by Alisha Basso
This Time
Alisha Basso
This Time
Published by Alisha Basso
Copyright © 2013 by Alisha Basso
All rights reserved.
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Proudly Published in the United States of America
by
Alisha Basso
Cover Art: Ronnell D. Porter, Ronnelldporter.wix/design
Editing: Neeley Bratcher, neeleybratcherediting.com
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
***
I would like to thank Melissa Cosgrove, her invaluable support and kindness made this story all that it could be. Her ideas helped make the good, better and the bad, bad ass. I love you forever my sweet Cousin. Kathy Rodriguez, sorry I took you out of the story, you are no longer a trashy waitress left to die in an alley… I think you will live in the last installment instead. Thanks for your help, and I love you! And to Cathy Owens. You are an amazing woman who gave me many wonderful ideas! Thanks for catching the small stuff. And last and never least a huge thank you goes to Helen Godbey. You are one of my dearest friends, even though I have never seen you in person. Thank you for simply everything.
DEDICATION
***
To my family, sorry for ignoring you and acting like an angry bear while I struggled to finish. I love you all so very much!
To Stevie Yohey, thank you, sweet-pea, for letting me use your name. I hope you enjoy the story, I love you kid.
Table of Contents
PROLOGUE
Chapter ONE
Chapter TWO
Chapter THREE
Chapter FOUR
Chapter FIVE
Chapter SIX
Chapter SEVEN
Chapter EIGHT
Chapter NINE
Chapter TEN
Chapter ELEVEN
Chapter TWELVE
Chapter THIRTEEN
Chapter FOURTEEN
Chapter FIFTEEN
Chapter SIXTEEN
Chapter SEVENTEEN
Chapter EIGHTEEN
Chapter NINETEEN
Chapter TWENTY
Chapter TWENTY-ONE
Chapter TWENTY-TWO
Chapter TWENTY-THREE
Chapter TWENTY-FOUR
Chapter TWENTY-FIVE
Chapter TWENTY-SIX
Chapter TWENTY-SEVEN
Chapter TWENTY-EIGHT
Chapter TWENTY-NINE
Chapter THIRTY
Chapter THIRTY-ONE
Chapter THIRTY-TWO
Epilogue
Books by Alisha Basso
PROLOGUE
Lucian
Everything I did was for her and now…
So much blood.
Oh, God, What have I done?
“Lucian!” Jamie screamed. “Focus, damn it!” Jamie’s skin was pale. Beads of sweat had formed across her forehead. “Fuck,” she bawled, “all that blood.”
She leaned back on her heels, her eyes huge. She made a gurgling sound and pressed her hand over her mouth. Sweat dripped down the side of her face as her eyes met mine.
She swayed.
“Whoa there, James,” I reached out, “breathe, don’t get sick.”
I’m gonna be sick.
My hands trembled as saliva flooded my mouth. I swallowed and looked past Jamie.
Grace’s skin had turned gray.
God! It has only been a few seconds.
I braced my hands on the sides of my face, holding in my screams. Fuck, her head looked wrong. Her silvery blood soaked into the cheap carpeting.
“We have to move her,” Jamie’s voice gurgled through her sobs, pulling me out of my thoughts.
This is all my fault.
“We can’t move her.” Panic burned through my blood. “I don’t think, I fucking don’t know!”
She was slipping away, I could feel it. My hands shook as I reached toward her, I had to check and see how badly she was hurt. I ran my hand down, feeling her head gently. My hand touched something soft and my fingers slid into a warm and wet gap. I jerked my hand back, breathing hard. Her skull had shattered. I bent forward and noticed a large chunk of bone lying in a tangle of her hair.
I felt dizzy and forced myself to take in a slow breath. My lungs squeezed, shaking my breath.
“Call Seth. He can help.”
“Does it look like I need his fucking help?” I lashed out, without thinking. Jamie flinched back, her gaze startled. She had no idea what I’d done. No one did. I looked at my hands. Fisting them, I closed my eyes.
“I’m sorry.” I sucked in another slow breath. Wiping my hands on my jeans, I sighed. “I know a spell. I can move her without touching her, James. But we have to stop the bleeding.”
“Why’d you do it, Lucian?” Her gaze accused me, filled me with shame. I felt small and stupid. Fucking pride.
Pride and jealousy. Why the fuck else do I do anything?
This was a new low. The lowest.
Shaking my head, I looked at my hands again. “We need to get her mended.” I stood and reached for my shirt. Pulling it over my head, I let out a breath. “Alright, go get Seth. I need to make a call.”
The door slammed before I could turn. I moved toward my small potion case. Reaching inside, I pulled out a tiny vile. A few drops into a sink filled with water was all I’d need.
The liquid swirled and spun, forming an image. Then he was there.
“Hello, my friend!” Gavyn’s cheerful voice rang out from the water. “I never expected to hear from you so soon.”
“Gavyn,” I nodded solemnly as his eyes focused on mine. His face registered surprise. The evidence of my deceit could never be hidden. What I had done to come to this would always be glaring out at the world.
Her blood.
I had taken it to make myself something more. Something better. Now, I had taken it again. Spilled it with my arrogance and stupidity. A rush of shame almost brought me to my knees, and I braced my hands on the sink.
Frowning, Gavyn glowered. “I see you have made some problems for yourself,” he gently scolded.
I closed my eyes and shook my head slowly. “There’s too much to say.” I looked at his image swirling in the liquid. “But this isn’t about me. Please come now, Grace is hurt, badly.”
My gut twisted as Gavyn’s face flashed in the water and then instantly, he was by my side. His ability to travel to our world so suddenly was completely beyond my understanding and I moved back, allowing him to rush to Grace’s side.
She looked so frail. He drew her up, his hands working quickly as he struggled to repair her shattered skull. I watched through tears as his hands turned silver with blood.
“What did this?” Gavyn ground out and I went to my knees beside him.
“I did,” I replied, tears flowing freely as I lifted my chin. “I didn’t know it was her! God, I hit her with too much magic. It was a mistake.” I watched his hands glow as he worked, “Please, tell me she can be healed?” I begged.
“This is severe,” he frowned. “It
seems her head was initially just cracked.” He lifted the small, marble doorstop that I used to hold the door open when it got too hot. “This seems to fit the hole I feel here,” he moved his fingers and I clenched my teeth. “Then, it appears the magic you sent into her used that small fissure to escape,” he continued, frowning as the blood drained from my face. “Thankfully,” Gavyn rested his hand on my shoulder, his fingers sparkled wet and silver, “she is blessed with Madea blood. She should heal.”
Steps thundered close. We both looked up as the door to the garage apartment slammed into the wall.
Seth.
Ah, Shit.
He was the monster he always hid from her. His face twisted with fury. His hair was long and wild. I watched as the mirrors he called eyes scanned the room, searching for her. When he found her, I stood, bracing myself, as his rage-filled scream pierced my ears.
Lights flashed in front of my eyes as his fist connected with my jaw.
Jesus! What the fuck do you eat? I wanted to scream as my jaw clicked, slightly unhinged.
“You stupid, son of a bitch!” his unnaturally loud voice echoed throughout my skull. “You idiot! You selfish, fucking, fool!” He pushed me hard and I staggered, struggling to stay upright. “You had no right to take from her!”
Holding my jaw, I shook my head trying to focus my eyes. Seth frowned, then stepped back, his eyes huge, he moved his jaw from side to side, looking startled.
I fisted my hands. Rage overwhelmed me at his arrogance. I knew he thought he owned her. This whole Madea thing was his ace in the hole but she had chosen me. The bastard used my humanity against me. He had to fucking ruin it.
“Yeah, get your digs in, but remember you’re the one who always took. You took more from her than I ever would or ever will. You could have killed her with the things you’ve put her through!” I shouted.
He sneered, his lip curling to reveal his hideous fangs. “She lays dying on your floor you arrogant prick!” He shoved his finger in my face. “And Grace is my judge, not you! My past does not make your present forgivable. Besides, you mewling child, the lass feeds me freely, yet you slink about stealing scraps!” he spat, raising his fists again.
I flinched back. He was right. About everything. I lowered my fists. “This isn’t helping her to heal.” My voice shook as I strained to calm my racing blood. I wanted so badly to lash out. To beat him down to nothing. I hated him. He held her heart as much as I did. Perhaps more.
“I’m sorry, friends,” Gavyn’s voice broke through our tirade, “she must be moved.” He stood, Grace cradled in his arms. Her head was wrapped in thick fabric, her color still a deathly gray.
Feeling like the ass that I was, I frowned. “Please, let me.” I closed my eyes and began chanting the spell that would send her instantly to my bedroom. There, she could heal.
She disappeared and Seth spun, baring his teeth. I held out my hands before he could lunge.
“I sent her to my bed with a simple spell. She needs to rest.” I looked at Gavyn then slid my eyes to Seth once more. “You’re all welcome to stay.”
“I dinnae require a fucking invitation from you.” Seth’s shoulders rose and fell with his angry breaths. His almost imperceptible accent was getting thicker and thicker as his anger grew. I had to admit that he had every right to be furious with me. I was actually surprised that I was still alive. I let out a slow breath. Perhaps death was best. But he was no more my judge than I was his. My sentence would come, and I knew whatever Grace decided to do would be the end. When that day came, I would try to accept.
She needed more people around her. I looked at Seth and Gavyn. Jamie was her friend but she needed more souls by her side. People she loved.
“I think we should contact Ann. She needs to be here for Grace.” I folded my hands behind my back, following Gavyn and Seth as we all filed down the stairs to the driveway.
“I shall take care of that, my friend,” Gavyn offered as he reached the bottom stair. He turned and looked at me. He offered a small smile but I knew he thought I was an irresponsible idiot.
I completely agree.
“Can you think of anyone else we should contact?” I asked, my boots crunching in the gravel and dirt as I moved to catch up. Seth ignored me as he rushed to my room. My head was swimming in a sea of guilt. I had no idea what I could do to help. I felt panic well inside my head and slowed my steps. Closing my eyes, I tried counting backward from one hundred, anything to ease my mind.
“You look as if you are suffering from a bad breakfast,” came a familiar purr from beside us. The squeak of his leather jacket, and the puff of charred cologne that followed as he moved caused the bile to rise in my throat.
I opened my eyes, suddenly filled with fury. Nothing was worse than Grace’s injury, except for her trying to heal with the Devil by her side.
“Lucifer,” I ground out through my teeth, causing everyone to freeze in their tracks.
“Very good, my boy,” he bent forward, his nose close to mine. I held my breath as he examined my face. “Yes, you seem all better. How are you feeling, by the way?” He arched a perfectly groomed brow and I scowled.
He was no normal man, no matter how he primped and polished, I sensed his blood. This thing was unnatural. Black and oozing evil. He wore a pretty mask, all the better to hide his taint.
But not from me.
“Thanks to Grace, I’m just fine now.” I snapped. “What’s it to you?” I fisted my hands.
“Oh, please, die where you stand,” he smiled and rubbed his hands together. “Now, where’s the pretty patient?” He smiled again, a great flash of bright, white teeth. I grimaced as he moved toward the house. His steps were light and playful, as if this were the best thing that could’ve happened.
Oh dear Lord, what have I done?
ONE
“It’s been weeks. She should be awake by now.”
“She’s repairing herself. A wound like that is no easy thing.”
“But she’s immortal! How long does it take for one of you to heal? My God, Lucian, you should be shot!”
“Ah, now we are getting somewhere! Anyone possess a firearm?”
“Shut up, Seth! You’re not helping anything.”
“Thank you, Ann.”
“Screw you, Lucian! Honestly, you should be shot, after all, this whole thing is your fault!”
“Yes it is, and I am curious, Lucian. When you sent the magic into my beloved, did you mean to blow out the back of her skull? Lucky for you, you stupid bastard, she is hard to kill.”
“Let it go. I swear, reminding me every single chance you get is making you sound like a senile, old man. Oh, wait, how old are you again?”
“You wish to fight? I would love to suck you dry, but ‘idiot’ always upsets my stomach.”
“Come at me again, you son of a bitch, and I swear I’ll make you bleed for a second time.”
“You never touched me. Stop trying to take credit for a wound you had nothing to do with. Concentrate on taking credit for hurting Grace. At least at that you were successful.”
“Fuck you, Seth! You know I never wanted to hurt her! God, people, you have to understand that I didn’t know it was her.”
“It is the only reason you still live. You may be immortal now, but imagine how fun it will be to exist without your limbs?”
“Die off, hybrid. I’m only sorry it wasn’t you walking through that door.”
“Hybrid? Oh, aren’t we the pot calling the kettle black? And I must say, if it was me walking through that door, your sad attempt at attack would have been useless with my teeth in your neck.”
“None of this is helping, my friends.”
“Nothing is helping! Fat lot of good your healing has done. Why isn’t she better yet?”
“Calm yourself, Jamie. She will be well. She is strong.”
“You don’t know that for sure, none of you do.”
“Oh, sweet girl, I wouldn’t say that. I wouldn’t say that at all.”
That voice. It’s always whispering, always comforting me. The others are nothing. Just painful sounds. But he is near. Outside of my mind, his voice is much deeper, yet no less soothing. I want to see but I’m too afraid to open my eyes. I try to squint. The light hurts, makes my stomach roll. I want to vomit.
“This can’t continue. We have to try to heal her again. Please, Gavyn, one more time?”
“She isn’t responding, Ann. Just give it time.”
“Fuck time, Gavyn. Don’t you understand that I have a life waiting at home? A child! We have to try to do more to bring her out of this. I can’t watch my best friend day after day while my child sits in another realm. If I leave one, the other suffers. This cannot continue. And look at you two. Seth? Lucian? You’re both Madea now, how come you’re not using your magic to snap her out of this? God, you all are so fucking useless!”
“Ann, my love. Our baby is in wonderful hands.”
“They’re not my hands, Tobias. You can’t say you feel alright about this. Grace should come back with us. The only one helping is Gavyn, anyway! She would recover much faster with us.”
“She is staying put!”
“You have no say, Seth!”
“It distresses me to threaten you, but try me.”
“Please!” I forced the air from my lungs with all of my strength. My head was pounding to the beat of my heart. “If the pain doesn’t kill me, the noise in this room will.” With all of my efforts, my voice was nothing more than a whisper. The light sliced into my head as the voices around me ceased.
The pounding increased as I slowly moved to sit up. I looked up and froze at the picture in front of me. So many faces and not one of them spoke.
Where am I?
“Oh my God, Gracie, you’re awake!” I was engulfed in slender arms. Tears soaked me as she squeezed. She was crying and sniffing and mumbling something into my hair. I stiffened my limbs as she gripped tighter. She smelled like the outdoors. Her skin was warm and soft as she pulled away, her hair stuck to her cheek from pressing her tear-streaked face to mine. I wiped my face where hers had been.