Page 70 of Death Card

“What is it?”

He takes off at a sprint, so Lizzie and I have no choice but tofollow. Our footsteps echo through the halls as we race at his heels. When we make it back to the gym, pandemonium awaits.

Multiple people are splayed out on the floor, convulsing and foaming at the mouth. Those not infected are attempting to heal them. Gramps kneels over a figure lying prone on the floor. I would recognize those suede pumps anywhere.

“Auntie, no!”

I fall to my knees at Aunt Roberta’s side, heart stuttering in my chest as I stare at her red-stained eyes and golden veins pulsating beneath her skin. Gramps has both hands on her chest. His pupils are blown wide as he looks up at me.

“Mikaela,” he gasps.

I rest my hands over his. “Not her,” I say. “I won’t let them take her from me too.”

At my side, Orion falls to his knees, joining us. “Together,” he says.

I close my eyes and sink every bit of magic I have into my aunt’s body. Orion and Gramps do the same. Sweat beads on my forehead as I exert all my energy into calling on my healing magic.

The darkness fights us as a shrill sound assaults us, like an ice pick to the brain. I grit my teeth, determined not to give in until every last bit of darkness is eradicated from her body. Inch by inch, we beat back the evil cloud, until her body is rid of the demonic infestation. When I crack open my eyes, her skin no longer glows gold. Her breathing is labored and shallow, but she’s still alive.

Most importantly, when I touch her skin, the spark of her magic still stings my fingertips.

Gramps sits back on his heels and all his joints audibly crack.He looks completely worn-out as the light dulls in his eyes. He planned this perfect night for us, and it’s been ruined and marked by death.

“What happened?”

Orion is the one to answer. “Someone brought out the snacks and cupcakes, and everyone flocked to grab plates. Pretty soon after, people started dropping like flies.”

We both stand and peer around at the destruction. Some of those sickened are still alive, brought back from the brink of death like Aunt Roberta. Others are still and motionless, with the mark of the demon branded on their skin.

Lizzie and Malik find us quickly, both wearing similar haunted expressions. “What the hell?” Malik asks. “When does this end? When everyone’s dead?”

I curl my hands into fists. “It stops here. No one else dies while I’m here.”

I stalk back over to Gramps. “We need a Council meeting.”

He nods without a word. I leave him then, walking around the room to assess who’s still alive.

32

In the wakeof the chaos and death of our birthday party, the Council assembles. Back home, I watch the Council members walk through the gate and up the porch steps through the rain from my bedroom window. Miss Connie leans on Terrence’s arm as he holds a black umbrella over her head. Aunt Lorraine stalks through the open gate with a fierce scowl peeking out from beneath the hood of her rain jacket. Malik is hot on her heels, ducking his head and clutching her purse.

Aunt Roberta is the last to arrive. She walks with a shuffling gait as Uncle Larry grips her elbow. She pauses and tilts her head upward, seemingly sensing my gaze. I’m not sure if she can see me through the thick pane of glass, but she doesn’t move for a long moment. Finally, Uncle Larry tugs her forward, and the spell is broken.

I take my cue to head downstairs.

Orion and Gramps have dragged a few extra chairs into the living room from the kitchen. My brother and Malik stand off to the side, hands stuffed deep into their pockets, silently watching as the old folks take their seats.

I cross the room to stand beside them.

“Hey, ’Kaela,” Malik murmurs, pulling me into a quick side hug. “How are you?”

“About as good as can be expected with…everything.”

His gaze drifts past me to the assembled group of Elders. “My grandma was silent the entire drive over. Normally, you can barely shut that woman up.”

“Five people died,” Orion says, voice completely devoid of emotion. “I think that’s enough to shut anyone up.”

Across the room, Gramps claps his hands together. “All right, let’s get started.” His voice is raised so everyone can hear, but his eyes are trained only on me.