pillar to my left. As soon as all the stones were in place, the Nexis Ruby glowed on the stone pedestal in front of me. The one I’d been chained to by my boyfriend’s mom. Was this really happening?
“Hand-maidens, take your place,” Rosalyn barked, snapping her fingers.
The three black-shrouded figures emerged from the crowd, stopping directly in front. Slowly, they removed their hoods, and my stomach threatened to hurl its contents everywhere. My three least favorite people stared back at me—Monica, Colleen, and my ex-BFF Becca. Monica and Colleen at least had the decency to wear solemn, almost scared looks on their faces. But not Becca. Her lips curled in a little sneer, her eyes dancing.
“Hi Lucy.” Becca practically sneered at me. “Are you ready to play your part now? Finally?”
Shadows slithered at my feet, but I ignored them. I couldn’t let her see me flinch. “We’ll see about that.”
“Yes, we will,” Rosalyn growled, pulling out a gun and pointing it to Shanda’s head.
I froze, still as a statute. Not Shanda, my heart screamed. Shanda’s eyes were wide, the first sign of fear I’d seen since we got captured.
Icy tendrils wrapped around my ankles, holding me in place.
“Don’t do anything, Lucy.” Shanda screamed. “She’ll never—�
� A meaty hand wrapped around her face, cutting her off.
“If you don’t do exactly as I say,” Rosalyn leaned in, her voice low, “I will pull the trigger.”
Shadows billowed up, shifting and taking shape around me. Dark hands wrapped around my neck, forcing me to nod.
“Mom. What are you doing?” Will’s voice held a note of desperation. “You don’t need a gun.”
“I wish I didn’t.” Somehow, Rosalyn managed a smile while waving the firearm in the air. “Your little girlfriend here is finally going to fulfill her destiny. And so are you.”
“It’s going to be okay,” Will whispered to me and Shanda. He scooted next to me until our toes bumped, but that’s as far as he could reach. “We’ll find a way out of this. I know we will.”
“I don’t think so. Remember this?” Rosalyn waved the gun around Shanda’s head like it was a toy.
I cringed as the shadows formed wraiths that swirled around us, screeching and shrieking as they wove their way between me, Will, and Shanda.
“Mother, stop!” Will bellowed from my side.
The shadows reared back, making a wider berth around us.
For an instant, Rosalyn’s face softened. “I always wished you would voluntarily join me in creating a new world. I never dreamed I’d have to force you to do what’s good for you.”
My jaw dropped, and we all watched in horror as Rosalyn paced back and forth with the gun in her hand.
“How is this good for me? For anyone?” Will’s eyes were wild as he stared at his mother like he didn’t know her.
“Oh, no,” Shanda muttered. “Don’t get her started.”
“You just don’t get it do you? How could you? You’re only eighteen.” For a moment she stopped her frantic pacing and looked at her son. “This is what I have to do to save this world from itself. Think about it. No more random crimes. No more senseless murders like what happened to your grandmother.”
“Except for the gun you’re waving around,” I muttered under my breath.
Slowly, she turned to me, that crazy glint still in her eyes. “If you would just cooperate, we wouldn’t need this.” Then she turned the gun on me.
Crossing Nexis Page 26