by Holly Hook
Trish cleared her throat. "I don't know," she said. "Your mother ran. I let her because I had to get you in into another car. The woman was so terrified of us even after we rescued her. There are some Normals that you can't reach and I'm sorry that you got stuck with that one. I've seen it happen so many times. I can see why you were an Imposter at first."
"Thanks," I said. I hated this. As Xavier stood up next to me, I stalked over to a pile of hay and sat down, running my hands over my pant legs. Even Janine stayed away. It was as if everyone could sense that I didn't want to be hugged right now. I didn't feel any different...but I hadn't when Thoreau had woken up Gaozu's fire magic inside of me, either. Something had changed. The green glow I'd experienced told me that. I wondered if I would learn exactly what my new abilities were in a fight.
The thought almost made me not want to fight.
And now, how could I go on without my biggest hope?
Xavier walked over and sat down next to me. "What exactly did you have to do to cure me?" he asked. He was so understanding. His blue and magenta eyes were perfect without a trace of that darkness. Brighter now, even. Less tormented.
In a low voice, I told him. While I spoke, the others left the room and gave us some privacy. It was unspoken that it was the right thing to do and I was glad for it.
"I gave up ever having a Normal life again," I finished. "I accepted Death. Why does it hurt so much?"
"Because death always hurts, even if what comes after it is so much better," Xavier said. "Hey. I think I said something wise for the first time in my life."
"What do you mean, so much better?" I asked.
"You have all of us." Xavier smiled and this time, it was without strain. I could sense a difference in him already. The dark cloud surrounding him, ready to strike him with lightning whenever it wanted, was gone. His faint, old mark was still there underneath his crossed swords, but our bond had saved him. I had the feeling that things would be different between us now.
Maybe.
"All of you," I repeated.
"Yes. All of us. Family doesn't have to be biological. I think Trish is starting to like you a lot more now."
"But it hurts to be rejected by your mother." I would think about her screams for the rest of my life, her horror when I had bitten into Leon's neck to save both her and Trish. I would never get over that, ever.
"I might know some things about rejection," Xavier said. "Please, Alyssa. Stick with me. I'm sorry I yelled at you all those times. I just wish you hadn't brought yourself any closer to being what Thoreau wants. You don't seem any different right now, though. I'm not sure what waking up a part of Death is going to do to you."
"I feel okay. Except for the green explosion behind my eyelids that happened back in the house, I'm fine. And this helped you, Xavier. Neither one of us have to fear Shadow Wraiths ever again. That gives us an advantage, doesn't it?"
"Not if they can send us to the Underworld," Xavier pointed out.
"True," I said. "I guess there are two pieces left to go inside of me. Three are already here. Russell Fox and Gaozu and now Death made sure of that." The fourth piece was full access to a Lovelli's powerful War Magic and the fifth was--what? "I suppose it's really a good idea not to bite you now."
"Not unless it's life or death," Xavier agreed. "I shouldn't have pushed you to do it. We have to be extra careful from now on. I didn't realize things would get this bad. I promise that I won't do it anymore."
I wasn't sure I liked the way he said that. I had removed one barrier between Xavier and I--the Shadow Sickness--but there was still another wall, one that was even more forbidden now that I had used up another chance to stop myself from falling into Thoreau's trap. I felt like Xavier was putting up a protective barrier between us both, one that was made of emotions instead of magic.
"Thank you," I said over the lump in my throat. I wasn't sure if I could resist. I had almost bitten Xavier before and I wasn't sure if I could stop myself from doing it again. It was the one thing I had control over and I was going to hold onto that for as long as I could. The world depended on it.
Xavier leaned towards me and my heart leapt. He came closer...closer...
...and got up at the last second and extended a hand towards me.
I tried not to let the disappointment show as I took his hand and let him guide me across Thorne's dojo. "Do you know what?" Xavier asked. "Let's go find some of Thoreau's minions and we'll see what's changed."
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Holly Hook is the author of several Young Adult fantasy, science fiction, fairytale, post-apocalyptic and adventure series. She has been writing since very young and publishing her work since September of 2010.
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