I flopped onto the bed and he scrambled up beside me, tucking his head under my arm. As I leaned down kissing his shaggy brown hair, a sickening thought came to me, and I suddenly felt nauseated.
If Karina and Viktor weren’t my real parents, then that meant Jayden wasn’t my real brother. My hands trembled. The room spun.
“You okay, Jewel?” Jayden squeezed my hand.
“Yeah sure,” I said, my voice strangled. I swallowed the lump in my throat and pressed my face into his hair, inhaling the outdoors smell that reminded me of a wet dog. Jayden was always a little piece of heaven in my living hell.
Leaving with Roman before the Augusti showed up to get me was one thing. It was better for me and Jayden. But the thought of never coming back for Jayden was another. It twisted my stomach into knots.
My insides churned, bringing bile to my throat. I cleared it, willing my stomach to calm. I kissed Jayden’s head, holding my lips tightly to it, dazed. There was no way I’d ever leave Jayden behind forever. Families adopt all the time and think of the child as their own. The thought comforted me a little. Jayden would be a part of my life always. Blood related or not, he was my brother. Nothing would change that.
When I had control of my voice, I shimmied away and stood beside the bed, telling Jayden to hop onto my back. He did with his usual strangle hold and I left my room, bouncing with him down the stairs for breakfast.
We entered the kitchen and Jayden slid from my back to the floor. He ran, jumping onto Mom’s lap at the table. I couldn’t help but look at her differently now.
Aunt Eva stood beside the kitchen window looking out. Streaks of sunlight shone in from the slatted blinds, creating stripes on her serious face. She tapped her fingers against her coffee mug, her eyes fixed. The loud clank of Jayden’s fork hitting the floor broke into the silence of the room, startling her, and she spun around.
I bent down to pick it up, and then put it in the sink.
Do they know that I know? I forced myself to turn around and act casual.
“Good morning,” I said, pulling a clean fork from the drawer and handing it to Jayden. He smiled and dug into Mom’s eggs.
Mom cleared her throat. “Did you sleep well last night, honey?”
“Yeah, sure.” I grabbed a couple of pieces of bread and dunked them into the toaster, then strummed my fingers casually against the counter while waiting for it to pop up. “Where is everyone?” I asked, noticing that Dad, Uncle Boris, and Grandma weren’t around.
“The men went out, and your grandmother went to visit Mrs. Snow,” Mom answered.
I found that strange. I couldn’t help but think that Mrs. Snow really was a witch, and had something in common with Grandma.
“Any news to share?” Aunt Eva asked, her heels striking a sharp staccato on the tiled floor.
“News?” I asked, knots forming in my stomach. Looking over my shoulder, I watched Aunt Eva take a seat at the table. I turned back toward the counter.
She scooted her chair across the tile floor, making a loud screeching noise. “I thought I told you you’re not to spend time with anyone other than Taylor.”
Something banged on the table, and I looked back, seeing it was Aunt Eva’s mug. Coffee spilled over the rim and Mom jumped up to grab paper towels. Jayden looked at me, and grimaced.
The toast popped up. My heart raced. I walked to the fridge and grabbed the butter, trying to keep my limbs steady. “What do you mean, Aunt Eva?”
“Come sit here,” she pointed icily to the chair in front of her. I inhaled a sharp breath. Clenching my jaw, I sauntered over with my toast and sat on the edge of the seat.
“Who were the boys at Taylor’s house?” She stared at me closely as if judging my reaction.
“Oh, you mean Chase and Jack?” My words came tumbling out, relieved she didn’t mean Roman. But then I quickly realized it didn’t matter to her. It was an infraction of her rules. I pulled my lower lip between my teeth. How does she know about that? I realized Mrs. Snow must have found Chase and Jack in the backyard and dished to Aunt Eva.
Her mouth drew into a straight line as her shoulders pulled back. She wore her typical black outfit, hair drawn back into a tight bun. Her green eyes stared right through me.
“I’m sorry,” I said, not meaning it. “I had no idea they were going to show up, I swear.”
“Are you sure about that?” Aunt Eva asked, still glaring.
I gripped the edge of the table as the dizzying walls seemed to shift, pressing in around me.
“Yes,” I answered, feeling even worse as her eyes bore into mine. My head started to pound. A cold chill shot through my veins. I couldn’t help but wonder if Aunt Eva was using some power on me. Her endowment. She was like boring into my brain or something. Aunt Eva held her gaze a moment longer, and then looked away, seemingly satisfied with my answer. I felt the tension peel away. I blinked, trying to clear my vision.
For a second I wondered if she could read my mind, but then realized if she did, she’d know about everything I knew and this whole conversation would be completely different. It must be more like a human lie detector. She could only tell if someone was telling a lie or not. I inhaled a sharp breath and released it.
“True—”
“It’s Jewel, Mom,” I interrupted, feeling irritated and weak all of a sudden. “Seriously, there’s nobody around to hear you call me by my real name.” I wanted to add that I knew my last name was Rosa, not Rose, but didn’t of course. I wanted to tell them both to go to hell. That I knew everything, and mostly, that I was tired of their crap and wasn’t gonna take it anymore. But I knew I had to be smart, so instead, I took a bite of my toast as nonchalantly as I could. “Sorry, I just get tired of all the fake names, ya know?”
Mom shooed Jayden away, telling him she’d be with him in a few minutes. He left reluctantly, looking worriedly over his shoulder at me before leaving. I blew him a kiss and pasted a smile on my face, hating that he was caught in the middle of it all. He was too young, he shouldn’t have to worry about me.
After he left, Mom reached over and patted my hand. “We’ve got some news to share with you.”
My eyes darted from my mother to my aunt, afraid of what I’d hear next.
Aunt Eva leaned across the table, eyes squinted. “Since you don’t listen to instruction, I’ll be leaving with you early,” Aunt Eva sat back, pursing her lips. “We head out to Russia Monday morning. That’s where your big birthday celebration is to happen.”
“Russia? Monday?” That was only four days away. Not that I had any intention on going with her anyway, but that just cut my time almost in half to find the dagger. I put my hands behind my back, feigning a stretch, steadying my trembling hands. “My prom’s coming up. I don’t want to miss that,” I said, trying to sound like a normal teenager who wasn’t worried about things like daggers, and Spectrals, and the Augusti Forza who was trying to have me killed.
I turned to face my mother. “Besides, if we really have to leave, why can’t you take me?”
“Your mother has a young boy to look after,” Aunt Eva chided as my mother sat silent.
I couldn’t help but feel weird. Jealous. Hurt. I mean, I figured out that she wasn’t my real mom, but she did raise me since I was born. It hurt to think that she didn’t care about me at all. And even though I loved Jayden more than anything, he had Dad and Grandma here. And he didn’t have people trying to kill him. Even if they did kidnap me, didn’t she think of me as hers now? I didn’t know why Mom couldn’t be there for me at such an important time. She may as well be throwing me to the wolves, sending me with Aunt Eva to the wilds of Russia.
A nagging feeling crept through me. Why Russia? I was born in Italy. Roman said if I was going to go through the quickening, it had to be done by a witch queen. I tapped my fingertips against my lips. I wondered who the witch queen of this coven was. Aunt Eva seemed like a possibility, but then again, who knew what the other witches were like back in Russia.
&n
bsp; I looked to my mom, noticing her eyes were red and strained. A wave of guilt washed over me. Maybe my real mom will be in Russia. Maybe that was the plan all along. I smiled hesitantly at her. But deep down I knew I was fooling myself, hanging onto a thread of hope that the woman who raised me wasn’t just plain evil.
“What’s in Russia?” I asked looking back at Aunt Eva.
“Our whole family. Waiting for you. The police have informed us they’re about to apprehend the criminals that have harassed you your entire life.”
Yeah, the police my ass.
“I’m taking you to Russia early as a precautionary measure, but on your birthday everyone will be there, including your mom,” she nodded at my mother across the table.
“But can’t we just stay here and all go together?” My cheeks burned. I really didn’t know where I was getting the courage to speak up to Aunt Eva all of a sudden, but I was tired of all her crap. “Besides, it wasn’t my fault those guys showed up. It’s just kinda how normal people live. You know, visiting friends and stuff?” I said, pleading my case and hoping to buy more time. “I’m almost seventeen. I should have some say in this,” I pressed.
Aunt Eva jumped up from the table. “We’re not normal people, Jewel. And if you’re so mature, then you should realize that. Your parents have been evading criminals to protect everyone your whole life.”
I wanted to gag. Most of what she said was lies and half-truths. I opened my mouth to tell her it wasn’t fair, but she held up a silencing hand.
“Russia. Monday. End of discussion.”
I wanted to bolt right then and there. I imagined pushing by her smug little face, packing my lone suitcase and running away with Roman forever. But I knew I had to hold on for a few more days. Roman’s face flashed before me, the safety I’d felt in his arms washing over me. I needed to get to him and figure this out. Fast.
Chapter Seventeen
I raced up the stairs two at a time. I couldn’t get out of that kitchen fast enough.
“Your mother and I are heading out for a bit. Errands to run,” Aunt Eva called up the stairs after me. “You’re not to go anywhere.”
What are you gonna do, handcuff me to the bed now? “Yup,” I said as I turned the corner and flipped her off with a scowl. Even though she couldn’t see me, it still felt good.
“Keep an eye on your brother,” Mom yelled out.
I had to admit I was glad they were going out. Even though I couldn’t leave to find Roman, I planned on snooping around while I had the chance.
I stuck my head in Jayden’s room, watching him mesmerized by his PlayStation, surrounded by rumpled bedding. His fingers moved at lightning speed over his controller as lively video game music filled the room. He managed to pry his eyes away from the TV a moment and smiled up at me.
I shook my head, chuckling at how cute he was.
Sneaking past his overloaded laundry basket, I looked out the window, waiting for the hounds to leave. Mom and Aunt Eva finally got into the car and the engine whirred to life. I released a cleansing breath as they backed out of the driveway.
“I’ll be around if you need me,” I said to Jayden as I moved toward the door.
He nodded, his intense green eyes focused back on the screen.
I scampered down the stairs, my heart rate climbing. I didn’t know how long they were going to be gone and I didn’t have a moment to waste. I headed toward the back of the house. Once I was at the basement door, I turned the round handle.
The wooden steps creaked beneath my bare feet as I walked down the stairs. I shuddered. I never liked basements. They reminded me of horror movies where someone hears a strange noise and then goes to investigate. Of course that’d be after all their friends have just been murdered. I always wanted to scream at the TV—For God’s sakes, leave and call the police, you idiot!
Unfortunately, the police couldn’t help me with what I needed.
The lighting was dim, with only a few rays making their way through the tiny window at the top of the concrete walls. When I reached the bottom, the cold concrete floor nipped at my feet like icicles. I wished I’d brought a flashlight…and maybe a pair of socks.
The stench of cigarette smoke filled the room, no doubt from Uncle Boris, the walking cigarette himself. My eyes swept over the box spring and mattress splayed along the floor where my aunt and uncle slept. White satin sheets tucked snugly into place with a neat row of red cushions spread across the top. Placed on the concrete floor, next to the hot water tank with copper pipes looming overhead, it looked completely out of place—like a bed of roses in a minefield.
I stumbled across the room, banging into boxes, looking for a closet or locked box. I peeled back the cardboard flaps on some boxes, but found only Aunt Eva’s clothes. The smell of her Eves Saint Laurent perfume wafted into the air. I screwed up my face, holding my breath, and rummaged through the boxes quickly. Everything was black with fancy labels.
Not finding the dagger, I closed the flaps, frustrated and gasping for fresh air. Even cigarette smoke was better than her scent. I slid my hand along the damp, cool wall, edging my way toward the back of the room. The clothes dryer droned on, and the washing machine gurgled, churning like a demon digesting its prey. I totally wanted to whip around and fly back upstairs, but I willed my legs forward, scanning the room. I held my hands on the top of the dryer, warming them a moment before spinning around, my eyes scanning over the shadows.
My stomach dropped as I caught sight of a door a few feet away. Pushing off from the dryer, I barreled to it as fast as I could. My breathing became rapid, visions of a golden snake dagger twirling in my head.
I yanked the door but it didn’t budge. My hand dropped onto a padlock.
Great! I cursed myself for not bringing the key from Mom’s room that I’d found. I have to get it. Dashing across the concrete, I headed to the stairs. I tripped over a cardboard box and skidded against the hard floor. “Ouch!” I yelped.
Floorboards creaked overhead and I heard footsteps that began to grow louder as they came closer. I scrambled to my feet, awkwardly climbing over and around boxes, cursing Aunt Eva and her fashion collection. Sweat beaded on my upper lip as I ascended the stairs, terrified their creaking would give me away.
I pushed through the basement door and raced toward the stairs. Jayden stood on the top landing looking down, a worried expression on his face.
“You okay?” he asked. “I heard you yell out.”
“Yeah, sure. I’m okay, Buddy,” I said, balling my hands into fists and smiling. “Go back to your Tony Hawk game. Don’t worry about me.”
“I’m not playing Tony Hawk.” He laughed mischievously, “I’m playing Gears of War 2!”
“Aren’t you a little young for that?” I asked, walking up the stairs toward him, heart still thumping.
“Grandma bought it for me.” He did a little happy dance.
“Well now, hasn’t Grandma come into the twenty-first century?” I bit my lip, but tousled his hair. Then I spun him around, giving him a playful pat on his butt to move him along. “Well don’t let me interrupt you taking down the enemy.”
I waited until he’d closed his door, and then sprinted across the hall into Mom and Dad’s room. I ran straight to the closet, shoving clothes away, until I reached the back. I plunked to my knees and found the box. My hands trembled, but I pried it open. Quickly shifting the baptismal gown, I saw the key gleaming up at me. It was all I could do not to squeal aloud. I snatched the key, jumping up with my face flushed in excitement. All I could think of was running away with Roman, finding my family, and being safe.
I ran back down the stairs stopping only for a brief moment to look out front. I was relived there was no car; but knowing I was running out of time, I dashed toward the basement.
I walked more carefully this time, arms outstretched in front of me, weaving in and out of boxes, a strand of cobwebs drifting across my face.
I lifted the padlock, trembling all over with anxiou
s excitement. Steadying my hand, I extended the key toward the lock, hoping it would slide into place. No such luck. My heart drummed in my chest. I twisted the key around the other way and tried putting it into the lock again. It still wouldn’t fit. My mouth fell open.
“No, no, no!” I whispered, feeling like I could cry any minute.
The buzzer on the dryer went off, its sound jarring into the silence. I jumped, a small squeal passing my lips as I dropped the key.
Something shifted in the far shadowy corner. I gasped—my stomach dropping—like I’d gone down a massive roller coaster. I dropped to my knees and picked up the key. I crept on hands and knees toward the stairs, desperate to escape.
You’re so dead right now.
I crawled a few paces, keeping my head down, when I bumped into someone’s legs.
I inhaled a sharp breath. My eyes landed on a pair of black boots. I opened my mouth, hoping for words to tumble—some genius excuse or reason—for me to be in the basement, now crawling on the floor. But words failed me.
“Need a hand?” I heard a familiar voice say.
I gazed past the boots all the way up the dark denims, past the Coldplay t-shirt, to the eyes of the sexiest guy alive.
“Roman!” I blurted out, relief overwhelming me. I grasped his extended hand and he pulled me to my feet. “You totally freaked me out!” I hugged him, his warmth spreading through me. “How’d you get in here?”
He kissed my nose quickly. “The front door, babe. I saw your Mom leave with someone else, and then I went to your window, but you weren’t there. We’re supposed to be looking for the dagger, remember?” He shifted back on his heels. “I had to sneak in cause you weren’t in your room, and I got worried. Plus, I didn’t know who else was lurking around here.”
I paused for a moment, drinking in the sound of the word babe that was directed toward me. A smile crept across my face, but then I quickly remembered what I needed to tell him.
“My aunt is taking me to Russia on Monday! If I don’t find the dagger—and even if we escape—she’ll leave and probably take it with her.”
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