The Promise

“Excuse me,” I said, my eyes searching for him. “I don’t owe you anything. And how can I hear you? I don’t have the ring on.”

“It s a Banshee thing,” Alana said with a sigh. “We have a ghostly co

“But we still can’t see him?”

“Do you really want to?” Alex asked and pointed to the side of Laylen. “And he’s right there.” I felt Laylen shift toward me. “You could have mentioned that earlier.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, staring at the empty space Alex pointed at. “But why do you think I owe you your life.”

“Because Alex made a bargain in your name.” Nicholas giggled. “It was so nice of him.” I gaped at Alex. “You did what?”

“It was the only way I could get him to tell me where she was.” Alex nodded at his mother and then shot a glare in Nicholas’s direction. “You know how he is.” 145

“Okay, but how’s Gemma even supposed to do that?” Laylen asked the question I was thinking.

“Because I’m really curious.”

“She’ll make sure to include his name when she makes the bargain with Helena,” Alana chimed in, like she’d known this all along.

“So I’m going then?” I asked her. “You’re going to help me.”

“Alex.” Alana turned to him. “Give Gemma the ring back.”

He slid his hand to the side of him and hid it under his leg. “No way.”

“Alex.” Her voice was calm, but firm. “She needs the ring to enter the Afterlife.” He scoffed, almost yanking his finger off as he removed the ring. Then he slapped it down on the coffee table, where it spun like a top, finally landing on its side, the violet-gem directed at me.

I put the ring on and Nicholas appeared. He winked at me and gave a mocking wave in front of Laylen’s face.

Laylen leaned in to me. “How close is he? He’s not touching me is he? Because I’m starting to find this whole ghost thing a little creepy.”

Your fine, “I lied.”

“Bzzzz.” Nicholas murmured and Laylen flinched. “Times up.” My eyes darted to the clock and I hopped up.

“What’s wrong?” Alex was on his feet, like he was ready for battle I pointed at the clock. “Aislin’s times just ran out. I need to go find her.” 146

Alex caught me by the elbow. “Hold on a sec. You can’t just go ru

I shook his arm off, but he wrapped his arms around me, pi

She might be in trouble.”

“Then I’ll go,” he said. I started to open my mouth to argue, but he covered it. “I’ll go this time.” He voice was slow pressing.

I bit at my lip, his breath warm on my neck. “You can’t get there. I have to take you.”

“I’ll take him,” Nicholas offered, raising his hand.

“Thanks. But no thanks,” I said. “You’d probably end up dropping him into the ocean or something.”

“He can take me,” Alex interrupted.

I hesitated. “Are you sure? Because I wasn’t really joking about the ocean thing.”

“Yeah, I’m sure.” He released me and reached for the ring. “Can I —” Poof.

I whirled, bumping my elbow into Alex. “Aislin.” I breathed relief. “You made it.” She gri

147

“Wait a minute.” I reeled to Nicholas. “Where’s my mom?”

He didn’t have to say anything. I knew it was bad. Because when someone like Nicholas looked sad, there was no way it could be good.

Tears threatened to fall from my eyes. “She s gone, isn’t she?” He pressed his lips together, nodding, not daring to speak.

My lips trembled, the prickle surfacing and stabbing violently at my neck. I didn’t say a word, because I couldn’t. I left the room, going up to mine, and sank down onto my bed. I hugged a pillow to my chest, letting the tears stream out.

A knock sounded at my door. Before I could answer, Laylen entered. He didn’t say a word as he sank on the bed and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” I sniffed, wiping my eyes. “I know it s stupid. I mean, I already thought she was dead once.”

“I remember when my parents died,” he started after a deep breath. “It hurt so bad I didn’t know how to deal with it.” He paused. “I kept wishing for time to stop so I didn’t have to go through life without them. But it kept moving, despite all my wishing. After a while, the hurt became less painful. I won’t lie, though, it never fully goes away. There will always be pain. It just gets easier to carry.”

I nodded, tears pouring and I didn’t even try to stop them. “And how did you get to that point… where it became a little easier.”

“Time,” he said.

“But how much time?”

“As long as you need.”

148

Then he stayed silent, while tears poured down my cheeks, landing on everything below me and marking it with my sorrow. I’d never see my mother again. I’d never get to know her. I’d never have memories of her that didn’t include the world ending.

She was gone.

And I had to move on somehow.

But not yet.

No, right now I needed a little more time.

Somehow I fell asleep. When I woke up I felt much lighter. Not in terms of my mourning, but in the sense that my body felt much lighter because my wings were gone. I stared back at the empty space behind me, relieved I no longer had to pack them around. My clothes were back to normal too, which was just about as lovely as the wings being gone.

“Aislin took them off while you were asleep.” His voice startled me and I bolted up, blinking against the darkness. He was sitting in the computer chair, skimming through my music. So long, Good-byeby 10 Years flowed from the speakers. “Aislin thought it might cheer you up a little if you woke up and they were gone.” He swiveled the chair. “Are you… are you okay?”

“No,” I admitted honestly. “But I don t think I’m supposed to be.” He nodded, understanding. “No, I don’t think it’s that simple is it.” I climbed out of bed, stretching my arms and legs. “I guess I should get going. I’ve got souls to save.”