by Tara Brown
Alaska
Aimee
Aleks pointed down at the window.
“I know,” Sam mouthed.
We all dropped from the tree to the ground with a loud thud.
Lorri gave us the look, the serious one. “The minute we get Alise, we head for Hanna.” She was reassuring Sam.
He didn’t appear reassured.
I wasn’t reassured. I needed my sister back, there was no denying that, but for saving her to come at such a steep price, especially for Sam, who I loved more than I loved my sister, was rough.
Lorri held a tight grip on my shoulder. “We need to check the perimeter before I just let you run loose. You maintain your composure.”
I nodded but knew my blank stare at the house said otherwise. I was so close to losing it. There was about to be a serious shortage of control.
“What do you see?” I asked Lorri quietly. She had hawk eyes.
“There’s a thin-framed girl. She’s nearly skin and bone, with dark hair cropped to her shoulders. She’s paced by the window a couple of times. I haven’t seen Blake or Daniel anywhere.
Sam flashed himself forward to the property line. As he walked across it, we all waited for their guards to react but nothing happened.
Lorri released her hold on me and waved us forward. The seven of us crossed onto the property together. I winked Ari and the wolves as Lorri moved with incredible speed, while Aleks and Sam flashed themselves ahead.
We fanned out in groups without speaking. Lorri and I went to the right, Aleks and Sam to the left, and Ari and the wolves went to investigate the huge outbuildings.
Sam followed Aleks to a back door. They both flashed inside.
We entered through a side door, seeing and smelling nothing.
“This might be a trap, like I discussed earlier. Never trust Marcus Dragomir.”
“Yup.” I agreed as we hurried to the stairs that led from the basement to the main floor where everyone was waiting for us.
We cleared the main floor, finding nothing but expensive furniture. We climbed to the second floor together, again fanning out. It was the floor that Lorri had seen Alise in the window, pacing back and forth.
The bedrooms on the top floor were extravagant, as one would expect in such a home. It was full of furniture but minus people and lab equipment.
When we got into the room, Alise continued to pace back and forth alone—at least a projection of her did. The projector was below the window and with the room being dark enough, her image was completely visible from the street. Inside the room, she appeared as Annabelle did, her worried face slightly visible. I didn’t cry or speak or react when I walked into the large bedroom. I paused as the thin girl paced back and forth.
“She had to know I would come. She had to suspect it might be me. What would she do?”
I dropped to my hands and knees and crawled to the bed. Ari and Lucas entered the room as I fished around under it.
After a moment I pulled a dark-blue tee shirt out. It had an atom on it. On the back it had writing in lipstick.
I turned it over gently and laid it out on the hardwood floor.
In bright-red lipstick it read: TRAP! BOMB! RUN! ALASKA!
Everyone dove into a circle, touching as I winked us to the street, still clutching the dark-blue shirt.
As our feet touched the ground, Ari screamed, “WHERE’S BEN?”
Aleks’ head darted about looking, but he didn’t see him. He flashed away and then back a moment later just as the house blew, shaking the ground and ripping apart. Flames erupted, the strangest flames I’d ever seen, with the blackest smoke.
Aleks flashed back and collapsed onto the gravel road at Lorri’s feet.
“Oh my God, it’s a hellfire bomb. How?” She dropped to her knees, touching his back.
He was burned to the bones on his back and crying out in pain. His hands slid along the gravel, gripping the rocks and squeezing them tightly. Fresh blood dripped onto the rocks as smoke slipped from his lips like he was a smoker.
Our eyes simultaneously lifted back to the house.
“Ben?” I stepped forward. “Ben.”
Ari made a noise, one suggesting all the air in her body was pressed out in a long single sob.
“SHIT!” Lorri grabbed Aleks and put a hand out for the rest of us.
We flashed back to Lydia’s, a mess of sobbing and screaming panic.
Lydia hadn’t heard a single word from our lips and she knew. “No!” Her eyes flooded as she rushed to Aleks, lifting the remains of his shirt. “There is no saving him. He’s not you, Lorri. He won’t live through the poison of the hellfire.”
“Take me, Aimes. I need to see.” Lucas held a trembling hand out for me. I winked back to the burning house, running through the debris. I didn't bother looking, I let Luke lead the way. He knew his brother’s scent better than anyone.
The burning house caught my clothes and Luke’s but we didn't stop. We let it lick at us, scalding our skin.
“NO!” he shouted, pulling a board back to reveal Ben, naked and charred. “NO!” He grabbed his brother’s body as I winked us to the grass at Lydia’s. Luke covered Ben, lying atop him sobbing.
Tears blinded me, my chest throbbed, and my knees buckled. But I didn’t make a sound. I couldn't take one second of this from Lucas.
Ari flew from the house, screaming. She landed on Lucas, huddling into him.
Screams and horror jarred us. No one was prepared for what we had gotten. I had expected a ploy of poorly trained Dark Ones, not hellfire and a full on trap.
There was no coming back from this.
Destroyed, I got up and managed to stagger inside where Aleks was calling for Lydia.
“Lydia?” his voice croaked.
Her face lowered to his, tears filled her eyes. “Aleksander. I’m so sorry, honey.”
“Ben?”
“He didn't make it out.” She shook her head. “He was inside. They found him.”
“I have an hour before the poison takes me?” His words were so filled with pain he could barely speak.
“Yes.”
He took a deep breath and pushed himself up off the bed.
“Stay still, Aleks.”
“No.” His tone was firm. “I need to get to Hanna. I need to finish the deal I started with Henry.”
Lydia looked confused.
Sam wiped his eyes. “You think he will help you?”
“I made this deal with him years ago. We have to hurry. I need something to cover my injuries so he doesn't know.”
Lydia left the room and came back in with bandages and a sweater.
Aleks held his breath, trying not to scream as sage cream and bandages were placed over his seared flesh and exposed muscles and bones. He pulled the sweater on, unable to avoid the tears in his eyes.
Dorian appeared at the doorway. “Lorri messaged me.” His eyes broke my heart.
Aleks questioned, “You coming?”
“Of course.” He furrowed his brow. “Where we going?”
“Final hurrah.”
Dorian’s stare went blank as he mastered his emotions. “Let’s do it.” He reached a hand for me. “Come on, Aimes.”
The four of us flashed from the room to the lawn next to the driveway. Aleks leaned forward, throwing up.
“The poison is going to end you soon, brother. What’s the plan?”
“Free Hanna and kill Marcus.”
Sam laughed nervously. “I like the plan, but I think we need more than that. My mother spoke of Henry a lot. He’s old and powerful, and he will protect Marcus.”
“Not against me.” Aleks laughed. “I made him a deal once. I helped steal the soul Marcus has. I’m as much to blame as Marcus. When Henry finds his soul, he will kill Marcus and me. I made a deal that if I find the soul and return it, he will allow me to live.”
Dorian sounded baffled. “You don’t know where the soul is though?”
“I think I do. I think it’s always been ri
ght in front of Henry’s face.”
“His ridiculous bowler hat?”
Aleks grinned. “Marcus’ chest.”
Dorian raised an eyebrow. “Oh, that is smart. Even if it’s not there, maybe he will kill Marcus looking for it.”
The three of them walked up to the door. I stayed behind, unsure of it all. Henry came out as always, grinning.
“I know where it is,” Aleks muttered.
Henry’s grin faded and his dark eyes narrowed in disbelief.
“I know where he’s kept it all along.”
Henry crossed his arms. He didn’t speak. He didn’t need to.
Dorian offered a wave. “Hello, Henry.”
Henry nodded at him, never taking his eyes off Aleks.
“To what do we owe such an honor? Dorian, my brother, it’s been too long.” Marcus strolled from the house.
Dorian grinned. “It has been a long time. I believe it was an adequate amount of time though.”
Sam was on edge. He was ready to lose it.
Marcus grinned directly at Sam. “This makes my life easier. Dorian, really, you shouldn’t have brought such a gift. I have nothing for you. Maybe when young Sam here is dead, I’ll let you have your turn with dear Hanna.”
Aleks put an arm out, grabbing Sam’s. “Sam.”
“I’ll pass, thanks.” Dorian chuckled, his gaze darting to mine. “I think I’d rather a bit of that scotch you keep for special occasions.”
Marcus’ eyes slanted. “What is the occasion?”
Aleks ignored him and stared at Henry. He didn’t need to speak aloud to Henry. He could just think what he wanted and Henry would hear him. He had the same talent as Lydia.
Henry’s eyes opened wide.
Marcus looked at Aleks and then Henry. “What?”
Aleks grinned. “How’s the heart?”
Marcus’ smile faded. “What heart?”
“Yours.”
Henry’s arm shot out, ripping Marcus’ chest open. A small blue light sat inside him, between his ribs. It was encased in glass like an orb and covered in blood.
Marcus’ face paled as Henry pulled it from him.
Marcus laughed, staggering back as blood dripped from his lips. “Henry, let’s chat about this. I’ve always obeyed the rules. I’ve never mistreated you. I was a child, Henry. FOR GOD SAKE, I WAS YOUNG AND FOOLISH! You took my heart.”
Henry smiled, taking the orb and placing it in his teeth. He bit down, breaking the glass. The blue light filled his mouth and face, making him glow in the midday sun.
It was easily the craziest thing I’d ever seen. Even Dorian jumped a little.
Henry opened his mouth as if he were screaming. Nothing came out but air for a moment and then the area around us filled with noise. Henry’s scream quaked the ground we stood on.
Chapter 32
Heart and soul
Hanna
I heard a scream. It was god-awful. The floor shook as it would in an earthquake. I gripped the bed, ignoring my tears. I eyed the manacle and chain.
“Hanna!”
I raised my face from my hands, calling out, “I’m here.”
Sam ran into the room, lifting me into the air, wrapping my legs around him.
“Hanna. You’re okay.” He leaned in, nuzzling his face into my neck.
I sobbed into his neck, “We have to hurry before he comes back.”
Sam placed me on the floor and ripped the chain from the wall.
“How did you do that?”
“I can’t take the manacle off. We can do it later. We need to get the hell out of here.” He grabbed my hand and carried my chain out of the room. I ran, confused at how he’d pulled it out of the wall if Henry had spelled it.
I padded along after him, letting him drag me through the halls in my white nightie.
I worried about where Henry and Marcus were until I stepped out into the sunlight. It nearly blinded my sensitive eyes. Having only been in the muted light of the castle, the midday light was nearly unbearable.
Outside, I saw something I never expected to see.
Marcus on his knees with blood pouring from his chest. I stopped running as everything moved in slow motion. Henry looked at me and then back to Marcus.
Marcus cried out as he saw me, “Hanna, no. Don’t leave me.”
I closed my eyes as Henry’s hand came down, ripping Marcus’ throat, filling the air with a gurgling sound.
Sam’s huge warm hand instantly covered my face and pulled me back as Marcus’ scream was silenced.
Tears poured from my eyes. I had expected to be overjoyed when he died, but I wasn't.
My legs buckled and my knees hit the concrete.
Sam held me against him, trying to soothe me, “It’s okay. It’s over now.”
I broke from his grip, desperate to see what had happened.
Marcus lay on the ground, his neck torn as dark blood poured from the wound. His eyes twitched. The edges around the wound on his throat were burned black.
He blinked, whispering, “I loved you every second, every moment.” He exhaled harshly.
In his twisted way, he believed he loved me.
Aleks spoke to Henry, “We made a deal, Henry. I need your help.”
Henry nodded while he maintained his fearsome expression.
Aleks stripped his sweater off as tears dripped from his eyes in the struggle. I gasped, seeing a bandage wrapped around his entire back. Web-like black lines spread from the bandaged area.
Aleks turned. Henry saw the bandage. He sliced it with his fingernail, letting the bandage fall to the ground. His eyes lowered. His expression dropped.
Dorian’s face showed his obvious fight to maintain composure.
I didn’t understand what was happening.
Seeing Henry’s sad expression, Aleks lowered his gaze as well. “I understand.”
“No, Henry,” Dorian’s voice was low. “There must be something you can do.”
Henry shook his head.
Aleks turned to face Dorian, revealing his entire burned back, charred with blisters and black veins. “He can make it short and painless.”
“No.” Dorian heaved a little, losing control over his emotions. “Aleksander, brother, what can I do?”
Aleks turned to Henry. “You will fulfill my debt to Aimee then, if you please? Help her rescue her sister?”
Henry nodded, slicing his fingertip with his other hand and holding it up. Aleks did the same and pressed his bleeding finger to the tip of Henry’s.
Was it all my fault? How had they not gotten Aimee’s sister back? What had happened in my absence? Was Aleks dying because of me?
Henry’s dark eyes shot to Sam for a second and back to me. Sam responded, “Thank you, Henry.”
I was gone from the driveway and sitting on Lydia’s living room sofa before I could say goodbye to Henry.
Lydia rushed at me. She touched the manacle, making it fall off, and hugged me tightly. “Oh, my sweet girl.”
I had no tears left. I was too confused.
Sam never let go of my fingers. Ari dropped to the floor to hug me as well.
Aimee came hurrying in. Her face was puffy from crying. She had the cop, Shane, with her.
Dorian appeared in the room, carrying Aleks.
Lydia left my side to put a blanket on the couch where Dorian placed Aleks down.
Aimee rushed to his side. The cop looked upset, but never moved from his spot in the hallway.
Chapter 33
Home again
Aimee
I gripped his hands and sobbed as he winced, clutching his chest.
“Henry will help you. He will give you help in one thing because he owes me one favor. Be careful what you ask of him.” He coughed blood. “Dorian, brother, you will help her in her choice?”
Dorian nodded, not meeting his eyes.
“Aimee, I’m sorry for everything.”
“I’m not. I’m only sorry I was ever a friend with someone like Bl
ake. I’m sorry I never saw him for the monster he is.”
Giselle came running into the room, screaming, “Aleks!”
She skidded along the floor on her knees, her face soaked in tears. I backed off so she could get in there to comfort him. She gripped his hand, crying into his chest.
I walked across the room to Shane. Aleks smiled at Shane. He returned the smile with a nod.
Aleks looked at Giselle. “Take care of yourself. Don’t fall in love too easily. Try to still be you. Be chatty and silly and funny. Don’t let this all ruin the person you are. Try to remember you’re more than a beautiful girl. You’re smart.”
She sniffled. “I should have said yes. I’m sorry, Aleks.”
“No.” He coughed. “You were right. It would have been a mess. I want you to know, I loved you.”
I sobbed over him, clutching him.
I never knew, but they had obviously tried to be something more than friends. I hated that she might have said no because of me.
He squeezed her hand but it was Dorian he spoke to, “You know where I want to go, brother.”
Dorian offered, “Anyone who wants to come, better hang on.”
He touched Aleks and gave us all a second to reach in. Cold air surrounded us. Hanna threw up, making Aleks laugh weakly. She had never been a good traveler.
Aleks closed his eyes as the cold wind off the Nærøyfjord came up the hillside of his family’s graveyard. He looked out at the view. I knew how special this was to him.
Giselle kissed him once on the lips and stood up. “Goodbye.” She shook her head, clearly not wanting to say it.
I almost refused. I couldn't. It had to be fake. It had to be a horrible dream.
Aleks reached for Dorian. “You have to find my dad.”
“I will. I will make sure I give him the proper send off.”
Aleks laughed. “Don’t bury him near me.” He coughed again, staining the snow with dark blood.
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
He lay back, letting the warmth of the sun hit him. “Aimes, remember when I told you I was married before?”
“Yeah.”
He held his hand off to the left of him. “This is her—her and her children. I finally get to join them.”