When Collin looked up, he saw Ivy walking toward him. He made sure that he was leaning on her locker. A faint smile spread across her lips when she looked at him. He was nearly a full head taller than her, and he liked that. He studied the curve of her neck as she walked toward him. Her dark hair was in a ponytail - which was rare—and revealed the soft, pale skin at the base of her neck. Collin ripped his gaze away from her neck and back to her face.
“Hey,” she said as if she was surprised to see him, “What are you doing here?” He stepped aside, allowing her to open her locker door, and threw her books into the bottom before she turned back to him.
He leaned in close to her, smiling, “I’m taking you out. Come on.”
He turned to leave, but Ivy grabbed his arm and pulled him back toward her. She laughed, “I can’t leave! I’m not a senior, and besides, I can’t cut.” But, her locker door hung open and she didn’t grab her books. Ivy was actually considering it.
Collin saw the opportunity and took it. He leaned close to her face, speaking in a hushed voice, “I’ll sneak you out. Come on, Ivy. It’s so nice outside.” Collin arched an eyebrow expectantly at her.
She looked down at the books in the bottom of her locker and then back up at him. He could tell she was on the verge of saying yes. Her gaze looked over his shoulder and out the windows to the beautiful afternoon. Sunlight was pouring through the windows and the air was warmer than usual. Ivy bit her bottom lip and looked back at Collin, “Where are we going?”
He shook his head, “Nope, you gotta say you’re coming first. But, I know you’ll like it. I’ll get you lunch too.” He let the offer hang in the air waiting for her answer. Ivy was a good student, which meant she never cut class and she certainly didn’t sneak off school grounds. What he was suggesting would sound crazy to a girl like her.
Ivy glanced at him, and then slammed her locker door closed. “Okay.” His head tilted in surprise and she laughed. “So, sneak me out.” Collin’s smile widened as he told her to follow him. They walked into the auditorium, up the stairs the stage, and then around back. Before Collin pulled open the basement door, Ivy stopped, asking, “Where are we going? I thought we were leaving?”
He ushered her through the door. On their way down the stairs, he said, “We are. Don’t turn on the lights. It’ll draw attention. There is an exit door down here that’s never used.” He felt Ivy stumble on a step, so he reached out for her hand. Her slender fingers slide into his and felt warm against his palm. He smiled, squeezing her hand slightly. Collin led her through the darkness to the landing below before releasing his grip.
Turning to her, he said, “Wait here.” Ivy could hear the moving and scraping of objects being relocated, and when he reached for her again a bright light filled the darkness as a door to the outside opened. Collin pulled them both through and pushed the door shut behind them. They were standing out of sight at the bottom of an exterior stairwell.
Collin looked down at Ivy with a smile on his face, “We’re locked out now, by the way.”
Ivy pushed him playfully, and Collin’s back hit the cement wall as she pressed herself into his space, scolding him. “I can’t cut the entire day! My mom will kill me. Collin!” She smacked him with her hands lightly while laughing and looking up at him. Ivy knew she couldn’t get back inside without the school noticing that she left. She was stuck with Collin for the rest of the afternoon.
Collin grinned from ear to ear, pretending to cower from her onslaught of fists and girly slaps. “I guess that just means we have more time to have fun.” Ivy squeaked and laughingly pushed him again. His back pressed against the concrete wall, its coldness soaking through his shirt.
Before her hands left his chest, Collin wrapped his fingers around Ivy’s wrists, and then pulled her toward him. The swift action made Ivy lose her footing and fall forward just as Collin twisted out of the way. The result landed Ivy with her back to the wall where Collin had been moments ago. His strong hands wrapped around hers as he pressed them to her chest slightly. They were both laughing, but everything shifted when he leaned closer to her, pressing her to the wall. He hadn’t meant to frighten her, but she sucked in a gasp of air. Collin released her wrists, looking down at her.
Ivy squirmed against the wall a little bit, realizing how close they were. His entire body was looming right next to hers. He was so close that she could feel the heat from his skin. He moved his hand toward her face, taking a stray curl that had worked its way out of her ponytail and tucked it behind her ear. Collin’s heart was racing. He had to stop himself from running his fingers through her curls. He had to stop himself from stroking her warm cheek and pulling her lips to his. The thought made his stomach flip as he gazed at her.
Collin knew that getting involved with her would only hurt her, and he liked her. The value of her friendship was too great, so he refused to act on his feelings. And that was the other thing. These were feelings he wasn’t supposed to have. They were there because he had a soul. If anyone noticed he had feelings for Ivy, it would kill them both. Every Valefar knew that their kind felt nothing, but a lust for power and blood. But Collin was different. He’d changed since the bargain. Realizing that he was nearly holding Ivy in his arms, he stepped back from her. His protection was the one thing he could offer her. She lived in his territory. He’d keep her safe no matter what.
Ivy didn’t move the entire time Collin was so close. She didn’t know what he was doing. He didn’t move to kiss her. He didn’t move at all. Her chest rose and fell as she sucked in jagged breaths waiting for Collin to do something. When he finally stepped away, she reached for him before he was out of reach and stepped towards him. Collin paused, looking down at her as she pressed her fingers softly to his face. With both hands, she slowly traced his cheeks finally sliding her hands down both sides of his face, until her touch landed on his chin.
Collin breathed through his mouth, stunned, staring at her. He was frozen in place. He noticed the warmth of her eyes, and the way her chest rose and fell as she breathed. Her soft pink lips parted and she leaned toward him ever so slowly, as if to kiss him, but when her fingers reached his chin it was like the trance was broken, and they both came back to themselves. Ivy dropped her hands looked away.
Collin watched her for a moment wondering why she leaned in so close to him if she didn’t want to press her lips to his. He could still feel her touch on his cheek. Scolding himself, he pushed the questions from his mind. It didn’t matter what she did. He wouldn’t be like that with her. Collin stepped back and tilted his head toward the stairs, turning away from her. She looked up at him as he started up the steps and said, “Let’s go.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
The rest of the afternoon had passed with Ivy and nothing like that happened again. The moment was so short, but Collin replayed it over and over again in his mind. What was she doing? He didn’t understand her. He didn’t think she felt like that about him, but after yesterday, he wasn’t so sure.
Collin moved slowly down the street, trailing the Martis in the early morning sun. People moved up and down the street, hurrying with coffee in hand. Many of them were headed toward jobs that held little satisfaction, and he heard them grumble as they past. Collin remained behind the human filled with angel blood. This Martis was young, as were most. Collin had been following him since last night. The Martis was supposed to be reporting to someone here. Now. Collin couldn’t see the other Martis, but he didn’t dare get closer.
The stout Martis he’d followed was sitting in front of a fountain by the bank building. The water cascaded into the pool below making it difficult to hear, which Collin was certain was part of their plan. At the same time, it left the Martis vulnerable from those sitting to their backs. And that was where Collin sat.
The stout Martis spoke first, “She wants you to come. They think they found her. We tracked her for the past few days and the girl acquired a piece of Celestial Silver on her own.” His voice was incredulous.
The guy sitting next to the stout Martis answered, “She did?” He sounded equally surprised. “How?” He shook his head, perplexed. After a moment, he said, “Never mind, Marcus. Not here. I’ll talk to Julia when I get to Italy.”
Collin relaxed a little bit when they revealed the location. If he could find this girl, he could fulfill his end of the bargain. It would free him from Kreturus. He’d get his soul back—and save the people around him in the process. Collin looked around at the mass of people. For the most part, humanity was good. His gaze fixated on a young couple leaning together. The boy whispered something in the girl’s ear, and she smiled. They gazed at each other in a way that made Collin envious. He looked away. If the Prophecy Girl was good, he couldn’t do it, but knowing what she really was, he could kill her. She was a blight on the earth, someone who was going to kill millions of innocent people. Collin was carrying out justice by destroying her. Leaning forward he turned his head as the wind blew. A spray of water splattered into his face. But the wind also carried more distinct whispers, whispers that he needed to hear.
Marcus’ voice drifted across on the breeze. “So that’s it? You’re just gonna go? How can you be so certain? What if they’re wrong…”
The other Martis cut him off, “We know it’s her. That’s all there is to it.” The Martis rose and walked away. Collin stared at his back, taking in his stride and golden brown hair. The Martis looked so average that the guy could have been anyone, but his stride was distinct—confident and assured.
Marcus rose and walked in the opposite direction, leaving Collin to decide who to follow. There was more specific information he needed, and he knew he would have to extract it. Rising slowly, Collin trailed the younger Martis, patiently waiting for the most opportune moment. There was information missing. Information that he needed, and Collin knew that this Martis had it. The only thing Collin needed was a city. If he knew where in Italy the other Martis was headed, Collin could find him. He could trail him until the guy led him right to the Prophecy One.
Collin increased his stride as the Martis started to walk in front of an alleyway between a street full of shops. The sound from the cars would carry down the alley, but the sounds from the alley would not carry out to the street. He’d make certain of that. Collin slid his thumb against the blackened stone in his pocket. As the brimstone absorbed his blood, it melted into a dagger and hardened in his grip. When the Martis started walking across the alley, Collin rushed at him, pushing him into the gap between the stores before he could scream.
“I wouldn’t move if I were you,” Collin said as he moved to press his black blade against Marcus’ skin.
The Martis moved his hands as if reaching for something, but Collin stopped him. Collin knew what he was doing. Seeing a silver chain peeking out from under his collar, Collin flicked his blade at the Martis’ throat and the chain broke, sending the piece of Celestial Silver to the ground. A faint smile spread across Collin’s lips as he disarmed the Martis. Without that bit of silver, Marcus was a dead man.
Collin held the blade of his dagger close to Marcus’ throat. “Where does Julia live?” The question was simple and since Martis couldn’t lie, he made sure to ask it so he’d get the answer that was needed.
Marcus shook his head, and backed away. But there was nowhere to go. He stepped back no more than a few feet and hit the side wall. “I won’t tell you.”
Collin’s eyes burned, but he knew he couldn’t blink the pain away. They were rimming, and he let them. He needed his strength to glean the information he needed. He needed to allow himself to be savage, if it was required, and that was much easier if he let his bloodlust overtake him. Collin hissed, “I think you can.”
Marcus’ eyes were wide, but he didn’t cower or beg. His piece of silver, his only weapon, lay on the alley floor behind Collin. “You’ll have to kill me first.”
Without another word, Collin called the shadows from the alley to him. They slid within him like cold snakes. He used their power to seal in the sound of screams as he tortured the Martis. With every press of the brimstone blade on the Martis’s flesh, he cried out in pain. Collin was methodical, knowing that if he waited and endured the man’s yells that he would eventually reveal the location. The touch of brimstone would only bring pain - not death—but plunging it through his heart would end his existence. As Collin heard the blade sizzle against his skin, he noticed that the Martis wasn’t as young as he had hoped. It was easier coaxing information from younger Martis because they weren’t as strong. They caved in faster, but that wasn’t the case with this Martis. Time was passing, and Collin knew if he didn’t learn the city soon that he never would.
Collin pressed the black dagger to the Martis’ skin again, and slid the blade slowly down the side of his face. The immortal screamed and writhed, but the shadows that Collin commanded held him in place. Blood ran down the side of Marcus’ mouth as he spat at Collin, “I hope you die a death a hundred times worse than this.”
Normally a victim’s words had no effect on Collin, but this time his blood ran cold. Collin stopped, and looked at the Martis. He no longer struggled against the shadows bonds. Weakened and wounded, the Martis knew his breaths were limited. “Last chance, Marcus. Where is she?”
Marcus looked up at him knowing that Collin couldn’t hurt Julia even if he found her, but he didn’t want to help. Marcus pressed his mouth shut and locked his jaw in answer. Collin had no choice. He pulled the black blade across his palm, ignoring the crimson that clung to the blade as he sliced his palm open. Collin didn’t wince from the pain, but squeezed his fingers closed to make the blood pool in his palm. The expression on Marcus’ face changed as he realized what Collin was preparing to do.
Marcus pleaded, “Kill me. But, don’t turn me Valefar!” But Collin ignored him watching more and more blood pool in hand as it began to run between his pale fingers. When Marcus saw that Collin had no intention of stopping he offered, “Rome. She’s in Rome. But you can’t touch her…”
Collin looked up at him, amused that he thought some Martis were untouchable. There were all vulnerable. But, it wasn’t Julia that he was after. Collin didn’t even know who she was. He decided that he ought to find out. Slowing the process down, Collin allowed the frightened Martis more time to talk.
“Where in Rome?” Collin asked watching red ribbons of blood run down his wrist.
Marcus looked pale, his face was covered in sweat and his eye twitched. Swallowing hard, he said, “At the Vatican. Julia is too high up to touch. You’ll never get near her.” This news perked Collin up. Collin reached for the Martis’ head and smeared his blood across his mark. It was out of order, and the demon blood would do nothing, but he knew Martis were afraid of demon blood. Collin hoped he could pry more information out of him.
“What is the name of the Prophecy Girl?” Collin asked.
Marcus looked up at him. At first he appeared confused, like why were they suddenly talking about her, but then he realized his mistake. He revealed Julia! “No,” he said shaking his head. “And if you turn me Valefar, I won’t remember. You’ll never get the information out of me that way.” Marcus laughed like he’d won. But he didn’t know Collin. Collin shoved his bloodied hand into Marcus’ mouth and forced him to swallow. The Martis screamed, but suddenly became sedate, glancing at Collin like he’d just noticed he was there.
“What is the name of the Prophecy Girl?” Collin repeated.
Marcus shook his head, “They didn’t tell me. None of us know everything… so if we get caught by one of you, it doesn’t matter. You can’t stop us. You and your kind will die after we find her.” He spoke with a certainty that unnerved Collin.
Collin knew what he had to do, though he didn’t like it. Protecting his identity was paramount. The Martis had to die. Without another word Collin tightened the grip on his knife and lunged forward. His muscles flexed as he forced the dagger through Marcus’s chest and into his heart. When the brimstone blade sunk in far enough
, the man would die. As Collin drove the blade in the Martis screamed in one final burst.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Collin stood overlooking the square below. People moved through the space between benches, strolling to different vendors, and sitting at places to eat that had up colorful umbrellas. The square ended abruptly where dazzling blue Italian water lapped up against the docks. Collin stood in a place that held a clear view of the docks. He’d broken into the apartment and gotten rid of the man who lived there.
Collin stared blankly. He knew he was in the right place. He’d been staring at the square below for two days, waiting. Without a doubt he knew he would recognize the Martis’ gait, the walk of the man who sat next to Marcus by the fountain. Collin cursed himself for trailing Marcus that day. He had to pick which Martis to trail that day, and Collin had picked the wrong one.
The one I needed would be somewhere below, and soon, he thought. Unlike Valefar, Martis could not effonate. It could have taken him over twenty-four hours just to get to the place where Collin stood.