The Chronicles of Winterset: Oracle (12 page)

Chapter 24

Calix dropped me off at my house and even walked me to my door. He was acting incredibly strange, though, and kept looking around like he was checking for someone.

“Are you going to Kevin’s party?” he asked as we stopped at my door.

“Yeah, Mel is supposed to come pick me up after the homecoming game,” I replied as I unlocked my front door.

“I have something I need to take care of so I’ll see you there, OK?” he inquired, looking around nervously again. I furrowed my brows and tried to follow where he was looking but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, even though I still had a creepy feeling.

“Yeah, sure,” I replied.

“Hey, Ana?” Calix asked turning back around to face me. “Have you seen anything strange lately?”

“Strange?” I asked. “Like what?”

“I don’t know. Forget about it,” he said, stepping off my stoop. “I’ll see you tonight.”

Before I could pursue the odd question further, he was already climbing into his car. I shook my head and went upstairs to my room and pulled off his jacket.

Crap. I forgot to give it back to him.

I brought it near my face and took a big whiff of it. The smell was intoxicating, and I felt like a nut job smelling his coat, but it was so worth it. I put my hands in the inner lining after noticing something heavy within it.

Inside was the same flask he’d given me the day I’d had the headache. I was surprised I hadn’t felt it while wearing the coat.

I opened the flask and took a whiff of it. It didn’t have much of a smell, so I bit my lip nervously, contemplating my next move.

I was not uptight.

I tipped the flask to my lips and let some of the sour fluid into my mouth. It definitely wasn’t the same stuff as had been in it before. This tasted bitter. Like a storm. Then sweet. Like bliss. I drank until there was nothing left in the flask.

My vision fogged. I reached out to my dresser to stop from falling and was fortunate enough to catch myself. I slowly lowered my shaking body to the floor and leaned against the wall as the colors of the room swirled.

Wildflowers.

They were everywhere, but there was something very wrong with my beautiful flowers. A fire, hot and merciless, engulfed them, their delicate petals folding and curling only to become ashes.

I looked around, desperate to escape from the field, but only walls of fire surrounded me. And then there he was, standing on the other side of the field of flowers, his hands held out as he commanded the flames.

Nihilist.

“Why?” I cried out, trying to run to him to get him to stop. But fire would erupt in front of me each time I made progress, the hot flames singeing my skin and clothes.

He ignored me and commanded the flames higher. They rose into the sky, and in the distance, I could hear the frantic cries of people in the town bordering the majestic palace.

These people would all die if someone didn’t stop him!

I raced forward, frantic to get him to listen to me but I was met with a wall of flame. I screamed as the flames burned my skin, the pain overwhelming as my pretty blue dress caught fire. I desperately tried putting the fire out, but it only grew more and more intense as it devoured my body.

I closed my eyes, waiting for the pain to stop.

I thought I was dead, that I had died from all the pain and fire, but when I opened my eyes, I was lying on my back in the largest bed I’d ever seen in my life. I sat up, confused, and took in my surroundings.

It was a majestic bedroom fit for royalty with its large, plush drapery, golden ornate moldings, regal furniture, and large balcony accessible through French doors. I sat up and stared down at myself. I was in the same powder-blue dress as I’d worn in the field. It was unlike any dress I’d ever seen in present day. The material was soft, like velvet, but it was also sheer and layered over my small body in waves of splendor. It was strapless but had long, gauzy sleeves that fell past my fingers.

It was beautiful, much like the room I was in.

I made my way to the door and peered out into a long, lavish hallway. I wasn’t sure how I knew, but my feet led the way down the massive staircase and straight to a room located in the depths of the palace.

I heard voices coming from the room, and I stood outside and listened as they argued.

“We cannot let her go! If Zaros gets her, we will all be doomed!” a man called out angrily, his accent thick.

“What choice do we have? Zaros’s army is outside our gates as we speak! We’re doomed either way!” another voice shouted.

“My Lord, the Oracle is your daughter, my sister,” a third voice spoke up calmly. “Niall and I have worked hard to keep her safe, to keep this from happening. We aren’t about to give up now when the enemy is at our gates. We will fight.”

“Niall,” a fourth voice said gruffly and I imagined this to be the king the others were speaking to.

“Yes, my Lord?” a voice spoke up, his accent thick, different. There was a familiarity behind it but I couldn’t place where I knew it from.

“My daughter is your betrothed. Will you fight for her, for our kingdoms, with the knowledge that it may be your last battle?”

“It would be an honor to die in the name of the princess,” Niall stated immediately, without hesitation. “I freely give my life for her and for our kingdoms.”

This guy must really love the princess, I mused. He was ready and willing to die for her. Now that’s love. She’s a lucky girl, whoever she was.

“Then we fight!” the king bellowed. He was met by a round of loud cheering, and I cringed, knowing the force they were up against was stronger and more merciless than they realized.

The Nihilist would stop at nothing to get what was his, and this princess was his.

Chapter 25

I awoke with my head aching and my body covered in sweat. I glanced blurrily around my room, trying to get my vision to straighten out, and let out a yelp when I saw a strange shape flit quickly through my mirror.

I climbed clumsily to my feet, my hands shaking as I ran to cover the mirror.

Not this again,
I groaned.

I sank down on my bed and rested my head in my hands. I felt like the room was spinning. Whatever Calix had in that flask was bad news. I couldn’t directly connect the drink with my visions, but I’d never experienced them so intensely before.

I glanced at the clock and saw it was already past ten. Grabbing my phone, I frowned when I saw a text from Mel.

I’m riding with Chad. Jared is with us. Best if you drive yourself tonight. He’s being extra creepy.

I sighed and sent her back “K” and made my way to the bathroom, wondering if I should even go since I felt awful from whatever had just transpired on my bedroom floor.

I turned the water on in the shower and climbed in to let it pelt me. My knees were still shaky and I groaned as I quickly washed my hair. When I was done, I climbed out and brushed and dried my hair, noting the moisture in the air had disappeared once again simply by my wanting it.

Maybe I’d been bitten by a radioactive spider while I’d slept. Or maybe it was my brain tumor. I let out a sigh then put on some makeup and grabbed a pair of black ripped jeans, adding a short, V-neck shirt with a pair of black high-heeled boots. A hint of my bare tummy peeked out, and I grimaced, hoping it wasn’t too much.

Maybe Calix was onto something. I might be just a little uptight.

I grabbed his leather jacket and put it on, then headed out, deciding I’d rather go out than stay in my what I was now sure was my haunted bedroom. I was really trying not to dwell on the strange image I’d seen in my mirror. Or the strange images I was seeing in what I figured was my diseased head.

I walked to Kevin’s house. It took a lot longer than I had anticipated, and I was OK with that. I needed the cool night air on my face. I’d hoped it would help clear my head.

By the time I arrived, it was well past eleven and the party was in full swing. I walked through the door and went straight through the living room to the keg outside the patio door.

“Hey, Ana!” Brett greeted me.

“Not manning the shot station tonight?” I asked as I took the glass of beer from him.

“I’m doing both. I’m pretty versatile,” he answered, pouring me a shot.

I tipped it back and drained the contents easily enough.

“So, you got a date to the homecoming dance tomorrow?” he asked, pouring another shot for me.

“Yes,” I answered drinking down my second drink, but having to chase it with my beer. That one had been nasty.

“Mind if I ask who?”

“Calix Night,” I replied, looking around and wondering where he was.

“Oh, shit,” Brett said softly.

“What?”

“Nothing. He’s just a scary dude.”

“He has his moments,” I muttered dryly, still scanning the area for signs of anyone else I knew, like Mel or Chad.

“I heard he got into a fight with your boy Kellin,” Brett continued as he handed glasses of alcohol to a couple of girls.

“Wait. What?” I asked, my attention snapping back to him.

“You didn’t know?” he asked with raised eyebrows. “Yeah, at the football game tonight. I guess they got into it in the parking lot before the game started. I heard it took a few members of the team to break them apart.”

“Were they hurt?”

“I don’t know,” he answered with a shrug. “Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see it, only heard about it.”

“Have you seen Mel tonight?” I demanded. I had to find her and get answers.

“Yeah, she was in the garage playing beer pong last time I saw her,” he replied, handing me another shot. I quickly swallowed it and handed the empty glass back to him.

I made my way to the garage wondering what the hell was going on. Maybe that’s why Calix wasn’t here. Maybe he’d been hurt. Both he and Kellin were big guys, after all.

“Mel!” I shouted when I spotted her. “Mel!”

“Ana!” she squealed, running over and hugging me. “I was worried you were going to bail.”

“What happened between Calix and Kellin tonight?” I demanded, ignoring everything else.

“Heard about that, huh?” she said, pulling on my arm and leading me away to the corner of the garage where there was less noise.

“Yes. Brett told me. What happened?”

“I’m not real sure. I saw Kellin come up to Calix and they started talking like nothing, you know? It didn’t look hostile at all. And then Kellin threw a punch and Calix flipped his shit and hit back. It took like seven guys on the team to separate them. Do you think they were fighting over you?”

“I sure hope not,” I muttered, finishing my glass of beer.

“Kellin is here,” Mel said. “Maybe you should go talk to him. You guys are friends, and despite him being a jerk leaving you in the woods, maybe he really is sorry, Ana. You really should talk to him.”

“I don’t know,” I sighed. “I’m still pretty pissed about it. I’m not ready to talk to him yet.”

Mel nodded sympathetically at me.

“Ha-have you seen Calix tonight?” I asked looking around.

“No,” she answered. “I see you’re wearing his jacket, though. What’s going on with you two? Like, for real.”

“Nothing. We’re just friends,” I responded, my stomach flopping at the words.

“Friends who skip classes together and let you wear their jacket?” she asked knowingly. I didn’t reply, not knowing what to say. There wasn’t anything romantic happening between us despite how it all may look, but I knew she wouldn’t believe me.

“I need a refill,” I said, and she nodded.

I quickly walked back to the keg and had Brett refill my glass. Jason had materialized and sat holding a bottle of hard alcohol and I nodded for him to give me some. He did rather eagerly, and before long, I was feeling tipsy with the room spinning around me.

I went out to where everyone was dancing and danced alone, my drink in my hand. I moved to the music and didn’t bother looking around to see what others thought.

“Ana,” I heard a voice call over the music. I didn’t stop to look around to see who was calling my name, content to be in my own little drunken world.

“Ana!” this time he called louder. I moved deeper into the bodies of dancing people so whoever it was wouldn’t bother me.

I felt someone grab my arm and pull me to them suddenly, and I stumbled into Kellin, his blond hair disheveled and his blue eyes wide.

“Stop,” I grumbled, pulling my arm away from him.

“I need you to come with me,” he said reaching for me again and pulling me out of the throng of dancing bodies.

I tried to fight him off but was unsuccessful as he continued to lead me quickly through Kevin’s living room to the patio.

“Kellin, stop!” I snapped at him, fighting to get away.

“Ana, listen to me,” he commanded, pulling me roughly to him and looking down harshly at me. “I don’t have time to explain it, but I need you to trust me.”

“Screw you,” I hissed at him. “The last time I trusted you, you left me in the middle of nowhere in the freezing cold!”

“And I said I was sorry,” he replied through gritted teeth. “But we can talk about that later. Right now, I really need you to do as I say.”

“No! I’m not doing anything with or for you!” I snarled angrily at him. He had some nerve coming in here and ruining my good time.

“I swear to God, Ana, I will pick you up and haul you out of here. Do you understand me? There is something bigger than you and me happening, and I need you to come with me.”

“Go to hell,” I shouted, pushing against him. He grabbed me again and began hauling me roughly through the crowd of people. I took note of some of the looks on people’s faces as he pulled me through the crowd. Some were even whispering.

“Stop it, Kellin!” I demanded angrily. “I’m not going with you!”

“Yes you are, Ana!” he said, turning abruptly to me and pulling me so close to him, our noses were nearly touching. He lowered his voice and his blue eyes flashed.

“Come with me, Ana,” he said calmly, his voice engulfing my senses. I winced as it fell on my ears. “You need to come with me. Walk out of here with me quietly.”

I blinked rapidly and was just about to agree to everything he was telling me to do when Calix’s voice interrupted.

“Nice try, Romeo. I can take it from here,” he said, grabbing hold of me and pulling me close to him. I snapped out of whatever spell I’d been under and stared blurrily out at Kellin, whose face had gone from calm to irate.

“Look, Ana needs to come with me. I’m the one she’s supposed to be with, not you. She is my charge.”

“Looks like there’s a new boss in town,” Calix replied icily, wrapping his arm protectively around my waist. “And I think Ana wants to be with me anyway, Bornian.”

What the hell is a Bornian?

“Like hell she does,” Kellin growled. “You’ve gotten into her head.”

“You’re one to talk,” Calix snapped back. “Weren’t you the one trying to compel her just now?”

“I was trying to get her to safety. Stay out of matters you don’t understand, Xanatharian.”

Calix tried to pull me past Kellin but Kellin got in front of Calix and pushed him hard in the chest.

Calix took a step back and let out a dark chuckle before looking back to Kellin, his eyes flashing black.

“Watch yourself. I don’t think you realize who you’re dealing with. I allowed you to attempt to fight me before. I will not allow it again.”

Kellin launched himself at Calix and I stumbled to the side. I immediately pulled myself together and tried to separate the two of them. I didn’t have a clue what the hell they were talking about, but I knew I wasn’t going to stand around and let them fight about who I left with.

“Knock it off!” I shouted, pushing between them. “I’m so sick of everyone! Just stop it!”

They immediately looked at me and forgot about the fight they were about to get into.

“I’m not going with either one of you. I’m going home alone. And here,” I pulled off Calix’s jacket and tossed it to him. “Take your jacket.”

I stomped past them with all eyes on me and made my way out to the street. I managed to stumble a few blocks in the direction of my house, and then that eerie feeling from earlier washed over me.

I looked around nervously, suddenly wishing I had a ride home. I peered through the darkness and saw shadows flit through the trees. My breath hitched in my throat and I started to run, silently cursing my poor shoe choice and alcohol consumption.

I made it to Rockwell Park and cut through the trails, winding through the trees knowing it was dark but also knowing the shortcut would bring me five minutes closer to home.

The shadows pursued me, and by the time I was halfway down the dark trails, I was gasping for air and my feet were killing me. I couldn’t go on anymore, so I stopped and raked in a few deep breaths, looking around. There was nowhere to go.

The shadows were everywhere, their red eyes peering out at me from the darkness.

I was surrounded.