A Job From Hell (33 page)

"Look at that," Cass said. "Now that's how you woo a girl." She winked at me. "Are you taking notes?"

"Candles are overrated," Kieran said. "Just like romance."

"You just haven't found the right girl," Clare said. "She'l come along."

"And then she'l make a run for the hil s." Cass laughed at her own joke.

I squeezed Amber's hand. The Shadows' glare brushed over us, their distaste for what I was palpable in the humid air. Slowly, I turned my head to my right, ready to face another abomination Rebecca created a long time ago: sitting on a high throne was Deidre, Queen of the Shadows, an ancient soul living in the pain-ridden body of a dying girl, trapped forever between life and death. The Shadows wanted the book badly so they could search for a ritual to free Deidre from her need to feed on the life force of her own people. Deidre was one of the reasons why I had found it so easy to kil Rebecca when she attacked Blake. I had enough of her love for torture.

"You—" Deidre pointed a finger at Clare, Cass and Kieran "—move over there to the wal ." Kieran and Clare did as instructed, but Cass stood her ground.

My jaw set as I met Deidre's black gaze. I bowed to hide my horrified expression. A glimpse at that dying body was enough to send shivers down my spine. Deidre wouldn't harm Amber because she wanted the book more than I did. But I could be wrong. After underestimating Layla, I wouldn't trust anyone but myself. I waited for Deidre to speak, but instead it was Cass who took charge of the situation.

"I'm the new Lore ambassador, here to save the mortal from supernatural harm. Don't you dare play a trick on me, Dee Dee. I'm much stronger than the whole bunch of you together." Her eyes glinted red as she glanced at Deidre, then walked to the altar and picked up a burning candle. It melted under her fingers, wax dripping onto the stony floor. With an exaggerated sigh, she placed what was left of it back and peered from one face to the other. "Just a word of advice, guys, living in a cemetery's beyond macabre. You should look into proper housing."

Cass obviously enjoyed drama a bit too much, but as long as it helped get Amber out of here alive, I'd do anything to assist her. I tightened my grip around my mate's waist. Her heart quickened as her body—plump in al the right places—leaned into me. From the corner of my eye, I watched Deidre rise from her seat and walk to the altar, motioning Amber to step forward. I let go of her waist, but fol owed right behind.

"And you should look into proper manners because your demon hands have left a scent on that candle you've touched. Every single one of them has been blessed by our priests," Deidre said.

"Hey, I'm half fal en angel and half Seraph. There's a difference, meaning I'm actual y holy." Cass crossed her arms over her chest, grinning.

"Pitch the candle you've defiled," Deidre said.

"I'l look for a trashcan then." Cass shrugged, but didn't budge.

"Angel, dispose of this candle immediately. And then leave." Deidre waited until Angel scurried out, then grabbed Amber's hand, addressing her. "I see you're back. You truly want to retrieve the book for us?" Amber shot me an insecure look and nodded.

"Good." Deidre pointed at the high cavernous wal s where the soft light of the candles didn't reach the shadows. "This hal 's special. Once the

—" she hesitated and scowled as if she had to force herself to speak out the word "—vampire leads you to the threshold of death, where your physical and astral body meet, this place wil help you enter the otherworld. You, then, shal be brought by hel 's demons to where the book supposedly is. When your deed's done, our incantations wil help you return to the physical plane. You understand you could die in the process?"

I noticed Amber flinch and put a reassuring hand on the smal on her back as rage rose inside me. She wouldn't die. I'd rather break the Lore rules and turn her into what I was than have Fate take her away from me.

"I do," Amber said. I smiled proudly at how brave she sounded.

"Whoa, let's not get dramatic here. No one's dying," Cass said. "Now, without further ado, let's get this party cracking. You had enough time for chatting when you kidnapped her. Besides, I'm not paid by the hour." She turned to me, frowning. "Aidan, how am I actual y being paid?"

"There's something else," Amber said. "I want something in return. You can have the book, but you have to perform Aidan's spel . Promise me."

Deidre tilted her head. "Very wel . I give you my word."

Amber beamed up at me, then took a deep breath. Grabbing her hand, I helped her onto the altar, kneeling next do her. Somewhere behind us countless voices, obscured by the darkness, started to chant. Amber looked smal and fragile among the countless candles that barely flickered.

She shuddered, wide-eyed with fear. I remembered I stil didn't have her agreement.

"What the heck am I doing here?" she whispered. "I thought you guys were going to show me how to go into a trance and talk to Rebecca to ask where the book was. And that the trance might kil me."

I shook my head. "It's a little more complicated than that."

"So you keep saying." Her voice quivered.

I grabbed her hand. "Listen, babe, try to remain as calm and stil as you can."

"Am I being sacrificed in some freaky ceremony?" She laughed nervously.

How could she even think that? "No, of course not. I'l just have to drink a bit of—" I hesitated, reconsidering my words "—I promise I won't let anything happen to you. I'l get my life sorted out so we can be together. Once this is over, I won't ever have to feed again."

"I never promised you a life together because I want my old life back," Amber said.

I grimaced. "We'l talk about that later. There's one more matter to discuss."

"You haven't told her?" Cass shouted. "You're the worst boyfriend ever!"

Damn the demon. I tried to keep my composure and ignore Cass's ecstatic gaze, sucking in every chaos vibe she could get hold of. "I'l have to bite you now to slow down your heart rate until you almost die so you can cross over."

"What sort of crappy plan is that? You should've told me," Amber hissed.

"You can stil back out."

She rol ed her eyes. "No. I'l do it, but only because I don't go back on my word. But you better not suck me dry. Got it?"

I shook my head. "The others won't let that happen."

"Let's get this over and done with." She punched my arm, then lay on her back, her eyes bulging in their sockets, heart pumping with fear. "When I get back you're so going to get a piece of my mind!"

"I deserve it." I inched closer and whispered in her ear, "If things go wrong, please let me turn you into what I am."

She regarded me for a second, her eyes as deep as dark pools with the bright flames of the candles reflecting in them, and then she shook her head. No. Taking a sharp breath, I opened my mouth to speak, beg her if need be, but she turned away.

"Please, just trust me," I whispered. The chanting around us grew louder. Deidre raised her arm and signal ed me to begin. The time had come.

I placed a soft kiss on Amber's neck and ran my tongue over the spot where her blood pumped the hardest, then waited. She shuddered under my touch, her heart hammering in her chest. Intertwining my fingers with hers, I dared take a deep breath and let her scent invade my nostrils. She smel ed of lavender and honey, of warm summer nights and rainy skies, of the home I always wanted to build and treasure.

The hunger inside me stirred, growing in intensity until I could barely restrain my vampire nature. My fangs connected with her skin, piercing the fragile barrier, and her blood, sweeter than any nectar, flooded my mouth, robbing me of my last ounce of control.

"Don't kil her." My brother's voice echoed from somewhere behind me, but I could scarcely make out the words. It wasn't right to drink from my mate and enjoy it so much, but Amber was different—in a way she was mine like no other had ever been before. I couldn't slow down.

Amber groaned and stirred beneath me. Her soft hand moved to the nape of my neck. To hold me in place? To push me away? I had no idea because her hand just lingered there. I could feel her heart racing, pumping harder to make up for the loss of blood. The colour was slowly draining from her cheeks as she grew weaker. It wasn't enough; she hadn't reached the threshold yet. And then her pulse slowed down to a mere whisper, barely audible in my ears, and her hand let go.

"That's enough." Deidre put her childlike hand on my arm to stop me. I turned on her, snarling like a crazed animal trapped in a cage. For a moment, my human side switched off and I almost pounced, ready to shred to pieces whoever lingered between me and my prey. Strong hands grabbed my shoulders and pul ed me away, holding me down until understanding kicked in and my human side returned.

Cass glared at me. "That love bite was more than just a nibble. You took it a step too far, mate. And you think I'm nuts?"

"What's wrong with you? You could've kil ed her," Kieran hissed in my ear. Was he talking about Deidre or Amber? Amber. With a gasp, I turned to face my mate, lying on the altar, pale as the dead. I struggled against my brother's iron grip, listening for Amber's pulse, but I couldn't hear it.

"Get him out of here until he calms down," Deidre said, annoyed.

"Yeah, you heard Queenie, kick his butt to the curb," Cass said.

I shook my head. I didn't want to leave. Not before someone assured me my mate was al right. I took a deep breath to steady myself and clear my mind. "I'm good." I took another look at Amber's motionless shape, so smal and helpless between the candles. For her sake, I'd be strong. But just standing here and not doing anything felt wrong.

"You sure?" Kieran asked, sceptical y.

I nodded.

"Let's hurry then. We don't have much time." Devon kneeled at Amber's head and placed his palms on her temples. The incantations commenced again, barely more than a soft murmur compared to Devon's booming voice. "Amber, can you hear me?" She didn't respond, but the pinkie on her left hand twitched.

"Can she hear us?" I asked. She simply had to, otherwise—

"Be quiet," Devon whispered. "Let her focus."

Deidre stepped in the middle of the circle and raised her arms. "Tonight, this gifted soul shal enter the realm of the otherworld, and we are here to guide her."

The chorus of voices rose near the wal . "Dark Lords, let us serve this congregation through our queen."

Deidre bowed her head, her voice echoing from the wal s. "Amber, listen to the voice that is no servant of the power, but power itself. I pledge that I shal act as a bridge between you and the souls that wil assist you on your journey in this dim hour so long as your pledge remains finding the book."

The strong wind outside shook the door in its hinges; the candles started to flicker, but didn't go out. Somewhere in the distance, glass shattered, and birds cawed. The Shadows' murmurs fil ed the air, sending shivers down my spine.

"Amber, can you feel the power that is present to guide you?" Devon asked. I watched my mate's eyes move beneath closed lids. A heavy weight settled somewhere in the pit of my stomach as Devon whispered, "Her journey's about to begin."

As the pressure lifted off my feverish neck, I descended deep into the lower fractions of my consciousness, surrounded by darkness though my eyes were open, staring at a point in the distance.

Something hit my head hard, and I stumbled forward, almost tumbling to the ground. I scanned the area. There was no one around. Who had hit me then? Where had the others disappeared? Why had Aidan abandoned me, leaving me here to fend for myself?

The cold air reeked of dirt and blood. Taking one slow step at a time, I moved around, blind in the darkness. After a while, I could feel a nameless presence pacing with me, breathing cold air in my face. I shivered, but not from the cold. A sudden drop in temperature usual y means one thing—ghosts. I figured, now I'd have my encounter with Elvis. Behind me, low murmurs erupted. Invisible hands tugged at my arms and shoulders as though they wanted me to listen. I stopped midstride and focused on the soft voices to discern what they had to say.

"Amber, can you feel the power that is present to guide you?" Silence. Then, "Her journey's about to begin."

Someone was speaking to me, but who? My bones felt heavy, my muscles ached. I lay down on the naked ground and propped my palms under my head, closing my eyes to rest a little.

***

When I woke up, my body no longer ached, but darkness stil lingered. My limbs felt frozen and numb under the thick layers of clothes. I was supposed to do something, but I couldn't recal my purpose. Was I dying? Deidre had said I might. Aidan had warned me also. Was this freezing sensation what death felt like? Where was the light and people you loved supposedly greeting you? I could see no people or tunnel; in fact, it was so dark I couldn't even see my hand in front of my eyes.

Stumbling forward, I swore I'd figure out a way to haunt Aidan for this. I snorted, annoyed. Did the otherworld have a ghost school where I could take Ghost Tricks 101? I'd sign up in a heartbeat. Not a chance Aidan would ever sleep again. I'd wear a white flowing robe, wave my arms, clank some chains and moan with al my might. Maybe I'd sing nonstop in his ear, like Whoopi Goldberg did in Ghost. Now, that'd drive him nuts. Since he never heard me sing he was in for a real treat because I was basical y tone deaf and couldn't hit a note if my life depended on it.

My feet lifting off the ground, I started to float into the open space. Surprised, I peered up at the countless stars glittering on a black canvas, and wondered where they came from. I felt the entire universe stretched out in front of me. Yeah, I was certainly a ghost, flying and al . Aidan's doors would definitely not keep me out. Letting go, I could no longer feel my body. My mind fel into perpetuity, drifting into the greatest sense of freedom and tranquil ity I'd ever felt.

Wings flapped around me as dark, formless shapes gathered, murmuring words of wisdom in my ears. I knew they had assembled to help me, to guide me to the right place. The book. Aidan wanted it. And then I remembered the purpose of my visit.