The Devil's Third (17 page)

I turned to him, expectantly. “But what?”

“But I don’t
know
,” he said, frustrated. “I don’t know if Aosoth had anything to do with this, but it seems like something she’d cook up. However, why would that monster even listen to her or anybody for that matter?” He dropped his head in his hands and massaged his temples.

“Do you think there are any more out there?” I peered out the window, scanning the forest around my house for any movement. I didn’t see nor hear anything out of the ordinary, just some squirrels making low clicking sounds at regular intervals.

“I’m not sure,” Nathan answered. “I don’t think so. I feel safer with you here for the time being though. I think Zeruel would keep them away, if there are more of them, that is.”

Without waiting for my reply, he stepped out into the night. I followed, looking about for Zeruel. I didn’t see him, but knew that didn’t mean he wasn’t around. We entered my house and checked everything to make sure nothing was disturbed. It all looked fine, just as we left it. Nathan flopped on the couch, looking exhausted. I eyed the dried blood on his cheeks, chest, and arms. The claw marks had almost vanished. I could smell the blood if I focused on it, though. The scent was different from ours–rank and fishy. My gag reflexes twitched in protest against the awful odor. I kept my distance, and sat on the recliner across from him.

“How did you kill it?” I asked, trying to distract my mind.

“I ripped his head off,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone of voice. “And Carrie was right. Their bones do disintegrate when they die.”

That was a mental visual I didn’t expect to be laid on me. Gross.

“Why didn’t you let me help you?”

He released a heavy sigh and ran a hand through his hair. “Because you’re still a fledgling to the immortal world, and he was stronger than you.” He looked at his arms and chest. His muscles flexed and rippled with the infinitesimal movements he made. “I better go take a shower.”

“Okay,” I said, staring at my lap as he left the room. His depressing mood made me feel even worse for what I was about to do to him.

But I had no choice. Bael was a powerful entity who had a lot of followers. I knew if I were to breach my agreement with him and tell Nathan, Bael or one of his lackeys would kill Tree. I wasn’t about to allow it to happen.

When Nathan had taken a shower earlier, I’d received a text message from Bael. He wanted to know if I’d made any progress, and I told him no, which was the truth. I wasn’t sure if he believed me; however, he requested my presence tonight for a private discussion with him. He had given me his cell number and instructed me to call him when I was able to slip by Nathan without him noticing.

“
I’ll get a hold of u later 2 night
,” I told him, my fingers flying across the cell phone’s keypad.

“Good girl,”
he texted back.

“How did u get my cell?”

“Anwar.”

A cold feeling settled into the pit of my stomach when I read that one word. I shoved my cell in my pocket, not bothering to reply.

Then I wondered why Anwar hadn’t tried calling me like he had Nathan. I guess he wasn’t as concerned about me as he claimed last night with Nathan.

Now, I could hear Nathan closing the bathroom door. I hopped up and got a piece of paper and pen out of the kitchen drawer. I leaned into the granite counter and wrote a quick note to him, biting my trembling lip as I did so. I paused and closed my eyes, once again mentally hardening myself. I wished I knew how to keep the wall in place so it wouldn’t falter. I supposed in time I’d be able to completely shut off the emotions I didn’t want to feel for as long as I wanted. But for now, I’d have to keep practicing and try to be patient. I opened my eyes and continued writing. After I was done, I folded it, wrote Nathan’s name and hid it underneath the microwave.

Nathan had just turned the shower on. I could hear the water spraying against the ceramic tub. I zipped upstairs and in a blur, I grabbed some clothes to change into tonight and a pair of sneakers. With my arms full, I paused in the middle of my room to listen. The faucet knob squeaked from Nathan turning it.

Crap.

Why in the hell did he take fast showers? You’d think he’d want to linger in there for a while to relax.

Without further hesitation, I took off down the stairs, straight to the bathroom. I closed the door and turned the faucet on, just in case he was listening. Carefully, I slid my clothes and shoes beneath a bunch of towels in the linen closet. I adjusted the towels so even if he were to come in and get one, he wouldn’t notice my stuff. Turning the faucet off, I made a mental note to bring some money, a credit card, and my passport with me tonight.

I came out of the bathroom just as Nathan descended the stairs. We ran into each other in the hallway. The next thing I knew, he had me in his arms. He smelled like soap and his black hoodie like Downy.

“I’m sorry about my cruddy mood earlier,” he said. He pulled back to look at me, his expression apologetic. “I didn’t mean to make this situation worse for you. The last thing you need is more gloom and doom.”

I hugged him tighter, loving the feel of his strong arms around my body. Something inside me wavered–the wall maybe. So I tried not to think about this being my last time in them by replacing the heartbreaking thought with me keeping Tree alive by complying with Bael’s demands. I felt like a martyr, giving up the love of my life for the well-being of my best friend–me suffering in exchange for his life. But I didn’t see myself as a martyr or would I ever act like one either. “I understand. There’s no need for apologies,” I answered.

“It just bothers me,” he admitted. “I think I’m more upset at myself than anything else, because I never really did any research on those creatures.”

“Well, you had other things to deal with.” I pulled out of his embrace and went into the kitchen. “More important things,” I added. “It’s not like Bigfoot crosses over to our world every day. It’s probably one in so many decades, and I bet you money that most of the Yeti sightings are false.” I turned off the kitchen light and headed to the living room to do the same thing.

“I don’t know,” he responded. “I agree with you about them coming to our realm within so many decades. However, those who have crossed to our realm might have found a way to coexist among us without being caught, only seen.” Nathan stopped. He had a weird look on his face. “Bedtime?”

I yawned and stretched my back. “Yeah. I’m tired. What about you?”

“Actually, I am pretty beat,” he said.

I took his hand and led him to my bedroom, swallowing against the tightness in my throat, shutting those weepy emotions off. In my mind, I was saying goodbye to him, but in my heart I was loving him even more.

Chapter Seventeen

Paige

I lay beside Nathan, listening to his shallow breathing. I glanced at the green numbers on my alarm clock.

11:42.

I knew I should be going, but I watched Nathan sleep for a few more minutes. I hovered my hand above his face, wanting to touch it, then pulled away. His breathing shifted into a deeper, hollow sound. He was in full-out sleep mode. Now would be the time to leave.

Silently, I slipped out of the covers, careful not to jostle the bed, still watching him. He didn’t stir. I crept out of the room, hesitating in the doorway. For a long moment, I stared at him. He looked at peace, as if he’d been unscathed by the world.

“I’ll love you forever,” I said below a whisper. I blew a kiss and walked away.

After I had my clothes, shoes, and coat on, I retrieved the note from beneath the microwave and placed it on the kitchen table. I took all the things I’d need: cash, credit card, driver’s license, and passport out of my purse and stuck them in my pockets, along with my cell phone. I made a point to wear black cargo pants, knowing I would need the extra pockets for my belongings. Zipping up my Army surplus jacket, I took a deep breath and told myself I could do this. I was Paige Reed, fighter against evil. In the end, if my body ever did expire, I’d be going from this plane to the next on my own, like all souls who chose to do so. I wouldn’t be able to take Nathan with me even if I wanted. It was a solo journey where I’d be accountable for all my actions, so I needed to make them count and face the fact the footprints in the sand were mine. Nobody could carry me. I had to do it by myself to further my own evolution.

When I stepped out into the night, the brisk autumn air stung my cheeks. I longed to be back in bed with Nathan, to be in his arms. And now it would never happen again. Clutching my stomach, I took another deep breath. I could do this, I told myself. Something rubbed my leg. I glanced down and saw Zeruel. I lifted him into my arms, his thoughts instantly consuming mine like a broken dam flooding into an empty town.

“It’s not safe out there. You need to go back inside.”

I wanted to tell him I had no choice, but then I’d be breaking my deal with Bael. So I had to do something I really didn’t want to do–lie. I hated to fib to Zeruel, and in my heart I cursed Bael for it. I then wondered if Zeruel could hear my silent thoughts.

“Zeruel, can you hear my personal thoughts?”

“No. Nobody can breach your privacy. Not even I can. However, I can see your aura.”

I blanched. I knew then he was on to me, and this was his way of telling me.

I didn’t respond. Instead, I held him closer for comfort.

“Fair warning, my friend. I’ve encountered Aosoth lurking about in these woods while you were away.”

My stomach dropped, and my heart thudded in my ears.

Why in the hell would Aosoth be hanging around my house? After what Nathan had done to her, you’d think she’d leave me alone.

“Did she see you?”

“No. I hid in a clump of bushes, stifling the light so she wouldn’t flee from it.”

“What about Roeick? Did you see him?”

“No, only Aosoth.”

“Do you know anything else that might help me?”

“Only she still has her sights on you, and like Bael, Ayperos loathes her.”

I thought about the recent premonition I had and wondered if I’d misinterpreted it. Maybe Bael and Aosoth aren’t going to reunite after all.
But if that were the case, then what an unlikely pair reunites in treachery and affection?

A crow cawed in a nearby tree, jarring me out of my introspection. I had to get a move
on before my plan imploded. But I had a question I couldn’t ignore and leave without asking Zeruel.

“What about Anwar?”

“As you already know, Anwar’s loyalties lie solely on himself. His heart is good; however, he’s misguided by a weariness some immortals become afflicted with through the changes of time. His spirit is now hovering in a gray area between light and dark.”

The crow cawed again, as if punctuating Zeruel’s caveat, like he heard and understood the mental broadcast, sending chills up my spine
.
I also felt a deep sadness for Anwar, because despite his underhandedness and withholding information about my father, I’d hate for him to turn dark.

“Paige.” It was Nathan’s sleepy voice.

“Crap!”

I hugged Zeruel and set him down. Without a second thought, I took off down the desolate street.
The cool air made my eyes water and nipped at my nose. My hair flew back, lifting off my shoulders as if I were in a wind tunnel. I could feel the weight of my cell phone bouncing against my thigh in my pocket, reminding me to contact Bael.

There was a convenience store on the other side of town where I knew it would be safe to stop. When I reached an intersection, I made a sharp left and ran along dimly lit streets, desperately trying not to think about Nathan. But despite my efforts, thoughts of him traipsed through my mind: what was he doing right now? Did he read my letter yet? What was he thinking?

My heart shuddered, releasing an agonizing ache that almost caused me to stop and double over
into myself. I shook my head instead, refusing to give into those feelings. I then wondered if Nathan would believe what I had written and if Tree would be able to convince him we were through.

In the distance, dogs were barking, rattling their chains in a nearby neighborhood.

I made a turn onto a historic neighborhood
where antique wrought iron street lamps
lined the road, like guardians in front of tidy Victorian homes. Those houses reminded me of the one where Roeick had held me captive until Nathan came to my rescue.

But Nathan wouldn’t be coming this time. I was on my own. What would befall me from here on out, I’d have to deal with by myself. A familiar feeling of loneliness fluttered across my chest, a
too
familiar one. It mercilessly kicked me back to before I met Nathan.

The convenience store was up ahead. Its bright lights illuminated the dark streets surrounding it, a beacon guiding people to safety. I stopped to evaluate the area.

A semi-truck was parked in front of a gas pump where a shaggy dark-haired guy with dirty jeans and a potbelly stood fueling it. He looked bored. A mother and a small child, gripping a candy bar in his pudgy little hand, stepped out of the store. I wondered mindlessly why a child would be up this late, let alone about to eat a candy bar?

Everything seemed normal, so I stepped inside and bought a small cup of coffee and a peanut butter cookie. In the back were small tables where people could sit and eat. Pulling out my phone, I sat at the red table and texted Bael. To my surprise, he answered right away. I told him I knew where the incantations were and left it at that.

I took a sip of my coffee, and my cell vibrated. Ignoring it, I took my time drinking the rest of the warm, creamy java while eating my soft cookie. A few people came in the store, but none of them wandered to the back, which was fine by me. I didn’t feel like being bothered or stared at. The cash register dinged several times, ringing up the customers. I listened to the cashier tell them to have a good night, and I imagined what it would be like to have such a simple life. In my heart I knew we all had our secret demons to slay, and nothing was as it seemed. My phone vibrated on the table again. I reached for it, then stopped myself.