by Garr, Amber
He rested his hand on my knee and squeezed. Again, I felt nothing. “They’d used her as a bargaining chip.”
“What?”
“She’d been collected by a Warden initially, but only stayed with them for a couple of days before they traded her for another soul.”
“Whose soul?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know. I never figured that part out.”
I tried to organize the facts together. “So, you became a Hunter to…save her?”
“Yes.” Turning to face me directly, he added, “But I didn’t think I’d be gone so long.”
“You thought you could come back?”
“I hoped there would be a way, yes.” He bit his lip and tears glistened in his eyes. “But I haven’t figured that out yet either.” Waving his hands around at the ruins, he said, “This is as close as I’ve gotten.”
While my heart tightened with the knowledge that he’d chosen her over me, I still held on to the fact that he hadn’t planned on leaving me forever. I sucked in a ragged breath and asked the question that would determine whether or not Jason lived or died. “Can you help me become a Soul Hunter?”
“Nora,” he sighed, shaking his head.
“You did it once before. And with the shaman gifts in my bloodline, I know that I can bring us back. Bring us all back.”
He jumped to his feet and I thought I’d lost him. But then he turned, crossing his arms. “You know what you have to do to become one of them, right?”
I nodded.
“And you’re prepared to kill an innocent.”
I nodded once again.
“I don’t believe you,” he spat.
“I’ll do it!” I shouted, shooting to my feet. “I have to do it. It’s the only way to save him.” The tears started flowing once again and, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop them.
Theron cocked his head to the side and watched me. “You’ve bonded with him already, haven’t you?”
“Yes.” Why lie now? After all, he was the one with a hidden wife. My stomach lurched again and I clasped my arms around my waist to keep me upright. Theron’s expression never changed.
“And you’re really serious about this?”
“Yes.”
He paused, not a muscle moved, not a breath inhaled. For the first time in a long time, I had no idea if he would help me or not. Finally, he spoke. “Fine.”
“Fine? As in, you’ll help me?”
“Yes.” He shook his head. “I think this is a horrible idea, but who am I to try and talk you out of it. Besides, maybe you’ll be able to control it better than me.”
I wanted to shout. I wanted to celebrate. But the reality of what I was about to do crushed any sense of achievement.
In order to make this work, I had to kill someone.
“You ready?” Theron stood in front of me with his hand stretched out.
“We’re going to do this now?”
He nodded. “Why wait?”
Forcing my heavy feet to move, I stepped forward and grabbed his hand. As soon as we touched, he pulled me tight against him. “Hold on.”
A black fog surrounded the shimmering wall in front of us and we disappeared from the guard tower. Seconds later we stood under a bridge, my body assembling itself back together one cell at a time, feeling oddly similar to how I transported as a Warden.
Nighttime had fallen in this particular part of the world and the quiet river sloshed against the concrete pillars. “Where are we?” I asked.
“Prague.”
“Really?” I moved out from under Theron’s grasp to get a better view. Looking above our heads, I saw the large concrete archways, and statues lit up along the entire breadth of the river…like protectors of the innocent. “It’s beautiful.”
“You won’t feel that way for long,” Theron said, grabbing my hand. “Come on. I know where to go.”
Instead of crossing the bridge into the old city, we walked in the opposite direction, down historic stone alleyways and through endless stretches of dark shadows. Several blocks later, we stopped. “What are we doing?” I asked.
“Waiting.”
“Waiting for what?” In the limited light I saw the veins grow stronger along his neck and face. His body trembled for different reasons than mine did. “Oh.” We were hunting.
“Are you sure you want to do this?”
“I have to.” But the nerves ripping apart my gut made me well aware that I really didn’t want to. Then, I thought about Judith and Jason, and what the Hunters could be doing to him right now. With that, a new surge of urgency took over my emotions.
The pub’s door flew open and released a small group of drunken tourists stumbling into the street. Laughing loudly, they stood outside for several minutes, speaking in a different language. We stayed hidden in the shadows, watching to see which direction they’d go. Much to my surprise, they split up—four headed back toward the bridge and two came directly at us.
“Let’s go,” Theron ordered.
We followed them for nearly a mile before he decided it was time. During that brief trip, I thought only of Jason, and that kiss we’d shared on the mountain. If I would have thought about anything else, I would have run the other way…screaming.
“Last chance to bail,” Theron said, his hand tightening around mine.
“I’m not backing out.” The light in me fought hard to make me change my mind. But I couldn’t. There was no turning back now. I knew I’d find a way to return to my home, and if I could save Jason in the process, then one innocent life would be worth it. I promised I’d make up for that life someday. I didn’t know how, or when, but I would.
“Okay, let’s go.”
“Wait!” I called out when he tried to pull me forward.
“What?” Theron looked almost…relieved that I might have changed my mind.
“What’s her name?”
“Who?”
“Your wife?”
His intense gaze sent shivers down to my toes. “Eda,” he said after a long pause.
I closed my eyes and let out all the air in my lungs. This was it. Time to choose my own fate. Reaching for Theron’s face, I brushed my hand along his cheek. “For Jason and Eda then.”
He tried to smile but the pain was etched in his flesh, clearly seen though the dark veins and his self-hatred for the excitement of the hunt. Nodding, he spoke, “For Jason and Eda.”
As one, we stepped out of the shadows and into the darkness of my future.
This is a story I’ve been dying to share with you all: (Okay, ‘campy’ is over. :)) But heading out on this journey certainly made me realize how much I love writing young adult novels, and the bare facts are that this particular story would not be in your hands today if it was not for the help and support of many people.
My wonderful beta readers and critique group; Gayle, Serena, Sandy, Claire and Elizabeth (for reading a very early version of the short story!), I thank you so much for taking the time to read each chapter and give me your feedback. I value every single comment you supply and you have made me a much better writer than I ever thought possible.
For Amber’s Aces; Amber, Kelly, Lisa, Desiree, Chasity, Morgan, Fallon, Elizabeth, Laura, Glenn, Betsy, Claire, Serena, Deanna, Sandy H., Holly, Lisa, Jen, Marisette, Gayle, Vicki, Sarah, Rebekah, Kari, Ann, Sandy G., Tiffany, Morgan, Fallon, Tien, Teresa, Nicole, Jacquie, Rachel, Kari and Helena, thank you for keeping me going! No matter how many doubts I have, you help me understand that it’s all worth it in the end!
And, finally, to the ladies at ‘Hallowed Ink Press’; thank you for believing in me, believing in Soulless, and making my first experience with a publisher a great one. Amber (with the coolest name ever), you have been so responsive, supportive and enthusiastic…I don’t know how you do it. Emma, your covers are amazing and I really appreciate you bringing me in on the process and finding the perfect cover for Nora. And, Amy, your edits were so spot-on and I’m thrilled to have had the oppor
tunity to work with you. I truly feel like I have a team behind me and THAT feels really good!
And, of course, to all my fans, THANK YOU! I hope you enjoy the start of this new trilogy and I can’t wait to hear what you think!
Amber Garr spends her days as a scientist and her nights writing about other worlds. Her childhood imaginary friend was a witch; Halloween is sacred; and Amber is certain that she has a supernatural sense of smell. Amber is also a multiple ‘Royal Palm Literary Award’ winner and author of the bestselling; The Syrenka Series, The Leila Marx Novels, The Water Crisis Chronicles, and the Death Warden Series. When not obsessing over the unknown, she can be found dancing, reading, or enjoying a good movie.
Connect with Amber Online:
www.ambergarr.com
www.facebook.com/AuthorAmberGarr
@AmberGarr1
Coming Soon
Somewhere South of Normal: An Anthology
Lifeless
Touching Death
Watermarked