Before I knew it, his lips landed softly on mine. My body arched in response. I tried to push him away. All the noise around me faded, sucked away as a small piece of my soul was slowly being stripped from me. I expected a rush of pain, but it was mild. It wasn’t like Jake’s at all. Tears streamed from my eyes, as the kiss continued. Desire shot through Collin, as he tried to repress his innate need. I wasn’t sure he could stop, but I knew that he wanted to. He held his face above mine, breaking the kiss, holding my face between his palms blocking our lips from everyone else. It looked like he kissed me longer than he really did.
His skin was covered in sweat. His mind brushed mine, Repeat what I tell you. They’ll think I bound you to me. They’ll think you’re mine.
His sapphire eyes were rimmed in red. He spoke loudly, but never took his eyes off of me. “Ivy Taylor, you are mine for all eternity.” He prompted me to say words that made me cringe, but I said them anyway. My expression was blank, despite my racing heart. He removed the ruby ring from his pocket, sliding it back on my finger before anyone noticed. I didn’t realize they’d taken it. Collin said a few more words. Then he turned and left the room. I followed two paces behind like he told me to, with my gaze to the floor, totally shocked that I was alive and still in possession of my soul. We walked away with eyes burning holes in our backs. I willed my feet to walk slowly, easing the tension out of my legs.
We’re almost there. No one will hurt you now. They cannot touch you. His voice reassured in my mind.
We walked out into the night air and were surrounded by sod fields. A sliver of moon hung above us, too thin to light the ground. The Valefar remained inside. I guess when the boss walks off with a new slave no one follows.
“That was risky,” I said, breathing in the night air. My voice trembled, as I wrapped my arms tightly around me.
Collin pulled me to him. “It was. And I’m sorry. It was the only way I could make sure they don’t bother you again. I just hope the price wasn’t too high.” His fingers pushed away my bangs, revealing my mark. He studied it.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
He threaded my comb back through my hair. “You lost some of you soul once already—when you were attacked. And I just took another piece. It was risky, because I didn’t know how much soul you had left, not because I wasn’t sure if I could stop. I would have never done that if I didn’t think I could stop.”
“My soul?” I asked, looking up at him. “It’s turning into Swiss cheese, isn’t it? What happens if it’s totally gone? Will I even know if that happens?”
“I’m not sure how fast you’ll know, but if you ever lose enough of your soul, the demon blood will overtake you, and you’ll become fully Valefar.” I cringed. I knew my soul was damaged, but I had no idea how much, or what I risked when he kissed me. I failed to realize pieces of it were actually missing.
We walked on, crossing the sod farm on foot, headed towards Collin’s car. I was stunned into rare silence, as Collin maintained his master lead a few steps in front of me. Things were more precarious than I’d thought. As we approached Collin’s car, two figures emerged from the darkness. Recognizing the threat, I ran at Collin.
“No!” I screamed, shoving Collin to the ground.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Collin’s body went down quickly. That was my mistake. If I hadn’t shoved him, he wouldn’t have been such an easy target. Everything else happened quickly. It wasn’t until later that I realized what I’d done.
Shannon emerged from the shadows. She stood with her silver dagger in hand. Tear streaks ruined her otherwise perfect complexion. Agony furrowed her brow tightly. Her eyes flicked from Eric back to me. Her indecision was transparent. I don’t know how they found me, but they knew I’d been brought here. They thought I was bound. Their faces said it all.
Eric’s amber eyes were fierce. His muscles tensed, as he reached for his sword. His head was tilted down, and his jaw was locked tight. With unblinking eyes, he stared at me with condemnation. As if on cue, Eric swung his sword. It gathered momentum, and he thrust it down. Not thinking, I threw myself in front of Collin. But I was too slow. The silver blade sliced across Collin’s chest, inches from his throat.
Collin’s body writhed. Liquid pain shot through the bond, engulfing me. Scarlet flowed rapidly from his wound. Collin’s eyes fluttered once, then closed as the ground became drenched with his blood. The bond slipped, fading quickly. Collin lay in front of me covered in demon blood. It was blood like this that damned me. It was demon blood that tainted him, and ensnared him into a life of servitude.
The unseen cables that bound us together were loosening. The pain that flowed through the bond and into my body was slipping away. It made it so that I could breathe again. Crawling to him, I clutched his body not caring that his blood touched me. I watched helplessly as the boy who saved me bled to death in my lap. My heart was screaming, watching as the boy I loved die in my arms, and I was helpless to stop it. That was the first time I recognized it. I love him. I couldn’t let this happen. There had to be something I could do. There was only one option, and it would be gone in seconds.
Before I could contemplate exactly what would happen, I moved. The glint of Shannon’s blade caught my eye. I reached for the blade, and lunged at her. The sharp edge bit into my palm, ripping my flesh open. My blood pooled in my hand. I pulled away, barely noticing the shocked faces. Eric and Shannon were poised for an attack that didn’t come. I held up my wound. Blood flowed freely, cascading down my wrist in red ribbons. Eric and Shannon stood there with unblinking eyes. Shocked.
Ignoring them, I cupped the blood running from my wound. I opened my fist, placing my hand flat against Collin’s scar. The blood pooled into the crescent shape that marred his flesh. I rubbed my bloody palm into the wounds on his chest. The bond tightened. I knew I was doing what it wanted, what he needed to survive. Collin stirred slightly. Let me go Ivy. It’s too late.
My heart caught in my throat, “Shh. It’ll be all right.” His head wobbled, and fell back into my lap. His pain was ebbing. The horrible burning, the seared flesh, the writhing—it was all fading. But, he wasn’t healing. The wounds still flowed. The bond was breaking. Although I did what it wanted, I was losing him. I could feel it. He was barely there.
I pulled Collin higher into my lap. Damn it! I did what it wanted. The bond wanted blood. I gave it! And he’s still… Oh God. What else did he need? He’s demon kissed. The only other thing he’d need is… a soul. With complete certainty, I knew what to do. I took a quick breath to steel myself to the pain. I pressed my lips to his, not caring if I gave the last bit of me.
Eric shouted, “NO!” But, it was too late. The bond swirled around us forming a translucent barricade. A tingly sensation covered my skin, as my lips brushed against Collin’s slowly. His lips were warm. The sensation filled my entire body with tingles. His scent was perfect, like the boy from his memory—not the demon slave. And he tasted so sweet, but not like food.
The Valefar part of me didn’t surface. The part of me that longed for him didn’t want to let go. My body didn’t reel in pain, as I anticipated. I knew I was giving him part of my soul. It should have hurt, but it didn’t. The longer my lips stayed on his, the stronger he became. The bond had changed. I didn’t really notice when, but it had walled us off. Violet and black mist swirled around us, blocking out the noise. Protecting us. A surge went through me, forming a blue light between us.
Ignoring it, I knew that I wanted more of him—that he needed more of me. I slid my tongue over his lips, feeling his soft flesh against mine. Recklessness overtook me, as my hands threaded into his dark hair, and I kissed him deeper. The bond took on a life of its own with the deeper kiss. I felt it mending him with long threads of living silk. Then it wrapped around something inside his chest. Something he wasn’t supposed to have. He told me he held onto a fragment of his old self, but I didn’t take it literally. And when I’d asked him if he had a soul, he said no. But he
did. His soul was scarred and miniscule, but it was there buried deep within him. It was too small for him to be anything but Valefar, but it was there. His wounded body healed, as I held him tightly against me. Finally, his breath steadied, and I felt his strength flow back into him.
His hands found my face, and his fingers tangled in my hair. His breathing was deep and ragged. He kissed me softly, as he cradled my face. When the tingling stopped, I pulled away slowly. Our eyes locked, breathing raggedly, we gazed at each other. I smiled at him. “So that was why you… seemed so mortal at times. You did have a scrap of soul left.” My fingers gently stroked his hair away from his eyes. The bond felt good now. It was warm, and happy.
“I guess so,” he answered. As I stroked the hair back from his face, I saw his Valefar scar. I sucked in a shocked breath.
“Your scar changed color. It’s violet.” I paused for a moment, my eyes going wide, realizing what that could mean. I may have turned myself Valefar. “Did I give too much? What color is my mark?” I swallowed hard. “Is it red?”
Smiling at me, he said, “No. Still purple.” The reality of what I’d done, of what I chose, didn’t hit me until the mist faded. I saved him. He had a piece of me inside of him. And the light. Somehow I called light and it helped heal him. I saw it. My Martis and Valefar powers fused, and gave my best friend his life back. Happiness washed over me. The euphoria from the kiss left dopey smiles on our faces. The two of us stared at each other utterly love struck.
But, angry voices broke my bliss. Shannon’s voice snapped at me, “Ivy, what did you do?” She was ghostly white. Her hands trembled. “You chose them? I can’t believe you chose them!” She looked like I punched her in the stomach.
Eric stood next to her with a similar expression. “My God, Ivy! You made another one.”
I scowled at him. “Don’t judge me! A life is a life. I may not have your sense of right and wrong. And I’m glad I don’t. They told me, Eric.” I glared at him with hatred. “I know. I know what you did to my sister. I know you killed her.” My brow pinched tightly, as I spit words at him, “If you didn’t save me from Jake, I’d kill you now. Prophecy or not.”
Eric’s shock intensified. He didn’t look away, apologize, or try to explain. He simply stared at me, unable to speak. Maybe it did look like I could make an evil army. They had every right to be afraid of me. But the reason he should have truly feared me was because he stole her from me. Apryl died in vain—because he was hunting her when he really wanted me.
Eric’s face pinched. He didn’t respond the way I thought he would, “I didn’t save you from Jake. You were alone when I found you. No one was there that night. It was just you, half dead in the dark.” His words shocked me. All this time, I thought he saved me. And the reality that I didn’t owe him anything left my anger unchecked, boiling inside of me.
My body started to shake with rage. “It wasn’t you?” I repeated. The disdain in my voice was so thick, no one moved.
He shook his head, amber eyes narrow. “I found you. I took you home. I trained you. I wasn’t the one who stopped the attack.”
Something inside of me broke, and shattered into a million sharp fragments. Anger made every muscle in my body shake, as my eyes creased into little slits. I wanted to attack, but something held me back. I had to know. “Why’d you kill her?” I hissed.
His body was tense, poised for attack. His muscles flexed as his fingers clenched slowly around his weapon. He was fighting every instinct he had. He wanted to attack. If I gave him a reason, we’d fight to the death. Eric’s voice was callous, “I was tracking her, and trying to confirm who she was. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“You told me that the best part of being a Martis was getting to live a life that wasn’t lived in vain,” I spit the words at him. “You stole that from her! She wasn’t even a part of this! She was a tourist. And you slaughtered her like she was the anti-Christ.”
He tried to explain. “If you were blue. If you were a pure Martis… ”
“I’m not,” I snapped. “I’m not blue. I’m not like you. I’ll never be like you!” I stood, and Collin moved behind me. “I don’t kill innocent people. You do!”
“Ivy, you don’t understand.” He sounded reasonable, like I should see his point. “You saw what happens in your visions. If one life could prevent it… ”
“NO! That’s the point. It’s a damn prophecy! Nobody’s life can prevent it. It’s going to happen no matter what! It doesn’t matter what we do—or who you kill. It’s coming.” My eyes cut into him, as I shook with rage. “You stole the one thing from me that mattered most. I thought she died for no reason. Just some random accident. You let me think it. You watched me crash and burn for over a year, trying to get a grip on her dying for no reason!” Tears streamed down my face. “You are the reason. I hate you! If I ever have the chance to repay the pain you caused me—the innocent life you took—I will.”
I felt my eyes rimming moments before. I knew they would pool violet and that I wouldn’t be able to control myself. A distant thought echoed through the back of my mind, reminding me that I needed Eric to help with the prophecy. I wished I didn’t, but I knew he had to be there. I grabbed Collin, wrapping my arms around him, focusing on the ruby ring. His voice called out, “No!” as soon as he realized what I was planning to do. But it was too late. I’d already decided. I couldn’t stand in front of Eric without killing him. And I couldn’t leave Collin behind. I only had one choice—to attempt to efanotate both Collin and myself.
I focused all my rage into the stone, and felt the surge of heat lick through me. We were instantly engulfed in burning black mist. Shannon and Eric disappeared from sight. I could see nothing, but I could feel Collin searing along with me. Suddenly, we lurched forward, stumbling on the carpet inside the church, gasping for air as the heat dissipated. I transported both of us. Collin and I gasped for air, doubled over. When I looked over at him to make sure I didn’t weaken him further, his eyes were wide.
“Ivy!” She was shocked to see me appear in front of her.
“Al. I’m sorry.” Brushing the tears from my eyes, I forced my heart to regain a normal thumping. “I had to see you. Something’s wrong.” Collin settled into a chair looking leery. Al seemed uneasy that he was there, but didn’t throw him out. I don’t know how insane it was to bring him with me, but leaving him with Eric wasn’t an option.
It took me a moment to sense that something wasn’t right. She had a pile of tissues next to her rocker, scattered across the side table. Her face was blank, but her eyes. Something was wrong. Very wrong. Al looked at Collin, dabbing her nose. “So this is what you’ve been after?” She tilted her head toward me. He looked at her, but did not respond.
I couldn’t wait anymore, “Al. What’s happened? What’s wrong?”
Her voice was somber. A sad smile spread across her face. “They found out what you are, Ivy. They know. The Valefar know. It’s going to get bad now.”
“What do you mean?”
She slowed, reaching for me. “Dear girl. I wish I could have stopped it.” She rubbed my hand between hers, and it seemed like time stopped. “But by the time I saw the vision, it was too late. When they found out what you are, they searched for you. I suppose some of them found you, and dragged you away. But, the ones that went to your home… they were looking for something they needed. Something you took. When you wouldn’t bring it out to them… ” her voice trailed off. Her grip on my hand tightened.
My stomach dropped, as my throat tightened. “What? What did they do?” My voice was so faint, I wasn’t sure I spoke.
“I’m sorry, Ivy. Everything is gone. They destroyed your home, and everyone in it. Ivy, the Valefar killed your mother.” It took a minute for me to process what she said. Surely I hadn’t heard her right.
“No. That can’t be true. It can’t be.” I backed away from her. Pity was strewn across her face. Suddenly, my legs gave out from under me, as my chest was crush
ed by an unseen force. I dropped to the floor, barely able to hold my head up. Collin kneeled down and threaded his arm around me, propping me up. I saw nothing. Felt nothing. Voices continued around me, but their words were meaningless. I was utterly alone. After suffering for a year, not knowing what happened to her daughter, my mom was dead. I was alone. Only one question hung in my mind. It leaked out in a whisper, “How?”
Al leaned forward and put her old hand on my shoulder. “The Valefar couldn’t enter, because of the wards. I think they meant to drive you out. They used fire, trapping your mom inside, trying to force her to turn you over. But, you weren’t there.”