Sacrificed (The Ignited Series) (28 page)

Before I could ask, he slid off the bed, crossed the room to the door and stuck his head outside. Muffled voices from the hallway reached my ears, but I couldn’t tell what was being said or who was saying them.

A smile lit his face when he turned back to me. “I’ll be back, okay?”

I nodded and he started to duck outside, but not before he was practically run over by a girl half his size. She practically shoved him out of the way as she hurried toward me. Showing no concern for unseen injuries, she threw herself onto the bed, and me. As her arms encircled my neck, I heard a soft click, and looked up to see the door closed and Nathan gone.

“You’ve got to stop scaring me like this,” Callie said.

“You’ve got to stop squeezing me like this,” I wheezed. Only then, did Callie loosen her hold and leaned back to give me a once over.

“You look like hell,” she said with a teasing smile. “But I’m glad you’re okay.”

“I’m glad you’re okay,” I returned. “You are okay, right?”

She waved a hand dismissively. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. No evil creatures of hell can get me down.”

Despite the flippancy of her words, I detected a hint of unease in her eyes. Something that I rarely saw in Callie.

“What did they do to you, Callie?” I asked softly.

Her eyes skirted away. “Nothing, really.”

“Callie.”

At the warning tone of my voice, she sighed. “Alright, fine. You’ll hear about it eventually anyway.” Callie took a breath, preparing to tell the story that, from her demeanor, I guessed she had repeated several times already. “They put me in this dark room, strapped me down. That Lillian chick came in a few times, and did some weird ritualistic voodoo shit, said some chants, and then that was it.”

“She’s an Incantator,” I said.

“Yeah, I sort of figured that out.”

“What was she doing?”

Callie shrugged. “Not sure. I heard her talking to the others about
life forces
and
immortality
, but I was so out of it, I didn’t really understand everything they were talking about.”

“You told the Kala about this?”

“Yeah, like a hundred different times. I think they keep expecting me to suddenly remember something important, but I got nothing.” She shrugged and paused as a wide smile spread across her face. “Some of those Kala guys are
hot
, by the way.” 

I giggled. Good old Callie—boy crazy as always.

“Sure wish I could stay,” she mused offhandedly.

It took me a moment to register what she’d said. When I did, I raised my eyebrows in a silent inquiry.

“I’m going home,” Callie said. Whereas many would have said those words with cheer, Callie was nothing but mournful. “They won’t let me come wherever you’re going. Something to do with rules about humans.”

I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat. I was going to miss Callie and the thought of moving on to the unknown without my best friend by my side terrified me, but even that was out shadowed by the relief I felt at knowing she would be safe. As long as the Skotadi didn’t give her any trouble. I would have to talk to Nathan about getting her some Kala protection. Just in case.

“They’re sending me my own private body guard,” she said, as if she’d read my mind. “Actually three of them. Can you believe it?”

“Really?” The Kala were sending three of their own to watch over my best friend? I wondered how much of that had been Micah’s doing.

“Jared, Tony, and Austin are their names,” Callie said. “And Jared?” Callie’s eyes widened as she fanned herself. “Holy hot!”

“I’m going to miss you,” I said, laughing to hide the tears welling in my eyes.

Callie nodded. “And I’m going to be in so much trouble when I come back from Italy early with three hot guys following me around.”

We both laughed at that. Something told me that Callie would be fine. She’d always handled attention from boys just fine. Having three of them around would be more like a dream come true for her. Dealing with her parents, explaining where she’d been the past two months, if not in Italy, would prove to be a bigger problem.

Callie sobered first and fixed me with a fierce look. “You’re in good hands, even without me.”

“I know.”

“I’m not talking about Nathan,” she said. “Well, I am. But not just him. Micah, too. He didn’t leave your side for days. Whatever he did, it drained him, but he wouldn’t give up on you, not until he knew you were going to be okay, and only then did he finally collapse of exhaustion. He’s still sleeping it off.”

I smiled sheepishly. Though I’d expected Micah to wield his diamond-injury healing abilities, the amount of dedication that Callie described surprised me. Especially after the strained direction our friendship had taken. His commitment to
saving me was sobering, and I didn’t know if I would ever be able to thank him enough.

Callie stayed with me and we chatted and hugged and said goodbye over and over again. Each time, it was too difficult for her to turn and walk away, so she stayed and the cycle repeated itself. We had at least an hour together before the door opened and a Kala that I didn’t recognize entered. From his posture, we both got the message that it was time for her to go.

Before she left, she flashed me a secretive wink and leaned close enough to whisper, “What did I tell you?
Hot
.”

Callie and I separated in the most fitting way for our friendship—with laughter. Even so, my heart beat a little weaker as she disappeared from my sight. The only thing that soothed the pain was the appearance of Nathan in the doorway in her place.

It took four days to reach the Kala base.

Before we left, I’d asked Nathan where it was. His answer had been so unexpected, I thought he’d been playing a joke on me. As we approached it now, I realized he had been serious.

We’d crossed into Mexico two days ago and had continued south until we reached a small village along the coast of Costa Rica. From there, we
’d boarded a boat. Nathan had said that Skotadi knew the Kala were in the area, but didn’t know which island they inhabited. According to him, Skotadi often tried to intercept them on the mainland, but we’d passed through without incident, and now sped toward the island that was to be my new home.

For now. I wasn’t so sure how I felt about island life. Nathan had left the base to live unprotected on his own in Boone. I couldn’t help but wonder what had driven him to choose that over living in what appeared to be paradise.

Surrounded by the bluest water I have ever seen, it looked more like a scene on a postcard than an actual real-life place. Beyond the white sand beach, amongst the palm trees, a community was built, with an assortment of large structures built of wood and stone. It covered the area of a small college campus, and disappeared into what appeared to be nothing short of a jungle that encompassed the rest of the island.

Exotic
was the best description I could think of to describe what I saw. Looks could often be misleading.

I figured I would learn soon enough what it was like. As the boat slowed and pulled up to the dock, I felt a pang of anxiety over the unknown.

Nathan took my hand in his as we followed the Kala soldiers off the boat and along a narrow trail into what appeared to be the heart of the village. I still felt uneasy, and a quick glance over my shoulder confirmed that I wasn’t the only one. Alec looked as if he expected them to pull weapons and kill us all before we brushed the sand off our shoes.

The Kala that met us in the village stared, but no one showed aggression. With each step, my nerves settled and I started to look forward to living here with anticipation.

This was where it would all change. I knew this was where we needed to be, where the remaining pieces would fall into place, and the crossroads with the path to a better destiny awaited.

As we followed the wide walking trail through the village, I noticed that several more Kala had assembled to catch a glimpse of us. Being surrounded by so many unfamiliar faces was a little unsettling. I reminded myself that they were merely curious about us—the new arrivals, and the Skotadi stepping onto their shores.

Out of the crowd, I thought I heard my name called. I squeezed Nathan’s hand tightly and his head tipped down to mine. From the blank look on his face, I knew he hadn’t heard it.

I had to have imagined it. No one knew me here.

Then I heard it again, and I saw the recognition flash across Nathan’s face at the same time I realized that I, too, knew that voice. It came again, this time calling Nathan’s name, and we both looked up simultaneously, scanning the faces in the crowd.

It couldn’t be her. It wasn’t possible.

Was it?

We heard her again, closer, and Nathan’s grip on my hand tightened as he pushed our way through the crowd, drawing us closer to the voice still calling our names. I knew it now. I absolutely knew it, but I still braced myself for disappointment.

And then I saw her, dwarfed by Kala who were much bigger and taller, her small frame straining to see around them as she stood on her tip-toes. When she saw us, she pushed through the remaining crowd with a strength unimaginable for her age.

Not until her warm arms were wrapped around both Nathan and I at once did I allow myself to believe it.

“You’re alive,” I breathed. “You’re really alive.”

Gran released me to give Nathan a kiss on the cheek, then she turned and cupped my face between her hands. “It will take more than a few Skotadi punks to get me down, sweetheart.” Turning back to Nathan, she winked. “I told you she was special.”

“How…” Nathan trailed off, at a complete loss for words.

Gran patted her grandson on the back, and I feared that he might fall over. Stunned stupid, only the slightest touch from her caused him to sway unsteadily, forcing me to grab ahold of his arm.

Gran took in our joined hands and the way we stood together, and a knowing smile graced her lips. “Well, then…I see you’ve finally come to your senses, Nathan.” She looked back and forth between the two of us, and I knew that she was happy to see us together.

Perhaps I hadn’t mistaken that conversation I’d had with her last year—when I’d thought she might be trying to hook me up with her grandson. If only I’d known then that it was Nathan, I would have encouraged her.

But then, the way it had all come together had been a hell of a fun ride. One I planned to keep enjoying for a long, long time.

“Come on,”
Gran said, placing a hand to each of our backs to guide us through the growing crowd. “Apparently, we have much to catch up on.”

EPILOGUE

The living quarters on the island reminded me of a college dormitory. At least, that was what I told myself as I looked around my room.

It’s not a jail cell. Not a jail cell.

It didn’t look like one, with a nice bed, large closet, and a desk. I even had a balcony overlooking the island. From the fourth floor, it was breathtaking. I’d seen views like the one I had in travel brochures for expensive vacations I knew I could never afford.

No, the room was exquisite. The problem was that it
felt
like a jail cell. With the Kala guard stationed outside my room, it was hard not to feel imprisoned.

I couldn’t leave my room without her. She reminded me of Gabby, except bigger and scarier. I didn’t doubt they picked the most menacing female Kala they could find to follow me around.

I was told I must have an approved Kala with me at all times—Micah, Nathan, or the formidable Kim. Because boys weren’t allowed in the girls’ sleeping quarters, except for fifteen minute intervals—and they did keep track—I was stuck with her as my shadow almost everywhere I went.

Alec had one too, which I learned when I walked over to the boy’s quarters. I knew exactly which room was his from the muscled Kala standing outside, and knocked on the door.

The door swung open, and Alec’s eyebrows shot up when he saw me. Or it might have been Kim that piqued his curiosity. Whatever it was, he got over it quickly and invited me in.

“Fifteen minutes,” I heard his burly guard grunt just before the door shut.

Alec rolled his eyes when he turned to me.

“Friendly guy?” I asked him.

“He’s not the smartest pick of the litter. More brawn, less brain,” Alec said. “He doesn’t seem to think fifteen minutes is enough time for me—”

“Okay, Casanova,” I interrupted. “Didn’t come here to hear about all that you could do in fifteen minutes.”

He shrugged as he muttered, “I could do a lot. Just saying.”

I watched him as he took a seat on the edge of his bed. His room was identical to mine, except for
a different color scheme. His was plain and boyish, while mine was tropical and girly.

“You okay?” I asked him.

His eyes wandered around the room, finally returning to mine. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

I sat beside him, close enough that our shoulders touched. Whereas I’d always sought to keep my
distance from Alec before, now I needed him close. My head nodded at the door. “The fact that we can’t go anywhere without security, being surrounded by Kala, them apparently doing their best to keep us apart…need I go on?”

“I’m managing,” he muttered. “I’m fine if I just stay in my room.”

I wondered if he felt like a prisoner, too. I took a deep breath, preparing to do what I had come here for. “They want me to resume working with Micah, practicing my skills with him. Gran will be there too, and Nathan sometimes. Just like before. The Kala think we’ll be working on specialties, but we’re going to be doing some incantation work too. I was wondering if you…”

“You want me to?”

I nodded eagerly. Despite the strained relationship between Alec and Micah—and the potential danger to Micah—I did want Alec there. Not only for moral support, but because I wanted to help him too.

And I missed being around him. 

“Then I’ll be there.”

I beamed at him. When I heard his breath catch, my smile started to falter.

What was I doing? He was in love with me. I shouldn’t be doing this, asking this of him.

“Kris,” he started, his voice soft as he turned to face me. “Don’t worry about me.”

Oh, shit. Did I say that out loud?

“I’m happy for you. Really happy,” he continued, then grinned. “I don’t even really hate Nathan any more. He’s not that bad.”

My eyebrows shot up and Alec’s grin widened.

“What? You that surprised?” he asked. “I’d rather you be with him than Micah.”

I laughed. When Alec tilted his head at me, I only laughed harder. Finally, after taking a few moments to pull myself together, I said, “Nathan said the same thing about you.”

Now, Alec laughed, and it felt good, being with him like this. Because I’d missed him. And being around him always managed to lift my spirits. I spent my allotted fifteen minutes joking around with Alec. My good mood upon leaving his room gave me the boost I needed to face the next person on my list of people to visit today.

Micah.

He had security outside of his room, for a whole other reason than Alec and I did. At least I knew his guard. That didn’t mean he returned my smile when he saw me.

Richie was one tough cookie.

Micah must have sensed me, because his door swung open before I said anything. With a look tossed at Richie, Micah invited me in.

“Or would you rather go for a walk?” Micah offered. “Get out for a little bit?”

“No, I’m not staying long.
” I had plans to meet Nathan a little later for lunch, and was not going to miss that. “I just…I haven’t had the chance to thank you yet, for what you did. For all of it. So…thank you.”

Micah shrugged. “No big deal, especially not after what you did for me.”

The air in his room felt too dry, thinner, and I swallowed a couple of times to dislodge the lump that had formed in my throat. “I wasn’t going to, you know?”

“Kill me? I know. I think that was the loudest your thoughts have ever been.”

Right. He’d read me. Of course. “It was the one time I wanted you to read me.”

We both smiled, but it felt all kinds of awkward. I wondered if we would ever have a normal friendship, one without the added stress of knowing our entwined destinies.

I often reminded myself of the message Lauren and Megan had given me:
Where there is free will, anything is possible.
I hoped that meant I would have some say in what became of me, of my future, and who I would spend it with.

Micah suddenly turned and walked away from me, opening the door to his balcony and stepping outside. The curtains billowed in the breeze. His voice carried to me, where I stood inside.

“You can fight it all you want, Kris,” he said. “We both know where you’re going to end up.”

“Reading my mind again, Micah?” I pushed past the curtains and stepped out onto the balcony. Not far. Not close to him.

His back remained to me as he leaned on the railing. He didn’t answer my question. “You know your heart might belong to Nathan right now, but your soul belongs to me.” He finally turned, and his eyes bored into mine. “Eventually your soul will lead you back to me.”

I stared at him a moment, biting my tongue a few times before I finally spoke. “Friends, Micah. That’s all we’ll be. And honestly, right now, that’s a stretch.”

“For now.”

I nodded once and backpedaled into the room. “On that note, I think I’ll be going. Thank you, again.”

I was surprised when I reached the door without Micah doing something to stop me. I glanced over my shoulder as I swung the door open, and saw him standing just inside the room, watching me. When my eyes met his, he smiled. And it was that smile I’d always hated, that one that made me think he was hiding something. Or like he knew something that he wasn’t telling me.

I’d seen that smile one too many times already, and I wanted nothing to do with it now.

As the door shut behind me, I thought I heard him say something that sounded like, “I’ll be waiting…”

I could have been wrong, but knowing Micah, I doubted it.

I wondered if the kid would ever give up. What it would take for him to give up.

I was with Nathan. Period.

I loved Nathan.

And as I left the boy
s’ dormitory in search of him, for the first time in a long time, I felt hope.

My destiny awaited, but I no longer feared it. I had free will on my side, and I would bet on that over fate any day. Especially when my will led me to Nathan.