Authors: Jayde Scott
"Is that—" I couldn't even get the word out.
"Blood?" Cass raised her brows. "Nope. It's red wine. We thought you might need a bit of a pick me up. Guess we were right."
I felt my pulse steady again, as though a huge weight had just been lifted off my chest. "Right." I nodded and peered down at the floor, wondering where to begin. The chalk. I grabbed it from the table and drew a large circle, about a hundred and fifty inches in diameter, in the middle of the room, then lit several candles inside.
"Do they need to be of a specific color?" Amber asked. "Sorry, you didn't say, so I chose white."
"White's great." I smiled and grabbed the drum, my hand wandering over the tight skin on top, so smooth to the touch. And then the first memory came back to me. A warm summer night. People gathered around a fire and me holding a drum in my hand. A strong sense of peace washing over me as my hand started to pound, slowly at first, then faster and harder. Sweat poured down my back, the sheen layer making my clothes stick to my skin. I closed my eyes to savor the feeling. When I opened them again, I realized the drumming noise didn't take place just in my head. My hand was moving, beating a rhythm I had never heard in this life. The others were staring at me.
I smiled and put the drum aside. "Sorry. I got carried away."
"So that's how it works," Cass muttered.
"She tried her hand at magic," Aidan explained, pointing at Cass. "Didn't work out so well, huh?"
Cass shot him a venomous look, and I turned away, eager to get acquainted with my new materials. I spread the dried branches and herbs around me, then grabbed the white material someone had folded next to a dagger and took my place in the middle of the circle.
"I'll need the body," I whispered. "I can't do this if he doesn't have one."
"Dallas's body is in a safe place. I've brought you something that belonged to him," Cass said.
"Is this it?" I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat. My hand hovered over the shirt, but I didn't touch it.
Cass nodded gravely. "It's what he wore when he died."
The brownish stains on the front couldn't be mistaken for anything else. Judging from the amount of it and all the slashes and holes, it wasn't a nice death either. I peered at the dried blood for a few seconds, then peeled my gaze away because just thinking of gore and what else not wasn't doing my stomach any favors. And yet I knew I had no choice. "I need a sacrifice. More blood."
"He's my brother. I'll do it," Amber whispered.
"No. It has to come from me." Cass raised her chin defiantly, daring anyone to disagree, but Amber and Aidan remained quiet. I glanced at
Thrain
. He peered back at me, brows drawn, lips pressed into a grim line.
"Everybody, step into the circle, please." I raised my hands over my head to signal we were about to begin. Amber, Cass and Aidan sat down in front of me, inches away from the white line around us.
"I'm a demon,"
Thrain
said. "I doubt anything you raise could ever hurt me. Besides, I'd rather watch from here in case I need to step in." Reading his worried expression, I could see my safety mattered to him. The realization made me feel all warm and cozy inside. I wanted to run over and kiss him for good luck, but I feared if I left the circle I might not have the courage to start over.
"Sure. Whatever you see, don't get involved," I said.
Thrain
nodded and with that I proceeded. Looking at the materials in front of me, I took the bell, which felt cold in my hands, and rang it twice as I began to chant, "The circle is closed." My voice started low but steady and rose in intensity as I gained confidence. "Raise this spirit and bring it home safely."
The others remained quiet. I don't know how much time passed, only that a sense of peace washed over me, and I embraced it like I would a long lost friend. The room slowly dissipated into nothingness and the faces of the others became blurred until I was no longer aware of their presence. The only thing I could hear was the drum.
For a long time, I just focused on the sound of my voice competing with the drum. And then my mind became clearer and sharper, my intentions more pronounced, and I saw the room through semi-darkness. Though I wasn't sure whether I even opened my mouth, I spoke in a language I didn't understand, begging the gods and goddesses to gather at my command and grant the gift of life for a recently deceased soul. I dropped the drum, grabbed the white shirt with one hand, wrapped it around Cass's wrist and retrieved the dagger, piercing it into her palm. She gasped as the sharp blade cut through skin and flesh, but I didn't let go. With one hand I held her wrist in place and with the other I carved a symbol I didn't recognize so deep her blood soaked the shirt and the virgin white became a tainted red. The sickening smell of iron filled the air. It didn't bother me as I put the dagger aside and resumed my drumming.
I could feel the strange presence emerging from the left side. With soft, hesitant steps it came closer and stopped at the edge of the circle. Amber let out a shriek. Aidan grabbed her in his arms and started whispering soothing words in her ear. My gaze, however, fell on Cass who just sat there and stared ahead as though she could see the entity and, unlike Amber, wasn't afraid.
"How do you—"
"I'm a reaper, mate. Seeing the dead is my business now," Cass interrupted.
I nodded and resumed my drumming, watching the young man from the corner of my mind. Confused, his eyes darted across the room, never falling on anything for longer than a second or two. His mouth hung slightly open, his neck was covered in blood, dark shadows framed his hazel eyes, but nothing could cloud his beauty that resembled Amber's so much. Not even the deathly pallor. I focused on him and imagined him in a different time, with full lips curled into a smile and the smooth skin on his neck untouched by the beast that had torn it to shreds. I imagined him full of life with his cheeks flushed and his eyes gleaming from the love he felt for his mate, Cassandra.
Something flickered in the ghost's gaze, and I knew he had just started to remember his life, his love, his dreams. "Dallas, follow my drum and it will take you to where you belong," I whispered in that strange language.
And then the drumming began again: loud, firm, making my heart pump harder. Sweat started to pour out of me, soaking my clothes. My voice rose and fell as my hands moved even faster. My own spirit left my body and started to float, then took off through the woods, flying at an unspeakable speed with the ghost following behind. All I could see were the woods below, but I could feel the exhilarating power of the wind in my hair. The cold breeze made my damp skin shiver, and yet I didn't stop until I reached a huge mansion below me. The drumbeat slowed down to let us descent through the mansion's roof into a tiny room where the body of a young man lay on a bed, covered in white sheets that made his skin look even paler. The gash on his neck exposed tendons and bones where the flesh had been ripped out. I focused on his golden hair that seemed to catch the few rays of light falling in through the drawn curtains.
"You're home, Dallas. But you need to return inside your body," I said, smiling.
The ghost hesitated, then took another step forward and reached out for his once mortal body. Slowly, his hand began to sink inside the human flesh. He leaned forward until he disappeared half inside, then completely. Dallas's body began to shake uncontrollably. From the corner of my eye, I noticed a shadow behind me. Was it his guardian? I had no time to find out because the door burst open and a man hurried in, his powerful energy frightening me. My heart began to pound hard as he stopped next to Dallas's body, then turned to face me as though he could sense my astral body.
"Thank you," he whispered, his stunning green eyes glinted. I didn't need to ask who he was. The resemblance to Cass was uncanny. I stared at him, mesmerized, until I remembered I had a job to do.
I nodded and fell back into the beat of the drum, rising through the air to return to the huge Scottish mansion. The way back seemed longer, filled with quiet and yet also with a sadness I didn't understand. Tiredness washed over me. The whooshing sound in my head became painful, and the light hurt my eyes. I was tempted to descend and rest in the woods below, if only for a brief moment, but I kept going. I could feel my body pulling me back. Aidan's mansion appeared in the distance when I broke down and everything went black. In the cold enveloping me I could feel someone touch my shoulder with freezing fingers.
"You must go back."
I shook my head lightly, signaling I didn't want to. Not yet. The icy fingers clamped around my shoulders and shook hard, forcing me to sit up.
"Go, now!"
Groaning, I began to ascend again and headed for the mansion. I was so tired, it took me a while to reach it. Only when I opened my eyes did I realize I must have closed them at some point. My hands rested on the drum and my head had rolled back as though in sleep.
I pulled myself up, and the dizziness faded a little. My heart was still pounding hard in my chest.
I cleared my throat and straightened my back, then rang the bell to signal the end of the session.
"You've done it. Thank you so much," Cass whispered, two tears rolling down her plump cheeks. I nodded and let her hug me because it was easier than to protest. The sudden weariness pressing down on my chest made me want to hide under my blanket and sleep off the fatigue that seemed to come from the core of my being. And yet I couldn't because my work wasn't done yet.
"
Thrain
, can I have some water?" My throat felt hoarse as I spoke, my voice sounded alien in my ears. He hurried over with a glass of water and I drank it hastily as I signaled the others that they could leave the circle. For a few seconds, they just stared at me before the questioning began. I sank into
Thrain's
arms as I answered dutifully, my attention focused on Cass. The long nails were gone now; the menacing flair around her had vanished. Her skin seemed to glow, her whole being radiated light and—darkness, but not in a scary way. Just different.
"
Gotta
go," she said.
I nodded, understanding. She had to see Dallas. If I were her, I'd want to see my mate too instead of engaging in meaningless small talk. With a last smile, she took off.
"That's enough,"
Thrain
said and scooped me up on his arms, ignoring my protest that I wasn't finished. In few long strides, he carried me up the stairs to my room.
"Cass isn't just any angel, is she?" I whispered as he sat me down. He nodded and sat down on the bed next to me. His big hands cupped my face; his green eyes met my gaze with an expression I couldn't interpret. "Thank you for helping her and for trusting us." And then he kissed me softly. I opened my mouth to say that I would do it again. Any time. I would do anything for him. But he pressed a finger against my lips, forcing me to listen. "Thank you for being here with me." I shrugged to show it wasn't a big deal. His lips grazed my earlobe, sending shivers down my spin. I let out a soft moan.
"There's something I haven't told you,"
Thrain
whispered. "I've been waiting to meet my mate for a long time. I thought it'd never happen and that maybe I might not have one. And then I met you." He moistened his lips and ran a finger down my cheek. "You're beautiful and more amazing than I ever hoped for."
My heart skipped a beat as he whispered in my ear, "Promise you'll always stay with me. No matter what." He looked at me expectantly. A tear slipped down my cheek. In that instant, I knew I had fallen in love with him and that the bond we shared would make this love grow stronger.
"I promise," I said softly.
He smiled and leaned closer until our lips almost met. "
Soph
, I'll follow you everywhere. I'll do anything you want." His lips crushed mine. My mind began to spin and I let myself fall into his embrace, abandoning my own being to become a part of him, even if only for a few brief seconds. The room seemed forgotten. My fingers began to unbutton his shirt when a loud screech pierced my eardrums. I broke free and pressed my hands against my ears to stop the unnerving sound.
The screech piercing my eardrums came out of nowhere. If it weren't for
Thrain
to jump up and run outside, I would've thought it was all happening in my head again, which wouldn't surprise me in the slightest. My palms pressed harder against my ears to drown out the noise as I followed a step behind
Thrain
. He turned and frowned at me.
"What?" I mouthed.
"Please, stay inside." His voice was low, barely more than a whisper. I was amazed to find I was able to hear him over the shrilling screech coming from outside.
I shook my head. "There's no way I'm staying here and you get to have all the fun." For a moment, our gazes locked in a fierce battle for control. The corners of his lips twitched, and I found myself smiling with him. He seemed to find my defiance endearing just as much as I found his protective nature one of the most attractive features about him. I grabbed his hand and dragged him behind me out the door. "Come on. You're wasting time."
He sighed but didn't argue, which suited me just fine. I had enough distractions already and didn't need another one. The noise came from the woods, near the gate. My shoe soles barely made any noise on the cobblestones as we took off down the declining path. For a moment I even felt a bit like the immortals, until my breathing started to sound like a whistle and I vowed to give up smoking. By the time
Thrain
and I reached the gate the noise had stopped. Aidan and Amber were already there, searching the thicket.