Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66383 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66383 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
“And how do you do that?”
Valefar leans in close to my ear and whispers so only I can hear, “I can hear the heartbeat.”
I suck in a breath at his words. He pulls away and smiles at me. “You need to make it whole by letting it touch you, but you also risk it taking from you.” He looks at my stomach. “I’m guessing this is why Father warned you away.” I nod my head. “You risk it taking another life before your own,” he says on another low whisper.
I gasp and take a half step back.
The thing smiles at him, and Valefar turns to face me.
“Why are you helping me?” I ask.
“You will be the queen of this world, and one day I will be King of Hell. I think we’ll be amazing allies.” He winks before he disappears.
“What did he say?” Tatiana asks as she approaches.
“He told me how to kill it.”
“And?”
“And… I think I can do it.”
The york has once again turned into our mother, offering her hand to both of us. When we don’t take the bait, I watch as it morphs into Patrick. Tatiana sucks in a breath next to me, not expecting that, and my heart hurts a little at seeing him.
“I have to do it. I don’t know how they multiply, but we can’t risk that happening. The other world had hundreds of them, Tatiana. We don’t want that here.” I turn to her. “Trust me… we don’t want them here.”
“Will it be safe?”
“Probably not, but under no circumstance can you help.” She nods her head.
“You can do it. If anyone can, it’s you.” She gently squeezes my arm in a show of support, and I want to believe her.
I hope her words are true, but I’m confident about what I’m about to do. She doesn’t know about the baby. If she did, would she still let me try?
I already know the answer to that.
Keeping it a secret is the only thing I can think of doing right now. So that’s what I’ll do until I know it’s a good time to tell her.
When will that be? I have no idea.
But right now is not it.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“How do you plan to do it?” John asks as he strides up to us.
“Walk over and hope I get to it first,” I say, shrugging my shoulders. My plan is not great, but I have nothing else right now.
“Sounds like a great plan of attack,” he says sarcastically.
“Uh-huh.”
A small silver bird flies toward the barrier, and we watch as it goes straight through. And then comes directly to me, flying over my head.
“Is that…” John trails off in astonishment.
“Those amazing birds were in Max’s world too,” I whisper, my eyes widening in awe.
“It’s a peachie. Correct?” he asks.
“Yes,” I answer, remembering when Max told me about them. “They are attracted to power. They only go to those who hold the most.” I repeat what Max once said.
He watches it flying over my head as I stare at the york.
“I have to do it,” I whisper.
“We can always try to think of another way,” John says.
“It’s the only way. I’m sorry in advance if it doesn’t work. I know you will be good to my sister, so that’s all I ask.”
“You’ll do just fine. You always have.” We look back to the york in the form of Patrick. “He knew it too. It’s why he was willing to give his life for you, so let’s honor him.”
I suck in a breath before I face John. “Please get everyone back. If I can walk through the barrier, it may be able to come through too. I’m not quite sure how that works.”
John steps away and tells everyone to get back. They all take several steps back, leaving me standing by myself at the barrier.
The fake Patrick smiles at me from the other side, and my hand lowers until it’s resting on my stomach.
How can I not do this? I have to. Everyone is relying on me to get this done.
And as it seems I am the only one who may be able to right this wrong.
It’s my fault the yorks are here. I opened the portal by mistake, and this is what came through. I watch the peachie flying over my head, and I give it a smile. It reminds me so much of Max that it makes my heart beat faster.
The spell I cast settles over me, licking my skin as my hand slides through the barrier. The york watches on in interest with Patrick’s eyes. I manage to push my whole body through, and when I’m on the other side, I check back to ensure the area I went through closes directly behind me.
Taking my attention off the york is my first mistake. Because as I do, it reaches out and grabs my shoulder. My head swings around, and instantly I feel dizzy. I feel my power draining as it takes from me. So as quickly as I can, I shoot my hand out and grip its shoulder. It’s then I hear a voice coming from behind me.