We make it through our run in record time, I think each of us feeling Jackson’s nearly limitless energy flowing through us and grateful for it.“Seriously,” Jesse says, beaming at Jacks. “You should bottle this stuff. Sell it on the black market. Make millions.”“I don’t need millions,” Jackson murm
But my fingers just slip away from it even as I try to turn.What – what!?I gasp in fear and frustration, hauling on the door, trying to turn the lock – but it won’t budge, no matter how much I wrench my wrist -Suddenly arms are around my waist and I scream bloody murder as I’m hauled away from th
I scream as the boys come through the door, as Alvez hauls hard on my arm, pulling me up and spinning me around, clasping me to his chest with one arm while the other shoots out towards Jackson and Luca, who barrel forward.I feel the dark power streaming out of Alvez and heading towards the boys. D
No, they’re tangible things, wrapping hard around Alvez’s neck, his limbs, his body, extensions of Jesse’s will.“Who are you,” Jesse growls, his voice echoing in the room, bizarrely doubled so that it sounds like there are two of him – one his normal voice, one much deeper – a dark purr. “What the
“He cannot kill me,” the God says, laughing darkly as I come closer. Suddenly a hand lashes out, hitting Jesse hard in the chest and sending him sprawling down on the ground next to Rafe. But even as he falls away, Jesse’s shadows stay tight around the god before us, winding around him. “Even if th
Luca gets to me first, pulling me hard against his chest, tucking his head down against my shoulder. But Jackson’s here too, at my side, taking my chin in his hands and turning it towards him.“Ariel,” Jackson whispers, desperate, “are you…all right?”Slowly I nod, staring at him, unable to do more
Rafe doesn’t respond, just looks up at Jesse. “Can you do anything? To…tell if he’s still in there?”“If who’s still in…where…” Alvez murmurs, raising a hand to his forehead and pressing it over his eyes like he has one hell of a headache.I watch, completely still in Jackson’s arms, as Jesse’s shad
Three hours later, everything has changed.We’re still in the room, having sent word to our professors that we’re all…indisposed for the day. But mom is sitting on a cushion on the floor with Rafe’s dark head in her lap, softly stroking her favorite’s hair as he lays on a series of soft blankets tha