Chapter 43 — I’m never going to another dance again

Amara:

Think about Juliet…Think about Juliet… I keep repeating in my head as I gaze into the mirror. At first, my vision swirls, and everything is hazy. I blink my eyes, trying to focus, but everything is too blurry. After a moment, I think I’m going to get stuck like this, but then as if someone turned a television on, my vision sharpens.

I’m surprised to find myself in the school greenhouse. This time I’m not in someone’s mind. I’m definitely me. I look down for reassurance and see my beautiful prom dress and sigh in relief. Hopefully, this will stop the dreadful cold that debilitates me when I snap out of my vision.

I can see all the beautiful flowers and the stars gleaming from beyond the glass ceiling and the ivy vines wrapped around the greenhouse walls. I walk around for a moment, confused. It feels so real. I can smell the scent of roses and other plants. I move closer and run my fingers over a soft rose petal feeling its velvety texture. Then, a sound from behind the beautiful tree centered in the middle of the greenhouse startles me from my thoughts. At first, it sounds like a bird, but as I move closer, I can hear a desperate moan. Wary of what I will find on the other side of the tree, I sneak through a shadowed brush and make my way to the other side. At first, I have to blink my eyes to adjust to what I’m seeing. Juliet is somehow tethered to the trunk of the tree. She’s blinking tearfully and moaning behind a gag. Her beautiful Grecian style gown is rumpled and ripped as she strains against her bindings.

I look towards where her eyes are focus and gasp. Taylor is standing a few feet in front of her. He looks haggard, but he’s alive. I can’t believe it. And next to him, there is another body. I can’t see the man’s face, but he’s shirtless and tied to some kind of crucifix, and in the middle of his chest, there’s a sharp wooden stake buried in his heart. His chest is unmoving, and his torn trousers are molded to his hips. There is dried blood dripping down the man’s powerful chest. My ears quirk when Taylor opens his mouth and says something. However, I can’t heart him. All I can see is Juliet’s tearful face, which looks like she’s pleading with Taylor. I just don’t understand why I can hear her cries, but I can’t hear Taylor talk. Taylor’s skin is ashen, and his eyes are sunken with dark bags under his eyes as if he hasn’t gotten any sleep. I don’t understand it. Kell killed him.

Just then, Taylor throws his head back in laughter and moves towards the man’s body and pulls his head back. My heart stutters in shock. It can’t be?! That’s when my world starts to dim again. I try to hold on to the vision, but I can’t resist the call to awaken. Taking one last final look at the scene, I let the vision fade.

My body shudders as it awakens from its trance. My chest is heaving wildly, and tears are running down my face. I blink several times, finding myself back in Kell’s car.

His voice finally permeates my haze. “…Amara…babe… are you okay?” He says with a furrowed brow as he shakes my shoulder gently. I want to say something, but tears are clogging my throat. A sob escapes my mouth as I gaze into his dear face. “Oh, K-Kell…” I stutter before I cover my mouth to prevent another sob from escaping my throat. Kell’s face falls. “What’s wrong, beauty queen?”

I shake my head, trying to clear my throat as Kell wipes at my tears worriedly.

I want to respond to him, but there’s a lump lodged in my throat. After several moments, I swallow down my tears and manage to shakily reply. “I know where they are. But there’s something you need to know.”

I stop taking his hand in mine as a show of support. “I saw Juliet…but…but I also saw it…” I drift off, swallowing again.

Kell frowns in consternation and squeezes my hand in response. “Well? What did you see?”

My chin trembled as I try to get the words out. “I saw Rowan. He’s dead. Taylor killed him.” I begin to sob again. I feel like my heart has been broken.

Kell’s body stiffens, and his face hardens. “What did you say?”

I bite my lip and bob my head in misery. “He was tied to a crucifix, and there was…” I take another breath. “…there was a wooden stake buried in his heart and so much blood.”

I’m surprised to find that Kell’s expression changes to one of relief instead of distress. Sighing, he leans back on his seat with relief. “Oh, thank God.”

I frown at his perceived callousness. “What do you mean, thank God? I just told you that your brother is dead!”

Kell shakes his head and places his hands on my shoulder to stalls my rant.

“He’s not dead, Amara.”

I frown in confusion. “I…I don’t understand. I saw the stake buried in his chest.”

His lips tighten. “No, babe, that won’t kill him. Rowan is a born vampire. The only thing that can kill him is a sacred stake blessed by a truly pure priest. The only people who have those are the Council, and I can assure you they don’t leave those lying around willy-nilly. Wooden stakes only kill made vampires. The only thing they do to born vampires has put them into a death-like sleep. Short of the sacred stake, Rowan can survive anything. I just don’t know how Taylor got him.”

Relief surges through me at his explanation. Rowan is alive! “Okay, then, we better go. It doesn’t look like there is much time left. They’re in the school’s greenhouse.”

Kell looks through the windshield thoughtfully. “How is it that Taylor is still alive?”

I shrug. “I don’t know, but he didn’t look very well. He looked pretty sick. He wasn’t in his monster form either. I couldn’t hear what he was saying to Juliet, but it looked bad.”

Kell nods his head in contemplation and starts the car. “Okay, there’s no time left. If Taylor took them, then he doesn’t expect them to live long. I’ll call Mathias and tell him to meet us there.”

It doesn’t take long for us to get to the greenhouse. To my surprise, Kell moves to the trunk of his car and pulls out a large gleaming sword. The thing looks deadly with its luminous surface and sharp edges. I guess he’s prepared for a fight.

We both make our way to the greenhouse and look around suspiciously. Everything is quiet and still. There are no lights on in the greenhouse or any sounds other than the usual night songs of the owls and crickets. The fact that nothing is jumping out to scare us gives me pause. Doubt surfaces in my mind. What if I imagined it?

But Kell must have a great deal more confidence in me because he strides confidently to the shed where we made love and unlocks the door without a thought. “How did you get the door open? The custodian always makes sure it’s locked.” I whisper urgently.

Kell simply gives me an arrogant smirk and whispers back. “Nephilim strength is very handy.”

I want to mentally slap myself. Of course, he can open it. He’s a strong supernatural being. “Shouldn’t we wait for Mathias?”

Kell shakes his head distractedly. “No. He and Azazel didn’t answer my calls. Hopefully, they’ll get my message. But we can’t waste any more time.”

Mindful of his words, I don’t ask any more questions. Instead, I follow behind him, careful to not make a sound. Once we make it out of the shed, I point to the area behind the tree. “That’s where they were in my vision,” I mutter.

He signals that he heard me and reaches for my hand. “Stay behind me.” He whispers.

I swallow hard as my heartbeat wildly in my chest and do what he says. A scream lodges in my throat when I spot Juliet tied to the tree and Rowan’s deathly still body crucified on a wooden cross. It looks exactly like my vision. Taylor’s standing before them with a satisfied smirk on his face. The scene is even more horrific in real time. Especially when Rowan’s body looks paler than usual, and his chest is motionless.

Horror turns into shock when Taylor turns towards where Kell and I are standing and says, “Took you long enough to get here.”

Kell straightens his stance and steps out into the shadows with a confident gate. “How did you know we were here?”

Taylor snickers. “Well, I gambled on Amara having a vision. Somehow I knew she’d be smart enough to try to find her friend. And here she is!” He spits out venomously as he points a jagged finger at me.

Kell moves closer, trying to block me from Taylor’s sight and says, “How are you still alive? I killed you.”

Taylors face falls as anger stains his cheeks and neck. “YOU! YOU DIDN’T KILL ME. YOU DISGUSTING CREATURE!” His chest heaves in rage as he takes a step forward. “But you took most of my power. When you killed my other form, you drained almost all of my power!”

His rage makes the glass walls reverberate angrily. “Now, I have to stay like this because I can’t retain my other form. I’m trapped in this weak body. You ruined everything!”

Kell does not wither under his rage. He simply tilts his head and narrows his eyes. “Let Juliet and my brother go!”

Taylor scowls. “Do you really think I would let them go after what you did to me!? You’re the reason I lost the bulk of my power, and I’m going to make you pay!”

Kell stiffens when Taylor steps close to Juliet’s body. Juliet screams behind her gag and strains against her ropes. Kell takes a few more steps, but Taylor is not stupid. He simply takes a few steps back, never and keeps his eyes on Kell.

Kell takes a cautious step forward and says as calmly as he can. “Then fight me, Taylor. Let all of them go and fight me.”

Taylor’s eyes shine with hatred. “Of course, I’ll do that…Do you think I’m a fool? Why would I do something so stupid? What makes you think that I’d let them go? Is it so that when my back is turned, they can stab me in it? I’m not an idiot!” His face becomes rigid with rage as he gestures wildly towards Juliet and Rowan. He’s definitely unhinged.

Taking a deep breath, I move close to Taylor and ask as calmly as I can. “Please, Taylor, just let them go. They didn’t do anything to you. It’s us you want.” Taylor tilts his head thoughtfully. “Sorry, beauty queen. But I’m not stupid enough to fall for your pretty doe eyes. I used to love you. Did you know that?” He spits out with a reproachful scowl. “But no! You wanted him!” He says, pointing an accusing finger at Kell.

Kell takes another step. “ENOUGH! You had a chance with her, and you were too big of a coward to say anything. Now let them go, or I will end you permanently this time.”

Taylor’s face drains of expression. “Did you really think I’d just let you come in here without having a plan?”

He snaps his fingers, and something moves in the shadows of the greenhouse. Several figures shuffle forward. The smell of rotting flesh and blood makes me gag. Kell and I gasp in horror when the faces of the figures are revealed. Their faces are rotting, their eyes are black pools, and there are large holes in the center of their chests where their hearts should be. It’s the murdered girls. All of them. They’re decaying bodies stumble clumsily towards us. The smell of death becomes stronger the closer they get. I cover my mouth, trying to stifle my horrified cry. They look like the kind of zombies you see in the Walking Dead. One of the girls, Leslie, has a large crack over her head, and you can see pieces of her brain. Her clothes are caked with dirt and torn. Half her face is missing, and there are patches of greasy hair on top of her head. But what scares me the most is that they have razor-sharp teeth and claws. They all surround us and stop as if waiting for something. Kell pulls me close and clenches his jaw. “I thought you said you lost your power, Taylor?”

Taylor grits out. “I did, you asshole! I lost most of my powers, but I have just enough power to give these…ladies…” He says with a smirk. “…enough time to tear you both apart!”

Bile rises in my throat at the thought of these girl’s bodies being used for such a purpose. Kell turns to me with a dejected tightening of his lips. “Run!” He says through gritted teeth.

But I shake my head. “No, Kell. You take care of Taylor, and I’ll take care of Juliet and Rowan.”

Power begins to surge through me again. Just like it did in the other dimension. I can feel it like molten lava rushing through my body.

Kell nods in agreement. “Be careful.”

Before I can answer, he turns back to Taylor with a determined expression, and without further warning, rushes towards him.

Taylor turns tale and runs with a final scream. “Get her!”

The zombie girls respond like puppets on strings and stampede towards me. The last thing I see as they rush me is Kell following Taylor and disappearing into the darkness.

The girls move forward and reach for me, but somehow I’m able to send a wave of power and stave them off. One of the girls reaches for Juliet, who is screaming behind the gag in terror. I send out a wave to the girl, making her stumble away and try to untie her bindings. Just then, something pulls me by my hair and pushes me onto the floor. It’s Sophie, I recognize her hair. Her grotesque body crawls over mine as she tries to tear at my throat.

I try to buck her off and kick out at her. I manage to pull her off and kick her face as she reaches for my legs. I finally find a release from her grasp and reach for Juliet’s bindings again until I loosen her binds and release her. She stumbles forward and falls to her knees, pulling off her gag. “Amara!” She gasps out.

Before I can answer, another body wraps around me in a bear hug and tries to drag me off. I look behind. It’s Leslie. Her sharp, rotting teeth gleam menacingly above my face. I push back, keeping her away from my neck and strain against her arms. “Let me go!”

I look over and see Juliet struggling with Sophie. The rest of the girls are attacking full force now. One of the other ones, I can’t tell who grasps me by the legs and begins to claw at me. Thankfully, my dress is in her way. But I don’t know how long it will take before they rip my dress to shreds and reach my skin. I kick out again, hitting the girl lying on my legs in the face. Her bones crunch, but she doesn’t make a sound. I pull my power again and manage to throw enough power to get them away from me.

As I struggle, my eyes land on Juliet. Two of the other zombie girls are dragging her towards a dark alcove. Juliet screams as she tries to find purchase on the floor. Surprisingly enough, none of them have tried to attack Rowan. I guess Taylor does not consider him a threat in the state he’s in.

Taking a nearby planter, I smash it over Leslie’s head. Sophie pulls up behind me and tries to grab me again, but I’m on to her this time. Reaching for the water hose that the gardener uses to water the plants and flowers, I wrap it around her neck and pull tight. She tries to release herself, but I manage to reel the hose in and lock it in place, keeping her from moving towards me.

A shrill scream resonates from across the room. Juliet’s cries resound as one of the girl's claws her bareback. I can see streams of blood collecting on the gouges. I try to get to her, but Leslie is blocking my way again. I watch hopelessly as the girl mounts Juliet’s body, ready to strike.

That’s when the most amazing thing happens. At first, I think it’s a figment of my imagination. I could almost swear that I saw Rowan’s body move from the corner of my eye. It can’t be, though. Kell said that a stake through the heart will completely incapacitate him. Then Juliet screams painfully again, and Rowan’s body shudders. This time I know that my eyes are not fooling me. I watch in awe as he stiffens and his tendons strain. His body arches like a bow loosening the stake in his chest, and his mouth opens into a wordless cry. I can see the sharp peaks of his fangs as he growls up at the sky. His muscled chest swells as he strains against his restraints.

He manages to break out of his restraints within seconds. Once he’s free, he falls to his knees. His chest rises and falls harshly as his head bows forward. His head snaps towards Juliet like a predator scenting its prey. Juliet cries out when one of the girls bites her wrist. Rowan rises from the floor and stalks towards Juliet and her attackers. He definitely looks like the predator he is. It’s almost scary to think what he would do to his prey once he catches it in his razor-sharp jaws. His eyes are black orbs of obsidian as he moves purposely towards the girls.

Worried that Juliet is in even more danger, I pull away from Leslie’s grip and make a run towards Juliet. I don’t know what I’m going to do. But I just can’t let Rowan or the zombie girls kill her. However, before I could reach her, Rowan grasps both Zombie girls by their necks and tosses them away like rag dolls. Both bodies fly across the room. One of the girls becomes impaled on a steel garden rake. Her legs flail around as she tries to break free from the rake’s hold. The other one slides across the floor. All of my senses go on alert when he takes a step towards Juliet’s injured body. Juliet’s eyes are as wide as saucers as she looks at him like a deer in headlights. Her bottom lip is swollen, and her body is shaking. She’s holding her injured hand close to her chest as she tries to crawl away. Rowan simply tilts his head in contemplation and squats before her. His face loses its feral look, but he still looks famished.

“Rowan.” Juliet whimpers shakily. Rowan moves closer and straddles her. Juliet cringes back and simply lies there, trapped. “Please, Rowan.” She mutters in a pleading voice.

Caging her between his arms, Rowan leans over her face and licks her bleeding lip and injured hand. I don’t know if it is the sexiest or scariest thing I’ve ever seen. Juliet closes her eyes and gasps when he reaches around her and settles her into the circles of his arms. Juliet stands there, too frightened to run. One of the Zombie girls moves in front of them with a menacing shriek and launches herself towards Rowan. But Rowan is fast. As she approaches, he takes her by the neck and squeezes until her head rips from her body. It’s the most grotesque thing I’ve ever seen. Rowan doesn’t even blink. He simply releases Juliet and turns to me. His stride is purposeful as he strides towards me. I swallow and take a few steps back.

I wince when he reaches his hand towards me. Ducking down, I try to avoid his reach. But he doesn’t hurt me. Instead, he pulls me behind him, walks to Sophie’s zombie form, grabs her by the hair, and slams her head on the floor until there is very little left of her skull or face.

He drops Sophie’s now lifeless body onto the floor and turns towards me with an intent scowl. “Get Juliet out of here and go.” He grits out through his sharp fangs.

I stutter back in surprise and point to the darkened shadows in the greenhouse. “How...? Are you okay?” His eyes go back to normal, and he gives me a deep penetrating look before he mutters through clenched teeth, “Go, Amara!”

But I refuse to move. I will not leave Kell. “But…Kell…he ran after Taylor.” Rowan looks towards where Kell ran off, too, and looks back at me. “Fuck it! Let’s get you both out of here before he comes back. I don’t think Kell would appreciate it if I left you here. I’ll come back to him.”

We both move away from the carnage and walk back out of the shed. I want to run back, but I’m too worried about Juliet’s state of mind to do it. I know that Kell will be fine. He’s one of the strongest people I know. Rowan leads us back out of the greenhouse and to the car. I almost feel bad for him when he tries to help Juliet, but she ducks away in terror. Instead, she reaches for me and wraps her arms around my waist. I pull her close, trying to reassure her. “It’s okay, Juliet. You’re fine.”

But she doesn’t answer. Instead, she clings to me and hides her face under my neck. She doesn’t say a word when I settle her in the back seat. Her eyes are glassy, and her skin is paper-white. She’s definitely in shock.

Rowan stands next to the door with a miserable tilt in his mouth and nudges his chin towards Juliet. “She needs medical attention. I can smell dried blood on her. She’s not bleeding anymore because I activated healing enzymes when I licked her wrist. Her wounds will still need tending to, though.”

I nod my head and gaze back at the greenhouse and bite my lower lip. “I know, but what about Kell?”

Rowan raises his hand and rubs the back of his neck. “Just take her to the emergency center nearby. I’ll take care of, Kell.” I want to argue, but before I do, Juliet lets out a loud agonizing sob and reaches for my hand. I duck down the side of the door and squeeze her hand. “It’s okay, Juliet.” But Juliet’s eyes are focused straight ahead.

I look towards Rowan, but he simply shakes his head and shrugs helplessly. Juliet squeals again, but this time she points toward the greenhouse. At first, I don’t see it, then I do. Kell and Taylor are both standing at the top of the greenhouse roof. My stomach falls at the sight of my boyfriend fighting a psycho over a fragile surface. I know that Kell can fly, but my rational mind is in turmoil. The fight is something you’d see out of an epic scene.

The dark sky opens up into a storm. The gray clouds roll in agitation, and rain begins to pour out in droves. The now half-moon remains undisturbed as if mocking the havoc happening below it. Rain pours down on us, soaking through our clothing. Rowan tries to pull me into the vehicle, but I resist keeping my eyes focused on the scene before me. My dress becomes heavy as it absorbs the rain. My lids blur with drops of water and tears. I’m sure that I look a mess, but nothing matters if something happens to Kell.

I just don’t understand why Mathias and Azazel haven’t shown up. On the way here, Kell said that Mathias and Azazel were out of town, chasing a lead on Marael. I watch from below as Kell and Taylor slip and slide over the greenhouse’s roof. Kell’s body twists and turns as he aims his sword at Taylor. Kell is still wearing his dress shirt, but his tie and jacket are long gone. His wings are still retracted, which makes no sense. Taylor continues to go on the defensive by evading and parrying.

Lightning strikes a tree nearby, reminding me of the added danger surrounding us. Rowan takes my elbow and tries to move me back again. “Get in the car, Amara. There’s nothing that you can do right now. Kell needs to finish this, and you’d only distract him.”

Seeing the truth of his words, I slide into the driver's seat and watch the scene unfold before me like a movie. Rowan stays where he is. His back is to me as he watches Kell and Taylor fight. I look towards Juliet, who is also watching the scene with fascination and shock. She doesn’t seem to be as pale as she was before.

My eyes are riveted back to Kell when I see him sink his sword in Taylor’s gut. Taylor looks down at the protruding sword in horror and topples over the side of the greenhouse roof to land face up a few feet in front of us. A moment later, Kell flies down and lands next to him. What’s also odd is that it stops raining instantly. As if someone shut off a broken pipe or something. Not another drop descends. I guess Taylor was the reason for the rainstorm.

Rowan and I rush to Kell, who is staring down at Taylor’s prone form determinedly. To my surprise, Taylor is still alive. His body is writhing on the ground in pain, and blood is pouring out of his stomach and mouth. He’s barely hanging on by a thread. Rowan’s eyes begin to darken into obsidian orbs again.

“Do you want me to finish him?” He says with a gravelly voice as he leans over Taylor’s thrashing body.

Kell shakes his head and pulls his brother back by the shoulder. “No, leave him. I think we should keep him alive. He’ll have a lot to account for when the Council gets here.”

Rowan leans closer, hisses through his fangs, and smirks when Taylor tries to cringe away in fright. It’s pretty intimidating. Kell gazes at him with speculation. “How did you get the stake out of your chest?” Rowan is saved from answering when a fluttering sound resounds in the distance.

Just then, Mathias and Azazel fly down from the sky. I give them both a reproachful look when they land in front of us. “Where were you?”

Mathias raises an eyebrow in reprimand, and Azazel simply chuckles. “Sorry, luv. We had Council business across the country, and even though we can fly, we’re not Superman. We tried to get here as fast as we could.”

His words deflate me, but I don’t apologize.

Kell pulls me into his arms and points at a now unconscious Taylor. Or at least I think he’s unconscious. “He’s still alive for now. You’ll need to get him to a hospital before he dies. I figured he might be some help in helping you find Marael.”

Mathias nods in agreement. “I thought you said he was dead?” Kell shakes his head, confused. “So did I, but according to Taylor, I only killed his other form and drained most of his power. Make sure you keep him on lockdown until we’re sure that he’s completely drained of magic.”

Azazel pats Kell on the back and runs his eyes over a half-naked Rowan. “What in the bloody hell do you have to do with this?”

Rowan remains silent and steps away. “I have to go. Make sure the human girl gets medical help too.”

To my surprise, he turns around and speeds away. He’s freaking fast. None of the men seem surprised by his sudden retreat, so I don’t ask. I guess it’s a vampire thing.

Kell puts his arm around me and pulls me close. “Are you okay, beauty queen?” I rest my head over his heart and nod. The steady thump and heat of his body put me at ease. “Yeah, I’m fine. Rowan finished up the zombie girls before they could do any real harm. Are you okay?”

He nods his head. “Yeah, he put up a good fight, but without his freaky strength, he couldn’t hold against me for long.”

Mathias picks Taylor’s unconscious body over his shoulder like a potato sack and turns to us. “I’m taking him to the Council holding. He’ll be a great deal of help once we get him to reveal where Marael is. I know how hard it must have been for you to let him live, but I’m glad you did. We need to find the sixth girl before Marael completes the ritual.”

Kell agrees begrudgingly. “Yeah, just let me know if he resists. I’d love another crack at him.”

Mathias smirks before he retracts his wings and flies off with Taylor’s unconscious body.

Azazel remains for a moment and gazes towards Kell’s car. “It looks like your friend is in distress.”

I look back toward Juliet, remembering that she’s still there. She looks so fragile with her arms wrapped protectively around her. “Yeah, Taylor had her tied up inside. She hasn’t said anything since Rowan released her. I think she’s freaked out by what she saw. What should I do?”

Azazel quirks a thoughtful brow. “How much did she see?”

Shaking my head, I exhale deeply. “A lot. She saw the zombie girls and Rowan’s freaky vampire face. It doesn’t help that she just saw Kell try to kill Taylor and sprout wings. Shit! She must think she’s going crazy. I know I would.”

Azazel frowns. “That is not good, love. Muggles are not allowed to know about supernaturals unless they’re mates or entrusted by the Council.”

Worry etches my brain. “What do we do?” Kell and Azazel give each other a grim look.

I can tell they’re silently communicating something unpleasant. “Tell me! And don’t you dare say you will have to kill her or something. Because if you do. I will kick both your asses!” I yell out in frustration.

Azazel snaps out of it first and gives me a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry, we won’t kill her. However, we can’t let her walk around with that much knowledge about us. I guess we can erase her memory of this.”

I gaze at Kell, who nods in agreement. “How would you do that? Will it hurt?”

Azazel rolls his eyes and shakes his head. “No, it won’t hurt. We’ll have one of the Council warlocks do it. Maybe Isaiah. He’s good at mind walking. He can erase tonight from her mind.”

Feeling confused by his suggestion, I shake my head and take a step back. “I don’t know if I feel right doing that.”

Kell sighs and gives me a serious look. “What Azazel said is true. We’re not just protecting ourselves, beauty queen. It would also be dangerous for Juliet. One word to the wrong person can cause her a death sentence from the Council. The supernatural world takes it very seriously when a human blabs about us. We prefer to remain on the down-low.”

I look into Kell’s eyes, trying to assess the truthfulness of his words. Azazel takes a step forward and says in a soft tone. “Trust us in this, love. It’s the best option for her. Otherwise, the Council will have to take drastic measures, and we don’t want that.”

I finally relent and let Azazel take Juliet to the Council chambers. However, I don’t let him go without gleaning a promise from him that he will bring her back safe and sound. Juliet doesn’t even struggle when Azazel approaches her and flies away with her. I guess he put a trance on her somehow.

Once they’re gone Kell, and I face each other. He looks so exhausted. Raising my hand up, I lay my palm over his cheek. “Is it over now? Because I don’t think I can take any more of this.”

Kell nods his head. “Yeah, baby, it’s over for now. Let’s go home. I’m tired, and I’m soaking wet.”

Hand in hand, we both walk back to his car. “I’m sorry that prom was ruined for you, beauty queen?” He says, stopping in front of the passenger door to open it for me. I shake my head. “It’s not your fault Kell. Either way, I don’t care as long as we’re both alive.” Kell chuckles tiredly and closes the door behind me.

We both go to his house that night. However, we don’t make love. Instead, we both take a hot shower and fall into an exhausted sleep while lying in each other’s arms. It’s the perfect ending to a horrible night. I know Kell told me that it was over, but something tells me that this is just the beginning. I don’t know if I’m ready or not. But what I do know is that as long as Kell is by my side, I can do anything.

Hopefully, the Council will be able to collect information from Taylor. He has a lot to pay for what he’s done to the dead girls and me. In the meantime, I will continue to practice my skills. Because I get the feeling that they will be needed soon. I know that there will be no rest for any of us until we find Marael and the sixth girl whom she is using to siphon her power. The girl who has been chosen to open hell onto the world. I just hope that we don’t have to destroy an innocent girl in the process.