Forget You (Demon Underground Series) (4 page)

“Anyone else?” Kathryn asked. When no one said anything, she rose and said, “Then, we shall conduct the ritual. Soothsayer, if you will?”

As everyone put on dark blue robes and dimmed the lights, Shawn turned to Max. “What do we do?” he whispered.

YOU CAN STAY OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE AND OBSERVE, BUT DON’T TRY TO INTERFERE, OR IT WILL GO BADLY FOR YOUR FATHER.

Shawn glanced at Sharra to see her reaction, but she was still ignoring him. Suddenly, he felt all alone and vulnerable, as if something momentous was about to take place out of his control, and the only one who cared a hoot was the ugly dog at his feet.

The soothsayer—a short, thin guy who couldn’t be much older than Shawn—had everyone but Sharra and Shawn sit in the circle, with Dad, Kathryn and the soothsayer on the inside.

The soothsayer, who was the only one wearing a white robe, lit a large candle in the center and asked for silence.

When it was totally silent, the three of them formed a triangle inside the circle, with the candle centered between them.

Kathryn turned to Dad and asked in a formal voice, “Will you accept the judgment of your peers and abide by any decision they make?”

Dad, who now looked swirly, maybe even scary to everyone else, said, “I will.”

He sounded resigned, as if he already knew there would be a guilty verdict. Shawn’s heart clenched and it hurt so bad he could hardly stand it.

Kathryn took a deep breath, then spoke, sounding solemn. “You have come before us today to be judged for your actions in opening a portal and letting full-blooded demons into our world. We have heard your testimony and are ready to pass judgment. If you would all join hands?”

There was a rustle of fabric around the circle as everyone clasped hands. They closed their eyes and concentrated, and the room seemed to heat up. Shawn desperately wished he could hold someone’s hand, too, but Sharra was still angry at him, and he didn’t want to try it. Instead, he gripped the rolls on the dog’s neck, needing to hold onto something real.
What’s going on?
he asked Max silently.
What are they doing?

THEY ARE FOCUSING THEIR ENERGY ON THE SOOTHSAYER. HE WILL GO INTO A TRANCE AND READ THEIR WILL IN THIS MATTER.

His father’s fate was in the hands of one puny little guy? It didn’t seem fair.

NO, IT’S IN THE HANDS OF THE UNDERGROUND MEMBERS HERE TODAY, Max told him. SOOTHSAYERS DON’T MAKE MISTAKES.

The short guy raised his hands, palms up, and stared at the ceiling.

“Everyone, repeat after me,” Kathryn said. “Demonkind come together to hide, to encourage, to flourish and thrive.”

They repeated the words solemnly and warmth flowed across Shawn’s skin, raising the hackles on the back of his neck. Some kind of magic?

“
Everyone is important, every one alive.

“
Our rules are simple, our rules are true.

“Follow them faithfully, that you must do.

“But one amongst us has broken that trust.

“Truth we seek, only right, only just
.”

They repeated every line after Kathryn, and tension built until power, full of truth and foreboding, spiraled around the circle, ruffling hair and clothing, making the candle flame leap higher.

Kathryn looked up from the book to stare at the little guy. “Soothsayer, this shadow demon is accused of opening a portal and admitting full-blooded demons into this world. What is the circle’s verdict?”

The soothsayer stared blankly at Kathryn, then said, “Guilty,” in an eerie voice.

Oh, crap, no!
Shawn let out a disbelieving whimper.

DON’T SAY ANYTHING, Max reminded them quickly.

Sharra gasped but clapped her hands over her mouth.

“And the circle’s judgment?” Kathryn asked.

They paused, and Shawn held his breath for what seemed like forever as the soothsayer weighed the intentions of the people of the Underground.

Finally, he turned to Kathryn, his unfocused gaze implacable, and spoke. “There was no malice involved, no intent. The death penalty is not warranted.”

Shawn continued holding his breath, growing dizzy, and hoping desperately that meant the sentence would be light.

The soothsayer continued, “But we cannot afford another such incident. Therefore, the shadow demon is sentenced to see the Lethe.”

Oh, crap. How much of his father would remain if they did that?

Dad raised his head, pride in his voice. “I claim the right to meet my judgment at my own hand.”

Shawn glanced frantically at Kathryn, hoping for a clue. Did that mean what he thought it did? Surely his father wouldn’t—

“So be it,” the soothsayer said. “Justice is done. So as it has been, so it shall always be.”

The circle repeated the words after him. “So as it has been, so it shall always be.”

The tension in the circle suddenly released, and the soothsayer seemed to come out of his trance. He blew out the candle.

“No!” Sharra screamed. “How can you do this to us?”

The members of the circle got up silently and filed out of the room, not looking at Dad or them. The only ones who stayed were Kathryn, Diesel, and Max. Kathryn laid a hand on Dad’s so they could see his face.

Sharra wiped tears from her face. “What does that mean, Dad, what you said?”

Shawn had a feeling he knew all too well. “You can’t,” he protested.

“I can, Shadow Boy.” His father turned to look at them, deep sorrow in his eyes. “I love you both, but if I met the Lethe, I would be left little more than a vegetable. I can’t let them do that, can’t allow you to see me like that. Better it all end now.”

“No,” Sharra sobbed. “Daddy, no!” She threw herself at him, and hugged him tight.

“Your father is right,” Kathryn said. “This is a more humane way. I promise you, we’ll help him find a way that is painless.”

Shawn stared at her incredulously. Like that was supposed to make it better? “When?” he asked, his voice cracking. “When will you do it?”

“Your father will be allowed to put his affairs in order first.”

That didn’t answer his question, not really, but Shawn said, “Dad? How long?”

Dad didn’t answer. Instead, he opened his arms and said, “Come here, Shadow Boy.”

Shawn rushed into his arms, not caring that he might look like a baby. This was the last time he might see his father. They hugged each other tight, though Sharra studiously avoided all physical contact with her brother.

His father stroked Shawn’s hair. “I’m so proud of both of you. You two are my pride and joy, the only reason I kept on living when your mother left. But you have to be brave for me. Promise me you’ll be brave.”

“No, Daddy,” Sharra said in a thick voice. “I don’t want to be brave. I want you.”

“I want that, too,” Dad said, “but it can’t be. I need you to finish your schooling and practice your drills so that you never lose control like I did. I want you to live long, healthy lives. Be a credit to me and to the Underground. Promise?”

It was the only thing he had left to give his father. “I promise,” Shawn said fiercely.

Dad let go of them both, holding them away.

“No, I don’t want to lose you,” Sharra exclaimed, then hauled off and slugged Shawn. “
Do
something.”

What the heck did she think he could possibly do to stop this?

His father stilled and his voice changed. “Kathryn, will you find good homes for my children until they’re ready to be on their own?”

“Of course,” she said. “We’ll make arrangements for the two of them to stay here—”

“You’ve
got
to be kidding,” Shawn said, not caring how rude he sounded. Sharra was sobbing again, so Shawn spoke for both of them. “You want us to stay with the people who murdered my father? No way.”

“You’re right,” Kathryn conceded, looking flustered. “I wasn’t thinking. We can place you with another Demon Underground, in another state. I’ll make arrangements.”

“Wait,” Sharra said, her voice thick with the effort of crying. “Not together. I don’t want to be with my brother anymore. I hate him.”

“What?” Shawn asked in disbelief. “You can’t mean that. We’re the Dynamic Duo, remember?”

“Not anymore,” she said fiercely. “This is all your fault. You broke your promise and see what happened? I don’t ever want to see you again. I don’t even want you to know where I
am
.”

Stunned into silence, Shawn could say no more. He could only feel, and what he felt was horrific—lost, betrayed, abandoned by everyone he had ever loved.

Does she really mean it?
he asked Max.

SHE DOES NOW, BUT SHE’S UPSET. APPARENTLY, PROMISES ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO HER—SACROSANCT. MAYBE SHE’LL CHANGE HER MIND IN A DAY OR TWO.

But his stubborn twin didn’t. For some reason, she’d latched onto Shawn as the scapegoat and blamed everything on him. That was the last he saw of his sister, or his father, since his father didn’t want them to have to deal with any more goodbyes.

Shawn and Sharra’s emotions were so out of control, the Underground feared they’d open portals accidentally, so they sedated them. And so Shawn stayed numb and foggy throughout the funeral and when they sent Sharra to some secret location. They respected her wishes and wouldn’t tell him where.

When Diesel returned, he and Max took Shawn to San Antonio, Texas to meet an older man with dark hair and a smiling face.

“This is Lucas Blackburn, the leader of the Demon Underground here,” Diesel said.

“You can live with me,” the leader said, smiling down at him. “I have a son a bit older than you. His name’s Micah. I’m sure the two of you will get along great.”

“Whatever,” Shawn said wearily. The man seemed nice enough, but everyone Shawn had ever loved had left him. He couldn’t afford to get close to anyone else. It hurt too much now that he’d cut back on the happy pills.

Blackburn glanced down at Max and frowned. “Max tells me you’re feeling down. Maybe even
 . . .
suicidal?”

GEE, THANKS, PAL, Shawn shot at Max.

I DON’T WANT YOU TO HURT YOURSELF, Max said gruffly.

“So?” Shawn asked, not caring how surly he sounded. What did he care?

“Well, we might be able to help,” Blackburn said.

“How?” Shawn asked. “Can you give me my father back? Can you force my sister to live with me?”

“No,” Blackburn said softly, “but, with your permission, we can help you so it doesn’t hurt so much.”

“No more pills,” Shawn said flatly. They made him feel dead inside.

“We have another way to help,” the man said in a soothing tone.

Bitterly, Shawn said, “The only way you can do that is if it never happened.”

Diesel put a hand on his shoulder. “His Lethe can help you forget what caused the pain.”

Not feel this crushing sadness anymore? It was tempting, but he wasn’t sure what they meant. “You want to wipe my brain?” Like they threatened to do to his father?