"What the heck am I doing here?" she whispered. "I thought you guys were going to show me how to go into a trance and talk to Rebecca to ask where the book was. And that the trance might kil me."
I shook my head. "It's a little more complicated than that."
"So you keep saying." Her voice quivered.
I grabbed her hand. "Listen, babe, try to remain as calm and stil as you can."
"Am I being sacrificed in some freaky ceremony?" She laughed nervously.
How could she even think that? "No, of course not. I'l just have to drink a bit of—" I hesitated, reconsidering my words "—I promise I won't let anything happen to you. I'l get my life sorted out so we can be together. Once this is over, I won't ever have to feed again."
"I never promised you a life together because I want my old life back," Amber said.
I grimaced. "We'l talk about that later. There's one more matter to discuss."
"You haven't told her?" Cass shouted. "You're the worst boyfriend ever!"
Damn the demon. I tried to keep my composure and ignore Cass's ecstatic gaze, sucking in every chaos vibe she could get hold of. "I'l have to bite you now to slow down your heart rate until you almost die so you can cross over."
"What sort of crappy plan is that? You should've told me," Amber hissed.
"You can stil back out."
She rol ed her eyes. "No. I'l do it, but only because I don't go back on my word. But you better not suck me dry. Got it?"
I shook my head. "The others won't let that happen."
"Let's get this over and done with." She punched my arm, then lay on her back, her eyes bulging in their sockets, heart pumping with fear. "When I get back you're so going to get a piece of my mind!"
"I deserve it." I inched closer and whispered in her ear, "If things go wrong, please let me turn you into what I am."
She regarded me for a second, her eyes as deep as dark pools with the bright flames of the candles reflecting in them, and then she shook her head. No. Taking a sharp breath, I opened my mouth to speak, beg her if need be, but she turned away.
"Please, just trust me," I whispered. The chanting around us grew louder. Deidre raised her arm and signal ed me to begin. The time had come.
I placed a soft kiss on Amber's neck and ran my tongue over the spot where her blood pumped the hardest, then waited. She shuddered under my touch, her heart hammering in her chest. Intertwining my fingers with hers, I dared take a deep breath and let her scent invade my nostrils. She smel ed of lavender and honey, of warm summer nights and rainy skies, of the home I always wanted to build and treasure.
The hunger inside me stirred, growing in intensity until I could barely restrain my vampire nature. My fangs connected with her skin, piercing the fragile barrier, and her blood, sweeter than any nectar, flooded my mouth, robbing me of my last ounce of control.
"Don't kil her." My brother's voice echoed from somewhere behind me, but I could scarcely make out the words. It wasn't right to drink from my mate and enjoy it so much, but Amber was different—in a way she was mine like no other had ever been before. I couldn't slow down.
Amber groaned and stirred beneath me. Her soft hand moved to the nape of my neck. To hold me in place? To push me away? I had no idea because her hand just lingered there. I could feel her heart racing, pumping harder to make up for the loss of blood. The colour was slowly draining from her cheeks as she grew weaker. It wasn't enough; she hadn't reached the threshold yet. And then her pulse slowed down to a mere whisper, barely audible in my ears, and her hand let go.
"That's enough." Deidre put her childlike hand on my arm to stop me. I turned on her, snarling like a crazed animal trapped in a cage. For a moment, my human side switched off and I almost pounced, ready to shred to pieces whoever lingered between me and my prey. Strong hands grabbed my shoulders and pul ed me away, holding me down until understanding kicked in and my human side returned.
Cass glared at me. "That love bite was more than just a nibble. You took it a step too far, mate. And you think I'm nuts?"
"What's wrong with you? You could've kil ed her," Kieran hissed in my ear. Was he talking about Deidre or Amber? Amber. With a gasp, I turned to face my mate, lying on the altar, pale as the dead. I struggled against my brother's iron grip, listening for Amber's pulse, but I couldn't hear it.
"Get him out of here until he calms down," Deidre said, annoyed.
"Yeah, you heard Queenie, kick his butt to the curb," Cass said.
I shook my head. I didn't want to leave. Not before someone assured me my mate was al right. I took a deep breath to steady myself and clear my mind. "I'm good." I took another look at Amber's motionless shape, so smal and helpless between the candles. For her sake, I'd be strong. But just standing here and not doing anything felt wrong.
"You sure?" Kieran asked, sceptical y.
I nodded.
"Let's hurry then. We don't have much time." Devon kneeled at Amber's head and placed his palms on her temples. The incantations commenced again, barely more than a soft murmur compared to Devon's booming voice. "Amber, can you hear me?" She didn't respond, but the pinkie on her left hand twitched.
"Can she hear us?" I asked. She simply had to, otherwise—
"Be quiet," Devon whispered. "Let her focus."
Deidre stepped in the middle of the circle and raised her arms. "Tonight, this gifted soul shal enter the realm of the otherworld, and we are here to guide her."
The chorus of voices rose near the wal . "Dark Lords, let us serve this congregation through our queen."
Deidre bowed her head, her voice echoing from the wal s. "Amber, listen to the voice that is no servant of the power, but power itself. I pledge that I shal act as a bridge between you and the souls that wil assist you on your journey in this dim hour so long as your pledge remains finding the book."
The strong wind outside shook the door in its hinges; the candles started to flicker, but didn't go out. Somewhere in the distance, glass shattered, and birds cawed. The Shadows' murmurs fil ed the air, sending shivers down my spine.
"Amber, can you feel the power that is present to guide you?" Devon asked. I watched my mate's eyes move beneath closed lids. A heavy weight settled somewhere in the pit of my stomach as Devon whispered, "Her journey's about to begin."
Chapter 27
As the pressure lifted off my feverish neck, I descended deep into the lower fractions of my consciousness, surrounded by darkness though my eyes were open, staring at a point in the distance.
Something hit my head hard, and I stumbled forward, almost tumbling to the ground. I scanned the area. There was no one around. Who had hit me then? Where had the others disappeared? Why had Aidan abandoned me, leaving me here to fend for myself?
The cold air reeked of dirt and blood. Taking one slow step at a time, I moved around, blind in the darkness. After a while, I could feel a nameless presence pacing with me, breathing cold air in my face. I shivered, but not from the cold. A sudden drop in temperature usual y means one thing—ghosts. I figured, now I'd have my encounter with Elvis. Behind me, low murmurs erupted. Invisible hands tugged at my arms and shoulders as though they wanted me to listen. I stopped midstride and focused on the soft voices to discern what they had to say.
"Amber, can you feel the power that is present to guide you?" Silence. Then, "Her journey's about to begin."
Someone was speaking to me, but who? My bones felt heavy, my muscles ached. I lay down on the naked ground and propped my palms under my head, closing my eyes to rest a little.
***
When I woke up, my body no longer ached, but darkness stil lingered. My limbs felt frozen and numb under the thick layers of clothes. I was supposed to do something, but I couldn't recal my purpose. Was I dying? Deidre had said I might. Aidan had warned me also. Was this freezing sensation what death felt like? Where was the light and people you loved supposedly greeting you? I could see no people or tunnel; in fact, it was so dark I couldn't even see my hand in front
of my eyes.
Stumbling forward, I swore I'd figure out a way to haunt Aidan for this. I snorted, annoyed. Did the otherworld have a ghost school where I could take Ghost Tricks 101? I'd sign up in a heartbeat. Not a chance Aidan would ever sleep again. I'd wear a white flowing robe, wave my arms, clank some chains and moan with al my might. Maybe I'd sing nonstop in his ear, like Whoopi Goldberg did in Ghost. Now, that'd drive him nuts. Since he never heard me sing he was in for a real treat because I was basical y tone deaf and couldn't hit a note if my life depended on it.
My feet lifting off the ground, I started to float into the open space. Surprised, I peered up at the countless stars glittering on a black canvas, and wondered where they came from. I felt the entire universe stretched out in front of me. Yeah, I was certainly a ghost, flying and al . Aidan's doors would definitely not keep me out. Letting go, I could no longer feel my body. My mind fel into perpetuity, drifting into the greatest sense of freedom and tranquil ity I'd ever felt.
Wings flapped around me as dark, formless shapes gathered, murmuring words of wisdom in my ears. I knew they had assembled to help me, to guide me to the right place. The book. Aidan wanted it. And then I remembered the purpose of my visit.
The winged beings barely touched my skin as they lifted me up and carried me forward in their strong arms. Their smel —burnt tyres and sulphur
—made my stomach clench, but I didn't mind as long as they led me where I was supposed to go.
We flew past woods and mountains, val eys and rivers. A setting sun appeared on the horizon. I lifted my gaze to the large, deadly claws wrapped around my arms and legs, holding me in place. I realised the formless shapes looked like tal , muscly humans, their skin black as coal, with white wings and eyes dark as bottomless pits. Letting out a screech, they pointed down and lowered me to the ground near a hole surrounded by stones.
I stood and wiped a hand over my dusty jeans. "Is the book here?"
The tal est of the creatures hovered over me, wings flapping as it nodded and let out a guttural sound. He was so beautiful with perfect features, and yet so eerily inhuman, like a dark angel. I could barely peel my eyes off him when the scent of burnt tyres on a hot summer day wafted past again, stronger than before. If they were angels, then surely not from heaven.
Holding my breath, I leaned over the edge and peered inside, my mind starting to work slowly. How was I supposed to get down there?
I shot the creature a glance over my shoulder as I asked, "Do you have a rope, an energy bar or something?" No answer. I cleared my throat.
"Wel then, can one of you be an angel and give a girl a lift?"
The creature let out a sound that resembled a chuckle and shoved me forward, then rose into the sky, white wings flapping graceful y, and disappeared with the others. I realised I was supposed to climb when I could barely walk without tripping over my own feet. If I fel and broke my leg, no one would ever know. Whoever came up with this particular plan to retrieve the book, sucked big time. Maybe I'd haunt them, too.
Murmurs echoed in the distance. A cold shudder ran down my spine. "Hel o? Is there someone?" I spun, holding my breath as I listened for more sounds.
"Amber! I know you can hear me."
Was that Devon? It didn't sound like a voice inside my head, more like someone shouting through a loudspeaker at a footbal game. I peeked behind the nearby bushes. No one there, but where else could he be hiding? Maybe the voice was carrying over from inside the pit? I dared a peek into the pitch-black when his voice jolted me, making me flinch.
"Look around you and tel us where you are."
I scanned the area. The thick forest stretched into the distance. Apart from trees and bushes, and yet more trees, there was nothing nearby. "Oh shoot, my GPS can't get a service down here. I'm going to real y have to change providers. But let me get my map out and match it to the giant, neon, flashing road sign I'm standing under." I paused for effect. "How the heck would I know where I am, Devon? Al I can tel you is I'm outside."
"You must see something."
Yeah, a future appointment with a good psychologist and a prescription for anti-depressants. Dal as had a point something was wrong with my mind. The signs were there: hearing strange voices, seeing unearthly beings, talking to myself. I sighed and opened my mouth to speak, hysteria almost choking my throat. "There's a pit."
I heard a gasp, then Aidan said, "That's it. Wel done, babe. You'l have to go in now."
Snorting, I peered over the edge. "And how am I supposed to do that? Last time I checked I couldn't fly."
"Can you climb in? Or jump?" Aidan asked.
I'd feared that one coming. "Of course I can, because I'm Spiderman."
"Remember nothing can hurt you because you're not in the physical world anymore. We're standing over your body at the altar. Your soul is doing al the work right now," he said. He didn't sound convinced.
I snorted. "I'm dead already. How reassuring. Are you sure nothing can hurt me?"
"Positive," Devon said. Why the hesitation in his voice then?
My pulse racing, I draped a leg over the brink and dangled it as I peered in. Wherever the bottom was, it seemed to be a long way down.
"You said nothing could hurt me? So, right now I'm just a spirit?" I mumbled. "Wel , in that case I'd just float my way down."
"Amber, no!" Aidan said.
"Ah, what the heck!" Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and jumped.
I felt myself free fal in slow motion, spinning in circles and plummeting deeper, the cold air seeping into my skin. Opening my eyes, I saw a vision of Aidan smiling inches from me.
"We'l get the book and have a life together. I promise," Aidan said.
His face morphed into Kieran's who held a camera. "Can I take a picture so I can show Santa what I want for Christmas?"
Angel appeared, her long swirling black hair made her look like a dark angel as she smiled. "If I marry Kieran we'l be sisters-in-law, and I'l never be lonely again."
"No, you're my BFF," Clare's image said.
Devon cleared his voice in the distance. "Concentrate, Amber. You're almost there."
I hit the floor with a loud thud, the impact knocking the air out of my lung. A sharp pain rippled through my shoulder. Didn't Devon say nothing could hurt me?
"Are you in?" Aidan asked.
I wiped my dirty hands on my new coat, annoyed. "I can stil feel my legs, thanks for asking. My back's not even hurt that badly. Only as though I was just hit by a train."
"Good, now what do you see?" Devon's voice again.
Did they pay any attention to me? For a moment I considered ignoring them, just so I could sulk a bit, but I figured the sooner I got out of here, the faster I could haunt them. As I scrambled up, hand holding onto the wal , I saw a neon cord and pul ed it. A rusty light bulb flickered on the other side of the wal . I noticed I was standing in a long, narrow room with the only entrance above my head.
The place was one dirty mess with a naked mattress covering the far side and cobwebs hanging from the low ceiling. "I'm in a room with no windows. There's a cooker in one corner and a pad on the left side."
"Describe the room. What does it smel like? Is there anything else besides the cooker?" Devon's voice was dripping with anticipation.
"It's dusty." That was an understatement. "Since I have no job maybe they should hire me as a housekeeper."
Aidan snorted. "Seriously, Amber, would it real y help?"
"One more housekeeping joke from you and I'm outta here. Got it?" I walked around, taking in every detail.
"Sorry, babe. Listen, the book's there. You need to find it," Aidan said.
With trembling fingers, I picked up a dirty towel from the bare ground and tossed it across the bed when I noticed the animal fur. "Oh, God, that's just disgusting. I see skin shredded to pieces, like a beast sharpened its claws on it." My heartbeat accelerated. Whatever this place was, I wanted out. Now.
"Keep searching," Devon said.
; I puffed and turned away to scan the floor. "Easy for you to say. You're not looking at dead stuff." There was nothing else. No cupboards, no trapdoors. "I don't think it's here."
"Look harder. The book's probably hidden."
"I'm not blind," I muttered under my breath as I skimmed the wal s. How big was it anyway? What did it look like? The Shadows hadn't even bothered to give me any description or, even better, show me a picture. If I pretended to search hard enough they'd eventual y realise it wasn't here.
I paced the room several times, swirling up the thick dust. "There's nothing else, just empty wal s and filth everywhere. If I don't get a shower soon I swear I'l —"
"Search the floor," Devon said.
"Dive right in. Oh, why not? I've always wanted to die from asthma." I cowered on the ground and moved my hands about through years of dust and what else not. "Nothing."
"Have you checked under the bed yet?" Aidan asked.
My heart skipped a beat. "You've got to be kidding. What if there's a monster lurking under there?"
"Babe, what're you, five?" Aidan said.
"Yeah, right. I shouldn't believe in monsters, but then again I shouldn't believe in vampires either." The shirt on my back was soaked with sweat; my pulse started to sound like a drum in my ears. Stretching out my arms, I grabbed hold of the mattress and pul ed it up. It was stuck to the floor, like someone nailed it to the spot, and much heavier than I expected. With a grunt, I took a step forward, bending my elbows to lift it. The light barely reached beneath it. As I turned away, ready to drop it, I saw a bundle pushed to the far side.
"Nothing? Maybe there's some sort of vault or corridor?" Devon said.
"Please don't let it be anything dead and foul-smel ing." My stomach churned as I pushed the mattress aside. After several attempts of pul ing and shoving, my arms ached. I wiped the sweat off my brows and tried again. The material ripped. I kicked at it until it slid away, revealing what lay beneath.
"Amber, can you hear me?" Devon asked. I heard him, but didn't reply. No point in raising their hopes, then crushing them if I didn't find what they wanted.