Old Souls (10 page)

“Nice move.” He praised before getting to his feet. Great, now he was blocking the only exit in the room.

Scanning the area, I looked for anything that could be used as a weapon. What was the point though, no matter what I picked up he’d just get rid of it like he did the knife. I didn’t have time to think before he spoke again.

“This has been fun, pet. But playtime is over.” His face turned deadly serious and he stretched his arm toward the knife. His focus turned from me and I watched with trepidation as the weapon wrenched from where it was planted in the wall and moved across the room, settling in his hand. Before I could process my shock, he turned the knife, grabbing it by the blade, and flung it at me.

I screamed. Not my proudest moment, but hard not to when someone hurls a sharp object at your head. Raising my arms instinctively, I noticed a bright blue light flash in front of me. The blade stopped inches from my face before it fell to the ground at my feet.

“Remarkable.” He smirked. “Not many new witches come into their power so quickly.”

I was taken aback by the compliment. It wasn’t every day someone praised you
while
trying to kill you. What was I supposed to say, thanks?

“I don’t understand why you’re doing this.”

Shrugging nonchalantly, he inched slowly closer. “I was ordered to, nothing personal.”

“You sound like a fucking robot. Of course it’s personal. Taking a life is nothing
but
personal.” I couldn’t fight the grimace as guilt washed over me, my words reminding me of what I’d done to the woman at the hospice. What a hypocrite I was, admonishing him for killing when I’d done that very thing less than twenty four hours ago.

He stopped moving, cocked his head to the side and furrowed his brow as if confused. For the first time since I woke up, I felt a glimmer of hope as something resembling emotion crossed his expression. “It almost sounds as if you mean that.”

The incredulous tone of his statement caused me to bristle. “Of course I mean it.”

Arching one eyebrow, he looked at me—or rather, through me. As if he could see inside, see every secret. “For someone who holds life in such high regard you have a strange way of showing it.” Blood drained from my face as I realized he knew. But how?

“You know what happened today?” My whispered words were filled with shame.

“That’s why I’m here.”

My eyes widened and my stomach plummeted to my feet. “You were ordered to kill me…
because
of what I did?”

“Yes.”

“You’re from that IMS group, aren’t you?”

The corner of his mouth slanted like he was trying to hold back a grin, but he held my gaze. “It’s ISM, and yes.”

I couldn’t hold his gaze any longer knowing he knew what I’d done. I looked away, exhaling a resigned sigh. My shoulders slumped and I relaxed from my fighting stance. “I won’t fight you, then.”

His brow knit together in confusion. “You’re not going to fight? You’re going to
let
me kill you?”

I gave a humorless chuckle. “I’m sorry. Did I just take all the fun out of your assignment?” Sarcasm dripped from my words. I may have felt deserving of the punishment, but that didn’t mean I had to be gracious about it.

“Why aren’t you going to fight to live?”

I shrugged, “
Because I don’t deserve to live. When I found out what would happen as consequence for saving my friend, I should have acted differently. What I should’ve done is traded
my
life for his. My life is the only one I have a right to hold power over. I’ve regretted what I did from the moment it was done.”

Suddenly, he lost the suspicious look and for the first time I saw compassion thawing that icy cold expression of his. I decided to take advantage of the weakness. Clearing my throat, I swallowed the lump that had taken up residence there. “Could I ask a favor, first?”

He raised one eyebrow, skeptically. “What favor?”

“Could you give me some time to talk to Mark before you…you know? I owe him a goodbye.”

He hesitated before answering, “First, you have to give me your word you won’t run from me.”

I chuckled. “I’ve admitted to killing another human being, but you’re willing to trust my word?”

He bent down, taking hold of the knife. “You won’t have a choice
but
to honor it.” As he lifted the blade to my palm I fought to remain still when he pressed the tip into my skin. There was a sharp pain and then I watched as blood pooled on the surface.

“Now, I want you to repeat after me. By my blood, I, Alyssa Reynolds, give my word I will not run.”

As I repeated the oath, a prickly sensation covered my hand and light shone from the palm. I watched, fascinated, as the cut healed and the blood disappeared.

“What just happened?” Turning my hand, I examined it as if the answers were engraved there somewhere.

“That is how a witch takes an oath. It’s been bound with blood magic so you won’t be able to run from me if you change your mind.”

“I gave you my word. Even without magic I would have honored it.” I sighed, desolation filling me as I thought about saying goodbye to Mark. I knew he would have a hard time understanding or accepting my decision. I felt his desperation over losing me earlier tonight. He’d fight for my life, even if
I
refused to fight for it. “Can I see Mark now?”

His face softened before he nodded. Strange, he’d always seemed so cold and remote in my dreams, it was unreal discovering he had a considerate side.

“Thank you.”

With a sinking heart, I turned and headed toward the bedroom, eyes pricking. It was nearly impossible to hold in the tears as the thought struck me that this was going to be my last chance to see Mark. No more laughing together, no movies, and we definitely wouldn’t make love again. My chest clenched with a pain so intense I almost buckled. It felt like it had been hollowed out and nothing but a raw, empty cavity remained. Worse though, was the knowledge that I’d leave Mark alone. I couldn’t imagine losing a soul mate would be easy. I’d only known Mark for a month, but already he was part of me. I didn’t think I could survive losing him if the situation were reversed. I only hoped he was stronger than me.

The man followed me to the bedroom quietly and an inane thought occurred to me. I didn’t even know his name. He was the person sent to mete out justice, the one who’d plagued my dreams for weeks and I didn’t know what to call him. I stopped, turning toward him curiously. “What’s your name, by the way?”

He snorted, seemingly amused by the question. “Does it matter?”

He was a source of fear and anxiety to me for weeks, yet none of that seemed important right now. Someone who had once felt like a monster now felt… human. “I’ve been having nightmares about you for a while,” he seemed surprised by the admission, “but you’re not the evil monster I thought you were in my dreams. I want you to know that I don’t blame you. I understand.”

For just a moment he looked almost as desolate as I felt. Then he smiled sadly, “Michael, my name is Michael.”

“Can I call you Mike?” I asked, trying to lighten the gloomy atmosphere.

His lips quirked, “
Not unless you want me to kill you now.”  He countered. It was a little surreal to be joking about my death, considering the circumstances. Still, I couldn’t help but smile at the humor in his eyes.

“Thank you,
Michael
, for giving me time with him.”

He nodded, extending his hand out front indicating I should continue. When I rounded the corner and entered the bedroom the first thing I saw was Mark, unconscious on the floor. I gasped and ran toward him, throwing myself to my knees. “What happened? Is he okay?”

The men standing above him didn’t answer, but looked at me in shock, their eyes darting back and forth between Michael and me. I could see the question in their eyes.
What had happened between him chasing me, intent on my death, to the two of us walking calmly into the room together?
Their confusion would have been comical if I wasn’t so worried about Mark.

“Mark?” I lifted his head into my lap, thankful he was still breathing. His eyes fluttered open in confusion, but I saw the moment realization hit. He sucked in a breath and pulled me into his arms. “Alyssa, thank
God!”

Closing my eyes, I sank into his embrace, taking in everything. His clean, masculine scent tickled my nose, his heart raced so hard I felt it mirrored through my body, and his warmth seeped into me. And all of it was tearing apart my heart, knowing I’d never hold him like this again. But what was worse was the knowledge of what he’d go through after this was over.

“I love you.” I breathed.

I wouldn’t have thought it possible, but he pulled me even tighter against him and whispered, “I love you, too.”

Before I knew why, his body tensed and he pulled back. I glanced in the direction he was looking and realized what had him stiffening up. With a murderous stare, he narrowed his eyes at Michael.

“Um…Mark?” Taking his face gently between my hands, I turned him to face me. “I need to talk to you.”

“What the fuck is going on?” He demanded, coming quickly to his feet and pulling me behind him.

“Mark, this is
Mich—”

“I know his goddamned name!” Usually so calm, I’d never seen him this furious.

“You didn’t tell her?” Michael’s question held a hint of accusation.

“I haven’t had a chance. It’s been a busy couple days.”

“Tell me what?” I asked, curiosity piqued by their cryptic comments.

“Later.” Mark answered.

“But I—”

“Later.” He repeated more insistently.

“Mark—”

“Alyssa,
please
.” Practically begging, I could almost see his mind racing trying to figure a way for us to escape.  “Later.”

“She doesn’t have time later.” Michael interjected impatiently.

“You’re not touching her. I won’t let you.” He pulled me closer behind his back, protecting me. My heart sank.

“Mark, she’s agreed to accept her punishment.” Strangely, Michael seemed almost regretful. “And she took a blood oath not to run.”

Mark whipped around to face me, his eyes wide and a little wild. “What? Why?” The last word was whispered, but it was accompanied with a wave of his emotions that were like a punch to the gut. Betrayal, anger, and pain swept over me in a rush, my breath caught from the force of it.

“I’m so sorry, but I can’t let you get hurt trying to protect me when this whole mess is my fault.” My eyes watered.

“Alyssa, you have
no
idea what’s really going on here.”

“Yes, I do. It’s punishment for what I did.” I murmured with regret.

“This has nothing to do with what happened with Colin.” Lifting his arm, he stroked my cheek gently with his knuckles. “Do you think you’re the first witch who’s been in this situation? It can happen so easily when we first come into our powers with no idea of our capabilities. It’s happened countless times before. It’s happened to me. And none of those witches were sentenced to die for an accident.”

“I don’t understand.” My brows pulled in confusion as I turned toward Michael. “
You
said it was punishment for what happened.”

He blew out a deep breath. “
It is
…sort of.”

“Sort of? There is no sort of about it. If it’s happened with other witches and they weren’t punished, why would they sentence
me
so harshly but not the others? What makes me so special?”

“They’re penalizing you as a repeat offender,” he answered. “It’s the
only
time capital punishment is handed down as a sentence. Repeat infractions draw undo attention and risk exposure. The elders will not allow it.”

“I’ve
never
done anything like this before—and you can be damned sure I never will again. It was an accident. For crying out loud, I didn’t even know I
could
bring Colin back.” He flashed me a meaningful glance, like he knew something I didn’t. None of this made any sense to me, they were hiding something.

“What aren’t you telling me?”

His gaze went from Mark and then back to me. I almost thought he wouldn’t answer my question until he said, “You
have
done this before, actually.”

“This is such a load of crap and you know it.” Mark snapped. “
She
is not Evangeline”

Just hearing the name caused a spike in my blood pressure. Something was tickling at the back of mind, like the answer was within my grasp but there were pieces I couldn’t quite remember. It was like trying to see the picture on a puzzle with half the pieces missing. Why did that name sound so familiar? I was sure I’d never heard it before, so why did it feel like I had?

“Who’s Evangeline?”

Mark and Michael both turned to me, pity clear on their expressions. Oh boy, now I was getting worried.