by C. M. Owens
She screams out, crying in pain, as I squeeze and force out the fire. I watch with heartless emotion as the flames cloak her, melting her skin in front of my eyes. I don't flinch from the horrid sight. Instead, I revel in my deadly assault.
"Alyssa," Gage gasps as he comes out of his accidental slumber.
His eyes grow wide as though I'm something completely different than the sleeping girl to which he spoke words of love. Kane is squatting by the doorway with his jaw clenched, eyes just as wide, and keeping his silence.
Drackus stirs, rising to see my merciless hold on the spirited witch. He says nothing and barely moves to be on one knee, almost as if he's scared to disturb me.
I turn my attention back to the screaming bitch clutched in my hand, and with barely a thought, I launch her through the gaping hole where a window once stood. She continues to cry out her agony, and I walk over to step through the debris and join her in the snow that is falling by the hunks.
Her body smolders as the flames extinguish against the snow, leaving her a nearly crumbling pile of ash.
I don't shiver from the cold as I did before. Unafraid and maliciously stalking toward her, I stare at her charred body, relishing the sight of the havoc I've wreaked on my unworthy adversary.
"Why did you want me?" I bark, my voice sounding so much darker than ever before.
She gasps for air, choking on each breath. Finally, she manages some semblance of words.
"Because... they killed me," she strains out, coughing directly after, blood spraying from her lips.
"How is that my fault? I wasn't even born."
She steadies her breath, barely staying alive as she continues, "They killed me because they thought I was you."
That sobering statement leaves me stupefied. I want to probe for more, but it's too late. Her last breath leaves her lips in a loud, gurgling exhale, and her body goes limp in the snow. I can almost smell her death right now.
The high is too surreal. I want to unchain the rest of me, release my power in ways that others only try to.
"Alyssa," Gage says from directly behind me. "We need to get you out of here."
I turn with a devilish smirk, but it's washed away when I see the fear in his eyes.
"You're afraid of me?"
"I'm not," Kane says, drawing my attention to him as his eyes glow blue.
I feel the dirty smile on my lips spreading as though I have no control. I gravitate toward him, feeling the air between us so easy to pass through. He pulls me at my waist, and one hand finds its way to my hair as he pulls the ends in front of my face.
The black hair he holds stuns me. His brow cocks up as he releases it, his eyes gauging my reaction.
"There's apparently more to you than you told me," he murmurs softly, stroking my cheek with the back of his hands.
"There's more to her than she knew to tell," Drackus interjects, studying the remains of the ashy body in the snow.
"Get your fucking hands off her," Gage growls just before ripping me out of Kane's grip.
They step toe to toe, ready to fight, but before a punch can be thrown, a barely visible force field barrier is separating them. Drackus shakes his head while walking over to take my side.
"You're getting stronger, Airis. You need to come home until you change. These boys aren't going to be too healthy for you, and someone strong is after you."
"I've done just fine taking care of her," Gage growls, acting overly possessive.
"After I specifically warned you not to be intimate with my girl, and the consequences that could ensue, you still went for her heart. You've not done the job you were asked to do."
I look at Gage, feeling a little betrayed. "You were on a job," I hiss.
His eyes shift, but before he can defend himself, Kane steps in. "I haven't been."
Drackus narrows his eyes, his arm slipping around my shoulders. "No, but we both know you belong with the lycan you refuse to accept. You'll break my girl's heart, and she's not capable of dealing with it right now... Not until her immortality strengthens her." Then he turns to me. "Let's go, Airis."
Even Drackus believes Kane is meant for Amy. I don't put much stock in my father as far as some things go, but as for magic... I trust him almost implicitly. He's been around a long time.
Kane snarls, and through gritted teeth, he announces his anger. "I'm not intended for Amy, damn it. If I belong with anyone, it's Alyssa."
"Like hell you belong with her," Gage scoffs. "You have no idea who she is or about who she's intended to be with."
"Enough!" Drackus blares. "Neither of you will be around my daughter. You, night stalker, can fight your destiny with your lycan all you want, but I'll be damned if I let you do it with my daughter. I may have not finished the job with your sire yet, but I'm perfectly capable, and I will do it. That means you'd barely be an issue for me to squash." Then Drackus turns to Gage. "And you... You'd better stay away. I've warned you before. This time it's a threat."
Gage glares at him, making no attempt to lash out or move forward. Drackus tugs at me, and my heart sinks in my chest as I walk away from both of them. Kane is destined for another, and Gage has been lying to me since all of this began.
As my head whirls around for one last glance over my shoulder, I see the blond has returned and reclaimed my light. I sigh out in relief, though the dark hair still worries me. It's never done that before.
The two men stare at me as Drackus pulls me away. How is it possible I chose two men who could break my heart? If anyone will understand the terrible decisions with love that I've made, it'll be my mother. I'm sick of this. I have to see her.
I will see her.
I willingly climb into the car with Drackus - my Jag he gave me. I relinquish the driver's seat as I take the passenger side. Drackus cranks the car and squeals out of my driveway. I watch as he pieces the house back together with a wave of his hand.
"The spirit took you down, but I killed her. How is that possible, and what did she mean about them killing her because they thought she was me?"
He frowns as he barrels down the road, making my stomach tense upon every curve.
"It's a long story, Airis. One I'm afraid I can't tell you right this second. I'll explain everything soon. Will you stay at home with me?"
I shake my head, not sure I trust Drackus enough to go play the good daughter in my old house.
"No, but I'll take a hotel."
He huffs out a breath, but cedes to my request. "Then I'll send Dice to meet you wherever you choose to stay. I don't want you around either of those boys again."
I want to scream at him for being so demanding when he doesn't have a right, but I refrain. Right now, I'm a bag of jostled emotions. I started my life without my mother because I wanted a magic-free existence until I was immortal.
Since I moved out, I've used more magic than I ever have in my life. The irony is almost comical in a morbidly tragic way.
"When will you explain?" I ask while staring at the town blurring by.
"Soon. We need to find out who is after you. I don't like knowing that spirit was tied to someone else."
Neither do I, but I'm too exhausted to think of who it might be. I never knew I had so many enemies. I dread turning immortal if I've made this many enemies while still a mortal.
"How did you know I was in trouble?" I ask curiously. "And how did the spirit and the blond bitch break through my barrier?"
"I was on my way to meet up with Dray, and then Gage called to tell me he couldn't reach you on your cell. He was going straight to your house, and I told him I'd meet him there. We arrived at the same time, conveniently enough. As for the breaking of your barrier, the spirit was tied to you, granting it access. Had I known we were dealing with Sylvia, I would have cast the protection spell over your house. I'm so sorry I didn't figure it out before-"
"She hurt you. I didn't think you could be hurt."
He laughs as though I'm some naive fool. "My dear girl, I'm not indestruc
tible. I'm just a little tougher than the average magical being. She threw out a binding lash. I haven't dealt with such power since the medieval times. I won't be caught off guard again. In my arrogance, I underestimated the girl."
"How did you know about Gage and me, and why are you so opposed to us?" I blurt out, shifting the conversation dramatically.
Not that it matters now. I don't want to be with a liar who mixed work with pleasure.
He breathes out heavily, not feeling comfortable, and I study his young face as he stares straight ahead. He purses his lips before running a hand through his dark hair.
"It was obvious at the engagement party. I told him to stay away from you completely, simply because I knew he'd fall for you. I saw the two of you when you were dancing. You held a lover's touch. It was all I could do not to rip him to shreds then. Your lie about finding a spell to hide your aura was cute, but I wasn't born yesterday. I was glad you were free from your bond to the night stalker, but I knew there was only one person who would have freed you. Defiant as he is, I suspected he would do something like this the second I told him to stay away."
Great. Gage just found me a convenient way to be rebellious. I suppose I should start looking at him as a stepbrother. It will make it easier to get over him... maybe.
I stare at the ends of my very light blond hair, worried it'll turn back dark if I don't keep a watchful eye. I wish there was an escape for the broken.
Chapter 23
Revelation
I take a steadying breath as I stare at the gallant halls of the light council's not-so-humble abode. The endless massive corridors could leave one confused and lost if they had never been here before.
As a child, I never visited this place - my mother's way of keeping my identity truly safe. Until long after the death of Airis Devall, I never once walked through these halls.
The light that pours through here would leave one believing the sun is actually shining in here at all times. It once seemed so majestic, but now... it seems deceitful.
The light users claim purity, but my eyes have been opened to the truth that almost makes me feel my entire life has been a lie.
I don't know if the person who guided the spirit to me is light or dark, but I know the light isn't as pure and honest as I once thought.
As I round a corner, I see Frankie talking on his cell phone. His blond hair is a little longer these days, as if he's skipped a couple of haircuts. He seems distraught, a little upset even.
As I near, he turns to me, waving as he keeps his voice too low for me to hear. He walks away, turning his back, and I tilt my head curiously when he vaporizes without so much as a hello.
"Nice to see you, too, Frankie," I mumble to myself.
I think this place is toxic. My mother has hardly called me at all since she's been here. Frankie doesn't seem to be the same. He's so frigging rude and distant these days. It almost pisses me off.
I knock on the door to the room my mother stays in when she's here, and it swings open almost immediately. The angelic face of the Great Calypso turns to greet me with a smile that refuses to reach her eyes.
It almost seems as though she's annoyed to see me, but she's masking it with fake warmness. I don't know what has happened to create this rift between us.
"Alyssa, sweet girl. What brings you out here... unannounced?"
I swallow hard, uncertain if I should even tell her now. I need her advice, and I need someone who knows me better than I know myself. But this just all feels so wrong.
"I need my mom," I almost whimper, sounding so juvenile and pathetic as the tears start falling.
Her face softens, though it still doesn't seem genuine. "Come, darling. Let's have a long overdue talk."
I fall apart as I run through the highlights of my entanglements and betrayals. I leave out some of the details... the ones I'm not sure I understand. I also leave out the details of the spirit and what she said - only focusing on the boy stuff that has left me devastated and confused.
Normally, I feel better immediately after handing over my issues to my mother, but right now... I just feel such a disconnection. She's not looking at me as though she cares. It feels as though she's treating me like a vexing task.
"Honestly, sweetie, I don't think either of them are the one for you. Perhaps you should just start over with someone new. You enjoy living alone, so move away... start fresh."
She just called me sweetie... again. Not to mention, her answer seemed rushed, as though she's just ready to send me on my way. I swear she even checked her cuticles during my pouring out of emotions. And move away? Start fresh?
"Yeah," I mumble. "Maybe."
She gives me that phony smile once more, making a chill form around the fake gesture. It's as if she has a burning distaste for me right now.
She touches my cheek with forced affection, and I stare into the eyes that hold no love or honesty. It's as if my mother was stolen from me and never given back, though physically she's sitting right here.
Then she does something that sends a shiver all the way down my spine. She tucks my hair behind my ears, making me cringe as she keeps her fake smile plastered on.
"You're such a lovely girl. You shouldn't hide your face with your hair so much."
My mother's biggest pet peeve has always been hair tucked behind ears. There's no way... she's not...
"Um, thanks. I should go. I need to start looking for yet another house," I murmur vaguely while standing to my feet.
"Well, be careful out there, darling."
I nod at the insincere caution, and then I almost dart out of the door. Gage won't believe me because this shouldn't be possible. Kane won't be able to help because he's a night stalker. There's only one person who will both believe me and help me.
I push the door open without so much as knocking, and in an instant, Drackus materializes in front of me in the foyer of his home.
"Airis? What's wrong, my dear?"
"I know it's not possible, and I know it's going to sound crazy, but that woman is not my mother. I know it's not her."
Drackus leans back on his heels, not saying anything. It's as though he doesn't know what to say, and I'm sick of the delay.
"Drackus, did you hear me? It's. Not. Her."
"He knows," the velvety, familiar voice says from the top of the staircase, and my eyes follow it to see the blond hair, the perfectly white dress, and the eyes full of warmth and pain.
"Mom," I gasp, disbelief ringing out. "What the hell?"
She slowly starts walking down, her eyes moving to meet my father's briefly before returning to mine.
"Alyssa, we need to talk."
End of Book 2. Book 3, Red Moon Secrets, coming soon.
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A special thanks to my sisters. I never would have thought writing would bring us all closer, but I’m glad it did.
Tonya, you’ve been the whip behind my back, and without you, I never would have published. Danielle, you surprised me and I love that. Both of you mean so much to me. I love you.
Julie, thank you for playing beta and reading the story while it was still in the rough draft. You’ve stuck by me since the beginning.
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