Vengeful Hearts (Fate of the Witch Book 2)

by Raven Moon

  “Fuck!” Samuel paled; his bottom lip quivered.

  My gaze faltered, “I’m so sorry Samuel. She’s gone. You tried. There isn’t anything left to do.”

  Tears stained his cheeks, “Try again.” Samuel strained to hold his composure. I placed my ear over her heart, her once vibrant vibrations expired.

  “Did she tell you anything?”

  Samuel’s eyes burned red, “I. FUCKING. DO. NOT. KNOW.!” His voice was cold. Ice coated his skin. His chest heaved with each breath, “If you wouldn’t have gone off on your fucking own, she would still be alive. They would never have found her or tortured either of us.”

  “Don’t blame me. I’m not the one that wanted to be in the caves. That idea is yours and Trevor’s alone. What do you want me to do? Do you want my blood? My tears? I didn’t know they had her, how was I supposed to know?” I bellowed.

  ‘Sweet pea, don’t give up.’ My sweet grandmother invaded my thoughts. ‘My child, you can save her. You have the ability. Now use it before it is too late.’

  “I don’t know what to do. How do I save Sage?” I shouted looking up to the heavens.

  “Listen to me, you have the power,” Lucian reassured.

  “For thou who sleeps in stone and clay, heed this call, rise up and obey, trek on through the Mortal door, assemble flesh and walk once more.”

  Sage’s vibrations hummed a melody only my ears heard. With a slight movement from her hand, she gripped my wrist tight.

  “That hurts Sage, let go.”

  “Rainelle your fingers.” I looked down to see my fingers had turned blue. Pain funneled into my heart. The tiny bones gave way in a loud crunch, but as quickly as they broke, they healed.

  “What the holy fucking hellballs!” I caterwauled. Lucian pulled me back allowing Samuel to grab Sage. She let go of my hand, calming at his touch. I stood there unwavering. Sage’s emotions pulsated around me. I understood how she felt all too well, betrayal, pain, fear, and loathing I could justify. Her once vibrant soul lost to the unknown. Her eyes once held the stars, now dull and blank, “What the hell did I just do to my best friend?”

  Samuel stared into her eyes, “Can you hear me. Rainelle saved you.” He glanced over his shoulder for a split second then back to his cousin, “I’m sorry I didn’t protect you.” Samuel’s sorrow rode on his words. I looked to Lucian, he let me go. I touched Samuel on the shoulder, he jerked. I crossed in front of him meeting Sage’s cold eyes. Her head twitched to the left.

  “I call to thee, come to me, come to me.

  Come home to where you belong.

  As the eagle soar, let me hear your knock on my door.”

  I brought her lips to mine breathing life into her lungs. I pulled away with the hope to see just a sliver of the love she held, but a lust for death stared back at me. She perched forward using her hands to keep her steady. She smirked at Samuel. His fist glowed a bright white. Lucian’s wolf stood next to him, both, ready to fight this weakened person I just brought back to life and I didn’t understand why.

  “Something isn’t right,” Samuel voiced. Then Sage sprinted out of the room at warp speed. Like a bat out of hell, Lucian chased after her, “What the fuck happened?” I questioned.

  “You need to fix her Rainelle. She acted like a fucking Ghoul.”

  “I don’t know how to fix this shit. I turned my best friend into a fucking bloodsucking Ghoul. Sweet Jesus, help us all.”

  “We need to find her.”

  “Samuel, Sage ran away, faster than she should have been able to run. None of us is that quick. How the hell do you expect us to catch her?” He turned; a look of concern washed over his face.

  “No, we need to get the hell out before we get killed. Isn’t your boy toy following her? Let him deal with her.”

  “I’ll go look for her. Just leave Samuel. I’m not playing these jealousy games with you. He has helped me.” I shook my head licking my dry lips, “Did you know that my Grams was alive? No, you didn’t because you have been in hell. Who saved your ass? Huh? Yep, me and Lucian.” Fire danced around me, “Now, you want to high tail when your cousin has gone rogue? Someone we both love and care deeply about. Go…leave.” A wedge of anger filled my throat.

  “We’ll go together. I’ll give you fifteen minutes, then we get the fuck out. That is an order.” A flash of temper lighted his eyes.

  “How could I just leave the man I owe my life too and my best friend behind? Samuel, how can you ask me to do that? I’m strong in my powers, my magick and the vibration powers, my magick and the vibration of my energy are out of this world.” A flicker of irritation and impatience shone in his eyes.

  “Because I can. I made a promise to my best friend to protect you after his death.” I looked at him for a moment before letting my gaze falter, “It’s a good thing that I never listen.” I hissed and rushed down the dark passageway.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Rainelle

  Did Samuel honestly think I wouldn’t go after the people I care about? Hasn’t he learned anything about me? He is a foolish guy.

  I lost sight of Samuel and entered the tunnel. Every fiber of my soul alerted me of the possible danger. If the boogie man jumped out, he would not survive, not this time.

  I scanned each darkened chamber along the corridor. Banging, clanging, and chatter filled the unexplored partitions. I stopped and glanced in each expansion listening for activity.

  As I marked the spaces as I passed each area. Another narrow tunnel appeared off the right. My energy flowed and touched every inch of the area, nothing monstrous lain in wait. I drew in a breathless sigh. Suddenly something yanked the invisible string. I landed against a gooey sludge filling every open orifice of my face.

  I spit chunks of what I hoped was mud and wiped the junk from my eye sockets, then forced my eyes open, grit irritated my corneas. A ray of light shimmered in lines. As I made my way out of the tight space, I prayed nothing jumped on me. The light dissipated into total darkness. I stopped a moment to adjust my sight. That’s when I noticed heat signatures that flowed vividly of the rainbow. The energy waved hotter than fire. My heart leaped in my throat. I swirled around to chattering voices that lurked in shadows.

  “Come to us Rainelle, come now.”

  I abided the calling. Frantically I stumbled backward and clutched at my chest sucking in a deep breath. My eyes grew wide at the sight of Samuel, “Mother of all Gods!” I squalled, “You trying to kill me?” I forcefully shoved passed him pushing him hard against the wall.

  “You were told to leave? Why didn’t you listen to me? Come on, Sage is gone. Gone forever!” Samuel asserted. He grabbed my upper arm and jerked me to my feet lifting me over his shoulder. His nails dug into the tender flesh.

  “Let go of me Samuel, NOW!” I demanded, but he kept on trekking out of the small opening.

  “Shut up Rainelle. It’s not safe. If we don’t get out now, we never will.” He warranted. The loudness of his deep voice vibrated off the walls.

  “STOP, NOW! LET ME DOWN!” He stopped midway of the opening of the tunnel.

  He shot back, “You want down…here bitch!” I landed hard against the rocks, “I hope that hurt.”

  I stood holding my elbow, “What the hell is wrong with you?” My ribs and hip hurt when I tried to move. I leaned against the coolness of the wall fighting back the tears of hurt, hurt caused at the hand of the man I loved.

  “The spell didn’t work. Sage can never return to the world as we know it. She is hell’s demon now. There is no way of coming back from that. Why did you have to come back home? Why couldn’t you have stayed in Nashville?” His shoulders squared; a hardened look creased his face.

  I stood inches from him, “This isn’t my fault Samuel, and you know that. You knew what could happen, yet, you didn’t stop me.” I turned away and rested my head against a boulder, “Look, I don’t want to fight. Can we call a truce?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

 
; “I’ll forgive you this one time. If you want to Sage saved, then we need to go.”

  “Where, who is going to help us?”

  “Eve and my Mom, they can help bring her back the right way. We can save her, bring her back to the living.”

  “Your grams? She’s dead, so unless you summon her spirit, there is no hope.” He didn’t know.

  “Well, she is immortal. So, if you call that alive, then she is alive, surprise.” I blurted; his mouth gaped. I grabbed his hand.

  “Where are you taking me?”

  “To find Lucian and Eve.” Once we made it to the opening, I stopped and recited a locating spell.

  “Seriously, you have to place a locating spell. How could you not find your way back? If you can find your dead grandmother and ex-lover Lucian, I’m sure you can find this area again.” He gave attitude, his eyes burned.

  “This isn’t to find a way back, but to find them.” I shook my head at his arrogance, “Have I told you lately that you can be a dick.” Something was off about him, and the warlocks are to blame. As I stood there, I rubbed the base of his neck yanking a hair out to know 99.99 percent that was my Samuel and not a diabolical soul. I lifted my power to shield my thoughts from him.

  ‘Moon and tide help me now, I seek the truth here not yet found, Underneath the fog there lies, New possibilities for me,

  So, let this night be unlike others, let the noble show their colors, Let the meek and cowards run, now the moon seeks out her sun, and by the power, that is three.’

  I chanted silently. Images of fire entered my thoughts as I called the ancients. This clearly wasn’t Samuel. This evil twisted the truth.

  ‘I seek answers and your guidance. Who is the imposter? What are his intentions?’

  Samuel whispered, “Are you ok darlin’? You’re looking flushed.” Who the hell does this thing think it is calling my darlin’?

  “I’m okay, only tired. What did you do with the satchel?” I acknowledged raspily. I needed closer to the water to do damage, “Come on they are by the river.” We made haste to the swift-flowing stream. The air stifled with a smell of rotting flesh.

  “Thoughts mix and mingle, Paths intertwine, untangle this mess within Rainelle’s mind. May the truth come easy, and the way is clear, Light as a feather this magick will be.”

  Eve and Lucian stood by the edge chanting. A strong gust of wind slammed Lucian against the wall before Samuel’s body charged me knocking us into the frigid water.

  “WHAT IN THE HOLY HADES!” I hissed critically bobbing in the icy water. Samuel leaped up and pinned Lucian. Eve reached for my hand and flung me out of the water. She swished her hands in the air with added words. Samuel landed against a sharp rock in a hurl. Lucian jumped to his feet reversing the pin. His claw struck Samuel’s face gashing it open.

  “LUCIAN! STOP NOW!” I bellowed.

  He turned; his eyes full of fury, “This is NOT Samuel! We must destroy it NOW!” He said thunderously.

  “We need to find out the name of the demon. What does it want? Will it destroy Samuel in the process? I need to know these things before I kill.” I moved slowly to Lucian. Samuel snarled and growled. His body thrashed as he tried to fling Lucian off. I moved in close, Samuel stilled, “What happened?” I shouted and fell to my knees, dread hung in the air.

  “I knocked his ass out. It is the only way.” Lucian hissed, the surrounding energy intensified like static electricity.

  “Hells bells! This trip to save my ass has turned into a freakish nightmare.” I thought out loud.

  Eve frowned, “I summoned your Mom to help. Trevor and your Dad are protecting her.”

  I nodded and looked down at Samuel’s body. Evilness moved across his face, “What is your name?” I requested.

  “Don’t talk to it, sweet pea. It will tell you nothing but lies.” Eve proclaimed. I gave a sideways glare, “Is this a test? I always failed tests.”

  Sage snuck in my head, ‘No.’ she confirmed. She had to be close to invade my thoughts. I exchanged looks with Lucian.

  He sniffed the air as he scanned the dark, “Hell fuck. Sage is in here, but I can’t find her.” He morphed into his wolf.

  “We will worry about Sage later. Right now, I need you to do as I say. The longer the demon is in Samuel…” My voice suddenly hard as steel, “Where is the satchel?” Lucian’s eyes blinked, then he scurried away to find the bag. Moments later he dropped the bag at my feet, “Thanks” I petted his head and wiped drool off the bag. The satchel leather tie was ripped out.

  I bent down holding the wolfs snout staring him in his eyes, “Did you tear the string off?” Lucian’s head shook. I inspected the satchel. I scoured the bag and found everything except the knife, my eyes widen, “Fuckity Fuck, Fuck.” Lucian watched my every move.

  “What?” Eve questioned.

  “The dagger it’s missing.” Lucian sniffed the pockets of Samuel and pulled the knife out.

  “Good boy Lucian.” I snorted. Eve pressed her finger against her lip, “Rainelle what we are about to do is immensely powerful and dangerous. Samuel may not survive.”

  I pinched the bridge of my nose, “So you are telling me, that there is a chance the demon will take his soul.”

  “Yes, if that happens, there is nothing we can do to bring him back.”

  “So not only did I fail Sage, it’s a possibility I will fail Samuel too.” I rested my face in my hands. Lucian pushed his head in the crook of my elbow onto my lap.

  “You didn’t fail anyone child, Fate has played one evil hand to you.”

  I looked up, “Fate, can suck leprechaun dicks.” I smirked. Lucian whimpered.

  Eve toyed with my hair, “I found Sage.” Her expression closed.

  “Where is she?”

  “She is safe, that is all you need to know.” She pointed to my Mom, “If you cannot stand strong, then we will surely fail, and Samuel is gone forever.” She held me in a tight affirming. I was not dreaming, “HOLYMOTHEROFGODS!” Can I do this? Are my powers strong enough?

  ‘Do not self-doubt. You’ve got this far; you can save Samuel’

  Moon Wolf echoed in my thoughts. If I’ve learned anything, it is to listen to his words, his guidance.

  “Yes, I can do this. My magick is strong enough. I know what I need to do.” Eve’s eyes sparkled.

  I didn’t even try to return the smile, “The demon shall be cast back into the depths of hell if it is the last thing I do on this earth.” I spewed looking at Samuel. When I looked up; Eve was gone.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Rainelle

  Lucian turned his head slightly then nodded. He hoisted Samuel over his shoulder, “It’s time to leave.” He parted down the passage.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Your Grams needs us.”

  “Don’t call her that. It is Eve.”

  “Ok, then Eve needs us.”

  “How do you know this?”

  “Look Rainelle, just follow and stop asking questions. If you want to save your precious Samuel, just listen and do as you are asked.” He growled.

  The smell of water made me thirsty. We entered a large opening revealing another part of the underground river. Salt stung at the open scraps along my arms. Candles burned brightly in a circle. I moved in closer. Eve kneeled in a sacred circle. I squatted down and watched her.

  “I call upon Patricia O’Brien Sterling, my daughter, think of me, come to me.

  I call upon you for your help and guidance. Share you magick with me on this night.

  I call upon you now, come, come to me…”

  “Mom can’t come here; she must stay in hiding.” I spilled. Eve faced me. Pebbles moved with a flick of her hand opening an imaginary door. She reached her hand out to mine then motioned Lucian to bring Samuel over. He obeyed. She moved a few pebbles as if to open a door inside another circle. I watched as she pushed the stones back in their place once we were placed inside. Smoke lifted around the around. The smell of Sage and Lavende
r lingered as Eve smudged us. Lucian laid Samuel in the circle and stood at his feet; Eve placed me at his head.

  A ball of white Energy glowed brightly as my Mom showed herself. I shielded my eyes from the brightness. I lowered my arm as the light dimmed. I stared at my Mom’s thin face; her eyes glistened with tears.

  My Mother floated next to Samuel, “Who summoned me?” She questioned looking straight at me. I shook my head then pointed to my Grandmother.

  Her body went tense with shock. “Eve? Mom? I don’t understand. You’re dead!” Grief washed over her face.

  “Patricia, I’m so sorry.”

  “How is this possible?” She cried; her words stuck in her throat.

  “I don’t have time to explain right now. We must save Samuel.”

  “Yes, and we will, but I need answers, now.” She demanded, “Is Daddy alive too?” Eve looked at my Mom, “No.” My Mom’s light faded.

  “Please don’t go, Mom,” I begged. She turned to look at me then vanished.

  “Thanks.” She twisted her body to look at me.

  “I’m sorry sweet pea. We can do this ourselves.” She said taking control. Lucian took his place at Samuel’s feet holding them tautly. My Eve positioned herself above his head. She posted me to the right.

  “There is a chance that Samuel will perish. Not only does your Fate hang in the balance, but so does his. Samuel put his life in grave danger when he made the blood oath with Reed to protect you. He knew of this, but he let his heart take control.” Eve told with an uncertainty that Samuel may not even live. “What we are about to do is dangerous and appeals to the black magick you control.” She told me. I could feel my rage as it bubbled to the surface. I tried to contain all the hurt, angry, the lies told over the years. I looked up at the darkened canopy above me and lifted my arms to the sky. Like an ax coming down, so did my arms. Loose dirt and rocks fell from above. The floor shook with fury, pillars crumbled, and toppled, encasing us.