Gone: A Shadow Slayers Story (Shadow Slayers Stories Book 3) by Nellie Steele (english novels to read txt) 📗

with you.” He paused for a moment. “Although, I’m happy to never return there. That place was weird.”

Celine chuckled. “Shadow World is a strange place.”

“Alexander’s book said adjudicators like it. How could anyone like that place?”

“They find it charming with its lack of color and noise. Relaxing, even. They find our world too loud and overwhelming.”

“It was quiet there. Except that time I went there when Millie hypnotized me. You weren’t there at first.”

“Is that how you got there? I wondered. I sensed you calling me and came as soon as I could.”

“Before you got there, something was making an awful noise. Like a shrill scream.”

“Oh, an adjudicator was near to you. They sometimes make those noises when relaxed.”

“THAT’S what it sounds like when it’s relaxed?”

Celine laughed again. “Yes, D. Strange, I know, but true.”

“This world just gets weirder and weirder.”

“And you haven’t seen the half of it!”

Celeste banged on Alexander’s door. It took a few moments for Alexander to answer. “Celeste?” he asked, shocked.

Celeste strode into the house. “I must speak with you and Gray at once,” she stated.

“Please, come into the sitting room,” he instructed.

Celeste and Alexander entered the sitting room. “Celeste?” Gray questioned, glancing up from the desk. He glanced to Michael. “You okay?”

Michael shrugged. “Yeah, I feel fine. No effect at all.”

“There will be no ill effects from my visit,” Celeste assured them. “I am cured.”

“That explains the daytime visit,” Alexander replied. “How?”

“I am not sure how much my sister was able to impart in her Shadow World visits, but Marcus Northcott is back. He cured me.”

“And you decide to pay us a visit first?” Gray questioned. “Why?”

“I am here to warn you.”

“Warn us of what?”

“All of you are in terrible danger. Marcus has discovered that Celine has been communicating with Damien. He is furious, determined to destroy all of you for her betrayal.” Gray closed his eyes, worry for Celine filling him. Celeste continued. “He has moved her to a new location. I know where she is, but not how to free her. I can impart what Marcus has told me, then we should go at once to try to save her.”

“We’ll handle it, Celeste,” Gray answered, dismissing her.

“Do not cast me off, this is no light matter! I am here to help!”

“Or lure us into a trap,” Alexander suggested.

“It is no trap.”

“And we should trust you why?” Gray prodded. “Marcus Northcott restored you why? Not out of the kindness of his heart.”

“No. Celine orchestrated it. She risked her life for me, and I am repaying her.”

“If this isn’t a trap, tell us where she is and let us handle it.”

“She is in the cave near the beach. Do not waste time, Marcus plans to strike your family tonight. Gray, you must rescue Celine and Damien before then.”

“Damien?” Alexander queried.

“Yes, Damien is with her. Marcus took him to her earlier. It was while you searched for him that Marcus learned the truth.”

“Marcus was there when we…” Gray began, realizing he had unknowingly revealed Celine’s plan to the Duke. “But…”

“He masks himself,” Celeste explained. “You’d never realize he was present.”

“Is Damien all right?” Michael asked.

“Yes, he is fine. He was unconscious when I arrived. There was a scuffle when Marcus learned of Celine’s visits. However, he’s awake and seems recovered.”

“How is Celine?” Gray inquired.

“Celine is Celine. Always worried for someone else. She misses you, Gray. She insisted I tell you she loves you.”

Gray smiled to himself. “That’s Celine.”

“What can you tell us about the enchantment, Celeste?” Alexander asked.

Celeste imparted any knowledge she gleaned from Marcus about the spell. Gray and Alexander mulled over the information. They compared it to the materials they had amassed. “Have you any idea how to reverse it?” Celeste questioned.

“We have some ideas, nothing we are sure of,” Gray answered.

“We should try. At the very least, you can see and speak with Celine,” Celeste replied.

“We should go now,” Alexander suggested.

“Yes,” Gray agreed. “Should we take Millie? In case Damien needs medical attention?”

“It’s far too dangerous, but we should warn her so she can be prepared for our return,” Alexander suggested.

“Do we need flashlights or anything?” Michael questioned.

“No, you stay here. It’s far too dangerous,” Gray argued.

“What? No! No way! Damien is out there and needs our help. I’m not going to sit here and do nothing!”

“Gray is correct, it is far too dangerous,” Alexander agreed.

“I don’t care how dangerous it is! I’m not leaving my friends out there!” Michael countered.

“Instead of arguing, perhaps we should be moving,” Celeste insisted.

“Fine, whatever, let’s just get going. I’ll tell Millie,” Gray replied. He disappeared from the room. Alexander gathered a few reference books, and they met Gray in the foyer. They hurried to the beach cave.

“They are in here,” Celeste said as they approached. She unmasked the enchantment so they could see and hear inside the cave.

Gray approached the cave’s entrance. “Celine,” he raced toward her, bumping into the invisible barrier.

“Gray!” she exclaimed, approaching him but stopping short of running into the barrier.

“Celine, we’ll get you out. Don’t worry. We have a few ideas, hopefully one of them will work. Alexander and I…”

“Gray! Look out!” Celine shouted, interrupting him.

Marcus Northcott approached the cave with a determined stride. Alexander shoved Michael behind a nearby tree, hiding him from sight. Marcus threw his arms out, expelling an electric shock that radiated from him. It knocked everyone down in its path.

“Well,” Marcus said, “I had expected to seek you out to destroy you. But you’ve saved me the trouble. And now your beloved Celine can watch you perish. Perhaps then the consequences of her betrayal will sink in.” The skies overhead darkened, thunder rumbled. Winds picked up, sweeping around them.

Gray shot a bolt of lightning at Marcus. It had little effect. “Pathetic as always, Buckley,” Marcus retorted, continuing toward him. “I planned to save you for last. But I shall enjoy killing you first now.”

“Marcus, no!” Celine shouted.

Marcus lifted Gray from the ground, tossing him away from the cave’s entrance like a toy soldier. Alexander attempted