Chapter Eight

We Go Deep and We Don’t Get No Sleep

Texas

“Wake now.” A voice as deep as the ocean startles me from my sleep.

I scramble from my bed, roll over, and flick on the lamp. When the light floods the room, I walk over to the window and stare at the violet sky.

My heart beats at a runner’s pace. I take a deep breath, then roll my eyes when I realize I’m being pranked. Stupid Rose, sounding like a character from Middle Earth or something.

“How many times do I have to say no? I’m not watching Rings of Power. Those hairy feet are too much.” Flopping on the bed, I lean over and turn off the lamp.

“I am not Rose Prussakov,” the voice says just as darkness hits.

Not Rose? My grip on the fleece blanket tightens. “Who are you? What do you want?”

“I am Fadeela.”

There’s a familiarity in her voice. That lady that I sometimes hear. Her voice is less all-caps and bold yell-y.

“What do you want?” I repeat my question out loud, since there’s no one else around.

“So…many…things. But I can wait. We can wait. Until you are stronger. Until you can stand on your own.”

I wrap my arms around my stomach, trying like hell to keep all the loose things in my body from falling out. Vampires I can do. Maybe even ghosts. But voices in my head, in the stone , that can pop up at any moment? Nah.

Maybe that’s why Rich is such a bitch. He had these…these people in his head the entire time.

“There is no need to be afraid. Like you, I was a vampire slayer. We only want to help.”

The stone throbs as if it’s pumping blood and bravery into my hand.

“Okay.” I inhale like Anton taught me and noisily release the breath out of my mouth. “So…you’re one of my voices.”

“No. I am more than a voice. I am a soul and, before that, a human being with a body and mind like yours and—” She sighs and cuts herself off. “But…I’m glad you can hear us and that you are finally listening. The vampire male was right.”

“Khamari?”

“Yes. Him. The one you pine for.”

“What do you mean, pine? I don’t pine.” She makes me sound thirsty af.

“Surely you do. It’s an ache that is sticky as syrup, a humidity that never lifts. A razor-sharp pain laced in iodine that drags across your soul.”

“All right, Maya Angel-no. Are you a slayer or a fake-ass poet?”

“You are absurd. But I suppose you are better than Richmond.” Her sighs make me feel like the phone is glued to my ear, but I can’t pull away or end the call.

“What do you want from me? After I get stronger, I mean.”

“I…we would like to be freed from the stone.”

“Sure. That’s reasonable,” I agree. “How do I do that?”

“Hmm.”

“Hmm, what?”

“No hesitation? This stone is arguably the most powerful tool in existence. Once you amplify your skills, you will become invincible.”

“You’re trapped, and worse, you’re stuck with me. That’s not cool. I say we kill Alexander, and then I’ll free you.”

“And if we never kill him, then what?” Fadeela sounds both weary and fierce.

“We find another way to make the stone. Isn’t that what Alexander wants to do? Create another stone from the Emerald Tablet?”

“It is impossible to find.”

“Says who? I mean, didn’t an alchemist use it to create the first one?”

“No. ‘Twas a gift from The Architect.”

“Says who?” I ask again.

“Eduard.”

Right, how could I forget? Dieter, may he R.I.P., frequently name-dropped his grandaddy’s daddy’s daddy.

“If you think about it, do you really think The Architect would allow a sacred artifact to be hijacked like this?”

“I suppose…yes. You are likely right.” It’s weird, but it feels like I can visualize Fadeela pacing in my head. I can see the silhouette, but not her face.

“We were so desperate for a solution,” she continues. “Humanity was on the brink of extinction.”

“Isn’t that always the case? Diseases, war, famine. Now it’s climate change.”

“You’re quite insightful to be so emotional.”

I roll my eyes, and I hope she can physically feel the snark.

“We have decided that you need to work on your Internist powers to amplify your healing and spiritual powers. You must gain control over your thoughts and rein in your reactions. Your subconscious is painfully chaotic.”

“I know, I know. Gotta meditate .” I roll my eyes and wiggle my fingers.

“Yes, and no. You aren’t at the stage where you can quiet your thoughts. Practice, yes. But just be more open for now. Take more naps, and just before your nap, visualize yourself overcoming.”

“Overcoming what?”

“Everyone who pains you. Everything that pierces your heart and threatens to darken your soul.”

Her simple words seem impossible. I can’t positive-thoughts my way out of this. “So that’s it?”

“That’s all you need to do for now. I’ll help you. Guide you. And we will not overwhelm you. One soul at a time, as you need it. You can call upon us, too.”

“How do I know who to call?”

“Get to know us. We will come to you. Read this book Richmond has given you. He has notes about us.”

“Okay.” I yawn.

“Rest now. We’ll be more…gentle in our approach until we cannot.”

“I don’t know what that means.”

“All is well. Sleep.”

I return to my bed and pull the covers over my head.