Believe: The Complete Channie Series (93 page)

“Hell yeah!” Hunter slung one arm over Josh’s shoulder and the other around Kassie’s waist then pulled them both in for a group hug. “Let’s go snatch Eric and use him for target practice.”

It
took over five minutes for Josh to persuade Hunter to stay put and work on the Book of the Dead’s poetic messages instead of running off to kidnap Eric. It didn’t help that Kassie also thought it was a ‘freaking great idea.’

Josh downloaded the pictures he’d taken of the Book of the Dead and printed enlarged copies for each of them then asked Hunter to read it out loud.

“Do you think it’ll trigger a flashback?”

“Probably. That’s why I didn’t read any of it while I was making copies.”

“Maybe you better take a seat before I start.”
Tender hearts full of hope and courage
Heed the warnings, but be not discouraged.
A love pure and true is yours if you dare
To open your hearts and lay your souls bare.
For every choice there is a cost
And the things you lose are forever lost.
You have until the full moon sets
To bind your hearts with no regrets.
But first remove the crimson stain
Though it burns your flesh with unbearable pain.
With your touch, ignite the fire
And cleanse the one you most desire.
You have until the dawn doth break
To suffer for each other’s sake.
But if you leave a single spot,
Eternal pain will be your lot.
Then wait until the moon is new
Lest this tome be sealed to you.
You have one chance to learn the spell
And break the curse. Use it well.
 

Each verse triggered a different flashback. Josh still couldn’t remember anything once they faded, but at least they didn’t cause him any pain. Each one gave him a thrill, sort of a mini-adrenaline rush. He felt encouraged for the first time since waking up without his memories.

Hunter paused and frowned at Josh. “Are you doing okay?”

“I’m having continuous flashbacks, but they don’t hurt. Keep reading.”

Josh’s skin tingled as a calm feeling washed over him. He studied Hunter’s face. “Did you just use magic on me?”

A sheepish grin spread across his face. “It’s just a be-calm spell. Your energy levels are jumping around all over the place. And you keep grabbing your chest. I ain’t no healer, but I figured a be-calm spell wouldn’t hurt and it might just help.”

“It does.” Josh shrugged. “But I don’t want it to interfere with the flashbacks. Something tells me it’s important for me to feel as much as possible. Even if it’s painful.”

“Are you still getting the headaches?” Hunter frowned.

“No. But my chest aches.” Each verse caused the light to pulse more brightly. “One of the triplets said it’s because Channie’s missing me.”

“I’m sure she is.” Hunter leaned over and gave Josh’s shoulder a squeeze. “But I ain’t never seen a couple so devoted to each other as you two. Are you ready for me to read some more?”

Josh nodded then laid his head on his forearms and closed his eyes.
True love’s kiss will set you free
But pure and chaste it must be.
One unclean thought will seal your fate
Changing all you love—to all you hate.
Daughter of power, conquer your fear
For in the fire, your path becomes clear.
A royal mage you must wed,
Before you share a lover’s bed.
Son of darkness, heed this advice,
Forsake all others that might entice
And lead astray with a wanton smile
The foolish boy they wish to beguile.
Burn the image in your heart and mind
Of true love’s kiss, and surely you’ll find
The strength and the will and the power to keep
The promise you made so your love would not weep.
 

Josh trembled as the most powerful flashback yet consumed him. It played like a movie projected in his mind, but he
felt
everything as if he were living it in the moment.
 

His heart pounds as he pulls off the road. The scent of rain, pine and asphalt tickles his nose when he opens the door. The car’s engine ticks as it cools. He slams the door and flies towards Channie. Icy water sloshes into his shoes and soaks the hem of his jeans, but he barely notices the cold.

Channie’s a mess. Dirt streaks her face. Leaves and twigs stick out of her hair, but she’s never looked more beautiful to him. Tears stream down both their faces as their bodies crash together.

He picks her up and swings her around then lets her slide down his body as he lowers her feet to the ground. He cups her cheeks in his palms, expecting the skin to skin contact to trigger the curse and set them both on fire, but it doesn’t. All he feels is smooth, soft skin. He tilts her head to the side and leans in. The world stops spinning when his lips meet hers. Time ceases to exist. Magic flows around and through them as they kiss. She tastes like lavender and honey. Salt and sunshine. He should be consumed with lust but all he feels is love.

A disembodied voice whispers,
“
Break Chastity’s curse and lose your power; watch love bloom and passion flower. For every choice there is a cost and the things you lose are forever lost. You have until the full moon sets to bind your hearts with no regrets
.”

His heart breaks. He’s already made his choice. He gave up his Olympic dreams when he left Grands without finishing the race. And he’d do it again. But he’d never ask Channie to give up magic.

She gazes into his eyes. “I choose you.”

Josh
pressed both hands over his heart. The light and the memory were already fading.
Please.
If I can only remember one thing, let it be this.

The light from his chest flared so brightly it blinded him. When his vision returned, so did the memory of that perfect, curse-breaking kiss and Channie’s sacrifice. He licked his lips and still tasted
her.
“I remember.”

“What?” Kassie reached across the table and grabbed Josh’s hand. “What do you remember?”

Josh blinked, but his vision was still blurry. He wiped his eyes then stared at the tears on his fingertips.

“I remember…” Although the kiss he’d shared with Channie was completely chaste; it was far too intimate to share with anyone else. “I remember finding Channie in Oklahoma.”

Hunter’s grin split his face. He grabbed the back of Josh’s neck and gave it a squeeze. “That’s great! What else do you remember?”

Josh’s own smile widened even as his heart ached for Channie. “I remember what she looks like. And she’s even more beautiful than her photo.”

Kassie folded her arms across her chest. “That’s nice. But more importantly, do you remember how you
feel
about her?”

“I don’t remember how we met or fell in love. But I know that we did and that what I’ve felt all along is real. Even when I couldn’t remember her at all, my heart never forgot.” He’d do anything for her. He’d crawl to Arkansas on his hands and knees if he had to. He’d learn to use magic. And he’d curse anyone that got in his way. He’d lay down his own life to save hers. Josh swallowed twice before he trusted his voice not to break. “I love her. I love Channie Belks with all my heart.”

Kassie rolled her eyes. “You don’t love Channie Belks.”

“Why would you say that?”

She smiled at Josh. “Because you love Channie
Abrim
.”

Josh’s heart leapt into his throat. He still believed they were too young for the responsibilities of marriage. But the knowledge that Channie was his
wife
made his pulse race and plastered a grin across his face so wide it made his cheeks ache.

He wished he could remember their wedding night, but he must not have wished it hard enough because that particular memory remained locked away in the deepest recesses of his mind. Or maybe there was some other reason he couldn’t remember it? Maybe he didn’t have enough other memories of Channie to justify having access to that one. He needed to earn it.

Hunter cleared his throat. “I’m glad you remember finding Channie. It’s a good sign. But we’ve still got lots of work to do. I’d like to figure out the rest of these here instructions before I hit the road.”

It was after one when Kassie announced it was time for a lunch break. She ordered three extra-large meat-lover’s pizzas, so they’d have enough for supper as well. The hours passed in a blur of flashbacks, magical rhymes and cold pizza.

Josh replayed the memory of Channie’s kiss over and over in his mind. Hunter was reading out loud again. His voice was nothing but white noise; until he punched Josh’s arm.

“Pay attention. This is important.”

“Ow!” Josh rubbed his arm. “What’s important?”

“This is.” Hunter underlined the words as he read them…
Release this book into the daughter’s care
But of the mother, let all beware.
For evil lurks in a corrupted heart
And seeks its own will to impart.
The blood of the daughter cannot repay
The debt of the mother ’til solstice day.
 

“You’ve read that, and everything else, like twenty times already.” Josh was still having a hard time focusing.

“I cain’t believe I didn’t figure it out sooner. Everything hinges around winter solstice. The total eclipse, your birthday and of course the final showdown with Dominance. I must be a lot more tired than I thought.” Hunter laughed. The aura surrounding him shone brighter. “Channie’s momma ain’t gonna try to sacrifice her before then. That gives us more time to come up with a plan.”

“If you want to get some sleep before you leave that’s fine. But I don’t want you to postpone rescuing Channie just because you think we have a little extra time.”

“It’s more than just a little extra time.” Hunter wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Winter solstice ain’t till December twenty-first.”

“I’m not going to wait nine months. Channie was kidnapped. She’s being held against her will and who knows what else her mother is doing to her. She could be torturing her.” The thought tied Josh’s stomach into a knot and drove a knife of pain through his glowing chest. “If you won’t go get her I will.”

“But, the book says—”

“I don’t care what the damn book says.” Josh shoved his chair away from the table as he stood up.

“Don’t get your drawers in a bind.” Hunter chased a bite of cold pizza with several gulps of Mountain Dew. “I wasn’t planning on waiting until the last second. But knowing we’ve got that much time to work with changes priorities.”

“So, when are you leaving?”

“When I’m sure you can defend yourself.” Hunter arched his eyebrows and sat up a little straighter. “Maybe all you need to do is curse someone for the Book of the Dead to decide it’s okay for you to go with me to rescue Channie.”

“Okay. I’ll try to curse Eric at school tomorrow.”

“Now you’re talking!” Hunter’s grin was downright devious.

“But we are
not
kidnapping him. Understand?”

“Whatever.” Hunter rolled his eyes but when they got to the top of his head, they drifted shut.