Haunting Me (An Angel Falls Book 3) Read online

  I continue in case I don’t get another chance to speak these words. “I never meant to be away so long. That’s the problem Jules. I have no control over my life.”

  “I may not have a life,” she says.

  The cold truth is ugly and unforgiving. A blatant slap in the face. I shudder.

  “Maybe you could take me to the other side instead of Harmony. We could have a few more minutes together.”

  “Hush,” I say and press my lips to her hair as if feeling her solid in my arms and under my kiss will make the inevitable future disappear. This can’t be happening. “I…”

  I couldn’t say it. I want to tell her nothing bad will happen. That I’ll stop Harmony and nothing can ever hurt her, but it would be a lie, and I won’t lie to Juliana.

  “Maybe I could become like you. Would it be so bad to have an angel girlfriend? There’s this book… I don’t know exactly, but maybe I can figure out how to do it.”

  “Don’t, Juliana.” I stop her before she can say more. “It’s not possible.”

  “But, wouldn’t it be better than leaving each other forever?”

  “You’re not going anywhere. I’ll figure something out. You have to know what I’ve been doing. Come on. I know where we can go to be alone.” I stand and help Juliana to her feet. Keeping her hand nestled in mine, I lead her toward the house. Harmony and Marcus are stuck waiting on the other side of the water. We can be completely alone in one of the spare bedrooms, assuming Vivi’s guests haven’t occupied them all.

  “What happens if I die inside the line of protection?”

  Her voice is low and uncertain. This conversation is unimaginable, but she deserves an answer no matter how conflicted I am over this situation.

  “You will have to choose to cross over Vivi’s boundary. Then your angel will open the way and guide you to the afterlife.”

  “Are you sure you can’t do it? If I have to go I’d rather leave with you.”

  “I will if I’m allowed.” I turn to face her. Her eyes mirror the heavy sadness in my heart. “I will not be able to follow you to the other side. I can open the way, but I can’t cross. Whether it’s me or Harmony, you must go on. Do you understand?”

  “I do.”

  My gaze flickers to her perfect lips. They look dark, like bruised petals. I can’t stop myself as I lean down and kiss her again. It’s an attempt to brush away the damage. To erase the fear of the unknown.

  My heart seems to pound harder and harder. I can’t let her go. Not yet. Not when I am doing everything I can to return to her. To come back and have a real life. The pounding slows and stops and I realize it was the drumming from the gathering, not our hearts as we kissed.

  The silence refreshes my previous thoughts of finding sanctuary inside the house to be alone. I want to tell her about Ireland and Liam and Vivi. I want to hold her and be with her and be completely selfish about not having to share her with anyone. Even for a short time.

  We round the side of the house and see the glow of the bonfire with a crowd of people standing around it. A chant echoes through the woods. I miss the first verses, but as we near the front door of the house, we can hear the ceremony happening.

  “Earth and Sky will bless this night. We draw down the moon and the essence of your light. Energize us, guide us, and protect our land. Blessed be, blessed be, blessed be.”

  The drumming begins again, slower now, and setting a mood and rhythm different than before. The coven members start dancing around the fire. Juliana stops at Vivi’s front door to stare at the witch’s ceremony. I watch with her, just as fascinated, regardless of how much I want to steal her away and be alone. Many of the guests are completely naked while others wear colored robes or flowing dresses. Some begin to pick up a rhythm with their steps as they shimmy around the fire while a few others form a half circle before the altar table.

  I see Vivi in the flicker of firelight, standing before the table. She’s filling a goblet with the blue moon juice. She passes the goblet to Star, the first person on her left. Everyone takes a drink from the long-stemmed goblet, then Vivi refills the glass and takes a sip. She hands the goblet to the person on her right. The elderly lady with long curly hair steps forward and stands before Vivi. She takes a long drink, finishing the potion, then places the goblet on the altar.

  Vivi removes her athame from the altar table and does a complicated set of movements over and in front of the other woman. The athame, a long double-edged consecrated knife, glints with gold, orange, and shimmery black in the firelight as she passes it to the woman and they switch places. The other witch in turn points and waves and cuts the air in front of Vivi. She steps back and takes her place in the half circle with the other coven members.

  That was it. Vivi has been officially replaced as the high priestess.

  We keep watching because they aren’t finished. Juliana leans into me and points across the yard. I see Jared sitting with the group of drummers, but he’s not paying much attention to the instrument in his lap. His gaze is fixed on Star.

  We look over at the altar and see her standing before the group. The new high priestess lays the athame on the table and picks up a long robe. She unfolds the dark fabric and drapes it over Star’s shoulders. Star looks to her aunt and then at Jared. The tall curly-haired witch says something and Star turns back around. She appears pleased with her part of the ceremony and stands proudly before the group. The high priestess grabs a heavy volume from the table. She opens the book and begins to read. I look down at Jules to see if she wants to keep watching or if she’s ready to go inside. Juliana’s eyes are wide with fascination. I have to wonder how she sees everything. She’s told me she sees fairies and other spirits as well as the auras around people. I can only imagine what the world must look like through her eyes. When I refocus on the ceremony I see Star fidgeting with the collar of the robe. Her mouth is a tight line and she’s shaking her head in disagreement with the priestess. Vivi steps forward and says something close to Star’s ear.

  Vivi reaches for Star’s hand. Even across the distance I sense the calm assurance Vivi is giving to her niece. Everything will be fine, I think as I watch them. She smiles and says something else, then raises their joined hands and gazes up at the full moon. Vivi’s mouth is moving as if she is talking to the sky. They begin to rise off the ground. Star looks surprised but happy about the fact that they’re floating. The other witches join hands and rise in a circle around Vivi and Star.

  I hear a shift in the tempo of the pounding drums and see Jared stand up and move closer to the soaring witches. Even Jules takes a step closer to get a better view of the magic.

  The look on Star’s face appears simultaneously pleased and mischievous. I watch as she focuses on Jared and immediately starts moving toward him. Vivi doesn’t let go of her niece, but Star yanks her hand free.

  Vivi says, “No, Star. He isn’t prepared.”

  “I can fix that,” she says.

  Star floats down just enough to kiss Jared on the mouth. She remains face to face with him, her feet hovering above the earth. Then she whirls around and rushes over to the altar table and pours the blue moon juice into the goblet. She turns back to Jared, hand outstretched for him to take it. The other witches are much higher in the air and they look distressed, but no one comes back down to the ground except Vivi.

  My client’s feet return to the earth as she says loud enough for us to hear clearly, “You’re out of line, young lady.”

  Star ignores her and places her body firmly between her aunt and Jared. Jared looks puzzled and isn’t reaching for the goblet. I feel a shiver pass over Juliana and in the next instant she’s rushing forward toward the bonfire and I follow close behind.

  We hear Star say, “Drink this and fly with me. It’s real, Jared. I promise you’ll love it.”

  “Star, stop it!”

  They turn to the sound of Juliana’s voice.

  Star drops to the ground. The robe around her shoulders slips off and
I hear Vivi gasp. I see her bend down to retrieve it.

  “You again! What is your deal? Can’t you stay out of my business?”

  “Star, I told you Jules had nothing to do with your medication showing up in your bag,” Jared says.

  “Don’t cover for her just because she’s your sister.”

  “I’m not,” Jared says.

  “Maybe it was Brinna,” Juliana says. “I never touched your pills!”

  As Vivi rises, she moans and clutches the fabric to her chest. She doubles over. I’m at her side in the next second. She begins to cough, but it sounds worse than normal, pained and as if she’s not getting any air. I look around for someplace for her to sit and see a chair on the far side of the fire.

  Momentarily diverted by Vivi, and the argument starting, I try to watch everything at once, but Vivi’s emergency takes most of my attention. I keep one ear trained on Juliana and Jared.

  “Jared can’t drink it,” Jules says as she points at the goblet in Star’s hand.

  “Because you say so,” Star says.

  Star sounds near manic. I want to go pull Juliana away, but I can’t leave Vivi. The coughing and wheezing are worse than I have seen before and I have to determine if she needs a trip in an ambulance or not. Witches and guests surround Vivi and me offering suggestions and help. I peer through a screen of bodies and see Star holding the glass of potion up to Jared’s mouth.

  “Please Jared, do this with me. We’re in this together right, babe?”

  “Jared, stop. You don’t understand. I saw what will happen. I can’t explain it, but I know it will kill you.”

  Jared pushes Star’s arm down and shakes his head. “I trust my sister. Would you please calm down? I think your aunt….”

  He gets cut off as Star throws the goblet into the fire with the clink of smashed crystal. “You fucking idiot. Do you know what I was offering you?”

  Vivi wheezes and I look down to see her straining to take a breath. I pump energy into her, but it doesn’t seem to be helping. A random person appears at Vivi’s side holding a cup filled with something to drink.

  “Chill out,” Jared says.

  “You meddling bitch! Why can’t you mind your own business?”

  I perk up at the swearing and look over the heads of the people around Vivi and me. Star reaches over and grabs something off the altar.

  A man steps in front of me and says, “I called 911. They said it will take at least thirty-five minutes to get here. Should we move her and try to meet them halfway into town?”

  I register his words with the slowness of trying to translate Hungarian. I don’t know Hungarian so it’s a near impossible task to comprehend what this guy just said to me.

  Somehow I hear, “Back off, Star. Jules didn’t do anything. I did.”

  With the guy standing in my way, an obstructing pine tree, and the glow of the bonfire, I can’t see Juliana or Jared anymore. I manage to say, “Yes! Get Vivi help as soon as possible.”

  I want to shove the man out of the way to get Jules in my line of sight, but instead I let go of my physical body so I can move unhindered.

  “Stop lying for her, Jared.”

  “I’m not. I was listening in the car and started to think your sister was right. I grabbed the bottle and stuck it in your bag in case you wanted to take your pills later. Your doctor, your aunt, and your sister think you need them.”

  “I don’t need them! Why is everyone forcing something down my throat I don’t even want!”

  “Jules and I will catch a ride into town. We don’t need this drama.”

  I can see Jared stepping away from Star, but I still don’t see Juliana. Where is she!

  I slip through the crowd of Vivi’s friends, checking every direction. There are too many bodies, and shadows, and trees, but I get a clear glimpse of Star. Her hand is behind her back and the look in her eyes is wild and unpredictable.

  “Jared! Wait!”

  Jared lifts a hand like a partial wave off. “You’re pretty spectacular, Star. Just call me after you take your meds.” He puts his back to her and is looking around — probably for his sister.

  “How many times do I have to say it? I don’t want the pills!” she screams.

  I feel the turning of heads from all directions. Juliana is still missing in the shadows. After Star finishes screeching, she lunges forward and raises the athame over her head, its blade gleaming dangerously in the firelight. She plunges forward slashing through the air and aims at Jared’s back.

  “Jared, watch out!”

  I hear a roar from the woods far to my right. I’m sure it’s Marcus. It makes me hesitate for only a second. I face unknown consequences if I assist Jared once again. I don’t care. Juliana’s brother is like a brother to me and if I can help him, I will. The second it takes to recover is half a second too long. Juliana appears from behind some dense branches. Jared has spun around and sees Star coming at him. He’s quick, but Juliana dives in the way blocking Star’s path. She’s going to risk herself to save Jared. I’m next to her in less than a second. I grab her to get her out of harm’s way, but I’m not thinking clearly and I forget to form my body. Jared’s hand reaches out to block the dagger from plunging into him or Jules. In his rush, he accidentally knocks Jules’ shoulder and she stumbles forward hard.

  I form my body and reach for Jules like her life depends on it, and it very likely does.

  The blade cuts the night air at an angle, down and to the side. Star is out of control. A rampaging maniac. She whips her hand back up, aiming for Jared.

  “You want to know exactly how crazy everyone thinks I am? Well, now I’ll show you!”

  With her feet spread wide apart like she’s trying to give herself a solid foundation, the hand holding the athame slashes hard to the right. Jules rises from her near fall, but before I yank her away, Jared grabs his sister and pulls her back. She partly spins and partly lifts off her feet. The knife blade catches the outside of Jared’s arm.

  He screams and loses his grip on Juliana. She lands on her feet on the other side of Jared. He grabs his arm and presses his skin together to stop the blood from pouring out.

  Star cackles like a madwoman and turns on Jared once again.

  “This isn’t drama, Jared!” she screams. “This is my life!”

  As I shift positions again to protect Juliana, she darts in front of Jared.

  Star swings wildly as Juliana yells, “Leave us alone!”

  I tackle Juliana, wrapping her in a protective shield with my arms and pulling her away. The athame cuts deep into my forearm. The blade is deadly sharp and keeps on slicing. It flicks through the air, up and across, and catches the side of Juliana’s neck.

  “Noooo!” I scream. Juliana collapses backward against me and we fall to the ground. The shock of what has happened has me frozen as I cling to Jules in denial. I can’t seem to tear my gaze away from Star.

  The coven witches finally come down out of the sky and surround Star. She drops the athame. The tiny crash of steel against gravel echoes inside my head. Star appears completely stunned as if she wasn’t the one who was just wielding the weapon now lying at her feet. As I stare in horror she crumples into herself, sinks to the ground, and begins wailing like a banshee. She reaches for her breast and raises a small bottle hanging from a chain around her neck. Star unscrews the cap and starts collecting the tears as they fall from her eyes.

  Chapter Twenty-three: A Beautiful Curse

  Juliana

  The coven members take Star away. The sound of her howling lessens until I no longer hear her. There’s chaos and commotion and voices all around me, but Nathaniel is my shield and I feel protected. I hear him say, “I’ve got her. Please give her some room. Check on Jared. He’s over there.”

  Nathaniel’s hands are around my neck and he’s pressing so hard I’m beginning to lose consciousness. The amount of angel energy pouring out of him is mind-bending. He’s like a star fallen right into my arms. He’s glowing, scor
ching hot, beautiful, and anguished. His face is so tortured I want to cry just for him. Crying for my fallen star.

  I suppose I might shed a few tears for myself as well. My neck is sliced open after all. I feel woozy as the blood drains down the side of my neck, over my shoulder, and into my hair. My stomach retches from the smell and feel of the sticky warmth. Everything is starting to go blurry around the edges. I try to breathe deeper, but there’s something wrong with my lungs, or maybe it’s because Nathaniel is holding my neck so hard. Or possibly it’s because I’m about to lose all my cookies. That’s where I was when Star had turned on Jared. I was barfing behind a tree and couldn’t stop. If I wasn’t bleeding all over Nathaniel and myself I’m sure I would be in the bathroom, or hiding in the dark, letting my stomach empty. So this is how it ends? I was wondering how long it would take for the hantavirus symptoms to begin.

  “You’re…” I try to say.

  “Don’t speak, Jules. I’m healing you, love. You have to hold on.”

  Nathaniel presses kisses to my forehead and my eyelids and keeps telling me he loves me and not to die.

  “Too tight,” I croak.

  He raises his head and looks into my eyes searching for the meaning behind my words. It clicks and his hands loosen immediately and his face registers that he is accidentally strangling me.

  I reach up to delicately explore the cut on the side of my neck. I don’t feel the blood pumping out anymore. It stings, but I’m mostly aware of Nathaniel’s warmth soaking into my every cell. I brush his fingers with mine. They’re so hot. He’s giving me every ounce of universal energy he can. It’s so intense it frightens me.

  “You’re going to be fine. Don’t move my hands, Juliana.”

  His body trembles and I want to tell him I’m not going to bleed to death. I’m not entirely certain how I know, but I just have this indescribable sense of knowing the truth without being told.