The Sacrifice (Wicked Book 2) Read online

  Wicked

  • Book Two •

  The Sacrifice

  Blaire Hammond

  The Sacrifice

  By Blaire Hammond

  Text Copyright © 2017 Blaire Hammond

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or, if real, used fictitiously. All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in fan works, critical articles and reviews. For more information please contact the author.

  Contents

  Wicked

  Prologue

  Part One

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Part Two:

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Part Three

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  About The Author

  Prologue

  August 6st 2013

  Kane ruffled through his papers anxiously, hurrying to stack them on the edge of his desk. He knew he’d found the answer. The truth behind the girl.

  Turning to a rare free portion of space, he bent over, took up a pen, and hastily scribbled down an address on a small, torn piece of paper before shoving it into his pocket.

  There was a sharp, loud knock at the door, and Kane jumped, startled. He turned abruptly towards the entrance, tipping over his tea cup as he did so.

  Hot liquid poured down his pant leg and he flinched with pain. He stumbled towards the kitchen bench, seized a towel from by the sink and patted down his leg, shouting, ‘who is it?’ as he did so.

  ‘Open up, it’s the force.’ A rough husky voice bellowed.

  Kane straightened immediately, dropping the towel, his minor tea burns forgotten.

  ‘Uh, just a minute.’ He called, staggering back over to his desk.

  Gathering up the now stacked papers, he rushed to the smallest of the three armchairs in his sitting room. Taking care to be quiet, he pushed the chair aside and yanked up the loose floorboard underneath, revealing a small hiding place. He shoved the papers, his most important findings, down into the dark hole, his heart beating faster with the knowledge that the force were right outside. He replaced the board and pulled the chair back into place, wiping his sweaty hands on his pants, which reminded him of the burn down his leg.

  He’d taken only a step towards the door when he remembered the address in his pocket, the address that would lead one to the very answers behind the girl. He fished it out, his forehead and underarms sweating profusely, and hurried to shove the now rolled up paper into a crack in the fireplaces hearth.

  Fists pounded on the door, jarring Kane from the fireplace. ‘Wizard Kane Marker, open this door!’

  ‘Yes, I’m coming.’ Kane yelled, rushing to throw his bathrobe around his shoulders, wetting his hands and running them through his hair as an afterthought.

  ‘I’m sorry sir, I was occupied elsewhere.’ Kane laughed sheepishly as he opened the door, hoping his attempts to appear freshly showered hadn’t gone unnoticed.

  The Wizard, who was tall, dark, solid, and heavily armed, dressed from head to toe in silver armour, gave Kane only a single glance, taking in his own short, stocky build, before he push past him into the living room.

  Two guards flanked his sides, dressed in the standard Alast Force uniform; that being the black battle gear all Enchanted wore, though they had heavier protection over their Identity Marks.

  The moment the Wizards stepped past him into his living room, he noticed the sky had grown dark, the moon peering over the buildings, compelling him to wonder why members from the Force were at his home at such an hour; especially when they should be patrolling the streets.

  Kane fumbled with the door handle as he struggled to close it, his nerves getting the better of him. ‘What would this visit be in reference to?’

  The tall one, clearly superior to the others, turned and eyed Kane. ‘I assume you’ve heard about the recent jail break?’

  Kane nodded, ‘yes, I think everyone has heard of that.’

  ‘I’m sure indeed. However, as a result, and of course for everyone’s safety, we’ve begun conducting thorough searches of all buildings, homes and businesses within Alast. We endeavour to discover how a break out was possible, and to ensure those criminals who escaped aren’t still hiding within our boarders, aided by some of our own.’

  Kane’s eyes widened with shock, ‘you don’t think I am hiding them, do you? I’m an honourable Wizard. I would do nothing of the sort.’

  The Wizard cracked his knuckles as his eyes glided over the room, taking in the flickering flames of the fire; the messy desk that still had papers, though less important than those Kane had hidden, scattered across it; the tea dripping from the edge of the desk onto the wooden floor. He was suspicious, and Kane knew it.

  ‘Stephan, check the basement, Mosey, upstairs.’

  ‘Yes sir.’ Both Force members said, marching off to fulfil their assignments.

  Kane’s heart began to pound again as the Wizard in charge began wandering around the living room, looking behind the armchairs, checking in cupboards, snooping through the bin. Eventually the Wizard came to rest by Kane’s desk, proceeding to sift through the papers calmly, pausing to read every once in a while before continuing. After a moment, he rose his dark eyes to Kane’s, eyebrow’s furrowed.

  ‘What are these maps for?’

  Kane wiped his sweaty hands on his robe for what had to be the tenth time.

  ‘Uh… I’ve just been doing some research for the school. They want to conduct a trip and asked me to find the perfect place to continue training while away, you know, someplace where they won’t be seen.’

  The Wizard went back to the papers.

  ‘And these books about the Gods?’

  ‘Once again, research.’ Kane laughed gingerly, in attempt to lighten the mood. ‘I’m obsessed with our protectors.’

  The Wizard chose one of the books at random, lifting it from the desk and flipping through the pages curiously. As he did so, a sheet of paper fell from between the books pages, fluttering like a feather in the wind, making its way ever so slowly to the ground. Both Kane and the Wizard watched it as it settled lightly on the floorboards, only a few feet from the smallest armchair, and to Kane’s horror, when the Wizard bent to retrieve it, something caught his eye.

  ‘What’s this?’ he asked Kane, pushing the armchair backwards a fraction as he reached his hand underneath it.

  Kane’s heart leapt into his throat.

  ‘What is what?’

  ‘This?’

  The Wizard retracted his hand, small round object the size of a tennis ball clutched between his fingers, and Kane loosened a laugh as he realised what it was.

  ‘Oh, that’s my stress ball. I use it when I’m under a lot of pressu
re. It helps to calm my nerves.’

  The Wizard laughed too, and Kane took a quick step back in surprise.

  ‘I need to get me one of these!’ He said, chucking the ball to Kane.

  Kane caught it out of sheer luck and watched cautiously as the armchair was pushed back over the loose floorboards. It was at that moment that the two missing Force members finally returned.

  ‘All clear,’ they both confirmed.

  The Wizard nodded, ‘sorry to bother you Mr Marker. Enjoy your night. Don’t stress yourself out too much.’ He gave Kane a wink as they made for the door.

  Kane stepped aside, allowing them to pass, relief flooding his entire body.

  ‘Here.’ The Wizard said as he paused in front of Kane, reaching his hand out, the piece of paper he’d recovered from the ground clasped roughly between his fingers.

  Kane’s eyes flickered down the same moment the Wizard’s did, but he wasn’t quick enough to snatch the paper up before the Wizard pulled his hand back sharply.

  ‘Wait, what is this?’

  The words written on the page flashed through Kane’s mind.

  God’s Possession Charm.

  Kane raised his eyes to the stone hard ones of the Wizard.

  ‘I-it-I don’t-‘ Kane stammered.

  ‘What’s this about?’

  Kane couldn’t answer, not without giving away his knowledge of the girl, and in that moment, no reasonable lie would surface in his mind.

  ‘Do it.’ The Wizard growled to Stephan and Mosey, before turning brusquely and leaving the premises without another word.

  ‘Do what?’ Kane was trembling, fear coursing through his veins.

  That was when he saw it. The blade Stephan had unsheathed from his belt, flashing bright in the moonlight. Kane raised his hands in defence, eyes flickering between the two Force Members, already understanding those words on that page marked him as someone who was working with Black Magic. It was true, he was a Sorcerer, but he’d gone years, a decade and a half, without being caught.

  ‘Come on guys, I swear I haven’t done anything.’

  They had no mercy.

  Kane turned, and began to run for his life.

  Part One :

  The Last Goodbye

  The end is never easy.

  But sometimes, goodbye is all there is.

  Chapter One

  Nothing but Darkness

  Duck. Left. Right. Jump. Jump. Duck.’

  The words left Drew’s lips in a relentless string of commands and Laura was quick to respond, just managing to keep up with each demand.

  ‘Good, but you need to move faster.’

  ‘I’m trying,’ Laura wheezed, spinning then slamming the wooden sword into the dummy’s chest.

  ‘You’re definitely improving.’

  Laura straightened, wiping the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand and turning to the bench. Her sword clattered to the ground as she collected her water bottle, unscrewed the lid and began gulping from it hungrily.

  At Laura’s request, the others took turns in training her, and after two weeks of non-stop work; morning, noon and night, finally she was advancing. Laura appreciated the help, for she knew it was a lot to ask of her friends, but she had to learn how to fight, especially if war was, indeed, coming.

  As Laura screwed the lid back onto her water bottle her thoughts turned to Gemma, who’d been lucky to survive the injuries inflicted by the crazed traitor, James, and was returning home the very next day. Would she be the same person as before? Would she blame Laura for her near death? Laura couldn’t be sure, for she’d been too busy to spend any time alone with the girl, only visiting with the group when she could.

  Laura heaved a sigh, collecting her sword from the ground, knowing her lesson was far from over. In order for her to survive what was to come, and find her Mother and Caspian, she’d have to be ready. There would be no room for slacking off in the middle of a war, so there was no cause for it then either.

  While she’d spent the past two weeks training, everyone else had been working tirelessly trying to discover some way they could prove their innocence, release Stella and Leo from house arrest and track down Erebus. They hadn’t heard a single thing from Erebus, nor had they been informed of further strange occurrences since they lost him that night in the Lost City. As a result, Laura was anxious, nervous, and continuously on edge. They all were.

  Laura knew Erebus’ return was inevitable, but not knowing when had them all constantly second guessing every move and decision they made.

  However, while Laura tried to convince herself that being prepared was her only reason behind feeling such determination to spend each day working hard, she knew deep down, there was indeed a second reason. Training was a distraction, which was exactly what she required. She knew that if she were to allow herself even a moments rest, her mind would begin to take over, and when that occurred, her thoughts would often become overrun by the remembrance of her beloved Fathers death, and the fact she would never see him again; of her failed attempt at rescuing her Mother, whom still remained in Erebus’ possession; and of her role in Caspian’s current predicament, for Erebus still obtained his body and had concealed his soul, thus rendering him immobile; essentially lifeless. In recalling those events, she would begin to break, for the guilt that continued to build within her heart was simply too much to handle. She struggled to sleep as it was, so keeping busy was, she’d quickly come to realise, the best option.

  ‘Come on, it’s late, let’s get some sleep.’ Drew said, making a start on packing up the gear.

  ‘No leave it. I’ll do it, I just need another hour to perfect that move.’

  Drew’s emerald eyes locked with hers, and Laura could see the concern behind them. ‘Ace-’ he began, and she couldn’t conceal the flutter of her heart at his nickname for her.

  ‘I need to be prepared.’ She told him before he could argue otherwise, and quickly she repositioned the wooden sword in her aching hand.

  He didn’t respond, though Laura could see he wanted to. After a moment’s deliberation, he dropped his gaze, turning to leave the training room, and her, behind.

  Laura rolled her shoulders, and dove straight back into her training, knowing that being back at the manor, a place that was growing to feel like home, had helped with her improvements over the past weeks.

  ‘Duck, left, right, jump, jump, duck, spin, kick,’ Laura hissed through her teeth with each movement, until finally she plunged the sword into the dummies chest.

  She sighed, straightening her back and stretching her arms out in front of her. She couldn’t quite get the final part of the thrust right, causing the power behind her sword to fall short, and she was still only using fake swords, she hadn’t even progressed to real ones yet, which was a whole new ball game. She squeezed her eyes shut in frustration, knowing it was because she was too slow.

  There was a knock behind her, and Laura spun to see Stella watching her, a look of sorrow frighteningly clear in her face.

  ‘Laura.’

  ‘What is it?’ Laura asked, a little taken aback.

  Stella moved calmly into the room, and Laura’s heart began to beat faster with each cautious step Stella took.

  ‘The Morgue called. About your father.’

  Laura felt the blood drain from her face, and all of a sudden her lungs couldn’t, wouldn’t, hold the air she struggled to gasp in. She knew what was coming.

  ‘How much longer can they keep him for?’

  ‘At most? Six days.’

  Laura felt the tears in the back of her throat. She’d wanted to wait, but even she realised she couldn’t keep doing that. It wasn’t fair to her Father.

  ‘Okay,’ she whispered, closing her eyes and swallowing hard, forcing the tears from welling up and spilling down her cheeks.

  ‘I’ll organize everything. Are there any specific arrangements you’d prefer?’

  Laura shook her head, ‘he’d have wanted Mum there, and I fai
led in achieving that. There’s nothing more.’

  Stella’s hand reached for Laura, coming to rest on her arm. ‘Honey, you did everything you could have, we all did. Your Mother sacrificed herself to keep you safe. She was, and always has been, brave. As are you. I know your Father would understand that she did what she had to do.’

  Laura felt the truth behind Stella’s words, but it still stung, knowing that her Mother and Father would never get the chance to say a proper goodbye to one another. She patted Stella’s hand softly, ‘thanks, but I better finish my session.’

  Stella paused, and Laura was sure she was going to try and convince her to finish up, but just as Drew had, she dropped her gaze and left the room.

  Laura’s heart was pummelling in her chest, and slowly the frustration began to build. She spun back to the dummy and slammed the wooden sword into it’s chest with such force that it tore straight through the material. Breathing heavily, she straightened, pleased with herself.

  ~

  As usual, Laura was unable to sleep, especially since her mind was incapable of ignoring the knowledge that the funeral she dreaded attending was fast approaching. She sat quietly in the Library, studying the paintings just as she and Caspian had that night weeks ago.

  Caspian. Where was he? Did he know what was happening to him? Was he still… him?

  The weight of his seemingly eminent death was weighing heavily on her, and she didn’t know what she could do to help him. He was sick, Leo and Stella and informed them. Sick. So even if they were to find him and somehow reunite him with his body, would he still die? Laura knew the answer was most likely yes.

  As Laura settled back into the couch cushions, she couldn’t help but remember what had occurred after Erebus had escaped their clutches in Alast over two weeks ago. It hadn’t been a long wait for the dust to settle over the Lost City, and once it had, Laura, Drew, Leo and Stella had hurried back into the ruins to retrieve their fallen or stolen weapons and search for survivors, even if they were Wicked. As they did so, Stella and Leo explained to Drew and Laura that after the car accident that claimed Caspian’s parent’s lives, a deadly and violent cancer, even for an Enchanted, had awoken in his soul.