Awakening

The rest of the week, Sophie mulled over the latest vision. She wanted to share it with Lilli, but decided against it. It was unbelievable. The six of them living a past life and fighting a demon priestess? Using a spell to suspend their souls until it was time for them to come back?

Mind-boggling.

Which also meant that if they were back, then it was time for the last battle.

Sophie dismissed that thought quickly. It was too terrifying to dwell on. She wasn’t lying when she’d told her brother, Todd, that she hoped she’d never lay eyes on that woman.

She followed Lilli into Jack’s, a small diner off campus. It was nice to get into the warmth and out of the mind-of-its-own weather. There were people in almost every checkered booth and table and more than a few lining the bar in the back. A petite, dark-haired hostess handed them each a menu and led them toward the only remaining booth. It was situated to the left of the bar and near the bathrooms, which were labeled JACKS and JANES.

Sophie set her menu down. Jack’s chicken strips and french fries always made her day, and she counted on them to brighten her mood now.

“What do you think they need to tell us?” Lilli asked. She twirled the end of her ponytail, a nervous habit she’d had since they were kids.

They being Ruth and Demetri. The truth was due at seven that night, an hour and half from now.

“I hope there aren’t any more creatures after us,” Lilli continued.

Sophie didn’t know how to answer that. “What are you going to order?”

“A salad. I don’t know if I can handle anything heavy.”

Sophie wondered if she could. Anxiety settled in the pit of her stomach and threatened to bloom. “Do you think the others will be there?”

Lilli shrugged. “It’s possible. I can’t even pretend to predict what Morgan will do.”

“She’s a mystery, that’s for sure.”

The waitress approached their booth, and Sophie was pleased to see it was Katie. The redhead beamed and winked at them. “Haven’t seen you two in a while. I heard about what happened at the library.”

Sophie watched Lilli pale. “Yeah, it all happened so fast.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re okay.” Katie seemed oblivious to the panic on Sophie’s face and set a glass of tea in front of both of them. “What are you going to order today?”

Sophie gave their orders and waited for Katie to head toward the kitchen. She looked around again to make sure no one was listening. Satisfied, she glanced back at Lilli. “Everyone knows about the library. That can’t be a good sign.”

Lilli took a sip of her tea. A little bit of color returned to her face. “No, not everyone. Katie probably knows because her best friend works in the library, remember?”

Sophie shook her head. “Yeah, I forgot that. I just feel paranoid now.”

“I hope Jackson will be there.”

“He will.” Sophie was sure Jackson would follow Lilli into hell if she asked him to. “They have as much riding on this as we do.”

“Who do you think Ruth and Demetri really are? And why do you think the address leads to a church?”

Sophie shrugged. “Maybe they’re from the Vatican?”

Lilli giggled. “Nah. I don’t think they look like the Vatican type.”

Katie set their food down on the table. “I brought you ranch dressing. That okay?”

Lilli nodded. “Thanks, Katie. Hey, did you ever get into the college you wanted?”

“My interview was last week. They say it takes a few weeks to hear an answer, so cross your fingers.”

“Crossed.” Lilli smiled and held up her crossed fingers.

A small pang hit Sophie. She swung her attention back to Katie and concentrated for a moment. All she could sense was happiness and laughter bubbling out of their waitress.

“We should hurry. I don’t want to be late for what may be the most important meeting of our lives.” Lilli took another bite.

When they were done, Sophie left a generous tip on the table. They stood, slipping on their coats and gloves.

A shiver slid across Sophie’s neck, and she fought to keep from glancing around the room. She didn’t want to worry about it. Not when there were more dangerous things to be concerned with.

They headed back into the cold rain. Sophie could breathe easier without being in such a large group of people. She pulled her hood up over her hair. She’d straightened it with the hopes that Tristan would notice, but hadn’t really thought about the rain.

So much for trying.

Morgan would probably look great, as usual. The rain probably didn’t fall on her pretty little head.

“What was that?” Lilli asked as they ducked into the covered bus stop.

Sophie wasn’t aware she’d muttered her thoughts aloud. “Oh, nothing.”

Lilli jostled up and down to keep warm. Her green eyes implored Sophie to keep talking.

“Why is Morgan such a witch? It’s not like I did anything to her.”

“I don’t know. You’re the empath, not me. She didn’t look happy when Professor Whittaker handed her the directions. I’ll be surprised if she shows.”

Sophie was ashamed to admit she hoped the girl wouldn’t. Morgan knew Tristan, liked him, and that made Sophie’s skin crawl. The vision popped in her mind again as the bus rolled to a stop in front of them. All she could think of was when Thane took Sofrina’s hand. The memories that had surfaced of the two of them.

“What’s on your mind? You’re being quiet again.” Lilli led her to two seats near the front.

There were more passengers this time, but most of them were asleep. Sophie didn’t have to worry about their emotions right now. She only had to worry about her own. “Nothing,” she lied.

Lilli frowned. “Whatever. If you don’t want to tell me, you don’t have to.”

“Lilli, it’s not like that. Just give me some time to sort this out.”

“Promise you’ll tell me when you’re ready?”

“Promise.” Sophie held two of her fingers up.

“That’s a peace sign, Sophie.” Lilli smiled. “You were no girl scout.”

By the time they got off the bus, the rain had tapered off to a drizzle, but Sophie’s breath clouded in front of her. She and Lilli walked the block to the address Whittaker had given them, the street lamps lighting the way.

“I really don’t like the dark.” Lilli put her arm through Sophie’s and yanked her closer. “It’s so creepy out here.”

Sophie glanced around and agreed. The sidewalks were uneven, and weeds sprouted up in between the cracks. Litter clung to the streets, and a group of men stood outside a rundown building covered in graffiti. They huddled in a circle, all dressed in ripped and stained clothing.

Sophie and Lilli picked up their pace. She didn’t know if this was what alerted the men to their presence, or if they’d already known they were there. And alone.

The smallest one made a crude gesture to the others, and the group erupted into catcalls and laughter.

“Sweetie, where you going in such a hurry?” the small one called out. The undercurrent in his tone sparked fear in Sophie, and his muddy spirit rose to envelop her. No one was around to hear them scream. The old, condemned buildings shielded them from the eyes of the people on the next street. Sophie reached for Lilli’s hand and pulled her along faster.

“Hey!” The man, obviously the leader by the way the others mimicked his actions, yelled louder. As if they heard him, they’d stop and have a nice chat.

Sophie sensed his intent change. Now that they’d ignored him, he was angry. His essence extended toward them on black, skinny tendrils. She ran with her head turned to keep an eye on the men.

“Can we?” one of the men asked.

The short man took a last puff on his cigarette and discarded it. His foot stomped down, extinguishing it, then he nodded to his friends.

The men shot forward. Lilli screamed. Her eyes widened when she saw how fast the men ran. Their footsteps pounded on the sidewalks.

Two of the men crossed the street to stay behind them. The other three crossed the street a few yards ahead.

Sophie’s breath burned through her lungs. The men caged them in. Hunted them. Their anger rolled over her, making her stomach roil. She and Lilli skidded to a halt. There was nowhere for them to go. Sophie could see the church now, only half a block past the small, crude leader.

Lilli tightened her hold on Sophie’s hand, but stayed silent. A thread of panic twisted from Lilli’s arm to hers.

The night closed in around Sophie. She watched the three men come to a stop in front of them.

“Didn’t your mother teach you that it ain’t polite to ignore someone?” The leader stepped closer. A long, red scar ran down the side of his face. He smiled and flashed several gold teeth.

The men around him laughed.

Sophie glanced back and saw the two behind them move in. They were much larger than their boss, with tattoos that covered more than half their bodies. Underneath their tough exteriors, they feared the small man.

They were terrified of him.

Which meant he was extremely lethal to have earned the fear of men much larger than himself.

Sophie’s heart beat painfully in her chest. She turned back around with a new terror and locked her gaze on the small man. She wanted to keep his attention on her and away from Lilli.

The night was quiet around them. No one answered Lilli’s scream from before, and Sophie knew they were on their own.

The small man stared back. Then he looked over her shoulder and nodded.

Rough hands grabbed her arms and shoved her forward. She stumbled in front of the leader and fell to her knees.

“Right where I like my bitches.” He cackled. The sound made the hairs on her neck stand on end.

Sophie’s lungs constricted.

This man had killed many, many people in his lifetime. Their screams and horror filled her. He’d have no problem squeezing the life out of them.

Sophie had to keep his attention on her. She forced herself to look into his eyes.

They were dead. No emotion poured forth, and that scared her more than hearing the victims scream inside her head.

He was unmerciful.

She started to shake. There was no way out of this. The irony of the situation hit her. They’d survived a demonic attack only to be killed by a human.

“Such freaky eyes.” He grabbed her chin and leaned closer.

Sophie didn’t let on that his fingers squeezed a little too tight. More of his memories spilled into her mind and clouded her thinking. There were so many girls. She wanted to throw up when she saw what he did to them. Forced them to pleasure him before he raped and murdered.

Lilli shrieked. Sophie jerked her chin out of his hand and looked back at her friend.

One of the men held Lilli around the waist. His chest pressed up against her back and he rubbed himself on her. The other sniffed at the base of her neck.

Bile rose in Sophie’s throat. “Leave her alone!” She leaped toward them.

A brutal hand closed around her arm.

“No!”

The leader jerked her, snapping her body back like a rubber band.

“You aren’t going anywhere,” he hissed, tightening his arms.

Her breath caught.

Tristan stalked out of the shadows, moving with the deadly precision of a jungle cat. His eyes burned with rage.

Jackson wasn’t far behind. He towered over the thugs handling Lilli, his angelic face seething with righteous anger.

Tristan growled low in his chest. He balled his hand and threw it over her shoulder.

She heard bone crunch. The leader let go of her with a painful gasp.

Sophie wrenched herself away from the small man and looked for Lilli. She saw Jackson use a small mental push to knock three of the thugs back.

Aidan arrived and pushed Lilli behind him, eyeing the man advancing on him. Fire burst over his sleeves. Aidan hesitated, and horror flared on the man’s face.