Unraveling Sarah Cresley by Marisa Maichel (best summer books .txt) 📕

I had no regrets, even though Father was angry with me. He threatened to keep me locked in a plastic cage, and I told him to go for it. He never did it.

Later on, both he and Uncle Soren came into my room and apologized. I more or less told them to get over it. Father came into my room in the middle of the night, crying. When I asked him what was wrong, he said that he'd had a nightmare in which we got into a massive fight, and I left. Grandfather took my name off of all the royal documents, stopped giving me money, and told Father that I was no longer part of the family.

Eventually, fifty years passed, and Grandfather regretted what he'd done. He and Father had searched for me before, but now they increased their resources. When they found me, I was a pile of ash.

I told Father that I would not leave, that I would try to make things better if I thought there was any chance of fixing things. He kissed me and told me that he loved me.

He confronted Grandfather the next day, who was confused as to why Father was so hostile toward him, until I explained Father's dream. Grandfather smiled, a rarity, and told Father that he was being silly, that he would never do that.

Things were both better and worse. Sarah and I grew close again, Alexander left us alone, Uncle Soren and Ariella were no longer together, and Sarah's name was put on the list of family members, and therefore, she now had money coming in regularly.

It was worse because Uncle Soren was heartbroken, Ariella was not speaking to me, Louis became even more egotistical than usual, and Mike's family was coming down hard on the city to find his killer or killers.

One day, we got a shock. Another rapist had been killed. Someone took inspiration from Mike's death and killed a rapist who was already in prison. Mike's parents were terrified and furious. I decided not to involve myself and tried to forget about it. One day, though, I was walking to my car when school was over, and my tires had been slashed again. This time, I called Father, who called Uncle Soren. They took pictures and replaced the tires on my car.

Father insisted on driving me home himself, while Uncle Soren drove my van.

One night, I woke up from a nightmare. I laid in bed for a long time, crying softly, when Father heard me. He opened my door and sat on my bed, rubbing my back.

I went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face. Then I studied myself. What did I have, besides intelligence and money? I didn't think I was that good-looking. Yes, I am thin and muscular, perhaps a little too thin.

Whether vampirism made one more attractive was debatable. Some said yes, others said no. The next thing I needed was a fang-banger trying to turn me into a vampire creator. Not that I would have a problem with that. I would change someone eventually. I would kill someone eventually, either on purpose or on accident. I already had blood on my hands because of Nales.

I relished his death. The little...there was not a bad enough word to describe him. And Scarlett. She deserved whatever repercussions her actions influenced. I had to talk to her. And Jordan. Ask them why. Why Sarah.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I sat on the bench, sipping my water. It was a miracle that vampires don't urinate. All of the liquids in our system are flushed out by tear production and skin and hair oils. The blood fuels us by giving us energy. It's how we can go so long without sleep. And the older you are, the longer you can stay awake.

Scarlett was wearing a pea-green turtleneck, black skinny jeans, silver hoop earrings, red lipstick, and her long black hair was iron-straight and pulled back into a ponytail. On her feet were red stilettos.

"It's December," I told her.

"And I still look hot. What do you want, loser?"

"Leave Sarah alone. She's done nothing wrong. She didn't do what you thought she did. Ask Jordan who really squealed on your little misadventures."

"How the fuck do you know about it?"

"Forget how I know. Leave Sarah alone or I will be contacting your parents."

"Whatever. Parents, schmarents. I don't need my parents. I don't need anyone." A dangerous gleam was in her eye. "You're only with her because you're both losers. She just happens to be a slut too."

"While we're on the subject of sluttiness, have you spoken to Mason?"

"What? Hell, no. I don't need him. I don't even like him. He's a loser, too."

"He loved you."

"I'm too good for him. I'm beautiful, and smart, and I get what I want. Is that all you wanted? You said you had something for me."

"I lied."

"What the...you're such a creep!" Scarlett cried.

"You're a bitch and a whore, a liar and a bully," I countered. She gave me the bird and walked off, swinging her hips dramatically. I sighed and threw away my cup and walked out. I glanced over and noticed Mason standing outside.

When he saw me, he nodded at me and pulled a cigarette out of a carton.

"How much did you hear?" I asked.

"All I heard was Scarlett shouting. I think everyone within a two-block radius did." He stepped on the cigarette.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Do you know Mason Godfrey?" Father asked.

"Yeah, I do. He's a warlock."

"He's not, but his father is. His father called me and asked me to come with you right away."

"How'd he get your number?"

"Reese, he's the best warlock in the world. It would be child's play for him to hack into the school records and find my cell phone number." Father grabbed me around the waist and put me over his shoulder.

"Father?" I questioned. He sat on the couch and set me in his lap. He pressed his nose against my hair.

"Mm, you smell like gardenias."

"Sarah's basic scent is gardenias," I said.

"Reese, getting back to the Godfreys. That's an interesting tidbit of information, though. Anyway, K. Godfrey, also known as Krauvas the Deathmaster, is Mason's father. He says that Mason has been looking pale and weak. He did a test and found out that Mason's been cursed."

"Krauvas...I know that name from somewhere."

"He's one of the oldest warlocks in the world, and the absolute best. He wants us to meet with him to discuss Mason's future and how to deal with Scarlett."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Krauvas the Deathmaster looked like an ordinary human, except for his aura. One could literally feel the magic radiating off of him. He was tall and muscular, with long grey hair flecked with black. He was as pale as Mason, and shared his chin, forehead, and cheekbones.

Mason looked ill. He was laying in bed, gazing at the ceiling.

"He refuses to tell me what happened," Krauvas said. "I'm hoping that you can help him open up, Reese. He speaks of you often. Good to see you again, Mordecai." My father nodded at him, and I sat on my knees. Even on my knees, I was still fairly tall.

"Mason, I saw you earlier," I said. "You had a cigarette in your hand." Krauvas frowned and looked at his son.

"Mason, were you smoking?" he asked. "I've asked you not to do that. Nicotine interferes with your power and causes irreversible damage to your heart and lungs." Father looked embarassed, being a heavy smoker himself. Not that it mattered, with him already being dead.

"I was," Mason said weakly. "That's when she cast her spell. She glanced at me and sent a green orb flying at me. It hit me in the gut, and now I'm like this."

"She's more powerful than we anticipated. Try to get some sleep, son. I must speak with Mordecai and Reese."

"Wait, Dad, let me talk to Reese alone." Krauvas looked hesitant. "Please, Dad."

"As you wish," Krauvas said. His frown grew deeper. He kissed his palm and then hand it over Mason's forehead. "Call me if you need me." He and Father left together, talking in low voices. As soon as they were gone, Mason burst into tears and sat up.

"Everything's my fault," he said, sobbing. "Haec est mea culpa. Sum tam stultus stultus."

"What does that mean?" I asked. I recognized it as Latin, but I had not studied enough Latin to fully translate it.

"This is all my fault. I'm such a stupid idiot."

"You were in love."

"I was a fool!" he cried, thrusting an arm out and knocking some books off of his nightstand. "If she has a heart, it is as black as the devil's horns. She's a pyschopath and a sociopath. Jordan is simply out for revenge. I should just come clean now, and tell everyone what I know."

"Do your parents know?"

"No, I never told them how deeply how I screwed up. I think my father knows, but he won't tell Mom. He thinks she's too paranoid and fragile."

"What's your mother's name?"

"Antonia. She's a fantastic witch, but Dad's partly right. She'll want to fix it herself without knowing all the facts. I gave Scarlett knowledge that she will abuse, and it will be the death of me. I will die soon."

"Mason, don't say that. You'll live. You'll be all right. Your father will-Mason!" He had fainted. "Krauvas!" I called out. Krauvas burst through the door. When he saw Mason, he looked stricken. He bent over and held his son.

"He's dying," Krauvas finally said. His eyes were full of tears.

"Can't you help him?" Father asked. "You're the Deathmaster!"

"I...I don't know if I can fix this. He's had far too much damage done to him. I've tried everything to get rid of the curse."

"Except cutting him open," Father said sarcastically. Krauvas looked horrified.

"I can't do that to him! He's my son! My only true joy!"

"What about your wife?" I asked.

"I haven't loved my wife for almost a hundred years! I was going to leave her, but then Mason was born."

"You're despicable," Father said. "She's your mate."

I felt another presence. I looked around, and saw a dark-haired woman with tanned skin at the door. She was also lightly crying. I nudged Father, and he looked back at her.

"Hello, Antonia," Father said. Krauvas' head snapped up.

"Antonia!" The woman walked into the room slowly. She hugged Mason. Krauvas spoke again. "Antonia, I-"

"Don't. I heard you. I'll send over the divorce papers in a week."

"Mason could be dead by then!"

"Whose fault is that?"

"I've tried everything!"

"Except cutting him open. What's more important, your fear or your son?" Krauvas looked at Mason. He planted a kiss on his forehead.

"He's as cold as ice," he informed us. "He hasn't got much life left."

"Try it," I said. "He's my friend." When I said it, I knew it was true. Mason was my friend ever since he admitted that Scarlett was using him. Antonia looked resigned.

"Track down Scarlett," Krauvas said. "Ask her what spell she put on him."

"I will do that," Father said. "It's better if she curses me rather than my son." I decided not to say that if I hadn't contacted her and asked her to meet me, she wouldn't have cursed Mason. I must have had a guilty look on my face, because Father asked me what was wrong.

"My friend's dying," I told him.

"There's something else on your mind. Tell me. You don't have to say it out loud."

"This needs to be said. I asked Scarlett to meet me."

"Huh? Why?"

"I told her to leave Sarah alone."

"Next time you ask a villian out for coffee, contact me first. Silly boy." Father's tone was light, but his words were serious.

"Where exactly did you meet her?" Krauvas asked.

"To Bean Or Not To Bean. It's this coffee and tea shop that my friend Ariella likes."

"I know that place," Antonia said. "My faction meets there every Friday. The owner is a werewolf/vampire hybrid." Father looked disgusted. "Her husband is a warlock. It's actually quite the love story if you're interested."

"No doubt that place is protected by magic," Krauvas said.