The Supernatural Seals (Book Two)- BATTLE

Chapter Fifteen

Grace

I walk over to James, who is currently sitting on a chair with his head in his hands. His blond hair is messy like he just woke up, but it's probably from running his hands through it so much. It's something that I've noticed in the time I've known him. I crouch down in front of him and tap his shoulder, but he doesn't move. I look down and notice that he's tapping his foot on the ground; probably a nervous tick. I stand up, and pace around for a bit, trying to figure out just how we're going to be able to talk to Alexander.

"There's no use. This isn't working; you're just wasting your time," James says.

I turn around as he lifts his head and then runs his hand through his hair, and then down his face. He leans back in the chair dramatically and closes his eyes. Then he slouches forward like he just lost all the bones in his body. 

"There has got to be a way to talk to him. He's obviously not just gone. He's in your head. We just need to find a way," I say.

James shakes his head.

"He just doesn't want to talk. I can feel him, I can sense that he's in there. He's doing this on purpose, he doesn't want to help us," James says angrily. 

I watch as his hands form into fists, and he stands up suddenly. He kicks the chair hard enough to make it tip backward, but not hard enough to make it fall. He clasps his hands together behind his back and mutters something that I can't hear. Then I get an idea.

"Wait, when you killed him, you had the teeth. The same ones the Leviathans have," I say, remembering how they appeared for a few seconds after Alexander was dead. 

James raises an eyebrow at me and cocks his head in question.

"Yeah, so?" He asks, crossing his arms over his chest.

"So maybe, if you use his powers it'll draw him out," I say.

James looks down and rolls up the sleeve of his jacket. Then he walks over to me and shows me his wrist. There's a new marking, the same marking that is on the back of his neck.

"It's the Leviathan power," I say.

James looks up at me and then rolls his sleeve back down.

"Alright, but stay back. He might come through and try to hurt you," He says.

I nod, and I back up a few feet, keeping an eye on James. I watch as he closes his eyes to concentrate. I watch him carefully, trying to figure out if it's working, but I can't tell. Suddenly, there's a crash and I duck as every single knife and sword go flying into the opposite wall. I look over at James, who jumps when the knives lodge into the wall.

"Wrong super power," I say.

"Sorry," he replies sheepishly, running a hand through his hair again. 

I stand up and look over at the wall, which now contains dozens of knives as decoration. I look back at James, who is concentrating on talking to Alexander once again. I watch as he closes his eyes, and takes a deep breath. Then he disappears. I look around the room.

"James? I think you used the wrong power again," I say.

I look as he reappears in the spot where he vanished. He looks frustrated. I watch as he looks up at the ceiling, and then his black wings appear. It's strange seeing them here, I had almost forgotten about them. I shake my head and watch as he sighs, and the wings disappear.

"This isn't going to work, Grace," He says, going back to his chair and taking a seat.

He leans forwards and ties the laces on his boots. Then he unties them and ties them again. Tighter this time. He has got a load of nervous ticks. I run a hand through my hair, and then tie it up into a bun. Then I take a deep breath and walk a bit closer to James.

"Okay, what If I try to call him out?" I ask.

James leans back in his seat and shrugs.

"Sure, why not?" He says.

I walk closer to James and crouch down a bit so I'm about eye level with him. I put my hand on his shoulder. From up close I am able to see a few random freckles that he has, spread out underneath his eyes and across his nose. I can also see a small scar at the corner of his forehead. It's weird; all the things that you notice when you're this close up to someone's face.

"Alexander? Are you in there?" I ask.

James looks around the room and then raises his eyebrows at me. I shake my head and try again.

"Alexander, we need you to come out," I say.

Still nothing. I take a deep breath and look straight into James' eyes this time.

"Alexander, we need to talk to you," I say.

I stare into James's blue eyes. For a second, I can see something flicker in them, or behind them, I should say. It's almost like someone turned a flashlight on and off really quickly. But then it goes away, just as quickly as it came. I narrow my eyes and then stand up, stretching out my legs.

"What?" James asks.

I shake my head.

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing," I say.

"What the hell?" James shouts.

I look up at him, as he covers his ears with his hands. He sinks into the chair until he falls to the floor. I rush over and shake his shoulder.

"James?" I ask.

"What is that noise?" He asks, writhing around the floor as if he's in pain.

"There is no noise," I say confused.

James shouts out in pain and continues to cover his ears. I shake him again, trying to pull him out of whatever trance he's in that is allowing him to hear things. I shake him a few times before he goes still.

I reach over and turn his face towards me. He's still breathing, but he isn't moving. I being to think of the most horrible outcomes. Maybe I killed him by trying to call Alexander out. 

"James? James, wake up!" I cry.

He gasps and sits up. He bends over as he takes in breaths, and coughs. I sigh in relief and rub his back.

"What was that? You scared me," I say.

He doesn't say anything, but he slowly turns to face me. He smiles softly, and then reaches out and grabs my throat. He begins to squeeze until I can hardly breathe.

"James, stop," I gasp.

He doesn't let go. He continues to squeeze even harder. I claw at his arm, but it doesn't seem to hurt him.

"James?" I ask.

I watch as he grins, and then shakes his head.

"Guess again," He sneers.

"Alexander," I gasp.

I watch as he slowly fades from my vision, and the dark takes over.