And then it hit me. He wasn’t here for me, he was here for them. “Tell me exactly how long have you worked for Nexis?”
“Lucy, I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to find out like this.” He edged closer now, like he knew he almost had me.
I glanced around the quad, not a soul in sight. What ever happened to Will? Had that been him in the woods? Whatever I heard in the brush didn’t show itself.
I was trapped like a caged animal with only one thing left to do, claw my way out. “Just tell me the truth. You owe me at least that much.”
“Fine, maybe you’re right.” He inched close enough to me that I could smell his disgusting aftershave. “I’ve been working for Nexis since we met. Right after James disappeared.”
“Whaaa—” My jaw dropped as I gaped at him. And here, I’d thought the Watchers were maniacs for trying to brand me like cattle. But Nexis was clearly a million times worse. They’d been after me for years, ever since they figured out I was next in line to be the Seer instead of James. Was this going to be my lot in life, being a nothing more than a pawn to the whims of the three societies? Was my mom in on it, too?
Strong fingers clamped around my arm with an iron grip. The once hovering wraiths swirled around Jake now, picking up speed.
“Ouch, let me go.” I tore at his hand, digging my nails into him, but he grabbed my other wrist. I squirmed against his unusually strong fists. Maybe the shadows were giving him supernatural strength.
He tightened his grip, shadowy tentacles snaking from his fingers up my forearms. My eyes widened at the sight behind him. An army of black wraiths were lined up in the distance. Their beady eyes glowed red as their shadow hands reached for me.
Eeoow, eeooww, eooww. Screeches sliced into my eardrums. The ungodly sound coalesced into words.
Kill him, Seer. Drain the life out of him.
Use him as a puppet like you did before.
Become one with us, a dark Nephilim to bring back our brethren
Dark Nephilim? My stomach curdled, and I closed my eyes against the horrible sight. Wriggling against Jake’s grip, I wracked my brain for answers.
Don’t believe the lies. It’s exactly what the Nexis Society wants. In a flash, my eyes snapped open as a glimmer of white light trickled down from the heavens. Were the angels on their way?
Remember the consequences of succumbing to the darkness. Memories flashed in front of my eyes like scenes from a movie—the church fire, the Halloween cyber-bullying stunt, Jake showing up at Thanksgiving, and Colleen kissing Bryan.
How had I not realized the truth by now? Were all of these bad things happening because I’d used my dark powers?
Yes. A pillar of light shot straight down through the black sky. Wraiths screamed in its wake, rearing back at the brightness in front of me.
A sonic boom erupted from the light, followed by a flash of strobe light. Tendrils of lightning shot out on all sides—sending the shadows screeching away.
The lightning materialized in a vaguely human shape, unsheathing a sword of equally brilliant light, poised for battle. An impossible peace bloomed in my chest.
“I’m sorry, Lucy. But you have to come with me. You don’t know what they’ll do to me.” Jake’s low voice sent a shiver down my spine. He was completely oblivious to the supernatural battle going on around us.
Don’t forget, this boy is just a mixed up kid caught in the same web you are.
“I do see. It’s clearer than ever now.” I stared at the angel with my mouth hanging open and my pulse pounding in my ears.
“If you won’t come willingly, I’ll make you come with me.” He pinned my fists against the tree. The back of my head smacked into the bark as his breath steamed my face, his eyes glowing with anger.
A shadow man morphed into being beside him, a pillar of dark mist taunting the lightning man who stood still as an ivory chess piece, sword lifted to the sky.
I blinked and blinked, but the scenery didn’t change. Angel, demon, and Jake. I could only stare in shock for a few heartbeats.
I’d never seen Jake like this. It must be the demon-wraith. I had to get away, but he held me too tight.
“What can I do?” I whispered to the angel.
The brightness shimmered in front of me. If you choose the light over the darkness, you’ll become an angel conduit. Half of your soul with be infused with angel powers, making you a Nephilim of Light.
With a gasped, I wriggled against Jake’s unearthly grip. But there was nowhere to run anymore.
The angel’s golden eyes glittered. Or you can choose the darkness and call up the demons to do your bidding. Tell me this—is Jake really your enemy?
With Jake’s sneering face close enough to spit on and his supernaturally strong hands pinning me to the tree behind me, I had to think about it for a second. The demon wraiths started screeching again, so loud I could barely hear myself think.
“No!” I shouted above the roar, staring straight into the golden eyes of my angel. “The darkness is my enemy. I choose light.”
He nodded once, and those eyes blazed, golden and warm as the sun. In a split second, he punched his lightning sword heavenward. A bright bolt crackled over my head.
I snapped my neck straight up to see purple electricity split open the sky above me. With a zap, it struck the great tree at my back. I whirled around as the huge trunk quivered.
The little hairs on my arms stood straight up, the static tingling as I put some space between me and the tree. My heart soared. I’d definitely made the right choice.
Shadows swirled and shrieked as a jagged line sliced straight down the middle of the giant oak. A rush of air and debris
