The Evanescence (Fallen Soul Series) - By Jessica Sorensen Page 0,39
being a weirdo.”
I decide to let her eat in peace and pick up my plate, carrying it over to the sink. Evan is wiping the counters down, which seems pointless, but whatever, and Laylen is staring out the window, the sun hitting his eyes, but he’s not blinking.
He looks at me as I set my plate down in the sink. “So, are we ready to get Aislin and Aleesa from the Faerie Realm?” he asks. “Because standing around, eating breakfast seems like a waste of time if you ask me.”
“Yeah…” I lean back against the counter, my gaze drifting to Gemma eating at the table. “I just wish it didn’t have to be her.”
“Yeah, I know,” Laylen agrees with a frown. “Do you ever get the feeling that things are always going to be this way?”
I arch an eyebrow. “You mean, do I think we’re always going to be on the brink of death?” I ask and he nods. I move away from the counter, my eyes glued on Gemma. Last night was great and I wish that every night could be like that, but I just don’t see it happening because every time we think things have mellowed, something turns up. “Yeah, all the damn time.”
Chapter 18
Gemma
They’re trying to create a plan to get Aislin and Aleesa out of the Faerie Realm, even though we talked about it last night. It’s making me mad because, even though Alex said I could do it my way, he seems to be trying to find a way around it, like he changed his mind.
“But it’s the easiest way,” I say. “I’ll put on the Cornu Lepore and foresee my way to the Faerie Realm. When I get there, the Fey have to obey me, then I’ll find Aislin and Aleesa and bail them out. It’s that simple.”
“You know there is probably a loophole somewhere.” Alex says, slumping back in the kitchen chair. “There always is and what if there is this time. What if you get stuck there or something and have to be their ruler?”
I think of my dream last night and how content I felt in the throne. “That’s not going to happen,” I say. “I won’t let it happen.”
He lets out a derisive laugh. “Yeah, like you can control it. You can’t control anything… none of us can.”
I stab my nails into my palm, clenching my fist. “You don’t have to be an ass about it.”
“And you don’t have to be so naïve,” he retorts.
I glare at him, rising from my chair, fully prepared to run off and go there myself. He snags my wrist, though, and pulls me back down.
“I’m sorry,” he says, releasing my arm. “I just worry about you.”
“I know you do,” I tell him. “But you have to stop. You make things so difficult sometimes.”
He rakes his hands through his disheveled hair. “That’s because I love you and the idea of anything happening to you scares the shit out of me.”
My lips part and I’m about to tell him I love him, too, however, like I’ve said a million times, he needs to stop worrying, except I’m interrupted by a knock on the front door.
The four of us glance around at each other with baffled expressions on our faces. Nobody ever comes to the castle—at least, not anyone good.
“Who the hell could that be,” Laylen mutters under his breath as he pushes away from the table. Evan follows his lead and I start to get up when Alex grabs my arm.
“Stay here,” he instructs, then surprises me when he stays with me.
Laylen and Evan disappear into the hall and, moments later, we hear the sound of voices. I tap my fingers on top of the table, anxiously wondering who’s out there.
Alex squeezes my leg gently. “Relax. I don’t think it’s anything bad. It’s too quiet.”
He’s right, but I’m still edgy. I hear the front door close and the shuffling of feet heading down the hallway towards us. There are no loud bangs, or screams, and I start to relax.
I look at Alex. “I guess you were…” I trail off at the sight of him.
He’s staring at the doorway, with his eye enlarged, and his skin has gone deathly pale. “Dammit.”
I track the line of his gaze to Laylen and Evan and some strange man is with them. His dark hair matches his black eyes and his skin is as white as a lily and equally as beautiful. His lips are a deep red, like they’re