by K. G. Reuss
“Maggie?” Raphael called out.
“Yeah?” I looked at him over my shoulder.
“I pray I see you again,” his voice was tight and laced with emotion.
I only gave him a curt nod and disappeared into the light.
Chapter 77
“Maggie?” Brax’s voice called out to me worriedly. “Angel?”
“Mm?” I groaned out, feeling heavy in my body. “Brax?”
“I’m right here,” he answered, kissing my hand gently.
“Is Rusty OK?”
“Yeah, baby. Rusty’s fine,” he choked out.
“Good.” I smiled. I’d done it. It was all real. My head felt lighter. Something had changed within me. I felt Lance’s mind nearby. It startled me, and I sat up in a rush.
“Easy,” Brax cautioned, helping me. I took the glass of water Lance offered and smiled at him.
“Thank you,” I murmured.
It was like getting hit with a bolt of lightning. Like my mind had opened up and I was traveling into Lance’s.
“Maggie?” he called out in his mind.
“I’m afraid,” I whispered.
“Don’t be. It’ll be OK.” Lance’s voice sounded pained and worried in his mind.
“I know the truth. I know it all. That I was created to save him. But… I-I have to die to save him and then be without him, or I can fall to be with him and end the world. I love him. I-I can’t be without him, Lance. Help me! You’re my guardian! I need you!”
“Oh, Maggie,” his voice was agonized. “I’m so sorry. I’m sorry.”
“There’s really nothing?”
“Not that I know of. I’ve been trying to figure it out. I just don’t have anything yet. I’ll keep trying. I promise I will.”
“Please,” I whispered again. “Please fix this.”
“I’ll try, Maggie. I swear I will!”
As fast as it had happened, I was flung out of his head and back into my own. Shaking my head, I came back to myself.
“Not this time, friend,” Lance said, walking away as Brax looked at him. I watched as Lance left, leaving me with Brax.
“You’re tired,” I said to Brax, touching his face, as my attention returned to him. I said a silent prayer that Lance was on his way to figure things out.
“I’m fine.” Brax stated, kissing my hand. “You’re the one who needs the rest.”
“It’s not every day someone can raise the dead,” I replied lamely.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked, concern and worry written on his handsome face.
“I…no.” I shook my head. “I think I might just want to sleep.”
“We can do that,” he said.
Pain lanced my heart. I couldn’t stay. Shakily, I climbed to my feet and grabbed my bag. When Brax reached out to help me, I pushed him away.
“I-I think I need to do it alone for the rest of the night,” I murmured, knowing I needed time to think about how to save us. “My mom—Alan—I need to be home. I need to-to think. I’ll see you later at the carnival.”
“Maggie,” Brax whimpered, coming to me. “Talk to me. You’re upset.”
“And you need to eat more than just food.” I gave him a sad smile. “I need to go home, Brax. If I don’t—”
“I don’t want to be away from you.” He hugged me tightly, and I returned it sadly, never wanting the moment to end but knowing it had to.
“I’ll be fine.”
“I can’t talk you into staying, huh?” he asked, his blue eyes searching mine.
“No,” I shook my head at him. He finally relented, and we went to his car with Rusty in tow. We drove in silence, him holding my hand, tracing tiny circles with his thumb. What could I possibly do to save us? To save him? My head and heart were both heavy as I realized there really might not be an answer.
When we got to my house, he turned to me sadly.
“Call me if you need me, angel,” Brax murmured after placing a gentle kiss on my lips.
“I will,” I answered, feeling like I was going to fall asleep right in the passenger seat. The entire event had taken its toll on me—mind, body, and soul.
“You can talk to me, Mags. About tonight—” he started, but I silenced him with a deep kiss. I allowed myself to get lost in it for several blissful moments. Breathless, I pulled back.
“I know I can, and someday I will. Until then, please eat something,” I whispered, cupping his face in my hands. “You’re worn down so much. I’m worried about you.”
“I will,” he promised, kissing me again. “I don’t want you to go.”
“I know.” I rested my forehead against his, unshed tears burning my eyes. “I have to, though. We’ll be together soon. Just a few hours.”
I pulled away from him again and traced his soft lips with my fingers. Then I gave him the best smile I could muster.
“Good night, Abraxas. I love you,” I breathed out softly, using his true name. A name I now understood. Everything, his name, the chalk, the pentagram, the wings—it all made sense now.
“I love you too, Mags.”
I would die for him. I really would. But I was just as selfish as the next girl. I wanted him. Always. And I had to figure out how to make that happen.
Chapter 78
Thankfully my mom was passed out and Alan was away. Quickly, I put on my pajamas and fell into bed. I was exhausted, but I couldn’t sleep. There were too many scary thoughts in my head, like losing Brax. And dying.
At some point, I must have dozed off because the slamming of the front door jolted me awake. Alan’s voice boomed throughout the downstairs. Turning to the window, I noticed faint rays of sunlight peeking through the curtains. In a few more hours I was supposed to meet Brax for the last day of the carnival. How was I going to face him? Knowing that to stay with him, we’d have to live in agony for eternity. Or saving him, like he deserved, I’d have to leave him forever. It was an awful choice. There had to be a solution.
Suddenly, I sat up, remembering what Corbin had said to me. My birthday gift from him. He said he’d give me help. Getting out of bed, I pulled on a pair of jeans and a tank top. My eyes darted to my bedroom door. Alan was home early for some reason. And he was already shouting at my mom. I knew he’d be paying me a visit soon.
To hell with him! I was already dead anyway.
I opened my bedroom window and shimmied down the trellis. When my feet hit the ground, I ran until I couldn’t breathe, then I ran some more. When I stopped, I was standing in front of Corbin’s front door.
“I was wondering when you’d show up,” he said as he opened the door.
“Were you waiting for me?” I ventured.
“For a very long time.” he gave me a smile and held his door open. “Come on in.”
I stepped into his foyer before he closed the door. He moved past me and gestured for me to follow.
“So… What’s up?” he asked, sitting down and patting the spot next to him.
“You and Brax were both sent here to corrupt and collect my soul. You’re here to take me to Hell,” I answered dryly, folding my arms over my chest and glaring down at him.
“That escalated quickly,” Corbin muttered, running his fingers through his hair. I tapped my foot impatiently, waiting for his answer. “Fine. You’re right. It’s the truth.”
“Here I am.” I opened my arms wide, angry. “Take me.”
“Be careful what you ask for, princess,” Corbin growled, his eyes darkening as he rose to his impressive height and towered over me. “Because believe me, I’ve been wanting to take you for a very long time.”
“Then why haven’t you?” I demanded, not feeling one bit afraid of him. My anger was taking over.
“Perhaps I will.” He moved up to me and shoved me against the living room wall, his body pressed against mine. “Do you want me… to take you, Maggie?”
“No,” I said in a small voice as I stared up at him. “I want you to help me save Brax. You gave me a gift on my birthday. You kn
ow that’s why I’m here.”
“I can’t save him. I wouldn’t if I could,” he answered with a low hiss. “In case you didn’t know, princess, I fucking hate my brother.”
“But you don’t hate me,” I whispered, trembling as he stared hungrily down at me.
“You’re right,” he murmured. “I don’t.”
“Please help me, Corbin,” I pleaded, reaching out to him. “I’ll do anything. I love him so much. You hurt Rusty. I know it was you. I brought him back. I did. I went to the Gates of Heaven and brought him back. I know that I have to fall in order to be with Brax. Or I have to die for him.”
“And which will you do?” Corbin raised an eyebrow at me. “What will the beautiful princess of Heaven do?”
“I’ll die for him.” I winced fearfully, knowing it meant my certain death. “But I can’t be without him. I need to be able to come back for him.”
“You’d die to save him?” Corbin snorted. Moving away from me, he went to his bar and poured a drink. “Why not just fall? Why not let me take you? You’d still get to be with Brax, and I’d get my legion. And he won’t burn in the pits of Hell for eternity because he betrayed our master. That seems like a better plan if you ask me.”
“No. I-I have a responsibility to the world. I can’t. I have to die.”
“Saint Maggie,” Corbin muttered. “Well, doll, I’m going to be honest with you. I’ve wanted to take you since I saw you. In fact…” he paused as he sipped his drink. I walked over to the bar and sat across from him. His voice was low when he spoke again, “I still want you, Maggie.”
I swallowed hard, not wanting him to know my fear. But I had an inkling that he could sense it anyway. He reached out and brushed his fingers against my face.
“Be mine, Maggie. Then everything with Brax fixes itself.”
“I don’t love you, Corbin. I love him,” I replied in a small, trembling voice. I wasn’t sure how he did it, but in a matter of moments he was over the bar and pushing me onto my back on the couch, his body looming over mine.
“Why?” he growled.
“I-I’m connected to him. I was made for him.”
“You were made for whoever could take you,” he snarled at me, his greens eyes flashing to black, making me whimper. “And I could take you, Maggie. Right here. Right now. Any way I wanted. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” I rasped out, tears leaking out of the corners of my eyes.
“You want to save my brother’s wretched soul?” he pressed, staring down at me with his pitch black eyes.
“Yes. And I want to save yours—”
“I don’t want to be saved,” he hissed. “I can’t be saved. If you only knew the thoughts running through my mind right now.” He licked his lips and stared down at me. “Well, suffice to say, I’d put your old stepdad to shame.”
“But you won’t. You won’t hurt me.” I reached a shaky hand up and cupped his face. “There’s light in you yet, Corbin. If there wasn’t, I’d already be yours.”
He stared at me, a muscle thrumming along his jaw.
“What do you want from me?” he whispered.
“I just want your help. Please.”
“It’ll come at a price.”
“I’ll pay it,” I breathed. “Anything.”
He continued to stare down at me, his eyes drinking me in.
“Anything?” he asked.
“Anything.”
He lifted himself off me and pulled me to a sitting position.
“I want your blood.”
“What? Why?” I crinkled my brows at him. I’d be dead. What would he need my blood for?
“I can use it to bring you back,” he said, looking at me through his thick, dark lashes.
“What? You can?” I opened my eyes wide in surprise.
“Yes. But like all contracts with a demon, it will come at a price. A steep one.”
“I don’t care. I’ll do it.” My voice was firm.
“Don’t you even want to know the price?” He smirked at me.
“Do I?” I asked weakly, nervously.
“I think you should know. It’s unwise to enter into a contract with a demon without knowing the stakes. I’m actually rather good with demonic contracts. One of the only ones in the business. Some of the rock stars, actors, and politicians wouldn’t be where they are if not for me.”
“People give their souls to you for fame, fortune, and power?” I asked, miffed. That seemed insane.
“And for love,” he supplied with a shrug. “But I won’t exactly get your soul. I’ll get you. I’ll be able to control you. You’ll be mine, but you’ll be back. I’ll just have to summon you from your little birdie perch in Heaven. It’ll be your job to pull Brax from the pits. I can’t help with that. I’d spend my eternity with my ass being branded by some overly pain-obsessed prick with a pitchfork if I betrayed my kind.”
“Wouldn’t helping me be a betrayal?”
“No. Because trust me, sweetheart, I’ll be using you as I see fit. And you can’t be harmed unless you truly fall, so your soul is safe. You’ll have Brax back but be my pet.”
“And just what would being your pet involve?” I tried not to cringe at the thought.
“Whatever I want, princess.” He waggled his brows at me.
“This seems like it works best for you.” I frowned at him.
“It’s either that or run off and die, birdie. It’s the only thing I can offer you. Or fall, and I’ll take you from there.”
“I have faith in you, Corbin. I’ll do it.” A sad smile tipped his lips as I closed my eyes, resigned. “But I want your blood in return.”
“And what would you do with my blood?” he mused, his eyes back to being green.
“I-I don’t know, but I want it.” I jutted my chin out defiantly.
“Deal,” he continued to smirk at me. “Let me get my tools.”
He was gone and returned in a flash, a complete needle set and vials ready.
“Do you do this often?” I asked, my voice shaking as I held out my arm for him.
“A decent amount.” He shrugged, wrapping an elastic band around my arm and thumping at one of my veins with his finger. When he found the one he wanted, he plunged the needle in and extracted a vial of my blood. He capped it off and removed the needle and elastic from my arm, a triumphant smile on his face that made me sick to my stomach. It was for Brax though. I was doing it for him. For us.
“Mine?” I asked, looking at him.
“Of course,” he replied, quickly putting the same needle that had been in my vein into one of his and withdrawing a vial of his blackish blood. He handed it to me. I noted the slight shake of his hands.
“All deals are sealed with a kiss, princess,” he said smoothly.
“Raincheck?” I asked weakly.
“No. I need to be paid in full. That’s how this works.”
“I can’t kiss you Corbin. That would be a betrayal to my heart. It would hurt Brax. I-I can’t do that.”
“Raincheck, then.” He sighed, rolling his eyes at me.
“Corbin,” I warned. “I bet you don’t collect kisses from every person you make a deal with. I’m sure there are some that turn even your stomach.”
“You got me there. I only require them from the pretty ones.”
“You promise you won’t hurt me, right? Or Brax?” I asked as I climbed to my feet and stared down at him. He followed suit, making sure his body was close to mine.
“No, I can’t promise that,” he answered, his green eyes sweeping over me. “But I can promise to try not to hurt you. Truly. And if you decide you want to fall, I’ll be there to catch you. Remember that.”
“Thank you, Corbin,” I reached out and gave him a hug, my tears dampening his shirt. He hugged me back tightly.
“Don’t hate me if I fail. Some creatures can’t be changed.”
“I don’t believe that for a second,” I whispered. He let out a soft chuckle and held me for a moment longer.
“What?”
“What’s your true name?”
He looked down at me with only honesty written on his face.
“Corvus Valac Black.”
Chapter 79
I went straight home and rummaged around my kitchen. In triumph, I grabbed a bottle of corn syrup and red and black food coloring before going to my bedroom. Once I was safely behind my closed door, I pulled the vial of Corbin’s blood from my pocket. I scrounged around quickly in my desk and came out with one of my empty chemistry vials. I quickly mixed together the three ingredients into the vial, producing a tube of that looked to be the same color and consistency as Corbin’s blood. I placed the new vial of “blood” in my drawer by my Bible and Brax’s feathers and closed it. The real blood, I placed inside a wooden box my dad had given me when I’d turned ten.
I hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but with the situation being what it was now, his words to me that day suddenly made sense.
“What is it, Daddy?” I asked, looking down at the dark wooden box on my lap. I traced the strange symbols with my fingers.
“It’s a box to hide your secrets in, sweetheart. You can put anything you want in there and no one but people like you can open it. All your secrets will be safe inside it.”
“Everything?” I had asked, wide-eyed.
“Everything.” he tweaked my nose.
I sat down at my desk and pulled out a pad of paper and began writing quickly.
Lance,
If you’re reading this, I’m already gone. I’m so sorry. Just know that everything I did, I did for Brax. And for you. And for the innocent people that don’t deserve to be hurt. I can never express how grateful I am for having you in my life. You ARE my best friend.
Remember when we were in the car and you were worried that bad things were coming, and I might not remember you? I thought it was peculiar at the time, but now I understand. Do you remember me saying that you’d have to get Prince Charming kiss me to break the spell? I don’t know if fairytales come true. As a child, I wanted to believe in them. As an adult, I’m not so sure. But I do know that true love exists, and I’ve found it in Brax. Please take care of him for me. I know it will be hard for you, but please do it for me. And for him. Wake me if I fall into a nightmare. You’re my guardian. I know you’ll keep me safe. And him. He needs you, Lance. More than you know.