The Evanescence (Fallen Soul Series) - By Jessica Sorensen Page 0,40
stained with blood. He’s wearing a black buttoned shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, black jeans, and black boots.
“Is he a Vampire?” I whisper to Alex, leaning over the table towards him.
He shakes his head, not taking his eyes off the man. “Nope, he’s something worse.”
Something worse? I gape at the man as he enters the room.
His eyes are on us and, when he sees Alex, a malicious smile rises on his face. Using long and very deliberate strides, the man makes his way towards us. Tension fills the air, more and more, the closer he gets. Alex looks sick, but he keeps his head up, his chin raised high with confidence and his shoulders squared.
“Alex, who is he?” I hiss, starting to panic when Laylen and Evan hover in the corner, like they’re afraid for their lives.
Alex takes my hand from underneath the table and I can feel his erratic pulse through his fingertips. “Draven, Lord of the Afterlife.”
“Lord of the Afterlife? What?” I’m confused and fear rushes through me. “Why is he here? Is he working for Helena?”
“Nope,” Alex says with a simple shake of his head. “He’s here for me.”
Chapter 19
Gemma
I’m not sure why the Lord of the Afterlife is coming for Alex, but Alex sure seems to know. I wonder if he’s been keeping things from me and then I remember that it’s Alex, so of course he is.
“Why is he here for you?” I hiss, gripping onto his hand.
“Because it’s time for Alex to pay a debt to me,” Draven responds in deep voice that sends a chill down my spine.
Angling my neck back, I elevate my gaze to him. His dark eyes are cold, dark and emotionless. There’s nothing going on inside and I know we’re in some deep trouble, even if I don’t know anything about him.
“A debt?” I ask, battling to keep my voice even. “What kind of debt?”
“I think I’ll let Alex share that with you.” Draven strolls over to the window and stares at the sunlight with his hands in his pocket. “I’m ready whenever you are, Alex,” he says with a wicked laugh in his tone.
Laylen and Evan rush over to the table.
“Okay, what the hell did you do?” Evan sounds anxious as he slides into the seat.
Alex stares down at my hand in his with his forehead creased. “I made a deal a little while back… I thought it was the only way.”
“You thought it was the only way to what?” I urge him to continue with a squeeze of my hand.
He looks at me and there is sadness in his eyes. “To save you.”
“What do you mean, save me? Save me from what?” I search his eyes, trying to find an answer and what he’s really feeling, because he seems so calm, but I know it’s just an act.
He lets out a slow breath and leans back in the chair, still holding my hand. “From the star, Stephan, from everything really. I didn’t think the debt would matter. I needed to find my mother. I was told Draven would be able to give me some information on how to find her. And he did, but for a price. I thought I’d end up dying anyway, so I agreed.” He presses his lips together, shaking his head. “I gave him one year of service from me, in exchange for what I hoped would save you from death—for what I hoped would save the world.”
“A year of service to him? In the Afterlife?” I gape at him incredulously. “Alex, please tell me I’m wrong.”
“It’s wherever I choose,” Draven interrupts our conversation.
I glance at him and he cocks his head towards me with a curious expression on his face. “Doing what?”
“Whatever I choose,” he says, his cold tone matching the iciness in his eyes.
I turn my attention back to Alex. “There’s got to be a way out of this, like I can use the Serpent’s mark on him.”
“Good idea.” Draven chuckles. “But I’m immune,” he says and when I target a doubtful look at him, he adds, “Go ahead and try.”
So I do, shutting my eyes, trying to channel the energy, but nothing. Zero. Zilch. I open my eyes and focus on Alex. “There has to be something else.” An idea hits me and I start to close my eyes, ready to Foresee the two of us away.
He slips his hand out of mine and moves it to his lap, like he’s already letting go and saying