The Lost Soul (Fallen Soul Series, Book 1) (12 page)

I nod, but don’t believe her. We can’t figure out everything and were bound to run into an unfixable problem. “We should get back to the house.” I sway to my feet, tipsy from whatever Dyvinius did to me. I sweep my hair to the side, looking over my shoulder, and spot the fiery ring of the Keeper’s mark.

“It’s gone,” she states solemnly. “Your Foreseer mark isn’t there anymore. I checked.”

I sketch my thumb over the star tattooing my wrist. I’m sad my Foreseer mark is gone, but grateful the star’s still inked on my skin. “We should get back to the house.”

She agrees and we trudge over the shallow hill, away from the lake and to the castle. The cars are parked in the driveway, the hoods are down, and Laylen is missing. The front door’s cracked and smashed flower pots splinter across the steps.

My shoes crush the fragments of glass. “Is it me or does something seem a little off?”

“It’s not just you.” A shimmer of gold conceals her palm as she charges her power. She inches the door open and we enter cautiously. Aislin sneaks a small knife from her purse sitting on the foyer table. She gives it to me, her hands still glowing. Voices flow from the library. We creep past the stairs and down the hallway. I take the lead, the knife upturned. When we arrive, I want to turn back and hide in my room forever. I’ve met Stasha only once, and it was enough. Stasha is Alex’s ex-girlfriend, who happens to possess the power of death. With a simple touch, she can kill. I know because she tried it on me. But it backfired and she only ended up temporarily scarring my hands.

She sits in one of the leather chairs. Black gloves cloak her hands and she wears a bright blue dress that matches her eyes. She flips her blonde hair, flirting with Alex, who is seated in the chair across from her. He’s grinning and his green eyes glint with something that makes my blood burn.

Laylen spots us and leaps up from the table, causing Stasha and Alex’s eyes to dart to us.

Sasha’s lips expand into a malicious smile. “Well, look who we have here.”

Laylen holds up his hands. “I did not let her in. In fact, I tried to shove her down the steps and slam the door in her face.”

Which means Alex is the guilty party. It also explains the broken flower pots on the front steps.

Alex’s eyes are guarded as he sizes up my forthcoming reaction. I tell myself it’s the Lost Soul toying with me, not him. Jealousy devours me, but I stay calm.

“I don’t have time for this. I have bigger things to worry about.” I turn my back on them and walk away, even though it kills me.

“Go check on her,” I hear Aislin say and footsteps chase after me.

“I’m fine,” I tell Laylen before he catches up. “I just need to go lie down and clear my head.”

He walks at my pace, hands tucked in the pockets of his black jeans. “Fine I’ll go with you. I need a nap anyway.”

We trot up the stairs and hide out in my room. The temperature is stifling and I crack a window, letting the cool air in. “I really am fine.” I flop down on my four-post bed. “I don’t need to be babysat.”

He drops down on the bed and overlaps his hands behind his head. “He’s not himself. You have to look at it like that.”

“I know.” I roll to my side, fluff a purple throw pillow, and rest my head on it. “That’s not why I’m upset. Well that’s not the entire reason I’m upset.”

A pause. “Gemma… where’s your Foreseer mark?” His fingers brush the back of my neck.

“Things didn’t go as planned.” I take a deep breath, forcing back the sting in my eyes, and give him a recap of the last few hours. When I’m finished, I turn back over.

He watches me with sympathy. “I’m sorry. I know how much you wanted to free your dad.” Laylen’s parents died a long time ago, due to Stephan and his murderous plan to end the world. Laylen understands pain better than most people. “We’ll find a way. We always do.”

“That’s exactly what Aislin said.” I force a small smile. “And maybe we will.”

“We will.” He pats my back supportively. “But first, we need to get that damn Lost Soul out of Alex. He’s annoying as hell.”

“What’s the best way to create an emotional outburst?” I ask.

We deliberate an answer, listening to the rapid flapping of a hummingbird’s wings just outside the window.

I shoot upright and smack my forehead with the heel of my hand. “I’m so stupid. Why didn’t I think of this right when Nicholas said it?”

Laylen watches me pace the room with determination. “Care to share what your brilliant mind’s thinking?”

I halt in the middle of the room. “Death.”

His mouth sinks to a dubious frown. “Look Gemma, I know you saved him once before, but I don’t think killing him is a good idea. He might not come back this time.”

“He’s not the one who’s going to die.” My gaze coasts to the window where the lake shimmers across the land. “I am.”

Laylen moves his finger from side to side in front of my eyes. “Did you hit your head or something?” He dips his head, inspecting my pupils. “Maybe you have a concussion.”

“I don’t have a concussion.” I step back and fold my arms. “Nicholas said to evoke emotion from him and what better way to do it than for me to die.”

“Because you’d be dead.” He sinks down on the foot of the bed and slumps his head in his hands. “That’s the most ridiculous idea I’ve ever heard come out of your mouth.”

“I wouldn’t actually die.” I sit next to him. “I’d just scare him enough that he’d think I was going to if he didn’t save me.”

He raises his head, looking aggravated. “Don’t you think you’ve already tested death a few too many times? One of these times you might fail the test and there won’t be a retake.”

I fidget with my locket, clicking it open and shut. “I know, but I can’t let him be controlled by a mummified corpse. I have to save him.”

“Then do something else,” he says. “Piss him off, make him happy. Do anything else but scare the crap out of him.”

“I’ve already pissed him off. And making him happy would be hard, since he has a vendetta to hurt me. Fear is a really strong emotion, Laylen. It can come out of nowhere and is really difficult to control or turn off with the snap of a finger.”

He huffs a breath and falls back onto the bed melodramatically. “Gemma Lucas, you drive me absolutely crazy sometimes. You know that?”

“I know.” I collapse beside him with my arms above my head. “But it wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t.”

He shakes his head. “So what’s your plan then? How do we make it look like you die?”

“The lake.” I flip over to my stomach and boost up on my elbows. “I can’t swim. So if I go out there and he thinks I’m going to drown, it’ll scare him enough that he’ll save me and hopefully it’ll kick the Lost Soul to the curb.”

“And what if he doesn’t?” he asks. “Then what?”

I pinch his arm playfully. “Then you’ll save me.”

He deliberates my plan. “Well, you know I can’t pass up saving a damsel-in-distress. But I’m telling you right now, the moment I see you going under, I’m jumping in.”

“So how do we stage it?” I contemplate. “We need a way to get him out of the house and by the lake.”

“And away from Blondie down there,” he adds, nodding his head at the door.

My lip twitches with jealousy. “Why is she even here?”

“She said it was because she wanted to pay a visit,” Laylen explains with suspicion. “But I think it’s a little strange that she shows up when Alex is possessed.”

“And because the last time we saw her, you threatened to kill her unless she took her death out of my hands.” I grin, enjoying the memory.

“She’s up to something,” Laylen speculates. “And we need to find out what. The last thing we need is Death Girl hanging around making our lives harder.”

“We’ll start with the Lost Soul situation. Then we’ll get to the bottom of her hidden agenda.” I get to my feet, offer my hand, and tug him up.

“Then after that, we’ll get your mark back,” he says with an encouraging smile.

I smile back, but it’s fake. I have an inkling I’ll never have the Foreseer mark again.

***

I tell Laylen I’ll meet him in the library. There’s something I want to check on real quick. I work my hand underneath the mattress and retrieve the Foreseer’s book. It contains the history of the Foreseers and the secrets of who they are and what they can do. I search the pages, hoping there’s an answer on how to get my mark back. With each page, my heart sinks, until I come across one, not about the mark, but about something equally as interesting.

There are certain cases where Foreseers possess extraordinary gifts. These particular Foreseers can reach beyond the norm of reading visions, going as far as controlling visions or at least manipulating them. They can spark the mind to believe things that aren’t real and invade…

I turn to the next page. It’s blank. I run my fingers along the binding. Not blank. Torn out.

“You have got to be kidding me.” I huff, slamming the book. What does it mean? Invade what? Someone’s mind?

The door opens and Laylen peeks his head in. “You coming?”

“Yeah.” I kick the book under the bed.

We go to the library. Aislin has Alex cornered, waving her finger viciously at him. There’s a stern lecture in place and I’m surprised she hasn’t stunned him with her magic yet. Stasha’s gone, but I’m not holding my breath she’s left our lives forever.

“It’s okay Aislin.” I wiggle my way between them, freeing Alex from her fury. “We were going to go for a walk. You want to come?”

Aislin’s eyebrows dip together and her hands descend to her side. “You’re going to do what?” She lowers her voice, her green eyes pressing the severity. “Don’t we have bigger problems to solve?”

“That’s what we’re doing.” I widen my eyes, trying to get her to understand. “We’re going outside to fix the problem.”

She nods, comprehending. “Gotcha.” She links arms with Laylen and they head for the door.

“Are you coming?” I ask Alex.

“Why would I?” He moves from the wall, bumping his shoulder into mine. “I have better things to do.”

“Yeah, but what fun is that.” I speed by him, purposefully stepping on his toe. “You’ll be all by yourself with no one to torture.” Laylen shoots a warning look, before he and Aislin exit the room. I put my game face on, ready to tango with the Lost Soul. But on the inside, I’m jittery and terrified. “You know you want to. I mean, think about it. What better way to spend the afternoon then tearing my heart apart."

His eyes flame with malice and a chill courses through my body. In three long strides, he’s backed me into the corner, the bookshelf stabbing into my back.

“You stupid little girl,” he growls, his eyes black and untamed. “You think you can out smart me.”

Holy shit.
“Who are you?”

“You already know that answer,” he breathes hotly. “That’s why you’re trying to get me to follow you. Don’t think you can fool me with your mortal tricks.”

“Do you have a name?” I ask, my shoulders stiffening. “Or does the Queen just refer to you as Lost Soul number whatever? From what I’ve seen, you guys are nothing to her.”

His hands clamp down on the bookshelf, restraining my head between his arms. “Say whatever you want. Your time will come.”

I gulp, but keep my gaze fixed on him. “And why hasn’t it yet?”