Chapter 38
(Alex)
A traitor?
Laylen questioned.
Okay, I think you ve finally lost it.
That sounds like something a traitor would say,
I replied, my eyes never leaving him.
He stared me down.
You re insane.
He s not a traitor!
Aislin cried as she finished removing the Mark of Malefiscus from Sophia.
And I m not either.
Then why was I trapped in that floor?
We all turned to Sophia as she sat up, blinking.
I don t understand any of this.
Are you sure about that?
I asked, nearing my knife to her.
Or could your confusion be an act to make us turn on each other, leaving you room to detach Gemma s soul again.
I bent down, getting in her face.
Is this a desperate attempt by my father? Did he put you in the floor to get to us?
I never wanted to detach Gemma s soul in the first place,
she said quietly.
I thought I was doing what was right. I thought I was protecting the world.
No, you were ending it.
She nodded quickly.
I know that now, but before, what I was trying to do made sense.
She clutched onto my arm and I shook her off.
It s your father. He brainwashed me.
Trust me,
I said.
We ve all been there.
Something shattered to the floor.
Oh my God.
I turned. The glass cow that was sitting on the table was now headless on the floor and Aislin s hands were shaking.
What s wrong?
I asked.
I can t deal with this anymore,
she cried.
He s a horrible man who messes with minds and murders innocent people. What if somehow he got into our heads?
We all exchanged looks, none of us speaking, or trusting, waiting for something unexpected to happen.
What are we going to do?
Aislin said, stomping her foot.
The only thing we can.
I reeled back to Sophia and grabbed her arm.
Sorry Sophia, but until we know who s in control of their own actions.
I pushed her back in the trapdoor.
Alex, please!
she begged.
You can t do this! I ve ran out of food and I ll starve.
I snatched a few bags of chips, cookies, and bread from the cupboard and tossed them into the trapdoor.
That should hold you until we work this out.
Alex, please don t leave me down here. I
I slid the tile over.
Seal that up,
I said to Aislin, feeling bad, but drastic times called for drastic measures.
Aislin hurried over, running her finger along the crack.
Signa eius intus et clauditis hoc usque.
The tile shimmered, the cracks blending away. She stood to her feet.
Oh no!
What?
I asked.
Didn t it work?
She turned.
I ve done that before.
I was about to jump for her, take her down, and tie her up until I could figure out what the hell was going on. But then Nicholas entered, solid, human, and alive. He turned over his arms, incredulous.
It s time,
he said, solemn for the first day in his life.
I shoved past him, knocking him into the wall, and then I charged up the stairs, ready to wake her. She was lying, motionless in her bed, skin paled with death, but just as beautiful as ever. I didn t feel the electricity until I was right beside the bed. The life in her was so weak it was barely a shock of static. I touched her ice-cold skin and bushed her hair back, waiting for her to open her eyes.
But she didn t stir, didn t breath, and I cupped my hands around her face.
Gemma, can you hear me.
The only sound was silence.
I shook her gently by the shoulders.
Gemma. Wake up.
But her body was limp.
Aislin!
I yelled, trying not to panic. Because I knew better than to panic. But this was pushing me. I inched my mouth for hers.
Gemma, please.
And then I kissed her.