Hallowed: The Guardian Series, #3

Chapter One

Sophie couldn't get the voice in her head to shut up. He had opinions about how the mission into the demon realm should go. She couldn't blame him, found it hard to, when she knew that he was a half-breed demon. Out of all of them, he would best know how to enter the demon realm. Still, it was disconcerting to hear his voice inside her head, swimming around in her thoughts and memories.

To distract herself, she looked around the room at the members assembled. They all shifted in their chairs or thrummed their fingertips on the table. Her gaze lingered on Tristan for a moment, and the familiar pain lanced through her heart. His expressionless face did little to hide his disgust with her ever since she'd allowed the demon to harbor inside her body two days ago. Every interaction with him was forced and impersonal.

He hadn't died like Rory and Allison, but he was as unreachable as they were.

He doesn't deserve you, you know. There was that voice again, silky and seductive. She narrowed her eyes and ignored Samuel.

We’ve already learned that the demon realm is composed of endless nights, so the threat from vampires will be absolute. Our teams will be in unfamiliar territory. That gives them an advantage over us we’ll have to counteract. The Commander stood at the head of the table, hands behind his back. He turned piercing eyes on Sophie. We’ll use Samuel as our back-up plan.

His piercing stare let Sophie know just how much the Commander despised her, and that hate had only grown since she'd let the demon in.

Samuel stirred inside of her. She allowed him to speak through her mouth. As you wish, Commander.

Several of the warriors’ disgusted looks at the sound of Samuel’s voice embarrassed Sophie enough that she almost hung her head. Instead, her chin lifted, and she stared back at the ones she sickened with a hard glare. She’d made the decision to allow the demon in her body to save millions of lives. It hadn’t been easy, especially after they thought they’d defeated Akeldama, and then learned it had all been a trick. To get to her faster, Sophie’d chosen to let Samuel into her body where she could control him and where he could lead them to the demoness.

We’ll cross through the portal you confiscated from Cabariel and enter the demon realm at the base of a volcano.  After you get oriented, we’ll leave the caves and beat Akeldama to the Rift. Simple, really.

You’re sure you know the way to the Rift? Demetri’s voice caught Samuel’s attention.

He swiveled her head to face him. Sophie thought Demetri looked tired, more haggard, since the last battle with Akeldama. His normally expressionless eyes were filled with concern whenever he glanced at Ruth.

Ruth sat, shoulders hunched, the usual fire in her extinguished. As Sophie listened to Samuel’s answer, she thought of how much she and the others missed Rory and Allison.

Yes, I’m sure.

It was beyond weird listening to Samuel’s voice leave her lips. It still bothered her that he was inside her body, she just couldn’t do anything about it right now. It obviously bothered a lot of other people, too.

The council sat to the left side of the room in their entirety. All twelve pairs of mismatched eyes never strayed from Sophie. She couldn’t figure out if it was because they were looking for a sign Samuel was overtaking her or if their curiosity over him being there in the first place was all they thought about. It wasn’t every day—any day—that a demon was so close and cooperative. Either way, their attention made both her and Samuel nervous.

We’ve already mobilized the troops for the restoration of the island. We’ll send whatever you need your way. The Commander nodded in Demetri’s direction. He showed none of his anger over being chosen for the restoration mission instead of the demon realm. The Council had decided to send a group to repair the damage done to the Society’s ancestral home before and after Akeldama had gotten a hold of it.

You aren’t coming? Aidan leaned forward, and Sophie knew he was digging at the Commander.

No, I’ve been asked to oversee the restoration. His teeth clenched, and Aidan sent him a smug grin.

Vanessa came around with coffee. Normally Sophie would refuse, but it was late and she had a feeling she’d need the caffeine boost. Her heart fell as she noticed Vanessa hesitate. She cursed under her breath as she quickly took control from Samuel. Her eyes faded back to violet, and she reached for the glass.

Vanessa moved on to the others.

You got any food? Aidan peered at the tray in Vanessa’s hands. I can’t talk war on an empty stomach.

You always have an empty stomach. Morgan flashed a beautiful smile and took two cups from the tray. Her smile had a decidedly more intimate shine for Aidan since she finally acknowledged her feelings for him. Drink it.

Yes, princess. Aidan winked at Sophie as he sipped. He, at least, didn’t think she was a freak.

You’re not a freak.

Stay out of this. Sophie forced Samuel away with a quick burst of thought. She would die before she accepted his pity.

I’ll divide the troops and give you a list of the names going to the realm. From there you can take over, Demetri, and decide what to take with you.

Demetri’s usual hooded gaze was back, and not for the first time Sophie wondered how he came to be here and what exactly made him the way he was. What had happened? Not once had she heard that story.

Not once had she been brave enough to ask.

After a few more discussions about the logistics of the missions, the Commander ended the meeting. Everyone stood to leave, letting the council exit first. Once the council was gone, Samuel breathed a sigh of relief, and the pressure in Sophie’s head dissipated. It could’ve been a mix of her anxiety and his, but for now she’d blame it on him.

Sophie snuck a glance at Tristan, and her tension skyrocketed again. His stormy gray eyes turned glacial, and he looked right through her. Like she wasn’t even there. Like she’d never existed. Anguish and despair swirled inside of her, making her want to either punch him in the face or force him to acknowledge she was there. She clamped her jaw tight to keep from taking it out on him.

He turned away from her. She watched as he walked out, Vanessa smiling beside him. Her heart dropped.

It’s not like that, Sophie. Morgan’s voice slipped into her thoughts.

Yeah, Vanessa’s trying to soften him up for you, Lilli added as they all came around the table to her. It gave her a little confidence to know that the rest of the Guardians, besides Tristan, stood beside her. They didn’t ignore her or talk to pretty redheads....

It didn’t matter. Jealousy still threatened to choke her whether Vanessa was trying to help or not.

Demetri, Ruth, and Casey spoke in whispers by the door. She wondered what was so important. Were they discussing her? Did they not trust her anymore?

Samuel shifted, but thankfully didn’t say anything. She might have forced him out of her body and allowed him to spiritually starve to death. It would only take two days, and then Tristan would look at her again.

Why don’t we go get something to eat? Lilli slid her arm through Jackson’s and smiled, but Sophie could feel her worry over the situation.

Sophie watched their auras meld. She loved them both, but if she had to keep watching how happy they were at that moment, she might choke someone. Preferably Tristan. She shook her head when she realized the others were waiting for her answer. I’m going to bed.

Morgan opened her mouth to protest but shut it when Aidan gently squeezed her hand.

Sophie smiled weakly and walked toward the door. She brushed past Casey, whose large form blocked most of the doorway.

He mumbled an apology, belatedly moving. His tattoos rippled across his muscles, and Sophie could almost imagine they were alive. She felt his melancholy as their skin touched. It still ran deep, and she wondered if his grief would ever begin to heal. He’d hardly spoken since the deaths of the others.

Sophie couldn’t muster up any grief over Seline’s death. She’d betrayed them to the demons and caused many deaths by her betrayal. All because she blamed the Guardians for the death of her husband.

The hallways of the Manor were more somber and confining now as Sophie walked them. When they’d first arrived, the place had been a safe haven, a spot where none of them were ridiculed for their abilities. They didn’t have to hide their true selves. But now, even with another soul inside her body, she’d never felt more alone.

You shouldn’t feel alone. Samuel’s caramel voice warmed her mind, even if she didn’t want it to. You are surrounded by people who love you.

It’s none of your business. She stepped around a group of young warriors chatting over which mission they’d rather be on. Their conversation died down as she passed. Then the whispers started.

Yeah. Surrounded. Her sarcasm was lost on him, though.

People are afraid of what they don’t understand.

Sophie narrowed her eyes as she climbed the stairs. An image of Samuel, right before he joined her in her body, flashed through her mind. He stood, sexy as sin, in the arena. Waiting on her to allow him inside. They understand exactly what you are. In her mind she let him watch the devastation she’d seen and learned since coming here. All wreaked by demons or the Betrayer.

His irritation rose. I was born this way. I had no choice.

Everyone has a choice. She reached for the doorknob and went inside her room.

Her room, not hers and Tristan’s. Not anymore.

Samuel stayed silent as she changed and crawled into bed. Was he contemplating what she said about choice? The room felt larger, emptier, without Tristan. Sophie shut her eyes tight against the pain and wished her brother were still alive. He would make her laugh and forget all about how much her heart hurt. He might tell her that trusting Tristan wasn’t foolish, like she desperately wanted to believe.

She wasn’t aware she’d fallen asleep until her eyes popped open a few hours later. Her body was bone-tired, so something eerie had to have happened to pull her from sleep. She sat up in bed and spread her senses out. It didn’t feel like danger; there were no demons on the island except Samuel.

Sluggish footsteps sounded to her right. She whipped her head in that direction. In the darkness, she could make out the shadowed outline of someone standing in the corner. Fear rose sharply on her tongue. She tried to swallow, but her mouth went dry.

What do you want? Her voice didn’t shake even though tremors of fear moved through her. Her brows drew together as she concentrated on the shadow. It felt like someone she knew, yet not.

The soft chuckle was so familiar and comforting that hot tears burned her eyelids. Todd? She reached for the lamp beside her bed.

Don’t!

Sophie jumped at the sharp command. For a minute it didn’t feel like her brother at all. Her heart pounded in her chest.

The voice gentled. Sorry, sis. But if you turn the light on, I’ll disappear. Coming through the veil to this world is very difficult, and I’m concentrating as hard as I can.

Sophie didn’t move. She could feel how tenuous his connection to the living realm was. Still, as long as Todd had been alive, he’d never snapped at her like that. He’d always been calm and soothing. She pushed her senses out harder.

Please, don’t. His voice saddened. If you keep pushing, you’ll shove me back.

People didn’t come back from the dead. Todd didn’t come back from the dead.

I don’t want you to see me like this, he said.

The details of his torture and death by Akeldama hurled themselves through her mind. An instant headache formed behind her right eye. It doesn’t make sense.

It doesn’t have to. The footsteps shuffled closer. You needed me, so I came.

The edge of the bed dipped down. Chill bumps dotted Sophie’s skin. A dead person was a dead person, even if it was her own brother. Her mind kept searching for ways it was possible.

Todd sighed. I don’t have much time.

Sophie could feel icy tendrils of darkness sliding toward her. Whatever was going on was wrong, she knew that, but the sound of Todd’s voice was comforting and too hard to ignore. He was close now. Her fingers curled in the sheets. Somehow she knew not to reach out and touch him.

Tell me what’s bothering you, sis. Todd relaxed on the bed.

Some of the tension in her muscles disappeared. Her voice was hesitant as she started talking but soon grew strong with emotion. Tristan hates me because I had to let a demon inside of me to save the world. And all the people here who used to like me despise me now, or look at me like I’m a freak! It’s like Roman and high school all over again!

They are just afraid of what they don’t know. Todd’s voice dipped lower. The seductive tone to it made Sophie uncomfortable. Suddenly it didn’t feel like Todd at all. Tristan is a damn idiot for letting you go.

Sophie leaned away, her mind twisting and turning. Who are you?

I’m your brother. You know, Todd.

This time she pushed hard.

Sophie, don’t!

She gave one last, solid push with her power. The pressure in the air thickened until it popped. Then he was gone, and the room felt normal again. She leaned back against the headboard and took in a shaky breath. What the hell just happened? With all her experience as a Guardian and even before in all of her visions, she’d never seen a ghost. Was Samuel affecting her power?

Oh no. Don’t blame that fiasco on me, love.

Don’t call me that, she said automatically. Then what was it?

I’m not sure. I wasn’t conscious for it. Whatever it was knocked me out. For someone or something to do that, they’d have to be very, very powerful.

Go to sleep. Sophie didn’t want to discuss anything with him that didn’t have to do with the demon-realm mission.

***

Sophie entered the training bay and noticed its normally solemn gym was covered in chaos. Warriors shoved, turned, and ran to either side to find which mission they were assigned to. She thought they looked pretty energetic for six in the morning.

As far as she knew, the Society had never had two missions of such importance at the same time. The mission to the island would hopefully uncover ways to kill the demons mission number two would face in the demon realm.

No one, other than Samuel, had a clue what would be waiting for them in the realm. It didn’t exactly inspire confidence, but the warriors didn’t seem to let that bother them.

The demon was being unusually quiet. Samuel?

He shifted but didn’t answer. She dismissed him as she walked further into the bay. People were everywhere and shouts of elation or groans of disappointment echoed off the walls. On the left side of the bay, Demetri and his team stood with its new members, Catherine, Foster, and Kendra, behind a fold-out table. Lines of warriors, eager to see the Realm and fight in the biggest battle they’d ever seen, wrapped around most of the gym. Ruth, Kendra, and Foster checked names against their clipboards.

Sophie started to push through the wall of warriors. When they noticed who she was, they gave her a wide berth. Her mouth twisted, but she ignored everyone. To hell with them. She arrived just in time to see Foster shake his head, turning away a warrior.

Hey, Soph! Foster waved when he saw her. His red hair bounced with his movements.

Sophie smiled as she came to stand beside him. How are we doing?

Foster peeked over her shoulder at the line. It’s only the beginning.

Sophie nodded. Foster’s curiosity tingled along her skin as he looked at her. She knew his intellectual mind wanted to interrogate Samuel. He was too polite to ask, though, so she made a mental reminder to ask him about it. Maybe he’d know the right questions to ask to get information out of the demon.

All you think about is food! Morgan’s voice rose over the noise of the bay.

Sophie and Foster exchanged looks and turned in the direction of her voice. Morgan