The Promise

I nodded. “And so do you.”

He pressed his lips together, wanting to say more. His blue eyes looked brighter somehow, maybe because they weren’t burden with the mark.

“Are they back yet?” I slid my legs off his lap, but he held them down. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.” He played with his lip ring. “Would you… could you explain to me why you have to die? Because I don t get it. If we removed his mark, then we can take him down.”

“But we can’t take down everything else,” I told him. “Alana told me something while I was in the Afterlife. She said that everything was supposed to happen this way. And that the star had to die because if it lives, the portal will open. Malefiscus is part of the star and it co

“I wished things were different,” he mumbled, eyebrows furrowing. “I wish I could have done things different.”

I didn’t say anything, not completely agreeing with him. Yes, I wished most of my life had been different. But there were a few things I wouldn’t change.

A bang shook the floor and I jumped to my feet, searching for a knife.

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“Sophia’s still down there,” Laylen u

“I know,” I said, glancing over my shoulder at the kitchen. “Could you do me a favor?”

“Anything you want, Gemma.”

“Could you free Sophia?” I asked. “After all this is over. Don’t just leave her down there.” He titled his head to the side, his blue-tipped bangs falling across his forehead. “You don’t hate her for what she did to you?”

I considered my answer carefully. “I don’t hate her, but I don’t really like her either. It’s kind of strange, I guess because I know all those years her mind wasn’t her own. But all the pain she caused is still fresh in my mind. She’s my grandmother though, and I don’t want her locked underneath the house forever.”

He fidgeted with his lip ring, perplexed in his own thoughts. “Gemma, how do you know for sure that you won’t be around for this? How do you know you’re going to die and Alex’s isn’t?” I leaned in, lowering my voice. “Can you keep a secret?”

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Chapter 44

(Alex)

Aislin dropped us in front of the house, letting out a shiver, as the cold air encircled her.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” she asked again, wrapping her arms around herself.

“Because maybe there’s another way. We still have a little time left.” I shook my head, opening the gate. “There’s no other way, Aislin. Time’s up. This is it.”

“Well, I’m waiting here.” She refused to step onto the sidewalk.

“That’s fine.” I walked for the front steps. “I’d rather do this on my own, anyway.” I banged on the door, causing an eruption of howls from the neighborhood dogs. “Open up! I know you’re in there.”

Next door, an old woman stepped out onto her porch. “Keep it down. We don’t want any nonsense.”

I banged on the door again, this time louder.

“No one lives there,” the old woman hissed, tying her robe. “Now leave or I’ll call the police.” I shook my head, giving the door a good hard kick, and then I stomped down the stairs, grabbing Aislin by the arm and headed down the street.

“Where are we going?” Aislin trotted to keep up.

“Just keep walking.” I glanced over my shoulder at the old woman who was still watching us. I turned the corner, rounding the back, and hopped over the fence to the back door. “Wait here,” I instructed and left Aislin on the bottom steps.

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I checked the back door and the window, but both were locked. I kicked the house. “Dammit! I don’t have time for this crap.” I punched my fist through the window, cutting my knuckles.

“Alex!” Aislin cried over the howl of the dogs, but I was already diving headfirst through the window.

Her wail blasted my ears as soon as I hit the floor. I didn’t bother taking out my knife, because I was already giving her what she wanted. I ran up the stairs and kicked down the door.

“Way to make an entrance,” the Banshee sung from the windowsill, her blond hair white in the pale moonlight. “But you could have just knocked.”

I took a deep breath, ready to make my offer, but she held up her hand.

“Let me guess,” she said, whisking from the window. “You found your mother, but now she’s trapped in the Afterlife, paying her debt until Helena will let her walk the world again.” I started to nod, but then shook my head. “But that’s not why I m here.” Her eyes were curious, her smile malicious. “Then tell me, what do you want from me?” She circled, tracing her finger across my shoulder. “I can be very giving if asked the right question.”

I clutched my hands into fists, knowing this wasn’t easy. But it was right. And that was all that matter. “I’m ready to make a bargain with you.”

A few minutes later, I returned outside, this time using the door. Aislin was waiting for me on the steps, in the crisp snow, shivering and chattering. “Can we go now? I m freezing my butt off.”

“You should have worn a jacket,” I handed her mine.

“I didn’t even think about it.” She put the jacket on and zipped it up. “All I could think about 217

was you saying you’re going to die.”

I rubbed my hands across my face, taking in what I’d just done. I felt different, sacred, but less burdened. “It’ll be okay. You’ll be okay.”

She kicked her boots at the snow. “I know you think this is how this is supposed to work, but why can’t someone save you too?”

“Because I’m not worth it.” I stared at the sky. “I’ve lived my life, did a lot of crappy things, and now it’s time to make up for it.”

She sucked back the tears and sniffled. “You’re not as bad as you think you are, Alex. And I think Gemma would agree with me.”

I realized this was probably the last time I’d see her. When I returned home, it would be time.

And even though she bugged the heck out of me most days, I’d still miss her. So I pulled her in for one last hug.

“Take care of yourself.” I gave her a pat on the back.

She nodded, sobbing, just like she always did. Then she pushed back, dabbing the tears from her eyes.

“Can we make one stop before we go back to the house?” I asked. “There’s something I need to get.”