Unknown [Book 2 of sacrifice Series]

Amy’s POV

I didn’t know how long I was staring at nothing.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I thought I saw the hazy outline of Zach. Trying to calm myself down, I slowly rolled onto my sides and my vision focused. I was back to my cage and next to mine was Zach where my mom was before.

Mom...I killed her. I’m a killer. I’ve killed before, taken many innocent’s souls but the regret was never there. And now after that accident...I don’t know anymore. Closing my eyes and trying to clear my thoughts I sighed. Every time I tried, I saw the image of mom’s lifeless body lying happily in my lap. No tears streamed down my face. I felt nothing but a dark, deep void.

My heart ached as I finally got a good look at Zach. His whole body sagged with exhaustion and he had dark circles under his eyes. His bound hands were ringed by red, the skin underneath rubbed raw from the ropes. He was unconscious when I was looking at him but as if knowing someone was staring, his eyes opened. He gave me a barely there smile which I returned.

“How are you feeling?” He asked me when he found his voice. It held sadness and it was a strange thing to be heard from him.

“Just breathing,” I replied and looked at the room ignoring his burning eyes. It was the same room we were in and now Danny was nowhere to be found. I didn’t know what happened to him. When Sage knew that I didn’t have any strength left, he took my mom from me and handed her to one of his minions. I tried to stop him but whatever he chanted it made me lose my conscious. The next I opened my eyes I was already here beside Zach.

“Where’s Danny?” I asked him but instead of telling me, he looked away shaking his head. It was funny how still my heart was beating inside my chest. The louder they beat, the farther fear gripped me like a leech. Was something wrong?

“They took him. I don’t know where but I tried to fight. I swear I wanted a way to end all of this but that bastard took my powers away.” He whispered rubbing the wound in his arm. "He took my souls. My bindings, all I ever had is now gone. Just like that." His words slowly made sense and my heart clenched at that. Danny was gone and Zach didn’t have any soul in him...

He was a lone soul now.

“Where are they?” The numbness was creeping into my bones. I could feel the pain, the hurt, uncertainty leaving my body with it.

“He took them as his binding. I can’t believe my own bindings are his now. He had no right to do that. I will be happily dead if he rather killed me.” His harsh words made me realize something. The numbness might give me some sort of false security but I won't be able to hold onto that. Whenever I will look at the people broken because of me, I would feel something.

Maybe pain, maybe guilt.

But I would feel. there wasn't any escape from it.

When I didn’t answer he took his bound hands to grab mine and I let him. He looked at my eyes like the night of Samara's death. Even then I was losing myself over the guilt. Was he trying to get me back from these endless dark thoughts?

“Listen, Amy, when everything’s ends I want you to know something. I never meant to hurt you the way I did in that asylum. My anger got the worse out of me and I thought you killed me. There was humming when I first woke up from my death. They only wanted revenge. So I held onto that anger for so long time that I almost forgot who I was before and when you send me to hell, I got my life to think back all. I remembered what happened before I was dead. And I feel so guilty, Ams. Please forgive me.” I didn’t know what to say.

I thought back all the things we did together and the months in that asylum. I couldn’t blame him for his anger and I also don’t support his way of judging. Thinking a second I smiled and his composure softened.

“I forgive you, Zach. But I never knew who killed you really. Do you know...I mean now?” I asked him the question I’ve been thinking for a year.

“I...I was killed by your sister. Your mother told me. I didn’t know you had a twin sister so I assumed it was you. And I knew of Roth before. That’s why I avoided you trying to find clues.” This perked my interest and I looked at him sharply. What the hell he means by before?

“What’s this supposed to mean?” I pressed and he looked away.

“I-I saw the powers Roth held. I tried to warn you but she deliberately tried to get you away. Before my death you were clueless but I knew Roth tried to kill you. That time searching for answer I found someone who would help me but I needed to give them reports about your bloodline.”

“Who?" I whispered. I never knew he was working for someone.

“They made me swore a oath for protecting you. And that’s what I broke. Guess hell didn’t give me a joyful ride for that.” When I didn’t laugh he made a huffing sound.

“Look it’s all over and old news now. And my death was for your mother. She was the reason...for that, yeah.” I knew he was uncomfortable to talk about someone who is dead now but I only nodded. It was all clear now. It was like a wall has broken down from my chest.

“If you don’t mind can I tell you something?" He asked and his sudden nervousness made me uncomfortable but I nodded anyway.

“Um...how to put this...I never stopped loving you. There; I said it. I know I made mistakes...hell I tried to kill you! But I can’t stop loving you...I just can’t.” His bluntness froze me. He was still in love with me. But...I didn’t love him anymore. I may have forgiven him but I can’t take him in.

“I’m sorry I knew it was stupid. I was just trying to...” But I cut him off.

“Listen, Zach...I may have forgiven you but love... You know I loved you back then, right? Scratch that...In another world, I might have seen a future with you. We all in college, you with your sports and I with my nerdy normal routine, happily joking around. Yeah...but now that’s not possible. I don’t love you... like before.” I answered and huffed in annoyance. Why my life can’t be normal like others?

“I know I understand. You love Daniel now. He’s one hell of a lucky guy.” He smiled sadly and I tightly returned the gesture. Even Zach knew I love Danny. But did Danny knows?

Before I could say something some of Sage’s minions walked into the room and opened Zach’s cage. He becoming dumbfounded looked around and tried to block them but he groaned loudly as one of them struck him across the face with a dagger. His back was to me so I couldn’t see much, but it sounded painful. He was soulless now...these words registered in my mind and to my horror, I realized that he can’t protect himself.

He was as weak as a human now.

I wanted to scream. Desperation clung uncomfortably to my skin as I willed for something, anything, to happen. This was like a nightmare that I desperately wanted to wake up from.

And suddenly, the man who had hit Zach was thrown across the room. My eyes followed him as he slammed into the wall with a loud thud and fell to the ground. My powers were begging to be awakened and I needed them. After mom, I can’t see anyone die because of me. Other minions obviously didn’t know where to aim their power. Uncertainty was etched onto their faces as they realize how useless their powers were against me.

“Did you do that?” A cold voice asked from the shadows and my eyes snapped at him...Sage.

“What do you want now!?” I snapped at him. He was the reason my mom died...in my hand.

“I want you to help me opening the gate. I told you before.” He replied coldly and I balled my fists in anger.

“It’s not worth it. Not right now.” Zach whispered and I signaled him to shut up. I’m tired of this shit. I needed to come up with a plan and fast.

“It’s time to open the gate. Let’s go.” He lectured and some of the minions dragged Zach to the other room. I tried to resist as they yanked him towards the door. But he was so weak compared to the creatures that it almost looked like they were dragging along a puppet. He kept his eyes on me the whole time, while Sage trailed with me not too far behind him.

When we reached the previous room near the outside I flung the glass mirror in their direction. One of the creatures tried to attack and I found myself pinned down by a heavy force. It was like gravity had magnified and was crushing me like a house.

Sage’s face came to my vision and before I could do something his teeth clamped down on my neck, hard. I cried out in agony as warm liquid spilled over my skin. Zach screamed but it faded away. My eyes watered at the immense amount of pain from having my skin sliced open. I felt myself standing up by someone forcefully and a book was thrust into my hand.

“Chant.” Sage gave me another of his snarl and opened a specific page from that book. It was the spell for summoning the seeker. Oh god...He wanted me to summon Danny.

Panic and terror flared up inside me as I realized what to do next. I just can’t summon him!

“Don’t listen to this bastard!” Zach yelled out and I looked at him to see that he was already injured badly. He barely able to keep his whole body in standing position and his breath was going short by the minute.

“Been checked out enough? If you don’t want him to die I suggest you start chanting...now.” Sage threatened and I felt a pang in my heart. Can I risk Zach’s life over mine? No...I can’t.

Seeing me defeated Sage smirked and pointed at the page to go ahead. I looked at Zach one last time cause if I call Danny he’ll have no choice but to kill me. Zach was silently begging me not to do this. I shakily took the book and started to chant;

“Ego libenter vocare praecerpens messor aristas animam meam petenti offeratur ianuam ignotum. Invocabo coactus, fiat!”

My chanting was replaced by a scream as the ground started shaking. Cracks split throughout the walls and ceiling as the building swayed, causing to rain down on us. A huge chunk of plaster broke off from the ceiling and landed near me. When the dust was gone my heart froze.

Danny was standing rigidly in front of me and his dark golden eyes were filled with deep regret. Sage was shocked that was an understatement. He looked dumbfounded but when it all clicked he grinned.

“Welcome, my seeker. Let the ritual begin.”