She clenched her jaw, struggling against something unseen, fighting for control of her words. When she looked at me again, she pleaded in a voice that was closer to her own. “If you’re dead, you can’t bring them back. If you’re dead, there is no gateway opening to the other side. You could do it, Colina. You could do it to save all humanity. Do it to keep Dean safe. Do it to save Luke.”
She’s lost her mind.
She grabbed my wrist.
“Let me go!” I cried, panicking, trying to pull out of her grasp.
Her grip tightened. “Do it. Sacrifice yourself for the ones you love.”
“Get off me.” After a few more moments of struggle, I ripped my arm out of her hands.
She stood motionless for a moment, her eyes searching my face frantically—
And then her expression went blank.
Did Wendy just try to goad me into killing myself? Her voice had sounded more like her own when she’d said it, and the demons wanted me alive—they want me to open a portal so they can crawl into this world. So were those truly Wendy’s words? Does she really want me to kill myself?
A faint voice floated through the space behind me, distracting me from Wendy and my worries. I peered around the chair’s back, but we were still alone. The blank expression left Wendy’s eyes and a cautious look came over her face.
I heard it again. Someone was singing, which was very unusual. I headed on unsteady feet toward the door and pushed it open, not sure what I was going to find.
The last thing I expected to see was Mildred.
She was walking near the house, steadily pouring something white from a glass jar onto the ground. She quietly sang a beautiful melody in a language I didn’t recognize. It sounded a little like the Gaelic spoken by the older members of my clan, but I couldn’t make out any words. I listened in silence for a moment, entranced by the soothing song. Somehow it made me feel loved and protected, and a small amount of warmth tried to creep into my chilled soul.
And then she stopped singing and the spell faded, allowing me to remember what this woman did to me.
She looked up and gave me a bright smile. “Good morning. I hope I didn’t wake you, child.”
It was well past morning. The sun was setting low in the sky. Pretty soon it would be dark out. She was as unstable as always. I honestly didn’t know what to say to her. We stood staring at each other in silence.
She raised the jar. “Sea salt. The way things have been going, I thought you could use a little protection.”
“You want to protect me now?” My voice dripped with disdain.
She moved toward me, her eyes sad, and then seemed to think better of it. Shrugging, she murmured, “I guess sorry isn’t going to cut it.”
“How could you do it? How could you betray us?” Frustration bubbled up in me, but I was too weak for it to come to any kind of fruition. My legs began to shake and my head began to pound. With an unsteady arm, I braced myself against the wall for support, my legs and body shaking as I watched Mildred.
She looked off into the distance for a moment and then turned back to me and whispered, “The creatures are hungry. He doesn’t take care of them like he should.”
I followed her gaze. There it was—a small glimmer of red out by the trees.
Hellhounds. She’s talking about the hellhounds.
“The poor things. He only feeds them every other day,” she said.
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “You’re feeling sorry for the hellhounds?”
“They only harm because he commands them to.”
Is she serious? “Mildred, I watched a demon create one of them from ash. I’m sure that evil thing brought these forth, too.”
“True evil created them, yes. It is hard to shake your nature, but you of all people should know it can be done.” She paused for a long time and then whispered, “I never meant to hurt you.”
“Did you care about us at all? Was it all an act?”
She looked away and then back at me. “I tried to protect you as best I could.”
Mildred betrayed me because Gage promised to bring back her daughter. She crossed the line in hopes of getting the one she loved back. “Mildred, what if he’s lying to you? What if he can’t bring your daughter back?” I asked.
“I thought you would understand. I had to try. Gage is powerful. He’s preparing to do a spell to bring my daughter back from”—her voice quivered—“from the awful place she’s been. And you’ll have the one you love back. Luke will walk the earth again by your side. He’ll be tied to a brand-new body.”
“Will he? You really believe Gage can transfer Luke’s spirit into another body?”
“I do, child. The man does magic I’ve never seen before.”
“He’ll want something from me,” I replied drearily.
“Of course. There is always a cost. There is always a price. I’m willing to pay it, and so are you.”
I knew she was right. If I could transfer Luke to another body, if he could be back at my side day and night…my prayers would be answered. I would do anything to see that happen.
Wendy stepped up beside me. “Traitor,” she hissed at Mildred.
Mildred gave me a long, sad look and started walking again. She carefully poured out a thin line of sea salt as she went.
After a moment’s observation, Wendy said, “She’s circling the house with sea salt. It’s a protection circle.”
Was she really trying to help us? I honestly didn’t know what the old woman was up to, but I knew I would never trust her again.
We watched as Mildred slowly came to a stop at the corner of the house. She shook the last of the jar’s contents out onto the ground, then dropped the jar and started walking toward the trees.
I watched, horrified and fascinated, as two dark forms broke away from the shadows of the trees and started to move toward her. The hellhounds!
Mildred seemed unaware of the danger she was in. She skipped along, singing loudly to herself as she went.
“The old bat is going to get herself killed,” Wendy said.
My heart lurched in my chest. Mildred was walking toward the beasts without any fear.
Mildred suddenly dropped to her knees and called out, “Got a treat for you.” She held out her hand, and the hellhounds raced forward before stopping just short of her.
I watched in pure awe as the creatures slowly crept to Mildred and gently ate from her hands. What was she feeding them? I’d only seen the beasts consume souls. When it seemed she had nothing left to feed them, Mildred stood up and brushed the dirt off her skirt.
She patted both the hellhounds on the tops of their heads. “Good doggies,” she sang out before turning and skipping down the road.
* * *
I sat in the doorway watching the sunset. Mildred never came back our way. Wendy stayed by my side for a while. She didn’t say much. After a time, she mumbled something about being tired and headed back inside. I didn’t want to go back indoors. It felt good to be out in the open. I closed my eyes and felt the breeze on my face. With every hour that passed, I felt better. My head stopped throbbing. My arm was sore, but the sling now laid on the ground next to me. The healer had done his job.
For the first time in a long time, I couldn’t see or smell any zombies. I was betting Gage decided to keep the zombies away from me, after seeing how they’d come to my defense. How did they know I was hurt? How did I call them and command them to attack Caleb? I had no recollection of doing it. All I could remember was the pain I felt as the bullet ripped through me, and then the flash of pure fury that followed.
I looked up at the sky and saw a shooting star. I closed my eyes.
Maybe if I wish hard enough, that maniac will realize my magic isn’t as powerful as he thought. Maybe he’ll let us go. Maybe he’ll come to his senses and give up his insane plan to raise a dark army.
I opened my eyes and gave a loud sigh. If only wishing made it real.
And then I felt
it—my skin prickle with the feeling of being watched. Something is nearby. I glanced at the trees and spied two sets of red eyes peering at me through the darkness. Have the hellhounds been watching me the whole time I’ve been sitting here?
But I realized it wasn’t the hellhounds that raised my internal alarm. Something else was out here with me—I was sure of it.
Someone cleared their throat, and my head swung to the left. It was Sonja. She was standing at the edge of the house, a lantern in her hand. The dress she wore tonight was tight, black, and short. She teetered on a pair of six-inch red high heels.
“How is the princess this evening?” she asked. “I hear you’re on the mend. News spread about your training accident, but I see you’ve pulled through.” Her voice was full of disappointment.
“Your master let you off your leash?” I asked, not trying to hide the contempt I felt for her.
I was expecting some angry response, but instead she just stood there, watching me.
Her green eyes should’ve been full of anger, but instead I watched in sheer astonishment as tears began sliding down her face. “Gage has decided…he may no longer need me.”
I was shocked at her words. She now had my full attention. I stood up and steadied myself against the doorframe. “What does that mean?” I asked.
“It means he’s thinking about sending me off at the end of the week to go work with Fintan.” She looked up at the stars. “It means I might be leaving, and if I go, he’ll be all yours.”
“I don’t want him,” I hissed.
She looked back at me. “But you’re the one he wants by his side. He’s made that more than clear.”
I shook my head. “Gage just wants me for my magic. He needs me to raise the zom—”
She interrupted me. “You’re such a little fool. You have no idea what’s going on, what he has planned.” The anger was there now, shining through her eyes.
I took a step toward her. “Tell me,” I said in a quiet voice.
She watched me and then gave a harsh laugh. “You’ll learn about his plans soon enough. He’s such a great man. He needs someone with strength and wisdom by his side, not some useless girl who can’t even protect herself.” She gave me a hard stare. “Your magic was supposed to be so powerful. You could raise zombies, you could raise demons… But look at you now. You can’t even manage a simple bulletproofing spell.”
My cheeks colored in response to her taunts. It was my turn to be angry. “You need to watch yourself.”
She laughed again. “Or what? Your magic didn’t touch Caleb. Your animal banshees didn’t harm Gage.” She stormed right up to me until we stood nose-to-nose. “What do you think you can do?”
She’s right, a small voice said in my mind. My magic was useless against Caleb and Gage. I hadn’t even really started my training. I wasn’t a true death dealer. If I was stronger—more powerful—I would be able to get out of here along with my friends. Sonja could see her words had affected me and smiled victoriously. I wanted so badly to wipe the smug look off her face.
I lifted my fist and said through clenched teeth, “I don’t need magic to punch you in the face.”
She took a hasty step back, uncertainty filling her eyes. After a moment, when I didn’t move, she straightened. “You know, you’re about to get everything you ever wanted.”
I waited for her to continue, but she didn’t explain further. I didn’t want to ask questions, but if Sonja knew what Gage had planned for me, I had to try and find out. “What do you mean?”
“Oh, the princess doesn’t know? No one told you?” She laughed in astonishment. “Tomorrow night Gage will release Luke.”
Panic filled me. “What do you mean, ‘release’ him?”
Sonja saw the anxiety in my face and rolled her eyes. “He’s not banishing him into the ether sea, you little idiot. Gage found a spell that can transfer Luke’s soul into another body.”
A half-dozen questions swirled through my head. So it’s true? Can Gage actually do it? Will Luke finally stand by my side during the day and night? Why is he willing to bring Luke back? Is the spell some kind of trap? What plans does Gage have for us?
Sonja’s sniffling brought me back to our conversation. “You get to have everything you ever wanted, and I’ll get shipped off to help that creep, Fintan.”
Great, here come the tears again. “Help Fintan do what?” I asked. What was Fintan’s project? He’d mentioned something about collecting readers during Gage’s party…
Sonja sneered. “You would like that, wouldn’t you? You would love me to answer all your questions. To fill you in on all the secrets it took me years to learn. I worked hard to be indispensable to Gage. I’m more than his assistant. I’m someone he can count on. Someone who truly cares for him.” She crossed her arms indignantly.
Had she really just stood there and declared her love for Gage? I honestly couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “You’re in love with that madman?”
“I am. And he loved me back until you came. But now he only has eyes for you. He thinks you’re the one he’s been waiting for. He thinks you’re the one who’s going to help him fulfill his destiny.” Her voice contorted in anger again and she pointed one manicured finger at me accusingly. “But I know deep down, you aren’t the one. You don’t have any magic that can help him. You aren’t all-powerful. Look at you—weak, barely able to stay on your feet… You’re a pathetic girl who’s been lucky to survive this long.”
And with those parting words she spun on her heels and walked back into the night.
I watched her go, and a small part of me wondered if she was right. Am I only alive because of luck? I forced the thought away. I’m not weak and pathetic. I’ve pulled spirits to the other side. I forced Weatherton into the depths of hell. I can raise the dead.
I looked out at the trees and saw the hellhounds still watching me. An interesting thought popped into my mind as I studied them. I might not be able to harm the living, but I have power over the dead. Does that mean my magic would work on creatures created by magic?
I heard a howl on the wind. My spirit pack was out there. They would come to me when I needed them. Another howl sounded close by, and I watched the two pairs of red eyes sink back into the shadows.
Chapter 9
I was standing before the abyss. There were no red eyes watching me, and no unearthly noises or growls filled the air. It was quiet—almost peaceful. Dean walked out from within the darkness. A smile filled his face. His arms opened and he beckoned to me. I was happy to see him. I didn’t want to be alone. Not in this place. But another part of me wished desperately that Dean was someone else. I wanted Luke beside me.
As if powered by my thoughts, Dean changed.
The way he stood, the expression on his face—it was no longer Dean looking at me. It was Luke. Dark gray eyes stared at me filled with passion, with love. With just that one look, I felt like someone coming out of the cold. A warm blanket of happiness spread through me. Luke had a wide smile on his face, and he began walking toward me. I started forward, but before I could make it to his side, a dark figure rushed out of the shadows behind him. I tried to cry out a warning, but no sound came from my lips. My voice and body were frozen.
I saw the glint of a blade move through the air. I watched in horror as the knife came down and sliced brutally across Luke’s throat. Luke’s hands went to his neck. I could see the blood pooling out from between his fingers. LUKE! His name screamed through my mind, but still no sound left my mouth. I tried desperately to move, to go to his side, but something held me immobile. No, Luke! My heart pounded in my chest and tears streamed down my face as I watched the shimmering blade rise again.
The dark figure turned and faced me.
It was Gage.
He had a wicked smile on his face. His eyes glimmered with excitement as he lifted the knife high above his head and brought it down hard into Luke’s chest. I watched Luke crumple to the ground. His head fell to the side, and
with a flash of confused recognition, I saw that the eyes staring at me in pain and shock were not dark—they were blue.
Dean?
It was Dean who lay motionless on the ground. It was Dean whose blood streamed out onto the dirt. I stood by helplessly as those blue eyes begged me to help him, but I could do nothing. Slowly the light left his pleading eyes and a dull emptiness came over them. A chill shuddered through my heart.
Whatever spell had bound me unexpectedly lifted. I rushed forward, stumbling, falling to my knees and crying out Dean’s name.
I sat up in bed, my heart pounding and my screams still ringing in my ears. I looked around the room and a wave of relief rushed over me. I’m in bed. It was all just a nightmare. I reached up and wiped tears from my eyes.
But I couldn’t draw my thoughts away from the dream. If Gage kept his word and transferred Luke to another body, what would happen to Dean? Would Gage let Dean go? Would he keep Dean prisoner? Maybe he would use him as a hostage to keep me in line. Or worse—could my dream somehow be prophetic? Gage sacrificed someone before. Would Gage use Dean as a sacrifice during Luke’s transfer ritual?
I cared for Dean and I didn’t want to see him hurt; my heart ached at the thought of him dying at Gage’s hand. But it was Luke that I truly loved. If I lost Luke again, could I survive it? The memories of losing him were never completely out of my mind. Like an echo, the despair, the loss, the heartache—all that pain still resided somewhere in the corner of my mind. When I lost Luke I felt as though a piece of my soul had been torn away.
So many questions and conflicting emotions swirled through my mind—questions I may never find answers for, emotions I may never unravel. With a sigh of frustration, I pushed the covers off and got out of bed. I made my way down the hall and into the kitchen.
I jumped when a voice spoke from a dark corner. “I couldn’t sleep, either.”
It was Wendy. Her hair was disheveled, her eyes wide and a bit unfocused.
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