Silver Mortal (The Gracen Chronicles) (29 page)

Looking behind her I see Jack and Reagan, passed out on the couch, holding each other close. Tink is asleep on her cot wrapped tightly in her Tinker Bell blanket. They seem as serene and content as Ash.

“What about Mark?” I wonder softly. “Is he freaked out by all of this?”

A laugh rumbles in her chest. “He was at first. When we first arrived here he began demanding answers. Jude has taken him to get coffee. He's going to try and explain it all. Whether Mark deals with it or not—well, that's a different story.”

I shake my head, my nerves shot and guilt-ridden. If Mark is messed up after all this, having to be put in a mental hospital, then I would be blamed. Because of that one date Mark would now have to live the rest of his life knowing about the supernatural world that most humans never knew of. I'm the one at fault here.

A lot of mishaps are my fault.

“What time is it?” I ask just as the first rays of sunlight breaks the horizon, answering my question. I gaze at my mother's face as the sun filters through the warehouse's grimy windows, her claw marks disappearing and her silver eyes changing to their normal gray color. I feel my own transformation, the Silver Eagle in my blood giving back my humanity—until midnight, that is.

“Before I left the island I found out the Angel's name,” I inform her.

Her eyes brighten. “You did? What is it?”

“Michael.”

Her jaw drops with surprisal, then understanding paints her face. “An Archangel. Of course. That makes sense.”

“Do you think he's the Silver Eagle, like, the one who started it all?” I watch her facial exhibits closely, but I frown when she answers my question with a question.

“What does your heart tell you?” she replies, wetting the wash cloth and squeezing the water out of it.

I don't say anything as she continues to clean Ash's wounds, taking extra care around the viper positioned on his cheek. It's funny how things have changed between us all. I used to want to kill all Night Viper's, but now I feel compassion toward them, especially after learning that I'm a Halfling.

“The Angel, Michael, knew who I was—what runs through my veins,” I tell Mom, my gaze staying on Ash. “He told me that I have a heart of the Eagle and the power of the Viper. I still don't understand how one can overpower the other. A couple of days ago I thought I was a full-blooded Silver Mortal, but now I'm not sure what I am.”

Mom places the wash cloth back into the bowl and takes my hand.

“Gracen,” she begins, peering into my eyes, “no matter who your father or mother is, no matter where you come from, no matter what blood runs through your veins, you have a choice, the freewill to decide how you want to live. You have extraordinary powers, powers that I can't even begin to understand, and you're not done learning what all you can do, but I do know one thing...”

“What's that?”

A smile tugs at her lips. “You are good through and through. I know you'll make the right decisions in life.”

“What about Phoenix?” I marvel, feeling a sob build in the back of my throat. “Do you think we can save him from Alexander?”

Yeah, I know he's my father, but I'll never claim him as such.

Her lips form a frown. “I don't have the answer to that, but in this life anything is possible.” And with those last words uttered she goes back to cleaning Ash's wounds, concentrating on the slashes up and down his arms.

We sit in silence a few moments, listening to the soft snores of the worn-out Vipers. I think about Mark and inwardly pray that Jude can talk to him and explain about the supernatural world around us. Maybe I should have been up front with Mark about my heritage, explaining that demons did exist and I was part of the good side. Of course I never thought he'd come looking for me and get kidnapped by demons along with my mother and Jude.

Secrets can sometimes ruin and change lives forever. Right then and there I swear to myself that once everything settles down, and I get Phoenix back, I would sit down with Bets and tell her everything. As of right now I'm done with keeping secrets. Done.

“Mom,” I say, thinking aloud, “let's make a pact right now that there will be no more secrets between us. Deal?”

Her hand freezes over the bowl of water as she observes me with acute interest.

“Are you serious?” she queries, her face matted in surprise.

“Sure,” I respond with the nod of my head. “After all, if you hadn't kept the secret of Alexander being my father and all, maybe some of this mess would never have happened.”

She bites her bottom lip, pondering my words, then she sits the bowl on the floor and leans her elbows on top of her thighs.

“If we're not going to have any more secrets between us, then I've got something major to get off my chest.” She pauses, one eyebrow quirked. “But you've got to promise me you won't go ballistic or anything like that.”

“Oh-kay,” I slowly say, “I promise I won't go ballistic.” Geez, what kind of secret is she keeping? And why is she so nervous?

“Good. Okay, here goes.” She stares directly in my eyes and confesses, “Gracen, Jude and I are married. We've been married for five years now.”

OMG. It takes a minute for my brain to process what she just told me. Jude and Mom are
married
? What the hell?

Letting out a breath I didn't realize I was holding I reply, “Um. Okay. You and Jude are...married.” Putting both their names with the word
married
is making my head spin with stupor. Married?
Really
?

“Yes, and there's more,” my mom tells me softly.

I groan on the inside, not sure I want to know the rest, but I hear myself whisper, “Go ahead and say it.”

I watch her swallow, her nerves starting to get the best of her. Finally, after a few uneasy seconds, she finishes her confession, placing a hand to her stomach.

“I'm pregnant.”

My eyeballs grow wide as I accept what she's telling me.

Wow. Not only did I just find out I have a half-brother, but now my mother is pregnant with my future younger sibling. Oh, and also Jude, the one that's been like a brother to me the last few years, is actually my step-father.

Well
.
W
hat did I expect out of my screwed-up existence?

***

The stars are spread out in the darkened sky, the moon full. I sit on the roof of the warehouse in a green plastic chair. My feet are propped up on a second chair. It's cold outside, though that's to be expected for late October in the city. I'm wrapped up in Phoenix's blanket, inhaling his scent of cologne and cinnamon.

Closing my eyes all I see is Phoenix. His handsome face, his contagious smile, his lips that I hope I'll be able to kiss again. All the feelings I'm having is foreign to me. I've never wanted to be with someone so bad before in my life. But the truth be told I've never loved one person so much in my life.

I pull the blanket tighter around me as a cold wind blows, chilling the city. Opening my eyes I stare out at the vast sky, wondering where Phoenix is. Is he looking up at the sky right now? Is he peering up at the full moon just as I am?

“We'll find him.”

Turning my head slightly I find Ash walking toward me, his blue eyes glowing in the moon's shine. He has a slight limp and his bruises still look painful. Other than that he appears fine, though mentally I'm sure he's still a mess.

“How did you know I was thinking about Phoenix?” I question, moving my feet out of the chair and offering it to him.

He sinks into the seat, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it up.

Exhaling a cloud of smoke he answers, “You're my sister. I can read your thoughts.”

“Really?”

“Nah,” he shakes his head, grinning from ear to ear. “I guessed and I guessed right.”

We share a look, both smiling.

“I wish you'd have told me the truth,” I admit, my smile fading.
 
He glances down at the cigarette in between his fingers. “I'm sorry about that. I'm sorry about everything. I didn't know how you'd take it—I didn't know how to tell you the truth.”

I let out a weary sigh. “It's okay, Ash. I most likely wouldn't have believed you anyway.” A mirthless laugh evades my lips. “Of course now I know that you're my brother, that I'm some sort of half-breed freak, my mom is married to a guy that I considered a brother and is having his baby, and I'm in love with a Night Viper who has been kidnapped by my deranged father. All this in just, what, two weeks?”

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly, adding, “I can't handle anymore secrets. At least, not for a while.”

We sit in silence a few moments, listening to the sounds of the city traffic off in the distance.

“You really love Phoenix, don't you?” he asks, drawing my attention away from the stars.

“Yes, I do,” I tell him in all seriousness.

“Then we will get him back,” he assures me, reaching out and squeezing my hand. “He would've taken my place. He would've sacrificed his life to save mine. I owe him my life.”

His eyes narrow. “I will help you find him.”

A smile pulls at my lips as he lets go of my hand and shifts his gaze to the stars, taking a drag from his cigarette. I drift my eyes toward the sky, telling myself that there's still hope. We will find Phoenix and save him from Alexander Edwards.

Without Phoenix I feel lost, like half of my soul is missing. If I have to I will go to the ends of the earth to find him.

“We'll be together, Phoenix,” I whisper to the stars in the sky, “I promise.”

                        
TO BE CONTINUED

acknowledgments

First and foremost I'd like to thank God, my Lord and Savior, for blessing me with the talent to write down my imagination. Without You none of this would be possible.

This book is dedicated to Kay Armour, my mama and best friend. Mama, you are the strongest woman I know. I love you.

To my husband, Rocky, thank you for your patience and support. Love you with all my heart. And Ryder, Wyatt, and Sarah Kay—you three are my inspiration. Mama loves you!

Jenny Atkins, thank you for being there for me, listening to my ideas and having to hear things you probably didn't want to hear coming out of my brain (and mouth). I consider you (and Adrianne Pittman) my little sisters. Huggles to you both! Oh, Wanda Atkins and Heidi Pittman—thank you for talks and encouragement through, well, a lot of stuff. Love you ladies! :) And “little” brothers Jason Atkins, Ben Lee, and Nathan James—knuckle bumps all around!

Shout-outs to some important author and special pals will begin now... SJ Davis, Madison Daniel, Alexia Purdy, Kyani Swanigan, Linna Drehmel, Melissa Turner Lee, Crystal Cattabriga, Pete Turner, River Jordan, Taneesha Freidus, Amy Conley, Carly Anne Wallace, Rue Volley, Kristina Yeager, Kristina Haecker, Cameo Renae, Para Graphic, Mera Sampson, Stacey Jo Siferd, Paige Marie, Casey Hensley, Teric Darken, Nadege K. Richards, Elizabeth Lance, Nathan Squiers, Megan Jeanette Parker, Sinead MacDughlas, Andrew Katz, everyone at Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing, Angel McCuen, Terri Dion, Wendy Lovetiggi Nielson, Joann H. Buchanan, Tymothy Longoria, Jenny Bynum, Joella Elbert, Bella Belikov Colella, Beth Fullaway, Wanda Hartzenberg...going to stop there. There's so many more I need to thank (you know who you are) but I'd need more space. I'm so blessed to know each and every one of you. Hearts and hugs all around!!

Now for some page shout-outs... Book Club Sisters, Sassy Book Lovers, Paranormal Reads, Paranormal Book Club, Behind A Million And One Pages, Starry Night Book Reviews, Terri's Book Addiction, Delphina Reads Too Much, Black Words-White Pages, I Love My Authors, YA Book Lover, Book Lover 1989, Kristina's Books & More, Mera's YA Book List, Oh, oh the wonders of the Supernatural... again, have to stop there. Just too many of you guys, but I do appreciate EVERYONE who has helped me along the way!

Too the fans who purchase my work and leave encouraging words...I love you all and God Bless you! Be on the lookout for more stories...my brain is full of them!

Love to all!
~Jenna Kay~

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