by K. G. Reuss
Forty-Seven
Everly
I knew Raiden said to stay with the group, but the deeper into the forest we went, the more the tugging in my chest grew.
“Ever, hurry,” Marek’s voice called out to me.
“You OK?” Damien asked, casting me a funny look as I gazed around, trying to find where Marek’s voice was coming from. I knew it was why I was there. We had business to finish.
“Yeah,” I answered, shivering.
“A left at the dead oak. Through the thicket. A right at the fallen log. Straight on down the hill. Come to me. Fast. I can only hold my stay here for so long. The others are trying to break through. Run, Ever! RUN!”
I swallowed hard as I looked around. There. The dead oak was on my left. But how was I going to get away from everyone? Marek said to run. Figuring Damien was probably the biggest threat, I lashed out, striking him in the shin with my foot. He stumbled, groaning in pain as everyone became confused at my outburst.
While their focus was on him, I rushed away, running as fast as my feet would take me. Their shouts of worry and fear echoed around me as I ran full tilt. I took the directions Marek had given me, twigs snapping me in the face, shins, and midsection as I ran. I stumbled up the stairs of a dilapidated house time seemed to have forgotten. It looked like the sort of home a scary movie would start off in. I had to remind myself that my life was just one big scary movie as I stared up at the sprawling monstrosity with its broken windows and busted shutters. The paint had long ago worn away. The wraparound porch was delicate with holes weathered through it.
The creak of a broken shutter in the quiet night sent chills through my body. Steeling myself, I took a step forward then another until I was pushing the front door open and stepping inside the musty-smelling old parlor. Whoever used to live there had left in a hurry. Everything was still in place, right down to the dusty photos on the fireplace mantel.
I followed the faint tugging up the sweeping staircase, making a right at the top and going down a long, dark hallway.
“Marek?” I called out softly. “Are you here?”
A dim bluish glow oozed out from beneath a closed door on my left. Raking in a deep breath and saying a silent prayer, I pushed the door open to find the glow in the center of the room.
The Veil. The portal.
“Quick! Step into the circle!” Marek called out to me.
“H-how do I know I can trust you?” I asked in a shaking voice as I stood staring at the blue swirl of color, completely mesmerized.
“Search your heart. You know you can,” Marek answered.
Trusting the words my grandmother had said, I stepped forward into the light. The coldness bit into my skin as the blue began to pulse and swirl around me before stopping in the cold, gray world.
“You came,” Marek greeted me with a smile.
“I’m not staying long. Just tell me what’s going on.”
“You’re the Mancer. The Reever is close—”
“Who is he?” I demanded.
“I cannot say, for I only know what the shadows reveal to me. He knows not what he does or will do. Love and hatred will guide him. The future is murky at best. He will be given a path. And no one can alter it but him.”
“But you don’t know who he is?”
“No, I do not. He is close,” Marek repeated. “He’s always near you. Always watching. Protecting.” Marek cocked his head, his dark hair falling to the side. “Loving you.”
I swallowed hard. I knew Shadow loved me.
“Fighting his hatred of you.”
My guts clenched. Shadow hated me too? My guts rolled with the idea of him hating me. Was it because I’d gotten too close to Raiden after saying I loved Shadow?
“When the time comes, love him, Everly. It’s the only way to save him. To save yourself. To save the world.”
“Is that what you had to tell me?” I whispered.
“His identity is going to be revealed soon.” Marek had a faraway look in his eyes. “Yes.”
“Well, thanks for dragging me out here for all that,” I shot back bitterly.
“I have more than that for you.” Marek focused his gaze on me. “The rakes are coming. Many. The enemy will be upon you soon. Grave secrets, my dear Everly. Not everything is as it seems. Rotwraiths. Wraiths. Carrion. Mossbits. Hellhounds. Many more creatures from the depths of the Veil are inbound. The being who controls them is trusted. Revered. A liar. A coward. The other will save you when Shadow cannot. Trust in him. Promise me?”
“You speak in riddles, Marek,” I replied, rubbing my arms against the cold of the Veil.
“It’s only what I see. Bits and pieces, my dear Everly. Your grandmother lives. Follow the other to the lost.”
“I’m afraid—”
“We’re all a little afraid, Everly. That fear is what will drive you. Keep it close. Embrace it. Become everything you fear, and through your acceptance, you will be unstoppable.”
“Who is the other?” I called out, feeling numb inside.
“Unknown. He will come for you in your time of need. Take what he offers. He is not as he appears. He is not what they think. He will give you a life when Shadow cannot. The truth of who he truly is will be revealed. We will know him as a ravager. Keep fighting. Always fight, Everly. Even when it seems impossible. Fight.”
Marek took a step toward me.
“And now, your gift.”
“My gift?” I asked faintly, my head spinning from everything he said. “I-I have questions first—”
“You have the answers.” Marek smiled. “You just don't have the sight. But you will.”
“I’m afraid, Marek.”
“Don’t be. The time of the Mancer is at hand. Save us, Everly. Not all of us wish to live again under the rule of a tyrant intent on causing us more pain. But use us as you see fit. For we will rise when you beckon. All of us. Even those who are your enemies here. You lead us, and we shall follow. Protect those you love. I’m opening the window. Shadow will open the door. And you? You’ll tear down the walls.”
I didn’t get to reply. His palm shot out and pressed against my forehead, sending what felt like a million icepicks through my body. I shuddered and collapsed onto the ground, spasming painfully.
Forty-Eight
Raiden
“She has to be here. I can feel her,” I hissed as we rushed into the old house. Her wail set my blood on fire. I rushed up the stairs, following the sound of her voice with my crew behind me. Throwing open the door I knew she was behind, I faltered, watching as she was engulfed in a blue light, her small body twitching on the floor and her eyes squeezed shut tight.
“Everly!” I shouted, moving to rush to her. Eric caught my arm and stopped me.
“We don’t know what the hell is happening. You can’t just rush in there!”
“There’s a spell. Can’t you see it?” Adam added, coming into the room with the rest of Conexus.
He was right. A faint purple glow was barely visible around the scene. Who the hell had cast a spell? I looked around the room quickly, but it was empty except for an old, tattered bed and vanity. There wasn’t even a closet.
“She’s hurting,” Sloane whispered, looking away. She and Chloe hugged one another.
“It’s the portal. The one Stone’s group couldn’t close,” Damien growled, pulling his sword out. “It’s like she’s stuck between.”
“Like her dreams,” I murmured. I let out a gasp as Ever’s body levitated off the floor, her back arched and her body glowing with that bright blue light. I was just about to go to her and tug her free, damn the consequences, when her body fell to the floor with a thud, the light dissipating.
“Everly!” I rushed forward, scooping her up into my arms.
“I don’t know how she did it, but the portal is gone,” Adam murmured, suspicion in his voice.
“I don’t think it is,” Chloe’s voice shook as she looked around. The air had grown thick.
“It’s g
one,” Sloane answered, her voice hoarse. “It just wasn’t the only one—”
She didn’t get to finish her sentence because Ever’s eyes opened. They were white as a ghost with her pupils gone and a glassy look in them.
“They come in droves. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. From the groves. You cannot see until too late. Fiery eyes and hell to spread. They will not stop until. I’m. Dead.”
“What the hell was that?” Damien whispered. “Did she just do some kind of scary rhyme?”
I gave her a gentle shake. Brandon was at my side. That was the thing about us. We didn’t need to say anything to know when each other needed help. His hands were on her, healing her as I worked beside him. We needed to get the hell out of there. Something was coming. Something big. Something I didn’t want to stick around and see.
Her eyelids fluttered as she came out of her trance.
“Hey,” I whispered.
“It’s going to get bad,” she whispered back. “We-we need to go.”
“We know,” Brandon returned, getting to his feet. “You just did some creepy ass children’s rhyme warning us.”
Her eyes found mine again. “Rakes.”
I ground my teeth together and gave her a nod, pulling her to her feet.
“Did she just say Rakes?” Eric asked, looking at us worriedly. I took in my crew’s face. They all looked petrified.
“I hope she’s talking about the gardening tool and not the demonic creature from the depths of the Veil,” Damien choked out. I frowned at him, shaking my head slightly.
“Stab them at the base of the skull. Don’t let them get close.” I stated the command in a stronger voice than I anticipated given the circumstances.
“How about we meld and get the hell out of here?” Chloe shot out, her eyes darting around. She had a point. This bite was a bit more than we could chew.
“Our mission isn’t over,” Adam said, going to the cracked window and peering out into the night. “Besides, we can’t. The carrion are here.”
“What?” Sloane hissed, moving to look out the window. “Shit! Gen, there has to be a hundred of them out there.”
Eric moved beside her and gazed outside before turning back to me. “It’s not looking good. I-I don’t know how we’re going to get out of here. We’re surrounded on all sides. We can’t meld with the carrion blocking our ability.”
“I-I can get us out.” Ever’s voice was soft and whispery, her eyelids heavy. She swayed, and I caught her around the waist before she collapsed.
“Unless you’re planning on letting them eat you, I don’t see how you’re going to benefit any of us.” Adam glanced over at her.
“Trust me. I can do it. I-I can be the sacrifice.” Her voice had grown stronger. She pushed me away from her, pulling herself together. I don’t know who she thought she was fooling. Ever was exhausted from whatever had happened to her.
“No offense, but I’m not interested in placing my trust into a pipsqueak who talks to the dead. The only thing you’ve been good for is getting us in really shitty situations,” Brandon bit out..
“Brandon,” I warned with a growl. “Enough.”
“It’s true,” he muttered.
“Miss Torres, you will remain inside. Please listen and do what I say. Don’t run off. We will fight. Your safety is what matters most. You will sacrifice nothing today.” My voice had grown thick. “Eric, give her the keys.”
Eric immediately handed Everly the keys to the SUV.
“Sloane. Chloe. I want you to run with her. Wait for my signal. When you get the chance, get out of here. Get to the SUV. Get her back to Dementon. Stop for nothing. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Gen,” they both replied tightly.
“We’ll fight to give you guys some time. After that, I want you guys—” I looked at the guys in the group. “—to go. Get as far from here as you can. I’ll stay behind.”
“Gen—” Eric protested.
I shook my head at him. “I came here knowing this might be the way it went down. I’ve made peace with it.” I looked to Everly whose face was twisted in worry. “I made a promise I intended to keep.”
I gave my crew a curt nod and pulled out my sword. My eyes shifted to Ever once more. Her long, black hair was a tangle of storms, her lips parted, her green eyes wild and wide. I nearly went to her and planted my mouth on hers in a goodbye kiss because honestly, I had no idea if I’d be coming back after I walked out that door. I wanted her to be the last thing I tasted before I died. My last meal. My last everything.
Instead, I pulled myself together and looked at my men. If anyone was going to be sacrificed, it would be me.
“Let’s go kill us some carrion.”
Forty-Nine
Everly
Raiden’s eyes lingered on me for just a moment before he led Conexus out the front door, their swords drawn. It looked like he wanted to say something to me but thought better of it.
“Be safe, Ever,” Eric murmured, passing by me. My heart clenched as he gave my hand a gentle but quick squeeze.
The first clang of metal rang in my ears as Raiden’s sword collided with a carrion. I watched from the window as the Conexus began expertly running through their enemies. For each that lay dead, five more replaced it.
Damien shifted. First a bear, then a panther. Mesmerized, I watched as he tore through their enemies, his fur covered in blood and ash. Adam and Sloane were alit in dim glows as they casted when they could, hurling fireballs and whipping wind. Chloe was a wolf, not her full werewolf form, but still just as lethal as she tore the throats from her enemies. Brandon was fast. He’d disappear only to reappear at random, taking out as many carrion as he could with his dual swords. Then there was Eric. Quick. Efficient. Accurate. Just like we’d always practiced. He seemed to know the moves of his enemies before they did.
And finally there was Raiden. Beauty. Power. Speed. Cunning. I’d never seen him fight outside of the pinning ceremony, and even then, I knew he was holding back. He even held back in training. But now, in that darkened front lawn of the aged house, Raiden was a force to be reckoned with. He shifted—a swarm of bats, a murder of crows, a wolf, a tiger, himself. He casted—fire, wind, the ground shaking beneath his enemies’ feet. And he always found his sword, running it swiftly through any enemy which encountered him. He was breathtaking to watch.
I knew he was good. But this good? He was terrifying.
The carrion kept coming without signs of relenting. Conexus was getting worn down. I could sense it.
A squealing on the edge of the circle made me look there, chills coursing through me. I knew that sound. Rotwraith. Dozens of them.
Conexus moved close to one another, forming a circle, their brows sweating as the carrion and rotwraith inched forward. Something was happening. The creatures were waiting for something.
With a crash, five rakes burst into the clearing. Six. Seven. Eight.
I backed away from the window, the horror and terror on members of Conexus’s faces embedded into my mind. The portal was in that direction. A small cave. I could seal it. I knew in an instant that I could. Call it instinct, psychic ability, whatever—I knew I could do it. That I had to do it. Marek had awakened something within me.
I snapped my attention back to Conexus as they eyed their enemies. Raiden was saying something to his group. Chloe and Sloane cast glances over their shoulders at me.
Raiden’s eyes locked on mine. A look of sadness swept over his handsome features, softening his sweaty face. My heart jumped in my chest as we shared a moment. He knew he was facing the end. Something tore loose inside of me. I had to save him. It was all I could think about.
Shadow was clearly not coming. This was all up to me now. This was what I’d been training for.
When Raiden tore his focus from me, Chloe and Sloane shot across the grass in my direction. They didn’t stop once they were inside. Tugging my arms roughly, they pulled me through the house and out the back door, the sounds of metal and ho
rrifying screeching filling my ears as the battle began.
“No! No!” I shouted, fighting against them as they forced me into the woods. I had to hand it them—they were fast and strong, never releasing me. With a burst of energy, I wrenched my arms free.
“Ever, come on,” Sloane gasped. “We need to get out of here!”
“And leave them? Raiden?” I demanded, my breath coming out in little white puffs.
“He knew the risk coming here tonight—” Chloe started.
“I can’t let that happen.” I backed away from them.
“Raiden will be f-fine,” her voice shook as she said. We all knew he wasn’t going to be fine, especially once he gave the command for the guys to flee.
“I can’t leave him.” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. I wasn’t even sure where they came from. I just knew I had to get to Raiden. It was a fixation I couldn’t shake. I was suddenly an addict, desperate to be near him. To save him. “I can’t let him sacrifice himself.”
“It’s the only way to get everyone out,” Sloane replied, her voice shaking. “We accepted it.”
“No.” I shook my head. “I’ll get him.”
A crash echoed through the forest as everyone but Raiden came rushing forward. I had to get out of there before they stopped me. I might be able to fight the girls off, but the guys would be another story.
“Get everyone to safety,” I commanded.
“Ever, we can’t. We promised Raiden—” Chloe argued as I threw her the keys.
“I’ve seen it. I have to do this. You all need to get back to the Conexus house.” I was desperate for them to understand. I hadn’t seen it, but I’d felt it, and that was good enough for me. I ran away from them, going around the guys through the dark woods before they could see me.
When I reached the clearing, Raiden was clutching his side with one arm, the ground painted red with his blood. His other hand held his sword. He was still managing to hold his enemies off but only barely. I pulled out the throwing knives I had and began nailing carrion and rotwraiths, dropping them dead where they stood. I focused. I breathed steadily. I did everything I’d been taught.
