The Promise

“Have a seat,” the Banshee said and exited the room through a wooden door on the left. I sat down, preparing my speech in my head, knowing if I was wrong then I’d wasted a lot of time.

But part of me didn’t want to be right. Part of me didn’t want her to be one of them.

When the door clicked open again, the blonde Banshee returned. But she wasn’t alone. A man, with dark hair, black eyes, and pale skin stood beside her. Someone who was inexperienced would probably mistake him for a vampire. But I knew better. He was more dangerous than a vampire. That’s why I had my knife tucked in my jacket, within arm’s reach. I was surprised the Banshee didn’t pat me down back in the alley. But she probably wasn’t too worried. She thought I was a normal human, sticking my nose into a world where it didn’t belong.

He took a seat across from me and the space between us didn’t give me much option for a surprise execution. He tapped a cigarette on the table, and then stuck it in his mouth. The Banshee woman lit it for him. After he exhaled, his eyes narrowed on me.

“So you want to talk to me about something,” he said, eyes refusing to leave me.

I held his gaze, not afraid, but prepared, just like I was taught. “I need to know the location of a particular woman.”

He stayed silent for a while, tapping his fingers on the table. “The Lord of the Afterlife doesn’t associate with mortal women.”

“I don t think she’s mortal,” I explained, my hand resting steady in front of me, showing him I wasn’t afraid. “I think she might be one of them.” I nodded my head at the blonde Banshee.

“Does she have a name?” He asked, taking another drag from his cigarette. “This woman that 17

you seek?”

“Alana,” I said, the sound of her name strangling me.

Draven motioned his hand in front of him impatiently. “Alana…” I felt the same lump rise in my throat when I’d read it on the pages of the journal. Swallowing hard, I shoved the lump back down, burying my feelings inside. “Her name’s Alana Avery.” 18

Chapter 4

(Gemma)

“ Iknow you’re there,” I said to my bedroom ceiling. “So go away.” A soft laugh. “How can you tell without the ring on?”

“Because I can hear you breathing,” I said, rolling my eyes. “And I’ve been meaning to ask you how can you breathe if you’re dead?”

“Why do you see me if I m dead?”

“Because I’m a freak of nature,” I replied, turning onto my side. “Now go away. I’m trying to sleep.”

“Oh, relax and stop feeling sorry for yourself, “Nicholas s voice whispered from the corner of my room. “The witch didn’t take your life.”

My eyes snapped open. “How d you know about that?”

“Because I was listening,” he said with something in his voice I didn’t like. “What? Did you think just because you couldn’t see me that I wasn’t there?” I slowly sat up, my eyes sca

He gave a low, devious chuckle. “Maybe you should start leaving the ring on, otherwise who knows when I’m here and when I’m not… nice place for a Keepers mark by the way.” I touched my shoulder blade, cringing self-consciously. “You’re such a pervert.” Then I picked the ring up off my night stand and slipped it on my middle finger.

19

The blonde faerie appeared, full bodied, looking like he was a living human, only he was as far from it as one could be.

He gri

“How do you know the witch did’ t take my life?” I asked, getting to my feet.

He sighed tiredly. “I m not sure I want to answer any of your questions. I m still a little upset about you taking the ring off and leaving me in the dark by myself.” He faked a pout. “It’s lonely, you know.”

Now I was the one sighing tiredly. “Please, just once, can you answer a question simply, without complicating things?”

His face sank into a solemn stare. It was as human as I d ever seen him look. “I will, but no more taking the ring off.”

Something in his voice made me feel sorry for him, which made me feel a little bad for lying when I said, “Alright, the ring stays on. Now give me what you got.”

“She can’t take your life,” he said, stepping in front of me. “Because your life isn’t your own.” I frowned, confused. “I’m not following you.”

He patted the bed, sitting down, and hesitantly I took a seat next to him. “No one can just take your life. Not without taking someone else’s too.”

“You mean Alex’s?” I hated saying his name aloud. It caused my heart to do somersaults and my eyes to sting.

He nodded. “You both have to go down together.” He gri

20

I thought about all the times one of us had almost died, but never fully sealed the deal. “Is it because of the electricity?” I asked. “Is that why we have to die together?”

“That, and the Blood Promise you both made,” he explained. “You two are wound together about as tight as anyone can be. The witch might have stolen some of your life, but you’ll be fine.”

“So what happens if one of us actually dies,” I said, my heart thudding in my chest. “And I mean, really dies like forever.”

“You won’t,” he said simply. “You both have to go down together.” Hope rose in me, but it was quickly squashed.

“Don’t get too excited,” he said. “You’re both going to die soon. Remember the lake?” I scowled at him for bringing up the painful vision. “Does Alex know about this?” Nicholas shrugged. “Who knows what he’s got locked away in his head. Considering the countless lies he’s told, you can never really know.”

“That’s like the pot calling the kettle black, isn’t it?”

He smirked. “Perhaps.”

Normally, I’d be upset with him, but I d just found out that Alex was alive. All that worrying was for nothing. But it was impossible for just one of us to make it. Either we were living and Stephan could open the portal. Or we were dead and the world was saved.

So why did my dreams say otherwise?

I headed downstairs, to the kitchen to tell Laylen and Aislin that everything was going to be fine. That I wasn’t going to, that couldn’t die yet.

21

“So Alex is okay, then?” Aislin asked, like she had been fretting he was dead, just like me.

I nodded, taking a bite of my sandwich. “At least that’s what faerie boy said.” She no longer looked relieved. “But how do we know he’s not just being… well, you know, himself.”