The Evanescence (Fallen Soul Series) - By Jessica Sorensen Page 0,41

good-bye. “Not this time, Gemma. I can’t just disappear… There’ll be… there’ll be consequences.”

I look to Evan for help, refusing to give up like Alex seems to. “Can you do something?” I whisper. “With all of your…” I glance down at the marks on his arms. “Can’t you stop this?”

Evan shakes his head sadly and Laylen swallows hard. “I’m sorry, but this is beyond my abilities,” Evan says. “A bargain with the Lord of the Afterlife is unbreakable. Alex will die if he doesn’t fulfill it.”

I gape at Alex, unwilling to believe it. “Tell me it’s not true. Tell me I’m just dreaming or in a vision and this isn’t happening because I can’t take it anymore.” I’m trembling and I know it makes me look weak, but I don’t care. I’m so tired of all of this. Of everything.

“There’s nothing I can do, Gemma.” Alex swallows hard. “I’m sorry.”

A thought enters my mind. “What if Helena’s behind this? What if this is all a trick?” I lower my voice, knowing I’m searching for something that doesn’t exist, but I can’t give up. Not when I just got him back. Not after what I felt last night. “You can’t go with him, Alex. I mean, what if Helena finds out and comes after you?”

Alex sighs, reaching for my face, and placing his hand on my cheek. He rubs his thumb across my cheekbone, looking at me like he’s never going to see me again.

“All right, enough with the sentimental good-bye. It’s time to go.” Draven nods curtly at Alex and calls him over like a dog. “Come.”

Shutting his eyes, Alex reluctantly pulls his hand away and then he gets to his feet. “Take care of her,” he says to Laylen. “Don’t let her do anything stupid.” Then he follows Draven out the doorway. Fear, panic, and rage burst through me in an alarming combination. I jump to my feet, knocking the chair to the floor, and race after him, hot tears spilling from my eyes. I only make it two feet before long arms encircle me.

“Let me go, Laylen,” I fume, wrestling to get my arms free. “I mean it. Let me go.”

He only tightens his grip, pulling me into his chest. I start hitting him, actually punching him in the chest, but he just stands there and takes it. I scream as he continues to hold me, tears pouring out, and finally I collapse, dropping to my knees. Laylen falls to the ground with me and hugs me while I cry. I let him because I know that when he lets go of me, I may never get back up.

Chapter 20

Alex

When I made the deal with Draven I really didn’t think there would be a chance I’d ever have to repay the debt. I didn’t think I’d live long enough for him to collect it. I’d either die from the Star or the portal. That obviously didn’t happen and even though, deep down, I knew he’d eventually show up, I was hoping it’d be when I was old and had lived my life.

I follow him outside, wanting to reach inside my pocket and stab him, yet knowing that he would neither die nor get hurt and would probably end up killing me. I shut the door and halt on the step.

A woman dressed in a long, black dress with turquoise eyes and blond hair stands at the bottom of the porch.

“Who the hell are you?” I ask.

A slow smile spreads across Draven’s face. “This is Marissa. She’ll be transporting us.”

I note the crescent moon and star mark on her arm as she rolls up her sleeve. “She’s a Witch.”

“Obviously.” Draven trots down the stairs.

I hesitantly follow after him, my knife feeling like lead inside my pocket. My Keepers’ instincts want me to put up a fight, even if I end up getting killed.

“And don’t try anything stupid,” Draven says, stopping beside the witch, who stands there, staring at me mutely. He turns around with a wicked glint in his eye and I nearly explode on the inside with the urge to knock it off his face. “Or I’ll slit your throat.”

The witch—Marissa—smiles and extends her hand out to me. In her hand is a golden Crystal with jagged edges and a pointed tip. She doesn’t say anything as she holds out her other hand, opening her fingers, and a flame ignites in the center. She dips the crystal into the flame, and she’s mesmerized by the flickering as she