He sprinted like his life depended on it.
I checked behind me, expecting to see Liam, but there was no one. What was Peter so afraid of?
“Peter! Wait!”
He eased to a jog and turned around. We’d stopped in front of Ethan’s fake grave site. The sleek marble tombstone could never be mistaken for another. Not in the historical section of the cemetery, where all of the other graves were crumbled to almost complete disintegration.
Someone had dug a large hole in front of the tombstone again. Crumbled earth was piled high to the side. The ground shouldn’t have been disturbed. Gamma had filled the hole in the aftermath of William’s death last year.
I read the epitaph on the headstone, but Ethan’s name was no longer etched in the marble. Instead the name read: Peter LaViollette.
Peter’s eyes were wild with fear. That was troubling in itself, but what really made my heart clench was that his attention wasn’t on the tombstone that bore his name. It was squarely focused on me.
No killer chased us. There was no one behind me. It was only me. I was chasing Peter.
I took a step forward. Peter mirrored my movement with one step backward. He was dangerously close to the edge of the open grave.
Liam stepped out of the shadows. His face twisted in concentration; almost bewilderment. His hands balled into fists as he walked behind Peter and me.
Hundreds of red-eyed ravens landed on the grass, in the trees and on the tombstones. Their jet black hair was as dark as the night sky. If not for their blood red eyes, they’d be lost in the shadows. The birds were silent. They didn’t flap their wings or snap their beaks. They simply watched us.
The Hazel Cove Cemetery disappeared and we were suddenly in the woods. Dense trees surrounded us. Ethan’s lone grave remained in place. Peter was dangerously close to falling in, but his gaze didn’t leave me. Why was he afraid? What had I done to warrant such fear? Did he see the ravens? Did he see Liam? Was this one of Liam’s magic tricks?
I twisted to find Liam. Peter retreated with my movement.
“Peter,” I whispered. “What are you doing? I’m not going to hurt you.”
He swallowed and took another step backward. His left heel hung precariously over the edge of the hole.
With his step, the ravens came to life. They angrily flapped their wings. Feathers floated in the air. The horrible sound of their cries pierced my ears. Hundreds of red eyes honed in on me.
Liam walked around us. He showed no sign of seeing us. Or hearing us. All of the ravens were inside of Liam’s pacing circle. There wasn’t a single bird outside of Liam’s tracks.
A profound heaviness pressed against my chest. I looked down. The brilliant ruby ring hung from my neck. The weight of the gem pushed against my heart. I clenched it. The smooth façade of the ruby felt like liquid under my fingertips. The vibrations funneled through my skin.
Peter inched backward. Both heels now on the ledge.
I lunged forward to pull him to safety. My left hand reached to grab his arm, but a softball sized energy ball shot out of my palm. The green fireball glided through the air and exploded against Peter’s chest.
Blue eyes dropped to the hole forming in the center of his body. Peter blinked and his eyes rolled back into his head. His body crumbled and he fell backward into the hole.
To his death.
CHAPTER 15
My cheeks were wet when I woke up.
The early morning rays filtered through the sheer curtains. I was on the couch. The television screen was blue. The movie had ended hours ago, but we’d never turned off the DVD player. Peter must have fallen asleep, too.
Heaviness pressed against my chest and, for an awful second, I was afraid to look down. Terrified to see the ruby that was supposed to be hidden in my purse. I squeezed my eyes shut for good measure, braced myself and looked down.
The weight I felt was Peter.
Fast asleep in an extremely uncomfortable looking position. He was folded over in an awkward angle. The top half of his body laid across my chest while the bottom half was underneath me, still in a sitting position.
He was too heavy, but I didn’t want to wake him. I wanted to watch him sleep. The heavy breathing. The flutter of his eyelashes as he dreamed. I blinked away the tears from my nightmare and realized with painstaking certainty that I’d had another one. Another premonition.
Peter was going to die.
Not by Liam’s hand. Or Gabriel Vega. Or Gamma. I was the one that was going to kill him.
I shook the horrible dream from my mind. It wasn’t true. It couldn’t be true. I’d never hurt Peter in a million years. I wasn’t a novice witch anymore. I could control my magic. I knew how to conjure fireballs and I definitely knew how not to conjure a fireball. It was only a nightmare. I was nervous about the impending sacrifice and about the amount of power I’d receive if, somehow, I survived tomorrow night.
“Good morning,” Peter said with his eyes closed.
“Morning.”
Peter opened one big blue eye. He blinked and then bolted upright.
“What’s wrong?” Was it happening already? Was he afraid of me?
“Oh my God, Lex. Why didn’t you push me off? I could’ve crushed you.”
I exhaled. “No, you were fine.”
“No, I’m too heavy for you. I’m sorry. You must’ve slept horribly.” He rubbed his eyes and looked at the blue screen. “We didn’t make it through one movie. How weak is that?”
I yanked the rubber band out of my hair. My scalp was tender from sleeping on my ponytail. “I fell asleep when the twins stalked Danny.”
“That’s early. I’m not sure when I conked out.” Peter yawned. “This is the first time you’ve stayed over in a long time. It’s nice.”
“It is nice, but I have to go. Today is the last full day before the showdown. I have tons to do. See you later tonight?”
“Of course. Think about the Cooper’s Halloween party, will you? It’ll be fun. It’s entirely up to you. I’m in for whatever you want to do.”
“Alright, but if we go, wouldn’t you need a costume? You’ll never be able to find one the day before Halloween.”
“I bought a costume a few days ago. In case you changed your mind.”
“Just in case, huh?” I leaned in to kiss him. “See you later, alligator.”
The sun was bright and the birds were chirping. The day was beautiful and seeing that it could potentially be my last full day on Earth, I had to remind myself to take everything in. Stop and smell the roses, if you will.
I’d driven to Peter’s house before our date last night, so I hopped in my car and searched for my sunglasses in the glove compartment.
The short drive to the Hallows was peaceful, except for the forty-five seconds it took to pass the Hazel Cove Cemetery. I immediately thought of last night’s dream. And, just as quickly, I slammed my foot down on the gas. The eight foot tall stone fence with the elaborate wrought iron gates zoomed by my window.
Last night’s dream wasn’t a glimpse into the future - it was only a nightmare. I refused to dwell on anything negative today.
Today was about smelling the roses.
I entered the Hallows and turned onto Apple Orchard Road. I drove past my old house. It didn’t bother me anymore - it was the necessary route to get to James’ house - but I still couldn’t look directly at it. Especially because today would’ve been the annual “Ramsey” Halloween party. Nope, I didn’t need visions of Bradley hanging from a noose.
Not today.
I made a left on Cedar Mill. The Van Curen driveway was full of cars. Emma, Ethan and James were all home. I strolled up the sidewalk and unlocked the front door. I stepped inside the entryway and collided with my father.
“You’re okay.” Ethan’s chest heaved.
“Yes,” I said slowly.
“Told you,” Emma said from the living room. “Now why don’t you get back in here and help me look through these real estate listings.”
“Where were you last night? Why didn’t you come home?” Ethan ignored my mother. His hair was disheveled and his clothes were wrinkled, like he’d slept in them. He had dark smudges under his eyes.
“Uh, I was at Peter’s house. I fell asleep on the couch while we were watching movies.” I was frozen in the entryway. I’d never been assaulted with a parental barrage of questioning.
“Told you,” Emma said again.
Ethan exhaled. “You spent the night with Peter?”
My cheeks grew warm. “Watching movies.”
“I was worried sick when you didn’t come home last night. I couldn’t sleep. Your mother said you were probably at Peter’s and she made me wait until this morning before I could take any action.”
I swallowed. “Take action?”
I don’t know what I was expecting him to do, but it wasn’t envelope me into a bear hug. Ethan squeezed me tight enough that I grew concerned about my ribs. “I was about to comb the streets looking for you. I was so worried.”
“I’m sorry,” I said into his shirt. “I should’ve text Emma.”
He kissed the top of my head and released me from his death grip. “It’s okay. I’m just glad you’re here.”
We stood awkwardly. “Um, can I go upstairs now?”
“Oh, right. Sure.” Ethan moved out of the way. “Sorry. I’m new at this whole parenting thing.”
I trotted up the stairs, but stopped halfway. Ethan was still standing at the bottom of the steps. “You’re doing a great job, dad.”
“Thanks, kiddo.”
As I turned to climb the rest of the stairs, pain ignited in both of my hands. My fingers burned like I’d groped a whistling tea kettle. I shook them, but it took a few moments to get the feeling back.
A shooting pain raced up my thigh. I fell forward and gripped the step.
“Are you okay?” Ethan ran up the stairs.
“Receiving pains.” The pain in my leg had instantly subsided. I rubbed my thigh.
“Pretty painful, huh?”
“Extremely.”
“I remember when I had mine,” Ethan said. “It was horrible. I can only imagine what you’re going through. I’m sure your pain is double what I felt.”
“What’s it going to be like tomorrow?”
“Blinding pain.” Ethan grimaced. “Throughout every square inch of your body.”
“Super.”
“Why don’t you get some rest?” Ethan said.
I went upstairs and threw my coat on the bed. A swift knock caught me off guard. James stood in the doorway with a half-crooked smile on his face. Scooby was at his feet.
“Getting in trouble for staying out late?” James strolled into my room and sat on the edge of my bed.
“I’ve never been yelled at about my curfew in my life. It was kind of nice in a strange way. It only means he cares, right?”
“Exactly.”
“How was the haunted house?”
“You would’ve hated it. It was a corn maze. These giant corn stalks stretched for acres and it was pitch black outside. We only had the flashlights they gave us at the entrance. Not to mention it was freezing. It took us forever to find our way out.”
I kicked off my shoes and sat on the bed beside him. “I’m glad I didn’t go.”
“Did you have fun on your date?”
“It was nice.”
“What’s wrong?” James asked.
“Nothing.”
“You’re a horrible liar.”
I fell back against the pillows. “If I tell you, you can’t tell anyone. Especially Peter.”
James frowned. “This must be bad.”
I raised my eyebrows.
“Fine. I promise.”
“I had another dream last night,” I said.
“A premonition?”
“I hope not. I chased Peter through the cemetery and then it changed to the woods.”
“That’s strange.”
“Peter was terrified of me. He ran to Ethan’s grave and almost fell into the hole. I reached to help him, but for some reason, a fireball shot out of my palm. It hit him square in the chest.” I swallowed. “I killed Peter.”
James shook his head. “That’s ridiculous. You’d never do that.”
“Red-eyed ravens were all over the cemetery. I think they represent evil. And I think the dream was telling me that I was evil and Peter’s going to die because of me.”
“Peter isn’t going to die,” James said. “Especially, not by your hand. It was just a stupid dream.”
* * *
The boys convinced me to go the Cooper’s Halloween party. I suspected they both wanted to go and I didn’t want them to miss out on my account. It was four o’clock and Sadie was coming over at six to do my hair and makeup. I didn’t want to disappoint her like I had before the Winter Ball, so I needed to get my butt in the shower.
Most of my belongings were packed in boxes downstairs, including my blow dryer. As ironic as it was, the Van Curen basement wasn’t scary. Taupe carpet lined the stairs and floor. Creamy beige walls and recessed lighting made the room feel modern and cheery.
The basement spanned the length of the house and the boxes were stacked in the far corner. All of my family’s belongings were contained in twenty boxes. That’s all that was left after Gamma destroyed our house. It was pretty sad. I walked through the seating area and passed the enormous gold trimmed painting hanging on the wall.
I stopped.
It wasn’t the first time I’d seen the picture. James had taken me into the crawlspace - which was hidden behind the painting - before. At the time, I didn’t really look at the picture of the courthouse scene of the Salem Witch Trials. Dozens of puritans crammed the room to debate the fates of innocent victims.
The people were the size of my fingers, but their faces and expressions were visible. The artist was incredibly talented. The courthouse was constructed of wood and long rows of benches lined the middle of the room so the villagers could watch the spectacle. Three magistrates sat at a table facing the crowd. I assumed the man in the middle was in charge. But, he wasn’t the one that caught my eye. It was the plump man sitting to his right.
Jebediah Van Curen.
The artist had captured James’ great - many times over - grandfather’s face down to the last detail. The beady eyes. The long nose. The arrogant facial features. And the ruby ring necklace hanging from his neck.
I scanned the rest of the painting. The poor young girls accused of witchcraft were seated in front of the magistrates. Their eyes, underneath their bonnets, were wide with fear. The artist depicted the crowd as unruly. Some stood. Many leaned forward in their seats, enticed by the proceedings. The anxiousness was evident in everyone’s body language.
Everyone except for one person in the painting.
In the back of the courthouse, leaning casually against the window frame, was a man. He was painted so … calm. Collected. He had blonde hair and his clothes were too nice to be from Salem. His arms were crossed over his chest and the artist had perfectly captured his smile. He was enjoying the proceedings. Green cat eyes basked in the spectacle.
I grinned at Liam’s smugness.
The one object that could defeat Liam hung over the heart of Jebediah Van Curen. Liam had no idea how close he’d been to his lost receptacle. He was yards away from his mother’s spirit and he was completely clueless. The moment was forever captured in the most famous depiction of witchcraft in America’s history.
For once, Gamma had done something brilliant. I owed it to them. They’d kept the receptacle safe and out of Liam’s hands.
For once, the joke was on Liam.
CHAPTER 16
“I’m glad you’re going to the party.” Sadie twisted a long piece of hair around the curling iron.
“Peter and James wanted to go and I want to hang out with my friends.” I smiled at Sadie in the mirror. “Of course, I really had to wear that amazing costume.”
“Do you lik
e it?”
“You have no idea.”
The angel costume lay across my bed. It was a silky white dress with tight sleeves that hooked around my middle fingers. The sweetheart neck line would show off my silver ‘R’ necklace. Two white-feathered wings and a halo headpiece completed the outfit. I couldn’t have picked a better costume.
“Last year you were a witch,” Sadie said. “This year, you could be the opposite. An angel.”
“It’s perfect.”
“Actually, you look perfect. All done.” Sadie switched off the curling iron. “I have to get ready. Lucas wants me to help with some last minute party stuff. I’ll see you there.”
“Thanks again for the costume. See you in a few.”
Sadie grabbed her trunk of makeup. “I’m serious about what I said. I’m glad you’re going tonight. I’ve missed you.”
I hugged Sadie. “Me, too.”
After Sadie left, I put on my costume. The wings had backpack straps and slipped on like a coat. I placed the halo headband in my mass of Sadie-created curls. I checked the mirror.
I looked better as an angel than a witch.
You’ll probably be a real angel tomorrow night.
Inappropriate thought.
I grabbed my bag (the purse containing the ruby was hidden in a shoebox in the bottom of my closet) and turned out the light.
Everyone else must’ve liked my costume, because I had a teen movie moment walking down James’ elaborate staircase. Peter, James, Ethan and Emma were all waiting for me in the foyer.
“You look amazing.” Peter’s eyes roamed over me from head to toe.
Ethan shot Peter a look. He wasn’t over the fact that his daughter had spent the night at a boy’s house.
“Angelic,” James said.
“Beautiful.” Emma smiled.
“Are you sure you want to go tonight?” Ethan crossed his arms over his chest. “How are the receiving pains? Are they getting worse?”
“They’re not happening as often, but they’re more intense. I’ll be okay,” I said. “And, yes, I want to go. Don’t worry. I’ll have two superheroes to protect me.”
Peter was dressed as Tarzan. A leopard print cloth hung diagonally over his shoulder and he held a plastic club in one hand. James was Captain America. The red, white and blue mask covered the top half of his face.