Henry shakes his head. “It’s too risky. Forget it.”
I’d rather die trying to fix things than sit here and wait for Garret’s army to kill everyone I love.
I lock gazes with Marcus. “Are you going to back me up on this?”
Marcus shakes his head. “I agree with Persephone and Henry. I’m sorry, but I’m not willing to risk your life.”
That’s it, then. I’m dead.
Chapter Forty-One
Lola flaps her wings hard as she climbs higher. I shield my eyes with my hand as I watch her glide through the air. Her elegance and majesty leave me breathless. She repeats the same maneuver, climbing and soaring several times, then returns to me. Her talons are gentle, but firm, as she grips my gloved hand.
My stomach clenches as I recall Lola’s excitement when I took her out of her cage this morning. I’ve neglected her. I stroke her around the head and neck, rubbing her cheek in soft circles. She deserves better.
Startled, Lola flaps her wings and erupts in a burst of chatter then shoves off of my hand. I turn as Aiden crosses the yard in my direction.
“Marcus must have left the building,” he says, “for you to actually emerge from your apartment.”
I shrug. “He’s your roommate. You should know.”
“I’ve been at work, so no, I don’t know.” He peers up at Lola, who is perched on a branch of the oak tree, her gaze fixed on him as she continues to screech at him. “How long do you plan to keep avoiding him? Persephone says your uncles are worried, that you rarely leave your cave of a bedroom.”
My face flushes as I glare at him. “There’s a good chance I’m going to die soon. Forgive me for being depressed.”
“So, have a good cry about it if you need to, then do something about it. Fight.”
I avoid eye contact with him and focus on Lola, who’s spreading her wings and cawing in agitation. “I’m busy. If you don’t mind, I’d prefer you leave us alone. Besides, you’re upsetting Lola.”
Aiden cranes his neck to study Lola again. The silence between us grows, and I’m confused why he’s still here.
“It was my fault,” Aiden admits, “what happened to Lola and Serenity.”
My hands fist at my sides. “You helped Jude capture the birds?”
“No,” Aiden says. “But I’m the reason Daphne knew about them. It’s bad enough I nearly blew up the house when I took her to the attic, demonstrated some of what I knew—”
I narrow my eyes. “Persephone told me she erased your memory. How do you know about that?”
“Daphne.” Aiden pulls his lips into a grim smile. “Persephone never erased her memory.”
The raven’s incessant squawking is giving me a headache. “Lola, stop!” I call up to her. The noise stops. Lola’s attention remains trained on Aiden.
“I told Daphne about the ravens and their powers.” Aiden struggles to continue. “Including what happens when a witch dies.”
“I can’t believe you!” Marcus has always defended Aiden, even though he’s been unfriendly to me since I arrived. Reformed demon? Not a chance. Now to find out he was responsible for Lola and Serenity nearly dying last year?
I stumble backward as a sudden blast of heat races down my arms and settles in my hands. I raise my hand, palm side up, and show Aiden the fireball resting there.
“Don’t confuse my remorse for stupidity,” Aiden warns. “If you attack me, I will retaliate.”
I glance up at Lola. It’s no wonder she despises him. I toss the fireball into the grass where it sizzles and dies. “Why are you telling me this?”
“I have an offer for you.”
I square my shoulders and raise my chin. “What can you offer that I would be interested in?”
His dark eyes fix on me. “I can show you how to conjure Lucifer.”
My skin tingles, and this time it has nothing to do with fireballs.
“And just to be clear, I’m not advocating this crazy plan or even condoning it, but if you’re going to conjure a demon and you do it wrong, the consequences can be deadly.”
“I’m touched you care.” I smirk.
Aiden looks at me coldly. “I’m not doing this for your benefit. And I expect something in return.”
I nod toward Lola. “You mean this isn’t simply an opportunity for you to relieve your guilt?”
The vein in his forehead throbs. “For some reason I can’t fathom, Marcus has chosen you as his life mate.”
I cock my head. “What do you mean?”
Lola starts chattering again. Aiden and I both look up as she fluffs her wings, her eyes beading down at him.
“She really doesn’t like you.”
“Stop avoiding Marcus. Your two-day pout fest is over. Do whatever you have to do to put a smile back on his face.” His words come out clipped. I’m guessing Aiden doesn’t want to be here talking to me anymore than I want him to be. “You and Selima should meet me out here tonight. I’ll explain what you need to do. Then you can let me know if you want to proceed.”
“What about Marcus? Aren’t you afraid he’ll see what we’re doing?”
“He and Henry are on surveillance duty in the woods tonight. Meet me out here after sun down,” Aiden says. He turns to walk away, then pauses. “If your grandmother were in this predicament, she wouldn’t be hiding out in her bedroom, waiting for death. She would fight.”
The branches in the oak tree shift and sunlight dances across his face. Aiden squints against the brightness. “She never gave up on anyone or anything.”
* * * *
A breeze moves through the trees and caresses my skin as I stand at the rooftop ledge. It’s been a long time since I spent time up here alone, studying the houses below, inhaling the sweet scents of late spring flowers in bloom. It’s after midnight and half the houses on the block are dark. Persephone’s windows are open, and the muted sound of jazz drifts up to the roof.
Back in Lexington, I felt afraid all the time. Life in the trailer park with Momma was dangerous. Between her drunken boyfriends, the booze and drugs, the thieving neighbors, and the constant threat of losing our trailer because we were behind on rent—never mind how little we had to eat—everything was out of my control. The only things I was any good at were school and taking care of Momma.
Since Momma died, Sheldon and Bernard have given me stability and love. But with Jude’s entrance into my life, I’ve got a whole new set of things to fear—demons, angry goddesses, and gargoyles.
Jude’s trying to teach me to defend myself, but will it be too little, too late? Can I defeat Garret or even Seamus? It’s unlikely, but I can use my powers to make sure the people I love don’t die with me. Aiden has shown me the path. I’m no longer powerless and that’s an incredible feeling. Until tonight, I thought all my fear was about dying. It turns out that was only partially true. Just as I felt responsible for Momma’s life in Lexington, I feel responsible for Jude’s here. And everyone else’s. Now that I’m able to save them, a lot of my fear has subsided.
“Protectors are different than humans, who may fall in love over and over throughout their lives. Once a protector finds his life mate—his soul mate—that’s it. There’s no one else ever,” Selima said earlier tonight. “Why do you ask?”
“Just curious,” I told her. I wanted to ask her who Garret’s life mate is, Selima’s mother or Camille. Then again, maybe Garret is an exception and has two.
I kneel beside my turned-to-stone boyfriend and place a CD case near him—the music mix I’ve been working on for more than a month. I kiss his cheek. The stone is cool beneath my lips.
“Someday you’ll forgive me.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Music throbs from Caroline’s house as Marcus and I approach her front door. The party is in full swing.
Marcus’s hands are shoved in his pockets. He didn’t make an attempt to hold mine on the drive over.
“You’ve been quiet tonight,” I say over the Taylor Swift song playing.
“We’re not letting it go,” I tell him. “Have you decided to help us?”
“It’s a suicide mission,” Marcus snaps. “So, no, I’m not going to help you.”
This party was a mistake. Marcus was right. We shouldn’t have come, or maybe I should’ve come with Katie and Trevor instead. After all, this could be my first and last party ever.
Marcus and I stare stonily at the handwritten sign on the door that says to come inside. We follow the music to the basement.
Katie and Trevor rush over.
I push aside my bad mood and nod appreciatively at Katie’s hot pink Guess shirt and skinny jeans. “Great outfit.”
“You look great, too.” Katie says.
My white wrap blouse has a flattering V-neck, giving the illusion that I have some cleavage. I paired it with my darkest blue jeans. I wore it for Marcus, but he hasn’t noticed.
“You’re going to die when you see Caroline and Ella.” Katie grabs my arm and pulls me across the room, which is finished with white walls, beige carpeting and tons of folding chairs. There are colorful Japanese lanterns dangling from the ceiling. “They’re giving Rachel a run for her money in the who can dress sluttier contest.”
I don’t want to look, but I can’t help myself. I peer over Katie’s shoulder and see Caroline dressed in a skin-tight white T-shirt and a short black skirt. The deep V-neck leaves little to the imagination. One look at her overly bright smile and the can of Red Bull in her hand, and I wonder how many she’s had tonight.
Ella…well, I shouldn’t be surprised. She’s wearing a halter-style dark green shirt cut extremely low and tighter-than-tight black stretchy pants. One wrong move and her boobs will burst free. She’s clutching a can of Red Bull, too.
Their makeup and hair are impeccable and way overdone for a house party. I catch Marcus staring at them, and my stomach sinks. What was I thinking with my lame-Jane outfit when I’m up against crazy hot?
Trevor pops his gum. “Smokin’, aren’t they?”
Katie punches him in the arm. Trevor laughs.
“They dress to get noticed. Cut me some slack.” He presses a noisy kiss against Katie’s cheek. “Don’t act so innocent, Katie. I’ve seen the way you check out guys at the mall.”
“Discretion, Trevor. It’s something you need to learn.” Marcus steers him off to find beverages.
I make a face at Katie. “Can we leave now?”
“Because of them?” She jerks her head toward Ella and Caroline. “No way. We’re going to pig out on Caroline’s food, drink her pop, and dance to her music. Tonight will be fun.”
Why can’t I be more like Katie? “You promise?”
Katie holds her fist out to me and extends her pinky straight up into the air. “Pinky promise.”
I burst out laughing as I grab her pinky with my own. Marcus and Trevor return and hand us each a can of Coke. My laughter dies away at Marcus’s grim expression.
I pull him aside. “If you want to leave, go ahead. I can get a ride home with Katie and Trevor.”
“Two hours, tops. Wasn’t that our agreement?”
I nod. This is going to be a rough two hours.
By eight o’clock, Cloe and Darick arrive. Within minutes, Darick and Trevor join Shawn as DJs for the night.
“I can’t tear Shawn away from the stereo. He’s taking his responsibilities very seriously,” Suzie sighs, taking a break from her own DJ duties.
“Great job on the playlist. The music’s awesome,” I tell her.
After Caroline’s parents load up two card tables with food, we head over and fill our plates with chips and salsa, jalapeno poppers, and pizza. I notice Caroline and Ella throw jean jackets on while Mr. and Mrs. Appleberg are in the room. I also notice their cans of Red Bull disappear only to reappear once Caroline’s parents head back upstairs.
By nine o’clock, there are so many people in the basement it’s difficult to move. I lead the group to the other side of the room, where we can stand without getting claustrophobic.
“Much better,” Katie yells. “If one more person elbows me or steps on my toes, I’m going to punch them.”
“I’ll massage them for you later.” Trevor grins, his eyebrows bouncing wickedly.
“I’m totally going to take you up on that,” Katie says.
Marcus jerks his head toward the doorway leading to the stairs. His gaze narrows. “I have to check something out. Stay down here.”
“What’s going on?” I reach for him, but he’s too fast.
“He’s not having a good time?” Katie asks.
“Not really.”
“Oooh, yummy!” Ella rushes past us. Dylan appears in the doorway and surveys the room. Ella throws her arms around him. “You came!”
Dylan unwinds her arms from his neck and heads over to our group. She trails behind him wearing a full-on pout.
“Your boyfriend almost knocked me over on his way out the door. Something about getting some fresh air. I guess he wasn’t too happy to see me,” Dylan says, then leans in close. “We’ve got company.”
My breath catches.
“I’m sorry. I don’t think he’s having a good time.” I smile and play it casual as Katie and Suzie watch our exchange. No easy task. “Seamus?” I whisper. “Garret?”
“Dylan, do you want to dance?” Ella asks, tugging on Dylan’s arm.
“Sure, a little later,” he says.
Ella sulks and stomps off.
“Is it too late to join in on the fun?” We all whip around to the sound of an unfamiliar voice. The crowd parts as a tall, blonde guy with spiky hair enters the room. His black T-shirt, cargo pants, and boots scream villain.
My spider senses suddenly go haywire. Goose bumps spread along my arms like wild fire.
“Ronan, tell me they’re not playing truth or dare.” A deep English accent rings out and a guy with brunet, shoulder-length hair stops beside Ronan. “I do love a good game of truth or dare.”
“Yum! Where did they come from?” Ella says from the couch. “Caroline, who are they?”
“Who…who are you?” Caroline asks weakly from her slouched position next to Ella. She’s looking a little green.
A strange vibration starts in my legs and slowly moves up my body. I catch Dylan watching me, a surprised look on his face. Does he feel it, too? I sweep the basement, searching for Marcus. This is a really bad time for him to pull one of his disappearing acts.
Ella rises from the couch and delivers her sexiest smile. “Hello. I’m Ella, the co-host of this party.” Leave it to Ella to flirt with complete strangers. “The game’s not over yet if you want to join in.”
“What do you think, Flynn? Want to play with the mundanes?”
Mundanes? These guys are protectors? Garret’s men. My breaths come out in shallow little bursts as I look around for Marcus again. Still no sign of him.
Dylan confronts the party crashers. “You two need to leave.”
Several people turn to see what’s going on, but most of the crowd is oblivious, including Trevor and Darick who jack up a Macklemore and Ryan Lewis song.
“Dylan, don’t act like a jealous boyfriend.” Ella laughs and waves him off.
“Yes, Dylan, back off,” Flynn says, a dangerous edge to his voice. He and Dylan lock gazes, and my gut says Ronan and Flynn aren’t here for the appetizers.
The vibration inside of me revs, making me feel like a human power plant. The sensation races up my spine, all the way to my head, making my molars ache. I grit my teeth against the pain.
These guys need to go before anyone gets hurt. I move to Dylan’s side and gesture toward the stairs. “Dylan’s right. You should leave. This is a private party.” I attempt a smile, to convey friendliness. Just then a high-pitched whine slams into my brain. “And…you…weren’t…invited.” I
clutch my head.
Am I out of my mind? I’m not the confrontational kind. I cringe as the sound clamors louder in my head. The party music sounds far away, muffled.
“Just who we came to see.” Ronan claps Flynn on the shoulder. “And you thought this would be difficult.”
“What do you want with her?” Ella asks, crossing her arms over her chest in a huff.
“Don’t worry your pretty little head about her, love,” Flynn says with a wink, his voice velvety soft. She relaxes, blushes even. “You and your friends continue on with your party. Have a grand time. We just need to have a chat with this one outside.”
Yes. Outside. We need to get these guys away from the basement full of innocent people. I nod toward the stairs.
“Fine. Let’s go,” Dylan says.
“Actually, friend, we need to have a chat with your girlfriend alone,” Flynn says.
“She’s not my girlfriend, Brit Boy.” Dylan’s temple throbs. “But she’s not going anywhere with you. Not without me.”
Ronan and Flynn study each other for a moment. Flynn nods. Telepathic communication? The metallic grinding noise claws its way through my skull. I grind my teeth and lock my knees to prevent myself from collapsing.
“A little under the weather, love?” Ronan smiles wickedly.
“Enough already,” Dylan growls, sliding a sideways glance my way. Was that worry flickering across his face?
Where’s Marcus? What happened to him? I follow Dylan upstairs and outside. Flynn and Ronan trail me, way too close for comfort. Maybe Garret decided to skip Jude and sent these guys to kill me instead. Then he, Camille, and Selima can take Marcus back wherever they came from and act like one big happy family.
Or will Garret hurt Marcus once I’m out of the way?
Why tonight? One more day, that’s all I need. Aiden, Selima, and I will conjure Lucifer and none of this will matter anymore.
Once outside, I release an unsteady breath, grateful as the noise and pain in my head subsides. Ronan ushers us behind a row of tall, narrow bushes. What’s he planning to do to me?
The Girl and the Gargoyle: Book Two of The Girl and the Raven Series Page 23