“You’d know if you hadn’t been trying to get back in the cathedral!” She shook her head and made another wild turn that belonged in The Fast and the Furious.
“I was trying to figure out how we got inside,” I grumbled and glanced behind us to see if the police had caught our trail yet. “The doors were locked just now.”
“I don’t know. Maybe Michael helped you out and opened them.”
I scoffed. “Why would Michael help me? My ancestor stole his sword and hid it from him for six hundred years. This is the same Sngel that stole my entire family’s magic. Why would he help me now?”
She shook her head. “I’ve been asking myself that question all damn day.”
“You’re just pissy because your boyfriend had to leave,” I snarled.
“He’s not my boyfriend!”
I rolled my eyes. “Really? Then what’s with all the kissing and cuddling and wearing his clothes?”
“I’m trying, damn it!”
“Trying to what? Date him?” I shouted as heat rushed through my body. “WHY?!”
“Because I’m in love with you, you idiot!”
I gasped.
My heart stopped.
Silence.
“What?”
She shook her head and gripped the steering wheel. Her eyes got watery. “I’m in love with you. Is that what you want to hear?”
I opened my mouth then shut it.
“Does hearing that make you feel better? Because it’s true. I’m in love with you. Have been for a long time now.” She took a deep, shaky breath. Her fingers trembled on the steering wheel. “This…this…thing between us is killing me, okay? It’s killing me to know that you have a soulmate, and it isn’t me. Killing me. Yeah, I’m trying to date Cooper. I’m trying to like him. I’m trying to get over you before…before your soulmate finally shows up and my heart is broken. So please, give me a damn break.”
“Bettina…I…I…” I love you, too.
It was true. I was completely in love with her. I loved her with every fiber of my being, but I didn’t say it. I couldn’t say it. Because of that stupid mark on my chest that tied me to someone else. I couldn’t tell her how I felt exactly the same way. That wouldn’t help her get over me. No matter how much I wanted to say it, it would only hurt her more. Because at the end of the day, I belonged to someone else. Even if I said screw it and let myself love this amazing girl next to me, my soulmate was still going to show up eventually. It was better to let go now than to let these emotions grow any stronger than they already were.
I would go down with this ship alone so she could float away. I had to give her that chance. I had to let her try, just like she said she was doing. And I was a complete asshole for not realizing this sooner. Instead of wallowing in my pain and misery, I should have made an effort to give her space to move on.
So instead of saying those three words back, I turned in my seat and faced forward. I stared out the windshield as we flew past buildings and city lights. We drove in tense, heavy silence as the weight of her words hung around us. My chest was tight. I felt like I couldn’t take a deep breath. I needed to say something. I couldn’t let the conversation end like that.
I sighed and felt the final pieces of my heart crumble. “I’m sorry, Bettina. I’m sorry for a lot of things. I hate that this happened,” I whispered.
She chuckled sadly. “You say that now, but then she will show up and I’ll just be a fuzzy memory.”
That did it. My heart shattered right then and there. Silence was all I had left.
Chapter Fifty-Two
JACKSON
A little over four hours later, Bettina pulled our car over then shut it off.
Neither of us moved or made a sound. We both just sat there staring out the windshield. It was only supposed to take us two hours to drive here, but there had been a huge accident that shut down the roads. In that time, we hadn’t said a word. We hadn’t turned the music on, either.
I was just…done
It was a good thing this quest wasn’t just about me, or otherwise I might’ve let myself give up. This thing with Bettina, this being in love and knowing it can’t ever happen thing, had destroyed me day by day, little by little, until I was left empty. And I didn’t have the strength to fight the destruction anymore.
But this wasn’t about me. I had my entire family relying solely on me. Rumors in the Lancaster halls said if I succeeded, every single Lancaster in the world would instantly get their magic—whether they were nine days old or ninety years. I didn’t know if that was true, but if it was, then I couldn’t let them all down.
My bloodline was one of the founding bloodlines. One of the originals created by the Goddess. There was a ton of history there, and pride, too. I wanted to give that back to us. I wanted to reclaim what was rightfully ours.
It was that and that alone that had me reaching for the handle.
But then I stopped. There was one thing I needed to do first.
I cleared my throat. “I’m sorry for the way I behaved today.”
She sighed. “We don’t have to do this now.”
“Yes, we do.” I looked over and let myself soak her in. “Because whether or not I succeed tonight, I want you to know that I wouldn’t have gotten this far without your help.”
“Thank you.” Her cheeks flushed. She tucked her hair behind her ears then peeked up at me with a smirk. “You’re not just a pretty face.”
I smiled. “But it is pretty.”
She laughed and nodded. “It is.”
“I am sorry, Bettina.”
“I know. Me too.” She exhaled and leaned back in her seat. “For the record, I was only checking my phone all night to see if Eden was okay. I kept hoping Tegan would call or text, but no one has.”
Well, shit. I really am an asshole.
She threw her hand over her mouth and laughed. Hard.
I nodded. “I said that out loud, didn’t I?”
“You sure did,” she said between laughs.
“Lovely.” I smiled and shook my head. I reached over and tucked a runaway strand of her hair behind her ear, then brushed my thumb across her jaw. There were a million things I wanted to say right then, but I had to push those aside. “It’s time to find this sword and be done.”
She took a deep breath then exhaled. “According to my app, dawn begins today at six thirty with astronomical twilight. It wasn’t specific, but my wager is on that being considered dawn.”
My stomach turned. “That leaves us about two and a half hours to find it before third dawn.”
“Let’s do this.”
Without another second of hesitation or stalling, I threw my car door open and jumped out. I heard the click of Bettina’s door, then a gust of chilly wind carried her floral scent over to me. King Henry’s crown warmed in my hand, like it was begging for attention.
Something brushed against my arm and I jumped, but it was only Bettina’s long blonde hair whipping around in the breeze. She stared at the scene before us with sharp eyes filled with determination. I’d meant what I said to her. I wouldn’t have made it this far without her. Her strength and willpower were something to behold, something I fed on when I wanted to buckle under stress.
I shook myself and turned to look around. This town of Rouen did look like a nice little place to visit. We stood on the edge of a courtyard in the center of the town, surrounded by quaint little buildings that carried a ton of French culture in their details. There was a building in the far corner of the square with a bunch of slanted roofs that was designed to look like rising flames. Or at least according to what I read on Wikipedia. But the thing that really stood out to me was the massive cross standing to the side of it. The pole towered over the building.
I bet in the daytime it was pleasant. However, at four in the morning, there was an edge to the air. An eeriness that made me look over my shoulder every two seconds.
“This looks like a nice little town. Perfect for an execution,” she said softly. �
�Can you imagine being burned alive at the stake?”
Yes. It’s how I feel every time I look at you.
But I didn’t say that. No one wanted to hear that, not even me. It wasn’t in the slightest bit helpful.
I cleared my throat. “All right, let’s see if this crown has more to show us.”
She looked to me and waited. I knew her enough to know she was watching for my reaction. I closed my eyes and slid it on. The crown was comfortable on my head now, and it was like we’d bonded somehow. Its magic and energy washed over me. I felt stronger with it on.
I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. Unlike the last stop at Notre Dame, I noticed the difference instantly. Everything looked normal and the same...except for one single silvery orange flame flickering in front of us.
“What is it? What do you see?”
“A single flame.” I frowned and took a step toward it—and the air shimmered around me. That single flame erupted and shot out in a straight line ahead of me. I blinked. “Scratch that. It’s a fire trail.”
“Okay, let’s follow it.” Bettina pulled her sword out of its holster. “Do you feel like we’re being watched?”
I shivered and drew my sword. “Knowing the history here, I’d say that’s a safe assumption. C’mon.”
Together, we followed the trail of flames that only I could see across a dark courtyard. I couldn’t tell where they were leading us; it was kind of like a mirage. It was there, but it was hazy and unclear. After a few feet, it was impossible to see. It made my anxiety shoot through the roof. My heart pounded louder than the thud of our footsteps.
The trail led us over to the cross and around it. Not to it. I frowned and paused next to a small sign indicating this was where she’d been executed. The stained glass at Notre Dame suggested the sword was buried under the location of her execution. So either we read it wrong, or this wasn’t the real spot.
“She didn’t die here.” Bettina chuckled softly. “Is anything in history books accurate? Or is it all a cover-up?”
I smirked. “Do you really want me to answer that?”
Her face fell, then she shook her head. “No.”
I tugged her hand and pulled her with me, following the flames around the building and under a covered area. It seemed to be some kind of marketplace. There were little shops and tables lined up one after another. Nothing was open at this time, but it was probably cool when it was. One day I’d have to travel to all of these places for fun, as a proper tourist. For now, I turned my attention back to the silvery flames.
But then they ran right through the middle of a door. I grabbed the handle and yanked, but it didn’t budge. Henry probably hadn’t expected modern construction hindering his plans. I cursed and backed away from the door. There had to be another way inside. Maybe a window cracked open or a door left unlocked. I wasn’t keen on breaking and entering, but if nothing else worked, I’d give it a go.
“Can we use magic to unlock it?” Bettina scowled and hopped onto the step by the door—and it swung open. Without her even touching it. She spun around to face me with wide eyes. “I didn’t do it.”
My jaw dropped. “Actually, I think you did.”
“I didn’t even touch it!”
I hurried over to her side and inspected the now open doors. There were no marks on them, no secret latches or buttons. She hadn’t touched it; I knew that. I’d been watching. However, the fact was they still opened at her presence.
I stepped over the threshold and turned to her. “At Notre Dame, the doors had opened… I wasn’t paying attention then, but I bet it was just like this.”
She rolled her eyes and stepped inside. “And how would I have managed that?”
“This is a church, Moonshine. Just like Notre Dame.” I pointed to her hands. “You have angelic runes in your magic, so maybe they are the reason.”
She opened her mouth then shut it. “That doesn’t make me feel better.”
I nodded. “Understandably. But at least we’re inside now, so let’s keep moving.”
She licked her lips and rolled her shoulders. “Okay, where’s the fire going now?”
I spun and spotted the silver flames wrapping around a corner. I pushed off at a jog, following the turn of the trail and then slid to a stop. My balance faltered, and I dropped to one knee. I choked on the air around me. The fire ran straight up the aisle between rows of wooden pews then stopped right at the altar…where a woman was strapped and tied down. Flames erupted around her, flicking up to the sky and blazing bright silver and orange.
My stomach turned. I forced myself to look away. It wasn’t real. This wasn’t Joan of Arc in front of me right now; it was just a holographic image. It wasn’t real. It had happened six hundred years ago. But I didn’t want to see it. It looked too real.
Bettina gripped my arm and squeezed. She ducked and met my eyes. “What’s wrong?”
I swallowed a rush of nausea and shuddered. “I found where they executed her.”
Bettina’s eyes widened. She pulled back then looked toward the stained glass wall of windows. “Down there?”
I nodded. “I don’t want to see that.”
“Then don’t look up.” She turned her back to the altar and took my hand, then started to walk backwards, pulling me with her. “Keep your eyes on the ground. Tell me when the fire stops.”
I can do that. I can do this. Nothing said I had to look. I glued my gaze to the wooden floor and let Bettina drag me down the aisle. Together, with her hand burning against mine, we followed the trail of flames for twenty or thirty feet until it stopped on a glowing red circle. Things moved in my peripheral vision, but I knew I couldn’t look up. It was just the hologram.
I dropped to one knee and eyed the red circle. In the center of it there was a solid red line. At one end was a horizontal line, and at the other end a pentacle.
I took a deep breath and pressed my palm flat to the wood. It was hot under my skin. “This is it.”
Bettina knelt down in front of me. “Okay, so how should we go about tearing this wooden floor apart?”
I groaned. “I really don’t like this, but I suppose we don’t have much choice.”
There might’ve been better methods for demolition, but I went with what felt natural. I summoned my magic to my hand and waited until the blue flames pulsed. The color was light and vibrant. Let this work, please. I opened my hand up then pressed it into the wooden floor. The panels hissed and creaked. Smoke billowed from between the cracks.
Little pieces of wood melted away.
Bettina huffed and then the golden hilt of her sword smashed into the wood, blasting it to pieces. I smiled. That works, too. I followed her lead, slamming my weapon into the weakening floor. Then I got impatient. I jumped to my feet and rested all of my weight on my left foot, then I slammed my right foot into the wood. Pieces snapped under my force. I kicked and kicked again. Pink magic swirled around the opening. I peeked inside, but it was black. Cold air rushed up from the hole. We were going to have to go in.
Once we got the opening big enough, I took a deep breath then jumped inside. My feet thudded against something solid, but it was too dark to see. There was barely enough light shining through the hole. Bettina crash-landed beside me. I reached out and steadied her…and the wooden floor sealed shut over our heads, drenching us in darkness.
Chapter Fifty-Three
JACKSON
NO! I pushed off the ground and jumped as hard as I could, but my hand punched a solid surface. I winced and let gravity suck me back down. But everything was pitch-black. I couldn’t tell how far the ground was or how high I’d jumped. My heels hit first, but my balance faltered and my back slammed into the hard blackness, knocking my breath out of me.
“Jackson?” Bettina said in a hushed voice. “Jackson, where are you?”
I tried to speak, but my lungs hadn’t gotten with the program yet. So I raised my hand and summoned my magic to my fingers. Blue flames flickered within the pitch bla
ck.
“Was that crashing noise you?”
I coughed. “Yeah…”
“Are you on the ground?”
I pushed my flame to glow brighter, until a soft but bright blue glow covered everything. Including me, lying flat on my back on the ground. “Affirmative.”
She chuckled and hurried over. Then she gave me a wonky smile. “That sounded like it hurt.” She held her hand out to me.
I put my hand in hers then let her help me up. “Affirmative.” I leaned over and coughed uncontrollably. The air down here was thick and damp.
A soft pink glow lit up next to me. I peeked up and found Bettina watching me with a worried expression. “Don’t you dare die on me until we get out of here. Got it?”
I grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”
She nodded and took a deep breath. “We’re trapped underground, Lancelot. I am totally freaking out over here. Tell me you have a plan. Or an idea. Feel free to lie to me, but do it well so I believe you.”
That made me chuckle. I stood straight and rolled my neck. “This entire quest was orchestrated by Henry. He clearly wanted me to succeed in finding the sword he stole, so he would’ve made a way out of here.”
She gasped. “You’re right. Ben Gates always says the first thing the Masons would’ve done was create another way out in case of cave-ins and such.”
I frowned. “Ben Gates? Who is that? And did you say Masons?”
“Ben Gates, Nicolas Cage’s character in the National Treasure movies.”
“Right. Naturally. Just like you learned those fight moves from an Avengers movie.”
“Iron Man and Captain America movies —” She slammed her mouth shut.
I couldn’t be sure in only our blue and pink light, but it looked like she blushed.
“It worked, ya’ know.”
I laughed, remembering her fancy moves that would’ve kicked my ass had I not been as trained as I was. It was one of my favorite memories of her. “Sure did. So, Benjamin Gates. The treasure hunter… They do always find another way out—”
The Coven - Academy Magic Complete Series Page 77