The Devil's Third (39 page)

“I disagree,” he said. “I think having high aspiration and bettering yourself is admirable. Our world has no structure. Immortals can do what they want, which is fine. However, humans would have better protection with accountability and some form of rules laid out to follow and not breach, like the Constitution.”

“I see your point, but what would the consequences be if one of our own decided not to abide by these new laws?”

Brayden shrugged. “I haven’t thought about that part yet, but it can be done.” He took my hand in his and fixed his eyes on mine. “We can do it together, Paige. We were meant for each other. There are no coincidences. I think if you were honest with yourself and not blinded by your feelings toward Nathan, you’d agree. I also believe we have a connection far deeper than yours and Nathan’s. If you were to open yourself to it, you’d discover how right I am about it.”

“Bray--”

He placed a finger on my lips and continued.“You’re all I have, Paige. Sure, I have Tree and Carrie as well, but without you, my world is less bright. You know we make a great team, and together we can accomplish magnificent things and have a wonderful life together.” Tears filled his eyes.

Sadness gripped my heart, twisting it. My love for him swelled, and I wiped the wetness off his cheeks. He was right about us on so many levels, but I knew I couldn’t go there. I was in love with Nathan and only wanted to be with him. I wondered, though, if it was possible to be in love with two people at the same time. I imagined what my life would be with Brayden and compared it with my life with Nathan. An agonizing ache hollowed out my chest at the very thought of not being with Nathan, which gave me my answer. I loved Brayden, but I wasn’t in love with him. My decision was final. I wanted to spend my life with Nathan and not Brayden.

I held his face in my hands and hoped my voice would be gentle, yet resolute. “I love you, Brayden. I always have and always will, but my heart belongs to Nathan.”

He glanced away, the corners of his eyes brimming with emotion. I dropped my hands and sat back, waiting for his reply. In the distance, a dog barked and whined. Rain fell, pelting the roof of the Jeep, making a loud drumming noise above us. Water poured down the windows, blurring the world around us, giving the illusion of us sinking into the ocean in a metal coffin. I pushed the dismal thought aside and looked at Brayden.

“I’m going to go,” he finally said.

“Where?”

“I don’t know. But I do know this . . . I’m not giving up on us.
Never
,” he said with hard determination.

Before I could respond, he kissed me on the forehead and bolted out of the Jeep, disappearing in the watery abyss.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Nathan

Paige told me everything Brayden said to her. His behavior didn’t surprise me; he was in love with her, and I couldn’t blame him for it. But what stuck in my craw was his relentlessness and utter disrespect toward her relationship with me. I also didn’t like the fact he made her feel like shit whenever he poured his heart out about how he felt, using the bond they shared as a fulcrum in his favor. Paige didn’t say much after she shared their conversation. She stared out the window, twining and untwining her fingers in her lap. I wanted to make her feel better and get her mind off Brayden. I thought of the perfect thing to say, right when I was pulling into her driveway.

I pulled the key out of the ignition and touched her arm when she moved to open the door. “No more Aosoth or Roeick,” is all I had said.

Paige whipped around, her mouth open, eyes wide with forgotten surprise. I watched as the reality of it dawned on her. The dullness in her eyes faded, replaced with bright dark green orbs, now sparkling like emeralds from her sudden elation. The corners of my mouth turned up, and she began to laugh. “I totally forgot about Aosoth and Roeick,” she said between giggles. “How could I have forgotten such a huge thing?”

“It’s understandable, Paige. We’ve been overloaded with a lot of information. Not to mention how exhausting it all was.”

“Yeah, but still . . .” She threw her arms around my neck. “Oh, it doesn’t matter. What matters is they’re gone–especially her.”

I crushed her to my chest and whispered, “Ding, dong, the witch is dead.”

She laughed. “The wicked witch,” she said, catching my cult reference. She released her arms and pulled back, the grin still on her beautiful face. “I’m so happy.” She gave me a quick kiss. “I want to do something for you, but first I need to take a shower.” She hopped out of the Jeep and disappeared. I followed and found her standing on the front porch holding Zeruel.

“Hi, Zeruel.” I reached out and petted him, his loud purrs a welcoming sound to my ears.

“He says, hello and thank you for your assistance in this fragile matter,” Paige relayed to me.

“You can still hear him.” It wasn’t a question, just a statement spoken out loud, more to myself.

She beamed. “I can. Solomon left the gift of speaking to animals with me. Zeruel told me so, but even if I couldn’t he would still be able to communicate with me, like he had with Anwar.” She bit her lip and worry clouded her face.

“What is it?”

“He’s basically telling me what Michael and Solomon told us. He said Bael has retreated for now. He’ll be back, though, and will try to convince Carrie, Tree and me to join him.” She kissed Zeruel’s head, and he vanished from her arms. “I’m going to go take a shower,” she said, back in high spirits.

We stepped inside. The lingering aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg filled my nostrils. The wonderful smell of home. I breathed in, savoring it. “What did you tell him?”

“I told him I’ll do the right thing.” She headed for the stairs.

“I have to go home,” I told her, remembering I no longer had my stuff here. She paused and her face fell. “After I read your letter,” I explained, “I packed up my belongings and took them home as you requested.”

“Oh . . . wait.” Her face lit up. “There are some clothes in the dryer I didn’t get around to folding.” We went to the laundry room. She opened the door to the dryer, and sure enough some of my clothes were there. “Now you don’t have to leave,” she said, rummaging through the load and handing me a pair of boxers, socks, jeans and a black long sleeve T-shirt.

“This will work,” I told her, pleased I didn’t have to leave after all.

“Great.” She hopped on her toes and kissed me. “I’ll be done in a minute, and while you’re taking your shower I’m going to prepare myself.”

“For what?” I didn’t have a clue what she was talking about, and the mischievous smile on her face had me curious.

“It’s a surprise. Something I’ve been wanting to do for you for a long time. I don’t know if it’s going to work, but I have to practice anyway.” She shrugged, then left the room before I could respond.

I stood with an armful of clothes, staring after her, wondering what she planned. Finally, after a few minutes of pondering with no conclusive results, I decided to call Ameerah to let her know we were back and fill her in on everything. I pulled the piece of paper from my pocket with her number on it and used the phone in the kitchen.

“Hello,” she answered after a few rings, caution coloring her tone.

“Ameerah, it’s Nathan.”

“Nathan. Are you back? What happened? How’s Paige?”

“Paige is great,” I answered and then went on to tell her about our adventure. I decided not to tell her everything, like about the Devil’s third and Tree. I also skipped over the information about the other light walkers but did tell her about Michael and Bael’s falling out with him and Anwar being freed from the blood oath. I saved the best part for last–Aosoth and Roeick’s demise. When I told her, she squealed so loudly, I had to pull the receiver away from my ear.

“I’m doing a happy dance right now,” she said. “I wish I had the opportunity to make the bitch suffer for a while. What sort of spell did Solomon use?”

“The deadfall. I think it’s the same one written in the grimoire you’re holding for me,” I replied.

Silence.

“Ameerah?” The sound of the blow dryer spilled down the stairs. I had to end our conversation but needed to find out why Ameerah’s enthusiasm diminished in a matter of seconds. I could hear her cursing under her breath and a sickening feeling slithered into my stomach. “What’s wrong?”

“Aosoth and Roeick were transported to the lower world,” she said.

“And,” I prompted when she fell silent again, saying another string of curses.

She blew out an irritable sigh. “There are different levels to the lower world, and there’s a possibility she can find a way back here. But I don’t know. It all depends on which deadfall Solomon used.”

“There is more than one?” I ran a hand through my hair and groaned.

“Yes. Each one has a different purpose.”

“Bael somehow knew Solomon rigged the chamber his incantations were in, because he set up both Aosoth and Roeick and did everything but push them into the room.”

“Okay, I feel a little better,” she said. “Maybe they are gone for good then . . . well, at least from this world. Once their spirits accept the help offered to them, they can move on, or so I’ve heard.”

“I have to go,” I said. “Why don’t I pick you up tomorrow afternoon, say two o’clock? If Paige isn’t ready to help you yet, I’ll let you know. I need to give you back your Jeep anyway. Thanks again for allowing me to borrow it.”

“No problem,” she said. “I’ll bring the grimoire with me, but I prefer not to go to Paige’s house.”

“Oh, right. Zeruel. I forgot.”

“I’m no longer afraid to be trapped in his light,” she piped. “I hate to admit this, but I’m ashamed to be in his presence.”

“I understand. We’ll go to my house instead.”

“Thanks, Nathan. Tell Paige I said hi, and I’m glad she’s okay.”

“I will. See ya tomorrow.”

I hung up after she said goodbye and took a shower downstairs, knowing Paige still had the upstairs one occupied. After I was finished, feeling much better being free of all the dirt and grime I’d collected on my skin and in my hair from going days without a solid washing, I entered the living room. I knew right away what Paige planned on doing–at least part of it. The thick smell of sandalwood, cypress and pine resin gave it away. They were used to help increase her psychic powers. I didn’t think she needed it, though, and had full confidence in her ability. But regardless, if having props made her feel at ease, I supported her one hundred percent. “Hey, you,” I said.

She stood from the couch and smiled. Her dark purple sweats hung low on her hips and her button-up white long-sleeve thermal top clung to her hourglass figure exactly right. I noticed the top three buttons were undone, revealing a hint of white lace. Sexy. I had the sudden urge to take her right there but looked away instead, forcing myself to focus on the matter at hand.

Paige tilted her head to the side and walked up to me, her face inches from mine. “Why are your eyes bright?”

Damn, I had hoped they wouldn’t be. So much for being discrete.

“You turn me on.” My voice was low, almost a growl. Having her this close made my resolve to wait for the proper time to ravish her waver.

She took my hand, leading me to the couch. “Later. Right now, we have more important things to do, believe it or not.” She pushed me down. “I want you to sit and get comfortable.”

“All right, love,” I said in a British accent, knowing how much she liked it, “but do tell me what you are up to. Otherwise, I might go mad.”

She laughed. “You
are
mad.”

“I’m mad about you,” I countered.

“Well, the feeling is mutual.” She kneeled in front of me and placed her hand on my knee. Excitement danced in her eyes. “If you can talk to any relative of yours, who would it be?”

Instant realization came to me on what she was about to do. A lump materialized in my throat. I swallowed against it and cleared my throat. “Are you going to . . .” My voice faltered.

She smiled. “I’m going to try. You told me back in the hotel, Ameerah believes I can and wants me to contact Nadia for her. I figured I should try with you first. Besides, I’ve been wanting to do this for you because I know how much you miss your family.”

My throat constricted, rendering me speechless. This selfless gift she was offering to me–the possibility to talk to one of my relatives–overwhelmed me with such fierce emotion that I couldn’t stop the onslaught of tears. I hung my head and covered my face in an attempt to get a grip on myself. I had always wondered what I would say if I had one last chance to converse with my father, my mother, or one of my brothers. Against Anwar’s urging not to, I had told my father my immortal secret while the rest of my family mourned for me. His loyalty to me never faltered, even when my poor mother fell into a deep depression. The guilt, though. The gut-wrenching guilt I’ve had for almost two hundred years of putting my father in a position where he had to watch his beloved wife suffer and could have easily taken it away by revealing my secret had eaten a hole inside of me. But now. Now, there was a chance I could make it right and even the slim chance, the possibility of it, had me crying like a little girl. Not my proudest moment.

“Nathan,” Paige said, her tone soft and gentle. She placed her hands over mine and peeled them off my face. My eyes were closed, but when I felt her warm hand cradling my cheek, I opened them. “Remember, I won’t be able to contact your family unless one of them is residing in Summer Land or a realm closest to ours.”

I didn’t say anything, just nodded. I remembered what Kora had said; however, even the possibility of it had my emotions reeling.

“It’ll be okay,” she reassured, brushing the tears off my face with her thumbs. “Do you want me to get you a cold washcloth?”

“No.” I sat back and ran a hand across my face. “I’m fine.” I swallowed hard and cleared my throat. “Thank you.”

She rose to her feet. “Don’t thank me yet. I don’t know if it’s going to work.”

“Regardless,” I said, “your willingness to try means the world to me.”