Page 82 of The 13th Daughter
Aide us as we seek vengeance upon those who betrayed us!"
The ground shook and the sky darkened, blotting out the stars. A strong wind tore through the trees and the sound of galloping horses could be heard. They broke through the trees. The leader circled around us. His horse was as black as the night itself and he rode upon it like he was a part of the animal. They were seamless, one blending into the other. His hunting party pranced around him. Arwan, the King of Hell, had come to collect his souls.
A wail sounded, its haunting cry bellowing into the night. We all looked to the south. A woman approached us. She wore a simple gown of white with no adornments upon it. Her long, chestnut hair swayed as it moved with a life of its own. Her eyes were sad and full of pain. I recognized that pain. It was the pain of loss, of grief. She stopped a few feet outside the circle and opened her mouth, her arms outstretched to the heavens. Thesoul shattering wail emitted from her again. The goddess Agrona had joined us.
Mr. Martin pulled me away from Ethan. Up until that moment, I had hoped by some miracle that Ethan would save me, that it would all be just an act, but he didn't and it wasn't. I thought I'd seen something flicker in his eyes for just a moment in the woods, but I'd been wrong. He handed me over to the devil without so much as a by your leave. I'd held onto the hope that the love I'd seen in his eyes would surface again and he'd rescue me.
That hope died as he passed me over to the Coven Leader.
"Time to begin," Mr. Martin told me.
Kay's screaming echoed in the background, becoming fainter by the minute.
I was alone, truly and utterly alone.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
But I wasn't alone.I realized that the moment the thought tried to drag me into despair. Honeysuckle tickled my nose, the warmth of the August sun kept the cold October winds at bay. I could smell the rain in the air and feel a strength spark deep within my soul. The Elements were here. I still had Kay, too. A part of us rested in each other. We could never escape that. I felt her terror, but more than anything, I could feel her shame at what she had done. She could feel my pain, feel what her betrayal had done to me.
She stared at me. Her voice had gone hoarse. Her mouth was open in a soundless scream as the fire reached her legs. I saw the sorrow and the need to be forgiven on her face. Emily was with me too. The silver locket pulsed with an icy breath against my chest. A piece of her was there, against my heart.
I might only have bits and pieces, but I wasn't alone.
Mr. Martin was right. It was time to begin. I had to trust that the Fates wouldn't let them kill my father, but I'd be damned if I'd stand here and let them sacrifice everyone I cared about for their stupid revenge.
The sudden crack of thunder scared me right out of my skin. It shook the ground with its fierceness. I looked up to see stormclouds churning, black and gray clouds swirling with a vibrant, silver light. They were circling overheard like vultures waiting for their prey to die so they could swoop in and scavenge the body.
Mr. Martin's voice boomed out across the clearing, his voice as frightening as the thunder, filled the night with a promise made centuries ago.
"Ancient ties that have bound us,
We beseech thee on this most holy night, Samhain,
To follow the path we have lit for thee,
Come unto us as you have decreed,
Let the blood of this child be your vessel,
Fill her with your spirit, your wrath, and your pain.
We honor our vow this night,
We summon thee, spirits of the lost and betrayed,
Come now unto us and unleash your fury unto those
Who betrayed you, cast you out and damned you.
Come, I say, cross over and join us this night
And let our blood oaths be forever freed."
The clouds centered directly above our heads. A low sighing could be heard as they began to descend toward us. It wasn't clouds, I realized as they swarmed closer. Tonight was Samhain. All Hallows Eve. The night when the veil between the living and the dead was at its thinnest. The silver lights shining from the darkness approaching were rips and tears in the veil. The damned were crossing over, to seek their vengeance, aided by the Silver Tongued King of Hell himself, Arwan. Kay's burning body guided them and they were headed straight for me.
Mr. Martin gripped my hand, pulled it tight. I felt the prick of a blade against my skin.
“No!” I screamed, ignoring Ethan as he edged closer. No time for fancy spells. "Earth, help me!"
