Page 3 of A Spark Of Revenge

“They locked something in here,” I whisper as I reach out to drag my fingers over the rough marks. Each of my fingertips lines up with the five long marks on one side, and I can’t stop the shiver of disgust that runs down my spine at the thought of locking someone in this alive. Suddenly, a thought crosses my mind, and my eyes widen in horror.

“No… no, no, no. They wouldn't,” I whisper, rushing around the first sarcophagus to the one sitting in the center of the church. This one’s lid is closed, and the carvings on it are different. There are the familiar markings I have seen on Jordan and Theo’s kalises, but instead of a Demon that resembles Lennox, it's an entirely different kind of monster. Four large eyes are carved into an oblong looking face with no nose or mouth. Its bony-looking hands are reaching up like it's trying to grab me as I hover above it. I shiver as something heavy and dark inches over my skin the closer I get.

I move to touch the stone, but pause when my fingers are only inches away from the carvings. Suddenly, red sparks dance around the seal of the box, and one of the small sparks bridges the gap to my outstretched fingers. I whip my right hand back and furiously rub at it. It didn’t seem to do anything, so I let out a pent-up breath. My heart rate has picked up, and I can taste something sour in my mouth. My body shivers, and I step back, not wanting to get any closer to the sparks and whatever is in that box. I’m not sure what it is, but I somehow know something terrible will happen if I get too close.

Hesitantly, I step around the creepy box that’s in the very center of the church and move to the last one, which is also sealed. But instead of a Demon that resembles Lennox or the freaky four-eyed monster, there is a moon and stars carved into the box, and under the moon is a silhouette of a man with what looks like wolves on either side of him.

“Dream Walker blood is the key.” Valen’s words echo through my mind, and I nod, slapping my wounded hand on the cold stone, then gasp as bright blue-green light sparks under my hand. Something warm burns in my chest, and I squeak in surprise when the feeling grows, moving down my arm to the sarcophagus.

Only it's not coming from the box… it's coming from me!

“What the hell?!” I shout. Jumping back from the coffin-like box, I stare at my hand in horror as green light sparks at my fingertips for a moment before dimming out, leaving me in the cold, dark silence of the dusty church once more. “No, no, no. NO! I don't want any other weird shit,” I yell at my hand, then glare at the box just before something loud slams into the door of the church, tearing another shout of fear from my throat as I stumble in surprise, catching myself on the white stone box in front of me. My wounded hand screams in pain when the rough stone digs into my sensitive flesh, and I bite my lip in response.

“Meyer!” I hear Lennox bellow. “Meyer, what's happened?” he snarls before something big hits the doors. The green light starts glowing protectively around the door again, and I look down at my hands, ensuring it's only the door that is glowing and not me. “Open this damned door!” Lennox growls before he pounds on the door another three times.

“You idiot. She’s not going to answer if you're yelling at her!” I hear Creed snap at his brother, but that doesn't seem to faze Nox. The pounding continues, brightening the green glow, and fear filters back in. Nox is going to break the door!

“Meyer! I swear to all the Gods in the universe if you don’t answer me right now!” he shouts so loud, I swear the church windows rattle and threaten to shatter.

“Fuck’s sake! Lemon Drop, can you answer us, please?” Creed shouts. A thread of panic is evident in his calm voice, and I glare at the door in response before bright green light shines. Uhh, no! No, I can not. Fuck right the hell off, Creed!

Creed’s shout is cut off suddenly, and I hear the man and Demon get thrown again by the wards guarding the old church. What do they say about insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results?

I laugh despite myself, serves them right!

Looking back at the sarcophagus, I watch with both fear and wonder as glimmering green magic creeps around the seal of the box before moving into the carvings. It lights first the stars and then the moon with an eerie green glow, shadowing the carved figure of the man and wolves.

“Meyer!” Lennox roars, hitting the church so hard that the walls tremble under his anger, but I don't bother answering as a hissing sound comes from the lid of the white stone box, and then… nothing. The green light fades, and the weird warm sensation in my chest goes cold.

Well, that was anticlimactic. I can’t tell if I’m glad nothing happened or disappointed. Another roar of anger and hushed cursing comes from outside, and I’m about to turn to tell them to shut the hell up when the soft scent of citrus and winter air drifts over me, making my heart skip a beat.

“I knew it!” I whisper, rushing to the sarcophagus and shoving at the enormous white stone lid, putting all my weight behind it, then cursing when I only move it an inch. Looking around the dark room, I search for something I can use to help pry off this damn lid, and my eyes fall on a piece of wood lying nearby. I frown and look for something better, then sigh in annoyance when I don't see something more helpful. Rushing over, I grab the long board and jam it in the small crack that I created before jumping and adding my weight to it in a desperate attempt to move the damn lid. It moves, but just barely, and I let out a frustrated scream.

“Come the fuck on!” I grumble to myself as I shift back on my feet and glare at the unhelpful board.

“Lemon Drop?” Creed's worried voice comes from the door again as the howl of a Demon echoes through the air. I shiver in response and flip off the door. I’m acting like a damn child at this point, but I’m so incredibly frustrated and desperate that I don’t give a rat's ass. “How the hell did she get in there?” Creed asks, and I hear Lennox scoff.

“Don’t be stupid, you know how. You’re the one who figured it out after bedding the little brat.” My already aching heart splinters at Lennox’s words.

Creed had told his brother about our night together?

Fuck, of course he had. He was only using you, remember?

I shake my head and blink back the tears burning my eyes. I'm not sad… I’m fucking livid! Damn Creed and all his brothers to hell! Why did I trust his stupid, handsome face and charming smile? I grab the board and heave on it, moving the lid another inch before the ominous sound of wood cracking comes just before the board breaks. Snarling in frustration, I kick the box in front of me before pressing my hands to the lid. Green light illuminates the lid once again, and the warmth from earlier comes rushing back.

I grit my teeth at the feeling, trying to ignore it while praying that Valen is in here and somehow unharmed. He did everything he could to save me. Now it's my turn to repay the favor! I shove with everything I have, closing my eyes when the green light glows too bright, and gasp when the lid moves forward with ease, and tumbles to the ground with a loud thump.

“Little Demon!”

“Shit, she’s not answering. I can smell blood! How the fuck do we get in there?”

“What the fuck do you think I’m trying to do?!” Lennox roars, desperation lacing his rough voice.

Panting, I lean forward and peer into the sarcophagus, my eyes widening at the cold, lifeless face of my dream man. My breath hitches, and a sob threatens to break free as the tears I held back earlier spill over.

I’m too late.

“Valen?” I rasp, my fingers brushing his white-blonde locks off his forehead and moving my hand to cup his cold, smooth cheek before darting to his neck. Pressing two fingers to the side of his throat, I close my burning eyes, desperate to feel a pulse there. Anything to show me that he can be saved. That I hadn't been too late.

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