The Arcana Chronicles 5: The Dark Calling

"I know you can. I saw you two together. Your bond's still there, busted up, but still there. Dust it off. Just hold off kicking his ass too bad. He's had a hard time of this, too."

"And the red witch? You're supposed to be here to pull me back to safety."

"If you get into trouble, I'll come running, me," Jack said with a sad smile. "But I trust you not to hurt anyone who doan have it coming--including the Reaper."

I wasn't convinced. Even now, the witch's shrieks still echoed inside me, a bell tolled.

"Peekon, it seems you're forgiving everyone but Dominija."

"Gabriel and Lark didn't kill me in the past. Twice."

Jack gazed down at my face expectantly, as if waiting for me to realize something. What? I was too overwhelmed to make sense of this. I felt like I was disappointing him. "What am I missing? Just tell me. I've had a day, you know?"

"If you blame the Reaper for previous games, then you're doing the same thing you accused him of: holding on to a bitter past, to unresolved anger."

My lips parted. "Oh, my God." Jack was right. I'd forgiven Lark, Gabriel, even Matthew to an extent. I'd forgiven Selena and Sol.

I'd been asking myself how I could ever repair things with Aric. Had he asked himself the same question about me? Somehow he'd worked past his mistrust--past my murder attempts--to love me. If not for a fiend like Paul, Aric never would have stopped.

Just as I'd never stopped loving him. Could I let go of my mistrust and our past? Didn't I owe it to this kid to give it a try?

But where would that leave Jack?

"Answer me one question, Evie. You answer no, and you're coming with me."

What would he ask? I didn't breathe.

"Does half your heart still belong to the Reaper?"

Though all of my heart was breaking, I whispered, "Yes."

53

The truck was running. Jack had his fingers on the door handle.

Gabriel was already inside the cab, wings folded as he waited. The back had a tarp holding down supplies. They'd even hitched a utility trailer for more cargo.

Because this was happening. Jack was leaving me. And I was allowing it?

I'd gone inside out of the cold as they'd packed. After Aric finished helping them, he'd retreated to his study to give me privacy to say good-bye for good.

As I walked out, he'd murmured, "Please, stem your tears. For him. I rode away from you once--I know from experience that he is going through unimaginable pain. Don't make this harder on him."

Somehow I'd stopped my tears, but now they were threatening again. I asked Jack, "Are you going to pull my thorn from your skin?"

He turned back to gaze down at me. "Jamais. Never. Not even goan to try."

"You told me you had to feel me with your every step. You told me that."

"I will. As long as you're alive and safe." His voice broke lower. "Got to go, me. 'Fore I lose it." That muscle ticked in his jaw, the levee about to collapse.

"How can you leave after what we felt? I told you that being with you was like coming home."

He leaned down and grazed his lips over mine. I reached for him to deepen the kiss, but he pulled back. "That's the thing about home, bebe." Gray eyes glinting, voice hoarse, he said, "It'll always be there waiting for you." He turned and climbed into the truck.

I gasped when he put it into gear and began driving away from me. I could still feel the heat of his lips on mine, yet I was letting him go.

His taillights grew fainter, the snow trying to block my view of him. Tears poured down my cheeks as I willed him to turn around.

I wanted to scream that this was a mistake. He seemed to think so. Halfway down the winding drive, his brake lights pierced the night. Twin beacons in a storm. I wanted to run for them.

The truck came to a stop on the bridge spanning Circe's frozen moat. It sat idle, the exhaust smoking in the crisp air. Come back to me, Jack.

Maybe he'd found the gift I'd left tucked behind the truck's sun visor: the red ribbon wrapped around a branch of honeysuckle. He'd once called it his porte-bonheur, his good-luck charm, saying it told him we'd be together again.

Had I chosen Jack over Aric? No. But the ribbon belonged with him all the same.

Tee began kicking up a storm. Sensing my desperation? I placed my hands on my belly and a strange warmth stole over me.

Jack was heading into danger, so why did I get the feeling that I'd see him again? Even amidst my panic, a glowing, welcome certainty banked inside me.

Jackson Daniel Deveaux and I would meet again.

Eventually, the truck continued on. Maybe Gabriel was telling him the same: You will see her once more, hunter. Believe in this.

I watched that truck until it disappeared into the curtain of white. Until the winds muffled the engine sound, wrapping it up.

Until the night stole him from me.

I watched long after there was no sign of him. Of Jack. The love of my life. I watched until my tears had frozen on my cheeks. I tightened the tourniquet once more, knowing that one day it would break, and I would bleed out in the snow.

Or worse.

But if he could sacrifice for Tee, so could I. Stemming my tears, I turned back toward the castle.

My soul mate, the father of my son, awaited me there. I had a relationship to repair, alliances to rebuild, and a home to defend.

As certain as I felt that I'd see Jack again, I was even more sure the game was spinning to a bloody end.

I'd be ready.

--Empresssss.-- A whisper in my ear like a breath of frost. The Fool was contacting me through our mental link.

I drew up short. I've been waiting for you to answer me. I plumbed my emotions. How did I feel about my former ally now?

Conflicted again. I'd missed him, and I owed him for saving Jack from those slavers. I owed him for helping Aric get free from Paul. But Matthew had also allowed awful things to happen to our friends.

To Finn . . .

--Do you know what you really want? I see far, Empress.--

Then tell me what's to come.

--The gods vent their wrath. The Minors unite. Hell on earth. Quakes. They'll all be coming for you.--

Out loud, I said, "Let them come." My claws budded and sharpened. The scent of roses steeped the frigid air.

--Empress?--

"Matthew, I finally understand what you've wanted me to learn all along." I glanced down at my marked hand, then back at the lonely road Jack now travelled. In that breathy, evil voice, I said, "For better or for worse, anyone who touches me pays a price."

I headed inside.