A Power of Old(3)

What the heck happened here?





Hazel





I registered my friends entering through a haze of fear, hunger and bewilderment.

I didn’t know how long it had been since my transformation had started to take effect. I could hardly look at Tejus without being infused with a crazy sensation of hunger. I wanted to gorge myself on his energy. It seemed so bright, so vibrant. It was like the gold threads of our past mind melds were constantly flowing through his body—through every single vein, every vessel.

How could I not want him?

How could I not want all of him?

All I seemed to be able to do was sit in the corner of the room, forcing my limbs to become like concrete, not allowing myself to move a single muscle in case my body launched itself toward Tejus and my mind took over, sucking his energy dry. Was this what it was like for him? Or was it because I was new to the sensation? It must be the latter, otherwise every single sentry in Nevertide would be locked in their homes, shaking and cursing themselves for wanting to do their loved ones harm.

Now I needed the rest of them gone.

Ruby’s mind beckoned to me; she stood stone-still in the middle of the room, staring at me in confusion and deep, deep concern. Her mind was so strong though—I could practically feel it from where I sat.

Don’t go there, Hazel—don’t—you’ll never forgive yourself.

I repeated my mantra and gritted my teeth, trying my best to keep my mind to myself and not try to go exploring others.

Not knowing what to do, I just sat there, hoping Tejus would warn Ruby away before she got too close. How could I be around anyone? I was a danger to them all—sentry or human, it didn’t seem to make a difference.

How had my night with Tejus—the most amazing experience of my life—turned into such a nightmare?

Ruby took a step closer, arms rising to embrace me. I looked over at Tejus, my eyes imploring.

Help me! Stop her!

I drew my body closer inward, though it didn’t seem to help—my mind had started to drift toward hers.

No!

Tejus strode forward and put out an arm to halt Ruby. She glared up at him furiously, trying to bat his arm away, but it was immovable. Ash took a step forward, placing a hand on Tejus’s shoulder as a warning. I could tell that things were going to escalate quickly, but Tejus didn’t respond with rage or aggression. He moved to stand in front of me, blocking my friends’ view, with his arms held out to pacify them.

His eyes must have conveyed that he meant me no harm, because eventually they backed off. Ruby still looked mistrustful, but she stepped away with the rest.

A moment later, we were all distracted.

The door to the tower had started to rattle. It was soft at first, like a single gust of wind had shot down from the turret, and the door struggled to break free from its hinge. The rattling increased, the door slamming back and forth—it felt like there was someone on the other side, pushing and pulling against it. I half suspected the entire thing to fly from the frame, but instead, in the next moment, it went silent.

Next, a faint scratching sound came from behind the door. I looked at Tejus, my heart in my throat. It was a sound that would haunt my dreams for the rest of my life, the same sound I’d heard the night Benedict had tried to get into our living quarters.

Tejus nodded slightly, acknowledging the fact that we would not open the door—the creature behind it wasn’t my brother. Not even close. I knew that, and Tejus knew that—but Julian, not seeing my warning glance at Tejus, and not knowing the hell we’d been through with Benedict, was obviously curious.

Moving surprisingly swiftly considering his weak state, he launched toward the door. He pulled at the handle, swinging it wide open before Tejus could stop him.

An impossibly strong wind hurtled into the room and sent books and cushions flying about the place, battering themselves against the walls and ceiling.

I watched, half rising to my feet, as my brother stepped into the room.





Ruby





I moved closer to Ash, and he reached down to clasp my hand. Beyond that, I was petrified. My first instinct on seeing Benedict was to run over and hug him. It had been swiftly replaced by a kind of grotesque horror—the twist of the malevolent smile and the glaze across his eyes sent shivers running through my body. Whatever that thing was, it wasn’t Benedict. It might have looked like him in every way, but there was an unnatural and animalistic slyness about him that was far removed from the Benedict I knew and loved.

The furniture was flying about, and I ducked my head as a huge book came flying toward me. I grabbed Yelena with my spare hand, making sure that the girl was standing out of harm’s way. I didn’t even think she felt me move her—she was fixated on Benedict, her body as pliant as a ragdoll’s. Julian had been thrown back into the other corner of the room when the door burst open, and he stood, staring at his friend.