I banged on the door, causing an eruption of howls from the neighborhood dogs.
Open up! I know you re in there.
Next door, an old woman stepped out onto her porch.
Keep it down. We don t want any nonsense.
I banged on the door again, this time louder.
No one lives there,
the old woman hissed, tying her robe.
Now leave or I ll call the police.
I shook my head, giving the door a good hard kick, and then I stomped down the stairs, grabbing Aislin by the arm and headed down the street.
Where are we going?
Aislin trotted to keep up.
Just keep walking.
I glanced over my shoulder at the old woman who was still watching us. I turned the corner, rounding the back, and hopped over the fence to the back door.
Wait here,
I instructed and left Aislin on the bottom steps.
I checked the back door and the window, but both were locked. I kicked the house.
Dammit! I don t have time for this crap.
I punched my fist through the window, cutting my knuckles.
Alex! Aislin cried over the howl of the dogs, but I was already diving headfirst through the window.
Her wail blasted my ears as soon as I hit the floor. I didn t bother taking out my knife, because I was already giving her what she wanted. I ran up the stairs and kicked down the door.
Way to make an entrance,
the Banshee sung from the windowsill, her blond hair white in the pale moonlight.
But you could have just knocked.
I took a deep breath, ready to make my offer, but she held up her hand.
Let me guess,
she said, whisking from the window.
You found your mother, but now she s trapped in the Afterlife, paying her debt until Helena will let her walk the world again.
I started to nod, but then shook my head.
But that s not why I m here.
Her eyes were curious, her smile malicious.
Then tell me, what do you want from me?
She circled, tracing her finger across my shoulder.
I can be very giving if asked the right question.
I clutched my hands into fists, knowing this wasn t easy. But it was right. And that was all that matter.
I m ready to make a bargain with you.
A few minutes later, I returned outside, this time using the door. Aislin was waiting for me on the steps, in the crisp snow, shivering and chattering.
Can we go now? I m freezing my butt off.
You should have worn a jacket,
I handed her mine.
I didn t even think about it.
She put the jacket on and zipped it up.
All I could think about was you saying you re going to die.
I rubbed my hands across my face, taking in what I d just done. I felt different, sacred, but less burdened.
It ll be okay. You ll be okay.
She kicked her boots at the snow.
I know you think this is how this is supposed to work, but why can t someone save you too?
Because I m not worth it.
I stared at the sky.
I ve lived my life, did a lot of crappy things, and now it s time to make up for it.
She sucked back the tears and sniffled.
You re not as bad as you think you are, Alex. And I think Gemma would agree with me.
I realized this was probably the last time I d see her. When I returned home, it would be time. And even though she bugged the heck out of me most days, I d still miss her. So I pulled her in for one last hug.
Take care of yourself.
I gave her a pat on the back.
She nodded, sobbing, just like she always did. Then she pushed back, dabbing the tears from her eyes.
Can we make one stop before we go back to the house?
I asked.
There s something I need to get.
Where do you want to go?
she asked.
Hopefully somewhere easy.
I shook my head.
Sorry, but this is anything but easy.
She crossed her arms defiantly.
Then I m not going. I m so sick off this. I just want to go back and all of us live normal lives.
That s not going to happen,
I said with honesty.
At least not for everyone.
She pressed her face into her hands.
Fine. Where to you want to go?
My breath puffed out in front of me.
To the Keeper s Castle.
Are you insane?
Her hands fell to her side.
You do understand that s where Stephan is, right?
Well, we re not going there to pay him a visit,
I said.
We re going to sneak into my room.
Why? That seems like the last thing you should be doing right now.
You want your power for your shield spell?
The neighbors lights clicked on and I scooted us into the shadows.
You remember how Gemma and I use to steal crap from Stephan all the time, just to piss him off.
Yeah, I always thought you guys were stupid.
She laughed her eyes wide as she stared off into empty space.
Not stupid,
I said.
Smart. I have quite the collection hidden in my room.
I m surprised you didn t give it all back to him,
she said.
I mean, after she left you seemed to just do what he asked.
I motioned my hand, stirring the falling snow.
Everything happens for a reason. Now can we go? We re running low on time.
She glanced at the sky and nodded. Then she chanted under her breath as the snow sped us away.
When we hit my bedroom floor, both our feet slipped out from under us. I braced myself with the bedpost but Aislin fell to the floor, her elbow cracking against the ice.
My eyes did a quick scan of the room, making sure it was empty. There was ice everywhere, coating the walls and the floor. Icicles hung from the ceiling.
Aislin winced, cupping her elbow as she sat up.
What? Are they just living here now? He s really lost it, hasn t he?
I don t think he ever had anything to lose.
I stood, getting my balance and headed for the trapdoor. But it was frozen shut by ice.