She crushed her head between her palms.
“Do you understand?”
She frantically nodded.
“If I find out you used another spell on any of us, or anybody at all for that matter, I’m going to find you and I’m not going to stop. Do you understand?”
She nodded again.
I looked away and Olivia’s screaming stopped. She curled into a ball.
Olivia’s face was bloody. We were both soaked. Blood poured from my cheek. The mirrors were shattered. Water filled the floor. The lights were broken. Paper towels floated through the room. So much for talking it out like adults.
Keys jingled and the bathroom door unlocked. “What’s going on in here?”
I cringed at the sound of the nasally voice. It was Mrs. Pratt. The principal.
CHAPTER 16
“Two weeks? And she get’s nothing?” I couldn’t believe my ears. I sat back in the chair.
“You’re lucky I’m not expelling you.” Mrs. Pratt closed my file. “Fighting on school grounds is an expellable offense.”
“But you’re not, because you’d have to expel Olivia, too. And there’s no way you’re doing that. You wouldn’t want to upset Mr. Humphrey, would you?”
Olivia was silent. Her mouth and nose were pink with smeared blood. I’m sure I was a mess, too. We still hadn’t fully explained how two teenage girls could’ve caused so much destruction. At least Olivia knew not to tell the truth.
“It’s my decision, Ms. Ramsey or Ms. Longfellow or whatever it is you’re calling yourself these days,” Mrs. Pratt said. “Suspension for two weeks. Ms. Humphrey, take off the rest of the afternoon. Ms. Longfellow, remove yourself from school grounds immediately. Do not show your face at Hawthorne until the two weeks are up. Do you understand?”
Olivia left the room.
I sat there. “Spring break’s next week. Does that count towards my suspension?”
“Not a chance. Ten school days. And expect a bill in the mail for the damages caused by today’s incident.”
“What? What about Olivia? Are you sending her a bill, too?”
“Please leave my office.”
I shot out of my chair. This was ridiculous. Olivia started the fight. She came after me. She destroyed the bathroom. And now I was suspended for two weeks and had to foot the bill for damages? How on Earth was I going to pay for that? Emma and I were already barely scraping by.
I reached for the knob, fully intending to slam the door as hard as I could, but Mrs. Pratt cleared her throat. “Alex?”
I reluctantly turned around.
She was standing behind the desk leaning heavily on the chair. Her face was oddly relaxed and not puckered in its usual sour way. In fact, her entire body was basically limp.
I walked back into the office and that’s when I noticed it. I peered into her blood red eyes, trying to see the spirit that now inhabited my principal’s body. “Mrs. Pratt?”
“Meet him in the cemetery.”
I inched closer to her desk. The iris, the white part and the pupil were completely covered with a thick red liquid. “Who are you? Who’s in there?”
“Meet him in the cemetery.”
“Who?”
“Liam.”
My jaw dropped. “Why does he want to see me?”
Mrs. Pratt’s thick hand blindly groped the desk. She fumbled around until her fingers wrapped around a pair of scissors. “Meet Liam in the cemetery in ten minutes or….” Mrs. Pratt brought the scissors to her throat.
“No, no, no.” I backed up. “Put it down. I’m leaving right now. Please don’t hurt her.”
The scissors slipped from her hand and harmlessly fell to the desk. Mrs. Pratt blinked twice. The red faded and her eyes returned to their normal shade of dirt brown.
“What are you still doing here? Didn’t I suspend you? Do I need to call security to escort you off campus?”
I backed up to the door. “No. I’m leaving now.”
I had ten minutes to get to the cemetery before Liam threatened another innocent person. I reached the parking lot and remembered Peter drove me to school. What a great day to be carless.
I sprinted down Hawthorne’s sloping driveway and onto Pennington Drive. There was no sidewalk and the grass was muddy from yesterday’s thunderstorm. Cars honked at me to stay clear of the pavement.
I made it to the Hazel Cove Cemetery in record time. The wrought iron gates loomed high above me. James was right - I was full of bad ideas. Meeting Liam alone in the cemetery? Not too smart. But I had to do what Liam said. If I didn’t, he’d hurt the people around me. And I wasn’t going to be responsible for anymore blood on my hands.
The cemetery was ironically quite cheerful. The sun was high in the sky. The trees were green and lush and the flowers were blooming. I jogged down the narrow path that snaked its way through the stone fenced cemetery. I had no idea where I was supposed to meet Liam. My bet was on the creepiest part - the historical section.
I hated the historical section. Gamma tried to kill me there last fall. It was also where my father’s fake grave was located. If that wasn’t enough, the area itself was frightening. The grounds weren’t well maintained because the cemetery no longer buried people there. The large tombstones were crumbling. Weeds consumed the graves.
A cramp formed in my side. I was getting more anxious by the moment. The cemetery was enormous; Liam could be anywhere. What if I didn’t find him in time?
“That was quite an impressive run. You should try out for your school’s track team.”
Liam casually leaned against a six-foot high tombstone. The white marble was carved into an angel. The open wings, each feather miraculously visible, spread out behind the body.
Liam looked the same as he had at the Bell Tower. Eternally thirty years old. Light blonde hair cut short. A squared jaw and a thin nose just a little too long for his face.
“You don’t have to threaten people to get my attention. I would’ve come. All you had to do was ask.”
Liam shrugged. His bright green eyes - exactly like my own - crinkled with amusement. “I like a flair for the dramatic. Besides, it was just that overgrown oaf who gave you trouble on the first night we met. Remember?”
“Unfortunately every detail from that night’s been seared into my memory. Thanks to you. What do you want?”
“I came to visit. Say hello. See how you’re doing? You don’t look very well.”
I pushed my hair out of my face. It was still wet from the bathroom fight. “Can we cut the crap? I was just suspended from school. Now I’m in the cemetery with you. Could you give me a break and tell me what you want? Please?”
Liam laughed. “I get such a kick out of you.”
I sighed.
“Actually, I came to applaud your efforts in killing a Vega Twin. That is quite an accomplishment.”
“It was an accident.”
“I heard you blew him twenty feet in the air! Right into the path of an oncoming train. Very inventive. I have to admit, I’ve never killed anyone that way.”
I shifted my weight. “I didn’t mean to.”
“But it happened.”
“Whatever,” I said. “I accept your congratulations. Is that all you wanted?”
“Why were you in Manhattan?”
“Shouldn’t you know? You had me followed. I saw the red-eyes at Penn Station.”
Liam stepped away from the angel tombstone. Rays of light flitted through the tree leaves. He placed his hands behind his back. “I’m not having you followed, per se, but it was a red flag when you left town. I can’t have my pure blood disappearing on me. Some of my spirits went to see what you were doing.”
“That’s following me.”
“Besides, my red-eyes can only hear when they’re in a body. And you were out of earshot at the train terminal.” Liam shrugged, but his face became serious. “Why were you there and why were the Vega twins after you?”
I had nothing to lose, so I told the t
ruth. “I went to Nora’s Emporium to look for a spell reversal for my father. While we were there, Nora called the Vega twins. They came after my friend. They weren’t after me - thanks to you - but I protected us and accidently killed Donovan.”
A large grin spread across his face. “By father, I assume you’re not referring to that deplorable stepfather of yours.”
“If Victor were spelled, I wouldn’t risk my life to save him.”
“Ah, so we are talking about Ethan. And if you need a spell reversal for Ethan, then that means he’s alive.”
“He’s in a coma.”
“Was that why you were visiting the hospital in Ipswich?”
“Yes, but the coma was magically induced. He’s been spelled for seventeen years.”
“And you have the reversal?”
“I do.”
Liam chuckled. “It must be a very dark spell if he’s been out that long.”
“It is.”
“Who did it? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“My Aunt Vanessa.”
Liam’s chuckle turned into a roar. “Ross family drama. I love it.”
“I’m glad this amuses you.”
“Vanessa must’ve done some bad things to perform such a powerful spell. She’s only a half breed. But that also means you’ll have to do some equally bad things in order to perform the reversal.”
My stomach knotted.
“I’m right, aren’t I?” Liam leaned forward. “I can see it in your face.”
“Vanessa has to perform the reversal or….”
“Go on.”
“I need her heart.”
To my surprise, Liam didn’t laugh. He scratched his chin. “That is quite the dilemma. What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t?”
I sighed. “I’ll try to reason with her.”
Wrinkles filled his forehead. “We both know that’s not going to work.”
“I can’t kill my aunt. Let alone remove her heart from her body.”
“That’s unfortunate. I suppose your father will forever be under Vanessa’s spell.”
“Can you help me?” I squeezed my hands together. “Can you unspell him? You’re more powerful than anyone. You could do it, if you wanted to. Please?”
Liam shook his head. “Magic is magic. And, unfortunately, even for me, there are rules. Only the reversal can undo the spell.”
“I don’t believe you. Why would you tell me the truth, anyways? You want me to kill Vanessa. You want me to tap into the darkness. Right?”
“I do. But this is the path your life has taken. And now you have a decision to make. Do nothing and your father will stay as he is. Or take your aunt’s heart and Ethan will wake up. Can you cross that line? Do you save your dad at the expense of your aunt? That’s your decision.”
I rubbed my face. I had such a headache. Probably from being beaten with a garbage can. I still couldn’t believe Olivia did that to me. Was she trying to kill me or was she in such an Olivia-temper that she snapped? Talk about a horrible day.
Liam tilted his head. “What are you thinking about?”
I didn’t want Liam to know that Olivia had attacked me. He’d have her killed in a heartbeat. “The Vega twins,” I lied.
“I think there’s only one left now.”
“You know what I mean.”
“What about them?”
“Gabriel is after my friend.”
“Your hunter friend?”
“He’s not a hunter,” I said.
“It’s in his blood. His father was the Gamma leader. Victor is his uncle. The Van Curen name has been synonymous with Gamma for as long as the fraternity’s been in existence. And, if I recall, Gamma tried to kill you a few months ago.”
“He’s not a hunter,” I repeated. “And for the record, James saved my life that night. He killed his father to save me.”
Liam tilted his head, as if conceding my statement. “You trust him?”
“With everything I have.”
“He’s in serious trouble if Gabriel is after him. I’ve never met the Vega twins, but I’ve heard stories. Don’t worry - Gabriel won’t come after you.”
“I’m not worried about myself. I’m worried about James.”
Liam shrugged.
I had to ask. He was the only one who could tell me. “When we were in New York, the twins and Nora made a fireball shoot out of their hands.”
“Yes?”
“How do I do that?”
“Think it.”
“What?”
Liam lifted his hand at the angel tombstone. A black fireball the size of a bowling ball emerged from his open palm. The ball of energy raced from his skin and obliterated the angel’s head. “Simple enough.”
“It looked like the twins and Nora expended a lot of effort to create one.”
“They’re half breeds. You’re a pure blood.”
“But I’m not eighteen.”
“Obviously.”
I groaned in frustration.
Liam walked over to me. I flinched. “I’m not going to hurt you, Alexandria. Give me your hand.”
I reluctantly gave him my right hand.
Liam stretched my arm straight. “It doesn’t matter that you’re not eighteen. You are more powerful than any regular half breed. It’s your lack of knowledge that gives you a disadvantage. And the fact that you refuse to hurt anyone.”
“Regular half breed?”
“One that’s not tapping into the darker arts. Black magic, as you refer to it, is much stronger than ordinary magic.” Liam bent my wrist and pointed my palm at the decapitated angel. “Now, think it. You called it a fireball, right? Imagine a fireball forming deep inside of you.”
“Okay.” I closed my eyes.
“No, keep your eyes open. You have to see what you’re aiming at. Now, pull that fireball from inside and push it out through your hand. It’s that simple.”
I did as I was told. I imagined an angry pit of energy deep inside my stomach. I directed that fireball up and out of my palm. A burst of bright green, shaped like a softball (much bigger than the twins and Nora’s, but not as big as Liam’s), shot out of my palm. The force of energy rocked me backward, but Liam gripped my elbow to steady me.
My green fireball shattered the angel’s wings. White marble chunks littered the grass around the tombstone.
“Brilliant.” Liam released my arm. “See? You only have to think it. Your aim is pretty good, too.”
“Thanks, I think.”
Liam nodded. “I have some business to take care of. Be well, Alexandria.”
“Liam?”
“Yes?”
“I can do all of these spells and non-spells and I’m more powerful than half blooded witches.”
“You are.”
“But what happens when I’m eighteen?”
Liam gave me a sad smile. “Darling, as unfortunate as it is, because I do genuinely like you, you won’t be around after your eighteenth birthday. Maybe I wouldn’t take you if there was another pure blood around. It’s nothing personal. It’s simply what I have to do. My life or your life. And I have no interest in dying.”
“I know,” I said. “But for argument’s sake. What would happen if I lived? How powerful would I be?”
Liam smiled. “Minus the two thousand years of practice and the inkling for the darker things in life, you’d be as powerful as me.”
CHAPTER 17
As I walked down the street, I saw two vehicles parked in my driveway. I was exhausted from all the drama and all the magic that I’d used. I wanted to take a shower and crawl into bed. It wasn’t going to happen. Not with the black truck and red Range Rover at my house.
They argued near the front porch. One blonde head. One brunette. Both chests puffed out like fighting roosters. Each one trying to show the other that he was the alpha male. I slowed, not wanting to speed up the drama that was about to unfold. I contemplated turning aro
und, but Peter saw me.
“Lex? What in the world?”
“Hey.” I cut through the grass and marched toward the front door.
“Hey?” Peter’s eyes widened. “Hey? Where have you been? We’ve been going crazy! We thought something happened to you.”
“Why haven’t you answered your phone?” James asked.
“Oh. I must’ve left it in the bathroom.”
“What?” They both asked in unison.
I finally reached the porch.
“What happened to your face?” Peter touched my injured cheek. “And your clothes?”
“And your hair?” James asked.
“Long story.” I tried to slide past them.
Fat chance.
“Fine.” I sighed deeply. “Olivia attacked me in the bathroom at school. We fought. She tried to kill me, so I did the bleeding brain move on her. Mrs. Pratt found us and suspended me for two weeks. Olivia got off scotch free. Then a red-eyed spirit inhabited Mrs. Pratt’s body and threatened to slit her throat if I didn’t meet Liam in the cemetery. So I did. Liam still wants to kill me in October, but at least he taught me how to launch a fireball. That was pretty cool. And I didn’t have my car today because Peter drove me to school, so I walked home from the cemetery.” I exhaled. “Oh and Olivia exploded the toilets during our fight. That’s why I stink.”
Neither of them said anything.
“What are you guys doing here?” I winced. Talking made my cheek hurt.
“I came for dinner,” Peter said. “Remember? We talked about it this morning.”
“And I brought some of my stuff. I thought I was officially moving in tonight,” James said.
“Right, right. Actually, I forgot about both of those things.” I squeezed the bridge of my nose. “Peter, can you help James? I’ll take a quick shower and then we can all eat dinner together?” I wiggled through them and opened the front door. I was about to collapse on my feet.
“You want me to carry in his stuff?” Peter asked.
I rolled my eyes.
James shook his head. “I can get it.”
“Whatever, dude,” Peter said. “Where are the boxes? We all know you’re not strong enough to carry them in by yourself.”