Chapter 3
I wake up to an empty bed. Outside the window, the golden sun glistens across the rippling lake and the trees drip from last night’s rainstorm. I sit up and stretch, ears perking to the voices downstairs. I glance at my watch.
“Two o’clock?” I mutter to myself. “What the hell am I still doing in bed?”
I shuffle into the hallway, lit by lanterns that hook into the brick walls. All four of us live in the Keeper’s castle—Alex, Aislin, Laylen and myself. My grandmother, Sophia, sometimes stays in the master suite, when she’s not off on one of her “travels.”
The castle technically belongs to the Keepers, but none of them visit. Not after Stephan and his slaughtering spree. None of us know how many Keepers survived. We could gather everyone together, but Alex says it’s a useless attempt unless the world is endangered. So as far as I know there are five Keepers left: Alex, Aislin, Laylen, Sophia, and myself. But Alex assures me there’s more.
As I pass the banister, I freeze at the sound of a voice I haven’t heard in a while. I back up and trot downstairs, not caring that I’m barefoot and half dressed in pajama shorts and a tank top. Alex, Aislin, and Laylen are gathered in the living room, having a private conversation. But that’s not what’s pissing me off.
Nicholas sits comfortably in the opposite sofa, sipping a cup of coffee.
“Why are you here?” I cross my arms and narrow my eyes at the tricky blonde faerie/Foreseer. “I thought we told you to stay away.”
Nicholas’ golden eyes travel up me and a menacing look consumes his face. “Did you throw on that outfit for me? Or do you always walk around half naked?”
I don’t budge so he won’t know he’s getting under my skin. “Again, why are you here?”
He sets the cup on the coffee table and rests back in the red velvet sofa. “Oh, don’t pretend like you don’t want me here. You know you do. You’re still just pissed because I won’t help you save your father from the Room of Forbidden. But I’ve already told you I don’t know where the Crystal of Limitation is.”
The Crystal of Limitation is a device that can free a Foreseer from the solitaire of their mind, also known as the Room of Forbidden—a place where a Foreseer is sent after they commit a crime. Or in my father’s case, they get branded with the Mark of Evil and alter the world’s future by tampering with visions.
I clutch my hands into fists and stalk toward him. “Letting my dad stay trapped in his mind is wrong.”
Nicholas stands up. “Wrong or not, it’s the consequences he has to pay for being a Foreseer who tampered with visions.”
I get in his face, breathing fire. “I fixed the vision. He shouldn’t have to suffer anymore. And you know how to free him, but you won’t share it!”
His eyes scorch like cinders. “Lean a bit closer and we’d be kissing.”
“Move a little closer.” My voice is low, nearly a growl. “And I could kick you between the legs.”
He licks his lips. “You know you secretly enjoy this. Deep down inside, you want to be with me. You just won’t admit it.”
An image presses against my mind of our lips touching, my fingers running through his hair, his hands on my back…
“What’s the matter, Gemma,” Nicholas whispers. “See something you like?”
I don’t have a clue what’s wrong with me, but there’s definitely something wrong because I have never EVER thought of Nicholas that way, nor do I want to. My skin reddens and adrenaline zips through my blood.
“You did something to me.” I start to back away, but he clamps his hands on my wrist. Aislin and Laylen leap to their feet, ready to throw him down.
“You know you want me,” he purrs. “I can almost see the thoughts going through your head.”
A red faced Alex appears by my side. He shoves Nicholas toward the doorway. “Alright, I think it’s time for you to go,” he says, giving Nicholas another rough push.
Nicholas laughs venomously. “I’ll leave when I want.”
Alex grips the collar of Nicholas’ green shirt. “Wanna bet?” He drags him out of the room with the faerie yelling, taking swings, and pinching.
My heart settles and my nerves calm. I shove what happened out of my mind and turn back to Aislin and Laylen. “Why is he here?”
Laylen kicks his longs legs up on the table and fiddles with his lip ring. The tips of his blonde bangs are dyed blue and his eyes are the brightest shade of blue I’ve ever seen. “Because trouble’s brewing in the Faerie Realm.” His eyes meet mine. “You know, I think he secretly likes being the bearer of bad news.”
I sink into the velvet sofa. “It’s not a secret—he likes it and wants us to know it.” I sigh. “So what’s the trouble?”
Laylen scratches at his arm. The spot that once bore the Mark of Immortality before Aislin used her Wicca power to erase it. Laylen is half-vampire, but the good kind that don’t bite. Well, except for the occasional breakdown. But his last episode was ages ago, after I forced him to drink my blood to save him from death. Well, he did have another breakdown after that, but only because he was being controlled by the Mark of Evil.
“You remember the Empress of the Faerie Realm?” he inquires.
“Luna,” I say. “How could I forget? Oh, no… she isn’t coming after the spell Aislin owes her, is she?”
“Yep,” Laylen nods. “But we all knew it would happen eventually. She allowed us into her world, therefore we owe her.”
I pick at a loose thread sticking up on the sofa, noting Aislin’s silence. “It’s okay,” I tell her. “We’ll figure something out. You won’t have to do the spell.”
She blinks dazedly. “What… Oh, yeah. I know.”
Laylen pats her leg reassuringly. “We’ll figure out how to save Aleesa too.”
Aislin tucks her golden brown hair behind her ears and dabs tears from the corners of her eyes. Then she inches her leg away from Laylen’s hand.
“What’s wrong with Aleesa? Is she in trouble?” I ask. Laylen gapes at me like it’s the silliest question he’s ever heard. “Well, okay, she is Aleesa, I guess. But what’s going on?”
Alex walks in rolling up the sleeves of his black shirt. “Our half-sister, who we barely know, has gotten herself into some trouble with the faeries.” He flops down, relaxes his knee against mine, and drapes his arm behind my head. “Apparently, Luna was never informed she was only half-fey, and half-Keeper. So she’s pissed.”
“I thought she already knew?” I run my fingers through my hair and gather it out of my face.
“She knew she was part something,” Aislin explains quietly. “But not half-Keeper. And the empress of the Faerie Realm isn’t too thrilled having someone who’s part of a group who protects the world from vampire, witches, and fey.”
“Okay, so let Luna kick Aleesa out,” I say with a shrug. “She can come live with us.”
Alex massages gentle circles on my shoulders with his thumbs. “If only it were that easy. But it’s not. The Empress doesn’t want to let her go.”
It clicks. “She wants us to go there, so Aislin has to give her the spell Luna thinks she owes.”
Aislin grunts begrudgingly. “Exactly. And according to Nicholas, Aleesa’s in withholding until we save her.”
“So why don’t we go on a rescue mission?” I ask. “Aren’t we pros at that?”
“I can’t go.” Aislin stands up and tugs down her white frilly skirt. “If I step foot in that realm, Luna will force me to use my magic and free her into this world. And I won’t do it. I won’t use my magic for evil.” She storms off, her hair flying behind her.
“Aislin, wait.” Laylen chases after her, his head almost clipping the top of the doorway.
“Did I miss something?” I ask Alex.
“They’re arguing about something.” He slips a finger under my chin and steers my head toward him.
“They’ve been fighting a lot,” I say. “Is something going on that I don’t know about?”
“I think it’s the lack of what’s going on that’s the problem.”
“I thought they were doing better—I thought both of them were over their insecurities.”
He lets out a breath and leans back in the sofa, resting his foot up on his knee. “Aislin’s pissed because Laylen disappeared the other night and won’t tell her where he went.”
I zip my lips together. I know where Laylen went that night. “Oh yeah… hmm… seems like a silly thing to get mad over.”
He reads me like an open book. “You know where he was, don’t you?”
“I promised I wouldn’t tell.” I bite my lip and change the subject. “So what else did Nicholas have to say? And why was he delivering messages for Luna? I thought she hated him?”
“She does,” he says. “I’m sure there’s more to Nicholas’ story than what he’s saying. I think he might be in some trouble with Luna and as a favor, is luring us there.”
“So what do we do?” I ask, fiddling with a hole in the knee of his jeans.
“The only thing we can do—go and save Aleesa. Bring her back.” He flattens his palms on the tops of my bare legs, triggering goosebumps on my skin. “But you’re going to need to practice some more on your fighting skills.”
My muscles stiffen as I recollect last night’s dream.
“What’s wrong?” A worry-line grooves between his brows.
“It’s about the dream I had last night,” I say and divulge what happened.
“You dreamt Annabella came and stole me away?” he asks when I’m finished.
“Not Annabella.” I sigh. “It was The Queen of the Afterlife disguised as Annabella.”
His thumbs knead my thighs. “Gemma, everything’s going to be okay. The connection of our souls is what keeps us free. They can’t just take one of us.”
“But what if there’s a loophole,” I breathe. “The Blood Promise that connected our souls… what if there was some kind of loophole and someone discovered it. I mean, we were just kids when we made it. A lot could have gone wrong.”
“There’s no loophole.” He brushes my hair back, his eyes blazing with passion. “Not with this. I’ll love you forever and nothing will change that.”
My lips part in protest, but his mouth comes down on mine and steals my words away. “What about the Crystal of Limitation?” I pull back, breathless. “I know Nicholas knows where it is.”
His face sinks. “Even if he did know where the crystal was, Nicholas isn’t going to tell us. I think our best bet is to find another way to free your dad.” He leans in again, and this time I let him kiss me. I let myself forget about the problems. I forget about everything for the moment. Because that’s what his kisses do to me—they take me away.
***
“Hurry up and get changed, then we’ll go practice,” Alex says after an hour of making out.
I lick my swollen lips, nod, and hustle upstairs. I pretend to go to my room, and then backtrack after Alex leaves the bottom of the stairway.
I rap on Laylen’s door, crossing my fingers he’s alone. “Laylen, open up. It’s me.”
A shuffle of footsteps and the door creaks open. “You know she’s super pissed, right?” Laylen lets me in and shuts the door. He’s wearing black jeans and no shirt. Cupping his shoulder is a circle ringed by gold flames—his Keeper’s mark.
“Why aren’t you dressed?” I ask.
His eyes roam down my body and he grins. “I should be asking you the same question.” He slips on a black button-down shirt. “There. Better?”
I shrug and make myself at home on his bed. “Sorry Aislin’s pissed. You can tell her if you want. As long as she won’t tell Alex. Because if he finds out, this plan goes straight down the toilet. You know he won’t be on board with it.”
He tosses a pair of black boots on the floor and joins me on the bed, buttoning his shirt. “Nah. It’s better she doesn’t know. You know how nervous she gets when she’s trying to keep a secret.”
I nod, agreeing. “So what’d you find out?”
He smiles, pulls a piece of paper out of his pocket, and hands it to me.
I unfolded it. “Is this an address?”
“To a very important place.” He picks up a boot and puts it on. “Have you ever heard of a woman named Nalina?”
I shake my head. “Should I have though?”
“She’s Dyvinius’ sister.” He laces up the boot. “Who just happens to be a very powerful Foreseer.”
“I see where you’re going with this,” I say. “But why would she help me free my dad? She’s Dyvinius sister. And Dyvinius is dead set on keeping my dad trapped in his own head. It’s like he has a grudge against him or something.”
“He does.” He steals the paper from my fingers and wiggles his foot into the other boot. “Delmonte, the man who gave me this paper, says Dyvinius won’t let your dad out because he’s scared he’d try to take Dyvinius’ place as the leader of the City of Crystal.”
“Come again?” I sputter. “How could my dad become the leader of the City of Crystal? Isn’t it like an inherited position or something?”
“It’s a power position,” Laylen clarifies, tying the shoelace in a knot. “And I guess before your dad was imprisoned in The Room of Forbidden, he was getting more powerful than Dyvinius.”
“So Dyvinius is glad my dad’s trapped there. Because if he’s there then he can’t be out here, trying to dethrone him or whatever,” I say. “But what’s this Nalina person going to do about it?”
“Well, according to Delmonte, Nalina holds a big grudge against Dyvinius for banishing her from the City of Crystal and she might disclose the location of the Crystal of Limitation.” Laylen takes a studded belt out of a dresser drawer. “Delmonte’s a real chatterbox. I think from now on we should go to him for info.”
“Isn’t he a vampire?” I ask uneasily.
Laylen loops the studded belt through the top of his jeans. “Not all vampires are bad, Gemma. You know that.”
“I know, but I thought you had to be careful around them after you killed Vladislav.” I watch him warily, wondering why he’s so relaxed. Laylen is basically on death row with most vampires after killing Vladislav—a very important vampire—to save me.
He buckles his belt. “God, I’d almost forgotten about that. It seems like it has been forever.”
“But have other vampires forgotten about it?” I point out. “Because if you cross paths with one that knows what you did, you’re in some deep trouble. There are good vampires, Laylen, but there are some evil ones too.”
He flashes a grin, faking offense. “Are you saying that I can’t defend myself against a mob of angry vampires?”
“I’m saying I don’t want to ever find out.” I gently touch his arm, wanting him to understand. “I worry about you, you know. And besides, it’s my fault you’re in this mess in the first place. You killed Vladislav because of me—because I wanted to free my… mom from The Underworld.”
A glitch of quietness stills the room at the mention of my mom, who died to protect me from Stephan.
He rubs my back. “I’ll be careful. I promise. You don’t need to worry about me.”
“I always worry about you.” I twist my necklace—the one my mother gave me. It’s silver, heart-shaped, and encrusted with a purple stone. “Just to be safe, maybe I should go to Nalina’s on my own.”
“She’s a Foreseer, not a vampire,” Laylen says. “If anyone’s in danger there, it’d be you.”
“She doesn’t need to know I’m a Foreseer,” I tell him. “I haven’t used my power in a while.”
A smile threatens his lips and he tugs on a strand of my hair. “So the mark on the back of your neck won’t tip her off or anything.”
Rearranging my hair, I cover the black circle wrapping the S—the Foreseer mark—on the back of my neck. “Yeah, I guess it might.” I huff out a breath. “You’re right. We should go together, but not now. Right now I have to go practice fighting.”
“Tonight then? After everyone dozes off?”
“Sounds like a plan. Besides, I’ve been sleeping like crap anyway.”
“Are you having nightmares again?” he asks and I nod. “You want to talk about it?”
I shake my head. “It’ll be okay. I just stress about dreams sometimes.”
He looks like he wants to press me for the details, but he doesn’t. That’s the good thing about Laylen. He knows when to back off.
We head our separate ways. I go to my room and change into a pair of torn jeans and a black and red tee. Then I pull my hair back in a ponytail and meet Alex outside. The sun is shining against the clear sky. Birds chirp, the leaves crinkle, and the lake splashes against the shore. Ever since I died and came back to life, I notice the little sounds of life. Like my heart for instance; I’m always aware of it, beating in my chest, reminding me that I got a second chance at life.
Alex is sitting on the hood of his Chevy Camaro, sharpening a silver sword with a black handle shaped like a serpents head. “That took a while,” he remarks, not looking up.
I hop on the hood and let my legs dangle. “I talked to Laylen for a minute.”
He raises his eyebrows, eyes glued to the sword as he drags the sharpener up the blade. “Did you talk about anything interesting?”
“Not really,” I say. He’s giving off a strange vibe. “I just wanted to pry and see if things between him and Aislin were okay.”
He sets the sword on the hood and stares down the dirt road. “You sure that’s all you talked about?”
I shield my eyes from the sun. “Yeah… What’s up with you? You were fine just a few minutes ago.”
“That’s before I realized you’d rather ask Laylen for help than me.” He finally looks at me. “I thought you trusted me now.”
“I do trust you.” I fidget with my leather watch band. “But sometimes you’re a little too protective and you try to stop me from doing things that are important.”
“I stop you because they’re too dangerous,” he practically growls. “You always want to do things that could get you killed. And one of these times you might not get a get-out-of-jail-free card.”
“What’s your problem?” I slide off the hood, my shoes landing in a puddle. “And how do you even know I was asking Laylen for help?”
“I overheard you.” He jumps to his feet. “I went to ask Laylen a question—why he thinks this stupid thing,” he kicks the tire of the car, “keeps cutting out.”
I stare at his car. “How much did you hear?”
“Everything.” He places a hand on each of side of my face. “Going around asking strangers to help save your dad, isn’t a good idea. Nalina may have a grudge against Dyvinius, but it doesn’t mean you can trust her. You can’t trust most people—you should know that.”
“I don't trust her.” My fingers graze his shoulder blades as I enfold my arms around his neck. “But it doesn’t hurt to see what she knows. She might not help me, but there’s a chance she might. And to me, that’s worth the risk.” With my fingers, I trace a soft line down his spine, watching his jaw tighten. “Besides, I’m not the star anymore. I’m not important.”
“You’ll always be important.” He voice is feral. He lifts me up and I enclose my legs around his waist. “Whether you’re carrying a star's energy or not.”
I lick my lips, waiting zealously for him to kiss me. Instead, he releases me to the ground and scoops up the sword.
“We should get going.” He opens the car door and tosses the sword onto the backseat. “We’ve got a lot to cover and it’s getting late.”
I climb in the car and we peel down the road. I notice the shift in the weather, the darkening of the clouds, the potential for a lightning storm. I wonder what’s waiting for us at the field.