Shadows in Blood (The Immortal Trials Book 3) Read online

  He eased back into the recliner.

  “Is it painful?” I asked.

  “Sometimes, but I try not to think about it,” he answered, not meeting my eyes.

  He was lying. The simple task of taking a shower had to be excruciating in his condition. The idea sent shivers over my body.

  “Why are you hiding?” It was a stupid question. I wished I had used my brain to think about what I was going to say before I let the words leave my mouth. “Never mind,” I was quick to mutter. Who would want to leave their house looking the way he did? It was as if he had been dunked into a vat of acid. If he was to venture out, he’d only be met with stares of disgust. Women would grab their children’s hands, yanking them to their sides as he innocently strode by filling his buggy with groceries. All the while, he’d end up hearing the whispered words like monster and freak as he passed.

  The gentleman he was, he let it go.

  “How’s Juliet?”

  Ah, a neutral topic. I dove right in. “She’s good. Juju went back to work a couple of days ago. Her arm is still in a cast, but she’s back to her old self otherwise.”

  “Did she ever tell you what happened?”

  I still didn’t know the details of the events surrounding her accident. Even with numerous attempts to jog her memory, she still couldn’t give me all the facts. “Apparently, she doesn’t remember much. A car coming at her. Cutting the wheel and slamming on her brakes. Rolling over and over.” However, both Macias and I knew better. “I had always pictured Elyza standing in the middle of the road and Aunt Juju swerving to try to avoid hitting her, but she only mentioned the car coming at her.”

  Slowly, he shook his head. “The witches are lethal to others, not themselves. The car makes more sense. I’m deeply sorry they did that to her, but I’m glad she’s doing better.”

  “So am I.” The terror I’d felt when I found out about her being hurt filled me again. I couldn’t handle the thought of losing her, especially since it would have been my fault.

  The muted television glared in the darkened room. Some old sitcom was on. I couldn’t tell which decade it was from.

  “So, I’m guessing you met Preacher Briar.”

  “Yeah,” I huffed. “He already has me pegged for the… how did he say it?” I tapped my bag as I tried to remember his exact words. Glancing up at Macias, I smiled grimly. “Oh yeah… The girl who’s set to die during the Hunter’s Moon.” My eyebrows caved. “How does he know that? Is he a protector like you? Is he one of them?” I wouldn’t be surprised if he was. Actually, few things were able to surprise me anymore.

  “He’s not one of them, but he’s not a protector like me, either. Preacher Briar’s ability to see certain things is heightened.”

  “He sensed I was the chosen one? How does he even know about the ritual?” Damn, there were too many questions. Frustration was eating away at my resolve.

  Macias pursed his lips. “The White Ones use him occasionally to keep tabs on individuals they find interesting. As you already know, you are at the top of their list.”

  Abruptly, I stood, my bag falling to the floor. “Why, damn it? Why?”

  He opened his arms, palms up. “That is still the ultimate mystery.”

  “You know, all this is getting old.”

  He stood, went to the fridge, and pulled out a beer. Returning to his recliner, he popped off the cap. “Sit. There’s something I think it’s time to share with you.”

  My heart stuttered. I reached for my bracelet. Remembering it was long gone, I spun the ring on my finger instead. For a couple of weeks, I had fallen out of the habit. But I used to use the bracelet for comfort. Since I was sure I wasn’t going to like what Macias had to say, I had automatically reached for it. Hesitantly, I returned to the chair.

  He took a long swig from the bottle. Setting it on the side table next to the empty one, he ran his hand through his hair and winced.

  “Sometimes I forget I’m rotting. Simple things I used to do aren’t that simple anymore.” He chuckled, but it sounded anything but amused.

  Hating every second he had to endure this pain, I could only stay silent.

  “The Hunter’s Moon will rise in thirty-five days. The original immortals Zicarus created have to be present at the ritual, or it can’t be performed.”

  I already knew that much. “Zicarus bonded them that way to make sure they would look out for one another.”

  He nodded in approval. “Not only do they need to be present, but each also possesses an item that must be present as well. It’s part of the recreation spell.”

  “I’m not sure I follow.”

  He picked up his beer, took a sip, and then twisted the bottle between his hands. “Each item was used in the creation of what they became. For example, the shifters… Quilla has a crow’s feather, while Onyx has a rattlesnake’s eye.”

  I wasn’t sure if I understood. “If Onyx is the crow shifter, then why doesn’t she have the feather?”

  The preacher smirked. “That’s the crux of it all. The warlock made an unbreakable bond between them. They need each other to exist.”

  That could be an exceptionally long time for an immortal. My thoughts drifted. The deeper his words sank in, the more my hopes of staying alive through this game were rising. “If one item is forgotten, lost, or whatever, there can’t be a ritual?”

  “Exactly,” he confirmed.

  My sole mission to escape or fight the immortals and witches had just changed gears. “If I can track one of those items down and hide it or destroy it, then I’m free—right?”

  Hesitantly, Macias nodded, setting the bottle down. His brows furrowed, and I didn’t like the look in his eyes. It had turned from light to dark in a split second. “That is true…”

  “What exactly are you’re trying to keep from me?”

  Letting out a ragged breath, he closed his eyes, banking the darkness that had crept into them.

  “Macias,” I urged.

  When he opened his eyes, they were filled with angst and sorrow. He stared directly at me. “If you steal or destroy one of the items, your hands will be stained with their blood.”

  I didn’t like the sound of that. Frustration built a hot fire in my chest. I wanted to explode. “Damn! There’s always a freaking catch.”

  Macias remained calm. “Magic will always find a way to protect itself.”

  Overcome with dread once again, I pulled my knees to my chest, resting my chin on them. My thoughts drifted to Dragan and his brother, Spiro. “What makes Dragan and Spiro different? I mean, they’re originals, but they’re not women.”

  “The twins were a special experiment. Once Zicarus created the perfect spell for his lover Saphira, he wanted to create sons. Hence, the creation of Dragan and Spiro.” Macias shrugged. “At least, that’s the way the legend goes.”

  It seemed to make perfect sense. Several things were falling into place. “Spiro kidnapped me,” I blurted out.

  Macias bolted upright.

  The preacher had been my protector, so I understood the intense feelings he had. “He wanted me to stay hidden until the ritual. They seemed so desperate.”

  “How did you get free?” Easing down, he leaned forward and waited for my answer.

  “Dragan saved me.” That was twice now, but I left out my journey to the center of the Bermuda Triangle with Mina. I didn’t need to lay anything else on Macias today.

  Picking up the beer again, he took another swig. Hell, at this rate, I was going to need one of those.

  “There’s one more thing you should know.”

  Lowering my feet, I grounded myself for whatever bomb he was getting ready to throw at me.

  “Once Zicarus discovered he was able to create a male species with gifts, he decided he wanted a son who was more like him.”

  “A warlock?” I guessed.

  He nodded.

  My heart was thumping double time. The bomb still hadn’t detonated. Bracing for the boom, I took a deep breath and held it.

  I was still holding my breath as I watched Macias gulp from the bottle. Draining it, he rolled the neck between his fingers and thumb. As his eyes glared into mine, it was obvious the explosion was coming any second.

  “His power is greater than any I have ever seen. If you think Elyza is scary… he’s a force you never want to have to face.”

  6

  Icy chills scampered over my entire body. Rubbing the shivers on my arms away, I asked, “Will he come for me?”

  Macias glanced at the rotting flesh on his hand. “I don’t know.” His voice was low. Troubled. I wanted to crawl inside myself and disappear. Lately, fear had become a new friend, but what I felt now was at a whole other level. Elyza was one scary bitch. If Zicarus’ son was worse… Holy hell, I was doomed.

  “What’s his name?”

  The preacher rocked forward and stood. As he passed me, he said, “Andrik.”

  “Andrik,” I repeated. “Does he have to show up for the ritual?”

  The refrigerator door slammed. When I heard the tinkling noise of a bottle cap falling on the counter, I figured the preacher was trying to drown the emotional and physical pain. Truthfully, I couldn’t blame him.

  “Andrik will be at his father’s side. He doesn’t have a choice.”

  I spun in my chair to see Macias. The first sentence had my blood freezing in my veins, the hairs on my body standing on end. Why had the idea Zicarus was alive caught me so off guard? “Are you saying Zicarus, the freaking warlock of all warlocks and the reason for all this, is still alive?”

  Macias crossed the room, returning to his recliner. “The last I heard, yes, the warlock is still alive.”

  Why had I never considered that before? Since I’d known he was immortal, my shock hardly made sense. However, I was freaking floored by the news. I focused on what else Macias had said—Andrik doesn’t have a choice. “Why does his son not have a choice?”

  Macias cleared his throat before answering. “Zicarus made sure Andrik was the key to the immortal spell. If he doesn’t show, he will eventually die as well.”

  My head was spinning with this latest information. Pressing on my temples, I tried to piece it together. More importantly, I tried to see where I fit into it. That always seemed to be the area I came up short. “So, we still basically know nothing as to where I come into all this?”

  Macias dropped his head to his chest. “No.” Lifting it, he asked, “Are you going to tell me why you look different?”

  I sensed he already knew the reason, but he wanted me to say it out loud. I’d bet it was also a test to see if I would tell him the truth. There was no reason to lie. It was part of who I was—or what I was becoming.

  “I drank blood.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Remember what I said would happen if you gave into the cravings?”

  The warning was still as clear as it was the instant he’d said it…

  If you drink, you will never be the same.

  “It’s not that easy to ignore when it’s all I think about.” Hot tears sprang to life in the corners of my eyes. I didn’t wipe them away as I met his stare. “When the need is clawing up my burning throat, there’s nowhere for me to escape. I want blood more than food—more than I’ve ever wanted anything else.”

  His angry glare softened. “I don’t know what you’re going through. I’m sorry I can’t help with everything you’ve taken on in such a short amount of time. What I do know is in a few short hours, you’ll only have thirty-four days to figure it all out.” His voice dropped as he said his next words. “I don’t know if I’ll be around until then.”

  I rushed to his side. Kneeling on the floor next to him, I gently laid my hand on his leg. “Please don’t say that. I’m going to fix this.” His sad smile said he didn’t believe me. He had lost all hope. “I’m not going to give up. I know you’ve been part of this world a lot longer than I have.” I placed my hand over my heart. “In here, I know there’s a way to put an end to the White Ones, the ritual, and even this curse.”

  Macias touched the pendant containing the swirling magic nestled in the hollow of my neck. “If there’s anyone who can put an end to the madness, I do believe it’s you, Everly Shade.”

  The moment I walked inside the darkened house, I felt Shadow’s small body wrapping around my ankles. He must have found a way out of the box. Avoiding a face plant, I picked up the little guy and went to my room. Feeling slightly better now that I was home, I was finally able to relax. That, on top of my craving for blood being satiated for now, was even better.

  As I lay on my bed, I took the time to pay attention to the way my body felt. I felt strong and more alive than ever. Raiden’s blood coursed through my veins. It had been the second time I drank blood, but this time had been different. Killing the craving, yes, that was a definite bonus, but there was a shift in heightened senses. A smile lined my lips. He’d been right; I did feel as though I could take on the world. Which was a good thing because I kind of had to—at least the immortal world.

  Closing my eyes, I imagined my powers swirling around above me. Without lifting my hands, I simply thought about light, a circle of pure fire. A beaming brightness came to life behind my eyelids.

  Shadow cried and leapt from the bed.

  Mina… the thought of her sent an ache from my chest to my toes. I thought about texting or calling Raiden to see if he had tried to get in touch with her, but then thought better of it. I needed to take charge. They may have been an item, but she was my friend first. My only human girlfriend, actually. I had felt close enough to her to show her my gifts. She needed to find a way to trust me again.

  Raiden’s secret about being a vampire wasn’t mine to share. Telling her that I was only drinking blood from her boyfriend wasn’t an option. Explaining I was possibly becoming a vampire was definitely out. Since the truth was out, what was left? There was only one answer.

  Lying.

  I still hadn’t thought of a decent one before it occurred to me she probably wouldn’t even take my call or answer a text. Just as I found the balls to press the call button, my phone buzzed with an unknown number. My heart drummed. Praying it was Dragan, I answered.

  “Hello.”

  The line was full of static, then it cleared.

  “Hello,” I repeated.

  “Honey, it’s Mom. How’s my baby?”

  Struck with shock at my mother’s voice, I stammered, “Mom. Hi.”

  “I can’t chat for long, but we finally got to a town with actual phone service.”

  The line clicked. For a second, I thought the call had been lost.

  “I miss you so much. How are you doing, sweetie?” she asked.

  “I’m okay. I miss you.” Telling her anything, aside from how school was, was out of the question.

  “What’s wrong?”

  I held back the tears, having not realized how much I had missed her until now. Hearing her voice was breaking the wall of anger I had built at my parents for leaving me.

  “Nothing. I just really miss you.”

  “I know, honey. Me too.”

  “Are you guys coming home soon?” More like… Are you coming to get me from this fucked-up town?

  “Not for a couple of months. Your dad is on the cusp of something big, or so he thinks.” She laughed at her own joke.

  My heart felt like it was being dragged through mud. At that moment, I realized I might never see my parents again. In a little over a month, I was a goner if I couldn’t figure something out. The realization gave me another reason to find a way to survive.

  A loud drumming started in the background on the other end of the line.

  “Oh honey, I have to go. I’ll call again as soon as I can. I love you more than you know.”

  “I love—”

  The line went dead.

  “—you, too,” I finished, even though she was no longer there.

  Dropping my phone on the bed, I fell against my pillow. Despite the surge of energy and strength I’d felt only moments ago, the unexpected call left me drained.

  It could have been the use of constant power a few minutes ago. I doubted it, though. Since nothing felt right, I decided to take a shower. I didn’t think even I could mess that simple act up.

  When I came back into my room after an uneventful shower, Shadow was sleeping on the opened copy of Legend of Veil Rock.

  “What the—” The book had been on my nightstand when I left for the bathroom. Not only that, but I had also bound it closed with my hairband. I was one-hundred-percent positive about that.

  Damp chill bumps rose on my bare arms. Scooting his tiny body from the page, I read the chapter title.

  The Hunter’s Moon.

  That was the night the ritual was to take place.

  Without taking the time to dress, I sat on my bed and began reading.

  October is the month of the Hunter’s Moon. It is also called the Blood Moon or Harvest Moon. The moon will be closest to the autumnal equinox. Being one of the brightest moons of the year, it was named Hunter’s Moon because it was said to guide hunters to their prey. In turn, the hunters took advantage of this night to store meats for the long winter ahead.

  In witchcraft, the full moon has always been believed to possess special powers or aid with certain spells and rituals. Therefore, the Hunter’s Moon is even more powerful. Spells, curses, and rituals such as cursing thy neighbor’s garden, making a lover love thy back, and raising the dead have been known to be performed on the night of the Hunter’s Moon.

  The binds of the castor are said to be almost impossible to break. Once the spell is complete, the moon is left with no choice but to obey—no matter the outcome.

  I slammed the book closed, having read enough. Shadow’s small frame jerked at the loud crack. The book seemed to stare at me in question. I wanted to fling the thing across the room.

  My phone vibrated against my leg. A text. The banner across the screen chilled my blood to the core.

  Unknown Number: Hunter’s Moon… are you ready?