Home > The Evanescence (Fallen Souls #2)(17)

The Evanescence (Fallen Souls #2)(17)
Author: Jessica Sorensen

Evan rolls his eyes. “Please, not at the dinner table.”

“Yes, please. People are trying to eat,” Laylen says in a teasing tone, appearing in the doorway. He squirms uncomfortably when I look at him and I wonder why. “Although, I’m not eating, so I guess it doesn’t really matter.”

Gemma’s cheeks are turning redder, which is weird, because usually she can contain her embarrassment a little bit better, probably because of all those years not feeling anything. She begins to squirm on my lap, getting to her feet, but I tighten my grip on her, deciding to have some fun, just for a moment, hoping it might help her relax.

I kiss her neck, sucking on the skin, and she turns as red as a cherry.

“Alex,” she whispers, her shoulder rising as she shudders against my breath. “People are watching.

“People as in Laylen and Evan?” I cup the back of her neck and guide her lips to mine, kissing her fervently. For all I know, this may be the last time I kiss her because, if anything happens to her, anything at all, I’ll lay my life down to save her, just like I have time and time again. One of these times, though, I might not be so lucky and I won’t wake up.

When I pull away, she’s breathless, her eyes shut, her cheeks flushed, and she’s shivering uncontrollably.

Evan drops his plate in the sink and it hits the stainless steel loudly. “Okay, enough. I’m seriously going to throw up right in this sink and then leave it in there for you two to clean up.”

Gemma’s eyelids flutter open and her face contorts with revulsion. “Ew.”

I nod my head at the food. “Eat up before we go.”

She reluctantly stands, piles some bacon and pancakes onto a plate, then sits down next to me. She starts munching on the bacon and I watch her, seriously considering locking her up again. I can’t do it. I can’t let her risk her life.

She shifts uncomfortably in her chair, her eyes fastened on her plate. “Alex.” She peeks up through her eyelashes. “I can’t eat with you staring at me like that so quit being a weirdo.”

I decide to let her eat in peace and pick up my plate, carrying it over to the sink. Evan is wiping the counters down, which seems pointless, but whatever, and Laylen is staring out the window, the sun hitting his eyes, but he’s not blinking.

He looks at me as I set my plate down in the sink. “So, are we ready to get Aislin and Aleesa from the Faerie Realm?” he asks. “Because standing around, eating breakfast seems like a waste of time if you ask me.”

“Yeah…” I lean back against the counter, my gaze drifting to Gemma eating at the table. “I just wish it didn’t have to be her.”

“Yeah, I know,” Laylen agrees with a frown. “Do you ever get the feeling that things are always going to be this way?”

I arch an eyebrow. “You mean, do I think we’re always going to be on the brink of death?” I ask and he nods. I move away from the counter, my eyes glued on Gemma. Last night was great and I wish that every night could be like that, but I just don’t see it happening because every time we think things have mellowed, something turns up. “Yeah, all the damn time.”

Chapter 18

Gemma

They’re trying to create a plan to get Aislin and Aleesa out of the Faerie Realm, even though we talked about it last night. It’s making me mad because, even though Alex said I could do it my way, he seems to be trying to find a way around it, like he changed his mind.

“But it’s the easiest way,” I say. “I’ll put on the Cornu Lepore and foresee my way to the Faerie Realm. When I get there, the Fey have to obey me, then I’ll find Aislin and Aleesa and bail them out. It’s that simple.”

“You know there is probably a loophole somewhere.” Alex says, slumping back in the kitchen chair. “There always is and what if there is this time. What if you get stuck there or something and have to be their ruler?”

I think of my dream last night and how content I felt in the throne. “That’s not going to happen,” I say. “I won’t let it happen.”

He lets out a derisive laugh. “Yeah, like you can control it. You can’t control anything… none of us can.”

I stab my nails into my palm, clenching my fist. “You don’t have to be an ass about it.”

“And you don’t have to be so naïve,” he retorts.

I glare at him, rising from my chair, fully prepared to run off and go there myself. He snags my wrist, though, and pulls me back down.

“I’m sorry,” he says, releasing my arm. “I just worry about you.”

“I know you do,” I tell him. “But you have to stop. You make things so difficult sometimes.”

He rakes his hands through his disheveled hair. “That’s because I love you and the idea of anything happening to you scares the shit out of me.”

My lips part and I’m about to tell him I love him, too, however, like I’ve said a million times, he needs to stop worrying, except I’m interrupted by a knock on the front door.

The four of us glance around at each other with baffled expressions on our faces. Nobody ever comes to the castle—at least, not anyone good.

“Who the hell could that be,” Laylen mutters under his breath as he pushes away from the table. Evan follows his lead and I start to get up when Alex grabs my arm.

“Stay here,” he instructs, then surprises me when he stays with me.

Laylen and Evan disappear into the hall and, moments later, we hear the sound of voices. I tap my fingers on top of the table, anxiously wondering who’s out there.

Alex squeezes my leg gently. “Relax. I don’t think it’s anything bad. It’s too quiet.”

He’s right, but I’m still edgy. I hear the front door close and the shuffling of feet heading down the hallway towards us. There are no loud bangs, or screams, and I start to relax.

I look at Alex. “I guess you were…” I trail off at the sight of him.

He’s staring at the doorway, with his eye enlarged, and his skin has gone deathly pale. “Dammit.”

I track the line of his gaze to Laylen and Evan and some strange man is with them. His dark hair matches his black eyes and his skin is as white as a lily and equally as beautiful. His lips are a deep red, like they’re stained with blood. He’s wearing a black buttoned shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, black jeans, and black boots.

“Is he a Vampire?” I whisper to Alex, leaning over the table towards him.

He shakes his head, not taking his eyes off the man. “Nope, he’s something worse.”

Something worse? I gape at the man as he enters the room.

His eyes are on us and, when he sees Alex, a malicious smile rises on his face. Using long and very deliberate strides, the man makes his way towards us. Tension fills the air, more and more, the closer he gets. Alex looks sick, but he keeps his head up, his chin raised high with confidence and his shoulders squared.

“Alex, who is he?” I hiss, starting to panic when Laylen and Evan hover in the corner, like they’re afraid for their lives.

Alex takes my hand from underneath the table and I can feel his erratic pulse through his fingertips. “Draven, Lord of the Afterlife.”

“Lord of the Afterlife? What?” I’m confused and fear rushes through me. “Why is he here? Is he working for Helena?”

“Nope,” Alex says with a simple shake of his head. “He’s here for me.”

Chapter 19

Gemma

I’m not sure why the Lord of the Afterlife is coming for Alex, but Alex sure seems to know. I wonder if he’s been keeping things from me and then I remember that it’s Alex, so of course he is.

“Why is he here for you?” I hiss, gripping onto his hand.

“Because it’s time for Alex to pay a debt to me,” Draven responds in deep voice that sends a chill down my spine.

Angling my neck back, I elevate my gaze to him. His dark eyes are cold, dark and emotionless. There’s nothing going on inside and I know we’re in some deep trouble, even if I don’t know anything about him.

“A debt?” I ask, battling to keep my voice even. “What kind of debt?”

“I think I’ll let Alex share that with you.” Draven strolls over to the window and stares at the sunlight with his hands in his pocket. “I’m ready whenever you are, Alex,” he says with a wicked laugh in his tone.

Laylen and Evan rush over to the table.

“Okay, what the hell did you do?” Evan sounds anxious as he slides into the seat.

Alex stares down at my hand in his with his forehead creased. “I made a deal a little while back… I thought it was the only way.”

“You thought it was the only way to what?” I urge him to continue with a squeeze of my hand.

He looks at me and there is sadness in his eyes. “To save you.”

“What do you mean, save me? Save me from what?” I search his eyes, trying to find an answer and what he’s really feeling, because he seems so calm, but I know it’s just an act.

He lets out a slow breath and leans back in the chair, still holding my hand. “From the star, Stephan, from everything really. I didn’t think the debt would matter. I needed to find my mother. I was told Draven would be able to give me some information on how to find her. And he did, but for a price. I thought I’d end up dying anyway, so I agreed.” He presses his lips together, shaking his head. “I gave him one year of service from me, in exchange for what I hoped would save you from death—for what I hoped would save the world.”

“A year of service to him? In the Afterlife?” I gape at him incredulously. “Alex, please tell me I’m wrong.”

“It’s wherever I choose,” Draven interrupts our conversation.

I glance at him and he cocks his head towards me with a curious expression on his face. “Doing what?”

“Whatever I choose,” he says, his cold tone matching the iciness in his eyes.

   
Most Popular
» Nothing But Trouble (Malibu University #1)
» Kill Switch (Devil's Night #3)
» Hold Me Today (Put A Ring On It #1)
» Spinning Silver
» Birthday Girl
» A Nordic King (Royal Romance #3)
» The Wild Heir (Royal Romance #2)
» The Swedish Prince (Royal Romance #1)
» Nothing Personal (Karina Halle)
» My Life in Shambles
» The Warrior Queen (The Hundredth Queen #4)
» The Rogue Queen (The Hundredth Queen #3)
vampires.readsbookonline.com Copyright 2016 - 2024