The Promise

“Destroyed my life,” I finished for him. “No, I don t really think that was her. I saw her in a vision, when she removed my soul and she looked like she didn’t want to, but couldn’t seem to stop herself.” I paused. “Where’s Marco?”

“He’s dead,” he said quietly. “My father killed him.”

“But he didn’t kill Sophia.” I considered the reason why. “Because she’s the only one who could detach my soul again.”

“I think so,” Alex nodded, agreeing. “So what do we do now?” 190

“The only thing we can do,” I said, a quiver in my voice. “We leave her there until we die.” He was on his feet before I could even finish. “What’s wrong with you? You can’t be giving up that easy.”

“We’re not giving up,” I said. “We’re doing what we have to do.”

“So what? You just quit.” His words breathed fire in my face.

I shook my head. “No, I’m not giving up. I’m doing what I have to do to save the world.” He dragged his fingers down his face. “There has to be another way.”

“No, there’s not. And we don’t have any time left,” I said. “And it doesn’t matter. I’ve known this was going to happen, I’ve just been making it complicated, when all along the answer was right in front of me.” I put my hand on his cheek, a forbidden electric touch. “We die, so everyone else can live.”

Then I touched my lips to his, a quick brush, then walked out the door.

Even though he was angry with my answer, I hoped he would follow me.

And he did.

191

Chapter 40

(Alex)

Ican’t believe she really thought that was going to happen; that I was just going to let her give up like that. I followed her down the stairs anyway, but mainly to make sure Laylen and Aislin weren’t flipping out.

Everything was quiet, still as death.

Aislin was at the coffee table, mixing a bowl of herbs. “You’re alive,” she joked with a smile.

“Do you realize how many times you’ve said that to me,” Gemma joked back as if nothing was wrong, as if she hadn’t just been dead, hadn’t gone to the Afterlife, hadn’t a

Aislin laughed, crunching leaves and Gemma made a face at the stench. Her eyes wandered over to me, curious if I d break the news to everyone.

But in my opinion there was no news to break.

“What is that stuff?” she gagged, peering in the bowl.

“This is what’s going to take the Shield Spell off my father.” She gave the bowl a spin. “Of course, after we do that, I don’t know what we’re going to do. No one’s come up with a plan to end him.”

Again, Gemma glanced at me and I shook my head once, warning her not to talk about her stupid death plan.

“So where’s Laylen?” she asked.

192

“Right here,” he a

She tucked her hair behind her ears. “Did you get taller?” she teased.

He stuck out his arm and she gasped, tugging it closer to her. “You’re mark’s gone! You’re free.”

He shrugged. “Not completely.” He grinded his teeth. “But close.” Gemma hugged him again, her eyes meeting mine and I glared at her. She let go of Laylen. “I’m glad you’re happy.” Then she marched up and took me by the elbow, pulling me into the foyer and out the front door.

“See all this,” she said with a swing of her hand.

“Looks like a street.” I shrugged, leaning back against the railing. Snow was falling lightly and our breaths fogged in front of us.

“A quiet peaceful street,” she said, staring at the houses on the other side of the road. “And it could stay that way.”

“I’m not letting you die,” I said. “I refuse to. We haven’t even…” God, I sounded like an idiot. I took her by the shoulders, looking her in the eye. “You haven’t even lived. I mean really lived, without all of this.”

“Death’s not that bad.” But she winced when she said it.

My hands fell from her shoulders, because my palms were too hot to touch her any longer. I started to speak, but she put a finger to my lips.

“Can I show you something?” she asked, eyes wild with excitement.

193

I pointed at the house. “Don’t you think we should help Aislin with the shield spell?” She shook her head, hair blowing in her face, her violet eyes eager with something I couldn’t understand. “They’ll be fine. Aislin will get the spell working.”

“How do you know that?” I folded my arms.

She smoothed the hair out of her mouth. “Because I’ve seen how this is all going to end. The world will be safe. Everyone will be safe.” Then she pushed past me back into the house, not waiting to see if I followed. And I wasn’t pla

But this was nothing but a threat to myself I realized. I trailed after her, catching up as she reached the stairs.

“I think I almost got it,” Aislin a

Gemma climbed up the stairs, her footsteps quick. Her hands quivered as she opened her bedroom door. She walked over to her computer and picked up a candle, turning it in her hand.

“This is what I wanted to show you,” she said, her voice shaking. She cleared her throat.

“Okay. It’s… nice.” Was I missing something?

She frowned, disappointed. “It’s nice? That’s all you have to say?”

“It’s a candle.” I shrugged. “What do you want me to say?” She bit at her lip, biting back a smile. “No, it s so much more than a candle.” 194

Chapter 41

(Gemma)

“So what is it then?” he asked, unaware of the importance of this moment.

“It s a candle,” I stated.

He rolled his eyes and the corners of his mouth quirked up. “Obviously, Gemma. But what’s so special about it.” He took the small rainbow candle from my hand.

I grabbed a lighter off my desk and flicked it open. “A witch gave it to me.” I didn’t bother mentioning what I’d given up to get the candle. Without my locket, my neck felt bare and exposed, just like my emotions did now. “It’s a Power of Entrapment candle. I got it from the Black Magic place.”