Old Souls

by P. A. Lupton

  Blood dripped from where I’d broken his skin with my nails, but his focus remained fixed. The pressure he exerted never relented. And though his strength remained constant, I sensed mine waning.

  “Alyssa!”

  Mark? I couldn’t see him, but just hearing him call my name offered a small measure of comfort—even if his voice was as panicked as I felt. Closing my eyes, I reached out to him with that part of me that could always sense when he was near. Relief filled me when I felt his unmistakable vibration. Knowing he was close helped hold the fear at bay. I wanted to call out to him for help but couldn’t gather enough energy. Then, all of a sudden, I heard his voice again. This time echoing loudly, screaming inside my head.

  Alyssa, wake up!

  My eyes snapped open and my body jerked awake, only to be plunged into a living nightmare. It took a few seconds for my vision to focus and the confusion to pass. When it did, I found myself staring into the same ruthless black gaze I’d been looking at only seconds before, but this time it wasn’t a dream. This time, it was real. Fingers dug painfully into my skin, accompanied by a tingling where he was stealing the life from me.

  Shit.

  “Let her go!” The sound of Mark’s voice, so insistent and furious startled me. I stopped my frantic struggling as I tried to make sense of what I felt. It was emotion, but not my own. Mark’s anger and fear rolled over me like a tidal wave. I couldn’t see him, but I felt his rage as if it were my own. How could I feel what he was feeling? It didn’t really matter, the anger helped push back my fear.

  “She has to die. She upsets the balance.” The man answered. His tone, so matter of fact and utterly devoid of feeling, sent a shiver up my spine—and not a good shiver.

  “No.” Mark grunted. “She…doesn’t”

  Something built in the air, a pressure or tension that continued to grow and grow until it felt like something was going to snap. It felt like a balloon. The rubber tightens and stretches to full, but the air continues filling it and you know at any second it will burst. It wasn’t long until the pressure in the air shattered, and when it did the building shook violently. Suddenly, the glass along the outer walls imploded, spraying the entire room with debris. The noise was deafening.

  Screaming, I instinctively covered my face, realizing quickly, however, it was unnecessary. The glass flew into the room like thousands of deadly projectiles, embedding into every piece of flesh they came into contact with—every bit of flesh but my own. It was as if something, or someone, protected me.

  Mark.

  The man draining me stopped what he was doing and grunted. His hold on my throat loosened when a large fragment of glass pierced his neck, deep and vicious like a knife. Bile rose in my throat when I saw the tip of the intrusion jutting from the other side of his neck. Any deeper and it would have taken his head off.

  It may not have killed him, but at least it diverted his attention long enough for me to get a second to breathe. I gulped down huge lungfuls of air. Pulling the invasion from his body distracted him enough to give me precious seconds to recoup. As he did, new energy suddenly poured into me. It was Mark, helping me, flooding me with…life. I would’ve thought he’d have to touch me to do it, but I felt the energy funneling into me through an invisible thread that stretched between us, connecting us. I heard his voice again in my head. Hold on, Alyssa.

  Trying to catch a glimpse of him, I turned my head as far as I could under the circumstances. With the asshole pinning me to the bed, movement was severely limited. Mark’s reflection off the mirror on his dresser was the only thing I saw. Two men surrounded him, pressing him to the wall next to the bed. He thrashed, desperately trying to free himself. Strangely, neither man actually had their hands on him, but something held him down. Impervious to the explosion of glass, both men focused their attention intently on Mark. Fragments jutted from their skin, blood from the wounds soaked their shirts, and still their concentration never wavered.

  A prickly tingle drew my attention back to the living nightmare happening above me. The hand around my throat tightened once again, and with it I felt my life being ripped from me.

  “No!” Mark yelled. “She’s innocent. Please!”

  His voice, so bleak, so filled with the defeat as he begged for my life, caused a sharp pain in my chest. “I can’t lose her, again. Please.”

  That did it. The sound of this powerful man, normally so controlled, now raw with emotion and pleading for my life, it was that heartbreaking sound that finally brought me to my senses. What was I waiting for? I didn’t need him to save me. I wasn’t about to lie down quietly while this evil leech sucked the life from me. I was capable of defending myself.

  Although it felt like cement weighed down my limbs, I had just enough energy to kick up my legs behind him and hook them around his neck. The move surprised him enough to loosen his grip once again. This time, I took the opportunity to yank him back with my legs and scrabble out from under him. When he reached for my ankle, I turned and landed a hard kick to his jaw that had him grunting and falling off the bed. I ran for the living room without a backward glance, terrified they’d hurt Mark but knowing I had to find a way to get us both out of here.

  Don’t worry about me, run! Again Mark was speaking in my head. How was he doing that? If we made it through the night alive he had some explaining to do.

  Sprinting for the front door, I gasped when it was suddenly blocked by a bookshelf that had abruptly tipped over. I heard him laughing behind me.

  I turned quickly and thrust my hands out, not really sure what I was going to do. All I wanted was to keep him from getting closer to me. As I thought it, I felt something explode out of me. I couldn’t see anything but I felt it. Suddenly, the man flew as if he’d been thrown into the wall behind him. I didn’t stop to wonder where that had come from, I ran into the kitchen.

  Heavy footsteps pounded behind me. Opening drawers, I searched frantically until I found a weapon. I spun around holding the large butcher knife in front of me, impressed that I managed to keep my hand from shaking. “Stay back.”

  He stopped only a few feet before me, a menacing grin curling his mouth. “That was interesting. It’s been awhile since someone put up a good fight.”

  “Why are you doing this to me? What did I do to you?”

  “Nothing.”

  Before I could respond, the knife was ripped from my hand and flying across the room. With a thud, it wedged into the wall across the kitchen. It was as if someone had pulled it from me, though no one actually touched it. So startled by what had happened I almost didn’t move in time when the man lunged at me.

  Luckily, I had quick reflexes. Stepping to the side, I managed to evade him and land a solid kick to his sternum. Buckling over with a groan, he looked up at me again, but oddly, he was smiling, almost appreciatively.

  “Nice move.” He praised before getting to his feet. Great, now he was blocking the only exit in the room.

  Scanning the area, I looked for anything that could be used as a weapon. What was the point though, no matter what I picked up he’d just get rid of it like he did the knife. I didn’t have time to think before he spoke again.

  “This has been fun, pet. But playtime is over.” His face turned deadly serious and he stretched his arm toward the knife. His focus turned from me and I watched with trepidation as the weapon wrenched from where it was planted in the wall and moved across the room, settling in his hand. Before I could process my shock, he turned the knife, grabbing it by the blade, and flung it at me.

  I screamed. Not my proudest moment, but hard not to when someone hurls a sharp object at your head. Raising my arms instinctively, I noticed a bright blue light flash in front of me. The blade stopped inches from my face before it fell to the ground at my feet.

  “Remarkable.” He smirked. “Not many new witches come into their power so quickly.”

  I was taken aback by the compliment. It wasn’t every day someone praised you while trying to kill you. Wh
at was I supposed to say, thanks?

  “I don’t understand why you’re doing this.”

  Shrugging nonchalantly, he inched slowly closer. “I was ordered to, nothing personal.”

  “You sound like a fucking robot. Of course it’s personal. Taking a life is nothing but personal.” I couldn’t fight the grimace as guilt washed over me, my words reminding me of what I’d done to the woman at the hospice. What a hypocrite I was, admonishing him for killing when I’d done that very thing less than twenty four hours ago.

  He stopped moving, cocked his head to the side and furrowed his brow as if confused. For the first time since I woke up, I felt a glimmer of hope as something resembling emotion crossed his expression. “It almost sounds as if you mean that.”

  The incredulous tone of his statement caused me to bristle. “Of course I mean it.”

  Arching one eyebrow, he looked at me—or rather, through me. As if he could see inside, see every secret. “For someone who holds life in such high regard you have a strange way of showing it.” Blood drained from my face as I realized he knew. But how?

  “You know what happened today?” My whispered words were filled with shame.

  “That’s why I’m here.”

  My eyes widened and my stomach plummeted to my feet. “You were ordered to kill me…because of what I did?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re from that IMS group, aren’t you?”

  The corner of his mouth slanted like he was trying to hold back a grin, but he held my gaze. “It’s ISM, and yes.”

  I couldn’t hold his gaze any longer knowing he knew what I’d done. I looked away, exhaling a resigned sigh. My shoulders slumped and I relaxed from my fighting stance. “I won’t fight you, then.”

  His brow knit together in confusion. “You’re not going to fight? You’re going to let me kill you?”

  I gave a humorless chuckle. “I’m sorry. Did I just take all the fun out of your assignment?” Sarcasm dripped from my words. I may have felt deserving of the punishment, but that didn’t mean I had to be gracious about it.

  “Why aren’t you going to fight to live?”

  I shrugged, “Because I don’t deserve to live. When I found out what would happen as consequence for saving my friend, I should have acted differently. What I should’ve done is traded my life for his. My life is the only one I have a right to hold power over. I’ve regretted what I did from the moment it was done.”

  Suddenly, he lost the suspicious look and for the first time I saw compassion thawing that icy cold expression of his. I decided to take advantage of the weakness. Clearing my throat, I swallowed the lump that had taken up residence there. “Could I ask a favor, first?”

  He raised one eyebrow, skeptically. “What favor?”

  “Could you give me some time to talk to Mark before you…you know? I owe him a goodbye.”

  He hesitated before answering, “First, you have to give me your word you won’t run from me.”

  I chuckled. “I’ve admitted to killing another human being, but you’re willing to trust my word?”

  He bent down, taking hold of the knife. “You won’t have a choice but to honor it.” As he lifted the blade to my palm I fought to remain still when he pressed the tip into my skin. There was a sharp pain and then I watched as blood pooled on the surface.

  “Now, I want you to repeat after me. By my blood, I, Alyssa Reynolds, give my word I will not run.”

  As I repeated the oath, a prickly sensation covered my hand and light shone from the palm. I watched, fascinated, as the cut healed and the blood disappeared.

  “What just happened?” Turning my hand, I examined it as if the answers were engraved there somewhere.

  “That is how a witch takes an oath. It’s been bound with blood magic so you won’t be able to run from me if you change your mind.”

  “I gave you my word. Even without magic I would have honored it.” I sighed, desolation filling me as I thought about saying goodbye to Mark. I knew he would have a hard time understanding or accepting my decision. I felt his desperation over losing me earlier tonight. He’d fight for my life, even if I refused to fight for it. “Can I see Mark now?”

  His face softened before he nodded. Strange, he’d always seemed so cold and remote in my dreams, it was unreal discovering he had a considerate side.

  “Thank you.”

  With a sinking heart, I turned and headed toward the bedroom, eyes pricking. It was nearly impossible to hold in the tears as the thought struck me that this was going to be my last chance to see Mark. No more laughing together, no movies, and we definitely wouldn’t make love again. My chest clenched with a pain so intense I almost buckled. It felt like it had been hollowed out and nothing but a raw, empty cavity remained. Worse though, was the knowledge that I’d leave Mark alone. I couldn’t imagine losing a soul mate would be easy. I’d only known Mark for a month, but already he was part of me. I didn’t think I could survive losing him if the situation were reversed. I only hoped he was stronger than me.

  The man followed me to the bedroom quietly and an inane thought occurred to me. I didn’t even know his name. He was the person sent to mete out justice, the one who’d plagued my dreams for weeks and I didn’t know what to call him. I stopped, turning toward him curiously. “What’s your name, by the way?”

  He snorted, seemingly amused by the question. “Does it matter?”

  He was a source of fear and anxiety to me for weeks, yet none of that seemed important right now. Someone who had once felt like a monster now felt… human. “I’ve been having nightmares about you for a while,” he seemed surprised by the admission, “but you’re not the evil monster I thought you were in my dreams. I want you to know that I don’t blame you. I understand.”

  For just a moment he looked almost as desolate as I felt. Then he smiled sadly, “Michael, my name is Michael.”

  “Can I call you Mike?” I asked, trying to lighten the gloomy atmosphere.

  His lips quirked, “Not unless you want me to kill you now.” He countered. It was a little surreal to be joking about my death, considering the circumstances. Still, I couldn’t help but smile at the humor in his eyes.

  “Thank you, Michael, for giving me time with him.”

  He nodded, extending his hand out front indicating I should continue. When I rounded the corner and entered the bedroom the first thing I saw was Mark, unconscious on the floor. I gasped and ran toward him, throwing myself to my knees. “What happened? Is he okay?”

  The men standing above him didn’t answer, but looked at me in shock, their eyes darting back and forth between Michael and me. I could see the question in their eyes. What had happened between him chasing me, intent on my death, to the two of us walking calmly into the room together? Their confusion would have been comical if I wasn’t so worried about Mark.

  “Mark?” I lifted his head into my lap, thankful he was still breathing. His eyes fluttered open in confusion, but I saw the moment realization hit. He sucked in a breath and pulled me into his arms. “Alyssa, thank God!”

  Closing my eyes, I sank into his embrace, taking in everything. His clean, masculine scent tickled my nose, his heart raced so hard I felt it mirrored through my body, and his warmth seeped into me. And all of it was tearing apart my heart, knowing I’d never hold him like this again. But what was worse was the knowledge of what he’d go through after this was over.

  “I love you.” I breathed.

  I wouldn’t have thought it possible, but he pulled me even tighter against him and whispered, “I love you, too.”

  Before I knew why, his body tensed and he pulled back. I glanced in the direction he was looking and realized what had him stiffening up. With a murderous stare, he narrowed his eyes at Michael.

  “Um…Mark?” Taking his face gently between my hands, I turned him to face me. “I need to talk to you.”

  “What the fuck is going on?” He demanded, coming quickly to his feet and pulling me behind him.<
br />
  “Mark, this is Mich—”

  “I know his goddamned name!” Usually so calm, I’d never seen him this furious.

  “You didn’t tell her?” Michael’s question held a hint of accusation.

  “I haven’t had a chance. It’s been a busy couple days.”

  “Tell me what?” I asked, curiosity piqued by their cryptic comments.

  “Later.” Mark answered.

  “But I—”

  “Later.” He repeated more insistently.

  “Mark—”

  “Alyssa, please.” Practically begging, I could almost see his mind racing trying to figure a way for us to escape. “Later.”

  “She doesn’t have time later.” Michael interjected impatiently.

  “You’re not touching her. I won’t let you.” He pulled me closer behind his back, protecting me. My heart sank.

  “Mark, she’s agreed to accept her punishment.” Strangely, Michael seemed almost regretful. “And she took a blood oath not to run.”

  Mark whipped around to face me, his eyes wide and a little wild. “What? Why?” The last word was whispered, but it was accompanied with a wave of his emotions that were like a punch to the gut. Betrayal, anger, and pain swept over me in a rush, my breath caught from the force of it.

  “I’m so sorry, but I can’t let you get hurt trying to protect me when this whole mess is my fault.” My eyes watered.

  “Alyssa, you have no idea what’s really going on here.”

  “Yes, I do. It’s punishment for what I did.” I murmured with regret.

  “This has nothing to do with what happened with Colin.” Lifting his arm, he stroked my cheek gently with his knuckles. “Do you think you’re the first witch who’s been in this situation? It can happen so easily when we first come into our powers with no idea of our capabilities. It’s happened countless times before. It’s happened to me. And none of those witches were sentenced to die for an accident.”