chapter 2
Alex
After we each have our breakdown, we head back into the living room. I sink down into the sofa and drop my head into my hands while Evan stands by the window, observing the outside, lost in his guilt. A cluster of Sprites giggle from outside and the sounds are overlapped by the wind. It’s annoying as hell and I have to fight down the urge to run out there and kick them all into the lake.
“It was my idea.” My emotions overwhelm me and my voice shakes a little as I raise my head up. “If anyone’s responsible, Evan, it’s me. I made you do it.”
Evan turns from the window and there’s determination in his eyes, which is a little weird and unfitting for the situation. “No, it’s Helena’s fault… All of this crap happened because of her.” He blows out a breath. “She’s going to pay for this.”
“Yeah…” I’m a little stunned by his shift in attitude. “But we need to come up with a better plan. I’m not going to let what happened to Laylen happen to Gemma… I can’t… I can’t lose her.” I sound weak and pathetic—which I hate—but it is what it is because I mean what I say.
“Helena can’t control the world, Alex. While I was in Alexander’s head I saw glimpses of what they hope will happen… and it’s bad… really bad.” He pauses, recollecting the images, with his eyes enlarged. “And as a Keeper, I know you understand that sometimes a few people have to die in order for a bunch to be saved. It’s called sacrifice.” He pauses, frowning. “I’m sorry about Laylen and I don’t want to risk Gemma’s life, either, but we need to try and get rid of Helena, either by sending her back or killing her, whatever it takes.” He gestures towards the window at the Sprites dancing in the sun. “Because this is minor in comparison to what what'll happen if Lost Souls take over." His hand falls to the side. “We won’t even know who’s real and who’s possessed.”
Enfolding my fingers inward, I stab my nails into my palms. The Keeper in me knows he’s right. It’s what I’ve been taught since I spoke my first word. Sacrifices sometimes have to be made. Nevertheless, some of the Keepers’ rules are bullshit, along with the man—my father—who put most of the rules into order. I love Gemma and there’s no way in hell I’m going to sacrifice her life for anything, even if it means the world has to suffer.
“What if we try to bluff Helena?” I ask, standing to my feet, cracking my knuckles. I hate how I’m feeling right now—out-of-control and unable to concentrate. “That could help us get some answers.”
Evan cocks his head to the side. “What do you mean?”
I head to the china cabinet and open the top drawer that’s lined with small knives. “Laylen said there was a loophole and that it has something to do with Annabella.” I select a silver-handled knife and run my finger down the rough, golden blade. “What if we tell Helena that we know about the loophole—that we know about Annabella?”
“And then what? Hope she divulges every detail about it?”
I rotate the knife in my hand. “It’s worth a shot.” I back towards the door. “Sometimes, when people are really afraid, they say and do really stupid things.” Like accidentally kill their friend. My chest tightens, but I ignore it; focusing on the problem because, as long as I focus on something else, I won’t have to feel the emotions struggling to surface.
He looks skeptical as he follows me. “Okay we can try it, but if I sense that it’s not working, I’m going to do whatever it takes to send Helena out of Gemma’s body, even if I have to use mind-bending.” He tracks his finger down a twisted knot marking the back of his hand. “I’m not going to let what I saw happen… I’m not going to let Helena reign over the world and let a bunch of innocent people suffer. It’s against the Code of the Omnia.”
I nod, pretending like I agree, but really I don’t care about any of the codes. Deep down I know what I’ll end up doing if things go wrong. I need the plan to work because, when it all comes down to it, I love Gemma too much to let anything happen to her and I’ll sacrifice anything to save her. Even if I have to sacrifice myself.