Discern (52 page)

“You don’t understand love.” He squeezed my hand tighter. “And you never will.”

“I do understand love. I once loved you.” Her voice dropped slightly. “But now the only love I have is for our parents.”

“They don’t love you,” he said, irritated by her refusal to accept the truth. “They want us all dead.”

“The book’s a lie—a lie that you and this…whatever she is—created so you could gain control of the world,” she accused.

“The book is the truth, and Haley is proof that we’ve been wronged by our parents,” he insisted.

“How’s she proof of that?” She rolled her eyes.

“Father has been trying to retrieve that journal for years now,” he explained. “Her mother died because of it.”

“What?!” I gasped, shocked by the mention of my mother.

“Oh, you’ve been keeping secrets from her,” she grinned widely.

“What are you talking about, Andrew?” I asked, angered. “That isn’t possible, I explained how she died.” I shook my head.

“Please explain.” She continued to grin, pleased with his dishonesty.

“Not here,” he said as his body tensed up.

“Do you not wish to explain this theory in my presence?” she asked, almost bursting into laughter.

“It’s a personal matter that doesn’t concern you,” he hissed.

“Why, because I would know it was all lies?” she asked.

“No, because I could care less if you believe me,” he snarled. “I want you gone.”

“You’re a fool, Andrew, if you think for one minute that the rest of us will go along with your theories and deception,” she scoffed. “Holden and Alec may have fallen for it, but the rest of us will not.”

“Then why did they not show up with you?” Andrew asked smugly.

“I came to make sure you were all right and to see if I could somehow stop you from believing this nonsense. But I can see now that you’ve been blinded by mortal love, once again, and you’ll eventually pay for your mistakes. Maybe we can’t touch her, but I’m sure our parents will be able to destroy her,” she threatened.

“Then why has father been coming here for years and yet he could never obtain the journal?” he questioned.

“He has?!” I asked horrified.

“You can’t prove that he has been coming here,” she challenged.

“Stay here,” he instructed, dragging me behind.

“What’s going on?” I asked, resisting a little.

Andrew pushed the front door open, leaving me standing in the doorway. He flew over to the fireplace, retrieving a picture of my mother. “What are you doing?” I asked panicked.

“I’ll explain later, but for now, just trust me,” he said softly.

Abrielle stood impatiently tapping her foot. “Why do you travel at mortal speed?” She let out a large, irritated sigh.

Andrew showed the picture to her. I instinctively wanted to snatch the picture from him, but refrained, knowing this must be relevant. She rolled her eyes and looked away. Andrew placed the picture into my awaiting hands.

“It only proves that he consumed her soul,” she smirked, glaring down at me.

“What’s going on?” I asked angrily.

“I’ll explain after she leaves,” he said again, turning his attention back to her. “Why would he come to
Boulder
and pick her?”

“Maybe he came across her and was hungry,” she shrugged. “And why didn’t he kill her father?” she asked, seemingly pleased with her question.

“Because he never read the book, and Haley had the book while she was away at college.”

“Just because we can’t touch the book, doesn’t mean he couldn’t,” she suggested.

“He would’ve taken the book, if he would’ve been able to,” he countered.

“Why? It isn’t real.” She rolled her eyes.

“My father,” I murmured. “Is he in danger?” I croaked.

“No. He knew the book wasn’t here.”

“Let me see a picture of her father, maybe he didn’t kill him because his soul didn’t look very appetizing, but then again, neither did her mother’s,” she grinned widely.

“Don’t speak about my parents like that,” I snarled.

“Aww, poor little Haley. It must be so horrifying to know your mother died such a ghastly death, and now her soul is forever trapped,” she said slowly and wickedly, continuing to grin.

I reacted immediately, almost throwing myself on top of her. Rage surged through my veins. Andrew stopped me, forcing my body back, before I could lay a finger on her. “Calm down,” he whispered in my ear. “Continue on this same path, Abrielle, and I’ll let her burn you to ashes,” he threatened, narrowing his eyes.

“Let me touch her,” I said, swinging my arms.

Andrew was about to speak, but Abrielle interrupted him with a wide grin upon her face.

“I’m not afraid. Since you actually believe that wretched book to be true, then you would need my help in destroying our parents, so I doubt you’d let her harm me.”

 
“She isn’t worth touching,” he said, kissing the top of my head and gripping tightly around my waist. Abrielle seemed irritated by his affection, which gave me great pleasure to watch her smolder with jealousy.

“Her mother’s death has nothing to do with the book,” she protested.

Her mention of my mother again was upsetting, but Andrew was right. Burning her to ashes would only further complicate our situation and the plan might never be stopped without her help. The pain she felt when Andrew and I touched would have to suffice as revenge for now.

“You’re absurd. You know I’m right, but you refuse to believe me—because you’re so blinded by your love for our father that it makes you unable to see the truth,” he said, shaking his head angrily.

“He loves us and would never want to cause us harm,” she growled. “You’re the only one blinded by love.”

“I’m not. I see more clearly now than I ever have, and the others will come around. I promise you that. I can feel the fear they have now, just knowing that there’s something more powerful than them and only I can touch her,” he smirked.

“They may come around and believe your lies, but I’m certain in the end only I will be rewarded for my loyalty to our parents.”

“You’ll end up dead,” he warned.

“No. You will,” she warned back. “Your love for mortals will certainly bring an end to your life.”

“Run along now and spread the word,” he grinned.

“I wouldn’t waste my time and effort speaking of such nonsense,” she hissed.

“I knew you wouldn’t admit to defeat,” he said.

“I don’t have to speak of her. In time, they’ll find out and come for her,” she grinned.

“Good—I look forward to that day.” His voice was resolute.

Abrielle flashed one last vicious glare in my direction before vanishing.

Andrew’s eyes were soft as he searched my face over. “I’ll explain everything,” he said with anguish upon his face.

I stood there still gripping my mother’s picture with both hands. She was so beautiful and kind. It was hard to imagine that her soul was forever trapped within such a horrible creature as his father, never finding peace. Not that I was sure a peaceful place existed, but wherever our souls go after death had to be more pleasant than inside one of them.

Andrew placed his hand behind my back, lightly nudging me inside the house. I trudged up the stairs and took a seat on my bed. Andrew closed his eyes as he sat down beside me, pressing his fingers against his temples. “This isn’t easy,” he exhaled. “I never wanted you to find out, especially like this, but I had to prove that he knew about the book and your abilities—and that you’ve stopped him from reclaiming it,” he explained nervously.

After a long pause, I finally asked. “How do you know? And how long have you known?”

“We can read a soul through a photograph. I never paid attention to your mother’s picture until after the journal was discovered and you confided the circumstances surrounding her death,” he said cautiously. “It seemed odd that she could’ve had this book for so long and him not know. And at first I was a little skeptical, but after some thinking, I had to know for sure—know if he was aware of your existence.” His voice cracked.

“So you looked at her picture?”

“Yes. It was all so clear. I tried to tell you that night, but you’d already been through so much—and I could tell by your face that you weren’t ready for the truth. After that, I had to inform the others of his journal. Alec still wanted more time, but I couldn’t allow it, knowing that our father knew of you.” He closed his eyes again.

“She died in a car wreck,” I said, refusing to accept his explanation.

“She did…but that unidentified object in the road? That was my father.” His eyes carefully watched me.

“Why didn’t he kill my father?” I choked as the words came out.

“Your father never read the book, and my father had no clue that it wasn’t your mother stopping him from taking it. The book was always meant for you—that’s why she received it the day she found out she was pregnant with you—you were meant to keep it safe.”

“So she died because of me?” Tears began falling.

“Haley, no she died because my father’s evil, nothing is your fault.” His voice was pained.

“But he wouldn’t have killed her, if it weren’t for me,” I sobbed.

“He would’ve killed you and your father, if it weren’t for your abilities.”

“He can still get to my father,” I worried.

“I will keep him safe. He will not share your mother’s fate,” he said determined.

I buried my face in his chest trying to stop the crying, but I couldn’t. She died because of the one book she cherished. “I could’ve saved her,” I murmured.

“You didn’t know that at the time,” he said softly. “It’s my fault, I should’ve been more suspicious and followed him—and then I would’ve known you existed,” he sighed.

“It’s not your fault—it’s his.” My voice stiffened.

“It is, and together we’ll avenge her death.” His voice darkened. “’I’ll see to it that he pays for his actions.”

“Will I see her again if he dies?” I asked, hoping that her soul would be released.

He tightened his grip around my body. “There’s a possibility, but I never saw one of our kind die—only heard about—so I can’t say for sure.”

“I hope so.” I closed my eyes, unable to stop the tears from falling.

Andrew softly cradled my body for what seemed like hours as the sunlight slowly faded in to darkness. There was no vengeance that would bring her back, and only Andrew’s love could fill the hole that her death had created. But my mind was suddenly set on discovering the possibility of freeing her soul—even if there was not a heaven—anyplace was better than where she was trapped now.

Epilogue

Decisions

Andrew carefully watched as I exited the bathroom. This time I had remembered to bring clothes with me, so there would be no awkward moments. He would never touch me, unless given permission, but I wasn’t worried about his control any longer. My will to stay pure was crumbling, and if it weren’t for my safety, I would have already given in to my desires.

“Is he home?” I asked nervously.

“Yes, your father just arrived a few minutes ago, while you were in the shower,” Andrew half-smiled.

“Are you leaving?” I asked, hoping he would stay, so he would not be in danger.

“No. I’ll be waiting up here,” he said, casually stretching out on my bed.

“Good. I’d just be worried the whole time.”

“I’ll do the worrying,” he insisted. “How are you feeling?” he asked uneasily.

“Which part?” I asked sadly.

“Your mother.” His eyes dropped.

Clearly, he was refraining from having to look at my facial expression, fearing it would be too painful. “I’m fine,” I lied. My whole body ached, and my sleep had been filled with nightmares about her soul being sucked out of her body. I had been witness to the horrific method these creatures used to feed, and my stomach cringed at the thought of my own mother being murdered this way.

“Haley,” he said disappointed. “I realize this isn’t easy.”

He was right. The truth was not easy to accept—but I hadn’t even gotten to that part—yet. I was still stuck in denial. That was easier for now.

“I don’t really want to talk about it,” I half-smiled; trying to pretend everything was all right.

“It wasn’t your fault,” he continued, disregarding my last statement.

“Andrew,” I said flatly. “If I talk about it, I’ll just start sobbing, and I don’t want to cry anymore,” I sighed, fighting back the tears. I hated feeling so weak.

“Sorry, I just hate to see you in such pain.” His voice lowered. “I will free her soul,” he promised.

“With my help,” I said. I would definitely be there when the time came to release her soul. Nothing would stop me.

“Of course,” he nodded. “Your father is impatiently waiting downstairs,” he reminded.

“I’m not even sure what I’m going to say to him.”