The Fake Eye (Time Alchemist) Read online

  The second reason was even worse. What was I doing back here?

  Where they going to force me to stay here? Was I in serious trouble? I mean, besides the fighting and whatnot, nothing had gotten really hurt—from what Frankie Ann told me, The Sun and Moon Library Museum was a little damaged, and most everything could be fixed in a jiffy. It was lucky that the BC

  showed up when they did, and managed to stop the fires before it spread.

  And apparently that’s the job of a Sweeper—literally cleaning up the crimes like in CSI. According to Frankie Ann, not a scratch, a burn or even blood a drop would be found.

  The gates screeched open slowly, and we drove the short distance to the main building—the auditorium that housed the administrative offices and the Headmaster ’s space. The car rolled slowly around the gravel road, circling the large fountain in front of the hall before coming to a halt.

  Christopher turned off the engine and mumbling something to Misa before they both got out of the car. The air suddenly felt colder as I watched him ascend the stairs and disappear through the large doors.

  After a few seconds of silence, I finally found my tongue again.

  “What’s going on?”

  Frankie Ann sighed, leaning her head back against the leather seat of the chair. “It’s a bit of a long story, dear.”

  “Then give me the short version,” I insisted, scooting closer.

  “Basically, sweetpea,” she finally said after a moment’s hesitation, “The Black Crown needs you to…stay with us.”

  My tongue felt thick in my throat, and I had to force a swallow, letting Frankie Ann’s words sink into my skin.

  “What does that mean, exactly?”

  “It means that after that attack, we know White is preparing his next move—for either you or dear Chrys. And they can’t risk that. They need to keep you both under surveillance at all costs.”

  I fidgeted nervously on the seat, feeling my heart pound in my skull.

  “But…I’m not really coming back here anymore for the summer. I’m supposed to go back up to New York to see my Dad. See, he got this job offer up there and—”

  I stopped midsentence. Frankie Ann’s normally cheerful face and bright curls practically screaming guilty; she wouldn’t meet my eyes, giving me full proof that she was hiding something from me.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Dear,” she sighed, “One of Black Crown’s missions is to always make sure that unprotected alchemist like you stay in radar. They can’t have you moving to New York in the midsts of all this chaos—so we arranged for your father to go home. And see how perfectly it worked out?”

  I was stunned. Sitting back in my seat, all I could do was stare out the window, looking at the droplets of water raced down the glass surface. No wonder I had thought the timing of my father ’s new “job position” was too convenient—but I had brushed it off as a stroke of luck.

  No doubt in my mind, after I had called Ru…he must have contacted the Black Crown, who made sure that my Father was out of the city. At least, out of harms way.

  And also no doubt that this Christopher Nettles was meeting at St.

  Mary’s—possibly using his connections to make the (temporary) Headmaster

  meet him on common ground—to….do what, exactly?

  If he was going to go in and negotiate with the Headmaster, why did he need to bring Misa inside?

  Because the answer was clear as day, Emery: he was going to hypnotize the principal of this school to get me out without drawing suspicion.

  The Black Crown had me under its thumb—and there was no way out.

  CHAPTER 30

  The driver ’s door slammed suddenly, jolting me out of my haunted demur.

  Christopher sat perfectly rigged in his seat, his black suit starched with barely a wrinkle on it. He would have made a perfect lawyer just from his stern expression and clipped, punctual image.

  When he spoke, he only looked at Frankie Ann in the rearview mirror.

  “Everything is in order. Misa is about to proceed her job. Tomorrow, I’d like you to send William up North to double check on the father, make sure he doesn’t ask any questions.”

  Frankie Ann nodded glumly.

  Then, his cool blue eyes fell on me. I gave him a cold stare back. He said nothing. But after a few seconds, he gave a firm nod. “Would you like to gather your things?”

  A little taken back, I could only bob my head. “Yes, sir.”

  Another brisk nod, and the car rumbled to life again and drove away. I didn’t even need to give him directions—he already knew where my dormitory was. I wasn’t sure if I should have been freaked out or relieved.

  I felt a warm hand envelope my own, and Frankie Ann squeezed it tightly. I smiled, though it felt forced. But at least if there were people like Frankie Ann…it wouldn’t be so bad, right? True, I was immensely ticked at the BC acting like some sort of secret service, but they had good reason—

  especially after Chrys was kidnapped.

  And…they couldn’t hold me here forever. Just for the summer. That was all I’d give them.

  ○○○

  The dorm was quiet as I snuck in; not a soul around. I skipped using the elevator and walked gradually up the steps on light feet, all the way to my floor.

  It felt almost like déjà vu walking in, with everything in perfect, precise order. Not a book out of place on the shelf of any stray sock hidden under one of the beds. It was dark, so I clicked on the lights and stepped inside—

  Slowly, as if going through numb motions, I pulled out my suitcase from the closet and began piling up all my clothes. Better to be safe than sorry.

  And for an added measure, I took a couple of school books. I crammed as much stuff as I could inside the small case, feeling like it was all a play of irony in my head—no matter how hard I tried to shove my problems inside the box, they kept bursting out at the seams.

  I gathered another bag and put some of Dove’s clothes and miscellaneous treasures inside, like her blanket, and a small mug with printed birds on it I had given to her at Christmas. In the closet, I saw a familiar fabric of sky blue—the dress I had given her. She had balled it up and tossed it in our shared laundry hamper. It was still covered with blood, but it was probably too late to get the stains out.

  After one last double check, I realized I hadn’t even grabbed my purse.

  Dove and I rushed out so quickly we had packed our bags, but I had some extra medicine and toiletries in my purse that I could use. Scanning my room, I found it hung over the back of my chair.

  Clutching it in my hand, it felt oddly damp. And it smelled like grass and a little bit like lake water. Opening it up, I spotted a familiar paperback novel (the edges bent a little), a few pens and a box of tic tacs.

  And there, nestled in between, was a letter.

  Odd. I didn’t remember the night all three of us were at the lake very

  much…when did this purse get here anyway? Did Dove bring it in and I was too blind to see it?

  Or…

  I ripped it open, feeling my heart beat faster. It was a message from Leon.

  EMERY,

  I’m sorry. I’m Sorry I’m not saying this in person, but I have to let this out.…I feel like I haven’t been myself. One moment everything would be fine with the world and the next I’m so angry with myself, for being weak and being a coward and being worthless.

  I never told you this, and even now as I write this, I’m too spineless to tell you to your face, but I just haven’t been the same since the fight at Bonaventure.

  Remember when I told you I didn’t remember anything? I lied. I remember it all. I remember seeing that man’s face over mine and how…

  twisted his face looked. I remember being consumed by fire, feeling like my bones were breaking piece by piece and my blood was boiling inside my own veins. And I remember feeling like some insect was crawling inside my skin, trying to worm its way into me and shove me out.
/>
  But most of all…I remember you.

  I can close my eyes and picture you, how wide your eyes were, full of tears and sorrow. I wanted to reach out to you and wipe those tears away, to apologize properly for all the terrible things I had to put you through. You cried for me, and I couldn’t have been happier.

  I never wanted to tell you or dove any of what was going on inside my

  head. It was like another person was trying to take control of my body. Night after night I couldn’t sleep, fearing that I would wake up and I wouldn’t be leon anymore. I would be…someone else.

  I have to leave. I have to leave before I hurt you again.

  I can’t fight this anymore. The headaches have become too much, and I can literally feel the darkness consuming me. I don’t want to hurt you, so I’m leaving for good.

  And now I will write this to you, before whatever is inside of me takes over,

  Emery...i am so scared because I know that once I let this thing consume me I won’t remember anything. I’ll become a monster. A monster that will hurt all the people I care about.

  Please. This is selfish of me to ask you this, but please if the time comes where I’ve been taken over, and I’m not…Leon…anymore, please kill me.

  I would rather die by your hands.

  Thank you…for believing in me until the very end. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.

  I love you.

  -lEON

  ○○○

  My suitcase leaned against the door, joining my messenger bag as well as a trash bag full of clothes that I had fished out from my set of drawers and Dove’s. It would be a little much to carry, but it would have to do. There was no way I could bring everything, so I packed only the basics of things for me and Dove…when she woke up.

  I sat down on my desk for what felt like the very last time, even though I

  knew Christopher and Frankie Ann were probably getting impatient, but I didn’t care. My eyes drift over to Leon’s letter, lying perfectly still on my bed.

  How long had Leon known Ivan was going to take him over? When did Leon write that letter, exactly?

  It must have been after he rescued me from the lake. Dove had said he had taken my things to put away—during that time, while I was unconscious and Dove was tending to me, Leon must have used that opportunity to put write that letter…

  Falsely, I had assumed that White or his twin Fire Alchemists were the ones behind Leon’s disappearance—but when I thought long and hard about it, how would it even be possible? If Leon was in their way, they would have just hurt him—or killed him. Why go all the way to break one metal band, when they should have, logically, broken both to prevent him from using his alchemy?

  What if Leon was trying to break those bands himself? Purposely?

  Even then, he was fighting it, sacrificing his Runes in a way to keep Ivan Novak from obtaining even a little more power.

  And I knew, deep down in my fake heart, that there was still hope.

  If Leon had given up—how could he have stopped Ivan from killing me?

  I was going to save Leon. I was going to do everything in my power to find a way to get rid of Ivan Novak’s soul once and for all.

  And…if it came down to it…I would kill him.

  I folded the paper slowly into three halves, shoving it inside an envelope. And then, even slower, I gathered up Leon’s letter and held it to my chest, as if I could just imagine that it was his hand I was holding—a hand that

  had been warm and firm, full of life. The hand that had held my own, encouraging me, saving me.

  How could I repay all of that?

  The rain fell harder, matching my mood. I stuffed the letter into my messenger bag so it wouldn’t get wet, then hustled outside. The car was still running; the windows fogged up by the time I got in. It was nice and warm in the car, and, ignoring Christopher ’s clearly pissed off look at me taking so long, I sat back and relaxed. As we bumped down the road, as Frankie Ann chattered a little and Christopher would grunt in response, I turned to look back at the place that had served as my home—and my reawakening.

  This was goodbye to St. Mary’s. For now.

  ○○○

  We drove slowly through the rain as it pounded in sheets outside the car. The radio was playing some old jazz tunes but my mind may as well be on another planet. Everyone fell quiet, and it gave me the perfect opportunity to get my thoughts together.

  To plan.

  I held Leon’s letter in my hand, folding and unfolding it until there were hundreds of crinkles and lines on the paper—lines that would never erase, no matter how hard I pressed them. He needed me—and I needed him. But right now, there was another person just as important in my life…and she needed me more. And I knew Leon would understand.

  But I knew one thing for sure: the White Alchemist had pieces of the Elixir. And I needed the Elixir to save Dove’s life.

  “What are you thinkin’, honey?” Frankie Ann asked softly, glancing over at me with her warm, caramel colored eyes.

  I couldn’t tell her what I was really thinking—she still didn’t know half of the truth, so I gave her my best answer. “Just…the future. Some answers I want to find.”

  And I would. I would go and find the very man who held Leon’s fate, Dove’s future, and the keys to my past all in his hand.

  I was going to find the man that hurt Guinevere de Blanc. The man who had Guinevere’s book that would lead me to the Elixir.

  I was going to find the White Alchemist.

  I was going to save Dove’s life.

  I was going to free Leon.

  And I was going to end this, once and for all.

  To Be Continued…

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  Even though its been so long since the last “release”, I have nothing but endless thanks to all those people who have helped me and supported me these last months. I’ll try to keep this as short as I can.

  First, to my mother for again helping me throughout my struggles, and always encouraging me to get back to my laptop to write, even when I felt no motivation to do so—if it wasn’t for you this book would probably be collected dust!

  Second, to the rest of my family for just being there, and especially the amazing, proud looks and words of encouragement you give me when I told you about my self publishing. It means more to me than I could ever imagine.

  Third, to my awesome friends. Especially Rebekah who again helped me with my proof reading, giving me good insight and changes in my stories.

  (And no, I’m not going to kill anyone. Yet.)

  And lastly, to the readers who picked up my first novel. Thank you.

  I am an incredibly shy person, and even though I’m a “writer”, sometimes words just fail me, just like at this time! I can’t thank you all enough, and I hope that I can prepare more books in the future and slowly improve my skills, not just as a writer, but also as a reader.

  LUMI!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  “The Fake Eye”, the second in a four-six book series, is Allice Revelle’s second work. Expect the third title, “The Fake Voice” to be released sometime soon!

  If you enjoyed this book, the author would love to hear your honest thoughts and reviews. She is also open to constructive criticism.

  To leave a comment, please visit her blog at:

  http://allicerevellebooks.blogspot.com/

  Document Outline

  TITLE PAGE

  COPYRIGHT

  DEDICATION

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20 />
  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Table of Contents

  TITLE PAGE

  COPYRIGHT

  DEDICATION

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR