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.’

her hands raised, she took a step back, and then another. My fingers twitched, my brain fogging with every passing second until each thought was drenched in a thick mist that made it hard

need to talk to someone, Lola. I-I can’t do this anymore. Please,

help me with this. She was

little drop. ‘The dark magic in my veins

understand, that any of them would

entire life without

or family. How could she possibly understand the bond

I’d

going through your head right now?”

in her voice, wafting into the air the same way her breath did.

one to put

song oozing in my veins. “Now,

before being brought to her knees. I held her there with nothing more than my own will, rooting her in place where she’d once

you.” She begged, blue eyes bright and fearful,

even though some distant part of me knew who she was, I felt nothing for this girl. There was only unending cold, a bitter ice that covered

guilt, no pain, and

not

down. Tears budded along her lash line before falling free. Somewhere deep beneath the ice, I

won’t think 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

I wrenched her hand forward, turning

my will was addicting, 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

alive. Why don’t we ask him?” I mused, flicking my hand

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

outskirts began to writhe impatiently, scenting her magical blood and

take so much as a single

Holly’s hand and allowed the blood that pooled to splatter along Sean’s chest and stomach. It was bright

searing, almost painful from how cold I’d become, but within it’s heat I could make out the electrical

very background of my

a mere whisper of intention, and