chapter 31
The sun was barely up when Addy entered the main house. Her sleep was restless and she decided to get up early and go see Kim. Her entire night was once again filled with dreams about Gage. She walked through the garden to the main house with the scroll of Akori symbols tucked into her bag. She couldn’t wait to show it to Tanner.
The smell of coffee filled the kitchen as she made her way to the back stairs. Bernard sat at the table alone with a newspaper.
“You’re up early,” he said to her.
“It’s gonna be a busy day.” She reached in the cabinet and grabbed a mug for coffee. “You’ve been pretty quiet through all of this.”
“It’s Akori business. I know my place. You’re doing remarkably well.”
A lot had happened since she’d talked to Bernard last and she decided that maybe it would be a good opportunity to tell him what had happened.
”Do you have time to take a walk?” she asked, refilling his cup.
“Sure.” He folded his newspaper and picked up his coffee.
Addy made sure they were far away from the estate before she began talking. They walked down the sidewalk that ran along the street with all of the souvenir shops. The street was still empty, except for a few people jogging or walking dogs.
She wasn’t sure where to begin so she started with her visit to Kim. Bernard didn’t seem very shocked about what she told him. Kim had been confiding in Doris about her belief that Matt and Renee weren’t all that bad. Then she told him about her meeting with Matt.
“It sounds like you believe them,” Bernard said. “Think it’s wise to get mixed up with him behind your brother’s back?”
“Jax won’t understand. I guess I get why they would want to destroy the stone though. It makes sense. If Eva really compelled Oren, then everything our family’s done was based on deception.” Addy took a deep breath. “But I want Gage back and maybe that’s clouding my judgment.”
“There’s nothing wrong with missing him. If it were Doris I’d tear down cities with my bare hands to get her back,” Bernard said, patting her shoulder. “Does that mean you think the book of Oren’s exists?”
“I actually do.” She started telling him about searching for the book and the statue in Jax’s room. “I know it sounds strange, but I feel like that statue was telling me it’s in my family’s crypt.”
Bernard didn’t say anything for a couple of blocks as they walked. “If we assume that the statue was telling you where to look for the book, which I’m not entirely on board with, I guess the crypt would make sense based on what Matt and Renee told you.”
“Do you know where the crypt is located?” she asked, crossing the street to head back toward the estate.
“It was moved to America around 1850.” Bernard explained that a new crypt was constructed in Kentucky and the bodies were transported from Europe once it was completed. “I know it’s quite large. The entrance is in a cemetery and it extends deep underground.”
“It contains all of the Overseers—Even Oren?”
“That’s my understanding,” Bernard said as they approached the estate.
Addy stopped walking. “I also have a scroll—the one I saw Jax with. It has drawings of the Akori symbols that Tanner and I have.” She reached into her bag and handed it to him.
“I’ve been searching for anything with details about your symbol.” Bernard took the scroll. “I wonder where he found this.” He turned the scroll over in his hands, examining the paper and edges.
“I haven’t looked at it very closely—you know I’m terrible at the translations. But I did see that the symbol Tanner has means a strong ability with a bow, and mine shows skill with a sword.”
“I’d like to examine it if you don’t mind,” he said as they reached the door to the estate.
She nodded. “There was one more thing.” Addy told him about Jax wanting to keep her and Tanner apart and about him blowing up at her the night before.
“As far as your brother’s motives for trying to keep you and Tanner apart—I can’t even begin to figure out what’s in that boy’s mind. He’s definitely more like Mitchell West than Fate.”
“What about Tanner?” Addy put her hand on Bernard’s arm, stopping him before he went inside the house. “Have you found anything out how he ended up with the Sutherlands?”
He looked uncomfortable with her question. “Addison, I can’t discuss it; he specifically asked that I keep it to myself.”
“Oh.” She looked down and immediately felt bad for asking. She was just dying to know about him. She felt so close to Tanner, yet almost everything about him was still a mystery.
“Just continue to be his friend.” Bernard said, patting her arm. “He’ll talk to you about it when he’s ready.”
Addy nodded her head at him. “Will you be joining us when Jax summons Eva?”
She hoped he would, but he shook his head.
“Stubbs said he’s unsure what Eva will be like, and he’d rather keep any humans outside of your family away. But I won’t be far if you need me.”
They parted ways at the stairway and Addy went up the back stairs to Kim’s room. She waved to the guards and opened the door. Kim was at the table finishing breakfast when she walked in.
Kim glanced up at her with a tentative smile. “Are you still mad at me?”
“I don’t know Kim,” Addy said, closing the door.
“I’m sorry if saying this makes you upset, but I don’t regret helping Matt.”
“Honestly, Matt made a lot of sense when we talked last night.”
Kim stared down at her plate. “How’s he look?”
“Same as always, a little banged up where Gage’s dad got ahold of him, but he’s the same Matt.”
Kim tipped her head up. “I know he’s right, Addy. The four of us will be back together soon causing trouble like always.”
Addy nodded, but seriously doubted if she and Gage would ever be able to forgive Matt for everything he’d done.
“Thanks for the picture.”
Kim smiled and nodded.
Addy sat down across from her at the table.
Kim reached over and squeezed her hand. “Have faith, he’ll be back.” Then she raised her eyebrows and smiled at Addy. “How together were you two?”
“He never even kissed me,” Addy said, shaking her head.
Kim shrugged her shoulders. “That’ll just make it better when he’s back.”
Addy smiled at her, thankful she’d kept her jokes about her still being a virgin to herself for once. As much as she regretted that they’d never even kissed, she figured that not knowing what she was missing was probably a good thing anyway.
“Have you talked to Matt?” Addy asked her, not knowing how his telepathy worked.
She nodded. “But he can’t drain too much of his power so he was really short.”
“We might have a lead on the book. I’ll keep you posted.”
Kim’s demeanor changed and she shifted in her seat. Addy knew what was coming next.
“When can I leave here? I’m tired of being locked up—I’m no threat to your brother.” She looked just like Matt did when he spoke about her at the warehouse. “I just wanna go be with Matt.”
Addy could completely understand how she felt, but she didn’t know how to answer. Jax would never agree to let Kim just walk out of there. She also needed Kim to communicate with Matt.
Doris opened the door and peeked in.
“They want you in the library,” she said to Addy.
Addy stood, moving toward the door. “I’ll talk to Jax and see if I can at least get him to let you go back to your villa.”
In the library, the large stone table they always sat around had been turned, opening up a wide area of the marble floor.
Will was squatted down next to Juliette, and they were making a large symbol with markers on the marble floor. Jax was sitting on the table with a book open on his lap looking troubled. Stubbs stood beside him looking equally as distressed.
“Does it really need to be that big?” Jax asked, looking from the book to Stubbs.
Stubbs nodded. “It must be made precisely as described in the book.”
Juliette and Jax exchanged worried looks.
Addy was concerned by the general tone of the room. “What’s wrong?”
Jax jumped off the table and walked toward her. Taking her hand, he led her down a row of books to one of the alcoves away from the others. He was being extra intense and he put his hands on her face, turning it to look at him.
“I can’t tell you how sorry I am about last night. I shouldn’t have talked to you like that.” He looked at her wrists that were deeply bruised with his finger imprints. “I’d never intentionally hurt you.”
His face was only inches from hers as he leaned down and spoke, making her extremely uncomfortable.
“Things are stressful around here—you’re under a ton of pressure.” Addy tried to reassure him by speaking in a relaxed tone. He looked very tired and weary. “I know we haven’t known each other long, but if Fate had a plan—I trust you.”
Addy was careful not to say what he did was ok though, because if he ever pulled anything like that again, brother or not, she was gonna make him regret it.
“Thanks.” He smiled at her, relaxing a little and backing away. “What grandfather told you about reading all of the books here—it was true,” Jax said as he looked around. “The Overseers as a group have read every single one.”
Addy smiled at him, trying to keep the mood light. “That means you have too.”
“That’s right.” Jax glanced around and stopped his eyes on her. “The things I learned from Grandfather’s memories, you’re not the only one who—”
They heard Juliette calling his name and Jax dropped his shoulders with a defeated sigh.
Addy was keeping score and that was the second time Juliette had interrupted them when Jax was about to open up to her. Jax’s face was stressed and she felt kind of bad for him. She patted his shoulder, which was the best she could do to try to ease him. “We can talk later, ok?”
He nodded and they walked back to join the others. The symbol ended up to be about six feet around with several curving lines intertwining within it when it was completed.
Tanner entered the library and everyone turned to look at him.
“Who’s sniffing magic markers?” he asked, making a face.
Addy pointed to the symbol on the floor.
“Markers really are magic?” Tanner grinned at Addy who rewarded him with a big smile.
“Apparently magic marker can be used to summon Akori,” she said, turning her palms up.
“No, it can’t,” Juliette said, sounding irritated. “That’s just a template to follow.” She once again was looking worried at Jax.
“Enough with the cryptic exchanging of distraught looks—what the hell’s going on?” Addy glanced around at everyone, except Tanner. “The four of you’ve had worried looks on your faces since I got here.”
Will walked over and placed the magic markers on the table. He pointed to the symbol. “It has to be made in blood.”
“What kind of blood?” Addy stared down at the magic marker template. “Just any blood—from anyone?”
“Probably from a virgin,” Tanner said with a grin. “—that’s how these things usually go. I don’t think we’re gonna have much luck finding it here.”
Forcing her lips not to curve up, she turned away from Tanner.
Jax took a few steps and stood in the center of the symbol with a nervous smile on his face. “We use my blood—I’m the one summoning her.”
“No way.” Addy shook her head, realizing just how big the symbol was with Jax standing in the middle. “We’ll find a different way then.”
“There is no other way,” Stubbs said.
Juliette took a deep breath. “Will can heal Jax once we get enough blood.”
Addy shifted her eyes to Tanner and he turned his head to meet her gaze. If what Matt told them was true, Will wouldn’t be able to heal Jax—he wouldn’t have enough power. Supposedly Eva had to combine her power with another Akori’s just to be able to manipulate Oren’s memories.
“We’re not doing it.” Addy stepped forward and grabbed Jax by the hand. “You’re not doing it.”
He took her other hand in his. “It’ll be fine, so there’s no reason to get worked up.”
Addy quickly had to make a choice and her stomach was churning. She could tell them she didn’t think the healing would work, which would make them ask too many questions. She’d end up having to confess about meeting with Matt. The other option was just to keep quiet and let things play out. Maybe the healing would work. Either way, it’d be a good test to see if Matt was telling the truth.
Surprised at how emotional she felt, she turned her back on them and walked over to the fireplace. “Why is there something horrible looming at every turn?”
“If you can’t stay, I’ll understand.” Jax came over and stood next to her. “Summoning Eva is necessary—we don’t have a choice.”
He was right about that. Eva took away any choices the men in her family had. She took a deep breath and lightly hugged her brother. He pulled her close and buried his face in her shoulder. Addy was beginning to think he went out of his way to make her feel uncomfortable.
She backed away trying to escape his arms. “If you think you can do this then I’ll be by your side.” She went back to the circle feeling sick with guilt, knowing she’d never let Gage or Tanner take a chance like she was letting her brother.
Jax whispered a few words to Juliette. She nodded and pulled out one of the many knives she had tucked into her Team Jax gear.
“Don’t die,” she said, handing him the knife.
He went to the table where a small bucket was waiting. Gripping the knife, Jax sliced down the palm of his hand and made a fist. Blood began dripping into the container.
Addy felt sick watching, but couldn’t look away as the blood was trickling slowly down his fingers into the bucket. Her head was spinning. Feeling his arm tighten around her shoulder, she realized that at some point Tanner had ended up by her side and she was leaning on him.
“It’s taking too long.” Jax picked the knife back up, slicing his wrist deeply this time.
“Dammit Jackson, you’re so impatient!” Juliette rushed over and helped brace him as the blood flowed out fast.
“Addy…” He started to say something but lost consciousness.
Tanner let go of Addy and hurried over to help Juliette keep Jax upright.
Stubbs grabbed the first bucket and placed another in front of him. “We’ll still need one more.”
Addy watched for several minutes as her brother bled out before she couldn’t take it anymore. Jackson’s usually golden skin was pale and his breathing was shallow.
“We have to stop the bleeding, it’s too…” Addy’s heart was pounding and she was sweating like she was gonna pass out.
“Wait, we’re almost done.” Juliette glanced up at Addy. “Will, do something with her before she’s unconscious too.”
Will grabbed Addy by the shoulders and turned her away from Jax. “Take a few breaths.”
Addy felt a slight surge through her body and suddenly she felt more in control and the panic subsided. She saw his hands glowing and realized he’d used his power on her. Once she was steady, Will let go of her and walked back to Juliette’s side.
When the second bucket was full, they moved Jax to the chaise and Will attempted to heal him. She watched impatiently as he tried several times.
Addy shook her head and threw her hands up in frustration. “I know what healing looks like and it’s not working!”
Will dropped his arms and circled his eyes to Juliette. “Go get Molly.”