Guardian of Secrets (Library Jumpers, #2)

by Brenda Drake

  “He’s here? To help Conemar?” Her eyes narrowed on a spot in the middle of the yard.

  The Red and his men were fighting Conemar’s men.

  “He’s with us?” There was hope and uncertainty in her voice.

  I couldn’t believe it, either. “It looks like he is.”

  Faith got into her attack stance and bared her teeth. “We must get back in the fight.” She spotted Veronique and sprung off on all fours.

  I shuffled around trying to decide where to go next.

  Nick shot electric currents into a buff girl hunter. The hunter crumpled to the ground, her body sparking and smoking. His menacing scowl looked as if he were enjoying it. I shook off the thought and limped as fast as I could over the lawn.

  I made it to Arik at the same time the Cyclops’ fist slammed into his face. Arik fell like a cut tree and landed hard on the ground. The man’s meaty arm slammed against Arik’s back. A sharp breath punched out of Arik’s mouth with the blow. Before the man’s fist came down again, I swung my sword, severing his arm at the elbow. The creature roared in pain. He spun around, swinging his good arm at me, and I ducked.

  “Shit…” I quickly backed away. Once out of reach, I adjusted my sweaty hands on the handle of my sword. He pounded toward me.

  Patience, Gia. My heart hammered with anticipation.

  He was getting closer, blood squirting out of his amputated arm. I swallowed hard.

  Wait for it.

  He raised his fist to hit me, and the second he stepped in my zone, I stabbed his eye with my sword. The creature roared, twisting and turning, punching at the air. I ducked his blow and dashed for Arik, dropping to my knees beside him.

  Oh no. Oh no. You can’t be dead.

  “Arik?” My voice was shaky and the back of my eyes burned with tears. He coughed several times, glancing up with those deep brown eyes, and my breath hitched in my chest.

  Thank God. He’s okay.

  “I’m fine,” he said. “Just got the wind knocked out of me. Help the others.”

  “Well, don’t just lay there, then,” I said, straightening. “I can’t keep coming to your rescue.”

  “You still owe me a few more rescues.” He quirked a smile and struggled to his feet. I caught his arm and helped him up.

  “I don’t know,” I said. “That dude should count for a few of them.”

  “He was ugly, wasn’t he?”

  “That’s an understatement.” I smiled. “See you on the other side.”

  “Of what?” He watched me curiously.

  “It’s a saying…never mind. Just watch yourself,” I said, darting off into the fray, looking over my shoulder at him. His beautiful face a dirty mess. His eyes widened.

  “Watch out,” he shouted.

  I turned to find a mace swing for my head. I dropped low, extended my leg, and swiped it against the shins of a hunter. He banged to the ground, smacking his head hard. Three vines came from different directions and ensnarled the man.

  I found Emily standing nearby.

  “You can thank me later,” she said, and returned her focus on the vines.

  “Okay, I won’t kill you, but I’m still pissed at you.” I took off in the direction of Nick. I had to get him out of here, to Carrig and the Volvo. He hadn’t learned how to control his magic. Left in battle he’d surely get himself killed.

  “You’re welcome,” Emily said as I passed, assuming that not killing her was my way of saying thank you.

  I skidded to a stop when I spotted Conemar behind her. “Emily,” I yelled. “Watch out!”

  She spun around, and Conemar grabbed her neck.

  His clutch on her throat reminded me of the time he had grabbed me so many months ago in the Senate Library in France. I darted for them.

  “You disappoint me, Ruth Ann,” Conemar said.

  Ruth Ann?

  Someone locked my arms behind my back and stopped me. “Hold on, Chosen One,” Veronique hissed in my ear.

  “My name is Emily.” She dug her nails into his arms.

  He grimaced but didn’t let go, just stared her down as he lifted his other hand in front of her face.

  I struggled in Veronique’s grasp. “What happened to your accent? Lost it on the way to Evil Island?”

  She pulled my arms tighter together. “You noticed. Charm tattoos are all the rage. Even Arik had one, I’ve heard.”

  Emily’s head fell back as Conemar’s open hand hovered over her. “I told you to never cross me or I’d take back the power I gave you.”

  “Leave her alone.” I struggled against Veronique’s hold. “What is he doing to her?”

  “He put the spirit of a Bane witch inside her to make her more powerful,” Veronique said. “Now he’s taking it back to punish her. I don’t know why he’s wasting his time. After I kill you, I’m going to kill her next. But he loves a good torture. And that will definitely torture her.”

  A horrific-sounding scream came from Emily.

  Conemar pulled something dark and sinister from her. He released her, and she crumpled to the ground. There looked to be a face within the black smoke he transferred to a long vial. After sealing the vial, he slipped it into the breast pocket of his jacket.

  “Now that you’re done with the witch,” Veronique called to him, “I have another present for you.”

  A blue globe hit Veronique’s back, hard, knocking me down with her in a flush of water.

  Veronique screamed. “That stings.” She rolled onto her back and glanced up. Jaran stood over her and slammed another glob against her face. She choked on the mini-tsunami.

  Jaran grabbed my hand and yanked me to my feet. He pulled his sword out of his scabbard. “I’ve got her. You go.”

  I spun around, my wet hair slapping my face. Conemar was gone and Emily lay on the ground, not moving. My boots slapped across the mud as I ran over and fell to my knees beside her.

  “Emily?” I brushed her hair away from her face. She moaned and her eyes blinked open. “You’re alive.”

  “Yeah, I guess so,” she said, sitting up.

  “I don’t know what just happened here, and we don’t have time for a talk,” I said. “So get to your house and lock yourself in. Okay?”

  I gripped my sword and surveyed the battle.

  Conemar and his legion of creeps were losing the fight.

  Car tires screeched on the road. Miss Bagley’s black Subaru jumped the curb and spun across the grass, coming to an abrupt stop. The door popped open and she slid out, glancing around the yard, stunned.

  Great. What is she doing here? I decided I should probably save her, since she and Pop were dating. I darted in her direction, ducking attacks and hopping over fallen bodies.

  I tackled a hunter going at Faith from behind. The hunter rolled me over and pinned my shoulders with his knees. I wiggled one arm free, quickly formed a globe, and smashed it against his head. He toppled, and I pushed him off me. I lumbered to my feet and froze.

  Two of Conemar’s Sentinels had Nick by the arms. Miss Bagley waved the Sentinels over. A girl Sentinel stood guard as the men dragged Nick to the car then tossed him in the back. Miss Bagley searched the yard, our eyes meeting. A sullen expression crossed her face and she shook her head at me. So slight that I almost hadn’t noticed it.

  What is she doing?

  “Conemar,” Miss Bagley yelled. “You’re losing the battle. Come on, I have your son.”

  I took off after them. Nick struggled in the back seat.

  Gian was on his knees in front of Conemar, his head down, his body beaten. Blood rushed down the side of his face. On the ground beside Gian, Uncle Philip twisted and turned in pain, his shoulder torn and bleeding from where his arm used to connect to it.

  An electric charge burst to life between Conemar’s hands. He aimed it directly at Gian.

  “No!” I screamed, and knocked one of the French Sentinels out of my way.

  “Stop, Gianna,” Conemar yelled. “Or I will kill him.”

>   I froze. “Don’t hurt him.”

  Conemar’s eyes shifted from me to Gian then back to me. “Have you grown so close to him already? When will you learn that caring for someone makes you weak? You can’t stop me. All I need is Nick and the Chiavi to release the Tetrad. There will be a hell like none have ever known and all souls in the Mystik and human worlds will bow down and revere me.” The sparks in his hand lit up his twisted face. “Don’t you see? They all need me. You need me. After culling those who denounce me, there will be a peace.”

  “You’re sick.” A mix of anger and fear burned through my veins. “I will stop you. I was born to stop you.”

  “Gia, get away from here,” Gian shouted.

  “You can’t have Nick.” My battle globe warmed just under the surface of my palm.

  “He’s my son,” Conemar said. “He belongs with his father. Join us.”

  “Never,” I snapped.

  His lips stretched into a menacing grin. “Are you certain you’re on the correct side, Gianna? For there’s a gray line between the forces around you. Good and evil are bedfellows. You’d be wise to examine the agendas of those you trust.” The electric ball between his hands grew brighter.

  “Wait,” I pleaded. “Don’t do it.”

  The light blazed in his obsidian eyes. “It’s you or him.”

  Gian’s head slowly lifted and turned my way. His eyes were peaceful. And he smiled at me. “I choose me.” Gian stood and lunged at Conemar.

  Conemar released his charge before Gian reached him. The charge hit Gian square on the chest and he flew backward.

  “NO! I’ll kill you, I swear,” I screamed, and ignited my globe, tossing it at Conemar. It shattered like glass on the ground beside him. My feet and legs felt numb as I sprinted for him, gripping my sword tighter.

  Conemar created another electric swirl in his hands and sent it my way.

  Strong arms wrapped around me and slammed me to the ground, covering my head with red-haired arms.

  “Pop?’

  He rolled off me. “You okay?”

  “You have to get out of here.”

  “Not without my girl.” He stood.

  I pushed myself up, my eyes going to Gian’s lifeless body. “He-he…” I couldn’t breathe. “He killed him.”

  Pop grabbed my shoulders. “Take a breath. You’re okay. We have to get out of here.”

  Pop looked over my shoulder with a stunned expression on his face. I glanced to where he was looking. Miss Bagley?

  “Kayla?” he called out to her, stepping around me. “What are you doing?”

  She glanced at him and there was sadness in her eyes.

  She’s with Conemar? Her betrayal stung like a blow to the face. The look on Pop’s face said it was more like a wrecking ball to his.

  A tall man in Sentinel gear beside Miss Bagley raised his hand, and a flash of silver caught my attention as he threw something.

  “Look out,” Faith cried.

  A large dagger soared in our direction. Faith tackled Pop to the ground at the same time the blade hit her back.

  “No!” The scream tore from my throat.

  Conemar scrambled into the passenger seat of Miss Bagley’s Subaru. She ran around the hood and hopped into the driver’s side.

  A roar cut through the yard. The Red charged for the Subaru.

  The girl Sentinel formed a bright globe on her palm and shot a lightning bolt at The Red, hitting him in the chest. He flew back, landing a few feet from where Faith lay. His hand reached out for her, but fell a foot short.

  The girl and men Sentinels scrambled into the Subaru, and the wheels squealed as Miss Bagley backed the car off the curb and sped down the road.

  Faith lifted her head, spotted The Red, and cried out. “Falto.”

  The Red crawled to Faith and pulled her into his arms, her head resting in the crook of his arm. “Sister.”

  “Why?” She coughed. “Why did you kill our parents? You left me to die.”

  “No, no, no,” The Red growled and there was desperation in the tone of it. “Your memory fails you. Our parents were dead when I returned from hunting. There was a raid. I saved you from a Sagar. Its tusk speared you, not I.”

  She touched the scars on his face. “You were hurt, too. I see it now. Please forgive me for losing faith in you. I was a young pup.”

  He rested his head on hers. “It is I who needs forgiveness.”

  Tears blurred my vision, and I fell to my knees beside her. “Faith.”

  “I’m fine,” she said. “Go. They have Nick.”

  Snap out of it.

  They had Nick.

  I spotted his motorcycle lying on its side in the driveway and darted for it. I fought to get the heavy piece of junk upright and balanced against my side. After replaying in my head the push-start lesson Nick had given me, I twisted the key to the on position, dropped the gear into first, held in the clutch, and pushed it down the hill. The bike roared to life, and I hopped on, straddling the seat.

  You can do this. Think of Nick. I clenched my teeth and shoved my fear of driving and extreme speeds down. The engine revved as I sped down the road in the direction Miss Bagley took the Subaru.

  Behind me, I could hear Pop and Arik yelling for me to stop.

  The motorcycle shook at the highest speed. My arms hurt as I tried to keep control of it, taking corner after corner as fast as I could. I was gaining on the Subaru when the Sentinels in the backseat leaned out their windows and tossed battle globes at me. I swerved to avoid a flaming globe and splashed through a water one. It almost knocked me off, and I straightened in the seat. I attempted to form my globe, but each time I took one of my hands off the handlebars, I lost control of the bike and quickly grabbed the handle to control it.

  Nick turned in his seat and stared out the back, a look of despair on his face. He mouthed, “I’m sorry,” before the girl Sentinel pushed his head down.

  The man Sentinel on his other side leaned out the window, flames bouncing on his hand. He threw one globe after the other, the swirling firebombs coming straight at me. Something hit me from the side and lifted me off the bike. Cadby. He flew low with me in his arms.

  The fire globes hit the motorcycle and exploded, tossing the bike over our heads. Cadby lost his grip on me, and I nosedived into the ground. I crashed into the grass and rolled down the ravine until a bush stopped me, knocking the breath from my lungs. Pain throbbed across my back and shoulders. My knee was on fire.

  I lay there, gasping for air. Cadby rushed down the ravine toward me. I rolled over and clawed my way up the hill, then lumbered to my feet. The Subaru disappeared around a corner.

  Cadby wobbled up to my side.

  “They’re gone,” I muttered, tears and dirt stinging my eyes. “Nick’s gone. Can you fly after them?”

  “My wing is broken.”

  I slumped to the ground and covered my face with dirty hands. The sobs came hard and my body shook out of control.

  Cadby stood stoic as he waited for me to finish.

  I shook my head hard, wiped my eyes, and stood. There was no time to mourn. I had no idea what was waiting for us back at my house.

  “We should attend to the others,” he said, deep and soft.

  I gave him a slight nod and followed him, both of us limping and looking like we’d been through a war.

  The front yard of my home was now a triage unit. Pop, Sinead, and Emily mended the injured. Bodies had been covered in sheets, blankets, jackets, and unused trash bags. Carrig and Jaran lifted Uncle Philip in their arms.

  I met them. “Can I help?”

  “No,” Carrig said. “We’re loading him in Brian’s vehicle. We must get him to Asile.”

  “I’ll be fine, Gia,” Uncle Philip said. “Help the others.”

  I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Take good care of him,” I said to Jaran.

  “Of course,” Jaran said, his eyes red and his jaw tight, as though he struggled to keep his emotions at bay.r />
  I spotted The Red. He was alive. Sinead was attending to him.

  “Where’s Faith?”

  Arik crossed the lawn to me. “Gia…”

  I threw my arms around his neck and cried into his chest. “Where’s Faith?”

  Arik looked to three bodies covered with sheets.

  I searched his eyes through my blurry ones. “Who…who else—” my voice cracked.

  He stared off, unable to look at me.

  My stomach twisted. “Who else?”

  He didn’t answer me.

  I unwrapped my arms from his neck and dragged my feet over to the bodies. I eased down to my heels beside the first one. My hand shook as I slipped the sheet from the person’s face.

  Faith.

  I choked out a sob. Her face was like plaster; she was hardening just as Ricardo had when he died pinned to the tree in Esteril. Small cracks etched her beautiful features. Just as her face began to shatter, so did my heart. It felt as though jagged edges were tearing up my insides. I covered her face, not able to watch her turn to dust.

  I went to the other body. I knew who lay under the sheet before I uncovered him. Gian looked peaceful under death’s hold.

  “I’m so sorry,” I said to him. With the tears flooding my eyes, I could hardly make out his face. “You survived so much, only to lose here. I’m so thankful I met you. I won’t let you down, Gian. Royston will fulfill his destiny. I’ll make you proud.” I leaned over and kissed his cold cheek.

  I stared at the third body, and then glanced around, wondering who it could be. I knew Jaran, Carrig, and Arik were alive. I found Sinead and Deidre handing supplies to Pop. I couldn’t find Kale or Lei. I looked back at the covered body.

  “No. Lei?” I crawled over to the body and wrapped my fingers around the cotton material, strangling it in my hand. “God…please.” I dragged the sheet off.

  Kale’s beautiful face looked so serene, as if he were sleeping. His slightly parted lips were blue, his hair still damp from sweat. I hugged the sheet, curling up beside him, and sobbed, pain stabbing my heart. I gasped for air, convulsing with each sharp and painful breath. I tried to suck in the air. A frightening groan came from deep within the darkest place of my soul.

  I shook my head hard. “No, no, no, no, no. Oh, please, no! Where’s Lei?”