“Do you really not know?” Magnus said incredulously.
“I’ve never had a reason to worry about Hell before. Why would I know?” Lucas countered.
Magnus laughed. “Why do you think Tobias set up shop here? Why do you think I’m living here?”
Magnus paused again to take a sip of his drink. He was intentionally dragging this out, trying to wind-up Lucas.
“You see, the Gates of Hell are right here, in your lovely little town.”
Chapter 18
Magnus was still talking. I struggled to process this information and focus on his words at the same time. “I’ll have to give you the exact coordinates, of course, but yes, you’ve been living by the Gates of Hell for your whole life, Aurora. Fitting, no, that the girl fated to become the most powerful hunter in the world is merely a hop, skip and a jump away from the Gates of Hell?”
“What about Leon?” Lucas asked. “We haven’t discussed how to dispose of him. Obviously, Aurora isn’t going into Hell to kill him. Do you have a plan to get him to earth?”
“But of course.” Magnus flashed a triumphant grin. “That soothsayer he’s so fond of – she’s the one who told him that Aurora had to be killed or that she would eliminate all demons – is the key to luring Leon to earth. I’ll send a message to him, pretending to be the soothsayer, ask him to come to earth for some very important news.”
“Good.” Lucas stood up to leave.
“My, you’re in a hurry to go. I didn’t think I was that scary,” Magnus commented. “I trust you’ll call me, Lucas, after Aurora meets with Tobias?”
“Yes. I’ll let you know the time and day. Before we leave, give me the coordinates for the gates,” Lucas said.
Magnus told him the location, which Lucas recorded in his phone. Then, he walked Lucas and me to the door. “It was so nice to see you again,” he said politely. “Have a lovely evening.”
Back in the car, I couldn’t help but start laughing. “What’s so funny?” Lucas asked.
“He’s just such a…character. Over-the-top polite, sophisticated, refined. He acts the complete opposite of what he really is. If someone were to meet Magnus, they would think he was the most charming guy!” I said.
“I know. It’s much worse than people who show you their true colors. Magnus would smile to your face, then stab you in the back the second you turned around. And that’s one more reason why this plan had better work,” he said grimly.
“I wonder how Emmett and Henry are coming along with all those items they need for the spell? I really hope the worst of it is the hellhound hair,” I commented.
“Don’t think about them right now. Focus on Tobias. I won’t be there to help. Trust your instinct. You’ll know the right thing to say to him. I believe you can do this, Rory.”
“Where’s his house? Are we close?”
“About a mile. But I need to park around the corner. I don’t want him to know you didn’t come alone,” Lucas said.
I glanced at the clock. We had only been an hour so far. My parents wouldn’t start bugging me for at least another hour.
“What if Henry’s dad is there?” I asked.
“Nicholas checked his schedule. There was nothing set up,” Lucas assured me.
“But still….”
“Ask Tobias when he answers the door if anyone is there. If on the off chance he’s not alone, tell him to either get rid of his guest or you’re leaving. That no one can see you,” Lucas instructed. “He’ll want to know why you’re there; he won’t turn you away.”
“Okay,” I said. Up until now, my nerves hadn’t been that bad – I’d known what to expect this time with Magnus, and Lucas was there with me.
“Today is Thursday.” Lucas paused. “Magnus wants this done as soon as possible – and I agree completely – but we have to be realistic about the amount of time it could take for Henry to get everything for the spell. And he hasn’t even seen the spell to open the gates yet because we’ve all been so fixated on closing them. There may be some other crazy ingredients to get. We need at least a week, so tell him Saturday, next weekend. I’ll help Nic and Henry get everything together.”
“Sounds like we’re still cutting it close,” I said.
“I don’t think we have another choice. If we drag our heels too long, Magnus will become suspicious,” Lucas argued.
He stopped the car at the end of the road in a residential area. “Tobias lives in the house on the end on the west side of the street.”
I nodded, too nervous to speak.
“If he tries anything at all, you either call me or get out of that house,” Lucas said.
“Wish me luck.” I got out of the car before Lucas could say anything. I was afraid if I stopped to think about it any longer I would chicken out.
I walked purposefully down the road, eyeing my surroundings. By now the sun had set and no one was outside.
When I reached Tobias’ house, I glanced at the driveway. No cars. That was a good indication that he was alone. I forced myself to raise my clenched fist and pound confidently on the front door.
“Who’s there?” came a muffled voice on the other side.
He’s probably too short to see through the peephole.
“Aurora Stone,” I answered. “I’m alone.”
I could hear him unlocking the door. I stood there, arms crossed, expecting him to pull it open at any second. What is taking so long? He must have about ten locks on the door.
Finally, Tobias swung the door open. “Did anyone see you come here?” he demanded.
“No, I swear,” I replied. “Are you alone?”
“Yes. Well don’t just stand there. Come in already!”
I stepped into the entranceway and he slammed the door behind me. “What are you doing here? How did you find me? How do you even know who I am?”
Before I could answer, Tobias grabbed my arm and pulled me into the main sitting room. It looked like a little old lady had decorated it. Knitted Afghans were draped over the couch and the reclining chair in front of the television.
Tobias sat down in the chair. He hadn’t taken his eyes off of me once, and judging by his expression he was clearly not happy to see me.
“I know you because you’re just like me,” I said. “I found out about you in a case file that was in one of the hunting agencies.”
“All that was supposed to be destroyed years ago!” Tobias said, his gray beady eyes flashing in anger.
“Part of it was missing; it didn’t tell much,” I replied. “Look, I’m not here to cause any trouble. I want to work with you.”
“You’d better start at the beginning,” Tobias said. “Because a reference to me in a case file does even start to explain how you turned up on my doorstep.” He paused. “And if I don’t like your explanation, I will kill you.”
“But you can’t kill me,” I blurted out. “No one knows how to put us back in our graves. Tobias, please listen to me, I’m trying to help you.”
“I’m all ears. And for the record, I know how to kill you. What? Did you really think you were untouchable? Even the living dead girl has an Achilles heal.” Tobias grinned. He looked like a dog, baring his teeth at his pray.
“How?” I asked him. I knew I needed to get to the point, but I was too curious not to ask.
He shook his head. “Why would I tell you that? So you can turn around and kill me before I kill you? Please, I’m not an idiot. Start talking. My patience is wearing thin.”
It was then that I realized I had vastly underestimated Tobias’ intelligence. But I had to believe that I was smarter. And more convincing.
“Someone came to hunt me when I returned,” I started.
“Who?” Tobias demanded.
“She’s dead now,” I lied. “When she trapped me to kill me, I turned the tables and killed her instead. Then I took her identity, went to the headquarters of the agency she worked for. I had all of her key cards so I could access the records room.” I hope Tobias knows as l
ittle about what a hunting headquarters looks like as I do, or I’m in deep shit.
To my relief, Tobias nodded. “Go on.”
“As soon as I heard there was someone else like me, I became obsessed with you,” I said, trying to stroke his ego a bit.
Tobias ran his hand through his thin brown hair. “Yes, yes, I can see that. But don’t get any ideas! I’m not looking for love. I already have to crush the hopes of my many female suitors on a daily basis. Besides, I’m only interested in women who are a solid ten.” He eyed me up and down. “You’re more like a seven, maybe an eight in the right lighting.”
I resisted the urge to get up, walk over to Tobias, and beat him senseless.
“That’s a shame,” I said, giving him a demure smile and batting my eyelashes. “Because I was so obsessed, so enamored, I’ve been desperate to find you. Unfortunately, a lot of, um, creatures, have been desperate to find me as well. Leon visited me. He wants my help.” That couldn’t be farther from the truth. With any luck, Tobias doesn’t know that Leon’s tried to kill me. Twice.
“Why?” Tobias said suspiciously.
“He told me I was going to be able to kill demons. He has a bone to pick with some of them in Hell. Wants them gone for good.”
“Why are you telling me all of this?” Tobias asked.
“Because I want to work with you, not him,” I said earnestly. “You’re like me. Together we will be extremely powerful – unbeatable. These demons that Leon wants killed, he’s opening the gates and sending them through. I have to be there next Saturday so I can kill them. I thought you would want to come along and watch, so I could prove my ability to you.”
I paused but Tobias didn’t say anything. He was deep in thought. “You see,” I tried again, “I have no one I can talk to about this. You’re the only person who understands me.”
“This is true. And it’s not a bad idea for you to align yourself with the smartest person in the world. I’m sure you’ve heard a war is coming?”
“Yes, there are whispers about it,” I said, hoping he wouldn’t ask me to elaborate.
He didn’t. I’m starting to gain his trust.
“Also….in the beginning I was having blackouts; losing chunks of time. It’s stopped now, but do you know what could have caused them? Did you have blackouts, after you were resurrected?” I asked.
Tobias hesitated.
“People are saying you’re building an army,” I added. “I want to be part of that army, to win this war for you, but you must tell me the truth.”
Tobias was finally relaxing around me. He told me about the underground meetings, explained that he only had me under mind control because he didn’t think I’d willingly participate.
“Now that I know you want to help me, I’ll continue conditioning the rest of the army without you there.” Tobias rubbed his hands together excitedly. “We also need to deal with Senara. She’s crazy, delusional, trying to take over the world. She has no idea that she’s met her match.” Tobias cackled.
Crazy, delusional. Tobias just described himself.
“There is one other thing. I don’t want David Matthews to know about this,” I said.
“Why’s that? Oh, because you’re dating his son?”
I nodded, not bothering to correct him.
“That could pose a problem. Matthews is my right hand man,” Tobias said.
“Look, I’m just giving you a demo of my powers. He doesn’t need to be there for that. I’d like to put off him knowing what side I’m on until I can’t hide it any longer. I don’t need an even bigger target on my back.” That last sentence was true.
“Yes, I don’t see how Matthews knowing right now is going to help. Once we’re in an all-out war, the truth will be revealed.” Tobias cackled again.
I tried not to cringe.
“You know I’m going to kill all humans?” Tobias asked me.
“That’s the rumor,” I confirmed.
“And there’s no one you want me to save? Friends, family?”
It’s not going to come to that. But instead I snapped my fingers. “Tobias, you think of everything,” I said giving him a flirty grin. “Naturally, my parents, sister and Henry need to be protected.” And Emmett. If all went well, no one would need protecting. And if it didn’t…well, we’d all be dead anyway. Magnus would kill my family and friends for my betrayal and Tobias would kill me – assuming he really knew how.
“I have to go, but I’m so glad you’re going to let me help you,” I gushed. Never mind that he was actually the one who needed me.
I stood up and walked towards the door, anxious to get the hell out of there.
“Do you know what time next Saturday Leon is sending you some demons to kill?” Tobias asked.
“Yes, eight o’clock at night,” I said. That should be a good time. It would be dark, less likely for Lucas or Henry to be seen by Tobias. Easier to push them all in before anyone realized what was happening.
“I will see you at the Gates of Hell right on time,” Tobias replied, as though that were a completely normal rendezvous to plan.
I hurried out of his house and ran full speed towards Lucas’ car. I felt like my skin was crawling, having to endure sitting in a room with Tobias for so long.
“Are you okay?” Lucas asked as soon as I got into the car. “I thought it would be a quick conversation. That Tobias would jump at the chance for you to willingly help him.”
“I’m fine, but he’s a lot scarier than I gave him credit for. I had to think on my feet more than I anticipated. I hope I did well,” I said worriedly.
“Tell me what happened.” Lucas started the car and pulled out onto a main road.
I recapped the conversation with Tobias.
“What you said to him was perfect, Rory. You did great.”
“Thanks, I just hope it was enough. Oh, want to hear something that will give you a good laugh?”
“I could use a laugh,” Lucas said, smiling at me.
“Tobias announced that he only dates girls who are a perfect ten, and unfortunately I’m only a seven, possibly an eight in the right lighting.” It had made me mad when he said it, but now I just had to laugh.
Lucas was laughing, too. The more he laughed, the more I did. We must have looked like two people having mental breakdowns. Lucas was wiping tears from his eyes. “That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard in a long time,” he said when he’d finally regained his composure.
“At first I was a little miffed,” I admitted, “but I soon realized that not being on that creep’s radar is the best possible scenario.
“For what it’s worth, you’re a ten in my book, Rory.”
“I’m not fishing for compliments,” I told him. “It was just a funny story.”
“I meant what I said,” Lucas replied softly.
I had been able to put my feelings for Lucas on the backburner, channel my energy into solving the constantly growing list of problems. But his voice, being so close to him, hearing him say such a sweet thing, made me get that dull ache in my chest. I’m sure it was a phantom ache. There was no beating heart inside of me. But it was an ache nonetheless. Screaming that I needed to be with Lucas forever.
“I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” Lucas said, mistaking my silence for embarrassment. We were almost back to my house now. He pulled the car to the side of the street and turned to face me.
“You didn’t,” I said truthfully. “It was such a nice thing for you to say. And I know this isn’t the time or place to have a conversation about our relationship, but I just don’t know where we stand. And eventually I have to know.”
Instead of answering me, Lucas leaned in and cupped the back of my head with his hand, pulling me closer to kiss him. I was taken aback, but I didn’t resist. The second I felt his warm lips on mine it was like electricity was coursing through my body. I kissed him back. At first it was slow, methodic, but then the intensity picked up. We were kissing each other harder, longer, with the fr
enzied passion of two people who could never get enough of each other.
I couldn’t think – didn’t want to think – I just wanted to feel Lucas’ lips on mine, rake my fingers through his beautiful dark hair, caress his face with my hands, then run them down the back of shirt and feel his bulging muscles. A voice in the back of my mind told me it was getting out of hand, getting too hot and heavy, but I ignored it.
Lucas pulled back and laughed nervously. He’d obviously heard the same voice. His vampire teeth were out. “This is why I can’t – why I don’t – kiss you. Every time it ends like this. I have to pull away before I lose complete control of myself. The longer we kissed, the harder it became to stop.”
I grabbed Lucas’ hand. “Maybe I don’t want to stop.”
“Surely you don’t doubt how I feel about you, how much I want you,” he said, ignoring my comment.
“And you must see that I feel the same way about you,” I whispered. “I’m crazy about you.” I looked away in embarrassment. I hadn’t meant to say that last part. It just kind of slipped out.
“Crazy about me, huh?” Lucas said teasingly. His face was starting to look normal again.
I leaned over and rested my head against Lucas’ shoulder. “What are we going to do?”
“We’re going to take care of business. And when everything is said and done, you can spend some time thinking about what you really want,” he said.
“I know what I want though!” I tried to argue. “You’re the one always hanging back.”
“Aurora, I saw how you looked at Henry. When he almost died.”
“I was just caring for my friend,” I argued.
“I’ve been around long enough to read people,” Lucas said. “You have feelings for Henry. And that’s okay. Do I want you to decide you’d rather be with him than me? Fuck no. But I’m not going to influence you one way or the other.”
“When we’re together, it just feels…right,” I whispered.
“It does,” Lucas agreed. “You’ve got too much to focus on right now – too many things that mean the difference between life and death. I was serious. We’ll figure out if there’s an ‘us’ after this whole thing is over.”
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