Alpha Asher by Jane

Chapter 232

We set Sean down in the grass off the side of the road. I stood over the body of my big brother, still not allowing myself to process what had happened. The gashes across his neck and chest were unimportant. His skin was almost translucent, blending in with the muted colors of the grass so well that it was both beautiful and haunting. The way the moonlight streamed down onto his body, turning him silver, was a sight I’d never forget.

“I’m so sorry about Sean, Lola. I’m so sorry.” Holly’s shaky whisper came from behind.

Her voice was swallowed by the night, stolen by the stillness that surrounded us. I sank to my knees at Sean’s side, trailing my eyes over his dark hair and long lashes.

“What are you planning to do?” Holly asked.

The clear note of hesitation in her voice prompted me to turn my head in her direction. I scowled, confused as to why she needed me to say it aloud. A chill skated down my spine, one I ignored as I looked down at Sean once more.

“I’m going to bring my brother back from the dead.” I couldn’t look away from him. :

Holly gasped audibly, circling Sean and I until she faced me. She lowered herself to the ground at his side. Her hands were trembling, and the whites of her eyes were visible, large, and bright despite the darkness.

“Lola, you-you can’t do that.”

My head snapped up without my say. Crimson tinted my vision, my fingers tingling from icy cold.

What exactly did she mean by that?

“Yes, I can. You read the book, you know what Conjuration is and what it’s capable of. I can do anything. You knew this was my plan, Holly. I’m not seeing what the sudden problem is.” I laughed at the absurdity, but there was no warmth, no humor in it.

“You read the book too, which means you saw the part where it talks about what you’re tapping into to do these things. Something like this, raising someone from the dead-you know that’s not the kind of power you want to tap into. It won’t let you go. Even now, it’s holding onto you.” Her eyes full of knowing, trailed down to my hands, to the dark veins that crawled up the tops of them.

My fingers twitched, joints aching and bones grinding against one another.

“You knew this was my plan, Holly.” I said carefully.

Holly shook her head, a small, panicked laugh sliding past her lips. “Lola, I thought your plan was to use my blood to find my mother by yourself. You wanted to keep your friends and family safe. That’s why you left them behind. Now, this-this I never saw coming.’

ground, towering over Sean and me. With her hands raised, she took a step back, and then another. My fingers twitched, my brain fogging with every passing second

agreed to help you. You need to talk to someone, Lola. I-I can’t do this anymore.

with this. She was leaving me to do it

drop. ‘The dark magic in my veins sang soothingly, gliding its icy

had always been right. I should’ve never thought Holly would understand, that any of them would understand. How could she? After all, she’d been locked away by our father.

life without

or family. How could she possibly understand

that I’d been the one to will it into existence.

going through your head right now?” Her teeth clacked

the air the same

been the one to put it there felt

in my veins. “Now, I’m going to have to

burst of magic exploded from my chest, spurred on by my thoughts. Holly’s yelp was swallowed by the night, her body jerked forward before being brought to her knees. I held her there with nothing more than my own will,

this! This isn’t you.” She

felt nothing for this girl. There was only unending cold, a bitter ice that covered my soul

guilt, no pain, and no shame.

wrong, Holly.” I said, not

ground just out of sight. Holly thrashed, but I had her pinned from the shoulders down. Tears budded along her lash line

about yourself, think about Asher! Think about what this would do to him. I know losing your brother hurts, but do you think this is what Sean would

I wrenched her

spreading the silky veins of darkness further up my hands. The part of me that cared was buried too deep, and no matter how much she cried out, her voice was smothered

think Sean would want to be alive. Why don’t we ask him?”

tendril jumped up from the ground, slashing the palm of Holly’s hand. She let out a quick shriek, and the two of us watched as droplets of pure crimson began to bead along her skin.

on the outskirts began to writhe impatiently, scenting her magical blood and wanting

If any of you take so much as a single drop I will send you

Holly’s hand and allowed the blood that pooled to splatter along Sean’s chest and stomach. It was bright against his pale skin, shimmering with a magic I

my hands on my brother’s cold, hard chest. Holly’s blood was searing, almost painful from how cold I’d become, but within it’s heat I could make out the electrical current of magic.

Holly’s pleas to the very

of intention,