The Uprising (Moonlight Wolves Book 3)

by Jasmine B. Waters

  I shuddered.

  “Honey? You okay?”

  I nodded and grabbed a piece of bacon from the table, barely tasting it as I wolfed it down.

  “Yeah,” I lied. “I’m fine.”

  After breakfast, I walked with David out to his car. I felt profoundly sad in a way that I’d never really thought myself capable of. All of this, I thought as I looked at him. For nothing.

  “You’re quiet this morning,” David said as he pulled me into a tight hug. “Everything okay?”

  I shrugged. “Yeah,” I said. “I don’t know. I guess I’m worried about Elizabeth,” I lied. “She seemed so upset with me last night. I should probably talk to her.”

  “Girls are so moody,” David said, teasing me. He leaned down and kissed me. I closed my eyes and pressed my lips to his, trying to get lost in the moment. But I couldn’t relax around David like I could before.

  Since I’d cast a spell on him, everything had changed. The things about David I’d loved – his sullen wit, the way he said whatever came into his head – had all changed. Now, he was a shell of a person, someone who followed me around like a puppy and bent to my every whim.

  This is why Elizabeth doesn’t want Steven anymore, I realized as I broke the kiss and pulled away. She knows it’s not real.

  “Hey,” David said. “I wasn’t done yet.”

  “I’m not feeling well,” I said. “I’m sorry – I think I’m just going go to lie down or something. I didn’t sleep well last night.”

  “I know,” David teased. He pulled up his shirt, showing me a row of faint blue bruises on his pale white chest. “You were tossing and turning all night.”

  “Sorry,” I said. “I really am sorry, David.” Sudden tears sprang to my eyes and I blinked them away, wiping at my lids with both hands.

  “Hey,” David said slowly. He put his hands on my shoulders and tried to pull me close. “What’s all this, huh? What’s the matter?” He frowned. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you cry before.”

  “Allergies,” I lied, wiping my nose on my sleeve. “You’ll be okay for the drive home?”

  David nodded. “Yeah. When can I see you again? You think you could come up and stay with me for a while?”

  “I don’t think so,” I said. “Sorry.”

  “Too much school work?”

  I nodded. “Yeah,” I said. “I really am sorry.”

  David gave me a weird smile. “Stop apologizing,” he said. “Come on, Monica. This isn’t like you.”

  “I know,” I said. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

  David nodded. He pulled me into one last hug, squeezing me tightly. When he let go, I stood outside and watched him pull away until I couldn’t see his car anymore. With a heavy heart, I turned and walked into the woods.

  I found the coven in almost no time. Part of me wondered if Ligeia and Henrik had been expecting me. I wondered why they’d sent Elizabeth that dream, and not me – was it because they’d wanted her to contact me?

  Or was this all just part of a huge plan that I was only just starting to discover?

  “Hello, child,” Ligeia said pleasantly. She was sitting in the middle of the clearing, dried herbs scattered around her. There was a pleasant smell in the air – lavender and sage – and I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm.

  “I think you know why I’m here,” I said.

  “Yes. Because of Prudence,” Ligeia said. “Well, I have good news – Henrik and I have already begun the process of splitting her soul. She will no longer torment anyone, here or on earth.”

  “And…what exactly does that entail?”

  Henrik stepped out from behind the trees, startling me.

  “Unpleasant things,” he said. “Things that cause damage to one’s own soul.”

  “Don’t do this,” I said. “Come on – you know she doesn’t pose a threat. She’s fine, she’s right here.”

  “Yes, and I’d rather her not be,” Ligeia said unpleasantly. “What are you doing here? Have you come to break your vows?”

  “Why do you need her soul?”

  Henrik laughed. “Because as soon as she is a part of us, we will share her power.” His eyes gleamed and I shuddered. I’d never been able to think of Henrik as evil, he’d always seemed kind of like an ornery old grandfather. But now that I was here, now that I could see what Henrik and Ligeia were really plotting, I felt like The Fool, striding off the edge of a cliff, just like in the tarot.

  “And we will begin a new reign,” Ligeia said. She stood and walked over to me, putting her hands on my face. I shrieked as my mind was filled with horrific visions – whole towns aflame, people screaming and groaning in pain.

  “Why?” Shoving Ligeia’s hands away, I stepped back. “Why? Why do you want to cause such evil, such destruction?”

  Henrik gave me a hardened glare. “I have already told you,” he said. “These people, these people whom you claim to know and value – these are the same people who persecuted us, who made our lives hell.” His lips widened into a smile that chilled me to the marrow. “And now it is our turn. Now we will make them suffer, we will make them pay.”

  “But things are different now,” I protested. “People have a…much more liberal view of witches! It’s not considered a crime!”

  “You saw what havoc Prudence brought to your town,” Ligeia thundered. “I have no reason to believe you, child. I see no reason to think for a second that our kind would be accepted.”

  “Maybe not in Jaffrey,” I shot back. “But in bigger cities, like Boston? I know you could find a whole new tribe of admirers! And isn’t that what you want, after all? Don’t you just need approval?”

  “It is too late,” Ligeia said in a sing-song voice. “The process has already begun!”

  “Now, child, best for you to go home,” Henrik said. He smiled unpleasantly. “Prepare yourself, prepare Elizabeth. And if you cooperate, we will save you both.”

  “I’ll tell her,” I threatened. “I’ll go home and tell her right now.”

  Ligeia snorted. “Even if you did, do you really think you’d be able to defeat someone as powerful as I?” She burst into laughter.

  “I know she’s not dead,” I said hotly. “I can feel her spirit, she’s here!”

  Closing my eyes, I tried to sense Andrea. All I could catch was fear, panic, and a wounded heart beating slowly.

  I pulled away from Ligeia and broke into a run. My heart was pounding as I darted and dashed through the coven, avoiding the huts and other witches. As I ran, they looked up at me with surprise. I pitied them – did they know? Did they care?

  Or, like Henrik and Ligeia, were they all too eager for a world ready to bow to them and kiss their feet?

  “Andrea!” I shrieked loudly. “Andrea, where are you?”

  There was no answer. I stumbled and nearly tripped over a tree stump, but kept myself upright.

  “Andrea!” I screamed. “Where are you? I want to help you,” I added, screaming until my throat ached.

  As I ran towards the edge of the woods, the sound her heartbeat grew louder in my ears.

  “I know you’re still here,” I called. “Let me help you!”

  They locked you away, I thought angrily as I pushed into the woods and leapt over a fallen tree. They thought I wouldn’t be able to find you, Andrea. But look, here I am. And we’ll figure out something together.

  I ran into a clearing. The grass was freshly cut and manicured and the smell of herbs hung heavy in the air. Sage and thyme mixed with an unpleasantly human smell – soil, and sweat, and blood.

  When I saw her, I shrieked in fear. My feet felt rooted to the spot and I covered my mouth with both hands, forcing myself to stop screaming.

  Andrea was lashed to a tree, her head sagging on her neck. She’d been stripped of her clothes and dressed in a robe that had once been pure white. But now it was covered with stains – blood and excrement and black smudges over her chest. Her hair was a tangled dirty mess of knots, hangi
ng in her face. Her heartbeat was so weak that I could barely feel it, even standing right in front of her. Worst of all, her bare arms faded into a deep black by her wrists. Her fingers looked shriveled and dead, like they life had been sucked from them.

  “It’s okay,” I said softly, stepping forward. “It’s all right, I’m here.”

  Andrea made a sound – a guttural low keening that set my hair on end. I stepped closer and closer, examining her bonds. She was lashed at the ankles, knees, hips, and chest with leather straps that were all woven together. Whoever had bound her had meant for her to stay on the tree for a long time.

  Possibly until she was dead.

  “I see you’ve found her.”

  I whirled around at the sound of Ligeia’s voice.

  Ligeia, Henrik, and four other witches from the coven were advancing on me. Ligeia held an athame, pointed right at my chest.

  “Do not even try,” Ligeia warned in a deep, cracked voice. Her blue eyes were glowing and she looked alive, young – more powerful than I ever could have imagined.

  “Welcome to your new home, child,” Henrik said. He stepped forward and snapped his fingers. A red spark leapt from his hands. I watched in horror as the spark unfolded into a long, gleaming ribbon of light. I cried out as it sailed towards me, wrapping around my arms and legs until I fell helpless to the ground.

  “You shall never return to your world,” Ligeia said. She smiled, stepping closer and kneeling by my side. She pressed the tip of the athame to my chest. “You will stay here, protecting us.” She smiled. “Do you understand?”

  When I tried to open my lips, I found that I couldn’t speak.

  Ligeia pulled a flask from the folds of her robes and pushed my lips open. Dribbling liquid into my mouth, she moved her hand over my throat until I felt myself swallow.

  “You will remain alive,” Ligeia said. “Although I’m sorry to say your life will be rather…diminished. Guarding a soul is hard work, after all.”

  They’ve won, I realized bitterly. They’ve finally taken me.

  Chapter Five

  Elizabeth

  I tried calling Monica every day for a week.

  But it was no use.

  She was gone.

  And this time, I had a feeling that it was for good.

  Weeks passed and the chill spring turned into a real spring, a lush green spring that reminded me of the coven. Not that I ever thought about anything else. Ever since Monica had gone, she and the others were all I thought about.

  The day I turned sixteen, there was a memorial service held for Monica. It wasn’t at the church – Jamie and Brian wouldn’t have liked that very much – but at a Quaker meeting home on the outskirts. I went with my family, expecting a low turnout. But I was shocked – as soon as I stepped inside, I saw that the place was packed.

  “Wow,” I muttered.

  “What’s that, honey?” Mom touched me on the shoulder. “Did you say something?”

  “Nothing,” I said softly. “It’s just…there are more people here than for the town thing, at church.”

  “Oh,” Mom said.

  Steven spotted me and waved, pushing through a huge crowd of other kids. He pulled me into a tight hug and I stepped back, blushing hotly. My mom was giving us a curious look.

  “All of my friends came,” Steven said. He raked a hand through his hair and sighed. “They’re all really upset, you know. Monica was a really cool girl.”

  I narrowed my eyes and peered over Steven’s shoulder. He was right – a huge group of the most popular kids in town were all seated up front. Some of the girls were weeping.

  I frowned.

  “What’s wrong? I thought you’d be happy that everyone came,” Steven said. “I mean, isn’t that what Monica would’ve wanted?”

  No, I thought. She’d rather come back from the dead and call all of these people losers, because they never gave a fuck about her when she was alive.

  “I guess,” I said lamely. “I don’t really know.”

  “Come sit with us,” Steven said. “I’m sure everyone will be glad to see you.”

  I frowned. Steven took my hand and squeezed.

  “I know this must be hard,” Steven said. “You guys were best friends.”

  “Do…do you remember anything like this happening before?” I asked tentatively. “Like, do you ever remember Monica going away before now?”

  Steven shrugged. “I don’t know, I guess not,” he said. “Why? What do you mean?”

  “Nothing,” I said darkly. “Let’s go sit down.”

  Steven led me through the room – it was circular, with lots of wooden chairs all turned to face a large picture of Monica. Jamie and Brian were nowhere to be seen, although it was so crowded that it was hard for me to really make anyone out. Everyone was dressed in black and most people looked devastated – the same way they’d looked when Andrea had vanished.

  I shuddered. This is so fucked up, I thought, shaking my head. Death does strange things to people. But she can’t really be dead, can she?

  When Steven and I reached his group of friends, we sat down. Immediately, Trisha Charles, one of the most popular girls in school, came over. Her face was streaked with tears and she couldn’t stop sniffling.

  “Oh my god, Elizabeth, I’m so sorry,” Trisha said. She flung her arms around my neck and pulled me into a close, intimate hug.

  I awkwardly patted her on the back. “Thanks,” I said softly. “I am, too.”

  “Monica was so cool,” Trisha said. She pulled back, sniffling and sobbing. Rubbing her red nose with a tissue, she shook her head sadly. “She was like, really smart.”

  “She was,” I said. “Were you…friends with her?”

  “No,” Trisha said. She blew her nose. “But like, I knew her, you know? I mean everyone knew her. This is a small town, we’re all so connected.”

  It was hard not to roll my eyes.

  “Yeah,” I said. “I guess you’re right.”

  The service was short. A non-denominational pastor stood up and made a short speech, talking about Monica’s life and everything she’d liked. It felt so strange – everyone else around me was sobbing so hard they sounded like they were on the verge of vomiting. But I couldn’t summon a single tear, no matter how sad and guilty and alone I felt.

  Steven squeezed my hand. “You okay?”

  I nodded. “Yeah,” I whispered back. “I’m fine.”

  The pastor cleared his throat. “At this time, I’d like to invite friends of Monica to speak, if they so wish,” he said. “We have time for a few speakers.”

  All of the popular girls, including Trisha, leapt up and formed a line behind the pastor.

  I narrowed my eyes.

  “They didn’t even know her,” I muttered under my breath. “I bet they never even talked!”

  Steven turned to me with a frown. “Hey, be nice,” he said. “They’re sad, too – it’s hard when a classmate dies.”

  “Yeah, but they weren’t friends,” I said. “What are they going to say about her? That they always saw her in the halls?”

  Steven shrugged. “I don’t know, Elizabeth,” he said. “Just calm down. You weren’t the only person who cared about her.”

  I glared. Although I didn’t appreciate what he’d said, at least it was better than the constant fawning and praise and desperate need for my attention.

  Trisha cleared her throat into the microphone and wiped at her eyes. “I’d just like to say a few things about Monica,” she said. She sniffled and there was a smatter of applause.

  I rolled my eyes.

  “Monica was such a great girl,” Trisha said. “She was always, like, so smart. I’m going to miss her so much, I mean, nothing is ever going to be the same. My life is like, totally different now.”

  “This is awful,” I murmured to Steven. “She knew nothing about her!”

  “She was smart,” Steven said. He shrugged and narrowed his eyes at me. “You should be more open-minded, Eli
zabeth. You don’t have the sole lock on grieving for her.”

  His words pushed me over the edge. I pulled my hand back, took a deep breath, and stood up, standing at the end of the line of popular girls.

  It was a long wait. It seemed like every former homecoming queen and prom queen and runner-up was standing in front of me, somehow making Monica’s death all about them.

  When it was my turn, the people watching looked tired.

  “I won’t be long,” I said, clearing my throat and sniffling. “I just wanted to say that Monica was more than a friend to me, she was like a sister. I always admired her – she did whatever she wanted, and she never let anyone stop her.” Guilt plagued me and I closed my eyes for a second, taking a deep breath. “I wasn’t always the best friend to her, but it didn’t matter. She did…she did some great things, and my life would be totally different today if it wasn’t for her.”

  I saw Jamie and Brian, standing in the back, looking at me sadly. Between that and the unfortunate truth of what I’d just said, the tears finally came. I blinked them away and handed off the microphone as quickly as I could.

  Back in my chair, Steven put his arm around me and held me close.

  The service wasn’t much longer than that. The pastor did a blessing – he didn’t even say ‘heaven,’ he said ‘the afterlife’ – and invited us all to a reception at Jamie and Brian’s home. Then it was over.

  Steven and I stood up together.

  “Do you want to go?”

  “I should say something to her parents,” I said softly. “I don’t really want to stay, though. Are you coming?”

  Steven nodded. My heart sank – I wouldn’t have admitted it, but I’d been secretly hoping that Steven wouldn’t want to go. I knew that if he went, all of the popular kids would, too…and then I’d be sitting there, hating all of them, for practically no reason at all.

  I kept my head down as we walked out of the meeting house and into the bright sunshine. It was one of the first truly hot days we’d had. I’m sixteen, I thought sadly as I followed Steven to his car. And if Monica were still here, she’d have turned sixteen the week before. And she’d be teasing me about having her driver’s license, while I only have a permit.