Chapter Sixteen
The GPS had us turn into a driveway that was almost twenty feet wide. A large iron gate was connected to a brick wall that was at least ten feet high. The gate opened as soon as my car pulled in front of it. In the distance, I could see a massive dark brick, almost black house. It was three times the size of my house, and it had wide white pillars across the front porch.
“Creepy. Luxurious, but still creepy,” Madison said as she unfastened her seat belt.
We circled in front of the house. Britain’s Aston Martin was parked in the front, along with three other cars that I was sure were more expensive than my house.
Madison got out first and looked up at the house like it was a mountain she had to climb. I took a deep breath and called back the memory of my song to my mind. I felt the shield I always had come to life as I opened my door.
Madison ran up the steps and rang the bell. The sound it made was eerie, so loud I felt it echo through me. I walked slowly up behind her just as the door opened. Bianca was standing there.
Her eyes coldly met Madison’s then glanced at me. “Seriously, Charlie.”
“Alibi,” I said, staring blankly at Bianca. “You know what those are—right?”
“What’s with the attitude?” she asked, furrowing her brow at me.
I pushed passed her into the large open entry hall. Nothing less than extravagance was in front of me. White marble floors, huge oil paintings, and a red velvet staircase that circled to the floors above. In the distance, I could hear a loud TV—gaming.
Madison was at my side as Bianca circled around us. “What are you?” I asked flatly. I remembered her and Britain acting as if they were the same but different divisions. I needed to understand the difference.
“What kind of question is that?” she said, smiling adoringly.
I stepped closer to her and smirked. “I don’t even wanna know. You’re not worth my time.”
Bianca reached for my shoulder. Madison blocked her. “Keep your hands to yourself,” Madison bit out.
Bianca leered, no longer trying to hold her innocent approach. “Curious you are. I wonder how you mingle in this confluence.”
“Like a boss,” Madison said, bowing her chest out as she glared at her.
I glared at Bianca. “Get the hell out of my life. You hear me?” I said calmly as I walked passed her toward the sound of the gaming that I was sure was coming from the room in front of me.
The hall opened up into a huge room. The back wall was made of windows. To the left there was a massive TV. Two guys from my party were lounging on leather couches, playing some kind of game. Britain was sitting on the arm, watching with little interest.
I’d forgotten how attractive he was. His dark blond hair was brushed perfectly out of his eyes. He was wearing black slacks and an oxford button up shirt. He didn’t look like a teenager. He looked like a powerful man. Someone who has no fears.
The moment I stepped in the room, his attention soared passed me to Madison.
At that moment, I felt someone pull me back and turned in time to feel Bianca’s vim slam me against the wall. “Time to go back to sleep sweetheart,” she said as she smiled wickedly. “I may not have leave to destroy you, but I sure as hell do not have to endure you.”
I felt her vim ripped away from the hold she had on me. Madison had pulled Bianca to the floor. I don’t know if it was out of bravery or stupidity. But I was positive I was about to watch the end of her life. Guilt stilled my beating heart.
Bianca was lifted by a force, twisted then lay limply in the air. Britain stood then. “Return her. Tell Xavier this one effectively breeched our barter.”
Before my eyes two of the guys who were gaming before reached for Bianca and vanished.
Britain and Madison were locked so deeply into a stare that I felt like I was invading an intimate moment. I needed out of there and with more answers than I was holding then.
“I need to talk to you,” I said, breaking the tense silence.
“Excuse us,” he said quietly, smiling slightly at Madison. “Let them know if you need anything,” he said speaking of the others acting like normal guys lounging.
Britain led me to another room. I tried to focus on the song playing in my mind—my father’s song.
“Minutes,” Madison said. “We gotta go.”
Britain hesitated as he heard her voice; he glanced her way sending a seductive wink as he did. Then placed his hand on the small of my back and led me into a doorway to the left. It led into a study that was covered wall-to-wall in books. An arched window framed a beautiful flower garden outside.
He closed the door. I took two steps in then turned, wanting a fast exit.
Even though he had protected Madison and ordered Bianca away, I didn’t trust him. He was supernatural and dangerous as hell.
“I remember, Britain,” I said, finding strength in my voice. “I’m not yours to hate.”
He smirked as he pushed his hands into his pockets like we were standing at tea party being cordial and all.
“Name my enemy.”
He lifted his chin. “The entire universe.”
“Cute,” I spat. “I don’t think I believe you.”
“You’re not ready for this war, Charlie.”
“Your pep talk skills suck. What’s it to you.”
He studied me before he spoke. “Are you ready to let them all go? Did you like going it alone?”
“Nothing is taking them from me.”
“As I said, you’re not ready.” He stepped closer. “Your Draven, have you let him see what you know? Does he agree to hunt those who feed?”
“Why does that matter?”
He winked. “You may have some time to recover, I doubt much. Consider me an ally for now.”
“You’re insane. I don’t need friends like you.”
Madison knocked on the door. “Mom alert—let’s go,” she yelled through the door.
Britain ignored her and stepped forward. I stepped back, but he causally followed me. “Charlie trust me when I tell you that I am an ally you need to have. I’m not hurting you. You’re not hurting me. Friends.”
“Why do you want me around? Who are you really trying to get close to?”
“No one that doesn’t already belong to me.” He stepped closer. “If we’re friends, then I’m in your life, and you’re safe. Everyone is safe…at least for now. I can stop all the little Bianca’s from hurting you.”
I couldn’t find the words to stand up to him. I knew I’d need help. I needed Draven. All of us.
I rushed to the door.
“Call me when mom goes to sleep. I’ll let you know how close the enemy is.”
I didn’t say anything. I just pulled my hood up and fumbled with the knob on the door. I found Madison eagerly waiting on the other side. She looped her arm through mine.
“Seriously. Kara just texted me. You have to meet your mom for an early dinner,” she said, pulling me through the house.
I could focus on that 911, a teenage problem. It was easier than the unknown I felt looming.
I reached for my keys before we made it out the door. We ran to my car. Madison climbed in just as I did. I didn’t bother putting my belt on as I threw the car into drive and circled the driveway. Madison started to dig through my bag then plugged my phone in, turning Draven’s song all the way up. As soon as I heard his voice, I felt a calm come over me and I took in a deep breath.
“Put your belt on,” Madison yelled, rolling down her window.
I rolled my window down, trying to get air. To stop my heart from racing as I hit ‘Home’ on the GPS.
“I don’t think he’s ever gonna let it be over. I have to talk to Draven.”
“Like now?” she said, reaching for my phone.
I took my phone from her. “This isn’t a conversation you have over the phone. I’ll tell him after dinner with my mom.”
At that moment, my phone vibrated and I
felt my insides fall. Madison took my phone from me and looked down and read: You better be on your way back Mom is too tired to wait for us to cook she wants to go out. Draven is driving us so we only have one car—hurry.
Draven would be at my house before I would and I’d have to find a way to explain where I’d been. I didn’t want to lie, but I wasn’t ready to tell the truth. I had to focus on getting through dinner with my mom.
Madison changed the song on the phone just as it vibrated.
“You may have a guardian angel watching over you,” she said, scrolling through my texts.
“Really?” I said, smiling as my father’s image flashed before my eyes.
“Yep, this one is from Draven, saying he was across town playing with the guys he played with the other night, and this one is from your mom, saying that she’s having to wait for them to clean the car she’s renting.”
I took in a deep breath and relaxed into my seat, thinking I might be able to pull this off, or at least come close.
“Take the next left,” she said, setting the phone on my dash.
“It says to go straight,” I argued.
“I grew up here. I know these roads better than a computer. Do you wanna take a short cut or not?”
“You better be right,” I said, putting my blinker on.
“I’m always right,” she said, turning up the radio.
I fidgeted in my seat, taking every turn Madison told me to, driving faster than I should. All at once, above the radio I heard a violent hiss. My heart started to race as I glanced to Madison. She was whispering random words as fast as she could, but it just seemed to make it worse. It was so loud that I thought my eardrums would burst. Then out of nowhere, a dark shadow grew from the road we were driving on. I slammed on my brakes not knowing what was on the other side of it.
“You’re going to have to help me,” Madison said as she let her seat belt loose. “Do you remember how? Tell me you do!” she screamed over the hiss that was all around us.
“I do,” I said, letting my belt go and stepping out of the car.
I met her in front of the car. The hiss turned into laughter. “…Charlie…come,” the dark cloud mocked.
“Show yourself!” I yelled.
At that moment, the dark cloud divided, and before us were hundreds of ashy ghostly images. My heart started to race, and I felt adrenaline rush through every part of me.
Madison stepped forward and into the mass of shadows, saying random words. “Summer…Buttercups…lavender.” Each time she said a word, one of the images would vanish.
It took everything I had, but I remembered my song and felt my shield come to life inside my mind. I faced the image closest to me. It was a woman. Her eyes were cold. As I stared into her soul I watched her life come to life around me. Everyone had hurt her in her life, man and woman. I knew I’d have to dig deep to find a memory. I was so distracted by the fact that there were others that I grabbed the first memory I could find. It was a priest, and he simply said, “You are loved…you’re a beautiful soul.” I repeated his words, and at that moment she faded. Others closed in around me, whispering my name, begging me to come with them. I just stared forward and let the memories of lives that didn’t belong to me come to life. I didn’t even know which image they belonged to. I started to say words: names, cities, songs, smells, seasons of the year. At first, I thought I was doing it all wrong, too fast, because I couldn’t see them fade. When I thought I did, more would emerge, but then the hiss grew calm, and the whispers became innocent.
Their taunts ended, and their pleas began. I felt them fight for my attention, for my words that would bring an emotion to life, one that would help save their soul. I wanted to help them all, but I had to go. I had my own life to live.
I stepped back. “If you want my help clear my path. Let me find my light, and I’ll bring yours to you.”
As I said the words, the dark images melted into ordinary shadows and it was silent. I could see Madison a few feet in front of me. Shock and confusion was all over her face as she walked back to the car.
Stunned and numb, I stepped slowly back to the driver’s side and slid in. Madison climbed in, and we sat in silence as we stared forward at the ordinary world before us now.
“I can’t believe they listened to you,” she finally said, daring to look at me.
“They could just be playing games. I don’t trust any of it,” I said as I reached to turn down the still-playing radio.
“Charlie, you just told them to clear a path, and they did. You made a promise to them. If I were you, I’d keep it.”
“I will, as soon as I figure out how,” I said, putting the car into drive. I was so numb from the adrenaline, I felt dizzy.
“Maybe they’re our weapon. Not the enemy,” Madison said, turning in her seat to look at me.
“That doesn’t make me feel any better, the bigger the weapon, the bigger the enemy.”
“It’s gonna take the four of us to do this. You see that now, don’t you?” Madison asked me in a pleading voice.
“More than the four of us, much more. I don’t know what to think. I just know this is the beginning, not the end.”
“Evan is flying people over here….”
“What?”
Madison pointed for me to turn. Once I did, I hit the gas, knowing I’d lost time helping those shadows.
“You gave him names. He found them.”
I swayed my head telling her I didn’t recall that.
Her directions managed to cut twenty minutes off our time. I slowed down as I crossed the bridge in my driveway, then sped up again as I circled the house.
Madison threw her hands up in the air. “Score! No Hummer.”
I sighed and pulled into my spot in the garage. I put the car into park and leaned back in my seat, telling myself to just breathe. I felt Madison’s hand on my arm, and I opened my eyes.
“Tell him, have dinner with your mom, smile and be happy, and tonight tell him. I was digging the vibe in that place or what we saw.”
“K,” I said as my eyes danced over her face. “What was with that look you and Britain had?”
She shrugged and left before I could push for more intel.
I glanced in my rearview mirror to see Draven’s Hummer pulling in behind me. I pulled my phone loose and pushed it in my bag as I got out. Draven was walking to me, looking over his shoulder at Madison peeling away.
“What have you guys been up to?” Draven asked, turning to look carefully over me.
“She’s gotten really fast at saving people.”
He stepped forward, letting his hands settle on my waist, and pulled me to him. “We all have,” he whispered.
I didn’t wait for him to lean in to kiss me. I reached my arms around his neck and pulled him to me. The moment his lips touched mine, I felt the stress wash away.
Draven pulled slowly away and looked down. “What’s wrong?” he pleaded.
I reached up, stealing another kiss. “Get me through this dinner, and I’ll tell you everything.”
He started to say something, but Kara opened the back door, stopping him.
“Finally. Are you trying to give me a stroke?” she said, looking at me.
I locked eyes with her and begged her just to stop and not say a thing about where I was. Draven looked back and forth between us.
Kara put on a fake smile. “Shall we?” she said, walking to Draven’s Hummer.
I didn’t look at him. I just put my arm around him and let him lead me to the passenger side of his truck. When he closed the door, Kara slid in the center of the backseat. “Well?”
“Not now.”
“Not good, Charlie,” she said.
Draven climbed in. As his eyes met Kara’s in the mirror, I could see him looking all around her, hesitating as he backed out. I bit my lip, fearing he’d see right through her somehow and read her concern for me before I had a chance to explain. He didn’t say anything as he pulled forward.
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“I hope you’re good with eating early,” Kara said, putting her hand on his shoulder.
“Starving. I haven’t eaten today.”
“Me either,” I said quietly.
“All right, no one tell Mom that. Wait, I’m innocent. She was in your care for breakfast and lunch,” Kara teased.
Draven’s jaw tightened and reached for my hand. “Starting to regret letting her out of my sight...”
He brought my hand to his lips and kissed my skin.
Kara relaxed into her seat, and I reached to turn up the radio.
“This is what I did today,” Draven said, nodding in the direction of the sound.
I started to rock back and forth with the sound, recognizing some of the lyrics: ‘hold fast to the dream you think you never had.’
Mom texted Kara before we pulled into the restaurant, saying she already had a table and appetizers ordered. Kara climbed out as soon as Draven parked. I fumbled with my seat belt, feeling nervous. Draven reached over and unlatched it for me.
“Calm down,” he said quietly.
I tried to smile and avoided his eyes as I climbed out. He met me in front of the Hummer and took my hand. I focused on the hum I felt from his skin and followed Kara in.
Mom was sitting at a side table, dressed in one of her powerhouse business suits. As soon as she saw us, she tucked her phone in her purse and stood up and hugged Kara, kissing her on the cheek. I let go of Draven’s hand, knowing I’d be next.
“Wow, this feels good, like it should,” she said, smiling at Draven and me.
“Mrs. Myers,” Draven said, reaching to hug her.
“Stop it,” she said, reaching up to hug him. “’Nichole,’ you know that.”
He hugged her back, smiling at me over her shoulder.
Mom let go of him and reached for me. “I missed you,” she whispered in my ear.
“You, too,” I said, squeezing her.
She extended her arms and looked over me. I swear I could see concern there. I looked away and took a seat at the table.
“So where’s Nana and Aden?” Mom asked Draven as they sat down next to me.
“Aden was on his way to pick her up from playing cards all day,” Draven answered.
“They should have come,” Mom said, laying her napkin across her lap.
“I promised them I’d bring them dessert home. I’m sure Nana is tired. I think she puts too much effort into those games sometimes,” Draven said lightheartedly.
“Sounds like her,” my mother said tenderly.
The waitress took our order, and we listened to Mom tell us all about her flights and how insane it was to try and get from one place to another without having to dodge the weather. How proud she was of her team in Boston, that she felt comfortable letting them handle things there so she could come home. I nodded along with the conversation and smiled when the time seemed right, but my thoughts were wandering.
Mom glanced across the table at Draven and me as they brought our dinner to us. “So what have you two been doing the last few days?”
“Finding our way back,” Draven answered politely.
My mother’s eyes looked carefully over me as she reached for her silverware. I looked down and began to push my food from side to side. I was too nervous to eat. I wanted to talk to Draven alone, to deal with that, then maybe—maybe then I could find a way to connect with my mom.
“I can tell we’re almost there.”
Draven smiled slightly and glanced to his side at me.
“I understand that we now remember how to play music?” my mother said as her eyes searched over me.
I looked up to question her words. I assumed Nana and Kara had kept her informed on my progress.
“Have we learned a song?” my mother asked.
I couldn’t look in her eyes. I looked down and nodded.
“A really good one, well written,” Draven said, reaching his arm around the back of my chair.
“I can’t wait to hear it,” my mom said.
It took all I had, but I looked into her blue eyes. “Really?” I asked nervously.
“Of course,” she said, reaching to touch my hand. She turned my palm up and looked down at my fingertips. “You’ve been playing,” she said, running her smooth skin over the callouses that were starting to form over them.
I nodded and looked down at my hand, remembering how empowering it felt when I played music. In the back of my mind, I was wondering if there was a way to just play a perfect song for the shadows—if there was a way I could help them all at once.
We finished dinner in silence. I could see Draven, Kara, and Mom glancing at one another, then me. I was sure they were having some kind of silent conversation.
When the waitress came back, Draven ordered dessert to go for Nana and Aden. I was starting to think I could just go with him to take it to them, that Kara could ride with Mom. I wanted to talk to him about Britain—Bianca...to get it off of my chest. I thought I’d done my part. I had dinner with my mom, now I had other issues to deal with.
“Did your dad say when he’d be back?” Mom asked Draven.
“He didn’t, last time I talked to him he was trying to get in touch with some old friends,” Draven answered.
I glanced to my side at him, remembering that Madison had said that there were more of us. I was curious to know how many, to see if they had a faster way of making the whispers silent.
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this life it’s that friends are always there when you need them. I’m sure he’ll find them,” my mom said as she smiled at Draven.
“If he doesn’t, we’ll be fine. We’ve made it this far,” Draven said, looking to his side at me.
When the waitress came back, Draven tried to pay, but my mom managed to beat him to it.
“So, um,” he said, looking down at me. “I guess I’m gonna take these to them,” he said, nodding to the dessert.
“I’ll go with you,” I said, scooting my chair back.
“I tell you what,” he said, catching my gaze. “I’ll take these. You can help your mom get settled, show her what you learned, then I’ll come back over in a while, if you want.”
“That sounds nice,” my mom said, agreeing with him.
I started to argue, but he leaned forward and kissed my forehead, then stood, taking his bags with him. I closed my eyes as he walked away, wanting to chase after him.
“I can’t tell you how relieved I am to see you with him,” my mother said.
I blushed before opening my eyes. “Thanks,” I said quietly.
Kara raised her hands as if to look accomplished. “Did you hear that? No sarcasm at all. I’m a good role model.”
Mom laughed and shook her head as she stood and grabbed her purse. I slid back in my chair and stood to follow them out. On the way home, Kara talked out the story line of her book with Mom. I stared out the window, letting my mind trace over the conversation I had with Britain. I couldn’t believe I was stupid enough to try and face this on my own. I hated myself for it.
When we got home, I helped Mom carry her bags to her room. The guitar sound seemed to be louder now than ever before, making it hard to ignore. I watched my mom closely to see if she showed any sign of hearing it, but she simply started to unpack quietly.
“I’m gonna go up to my room. I guess I’ll see you when you’re settled,” I said quietly.
“I’m just going change into something comfortable. I’ll be there in a minute,” she said as I walked out of the room.
I unzipped Draven’s hoodie as I climbed the stairs to my room. I walked to the edge of my bed and sat down, pulling my bag to my lap. I reached in for my phones, wanting to charge them. I pulled out Britain’s first. There was one message: we need to talk. I cringed as I read the text and let the phone fall to the floor, feeling frustrated and afraid. I didn’t want to talk anymore. I knew he’d just confuse me.
The guitar sound began to scream at me. I knew it was saying to r
un, to end this, but I didn’t know how. I felt my bag vibrate and reached in for my phone. Draven had sent a text: play for the both of them. I’ll be there before you know it.
I stood there reading his text over and over again, trying to find courage as I climbed the stairs to my father’s studio.
The sun was setting, and a purple haze coated the room. I thought I felt my dad, so I glanced up, scanning every inch of the thin air, not finding any sign of him. I walked slowly to the couch, slid my phone in my bag, then took it off and let it fall to the floor. I turned and walked to the guitar stand and let my fingers dance across each one. The echo of the guitar around me grew almost silent, as if it were waiting for me to play with it.
I let my shoulders fall; finally losing all the nerve I had to play for my mom. “I think if I play for her…not ready for goodbye.”
“I’m a part of you Charlie,” I heard my mother say tenderly. “No forever goodbyes. I promise.”
I froze, unable to say a word. I glanced over my shoulder to see her standing at the doorway in holey jeans and a tank top. I furrowed my brow, knowing I’d never seen her dressed so comfortable. She shrugged her shoulders. “ I found them in my closet,” she said, looking down at her jeans.
I turned and looked out the window toward Draven’s house. This would be so much easier if he were here. I was angry with myself. I’d waited so long to finally connect with my mom, to feel some kind of bond, and the moment I got what I wanted, I was too distracted to make it a good memory. I was sure I’d mess this up, and in the end, we’d be worse than we were before.
She walked slowly to the couch and took a seat on the far end, then nodded her head toward the rack. “I’m ready to listen,” she said, smiling affectionately.
“Really?” I asked, trying to judge her mood, to see if she was just trying to be strong.
She nodded and tilted her head toward the stand. I looked around the room once more, thinking if I saw my dad again, I’d be stronger. I still felt him, but he wasn’t showing himself. It almost felt like he was letting us have our moment. I took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, then reached for the black and grey electric guitar. I led the cord to the amp around to the side of the couch and climbed up on the arm, facing my mother. I plugged the amp in and adjusted the guitar across my lap.
I glanced at my mother to see her slowly moving her head from side to side with a slight smile.
“What?” I asked, thinking I was doing something all wrong.
“Irony...beautiful irony,” she said, nodding for me to play.
I had no idea what she meant by that. I looked down at the guitar, and adjusted my fingers around the neck and closed my eyes. I forgot she was there. I forgot everything that was bothering me at that moment, and I played. I played so perfectly, for a moment I thought it wasn’t me, that the sound of my father’s guitar had just risen again. As the music played, I felt absorbed by it, completely safe. It was like this song simply had the power to make me forget everything, yet hold on to my convictions. Once I was finished, I kept my eyes closed for a second. I heard the sound of my father’s guitar erupt, as if to applaud my performance. A blushing grin spread across my face, and I slowly opened my eyes.
My mother was staring at me. She wasn’t sad like I thought she’d be, she seemed content. I watched as her eyes searched over me, and the concern I knew she had surfaced in her expression. I stood and gently removed the cord to the amp before placing the guitar back on the stand. I kept my back to her as I studied my fingertips. The cuts there made me feel strong.
“Charlie,” my mother said quietly.
I looked over my shoulder at her, and she extended her arm for me to come sit by her side. I kept my head down and went to her. She let one arm fall around me and reached her other to hold my hand.
“That was beautiful.”
I didn’t say anything. I just leaned into her. Slowly, her soft fingers circled on my hand.
“Does it make you feel safe when you hear it?” she asked, looking down at me.
I looked up at her and let my eyes tell her yes.
“It’s the reason it exists.” Her fingers swayed down my arm. “He’s perfected it the best he could, gave you the foundation. You need to finish the ladder, Charlie.”
I looked up at her, wanting her to explain.
No words.
“Was dad the vibration that saved me,” I asked.
Her smile was pained. “We did the best we could for you Charlie. It hasn’t been easy. You’ll find disdain for our choices long before you find comfort with them.”
“They feared him.”
“They feared reality.”
“What reality?”
“That darkness can not exist without the light. Nature restores balance when we least expect it.”
“I’m not afraid of being an instrument of peace,” I said. “But I am afraid of the sacrifice I’ll be asked to give.”
Her smile was tender. “You will never be asked to surrender the threads of your soul.”
“Draven doesn’t know what I went up against alone, he’s gonna be furious.”
“Not at you,” she said under her breath.
“I don’t know what to do.”
She smiled faintly. “Hold your ground. Turn your enemies into your weapon, at least that’s what I would do.”
I heard a knock and looked up to see Kara in the doorway.
“Am I interrupting? It’s been quiet for a while,” she asked, carefully gauging our mood.
My mother smiled. “We were just catching up.”
A relief seemed to sweep over Kara. “Well, I was going to go to the store and get some popcorn and a movie. Do you guys need anything?” she asked, walking to the couch.
“I do. I’ll just ride with you,” mom said, hugging me before standing. “Coming?” she said, reaching her hand for mine.
I shook my head. “I need to talk to Draven.”
“You don’t have to say a word, just let him see you again,” my mother said, looking down at me.
She leaned down and kissed my forehead before they left. I relaxed into the couch and took in a deep breath as I tried to figure out how messed up all of this would seem once the shock wore off.
I knew running away wouldn’t stop what was hunting us. That if we ran away with Austin, we’d not only leave our family in heartache, but we’d also bring the devil to the doorstep of countless unsuspecting souls…I couldn’t let that happen.