The Descendants Read online

  My energy is faint, but I hear voices and feel myself being carried away.

  “Where are you taking her?” Alec asks. It sounds like he’s running to catch up. But then who is carrying me?

  “We need to get her outside.” Johnny. I want to reach up and touch his face, but my arms are so heavy.

  “How do you know?” Alec’s voice is strangled. “Is she okay?”

  There’s silence until I hear the sound of a door opening. “I just know. She’ll be fine, but her energy is fading. She needs to be outside to energy source.”

  “Let’s go back here. There’s a garden behind the greenhouse.”

  Johnny follows Alec’s lead without complaint. He keeps me as steady as possible, his strong arms hugging me tightly to his muscular frame. I’ve missed these arms.

  “I can carry her,” Alec says.

  “We’re almost there,” Johnny responds, not letting me go.

  My eyes don’t feel heavy; I’m fully capable of opening them, but I think I’ll avoid a situation where I’m expected to choose between Alec and Johnny. I need my energy back before I can deal with my emotions regarding these two.

  “Hey!” Arabella’s voice rings out. “Trisha went with Brent. He doesn’t look good.” She runs up behind us as Johnny lays me down on the grass.

  With a jolt, I open my eyes and search for Arabella. “Brent is hurt? Is he going to be okay?”

  A flashback from two summers ago flickers through my mind. The snake attack and the earthquake that almost took Brent too soon. And then I remember what happened in the gym: his body falling from the ceiling and onto the iceberg. A prickly chill spreads through me. If anything happens to him … Erebus must have been talking about Brent when he referred to my friend who won’t live past winter. It still doesn’t make sense. Brent can’t be dead. Enchanters will heal him.

  Arabella kneels down beside me and squeezes my hand. “I don’t know, Kat. He was hurt pretty badly. Trisha’s been trying to heal him ever since the fall, but he landed in a pool of ice water, and some of the balloons shattered on him—”

  “Stop it,” Alec cuts in sharply. Arabella shoots him a piercing look as he kneels on the other side of me. “Kat needs her energy. Brent is in good hands.” When he’s done scolding Arabella, he turns to me. “What happened in there? Did Erebus hurt you?”

  I shake my head and take a deep breath. As I let the moon’s energy soak into my bones, I feel much stronger. My restored strength allows me to sit up, and without much thought, I search the space for Johnny.

  My eyes lock on his from across the garden. He’s leaning against a tree, mask removed. I can see him now. Tall, bronze, strong, brooding. He’s everything I remember loving. With a gentle tug on the string beneath my hair, my mask falls to my lap. I remember his words from earlier. I want to see you. His lips part slightly as he sucks in a quick gasp of air.

  “Erebus came to visit,” I say sardonically. “He came to see if I knew where to find the energy source.” I dangle the chain around my wrist, knowing I can’t divulge complete details of my encounter with Erebus. It could be too dangerous. I need time to think about what he asked of me. “He thinks if he threatens me I’ll tell him what I know, but I know only what Rose tells me—which is nothing.”

  “I don’t get it.” Arabella is pacing back and forth across the garden’s length. “He was right there in front of you. Why didn’t he kill you?”

  “Watch it!” Johnny snaps, her words obviously striking a chord with him.

  She flips her fiery red hair and turns her dazzling green eyes on him. “Excuse me? Of course I’m happy Kat’s safe. I’m just saying that if he really wanted to hurt us all, then killing Kat would do the trick. I’m just making an observation. He wants Kat alive. But why?” She seems to exhaust herself, her defensive tone changing to something accusing. “What are you doing here, anyway?”

  They glare at one another, and I can’t help feeling a tinge of jealousy. The way they speak to each other radiates familiarity, a closeness they’ve formed on some level. A part of me always wondered if she continued to communicate with Johnny after encouraging him to leave. Another part of me is still angry that she was the one to suggest he leave in the first place.

  “Stop, you two.” Alec doesn’t take his eyes off me. I want to crawl into a hole, curl up, and escape all the drama, the confusion, the hurt …“Are you feeling better?” he asks.

  I’m thankful to have Alec by my side. He’s always so gentle and caring.

  “I’m fine,” I finally answer Arabella’s question. “Erebus still has dreams of possessing me, though. That should keep me up at night.”

  Arabella is back to pacing. “Why does Erebus want this energy source? What is it? How could he possibly think it will help him? I mean, who knows where to find it, anyway? Rose, obviously. My dad. The Elders. But that’s it …”

  Johnny clears his throat. “That’s not true.” All eyes turn to him. “There are others who know—others who help keep the secret safe.”

  “And how do you know that?” Alec challenges.

  “I was out there for a year and a half,” Johnny reminds him dryly. “I followed Erebus. I studied him. There are others who know about him.”

  “Tell us everything.” I demand it, but in a gentle tone.

  Without hesitation, Johnny begins. “Erebus traveled from coast to coast. His mission was unclear at first, but then I noticed something interesting. He spent more time in the communities that contained energy plants like the one here in Apollo Beach. He never approached the plants; he just stood at the entrance gates, watching, as if waiting for an invitation. Maybe the energy source is tied to whatever he’s looking for in those plants.”

  There’s a sinking in my chest as I recall the last time I mentioned anything about the Apollo Beach Energy Plant to Rose. She absolutely lost it. I had a strange feeling about the place during my visit, but Rose’s reaction confirmed my fears that there was a secret being contained within its walls. What if the secret of the energy source is tied to the energy plant … or all coastal energy plants?

  Johnny shivers, as if he’s registering a painful memory, and I’m tempted to tell him to stop. I don’t know what he’s been through out there, but I can imagine traveling in the shadow of his late parents must have been a daunting journey.

  “He’d visit a community and take a new body. Most of the time, the bodies he possessed were released to continue their lives. But there was one particular body he stayed in for well over two weeks—and not just once. He seemed to know her well, and she never put up a fight.” He tilts his head at the memory, seeming disturbed by what he witnessed. “Every time he released her, she seemed frazzled, confused—like she didn’t know who or where she was. I followed her out of curiosity because she was different.” He frowns. “She has no family, no friends; she just lives in solitude until Erebus needs to use her body.”

  His story causes every hair on my body to stand on end. How devastating for the lives he’s stolen. And that poor woman.

  “You said there are others who know the secret. How do you know that?” Alec asks.

  Johnny reaches around and pulls out a small vial. “This. It’s called seapol juice. If you’ve noticed a decrease of the pollution in the bay, it’s because of this.”

  Arabella gasps. “I thought that was just a myth!”

  I smirk. Clearly she doesn’t see the irony in her words because she’s focused on the bottle Johnny holds. She lunges for it, and he allows her to snatch it from his hands.

  “Keep it,” he says. “I have more. One drop covers a five mile radius. Overusing it can have disastrous effects on the ocean. It’s like sanitization. If you over sanitize, you kill the good bacteria. Sea creatures thrive off those bacteria and enzymes, so you just need to use enough to kill the bad stuff.”

  Arabella nods, eyes wide. “I get it. Thank you. How did you hear about this stuff?”

  “That bottle contains energy from the plants I visited
—and a drop of my blood. The plant scientists showed me some of the responsibilities my father held. Creating and distributing seapol juice was one of them.”

  He tries to hide it, but I see Alec roll his eyes.

  “Why energy from the coastal plants? What’s the difference?” I ask.

  Johnny shrugs. “Those were the only ones I visited. They all seemed to be connected though because they all knew about seapol juice.”

  “They?” Alec implores. I can tell he’s annoyed that Johnny’s returned with limited information. I want to snap at him, to tell him to ease up on Johnny, but that might trigger something else that I’m not ready for.

  “The scientists there. They were all walking around in white lab coats—like they were part of one giant science experiment. They were all run by Enchanters, which made me wonder something.” He looks around at all of us and even the air stills to stop and listen. “I think the coastal energy plants signify where the Solstice settlements are.”

  I stand up abruptly, feeling the need to pace around like Arabella. Can that be true? Are the settlements marked with energy plants? Is this part of the secret Rose has been keeping from me? The location of the settlements? Is Erebus after this information too? Maybe he wants to map out all the locations so he can destroy us one community at a time. I tremble. If so, it sounds like he already has a pretty good idea of where they are.

  Johnny may be closer to the answer than he thinks. “You probably shouldn’t tell us any more until Rose can hear it. She knows more about this than anyone. If anyone’s going to understand what it all means, it’s her.”

  Johnny nods. “I can come by your house tomorrow.”

  It’s a question, though it’s not vocalized as such. I know what he’s asking. If he comes by my house tomorrow, we’ll have a chance to talk alone. I can feel the heat from Alec’s mood as his face turns beet red. He opens his mouth to say something but stops himself. The silence is just as disturbing.

  “Another thing,” Johnny says as if it’s just come to him. “We were in the Florida panhandle before Erebus headed for Apollo Beach. He brought some people with him. I’m certain they were Equinox Followers.”

  “Erebus is traveling with Followers?”

  He nods. “Six, that I know of.”

  I inhale sharply and notice the shock on everyone else’s faces.

  “Do you know why he came back here now?”

  Johnny shrugs, as if it doesn’t matter. “I think everything he’s done since leaving has been with the intention of coming back, as if Apollo Beach is the be-all and end-all of his fate.”

  “So … what?” Alec asks. “He’s building an army?”

  “Six isn’t a lot to start an army, but there could be more coming. Or maybe he’s lining up hosts to keep his cover.” His eyes land on me, causing a flush to surface on my cheeks. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

  “No thanks to you,” Alec mutters.

  Johnny hears him—we all do—but Johnny’s strength is in his silence. Or maybe he agrees with Alec.

  My phone buzzes, and I race to answer it. It’s Rose. “We’re okay,” I say immediately. “We’re in the courtyard behind the greenhouse.”

  Paul, Rose, and Charlotte fly through the garden entrance a moment later with Isaac and all of Arabella’s sisters. Kaleb and Khloe bring up the rear while staring down at a gray contraption in Kaleb’s hands. I ignore everyone and close the distance to the twins so I can look at the device. There’s something familiar about it.

  “I found this by the lockers,” Kaleb says with his eyes on me. “Do you know what it is?”

  I nod and pull it from his hands before swiveling around to find Johnny who’s already eyeballing the device with wide eyes. “This is yours?” I ask him. “Erebus threw this down before he left that man’s body, told me he’d been on a long journey, and said to ask you where he’s been.”

  Johnny grabs it from Kaleb. I watch as he pushes some buttons, growing angrier by the second. “He knows I followed him. He must have just found this.” Johnny is so close to me, I can feel the heat of his words. “He stopped the GPS signal at 2:50 today.” He shakes his head as if trying to convince himself of something. “I saw too much. There’s no way he knew I was following him before today. I’m sure he’s provoked now, though.”

  I can’t read Johnny’s expression. He appears withdrawn, most likely reflecting on his year and a half away. I’m dying to ask him questions. Where have you been? How could you leave me?

  Suddenly, the courtyard is bustling. I’m exhausted and in no mood to answer everyone’s questions. Alec is in deep conversation with Khloe. Arabella is showing her sisters and father the vial of seapol juice under the loving arm of Kaleb. There’s a softness in my heart for Arabella and Kaleb’s relationship. They both deserve to be happy, and that’s exactly what they make each other.

  My eyes lock on Johnny’s. I communicate to him with my imploring eyes because it’s the only way I know how among our family and friends. I don’t know why you’re back, or why you tried to kiss me on the dance floor, but please don’t leave again until we have a chance to sort this all out. I know he can’t hear my thoughts, but Johnny always had a way of interpreting my emotions. Let’s see if he’s still got it.

  My dad puts his arm around me, squeezing tightly while he talks to Rose and Charlotte. Johnny looks between us, confusion written on his face. That’s right; I forgot. This is all new to him.

  “Johnny, meet my father, Paul Summer. Dad, this is Johnny Pierce.” I don’t have to explain any more than that. My dad is well aware of who Johnny is.

  “Mr. Pierce. It’s good to meet you. I hear you’ve had quite the adventure.” My dad is polite, for which I’m thankful.

  “It was an eye-opening experience. I’d like to come by tomorrow and talk to you and Rose, if that’s okay.” Johnny darts a look at me, and I nod for him to continue. “I’d like to share what I’ve learned.”

  My dad hugs me tighter to him, protectively. “That would be fine. Can we meet in the afternoon, around one? I need to run some errands in the morning.”

  Johnny nods. “Yes, sir. Any time is fine with me.”

  His words are spoken to my father, but I can’t help wondering how long he plans to stick around. It’s all too much to think of right now. At least he’ll still be here tomorrow. It’s enough to allow myself to give into my exhaustion. I peer up at my father. “Can you take me home? My head hurts, and I’d really like to sleep.”

  “Your head? From what?” He begins to examine my injuries. He gasps when he notices dried blood at the crown of my head.

  I frown, not wanting to get into the story now. “Erebus banged me up a little, but I’ll be fine once I sleep it off.”

  “Hold still,” My dad growls, and places his hands on both sides of my head wound. I do as he says, somewhat giddy to experience another person healing me. I’m usually the one healing others. He blows lightly, and I feel a slight tingling at the top of my skull, then a tightening. Everyone’s eyes are on us.

  Ah, that feels good. “All better,” I say with a smile.

  “He could have killed you, Katrina. How can you be so smiley?” Rose scoffs.

  “Erebus wasn’t here to kill me. He came trying to pry information about the energy source from me. Thanks to Rose, Queen of Secrets, I had no information to divulge.” I bat my eyes at her.

  Rose narrows her eyes at me as all attention turns to her. “Is that so?” she asks dryly.

  “He won’t stop until he uncovers the truth, Rose. He also wanted me to tell you hello.” I feel like a traitor passing on this information, as if I’ve just had a friendly chat with the God of Darkness, our nemesis.

  Rose folds her arms defiantly. “While he may come close, he’ll never uncover the secret of our energy source. Only a handful know the truth, and I’ll die before exposing it to him.”

  Chapter Five

  There are too many thoughts running through my mind to sleep, so I don’t. In
stead, I wrap my throw blanket around me and trudge downstairs to the library. I take the stairs to the second floor and pull on the candle to open the door to the hidden den. With a slow wave of my hand, I light the wall candles, setting the room aglow.

  There’s magic in this room—literally and metaphorically. The warm walls, candle-lit ambiance, rich ancient history, and closed-off space bring comfort and peace when nothing else can, not even my amethyst. If there’s a place in this house that makes me feel safe, it’s this room.

  After Johnny left and my dad arrived, the library became my sanctuary—a place I could escape and concentrate on things I could learn to control. Everything else just made me feel helpless and reminded me of the agonizing heartbreak that was Johnny Pierce leaving me on that dock.

  My amethyst, a subject I rarely research because there has never been any reason to, is on my mind tonight. I’ve always known the family stone I wear around my neck calms my anxiety, helps me control my magic by giving me extra focus, and acts as a generator for my powers. What I didn’t realize was how lost I would be without it until I was faced with Erebus tonight. Out of curiosity, I scan the shelves for a book on energy and crystals. When I find one, I lay it flat on the desk.

  I’ve become quite good at skimming books and digesting them quickly. Speed reading has been a welcome addition to my heightened senses. Without knowledge of our history, the future is a desolate void. How else could I possibly begin to understand the life that brought us here today?

  I quickly flip through the sections on moonstones, opals, and diamonds, until I finally arrive at the amethyst. Prasiolite, apparently, is the proper name for the green stone I wear around my neck. I learn that while the amethyst is widely known for its purple variety, the green stone has become a trademark among Enchanters due to our spiritual link with nature.

  The symbolism alone gives Enchanters a good excuse to carry this stone around, but it’s the energy contained within, which plays well to our magic, that makes this the perfect stone for our breed. It acts as the crux of nature, amplifying the power of other stones within proximity. We who hold the stone close have a direct link with nature, but we don’t need it to use or control our powers. So then why did I feel so weak against Erebus without it tonight?