Two Halves Series by Marta Szemik Read Free Book Online Page B

look. I felt her pain. She didn’t understand his commitment to his job. Neither did I. Would our priorities shift that much once we were marked? Enough to leave the ones we loved for the “greater good”? If so, I didn’t want it. But just like Xela, I had no choice.
    I put my arm around Mira’s shoulder; her eyes silently thanked me. No matter what happened, we would never leave each other’s side.
    We followed Eric through a corridor that stretched into infinity, its walls painted with landscapes. Candles burned in wall sconces, scattering their soft, smokeless glow over the walls. Gold stars patterned the edges of carpeting so plush it felt as if we were walking on clouds.
    This was the safest place on Earth.
    The evil-bender led, turning right at the end of the hall where three shining stones were embedded in the wall. The hall widened into what most resembled a circular room and within, our father stood between Drake, the leader of all vampires, and Gabriel, the angel who watched over human beings. I expected to see white wings protruding from the angel’s back, but he was in his human form. Otherwise, I realized, we wouldn’t be able to look at him at all. Drake on the other hand, the most flamboyant of the three, looked like he stole Dracula’s costume.
    “Pop?” I asked. “Why are we here? Are you going to mark us?”
    “Your mark will come from your actions, Xander, not from us.”
    Gabriel spoke next. “You’re here because it’s finally time to tell you about your destiny.”
    “There’s a reason Aseret has gained power,” Drake explained. Their speech sounded rehearsed, although I doubted they’d planned exactly what to say beforehand; they were merely working in concert toward a common goal. “Castall, Gabe, and I each have species we watch over.” He paused. “But there has never been anyone who held control over all three.”
    “You want us to do it?” I asked, then tightened my lips in apology for the interruption when my father’s eyebrows rose—a sign I knew too well.
    Castall, my father, spoke next. “A prophecy has been written and your help will be needed. The choices you make today will determine whether the prophecy comes to fruition.”
    The hum of the distant waterfall was deafening in the silence that followed. I waited another ten seconds, making sure it was the right time to speak without offending anyone. “So what you’re saying is if I don’t choose the water mark, the world will end?”
    “It won’t end, but a new species, a demonic one, will rule after killing the rest. Hatred will take over and suck the life out of all living creatures.” Gabriel’s eyes darkened to their whitest shade.
    “No pressure, huh?” I chuckled. Mira bumped my shoulder. Pop raised his brows again.
    “Aren’t we demons?” Mira asked as I cleared my throat.
    “You’re shape-shifters and watchers of the dead.” Drake raised his chin higher and I thought I saw a grin on his face, well hidden under nearly invisible scars.
    That widened our eyes.
    “Your destiny will reveal itself to you soon; then you will understand why you haven’t been marked yet,” my father added.
    “We never had a choice in the mark, did we?” I asked, my heart sinking.
    “It’s because the mark chooses you, not the other way around,” Pop replied. “And though shape-shifters are not marked at birth, you are destined to have a specific mark.”
    “Are there any shape-shifters who bear the sphere?”
    “Unfortunately, there are a few,” Drake answered. “Aseret has been sneaky in expanding his army and their range of powers. Shape-shifters, freezers, and movers have joined his legions.”
    “Xander.” My father looked at me with soft eyes, this time speaking as my father and not a warlock. “She’s doomed to be at Aseret’s side. The sooner you let her go, the easier it will be for you after you get the mark.”
    “Is there no way?” I asked, my question nearly a wail.
    “For now, no.”