Alpha Asher By Jane Doe

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.

my mother by

then another. My fingers twitched, my brain fogging with every passing second until each thought

help you. You need to talk to someone, Lola. I-l can’t do this anymore. Please, just take me

promise to help me with this. She was leaving me

can make her. All we need is her blood. Just one tiny little drop. ‘The dark

been right. I should've never thought Holly would understand, that any of them would understand. How could she? After all, she'd

an entire life without anyone—without friends or family. How could she possibly understand the bond Sean and I had?I barely registered the sudden temperature drop, or that

head right

in her voice, wafting into the air the same way her

I had been the one to put it there felt

siren’s song oozing in my

my thoughts. Holly’s yelp was swallowed by the night, her body jerked forward before being brought to her knees. I held

This isn't you.” She

at her, and even though some distant part of me knew who she was, I felt nothing for this girl. There was only

guilt, no

wrong, Holly.” I said, not recognizing my

along the ground just out of sight. Holly thrashed, but I had her pinned from the shoulders down. Tears budded along her lash line before falling free. Somewhere deep beneath the ice, I felt a

what this would do to him. I know losing your brother hurts, but do you think this

wrenched her hand

my hands. The part of me that cared was buried too deep, and no matter how much she cried out, her voice was smothered by the beautiful siren’s

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

let out a quick shriek, and

the outskirts began to writhe impatiently, scenting her magical blood and wanting to drain

much as a single drop I will send you into oblivion.” I snarled, forcing them back

Holly’s hand and allowed the blood that pooled to splatter along Sean’s chest and stomach. It was bright against his pale skin, shimmering with a magic

my brother’s cold, hard chest. Holly’s blood was searing, almost painful from how cold I’d become, but within it’s heat I could

pleas to the very background of my mind, I