Fear (5 page)

I‘m smart enough to realize that by discomfort, he means pain.

―I can handle it,‖ I lie. The thought of seeing Cam in pain makes my stomach clench.

―Good.‖ Reed smiles. ―I have a lot to do,‖ he says,

―So I‘ll meet up with you after the ceremony?‖

―Yes.‖ I nod. Behind me, the soldiers are still staring straight ahead.

Reed leaves and I sit there for a second, trying to calm myself down. And then, suddenly, the lights in the theatre pop on.

The curtains are still pulled shut, though, and then, from the other side of the platform, two soldiers begin leading Raine and Cam to the middle of the stage. They‘re handcuffed together.

Something about all of this — the audience, the theatre, Cam and Raine tied together —

is just wrong. A horrible sensation of dread rolls through me, twisting my stomach so hard that I gasp.

They leave Cam and Raine alone on the stage for a long moment. Raine‘s head is bowed, as if she‘s already given up. Her hair hangs over her face. Cam is sneering out toward the audience, his bare chest covered with a sheen of sweat. I think about calling out to him, but before I can decide what the guards would do to me if I did, the curtains open.

There‘s a low murmur from the crowd. I look out and see dozens of foreign faces,

watching the drama attentively, like it‘s nothing more than a play. Some of them are even smiling.

Suddenly Reed strides onto the stage, chest puffed out, his eyes somehow smiling even as he pretends to be serious and intent. ―Welcome,‖ he says,

―Friends, I ask that you give this ceremony your most sincere and undivided attention.

Your participation is key to the success of this spell that I am about to cast.‖

Cam cranes his head to watch Reed as he talks.

―Liar!‖ he screams.

Uneasy laughter ripples through the crowd.

Reed smiles, but it‘s a tight-lipped, humorless grin.

―You must forgive young Campbell . He‘s confused and frightened, and Raine Marsden

has further confused him with her lies and manipulations.

Hopeful y he will be healed by our ceremony tonight.‖

―Fuck you!‖ Cam yells.

Reed turns to him. ―Be silent, Campbell . Let us help you.‖

And just like that, Cam stops speaking. I wish he‘d say something else.

Anything. But now he‘s quiet. Look at me, Cam, I think. Just look at me. Please.

But his eyes are closed now.

―This ceremony, as some of you know,‖ Reed continues, ―is very delicate.

Dangerous even. We are trying to break the bond of heart and blood that the witch Raine Marsden cast on Campbell El iot in order to gain power over our clan and the world.‖

Reed moves easily and graceful y to the front of the stage. He‘s better than a politician, better than a celebrity even. The whole audience is rapt.

―When the ceremony begins in just a moment, I will be using all of my energy and power to break this bond. And I will need all of you to focus your minds on the same. When I speak the words aloud, please repeat them in your minds. And al ow the energy of our clan to build and build. Do not pay attention to any distractions that might come your way. It will not be easy. But please block out all sounds and sights that might come to you. And when the time is right, I will strike the blow that forever breaks this unclean bond.‖

The air itself feels suddenly alive, cold, like an electric current is shooting through the arena. I‘ve never felt anything like it. Reed raises his arms to the heavens and closes his eyes. He begins to say words that I‘ve never heard before. Some strange, horrible language that makes my stomach knot and twist.

The audience is al in some sort of trance as he speaks.

I can feel the anticipation building, and the air is thickening.

Something is coming.

In my mind, I see it as a tidal wave building in the ocean, heading towards shore, ready to demolish everything in its sight.

A terrible, awful wave that will bring only horror and misfortune.

Reed is still speaking, his voice louder now, even more commanding. I cover my ears as a splitting headache pounds across my forehead, behind my eyes.

The world doubles, triples, and tears pour down my face.

And then I hear Raine scream, a blood curdling sound that raises the hair on the back of my neck.

My eyes snap open and I see her shuddering, almost as if she‘s dancing like some kind puppet. Her eyes are staring out at nothing, but her expression is awful. Horrible, like she‘s being tortured from the inside out. Her mouth breaks into a terrible grimace and she shrieks yet again.

Next to her, Cam‘s face is pouring sweat and his face is agonized. But he‘s still , not moving, even though every muscle stands out in his body, as if he‘s somehow fighting with every fiber of his being.

I stand up, intending to fling myself at Reed, stop him from hurting Cam further.

But before I can do anything, a hand comes from behind me and rips my butterfly

necklace off my neck. And then, suddenly, I‘m surrounded by guards.

―Sorry, your highness, but we‘ve got orders to keep you safe.‖

Raine screams again and again and I try to fight through the guards but it‘s no use.

And now I know for sure that Reed is going to kill them both.

Don’t Miss The Witches of Santa Anna #13,
Coming August 2011…..

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Chapter Five