Darkest Blood

Chapter Twelve

Silence.

It was suffocating. All around me there was nothing but silence as I opened my eyes. Some people had left, some were passed out. Liam was nowhere to be seen. Julia was missing with her eyes, as Detective Broom held her hands behind her back. My aunt was lying still in the middle of the room. Ice filled my veins as I ran to her. I took her hand.

It was cold as ice, as I stiffened, my vision blurring. I fell over her, clutching her cold hand in mine.

"No, Aunt Moira! Please." I sobbed.

A tear had dried on her cheek, her eyes were staring into space. Her face was relaxed, with no signs of the struggle just minutes before.

"Please! AUNT!" I shook her, but inside I knew it was pointless. Nothing happened. Of course, nothing happened. I covered my mouth with my free hand as a sob forced it way out of me

Someone grabbed my hand and removed it from my aunt's cold one.

"We need to leave Penelope," Viola squatted down next to me, her face cold. I looked at her, then back at my aunt.

"She... She's..." my mind couldn't form words. Viola seemed to roll her eyes. Someone came up to me, on the other side.

"She's right Penny," Jordan said, "I'll get her out of here, okay? Right now, follow Viola and Maia. Liam could still be around somewhere."

I forced my gaze away from my aunt and looked at Jordan. His face was pale, Maia was next to him, a tear on her cheek. I noticed Julia was sitting alone, her hands tied.

"Come, Penny," Maia held out her hand, though I barely saw it. I took the hand, standing up. The floor was swaying below me, and I leaned into Maia, who lightly padded my hair. Someone else joined. I didn't recognize them.

"I can't just leave her," I whimpered. Viola sighed and rolled her eyes. Maia sent her a death-stare while stroking my hair slightly.

"You won't. Now come."

*****

In the east, the first signs of dawn were showing in the sky. It was cold, and I accepted the blanket given to me without thought. In fact, I was barely thinking at all. I was empty inside. All I saw was my aunt. All I heard was her scream, still ringing in my ears. I saw the smoke. I saw Liam's smile and I smelled the blood. Had he succeeded whatever ritual he was trying to do?

Someone placed Julia a little away from me. Her eyes were empty as she looked over the field, the old Smythe Manor stood on. I had never been here before, and I had no wish to ever come back.

Noah came out of the mansion looking around. The minute his gaze fell on me he came over. I wasn't sure whether I wanted him to come over.

"Penny! God, you're okay!" he said. I smiled weakly. I was anything but okay. He pulled me into an embrace, but I couldn't make myself hug him back. A new hot stream of tears started to fall down my cheeks as I pulled away from Noah. His eyes widened slightly, but he didn't resist.

"Everything will be fine, Pen," Noah whispered. I shook my head.

"Nothing will ever be fine again, Noah," my voice was a whimper. I was surprised Noah could even hear it. Noah's back tightened and he squeezed his fists at my statement. He nodded slowly.

"Not for a while, no. But eventually, it will be. I promise you."

I turned away, seeing a figure glancing at us from a few feet away. The yellow eyes were patient. I straightened slightly. I used the blanket to dry my face from the tears.