Faults

Chapter 39: Marshall

When we reach Galariesse, Taylor tells me and Trey that Shane is usually working in the small book shop in the center of the village, or, he's at the lake. Our first stop is the book shop since the village is much closer than the lake from where we exit the woods.

Upon entering the shop, the smell of old parchment and leather hits my nostrils. There's a man at the back of the shop standing on a ladder, facing the tall bookshelf. He's placing books on the shelves, leaning this way and that, very adeptly for being on such a flimsy looking ladder.

Taylor then nods at Trey, signaling that the man is indeed who we came for: Shane. On the way here, we discussed how we would do this, should we find him in the shop.

We agreed that Trey should weaken him first and then we'll take him out to the shack. It's going to be difficult, but if we want Christian back and want to keep the peace with Taylor, it's what has to be done. Taylor and I watch as Trey heads to the back of the shop where Shane is now standing in front of a cart of books. Trey places his hand on Shane's back, causing him to jump in shock, almost falling to the ground.

"What just happened?" I hear Shane ask as he turns around to face Trey.

"Sorry, I just wanted to buy you a nap," Trey says as he punches Shane in the face, knocking him out

I cover my mouth with my hand, stifling a laugh. What a line. Trey and I have known each other for a while loosely, because of Klaus and Aster, but I never thought he would do something like this. That line is on point for him, though, as he's always been a jokester.

I never thought that I would partake in something like this as well. It's turning out to be quite the learning experience for everyone.

Trey motions me over and I help him hoist Shane up, putting his arms over our shoulders. Taylor holds the door to the shop open for us and we squeeze through with some difficulty. Taylor leans in close to me and mumbles, "Once we get to the forest, just drag him. We can take turns."

To avoid suspicion among the villagers, Trey and I struggle with Shane's limp body as we walk back to the forest. Luckily, we only get a few strange looks. Once we reach the woods, Trey and I drop Shane on the ground.

Taylor grabs Shane by his ankles and begins pulling him through the trees. Trey and I follow closely behind Taylor, relieved that we're not holding him up anymore.

※ ※ ※

Taylor, Trey, and I take turns pulling Shane through the woods. I think all of the bumps and knocks to the head he took along the way kept him unconscious. I don't necessarily like the fact that I have to kill him, but I feel a tiny bit better about it since he's passed out. I'm just glad I don't have to witness the life leaving his eyes. That would break me more than my mother's death did. But, even if he was awake, Shane most likely wouldn't even be able to fight back because of Taylor.

At the shack, Taylor pulls Christian out of the shack and into the small clearing in front of it. While I drag Shane over so that he's next to Christian, Taylor runs back inside and comes out with a large book in his hand.

I stare down at the two bodies. Shane is still breathing but that won't last much longer...

On the way here, Taylor told me that he needs to read something in a book called Exitium to see how the ritual works. I assume that's the book he's flipping through right now. "Here it is, permanent necromancy," he declares. He takes a second to read what's on the pages. "You have to stab Shane in the heart and then smear his blood on Christian's forehead in the shape of a cross. Then, you place your hand on Christian's heart and say the words, 'Haec est tua vocation. Expergiscimini.' Once Shane's heart stops beating for good, Christian should regain life."

I nod and Taylor holds out a dagger to me. I take it from him. I kneel down in between the two bodies and prepare to plunge the dagger into Shane's heart. I have the blade pointed down towards him, but I hesitate, scared of what this will make me out to be. For the briefest second, his eyes open and that's when I shove the knife into his heart. My very fear of watching the life drain out of him becomes reality. Before his eyes flutter shut, I swear I can see them dim, every ounce of life within him dispelled.

My hands are shaking as I pull the knife out of his heart and swipe my finger across the blade, collecting the blood on my skin. I make a cross on Christian's forehead with the blood and place my hand on his heart. I rush to say the phrase, making myself stutter, "H-Haec e-est tua vocatio. E-Expergiscimini."

I look over at Shane, the image of his eyes dimming coming back to me. I watch painfully as his labored breathing stops and I avert my eyes, unable to take another second. I turn my head and find Christian staring at me. Right before my eyes, skin begins to reform over the wound on his neck, turning it into a scar.

"I knew I made a good choice when I turned you to our side," Christian remarks, bringing a hand to his neck. Seeing him reanimated is freaking me out a little. Maybe it's an effect of seeing Shane die? I try to get that image out of my head but it simply won't leave.

Christian sits up and looks past me. "I'm sorry, Taylor."

Taylor and Trey walk to the other side of Christian and Taylor says, "Don't leave me again."

"This will never happen again, I swear," Christian replies, standing up.

"How do you know?" I ask.

"We're all going to be reinforcing our magic. I believe that if we make the effort now, we'll be able to defeat Archie and his little friends very soon," Christian explains. He looks at Trey, arching an eyebrow.

Trey holds up his hands. "I'm here to join you."

"Hm, suspicious, but I don't blame you one bit for leaving those goons. You're not here to spy, are you?" Christian asks.

Trey shakes his head. "I'm done with them."

Taylor and Christian both laugh. "Good," Taylor says.

As soon as everyone stops talking, the image of Shane dying pops back into my head, haunting me. For the rest of the day, that image never leaves my mind, driving me insane.