The Roses Academy- the Entire Collection

by Tara Brown

  “Lorelei,” he snarls. “We need to get Ari somewhere safe.”

  “You made it!” I leap at Ari, smothering her.

  “Yeah, Luke winked us out as Lorelei got there. It was nuts. She didn’t even try to take me, just grabbed Anna and left,” Ari manages to say through my arms.

  “Was Marcus with her?” Lorri asks.

  “No.” Ari winces, gripping her belly. “I think this baby’s coming soon though.”

  “We can’t stay here. She knows where we are.” Lucas’ eyes are filled with panic.

  “She won’t risk coming here with us all together.” Shane gives Lorri a look. “Will she?”

  “I don't know. She’d be foolish to. She might be magical, but she isn’t one of you guys.”

  Gwen comes into the room with Shulster. Her eyes dart to mine and then Lorri’s. “You can’t think she’d join forces with Lillith, even if her magic is evil. Lorelei’s the strongest witch in the world, even stronger than Lillith. She’ll resist.”

  Lorri folds her arms across her chest. “I agree. I think she’s out collecting the magic as a knee-jerk reaction to the evil filling her, but she’ll come to her senses in the end. It’s not like this sort of evil hasn't tempted her before.”

  “She killed Lydia, Annabelle, and Sarah who was a kid. She killed O. She’s not coming here to willingly hand over the magic or head for the garden and die for the Earth. She’s going to kill us all and we need to be prepared.” Blake sounds a little erratic but he’s right.

  “I agree with Blake. This is too risky to hope for the best. We need to prepare for the worst.” I nod. Lucas nods with me.

  “Ya don't know Lorelei the way I do.” Gwen’s eyes are fierce and her Scottish accent is thicker.

  “No, you don't,” Lorri agrees again. “Lorelei is the best person I’ve ever met. She would die for everyone. She has done so many times. She sacrifices herself, always, for the greater good.”

  “Can we at least plan for the worst?” Shane asks. “Like finding a different place to hide out while Ari has the baby?”

  “Of course, we aren’t insane,” Lorri growls. “Obviously, we need to contemplate some places Lorelei wouldn't know about.”

  “My childhood home.” Gwen says it as if it tastes of ash. “She wouldn't go there.”

  “Ahhhhhh, yes.” Lorri’s voice lowers, “Get everyone together, we leave in a minute.”

  When everyone is in the kitchen, we wink to an old castle surrounded by greenery. It’s beautiful and horrifying all at once.

  It’s drafty and cold, and I see why Lorelei wouldn't come here.

  Gwen sighs viewing the great room. “Home sweet home.”

  A woman with dark hair appears to us. I cringe but Blake jumps when she speaks, “Gwenny, lass, whaur ya doin’ here?”

  “Ma, I came back to hide. Lorelei’s gone radge with evil magic. She’s a ganner, we think.” Gwen’s accent thickens again.

  “Keep the heid, love. We donna need ta attract anything. Been quiet here since yer father left. Peaceful.”

  “Can ya keep a look out?”

  “Aye.” She smiles and vanishes.

  “Haunted castle, that’s why Lorelei wouldn't come here,” Blake adds quietly.

  “Right, well my ma won’t harm anyone.” Her accent goes back to normal, less intense.

  Ari doubles over, groaning.

  “We gotta get her down below. If any of the witches are still here, they’ll know what to do.” Gwen offers me a hand. “I’ll drag ya there right quick and then you wink her.”

  I groan but let her take my hand, zipping us through the castle at vampire speed. It’s much worse than just winking. When we get to a dank cellar that looks like it’s been burned out a couple of times, I wink back to the group. “Lift her up and I’ll wink down.”

  Lucas grabs Ari, holding her close to him as she moans. I wink them to the dank, stale basement.

  “A cellar?” Ari groans again. “No stables available?”

  I laugh, I can’t help it. Lucas shoots me daggers. “Nothing about this is funny, Aimes.”

  “Lighten up, Luke.” I roll my eyes. “We aren’t going to get anywhere freaking out. This baby’s coming, whether we like it or not. Lorelei’s gone evil and there’s nothing we can do about it. We’re in a dank, spooky old haunted castle and there is no changing that, not until this baby comes.” I rub his arm, not patronizingly but comforting him with a small squeeze, one that says I understand why he’s freaking out. I’m playing it down for Ari who might die in the next few hours, and then we’ll have the most important fae ever born to contend with. We need to get her to the garden, a place none of us can go.

  It’s a mess, as always.

  “Dinna speak ill of her, Lorelei. Whatever yer feelings.” Gwen’s mom appears out of nowhere and whispers, her eyes darting around the brick walls. “She freed ‘em, gave them their dignity back in death.”

  “What?”

  “The witches,” she utters again.

  “Huh?”

  “The witch queen.” She winks at me, disappearing into the shadows.

  “Yeah, Ma’s right. Don't say anything against Lorelei. They might not help us if they think you disrespected her.” Gwen sighs.

  “I wouldn't anyway.” I scowl at Gwen. “I think you misunderstand my feelings for her. I have more respect for Lorelei than anyone. I just don't underestimate Lillith. Not now. Not after everything else.”

  “I know.” Gwen nods. “But I can’t underestimate Lorelei. Not after what I’ve seen her do.”

  “Will they help us?” Luke’s eyes meet mine.

  “Even if they don't, we can figure this out. We’re smart.” I smile, trying to calm him down. Now I just need someone to calm me down.

  “Witches, I am begging on behalf of Lorelei who helped you so long ago, if any of you are here, haunting the old place, can you help us?” Gwen asks the air. “Please. We have a girl with a magical baby in her. We need help to birth it. Our witch nurse has died. Please help us.”

  Ghostly women begin to fill the cell. Their faces represent hundreds of years’ worth of killings and slaughter. I’ve heard stories of Gwen’s family. I know what happened here, in this very cell.

  As the ghosts begin to whisper and inspect, one of them catches my eye. She narrows her gaze. “Death eater. Ya canna be here.”

  I nod, stepping out, ignoring the pleading stare coming off Lucas.

  It’s not like I would be much help against the ghosts or the baby.

  Chapter 11

  Fool me once

  We sit in the hall, listening. It’s like the medieval version of a waiting room in a baby hospital.

  We have no idea what’s going on in there but it doesn’t sound good. Ari screams, Gwen and the ghosts mutter soothing words, Lucas growls, and Ari screams again.

  Out in the hall, Lorri paces, clicking on the stone floor like always. Blake sits with Shane, blank faced and bored.

  Ben is sweating and pacing, competing with Lorri for steps taken. Shulster is clearly uncomfortable. I don't really know him and I know Ari doesn't at all. He’s an English Rose, remarkably one of the few good vampires left.

  The kids are upstairs with Giselle. She refused to listen to the screaming. I wish I’d gone upstairs with her.

  A sharp cry comes from the room. It’s louder than the others have been. I wince, giving Lorri a look. She shakes her head, not telling me that it was nothing, but rather that she has no idea either.

  The screams come again, making all of us visibly uncomfortable.

  Blake shudders. “I can’t do this. I can’t listen to this.” He winks and is gone.

  “Me either,” Lorri agrees.

  Within seconds Shulster and I are the only people in the hallway. He offers a smile. “Not my first time listening to someone give birth.”

  “Oh really?” I guess we’re officially going to have small talk during the end of the world as the savior is being born in a shitty old castle in Sc
otland.

  “Yeah, when I was human, my wife gave birth to three kids. Before the black death.” He has an English accent I’ve never noticed before. I don't know that I've ever heard him speak.

  “Is that how they all died?” I can’t believe this moment is happening.

  “Yeah.” He says it so calmly, it suits the situation we’re in. “One of the kids came down with it first. He died within a week. Then my wife. They died before the other two got it. I thought we were in the clear. I moved to the country, running from it as it swept through London. About a year later, my other two got it and I thought it was how I would die as well. But I didn't. Immune, apparently.” He chuckles. “I went a bit crazy after that. Met Jonathan in some disgusting blood tavern in France. I went there to die. I’d heard of these monsters that could kill you peacefully. Turns out I’m a bit of a chicken when it comes to killing myself. When I told Jonathan my story he turned me, instead of killing me.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Me too. I really wanted to be with them again.” He chuckles. “Maybe now I will be. I've worked very hard at not being what I was made to be. I can’t imagine God will turn me away.”

  “I know that feeling.” We have a moment of true understanding before another piercing scream hits. “This is my second birth. My sister gave birth. It wasn't like this. She had no trouble.”

  “She’s suffering. I don't know why. She’s immortal, seems like it would be easier. And yet here we are, her screaming and everyone hiding upstairs.” He laughs again.

  “Yeah.” And then the awkward silence happens.

  She isn’t screaming and the witches aren’t whispering and Lucas isn’t growling. It’s just Shulster and I sitting in the dank hallway.

  Water drips somewhere behind me, emphasizing the awkwardness.

  I fidget with my fingers and contemplate leaving, but I don’t want to bail on Ari or Luke.

  We remain this way through several more screams before Lucas comes out. His eyes are wide and his face is white. “They’re going to cut her open.”

  “What?”

  “The baby’s stuck, sideways or something.” He shudders.

  “Oh, uh, okay. Can I help at all?”

  He nods, leaping from the room and shoving me in. He closes the door.

  I lean my back against it, scared and confused and regretting the offer that has me in the room and him hiding. I know he isn’t the giant baby he’s acting like. He can’t watch his mate get cut open, I understand it. But I also don't want to watch.

  “Well, dinna stand there, get more water!” one of the ghostly witches shouts at me.

  I leap into action, grabbing water from the pot boiling on the small fire in the corner. I bring the hot water to the ghost.

  “Not hot, ya daft ass. She needs to drink!”

  I hurry back, looking everywhere for the cold water.

  Gwen sighs and grabs a glass of water from a weird spout on the wall. I wouldn't have known it was a tap, had she not. She hands it to Ari who’s beet red and covered in sweat. She sips with shaking hands and fluttering eyes.

  Gwen hurries back to the writhing stomach. It looks like Aliens, the movie. I’m close to gagging but rush over to hold Ari’s hand and focus my eyes away as Gwen sighs, picking up a scalpel.

  “Ready?” she asks softly.

  “Do it, Gwen. Save my baby,” Ari moans. Her trembling fingers dig into mine as she screams. That's how I know Gwen is cutting.

  Ari screams louder, losing her voice and rage after several screams. She squeezes me, not losing any of her strength.

  “She’s healing so fast,” Gwen mutters.

  I turn, seeing the hole sealing itself up as Gwen cuts. I almost gag, so grateful the world has ended and I didn't make the colossal mistake of becoming a doctor.

  “Cut a hole, not a line. The skin canna seal so fast,” her mother suggests.

  “Right,” Gwen whispers. She doesn't sound very excited either.

  Ari grips me, bearing down with her hand and not moving as Gwen cuts a massive hole in her stomach. The sound that comes from Ari is one I have never heard before. Her wings burst, lifting her body off the bed. She screams into the ceiling as one of her old portals opens in front of us, like she might push someone. Her wings turn to feathers and she collapses onto them.

  I don't know what to do besides let her nearly rip my fingers off. I have to assume my fingers will grow back.

  Lucas comes bursting into the room as Gwen takes the top off Ari, like one would a pumpkin. He leaps, bursting into a wolf midair. I let go of Ari, winking to Gwen and taking the full force of the wolf. I wink him to the woods he grew up in.

  He growls and attacks. I don't fight, I let him claw and bite me, tossing me aside.

  After a moment, the frenzy leaves him, but he doesn't change back. He pauses, losing his aggression, and takes a small step toward me. I flinch, noticing the burning of my wounds for the first time since we left the room.

  I nod at him. “I’m okay.” I’m not. I’m breathless and in agony, but it’s nothing compared to Ari. He slumps, his breath bursting from him. He makes sounds like maybe he’s crying. I don't know. I reach for him, my hand covered in black blood. “It’s okay. I know.” My voice cracks.

  He staggers to me, seeming more like a man but he’s fully a wolf. He nuzzles into me, whining. I run my fingers into his fur, something he normally hates. “It’s okay. I know.” I wink us back to the castle, landing in the expansive great room where everyone else is.

  Lorri’s eyes widen but when she sees the black blood coating his muzzle she knows.

  “Keep him here.” I glance at Ben. “Don't let him come downstairs.”

  Ben nods but swallows hard. “Is she—?”

  “I don't know. Just stay upstairs.” I wink back to the room, still covered in blood and healing from the wounds. I take my place again at Ari’s side. Her eyes are wide now, filled with tears. “He’s fine.” I try to reassure her.

  She pants her breath as Gwen reaches into her body. The stomach skin stretches and ripples as Gwen maneuvers herself inside Ari’s stomach. She makes a strange face and then lifts her hands from the bloody hole, holding a sack. It’s a baby still in the placenta. Ari gasps as her stomach deflates and the skin begins to heal and seal itself up with the cord still sticking out.

  A scream, one not from this room, blasts into the air behind us. I wink out, startled by Shulster’s face stuck in a horrified position and staring at me. His body is across the room and dark blood coats the brick wall.

  “I can’t believe y’all came here.” Lorelei clicks over to me, sounding like Lorri with her walk. “I imagine it was Gwen’s idea.”

  “Mine,” I lie.

  “Aimee, just give me the baby and y’all can be left in peace. I got no intentions of harming anyone. I just need that little baby.” She grins in a way that tells me Lillith is completely in control.

  She continues talking but a voice I would know anywhere whispers in my mind. Bring me baby and mother. It’s Henry. He’s ready for us.

  “Where’s Marcus?” I ignore her demand. Trying to come up with a plan.

  “His tired ass couldn't keep up with me.” She winks. “I left him somewhere safe.”

  I can’t even imagine where that is. “No. The baby was stillborn and Ari’s devastated.”

  Lorelei’s eyes widen. “Stillborn?”

  It’s the best lie I’ve ever told. I don't know how I came up with it so quickly.

  “I wanna see.” She doesn't believe me. I wouldn't believe it either.

  “Fine.” I offer my hand.

  She stares at it like it’s a poisonous apple.

  “You can’t walk through the door. It’s been barricaded. You have to wink in and out.” My stomach tightens and all I pray for is that the baby doesn't cry. I have one shot at this.

  Hesitantly, Lorelei takes my hand and I wink us to the garden gates. I see the garden this time when we land.

  Lorelei sc
reams and shoves me, blasting me with hellfire. It burns my back, but I wink behind her and pin her to the ground. She bursts into flames, scorching me. My skin burns as she rolls us across the ground, sending hellfire flames all over my body.

  I want to let go, my hands are burnt to the bones, but I don't. I hold tight and scream as loudly as I can, “HENRY!”

  She tosses me across the garden but I wink to her. She hits me with wind as I wink again. She starts a cyclone similar to the one Ophelia made, sucking me up into it. One of my wings breaks in the force of the wind. I cry out as it beats the hell out of me.

  As I whirl around, Lorelei turns, not seeing what I see. A beast of a man is there, only he isn’t just a man. He changes, standing on his feet that become hind legs. The dark hair on his head spreads across his body and he grows to double his size. His nose becomes a snout and his fingers claws. He roars in her face, startling her.

  He swipes at her, knocking her to the side.

  Henry is a massive bear. I had no idea.

  She shudders but gets up, walking to him. She offers her hand and he offers a paw, as if the swipe to the face knocked some sense into her.

  Before he knows it, she lights him up. His mistake in trusting costs him a lot of fur. She tries to do the witch travel thing, but he snatches her with a fiery paw. He leaps, moving with skill and speed, pinning her to the ground and thundering in her face. She turns her head as he bears down on her.

  His jaw closes on her throat, shooting black blood across the grass. The cyclone ends immediately, dropping me to the ground. My broken wing throbs as the other one pulls in, covering me.

  Lorelei’s eyes are fiery for a second as she reaches for me. I crawl along the grass, dragging my wing and as bleeding and wounded as she is, if not more so. I reach for her, letting our fingers touch. “Thank you,” she whispers, struggling to breathe and speak. “Save him, Aimes. Save my love.” She uses the last of her strength to speak and then the fire in her eyes is gone. The bear jerks the bite once more, ensuring she’s dead.

  He stands up, roaring into the sky as the magic fills him. He turns and lumbers into the garden. He makes it to where he once stopped me from going any farther and collapses.