chapter 34
After Bernard interrupted them, all hell broke loose in the library. Jax wouldn’t let them leave without an explanation and they were not about to give it in front of Eva and Stubbs. Juliette called Patrick and Malcolm in to watch the library while Bernard led the rest of them to Kim’s room.
On the way, Addy explained everything to Jax, Juliette, and Will. She disclosed every detail about her meeting with Matt and her trip to the cemetery.
Jax erupted at her. “You should’ve been telling me everything!”
Juliette put her hand on his shoulder. “It doesn’t matter, Jax. She may have done it in a completely irresponsible and reckless way, like she does everything, but she got important information for us.”
“You knew Stubbs was Andrew and you didn’t tell me.” Addy pointed at Jax. “You know a lot of things you don’t feel like sharing!” She turned to Juliette. “And why the hell are you always such a complete bitch to me?”
Juliette’s mouth dropped open; her face quickly matched her red hair. Before she could speak, Jax put up his hand to stop her.
Tanner put his arm around Addy’s shoulders. “Relax girlie, we’re gonna get everyone on the same page.”
Jax immediately shot Tanner a pissed off look. “I told you to stay away from her.”
Tanner glared at Jax, lurching forward. “Never gonna happen.”
Addy pressed her hand against Tanner’s chest to keep him in place and turned her head toward Jax. “Stop trying to decide who my friends are. You copped an attitude about Gage—now you’re trying to come between Tanner and me.”
“Alright children, that’s enough!” Will scolded, looking between the four of them. “If the book really has the information to destroy the stone, we’ll all need to cooperate. You can argue after we get my son back.”
They were quiet until Bernard opened Kim’s door and led them inside. The book’s pages were spread out on the floor in rows. They all had words on them; the letters were larger than normal and brown.
Addy hugged Kim and then pointed at the pages. “How is this possible? The pages were blank.”
“Oren was very clever.” Kim crouched down and ran her finger along the sheets of paper. “He must’ve been worried about the book being found by the wrong person. He wrote it using milk—an old method of invisible ink. We had a book like this in my parent’s store once. When you heat the pages, the fat in the milk burns, turning brown.”
“It’s exactly like Matt described,” Bernard said. “Oren realized he’d been compelled after getting the power. He wanted out of the deal but Eva refused, saying she couldn’t change things.”
Juliette bent over and looked at the pages. “Does it say how Jax breaks the stone’s power?”
“That’s the really interesting part, because he’s not the one who does it.” Bernard had Kim pick up the pages and put them in order.
Jax read the pages first. As he finished each one, he passed it to the next person. They were all quiet as they read.
When they were finished, Kim was the first one to speak. “Fate knew what he was doing when he called Tanner here and marked Addy with the stone.”
Jax shook his head. “He didn’t know about the book. I’d know if he knew—and he didn’t. The book has nothing to do with the reason he summoned Tanner or the mark Addy got from touching the stone.”
Addy handed the pages she was holding back to Jax. “So it’s all been a coincidence? I have a hard time believing that.”
Bernard tipped his head back, mulling it over. “I have to agree with Addy. Either we got really lucky—or there’s something else at play here.”
“I’m not helping do it.” Tanner put his hands up and took a step back. “Something’s not right about how easy it all is.”
Will crossed his arms, facing Jax. “When I met with the Mesen they strongly suggested that I get you to summon Eva before the meeting about the truce. I wasn’t sure why until now.”
“They told you about the book?” Tanner asked.
“No, but they alluded to the fact that they had some leads on how to destroy the stone and whatever it was would lead back to Eva.”
Jax reached for the door handle. “I’m not on board with doing anything yet. We better get back to the library.”
“But if we can bring back the Scattered Akori…” Addy started, but gave up with a sigh.
On the way out of Kim’s room, Will leaned down to Addy. It was the same way Gage always did when he wanted to say something only to her.
“Be patient,” he said, patting her shoulder. “The pieces are falling into place.”
Bernard said he was going back to his office, but he grabbed Addy and Tanner and pulled them off to the side first.
“I translated the scroll.” He spoke so quietly they could hardly make out what he was saying. “I know what the symbols on the back of your necks mean.”
They both looked at him waiting for an explanation.
“Not here,” he said, looking around. He put a hand on each of their shoulders. “I need to tell you—both of you, when we’re alone.”
They agreed to meet at his office as soon as they were done dealing with Eva.
Stubbs was whispering with Eva when they returned, but he quickly moved to face them.
“What’s going on?” Stubbs asked, looking directly at Jax.
“We have a book written by Oren Sanders detailing what happened.” Jax placed the pages on the table, pointing at them. “It also explains how to destroy the Overseer’s Stone.”
Eva looked up, her face went pale. “Destroying the stone comes with consequences greater than you can imagine.”
“I thought it couldn’t be done at all,” Tanner said.
Eva turned in his direction. “It cannot be done with results any of you will be pleased with.”
“It requires both you and Eva to be present.” Will told Stubbs. “Along with two others marked with specific Akori Shepherd symbols. The same ones Tanner and Addy have.”
“Is that why you broke our connection and blocked me?” Stubbs turned to Eva. “You knew something was going on?”
Eva’s face softened, her voice was pleading. “We shouldn’t be together.” She raised her head and pointed to Tanner and Addy. “Neither should you.”
Addy stepped closer to Tanner, taking his hand. “Why?”
She turned her palms up, looking from her brother to Addy and Tanner. “I’ve done everything over the years to prevent all of our lives from intersecting and yet still—here we are.”
“But what the book said would work; the power would be restored if we did it?” Addy asked. “The Akori who are Scattered would return?”
“The Scattered Akori would return and the power would be restored, but not as it was.” Eva pointed to Jax. “If we sever his connection to the stone he’ll die.”
Juliette dropped her hand on top of the wrinkled pages. “We’re not doing it then.”
Eva sighed, placing her hand on her chest. “Andrew tried to warn me, but I was blinded by my anger and grief. The night of the ball I was determined to bind the power to protect the humans from the Mesen. I thought Oren would welcome my help. Compelling him was just a way to ease him. I never expected him to want out of the deal. When he asked me to break the oath I couldn’t, so I had his memories altered. It was difficult and I regretted what I‘d hastily done, but there was nothing I could do to change it.”
Tanner let go of Addy’s hand and crossed his arms. “Cut to the chase. Besides Jax kicking over, which I’m still on the fence about being a bad thing, how would the power be different?”
“There’s no way to—” Eva was stopped by a loud commotion outside.
Ash Worthington and his father Preston walked in followed by a group of Akori and humans. They were all dressed in white uniforms from head to toe.
“Eva,” Preston said, “I didn’t believe it when I heard you were being summoned and trapped.” He gave her a sympathetic look and bowed his head. “How embarrassing for you.”
“Preston, you’re not welcome here,” Will said, stepping in front of him.
Ash raised his hand casually and made a sweeping motion. Will flew through the air into the stone wall.
Jax started to move but Juliette stopped him. “We don’t know what we’re dealing with.”
“You’ve got that right.” Ash stopped in front of Addy. He ran his fingertips down her arm, causing her to shudder. “It’s very nice to see you again.” He leaned close and whispered in her ear. “You’ve eluded me twice, but I have a feeling the third time’s gonna be a charm.”
“Get away from her,” Tanner said through clenched teeth.
Ash raised his hand in Tanner’s direction without taking his eyes off Addy. “Don’t make me silence you, Shepherd—I’ve been told it’s quite unpleasant.”
Preston walked over to stand in front of Tanner. “You honestly don’t remember us, do you? Perhaps we should—”
“Leave the boy alone, Preston.” Eva interrupted him from where she was trapped across the room.
Preston tipped his head and began slowly walking around the group. “I can’t believe after all this time I finally have all of you in the same room. It feels wonderful when a plan comes together.” He paused and turned to his son. “Ash, we’ll need to clear the room of unnecessary individuals.”
Stubbs moved to stand by Eva. “What do they want?”
“Preston is the one who removed Oren’s memories,” she said, closing her eyes, “and he’s the only one, outside of me, who knew everything.”
“Not the only one.” Preston corrected her. “Have you forgotten about—”
“I’ve never forgotten anything that happened—or what you did,” Eva said.
“That’s why we’re all together today, and believe me when I say I’ve worked very hard to get to here,” Preston said. “When the children were separated, I didn’t know if this would ever be possible. It was very clever of Fate to place his grandson with Mitchell West—I didn’t suspect a thing.”
“Preston, you were once a good friend to us.” Stubbs shook his head and turned his hands over. “What happened to you?”
He tipped his head and studied Stubbs. “Andrew, my friend, do you really believe I’m the one you should be so concerned about?”
Panic flashed in Stubbs eyes and he diverted them.
“Ah yes—so you know about him too.” Preston’s face broke out into a sick grin. “He’s who you should be worried about—not us.”
“Who are you talking about?” Addy asked, looking between Eva and Preston.
“He’s gone—no one’s seen him in nearly a century,” Eva said as if Addy hadn’t even spoken. “If he’s why you’re doing this then—”
“A century?” Ash turned around and gaped at Eva. “Try last week—he’s never been gone, just waiting. Watching, always watching.”
Eva looked pale and immediately turned to Andrew, whispering.
Ash began following his father’s orders. He pointed for his people to remove Will, who was unconscious. Then he turned to Juliette.
“You still look fantastic, Jules.” He flipped his hand and sent her out the door.
Jax lunged at him, but Ash calmly put his hand up and stopped Jax in his tracks.
“Sit down,” Ash said, pointing at him.
Jax moved to the closest chair and plopped down, saying a few swearwords.
Ash’s face twisted into a devilish smirk. “Stay.”
Jax let several more swearwords slip out of his mouth as he pounded his fist on the table.
Addy looked at Tanner, covering her mouth and whispering. “He must be really strong if his power works on Jax.”
Ash turned to Tanner and Addy. “We need you both—stay put.”
“That was pretty cool,” Tanner whispered.
She rolled her eyes at him. “Can you move?”
Tanner tried to lift his foot but it was glued to the floor.
“Still think its cool?”
He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. “Will you be mad if I say yeah?”
Preston sauntered over to Eva. “Well, it appears as though we’re ready to begin.”
“You don’t understand what you’re doing, Preston.” Eva shook her finger at him. “Andrew and I will be gone; the power won’t be restored like it was.”
“Those pathetic Mesen may be concerned about the power, but you know that’s not the case with me, Eva.” Preston let out an incredulous laugh. “So I’m willing to chance it.”
More noise came from the hallway and Akori in Team Jax gear, as well as Mesen wearing the blue combat uniforms, came rushing in.
Matt and Renee were the first through the door. Addy still couldn’t move and wasn’t sure if they were there to help or make things worse.
“Don’t just stand there,” Renee said, shouting at her and Tanner. “Help us stop them!”
Addy felt a wave of relief that they seemed to be on the same side.
Tanner pointed to Ash who was flinging Team Jax and Mesen around like toys. “We can’t.”
Eva was shouting at Jax over the noise, yelling for him to free her. He was trying to reach the Overseer’s Stone, but he was still stuck to the chair.
Matt ran to the table and slid it in front of him, slapping him on the back. ”The enemy of my enemy is my friend, man—at least for today.”
Jax grabbed the stone. He placed his fingers on the symbols and a bright flash of blue light caused Eva to be freed from her blood-smeared trap.
Eva grabbed Stubbs by his hand. They directed the small amount of power they had together, attempting to free Jax, Tanner, and Addy from Ash’s hold. Addy could feel the surge flowing through her and finally she was able to move.
The symbol on her neck started burning and she pressed her hand against it.
“Does yours burn?” she asked Tanner.
“Yeah.” Tanner reached up and touched his, glancing at Addy. “No pulling this time though.”
“Weapons,” Jax said, standing up.
After kicking off her flip-flops, Addy was right behind Tanner and Jax heading for the door. They met substantial resistance and did a lot of fighting on the way to the vault.
“There’s so many of them,” Addy said while trying to catch her breath. “Some are human.”
“Doesn’t matter—an enemy’s an enemy.” When they rounded the corner into the vault, Jax stopped and turned to them. “Do not hesitate to kill them because they’re human—they won’t hesitate to kill you.”
They each grabbed their weapons. Jax only had one sword because his other hand was still injured.
Addy passed Jax as they ran up the stairs. “We need to get back to the others.”
Before either of the guys could respond they heard Juliette’s voice. She was shouting for Jax as she put her phone in her pocket.
“I’m here,” he said, spotting her.
She looked like she was about to cry and hurried over to him. “I thought they killed you.”
“Suck it up,” Jax said, surveying the area around them. “Where’s Ash and Preston?”
“They slipped out of the library with a few of their people, but they haven’t left the estate. The rest have been forced into the ballroom,” she said.
“Why are the Mesen here fighting on our side?” Addy asked.
“My father was contacted by the Mesen,” Juliette said. “They had information that the Worthingtons were on their way to Tremain and offered a truce to deal with them together.”
“It looks like we lost a lot of people,” Jax said, adjusting the bandages on his arm. “Ash is so damn strong.”
Juliette reached over and helped get the bandage back in place. “Angelica is on her way here with help, we just have to hold them off.”
“Who do you think they were talking about back there?” Addy asked as they began walking toward the ballroom. “The man Preston said they should be more concerned about than him?”
Jax pulled his sword out, swinging it in front of him. “I’d like to know too.”
“Preston plays mind games,” Juliette said, shaking her head. “Bringing up some old enemy of Eva and Andrew’s is a good way to shake them.”
Tanner pulled his bow off his shoulder as they turned the last corner to the ballroom. “How many Akori do you guys think Ash Scattered to get enough power to do those things? That was incredible.”
“That was nothing.” Juliette readied her sword. The fighting was visible just head of them. “You should have seen what Andrew and Eva were capable of doing.”
In the ballroom, Matt and Renee were fighting back to back, Scattering Akori, and killing the humans. It was awful and Eva was in tears watching the humans die. It took a lot of power out of them to free Addy, Jax, and Tanner from Ash’s hold. She and Stubbs were backed into a corner. Juliette and Jax took position in front, shielding them from the Worthington’s people. Stubbs was gripping the Overseer’s Stone.
Addy and Tanner battled with fluid movements as if they knew what the other was going to do before they did it. She knew to drop as he shot arrows past her, and he instinctively ducked out of the way when she swung her sword. It was like they could see what the other saw even with their backs turned. They were faster than everyone and hardly broke a sweat fighting off anyone that came at them.
Three large men converged on Addy. She sliced through two of them as she jumped up and grabbed one of Tanner’s arrows out of the air, stabbing the third with it. Without stopping she swung around, launching the arrow back in the direction it was originally headed, Scattering a woman who was taking a swing at Renee.
Tanner’s eyes were huge as she turned to look at him. Addy didn’t have time to say anything before she was back to swinging her sword.
It was the first time she and Tanner hadn’t been separated while fighting. The mark on the back of his neck was glowing brightly. Addy noticed some of the others, including Jax, watching them as they moved from one opponent to another.
Eva began shouting for them to come over to her.
Addy and Tanner moved closer to Andrew and Eva. Once Renee and Matt were able to take up a position in front of them, Jax and Juliette joined them.
“Andrew, if Preston wasn’t lying and he’s still alive—if Ashford saw him…” Eva gave him a pleading look. “We must destroy the stone.”
Stubbs gazed at her and took her hand. “If that’s what you think must be done then we’ll do it.”
Tanner looked between them, taking a step forward. “Who the hell has you so freaked out that you’re suddenly on board with breaking the Overseer’s Stone?”
“Someone dangerous—a threat to all Akori.” Eva blinked back tears. “I crossed lines that weren’t mean to be crossed—did things I had no business doing.”
“Once the stone is gone there won’t be anything to be concerned about,” Stubbs said, trying to reassure them. “Everything will be as it should.”
“What about the Scattered Akori?” Addy asked.
“We’ll draw their power and they’ll rematerialize outside of our circle without any power.” Eva seemed to know what Addy was getting at. “Will’s son will be fine.”
Addy took a quick step toward Eva. “You said the power would be restored.”
Stubbs nodded. “It will be, just not to the Akori and Mesen here. It can never be as it was. The consequences Eva spoke of are real. She and I will be gone, we won’t return.” He focused on his sister as he said it.
Eva reached out, placing a hand on Addy and Tanner. “We need both of you to help us.”
“If it brings them all back—I’m in,” Addy said immediately.
Tanner didn’t look so sure about helping and flashed Addy a look of concern.
Stubbs took Addy’s hand. “You’re just a human, sugar. You weren’t meant to have that symbol on your neck.” His expression was grim. “You won’t be able to survive what it takes to destroy the stone. Severing Jackson’s connection to the power will—”
“What about Tanner—will he be alright?” Addy caught Jax out of the corner of her eye standing by, expressionless.
“He’ll be fine.” Stubbs shifted his eyes between them. “Tanner’s an Akori, you and Jax are not.”
Addy swallowed hard and forced back tears, glancing at Tanner. They’d come so far and she and Jax wouldn’t make it through to see the end. Gage would come back just in time to see her die. It was almost funny and she fought off a sick smile.
She bit the inside of her cheek, snapping herself out of it, and then nodded to Eva. “If you can promise me that Tanner will be ok then I’ll help you.”
Preston and Ash were making their way through the crowded ballroom.
“We have to hurry,” Eva said. “Preston cannot be a part of what we’re doing.”
“I’m not doing anything.” Tanner grabbed Addy by the shoulders, pulling her close to him and looked at the rest of them. “There’s no way I’m helping do something that’ll hurt her,” he said, then nodded toward Jax, “or him.”
Juliette and Jax immediately began whispering to each other, Jax looked upset and Juliette was waving her hands in the air frantically as she spoke.
Addy turned around to face Tanner. “Bernard said the symbols we have meant something. Maybe it’s this, maybe we were meant to do it.” She forced him to look her in the eye. “You’ll be alright and I’m ok with whatever happens to me.”
“But I’m not ok with it, girlie.” Tanner hugged her against him and put his chin on her shoulder. “I’m not doing it, not if it means losing—”
“If they were both Akori would they survive?” Juliette said quickly, stepping forward to Eva.
Eva nodded as a confused expression crossed her face. She darted her eyes at Stubbs who shrugged his shoulders.
Taking a deep breath, Juliette put her hand on her forehead. “Jackson and Addison both have Akori blood.”
“What?” Addy spun around to look at Juliette, stepping away from Tanner.
“Jackson?” Eva gasped and looked between Jax and Juliette. “But how?”
Stubbs grabbed Eva by the shoulders. “You knew Addison was an Akori?”
Juliette didn’t look at Addy when she answered. “There’s a reason my family took such an interest.”
“How is this possible?” Addy was seething pissed as she shifted her gaze to Jax. “Did you know we were?”
“There’s Akori mixed in the Sanders bloodline.” He shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. “Addy, there’s a lot that I only found out after claiming the stone.”
Jax stepped close to her, trying to take her hand. She pulled it away, shoving her palm into his chest, making him take a step back. His expression looked like he was hurt, but it quickly changed to anger.
“You’re just made up of half-truths and excuses. You do nothing but lie and manipulate me.” Addy looked at him with rage in her eyes. “When this is over—I’m done with you!”
Tanner stepped between Jax and Addy when it looked like they might actually start throwing punches.
Jax’s green eyes darkened as he peered around Tanner at Addy. “You can be pissed at me all you want. You’re letting hopes of getting your boyfriend back mess with your head. We’re not destroying the stone—not until we know more about the consequences.”
“It’s not up to you.” Addy snapped at Jax, turning to Eva. “What’ll happen to you and Stubbs?”
“Our energy will be used to destroy the stone.” Eva took her brother’s hand. “Don’t worry about us. We’ve had very long lives.”
Stubbs looked back at her. “Very long.”
Addy realized they were talking about dying and she got a lump in her throat.
“I should’ve listened to you, my dear Andrew.” A tear slipped down Eva’s cheek. “Perhaps you indulged my schemes one too many times.”
Stubbs wiped his sister’s face. “Never once have I regretted the things I’ve done for you. I’d do them all again if it’s what you wanted.”
Addy was shocked and crinkled up her face involuntarily as Stubbs suddenly kissed Eva on the lips. It was way too passionate for siblings.
Stubbs pulled away from Eva looking stunned. “Our connection…”
Eva threw her arms around him and began whispering to him.
“We need some help!” Matt shouted, causing them all to turn around.
Juliette grabbed Jax by the arm and they jumped in to help Matt and Renee.
Addy looked around at the crowded ballroom. No more Akori power would mean no more Scattering and moving around. Kim and Matt could be together, and Doris and Bernard could retire somewhere the right way. Molly and Will could finally be free from worrying that he’d Scatter. Gage would be back—they could have the time they needed to figure out what was starting between them.
Addy shifted her eyes to Tanner. He’d be able to go back to his life too. The thought of not seeing him anymore caused a sharp pain in her chest that radiated through her body. It wasn’t just gonna be hard to let him go, it was gonna be nearly impossible. Even the thought of Gage coming back couldn’t cut through the dread she felt about Tanner moving on.
Addy pushed back the thought of not seeing him anymore and grabbed Tanner by the hands. “I think we should help.”
He squeezed her hands. “I still think it’s all just too easy, girlie.”
Addy knew Tanner was right—it was all too easy. Nevertheless, the idea of ending all of the fighting and power struggles was too tempting to pass up.
“We can’t do it without you,” she said, pulling herself closer to him. “Tanner, please.”
He closed his eyes and gave her a reluctant nod. “Note that I’m doing it for you—against my better judgment.”
Addy threw her arms around his neck and they leaned their heads together whispering.
“Thanks,” she said.
“I do insane things for you.”
“Bright side—it could potentially be the last thing.”
“That doesn’t sound like the bright side to me.”
“Me either,” she said, closing her eyes.
“I’m glad I found you, girlie.”
“So is that peacock.”
“Right, he owes me one.”
“Tanner, if this works—”
“You’ll have Gage back.”
“Yeah, but you’ll still—”
“I’ll still be around.”
“Promise you won’t just—”
“I promise not to bail on you,” he said, wrapping his arms around her tightly. “You haven’t scared me off yet.”
Addy dropped her arms and turned to look at the room. She was amazed at how much fighting was still going on. She watched Stubbs and Eva with their foreheads together, similar to the way she and Tanner had been. They whispered quietly to each other. Even with tears streaming down their faces, they were smiling and giggling like children.
Thinking of her own brother, she turned to see Jax and Juliette still helping Matt and Renee hold Preston’s group at bay. Jax glared at Addy with disdain as he cut though a blond haired man.
“If you guys are gonna do something, now would be the time.” Renee called to them.
Preston and Ash were closing in, but it looked like Ash was running out of power and it was taking more effort to reach them.
“Let’s get it done.” Tanner patted Stubbs’ back, bringing his attention back to the situation at hand. Stubbs leaned over and said a few quiet words to Tanner.
“I don’t understand.” Tanner stepped back, shaking his head.
Stubbs put his hands up. “You will if time comes.”
Eva took Addy by the shoulders. “It was a mistake for me to ask Fate to separate you from him, I’m so sorry.”
Addy thought separating her and Jax was all Fate’s doing.
“You did what you thought was necessary,” Stubbs said, grabbing Eva by the hand.
Tanner pointed impatiently toward Ash and Preston. “We should get started if we’re gonna do it.”
Addy took a few steps back and grabbed Matt. “If something happens to me you gotta take care of Kim and my cat, and tell Gage that—”
“I will.” He kissed her on the forehead and turned back to fighting.