Alyson Noel [The Immortals 03] Shadowland viny

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.Handing Roman yet one more thing to lord over my head. Sorry you didn t get what you came for, luv, he purrs, his attention pulled by a vintage blackJaguar that pulls into the drive, containing a gorgeous dark-haired couple who head right inside.Closing the door behind them as he adds, Whatever you do, steer clear of Marco s car on yourway out, he ll flip if you so much as smudge it.TwelveI walk home.Or at least, that s the direction I originally head in.But somewhere along the way Itake a turn.And then another.And another.My feet moving so slowly they practically drag,knowing there s no need to run, nothing to prove.Despite my strength and speed, I m no matchfor Roman.He s the master of this game and I m merely his pawn.I continue, deep into the heart of Laguna, or the Village, as it s called.Too awake to go home,too ashamed to see Damen, making my way through the dark, empty streets until stopping beforea small, well-tended cottage, with flowering plants flanking either side of the door and a wovenwelcome mat placed just so, making it appear warm, friendly, completely benign.Only it s not.Not even close.Now it s more like a crime scene.And unlike the last time I washere, this time I don t bother knocking.There s no point.Ava s long gone.After stealing theelixir and leaving Damen to fend for himself, she has no intention of returning.I unlock the door with my mind and step in, taking a quick look around before I move past theden and into the kitchen.Surprised to find the usually well-ordered room reduced to an absolutemess the sink piled high with dirty glasses and dishes as the trash overflows to the floor.Andeven though I m sure it s not Ava who s done this, clearly someone is here.I creep down the hall, peering into a series of empty rooms until I get to the indigo door at theend the one that leads to Ava s so-called sacred space where she used to meditate and try toreach the dimensions beyond.Opening the door just a crack and squinting into the dark, makingout two sleeping figures sprawled on the floor.Skimming my hand along the wall and fruitlesslysearching for a light, before remembering my ability to illuminate the room on my own only tofind the last two people I ever expected to see. Rayne? I kneel down beside her, holding my breath as she rolls over and opens one eye. Oh hey, Ever. She rubs her eyes and struggles to sit. Only I m not Rayne, I m Romy.Rayne sover there.I glance at her twin at the far side of the room, noting the scowl that crosses her face the secondshe realizes it s me. What re you doing here? I ask, focusing on Romy again since she s always been the nicer ofthe two. We live here. She shrugs, tucking her wrinkled white shirt into her blue plaid skirt as she getsoff the floor.I glance between them, taking in their pale skin, large dark eyes, and straight, black, shoulder-length hair with the razor-slashed bangs, noticing how they re both still dressed in the sameprivate school uniforms as the first day we met.But unlike in Summerland where they alwaysappear so clean and pristine, now they re pretty much the opposite sadly disheveled andcompletely uncared for. But you can t live here.This is Ava s house. I shake my head.The idea of them squatting hereleaves me extremely unnerved. Maybe you should think about going home.You know, back toSummerland? We can t. Rayne pulls on her kneesocks, making sure they re of exact equal height,unintentionally providing the only real clue that helps me tell them apart. Thanks to you, we restuck here forever, she mumbles, taking a moment to glare at me.I glance at Romy, hoping she ll explain.But she just shakes her head at her sister, before lookingat me. Ava s gone. She shrugs. But don t let Rayne give you the wrong impression.We requite happy to see you.We had a running bet on how soon you d show.My gaze darts between them, laughing nervously as I say, Oh, really? Who won?Rayne rolls her eyes and points at her sister. She did.I was sure you d abandoned us for good.I pause, something about the way she just said that Wait, you mean you guys have been herethis whole time? We can t get back. Romy shrugs. We ve lost our magick. Well, I m sure I can help you return.I mean, you do want to return right? I look at them,seeing Rayne smirk as Romy just nods.Knowing this ll be a lot easier than they think since all Ihave to do is make the portal, get them settled, then say my good-byes and make the return tripback to Laguna alone. We d like that very much, Romy says. And we d like to leave now, Rayne adds, eyes narrowed. After all, it s the very least you cando.I swallow hard.I deserve that, but I still wonder who s more desperate for them to leave, them orme?I motion toward Rayne as I head for the futon, wondering why neither of them thought to sleepon it instead of the floor. Come, I say, glancing over my shoulder. You sit here on my right,and Romy, you sit here. I pat the lumpy cushion. Now grab my hands and close your eyes,then focus on seeing the portal with all of your might.Envisioning that golden shimmer of lightas though it s before you.And as soon as the image is clear, I want you to see yourself steppingright through, knowing I m right there beside you, keeping you safe.Okay?I peek at them, seeing them nod before we go through the motions, re-creating all the right steps.But just as I step through the light and into that vast fragrant field, I open my eyes and find I malone. Told you, Rayne says, the second I return.Standing before me, eyes angry, accusing, small,pale hands clutching her plaid skirted hips. Told you our magick is gone.We re stuck here nowwith no way to get back.And it s all because we tried to help you! Rayne! Romy shakes her head at her sister, then glances at me with an apologetic look on herface. Well, it s true! Rayne scowls. I told you we shouldn t risk it.I told you she wouldn t listen.Isaw it clear as day.The overwhelming possibility she d make the wrong choice which, I mightadd, she did! She shakes her head and frowns. It went exactly as predicted.And now we re theones paying the price.Oh, you re not the only ones, I think.Hoping they ve lost their ability to read minds as well,since I m immediately shamed by the thought.No matter how much she s annoying me, I knowshe s right. Listen, I say, swallowing hard as I glance between them, needing to defuse this. I know howbad you want to get back.Trust me, I do.And I m going to do everything I can to help you. Inod, seeing them glance at each other, two identical faces marred by complete disbelief. I mean,I m not exactly sure how I m going to do it, but just trust that I will.I ll do everything I can tohelp you get back.And in the meantime, I ll do everything I can to keep you both comfortableand safe.Scout s honor.Okay?Rayne looks at me, rolling her eyes and heaving a sigh. Just get us back to Summerland, shesays, arms crossing her chest. That s all we want.Nothing short of that will do.I nod, refusing to let her get to me when I say, Understood.But if I m going to help you, I llneed you to answer some questions [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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