Bleeding Misery (Threatening Souls Book 2)
Page 18
Rebekah glanced at Jake, expecting him to be outraged at what he would presume to be a fantasy, but all he did was sit back and say, “I knew there was something off about Holly.”
Andre narrowed her eyes. “Holly and I saved you!”
This time, Jake flinched. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it maliciously, but this explains so much.” He paused, his eyes on Rebekah once again. “Those six weeks where Holly tried to dictate your life…she wasn’t doing it to control you, was she? She was trying to protect you.”
Weakly, Rebekah nodded. “I understood Holly’s intentions as soon as I set foot in that town,” she said, meeting Jake’s stare. “You decided to visit me on my birthday, and I lied to you to get you to leave and save you, but even then…” She choked on her words as she recalled her failed attempt to save him, how his hands latched onto her as his mouth sealed over hers, and those beady, maroon eyes.
Jake looked astonished. “I just remember the plane. I don’t remember that.”
“No, you wouldn’t.” Rebekah met Andre’s gaze, silently begging to leave the conversation. She didn’t want to relive those days with the possessed Jake. She wanted to move on with the real Jake and be loved and cherished the way she was before, but now, she was beginning to realize that no matter what, a dark cloud perpetually hung over Jake, bringing forth those unfavorable memories.
Andre seemed to get the hint, and she pushed herself off the couch. Somehow, even though Rebekah didn’t outright say it in the motel room in Seattle, Andre was able to put the pieces together and figure out what happened to her, and even more bizarre was the fact she even seemed like she understood Rebekah’s pain. “Go grab your guitar,” she said. “We’re leaving.”
And Rebekah was more than happy to comply.
~~~
Still baffled by the conversation that had just happened, Rebekah had no desire to go through with the music portion. Yet, she knew if she backed out, Jamie would kill her, so there she was with a guitar in hand as Andre silently led her to the stadium.
She hadn’t touched a guitar in over a year, and all she really remembered were basic chords. Surprisingly, when she arrived at the stadium, she had arrived early, and she decided to sit alone and contemplate how she was going to perform.
“Jamie scares me,” said a voice from directly in front of Rebekah.
Rebekah looked up from having her head bent over the instrument. “Tatiana,” she said, recalling meeting Tatiana in the elevator in London. That was also when Jamie rudely turned her away from the Russian competitors. “She’s just really competitive.”
“Well, hopefully you’re not that way,” Tatiana said. “Considering the fact that I’m participating in this portion too.”
“My heart’s not in this,” said Rebekah, pushing the guitar away. “I’d rather perform on my own terms, not hers.”
“These are your own terms.”
Rebekah’s eyes narrowed at Tatiana. “Why do you waste your time talking to me anyway?” she questioned, cringing at how harsh that sounded.
Tatiana merely shrugged. “You get to write and perform your own material,” she said, avoiding Rebekah’s question. Then, she sauntered off to where a keyboard was.
Rebekah looked at the guitar, instantly thinking of Jamie. Moments ago, she would have backed out of the competition as her form of revenge, but now, she decided that she would stay in the competition. Jamie would get her wish for more points to beat Julie with—and Rebekah would play on her naivety. She planned on writing a song about Jamie, a song that Jamie would be too arrogant to know who it was really about. A wicked smile played on Rebekah’s lips as she grabbed her guitar and moved towards where the other participants were waiting.
A few minutes had passed before Jeffery greeted the participants, explaining the rules of the music portion. Write and perform a song in any genre. Doesn’t have to include vocals. No excessive swearing. No inappropriate content.
Then, the participants were filed into the stadium, where a screaming crowd greeted them. One by one, they were introduced—Francesca Rossi, Giselle Mesenschmitt, Hana Kaji, Kristiina Meri, Tatiana Andreivich, Marisa Marceau, Rebekah Jensen, and Felicia Alvarez.
After the rules were repeated by Jason, Rebekah had thirty minutes to come up with something suitable. Sticking with simple chords and varying the rhythm at certain parts, she began working on the lyrics in her mind:
“In your sick, twisted mind,
You used me, abused me.
To your want, I am blind,
Trying to wrestle free.
Yet, you pulled me away,
Lying to me, stealing from me,
Pulling me deeper and deeper astray
As I try to struggle free.”
The rest of the lyrics fell into place, and soon, she played through the song, pleased with what she had accomplished.
The bell sounded, signaling the end of the thirty-minute period. Rebekah committed the lyrics that she had come up with to memory as she sat patiently, waiting for her turn.
The first participant to perform was Felicia, followed by Francesca, and then, Hana. Rebekah listened to each of them. Though Felicia and Francesca chose to perform songs in the pop genre, Hana chose a genre that was foreign to Rebekah—a genre introduced to her as enka. After each performance concluded, the scores were given, and Rebekah was surprised that Japan only scored a two. The song itself wasn’t atrocious, and Hana had a beautiful voice, but those who judged her claimed that she should have chosen a more universally-known genre.
Then came Tatiana’s turn, who sang a beautifully-done, slow song on the keyboard in Russian. Rebekah watched her with curiosity before glancing at Jason and the chaperones. Instantly, her eyes landed on Jeffery. But his, for once, were set on someone else.
Tatiana.
Instantly, Rebekah felt jealousy consume her, unable to control it. She knew in her heart that she shouldn’t feel anything, since she was back together with Jake, but what she had felt with Jeffery was different somehow. Almost electric, even though nothing had happened between them.
Yet, as she looked at all the other faces of the magic users, she realized that all of them were staring at Tatiana, and not just because they were listening to her song. It was as if they sensed something about her but weren’t quite sure what. Rebekah turned her attention back to Tatiana, wondering what it was they sensed about her.
Tatiana finished playing, scoring a five. After her, others had performed, including Marisa, who had scored an eight. Which meant that Jamie wouldn’t accept anything less a nine. Way to put too much pressure on me.
Soon, it was Rebekah’s turn—the second to last performance. With confidence, she approached the front of the arena and plopped down on a stool with the acoustic guitar, facing Jason. Jamie, this is for you, she thought as she started playing and singing the lyrics that pained her. In her mind, she pictured Jamie cheering her on from the Eternal Division room with the television set turned on. She heard Jamie criticizing Marisa’s performance—and then, her thoughts shifted.
Jamie still played in her mind with Jake, wrapping her arms around the nape of his neck. Their lips brushed against each other before they started kissing on a couch. The kissing intensified as each of them had thrust their tongues in the other’s mouths. Rebekah watched in horror at that thought before she realized that it wasn’t reality. Quickly, she wiped that thought away, knowing Jake would never do that to her.
Rebekah concluded her song, waiting for the final result.
“I give you an eight,” Jason said.
Rebekah’s heart sank, knowing she had tied with Marisa, Jamie’s competition. What is Jamie going to say?
The last performance by Kristiina started, but Rebekah barely paid any attention to it. Turning towards the crowd, she searched for Jake, but he was nowhere to be found. As soon as the final performance concluded, and as soon as the participants were excused, she ran out of the stadium in search of Jake.
Rebekah didn�
�t have to look far.
Seeming to come out of nowhere, Jake grabbed Rebekah the moment she exited the stadium and pressed his lips against hers for a second.
“You were amazing,” he breathed as he pulled away. “Like an angel.”
“Jamie’s going to throw a fit,” said Rebekah.
“Because the song was about her?” Jake teased.
“No. Wait—how do you know that?”
“It’s not that hard to figure out,” said Jake. “However, Jamie is too wrapped up in herself to even consider the song was about her.”
“Well, I tied with Marisa,” Rebekah said, dipping her head low. “Jamie feels serious competition with the French clique.”
“Look, you did the best you could,” Jake cooed before kissing her again.
Rebekah pulled away after a few minutes, panting. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Andre approach them. Great, she thought. Someone else to tell me they know exactly who the song was about.
But Andre never mentioned the song. “We need to talk,” she said in a serious manner, “in a quiet place.”
Rebekah looked at Jake in confusion. “What did I do?”
“You didn’t do anything,” Andre paused, her eyes landing on Jake. “However, there are suspicions that Tatiana may be an Innocent.”
Rebekah couldn’t believe what she just heard. There’s no way Tatiana can be an Innocent—is there? But she knew that would explain a lot, mainly the reason why Tatiana knew who she was before they had even met.
“Eternal Division wasn’t chosen at random, and neither was the Russian clique. The mortals have suspected Tatiana was an undocumented Innocent for a long time, and they wanted her here so they could observe her,” Andre explained. “Courtney had started to suspect it when she could sense something different in Tatiana’s aura during the elevator ride in London—something that was similar to yours. She also thought it was odd that Tatiana knew who you were before you even met her. Then, there was the death of Dimitri Andreivich, whose last name is coincidentally identical to hers.”
“That means nothing,” Rebekah stated. “Coincidences happen all the time.”
“Not in the magic world. Besides, you share the same last name as your Other Part,” said Andre. “Those who share the same last name are just as common as those who don’t.”
The term “Other Part” made Rebekah shiver, for she hadn’t forgotten learning about what created an Innocent.
“Wait, how is an Innocent…created?” Jake wondered with confusion written on his face.
“They have to be related to and share the same birthday as an immortal magic user,” Andre answered him. “In Rebekah’s case, it’s Sierra Jensen. In Johnson’s case, it was Selena Johnson. In Tatiana’s case…it’s Dimitri Andreivich.”
Rebekah shuddered at the mention of Johnson, the spirit who followed Henri around like a lapdog. She felt Jake wrap his arms tightly around her, and she leaned into him.
“So, Tatiana may be like Rebekah,” Jake said, shrugging. “What’s the big deal?”
Andre narrowed her eyes at his ignorance. “There is still a lot you don’t understand.” She paused. “I need to go and think things over.” Then, she left.
Rebekah broke away from Jake’s embrace. “I need to go after her.”
“Why?” Jake questioned. “What did I do wrong?”
“Nothing,” Rebekah assured him. “It’s just that any news of that kind is a big deal. I’ll see you later, okay?”
Jake gave Rebekah a confused look but let her go.
Rebekah left the stadium, flying down the hallway in pursuit of Andre, who didn’t get very far in that brief moment. She raced to catch up, shouting, “Wait!”
Andre stopped dead in her tracks and waited a few seconds before saying, “Your boyfriend annoys me.”
“You’re the one who let him into this world,” Rebekah reminded her.
“Because you goaded me to,” Andre stated flatly. “I didn’t want to, but you wouldn’t shut up!”
Rebekah flinched, and Andre instantly softened.
“I’m sorry,” Andre amended. “I didn’t mean that.”
“Yes, you did,” Rebekah said coldly. “None of this would have happened if you just fixed it!”
“He deserves to know,” said Andre, and for a moment, Rebekah thought she was referring to more than just the magic world.
“What do you mean?”
Andre sighed. “I see the pain in your eyes every time he’s near.” She paused. “He deserves to know what that spirit made him do.”
Suddenly, it felt like a weight was crushing her as she struggled to breathe. “You don’t understand,” she said coldly. “That news would crush him!”
“I do understand! More than you’ll ever realize!” Andre said. “But, Rebekah, this relationship isn’t healthy, and I think you know that!”
“So, what? You revealed the magic world to him so I would eventually tell him the spirit who stole his body tried to rape me?” she seethed. “And that every time I look at him, I still see those maroon eyes, and I can still feel—”
“Rebekah!” Andre warned. And then, she went deathly silent as her eyes settled on something in the distance.
Rebekah followed her gaze, catching a glimpse of someone down the hallway. Who’s that? she wondered until the person turned around.
“She’s the reason why Tatiana is an important case,” said Andre, nodding towards the person. “I’m sure she already knew what Tatiana was before we did.”
Rebekah knew right away the person was Kat, who she had only met briefly in London before Courtney pulled her away. From down the hallway, Kat looked them over before making her way towards them.
Rebekah watched Kat come closer and closer, her heart beating fast inside her chest. Kat flashed her a friendly smile, but she didn’t return it.
“Of all people, I didn’t expect to see you wandering around in this hallway,” Kat said to Andre.
“I’m taking Rebekah back to her room,” Andre replied stoically. “Not that it’s any of your concern.”
“The Bewitched struck again near your hallway, so I do believe it is of my concern why you’re here.”
The mention of the Bewitched made Rebekah’s heart beat faster. Flashes of those long, venomous claws came to mind as well as the destruction they had done to Bianca Moretti’s body and to the victim in her dream.
“Who was the victim this time?” Andre demanded.
“Natasha Alekseev,” answered Kat.
Tatiana’s friend, Rebekah remembered, recalling the memory of meeting Tatiana and Natasha in the elevator in London.
“Of course it would be one of your own,” Andre accused indirectly.
Kat sighed deeply. “I did not set the Bewitched after her. I have no reason to do that.”
“Take us to her,” Andre commanded.
Rebekah followed them, still shivering. Seeing another one end up like Bianca was not what she wanted to see, especially someone who was so close to Tatiana. Tatiana, who was apparently another Innocent and whose clique had an immortal witch as a chaperone. Upon arriving at the gruesome scene, Rebekah made eye-contact with Mandy and instantly went over to her.
“Where’s Holly?” she wondered.
Mandy shrugged. “I don’t keep tabs on her.”
Rebekah forced herself to look at Natasha, whose fate ended the same way as Bianca’s with the chest torn open and the heart missing.
“Henri’s concerned about you, you know.” Mandy paused. “He’s eager to meet you, but the mortal magic users have sealed your mind off.”
“I have no desire to speak with him.”
“But—” Mandy started to say before stumbling backwards.
Rebekah looked at Mandy with concern in her eyes. “Mandy, what’s going on?”
“Th-there’s pain i-in—” Mandy started to say, pressing her hands to her forehead. Before Rebekah had a chance to comprehend what was happening, Mandy fell against the wall.
“Someone get Jason!” she heard Courtney say as two people knelt down beside her. To her right was Andre, and to her left was Courtney.
“Rebekah, what happened?” Courtney asked in a calm voice.
“She was complaining about her head hurting, and then, she…fell,” Rebekah said through panicked breaths.
Within moments, Jason appeared, glancing once at Natasha’s body before setting his eyes on Mandy. “What happened?”
Courtney and Andre forced Rebekah away from Mandy, despite her protests.
“Mandy’s apparently fallen,” Andre reiterated, “and we don’t know why.”
Jason studied Mandy, glancing once at the Russian participants. “I need to take her to my office,” he said, securing his arms around her. Instantly, he took off, followed by Courtney and Andre.
Holly arrived at the scene shortly afterwards, eyeing the scene of Natasha with suspicion. “Someone else was attacked today?” she said to no one in particular, and she didn’t receive an answer back.
Rebekah went up to her, demanding, “Where were you?”
Startled, Holly’s gaze shifted away from Natasha to Rebekah. “I was looking around this place.” She paused. “I didn’t expect to return only to find a body near our hallway!”
“Whatever happened to your original plan for us to stick together?”
“You were off doing the music portion, and Mandy has no desire to be around me!” Holly said defensively.
“That’s great,” said Rebekah, “because Mandy recently fell for no apparent reason, and Jason carted her away!”
Holly’s face fell. “We need to go after her,” she declared.
Without waiting another second, the two of them took off running down the hallway, trying to find Jason’s office. By the time they reached the office, both were panting heavily as they—or rather, Holly—started pounding on the door excessively. The door opened slightly, and Rebekah expected Jason to be behind it.