Sweet Shadows
Page 77
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“Go,” I say. “Get back in one of the cars waiting outside and go. Now.”
They turn to leave.
At the last moment, I can’t stop myself. “Mother,” I call out. When she turns, I say, “I love you.”
“I love you,” she echoes back.
If I close my eyes, I can almost believe she said it for real. Almost.
I rush forward, wrap my arms around her waist, and allow myself a moment of connection. Then I release her and they disappear into the shiny black car. I’m still watching the spot where the car vanished around the corner when everyone shows up.
“Are we ready?” I ask.
We all have fully loaded backpacks, with everything Gretchen thinks we’ll need—or might need—in the abyss. Mine holds enough provisions for a week, at least, along with a fleece jacket and a pashmina that can function as a scarf, blanket, or pillow. Gretchen said it was freezing in there, and I have low tolerance for cold.
“Ready,” Grace says, heaving her own bag of provisions onto her back.
The boys and Gretchen carry the heaviest loads, with not only their own provisions but also weapons and antivenoms Gretchen has retrieved from the safe house, extra provisions for everyone, and some other items that Gretchen and Nick were very secretive about.
The member of our party I understand the least is Thane. Grace’s brother.
He doesn’t have to be here, standing there like a statue with the heaviest bag of all on his back. He could have stayed home with their parents—should have stayed, maybe—and left the dangerous job to those of us with supernatural abilities.
When Grace was trying to convince him to stay home, I had a brief vision. We were somewhere dark and black—the abyss—and Grace and I were facing down a hideous monster. The thing was about to slice through Grace with long, bladelike claws when Thane clobbered the thing from behind. He saved Grace’s life. That’s why I encouraged her to let him come.
Still, there is something … compelling about him. I can’t stop sneaking glances at him. And I am not the sort of girl to sneak furtive glances.
Whenever I look at him, I get the feeling he’s conflicted. I’m not sure if it’s my keen Medusa sense or just intuition. Either way, he’s an enigma. One that I can’t help wanting to unravel.
“Let’s do this,” Gretchen says. She pulls out one of her daggers and swipes it quickly over her palms, drawing out twin lines of silvery blood. Then, dagger back in her boot, she asks, “Everyone ready?”
“Yes,” I say.
Grace gives her a shaky smile. “Ready.”
The boys nod, ready to follow in right behind us.
Gretchen smacks her palms together and the portal appears, at almost the exact spot in my basement where she came flying out on the pegasus just yesterday.
Grace takes one of my hands in hers, grabbing Gretchen’s with the other.
We share a look, just between us three, and then Grace smiles. Gretchen nods. And I take a deep breath.
Hand in hand, we step forward into the abyss. Into danger and destiny.
They turn to leave.
At the last moment, I can’t stop myself. “Mother,” I call out. When she turns, I say, “I love you.”
“I love you,” she echoes back.
If I close my eyes, I can almost believe she said it for real. Almost.
I rush forward, wrap my arms around her waist, and allow myself a moment of connection. Then I release her and they disappear into the shiny black car. I’m still watching the spot where the car vanished around the corner when everyone shows up.
“Are we ready?” I ask.
We all have fully loaded backpacks, with everything Gretchen thinks we’ll need—or might need—in the abyss. Mine holds enough provisions for a week, at least, along with a fleece jacket and a pashmina that can function as a scarf, blanket, or pillow. Gretchen said it was freezing in there, and I have low tolerance for cold.
“Ready,” Grace says, heaving her own bag of provisions onto her back.
The boys and Gretchen carry the heaviest loads, with not only their own provisions but also weapons and antivenoms Gretchen has retrieved from the safe house, extra provisions for everyone, and some other items that Gretchen and Nick were very secretive about.
The member of our party I understand the least is Thane. Grace’s brother.
He doesn’t have to be here, standing there like a statue with the heaviest bag of all on his back. He could have stayed home with their parents—should have stayed, maybe—and left the dangerous job to those of us with supernatural abilities.
When Grace was trying to convince him to stay home, I had a brief vision. We were somewhere dark and black—the abyss—and Grace and I were facing down a hideous monster. The thing was about to slice through Grace with long, bladelike claws when Thane clobbered the thing from behind. He saved Grace’s life. That’s why I encouraged her to let him come.
Still, there is something … compelling about him. I can’t stop sneaking glances at him. And I am not the sort of girl to sneak furtive glances.
Whenever I look at him, I get the feeling he’s conflicted. I’m not sure if it’s my keen Medusa sense or just intuition. Either way, he’s an enigma. One that I can’t help wanting to unravel.
“Let’s do this,” Gretchen says. She pulls out one of her daggers and swipes it quickly over her palms, drawing out twin lines of silvery blood. Then, dagger back in her boot, she asks, “Everyone ready?”
“Yes,” I say.
Grace gives her a shaky smile. “Ready.”
The boys nod, ready to follow in right behind us.
Gretchen smacks her palms together and the portal appears, at almost the exact spot in my basement where she came flying out on the pegasus just yesterday.
Grace takes one of my hands in hers, grabbing Gretchen’s with the other.
We share a look, just between us three, and then Grace smiles. Gretchen nods. And I take a deep breath.
Hand in hand, we step forward into the abyss. Into danger and destiny.
