“I…” Sky trailed off, staring at the now empty spot where the man had been standing just moments ago. Where’d he go? He looked left, then right, shrugging and turned, continuing down the sidewalk. He kicked a rock in his path, staring up at the night sky, startling when he saw something fly through the air. It’s gotta be some sort of animal, right?
“Help me!”
The cry sounded nearby, and he jerked to attention. He raised the sphere in his hands, turning and racing into the alley.
“Ahh!” The woman cried out, crumpling to the ground, the men around her stomping her to the ground.
“Hey! Get off of her!” Sky shouted
“Make me,” one of the men said, grinning, his mouth full of blood as he stared at Sky.
“Oh, I’ll do more than make you,” Sky said, as he lunged forward. The vampires scattered, circling around him and he turned. He jabbed the sphere forward, missing the first vampire, but spun on his heel and jabbed it forward again. This time, sphering the vampire right through the heart.
“Argh!”
The other vampires flew toward him, and he spun. He flung the sphere left, right and then in front of him. Each of the vampires disappearing in a cloud of dust.
“Take that, suckers!” Sky shouted, turning and hurrying toward the woman laying on the ground. He hunched down, pressing his fingers to her neck.
Damn.
He bit his lip, pain rolling through him at the realization that he was too late. She was already gone.
He steeled himself against the emotion, and suddenly let out a cry, as something ripped through his head.
“Help me.”
He froze. It was that voice. The same one he’d been hearing all night!
He turned and raced out of the alley, and down the sidewalk. Catching sight of a young, blonde woman as she disappeared into the alley just ahead of him.
Does she have a death wish?
He gripped the sphere in his hand, racing off after her.
“Let go of me!”
The woman let out a shout, as the vampire grabbed her around the shoulders, slamming her back against the wall.
“Not a chance, witchy witch,” the vampire said. “After all, you’re going to taste so good!” He lunged forward.
“Hey!”
Sky raced forward, and the vampire jerked his head toward him. Another flew down from the sky above, and he ducked. He rolled out of the way, striking the sphere upward. The vampire snarled, grabbing the sphere and tossing it behind him.
“Hey!”
Sky jumped to his feet, racing forward. He somersaulted underneath the extended arms of the vampire and grabbed the sphere. He swung around, striking it forward. The vampire turning to dust.
“Come on! We have to go!” he shouted, racing up to the woman and grabbing her arm. “More are coming!”
“More of what are coming?”
“Vampires!” Sky shouted, dragging her to her feet, and racing out of the alley, just as a dozen vampires flew overhead toward the alley. “Come on!”
Chapter 9
“So, let me see if I have all of this straight,” Matthew said, leaning forward in his chair and staring at Josslyn. “Your name is Josslyn Morgan, and you’re a witch.”
“Yes.”
“And you come from a long line of witches? Your sisters are witches. Your daughters are witches, and you are known as the Chosen Ones?”
“Yes.”
“And that.” He pointed behind him, at the floor in the office, where just a little while ago a hole had been. “That lead to the underworld? And those were vampires that were trying to kidnap you?”
“Yes.”
Matthew laughed, leaning back in his chair. “Prove it.”
“What?”
“Prove to me that you’re a witch,” Matthew said, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
“You’re kidding, right?” Josslyn asked, her temper snapping. “Now, listen here, Mr.…”
“Matthew. Call me Matthew.”
“Matthew.” Josslyn rose to her feet, planting her hands on the desk. “Now, Matthew, you just saw first hand the entrance to the underworld! You saw the vampires. You even saw that woman who came racing toward us, plus you saw me throw ice! What else could I possibly show you?”
“Your powers.”
“You already saw them!”
“I want to see them again!”
Josslyn gritted her teeth, staring at Matthew, wanting to slap him and kiss him at the same time. Goodness, what is wrong with me? This isn’t some guy I met in the bar, he’s a client!
A very hot client.
She growled silently, shoving the thoughts away. “Let’s also not forget that you’re the one who came into my office, accusing me of kidnaping your daughter.”
“Which I have apologized for.”
“You sort of apologized.”
“Well, it’s the closest you’re going to get to a damned apology!” Matthew snapped. “Now, will you stop being all high and mighty, and help me get my daughter back!”
“That’s what I’m trying to do!”
They stared at one another, their lips just inches from one another, and Josslyn drew in a sharp breath. He has lips made for kissing. What would it be like?
Josslyn!
“And just what are you thinking about?” Matthew asked, grinning at her.
“I…”
The ding of her cell phone interrupted her, and she sighed, thankful for the interruption. “Thank goodness!” She glanced at her phone sitting on the desk, frowning at the message.
“S.O.S?” Matthew asked, glancing from the phone to her. “What’s an S.O.S?”
“It means, there’s danger,” Josslyn said, grabbing her purse off the desk and hurrying toward the door. “Come on!”
“Where are we going?”
“To the house. You want to know the truth about me. The truth about my sisters, and this damned, crazy world we live in? Well, then I guess you’d better come with me because shit is about to get crazy!”
Chapter 10
“Will you let go of me!” Jasmine snapped, yanking her arm free and rubbing her wrist. She turned, glaring at the man walking next to her, his face hidden by the hood of his sweatshirt. “Dang! You’re going to cut off my circulation!”
“Sorry.” The man glanced at her, then away. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, I just wanted to help.” He glanced over his shoulder. “I think we lost them.”
“For now,” Jasmine said, stopping and glancing behind them. “But they’ll be back. They always come back.”
“How do you—”
“Do you see them?”
The voice sounded above them, and she grabbed the man by the hand. She yanked him behind the dumpster, hunkering down next to him.
“Is that…”
“Shh!”
“I don’t see them. I think we lost them.”
“We can’t lose them! She’ll kill us!”
“What else is new.”
They disappeared from the rooftop, flying off into the night, and Jasmine blew out a breath of relief. She leaned back against the dumpster, sliding to the ground. “That was close.”
“And just how do you know so much about those monsters?” the man asked, as he slid to the ground next to her.
“Because it’s my job,” Jasmine said, pinching the bridge of her nose and blowing out another breath. “But what I don’t understand, is why you’re here. What did you do? Develop some sort of hero complex overnight? This shit is dangerous, and you shouldn’t be involved. This is my fight, not yours!”
“Your fight?” the man laughed. “No offense, but you’re a girl!”
“And a witch!”
“ A what?”
The man swung toward her, the hood falling from his head, and Jasmine gasped. “Sky?”
Sky blinked. “You know who I am?”
Jasmine laughed, nodding, as tears filled her eyes. “Oh my God! Yes! I’ve been looking everyw
here for you.” She lifted her hand, touching his cheek. “I thought I’d lost you.”
“And just who are you?”
“Right. You don’t remember me.” Jasmine sucked in a breath, trying to push past the pain. “I’m Jasmine.”
“And we know each other… how?”
“Because we fell in love.”
“What?” Sky shook his head, scrambling to his feet. “No. That’s not possible. I don’t know you, Jasmine!”
“But you do,” Jasmine said, as she rose to her feet, taking a step toward him. “Just over a year ago, you met me and my sisters. A group of sister witches, and together, we helped defeat one of the most dangerous demonic creatures out there.” She laughed, shaking her head. “You and I. We were like oil and water at first. I hated you! I pushed your buttons. You pushed mine, and somehow between all the bickering we found a passion that very few people experience, but it wasn’t until we were stuck in Agrabah together that we decided to finally give it a chance.”
“We were in Agrabah?”
Jasmine nodded. “Yes.” She paused, glancing over at him. “You really don’t remember any of this?”
Sky shook his head.
“What happened to you? Where have you been?
“I don’t know,” Sky said, scrubbing a hand across his face and turning to look at her again. “I don’t even really remember my name, Jasmine. The only thing I remember was waking up surrounded by traffic. And my sister…”
“Wait. Your sister?” Jasmine blinked. “Wait. Sky, did your family find you?”
He nodded.
“Sky!”
“What?”
“You swore that you would never, ever let your family know you were still alive. That it would just confuse them.”
“What would confuse them?”
“That you were reborn!”
“What?”
“When you were hit by that truck, you were sent up to the heavens, Sky,” Jasmine said, taking his hands in hers. “You woke up, surrounded by the Gods, and they gave you a choice. The chance to be reborn, as an angel. Someone who helps witches fight evil.”
“I’m… an angel?”
“Yes. And a very good one. You’ve helped a lot of witches, Sky, but right now the magical community needs you. Liam, a very, very bad God is looking to re-write history. To get rid of us, and you are the only one who can stop him!”
“You’re just as crazy as that man earlier!”
“No. I’m not crazy, Sky. I’m telling you the truth,” Jasmine told him, sighing. She shook her head. “You know what, it doesn’t matter. You don’t remember who you are. You’re not going to believe what I’m telling you, and I really have to go.” She dug her phone out of her pocket, turning, and walking out of the alley.
“Hey! Where are you going?” Sky asked, hurrying after her.
“I’m ordering a rideshare. I need to get home. My sisters need me.”
“But it’s not safe out there!”
“I’m a witch. I can handle myself,” Jasmine told him. “I mean, you’re welcome to tag along if you want to.”
Sky stared at her a moment, then he sighed. “Fine. I’ll come with you. But only to make sure you get home safe.”
“Whatever you say, Sky,” Jasmine said, biting back her grin. He’s in there somewhere. I know he is. Now, I just have to find a way to jog that memory of his.
Chapter 11
“Jade!”
Josslyn rushed up to the door, grabbing Jade by the arm. “Do you know what’s happening?” she asked, panting.
“No idea!” Jade cried, frowning, as she glanced over Josslyn’s shoulder. “Who’s that?”
“Oh, just a client,” Josslyn said, glancing over her shoulder at Matthew as he stood at the bottom of the steps.
“A client?” Jade’s eyes widened. “Josslyn, are you insane? He can’t be here!”
“Would you relax?” Josslyn asked, rolling her eyes. “He already knows about me. About us. Especially after the ground opened up and vampires tried to drag me down to the underworld.”
“You saw them too?”
“What?”
“Vampires, Joss! Keep up!” Jade snapped, jerking free from her grip.
“But that’s not the only thing,” Josslyn said, as she hurried after her into the house. “His child’s been kidnapped!
“Another kidnapping?”
“What do you mean by another?”
“Do you not watch the news at all, Joss?” Jade asked, rolling her eyes as she regarded her older sister. “There have been kidnappings reported throughout the city! twenty-four children are missing now.”
“What?” Josslyn’s mouth dropped open. “How did I not know about any of this?”
“Maybe because you’ve been a little busy not dying?” Jade offered, as they stepped into the living room. “Julie!”
“Josslyn! Jade! Thank God you’re here!” Julie hurried down the steps, as fast as her pregnant body would let her. “Hey. Who’s that?”
“Matthew,” Jade said, grinning at Josslyn. “Josslyn’s new buddy.”
“He is not…”
“Not important,” Julie said, waving her hand. “Oh my God, you guys! You’re not going to believe what happened!”
“Let me guess. You broke into the underworld,” Jade said, scowling.
“Well, yes.”
“And I’m guessing it has something to do with vampires?” Jorja asked, from where she was standing behind Jade.
“Uh, yeah. How did you guys know that?”
“Because we saw what they did to one of the Gods,” Jade said. “They’re killing them.”
“Okay. We’ll deal with that,” Julie said. “But Jade, that tomb you saw down in the underworld, we saw what’s inside.”
“What?”
“A girl.”
“A girl. What girl?”
“A girl, who looks just like Josslyn.”
“What!”
“She’s right,” Elijah said, as he descended the stairs. “She had the mark. The J you all have.”
“Does she by any chance look like this?” Matthew asked, stepping forward and showing Julie the picture.
Julie took the photo from him, staring down at the face. “Yeah. I think so. Her hair’s shorter though. Who is she?”
“My ex-wife.”
“But back to his whole God thing,” Julie said, turning the conversation back around. “Jade, did you see one of them?”
“Yeah. Myron. He said something about they were coming, and there were two punctures in his neck. I thought Gods were immortal!” Jade shouted, glancing over at Elijah.
“They are. For the most part,” Elijah said. “Unless…”
“Unless what?”
“Unless Talia has a dark angel on her side. They’re blood, combined with the vampire’s, would be enough to kill a God.”
“Wait. Talia’s back?” Jorja asked, holding up a hand. “How?”
“Because we used black and white magic to get down to the wasteland,” Elijah told her. “It created a rift between the worlds, and now, she’s back.”
“And she’s coming after Josslyn!”
They all turned, staring at Jasmine as she hurried into the house, their eyes widening when they saw the man standing behind her.
“Sky?”
Chapter 12
“Jasmine is that…”
“Yup. It’s Sky,” Jasmine said, as she walked into the living room and plopped down onto the couch. “But he still doesn’t remember anything.”
“You mean, his memories…”
“Yup. They’re still gone,” Jasmine said, crossing her arm in front of her chest and scowling. “You know, I have been waiting for this moment. I have prayed. I have wished. Hell, I’ve even begged for the exact moment when I’d see him again but this isn’t my Sky. He’s a stranger, Jade!”
“Wait. You’re Jade?” Sky asked, staring at the woman sitting on the couch next to Jasmine.
“Yeah. Th
at’s me.”
“I remember you.”
“You remember me?” Jade arched a brow. “Why on earth would you remember me? You should be remembering Jasmine! The woman who you’re in love with!”
“Well, I don’t remember her,” Sky said, crossing his arms across his chest. “And I don’t really remember you. Your name just popped out one day.”
“How?”
Sky shrugged. “It just did.” He turned, walking through the living room, gazing at each face as he went, staring around the room at the pictures lying on the walls, stopping at the table and lifting a photo. “So this is where I’ve lived for the past year?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t remember anything about it.”
“You will,” Jorja said, crossing to him and wrapping her arms around him, engulfing him in a tight hug. “And you’ll come back to us. I know you will.”
Sky regarded her, pulling away from her embrace. “We’ll see about that.”
“Can we get back to the girl in the tomb?” Josslyn asked, biting her lip as she watched Sky, not exactly sure how she should feel. “How the hell can someone look like me? There’s only one of me!”
“Except for your twin,” Jasmine pointed out.
“But she’s dead!”
“Maybe not,” Jade murmured.
“So, what are you thinking, Jade?” Jorja asked. “You think she got resurrected?”
“Maybe,” Jade said, tapping her finger against her lips. She turned, gazing around the room. “Hey, has anyone seen Ashwin?”
“He’s downstairs,” Julie said, wringing her hands together, suddenly feeling anxious.
“Julie?”
“Something happened down in the underworld,” Julie whispered. “When he saw the woman in the casket, he froze, like he was seeing a ghost. We haven’t seen him since.”
“I tried talking to him,” Elijah said, leaning against the banister at the top of the stairs. “But he won’t talk to me. Or anyone for that matter.”
“Do any of you know what happened?”
Elijah shook his head. “No. He’s being type lipped. I’m guessing, it has to do with his past. You might want to go down and try talking to him, Jade. I think he really needs you right now.” He glanced over at Sky. “Sky, it’s good to see you again. Can I borrow you for a moment?”
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