William (The Valentines) - By Sam Crescent Page 0,33
informed her.
“What kind of catch?”
“You’ll be linked to William and you’ll contain all the magic you released from Emma. You’ll have to control it. It’ll be dangerous. The other catch is that as William’s life mate and link, the connection between you will be stronger than ever.”
“Meaning?”
“When he dies, you’ll die.”
“What about if I die?”
“The magic inside you will bring you back. It will all depend on William. That is the catch.”
“Why do I get the sense that you’re breaking every single rule in the book to do this?”
“Because I am.”
“Why?”
“Humans, with all their whys. Because saving the planet and the human race is more important than protocol and rules. Sometimes, in order to make things work, stuff needs to get broken. Also, in a few months or probably a few weeks, I’m going to need your help, without question.”
“Okay…” Katie didn’t like the sound of that, but she was prepared to work with it to get William safe.
“Is this a deal?”
Katie looked at William, at the determination on his face. He wouldn’t abandon her and she had no intention of doing it to him.
“Deal.”
“We’ve got to work quickly. The preparation for your funeral took place last night. You’ve already been dead for twenty-four hours.” Tara moved around the room with speed. Katie watched, wondering what the hell was about to happen to her.
“You ready?” Tara asked her as she pressed a sharp blade into her hands.
“For what?”
“I need you to cut your wings and then hold my hand.”
Katie gazed at the shining blade.
“Will this hurt?”
Tara hesitated. “Yeah, it will.”
Katie shook her head, turning her eyes to William. She began her task.
They stood at her coffin. Sophie was in the room. Katie saw the tears seeping from her eyes. Robert was standing by her side. She flinched away from his touch.
“Can they see us?” Katie asked Tara.
“No.”
“Let’s get this show on the road.”
“Are you sure you want to do this with them watching?”
“Yeah. I always wanted to come back from the dead.” Katie watched Sophie step away from her mate. She saw the agony on Robert’s face, the guilt, and she knew in her heart that it wasn’t right. “What do you need me to do?”
“Lie on your own body and match everything up—fingers, toes, everything.”
Katie moved up onto the table, settling herself inside the cold weight.
“What next?”
“Embrace everything about to happen and close your eyes.”
“Why am I closing my eyes?”
“It’s easier if you don’t tense up and if you think of William.”
Katie closed her eyes and imagined William. The man she was returning to. The one she loved with her whole heart.
She screamed. Tara had pierced her heart with a ceremonial gold blade encrusted with diamonds, and was dipping her fingers into the blood and chanting. She couldn’t hear the words. Katie was being pulled. She felt the thrust of magic consume her and agonising pain as her blood drained into the dead body below her.
Her body, soul and mind were reuniting, becoming as one.
“I’m so sorry Sophie,” Robert apologised again.
Sophie shook her head. “You should have gone after her when you had the chance. The council…everything else could have waited and now the one person I asked you to keep safe is dead.” Sophie was breaking up inside.
She looked at the corpse of her dead friend, knowing she had failed her.
“What is that?” Sophie asked, moving closer. A red blood stain was appearing over where her friend’s heart was.
Robert stepped forward as well, inspecting the mark.
They both jumped back as Katie lunged forward and screamed, inhaling the deepest breath she’d ever taken.
She panted for several seconds, seeing the vision of Tara motioning her on. “William—where is he?” she asked the two people she had scared. At any other time she might have found it funny.
“You’re alive?” Sophie rushed to embrace her.
Katie hugged her friend, clambering out of the coffin and jumping off the table.
“Where’s William?” she asked again, holding onto the table, feeling a little unsteady on her feet.
“He’s in his room.”
“No, he’s not. Where would James go?”
“William wouldn’t dream of going after James.”
“Yes, he would.”
Robert looked at Katie and she knew he saw the determination in her eyes, her knowledge of William.
“James will still be at the old mansion picking up the pieces.”
“Thank you.”
Katie didn’t waste any more time. She ran out of the basement and headed for the door. She heard someone yell, ‘Dead witch walking’ before she opened the door and sensed her mate’s anguish.
Taking a deep breath, she knew he was already fighting James.